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MULTIPRENEURSHIP IN RURAL MANITOBA

Wild Oats

Dauphin businessman is one fit taxidermist » Page 3

OCTOBER 31, 2013

SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | VOL. 71, NO. 44

See page 7.

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MANITOBACOOPERATOR.CA

$1.75

Sustainable farming strategy mimics savanna ecosystem

Record crop meets plugged system

Garden of Eden-style farming combines strategic water management, perennial fruit and nut crops, along with multi-species grazing

Western Canadian elevators plugged, shippers blame railways

By Daniel Winters CO-OPERATOR STAFF / GIMLI

By Allan Dawson

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orget “food forests” and the latest genetically engineered crops.

The key to feeding a soaring global population lies in mimicking the most photosynthetically productive natural system on Earth – the savanna, says American farmer and author Mark Shepard.

Unlike a forest, where the canopy shuts out sunlight, a savanna complex is composed of multiple layers of trees, bushes and shrubs that allow sunlight to penetrate through to a grass understorey capable of supporting annual crops and grazing livestock.

And it was from this habitat that Homo sapiens emerged.

Shepard has spent the past 18 years developing his vision for “Restoration Agriculture” on a 110-acre farm in Wisconsin, and has written a book of the same title.

CO-OPERATOR STAFF

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ecord crop? Meet plugged elevator.

Shippers say it’s a match made in purgatory for farmers and exporters trying to get this year’s harvest to market — and the railways are to blame. “ We’r e n o t g e t t i n g enough rail capacity to move the crop right now,” See PLUGGED on page 7 »

Mark Shepard, author and pioneering developer of “Restoration Agriculture” on his Wisconsin farm, leads a recent workshop near Gimli. PHOTO: DANIEL WINTERS

See SAVANNA on page 6 »

COOL REALITY: TYSON NOW ONLY BUYS CALVES » PAGE 39

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The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

INSIDE

Did you know?

LIVESTOCK

On-the-spot soil test kit for Third World countries

Putting theory into practice A new research project looks at the real cost of converting sow bar

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Results can be sent by cellphone to a central website for calculation Staff

R

CROPS Move over Cinderella Manitoba farmers are finding soybeans agree with them

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FEATURE Cheesed off Manitoba dairy farmers and cheese producers say there is no win with CETA

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CROSSROADS

e s e a rc h e r s a t t h e Un i v e r s i t y o f Maryland and Columbia University have developed a new soil-testing kit designed to help smallholder farmers in Third World countries.

The kit contains battery-operated instruments and safe materials for agricultural extension agents to handle in the field. They can test for the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, and potassium, as well as active organic matter. The raw results are sent by cellphone to a central website. Then, calculations are made and recommendations are sent back to the extension agent.

A release from the Soil Science Society of America says the kit, called SoilDoc, was developed by soil scientist Ray Weil, who spent his 2009 sabbatical working with the Millennium Villages Project in some of the poorest areas of Africa. He started carrying common soil-testing items in his backpack, but found he needed more. Back in the U.S., he discovered items used for testing home aquariums that would also work for soil tests.

Upon returning to Africa, he adapted them with good results, carrying a larger tool kit.

A post-doctoral researcher recently trained 16 Tanzanian and Nigerian extension personnel in using the kits. The goal is to train thousands of extension agents, many with little more than a high school education, to diagnose soil fertility problems for thousands of smallholders farming less than five acres.

The kit can be used by extension agents, many of whom have little more than high school education.

READER’S PHOTO

Stop avoiding the issue The secret to enjoying the colder months is to dress warm and keep active

4 5 8 10

Editorials Comments What’s Up Livestock Markets

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Grain Markets Weather Vane Classifieds Sudoku

11 16 42 44

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The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

‘Multipreneur’ combines passion for stuffed animals with fitness Sometimes the common thread in ‘multipreneurship’ is you, says panellists at Take the Leap conference

By Daniel Winters co-operator staff / dauphin

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taxidermist who also owns and operates a ladies’ fitness club?

No, it’s not a B-movie plot. It’s how Dauphin entrepreneur Patrick Furkalo makes his living.

“It’s a natural fit,” said Furkalo, who spoke in a panel discussion at the recent Take the Leap entrepreneurship conference organized by the provincial government.

“I’m passionate about taxidermy and fitness, and I wanted to make both of them a career.”

Furkalo, who grew up in Snow Lake, caught the taxidermy bug as a kid trapper and hunter.

All that outdoor activity got him interested in fitness, so when he moved to Dauphin in 1990, he became certified with the Manitoba Fitness Council and opened up a women’s fitness centre.

He also co-owns a company called Formula 3 Fitness, and recently released a workout DVD. A fitness book explaining his strategies is due in the coming weeks.

Furkalo said he saw an opportunity to bring the latest fitness equipment and technology to rural areas, which have traditionally lagged behind urban centres. Like many business owners who opted to strike out on their own after working for other people, the key to success is to focus on passion and “not necessarily dollars,” he said.

He operates both businesses out of a rented building on Dauphin’s Main Street, which allows him to be in both places at the same time. The gym is open 24 hours with a key lock entry system.

“With taxidermy, if you’re not using both hands, you’re not making any money,” said Furkalo. “With the gym, if you weren’t there, you weren’t making any money and you’d have to hire staff.”

Multipreneurs should “make their own rules,” he added, noting that while most people wouldn’t see a common thread between the two operations, it works well for him.

Often, when business is slow at one venture, the other is booming. In summer, attendance at his fitness classes dips, so he lines up taxidermy work to fill the gap.

Kim Shukla, an admitted “serial entrepreneur,” operates an agriculture consultancy business and a nursery and market garden near Steinbach.

After dropping out of pre-vet studies because she was “horribly allergic to every single animal on the planet,”

CORRECTION

“I’m passionate about taxidermy and fitness, and I wanted to make both of them a career.”

Patrick Furkalo

Sometimes one business venture just isn’t enough, said Patrick Furkalo, an entrepreneur who spoke at the recent Take the Leap conference. photo: Daniel Winters

she struggled with life in the corporate world before putting out her shingle.

She later realized that to be credible as a farm business consultant, she had to have a farm, too.

After buying an acreage and planting 12,000 trees on it, Shukla and her husband realized that it would be at least five years before cash flow started to arrive.

“So we decided to grow vegetables,” said Shukla.

Unlike her consultancy business, she developed the farm business plan “on the fly.” Because she always

daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

Monsanto one of Canada’s top 100 employers Recognized for employee benefits and encouraging community activities Staff

year 3,250 employers applied for the process.

In a release, Monsanto presior the sixth time in seven years, Monsanto Canada dent and general manager has been selected as one Mike McGuire said agriculture of Canada’s top 100 employers in is an exciting industry to be Mediacorp Canada Inc.’s annual a part of, but it is not always top of mind when people think survey of Canadian businesses.

The listing ranks employers about jobs or their careers.

“We want to change that percepbased on a nationwide survey, an extensive application process tion and encourage people looking and analysis of compensation for a rewarding field of employlevels, work/life balance, training ment to consider agriculture as a opportunities, facili-1 career choice. This recognition cerSalford_SFM13-10_09-10.25x3-MC.qxd 9/26/13 workplace 1:03 PM Page ties and company benefits. This tainly helps in that regard.”

An Oct. 17 story about Manitoba’s proposed wheat and barley association incorrectly reported the Malting Barley Research Institute (MBRI) is one of the organizations receiving a checkoff from farmers.

In fact it’s the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC).

wears a green apron and a hat while working on the farm and at the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market, she used the image to brand the operation named Stonelane Orchard.

Furkalo has seen his share of setbacks, including the loss of the lucrative American trade.

One morning, he opened up a letter that said, “You are being sued by the government of the United States.”

“Apparently, I sent in a wolf with the wrong papers,” said Furkalo, who specializes in birds and charges $385 for a full whitetail buck head mount.

Shukla said time management is her biggest headache. At first, she hoped to concentrate on farm work in the summer, but it hasn’t happened that way.

But by hiring farm staff and creating partnerships with other consultants she can call in to assist in the summer, she has been able to successfully juggle the demands of both enterprises.

It’s still hard, she said, because customers at the market want to see her in person at her stall to “match the face with the food.”

F

Among the reasons cited for the award were: • M a t e r n i t y a n d p a re n t a l leave top-up payments to new mothers or adoptive parents and a generous subsidy for fertility drugs, up to $15,000.

• A variety of flexible work arrangements including shortened and compressed work week options, telecommuting and reduced summer hours.

• Encouraging employees to be active in their local com-

munity by providing paid time off to volunteer.

• Location at the University of Manitoba’s SmartPark alongside other research and technology companies.

• Tuition subsidies of up to $10,000.

• Retirement planning assistance and a defined contribution pension plan.

• Initial three weeks of paid vacation, as well as paid time off during an office shutdown at the end of December.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Waste not, want not

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s we exchanged introductions over breakfast in Des Moines, the reporter from Beijing leaned over and said, “so you’re the one who keeps asking about the food waste.”

“Yep, that would be me,” I replied, thinking this puts a new twist on the notion of muck-raking journalism.

The annual World Food Prize/Borlaug Dialogue here is named in memory of the Laura Rance late Norman Borlaug, the American plant Editor scientist who won the Nobel Peace Prize and the title “Father of the Green Revolution” for his passionate pursuit of higher-yielding wheats that could end hunger in India.

Sadly, although the Green Revolution dramatically increased India’s wheat production, so much so that it is now a net exporter, much of Borlaug’s good work is literally going to waste.

“Twenty-one million tonnes of wheat are wasted each year because we don’t have the infrastructure,” Ashok Gulati, chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices for the government of India told a seminar at this year’s World Food Prize event.

“Eighty to 90 per cent of the policy environment is produce more, produce more, produce more but the issue is what happens after that and it’s horrendous,” he said.

The losses are even higher for fruits and vegetables, often sold by push cart vendors on the street corner. “If they don’t sell it today, tomorrow it is finished,” he said. More than any other sector, smallholders, whether they are vendors or farmers, hold the key to not only ending hunger, but to unleashing these countries’ economic growth. Gulati said storage solutions need to keep them in mind. “Instead of trampling on these people, they can be a force for change.”

There is some progress. The seminar was organized by the ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Losses, a $10-million chair established by global grain-handling and -processing giant Archer Daniels Midland in 2011. Speakers outlined the complexities, such as the cultural attitudes that place little value on the resources that go into producing food, and the two-for-one mentality that prompts people to buy more than they need because it is on sale. They also addressed the lack of basic infrastructure such as storage in humid climates, roads and marketing value chains.

But while wasted food and the resources squandered producing it have started to creep into the vocabulary of discussions about global food security, the main players treat it like a disturbed person making rude noises on a bus — everyone keeps a peripheral eye on it, but there are few who want to look the issue squarely in the eye.

The world’s biggest seed company, DuPont Pioneer Hi-Bred includes a display on food waste in its newly opened “collabatory” visitors’ centre, a play on the collaborative nature newage research is adopting. But try asking senior executives in charge of research and biotechnology what proportion of the company’s budget is focused on addressing it, and the answers become vague.

Does the company have any specific research projects focusing on the issue? Any? Um, well, we are told the company IS working on crops that are resistant to yield-robbing insects, which means crops are less likely to spoil in storage. That counts. But it’s not the degree of focus you might expect, considering more than onethird of the food the world produces today is never consumed.

That’s just an average. Tonne for tonne, North Americans alone waste almost as much in a year as all of Africa produces.

Post-harvest losses reach up to 60 per cent in countries where lack of storage, transportation and marketing infrastructure make the question of how to increase yields rather moot.

Think about it. We get pretty excited about new varieties that offer single-digit yield increases. But how about doubling output without spending a penny more on inputs by properly storing and preserving what you have? It sounds deceptively simple.

My friend from Beijing pointed out you can’t expect companies that make their living selling seed to address something so complex as post-harvest losses. Fair enough.

That sentiment is echoed by Howard G. Buffett, the son of the billionaire investor Warren who heads the philanthropic Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

“Even though it is the easiest place to attack hunger, it’s one of the most difficult ones to solve,” he said. The know-how exists, but the infrastructure, or rather the money to put it into place, doesn’t. It’s much easier to keep producing more.

But fix this we must. A recent UN FAO report said wasted food guzzles up a volume of water equal to the Volga River in Russia and pushes an additional 3.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. It costs producers $750 billion annually.

If it’s not the job of the institutions, businesses and policymakers in charge of the world’s food production systems, whose job is it? laura@fbcpublishing.com

Keeping farm groups relevant

By Cam Dahl

T

he greatest risk to the long-run sustainability of agriculture associations is not flawed government policy or a cataclysmic event in the industry. It is a loss of connection and relevancy to its membership.

It is not difficult to see why farm groups lose touch with their members. Both board and staff can get caught up in the day-to-day struggle with ill-conceived or absent government policy. We spend a lot of time designing and redesigning government programs, industry initiatives, market development, research and the latest trends in both the electronic and traditional media. We must never forget that serving producers is our No. 1 priority — and the reason we are busy with governments, customers, researchers and others in the industry.

If you raise beef in Manitoba, Manitoba Beef Producers is your voice and your organization. If we are going to be a successful organization we need to hear directly from our members.

This conversation with producers must be renewed on a regular basis if we, as an association, are to be successful in both the short term and the long term.

So what are MBP’s priority areas? I believe government has a role to play in ensuring the ongoing stability and viability of agriculture because it is so important to both urban and rural Manitoba. For example, governments should be there when natural disasters threaten to drive producers off the land.

I also strongly support government investment in research. This is because taxpayers get a very high rate of return when government dollars are invested in agriculture research. For example, an academic report I read recently found that there were $48.3 generated for every federal dollar invested in beef research.

Governments also have a role to play in insur-

OUR HISTORY:

T

ance programs like effective forage insurance or a livestock price insurance program.

Governments also have a responsibility to help Canadians secure access to international markets and to protect our industry from protectionist measures like U.S. mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) or pseudo-health concerns that are only thinly veiled attempts to block trade. All levels of government have a role to play in the management of disease.

But the industry itself has key roles to play as well.

Your checkoff dollars go towards research, often triggering a matching investment from governments. Producer funds are also used in the promotion of the Canadian beef brand, both internationally as well as here at home.

Canada and the U.S. are still our biggest markets. We are striving to increase the sale of Canadian beef outside of North America, but we can not forget our best customers. How is the beef industry responding to emerging trends in the domestic market?

This is why MBP, and our sister organizations across Canada, continue to develop and promote the Verified Beef Production (VBP) program. VBP allows producers to quantitatively demonstrate that they are following the best practices on their ranch. Two-thirds of Canada’s beef now come from cattle operations that have been trained under VBP. So how is MBP doing? Hearing from producers is a key reason why I always look forward to my annual trek across Manitoba to attend each of the 14 district meetings held by MBP. This direct contact with producers helps keep the whole association, including me, grounded on the issues that matter most to the people who matter most: the beef producers of Manitoba. Come out.

Cam Dahl is general manager of Manitoba Beef Producers.

November 1997

his advertisement from our Nov. 6 issue reminds of a time when Manitoba Pool Elevators members reaching the age of 65 could receive their patronage dividend payouts, which for longtime members could be in the tens of thousands. MPE had announced a record profit of $28.13 million that year, and each employee regardless of seniority level received a bonus of $1,000.

Quoted at a meeting in Saskatoon to discuss World Trade Organization talks, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool CEO Don Loewen said the Pools needed to co-operate more. “We meet all the time. We talk, but will we ever cooperate?“ he asked.

Earlier that year Manitoba Pool and Alberta Pool had launched an unsuccessful takeover bid of United Grain Growers in an attempt to head off competition from Sask Pool. Loewen denied that Sask Pool had fired the first shot.

He predicted that by 2010 there would be just four grain companies operating in Western Canada, and said that Sask Pool wanted to be one of them. He didn’t name the other three but it was speculated that he meant ADM, Cargill and ConAgra.

A year later Manitoba Pool and Alberta Pool merged to become Agricore, which was taken over by UGG to become Agricore United in 2001.

5

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

COMMENT/FEEDBACK

Reopening of beef plant and new trade deal offer rays of hope Trade deal with Europe may produce some significant benefits for beef sector — if they are real

By Will Verboven

O

Letters

ne thing for sure about the cattle and beef industry — you don’t have to wait long for news on some issue or other, and it can vary from hopeful to depressing.

For months, the industry has been troubled with fallout from the countryof-origin labelling (COOL) law battle with the U.S. The market consequences are becoming real as some plants near the border are planning to stop importing Canadian fed cattle. However, a resolution to that issue seems far off as it crawls through the U.S. court process and WTO appeal protocols.

Then there is the controversy that erupted surrounding a fast-food chain’s decision to engage in mischievous advertising that could reflect negatively on Canadian beef. Then there was another E. coli outbreak attributed to burgers in Ontario.

But then some rays of hope appeared that could dampen some of the bad news — at least in the long run.

One hopeful development is the acquisition of the defunct Rancher’s Beef plant in Balzac by an American buyer. That plant can process 800 head per day and could become a significant medium-size cattle buyer in the Alberta market. No doubt feedlot operators would welcome any competition in a market dominated by the two big dogs. When the Balzac plant was originally opened there was a lot of hope, as it was financed mainly by cattle producers and feedlot operators.

However, it faltered and closed as it encountered capitalization and liability concerns.

Those problems seem to bedevil almost every packing plant scheme in Canada that involves significant

We welcome readers’ comments on issues that have been covered in the Manitoba Co-operator. In most cases we cannot accept “open” letters or copies of letters which have been sent to several publications. Letters are subject to editing for length or taste.

We suggest a maximum of about 300 words.

Please forward letters to Manitoba Co-operator, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, R3H 0H1 or Fax: 204-954-1422 or email: news@fbcpublishing.com (subject: To the editor)

Food safety is everyone’s business After reading the letter by Colin Anderson entitled “Experts and the food safety trump card,” I am deeply concerned. Anderson’s seeming trivialization of the importance of food safety defies all that we have learned in public health over the past several hundred years.

The Centers for Disease Control states that each year, food-borne diseases cause illness in one in six Americans. His reference that botulism is rarely fatal if treated, and that only three to five per cent die is scarcely a reason to adopt a cavalier attitude to potential hazards.

It may be premature to celebrate new beef market access that will later be thwarted by clever EU bureaucratic roadblocks.

investment from cattle producers. I expect there is a message in that perspective. However, the new owner of the plant seems to be backed by private investment and has considerable experience in the meat-packing business. I am sure producers wish him every success.

On another positive front, a deal has been struck to finalize the Canada/ EU free trade agreement. Considerable mention was made that additional market access for Canadian beef and pork has been achieved, but at the expense of the domestic cheese industry. If new beef exports can be attained that could help mitigate some of the losses that COOL is inflicting on Canadian cattle and hog exports to the U.S. However, as with most complex trade agreements, the devil will be in the details. From past experience, the initial suspicion is that crafty EU negotiators will lay technical and logistical traps that will effectively derail or stall any significant increase in Canadian beef imports. A previous deal on more EU quota access was ultimately proven unusable when logistical tactics by some market players made any beef exports to the EU too costly for Canadian exporters. So it may be premature to celebrate new beef market access that will later be thwarted by clever EU bureaucratic roadblocks.

The most obvious hurdles would be to erect onerous and complex labelling, tracing and testing standards. The

fear is that Canadian negotiators in their eagerness to achieve an agreement have left too much detail to be settled later by protectionist EU bureaucrats.

Another concer n is how the impending U.S./EU free trade discussions will ultimately impact the Canada/EU deal. The Americans will also be seeking vastly increased beef and pork quota access to the EU. It’s almost guaranteed that those clever Yankee traders will not be getting less than Canada. I expect further complications will arise and it may take a long time to resolve.

One hopes for the best for the beef export sector with the EU deal. But for pork, it may not be as great an opportunity. Unlike beef production, the European pork industry is large, sophisticated and robust. The Danes and Dutch invented intensive hog production and are big worldwide exporters. New EU member states such as Poland have the ability to significantly modernize and increase pork production. However, much of the EU is a high-cost production area with onerous environmental regulations. That may offer an advantage for Canadian pork exporters.

The downside for agriculture in the deal is that EU cheese imports could well increase significantly as tariffs are decreased and quotas increased. But trade-offs were inevitable and all sides were well aware of that reality. Cheese

Of the more than two dozen people who were recently sickened by consuming E. coli-contaminated raw milk cheese from Gort’s Dairy in B.C., one person (four per cent) died. I doubt that the loved ones of the deceased would find this to be an acceptable level of mortality.

Anderson and several members of the media have portrayed this as a David and Goliath issue, suggesting MAFRI is out of touch with the small food producer/processor. In fact the opposite is true.

Of the more than 400 food processors that MAFRI inspects, fully 50 per cent have fewer than five employees, and 75 per cent have fewer than 10.

MAFRI extension programs have been designed to meet the needs of small food processors, to help them navigate through the food regulations and to provide them with the information they require to meet basic sanitation and quality standards.

These standards are common sense and include things like: washing your hands and cleaning your equipment, controlling pests and insects, not wearing barn clothes in a foodprocessing area, and not allowing raw product to cross-contaminate finished product.

These are standards that our grandmothers observed. These are standards that we expect from any food processor, whether big or small.

Let me close by saying that I fully

support the concept of artisanal food production. I think it is important that, as a society, we rediscover the roots of food production so we can appreciate and respect our food. I agree with the suggestion to consider food production holistically, as part of the One Health concept that links human health and social well-being, animal health and welfare, and environmental health.

However, turning a blind eye to potential food safety hazards is irresponsible, no matter where that food comes from.

Dr. Wayne Lees Chief Veterinary Officer Province of Manitoba

Bouquets and beefs Regarding the article “Egg producers to phase out conventional bird cages” and the editorial “A bold step forward” in your Sept. 26 edition, it is a big step for the Manitoba Egg Farmers (MEF).

The days are clearly numbered for battery cages in Manitoba. My only disappointment is that there is no deadline for removing conventional cages. However, this does not diminish the fact that change is happening.

I find it amusing (in a good way) that Kurt Siemens was surprised that his hens have natural behaviours they can do in the new version of housing

and other processed dairy products were the one food export that the EU could increase. However, I expect new quotas will be carefully managed and hopefully used as a stick to make sure that the EU realistically allows actual Canadian beef exports to occur, and not be derailed by devious protocols. Also, as EU cheese tends to be high end and expensive to produce, I expect the majority of our cheddar and processed cheese production will be mostly unaffected.

Not much has been said about how GM commodities like corn, canola and soybeans will be treated in the Canada/EU trade deal. There are exceptions in place for some corn varieties, but the EU prohibits GM canola imports. Curiously, under certain circumstances canola meal and canola oil that has been processed from GM canola can be exported to the EU. Go figure.

The GM prohibition may well continue as EU countries have the unilateral ability to make such prohibitions.

That issue may have been put aside for another day. I expect the U.S. will be pursuing the GM commodity access issue in their upcoming free trade talks with the EU. I also expect producer and industry apprehension and suspicion will continue until the Canada/EU trade details are fleshed out and exports actually happen. The underlying fear is that further wrangling and scheming over the details is sure to follow.

And lest I forget, the EU has that nasty habit of using thinly disguised export subsidies to get rid of surplus products. Will this deal stop that scheme? I guess for now we can be hopeful.

Will Verboven is editor of Alberta Farmer Express.

that the battery cages prevented — guess we can all keep learning. The 25 per cent higher costs are currently offset by the MEF Board with a levy rebate.

The forward thinking of this organization (the first in Canada to broach this topic in 2010), the creativity to fund it (costs will be recovered from the consumer down the road), avoidance of adverse publicity and public pressure due to the progressive and proactive animal welfare approach is to be commended. And then there is the MPC, the complete antithesis: wishy-wash “maybe” statements about the removal of sow stalls in 2025 — still over a full decade in the future and 15 years after MEF initial discussions, denial that the natural behaviour of sows is prohibited by stalls, costs are prohibitive and where oh where will the funds come from?

They are stuck in a mental rut by continuing to resist any kind of change, with their head in the sand regarding the influence of public opinion on purchasing patterns and clinging to the ‘we are right’ based on science, ignoring the fact that public perception of any inhumane treatment will always trump science. A thumbs up for the one organization and a thumbs down for the other.

Leslie Yeoman, Co-founder, The Humane Education Network (THEN), Winnipeg, Man.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

FROM PAGE ONE SAVANNA Continued from page 1

ecologically destructive annual cropping propped up by an evermore potent arsenal of chemicals and fertilizers.

“If you were to just eat out of your vegetable garden, you’d starve to death because there’s not enough carbohydrates, proteins and oils,” said Shepard, who has training in both mechanical engineering and ecology.

Modern agriculture, on the other hand, which produces the staple food crops the world depends on, has succeeded in polluting the wells in his area with nitrates and atrazine after only 60 years, Shepard said.

“All civilizations that have relied on annual agriculture have collapsed,” he said.

Systems that don’t work with nature are inherently destructive and inefficient, because they require the existing ecology to first be eradicated and then continually suppressed. In modern times, that’s done by fossil fueldependent technologies, and in the past, through endless physical labour.

“I assert that we can revegetate the entire planet in 15 years and produce more food, more fuel, more medicines, more fibre, while cleaning up the water and detoxifying our environment.

And we can do that while making a profit,” said Shepard.

King Corn

King Corn is often touted as a solution to world hunger, but despite its capacity to produce nearly 14 million calories per acre, it is not nutritionally complete and requires a neverending supply of non-renewable inputs and fuel to produce, he said.

An acre of designed savanna-

Aerial view of swales and berms that are used to trap water.

PHOTO: DANIEL WINTERS

“I assert that we can revegetate the entire planet in 15 years and produce more food, more fuel, more medicines, more fibre, while cleaning up the water and detoxifying our environment. And we can do that while making a profit.”

the layered rows of trees, spaced to accommodate his tillage and harvesting equipment, he grazes cattle, sheep, and poultry in successive waves.

By arranging his farm to maximize his photosynthetic harvest, and using livestock to redistribute nutrients, he figures that he has increased productivity fourfold without the use of costly inputs or excessive labour.

When designing a “real-world” permaculture farm, Shepard uses the native ecology as a guide for choosing what plants will thrive and offer good economic returns.

MARK SHEPARD

Mixed skyline

style agriculture, in comparison, with its animal component included, can sustainably produce well over five million calories per acre with virtually no inputs, writes Shepard in his book.

On his farm, he has planted 250,000 trees, bushes and shrubs producing edible fruits and nuts selected to thrive in the local biome along a carefully thoughtout “keyline” pattern based on the land’s contours to maximize water-storage capacity and minimize erosion. In between

On his farm, in the Oak Savanna biome of Wisconsin, that means tall, nut-bearing trees such as oak, chestnut and beech, with a large variety of home-raised apple trees taking up the middle layer.

In the niche beneath that, he plants spreading shrubs such as hazelnuts, cherries, plums and peaches, grass-competitive perennials such as raspberries and blackberries, and shade-tolerant gooseberries and currants.

Grapes are thrown in wherever they might thrive, and mushrooms are harvested from dead wood.

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Portable electric fences are used to manage grazing, and prevent damage to vulnerable trees.

Suckering roots are controlled with a subsoiler, which he periodically uses to reinforce the keyline pattern. Ponds that were formed by the keyline’s tendency to capture and retain rainfall and snowmelt provide habitat for pollinators and pestdevouring critters, as well as irrigation when needed.

“Let’s take our agriculture and push it into the forest, and bring the forest out into our agriculture to make one, unified system that we’re managing all at once,” said Shepard.

Disease is a major obstacle for perennial cropping. Shepard u s e s t h e Lu t h e r Bu r b a n k method for selection, which involves planting thousands of seeds and cuttings, then selecting only the very best diseaseresistant and highly productive specimens for propagation.

In just 400 years, he notes, the North American continent has been transformed by annual cropping from a resource-rich, species-diverse paradise, to a devastated landscape on the verge of ecological ruin.

Many of his best customers are “prepper” survivalists. They are often dismissed as “crackpots,” but Shepard said he admires them for their sense of urgent purpose.

With Peak Oil, a financial system on the verge of collapse, natural disasters, and the looming threat of global war and civil insurrection, he believes that a “new nature of the future” needs to be created to ensure a decent quality of life for future generations.

“This is what the planet does.

So why don’t we line up with it and live a really cool life having a blast?” daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. This product has been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for corn is a combination of four separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin, ipconazole, and clothianidin. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for canola is a combination of two separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients difenoconazole, metalaxyl (M and S isomers), fludioxonil, thiamethoxam, and bacillus subtilis. Acceleron and Design®, Acceleron®, DEKALB and Design®, DEKALB®, Genuity and Design®, Genuity Icons, Genuity®, RIB Complete and Design®, RIB Complete®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design®, Roundup Ready 2 Yield®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup Transorb®, Roundup WeatherMAX®, Roundup®, SmartStax and Design®, SmartStax®, Transorb®, VT Double PRO®, YieldGard VT Rootworm/RR2®, YieldGard Corn Borer and Design and YieldGard VT Triple® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Used under license. LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are trademarks of Bayer. Used under license. Herculex® is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Used under license. Respect the Refuge and Design is a registered trademark of the Canadian Seed Trade Association. Used under license. ©2013 Monsanto Canada Inc.

Keyline design prevents erosion, retains water on permaculture farm Australian-designed system minimizes destructive forces of rainfall while redistributing it in times of scarcity

By Daniel Winters CO-OPERATOR STAFF / GIMLI

Mark Shepard doesn’t like to go with the flow when it to comes rainfall, which is why he uses the “keyline” system on his permaculture farm.

“The water that falls on the land is captured, spread out, slowed down and soaks in,” said the Wisconsin farmer, author and ecologist.

“So 100 per cent of the rain that you get belongs to you.

You should not let it leave your property unless it leaves through the soil or in the form of animals or crops.”

Invented by an Australian mining engineer, the system uses shallow plowed or trenched “swales” and berms on undulating land to redirect precipitation flows away from erodible gullies and back towards higher, drier parts of a landscape. The method is less disruptive than terracing or contour plowing.

Once a single “key” point is established as either a dugout or “pocket pond,” and the initial lines outward planned, the overall layout basically follows the template in regularly spaced, parallel rows.

In Shepard’s view, planting economically productive trees and shrubs along the basic keyline pattern adds an additional, vertical dimension for collecting solar energy that enhances the efficient use of water, the most important nutrient in food production.

At a weekend workshop organized by Kirsten and Daniel Benot, owners of Prairie Heritage Farm near Gimli, Shepard led about 20 participants on an evaluation walk to determine the best way of optimizing their 73-acre operation.

But with heavy, grey clay soil, a nearly flat topography, giant boulders near the surface, and a water table just a few feet below the surface, water storage wasn’t their biggest concern, noted Shepard.

