Afe140929 by Farm Business Communications

’TIS NOT THE SEASON

WHERE IT WENT WRONG

Early snowstorm plays havoc with harvest and the bottom line » PG 3

The lessons to be learned from the clubroot battle » PG 29 Publications Mail Agreement # 40069240

VO LU M E 1 1 , N U M B E R 2 0

S E P T E M B E R 2 9, 2 0 1 4

A big bet on Alberta’s lamb sector The Alberta processor has spent $8.5 million on a new feedlot and plant expansion

It was a good day for snowmobiling on Sept. 9 but not for harvesting. Almost two-year-old Blake Nelson is pictured in front of his Uncle Jay Schultz’s unharvested wheat field near Rosebud.

BY DIANNE FINSTAD AF CONTRIBUTOR

s Alberta’s sheep industry ready for expansion? That’s the debate circulating in livestock circles this fall. On the one hand, there is the bold development of Sungold Meats. On the other is a somewhat cautious group of producers. The Alberta processor is betting two major projects along with pricing incentives will boost production in the province and spur increased demand for lamb meat.

SEE SHEEP  page 6

PHOTO: CRAIG NELSON

Good times gone, farm aid back on the agenda Alberta farm leaders have been cool to seeking additional aid, but wicked weather and plunging prices may be changing that view BY ALEXIS KIENLEN AF STAFF

lberta farm leaders have stayed on the sidelines while their Prairie counterparts have been lobbying for improved farm support programs — but that may soon change. This month’s snowstorm and early frost coupled with the massive American harvest that has “hammered” the futures markets has dramatically changed the outlook in Alberta, said Greg Porozni, president of Cereals Canada.

“We haven’t discussed this yet, but we will be,” said Porozni, who farms near Mundare and is also a director with the Alberta Wheat Commission. “After harvest, I guess all the commissions will be discussing this.” Most of the crop commissions met in July when the outlook on yield and quality was good, and price prospects weren’t nearly as gloomy. “We knew there was a possibility of a big crop at the time and prices were correcting,” said Porozni. “But since then, it has been a free fall.” As soon as this harvest is over, directors

get all the facts. then decide.

will consider asking Ottawa for increased assistance. For Porozni, the biggest issue is changes to AgriStability that were made in 2012 when it was a time of plenty — grain and oilseed prices at record levels and optimism soaring even higher. Those 2012 changes require a 30 per cent drop in margin (down from 15 per cent) in order to qualify for a payment. “I don’t think anybody wants to get a handout, but at the same time, we had a

SEE FARM AID  page 7

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NEWS » INSIDE THIS WEEK

INSIDE » A HARD, HARD ROAD Coping with Alzheimer’s is even harder on the farm

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

LIVESTOCK

CROPS

YOUTH MOVEMENT

BUYERS BEWARE

COLUMNISTS DOUG CHORNEY

SYLVAIN CHARLEBOIS

Conservancy advocates gather at OH Ranch

ABP chair says now is the time for raising cows

akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

BRENDA SCHOEPP

THE FORMULA FOR FARM SUCCESS

The Friends of the Canadian Wheat suspects the report is too politically sensitive to be made public

AF STAFF

No one is checking on fertilizer hype

CWB 2012-13 annual report too commercially sensitive to release

BY ALEXIS KIENLEN

hether it was a twisted prank or the work of someone with a grudge, it’s an unusual crime. Sometime on Sept. 11 or 12, a person or persons siphoned off the gas in a tractor in the Willingdon area, and then filled it with canola seed. Other parts of the John Deere 9320 were also filled with the oilseed. RCMP are appealing for the public’s help. “If anyone has seen any suspicious activities around that time in that area, we’d like to hear from them,” said Sgt. Curtis Kuzma of the Two Hills Detachment. The tractor was parked in a field near Township Road 552 on Range Road 160, south of Willingdon and Andrew. There are indications the incident was not random mischief, and RCMP have suspects they are investigating, said Kuzma. The case is so rare, it’s not known if the tractor will be salvageable, he said. The investigating officer is still trying to get an estimate of the damage. Anyone with information about the incident can phone the Two Hills RCMP Detachment at 780-657-2820 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

FARMERS’ MARKETS ARE FILLING A VOID

SAVING THE LAND

Police seeking information about tractor filled with canola seed

GRAINS SALES SHOULDN’T BE A GAMBLE

BY ALLAN DAWSON STAFF

ow well did CWB, the government grain company formed after Ottawa ended the Canadian Wheat Board’s sales monopoly two years ago, do during its first year in an open market? We may never know. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz tabled CWB’s 2012-13 annual report, including its audited financial statement, in parliament in July. But only the notes to the financial statement are public.

“There is a legal and moral obligation to the taxpayers of Canada and farmers to publish their results from 2012-13.” STEWART WELLS

An official from his office said the minister was fully in compliance with the legislation. “Certain sections were withheld under Section 21(1)3 of the

act that allows the minister to withhold information deemed commercially sensitive,” the aide stated in an email. That’s outrageous, said Stewart Wells, a former farmerelected wheat board director and chair of the Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board. “There is a legal and moral obligation to the taxpayers of Canada and farmers to publish their results from 2012-13,” said Wells, who farms near Swift Current. “What would this minister have done if the farmer-elected board of directors had refused to publish an audited financial report?” The old wheat board published a lot of detail about its activities, including its audited financial statements without compromising its business, he added. The same was true of the farmer-owned grain companies — which no longer exist. The 26 pages of notes to CWB’s financial report help explain the statements, but don’t say how much money CWB made or lost, where it earned revenue from, where it spent money, how much grain it marketed or how the pools performed relative to spot prices. Ritz has overstepped his legal authority by essentially deeming the entire annual report commercially sensitive, said Wells, and his group is considering asking the courts to force him to make the report public.

CWB’s 2012-13 annual report was tabled in Parliament four months late, but most of the report has been deemed too commercially sensitive to release, much to the dismay of the Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board. FILE PHOTO “We didn’t do it sooner because the minister’s office has promised that this report would be public when parliament resumed,” he said. Wells said he suspects CWB did poorly in its first year of operation. If so, that runs counter to Ritz’s promise of a “strong and viable” voluntary wheat board, he added. Although the Canadian Wheat Act allows commercially sensitive information to be withheld, that was meant to cover things such as specifics sales prices to specific customers — something the wheat board never revealed either, said Wells. Since CWB is a government agency, taxpayers have a right to see the books, he added. So

do competing grain companies to ensure the competition is fair. Farmers should also see the books because the government promised they’d be better off in an open market than with singledesk selling for wheat and barley, he said. Meanwhile, CWB has been on a buying and building spree, adding country elevators and eastern port terminals. Coincidently, Farmers of North America is asking farmers to consider investing in a company to purchase CWB so farmers would control it. But why would farmers invest in something when they can’t see the books, Wells asked. allan@fbcpublishing.com

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Southern-area farmers hit hard by heavy September snow The early blast of winter will be ‘devastating’ for many producers in the south, with crops such as wheat being hit especially hard BY ALEXIS KIENLEN AF STAFF

t looked like a winter wonderland, but no one in southern Alberta was in the holiday spirit when snow arrived in early September. Forecasts called for less than an inch, but Mother Nature delivered six to eight in many areas. At Brandon Gibb’s place near Hillspring, the white stuff started falling around 7:30 a.m. and continued without interruption until midnight, flattening crops in his fields. “It’s going to put us in pretty tough shape to get them off,” said Gibb, a grain and cattle producer. “For the average farmer down here, this is going to be very devastating,” added Terry Bonertz, a farmer and agronomist with McRae Holdings Limited. Only about 13 per cent of Alberta’s total crop had been harvested when snow hit on Sept. 10. Bonertz, who lives in Pincher Creek but travels around the area, estimated producers in the southern half of the province suffered about a 15 per cent yield loss. Wheat fields were hit the hardest and Gibb’s wheat crop was no exception. “We’re going to try to pick it up,” he said, adding he will be putting “pickup fingers” on his equipment to try to save what he can. “I’m sure a lot of guys will be swathing and trying to straight cut.” Although the grade and yield loss will be steep, he’ll try to save as much as possible because crop insurance doesn’t cover losses caused by snow. There won’t be much No. 1 wheat from Pincher Creek, Cardston and Fort Macleod, said Bonertz. Farmers in the Calgary area were also impacted. Excessive moisture can cause sprouting and discolouration, and it’s expected a lot of the wheat will be downgraded to feed wheat. An elevator manager told him

Brandon Gibb’s fields were covered in snow on Sept. 10 and 11. that it won’t be much better in his area, said Gary Stanford, who farms near Magrath, south of Lethbridge. “He said that there’s not a lot of it that goes to feed, but there will be a lot of it that goes to Grade 2 or 3,” said Stanford, who is president of the Grain Growers of Canada. For many growers, that will

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BRANDON GIBB

mean a revenue loss of 30 per cent, and will come on top of the financial hit caused by a severe drop in grain prices this year, he said. It’s actually a triple whammy for the south, as farmers there suffered from too much moisture for most of the spring and summer. “We were really wet in August

— usually by now we’re on the back end of harvest and we’re just about done,” Gibb said. “If we’d had a good spring, most of the crops would be off by now,” added Bonertz. “We started off late this year and we just never recovered.” The province didn’t get as much heat this summer as it normally

does, and that combined with the wet spring meant a large number of crops in the province were delayed, said Neil Whatley, crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Gibb said he is hoping for a good strong wind to help dry everything out and anticipated it would take about five to seven days of waiting before he could get back to harvesting. Below-freezing temperatures over at Bonertz’s place did little to help his situation. On Sept. 11, it hit -8 C, although the heavy snow may have helped to insulate his crops. He, too, was hoping for a “classic chinook” to dry out the fields. But even with that, some won’t even try to harvest their downed crop, he said. “Some will try to bale it into greenfeed bales for livestock feed.” And the effects of the snow may linger into next spring on some fields. “Swathing in general is going to be the hard part,” Bonertz said. “Even when this dries, this will affect next year’s crop, because of the trash issue. If we can’t pick all the straw up off the ground, we’re going to have to try to seed through that next spring.” akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Like an old friend.

The only harvesting at Brandon Gibb’s farm near Hillspring on Sept. 10 was taking place on the carpet and being conducted by his 2-1/2-year-old son.

Running the cold-weather numbers STAFF

t’s a matter of degrees and every one matters. Temperatures around St. Paul hit -10 C on Sept. 11, and that’s very unusual, said provincial crop specialist Neil Whatley. “That’s a pretty heavy frost, but there’s humidity in the air. The dew will protect a lot, especially those that are -2 or -3,” he said. “It depends how many hours it was cold.” Frost in the -1 to -2 C range is not severe, but anything lower can cause significant damage if the crop is not ripe, he said. Yield and quality will be lost when cereals are at the mid- and soft-dough stages, and show signs of shrivelled, shrunken kernels. At -4 C, frost can kill crops. Canola does better because seeds in the lower parts of the canopy are more protected and producers can hold off harvesting until the bottom seeds mature. However, if severe frost freezes those lower seeds or if the branches between the main branch and the pods may break and “start falling to the ground, then you want to get out there and get swathing,” said Whatley.

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SEPTEMBER 29, 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

Five years lost as farmers wait for better default protection on grain sales

Jennifer Blair, Red Deer 403-613-7573 Email: jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

PRODUCTION director Shawna Gibson Email: shawna@fbcpublishing.com

Director of Sales & Circulation Lynda Tityk Email: lynda.tityk@fbcpublishing.com

CIRCULATION manager Heather Anderson Email: heather@fbcpublishing.com

Leaving feed mills exempt from coverage under existing licensing and bonding leaves farmers vulnerable to losses

national ADVERTISING SALES James Shaw Phone: 416-231-1812 Fax: 416-233-4858 Email: jamesshaw@rogers.com

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By Doug Chorney

n 2009, western Canadian farm groups submitted a report to Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz outlining options for a program to provide security to producers when grain buyers default on payments. The main options were fund-based, insurance-based or bondbased programs. It was not that there wasn’t already a form of protection in place. The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) did operate a bonding program, in which it required grain buyers to have adequate levels of bond capital prior to receiving a licence permitting them to buy and sell grain. This bond security had to be set aside to be used if a buyer defaulted on payment to a farmer. The problem was the program had significant flaws. Producers were dissatisfied because they were often not compensated the total amount they lost. In addition, because feed mills were exempt from the program, farmers who sold to them were extremely vulnerable. Grain buyers, especially smaller ones, didn’t like the amount of capital that was tied up in bonding. And the federal government was concerned with the cost associated with administering the program. Fast-forward five years, and the program used in 2009 is not — as one would expect — a thing of the past. It is still in place because none of the options presented has been adopted.

What happened along the way is the CGC chose to pursue the insurance-based option, but lengthy negotiations with a major insurance player were recently terminated. The reason, the CGC has indicated, is the proposal it received was not in the best interest of all stakeholders. With the collapse of the negotiations, it is now very alarming the CGC has not informed the industry what the plan is for going forward. Producers selling to feed mills are still particularly vulnerable, with no solution in sight. When Puratone filed for creditor protection several years ago, Manitoba farmers lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is an urgent issue, and my organization is not satisfied with the vague CGC statement that it will continue to look at other options. Producers need to know when this will happen, and that it is a priority. Some farm groups, mine included, support a fund-based program where a levy on grain sales would go into a fund to be used when a producer doesn’t receive payment. This type of producer security has been used successfully since 1985 in Ontario, where the fund is managed by a producer/ industry board of directors which also administers and adjudicates claims. If Prairie farmers were to adopt this model, the obvious advantage is that insurance premiums would not have to be paid to a third-party organization whose main goal is to turn a profit. Instead, producer levies would be set to cover administration and producer reimbursement — and that’s all.

The program would initially require a federal government guarantee, as was provided by the Province of Ontario. After a set amount of time — most likely five years — the fund would be robust enough to stand on its own. Transparency is also a strong selling point for this type of program because producers would know in advance what it costs and what the coverage is. This was a concern with the insurance-based option because farmers had no idea what it might look like, and were dependent on an insurance company to make that call. The fund-based program, on the other hand, would be producer owned and managed. As I have said, my organization supports this option, but we are not opposed to re-exploring the insurance option or fixing the current bonding system. The point is that it’s critical some form of action be taken immediately. With five years already gone, there is no further time to lose. In the meantime, I urge the federal government to amend the Canada Grain Act regulations to include feed mills in the licensing and bonding system, so producers can be assured they will receive payment in the event of a default. Farmers need federal action now, so that another half a decade doesn’t slip by. Doug Chorney is president of Keystone Agricultural Producers. He farms grains and oilseeds, and runs a consumer-direct vegetable enterprise, near East Selkirk, Man.

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www.albertafarmexpress.ca 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.

A familiar story from south of the line The arguments from both railways and their critics are the same, and so is the result — a clogged system with farmers paying the price By Mikkel Pates

Agweek/ Fargo, North Dakota

fficials aren’t going to do much to make the trains run on time to alleviate the 2014 ag rail problems. Farmers and elevators need to prepare to suffer through 2015 — and maybe 2016 and beyond. That’s my prediction after listening to nine straight hours of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board hearing on the railroad difficulties that have beset farmers and the elevators trying to move grain to markets this year. There were nine formal panels, not including elected congressional officials and those who want their jobs. Among those testifying was George Sinner, a state senator running for Congress who admonished the transportation board to use its emergency powers to do something about a crisis that has hit farmers in the pocketbook this

year. A banker by trade and a Democrat, Sinner called upon it to do such things as allow other railroads to use tracks operated by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and CP Rail. Stevan Bobb, BNSF’s executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, urged the board to avoid using its powers to add service on the railroad, saying it simply “will not” help the situation, and will add congestion. BNSF and CP are anxious to let people know they are shipping record numbers of grain cars. BNSF has been friendlier, more transparent than CP and seems to be investing more heavily in infrastructure. But even five per cent increases registered in recent months over previous records are unimpressive if the amount being shipped is simply too little, too late to clean out the 2013 crop to allow for the 2014 crop to get to market. And this is before expected growth in oil production (shipments) takes place.

