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FIGHTING FUNGUS WITH FUNGUS

CATTLE-BREEDING ‘GIANT’ HONOURED

Organism found in pea field battles fusarium » PG 18

Roy Berg proved the benefits of crossbreeding » PG 3

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Shady chickenmeat imports have Canadian poultry producers riled up Mislabelling chicken as spent fowl has allowed American chicken processors to avoid more than $60 million in yearly tariffs, say Canadian chicken producers BY JENNIFER BLAIR AF STAFF

anadian chicken producers are crying foul over shady American spent fowl exports. Last year, Canada imported more than 97 million kilograms of chicken meat that was declared as being from spent fowl — which is 110 per cent of the United States’ entire annual spent fowl production. “We’re importing a lot more (spent fowl) than the United States even produces,” said Erna Ference, chair of Alberta Chicken Producers. “That leads us to believe there’s some foul play coming into effect.” Under the North American Free Trade Agreement, spent fowl can come into Canada duty free. American processors mislabelling chicken as spent fowl meat stand to gain millions of dollars by avoiding import controls. “The tariff is huge. They’re avoiding the tariff for that amount of import,” said Ference. “You’re talking about millions of dollars in avoidance of tariff fees, in excess of $60 million in tariffs (annually).”

SEE POULTRY  page 6

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

West Coast terminals have a beef with railways, too Producers who recently toured terminal elevators say every official they met said railways are the bottleneck in the system BY JENNIFER BLAIR AF STAFF

urns out farmers aren’t the only ones with a beef with Canada’s railways — operators of West Coast ports say inadequate rail service is holding them back, too. Sylvan Lake farmer Michael Ammeter was one of 11 producers and grain industry representatives who toured ports in Portland, Vancouver, and Prince Rupert for five days in mid-August. At each stop, the same question was asked of port terminal officials. “We pointedly asked, ‘Where’s the bottleneck in this transportation system?’ And they all said it was the rail system that held them back,” said Ammeter. “As we moved up through the States and into Canada, almost every terminal said that rail service was a limiting factor for them,” said tour organizer Kara Barnes, the market development co-ordinator for Alberta Barley. “They were operating not quite at capacity because of that.” The tour offered an “onthe-ground, hands-on education” on transportation logistic challenges, she said. Ammeter said any doubts about the weak point in grain transportation were quickly laid to rest.

Eleven producers and grain industry representatives recently visited port facilities across the West Coast, like this one in Vancouver. PHOTO: ALBERTA BARLEY “Without fail, they were all saying that they’re open for business, they’re looking for business, they have more capacity… and their bottleneck in the system was the rail system,” he said. American ports could be an outlet for Canadian grain save

for the challenge of moving it to the U.S., said Tom Steve, general manager of the Alberta Wheat Commission, who also joined the tour. “The terminal operators are certainly willing and eager to handle more grain. They do have

more capacity,” he said. “It’s a question of rail capacity and getting the grain there as efficiently as possible.” Connecting Canadian rail lines with American ones could

SEE RAILWAYS  page 6

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news » inside this week

inside » A long way from home Himalayan yaks flourish on Rimbey ranch

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

livestock

crops

columNists

Too many nixes for BIXS

Good news — an Alberta hemp plant

Population control — just let the males take over Unlike sterilized males, GM versions are good performers but run out of females

Brenda Schoepp

Version 2 greatly improved, but only 1,000 sign up

Bad news — it’s not buying Canadian fibre

Farms on the front lines — Iraqi, Syrian and Ukrainian farmers the pawns in war

Beef research council putting out the welcome mat for young researchers Many new researchers are born overseas or are unfamiliar with the Canadian cattle industry af staff

cientists at the University of East Anglia and Oxitec Ltd. in the U.K. say they have a new way to control a damaging crop pest — release males genetically engineered to father only male offspring. The scientists conducted greenhouse research with the Mediterranean fruit fly, which damages 300 types of cultivated and wild fruits, vegetables and nuts worldwide. Lead researcher Philip Leftwich said previous control measures have included releasing males sterilized by radiation, but they don’t mate well in the wild because the process weakens them. He said releasing flies genetically engineered so that only male offspring survive could provide a better alternative. “The genetically engineered flies are not sterile, but they are only capable of producing male offspring after mating with local pest females — which rapidly reduces the number of crop-damaging females in the population,” he said in a release. “We simulated a wild environment within secure eight-metre greenhouses containing lemon trees at the University of Crete. When we tested the release of the genetically modified male flies, we found that they were capable of producing rapid population collapse in our closed system.”

Alternative therapies for equine veterinary medicine

By Alexis Kienlen Staff

Feeling low(s) — winter weather patterns in midsummer

Carol Shwetz

Pushing your luck too far Clubroot resistance doesn’t last in back-to-back canola

Daniel Bezte

orried by the prospect of losing rising young stars, the Beef Cattle Research Council is reaching out with a mentorship program that matches scientists new to the Canadian cattle scene with industry vets. “We want to take researchers with great technical skills and make sure they stay within our industry,” said Andrea Brocklebank, executive director of the Beef Cattle Research Council. The program is a response to the fact that many researchers don’t necessarily come from an agricultural background, or are from overseas and lack familiarity with Canadian production. By pairing them with people who can introduce them to producers and key players in the Canadian cattle industry, the young researchers will gain a better understanding of issues they might address in their work.

“We want to take researchers with great technical skills and make sure they stay within our industry.” Andrea Brocklebank

“For a researcher who is not familiar, it might not be that easy to get access to cow-calf producers and feedlots, and actually go out to the production systems and be exposed to them,” said Brocklebank. It’s also hoped this will lead to researchers doing more extension work and encourage them to share their research findings more widely. Knowing the specific needs

of the Canadian industry and being mentored by someone who understands the ins and outs of writing research proposals can also be key in obtaining funding. “We are really working to ensure the success of young researchers,” said Brocklebank. With baby boomers starting to retire, competition for young researchers is heating up, and many are being lured away by private companies or moving to the U.S., she noted. Three young researchers, one in each of the Prairie provinces, have been selected for the oneyear pilot. “These are individuals who we want to continue researching in Canada,” said Brocklebank. Originally from Spain, Raquel Rodriquez Doce is a veterinarian with a background in ruminant nutrition. She is a post-doctoral fellow at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lacombe Research Station, working with Vern Baron on the development of cereal forage crops for improved utilization in cattle operations. Bill Biligetu grew up as a nomadic herder in Inner Mongolia, which is where he met Bruce Coulman, one of the last forage crop breeders left in Canada. Coulman encouraged Biligetu to pursue degrees at the University of Inner Mongolia and later at the University of Saskatchewan, where he is now an assistant professor in forage crop breeding. Emma McGeough, who hails from Ireland, is an assistant professor in the department of animal sciences at the University of Manitoba. McGeough grew up on a mixed beef and dairy farm, and is working on a number of projects, ranging from forage evaluation to an assessment of the environment footprint of Canada’s beef industry. The three participants were recommended by industry specialists, and will be helping the

Bill Biligetu is a forage researcher who grew up as a nomadic herder in Inner Mongolia and is now at the University of Saskatchewan. Photos: Beef Cattle Research Council

The beef research mentorship is designed to help young researchers gain familiarity with the Canadian cattle industry, says Andrea Brocklebank, executive director of the Beef Cattle Research Council. Beef Cattle Research Council improve its pilot program. All three participants have extensive contacts in their countries of origin, and knowledge of production systems abroad,

which will be beneficial to the Canadian cattle industry. Their mentors will be announced this month. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

The fearless researcher who revolutionized cattle breeding Roy Berg was once the most reviled cattle researcher in the country — until he proved that crossbreeding could produce spectacular productivity gains By Alexis Kienlen af staff / kinsella

e was an intrepid man whose controversial work earned him scores of critics — but his name will now live on as the research station where Roy Berg conducted much of his revolutionary work on beef cattle. Nearly 300 people — friends, colleagues, former students, industry specialists, and family members — travelled to the Kinsella Research Station in mid-August to honour a “giant” of Canadian beef breeding. “Today’s renaming of the Kinsella Research Station highlights the difference that one committed and determined researcher can make, even in the face of strong opposition and significant skepticism,” said Lorne Babiuk, vice-president of research at the University of Alberta. “Berg’s meticulous research work laid the foundation for tremendous advances in beef production, genetics and what is called genomics today.” Berg, who grew up on a ranch north of Brooks, joined the university in 1955 after earning a PhD in Minnesota, and quickly earned the wrath of many in the cattle industry with his work on crossbreeding as a means to introduce hybrid vigour. Critics accused him of trying to “mongrelize” the purebred herds which dominated the industry in those days. “It was one of those things that you couldn’t ignore or deny,” said Mick Price, his friend and colleague. “People were crossbreeding, but it was a one-generation thing. You crossbred to produce cattle to kill for beef.” Convinced he needed large-scale research to prove his controversial theory, the young academic fought for the establishment of the now rechristened Roy Berg Kinsella Research Station, said Price, a professor emeritus of livestock growth and meat production at the U of A. The 5,500-acre “research ranch” (now 12,000 acres) was established in 1960 — and was big enough for an experimental herd and a control herd. “Imagine even today, a young professor saying that he would like to buy a ranch and two herds of cattle,” said Price. Cattlemen, journalists, and even some of his university colleagues were outraged at what was happening at the facility, 150 kilometres east of Edmonton, saying “Berg’s bastards” would forever destroy the dominance of purebred herds. The university was asked to fire Berg, and even the premier was called on to intervene. But the researcher had his supporters, too — some of whom went on to form BeefBooster putting his breeding techniques into practice. It took more than 10 years to achieve measurable results but in the end, the results spoke for themselves. Berg bred two hybrid lines at Kinsella — one which was 30 per cent more productive than purebred cattle, and the other 40 per cent more productive than pure lines. The practices that caused such a furor were — by today’s standards — very basic. Females were selected for fertility, and culled if

The famed Kinsella “research ranch” was the home of groundbreaking cattle research conducted by Roy Berg. Photo: Courtesy Ruth Ball

“We should rename it so that the people who work here now, and the people who will follow will know the name of the giant whose shoulders they stand on: Roy Berg.” Mick Price

Roy Berg, a pioneer in the cattle industry, surrounded by animals that represented his passion. Photo: Courtesy Ruth Ball they hadn’t calved in two years. All bulls born on the ranch stayed intact and the fastest-growing ones sired the next generation. The huge gains in productivity simply couldn’t be ignored. “Try to estimate what that could mean in an industry that generated over $1.1 billion in the province in 1979,” said Price. Berg became famous in Alberta and Canada for his crossbreeding research, but he was internationally renowned because of his work as an animal physiologist, said Price. He was also known for his teaching style, which required students to think critically and respond knowledgeably about what they were studying. He was an outlier who was happy to go his own way. “He once told me that rules were for people who can’t think for themselves,” said his daughter, Ruth Ball. “Considering how he broke the rules concerning cattle breeding and how much more productive the cattle industry was afterwards, maybe his attitude should be embraced by a few more people in the university, in government and in industries today.” And that’s the point of renaming the research station, said Price. “We should rename it so that the people who work here now, and the people who will follow, will know the name of the giant whose shoulders they stand on: Roy Berg.” akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Ruth Ball, daughter of Roy Berg, worked on the ranch during summers and holidays. Her father would have been proud of the renaming, she said. Photo: Alexis Kienlen

Roy Berg was “the giant” in Canadian cattle breeding, said friend and colleague, Mick Price. Photo: Alexis Kienlen

While many decried Roy Berg’s experiments in crossbreeding cattle, he knew that hybrid vigour could make a difference and transform the industry. He conducted research at the Kinsella Research Station, which has been renamed in honour of him. Photo: Courtesy Ruth Ball

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

EDITOR Glenn Cheater Phone: 780-919-2320 Email: glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com twitter: @glenncheater

Reporters Alexis Kienlen, Edmonton 780-668-3121 Email: akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Doing a better job of turning grass into grain — and saying so

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PRODUCTION director Shawna Gibson Email: shawna@fbcpublishing.com

Growing more forage is the right thing to do. Is the beef industry prepared if it happens?

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By JOHN MORRIsS EditorIAL DIRECTOR

f you’re looking for proof that there is no such thing as bad publicity, beef may be a good example. For years it’s been painted as a public health and environmental villain, and recently there were more reports on how bovine frontal and rearward methane emissions are a major source of climate-altering greenhouse gas. All that bad publicity doesn’t seem to affect consumers. They continue to pay record prices for beef, and life for producers is pretty good these days. If it ain’t broke… On the other hand, one recent study suggested that consumers worried about climate change should eat pork and chicken instead. That suggests that beef producers have some work to do. Let’s be clear about this. Obesity is a serious problem, and North Americans eat too much of everything, meat included. And as a recent paper (written in part by Canadian beef industry representatives) suggests, processed red meat isn’t good for you. It isn’t the meat, it’s the other stuff they put into it. However, the science now suggests that unprocessed beef is not the arteryclogging menace once thought, and its forms of natural trans fats may in fact be good for you. Beef producers will be happy to embrace that science, as they should the science of climate change. It’s for real, and everyone should do their part to reduce it. On the other hand, climate change is not the only threat to the environment. Soil erosion is at least as great a threat, along with its accompanying nutrient

run-off. It’s a partial contributor to the serious algae problem in Lake Winnipeg and an even larger contributor to the even more serious “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. Steps must be taken to solve these problems. Cultivating more land to grow corn and other annual crops is not one of them. In fact, some erodible land that should never have been cultivated should be returned to… forage, of course. Meanwhile, much of the land remaining in crops is facing a growing problem with herbicide resistance. One of the solutions to that, as well as the other problems of soil erosion and nutrient run-off, is to introduce a forage into the rotation. What’s going to happen to all this extra forage? The answer is obvious to a cattle producer. Or is it? If you check out cattle industry organization websites and their material directed to the consumer, you’ll find they are saying all the right things about how cattle turn grass, that people can’t consume, into beef that they can. While that may be true for the first few hundred pounds of gain, it isn’t about the last few hundred in a feedlot. Most of those pounds come from that agronomically questionable continuous corn or corn/soy rotation. That is even partly the case in Canada, where feedlots use plenty of corn or corn byproducts from U.S. ethanol plants when the price is right. The beef industry is a little quieter when it comes to talking about that source of the last few hundred pounds of gain, but its critics aren’t. Again, times are pretty good these days, so maybe the best plan is to say nothing. But if the industry wants to defend itself if chicken and pork are said to

be a better environmental alternative, then it has some thinking to do. That includes recognizing that grass fed versus grain fed is not just an issue for consumers, but something of an “elephant in the room” one within the industry. A&W’s promotion of antibiotic- and hormone-free beef is an example. It ruffled some feathers in the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the feedlot industry, but let’s be honest — there were quite a few grass and grazing advocates quietly cheering. Unwillingness to address the grassversus-grain question is one of the reasons for the fractured state of the Canadian cattle industry, which was highlighted by the recent report of the “straw men” review. This may be about more than promotion and public relations. Again, there is a growing number of reasons to start putting forage into North American crop rotations — herbicide resistance, soil health, control of nutrient run-off, disease management and the ability to capture free nitrogen instead of making it from fossil fuel. What if it actually happens? Is the cattle industry ready to use the extra production? Or does it want to get out in front of the issue and actively promote beef cattle as a better environmental option than continuous cropping? Once the Canadian industry addresses these questions, it may see an opportunity instead of a menace in the ongoing dispute with the U.S. over how meat from animals born in Canada is labelled. Perhaps a Canadian brand, differentiated by environmentally sustainable production practices producing meat that offers enhanced nutrition, isn’t such a bad thing. john.morriss@fbcpublishing.com

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Puttin’ on the Ritz: are the railways next?

www.albertafarmexpress.ca

Gerry Ritz won the wheat board battle, now it’s time to find a fix for grain transportation woes

or email: subscription@fbcpublishing.com At Farm Business Communications we have a firm commitment to protecting your privacy and security as our customer. Farm Business Communications will only collect personal information if it is required for the proper functioning of our business. As part of our commitment to enhance customer service, we may share this personal information with other strategic business partners. For more information regarding our Customer Information Privacy Policy, write to: Information Protection Officer, Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Ave., Wpg., MB R3H 0H1 Occasionally we make our list of subscribers available to other reputable firms whose products and services might be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please contact us at the address in the preceding paragraph, or call 1-800-665-0502. The editors and journalists who write, contribute and provide opinions to Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications attempt to provide accurate and useful opinions, information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists and Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the editors as well as Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader for this publication based on any and all information provided.