A yet-to-be-announced info session will be hosted by Benot to present Shepard’s final schematic design and implementation budget for their property.

For further information on the upcoming free session, visit www.prairieheritagefarm.ca. daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

Clearfield® is a registered trademark of BASF Agricultural Products. All products listed are trademarks of their respective companies. Proven® Seed is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services (Canada) Inc. CPS CROP PRODUCTION SERVICES and Design is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services, Inc.

10801A-Gen Legal Trait Stewardship-AF.indd 1 7/26/13 2:33 PM

7

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

PLUGGED Continued from page 1

Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association said Oct. 25.

“We’re getting maybe half of what people have put in for orders.”

Sobkowich said new legislation the federal government promised would help grain shippers deal with poor railway service is useless.

Primary elevators are at 92 per cent of capacity, while terminal elevators have lots of space, Sobkowich said.

Statistics Canada puts western production of the six major grains and oilseeds (wheat, canola, barley, oats, flax and rye) at 58.98 million tonnes, almost nine per cent higher than the previous record of 54.34 million tonnes set in 2008. Some estimates put total production at almost 70 million tonnes.

Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways have been shipping 10,000 to 11,000 loaded cars a week to export terminals, which is historically high, but grain companies have been ordering up to 12,000 cars a week, Sobkowich said. To meet the current weekly demand, plus clean up the backlog the railways need to spot 20,000 to 22,000 cars a week, he said.

According to Sobkowich, the railways have the capacity to ship 12,000 cars a week, while still servicing their other customers.

With a strike or lockout looming at CN and potentially disruptive winter weather around the corner, grain shipments could be further delayed, resulting in lower grain prices at the elevator and reduced cash flow for farmers.

“We don’t think the infrastructure is the constraint right now,” Sobkowich said. “They have cars that are parked. They have the ability to put locomotives and

“We’re not getting enough rail capacity to move the crop right now. We’re getting maybe half of what people have put in for orders.”

WADE SOBKOWICH

Shippers say the railways don’t have enough surge capacity.

crews in place if they choose to but... the railways see the grain is there and know it’s going to move eventually. So why would they increase their costs to move it (quicker)? They’ll move it when they get to it.”

Churches aren’t built to hold the Easter Sunday crowd and the railways aren’t built to move an entire crop all at once, Steve Whitney, CP Rail’s vice-president of marketing and sales, agribusiness and market development, said at a conference in Winnipeg last week.

But the railways can and should invest in surge capacity, Sobkowich said. Farmers and grain companies do. That’s the nature of agriculture.

For markets to function properly there needs to be competition or regulation, said one grain industry official, who asked not to be named for fear of railway retribution.

PHOTO: ALLAND DAWSON

“We have neither,” he said.

The railways are guaranteed by law a return on investment for grain shipping, but in return the total amount they can collect from grain shippers is capped.

There are adjustments for the volume and distance hauled.

Eliminating the revenue cap would just allow the railways to charge more for the same service, Sobkowich said.

SEE RELATED STORY ON PAGE 40 »

The Fair Rail Freight Service Act, which became law earlier this year, fails to give railway customers an effective and inexpensive way to address poor railway service, Sobkowich said.

Grain shippers aren’t bothering to negotiate service agreements with the railways because they won’t include penalties for poor service, he said.

“I’ll have to spend hundreds

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of thousands of dollars with a lawyer to take it through that process,” a grain company grain official said. “By the time I do that the year is over. The agreement only goes for one year.

So it’s a completely ineffectual piece of legislation.”

In the past, the now defunct Canadian Wheat Board took complaints about poor rail service to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), a quasi-judicial body, for redress.

Sometimes grain companies joined in. But such challenges were infrequent because of the high cost, Sobkowich said. Even if the CTA ruled in favour of the shipper, the shipper would then have to launch a lawsuit to collect damages.

The WGEA, which is not a grain shipper, won’t be going to the CTA with complaints. But that’s an option for its membercompanies, he said.

Meanwhile, elevator companies and farmers will be looking at all options to get more grain moving, including shipments to and through the United States.

But the U.S. is also bogged down with massive crop, including record corn production.

Meanwhile, CP and CN say they are working hard to move Western Canada’s grain to market.

“Going into the fall, our railway recognized the strong demand, so as part of our grain planning process we have been working closely with customers to have programs and services in place to react to their shipping needs,” CP spokesman Ed Greenberg said in an email.

Moving a big crop requires all partners in the pipeline to work efficiently, CN spokesman Mark Hallman said in an email.

“It’s not simply a question about rail capacity,” he wrote.

“Prompt car loading in the Prairies, steady railway movements from the country to port, and efficient car unloading at port terminals will be critical to solid hopper car fleet velocity so that the cars can be brought back to the countryside to meet new orders in a timely way.”

CN is confident a strike or lockout can be avoided, Hallman wrote Oct. 25. allan@fbcpublishing.com with files from Reuters

8

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Please forward your agricultural events to daveb@fbcpublishing. com or call 204-944-5762.

Pork producers optimistic trade deal will bring higher returns

Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Manitoba Livestock Expo, Brandon. Call 204-726-3590 or visit www.brandonfairs.com.

Although pork producers are still waiting to hear the details of the Canada-EU trade agreement, optimism is running high

WHAT’S UP

Nov. 1: Manitoba Beef Producers District 14 meeting and elections, 6 p.m., Durban Community Hall, 612 First St. N., Durban. For more info call 1-800-772-0458 or visit www. mbbeef.ca.

Nov. 4: Manitoba Beef Producers District 13 meeting, 7 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion, 19 Burrows Ave. N., Gilbert Plains. For more info call 1-800-772-0458 or visit www. mbbeef.ca.

Nov. 5: Manitoba Beef Producers District 10 meeting and elections, 6 p.m., Bifrost Community Centre, 337 River Rd., Arborg. For more info visit www.mbbeef.ca or call 1-800-7720458.

Nov. 5-7: Cereals North America conference, Fairmont Winnipeg, 2 Lombard Pl., Winnipeg. For more info visit www.cerealsnorthamerica.com.

Nov. 6: Manitoba Beef Producers District 3 meeting, 6 p.m., Community Hall, 70 Arena Rd., Elm Creek. For more info visit www.mbbeef.ca or call 1-800-772-0458.

By Shannon VanRaes co-operator staff

I

t was a long time coming, b u t t h e Ma n i t o b a Po rk Co u n c i l s a y s t h e Co m prehensive Economic Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union will grow new opportunities for the industry.

“We’re really happy that they did finally get an agreement, we’re looking forward now to them getting it ratified and finding out what all the guidelines and rules are going to be to access that market,” said pork council chairman Karl Kynoch.

The agreement in principle, signed earlier this month, will allow about 81,000 tonnes of bone-in pork product to be

expor ted to the European Union tariff free.

“That’s a huge increase to our market,” said Kynoch. “For Manitoba that should mean somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 tonnes for our province alone.”

The new agreement will also aid the pork industry in diver-

sifying its export markets, he added.

“We’re so heavily reliant on exports. Canada exports about 50 per cent of what is produced — Manitoba exports about 85 per cent — so when you’re that reliant on exports and you can get access to that many people, it’s huge,” he said.

“We’re so heavily reliant on exports. Canada exports about 50 per cent of what is produced — Manitoba exports about 85 per cent — so when you’re that reliant on exports and you can get access to that many people, it’s huge.”

Karl Kynoch

The Canadian pork industry has also worked to lessen its reliance on American markets in an effort to diversify, and in recent years, exports to the U.S. have dropped by two-thirds.

Although the deal isn’t likely to result in an expansion of Manitoba’s pork industry, it will generate higher returns for export products, Kynoch predicted.

“Hopefully what it leads to is some higher-value markets, and hopefully a little better return back to the producers,” he said. “Any time we can create a little bit more shortage and demand for the product, hopefully that will return a better dollar back to the producer.” shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

Nov. 7: Value of shelterbelts for Prairie communities, Morden Friendship Centre, 306 North Railway Ave., Morden. For more info call: 204362-0352.

Nov. 7: Manitoba Beef Producers District 6 meeting and elections, 6 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion, 291 Assiniboine St. W., Oak Lake. For more info visit www.mbbeef.ca or call 1-800-772-0458.

Nov. 7-9: Dairy Sheep Association of North America symposium, Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre, 700 Hespeler Rd., Cambridge, Ont. For more info visit www.dsana. org.

Nov. 8: Manitoba Beef Producers District 4 meeting and elections, 6 p.m., Ukrainian Home of Vita Hall, 209 Main St. N., Vita. For more info visit www.mbbeef.ca or call 1-800772-0458.

Nov. 12: Manitoba Beef Producers District 12 meeting and elections, 6 p.m., Westlake Community Hall, Hwy. 68, Eddystone. For more info visit www.mbbeef.ca or call 1-800772-0458.

Nov. 13: Manitoba Beef Producers District 9 meeting and elections, 6 p.m., Sungro Centre, 360 Veterans Lane, Beausejour. For more info visit www.mbbeef.ca or call 1-800-7720458.

Nov. 14: Manitoba Beef Producers District 1 meeting, 6 p.m., Community Hall, 40 First Ave., Medora. For more info call 1-800-772-0458 or visit www.mbbeef.ca.

Nov. 15: Manitoba Beef Producers District 5 meeting, 6 p.m., Memorial Hall, 224 Second Ave., Carberry. For more info visit www.mbbeef.ca or call 1-800-772-0458.

Nov. 17-19: Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference, Canad Inns, 2401 Saskatchewan Ave. W., Portage la Prairie. For more info visit www.manitobafarmwomensconference.ca.

Nov. 18: Manitoba Beef Producers District 7 meeting, 6 p.m., Community Hall, 315 The Drive, Shoal Lake. For more info visit www.mbbeef.ca or call 1-800-772-0458.

Nov. 20: Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA) “Current & Connected” conference, Heritage Centre, 100 Heritage Trail, Niverville.

For more info call 1-877-474-2871 or visit www.cafanet.com.

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9

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Home economists fear demise of university program The Manitoba Association of Home Economists wants equal consideration given to human ecology in academic restructuring process

By Lorraine Stevenson

“There will be no professional program of study. It will have no identity.

Dismantled and put into different parts of the university will not work.”

Debora Durnin-Richards

Manitoba Association of Home Economists president

co-operator staff

G

ordon Bell High School has hundreds of singleparent students, kids from low-income households, Aboriginal youth and kids from immigrant families unfamiliar with the foods, kitchens and grocery stores of their new country.

And they keep three full-time home economics teachers very busy teaching courses in foods and nutrition, parenting, and consumer literacy, says the

downtown Winnipeg school’s principal.

But Arlene Skull, a professional home economist herself, also wonders where schools like hers will find qualified teachers to teach home economics in the not-so-distant future.

Skull told a forum of home economists over the weekend that she worries about where and how future home economics teachers will be trained if the University of Manitoba goes ahead with a proposal to abolish the faculty of human ecology.

Gordon Bell High School principal Arlene Skull says qualified home economics teachers are needed. photo: lorraine stevenson

“When I look at how good the program is in my school and the number of children whose lives we’re affecting in a positive way, and then I look at the restructuring it really scares me,” she said.

“We need competent individuals in our schools to teach these life courses.”

Skull was part of a panel at a forum held on the eve of the Manitoba Association of Home Economists (MAHE) annual general meeting to talk over their frustrations with the University of Manitoba’s proposed academic restructuring initiative.

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The university is trying to cut costs and gain efficiencies by merging many of its free-standing faculties, including human ecology, plus other schools and departments into much larger socalled ‘super faculties.’

They don’t take issue with the university trying to curb costs and modernize, but don’t approve of the plan to strip human ecology of its name and identity, said home economist Debora DurninRichards who is also Manitoba Association of Home Economists (MAHE) president.

Other current faculties like dentistry and nursing will retain the status of ‘professional colleges’ and remain go-to sites for employers hiring graduates. Human ecology isn’t being afforded the same consideration.

Instead, its three programs — family social sciences, textile sciences and human nutritional sciences — are slated to be divided up among these colleges.

“There will be no professional program of study,” said DurninRichards. “It will have no identity.

Dismantled and put into different parts of the university will not work. It will not work for people to become home economics teachers, and it will not work for the practice of home economics in the broader society.”

Others speaking at the forum said it’s ironic that, just as we’re seeing the need for life skills and competencies as a solution to societal problems, a university with the last home economics program in the country is preparing to abolish it.

Demand for those who can help others gain skills and knowledge in areas such as food and nutrition and financial literacy is rising all the time, said Gail Watson, a trustee with Pembina Trails School Division and home economist.

“That’s what disappoints me the most, ” she said. “The university is so out of touch with the rest of society.”

The faculty of human ecology at the University of Manitoba is the last stand-alone faculty in Canada, with universities elsewhere also shifting their academic structures to pocket human ecology studies within other faculties of education, agriculture or medicine.

The university first rolled out its academic structure initiative in January 2012.

No final decisions have been made by the human ecology faculty council, nor the university’s senate or board of governors.

Durnin-Richards said home economists will continue to speak out about their concerns. What they’re asking for is to retain an integrated program of study, she said.

“We need to have an integrated program,” she said. “We need to maintain our identity and we need to have a unique program of study that is human ecology.” lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

F:8.7”

10

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

LIVESTOCK MARKETS Cattle Prices Winnipeg

October 25, 2013

More demand than usual south of the border

Steers & Heifers — D1, 2 Cows 74.00 - 80.00 D3 Cows 68.00 - 74.00 Bulls 85.00 - 91.00 Feeder Cattle (Price ranges for feeders refer to top-quality animals only) Steers (901+ lbs.)

120.00 - 132.50 (801-900 lbs.)

120.00 - 136.00 (701-800 lbs.)

138.00 - 154.00 (601-700 lbs.)

148.00 - 173.00 (501-600 lbs.)

155.00 - 185.00 (401-500 lbs.)

168.00 - 197.00 Heifers (901+ lbs.)

— (801-900 lbs.)

115.00 - 135.00 (701-800 lbs.)

125.00 - 141.00 (601-700 lbs.)

130.00 - 148.00 (501-600 lbs.)

135.00 - 160.00 (401-500 lbs.)

150.00 - 160.00

Heifers

Alberta South $ 122.00 - 123.00 123.00 73.00 - 84.00 62.00 - 75.00 — $ 132.00 - 141.00 140.00 - 153.00 147.00 - 160.00 153.00 - 167.00 160.00 - 182.00 172.00 - 195.00 $ 120.00 - 130.00 125.00 - 139.00 130.00 - 144.00 134.00 - 148.00 138.00 - 156.00 147.00 - 170.00

($/cwt) (1,000+ lbs.)

(850+ lbs.)

(901+ lbs.)

(801-900 lbs.)

(701-800 lbs.)

(601-700 lbs.)

(501-600 lbs.)

(401-500 lbs.)

(901+ lbs.)

(801-900 lbs.)

(701-800 lbs.)

(601-700 lbs.)

(501-600 lbs.)

(401-500 lbs.)

Futures (October 25, 2013) in U.S. Fed Cattle Close Change October 2013 132.80 3.65 December 2013 132.87 1.10 February 2014 134.32 0.77 April 2014 134.92 0.30 June 2014 129.12 0.32 August 2014 128.10 0.80 Cattle Slaughter Canada East West Manitoba U.S.

Feeder Cattle October 2013 November 2013 January 2014 March 2014 April 2014 May 2014

The fall calf run is in full swing and expected right through November

Previous Year­ 34,922 13,873 21,049 NA 639,000

Ontario $ 104.40 - 129.50 109.15 - 128.09 53.95 - 78.44 53.95 - 78.44 73.41 - 92.01 $ 139.70 - 161.26 147.35 - 160.16 143.34 - 165.89 132.63 - 173.53 138.83 - 188.36 154.13 - 205.24 $ 117.83 - 134.87 129.14 - 142.57 123.50 - 146.86 121.41 - 151.03 128.17 - 167.55 132.79 - 175.35

Close 165.55 166.95 166.70 165.80 166.80 167.30

Week Ending October 19, 2013 536 20,929 16,161 841 940 10,391 171

Prime AAA AA A B D E

Change -0.30 0.05 0.10 0.05 1.03 0.90

Previous Year 395 16,431 11,607 624 674 4,539 9

Hog Prices Source: Manitoba Agriculture

(Friday to Thursday) ($/100 kg) E - Estimation MB. ($/hog) MB. (All wts.) (Fri-Thurs.)

MB. (Index 100) (Fri-Thurs.)

ON (Index 100) (Mon.-Thurs.)

P.Q. (Index 100) (Mon.-Fri.)

Current Week 177.00 E 163.00 E 171.34 171.79

Futures (October 25, 2013) in U.S. Hogs December 2013 February 2014 April 2014 May 2014 June 2014

Last Week 178.24 166.23 170.14 173.24

Close 89.60 91.85 92.92 96.65 98.85

CNSC

“It’s basically all calves now.

There are still a few yearlings, but, mostly calves.”

T

Keith Cleaver

Terryn Shiells

Cattle Grades (Canada)

Week Ending October 19, 2013 50,434 10,473 39,961 NA 614,000

$1 Cdn: $ .9569 U.S. $1 U.S: $1.0450 Cdn.

COLUMN

(Friday to Thursday) Slaughter Cattle

Slaughter Cattle Grade A Steers Grade A Heifers D1, 2 Cows D3 Cows Bulls Steers

EXCHANGES: October 25, 2013

Last Year (Index 100) 165.28 152.82 153.18 156.22

Change 1.15 1.33 2.67 2.58 2.88

he fall calf run was in full swing across Manitoba during the week ended October 25, with most auction yards reporting larger volumes of feeder cattle than the week prior.

The majority of producers have finished harvesting their crops, prompting them to start focusing on marketing their calves.

“It’s basically all calves now,” said Keith Cleaver, manager of Heartland Livestock Services in Brandon. “There are still a few yearlings, but, mostly calves.”

Auction yards across the province saw anywhere from 1,068 to 3,442 total cattle sold during the week, up from 685 to 2,918 cattle the week before.

Cleaver expects the fall calf run will last throughout the month of November, and that activity will start to slow down around Christmastime.

Some of the higher-quality classes of feeder cattle in Manitoba b ro u g h t i n slightly stronger prices amid good demand compared to the week prior. Prices for the lower-quality cattle were hurt by spotty demand. But, overall demand was still strong for most cattle, which kept the majority of prices steady.

Cleaver said that buyers from Eastern and Western Canada came to purchase feeder cattle in Brandon during the week. He added that there was some demand from south of the border as well.

“Even the U.S. (buyers) are taking some calves right now, which is a little unusual,” he said. “Normally, they don’t take too many wet-nosed calves.”

One of the reasons why the U.S. was purchasing feeder cattle from Manitoba was due to the sharp downswing in the value of the Canadian dollar, which made prices more attractive to buyers from the country.

The Canadian currency lost more than a cent during the week, and ended at US95.65 cents on October 25.

Cattle numbers are also down in the U.S., so they’re sourcing feeders from up north in Canada to help build up their herds, Cleaver added.

Bu t , t h e U . S . w a s n’t a b i g b u ye r o f Manitoba butcher cattle, as Tyson Foods Inc., the third-largest buyer of Canadian slaughter cattle, announced it won’t be purchasing slaughter cattle from Canada anymore. The company said their reasoning was because the new COOL policy makes buying and marketing Canadian butcher cattle too expensive.

Cleaver noted that the news didn’t help slaughter cattle prices in Manitoba, especially for the butcher heifers and steers, but it could be worse.

“The reality of it is there’s not near as many cattle being finished in Manitoba now as what there used to be,” he said.

Most of the slaughter cattle in Manitoba head west to be finished, so prices there may see more of an immediate impact.

Cleaver added that there are still other plants in the U.S. buying Canadian slaughter cattle, including cows and bulls.

The number of slaughter cattle marketed through Manitoba’s auction marts increased during the week, as it is the seasonal time of year when more are sold, Cleaver said.

Prices were mostly steady compared to the week prior. Some classes moved lower, undermined by the increase in volume and slowdown in demand now that the barbecue season has come to an end.

Terryn Shiells writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.

Other Market Prices Sheep and Lambs $/cwt Ewes Choice Lambs (110+ lb.)

(95 - 109 lb.)

(80 - 94 lb.)

(Under 80 lb.)

(New crop)

Winnipeg (head) (wooled fats) — — Next Sale November 6 — —

Chickens Minimum broiler prices as of May 23, 2010 Under 1.2 kg................................... $1.5130 1.2 - 1.65 kg.................................... $1.3230 1.65 - 2.1 kg.................................... $1.3830 2.1 - 2.6 kg...................................... $1.3230

Turkeys Minimum prices as of November 3, 2013 Broiler Turkeys (6.2 kg or under, live weight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.975 Undergrade .............................. $1.885 Hen Turkeys (between 6.2 and 8.5 kg liveweight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.960 Undergrade .............................. $1.860 Light Tom/Heavy Hen Turkeys (between 8.5 and 10.8 kg liveweight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.960 Undergrade .............................. $1.860 Tom Turkeys (10.8 and 13.3 kg, live weight truck load average) Grade A..................................... $1.875 Undergrade............................... $1.790 Prices are quoted f.o.b. farm.

Toronto 66.30 - 96.77 131.03 - 170.18 163.27 - 187.05 155.02 - 185.21 142.71 - 208.17 —

SunGold Specialty Meats 30.00

briefs

Processors return to USDA data for pricing hogs

Eggs Minimum prices to producers for ungraded eggs, f.o.b. egg grading station, set by the Manitoba Egg Producers Marketing Board effective June 12, 2011.

New Previous A Extra Large $1.8500 $1.8200 A Large 1.8500 1.8200 A Medium 1.6700 1.6400 A Small 1.2500 1.2200 A Pee Wee 0.3675 0.3675 Nest Run 24 + 1.7490 1.7210 B 0.45 0.45 C 0.15 0.15

chicago / reuters / Top U.S. pork processors Smithfield, Tyson Foods Inc. and Cargill Inc. reverted back to pricing hogs based on U.S. Department of Agriculture data, industry sources said Oct. 21, after a 16-day government shutdown had caused the suspension of daily USDA reports.

Packers use the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) daily reports to determine the prices they pay hog producers. But the reports, along with thou-

sands of others on which the U.S. agricultural industry depend, were unavailable during the government shutdown, forcing packers to use alternative pricing methods.

No. 1 pork packer Smithfield priced hogs using CME Group lean hog futures contracts during the shutdown.

Tyson and Cargill calculated hog prices using data from Urner Barry, a private U.S. analytical research firm closely followed by livestock packers and traders for its meat prices and data, until USDAAMS price data was available.

Smithfield, Tyson and Cargill spokesmen were unavailable for comment.

Goats Kids Billys Mature

Winnipeg (head) (Fats) — — —

Toronto ($/cwt) 94.78 - 200.76 — 86.94 - 165.56

Horses <1,000 lbs.

1,000 lbs.+

Winnipeg ($/cwt) — —

Toronto ($/cwt) 12.00 - 36.00 14.27 - 35.78

Looking for results? Check out the market reports from livestock auctions around the province. » PaGe 14

11

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

GRAIN MARKETS Export and International Prices

column

Last Week

All prices close of business October 25, 2013

A weaker dollar should help boost export demand

CNSC

I

CE Futures Canada canola contracts finished with small advances during the week ended Oct. 25, hitting their strongest levels in over a month at one point, before backing away to settle well within their current trading range. Weakness in the Canadian dollar accounted for some of the buying interest, while declines in Chicago soyoil weighed on prices from the other side.

The currency dropped sharply relative to its U.S. counterpart in reaction to the Bank of Canada’s latest interest rate announcement that was seen as backing away on future rate increases. A softer Canadian dollar makes canola more attractive to international buyers and also helps crush margins improve.

The end of harvest operations across much of Western Canada, and the resulting end of off-the-combine grain movement, helped prop up the futures as well as the market experienced a bit of a post-harvest bounce.

However, the large crop does remain an anchor on the futures, as the basic supplydemand fundamentals of dealing with the biggest canola crop on record should be enough to temper any attempts at moving higher.

Most other crops were also large this year, and will be competing for storage space and rail movement. Total production of the principal field crops grown in the country in 2013 (grains, oilseeds, pulses, etc.) is estimated at 86.9 million tonnes, according to government data. That’s more than 10 million tonnes additional product to deal with than the previous year. However, you want to look at it, 10 million tonnes is a big number.

Moving those large supplies through the commercial system will obviously create challenges, with backlogs, delays, lack of storage space, and other issues likely playing on basis levels going forward. A possible strike by CN Rail workers would add another level of uncertainty if the labour dispute lasts for any significant time.

While attention in Canada is shifting away

Year Ago

Wheat

Chicago wheat (nearby future) ($US/tonne)

255.92

252.04

320.65

Minneapolis wheat (nearby future) ($US/tonne)

276.31

273.71

347.28

Chicago corn (nearby future) ($US/tonne)

173.32

174.41

292.13

Chicago oats (nearby future) ($US/tonne)

223.22

215.11

251.42

Chicago soybeans (nearby future) ($US/tonne)

481.25

475.14

574.61

Chicago soyoil ($US/tonne)

906.92

906.70

1,134.47

Coarse Grains

With an extra 10 million tonnes to move, there will be stiff competition for storage space and rail movement Phil Franz-Warkentin

Week Ago

oilseeds

For three-times-daily market reports from Commodity News Service Canada, visit “Today in Markets” at www.manitobacooperator.ca.

from the harvest and towards dealing with the large crop over the next year, farmers in the U.S. are still very much in the middle bringing in their crops. The U.S. soybean harvest was 63 per cent complete as of October 20 and corn was 39 per cent done, according to the first USDA weekly crop report since before the government shutdown. Soybeans were mixed on the week, moving higher in the two nearby contracts on the back of solid end-user demand, but declining in the more deferred positions.

Corn, meanwhile, edged down overall but could best be described as ‘rangebound.’

Yields of both crops have generally been beating earlier expectations as the reports come in. After not releasing an official supply-demand report in October, the USDA report on Nov. 8 will be closely scrutinized when it’s released. Positioning ahead of the official numbers will be a major factor in the U.S. markets, as will any reaction to the private estimates that will come out in the lead-up.

Wheat futures in the U.S. hit their strongest levels in four months during the week, as weather issues in other wheat-growing regions of the world (primarily Argentina and the former Soviet Union) created speculation that the U.S. would be able to meet more of the global demand this year.

However, profit-taking came forward in all three wheat markets to drag prices lower by Friday.

Phil Franz-Warkentin writes for Commodity News Service Canada, which specializes in grain and livestock market reporting.

Winnipeg Futures ICE Futures Canada prices at close of business October 25, 2013 barley

Last Week

Week Ago

December 2013

152.00

152.00

March 2014

154.00

154.00

May 2014

155.00

155.00

Canola

Last Week

Week Ago

November 2013

485.40

484.60

January 2014

495.90

494.80

March 2014

503.90

502.90

Special Crops Report for October 28, 2013 — Bin run delivered plant Saskatchewan Spot Market

Spot Market

Lentils (Cdn. cents per pound)

Other ( Cdn. cents per pound unless otherwise specified)

Large Green 15/64

21.40 - 22.50

Canaryseed

Laird No. 1

20.00 - 22.50

Oil Sunflower Seed

Eston No. 2

15.00 - 17.75

23.25 - 23.75 —

Desi Chickpeas

21.40 - 22.50

Field Peas (Cdn. $ per bushel)

Beans (Cdn. cents per pound)

Green No. 1

Fababeans, large

—

Feed beans

—

11.30 - 11.50

Medium Yellow No. 1

6.40 - 7.00

Feed Peas (Cdn. $ per bushel) Feed Pea (Rail)

No. 1 Navy/Pea Beans

5.00 - 8.60

40.00 - 42.00

No. 1 Great Northern

—

Mustardseed (Cdn. cents per pound)

No. 1 Cranberry Beans

62.00 - 62.00

Yellow No. 1

37.75 - 38.75

No. 1 Light Red Kidney

54.00 - 54.00

Brown No. 1

35.75 - 37.75

No. 1 Dark Red Kidney

55.00 - 55.00

Oriental No. 1

27.30 - 28.75

No. 1 Black Beans

38.00 - 40.00

No. 1 Pinto Beans

38.00 - 40.00

No. 1 Small Red Source: Stat Publishing

No. 1 Pink

SUNFLOWERS

— 41.00 - 43.00

Fargo, ND

Goodlands, KS

19.25

18.95

32.00* Call for details

—

Report for October 25, 2013 in US$ cwt NuSun (oilseed) Confection Source: National Sunflower Association

U.S. misses October report for first time in 147 years There will be a two-month gap in crop estimates as harvest booms along

By Charles Abbott washington / reuters

T

he U.S. government cancelled its monthly report on grain and cotton production Oct. 17 for the first time since reporting began in 1866 and said it will not estimate U.S. or world crop production until early November.

Cancellation of the October report means the first harvest-time estimate of U.S. crops will be Nov. 8. The production report and companion data on crops worldwide are the U.S. Agriculture Department’s premiere reports.

They attract a worldwide audience and frequently move commodity prices — and with the gap of an additional month, potentially more so than usual.

The widely followed USDA reports

were the biggest immediate casualties of the 17-day government shutdown.

Officials were also deciding whether to issue an overdue report on the U.S. inflation rate.

“It’s a great shame. We lose the continuity of the series, the course correction that it provides,” said Bill Nelson, analyst with Doane Advisory Services in St. Louis.

With the cancellation, the November report will be USDA’s first harvest-time estimate of U.S. crops. By November, the corn and soybean harvests are usually in the final stretch and cotton is half harvested.

Users of corn and soybeans — from food companies to exporters — will be counting every bushel to determine if supplies recover after three years of declining production. As a result, markets

have been highly sensitive to the USDA estimates.

“There is always the potential for a shock in each monthly report so I’d suggest there are twice the chances that we’ll get a shock this time, or that the shock will be twice what it ordinarily would be,” said a futures broker.

USDA’s previous crop estimate was issued on Sept 12. It also cancelled or postponed a range of reports because it could not gather data during the shutdown due to lack of funding.

USDA began crop reports in 1866, covering cotton and tobacco, a year after the end of the American Civil War. The last time USDA delayed its premiere reports was September 2001, when they were held up for two days in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Besides the crop report and the companion World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, USDA said it cancelled two weekly reports on crop conditions.

“NASS is assessing its data collection plans and evaluating the timing of upcoming reports,” USDA said of its National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Officials also met to decide what to do about USDA’s weekly report of grain, soybean, cotton and meat exports, an important indicator of activity for the world’s largest agricultural exporter.

During the shutdown traders got export news in dribs and drabs — for example, Reuters reported overnight that China has bought close to 1.2 million tonnes of U.S. corn this month — but are anxious for a complete accounting.

12

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

LIVESTOCK

Network

SEARCH

Search news. Read stories. Find insight.

