Farming For Tomorrow February 2025 by OT Communications

February 26 - 28

THE NEW GENERATION OF HANDLING

Introducing the new 2045CR Conveyor and the TL1346 Auger from Meridian. The 2045CR is more than a ‘Canola Capable’ machine. It features an upgraded drive roller, a 12,000BPH capacity, and with only five rollers, it has fewer moving parts than the competition.

The revolutionary TL1346 is our largest Truck Load Auger, and features the new Meridian Hydraulic Drive. Equipped with a 74HP diesel, suspended flighting with hanger bearings, and a hydraulic drive, this is our fastest, quietest, and safest auger yet.

Publishers Pat

Kevin Hursh

Angela Lovell

Regular

Kevin Hursh

Tammy

Copy Editor

Scott Shiels

Tom Wolf

Nerissa McNaughton

Sales

Pat Ottmann pat@farmingfortomorrow.ca 587-774-7619

Nancy Bielecki nancy@farmingfortomorrow.ca 587-774-7618

Meghan Stuart meghan@farmingfortomorrow.ca 587-774-7617

/farming4tomorrow /FFTMagazine /farming-for-tomorrow /farmingfortomorrow

WWW.FARMINGFORTOMORROW.CA

Farming For Tomorrow is delivered to 79,873 farm and agribusiness addresses every second month. The areas of distribution include Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Peace region of B.C.

The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the content of any advertisement, and all representations of warranties made in such advertisements are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in part, without the written permission of the publisher. Canadian Publications mail sales product agreement no. 41126516.

Kevin Hursh, P.Ag.

Kevin Hursh is one of the country’s leading agricultural commentators. He is an agrologist, journalist and farmer.

Kevin and his wife Marlene run Hursh Consulting & Communications based in Saskatoon. They also own and operate a farm near Cabri in southwest Saskatchewan growing a wide variety of crops.

Kevin writes for a number of agricultural publications and serves as executive director for the Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan and the Inland Terminal Association of Canada (ITAC).

X: @KevinHursh1

Looking for the Next Big Trend

What will be the next big thing in Western Canada’s crop production? Before speculating on that, let’s look back at some of the massive changes we now take for granted.

Growing up in southwest Saskatchewan, the discer (one-way) was the king for seeding implements. The first air seeders had a lot of issues – seeding skips, poor depth control, inadequate trash clearance.

Those problems were gradually resolved and the era of direct seeding began as glyphosate became cheap enough for pre-seed weed control.

Where I grew up, over 90 per cent of the crop rotation was durum wheat followed by summer fallow. No use trying to grow a crop on stubble. Gradually, it came to be accepted that much of the problem with stubble cropping was a lack of nitrogen fertilizer.

I distinctly remember a New Year’s Eve gathering in the early ’90s when a family friend took me to task for experimenting with pulse crops such as lentils. “Durum grows best on my farm,” he proclaimed, even though he had never really tried anything else.

Today, canola and wheat are the largest crops in Western Canada, but a multitude of cropping options are available and that has had an amazing impact on profitability. Widespread adoption of pulse crops provides our agriculture with a much lower carbon footprint.

Crops all used to be swathed. There was little choice with pull-type combines. Now, about the only crop that might see a swather is canola and that is declining as pod-shatter resistance becomes available.

High-clearance sprayers that once seemed like an expensive luxury have become the most used piece of equipment on many farms.

GPS equipment guidance saw an amazingly rapid adoption. It was available as an add-on to existing equipment and reduced overlap while decreasing operator fatigue. Despite the early naysayers, the technology spread like wildfire. Now, a GPS problem is often enough to stall an entire seeding or harvesting operation.

If the climate continues to warm as expected, ultra early seeding may become more common to take advantage of early season moisture while avoiding some of the summer heat. Agricultural practices may also be influenced by sustainability initiatives generated either by government regulation or demand pull from the marketplace.

Just as younger people don’t remember what life was like before the internet and social media, many younger farmers don’t remember the landmark changes that have occurred in grain production.

Looking forward, it’s difficult to envision the sort of mega changes of past decades.

Variable rate seeding and spraying continues to see more

adoption, but it’s gradual. Time constraints and technology issues have flattened the adoption curve.

Autonomous field equipment has received a lot of attention for many years, but there’s still more hype than reality. Along with autonomous equipment goes the concept of numerous small units doing the work rather than big outfits. However, new farm equipment continues to grow larger and larger as do farms.

In the U.S., spray drone sales are booming. Here in Canada, crop protection products aren’t legally registered for drone application and adoption is much slower. There’s also the question of whether drone application can be sufficiently uniform with enough acre per hour capacity to seriously compete with high-clearance sprayers in broadacre agriculture.

Herbicide resistant weeds are likely to force the use of more mechanical and agronomic weed control. Growing perennial forage crops within the rotation has long been touted as an effective weed control procedure. Perhaps, this will see more widespread adoption.

If the climate continues to warm as expected, ultra early seeding may become more common to take advantage of early season moisture while avoiding some of the summer heat. Agricultural practices may also be influenced by sustainability initiatives generated either by government regulation or demand pull from the marketplace.

Other than that, my crystal ball is murky. Let me know your thoughts on what the next big trend will be. My email is kevin@hursh.ca

EMPOWERING CIRCULAR CHOICES

We’re leading Alberta’s circular economy by inspiring sustainable choices that transform recycled materials into valuable resources. Together, we’ve diverted over 259,762 tonnes of electronics, 36.5 million litres of paint, 149.5 million tires, and 2.3 billion litres of used oil from landﬁlls.

