Farming For Tomorrow November December 2022

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November / December 2022

ENTREPRENEURS IN AGRICULTURE

Pick of the Province The hurdles and wins of starting a first-generation farm

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Pick of the

Province

By Natalie Noble

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So, You Want to Try Intercropping

Return of the Trade Show

A Farmer’s Viewpoint

by Kevin Hursh

Spraying 101

by Tom Wolf

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Pricing Balances Big Production Year

Pushing Yields in a Sustainable Environment

Grain Market Analysis

by Scott Shiels

Pushing Yields

by Lisa Kopochinski

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Don’t Underestimate Competition

Forages on the Prairies

Those Wily Weeds

by Tammy Jones

Forages

by Lisa Kopochinski

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SECTION A FARMER’S | TITLE VIEWPOINT | SO, YOU WANT TO TRY INTERCROPPING

So, You Want to Try Intercropping

By Kevin Hursh, P.Ag.

I received an email recently from a young producer in Alberta who saw me touch on the topic of intercropping at a UFAsponsored event a few years ago. This producer, and a few other young producers in the area, are now trying various intercrops. He reached out to see if I was still intercropping and whether I had any advice.

It’s a big topic and I have lots of opinions. I don’t pretend to be an expert, but I’ve done some intercropping, both intentional and unintentional, and I’ve listened to the experiences and opinions of other producers as well as researchers.

Here, for what it’s worth, are my thoughts on growing two crops together, harvesting them at the same time and then separating the seed.

Philosophical motivation In theory, it makes sense that growing two or more crops at the same time should be better for the soil than monocropping. Maybe that’s the case, but it’s difficult to prove. On the other hand, intercropping can make subsequent crop rotation more complicated and it can increase weed pressure if herbicide choices are limited.

If intercropping makes you feel more sustainable or you think it qualifies as regenerative agriculture, good for you. Whatever floats your boat. Personally, I don’t give much credence to a philosophical motivation. I like to try new approaches that may provide an economic advantage.

Practical advice Choose crop combinations where the seed can be easily separated. I once grew maple peas with barley and had a terrible time separating the two after harvest.

Weed control is another issue. The chickpea - flax mix benefited from having pre - emergent herbicide Authority registered for both crops. If you’re growing canola with peas, you probably want to use Clearfield canola to have a good herbicide option for both. Some crops will tolerate a herbicide that isn’t registered, but non-registered uses are not a good 6

idea.

The crops should have similar maturity. No use having one ripe and shelling out while you’re waiting for the other to mature.

You also need to decide if you’re growing both crops in the same row, or if you’re seeding alternating rows. Can you make your seeding equipment work for both crops at the same time? What about fertilizer placement?

Overyielding doesn’t always happen If you listen to the success stories, growing two crops together results in more total product and a higher return per acre. This can happen, but it doesn’t always happen. Even if you’re lucky enough to improve the total yield, remember that you still have the time and expense of separating the two crops.

Grain cleaning Separating crops isn’t always as simple as it seems. A high level of dockage may be concentrated in one or the other of the crops, thus requiring another cleaning operation to make it marketable.

It’s tough to separate the crops as they are harvested, so that means binning the mixture and separating it later. For moisture determination, I’ve sometimes manually separated enough of the grain to do separate moisture tests on each to make sure they’re safe for storage.

Crop combinations with a purpose In my opinion, intercropping is more viable when the secondary – the support crop – has a purpose. In the case of chickpeas with flax, the flax can potentially act as a buffer to stop disease spread. It can also suck up extra late season moisture to help hasten chickpea maturity. Flax straw is often baled or burned, but a relatively small amount of flax in a chickpea crop isn’t likely to pose a residue problem.

I’ve tried chickpeas with a small amount of Canary seed and I actually like that mixture better than chickpea - flax. The Canary seed matures and doesn’t shell out as you wait for the chickpeas to ripen. And the Canary seed seems to thresh quite

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A FARMER’S VIEWPOINT well when the two go through the combine.

For both flax and Canary seed, if growing them in the same seed row as chickpeas, I’d recommend a low seeding rate of less than 10 pounds per acre while keeping the chickpeas close to their normal seeding rate. If doing alternating rows, full seeding rate should be used on each crop in its respective row.

Pulse crops can provide nitrogen for an oilseed or cereal crop, and that may be important if nitrogen fertilizer prices remain in the stratosphere. Some crops, like certain varieties of peas, are prone to lodging and intercropping may solve that problem.

Having a purpose for an intercrop makes more sense to me than simply throwing two crops together and hoping for some sort of magic.

Unintentional intercrops This year on two brown mustard fields, I had terrible crop emergence in some specific areas of the fields. I attributed this to residue of a Group 2 herbicide from two years previous - the 2021 drought didn’t allow the herbicide to break down properly.

In the bare areas, I used a disc drill to seed maple peas. The disc drill didn’t kill what little mustard was growing so I ended up with an intercrop even though that wasn’t the original intention. I had this happen many years ago in a large green lentil crop where brown mustard volunteered.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life gives you an intercrop, harvest it and separate the seed.

Crop insurance considerations In Saskatchewan, intercrops can be insured under a “Diversification Option.” The premiums you pay on other crops are averaged and that’s what you pay for the acres of intercrop. Similarly, if you are in a claim position, your average payment per acre on your other crops becomes your payment per acre on the intercrop.

I’ve been part of discussions with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation on other options to provide yield loss coverage for intercrops, but there seems to be no simple way to come up with an insurance procedure that makes sense.

Future of intercropping Variable rate fertilizer gets a lot of attention. What if we could vary the seeding rates of intercrops to optimize production?

Developing a proper prescription may be easier than it is with fertilizer, but this isn’t an area receiving a lot of research.

Some producers have long found success with intercropping.

Widespread adoption probably isn’t on the horizon, but some novel crop combinations do look interesting.

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Publishers

Pat Ottmann & Tim Ottmann

Editor

Natalie Noble

Design

Cole Ottmann

Regular Contributors Vincent Cloutier 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.

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GRAIN MARKET ANALYSIS | PRICING BALANCES BIG PRODUCTION YEAR

Pricing Balances Big Production Year Scott Shiels Scott grew up in Killarney, Man. and has been in the grain industry for 30 years.

He has worked with Grain Millers Canada for 10 years and manages procurement for both conventional and organic oats for their Canadian operation. Scott is a newly elected board member for Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan and sits on several other committees on both the organic and conventional sides of the oat industry. Scott and his wife Jenn live on an acreage near Yorkton, Sask. Find out more at www.grainmillers.com

Well, another harvest has come and gone, and hopefully you are happily marketing a profitable crop while already planning and pricing the next one!

Although this crop started out slowly with heavy snow cover and plenty of rain keeping many producers on the Prairies out of the field until well after their normal seeding dates, Mother Nature changed her tune following and was quite kind for a large part of Western Canada.

For us here in the Parkland region of Saskatchewan, conditions really couldn’t have been better.

Other than the odd hailstorm and some patchy areas that missed some of the summer rains, the growing season was very near perfect for a lot of producers. These conditions led to a well above average crop, especially in the cereal grains, which in turn, pushed prices lower going into harvest.

While there is usually some pressure on grain prices at harvest, the especially large crop pushed commodity prices even lower early in the fall.