By Allan Dawson staff

erry Ritz slew the Canadian Wheat Board, but can he rein in the railways? If anyone can, it’s Canada’s 33rd minister of agriculture. It won’t be easy, but neither was ending the wheat board’s 69-yearold monopoly. Ritz had help. Key was Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who had a deep disdain for the board and made its elimination a top priority. But Ritz was just as committed and more importantly, dogged. For both, ending the monopoly was ideological and personal. And they got ’er done to the delight of many farmers and dismay of others. In contrast, rail reform is something almost all farmers agree is necessary. It’s unlikely Harper has the same fire in his belly when it comes to ensuring grain shippers get the service they deserve at competi-

tive prices. And while rail and grain transportation policy are just as complex and nuanced as the wheat board issue, the former doesn’t fit into the black and white narrative the government used to malign and discredit the board and its supporters. It’s hard to paint the railways as evil incarnate when they are still needed. Ritz, however, gets it, acknowledging the railways have regional monopolies and therefore immunity to normal market forces that drive competition. Since grain traffic is captive to the railways, the railways know if they don’t move the grain today it will still be there two weeks from now when they can move it without investing more and maintaining their profit margins. According to some economists, grain transportation, which costs western Canadian grain growers more than $1.1 billion a year, affects farmers’ bottom lines more than marketing systems. Just consider the past winter’s gap between futures and cash prices.

To Ritz’s and the government’s credit, improvements have been made with the Fair Rail for Farmers Act, proclaimed May 29, followed by the act’s regulations implemented Aug. 1. But according to the Western Grain Elevator Association, the stick needed to discipline the railways — automatic penalties for failing to meet agreed-upon service — is still missing. This despite the railways being able to penalize the grain companies for failing to load or unload trains during an agreedupon period. The elevator association will push for reciprocal penalties during the current review of the Canada Transportation Act. Whether that effort is successful rests with the government. That’s where Ritz comes in. If Ritz is on side, and gets Harper’s blessing, he’ll move heaven and earth to make it happen. He’ll have to because Transport Canada isn’t known as the “Department of Railways” for nothing. Rail lobbyists are constantly making their case to Transport Canada, which

has a well-deserved reputation for being railway friendly. According to some observers, Ritz wanted to do more to address shipper concerns through the new act and regulations but was thwarted by Transport Canada. It may be losing its influence, as Ritz has changed his tune. Last November he said the railways were doing “an adequate job,” but by March he was promising “get to work” legislation. The new legislation, preceded by that unprecedented March 7 orderin-council requiring the railways to move a million tonnes of western grain a week, is a remarkable achievement. Even more so given how quickly it came. This government worships at the free-market altar, yet intervened when it was clear to all but the railways that the railways needed a kick in the butt. Now it needs to finish the job. All Stephen Harper has to do is assign Gerry Ritz to the task. allan@fbcpublishing.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Farms on the war front straight from the hip } Food is a weapon of war, and farmers in Iraq,

Syria, and Ukraine are the latest pawns in this awful charade By brenda schoepp af columnist

t is an anxious time in our little world. The Internet brings us to the front lines every day as we watch and anticipate the outcome of conflict around the globe. As I scanned the news, I thought of the suffering of women and children — who asked no part in this charade. And I thought of farmers — men and women who toil, only to watch their crop and sole food supply torched. We now know that many farmers will not get paid as political interests have shifted, particularly in Iraq where government has stopped buying from farmers because rebels own the wheat. Farmers were already on a delayed payment scheme (something very common worldwide) and now must face certain poverty. The inflation of not only food but crop inputs will leave many areas barren of crop or cover and this erosive land will further deteriorate. And so the cycle begins, war leaves both human and environmental casualties.

I recall spending time with General Rick Hillier, Canada’s former top soldier, and having a conversation about war. Was war, I asked, about food, water and resources? General Hillier replied war was about power, but food, water and resources were the weapons of war. To put this into perspective, conflict is driven by one madman who controls at all cost — the cost of human lives, animal lives, plant life, and future development. As Canadians, we cannot appreciate that postwar trauma includes the erosion and contamination of soil, air and water. The loss of sound from the death of food animals, pets and songbirds is a deafening silence. From an agricultural perspective, war is the ultimate death of the world in which we live. For rural communities, help in the form of democracy is not enough. There needs to be a basket of tools and technologies, seeds and bulbs, market access and safe transport before a farm can be reborn. Many times to expedite economic progress, mono crops are pushed. In Afghanistan, that crop was pop-

pies grown for the drug trade — another result of post-traumatic stress and the influence of western culture. In Ukraine, where our team visited in 2012, a lack of vision was keeping the lid on agricultural growth. Despite the vast river system to port, agricultural goods were not on board. Corruption, theft, and the lack of political will along with a moratorium on agricultural land ownership stifled growth domestically and internationally even before the recent conflict. Today, the ban on agricultural imports by Russia will further create hardship in rural communities, including Ukraine, where the once-held hope of further processing is now all but abandoned. The words of one Ukraine farmer host in 2012 were prophetic: “We don’t trust the time we are in. We don’t believe this change is staying.” Russia has recently risen to become the second-largest importer of agricultural goods after China. The ban on North American agricultural products resonates down to our farms and greenhouses. Lack of investor

confidence at a time when agriculture was the in thing, has led to strong corrections on commodity boards and concern in the pen, field and garden. Landmines, missiles, gases, and chemicals are destroying the growing earth and the transportation arteries. Farmers in Syria work under missile fire until they are forced to flee. Whole or maimed, farmers become part of the swell of humanity that must leave their land, region or country for safety reasons. Behind them they leave the bleating of starving sheep, dogs, calves and their whole sense of identity. But once a farmer always a farmer. History tells us that most farmers return to wartorn lands, barns and gardens. The road there is certainly the one least travelled as they face danger in the ground tripping through postwar rubbish that remains explosive. Investment into rebuilding rural areas is scarce and large companies are fearful. So farmers around the world, many of them women, start again — one field at a time. Although we are many miles

apart, we share the same earth and the same sky. The economies on Alberta’s farms have rippled as other farmers fight for survival. It is one world, this world of farming, in which we share common values and beliefs. A unity of persons of every colour and nation that strive to grow food, protect environments and increase trade for our families, communities and countries. As we sell our fat calves, sit on our massive technically advanced combines, eat the bounty from our garden, and fish from clean, clear water, let us remember these fellow families and like-minded farmers with pure and genuine harvest gratitude. Brenda Schoepp is a farmer from Alberta who works as an international mentor and motivational speaker. She can be contacted through her website www.brendaschoepp.com. All rights reserved. Brenda Schoepp 2014 from Alberta who works as an international mentor and motivational speaker. She can be contacted through her website www.brendaschoepp.com. All rights reserved. Brenda Schoepp 2014

Sometimes it’s the trees that displace cattle New non-cattle-ranching owners of U.S. rangeland one reason for brush encroachment Arizona State University release

alf of the Earth’s land mass is made up of rangelands, which include grasslands and savannas, yet they are being transformed at an alarming rate. Woody plants, such as trees and shrubs, are moving in and taking over, leading to a loss of critical habitat and causing a drastic change in the ability of ecosystems to produce food — specifically meat. Researchers with Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences led an investigation that quantified this loss in both the United States and Argentina. The study’s results are published in the Aug. 19 online issue of the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). “While the phenomenon of woody plant invasion has been occurring for decades, for the first time, we have quantified the losses in ecosystem services,” said Osvaldo Sala, Julie A. Wrigley chair and foundation professor with ASU’s School of Life Sciences and School of Sustainability. “We found that an increase in tree and shrub cover of one per cent leads to a two per cent loss in livestock production.” And, woody plant cover in North America increases at a rate between 0.5 and two per cent per year. In recent years, the U.S. government shelled out millions of dollars in an effort to stop the advance of trees and shrubs. The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service spent $127 million from 2005-09 on herbicides and brush management, without a clear understanding of its economic benefit. The research team used census data from the U.S. and Argentina to find out how

much livestock exists within the majority of the countries’ rangelands. In both countries, the team studied swaths of rangeland roughly the size of Texas — approximately 160 million acres each. These lands support roughly 40 million head of cattle. Researchers also used remote sensors to calculate the production of grasses and shrubs. And, to account for the effects of different socioeconomic factors, researchers quantified the impact of tree cover on livestock production in two areas of the world that have similar environments, but different level of economic development. Surprisingly, the presence of trees explained a larger fraction of livestock production in Argentina than in the U.S. “What’s happening in Argentina seems to be a much narrower utilization of rangelands,” added Sala. “The land there is mostly privately owned and people who have ranches are producing predominantly meat to make a profit. But in the U.S., many people who own ranches don’t actually raise cattle. They are using the land for many other different purposes.” While ranchers clearly depend on grasslands to support healthy livestock, ecosystems also provide a range of other services to humans. Stakeholders such as conservationists, farmers, builders, government entities and private landowners, depend on the land for a variety of reasons and each has different values and land use needs. Why are trees and shrubs taking over grasslands? There are several hypotheses as to why woody plant encroachment is happening. Fire reduction, grazing intensity, climate change, and increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are some widely

This once productive rangeland in New Mexico was lost after being invaded by mesquite. Photo: Osvaldo Sala

held beliefs as to the cause. However, Sala’s study is focused not on the cause, but rather on the cost of this change to people. “For each piece of land, there are different people who have an interest in that land and they all have different values. And, they are all OK,” said Sala. “However, in order to negotiate how to use the land and to meet the needs of these different stakeholders, we need concrete information. We now know how much increase in tree cover is affecting the cattle ranchers.”

Sala and his colleagues hope that the information found in their study will be used to inform discussions as policymakers and other stakeholders negotiate changes in land use. Researchers who took part in the study include Sala and Billie Turner II with ASU, José Anadón with City University of New York, and Elena Bennett with McGill University. National Academies Keck Futures Initiative and the U.S. National Science Foundation funded the study.

Off the front

September 1, 2014 • Albertafarmexpress.ca

poultry } from page 1

The Temco LLC port facility in Kalama, Washington, was one of several stops for port tour participants last month. Photo: Alberta Barley RAILWAYS } from page 1 reduce some of the challenges, but that solution is a ways off, he said. “It’s a long-term proposition, but certainly one worth exploring in this environment.”

“We still have a backlog on the Prairies, and that’s something we’re still going to have to deal with.” Richard Krikke

Mandated movement

However, the Canadian system also has “the capability to perform better,” said Steve. “The system does have a tremendous amount of capacity to handle Prairie grain,” he said. “Western Canadian ports handled a lot of grain this past crop year — north of 22 million tonnes — so although the grain didn’t move in as timely a fashion as we would have liked, it did move eventually.” Ottawa’s order-in-council requiring the railways to move a

million tonnes of grain a week and the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act (Bill C-30) helped, but some producers on the tour said it wasn’t a complete fix. “We still have a backlog on the Prairies, and that’s something we’re still going to have to deal with,” said Alberta Pulse Growers president Richard Krikke. “I think we have more challenges than opportunities going forward.”

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While “the passage of Bill C-30 definitely had an impact,” Krikke has had trouble moving his pulses since it came into effect in May. “Coming into spring when it was legislated, I think the specialty crops took a back seat because the turnaround times weren’t quite as quick,” said the Neerlandia-area grain farmer. “They picked the quickest turn-

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And Canadian chicken producers are on the losing end of the deal — with an estimated 9,000 jobs and nearly $600 million in GDP being lost. “Because it comprises about 10 per cent of our market, it’s costing us jobs and chicken production,” she said. “All those jobs that are in the chicken production industry in Canada are being curtailed. It’s hurting not just ourselves but our downstream partners like our processors.” American manufacturers of products such as chicken burgers or nuggets are also blending spent fowl meat with broiler meat to keep their costs down. “It’s to their benefit because of the high price of broiler meat versus fowl meat,” said Ference. “Because of the taste, it’s better to use broiler meat, but there’s a combination of fowl meat and broiler meat going into the production stream.” Ultimately that hurts consumers, she said. “People think that it’s just chicken that they’re consuming. They’re not getting what they’re paying for.” The Canadian chicken industry is “addressing it on a few fronts.” The first is to have the Canadian Border Services Agency classify blended products as chicken, not spent fowl — regardless of the proportions of each type of meat in the product. “If it’s a blended product, we think it should be labelled chicken and tariffed accordingly,” she said. “Right now, it counts as fowl meat, so it’s duty free.” Canadian chicken producer groups are also working with border services to “tighten up some of the inspections done at the border,” possibly through DNA testing.

around time to just get their car numbers in place.” Crops coming from Saskatchewan have also taken a back seat, said Allan Kuhlmann, chair of SaskBarley. “I have three orders for spring wheat that were to be delivered by producer car on a short line in southwest Saskatchewan,” he said. “Those cars were ordered (last) September, and I haven’t got them yet.” Given his own challenges, Kuhlmann advocates for a “corridorspecific” approach to moving grain. “Emptying all of the grain out of Alberta and leaving all the grain in Saskatchewan is really not a solution,” he said. “If the government’s going to mandate movement, they need to do it by corridor so that the U.S. gets some and Churchill gets some and Thunder Bay gets some, not just Vancouver.” Kuhlmann also sees potential for the barges used in the United States to move grain. “The barge traffic into the Columbia River terminals, which are the ones we saw in the States… is more predictable than is rail traffic. If you want to move more grain to those ports, barges are the answer,” he said. “If Canadians could somehow find a way to get our grain into that system, I think we would probably have an outlet that works well.” American farmers have options, but most Canadian producers don’t, said Krikke. “The railway is the only outlet for our export commodities other than truck, and that’s not viable at all,” he said. This lack of competition — more than anything — is behind the breakdown in grain movement in Canada, said Ammeter. “Because we don’t have true competition getting farmers’ grain from the Prairies to the port, we have to use the rail system,” he said. “It shouldn’t be an antagonistic relationship between shippers and rail and farmers and rail, but when you have no true competition, it’s not like I can take my business elsewhere. I don’t have that opportunity.” Ultimately, the railways are “far more responsible to their shareholders than they are to their customers,” said Ammeter. “As the saying goes: The proof is in the pudding, and we’ve certainly seen that.”

