Farming For Tomorrow May June 2022 by OT Communications

$7.95

May / June 2022

ENTREPRENEURS IN AGRICULTURE

A Plan for Success

Andre and Katie Steppler continue family legacy of progress and innovation

MADE FOR THE LONGER HAUL

2022 DEFENDER DPS HD7

2022 DEFENDER XT HD9

ENGINEERED TO LAST Built to last and blast through long hours of hard work with an easy-going ride. Featuring a 1,000 lb cargo capacity, 2,500 lb hauling capacity and two new engine options, the HD7 and HD9, this machine is ready for the haul of fame.

CANAMDEFENDER.CA

© 2022 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligation. CAN-AM OFF-ROAD VEHICLE: Some models depicted may include optional equipment. For side-by-side vehicles (SxS): Read the BRP side-byside operator’s guide and watch the safety DVD before driving. Fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Operator must be at least 16 years old. Passenger must be at least 12 years old and able to hold handgrips and plant feet while seated against the backrest. SxSs are for off-road use only; never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. For your safety, the operator and passenger must wear a helmet, eye protection and other protective clothing. Always remember that riding, alcohol and drugs don’t mix. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speed and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Always ride responsibly and safely.

NEW 13’’ AUGERS 1395 | 13115

NOW AVAILABLE WITH THE

MERIDIAN EXTENDABLE SWING

Extendable Axle

Patented Spring Loaded Blow-Out Doors

Left/Right Hand Flighting in Swing Hopper

13’’ Infeed with Easy Access Service Panels

BRING ON HARVEST.

Meridian is excited to add to our 13’’ Auger lineup with the new 1395 and 13115. These massive augers feature heavy-duty scissor-lift undercarriages, patented blow-out doors, extendable axles, 13,000BPH capacity and are available with the Meridian Extendable Swing!

ww w. m e r i d i an m f g . c o m | ( 800) 6 6 7 - 5 9 0 4 | a u g e r s @ m e r i d i a n m f g . c o m

We took the most DURABLE, FUNCTIONAL, & RELIABLE conveyor

and made it better.

Combined with Convey-All’s robust hydraulic drive, simplistic joystick controls, capacities up to 9,000BPH (1600series)/12,000BPH (2200 series), and heavy-duty undercarriage, the new innovative features make Convey-All Conveyors the best handling solution for your farm or agribusiness. Visit our website convey-all.com or call (800) 665-7259 to learn more.

A Plan for Success By Natalie Noble

A Farmer’s Viewpoint

Farming In An Uncertain World by Kevin Hursh

Spraying 101

Are Spot Sprays The Future For Pesticides? by Tom Wolf

In For A Wild Ride

Downtime Is Not An Option

Grain Market Analysis

Preventative Maintenance

by Scott Shiels

by Jeff Melchior

Lighten Your Footprint

Playing The Long Game

Compaction & Tires

Those Wily Weeds

by Steve Werblow

by Tammy Jones

Succession Planning Concerns

What Will The Market Remember About These Uncertain Times?

Farming Your Money by Paul Kuntz

by Vincent Cloutier

Grain Storage

In The Bin: Not A One-And-Done by James Snell

KEVIN HURSH 6

Farm Finance

PAUL KUNTZ

Read the latest news and insights from our contributors. Whether it’s farm investments or insects, they share the latest to bring you success in and out of the field.

SCOTT SHIELS

TAMMY JONES

TOM WOLF

NEW Prosaro PRO delivers enhanced disease protection and grain quality for professional wheat and barley growers. Prosaro® PRO fungicide sets the standard as the first foliar fungicide registered in Canada to deliver ergot, fusarium head blight and leaf disease protection in wheat and barley. An effective solution with multi-modes of action and three powerful active ingredients, it provides exceptional protection in high disease situations. So, when you want to maximize your Return on Investment, reach for Prosaro PRO. Learn more at cropscience.bayer.ca/ProsaroPRO

ItsGrowTime.ca

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

#AskBayerCrop

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Bayer, Bayer Cross, It’s Grow Time™ and Prosaro® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. Used under license. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada. © 2022 The Bayer Group. All rights reserved.

A FARMER’S VIEWPOINT | FARMING IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD

Farming In An Uncertain World 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). Twitter: @KevinHursh1

Two years of worldwide pandemic followed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine has created an extremely uncertain and volatile situation for farmers and ranchers. No one can predict all the twists and turns we may see, but here are some of the most common concerns and what can be done to mitigate them in the growing season ahead. Weather is one variable that doesn’t care about the pandemic or the war in Ukraine. However, with tightening grain stocks worldwide, weather will play a greater role than ever in grain prices. Market analysts will pay close attention to weather and crop conditions in all the major producing regions of the world. Lots of that analysis is available to producers at little or no cost. There are also reputable market newsletters that are well worth the subscription cost. To cover the potential of another drought or other extreme weather here at home, most Prairie producers will have enrolled in crop insurance programs and/or private insurance programs. Decisions on hail insurance can still be made, but enrollment deadlines have passed for other programs. Covering price risk, however, can be an ongoing process. Many producers were burned by contract buyouts last year and are shy about pre-pricing. Fortunately, an increasing number of commodities have “Act of God” clauses that remove production risk. While the prices offered will be lower than with a deferred delivery contract, having the “Act of God” clause means the farmer won’t have to worry about a contract buy-out. In canola, options and option-based contracts can be used to set a minimum price at a set cost. Again, the price won’t be as high as with a deferred delivery contract, but you can participate in the market upside. What goes up also comes down and taking some price risk off the table can be a good strategy. As the growing season proceeds and there’s more confidence with crop yields, additional pricing may be warranted.

A FARMER’S VIEWPOINT

Publishers

Pat Ottmann & Tim Ottmann

Editor

Natalie Noble

Design

Cole Ottmann

Regular Contributors Kevin Hursh Tammy Jones Paul Kuntz

Scott Shiels Tom Wolf

Copy EditorS

Nikki Mullett Nerissa McNaughton

Sales

Pat Ottmann pat@farmingfortomorrow.ca 587-774-7619 Nancy Bielecki nancy@farmingfortomorrow.ca 587-774-7618 Chloe MacEachern chloe@farmingfortomorrow.ca 587-774-7622 /farming4tomorrow /FFTMagazine /farming-for-tomorrow /farmingfortomorrow WWW.FARMINGFORTOMORROW.CA Farming For Tomorrow is delivered to 90,720 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.

With tightening grain stocks worldwide, weather will play a greater role than ever in grain prices. Market analysts will pay close attention to weather and crop conditions in all the major producing regions of the world. Cow-calf producers should consider the Livestock Price Insurance (LPI) program. For a set premium, it provides a mechanism to set a floor price on calves sold in the fall. The higher the price floor you choose, the higher the premium. Unfortunately, unlike crop and forage insurance, governments do not share the premium cost of LPI. Border closures, packing plant disruptions, feed grain prices and feed grain availability all have the potential to crush fall calf prices. Only a minor percentage of the calf crop is typically enrolled in LPI. In such an uncertain world, this tool is worthy of investigation. In 2021, cattle producers in most regions scrambled for feed. Deals were struck between grain and livestock producers for green feed, straw and even the cutting and baling of weeds like kochia. This helped prevent a major sell-off of the beef breeding herd. If precipitation is again a limiting factor in 2022, early planning for alternate feed sources will be important. Cooperation between grain and livestock producers can be a win-win situation. With all the supply chain issues, the availability of crop protection products can no longer be taken for granted. Neither can their price tag. More than ever, it’s a good idea to check with your input retailers and line up the products you’ll need well in advance. It’s also a good idea to take products to the farm as soon as possible so you know you have them. Shortages can take retailers by surprise, too. The availability of machinery parts is already scary and could get worse. Having common replacement parts on hand is a more important strategy than ever. Unfortunately, all too often, machinery repairs cannot be predicted. While it’s a high-risk year, it’s also a year when high returns may be possible, particularly in the grain sector. Good planning can mitigate some of the risk, but we don’t know what we don’t know. Will there be another COVID variant that plunges the world back into pandemic mode? What will happen in Ukraine and Russia? Surely, there can’t be yet another black swan event lurking around the corner, can there? 9

GRAIN MARKET ANALYSIS | IN FOR A WILD RIDE

In For A Wild Ride Scott Shiels Scott grew up in Killarney, Man., and has been in the grain industry for more than 25 years. He has been with Grain Millers Canada for five years, doing both conventional and organic grain procurement as well as marketing for their mills. Scott lives in Yorkton, Sask., with his wife Jenn. www.grainmillers.com

This time of year, as the crop planning is done and we move on to the actual planting of the crop, marketing usually takes a bit of a backseat. However, this little lull in producer selling can often bring about some pretty aggressive pricing activity both during and immediately after seeding is complete. In a year where the crop supply is as tight as this one, I am expecting some pretty aggressive premiums in most commodities as we head into the summer. Buyers have been pretty hungry all winter, but the majority are not fully covered into new crop and will have to stay on top of their buying through June and July to try and keep the mills and crush plants full until the combines roll. As we sit here today, prices are in the close vicinity of all-time record highs across most commodities, but as buyers get covered that will change, at some point dramatically. While I realize we must always be looking for the best price we can get, at some point taking a nice tidy profit outweighs the risk of waiting one day too long and losing out on prices, and potentially the opportunity to move the grain out of the bins prior to harvest. I have heard some buyers, and some farmers, call this greed, but I believe it is more of a human nature issue. Especially in a year like this one, when net returns are down it is very tempting to hold out for that next dollar. Once we roll into summer, we generally move from a supply and demand-based market to much more of a weather-based market. Globally, supplies of nearly every commodity are tight, which has everyone watching this upcoming crop with intense regard. If we come out of the field with good moisture to start the crop and any kind of positive moisture in the forecasts, look out! Buyers and traders are going to be looking for bears in the market after almost a year of nothing but bulls while a reduction in the drought situation on the Prairies would fit that bill perfectly. On the other hand, if forecasts predict continued drought across North America, we could be in for another wild ride climbing even higher in the new year. Due to the war in Ukraine, wheat and canola are the two commodities with the most potential for volatility that could last long term. Ukraine is the world’s largest exporter of sunflowers, which plays a huge role in the global oilseed complex. If they are unable to seed any or all of their acreage, there could potentially be a very large demand swing worldwide into soy and canola oils. This surge in demand could lead to markets surpassing already record high prices. With regards to wheat, Russia and Ukraine are also very large wheat producing nations. The potential for a major disruption to supply in that region is likely going to raise global wheat prices to the point where acreage here in Canada could increase significantly this year and over the next couple of years just to help the world supply catch up. For us in the oat world, the disruption in global markets due to the war is not as significant, but we are feeling the impact somewhat because Ukraine, and some of their neighbouring eastern European countries, grow a fair bit of oats each year. Normally there are more organic oats exported out of that region to North America, but there is a decent volume of conventional oats that come over from there as well. If the crop is good here, these oats don’t matter as much. But if we are in a tight supply situation and those oats are not available, things could get pretty crazy here for oats as well. Until next time!

You don’t control sclerotinia by chance. You do it by choice. Two great options for protecting your canola.

Combines two leading sclerotinia active ingredients Convenient liquid premix formulation (no addition of NIS required) Tested and proven performance under the toughest conditions

Unique Group 7 with systemic activity Proven and consistent results Cost-effective sclerotinia control Find out which is the best fit for your farm at

agsolutions.ca/sclerotinia

Always read and follow label directions. AgSolutions, COTEGRA and LANCE are registered trade-marks of BASF; all used under license by BASF Canada Inc. COTEGRA and/or LANCE fungicides should be used in a preventative disease control program. © 2022 BASF Canada Inc.