StatsCan numbers have varied throughout the fall, leaving many wondering where our actual production numbers sit on the major prairie crops. Traders and farmers alike have spent much of the fall trying to get a handle on grain volumes to properly market this crop. We have watched prices fall during the harvest season but should start to see a rebound as we look ahead and start to price new crop for 2023.

Following one of the worst crops in recent history with one of the best will make for some interesting market opportunities in the coming months as the battle for acreage this spring will be one for the ages. With all commodities coming off a short crop and carryout at all - time lows, this year’s bigger crop will not be enough to bring any kind of surplus to the supply numbers. Because we will still be sitting with tight supplies across the board, most cannot afford a slip in acreage going into 2023. This will force aggressive pricing for new crop contracts, and that will generally lift current old crop prices higher as well.

In a year like this, it can be difficult to be patient as we see prices falling while we know the crop is above average. However, looking at the bigger picture, and knowing that many shelves are bare, not only here in Canada but around the globe, can really be a benefit when trying to maximize returns.

As I have mentioned before, it is imperative folks keep in close contact with their buyers and ensure that when opportunities arise they are top of mind. These opportunities will come, it will just take a little extra patience to be in the position to take advantage of them.

Until next time…

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THOSE WILY WEEDS | DON’T UNDERESTIMATE COMPETITION

Don’t Underestimate Competition 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.

Every winter, time is spent devising crop plans based on crop rotations, markets, and in some cases, specifically to deal with problem weeds. Diverse crop rotations, crop competitiveness, seeding rates, fertilizer placement and cover crops are all opportunities to help manage weed populations, complemented by targeted herbicide usage. Crop selection is generally based on disease resistance, insect protection and yield, possibly with the assumption that yield is reflective of the cultivar’s ability to compete with weeds.

But, if growing a competitive crop is the key to good weed control, how can that be optimized?

And, while competitive ability varies amongst varieties or hybrids, its measurement is more elusive than yield and quality traits. For instance, it is rare to see cultivar or hybrid comparisons that discuss relative shading ability or root development.

Some crops are competitive simply because they tolerate weed pressure and maintain yield, but that won’t help reduce future weed problems as the weeds are likely to continue to proliferate. Instead, the desirable competitive attribute is a crop which will provide weed suppression, resulting in reduced weed seed production. In this case, weed suppression by competing for limiting resources - light, nutrients and water - and by responding to the presence of weeds with certain morphological changes - more leaves, longer stems and higher root biomass. Crops will respond to the presence of weeds long before resources are limiting, as if preparing for war.

Twenty years ago, in a paper for the International Conference on Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture, Dr. Robert Blackshaw and co-authors (2002) suggested that crops must be developed for their competitive ability in addition to yield and quality. There are several factors that enhance crop competitiveness, starting with seedling characteristics of rapid germination, early emergence and seedling vigour. Once the crop is off to a good start, rapid leaf expansion, good canopy development, shading ability plant height and early root growth, all leading to an extensive root system, will support crop competitiveness. And while competitive ability varies among varieties or hybrids, its measurement is more elusive than yield and quality traits. For instance, it is rare to see cultivar or hybrid comparisons that discuss relative shading ability or root development.

Conversely, several weeds are competitive because they will tolerate growing conditions that are simply not suitable to most crops. Specific weeds that come to mind include kochia and foxtail barley, each managing to survive in saline areas where nothing else will grow. It is unlikely that assessing crop competitiveness will ever solve these types of weed problems.

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Contemplating crop selection for problematic fields is likely different than for most of the farm. There isn’t a magic combination of genetics that will ensure a competitive crop in every field, since weed species will differ in their response to crop attributes. While green foxtail was suppressed more effectively with a taller cultivar of wheat, downy brome was more impacted by semi-dwarf winter wheat than by taller cultivars. With that in mind, there are several factors that should be considered when selecting a hybrid or cultivar for the weediest fields, such as: 1. Weed biology. Know the tendencies of the weed issue in a field to decide how intense the crop competition must be in order to even marginally impact future populations.

Pigweed architecture with (right) and without (left) crop competition.

A competitive crop that suppresses weeds can dramatically reduce weed seed set and future weed issues. As an example, green foxtail seed set was approximately 25 per cent higher when a semi-dwarf spring wheat cultivar, Norquay, was grown than when a taller wheat cultivar, Sinton, was grown. In the mid-90s, research on spring wheat cultivars indicated that those with higher leaf area per unit of ground area, or leaf area index, at spike emergence, within CDC Merlin and AC Minto, provided a competitive advantage over wild oat, resulting in 15to 30-times less wild oat regrowth than other spring wheat cultivars. A comparison of 250 wheat cultivars in Australia indicated that historical varieties, dating back to 1880, suppressed weeds more effectively than many newer varieties, based on early season biomass accumulation that possessed more tillers while being leafier and taller.

An additional benefit, based on work in Australia, shows that a competitive crop will result in better harvest weed seed management because the weeds grow taller and retain their seed better. This means that more of the weed seed goes through the combine to be collected in a chaff row or destroyed as it passes through a seed destructor. Similar changes have been noted in many crops in western Canada, for example, whereas the crop competition increases, wild oat internodes are more elongated and redroot pigweed’s plant structure becomes much less branched, resulting in seed production much higher in the crop canopy (as shown on the left)..

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2. Crop selection. Based on crop rotation and farm profitability, there are likely more appealing crops to grow. If a weedy field is a habitual problem, it may be time to try a perennial crop or change up the crop rotation for a few years to get it back under control. From a crop competitiveness standpoint, Blackshaw et al. (2002) have suggested that for Western Canada, the following ranking reflects each crop’s competitive ability: Rye–Oat–Barley–Wheat–Canola–Field pea–Soybean–Flax–Lentil.

3. Hybrid or cultivar selection. Once a crop is selected, that selection may be fine-tuned by seeking a variety that has early season growth. This may not be the same variety used on the rest of the farm, and it may not be the highest yielding on most fields, but it’s selected based on the weed problem. Take into consideration the height, leafiness and growth habit when selecting.

4. Seeding rate. A higher plant population may improve crop competitiveness by increasing crop growth, causing canopy closure to occur earlier and resulting in less light for weeds to grow. In addition, the roots use up the available water and nutrients, therefore reducing the opportunity for weed growth. By seeding a barley crop at 3.7 bushels per acre, wild oat seed production was reduced by half over a seeding rate of 0.9 bushels per acre.

5. Seeding date. A crop will be more competitive if it emerges before the weeds rather than after weed emergence.

In the battle against challenging weeds, it is important to use every weapon in the arsenal. While crop competition alone is unlikely to eliminate a weed population, selecting a more competitive hybrid or cultivar can enhance other management strategies. There are several weed scientists studying crop competitiveness as an important factor in many integrated weed management strategies, as some other weapons - herbicides - require more support in the war against weeds.

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COVER STORY | PICK OF THE PROVINCE

PICK OF THE PROVINCE

The hurdles and wins of starting a first-generation farm

By Natalie Noble

All photos courtesy of Kayla McKay, Kayla LiLee Photography

(L-R) The Faulkner family: Janelle, Jenny, Jolene, Jim and Joanne.