John Brooks, a CP vice-president for marketing and sales, said a “common carrier” has responsibilities, but he wondered whether that means his company has to handle 40 per cent annual growth. Good question. Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., defending his job against Sinner, repeated earlier questions about whether the Canadian government’s ag shipping mandates on the CP and Canadian National railroads have caused a disparity in service for Americans. No penalties here, other than public hearings. While musing about potential U.S. countermoves and government actions, Cramer urged the board to be very cautious in any actions. Several testifiers expressed appreciation to the board for requiring weekly reports on ag shipping. In its filings, CP could only report “open orders” — a figure that included “phantom” orders, that exceeded its entire fleet. CP has cut the open orders by implementing

a new ordering system that forced people to cancel these old orders. Shippers chided CP officials by saying the reason there might be phantom orders is that the shipper had to cancel marketing opportunities — put the grain on a truck or move it to another railroad. For its part, CP denied any bullying to transition shippers to the new program, or any retribution against complainers. If this is true, why are elevator operators so consistently paranoid about sharing thoughts about rail service? It strikes me that the board hearing featured several players in the shipping business — elevator representatives, farmers — even the Amtrak (passenger rail) folks and the people who make coal into electricity — all in dire straits from lack of predictability in the system. The only player missing? Big oil — the one farmers wanted to hear from the most. Mikkel Pates is a reporter for Agweek, based in Fargo, North Dakota.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

The formula for success on your farm straight from the hip } The challenges in farming are numerous and

diverse, but Nuffield Scholar Jamie McCoy has found successful farmers have a common approach By brenda schoepp

hen Jamie McCoy, my guest from Wales, sat around our fire last summer, she glowed with passion for the family farm. A fellow Nuffield Scholar, her project was to look at opportunities for small holdings. The release of her report in 2014, the International Year of Family Farming, could not be timelier. Of course the first question to answer is: What is the definition of family farm? After extensive travel and research she really did not have a definition but observed that in the European Union, 89 per cent of the 16.4 million people working on a commercial farm were the owner or their family members. In Canada, 98 per cent of all farms are defined as family farms. The United Nations chose 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming because farming — or the production of food — is critical for the evolution of mankind. The UN descriptive of the family farm or family farming is “a means of organizing agricultural, forestry, fisheries, pastoral and

aquaculture production which is managed and operated by a family and predominantly reliant on family labour, including both women’s and men’s.” Clearly this would apply to most farms, including ours. What are the opportunities on the small family farm? First, it is fair to say that farming is changing. Robotics, prescriptive farming, drones, black box farming and many other technologies and scientific developments have changed what farmers grow and where they can grow it. Through this transformation, men and women on the farm have had to adapt to a change in their time demands for marketing, research, transportation and delivery, risk management, supply change management, branding, and the understanding of consumer trends. Jamie’s research found that the challenges on the farm that were approached with strong business acumen were quickly addressed. In my words, the problem becomes the solution. A simple modified formula quickly became her framework for the evaluation of family farms around the world. Jamie found that most business

projects will focus on strategy, capacity and capital but when it came to talking to family farms around the world, she could not ignore communication and a continuous evaluation as cornerstone pieces for success. Strategy x Capacity x Capital x Communication x Evaluation = Sustained Profitable Growth What are the opportunities for small family farms? Most farmers, through the evaluation of the past history and the future of their farm, were explicit on the opportunity that provided a major incentive for change and profitability on the farm. For some it was the access and utilization of information, improving efficiencies, lowering costs, building a brand or marketing as a group. For others, it was to solve problems collectively as a community, to be grateful every day, build something slowly from scratch, create a heritage, or build a legacy. Some said their success hinged on telling their story, regeneration, innovation, diversification or building trust. As you can see, farmers from around the world have different solutions to the success of their family farm. If you are looking for a magic

bullet for your farm, you likely won’t find it between the pages of Jamie’s report. The solution lies with the farm family, who must build the farm and the community in which the family members live. By continually evaluating the wealth and health on and of the farm and with clear communication, all things would appear possible. My own research into global food production identified areas that need addressing that are outside the business of actual farming. Most certainly I would argue that successful people, including farmers, come from a place of core values and beliefs. Both Jamie and I concluded that access to credit was limiting in food production and although I talked about financing from a woman’s perspective, Jamie was clear in her recommendation to understand your borrowing capacity and that having a small holding is largely contingent in living within your means. And while the shortage of labour is stinging farms worldwide, the solutions are not simple and lie in farmers’ approach to their profession of food pro-

duction. For Jamie, the business of farming should be just that — business. The plan or road map to get there includes recognition of barriers and the embracing of opportunity and communicating the continuous evaluation of that plan. I had the privilege of mentoring Jamie when she stayed with us in Canada and as with all my experiences in working with bright, young farmers, I was enriched. Jamie’s report Opportunities for the Small Family Farm can be read at http:// nuffieldinternational.org/ rep_pdf/1409386338JamieMcCoy-report-2013.pdf and my report is available http:// brendaschoepp.com/nuffieldscholarship/. Celebrate your farm with its uniqueness and the wonderful people who create and maintain it — your family. Together you are the weavers of economic prosperity. 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

Consumers are dissatisfied — and that’s why farmers’ markets are booming More and more people are distrustful of big corporations, and farmers’ markets offer ‘food authenticity’ the big chains can’t match By Sylvain Charlebois

s the warm weather winds down, farmers’ markets around the country are looking at yet another record season. Despite substantial food price increases in recent years, these operations, which typically sell food at a higher price, have generated more than $700 million in revenues this year in Ontario alone, and plans to open more are in the works, with many markets now open year round. Farmers’ markets in Quebec, B.C., the Prairies and the Maritimes are all seeing significant increases in sales. The future looks bright as their overall economic impact now exceeds $5 billion. Even with high price points, the so-called farmers’ market movement is making some inroads, including on university campuses, where many students have limited financial resources. Such significant growth, however, also brings with it a set of challenges that needs to be addressed, if it is to be sustained. The issue of food authenticity appears to be powering this growth. Ongoing recalls and the flood of food fraudrelated stories seem to be compelling

consumers to mitigate their risks when buying food — and who can blame them? This doesn’t mean that there are fewer risks in buying products at farmers’ markets — but perception is king. Transparency, or the lack thereof, is leveraging a wider climate of corporate distrust. As a result, many major food processors and distributors are frantically trying to appease troubled consumers by offering something new through acquisitions or product development. Price and convenience still have currency in grocery stores, but other decision drivers, such as environmental stewardship and the localization of foods, are emerging as key potential game changers for the food industry. As the network of farmers’ markets becomes increasingly organized and coordinated, millions of dollars across the country are spent to successfully attract dissatisfied and/or inquisitive consumers who are looking for something inimitably dissimilar to what they are accustomed to. It has been argued for many years now that short-circuit distribution models in agriculture greatly reduce the Canadian rural-urban divide. As such, it allows for farmers’ markets to be “naturally”

linked to produce, fruits, and a range of fresh farm products that consumers seek out, even if they are normally less affordable. Such markets tap into the lesserknown world of farming for urbanites. In essence, farmers’ markets are not just about generating economic growth for local economies; they are also, most importantly, about education. Getting consumers in close proximity to primary production increases the collective knowledge of food systems. As such, and hopefully, it may become less feasible for the political establishment and lobby groups to use distorted evidence to influence public opinion, and ultimately, agricultural policies. Beyond economics, farmers’ markets are essentially powerful engines of democracy. But with success comes a variety of challenges. As the movement grows, the authentic nature of farmers’ markets needs to be preserved. We are already seeing the presence of kiosks selling products that are a questionable fit with the traditional fare of these markets. Both variety and limitations in terms of choices are also affecting the overall quality of offerings. Obviously, greater regulation is undesirable — instead, improved manage-

rial skills, discipline and leadership from those occupying administrative roles can make a significant difference. Business-minded folks at the helm can safeguard the future of farmers’ markets through innovation and allowing consumers to enjoy the full experience. As with many sectors, growth means greater competition, and the overall value of visiting a market should extend beyond the food itself. Such events as outdoor cooking lessons with reputable chefs for young and old, for example, would make the visit that much more valuable. Ultimately, consumers are yearning for an agrarian connection they don’t necessarily find anywhere else, and are willing to pay more for it. This is good news for farmers’ markets. Enough consumers have arrived at the conclusion that what is offered by traditional food retail stores is no longer enough, or desired. As a result, farmers’ markets are increasingly filling that void. Sylvain Charlebois is a professor of food distribution and policy and associate dean of College of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph.

Off the front

september 29, 2014 • Albertafarmexpress.ca

SHEEP } from page 1 Along with a $3.5-million plant update at Innisfail, Sungold is putting the finishing touches on, and starting to accept lambs, at its own 50,000-head feedlot near Iron Springs. A former beef feedlot was levelled and rebuilt specifically for lamb, at a cost of close to $5 million. “We’ll buy feeder lambs at 60 pounds and up,” said Sungold general manager Miles Kliner. “We’ll contract them or buy them for cash. In the future, retained ownership will be offered under a custom feeding arrangement. For some loyalty requirements, when the animals are slaughtered if they meet the premium grid, we’ll share up to 50 per cent of the premiums with producers. “We’re giving producers some options to consider using in managing risk, and still add value downstream. We’re offering creative ideas to producers that lead to win-win business relationships and opportunities.” Providing such options may lead to some of the segmentation common to other livestock streams. For instance, if a sheep producer chooses to sell lambs as feeders, and not finish them out, that could make room for expanding the farm’s ewe flock. Alberta’s flock took a big hit after BSE, but since then, the trend has been to rebuild. “About six years ago, high prices got people into sheep again,” said Alberta Lamb Producers chairman Ronald den Broeder. “But with the last price drop, it looks like some of that same group got out. Our total numbers aren’t in yet, but annual tag sales haven’t shown big changes. We’re thinking if some got out, others picked up their stock.”

“In the big picture, it’s good for the industry to grow and expand.” Ronald den Broeder

Ponoka sheep producer Nathanael Polson is in expansion mode. photo: Supplied Sheep producers who entered the business after BSE and had only known rising market trends were especially shocked by the lamb price drop of two years ago. Even though the crash was short lived and prices have recovered, they’re still in ‘careful’ mode. But den Broeder noted Canadian sheep producers only supply about 45 per cent of the lamb meat consumed in the country, which means 55 per cent is imported. So that shows a lot of room to grow. Sungold’s new feedlot may be a step along that trail, he said. “It might give better marketing options to producers in Alberta and other provinces, and then the whole supply chain could adapt as the lamb population gets bigger,” said den Broeder. “In the big picture, it’s good for the industry to grow and expand.” Nathanael Polson is one producer in expansion mode. After converting a pig barn east of Ponoka to a sheep facility in 2012,

he’s grown his flock to one of the largest in the province. He’s been breeding upwards of 1,700 ewes this summer, with lambing sessions in January, March and June. “I have a pretty good relationship with Sungold,” said Polson. “I contract with it and ship lambs weekly. I think the feedlot is smart for it. For smaller producers without the facilities or feed availability, it could be an option to retain ownership and get in on premiums. As a larger producer, I wouldn’t use it as much. “But the signal I get is that it shows me Sungold is committed to a longer relationship with the industry here. It’s investing heavily in the business, and wants to see it sustainable.” A few years back when cattle prices were still depressed, some livestock producers were considering a switch to sheep, said Polson. But then the cattle markets began to rebound, while lamb prices slid, and they stayed with cattle.

“That’s when I went into sheep deeper than ever,” he said with a chuckle. “They are more management intensive, especially at lambing. But I’d put my numbers against cattle any day. For the overhead and investment, I’m more comfortable in sheep than cattle.” While Polson is among the younger, more business-focused sheep producers, traditionally a significant amount of the animals have been raised by smaller farmers as a sideline business or hobby. Taking the industry to the next level will probably mean more development of mid-size flocks, where there’s an emphasis on lowering production costs and building a long-term business. Sungold is looking to the future, said Kliner, and that means being able to provide its customers across Canada with a reliable, year-round supply of quality grain-fed lamb. The feedlot will allow for more control in

the feeding program, as well as treatment of the animals. “When all the pens are finished, every one will have an enclosure,” he said. “We want to achieve Certified Humane Status, because we believe it is good for our industry, and that will open doors for our product with retailers and foodservice operators alike.” The company expects to be able to fill the lot, which has a state-of-the-art handling system, to capacity with lambs, and will look beyond Alberta if necessary to do that. “We have one collection point in Saskatchewan now, and another one in the north will be coming.” The firm will also achieve some trucking efficiencies in moving feeders and market lambs around. As the largest federally inspected lamb processor in Canada and the only national brand, Kliner said Sungold has a vested interest in seeing producers succeed. “Lamb is the only red meat protein growing in consumption, and it’s expected to continue growing as lamb becomes more mainstream,” said Kliner. “The industry needs to be sustainable for all parties, which is why we came up with creative options. We hope to be processing 2,000 head a week by the end of the year.” There is already at least one other lamb feedlot in the province, so there has been concern about the effect of the enlarged feeding capacity. “It’s hard to say what the impact will be until it starts running,” said den Broeder. “It’s a positive signal for the industry because it guarantees a supply for the facility and shows it is convinced the plant will be running in the future.”

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

FARM AID  from page 1 good program there and built up some good indexes for our downturn, only to find out that the feds slashed the level of support,” said Porozni. Producers could really benefit from the program today, he noted. “It’s kind of bizarre in that context,” he said. “I know what the problem is, but we haven’t discussed the solution yet. The tricky part is to try and formulate a solution that is realistic… With the programs we have right now, let’s be honest, it’s not going to be a lot of money.” It also takes a long time for money to flow, he added. “Unless you had applied for an advance, it’s probably a year out depending on what your year-end is. Cash flow will be a concern, no doubt about it.” AgriStability is one of a trio in Ottawa’s ‘agri’ suite of programs, and the Grain Growers of Canada will work co-operatively with federal officials to find ways to improve all three, said Gary Stanford, the group’s president. “Some of the other provinces want a higher AgriInvest, so you can put money in there if you

No one wants a handout, but many farmers are facing a grim situation, says Greg Porozni. PHOTOS: AWC

Farmers need to speak up if they want better farm support, says Gary Stanford.

have a problem,” said Stanford, who farms near Magrath. “Other provinces want a better AgriStability, so if there is a wreck they can get money out of it. With the AgriRecovery, can we get compensation if there’s a disaster?”

their views can be passed along, he said. Alberta’s Agricultural Financial Services Corporation programs offer better recovery and crop insurance than some of the programs in some of the other provinces, noted Stan-

Stanford said his group will be meeting with federal officials this winter. Any producer with concerns about these programs or how they should be reformed should speak to the crop commissions so

ford, who is also an Alberta Wheat Commission director. This may be why Alberta’s farm leaders haven’t been as bullish on AgriStability, he said. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

FCC Ag Safety Fund accepting applications This year’s edition of the fund is offering $100,000 for delivery of tractor and machinery safety training

CASA RELEASE

he Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is accepting applications for the 2015-16 edition of Farm Credit Canada’s Ag Safety Fund. This year, $100,000 will be given to organizations to deliver tractor and machinery safety training in a community setting to Canadian farmers and farm workers. According to Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting data, between 1990 and 2008, 70 per cent of agricultural fatalities in Canada were related to machinery, with 46 per cent caused by rollovers, runovers and entanglements. “The shift in focus of the FCC Ag Safety Fund is to address the reality that the majority of farm fatalities is related to equipment,” said Marcel Hacault, executive director of CASA. “The FCC Ag Safety Fund is an excellent opportunity to provide more machinery-related training which we hope will lead to fewer farm injuries and fatalities.” Applications will be accepted online until Oct. 20. To apply, go to: www.casa-acsa.ca/fccag-safety-fund. The fund, now in its fifth year, has provided more than $400,000 to charitable and nonprofit organizations to deliver farm safety training programs in their communities or within the agricultural sector.

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Alzheimer’s on the farm carries special risks People living on farms face additional challenges when dealing with Alzheimer’s By Alexis Kienlen af staff

atching Alzheimer’s steal away a loved one is always painful, but there are additional challenges when you’re living on a farm. Trent, a grain farmer from east-central Alberta, knows this all too well. He farmed with his father, now in his late 70s, until five years ago. “I knew Dad was getting older and getting a bit more forgetful,” said Trent, who requested that neither his last name or his father’s name be published. “The first clue to me was that he wanted a GPS. He had a cellphone that he struggled with and he wasn’t a technology guy. He just never embraced it.” His father said he wanted to use the GPS when he was in the city, which seemed reasonable. But in reality, he was driving into the town where he was born and raised, but couldn’t remember how to get home. He often ended up in the next town, although he kept such incidences from his family. “Looking back, I could see it coming on, but I didn’t realize it — I just thought it was old age and forgetfulness,” Trent said. “We worried a lot about his safety and the safety of others. Driving around not knowing where you are can’t be safe.” There are higher risks associ-

ated with dementia in rural areas, said Arlene Huhn, client and program manager with the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories. “Take all the same things that urban people have to worry about, but put these worries in a rural environment and there’s just more to worry about,” she said. People with dementia will often forget a step in a series of steps, and may stop doing one activity because they don’t know what the next step is. “Since safety on farms is so important, if you miss one safety step, it could mean a difference of life or death,” said Huhn.