COMPACTION & TIRES | LIGHTEN YOUR FOOTPRINT

Lighten Your Footprint Prevent long-term compaction problems today By Steve Werblow

Rushing into the field to save a day can leave farmers with soil compaction that may reduce crop yields and increase fuel consumption for years to come. According to extension educators at the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University, corn and soybean yield loss from deep soil compaction ranged from nine to 55 per cent, with an average 21 per cent, in the first two years following the soil’s compaction. Fuel consumption for fieldwork rises in compacted soils, too. In a McGill University study, fuel consumption increased 35 per cent when tilling compacted soil. In Illinois, researchers found compacted soil required 10 to 16 times more energy for low-speed tillage and four to eight times that for high-speed tillage. When diesel prices are high, those differences can make an enormous difference to a farmer’s bottom line. To make matters worse, even deep tillage cannot reach the compaction layers potentially caused by a pass with machinery that weighs 10 tons per axle. In reference, a 1,200-bushel grain cart can bear an axle load as high as 40 tons. And though Canadian farmers count on frost heaves to break up compacted soils, the effects of freezing soil only help loosen the top two to five inches, or five to 13 centimetres, of the soil. The long-lasting impact of compaction across the Prairies illustrates this point. A study in Waseca, Minn., documented 13 years of yield effects due to soil compaction from a 20-ton axle load. Meanwhile, there are several considerations that when taken, can ease the impacts of compaction. 12

High-flotation tires fight compaction through lower inflation pressure and larger footprints. Today’s top flotation tires can run at highway speeds.

Soils near field capacity for moisture – when water fills the small pores between soil particles and peds while larger pores are filled with air – are at maximum risk for compaction from equipment traffic. In this condition, the water between the particles lubricates the soil so it can slide when pushed down. Meanwhile, the air-filled macropores collapse under the weight of machinery. The impact happens quickly. Marla Riekman, soil management specialist for Manitoba Agriculture, points out that 80 per cent of soil compaction happens in the first pass. So, the moment a farmer rolls out onto the field, compaction is underway. The compaction that results can create a barrier to roots, water infiltration and the movement of nutrients and gases. In a wet year, compacted soils are more easily waterlogged, which increases denitrification and enhances conditions that allow root disease pathogens to thrive. Wherever possible, stay out of fields when they are most susceptible to soil compaction. When moving grain off the field, Reikman recommends following existing tracks across the soil. Since the vast majority of soil compaction occurs the first time a machine crosses the space, it’s wise to concentrate traffic on already compromised areas. Shortcuts and diagonal paths only further compact the field. Shortcuts cause long-lasting problems that are compounded by inconsistent wheel spacing and add up quickly. Researchers at North Carolina State University monitored vehicle

LET’S

MAKE

IT TO

In 2022, recycle every jug Cleanfarms’ recycling programs help Canadian farmers take care of their land for present and future generations. By taking empty containers (jugs, drums and totes) to nearby collection sites, farmers proudly contribute to a sustainable community and environment. When recycling jugs, every one counts. Ask your ag retailer for an ag collection bag, fill it with rinsed, empty jugs and return to a collection site. And, go to cleanfarms.ca to find out about recycling empty seed, pesticide and inoculant bags in your province.

Scan to learn more!

Find a collection location near you at cleanfarms.ca

info@cleanfarms.ca @cleanfarms

Watch for details about new 2022 recycling collection sites for jugs in Alberta and Manitoba. Check with cleanfarms.ca and your local retailer.

COMPACTION & TIRES | LIGHTEN YOUR FOOTPRINT movements in three cropping systems and found that 45 to 85 per cent of each field’s entire surface area was touched by tire traffic during a single season. Regardless of soil conditions, tires can be the most efficient and cost-effective tools to minimize soil compaction. Barrie Taylor, regional sales manager for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America Inc. in Saskatoon, Sask., points out that inflation pressure directly corresponds, within a couple of psi, with compaction pressure. “Reducing tire inflation pressure reduces compaction force, plain and simple,” says Taylor. “Every tire manufacturer has inflation tables that make it easy to determine the lowest inflation pressure for safely operating at the load and speed you will be running.” He further explains that when a tire is properly inflated, its footprint is maximized. Therefore, the load is spread over the largest area while wear and downward force is at its most even level. Rolling resistance and slip are also at their minimum and heat buildup is reduced. “A properly inflated tire will not only cause the least compaction, it will operate at its highest efficiency and last its longest,” says Taylor. Overinflation creates a compaction hotspot in the centre of the tread, Taylor notes, adding, “That hotspot is also where an overinflated tire will wear the fastest.” Meanwhile, underinflated tires are prone to excessive sidewall movement and the buildup of heat which can destroy the tire. Over the past decade, tire makers, including Yokohama Off-Highway Tires, have introduced increased flexion (IF) and very-high flexion (VF) tires that operate at dramatically lower inflation pressure than conventional radials of the same size. Thanks to special sidewall technology and modified construction of the areas around the tires’ bead bundles, IF tires can carry the same load as a conventional radial at 20 per cent lower inflation pressure, or a 20 per cent heavier load, at the same pressure as the regular radials. For VF tires, the inflation reduction or load increase grows to 40 per cent. “IF and VF tire technology allows farmers to dramatically reduce their compaction and improve the performance of their equipment,” says Taylor. “VF technology has been a very high priority for us in our Alliance brand of farm tires. We have developed VF tires in R-1 and R-1W patterns for tractors, combines and other equipment, as well as VF flotation tires and implement tires.

Replacing bias-ply or conventional radials with IF or VF tires can pay off surprisingly fast because they help minimize yield-limiting soil compaction.

“Our commitment through our Whole Farm concept is that we can provide low-compaction options for nearly any wheel position on the farm, because we know soil compaction isn’t just caused by harvest machinery or big tractors,” adds Taylor. “It is a constant challenge every time a machine rolls out onto the field.”

Storms are unpredictable... We aren`t.

Farmers insuring farmers for over a century.

We`ve seen it all. We understand the needs of our customers - that’s why we provide crop hail insurance protection at cost, flexible payment options, the convenience of purchasing coverage online and timely loss adjustments. Visit municipalhail.ca or contact your local agent to learn more.

IMPORTANT DATES JUNE 15 - Last day to

JUNE 30 - Last day for new SMHI

AUGUST 1 - Last day to apply

file SMHI crop reports

applicants to apply for coverage

for coverage with AMHI or PMHI

NEWS & INNOVATIONS

Nufarm Canada Nufarm Canada is pleased to announce a $30,000 commitment to STARS air ambulance over three years to support its fleet renewal campaign across Western Canada. STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) is replacing its aging aircraft with a fleet of new, medically equipped Airbus H145 helicopters that cost $13 million each. These helicopters will help STARS carry out their services to rural communities across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and parts of British Columbia. STARS hopes the new fleet will be implemented at all six of its bases later this year. Supporting STARS in its fleet renewal campaign was a natural fit for Nufarm Canada. “The safety of our people, our products, our customers and the community is definitely a priority for us,” says Boyd Bergstrom, country lead for Canada at Nufarm. “Our safety culture is something we focus on every day with our staff, for our business partners, and for the areas in which we operate. Many of our customers are in rural agricultural communities across Western Canada, and we are proud to support STARS in their efforts to better service these regions.” Farmers in Western Canada are often hours away from a medical centre prepared to accommodate patients with severe trauma. STARS was founded on the idea that those living in rural

communities, working in remote areas, travelling across Canada, or being transported from community medical clinics to major medical centres should have access to the best critical care. “We see the appreciation from many of our customers towards our commitment to safety,” adds Bergstrom. “Nufarm is proud to support a world class organization dedicated to responding quickly to trauma situations and transporting critically ill patients by air.” “The agriculture community across Western Canada continues to show their generosity and support for STARS air ambulance,” says Andrea Robertson, president and CEO of STARS. “We are thankful for Nufarm’s contribution towards our fleet renewal campaign because it will help ensure each person who requires emergency medical care has access to it when they need it most.”

FortisAlberta At FortisAlberta, we are proud to deliver reliable and safe electricity distribution services to more than half-a-million residential, farm and business customers who, like us, call Alberta home. Safety is our core value and we want to make sure you stay safe during this busy time of year. The size of farm equipment is getting bigger each year, having doubled in size since the 1950s. Know the height of your farm equipment and watch for guy wires that are attached to power poles. Stay safe with these tips: •

Check the height of your equipment and exercise caution if equipment is higher than 4.15 metres.

•

Consider the width of your equipment and enlist the help of a spotter. If you don’t know whether it’s safe to cross under or work near a power line, call FortisAlberta for assistance.

•

Stay seven metres away from power lines.

•

Assume downed power lines are energized. Stay at least 10 metres away, warn others of the danger and call 911.

•

If you bring a line down, stay calm and inside your equipment unless there is a risk of fire. If you must exit, do so by jumping clear with your feet together, do not touch anything and shuffle 10 metres away.

At FortisAlberta, safety is a core value and our commitment to the safety of our customers and our employees is a top priority. We urge you to always ask yourself where’s the line and remember to keep seven metres’ safe distance. Visit fortisalberta. com to help create your own Power Line Farm Safety Plan at or call 310-WIRE (9473) for more information about safety.

DRIVING FARMING FORWARD As the agriculture industry continues into look to the future, equipment dealers are obligated to keep up or get left in the dust. Pattison Agriculture is ensuring that we are not only keeping up but are at the forefront of the industry with the expertise and knowledge of leading-edge technology and farm business operational support. Within Pattison Ag’s area of service is a team of Intelligence Solutions Consultants ready to equip customers with the support needed to ensure they are in the field longer and are more productive every second they are in their seat. Through customer connection, they can access Operation Center account data from previous years to consult and help manage operations for upcoming seasons as well as offer personalized tech adoption sessions with the John Deere suite of services and applications. The key to a successful operation is the minimization of downtime and efficiency of run time. Between seeding optimization, precision spraying, satellite mapping, and consultations on farm operation strategies, Pattison Agriculture’s Intelligence Solutions team is the best offensive line when it comes to maximizing operational potential. Continual in-depth training and development is the key to staying ahead of technological innovations. The Intelligence Solutions team is tasked with implementing those practices throughout Pattison Agriculture with in-house training sessions and in the field.

Driving farming forward is the Pattison Ag Intelligence Solutions Department, led by Director of Intelligence Solutions, Matt Tibben and supported by Regional Intelligence Solutions Managers that support our 18 locations across Saskatchewan & Manitoba

Utilizing John Deere Operations Center facilitates smarter machines, for smarter operators. Enhanced connectivity allows the tools to create boundaries, making equipment more efficient in the field. Analysis of data collection enables the understanding of creating the most efficient and profitable decisions for our customers’ farming operations.

“CUSTOMERS WHO USE OPERATIONS CENTER WILL DO 10% MORE ACRES PER DAY.” Looking to the future of Pattison Agriculture, the Intelligence Solutions Department has already begun training on advancing technology and implementing training with the recent introduction of the future of farming – autonomy. For more information on the Pattison Agriculture Intelligence Solutions Department and more about Precision Agriculture, visit pattisonag.com. Peruse our FAQ’s, software downloads, how to videos, and more. pattisonag.com

FARMING YOUR MONEY | SUCCESSION PLANNING CONCERNS

Succession Planning Concerns Paul Kuntz Paul Kuntz is the owner of Wheatland Financial. He offers financial consulting and debt broker services. Kuntz is also an advisor with Global Ag Risk Solutions. He can be reached through wheatlandfinancial.ca.