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PICK OF THE PROVINCE | COVER STORY

It’s not every day a Prairie farm family’s success story is told without the history of several generations’ contributions in building up the operation. But, what if a young boy aspires to grow up and be a farmer one day with no farm to take over?

Jim Faulkner, Lang, Sask. farmer, and his wife Joanne, know well the dedication involved in overcoming every obstacle to realize that dream. Today, they grow canola, durum wheat and green lentils on 3,600 acres and are currently adding another 2,200 in conjunction with a transition on to their daughter, Jolene Durie.

The journey to this poignant life moment is not a short one. It took determination and an adventurous spirit on behalf of both partners. “The most important thing is that my wife has always been very supportive and encouraging in my ventures into farming,” says Jim. “We’ve done all of this together. She’s always been, and still is, my ‘right hand man.’”

It all begins in Saskatoon, where Jim grew up in the city, his father a pharmacist and mother a medical secretary. “I have always wanted to farm since a very young age,” he says. “I spent most of my summers and fall seasons on my uncle’s grain farm. I was so focused on farming I did everything to work towards that goal by studying farm machinery mechanics to earn my heavy equipment mechanics as a trade.”

After marrying Joanne in 1982, they purchased 80 acres in the Saskatoon area, both working at a local potash mine. “I was thinking an acreage would curb the desire to go farming but I think it only made me want to farm more,” says Jim. A few false starts were blocked by high land prices and interest rates of the late-70s to early-80s. An attempt to start farming irrigation land near Outlook came close - until land values rose from $600 to $1,000 per acre over one winter. By March 1987, things looked up. The local Royal Bank was selling a nearby section of good land.

“I sat across the desk from an older grey haired loans manager and explained my reason for coming in. He leaned back in his chair and said, ‘No this land is for sale as a whole and we will not consider selling it in part.’ This was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me.”

– Jim Faulkner quarter section in Delisle, set in the Belle Plaine area, and rented another quarter. Jim’s father assisted with the down payment and Joanne’s father contributed towards equipment.

They sold their new truck, the acreage, liquidated anything they could and cashed in some investments. They were respectively aged 28 and 26, the first of their three daughters only a few months old.

“We moved to the old house on the land, which had no running water and could not be lived in through the winter months,” says Jim. “Over the years, I’ve suggested a couple times to different people wanting to farm, ‘why not sell your house, use the money for a down payment and live in the old house until things are paid off over time?’ They would laugh and say, ‘my wife would not go for that.’”

“Finally, my dream of farming would become a reality,” says Jim. “I sat across the desk from an older grey haired loans manager and explained my reason for coming in. He leaned back in his chair and said, ‘No this land is for sale as a whole and we will not consider selling it in part.’ This was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me.”

But Joanne was always onboard and shared Jim’s vision. They kept their heads down and continued to work hard. Jim worked a few winters at an equipment dealership, next the Canada Farm Debt Review Board, and then taught at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, (then S.I.A.S.C.) for five winters. Joanne worked full-time for a couple of years and then drove school bus until the mid-90s. That extra revenue enabled them to rent more land and eventually purchase another quarter section.

Jim describes storming out of the bank angry, adrenalin flowing. Arriving home, he started thumbing through an ag publication, noting a number of smaller parcel listings in the Regina area.

Over the next 25 years, they bought and sold, eventually moving to Lang. “According to the realtor, I went through 25 different land transactions, not including the ones we did on our own,” says Jim.

“The big question was, ‘are we willing to relocate, leave our family and friends, and both quit our high paying jobs at the mine?’” says Jim, whose mother encouraged the couple to go down and at least look. Eventually, the Faulkners purchased a

He refused to borrow money for anything except acquiring land. “Against my banker’s advice I would only take land out on a 10-year term,” says Jim. “It was difficult and a sacrifice for sure, we gave up many other things.”

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COVER STORY | PICK OF THE PROVINCE

“Starting a first-generation farm isn’t easy and most people would not try it. But I always felt if I wanted to move ahead, I needed to do things differently than most.” – Jim Faulkner Jim kept a flowchart with payments and due dates posted up in their office. “I looked at it many times wondering how we were going to make it,” he says. It worked – they’ve been debt-free since 2014.

It certainly took courage. “Starting a first-generation farm isn’t easy and most people would not try it,” adds Jim. “But I always felt if I wanted to move ahead, I needed to do things differently than most.”

There were also advantages to their unique position. “For one, I could pick exactly where I wanted to farm, just like an original homesteader,” says Jim. “I wasn’t held back by a location that a father or grandfather picked, and there were no emotional ties to anything.”

Finally Arriving When the Faulkners gradually relocated to the current farm near Lang between 1999 and 2004, they had their pick of the province. “If we weren’t going to farm where we started, it was now our choice and we decided this in general was a desirable place to look,” says Jim.

Jolene’s been learning about farming from Jim since she can remember and will continue to do so even after she steps into his shoes in 2023.

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They’re now set in the Regina Plains, a heavy clay soil region.

“We searched for this type of soil because that’s what my uncle had farmed,” says Jim. “Working with heavy clay is very sticky soil when it’s wet, which can be challenging, but it’s very forgiving soil at the same time. It holds moisture really well.”

To care for that soil, the lentils help keep a healthy rotation.

Jim likes split applications of nitrogen, which work especially with durum wheat. “We come in with liquid after seeding, and then at a three-to-four-leaf stage,” he says. “That way it’s spread over a longer period of time throughout the season. It helps produce optimal protein levels in the wheat and a better yield with less straw.”

Between Jim, Joanne, occasional help from their daughters and a few seasonal workers each year, fieldwork is done with Case machinery and a small line of John Deere equipment.

They currently run three combines, two air seeders, a 56-foot Concord, a 40-foot flex coil and two semi-trucks. Over the years, machinery has been upgraded, but the couple started out with mostly older equipment, made possible through Jim’s heavy duty mechanics trade.

A field full of possibilities Find creative and flexible financing solutions with our team of agriculture experts nbc.ca/agribusiness 21

COVER STORY | PICK OF THE PROVINCE “If we had to narrow down a single thing that set us up to be successful as first-generation farmers it’s that we could run that old, and I mean old, equipment,” says Jim.

The Next Generation The Faulkners recently decided it’s finally time to slow down.

They’ve hired a full-time hand to oversee much of their farm management. Next year, Jolene will step into Jim’s position as the farm expands with those extra 2,200 acres, currently owned by Jolene’s husband’s family, an exciting joint venture.

The transition looks to be a natural fit. “From the time Jolene was little, she was out in the shop working with me and she developed an interest in farming and tractors at a young age,” says Jim. “She has always helped on the farm and we’ve worked on tractors as a hobby in the off season.”

At just 12 years old, Jolene’s love for ag mechanics was cemented while working on a 1938 Case Model C. “I was always in the shop with my dad, interested in mechanics, and he’s always had old tractors around. So, after school that’s where I was, that’s where it started,” she says. “The first tractor I bought was a John Deere Model A. I was 14, and I thought that was a big deal at the time. I still have it and I never want to sell it.”

Also memorable were auction sale trips where Jim and Jolene loved looking everything, picking up tractors to add to their collection.

Entering high school, Jolene studied mechanics, Joanne asking the instructor if it was a fad. “The teacher reassured me, ‘no, she is good. I tell everyone to go to her if they want to see how it’s done when they’re working on their projects,’” says Joanne.

