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IN THIS ISSUE:

KAP MANITOBA FARMERS' VOICE MAGAZINE

WINTER 2014 EDITION

The Official Publication of Keystone Agricultural Producers

MEMBER PROFILE

LORNE AND DEBBIE ROSSNAGEL

Making environmental stewardship a major focus on their farm

PLUS: KAP HIGHLIGHTS

Grain transportation · UPOV · BiosecurityTHIS QUARTER · Safety inspections More success on grain drying inspections

December 11, 2014

SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | Vol. 72, No. 50

CDs struggling with core funding cut MCDA fears losing RM support too By Lorraine Stevenson co-operator staff

rovincial funding cuts to Manitoba’s conservation districts have prompted some municipalities to reconsider their support as well, the board chair of Manitoba Conservation Districts Association says. Speaking at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities convention during a bear pit session with provincial cabinet ministers, Heather Dalgleish said the program lost roughly 12 per cent of its core funding since 2013. That’s resulted in some municipalities, which aren’t receiving the matched 3:1 funding they’ve expected from the province, rethinking their own contributions. “It’s becoming contentious,” said Dalgleish, adding that a strategic review of conservation districts undertook earlier this fall shows some municipalities may withdraw their contributions altogether. “I’m afraid, we do have a couple of conservation districts that are very, very concerned that they’re going to have RMs withdraw from the program,” she said. The issue becomes even more critical as new leaders with dif-

$1.75

manitobacooperator.ca

Saskatchewan coalition lays out plan for grain transportation reform Its submission to the Canadian Transportation Act Review Panel contains nine recommendations, including protecting producer cars and market transparency

See FUNDING CUT on page 7 »

PHOTO: ALLAN DAWSON

By Allan Dawson co-operator staff

Publication Mail Agreement 40069240

coalition of Saskatchewan farm groups says western Canadian farmers lost an estimated $3.1 billion last crop year and could lose $2 billion this crop year because of a broken transportation logistics. The coalition formed by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, the barley and wheat development commissions and Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) submitted nine recommendation to the Canadian

Transportation Agency last week in a bid to improve how the system works for farmers. “Major adjustments need to be made to ensure farmers are treated fairly in a transparent environment with longterm commitment,” APAS president Norm Hall said in a Dec. 1 news release. “The coalition hopes that other organizations and individuals will respond to the call for submissions (before the Dec. 31 deadline.” Its recommendations are based on four objectives — fostering competition, increasing market transparency,

being positioned for future growth and ensuring producers have a voice in the transportation system. The recommendations call for a full review of railway grain-moving costs before adjusting the maximum revenue entitlement program, a higher priority placed on producer cars and for the creation of a rail operations oversight group that includes farmers. The coalition says in its submission the billions of dollars farmers lost due to delayed grain movement in 2013-14 See TRANSPORTATION on page 6 »

TRANSPORTATION: CUT THE CAP, ECONOMIST SAYS » PAGE 29

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

INSIDE

Did you know?

LIVESTOCK

Swedish Merlot, anyone? Warmer world boosts Nordic tipples

Handle with care Using corn to cut forage costs can lead to acidosis

CROPS

Vineyards are where people expect polar bears, grower says By Alister Doyle and Alistair Scrutton gvarv, norway/blaxsta, sweden/ reuters

The controversy continues One GM seed is all it takes to ruin a shipment

FEATURE Image issues The NFU considers a new look

CROSSROADS The cold hard truth Most Manitobans aren’t prepared for winter travel

n one of the world’s northernmost frontiers, grapevines are growing on hillsides and talk among farmers is about “terroir” and “aroma” as global warming and new technology push the boundaries of wine growing. “Maybe a touch of raspberry?” opined Wenche Hvattum, one of two farmers at the Lerkekasa vineyard west of Oslo — on the same latitude as Siberia, southern Greenland or Alaska — debating aromas in the ruby-red juice from their freshly pressed grapes. “This is good. I’d say a hint of blackcurrant,” said her husband, Joar Saettem. Such talk would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, but warmer temperatures and new, cold-resistant vines are helping push wine production into Nordic countries in a rare positive spinoff from climate change. In Blaxsta winery near Stockholm — a farm farther north than Aberdeen or Moscow — Goran Amnegard has won international awards for his ice wine based on the Vidal grape. He sells some 3,000 bottles a year to customers as far afield as Hong Kong, and proudly shows off his red Merlot wine and white Chardonnay. “There is this myth about the cold weather here, the moose and the polar bears,” said Amnegard. “We have had more or less Mediterranean summers.” Blaxsta won a gold at the World Wine Cup in 2012 for its 2009 Vidal Ice Wine. Financial Times

Grapes hang on a vine during harvest at the Lerkekasa vineyard in Norway, one of the world’s northernmost wine producers, September 25, 2014. Warmer temperatures and new, cold-resistant vines are helping push wine production into Nordic countries. Photo: REUTERS/Alister Doyle

wine critic Jancis Robinson gave it a “distinguished” 16.5 points out of a maximum 20. “The tendency is... the climate is going to be warmer summers and colder winters. That seems to be the way it is heading and that will benefit us,” Amnegard said. Crops grow better in the Nordic region than at similar latitudes elsewhere because the sea is warmed by the Gulf Stream current. A comparable latitude in the Southern Hemisphere would be far south of New Zealand, towards Antarctica. A generation ago, the northernmost frontier for vineyards was Britain. Nowadays, the title of the world’s most northerly vineyard is a moving target.

32 READER’S PHOTO

4 5 8 10

Editorials Comments What’s Up Livestock Markets

Grain Markets Weather Vane Classifieds Sudoku

11 16 22 26

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

OYF 2014 national recognition goes to Manitoba farm couple The Krahns of Carman are one of two farm couples to earn Outstanding Young Farmer recognition in 2014 By Lorraine Stevenson

“We want to be continually more productive with what we have.”

CO-OPERATOR STAFF

Manitoba farm couple that built a seed-retailing business on their Carman-area farm have been named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2014. Myron and Jill Krahn, who grow 3,000 acres of grains, oilseeds and special crops and started a seed dealership five years ago, were presented with the national award along with potato producers Andrew and Heidi Lawless of P.E.I. For 34 years the Canada-wide competition has presented the award to two farm couples under age 40 judged on the basis of progress made in their farming career. Each year, one couple from seven regional events is sent to the national competition. Judges told the Krahns it was their combined passion for farming and participation in community life that impressed them. The couple took over Myron’s parents’ farm near Carman in 2003 and today grow corn, soybeans, canola, and cereal grains. They also produce seed for native grasses, cereal grains and soybeans. In 2009, they began their seed dealer-

MYRON KRAHN

Myron and Jill Krahn, along with daughters Cadence and Keira.

ship for corn seed, later adding soybean and cereal seed to the offering, plus an on-site seedtreating system to complement the growing business. “We want to be continually more productive with what we have,” Myron Krahn said. “The vision we’ve set for ourselves at this point in our career

Homegrown conservation since 1986.

PHOTO: COURTESY

is to continue growing the farm to increase profitability. A big part of our focus right now is our seed-retailing business. ” The couple has two daughters, Cadence, 10, and Keira, eight, and place a high priority on attending, volunteering and sponsoring community events. Myron chairs the Manitoba

Corn Growers Association and is a director on the Pembina Consumers Co-op board. Krahn said the message OYF participants hope this program sends to all young farmers is to have plans, set goals, stay focused, and persevere. “There’s going to be ups and downs, absolutely, but if you’re young and have a passion for it, you’ll stick through those times because you know that there’s potential,” he said. Eligible nominees for the OYF program must derive a minimum of two-thirds of their income from their farm operations. Other national participants in the 2014 event held in Quebec City in late November included dairy and cash crop producers Jason and Amanda O’Connell of Carleton Place, Ontario, dairy and pork producers Bruno Soucy and Hélène St-Pierre of Saint-Édouard-de-Lotbinière,

Quebec, mixed cattle and grain farmers Aaron and Adrienne Ivey of Ituna, Saskatchewan, dairy producers Richard and Nicole Brousseau of St. Paul, Alberta and mixed vegetable producer Lydia Ryall, of Delta, B.C. Seven farm couples from Manitoba have now been recognized as outstanding Canadian farmers. Grant and Colleen Dyck of Niverville were national winners in 2009 as were Melvin and Elaine Penner of Altona in 1997, David and Lori Faurschou of Portage la Prairie in 1995, Don and Diane Guilford of Clearwater in 1989 and David and Judith Jeffries of Portage la Prairie in 1988. Glen and Marilyn Gurr of Alexander were honoured as national winners at the OYF’s inaugural event in 1980. The program is maintained by the continued participation of alumni and sponsorship from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Bayer CropScience, CIBC and John Deere Limited. The program’s national media sponsor is Annex Media. It is also suppor ted nationally by AdFarm, BDO and Farm Management Canada. lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

WETLAND RESTORATION

Opportunities for Landowners Program Highlights: Financial incentives for the landowner No minimum size requirements Term or permanent agreement options

Contact MHHC to discuss your wetland restoration options: Boissevain Brandon Minnedosa

204.305.0276 204.729.3501 204.867.6032

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Reston Shoal Lake Winnipeg

204.821.4943 204.759.4220 204.784.4350

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

OPINION/EDITORIAL

The real deal to watch

here has been quite the media hullabaloo lately over rumours that a large multinational based in the U.S. might be closing in on a deal with CWB, the much abbreviated version of the former Canadian Wheat Board. Whether this rumoured deal is a partnership or acquisition depends on who’s talking, but in reality, it doesn’t much matter. Laura Rance If you are a farmer trying to sell grain Editor produced on the Canadian Prairies, what’s more important: having another globally competitive company — and we might add a major processor/customer — vying for your grain, or another undercapitalized player waving the Canadian flag? Partnering with a major processor that has an interest in tapping into the Canadian brand creates some interesting opportunities for wheat farmers, including the potential for a direct route into value-added premiums. The problem with the recent FNA bid to buy CWB outright, a proposal that has apparently been rejected, was that there was a small likelihood a company financed primarily by farmer shareholders could succeed on its own over the long term. Likewise for the NFU’s appeal to the Prairie provincial governments to buy the company. The Prairie provinces have no interest in being in the grain business, even temporarily. The only capacity in which governments belong in the grain business is regulatory. If farmers — including FNA members — are truly interested in maintaining CWB as a Canadian institution, they can be investing in that notion right now at the rate of $5 for every tonne they deliver. Our hunch is that farmer activity in that department has been on the dark side of anemic. While there is no doubt political mileage to be gained from the optics around “giving away” assets, the value of the previous Canadian Wheat Board to Prairie farmers wasn’t in its hard assets. The building in downtown Winnipeg, Mission Terminals, two lakers, rail cars and grain terminals under construction are indeed assets and they no doubt have value, but they are also leveraged. Any buyer will take on a lot of debt. The real value of the CWB was in its single desk and the role the former board played in grain transportation and logistics. Those assets, albeit intangible and difficult to measure, weren’t given away, they were taken away through legislation. And truth be told, most farmers see more value in their new freedom to manage their grain assets the way they see fit than they did in the single desk and price pooling. The problem is that the value is so far only theoretical. Other companies may have been able to take on the board’s role as marketer, but nothing has taken over its other role in co-ordinating and disciplining deliveries into the supply chain. For example, it is unlikely that basis levels would have been as wide as they were last winter under the previous marketing regime because the board’s contract system only allowed farmers to deliver as elevatror space became available. Under the open market, farmers can — theoretically — sell their whole crop all at once, but when enough try, the result is a wider basis and a lower price at the elevator. As farmers know, last year that basis got extremely wide. Last week a coalition of Saskatchewan commodity groups published an analysis that put the cost of last year’s transportation system meltdown at $3.1 billion, with potential for another $2 billion for the current shipping year. The coalition presented a series of recommendations to the Canadian Transportation Agency review panel that are built around four principles fundamental to a properly functioning system: fostering more competition, market transparency, positioning the system for growth and better representation for producers’ interests. These are the core issues that deserve farmers’ attention, not who winds up running another little grain company. If Prairie farmers want to get their knickers in a knot over a headline, it should be the likes of this one: “Landlocked Central Asia gets shorter railway link to Persian Gulf,” on a Reuters story about three countries co-operating on a brand-spanking-new 925-km stretch of railway, linking the landlocked post-Soviet region and the countries lying along the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf (see Page 7). Marketing freedom is meaningless without market information and access. Likewise for trade deals if you can’t deliver the goods. Our competitors in the former Soviet Union have that figured out. Canada is in danger of literally missing the boat. laura@fbcpublishing.com

CWB responds to the speculation The company emphasizes it is not being sold or given away By Dayna Spiring

ollowing changes to the Canadian Wheat Board Act in 2012 by the federal government, CWB has always stated its intention to build a strong and viable CWB in the open market. CWB wants to provide farmers with greater choice, increased competition resulting in better prices, secure access to new markets and customers, and the ability for farmers to pool their grain with a company that they know and trust. Recently there has been some speculation and inaccuracies regarding CWB’s future and our commercialization plans. We understand that CWB is in a unique position and will address some of the questions that have arisen without jeopardizing our business and putting our farmers-customers or potential investors in an unfair competitive position. Part of our dilemma is that when the monopoly ended and CWB moved into an open-market environment, CWB needed to begin to transition into the same operating conditions as that of our competition. As everyone knows other grain companies are not required to release any confidential commercial information that would disadvantage their operations. In accordance with the act, CWB was tasked with providing a commercialization plan to the government by 2016 and executing on that plan by 2017. CWB has always said it intended to beat those legislated deadlines. For the past

two years, CWB has been building a network of assets and is on the path towards commercialization. CWB’s growth strategy requires significant capital. To that end, CWB and its professional advisers have embarked on a rigorous process of looking for a strategic partner that meets a number of criteria, including experience in grain handling, industry expertise and enough capital to continue to expand CWB’s strategic network of grain-handling assets. It is also critically important that an investor support the idea of western Canadian farmers being provided an opportunity for ownership in CWB going forward. CWB is currently involved in a commercial process and has engaged expert advisers to assist us. At this time it is inappropriate and in fact detrimental to the process to confirm or deny which companies are interested in partnering with us until we have concluded our due diligence. However, we can say that any bids rejected to date were evaluated by CWB and our advisers using the rigorous criteria listed above. If bids were rejected it was because they did not meet the requirements. Our objectives are to develop a strong and viable grain-handling company in Canada that can compete with the best in the business and to give farmers an opportunity to have an ownership stake. CWB is not being sold or given away. We are securing an investor to partner with farmers to ensure there is a strong and viable CWB for today and the next generation. Dayna Spiring is chief strategy officer for CWB

OUR HISTORY:

December 1962

his ad for Double-Duty Eggshell-maker appeared in our December issues in 1962. Readers of a certain age may recall the product also being advertised on radio, with a jingle that went “Cluck, cluck, save a buck… for better eggshells, why trust to luck?” A Dec. 6 story reported that Interlake cattlemen were going to Alberta to obtain goodquality foundation herds. “We are getting better-quality heifers, cheaper,” said G.H. Gunnarson of Arborg. He said that he and a neighbour had bought 68 heifer calves at just about $100 each, while similar cattle would sell for $130 to $150 locally. Alongside was a story quoting the head of the Canada Department of Agriculture’s poultry division as saying that while still in the novelty category, 100-pound turkeys were here to stay. The birds were reportedly being developed in southern California. Canada had made the first sale of wheat to “Red China” a year earlier, and in our Dec. 12 issue, we reported that Agriculture Minister Alvin Hamilton told the Farmers Union of Alberta convention that there was too much propaganda being waged against the government for the sale. He said most was coming from Formosa (Taiwan). Hamilton had also announced a proposal for a grazing tax of one cent per day per head in community pastures, and said that 80 new pastures were planned for the next year.

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

COMMENT/FEEDBACK

Everything old is new again A wounded old rail gets ‘repurposed’ into an anvil By Les McEwan

Letters

armers must be the original recyclers. Everyone has that pile of junk out behind the shed that gets scrounged through when an unobtainable part breaks at 4 o’clock Friday night on a long weekend. In this case, the culprit was much closer, under my feet at the welding bench. The object of my current desire was a rusty, bent and damaged section of rail that was given to me back in the ’70’s. In February of 1973, a train travelling down the Morris/Hartney line just past Deerwood encountered an unusually hard snowdrift. The front trucks on the lead engine derailed slightly but went unnoticed, marking every tie as the train sped westward towards Altamont. On the east side of Altamont, the train encountered a switch for the elevator turnout, and then things went terribly wrong. When the flying snow settled, the front engine was pointed south and headed for the field, the second engine was mired in a pile of rubble halfway through the middle of the switch, and a tangled row of empty boxcars was behind them. Work crews assembled, cranes were sent out and inevitably the mess was cleaned up. As a budding photographer, I was present to shoot the scene with my trusty 127mm German camera. Seeking a memento of the occasion, I was able to convince one of the section men to let me have a short section of the damaged track. Fast-forward 41 years and that p i e c e o f t ra c k w a s s t i l l a t m y feet, occasionally being used to straighten an errant piece of iron. My disdain for poorly built Chinese tools has given me a new appreciation for the blacksmithing technologies of old. In my research, I found out that a real anvil is not supposed to be used for pounding cold steel, and

Altamont train wreck, 1973. photos: les mcewan

Before and after of damaged rail.

that many amateur blacksmiths make their own anvils out of old pieces of railroad track. In the interests of saving our antique anvil (that once belonged to my grandfather) and still be able to fix broken machines, I decided to repurpose the wounded section of rail into a proper bench anvil. Well, “repurpose” is a very polite word for many the track received over a few days.

We welcome readers’ comments on issues that have been covered in the Manitoba Co-operator. In most cases we cannot accept “open” letters or copies of letters which have been sent to several publications. Letters are subject to editing for length or taste. We suggest a maximum of about 300 words. Please forward letters to Manitoba Co-operator, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1 or Fax: 204-954-1422 or email: news@fbcpublishing.com (subject: To the editor)

My f a t h e r h a d o n c e t o l d m e that the original rail that was laid through our farm in the 1870s was Birmingham steel. An old-timer with the section crew had told him that although the rail that replaced it in later years was taller and heavier looking, that the original rail was probably just as strong. About an hour into trying to cut it with a 14-inch cut-off wheel, I was tempted to agree with him.

Democracy, accountability worth the cost Interim Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association chair Don Dewar expressed surprise in the opinion piece Dec. 4 “Money saved on elections goes into research” at Ian Robson’s call for mail-in ballot director elections, and stated that no one else had requested this. I suggest that is because farmers expected that a mail-in ballot was a given for a province-wide organization with a large membership. Governance practices of the Manitoba Canola Growers, former Canadian Wheat Board, recently constituted Saskatchewan Wheat and Barley commissions and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers make mail-in balloting the expectation, rather than the exception. Having the MWBGA annual meeting voting process presented as fait accompli was the surprise. Critics may point to low voter response to mail-in ballots, (10 per cent range for MCGA, sometimes over 50 per cent for CWB if memory serves). But it’s a safe bet that less than one per cent of eligible farmers will be electing MWBGA directors at annual meetings, and that voters in the far corners of the province will always be disadvantaged in terms of cost and convenience in exercising their franchise.

After giving up on the cut-off wheel, I decided to rough out my shape with an acetylene torch. That worked very well until I ran out of acetylene, so it was back to the grinders. Four angle-grinder discs and an eight-inch bench grinder with no wheel left later, I was getting happy with the result. The ultimate test for an anvil is rebound. I used a steel ball bearing and a ruler to drop the bearing from a height of 10 inches onto the anvil surface. High-end anvils will rebound up to 90 per cent, or nine inches. Our Peter Wright anvil that was imported from England 100 years ago rebounds at about 75 per cent. My homemade version had variations in it, but averaged around 50 to 65 per cent, so I was very happy with it. Not bad for an old piece of junk that needed a new purpose. Les McEwan farms near Altamont, Man.

If minimizing the cost of elections was the most important goal then the organization need not exist at all and a committee of experts could dole out the research funds. However, substantial farmer dollars will be collected and spent in one of the few areas of our business where we can still have some control. Farmers expect to determine who will make those decisions and deserve an accessible and equitable director election process, recognizing it comes with a cost. The process now entrenched by the interim board doesn’t make the grade. Bill Nicholson Shoal Lake, Man.

Reduce flooding with trees When a person drives from Ontario to the Alberta/ British Columbia border, you see vast open fields. I would think that an initial flood solution could be to replant specific trees such as the “cotoneaster hedge” as well as “poplars” that would serve as a windbreak as well as diminishing the fast snowmelt in the spring. There are many produce-bearing trees that would serve as an additional income. When there are vast open fields, once a melt starts, it quickly expands. Allan Peterson Winnipeg, Man.

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

FROM PAGE ONE TRANSPORTATION Continued from page 1

is based on a report prepared by University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist Richard Gray. Western farmers received $135 a tonne less than they should have based on a comparison of elevator and port prices. The coalition says for an open market to function it must be more transparent. American farmers have a lot more access to grain pricing and rail movement information. The Canadian transportation system is not working for farmers, the coalition says. “This has jeopardized producer profitability and lowered the prospects of sector growth,” the coalition’s submission says.

“Major adjustments need to be made to ensure farmers are treated fairly in a transparent environment with long-term commitment.”

Cutline copy words description add en space for credit. photo by joe bloe

CONTEST

Contest Categories: Open to ages 9-11 in the Junior category ~ Ages 12-14 in the Intermediate category ~ Ages 15-25 in the Senior/Adult category. *Ages 6-8 in the Cloverbud category can submit a colouring activity sheet or photo collage.

Criteria: We are looking for a written, one page, short story about weather, the environment, or experience you have had that impacts you. A few examples might be a severe weather event like flooding, heavy rains, hail, a snow storm…even how the weather may have affected and/or benefited your farm, or business, even your 4-H Achievement. Include pictures if you like. You are going to need to do a little bit of research folks! All stories must conclude with a tie-in to the CoCoRaHS program. Visit www.cocorahs.org/canada to find information, watch the video http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=eXHM-v_2H8I and then tell us how using a rain gauge and contributing to weather monitoring can benefit you or your community, or farmers, flood & drought forecasters, meteorologists, or conservation, and so much more!

Prizing: There will be a 1st place winner picked for each category: Junior, Intermediate & Senior/Adult. The winner will receive a $ 150 cash prize (pre-paid Visa card), and their story will be published in the Manitoba Co-operator in the Jan 8th, 2015 Issue…just in time for pick up at the Ag Days Show in Brandon! 2nd & 3rd place contestants in the older categories, and Cloverbud winners, will receive items from the 4-H Manitoba Store.

Submission Details: Please email submissions to 4-H Manitoba at 4hassist@ 4h.mb.ca with the contest name “Weather You Like It or Not It Matters” in the Subject line, your age category, full name and contact information. *Cloverbuds can access and print off their colouring sheet at: www.4h.mb.ca or by email request to: manitoba@cocorahs. org. Please mail them to: Manitoba 4-H Council, 1129 Queens Avenue, Brandon MB, R7A 1L9 Contest will open for submissions starting Thursday Oct 30th, 2014, and closes by Noon on Dec 18th, 2014. Submissions will be reviewed during the school break. Winners will be announced and published in the Manitoba Co-operator on Jan 8th, 2015. For more details please contact Tiffiny Taylor at 204-228-0842 or email: manitoba@cocorahs.org

http://www.cocorahs.org/CanadianApplication.aspx

8) Producer Cars It is recommended that the CTA Review Panel ensure that the unique requirements of producer car shippers and short line railways in the transportation system are recognized and accommodated within the legislative framework.

3) Information Requirements It i s re c o m m e n d e d t h a t t h e C TA a n d / o r o t h e r l e g islation be amended to p r ov i d e m a n d a t o r y i n f o rmation reporting for the g ra i n - h a n d l i n g a n d t ra n s portation system to function effectively.

9) Rail Abandonment Process It is recommended that the Canadian Transportation Agency be empowered to investigate and rule on a railway’s genuine ‘operational interest’ in underserviced and unused rail lines in which other parties have expressed an interest. It is further recommended that if a genuine operational interest is not confirmed, that these lines go through the decommissioning process and be put up for commercial sale. The coalition’s submission is available at http://myrm.ca/ apas/files/2014/05/CTA-JointProducer-Group-SubmissionDec-2-2014.pdf.

4) Rail Oversight It is recommended that the CTA create a rail oversight group that includes agricultural producer representation, to assess ongoing operations of the railways. 5) Arbitration Process It i s re c o m m e n d e d t h a t t h e C TA c re a t e a re s p o n sive and meaningful dispute resolution mechanism that can resolve rate and service issues quickly and efficiently.

allan@fbcpublishing.com

WESTERN MANITOBA REPORTER — MANITOBA CO-OPERATOR — The Manitoba Co-operator, an award-winning weekly publication serving the province’s farmers, is looking for a reporter to fill a position in western Manitoba. We are looking for a self-starter, preferably with a background in agriculture, who enjoys venturing off the beaten path and has strong writing, reporting and storytelling skills. He or she must be capable of working independently from a home office, develop and maintain reliable contacts in the agricultural community and produce accurate, lively copy for both print and online. Photography skills are a prerequisite. Video skills would be an asset. Please email applications, including samples of previous work. Laura Rance, editor laura@fbcpublishing.com

Not a buyer »

Canada’s outbreak

provided clues

POOR WEATHE R= LOWER QUA LITY

Some say it’s positive, some say no change » Pg 15

» Pg 14

Soybeans and

Pg 7

MANITOBACOO

SERVING MANITOBA

NOVEMBER

U.S. ELECTION IMPACT ON COOL

SOLVING THE PED PUZZLE

CWB WANTS A PARTNER

6, 2014

KAP calls for mandatory g price reportin Farmers need information

By Allan Dawson CO-OPERATOR STAFF

/PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE

finding the armers are marketing promise of hollow in freedom rings of enough price the absence make informed to information ral decisions. Agricultu Keystone is calling on Producers (KAP) provincial governfederal and mandatory ments to implement on agricultural price reportingsimilar to what commodities, exists in the U.S. given the right “We’ve been choice to marto freedom and wherever we ket our grain

See PRICE REPORTING

FARMERS

NO. 45 | VOL. 72, SINCE 1925

PERATOR.CA

companies Farmers, grain government to ral want the fede ay shipping targets yet made a decision continue railw Ritz’s office says

he and the transport

NOVEMBER

$1.75

minister haven’t

when combined was smaller, but of This year’s crop is still a mountain carry-over, there the with last year’s this pile outside as evidenced by outskirts. grain to move, terminal on Winnipeg’s HOSSACK Paterson Grain PHOTO: KATHLYN

lentil yields

are up, but prices

may not be

SERVING MANITOBA

THE NEVER-E

FARMERS

SINCE 1925 | VOL. 72, NO. 46

$1.75

MANITOBACOO

PERATOR.CA

NDING STORY

One is deciding if farmers should own their own plant-breeding company By Allan Dawson

CO-OPERATOR

STAFF

here are two press ing issues t h e We s t’s new provincial wheat and barle y need to a organizations ddress so on, a Manitoba consultant working for the Manitoba Barley Growers Wheat and (MWBGA) says. Association One is prepare for the July 17, 2017 end of the temporary western Canadian barley checkoff wheat and for funding See NEW ORGS

on page 6 »

With corn and sunflowers still in the fields The growing season has been complicated,and flurries beginning to dance in the to say the least. But for most farmers,air, harvest is now into its fourth month in Manitoba. at least it’s over. PHOTO: JEANNETTE

GREAVES

We’re No. 1 in pedigreed seed acres

on page 7 »

Manitoba has far fewer crop acres than Saskatchew for soybeans has pushed Manitoba’s an and pedigreed acreage Alberta, but the growing demand to the top STAFF “It’s

By Allan Dawson

CO-OPERATOR

very exciting,” ident Eric McLean MSGA pres- greed acreage was said t’s unlikely slightly Manitoba Seed an interview from his Nov. 8 in higher at 330,648, beating seed acres in Manitoba Growers Association farm near Oak River. Saskatchewan this year, (MSGA) accounting for members will for top spot “Because soybeans 40 per cent. less than a be doing a happy dance Wheat was second section — just by expanded and wheat and or celebrating acres. 608 acres, barley acres kids winning like tracted representing with 97,359 a hockey champi31 per cent of in Saskatchewan conWhat makes Manitoba’s seed onship, but Manitoba the feat stand Alberta, coupled and acres. out is No. 1 — with some bad is that Manitoba has and for the second Ryegrass and weather that around 12 million acres afflicted southeast third and fourth alfalfa were Manitoba had year in a row. of cropland Saskatchewan at 14,815 and pared with around com- 13,089 or different acres of pedigreedmore inspected of Alberta, acres — double areas Saskatchewan 38 million seed than any we have happened the pedother province and 34 million in igreed barley acres. get ahead.” to Alberta. Manitoba’s in pedigreed — thanks mainlyin 2014 and 2013 wheat Manitoba had to soybeans. In 2014, pedigreed Alberta’s at 68,003,acres exceeded 311,190 acres The figures, of inspected as of Oct. 31, but were lower pedigreed seed accounted for almostseed acres than Saskatchewan’s presented to were in 2014, three per the cent compared to Seed Growers Interprovincial in Alberta Manitoba grew 114,616. 279,331 tion of Manitoba’s crop producmeeting in versus and 276,310 hybrid canola no pedigreed Winnipeg Nov. Saskatchewan. in and Alberta’sSaskatchewan’s 0.73 in 2014. Most 7. of it is produced 1.2 per cent. Last year, Manitoba’s in At 123,061 acres, pedigreed Alberta on irrigated southern pedi- soybeans land. This made up the most

decision in will make a Agency) and to end the regulated due course.” Producers ment was preparing end. Keystone Agricultural Grain Elevator volumes by month’s quoted Ritz as say- (KAP) and the Western for the retenBy Allan Dawson LA PRAIRIE Oct. 28 Reuters of grain in (WGEA) called avoid a sudden pileup CO-OPERATOR STAFF/PORTAGE order, Association thresholds to ing barring a the shipping tion of shippingyear’s grain-shipping and grain companies the next five weeks29, would be lifted. of last arm groups Ritz’s repeat expires Nov. their grain transporsaid last week far from over as the which an email from backlog. oppose the government However, in official said: “Minister tation woes are considers whether The railways an has March 7 requiring office Oct. 31 of grain that no decision order introduced movement federal government 500,000 tonnes to volume Ritz has stated lift minimum them to move with respect to keep or railways. 31, been made The ministers of transon page 6 » orders for the See RAIL SHIPPING statement Oct. will receive advice office requirements. In an emailed Gerry Ritz’s port and agriculture Transportation Agriculture Minister from a news story from the CTA (Canadian the governappeared to backtrack week saying earlier in the

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Immediate priorities identified for new wheat and barley organizations

40069240

Hey 4-H’ers!