Coming off winter in Western Canada, we arrive at a time when farm families spend more time in meetings and communicating. As I meet with clients, I’m interested in seeing progress around succession planning. Unfortunately, it’s a lack thereof I also see. Ensuring a farm remains generational starts long before it is passed down. When the next generation takes over the farm from their parents, ideally planning is already in place for the next transfer. This allows for a long transitional time period to determine how the succession may or may not happen. Prioritizing that time window is a great opportunity to set everyone up for success. When I see families suffering through a farm succession process, it is almost always because expectations are not being met. Whether this disappointment lies within the child or the parent, there is no need for this. Those struggling through this process now can make it through. But let’s end that cycle here. If we raise our kids to expect everything for nothing, how can we be shocked when their adult decision making becomes skewed with this notion? If we raise our kids to be creative, entrepreneurial and independent, how can we be shocked when they push for the transition to happen sooner than we wished for? I do not believe the way we raise our kids has 100 per cent control over who they become, but it sure plays a role in it. For example, if a farmer has three children, while there is likely only enough farm business for one to take on, succession planning and discussions should be introduced at a young age. The family can begin discussions early around how things may look in the future and introduce all the important succession details, including the fair versus equal concept. As parents, we can begin to overview some options for our kids’ futures, including what it might look like to not farm. We also cannot pressure our offspring by saying, “This farm has been in the family for 100 years, I sure hope I do not have to sell out because one of you does not want to farm.” Regardless of their age, that is a tough message with potential for harm. I feel privileged in working with a wide range of clients to support them through succession, nearly all of them the benefactor of a succession. One commonality I see in my clients is a lack of desire to repeat the type of succession plan they had from their parents. For farmers over the age of 40, it’s likely their transition was abrupt and happened early in life, often with minimal communication and at times even as early as at age 18. I have worked with clients, now 45 to 55 years old, who were making key decisions on their parents’ farm at the age of 16. These same producers now have kids aged 18 and older with nowhere near that same responsibility placed upon them.

• Mixed flow • No screens to clean • Expandable as your operation grows Dryer Master moisture control Contact a UFA Grain• Dryer

FARMING YOUR MONEY | SUCCESSION PLANNING CONCERNS

As the next generation are helping out on the operation even in their teen years, discussions can take place around the entire aspect of farming beyond just the labour component. As they reach adulthood, they should have a solid understanding of the labour aspect of the farm, but also good knowledge of the income and expense statements. Unfortunately, I’m seeing farms today taking a more cautious approach to their succession and waiting longer to fully engage that next generation. What is driving this lag? We’d like to think the numbers are higher, but I would argue that once inflation and time are accounted for, the numbers and risk would be comparable for a transition now similar to that of 1985. One might even argue that a transition today holds less risk. Where between 1980 and 2005 farming tended to be less profitable, since 2007 it’s trended more positively to where a young farmer can make a few mistakes and still come out on top today. If it is clear succession is going to take place, approaching the process as early as possible is best. Good plans start with a solid partnership between farming parent and farming child that can become 50/50 as quickly as possible and then, when mom and dad are ready, they can increasingly shift to the farming child. As the next generation are helping out on the operation even in their teen years, discussions can take place around the entire aspect of farming beyond just the labour component. As they reach adulthood, they should have a solid understanding of the labour aspect of the farm, but also good knowledge of the income and expense statements. They should also have gained a general understanding of production, marketing and expenses. The balance sheet should be openly shared and understood in terms of what all the assets and debt details are. Viewing this as the farm’s business, rather than a personal holding, can help families be transparent. I encourage families to keep transition in mind from the time the children are young. At the end of the day, regardless of the way any farm will transition, the parents’ leadership makes all the difference. 20

FARM SHOW WELCOMES THE WORLD | CANADA’S FARM SHOW

Canada’s Farm Show Farm Show Welcomes the World Canada’s Farm Show presented by Viterra is ready to return to an in-person format this year from June 21-23 at the REAL District in Regina, Saskatchewan. Created in 1978, it is one of the largest dryland farming shows in the country. The agriculture show attracts visitors from around the world every year. Visitors include producers and international buyers who come together to see the latest in agriculture equipment and technology. Featured speakers for this year include Parag Garg and Karen Proud. Another featured speaker is celebrated chef Vikram Vij, a former member of CBC’s Dragon’s Den, who will also serve as a judge for the 24-hour Ag Tech Challenge with the winners receiving up to $7,000 in prizes. The focus is on building something new and innovative to solve ag industry challenges.

The show is really evolving around technology and innovation. The Launch Pad stage is being added to this year’s show. It debuted during last year’s virtual event and will feature keynote speakers, AgTalks, panel discussions and new product launches. Another noteworthy program is the Empowering Women’s Conference, which will provide women – whether students, producers, ranchers, entrepreneurs or business representation – with the tools, inspiration and motivation to become the architect for change in achieving success. The show carries a large international component due to the number of manufacturers found in Saskatchewan and in Canada. For more information on the Canada Farm Show presented by Viterra make sure to check out their website at www.canadasfarmshow.com.

THE BIGGEST STAGE FOR THE BEST IN AG IN-PERSON JUNE 21 – 23, 2022 | REGINA Canada’s premier indoor agricultural show is back in Regina. This is where ag leaders gather for innovation, collaboration and education. It’s where you need to be. Discover: 500 exhibitors

Delegates from over 50 COUNTRIES

Innovation & technology

INNOVATION. COLLABORATION. EDUCATION.

BUY YOUR ADVANCE PASSES NOW! canadasfarmshow.com

COVER STORY | A PLAN FOR SUCCESS

A PLAN FOR

SUCCESS

Andre and Katie Steppler continue family legacy of progress and innovation By Natalie Noble Raising the fourth generation of Stepplers on the family farm, Andre and Katie Steppler proudly pass along a legacy of excellent land and animal stewardship. 22

A PLAN FOR SUCCESS | COVER STORY

During calving season, Andre and Katie Steppler don’t need an alarm clock. They have three kids who can’t wait to see what’s happening on the farm, which cows are calving and if they can help out. It’s a respect and zest for life the couple is grateful to pass on in raising the fourth generation of Stepplers on the original homestead. “They’re absolutely obsessed with everything we’re doing,” says Katie. “We feel fortunate to have these lives that revolve around the family and the farm.” Steppler Farms, near Miami, Man., celebrated its centennial last year. The operation continues to grow in scope and production alongside an expanding family on the original land purchased in 1920 by Andre’s grandfather, Arnold. Today, Andre’s parents, Dan and Pat, their four sons and respective families all reside on the farm. In addition to Andre and Katie, there’s Ian, married to Sandy; Geoff, married to Sarah; and Adam, married to Amber; each on their own yardsite within a mile of one another. Meanwhile, Arnold’s original 15 to 20-cow milking and small grain operation sustains the growing family through its expansion into 3,500 acres of grain, 650 head of cattle and an 1,800-hive honeybee business. It’s the Stepplers’ commitment to their continued succession through solid planning, progressive practices and innovation that’s made it all possible. Running the farm since returning home from university in 1970, Dan met and married Pat in 1973. While Dan sold the original cows, turning his focus to raising purebred Charolais cattle, Pat worked as a schoolteacher, always heavily involved on the farm while raising the boys. “We all had roles to play on the farm growing up, there’s no doubt about that,” says Andre. “We had lots to do with 4-H and our small town community values are instilled in all of us.” As the new century turned over, it became apparent their sons planned to return to the farm after post-secondary. “Mom and Dad had to go through a very intense, elaborate and proactive succession planning process to figure out how to get the farm succeeded down to all four of us,” says Andre. “It had to be done in a way that maintained stability across the farm and to each individual shareholder, which includes our parents and the four of us.” Each son returned with their own interest. Ian has his diploma in agriculture, Adam is a red seal carpenter, Geoff is an airline pilot for Air Canada who farms half-time and Andre earned a diploma in herd health technology. With that, the succession plan culminated into the farm’s 2008 restructure, allowing each brother to pursue their individual passions and raise their families in the lifestyle they love so much. Adam and Geoff co-manage the grain operation, Andre’s transforming the cattle side, and Ian’s venture into honeybees is a fortunate coincidence. “He needed two more credit hours to graduate

and the honeybee course required the least amount of work,” says Andre with a laugh, adding that being stung as he checks the pastures is a casualty of the job. A member of the Bee Maid Honey co-op, when the honey flows, Ian delivers it into their Winnipeg co-op where all the marketing and distribution is handled.

An ever-changing landscape As the generations of Stepplers have witnessed and leveraged massive advancements in farming over the decades, the landscape of their farm has also evolved. “In Dad’s time, we had typical red spring wheat land,” says Andre, adding that being located up on an escarpment originally ruled out two-row crops while seasonally, their region didn’t have the heat units for corn. “Now, with technology and genetic advancements, we’re growing corn quite successfully and have introduced sunflowers. Of course, canola’s been a main staple here. To balance our rotations, we bring in oats and occasionally some beans. As for potatoes, there’s too many stones and hills here.” They’ve since expanded those crop acres from 800 acres in Dan’s earlier days, to 4,000 acres today. In the 1970s, Dan recognized a need for innovation in the cattle industry. A mere decade behind the first Charolais cow to arrive in North America from France, he brought some of the first white cows to his region, predicting their ability to fill an industry void through enhanced performance. “When those first ones arrived here, our farm became like a zoo,” says Andre. “Everyone wanted to come and see how different they were. All those continental breeds coming over at that time, the Simmental and Anjou breeds as well, were so exotic compared to the British breeds already here.” The Stepplers will soon celebrate 50 years of successful Charolais breeding. When Andre left for college, they managed 60 to 80 cows. When he returned, he parlayed the angst of the BSE crisis into a growth opportunity. “I came back and grew a sizable herd, up to 600 purebred cows now,” he says. “We did that very affordably because at that time, the cows simply weren’t worth anything.” He then set to work modernizing the cattle enterprise, playing to the unique traits of the purebred animals, including their feeding system. Switching over to more corn silage, the Stepplers now feed their herd using 400 acres of cropland instead of the 1,500 acres dry hay would require. Achieving more production on less acreage remains critical in agriculture, an evident challenge considering pastureland in southwest Manitoba can fetch upwards of $4,000 per acre. Since The third, fourth and fifth generations on the graduatingWildfong in 2004, Andre’s valueSask. in hisare areaa jump familyseen farmcropland near Craik, close whonearby share a love farming and an from $700 per knit acre group to a recent sale thatofdrew $10,000 entrepreneurial spirit that spans over a century.

COVER STORY | A PLAN FOR SUCCESS

“Andre and I are super passionate about this industry, advocating and bringing awareness for the next generation. As time goes on, more people are removed from agriculture and that makes it so important for us to educate and share our story as much as possible. We want to help people understand what we do.” - Katie Steppler per acre. The situation has grain farmers improving marginal land into cropland, a problem for those reliant on grasslands Andre fears will only escalate across Western Canada. Because they’ve held pastureland over decades, the Stepplers continue to use it as originally intended. When they require more during the growing season, they move cattle north to community pastures. Come fall, they’re grazed over all the crop acres as garburators picking up all the otherwise unusable residue. Managing the many moving parts and labour demands across the farm, the Stepplers have two-full time employees assisting with cattle in winter and grain in the growing season. In summer, when things get hectic with honey flowing, managing cattle and full-tilt grain activity, they employ up to 16 part-time workers. They run three John Deere 9600s and use a custom chopper to handle the 400 acres of corn silage in two-and-a-half days. “With dry hay this would be a three-month’s job. It could’ve caused a divorce if that switch wasn’t made,” jokes Andre, but more seriously says it allows the family to better focus their time and energy.