Jolene worked with a local ag dealer after school. “The school bus would drop me off there and I just loved it,” says Jolene.

Next, she moved on to study automotive mechanics and worked for a GM dealership but missed the ag side. So, she moved on to the local Case IH dealership with nine stores across Southern Saskatchewan. Newly married at the time, she worked there for 12 years as a product and technical specialist, training customers to operate their new air seeders, combines and sprayers and performing many demos. Quickly advancing technology and continuous learning were big draws.

At just 14, Jolene purchased her first collector tractor–a John Deere Model A. For the last 12 years, she’s worked as a product and technical specialist for Case IH, showing farmers the latest advancements.

22

“I started out working with machines with one GPS system, now it’s all these different monitors, vehicle sync – where the monitors are talking to each other,” says Jolene. “I was most excited to see older generations embrace new technology, be proud of their fancy new equipment with the latest monitor. It was so exciting to watch them take that initial interest, and then realize how much time and money it saved them, how much easier it was to operate.”

MNP

IS GOOD MANAGEMENT BETTER THAN GOOD DIRT? FIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR FARM PROFITABILITY

By Peter Manness, P.Ag

A

s farm managers, we know many factors are simply out of our control. Weather, geography, market prices — these can limit your farm’s potential for

profit. But despite these concerning issues, benchmark data shows huge variability in farm profits between like farms in any given year. This means there must be other factors, within our control, that can significantly impact profitability for any grain or mixed farm.

You may think you’re as profitable as you can be, given your constraints. But what if you discovered your neighbour was making an extra $50 per acre every year? On a 3,000-acre

3. Have a plan.

Some things always remain outside of your control; a plan provides a general direction and outlines the activities that will help you succeed. Include short- and long-term goals and think about all aspects of the operation — land, machinery, debt, people — when creating your plan.

A plan also helps you communicate more effectively with others involved in the operation and with your advisors.

Having everything written down means better conversations better advice.

farm, that adds up to $1.5 million over 10 years.

4. Improve debt management.

Here are five surprising ways to increase your farm’s

Paying down equipment loans or mortgages as quickly as

profitability:

possible can seem to make financial sense. But looking at

1. Understand your cost of production.

the whole debt picture, that decision may be unwise for your business, especially if it’s too hard on your cash flow.

Although you’re already budgeting, small tweaks can make

Consider all your debt and payments collectively, including

the process even more effective. First, make sure you’re

your future plans.

including all your costs, including ones that aren’t obvious, like depreciation on equipment and your own wages.

Secondly, convert the cost of production to a unit you sell in.

Farmers often do their budgets on a per acre basis, but they sell in bushels or tonnes. To truly understand your profitability, convert it back to what you’re actually growing.

Finally, costs, crop plans, and yield expectations change.

Revise your budget during the year to ensure decisions are based on up-to-date information.

2. Know what you’re good at.

The unique skills of the people in your operation will determine the right paths for improving your farm’s profitability. For example, I met with a farmer who repaired

5. Manage your working capital.

Your working capital is the equity you use to finance your business on a day-to-day basis. On grain farms, it’s generally the difference between your inventory and operating line.

Swings in your working capital when comparing year over year can indicate something is going very well or very wrong.

Being short on working capital impacts your decisions. For example, you may have to sell grain at the wrong time or be unable to buy inputs out of season when prices are lower.

These small cuts can chip into your profitability. Making disciplined purchasing decisions while having strong working capital may be the most important management skill for business owners.

much of their own equipment each winter. Low repair costs

The best way to ensure your current operation, and future

instantly boosted their profitability. Look for similar

legacy, become more profitable? Ask your advisor about

opportunities that will work for you.

incremental improvements that will lead to long-term

Find your edge using data, like your grain benchmark

success.

report, to understand how your revenue and cost structure

To learn more, please contact Peter Mannes, Farm

compare to your peers. Discover where you’re performing

Management Consultant with MNP at

well and how you can leverage your unique advantages.

peter.mannes@mnp.ca.

23

COVER STORY | PICK OF THE PROVINCE Meanwhile, she and her husband had two children while residing on his family’s farm near Moosejaw, having recently built a new house there. At the same time the family realized her parents were ready to slow down, Jolene was contemplating her return to Case after having the second baby.

Weighing everything out, including the fact that her and her husband’s schedules are only getting busier as their family grows, farming was the right fit for Jolene. “Being a mom and working, farming will give me more control over my schedule,” she says. “It’s also the lifestyle I want my kids to have. I don’t want them at a daycare when they can be with me at the farm like I was with my parents.”

With the decision made, in January 2022 the family consulted Danielle Wildfong, family farm coach, for guidance. “She’s been so great coaching us through and helping us to communicate,” says Jolene. “There’s a lot of change, especially working from a distance. And family dynamics can always make things interesting.”

While it may have been easier to collect a cheque working elsewhere, Jolene is ready for the challenge. “I’m ready to take more of a leadership role and make the big decisions. Before, I had a narrower focus within my equipment and technology speciality,” she says. “Now, I get to crop plan and make my own decisions, not just have my husband tell me how everything’s going to go,” she adds with a laugh.

24

Jim and Joanne will still help during the growing season and transition out slowly. “For one, I’ll need the help, and two, I still have a lot to learn,” says Jolene. “But, now in the winter, my parents will be able to go away for longer periods of time. I can handle the calls and management to give them that freedom and the break they deserve.”

There’s a lot to look forward to. For Jolene, it’s balance. “I love being able to work on new equipment, enjoy all the new technology, and then go work on an old crank start tractor of a totally different era. I’m enjoying having the best of both worlds,” she says.

Jim and Joanne will enjoy that leisure time they sacrificed over the years, spending time at their Saskatchewan Beach cottage and visiting their daughter who recently married and moved to Australia. “We’ve always had land on the highway, and in May we’d see campers with boats cruising by and wonder to one another: ‘are we doing the right thing?’ It always stuck with me,” says Jim. Was it all worth the risk? In Jim’s words, “We’re so fortunate for timing. We often think, ‘what if we’d made our move 10 years earlier?’ Boy it really could’ve flopped. We can have the best of intentions, but still end up on the wrong side of time,” he says. “But, it’s been 35 years of farming and we wouldn’t trade it for any other job or lifestyle.”

FARM BUILDINGS GROWING EXPONENTIALLY | FARM BUILDINGS

Farm Buildings Growing Exponentially Bigger is better when it comes to new farm structures

By Craig Lester

When Curt Walker, Rumsey, Alta. farmer, built a cold storage facility for his equipment several years ago, he planned its shell construction first, looking to later convert the build into being his main shop in stages.

Unfortunately, like many farmers, time was never on Walker’s side, and plans to further build out that shop never materialized. So, when it came time to build a new shop, 72 feet wide by 63 feet long with a 20-foot ceiling, because the old one just didn’t cut it size-wise anymore, he was going to ensure it was done right this time, right from the beginning.

When Castor, Alta., farmer Kelly Fuller’s shop burnt down, he didn’t hesitate to start thinking bigger. His old 40 feet by 60 feet shop lacked ideal space to work on things and left some equipment out in the cold during the winter, something he wanted to rectify in his next building.

From the ashes, a new 80- by 200-feet structure has been built, complete with an 80- by 80-feet heated area.