H USB A N DRY — T H E SC I E NC E , SK I L L OR A RT OF FA R M I NG

U.S. cattle prices set record as supply shrinks High prices combined with falling feed prices is good news for producers and feedlots

By Theopolis Waters CHICAGO / REUTERS

Slaughter cattle in Texas and Kansas set the highest price on record last week when they traded at mostly $132 per hundredweight.

The high prices are a result of a smaller herd and rising retail prices, analysts and economists said.

“There are not enough cattle,” said University of Missouri livestock economist Ron Plain.

Cattle prices have been trending higher for several years as droughts and high feed prices have caused producers to pare herds. Last week’s $132 topped the previous record of $130 set in March 2012.

The U.S. herd is at its smallest level in 61 years following last year’s drought, which pushed feed and hay costs to all-time highs.

The higher prices are good news for feedlots, which are seeing the return to positive margins thanks to both the strong prices and falling corn prices. That also means they’re in better shape to buy yearling cattle. In September, on average, feedlots lost $34 per head of cattle. That was a marked improvement compared to losses of $92 per head in August, but extended their streak of losses to 29 months, as calculated by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver, Colo.

Fewer cattle resulted in less meat, lifting the price for choice beef at wholesale last week to $200.68 per cwt, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

“Beef prices in grocery stores have been at record highs the past two months, which means packers can pay more for cattle,” Plain said.

The average retail beef price in August, the latest that is available, was a record $5.39 per pound.

“This is all coming together at the start of a big decline in supply, which will last through early second-quarter 2014,” said Rich Nelson, chief strategist for Allendale Inc. in McHenry, Illinois.

But while feedlots are earning profits on cattle, the beef companies that buy them and process them into meat are not, with current losses topping per head of cattle. However, the situation may not be that bad as different purchasing methods can reduce losses, as can sales of hides and non-meat items, such as internal organs, said Elaine Johnson, analyst with CattleHedging.com.

Cattle producers and feedlots should be hoping that packer losses end soon, she suggested.

“If the packer truly is absolutely getting crushed on his margin, he is going to cut back his kills,” Johnson said.

Putting theory into practice will be the challenge facing hog producers implementing new guidelines for sow housing.

FILE PHOTO

Pilot program aims to nail down conversion costs Squeezing a new design into an old barn takes careful planning, but the Prairie Swine Centre hopes to give producers a head start by developing information to guide the process

By Shannon VanRaes CO-OPERATOR STAFF

A

new pilot project aims to give Prairie hog producers a better handle on the cost of converting existing sow barns to open-housing systems.

“People will need to have more access to the different sow housing options that are out there, and at the moment that’s quite difficult for any producer to understand,” said Helen Thoday, manager of contract research with the Prairie Swine Centre, which has launched the project with the assistance of the University of Manitoba.

Much of the talk around the issue of open housing has been theoretical and not a practical examination of options, methods and costs, she said.

The project will examine two barn conversions — one in Manitoba and another in Saskatchewan, taking into account existing slatted areas, as well as drainage and slurry systems.

“Lots of producers are thinking about that process and not necessarily taking action, but wanting to know what the possibilities are down the line, because at this point nobody knows,” Thoday said.

In Manitoba, the barn chosen for the project belongs to the La Broqueriebased HyLife.

“There has been a lot of announcements out there about having retailers and consumers wanting loose-housed

pork, so we see this as probably a specialty program that could be an opportunity in the future, so for us to do that we wanted to understand what the costs are to converting a barn,” said HyLife vice-president Claude Vielfaure. “We see this as a value-added product.”

“I think originally, when this was all talked about a number of years ago... people were thinking maybe you could convert for about $400 per sow place and we now know it’s going to be much closer to $1,000 per sow.”

HELEN THODAY

Although a draft Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs released by the National Farm Animal Care Council indicates gestation stalls will only be allowed for 35 days per cycle by July 2024 if implemented, Vielfaure said that hasn’t factored into his company’s decision to participate in the program.

“It’s ongoing, so no final code has come out, so as far as what the rules are going to be has not been finally determined yet,” he said. “Our policy is we

believe both stalls and loose housing are comparable as far as animal welfare.”

But making a change to loose or open housing isn’t cheap, so his company jumped at the chance to work with engineers and experts on plans for a 6,000sow barn, he said.

Plans are being created for both barns that give the producer four or five openhousing systems to choose from, along with estimated costs for each. Neither barn operator has yet committed to go ahead with the conversion, but Thoday said that may change once producers see the plans and have a look at their options.

“I think originally, when this was all talked about a number of years ago... people were thinking maybe you could convert for about $400 per sow place and we now know it’s going to be much closer to $1,000 per sow,” said Thoday, adding recent work by the University of Guelph put the cost at $800 per sow.

It’s also hoped the project will help identify what kind of training is needed for barn managers making the move to the new system.

“It’s well and good to have a blueprint, but we need to start communicating with people that you need to manage these systems, and I think that is going to be the next step,” Thoday said.

The first stage of the project, design and blueprinting, is expected to be complete by the end of the year. shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

13

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Dairy farmers cheesed off at new trade deal with European Union

The provincial and federal governments say lifting European tariffs of Canadian cheese will open doors, but Manitoba’s dairy farmers disagree

By Shannon VanRaes CO-OPERATOR STAFF

L

ocal cheese makers are still struggling to assess the impacts of Canada’s newly minted trade deal with the European Union, but they know one thing for sure — grocery store shelf space is already at a premium when it comes to fine cheeses, and things are about to get even tighter.

“Any time you add a significant amount of supply into the system, which is what’s happening right now with this trade agreement with the European Union, it concerns us,” said Ivan Balenovic, president and CEO of Bothwell Cheese. “We’re always fighting for that shelf space.”

Under the yet-to-be ratified Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union announced earlier this month, 30,000 tonnes of European cheese will be able to enter the Canadian market. That’s more than double the current amount.

“We got blindsided by this, we didn’t see it coming, and it’s really difficult to analyze what the impact will be,” Balenovic said.

While the allowable imports only represent about four per cent of the overall cheese market in Canada, it represents 32 per cent of the fine or specialty cheese market, said the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba.

It’s a change that will hit specialty producers like Bothwell Cheese and Whiteshell Dairy hardest, said Henry Holtmann, the group’s vice-chairman. “ We work really hard to see these small cheese makers established... to build up a Canadian source of fine cheeses,” Holtmann said. “So that’s where our concern is because it’s taken us a long time to get to that point, and get those players in the marketplace.”

Quebec effect

The impact will be even more noticeable in Quebec and Ontario, where the majority of fine Canadian cheeses are produced.

“It’s a market we’ve really built up,” added David Wiens, dairy farmers’ chairman. “There are over 1,000 Canadian cheeses and that part of the market has been growing.”

The imports will also mean less Canadian milk will be needed for cheese manufacturing, lowering overall milk production, Wiens said.

And while the trade deal promises Canadian cheeses unfettered access to European markets, those in the dairy industry say the provision is meaningless.

European tariffs will be eliminated, but to be price competitive with European cheese, Canada would have to set dairy export prices below its own domestic cost of production — a practice ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization.

“There is no level playing field

between Canada and Europe on dairy production,” said Yves Leduc, economist for Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Under Canada’s supply-managed system, the price to farmers is set by a federally regulated cost-of-production formula.

In Europe, dairy farmers are paid the world price for their milk, which is below the cost of production and then the European Commission subsidizes them up to 50 per cent of their income, Leduc said.

“I’d like to think that we have a very loyal customer base throughout Manitoba and Western Canada, and nationally for that matter — we make a specialized product, but it will impact us.”

IVAN BALENOVIC

tary said he lauded the removal of European tariffs.

“Canada will have dutyfree, quota-free access to the EU cheese market, which is extremely important as we see expansion currently happening within the Canadian cheese market,” she wrote in an emailed statement, adding “the federal government has committed to monitor the impact of CETA on dairy producers and examine programs to mitigate negative effects if necessary.”

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has said whatever business Canadian dairy producers lose to increased imports of

Further behind than before

Wiens said the proposed trade deal eliminates regulations that had allowed 3,000 tonnes of Canadian cheese to enter the European Union on equal footing.

“We’re actually even further back than we were before,” he said.

Ron Kostyshyn, minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, was unavailable for comment, but his press secre-

European cheese will be more than made up by rising cheese consumption. Leduc questions that claim. He said the minister overstated the annual growth in cheese consumption which is in the order of one per cent per year in line with the growth in the population.

However, Holtmann noted the trade agreement appears to leave supply management intact.

“We really have to evaluate what it means and where we’re going, but I firmly believe that the pillars of supply management are still there,” he said.

“But we just have to discuss and

find out about that resolve. Is it the thin edge of the wedge? I don’t know.”

Others believe it is.

“In spite of the fact the federal government has sworn up and down it is protecting supply management, anyone who had participated in any of this dismantling of the agricultural infrastructure in Canada knows very well nobody is safe... it’s just a matter of time,” said Beverly Stow, a regional director with the National Farmers Union.

Meanwhile, Balenovic said he is hoping his customers will continue to buy Bothwell cheese.

“I’d like to think that we have a very loyal customer base throughout Manitoba and Western Canada, and nationally for that matter — we make a specialized product, but it will impact us,” he said.

— with files from Alex Binkley shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

We want to hear from you.

Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project Manitoba Hydro is proposing to construct a 500-kilovolt alternating current transmission line from Winnipeg to Minnesota to sell surplus power and to enhance the reliability of electricity supply in Manitoba.

You are invited to an open house to gather project information and share your local knowledge in the review of alternative routes and assist in the determination of a border crossing for the project.

Open houses will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. and we will be available to answer questions. Refreshments will be served.

The map outlines the border crossing options under consideration and the area where alternative routes are being presented.

Dorsey

Legend Anola !

Winnipeg

Potential border crossing

15

Riel

Alternative Route Study Area

!

Oak Bluff

! Ile des Chênes

!

Ste. Anne

1

Converter station

12

Steinbach !

Defined Route (Southern Loop)

! Marchand

59

St. Labre !

St. Malo !

75

! Vita

Sundown !

! Tolstoi

Piney !

89

Canada

United States of America

For more information phone 1-877-343-1631 or email mmtp@hydro.mb.ca or visit www.hydro.mb.ca/mmtp.

Investing today for a powerful tomorrow.

Sprague !

Headingley November 12 Headingley Community Centre 5353 Portage Avenue Winnipeg November 13 Winakwa Community Centre 980 Winakwa Road Ste. Anne November 14 Seine River Banquet Centre 80A Arena Road Steinbach November 19 Friedensfeld Community Centre 32004 Road 35E Vita November 20 Vita Community Hall 209 Main Street North Piney November 21 Piney Community Centre Highway 89 Marchand November 26 Marchand Community Club Dobson Ave. Anola November 27 Anola Over 50 Club Wieser Crescent Ile des Chênes November 28 TransCanada Centre 1 Rivard Street

14

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

LIVESTOCK AUCTION RESULTS Weight Category

Ashern

Gladstone

Grunthal

Heartland

Heartland

Brandon

Virden

Killarney

Ste. Rose

Winnipeg

Feeder Steers

Oct-23

Oct-22

Oct-22

Oct-24

Oct-23

Oct-21

Oct-24

n/a

No. on offer

2,453

1,226*

1,432

3,243

3,321*

1,068*

2,874

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Over 1,000 lbs.

900-1,000 800-900

n/a

120.00-141.25

n/a

n/a

127.00-138.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

160.00-182.00

120.00-146.50

130.00-143.00

135.00-149.00

133.00-148.00

142.00-151.00

135.00-150.50

n/a

700-800

130.00-163.00

135.00-155.50

140.00-159.00

145.00-160..00

142.00-156.00

145.00-156.50

140.00-164.00

n/a

600-700

140.00-170.00

140.00-159.00

148.00-166.25

150.00-167.00

147.00-165.00

152.00-167.76

150.00-168.40

n/a

500-600

150.00-186.00

150.00-178.25

155.00-172.50

160.00-174.50

152.00-173.00

159.00-177.00

160.00-187.00

n/a

400-500

160.00-182.00

150.00-190.50

165.00-198.00

175.00-195.00

165.00-193.00

165.00-190.00

165.00-209.00

n/a

300-400

n/a

160.00-200.00

170.00-220.00

185.00-205.00

175.00-202.00

175.00-202.00

165.00-206.00

n/a

900-1,000 lbs.

105.00-134.00

100.00-122.00

n/a

n/a

116.00-128.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

800-900

119.00-140.00

120.00-127.00

125.00-136.25

120.00-130.00

126.00-138.50

n/a

120.00-133.50

n/a

Feeder heifers

700-800

110.00-142.00

118.00-140.50

130.00-141.00

125.00-140.00

128.00-140.00

125.00-136.00

125.00-139.75

n/a

600-700

120.00-149.00

110.00-148.50

135.00-155.00

130.00-145.00

129.00-141.00

130.00-143.50

130.00-149.25

n/a

500-600

129.00-154.00

140.00-171.50

140.00-160.00

135.00-152.00

131.00-147.00

135.00-152.00

135.00-150.00

n/a

400-500

120.00-158.50

135.00-160.50

150.00-170.00

140.00-157.00

138.00-161.00

140.00-164.00

140.00-168.50

n/a

300-400

n/a

140.00-173.00

160.00-189.00

145.00-165.00

142.00-170.00

n/a

137.50-195.00

n/a

200

n/a

166

199

n/a

n/a

217

n/a

Slaughter Market No. on offer D1-D2 Cows

61.00-71.00

50.00-86.00

n/a

72.00-78.00

71.00-75.50

58.00-65.00

70.00-78.50

n/a

D3-D5 Cows

50.00 and up

n/a

50.00-60.00

65.00-72.00

52.00-70.00

n/a

55.00-69.00

n/a

Age Verified

70.00-79.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

73.00-79.25

64.00-70.00

n/a

n/a

Good Bulls

85.00-103.00

60.00-80.00

80.00-88.75

83.00-93.00

84.00-92.50

82.00-87.00

85.00-92.50

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

105.00-110.50

n/a

n/a

n/n

Butcher Steers Butcher Heifers

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

103.00-108.75

n/a

n/a

n/a

Feeder Cows

n/a

n/a

80.00-88.00

n/a

75.00-85.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

Fleshy Export Cows

n/a

n/a

72.00-80.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Lean Export Cows

n/a

n/a

60.00-69.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

* includes slaughter market

(Note all prices in CDN$ per cwt. These prices also generally represent the top one-third of sales reported by the auction yard.)

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15

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

column

Panel raps lack of action to curb livestock drug use

Optimizing feed efficiency in the grow-finish herd

Panel members include ranchers, public health experts, the former dean of a veterinary school and former U.S. agriculture secretary, Dan Glickman

Factor in that feed-to-gain ratio worsen as pigs get heavier

By Charles Abbott reuters

U

.S. regulators and livestock producers have failed to curb the use of antibiotics in livestock despite concerns that excessive use in meat production will reduce the drugs’ effectiveness in humans, said a panel of experts.

“Meaningful change is unlikely in the future,” concluded the 14-member panel, assembled by Johns Hopkins University, in a report released on Tuesday.

The release marked the fifth anniversary of a landmark 2008 Pew Charitable Trust report that called for an end to the subtherapeutic use of antibiotics by livestock producers, as well as an end to practices such as tiny cages for laying hens.

Congressional hearings followed the release of that report, and the livestock industry went into damagecontrol mode.

Antibiotics are routinely sprinkled into U.S. cattle, hog and poultry feed, not only to prevent and treat illness but to promote growth. Agriculture accounts for 80 per cent of antibiotic sales, according to the limited records available.

The Johns Hopkins’ report said “additional scientific evidence has strengthened the case that these (non-therapeutic) uses pose unnecessary and unreasonable public health risks” of allowing bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics.

“There has been an appalling lack of progress,” said director Robert Lawrence of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, which produced the report.

He said lack of action by Congress and federal regulators and the “intransigence of animal agriculture industry” had made the problems worse.

The panel that wrote

Bernie Peet Peet on Pigs

B

ecause feed cost represents the largest proportion of the overall cost of production, efficient use is key to profitability.

Feed efficiency is influenced by many factors — including diet formulation, availability of amino acids, the feed manufacturing process, pig health, and barn management, Steve Dritz, from Kansas State University, said at the recent Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop.

“Decisions to optimize feed efficiency range from global decisions such as choosing the optimum sire line to management at the barn level that includes environmental and feeder management among others,” he said.

Feed efficiency or feed-togain ratio is simply the amount of feed used to produce one unit of weight gain, but it is important to ensure comparisons with industry data are made on the same basis, said Dritz.

“The accepted way to calculate close-out feed efficiency in a production system is total feed delivered divided by the start weight minus the sale weight,” he said. “However, this doesn’t include dead pig weight.

Accounting for dead pig weight will lead to a better feed-to-gain ratio. However, the improvement is not directly linked to a better economic outcome.”

He also noted feed efficiency is dependent on weight range because feed-to-gain ratio worsens as pigs get heavier.

This means that when comparing farm data, the start and finish weights should be adjusted to be the same, using a formula, in order to make a fair comparison. “Another area to understand when measuring feed efficiency is the influence of dietary energy density,” said Dritz. “Dietary energy will influence growth rate and feed intake and consequently feed per unit of gain. Therefore, many production systems are calculating feed efficiency as calories per unit of gain.”

Also, since different ingredients influencing dietary energy density will also affect carcass yield, a further refinement is to calculate caloric efficiency per unit of carcass gain, he added.

Proper diet formulation

Various aspects of diet formulation will impact feed efficiency, but one important factor is ensuring an adequate supply of amino acids.

“The use of 20 grams of standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine per kilogram of gain appears to be a reasonable estimate of the lysine requirement of finishing pigs,” Dritz said.

“Thus, once a growth curve and feed-intake curve are obtained from pigs within a production system, the lysine requirement curve can be estimated with reasonable accuracy.

Feeder design is an important influence on feed wastage.

the Johns Hopkins report included ranchers, public health experts, the former dean of a veterinary school and former U.S. agriculture secretary, Dan Glickman. Its chairman was former Kansas governor, John Carlin.

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has altered its guidelines to say antibiotics should be used only under the guidance of a veterinarian for prevention, control or treatment of disease, the Johns Hopkins report said there was a loophole. Drugs can be approved for disease prevention on the proviso that they are not being used as part of livestock production.

“This means that while antimicrobial approvals may change... antimicrobial use may not,” said the report.

An FDA spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

A livestock group, the Animal Agriculture Alliance, said in its own report — released to coincide with the Johns Hopkins study — that the FDA guidelines will assure medically important antibiotics are used by farmers and ranchers only to combat disease.

Richard Raymond, a former agriculture undersecretary for food safety, said in the alliance report that antibiotics are part of an array of biological tools for livestock producers.

Raymond listed them along with beta-agonists, a type of feed additive that helps animals gain weight faster, and man-made bovine hormones which are used to boost dairy production.

U.S. dr ugmaker Merck & Co. suspended U.S. and Canadian sales of Zilmax, the leading beta-agonist, on Aug. 16 following concerns about cattle who appeared to be sore footed or were having difficulty walking after being fed the additive.

“The next step is to ensure “After pigs enter the barn, that other essential amino daily chores that influence acids are at a minimum ratio overall feed efficiency include relative to lysine. Although the individual pig treatment and order can vary with different timely euthanasia, ensuring dietary ingredient mixtures, water and feed availability, typically the first five limiting feeding the appropriate diet, amino acids for most practical managing the air quality and diets are lysine, threonine, sul- environmental temperature, phur amino acids, tryptophan, properly adjusting feeders and valine. Due to increasing and handling pigs in a positive economical availability of crys- manner,” he said. “Removing talline lysine, threonine, and a portion of the pigs from all methionine, tryptophan is com- pens during initial marketing monly the limiting amino acid can result in feed savings while in practical diet formulation.” maximizing weight produced Work at Kansas State suggests from the facility. Withdrawing that a minimum ratio for tryp- feed prior to market also can tophan to lysine of 18.5 per cent result in feed savings.” is required for finishing pigs.

Dritz emphasized the imporQuality feed manufacturing tance of feeder design in ministarts with optimizing grain mizing feed wastage, which can particle size, Dritz stressed. be a drain on feed efficiency.

“A general rule of thumb “On a yearly basis, feeders in i s t h a t f e e d e f f i c i e n c y the grow finish barn are each improves 1.2 per cent for each dispensing $12,000 or more of 100-micron decrease in parti- feed,” he said. cle size, worth approximately 75 “When selecting feeders for cents to $1 per pig,” he said. finishing pigs, we follow four “From a practical stand- principles: The adjustment point, we recommend 500 to mechanism should be easy to 600 microns as measured with use and durable, the width of a a 13-high sieve set without a single feeding space should be flow agent for grain fed in meal a minimum of 35 centimetres, Masterfeeds and Ridley’s Canadian feed business, Feed-Rite, have recently merged to create the form. Smaller particle sizes can the depth should be at least 25 be used in finishing pigs pro- centimetres, and there should viding flowability is maintained be trough dividers to give some or when diets are fed in pellet degree of protection to the pig form.” while feeding.” isThe completed, Masterfeeds In addition, he said, when dividers all force the pig and Feed-Rite products and services will remain the same. using pelleted diets, smaller to stand at right angles to particle sizes will improve pellet the feeder to eat, resulting in mill throughput. decreased rooting and pig-toAnother consideration is pig interaction. to ensure adequate mixingMasterfeeds of “Ultimately, optimizing feed feed business, Feed-Rite, have recently merged to create the and Ridley’s Canadian diets, especially with low inclu- efficiency is a multi-faceted Masterfeeds and Ridley’s Canadian feed business, Feed-Rite, have recently merged to create the sion products such as synthetic process that requires comMasterfeeds and Ridley’s Canadian feed business, Feed-Rite, have recen amino acids and phytase. Fre- mitment from all levels of quent monitoring of mixers to production and continuous reevaluate coefficient of variation evaluation to ensure that best and Feed-Rite products and services will remain the same. is completed, all Masterfeeds completed, all Masterfeeds and Feed-Rite products and services will remain the same. is essential, Dritz said. practices areisin place,” Dritz is completed, all Masterfeeds and Feed-Rite products and servic concluded.

Barn management influences efficiency

The stockperson can have a major influence on feed efficiency, he noted.

Bernie Peet is president of Pork Chain Consulting of Lacombe, Alberta and a director of U.K.-based Pig Production Training Ltd.

Masterfeeds and Ridley’s Canadian feed business, Feed-Rite, have recently merged to create the

is completed, all Masterfeeds and Feed-Rite products and services will remain the same.

WesternCanadian.indd 1

2013-10-10 8:53 PM

16

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

WEATHER VANE

Instant info.

With the Manitoba Co-operator mobile app you can stay up to date on all things ag.

Download the free app at agreader.ca/mbc

“ E V E R Y O N E T A L K S A B O U T T H E W E A T H E R , B U T N O O N E D O E S A N Y T H I N G A B O U T I T.” M a r k Tw a i n , 18 9 7

Active pattern with several chances for snow Issued: Monday, October 28, 2013 · Covering: October 30 – November 6, 2013 Daniel Bezte Co-operator contributor

A

s has been the case for the last few forecasts, they start off pretty much on track and then things seem to fall apart for the second half.

This happened once again with last week’s forecast. The system that looked as if it was going to bring the first snows of the season took a much different path and ended up bringing snow to a good part of Alberta last weekend. The low then tracked by to our south keeping us high and dry. What we were not able to avoid, however, was the shot of cold air behind this low, but with no snow cover, we didn’t see the expected bonechilling cold.

Luckily for us the area of arctic high pressure will move off to the east fairly quickly and we should see temperatures return to more seasonable values by the middle of this week. The weather on Halloween looks to be fairly nice, with the high expected to be in the 5 to 8 C range, falling to just above zero by late evening. Winds also look to be fairly light, but wind forecasting this far out is pretty unreliable.

We’ll see a bit of a cool-down on Friday as a cold front slides through. Temperatures will then moderate a little over the weekend as an area of low pressure develops to our west. This low is currently forecast to move quickly through the southern Prairies late in the weekend. Depending on the exact timing and track of this system we could see either all snow, or rain changing to snow. The best chances for precipitation look to be over central regions. It doesn’t look like there will be large accumulations with this system, but a couple of centimetres is possible.

To start next week, arctic high pressure will try to build southwards behind this low, but southerly winds ahead of another area of low pressure developing off of the West Coast will likely keep the coldest air to our north.

Usual temperature range for this period Highs: -1 to 11 C Lows: -11 to 1C Probability of precipitation falling as snow: 60 per cent Daniel Bezte is a teacher by profession with a BA (Hon.) in geography, specializing in climatology, from the U of W. He operates a computerized weather station near Birds Hill Park. Contact him with your questions and comments at daniel@bezte.ca.

WEATHER MAP - WESTERN CANADA

1 Month (30 Days) Accumulated Precipitation (Prairie Region) September 25, 2013 to October 24, 2013

1 - 8 mm 8 - 16 mm 16 - 23 mm 23 - 30 mm 30 - 38 mm 38 - 45 mm 45 - 53 mm 53 - 60 mm 60 - 67 mm 67 - 75 mm 75 - 82 mm 82 - 89 mm 89 - 97 mm 97 - 104 mm 104 - 112 mm 112 - 119 mm 119 - 126 mm 126 - 134 mm Extent of Agricultural Land Lakes and Rivers

Produced using near real-time data that has undergone initial quality control. The map may not be accurate for all regions due to data availability and data errors.

Copyright © 2013 Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Prepared by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s National Agroclimate Information Service (NAIS). Data provided through partnership with Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and many Provincial agencies.

Created: 10/25/13 www.agr.gc.ca/drought

This issue’s map shows the total amount of precipitation that has fallen across the Prairies during the 30-day period ending Oct. 24. Most of the Prairies were dry during this period, with a large portion of Alberta and Saskatchewan reporting less than 15 mm of precipitation. In Manitoba, western and extreme southeastern regions were wet, with areas seeing over 60 mm during this period. The wettest areas were around Swan River and The Pas, where upwards of 125 mm were recorded.

A detailed look at the fifth IPCC report The average sea level has risen 19 cm and the oceans are becoming more acidic

By Daniel Bezte CO-OPERATOR CONTRIBUTOR

A

couple of issues ago, I began to look at the latest release by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In that issue I looked at just what the report is, who creates it, and how it is put together and reviewed before being released.

I then began to explore the first key pieces of information, including how much we have warmed and what the likely cause of the warming is. In this article, I’ll take a look at a few more climate questions and see what the report has to say.

The first couple of questions are about the Earth’s oceans.

What is happening with sea levels? The report states that the global average sea level has risen about 19 cm since 1901 and that the rate of sea level rise has increased from about 1.7 mm/year (when looking at the average increase between 1901 and 2010) to 3.2 mm/year (when looking at the average increase between 1993 and 2010). Projections are that sea levels will rise a further 26 to 98 cm by 2100. This upper extreme of 98 cm is actually

The IPCC indicates that it is very likely that the number of cold days and nights has decreased and the number of warm days and nights has increased globally.

considered a conservative number as there are several studies out there that have upper limits of around 200 cm by 2100.

Looking at a longer scale, the report states that we could expect sea levels to rise by as much as 300 cm by 2300.

Along with sea levels rising the oceans are also undergoing increased acidification from the elevated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. According to the IPCC the world’s oceans have seen a 26 per cent increase in hydrogen ion concentration since the Industrial Revolution, with the average pH dropping from 8.2 to 8.1.

The report indicates that the average ocean pH level will likely drop another 0.06 to 0.3 units. Estimates are that by the end of this century, the oceans will have a lower surface pH

than any time in the past 50 million years.

Now on to a couple of topics that are a little closer to home: extreme weather events and droughts. When it comes to extreme weather events our part of the world has definitely seen our share. Over the past few years we have seen some truly remarkable rainfalls and snowfalls. According to the report, it is likely that the frequency or intensity of heavy precipitation events has increased in North America and Europe. The IPCC indicates that it is very likely that the number of cold days and nights has decreased and the number of warm days and nights has increased globally.

They state that it is likely that the frequency of heat waves has increased in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

With regards to drought, the report didn’t have much in it.

Drought is probably one of the most important possible consequences when it comes to climate change. Almost everything we do requires water, not to mention that without it we wouldn’t live long. An increase in drought length and frequency would have a direct impact on water levels available for both human consumption and for irrigation. What little this first part of the report says about drought is that there is about a 20 per cent chance that we have already observed human-caused increase in frequency and duration of drought, which is actually down from the report released in 2007. The longer-term outlook is that it is likely that dry areas will get drier due to human-caused climate change.

Well, that’s about it for this first part of the IPCC report.

More information will be released in March 2014 when the Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability report is due to be released. So, if you are tired of hearing about this then you have the rest of the winter off!

Speaking about winter, it looks like it’s going to try to

move into southern and central Manitoba over the next week or two, which will be a little early if it does move in. The average date for permanent winter snow cover to form is right around Nov. 13 for most locations across southern and central Manitoba. Looking a little closer at the statistics on this you would find that the standard deviation around this average is about 12 days.

This means that about 68 per cent of the time we could expect winter to start as early as Nov. 1 and as late as Nov. 25. Looking at Winnipeg’s data for the last 33 years, the earliest permanent snowfall occurred on Nov. 1, with the latest one occurring on Dec. 12. One thing is fairly certain, if we see an early snowfall, November will likely end up being colder than average.

This only makes sense since temperatures will stay a fair bit warmer, given the same conditions, when there is no snow on the ground.

Next week we’ll stop to look back at October’s weather and then look ahead to see what November and the rest of winter might have in store for us this year.

17

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

CROPS

CO-OPERATOR STAFF

M

anitoba farmers will plant more acres of soybeans than canola within five years, says Bruce Burnett, the CWB’s director of weather and market analysis.

It’s a bold prediction that Burnett admits is intentionally provocative. But he also says it isn’t all that far fetched, unless between then and now there’s an early killing frost or the economics of production change. Those would temper enthusiasm for the crop that’s already the third largest in the province behind canola and wheat.

“It’s close already,” Burnett said in an interview after addressing the Fields on Wheels conference Oct. 22 in Winnipeg.

This year a record 1.06 million acres of soybeans were insured in Manitoba, compared to 3.26 million acres of canola and 2.8 million for all types of wheat.

“Just a one-million-acre switch (between canola and soybeans) and you’d be there,” Burnett said.

The possibility that in Manitoba soybeans could overtake the made-in-Canada Cinderella crop doesn’t surprise Niverville farmer Grant Dyck. He planted almost half of his 13,000-acre farm to soybeans this year and reaped excellent yields, he said after speaking at Fields on Wheels.

He also harvested a bumper canola crop.

“But it took six years to break 40 (bushels an acre),” Dyck said. “I think it (canola) is just too subject to distress.”

Looks like Canada’s Cinderella crop has some competition, at least in Manitoba.

“It’s close already. Just a onemillion-acre switch (between canola and soybeans) and you’d be there.”

BRUCE BURNETT

Soft spot

Burnett, who admits to having a “soft spot” for soybeans, which he worked on as a University of Manitoba master’s student in 1984, says soybeans are hardier than canola.

“They don’t mind the wetness and they seem to be able to handle the dry spells... quite well,” he said during his formal remarks to the conference.

“There’s a buck a bushel premium in the marketplace (over canola), plus less cost — that equals more soybean acres.”

But the soybean’s biggest advantage is reduced fertilizer costs because it makes its own nitrogen.

And that’s an edge soybeans will have on canola until canola can fix its own nitrogen, Burnett said.

Soybeans could prove to be more attractive as the climate changes too. Soybeans are a heat-loving crop and the Earth is getting warmer, mainly because of rising levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, University of Manitoba geography professor, Danny Blair told the meeting. As

the climate warms the weather becomes more volatile.

Soybeans seem to have fewer pests than canola, but Burnett said that’s likely to change as more acres are seeded.

Supply and demand determines crop prices.

Oilseed crops such as canola and soybeans continue to be in high demand with China being a big buyer of both.

Rise to prominence

The soybean’s rise to prominence in Manitoba is remarkable, given that Burnett and others who experimented with it in the 1980s had limited success. Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation records show 118 farmers insured 10,932 acres of soybeans in 1998. The average yield was 30.1 bushels an acre.

Fast-forward 15 years to a record 1.06 million acres of soybeans, up 29 per cent from the year previous, which was the previous record year.

PHOTO: ALLAN DAWSON

Manitoba’s long-term average soybean yield is not much lower than canola’s 34.6 bushels an acre. But averages can be misleading. In wetter areas, such as the RM of Brokenhead northwest of Winnipeg, the five-year average soybean yield is 27.1 versus 24.7 for canola.

In 2011, soybeans accounted for almost 30,000 acres in Brokenhead making it the No. 1 crop followed by canola and wheat at 16,312 and 15,282 acres.

Taking into account the need to rotate crops to deter pests, ultimately what farmers grow boils down to profitability. Yield times price minus costs equals profit.

Soybeans yields and prices have been competitive with canola, but in 2012 soybeans cost 24 per cent less to grow, according to Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives’ cost-ofproduction estimate. It put soybeans’ variable costs at $176.45 an acre compared to $231.80 for canola. The biggest difference is fertilizer costs — just $11 an acre for soybeans versus $83 for canola.

While soybeans will continue to move west, Burnett expects canola acres will continue to dominate. Other agronomists agree, saying drier growing conditions and fewer heat units favour canola. But 20 years ago how many people predicted there would be 1.06 million acres of soybeans seeded in Manitoba?

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18

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Cigi hoping new program to train North African millers will boost grain and pulse exports Cigi CEO says project will allow organization to help develop new markets for Canadian durum wheat and pulses in North African countries

By Lorraine Stevenson CO-OPERATOR STAFF

T

he Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) is taking its durum technical training program to North Africa thanks to $6.4 million in federal funding.

The funding will be used to deliver training — historically offered at its downtown Winnipeg building — at L’Institut

de Formation de l’industrie Meunière, a training site in Casablanca owned by the Moroccan National Federation of Millers.

“We’re taking the knowledge transfer that we do here in Winnipeg, and delivering that right there in Casablanca,” said Earl Geddes, chief executive officer for Cigi.

It’s hoped the project will pave the way for increased trade with a significant trade partner, he said.

“We’re taking the knowledge transfer that we do here in Winnipeg, and delivering that right there in Casablanca.”

EARL GEDDES

Cigi campus, north facade.

CEO Cigi

PHOTO: CIGI

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The five-year training commitment is aimed at building the skills of Moroccan millers so they can achieve optimum flour quality. Durum wheat is used to make pasta and couscous in the country.

The opportunity enables Cigi to offer training to potentially hundreds more than they could in Winnipeg, Geddes said, adding the idea arose from conversations with Morocco about the increased difficulty North Africans have trying to get visas to come here.

“On any given year, we’ll see 20 to 40 people from Algeria or Morocco or North Africa at Cigi,” he said.

“What we saw as the opportunity here was — instead of touching 15 or 20 North African parcipants each year through our programming in Winnipeg — to touch 200 or more right on site in North Africa.”

The closer-to-home training will offer vocational training, information, as well as technical expertise and applied research services to the durum wheat sector in Morocco and other North African countries, boosting employment and increasing the economic value of the country’s domestic durum industry.

There is high demand in Morocco for skilled employees in the country’s milling industry and desire to see milling practices improved and modernized, an area in which Canadian expertise is widely recognized, according to a government news release.

The initiative will also create training opportunities for a much broader cross-section of people, Geddes said.

“There will be women and young people and men from right across North Africa coming in.”

Canadian Western Amber durum wheat is Canada’s largest agricultural export to Morocco.

Canadian exports to the country totalled $220 million in 2012.

The other key component of the project focuses on the processing and use of pulse crops, and that could also increase sales of Canadian pulses in North Africa, Geddes said. “ We’ l l h a v e t h i s v a s t l y expanded contact with potential customers of Canadian grain, both durum and spring wheat, and pulses,” he said.

The training facility, built a number of years ago by the U.S. Wheat Associates, specializes in training and technical assistance in cereals. Cigi plans to partner with the Moroccan millers’ federation.

“We’re identifying key technical people in their industry that we can bring here to Winnipeg to do the train-the-trainer work,” Geddes said “Then they’ll have people on the ground that can continue to do this fairly intensive kind of technical training right there in Casablanca for the region.”

The program is called the Capacity Building for Milling Durum Wheat and Pulse Crops project. lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

19

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Grain marketer sees two million more canola acres next year FarmLink Marketing Solutions is forecasting canola acreage will top the two-million mark, with most of that coming from spring wheat commodity news service canada

T

he future is going to be even more golden, according to FarmLink Marketing Solutions, which is expecting farmers to up their canola plantings by more than two million acres next year.

The Winnipeg grain-marketing company is forecasting canola acreage to hit 22.05 million acres — up from this year’s 19.74 million acres and the five-year average of 18.85 million.

The company predicts much of that acreage will come from spring wheat (it’s forecasting 24.3 million acres versus 25.97 million this year). It also forecasts soybean, sunflowers and flax area to increase with corn,

r ye, oats and barley acres decreasing.

T h e re a re a n u m b e r o f trends at play heading into next year, including improving genetics for soybeans and corn that will allow those crops to expand into new areas, the company said in a press release. But the price will have to be attractive enough to encourage growers to plant the crops, it added.

Another trend is the spread of higher-yielding mid-grade wheat and unregistered varieties. Returns from soft white, CPS and winter wheat for 2014 are near the top of the range of options, and the growth is stealing acres from barley and CWRS, the company says.

But there are factors that

Canadian seeded area by crop 2014-15 in thousands of acres, estimate as of Oct. 22

could change its estimates, said Brenda Tjaden Lepp, the 2012 company’s chief analyst.

Barley 7,405 “First is this year’s carry- Winter Wheat 2,087 out. In several sectors, there Spring Wheat 16,961 is the risk of ballooning 2013- Durum 4,680 14 ending stocks, to the point Oats 2,854 that full bins would reduce Canola 21,531 f a r m e r s’ p l a n t i n g i n t e n - Peas 3,340 tions,” she said. “Secondly, is Lentils 2,515 where corn bottoms and sta- Flax 980 bilizes, because this could Edible Beans 300 weigh on cereal prices harder Mustard 334 and longer, hurting projected Canaryseed 300 returns for 2014-15.

Sunflowers 110 “Both influences seem to Chickpeas 200 point to more of a shift out of 345 cereals into canola, but any Rye Corn 3,546 market that were to hold up 4,291 in the face of depressed cereal Soybeans 4,585 markets would likely see 2014 Summerfallow 76,364 acres come in above current Total T:8.125” Source: FarmLink Marketing Solutions. projections.”

2013 7,065 1,973 19,000 5,000 3,338 19,740 3,345 2,380 1,025 249 340 300 75 205 270 3,630 4,494 4,245 76,674

5-Yr Avg 7,614 1,797 17,039 4,668 3,490 18,851 3,294 2,571 1,134 292 426 384 120 216 315 3,296 4,070 7,340 75,084

2014 6,900 2,000 17,500 4,800 3,125 22,050 3,300 2,400 1,170 335 330 350 150 205 265 3,350 4,450 4,500 77,180

Canola testing high for oil content

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his year’s canola crop has higher-than-average oil content, according to preliminary data compiled by the Canadian Grain Commission.

The commission has tested 1,140 samples (247 from Manitoba, 538 from Saskatchewan, and 355 from Alberta ) as of Oct. 21, with roughly 95.4 per cent grading No. 1, although samples arriving later may be graded lower due to green seed or other damage. Canola grading No. 1 had a mean oil content of 45.1 per cent (on an 8.5 per cent moisture basis), above the 10-year average of 43.9 per cent and last year’s level of 43.5 per cent.

Crude protein levels for No. 1 canola averaged 19.4 per cent, which is lower than the 2012 mean of 21.3 per cent and below the 10-year average of 21.0 per cent. Protein content on an oilfree basis is 38.3 per cent, which is lower than last year’s mean of 40.6 per cent and the 10-year mean of 40.3 per cent (on 8.5 per cent moisture basis).

Currently, No. 1 canola has a mean chlorophyll content of 11.7 parts per million (ppm) which is lower than the 2012 mean of 17.4 ppm and the 10-year average of 14.6 ppm.

However, there are some differences from region to region where some areas may show higher chlorophyll content than others.

Early samples are showing a lower iodine value on the year, with a mean of 111.9 units, which compares to last year’s mean of 113.3 units. The 10-year average for iodine value is 113.6 units.

Glucosinolate content for 2013 has a mean of 9.9 millimoles per gram which is similar to the 10-year average of 10.9 mmoles/g.

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20

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

BRIEFS

RAINDROPS ON BERRIES

CFIA switch brings independence into question

By Alex Binkley

CO-OPERATOR CONTRIBUTOR / OTTAWA

Some berries on the Bennie yard that the robins left behind.

Placing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency under the jurisdiction of the health minister jeopardizes its independence, food industry experts are warning.

Until recently, the agency reported to the agriculture minister and was responsible for enforcing food safety standards set by Health Canada.

The government says putting the agency under Health Canada will “further strengthen food safety for Canadians,” but some food industry officials are questioning that premise.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, they said the agency will now be less likely to publicly criticize or disagree with Health Department rules.

A better choice would be to have the agency report to Parliament, as the Transportation Safety Board does, they said. Part of the board’s role is to recommend actions Transport Canada should take to correct safety deficiencies.

PHOTO: SHARLENE BENNIE

CEREALS Nor thAmerica 2 13

CWB raises PROs for wheat and canola

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CWB has raised its Pool Return Outlooks (PROs) for canola, wheat and durum in its latest update.

In the Oct. 24 update, PROs for wheat in the Annual Pool were up $2 per tonne from its Oct. 10 report. CWB said it raised wheat PROs due to U.S. futures remaining firm over the past two weeks amid uncertainty surrounding the size of Argentina’s wheat crop.

Continued strong export demand in the U.S. and weakness in the Canadian dollar were also factors.

Farmers who choose to market their wheat through the Annual Futures Choice Pools can expect to achieve a final return for No. 1 CWRS 13.5 in-store port position made up of the December 2013 futures value they lock in plus $15 per tonne, the report said.

PROs for canola in the Annual Pool were increased by $5 per tonne from the previous report due to recent strength in the futures market.

Durum PROs were moved $5 to $8 higher, due to news of fresh export demand from the U.S. and Mexico, the report said. Prices reflect the widening of the spread between high- and lowquality durum.

Projected returns for field peas and malting barley were unchanged.

21

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Bunge’s new chief challenges status quo Soren Schroder is on a mission to improve shareholder returns from one of the world’s largest and oldest agricultural trading firms

By Tom Polansek CHICAGO / REUTERS

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oren Schroder is shaking up Bunge Ltd. five months after taking the helm of the 195-year-old agricultural trading house.

After vowing in February that he would make no major strategy changes when he became chief executive, the company’s first new leader in 14 years has said that financial results must improve and chopped capital expenditure plans.

Schroder told a quarterly earnings call Oct. 24 that the status quo was unacceptable for Bunge’s loss-making Brazilian sugar-milling business and that he will explore options, including a sale, for the business.

Schroder, 52, also has ramped up discussions about share

Mosaic to buy CF’s phosphate business CF will concentrate on its core nitrogen business

repurchases to the delight of investors who have watched as Bunge shares have failed to keep pace with those of rival Archer Daniels Midland Co. Bunge shares are up 13 per cent so far this year, compared to gains of nearly 46 per cent for ADM. Analysts say the changes are promising signs for Bunge, one of the world’s top oilseed processors and a major agricultural force in South America. Global grain companies need aggressive management amid intense competition to feed fast-developing countries like China, they said.

Bunge has launched a “strategic shift toward a focus on returns and returning capital to shareholders,” BMO Capital Markets analyst Ken Zaslow said Oct. 25.

“There are initial signs that new CEO Soren Schroder appears both more inclined and more capable of returning cash to shareholders,” Zaslow said.

Schroder, who studied economics at Connecticut College, took over from Alberto Weisser, 58, as CEO on June 1. Weisser transformed Bunge into one of the world’s largest agricultural trading houses from a regional operator over 14 years as CEO and will serve as executive chairman through the end of the year.

Schroder’s annual base salary is $1 million, compared to $1.2 million for Weisser. Like Weisser, he is eligible for substantial bonuses.

A former employee of rival Cargill, Schroder joined Bunge in 2000 and led the company’s North America operations for

three years before becoming CEO.

Team effort

Schroder, in an interview Oct. 24 after Bunge reported thirdquarter earnings, said the company was making a team effort to improve results.

Bunge reported revenue during the quarter slipped to $14.7 billion from $16.5 billion a year earlier, and came in below analysts’ average forecast of $16.9 billion, according to Thomson Reuters.

“The team is looking at the business very seriously, is committed to driving returns,” Schroder told Reuters. “We’re being very frank about what’s working and what’s not.”

Schroder cut capital expenditure plans for 2014 to $900 million after reducing plans

“The team is looking at the business very seriously, is committed to driving returns.”

SOREN SCHRODER

for 2013 by 16 per cent to $1 billion. He said the company would postpone projects, such as expanding oilseed processing in China, with the goal of “buying time to grow into our own capacity.”

North America and Brazil remain two areas of focus for growth because acquisitions would be “natural add-ons” to Bunge’s food and ingredients business in the regions, Schroder said. In North America, Bunge is open to adding rice, wheat and corn mills, he said.

advance

your yield.

By Rod Nickel REUTERS

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osaic Co. said Oct. 28 it would buy the phosphate business of fellow U.S. fertilizer company CF Industries Holdings Inc. for $1.2 billion in cash.

Shares of Mosaic, the world’s biggest producer of finished p h o s p h a t e p ro d u c t s, ro s e 1.7 per cent to $46.75 in trading before the market opened, while CF was up 2.7 per cent at $215.32.

Minnesota-based Mosaic will acquire the South Pasture phosphate mine and plant, a phosphate manufacturing plant and ammonia terminal and warehouse facilities, all in Florida.

The facilities produce about 1.8 million tonnes of phosphate fertilizer per year, topping up the annual 8.2 million tonnes produced by Mosaic and adding about 30 cents per share to its 2015 earnings, the company said.

Mosaic will also commit $200 million to cover the closure and long-term care of phosphogypsum stacks under CF’s Florida operations.

The deal signals Illinoisbased CF’s increased focus on its core nitrogen fertilizer products and comes after Mosaic has said it was looking to increase its production of phosphate, one of three critical crop nutrients.

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22

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

BRIEFS

WEATHER CHANGE BREWING

New hope in the search for Ug99 stem rust resistance Canadian scientists have discovered a trio of genes that resists devastating disease AAFC release

Clouds on the horizon near Cypress River last week.

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It’s estimated that 90 per cent of global wheat varieties are at risk of contracting a devastating stem rust disease, Ug99. Discovered in Uganda in 1999, it has already affected crops from Africa to Western Asia – and it’s spreading.

While the disease hasn’t reached North America yet, a team of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists have made a breakthrough discovery in the international effort to control the disease by identifying and isolating three new genes with high levels of resistance not previously used in wheat breeding.

Tom Fetch, who leads the AAFC team, said many wheat varieties across the globe became susceptible because they only contained one gene with resistance that was overcome by Ug99. “The goal is to use genes in combination to create a multigene stack of resistance,” he said.

In the past year, AAFC has sent seed of the resistant Canadian varieties to wheat breeders in the United States and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) to develop improved local varieties in affected areas and in developing countries that are most at risk.

This research goes beyond enhancing the security and protection of Canada’s food supply; international collaboration like this will help meet the global challenge of doubling food production over the next 40 years to meet the demands of a growing population.

The discovery of the genes marks a huge step in controlling Ug99 and is a significant return on investment. The Government of Canada committed $13 million in 2009 to reduce the vulnerability of Canadian farmers to stem rust diseases of wheat.

Since then, AAFC scientists have identified resistance in Canadian wheat lines, but also ensured new varieties have at least two effective resistance genes, and collaborated with an international effort on all aspects of wheat rust research – from pathology to variety development and distribution.

AAFC is one of 23 prominent research organizations around the world participating in the Durable Rust Resistance in Wheat project.

23

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Canadian Grain Commission reminds elevators about rules for storing grain outside This year’s big crop means more elevators are storing grain on the ground this fall

By Allan Dawson co-operator staff

A

bumper crop has the Canadian Grain Commission reminding grain companies of the rules for storing grain outside.

“Before storing grain on the ground, a licensed elevator must request an exemption in writing, advising the Canadian Grain Commission of the kind of grain to be stored on the ground and the date the grain to be stored on the ground is received,” the commission said in a news release.

The commission also wants to know when grain stored outside is being shipped to an export terminal and its location, said Randy Dennis, Canada’s chief grain inspector.

“We’ve got the ability to go and collect samples ourselves or to monitor it,” Dennis said.

“That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with it, but when the grain is being loaded to vessels then we’ve got that knowledge.”

Grain companies have been calling the commission to find out what rules apply, and about a half-dozen have received exemptions allowing them to store grain outside their elevators, he said.

ited that grain from entering an elevator later. The restriction was meant to discourage outside grain storage, but was hard to enforce and so was changed to ensure better compliance.

Farmers storing grain outside led to problems with deer excreta in grain shipments during the 1997-98 crop year. Deer dung found in two barley shipments to Japan in 1997 cost the Canadian Wheat Board, and ultimately farmers, $1.8 million.

Later that crop year, the commission essentially adopted a zero-tolerance policy for deer excreta in grain shipments. Primary elevators were given the authority to reject deliveries of excreta-contaminated grain and export terminals could ship contaminated carloads back to country elevators. allan@fbcpublishing.com

The Canadian Grain Commission is reminding grain companies they must get an exemption from the commission to store grain outside. Paterson GlobalFoods has received that exemption. There’s approximately 650,000 bushels in this pile at Paterson’s terminal in Morris. The company has a similar pile at its Winnipeg terminal. photo: allan dawson

“Everybody has the same goal of wanting to ensure there’s a quality product that’s being received and exported so the customers don’t have concerns because the customers see this news as well.”

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Mandatory inward inspection was eliminated Aug. 1 to save terminal operators, and ultimately farmers, money. However, terminals still do their own inward inspection, or hire a third-party inspector, so any contaminated grain should still be spotted, Dennis said.

“They’re still doing the work to make sure the quality is there,” he said. “Everybody has the same goal of wanting to ensure there’s a quality product that’s being received and exported so the customers don’t have concerns because the customers see this news as well.”

The commission is also warning grain buyers that farmers could be storing more grain on the ground this year, too.

“Under the Canada Grain Act, a licensed grain-handling facility cannot receive grain that is contaminated,” the commission said in its release. “As well, a licensed elevator can refuse to receive grain that is out of condition, or is likely to go out of condition.”

Before a policy change in 2000, the commission would sometimes allow grain companies to store non-wheat board grain outside, but then prohib-

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24

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Potential of straw for energy has been underestimated

ALMOST THERE

A European study found that it can be a sustainable energy source Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research release

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traw from agriculture could play an important role in the future energy mix, a newly released study from Germany says.

Up until now it has been underutilized as a biomass residue and waste material. These were the conclusions of a study conducted by the TLL (Thueringian regional institute for agriculture), the DBFZ (German biomass research centre) and the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ).

According to them, from a total of 30 million tons of cereal straw produced annually in Germany, between eight million and 13 million tons of it could be used sustainably for energy or fuel production.

This potential could for example provide 1.7 million to 2.8 million average households with electricity and at the same time 2.8 million to 4.5 million households with heating. These results highlight the potential contribution of straw to renewable sources of energy, scientists state in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Applied Energy.

For their respective study, scientists analyzed the development of residual substances resulting from German agriculture. Accounting for 58 per cent, straw can be regarded as the most important resource, and yet so far it has hardly been used for energy production.

From 1950 to 2000 there was a noticeable rise in the cultivation of winter wheat, rye and winter barley in Germany which then remained relatively constant. To remove any bias from weather fluctuations, the average values were taken from 1999, 2003 and 2007.

On average, approx. 30 megatons of cereal straw per year were produced in these years. Due to the fact that not all parts of the straw can be used and the fact that straw also plays an important role as bedding in livestock farming, only about half of these 30 megatons are actually available in the end.

It must be taken into consideration that cereal straw plays an important role in the humus balance of soils. For this reason some of the straw must be left scattered on the agricultural land to prevent nutrients from being permanently extracted from the soil.

Harvest is wrapping up for farmers across the province.

PHOTO: JEANNETTE GREAVES

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25

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Dreyfus chairwoman sees revenue rise to around $60 billion this year It has expanded trading as well as production capacity ZURICH / REUTERS

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Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, chairwoman of Louis Dreyfus Commodities, photographed in 2010 attending the French Ligue 1 soccer match between her team, Olympique Marseille and Paris St. Germain in Paris.

PHOTO: REUTERS/GONZALO FUENTES

rading giant Louis Dreyfus Commodities expects revenue to increase to roughly $60 billion this year, its controlling shareholder, Margarita LouisDreyfus, said in a newspaper interview on Sunday.

“We have expanded trading with considerably more production capacity, which is a unique combination. That has enabled this rapid growth,” Louis-Dreyfus, chairwoman of the traditionally secretive pr ivately owned company, is quoted as saying in Neue Zuercher Zeitung am Sonntag.

Last year, Dreyfus recorded $57.14 billion in net sales and a net profit of $1.096 billion, according to its website.

Louis-Dreyfus, the widow of former head Robert LouisDreyfus, also said the familycontrolled Akira Trust wants t o i n c re a s e i t s s t a k e f ro m roughly 65 per cent currently by buying out family members not in the trust.

“A s m a n y a s p o s s i b l e ,” Louis-Dreyfus says in response to a question on how many shares the family trust is prepared to buy.

“It’s defined how we — and that we — can buy additional shares. We are prepared to do so at any time,” she said.

Earlier this month Dreyfus, a 160-year-old company with French roots and trading operations in Switzerland, disclosed a 13 per cent drop in first-half net profit,

citing a drought in the United States.

Last month, the commodities trader named Serge Schoen as the supervisory board chair man of its commodities holding, a leading strategy role. The executive has in past said Dreyfus might need to go public, following rivals such as Glencore, sometime in the next five years to improve access to capital.

D re y f u s , t h e “D” o f t h e so-called ABCD majors that dominate trade in agricult u ra l p ro d u c t s w h i c h a l s o c o m p r i s e s A rc h e r D a n i e l s Midland, Bunge and Cargill, plans to invest in assets ranging from orange groves to sugar refiners to expand, according to a memo seen by Reuters in July.

BRIEFS

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Egypt moves ahead on silo project CAIRO / REUTERS / Egypt intends to build 10 silos to store a total of 300,000 tonnes of wheat under the second phase of its plan to reduce reliance on imports.

The overall scheme seeks to construct 50 silos.

The world’s biggest wheat importer usually buys about 10 million tonnes of the grain a year from international markets and uses a mixture of domestic and imported wheat for its subsidized bread program, which feeds millions of people.

It reduced imports in the past year as the government of former president Mohamed Mursi bet on a higher domestic crop — but the move has left the country at least 900,000 tonnes short of the wheat, experts say.

Russia to ban beef and pork from 10 Brazilian meat plants

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MOSCOW / SAO PAULO / REUTERS / Russia will limit beef and pork imports from 10 Brazilian suppliers because of an unspecified breach of rules.

Russia, one of Brazil’s largest meat export markets, had expected to buy more meat from the South American country after Moscow banned imports from most U.S., Canadian and Mexican suppliers over feed additive fears.

The veterinary and phytosanitary service said the temporary measure for 10 meat plants would be imposed after an inspection revealed a breach of the rules, which it did not describe.

26

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

BRIEFS

SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE

Strong demand boosting flax prices

By Brandon Logan COMMODITY NEWS SERVICE CANADA

As days grow cooler, being on the outside of the window looking in doesn’t appear to appeal to this cat.

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PHOTO: JEANNETTE GREAVES

Increased European demand is boosting flax prices, says the president of the Flax Council of Canada.

“From what I’m understanding, Eastern Europe’s crop is not as good as it was two years ago, so they’re continuing to have some problems with quality,” said Will Hill.

“We have good demand out of China, we have good demand out of the U.S., and I think that with any kind of problems in Eastern Europe, we’re going to see European demand again for Canadian seed, and I think that’s probably what’s holding up the flax price.”

Agriculture and AgriFood Canada estimates flax exports will reach 575,000 tonnes for the 2013-14 crop year, a hefty increase from the 481,000 tonnes exported in the last crop year.

On the production side, Statistics Canada puts this year’s yields at a record 26.4 bushels per acre, but production is estimated at just 664,300 tonnes, which would only be the fifth-largest flax crop in the last 10 years.

Farmers cut back on flax acres after CDC Triffid, a genetically modified variety, was discovered in a shipment to Europe in 2009, causing sales to the EU to plunge.

“We don’t have a huge crop in Canada and we’re not even close to where we were acreage-wise say pre-2009, so I don’t think the supply is burdensome,” said Hill. “As long as we don’t see something unexpected coming from Eastern Europe, I think that’ll continue to put a bit of strength into the market.”

As of Oct. 23, f.o.b. flax in Manitoba and Saskatchewan was worth $12.75 per bushel, up 25 cents from a week earlier.

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Loonie predicted to fall to 93 cents COMMODITY NEWS SERVICE CANADA

The Canadian dollar has weakened sharply relative to its U.S. counterpart over the past few days, and is expected to continue to decline heading into the new year, according to a currency analyst.

The Canadian dollar was trading at 95.91 U.S. cents on Oct. 24, having lost over 1.25 cents in two days. Much of the weakness was due to a change in stance on interest rate hikes from the Bank of Canada, as well as disappointing Canadian trade statistics.

“We look for the currency to continue to weaken,” said Mark Chandler of RBC Dominion Securities. RBC expects the dollar to fall to 93 cents towards the end of this year, or in the first quarter of 2014, as the U.S. moves closer to ending its quantitative easing program, he said.

27

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Favourable outlook for Prairie mustard Exports should remain fairly steady, which should in turn keep spot prices steady for the near term

By Brandon Logan commodity news service canada

H

igh yields and good prices are making for a good season for Prairie mustard growers.

“Prices in the spot market have stayed in the 38- (Canadian) cent area for yellow and brown mustard, so I think that indicates that by no means have we got a lot of extra mustard out there,” said Walter Dyck, mustard buyer with Wisconsinbased Olds Products. “Considering their yields, and the fact that a lot of them did contract a portion of their production at higher prices than 38 cents, I think it was an excellent year for growers.”

According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s final crop progress report for 2013, yields average 1,300 pounds per acre, which is substantially higher than the 10-year provincial average of 777 pounds per acre.

Dyck added that there are some crops in southeastern Saskatchewan that still need to be harvested, but for the most part, the majority is combined and good in quality.

“The little bit of harvesting that still needed to take place was happening out here the last few weeks,” he said. “Some of it is being taken off a little bit on the wet side, but it’s that time of the year to just bring in the last little bit.”

Dyck said Canadian exports should remain fairly steady, which should in turn keep spot prices steady for the near term.

“Canada’s export market is very stable, so around 120,000 to 125,000 tonnes of mustard exports are expected,” he said. “I think for the near term, it seems like 38 cents will buy the mustard that’s needed for the short term.

“For the long term, we’ll have to wait and see what happens with other commodities as we get into 2014. I don’t see too much happening with prices unless we have some significant moves in other commodities.”

Looking ahead to the 201415 crop, Dyck said competitive prices will be needed for growers if they want to increase acreage.

FarmLink Marketing Solutions released its 2014-15 acreage estimates last week and next season’s crop is pegged at 330,000 acres, down from 340,000 acres in 201314, and far below the five-year average of 426,000 acres.

“Regardless of the high yields this year, acres weren’t that high,” Dyck said. “In fact, they were just slightly up from the previous year, so we have to have a very serious contract price out there (for 2014-15).

As of Oct. 25, Prairie Ag Hotwire had f.o.b. yellow mustard valued at 38 and 39 cents per pound, brown at 36 to 37 cents per pound, and the oriental variety at 27 to 29 cents per pound, with all prices being steady for the past month.

New China H7N9 bird flu cases ‘signal potential winter epidemic’ Human cases of new bird flu strain dwindled during summer

By Kate Kelland london / reuters

F

resh human cases in eastern China of a deadly new strain of bird flu signal the potential for “a new epidemic wave” of the disease in coming winter months, scientists said Oct. 24.

The strain, known as H7N9, emerged for the first time in humans earlier this year and killed around 45 of the some 135 people it infected before appearing to peter out in China during the summer.

But a new case in October in a 35-year-old man from China’s eastern Zhejiang province shows that the virus “has re-emerged in winter 2013” and “indicates a possible risk of a larger outbreak of H7N9 this winter,” according to Chinese researchers writing in the

online journal Euro surveillance.

Flu experts around the world have been warning that despite the marked drop off in cases during the summer months, the threat posed by H7N9 bird flu has not passed.

Ab Osterhaus, a leading virologist based at the Erasmus Medical Centre in the Netherlands who has been tracking the virus, told Reuters earlier this month: “We’re bracing for what’s going to happen next.”

The first scientific analysis of probable transmission of the new flu from person to person, published in the British Medical Journal in August, gave the strongest proof yet that it can jump between people and so could potentially cause a human pandemic.

And another study published in August identified several other

H7 flu viruses circulating in birds that “may pose threats beyond the current outbreak.”