Many risks

Operating equipment is an obvious risk, but there are others. Huhn knows of one case where the father would sit awake at night with a gun — convinced that there were things out on his land that threatened his family. Trent’s father had some vision problems so wasn’t running large equipment. As his Alzheimer’s progressed, his driver’s licence was restricted, only allowing him to drive the four miles into town. That was something Trent didn’t agree with. “It’s really hard on them when they take it away, so they don’t,” he said. “He had to cross a busy highway. There was a lot of traffic on the road. “That was my biggest concern

— him driving. With farm equipment, if you’re in your field or in your yard, you’re putting yourself in peril. On the road, it’s everybody who’s at risk.” People with dementia will often wander off. This is hazardous in urban areas, but can become even more dangerous in a rural setting. “If you wander when you’re out on an acreage or a farm, you’ve got a lot more land to cover,” said Huhn. “The people who tend to wander and not get found — or who get found upon death — tend to be more rural.” While Trent lived on the home quarter, his father lived on an acreage with sloughs and bushes, in the type of terrain where it would have been difficult to find him. “The constant worry was always there,” he said. About five years ago, Trent’s father was helping with harvest and had a small accident which resulted in a mild concussion. He was never the same after that. “It seemed to accelerate it. He got a lot more reclusive.” About two years ago, after treatment for an unrelated health problem, his doctor told Trent that his father should be moved into town. Along with the risk of wandering, spotty cell service in the country and blocked roads in winter could turn a crisis into a tragedy. “The doctor said, ‘This is hard, but it’s going to get harder.’”

His father now lives in an extended-care home in a nearby town.

Warning signs

Short-term memory loss and forgetting details are common warning signs. Appointments are made, but not kept. Something as simple as making coffee or turning on the oven become a major challenge. Things such as forgetting to feed animals or closing gates are other clear signals, but there are also little incidents that everyone experiences once in a while that become commonplace. “It’s very common to see bills double paid or not paid at all,” said Huhn. “When a bill comes in, they can’t make sense of what it is saying. They can’t process it or make sense of what the bill is trying to tell them, even though they can read the words.” Although it’s human nature to cover up such things, those close to someone with Alzheimer’s often sense “there’s something off,” she said. “People really need to listen to that voice that tells them that something is wrong.” The stigma surrounding the disease often seems to be stronger in farming communities. People suffering from Alzheimer’s may be more reluctant to ask for help or fearful about losing the respect of their neighbours. There is a lot of stigma about mental illness in rural areas, said Trent, and in some ways,

Alzheimer’s provokes a similar reaction. “This isn’t a mental illness, but it’s such a taboo thing and people think they’re going to catch it,” he said.

Getting help

The stigma is one of the reasons why Trent said he had to share his father’s story. He also wants to urge people to see a doctor sooner rather than later, if someone in their family shows signs of the disease. A family doctor can provide a diagnosis, but if the doctor has known the patient for a long time, he or she may be fooled. Often those with Alzheimer’s are adept at steering conversations to old times, and it may not seem like they have memory problems, said Huhn. There are specialists available, and staff at any Alzheimer Society of Alberta location are available to help or answer questions before or after diagnosis, she said. “We’ll help get families through the initial process,” said Huhn. “We want families to be able to call us and we’ll follow them along their journey. We help families put things into perspective, so they can change as the disease grows.” The Alzheimer Society of Alberta has offices in Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray and Red Deer. For more information, go to www.alzheimer.ab.ca. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Be safe when moving equipment There are many pitfalls — from not wearing a seatbelt to free-wheeling in higher gears — that increase the chances of being in a serious accident ALBERTA AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT RELEASE

ccording to the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting (CAIR) program, 13 per cent of farm-related fatalities across Canada are traffic related, and most involved tractors. During the busy fall harvest season, farmers often travel long distances between fields, and this requires transporting equipment on public roads throughout rural Alberta. Farm equipment is oversized and slow compared to other vehicles using the roads, and when certain procedures are not met, this can lead to collisions and other incidents.

Make it safe

Poor maintenance of equipment such as brakes or tires can lead to loss of control of the vehicle. Check all tires for air pressure, cuts, bumps and tread wear. Always lock brake pedals together for highway travel as sudden braking at high speeds on only one wheel could put the tractor into a dangerous skid. Equip heavy wagons with their own independent brakes. The No. 1 cause of farm-related fatalities in Canada is machinery rollovers. To minimize the risk of severe injury or death to the operator, all tractors need rollover protective structures. But operators should always wear a seatbelt as rollover protective structures are ineffective in a rollover without this restraining device.

ity. Always stop and make sure the way is clear before crossing.

The people factor

Anyone moving equipment, especially on public roads, should be trained in how to use the equipment. Inexperienced operators can make mistakes when they are not used to the speed and manoeuvrability limitations of farm equipment. It is advisable to read the operator’s manual for each machine and observe any precautions indicated for road travel. Some tractors can free-wheel in higher gears, which can be very dangerous when travelling down a hill. Use lower gear ranges when climbing or descending hills. Never take extra riders on equipment. Extra riders on farm equipment are a distraction to the operator and are at risk of falling off the machinery and

being run over. Each person in the machine should be secured with a seatbelt.

Safe driving tips

Farm machinery operators can make road travel safer for themselves and others by observing safety precautions. Travel at a speed that will allow the operator to maintain full control at all times. Slow down when making turns or rounding curves. If needed, pull over when there is a suitable area to allow backed-up traffic to pass. Make sure the area is sufficiently wide and solid enough to handle the equipment. Never use a cellphone while transporting equipment. The distracted driving law, along with all other rules of the road, is in full effect while driving farm machinery on public roads and highways.

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Equipment must be clearly visible and have proper lighting and signage. Use reflective tape and reflectors in the event that large equipment is required to travel in dim lighting conditions. In Canada, reflective material should be red and orange strips. You can purchase reflective tape in kits or by the foot at local farm or hardware stores. Dust-covered signage and lights make farm machinery less visible to motorists and dustcovered machinery causes poor visibility for the operator, who may not see oncoming traffic. Regulated requirements for lighting and signage on public roadways include the use of a slow-moving vehicle sign on equipment travelling less than 40 kilometres per hour. The sign must be properly mounted, clean and not faded.

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Plan the route

Routes should be planned to ensure equipment will fit on all roads and bridges and that there are no low-hanging power lines along the route. If equipment is too wide to fit safely into one lane, approaching traffic could clip the machinery or become blocked while crossing a bridge. Use a pilot vehicle as a guide for large machinery and to warn motorists of oncoming large equipment. It is highly recommended that equipment be moved during high-visibility daylight hours and during periods of light traffic. If your route takes you across a rural railway crossing, be aware some crossings have poor visibil-

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NEWS » Markets

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

The weather’s been lovely in Europe Estimates of Europe’s maize crop are going up thanks to recent good weather. Maize benefited from cool, wet weather during the summer, and warm, dry conditions in September. Average yields are now expected to hit 7.59 tonnes per hectare. Recent weather has favoured other summer crops like sunflower and sugar beet, although wet, cool conditions expected in eastern Europe and the Balkans may hamper field work. — Reuters

A soft landing for farmland? A new survey says prices in the top U.S. corn and soybean state have slipped 3.4 per cent over the past six months, and more than eight per cent from a year ago. Still the average selling price for Iowa farmland as of Sept. 1 was $8,000 an acre, compared with $8,278 six months earlier, according to the Iowa Realtors Land Institute survey. Iowa farmland is considered a bellwether for the U.S. farm economy. Economists and bankers say they’ve been expecting land prices to hold at current levels or soften some but not burst a farmland bubble similar to what happened in the 1980s. — Reuters

Good news on demand bound by ring of fundamentals That massive U.S. crop outlook burns, burns, burns By Phil Franz-Warkentin

he theme song to the week in grain and oilseed markets ending Sept. 19 came courtesy of Johnny Cash, with canola, wheat, corn and soybeans all moving “Down, down, down.” The flames may burn higher still, as there is little bullish news from either a technical or fundamental standpoint in the markets to warrant more than a brief short-covering correction. November canola fell Friday below $400 per tonne, a key psychological point on the charts. November canola has not traded below that level since June 2010. In the U.S., soybeans, corn and wheat all dropped to four-year lows of their own, as great Midwestern weather and the record U.S. crop prospects weighed on prices across the board. Poor international demand contributed to losses in wheat, with relatively favourable weather conditions for planting the U.S. winter wheat crop another bearish factor in the background. The Canadian crops have had their share of problems this year, but the U.S. Midwest could be best described as sitting on the kind of crop Canada had last year. Great condition ratings and early yield reports all point to record-large soybean and corn supplies, which will quickly shift the U.S. supply situation from “tight” to “burdensome.” That shift is being priced into the futures market, and how low prices need to go remains to be seen.

Strong demand

However, the demand side of the equation remains strong, with both soybeans and corn seeing steady offshore interest. Demand for canola is also expected to remain solid going forward, with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada forecasting total demand (exports and domestic crush) in 2014-15 of over 15.6 million tonnes. With total production only pegged at 13.9 million (after last year’s record 18 million-tonne crop) ending stocks by July 31, 2015, are forecast to dwindle to 750,000 tonnes, from 2.4 million this past July. Typically, ending stocks under a million tonnes are considered tight for canola, and that tight supply projection warrants attention, as it’s one thing that could help canola divorce itself from the bearish soybean complex. Canada’s wheat production and ending stocks forecasts are also down on the year. However, where canola may be able to find some strength relative to beans, and while there are usually some quality and protein factors particular to Canadian wheat, the grain is grown around the world and the Canadian crop is but a small drop

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK in the big bucket. World supplies remain large, and North American wheat will need to price itself competitively to generate export interest. While world wheat supplies are large, higher-quality and higher-protein wheat will make up a smaller percentage of the total. Those wide grade spreads could lead to opportunities for any better-quality Canadian wheat out there. 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.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

China GMO case raises international legal concerns By Andrew Chung Reuters

Bid seen as a last stand for old-style open-outcry trades By Tom Polansek Reuters

eteran traders from Chicago’s grain pits have dropped a lawsuit against CME Group Inc. that sought to reverse a change to end-of-day settlement rules they said was killing open-outcry business. The traders, who work on the Chicago Board of Trade’s 140-yearold agricultural trading floor, agreed to abandon their claims against the world’s largest futures exchange operator without receiving any payment, CME Group said in a statement. The traders sued CME Group, owner of the CBOT, in June 2012, claiming a decision to factor electronic trades into settlement prices

would put them out of business and was implemented without proper approval from exchange members. Prior to the change, the CBOT had a century-old tradition of settling futures prices for crops like corn and soybeans based on transactions executed in openoutcry pits. The lawsuit was seen by traders as something of a last stand by open-outcry traders, as business has declined sharply since the rise of electronic trading. The floor traders traditionally did much of their business at the close of trading and said the new settlement procedures made the pits largely irrelevant. The traders agreed to dismiss the case in light of an Illinois judge’s refusal in March to sus-

Open-outcry pit traders in Chicago have been outcrying against changes which favour electronic trading. Photo: Reuters pend the use of electronic trades in settlement procedures, their lawyer said. The traders wanted to avoid the stress and expense of pursuing the matter, he added, noting that each side will pay its own legal bills. Chicago-based CME Group

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called the dismissal of the lawsuit a decisive victory for the company. “It is unfortunate that the plaintiffs wasted so much of their own time and money, not to mention that of the court and CME, chasing these baseless claims,” CME said in its statement.

T:10”

ajor U.S. grain exporter Cargill Inc.’s lawsuit against Syngenta over losses stemming from China’s rejection of genetically modified corn demonstrates how U.S. markets are becoming increasingly subject to foreign rules, say legal experts. Cargill sued Syngenta earlier this month for “negligence” in selling U.S. farmers a genetically modified seed that had not yet been approved for import in China. Cargill said it had lost $90 million as a result of Syngenta’s actions. Trans Coastal Supply, a major exporter of livestock feed products, has also filed suit, saying it expects to lose more than $41 million because Syngenta sold Agrisure Viptera corn seed, known as MIR162, to U.S. farmers without first obtaining import approval from Beijing. China has rejected hundreds of thousands of tonnes of U.S. corn since November due to the presence of Syngenta’s modified corn, called Agrisure Viptera, or MIR162, which makes the corn resistant to insects. “I’m sure it will spur controversy in the U.S. from folks who think that U.S. companies shouldn’t have to comply with the laws of other countries, in the U.S.,” said Andrew Torrance, a biotechnology law professor at the University of Kansas. Torrance said the lawsuit could reflect economic power shifting away from the United States. Legal experts said that while similar case law was slim, foreign regulations could not be ignored in cases that involved domestic courts and companies. This is in part because there are no globally harmonized rules governing GMOs. “This case is really about whether Chinese regulatory decisions can bar innovation in American agriculture,” said Eric Olson, a Denver attorney who worked on litigation over genetically modified rice that concluded in 2011 with Bayer settling for $750 million. “The U.S. government has approved this product as safe and effective for use by American farmers, and that should end the inquiry.” The legal experts said the key in the Cargill case would be to determine whether or not a seed maker owed the grain trader any duty to ensure its products had foreign approval before releasing them in the United States, where they already had approval, as was the case with MIR162. Establishing that duty “strikes me as unusual, unless Syngenta had made some guarantees to Cargill (in a contract),” said law professor, Anastasia Telesetsky of the University of Idaho. “We’re talking about sovereign nations here.”

Pit traders abandon lawsuit against CME over grain rules

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

New season of Cow-Calfenomics seminars Cow-Calfenomics is back and this year’s seminar theme is Seizing Opportunities in the Alberta Cow-Calf Sector. Topics include opportunities and threats in herd expansion; linking pasture systems to optimize performances and profitability; cost of bred heifers; managing prosperity; human resources strategies; and innovative business models. The first round of seminars will be held in November in Medicine Hat (Nov. 25), Lethbridge (Nov. 26), and Olds (Nov. 27). In January, sessions will be held in Grande Prairie (Jan. 20), Barrhead (Jan. 21), and Vermilion (Jan. 22). — AARD release

Reaching out to South Korea Agriculture and Rural Development recently helped organize a meeting between the Korea Rural Hope Foundation and Canadian cattle industry organizations in Calgary. The foundation was created to assist and encourage young people to settle down in farming and fishing and develop the nation’s agriculture industry in South Korea. The 18-person delegation, including 16 university students, met with reps from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Alberta Beef Producers Association, Canadian Beef Breeds Council, Canfax and the Cattlemen’s Young Leadership Program. — AARD release

Cattle leader says it’s time to rebuild the herd — and encourage new entrants ABP chair Greg Bowie says there is plenty of opportunity in the beef business, and wants to see the next generation seize it By Alexis Kienlen af staff

ood times have finally returned to the beef sector, and now is the time to focus on bringing in the next generation, says the chair of Alberta Beef Producers. The entire industry has gotten greyer during the difficult decade following the discovery of BSE, said Greg Bowie. “Not only is the average producer in the beef sector older than in most industries, but the people involved in the industry end of things tend to be a little older as well,” said Bowie, a seed stock producer from Ponoka. “But in the last few years, we have seen a number of younger people getting involved and becoming delegates, so that is a positive sign.” The Canadian and Alberta cattle herds are still contracting, with many older, smaller producers taking advantage of the price rebound over the past couple of years to exit the business. The rebuilding process will take time, but will accelerate once people see that raising cattle is a good business to be in. “Most people think that we’re riding a high and we’re going to come down, but my opinion is that we’re looking at this as the new normal,” he said. “We’ve just caught up for a lot of bad years, and now things are looking more positive.” There are tremendous opportunities for those wanting to expand and for new entrants, he said. But young people face an additional barrier in getting started compared to those in the grain sector. “We can insure price, but as far as production insurance, there’s really nothing that allows us to cover off some of those things. For a young person going to a bank, it’s more difficult for them to go in if they’re proposing a beef operation rather than a grain operation.” Moreover, building a herd doesn’t happen in a season.