Fuller and Walker are not alone in thinking bigger. Over the past couple of decades, farm equipment has grown exponentially, bringing new meaning to the old saying “bigger is better” regarding farm structures. Both also know well how cold Canadian winters are and how miserable it can be to work on equipment outside or in a cold storage facility, which is why they incorporated heat into their designs this time.

Walker installed a heated floor for half of his shop with radiant tubing heating for the other half, especially since his previous cold storage facility was not optimally functional. “The old

shop was too tight and congested, so if you were working on something in the main area, you had to move it so you could get stuff out of the back,” he says.

Fuller had a similar predicament. “There just wasn’t enough room for the size of the equipment,” he says, adding it’s been nice to work on the air seeder in the heated area of the shop in the dead of winter when it is minus 25 degrees Celsius, allowing him to get ahead on spring equipment maintenance.

Meanwhile, building companies selling and building these structures are seeing many farmers coming in with similar requests as they work to keep up with the size of their machinery.

Peter Vanderzwaag, sales manager with Remuda Builders, based just outside of Calgary, says there are two features that farmers are most interested in when they inquire about building a new structure. “It’s a question of size and access,” he says. “Large access doors into the buildings are a must in most cases.”

Walker ensured these were no issue with his Prairie Post Frame-built shop. He had them put in place a massive bi-fold door and an overhead door to make it easy to move equipment in and out of the facility.

At the same time, Greg Hutchings, manager of contractor services for farm and ranch structures with UFA, who built Fuller’s shop, says the increase in farm shop size is all about protecting the farm’s assets. He says having combines or other valuable farm equipment stored outdoors for weeks or months is not an optimal scenario.

25

FARM BUILDINGS | FARM BUILDINGS GROWING EXPONENTIALLY

Curt Walker’s new shop in Rumsey built by Prairie Post Frame

As the average farm grows, so, too, does the need for shops that do more than simply store equipment and provide a workspace for producers.

Some farmers have opted to put in an office or kitchen space to help out the operation. In many cases, there is also a washroom area for people to clean up after working with dirt, grease, oil and other mechanical fluids before heading home for the day.

Walker is building a mezzanine this winter that runs the entire length of the east side of his shop and measures 12 by 64-feet.

He’s planning on also using the area for parts storage and possibly a future small office area, amongst other things.

Both Hutchings and Vanderzwaag have completed many builds lately that include a kitchen or lunch area because their on-farm crews are also growing. These spaces are especially useful during the pressure at seeding and harvest times. “It’s really neat when they’ve got a space to bring everybody back and have the evening dinner before guys head over to the field again,” says Vanderzwaag.

Research is a Must The second the decision is made to build a new shop, the priority should be to go out and do some good research.

Walker took a tour to help him figure out what he wanted. “I talked to farmers and visited probably three or four different shops and looked at different designs,” he says.

Through that insight, he concluded that he needed to go wider and longer than he had originally planned. Upping the size would then allow him to park a piece of equipment and leave it rather having to dig something out of the back and move multiple pieces of equipment to get at it.

Fuller says considering well where your shop will sit on the 26

property will also help make decisions about its size and any amenities that may go along with it.

Farmers should also spend time thinking about how long this structure will be used, suggest both Vanderzwaag and Hutchings. That includes asking themselves some questions that possibly go beyond their lifetime. “Is there some type of a growth plan in place?” asks Vanderzwaag. “Is this something that has more of a five or 10-year outlook, or, is this a 50-or 60-year outlook?”

Builders hear time and time again from customers who come back years later and say, “I should have built bigger.” Or, “I should have done that.”

“Do your research on what type of a floor plan you’re looking at, what equipment you want to store in it 10 years from now,” says Hutchings. In other words, farmers should leave room for possible expansion while investing in materials and designs that will stand the test of time.

Another tip: it’s always a good idea to gather several quotes to get the best deal possible as well as to make sure there is something in the building agreement about sub-contractor obligations, suggests Walker. This ensures the structure is built to specifications and other requirements within achievable timelines. For example, he has noted in the past that he expects the workers to clean up after themselves as they build the structure to ensure he is not driving over leftover nails and screws with equipment and trucks after the build is done. This may not seem much to ask, but he concedes it has been a struggle with previous projects and he has the flat tires to prove it.

Finally, keep in mind, equipment is certain to continue to be designed and built bigger. Embrace the motto: bigger is better.

We understand what’s on your mind, because we live and work here too.

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28

INVIGOR is a registered trademark of BASF, used under license by BASF Canada Inc. © 2022 BASF Canada Inc. John Deere’s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol, and John Deere are trademarks of Deere & Company.

SPRAYING 101 | RETURN OF THE TRADE SHOW

Return of the Trade Show 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.

30

It’s been a long three years since the last in-person summer 2019 agricultural trade shows. The forced break in this long-standing tradition wasn’t easy. As a kid in the 70s, my dad and I used to make the six-hour drive from our Manitoba farm to Regina’s Farm Progress Show whenever the farm tasks allowed. A mid-June date usually coincided with the spray season, but we managed to get away quite a few times.

We weren’t usually planning to purchase anything, other than the amazing Fiddle Sticks, but were looking for anything interesting. Roll-up tarps for grain trucks looked like a good way to get away from tarp straps. Air seeders were starting to appear. Low volume sprayers from Australia and shielded booms caught our eyes. I loved the nifty farmer inventions in the “Innovators Pavilion.”

But the best part was the jaw-dropping size of some of the equipment: Big Roy; Big Bud; the Kellyvator; and 16-inch augers.

And, I was always surprised by how many friends we’d bump into and chat with.

Forty-some years later, the trade show remains an integral part of doing farm business. At a time when there are fewer farm dealers offering less diversity of makes, the trade show may be the only place to see and thoroughly inspect what other manufacturers offer. With that in mind, I spent a full three days at this year’s Ag in Motion Show near Langham, Sask. to see the sights.

On the sprayer front, a lot has happened in the last few years. The strength within the “new kids on the block,” the Netherlands’ Agrifac sprayer and Germany’s Horsch Leeb, is noteworthy. Even with fledgling dealer networks, they’ve managed to sell dozens of units based on the strength of convincing features both share that go beyond wide booms and large tanks, including smart plumbing designs with recirculating booms and easier cleanout; less weight compared to their North American counterparts despite standard features like four-wheel steering; exceptional boom stability; and, most importantly, both manufacturers are committed to innovation and offer quick iterations within their models, incorporating new ideas constantly. Often, it’s the small thoughtful things that save time and create endearment.

TITLE | SECTION

FROM GREAT THOUGHT, TO BEAUTY SHOT. If you are thinking of adding a new building to your operation, UFA will make it a reality.

We will build what you need, and beyond, whether its a barn, shed, shop, or anything else you might have in mind. We handle everything from initial designs and engineering, through concept to completion.

Get a quote. UFA.com/Quote

Choose UFA for your next building. © 2022 UFA Co-operative Ltd. All rights reserved. 14040

31

SPRAYING 101 | RETURN OF THE TRADE SHOW

Newer products such as Germany’s Horsch Leeb offer innovation and quick iterations within their models, incorporating new ideas constantly.