Innovation that matters In raising their kids on the farm, Andre and Katie proudly pass along a legacy of incredible stewardship. “It’s character building, instills responsibility and we’re developing these kids to respect life,” says Andre. “That’s important when we’re farmers dealing with livestock.” Their efforts to make innovations they believe improve their operation and also Canada’s cattle industry as a whole are likely rooted in their youth. The two were 4-H competitors over years, recalls Katie who grew up on a small cattle operation west of Carman, Man. Growing up in the purebred space, Andre’s also long been infatuated with the commercial side of the industry, appreciating the different attributes that lend well to certain efficiencies. When 2015/16 saw feed shortages, Katie’s father brought 100 Black Angus over to winter off the Stepplers’ good corn crop. “We ended up buying these cows with a good marketing strategy in mind,” says Andre. “We took our white bulls and put them on these black cows for the best of both worlds. We get 24

the performance of the Charolais breed that really performs in the feedlot and the efficiencies of the black angus cow. She’s so efficient at taking low-grade grass, maintaining herself, feeding a calf, breeding and doing it all over again next year.” The product is a silver calf that confirms a notion the family already had. “We need to start championing the idea of a three-way cross in our industry. The better the Black Angus or Simmental cross cow out there bred to my white bull, the more we achieve and pass down through our sales,” says Andre. Much like Dan’s zoo-like days of the ‘70s, the farm again attracts visitors. “I think people need to see what we have going on to believe it, ensure it’s working and whether it’s been a train wreck or not,” says Andre. “We start walking through these black cows with these beautiful big chromey calves on them and people are sold.” Speaking of sold, the farm’s annual bull sale is attracting people interested in all the innovation. “The bull sale is a one-stop shop,” says Andre. “You can buy all three breeds of bulls - Charolais, Black Angus and Simmentals, as well as our silver calves - here. We’re also focusing extensively on our embryo transfer program and getting these cows producing purebred calves for us.” Held in March, the bull sale is an important business day, but also a celebration of each year’s end of the production cycle. “We get to see what our genetics are doing for people and what they’re going for next time,” says Andre. “We gather with friends and reconnect with our customers. It’s a party afterwards where we relax and have fun.” Selling in high quantity with excellent service, the Stepplers offer differentiating incentives, such as subsidizing deliveries in Western Canada and into Southern Ontario and offering warranties to back their products. “Not many bulls go down but if an issue did show up before, the insurance companies were hard to deal with, too expensive and in those cases, it was hard to retain the customer,” says Andre. Their breeding warranties and herd bull guarantees cover all bulls for death or injury for six months at no premium. “We supply a backup bull to get their cows bred, that bull comes back and they get a full sales credit to buy a new bull next year,” says Andre. “It builds trust both ways between us and our clients.”

Rely on Delaro. The #1 pulse fungicide in Western Canada.* You want your pulses to have the best protection, and the highest yield potential. In both high and low disease pressure conditions, Delaro® fungicide provides proven, broad-spectrum disease control for most major pulse leaf and pod diseases. Give your peas, lentils and chickpeas the industry-leading protection they deserve with Delaro. Learn more at cropscience.bayer.ca/Delaro

* 2021 BPI Report — Fungicide West Pulses Report. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. Always read and follow label directions. Bayer ®, Bayer Cross and Delaro ® are trademarks of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada. © 2022 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.

COVER STORY | A PLAN FOR SUCCESS

“We don’t just talk about it, we live it” With future generations in mind, sustainable practices are everywhere on the Steppler farm and the honeybees play a big role. Their lifecycle tends to be a feast-or-famine scenario, dependent upon wildflowers, including dandelions, so the monocrop environment and enhanced spraying practices can starve them out. “When canola’s moving, it’s a gravy train with lots of nectar flowing in,” says Andre. “Once that stops, we’re back in a bust situation lacking the natural flowers to sustain those pollinators.” The solutions established symbiotic relationships. Pollinator strips are implemented around fields and where wet patches prevent crops. Wildflowers, including sweet clover, are sown into a half-section of the grasslands. “We can move 100 cows over it in eight different paddocks and ensure there’s always one with sweet clover flowering in it,” says Andre. “The cows benefit from the clover’s higher protein, it puts nitrogen back in the soil for the grass and the bees benefit with a sustainable nutritional base when the canola’s not there.” The Stepplers have a slogan: “we don’t just talk about it, we live it.” The living part is evident on the farm, but for Andre and Katie, the talking part plays an industry-wide role. “Andre and I are super passionate about this industry, advocating and bringing awareness for the next generation,” says Katie. “As time goes on, more people are removed from agriculture and that makes it so important for us to educate and share our story as much as

Brayden Steppler presented Reserve Champion ribbon by judge Levi Rimke at the 2021 Manitoba Ag-Ex Junior Cattle Show held in Brandon. Andre and Katie Steppler say having their kids involved in their efforts to move the industry forward is the best part of the job.

possible. We want to help people understand what we do.” In that spirit, the couple were named Manitoba’s Outstanding Young Farmers in 2020 and honoured at the 2021 event celebrating Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers. “This was really rewarding and allowed us to highlight what we’re doing on our farm,” says Katie. “It was exciting to participate in the national competition and meet people doing all sorts of things in Canadian agriculture.” It’s an opportunity to share knowledge with the best in the industry. “We engaged with each other’s operations, our progression and how we’re all working within the industry,” says Andre. “We brought so much home to rethink our way out of the box. That’s a great benefit to our farm and it shows the program’s value.” The couple regularly attends livestock events, sales and tradeshows, Andre often judging national competitions. It’s all to put a face to the industry people can relate to and better understand who produces their food. “We are hardworking, we have a high level of integrity, but we really are just like everyone else, raising families, going to the hockey rink and going camping. But we’re also raising your food,” says Andre. “The best part of farming is we do this with our kids and raise them to move this industry forward. Hopefully we can succeed everything down to them with our own succession plan.”

NEW Proline GOLD fungicide delivers next-level, dual mode of action protection against sclerotinia. Proline® GOLD is a new fungicide that delivers outstanding protection in high disease pressure situations against sclerotinia, the most serious canola disease. Two highly effective active ingredients work in synergy to give you excellent disease protection for exceptional yield potential. Give sclerotinia a one-two punch. Learn more at cropscience.bayer.ca/ProlineGOLD

ItsGrowTime.ca

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

#AskBayerCrop

Always read and follow label directions. Bayer®, Bayer Cross and Proline® are trademarks of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada. © 2022 The Bayer Group. All rights reserved.

Our vision is simple; to hold events that allows us to connect with the Ag community, say THANK YOU to resilient and adaptable growers & producers and give back to Ag in Canada. We offer educational and innovative events where exhibitors can connect with Ag buyers, attendees can engage with the newest trends across the industry and can have a lot of fun while we’re there!

ThunderDryergives givesyou youthe theopportunity opportunitytotocondition condition TheTheThunderDryer yourgrain grainininyour yourbin binallowing allowingyou youtototake takeyour your andanddrydryyour grainoffoffthethefield fieldininbetter betterconditions conditionsand andoperate operateyour your grain harvestininless lessthan thanfavourable favourableconditions. conditions.Dry Drygrain grain inin the the harvest withnonomonitoring monitoringrequired! required! binbinwith

The to to solve TheAirAirMissile MissilebybyGOGOTechnologies Technologieswas wasdesigned designed solve the toptop of of binsbins theproblem problemofofmoisture moisturecaps capsforming formingat atthethe using of of anan 8” 8” vertical usingin-bin in-binaeration aerationtotodrydrygrain. grain.It consists It consists vertical tube binbin where thethe tubethat thatdirects directsairairtotothetheupper upperportion portionof ofthethe where moisture moisturecap capusually usuallyforms. forms.

Whether you have constant problems with mice, rats or Whether you or have constant problems mice, rats or even birds, if you just want to havewith peace of mind even birds,your or if silage you just haveanpeace mind knowing or want grainstohave extra of protection knowing or grains protection againstyour pests,silage Agrirepel® Bagshave are an forextra you. The organic against Agrirepel®bonded Bags are you. The organic additivepests, Combirepel®™, to theforhighest grade of virgin additive Combirepel®™, bonded to the highest grade of virgin LDPE during the extrusion process. LDPE during the extrusion process.

The Copperhead Concave System utilizes notched bars for The Copperhead utilizesinnotched bars for restricted flow. ThisConcave allows System more material the Concave restricted flow.grain This allows material the Concave area, increasing on grainmore threshing. Withinthe area, increasing grain on grain thecrop in Copperhead Concave System, youthreshing. can threshWith in any Copperhead System, you can thresh field in anytime, crop in any condition,Concave have cleaner samples, decrease anystop condition, have cleaner samples, decrease field time, and rotor loss. and stop rotor loss.

THUNDERSTRUCKAG.COM | 855.752.5525 THUNDERSTRUCKAG.COM | 855.752.5525

GRAIN STORAGE | IN THE BIN: NOT A ONE-AND-DONE

In The Bin: Not a One-And-Done Bin technologies support, not replace, good monitoring, measurement and management By James Snell

Losing wheat, canola and other crops in storage is a significant risk for farmers that can lead to dire financial consequences, particularly in years of poor harvest, say farming analysts. They recommend using tried and true methods to avoid spoilage while keeping an eye on emerging bin technologies. To outsiders, storing crops might not register as a significant risk to farmers. If asked, most people working in agriculture could identify fluctuating commodity prices, weather, disease and safety as primary farming risks. “Honestly, it’s a lack of time to really be able to focus on monitoring and management of in-bin conditions, making sure that you’re understanding that you need to manage temperature and moisture within the bin, otherwise things are at risk of spoilage,” says Joy Agnew, associate VP of applied research at Olds College, when asked about the main problem leading to storage losses. “All farmers understand that it’s a concern. The challenge is being able to prioritize the time during harvest and after harvest. There’s always this back of the mind mentality that, ‘once it’s in the bin, I’m done.’” Agnew says there’s a range of optimal moisture levels for grain storage. Dry grain leads to less spoilage-causing microbial activity; too dry means losing money because grain is sold based on wet weight. Finding balance between safe moisture levels and optimal revenue is important. Also, the cooler the better, she explains: “definitely below 15 degrees Celsius.” 30

“The challenge is being able to prioritize the time during harvest and after harvest. There’s always this back of the mind mentality that, ‘once it’s in the bin, I’m done.’” - Joy Agnew Agnew says producers shouldn’t forget simple methods despite a growing number of new monitoring solutions. Temperature probes inserted through bin doors or from hatches work well. Sensors on cables are very affordable and have been widely adopted. “Especially when you consider the cost associated with a spoiled bin of grain,” she adds. “Those sensors pay for themselves in a season if you’re thinking on that level.” Free floating sensors could hold some benefit, says Agnew, although they’re not yet widely available. The benefits, if the technology proves cost effective, include higher resolution data compared to cable sensors which monitor a relatively small proportion of the grain. Other bin monitoring methods use micro-waves to penetrate bins and measure grain permittivity, producing 3D temperature and moisture maps from within a bin.

GRAIN STORAGE | IN THE BIN: NOT A ONE-AND-DONE

“Think of a bin like a very slowmoving fluid. Temperature and moisture migrate, because of our winter, from the core down, then up around the sides to the peak. And then you’ll get grain bugs and they’ll actually heat up the grain more and they’ll start burrowing and it causes the grain to sprout. You can have high moisture and low temperature, or low moisture and high temperature. You can get away with that, but you can’t have both.” - Jay Schultz “But still, monitoring a small proportion of the grain is better than monitoring no portion of the grain or zero per cent of the grain,” she says. “But free floating sensors, theoretically you could throw 1,000 of them into the bin and get a higher resolution map of the temperature in the bin.” If a problem is detected, regardless of the technology, farmers must be able to move affected grain to a different bin, says Agnew. Aeration works well when the situation isn’t critical. “But typically, if you’re noticing a spike in temperature based on sensors, you have a big problem in that bin already and blowing cold air through it is likely not to remedy it,” she says. “You have to break up that spot and move it. In a good growing and harvest season, nobody cares about in-bin management and methods to dry grain. But . . . when you have a couple or even one poor harvest, that information and knowledge and access to expertise and equipment is so critical.”

Finding the balance between safe moisture levels in stored grain and optimal revenue is important, says Olds College’s Joy Agnew. Spoilage loss is less in dry grain but sales are based on wet weight, so revenue decreases when it’s too dry.