With the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, expanded electronics recycling program, and exploration of recycling solar panels, EV batteries, and wind turbine electrical components, Alberta is taking bold steps to reduce waste and create a more sustainable future.

Learn more about recycling at albertarecycling.ca

INSPIRING A FUTURE WITHOUT WASTE

Lethbridge Po Lytechnic Leads in aPPL ied a gricu r esearch

By Angela Lovell

Dr. Willemijn Appels and the MIRG team explore cutting-edge technology.

Lethbridge Polytechnic, formerly Lethbridge College, placed 10th in the 2024 Research Infosource rankings of the top 50 research colleges in Canada. Its Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE) offers programs in many specialties, including agriculture, with a focus on research that directly benefits Alberta growers in areas such as irrigation, crop storage and handling. This fast-growing institution has expanded its facilities and increased research funding by more than $34 million since 2018.

One-size-fits-all solutions are becoming increasingly rare in agriculture, which is why detailed and nuanced applied research is so important to farmers and the industry. It’s all about meeting the changing needs and allowing for flexible solutions that can fit the many different situations that exist on farms across Alberta and Western Canada, helping to make them more profitable and sustainable.

Focusing on irrigation technology

Alberta has about 70 per cent of the irrigated land in Canada, mostly concentrated in the semi-arid southern region that forms a triangle between Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. With an abundance of natural water flowing from the mountains, irrigation is important for farmers to push their yields of cereals and oilseeds, but also allows them to grow unique crops like sugar beet and potatoes.

Irrigated crops contribute 20 per cent to Alberta’s agricultural GDP, so it is little surprise that Lethbridge Polytechnic is home to the Mueller Irrigation Research Group (MIRG) and a 385-acre research demonstration farm. In addition to conventional overhead irrigation systems, it also features a subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) experimental facility designed and built in partnership with Southern Irrigation.

“Nobody 10 years ago would have thought that subsurface irrigation would be a thing for growing field crops, but it’s gaining traction and it is something we have put a lot of research towards to find out how it works for a large-scale operation,” says Dr. Willemijn Appels, senior research chair for MIRG.

Overall, the main focus of MIRG’s research is water use efficiency at the field scale. “Our goal is to try and address variations on the landscape in terms of soils, topography and plants by applying water at the right time, in the right position, the right location and in the amounts that crops need it,” Appels says.

Work at MIRG tries to assess which practical and feasible irrigation tools producers can use to achieve maximum value. Researchers use laboratory experiments, computer models

and field trials to observe the water balance and cycle within agricultural fields to help understand those processes, and which of them are more important at different times during the growing season. They also look at different types of irrigation technology that might help improve how growers apply and get water efficiently to the plants.

Farmers provide impetus

Many of the ideas for research projects at MIRG come from farmers or grower associations.

“Often an idea will come from a conversation with a farmer who, for example, is interested in trying something new –perhaps a new sensor or variable rate irrigation technology. Or they want to establish a greenhouse gas emissions baseline in their fields, but they don’t know how much impact these things would have or how they can interpret the data,” Appels says. “We try to collaborate with them and either design a project that takes place on their property, create something bigger at a number of properties, or host it at the research farm.”

Feedback from farmers is vital to inform MIRG’s work. A great example is the four-year project it has just completed with five large potato farms. Researchers visited every week throughout the growing season each year to try to determine the variability of the potato-growing landscape throughout

southern Alberta and where there is potential for new technologies such as variable rate irrigation.

“We had a lot of interaction with farmers and that was valuable for us to learn more about the standards and the baseline of the industry, as well as the topic that we were investigating,” Appels says. “Farmers appreciated that we came out there, and did the observations, and were respectful of their fields, and we trained a lot of students as well, so it was a great experience.”

Research farm allows real-world trials

Although farmers have always been (and continue to be) invaluable partners and collaborators to trial different research at their farms, the addition of the research farm has allowed the MIRG team to do more detailed experiments that are closer to real-world farm conditions.

“It allows us to do comparison treatments including control treatments, because it’s not reasonable to ask farmers to not water a part of their land as a control treatment,” Appels says. “And it is sized in between a research facility and an actual farm size, so we can test say, a best management practice that came out of small plot trials on a larger scale, using commercial-sized equipment, and in a field that has some of the variability that you might encounter on a real farm.”

In addition to conventional overhead irrigation systems, the research farm also features a subsurface drip irrigation experimental facility designed and built in partnership with Southern Irrigation.

Farmers are also invited to the research demonstration farm for field days and events where they can see in more detail what the researchers are doing and learn about the results. That’s important because farmers are at the heart of everything they do.

“It is important that everything we do is in line with where the industry is going, and that we understand the limitations or obstacles to implementing new things,” Appels says. “Engaging with farmers opens up the floor to explore that conversation and make sure that our results will find room in the real world afterwards.”

What’s new in irrigation?

Over the past 20 years, there have been huge advances in irrigation technology, and variable rate (VR) irrigation is the hot new idea in irrigation today. Research into VR irrigation is ongoing at MIRG, but it could be a while before it’s feasible for farmers to implement.

“We are trying to figure out how to switch off sprinkler nozzles on certain pieces where you have too much water already,” Appels says. “Another aspect is looking at how you could create maps for under that pivot circle with sensors mounted on the pivot and in the soil that talk to each other, and then an analyzing model creates a map and adjusts the amount of water each time the pivot goes around. But the return on investment isn’t quite there yet for most people.”