“I think that we’ll be seeing a test come about — hopefully soon,” said Ference. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has also been asked to enforce “truth in the labelling of spent fowl” for Canadian consumers. “There is an allergy danger. These spent hens, because they’ve had eggs, there could be allergy risks associated with that.” But mandatory certification for spent fowl is the ultimate goal. “We’ve been working really hard with the CFIA to start a mandatory certification,” she said. “That would avoid any mislabelling of any of the chicken that’s being imported into the country.” And the Canadian chicken industry has found an unlikely ally in their American counterparts, who are also working on clearer certification for spent fowl through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “We’re under the understanding that the Americans don’t like this either because it could hurt our trading relations with them,” said Ference. “They’re interested in assuring that it’s only fowl meat coming across as well.”

jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

“You’re talking about millions of dollars in avoidance of tariff fees, in excess of $60 million in tariffs.”

Erna Ference

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Alliance offers support for winter wheat growers Bayer and JRI team up with Ducks Unlimited to promote agronomic and environmental advances WESTERN WINTER WHEAT INITIATIVE RELEASE

new group aims to offer information and support to winter wheat growers. Bayer Crop Science, Richardson International, and Ducks Unlimited are collaborating on the Western Winter Wheat Initiative. “The purpose of this initiative is to build awareness and credibility of winter wheat as a highly productive crop option for western Canadian farmers,” says Janine Paly, an agronomist with Ducks Unlimited.

“If producers are thinking about growing winter wheat they are able to call us for help. We also have an interactive and comprehensive website. It contains stats that support the benefits of growing winter wheat, provides clear production management guidelines, and has tools to help producers grow winter wheat.” If a producer is planning on growing winter wheat this fall, Paly says now is the time to get things ready. “If producers are thinking about growing winter wheat, they should start to think about lining their inputs up. They should be getting

seed treatments on their farm, setting up their fertilizer with their retailer, sourcing seed, and getting their seeding equipment out of the Quonset and ready to go.” The recommended time for seeding depends on location in the province. “For central Alberta, the first weeks of September are ideal,” says Paly. “The farther south you go towards Calgary and Lethbridge, that seeding date can be pushed back towards the end of September.” For more info, see www.growwin terwheat.ca or call 866-761-5270.

PHOTO: LAURA RANCE

BRIEF City of Edmonton using app to improve weed control A new iPhone application developed by the City of Edmonton is taking the guesswork out of weed identification. Alberta Weed Spotter is an easy-to-use application and includes all 75 species currently regulated under Alberta’s Weed Control Act. It was developed to help Albertans identify and report weeds to provincial authorities so they can better respond to new infestations. “Invasive species spread quickly in urban centres,” says project lead Daniel Laubhann, an environmental technician with the city’s neighbourhood, parks and community recreation branch. “Public awareness is vital to minimize the number of new invasive species and to reduce the spread of existing weeds.” The app contains images of weeds separated into categories such as flowering, grass-like, and tree or shrub. For weed complaints, citizens should continue to contact the local authority in their area responsible for municipal weed enforcement, such as with 311 within Edmonton. The app can be downloaded for free at iTunes. An Android-compatible version is in development.

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SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

It’s a long way from their homeland, but yaks flourishing on Rimbey ranch Yaks are easy keepers, easy calvers and easy to move, but they are so rare, it’s hard to find yak meat and fibre BY ALEXIS KIENLEN AF STAFF / RIMBEY

S Shane Juuti and his family have been raising yaks since 1996, and hosted the West County Ag tour at their place for yak burgers and a look at the animals. PHOTOS: ALEXIS KIENLEN

hane Juuti can really yak about his yaks. They’re easy keepers, easy calvers, low maintenance, and do well in cold winter months, said Juuti who has been raising yaks since 1996 and now has 225 animals, the largest herd in Alberta.

That’s roughly one-quarter of the Canadian herd, which numbers less than 1,000 (there are about 7,500 in all of North America), and only a dozen people in Alberta have more than one or two. No one is suggesting they’ll ever become as common as in Tibet and Mongolia, but Juuti said more people might eat yak meat or raise the animals if they knew more about them. “We get people to try it, and

WE’RE GROWING WITH AGRICULTURE. In this business, people make the difference.

they don’t even know what a yak is, let alone anything about trying the meat,” he said. “There’s a really good market for them if you let people know what they are.” The biggest challenge in raising yaks is marketing, whether that’s live animals, yak meat or fibre products, said Juuti, who relies mostly on word of mouth and most of his marketing efforts are concentrated on his other business, breeding Canadian horses. It would help if there were more yak producers in Alberta so they could join forces in marketing and if the American border — closed to yaks during BSE — was reopened, he said. Juuti raised purebred Simmental cattle before purchasing three yaks in 1996, initially just breeding his animals and then later buying herds from Ontario and Saskatchewan. He liked them so much he sold his cattle. “If you get one animal by itself, that can be a problem. They’re more of a herd animal than cows. But as far as chasing a herd, it’s the simplest thing in the world,” said Juuti, who moves his animals on foot. Cows average 600 to 800 pounds and stand 4.5 feet at their hump, while bulls weigh 1,200 to 1,500 pounds and reach 6.5 feet at the hump. Their thick shaggy fur is longer on the sides, with a woollen undercoat, and their cloven hooves help them manoeuvre on rocky terrain. Both sexes have long handlebar horns, and while domestic yaks are smaller than wild ones, they can live up to 20 years. Yaks have three colour patterns: black, royal (white and black), and trim, which features a star and two back feet that are white. Since they originate from central Asia, winter’s no problem. Juuti doesn’t even need to water them in the winter, as they survive on snow. Summer’s a different story, and they become sluggish when the temperature goes above 16 C.

Like you, we love what we do and we don’t let much slow us down. That’s how, through crazy weather and economic ups and downs, ATB Financial™ has helped Alberta farmers, ranchers and producers succeed. Our roots are here, and we take heart in the patience and knowledge of people whose hard work sustains the land and promises a solid future for our industry. Backed by knowledgeable professionals, ATB Financial will continue to provide the best products and services to support you and to make Alberta agriculture flourish. ATB Financial is a Founding Member of Ag for Life, a program that delivers educational programming to improve rural and farm safety. Ag for Life also builds a genuine understanding and appreciation of the impact agriculture has on the lives of all Albertans. To learn more about Ag for Life, go to agricultureforlife.ca. Visit ATB Financial at atb.com/agriculture.

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A cow stops for a better look during a ranch tour at Shane Juuti’s yak farm.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Drew Juuti, 15, stands with his bottle baby, Evangeline, a four-month-old yak. Evangeline is mostly yak, but has a little bit of cow in her as well. Photos: Alexis Kienlen A variety of the fibre products the Juutis sell from their yaks. T:8.125”

“If you get one animal by itself, that can be a problem. They’re more of a herd animal than cows. But as far as chasing a herd, it’s the simplest thing in the world.” Shane Juuti

akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

T:10”

Juuti runs his cows and bulls together year round. Females begin calving in March and deliver a calf three out of four years. The animals have good mothering instincts and are protective of their new babies. New calves, which are only about 20 pounds when they are born, need to be tagged within the first day, before they get too hard to catch. Juuti runs his animals as an independent herd, but a few have accidentally crossbred with cows. The animals are so self-sufficient that Juuti has only called a vet twice in all his years of yak ownership. They thrive on grass and a little bit of mineral in their diet. Juuti’s animals are naturally raised, and he sells most of his meat at the farm gate, and in a few urban stores. Animals are butchered before they hit their third birthday, and their meat is lean like bison or elk with an extremely low cholesterol content, and doesn’t have a gamey taste. A yak carcass will bring $1,500 rail price, or $100 at the auction market. Juuti has also found the animals have a hidden talent. When he put a yak bull in with two unruly, combative Simmental bulls, the cattle stopped fighting with each other. “I used him for that for several years. As long as he was in the bull pen, there was no fighting. They are the boss and they don’t allow for any fighting. So he was worth his weight in fence posts and planks, if nothing else,” said Juuti.

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NEWS » Markets

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Rain cuts into flax acres

Deere cuts payroll

This year’s flax harvest is “up in the air” because of flooding on the eastern Prairies, says the president of the Flax Council of Canada. The industry initially expected to see 1.7 million acres of flax planted this year, said Will Hill, but StatsCan reduced that to 1.5 million acres in its June estimate. Flax is one of the hottest items on the Prairies right now with one analyst saying farmers could likely get prices of $15 a bushel (freight on board) at some locations. Elevators are giving nominal new crop bids of up to $12.20. — Commodity News Service Canada

Deere & Co. is laying off more than 600 employees at U.S. plants because falling grain prices have cut demand for tractors and other farm machinery. The company recently reported a five per cent drop in third-quarter sales. Deere has about 67,000 full-time employees, with about half in its 26 plants in the U.S. and Canada — of which 17 primarily make agriculture and turf equipment. The USDA has forecast record U.S. corn and soybean crops this year, a prospect that has sent prices plummeting and discouraged farmers from buying equipment. — Reuters

StatsCan’s estimates point to tight canola stocks Estimates for Prairie wheat also support U.S. futures By Phil Franz-Warkentin

CE Futures Canada canola futures hit fresh contract lows once again during the week ended Aug. 22, as any bullish news that came forward was quickly swept to the side and the bears held firm. The continued price slide came despite production estimates from Statistics Canada that should have been seen as supportive on the surface. Statistics Canada came out with its first survey-based production estimates of the year on Aug. 21. The immediate reaction to the report was subdued, but the canola number may still provide some support in the long run. The government agency pegged this year’s canola crop at 13.9 million tonnes, which was at the low end of trade estimates and compares with the record 2013 crop that came in at just under 18 million tonnes. Back in July, Agriculture and AgriFood Canada supply/demand tables were predicting that canola ending stocks would dwindle to 1.1 million tonnes by the close of the 2014-15 crop year, from an estimated carry-over of three million tonnes for 2013-14. That forecast was made while pencilling in canola at 14.5 million tonnes, but if production truly is 500,000 tonnes smaller the balance sheet starts to look much tighter. Typically, the one-million-tonne mark is seen as an important line for canola, with stocks below that point considered “tight.” However, the tightening canola supply situation still pales in comparison to the record-large U.S. soybean crop for which the market continues to brace itself. CBOT soybeans were mostly lower during the week, with only the nearby September contract posting gains as end-users were being forced to pay up for delivery ahead of the big new crop.

End-user demand may not have propped up the Canadian futures, but opportunities could still be found in the cash market for farmers with oldcrop canola to sell. There is a much bigger question mark tied to the canola crop compared to soybeans, which has end-users looking to make sure they’re covered going forward. While canola should also be due for a bounce from a technical standpoint, the anchor of the U.S. soy market will likely limit the upside potential with any strength being relative to soybeans. In grain markets, CBOT wheat futures were slightly lower on the week, while Minneapolis and Kansas City futures showed some strength. Those two markets trade a higherquality wheat than Chicago does, and the wheat markets are shaping up to provide large premiums for quality this year. Downgrades to the European crop were being reported during the week, accounting for some of the strength in U.S. wheat. Canada’s smaller spring wheat crop was also supportive. StatsCan pegged this year’s wheat crop (including durum) at 27.7 million tonnes, which would be nearly 10 million tonnes smaller than last year’s. Canada is a fair-size player in the international wheat export market, and while the number was not that surprising at home, it did make the bigger fish take notice. Corn futures moved down during the week, as the U.S. continues to brace for a huge corn crop. While some private forecasts were predicting yields at slightly below USDA’s latest prediction, the weather conditions remain close to ideal across most of the Midwest for the time being. Phil Franz-Warkentin writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.

For three-times-daily market reports from Resource News International, visit “ICE Futures Canada updates” at www.albertafarmexpress.ca.