Jay Schultz grows hard red spring wheat, canola, yellow peas and barley on a medium-sized farm near Strathmore, Alta. He says his best advice for avoiding bin losses is, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” His operation uses 5,000to- 10,000- bushel bins with aeration fans and moisture cables to prevent spoilage. Farmers, he explains, must keep good records and plan to cycle bins in late fall. “Think of a bin like a very slow-moving fluid,” says Schultz, who studied crop science in university. “Temperature and moisture migrate, because of our winter, from the core down, then up

Email: order@ridgemar.ca • Call: 204-739-8004 www.grainlegs.ca

Ridgemar Grain systems proudly manufactured in Northern Manitoba • Turn key systems from Electic Panels • Precast drive Overs • Bucket Elevators • Gentle Handling Bucket Elevators • Drag Conveyors • Catwalks • Towers • Distributors & All Acessories

• All - in house manufactured. • Ridgemar has in house drafting to assist you and build up your grain system to your liking. • Ridgemar equipment is more commercial then farm but for the right price. • Distributor for Oakland dryers & partners with Bin Pro Ag

GRAIN STORAGE | IN THE BIN: NOT A ONE-AND-DONE

“When November rolls around, you want to make sure all your grain is in good condition from harvest. And, you can go and just turn aeration fans on or move your aeration fans around to bins you’re concerned about. When it is zero degrees out, you blow cold air on it to make sure there are no problems getting heat in the bin out.” - Jay Schultz around the sides to the peak. And then you’ll get grain bugs and they’ll actually heat up the grain more and they’ll start burrowing and it causes the grain to sprout. You can have high moisture and low temperature, or low moisture and high temperature. You can get away with that, but you can’t have both.” Schultz says canola bins can be “like a time bomb.” He aims for eight per cent moisture for long-term storage. He says combining canola at 11 per cent moisture at 30 C means bins can start heating up in just a few weeks. “If you put it in at 30 degrees, if you pull that out in two weeks, it’ll probably be like 40 to 45 degrees,” he says. “Eventually it just gets so hot that it turns to gray ash. It’ll really wreck the sides of bins because it gets so hot. If you’re not careful with canola storage, you could lose that whole bin, whereas with wheat, typically you’re not going to lose a whole bin.” Hot canola needs cooling. Without aeration, explains Schultz, farmers can remove bin contents and let them cool on a truck.

Strathmore, Alta. farmer Jay Schultz uses 5,000- to- 10,000bushel bins with aeration fans and moisture cables to prevent grain spoilage. His best advice for avoiding bin losses: “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.”

He says he typically doesn’t ice down all of his bins. “When November rolls around, you want to make sure all your grain is in good condition from harvest,” he says. “And, you can go and just turn aeration fans on or move your aeration fans around to bins you’re concerned about. When it is zero degrees out, you blow cold air on it to make sure there are no problems getting heat in the bin out.” Angela Brackenreed, an agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada, says the basic concepts of grain storage haven’t changed much over the years despite new technology and larger bins. As far as monitoring goes, she explains most farms use cable sensors that measure temperature and moisture. Certain brands transmit data to smartphones for added convenience. “There’s no real solution for canola that has already deteriorated to the point of being considered heated, so we need to deal with it before that happens,” she says. “The first step to really breaking it up is pulling grain out of that bin.”

Radio Antenna Transmitter Emergency Stop Button PTO On

RPM Control 1

Hydraulic Function 1

Security Key

PTO Off

RPM Control 2

Hydraulic Function 2

User Accessory 1

User Accessory 2

User Accessory 3

User Accessory 4

1st System ON Button 2nd Engine Starter Engage Button

Wireless Tractor Control for use with augers, baggers, extractors and any other stationary PTO work

Safety Unlock PTO/Engine Starter

REMOTELY CONTROL YOUR AUGER / BAGGER TRACTOR

PROTECTION THAT PUTS YOU IN CONTROL As your operation grows, so do the challenges. More grain, less labor and tighter margins. Yet, every year, you meet the challenge and earn a harvest. GSI helps you protect it. By creating smarter systems that make your job easier and the work you do more profitable.

Learn more at grainsystems.com

GRAIN STORAGE | IN THE BIN: NOT A ONE-AND-DONE New bin monitoring technologies are available, but many are too expensive for average farmers, Brackenreed says. Currently, they’re feasible for large-scale commercial operations but over time they may become affordable for family farms. In the meantime, new visual technologies are being developed to give producers a cross-sectional, MRI view of what’s happening in a bin. “Something that is accessible to some farms is automated fan control,” says Brackenreed. “It’s basically taking some of that guesswork away from the producer in when to turn fans on and off. It’ll turn on when environmental conditions are appropriate and turn off when they’re not.” At the end of the day, sophisticated monitoring tools are supplemental. There’s no substitute for paying close attention to grain storage and monitoring. “Some of this new technology really helps with that,” says Brackenreed. “If you want to go to your kid’s hockey game or something, these tools can be monitoring when you’re not there and they can send you a text message if something is going on. Or better yet, if you want to be sitting on a beach somewhere.”

CCC agronomy specialist Angela Brackenreed says technologies like automated fan controls can remove some bin guesswork for farmers. “It’ll turn on when environmental conditions are appropriate and turn off when they’re not,” she says.

WE BUY

HEATED CANOLA & FEED GRAINS!

DAMAGED GRAINS! Oats, Wheat, Barley, Peas, Flax

- Tough - Bugs - Heated - Screenings - Green Canola - Light Weight - Spring Thrashed

Prompt Movement On Farm Pick-Up Competitive Pricing OFFICE@WESTCANFEEDANDGRAIN.COM

1-877-250-5252

CALL NOW! 38

simple operation.

GTX

Our patented Grain Pusher feature cleans up the end of every bag, right down to the very last bit of grain.

Extractors

3230

The hydrostatic ability to pull the machine into the bag by winding it up at the same time, allows you to control the speed that you can unload. Easy to use, simple to adjust. • Largest hopper in the industry- • Easy to operate automatic hydraulic you system. can swing the EXG400 into ﬁeld or transport 1,000 US gal. With a couple quick pins, brake position. • 32,000 bu/hr capacity. • 20” auger. • Patented hydraulic tray allows • Can handle up to 10’x 500’ bags! er lights, hydraulic bag The EXG400 now features high ﬂotation tires a reinforced axle system to for easy bag loading. • Optional televeyor kitwith (shown). ng tray and large accommodate the extra weight when unloading in wet and soft ground condi• Hydraulic bag lift. center bottom gearbox location for tions.

EXG-300X EXG-400X

Our patented Grain Pusher feature cleans up the end of every bag, right down to the very last bit of grain.

Unmatched performance. With its 17”dia. unloading auger the EXG 400X moves 13,500 bu/hr. (340 tons).

Baggers

400X

The EXG 300X / 400X model can unload 9, 10 and 12 foot bags with ease. The EXG400 can unload over Optional hydraulic spout 10 THOUSAND bushels per hour!

Unloader

AKRON features an exclusive, patented center bottom gearbox location for simple operation. Our patented Grain Pusher feature cleans up the end of every bag, right down to the very last bit of grain.

tires with a reinforced axle system to oading in wet and soft ground condi-

The EXG400 now features high ﬂotation tires with a reinforced axle system to accommodate the extra weight when unloading in wet and soft ground conditions. Greater ground clearance is a standard feature.

EXG-300X EXG-400Xfree rolling.

he EXG400 into ﬁeld or transport

With a couple quick pins, you can swing the EXG400 into ﬁeld or transport position.

Optional heavy duty augers are available. Operating lights are a standard feature.

Unmatched performance, by moving 280 ton per hour, or 10,300 bushels per performance. With its The hydrostatic ability to pull the machine into the bag by winding it up atUnmatched the HOUR! same time, allows you to control the speed that you can unload. Easy to use, simple to adjust. 17”dia. unloading auger the EXG 400X With a couple quick pins, you can swing the EXG400 into ﬁeld or transport moves 13,500 bu/hr. (340 tons). position. Optional heavy duty augers are available.

GTT The EXG400 can unload over GTX

It fully winds up the grain bag.

Featuring the patented center-drive Operating lights arebottom a standard feature.and Grain Pusher gearbox Greater ground clearance is a standard feature. EXG 400 with pan that allows you toGBR300 clean upbag the roller eature. AKRON now offers a 16.5 foot wide roller to wind up the bag, which can roll up to a very last bit of grain without shovels 500 foot bag, and up to 12 feet wide. The 27.5 inch bag deflectors ensure trouble free rolling. or vacs! This allows you to get more to wind up the bag, which can roll up to a Unmatched performance, by moving 280 ton per hour, or 10,300 bushels per done in less time, with less mess! e 27.5 inch bag deflectors ensure trouble HOUR! The EXG400 now features high flotation tires with a reinforced axle system to accommodate the extra weight when unloading in wet and soft ground conditions.

4010

10 feet

Unloading performance

10300 Bu/Hour (280 Ton/Hour)

Power requirement

90 HP minimum - 540 PTO

Hydraulic requirement

2600 PSI- 16 GPM (180 Bar - 60 LPM)

Tube / Auger Diameter

16 15/16 in (430 mm)

Horizontal Auger Diameter

9 27/32 in (250 mm)

High ﬂotation tires

400 x 60 x 15.5”

3230 Bag Rollers

The EXG 300X / 400X model can hour! 10 THOUSAND bushels per unload 9, 10 and 12 foot bags with

Optional heavy duty augers are available. Operating lights are a standard feature.

ton per hour, or 10,300 bushels per

For bags of

North American Distribution GBC Distributors Humboldt, Sask, Canada 306 682 5888 www.grainbagscanada.com admin@grainbagscanada.com

may change specifications and product designs in this or other brochure at any time, without previous notice. Pictures shown are for illustration purposes only.

akrongrainbagging.com

PRINTED IN CANADA

actors

The hydrostatic ability to pull the machine into the bag by winding it up at the same time, allows you to control the speed that you can unload. Easy to use, simple to adjust.

Featuring the patented center-drive bottom gearbox and Grain Pusher pan that allows you to clean up the Greater ground clearance is a standard feature. AKRON now offers a 16.5 foot wide roller to wind up the bag, which can roll up to a very last bit of grain without shovels 500 foot bag, and up to 12 feet wide. The 27.5 inch bag deﬂectors ensure trouble free rolling. or vacs! This allows you to get more AKRON now offers a 16.5 foot wide roller to wind up the bag, which can roll up to a Unmatched performance, by moving 280 ton per hour, or 10,300 bushels per done in less time, with less mess! 500 foot bag, and up to 12 feet wide. The 27.5 inch bag deﬂectors ensure trouble HOUR!

s up the end of every bag, right down to

e into the bag by winding it up at the ed that you can unload. Easy to use,

400X

Unloader

AKRON features an exclusive, patented center bottom gearbox location for simple operation.

ease. The EXG400Itcan unload fully windsover up the grain bag.Optional hydraulic spout 10 THOUSAND bushels per hour! • Largest

hopper in the industry- • Easy to operate automatic hydraulic brake system. Unloading performance 10300 Bu/Hour (280 Ton/Hour) • 20” auger. th GBR300 bag roller • Patented hydraulic tray allows • Can handle up to 10’x 500’ bags! 90 HP minimum - 540 PTO Power requirement lights, hydraulic bag nload over Features LED hopper forBareasy bag loading. • Optional televeyor kit (shown). 2600 PSI- 16 GPM (180 - 60 LPM) Hydraulic requirement North American Distribution lift, hydraulic loading tray and large • Hydraulic bag lift. akrongrainbagging.com shelsAKRON per features hour! an exclusive, patented GBC Distributors center bottom gearbox location for Tube / Auger Diameter 16 15/16 in (430 mm) floatation tires. Humboldt, Sask, Canada 10 feet

Unloading performance

10300 Bu/Hour (280 Ton/Hour)

Power requirement

90 HP minimum - 540 PTO

Hydraulic requirement

2600 PSI- 16 GPM (180 Bar - 60 LPM)

Tube / Auger Diameter

16 15/16 in (430 mm)

Horizontal Auger Diameter

9 27/32 in (250 mm)

High ﬂotation tires

400 x 60 x 15.5”

1,000 US gal. DUO-LIFT • 32,000 bu/hr capacity.