We are calling upon 4-H youth members & citizen scientists alike to submit an exciting short story or experience you’ve had with weather. If you can tie that in with the importance of “en-gauging” in the CoCoRaHS program (those details below), then you may be eligible for a cash prize and have your story published in the Manitoba Co-operator, along with 4-H’s eZine & The Banner.

7) Small Shippers It is recommended that changes to the Canada Transportation Act support small shipper innovation, diversification and investment.

2) Maximum Grain Revenue Entitlement It is recommended that in their consideration of the CTA, that a commitment is needed from the federal government that the maximum revenue entitlement will stay in place to ensure fair comp e n s a t i o n t o ra i l w a y s f o r hauling grain.

Mail Agreement

WEATHER You Like It or Not… It Matters!

6) Running Rights It is recommended that the CTA Review Panel establish provisions to enhance the use of running right provisions in Section 138 of the CTA.

Publication

COCORAHS, 4-H MANITOBA & THE MANITOBA CO-OPERATOR PRESENT…

1) Costing Review It is recommended that the CTA Review Panel call for the completion of a formal costing review and adjust the maximum revenue entitlement accordingly.

Agreement 40069240

Norm Hall

“ We h a ve c o n c e r n s t h a t over time the railways and grain companies will reduce their access to the infrastructure and remove this competitive tool for farmers,” the coalition says. The coalition’s recommendations are as follows:

Publication Mail

“We have neither effective competition nor regulation that can give us an effective voice and fair treatment.” The coalition also fears that despite the federal g o v e r n m e n t ’s p r o m i s e s , producer cars are not protected.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

Landlocked Central Asia gets shorter railway link to Persian Gulf The new route will enhance exports of natural gas, grain and textiles By Marat Gurt ak yayla, turkmenistan / reuters

urkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Iran inaugurated a new railway route Dec. 3 that will improve resource-rich Central Asia’s access to markets in the Middle East and South Asia. The 925-km (578-mile) s t r e t c h o f r a i l w a y, b u i l t jointly by the three Caspian neighbours, will ease the exchange of goods between the landlocked post-Soviet re g i o n a n d t h e c o u n t r i e s lying along the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. It will also accelerate shipments of goods between the Persian Gulf and South Asia on the one hand and Russia and Europe on the other. “ These are just our first s t e p s ,” I r a n i a n P r e s i d e n t Hassan Rouhani told a cere m o n y i n Tu r k m e n i s t a n which marked the end of the building of the final Turkmen-Iranian link of the new route, stretching from Uzen in western Kazakhstan to Gorgan in Iran. “This (link) will cut trade costs and make trade more efficient.” Rouhani, accompanied by his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev and Turkmenistan’s Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, symbolically bolted up the railway’s final link with wrenches. The initial carrying capacity of the new railway route of five million tonnes of cargo a year is set to rise to 20 million tonnes annually in 2020. “I am confident that this new route will create new geopolitical and new geoeconomic opportunities for t h e re g i o n’s d e ve l o p m e n t , as well as for our nations,” Berdymukhamedov said. Tu rk m e n i s t a n , h o l d e r o f t h e w o r l d’s f o u r t h - l a r g e s t reserves of natural gas, hopes to ship textiles and products of its nascent gas-processing industry along the new route, consistent with its strategy of economic diversification. Oil-rich Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest econo m y a n d g r a i n p r o d u c e r, plans to boost exports of wheat to Iran and other markets of the region. The constr uction of this railway link, the cost of which was not disclosed, was started in 2009. A source with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified, estimated the cost of the construction at $2 billion. The Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank helped to finance the project.

FUNDING CUT Continued from page 1

ferent priorities take their seats around newly configured municipal councils, she added. Dalgleish acknowledged the MCDA does have access to about $750,000, or roughly the amount equivalent to their funding cut through Growing Forward II program funds. But that cash is funding for specific projects that must be pre-approved, not core funding, she said. “Minister MacIntosh and MAFRD and the agriculture minister worked very hard for the C.D.s and we did gain back that $750,000 in monies... but it is specific application-based money,” said Dalgleish. “Our complaint is the core funding cuts.” During the AMM’s bear pit session, Dalgleish pointedly reminded Premier Greg Selinger of its surface water management strategy, asking how it can at the same time claw back funding to a program focused in water

management and flood risk reduction. “D o e s t h e p r ov i n c e o f Manitoba not realize that every small dam and water retention project that we do is, in fact, flood mitigation?” she said. “Yet our hands are being tied to move forward on even one of these projects.” Selinger replied that the province does recognize their work as an essential part of the surface water management strategy, but urged Dalgleish to refer the specifics of the program’s funding difficulties to Conservation Minister Gord MacIntosh. Dalgleish said later in an interview that the minister knows they need their core funding restored, and they’d have it if the conservation minister did. “Our concern is when they’re in budget negotiations within the province, the rest of the ministers do not understand the value of what we are actually doing,” she said.

“Does the province of Manitoba not realize that every small dam and water retention project that we do is, in fact, flood mitigation? Yet our hands are being tied to move forward on even one of these projects.” Heather Dalgleish MCDA chair

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

Landowners opposed to Manitoba Hydro Bipole III vulnerable to expropriation Members of landowner committee say Manitoba Hydro is misleading the public By Meghan Mast CO-OPERATOR STAFF

a n i t o b a H y d r o ’s efforts to lock up land required for the Bipole III power line continues to be embroiled in controversy. While Hydro says it has secured 90 per cent of the land it needs to begin building the 1,400-km project, those opposed to the line say these numbers are misleading because many landowners signed away their land under duress. Recently Manitoba Hydro announced it is close to securing the land needed to begin construction of the Bipole III transmission line and, according to their media spokesman, are getting closer every day. “We’ve been averaging about six sign-ups per week since the beginning of October,” said Scott Powell, public affairs officer with Manitoba Hydro. Members of the Manitoba Bipole III landowner committee, representing 120 landowners, says Hydro is being disingenuous with the facts. While Hydro says it has secured 90 per cent of the route, a large part of that — over 60 per cent — is Crown land. The utility has actually secured 60 per cent of the private land needed under voluntary easement agreements. Jurgen Kohler, from the Manitoba Bipole III landowner committee, representing 120 landowners, does not parse words when talking about the negotiation process, or, according to him, the lack thereof.

“Our preference, obviously, is that we would reach voluntary easement agreements with all landowners.” SCOTT POWELL

“Not only is Manitoba Hydro not listening to our concerns, but it is also misleading the general public,” he said. Powell said since 2012 they have sent out seven different letters to landowners. It undertook four rounds of public engagement and held several stakeholder meetings, open houses and set up landowner information sessions. In October, Manitoba Hydro met with the Canadian Association of Energy and Pipeline Landowner associations (CAEPLA), a group hired to represent the interests of the landowner committee. “That meeting was simply an attempt to get the process going,” Kohler said. He calls the threats of expropriation nothing more than “bullying.” Hydro has said it will begin expropriating land from the holdouts. In those cases, the compensation is determined by the Land Value Appraisal Commission (LVAC) of Manitoba. Powell said landowners will be receiving individual notifications in the next month. “Expropriation was used in the past on floodway projects, road projects, any long linear project,” said Powell. “It’s not uncommon to have expropriation as part of the process of securing a route.

“Our preference, obviously, is that we would reach voluntary easement agreements with all landowners.” Vo l u n t a r y a g r e e m e n t s include a single payment of 150 per cent of the market value of the land, construction damage compensation, structural-impact compensation for each tower, and ancillary damage compensation if property is damaged during land use. So far, according to Hydro, as of November 21, 258 landowners have signed and Hydro is in conversation with an additional 79. That leaves approximately 120 to 150 landowners, primarily on agricultural land in the south of the province, currently opposed to the construction. This project has been controversial amongst farmers who are concerned the line will damage infrastructure and interfere with agricultural practices. “There’s huge liability issues,” Kohler said. He’s concerned some of his most productive farmland will be negatively impacted. He will have to steer clear of the hydro poles with his heavy farm equipment. Aerial spraying, in wet seasons, may not be an option since operators

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refuse to go near Hydro towers and lines. Weed control is another concern for farmers. Weeds will be able to thrive in areas near the pole that farmers won’t be able to reach and treat. Landowners will be responsible for any noxious weeds that grow in these spaces. “We’re not here to stop Bipole III,” said Kohler. “We know it’s coming. We’re not against development. We know it’s coming so we’re going to try

and work with it but we want to minimize the impact on our farms. “We’re standing up for our property rights, for our family farms, for the future of our family farms, and we want an agreement that works for us. “So when my children farm and they have issues and ask, ‘Dad why did you sign this?’ then I can say, ‘well we did the best we could.’” meghan.mast@fbcpublishing.com

WHAT’S UP Please forward your agricultural events to daveb@fbcpublishing.com or call 204-944-5762. Dec. 10-11: Manitoba Seed Growers Association annual meeting, Keystone Centre, 1175-18th St., Brandon. For more info visit www. seedmanitoba.ca.

Feb. 23-24: Wild Oats Grainworld conference, Fairmont Winnipeg, 2 Lombard Place, Winnipeg. For more info call 1-800-567-5671 or visit www.wildoatsgrainworld.com.

Dec. 11: Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Ag Outlook 2015, 1:15 to 4:30 p.m., North Centennial Room, Victoria Inn, 1808 Wellington Ave., Winnipeg. For more info visit www.fcc-fac.ca.

Feb. 25-26: Manitoba Young Farmers Conference, Victoria Inn, 3550 Victoria Ave., Brandon. For more info visit www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/busi ness-and-economics/events-anddeadlines/young-farmers-conference. html or call 204-266-2930 or 204697-1140.

2015 Jan. 11-12: Manitoba Forage Seed Association annual conference, Victoria Inn, 1808 Wellington Ave., Winnipeg. For more info call Heather at 204-376-3309 or email hmcbey@ forageseed.net. Jan. 15: Southeast Beef and Forage Day, Vita. For more information call MAFRD’s Vita GO office at 204-4255050.

Feb. 26: Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Forum, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Keystone Centre, 1175-18th St., Brandon. For more info visit https://www.fcc-fac. ca/en/events.html.

Jan. 20-22: Manitoba Ag Days, Keystone Centre, 1175-18th St., Brandon. For more info visit www. agdays.com or call 204-866-4400.

March 1-3: Warming of the North: Implications for Arctic Transportation, Supply Chain Management and Economic Development, Ottawa Convention Centre, 55 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa. For more info visit http:// umanitoba.ca/faculties/manage ment/ti/.

Jan. 20-22: Red River Basin Land and Water International Summit Conference, Fort Garry Hotel, 222 Broadway, Winnipeg. For more info visit www. redriverbasincommission.org.

March 3-5: Canola Council of Canada convention, Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Ave., Banff, Alta. For more info visit http://convention.canolacouncil.org.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

CWB privatization attracts national attention The former wheat board responds in ‘open letter,’ while the NFU calls on the western provinces to buy the board’s assets until farmers can take control By Allan Dawson co-operator staff

aybe it was MP Pat Martin’s question to A g r i c u l t u re Mi n i s ter Gerry Ritz: “Has the minister lost his freaking mind?” or a recent Globe and Mail editorial, but CWB’s transition to a private grain company is getting lots of attention beyond the farm sector. So much so CWB issued an ‘open letter’ Dec. 5 to explain what it’s doing (see page 4) and the National Farmers Union (NFU) is asking the western provinces to buy and hold

CWB’s assets until farmers can take control. What fired up Martin, the NDP member from Winnipeg Centre, and the Globe, are rumours the federal government will give away CWB’s assets, possibly to an American grain company. Unlike Martin, the Globe and Mail supports the federal government’s decision to end the Canadian Wheat Board’s sales monopoly. But what the colourful MP and national newspaper do agree on is the government’s and CWB’s lack of transparency, including Ritz’s decision not to release CWB’s financial statements. “Given that CWB is a company

owned by Canadians, a creature of Parliament with its board and management appointed by the government, this can’t be justified,” the Globe said. “It’s CWB, not CSIS. It’s a business that markets grains. As long as it’s a public company, make its financials public. That way, if and when it is sold, Canadians will be able to judge whether they got value for money. This shouldn’t be hard for the government to understand.” The notion that the CWB is being given away probably stems from an Oct. 11 Winnipeg Free Press story that reported the money used to purchase CWB T:10.25” will remain with the new com-

pany providing additional working capital. CWB’s Dec. 5 letter says it needs a partner with a lot of capital and grain-handling experience. CWB also justifies keeping its financial information secret noting its competitors do too. Meanwhile, some farmers are afraid they will lose CWB’s assets, estimated by former wheat board directors at around $300 million, based on the board’s final public annual report. (CWB and Ritz say CWB assets belong to the government, not farmers.) The National Farmers Union is urging the western provinces, including British Columbia, to

purchase and hold them until a plan putting farmers in control is developed. “The federal government is preparing to confiscate millions of dollars’ worth of assets built up by the farmer-directed CWB and appears ready to turn them over to one of the same multinational grain companies the single-desk CWB successfully competed with in the world grain market until August 1, 2012,” Deleau farmer and NFU director Ian Robson said in a news release. “How did Minister Ritz develop this sinister plan to steal the farmers’ CWB assets?” allan@fbcpublishing.com

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

LIVESTOCK MARKETS Cattle Prices

Heifers

Alberta South $ 180.00 - 183.75 — 120.00 - 138.00 105.00 - 121.00 140.38 $ 222.00 - 236.00 230.00 - 244.00 244.00 - 259.00 256.00 - 275.00 281.00 - 306.00 306.00 - 339.00 $ 207.00 - 223.00 218.00 - 228.00 227.00 - 240.00 236.00 - 253.00 251.00 - 277.00 277.00 - 307.00

($/cwt) (1,000+ lbs.) (850+ lbs.)

(901+ lbs.) (801-900 lbs.) (701-800 lbs.) (601-700 lbs.) (501-600 lbs.) (401-500 lbs.) (901+ lbs.) (801-900 lbs.) (701-800 lbs.) (601-700 lbs.) (501-600 lbs.) (401-500 lbs.)

Futures (December 5, 2014) in U.S. Fed Cattle Close Change December 2014 166.45 -2.80 February 2015 166.97 -2.70 April 2015 166.45 -1.85 June 2015 159.90 -0.70 August 2015 157.32 0.27 October 2015 158.50 0.30

Feeder Cattle January 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 August 2015 September 2015

Cattle Slaughter

Ontario $ 159.74 - 192.59 156.34 - 180.67 82.33 - 121.05 82.33 - 121.05 109.37 - 139.50 $ 198.21 - 250.97 212.20 - 256.40 196.39 - 262.93 206.49 - 286.89 226.32 - 305.31 234.35 - 326.85 $ 178.71 - 216.92 200.87 - 227.31 189.26 - 235.27 179.52 - 257.72 188.31 - 269.21 201.17 - 279.90

Close 235.95 232.05 232.55 232.60 233.12 232.90

Change 5.45 2.70 2.60 2.65 2.60 2.40

Cattle Grades (Canada)

Week Ending Previous November 29, 2014 Year Canada 55,405 56,992 East 12,406 14,314 West 42,999 42,678 Manitoba N/A N/A U.S. 496,000 556,000

Prime AAA AA A B D E

Week Ending November 29, 2014 1,236 25,405 13,622 680 981 12,764 229

Previous Year 783 24,060 16,152 825 1,068 13,397 132

Hog Prices Source: Manitoba Agriculture

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

Current Week 192.00 E 179.00 E 182.32 185.69

Futures (December 5, 2014) in U.S. Hogs December 2014 February 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015

Last Week 190.67 177.49 181.78 184.33

Close 87.62 86.62 88.45 92.00 94.50

Last Year (Index 100) 168.12 157.33 159.08 160.30

Change -3.33 -2.93 -3.42 -2.70 -3.50

Other Market Prices Sheep and Lambs $/cwt Ewes Choice Lambs (110+ lb.) (95 - 109 lb.) (80 - 94 lb.) (Under 80 lb.) (New crop)

$1 Cdn: $0.8754 U.S. $1 U.S: $1.1423 Cdn.

COLUMN

(Friday to Thursday) December 5, 2014 Winnipeg Slaughter Cattle Steers — Heifers — D1, 2 Cows 118.00 - 125.00 D3 Cows 105.00 - 115.00 Bulls 135.00 - 148.00 Feeder Cattle (Price ranges for feeders refer to top-quality animals only) Steers (901+ lbs.) $ 180.00 - 205.00 (801-900 lbs.) 200.00 - 223.00 (701-800 lbs.) 210.00 - 248.00 (601-700 lbs.) 230.00 - 269.00 (501-600 lbs.) 280.00 - 308.00 (401-500 lbs.) 300.00 - 345.00 Heifers (901+ lbs.) 175.00 - 185.00 (801-900 lbs.) 190.00 - 208.00 (701-800 lbs.) 200.00 - 225.00 (601-700 lbs.) 220.00 - 264.50 (501-600 lbs.) 230.00 - 284.50 (401-500 lbs.) 265.00 - 290.00 Slaughter Cattle Grade A Steers Grade A Heifers D1, 2 Cows D3 Cows Bulls Steers

EXCHANGES: December 5, 2014

Winnipeg (545 Hd) Wooled Fats 75.00 - 95.00 — 175.00 - 203.00 190.00 - 200.00 200.00 - 210.00 —

Chickens Minimum broiler prices as of April 13, 2010 Under 1.2 kg................................... $1.5130 1.2 - 1.65 kg.................................... $1.3230 1.65 - 2.1 kg.................................... $1.3830 2.1 - 2.6 kg...................................... $1.3230

Turkeys Minimum prices as of December 7, 2014 Broiler Turkeys (6.2 kg or under, live weight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.925 Undergrade .............................. $1.835 Hen Turkeys (between 6.2 and 8.5 kg liveweight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.910 Undergrade .............................. $1.810 Light Tom/Heavy Hen Turkeys (between 8.5 and 10.8 kg liveweight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.910 Undergrade .............................. $1.810 Tom Turkeys (10.8 and 13.3 kg, live weight truck load average) Grade A..................................... $1.890 Undergrade............................... $1.805 Prices are quoted f.o.b. farm.

Toronto 101.07 - 131.34 194.91 - 217.26 216.77 - 225.82 206.66 - 229.69 200.70 - 280.16 —

SunGold Specialty Meats 50.00

Volumes, prices tapering off at Man. auction yards Demand is still steady from buyers in all directions Dave Sims

attle volumes and prices were lower at Manitoba auction yards for the week ended Dec. 5. A total of 12,372 animals were shown to buyers over the seven-day stretch, nearly 4,000 fewer than the week before. Cold, harsh weather early in the week may have been a factor in the turnout, according to an industry watcher. “It didn’t help,” said Allan Munroe of Killarney Auction Mart, who noted the weather for the market’s Dec. 1 weekly auction was especially bad. Prices are still strong, he said, pointing out that cattle are usually more mixed this time of year. The increase in animal variety leads to more varied pricing, he explained. “We’ve got calves that have been out grazing stubble, we’ve got ones that have been backgrounded and we’ve got ones that have been on feed,” he said. The situation is much different than it was six weeks ago, he noted. “In October they’re all right off the cow and fresh.” Demand continues to be steady, with interest coming in from the West, South and East. Although trucks are in high demand, that fact hasn’t kept animals from moving, said Munroe. “We had a bred cow sale here on Thursday. A guy came in and bought a load of bred cows; he had a truck here Sunday morning for Ontario.” The logistics surrounding the Manitobato-Ontario route may be getting slightly easier too, he said. It seems more trucks from Manitoba are simply dropping off their product midway, rather than trying to make the entire trip in one stretch. “It’s easier to get a couple of trucks to

Eggs

allan munroe

Killarney Auction Mart

make runs into Thunder Bay than to go deep into Ontario,” he said.

No extra hay

Hay supplies continue to be reasonably tight but most producers are finding enough to feed their herds in the Killarney area, said Munroe. “Right in this area there’s not a lot of surplus hay for sale, but that doesn’t seem to be a big issue,” he said. Despite being on the western side of the province, Killarney didn’t receive as much moisture as other nearby regions, he pointed out. “The Killarney area was extremely lucky; a little bit farther, Deloraine, Boissevain, when they had 10 inches of rain, we had four,” he said. “So there’s no extra (hay), but I don’t have anyone calling panicking.” Despite the setback in overall numbers, activity should remain quite busy between now and the end of the month. Christmas is on a Thursday this year, which could put a crimp in the usual schedule for that week, he said. “Normally if you get within five days of Christmas, orders dry right up. But with Christmas being on a Thursday I think the full week before that will be very steady,” he said. Dave Sims writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.

briefs

U.S. suspends some Canadian poultry imports due to bird flu By Tom Polansek chicago / reuters

Minimum prices to producers for ungraded eggs, f.o.b. egg grading station, set by the Manitoba Egg Producers Marketing Board effective November 10, 2013. New Previous A Extra Large $2.00 $2.05 A Large 2.00 2.05 A Medium 1.82 1.87 A Small 1.40 1.45 A Pee Wee 0.3775 0.3775 Nest Run 24 + 1.8910 1.9390 B 0.45 0.45 C 0.15 0.15

“So there’s no extra (hay), but I don’t have anyone calling panicking.”

CNSC

The United States has suspended imports of live and raw poultry from Canada’s British Columbia due to an outbreak of bird flu virus there, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief veterinary officer told Reuters Dec. 8. The restrictions began on Dec. 4, the same day that Canada identified the virus as the “highly pathogenic”

H5N2 strain, said John Clifford, the USDA’s chief veterinarian. “It’s a temporary ban,” Clifford said in a telephone interview, adding that the ban will likely last several months. T h e C a n a d i a n Fo o d Inspection Agency said five British Columbia farms were infected with avian influenza as of Saturday, killing at least 80,000 t u r k e y s a n d c h i c k e n s. Surviving birds on the farms are being destroyed. Ray Nickel, president of the B.C. Poultry Association, said he was not aware of anyone in British Columbia exporting live poultry to the

United States. Farmers in the province grow turkeys and chickens for domestic buyers, he said. Canada and Chile are the two biggest suppliers of imported poultry to the United States, said Tom Super, spokesman for the National Chicken Council in Washington, D.C., while noting that 99 per cent of the chicken eaten in the United States is hatched, raised and processed in the country. South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan last week imposed varying bans on Canadian poultry products due to the bird flu outbreak.

Goats Kids Billys Mature

Winnipeg (120 h Fats) 85.00 - 112.00 170.00 - 260.00 —

Toronto ($/cwt) 114.29 - 240.08 — 106.95 - 234.96

Horses <1,000 lbs. 1,000 lbs.+

Winnipeg ($/cwt) — —

Toronto ($/cwt) 10.00 - 30.00 22.55 - 39.11

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

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

GRAIN MARKETS Export and International Prices

column

Canola values turn higher, despite StatsCan data CNSC

CE Futures Canada canola contracts moved lower during the week ended Dec. 5, breaking below nearby support as the Canadian futures lost ground compared to the U.S. soy complex. However, profit-taking and end-user bargain hunting at the lows, coupled with a continued lack of farmer selling, helped values move well off those weekly lows by Friday. Statistics Canada released its final production survey estimates of the year during the week. While the official data was bearish at face value, the report day actually marked a turning point for the canola market. After dropping sharply through We d n e s d a y, t h e St a t s C a n re p o r t o n Thursday provided a pivot point for the futures. After losing as much as $15 per tonne, canola rallied following the seemingly bearish report to end with only small losses on the week. StatsCan pegged the 2014-15 Canadian canola crop at 15.5 million tonnes, well above the 14.1 million tonnes forecast in October, but still off the record 18 million tonnes grown the previous year. Data for the October report was compiled before farmers had made much harvest progress, and traders were generally predicting an actual canola crop closer to 14.5 million tonnes. The fact that it was actually much bigger will lead to adjustments in the overall supply/demand balance and larger ending stocks. However, demand remains strong for canola, from both exporters and domestic crushers, which should cut into that carry-out, as canola usually doesn’t have

Week Ago

Year Ago

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

216.70

206.50

234.43

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

227.26

219.91

244.81

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

153.44

148.91

166.43

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

202.31

191.28

236.19

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

371.30

384.71

487.96

Chicago soyoil ($US/tonne)

698.99

738.23

890.38

oilseeds

a problem finding a home — provided the logistics co-operate. Canada’s wheat crop also ended up above earlier estimates, according to StatsCan data. The agency pegged all wheat in the country at 29.3 million tonnes — up by nearly two million tonnes from the previous forecast but still well below the 37.5 million tonnes grown in 2013-14. The adjustment in the size of Canada’s wheat crop was larger than expectations, but the bigger questions in the wheat market these days involve grade spreads and protein levels. There may be a bit more wheat out there than some industry participants had initially counted on, but much of the country’s wheat crop is of lower quality this year.