Reducing post-harvest losses a key focus

Another major research focus for Lethbridge Polytechnic is post-harvest technology, including storage handling and maintaining crop quality during storage.

“My program focuses on post-harvest technology, and always in the back of my mind is how we can minimize losses of any crops – the major cereal grains, oilseeds and pulses, but also sugar beets and potatoes,” says Dr. Chandra Singh, RDAR research chair in agricultural engineering and technology, and director of the Advanced Post-harvest Technology Centre (APHTC) at Lethbridge Polytechnic.

“Minimizing losses means more food to feed people, which is important for food security, and also sustainability of farms because all of farmers’ hard work and inputs are lost if they have harvest losses.”

Again, the impetus for the research always comes from farmers, and it was the dreadful harvest conditions of 2019 –causing close to $750 million of losses for farmers across Canada – that prompted Singh and his team to delve deeply into grain drying technology and practices for all major crops.

In collaboration with Alberta Grains and the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Singh worked with 30 farmers across Alberta, doing research on their farms and at APHTC to help them improve their grain drying efficiency.

“If you can improve the drying, you can harvest the crop and help reduce some of those risks,” Singh says. “Even if you can improve it by 10 per cent, that is a saving of $75 million in terms of the kinds of losses we saw in 2019.”

Expanded laboratory capabilities

Over the past four years, the federal and provincial governments, along with industry partners, have invested $2.4 million into expanding APHTC’s state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. It now boasts an imaging lab, grain testing lab, wet chemistry lab, and food quality testing and analytical chemistry labs.

“It means that we can bring in crop samples and do most of the quality testing very precisely in our own labs. We can measure sugar content, specific gravity, protein and moisture content, falling numbers test, gluten content tests, etc.,” Singh says. “As well, we can do other analytical and food safety testing studies at the centre.”

Singh’s team is also working on projects with the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers, looking to help solve their unique storage challenges (as sugar beets are stored outside), and the Potato Growers of Alberta and potato processors to reduce potato shrinkage losses during storage.

“We need to support our growers so we have enough food for people, and minimizing spoilage is important because any spoilage is a direct loss to the producer at the farm gate.”

- Dr. Chandra Singh

Farmers at the heart of everything

Singh emphasizes that farmers’ input is vital to the work they do.

“We need to understand the practical side because scientists can come up with a novel solution, but can it be applied on the farms?” he says. “Do they have the logistics? Is it practical? Do they have time, labour, money? Is it cost effective? Can we

scale it up? When we talk to farmers and see their operations and how they deal with challenges, we can determine if our solution is going to help them or create more problems. If it is going to create more problems, no one will adopt it.”

Over the past decade, storage and harvest systems have changed fast with the advancement of new sensors, the Internet of Things and cloud-based, wireless technology, as farmers can now monitor their facilities on their cellphones in real time. Singh and his team are continuing to work on research that improves on these technologies and on management strategies to help improve the bottom line for Alberta farmers and help feed a growing world population.

“We need to support our growers so we have enough food for people, and minimizing spoilage is important because any spoilage is a direct loss to the producer at the farm gate.”

Along with irrigation and post-harvest themes, the Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre made up of the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence and Centre for Sustainable Food Production is another area of applied research at Lethbridge Polytechnic.

Lethbridge Polytechnic is home to a 385-acre research demonstration farm.

AGRI-FOOD HUB & TRADE CENTRE

LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA PRESENTED BY

OFFICIAL SHOW GUIDE

EVENT DETAILS

ADMISSION PRICES

MACHINERY ROW IS BACK!

NORTH AMERICAN SEED FAIR

WELCOME TO AG EXPO 2025!

Once again, we are pleased to host the agriculture industry at the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta.

2024 was a year of extremes across the prairies, with drought in some areas and excessive rain in others. In the end, we were blessed with good harvesting weather and, for the most part, yields were better than expected across the prairies.

We have a full house once again at Ag Expo with another sold out show. The agriculture industry never ceases to amaze me with innovations and products that make farmers more efficient and thus more profitable.

ABOUT AG EXPO

We have a revamped floor plan, which allows us to host even more exhibitors than in 2024 and we have brought back Machinery Row with some outdoor exhibitors. We are also pleased to announce record-breaking sponsorship from our partners! We appreciate your support.

Lethbridge and the province of Alberta are pleased to welcome farmers from across the prairies, and we are also expecting visitors from around the globe as we celebrate the business of agriculture!

Enjoy the Show!

DAVE FIDDLER EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, AG EXPO

In the heart of Canada’s Premier Food Corridor, Ag Expo is proud to host the agriculture industry. Seamlessly merging state-of-the-art technology and equipment with the enduring spirit of hardworking farm culture, Ag Expo provides visitors with a captivating glimpse into the industry that beats at the heart of Southern Alberta.

Ag Expo brings together the world’s most innovative agricultural solutions and invites

those working in the industry to learn about all the options for their operations. Experience the latest farming equipment, and trade and invest with other exhibitors launching innovative new industry technology from irrigation systems and farm equipment to livestock supplies, chemicals, and seeds. Connect directly with major producers and marketers of crops and livestock while finding the tools and resources you need–all in one place.

EVENT DETAILS

FEB. 26 – 28, 2025

AGRI-FOOD HUB & TRADE CENTRE 3401 PARKSIDE DRIVE S, LETHBRIDGE, AB

LIMITED PARKING IS INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION 9 AM – 5 PM

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Buffet ........................................................ 11 AM – 1 PM

Located in the Real Estate Centre Lobby.