FILE PHOTO

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Alternative therapies for horses HORSE HEALTH  Veterinary and alternative therapies

can be part of an integrated treatment plan BY CAROL SHWETZ, DVM

eeking solutions to help horses heal and feel better outside of traditional and conventional veterinary medicine is becoming increasingly commonplace. Horse owners are not necessarily rejecting conventional medicine, rather they simply feel that alternative modalities offer complementary approaches. For example in addition to using antiinflammatory drugs to ease muscle pain, they may also use chiropractic, acupuncture, or osteopathic manipulation. This practice of complementing conventional medicine with alternative approaches has given rise to the term complementary medicine. Presently, alternative medicine is most commonly referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). As conventional veterinary practitioners become familiar with alternative approaches, these approaches are being integrated into conventional medicine, which is giving rise to the term “integrative medicine,” in which a combination of therapies representing the best of conventional and alternative medicine is used. The concept of integrative medicine has been around for many years but only recently has it begun to receive more recognition as people are looking for other possibilities to heal the body and prevent disease. There are dozens of alternative therapies with chiropracty, acupuncture, and bodyworkers leading the way. One can readily expand the definition of alternative therapies to include craniosacral therapy, osteopathy, essential oils, aromatherapy, Bach Flower remedies, kinesiology, herbology, magnotherapy, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, animal communication and even sound and colour therapy. The term is extremely broad in scope and in its simplest form refers to anything used in alternative to conventional medicine. Owned by neither alternative or conventional medicine, the discipline of nutrition, diet, and supplementation, is an emerging field which is unmistakably important to a well-balanced approach as well. Inappropriate or suboptimal nutrition will undermine the ultimate success of most therapies and medicine. There really isn’t a formal definition or category of this burgeoning discipline. Its best fit seems to be with integrative practices. When veterinarians and alternative therapists are well versed in the topics of diet, nutrition and supplement, it is of tremendous benefit to their patients and clients. The safety and efficacy of many of the alternative practices remains largely unknown, yet public demand for such practices is rapidly growing. Advising owners who seek alternative treatments presents a professional challenge. Presently, horse owners will find veterinarians who are reluctant to recommend alternative therapies, as well as veterinarians who willingly embrace complementary therapies, even practising these therapies on horses themselves. Understandably this can present a confusing dilemma for wellmeaning horse owners. It is important to remember that veterinary medicine is not to be excluded when alternative

therapies are sought, rather it is even more important that veterinarians are included. Alternative therapies are in no way a replacement for conventional veterinary medicine, rather an adjunctive treatment procedure. Since there is no policing of alternative therapies, it is a buyer beware market. Unfortunately, a poorly chosen alternative therapy can be harmful to the horse. Well-schooled, experienced and competent practitioners of alternative therapies will highly regard and include the veterinary community. The reverse is also true whereby a veterinarian will recognize the value of a competent and experienced practitioner of alternative therapies. As a result, the list of health-care providers for a high-level-performance horse may include a veterinarian, a chiropractor or bodyworker, and an acupuncturist.

Many alternative therapies are sought when behavioural, training issues or chronic problems ensue and conventional veterinary medicine fails to reveal a physical or metabolic cause. Oftentimes, the integrative practices will address the emotional and mental health of the horse. Surprisingly remarkable results can be experienced when a horse’s emotional patterns and state of mind are acknowledged and addressed appropriately. Common sense and some homework is best when considering alternative therapies. A knowledgeable client will understand the modality chosen, its intended and appropriate purpose, and educate and/or familiarize themselves with the hallmarks of a qualified and competent practitioner. Carol Shwetz is a veterinarian specializing in equine practice at Westlock, Alta.

Acupuncture needles are placed on specific points along the coronary band for the treatment or prevention of disease. PHOTO: CAROL SHWETZ

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news » livestock

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Meet the ALP board

USDA raises beef, pork price forecasts

Alberta Lamb Producers (ALP) is holding a Meet the Board event on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Royal Executive Inn in Leduc. Things get underway at 1 p.m. to hear about ALP activities, pose questions and offer ideas and suggestions. The board event is followed by a Maximize Your Marketing presentation and discussion, featuring Warren Moore (lamb buyer), Roger Albers (lamb feedlot operator and buyer), Dwayne Beaton (CEO SunGold Specialty Meats), and Tony Legault (direct marketer). There is no charge for the event. To confirm a spot, call 403-948-1522 or email admin@alamb.ca. — Agri-News

Retail prices for many U.S. meats, already at record highs, continue to rise on a combination of drought and disease, but overall food cost increases remain near long-term averages, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Aug. 25. The agency now forecasts pork, beef and veal prices to rise by 6.5 to 7.5 per cent in 2014, up from 5.5 to 6.5 per cent forecast a month ago. The overall “meats, poultry and fish” category will rise by 4.0 to 5.0 per cent. Overall U.S. food inflation will be 2.5 to 3.5 per cent in 2014, in line with historical norms, and is expected to be slightly lower at 2.0 to 3.0 per cent in 2015, the USDA said. — Reuters

“We know McDonald’s and A&W are looking for this information because they’re asking for it…”

BIXS open for business, but only a fraction of producers have signed up Fewer than 1,000 producers have signed up for the cattle-tracking database, but officials say the revamped system is greatly improved By Alexis Kienlen af staff

ewer than 1,000 producers have signed up for the second go-round of a beleaguered cattle-tracking system — even though it’s free and designed to boost their bottom line. The Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS) is also intended to be the foundation for the “verified sustainable beef” initiative that McDonald’s is piloting in Canada. At the recent Livestock Gentec Conference, program administrator Holly LaBrie made a pitch for producers to sign up — and warned of the consequences if there isn’t a sharp increase in uptake. “We know McDonald’s and A&W are looking for this information because they’re asking for it,” said LaBrie. “They’re beating down the door for the information, but if we don’t put it in there, then BIXS will die. So we need you to be there and be using it.”

“We know McDonald’s and A&W are looking for this information because they’re asking for it. They’re beating down the door for the information, but if we don’t put it in there, then BIXS will die.” Holly LaBrie

Larry Thomas, national coordinator of the program, refused to say exactly how many producers have enrolled in BIXS 2.0, other than it’s between 500 and 1,000. But he also said those numbers need to jump dramatically. “Nothing can live forever if no one is using it,” Thomas said in

an interview. “It hasn’t reached the critical mass that I’d like to see. A system like BIXS needs users.” But Thomas said he’s not “overly worried” because the second version of the program, BIXS 2.0, has not been heavily promoted since being given a soft launch in late March. A reliable and easy-to-use database to capture cattle information from pasture to packing plant is considered by many to be critical to the future success of the Canadian beef sector, and was one of the key recommendations of the Straw Man Beef Industry Initiative task force. “It is imperative that the common repository be operational, efficient and sustainable,” the task force said in its December report, Building a Stronger Canadian Beef Industry. The report also stated that “to be functional, a target of two million calves per year of quality, accurate producer, feedlot and carcass data by 2015 has been suggested.” “We’d like to be further ahead with it,” said Dennis Laycraft, executive director of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). He said senior McDonald’s officials have reviewed the program and the system can capture the data the company needs for its pilot program. The goal of the original system was to collect information such as age verification and vaccination records while giving producers carcass data to help them refine their breeding and management programs. By adding other information — such as a ranch’s environmental stewardship and animal welfare efforts — BIXS 2.0 could meet the goals of McDonald’s, the largest buyer of Canadian beef. The company wants to show consumers that its beef comes from animals that are treated humanely and raised in a way that does not harm the environment. “We believe there’s just so much demand out there for information,” said Laycraft. “We’re in the strongest position in the world as a country with what we’ve been doing on the

quality and food safety side. If we can attach that to the animal records — that’s where a system like BIXS comes in — we will position ourselves probably as strongly as any beef-producing country in the world. “It would be very disappointing if we’re not able to get that.” He said he remains optimistic BIXS 2.0 will be successful, but added “it has to be a system that attracts a significant amount of usage to justify its existence.” Not only do large customers such as A&W and McDonald’s want to know how producers raise their cattle and to be able to access cattle management data, so does the European Union, said Dave Solverson, CCA president. “I’m thinking we’ll see an increase in uptake when producers see direct value,” said Solverson. “As these new markets require certain things to be done, and identified, that will necessitate involvement in BIXS.” The revamped BIXS 2.0 is also greatly improved, and is both easier to use and much faster, Laycraft, Thomas, and LaBrie said. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has been working with software developer Arcurve to fix bugs during the soft launch phase. The database can track age verification, husbandry data, vaccination data, tombstone data and genetic tests. Users have been impressed by how easy the new version is to use, and its adaptability, said Laycraft. Users of BIXS 1.0 will find all of their data in the new system, added Thomas. “The first time someone logs in, they haven’t even done anything and all their carcass data is there,” he said. However, there are still some issues to work out. The process of validating a producer’s account and transferring the data is relatively slow. The database only contains three million carcass records and the CCA is still searching for packing information. As well, any supplier who wants cattle using BIXS has to

BIXS will have to attract many more users or it “will die,” said Holly LaBrie, the program’s administrator. photos: supplied

Uptake has been slow, but Dennis Laycraft says he is optimistic BIXS will be a success. contact LaBrie, who searches and then finds the results. This process will eventually be automated, but that’s still in the works. Most of the kinks will be ironed out soon and the system will be given a full launch sometime this fall, said Thomas. Even in its current form, the

system offers real value to cattle producers, said Laycraft. “The greatest benefit to the individual producer will be having more information attached to the animals, and getting more information back on how the animals perform,” he said. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Deadly U.S. pig virus can be carried in animal feed: study Piglets given feed from infected farms contracted the disease By Tom Polansek

Zoetis plans vaccine against killer PEDv virus U.S. approval for distribution will be sought before year-end

Reuters

research study has shown for the first time that livestock feed can carry a virus that has killed about 13 per cent of the U.S. hog herd, the study’s lead author said, confirming suspicions among farmers and veterinarians battling outbreaks. The findings, published this month in the peer-reviewed BMC Veterinary Research journal, bring increased scrutiny on the feed industry in the fight against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, or PEDv. The fast-moving virus has killed an estimated eight million piglets since it was first identified in the United States last year, pushing U.S. pork prices to record highs. In the study, researchers collected feed residue from three farms in Iowa and Minnesota that had outbreaks of PEDv and had received feed from the same source. They fed it to five piglets in an experiment at South Dakota State University, and all became infected with the virus. Piglets that were not fed the infected feed did not get sick. “This study helped validate that the virus was alive in the feed,” said Scott Dee, director of research for Pipestone Veterinary Clinic in Minnesota and lead author of the study,

By Tom Polansek Reuters

Z PEDv has killed an estimated eight million piglets in the U.S. photo: usda in an interview. “That had never been done before.” The study did not determine how the feed became infected with PEDv. It is possible that ingredients in the feed, such as corn or soybeans, were contaminated with the virus. The feed also could have been contaminated in other ways, such as during transportation, Dee said. It did not contain pig blood products used in feed that are suspected by some of transmitting the disease. Researchers have been trying to identify the ways in which PEDv is spreading to help control outbreaks. The results of Dee’s

study are “one more piece of the puzzle that we’ve been looking for,” said Tom Burkgren, executive director of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. The study shows it is critical for farmers to press feed suppliers about the practices used to prevent PEDv contamination, said Paul Sundberg, vicepresident of science and technology for the National Pork Board. “Quiz them and challenge them to ensure that the biosecurity in that feedhandling system is sufficient in preventing PEDv in getting through to that feed,” he said.

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oetis Inc., the world’s largest animal health company, plans to seek U.S. approval before the end of this year to sell its vaccine against a virus that has killed about 13 per cent of the U.S. hog herd. If approved, the new drug would rival the only vaccine available so far. Zoetis, which was spun off from drug maker Pfizer Inc. last year, expects to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a “conditional licence” to sell its vaccine against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, or PEDv, said chief executive officer Juan Ramon Alaix. The licence would allow the company to sell the vaccine directly to hog farmers while it conducts further tests. “There will be some limitations in terms of promotional activities, but not limitations in terms of selling the product to the market,” he said. Zoetis declined to provide details on the number of pigs the vaccine has been tested on, or on the results. The USDA in June granted conditional approval to privately held Harrisvaccines to sell farmers the first vaccine against PEDv. Still, veterinarians have warned that outbreaks will likely surge this fall and winter because the virus thrives in cold weather.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Researcher finds a way to calculate roundworm risk in Alberta pastures Weather matters a lot when it comes to predicting where roundworm infestations are likely to be worst By Jennifer Blair af staff / calgary

federal research scientist has developed “a hint of a tool” for predicting roundworm risk in Alberta pastures. “The question we came up with late at night was: Can we make a correlation between egg counts, antibody levels, and environmental parameters and build a GIS map that would give us an idea of what the epidemiology is in various parts of Alberta?” said Doug Colwell. It took three years to develop, but by using GIS (geographic information systems) mapping and standard methods for detecting roundworms, Colwell and his team created a system to forecast where infestations are likely to occur.

“There’s a number of different ways to detect nematode parasites,” he said. Antibodies in the blood are “particularly indicative” of problems in calves being put out on pasture for the first time. “Calves undergoing their first exposure develop antibodies fairly quickly,” said Colwell. “It’s pretty clear that more worms equal higher antibodies.” Colwell collected blood and fecal samples from calves in 20 auction marts across the province and ran tests for antibodies in the blood and egg counts in the feces. Those results were then layered onto a GIS map that showed the location and likely catchment area of each auction mart. “If you put the road map in along with the auction mart locations, you can develop a polygon around each of the auc-

“There is a group of calves out there that has very high levels of antibodies, and if you were basically to target a treatment program, those are the ones you’d target because those are the ones that are probably affecting you in an economic sense.” Doug Colwell

tion markets, which is the most likely place these animals came from,” he said. “The assumption was that producers are not going to drive their cattle a long way to get them to the auction mart.” Meteorological data from provincial government weather sta-

tions was then added to the map to create “risk categories” for the calves. “It’s really well established that eggs and larvae development are influenced by environmental conditions,” said Colwell. “Moisture is one of those key conditions.”

The result was three parameters — growing-degree days above 5°, precipitation, and extended periods of cool weather — that could be used to calculate risk. “Temperatures are the ones that seem to drive the higher levels. It’s not very surprising that the southeast of the province generally has low risk. Up around Grande Prairie, it’s relatively low risk as well.” And although antibody levels correlated “very nicely” with those three weather factors, fecal egg counts didn’t correlate at all. “Generally speaking, the results of the study show that a lot more calves are exposed to nematodes than is picked up in their fecal matter,” he said. “Fecal egg counts don’t necessarily mean a great deal.” Given that, the findings seem to support the approach used in most production systems in Alberta, namely “that all calves get treated all the time.” “There is a group of calves out there that has very high levels of antibodies, and if you were basically to target a treatment program, those are the ones you’d target because those are the ones that are probably affecting you in an economic sense,” said Colwell. “Unfortunately, the work that we’ve done thus far, we can’t identify those calves at this time. We can’t predict any kind of impact.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

Brief Vet school opens its doors to the public Oct. 4-5 U of C release / Curious about the world of veterinary medicine or interested in becoming a vet? The University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine is holding Vet-U-Can 2014 on Oct. 4 and 5. Every two years, the school opens its doors to the community for a behind-the-scenes look at veterinary medicine and to celebrate the role of animals in our lives. A self-guided tour will take visitors through the Clinical Skills Building, where students, faculty and staff will provide information about the school and the profession. As well, there will be demonstrations, special displays and exhibits, and chances to talk with faculty and students about careers in veterinary medicine. The open house runs both days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the university’s Spy Hill Campus at 1187785 Street NW. For more info, see www.vet. ucalgary.ca/vetucan.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Verified Beef Production program gives producers an edge By documenting all their food safety practices in a single system, cattle producers gain access to government funding and niche markets By Jill Burkhardt af contributor

series of E. coli and listeria outbreaks and other food safety incidents has increased pressure on producers to do more and more — even though Canada has one of the safest food supplies in the world. And that’s true of the Verified Beef Production (VBP) program, the country’s on-farm food safety program for beef producers. The program already has standard operating procedures covering animal health management, feed and water, shipping, pesticide control, manure management, and staff training and communication. In January, it was announced three new modules — biosecurity, animal care, and environmental stewardship — will be added. “We are excited to be working with industry on the VBP-plus program and look forward to additions which are low-cost or no-cost practical solutions,” said Shannon Argent, VBP co-ordinator for Alberta. Pilot versions of these components will be rolled out in the near future, and will be based on the recommendations of a steering committee, which has representatives from government, academia,

processors, retailers, the veterinary profession, and several beef sectors. This type of information is increasingly being sought by major corporations, such as McDonalds, which is piloting its “sustainable beef” program in Canada.