U.S. supplies finding homes

In the U.S., the bias was higher in the three wheat futures markets during the week, with weather concerns in a number of winter wheat-growing regions of the world behind some of that strength. However, wheat was running into resistance to the upside, amid ideas that North American supplies were looking a bit overpriced internationally. CBOT soybeans and corn were both higher during the week as well, but might not have much more room to the upside. The large U.S. harvest is virtually complete, and those recently harvested supplies are starting to find a home in the world market. Weather conditions for South American crops remain relatively favourable, but any developing issues there will be watched closely. Ongoing weakness in crude oil also remains a bearish influence in the background of the agricultural markets. 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 Commodity News Service Canada, visit “Today in Markets” at www.manitobacooperator.ca.

Last Week

Coarse Grains

Wheat and canola tonnage both rose above trade predictions Phil Franz-Warkentin

All prices close of business December 4, 2014

Winnipeg Futures ICE Futures Canada prices at close of business December 5, 2014 barley

Last Week

Week Ago

December 2014

174.00

March 2015

177.00

May 2015

179.00

177.00

Canola

Last Week

Week Ago

January 2015

422.70

425.30

March 2015

420.90

425.70

May 2015

423.30

427.40

Special Crops Report for December 8, 2014 — Bin run delivered plant Saskatchewan Spot Market

Spot Market

Lentils (Cdn. cents per pound)

Other ( Cdn. cents per pound unless otherwise specified)

Large Green 15/64

Canaryseed

35.50 - 39.75

Laird No. 1

35.00 - 39.75

Oil Sunflower Seed

Eston No. 2

27.50 - 31.00

Desi Chickpeas

Field Peas (Cdn. $ per bushel)

22.75 - 25.00 — 15.20 - 16.00

Beans (Cdn. cents per pound)

Green No. 1

8.30 - 9.00

Fababeans, large

—

Medium Yellow No. 1

6.90 - 7.50

Feed beans

—

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

No. 1 Navy/Pea Beans

4.10 - 4.10

Mustardseed (Cdn. cents per pound)

24.00 - 24.00

No. 1 Great Northern

41.00 - 41.00

No. 1 Cranberry Beans

40.00 - 40.00

Yellow No. 1

31.40 - 33.00

No. 1 Light Red Kidney

51.00 - 51.00

Brown No. 1

24.70 - 26.00

No. 1 Dark Red Kidney

57.00 - 57.00

Oriental No. 1

30.40 - 32.00

Source: Stat Publishing SUNFLOWERS

No. 1 Black Beans

29.00 - 29.00

No. 1 Pinto Beans

22.00 - 32.00

No. 1 Small Red

42.00 - 42.00

No. 1 Pink

42.00 - 42.00

Fargo, ND

Goodlands, KS

18.50

19.20

Ask

—

Report for December 5, 2014 in US$ cwt NuSun (oilseed) Confection Source: National Sunflower Association

Poor storage leaves millions of tonnes of Chinese corn mouldy The situation might not be as bad as last year, when as much as 40 per cent of the corn produced in the northeast was affected by mould beijing / reuters

large volume of corn in the main growing area in China, the world’s second-largest corn consumer, has gone mouldy because state granaries have delayed stockpiling and there is a lack of storage space, state media reported. Several million tonnes of corn had been left piled in the open air because the granaries had not begun stockpiling, state television reported Dec. 7. Beijing started the 2014-15 corn stockpiling scheme in late November.

The television footage showed corn piled loose on the ground, covered with snow. Heilongjiang produces nearly a fifth of China’s corn. The state stockpiler, the China Grain Reserves Corporation (Sinograin), said a high incidence of mould had resulted from abnormally wet and hot weather during the growing period. It did not give any figures but said the situation was being investigated by authorities. Mouldy corn cannot be used for most animal feed production and

the situation could hurt the supply of good-quality corn, although it may not cause a deficit because of large state stocks. “A h i g h d e g r e e o f m o u l d i s reported, largely in the northwest p a r t s o f He i l o n g j i a n g p rov i n c e. Farmers don’t have enough space to store the grain properly after a b u m p e r h a r v e s t ,” s a i d Z h a n g Meifeng, an analyst with Jilin Corn Exchange. However, Zhang said the situation may not be as bad as last year, when some 40 per cent of corn pro-

file PHOTO

duced in the northeast was affected by mould. China harvested 1.3 per cent less corn in 2014 at 215.67 million tonnes, but that was still the second-highest volume ever after a record crop in 2013, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

LIVESTOCK

Network

Search news. Read stories. Find insight.

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

Short hay this year? Try grain MAFRD nutritionists have developed a feeding schedule to accommodate producers’ wallets during feed shortages By Meghan Mast CO-OPERATOR STAFF

heap corn could be a lifesaver for Manitoba cattle producers who are short of feed this winter, but a provincial livestock specialist warns it must be handled with care. “Grain might be the ideal part of your diet this year,” Ray Bitner, livestock specialist with MAFRD, told listeners during the latest Stocktalk webinar. After calculating the costs of various grains, he determined corn at today’s low prices, is the cheapest this year because farmers get approximately 12.9 lbs. of total digestible nutrients ( TDN) for every dollar spent. Oats, feed well and don’t need to be processed, but only produce around 6.9 lbs. per dollar of TDN. Feeding cattle pr imar ily grain, instead of an entirely alfalfa-grass diet, this winter could save producers approximately 40 cents per head a day, he said. Grain-heavy diets have some drawbacks though. Cattle on high-grain diets might start chewing wood, looking for trees and old wood fences. High-grain diets also put cattle at risk of developing acidosis — an increased acidity and upset in the rumen and digestive tract. Cattle that have consumed a toxic amount of grain may lie quietly, often with their head turned toward their flank, and exhibit signs of severe dehydration. Sometimes their eyes may be sunken. They may stagger and bump into objects as they walk, exhibit an abnormal gain, swelling legs and they almost always have diarrhea. If these symptoms are spotted the animal should be denied access to water for the next 12 to 24 hours and taken off grain altogether. Supply good-quality, palatable hay and antacids to neutralize the lactic acids. In severe cases, the most economical response is to put the animal down. But such wrecks are preventable. Bitner recommends feeding cattle consistently, not changing their diets abruptly and observing the animals regularly. He g a t h e re d a t e a m o f MAFRD nutritionists to determine a ration schedule that is safe, but also economical: feed 16 lbs. of hay daily for every cow along with 12 lbs. of corn and 1.5 lbs. of beef protein supplement, which is high in vitamins, minerals, and contains monensin, every day. “That’s it. That should work for a body condition score of 2.5, 3-3.5 out of the five sys-

FILE PHOTO

HAY/GRAIN/SILAGE CALCULATOR

Corn Wt. of unit in lbs.

Barley 56

Pellets

Oats

Wheat

Alfalfa Hay

2nd Cut

Wild Hay

Straw

Green Field Silage

Wheat with Fusarium

2,205

1,350

1,100

1,800

$2.86 $200.00

Cost of unit

$3.00

$4.08

$0.045

$0.06

$40.00

$25.00

$40.00

$2.50

% moisture

15%

18%

16%

20%

15%

18%

15%

50%

18%

TDN on DM basis

Cost/tonne

$118.13

$194.56 $160.65

$99.23

$121.28

$65.33

$50.11

$49.00

$98.44

10.8

8.9

14.3

16.8

13.7

16.2

Lbs. of TDN per dollar

$131.38 $200.00

13.8

11.8

7.2

6.9

9.7

Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

tems.” Be sure to also include a high calcium mineral and extra vitamin E. Since the ration is minimal, he warns, the cattle may race you to the trough and feeder every morning. “So going out there with a pail is not going to work. They’re going to bowl you over and it’s going to hurt.” He provided some practical, on-the-ground advice, on what to do instead. At 8:30 in the morning, put 50 per cent of the corn in the troughs of a locked pen so the cattle can’t get in. Then open the gate and, as the animals file in, place the hay outside the pen. Once they finish eating move them out of the pen and close the gate again. Do the same at 3 in the afternoon. As the temperatures cool, increase the amount of feed. “Nor mally when we say increase the amount of feed we mean increase the amount of grain product. In this case, we’re going to say the opposite,” said Bitner. For every animal, add two

“Grain might be the ideal part of your diet this year.” RAY BITNER

pounds of hay for every 5° it drops below -15 C. So on days the temperature dips to -20 add two pounds of hay. At -30 add six pounds. Don’t worry about processing corn or oats for the cattle — the cost of labour is not worth the time spent doing the extra work with today’s prices. Before starting the highgrain diets, Bitner recommends producers stop by their local GO office. “We have some experience that will help you get this done properly. We want it to go well for you and we want to document if it doesn’t go well for you.” meghan.mast@fbcpublishing.com

Wet conditions throughout the province created feed shortages this year.

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

Meat industry needs outside help urgently The shortage of labour is becoming critical for processors By Alex Binkley

“The greatest threat to the future of Canada’s livestock and meat sector at the moment is the severe shortage of butchers and meat cutters to work in our industry.”

Co-operator contributor

abour shortages in Canada’s meat sector are cutting into profitability and resulting in more livestock being sent south for processing, James Law, executive director of the Canadian Meat Council told the Senate agriculture committee last month. “The greatest threat to the future of Canada’s livestock and meat sector at the moment is the severe shortage of butchers and meat cutters to work in our industry,” Laws said. While companies have tried to recruit Canadians for the well-paying, full-time jobs including job training, they also need access to foreign workers to supplement the domestic workforce, he said. “The best means to achieve this outcome is for butchers and meat cutters to be eligible for the new so‑called express entry program that Immigration Canada is putting in place next January.” Laws said the Canadian meat industry currently has 500 unfilled jobs in meat cutting. The Maple Leaf Foods facility in Brandon is “being challenged with being able to maintain two shifts because of a lack of workers,” Laws said. “Structurally, they need more workers to maintain best efficiencies to compete against the Americans, who can operate world‑class‑size facilities at high capacity.” Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program made earlier this year by the federal government took the meat industry by surprise because they made it much harder for companies to attract skilled for-

James Law,

executive director of the Canadian Meat Council

Workers bone and cut beef at a meat-packing plant in Toronto. photo: Reuters

eign workers when domestic labour wasn’t available. On average, the labour shortages were forcing Canadian plants to work at 77 per cent of their capacity, which hurt their competitiveness with U.S. plants that have lower wages and can ship freely into Canada. Labour shortages also worry the country’s hog producers who have weathered a long-term bout of low prices and are looking forward to increased exports, says Bill Wymenga, vice‑chairman of the Canadian Pork Council and a hog farmer from Lambton, Ont. “Our growing concern is labour availability for Canadian slaughter plants,” he said.

Low hog prices and high feed costs have created “a smaller but highly competitive hog sector, and we must not lose sight of our industry’s long‑term interests.” New trade agreements are of little value when companies cannot hire the workers needed to prepare products for export, he added. “The world economy will continue to evolve and we cannot afford to overlook or suspend any efforts that can improve our market access or place our industry at a competitive disadvantage.” More than two-thirds of hogs raised in Canada are exported either as live hogs or pork products, he said. Increasing exports

2015 Forage Seed Conference and AGM Victoria Inn, Winnipeg

January 11 & 12, 2015 The Manitoba Forage Seed Association invites you to their Annual Forage Seed Conference and AGM. A range of topics will be covered dealing with various aspects of growing and managing forage and turf seed crops. This year’s conference features: Robert Saik, founder and CEO of Agri-Trend Group of Companies and author of Agriculture Manifesto – Ten Key Drivers that Will Shape Agriculture in the Next Decade. Other topics of discussion include: • Market information • Soil Fertility Management • Research Across the Prairies • Innovation on the Farm • Importance of Soil Organisms to Plant Health A full agenda and registration information is available at www.forageseed.net or contact MFSA @ 204-376-3309. Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 12 at 1:15 at the Victoria Inn, Wpg.

is vital to hog producers and that requires co-operation between government and industry at all levels. The meat industry is the largest component of this country’s food-processing sector, employing over 65,000 workers with annual sales of $24.1 billion. Laws says the meat industry should benefit from a side agreement to the CanadaEurope trade deal that says the two sides will treat each other’s meat inspection systems and meat-processing technologies as equivalent. “Japan, the United States, Mexico, Korea,

Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Colombia and dozens of other countries already accept our meat inspection system and processes of sanitation and pathogen control as safe and based on sound science. So should the Europeans.” As important as new markets are for exporters, so is the removal of cumbersome technical regulations and requirements, he said. Wymenga said the hog industry is also struggling with the need to replace aging infrastructure after years of poor returns. “Federal programs such as advanced payments programs help, but it will not be enough to help with the construction or improvement of buildings. We have an aging infrastructure.” The council is looking at other federal programs that hog farmers could tap into especially the Canadian Agriculture Loans Act. “Our building structures are aging and our industry is in need of significant reinvestment to ensure continued efficiencies.”

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

LIVESTOCK AUCTION RESULTS Weight Category

Ashern

Gladstone

Grunthal

Heartland

Brandon

Virden

Killarney

Ste. Rose

Winnipeg

Feeder Steers

Dec-03

Dec-02

Dec-05

Dec-03

Dec-01

Dec-04

Dec-05

No. on offer

2,160*

960

534*

1,883*

3,313*

747

1600*

1,175*

Over 1,000 lbs.

n/a

900-1,000

n/a

200.00-219.00

n/a

180.00-208.00

800-900

n/a

210.00-244.50

190.00-208.00

215.00-253.00

226.00-242.00

n/a

200.00-230.00

700-800

230.00-263.00

225.00-257.50

200.00-258.00

235.00-255.00

239.00-257.50

235.00-250.00

240.00-255.00 (259.00)

220.00-248.00

600-700

254.00-292.00

250.00-288.00

240.00-272.00

255.00-274.00

250.00-278.00

255.00-270.00

250.00-284.00 (287.00)

245.00-278.00

500-600

260.00-333.00

270.00-314.00

265.00-325.00

270.00-303.00

270.00-304.00

275.00-303.00

285.00-310.00 (310.00)

270.00-312.00

400-500

270.00-321.00

300.00-341.00

285.00-360.00

295.00-335.00

294.00-348.00

310.00-335.00 (345.00)

295.00-309.00 (312.00)

300.00-344.00

300-400

n/a

310.00-355.00

300.00-375.00

325.00-355.00

335.00-370.00

320.00-345.00

305.00-320.00 (335.00)

310.00-376.00

900-1,000 lbs.

n/a

184.00-214.00

n/a

800-900

n/a

200.00-220.00

185.00-200.00

200.00-218.00

207.00-222.00

n/a

180.00-196.00

Feeder heifers

700-800

n/a

208.00-227.50

200.00-225.00

212.00-229.00

212.00-232.00

n/a

200.00-230.00 (235.00)

210.00-235.00

600-700

220.00-266.00

230.00-255.25

220.00-252.00

230.00-255.00

232.00-255.00

235.00-260.00

240.00-268.00 (270.00)

225.00-257.00

500-600

250.00-284.00

250.00-285.50

240.00-290.00

255.00-279.00

248.00-284.00

250.00-275.00 (283.00)

250.00-287.00 (290.00)

260.00-287.00

400-500

280.00-303.00

280.00-319.00

275.00-325.00

285.00-318.00

275.00-314.00

275.00-315.00

270.00-320.00 (323.00)

265.00-304.00

300-400

n/a

300.00-325.00

290.00-350.00

290.00-320.00

288.00-350.00

290.00-323.00

285.00-330.00 (332.00)

280.00-310.00

No. on offer

410

n/a

150

336

n/a

375

275

D1-D2 Cows

110.00-124.00

75.00-125.00

90.00-118.00

115.00-124.00

109.00-121.00

92.00-105.00

117.00-125.00

119.00-125.00

D3-D5 Cows

100.00-112.00

n/a

100.00-115.00

100.00-109.00

n/a

105.00-115.00

Age Verified

120.00-141.00

n/a

114.00-125.00

110.00-122.00

n/a

Good Bulls

Slaughter Market

120.00-149.50

105.00-134.50

130.00-140.25

135.00-147.00 (150.00)

135.00-147.00

115.00-130.00

130.00-151.00 (155.00)

138.00-144.00

Butcher Steers

n/a

1588.00-165.00

155.00-162.00

n/a

Butcher Heifers

n/a

155.00-163.00

154.00-161.00

n/a

Feeder Cows

n/a

120.00-132.00

n/a

125.00-139.00

135.00-145.00

n/a

128.00-150.00

Fleshy Export Cows

n/a

119.00-124.50

n/a

Lean Export Cows

n/a

100.00-114.00

n/a

Heiferettes

n/a

125.00-155.00

n/a

* includes slaughter market

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

Did you know? Agricultural workers are covered by the WCB. You can also purchase insurance for yourself and family members to cover lost wages, medical care and other expenses related to a workplace injury.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

BIXS transfers ownership to new privately held company ViewTrak with CCA, are the initial shareholders in new BIXS program By Meghan Mast CO-OPERATOR STAFF

new partnership announced this week could raise the profile and popularity of the Canadian cattle ID and information exchange system. Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS), founded by the Canad i a n Ca t t l e m e n’s A s s o c i a tion (CCA) declared Dec. 8 it is transferring ownership to a new privately held company, of which the initial shareholders are the CCA and ViewTrak, an Edmonton-based technology and traceability company. “ We’r e v e r y p l e a s e d ViewTrak has recognized the value of this system and we’re very pleased to enter into a partnership and the formation of a new endeavour to take BIXS to the next level,” said Rob McNabb, general manager of the Canadian Cattlemen Association. This won’t be ViewTrak’s first brush with livestock information technology. The company produced a pork-grading tool for China and is a partner in the Canadian Lamb Co-operative grading program. It also developed a web-based software program, for the Department of Agriculture in South Dakota, that allows participating producers to market specific claims about the quality of their beef. BIXS 2.0, the second attempt to establish a system that will transfer data between producers and processors, was quietly announced at the end of March after its predecessor was put on hiatus. The program records information including radio-frequency ID tags, including birth dates, grading data, weight at feedlot, slaughter date and hot carcass weight. The original database was given $8 million from the federal government, with the condition that it become selfsustaining. While its predecessor did n o t g a r n e r e n o u g h i n t e rest from producers, McNabb hopes that will change now t h a t t h e k i n k s h a ve b e e n ironed out of the system. “In this last year a significant effort has been undertaken to streamline and make the system more user friendly and more benefits driven to each member,” he said. To date, less than 1,000 operations are registered — representing nearly three million detailed carcass records and 3.4 million animal birthdate records, making it the largest database of its kind in Canada. McNabb hopes those numbers will grow substantially; he is aiming to recruit at least 50 per cent of the cattle in the system in the next few years.

Good timing

Processing companies, including Loblaws and McDonald’s, will soon sell sustainable beef and so are increasingly interested in an animal’s history of health and care. BIXS addresses this need.

“The timing is perfect to act now and there’s no time to lose,” said Hubert Lau, executive vice-president of ViewTrak. He thinks this syst e m w i l l i m p r ov e q u a l i t y standards and perhaps even pique interest internationally. “It is a way to circle the w a g o n s ,” s a i d L a u , “t o enhance competitiveness in the industry and create best practices that will allow the Canadian cattle industry and Canadian beef to dominate world markets. “With combined efforts I believe we can dominate the world markets, bring together great minds and create amazing outcomes. If we don’t, another country will.” meghan.mast@fbcpublishing.com

From left to right: Larry Thomas, Hubert Lau and Ted Power.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

WEATHER VANE

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

Storm systems staying away Issued: Monday, December 8, 2014 · Covering: December 10 – December 17, 2014 Daniel Bezte Co-operator contributor

s usual for this time of the year, the general weather pattern played out as expected, but differences in the strength of the systems, along with the overall track, ended up impacting the longer-range forecast — at least a little bit. Arctic high pressure moved in as expected behind last weekend’s low and, as predicted, the cold high quickly moved off to the East. A strong ridge of high pressure is forecast to build across central North America during the first half of this forecast period, thanks to a strong surface high over the eastern U.S. This ridge should bring temperatures that will likely surpass the usual temperature range for this time of the year, with highs over low-snow-covered regions expected to make it toward the high single digits by Friday. Areas that have significant snow cover will likely only see highs around the +4 C mark.

Over the weekend, a low passing by well to our north will drag a cold front southward, which will br ing an end to the near-record warm temperatures. Overall, the weather pattern looks to continue on the quiet side, with weather models showing no major weather systems expected to impact our region between now and Christmas. The models show a strong polar low anchor ing itself over the Gulf of Alaska, along with an area of high pressure across the U.S. southeast. This should keep us high and dry for at least the next couple of weeks. Of course, now that I’ve made this prediction, you know Mother Nature will eventually make us pay for it; it’s just a matter of time. Usual temperature range for this period: Highs, -17 to -2 C; lows, -27 to -10 C. 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.

GLOBAL TEMPERATURE ANOMALIES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER

This issue’s map, showing global temperature anomalies for the month of November, was created by the University of Alabama in Huntsville, based on 36 years (December 1978 through November 2014) of global temperature data collected by microwave sounding units on NOAA and NASA satellites. You can see that the coldest temperatures globally, compared to average, were found across eastern North America.

Globally, a warm November Spots on the U.S. Plains booked some wild fluctuations in temperature last month By Daniel Bezte CO-OPERATOR CONTRIBUTOR

t seems like a bit of a pattern this year: when we see colder-than-average weather, the world as a whole is experiencing really warm weather. This is exactly what happened during November. While central and easter n North America experienced the coldest weather compared to average on the planet, most of the rest of the world was experiencing warmer-thanaverage weather. While all the numbers are not yet in, the University of Alabama in Huntsville reported global satellite temperatures for November were the second warmest in the 36 years of records. Average global temperature for the month was 0.33 C above the 36-year average, and only trailed November 2009, which was 0.39 C above average. Looking at the top 10 warmest Novembers in this database, we see all have occurred since 2002, with the exception of the eighthwarmest year, in 1990. For those of you already tired of the cold start to this winter, check out this issue’s forecast, as the weather models point toward some very mild conditions over the next couple of weeks.

Most of the rest of the world was experiencing warmer-than-average weather during November.

While we might complain a bit about the cold weather w e s a w d u r i n g Nov e m b e r and over this past year or so, I don’t think it can compare to the weather the Philippines has had to deal with. Most of us can probably remember either reading about or watching videos early in November 2013 when Super-Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippine islands with an incredible storm surge, pushed along by winds rated at 305 km/h. This storm killed over 7,000 people and caused an estimated $5.8 billion in d a m a g e. Now, j u s t ove r a year later, another typhoon has hit almost the same area: Typhoon Hagupit, which for a short while hit super-typhoon strength with winds reported in the 280 km/h range. Luckily — if you can say getting hit by a typhoon is “lucky” — the typhoon weakened from its Category 5 level down to a Category 3 typhoon, with winds around 200 km/h. While the storm weakened

considerably, it is a large and slow-moving system, which means there will be widespread heavy rainfalls of 250 to 400 mm, with more mountainous regions possibly seeing 600 mm or more. Needless to say, this will cause widespread and devastating flooding. Hopefully, the large-scale evacuation of people will help to limit the death toll, but this will definitely be another multibillion-dollar weather disaster for the Philippines. The tropical Atlantic had a quiet hurricane season this year, due to dry sinking air and high wind shear. While the Philippines got hit by a second major typhoon in just over a year, the U.S. has now gone nine years in a row with no major hurricanes, making it the first time since 1851 this has happened. While this region was quiet, this could not be said for the planet as a whole, as it was fairly active, particularly in regards to Categor y 5 hurr icanes. When Typhoon Hagupit hit Category

5 strength it was the seventh storm this year to do so. Data from Typhoon Rammasun is being reanalyzed as an atmospheric pressure reading of 899.2 mb recorded at Qizhou Island is characteristic of a Category 5 storm. If this is confirmed, then that would make it eight category 5 storms this year. From 2000 to 2013, Earth has averaged five Category 5 storms each year.

Temperature swings

Mov i n g a l i t t l e c l o s e r t o home, there were some really remarkable temperature drops recorded late in November over the U.S. Plains. These incredible temperature drops are a good example of why you want to be prepared if you are heading out in the wilderness hiking or hunting. A strong cold front dropped out of Canada on Nov. 29, replacing a record-breaking warm a i r m a s s. Yo r k , Ne b r a s k a recorded a high temperature of 27.2 C at 1:35 in the afternoon on the 29th. By 7:30 the next morning the temperature had dropped to -12.2 C! At Douglas, Wyoming, the temperature at 7 p.m. was a nice balmy 11 C; one hour later it had dropped to -9 C. Some of you might still say, “What’s the big deal? I could handle that.” Well, how would you like to

have gone outside at 7:53 a.m. into 8 C temperatures, then step back inside to grab your keys or a coffee and step back outside at 7:59 a.m. only to find it is now -6 C? This is exactly what happened at Livingston, Montana. While these temperature changes were pretty dramatic, the most extreme temperature swings on record occurred at Spearfish, S.D. on Jan. 22, 1943. At 7:30 a.m. the temperature was a cold -20 C; two minutes later the temperature had shot up to +7 C! So, you head back inside to change. The temperature continues to warm up and by 9 a.m. it’s a balmy 12 C; you’re walking the dog with just a sweatshirt on! You finish walking the dog and head back inside, looking forward to getting back outside to enjoy the nice warm weather. You head back out at 9:27 a.m., only to find the temperature has dropped back to -20 C again! T h e m o s t e x t re m e d a i l y swing in temperature occurred on Nov. 11, 1911 when Springf i e l d , Mi s s o u r i , b r o k e i t s record high with a reading of 26.7 C; later that same day, a cold front moved through, dropping the temperature to -10.5 C, a record low for that day! See, we don’t have it too bad here!

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014 T:10.25”

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Concerns about Roundup Ready alfalfa raised at national forage meeting Many forage and forage seed importers have zero tolerance for GM crops, including alfalfa By Allan Dawson co-operator staff /bromont, que.

“In my opinion I think it (Roundup Ready alfalfa) would be a devastating blow to the seed industry... because we export so much seed... into all these markets where there is a zero tolerance (for GM crops).”

Heather Kerschbaumer

T:15.5”

single genetically modified (GM) canola seed cut the value of Heather Kerschbaumer’s timothy seed in half — costing her $20,000. That’s why the seed farmer from Fairview, Alta., fears the introduction of GM Roundup Ready alfalfa. “In my opinion I think it would be a devastating blow to the seed industry, especially for our Peace region, because we export so much seed and a lot of it goes into Europe and a lot of it goes to China, some of it goes to Japan — into all these markets where there is a zero tolerance (for GM crops),” Kerschbaumer, president of Forage Seed Canada, told reporters on the sidelines of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s annual meeting Nov. 17. Kerschbaumer said the value of a $40,000 lot of timothy seed destined for Japan dropped to 50 cents a pound from $1 after one canola seed was found in a 25-gram sample collected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. “So we lost $20,000 just from one canola seed,” she said. Forage Genetics International’s Roundup Ready alfalfa, which has been genetically modified to tolerate Monsanto’s non-selective herbicide Roundup (glyphosate), is registered in Canada, but has not yet been commercialized. Kerschbaumer said it should stay on the shelf until there is widespread market acceptance. Some American hay exporters have already been blacklisted by Chinese importers because of GM contamination, Ed Shaw, president and CEO of International Quality Forage in Carstairs, Alta., told the CFGA meeting. While some of the contamination is from GM crops other than alfalfa, Roundup Ready alfalfa seed, which is grown commercially in the United States, is spreading, he said.