“When someone thinks about keeping back heifer calves, that’s a longterm investment,” noted Bowie. “For an established producer, it’s a little easier to do because they’ve got the equity and they can make it happen. For a young producer to do that, it’s very hard to justify that and keep the cash flow going.” It takes determination to get into the cattle business, especially in a province where there is an abundance of good paying jobs in the energy industry and other sectors, and there’s been fierce competition for farmland, he said. “When we have a few years of these good prices and it becomes the new normal, instead of just a peak in the cycle, people will start being able to justify the price that they are going to have to pay for that land, to be competitive with other industries,” he said. One of the main challenges for his, and other organizations in the beef sector, is fighting for more research dollars, he said. Research funding has decreased in recent years, and it’s critical to get that money back and attract a new generation of researchers. “Our competitiveness compared to other beef-exporting nations around the world is crucial to maintaining our reasonable prices,” he said. “If we can’t be competitive with other nations and we start to fall back, it’s very difficult to regain that again.” But the decision by McDonald’s to pilot “sustainable beef” initiative is a sign that there’s a bright future for the Canadian beef industry, he said. “McDonald’s could have chosen another place to do its pilot project, but it chose Canada.” New entrants can play a role in seizing the opportunities that are appearing on the scene by becoming an Alberta Beef Producers delegate or becoming active in other national cattle organizations, he added. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

“Most people think that we’re riding a high and we’re going to come down, but my opinion is that we’re looking at this as the new normal.” Greg Bowie

photo: thinkstock

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Eight top equine emergencies horse health } When to call the vet and what to do until he or she arrives By carol shwetz, dvm

ost horse owners will at some time encounter an emergency. Recognizing a true veterinary emergency and knowing appropriate first aid care until the veterinarian arrives can substantially improve the equine patient’s outcome. Colic is the most common cause for emergency calls. Colic is a broad term which describes abdominal pain or “pain in the belly.” Causes range from mild and inconsequential to life threatening or fatal. Since horses respond in a typical fashion to abdominal pain regardless of cause it can be very difficult to distinguish between a mild colic and a potentially fatal colic, especially in its early stages. Signs of mild colic may include refusal to eat, pawing, flank watching, circling, kicking and/or biting at the abdomen, stretching and/or lying down. As the pain escalates the horse becomes obviously distressed, sweating, no longer standing, rolling, dog-sitting, and even thrashing violently. Due to its potentially life-threatening nature it is appropriate to handle all cases of colic seriously. Upon notifying the veterinarian, encourage the colicky horse to remain standing, preferably walking. Walking the horse supports normal gut function and helps to keep it calm. Horses with severe colic can become

violent so it may be necessary to stay well back. Always use caution.

Lameness

Horses that are fine yesterday and “dead” lame today are another emergency and need immediate medical attention. Conditions that cause sudden lameness in horses range from a simple hoof abscess to major injuries such as fractures and tendon ruptures. Horses with laminitis/founder can also present suddenly lame, at times being reluctant to move at all. It is best not to move these animals too much until a further diagnosis and plan of action is formulated.

Wounds

Acute injuries such as lacerations and puncture wounds benefit tremendously from early medical attention. At times there may be significant hemorrhage associated with these injuries and it will be necessary to apply direct pressure to the wound and a snug, dry bandage until veterinary help arrives. Open wounds and lacerations to the head and lower legs tend to be more time sensitive as their window for successful suturing and primary closure tends to be quite short. In general, wounds and lacerations should be kept clean and the horse kept quiet. Injuries or abnormal conditions of the eye such as squinting, swelling or discharging require prompt attention in order to minimize secondary

Graeme Finn joins mentorship program

complications. The sooner the eye condition can be treated, the sooner it will be on its way to recovery and optimal visual acuity. Generally it will be advantageous to move the horse with an eye condition into a dark, quiet space until a veterinarian arrives. A warm compress with a small amount of lavender oil can be utilized to soothe the eye. The eye tends to be very reactive to injury and soothing this response can minimize the ill effects of inflammation.

Foaling complications

The events that occur around the birth of a foal are incredibly time sensitive. Dystocia/difficult birth, uterine prolapse and hemorrhage, and retained placenta fall within this category. These emergencies must be dealt with quickly and efficiently and at times efforts are directed at saving the lives of both the mare and foal. A sick foal is always an emergency. Since the health of a neonatal foal, or a foal less than four weeks old, is precarious, early recognition of any sign of ill health in a foal could save its life. Any foal failing to nurse eagerly or behave normally is cause for immediate concern and veterinary attention. Place the mare and the foal in a quiet space and note the nature of the foal until the veterinarian arrives. “Choke” is a term used to describe esophageal obstruction in horses. Esophageal obstruction arises when feedstuffs or foreign bodies become lodged

When a horse sustains a laceration to one of its lower limbs, the functional and cosmetic outcome is greatly improved with early veterinary intervention. in the horse’s esophagus and the horse can no longer follow through on swallowing. These horses will show obvious signs of distress. Common presentations may include anxiety, neck extension, retching/gagging, repeated attempts to swallow/ gulp/cough, and will often have a greenish mucoid discharge from their mouth and nostrils. The quicker the choke is identified and relieved by a veterinarian the fewer, if any, complications result. When you suspect that your horse is choking keep it in a calm environment and remove all feed and water. It is also important to recog-

rossfield beef producer Graeme Finn is one of four mentors in a new program that matches scientists who are new to the Canadian cattle scene with industry vets. The mentorship program, created by the Beef Cattle Research Council, is aimed at encouraging talented young researchers to stay in the industry; help them make contacts and better understand the issues facing Canadian producers; and provide them with opportunities to share their research findings more widely. Finn will mentor Raquel Rodriquez Doce, a post-doctoral fellow at the Agriculture and AgriFood Canada research centre in Lacombe. Her research is focused on the development and management of cereal-forage crops for improved utilization in cow-calf, backgrounding and feedlot operations. Over the past two years, the native of Spain has generated near infrared reflectance spectroscopy calibration equations to predict forage quality traits, and developed a simple economic and nutrient requirement spreadsheet that relates cereals silage and swath grazing to feedlot backgrounding and swath grazing. Finn and wife Heather own

Southern Cross Livestock, managing a cow-calf operation and running grass yearlings with a focus on year-round grazing of both highlegume pastures and annual crop grazing. They have been successful in incorporating intensive rotational grazing and winter grazing strategies into their management system. Finn is the former vice-president of the Agricultural Research Extension Council of Alberta, and currently sits on the advisory committee of the Canadian Beef and Forage Research Council and on the board of the Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund. The other mentors are all from Saskatchewan. Janice Bruynooghe and Sandy Russell are partners in Spring Creek Land & Cattle Consulting, a consulting firm in the forage and cattle sectors. They will mentor Emma McGeough, originally from Ireland and now an assistant professor and forage researcher at the University of Manitoba. Aaron Ivey operates a mixed cattle and grain farm near Ituna. He will mentor Bill Biligetu, originally from Inner Mongolia and now an assistant professor in forage crop breeding with the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. A perennial forage expert, Biligetu wants to identify future needs for forage breeding and other related research that supports Canadian beef production.

Carol Shwetz is a veterinarian specializing in equine practice at Westlock, Alberta.

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nize the horse that just “ain’t doing right.” Horses that go off their feed, separate themselves from their herd mates, or fail to interact with their environment may be struggling with an early illness and/or fever. Horse owners who familiarize themselves with the normal behaviour, demeanour, and habits of their horses better equip themselves to detect illness in its early stages. Detection of illness in its early stages plays a key role in a timely and successful outcome.

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Hog barn workers carry drug-resistant bacteria even after they leave the farm A small study of North Carolina hog barn workers turned up surprisingly high levels of persistant and resistant bacteria Staff

small-scale study of hog barn workers in North Carolina found nearly half carry livestock-associated bacteria in their noses, and that this potentially harmful bacteria remained with them up to four days after exposure. Researchers with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health tested 22 workers over a period of two weeks during the summer of 2012 and found 19 carried at least one type of Staphylococcus aureus at some point during the study period, while 16 of them (73 per

Workers in hog barns can become carriers of drug-resistant bacteria. Photo: Thinkstock

cent) carried the livestock-associated strain. In contrast, only about one-third of the general population carry a strain of Staphylococcus aureus associated with humans. Much of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria the workers carried were antibiotic resistant. Researchers said they were surprised by the persistence of the bacteria, which heightens the possibility of workers spreading it to others. “Before this study, we didn’t know much about the persistence of livestock-associated strains among workers in the United States whose primary full-time jobs involve working

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inside large industrial hog-confinement facilities,” said study author Christopher D. Heaney, PhD, MS, an assistant professor environmental health sciences and epidemiology. “Now we need to better understand not only how persistence of this drug-resistant bacteria may impact the health of the workers themselves, but whether there are broader public health implications.” The researchers noted that in Europe, the children of livestock workers have been diagnosed with a livestock-associated strain of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) that doesn’t match the more widely found communityor hospital-associated strains. Staph are common bacteria that can live in human bodies without consequence. When they do cause infection, most aren’t life threatening and appear as mild infections on the skin, like sores or boils. But staph can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs or the urinary tract. MRSA is particularly dangerous in hospitals where the bacteria are hard to get rid of and the people there are the most vulnerable. Researchers are now looking at whether hog workers with persistent drug-resistant bacteria are spreading it to their family members and communities.

New association for Alberta’s stable industry The Alberta Stables Association has officially converted from a partner-directed initiative to a registered non-profit association for stables. The association aims to involve as many members of Alberta’s stable community as possible in order to create a solid voice for the industry. It has also developed a Standards of Operations manual based on input from stable owners, operators and managers, as well as stable staff and clients. The association’s mission is to strengthen Alberta’s stables by promoting safety, animal welfare and sound business practices as well as providing support, education and marketing opportunities for the industry. The Standards of Operations manual is available for no charge for a limited time at www.findalberta stables.com. — ASA release

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Project Protein seeking donations The Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge has a new pilot project designed to help food bank clients. Project Protein is seeking donations of cattle and pigs from local farmers and feedlot operators so the animals can be processed into ground meat for food bank clients. Donors transport their animals to a participating abattoir, and receive a charitable tax receipt for the fair market value of the ground product.The program is accepting livestock donations (beef or pork), financial contributions and sponsorships, and has received funding for one year from the provincial Community Initiatives Program. For more information, contact Project Protein coordinator Thressa Bens at 403-320-8779.

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

Thinking of expanding the herd? Then here’s your to-do checklist Successful expansions depend on assessing risk, knowing how per-unit costs will change, and having a marketing plan ALBERTA AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT RELEASE

hen it comes to deciding on expanding a cow herd, or taking over an existing one, there are a few critical checkpoints to be considered. “In recent months there has been a lot of talk about the potential for beef herd expansion due to the historically high beef and cattle prices the industry is experiencing,” said Bruce Viney, a business development and risk specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development in Olds. “Experts from all facets of the industry have been writing and talking about the opportunities and limiting factors to start the next expansion phase of the cattle cycle.” Once a family or business has decided that expanding the cow herd fits within its long-term business strategy, discussions should switch over to focus on expected long-term profitability, and eventually to the risk factors associated with the change,” said Viney. “The new or expanded cow-calf enterprise must have a reasonable chance of providing the business with an acceptable level of profit while not unduly placing the business’s equity at risk should unforeseen risk events occur,” he said. “But before the farm or enterprise analysis gets bogged down in risk and discussions around all of the bad things that have happened in the last dozen or so years, the analysis should first look at expected profitability.” Estimating future profitability requires an assessment of potential costs and returns. These are made up of selling prices, feed prices and other production costs.

“It’s suggested that before you even consider expansion, managers should have a good handle on current production costs and how changes in commodity prices and other inputs can affect those costs. Production costs should be estimated out into the future for at least five years so that net cash flow and enterprise profit forecasts are reasonable.” In preparing unit production cost forecasts, it’s important to assess changes in efficiency resulting from the expansion. “In some cases, expansion can reduce the perunit overhead costs due to more efficient use of capital assets and other resources,” said Viney. “However, it’s also important to realize that some herd expansions can actually cause an increase in the unit cost of production or break-even selling prices. If large additional capital investments or increases in labour expenses are required, those changes must be carefully evaluated in unit cost of production terms.” With a reasonable forecast of physical production and corresponding unit costs in hand, the next big challenge is to try and anticipate future selling prices. “The recent climb to historically high prices is seen by some people as too high and an excellent time to sell out,” said Viney. “Others view this price move as merely the first advance to a new higher trading range in a tight supply and strong global demand environment. It is generally agreed that while no one can accurately predict future market prices, having the best available information is extremely important and will give confidence to your own price estimates.” A well-researched price forecast will provide a road map so that timely risk management strategies can be implemented when prices deviate up or down from the forecast.

FILE PHOTO

“In the last decade or so, producers who had predefined plans were able to quickly implement risk reduction strategies that minimized negative impacts on their financial position. Wellresearched price forecasts and risk management plans also helped place many producers in a better position to capture current opportunities.” To help in creating annual cost and return budgets, producers can access the ‘Rancher’s Return’ downloadable spreadsheet template from Alberta Agriculture’s website. Go to www.agriculture. alberta.ca and type ‘Rancher’s Risk and Return’ in the search box. For further information and tools to assist with herd expansion and a variety of other management decisions, go to the Farm Manager home page on the Alberta Agriculture website or call the Ag Info Centre at 301-FARM (3276).

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Tough water rules backed

Huge rally demands climate action

Fitch ratings, an international rating agency, is giving a thumbs up to new water-use rules in California. New legislation requires local agencies to create and adhere to plans for sustainable groundwater management to battle chronic over-draft conditions. It gives agencies with the authority to require reductions in pumping and charge fees to support groundwater projects. Fitch says while “some agricultural land may be lost,” the new rules create incentives for California water agencies to invest in alternative water supplies like groundwater recharge and recycling. — Reuters

New York City was the site of the largest-ever rally on climate change. An estimated 310,000 people — including UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, former U.S. vice-president Al Gore, actor Leonardo DiCaprio — marched in favour of taking action to reduce climate change. “This is the planet where our subsequent generations will live,” said Ban. “There is no ‘Plan B,’ because we do not have ‘Planet B.’” New York City’s mayor unveiled a new plan for the city to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent from 2005 levels by 2050 via energy-saving heating, cooling and light systems. — Reuters

No, El Niño doesn’t mean a dry winter — and yes, it’s been a hot year The warming of sea surface temperatures doesn’t always bring a dry winter and global temperatures were especially high this year by daniel bezte

he first story that has people across our region talking as we head towards winter is the current state of El Niño. El Niño refers to the irregular warming of sea surface temperatures from the coasts of Peru and Ecuador to the equatorial central Pacific. This causes a disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific having important consequences for global weather patterns, especially across North America. The talk for several months now has been about a developing El Niño and how it is going to affect our weather this winter by bringing warm, dry conditions. First of all, El Niño does not always bring us warm and dry winters, it just increases the chances. So far El Niño conditions across the Pacific have been in the neutral to weak state, meaning it has not really developed yet. The current forecast is for a 60 to 65 per cent chance of a weak El Niño developing by late fall or early winter and lasting into early 2015. This means that El Niño will likely have little influence on this winter’s weather. Next, let’s look at the planet’s poles to see how ice cover is faring this year. Over the Arctic it appears that the summer minimum ice cover has been reached and is recorded at about five million square kilometres. This is the sixth-lowest reading in the satellite record, but well above the record low of 3.4 million square kilometres set in 2012. While the Northern Sea Route along Russia was open to ships this year, the Northwest Passage was not. We need to remember that these passages have never been recorded as being open to navigation until the last few years. Lots of individuals and groups have taken the increase in summer ice

cover since 2012 as an indication that Arctic ice is recovering. If you drop the very low 2012 reading then you will still see an overall decline in the summer ice cover that is about 10 per cent per decade. Interestingly, over the Antarctic, the winter maximum has yet not been hit and the amount of ice cover has hit an all-time record high of 19.7 million square kilometres. This tends to throw people off and confuse them. How can the Arctic ice be decreasing while the Antarctic ice is increasing? I don’t have enough room in this article to try and explain it, but it has to do with winds and the geography of the oceans and land. What is interesting, and something that you don’t really hear about, is that while the amount of sea ice around Antarctica during the Southern Hemisphere winter has been increasing to record levels, the amount of ice on the continent of Antarctica has been decreasing. Even when you combine the increase in sea ice with the decrease in land-based ice, you still get an overall decline in the amount of total ice. While we experienced average to maybe slightly aboveaverage summer temperatures across the Prairies, the planet as a whole continued to run at record-warm temperatures. The summer data are now in (July and August) and depending on whose data sets and analyses you look at, it falls somewhere in the top 10 warmest summers and Augusts. NOAA ranks the summer of 2012 the warmest ever, while NASA ranked this August as the warmest ever. The temperature of the lower eight kilometres of the atmosphere, according to the University of Alabama Huntsville, was the eighth warmest at 0.2 C above the 30-year average. If the Earth continues to see these types of temperatures, 2014 has a good chance

Accumulated Precipitation (Prairie Region) September 1, 2014 to September 15, 2014

3 - 10 mm 10 - 18 mm 18 - 26 mm 26 - 33 mm 33 - 41 mm 41 - 49 mm 49 - 56 mm 56 - 64 mm 64 - 72 mm 72 - 79 mm 79 - 87 mm 87 - 94 mm 94 - 102 mm 102 - 110 mm 110 - 117 mm 117 - 125 mm 125 - 133 mm 133 - 140 mm Extent of Agricultural Land Lakes and Rivers

Produced using near real-time data that has undergone initial quality control. The map may not be accurate for all regions due to data availability and data errors. Copyright © 2014 Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Prepared by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s National Agroclimate Information Service (NAIS). Data provided through partnership with Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and many Provincial agencies.