Added benefits

Some producers may be turned off by the idea of doing more paperwork, but many are already recording this information, albeit in numerous places — notebooks, calendars, or scrap pieces of paper. But keeping clear, concise records in a single system has several benefits. First, better record-keeping can help identify ways to lower costs or boost productivity. Second, having detailed records can also allow a ranch to sell into a branded beef program with specific protocols — such as no added hormones or antibiotics. Being enrolled or trained in the VBP program also makes ranches eligible for Growing Forward 2 funding of up to $5,000 (covering 70 per cent of eligible costs). Among the items eligible for funding are squeeze chutes with neck extenders, individual animal weigh systems, medical treatment software, and electronic animal thermometers.

How it works

The program is records based and has three stages. The first stage is enrolment/training when the producer completes the online or in-person course. (Once enrolled or trained in the VBP program, producers are eligible to apply for Growing Forward 2 funding.) The second stage is pre-registration. During this step, a cowcalf producer keeps records for six months (three months for feedlots) and then undergoes a third-party audit. Many producers cringe when the word “audit” is brought up — picturing grim-faced men with clipboards and the prospect of suddenly being forced to change practices. But the VBP audit is more a learning experience, a review of the program’s “dos” and recommendations. “The program lays out best practices for producers with the goal of keeping drug residues and foreign objects out of the food chain,” said Argent. Every time an animal receives an injection, a record is created of what was given, the route of administration (intermuscular or subcutaneous), the date, what animal received the injection, how much was given, and the withdrawal time of the medication. Producers are encouraged

CANADA’S LARGEST

to use detectable needles and if by chance a needle was broken while giving the injection, then the producer fills out a simple form for their record book. If that animal is ever sold, the next owner is informed of the broken needle. Records are also kept for medicating feed or water, herbicide/ pesticide use on hay or pasture land, and animals that are sold and shipped, purchased or died. The audit is also a chance for producers to add to their education by spending time with an industry professional who has audited many other operations. For example, they might learn more about herbicide and pesticide withdrawal times and tips on using the Compendium for Veterinarian Products (CVP) app for iPhones that give producers the medication label directions right on their smartphone. The final stage is registration. Once registered, a producer has to submit a sample of records or selfdeclarations annually to maintain registration. After the initial audit, a full audit is again required in the ninth year of registration and the cycle resumes.

Not alone

The U.S. has a program similar to the Verified Beef Production program called Beef Quality Assurance. The protocols are similar,

except the BQA program is audited every five years on a national level to gauge “progress the industry makes on a variety of production issues,” according to the BQA website. The BQA program also has one additional module, the Transportation Quality Assurance Program, for cattle and hog transportation. With more and more consumers demanding more detailed assurances that their food is safe and wanting to know more about how it was produced, the VBP program could be used as an avenue to provide this information. By pairing Verified Beef Production with other programs, such as BIXS 2.0 and DNA Traceback, consumers may one day be able to scan a QR code on a meat package in the store and find out everything about that animal, right down to what it ate on a daily basis. “The program is using industry support to build on the VBP platform, using existing materials whenever possible and identifying practices easily adaptable by producers,” said Argent. For more information about the VBP program, visit www. beefsafety.ab.ca. Jill Burkhardt and husband Kelly background Angus-cross cattle at their farm near Gwynne and direct market beef at farmers’ markets in Edmonton. They are enrolled in the VBP program.

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SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Running hot and cold Global temperatures are increasing, but so is the variability of temperature extremes, say researchers from Northeastern University in Boston. This means that even as overall temperatures rise, we’ll still see extreme cold snaps, said researcher Evan Kodra. Computer programs able to project a wider range of extreme temperature behaviour will allow sectors like agriculture and insurance to better prepare for the future. For example, “an agriculture insurance company wants to know next year what is the coldest snap we could see and hedge against that. So, if the range gets wider they have a broader array of policies to consider.”

Farmers oppose groundwater regulations California farmers last week opposed a package of bills aimed at regulating the drought-parched state’s stressed groundwater supplies. The bills would allow the state to take over management of underground aquifers and water accessed via wells, to tighten oversight of water at a time when groundwater levels are shrinking in the third year of a catastrophic drought. About a million people statewide rely on private wells for drinking water, many of which have gone dry. Critics say the proposed legislation would impose overly rigid guidelines on farmers and wouldn’t address the different geographic needs of water users. — Reuters

A break in the weather pattern before fall? Last Sunday’s storm system looked very much like a strong winter low by daniel bezte

don’t know about you, but I’ve pretty much had it up to you know where when it comes to upper-level lows! Yes, the Canadian Prairies have once again been hit by an upper-level low. Oh, don’t get me wrong; as you’ve already heard from me this year, we are not unfamiliar with upperlevel lows during the summer. The only thing is, we typically see just one or two of them, not five or six! If we had to put a defining point or influence on this summer’s weather across the Prairies, it would have to be the upper-level low. Since last June we’ve seen at least six large upper-level lows affect all or parts of the Prairies. I know I’ve already talked about this over the last couple of months, but I felt after this last system that we needed to revisit this, if only to understand them a little better. As I pointed out earlier this year, upper-level lows are not that unusual. What’s unusual are the size and strength of the systems that have been affecting us so far this summer. The latest moved out of the U.S. Midwest last weekend and brought showers, rain and thunderstorms to a large part of the southern Prairies.

“Why have there been so many upper lows?”

To see just how large this latest storm system was, I’ve included a satellite image of the storm as it gathered strength late Sunday, Aug. 24. You can see just how large it was, extending from southwestern Alberta all the way to northwestern Ontario. The low got wound up around the Montana-North Dakota border region, then ejected north-

eastward during the first part of last week. If someone was to show me this image with no date on it, I would probably say it was from the winter rather than the late summer, as it looks very much like a strong winter low. As I’ve pointed out a couple of times over the last few months, summer upper lows are not that unusual; what has been unusual this year has been both the number and the intensity of these lows.

Heavy rainfalls

Take the last low as an example. This low, at its greatest extent, stretched from southeastern Alberta all the way to northwestern Ontario. Areas to the east of the low saw warm, moist air move in, bringing scattered heavy rainfalls and warm temperatures. Farther west, on the back side of the upper low, northerly winds brought the first taste of autumn to parts of northern Alberta and Saskatchewan. These cool winds, combined with the moisture from the low, brought significant rains to a good part of extreme southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Now the big question on a lot of people’s minds this summer has been “Why have there been so many upper lows?” At first, my initial reply goes to persistence — that is, the weather we see today will be the same weather we see tomorrow. But that wouldn’t explain the pattern of dry and wet weather we’ve seen, unless we look at the bigger picture. So far we seem to be stuck in a pattern of colder-than-average temperatures to our east and warmerthan-average temperatures to our southwest. We have seen some warm air move into the Prairies so far this summer, but these intrusions have been weak, only lasting a week or so at the most. The culprit has been the upper-level low. The weather pattern over North America has been such that areas of low pressure coming in off the Pacific have been meeting what seems to be a semipermanent trough of low pressure over the eastern part

of North America. As these lows approach this trough, they move into an environment that allows them to strengthen. If everything plays out correctly, this low breaks off the main jet stream and ends up “cut off” from the upper-level flow. It then takes its time moving out, lasting upward of several days. Persistence allows atmospheric conditions to remain in place and this year this has resulted in Pacific systems moving in, intensifying, and finally becoming strong enough to influence upperlevel winds. The next big question is whether this current long-term weather pattern will continue, or El Niño conditions will overcome our current pattern and bring us nice continuous warm winter weather. Eventually this pattern will change — it’s just a matter of time.

Was this image from last winter or late last Sunday?

This map shows the percentage of normal rainfall for the 90 days ending Aug. 25. There has been a wide variation across the Prairies this year, ranging from well below normal in the Peace through well above normal in parts of southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Winter wheat tips Winter wheat producers may want to seed a little heavier. “You’ll want to be somewhere around 25 to 30 plants per square foot at seeding time to protect against losses,” says provincial crop specialist Mark Cutts. Seeding shallow, typically from one-half to one inch, is recommended to ensure good stand establishment and fairly high stubble to catch snow is a must. But there are two ways to go with nitrogen — some at seeding and then broadcasting in spring or putting it all down at once. “One of the products that has shown great promise with winter wheat is Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN),” said Cutts. — AARD release

Hemp holds potential for Alberta farmers — if they can grow long-fibre varieties

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A new southern Alberta hemp fibre-processing facility will give hemp growers a market for what is currently an unwanted byproduct By Jennifer Blair af staff / sylvan lake

trom to sell the whole plant, while making it easier to manage postharvest straw. “It would be a good thing because you have to remove this straw to be able to seed into it next year,” he said. The Cylab facility could see a big jump in hemp acreage, which is roughly half of what that plant can handle. “We would be requiring within about two years from now about 41,000 acres of hemp — not for the seed, not for anything other than the stalk and the internal hurd,” said Boag. In order to get hemp from the field into a material that companies like Cylab can manufacture, the fibre must first be separated from the internal hurd — ideally in a location close to where the crop is grown in order to maintain the fibre strength. “To turn this product here in Canada into a product that I can use, you need decortication,” said Boag. The province funded a decortication pilot plant in Vegreville to grow the potential market for hemp in the province, said Lori-Jo Graham, biomaterials program lead with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “We invested in that multimilliondollar project in 2009,” she said. “It’s North America’s largest fractionation facility.” In the past five years, she’s seen a “real resurgence in the market.”

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$30-million hemp fibre-processing facility is set to open in southern Alberta this fall, but it won’t — at least for now — be sourcing hemp from Canada. “I’ll be moving into a facility in about two months, and we’ll be operational from there,” said Brett Boag, chief executive officer of Cylab International. “But I’ll be bringing my fibre, at that point, in from overseas.” Boag built his company eight years ago in China, where tall hemp varieties thrive and workers separate the fibrous stalk from the internal hurd (the soft part of the stem) by hand. He knew the labour situation would be different here, but was expecting hemp fibre “would be abundantly available,” he said. But as it turns out, the varieties of hemp currently grown in the province fall short on a couple of fronts — fibre strength and length — and the two characteristics go hand in hand. “It’s a really, really good material if you get long-fibre format, and that’s what we’re looking for — a longer fibre format than the standard 70- to 80-millimetre length. We’re looking for 200 to 300 millimetre.” Fibre strength is critical, said Boag. Some companies are even

testing hemp as an alternative to Kevlar in bulletproof vests. “These systems rely on the strength hemp offers and the ability of hemp to resist impact, which is what Kevlar is all about,” he said. “But Kevlar is $80 a square metre. This material is a couple of dollars, and yet it’s probably got 80 per cent the performance of Kevlar.” Although there’s been a lot of interest in hemp, and an increasing number of acres in southern Alberta, long-fibre varieties would perform best in the north, said Boag. “This stuff grows on sunlight. You’ve got longer days of sunlight up there,” he said. “In my mind, this area (in central Alberta) and farther north is the growing area for a goodquality fibrous hemp.” That’s good news for central Alberta hemp grower Todd Bystrom, who currently burns his hemp fibre. “I would consider any kind of hemp straw right now a cost,” he said. “That’s actually a cost against growing it. Any time you can turn a cost into a revenue, that makes it a better calculation.” Bystrom has been growing hemp on his farm near Sylvan Lake for the past three years, primarily as seed and for the food market. “When you look at hemp as a farmer, you’ve got to have a reason to grow it. The No. 1 reason for me is it’s worth more money.” A hemp fibre-processing facility would allow producers like Bys-

The versatility and strength of hemp fibres make it the ideal material for use in biomaterial composites, says Cylab International CEO Brett Boag. Photo: Jennifer Blair

“We’re getting a lot of processors and manufacturers coming here and using the facility for research,” said Graham. “We’re trying to establish Alberta and Canada as a centre of excellence for hemp, and it really sets Alberta apart from other places.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

A new biocontrol for fusarium head blight in cereals coming An Ontario company will use a fungal organism found on a Manitoba field pea leaf to ward off FHB and possibly other fungi By Allan Dawson staff

The treatment works by introducing a beneficial fungus which consumes the harmful fusarium strain. FILE PHOTO

ighting fungi with fungi. That’s how an Ontario company plans to use an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada discovery to control fusarium head blight in wheat and other cereal crops. Adjuvants Plus Inc. of Kingsville, Ont. has reached a 10-year licensing agreement with Agriculture Canada to use its patented technology — a fungal organism called Clonostachys rosea, strain ACM941, which when applied to cereals can greatly reduce fusarium infections. “It really prevents it (fusar-

ium) getting into the plant,” said Adjuvants Plus president Bill Brown. “It’s there first. It’s simple site occupation followed by food source denial. And if it really gets ticked off it eats it. “It’s kind of like a guard dog — it keeps you against the fence unless it gets hungry.” Fusarium head blight can reduce wheat yield and quality and has cost Canadian farmers $1.5 billion since the 1990s, according to Brown. It can also produce vomitoxin, preventing wheat from being used for human consumption or even livestock feed. ACM941 is a year or two away from registration and commercialization, and farmers will have to learn to take care applying it, since ACM941 is a living organism. To work it must “infect” the wheat, but it doesn’t hurt the crop while helping to ward off fusarium, Brown said. “With this product you must achieve colonization,” he said. “It must get inside the plant and grow. It’s the Holy Grail.

“We are shifting the microflora in favour of a beneficial and keeping at bay the pathogens.” Bill Brown

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“We are shifting the microflora in favour of a beneficial and keeping at bay the pathogens.” Adjuvants Plus recently secured a new adjuvant system from Cornell University, which makes ACM941’s control more consistent, Brown said. “It can double and triple the amount of inoculation that we’re getting.” Getting good results hinges on good crop coverage. That means using lots of water, slowing down, using two directional nozzles and not spraying when it’s sunny and hot. Ideally ACM941 should be applied when it’s cloudy, humid and warm — the same conditions that make wheat susceptible to fusarium infection. The product may cost more than chemical fungicides, in part because of the time it takes to make it, Brown said. But he isn’t worried the extra cost or management will discourage sales. Once innovative farmers have success with it, other will follow, he said. ACM941 will likely be approved as an organic treatment. It will also be valuable in an integrated pest management program providing farmers with another mode of action for controlling fusarium. Brown believes it may also work on other field and horticultural crops, including those in the greenhouse industry.