Forage seed grower and Forage Seed Canada president Heather Kerschbaumer, fears commercializing Roundup Ready alfalfa in Canada threatens exports of forage and forage seed. photo: allan dawson

“We get seed from the States,” Shaw said. “I would be willing to bet that we would test positive for it (in some cases).” Most GM crops are annuals, but alfalfa is a perennial and grows wild. “When you get a perennial GMO, that’s different,” said CFGA president Doug Wray. “I don’t know how you keep that in the box.” Sixty to 70 per cent of the forage seed shipped from the Peace region now contains some conventional alfalfa seeds, but there’s a tolerance for it, Kerschbaumer said. But there’s zero tolerance for GM alfalfa among most buyers, and even though some countries accept it, the buyers don’t, she said. “It could potentially affect timothy, red clover, brome grasses, fescues — and that’s a huge industry for not just us in our area but for anybody who is growing seed and exporting,” Kerschbaumer said.

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There are strong views on the pros and cons of Roundup Ready alfalfa and for that reason the CFGA has not taken a position, Wray said. “The reality is there is no plan that will make everybody happy,” he said. Forage Seed Canada, which represents the Manitoba Forage Seed Association, Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission, Saskatchewan Leaf Cutter Association, Alfalfa Seed Commission and Peace Region Forage Seed Association, wants organizations opposed to Roundup Ready alfalfa, to speak with one voice, Kerschbaumer said. Blocking Roundup Ready alfalfa in Canada, or at least in parts of it, isn’t impossible, Kerschbaumer told the CFGA meeting. GM alfalfa production is restricted in California’s Imperial Valley. While the region is known for vegetable

2475 heat units

See ROUNDUP READY ALFALFA on page 18 »

2475 heat units

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

ROUNDUP READY ALFALFA

Continued from page 17

and fruit production, alfalfa is grown in rotation, making the area the United States’ biggest alfalfa exporter. To ensure GM-free alfalfa for export, they import seed “because there is so much (domestic seed) contamination already,” she said. “When we were there (last year) they kept telling us if you don’t have it up in Canada, you should keep it out of Canada... because there are going to be benefits and bonuses paid on (GM-free) seed... and it will be the same with the hay.” According to Kerschbaumer at a recent forage meeting in Kansas City, an official with Forage Genetics International said the company has Roundup Ready alfalfa test plots in Ontario and Quebec. A Forage Genetics International representative was unavailable for an interview. T h e re a re u n c o n f i r m e d rumours some Quebec farmers are growing Roundup Ready alfalfa, Christian Ducheaneau with crop inputs company Synagri, told the meeting. Initially Forage Genetics International said it would commercialize Roundup Ready alfalfa in the East where most of Canada’s dairy production occurs. But Kerschbaumer said to get crop insurance dairy farmers in Quebec are required to include grasses in their alfalfa fields. Since glyphosate kills grass, farmers wouldn’t grow Roundup Ready alfalfa, she said. “That was a big eye-opener for us,” Kerschbaumer said. “Second of all, virtually nobody plants pure alfalfa.” That’s especially true among beef cattle producers. Even if Roundup Ready alfalfa is restricted to the East, it would likely spread gradually, according to Kerschbaumer. “There’s almost no way to contain it because there is no wall between this guy’s field and that guy’s hay or a ditch,” she said. “So it’s just inevitable that it will spread.” That’s why Forage Seed Canada encourages farmers to test their alfalfa seed for Roundup Ready alfalfa before planting, Kerschbaumer said. allan@fbcpublishing.com

Some customers unhappy with Canadian wheat exports However, the Canadian Grain Commission says any quality issues relate to weather, not the marketing system REUTERS / STAFF

he Canadian Grain Commission is disputing the accuracy of a widely circulated Reuters article that says buyers of Canadian wheat are increasingly complaining about quality since Ottawa changed how its biggest crop is sold and inspected. The Reuters report said problems cited by buyers include underweight shipments, lower-than-expected protein content and gluten strength in the wheat, and even the occasional mixture of wheat with other agricultural products. In October, Singapore-based Prima Group found 850 kilograms of peas in a 25-tonne wheat shipment. “We don’t know what’s going on in the system here,” said Prima adviser Derek Sliworsky in Winnipeg, who said that while not all Canadian wheat shipments suffer from poor quality, “we don’t have these problems from other origins.” Prima buys between 500,000 and one million tonnes of Canadian wheat a year to produce flour at its mills in Singapore, Sri Lanka and China. Problems have grown since 2012, when Ottawa stripped the Canadian Wheat Board of its centralized role in marketing wheat, said Sliworsky, who used to work for the wheat board. The following year, Ottawa cut one-third of the workforce of the Canadian Grain Commission, the agency responsible for quality. Quality problems were confirmed by other buyers and traders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Reuters said. One Chinese flour mill reduced Canadian spr ing wheat purchases last year and through the first half of 2014, and bought more instead from the United States because of

PHOTO: ISTOCK

concerns about protein levels, weights and gluten, a mill executive said. Australia has gained market share in Asia this year due to weather-related concerns about Canadian quality, including wheat with an unusual appearance after wet late-summer conditions, said a Melbourne-based trader, estimating that Australia had sold about 500,000 tonnes more than normal to Asia this year. A European grain trader who supplies durum wheat to Morocco said buying Canadian wheat was less complicated under the wheat board, which sorted and tailored grain specifications to each buyer’s requirements. The board also built loyalty by sometimes giving buyers better quality than they paid for, while exporters now deliver the bare minimum grade, the trader said. In a letter to the editor, the chief commissioner Elwin Hermanson said he is responding

to complaints made by “a Prima employee and former Canadian Wheat Board employee.” Hermanson confirmed the commission received a complaint from Prima about the cargo cited by Sliworsky, who once worked for the board. “We conducted an investigation which included a review of all shipping documents and all official loading samples and we determined that the complaint was unjustified,” Hermanson said. The letter also says that the number of cargo complaints about Canadian wheat has decreased since 2012. Randy Dennis, the commission’s chief grain inspector, is quoted in the Reuters story as saying that buyers have increasingly complained about the quality of wheat exports, especially about gluten properties since 2012. Hermanson’s letter confirms that low gluten strength and protein levels have been an

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issue with customers for the last three crop years. But he said that is the result of environmental issues (weather) and the way some wheat varieties reacted to recent growing conditions. Since late 2012, exporters have been able to have cargo certified on the basis of a composite vessel sample or from each incremental 2,000-tonne load. This change was poorly communicated to buyers such as Prima, Sliworsky said. In spring 2014 Prima was shipped wheat from Canada with lower protein than expected, reducing its value by up to $12 per tonne. As of 2013, government weighing staff no longer monitor vessel loading at the elevator, but review information provided by the grain handler before certifying weight. This year, Prima received a shipment that was 375 tonnes light. The government also no longer requires the grain commission to inspect and weigh rail cars unloading at port, instead allowing grain handlers or third parties to do it. That change has led to less rigorous inspection, said Bob Kingston, president of the Agriculture Union of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents commission workers. “The fact that there are screw-ups — I would have been shocked if there wasn’t,” he said. In his letter, Hermanson disputes that the changes have resulted in less rigorous inspections. “The rigour of our processes, related to the inspection and certification of the quality and quantity of grain as it is loaded onto vessels for export, have not changed,” he said. “In the end, quality issues are not about who is marketing Canadian wheat but rather are about the predominant grading factors in each year’s crop. Canada’s global reputation has been built up by the hard work of Canadian farmers and the entire grain sector. Inaccurate speculation and rumours designed to harm our reputation should be dismissed.”

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

China rejections slow new GMO product release It can take up to 10 years to gain approvals By Tom Polansek REUTERS

h i n a’s b a r r i e r s t o imports of some U.S. genetically modified crops are disrupting seed companies’ plans for new product launches and keeping at least one variety out of the U.S. market altogether. Two of the world’s biggest seed makers, Syngenta AG and Dow AgroSciences, are responding with tightly controlled U.S. launches of new GMO seeds, telling farmers where they can plant new corn and soybean varieties and how they can use them. Bayer CropScience told Reuters it has decided to keep a new soybean variety on hold until it receives Chinese import approval. Beijing is taking longer than in the past to approve new GMO crops, and Chinese ports in November 2013 began rejecting U.S. imports saying they were tainted with a GMO Syngenta corn variety, called Agrisure Viptera, approved in the United States, but not in China.

The developments constrain launches of new GMO seeds by raising concerns that harvests of unapproved varieties could be accidentally shipped to the world’s fastest-growing corn market and denied entry there. It also casts doubt over the future of companies’ heavy investments in research of crop technology. The stakes are high. Grain traders Cargill Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland Co., along with dozens of farmers, sued Syngenta for damages after Beijing rejected Viptera shipments, saying the seed maker misrepresented how long it would take to win Chinese approval. In the weeks since Cargill first sued on Sept. 12, Syngenta’s stock has touched a three-year low. ADM in its lawsuit last week alleged the company did not follow through on plans for a controlled launch of Viptera corn. Syngenta says the complaints are unfounded. Bayer, told by Beijing in September that the new soybean seed, LL55, had not been approved for imports, says it

will keep on trying, seven years after the company first filed its request. In the meantime, it will withhold the new seed. China granted its last import approval for any GMO grain in June 2013.

Ten-year effort

It can take up to 10 years and $150 million to develop new GMO seeds and further delays in Chinese approvals will raise concerns about Bayer’s future investment in new GMO products, said Frank Terhorst, global head of seeds for the company. The slowdown in Beijing’s regulatory process comes amidst growing consumer sentiment against GMO food in China and concerns amongst some government officials about excessive dependence on U.S. food supplies. China is a key market for the $12-billion U.S. agricultural seeds business and for global grain traders and accounted for nearly 60 per cent of U.S. soybean exports and 12 per cent of corn exports two years ago. Nearly 90 per cent of corn

in the United States is genetically engineered, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as farmers embrace technology that helps kill weeds and fight pests. The controlled releases by Dow and Syngenta aim to bring new GMO seeds to the U.S. market while assuring U.S. farmers and exporters that the harvests will not be rejected by countries that have not approved the GMO grain. Dow AgroSciences this month said it will limit sales of its new genetically modified corn and soybeans next year while it waits for China’s approval. Farmers who grow the new Enlist corn must maintain isolation areas around their fields, use the corn only as livestock feed, and submit to audits of their compliance.

Oversight

When Syngenta released its Agrisure Duracade corn this year, which is approved in the United States but not by China, it contracted grain han-

Genetic research could offer alternatives to GM crops

WRITING A NEW CHAPTER FOR SOYBEAN PERFORMANCE.

Genetics advances could boost traditional crop breeding, says head of world’s fourth-largest breeder By Gus Trompiz

dvances in unders t a n d i n g t he genetic makeup of plants could ultimately help to produce more resilient, higher-yielding crops, the head of French seed company Limagrain said, with the potential to end the heated debate over genetic modification. Distrust of crops produced using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has marginalized the technology in Europe. GM crops, which now account for about half of a global seed market estimated at $40 billion, have divided opinion between proponents who cite improved yields at a time of shrinking natural resources and opponents who point to environmental risks, food safety concerns and unfair terms for farmers. However, Limagrain presid e n t J e a n - Yv e s Fo u c a u l t says the controversy clouds the potential of plant gene research to bring improved results by traditional methods. “I f y o u g e t a n i n t i m a t e u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f a p la nt, you may get answers via traditional selection without using GMOs,” Foucault told Reuters. “GMOs are an important question but one that shouldn’t be dramatized.” Fa r m e r s’ c o - o p e r a t i v e Limagrain, the world’s fourthlargest seed maker by sales t h ro u g h i t s l i s t e d s u b s i d -

“If you get an intimate understanding of a plant, you may get answers via traditional selection without using GMOs.”

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JEAN-YVES FOUCAULT Limagrain

iar y Vilmorin, sells genetically modified seed types on the American continent and is developing its own GMO maize (corn) as it competes w i t h l a rg e r r i va l s s u c h a s Monsanto. But the company still generates nearly two-thirds of its overall sales in Europe, where use of GM crops is minimal, and last year achieved record sales of maize seed in its home continent. Researchers have mapped t h e g e n o m e, o r c o m p l e t e genetic material, of several crops and are working on deciphering that of wheat, t h e w o r l d ’s m o s t w i d e l y grown crop and one that has a particularly complex genetic makeup. L i m a g r a i n’s V i l m o r i n , like its peers, is working on GMO wheat as part of the push to boost yields, but has cautioned that a commercial launch is unlikely this decade.

HS 006RYS24

SCN

RR2Y Soybeans HU 2450 Maturity group 00.6

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RR2Y Soybeans HU 2475 Maturity group 00.7

COMPARED TO

PARIS / REUTERS

dler Gavilon, owned by Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp., to oversee the launch. Gavilon assigned as many as six workers at its Omaha headquarters to keep Duracade out of markets where it had not been cleared, said Greg Konsor, general manager for grain operations. At harvest, growers have to fill out canary-yellow tracking agreements where they identify themselves, their trucking firms and the destinations for their Duracade corn. The bright colour is meant to tell buyers the shipments require special attention. Controlled launches, however, are at best a temporary fix because they are costly, complicated and risk accidental contamination of other export grains, said Jim Sutter, chief executive of the U.S. Soybean Export Council. “The long-term solution is to work with our partners in China and build confidence in the process in the way we want it to work,” he said. “Easier said than done.”

Competitor

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2014 Comparisons to date

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Dekalb 24-10RY

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Northstar Niverville

2.9 bu/ac

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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 app rovals 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 Biotechnology Industry Organization. B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your Monsanto representative for the registration status in your state. Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design®, Roundup Ready 2 Yield®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup® and YieldGard VT Triple® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. DOW, the DOW Diamond design, Dow AgroSciences, Hyland and the Hyland Seeds design are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. 12/14-40882-5 MC

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

Merging RMs seek provincial help with costs

Frozen fence

Leaders say transition expenses are mounting By Lorraine Stevenson co-operator staff

eddings are expensive and municipal ones are no exception. So they’re doing what a lot of merging couples do: ask for help. Municipalities facing a yearend deadline to amalgamate say they are facing extra costs by way of extra staff time for administrative tasks including document archiving, as well as costs associated with legal title changes, audits and purchases of software plus new employment agreements for staff. Changing municipal signage alone will be a major expense, said several municipal leaders attending last month’s Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) general meeting in Winnipeg. “Nobody budgeted for that,” said Debbie McMechan, reeve of Two Borders in southwestern Manitoba who estimates merging has already cost them well over $100,000 and the process is not done yet. “Our costs right now have totalled about $180,000,” added Don Wiebe, reeve of the RM of Rhineland which has merged with the towns of Gretna and Plum Coulee. This is before they’ve even begun negotiating new employment agreements, he added. Convention delegates supported a resolution at the convention calling on the province to come up with cash to help cover the expenses these merging municipalities can document. “Obviously they cannot compensate municipalities like ours for the plethora of intangible costs, but this resolution is a step to asking the government to be accountable for the JOB ID: costs we can 7370_1A calculate,” said McMechan. DATE: Most merging municipaliSEPT. 18, OCT. 30 DEC. 2014 existing ties have vowed to11, keep municipal offices open and also CLIENT: see theSYNGENTA need for additional pubCANADA lic works staff to manage the PROJECT: workload in enlarged regions. - SOLAR AD But CMVC other municipal leaders say these initial costs should PUBLICATION: MANITOBA CO-OPERATOR eventually be recouped. “There’s going to be less DESIGNER: administrative CHRISTINE costs, and fewer councillors so it’s going to cost us [ ] MECHANICAL [ ] PDF/X less just to have a council,” said David FINAL Single SIZE:who 8.125"will X 10" take the post of mayor of the new WestUCR: 240% lake Gladstone Municipality created from the amalgamation CLIENT SERVICE of the RMs of Westbourne and PROOFREADING Lakeview and Town of Gladstone. “AndART there’s other things that DIRECTION aren’t necessarily going to save moneyPRODUCTION but will make us more efficient,” he said. “We’ll be able to buy some pieces of equipment that we couldn’t afford individually.” Municipalities in the process have until year’s end to complete their mergers. Newly amalgamated municipalities begin functioning January 1, 2015.

Freezing rain last week created some interesting detail on this fence. photo: hermina Janz

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

Co-operator barn series revival Do you know this barn?

f you do, a Manitoba historian wants to hear from you. In early 1981 the Co-operator worked with provincial Manitoba Historic Resources Branch staff to photograph and publish a series on rural buildings in Manitoba. Each week a photo and a story were published about why each of the buildings was rare or unusual. Now Gordon Goldsborough, webmaster and journal editor with the Manitoba Historical Society (MHS), is looking for Co-operator readers to help him find the GPS co-ordinates for these barns. He has looked for them during road trips in rural Manitoba, but because the site’s location details are scant, he has been unable to find them. He wants to include the buildings, with their GPS co-ordinates on a map of historic sites being prepared for the MHS. This photograph was taken by now-retired Co-operator editor Bob Hainstock who took the photo in the 1980s for the earlier project. Many of the photos were eventually included in Hainstock’s 1986 book Barns of Western Canada: An Illustrated Century. We are including the original “caption” that ran with his photo, hoping a reader can answer these questions: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Does the building still stand? If so, where is it? What are its GPS co-ordinates? What other information can you provide on its state of preservation or other details about its history since the original story in the 1980s?

Please send your responses to Gordon Goldsborough at: email: gordon@mhs.mb.ca Telephone: (204) 474-7469 Mail: 2021 Loudoun Rd. Winnipeg, Man. R3S 1A3

For many old-timers in the Eden area, this big L-shaped barn on the Jackson farm brings back memories of things other than early farming. For about 15 years, the big barn was one of the largest in the area and held more than its share of local dances. Built in 1923, by J.B. Jackson, each wing measures 34 feet in width and about 80 feet along one side, and 56 feet along the other. The second level is still easy to get to for either farm operations or dance crowds, with a big, wide earth ramp still in place after nearly 60 years of use. The dances stopped in the late 1930s and the barn slowly changed over to a dairy operation. A complete remodelling of the interior took place in 1962 for a modern dairy operation and in 1978 a new steel roof replaced the cedar shingles of another era. Located about 1-1/2 miles south of Eden, a mid-afternoon sun’s reflection on a shiny new roof sends motorists on Highway No. 5 a clear signal where the Jackson farm sits. It was almost 100 years ago that the Jackson farm was homesteaded by the current owner’s great-grandfather who came to the region from Ontario and brought with him strong affections for, and strong ideas about barns. N.M. Jackson left the dairy business in 1979 and the well-maintained L-shaped structure is presently vacant.

NEWS

Several thousand cattle quarantined near Yellowstone By Laura Zuckerman REUTERS

Several thousand head of cattle have been quarantined in Montana after a cow near Yellowstone National Park tested positive for brucellosis, the livestock disease much feared by ranchers and also carried by elk and bison, state livestock officials said on Friday. The disruption comes at a crucial moment for the region’s beef producers, who are in the midst of readying the bulk of their herds for sale at a time of record-high prices for the cattle they bring to auction. The quarantine will for the time being place off limits livestock belonging to the rancher whose cow tested positive — likely infected by an elk — and neighbouring producers whose herds may have been exposed through intermingling of livestock, officials said. But the finding will not cost Montana its prized brucellosis-free status, which allows cows to be shipped across state lines without vaccination or testing, he said. Several thousand head in all are affected by the quarantine, a fraction of the more than two million cattle raised throughout Montana, state veterinarian Dr. Marty Zaluski said. Exposure to brucellosis, a disease that can cause pregnant cows and other animals to miscarry their young, is at the centre of an ongoing dispute between ranchers in Montana and wildlife advocates over management of Yellowstone’s famed bison population and vast elk herds in and around the park.

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The Manitoba Manitoba Co-operator 2014 The Co-Operator| |December October 11, 6, 2011

FARMER'S

MARKETPLACE Call to place your classified ad in the next issue: 1-800-782-0794

Selling?

FAX your classified ads to: 204-954-1422 · Or eMAiL your classified ads to: mbclassifieds@fbcpublishing.com

Classification

index Tributes/Memoriams Announcements Airplanes Alarms & Security Systems AnTiqueS – Antiques For Sale – Antique Equipment – Antique Vehicles – Antiques Wanted

Your guide to the Classification Categories and sub-listings within this section.

BuiLDinG & RenOVATiOnS – Building Supplies – Concrete Repair – Doors & Windows – Electrical & Plumbing – Insulation – Lumber – Roofing Buildings Business Machines Business Opportunities

Arenas AuCTiOn SALeS – MB Auction Parkland – MB Auction Westman – MB Auction Interlake – MB Auction Red River – SK Auction – AB Auction Peace – AB Auction North – AB Auction Central – AB Auction South – BC Auction – Auction Various – U.S. Auctions

BuSineSS SeRViCeS – Crop Consulting – Financial & Legal – Insurance/Investments Butchers Supply Chemicals Clothing/Work wear Clothing/Western /Specialty wear Collectibles Compressors Computers

Auction Schools AuTO & TRAnSpORT – Auto Service & Repairs – Auto & Truck Parts – Autos – Trucks – Semi Trucks & Trailers – Sport Utilities – Vans – Vehicles Various – Vehicles Wanted

COnTRACTinG – Custom Baling – Custom Feeding – Custom Harvesting – Custom Seeding – Custom Silage – Custom Spraying – Custom Trucking – Custom Tub Grinding – Custom Work Construction Equipment Crop Inputs Dairy Equipment Electrical Engines Entertainment

BeeKeepinG – Honey Bees – Cutter Bees – Bee Equipment Belting Biodiesel Equipment Books & Magazines

TiLLAGe & SeeDinG – Air Drills – Air Seeders – Harrows & Packers – Seeding Various – Tillage Equipment – Tillage Various

FARM MAChineRy – Aeration – Conveyors – Equipment Monitors

– Fertilizer Equipment – Grain Augers – Grain Bins – Grain Carts – Grain Cleaners – Grain Dryers – Grain Elevators – Grain Handling – Grain Testers – Grain Vacuums – Hydraulics – Irrigation Equipment – Loaders & Dozers – Parts & Accessories – Potato & Row Crop Equipment – Repairs – Rockpickers – Salvage – Silage Equipment – Snowblowers/Plows – Specialty Equipment – Machinery Miscellaneous – Machinery Wanted

TRACTORS – Agco – Allis/Deutz – Belarus – Case/IH – Caterpillar – Ford – John Deere – Kubota – Massey Ferguson – New Holland – Steiger – Universal – Versatile – White – Zetor – 2-Wheel Drive – 4-Wheel Drive – Various Fencing Firewood Fish Farm Forestry/Logging Fork Lifts/Pallet Trucks Fur Farming Generators GPS Health Care Heat & Air Conditioning Hides/Furs/Leathers Hobby & Handicrafts Household Items Iron & Steel

hAyinG & hARVeSTinG – Baling Equipment – Mower Conditioners – Swathers – Swather Accessories – Various COMBineS – Belarus – Case/IH – Cl – Caterpillar Lexion – Deutz – Ford/NH – Gleaner – John Deere – Massey Ferguson – Versatile – White – Combines - Various – Accessories

LAnDSCApinG – Greenhouses – Lawn & Garden LiVeSTOCK Cattle – Cattle Auctions – Angus – Black Angus – Red Angus – Aryshire – Belgian Blue – Blonde d’Aquitaine

SpRAyinG equipMenT – Sprayers – Various

– Brahman – Brangus – Braunvieh – BueLingo – Charolais – Dairy – Dexter – Excellerator – Galloway – Gelbvieh – Guernsey – Hereford – Highland – Holstein – Jersey – Limousin – Lowline – Luing – Maine-Anjou – Miniature – Murray Grey – Piedmontese – Pinzgauer – Red Poll – Salers – Santa Gertrudis – Shaver Beefblend – Shorthorn – Simmental – South Devon – Speckle Park – Tarentaise – Texas Longhorn – Wagyu – Welsh Black – Cattle Composite – Cattle Various – Cattle Wanted Horses – Horse Auctions – American Saddlebred – Appaloosa – Arabian – Belgian – Canadian – Clydesdale – Draft – Donkeys – Haflinger – Miniature – Morgan – Mules – Norwegian Ford – Paint – Palomino – Percheron

– Peruvian – Pinto – Ponies – Quarter Horse – Shetland – Sport Horses – Standardbred – Tennessee Walker – Thoroughbred – Warmblood – Welsh – Horses For Sale – Horses Wanted poultry – Poultry For Sale – Poultry Wanted Sheep – Sheep Auction – Arcott – Columbia – Dorper – Dorset – Katahdin – Lincoln – Suffolk – Texel Sheep – Sheep For Sale – Sheep Wanted Swine – Swine Auction – Swine For Sale – Swine Wanted Speciality – Alpacas – Bison (Buffalo) – Deer – Elk – Goats – Llama – Rabbits – Emu/Ostrich/Rhea – Yaks – Various Livestock Equipment Livestock Services & Vet Supplies Misc. Articles For Sale Misc. Articles Wanted Musical Notices On-Line Services ORGAniC – Organic Certified – Organic Food – Organic Grains

Outfitters Personal Pest Control Pets & Supplies Photography Propane Pumps Radio, TV & Satellite ReAL eSTATe – Commercial Buildings – Condos – Cottages & Lots – Houses & Lots – Land For Rent – Land For Sale – Mobile Homes – Motels & Hotels – Resorts – Vacation Property – farms & Ranches – Acreages/Hobby Farms – Manitoba – Saskatchewan – Alberta – British Columbia – Pastureland – Farms/Ranches Wanted ReCReATiOnAL VehiCLeS – All Terrain Vehicles – Boats & Water – Campers & Trailers – Golf Carts – Motor Homes – Motorcycles – Snowmobiles Recycling Refrigeration Restaurant Supplies Sausage Equipment Sawmills Scales CeRTiFieD SeeD – Cereal Seeds – Forage Seeds – Oilseeds – Pulse Crops – Specialty Crops COMMOn SeeD – Cereal Seeds – Forage Seeds – Grass Seeds – Oilseeds – Pulse Crops – Common Seed Various

SeeD/FeeD/GRAin – Feed Grain – Hay & Straw – Feed Wanted – Grain Wanted – Hay & Feed Wanted – Seed Wanted Sewing Machines Sharpening Services Silos Sporting Goods Stamps & Coins Swap Tanks Tarpaulins Tenders Tickets Tires Tools TRAiLeRS – Grain Trailers – Livestock Trailers – Trailers Miscellaneous Travel Water Pumps Water Treatment Welding Well Drilling Well & Cistern Winches CAReeRS – Career Training – Child Care – Construction – Domestic Services – Farm/Ranch – Forestry/Log – Health Care – Help Wanted – Management – Mining – Oil Field – Professional – Resume Services – Sales/Marketing – Trades/Tech – Truck Drivers – Employment Wanted

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Expiry Date: Signature: _______________________________________________ Published by Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 WINNIPEG OFFICE Manitoba Co-operator 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 Toll-Free in Canada 1-800-782-0794 Phone 204-954-1415 in Winnipeg FAX 204-954-1422 Mailing Address: Box 9800, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3K7

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

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CAUTION The Manitoba Co-operator, while assuming no responsibility for advertisements appearing in its columns, exercises the greatest care in an endeavor to restrict advertising to wholly reliable firms or individuals. However, please do not send money to a Manitoba Co-operator box number. Buyers are advised to request shipment C.O.D. when ordering from an unknown advertiser, thus minimizing the chance of fraud and eliminating the necessity of a refund where the goods have already been sold. At Farm Business Communications we have a firm commitment to protecting your privacy and security as our customer. Farm Business Communications will only collect personal information if it is required for the proper functioning of our business. As part of our commitment to enhance customer service, we may share this personal information with other strategic business partners. For more information regarding our Customer Informa-

TOTAL: ______________________ tion Privacy Policy, write to: Information Protection Officer, Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1. Occasionally we make our list of subscribers available to other reputable firms whose products and services might be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please contact us at the address in the preceding paragraph, or call 1-800-782-0794. The editors and journalists who write, contribute and provide opinions to Manitoba Co-operator and Farm Business Communications attempt to provide accurate and useful opinions, information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists and Manitoba Co-operator and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the editors as well as Manitoba Co-operator and Farm Business Communication assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader for this publication based on any and all information provided.