Case IH showed their new generation 4450 series sprayer. The machine has many improvements over the 4440 edition, focusing on operator comfort, digital integration and hydraulic capabilities, weighing more than its predecessor, as to be expected. The Millennium spray boom is great, but unfortunately, there is no factory-installed recirculation, leaving owners to go to the after-market for solutions – a missed opportunity.

Case IH’s 4450 series sprayer focuses on operator comfort, digital integration and hydraulic capabilities.

Since acquiring Miller Sprayers in 2014, New Holland has had a unique front-mount boom design, and one was on display.

Nicely engineered, I’ve always liked the concept of a frontmounted boom for better visibility of the things that matter.

But again, there’s no recirculation. Did they consider it yet feel it wasn’t a high priority? We know that recirculating booms perform a waste-free prime while avoiding cleanout problems with boom-ends. These are important issues for applicators.

New Holland’s new unique front-mount boom design.

32

John Deere’s newly named sprayers were at the show, the new models also offering improvements in operator comfort. The one on display was fitted with its recirculating boom, a nice addition to the feature set. Like the Raven retrofit kit, it appears to be designed with rarely used high flow needs in mind, necessitating additional pipes and hoses that other systems avoid. Still, kudos for having a factory installed, controller integrated option.

AGCO showed off its Fendt Rogator and my heart went pitter patter as I approached it, recalling seeing its namesake at Agritechnica 2019. At the time, I felt it was one of the top sprayers at the German show owing to its innovative frame and suspension systems (independent wishbone), unique pump system (centrifugal pump that can run dry and never lose prime) and efficient plumbing. But this Fendt Rogator was a traditional Rogator with a Fendt tractor hood and cab. It’s no slouch, with optional four-wheel steering and Liquid Logic recirculating booms. I felt cheated, nonetheless.

A traditional Rogator with a Fendt tractor hood and cab.

A visit to the Apache display showed why they remain a valid sprayer option. Built on mechanical two-wheel drive, they save weight and have better fuel economy than their hydrostatic counterparts. Yet, they still offer large tanks and aluminum Pommier booms when requested. Like most other brands, Pulse-width Modulation (PWM) is an available option.

Personally, my soft spot for lighter sprayers is due to analysis of logistical efficiency – fill, clean and transport times – these create competent productivity values with smaller sprayers that are more affordable to own and operate.

That led me to PhiBer Industries, creators of the DASH tender system. The family-owned firm from Crystal City, Man. creates custom solutions for hauling water and metering pesticides to sprayers. Thoughtful designs and use of air-driven product pumps with volumetric metering creates an efficient system that’s easy to understand and use. PhiBer joins existing products from Pattison Liquid, Free-Form Plastics or Handler to offer a basic inductor and pump system. They will also build a complete custom trailer incorporating numerous additional features.

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33

Weed detection was shown by three exhibitors, but only one demonstrated it in action. Croplands had its field-proven green-on-brown WEEDit unit installed unit on a customer’s John Deere R4045, available for a test drive, as well as offering technical support at a booth. John Deere had an installed See & Spray Select, also green-on-brown, on a sprayer, but did not run it.

The most exciting new item sat at the Agrifac booth with their AiCPlus feature courtesy of Bilberry. Bilberry is a small French company, recently acquired by Trimble, selling green-on-green spot spray retrofits in Australia for over a year now. In Canada, they offer four algorithms at this time: green-on-brown for general burndown or desiccation; green-on-brown for broadleaf weeds in cereals; grassy weeds in canola; and, both broadleaf and grassy weeds in corn. Powered by colour cameras and NVIDIA processors, continuous advancements in the software will improve performance as more weeds are added to its list of capabilities.

Bilberry, recently acquired by Trimble, is powered by colour cameras and NVIDIA processors, offering four algorithms in Canada at this time.

Perhaps the most ambitious spray technology was shown by Precision AI. Utilizing a large-fixed wing drone, the company aims to detect and spray weeds while operating at 60 to 70 km per hour. A hybrid power unit has an internal combustion motor that generates electrical power for rotors. This type of design offers significantly longer flight times than the 15 minutes currently possible with battery-driven units. Fascinating.

34

RETURN OF THE TRADE SHOW | SPRAYING 101

Precision AI’s large-fixed wing drone, detects and sprays weeds while operating at 60 to 70 km per hour.

Spray drones also featured in the demonstration space at Ag in Motion despite the fact that this application method remains illegal for pesticides in Canada. It’s astounding what types of advancements each year brings. DJI is the global leader with three models available in Canada, including the 8-litre capacity T10, the 20-litre T20, 30-litre T30, and soon, the 40-litre T40. XAG, another leading manufacturer, showed a new two-rotor unit with rotary atomizers for excellent droplet size control. Flow management is nicely handled by accurate flow meters, but pressure sensors and displays are lacking in all units I’ve seen. Given that pressure is a big

determinant of spray quality, that’s an oversight. We’ll continue to wait for this application method to be legal for pesticides in Canada.

As always, the show was full of old friends and catching up was welcome after the recent isolation. The opinions and advice from our peers play a big role in agriculture, where relationships and reputation still govern business as much as product features and cost. Trade shows are the perfect place for all of that to come together. Welcome back, old friend.

35

PUSHING YIELDS | PUSHING YIELDS IN A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

Pushing Yields in a Sustainable Environment Farmers frustrated as feds continue to push emission reduction targets

By Lisa Kopochinski

Earlier this year, Agriculture Canada announced its fertilizer emissions reduction target, seeking a 30 per cent drop by 2030.

It also stated that reducing nitrous oxide emissions associated with synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use is necessary to achieve net-zero by 2050.

production, rather than an absolute reduction; addressing data gaps to ensure the baseline reflects usage patterns and accurately measures emissions; and, incorporating existing best management practices, like 4R Nutrient Stewardship, into the National Inventory Report (NIR).

Despite ongoing confusion, efforts by the government to reduce emissions are focusing on improving nitrogen management and optimizing fertilizer use – rather than a mandatory reduction in the use of fertilizer.

de Rocquigny adds that governments should provide support in research and development aimed at sustainable innovation and increased production that includes continued funding of variety development.

The Manitoba Crop Alliance in Carman, Man., collaborates with associations, such as the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC), to provide feedback on behalf of farmers and the agriculture industry to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Fertilizer Emissions Reduction Target Consultation.

Fred Greig, board member with the Wheat and Barley Crop Committee for the Manitoba Crop Alliance and owner of Avondale Seed Farm Ltd. near Reston Man. says farmers are always looking for more efficient products and practices to improve the way they farm. “We use a percentage of the nitrogen fertilizer as ESN, which is a coated product to slow the release in the soil, so it is available when the growing crop needs it,” he says. “We’re keeping an eye on stabilizers and nitrification inhibitors for effectiveness and how they will fit with banding.

The added complication is if they will be in line with the upcoming federal government NO2 reduction mandate.”

Pam de Rocquigny, chief executive officer at the Manitoba Crop Alliance, says farmers have been on the leading edge of innovation for decades, having shown a willingness to embrace new technologies and make significant investments to improve their operations’ economic and environmental outcomes.

“From the latest crop genetics to crop protection products and beneficial management practices, farmers invest in tools that are good for their bottom line, their soil, and the sustainability of their land,” she says. “Not only are Canadian farmers on the front line of climate change, their on-farm practices are vital to domestic and international food security.”