Created: 09/16/14 www.agr.gc.ca/drought

This map shows the total amount of precipitation during the 60-day period ending on Sept. 2. It was a fairly dry summer across much of the Peace River and northern regions. Farther south it was much wetter, with parts of southeastern Alberta seeing double the average amount of rain.

of being the warmest year ever recorded. So, where was all this heat? A lot of it was over the oceans, which pushed the mean global ocean temperature anomaly to 0.65 C above average — the highest reading ever recorded. Looking at the land areas, according to Christopher C. Burt of the Weather Underground, in North America, northeastern Canada saw record heat over Baffin Island and Newfoundland. Resolution Island, Nunavut, measured its warmest temperature on record (for any month) with a 22.7 C reading on Aug. 23. Looking farther south, Florida recorded its fifth-warmest summer, while in South Amer-

ica, a winter heat wave occurred in northern Argentina on Aug. 2-3 that saw temperatures as high as 38.5 C — one of the warmest winter temperatures ever observed in the country. In Europe, a record heat wave in the Baltics, Belarus, and Scandinavia saw temperatures peak at 37.8 C at Ventspils, Latvia on Aug. 4 — the hottest temperature ever observed in any of the Baltic nations. In the Sahara Desert, the temperature peaked at 50.4 C on Aug. 2, which was the third-hottest temperature ever reliably measured in Africa. In Asia, the hottest temperatures measured in the world occurred during August where two 51.5 C readings were

recorded on Aug. 15, one at Kanaquin, Iraq and the other at Mitribah, Kuwait. Finally, in New Zealand, both Christchurch on the South Island and Auckland on the North Island measured their warmest August days on record, with readings of 23.6 C and 21.2 C respectively. So, remember, just because we are not breaking heat records here doesn’t mean that other parts of the world aren’t. Daniel Bezte is a teacher by profession with a BA (Hon.) in geography, specializing in climatology, from the U of W. He operates a computerized weather station near Birds Hill Park. Contact him with your questions and comments at daniel@bezte.ca.

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Tapping in to local food demand

Fertilizer warning: Don’t pay $12 an acre for ‘foo-foo dust’ The Canadian Food Inspection Agency no longer tests fertilizers for efficacy and quality, so it’s buyer beware By Madeleine Baerg af contributor

“The Government of Canada made a decision based on cost, and so we are working through that change.” Clyde Graham

“All of a sudden, we’re seeing a whole bunch of fertilizer products being promoted, but a farmer has to ask: Are they actually effective? For a lot of these products, there’s no research or they are taking the research out of context for their marketing purposes. It amounts certainly to millions of dollars being spent by Alberta producers on questionable products.” Just over two years ago, the Cana-

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“streamlining” of federal oversight of fertilizers has opened the door to deceptive marketing claims and forced product testing on to farmers. “There have always been con men trying to sell you things with dubious claims. It’s just maybe easier for them now,” said Harry Brook, a crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.

dian Food Inspection Agency got out of the business of testing fertilizers for efficacy and quality. Since then, fertilizers merely have to be proven safe to be registered. Some products now being sold are obviously problematic, said Brook. For example, despite product claims to the contrary, Alberta’s naturally calcareous soils will never benefit from the application of additional calcium. As well, foliarly applied macronutrients will never provide enough nutrient to have any yield effect (if they did, they’d burn the plants), he said. And there’s no such thing as ‘more plant-accessible’ nitrogen. “A pound of nitrogen is a pound of nitrogen is a pound of nitrogen, that’s what you calculate your costs on,” said Brook. Some product claims are sneakier. Sprayed foliarly onto a crop, iron turns plant leaves dark green. But the dark-green colour does not indicate improved health, nor does it have any impact on yield, especially in Alberta where our soils have a natural oversupply of iron, he said. Likewise, read labels carefully to determine how much actual nutrient is contained in the product. “Many of the trace mineral products now available have infinitesimal amounts of the various products,” said Brook. “A whole lot of it is foo-foo dust — they’ll charge you anywhere from $7 to $12 per acre for a product that might have 50 cents of actual fertilizer in it.” The move to deregulation shouldn’t have come as a surprise. With an increasing number

A scaling back of federal oversight means producers should be wary of new fertilizer products that come with big promises. File Photo of products seeking registration, yet declining government research dollars, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency simply didn’t have the capacity to continue proving or disproving efficacy claims. “We thought the previous system worked well for growers,” said Clyde Graham, senior vice-president at the Canadian Fertilizer Institute. “The Government of Canada made a decision based on cost, and so we are working through that change. Maybe these are the growing pains of regulatory change.” The vast majority are reputable products, he said. “Members of our industry want to be sure the products they sell are quality products,” said Graham. “For the most part, farmers can rely on the products they are buying. Where farmers might want to

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Producers with an interest in tapping in to the local food markets are encouraged to get to know Explore Local. “We’re trying to help Alberta producers and processors build their knowledge and skills to successfully meet the demand in the local food area,” says Carmen Andrew, manager of Explore Local with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. The group has upcoming workshops on community-supported agriculture, getting into farm retail, and farm-direct marketing, as well as resources in areas such as finance, food safety, and market assessment. For more, visit www.explorelocal.ca. — AARD release

exercise the most caution is if it’s a product they’re not familiar with.” In the absence of government testing, farmers should stick with products they know (Schedule 2 products will always be a safe bet), work with a reputable ag dealer, and seek professional advice from a certified agrologist on any new or novel products, said Graham. If they do opt for a new-to-them product, farmers need to do their own careful and scientific product testing. They should start with a small amount of the new product on a small sample area, doing their best to make sure the only difference between the test and control plots is the product itself. Brook has one more piece of advice. “For God’s sake: measure!” he said. “Everyone has a monitor on their combine: Measure, be skeptical, prove it to yourself.”

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Expert says winter wheat acres should double or triple AgCanada scientist says winter wheat acres could hit the five-million mark, if crop insurance rules allowed later seeding BY MADELEINE BAERG AF CONTRIBUTOR

I FILE PHOTO

f spring comes late or is wet seven months from now, growers waiting to plant spring wheat will be looking with envy at neighbours’ fields of winter wheat. But there should be less envy and more winter wheat than the one million to 1.5 million acres currently grown on the Prairies, says Brian Beres, a scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. “I think we should easily plant as many acres of winter wheat as

durum — somewhere in the threemillion- to five-million-acre range,” said Beres. “If you think about the bottlenecks to the adoption of winter wheat, there’s the agronomic side and the policy side. We can do and we have done a lot on the research side to develop an updated agronomic system that helps farmers reach attainable yield and quality goals. “But running parallel to that is always a policy that will either enable or limit potential. One of the red flags that comes up that we’ve talked about addressing is the arbi-

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trary insurance cutoff date, which is dissuading a lot of producers from considering winter wheat.” South of the Bow River, Alberta Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) insures fall rye, winter triticale, and winter wheat so long as it is seeded by Sept. 30. North of the Bow, the cutoff dates are Sept. 15 for winter triticale and fall rye, and Sept. 20 for winter wheat. While those dates are two to three weeks after Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s seeding recommendations (which are intended to allow the crops time enough to germinate and develop at least three leaves), Beres would like to see them extended further. To prove what has been consistently seen in test and commercial fields planted with modern agronomics, Beres and University of Manitoba researchers are in year two of a Prairie-wide study of seeding dates in winter wheat. This study is expected to confirm that — contrary to long-held beliefs — fall emergence is not necessary for a successful spring crop. That’s because of newer, more winterhardy cultivars, better dual-action seed treatments, and improved research into optimal density. “From the research I’ve published, and my experiences where we’ve conducted other studies across the Prairies, planting later, especially in southern parts of the Prairies, is really not the detrimental issue that it’s deemed to be,” said Beres. “We can seed into October around Lethbridge without any ultimate difference — no measurable reduction in crop yields, just a later harvest date as maturity is delayed.” AFSC has proven its flexibility on seeding dates before, extending the insurance cutoff dates by a week or 10 days on multiple spring-seeded crops when spring conditions are particularly cool or wet. And the corporation is open to considering updating their offerings if such a change is both an acceptable level of risk and in the best interests of all farmers, said Nancy Smith, co-ordinator of operations for the delivery of insurance program. That has happened before. For example, in both 2005 and 2006, it extended its winter wheat seeding cutoff to Sept. 30 (from Sept. 15) in southern Alberta before making that change permanent in 2007. “AFSC looks at changes to insurance programs based on industry group feedback, proven genetics and best management practices,” said Smith. “Our research department is the area that does this work, and along with input from business (operations), makes recommendations for changes and enhancements. “If there is a variety of wheat that can be seeded in October and handle winter’s harshness, we would certainly be responsive if we felt it was within our risk tolerance.” Potential changes are carefully considered to ensure there is a consistent application of policy and procedures, she added. “I have to look at what I can do for you that will help you but not negatively impact the guy over there. How can I balance what I give you with what I give him?”

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Boost the bottom line with grain grading The Canada Grain Commission’s Harvest Sample Program gives you an edge when marketing your harvest ALBERTA AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT RELEASE

hen it comes to marketing, it’s important to know the product. And this is never more important than when selling crops. “Some crops are more complex than others to grade,” said Neil Blue, market specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development in Vermilion. “For example, canola is typically graded based on appearance, smell, moisture content, inseparable weed seeds and foreign matter as well as percentage of seeds with distinctly green colour or heat damage when crushed. Some buyers may also test for oil content in canola seed. “Wheat grades include type, appearance factors, inseparable seeds, ergot, and foreign material, as well as protein content and sometimes falling number.” Obtaining a representative sample of the product is an essential part of marketing, said Blue. The goal is to have a sample that has the same characteristics as the large volume of product that it represents. “Taking samples as harvested grain is placed into storage is a practical way to obtain a representative sample for each bin,” he said. “Commercial samplers or homemade samplers have a similar design, such as a small can on the end of a stick. As the grain is flowing, pass the cup along the stream of grain at regular intervals and dump it into a larger container. Try to take a consistent number of cup samples relative to the larger grain volume from each load. “After a bin is full, mix the grain well in the sample pail and keep part of that mixed sample as the representative sample for that bin. Make sure that you keep a large enough sample to use in distributing the sample to different graders. Keep the sample in a sealed container labelled to identify the source bin. This container should keep out rodents and insects and preserve representative moisture content to maintain sample integrity.” Producers should be aware of the Harvest Sample Program that the Canada Grain Commission offers, said Blue. “This program gives producers a free unofficial grade on samples from the current year’s crop. Producers can submit samples of newly harvested crop prior to November. Upon registering with the commission by phone, email or via its website, it will send participating producers a personalized kit, including postage-paid envelopes for the samples. “The toll-free registration phone number is 1-800-853-6705, and the commission is welcoming new registrants.” Up to eight samples per producer are eligible for this free service, and the program can be used for cereal grains, pulses, canola, flaxseed, mustard seed and soybeans. Results can be sent by email or obtained by phone or on the commission’s website. Alternatively, the Canadian Grain Commission’s submitted sample service is available to producers year round for a fee. Under this program, producers receive a certificate that shows: • Grade (including main degrading reason if relevant);

FILE PHOTO

• Dockage; • Moisture (if sample is received in a moisture-proof container); • Protein content for wheat samples by request; • Oil, protein and chlorophyll content for canola; • Oil, protein content and iodine value for flaxseed;

• Oil and protein for mustard seed and soybeans. “Records of the stored crop samples should be maintained, together with comments and reminders applicable to each bin,” said Blue. “As grade assessments are gathered from various buyers, note those assigned grades in your

records. You may find that not all buyers give the same grade to a sample, and that information becomes a factor in your marketing decision. “If you use the Canada Grain Commission grading service, consider its assessment of grade to be the base grade for that crop

sample. Once you have gathered grade information, you can then work on determining the best outlet for that crop from a grade point of view, and recognizing that the net farm gate price and payment security will likely be the major factors in your final marketing decision.”

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Neonics impair bee forages, says study Another study sheds light on why neonicotinoids and bees don’t mix UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH RELEASE

ong-term exposure to a neonicotinoid pesticide hampers bees’ ability to forage for pollen, according to a study that involved fitting bumblebees with tiny radio frequency tags. It found long-term pesticide exposure affects individual bees’ day-to-day behaviour, including pollen collection and which flowers worker bees chose to visit. “Bees have to learn many things about their environment, including how to collect pollen from flowers,” said Nigel Raine, a professor in Guelph’s School of Environmental Sciences, who co-authored the study. “Exposure to this neonicotinoid pesticide seems to prevent bees from being able to learn these essential skills.”

The researchers monitored bee activity using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags similar to those used by courier firms to track parcels. They tracked when individual bees left and returned to the colony, how much pollen they collected and from which flowers. Bees from untreated colonies got better at collecting pollen as they learned to forage. But bees exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides became less successful over time at collecting pollen. Neonicotinoid-treated colonies even sent out more foragers to try to compensate for lack of pollen from individual bees. Besides collecting less pollen, said Raine, “the flower preferences of neonicotinoid-exposed bees were different to those of foraging bees from untreated colonies.” The study looked at the effects of two pesticides — imidacloprid, one of three neonicotinoid

pesticides currently banned for use on crops attractive to bees by the European Commission, and pyrethroid (lambda cyhalothrin) — used alone or together, on the behaviour of individual bumblebees from 40 colonies over four weeks. “Although pesticide exposure has been implicated as a possible cause for bee decline, until now we had limited understanding of the risk these chemicals pose, especially how it affects natural foraging behaviour,” Raine said. “If pesticides are affecting the normal behaviour of individual bees, this could have serious knock-on consequences for the growth and survival of colonies.” The researchers suggest reform of pesticide regulations, including adding bumblebees and solitary bees to risk assessments that currently cover only honeybees. Bumblebees may be much more sensitive because their colonies are smaller, he said.

This image shows bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) workers with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. PHOTO: RICHARD GILL

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Deadline for AgriStability supplementation forms is Sept. 30 The Agriculture Financial Services Corporation is reminding farmers the submission deadline for supplementation forms for AgriStability is Tuesday, Sept. 30. Forms will be accepted after this date but a late filing penalty may apply. If producers are in a claim position, they can file up to Dec. 31 but would be subject to a penalty of $500 per month for every month that it is late. If there are no benefits payable, no penalty will apply. Tips for producers completing the forms: Keep track of inventories at the end of your fiscal year. It is recommended to do a physical count if possible, write it down, and make note of weight categories and quality issues. Calving books, grain tickets, year-end supply invoices, harvested production reports (if a producer is in crop insurance) and deposit books are a good source of information. Although the deadline is September, the best time to start working on the supplementation forms is at tax time. Pre-populated forms are available at district offices and at www.afsc. ca. Producers are encouraged to file online through myAFSC.