• Minimum charge — $11.25 per week for first 25 words or less and an additional 45 cents per word for every word over 25. Additional bolding 75 cents per word. GST is extra. • 10% discount for prepaid ads. If phoning in your ad you must pay with VISA or MasterCard to qualify for discount. • Prepayment Bonus: Prepay for 3 weeks & get a bonus of 2 weeks; bonus weeks run consecutively & cannot be used separately from original ad; additions & changes accepted only during first 3 weeks. • Ask about our Priority Placement. • If you wish to have replies sent to a confidential box number, please add $5.00 per week to your total. Count eight words for your address. Example: Ad XXXX, Manitoba Co-operator, Box 9800, Winnipeg, R3C 3K7. • Your complete name and address must be submitted to our office before publication. (This information will be kept confidential and will not appear in the ad unless requested.) DISplAy ClASSIfIED • Advertising copy deviating in any way from the regular classified style will be considered display and charged at the display rate of $32.20 per column inch ($2.30 per agate line). • Minimum charge $32.20 per week + $5.00 for online per week. • Illustrations and logos are allowed with full border. • Spot color: 25% of ad cost, with a minimum charge of $15.00. • Advertising rates are flat with no discount for frequency of insertion or volume of space used. • Telephone orders accepted • Price quoted does not include GST. All classified ads are non-commissionable.

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

AUCTION DISTRICTS Parkland – North of Hwy 1; west of PR 242, following the west shore of Lake Manitoba and east shore of Lake Winnipegosis. Westman – South of Hwy 1; west of PR 242. Interlake – North of Hwy 1; east of PR 242, following the west shore of Lake Manitoba and east shore of Lake Winnipegosis. Red River – South ofHwy 1; east of PR 242.

The Pas

Swan River

NOW BOOKING SPRING & SUMMER 2015 FARM AND OTHER AUCTIONS

Minitonas Durban

Winnipegosis

Roblin

Dauphin

Grandview

Ashern

Gilbert Plains

Fisher Branch

Ste. Rose du Lac

Parkland

Birtle

Riverton Eriksdale

McCreary

Gimli

Shoal Lake

Langruth

Neepawa

Gladstone

Rapid City Virden

Brandon

Carberry

Boissevain

Killarney

Pilot Mound Crystal City

Elm Creek

Sanford

Ste. Anne

Carman

Mariapolis

St. Pierre

242

Morris Winkler Morden

Altona

Steinbach

Red River

WINTER PROJECTS: IH W4; IH WD6; IH H; JD AR; JD R; JD 70 DSL; JD 730 RC DSL; 1929 JD D; Oliver 77 RC; MH 44 RC DSL; MH 55 DSL; Fordson Major; Caterpillar RD4. (204)745-7445.

AUCTION SALES AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Interlake

McSherry Auction Service Ltd

AUCTION SALE Estate & Moving

Sun., Dec 14 @ 10:00 am Stonewall, MB - #12 Patterson Drive

Tools * Yard & Rec * Antiques * Household * Lots of NEW Store Product * Go to the Website for Listing & Pictures!! (204) 467-1858 or (204) 886-7027

www.mcsherryauction.com Go public with an ad in the Manitoba Co-operator classifieds. Phone 1-800-782-0794.

McSherry Auction Service Ltd

Looking for a hand around the farm? Place a help wanted ad in the classifieds. Call 1-800-782-0794.

1-855-326-4556

TOOLS, TRUCK’S, & EQUIPMENT AUCTION THURSDAY DECEMBER 18th 5:30 PM Location: 218 Brandt St. Steinbach, MB

COMMERCIAL TENTS & SHELTERS

• 20ftX40ft Event Tent • 10ftX20ft Party Tent / Storage Shelter • 8.5ftX10ft Aluminum Greenhouse

YARD EQUIPMENT & SNOWMOBILE

• 2-84 inch Hydraulic Skid Steer Snow Plow Dozers • 13 HP Gas Powered Log Splitter • 2006 Polaris FST Classic 800 4 Stroke Turbo, Reverse, Electric Start • NEW 3000 PSI 2.5 GPM Gas Powered Pressure Washer w/ GX Commerical Honda Engine & CAT Pump

• 3000 PSI Pressure Washer Gas Powered w/ Comet Pump & GC190 Honda Engine • KLINE 15 HP 40 Gallon Gas Powered 2 Stage Air Compressor • 30 Gallon Horizontal Gas 2 Stage Air Compressor w/ GX390 Commercial Honda, Electric Start, After-cooler • TOOLS PALLET LOTS OF WELDERS, PORTO POWER, PRESSURE WASHERS, CHAIN SAWS

FARM EQUIPMENT

• New Holland 28 Forage Blower • Qty HiQual Gates • 330ft Rolls Farm Fence

CALL TODAY TO CONSIGN!!

Full Listing At www.pennerauctions.com 218 Brandt Street Steinbach, MB Ph: 204.326.3061 Fax: 204.326.3061 Toll Free: 1-866-512-8992 www.pennerauctions.com

We look forward to many auctions in 2015

AUTO & TRANSPORT AUTO & TRANSPORT Trucks 1994 FREIGHTLINER MODEL 120 w/60 series Detroit engine 15-ft gravel box $10,000, good solid truck; 2,350 Chev engines, $350 each; 1 Chev trans. overhauled, $200; Older 1979 Chev w/flat-deck 3/4-Ton, $200; 1100 MF tractor w/easel & front end loader, bale fork & bucket, $2,800. Phone (204)824-2239. 2001 3/4 TONNE DODGE 4x4, club cab, 6-spd, safetied, 335,000-kms, $13,500 firm. Must be seen. (204)436-2571, cell (204)857-2561.

! AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Red River

Merry Christmas to all our Clients,Auction Attendees, and Friends. May you experience the True Meaning of Christmas as you Celebrate with Family and Friends. From Management & Staff

FOR SALE: 1998 CHEV 1/2 ton 4x4, runs decent, fair condition, $1,200 OBO. Phone:(204)637-2393 or (204)212-2393.

BEEKEEPING

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

AFAB INDUSTRIES IS YOUR SUPERIOR post frame building company. For estimates and information call 1-888-816-AFAB(2322). Website: www.postframebuilding.com

CAMBRIAN EQUIPMENT. TRACK & four-wheel drive loaders ready to work. 966 w/pulp loader. Fiat-Allis 345-605-840, Clark 45, Dresser 530. Case 621-B. Nine-yard Volvo. Five two-wheel loaders need work track type. TD92 w/loader, Cat 941 w/loader, 955H w/loader, Dresser 175-C. Over 900 tires & over 500 new & used hydraulic cylinders. Have dismantled loaders for parts. New parts for low prices, acres of salvage. Call:(204)667-2867 or Fax:(204)667-2932.

CONCRETE FLATWORK: Specializing in place & finish of concrete floors. Can accommodate any floor design. References available. Alexander, MB. 204-752-2069.

BUSINESS SERVICES

FOR SALE: JD 555 crawler loader, 9-ft. dover, 1 1/4-yd bucket, used steering clutches, A1 shape, A2 HWO, $21,000. Phone (204)824-2239.

BUSINESS SERVICES Crop Consulting

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

FARM MACHINERY

Sale Conducted by: PENNER AUCTION SALES LTD.

Manitoba Co-operator classifieds, 1-800-782-0794.

FARM MACHINERY Grain Bins CUSTOM BIN MOVING Book now! Fert Tanks. Hopper Bins/flat. Buy/Sell. Call Tim (204)362-7103 or E-mail Requests binmover50@gmail.com

FARM MACHINERY Grain Elevators 80-FT. BUCKET ELEVATING LEG w/3 phase 10-HP electric motor. Phone (204)886-3304.

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT CAMBRIAN EQUIPMENT. 25 FORKLIFTS, some good ones & some parting out. Over 80 sets of forks, frames & attachements of all types. Central Canada’s largest wreckers of construction equipment, with two yards over 50-ac. We have what you need. Call:(204)667-2867 or Fax:(204)667-2932. Located 494 Panet Rd, Winnipeg, MB. CAMBRIAN EQUIPMENT. CRAWLER DOZERS, D8H bush equipment, old D7 good runner, D6 high track & old D6 9U series, D4 40. Now wrecking mini truck type dozers & loaders. New parts at low, low prices. Salvage all types on two yards over 50-acres. Call: (204)667-2867 or Fax: (204)667-2932. CAMBRIAN EQUIPMENT. OVER 500 new & used buckets, snow buckets for loaders & skidsteers, buckets for large front end loaders, buckets for backhoes and attachments of all sizes. Dozer blades for snow & several snow blowers small & large. 5 gas & diesel trucks w/blowers & blades attached. Acres & acres of salvage. Central Canada’s largest wreckers of construction equipment with two yards over 50-ac we have what you need. Call:(204)667-2867 or Fax:(204)667-2932. Located at 494 Panet Rd Winnipeg MB. CAMBRIAN EQUIPMENT. PARTING 20 graders, John Deere 772 A1B, Fiat-Allis 100 DD, Cat 112-120-12E-8T-140. Champion 562 -600 -720 -930-740-760. Some new parts in stock, central Canada’s largest wreckers of construction equipment with two-yards over 50-acres. We have what you need. Call: (204)667-2867 or Fax: (204)667-2932. Located at 494 Panet Rd Winnipeg MB.

PENNER AUCTION SALES LTD.

We would like to thank all our clients, auction attendees and friends for a great 2014.

FARM MACHINERY Grain Vacuums CURT’S GRAIN VAC SERVICES, parts & repair for all makes & models. Craik SK, (306)734-2228.

FARM MACHINERY Irrigation Equipment REINKE LATERAL IRRIGATOR, 4 span, trench guidance system, mounted genset & drag hose, $32,500 @ Treherne (204)526-7682

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories GOODS USED TRACTOR PARTS: (204)564-2528 or 1-877-564-8734, Roblin, MB. MURPHY SALVAGE New & used parts for tractors, combines, swathers, square & round balers, tillage, press drills & other misc machinery. MURPHY SALVAGE (204)858-2727 or toll free 1-877-858-2728.

Harvest Salvage Co. Ltd. 1-866-729-9876 5150 Richmond Ave. East BRANDON, MB. www.harvestsalvage.ca New, Used & Re-man. Parts

Tractors Combines Swathers

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

TIMED ONLINE

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

AUCTION Complete terms, lot listings & photos at SteffesGroup.com

OPENS: Tuesday, Dec. 9 CLOSES: Friday, Dec. 19 Join the Mies crew for an Open House Wednesday, December 17, 10AM-3PM for refreshments, store discounts, and auction item viewing! LOCATION: 720 Hwy 55 West, Watkins, MN 55389

PREVIEW: Monday-Friday from 9AM-3PM. LOADOUT: Monday-Friday from 9AM-3PM. All items must be removed by January 23, 2015. Free loading until January 9, 2015. There will be no loading on December 24, December 25 & January 1, 2015 (no exceptions).

BEEKEEPING Honey Bees STRONG SINGLE HIVES OR nucs for sale. Phone Andy Loewen:(204)326-1500 or (204)381-7993. andyloewen@hotmail.ca

BUILDING & RENOVATIONS BUILDING & RENOVATIONS Roofing

PRICE TO CLEAR!! 75 truckloads 29 gauge full hard 100,000PSI high tensile roofing & siding. 16 colours to choose from. B-Gr. coloured......................70¢/ft.2

Multi-coloured millends.........49¢/ft.2

Ask about our blowout colours...65¢/ft.2 Also in stock low rib white 29 ga. ideal for archrib buildings BEAT THE PRICE INCREASES CALL NOW

FOUILLARD STEEL SUPPLIES LTD. BUILDINGS

From Everyone at

BILL KLASSEN AUCTIONEERS

ANTIQUES Antique Equipment

BUILDINGS

FARM CHEMICAL SEED COMPLAINTS

See our website: www.billklassen.com or call 204-325-4433 cell 6230

ANTIQUES

Winkler, MB • 1-204-325-4433

To All Our Clients & Friends From Across Western Canada

Professional Full Service Auction Company. For No Obligation Auction Consultation

Lac du Bonnet

Beausejour

Winnipeg

Austin Treherne

Westman

Waskada

Stonewall Selkirk

Portage

Souris

Melita

Interlake

Erickson Minnedosa

Hamiota

Reston

Arborg

Lundar

BUILDING & RENOVATIONS Doors & Windows If you want to sell it fast, call 1-800-782-0794.

Winkler, MB • 1-204-325-4433

Birch River

Russell

AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Red River

ST. LAZARE, MB. 1-800-510-3303

4WD TRACTOR 2012 JD 9560R, premium cab, powershift, 4 hyd., touch screen, HID lights, weight package, 595 hrs., S/N1RW9560RKCP004576 MFWD TRACTORS 2012 JD 8285R, MFWD, premium cab, active seat, IVT, 906 hrs., S/N1RW8285RTBD054318 2010 JD 8270R, MFWD, deluxe cab, active seat, IVT, 1,419 hrs., S/N1RW8270RPAD006433 2012 JD 8260R, MFWD, premium cab, active seat, ILS, 735 hrs., S/N1RW8260RTCP059952 2012 JD 8235R, MFWD, deluxe cab, powershift, 4 hyd., 345 hrs., S/N1RW8235RJCP060854 2011 JD 8235R, MFWD, premium cab, active seat, 1,392 hrs., S/N1RW8235RKPB044635 2012 JD 7200R, MFWD, premium cab, active seat, 1,432 hrs., S/N1RW7200RCCA006881 2012 JD 6210R, MFWD, deluxe cab, 1,743 hrs., S/N1RW6210RCCA002033 2013 JD 6170R, MFWD, deluxe cab, 716 hrs., S/N1RW6170RTDA008584 2013 JD 6140R, MFWD, deluxe cab, buddy seat, loader ready, no loader

included, 941 hrs., S/N1RW6140RTDA008776 2012 JD 7230, MFWD, premium cab, air seat, JD 730 quick tach loader, joystick, 8’ bucket, 1,370 hrs., S/NRW7230K030596 2012 JD 6430, MFWD, premium cab, 24 spd., 997 hrs., S/N1L06430KCCK715543 2008 JD 7330, MFWD, cab, 3,553 hrs., S/NRW7330K005591 2006 JD 7830, MFWD, deluxe cab, buddy seat, 2,158 hrs., S/NRW7830D001250 2007 Case-IH Puma 180, MFWD, cab, buddy seat, 1,702 hrs., S/NZ7BH01413 2WD TRACTORS & LOADERS JD 2240, open station, diesel, shows 1,789 hrs., S/N291158 1966 JD 4020, wide front, gas, 8,028 hrs., repaired, S/N145498 JD 650 utility tractor, 2WD, 19.5 hp. diesel, hyd. front loader, 48” bucket, shows 1,104 hrs. COMBINES 2004 JD 9660, STS, Contour-Master, deluxe controls, 1,747 sep. hrs., 2,439 engine hrs., S/NH09660S707263 2000 JD 9650, GreenStar ready, Y&M less display, 2,442 sep. hrs., 3,527 engine hrs., S/NH09650W685662 1994 JD 9400, fore/aft, rock trap, chopper, hopper ext., 1,598 sep. hrs., 2,336 engine hrs., S/NH09400X655284 1982 JD 7720, CAH, turbo hydro, DAM, 5,465 engine hrs., S/N511177

CONTACT: Jim Orn, 320.764.5310 or Eric Gabrielson at Steffes 320.693.9371 or 701.238.2570

FLEX & PICKUP HEADS 2004 JD 630F flex head, 30’ 1998 JD 925F flex head 1992 JD 930F flex head JD 220 flex head, 20’, S/N438955 1990 JD 912 6-belt pickup 1978 JD 200 pickup head, 5-belt CHOPPING CORN HEADS 2010 Geringhoff RD600 chopping corn head, 6x30”, hyd. deck plates 2010 JD 608C Stalkmaster chopping corn head, 8x30” 2005 Harvest Tech 4308C chopping corn head, 8x30” NON-CHOPPING CORN HEADS 1994 JD 893, 8 row, fluted rolls 1978 JD 643 corn head, 6x30” 1978 JD 643 corn head, 6x30” 1974 JD 643 corn head, 6x30” PLANTERS 2011 JD 1770 planter, 16x30”, VacuMeter, 2 pt., 9,499 acres, S/N1A01770YTBM740258 2010 JD 1770NT planter, CCS, 16x30”, VacuMeter, 2 pt., variable hyd. drive, S/NA01770P735494 2009 JD 1770NT planter, CCS, 16x30”, VacuMeter, 2 pt., mechanical drive, (2) 50 bu. tanks, liquid fertilizer tank, 11,357 acres, S/NA01770P730548 2007 JD 1770NT planter, 16x30”, 2 pt., 350 monitor, liquid fertilizer, 420 gal. liquid fertilizer tank, 5,500 acres, S/NA01770Y720148 1997 JD 1770 planter, 16x30”, VacuMeter, 250 monitor, 420 gal. liquid fertilizer tank, 42,513 acres, S/NA01770A670382

1992 JD 7200 planter, 16x30”, 9,172 acres, S/NH07200D502347 TILLAGE EQUIPMENT 2012 JD 2620 rock flex disc, 26-1/2’, S/N1N02620XKC0750135 2008 JD 200 crumbler, 45-1/2’ 1997 JD 980 field cultivator, 36-1/2’ 1994 JD 980 field cultivator, 27-1/2’ JD 3600 plow, 6 bottom JD 2700 plow, 5 bottom, coulter Summer 3-bar harrow Unverferth leveler XUVS 2013 JD XUV 825I, 4x4, EFI 2013 Sportsman 800 6x6, EFI 2012 JD XUV 825I, 4x4, EFI 2012 Ranger 800XP LE, 4x4, EFI 2011 Ranger 800XP XP, 4x4 2011 Razor 900 Razor XP, 4x4 2010 Ranger 800XP, 4x4 2009 Suzuki 750 AXI King Quad, 4x4 2008 Bobcat 2300, 4x4, diesel 2007 Arctic Cat 650 H1, 4x4 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES 2013 HD Street Bob, 6,704 miles 2012 HD Dyna Wide Glide, 9,956 mi. 2009 HD Road Glide, 31,024 mi. 2007 HD Electra Glide, 52,829 mi. 2002 HD Softtail Deuce, 25,068 mi. 1999 HD Dyna Low Rider, 16,397 mi. LOADER ATTACHMENTS GRAIN CART & GRAVITY BOX HAY & FORAGE EQUIPMENT OTHER EQUIPMENT LAWN TRACTORS

IQBID is a division of Steffes Group Inc. 24400 MN Hwy. 22 South, Litchfield, MN 55355 Eric Gabrielson MN47-08, Ashley Huhn MN47-06, Randy Kath MN47-001, Scott Steffes MN14-51 | 320.693.9371 | SteffesGroup.com

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories NEW & USED TRACTOR PARTS NEW COMBINE PARTS Large Inventory of new and remanufactured parts

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

CASE 621 LOADER, 3-YD; 1996 Ford 7.3 Diesel, 5-spd, XL350 w/Haul-all compactor; 1980 Ford 8000 series gas tandem, 15-ft gravel box & hoist. (306)238-7501.

IHC#80 SNOWBLOWER, LITTLE WORK done, good condition; 2003 Chevy pick-up end gate for 5th wheel hitch; 1981 950 JD diesel tractor, w/rotary mower. Phone:(204)822-3835.

HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING

JD-4230 TRACTOR, CAB W/9-FT JD blade; JD-420 1958, antique; JD mower conditioner, 12-ft 1380; JD-430 round baler; NH-512 manure spreader; 3-Twister grain bins 1650-bu. (204)742-3424.

The Icynene Insulation System®

FYFE PARTS

1-800-667-9871 • Regina 1-800-667-3095 • Saskatoon 1-800-387-2768 • Winnipeg 1-800-222-6594 • Edmonton “For All Your Farm Parts”

www.fyfeparts.com STEINBACH, MB. Ph. 326-2443 Toll-Free 1-800-881-7727 Fax (204) 326-5878 Web site: farmparts.ca E-mail: roy@farmparts.ca Looking for a hand around the farm? Place a help wanted ad in the classifieds. Call 1-800-782-0794.

1-800-782-0794 Stretch your ADVERTISING DOLLAR!

The Real Used FaRm PaRTs sUPeRsToRe Over 2700 Units for Salvage • TRACTORS • COMBINES • SWATHERS • DISCERS Call Joe, leN oR daRWIN (306) 946-2222 monday-Friday - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous 1750 COCKSHUTT TRACTOR W/LOADER & cab, asking $2,700; Allied 72-in snowblower, 3-pt hitch, good condition, asking $750. Phone: (204)728-1861. 1980 230 TIMBER JACK cable skidder, excellent condition, new starter, injectors, main line, c/w chains on front tires. Call (807)466-7610 or (807)548-4435 or email angelica@talomafarms.com 5230 CASE IH, 3,200-HRS, 3PH, loader grapple $30,000; 16-ft Hesston disc-bine, cut 1,000-ac $25,000; 2005 NH BR780 net/twine, shedded, $13,000. Millet, AB. Phone:(780)352-4947. CAMBRIAN EQUIPMENT CASE 125B delimber, good working order; IH 3964 feller buncher; (2) new Pembenton tree shears to fit CAT 320 & 330; saw-mill all steel 48-in blade, 50-ft long; 450 Timberjack grapple skidder; Clark 668 skidder; CAT 966C hilift w/pulp clam; parting out several skidders. Acres & acres of salvage, 2 yards over 50-acres! Phone:(204)667-2867, Fax:(204)667-2932

DISCS JOHN DEERE 637 rock cushion 35-ft new notched blades on front, $39,000; Wishek 842 26-ft, $39,000; Rippers DMI 5 shank, $8,900; 7 shank, $10,500; Degelmen 14-ft rock rake PTO, $9,500; Degelmen scoop type rock picker, $3,000; Melroe auto reset plows 7 & 8 furrow, 10 x 70 Westfield auger w/swing bottom, $2,500; 7 x 40 Westfield electric motor, $1,000; 8 x 32 Farm King electric motor, $1,000; Leon 12-ft front blade, $3,000. (204)857-8403.

CAMBRIAN EQUIPMENT NEW STEAMCLEANER Easy-Kleen magnum plus 4000. New electric & gas fuel pumps, 12V, only $59/each; New standard 12V fuel gauges, $13/piece; New Delco Remy 12V type 300 starters, $249; 7 units of scissor type lifts, up to 52-ft; Large stock of new & used loader & tractor parts, acres & acres of salvage, 2 yards over 50-ac. Phone:(204)667-2867, Fax:(204)667-2932.

WaTRoUs, sK. Fax: 306-946-2444

GRAINVACS REM 2500 HD, $9,500; Brandt 4000, $7,000; Jump Auger, $500; New Gravity wagons 400 bu, $7,400; 600-bu $12,500; 750-bu $18,250; Tarps available large selection of used gravity wagons 250-750-bu, 375-bu $3,200; 500-bu, $5,500; Used grain carts 650-1100-bu, 672 Brent tarp & scales, $15,000; 874 Brent $22,000; UFT 750 hyd drive, JD 544 Payloader, $14,000; Grain screeners DMC 54, $5,000; DMC 48, $3,000; Hutch 1500, $1,500; Snowco, $800; 5 & 7 tube Kwik Kleens. (204)857-8403.

FOR SALE: D7F CAT PS angle dozer, ripper, bush equipped, A1; MF 2675 dsl cab w/Degelman dozer blade. Phone:(306)238-7501.

It doesn’t get any better than this. Prepay your ad for 3 weeks and get 2 weeks free! Call today! 1-800-782-0794.

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

WATROUS SALVAGE

TIMED ONLINE

Arnold Companies, Inc.

DAY 1 CLOSES: Mon., December 15 DAY 2 CLOSES: Tue., December 16

Day 1: Located at 12098 Cty Rd 150 Kimball, MN Day 2: Located at 655 Lindbergh Trail, Glencoe, MN

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Wanted WANTED: MASSEY 36 DISCER, anywhere, will pick up. Call (306)723-4875.

HAYING & HARVESTING HAYING & HARVESTING Various

Rebuilt Concaves

Rebuild combine table augers Rebuild hydraulic cylinders Roller mills regrooved MFWD housings rebuilt Steel and aluminum welding Machine Shop Service Line boreing and welding

Penno’s Machining & Mfg. Ltd. Eden, MB 204-966-3221 Fax: 204-966-3248

Check out A & I online parts store www.pennosmachining.com

Combines COMBINES Accessories

PREVIEW: Monday-Friday, 9AM – 3PM. LOADOUT: All items must be removed by January 22, 2015 or storage fees will apply. Free loading until January 9, 2015. There will be absolutely no loading on December 24, 25, & 31, 2014 or January 1, 2015. AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: CNH Industrial Capital Financing available on all items from Day 2 Closing.

(14) LAWN & GARDEN EQUIPMENT (11) GPS EQUIPMENT (8) SENSORS & CONTROLS (14) TOOLBOXES / (3) TRUCK CRANES / (7) SHOP EQUIPMENT / (Over 100) TOOLS / (Over 75) TOYS

Join us for an Open House Friday, December 12 from 12098 County Rd 150, Kimball, MN 3PM - 6PM or Saturday, December 13 from 9AM - NOON at the Kimball store location to view toys & tools.

655 Lindbergh Trail, Glencoe, MN

lot listings & photos at

SteffesGroup.com

Open House Friday, December 12 at the Glencoe Store with refreshments & door prizes.

HEADER TRAILERS & ACCESSORIES. Arc-Fab Industries. 204-355-9595 charles@arcfab.ca www.arcfab.ca

LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK Cattle Auctions

GRUNTHAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION MART. LTD.

Hwy #205, Grunthal • (204) 434-6519

Season’s Greetings from the owners and staff REGULAR CATTLE SALES every TUESDAY at 9 am Dec. 16th

Tuesday, Dec. 16th

Regular Cattle Sale - last sale of the year.

*First Sale of 2015: Tuesday, Jan. 6th For on farm appraisal of livestock or for marketing information please call

Tillage & Seeding

WWW.GRUNTHALLIVESTOCK.COM

MB. Livestock Dealer #1111

TILLAGE & SEEDING Air Seeders 1996 36-FT. BOURGAULT AIR seeder, 8880 cultivator w/2155 tank, good condition, $25,000 OBO. (204)745-7445.

TracTors TRACTORS Case/IH

1997 9400 4WD, very good tires, 7,000-hrs, VGC, $95,000 OBO. (204)745-7445.