Concession ........................................... 9 AM – 4 PM

Located in the Lethbridge County Corridor.

Bars .................................................... 11 AM – 4 PM

Several bars serving a variety of beverages.

ADMISSION PRICE

Advance General Admission (12+) ....................... $18

On sale from Jan. 4 – Feb. 24, 2025 at 5 PM.

General Admission (12+) ..................................... $20

On sale from Feb. 25 – 28, 2025.

Student Admission ............................................ FREE

Includes 4-H Youth, Lethbridge Polytechnic & University of Lethbridge Students (with valid ID).

Children (11 and Under) ..................................... FREE

Farmers and ranchers can get an

EXTRA YEAR OF COVERAGE

on top of the current o ers on select Can-Am ATVs and SxSs

See our o ers for farmers and ranchers.

See our current promo o ers.

©2025 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its a liates. O ers valid in Canada only between August 20, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The conditions may vary depending on your location and this o er is subject to termination or change at any time without notice. This o er is not refundable, exchangeable or transferable (including from dealership to another), cannot be redeemed for cash, credit or other products of equivalent value. Null where prohibited by law. Until supplies last. Eligible units are all new and unused 2024-2025 Can-Am Defender, Commander and Outlander models, excluding X mr packages. † Quali ed agricultural and commercial consumers get an additional year of coverage on select models: The buyer of an eligible model will receive 12 months of B.E.S.T. coverage. Subject to the exclusions, limitations of liabilities, and all other terms and conditions of BRP’s standard limited warranty contract, including without limitation the exclusions of damages caused by abuse, abnormal use or neglect. B.E.S.T. service contract is subject to a $50 deductible on each repair. For complete details, please see the BRP limited warranty and the B.E.S.T. contract. See your BRP dealer for details. BRP recommends that all ATV-SSV drivers take a training course. See your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887 (USA) or the Canadian Safety Council at 1-613-739-1535 (Canada). ATV and SSV can be hazardous to operate. Never exceed the ATV-SSV’s passenger capacity. All adult model ATV are meant to be used by drivers of age 16 and older. Carefully read the vehicle’s operator’s guide. Follow all instructional and safety material and observe applicable laws and regulations. ATV and SSV are for o -road use only; never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. For your safety, the operator and passenger(s) must wear a helmet, eye protection and applicable protective clothing. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speed and be particularly careful on di cult terrain. Always ride responsibly and safely. See your authorized BRP dealer for details and visit www.can-am.brp.com.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

think AG | CAREER FAIR HOSTED BY AG FOR LIFE AND AG EXPO

Agriculture for Life (Ag for Life) and Ag Expo are excited to present the thinkAG Career Fair in February 2025!

Students in grades 9 – 12 are invited to participate in a one-of-a-kind career experience. Learn how your students’ unique interests align with the agriculture industry through participation in interactive, thought-provoking explorations. Students will have the chance to listen to a line-up of agriculture professionals active in the field, participate in a Q and A session, and visit the Ag Expo showroom floor. Ag for Life has been delivering impactful, educational programs and awareness, connecting students of all ages to the culture of agriculture since 2011. It is our mission to educate and inspire the next generation to pick up the torch and dive into this industry of growing opportunity, playing an integral role in society, the economy, and the environment.

The thinkAG Career Fair hits curriculum outcomes within career and life management, propelling students forward in their lifelong career development journey through networking and career mentorship opportunities. Exposed to a range of career possibilities within agriculture, students can rub elbows with industry leaders and analyze the career paths of others to find their fit. Hosted at the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre, a space provided by Ag Expo in Lethbridge, the thinkAG Career Fair will be held between 8 AM - 2 PM on Feb. 26, 2025. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for hands-on industry immersion, and allow your students the chance to ask their burning questions and seek out education and employment opportunities within the agriculture industry.

thinkAG CAREER FAIR

8 AM - 2 PM | FEB. 26, 2025

AGRI-FOOD HUB & TRADE CENTRE

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

THE DISH | SPECIAL EVENT HOSTED BY AFSC & AG EXPO

Serving Up Success in Ag

February 27 | 3 – 5 PM | Lakeview Salon

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Join us at The Dish during Ag Expo & North American Seed Fair for an exclusive event hosted by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC).

This session will explore the key pillars of risk in agriculture — providing a clear understanding of the challenges facing farmers today. You’ll also gain insights into emerging trends shaping

the industry in 2025 and learn about tools and programs that can help you navigate these risks effectively.

Whether you’re starting out, re-entering the field, or building on your current operation, The Dish is your chance to connect with industry experts, ask questions, and leave with valuable knowledge to support your farming journey.