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Plant genetic resources under threat in Middle East war zone

Three beekeeping courses offered this winter There is one course for beginners, an intermediate course, and a one-day food safety workshop AARD RELEASE

lberta Agriculture and Rural Development is offering three apiculture extension courses for both new and seasoned apiarists. The beginner’s beekeeping course focuses on the biology and management of honeybees in Alberta. During two days of classroom work in November and a half-day in the field in May, students will learn the practical aspects of purchasing bees, assembling equipment, seasonal management, pest and disease management, handling bees safely, production, extraction, and selling honey. The course will be held in Airdrie (Nov. 28-29 and May 9) and Edmonton (Nov. 21-22 and May 9). The intermediate beekeeping short course is for beekeepers who have kept honeybees for at least one full year. The one-day course includes a review of the biology of honeybees through the seasons. It also includes improvement of management practices for swarming control, making nuclei (splitting colonies), feeding, and wintering. Pest diagnoses, pest management using Integrated Pest Management principles, and con-

Wild relatives of crops such as wheat still exist but are threatened in unstable areas such as Syria

FILE PHOTO

sumer expectations will also be discussed. It is not mandatory but strongly recommended that participants take the beginner’s beekeeping course first and have kept bees for at least one year. The course takes place in Edmonton on Feb. 21 and Airdrie on Feb. 28. The one-day honey food safety workshop focuses on the safe use of agricultural chemicals and implementation of On-Farm Food Safety Program and biosecurity practices. It includes information on producing quality safe honey; residues; proper use, handling and storage of agricultural chemicals; information on the federal Food and Drugs Act; and minimizing the risk of introducing and spreading disease and pests. The workshop will be held in Airdrie on March 12 and Edmonton on March 19. To register or for more information, please call 1-800-387-6030.

STAFF

A sample of Aegilops tauschii, a wild relative of wheat, collected in Afghanistan. It has natural resistance to the Hessian fly, a major pest of cereals worldwide. PHOTO: USDA/ARS

uture crop-breeding improvements could be hampered by conflict in the world’s war zones, say researchers from the University of Birmingham in the U.K. Many of today’s most important crops evolved from wild ancestors in the “Fertile Crescent” of the Middle East, arcing around the Arabian desert from Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and ending in Iraq and Iran. Wild relatives of these crops still grow in the area, and offer important genetic features for future crop breeding. The researchers say the highest concentration of these wild relatives is in Syria and Lebanon, currently one of the world’s most unstable areas. The researchers have developed an inventory of 173 crops and their 1,667 priority wild relatives, along with their particular traits. For example Aegil-

ops tauschii, a wild relative of wheat, is resistant to Hessian fly which is a pest of cereal crops, Saccharum arundinaceum is a relative of sugar cane and can survive very low temperatures, and Prunus ferganensis, the crop wild relative of peach, is tolerant to drought. In a release, the researchers say 12 per cent of the wild relatives are threatened with extinction and all are likely to be already suffering a loss of genetic diversity due to habitat loss and alteration, conflict, intensive agriculture, urbanization and mismanagement of the environment. The Birmingham researchers are now working with UN and governments in the area on a strategy to conserve wild relatives by identifying and promoting the establishment of managed conservation sites in the wild, while taking samples and placing them in gene banks as a safety backup, where the genetic material can be kept for up to 300 years.

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

bison ranch snow day

A herd of bison on the Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch, in the foothills southwest of Calgary, slumber in the sun after the region was blasted with up to 30 cm of snow on Sept. 10. The ranch raises bison and elk for meat. Photo: Wendy Dudley

World food prices at near fouryear low in August Growers can’t stop talking about its flushing weed control. ( Please accept our apologies. )

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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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Meat prices bucked the trend to rise 1.2 per cent

orld food prices in August hit their lowest since September 2010 as prices of all major food groups except meat fell, led by a sharp decline in dairy prices, says the UN’s food agency. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s price index, which measures monthly price changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy, meat and sugar, averaged 196.6 points in August, down 3.6 per cent from July. A Russian ban on dairy imports from countries which have imposed sanctions on Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine pulled down dairy prices which were already falling, it said. The agency raised its forecast for global cereal production for 2014 to 2.512 billion tonnes, 14 million tonnes higher than its previous forecast. That put 2014 output on track to be just 0.5 per cent short of last year’s record harvest. The agency also hiked its world wheat output forecast to a near-record 716.5 million tonnes. World cereals stocks at the end of the 2015 season are set to be 616 million tonnes, 12 million tonnes above the previous forecast. Meat prices bucked the trend to rise 1.2 per cent on the month as demand in China supported imports and herd rebuilding in Australia reduced exportable supplies of beef. — Reuters

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Alberta Canola Producers Commission seeking directors Nominations sought for Regions 2, 5, 8 and 11 ACPC release

It’s a chance to earn mud-on-the-boots credibility with clients and suppliers By Karl Plume chicago / reuters

etail giant Wal-Mart joined a group of volunteers counting corn ears and soybean pods in U.S. fields — a clear sign crop tours are expanding their appeal from farmers and traders to all those with a stake in the U.S. food chain. These annual trips to gather detailed on-the-ground information on crops in the world’s biggest grains producer have long been seen as a way to glean market-moving details not found in commodity analyst notes or government reports. But now their popularity is booming as a chance for those usually far from the field to develop relationships with growers themselves and to earn mudon-the-boots credibility with clients and suppliers. The ProFarmer crop tour last

month involved 120 people, double the number a decade ago, from countries spanning Switzerland to Argentina, who travelled roughly 2,500 kilometres across the Midwest and waded into more than 1,300 fields.

First time

to snacks maker Frito-Lay, whose products pack Wal-Mart store shelves, was by far his best ever. That revelation echoed what Robinson had encountered all week: massive corn yields that have reduced grain costs for his suppliers to the lowest in years. Other new volunteers include analysts and traders a few states away to as far afield as Britain or Thailand who feel they get information which gives them an edge over competitors. “You can only really understand a market by getting dirty and in ags that means you go get out and about and literally get mud on your boots,” said Fiona Boal, a Londonbased analyst with asset manager Hermes on her third tour.

Wal-Mart sent representatives for the first time on this tour, after trying out a wheat trip two years ago. It has a rising interest in food supplies, having grown its grocery business from around seven per cent a decade ago to over 70 per cent of sales now. “We attend farm tours to learn about crops so we can make smart buying decisions in our efforts to pass on savings to our customers,” said Tim Robinson, Wal-Mart’s Confirm data director of dry grocery. After scouting a cornfield in Ford She called back farmers she met on County, Illinois, a roadside encoun- the tour to confirm soybean growth ter with a farmer gave Robinson had exploded after the rain-soaked just such knowledge. The farmer excursion. “That sort of anecdotal said his crop, slated for deliveryT:8.125”information from informed on-the-

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ground sources is invaluable to an investor,” she said. Insights gleaned from the tour encouraged first-year participant Angie Maguire, a trader and elevator manager in Charlotte, Michigan, to lock in first-quarter 2015 corn sales to a commercial buyer, confident that prices were likely to drop. “Some other folks may not step up and be willing to put sale on but I feel comfortable after seeing the crop,” she said. The tours are not without critics, however, who say they focus on incomplete information that trickles out via phone, email and social media. Corn and soybean futures each fell more than one per cent during the ProFarmer tour. “My take on yield surveys. The more information that’s known about our crops the less we receive for them,” tweeted Tom Burnham, an Arkansas farmer who has never participated.

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he Alberta Canola Producers Commission (ACPC) is seeking canola producers willing to serve as a director. Anyone who has paid the ACPC a service charge on canola sold since Aug. 1, 2012 is an eligible producer and can stand for election. An eligible producer can be an individual, corporation, partnership, or organization. Eligible producers must produce canola within the defined region in order to be nominated, but do not have to reside within the region. Terms are for three years and nominations must be filed in writing at the ACPC office (#170, 14315-118 Ave., Edmonton, Alta. T5L 4S6) or by fax (780-4516933) on or before Oct. 31. This year nominations are required for ACPC Regions 2, 5, 8 and 11. Region 2 includes the County of Grande Prairie No. 1; Municipal District of Greenview No. 16; Birch Hills County; Saddle Hills County; and Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133. Region 5 includes the County of Thorhild No. 7; County of Barrhead No. 11; County of Athabasca; Smoky Lake County; Woodlands County; Sturgeon County; and Westlock County. Region 8 includes Wheatland County; Mountain View County; repealed AR 173/2005 s4; Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8; Municipal District of Foothills No. 31; Rocky View County; Kneehill County; and Improvement District No. 9 (Banff). Region 11 includes County of Stettler No. 6; County of Paintearth No. 18; Camrose County; Flagstaff County; Municipal District of Provost No. 52; and Special Area No. 4. For more information, contact ACPC general manager Ward Toma at 1-800-551-6652.

Crop tours suddenly a hot ticket

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Video contest for young farmers What does the future of Canadian agriculture look like to you? Farm Management Canada is looking for videos from young farmers (aged 20 to 40) on that theme. Winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Agricultural Excellence Conference in Winnipeg on Nov. 19-21. Videos must be one minute or less, titled “Y WE FARM Competition by FMC and Ag Annex,” and entrants must appear in the video. The deadline for entries is Oct. 24 and the winners will be announced Oct. 31. For more info, see www. fmc-gac.com/content/ywe-farm. The Agricultural Excellence Conference is a forum to share and explore beneficial farm management practices. — FMC release

USDA chief says urged Buffett to ready BNSF for record crop BNSF says it is not prioritizing oil over grain REUTERS

If we had made as much progress with Canadian Pacific, we’d be in a little bit better place than we are today.”

he U.S. agriculture secretary met with Warren Buffett earlier this month to urge the billionaire investor to make sure his BNSF railroad is ready for an expected record corn and soy harvest. “I said, ‘Warren, you’ve got to make sure that your railroad understands what’s going on here,’” said Thomas Vilsack. “There is pressure now, but as soon as this crop is harvested, there will be more pressure.” Buffett, who heads the sprawling conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, said he recognized the challenge and indicated his company was taking steps, Vilsack said. Backlogs along U.S. rail lines became a major concern for a

TOM VILSACK U.S. AGRICULTURE SECRETARY

BNSF hauls more grain than any other U.S. railroad. number of commodities markets this year. In June, for example, U.S. officials ordered BNSF and CP Rail to report their plans to clear a backlog of grain cars after months of service delays blamed on harsh winter weather and high freight demand.

PHOTO: STEVE CRISE/BNSF

One major source of profit, oil by rail, has become controversial, with some commodities producers saying railroads, including BNSF, are prioritizing the shipments of crude at the expense of other cargo. This has been denied by BNSF.

Vilsack praised BNSF for its work to improve service for farmers this year. “If we had made as much progress with Canadian Pacific, we’d be in a little bit better place than we are today,” he said.

what’s

Send agriculture-related meeting and event announcements to: glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com Oct. 2: Canadian Association of Farm Advisors — Current & Connected Conference, Lethbridge Lodge, Lethbridge. Contact: Liz Robertson 1-877-474-2871 Oct. 11: Andrew Garlic Festival, Andrew Community Centre, Andrew. Contact: Carri Hrehorets 780-896-3902 Oct. 15-16: Pembina Sheep Grazing Symposium 2014, Thorsby Community Hall, Thorsby. Contact: Tina 780-727-4447 Oct. 16: Beef Cattle Ration Balancing Workshop, Olds College (James Murray Building), Olds. Contact: Fiona McCarthy 403-335-3311 ext. 143 Oct. 23: Irrigation Management Seminar, MNP Office, Lethbridge. Brenda Martin 403-380-1657

READY TO LEND A HAND.

Oct. 30: Getting into Farming Information Session, Agriculture Centre, Airdrie. Contact: Ag-Info Centre 1-800-387-6030

When you need a helping hand, you need it now. We get that, because at Rocky Mountain Equipment, dependable is what we do. We are Canada’s largest combined agriculture and construction equipment dealership network, with over 35 branches across the Canadian Prairies, including 25 locations in Alberta. Proudly representing Case IH Agriculture, Case Construction and other brands, we are committed to being a dependable equipment partner to our customers. Though we may be a large network, we are also dedicated to supporting the organizations that are so important to our business.

Oct. 30: Agriculture Labour Summit, Black Knight Inn, Red Deer. Contact: Bryan Walton 403-250-2509

Rocky Mountain Equipment is a Founding Member for Ag for Life, an organization 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.

Nov. 5: 16th Annual Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop, Sheraton Hotel, Red Deer. Contact: Lisa Doyle 403-244-7821

Visit Rocky Mountain Equipment at rockymtn.com

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

U.S. lawmakers fault rail sector for slow service, profits Sluggish rail movement means storage capacity could be overwhelmed By Patrick Rucker washington / reuters

FILE PHOTO

.S. rail operators must put investment ahead of profits to clear the way for grain, automotive and chemical shipments now clogging the tracks, say American lawmakers. Rail backups in the Midwest are particularly acute with farmers expected to harvest record-large corn and soybean crops over the next two months and move much of that grain to market. The rail sector has promised to spend $26 billion this year to improve service but Senator Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, was not placated. “You pretty much get what you want and stop what you want around here,” said the West Virginia Democrat. He accused the rail industry of having undue influence

with Washington regulators and lawmakers. “You are doing a great job for your shareholders. What about these folks?” Rockefeller said, referring to officials from the farm, auto and chemical industries who also testified at the hearing. The massive grain harvest could exceed permanent storage bins by about 694 million bushels this harvest season, or about 3.5 per cent of expected totals, said Arthur Neal, who analyzes market and transportation issues for the Department of Agriculture. That glut could fill roughly 174,000 jumbo hopper rail cars with South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri and Illinois, among the states most impacted, he said, adding that much of last year’s crop is still lying around. “It is critical to move as much of the 2013 grain crop as quickly B:8.125” and efficiently as possible,” Neal said. T:8.125”

The grain glut is causing snarls along train lines controlled by BNSF Railway and CP Rail and driving up other transportation costs. Barge rates along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, for instance, are about 50 per cent higher than the five-year average. Ed Hamberger, president of the Association of American Railroads, said operators aim to strike a balance between delivering good service and satisfying investors. When Rockefeller accused the rail sector of profiteering, Hamberger said operators deliver a return on invested capital about half the average for Fortune 500 companies. But he acknowledged service can be improved. “For a not insignificant group of rail customers, rail service in recent months has not been of the quality they have come to expect,” he said. “Rest assured, railroads are working tirelessly to remedy these challenges.”

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China and U.S. fail to agree on GMO in DDGs China has turned away 1.35 million tonnes of GM corn and DDG this year

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hina, the world’s top buyer of distillers dried grains (DDGs), has failed to settle a row with the U.S. on how to eliminate genetically altered content from a product worth $1.3 billion in trade so far this year. Senior officials from both countries met to discuss testing procedures for DDGs exported to China, but could not agree on methods for shipments already on the way or signed for, sources said. “There is no agreement. It will be good if both sides apply same testing methods, which should be economic and efficient,” said one source familiar with the discussion. The dispute has seen China turn away 1.25 million tonnes of U.S. corn and DDGs this year after discovering the presence of an unapproved genetically modified strain known as MIR162, developed by Syngenta. International trader Cargill and another firm are currently taking legal action against the Swiss-based seed maker, claiming that Syngenta’s failure to win Chinese approval for the strain has cost them millions of dollars.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

California governor OKs bills to regulate groundwater amid drought No end in sight for drought that has cost an estimated $2.2 billion so far By Aaron Mendelson Reuters

Drill helper Jimmy Payne rigs another 20-foot section of pipe as they work to deepen the Brady family well in Woodland, California, Aug. 20, 2014. The Bradys’ home well went dry almost two months earlier and Theresa Brady called 65 well drillers before finding one available to deepen their well. Photo: Reuters/Max Whittaker

Canada’s Annual Ag Outlook Conference

alifornia Governor Jerry Brown has signed a package of bills to regulate California’s stressed groundwater supplies amid a drought that is expected to cost the state $2.2 billion in lost crops, jobs and other damages, with no end in sight. The bills will allow the state to take over management of underground aquifers and water accessed via wells, and aim to tighten oversight of water at a time when groundwater levels are shrinking in the third year of a catastrophic drought. “We have to learn to manage wisely water, energy, land and our investments,” Brown said as he signed the bills despite opposition from some farm and agricultural industry groups. “That’s why this is important.” Farmers in California’s agricultural heartland rely on water from wells to irrigate their crops when the state cuts back on supplies from streams and the fragile San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta. About a million Californians rely on private wells for drinking water, many of which have gone dry as groundwater levels have receded. But while California uses more groundwater than many other states, it lacks the oversight common elsewhere. Recent studies have shown groundwater levels receding throughout the Southwest, prompting concern among environmentalists and others that usage needs to be better regulated. The bills Brown signed will require that hard-hit groundwater basins adopt sustainability plans by January 2020, although high- and medium-priority basins not con-

sidered subject to critical overdraft will have an additional two years. All groundwater plans must achieve sustainability within 20 years of adoption, and local agencies managing them must report to the state Department of Water Resources every five years.