In a detailed analysis of the 35-year-old man’s case, scientists from the Zhejiang Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said it differed from previous ones in that it was a severe case in a younger patient “with no obvious underlying diseases and no obvious recent direct contact with live poultry.”

Most laboratory-confirmed cases in the past had been people over the age of 60, many of whom said they’d had recent exposure to poultry, generally at live bird markets.

The case of the 35-year-old man, plus another H7N9 infection confirmed just a day ago, suggest the virus “has apparently continued to circulate in an animal reservoir during the summer,” the researchers said.

The second October case is a 67-year-old man with no underlying disease whose work included transporting and selling poultry.

The researchers said that based on China’s experience in the spring, when there were 30 cases in March and 88 in April, the best approach now would be to maintain enhanced and expanded surveillance in human and animal populations to make sure any new cases of H7N9 are picked up and diagnosed swiftly.

“In particular, enhanced surveillance in poultry would be helpful if it can identify the H7N9 virus and inform early control measures before human infections occur,” the Chinese scientists said.

“Hygiene campaigns and closure of live poultry markets can reduce the risk of severe cases and deaths.”

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28

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

France seeks lost wheat protein; exporter ranking at stake This year’s wheat crop shows further drop in protein level

By Gus Trompiz and Valerie Parent

“There is a real risk for us on the world market if we don’t get back to 11.5 per cent.”

paris / reuters

T

he lowest level of protein in French wheat for years has drawn the government into a debate on tackling a decline in crop quality that producers and traders fear will cost the European Union’s top exporter lucrative overseas sales.

Protein content is a basic measure of wheat’s suitability for making bread and a key requirement for importers in Africa and the Middle East that France targets in competition with North American and eastern European suppliers.

Average protein content in this year’s French harvest was 11.2 per cent, the lowest since at least 2009 and around the minimum accepted by buyers. Poor growing weather was a factor, but the continuation of a declining trend has caused alarm in the grain sector and prompted the government to call for action.

“The issue is clear: we’re on a slippery slope in terms of protein content,” said Remi Haquin, a farmer and chairman of the cereals committee at farm agency FranceAgriMer. “There is a real risk for us on the world market if we don’t get back to 11.5 per cent. That’s the

Remi Haquin

A farmer and chairman of the cereals committee at farm agency FranceAgriMer

A French farmer combining in August. Low protein in French wheats in recent years could cost the country exports. photo: REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

standard for the French milling industry and for the Frenchstyle bread you find in the specifications of our customers in the Maghreb and Egypt.”

France exports about half of the roughly 36 million tonnes of wheat it produces annually, and in recent years has sent most of its exports outside the EU to meet emerging-market needs.

But the dip in protein has highlighted its relatively ordinary wheat quality.

The government has asked FranceAgriMer to put wheat protein in strategic plans for farming to be outlined by yearend.

“We know now that the protein levels in our wheat are

too low,” Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll told a parliamentary committee last week.

“There is the danger of losing markets, so we have to improve the situation.”

Prices for protein

Lower protein does not look like harming French exports this season, since EU wheat is being snapped up thanks to brisk demand and supply snags around the world.

But traders say this be may a lucky escape and France’s successful export model of highvolume, homogenous wheat needs to be changed to match B:10.25” the quality offered by competiT:10.25” tors.

“French wheat gives you the basic quality,” one trader said.

“The problem in future is that its clientele may be limited.”

Despite unstable output linked to a harsher climate, lower-cost exporters Russia and Ukraine are expanding their reach and unnerved French traders with sales to Morocco last season.

Unable to undercut its eastern European competitors on price, France will have to protect its wheat quality to keep core clients like Algeria and develop other outlets, they say.

All parties agree on the causes of the drop in wheat protein — including an erratic climate, less fertilizer use and a focus on yields — and that technical solutions are readily available.

Some 40 per cent of wheat fields in France already benefit from fertilizer precision tools — like satellite data on plant nitrogen absorption — and more uptake could bring results, said Jacques Mathieu, managing director of crop institute Arvalis.

“Our objective is in the next two years to set in motion a trend to at least stabilize and if possible raise again wheat protein. So we’re talking about the short term,” Mathieu said.

The backing of the Farm Ministry and specialists like Arvalis should raise awareness of quality issues, but getting growers to adopt en masse protein measures will partly depend on linking prices more to quality, traders and crop experts say.

Cash markets for wheat in France either do not impose a protein level or set an 11 per cent minimum, and price differences between these markets are modest, in contrast to clearer price scales used in other exporting countries.

“Pricing will need to be more nuanced,” the trader said. “If you don’t have a price differential between animal-feed wheat, standard wheat and higher-category wheat, nobody is going to produce the higher grade.”

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29

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

COUNTRY CROSSROADS CON N EC T I NG RU R A L FA M I L I E S

Winter

is coming, and yes, we need to talk about it Winter takes its toll on mental as well as physical health but there are ways we can make the season more livable

Photo: Thinkstock

By Lorraine Stevenson co-operator staff

F

alling temperatures and shorter days mean winter is on the doorstep and wants to come in.

Some welcome it. Others want it to go away already.

There’s a whole range of ways we experience winter, from loving all the sports and festivities that go with it, to dreading its arrival, say mental health workers in Manitoba.

“I think the majority of us are somewhere in the middle,” says Janet Smith, program manager of Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services, a province-wide online and phone counselling service.

Riskier road travel and lanes to plow notwithstanding, winter on the farm can be welcomed, she says.

“It’s a more peaceful time in many ways,” says Smith. “Most of us love summer, but it’s also a very busy time, and it’s also very social. We can spread ourselves pretty thin in the summer.

So if you’re feeling a bit burnt out from summer, you get to slow down and have a little bit of quiet time in winter.

It’s also a time when you can do some planning for the following season.”

The downside can be the isolation and more time to worry. Then your thoughts can go down a slope as slippery as the road to town.

“It’s when you’re less busy and spending more time alone, that there’s a tendency to ruminate and think about things that maybe haven’t gone well in your life, or recent events,” she says.

If you sense your mental health deteriorating — in winter or any time of year — you need to reach out for help, says Smith. Signs can be feelings of lethargy, extreme fatigue, sadness, or anger.

Lifestyle change

Winter takes a heavier toll on older Manitobans, says Eileen Clarke, mayor of Gladstone, a community focused on improved year-round livability through its age-friendly strategies. Clarke says every autumn she can sense anxiety as winter approaches.

“As soon as people are clearing up their gardens, and the temperature is dropping and the days are shorter, you can feel their mood dropping,” she says.

It’s not the cold or dark so much as the social isolation to come, she says. More become ‘shut-ins’ when highway conditions make them think twice about going somewhere. Others avoid walking outdoors for fear of falling. People can’t visit, and spend a lot of time indoors, she says.

“It’s that anticipation of a long term of a totally different lifestyle,” says Clarke. “People lose their independence. They can feel very alone and their days can be very long.”

Her community does what it can, she says, including offering lots of weekly activities for older citizens, a Handivan service, and making snow removal (including sidewalks and a community pathway) a top priority.

Cold comfort

“The key to enjoying winter is to have thermal comfort, a visually stimulating environment, and plenty of recreation and leisure activities,” according to the website of the Winter Cities Institute, an international think-tank that has studied the best practices of northern cities.

About 750 million people have to deal with our type of winter, and the institute says Canadians can learn from their Nordic cousins.

There’s a Swedish saying that ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing,’ but there’s more to getting through the season than heavy outer- and under-wear, cleats for shoes, and walking aids.

More ski trails and ice rinks, outdoor winter landscaping and decoration, and more activities that bring the community together all make winter more livable, according to the institute.

“It’s worth taking a look at how friendly a community is in winter. Does everything shut down?”

Janet Smith

Program manager, Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services

The most well-adapted places provide for their most vulnerable citizens by offering lots of transportation alternatives for non-drivers and paying particular attention to pedestrians’ needs. For example, Reykjavik, Iceland, has what’s called the ‘Green Scarf’ — shelterbelt corridor planted through the city to shield walkers from wind.

Community life

Community life can definitely make winter less of an endurance test, says Smith.

“An individual can certainly experience the winter blues, and may be sliding over into a mood disorder, and that’s a real thing and needs treatment,” she says.

“But I think the role of the community is important to look at, too, and it’s worth taking a look at how friendly a community is in winter.

Does everything shut down? Are there lots of opportunities for people to get together informally, and, I would add, low-cost ways to enjoy the company of others?”

Rural communities are notably good at hosting inclusive events, she added.

“I think rural communities do way better than larger centres in that respect. There may be more to do in a larger centre, but there’s oftentimes a feeling of anomie.”

Snow days

Ka re n T j a d e n , a m i n i s t e r w i t h Crossroads United Pastoral Charge at Carman and Elm Creek, says the experience of winter can be very difficult for those shut in, or those who suffer from mood disorders that develop from lack of sunlight.

“We know that light affects people’s emotions, and that some people are definitely affected by less daylight,” she says.

She also urges people to try to see winter in a different light — an essential time that not only allows us to slow the pace of life a little, but the permission to do so.

“I’ve heard many people talk about how they love a snow day, and I’ve really observed how quick we are to take snow days,” Tjaden says. “Maybe it’s me aging, but it just seems to me, that we’re quicker and quicker to cancel everything on the forecast of a storm. I think it’s because we’re too busy.” lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

30

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

RecipeSwap

Send your recipes or recipe request to: Manitoba Co-operator Recipe Swap Box 1794, Carman, Man. ROG OJO or email: lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

Rethink your veg purchases when prices rise Skillet Browned Cabbage

Lorraine Stevenson

This is a perfect meal for a cool November night’s supper and so easy to prepare in a skillet.

Crossroads Recipe Swap

I

s it expensive to eat healthy?

Recent reports about rising vegetable prices might make you think so.

Statistics Canada reported the price of fresh vegetables was up 23.5 per cent in September compared to the previous year. Wholesalers blame bad weather in California and a weaker dollar for doubling and tripling their cost to bring in certain types of vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce.

I asked Winnipeg-based registered dietitian Susan Watson about what she advises clients when veggie prices rise.

Her reply: If you’re willing to fork over to buy lettuce in November, or buy only fresh because you think they’re healthier than frozen, then, yes, you’ll feel the pinch.

“But I would never pay $5 for a head of lettuce because the nutritional value is low,” she said. “It’s not worth it.”

This is the time to switch to other types of vegetables because not everything is going to be through the roof.

“And you don’t have to eat broccoli every day,” she added.

For those on a budget, a minimum of two servings of vegetables a day — one green (such as frozen spinach) and one orange (such as carrots) will give you the nutrients you need, she said. “A lot of families can’t afford the four or five servings of vegetables that we need in a day,” she said. “I tell them if you can get in two — one green and one orange — you’re going to get your bare-bones nutrients.”

Buying frozen instead of fresh is another option. Frozen vegetables are the ideal way to keep vegetables in the diet through a long Manitoba winter when, even if prices aren’t higher for imports, their taste isn’t as fresh.

Plus, contrary to what many think, frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh, she adds. That’s because growers flash freeze vegetables right at harvest.

“It basically goes from the field to the freezer to your plate,” said Watson.

She regularly serves her own young family frozen vegetables through winter.

“I buy frozen vegetables in bulk and have them in the freezer. I can just take them out and pop them in the steamer.”

Lastly, if you still think vegetables are expensive, consider the price tags — and the nutritional value — relative to other foods in the grocery cart. Vegetables are a wiser purchase over many pre-packaged and prepared foods we buy, she said. It’s those who rely on these foods because they don’t know how to shop wisely; or store, prepare or cook at home that are going to feel price increases, she said.

“You’ll always be able to keep your costs down if you know how to cook.”

Do you have lots of squash, carrots, and cabbage from your garden (or that of a generous friend) and don’t know what to do with that bounty? Here’s some recipes from the Manitoba Canola Growers website (www.mcgacanola.org/) for four easy-to-prepare vegetable side dishes.

1 tbsp. canola oil, divided 4 oz. diced extra-lean ham 3 c. coarsely chopped green cabbage, do not shred 1 c. chopped onion 1/2 c. matchstick carrots 1 tsp. packed dark-brown sugar 1/8 tsp. salt

PHOTO: MANITOBA CANOLA GROWERS

Roasted Orange Vegetables 4 medium carrots, peeled, julienned 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, julienned 1 small butternut squash, peeled, julienned 6 garlic cloves, not peeled 3 tbsp. canola oil Salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp. marjoram

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place prepared vegetables and unpeeled garlic onto a large foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with canola oil and season with salt, pepper and marjoram. Toss vegetables to coat with oil and herbs. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Place vegetables in a serving bowl. Peel garlic cloves. Mash in a small bowl. Mix with vegetables. Serve immediately. Yield: 8 servings.

Source: Manitoba Canola Growers

Roasted Tomatoes

Heat one teaspoon of the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.

Tilt skillet to coat lightly, add ham and cook until browned, about three minutes, stirring frequently. Set aside on separate plate. *Add one teaspoon of the oil to the pan and cook onion three minutes or until translucent. Add the remaining one teaspoon oil, cabbage, carrots and sugar and cook three minutes or until cabbage is beginning to brown on edges, using two utensils to stir as you would a stir-fry. Add ham and cook one minute. Remove from heat, cover and let stand five minutes. Stir in salt. Yield: Serves 4 to 5. Makes about 2-1/2 cups total. *Canola Comment: By adding the ham at the very end, the “smoky” flavours are not lost in the dish, but remain pronounced absorbing slightly into the cabbage to give a “bacon” flavour without the addition of saturated fats. It’s a healthier choice, avoiding dietary fats that increase cholesterol.

Source: Manitoba Canola Growers

Sautéed Brussels Sprout Slaw With Carrots And Golden Raisins

Do you have homegrown tomatoes ripening slooowwly somewhere in the house? Here’s an easy way to cook up a bunch as a side dish.

If you don’t care for brussels sprouts, this recipe might change your mind. Brussels sprouts are best when minimally cooked, just as this recipe calls for.

4 medium ripe tomatoes, cut in half 2 tbsp. canola oil 1/4 c. finely chopped red onion 1/2 clove garlic, minced 1/3 c. fresh bread crumbs 1 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 tbsp. chopped fresh basil 1 tbsp. chopped fresh oregano

2 tbsp. canola oil 1 small onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 large carrot, peeled and julienned 1/4 c. golden raisins 2 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 2 tsp. chopped fresh oregano 1 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced

Place tomato halves on foil-lined baking sheet, drizzling with some of the canola oil. Combine red onion, garlic and bread crumbs in small bowl. Stir to combine ingredients. Sprinkle mixture over cut sides of the tomatoes. Roast tomatoes at 350 F for 45 to 60 minutes, or until tomatoes are very tender. Sprinkle fresh herbs over tomatoes and serve immediately. Yield: Serves 6 to 8.

In a large saucepan, heat canola oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, carrot, and raisins. Cover and sauté for about three minutes or just until vegetables are beginning to soften. Stir often. Add a small amount of water if necessary. Add parsley, oregano and brussels sprouts.

Heat through. Serve immediately.

Yield: 6 servings.

Source: Manitoba Canola Growers

Source: Manitoba Canola Growers

31

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

Halloween topiary Perfect to greet spooky guests at your front door

By Albert Parsons Freelance contributor

T

opiary is the horticultural practice of creating living sculptures by clipping and training trees and shrubs into definite shapes. Sometimes a topiary is made out of annual or perennial plants and a wire shape forms a substructure onto which the plants are trained. It is practised a lot in warm climates where suitable plants are able to survive year round. In our climate, the most common topiary is the hedge, which can be shaped into interesting shapes and need not always be simply a squared-off or rounded row of clipped shrubs.

This past winter, while my wife and I were holidaying in Arizona, we went to a gourd festival and one of the things that caught my eye was how pumpkins and gourds were used to create a type of topiary. My mind went into gear and I began to think of how I could use this technique to create interesting outdoor Halloween décor using pumpkins and some of the decorative squash that I grow each year. You might like to make a Halloween topiary to decorate your front entrance, and it’s is not difficult to do.

You’ll need at least three pumpkins or squash for each topiary that are graduated in size but similar in shape. Use the largest one at the base, the next-smallest one in the middle with the smallest one going on top. Depending on the size of the pumpkins and the size that you want the topiary to be, you might use a sturdy pedestal plant container as a base, but if your pumpkins are quite large they could be used alone.

If you are using a container the bottom pumpkin must be securely fastened into it. Remove its stem to make the top level and position the next pumpkin of top of it, which must also be secured in place.

One method is to insert a few stiff wires into the bottom pumpkin and impale the second one onto them. Another method is to make a hole in the bottom pumpkin and insert a stick (an old broom handle would be perfect) into the bottom pumpkin. Let the stick go right to the bottom of the container; fill the container with soil, rocks, or gravel to hold the stick upright and securely in place.

Next, drill a hole through the second pumpkin (remove its stem) and sit it on the bottom one, allowing the broom handle to go right through it. Do the same thing with the third pumpkin but leave its stem intact. Now you will have three pumpkins sitting on top of one another, creating your topiary. Leave the stem on the top pumpkin and have the broom handle the correct length so that it only goes halfway into the top pumpkin (so only drill a hole into the bottom half of the top pumpkin).

This idea may be too late to greet your trick-ortreaters for this year but it just may encourage you to plant a few pumpkins in the garden next year.

Although this creates a very basic pumpkin topiary you can make it as detailed as you wish. The pumpkins might have faces or other decorative features carved or painted onto them. If you are going to carve features into the pumpkins, you might like to remove enough of the insides of them to place candles or other light sources inside to create a dramatic effect after dark. One way to clean out some of the insides is to open up a large-enough hole in the back of each pumpkin to remove the insides without weakening the shells of the pumpkins. You will only be able to do this if the topiary is to be positioned against a wall and to be viewed from one side.

Grapevine or raffia might be added between the pumpkin and using decorative artificial autumn leaves will add even more colour. Fasten these accessories securely with wire or long pins. Some people might choose to have a space between each pumpkin in true topiary fashion. In this case, the broom handle might be painted black as it will act as a “trunk” for

This creation is what started me thinking about pumpkin topiaries. Note that this one is six pumpkins high, so you can use as many as you like. photo: ALBERT PARSONS

the pumpkins and will be visible in the spaces between them. To hold the pumpkins in place on the broom handle, drill holes in the broomstick where you want the base of the top two pumpkins to be and insert a long nail or piece of strong wire through each hole to support each pumpkin.

This idea may be too late to greet your trick-or-treaters for this year but it just may encourage you to plant a few pumpkins in the garden next year, so you too can make your own Halloween topiary.

Albert Parsons writes from Minnedosa, Manitoba

I don’t believe in ghosts What was really going on that day? You be the judge…

By Edie Mowat Freelance contributor

I

don’t believe in ghosts.

I’m just relating what happened on a very ordinary, chilly and gloomy fall day.

Was it an optical illusion or a wide-awake dream? I’m still wondering.

I was on my way to coffee with a neighbour who lives a few miles away near the little village where we had gone to school and knew everyone.

Now it has become a bedroom community, with a growing population of folks who head to the city for school, work, and ever ything else. There are only a few of us originals still in the area, and a lot of

the surrounding farms are now abandoned, the old buildings either falling down, or nonexistent. The old McFadden place is one such location.

Once a busy farm and home to a large family, it was the scene of community picnics, card parties in the winter and visiting any time of the year.

Sadly, it has all but gone back to prairie bush, scraggly poplars, long grass, thistles and chokecherr y bushes. The buildings have either fallen in or are almost invisible from the side road, but in the fall, with the leaves off the trees, the old sagging house can be seen with its gaunt black holes where windows used to be.

Several outbuildings, chicken

house and the old barn are in similar condition, and the lane approaching the buildings has been impassable for years, due to the falling of a large tree in a windstorm.

On this chilly, grey autumn afternoon, a cloud of smoke seemed to be coming from the tangled yard and roadside.

Was someone actually going to clean the place up after all these years? I slowed the car down to have a better look.

Thick smoke billowed over the road, typical of a grass or brush fire, and through this I could see the figure of a man tending the fire. He seemed quite elderly and bent, carried a pitchfork, and I was surprised to see that he was

dressed only in faded overalls and an old shirt, even though it was quite cold out. He raised his arm in a slight wave and I went on to my coffee date.

A week later I was chatting with another neighbour and happened to mention that it was nice that someone was finally cleaning up the old McFadden place after all these years. He gave me an odd look as I told him about the man tending a fairly large grass fire along the edge of the road, and how it would be an improvement to see some of it cleaned up.

A few days later this same neighbour came by and said that he had been cur ious about the McFadden place, and had gone past the day

we chatted and found no evidence of a grass fire — no blackened patch along the roadside, no evidence of anyone being near the place.

What had I seen on that chilly and gloomy fall day? To satisfy my own curiosity I took a drive past the place where the grass had been burning.

Just as my neighbour had said, there was no evidence of any fire. The tangled yard looked as it always had, the large tree was still blocking the lane and there was no elderly man with a pitchfork to be seen.

But as I said before — I don’t believe in ghosts.

Edie Mowat writes from Brandon, Manitoba

32

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The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

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Leader issues stark warning on glaciers: ‘Their fate and our fates are closely intertwined’ Global warming is melting glaciers and sea ice

By Laura Rance CO-OPERATOR EDITOR / DES MOINES, IOWA

B Fish vendors wait for customers at a roadside market in Lagos, Nigeria.

PHOTO: REUTERS/AKINTUNDE AKINLEYE

Iceland shows that feeding the world doesn’t have to be complicated and expensive What was once fishery waste is now a profitable product that is helping to increase food security in one African country

By Laura Rance CO-OPERATOR EDITOR / DES MOINES, IOWA

C

ommercial fishermen in Iceland once tossed fish heads and backbones back into the ocean, discarding them as useless waste.

Now they earn $70 million annually from shipping them to Nigeria, where women making their living as street vendors sell dried Icelandic fish heads as a cheap source of protein for soups and stews.

After the fish products are dried for five days at 30 C using geothermal heat, they can be stored for up to two years with no further processing or infrastructure, Iceland’s President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson told delegates to the recent Borlaug Dialogues conference in Des Moines, Iowa.

It’s an example of how green energy can help address global food insecurity in the face of climate change and a rising world population, said Grimsson.

“As we move towards the 10-billion (population) mark, the challenge will be not only how to access food, but how to preserve it,” said Grimsson, noting much of the food produced in the world today is never consumed.

Alternatives must be found to our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels — not only because those resources could run out, but because using them generates greenhouse gases, he said.

As technology goes, preserving food by drying it is as old as civilization itself, but modern technology can dramatically speed up the process and

improve sanitation, Grimsson said.

“The problem is that it is so simple that most people don’t believe it,” he said. “We have all been accustomed to focusing on a high-tech solution.”

It’s also relatively low cost.

“Even the poorest of the poor can purchase healthy food through this method.”

Iceland, noted for its hot springs and volcanoes, has converted to 100 per cent green energy sources through a combination of hydro electric and geothermal development.

Grimsson said that transformation helped its economy recover from its economic collapse in 2008 to where it now boasts unemployment rate of just four per cent.

efore Christopher Columbus proved it wrong, one of the great myths of history was that the world was flat.

The belief the world has only two poles — the Arctic and Antarctica — is another, according to Iceland President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson.

As scientists become more aware of the role ice plays in supplying water and influencing weather patterns, the glaciers in the Himalayas are being recognized as a third pole, he said.

But they’re also disappearing at an unprecedented pace — and both average citizens and governments need to recognize how dramatically this will affect populated areas of the world, he said.

“One-third of the world’s population is dependent on

rivers fed from snow and ice from the Himalayan region,” he said.

Losing Arctic ice will have an equally dramatic impact on the planet, he said.

“If one-quarter of Greenland’s ice melts, it will raise sea levels everywhere by two metres,” Grimsson told delegates attending the recent Borlaug Dialogues conference in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Yet ice has not really been on the agenda.”

People need to realize “we are living in an ice-dependent world,” he said.

“Glaciers are the core to our future. Their fate and our fates are closely intertwined.”

Researchers have begun to see direct linkages to the melting Arctic and glacial ice and volatile and extreme weather events occurring in China and other parts of the world. laura@fbcpublishing.com

Mount Everest (c), the world’s highest peak, and other peaks of the Himalayan range are seen from the air during a mountain flight from Kathmandu April 24, 2010. PHOTO: REUTERS/TIM CHONG

laura@fbcpublishing.com

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34

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

BRIEFS

Canada Bread Co. sells pasta maker Maple Leaf ponders selling it REUTERS / Canada Bread Co., which is majority owned by Maple Leaf Foods, said Oct. 24 it agreed to sell its Olivieri Foods fresh pasta and sauce business to Spanish foodprocessing company Ebro Foods SA for about C$120 million ($115.5 million).

The move comes days after Canadian food processor Maple Leaf said it might sell its controlling stake in Canada Bread as it decides whether to exit the bakery goods business and focus on meat products.

Toronto-based Canada Bread said the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close by the end of 2013.

Maple Leaf Foods explores sale of Canada Bread stake Michael McCain says it’s not a sign the whole company is for sale

By Euan Rocha and Rod Nickel REUTERS

M

aple Leaf Foods said on Oct. 21 it may sell its controlling stake in Canada Bread Company as it determines whether to exit the bakery business and focus on meat products.

Toronto-based Maple Leaf said it has recently completed a comprehensive review of opportunities to accelerate profitable growth across its bakery business. But before committing resources, it decided to explore strategic alternatives, including a sale of its 90 per cent stake in Canada Bread.

“This is about a great business with a good view to help it to grow profitably over the next four or five years, but because we’re at a crossroads... we felt it was prudent to consider the alternatives,” Maple Leaf chief executive Michael McCain said in an interview.

In the event of a sale of the business, Maple Leaf said it would consider using the proceeds to pay down debt, reinvest in its business and return capital to shareholders.

The potential sale of its Canada Bread interest, following a deal in August to sell its rendering business, does not signal that Maple Leaf itself is for sale, McCain said.

“This is about a great business with a good view to help it to grow profitably over the next four or five years, but because we’re at a crossroads... we felt it was prudent to consider the alternatives.”

MICHAEL MCCAIN

Maple Leaf chief executive

Maple Leaf has the choice to operate an integrated business that includes the bakery, or become a proteinfocused company, McCain said.

In response to an analyst’s question on a conference call about whether Maple Leaf is

signalling it is for sale, he said “the answer... is a very unequivocal ‘no.’”

Canada Bread, in addition to bread sold under the Dempster’s brand, sells pasta and other products under banners such as Olivieri, Ben’s, POM and Sunmaid.

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It is taking advantage of falling prices BEIJING / REUTERS

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hina, the world’s second-largest corn consumer, bought about 20 cargoes of the grain, equivalent to nearly 1.2 million tonnes, from the U.S. in October, according to a report by an industry website.

The volume repor ted by Shanghai JC Intelligence ( JCI), an influential private agricultural consultancy, is higher than the roughly 12 cargoes reported by Reuters.

Chinese companies have stepped up purchases of U.S. corn because prices have fallen to the lowest level in three years due to a bumper harvest.

Some cargoes may not be able to be shipped to China because actual arrivals will depend on the allocation of import quotas, JCI said in a report posted on its website (www.chinajci.com).

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35

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

BRIEFS

French crop growers say farm reform to threaten exports

FALL SPLENDOR

By Sybille de La Hamaide PARIS / REUTERS

France’s decision to shift European Union subsidies to less-well-off livestock farmers will lower aid for crop growers and hit their competitiveness inside and outside the bloc, growers said Oct. 3.

In a speech at a livestock show in central France this week President Francois Hollande said nearly one billion euros ($1.4 billion) of mainly EU farm subsidies per year would be used to improve the revenues of livestock farmers who had faced high feed costs and low prices for several years.

Many crop growers, who benefited from higher prices in recent years, could lose out in the reform, mainly those with large farms after Hollande decided to give a subsidy bonus to smaller farms, which mainly covers livestock farms.

Grain growers reacted angrily to the plan, saying the loss of subsidies could cut their margins by 15-20 euros a tonne.

A tonne of milling wheat on the European futures market traded at around 195 euros ($270) recently.

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French feed producers eye new subsidy

By Sybille de La Hamaide PARIS / REUTERS

A reform meant to promote animal feed production in the European Union could cut France’s reliance on costly and mostly genetically modified soybean imports by a third, depending on who receives the aid, growers said.

When EU leaders agreed on reforms to the 50-billioneuro- (C$70-billion-) a year Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) in June, these included the prospect that member states could use up to two per cent of outputrelated subsidies for farmers to boost output of vegetable proteins.

It remains unclear whether and how the bloc’s other 27 members will apply this measure but President Francois Hollande said France would use it as part of a wider plan to help livestock farmers who are struggling with rising feed costs.

Feed producers argue part of the subsidies should go mainly to them as their group funds research on improving yields.

“A realistic protein plan, which would lead to a French area of protein-rich crops of 800,000 hectares, would boost domestic output by 1.2 million tonnes of soymeal equivalent, or 30 per cent of the current deficit,” said Gerard Tubery, head of French oilseed and protein growers group FOP.

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36

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

CN rail optimistic on union deal as strike deadline nears Both sides must give 72 hours’ notice of strike, lockout

By Susan Taylor

minute after midnight Oct. 29. But both par ties must give 72 hours’ notice before anadian National Rail- a strike or lockout can start, way Co., the country’s so a work stoppage would not l a rg e s t ra i l ro a d , s a i d be immediate.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Oct. 28 it is still talking with the union representing about C o n f e re n c e Un i o n , w h i c h 3,300 conductors and other represents conductors, trainworkers and expects the two m e n , y a rd m e n a n d t ra f f i c sides will be able to avoid a co-ordinators, has said talks stalled on CN demands for strike.

A strike or lockout would concessions that would force d i s r u p t a c r u c i a l n e t - members to work longer work for moving goods as h o u r s w i t h l e s s re s t t i m e d i ve r s e a s c a r s a n d c r u d e between trips. CN has said oil. Negotiations with gov- none of its proposals would ernment-appointed media- compromise worker health or tors resumed on Oct. 21 after safety.

“C N re m a i n s o p t i m i s t i c efforts with conciliators to that it can negotiate a setreach an agreement failed.

The union and company tlement with the ( Teamsters) were in a legal position for to avoid labour disruption 10/23/13 5:11 PM railway Page 1 spokesin Canada,” aSEC-RR2Y-MB13-TJr_MC.qxd str ike or lockout at one

toronto / reuters

C

man Mark Hallman told Reuters.

He would not comment on whether CN, which reported a larger-than-expected quarterly profit last week, is preparing a contingency plan in the event of a strike or lockout.

Union spokesman Roland Hackl, a member of the bargaining team, said both parties have agreed not to speak publicly about negotiations.

“No action can take place on either part unless 72 hours’ notice is ser ved to the other and there has been no notice. That’s about all I can tell you right now, we’re still working,” said Hackl, who said previously he was hopeful that a deal would be reached last week.