To ensure farmers remain sustainable, GGC recommends the following: targeting reductions in intensity relative to 36

Most farmers have improved their soil quality over their farming careers by balancing what is best for the long-term improvement of the soil and environment with current profitability. “Economics, costs and expected returns, will drive the blend within oilseeds such as canola, sunflower and flax,” says Greig. “For the next couple of years, we won’t stray too far from this approach. However, the climate change mandate – coupled with supply chain shortages with food included – has

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PUSHING YIELDS | PUSHING YIELDS IN A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

Greg Sears says if farmers are left in a situation where they are actually cutting back on nutrients, the yields are going to go down, which will impact the farmer’s bottom line, and suppliers around the world. Photo courtesy: Redwood Acres

made it almost impossible to say how farming will change five to 10 years out.”

Jill McDonald, executive director of the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission in Saskatoon (SaskBarley), is proud that Saskatchewan farmers have long been at the forefront of innovation in agricultural production as global and early adopters of technologies that have greatly lowered Canada’s agricultural emissions. However, she is not happy with the route the government is taking.

“We feel our government’s current goals – to significantly increase our sector’s revenues and exports within the next decade to help feed a growing global population, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions to reach net-zero emissions by – presents significant challenges,” says McDonald.

This is not to say, she adds, that continued improvement and a sustainable balance is not achievable. But it requires clear leadership, communication and investment by the federal government into research and tools that improve fertilizer use efficiency, as well as demonstrating a clear economic advantage based on a cost-benefit analysis for the adoption of such practices. “Current available methodology to reduce fertilizer emissions benefit the environment but offer little or negative financial benefit on the farm,” says McDonald.

Policies around emissions reductions should take into account that nitrogen fertilizer – as a vital input for Saskatchewan, 38

Canadian and international field crop production – will remain essential for increasing production to meet rising global food demand. “Many farmers are already being as efficient as possible with their use of products and putting into practice the principles of Fertilizer Canada’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship program: right source, right rate, right time and right place,” says McDonald, emphasizing that SaskBarley strongly believes any agricultural environmental policies and targets need to be grounded and supported by science and verifiable data.

“For example, the majority of research done to date on Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs) has been conducted outside of Western Canada and involves cropping systems that are significantly different than ours,” she adds. “Further research is needed to best optimize the agronomic benefits of using an EEF in prairie cropping systems. Until then, the uncertain comparative economic benefits of using more expensive EEFs will be a disincentive for adoption.”

Additionally, SaskBarley wants variety development viewed as a key element of a fertilizer application and emissions reduction strategy. Funding for variety development must not be sacrificed for other work within this important area. “New varieties with greater nitrogen use efficiency are potentially one of the easiest tools for farmers to adopt on their farms to meet emission reduction targets,” says McDonald. “Variety development is a tool that is being under-recognized by the federal government to potentially lower fertilizer emissions.”

PUSHING YIELDS IN A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT | PUSHING YIELDS To the West, Greg Sears, Alberta Wheat Commission chair who operates 2,700-acre family farm, Redwood Acres, in Sexsmith, Alta. grows wheat, barley and canola.

Like his peers, Sears says policies must be based on science “so that everyone knows what the goal posts are and whether they are actually feasible. With the fertilizer reduction, there has been a series of miscommunication whether it’s mandatory or voluntary and is it actually fertilizer or emissions.”

As for how growers will achieve federal government mandates, Sears believes a portion of these targets can be achieved through the widespread adoption of best practices, such as slightly more diversified crop rotations. “That will go a long way to making the most of the nitrogen we have available,” he says. “There are some things one can do to reduce your nitrogen projects, but a bushel of wheat takes a certain number of pounds of nitrogen. You can’t get away from the math.”

If farmers are left in a situation where they are actually cutting back on nutrients, yields will go down, which will impact the farmer’s bottom line, and the suppliers around the world.

Tools and technologies on Sears’ radar to help solve some of these issues include well-established ones such as the optimal application of nutrients, reduced tillage and an effective use of products and techniques that doesn’t diminish the yield production. He also stresses the importance of growers engaging with government to ensure their voices are heard.

“We have commissions and industry groups that are active in advocacy work, but there is still room for a broader base to get involved,” says Sears. “We have to remember that we are that 1.5 to two per cent of the population, so we need to speak louder and have conversations with politicians and bureaucrats, which are largely an urban-based group. We need to do a better job of telling our story on social media, not just with other farmers, but with the urban population.”

Fred Greig recently harvested his Austenson barley crop at his Avondale Seed Farm in Reston, Manitoba Photo courtesy: Fred Greig

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FORAGES | FORAGES ON THE PRAIRIES

Forages on the Prairies As forages gain in popularity, more growers are seeing improvement in soil health

By Lisa Kopochinski

Forages have long been essential to agriculture but perhaps not always received the appreciation or attention they deserve. However, this is changing for growers in the three Prairie provinces with the increase in research and government programs.

“Times are very exciting for forage producers,” says Lawrence Knockaeart, chair of the Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association. “On top of that there appears to be a reemergence of the profitability of forage crops for growers.”

Shannon McArton, executive director of the Saskatchewan Forage Council, agrees and adds that farmers in both grain and livestock operations are talking more about the benefits of including forages in cropping rotations.

Environmental benefits of carbon capture, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, protection of wildlife habitat and pollinator health are all positive factors that have some farmers thinking about how they can tweak production systems and collaborate with their neighbours to make use of forage crops.

“Increased interest may be driven in part by pressure around climate policy, which is also encouraging industry to create more funding programs to incent farmers to grow forages,” says McArton.

At the Peace Region Forage Seed in Dawson Creek, Alta., members are focused on the seed production end of forages 40

grown in the Alberta and British Columbia Peace Regions.

Talon Gauthier, their general manager, says forage seed crops are exciting as they provide an opportunity for annual crop growers to add a perennial to their cropping rotation.

“Several growers in the B.C. and Alberta Peace regions include perennial grass and legume seed crops in their annual rotation,” he says. “These crops can be established under several annual covers so that growers are not losing a year of production in the establishment year. The soils in the region are very conducive to growing forages, specifically fine fescues, timothy, perennial ryegrass, bromegrasses, wheatgrasses, clover and alfalfa.”

Forages are gaining in popularity, particularly in high moisture regions of Saskatchewan. Farmers who have been using them for several years are seeing a definite improvement in soil health, says McArton, adding, “The potential for forages in crop rotations to reduce nitrogen input is another very positive benefit that can impact the bottom line.”

They’re also proving to be a key player in some rotations to retain leached nutrients and for holding soil on erosion-prone lands. Certain varieties are also valued on saline-impacted lands.

“It is important to pick varieties that are suited for your lands,” stresses Knockaeart. “They are also great soil builders and are valuable assets in soil health and carbon sequestration.”

MFGA Chair Lawrence Knockaeart on his dairy farm in Bruxelles, Manitoba. Forages are a major feed component for cattle.

Photo courtesy of Lawrence Knockaeart

Forages in Cropping Plans Monoculture forages remain quite common for both feeding and especially seed production. However, the use of multispecies mixtures for feed production is increasing as farmers see benefits for improved feed quality, yield and cost of production.