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allan@fbcpublishing.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Numbers matter when storing grain, says crop expert AARD RELEASE / Pay close attention to two critical numbers when storing grain, says Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development crops specialist Mark Cutts. “Temperature and moisture content of the grain are two important factors that influence the length of time grain can be stored without a change in quality,” says Cutts. “In general, as grain temperature and moisture content increase, the allowable storage time decreases.” For example, grain stored at 18 per cent moisture and 18 C can be stored for 20 to 30 days while grain stored at 15 per cent moisture and 15 C can be stored 160 to 240 days before spoilage becomes a concern. For long-term safe storage (more than 240 days), grain entering the bin at 14 per cent moisture needs to be cooler than 13 C. “There may be pockets of higher-moisture grain present within a bin that is testing an average of 13 per cent,” says Cutts. “These pockets of higher moisture can be a source of spoilage at isolated areas within a bin. “Grain intended for long-term storage with a higher-than-desired moisture content should be put through a grain dryer. Aeration can then be used to keep the dry grain cool and to ensure a uniform grain temperature throughout the bin.” If drying or aeration are not options, the grain should be monitored for heating. Permanent temperature sensing cables can be installed and used to evaluate temperatures throughout the bin. Another option is inserting a metal rod into the bin, leaving it for about 30 minutes, then removing and checking it for warmth. Insects are another key concern. “Under the Canada Grains Act, there is zero tolerance for the presence of live insects that feed on grain,” notes Cutts. “As such, checking for the presence of insects is critical to maintaining crop quality. Warm, moist and weedy crops are particularly susceptible and should be closely monitored.” Insect monitoring requires weekly bin checks during the early stages of storage, and visual observations aren’t a guarantee there’s no infestation. Probe traps, which capture insects as they move through grain, have proven to be an effective detection tool.

PERFECT LATE-SUMMER BACKDROP

A ripening canola field makes the perfect backdrop for this dark horse, west of High River, Alta.

PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY

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SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Canola growers crippling clubroot resistance with short rotations Growing clubroot-resistant canola varieties back to back is causing resistance to break down in Alberta fields By Jennifer Blair af staff / penhold

By the time clubbing starts to appear on canola roots, it may already be too late to control the deadly disease. Photos: Jennifer Blair

“Should we be surprised that resistance isn’t good anymore?” said provincial oilseed specialist Murray Hartman of the producers who have grown four clubroot-resistant crops in the past five years.

T:8.125”

DON’T THINK OF IT AS

SCLEROTINIA PROTECTION.

THINK OF IT

PROTECTION. Pioneer ® brand canola hybrids that contain the Pioneer Protector® sclerotinia resistance trait have disease protection built right into the seed, so you know that your crop and your yield will be protected. Ask your local Pioneer Hi-Bred sales representative about the right product for your acres.

Average Yield From 270 Proving GroundTM field comparisons over the last 4 years.*

pioneer.com/yield

*Canola yield data summarized from Proving Ground trials across Western Canada from the last 4 years (2010 -2013). Yield data averaged from DuPont Pioneer Proving Ground competitor canola trials as of June 18, 2014. Product responses are variable and subject to any number of environmental, disease and pest pressures. Individual results may vary. Multi-year and multi-location data is a better predictor of future performance. Refer to www.pioneer.com/yield or contact a Pioneer Hi-Bred sales representative for the latest and complete listing of results, traits and scores for each Pioneer ® brand product. Roundup Ready ® is a registered trademark used under license from Monsanto Company. Pioneer ® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. The DuPont Oval Logo is a registered trademark of DuPont. ® TM SM , , Trademarks and service marks licensed to Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited. © 2014, PHL. TM

T:10”

AS YIELD

ith clubroot resistance breakdown confirmed in one Alberta canola field — and likely in others — a four-year rotation has become even more critical, even though it won’t stop the spread of clubroot. “Rotation isn’t going to get rid of the clubroot out of the field,” provincial oilseed specialist Murray Hartman said of the field where a resistant strain of the disease was found. Long-lived clubroot spores make the disease impossible to eliminate entirely from the soil, said Hartman. Longer rotation will help reduce the spore numbers, but its real value is maintaining resistance. “There’s only one set of resistance that’s useful right now — you want to have that stay as useful as long as you can until we get other sources,” he said. “The only way you can do that with resistant sources is if you don’t expose it frequently to high numbers of the spores.” Repeatedly growing resistant varieties can cause the disease pathogens to “shift” and resistance to break down faster, he said. “If you want to cause that shift in the pathogen, you grow canola every year with that resistant variety on soils that have got billions of spores. You’re going to get a very quick breakdown.” Growers in some parts of the world have seen resistance begin to break down after just two crops. But with a four-year rotation, resistance should last a decade — time that would allow for new resistant varieties to hit the marketplace, said Hartman. “It should have given us about 10 years before the resistance started to fail,” he said. “It didn’t take 10 years.” And producing the next round of resistant varieties won’t be easy, he added. “We might get the resistance, but we won’t get the agronomically great varieties — not like 45H29 was when it came out of the gate,” he said. “And even if we come up with a new set of resistance, we can’t assume it’s going to be durable for more than two or three crops either.” Until new resistant sources are found, maintaining existing ones will be critical, said Hartman. One of the ways producers can do that is by growing resistant varieties “before you have a problem on the field.” “It’s a bit like vaccinating that field. You have the resistant varieties so you don’t get clubroot patches started in the first place.” But producers still need to avoid putting pressure on the resistance in those varieties, he said. “When you’ve got an infestation on a field, don’t grow the resistant (varieties) more than once every four years — not to make the disease go away in the field, but to keep that resistance there until we have other sources that are available.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Fruit could be genetically edited, not genetically modified? Avoiding introduction of genes from other organisms could alleviate consumer concerns CELL PRESS RELEASE

ecent advances that allow the precise editing of genomes now raise the possibility that fruit and other crops might be genetically improved without the need to introduce foreign genes, according to researchers writing in the Cell Press publication Trends in Biotechnology. Genetically edited fruits might be met with greater acceptance by society at large than genetically modified organisms (GMOs) so far have been, especially in Europe, they say. This could mean

that genetically edited versions of GMOs such as “super bananas” that produce more vitamin A and apples that don’t brown when cut, among other novelties, could be making an appearance on grocery shelves. “The simple avoidance of introducing foreign genes makes genetically edited crops more ‘natural’ than transgenic crops obtained by inserting foreign genes,” said Chidananda Nagamangala Kanchiswamy of Istituto Agrario San Michele in Italy. For instance, changes to the characteristics of fruit might be made via small genetic tweaks designed

to increase or decrease the amounts of natural ingredients that their plant cells already make. Genome editing of fruit has become possible today due to the advent of new tools and also because of the extensive and growing knowledge of fruit genomes. “We would like people to understand that crop breeding through biotechnology is not restricted only to GMOs,” Kanchiswamy said. “Transfer of foreign genes was the first step to improve our crops, but GEOs (genetically edited organisms) will surge as a ‘natural’ strategy to use biotechnology for a sustainable agricultural future.”

Possibilities include bananas with more vitamin A or apples that don’t brown when cut. PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

BRIEF Seed association president urges industry to work together

It’s the Prairies’ best kept secret.

CSTA RELEASE / Dave Baute, owner and president of Maizex Seeds in Tilbury, Ont. has been elected president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association. In his acceptance speech, Baute stressed the importance of working with value chain partners, and called on the association and the agriculture industry to come together to support modern agriculture as a steward of health, safety and the environment. “We need to take a proactive approach to bring this entire industry together with a unified voice and a profound positive message. A mostly uninformed public is beginning to speak out with an emotional, almost fearful cry. We need to listen, and we need to address it together.”

Dave Baute

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If you’ve ever searched for the secret to consistent and reliable yields, you probably already know the answer is Proven® Seed. Year over year, growers choose Proven Seed because we spend so much time researching, developing and testing our seed varieties across western Canada to ensure it’s the best choice for local growers. Learn more at ProvenSeed.ca or ask your CPS retailer. 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. 08/14-39031-1 AFE

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SUPPER

Alberta food export opportunities in Japan and South Korea Food exporters invited to participate in product displays

A Swainson’s hawk perches in the late-afternoon sun, watching for small rodents in the tall grasses

near Priddis, Alta. PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY Variety reclassification – [6”]

2014

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Grain producers

A reminder from the Canadian Grain Commission DO YOU GROW THESE VARIETIES OF AMBER DURUM AND FLAXSEED? The variety registration for the following Canada Western Amber Durum wheat varieties will be cancelled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as follows:

AARD RELEASE

lberta Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Alberta Japan Office and Alberta Korea Office, is organizing a tabletop expo and networking program in three separate locations in Japan and South Korea from Nov. 17 to 21. “Export-ready companies are being invited to participate in this program to display their products and to meet with targeted Japanese and South Korean food distributors and retailers, food-processing companies, food ingredient importers as well as hotel and restaurant chains,” said Albert Eringfeld, trade relations officer, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “The focus will be on the retail, food-service and food-manufacturing channels in these two markets.” The five-day event will see participants visit Seoul, Osaka, and Tokyo. Each stop will include opportunities such as a tabletop

expo (for product exhibition and sampling); pre-scheduled oneon-one meetings between buyers and sellers; market presentations, and tours of retail and food-service outlets. Funding will be provided to eligible companies participating in the program to cover a portion of travel expenses for one representative per company. “Both Japan and South Korea have affluent populations with large food deficits and a heavy reliance on agri-food product imports,” said Eringfeld. “Strong demand exists in both markets for meats, baked goods, confectionery and snacks, food ingredients, beverages, canola oil, condiments/sauces, honey and processed food products. The recently announced CanadaKorea Free Trade Agreement and ongoing free trade and market access negotiations between Japan and Canada will help maintain and expand market share for key agri-food export products.” For more info, contact Eringfeld at albert.eringfeld@gov.ab.ca or 780-415-4814.

 Sceptre on October 24, 2014  Plenty on August 1, 2015 Both Plenty and Sceptre will be eligible for all grades of amber durum wheat until August 1, 2015. The variety registration for the following Canada Western flaxseed varieties will be cancelled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as follows:  CDC Valour on August 1, 2015  CDC Arras on August 1, 2017  Flanders on August 1, 2017  Somme on August 1, 2017 As of these dates the flaxseed varieties listed above will be removed from the Canadian Grain Commission’s variety designation list.

1-800-853-6705 or 204-983-2770 TTY : 1-866-317-4289 www.grainscanada.gc.ca Twitter: @grain_canada

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. Commercialized products have 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 canola contains the active ingredients difenoconazole, metalaxyl (M and S isomers), fludioxonil, and thiamethoxam. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for soybeans (fungicides only) is a combination of three separate individually registered products, which together contain the active ingredients fluxapyroxad, pyraclostrobin and metalaxyl. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for soybeans (fungicides and insecticide) is a combination of four separate individually registered products, which together contain the active ingredients fluxapyroxad, pyraclostrobin, metalaxyl and imidacloprid. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for corn (fungicides only) is a combination of three separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin and ipconazole. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for corn (fungicides and insecticide) 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 corn with Poncho®/VoTivo™ (fungicides, insecticide and nematicide) is a combination of five separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin, ipconazole, clothianidin and Bacillus firmus strain I-5821. Acceleron®, Acceleron and Design®, DEKALB and Design®, DEKALB®, Genuity and Design®, 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® and VT Triple PRO® 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. Poncho® and Votivo™ are trademarks of Bayer. Used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Legal Ad 905.403.0055 > vic@urbanco.ca

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Australia seeks to stop animal rights groups with tough ‘Ag-Gag’ laws Legislators say industry needs protecting from ‘quasi vigilante’ animal rights groups sydney / reuters

ustralia is considering tougher laws to stop animal rights activists secretly filming on farms and abattoirs and airing the vision in an effort to protect a multimillion-dollar livestock trade, a move rights groups say will hide abuse. South Australia state is furthest along with a draft law before parliament that would impose heavy fines and a threeyear jail term for secretly recording animal cruelty images.

Seven U.S. states have introduced “Ag-Gag” laws to make it illegal to take photos or videos at farms or slaughterhouses without the operators’ permission. U.S. rights groups say the “Ag-Gag” laws violate the constitutional rights to free speech. Livestock producers in Australia say current trespass laws are not effective in preventing or prosecuting animal rights groups who covertly film or photograph on farms and threaten the livelihood of farmers. In 2011, armed with little

more than a mobile phone, animal rights campaigners brought Australia’s livestock industry to its knees. Visions of animal abuse in an Indonesian abattoir ignited a public outcry and swiftly saw the Australian government ban live cattle exports to Indonesia. Despite the ban lasting only five weeks, Australian cattle exports fell more than 20 per cent that year and was seen as a catalyst behind Indonesia’s policy of self-sufficiency that now limits imports from Australia. People for the Ethical Treat-

ment of Animals (PETA) this month released footage showing shearers punching, kicking and throwing sheep, drawing criticism from Australia’s government. “You cannot have some sort of quasi vigilante group deciding that their moral ethics and their moral paradigm gives them the right to circumvent all the rules of the nation for the purpose of closing down an industry,” said Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce. Australia’s national government has said it would like to

see all states and territories adopt “Ag-Gag” laws. “If this evidence gathering becomes hindered by so-called “Ag-Gag” legislation, the concern is that the general public will continue to be left in the dark about the many atrocities committed against animals,” said Claire Fryer, PETA Australia’s campaign co-ordinator. “Existing regulation of the treatment of animals used in agriculture has proved inadequate, making it necessary for individuals and animal protection groups to gather evidence and report violations.”

Brief Feds provide $8 million in funding for organics Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Nova Scotia MP Scott Armstrong on Aug. 12 announced $8 million in funding for the Organic Federation of Canada. The funding is for the creation of an organic science cluster to help the sector respond to market demand and capture new opportunities. It said 200 collaborating scientists will work on several priorities, including crop breeding for improved cultivars, developing new reduced-tillage systems for organic crops, enhancing soil to improve plant health and developing new approaches to manage crop pests, diseases and livestock parasites.