Any service disruption would be particularly problematic for Canadian farmers, who must move a record grain and oilseeds harvest to market.

The Grain Growers of Canada asked the minister of labour in an Oct. 25 letter to take “early action to head off this work stoppage” and “swift and decisive” action in the event of a strike.

The Canadian government has intervened several times in recent years to force striki n g ra i l a n d a i r l i n e w o rk ers back to work. Last May, it used legislation to end a s t r i k e a t Ca n a d i a n Pa c i f i c Railway Ltd., CN’s smaller rival.

The contract dispute follows a recent CN derailment

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“CN remains optimistic that it can negotiate a settlement with the (Teamsters) to avoid labour disruption in Canada.”

Mark Hallman

that renewed public concern over the safety of rail transport for fuel and other hazardous materials.

C N ’s m a i n l i n e t h r o u g h Alberta was blocked for several days last week after 13 cars on a mixed-freight train derailed. One car containing highly flammable propane exploded and three others burst into flames.

T h e re w e re n o i n j u r i e s , but the accident came just months after 47 people died when a crude oil train derailed and exploded in Lac-Megantic, Quebec.

Prairie wheat bids ease as U.S. futures fall

By Terryn Shiells commodity news service canada

C

ash bids for western Canadian spring wheat eased during the week ended October 28, following the losses seen in the U.S. futures markets.

On October 28, average spot bids for 13.5 per cent CWRS across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta came in at around $226 per tonne, or $6.14 per bushel, based on pricing available from a cross-section of delivery points, which compares to $229 per tonne, or $6.25 per bushel the week prior. Basis levels were steady at an average discount of $45 relative to the futures, from a $46 discount the previous week.

Average CPRS values were at $205 per tonne, or $5.59 per bushel, down from $213 per tonne, or $5.80 per bushel a week ago. Average basis levels widened to a discount of $71 compared to futures, from $67 the week prior.

U.S. wheat futures moved lower during the week, undermined by overbought price sentiment and improving conditions for winter wheat planting in the Black Sea region. Beneficial weather for the establishment of winter wheat crops in the U.S. was also bearish.

The December spring wheat contract in Minneapolis, which most CWRS contracts in Canada are based off of, was quoted at US$7.365 per bushel on October 28, down 15.25 cents from the previous week.

Kansas City hard red winter wheat futures, which are now traded in Chicago, are more closely linked to CPRS in Canada.

The December Kansas City wheat lost 10.50 cents over the week, settling at U.S.$7.5075 per bushel on October 28.

Durum prices were weaker during the week due to the large global supplies. Average spot bids fell by $4 to $200 per tonne, or $5.45 per bushel.

37

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Canadian Angus youth win world championship Three national teams competed in New Zealand, including two Manitobans Staff

Y

outh teams representing Canada at the 2013 PGG Wrightson World Angus Forum in New Zealand have returned home with both champion and reserve champion titles.

The Canucks with team members Jared Hunter, Didsbury, Alta. (captain); Patrick Holland, Montague, Prince Edward Island; Melissa McRae, Brandon, Man.; and Michael Ha r g r a v e, M a x w e l l , O n t . , brought home the world champion title along with NZ$10,000 prize money.

“I am so honoured to have been selected to represent Canada on this prestigious trip and winning it is truly unbelievable,” said Melissa McRae, winning team member in a release.

“I want to thank all the sponsors, organizers and volunteers for making this my best trip ever! Also to congratulate all the other competitors for welcoming us Canadians and for all their hard work!”

The reser ve champion world title was also awarded to a Canadian team, Team BsquarED, consisting of captain Erika Easton, Wawota, Sask.; Ty Dietrich, Forestburg, Alta.; Kaitlynn Bolduc, Stavely, Alta.; and

The Canucks champs: (l to r) Michael Hargrave, Ont., Patrick Holland, Maritimes, Melissa McRae, Man., and Jared Hunter, Alta.

Matthew Bates, Cameron, Ont. Bates was also announced the high individual for the entire contest, scoring highest in the most challenges as an individual.

The third team of outstanding youth representing Canada was The Eh Team and included Sean Enright, Renfrew, Ont., as captain; Stacey Domolewski,

Taber, Alta.; Chad Lorenz, Markerville, Alta.; and Breanna Anderson, Swan River, Man. The Eh Team brought home honours for champion Team Presentation.

Team members travelled to Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand, Oct. 9 for a five-section contest including general knowledge, parading (presen-

t a t i o n , s h ow m a n s h i p a n d sportsmanship with an Angus animal), stock judging, animal preparation (clip an animal for show) and agri-sports (handson team challenge involving day-to-day tasks).

The teams’ travel was sponsored by the Canadian Angus Foundation and the Canadian Angus Association.

BRIEFS

Big dairy farms on the rise in China HONG KONG / REUTERS American investment firm KKR & Co. LP is leading a joint venture with China Modern Dairy Holdings and a Chinese private equity firm that will invest $140 million in two large dairy farms.

China’s government pushed for dairy industry consolidation following the 2008 tainted milk powder scandal that killed at least six babies and sickened thousands more.

The companies plan to build two, 10,000-cow farms in Shandong province over a two-year period. China’s expanding middle class is driving sales of dairy products, which are forecast to double from the current $45 billion by 2017. Chinese milk consumption is less than 10 kilograms per person per year — compared with 32 kilograms in Japan and 78 kilograms in the U.S. “The main issue is that consumers are still lacking confidence in the products,” said Steve Chow of Sunwah Kingsway Research. “You either find a way to secure some good-quality milk sources from overseas or you build up your own farm.”

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38

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

FOLLOW THE SWATH

Canola swaths south of Holland make a picturesque pattern in the field.

PHOTO: DEBBIE NORDQUIST

Scientists trace deadly piglet virus hitting U.S. farms to China As of early October there were 768 barns infected with the disease that is often fatal to piglets

By P.J. Huffstutter CHICAGO / REUTERS

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virus deadly to baby pigs that has roiled the U.S. pork industry likely originated in the Anhui Province of China and may have evolved from a virus seen in bats, according to a report by veterinary researchers at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech.

The report should help diagnostic researchers and federal officials, who have been trying to trace the origin of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) since it was first identified in the United States this past spring.

Previously, investigators and veterinary researchers tracking the outbreak said that there was some indication that the

PEDv strain seen in the U.S. was 99.5 per cent similar in genetic makeup to that identified in China. But exactly where it came from and how it arrived in the United States were mysteries.

According to the report published last week in the American Academy of Microbiology journal mBio, the researchers extracted strains of PEDv virus from infected animals in Minnesota and Iowa.

They then compared the genetic code of the virus in these samples to PEDv samples isolated in China’s Anhui province during an outbreak that began in late 2010. The results showed that the three strains that have emerged in the United States are most closely related to particular Chinese strains.

“Taken together, the available

sequence and phylogenetic data indicate that the PEDV strains emerging in the United States originated from China,” according to the published report.

The researchers cautioned that “the exact source of the origin is difficult to identify at this point.”

Veterinary researchers and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials say that PEDv does not pose a threat to human health, nor to food safety.

While, there has been no indication that PEDv could jump from one species to another, the research team said it found the U.S. PEDv strains to have some of the same genetic features seen in a bat coronavirus. That, in turn, suggests the virus may have possibly originated in bats and a potential for “cross-species transmission,” according to the report.

There is no definitive data yet of how many animals have died in the United States from PEDv as farmers are not required to report PEDv outbreaks.

As of the week of October 6, there have been 768 confirmed cases reported in 18 states, according to data compiled by state university diagnostic laboratories and federal officials.

Each reported case could represent thousands of infected animals.

Diagnostic veterinarians, producers and some livestock economists said they expected the virus to spread more rapidly as temperatures cool in the fall when piglets are being born. The virus is particularly deadly to very young pigs: average mortality rates range from 80 to 100 per cent.

Hog producers still in the black as prices fall

By Brandon Logan

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COMMODITY NEWS SERVICE CANADA

C

anadian hog prices are trending downwards, but remain strong for this time of year.

“Typically prices go lower in the fourth quarter, and we’re starting to see that right now, but prices are still above last year by quite a bit,” Brad Marceniuk, livestock economist for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, said last week.

“For example, this week our prices here for Signature No. 3 hogs averaged $167 per 100 kilograms. During the same week last year, the price was $147 per 100 kilo-

grams, so we’re quite a bit higher than we were last year.”

Pork cut-out prices are also good, he said.

“We’ve been at the $95 to $96 range for pork cut-out values, which is very strong, and a reflection of good demand for pork,” he said. “Global demand is strong and that’s kept prices higher, which has been good for producers.”

Strong hog prices and declining grain prices have put producers into the black, said Marceniuk.

“Lower grain prices have been positive, because it’s actually reduced production costs by quite a bit, which is helping them with profitability,” he said.

“Typically, the fourth quarter is a tighter

quarter because hog supplies usually increase, so prices do decline. However, so far it’s been a good fall.”

The recent 16-day partial shutdown of the U.S. government threw a curveball to Canadian hog plants, Marceniuk said.

“They had to look for a new pricing system,” he said. “Typically, Canadian prices are derived from the U.S. cash price. But what happened was when the U.S. government shut down, there were no U.S. cash prices, so we changed to start using the futures market.”

The October futures price was used to determine Canadian prices, but with the shutdown over, the pricing system is back to normal, he said.

39

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Tyson pulls plug on Canadian fed cattle

FDA proposes rules for pet food safety The proposed rule would apply to feed for livestock as well as companion animals

Feedlots suffer as U.S. buying interest shifts more towards feeder cattle

By Toni Clarke WASHINGTON / REUTERS

By Daniel Winters

“It may not end there with just that one buyer. If you’ve got the two main U.S. buyers of finished cattle not bidding, and not taking those cattle, there’s a lot of the same elements that we saw in the summer of 2003.”

CO-OPERATOR STAFF

M

eat-packing giant Ty s o n Foods’ announcement last week that it will stop buying fed cattle direct from Canadian feedlots is already having an impact on slaughter cattle prices.

“On certain classes of cattle, I’ll bet you it’s 10 cents a pound,” said Doug Richardson, a cattle buyer from Moosomin who ships cattle south.

But Rick Wright, an order buyer for Heartland, said the “huge” volume of cattle moving through auction marts and the limited availability of trucks heading east and west is having a bigger impact.

“If there is any price adjustment in the next seven to 10 days, that’ll be the reason, not the Tyson announcement,” said Wright, who added that unlike slaughter cattle, fall calves have so far been spared from any major fallout.

Opinions vary on just how big of an impact the decision will have over the longer term.

Vulnerable

John Masswohl, director of government and international relations with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, said that the move by Tyson shows how vulnerable the Canadian beef industry is to political decisions made south of the border.

He noted that Tyson will continue to buy Canadian cattle that have been fattened in U.S. feedlots at two plants in Washington and Nebraska, but only enough to fill their hooks one day a week.

Masswohl said the Tyson decision was “not a surprise” to those following packer sentiment south of the border because it came just ahead of the expiry of the six-month non-enforcement period

JOHN MASSWOHL

declared by Washington that “commingling” of foreign and U.S.-born beef would no longer be allowed under the latest revision to country-of-origin labelling rules announced in May of this year.

Firm numbers on how many cattle Tyson was buying prior to the decision are unavailable, he said. But if the rumours that JBS may be preparing to follow suit are true, Masswohl believes the impact on prices north of the border could be severe.

“It may not end there with just that one buyer. If you’ve got the two main U.S. buyers of finished cattle not bidding, and not taking those cattle, there’s a lot of the same elements that we saw in the summer of 2003,” said Masswohl.

Softer tone

Gerald Klassen, a Winnipegbased analyst, was less pessimistic.

Feeder cattle bids may take on a “softer tone” as buyers shift to a “wait and see” stance, with the full impact not arriving until later in the year.

Also, Klassen wasn’t sure whether the rumours that JBS might follow suit had a strong foundation, and even if they did turn out to be true, idle capacity at Canadian packers would be able to pick up the slack.

“It’s not going to have an i m p a c t i m m e d i a t e l y. O n e news factor will not drive a m a rk e t ,” s a i d K l a s s e n . “It might deteriorate the basis a

little bit, but I don’t see it having a big effect.”

Masswohl said that Canada has traditionally exported more fat cattle to the U.S., but the changes may “flip” the balance in favour of feeder cattle heading south for finishing in American feedlots.

That shift in competition for feeder cattle is sure to hurt the Canadian feedlot industry, which has been hard pressed to generate profits for nearly two years, and is unlikely to do much for cow-calf producers hoping for continued favourable prices amid the annual fall calf run.

“You couldn’t pick a worse time of the year for this to happen. The fall run is when a lot of small cow-calf guys are getting 80 per cent or more of their revenue,” said Masswohl.

Tyson Foods Inc. said it halted purchases of slaughter-ready cattle from Canada as of midOctober due to higher costs associated with mandatory country-of-origin (COOL) labelling, a company spokesman said last Thursday.

COOL significantly increased the company’s costs for additional product codes, production breaks and segregation of product. That product sorting includes a separate category for cattle shipped directly from Canada to U.S. beef plants, Tyson Foods spokesman Worth Sparkman said in an email.

T

h e U . S . Fo o d a n d Drug Administration said Oct. 25 it is issuing a proposed rule aimed at improving the safety of food bound for farm animals and pets.

The rule would require companies that make animal feed and pet food sold i n t h e Un i t e d St a t e s t o identify potential hazards and put in place procedures to prevent and correct them.

Long in the making, the rule comes days after the agency turned to pet owners for help in an ongoing investigation into jerky products, most made in China, that have killed nearly 600 dogs and cats and sickened thousands of others in the United States since 2007.

The proposal is one of seven key pillars of the 2 0 1 1 Fo o d Sa f e t y Mo d ernization Act, an initiative designed to improve human and animal food safety and reduce foodborne illnesses by giving the FDA greater power to intervene before an outbreak occurs.

“Unlike safeguards already in place to protect human foods, there are currently no regulations governing the safe production of most animal foods.

There is no type of hazard analysis. This rule would change all that,” said Daniel McChesney, director of the Office of Surveillance and Compliance at FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine The FDA is proposing that the animal feed requirements become effective 60 days after the final rule is published in the Federal Register.

The proposed rule will be published on Oct. 29 and there will be a 120day comment period. The FDA also plans three public meetings on the rules, the first on Nov. 21.

Sm a l l a n d v e r y s m a l l businesses will be given m o re t i m e t h a n b i g g e r companies to comply.

“These rules will have a major impact on our members,” said Richard Sellers, vice-president of feed regulation and nutrition with the Amer ican Feed Industry Association, who also spoke on behalf of the National Grain and Feed Association.

The groups promised “e x t e n s i v e p u b l i c c o m ments” on the rules.

The proposals, which run to over 400 pages, would for the first time establish good practices that specifically address the manufacturing, processing, packing and holding of animal food to ensure they are made under conditions that protect against contamination.

Fo o d b o r n e i l l n e s s i n humans has been well publicized but people can also get sick from handling pet food contaminated by bacteria like salmonella.

The FDA is under a court-ordered deadline to complete the final rules of the food safety act by the end of June 2015.

R a n d y G o rd o n , p re s i dent of NGFA, said the feed industry has already developed effective product safety programs tailored to the individual facilities.

“It will be vitally import a n t t h a t F D A’s re g u l a tions provide the flexibility necessary for companies to continue to effectively address feed safety,” Gordon said.

daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com (with files from Reuters)

U.S. wins WTO challenge overturning Chinese chicken tariffs WASHINGTON / REUTERS Washington is calling on China to reopen its market to U.S. chicken broiler parts following the formal adoption

1 Excellent

by the World Trade Organization of a ruling against Beijing in the four-year-old dispute.

U.S. chicken exports to

CANTERRA 1970 2 Very Good 3 Good

C h i n a h a v e f a l l e n by 9 0 per cent over the past four years, costing sellers an estimated $1 billion, after China imposed high anti-dumping

duties. A WTO panel ruled in favour of the U.S. complaint — a decision finalized last week.

“We look forward to see-

does your standability measure up? only available at selected retailers.

Always follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these requirements can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication.

ing China’s market for broiler products restored for U.S. farmers and chicken producers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

40

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Shipping record U.S. corn crop burdens railroads, barge lines Maintenance on rails and river complicates shipments

By Julie Ingwersen and Karl Plume CHICAGO / REUTERS

H

arvesting the largest U.S. corn crop on record and transporting it on railroads and rivers to markets here and abroad is driving up costs for rail cars, barges and trucks in the world’s top crop producer and exporter.

After three years of crop shortfalls that left grain supply pipelines all but empty by late summer, the U.S. grain-handling system is now tasked with quickly absorbing a huge corn crop — projected at a record 13.8 billion bushels, around half of which is already harvested.

“You have a record North American grain mass, and you went from zero to 100 miles an hour in two weeks,” said Charlie Sernatinger, an analyst with ED&F Man Capital in Chicago.

With the bulk of the estimated 3.15-billion-bushel soybean harvest complete, farmers are turning their attention to the much larger corn crop, and yields so far are surprisingly big.

“People were projecting a sizable corn harvest, but yield results coming in from the field are better than expected. That’s going to tax the system even more,” said Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition.

Already, costs for rail freight have surged this month, due in part to strong export demand for U.S. soybeans and hard red winter wheat. Also, grain traders say freight trains have been running slowly, especially in the western half of the country.

“Normally they get 2.5 or 2.8 turns a month, sometimes three. They’re getting maybe 1.6 or 1.8 right now,” said a grain trader who asked not to be named, referring to the number of trips rail cars were making each month.

Service on the BNSF Railway, a major hauler of grain from Midwest to Pacific Northwest

Fields like this one in Iowa are feeding into the largest U.S. corn crop on record, and that has the transportation and handling network struggling to keep up.

PHOTO: LAURA RANCE

export terminals, has slowed after recent infrastructure upgrade projects fell behind due to adverse weather, he said.

BNSF said it was working with its customers to “address the challenging service issues the grain supply chain is experiencing during this record compressed harvest season.”

Ships are waiting

Industry sources said a growing number of ships were waiting for rail-delivered grain to load at Pacific Northwest export terminals.

“There are lots of vessels waiting in the Pacific Northwest that are waiting to be loaded and railroads are having trouble keeping up,” said Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition.

Rail cars are commonly traded in a secondary market by brokers who trade space on 100-car “shuttle trains,” expecting the trains to make a cer-

tain number of trips. When the trains run more slowly, these brokers are forced to pay up for more freight to cover their commitments.

“They have to go back and buy them from the market, and they buy them from the same guys who have the same problem that they’ve got. So the market goes up exponentially,” said Joe Christopher, a grain merchandiser with Crossroads Commodities in Sidney, Nebraska.

Freight on BNSF has traded as high as $2,400 a car this month, Christopher said, although nearby bids have since fallen to about $1,300. The same freight for December is trading near $600, another grain trader said.

a lock construction project has caused severe delays near its confluence with the Mississippi.

Costs for southbound freight last week rose to an average of $28.04 per ton, up 23 per cent from the three-year average, the U.S. Agriculture Department said. Mid-Mississippi River barge freight was $33.57 per ton, 11 per cent above the average.

“There’s not a barge shortage.

It’s just that grain is really moving now,” said a Midwest barge broker. “The Gulf needs corn right now and especially beans.

We’re probably going to export 40 million bushels of soybeans a week for the next three months, with maybe half of that from the centre Gulf.”

Barge freight costs rising

Gumming up the system

The influx of newly harvested crops has also raised costs for shipping grain on Midwest river barges to export terminals at the U.S. Gulf Coast, particularly on the lower Ohio River, where

Grain bottlenecks are occurring at the local level, where producers and country elevators are contending with big yields and, for corn, varying moisture levels.

“Depending where you are in

EU states back biodiesel duties on Argentina, Indonesia

do your costs measure up?

Indonesia expects its industry to appeal against EU duties BRUSSELS / REUTERS

only available at selected retailers.

E

1918 $45/acre

Always follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these requirements can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication.

Hybrid $60/acre C ANTERRA

the Corn Belt, you’ve got some high moisture that you are dealing with, and that is just gumming up the works, trying to dry it down,” said Ken Erickson, a transportation expert with Informa Economics.

The moisture level of corn is about 30 per cent at maturity, and farmers try to wait until it dries to 15 to 20 per cent before harvesting to avoid the extra cost of drying it artificially.

In Iowa, the top U.S. corn state, the corn is coming in with a range of moisture levels, complicating the job of storing it.

“This year, I might be getting really dry corn, followed by some wet stuff, and I can’t blend those together. So I’ve got to pile the dry corn here and wet corn there. It’s a bigger logistical nightmare because of that,” said Chad Hart, an extension economist with Iowa State University.

“You are doing this at a time we are staring at the biggest crop we’ve ever produced.”

uropean Union member states agreed to impose punitive duties on biodiesel imported from Argentina and Indonesia, which are accused of selling it into the bloc at unfairly low prices, according to diplomats.

A majority of the EU members backed the European Commission’s view that producers in the two countries were dumping — selling at below fair market or cost price Oct. 22 The European Commission has proposed duties of between 217 and 246 euros ($300-$340) per tonne on biodiesel imports from Argentina and of between 122 to 179 euros a tonne on imports from Indonesia, figures seen by Reuters showed.

Imports are already subject to provisional tariffs, imposed in May. The definitive duties, which are slightly higher, should be in place by the end of November after further procedural steps.

Argentina is the world’s biggest biodiesel exporter, and the two countries represent 90 per cent of EU biodiesel imports. Their share of the EU market rose to 22 per cent in 2011 from nine per cent in 2009.

Biodiesel is mostly made from rapeseed oil in Europe. Palm oil is favoured in Asia and soybean oil in the Americas.

The companies set to be hit by the duties on exports from Argentina include agribusinesses Bunge Ltd. and Louis Dreyfus Commodities, which face duties of 217 and 239 euros per tonne, respectively.

“Finally this unjust measure, which arises from an erroneous calculation, becomes definitive. The only thing this does is cause harm to Argentina and the European consumer, who is going to pay for more expensive fuel,” Luis Zubizarreta, president of Argentina’s Biofuels Chamber (Carbio), told Reuters.

In order to calculate the cost of producing the biofuel, the EU incorrectly used international prices for soyoil, the main ingredient for the fuel in Argentina, instead of using local prices which are much lower, according to Zubizarreta.

In a recent statement, Carbio said the duties would cost Argentina more than $1 billion in lost sales to the EU this year.

Argentina is preparing to take the European Union to the World Trade Organization to challenge the punitive duties, say people familiar with the matter.

Argentina has already launched a WTO challenge against EU rules for importing biodiesel, and the EU went to the Geneva-based trade body last December to claim that Argentine import restrictions are illegal.

Indonesia’s biodiesel companies were likely to appeal against the EU imposing permanent duties, said Trade Ministry official Oke Nurwan, and the government would help them.

41

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Researcher explores mysterious world of soil fungi Fungi helps some plants access nutrients and trigger their defence mechanisms when under attack by disease

By Helen McMenamin Co-operator contributor / lethbridge

T

here are billions of bacteria in every teaspoon of soil, but for the most part all those microbes are a black box that’s responsible for all the biological activity in soil.

Now, an Agriculture Canada scientist has been researching one soil fungus phylum — the Glomeromycota — and found an amazing variety of species each with a different habitat and activity in the soil. She compares them to the weed populations that coexist with particular crops and farming systems.

They were called VAM fungi, now the official term is arbuscular mycorrhizae because some lack vesicles, but all have tree-like (arbuscular) branches and form mycorrhizae in plants.

They have a symbiotic relationship with plants, obtaining sugars and possibly other substances from them and transporting nutrients and water from the soil to the plant. The fungus is made up of very fine branches or hyphae, some of which penetrate the much larger root hairs of a plant while other hyphae spread through the soil and absorb nutrients and moisture.

Chantal Hamel is trying to understand the complex ecology of mycorrhizae in Prairie soils. Mycorrhizae have been found in soil around most crops, other than crucifers such as canola and mustard. They act as extensions of the plant’s roots, pipelines to deliver moisture and nutrients from a greater volume of soils than the roots. But, she says, the community of mycorrhizae seems to depend more on the soil than the crop.

populations Hamel has found are in ditches — it seems they have an environment that supports cropland species and native grassland communities.

Also, some species are more abundant in spring, then others take over later in the year.

Not all species of mycorrhizae are equally effective at helping plants. Most are beneficial, but a few reduce plant growth.

Hamel’s team found one species was abundant in every cultivated field they looked at in Saskatchewan. She thinks it’s probably an invasive species, like a weed species.

The type of crop also affects the value of the fungus to the plant.

“Wheat seems to have evolved without taking advantage of mycorrhizae,” says Hamel. “We sometimes see a drop in growth when it’s associated with the fungus. Perhaps wheat’s extensive network of fine roots delivers nutrients so efficiently any extra delivered

by the fungus doesn’t justify the cost in sugars lost to the mycorrhizae. Peas are the other extreme — they have relatively

few roots and support more vigorous mycorrhizal populations.”

Hamel and her team have

A photo of AM fungi as it grows inside a root of wheat. It enters a cell and branches profusely (dark cells are colonized) to create a large plant-fungus interface through which mineral nutrients are exchanged for sugar. AM fungi are soil fungi that connect to plant roots after seed germination. Photo supplied

f o u n d d i f f e re n c e s a m o n g crop genotypes. Some genetic lines of wheat rich in nitrogen and potassium do better with mycorrhizae, with higher levels of potassium and nitrogen in leaves when the plants are grown with mycorrhizae.

Potassium makes photosynthesis more efficient by boosting transport of nutrients and carbohydrates produced in leaves.

As soil fungi go, mycorrhizae are very big — each individual can be 200 to 800 microns, big enough to see on a glass — and they grow fast, but they are very difficult to identify. They don’t grow in culture and researchers haven’t found the sexual stage that scientists use to identify fungal species.

“We have so much to learn about soil fungi,” says Hamel.

“Plant pathologists are so busy with leaves and the fungi on them, but we know very little about what’s happening under the ground.”

Organic boost

Hamel has found higher mycorrhizae populations under organic systems and says the lower nutrient levels in organic soils boost populations of the fungi.

“A hungry plant loses more sugars into the soil around its roots than a plant with good supply of nutrients,” says Hamel. “As well as enhancing mycorrhizal activity, the sugars stimulate decomposition and mineralization to make nutrients more available to the plant.

Nitrogen use efficiency is higher in organic fields.”

Sugars secreted by plant roots stimulate mycorrhizal hyphae to intrude into roots to set up the symbiotic relationship between plant and fungus.

Along with delivering water and nutrients, the fungus provides some stress resistance to the plant, acting almost like a vaccination and helping the plant’s defence mechanisms turn on quickly when the plant is attacked by disease or some other stressor. The old idea that tillage destroys the mycorrhizae is not entirely true, says Hamel.

“In Western Canada, tillage is no more than eight centimetres. That has very little impact on mycorrhizae. In other areas, where farmers till deeper, with more aggressive implements, mycorrhizae are suppressed.”

The diversity of mycorrhizae species is greater under native grass than under annual crops.

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42

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

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43

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

AUCTION DISTRICTS Parkland – North of Hwy 1; west of PR 242, following the west shore of Lake Manitoba and east shore of Lake Winnipegosis.

Westman – South of Hwy 1; west of PR 242.

Interlake – North of Hwy 1; east of PR 242, following the west shore of Lake Manitoba and east shore of Lake Winnipegosis.

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40+ vendors. A/C. Debit, Visa, M/C. Table/Booth rental info:(204)478-1217. mulveymarket.ca

ANTIQUES Antique Equipment WINTER PROJECTS FOR SALE: IH W4; IH WD6; IH Farmall M; IH Farmall H; JD AR styled; JD 70 DSL, PS; JD R; JD 1929 D 2-SPD; Oliver 77 row crop, arrow front; Oliver 880 DSL; MH 44 DSL row crop; MH 55 DSL; Fordson Major DSL. (204)745-7445

AUCTION SALES AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Parkland MEYERS COIN AUCTION 11:00am. Sat., Nov. 9th Arden, MB. 500+ lots of silver coins, paper money, large pennies & more. Bradley Meyers, auctioneer.

(204)476-6262. www.meyersauctions.com

AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Interlake McSherry Auction Service Ltd

VINTAGE SERVICE STATION & COCA COLA

Sun., Nov. 10 @ 10:00 am Stonewall, MB - #12 Patterson Dr Email: mcsherry@mts.net

2) Clear Vision Bowser 1) Double 1) Single * Texaco Elec Pump * Air Eco Meter * Red Indian Oil Rack * 2) Buffalo Globes * 2) Upright Coca Cola Coolers 1) mod 44, 1) mod 39 * Coin Operated Dispensers * Coffee Grinders * 8) Pedal Cars * Over 150 Signs * Clocks * Door Bars * Thermometers * Flanges * 2) Red Indian Signs * White Rose * BA * Ford V8 * Ford Wing Model T * Chev * Antelope * FireStone * Good Year * Texaco * Husky * Black Cat * 2) JD * 10) Cola Cola * Mountain Dew * 6) Orange Crush * McDonalds * Palm Ice Cream * Buffalo Oil Cans * Red Indian * Oil Jar * Air Plane Ash Tray * Railway Items *

Auctioneer Note: This will be Canada’s Most Exciting Adv Sale of the Decade!

Go To the Web for Pictures & Listing!

www.mcsherryauction.com AUCTION SALES Auctions Various

BE AN AUCTIONEER. (507)995-7803 www.auctioneerschool.com

AUTO & TRANSPORT AUTO & TRANSPORT Auto & Truck Parts GREAT PRICES ON NEW, used & remanufactured engines, parts & accessories for diesel pickups.

Large inventory, engines can be shipped or installed. Give us a call or check us out at www.thickettenginerebuilding.ca Thickett Engine Rebuilding.

Ph (204)532-2187, Russell MB.

AUTO & TRANSPORT Trucks 1983 FORD L9000 TANDEM grain truck, 20x8-ftx5ft box & hoist, new roll-tarp, Cummins 855, 9-spd fuller, new turbo, newer tires, safetied, $22,500 OBO. Phone:(204)523-7469, cell (204)534-8115, Killarney MB. 2000 FORD F250 XLT super cab, short box, 7.3 DSL, automatic, 2WD, 300,000-km, new tires w/5th wheel hitch & tailgate, very nice condition, $6,500 OBO. (204)745-7445

AUTO & TRANSPORT Vehicles Various OVER 200 VEHICLES LOTS OF DIESELS www.thoens.com Chrysler Dodge (800)667-4414 Wynyard, SK.

BUILDING & RENOVATIONS BUILDING & RENOVATIONS Roofing

PRICE TO CLEAR!!