“The traditional uses, such as silage and hay, are still the most common,” says McArton. “They provide a single or multi-year use in crop rotations, depending on whether annual or perennial forages are used. Some farmers are making use of forage for grazing – both during the growing season and also as winter feed with standing corn, swaths, bales and stockpile grazing–all being effectively utilized.”

Forage seed crops are also playing a larger role in annual crop rotations as they offer farmers many benefits. These include an earlier harvest than annual crops to spread out the harvest workload; improving soil health by keeping living roots in the ground longer; or simply by being grown in a persistently wet field that may not be accessed early enough in the spring.

These crops are also a good fit in the regenerative agriculture mindset as they allow growers the ability to keep living roots in the ground longer, providing more options for livestock integration. “Establishment and input costs of forage seed crops are relatively much lower than annuals, but the tricky

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FORAGES | FORAGES ON THE PRAIRIES

part can be in transitioning out of forage seed and back into an annual crop,” explains Gauthier. “Our growers are very innovative and continue to improve and reduce these costs.”

Of course, crop plans are usually determined on a farm-by-farm basis. On Knockaeart’s dairy-mixed farm operation in Bruxelles, Man., alfalfa is both a super plant and great rotational crop. “It has soil-building capacity and water retention abilities,” he says.

“The key for our alfalfa is cutting at the highest relative feed value on the first cut. All legumes, including alfalfa, have the capability for nitrogen fixing. When blended with grasses, the legumes and grasses make excellent feed, regrow quickly, and are beneficial on the nitrogen-fixing front.”

Soil Health Benefits Soil carbon sequestration, erosion control, reduction of salinity, soil microbe diversity and the building of soil organic matter are just some of the benefits being realized by growers.

A close-up view of alfalfa.

Photo courtesy of Borderland Agriculture, Pierson, Manitoba

The use of legumes in a forage stand will provide residual nitrogen, reducing input costs on the next crop in the rotation.

“Multi-species forage mixtures can also improve water infiltration, providing improved water retention in the soil during the drier summer months,” says McArton.

When it comes to nitrogen fixing capabilities in some varieties – such as alfalfa seed and red clover seed production – it can be a bit difficult to pinpoint as there are a number of variables including plant growth and density; soil type and soil moisture; soil pH; and, temperature.

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But, Gauthier is pleased with some of the exciting work currently being done to evaluate the nitrogen fixing capabilities of clovers in an annual rotation to see if the annual crop will benefit from the nitrogen that would have been fixed in the soil by the clover.

“Unfortunately, however, clover and alfalfa seed production account for less than 10 per cent of the total forage seed production in the region,” he says. “However, if an immense benefit can be found, then these crops may be a good fit in a regenerative ag operation.”

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Knockaeart sums things up succinctly by saying that in rotations, the power of forages is second to none. Used wisely, forages can suppress weeds, build soil-health and provide habitat for biodiversity. They also serve as a valuable food source for livestock, help slow down overland water via roughage on the surface and through the infiltration of healthy soil below, and provide profitable crop options to producers.

“All of the environmental goods and services provided by forages are starting to be recognized,” he says. “However, there is a dire need for on-farm research that puts a true value on these services so society can better understand the values provided by farmers utilizing forages and the great benefits to society.”

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FARMING YOUR MONEY | INTEREST RATE FRENZY

Can the Livestock Industry Compete?

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.

The rising price of grain and oilseeds is causing an imbalance between livestock producers and grain growers.

My dad used to say that having both grain land and cows was a good way to balance out the revenue. If one was down, the other was usually up. The disparity in prices through 2021 and 2022 has been record setting. Using canola and wheat as an example, the prices went up 260 per cent in a matter of 12 months. Those commodities have also sustained a good portion of their gains. There is an argument that fertilizer, chemical and fuel went up as well, but there remains record profit on the grain side.

As an entrepreneurial capitalist, I am supportive of the grain and oilseed industry’s prosperity. I support the producers making record profits. The issue is that this prosperity is driving up the cost of land. I am not referring to purchasing land; I am concerned with rental prices. There are many other factors causing the purchase price of land to rise and that is a whole other conversation.

What I am concerned with is the farmland that has been seeded to pasture blends or seeded to hay land. This land can easily be converted back to grain land. If you are a livestock producer renting land for pasture and hay, you may be competing against other producers with the opportunity to make a lot more money growing grain on it.

In my area of East Central Saskatchewan, a quarter section of land – with sufficient rainfall – will sustain about 35 cow-calf pairs for the summer grazing season. Talking with clients, an average cost for that service would be $1.30 per day per pair. If the grass holds out, there should be 150 days of grazing, seeing the landowner earn $6,825.

If a landowner has a brome-alfalfa stand on a one-third share, it might look something like this: bale yield of 1.5 bales per acre totaling 210 bales with the owner’s share being 70 bales. On an average year, hay would be worth $80 per bale, earning the owner $5,600.

If there are 140 acres broke on that quarter section, the above pasture arrangement would equate to $48.75 per acre in revenue. The hay deal would earn the owner $40 per acre. Land in my area is

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FARMING YOUR MONEY | INTEREST RATE FRENZY

renting for $60, some at $75. Driving a few miles from where I live, rent goes up to $90. No rancher can compete with that.

If you are the landowner, and you are using a quarter section to graze 35 cows, you are giving up a lot more revenue. If you grew a 45-bushel HRSW crop at $12, it would gross you $540 per acre.

Average fertilizer-chemical seed this past year would cost $200 per acre and average fixed costs would be another $200 per acre, leaving you with a $140 per acre’s profit.

This new economic reality is already affecting producers in our area and I am sure it is happening all over. It will have an immediate impact on many producers.

We need a healthy, vibrant livestock industry. If the livestock are pushed off farmland, what will that do to the industry? We all see the grasslands in Southern Saskatchewan and Alberta that are used to raise livestock. Will those be the only areas that can support livestock going forward? We see the hog industry, even the lamb industry, that can be sustained solely using indoor production with very little land use. Can we raise beef that way?

The livestock industry is highly resourceful with many creative options. The grazing techniques are making much better use of the land with more efficient results. Rotational grazing and crowd grazing are just two techniques being used to make better use of the land. The pressure on farmland may end up being the catalyst for change.

The close of 2022 is seeing higher beef prices while grain prices

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are easing, so perhaps there will be balance met. Livestock producers who have already cut back or lost land may not wait around. Some will have less cattle, or, none at all. The herd in Canada is down so we know that some producers have already exited. Higher livestock prices in the future may not be enough to bring them back.

The livestock industry is demanding with unique challenges. The financial reward is not at the top of the list for these producers.

They are driven by more than money, but farmers cannot operate at a loss or without a land base.

In my part of the world, the First Nations communities have been very supportive to the livestock industry. A good portion of their lands have been dedicated to livestock use. Most of the ranchers in this area that have larger herds – more than 300 cows – have a strong relationship with a First Nation community and rely upon their lands for pasture. I believe this will be a big part of the industry moving forward.

I am hopeful there will be a place for grain growers and livestock producers in all parts of Western Canada. Markets usually have a way of balancing out. But I do worry about the damage caused while this process is taking place.

It is not up to the grain growers to make sure the livestock industry thrives, but we all need to work together. When this year’s harvest wraps and we celebrate with a nice steak or prime rib roast, let’s give thanks for the livestock industry that produced that food.

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