North American Distribution GBC Distributors Humboldt, Sask, Canada 306 682 5888 www.grainbagscanada.com admin@grainbagscanada.com

may change specifications and product designs in this or other brochure at any time, without previous notice. Pictures shown are for illustration purposes only.

simple operation.

DUO-LIFT

Horizontal Auger Diameter

Patented Bottom Gearbox location.

9 27/32 in (250 mm)

HP minimum - 540 PTO

Extractors Patented Bottom Gearbox location.

Patented Grain Pusher helps clean up the remaining grain!

Hydraulic control panel for easy operation for all functions.

hydrostatic into the bag by winding it up at the 0 PSI- 16The GPM (180 Bar - 60 LPM)ability to pull the machine North American Distribution

EXG-300X EXG-400X

On chain design for easy maintenance.

akrongrainbagging.com call for your local dealer:

400X 306-682-5888

On chain design for easy maintenance.

• Designed for skid steer and front end loaders

GBC Distributors same speed that you can unload. Easygrain to use, 15/16 in (430 mm)time, allows you to control the • Easily rolls a 10x300 bag

Hydraulic control panel for easy operation for all functions.

306 682 5888 www.grainbagscanada.com admin@grainbagscanada.com

ﬂotation 400right x 60 x down 15.5” to Our patented Grain Pusher featureHigh cleans up tires the end of every bag, 00 Bu/Hour (280 Ton/Hour) may change specifications and product designs in this or other brochure at any time, without previous notice. Pictures shown are for illustration purposes only. the very last bit of grain.

eet

Patented Grain Pusher helps clean up the remaining grain!

PRINTED IN CANADA

Rollers

10 feet

For bags of

PRINTED IN CANADA

It fully winds up the grain bag.

mike@gbcequipment.com Unloader

AKRON features an exclusive, patented center bottom gearbox location for

position.

brochure at any time, without previous notice. Pictures shown are for illustration purposes only.

akrongrainbagging.com call for your local dealer:

PRINTED IN CANADA

Humboldt, Sask, Canada simple operation. simple to adjust. 306 682 5888 7/32 in (250 mm) • Fast and effective way to clean up your used Our patented Grain Pusher feature cleans up the end of every bag, right down to www.grainbagscanada.com grain bags and haul away to recyclethe very last bit of grain. x 60 x 15.5” admin@grainbagscanada.com With a couple quick pins, you can swing the EXG400 into ﬁeld or transport

www.GBCdistributors.com

Unmatched performance. With its 17”dia. unloading auger the EXG 400X With a couple quick pins, you can swing the EXG400 into ﬁeld or transport moves 13,500 bu/hr. (340 tons). position. The hydrostatic ability to pull the machine into the bag by winding it up at the same time, allows you to control the speed that you can unload. Easy to use, simple to adjust.

306-682-5888

teer and front end loaders The EXG400 now features high ﬂotation tires with a reinforced axle system to 0 grainaccommodate bag mike@gbcequipment.com the extra weight when unloading in wet and soft ground condiThe EXG400 now features high ﬂotation tires with a reinforced axle system to Featuring the patented center-drive way to clean up your used accommodate the extra weight when unloading in wet and soft ground conditions. l away tions. to recycle and Grain Pusher Hydraulic control panel for easy operation bottomOngearbox Patented Bottom Gearbox location. Patented Grain Pusher helps clean up the chain design for easy maintenance.

www.GBCdistributors.com

CORR Grain, doing the right thing for your farm. The EXG 300X / 400X model can

pan that allows you to clean up the very last bit of grain without shovels or vacs! This allows you to get more AKRON now offers a 16.5 foot wide roller to wind up the bag, which can roll up to a Unmatched performance, by moving 280 ton per hour, or 10,300 bushels per done in less time, with less mess! 500 foot bag, and up to 12 feet wide. The 27.5 inch bag deﬂectors ensure trouble HOUR! remaining Greater grain! ground clearance is a standard feature.

Greater ground clearance is a standard feature.

Optional heavy duty augers are available.

unload 9, 10 and 12 foot bags with PEACE RIVER AB TOM GALL ease. The EXG400 can unload over Optional hydraulic spout NORTHERN AB ALLEN CAPNERHURST 10 THOUSAND bushels per hour!

Operating lights are a standard feature.

Unmatched performance, by moving 280 ton per hour, or 10,300 bushels per HOUR! Optional heavy duty augers are available.

It fully winds up the grain bag.

Operating lights are a standard feature.

EXG 400 with GBR300 bag roller

The EXG400 can unload over 10 THOUSAND bushels per hour!

Bag Rollers

It fully winds up the grain bag.

SOUTHERN AB JUSTIN UKRAINETZ

For bags of

10 feet

Unloading performance

10300 Bu/Hour (280 Ton/Hour)

Power requirement

90 HP minimum - 540 PTO

Hydraulic requirement

2600 PSI- 16 GPM (180 Bar - 60 LPM)

Tube / Auger Diameter

16 15/16 in (430 mm)

Horizontal Auger Diameter

9 27/32 in (250 mm)

High ﬂotation tires

400 x 60 x 15.5”

NORTHWEST SK JEFF RATZLAFF North American Distribution NORTHEAST SK LYLE MUYRES GBC Distributors Humboldt, Sask, Canada 306 682 5888 SOUTHWEST SK RUSS JEWITT www.grainbagscanada.com admin@grainbagscanada.com

may change specifications and product designs in this or other brochure at any time, without previous notice. Pictures shown are for illustration purposes only.

10 feet

Unloading performance

10300 Bu/Hour (280 Ton/Hour)

Power requirement

90 HP minimum - 540 PTO

Hydraulic requirement

2600 PSI- 16 GPM (180 Bar - 60 LPM)

Tube / Auger Diameter

16 15/16 in (430 mm)

Horizontal Auger Diameter

9 27/32 in (250 mm)

High ﬂotation tires

400 x 60 x 15.5”

SOUTHEAST SK TRAVIS CARLSON MANITOBA BLAINE KRAHN

Patented Bottom Gearbox location.

Patented Grain Pusher helps clean up the remaining grain!

GRAIN MONITORING ED RADCLIFFE On chain design for easy maintenance. AND DRYERS

Hydraulic control panel for easy operation for all functions.

North American Distribution GBC Distributors Humboldt, Sask, Canada 306 682 5888 www.grainbagscanada.com admin@grainbagscanada.com

may change specifications and product designs in this or other brochure at any time, without previous notice. Pictures shown are for illustration purposes only.

• Designed for skid steer and front end loaders • Easily rolls a 10x300 grain bag • Fast and effective way to clean up your used grain bags and haul away to recycle

TETRAULT

SOUTH CENTRAL SK TODD COLE

DUO-LIFT

For bags of

akrongrainbagging.com SOUTHWEST SK ALAIN

PRINTED IN CANADA

On chain design for easy maintenance.

akrongrainbagging.com call for your local dealer:

Grain & Fertilizer Bins Handling Systems Grain Monitoring NECO Grain Dryer PRINTED IN CANADA

Hydraulic control panel for easy operation for all functions.

free rolling.

nted Grain Pusher helps clean up the remaining grain!

for all functions.

AKRON now offers a 16.5 foot wide roller to wind up the bag, which can roll up to a 500 foot bag, and up to 12 feet wide. The 27.5 inch bag deﬂectors ensure trouble free rolling.

306-682-5888 www.corrgrain.ca mike@gbcequipment.com

1.866.775.8570

www.GBCdistributors.com

ARE SPOT SPRAYS THE FUTURE FOR PESTICIDES? | SPRAYING 101

Are Spot Sprays The Future For Pesticides? Tom Wolf, PhD, P.Ag. Tom Wolf grew up on a grain farm in southern Manitoba. He obtained his BSA and M.Sc. (Plant Science) at the University of Manitoba and his PhD (Agronomy) at Ohio State University. Tom was a research scientist with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada for 17 years before forming AgriMetrix, an agricultural research company that he now operates in Saskatoon. He specializes in spray drift, pesticide efficacy, and sprayer tank cleanout, and conducts research and training on these topics throughout Canada. Tom sits on the Board of the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association, is an active member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and is a member and past president of the Canadian Weed Science Society.

One of the fastest moving areas in farm technology is image-based sensing. Arguably, its most exciting implementation lies in spot spraying. A spot spray is similar to any other site-specific technology in its underlying principles: farmers apply the product only where needed, and only in the quantity needed. However, the relatively slow movement of this concept into agriculture hasn’t been hindered by any argument with the principle, we’ve just had to wait for the technology to be developed. The rate of adoption of site-specific technologies has everything to do with the cost of the input and the ease with which its rate can be controlled. The technology has to be priced so that the savings it offers proves a good return on investment. And, even when conservation makes economic sense, it must also be easy. That’s why spot spraying is about to explode. The basic hardware for spot sprays includes just four components. First is a boom fitted with individual nozzle shutoffs that can be turned on and off in a few milliseconds. Second, it requires a sensor that can determine the characteristics of the area ahead. Third, it requires an algorithm that can convert the sensed area into a decision. To do that, it needs the final component – a computer that can process the information to execute a decision fast enough to actuate the valves that turn on the necessary nozzles before they pass the weed in question. All of these components are now available at a reasonable cost. This improved affordability was proven by a small team at the University of Sydney, Australia, who developed the Open Weed Locator (OWL). OWL is a spot sprayer farmers can build at home with commonly available components. The OWL website even provides a working algorithm, available for free at a GitHub site. People are 3D printing cases that house the required components to arrive at a professional-looking device. The concept is not new. Early in my career I looked at a “Green on Brown” spot sprayer in Assiniboia, Sask., in 1991. Developed by Dr. Warwick Felton in Australia, it brought the concept of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to spraying but had poor timing, coinciding with the rapid decline of glyphosate prices that removed much of the savings incentive. The same fate befell the next iteration of the technology, the WeedSeeker, developed by Patchen, later NTech Industries and eventually acquired by Trimble. WEED-IT is the current leader in this area, providing a highly efficient approach to the detection of very small weeds. Although successful in Australia where summer sprays and resistant weeds are important factors with economics strongly favouring the approach, Green on Brown spot sprays remain marginal in their adoption elsewhere. But the concept remains solid. Why spray an entire field if you can solely target weeds? More recently, machine learning, such as that that powers the face recognition capability in photo software, is now applied to weeds within a crop, also called “Green on Green.” It involves a training set of images later applied to a testing set to determine the success of the training. One might show it, say, 100 pictures of pigweed for the training process and then test it with 100 different pictures of pigweed, asking the algorithm to determine if it’s pigweed. Eventually, after perhaps many thousands of images per species are run through, an algorithm with a certain success, or “hit” rate, emerges. If the hit rate can rival a broadcast treatment’s results, it’s a success. There’s a lot of secrecy around the current capabilities of the leading contenders in this space. Can they see small weeds? Can they see weeds partially hidden by crop residue or by other weeds? Can they see misshapen weeds caused by an earlier implement wheel or insect feeding? Can they identify obscure, rare weeds? These questions make sense considering the need to achieve close to the 100 per cent control rate that has become the standard for broadcast sprays. 41

SPRAYING 101 | ARE SPOT SPRAYS THE FUTURE FOR PESTICIDES? The initial appeal of spot sprays is to save product, with commensurate benefits in cost, logistics and environmental impact. But to see the real rationale for spot sprays requires revisiting Australia, where spot sprays initially took hold. In most regions of Australia, crops are grown during the winter which is cooler and rainier than their summer. After harvest, farmers practice summer spraying, akin to chem fallow. Owing to harsh growing conditions, species are often simply hard to control and genetic herbicide resistance is common. Spot sprays, by saving significant product volume, allow the re-investment of those savings into higher product rates or multiple effective modes of action tank mixes. Similar forces are driving the early adoption of fledgling Green on Green technology in Australia. Troublesome wild radish has developed herbicide resistance and its removal requires an expensive herbicide. This weed can be removed economically with spot sprays, and French company Bilberry now offers a system for sale for this purpose. The camera and processor hardware can be purchased for about $150,000 AUS for a 36-metre (120-ft.) boom, comparable today to approximately $141,000 CAD. The algorithm for selecting wild radish costs an additional eight dollars per hectare. The deal allows the applicator to spray the same area as often as they wish in that year.