Multi-coloured millends.........49¢/ft.2

Ask about our blowout colours...65¢/ft.2 Also in stock low rib white 29 ga. ideal for archrib buildings BEAT THE PRICE INCREASES CALL NOW

www.mcsherryauction.com

ST. LAZARE, MB. 1-800-510-3303

AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Red River

AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Red River

ANTIQUE AUCTION PETER GINTHER ESTATE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 10 AM

• IHC Utility model 674 diesel 3pth and pto • IHC model 1066 late model Diesel serial # 60913, dual pto and hydraulic excellent 18,4 x 38 rears, with IH 2350 Loader • IHC 706 Row crop Gas # 19533-S with very heavy Duty Front end loader, large bucket Formerly Schwietzer. Flax straw unit • Collector tractors in shed have not run for some time • Two---- IHC Model MD Diesel • IHC model H Narrow front • Two ----- Minneapolis Moline Model U Gas. • Massey Harris 44 -4 cylinder gas • Case 830 Diesel with cab • Case model D with Hand Clutch • Two Oliver 770 Diesels, one has run lately • Cockshutt 30 Wide Front • 1968 Chev. 50 v8 4 & 2 with good Grain master box and hoist, 900 x 20 duals licensed in 2010 • 1993 Freight Liner Conventional Highway Tractor, Cummins,13 speed, double bunk, 11 x 24.5 rubber • Home made, 36 ft Tandem High boy deck Trailer • 16 FT Deck on tandem axle Car hauler trailer with beaver tail and lift up Ramps • Collector Truck 1952 Chevy pickup with corner windows and tail gate this truck is indoors very dusty, for Photo please check our website 10 days prior to auction • 1996 Chevy Sonoma pick up standard shift • 1997 Chevy Jimmie 4 door • 1998 Chevy S-10 older pickup • Triple E 1700 Single axle camper

• Quality Commercial/Agricultural/Residential Overhead Doors & Operators.

• Aluminum Polycarbonate Doors Available.

• Non-Insulated and Insulated Sectional Doors Available.

• Liftmaster Heavy Duty Operators.

• Mullion Slide Away Centre Posts.

• Commercial/Agricultural Steel Man Doors and Frames.

• Your washbay door specialists. • Quality Installation & Service.

• 24 Hour Service. • Replacement Springs & Cables.

Phone: 204-326-4556 Fax: 204-326-5013 Toll Free: 1-855-326-4556 www.reimeroverheaddoors.com email: kurtis@reimeroverheaddoors.com CONTRACTING Custom Work

BUILDINGS AFAB INDUSTRIES IS YOUR SUPERIOR post frame building company. For estimates and information call 1-888-816-AFAB(2322).

Website: www.postframebuilding.com CONCRETE FLATWORK: Specializing in place & finish of concrete floors. Can accommodate any floor design. References available. Alexander, MB. 204-752-2069.

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT 1985 CASE 450C CRAWLER Dozer, 6-way blade, ROP canopy, hydrostatic trans, 16-in pads, 65% undercarriage, Cummins engine rebuilt, 0-hrs, $18,500. Phone:(204)525-4521 www.waltersequipment.com 2007 TOREQ 18000 SCRAPER 18-yd $30,000; 2008 Bobcat T250, 1,200hrs, CAH, HiFlow, Excellent Tracks, $29,000. Call:(701)521-0581.

FOR SALE: TD09 4-CYL angle dozer, needs undercarriage, not running at present. Phone: (204)745-7548.

FARM MACHINERY FARM MACHINERY Fertilizer Equipment NH3 RATE CONTROLLER, 3 section Raven/Greenstar section control, current 60-ft/36 runcan be changed. Complete system to tractor rear plug-in. Phone (204)649-2276, cell (701)389-1042.

MANITOBA BASED CUSTOM HARVESTING operation equipped w/Case IH & John Deere combines. Peas, cereals, canola, & soybeans. Flex heads, straight heads & PU headers. Professional operation fully insured. Phone:(204)371-9435 or (701)520-4036.

FOR RENT: 24-FT. PULLDOZER daily & weekly rates avail. Call (204)745-8909 or (204)242-4588.

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

IQBID NOVEMBER AUCTION OPENING: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

CLOSING: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

B-Gr. coloured......................70¢/ft.2

(204) 467-1858 or (204) 886-7027

Winkler, MB • 1-204-325-4433

Serving Manitoba, Saskatchewan, NW Ontario & Alberta....Since 1937

75 truckloads 29 gauge full hard 100,000PSI high tensile roofing & siding. 16 colours to choose from.

FOUILLARD STEEL SUPPLIES LTD.

Stuart McSherry

BUSINESS SERVICES Crop Consulting

FROM EAST END OF MORDEN TAKE FIRST STREET SOUTH THIS IS MILE 27, GO SOUTH 3 1/2 MILES FROM HWY. 32, WEST ON ROAD 9 TILL MILE 27, WATCH FOR SIGNS AUCTION DAY.

• 14 ft truck Van Body with over head and side walk in door • Honda 3 wheelers one Polaris ATV 4 wheeler • Garden Tractors Etc. • 2------- Ariens 5- G-14 garden tractors, maybe tillers and or mowers • 1 Ariens model GT 18 Garden Tractor, note sure about attachments • Two 50 gal field service tanks with hand pumps • Two wheel yard and other trailers • Farm King 6 ft 3pth Finish mower • Farm King model 510, 3pth rotary mower • IHC model 80 3pth single auger snow blower • 12 ft cultivators • Two antique Dump Rakes • Tools in shop etc.

• Magnum 60 gal upright Air compressor • Two top and bottom roll away tool chest and much more.

Please dress appropriately.

Lunch available. All purchased merchandise must be removed by November 10, 2013

See our website: www.billklassen.com or call 204-325-4433 cell 6230

BILL KLASSEN AUCTIONEERS

TRACTORS & LOADER 1976 JD 4430, quad range, 2 hyd., 3 pt., 540/1000 PTO, diff lock, A/C changed to 134A, 7,454 hrs., S/N4430H0555810R Case 930 Comfort King, diesel, 4 spd. HiLo, 2 hyd., 3 pt., 540 PTO, Ezee On loader, 7’ bucket & grapple, 3,742 hrs., S/N2205612 Co-op E4, wide front, 6 cyl. gas, 3 spd. Hi/Lo, belt pulley, live PTO, electric start, lights, New muffler, starter, generator, S/N40-4372 JD 148 loader, MDS Shurlock quick tach, 84” bucket, grapple, pallet fork

IHC 810 pickup head, 13’, 6-belt pickup, good belts, S/N33627 MF pickup head w/Melroe 378 7-belt pickup, S/N67169 GRAIN CARTS A&L 556 grain cart, 556 bu., center unload, S/NA85259 Parker 614 grain cart, 1000 PTO, scale, front corner auger & ladder, roll tarp UFT 450 grain cart, small 1000 PTO, front unloading auger

PLANTER JD 7200 MaxEmerge, 24x30”, 2 pt., front-fold, double disc openers, HD adj. down COMBINES 1999 JD 9610 Maximizer, pressure springs, ground drive, hydrostatic, CAH, ARS, AHH, folding markers, 3 bu. hoppers, Greenstar, grain loss monitor, CompuTrac 250 monitor, standard corn/soybean plates, bin ext., moisture monitor, straw chopper, chaff spreader, S/NH07200H665102 2,154 sep. hrs., 2,995 engine TILLAGE EQUIPMENT hrs., S/NH09610X682075 2011 M&W 3400 Vertigo 1998 Case-IH 2366 axial vertical tillage tool, flow, hydrostatic, CAH, ARS, 34’, rock flex, double-wing AHH, grain loss monitor, 2,500 fold, hyd. adj. pitch, serrated sep. hrs., 3,264 engine hrs., blades, mud scrapers, 8-bar S/NJJC0147334 rock flex rolling baskets, lights, 1986 Case-IH 1680 CAH, demo unit, S/N10004 hydrostatic, ARS, AHH, 4,468 Krause 4950 tandem engine hrs., S/NJJC0018702 disc, 34’, 19-1/2” blades, 1986 Case-IH 1640 axial rock flex, 8” front & rear flow, hydrostatic, CAH, RS, spacing, single pt. depth, hyd.

AHH, grain loss monitor, 3,481 leveling, S/N2081 engine hrs., S/N14384 Hiniker U800 ripper, 1981 IHC 1420, hydrostatic, 3 pt., 30” spacing, 5-shank, CAH, ARS, AHH, 5,485 11L-15 tires engine hrs., S/NU002347 Melroe chisel plow, 32’, 1980 JD 7720, hydrostatic, (32) Wil-Rich vertical tillage CAH, 4,105 engine hrs., coulters, harrow, low acres S/N458410 Gysler chisel plow, 24’ Taylor-Way chisel plow, HEADS 16’ 2002 Geringhoff RD Western harrow, 49’, hyd. chopping corn head, drive, w/500 gal. chemical tank 8x30”, poly, hyd. deck plates, S/N91312830 GRAVEL & OTHER Case-IH 1084 corn head, BOX TRUCKS 8x36”, S/NJJC0147334 1988 Freightliner quad 2004 Case-IH 1020 flex axle gravel truck, 400 head, 25’, AHH, ARS, Cummins, 13 spd., spring ride, S/NJJC0333604 rear up/down tag, front air down JD 925 rigid head, fore/aft, pusher, 20’ Dorsey aluminum S/NH00925PC563 gravel box, pintle hitch, rear air, shows 57,322 miles

1987 Mack RW713 tandem axle, steerable rear tag, Mack diesel, 12 spd. ext. range, 24’ Buffalo steel box, hoist, beet equipped, shows 162,845 miles 1980 GMC General tandem axle, 855 Cummins, 9 spd., HD Scott’s 20’ grain box & hoist, silage & grain endgates, rear hitch, left saddle tank missing, rust along sides, shows 51, 299 miles 1971 Ford F700 single axle, V8 gas, 5 spd., 15’ steel box, hoist, roll tarp, wood floor, 97,808 miles 1970 Ford F600 single axle, 300 6 cyl. gas, 4&2 spd., power steering, Knapheide 14’ box, wood floor, hoist, roll tarp 1969 IHC 1600 Loadstar single axle, 345 V8 gas, 4&2 spd., 14’ Knapheide box, hoist, 36,844 miles

WHEEL LOADER & TRACTOR LOADER BACKHOES JD 624G wheel loader, CAH, diesel, shuttle shift, auto leveling, auto height, 8,951 hrs., less than 10 hrs. on complete remfg. engine block, New injectors, sleeves, ring gear, A/C compressor & hoses, 2 yr. warranty on engine, seller has work orders, S/NDW624GB541484 1997 JD 410D tractor loader backhoe, JD diesel, 75 hp., 4WD, extend-a-hoe, CAH, AM/FM, bucket, 7,000 hrs.

1994 Ford New Holland 655D loader backhoe, diesel, cab, heat, 4WD, 2 stick controls, 24” rear bucket, 1.3 yd. front bucket, 5,576 hrs.

MOTOR GRADER & TELESCOPING FORKLIFT 1980 Champion 740A SERVICE TRUCK motor grader, 16’ blade, & PICKUPS front 7-shank scarifier, 5,253 hrs., 1979 Ford 8000 service (1) tire to be repaired, clutch out, truck, Cat 1160 diesel, 210 S/N740-23-106-0227-2 hp., rear hitch, 295/75R22.5 tires, rear duals, shows 95,769 Ferguson 2511A rubber tire compactor, shows miles, broken side window, 800 hrs. **welder not included** 1996 Carelift ZB60371989 Ford F150 XLT Lariat, reg. cab, 302 V8 gas, 44 telescopic forklift, automatic, 2WD, 8’ box, power OROPS, Cummins diesel, 4WD, aux. hyd., tilt & rotate, windows, A/C, cruise, 15” quick tach, 6,000 lb. cap., 37’ tires, 123,210 miles reach height, 23’ reach length, 1987 Chevrolet K10, reg 7,741 hrs., S/NB603708569J cab, 4 spd. automatic w/OD, 4WD, dual fuel tanks, captain Forklift work basket, New seat, 110,000 miles, 5,000 SKID STEER miles on GM crate motor & LOADERS & rebuilt transmission ATTACHMENTS 2008 JD 317 skid steer TRAILERS loader, 61 hp., door 1983 Load King tri-axle enclosure, aux. hyd., hand belly dump, spring ride controls, 61” GP bucket, 1,364 2008 Rainbow 4-place hrs., S/NJ00317A159141 snowmobile trailer, 22’ 2005 NH LT190B skid 2000 Mongoose car steer loader, diesel, 81 hp., trailer, 18’x7’, (2) 3,000 2 spd., cab, heat, 4,200 lb. lift, lb. axles New 84” bucket, 2,918 hrs.

2000 Haulmark Elite II Skid steer loader snow enclosed race trailer, 8-1/2x24’, fold down rear ramp bucket, 8’, 36” tall x 42” deep door, 48” curb side door, fully Skid steer loader snow insulated & lined, Salvage title bucket, 10’, 36” tall x 42” deep Skid steer snowblower, 60”

For consignor information & location, complete terms, lot listing and photos visit IQBID.com.

IQBID is a division of Steffes Auctioneers Inc. 2000 Main Avenue East, West Fargo, ND 58078 • Scott Steffes ND81 701.237.9173 •IQBID.com • SteffesAuctioneers.com

Skeleton rock bucket grapple, 84”, flat-faced couplers Tree & fence post puller LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT Case-IH 1350 grinder mixer, scale, 1000 PTO, S/N3542 Hay rack, 7’5”x14’ on NH running gear, 5-bolt hubs, 15” rims Endurabowl PHW10 New poly heated equine water bowl Endurabowl PHW42 New 150 head poly heated water bowl (2) Hoskins HW14 New 40 head SS heated water bowl Hoskins HW36 New 150 head SS heated water bowl GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT Schwitzer pneumatic grain air pump w/Mac 20x15 grain blower, no tubing, S/N3339-80 Brandt 4500EX grain vac, small 1000 PTO, S/N60558 Crippen 5472 grain cleaner, top & bottom air, 7.5 hp. 3 phase motor, ball racks, approx. 60 sieves covering all grains, including flax & grass seed Hopper bin w/axles for moving around (2) Enduraplas AH10 New auger hoppers, fits 8”, 10”, 12” dia., w/(2) straps BUILDING Butler steel frame building, 100x50’, 12’ overhead door OTHER EQUIPMENT VEHICLES SHOP EQUIPMENT TANKS TIRES & PARTS

44

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

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PLAN FOR 2014, ORDER your new Brock bin with winter discounts. Pour concrete now w/bin set up as early as May. Call Valley Agro (204)746-6783.

FARM MACHINERY Grain Carts GRAIN CARTS: BRENT 976, $29,000; Brent 974, $28,000; Brent 874, $23,000; Brent 1084, $29,000; Brent 774, $16,500; Brent 770, $15,000; Brent 674, $15,500; UFT Hydraulic drive #750, $14,000; UFT 725, $17,000; Ficklin 700 Bu, $13,000; Gravity Wagons, 250-750 Bu. Phone (204)857-8403.

FARM MACHINERY Grain Elevators 80-FT. BUCKET ELEVATING LEG w/3 phase 10-HP electric motor. Phone (204)886-3304.

Combine ACCessories FARM MACHINERY Combine – Accessories 1500 NH COMBINE, W/GAS motor, motor in good running condition, would consider selling motor only. Phone:(204)434-6386.

Don Hardy

1990 JD 843 CORN Head, 8 Row, 30-in., Field Ready, Fits All Deere’s, $11,500; 1997 JD 893 Corn Head, 8 Row, 30-in., Knife Rolls, Field Ready, $18,900; 1991 JD 843 Corn Head, 8 Row, 30-in., Totally Reconditioned, New Chains, Sprockets, Paint, $14,900; 2002 JD 893 Corn Head, 8 Row, 30-in., Totally Reconditioned, New Sprockets, Chains, Etc. Mint, $28,900; CIH 1083 Corn Head, 8 Row, 30-in., Totally Reconditioned, $14,900.

Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com

Phone 306-620-8422 Fax 204-284-8284 dhardy@mcmunnandyates.com

Make it better

2013 JD D450 635D Header HIDs 650 tires, Dual Knife, Full Poly, Very Low Hours. $160,000. Call: (701)521-0581.

CUSTOM BIN MOVING Book now! Fert Tanks.

Hopper Bins/flat. Buy/Sell. Call Tim (204)362-7103 or E-mail Requests binmovers@hotmail.com

COMBINE WORLD located 20 min. E of Saskatoon, SK on Hwy. #16. 1 year warranty on all new, used, and rebuilt parts. Canada’s largest inventory of late model combines & swathers.

1-800-667-4515 www.combineworld.com

P. 204-478-8291 F. 204-284-8284 jward@mcmunnandyates.com

BIG BINS & FLOORS at old prices, 20,000-56,000bu. bins holding prices until spring. NEW MOISTURE CABLES! Call Wall Grain for details (204)269-7616 or (306)244-1144 or (403)393-2662.

NEW SUKUP GRAIN DRYERS: 1/3 phase, Propane/ Natural Gas, Canola screens, various sizes. In stock & ready for delivery. Also some used dryers available. www.vzgrain.com (204)998-9915

Payment Enclosed ❑ Cheque

P. 204-638-5303 C. 204-572-5821 F. 204-622-7053 rcook@mcmunnandyates.com

FARM MACHINERY Haying & Harvesting – Swathers

NEW MC DRYERS IN STOCK w/canola screens 300-2,000 BPH units. Why buy used, when you get new fuel efficient & better quality & control w/MC. Call Wall Grain for details (204)269-7616 or (306)244-1144 or (403)393-2662.

U.S. Subscribers

CALL TOLL FREE 1-855-962-6866 Ron Cook

FARM MACHINERY Grain Bins

FARM MACHINERY Grain Dryers

ATTACH YOUR MAILING LABEL HERE

FARM MACHINERY Combine – Various

POST FRAME BUILDINGS

www.mcmunnandyates.com

Call, email or mail us today!

Canadian Subscribers

BUILDING & RENOVATIONS Building Supplies

McMunn & Yates post frame building systems are the ultimate in post frame construction for the agricultural, commercial and industrial markets.

McMunn & Yates post frame buildings are economical, functional and attractive. Our attention to detail ensure that you receive a high quality building that will last and perform for many years.

Renew your subscription to the Manitoba Co-operator for 2 years BEFORE we mail your renewal notice, and we'll extend your subscription by 2 additional months.

That's 26 months for the price of 24. OR - Renew for one year and receive 13 months for the price of 12!

M S E R : 12345 2010/12 PUB John Smith C o m p a n y Name 123 E x a m ple St. T o w n , P r o vince, POSTAL CODE

BUILDING & RENOVATIONS Building Supplies

9260 HESSTON SWATHER W/2210 HEADER, like new, 36-ft. Big Cab power unit, 2005. W/Swath roller. Very nice shape, best swather for Canola. $70,000. (204)871-0925.

FLEX PLATFORMS- FALL SPECIAL- In Stock. JD 216, 920- 925- 930; JD 630- (04-06), 635 (09); CIH 1020 25-ft.-30-ft. CIH 2020 30-ft.-35-ft. Ready to Go to Work. Air Reel Flex Platform- 2001 925 w/Crary Air Reel, F.F., $18,900; 1998 930 w/Crary Air Reel, $14,900; 2003 930 w/Crary Air Reel, $19,900. 3 NH 973 30-ft., one w/Crary Air Reel. Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com

BOUGHT 30-FT. FOR SALE: 24.5-ft. IHC 4000 has larger tires, Macdon 9352 cab w/all wiring, complete $14,500 or will separate cab $10,250.

(204)476-2649

Combines FARM MACHINERY Combine – Case/IH

HEADER TRAILERS & ACCESSORIES. Arc-Fab Industries. 204-355-9595 charles@arcfab.ca www.arcfab.ca

2001 CASEIH 2388, 2,400 seperator hrs, hopper top, yield & moisture, AFX rotor, Swathmaster pickup. Excellent condition, $65,000 OBO. Killarney, MB. Call:(204)523-7469 or (204)534-8115.

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories

FARM MACHINERY Combine – John Deere

Harvest Salvage Co. Ltd. 1-866-729-9876 5150 Richmond Ave. East BRANDON, MB. www.harvestsalvage.ca New, Used & Re-man. Parts

2002 JD 9750 STS, 2350-sep hrs, bullet rotor, factory 4WD, upgraded feed accelerator, variable speed feeder house, long unload auger, extended wear package, hopper top, duals & is Green Star ready, $79,500 OBO. Phone (204)856-6907, (204)723-2662.

Tractors Combines Swathers

JD 7700 COMBINE 212 & 224 headers, it c/w duals, it almost floats! Always shedded, in family since new, $6,500 OBO. Earl Cunningham (306)452-7245, Redvers, SK.

We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you want to sell it fast place your ad in the Manitoba Cooperator classifieds. It’s a Sure Thing. Call our toll-free number today. We have friendly staff ready to help.

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If you're not the owner/operator of a farm are you: q In agri-business (bank, elevator, ag supplies etc.) q Other total farm size (including rented land)_______________ Year of birth________ q I’m farming or ranching q I own a farm or ranch but i'm not involved in it's operations or management

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My Main crops are: No. of acres 10. Lentils ___________ 11. Dry Beans ___________ 12. Hay ___________ 13. Pasture ___________ 14. Summerfallow ___________ 15. Alfalfa ___________ 16. Forage Seed ___________ 17. Mustard ___________ 18. Other (specify) ___________ Livestock Enterpise No. of head 5. Hog farrow-to-finish (# sows) ______ 6. Finished Pigs (sold yearly) _________ 7. Dairy Cows ___________ 8. Other Livestock (specify) __________

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6

Last week's answer

4 8 6 5 7 5 3 8

8 7 1 9 3

3 4 7 6 1 2 8 9 5

5 2 9 8 4 3 6 1 7

6 1 8 7 9 5 2 4 3

7 6 1 2 5 9 3 8 4

4 5 2 3 8 7 1 6 9

9 8 3 4 6 1 5 7 2

1 7 6 5 3 4 9 2 8

8 3 4 9 2 6 7 5 1

2 9 5 1 7 8 4 3 6

Puzzle by websudoku.com

5 7 1 2 5

1

4

4 9 2 7 6 5 9 Puzzle by websudoku.com

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

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45

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories

FARM MACHINERY Tillage & Seeding – Tillage

FYFE PARTS

2008 BOURGAULT 7200 HEAVY Harrow 84-ft $38,000. Call:(701)521-0581.

1-800-667-9871 • Regina 1-800-667-3095 • Saskatoon 1-800-387-2768 • Winnipeg 1-800-222-6594 • Edmonton “For All Your Farm Parts”

www.fyfeparts.com The Real Used FaRm PaRTs sUPeRsToRe Over 2700 Units for Salvage • TRACTORS • COMBINES • SWATHERS • DISCERS Call Joe, leN oR daRWIN (306) 946-2222 monday-Friday - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

WATROUS SALVAGE WaTRoUs, sK. Fax: 306-946-2444

TracTors FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Case/IH 1982 CASE IH 5288, 160-hp, cab w/heater & A/C. New 20.8 x 38 rear tires w/factory duals, 1000 PTO. Tractor’s in very nice condition, w/9,300-hrs, engine & trans. just recently rebuilt. Asking $18,500. Phone Rob:(204)743-2145 Mornings & evenings or Days (204)526-5298. Cypress River, MB.

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – John Deere 1974 JD 4430, CAB w/heater & A/C, new 18.4 x 38 rear tires w/factory duals, 540 & 1000 PTO. 12,500-hrs on tractor, engine was rebuilt at 9,000-hrs. Comes w/158 JD loader, manure bucket, dirt bucket & bale prong. W/joystick control. Asking $24,500. Phone Rob:(204)743-2145 Mornings & evenings or Days (204)526-5298. Cypress River, MB. 2008 JD 9530T, 3,100-HRS, 36-in tracks, Powershift, PTO, 4Hyd, SCVs, HIDs, AT ready. $240,000.

Call:(701)521-0581.

FOR SALE: JD 1840 c/w high-low JD 146 loader, 3-PTH, 540/1000 PTO, 6-ft. bucket & bale forks, 8,300-hrs, good running condition, $12,000 OBO. (204)278-3308.

NEW WOBBLE BOXES for JD, IH, MacDon headers. Made in Europe, factory quality. Get it direct from Western Canada’s sole distributor starting at $1,095. 1-800-667-4515. www.combineworld.com

NEW & USED TRACTOR PARTS NEW COMBINE PARTS Large Inventory of new and remanufactured parts

FOR SALE: JD 2130 3-pt., re-built engine w/146 loader, painted; JD 2750 MFWD, 3-pt., 245 FEL, painted; JD 2950 MFWD, 3-pt., painted, w/265 FEL; JD 3155 MFWD, 3-pt., w/265 FEL; JD 4020 Synchro; JD 4250 MFWD, powershift w/o FEL; JD 4455 MFWD, 3-pt., quad shift; JD 4440 Quad, fact duals; JD 4450 2WD, 3-pt., 15-SPD; JD 4450 MFWD, Quad shift; JD 4450 MFWD, 15-SPD, power shift, w/wo FEL; JD 4640 2WD, 3-pt., 3 hyd, Quad shift, 8 front weights w/bracket. All tractors can be sold w/new or used loaders. Mitch’s Tractor Sales Ltd. St. Claude, MB. Call: (204)750-2459. mitchstractorsales.com JD 8400 POWER SHIFT, 1000 PTO, 3-PTH, 4 Hyd, 7,900-hrs, Performax Service Done, $64,900; JD 840 Loader avail, $12,900. Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com JD 9120 POWER SHIFT, 1000 PTO, 3-PTH, 4 Hyd, GPS, Auto Steer, 6,900-hrs, Performax Service Inspection, $115,900. Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com

STEINBACH, MB. Ph. 326-2443 Toll-Free 1-800-881-7727 Fax (204) 326-5878 Web site: farmparts.ca E-mail: roy@farmparts.ca FARM MACHINERY Salvage

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – 2 Wheel Drive STEVE’S TRACTOR REBUILDER specializing in JD tractors in need of repair or burnt, or will buy for parts. JD parts available. Phone: 204-466-2927 or cell: 204-871-5170, Austin.

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – 4 Wheel Drive 1976 8630 JD, PTO, 7950-hrs, good condition, $13,500 OBO. Call Brian (204)981-6480.

GOODS USED TRACTOR PARTS: (204)564-2528 or 1-877-564-8734, Roblin, MB.

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Various

MURPHY SALVAGE New & used parts for tractors, combines, swathers, square & round balers, tillage, press drills & other misc machinery. MURPHY SALVAGE (204)858-2727 or toll free 1-877-858-2728.

Case 1070,107-HP, std trans, 6,180-hrs, $7,500; 1978 White 2-105, 6,780-hrs, 100-HP, Hydro-shift, $7,500; 1982 IHC 5088, 8979-hrs, triple hyd, 1000 PTO, 18.4x38 duals, 1100 front, W/Leon 707 FEL, $17,500. Phone (204)525-4521 www.waltersequipment.com

FARM MACHINERY Snowblowers, Plows 6-FT. FARM KING SNOWBLOWER w/hyd chute, very good condition, $900 OBO. (204)745-7445

TRACTOR ALLIS CHALMERS CA. Comes w/3-PTH for a 2-sheer plow, rear cultivators, plus side cultivators, $2,250; 12-ft wide cultivator, must be pulled by a tractor, $100 OBO. (204)661-6840.

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Various

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

Big Tractor Parts, Inc.

SOLD FARM & RETIRED

Geared For The Future

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE:

STEIGER TRACTOR SPECIALIST

RED OR GREEN 1. 10-25% savings on new replacement parts for your Steiger drive train.

2. We rebuild axles, transmissions and dropboxes with ONE YEAR WARRANTY. 3. 50% savings on used parts.

1-800-982-1769 www.bigtractorparts.com

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous 8 BALE LOW-BED, 9-FT x 26-ft, 6-in x 8-in steel beams, $1,000; 41-ft, 7-in Westfield grain auger w/Kohler 16-hwp motor w/starter, $850; 6-ft swath roller, $175. Phone:(204)748-1024.

FOR SALE: 12-FT 495 NH Haybine. Good condition, $5000; 48-ft High Boy trailer. New brakes, Lic. Safety ran out, $3000. Phone (204)828-3381.

JD 3970 HARVESTER, $8900; NH890, $2500; I-H 781, $2000; JD Hay head, $3000; 3R Corn head, $3000; NH 822 head 2R, $2000; NH 3R adjustable, $3000; I-H 2R corn head, $800; Harsh 350 feed cart, $5000; Mohrlang 420 feed cart on truck, $5000; KR feeder cart, $2000; Snowco feeder 150Bu cart, $750; Haybuster 256+2 bale shredder, $6000; Weigh wagon, $2500.

Phone (204)857-8403.

PLOWS MELROE AUTORESET 8-18, $3000; 8-16, $3000; 7-18, $3000; 8-16 w/coulters, $4500; White 5F rollover, $3500; I-H 5-16 Semimount, $750; 3-PH JD-4-16, $1000; JD 3F 3-16, $850; JD drainage V-Plow, $1500; VFT rotary pitcher, $1250; Degelman 14-ft rock rake, $7500; Haybuster L-106 picker, $2500; Case 450 skidsteer, 1260-hrs, $18,000; Tractor cab, $600; Phone (204)857-8403.

STONEY’S SERVICE, EDDYSTONE, MB. For Sale: 1979 45-ft Wilson double decker Cattle Trailer, nose decking, dog house, safety gates, real good farm trailer, $9500; 53-ft Hay trailer ready to haul hi-boy tri-axle, air ride, $10,000; 20-yd tandem Belly Dump gravel trailer, $9500. 35-ft hay trailer 12 wheels off road farm, $7,995. 30-ft hay trailer 8 wheels off road farm, $6,995. Single off road convertors starting at $1,495-$2,395; Tandem off road convertors starting at $2,495-$3,495. Phone: (204)448-2193, evenings.

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

JD 9870 STS 2009 Combine 460 Hours Warranty Until Fall of 2014

JD Tractors • 8345 R, 1415 Hrs, FWA • 8360 R, 1104 Hrs, FWA • 9430, 489 Hrs, FWD

1830 44 Ft Air Seeder with 1910 Seed Cart Seeded approx 5000 acres

2013 Unverferth 36’ Rolling Basket Harrows “NEW” Never Used

2013 Harriston 8 Row Potato Planter “NEW” Never Used

Contact: 204-834-3704 home | 204-476-0480 cell FARM MACHINERY Machinery Wanted

LIVESTOCK Cattle Auctions

EZ-ON MEDIUM DUTY DISC, 20-26-ft, others considered; Late model 5020 JD tractor; NH 1475 haybine; L3 Gleaner combine. Phone:(306)876-4707.

WANTED: 40 OR 45-FT grain trailer. Phone: (204)638-8415.

WANTED: 80-HP (+) TRACTOR w/ or w/o loader.

Phone (204)242-2362.

WANTED: FINE SCREEN GRAIN dryer for drying canola. Contact (701)593-6168.

WANTED JD 530 MODEL, row crop. Phone Gordon (204)268-2392.

HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING

The Icynene Insulation System® • Sprayed foam insulation • Ideal for shops, barns or homes • Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient®

Bred Cow Sale

Friday, November 8, 11 am Highway #1 West, Whitewood, Sask.

DISPERSAL FOR MICHAEL & COLLEEN GIROUX FEATURING 60 ANGUS COWS & 10 HEIFERS BRED TO RED LIMO BULLS DUE END OF MARCH

***Sale is open to more consignments*** Please consign by calling the market at 306-735-2822 For more detailed information and pictures go to our website at www.whitewoodlivestock.com ***UPCOMING BRED COW SALES FRIDAY, NOV 29, & DEC 13***

GRUNTHAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION MART. LTD. Hwy #205, Grunthal • (204) 434-6519

GRUNTHAL, MB.

AGENT FOR T.E.A.M. MARKETING www.penta.ca

1-800-587-4711

IRON & STEEL 2 1/8, 2 3/8, 2 7/8, 3 1/2-in oilfield pipe; 3/4, 7/8, 1in sucker rod; 4.5, 5.5, 7-in., 8 5/8, 9 5/8s casing pipe. (204)252-3413, (204)871-0956.

FREE STANDING CORRAL PANELS, Feeders & Alley ways, 30ft or order to size. Oil Field Pipe: 1.3, 1.6, 1.9, 1 7/8, 2-in, 2 3/8, 2 7/8, 3 1/2. Sucker Rod: 3/4, 7/8, 1. Casing Pipes: 4-9inch. Sold by the piece or semi load lots. For special pricing call Art (204)685-2628 or cell (204)856-3440.

FULL LINE OF COLORED & galvanized roofing, siding & accessories, structural steel, tubing, plate, angles, flats, rounds etc. Phone:1-800-510-3303, Fouillard Steel Supplies Ltd, St Lazare.

LIVESTOCK Cattle Auctions

REGULAR CATTLE SALES

every TUESDAY at 9 am Nov 5th,12th,19th & 26th Monday, November 11th No Sale - REMEMBRANCE DAY! Saturday, November 2nd Bred Cow Sale 10:00 am

Sales Agent for

HIQUAL INDUSTRIES

We also have a line of Agri-blend all natural products for your livestock needs. (protein tubs, blocks, minerals, etc)

For on farm appraisal of livestock or for marketing information please call

Harold Unrau (Manager) Cell 871 0250 Auction Mart (204) 434-6519 MB. Livestock Dealer #1111

WWW.GRUNTHALLIVESTOCK.COM

REGULAR BUTCHER & FEEDER SALE Every Friday 9AM

SPECIAL ANGUS INFLUENCE SALE Friday, November 8th

NEXT SHEEP & GOAT SALE Wednesday, November 6 @ 1:00 pm Gates Open: Mon.-Wed. 8AM-4PM Thurs. 8AM-10PM Friday 8AM-6PM Sat. 8AM-4PM

REMEMBRANCE DAY - CLOSED

Please call in your consignment this Fall to enable us to promote your stock in advance to prospective buyers.

Bred Cow Sale Gladstone Auction Mart Ltd Friday, Nov 15th at 11:00 AM Complete herd dispersal of 32 mostly Black Angus cows bred Black to start calving mid March These cows are age verified Complete herd dispersal of 35 Black Angus cows bred Black & Red start calving March 1st and age verified Approx. 150 cows already consigned To Consign to this sale Ph: Gerald at the mart 204-385-2537 Cows should be in the mart by 1:00 PM on Thursday, Nov. 14th for preg checking License # 1108

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Black Angus

For more information call: 204-694-8328 Jim Christie 204-771-0753 Scott Anderson 204-782-6222 Mike Nernberg 204-807-0747

Bred Heifers: Big, quiet, Angus/Maine-Anjou cross heifers. Bred back to Black Angus bull, due to calve in Mar. Asking $1,600-$1,800. (204)485-4822

Licence #1122

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Red Angus

www.winnipeglivestocksales.com

REG RED ANGUS BULL, 5 yrs old, easy calver.

Call evenings (204)436-2347.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Hereford 35 HEREFORD COWS & 12 bred hereford heifers.

All bred to start calving Feb 1st. Will keep cows until Jan 1st 2014. Contact Glen (204)436-3377, Elm Creek.

46

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Limousin MARK YOUR CALENDARS MB Limousin Association. Limousin advantage sale Nov 23rd, 2013 at 1:30pm. Hosted at Triple R Limousin, MacGregor, MB. The best of the best will be on offer. Steers & heifer calves, Bred heifers & proven cows w/some commercial cows. Come & check out. Your source for quality Limousin genetics. Art (204)685-2628, Trav (204)838-2019, Bob (204)274-2490, Cheryl (204)736-2878, Bill (204)776-2322, Len (204)937-4980, Lawrence (204)838-2198, Kevin (204)734-4797, Brad (204)638-8554.

LIVESTOCK Sheep For Sale

33rd annual Sale Saturday, November 9th

75.76-ACS. VERY BEAUTIFUL LARGE treed yard, many species. Several large buildings, rest in Alfalfa, Hydro & Water. Must see 10-mi NE of Selkirk.

Reduced to $144,000.

Call Harry (204)482-7251.

Young February Lambing Ewes for Sale 52 February lambing Suffolk/Rambouillet & Dorset cross ewes for sale. 1 1/2 & 2 1/2-yrs old. They were exposed to Suffolk rams from Sep. 13 to Oct. 21. Asking $170 / each OBO. Ph:(204)739-6477 ladyofthelakelamb@gmail.com YOUNG RAMS FOR cross, de-wormed, (204)483-1333.

SALE. very

FARMLAND FOR SALE BY TENDER: Sealed, written tenders for property in the RM of Morris will be received by: HARRY WIENS LAW OFFICE 2-500 Main Street, P.O. Box 99 Winkler, MB R6W 4A4. For the following legally described property: NW 1/4 33-5-2WPM, excepting Water Control Works Plan 1242 MLTO. Being approximately 159.70-ac. CONDITIONS OF TENDER: 1.Interested parties must rely on their own inspection & knowledge of the property. 2.Tenders must be received on or before 5:00p.m. on Nov., 28, 2013.

3.Tenders must be accompanied by a deposit of 5% of the amount offered, payable to HARRY WIENS LAW OFFICE. Deposit cheques accompanying unaccepted bids will be returned. 4.Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. The Vendors are not obligated to sell any of the land, or to accept any Tender. 5.The purchaser(s) shall be responsible for payment of GST or shall self-assess for GST. For CONDITIONS OF SALE & further information contact: HARRY J. WIENS or JOAN FRANZ at: Ph. 204-325-4615 or by Fax. 204-325-6712.

Email:harry@hjwienslaw.ca or joan@hjwienslaw.ca

Suffolk/Hampshire friendly.

Call

Horses

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Simmental

Pembina Triangle Simmental Association

REAL ESTATE Land For Sale

LIVESTOCK Horses – Donkeys 2 MATURE FEMALE STANDARD Jennys, 2 standard 2013 Jennettes, 1 2013 standard Jack. Good guardians, experienced w/cattle, sheep & goats.

Phone:(204)425-3131.

LIVESTOCK Horses Wanted

in Cypress River MB.

WANTED: BELGIAN & PERCHERON COLTS/FILLIES Contracting now for 2013 delivery. Serious inquiries only, please. (360) 791-1868.

Swine

Please visit our website for more information www.transconlivestock.com Or give us a call at 403-638-9377

LIVESTOCK Cattle Various 80 BRED COWS: Char Red Angus X, good condition, on a regular vacc program, bred to calve Mar & Apr, asking $1,400 each. Mark (204)422-5914 after 6:00pm.

PETS

LIVESTOCK Swine For Sale

PETS & SUPPLIES

FOR SALE: BERKSHIRE HOGS, bores & gilts plus market hogs. Also some Tamworth pigs. Delivery at cost.

Contact Troy & Lee Collingridge (204)828-3317, (204)750-2759, (204)750-3082.

12 WK OLD MAREMMA puppy, will be large guardian dog, being raised w/sheep. $350. Phone (204)367-8945.

BORDER COLLIE PUPS for sale. Both parents on site, 3 females blk/w & 4 males, 2 are blk/w, 2 are red/w, $125 ea, ready to go October 10th. No Sunday calls please (204)656-4430.

LIVESTOCK Swine Wanted

80 RED ANGUS CROSS, Charlois cross, due to calve March/Apr. Bred to PB Red Angus. These cows are 2nd calvers & are age verified. Call Ed:(204)385-2672.

WANTED: BUTCHER HOGS SOWS AND BOARS FOR EXPORT

80 RED COWS FOR SALE. Approx 40 will be having their 2nd calf Spring 2014, approx 40 of varying ages. All bred to Black Angus bulls starting July 1st, 2013. Priced in small groups or as a whole unit.

(204)876-4798 Snowflake, MB. BRED YEARLING HEIFERS FOR SALE Red & Black Angus cross. Exposed from June 14th -Aug 14th to easy calving bulls. Your choice $1700; 50 or more $1,650 or $1,600 for all 90.

Phone (204)683-2208 St. Lazare, MB

P. QUINTAINE & SON LTD. 728-7549 Licence No. 1123

COMPLETE HERD DISPERSAL, 130 Angus & Angus crossed cows, mainly black with a few reds, bred to Black Angus & Black Simmental bulls, $1,200/each. Call:(204)841-3633 or (204)386-2857.

Specialty

FOR SALE: 30 ANGUS cross cows, bred to Black Angus bulls, starting to calve Jan 15th. $1500 each.

Phone (204)822-3789, (204)362-6403.

LIVESTOCK Livestock Equipment

FOR SALE: 30 YOUNG cows bred Red Angus, to calve Mar5-Apr30, full vaccination program, $1,600 OBO. Also 6 Red bred heifers. Howard McDonald: (204)834-2931 or (204)724-5673.

ALTERNATIVE POWER BY SUNDOG SOLAR, portable/remote solar water pumping for winter/summer. Call for pricing on solar systems, wind generators, aeration. Carl Driedger, (204)556-2346 or (204)851-0145, Virden.

FOR SALE: 40 ANGUS cows mainly Black Angus bred to Black Angus for May & June calving, asking $1,600 per cow OBO. (204)247-0388, Roblin, MB. HERD DISPERSAL OF 40 young Charolais & Charolais cross cows. Bred Charolais for Mar 04 calving. (204)638-8502 or (204)648-5186, Dauphin.

HERD DISPERSAL SALE: Angus crosses Red & Black 50 cows, 10 bred heifers, 10 open heifers & 3 bulls, quiet. Call evenings (204)638-8561.

LIVESTOCK Cattle Wanted

HIGH-LINE 7000 BALE PROCESSOR, twine cutter, $7500; NH 795 manure spreader, $3800; Gehl 315 manure spreader, side discharge, $4000.

Phone (204)828-3648.

KELLN SOLAR SUMMER/WINTER WATERING System, provides water in remote areas, improves water quality, increases pasture productivity, extends dugout life.

St. Claude/Portage, 204-379-2763.

12V. or Hydraulic Electronic Scale Opt.

TIRED OF THE HIGH COST OF MARKETING YOUR CATTLE??

Rob: 528-3254, 724-3400 Ben: 721-3400 Don: 528-3477, 729-7240

Contact: D.J. (Don) MacDonald Livestock Ltd. License #1110

www.ezefeeder.ca

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE WESTERN RAWHIDE 16-IN Western saddle, light roper, brown. 1 set of horse harness w/breast collar & breaching; 1 set of horse fine harness w/breast collar. 1 Gerald 4-wheel fine harness buggy; 1 Gerald 2-wheel pleasure cart; 1 metal 2-wheel pleasure cart. Phone:(204)745-2851.

ORGANIC ORGANIC Organic – Grains

LIVESTOCK Sheep – Suffolk PB Suffolk Ram Lambs: Feb. born, ROP selected, Vacc & deworm, Oak Hammock Suffolks. $400 (204)250-1944

LIVESTOCK Sheep For Sale 19TH GREAT LAKES DAIRY Sheep Symposium will be held in Cambridge, Ont. Nov., 7-9th, 2013. It will feature lectures on health, nutrition, performance & genetics of dairy sheep. This is a chance to network w/other producers & processors of sheep milk. Everyone involved w/sheep milk production or processing will benefit from attending.

Early bird registration ends Oct., 10th. Program & registration forms are on www.DSANA.org or Phone Eric:(519)848-5694 of Mike:(519)826-4061.

Bioriginal Food & Science Corp., based in Saskatoon, is actively buying Organic Flax from the 2013 crop year.

If interested, please send an 8lb sample* to the following address: Attn: Sandy Jolicoeur Bioriginal Food & Science Corp.

102 Melville Street Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7J 0R1 *Please state the Variety & Quantity for Sale

PUREBRED CLUN FOREST RAMS for sale. Born March. Ready to breed this fall. All breeding lines from Imported British Genetics. For more information about our Cluns go to www.oakwoodgrange.ca $250-$300. Phone:(204)722-2036. (Virden area)

PEDIGREED SEED Cereal – Wheat

New “Straight Cut” www.seeddepot.ca

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Houses & Lots 1,400-SQFT HOME, FULL BASEMENT, attached & detached garage, 4 other bldgs, 2-ac lot, garden plots, shows like new. Phone:(204)768-3044 or (204)302-9106.

FARM HOUSE FREE APPROX 1,150-sq.ft. to be moved or salvaged, excellent for cottage, Oak Bluff.

Phone (204)895-8326 or (204)895-0084.

For more information, please contact Sandy at:

306-975-9251 306-975-1166 purchasing@bioriginal.com PEDIGREED SEED Cereal – Wheat

N1/2 NW 35-20-24 W1 NE of Rossburn, MB: Land is rolling has approx 38 arable acs & the balance is bush & water, $45,000. Karen Goraluk Salesperson (204)773-6797. NorthStar Insurance & Real Estate www.north-star.ca

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Saskatchewan TIM HAMMOND REALTY: Shire Farm RM 92 Walpole near Moosomin, 1,280-ac featuring 610 cult. acs & 625 hay/pasture acs (300-ac could be cropped), $59,550 average 2013 asmt, Grass carries 100 pair, Yard incl: 1,180-sqft bungalow (1983), 4 bed, 2 bath. 12,850-bu. steel bin storage. Excellent water & cattle facilities. MLS 462168 REDUCED to $1,240,000. Call ALEX MORROW: (306)434-8780. http://Shire.TimHammond.ca

FABULOUS WORKING CATTLE RANCH. Mostly newer facilities w/320 deeded acs & 320 leased acs w/1,124SF, 2 bdrm built 2010, attached insulated double garage, 44’x32’ heated & insulated work shop, older barn, elec fencing & more. Balmoral, $645,000. Call Claudette @ L.J. Baron Realty, www.ljbaron.com, 888-629-6700 For Sale: RM of MCCREARY 719-acs farm (cattle, elk, bison) 1,064-sq.ft. bungalow & yard site, outbldgs. 3) PLUMAS 1,156-sq.ft. 2+ BDRM MODERN HOME 4.17-ACS, ca c vac, WORKSHOPS & MORE! 4) ARDEN 5-acs 2+ bdrm renov. Home dbl garage. Also 2-ac lot only $8,000; 5) 1 section of pastureland NE of GLADSTONE, fenced & dugouts, $269,000; 6) Acerage w/3-bdrm home w/trucker’s shed 72x36, in OBERON, $229,000.

Phone Liz:(204)476-6362 or John:(204)476-6719.

Gill & Schmall Agencies.

GRANT TWEED Your Farm Real Estate Specialist.

Developing a successful farm takes years of hard work. When it’s time to sell there are many factors to consider. I can provide the experience & expertise to help you through the process. To arrange a confidential, obligation free meeting, please call (204)761-6884 anytime.

Website; www.granttweed.com

FARM LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER

NOTRE DAME USED OIL

Sealed, written tenders for property in the RM of &Pembina FILTER DEPOT will be received by:

LAW OFFICE • Buy UsedSELBY Oil • Buy Batteries 351 Main BoxOil279 • Collect Used FiltersSt.,• PO Collect Containers Manitou, MB. R0G 1G0

Southern and Western Manitoba 204-248-2110 NE ¼ 3-2-8Tel: WPM

PROPERTY

Excepting M. and M. (being approx. 160 cultivated acres) TENDERS CLOSE: November 15, 2013.

are presently available for rent for hay or grazing. These lands are situated in the Rural Municipalities of:

ALBERT, ALONSA, ARMSTRONG, BIFROST, BROKENHEAD, COLDWELL, CORNWALLIS, DAUPHIN, ERIKSDALE, ETHELBERT, FISHER, GRAHAMDALE, GRANDVIEW, HILLSBURG, KELSEY, LAC DU BONNET, LAKEVIEW, LANSDOWNE, LAWRENCE, MOSSEY RIVER, MOUNTAIN SOUTH, NORTHERN MANITOBA, OCHRE RIVER, PARK, PINEY, PIPESTONE, PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, REYNOLDS, ROCKWOOD, ROSSBURN, SHELLMOUTH-BOULTON, SIGLUNES, SPRINGFIELD, ST. CLEMENTS, ST. LAURENT, STE. ROSE, STUARTBURN, SWAN RIVER, TACHE, VICTORIA, WALLACE, WESTBOURNE, WOODLANDS Closing date for applications for hay and/or grazing is November 15, 2013 Please contact your nearest Crown Lands District Office for more information or call 1-866-210-9589 A listing of Crown Lands District Offices can be found online at: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/ contact/crownlands.html A complete listing of Agricultural Crown Lands available for rent can be found online at: www.clp.gov.mb.ca/leases_and_permits/ properties.html#agLeasePermit

RECYCLING

BuyUsed Used Oil Oil ••Buy NOTRE •• Buy Buy Batteries Batteries DAME ••Collect CollectUsed Used Filters Filters • Collect Oil Containers • Collect Oil Containers USED • Antifreeze OIL & Southern,Southern Eastern, and Manitoba Western Western FILTER Manitoba DEPOT Tel: 204-248-2110

For further information contact S. Tristan Smith at Phone:(204) 242-2801 Fax: (204) 242-2723 Email: selbylaw@mts.net

LAND FOR SALE Selling 100% shares of Corporation Shares consist of:

SE 8-4-4E - 160 acres SW 4-4-4E - 160 acres (both parcels are in the RM of DeSalaberry)

Deadline for bids November 30, 2013 Mail bids to: Daniel & Terry Sabourin Box 25 St. Jean Baptiste, MB R0G 2B0 204-746-4028 - cell

PEDIGREED SEED Specialty – Various

Bioriginal Food & Science Corp., based in Saskatoon, are looking to contract Borage acres for the upcoming 2014 growing season.

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Great profit potential based on yield, prices and low input costs.

Attractive oil premiums and free seed delivery and on-farm pick-up.

Flexible contracting options available as well.

For more information, please contact Carl Lynn P.Ag. of Bioriginal at:

306-229-9976 (cell) 306-975-9295 (office) crops@bioriginal.com

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Hay & Straw 100 ALFALFA GRASS HAY $25/bale. Phone (204)243-2634.

REAL ESTATE Land For Rent WANTED: LOOKING FOR CROPLAND in Argyle, Stonewall, Warren, Balmoral, Grosse Isle, St Francis, Elie & surrounding area. Please call Deric (204)513-0332, leave msg.

sale,

FOR SALE: LARGE ROUND hay bales of mixed grasses. Call:(204)646-4226.

QUALITY net Komarno, MB.

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Grain Wanted

WE BUY OATS Call us today for pricing Box 424, Emerson, MB R0A 0L0 204-373-2328

GRAIN & CATTLE FARMS wanted for both overseas & Canadian buyers. Call me to discuss all options & current farmland market prices. Rick Taylor: (204)867-7551. rtaylor@homelife.com Homelife Realty, Brandon, MB.

“More Wheat...Less Shatter”

for

DAIRY & BEEF HAY for sale, 3x4 square bales, delivery available. Phone (204)827-2629 before 9:00am or leave message.

LARGE ROUND EXCELLENT wrapped oat straw bales, at $15/each. Phone:(204)886-3212.

GOOD QUALITY GRAIN & Cattle Farms wanted for Canadian & Overseas Clients. For a confidential meeting to discuss the possible sale of your farm or to talk about what is involved, telephone Gordon Gentles (204)761-0511 www.homelifepro.com or Jim McLachlan (204)724-7753, www.homelifepro.com Home Professional Realty Inc.

PEDIGREED SEED Cereal – Wheat

bales

LARGE ROUND ALFALFA/GRASS BALES, avg weight 1,650-lbs. Good quality, reasonable priced to move quickly, 900 first cut, 100 second cut Phone:(204)212-0751. Kelwood, MB.

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Wanted

CARDALE

AGRICULTURAL CROWN LANDS

SW-5-25-14W RM OF ALONSA, 70-acres tame hay. Good hunting (wildlife opportunity) Surrounded by crown land, fenced in. Tender by Nov 22, 2013.

Mail to 48 Stradbrook Place, Dauphin MB, R7N 0M9.

READY TO MOVE HOMES - Beautiful homes still available for fall delivery. 3 bedrooms, walk-in closet & ensuite, main floor laundry. 1,320-sqft $75,000, 1,520-sqft - $90,000. Call Marvin Homes Inc:(204)326-1493, (204)355-8484. Steinbach, MB. www.marvinhomes.ca

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PEDIGREED SEED Cereal – Wheat

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47

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Grain Wanted

BUYING:

HEATED & GREEN CANOLA • Competitive Prices • Prompt Movement • Spring Thrashed “ON FARM PICK UP”

1-877-250-5252

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Grain Wanted

Vanderveen Commodity Services Ltd.

Andy Vanderveen · Brett Vanderveen Jesse Vanderveen

A Season to Grow… Only Days to Pay!

We feed feed wheat, Webuy buy feedbarley, barley, feed wheat, MALT BARLEY MALT BARLEY oats, corn oats,soybeans, soybeans, corn & canola canola *6-Row* *6-Row* Celebration&&Tradition Tradition Celebration COME SEE IN COME SEEUS US AT AT AG AG DAYS DAYS IN We buy feed barley, feed wheat, CONVENTION HALL We THE buy barley, feed wheat, THEfeed CONVENTION HALL oats,soybeans, soybeans, corn & & canola canola oats, BOOTH corn 1309

BOOTH 1309

COMESEE SEEUS USAT ATAG AG DAYS DAYS IN IN COME THECONVENTION CONVENTION HALL HALL THE BOOTH1309 1309 BOOTH 2013 Malt Contracts Available 2013 Malt Contracts Available Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 Phone 204-737-2000 Phone 204-737-2000 Toll-Free 1-800-258-7434 2013Toll-Free Malt Contracts Available 1-800-258-7434 2013 Malt Available Agent: M &Contracts J Weber-Arcola, SK. Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 Agent: MLetellier, & 306-455-2509 J Weber-Arcola, SK. Box 238 MB. R0G 1C0 Phone Phone 204-737-2000 Phone204-737-2000 306-455-2509 Phone

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*6-Row* Celebration & Tradition We buy feed barley, feed wheat, oats, soybeans, corn & canola

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New 30.5L-32 16 ply, $2,195; 20.8-38 12 ply $795; 18.4-38 12 ply; $789; 24.5-32 14 ply, $1,749; 14.9-24 12 ply, $486; 16.9-28 12 ply $558, 18.4-26 10 ply, $890. Factory direct. More sizes available new and used. 1-800-667-4515. www.combineworld.com

TRAILERS Grain Trailers

2013 Malt Contracts Available Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 Phone 204-737-2000 Toll-Free 1-800-258-7434 Agent: M & J Weber-Arcola, SK. Phone 306-455-2509

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37 4th Ave. NE Carman, MB R0G 0J0 Ph. (204) 745-6444 Email: vscltd@mts.net

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FOR SALE: USED OIL furnace w/200-gal. oil tank.

Reason for selling, replaced with electric furnace.

Phone (204)822-4382.

The Manitoba Co-operator. Manitoba’s best-read farm publication.

FOR SALE: 2 SETS of ‘09 Super B Lode King Prestige grain trailers, c/w air lift axles, 22.5 tires, asking $53,000. 2004 Super B Lode King Prestige trailer, asking $40,000. (204)857-1700, Gladstone,MB.

TRAILERS Livestock Trailers $1000 REBATE AVAILABLE ON ALL EXISS LIVESTOCK TRAILERS. 2013 Stock on Sale. Mention ad and receive extra $500 off. 7-ft wide x 20-ft,18-ft & 16-ft lengths. 10 Year Warranty. SOKAL INDUSTRIES LTD. Phone (204)334-6596. Email: sokalind@mymts.net

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MJ MILLAR RANCH INC. Lundar, MB. Canada requires a Sheep production manager. Start date: Nov. 1st, 2013 (flexible) Deadline for applications: Oct. 5th, 2013. F/T term position (1 yr w/possibility of extension). Job Description: Funding provided by the AAFC Career Focus Program w/focus on the care & feeding of a flock of 1,250 ewes. The successful applicant will oversee all aspects of lambing production as well as the nutritional & flock health requirements. They will be responsible for set up & management of computer records using RFID technology & Farm Works Flock Management Program.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a certificate/diploma or degree in a agriculture related field (in last 3 yrs) interested in sheep & small ruminants & will work with & report directly to the owners. They will be experienced w/all aspects of sheep production, hard working, self motivated, team player. Computer literate (able to produce records on all aspects of production & sales), great communicator/problem solver & be able to perform under pressure. Please email your resume along w/3 references & expected wages to Mitch Millar: mitch@mjmillarranch.com Housing is available to successful applicants. Families welcome. Equal opportunity employer.

Website: www.mjmillarranch.com

MANITOBA SHEEP ASSOCIATION is searching for a P/T Secretary. This position will be on an “as needed” basis, approx. 4-5-hrs/week. Successful applicant will: Maintain ledger, attend board meetings & take minutes, schedule & set-up meetings, receive mail & distribute it to required persons, make bank deposits & pay monthly bills, be proficient w/computers, familiar with Excel/Word/Power Point, familiar w/social media, Twitter & FaceBook, be able to work unsupervised, receive phone calls & emails on behalf of the organization, have access to Hi-speed internet, be able to accommodate a dedicated phone line for the organization. The ideal candidate will be a self starter that has an office to conduct business from & deal with the day-to-day running of the MB Sheep Association. You will be someone who is confident dealing with government agencies, the public, other provincial organizations & the board. Please E-mail resume w/references & expected salary to Mitch Millar, Vice Chair MSA. mitch@mjmillarranch.com Stretch your advertising dollars! Place an ad in the classifieds. Our friendly staff is waiting for your call.

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Sharpe’s

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SOIL SERVICES LTD.

we are e-x-p-a-n-d-i-n-g our team!

Sharpe’s markets 4 core product lines: liquid fertilizer, dry fertilizer, crop protection products & seed.

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Agriculatural Tours

International Plowing Match/Canadian Rockies ~ July 2013 Upper Mississippi Cruise ~ Oct 2013 Midwest USA ~ Oct 2013 Australia/New Zealand ~ Jan 2014 Kenya/Tanzania ~ Jan 2014 India ~ Feb 2014 South America ~ Feb 2014 Far East ~ Mar 2014 China ~ March 2014 Ireland & Scotland ~ June 2014 Ukraine Agriculture Tour ~ June 2014 NWT/Yukon/Alaska ~ July 2014 Russian River Cruise ~ Sept 2014

Sharpe’s has full time positions available throughout the company as Sales Agronomists & Operational personnel. Ag background & ag education are preferred. Applicants must be self motivated and enthusiastic with a positive desire to achieve.

RESUME DEADLINE: SUNDAY NOV. 10TH Sharpe’s Soil Services Ltd. C/o CEO Dan McKenzie Box 880 . Langenburg SK . S0A 2A0 P: 306-743-2677 F: 306-743-5409 E: dan.mckenzie@sharpes.ca Please include references.

Our Vision: To be recognized as the most trusted provider of business and crop production solutions to help our customers succeed in their business.

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48

The Manitoba Co-operator | October 31, 2013

Will trade deal open door to more European beef exports?

The door is about to open to increased and tariff-free Canadian exports to Europe, but ban on meat from hormone-treated cattle has to be dealt with

By Shannon VanRaes co-operator

M

anitoba Beef Producers are celebrating a proposed trade deal with the European Union.

But others are questioning whether the opportunity to boost beef exports to Europe u n d e r t h e Co m p re h e n s i ve Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will be realized.

“It means another market for Canadian beef outside of Canada, and a very lucrative one at that, Europeans like their beef... so therefore it allows us another market t o e x p o r t t o,” s a i d Tre vo r Atchison, president of the Manitoba Beef Producers.

He predicts the deal will

Ian Robson photo: shannon vanraes

help draw farmers back into beef production.

“I mean you’re not going to see it overnight but... over time I think it will certainly help put the industr y in a profitable position, which will draw people in,” he said.

For the past 16 years, the European Union has imposed a North American-wide quota, limiting combined imports to 14,950 tonnes per year, accompanied by 20 per cent duty. Under the proposed trade deal, Canada will be allowed to export 64,950 tonnes of duty-free beef to EU countries.

But beef producer Ian Robson points to a glitch in the plan — conventionally produced Canadian beef falls

short of European requirements and regulations.

“It has to be hormone free... and we don’t have a way to certify that,” said the National Farmers Union representative, adding that even if the producer doesn’t use hormones, feedlots do.

“You can make a big stink about opportunity, but if you have no way to get that product there what have we done?

We’ve just done a little bit of cheerleading, which isn’t worth much, somebody has to write the cheque,” Robson said.

Another NFU rep, Beverly Stow, points out that, so far, Canada has been unable to fill the existing quota for hormone-free beef.

“I cannot understand the absolute euphor ia coming from the beef producers on this deal because it changes nothing,” she said.

“You can make a big stink about opportunity, but if you have no way to get that product there what have we done? We’ve just done a little bit of cheerleading, which isn’t worth much, somebody has to write the cheque.”

Ian Robson

But Atchison said the problem can be overcome.

“You just take what those protocols are and you just raise your product to meet those and then you are allowed to export there,” he said, adding that may require the development of a certification program.

The agreement also calls for a mediation body, he said.

“One of the big benefits of the CETA trade agreement, is that there is a mechanism for these non-tariff barriers, the sideline things such as hormones,” Atchison said. “There’s a mechanism in the agreement to deal with those, so if there’s a dispute over a certain product or the way it’s produced you can go and get that dealt with.”

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Always read and follow label directions. The Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

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