IQBID is a division of Steffes Group, Inc. 24400 MN Hwy 22 S, Litchﬁeld, MN | Ashley Huhn MN47-002, Eric Gabrielson MN47-006, Randy Kath MN47-007, Scott Steffes ND81 | 320.693.9371 | SteffesGroup.com

FREE STANDING CORRAL PANELS, Feeders & Alley ways, 30ft or order to size. Oil Field Pipe: 1.3, 1.6, 1.9, 1 7/8, 2-in, 2 3/8, 2 7/8, 3 1/2. Sucker Rod: 3/4, 7/8, 1. Casing Pipes: 4-9inch. Sold by the piece or semi load lots. For special pricing call Art (204)685-2628 or cell (204)856-3440.

Harold Unrau (Manager) Cell 871 0250 Auction Mart (204) 434-6519

TRACTORS John Deere

Peter Arnold, 320.864.5531 or contact Eric Gabrielson of Steffes Group, 320.693.9371

IRON & STEEL

2006 AS 1010 APACHE sprayer 60-90 ft. boom, 1,000-gal tank, drop boxes, crop dividers, Trimble auto steer, 1,740-hrs, excellent condition. Phone (204)526-5307 or (204)827-2354, Glenboro.

CASE IH MX 240 (02) 3,993-hrs front weights 480/80R46 Rear tires w/Duals, 380/80R46 Front tires, 3-PTH w/quick attach, 18-SPD, $69,000; Case IH MX 200 6,661-hrs tire same as above, w/rear duals, 3-PTH, 18-SPD, $54,000 @ Treherne phone (204)526-7682.

(4) TRACK TRACTORS / (9) 4WD TRACTORS / (7) MFWD TRACTORS / (7) 2WD TRACTORS & LOADERS / (4) SKID STEER LOADERS / (19) CASE-IH & IHC COMBINES (4) JD COMBINES (14) FLEX HEADS / (2) DRAPER HEADS / (6) CHOPPING CORN HEADS / (18) STANDARD CORN HEADS / (2) ALL CROP HEADS / (16) PLANTERS / (13) DISC RIPPERS / (7) FIELD CULTIVATORS / (4) OTHER TILLAGE EQUIP. / (4) STALK SHREDDERS / (2) GRAVITY BOXES / (6) SPRAYERS / (2) FERTILIZER/CHEMICAL EQUIP. / (9) HAY EQUIP. / (8) FORAGE EQUIPMENT / (5) OTHER EQUIPMENT & PARTS

1-800-587-4711

GRUNTHAL, MB.

SPRAYING EQUIPMENT Sprayers

Complete terms,

www.penta.ca

AGENT FOR T.E.A.M. MARKETING

Spraying EquipmEnt

Over 400 LOTS to be sold online!

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

FOR SALE: JD 1840- Hi/Low Shift, 3PT; JD 2130Hi/Low Shift, 3PT, 2 Hyd’s; JD 2355- MFWD, 3PT, Canopy, Loader; JD 2750- Hi/Low Shift, 3PT, w/FEL; JD 2750- MFWD, CAH, 3PT, w/Loader; JD 2955- MFWD, CAH, 3PT, w/Loader; JD 40208SPD Power Shift, 3PT; JD 4230- Quad Shift, 2 Hyd’s; JD 4240- Quad Shift, 2 Hyd’s; JD 4250Quad Shift, 3PT, Duals; JD 4440- Quad Shift, 2 Hyd’s, Duals; JD 4440- Quad Shift, 3PT, 3 Hyd’s; JD 4450- MFWD, 15SPD, 2 Hyd’s, w/FEL; JD 4450- MFWD, 15SPD, 3PT, Loader; JD 46402WD, Quad Shift, Loader; JD 6400- PQ, 3PT, MFWD, w/640 FEL; JD 6420-24SPD, PQ, w/LHR, 3PT, MFWD; JD 8650- WD, Quad Shift, PTO. All tractors can be sold with new or used loaders. Mitch’s Tractor Sales Ltd. St. Claude, MB. Cell:(204)750-2459. www.mitchstractorsales.com

TRACTORS 2-Wheel Drive STEVE’S TRACTOR REBUILDER specializing in JD tractors in need of repair or burnt, or will buy for parts. JD parts available. Phone: 204-466-2927 or cell: 204-871-5170, Austin.

Season’s Greetings & Best Wishes For a Safe and Happy Holiday BRED COW SALE Mon., Dec. 15, 2014 @ 10:30 a.m. Regular Butcher & Feeder Sale @ 9:00 a.m. Over 350 Bred Cows

SHEEP, LAMB & GOAT SALE BREEDING STOCK SPECIAL

Wed., Dec. 17, 2014 @ 9:00 a.m. (Breeding Ewes Consigned) (Good Christmas Demand On Fat Goats And Lambs)

“LAST SALE FOR THE YEAR” Fri., Dec. 19, 2014 @ 9:00 a.m. We Have 6 to 8 Cow Buyers 7 to 8 Order Buyers - 4 to 6 Local Buyers And Over 1000 Sellers “Where Buyers & Sellers Meet” For more information call: 204-694-8328 or call Mike at 204-807-0747

www.winnipeglivestocksales.com Licence #1122

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Angus 3 YR OLD PB Black Angus bull w/papers, $3,400. Also rolled or crushed Barley & Oats by tote bag or small 50-lb bags, $10. Phone (204)886-2083. HAMCO CATTLE CO - The Hamiltons at Glenboro, MB have for sale a strong group of Red & Black Angus bred heifers & cows. Bred to easy calving bulls. Due to calve Feb-May 2015. Very good vaccination program. For more information, Contact Albert, Glen, or Larissa Hamilton: (204)827-2358 or (204)526-0705, or David Hamilton:(204)822-3054.

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

TILLAGE & SEEDING Air Drills

TECHNOLOGY MADE SIMPLE

$8.36 COST PER ACRE

MB and Eastern SK, call Brent at (204) 771-8244 AB and Western SK, call Larry at (403) 510-7894 www.versatile-ag.com/seeding

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Black Angus FOR SALE: PUREBRED BLACK Angus heifer calves, also bull calves, long yearlings & 1 coming 3-yr old herd sire. Ossawa Angus at Marquette (204)375-6658, cell (204)383-0703.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Charolais 2 MATURE POLLED CHAROLAIS herd sires, easy calvers, Steppler Charolais bloodlines. Available for fall calving. (204)857-8220, (204)857-2260.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Gelbvieh PRAIRIE GELBVIEH ALLIANCE ANNUAL Female Sale Dec. 13th, 2014 7:00pm at Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Moose Jaw, SK. Cattle viewing Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds. For reservations or info call Ian (306)456-2555 Chad (306)436-2086 or Kirk (306)222-8210.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Maine-Anjou WILKINRIDGE STOCK FARM ANNUAL female sale, 2:00p.m Dec. 13th, at the Ridgeville Community Hall. Selling 59 PB Maine-Anjou bred heifers, both red & black. Video & online bidding available at www.dlms.ca. Catalogue & video available at www.wilkinridge.logspot.com. For more information, contact Sid Wilkinson: (204)373-2631.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Simmental 20 SIMMENTAL REGISTERED BRED heifers, due to calve Feb. 5, 2015. Ray-J Simmental. Phone: (204)733-2324.

*Model AC600 shown.

MRL HERDBUILDERS BRED HEIFER Sale. Dec. 12th at the Ranch, Carievale, SK. 140 Bred Heifers, 75 PB, Simmental Red, Black, Fleckvieh 20 Registered Red Angus, 45 Commercial Simmental/Angus. All AI bred to industry leading & calving ease sires. Contact McMillen Ranching Ltd. Lee: (306)483-8067 Dave:(306)483-8660. View catalogue at www.mrlranch.com

LIVESTOCK Cattle Various

Season’s Greetings & Best Wishes For a Safe and Happy Holiday

Based on the 40' ML930 air drill and AC400 air cart on a retail lease contract amortized over 60 months at 4.49% APR. Other product configurations available. See dealer for details. WWW.VERSATILE-AG.COM

It doesn’t get any better than this. Prepay your ad for 3 weeks and get 2 weeks free! Call today! 1-800-782-0794.

Hit our readers where it counts… in the classifieds. Place your ad in the Manitoba Co-operator classifed section. 1-800-782-0794.

TRACTORS Various

BRED COW SALE Mon., Dec. 15, 2014 @ 10:30 a.m. Regular Butcher & Feeder Sale @ 9:00 a.m. • 30 Red Angus X Simmental Heifers And Cows Bred Red Angus. • 20 Black Cows Bred Black (2nd Calvers) • 20 X-Bred Cows Bred Limo • 45 Black Angus Cows Bred Black • 130 Black BWF & Black Cross Simmental (75% of these cows are 3 to 7 years old Bred Black Simmental) • 65 Char & Char Cross Cows Bred Red Simmental

LIVESTOCK Swine Wanted

WANTED: BUTCHER HOGS SOWS AND BOARS FOR EXPORT

P. QUINTAINE & SON LTD. 728-7549 Licence No. 1123 LIVESTOCK Specialty – Bison/Buffalo BRED COWS, CALVES, YEARLINGS. (807)466-7610 or (807)548-4435.

Call

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE FREQUENCY DRIVE 575 VOLTS, 25-30-hp, $1200; 2 Hobart 20-quart, $200 & 40-quart, $800 mixers; Number of used propane tanks 80gal.-1000-gal.-2000-gal. Arnie 24-ft end-dump, $15,000; 7200-bu capacity Grainleg, 110-ft high, $9200. Panther LX4 Scooter, $1250; 20-ft Arnie’s Low-bed, $12,000; Alot of stainless steel hog feeders from 25-75-lbs, $25.00ea. Phone (204)274-2502 Ext.225 OATS, FEEDLOT MIX, W/SALT-MINERAL, $2.80/bu. Tractor chains, $100. Also, barrels of used oil, offers. (204)822-3649. Morden, MB.

PERSONAL SHARE YOUR LIFE, as it’s meant to be... A lasting Relationship. CANDLELIGHT MATCHMAKERS is here to help you. Confidential, Rural, Photos and Profiles to selected matches, Affordable, Local. Serving MB, SK, NW Ontario. Call/Write for info: Box 212, Roland, MB, R0G 1T0, (204)343-2475. The Manitoba Co-operator. Manitoba’s best-read farm publication.

TIRED OF THE HIGH COST OF MARKETING YOUR CALVES?? 300-700 LBS. Steers & Heifers Rob: 528-3254, 724-3400 Ben: 721-3400 800-1000 LBS. Steers & Heifers Don: 528-3477, 729-7240

Contact: D.J. (Don) MacDonald Livestock Ltd. License #1110 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

OVER 350 BRED COWS FOR SALE

SPECIAL EDITION

We Have 6 to 8 Cow Buyers 7 to 8 Order Buyers - 4 to 6 Local Buyers And Over 1000 Sellers “Where Buyers & Sellers Meet” To Consign or for more information call:

204-694-8328 or call Mike at 204-807-0747

www.winnipeglivestocksales.com Licence #1122

Manitoba Ag Days Taking place Jan. 20, 21 & 22, 2015 at the Brandon Keystone Centre

COMPLETE HERD DISPERSAL, 1,250 Black Angus cows, start calving April 15th. Also 50 Black Angus bulls. Call (204)447-2382, evenings.

The Manitoba Co-operator is presenting a great opportunity for you to feature your business, products or booth at Manitoba Ag Days in the Jan. 8th edition. The Manitoba Ag Days Show is a winter indoor exposition of agricultural production expertise, technology, and equipment held in Brandon every January. The Show attracts exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and North Central United States and provides an annual opportunity for producers to comparison shop for everything they need for their agricultural operations.

DEADLINE: DEC. 22nd · ISSUE DATE: JAN. 8th Contact your Manitoba Co-operator Sales representative to book your space today!

Terry McGarry Ph: 204-981-3730 Fax: 204-253-0879 Email: trmcgarr@mts.net

SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!

FOR SALE: 500 BRED heifers, 300 Black & Black X bred. 100 Red & Red X bred, & 100 Char X. Heifers have all had their vaccinations, Blacks are bred to Black Angus bulls, Reds & Chars bred to Red Angus & are all easy calving. Calving start date, March 20th. Call (204)768-0184. HERD DISPERSAL, 60 BLACK Angus & Simmental Charolais cross cows, all will be third calvers, 1 4-yr old Purebred Angus bull. (204)548-2883

LIVESTOCK Sheep Auctions

GREAT GORP PROJECT Triathlete creates home-grown energy bar » PAGE 44

The pros and cons of applying in dry soil » PAGE 17

Season’s Greetings & Best Wishes For a Safe and Happy Holiday

Wed., Dec. 17, 2014 @ 1:00 p.m. • 55 Crossbred Ewes • 50 Dorset Ewes • 40 Dorper Ewes • 45 Suffolk Cross Rideau Ewes • 20 Katahdin Cross Ewes

ALL THESE EWES ARE 2 TO 4 YEARS OLD OCTOBER 11, 2012

Communications breakdown added to emergency Firefighting made more dangerous without communications By Lorraine Stevenson CO-OPERATOR STAFF

olunteer firefighters racing to reach fire-threatened Vita last week passed hundreds of vehicles headed the other direction and wondered what they were headed into, said veteran firefighter Alain Nadeau. “I’ve been doing this for 33 years and this was the scariest I’ve seen,” said the weary La Broquerie fire chief on Friday after an exhausting week. The air was so smoke filled around the southeastern village “we could barely breathe,” he said. See GRASS FIRES on page 6 »

SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | VOL. 70, NO. 41 | $1.75

GOT SEED? By Daniel Winters CO-OPERATOR STAFF / MELITA

ising corn acres and severe drought in the Midwestern United States may crimp supplies of popular corn seed varieties for the com-

ing year. “It’s really short,” said Ron Rabe, a Dekalb agronomist, who gave a brief talk on corn production in Manitoba at a recent WADO field tour. Derek Erb, who farms near Oak Bluff and sells Pioneer Hi-Bred corn

MANITOBACOOPERATOR.CA

Corn seed might be tight next spring Rising demand and dismal growing conditions in the drought-stricken United States may limit supplies seed, said farmers looking to secure seed for next spring should act quickly to secure their supplies, even if it means placing orders earlier than usual. Pioneer Hi-Bred’s top varieties, which include D95 and D97, account for roughly half the acres seeded in the province. Erb said that with the harvest and quality testing still underway in some areas, it’s difficult to estimate how much corn seed will be available for next year. One thing’s for sure, waiting until Ag Days in January to secure supplies will

be too late. “I would pretty much bank on that,” said Erb. Dry conditions throughout the province have seen the corn harvest arriving about a month earlier than usual, and seed orders have started coming in sooner than usual too. Even with the possibility of a shortage of corn seed, Erb doesn’t expect the price of Pioneer’s supplies to rise much more than it has in recent years. Rob Park, of RJP Seeds in Carman, who deals in Hyland seed varieties, See CORN SEED on page 6 »

Call Ken 204-794-8383 #45 Mountain View Rd. Winnipeg, MB

Trux-N-Parts Salvage Inc.

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Houses & Lots READY TO MOVE HOMES -Marvin Homes- Your RTM Home Builder since 1976. Super Deal!Only one unit left. 1320-sqft, 3 bdrm, 2 bath; Master suite has walk-in closet & 3-piece bath. Main floor laundry; Beautiful kitchen w/island. Suitable for basement or crawlspace. Call for more info. Marvin Homes, Mitchell, MB. (204)326-1493 or (204)355-8484. www.marvinhomes.ca

3 KIPLING LANE SHEEP, LAMB & GOAT SALE BREEDING STOCK SPECIAL

RISKS AND REWARDS OF FALL

1000 Litre Caged Storage Tanks $60.00 each

Sale Will See Strong Demand For Good Finished Lambs And Goats. “Where Buyers & Sellers Meet” To Consign Or For More Information Call:

204-694-8328 or call Mike at 204-807-0747

www.winnipeglivestocksales.com Licence #1122

1604 sq. ft. 2 storey $319,900 in Niverville, 20 min. south of Wpg. 3+1 BR. 3.5 bath. Modern open concept main floor w. espresso finished hardwoods. Gas fireplace. Island & high end stainless steel appliances, under cab. lighting. Huge master w. tray ceiling, WIC + bath. 2nd flr. Laundry w. front load appl. Fin. bsmt. 12x20 deck, dble detached garage. Must see! NIVERVILLE,MB · PH:1-204-899-7684

REAL ESTATE Land For Rent WANTED TO RENT CULTIVATED acres for 2015. Prefer minimum 3-yr agreement. Call (204)362-0433 or (204)327-5324.

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

Officers of the Corn

by Adrian Powell

22 25

33 38

41 46

ACROSS 1 Simple beginning? 4 End of a hangman's rope 9 Stellar explosions 14 Popular Islamic name 15 Orderly display 16 Fairway clubs 17 "Exodus" actor Mineo 18 Hogan's Heroes character that might look a little "grainy"? 20 Views with jealousy 22 Simple card game with forfeits 23 Outdated PC operating sys. 24 No longer living 25 Nipple ring? 28 Some "nut" who might have done it with the lead pipe? 31 Sphere, basically 32 Scottish clan divisions 33 Roman Empire invader 36 "Survivorman" shelter, often 38 Orbital high point 40 BP's US subsidiary 41 Betty's buddy, in toons 44 High jumper's hurdle 45 Chicken franchise bigwig who'll "amaize" you? 49 Tilted 50 Pretty good golf scores 51 In one's 90's, say 54 Big cavity 55 Offshore Newfoundland sight 57 "Corny", pompous WWII British toon figure?

61 62 63 64 65 66 67

Intimate hotel Benefit Osprey's nest, e.g. When the plane's due, briefly Two-masted vessels Cuts back on calories Scatter some seed

DOWN 1 Nice comfy feeling 2 Mud slinger, maybe 3 Dominant gorilla 4 One with the most skin showing 5 Refinable rocks 6 Three-time Hart trophy winner Bobby 7 ___ Francisco 8 Like some cave fish 9 Inventor Tesla 10 The NBA's Magic, on scoreboards 11 Vast empty space 12 ___ Domini 13 Stamps CFL rivals 19 Pillage 21 "Dr. No" author Fleming 25 Rock group's need 26 Wagon wheel impression 27 Ship watched over by Hera 28 Tree with caffeine loaded pods 29 Sign of the lion 30 Fruits of BC's provincial flower 34 Criticizes severely

35 37 38 39 41 42 43 46 47 48 51 52 53 55 56 58 59 60

Belonging to mom December ditty U.S. physician's org. Zamfir's instrument Became inedible Montreal's ___ Notre-Dame Cause of many 60's trips, briefly Wards off It often gets hammered New Delhi dish Passable A few Bulgarian coins Gunfighter's call Miss out Nibble ceaselessly Zilch "Fantasy Island" garland Wrath SOLUTION TO PUZZLE

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

Sheldon FroeSe 204.371.5131 Stacey hiebert 204.371.5930 dolF FeddeS 204.745.0451 Junior thevenot 204.825.8378 henry carelS 204.573.5396 CanadianFarmRealty.com

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Acreages/Hobby

If you want to sell it fast, call 1-800-782-0794.

Collection of plastic oil jugs Glycol recovery services Specialized waste removal Winter & Summer windshield washer fluid Peak Performance anti-freeze ( available in bulk or drums )

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Hay & Straw Go public with an ad in the Co-operator classifieds. FIRST CUT ALFALFA STARTING at 3 1/2 cents per lb. Also have more 1st, 2nd & 3rd priced according to RFV value (Feed test available). All in med. sq bales. Delivery available. Phone: (204)362-6486. Altona, MB. FOR SALE: 150 FIRST cut & 100 second cut round alfalfa bales. Located in Woodmore area. Phone Larry (204)373-2452.

FOR SALE: 4 SPRAYER tires, 385-85-34 on 8 bolt rims, off rogator sprayer, $1,800 OBO. Phone (204)648-7136

TOOLS FOR SALE: OTC INJECTOR tester model 4200B new condition, $600 OBO. Phone (204)648-7136.

TRAILERS

CERTIFIED SEED CERTIFIED SEED Cereal Seeds JAMES FARMS LTD Brandon, Cardale & Carberry wheat, summit oats, Mcleod & Chadburn R2 soybeans, tradition barley & forage seeds. Various canola & sunflower seed varieties. Custom processing, seed treating, inoculating, as well as delivery are available. Early payment discount. For info call (204)222-8785, or toll-free 1-866-283-8785, Winnipeg. djames@jamesfarms.com

Plumas, MB courtseeds@gmail.com courtseeds.ca 204-386-2354 We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you want to sell it fast place your ad in the Manitoba Co-operator classifieds. It’s a Sure Thing. Call our toll-free number today. We have friendly staff ready to help. 1-800-782-0794.

Phone: 204-526-2145 | www.zeghersseed.com Email: shawnz@zeghersseed.com

QUALITY PEDIGREE SEED SALE CWRS Wheat Other Crops • Cardale • Carberry • Harvest • New, Brandon • Pasteur

• Conlon Barley • Souris Oats • Lightning Flax • Meadow Peas • Red Proso Millet

North Star Seed - Forages Delmar Legend - Soybeans Zeghers Seed Inc. is also a exporter of special crops. Dealing in Flax, Mustard, Rye, Triticale, Spelt, Peas, Canary, Damaged Canola, Millets, and others. Give us a call for marketing opportunities!

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Hay & Straw 1ST CUT ALFALFA HAY for sale in 3 x 3 squares. $0.04/lb. Hay test available. Phone:(204)242-2074, Harry Pauls, LaRiviere, MB. 300 BALES OF ALFALFA Brome & Timothy mixed. Big round bales, $60 per bale. Phone (306)542-4401. 400 5X6 ROUND BALES for sale. First cut alfalfa & alfalfa/brome. Net wrapped, feed tested. Phone: (204)248-2643 or Email: colletfarm@gmail.com Notre Dame, MB. ALFALFA FOR SALE IN 3x4 square bales, stored inside delivery available. (204)746-4505. ALFALFA GRASS MIX in round or large square bales, delivery avail. Call (204)730-3139. ANNUAL RYE GRASS SILAGE bales, 600 wrapped, 60-in diameter, feed analysis available. Call Luc (204)248-2107 or (204)745-7306

TRAILERS Livestock Trailers

Confection and Oil Sunflowers, Brown & Yellow Flax and Red & White Millet Edible Beans

EXISS ALL ALUMINUM LIVESTOCK Trailers 2015 Stock available! 10-Yr Warranty. 7-ft wide x 20-ft & 24-ft lengths. Prices starting at $16,500. SOKAL INDUSTRIES LTD. Phone:(204)334-6596. Email: sokalind@mymts.net

CAREERS

Licensed & Bonded Winkler, MB.

FARMERS, RANCHERS, SEED PROCESSORS BUYING ALL FEED GRAINS

GOOD QUALITY 3X3 FIRST cut alfalfa square bales in shed. Will load for $0.06/lb. Can arrange trucking. Call Hamco Cattle Co. at Glenboro MB (204)827-2358

Heated/Spring Threshed Lightweight/Green/Tough, Mixed Grain - Barley, Oats, Rye, Flax, Wheat, Durum, Lentils, Peas, Canola, Chickpeas, Triticale, Sunflowers, Screenings, Organics and By-Products √ ON-FARM PICKUP √ PROMPT PAYMENT √ LICENSED AND BONDED SASKATOON, LLOYDMINSTER, LETHBRIDGE, VANCOUVER, MINNEDOSA

SMALL SQUARE FIRST CUT alfalfa bales, 3,000 bales, $4.25/each, large order discounts. Phone: (204)828-3648.

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Feed Grain

CAREERS Help Wanted ALECT SEEDS is a pedigreed seed operation at Three Hills. We are looking for a careful, conscientious employee to help us produce quality seed for our customers. Main responsibility will include maintenance and operations of all farm equipment. Our line of equipment is well-maintained, though not necessarily new. Other duties include cleaning equipment and bins and fabrication of specialized equipment for the seed business. Welding skills, Class 1 license and previous farm experience an asset, but we will train in any area. We want to add a detail oriented person with good mechanical aptitude to our team. Wage is $20-25 depending on experience. Please call (403)443-9599 or email resume to sarahweigum@gmail.com FARM HELP REQUIRED for vegetable farm near Carman, MB. Duties may include planting, hoeing, harvesting & packing vegetables. Outdoors, stoop labour, variable hours, minimum wage. April through September. Dufferin Market Gardens (204)745-3077, fax (204)745-6193. F/T POSITION AVAILABLE WORKING on a grain & livestock hog operation. Need a valid driver’s license, Class 1 would be an asset. Annual salary starting at $30,000. Some experience preferred. Phone Luc:(204)248-2107, (204)745-7306 or Email: lluc@mymts.net Notre Dame de Lourdes, MB.

1-204-724-6741

Have you booked your spring wheat?

CDC Plentiful CWRS

NOW BUYING

FOR SALE: 3RD CUT alfalfa. Perfect grain, good for rabbits, sheep, horses & dairy. $0.10/lb. 2nd cut alfalfa, $0.07/lb & rye grass, $0.06/lb. Chopped corn straw $0.04/lb. Phone:(204)355-4980, Cell:(204)371-5744.

Court Seeds  Earliest maturing variety available  Strong straw, MR to fusarium  High-yields *LIMITED SUPPLY*

SUPER B TRAILERS. 2009 Lode King; 2006 Lode King; 2009 Castleton; 2006 Castleton; Current Safeties. Good rubber, good condition. (204)734-8355.

For Pricing ~ 204-325-9555

FOR SALE: 200 GREEN feed rye bales, approx. 1,400-lbs, lots of grain, $22/each. Phone: (204)637-2393 or (204)212-2393.

The only company that collects, recycles and re-uses in Manitoba! 888-368-9378 ~ www.envirowestinc.com

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Manitoba

GOOD QUALITY GRAIN & Cattle Farms wanted for Canadian & Overseas Clients. For a confidential meeting to discuss the possible sale of your farm, or to talk about what is involved, Phone Jim McLachlan:(204)724-7753. www.homelifepro.com HomeLife Home Professional Realty Inc.

SEED / FEED / GRAIN

Proud Supporter of Manitoba Businesses & Municipalities

We BUY used oil & filters

Early Pay, and Volume DISCOUNTS! On select Seed purchases.

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Wanted

TIRES

TRAILERS Grain Trailers

GRANT TWEED : Providing professional service in all farm property matters. Selling-Buying-Renting call for an obligation free consultation. 50-yrs in the Ag Industry. Call anytime: (204)761-6884 grant@granttweed.com

EXCELLENT LIVESTOCK FARM EXTENDING to 1,732 deeded acres w/4,425-ac of Crown land. All the land is fenced & the farm has very good buildings & metal corral system. The farm can carry up to 400-450 cow/calf pairs. There is a small bungalow home. Also, excellent 254-ac property located in the RM of Alexander at the junction of Maskwa & the Winnipeg River. This would make a first class cottage development, or is suitable for other uses. Jim McLauchlan (204)724-7753. Homelife Home Professional Realty Inc. www.homelifepro.com

BOOTH 1309

2013 Malt Contracts Available 2014 AOG Malt Contracts Available Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 BoxPhone 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 204-737-2000 Phone 204-737-2000 2014Toll-Free AOG Malt Contracts Available 1-800-258-7434 Toll-Free 1-800-258-7434 BoxMalt 238 MB. R0G 1C0 Agent: M &Letellier, J Weber-Arcola, SK. 2013 Contracts Available Agent: M & J Weber-Arcola, SK. Phone 204-737-2000 Phone 306-455-2509 Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 Phone 306-455-2509 Toll-Free 1-800-258-7434 Phone 204-737-2000 Agent: & 1-800-258-7434 J Manitoba Weber-Arcola, SK. your Do you want toM target farmers? Place Toll-Free ad in the Manitoba Co-operator. Manitoba’s best-read Agent: Phone M & J 306-455-2509 Weber-Arcola, SK. farm publication. Phone 306-455-2509

Specializing in: • Corn, wheat, sunflower, canola, soymeal, soybeans, soy oil, barley, rye, flax, oats (feed & milling) • Agents of the CWB • Licensed & bonded 5 LOCATIONS to serve you!