This year, farmers will have access to rapidly advancing spot spray technologies and their results through large scale trials and 2022 sales.

Multiple applications may be part of the initial rollout of the Bilberry. The company reports that its users are seeing a hit rate of about 80 to 90 per cent. If that’s not good enough, it’s feasible to achieve better hit rates with a repeat application. In theory, a farmer could remove 90 per cent of the plants with the first application, and another 90 per cent of the survivors with a subsequent application. Again, this notion is theoretical as the time between the two applications would need to be long enough, and the reasons for the original miss would need to have changed. But these ideas could feed the development of lighter, more nimble machines that cover ground at less cost. Ultimately, spot sprays are not all about cost, they’re about the role of pesticides in agriculture. As herbicide resistance creeps upward, greater adoption of multiple effective mode of action tank mixes will be necessary to prolong the utility of herbicides. The best hope for adopting this practice is to make it affordable through product use savings. Other stewardship aspects can also be addressed by spot sprays. The use of crop desiccants and herbicides for preharvest weed control is being scrutinized due to reports of herbicide residues in some foods. If pre-harvest weed control or desiccation can be targeted solely to the green or weedy patches, overall residue levels can be reduced. Spot sprays

ARE SPOT SPRAYS THE FUTURE FOR PESTICIDES? | SPRAYING 101 may therefore prolong the use of this important practice. Advances are happening quickly and producers will be able to evaluate results from large scale trials and early sales in 2022. Greeneye Technology has sold Green on Green units in Israel and the U.S., implementing a dual tank system that can broadcast a certain product and spot spray a different one. They are partnering with AGCO to bring products to market. EXEL Industries, parent company to the likes of Agrifac, Apache, Berthoud and Hardi, has formed its own Spot Spray division, Exxact Robotics. They are also moving quickly, and according to sources they are implementing a camera that not only sees the weed in RGB, but can also detect its hyperspectral signature for added discrimination. Bosch, having deployed significant resources into agriculture from their diesel divisions, is working with xarvio Digital Farming Solutions and several sprayer manufacturers to bring its SmartSprayer to market. In March, John Deere announced its See & Spray Ultimate, the fruition of their acquisition of Blue River Technologies. It features a dual tank and plumbing system that, like Greeneye’s, recognizes the importance of both broadcast soil-active herbicides and post-emergence spot sprays in modern resistance-delay tactics. Product announcements continue. Precision Planting is venturing into spot sprays and Argentina’s DeepAgro is

developing an aftermarket modular system that offers sensors, processors and solenoids to be fitted to any machine. But not everyone is placing sensors on spray booms. HARDI Australia has launched GeoSelect. The system uses drones to develop a Green on Brown prescription map. Regina’s Precision AI is also working on a system based on drones. Australia’s Single Ag has developed the drone-based SingleShot mapping system for Green on Brown. The drone map approach provides the ability to better estimate the product needed, and possibly to calculate the most efficient routes to cover the field in advance. The success of the operation can also be more quickly assessed by drone. Although things are moving quickly, don’t expect an overnight revolution. Most companies are getting started in row crops first, minimizing the need to discriminate between weeds and crops. As capabilities build and products are refined, narrowseeded crops will follow. Spot sprays are built on lightning-fast solenoids and sophisticated proprietary algorithms, but their potential is intuitive. Observers immediately understand, and marvel at, spot sprays when they first see them. Beside their benefit to producers, they could be the most visceral of ambassadors for the new generation of sustainable farming practices.

Dakota Products of Canada Aluminum Cleaning Solutions

Before

for oxidized aluminum

After

Order Online at

for new & polished

aluminum

dakotaproductsofcanada.ca

Before

Dakota Products of Canada

After

Phone: 1-833-623-0753

3802 4th Ave. East Fax: 306-764-5220 Prince Albert, SK S6W 1A4 info@dakotaproductsofcanada.com Ph:1-833-623-0753 Dakota Products of Canada 3802 4th Ave. East Prince Albert, SK S6W 1A4

fax: 306-764-5220 email:info@dakotaproductsofcanada.com

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE | DOWNTIME IS NOT AN OPTION

Downtime Is Not An Option A proactive multi-point inspection may be the best bet to preventing issues ahead of a breakdown By Jeff Melchior

Fourth-generation farmer and pedigreed seed producer Glenn Logan knows a thing or two about the importance of preventative maintenance. Because downtime simply isn’t an option, he and the staff of Wheatcrest Farms ensure equipment is in tip-top shape before it leaves the yard. Oil and oil filters are changed regularly, tire pressure is continually checked and adjusted and sprayer nozzles are replaced as they go out of spec. But sometimes that isn’t enough. Underpinning all of this southern Alberta producer’s preventative maintenance activity is a 100-point inspection that helps him identify problems with his equipment he may not have thought of. These inspections can minimize many farmers’ biggest worry: being stuck in the field at a time of year they can least afford to be. Multi-point inspections – offered by sales and service shops across the Prairies – are a win-win for both producers and ag equipment service providers, says Landis Stankievech, after sales manager with Trochu Motors, serving farmers throughout Alberta’s central corridor. These thorough inspections bring awareness to potential problems before they cause downtime. They also free up valuable time for service technicians during busy seasons as potential issues are dealt with beforehand. “Think of the demand for service at a dealership if you were to just allow things to evolve naturally,” says Stankievech. “There is a massive peak demand in harvest, another peak of demand around seeding and also into spraying and haying. Our goal with our [inspection] program is to try to get ahead of breakdowns.” 44

“Think of the demand for service at a dealership if you were to just allow things to evolve naturally. There is a massive peak demand in harvest, another peak of demand around seeding and also into spraying and haying. Our goal with our [inspection] program is to try to get ahead of breakdowns.” - Landis Stankievech Multi-point inspections can also help producers decipher between the fixes they can perform themselves and the ones where they may need to seek professional assistance, he says. “In the old days when [equipment] was just mechanical linkages, farmers could work through it in the winter if they were mechanically inclined. But now, with a lot of the electrical stuff, hydraulic components and a lot of the gear systems and modules, they may not feel as confident doing all the work themselves.”

Forestry tillers designed to clean up fields from non-commercial trees, stumps, roots and rocks to create a diversified organic matter seeding bed. Different models available for tractors ranging from 100 to 500 hp.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE | DOWNTIME IS NOT AN OPTION

Inspections reveal blind spots Trochu Motors deals in a wide range of ag equipment and brand names. It has built its own highly detailed inspection program based on each company’s recommendations and then added to them as their technicians recognized new opportunities based on their experience. Some of its inspection lists are 100, 200 or 300 points long depending on the package the producer wishes to purchase, a practice Stankievech says is common among shops providing such services. “Sometimes we know how the machines wear out or break down in Western Canada even better than the manufacturers because we have more experience with the machines in the field,” says Stankievech. “We do a very detailed inspection identifying not only failures that already exist but also probable failures by looking, for example, at wear, checking oil colours and possibly doing oil tests at customer request or if we think it’s necessary.”

Landis Stankievech, after sales manager with Trochu Motors in Alberta’s central corridor, says multi-point equipment inspections are a “win-win” for both producers and repair services. Photo by Camille Stankievech.

Trochu Motors’ technicians walk through the inspection with customers in as many instances as possible. “We make recommendations but ultimately the customers decide what they want to fix,” says Stankievech. “Actually showing the customers what we see is usually the most powerful in terms of helping the customer understand what we found and what maybe needs to be repaired.” Often these inspections reveal problems the producer may not have thought of or has simply forgotten about. Stankievech uses planetary gearboxes on sprayers as an example. “With some of these planetaries you may not need to check the oil for 1,000 hours, so you can run for years thinking everything is fine and then you have a massive failure because you never checked that oil,” he says. “So now, your sprayer is down. Changing those planetaries is a big job. They’re expensive items and not every dealer stocks them, so then you’re waiting on parts.” There are blind spots some farmers may fail to identify when it comes to preventative maintenance. One of these is involves tire pressure on tractors and implements, a task that’s not necessarily as simple as people often think, says Stankievech. “Even at our dealership we had to raise awareness of the optimal tire pressure for a situation,” he says. “It changed if you put a loader on a tractor versus if you didn’t have a loader. There’s a whole science to optimal tire pressure in terms of the configuration of the machine and the time of year that I would imagine some farmers are not aware of.”

Glenn Logan, a pedigreed seed producer and processor from the southern Alberta community of Lomond, uses a 100-point equipment inspection before taking machinery into the field.

Some of these issues can be clarified by keeping the appropriate owner’s manuals on hand. Clinics are also good resources to increase knowledge around preventative maintenance and equipment operation, says Stankievech, adding that they’re worth keeping an eye out for in a farmer’s own area. “Clinics are where you get a bunch of owners of a certain series or similar models

IT’S A 24/7 JOB BUT WE DON’T NEED TO TELL YOU THAT We know reliability matters to you, that’s why FortisAlberta is proud to support Alberta Agriculture. By supporting our communities, we help build a strong Alberta — by touching the lives of many people as a neighbour and business partner, and by delivering safe and reliable electricity service to over 240 communities. If you have a question regarding any aspect of the delivery of your electricity distribution service, a safety concern or need to report a power outage you can connect with us by calling 310-WIRE (9473) or at online at fortisalberta.com. Follow us: Social icon

facebook.com/fortisab youtube.com/fortisab

Circle Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

@fortisalberta @fortisalberta

My owner is pretty handy for a human; smart too. i trained him to recycle used auto fluids. By recycling used oil, filters, antifreeze, their plastic containers and DEF containers, you help keep Saskatchewan’s water, land and air clean and safe. We have one of the best recycling networks in the country, let’s use it. We have 37 EcoCentres and nearly 150 drop-off points province wide.

Saskatchewan Association for Resource Recovery Corp.

usedoilrecyclingsk.com Toll free in SK1.877.645.7275

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE | DOWNTIME IS NOT AN OPTION together and you go over the maintenance and operation, just some of the basics of making sure the customer knows how to operate and maintain that machinery and get the most out of that machine,” explains Stankievech.

Electronics: an emerging maintenance issue For any number of reasons, a farmer may choose not to conduct a multi-point inspection, or there could be points not covered in their inspection package. Many service technicians are happy to share some particular maintenance points producers should look out for. Trent Beres is one of them. An emerging issue in preventative maintenance today lies within electronics on farm equipment, says the western Canadian field service technician for Salford Group. Just like your computer or mobile device, the software on some farm equipment requires regular updating. ISOBUS is one such example. ISOBUS is the protocol that enables tractors and peripherals, such as sprayers, to “talk” to each other when performing precision operations. The software updates on a tractor need to be able to communicate with the kind of ISOBUS-compatible application equipment Salford and other companies offer in order to operate properly. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to ensure that. “Farmers themselves can set up and verify that the software is talking to each other properly in their yards,” says Beres. However, it still requires some forethought. For example, tractor manufacturers sometimes come right to the farmer’s yard to update the tractor software, leaving the farmer to make sure the software on a sprayer or spreader is compatible with the new tractor update. Beres says Salford will make a service call to ensure this compatibility, but farmers must recognize the necessity of making that call for service before attempting to use the equipment. Salford’s manufacturing and sales focus is on tillage and application equipment, two general categories that will be in use on many farms this spring. Beres cites tension on drag chains and wear on ground-opening tools as two crucial but simple checks producers should make before taking equipment into the field. Checking and fixing these chains ahead of use is a particularly quick and simple activity that can prevent significant downtime. “You don’t want to have to figure out a way to get 20 tons of product out of the spreader tank so you can replace a chain that’s broken,” says Beres.

Sometimes even the simplest checks and repairs, such as drag chain tension, can have a major impact. “You don’t want to have to figure out a way to get 20 tonnes of product out of the spreader tank so you can replace a chain that’s broken,” says Salford Group’s Trent Beres.