“We have to learn to manage wisely water, energy, land and our investments.” Jerry Brown

The bills also outline enforcement mechanisms, and the regulations are expected to cost the state roughly $5.5 million in annual costs by the 2017-18 fiscal year. Some costs would be offset by fees. Some agricultural companies and farm groups had argued against the bills, which they called hastily written, saying they would impose rigid guidelines on farmers while failing to address needs of agricultural water users in the Central Valley. “While there is legitimate concern about the over-drafting of some groundwater basins, this massive expansion of state authority will not solve the problem,” said Connie Conway, the Republican minority leader in the state assembly. In November, California voters will vote on Proposition 1, the $7.6-billion “water bond” intended to improve water supplies in the state.

February 23 & 24, 2015 The Fairmont Winnipeg

Call for Nominations: Directors for Regions 2,5,8,11 Farming has become a competitive business once again, as it usually is. One way to do the best you can on your farm is to grow the crops that the market will want. Wild Oats Grainworld, Canada’s Annual Ag Outlook Conference, will be held in Winnipeg on Feb 23 and 24, 2015. Traders of the crops we grow in western Canada will give their outlooks for crops that they trade. Grainworld is a rewarding experience. You’ll mix with the Canadian grain trade, other farmers who understand marketing and businesses that serve our industry. You’ll hear from marketing experts who make their living trading grain plus specialists from around the world with their own insights into how markets are working. Do yourself a favour. Mark your calendar for two days in February at the Fairmont at the corner of Portage and Main. Early-bird registration is $400 and includes all sessions and meals. Register at wildoatsgrainworld.com or 1-800-567-5671.

Who may become a director of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission (ACPC)? Anyone who has paid the ACPC a service charge on canola sold since August 1, 2012 is an eligible producer and can stand for election as a Director. An eligible producer can be an individual, corporation, partnership or organization. Eligible producers must produce canola within the defined region in order to be nominated, but do not have to reside within the region. For detailed descriptions about the ACPC regions where elections are being held visit www.canola.ab.ca or call the ACPC office at 1-800-551-6652. Nomination forms are available from the ACPC office. Nominations for the position of Director must be filed in writing at the ACPC office #170, 14315-118 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5L 4S6 or by fax 780-451-6933 on or before October 31, 2014. For more information contact Ward Toma, ACPC General Manager at 1-800-551-6652

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

deer’s hay day

With a freak snowstorm hitting central and southern Alberta, deer were yarding up in fields around hay bales. Temperatures dipped as low as -10 C before soaring into the high 20s last week. Photo: Wendy Dudley

Tips for getting the most out of your firewood

Clubroot can cause up to 80% yield loss in infected ﬁelds.

Average yield T:10”

Winter is fast approaching and for many people, that means using firewood to heat their homes. The key to getting the most out of your firewood is proper moisture content, said Jeff Renton, project manager with the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society. Ideal moisture content for burning is 15 to 20 per cent. Firewood with higher moisture content can be slower to ignite, produce greater amounts of smoke, and leave more deposits in chimneys. More importantly, you aren’t getting the maximum heat delivery as much of the energy used is directed to drying out the wood. Newly harvested wood typically contains 35 to 60 per cent moisture, but if cut and left covered for a year to dry, it should reach a 15 to 20 per cent moisture content level. Properly dried firewood has darker wood, cracking in the wood, and when two pieces are hit together, make a hollow sound. Surface area and stacking are the most important considerations when drying wood out. “The smaller the piece, the more area that moisture can be lost through,” said Renton. “Stacking in single rows, off the ground, will allow airflow on at least two sides of the split logs.” It’s also best to have the stack in an open area where the sun can reach it for at least part of the day, he said. – AARD release

*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. ®,™,SM Trademarks and service marks licensed to Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited. © 2014, PHL.

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

World hunger easing but one in nine people undernourished — food agencies Problems worsened by conflicts, including ISIS control of grain facilities in Iraq By Isla Binnie Rome / Reuters

he number of hungry people in the world has fallen sharply over the past decade but 805 million, or one in nine of the global population, still do not have enough to eat, according to three UN food and agriculture agencies. The number of chronically undernourished people dropped by more than 100 million, equivalent to a country the size of the Philippines, according to a report by the United Nations food agency (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Food Program (WFP). Government drives to improve nutrition have helped the developing world move towards a UN goal of halving the number of people suffering from hunger between 1990 and 2015, said the report entitled “The State of Food Insecurity in the World.” But success stories such as Brazil mask struggles in countries like Haiti, where the number of hungry people rose from 4.4 million in 1990-92 to 5.3 million in 2012-14. “We cannot celebrate yet because we must reach 805 million people without enough food

for a healthy and productive life,” said WFP executive director Ertharin Cousin. The Ebola virus threatens food security in western Africa, while conflicts in places including Iraq and Syria have meant that people who once had enough food could lose reliable supplies “in just a matter of weeks,” she said. The ambitious goal to halve the absolute number of chronically undernourished people between 1990 and 2015 has been met by 25 developing countries, but there is not enough time for the whole world to get there by next year, the report said. Brazil, Indonesia and Malawi, among others, have already achieved another development goal of halving the undernourished proportion of their populations through investments policymaking in areas from agriculture to school meals. But the agencies urged more efforts elsewhere, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and southern and western Asia, to reduce the hungry share of the population in developing countries to 11.7 per cent, from 13.5 per cent today, by the end of 2015. “A world without hunger is possible in our lifetimes, but this report is also a call for action,” Cousin said.

Liberian soldiers check travellers at a checkpoint last month. Ebola, which has killed more than 2,400 people this year, endangered harvests and sent food prices soaring in West Africa, is rapidly creating a major food crisis there. Photo: Reuters Conflicts and crises

Ebola, which has killed more than 2,400 people this year, endangered harvests and sent food prices soaring in West Africa, is rapidly creating a major food crisis there, Cousin said. FAO issued a food security alert this month for Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, which were all net cereal importers even before the Ebola outbreak prompted

border closures and quarantine zones, contributing to farm labour shortages. Ongoing conflicts in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic are preventing humanitarian efforts to help people affected, Cousin said, adding that WFP and other agencies needed an increase in donations. Meanwhile, the advance of Islamic State fighters in Northern

Iraq has caused concern over the availability of wheat, which FAO says is the most important food grain for humans. “We are concerned about the fact that (ISIS) controls two of the major grain facilities in the country,” Cousin said. “These are very worrying trends, when you have a party that can control the food that is required by the poorest in the country.”

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Crying in their beer

Captain Citrus to the rescue

Beer prices in North America may rise next year as brewers and maltsters face higher costs after snow damaged Alberta barley crops. The shortage will hit craft brewers the hardest, since they typically keep less malt inventory. “Prices (going) up mean our costs go up and beer prices ultimately go up,” said Neil Herbst, co-owner of Edmonton-based Alley Kat Brewery. “Any small brewery is going to be exposed.” Prairie farmers are on track to produce just 7.2 million tonnes of barley this autumn, the smallest crop since 1968. The U.S., EU, Australia, and Argentina all expect to harvest smaller crops. — Reuters

Florida has a muscular new superhero — Captain Citrus, a crime fighter who promotes orange juice while battling evil through the power of the sun. The Florida Department of Citrus paid Marvel Comics $1 million for the character, storyline, and a million comic books, which will be given to elementary school students. The comic books come with lesson plans to teach children how to make smart nutritional choices. The new Captain Citrus is a square-jawed man with green hair and a skin-tight, orange-peel-coloured suit and replaces a 2011 version — a round orange character with legs, arms and a green cape. — Reuters

HEARTLAND Clubroot not just another disease The response to clubroot has been uneven and often ineffective, but we need to learn from what’s worked to prevent a crisis situation

By Gord Gilmour

hat surprised me most while researching the origins and spread of clubroot was just how devastating this disease is. Before travelling through the most affected areas and interviewing those at ground zero, I thought of clubroot as just another crop disease. It’s not. But unfortunately, many canola growers still don’t fully realize the threat they face. The discovery of clubroot in an Edmonton-area field in the fall of 2003 seemed to come out of the blue. In fact, experts in the U.K. had been waiting for years for clubroot to make an appearance on the Canadian Prairies. When it did show up, agronomist Dan Orchard only recognized the disease because of what he calls “dumb luck.” In university, he had written a paper on canola diseases and had to discuss three. He was at a bit of a loss because there were only two major canola diseases here — sclerotinia and blackleg — and he just happened to choose obscure clubroot because it was present in a few other areas of the world. Even though Orchard was stunned by what he found — the growths on the roots of the infected plants were the size of grapefruits — he didn’t realize how serious it was. But after

taking samples to his old plant pathology professor to confirm it was, indeed, clubroot, he took him to the infected field. That’s when the gravity of the situation became clear. If left unchecked, Orchard was told, clubroot could threaten the entire canola industry in the affected area. Soon after, a press conference was held and that solemn warning was issued to the entire industry. But even today, many growers cling to the belief that plant breeders will come up with resistant varieties and the problem will be, if not solved, then easily managed. That clubroot is just another crop disease. It’s not. Resistance is a numbers game. Whether weeds or spores, a few have the genetic makeup that make them resistant to resistance. And the basic biology of clubroot is that a single gram of heavily infected soil can hold more than a million spores. When you have countless trillions of spores in a field, some will survive and rapidly prosper. This is why the first resistant variety, introduced in 2009, has already been overcome. What is needed is an approach much like the one that public health officials use when dealing with a communicable disease, which is to take all necessary steps to limit the ability of infected individuals to spread it to new victims. For clubroot, that means enforcing a four-year or even longer rotation to prevent it from rapidly spreading.

However, because of a quirk in how local affairs are managed in Alberta, a lot of the responsibility for dealing with clubroot fell to agricultural fieldmen. They take their direction from the local government, and not surprisingly, rural politicians aren’t thrilled by the prospect of having to tell their neighbours what they can and cannot grow in their fields. This led to a patchwork of solutions, ranging from draconian policies that alienated growers to a laissezfaire free-for-all. But one county stands out for its approach. Time and time again during my research, I was told to visit Leduc County because “they’re getting it right.” Part of the county’s approach was realizing how serious the situation is and taking tough, but necessary decisions. But it’s also about very carefully communicating why measures like longer rotations are needed, and constantly reviewing the situation and adjusting policies as circumstances change. As Orchard, who now works for the Canola Council of Canada, points out, preventing clubroot from undermining the entire canola industry means dealing with it head on. And that means learning “what we did right and the things that didn’t work out as well.” Gord Gilmour is associate editor of Country Guide. His full article is in the September edition, which is available at www.country-guide.ca.

The dos and don’ts of clubroot By now it’s clear. Some control strategies work. Others, says agronomist Dan Orchard, just don’t. • Pulling plants from dead patches at the end of the season and looking for the disease certainly worked. But it would have worked even better if the recommendation, right from the start, had been to pull plants and check the roots. By not stressing the importance of checking fields early and often, many a case was left undetected until inoculum levels rose and it was suddenly a crisis situation. • Tillage certainly seems to be linked to occurrences in fields, says Orchard, who has seen the same pattern again and again, where a field will be largely untouched, except for the small portion that received some tillage. “Tillage appears to speed or promote clubroot,” he says. Once it has a toehold, tillage also helps it spread. • In peripheral areas, that either had very low-level infections or had none but were adjacent to areas that did, a more vigorous approach probably would have helped in the early days. “They weren’t looking until it was an obvious problem,” Orchard says. “It was a reactive, not proactive, response.” • Resistance is our best option, and should be used in areas outside the clubroot hot zone to prevent spore buildup and keep the disease at a low level. But growers should also respect that the disease is highly adaptable. If the resistant varieties are simply seen as a way to go back to business as usual, clubroot will likely make short work of them. • When a small patch of clubroot is identified early in the infection process, growers should see it as an opportunity to nip the problem in the bud. One strategy that has shown some success is treating that portion of the field differently

file photo

Agronomist Dan Orchard photo: canola council of canada

— say seeding it to a non-host crop like grass for a few years. It might cost you a few acres, but keep the rest of the field in production. • Equipment cleaning is one of the strategies that both worked and didn’t work, Orchard says. A key error appears to have been going out early with the message that producers needed to pressure wash and disinfect equipment. A better message might have been concentrating on more practical things, such as dramatically reducing risk by removing visible dirt between fields, and leaving infected fields until last to ensure no transmission and adequate time to clean. “The power wash and disinfection message was not a practical solution,” Orchard says. Given the disease can also transmit via wind and water erosion, minimizing risk was likely a better message. Still, most researchers say farm machinery is the single most important cause of clubroot spread. • Research has proven very important, though Orchard concedes to date the agronomic research has been as much about what you can’t do as what you can. “That shouldn’t discredit the research or make it appear any less important,” Orchard insists. “Often finding out what doesn’t work is as important, if not more important, as finding out what does work.”

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

BATTLE OF THE BREEDS A different kind of competition STORY & PHOTOS BY WENDY DUDLEY

rom fully feathered Gypsy Vanners to pipsqueak ponies, the Battle of the Breeds horse competition is a spectacle that tests the versatility, bravery and speed of each horse. The event, now 25 years old, pits 10 breeds against one another in trail riding and barrel racing. The trail course at the Spruce Meadows equestrian complex features a huge inflated ball, ditch jumping, bridge and water crossing, flag bearing, bucket carrying, and even fetching a phone book from a telephone booth. Pigtails flew in the wind and rain, and feathered fetlocks dashed through the unseasonable snow as horses and riders, donned in their best of tack and outfits, vied for the championship crown. The interbreed battle included mules, quarter-horses, Arabians, Appaloosas, pintos, Shetland ponies, Morgans, Canadians, paints and Gypsy Vanners. Each team consists of three members and riders could compete in either Western or English style.

ABOVE: Cec Watson, of Duchess, carefully navigates her Morgan horse, JMF Beam Walker, through an element on the trail riding obstacle course. LEFT: It’s not just the rider who must be focused while navigating the obstacle course. This palomino pinto, named Flying First Class, is eyeing the next obstacle on course.

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AgriInvest

A Smart Investment for Managing Farm Risk

Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers

AgriInvest helps you manage income declines on your farm and supports investments that help mitigate risks. To benefit from AgriInvest for the 2013 program year, you must: • submit your 2013 AgriInvest form by September 30, 2014* • open an AgriInvest account at a participating financial institution and make your deposit by the deadline date shown on your Deposit Notice. *Note: Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2014, but will incur a 5% per month reduction in the maximum matchable deposit.

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My AAFC Account provides convenient and secure access to your AgriInvest account information online. To sign up for My AAFC Account, go to agr.gc.ca/myaccount.

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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.

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

LEFT: Kristyn O’Byrne, of Calgary, hangs on as her Appaloosa, named Yor Pleasure Cruise, chooses to leap across the water ditch during the trail obstacle course. BELOW: Even the course decorations could stop a horse in its hoofprints. But Tammy Botsford, of Rockyview, doesn’t miss a beat while riding by these totem poles on her paint horse, Dez Ado To The Assets.