“Naturally Better!” Soybean Crushing Facility (204) 331-3696 Head Office - Winkler (888) 974-7246 Jordan Elevator (204) 343-2323 Gladstone Elevator (204) 385-2292 Somerset Elevator (204) 744-2126 Sperling Elevator (204) 626-3261

**SERVICE WITH INTEGRITY** www.delmarcommodities.com

Toll Free: 888-974-7246 Call our toll-free number to take advantage of our Prepayment Bonus. Prepay for 3 weeks and we’ll run your ad 2 more weeks for free. That’s 5 weeks for the price of 3. Call 1-800-782-0794 today!

WE ARE LOOKING FOR a reliable, detail-oriented person who is familiar with dairy cattle & their care, including feeding, bedding, treating, calving, etc. Farm machinery experience is required. If interested, please send your resume to borstlap@xplornet.com or call (204)745-7864. Haywood, MB.

CAREERS Professional

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

1-877-250-5252

Vanderveen Commodity Services Ltd. Licensed and Bonded Grain Brokers

37 4th Ave. NE Carman, MB R0G 0J0 Ph. (204) 745-6444 Email: vscltd@mts.net Andy Vanderveen · Brett Vanderveen Jesse Vanderveen

A Season to Grow… Only Days to Pay!

Canada’s outbreak

provided clues

Soybeans and

MANITOBACOO

NOVEMBER

POOR WEATHE R= LOWER QUA LITY

Some say it’s positive, some say no change » Pg 15

» Pg 14

Pg 7

SERVING MANITOBA

6, 2014

KAP calls for mandatory g price reportin Farmers need information

By Allan Dawson CO-OPERATOR STAFF

/PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE

finding the armers are m a rk e t i n g p ro m i s e o f hollow in freedom rings of enough price the absence make informed to information ral decisions. Agricultu Keystone is calling on Producers (KAP) provincial governfederal and mandatory ments to implement on agricultural price reportingsimilar to what commodities, exists in the U.S. given the right “We’ve been choice to marto freedom and wherever we grain ket our

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted

BUYING:

Not a buyer »

U.S. ELECTION IMPACT ON COOL

SOLVING THE PED PUZZLE

CWB WANTS A PARTNER

See PRICE REPORTING

FARMERS

NO. 45 | VOL. 72, SINCE 1925

PERATOR.CA

$1.75

companies Farmers, grain government to ral want the fede ay shipping targets a decision yet continue railw haven’t made Ritz’s office says

he and the transport

NOVEMBER

minister

lentil yields

are up, but prices

may not be

SERVING MANITOBA

FARMERS

THE NEVER-E NDING

SINCE 1925 | VOL. 72, NO. 46

$1.75

MANITOBACOO

PERATOR.CA

STORY

One is deciding if farmers should own their own plant-breeding company By Allan Dawson

CO-OPERATOR

STAFF

here are two press ing issues t h e We s t’s n e w p rov i ncial whea and barle t y need to a organizations ddress so on, a Manitoba consultant working for the Manitoba Barley Growers Wheat and Association (MWBGA) says.

One is prepare for the July 17, 2017 end of the temporary western Canadian wheat and barley checkoff for funding See NEW ORGS

on page 6 »

GREAVES

We’re No. 1 in pedigreed seed acres

on page 7 »

Manitoba has far fewer crop acres than Saskatchew for soybeans has pushed Manitoba’s an and Alberta, but the growing pedigreed acreage demand to the top CO-OPERATOR STAFF “It’s By Allan Dawson

very exciting,” ident Eric McLean MSGA pres- greed acreage was said t’s unlikely slightly Manitoba Seed an interview from his Nov. 8 in higher at 330,648, beating seed acres in Manitoba Growers Association farm near Oak River. Saskatchewan this year, (MSGA) accounting for members will for top spot “Because soybeans 40 per cent. less than a be doing a happy dance Wheat was second section — just by expanded and wheat and or celebrating acres. 608 acres, barley acres kids winning like tracted representing with 97,359 a hockey champi31 per cent of in Saskatchewan conWhat makes Manitoba’s seed onship, but Manitoba the feat stand Alberta, coupled and acres. out is No. 1 — with some bad is that Manitoba has and for the second Ryegrass and weather that around 12 million acres afflicted southeast third and fourth alfalfa were Manitoba had year in a row. of cropland Saskatchewan at 14,815 and pared with around com- 13,089 or different acres of pedigreedmore inspected of Alberta, acres — double areas Saskatchewan 38 million seed than any we have happened the pedother province and 34 million in igreed barley acres. get ahead.” to Alberta. Manitoba’s in pedigreed — thanks mainlyin 2014 and 2013 wheat Manitoba had In 2014, pedigreed Alberta’s at 68,003,acres exceeded 311,190 The figures, as to soybeans. seed acres but were lower of Oct. 31, were of inspected pedigreed acres accounted for than Saskatchewan’s presented to almost three in 2014, compared seed cent the per of Manitoba’s Se e d G rowe Interprovincial in Alberta Manitoba grew 114,616. to 279,331 crop producno pedigreed hybrid canola Winnipeg Nov. r s m e e t i n g i n Saskatchewan.and 276,310 in tion versus Saskatchewan’s in 2014. Most 7. and Alberta’s 0.73 of it 1.2 per cent. is produced Last year, Manitoba’s in southern At 123,061 Alberta acres, pedigreed on irrigated pedi- soybeans land. This made up the most

decision in will make a Agency) and to end the regulated due course.” Producers ment was preparing end. Keystone Agricultural Grain Elevator volumes by month’s quoted Ritz as say- (KAP) and the Western for the retenBy Allan Dawson LA PRAIRIE Oct. 28 Reuters of grain in (WGEA) called avoid a sudden pileup CO-OPERATOR STAFF/PORTAGE order, Association thresholds to ing barring a the shipping tion of shippingyear’s grain-shipping and grain companies the next five weeks29, would be lifted. of last arm groups Ritz’s repeat expires Nov. their grain transporsaid last week far from over as the which an email from backlog. oppose the government However, in official said: “Minister tation woes are considers whether The railways an has March 7 requiring office Oct. 31 that no decision order introduced movement federal government tonnes of grain to volume Ritz has stated lift minimum to move 500,000 with respect to keep or of trans- them railways. 31, been made on page 6 » The ministers orders for the See RAIL SHIPPING statement Oct. will receive advice office requirements. In an emailed Gerry Ritz’s port and agriculture Transportation Agriculture Minister from a news story from the CTA (Canadian the governappeared to backtrack saying week earlier in the

See No. 1 SEEDS

IN EVERY BREAKTHROUGH

SEED

Season’s Greetings WRITING A NEW

CHAPTER FOR

SOYBEAN

Farming Forward.

hylandseeds.com

®™Trademark

of The Dow Chemical

Company (“Dow”)

or an affiliated

company of Dow

09/14-37905-1

of The Dow Chemical

Company (“Dow”)

or an affiliated

company of Dow

09/14-37905-2R

Farming Forward. hylandseeds.com

From Everyone At

Holiday Hours: December 25th Closed • December 26th Closed • January 1st Closed

There will be no paper published on December 25th. Next issue is January 1st 2015. Early deadline for the January 1st issue is Thursday, December 18th at noon. Early deadline for the January 8th issue is Tuesday, December 23rd at noon.

Have a Safe Holiday Season & Happy New Year

See you in 2015!

» Pg 7

13, 2014

Immediate priorities identified for new wheat and barley organizations

40069240

(Santa & Rudolph are Seasonal Employees only)

BuyUsed Used Oil Oil ••Buy NOTRE •• Buy Buy Batteries Batteries DAME ••Collect CollectUsed Used Filters Filters • Collect Oil Containers Containers USED • Collect Oil• Antifreeze OIL & Southern,Southern Eastern, and Manitoba Western Western FILTER Manitoba DEPOT Tel: 204-248-2110

Mail Agreement

Canadian Farm realty Buying & Selling Farms: 5 Agents, 1 Team

WE BUY OATS Call us today for pricing Box 424, Emerson, MB R0A 0L0 204-373-2328

Publication

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

RECYCLING

Agreement 40069240

THE FOLLOWING PRIVATE LAND is being offered for sale: NW 12-24-16W, Part NW 16-24-16W, Part NE 20-33-15W. The following Crown Lands have been approved by Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Development for transfer to the purchaser of the private lands listed, as these lands are part of the ranch unit held by Bernard Dyck of Ste. Rose du Lac, MB: All of section 22-23-15W, All of section 16-33-15W, All of section 15-33-15W, NE 16-33-15W, NW 16-33-15W, SE 16-33-15W. If you wish to purchase the private land & apply for the Unit Transfer, contact the Lessee Bernard Dyck at Box 711, Ste. Rose du Lac, MB R0L 1S0. If you wish to comment on or object to the eligibility of this Unit Transfer, write the Director, MAFRD, Agricultural Crown Lands, PO Box 1286, Minnedosa MB R0J 1E0; or Fax:(204)867-6578.

FOR SALE: 1996 POLARIS XLT snowmobile. Very good condition, $1,200. Phone:(204)637-2393 or (204)212-2393.

Publication Mail

THE FOLLOWING PRIVATE LAND is being offered for sale: SW30-31-15W, SW19-26-14W. The following Crown Lands have been approved by Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Development for transfer to the purchaser of the private lands listed as these lands are part of the ranch unit held by Harold Fleming of Meadow Portage, MB. NE17-26-14W, NW17-26-14W, NE18-26-14W, NW 18-26-14W, SE19-26-14W, SE20-26-14W, SW20-26-14W. If you wish to purchase the private land & apply for the Unit Transfer, contact the lessee: Harold Fleming Box 17 Meadow Portage, MB. R0L 1E0. If you wish to comment on or object to the eligibility of this Unit Transfer, write the Director; MAFRD, Agricultural Crown Lands, PO Box 1286, Minnedosa MB R0J 1E0; or Fax (204)867-6578.

Celebration & Tradition *2-Row* AC Metcalfe & CDC Copeland We buy feed barley, feed wheat, MALT BARLEY BARLEY MALT oats, soybeans, corn & canola We buy feed*2-Row* barley, feed wheat, *6-Row* oats, soybeans, cornCopeland & canola AC Metcalfe & CDC & Tradition COMECelebration SEE US AT AG DAYS IN We buy feed barley, feed wheat, THE CONVENTION HALL SEE barley, US AT AG DAYS IN WeCOME buy feed feed wheat, oats, soybeans, corn & canola CONVENTION HALL BOOTH 1309& oats,THE soybeans, corn canola BOOTH 1309 COME SEE US AT AG DAYS IN COME SEE US AT AG HALL DAYS IN THE CONVENTION THE CONVENTION BOOTH 1309 HALL

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The following Private land is being offered for sale: NW 04-26-11W, NW 26-25-11W, SW 26-25-11W, SE 26-25-11W. The following Crown Lands have been approved by Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Development for transfer to the purchaser of the private lands listed as these lands are part of the ranch unit held by Allan & Rebecca Johnson of Arnes, MB. NE 09-25-11W, NW 10-25-11W, SW 10-25-11W, NW 15-25-11W, SW 15-25-11W, SE 16-25-11W, NE 16-25-11W, SE 21-25-11W, NW 14-25-11W, NE 15-25-11W, SE 22-25-11W, NW 22-25-11W, NE 22-25-11W, NW 24-25-11W, SW 24-25-11W, SE 24-25-11W, SW 27-25-11W, NW 35-25-11W; SW 35-25-11W, NE 14-25-11W, NW 23-25-11W, SW 23-25-11W, NE 23-25-11W, SE 23-25-11W, NW 27-25-11W, NE 34-25-11W, NE 03-26-11W, NW 03-26-11W, SE 03-26-11W, SW 03-26-11W, SE 04-26-11W, SW 04-26-11W, NE 04-26-11W, SE 09-26-11W, SW 09-26-11W, SE 10-26-11W, SE 09-25-11W, SW 22-25-11W, NW 23-25-11W, SW 23-25-11W, NE 33-25-11W, NE 24-25-11W. If you wish to purchase the private land & apply for the Unit Transfer contact the Lessees Allan & Rebecca Johnson at Box 324, Arnes, MB. R0C 0C0. If you wish to comment on or object to the eligibility of this Unit Transfer write the Director, MAFRD, Agricultural Crown Lands PO Box 1286, Minnedosa, MB R0J 1E0 or Fax (204)867-6578.

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JOEL & STEPHANIE DELAURIER of Ste Rose du Lac MB intends to sell private lands: E1/2 36-24-11W, Sec 1-25-11W, N1/2 02-25-11W, Sec 12-25-11W, E1/2 11-25-11W, SE 14-25-11W, W1/2 13-25-11W, W1/2 26-24-11W, SE 26-24-11W to Anthony Duffy who intends to acquire the following agricultural Crown land leases: NW 02-25-11W, DAME E1/2NOTRE 10-25-11W, NW USED 31-24-10W,OIL W1/2 25-24-11W,& E1/2 35-24-11W, SW 35-24-11W, FILTER DEPOT W1/2 36-24-11W, W1/2 06-25-10W, S1/2 02-25-11W, W1/2 30-24-10W, SW • Buy UsedNE Oil 35-24-11W, • Buy Batteries 31-24-10W, NE 24-24-11W, NE 25-24-11W, • Collect Used Filters • Collect Oil ContainersNE 26-24-11W, SE 36-24-11W, SW 05-24-10W, E1/2 Southern and Western 06-24-10W, SE 07-24-11W, W1/2 Manitoba 11-25-11W, Sec 13-25-11W, SWTel: 14-25-11W, NE 35-25-11W, SW 204-248-2110 07-24-10W by Unit transfer. If you wish to comment on or object to the eligibility of this purchaser please write to: Director, MAFRD, Agricultural Crown Lands, PO Box 1286, Minnedosa MB R0J 1E0; or fax (204)867-6578.

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on page 6 »

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

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Scrap the cap and the railways will move more grain The University of Manitoba’s Barry Prentice says ‘Soviet’-style regulations make for a less efficient western grain-handling and transportation system By Allan Dawson co-operator staff

he railways would do a better job moving western Canadian grain if the revenue cap was scrapped, allowing the free market to work, says Barry Prentice, an agricultural economist and professor at the University of Manitoba’s Transport Institute. “I wonder why on earth do we have a government... holding up the case for capitalism... dealing into the kit bag of the old Soviet Union to have regulated rates and a rationing system for grain (shipping),” he said in an interview Dec. 3 following the 19th annual Fields on Wheels conference in Winnipeg. “And now they (railways) have a regulated amount of (grain) they have to move. It’s the command-and-control economy. I thought we proved that was a crazy idea and the Russians did that for us. Why are we doing it now?” Last March, the federal government issued an order-in-council (OIC) establishing how much western grain the railways had to move weekly until Aug. 1 or face a $100,000 fine per violation. It came in the wake of a huge shipping backlog following a bumper crop and then extreme winter weather. Another order followed, and a third was issued Nov. 29 that goes until March 28, 2015. “If you look at the regulations they will not help move one more tonne of grain in a surge because they don’t do anything about the surge,” Prentice said. “I laughed when I saw the numbers, because they’ve ordered the railways to do what they normally do.

“Again, it was politics trumping policy.” The Maximum Revenue Entitlement — a.k.a. revenue cap — was implemented by the federal government in 2000 to ease farmers’ concerns that the abolition of legislated rail freight rates would allow the railways to gouge them. The railways can charge whatever they want so long as the total annual revenue doesn’t exceed the maximum established by the Canadian Transportation Agency. The revenue entitlement gives the railways the flexibility to adjust freight rates to encourage efficiency — discounting the rate charged for moving 100-car trains versus 50 for example, while preventing them from taking advantage of farmers who are captive shippers. “This idea of the railways being a monopoly and captive shippers, this is old thinking,” Prentice said. Farmers feeling overcharged are free to start producing for domestic livestock production or ship to the U.S. by truck, he said. “It’s not as if they have an absolute monopoly.” There is no maximum railway entitlement for the movement of potash, coal and lumber and they do all right, Prentice said.

when the demand is highest. Some buyers might defer purchases, Prentice said. Those desperate to meet a sale might be willing to pay more to avoid ship demurrage. Now when demand exceeds supply, the railways ration cars, resulting in “phantom orders” as shippers try to get enough cars to meet their needs, he said. Grain companies had sales for every car they ordered in 2013-14, said Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association, later in an interview. However, even a deregulated rail freight market can’t instantly respond to a sudden surge in demand or overcome extreme weather, both of which occurred last crop year, Prentice said. Nor can government orders to move grain. At the very least, grain shipped in containers should be excluded from the entitlement, Prentice said. “We don’t need to speculate about what would happen (without the entitlement),” Sobkowich said. “We’ve seen what has happened shipping to the U.S. (where the entitlement doesn’t apply).”

Inefficiency

And while grain firms are staunch free enterprisers and abhor onerous regulation, the evidence is the railways don’t compete “and that’s why we need the government’s help,” he added. Grain companies want government regulation to compel the railways to enter contracts to serve grain shippers and be subject to penalties when the railways fail to fulfil their contracts. “That will simulate a market-driven system,” Sobkowich said.

It results in inefficiency and perhaps lower grain prices because international grain buyers see Canada as a less reliable supplier, he said. “I don’t think the grain companies picked up the demurrage charges and cut their Christmas bonuses,” Prentice said. “I think farmers end up getting paid less for grain...” If supply and demand was reflected in freight rates, they would be higher in fall

Competition

Scrap the cap and the railways will do a better job moving western grain, says Barry Prentice, an agricultural economist and professor at the University of Manitoba’s Transport Institute. photo: allan dawson

Farmers fear rail market power, said Keystone Agricultural Producers president Doug Chorney. “We don’t have a truly competitive market for rail in this country so we need government oversight,” he said. “There’s too much at stake for our entire economy.” Grain is different than potash because there are thousands of producers with little market power compared to a few potash firms, he said. Potash companies will even stop shipping if returns get too low, while farmers continue to produce no matter what. “We really are price takers,” Chorney said. “Generally speaking farmers are in a much more vulnerable position than a potash mine.” allan@fbcpublishing.com

Railway market power and regulation Canada’s grain-handling and transportation system has been struggling to find a balance for more than a century By Allan Dawson co-operator staff

ail regulation has been debated since the last spike was hammered in 1885, but seems no closer to resolution. ’Twas ever thus, Paul Earl, a senior scholar from the University of Manitoba’s Transport Institute, told the 19th annual Fields on Wheels conference Dec. 3, organized by the institute and WESTAC (Western Transportation Advisory Council). Earl said Canada’s grain-handling and transportation system suffered from too much regulation from the 1940s until recently with the removal of the Canadian Wheat Board’s marketing monopoly in 2012 and the repeal of the Western Grain Transportation Act — the last vestige of the historic Crowsnest Pass Freight Rate — in 1995. Earl, who lobbied for deregulation most of his career, said in a later interview he doesn’t know how to balance desires to mitigate rail market power against desire for less regulation. The WGEA wants government to force the railways to sign level-

of-service agreements with shippers, including penalties if the railways fail to fulfil their contracts. Last March the federal government, in response to a huge grainshipping backlog, surprised grain shippers and shocked the railways by passing an order-in-council imposing stiff fines if weekly delivery targets weren’t met. The railways blamed the weather and a big crop. Paul Miller, adjunct professor and railroader in residence at the University of Alberta, said when temperatures fall below -25, rail efficiency drops. It’s more difficult to operate air brakes, rail and car wheels break more easily, trains must be shortened and run slower. There are no quick fixes, he added. The railways failed last winter, but CN Rail worked as hard as it could in the face of one of the harshest winters in 100 years, Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN’s executive vice-president of sales and marketing, told the meeting. His seemingly sincere compunction was in sharp contrast to CN’s pugnacious president and CEO Claude Mongeau, who last

“We can’t punish the railways for one bad season, but we can’t let farmers bear the entire cost either and that’s kind of what happened.” Doug Chorney

spring accused grain companies of overselling and warned MPs: “There is no amount of regulation that can move grain.” CN has moved 20 per cent more grain this crop year compared to the same period last year, Ruest said. The company invests 18 to 21 per cent of its revenue in capital projects, he said. In 2014, CN purchased 60 new and 44 used locomotives. The year before it bought 67 used locomotives and it plans to buy 60 more in 2015. CN hired 2,167 employees in 2013 and another 3,500 this year. CN has also identified future pinch points, including a federal government bridge in Vancouver that needs replacing at a cost of $1 billion. “We need to sit down and tackle those things, heads cool, and learn from last winter and see how

we do things going forward knowing we will grow more grain,” Ruest said. That’s encouraging, Keystone Agricultural Producers president Doug Chorney said as part of a panel reacting to Ruest’s remarks. But Chorney added CN can’t use winter as an excuse. It comes every year, so the railways need surge capacity, just like farmers and grain companies. “We can’t punish the railways for one bad season, but we can’t let farmers bear the entire cost either and that’s kind of what happened. For the first time in my life some companies were not buying grain at all after Dec. 20 last year... and that’s not something we want to see more of in the future,” he said. CN has other ideas to improve service. It will pay grain shippers $5,000 per 100-car train to pressu-

rize train air breaks in the winter so rail crews can move out as soon as they arrive. Ruest said in cold weather crews spend two hours or more pressurizing breaks before pulling out. Ruest said the rail entitlement has provisions for hopper car replacement but doesn’t address expanding the federal government’s fleet. There are 8,428 cars in the fleet now, down from 11,686 in 2007, said Todd Frederickson, Transport Canada’s regional director of programs. The cars don’t need replacing until 2026. The industry has 12 years to determine how to pay for replacements. Ruest also condemned new regulations extending interswitching to 160 km from 30, saying it will discourage railways from investing in branch lines for fear another railway will move in and take the business. It could also see American carrier Burlington Northern Santa Fe capture Canadian grain and move it south. American law prevents Canadian railways from turning the tables, Ruest said. allan@fbcpublishing.com

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

NFU struggles to redefine its image After nearly half a century, the National Farmers Union is looking to update its public identity amid flagging numbers in a bid to attract more members By Shannon VanRaes co-operator staff/Saskatoon

uch has changed in the last 45 years, from the fall of the Iron Curtain to the advent of the Internet, but one thing has essentially remained the same — the NFU logo. Now the National Farmers Union (NFU) is looking to update its green maple leaf design, a move that drew both criticism and praise during the organization’s annual convention in Saskatoon last month. “I see this as being a waste of time. I like the old one, there’s too many places people change for the sake of change,” said Tim Tabbert, who farms in the Ottawa area. “I think we’ve got more important issues than changing our logo.” Others were more blunt in their skepticism. “It ain’t gonna matter a damn what our logo is,” said Gerald Benneke.

An NFU member examines logo options in Saskatoon. Photo: Shannon VanRaes

After looking at more than 140 options over two years, the NFU working group examining the issue presented a handful of options to members. “Because we haven’t done anything for 40 years or so, any change we make, no mat-

effectively communicate its messages in competitive media spaces, and create a modern visual identity in keeping with NFU history and culture,” said the British Columbia market gardener and fruit grower. “It’s something I hear, that the NFU’s look and feel is outdated, and it’s a barrier for new farmers, new members to sort of take that first step to getting to understand what the NFU’s about.” Joan Brady said all members were being encouraged to give feedback on the changes, and all regions have provided input during the process. Efforts were also made to include a cross-section of ages in the feedback process, but demographics presented some challenges. Nearly 35 per cent of members who responded to questions regarding new logos and tag lines were between the ages of 50 and 65, a further 22 per cent of respondents were over the age of 65. Just under

ter how small is going to feel big,” said Carla Roppel, longtime NFU executive director and working group member. “My proposal going forward, is that we do this on a more regular basis, doing it every 10 years instead of waiting 45 years and having to go through an extremely painful process.” Alex Fletcher, NFU youth president, said he didn’t initially see the need to update the organization’s logo, even though he is co-chair of the working group dedicated to revamping it. “For me to be honest about this, I’m not really passionate about branding work… but I do think it’s really important work to be doing,” he said, explaining that after a few months of listening to what others had to say, he realized an update was needed. “The branding project was initiated to help the NFU stand out, to attract new members and policy-makers, help the NFU more

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Manitoba bee mortality down Bee mortality in Manitoba varied greatly from region to region last winter, but most honey producers saw improvements By Shannon VanRaes CO-OPERATOR STAFF

espite the prolonged cold weather Manitoba endured last winter, bee mortality actually declined in the province. “We’re calling it a high normal,” said Rheal Lafreniere, Manitoba’s provincial apiarist. “When we take all the numbers that got reported to us, mortality came out to around 24 per cent.” Normal winterkill numbers fall between 15 and 25 per cent, he added, noting that in 201213 the average winter loss — including spring culls — was calculated at 46.4 per cent. “Twenty-four per cent is still high, so we’re not calling it a great year, but we’re not calling it a bad year either,” Lafreniere said. Losses are calculated using a mail-out survey. This year 63 beekeepers responded, representing just over 50 per cent of the province’s colonies. Apiarists also provide the top three causes they attribute bee mortality to, although Lafreniere notes that responses are anecdotal, adding there may be other causes of mortality not yet considered. Seventeen per cent of bee deaths were blamed on cold See BEES on page 7 »

Southwest Manitoba has traditionally been considered part of the semi-arid Palliser Triangle. Today Wade (l) and Ryan Flannery are among the area farmers whose fields are sprouting cattails, not crops. PHOTO: MEGHAN MAST

Southwestern Manitoba — semi-arid to semi-fluid Dedicated minimum- and zero-till farmers are now dragging out tillage equipment that’s been in store for years By Meghan Mast CO-OPERATOR STAFF/ NEAR PIPESTONE

hen Ryan and Wade Flannery began working on the drilling rigs to supplement grain farming, they did not imagine that several years later they would be working for oil companies year round. “We (initially) went to the drilling rigs for something to do for the winter and now it’s turned into a full-time deal,” said Wade. The Flannery brothers and many other

early explorer John Palliser declared as too dry to farm. He was wrong about that, but farming success in the area has historically depended on moisture-conserving practices, and farmers were among the first to develop minimum and zero till. These days, the tillage equipment is being pulled out of the weeds. Troy Mayes, a grain farmer from Pierson, said his fields are so wet the sandy clay loam swallows his equipment. In the spring he tried to harrow with a small four-wheel-drive tractor with triples.