Producers also can’t afford to let ground engaging tools on tillage equipment wear down too low, says Beres. A general rule of thumb for a 22-inch blade, for example, is to replace it when it gets to 17 or 18 inches. “Otherwise, you’re not getting the full fracturing of the ground so you’re losing a lot of the benefits of that whole machine,” says Beres. “Also, by running the blades lower and lower you’re putting the bearings more in the dirt and in the wet conditions, so you can start having some bearing failures.”

DECADES OF RELIABLE RODENT CONTROL CONSISTENT • INNOVATIVE • VERSATILE • PROBLEM SOLVER These words aren’t applied to just any rodent control bait. They are applied to Rozol RTU & Ground Force, rodent control baits that have been helping protect your range & cropland for many years. Rozol RTU* is labeled for the control of Ground Squirrels & Pocket Gophers Ground Force Paraffinized Pellets* is labeled for the control of Voles, Ground Squirrels, Rats & Mice

PROTECTING YOUR RANGE & CROPLAND

Distributed by:

Get your Rozol Rebate

UP TO CAD $500

liphatech.ca/ag-field-orchard/the-rozol-rtu-rebate-offer

For Nearest Dealer: 866.572.8240

For Technical/Label Questions:

liphatech.ca • 866.590.3444

*Commercial Product Only: Only to be used by certified pest control operators, farmers and persons authorized in government pest control programs.

F.A.S.T.

Farm Action Service Team on the farm since 1953. Our fleet of 10 tire service trucks is on call 24/7 saving you down time.

GOT A FARM TIRE ISSUE? OUR TEAM CAN FIX IT OR REPLACE IT ON THE SPOT

CALL ON OUR TIRE AND WHEEL EXPERTS FOR LOW SIDEWALL TECHNOLOGY WHEEL ASSEMBLIES

Saskatoon (306) 244-5442 | Rosthern (306) 232-4871 Prince Albert (306) 764-5666 | Nipawin (306) 862-5543 Rosetown (306) 882-2944 | Tisdale (306) 873-3511

MARKETTIRE.CA 49

THOSE WILY WEEDS | PLAYING THE LONG GAME

Playing The Long Game Tammy Jones B.Sc., P.Ag Tammy Jones completed her B.Sc. in crop protection at the University of Manitoba. She has more than 15 years of experience in the crops industry in Manitoba and Alberta, with a focus on agronomy. Tammy lives near Carman, Man., and spends her time scouting for weeds and working with cattle at the family farm in Napinka.

At a very basic level, growers can count on their experience to understand when to invest in different weed control options. The economics are most easy to calculate with annual weeds. It’s fairly evident that not controlling these weeds will result in yield decreases, quality issues and future years of weeds to control based on seed production. When a weed is known to be herbicide resistant, taking an approach for zero tolerance in allowing seed set occurs more frequently. However, when it comes to perennial weed control, the assessment is more challenging. Patches of milkweed are increasingly common in field situations, field horsetail is creeping in from field margins, meanwhile dandelions and Canada thistle abound. Not only are perennial weeds challenging to control with integrated weed management techniques, they flourish when crops cannot and the level of control achieved in a single year is rarely evident. While Canada thistle prefers adequate moisture, it is a challenging perennial weed that has a competitive advantage in less-than-ideal moisture conditions. Perennial weeds tend to do well in drier growing conditions for a few reasons. One, they don’t rely on the seedbank to germinate, so plants get an earlier start. Two, their root structure allows access to nutrients and moisture annual crops cannot reach. Three, challenging growing conditions make for less robust crop competition. And four, killing the main growing point doesn’t kill the entire plant; most perennials can regenerate from root stocks or rhizomes. There are two key ways of controlling Canada thistle. The first includes cultural methods that reduce carbohydrate storage and weaken the plant to the point that it dies. The second method involves using herbicides. Both strategies hold challenges, such as getting the proper timing with the control measures as well as their economic implications. The primary mechanical control methods are tillage or mowing. The economics of tillage are currently most impacted by high fuel prices. Lost soil moisture and the threat of amplifying problems by spreading the rootstocks are additional deterrents. According to a Government of Saskatchewan publication on Canada thistle, research shows the weed will continue to draw from root reserves during the ﬂowering period and it is recommended to remove top-growth with either tillage or mowing just prior to ﬂower bud break. That indicates a probable need for several passes of cultivation, along with associated costs and lost crop production throughout the management tactic. Shallow cultivation during hot, dry weather greatly stresses these plants but will not eliminate the extensive root structure. So, there will continue to be plants emerging in that growing season and likely in subsequent growing seasons. Additionally, tillage has no impact on seeds. So, tillage is unlikely successful as a stand-alone tactic but can be more successful when combined with a herbicide control strategy.

WE’LL WEATHER THE STORMS TOGETHER. AFSC has your back with a personalized portfolio of livestock and crop insurance, farm income stabilization, and lending products to protect you from the unexpected … and move you to brighter days.

INSURANCE | LENDING | INCOME STABILIZATION

AFSC.ca

THOSE WILY WEEDS | LOOKING BACK TO PLAN AHEAD

Not only are perennial weeds challenging to control with integrated weed management techniques, they flourish when crops cannot and the level of control achieved in a single year is rarely evident. Mowing tends to be even less successful than tillage. While mowing reduces plant height, it typically does not eliminate flower or seed production completely and therefore should be part of an integrated strategy. Vegetation management experts do not recommend mowing as a single treatment method as plants often produce side branches with more flowers, even with repeated mowing and proper timing. Mowing also removes the opportunity to grow a crop in that area. Again, the use of a herbicide control strategy enhances efficacy and ensures a crop production opportunity in the future. Within the chemical control options, there are several herbicides that successfully suppress Canada thistle. Unlike the cultural control options, these products allow for crop production and revenue but will not eradicate the patches in future years. Research conducted by Bill May, crop management agronomist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, found that pre-or-post-harvest glyphosate used alone or in combination with in-crop clopyralid were the most effective in reducing Canada thistle and providing higher yields. In a year with supply issues, the rates of glyphosate application and the economics of this option need to be calculated. Additionally, the inability to market the crop to certain end-users may make this option less attractive. A final chemical control option is a herbicide that contains clopyralid, however it has herbicide carryover issues under certain growing conditions.

The two main ways of controlling Canada thistle–cultural methods that weaken plants such as tillage or mowing, and herbicide use–both hinge on timing and economic implications.

At the end of the day, perennial weeds can have long term impacts on crop production in ways annual weeds will not. These weeds have the competitive edge while it is important to ensure long-term productivity, so the alternatives must be fairly assessed. If the options are lost revenue through tillage versus limited marketing options, the small risk of herbicide carryover is likely easier to manage through crop rotation. Either way, ignoring the perennial problem will only result in longer term yield reductions and increasingly greater challenges in finding effective control strategies.

NEW TilMOR fungicide gives you the freedom to spray from flag leaf to heading. TilMOR™ fungicide is your cereal flex timing specialist that can be sprayed from flag leaf to heading to control leaf diseases in your wheat, barley and oats and protect against fusarium head blight in wheat. Depending on your crop stage, weather or other factors important to your operation, you can apply TilMOR precisely when you need to. So go ahead. Spray when you say and get the protection you need. Learn more at cropscience.bayer.ca/TilMOR

ItsGrowTime.ca

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

#AskBayerCrop

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Bayer, Bayer Cross, It's Grow Time™ and TilMOR™ are trademarks of Bayer Group. Used under license. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada. ©2022 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.

FARM FINANCE

Vincent Cloutier With nearly 20 years of experience in the Canadian agri-food industry, Cloutier is a member of National Bank’s Agriculture and Agri-Food team. Having served in recent years as Senior Economist at La Coop fédérée (now Sollio Groupe coopératif) and Director of Economic Affairs at Les Éleveurs de porcs du Québec, he specializes in international trade and agricultural policies. A graduate in agronomy and agri-food management from Laval University and a four-time participant in the prestigious Harvard Agribusiness Seminar, Cloutier supports National Bank’s agricultural and agri-food financing teams with his expertise in business environment analysis.

What Will The Market Remember About These Uncertain Times? Early this spring, we watched live the horror of the Russian aggression and the unspeakable courage of the Ukrainian people against the brutal invader. We also observed, with perplexity, the seemingly unstoppable rising price of fertilizers. Although the die is cast for the current season, such chaotic markets call for reflection: in this environment of great instability, what will endure? Fertilizer prices at the turn of 2022 are reminiscent of the 1970s and 2008. Much has been said about the cost of transportation, weather events and the price of natural gas, all of which have limited supply while pushing prices higher throughout 2021. Too little is said, however, about the fall 2020 grain price boom, which has had a significant impact on fertilizer demand around the world. As if there was not already enough action, rarely has geopolitics had such an impact on the market. Export restrictions and import taxes were indeed among the ingredients that caused fertilizer prices to rise in 2021. Now, Russian aggression has only made matters worse. Fertilizers are essential inputs and whether non-renewable, including phosphorus, and potassium, or synthesized with non-renewable energy as in nitrogen, they’re also attached to an emotional market – the food industry. For these reasons, diplomatic complexity will remain. Another lasting destabilizing factor lies in energy. The war comes on top of the withdrawal of institutional investors, carbon taxes and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) behaviour, including slowing production growth to keep prices high. As the energy transition is well underway and set to last several decades, the price of the energy needed to extract P and K, and especially to manufacture N fertilizers, has probably reached a new plateau. There is no doubt that there will be a lasting effect on the cost of production for fertilizers. On the other hand, grain markets are far from being insensitive to energy prices. A historical correlation exists between the cost of energy and the cost of grain – either through ethanol or biofuels – which contributes to mitigating the risk. War-related sanctions will inevitably reshape the global fertilizer trade, of which Russia is a very large exporter. This is a probability even without discussing Belarus: the ally-rogue is the second largest exporter of potash after Canada. As observed during other episodes of trade destabilization, for instance through periodic embargoes, re-routing will occur. Indeed, Russia is not likely to stop producing fertilizer, which will eventually find a buyer. Let’s not imagine that the tens of millions of tons of fertilizer exported annually by Russia will vanish. Let’s add to this scenario the fact that planetary reserves of phosphate are running out. Estimates suggest we have enough to last anywhere from 30 to 130 years. Of these reserves, three to five million tons will be used up each year primarily to manufacture batteries. For all these reasons, after the current boom, we should not be surprised if prices remain consistently higher than in recent decades. It’s a scenario that encourages a renewed approach to risk management. For a farming operation, there is always the possibility of shopping around for better prices and hoping for downward movements, but doing so poses risk around product availability. The alternative is to secure supply, albeit at prices that defy our habits. As in many other areas, the entrepreneur’s risk tolerance dictates the choice. Fertilizers are expensive. However, current grain prices and futures markets suggest that margins might be positive in 2022 if yields are good. We are certainly hoping this is the case. To say that Prairie agriculture deserves this would be an understatement.

THE X FACTOR

OF LONGERLASTING CONTROL.

Xemium Fungicide ®

You can’t afford to ignore the risk of early-season disease. That’s why pulse and flax growers count on Dyax® fungicide. Powered by increased levels of Xemium®, it delivers more consistent, continuous control of a broad range of diseases. Of course, its advantages aren’t limited to disease management alone. Dyax also packs proven Plant Health Benefits1 that lead to increased growth efficiency, better management of minor stress and greater yield potential2. Visit agsolutions.ca/dyax to learn more.

1 2

Plant Health Benefits refer to products that contain the active ingredient pyraclostrobin. All comparisons are to untreated, unless otherwise stated.

Always read and follow label directions. AgSolutions, DYAX and XEMIUM are registered trade-marks of BASF; all used under license by BASF Canada Inc. DYAX fungicide should be used in a preventative disease control program. © 2022 BASF Canada Inc.

BAUMALIGHT.COM

Locate A Dealer Online