EDWIN KIFFIAK MEMORIAL AWARD AWARDS RECEPTION FRIDAY, FEB. 28, 2025 | 2–3 PM | MNP MEETING CENTRE

SEED FAIR SUPPORTERS

FEB. 26 – 28, 2025 9 AM – 5 PM

EXHIBITOR LISTINGS

COMPANY NAME

BOOTH

BUILDING & BUILDING SUPPLIES

Avonlea Interior Products 910

Banditos Incorporated 356

Bryz Enterprise Ltd 668

CBM Lighting 632

Cooper Equipment Rentals 311

DA Steel Buildings 122

Delcan Building Materials 620

Destiny Homes 170

Diamond Industries Ltd 533

Elevate Construction Partners 116

Enviro-Smart Inc S64

EQUS 911

Evans HD 429

Goldridge Industries Inc 467

Goodon Industries Ltd 817

Grand Forks Concrete Ltd S65

ICC Distribution Group 152

Integrity Post Structures 419

Interlake Resources Inc 819

Jade Homes O13

Jayco Builders Inc 26

Keystone Concrete Ltd 551

Link Builders 619

M & K Home Sales 34

Mountain View Precast 406

Mountainview Systems 806

PowerLift Hydraulic Doors 628

Prairie Post Frame 904

Prairie Stone Concrete Ltd 140

Remuda Building 315

Ridgeline Contracting Ltd 307

South Country Doors 2003 Ltd 686

Southridge Construction Ltd 664

Southwest Design & Construction 577

Steve’s Urethane Inc 649

Structural Truss Systems 11

SuperForm Products Ltd 319

SureBond Safe Floors 128

Taber Home & Farm Centre 682

UFA 483

Westco Construction Ltd 474

Western Solar 164

Wind & Sun Protection 172

Wurth Canada 616

Zipperlock Building Co. 106

CROP INPUTS

ADM Fertilizer 610

Agracity Crop and Nutrition Ltd 410

Agroplus Inc 361

AgTek360 30

Annelida Soil Solutions S38

ASLE Technologies Group (ATG) 644

Atom-Jet Industries 608

ATP Nutrition Ltd 509

Bayer Crop Science 355

Belchim Canada 343

Best Farming Systems 466

Brett-Young Seeds Limited S17

Brummelhuis Seeds S04

CarbonWorks/640 Ag Inc S62

Chin Ridge Seeds 916

Chinook Treaters & Spreaders 900

Cleanfarms S25

Crop Aid Nutrition Ltd 23

E.C.I. Environmental Choice Inc 18

EQUS 911

Fabian Seed Farms Inc 553

Farmers Business Network S29

FMC Canada 455

Genesis Fertilizers LP S23

Gowan Canada 28

Graham Seed Treating Systems Ltd 571

I Beam Irrigation 522

Independent Crop Inputs 303

Johnston’s Grain Ltd 902

KOCH Agronomic Services 331

Nufarm S58

OMEX Agriculture 557

Paramoria Agri-Science Inc S74

Parrish & Heimbecker 33

Penergetic Canada 658

PGS Equipment Ltd 306,O10

PowerRich Fertilizer Inc 505

Prairie Skies Alfalfa Ltd 820

Preventive Maintenance Inc 335

Richardson Pioneer Ltd 414

Scotiabank 120

SeedNet Inc S05

Simplot Grower Solutions 908

Syngenta Canada Inc 478

Taber Home & Farm Centre 682

Tama Canada 569

Taurus Agricultural Marketing Inc S66

Trinity Bio Chem Inc 423

UFA 483

West Wind Airspray Ltd. S52

XiteBio Technologies Inc 662

FARM FINANCE

Annelida Soil Solutions S38

CIBC 20

CWB National Leasing / Canadian Western Bank S13

Fabian Seed Farms Inc 553

Farm Credit Canada 401

Market Place Commodities 650

RDAR S60

Richardson Pioneer Ltd 414

Scotiabank 120

Solar YYC 301

TD Agriculture Services 130

UFA 483

FARM SUPPLIES & TOOLS

Accurate/Western Scale 601

Agri-Flow Equipment & Supply 905

Banditos Incorporated 356

Bryz Enterprise Ltd 668

Bushel Plus Ltd 523

Chinook Country Pressure Washers Ltd 112

Diamond City Farm Supply Ltd 545

Diamond Hoof Care Ltd 675

Diamond Industries Ltd 533

Enviro-Smart Inc S64

EQUS 911

Evans HD 429

Fabian Seed Farms Inc 553

Farming Smarter S37

Flaman Group of Companies 312,O11

Gem Machinery O2

Jepson Petroleum (Alberta) Ltd 547

Lethbridge Dairy Mart Ltd 471

Millennium Genetics 21 Ltd 814

Mo’s Grazing Supplies S61

Mountainview Systems 806

One Guy Garage Auto Parts for Everything 615

One Time Fencing 36

PGS Equipment Ltd 306,O10

Power Fuelz S63

Preventive Maintenance Inc 335

Solar YYC 301

Southern Irrigation 810

Specialized Spray Inc 563

Sunnybrook Combine Parts 816

Thunderstruck Ag Equipment 129

UFA 483

FEED/GRAIN SUPPLEMENTS

Agri-King

EXHIBITOR LISTINGS

COMPANY NAME

BOOTH

Lethbridge Dairy Mart Ltd 471

Maximum H2O 683

Millennium Genetics 21 Ltd 814

Mo’s Grazing Supplies S61

Mustang Trailers Ltd O8

Nieboer Farm Supplies 133

One Time Fencing 36

Pioneer Coupler Cattle Oiler Co. 323

Precision AG Systems 663

Puroxi Alberta Inc 609

Rocking Horse Industries Ltd 439

Rusty Ag 673

Shimek Industries 676

Southern Irrigation 810

Standard Scale 804

UFA 483

MATERIAL HANDLING

Accurate/Western Scale 601

Bos Agri Sales 174

Brandt Tractor Ltd 300

Chinook Country Pressure Washers Ltd 112

Cooper Equipment Rentals 311

Dutchie Dirt-Moving 670

Enviro-Smart Inc S64

Flaman Group of Companies 312,O11

Fort Garry Industries 442

Frontlink Inc 347

Goldridge Industries Inc 467

ICC Distribution Group 152

K.A. Group (Ashland/K-Tec) 407

Millennium Genetics 21 Ltd 814

Noble Equipment 145

One Guy Garage Auto Parts for Everything 615

PGS Equipment Ltd 306,O10

Rocking Horse Industries Ltd 439

Shimek Industries 676