The next morning he borrowed another neighbour’s tractor and managed to pull everything out. Later in the season he dug out his dad’s deep-tillage cultivator. “I haven’t used it since I was a kid,” he said. He added some new shovels, cylinders and hydraulic hoses and cultivated deeper than he ever had. “My dad thought we were going too deep but I thought if I was going to go over it, I’d sink it in good and get it aerated.” Mayes is reluctant to alter his farming

three per cent were 25 or younger, something Fletcher said was the result of fewer young people entering the field. Some of the feedback was positive. But many preferred the union stick with the time-tested green maple leaf and yellow lettering. Brady said it was important to recognize the past, but that doing so shouldn’t prevent the union from moving forward. “I want to acknowledge the folks who have rallied around that green maple leaf with the yellow NFU have done so for many years and have brought us this far, and I think whatever we do we can never forget where we came from,” she said. “We did get some comments from people who were hesitant about this process — why change something that we feel is working?” Others at the meeting felt the current logo isn’t cutting it at all. And for a few the proposed changes to the logo didn’t go far enough — some suggested the NFU drop the word “union” altogether in an attempt to draw more members. “This is an annual discussion,” said union president, Jan Slomp, explaining the issue has arisen in regional meetings in the past. The Alberta dairy farmer said that eliminating the word union from the title may draw more members, but it would create confusion as to the organization’s role. “Newcomers see value but hate the word ‘union,’” Slomp said. “We are a union of independent farmers… I don’t want to change it really, because if we would change it we are also brainwashed with the idea that working together is not good… our name means that thousand of individuals work together.” But that doesn’t mean the discussion is closed. Slomp said that if there was overwhelming support for changing something like removing the word ‘union’ it would be considered. Using stickers, members were asked to code for one of three logos during the convention, the existing logo, an updated version with a more contemporary maple leaf and lettering over a furrowed field, and finally, a stark departure — featuring wheat sheaves in red. The current logo received a considerable amount of support during the exercise. Concerns where also raised about the new designs. Some worried that having furrowed fields would show a bias toward row crops and tillage, others thought the use of wheat projected an image that was too western. Francophones worried that a new logo or tag line might not translate well, and others noted that the use of colours like red, blue, orange or green might be misconstrued as indicating an allegiance to a specific political party. “I just want to emphasize that these are concepts,” said Fletcher. “There is no perfect logo or tag line, there is no silver bullet, what we want to do is get something that is our best chance at really articulating who we are and what we’re trying to do.” shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

Working together for safer water Conservation districts and non-profit organization gathered together last week to talk all things water By Meghan Mast CO-OPERATOR STAFF

hen a new member joins the Seine-Rat River conservation district, the first thing chair Cornie Goertzen tells them is to take off their “municipal hat.” “Water does not have municipal boundaries. It runs from municipality to municipality. What happens at the east end affects everybody downstream in the west end right down to the Red River,” he told the Co-operator at this year’s Conservation District’s conference. The message of cross-boundary cooperation was a recurring one at this year’s conference, along with the importance of planning ahead and preventing water crises. Five hundred people, including representatives from non-profit organizations and the 18 different conservation districts, attended the 39th annual conference to hear speakers from across Canada talk about their water projects. Water covers 71 per cent of the earth’s surface and fresh water is a crucial element of survival. According to this year’s United Nations World Water Development Report global water demand is projected to increase by 55 per cent by 2050 because of growing demands. Groundwater supplies are decreasing, with an estimated 20 per cent of the world’s aquifers being overexploited. Wetland deterioration worldwide means ecosystems are less able to purify water. Agriculture is highly dependent on fresh, potable water — currently the largest user of water, globally, accounting for 70 per cent of the usage. Wanda McFadyen, from the Prairie Improvement Network, spoke about

“Water does not have municipal boundaries. It runs from municipality to municipality. What happens at the east end affects everybody downstream in the west end right down to the Red River.”

CORNIE GOERTZEN

how her organization resurrected the Assiniboine River Basin Initiative (ARBI) to work jointly with affected parties to address water-related issues in the area. The Assiniboine River basin crosses over three jurisdictions — Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the state of North Dakota. “The complexity of this from a political perspective is,” she hesitated, “interesting.” The ARBI planning committee is comprised of representatives from each of the three jurisdictions in order to properly address each area’s concern. As speakers from different provinces took the stage it became clear that some communities have a financial advantage over others. Michael Buchholzer and Gord Shaw, from Yorkton, Sask., spoke about their $33-million green water management system that incorporates the latest technology in water treatment, and greenways that absorb backwash water generated from regular flushing and backwashing of the filter system. The project took seven years to complete and is the largest municipal project in the city’s history. Manitoba has $6.1 million divided

among 18 conservation districts. It is a drop in the bucket compared to the money Yorkton was able to spend on the city’s project. Goertzen said Manitoba districts face an additional barrier because they are not allowed to carry money forward towards larger projects. “At this point we’re not allowed to,” said Goertzen. He hopes to see more funding from the government in the coming years, but said if the money doesn’t come they will continue to do what they can with the money they get — planting willow trees to filter surface water, before it reaches the streams, and sealing abandoned wells. Ultimately the message of the day was that action on better water management is needed — and soon. Kerry Freek, from WaterTAP Ontario, a non-profit water technology organization, left the crowd with a sobering thought. “We’re not resilient at this point — urban or rural — we’re not resilient to a changing climate. And if we don’t properly protect the resource that fuels our health and our economy and our environment, we’re not going to make it.” meghan.mast@fbcpublishing.com

Kerry Freek is the manager of marketing and communications for WaterTAP Ontario. PHOTOS: MEGHAN MAST

Wanda McFadyen, from the Prairie Improvement Network, spoke about the new Assiniboine Water Basin Initiative.

We’re used to other varieties bowing down to us

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The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

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

Half of Manitobans not prepared for winter driving emergencies Manitobans may be known for their hardiness, but they can be foolhardy when it comes to winter driving By Lorraine Stevenson co-operator staff

Manitoba roadway can be a very cold place if you’re stuck on the side of it waiting for help. But Manitobans regularly travel in winter without giving the slightest thought to how uncomfortable they’d quickly become if they became stranded in their cars. A survey of 300 Manitobans conducted by Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) finds just over half aren’t properly prepared or equipped to handle a winter emergency. Fifty-two per cent said they did not have an emergency kit in their car and many said they only had an extra pair of mittens or a tuque, or perhaps a blanket stashed away, said Angèle Young, CAA Manitoba’s public and government affairs specialist. That’s a start. But you need more than that to stay safe and warm while you wait for help, says Young. “We always say you should have three kinds of things in your car, those to keep you warm, those to make you visible, and tools that can help you repair the car if necessary.” Items for survival include food, water, blankets and a basic first aid kit. Extra clothing and blankets are so necessary because you can’t assume you’ll just keep your car running to stay warm, said Young. Food items should be non-perishable high-protein foods such as energy bars, and try to have things stashed away that you won’t eat at some other time. Items for visibility are the flares, reflectors or banners that can be put out to help you be found. Many times CAA personnel have gone looking for stranded motorists and can’t find them in reduced visibility, said Young. “You need something to be visible,” she said. “A lot of times people will call and say, ‘I’m stuck on this highway between this and this,’ but we can’t find you.” A flashlight is one item you never want to be without. You never know when you may need one. “A lot of people might know how to change a tire, for example, but if you don’t have light, how are you going to be able to see to do it?” she said. Having a shovel, kitty litter or traction mats are highly recommended for digging out of snow, while tools for minor repairs will come in handy even if you don’t know how to use them. “If you get a Good Samaritan who’ll stop and help you, they may know,” she said. “It’s just good to have them in your car just in case.” All these things enable drivers and their passengers to remain safely in the vehicle for an extended time until help arrives, says Young. The worst thing to do is get into a situation where you think you need to go looking for help. Leaving your car in subzero temperatures or low-visibility conditions is extremely dangerous, yet every year people die in rural areas when their vehicle becomes disabled in the winter and they’ve unsuccessfully tried to walk to safety. All this advice for weathering out a roadside emergency is just that much

Manitobans need to carry items for survival and visibility to be better prepared for a roadside emergency, say officials with the Canadian Automobile Association. PHOTO: LORRAINE STEVENSON

Pre-packaged emergency kits containing recommended items for a roadside emergency can be purchased at any CAA Manitoba location. For more information log on to: www.caamanitoba.com/. To avoid being stuck in the cold, CAA Manitoba is also reminding drivers to:

Photo: Thinkstock

“You should be able to stay in your car for at least a few hours and not be in a compromising situation.” Angèle Young

CAA Manitoba’s public and government affairs specialist

more important for rural drivers, said Young. It will likely take longer for CAA roadside assistance to come — or your cellphone won’t work — and you may have to wait that much longer for another driver to come along and offer help. “You can never know how long it’s going to be,” she said. “It could be 10 or 15 minutes, or even an hour before someone comes along and sees that you’re stranded. “You should be able to stay in your car for at least a few hours and not be in a compromising situation.” It’s especially important that women

are sufficiently prepared to remain safely inside their vehicles so as to avoid accepting help from someone they don’t know or can’t trust, she adds. Young said CAA is alerting Manitobans’ attention to the need for preparedness for winter driving this month because we’ve let winter arrive without becoming aware of the significant risks cold weather poses let alone get prepared for it. “We see a lot of people not even plugging their cars in right now,” she said. “It’s a mindset. It takes a bit of a reminder that you need to get ready for the ‘what ifs’ in life.” The reminder also comes just as many will be setting out dressed in clothing for Christmas partying that won’t keep them warm if forced to sit out a spell on the roadside. “A lot of people are in their holiday clothes, like party dresses or guys in dress shirts and shoes,” she said. “They’re not really dressed for the occasion.” The occasion of a roadside emergency, that is. lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

•C heck road conditions before heading out. A detailed map is available on the Government of Manitoba website. Webcams for many popular highways in Manitoba can be found on the CAA Manitoba website. •P lug your vehicle in. If the temperature drops below -18 C, plug your car in for at least three hours before you intend on driving it. •M ake sure your service is up to date. Ensure all fluid levels are adequate and your battery is in good working condition. CAA recommends keeping the following items in a vehicle during winter: • Warm winter gloves, tuque and boots; •B lanket or extra clothing; •B ag of sand or kitty litter; •S mall shovel; • I ce scraper and/or snow brush; nacks for energy; •S •E xtra windshield washer fluid; •F irst aid kit; •H ardcopy local map (not just a GPS unit); •F lashlight and batteries; •F lares; • Waterproof matches; •B attery jumper cables.

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

RecipeSwap

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

Tiny sweets make great holiday treats Drops, squares, bars and dainties are perfect small-portion desserts Lorraine Stevenson CROSSROADS RECIPE SWAP

eep your eye on portion sizes, because it’s often not what, but how much we eat that makes the difference. That’s such sensible advice and so hard to heed, especially over Christmas, with so many opportunities to overindulge. But there is one holiday treat guaranteed to pack a wallop of pleasure without excessive calories. It is that tiny, edible ‘objet d’art’ called the square, also endearingly known as the dainty. These delicious little morsels are desserts for the discriminating eater, someone who can savour a two-bite treat, feel genuinely satisfied and resist reaching for more.

One of my favourite cookbooks is 150 Delicious Squares written by iconic Alberta cookbook author Jean Paré. This was Ms. Paré’s first cookbook, published in 1981 and the debut of Company’s Coming, one of the world’s most popular cookbook series. From her Chocolate Smacks to her Orange Coconut Chews, all the recipes for drops, slices, bars and squares in this particular collection are richly indulgent. Yet, they are also elegantly tiny, and many contain no more than 100 calories apiece. They are the perfect small-portion dessert when eaten sparingly, of course. Squares, drops and slices were never meant to be wolfed down nor eaten while alone. They’re for sharing. They’re for when company’s coming. Here are three recipes courtesy of Company’s Coming Publishing taken from 150 Delicious Squares sure to please your holiday guests. If you’d like to check out more recipes please log on to www.companyscoming.com.

Chocolate Orange Drops Orange and chocolate go great together, and are a popular treat at Christmas time. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

PHOTOS: 150 DELICIOUS SQUARES COMPANY’S COMING PUBLISHING LIMITED

Magic Bars A simple trick that’s quite amazing. 1/2 c. butter (or hard margarine), melted 1-1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs 11-oz. can of sweetened condensed milk 1-1/3 c. flaked coconut 1 c. chopped walnuts 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Spread melted butter evenly in 9x13-inch pan. Sprinkle with graham crumbs. Drop teaspoonfuls of condensed milk, in dabs here and there, over crumb mixture. Spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining three ingredients, in order given, over condensed milk. Press down gently. Bake in 350 F oven for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Let stand in pan on wire rack until cool. Cut into 54 squares. Variation: Reduce chocolate chips to 1/2 cup. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup butterscotch chips after chocolate chips. 1 square: 83 calories; 5.3 g total fat (1.1 g mono, 1.2 g poly, 2.6 g sat); 6 mg cholesterol; 8 g carbohydrate; trace fibre; 1 g protein; 38 mg sodium. — Courtesy of 150 Delicious Squares © Company’s Coming Publishing Limited

Recipe Swap If you have a recipe or a column suggestion please write to: Manitoba Co-operator Recipe Swap, Box 1794, Carman, Manitoba R0G 0J0 or email Lorraine Stevenson at: lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

1/2 c. butter (or hard margarine), softened 4 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 large egg 1/2 c. icing (confectioner’s) sugar 1 tbsp. grated orange zest 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 c. all-purpose flour 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/2 tsp. salt

Fruit Marmalade Squares

Icing:

This is a glistening, fruity bar. Watch that you don’t overcook it or it will be too chewy.

4 oz. cream cheese, softened 3 tbsp. frozen concentrated orange juice, thawed 1-1/2 c. icing (confectioner’s) sugar

Bottom layer:

Beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add egg and icing sugar. Beat until smooth. Add orange zest and vanilla. Stir. Combine next three ingredients in small bowl. Add to cream cheese mixture. Stir. Spread evenly in greased 9x9-inch pan. Bake in 350 F oven for 25 to 30 minutes until set. Let stand in pan on wire rack until cool.

Icing: Beat next three ingredients in small bowl until smooth, adding more orange juice or icing sugar as necessary until spreading consistency. Spread evenly over cream cheese layer. Cut into 36 squares. 1 square: 107 calories; 6.2 g total fat (1.1 g mono, 0.1 g poly, 3.9 g sat); 19 mg cholesterol; 13 g carbohydrate; trace fibre; 1 g protein; 74 mg sodium. — Courtesy of 150 Delicious Squares © Company’s Coming Publishing Limited

1-1/4 c. all-purpose flour 1/2 c. butter (or hard margarine), softened 1/4 c. granulated sugar 1 egg yolk (large)

Top layer: 1 large egg 1/4 c. marmalade 2 tbsp. milk 3/4 c. chopped pitted dates 3/4 c. raisins (or currants) 1/2 c. chopped walnuts 1/4 c. granulated sugar 18 red and green glazed cherries, halved

Bottom layer: Mix all four ingredients in medium bowl until crumbly. Press firmly into ungreased 9x9-inch pan. Bake in 350 F oven for 15 minutes.

Top layer: Beat egg until frothy in large bowl. Add marmalade and milk. Beat well. Add next four ingredients. Stir. Spread evenly over bottom layer. Bake for about 25 minutes, until set. Immediately press cherry halves onto hot fruit mixture, about 1-1/2 inches apart. Let stand in pan on wire rack until cool. Cut into 36 squares. 1 square: 96 calories; 3.9 g total fat (0.9 g mono, 0.9 g poly, 2 g sat); 18 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrate; 1 g fibre; 1 g protein; 25 mg sodium. — Courtesy of 150 Delicious Squares © Company’s Coming Publishing Limited

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

ndrew Jackson sat with his back to the window of the café on Main Street, waiting. Outside a cold winter wind whipped the snow across the pavement and piled it up in shallow drifts on the sidewalk. Storekeepers emerged periodically from their doorways to clear the walk, piling the snow up against the curbs, but that was a losing battle. And anyway, Andrew wasn’t interested in what was going on outside. Why would he be? He was comfortable and warm and the fresh cup of coffee on the table in front of him was enough to keep him occupied, although the aroma of frying bacon emanating from the kitchen was making him hungry. He was pondering the possibility of ordering something when the door opened and Randy stepped into the café, stamping the snow from his boots and surveying the room. He spotted Andrew at the window table and walked over to sit down. “Hey Pops,” he said. “Top o’ the mornin’ son,” said Andrew. Randy grinned. “What? Are we Irish suddenly?” he said. Andrew laughed. “Four generations back on my grandmother’s side,” he said, “there was a branch of Sweeneys. So there’s not much Irish left in you laddie.” “Or in you either,” said Randy, still grinning, “judging by the quality of your Irish accent.” “True enough,” said Andrew. “You want breakfast?” he asked, seeing that the waitress was heading over with a cup of coffee for Randy. “I could eat,” said Randy. Andrew spoke to the waitress. “Could we get two orders of bacon and eggs please?” he said. “Lots of bacon and lots of eggs.” The waitress made a note on her pad. “How would you like your eggs?” she wanted to know. “On the sunny side,” said Andrew. “Always on the sunny side.” “I’ll have mine over easy please,” said Randy. “Done,” said the waitress, and headed off briskly toward the kitchen. “So, how’s things on the farm?” said Andrew when she was gone. “Fine,” said Randy. “The cattle are liking the weather.” “Yeah,” said Andrew. “Not too cold, not too

The

Jacksons BY ROLLIN PENNER

warm. Definitely nice considering the dire warnings the Farmer’s Almanac sent out this year.” “I heard on the radio that there’s an unexpected El Niño that’s going to keep the polar vortex at bay,” said Randy. “Apparently the almanac didn’t see that coming. Anyway, it sure is better than last year.” “Anything is better than last year,” said Andrew. There was a momentary lull. Randy took a sip of coffee, staring over Andrew’s shoulder at the snow swirling outside the window, then set his cup down on the table. “So, is Gerry Ritz actually going to give away the wheat board?” he said. Andrew raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I don’t think it’s that simple,” he said. “No?” said Randy. “You think there’s some kind of secret plan or something?” “It’s the Harper government,” said Andrew. “There’s always a plan and it’s always a secret. Which is too bad, because sometimes the plan

isn’t that bad. The thing about secret plans is that if people can’t get answers to questions and politicians refuse to back up their statements with any kind of evidence, people start to think the politicians might not have their best interests at heart.” He paused. “A tiny little bit of transparency would go a long way. Even fake transparency might help.” “How do you fake transparency?” said Randy. “I don’t know,” said Andrew. “I’m not a politician.” “You think Harper’s going to win the next election?” asked Randy. “I don’t know,” said Andrew. “I’m not a fortune teller.” “That may be,” said Randy, “but you are a man who ALWAYS has an opinion. So, what’s your opinion?” “My opinion,” said Andrew, “is that somebody is going to end up with a minority government. And my other opinion is that that’s the best possible outcome under the circumstances.” “Why is that?” Randy wanted to know. “Because a minority keeps everybody honest,” said Andrew. “And it forces the government to cooperate with the opposition so at least there’s a little bit of representation for people who didn’t vote for the ruling party.” “I don’t know,” said Randy. “I think it might take more than a minority to keep politicians honest.” “It was a figure of speech,” said Andrew. “I didn’t mean that literally.” “Do you think it makes a difference who wins?” said Randy. “Not to us,” said Andrew. “What’s that old saying? One of six and a dozen and a half of the other?” “Six of one, half a dozen of the other,” said Randy. “Yeah that’s it,” said Andrew. “That’s politics, in a nutshell.” Randy raised his coffee cup. “Here’s to politics,” he said. Andrew followed suit. “Politics,” he said. “Where you never get what you vote for.” After December 15, visit Rollin Penner’s new online blog at www.rollinon.me.

COLUMN

It’s all there in black and white You don’t have to spend a fortune on accessories — look around and use your imagination Connie Oliver Around the House

ho says black and white is boring? In a kitchen or bathroom, black and white is a fresh, clean look that is timeless, and you don’t have to spend a fortune on black and white accessories. Using inexpensive black frames in varying sizes, which can be used to frame anything from newspaper clippings to sheet music, is an affordable and effective update. Take your favourite colour photos and print them in black and white for a contemporary yet personal touch. Other unique items, like architectural salvage finds for instance, can be painted out in either black or white to add to the look. Simple wooden letters or numbers, found at most craft stores or dollar stores, can be painted and hung on the wall — either spelling out a name or verse, or as singular additions. Inexpensive countertop storage containers can be treated in the same way. Other accessories to consider are items like candleholders and can-

dles, bathroom sets (cup, toothbrush holder etc.), black and white linens and bath mats. Even seemingly insignificant items like switch plate covers can be changed to black or white for a uniform look. An inexpensive white shower curtain can be updated with stencils or black and white beads. Black and white patterns can be a great addition so keep this in mind when shopping for linens, shower curtains, mats and accessories. Freshen up the bathroom further by painting the vanity and the frame around a mirror black against crisp, white walls. Existing bathroom fixt u re s , l i k e t ow e l b a r s a n d c a b i net hardware, can be removed and painted in black or white to give them a uniform look or they can be replaced if the budget allows. In a kitchen area consider painting any mouldings, wainscotting or chair rails in either black or white or how about painting the window and door trim in black for a more graphic style or white for a softer look? Black and white can be spectacular. Take the plunge. Connie Oliver is an interior designer from Gimli, Manitoba

Keep black and white in mind for accessories like furniture throws and storage containers. PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

Simple wooden letters or numbers, found at most craft stores or dollar stores, can be painted and hung on the wall.

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

Put your plant on a pedestal Elevate to showcase some of your favourites from your indoor collection By Albert Parsons Freelance contributor

e have all heard the expression “to put someone on a pedestal,” meaning the person is being admired and we’re in awe of them for some reason, whether for beauty, accomplishments, fame, or character. While we might not be in awe of our houseplants, some of them can be rather awe inspiring! What better way to showcase such a plant than to put it on a pedestal — literally. Pedestals are made from various materials and created in different styles. Just like your outdoor garden, which will have a distinct style, so your interior spaces will also have a certain style and it is important that the pedestal will not be at odds with that. For example, a rather formal living space might benefit from a wooden pedestal with curved legs and made from fine wood. A small console table or side table made of fine wood might also serve as a suitable plant stand in such an interior. A brass pedestal or a black wrought iron one might suit a more modern interior, or even a shiny metal one. Pedestals can also be made of ceramic, plastic, wicker, and wire, and need not be items made for that specific purpose. Found objects and unique items from garage sales and thrift stores m a k e i n t e re s t i n g d i s p l a y s. I f o u n d a burnished nickel piggy bank that is round and about 35 cm high this summer at a thrift store — what a unique

pedestal, obtained for mere pennies (or should I say nickels?)! Having varying heights of plant material is also a good idea. A tall plant stand or pedestal can give a vertical accent to a room and focus attention on one plant, or you might use pedestals of varying heights to create a more interesting display. Using a large plant such as a Boston fern or large grape ivy will add a vertical note and help to balance the furniture (which is often quite tall) with the plants. Not all pedestals need to be placed on the floor; use on a side table or console to obtain that added height. If you use a trailing plant, the pedestal will have to be taller to accommodate the cascading foliage. Many trailing plants — such as pothos, ivy, and heart-leafed philodendron — can be trained to create a lovely cascading effect. We all have those favourite plants that put on a spectacular display of bloom once or twice a year. When such a plant is in bloom, you want to feature it, and what better way than to place it on a pedestal. In my plant collection, my clivia, Christmas cactus, several amaryllis, and some exotic cacti are placed on pedestals, and become the focal point in the interior landscape. Although using pedestals is all about the look it achieves, do not forget practical considerations. Place the plants in waterproof decorative containers to prevent water damage on tables, floors, or the pedestal itself. If using in dark locations, don’t leave the plant there so long that it will be unfavourably affected by

NDSU Extension Service

Pedestals can be various materials and styles — maybe a unique garage sale find. PHOTO: ALBERT PARSONS

the conditions. That’s the beauty of pedestals — they are portable and easy to move — versatile aids enabling the creative indoor gardener to construct stunning interior landscapes during the long winter months. Albert Parsons writes from Minnedosa, Manitoba

All Around junior high leader, Gracie Fawns ahead in four events By Darrell Nesbitt Freelance contributor

ellow junior high girls enrolled in the Manitoba High School Rodeo Association realized over the fall season that Gracie Fawns of Gilbert Plains is a name to be reckoned with. Fawns holds the lead in four events — breakaway roping, goat tying, pole bending, ribbon roping — and sits fourth in barrel racing and seventh in junior high team roping. The other girls’ event, barrel racing, sees Tess Mortenson of Souris, N.D. holding a 19-point lead over Jacey Boyes of the town of the same name in Manitoba. Male junior high leaders are: Cooper Millward of Garland (tie-down roping, team roping, chute dogging, goat tying), Shane MacLennan of Argyle (team roping, breakaway roping), and Ryan Eyre of Winnipegosis (bull riding).

Senior high

Baylee Graham of Carberry (header) sets up the steer for heeling partner Clay Bergeson of Onanole, in August. PHOTO: COURTESY DARREL NESBITT

From a male perspective, the leader board shows Ethan Fairlie of Warren on top in steer wrestling and tie-down roping, and Logan Bridgeman of Rivers and Matt Campbell of Virden holding a very slim margin over the second-place team of Clay Allan of Balmoral and Austin Whelpton of Neepawa in team roping.

There’s a lot of talk of gluten these days, but what exactly is it? By Julie Garden-Robinson

Gilbert Plains’ cowgirl churning up points

Leaders at the high school level, after eight communities visited in the 201415 season, include Bailey Plaisier of Oak Lake holding a 20-point spread over Mason Helmeczi of Esterhazy, Sask. in bareback riding. The lone saddle bronc r ider, Devon Fox of Eddystone has chalked up one complete ride and in the bull-riding category, Everett Fairlie of Warren leads the pack in the ‘A’ division and Ryder Millward of Garland in the ‘B.’ Top senior cowgirls include Baylee Graham of Carberry (barrel racing), Jenel Boyes of Souris (breakaway roping), Shannon Jackson of Inglis (goat tying), and Hallie McCannell of Carievale, Sask. (pole bending).

Just what is “gluten” anyway?

After stopping in Minnedosa, Winkler, Virden, Onanole, Selkirk, Beausejour, Russell and Oak Lake, All Around leaders in the junior division are Fawns and MacLennan, while Virden’s Cassidy Gardiner leads the high school girls and Ethan Fairlie, the boys. Darrell Nesbitt writes from Shoal Lake, Manitoba

“Mom, this bread has gluten in it, doesn’t it? If you used rice flour, then it would have no gluten, right?” my 11-year-old daughter asked as we began baking wheat bread on a Saturday morning. “Yes, wheat has gluten and rice does not. We couldn’t swap rice flour in this recipe because we need the gluten protein to give the bread structure. We would need a special recipe if we used rice flour; most of those recipes will have an added food gum,” I responded. “I’m impressed. You were listening to my talk, weren’t you?” I added. She nodded and continued measuring flour into a bowl. I’m not sure she listened to my entire kitchen lecture. My daughter had just accompanied me to a conference during “parents switch places with your kids” day at school. I gave a talk about gluten, its functions and why we are hearing so much about gluten-free foods. My husband was a sixth-grader that day, so he had to run laps in gym class and do math problems. I think having our young daughter serve as my “personal assistant” and help me distribute papers and set up the room was a better deal. “Does everyone have to eat ‘gluten free?’” I asked. I wanted to see if she had picked up on one of my main points. “People with a disease have to be gluten free,” she responded. “You are thinking of celiac disease,” I said. I thought about some of the other things I mentioned in my presentation. An estimated one per cent of the population has celiac disease, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation. They must avoid gluten in all foods, as well as other gluten-containing items they might swallow, such as toothpaste, mouthwash or glue on an envelope. People who are female, Caucasian and of European descent appear to have a greater risk of celiac disease. My daughter and I fit within the higher-risk group, but we do not have a genetic history of the disease. Gluten is not an issue for us, so we have no dietary restrictions. People with celiac disease might experience one or more of 300 different symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, damage to their intestines and skin rashes. People who are gluten sensitive have similar symptoms but do not have the damage to their intestines. Issues with gluten must be diagnosed through medical testing with qualified professionals, not on your own. Visit the celiac disease website at http://www. celiac.org for more information. Julie Garden-Robinson, PhD, R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension Service food and nutrition specialist and professor in the department of health, nutrition and exercise sciences.

The Manitoba Co-operator | December 11, 2014

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