Growers can’t stop talking about its flushing weed control. ( Please accept our apologies. )

Himalayan balsam control Agri-News / Alberta Agriculture weed specialist Nicole Kimmel says she has received reports of “strange regrowth” after Himalayan balsam control. She says hand pulling is still the most effective method, but offers these suggestions: • If cutting, the stem must be cut below the lowest node. If the stem is cut above this, it will send out more stems and produce more flowers. • Weed whacking will not accurately cut the stem below the first node. It must be conducted on a regular basis for two to three years to prevent the plant setting seed. Disturbing the plant once it has set seed will spread them over a wider area. • Cut/uprooted plants should be left off the ground, burned or removed from site or piled up in a single location.

If you’ve been anywhere within earshot of a grower who’s used Ares™ herbicide for Clearfield® canola, you’ve already heard all about it. A lot. Because only Ares controls the toughest flushing weeds and keeps them from coming back. Which means you save time and money in the process. So try it for yourself. Once you see the result, we doubt you’ll be able to keep it to yourself. To find out more visit agsolutions.ca/clearfieldcanola or contact AgSolutions® Customer Care at 1-877-371-BASF (2273).

Always read and follow label directions. AgSolutions is a registered trade-mark of BASF Corporation; ARES is a trade-mark and Clearfield and the unique Clearfield symbol are registered trade-marks of BASF Agrochemical Products B.V.; all used with permission by BASF Canada Inc. © 2014 BASF Canada Inc.

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SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Community news and events from across the province

what’s

Send agriculture-related meeting and event announcements to: glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com Sept. 7: Annual Threshing Day Show and Shine, Round Hill Community Hall and Recreation Hall and Grounds, Round Hill. Contact: Joan Burnstad 780-672-8184. Sept. 10: Leading the Way: Innovators in Farm Direct Marketing, Edmonton. Contact: Delores Serafin 780-427-4611 or Dustin Morton 403-742-7571. Sept. 11: Range Health Assessment Training — First Course, Elkwater. (Second course on Sept. 16 at Stavely.) Contact Donna Watt 403-563-8925. Sept. 15: Beavers in Our Landscape. Hosted by NAIT & Lac Ste. Anne County. Onoway. Contact Laurie Hunt, 780-378-2856. Sept. 24-25: Agriculture and Food Council Summit Up!, Pomeroy Inn & Suites, Olds. Contact: Bryanna Kumpula 780-469-3714 ext. 237. Sept. 27: Interested in Organics? (Peace River Organic Producers Association), Demmitt Community Centre, Hythe. Contact: Jerry Kitt 780-356-2239. Sept. 27: Fall Rare & Exotic Sale, Lloydminster, Sask. Contact: Corinne McGirr 306-825-5571. Oct. 11: Andrew Garlic Festival, Andrew Community Centre, Andrew. Contact: Carri Hrehorets 780-896-3902.

Giving back in a big way By Dianne Finstad af contributor

is charity efforts are soaring as high as his country music career. The record $503,000 raised at Gord Bamford’s seventh annual golf tourney at the Lacombe Golf Club and a soldout gala in Red Deer last month had the country star shaking his head in wonder. “I was thinking about our first year when the concert was on the lawn at the golf course with a flat-deck trailer,” said Bamford. “I never thought it would get this big.” He set up his charitable foundation in 2008 to “give back and make a difference in people’s lives” — and has done just that. The 16-time Canadian Country Music Award-winning artist has raised nearly $2 million to help children’s hospitals across Canada, the Make a Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. There’s an emphasis on youth-oriented charities in his giving, because of Bamford’s family focus and his own experiences. “It’s pretty awesome to see what it’s done and how it’s helped,” he said. “When I moved from Australia at the age of four, I had a Big Brother. We had complications with our youngest daughter, Memphis, and spent time at the Ronald McDonald house. I’ve had the opportunity to go to lots of children’s hospitals and try and make a difference that day for them. I grew up playing lots of sports, so multi-use facilities in small communities made sense.” Pride in his rural roots is a theme in Bamford’s music, with hits like “Farm Girl Strong” and “We’re All Cowboys.” “I grew up in a farming community, my grandpa was in rodeo, so there was a lot

of that influence,” said Bamford, who still lives near Lacombe. The 750 gala attendees were treated to a concert featuring Bamford and his Nashville songwriting friends, as well as other musicians like Jason Blaine, Aaron Pritchett, Beverly Mahood, Cowboy Troy and even legendary rock band Trooper. Auction items ranged from golfing with a celebrity to signed guitars and even a private house concert with Bamford. Keeping his base in central Alberta gives him a current perspective as well, as evidenced in his latest release “Where a Farm Used To Be,” which laments the problem of urban encroachment on agricultural land. “It’s sure happening. From Lacombe, all the way to Red Deer, in the next 10 or 15 years, it may just be lots of houses and industrial areas. That’s just what happens, but it’s definitely why the song was written.” Bamford, a past 4-H member and ongoing supporter, aims for a rural audience, even as he makes a big push into the American market over the next year. “It’s a whole debate right now in country music,” he remarked. “Is country music country anymore? Not really, but the country music fan base is massive. I seem to be one of the only guys catering to it. I like it — less competition there!” Blaine was so inspired by Bamford’s fundraising success in Lacombe that he started a similar event to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club and a new college in his hometown of Pembrooke, Ont. “It’s nice to be able to use the gift of music to do stuff like this,” said Blaine. “I grew up around farms. We find that people who listen to country music don’t just listen, they live it. I grew up raised to not forget where you come from, so it’s good to be doing that in my hometown, and it’s good to be here supporting Gord.”

Three-time Canadian bareback riding champion Davey Shields was one of the celebrity golfers — and the successful bidder for this painting by songwriter Buddy Owens of “Lonesome Dove” actor Robert Duvall. Photos: Dianne Finstad

Country star Gord Bamford has raised more than $2 million for youth-oriented charities.

Alberta agricultural producers accept the ice bucket challenge By Alexis Kienlen af staff

PHOTO: thinkstock

he ice bucket challenge is hot, and members of Alberta’s farm community aren’t letting it cool off. Rick Taillieu of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission let each of his four daughters dump a bucket of ice water on his head. Farm advocate and blogger Sarah Schultz allowed her brother-in-law to use a front-end loader to soak her. Provincial Agriculture Minister Verlyn Olson also got in on the act, while wearing a cowboy hat and an Augustana University Vikings T-shirt. And Grain Growers of Canada president Gary Stanford was ice bucket challenged by federal Agricultural Minister Gerry Ritz.

“To get called out by the federal ag minister was quite the feather in the cap of the Grain Growers,” said the Magrath-area farmer. Stanford and his two sons, Matt and Sean, performed the challenge while wearing Ag For Life shirts that proclaim “Kiss me, I’m a farmer.” The ice bucket challenge, which raise money and awareness for the neurodegenerative disease ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), has become a viral sensation. When a person accepts the ice bucket challenge, they must donate $10, post a video of themselves being dunked (or pay $100 if they chicken out) and then challenge someone new. Gary Stanford has linked to many videos on his Twitter feed @senatrstanford. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

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• Minimum charge — $15.00 per week for first 25 words or less and an additional 60 cents per word for every word over 25. Additional bolding 75 cents per word. GST is extra. $2.50 billing charge is added to billed ads only. • Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice. • 10% discount for prepaid ads. If phoning in your ad you must pay with VISA or MasterCard to qualify for discount. • Ask about our Priority Placement • Prepayment Bonus: Prepay for 3 weeks and get a bonus of 2 weeks; bonus weeks run consecutively and cannot be used separately from original ad; additions and changes accepted only during first 3 weeks. • If you wish to have replies sent to a confidential box number, please add $5.00 per week to your total. Count eight words for your address. Example: Ad XXXX, Alberta Farmer Express , Box 9800, Winnipeg, R3C 3K7. • Your complete name & address must be submitted to our office before publication. (This information will be kept confidential & will not appear in the ad unless requested.)

• Advertising copy deviating in any way from the regular classified style will be considered display and charged at the display rate of $34.30 per column inch ($2.45 per agate line). • Minimum charge $34.30 per week. • Illustrations and logos are allowed with full border. • Advertising rates are flat with no discount for frequency of insertion or volume of space used. • Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice. • Price quoted does not include GST.

Published by Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 WINNIPEG OFFICE Alberta Farmer Express 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 Toll-Free in Canada 1-800-665-1362 Phone 403-341-0442 in Winnipeg FAX 403-341-0615 Mailing Address: Box 9800, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3K7 • •

•

AGREEMENT The publisher reserves the right to refuse any or all advertising for any reason stated or unstated. Advertisers requesting publication of either display or classified advertisements agree that should the advertisement be omitted from the issue ordered for whatever reason, the Alberta Farmer Express shall not be held liable. It is also agreed that in the event of an error appearing in the published advertisement, the Alberta Farmer Express accepts no liability beyond the amount paid for that portion of the advertisement in which the error appears or affects. Claims for adjustment are limited to errors appearing in the first insertion only. While every endeavor will be made to forward box number replies as soon as possible, we accept no liability in respect to loss or damage alleged to a rise through either failure or delay in forwarding such replies, however caused, whether by negligence or otherwise.

(2 weeks prior)

ORGANIC Organic_Certified_ Organic_Food_ Organic_Grains_ Outfitters_ Personal_ Pest_Control Pets_&_Supplies_ Photography_ Propane_ Pumps_ Radio,_TV_&_Satellite_ REAl ESTATE Commercial_Buildings_ Condos_ Cottages_&_Lots_ Houses_&_Lots_ Land_For_Rent_ Land_For_Sale_ Mobile_Homes_ Motels_&_Hotels_ Resorts Vacation_Property_ Farms & Ranches British_Columbia_ Alberta_ Saskatchewan_ Manitoba_ Acreages/Hobby_Farms_ Farms/Ranches_Wanted_ Pastureland_ RECREATIONAl VEhIClES All_Terrain_Vehicles_ Boats_&_Water_ Campers_&_Trailers_ Golf_Carts_ Motor_Homes_ Motorcycles_ Snowmobiles Recycling Refrigeration Restaurant_Supplies Sausage_Equipment_ Sawmills_ Scales_

COMMON SEED Cereal_Seeds_ Forage_Seeds_ Grass_Seeds_ Oilseeds_ Pulse_Crops_ Common_Seed_Various_ SEED/FEED/GRAIN Feed_Grain_ Hay_&_Straw_ Feed_Wanted_ Grain_Wanted_ Hay_&_Feed_Wanted_ Seed_Wanted_ Sewing_Machines_ Sharpening_Services_ Silos_ Sporting_Goods_ Stamps_&_Coins_ Swap_ Tanks_ Tarpaulins_ Tenders_ Tickets_ Tires_ Tools_ TRAIlERS Grain_Trailers_ Livestock_Trailers_ Trailers_Miscellaneous_ Travel_ Water_Pumps_ Water_Treatment_ Welding_ Well_Drilling_ Well_&_Cistern__ Winches_ CAREERS Career_Training_ Child_Care_ Construction_ Domestic_Services_ Farm/Ranch_ Forestry/Log_ Health_Care_ Help_Wanted_ Management Mining_ Oil_Field_ Professional_ Resume_Services_ Sales/Marketing_ Trades/Tech_ Truck_Drivers_ Employment_Wanted_

MAiL TO: Alberta Farmer Express, Box 9800, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3K7 FAx TO: 403-341-0615 PhOnE in: Toll-Free in Canada 1-800-665-1362 OR (403) 341-0442 in Alberta

NAME_ ___________________________________________________________ ______PHONE_#_______________________________ ADDRESS_____________________________________________ ______TOWN_____________________________________________ PROVINCE____________________________ _____POSTAL_CODE__________________________

All classified ads are non-commissionable.

advertising deadline Wednesday noon

Livestock_Equipment_ Livestock_Services_&_Vet_Supplies_ Miscellaneous_Articles_ Miscellaneous_Articles_Wanted_ Musical_ Notices_ On-Line_Services_

CERTIFIED SEED Cereal_Seeds Forage_Seeds Oilseeds Pulse_Crops Specialty_Crops

AD ORDER FORM

adveRtising Rates & infoRmation

RegulaR Classified

lIVESTOCK Swine Swine_Auction_ Swine_For_Sale_ Swine_Wanted_ lIVESTOCK Specialty Alpacas_ Bison_(Buffalo)_ Deer_ Elk_ Goats_ Llama_ Rabbits_ Emu/Ostrich/Rhea_ Yaks_ Various_

Even if you do not want your name & address to appear in your ad, we need the information for our files.

PLEASE_PRINT_YOUR_AD_BELOW_ ______________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CAUTION The Alberta Farmer Express, while assuming no responsibility for advertisements appearing in its columns, exercises the greatest care in an endeavor to restrict advertising to wholly reliable firms or individuals. However, please do not send money to a Manitoba Co-operator box number. Buyers are advised to request shipment C.O.D. when ordering from an unknown advertiser, thus minimizing the chance of fraud and eliminating the necessity of a refund where the goods have already been sold. At Farm Business Communications we have a firm commitment to protecting your privacy and security as our customer. Farm Business Communications will only collect personal information if it is required for the proper functioning of our business. As part of our commitment to enhance customer service, we may share this personal information with other strategic business partners. For more information regarding our Customer Information Privacy Policy, write to: Information Protection Officer, Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1. Occasionally we make our list of subscribers available to other reputable firms whose products and services might be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please contact us at the address in the preceding paragraph, or call (204)-954-1456. The editors and journalists who write, contribute and provide opinions to Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications attempt to provide accurate and useful opinions, information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists and Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the editors as well as Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communication assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader for this publication based on any and all information provided.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CLASSIFICATION__________________________ ❏ I would like to take advantage of the Prepayment Bonus of 2 FREE weeks when I prepay for 3 weeks. _

No._of_words_______________________x____$0.60____x_____No._of_weeks___ ______________ __=____ ______________ _ Minimum charge $15.00 per week

❏

VISA

❏

MASTERCARD

Card_No.___/__/__/__/____/__/__/__/____/__/__/__/____/__/__/__/____

Add $2.50 if being billed / Minus 10% if prepaying ________________ Expiry_Date___/__/_____/__/

Add 5% GST ________________

Signature_________________________________________________________________________ _

TOTAL _____________

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

GIANT LAND AUCTION

AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Interlake

SEP-20-14 @ 10AM FOR DUECK HOLDINGS LTD. ET AL LAC DU BONNET • 23 PARCELS PARCEL #1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

ACREAGE 160 148 160 145 160 160 27.6 159 31.2 142 160 160 160 160 160 148 159 128 159 0.49 0.04 160 159

TEULON • 28 PARCELS

LEGAL DESC. SW-24-17-10E SE-24-17-10E SW-17-17-11E NW-17-17-11E NE-17-17-11E SE-17-17-11E NW-18-17-11E NE-18-17-11E SW-18-17-11E SE-18-17-11E NW-8-17-11E SW-8-17-11E NE-8-17-11E NE-13-17-10E NW-13-17-10E NE-9-17-11E NW-9-17-11E SE-9-17-11E SW-9-17-11E NW-19-17-11E NE-19-17-11E SE-19-17-11E SW-20-17-11E

PARCEL #1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

3,000 Acres of Farmland and Development property @ Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba.