ABOVE: Sarah Ingram, of Morinville, holds on tight, as she tries to carry a pail while on board her Arabian horse, Pa Sebastion in the bucket exercise. RIGHT: Retrieving a phone book from a telephone booth is part of the competition. Mikayla Brabant of Chestermere, successfully completes the exercise on Baby J, her Shetland pony.

service THAT STACKs UP. OK Tire carries a wide range of tires for farm equipment- everything from tractors to combines. The best part is we service every tire we selland with locations across the country, you’re always close to help when you need it. For the latest specials on Firestone Farm tires, stop in to your local OK Tire or visit oktire.com. ® Firestone is a registered trademark of Bridgestone Licensing Services Inc. used under license.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Community news and events from across the province

Linked by a love of the land By Dianne Finstad af contributor

t certainly wasn’t the first time Dorothy Edge had stepped into the saddle of a sure-footed horse to ride the range in the autumn-tinged foothills of southern Alberta. But it was the first time she’d done that with several dozen other ladies from various walks of life, including Laureen Harper. Dorothy and neighbour Jo Hutchinson had journeyed to the Rio Alto part of the famed OH Ranch near Longview, to take part in The Gathering. Billed as a gathering of “Alberta’s women of influence in support of conservation,” it was an invitationonly event put on by Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC). The day brought perfect midSeptember weather, making the snow of the week before a distant memory. With horses provided by Anchor D Guiding and Outfitting of Black Diamond, some of the ladies went for a leisurely guided ride through the rolling pastures of the OH, while others hiked the foothills. The women came from diverse backgrounds, but the common link was a love of the land and support for the NCC’s goals of protecting natural habitats and wild spaces. Both Edge and Hutchinson have witnessed the picturesque and productive ranchlands surrounding them in the Cochrane region turn into acreages, townhouses and urban sprawl. “It does a heart good to get out here,” Edge said as she took in a view notably absent of cars, cement, and buildings. That sentiment was echoed by all visiting the ranch, which was part of the centennial gift of Bill and Sharon Siebens to the Calgary Stampede Foundation. Nature Conservancy Canada is a partner, holding conservation easements on the ranch to ensure it never becomes a development project. “This has been an authentic working ranch for 125 years, and we want to maintain that,” said Toni Dixon, a Stampede board member. “We did a lot of research about what the land would support, and have 200 head of bred cows out here now.” The OH also fits in well with the Stampede’s desire to connect urban and rural communities. Grade 5 and 6 students from Calgary and nearby rural areas have already visited the ranch under a pilot education project. Lunch at the cookhouse after the morning adventure was followed by speeches on NCC’s work across the country. Harper, who looked very much at home in the saddle, talked about growing up about 10 miles from the OH ranch. She outlined her own strong connection with the land. “The land we live in is important to our identity as Canadians,” said Harper, wife of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “Thanks to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for your work to ensure pieces of Canada are preserved for all generations.” Alberta regional board chair Susan

Forty-six “women of influence in support of conservation” were invited to The Gathering. Photo: Kyle Marquardt

Laureen Harper released four rescued Swainsons hawks into the wild at the event. Photo: Dianne Finstad

Dorothy Edge (l) and Jo Hutchinson (r) say ranchers and conservancy groups should work together. Photo: Dianne Finstad

Church talked about the various threats to grasslands, and the need to protect them with sustainable ranching. “We can’t conserve grasslands without cattle or bison being managed properly,” said Church, a founder and former longtime manager of Alberta Farm Animal Care. “In order to have good long-term, long-lasting, well-conserved lands, we need animals. We need working landscapes.” Church acknowledged there has been a wariness between landowners and conservation groups, but said it can often be traced to using different language for what really are similar goals. “It’s about treating the livestock managers and owners of the land as people who know that grass, and know how to use it as true stewards of the land,” she said. “We’ve really turned that corner in our organization.” Church has brought a working agricultural perspective to her role on the NCC, and helped ensure this second edition of The Gathering was held.

He didn’t have to convince Hutchinson, who with her late husband Jon, were the first Canadians to put a conservation easement on their ranch, located northeast of Cochrane. “Back then, we were accused of tax evasion for doing it,” said Hutchinson. It took a long legal battle and a major shift in attitude before their easement could be finalized. “Development would’ve killed that area,” she said. “At least we preserved the big coulee. I couldn’t bear the thought of it being cemented over. We thought that, for us, the Nature Conservancy was the group to work with. It’s gratifying to see how it’s grown. “I agree with the Indian philosophy that we don’t own the land, we only borrow it, and it just hurts to see it cemented over. My theme song is, ‘Don’t Fence Me In.’” Dorothy Edge agreed with her neighbour. “I’m fortunate to still see cows on both sides of the road when I leave home because it’s McDougall land, and it’s still a working ranch.”

“It does a heart good to get out here.” Dorothy Edge

“I felt that a lot of women have a lot of influence on how their families or their husbands or their corporations donate,” said Church. “So I felt we needed to do a better job in reaching out to the women who are making those decisions.” The organization fills a gap, said NCC associate regional vice-president Larry Simpson, a tour guide for Jo Hutchinson and several others for the morning. “We’re trying to find the intersection point between the interests of people who have the resources to make a difference, and want to… and those who have land they’d like to see conserved,” he said.

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AUCTION SALES

FARM MACHINERY

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

HAYING & HARVESTING Baling Equipment

AUCTION SALES Alberta Auctions – South

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories

RON SAUER

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

(403) 540-7691 ronsauer@shaw.ca

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.

AGCO FINANCE CANADA LLC will offer the following repossessed equipment for sale to the highest bidder for cash, plus applicable sales tax. Equipment: Massey Ferguson- 2170 Big Square Baler, S/N: M21700AHB04144. Date of sale: Wed., Oct. 8, 2014. Time of Sale: 10:00A.M. Place of sale: Horizon Implements, 5800 46 Ave, Taber, AB. Equipment can be inspected at place of sale. The equipment will be sold AS IS, without warranty. We reserve the right to bid. For further information, please contact Kent Torgalson:(780) 993-1140 Cell, Reference Number 1183168.

AUTO & TRANSPORT AUTO & TRANSPORT Autos EXCLUSIVE MERCEDES-BENZ DISCOUNTS for Alberta farmers & ranchers. www.mercedessalesman.com

AUTO & TRANSPORT Trucks 1980 GMC 7000, STEEL box, hoist, roll-tarp; 1976 Ford F600, steel box, hoist. Phone (403)321-0455. 2005 GMC 3500 DURAMAX dually 4x4 crew cab long box, w/exhaust brake, 5th wheel rails, camper tie downs & full leather, in excellent condition, $23,000 +GST. (403)932-2343 (403)519-7815.

MACHINERY LTD.

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, $58,000; Road King ground loadstock trailer, 8 x 42.5-ft, will haul 25 cows, $4,500. MacDon 962, 36-ft pick-up reel, $17,000; MacDon 871 CAT 460 adapter, $3,500. Call:(403)665-2341, Craigmyle, AB. 2011 MACDON R85 DISC mower conditioner header. No use since $10,470.00 Warranty upgrade work order. Excellent condition. $24,900.00 Trades welcome. Toll free 1-877-862-2387, 1-877-862-2413

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

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Available at:

Wild Rose Co-op Association Ltd. 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.

BUSINESS SERVICES 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

Sedgewick, AB

(780) 384-3877

www.dseriescanola.ca 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 , PU, $5,000; 20-ft. straight cut PU reel; 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, $3,500; 18-ft. Vac tank & pump, off Ford 750 truck, A1; MF 410 combine PU, runs good, $1,200; Power 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

846 Ford Versatile Designation 6, 4WD Tractor 1990, newer 18.4 x 38 dualled tires,12 speed manual, 4 hyds., 6036 hrs., looks & runs good .............................. $27,500 555 JD Crawler Loader, 250 hrs. on rebuilt engine, good condition ................................................... $17,500 8070 AC Tractor, FWA, wheel base extended, with duals........................................................... $22,500 275 MF Tractor, diesel, multi power, 3 pth, new 18.4 x 30, front weights, loader available, looks and runs great .. $12,500 51’ Degelman Landroller, only done 3,000 acres, as new.... .......................................................... $40,000 Degelman Dozer Frame MF 4000 Series 4WD .$1,000 41’ Flexicoil B Chisel Plow, 3 bar harrows, excellent condition .............................................. $12,500 Flexicoil 6 Run Seed Treater .............................. $1,000 134’ Flexicoil S68XL Sprayer, 2007, suspended boom, auto rate, joystick, rinse tank, triple quick jets, auto boom height, electric end nozzle & foam marker............. $32,500 100’ 65XL Flexicoil Sprayer, complete with windguards,elec. end nozzles single tips, auto rate, excellent condition .............................................. $12,500 30’ 8230 CIH PT Swather, PU reel, nice shape, . $10,000 25’ 8225 CIH PT Swather, PU reel, nice shape .... $9,500 25’ 1200 Hesston PT Swather, bat reel, good .... $5,500 10 Wheel MATR (Italy) Trailer Type V-Hayrake, hyd. fold, as new.................................................. $5,000 14 Wheel Enorossi V-Hayrake extra contour wheels, as new .............................................................. $11,500 NEW 12-39 Sakundiak Grain Auger, 44 HP Generac engine, E-Kay HD mover, power steering, belt tightener, slim fit, lights, scissor lift, remote throttle, new tires ............ $23,500 NEW TL 10-39 Sakundiak Grain Auger, 35HP Vanguard Motor, Hawes mover, clutch & lights, new tires ......$14,500 8 x 1000 Sakundiak Auger, new 30 HP Koehler engine, Hawes mover, gear box clutch, spout ....... CNT $9,000 8 x 1200 Sakundiak Auger, 25 HP Koehler engine, Hawes mover, clutch, runs good ............................... $8,500 7 x 1200 Sakundiak Auger, 18 HP Koehler engine, looks and runs good, ......................................... CNT $3,500 8 x 1400 Sakundiak Auger, 25 HP Robin engine, Hawes mover, clutch, spout, excellent condition, ...........CNT $10,000 New E-Kay 7” Bin Sweep .............**In Stock** $1,785 New E-Kay 7”, 8”, 9” Bin Sweeps available.........Call 8” Wheat Heart Transfer Auger, hydraulic drive .. $1,500 18.4 x 30, tractor tire & tube .....................................$350 New Outback MAX & STX guidance & mapping ...In Stock New Outback E-Drive, TC’s .................................In Stock New Outback E-Drive X, c/w free E turns ............In Stock New Outback S-Lite guidance ............ **In Stock** $900 New Outback VSI Swather Steering Kit...........In Stock New Outback E-Drive Hyd. kit, JD 40 series ........ $1,000 Used Outback E-Drive Hyd. kits..............................$500

**NuVision (Spray Air) & Meridian-Sakundiak Augers, Outback GPS Systems, EK Auger Movers, Belt Tighteners, Bin Sweeps & Crop Dividers, Kohler, Robin Subaru & Generac Engines, Headsight Harvesting Solutions, Greentronics Sprayer Auto Boom Height, Kello-Bilt Discs**

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

HESSTON 4655 INLINE SMALL square baler, quarter turn chute; New Holland 1033 square bale pickup wagon; 1948 Farmall M tractor, live hydraulics; single bottom 30-in breaking plow; Maxant single frame flail honey uncapper. Call (780)841-2984

H1000 HAYBUSTER, TUB GRINDER, nmew hammers & new governor, $8,500 OBO. Phone: (403)556-0665.

FARMING Available at:

Beaver Creek Co-op Association Ltd. Lamont, AB

(780) 895-2241

IS ENOUGH OF A GAMBLE...

Available at:

Webb’s Crop Services Ltd. Vermilion, AB

(780) 853-6565

www.dseriescanola.ca Advertise in the Alberta Farmer Express Classifieds, it’s a Sure Thing!

www.dseriescanola.ca

1-800-665-1362

BUILDINGS

Combines

Available at:

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.

South Country Co-op High River, AB

(403) 652-4143

www.dseriescanola.ca COMBINES Combines - Various

Available at:

Medicine Hat Co-op Ltd. Medicine Hat, AB

(403) 528-6609

www.dseriescanola.ca

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

COMBINES John Deere

COMBINES Accessories

John Deere Combines. Still in stock Green Lighted used S series, 80 series & 70 series combines. Most are still under warranty & are all priced to move. Great Finance/Lease rates. Sheldon (306)620-7774.

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

TracTors Stretch your ADVERTISING DOLLAR!

1-800-665-1362

TRACTORS Case/IH CASE 2090 (1984) W/CAB, A/C, dual PTO, front weight & duals. Full engine rebuilt 7,000-hrs, in VGC, $14,000 +GST. (403)932-2343 or (403)519-7815 If you want to sell it fast, call 1-800-665-1362.

SPRAYING EQUIPMENT Sprayers

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

IH 25-FT. SWATHER 1,200-HRS, PU reels, cab; Sakundiak grain auger; Inland sprayer. Phone (780)919-9985 SOLD COWS. 2006 Haybuster bale processor, model 2650, good shape, stored inside, $13,000. Also calf sheds & round bale feeders. Also have a Westward 30-ft pull swather, $4000, has cut less than 8000-acs. (403)485-6530.

HAYING & HARVESTING Various

HAYING & HARVESTING HAYING & HARVESTING Baling Equipment

COMBINES John Deere

SPRAYING EQUIPMENT Sprayers

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

“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

Watch your profits grow! ADVERTISE with AFE Classifieds

40’ X 60’ X 16’ RIGID FRAME STEEL BUILDING

$28,418 When you go with steel you get the right deals!

Pioneer One Steel Buildings

Call toll free 1 (877) 525-2004 or see us online at www.pioneeronesteel.com

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1-800-665-1362

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

TRACTORS Various 1997 CIH 9330 4WD. 240-HP, 4700-hrs, 4-hyd, power shift, radar, EZ steer, 500-hrs on drop in engine, excellent condition, no pto. $68,900.00 Phone toll free 1-877-862-2387. 1-877-862-2413. 2012 CIH STEIGER 500HD. 696-hours, like new, full factory warranty until May 15th, 2015. Loaded w/options-no PTO. Almost anything on trade. $269,000.00 Phone toll free 1-877-862-2387 or 1-877-862-2413.

AG EQUIPMENT

DEALS ON THE GO!

SCAN TO DOWNLOAD THE APP »»

JD 2955 c/w ldr., 3 pth hitch JD 7600 FWA, c/w loader JD 7700 FWA c/w 740 loader CASE IH 4700 Vibra Shank, 34ft. Clamp on Duals, 20.8x38-18.4x38 148, 265, 725, 740, 280, JD ldr. FINANCE, TRADES WELCOME 780-696-3527, BRETON, AB

TRACTORS Various

REAL ESTATE

Big Tractor Parts, Inc.

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Acreages/Hobby

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 www.bigtractorparts.com

HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING

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

SEED/FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted

Parklands Farm 163-acres of scenic rolling land near Erickson MB. 120-acres arable, large mature yard with natural shelter belt & small lake. Cozy bungalow, garage, machine shed. Details: www.granttweed.com or call Grant Tweed, (204)761-6884 anytime. Century 21 Westman.com Brandon MB. $325,000. grant@granttweed.com

SEED / FEED / GRAIN

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

CALL 1-866-388-6284

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Feed Grain

TRAVEL

www.milliganbiofuels.com

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, Lacombe.

TIRES

Available at:

Edberg Crop Management Inc. Edberg, AB

FEED GRAIN WANTED! ALSO buying; Light, tough, or offgrade grains. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

(780) 877-0003

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

www.dseriescanola.ca

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted

AGRICULTURAL TOURS

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

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

BOW VALLEY TRADING LTD.

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN

Australia/New Zealand ~ Jan 2015 South America ~ Jan 2015 Kenya/Tanzania ~ Jan 2015 Costa Rica ~ Feb 2015 South Africa/Zambia ~ Feb 2015 India ~ Feb 2015 Japan ~ May 2015 Ireland/Scotland ~ June 2015 Scandinavia ~ June 2015 *Portion of tours may be Tax Deductible

www.penta.ca

Available at:

Kneehill Soil Services Ltd. Drumheller, AB

(403) 823-4600

www.dseriescanola.ca

1-800-587-4711

Select Holidays

Wheat, Barley, Oats, Peas, etc. Green or Heated Canola/Flax

1-800-661-4326

www.selectholidays.com

1-877-641-2798

LIVESTOCK

BUYING:

LIVESTOCK Specialty – Alpacas HERD DISPERSAL DUE TO personal health issues dual registered, champion bloodlines, 26 females, 17 males, open to offers as must sell. For more info alpacas@eidnet.org 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.

CAREERS

Available at:

HEATED & GREEN CANOLA

Grow Acropolis Warehousing Inc.

• Competitive Prices • Prompt Movement • Spring Thrashed

(780) 466-4028

“ON FARM PICK UP”

1-877-250-5252

Edmonton, AB

CAREERS Help Wanted NEW-HOLLAND/CIH TECHNICIAN REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY. Sunny Southern Alberta, growing independent dealership, competitive wages, benefits, relocation. Call Bob (403)625-3321 or email service@challengernh.ca

www.dseriescanola.ca

Prairie-Wide Display Classifieds

MORE OPTIONS TO SAVE YOU MONEY

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

Contact Sharon

Email: sharon.komoski@fbcpublishing.com

AG DEALS TO GO!

FO R NO TH W E BO 20 O 15 KI ED NG IT IO N

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

ADVERTISE YOUR AG BUSINESS WHERE IT COUNTS.

The Farmer’s Product Guide helps farmers make informed decisions on everything that’s essential to their farm. From equipment and accessories to buildings, technology, tillage and trucks – the Farmer’s Product Guide covers it all. If you’re in the Ag business, the Farmer’s Product Guide offers you some amazing opportunities to reach your target audience! Call to find out about our fully integrated media solutions featuring print, online, email and interactive.

135,000 COPIES PRINTED And distributed through:

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Terry McGarry Ph: (204) 981-3730 Email: trmcgarr@mts.net

and at all major farm shows.

THOUSANDS OF FUllY SEARCHABlE AG PRODUCT AND SERVICE lISTINGS: WWW.FARMERSPRODUCTGUIDE.COM