SkywayGrain Systems 517

Standard Scale 804

Tolsma Grisnich S45

Treadstone Machinery Ltd 445

OTHER

Agrai Dairy Mart 643

Agri Fit Solutions 144

Agrocorp Processing 32

AgSafe Alberta S56

Alltech 527

Alpine 371

Al’s Consulting 621

Annelida Soil Solutions S38

Azgard Solar Inc 17

Banditos Incorporated 356

B-Hyve AG 514

Bio-Agtive Emissions Farming 511

Boehringer-Ingelhelm Animal Health

Canada Inc 479

Brandt Tractor Ltd 300

Bryz Enterprise Ltd 668

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency S49

Canadian Grain Commission S21

Carbon Controls Ltd S54

Chinook Country Pressure Washers Ltd 112

Chinook Farm Innovations Inc 529

Cleanfarms S25

CLHbid.com 920

Columbia Grain International S27

Cooper Equipment Rentals 311

Croplands Equipment 640

Dairy Lane Systems 578

D-Com Energy Solutions 184

Decisive Farming by TELUS Agriculture 627

Dennis’ Dirtworx Ltd 470

Diamond Hoof Care Ltd 675

Diamond Industries Ltd 533

DNE 681

Double R Value Insulation 614

Down to Earth Labs 188

Dutchie Dirt-Moving 670

Energy Smart Canada Ltd S70

Enriched Water 638

Enviro-Smart Inc S64

EQUS 911

Evans HD 429

Evolution Wheel S67

Fabian Seed Farms Inc 553

Farming Smarter S37

Flaman Group of Companies 312,O11 Forty Mile Rail S50 Frontier Power Products 674 Gem Machinery O2

Global Commodities Traders Inc S22

GreatWest Kenworth 460

HALO Air Ambulance 387

Highway 3 Twinning Development Association 25

Hire Standard 13

Holmes Ecowater 521

I Beam Irrigation 522

Interlake Resources Inc 819

Jepson Petroleum (Alberta) Ltd 547

JGL Commodities S35

Johnston’s Grain Ltd 902

Komet Irrigation

SALON MAP

SCAN THIS CODE FOR A DIGITAL VERSION OF THE MAP

EXHIBITOR LISTINGS - ALPHABETICAL

20/20 Seed Labs Inc ..............................S14

Accurate/Western Scale .........................601

AcuFast 35

ADM Fertilizer ........................................610

AFSC

Agracity Crop and Nutrition Ltd ..............410

Agrai Dairy Mart 643

Agri Fit Solutions ...................................144

Agri-Flow Equipment & Supply 905

Agri-King Inc/Silo-King Forage and Hay Treatment ..............................................821

Agri-Novatex Canada Ltd 805

Agrocorp Processing .............................32

Agroplus Inc 361

AgSafe Alberta.......................................S56

AgTek360 30

Airguard Inc ...........................................913

Alberta AG Centre 370

Alberta Grains ........................................S08

Alberta Pulse Growers S16

Alltech ...................................................527

Alpine 371

Al’s Consulting .......................................621

Ample Ag Solutions 333

Annelida Soil Solutions ..........................S38

Arjazon Seed Trading Ltd S18

ASLE Technologies Group (ATG).............644

Atom-Jet Industries 608

ATP Nutrition Ltd ...................................509

Avonlea Interior Products 910

Azgard Solar Inc ....................................17

B Banditos Incorporated ............................356

BASF 400

Bayer Crop Science ...............................355

Belchim Canada 343

Best Farming Systems ...........................466

B-Hyve AG 514

Big Bale Company South Ltd..................37

Bio-Agtive Emissions Farming 511

Boehringer-Ingelhelm Animal Health Canada Inc ............................................479

Bos Agri Sales 174

Bourgault Industries Ltd .........................121

Brandt Tractor Ltd 300

Brett-Young Seeds Limited S17

Brummelhuis Seeds S04

Bryz Enterprise Ltd 668

Bushel Plus Ltd 523

Cams AG 461

Canadian Agri-Blend Inc 19

Canadian Cattle Identification

Agency S49

Canadian Grain Commission S21

CAP Solar Pumps Ltd 454

Carbon Controls Ltd S54

CarbonWorks/640 Ag Inc S62

CBM Lighting 632

Chin Ridge Seeds 916

Chinook Country Pressure

Washers Ltd 112

Chinook Equipment 171

Chinook Farm Innovations Inc 529

Chinook Treaters & Spreaders ................900

CIBC 20

Cleanfarms ............................................S25

Clews Storage Management 604

CLHbid.com ..........................................920

Columbia Grain International S27

Columbia Seed Co Ltd ............................S24

Communications Group Lethbridge Ltd 21

Cooper Equipment Rentals ....................311

CORR Grain Systems Inc 559

Covers and Co .......................................375

Crop Aid Nutrition Ltd 23

Croplands Equipment .............................640

CWB National Leasing/Canadian Western Bank S13 D

DA Steel Buildings 122

Dairy Lane Systems ...............................578

D-Com Energy Solutions 184

Decisive Farming by TELUS Agriculture .............................................627

Delcan Building Materials 620 Delta Irrigation/Water Tec ......................411,415 Dennis’ Dirtworx Ltd 470 Destiny Homes ......................................170

DeVry Forages S48

Diamond City Farm Supply Ltd ...............545

Diamond Hoof Care Ltd

EXHIBITOR LISTINGS - ALPHABETICAL

Mo’s Grazing Supplies S61

Mountain View Precast ..........................406

Mountainview Systems 806

Mustang Trailers Ltd ..............................O8

Neeralta Manufacturing Inc ....................332

Neu-Lite Electric S31

New West Truck Centres ........................434

New-Line Hose & Fittings 652

New-Way Irrigation/Kubota ....................433

Nieboer Farm Supplies 133

Noble Equipment ...................................145

Northstar Genetics S46

Nufarm ..................................................S58

O Ocean Trailer .........................................346

OMEX Agriculture 557

One Guy Garage Auto Parts for Everything ........................................615

One Time Fencing 36

Optimum Manufacturing ........................535

Outback Guidance 367

Paramoria Agri-Science Inc S74

Parrish & Heimbecker ............................33

Penergetic Canada 658

Performance Seed .................................S06

PGS Equipment Ltd 306,O10

Pillar Lasers Inc .....................................669

Pioneer Coupler Cattle Oiler Co 323

Pioneer Hi-Bred Canada Company ..........501

Plants Dig Soil 16

Power Fuelz ...........................................S63

PowerLift Hydraulic Doors 628

PowerRich Fertilizer Inc ..........................505

Prairie Post Frame 904

Prairie Skies Alfalfa Ltd ..........................820

Prairie Stone Concrete Ltd 140

Precision Ag Products ............................3

Precision AG Systems 663

Preventive Maintenance Inc ...................335

Pride Seeds S01

Puroxi Alberta Inc ..................................609

Quattro Seeds ........................................S10

R Rayglen Commodities Inc .......................S09

RDAR S60

Real Estate Centre .................................146

Redfern Enterprises Ltd 22

RediRain 1

Remuda Building 315

Richardson Pioneer Ltd 414

Ridgeline Contracting Ltd 307

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers 583

Rocking Horse Industries Ltd 439

RPH Irrigation Services Ltd 646

Rusty Ag 673

S Sandman Hotel Group 9

Scotiabank 120

SeCan S15

Seed World Canada 2

SeedNet Inc S05

Shepherd

South

JCB 512-83R ROTATING TELEHANDLER

The roto telehandler introduces a whole new realm of opportunities by combining three machines into one with the maneuverability of a telehandler, reach and lifting capability of a crane, and access capacity of a MEWP .

HIGHLIGHTS

■ Maximum capacity of 12,000 lbs and a maximum lift height of 83 ft 3 in

HIGHLIGHTS

■ Powered by a 145 hp JCB EcoMac engine - no DPF filters

■ Maximum capacity of 12,000 lbs and a maximum lift height of 83 ft 3 in

■ 4 scissor type outriggers with AUTO functions: deploy, retract and level

■ Powered by a 145 hp JCB EcoMac engine - no DPF filters

■ Dual seat mounted joysticks in large, ergonomic operator station

■ 4 scissor type outriggers with AUTO functions: deploy, retract and level

■ Dual seat mounted joysticks in large, ergonomic operator station

■ Load Management System (LMS) that displays capacities and limits; can be set for specific applicaiton situations

■ RFID attachments recognition corresponding with in-cab LMS system

■ LiveLink telematics for real-time machine data

■ Load Management System (LMS) that displays capacities and limits; can be set for specific applicaiton situations

■ RFID attachments recognition corresponding with in-cab LMS system

■ LiveLink telematics for real-time machine data

Grande Prairie Fort McMurray

WE’LL BUILD GROWING BUSINESSES TOGETHER.

Our industry stands ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. With innovation and drive, we will find new approaches, develop new techniques and grow agriculture in Alberta.

PROUD TO GROW AGRICULTURE IN ALBERTA

Canada’s largest power co-op.

Visit our trade show at Ag Expo to learn how we can support your business and for a chance to win an iPad Mini.

Visit our booth to Enter to Win an iPad Mini

“EQUS has provided us with the new power infrastructure to provide clean, reliable power that we need”.

The iPad winner will be announced at the end of the Ag Expo. It’s easy to enter, just visit the EQUS booth #911

Jordan Sears Chinook Feeders farm

Southern Alberta Land Values

What’s in store for 2025?

By Lisa Kopochinski

Cultivated farmland across the country rose by more than five per cent in the first half of 2024.

In an article published last October, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) reported a 9.6 per cent increase from July 2023 to June 2024. This represented a slowdown compared to the previous year, likely attributed to lower commodity prices and elevated borrowing costs.

The rate in Alberta settled at 4.6 per cent (between January 2024 and June 2024) while neighbouring province Saskatchewan recorded a higher six-month increase at 7.4 per cent. British Columbia’s rate was five per cent, while Manitoba recorded a growth of 3.9 per cent.

In terms of land values in southern Alberta, FCC senior appraiser Kurri Carlson reported the following farmland value percentage increase for dryland: 9.1 per cent in 2023; 4.4 per cent in 2022; 6.2 per cent in 2021; 2.9 per cent in 2020; and 3.9 per cent in 2019.

“When it comes to provincial trends, FCC reported that in Alberta, the trend has been toward selling smaller parcels of land, as large holdings are divided into smaller groups to attract more buyers. Additionally, land transactions are increasingly occurring through private sales, live auctions and sealed tenders.”

“When it comes to provincial trends, FCC reported that in Alberta, the trend has been toward selling smaller parcels of land, as large holdings are divided into smaller groups to attract more buyers. Additionally, land transactions are increasingly occurring through private sales, live auctions and sealed tenders.”

- Kurri Carlson

MANAGE HERBICIDE RESISTANCE WITH A WINNING HAND

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“Climate change and drought have contributed to the increasing value of irrigated and water-secure land, as well as specialty crops.”

- Diane Richardson

FCC observed a 4.6 per cent rise in land values during the first half of 2024, with the most significant increases noted in the northern parts of the province.

Diane Richardson, a realtor with real estate firm CIR Realty, says the increase in land value in southern Alberta over the past five years averaged out to just under 40 per cent. However, this is dependent upon the type of land.

“Irrigated land has seen a significant increase of over 80 per cent, while cultivated and pastureland has been more modest with closer to 30 per cent increases. Climate change and drought have contributed to the increasing value of irrigated and water-secure land, as well as specialty crops. Strong grain and livestock prices have helped increase the value of cultivated and pastureland, albeit in smaller measure.”

2025 Predictions

When asked her prediction for 2025 in terms of how much southern Alberta land prices will increase, Richardson stresses it’s a tough question to answer.

“If things hold steady in terms of interest rates and commodity prices, we could see an increase of five per cent to 10 per cent with irrigated land gaining the most. However, there are so many things that can impact the value of farmland, including interest rates, commodity prices, climate factors and whether tariffs will be imposed on some or all of the agricultural products Canada exports to the U.S.”

Simon D. Hunt, a licensed realtor at Simon D. Hunt Realty Group in Calgary, says predicting land values is difficult because the final numbers for 2024 won’t be published until this March. He notes there may be some changes happening with a new American president threatening tariffs against Canada and a federal election coming.

“Interest rates that have been declining may start to go back up eventually in the latter part of the year. Also, interesting situations of land conversion throughout Alberta with data centres, solar panel farms and other nontypical agricultural uses are going to make farmland even more

“Interesting situations of land conversion throughout Alberta with data centres, solar panel farms and other nontypical agricultural uses are going to make farmland even more precious.”

- Simon D. Hunt

precious. In regions around Calgary, we are seeing higher than anticipated values upwards of $30,000 to $50,000 an acre. My prediction is we will see values rise as demand becomes even stronger and the amount of people coming to Alberta is increasing, putting even more pressure on demand.”

FCC senior economist Justin Shepherd predicts purchasing land in the year ahead will come with careful consideration of the price and timing.

“Some operations will prefer to wait and see where land values will settle while others may move more quickly should adjacent land become available, or simply because it fits their strategic business plans.”

While the receipts of grains, oilseeds and pulses in Canada are estimated to have declined 13.1 per cent in 2024, he says the forecast is they will return to a positive growth of 3.4 per cent in 2025.

“Input costs will remain elevated for the new crop and producers must continue to exercise caution in their investment decisions in 2025. The good news is that farmland value increases reflect a positive outlook for the demand of agriculture commodities and the quality food we produce in Canada. Producers have a long track record of making strategic investments in land. These long-term investments in food production have spurred growth and create a bright future for Canada’s agriculture and food industry.”

Farmland Values Report

For 2023, FCC published the following data in its Farmland Values Report (on March 12, 2024). Alberta Average: 6.5% increase in value for 2023.

(The 2024 report will be published in March 2025.)

From January to June, the first six months of 2024, Alberta saw a 4.6 per cent increase in land values.

Southern Alberta Cultivated Land an increase for 2023:

*FCC reference value $/acre.

**The value range represents 90 per cent of the sales in each area and excludes the top and bottom five per cent.

Southern Alberta Pastureland

*FCC reference value $/acre.

**The value range represents 90 per cent of the sales in each area and excludes the top and bottom five per cent.

FROM CROPS TO CATTLE

WHERE EVERYTHING IS UNDER ONE ROOF

Join us for the first Cypress Farm & Ranch Show. It’s the ultimate destination for farmers, ranchers and agri-business leaders in Western Canada. Experience cutting-edge agriculture and the thrill of the World Professional Chuckwagon Races all in one place!

Medicine Hat, AB June 12 - 14, 2025

Mental health isn’t something we talk about. to ignore

It’s time to start changing the way we talk about farmers and farming. To recognize that just like anyone else, sometimes we might need a little help dealing with issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. That’s why the Do More Agriculture Foundation is here, ready to provide access to mental health resources like counselling, training and education, tailored specifically to the needs of Canadian farmers and their families.

M&K Home Sales has proudly served Alberta’s farmers since

Sales & service of new and pre-owned agricultural

Sales & service of new and pre-owned agricultural machinery, specialized in row crop equipment. specialized in row crop equipment.

From seeding to storage and from harvesting to packaging, at PGS quality comes first which is reflected in the product range with brands such as: Colombo, Downs, Grimme, Spudnik, Van Dijke, Milestone, Bijlsma Hercules, VHM, SurePoint AG, Mooij Agro and more!

We have many quality Triple M Homes available for a quick delivery. Come see us at Booth

and ﬁnd out about our

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+1-403-223-5380 www.pgs-equipment.ca info@pgs-equipment.ca

PARTNERS IN YOUR FIELD

Getting the most from your acres comes down to the smallest details, and we’re ready to prove we’re up to the challenge – even on your toughest acres. Whether it’s developing, researching, testing or getting to work in the field, PRIDE Seeds is there with you every step of the way.

BECAUSE

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