ACREAGE 162 162 162 162 160 160 161 161 160 160 160 160 79.06 78.48 79.46 79.07 80 80 80 80 78.82 78.85 78.28 79.27 80 80 80 80

LEGAL DESC.. NE-05-16-01E NW-05-16-01E SE-05-16-01E SW-05-16-01E NE-07-16-01E NW-07-16-01E SE-07-16-01E SW-07-16-01E NE-08-16-01E NW-08-16-01E SE-08-16-01E SW-08-16-01E NE-17-16-01E/R--47845 NE-17-16-01E/Q--47845 NW-17-16-01E/J--47845 NW-17-16-01E/K--47845 SE-17-16-01E/N--47845 SE-17-16-01E/P--47845 SW-17-16-01E/L--47845 SW-17-16-01E/M--47845 NE-18-6-01E/G--47845 NE-18-16-01E/H--47845 NW-18-16-01E/A--47845 NW-18-16-01E/B--47845 SW-18-16-01E/C--47845 SW-18-16-01E/D--47845 SE-18-16-01E/E--47845 SE-18-16-01E/F--47845

VISIT WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION: WWW.KORNELSONAUCTION.COM

AUTO & TRANSPORT

FARM MACHINERY

AUTO & TRANSPORT Autos

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories

Stretch your ADVERTISING DOLLAR!

1-800-665-1362

Combines COMBINES Case/IH

Available at:

Grow Acropolis Warehousing Inc. Edmonton, AB

Combine 2388 w/PU header and 36 ft Mac Don straight header, 2740 eng hrs. tank ext, $69,900 (204)746-2053

BUILDINGS

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

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous 1999 CAT 460 1,400 sep. hrs, rake up, $61,000; Road King ground loadstock trailer, 8 x 42.5-ft, will haul 25 cows, $5,500. Call:(403)665-2341, Craig-myle, AB.

COMBINES Ford/New Holland RETIRED FROM FARMING: 2012 NH CR 9080 twin rotor combine, 240 eng hrs, 620 metric duals, fully loaded; 2012 94C 36-ft. straight cut honey bee header, full width top auger, fore & aft; 2012 NH 16ft. PU header. (403)318-0172.

COMBINES Combines - Various

Available at:

Edberg Crop Management Inc. Edberg, AB

(780) 877-0003

www.dseriescanola.ca

RETIRING! Case 2090 ($14,500), Chev 6000 grain truck ($6,500), Vers. 18-ft swather ($950), Alteen 14-ft double disc ($1,000), 4 twister, 5 ring 14-ft diameter bins, ($1,000/each). Phone:(403)932-2343 or (403)519-7815.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BUSINESS SERVICES Crop Consulting

FARM CHEMICAL SEED COMPLAINTS We also specialize in: Crop Insurance appeals; Chemical drift; Residual herbicide; Custom operator issues; Equipment malfunction; Yield comparisons, Plus Private Investigations of any nature. With our assistance the majority of our clients have received compensation previously denied. Back-Track Investigations investigates, documents your loss and assists in settling your claim. Licensed Agrologist on Staff. For more information Please call 1-866-882-4779

TracTors

TRACTORS New Holland

TRACTORS Steiger Case Steiger 2012 350, PTO, 1600-hrs, 4-Hyds $164,900.00 (204)746-2053 or (204)746-5471

TRACTORS Various

JD 2955 c/w ldr., 3 pth hitch JD 326D Skid Steer 2011 Model JD 7800 complete with 740 ldr. JD 4020 c/w ldr. & new motor JD 7700, 740 ldr. ST 250 Steiger, tires new 20.8 x 38 Clamp on Duals, 20.8x38-18.4x38 148, 265, 725, 740, 280, JD ldr. FINANCE, TRADES WELCOME 780-696-3527, BRETON, AB

SCAN TO DOWNLOAD THE APP »»

Webb’s Crop Services Ltd. Vermilion, AB

(780) 853-6565

www.dseriescanola.ca

FARMING A GAMBLE...

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

Network

Available at:

Search news. Read stories. Find insight.

Kneehill Soil Services Ltd. Drumheller, AB

RECONDITIONED COMBINE HEADERS. RIGID & flex, most makes & sizes; also header transports. Ed Lorenz, (306)344-4811 or Website: www.straightcutheaders.com Paradise Hill, SK.

(403) 823-4600

www.dseriescanola.ca

Advertise in the Alberta Farmer Express Classifieds, it’s a Sure Thing!

Available at:

Central Alberta Co-op Ltd. Innisfail, AB

(403) 227-3466

www.dseriescanola.ca

Prairie-Wide Display Classifieds

MORE OPTIONS TO SAVE YOU MONEY

1-800-665-1362

Buy one province, buy two provinces or buy all three. Great rates whatever you choose

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Wanted WANTED: NH BALE WAGONS & retrievers, any condition. Farm Equipment Finding Service, P.O. Box 1363, Polson, MT 59860. (406)883-2118

Buy and Sell

Available at:

IS ENOUGH OF

Header Case 2162, 40-ft flex draper, 2011 w/wheel kit, $64,900. (204)746-2053, (204)746-5471

BUSINESS SERVICES

GOOD SELECTION OF JD & CASE SP SPRAYERS AND 4WD TRACTORS

TRY

COMBINES Accessories

WORLD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: We screen & place tenants, we will set up a maintenance program to meet your needs, so that you create extra cash flow without effort & stress. Contact Jake or Joanna:(780)612-0998. WE WILL MOVE YOU FORWARD.

4955 JD low hrs, 3 pth, very clean S680 JD Combine low hrs 2011 4730 JD Sprayer, 100 ft. 4050 JD, fwa loader with complete front end NH T8050 with fwa 4920 Macdon, 21 ft. D.S.A.

LOOKING FOR EQUIPMENT?

ACREAGE EQUIPMENT: CULTIVATORS, DISCS, Plows, Blades, Post pounders, Haying Equipment, Etc. (780)892-3092, Wabamun, Ab. DOWNSIZING: 2001 JD 7410 FWA 740 loader 6,870-hrs; MF 860 6 cyl 2,201-hrs, PU, $5,000; 20ft. straight cut PU reel; JD 2420 DSL 25-ft. UII reel; 21-ft. Hart Carter PU reel; New Quonset future steel 52x35x18 in crate; GMC 1981 7000 series 17-ft. factory grain box & hoist, A1; 1980 Chev 6500 tandem gravel box & hoist, propane, $3,800; 18-ft. Vac tank & pump, off Ford 750 truck, A1; MF 410 combine PU, runs good, $1,200; PWR parachute Rotex SR7, as is $3,000; Steel mounted skid mount cummins w/trans $2,200; 1999 Cat loader IT28G, A1; 2003 Hitachi ZX200LC, A1. (306)236-8023

JD 9400, 9420, 9520, 8970 JD 9860, 9760, 9750, 9650, 9600 JD 9430, 9530, 9630 Case STX 375, 425, 430, 450, 480, 500, 530 CIH 8010-2388, 2188 combine CIH 435Q, 535Q, 450Q, 550Q, 600Q pto avail. JD 4710, 4720, 4730, 4830, 4920, 4930 SP sprayers JD 9770 & 9870 w/CM & duals CIH 3185, 3230, 3330, 4430, 4420 sprayers

Tractor 8040 tractor w/duals, suspended front axel, pwr mirrors, 3000-hrs leather $109,000.00 (204)7462053

www.dseriescanola.ca

Stretch your advertising dollars! Place an ad in the classifieds. Our friendly staff is waiting for your call. 1-800-665-1362.

SPRAYING EQUIPMENT Sprayers

“LIKE MANY BEFORE, WE’LL HAVE YOU SAYING THERE’S NO DEAL LIKE A KEN DEAL” • Phone: (403)526-9644 • Cell: (403)504-4929 • Email: kendeal@shaw.ca

(780) 466-4028

EXCLUSIVE MERCEDES-BENZ DISCOUNTS for Alberta farmers & ranchers. www.mercedessales-man.com

SPRAYING EQUIPMENT Sprayers

MF 8460 CONVENTIONAL 2418 E-hrs, Sunnybrook concave, new rub bars, Melroe PU, $27,500; Hesston 6450 18-ft, 1980 E-hrs, cab, air, P/U reel, $9,700. Both excellent (403)782-2545.

3,200 Acres of Farmland and Development property with sub divisions on assorted parcels @ Teulon, Manitoba. Subject to Low Reserve

Auction located at Lac du Bonnet, MB

STEEL STORAGE CONTAINERS, 20-ft & 40-ft. Wind, water & rodent proof. 1-866-517-8335, (403)540-4164, (403)226-1722 magnate@telus.net

HAYING & HARVESTING Various

We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you want to sell it fast place your ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifieds. It’s a Sure Thing. Call our toll-free number today. We have friendly staff ready to help. 1-800-665-1362.

anything you need through the

HAYING & HARVESTING

1-800-665-1362

WANTED: JD 7810 c/w FEL & 3-PTH; sp or PTO bale wagon; JD or IHC end wheel drills. Small square baler. (403)394-4401

HAYING & HARVESTING Baling Equipment

Available at:

Contact Sharon

Email: sharon.komoski@fbcpublishing.com

Wild Rose Co-op Association Ltd. Sedgewick, AB

(780) 384-3877

www.dseriescanola.ca

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

TRACTORS Various

Big Tractor Parts, Inc. Geared For The Future

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

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted

TIRES

AGRICULTURAL TOURS CANOLA WANTED Buying Tough, Heated, Green, Canola, Freight Options, Prompt Payment Bonded and Insured

CALL 1-866-388-6284 www.milliganbiofuels.com

Buy and Sell

anything you need through the

1-800-665-1362

AG DEALS TO GO!

Available at: New 30.5L-32 16 ply, $1,995; 20.8-38 12 ply $795; 24.5-32 14 ply, $1,495; 14.9-24 12 ply, $486; 16.9-28 12 ply $558; 23.1-30 12 ply, $1,495; 18.4-26 10 ply, $890; 11R22.5 16 ply, $299. Factory direct. More sizes available new and used. 1-800-667-4515. www.combineworld.com

South Country Co-op

Hit our readers where it counts… in the classifieds. Place your ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifed section. 1-800-665-1362.

Mid-west USA/Branson ~ October 2014 Dubai to Cape Town Cruise ~ Nov 2014 Panama Canal Cruise ~ Dec 2014 Australia/New Zealand ~ Jan 2015 South America ~ Jan 2015 Costa Rica ~ Feb 2015 India ~ Feb 2015 Kenya/Tanzania ~ Feb 2015 South Africa/Zambia ~ Feb 2015

Medicine Hat Co-op Ltd. Medicine Hat, AB

(403) 528-6609

www.dseriescanola.ca

Available at:

*Portion of tours may be Tax Deductible

Select Holidays 1-800-661-4326

www.selectholidays.com

Beaver Creek Co-op Association Ltd.

CAREERS

Lamont, AB

CAREERS Construction

TIRES

www.bigtractorparts.com

Available at:

CAREERS Management

TRAVEL

Boldt Precision Const. Of Ponoka is looking for mature reliable workers. We install metal trusses & decking on roofs, so must be good with heights. Some heavy lifting involved. Wage depends on ability. bpcdavid@gmail.com Looking for a hand around the farm? Place a help wanted ad in the classifieds. Call 1-800-665-1362.

(780) 895-2241

www.dseriescanola.ca

Search for

AG EQUIPMENT DEALS on your PHONE

CAREERS Management We are looking for a senior plant manager to manage day to day production activities within the new Buffalo Creek Mills Plant so as to maintain efficient and profitable operation of this oat cleaning facility in a safe environment. rhpenner@me.com PH(204)770-9591, FX:(204)324-8020

Get the APP »»

High River, AB

(403) 652-4143

www.dseriescanola.ca HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING

The Icynene Insulation System® • Sprayed foam insulation • Ideal for shops, barns or homes • Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient®

www.penta.ca

1-800-587-4711

LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK Cattle – Red Angus REGISTERED RED ANGUS BULLS Quiet, Easy Calving, Low to Moderate Birth Weights, Good Growth, E.P.D’s available Guaranteed Breeders (Vet Checked & Semen Tested). Excellent Bulls for Heifers or Cows. Cleveley Cattle Company (780)689-2754.

SEED / FEED / GRAIN SEED/FEED/GRAIN Feed Grain BUYING ALL TYPES OF feed grain. Also have market for light offgrade or heated, picked up on the farm. Eisses Grain Marketing 1-888-882-7803, La-combe. FEED GRAIN WANTED! ALSO buying; Light, tough, or offgrade grains. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

SEED/FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted BUYING HEATED/DAMAGED PEAS, FLAX & GRAIN “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252 BUYING SPRING THRASHED CANOLA & GRAIN “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

BOW VALLEY TRADING LTD.

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN Wheat, Barley, Oats, Peas, etc. Green or Heated Canola/Flax

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2014 LIVESTOCK ENTRY DEADLINES OCTOBER 1 DEADLINES Purebred Beef Bull Pen Alley First Lady Classic and Futurity Canadian Junior Beef Extreme Prospect Calves Sheep Goats

NOVEMBER 1 DEADLINES Commercial Cattle Stock Dogs Cowboy Mounted Shooting

NOVEMBER 18 DEADLINES Youth Team Grooming Youth Showmanship

OCTOBER 15 DEADLINES Bison Horse Pulls Chore Team & Feed Team Race

1-877-641-2798

BUYING:

HEATED & GREEN CANOLA • Competitive Prices • Prompt Movement • Spring Thrashed “ON FARM PICK UP”

1-877-250-5252

Entry info available at: www.agribition.com or contact Shawna Fuchs: P: (306) 924-9589 E: sfuchs@agribition.com

B:10.25”

T:10.25”

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

S:10.25”

Address the Elephant in the Field.

Take charge of your resistance concerns by making Liberty® herbicide a regular part of your canola rotation. As the only Group 10 in canola, Liberty combines powerful weed control with effective resistance management to protect the future of your farm. To learn more visit: BayerCropScience.ca/Liberty

O-67-08/14-10238264-E

B:15.5”

Always read and follow label directions. Liberty® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

T:15.5”

S:15.5”

BayerCropScience.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative.