Grainews by Farm Business Communications

Cattleman’s Corner

Features

Meet the neighbours

Rancher’s diary

The Kotylaks have their hearts in farming 16

Whitetail move in on cattle feed 40

Volume 44 · number 03 fEBRUARY 6, 2018 · $4.25 Practical production tips for the prair ie farmer www.grainews.ca

By Lisa Guenther

C Crop disease

Clubroot can damage more than just the bottom line Photo: Jennifer Blair

Along with economic and agronomic problems, clubroot causes emotional damage

lubroot is a potentially devastating disease for canola growers in Western Canada. Severely infested fields may not be able to grow canola in the foreseeable future. Less-severe fields may see yield drops without a change in farming practices. That adds up to a financial hit for affected farmers. But while the economic and agronomic realities are acknowledged, the psychology of dealing with a clubroot infestation has gotten less coverage. John Guelly, a farmer from Westlock, Alberta, compares it to going through the grieving process. “When you first find out, you’re kind of upset about it, and mad, and wondering how it got there,” says Guelly. Guelly discovered clubroot on his farm in 2013. At first, he didn’t quite believe it was clubroot, and wanted to downplay the situation, he says. That rings true for Dr. Greg Gibson, a psychologist with Prairie Mountain Health in Manitoba and assistant professor at the University of Manitoba. Clubroot is a practical problem and “an emotionally laden problem as well,” he says. Gibson hasn’t worked with farmers facing clubroot specifically, but he has worked with producers dealing with other issues. The first four stages of the grieving process include shock and denial, pain and guilt, anger and bargaining, and depression. Once a person works through those four stages, they are on a better footing, moving towards acceptance and hope. See Clubroot on page 5 

PLU S

Want to grow Jazzy potatoes? Learn how to grow and serve these potatoes with Ted Meseyton 46

Publications Mail Agreement #40069240

CONTENTS 3 | COLUMNS 22 | CATTLEMEN’S CORNER 38

Are you a member yet?

CASE IH 14.0000X5.0000 D000435192 4CFAR FORWARD

Activate your Glacier FarmMedia membership account for free today and enjoy these benefits!

country guide free for a year!

CHOOSE FROM

ISSUeS

Simply complete our short survey to sign up for your free Glacier FarmMedia membership and receive a complimentary one year subscription to Country Guide magazine! — Essential reading for farmers!

FREE PRINT CLASSIFIED AD

In the publication of your choice:

PLUS ONLINE LISTING AT

And there’s more! When you sign up for a Glacier FarmMedia Member Account — you get free news, markets, weather, and equipment listings — in customizable dashboards and personalized newsletters — on your mobile or desktop.

Who is Glacier farmMedia? Glacier FarmMedia is Canada’s largest agricultural publisher, producing more than 20 print and digital titles that include many of the most trusted names in Canadian agriculture. Members benefit from decades of industry insight and experience.

Go to www.membersgetmore.ca to sign-up today - It’s free!

GRAINEWS.CA

wheat & chaff

/ FEBRUARY 6, 2018

CONTENTS

Getting ready for a dry year Leeann Minogue

leeann@fbcpublishing.com

oth of these photos were taken from the same spot in the back of our yard in southeast Saskatchewan in January. The one on the left is from 2017, the one on the right is from 2018. While that huge 2017 snow pile was a result of a lot of drifting and didn’t leave as much moisture in the fields as you’d expect, things were definitely a lot less dry last winter. We’re hoping for some more snow or rain before seeding season.

Pull-type combines part 2 Brian Kirkpatrick takes a look at the ultimate end of pull-type production 32

Friendly Acres in 2017

Corrections We ran our annual rebate roundup in the January 9 issue of Grainews. Unfortunately, I included an error and missed a couple of new programs. I incorrectly reported the amount of the rebate you can receive if you buy Arysta LifeScience’s RANCONA PINNACLE and RANCONA TRIO seed treatment or EVITO fungicide before February 15 (actually $1/acre). For full details about this and Arysta LifeScience’s entire Grower Rewards Program, visit arystal ifesciencerewards.ca.

CANTERRA SEEDS’ Germinating Success program offers rebates on every acre of seed varieties, including their pedigreed seed lineup. For example, buy 160 acres of CANTERRA SEEDS canola or PRIDE Seedscorn and receive $1.50/ac. Buy 320 acres of CANTERRA SEEDS canola or PRIDE Seeds corn and receive $3/ac. Buy 230 acres and they are also offering $1/ac. on PRIDE Seeds soybeans and $0.25/ac. on CANTERRA SEEDS pedigreed seeds. Get all the information at canterra.com/germinatingsuccess. FMC’s new Grower CashBack program provides substantial rebate savings, as high as 20 per cent. The program has rebate tiers — for example, spend $15,000 to $30,000 on broadleaf herbicides and receive a four per cent rebate. Spend more than $75,000 on broad leaf herbicides and receive a 12 per cent rebate (with more tiers in between). FMC has split its program into three categories: broadleaf herbicides, cross-spectrum herbicides, and non-crop products for extended wheat control and burndown. Non-crop products are eligible for a 10 per cent cash back bonus. To reach a 20 per cent savings level, spend more than 75,000 on cross-spectrum herbicides, then match 300 or more acres of non-crop herbicides. Get details at FMCcrop.ca.

Leeann

Kevin Elmy shares the details of what went right and wrong last season 12

This chem-free machine could keep the weeds down in your fields 18

Crop Advisor’s Casebook. . 6 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Columns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Photos: Leeann Minogue

Harvest Weed seed destructor Snow in view from the back of the yard. January 2017 and January 2018.

Machinery & Shop . . . . . . . 31 Cattleman’s Corner . . . . . 38 FarmLife. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

GET IN TOUCH SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CST) call 1-800-665-0502 U.S. subscribers call 1-204-944-5568 or email: subscription@fbcpublishing.com

STORY IDEAS & SUBMISSIONS If you have story ideas, call us. You can write the article and we’ll pay you – or we can write it. Phone Leeann Minogue at (306) 861-2678 Fax: (204) 944-5416 Email: leeann@fbcpublishing.com Write to: Grainews, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Grainews has a Facebook page. Find, read and comment on posts easily and with a thumbs up!

FIND US ON TWITTER Leeann Minogue is @grainmuse Lisa Guenther is @LtoG Lee Hart is @hartattacks Scott Garvey is @machineryeditor

Get your crayons ready Jason Sylvestre, co-author of the great “You Might Be From The Prairies If…” cartoons that we usually run on Page 4, has published a colouring book of hand-drawn Saskatchewan pictures. Jason’s book is called Colour Saskatchewan. You can buy it from your favourite on-line retailer for under $17. Or, you can win a copy! Just send me an email, text, or message on Twitter with the words “colour Saskatchewan” and I’ll put your name in the draw. We’ll draw a winner on March 1 and get it in the mail soon after that. GN Leeann@fbcpublishing.com; 306-861-2678; @GrainMuse

wheat & chaff

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Ag safety

Making farming safer for senior producers I n Canada, the face of farming is changing. More primary agricultural producers are women, and in the first time since 1991, the proportion of farmers under the age of 35 rose. However, the 2016 Agriculture Census also found that there were more farmers over age 70 than under 35. The reality of Canadian agricultural is that older farmers are farming more acres and often farming well into their 70s and 80s. These older farmers are vital to Canadian agriculture. With years of successful farming under their belts, older farmers offer wisdom, knowledge and experience. However, older farmers are also at risk for injury. Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting statistics show that farmers over the age of 60 have a higher-thanaverage fatality rate, in fact farmers 80 years of age and older have the highest fatality rate of any other age group. As we age, our bodies undergo changes. Our sense of smell, vision, hearing and touch are likely to experience some decrease in sensitivity. Health concerns like arthritis, low back pain and respiratory conditions can impact a person’s ability to farm safely. Aging is not the only factor that can have an impact — other factors like disease, life-

style and medication use can also influence a person’s capability to farm safely. However, these factors don’t mean that a senior farmer is destined for a farm injury. Working smarter, not harder, is a key factor in keeping seniors safe. At any age, whether a young worker, an experienced producer or a senior farmer, working safely means identifying risks and potential hazards and developing a plan to lessen the risk of injury. Before undertaking a task, use a critical eye and take a close a close look at the job. Break down the job into each of the tasks required and determine the potential hazards and risks associated with each of these tasks. Determine what it would take to eliminate or control the hazards and make the changes. It could be a simple as using Personal Protective Equipment or finding the proper tool for the job. Next, think about the minimum ability to safely perform the task, do you have the ability to do the task? Also think about your personal risk factors. For example, if the task requires lifting, do you have the ability to lift the required weight without risking injury? (Remember, there are often considerable differences among individuals. Each individual should assess their own capabilities based on their own circum-

stances.) Be realistic about your capabilities, working within your abilities will set you up for success. Trying to do more than you’re able is setting yourself up for failure, or worse, injury. Other factors to take into consideration include environmental conditions. A safe work situation can be hazardous depending on environmental factors. Factors like ice, noise, dust and lighting can all impact the environment. Consider not just the environment but also how it can affect your abilities to work safely. Not all changes associated with aging will have a significant impact on a person’s capacity to perform farming tasks. But it’s important to assess what tasks become more challenging as we age. Planning work activities to compensate for any limitations will set a senior farmer up for continued success. Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW) is a public awareness campaign focusing on the importance of farm safety. CASW takes place every year during the third week of March. In 2018, CASW takes place March 11 to 17. CASW is presented by Farm Credit Canada. For more information visit agsafetyweek.ca. GN Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, visit www.casa-acsa.ca

Photo Contest

Give us your best shot

Q&A with CPS

Safe seed-placed fertilizer Q: How do I determine the safe rate of seed-placed fertilizer for canola, wheat and barley? A: If you’ve bought a new drill, changed openers or changed your fertilizer blends, these changes may have implications on seed safety. Many new drills have moved to wider row spacing and narrower openers. Take the time to investigate and plan now. Many growers like to have a starter blend of fertilizer with their seed. However, too much fertilizer with the seed can reduce or delay emergence. Growers need to determine which nutrients are best applied in the fertilizer band and which should be applied in the seed row and at what rates. To determine safe fertilizer rates with the seed, factors such as crop type, soil texture and soil moisture at the time of seeding need to be considered. To protect the value of your seed investment, consider the following:

1. Calculate your Seed Bed Utilization (SBU): SBU is the amount of seed bed over which seed and fertilizer has been spread. SBU = Width of Seedrow Spread x 100 / Row Spacing Example: SBU = 3 inches x 100 / 9 inches = 33 per cent SBU

2. determine the actual pounds of nutrients (NPKS and micros) to be applied in the seed row. 3. Cross-reference this information with guidelines for safe rates for each crop. There’s a great deal of agronomic information to consider when determining the best options for fertilizer placement. GN

Twyla Jones is a manager of agronomic services with Crop Production Services in north central Alberta.

Carson Demmans and Jason Sylvestre present: YOU MIGHT BE FROM THE PRAIRIES IF...

Curtis Stahl sent us this photo. He wrote: “Through snow, rain and sunshine, the 2017 harvest season in central Alberta was one of the best.” Great photo! We’re mailing Curtis a cheque for $25. Send your best shot by email to leeann@fbcpublishing.com or through Twitter at @GrainMuse. Please send only one or two photos at a time, and also send along some information about where and when you took the photo, or even something about your farm. Photos with larger file sizes look better in the paper.

cover stories

Grainews.ca / fEBRUARY 6, 2018

Crop disease 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1 www.grainews.ca Publisher Lynda Tityk Editorial director Laura Rance Editor Leeann Minogue Field Editor Lisa Guenther Cattleman’s Corner Editor Lee Hart Farmlife Editor Sue Armstrong Machinery Editor Scott Garvey Production Director Shawna Gibson Designers Mackenzie Burling, Ron White Marketing/Circulation Director Lynda Tityk Circulation Manager Heather Anderson President Glacier Farmmedia LP Bob Willcox Head Office 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1 Phone: (204) 944-5568 Fax: (204) 944-5562 Sales Director Cory Bourdeaud’hui Phone: (204) 954-1414 Fax: (204) 944-5562 Email: cory@fbcpublishing.com National Advertising Sales Kevin Yaworsky Phone: 250-869-5326 Email: kyaworsky@farmmedia.com Advertising Services Co-ordinator Arlene Bomback Phone: (204) 944-5765 Fax: (204) 944-5562 Email: ads@fbcpublishing.com Printed in Canada by TC Printing, Winnipeg, Man. Grainews is published by Glacier FarmMedia LP, 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0H1. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

Subscription Prices: For Canadian farmers, $63 per year or $95 for 2 years (includes GST) or $119 for 3 years (includes GST). Man. residents add 8% PST to above prices. U.S: $50 per year (U.S. Funds). Outside Canada & U.S.: $109 per year. ISSN 0229-8090. Call 1-800-665-0502 for subscriptions. Fax (204) 954-1422 Canadian Postmaster: Send address changes and undeliverable copies (covers only) to PO Box 9800, Winnipeg, Man. R3C 3K7 U.S. Postmaster: Send address changes and undeliverable copies (covers only) to 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1 Grainews is printed on recyclable paper with linseed oil-based inks. Published 18 times a year. Subscription inquiries: Call toll free 1-800-665-0502 U.S. subscribers call 1-204-944-5568 or email: subscription@glacierfarmmedia.com Your next issue! You can expect your next issue in your mailbox about February 13, 2018

The editors and journalists who write, contribute and provide opinions to Grainews and Glacier FarmMedia LP attempt to provide accurate and useful opinions, information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists, Grainews and Glacier FarmMedia LP cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. Use or non-use of any information is at the reader’s sole risk, and we assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader of this publication based on any and all information provided. At Glacier FarmMedia LP we are committed to protecting your privacy. Glacier FarmMedia LP will only collect personal information if it is required for reasonable purposes related to our business operations. As part of our commitment to enhance customer service, we may also share personal information with our affiliates or strategic business partners. For more information regarding how we collect, use and disclose personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy at http:// farmmedia.com/privacy-policy, or write to: Privacy Officer, Glacier FarmMedia, P.O. Box 9800, Station Main, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K7. Occasionally we make our list of subscribers available to other reputable firms whose products and services might be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please contact us at the address in the preceding paragraph, or call 1-800-665-0502.

 CLUBROOT from page 1

Guelly says it’s something he went through, to a certain extent. “You go through it over a long period of time. It’s nothing something you digest and say — Boom! — I need to do this or do that. You have to work it through in your head and get things ironed out before you can actually come up with a full plan.” But if a person gets stuck in one of the first four stages, Gibson says, that can lead to more problems in the future.

Shock and denial, followed by pain and guilt The shock and denial stage is an issue because if the farmer isn’t awake to the problem, he might not deal with the clubroot quickly enough, says Gibson. That’s critical because when clubroot spores are low, the disease is still manageable. Dan Orchard, Canola Council of Canada agronomist, has cited research showing that a twoyear break from canola can cut viable clubroot spores by over 90 per cent. But if spore loads are sky-high, even a two-year break leaves too many viable spores in the soil. In the shock and denial stage, other people may need to “shine a light on the issue,” says Gibson. “Sometimes it’s needed when folks are in denial, especially when it’s emotionallyladen.” But once a farmer has pushed through (or been nudged out of) shock and denial, pain and guilt waits. This is especially true if farmers feel they are partly to blame, because of something they did or didn’t do, Gibson explains. Concern about what others might think about them, or how others might be affected, can also create shame. “Farming families are highly proactive, industrious, and self-sufficient,” says Gibson. “And if they found that they in any way are the catalysts to other people’s concerns–whether that be other people, their own families, or what have you–that can create a tremendous amount of guilt.”

The pain and guilt in these situations can also increase the likelihood that someone remains in denial, Gibson says. Guelly sees the social stigma surrounding clubroot as part of the problem. “It seems to be something that nobody wants to talk about. It’s like mental health.” Along with worrying about what the neighbours will say, farmers also worry about land values dropping and the county’s reaction, says Guelly (although he notes clubroot hasn’t cut land values in his area). But the best thing farmers can do is talk about it, he says. “You can learn more from neighbours, agronomists. Know what you’re looking for in the first place so you can catch it early,” says Guelly. Gibson tells farmers to think of themselves as engines that need to be maintained. They can watch for check-engine lights to catch problems early. The early stages of grief may come with negative coping strategies, such as self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, or perhaps smoking more than usual, says Gibson. “Sometimes when people are stuck in that shame mode, it’s almost like they feel that they’re not worthy of looking after themselves,” he says. Gibson advises people to avoid these negative coping strategies, to keep exercising and to take care of themselves.

Anger and bargaining, followed by depression Once people are noticing there’s a problem, they might try bargaining (perhaps in vain) with the powers that be, such as county officials, says Gibson. Or they may go into panic mode. Another common behaviour is lashing out. Or people may try to come up with a solution, but it won’t be done in a healthy way, says Gibson. “Rather than accepting the issue, they’re fighting against it.” After the anger and bargaining stage comes depression. Depression is a huge one for many farmers, says Gibson. “Farmers are very self-suffi-

cient folks and sometimes they don’t want to burden other people with their issues.” People suffering from depression tend to isolate themselves. Hardworking people might face a lack of motivation, as though they’re all in, Gibson says. This might spread to relationships and finances as well. They almost check out of life, he adds. Even if a person doesn’t feel suicidal, depression can be serious and extremely debilitating, says Gibson.

Getting unstuck How can farmers avoid getting mired down in the first four stages? And how can their families, agronomists, and friends help them? Gibson says it’s hard to think clearly in the early stages of grief, and to separate emotion from logic. Farmers will likely need help problem-solving from people they trust, whether that’s an agronomist or neighbour. Guelly suggests getting farmers talking to clubroot experts and agronomists. Farmers need to realize that clubroot is not the end of the world, he says. Although their world has changed, that doesn’t mean they’re done growing canola, he adds. Gibson says agronomists and others should demonstrate empathy and validate the farmer’s experience. Don’t say things such as “I know how you feel.” Instead, just let them talk or say something like “that sounds heavy,” says Gibson. From there, it’s important to move into problem-solving, says Gibson. Avoid terms like “wrong” or “bad,” as well as emotionally-laden language or anything that sounds like laying blame. Focus on the future, and on solutions to address problems. Set short-term goals. Be patient, says Gibson. Watch out for all or none thinking about the situation — for example, remarks about things never getting better, or clubroot being a cross to bear. “If they’re not blaming the other person, they’re blaming themselves,” says Gibson. Ultimately, agronomists are not therapists, Gibson says. But agrono-

Farm stress lines In Manitoba: Manitoba Farm, Rural, and Northern Support Services. Chat online at www. ruralsupport.ca or call 1-866-3673276 (Monday to Friday 10 am to 9 pm). After hours call 1-888322-3019. In Saskatchewan: Sask Farm Stress Line. Call 1-800-667-4442 Available 24/7. For more info visit www.mobilecrisis.ca/farm-stressline-rural-sask In Alberta: Alberta Mental Health Help Line. Call: 1-877-3032642. Available 24 hrs a day. GN Lisa Guenther

mists can refer struggling farmers to other resources, such as farm stress lines or services within the community. Family is very important in this situation as well, because the whole family experiences trials and tribulations on the farm, Gibson says. Often spouses of farmers also have a selfreliant personality, but they need to make sure they’re maintaining their own engines, he says. That means having a support system, avoiding self-medication and other negative coping strategies, going for walks, and using farm stress lines if needed. It’s also important that the family makes time to have fun, Gibson adds. “Being able to balance life is important in general. But when you’re finding that there is a farm crisis, then sometimes play goes out the window. And it’s still important to have a good work-life balance.” As for Guelly, he doesn’t want to see farmers in other provinces hit the clubroot learning curve the way Alberta farmers did. Try to find it when spore levels are low, he advises. “The big thing is don’t panic. Keep scouting.” GN Lisa Guenther is field editor for Grainews based at Livelong, Sask. Follow her on Twitter @LtoG.

John Guelly’s six-step management plan Back in 2013, John Guelly discovered some dead canola plants with ominous-looking root galls at his Westlock-area farm. But even though clubroot was already known to be in his area, he hadn’t seen it himself, and he wasn’t sure what it looked like. People were secretive about the disease, he told farmers, agronomists and other gathered at Crop Sphere in Saskatoon this January. Guelly contacted Canola Council of Canada agronomist Dan Orchard, who confirmed the disease. Guelly, who’d had a cancer scare in the past, said he’d felt like Orchard had just told him he had cancer. But over the last few years, Guelly has implemented a practical clubroot-management plan on his farm. Currently that plan includes: 1. Growing clubroot-resistant varieties. Guelly recommends using resistant varieties before a confirmed clubroot infestation, to keep spore loads low. He compares it to using blackleg-resistant varieties.

2. Lengthening crop rotations. Make sure there is at least a two-year break between canola crops. Guelly notes that it takes a while to balance a longer rotation across the entire farm, so it’s best to start doing this now. 3. Minimizing dirt movement. Guelly says they knock off dirt onto grassed areas before entering a new field. 4. Requiring sanitization of third-party equipment (including boots and tires). Do this both in and out of the field. Guelly gets this in writing from third parties and monitors it to make sure they’re sticking to the agreement. 5. Stepping up control. Pay attention to canola volunteers and weeds that host clubroot. 6. Plenty of scouting. “It’s a lot like cancer. If you find it early, your chances of being able to grow with it are that much better and easier,” says Guelly. Guelly’s clubroot management plan is always evolving. For example, he says he’s now looking at putting in separate field entrances and exits.

(Clubroot infestations often start, and are often the worse, near the field entrance. Having a separate exit should reduce how much contaminated dirt leaves the field). Another thing to look at is seeding hotspots to perennial ryegrass, Guelly says. He’s also looking at adding wood ash or limestone to the soil in hotspots. Acidic soils are more conducive to clubroot (although Orchard has noted that basic soils do not confer immunity to clubroot). Last fall Guelly also tried soil testing to see how high the spore loads are in parts of the field. He flagged and recorded the GPS coordinates of the spots he sampled, so he could draw samples from the same places next year. However, when he got the results, the spore loads were surprisingly low. Guelly is wondering if he missed the hot spots, as spore loads can vary greatly over short distances. Farmers considering testing soil for clubroot can find labs at clubroot.ca, says Guelly. GN Lisa Guenther

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Crop production

Crop advisor casebook Can you diagnose the predicament of the malformed pods in Chad’s canola crop? By Rose Boughton

had, who owns a mixed grain and cattle farm near Togo, Sask., noticed something was not quite right with his canola crop. It was early August 2016 when Chad contacted me about malformed pods on the upper portion of his glyphosate-tolerant canola plants. “The pods don’t look right,” he said. “They’re all twisted up and not making seed properly.” Chad said he’d only noticed the damage recently, at the early podding stage. I headed out to Chad’s farm to have a look for myself. In the field, the malformed seed pods occurred on the upper third of the plants. Some of these damaged pods were stunted, while others were twisted and curled. The pods had a reddish tinge to them and were scabbed; also, some plant stems had scabbing on them. Almost all pods had poor, if any, seed set. The last week had been hotter than usual, at least 28 C or more, so sunscald could have caused the discolouration. Sunscald causes purpling on the plant stems and pods during times of heat, or other, stress. However, the pods’ undersides remain a normal colour when suffering from sunscald. In this case, the damaged pods’ undersides had a reddish tinge to them — the same colour as the rest of the pod — so sunscald was not the problem. Although I did find a few pods, here and there, with sunscald, that kind of stress would not cause poor seed set or the twisting or curling of pods. Additionally, there were no visible exit holes on the pods, ruling out weevil damage. In fact, there was no biting, chewing or stripping damage at all, eliminating insects as the cause of damage.

Rose Boughton works for Richardson Pioneer Ltd. in Kamsack, Sask.

Casebook winner

Chad contacted me about malformed pods on the upper portion of his glyphosate-tolerant canola plants.

It was possible the pods were damaged by chemical residue hung up on the sprayer tank’s walls. When I asked Chad about his tank clean-out procedures, this theory seemed unlikely. Chad diligently triple rinses his sprayer tank. In addition, he didn’t use any chemicals that were prone to adhering to tank walls. Also, this field was sprayed last, following glyphosate applications on other glyphosate-tolerant canola fields. None of the other fields showed any signs of herbicide injury. Furthermore, the glyphosate would have scrubbed out any chemical residue hung up in the tank before spraying the field in question. We examined the field for a pattern to the damaged pods. It was this pat-

tern that confirmed the cause of the discoloured, malformed pods. If you think you know what’s causing the pod problem in Chad’s canola crop, send your diagnosis to Grainews, Box 9800, Winnipeg, Man., R3C 3K7; email leeann @fbcpublishing.com or fax 204-944-95416 c/o Crop Advisor’s Casebook. The best suggestions will be pooled and one winner will be drawn for a chance to win a Grainews cap and a one-year subscription to the magazine. The answer, along with reasoning that solved the mystery, will appear in the next Crop Advisor’s Solution File. GN Rose Boughton, CCA, works for Richardson Pioneer Ltd. in Kamsack, Sask.

This issue’s winner is Alberta farmer Darren Feitsma. Thanks for entering, Darren! We’re sending you a Grainews cap and renewing your subscription for one year. You could be a winner too. If you know the answer to this issue of Casebook, email me at Leeann@fbcpublishing.com. Leeann Minogue

The malformed seed pods occurred on the upper third of the plants. Some of these damaged pods were stunted, while others were twisted and curled.

Crop advisor’s solution

Watch out for soil compaction and crusting when rolling fields By Jessica Siemens

ohn, an Alberta producer who operates a 16,000acre farm near Stirling, thought he applied too much fertilizer in the seed row of his durum crop, injuring some of the seed and causing poor germination. The symptoms included poor seedling emergence, resulting in a thin, patchy stand. The plants in the affected areas were also stunted and purpling at the bases.

However, I ruled out fertilizer burn after checking seedbed utilization, fertilizer amounts and moisture conditions at seeding. Furthermore, there were no signs of fertilizer burn on the seeds, and the ones I dug up had germinated; however, the seedlings were yellow and kinked. The seed was also not the issue, as it was tested before planting. John also revealed he rolled the field after seeding. In addition, the area received heavy rainfall a few days after seeding, he said. I sent samples of the affected seedlings to a laboratory to con-

firm my diagnosis. The plants were suffering from phosphorus deficiency. Here’s what happened… The heavy precipitation and soil compaction, which was caused by the rolling, resulted in the crusting of the soil’s top layer. This soil compaction and crusting caused poor seedling emergence in the affected areas. The seedlings were prevented from breaking through the soil surface, resulting in the plants’ squiggly-like growth and yellowing. Those seedlings that did

emerge through the soil crust were stunted and purpling. Here, the plants’ limited root growth, caused by the compacted soil, resulted in phosphorus deficiency. Stunted growth and purpling at the plant base are often symptoms of this type of nutrient deficiency. Land rolling should only be carried out on fields when completely necessary, especially when heavy clay soils are involved. Also, avoid rolling fields just prior to seedling emergence, ground crack, or when the soil is wet.

In John’s case, reseeding was not an economical option. Because the poor seedling emergence occurred in patches, and not consistently throughout the field, enough seedlings emerged to produce a crop. That growing season, weather was also a challenge — the area received little rain and intense heat. Thus, this durum field only averaged about 30 bushels per acre. However, the yield was not significantly different from John’s other fields. GN Jessica Siemens works for Richardson Pioneer Ltd. in Stirling, Alta.

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Crop varieties

New non-GMO canola for the market Manipulation and natural plant enzymes create sulfonylurea-resistant variety

or western Canadian farmers waiting for a herbicide tolerant canola variety with a different mode of chemistry action to help reduce the risk of herbicide tolerance, SU Canola is here. Commercially available on a limited basis, Cibus (pronounced See-bus) is launching its first herbicide-tolerant, non-GMO canola variety, resistant to sulfonylurea herbicide, to Prairie farmers for 2018. And it is being launched with some valuable incentives, including a price premium. The first is a numbered SU Canola variety, C5507, says David Sippell, Cibus vice president of seed and general manager, Canada. The Winnipeg-based Sippell is well known in agriculture circles across Western Canada. He served at one time as manager of UGG’s Proven Seed division and over his career has also worked for Pioneer Hi-Bred, Canterra Seeds and Syngenta. C5507, a medium height, high yielding hybrid canola, is the first SUresistant developed by the U.S.based Cibus through patented geneediting technology. To achieve resistance to the SU chemistry, genes within the plant are manipulated, but no foreign genetics are introduced. This qualifies it as a non-transgenic product. “We are launching our first SU Canola in Canada for 2018,” says Sippell. “But there are eight more varieties in the pipeline. We plan to release more SU Canola varieties in succession over the next few years.” The company is working with a number of different crops, and hopes to also bring the first glyphosate-tolerant flax variety to the Canadian market over the next couple years. It is also working on non-GMO potato and rice varieties.

No foreign genetics are introduced

Canada, SU Canola contracting opportunities are being handled through the Bunge canola processing plant at Harrowby in southwest Manitoba, near the Saskatchewan border. The plant, which draws from about a 150 km radius, will be offering contracts for 2018. The incentive package for 2018 includes $100 rebate off the cost of seed, plus a $35 per tonne premium for canola delivered next fall.

“Our first variety, C5507, is a high yielding hybrd, probably quiet comparable with InVigor L140P variety,” says Sippell. “We believe we have a very good package to offer — a high yielding variety, a very aggressively priced herbicide, along with a price premium on contracted canola.” Sippell says even if a grower doesn’t have a contract they can still buy C5507 seed and Draft herbicide and market their canola through any of their usual channels. Because it’s a

non-transgenic canola there are no market restrictions. To learn more about the new SU Canola and contracting opportunities visit the company website at: info.cibuscanola.com/Cargill or call the Winnipeg office at: 1-204809-0100. GN Lee Hart is a field editor with Grainews based in Calgary. Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at lee@ fbcpublishing.com.

Photo: Cibus Canada

By Lee Hart

David Sippell, Cibus Canada general manager.

SMALL GRANULE, ENORMOUS POTENTIAL. Scientifically proven to guard against all three forms of nitrogen loss while allowing

The SU Canola is being teamed up with Draft herbicide. Draft is manufactured by Rotam, “a fast growing international company in the crop protection industry.” Draft is a broad spectrum, easy-to-use, crop-safe herbicide that is not only effective on glyphosate-resistant weeds and crops, but is also effective against more than 25 common broadleaf weeds “We have limited seed available for 2018 so we will be targeting the Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan growing area,” says Sippell. “This variety is probably best adapted to growing conditions in that region, but other varieties will be along over the next couple years.” Although Cibus has seed and marketing representatives in Western

growers to cover more acres in a day, SUPERU® premium fertilizer packs unmatched efficiency and productivity into every granule. Fewer passes across the field, broader and more even spread patterns, one ready-to-use formula; SUPERU will change the way you grow.

Talk to your retailer or representative to learn more about SUPERU® premium fertilizer.

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Crop protection

Getting to know your herbicides: Group 1 A look at how Group 1 chemicals work and what you can do to manage weed resistance Strategic tillage can work for weeds such as thistles, depending on the timing, says Martens. But tillage is detrimental to quack grass control. “It can really deplete your soil nutrients as well,” says Martens.

By Lisa Guenther

Problem weeds

Photos: Lisa Guenther

lthough wild oats are an annual, Group 1-resistant wild oats have become a perennial problem on the Prairies. And wild oats aren’t the only weeds developing resistance to this chemical group. Grainews takes a look at how Group 1 chemicals work and what farmers can do to manage resistance. Group 1 herbicides are commonly applied in-crop to wheat. Group 1 herbicides such as Centurion and Assure are also used in Liberty Link canola. These herbicides block the ACCase enzyme, says Tanner Martens, Turtleford and District Co-op agronomist. The ACCase enzymes help form lipids in plant roots, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s website further explains. Susceptible plants yellow and die. Some weeds will naturally be resistant to Group 1 herbicides, Martens says. If a farmer continues using the Group 1 on these resistant weeds, they will survive and reproduce. Eventually the Group 1-resistant weeds will dominate the population. Martens suggests farmers try to prevent Group 1 resistance in their fields, rather than wait until they have a problem. “Once you have it, it’s kind of trouble,” he says. There are some tank mix options that work well for Group 1s, Martens says, such as Assure and glyphosate. But Group 1 herbicides target grassy weeds, and so overall there aren’t many incrop tank mix options, he adds. Crop and chemical rotation are the first line of defence with Group 1 resistance. Not rotating crops puts pressure on the land, with both resistant weeds and disease, Martens says. Rotating crops also helps farmers switch chemical modes of action.

Tanner Martens, agronomist at Turtleford Co-op, recommends rotating crops and chemical groups to prevent Group 1 herbicide resistance.

But even if farmers are rotating crops, it’s important not to rely on the same herbicides all the time in wheat. “They still need to be switching it up, and that’s where that sub-group of Group 1s can help.” Group 1 contains three sub-groups: • Aryloxyphenoxy propionate. Known as fop, it includes active ingredients such as clodinafoppropargyl. • Cyclohexanediones. Known as dim, this sub-group includes active ingredients such as clethodim. • Phenylpyrazolin. Known as den, it includes the active ingredient pinoxaden. For example, if a farmer uses Horizon or Signal every year he grows wheat, he’s pulling from the fop subgroup, Martens says. To help prevent herbicide resistance, he could look at using Axial (a den) the next time he grows wheat, Martens explains. “If it worked one year, try something different the next,” Martens says.

Tame oats exposed to Axial, a Group 1 herbicide. Susceptible plants yellow and die after being exposed to a Group 1 herbicide.

Pre-emergent herbicides from other chemical groups are also handy tools to prevent resistance. Avadex (Group 8) or Edge (Group 3) can be applied in the spring or fall. Focus, which contains a Groups 14 and 15, was recently registered for wheat.

“It’s tough to use that every year because it’s expensive,” Martens acknowledges. But a farmer doesn’t necessarily need to use a residual on every field each year. Martens suggests incorporating them into the herbicide rotation by using them every three or four years.

Group 1-resistant wild oats are common, Martens says. Resistant populations have developed from overreliance on Group 1s. But in wheat, farmers don’t have many other options, he adds. A recent report submitted to the Saskatchewan Weed Committee provides some insight on problem weeds. Between 2012 and 2016, Saskatchewan’s Crop Protection Lab screened over 1,100 weed samples for herbicide resistance from the Prairie provinces. Unsurprising, wild oats were the biggest culprit. There were 550 Group 1-resistant wild oat samples and 135 cases of Group 1- and Group 2-resistant wild oats from the three provinces. The lab also confirmed 10 cases of Group 1-resisant green foxtail. Most cases were in Saskatchewan. Two were in Manitoba’s parkland, and one between Calgary and Red Deer. Three samples of Group 1-resistant Persian darnel were also submitted from southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. The report was compiled by staff at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Saskatchewan Agriculture, including Hugh Beckie, Scott Shirriff, Faye Dokken-Bouchard and Clark Brenzil. The Crop Protection Lab tends to get fewer samples from Manitoba, as Ag-Quest does much of the herbicide resistance screening in that province. As well, farmers don’t tend to submit weeds once herbicide resistance is established for that weed and chemical. GN Lisa Guenther is field editor for Grainews based at Livelong, Sask. Follow her on Twitter @LtoG.

Group 1 herbicides Chemical family

Active ingredients

clodinafop-propargyl

Bullwhip Cadillac Cougar Foothills SG

Harmony Grass 240EC Harmony K Harmony SG Horizon SG

Ladder MPower Aurora NextStep SG Signal

Signal FSU Traxos

fenoxyprop-p-ethyl

Bengal Cordon

MPower Hellcat Puma Advance

Puma Super Tundra

WildCat Vigil

quizalofop-p-ethyl

Assure ll

IPCO Contender

Yuma

clethodim

Arrow 240 EC Centurion

Patron Select

Shadow RTM

sethoxydim

Poast Ultra

Odyssey Ultra/Odyssey Ultra NXT

tralkoxydim

Bison

Liquid Achieve

Marengo

pinoxaden

Axial Axial iPak

Axial Xtreme Broadband

Traxos Traxos Two

Aryloxyphenoxy propionate (Fop)

Cyclohexanediones (Dim)

Phenylpyrazolin (Den) Table courtesy of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

Found in*

Nufarm Tralkoxydim

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Crop protection

T:9.8732 in

Stopping sprayer clean out errors

INTRODUCING:

ZONE SPRAY

Curb those embarrassing mistakes with tips from sprayer pro Tom Wolf By Leeann Minogue

hen Tom Wolf told his audience at CropSphere in Saskatoon on January 9 that sprayer clean out errors can

The symptoms of dicamba damage are easily identifiable, even for people who don’t know a lot about farming.

PRECISELY WHAT YOU NEED,

photo: thinkstock

pipeline — these beans will also be tolerant to the Group 10 herbicie glufonsinate (Liberty). It’s currently in what Fraley refers to as Phase 4 of Monsanto’s research pipeline, close to the final phase, and should be available to U.S. farmers in the next two to three years. “Testing has been very strong for the product in terms of weed control and developing the herbicide formulations.” Fraley pointed out that, while dicamba has been in the marketplace for close to 50 years, it’s generated few resistant weeds. However, dicamba has generated some controversy recently. Successful Farming reports that, from the 2017 crop year, there are 2,708 cases of dicamba crop damage under investigation by U.S. state departments of agriculture. (Of course, not all of the 2,708 cases involve Monsanto

EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED IT.

meaning that urban residents may take a negative view of our farming practices. The problems that farmers, primarily in the U.S., have experienced with dicamba in the last couple of years are “bigger than clean out” issues, Wolf says. However, to avoid crop damage (and embarrassment), careful sprayer clean out is a must.

Planning the clean out You will know your in-field problem is a result of a spray clean out issue when the problem is a V-shape. “The classic is a sudden start with a V-shape petering out,” Wolf said. The contaminated spray reaches the closest nozzles first and the end nozzles last. To avoid this problem, Wolf said, there are two steps: dilution and decontamination. “The first step that we all must do is dilute the remainder in the tank.” The less you have in the tank when you’re finished spraying the field, the easier your clean out will be. “We cannot empty the tank completely, so there’s always going to be something left in the plumbing — a few gallons. And that must be diluted.” “Once you have a clean plumbing system, then you decomtaminate.” Wolf recommends identifying potential problems early. Pay particular attention to the damage Group 2 herbicides can cause in canola, and dicamba in soybeans. “Those are big ones.” “If you have a situation where you’re going to be spraying your canola and you’re also going to be spraying a Group 2,” Wolf said, “try to spray the Group 2 after the canola.” Of course that won’t always be possible. Continued on Page 10 

products — there are other dicamba products on the market.) In the state of Arkansas, it will be illegal to spray dicamba from April 16 to October 31 in 2018. Here in Western Canada, we need to get ready for even more dicamba — dicamba-resistant canola and sugar beets are on the way. Fraley said dicamba-tolerant canola is about five to six years from a commercial launch. Encouraging farmers to use different modes of action, he says, is “the best way of ensuring resistance management for the future.” GN

Selectively protect the highest production zones of your crop while optimizing your fungicide application.

Leeann Minogue

Learn more about Zone Spray, and sign up, at digitalfarming.ca Always read and follow label directions. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada.

T:12.9556 in

be embarrassing, the nervous laughter in the room made it clear that most farmers have made some sort sprayer mistake. And, as Wolf pointed out, making the crowd laugh again, those mistakes usually happens in the field near the highway. Tom Wolf is a sprayer consultant with AgriMetrix and, along with a partner, runs the helpful website www.sprayers101.com. At CropSphere, Wolf reminded us that, with more dicamba-tolerant soybeans in local fields, we’re going to be seeing more spray issues in the future. “If you think that canola is sensitive to Group 2 residues, multiply that by 100. That is how sensitive soybeans are to dicamba. So we have to be super diligent,” Wolf said. The symptoms of dicamba damage are easily identifiable, even for people who don’t know a lot about farming. “It is of great concern to the industry as a whole because anyone can see a cupped leaf and say ‘oh oh, agriculture,’” Wolf said,

Dealing with dicamba

At CropSphere in Saskatoon in January, Tom Wolf warned that dicamba can cause issues with sensitive crops — whether due to sprayer cleanout issues or from drift. We’d better be prepared to deal with it, since we’re going to be seeing it more often. Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans are resistant to both glyphosate and dicamba. In early January Monsanto’s chief technology officer Robb Fraley spoke to the ag media on a conference call. In 2017, Fraley told the media, these beans provided growers with “a 5.1 bushel per acre yield advantage compared to the competing Liberty Link system.” Fraley told the media that, in a grower survey, “97 per cent reported weed control satisfaction.” Now, there is a third generation weed control package in Monsanto’s

 Continued from Page 9

The last tank is the key to clean out. “That’s a very important tank.” Sometimes, there are extra steps you can take. For example, DuPont suggests adding ammonia to glyphosate in the last load of the day, to boost the pH. (DuPont’s website suggests adding 10 L of household ammonia containing three per cent ammonia to Express SG, prior to the addition of Express, water and glyphosate.) “The other thing you want to do on your last tank?” Wolf asked. “Be really, really sure that it’s going to be empty when you’re done.” Or as close to empty as you can get it. There might be cases where you can spray double the label rate, to empty the tank in the field rather than in your yard. Once you’re done spraying, Wolf says, “Clean it right away.”

Group 2 Products

Tough broadleaves and flushing grassy weeds have met their match. No burndown product is more ruthless against problem weeds in spring wheat than INFERNO® DUO. Two active ingredients working together with glyphosate get hard-to-kill weeds like dandelion, hawk’s beard, foxtail barley and Roundup Ready® canola, while giving you longer lasting residual control of grassy weeds like green foxtail and up to two weeks for wild oats. INFERNO DUO. It takes burndown to the next level. infernoduo.ca

When it comes to sprayer clean out, all Group 2 herbicides are not equal. Wolf and his co-reserachers have divided Group 2 herbicides into four chemical subgroups. For products in three of these four categories, ammonia will raise the pH and help the solubility, but it’s not useful for herbicides in the fourth category. 1. Sulfonylureas. These include thifensulfuron (Refine) and tribenuron (Express) — Dow/DuPont products. These are the “classic Group 2 problem,” Wolf says. “They’re typically dry formulations and they typically dissolve better at higher pHs.” 2. Triazolopyrimidines. These include florasulam (PrePass) and pyroxsulam (Simplicity) — traditional Dow products. “Those are typically liquids, but they also dissolve better at higher pH.” 3. Triazolones. Such as Varro, Velocity and M3. These also dissolve better at higher pHs. 4. Imidazolinones. These include imazethpyr (Pursuit), imazamox (Odyssey, Solo), imazapyr (Ares) and imazamethabenz (Assert) — primarily BASF products.

The last tank is the key to clean out. “That’s a very important tank.” There are known as the “imis.” Wolf said, “they dissolve better at low pH. And they are not implicated in our tank cleanout issues. They don’t even recommend ammonia as a tank cleaner.” “In fact,” Wolf said, “if you clean those with ammonia, you raise the pH, you’ve hampered their solubility. You go against what you should be doing.” For farmers interested in taking it to the next step, Wolf recommends buying a pH meter for about $50.

Always read and follow label directions. INFERNO is a registered trademark of Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. Arysta LifeScience and the Arysta LifeScience logo are registered trademarks of Arysta LifeScience Corporation. All other products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective companies. ©2018 Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC INF-081

Continued on Page 11 

INF-081_InfernoDUO_GrainNews_7.875x14_Print.indd 1

2017-12-14 6:02 PM

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

 Continued from Page 10

What’s the ideal pH? “Most of our herbicides lower the pH below seven,” Wolf said. Glyphosate will typically lower the pH to five. “You want to raise the pH back up to seven if you can. That’s what the ammonia is for.”

Oily mixtures Oily tank mixtures, EC formulations, can make clean out problems worse. An EC formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate — typically a liquid active ingredient, petroleum-based solvents and an agent that forms an emulsion. “An EC formulation is milky in solution,” Wolf said. This “milk” is “water plus two per cent oil in emulsion.” The oily layer in ECs can trap residue on sprayer walls. “If you do have an EC mixture in there, you need to use a detergent to get rid of that oil.”

Know your plumbing “Understanding your sprayer’s plumbing is absolutely imperative,” Wolf said. He recommended climbing under the sprayer to figure out which hose is going where, and why. Sometimes, this can be a difficult job, but Wolf sees it as essential. Once you know where the herbicide is going, you can identify places (like boom ends) where residue is likely to accumulate. Steel tanks are easier to clean, Wolf said, but they can be difficult to see, with baffles and false floors. “It just means you have to be diligent.” For good sprayer clean out, Wolf believes a clean water tank is an essential sprayer component. If you don’t have one from the factory, he recommends retrofitting one.

Know what you’re dealing with The effectiveness of your final rinses will depend on how much product you have left to dilute. Once your pressure gauge has gone to zero, do you known how much product do you have left in your sprayer? “If you spray a water-based solution that’s clear, and if you’re going to an EC that’s milky, here’s what you do. There’s milk in the tank, and your boom hasn’t seen any of that stuff yet. You start your stopwatch when you start your sprayer.” Also, reset your gallon count to zero. Then, “when your last nozzle sprays milky stop the sprayer, stop your stopwatch and check your gallons.” This way, you’ll know how much was in the tank when you started. Wolf explained the power of serial dilution: If you have 50 gallons left in the tank and you use a 150 gallon flush, you have four-fold dilution (diluting 50 gallons into a total of 200 gallons). “That’s all that you’ve just accomplished and you’ve wasted 150 gallons of water,” Wolf said. If instead you use that same amount of water for three 50-gallon flushes, you’ll have eight-fold dilution (two-fold x two x two). “That’s the same as a 350 gallon flush.” If you’ve managed to only have 10 gallons remaining in the tank, a

350-gallon flush will give you 16-fold dilution. Three 50-gallon flushes would give you 216-fold dilution (eight-fold x eight x eight). “That’s the equivalent of diluting that 10-gallon remainder by 2,150 gallons.” Using four 35-gallon flushes would be even better. Wolf had two key points: try to have a small volume remaining in the tank at the end of the field, and clean out with small batches of the same volume are better than using a single, large batch.

Sprayer design Many of the problems with sprayer clean out could be improved with better sprayer design. Wolf believes

European models are already more advanced than models available here. In the future, he says, “I think plumbing designs like continuous cleaning and recirculating booms really are going to make this job a lot easier.”

For good sprayer clean out, Wolf believes a clean water tank is an essential sprayer component

Timing Wolf pointed out that “water that has enough residue to kill canola or soybeans looks exactly the same as clean water.” Then he told a joke. “When do you know that you’re done cleaning your sprayer? In two weeks.” However, when farmer Gerrid Gust posted this joke on Twitter after the meeting, we soon found

out that residues can last even longer. In the Crop Protection Lab, Saskatchewan’s provincial weed control specialist Clark Brenzil has seen several plants that have suffered from herbicide injury. Based on sprayer history and field patterns reported by the farmers bringing those plants in, Brenzil has

come to a worrying conclusion. “We’ve got cases that have been sent to us where there has been no Group 2 in the sprayer going back to the burn-off. That’s the only place where the Group 2 was in the sprayer.” GN Leeann Minogue is the editor of Grainews.

UNDER ATTACK FROM HIGH INPUT PRICES?

WIN 1 OF 3 2018 Limited Edition Ford F350 Diesel Trucks

DOWNLO AD THE APP AND STA RT SAVING $$$$

No purchase or payment necessary. For contest details visit :

agracity.com/win

TAKE THE RISK OUT OF PAYING TOO MUCH WITH OUR

BEST PRICE GUARANTEE! Visit us online to view our FULL ARSENAL of Fertilizers, Foliars, Inoculants, Petroleum and Crop Protection Products. FINANCING AVAILABLE:

agracity.com | 1-844-269-3276

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Crop production

My 2017 crop year in review It was dry, but still a good year at Kevin Elmy’s Friendly Acres Seed Farm in eastern Saskatchewan By Kevin Elmy

or the producers that wanted a drier year, we definitely got that in 2017. Between 2009 and 2016, we received just under 200 inches (500 mm) of rain, so a year with “normal” rain would have been well received. 2017 delivered 2-1/2 inches (63 mm), and twothirds of that came in the beginning of June. One extreme to the next. May did look fairly promising. The soil was moist, dry enough to get out on the land early May. This year we seeded AAC Delight spring triticale, Barron R2X and Mahony R2 soybeans, an alfalfa trial, a grazing

rated Japanese millet, Pearl millet, proso millet, non-GMO corn, sugar beet, safflower, Phacelia, berseem clover, crimson clover, Bullseye radish and collards. The intent was to sell an early cut of silage and then provide food for the soil microbes and earthworms. Because the early June rains were the last of the growing season, growth of the cover crop was sporadic. We decided to run over the acres with the hay bine to clip the growth, returning it all back to the soil without creating a seeding issue next spring. By returning all the production back to the soil, we will increase our soil microbe population, and our nutrient levels will be

corn trial, sweet corn, a new nonGMO canola, and an array of cover crops.

Seeding Seeding went relatively smoothly, we only had to use the tow strap a couple of times, which was a nice change over the last few years. The first part of June was cool so we decided to delay weed control in the corn and soybeans. Some of the volunteer canola ended up getting a little too big for consistent control, especially in the low land, so we had a few escapes. In mid-June we seeded cover crops, including our strip trials. The field-scale blends we used incorpo-

elevated, along with increasing organic matter and more soil armour. As the plant material was still green, the lignin content will be relatively low, and sugar content will be high, so it will rot down quickly in the spring. Our cash income is reduced, but the future cash expense is also reduced. The cover crop was direct seeded into winter triticale that had volunteered from two years ago. Because the field was intended to be silaged, the volunteer triticale was left to add more biomass. The plan was to allow the triticale to head out, get to flowering, and then roll it. Rolling would pinch the stem and cause the plant to die. Due to there being some fox-

tail barley in it, we sprayed the fields with glyphosate. Once the winter triticale died, due to it being into the reproductive stage and lignin started to fully develop, it added to the soil armour. This armour protected the seedlings from the hot dry summer. Did it use too much moisture on some of the land? Maybe. It did reduce the evaporation by covering the soil. This will also help manage salinity by limiting evaporation.

The crops The soybeans did respectively well considering the year. Our average was 24 bushels per acre across all seeded acres. Around Yorkton where they received some July and August

CODE:

GO102XP

Photos: Kevin Elmy

Let nothing slow you down.

There were no hives for 30 miles, but still piles of bees around the Phacelia stand. 57786_1 DAS_Pixxaro_2017_Nothing_EB_G4A_13-1667x9_a1.indd 1

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

I had four rows as a marker of brown mid rib corn variety that we grazed off. The BMR corn was consistently grazed better than the other varieties in all of the paddocks.

This was my first attempt at seeding green. It worked well.

rains, yields were around 30 bushels per acre, then south of Canora, yields were reported just over 40 bushels per acre. This is our first experience with XtendiMax (glyphosate and dicamba) on a large scale. Where the canola was sprayed at the right stage, control was quite good. Where the canola got too large, we had escapes. With the media reports of drift and tankcleaning issues, we had some reservations about the product. Following application recommendations, we had very little non-target crop damage. There was evidence of some damage on some sainfoin. Key points to application of dicamba: use coarse or ultra-coarse droplet size, spray when weeds are small, keep ground speed under 15 m.p.h., keep water volumes over 10 gallons per acre, and do not spray when temperatures get over 24 C. The grazing corn took a production hit this year. With no rain during silking, seed set was reduced. Corn is drought tolerant to a point, but no rain is no rain. Cows are grazing the field currently so there is no estimate of the tonnage. Other silage corn in the area this year was running around 12 tonnes per acre, or about three dry tonnes per acre, which should average out to around 200 grazing days per acre. Dow Seeds is launching its Enlist program this year so it will be interesting to see how that system works in

Corn is drought tolerant to a point, but no rain is no rain. Cows are grazing the field currently so there is no estimate of the tonnage.

the field. We had a conventional corn trial in this year. There are no legitimate conclusions to make considering the growing season.

Next year’s plan In 2018, the plan is to grow more spring triticale, trial more conventional corn varieties, have similar acres of cover crops, try growing some perennial ryegrass for seed production, and continue with Mahony R2 and Barron R2X soybeans, sainfoin and alfalfa in rotation. One field of cover crop will be an experiment where we seed once and get two years out of it by including festulolium, chicory and serradella. The other research projects will include the use of humates, calcium, and potentially some hydrolyzed fish. I attended Nicole Master’s course in Saskatoon this winter. One of the homework assignments was to send a soil sample away to Earthfort for biology tests. To boost better balance of the microbes it was suggested to look at including those three products in my management. You only learn by doing, so away we go! GN Kevin Elmy operates Friendly Acres Seed Farm, along with his wife, Christina, and parents, Robert and Verene, near Saltcoats, Sask. Contact him at 306-744-2779 or visit www.friendlyacres.sk.ca.

Hydrolyzed fish? HOT, COLD, BIG, SMALL, EARLY, LATE?

Just GO with Pixxaro™, the total annual broadleaf weed control that won’t slow you down. Only Pixxaro includes maximum crop, weed and weather flexibility, PLUS the proven power of Group-4 resistance management. IT’S ABOUT TIME. Go to Go4Arylex.com. ® TM

Kevin Elmy’s mention of adding hydrolyzed fish to his soil left me stumped. So I phoned him to ask. “It’s fish oil,” he said. “An organic soil amendment.” Remember when you learned that Native Americans had planted fish along with the corn and beans, to grow a better crop? This is just like that, Kevin told me. “The oil stimulates biology in the soil.” Kevin says there are quite a few companies processing and selling

SAVE UP TO

$5.55

PER ACRE

when you book by March 15, 2018 with Diamond Rewards™.

Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. | 01/18-57786-1

1/2/18 3:03 PM

hydrolyzed fish. He prefers to buy oil from deep sea fish, rather than shallow fish. “Fewer pollutants.” Kevin hasn’t applied hydrolyzed fish yet, but he is planning to spray it on in liquid form in 2018, along with some other products. Hopefully, he’ll let us know how it works out. “How does it smell?” I asked. “It’s a little fishy.” GN Leeann Minogue

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Crop nutrition

Consider options for protecting nitrogen N-stabilizing products are not new, but there are still questions about how they work By Lee Hart

photo:thinkstock

f you are concerned about the allimportant nitrogen losses due to environmental factors, there are several solutions in the form of nitrogen stabilizing or Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer (EEF) products to choose from. All can be quite effective according to private, government and university researchers, but along comes the big depends. It depends on moisture conditions, it depends on soil types, and it depends on the type of nitrogen loss you are trying to prevent or at least reduce. There are three main types of nitrogen losses due to environmental factors: 1. Volatilization: This happens most commonly when nitrogen, such as granular urea is broadcast or surface applied. If moisture doesn’t come along within a couple days after application to move the nitrogen into the soil, nitrogen can begin to be released to the atmosphere. Research in this area shows that as much as 40 per cent of N can be lost to volatilization. And it’s been found too, even shallow banded nitrogen — in the top 1-1/2 inches of soil — can also be subject to volatilization losses. 2. Dentrification: This is a gassing-off process when nitrogen sits in wet or waterlogged soil. The N begins to breakdown, is converted to nitrate form and again can be lost to the atmosphere. Researchers report on a nice warm 25 C day, with wet soils as much as four to five pounds of N can be lost per day. 3. Leaching: This loss is most common on coarse, sandy soils exposed to moisture. The nitrogen, again converted to a nitrate form is essentially flushed down out of the crop root zone.

Dealing with losses

The easy way to manage your farm. Analyze your data. Plan your strategy. Then track your performance. AgExpert Field gives you the details you need to know to make the best business decisions. It’s all new. And seriously easy to use. Get it now and see. fcc.ca/AgExpertField

So how do you deal with these potential losses? There are several EEF products on the market. All have been shown to be effective — qualifier, under certain conditions. Some are developed and promoted to help prevent all three types of nitrogen losses, others are more specific. There are two main EEF types, with different modes of actions of importance to Western Canadian farmers. There is the polymercoated urea EEF product that throws a protective wrap around a urea granule. Moisture can permeate in to dissolve the nitrogen inside the coating, but it is temperature sensitive, so the nitrogen won’t permeate out until soil temperatures rise. Then it is gradually released over 50 to 80 days. ESN (Environmentally Smart Nitrogen) marketed by Nutrien (formerly Agrium) is a brand name most familiar to Prairie producers. It is marketed to be effective against all three types of nitrogen losses. The second category is nitrogenloss inhibitor products, and there are

several on the market. Depending on the product, they are designed to work with granular urea, anhydrous ammonia and liquid fertilizer formulations. The inhibitor products essentially kill or temporarily disable soil enzymes responsible for breaking down nitrogen in the soil, which under wet (waterlogged) soil conditions can lead to nitrogen being lost in a process known as denitrication. Nitrogen breakdown is slowed, not eliminated, until growing conditions warm up. The enzymes repopulate themselves, the nitrogen breakdown process resumes, making nitrogen available to the plant roots. Common brand names among the inhibitors are products such as Agrotain and SuperU, both marketed by Koch Fertilizers, and N-Serve and eNtrench products, marketed by Dow AgroSciences. Agrotain is a urease enzyme inhibitor applied to urea granules, which help to reduce the risk of nitrogen being lost through volatilization. ENtrench, N-Serve and SuperU work similarly to the urease inhibitor but at a different phase of the N-cycle. These nitrification inhibitors are chemicals that reduce the rate at which ammonium is converted to nitrate by killing or interfering with the metabolism of Nitrosomonas bacteria. Nitrogen is quite stable in the ammonium form, but with the combination of moisture and warming temperatures eventually it converts to nitrite and then to nitrate. And in the nitrate form it is vulnerable to leaching and nitrification losses.

Agrotain is a urease enzyme inhibitor applied to urea granules, which help to reduce the risk of nitrogen being lost through volatilization SuperU is actually a combination product. It contains both urease and nitrification inhibitors which can work at all levels to reduce the risk of denitrification, leaching and volatilization.

Points to consider Agronomists make a couple of important points. First understand the nitrogen cycle to learn where nitrogen losses occur. If you do an on-line search of “nitrogen cycle” there are many excellent graphics showing just how the process works. Understand the cycle, then ask “what is your risk factor of these losses occurring?” If you are apply-

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

ing urea through fall broadcast, or the seedbed is commonly soaked every year, or you’re farming sandy soil, for example, your risk of loss may be quite high. On the other hand, if over the past 10 years highrisk conditions have presented only once or twice, overall your losses could be low.

Companies say, depending on the product, there are several benefits to EEF products ranging from increased seeding efficiency, reduced input costs, to higher yields. By applying nitrogen ahead of the seeding operation, Koch Agronomy Services found equipment could seed 40 per cent more acres than the

same equipment being used to apply nitrogen at time of seeding. In some SuperU trials they found they could use SuperU at 70 per cent of the recommended fertilizer rate and achieve the same yields. Nutrien reports that ESN can produce a 3:1 return on investment with T:9.875” canola (for every dollar spent on the

product it will return a $3 net return through higher yields). With wheat, they report a return between 2.5:1 to 3:1. It is also seed safe — all nitrogen can be applied in the seed row without seed damage. Dow AgroScience reports that crops grown where nitrogen was protected with their N-Serve and

eNtrench products yielded higher — 3.8 bushels per acre for canola and 3.7 bu./ac. for spring wheat/ durum. GN Lee Hart is a field editor with Grainews based in Calgary. Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at lee@ fbcpublishing.com.

There’s nothing quite like knowing the worst weeds in your wheat fields have met with a fitting end. Following an application of Luxxur™ herbicide, you can have peace of mind that your wild oats and toughest broadleaf perennials have gotten exactly what they deserve.

SPRAY WITH CONFIDENCE.

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

Always read and follow label directions. Luxxur is a trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada.

#AskBayerCrop

™

C-72-01/18-10887593-E

T:11.4286”

HATES WEEDS AS MUCH AS YOU DO

cropscience.bayer.ca/Luxxur

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Meet the Neighbours

Meet your farming neighbours Photos: Christalee Froese

This is the story of Calvin and Andrea Kotylak, from Kendal, Sask.

Calvin and Andrea Kotylak moved to Calvin’s family farm to raise their three boys in a rural setting. Jonny (far left), Nate and Christopher (far right) are SEC_MALT17_T_GN_SEC_MALT17_T_GN.qxd 2018-01-11 Page farm. 1 an integral part of almost everything that happens on2:31 the PM Kotylak

By Christalee Froese

very farm has its own story. No two farms (or farmers) are exactly alike. Everyone got started in a different way, and every farm has a different combination of family and hired staff who make the

decisions and keep things running. But, in general, even after you consider all of the details, Prairie farmers are more alike than different. This is the story of Calvin and Andrea Kotylak. They farm southeast of Regina, Sask. with their children Nate, age nine; Jonathan, seven; and Christopher, two. Where do you farm? “Our farm is located three kilometres south of Kendal, Sask., which is 77 km southeast of Regina.”

Produced by: SeCan Product/Campaign Name: SeCan Malt Barley Multi Date Produced: January 2018

Ad Number: SEC_MALT17_T Publication: Grainews Size: 3 x 133 5.875” x 9.5” Non Bleed

What do you grow? “We raise commercial cattle and we also grow some cereal crops and oil seeds. Our crops typically consist of oats, barley, durum and canola.”

Barley on tap.

How long have you been farming? “It’s a bit of a long story since both Andrea and I grew up on farms and have been involved with our family farms throughout our lives. We each moved to Regina at separate times — I was employed as a sheet metal worker and Andrea went to university. We became a couple, were married and worked in the city for many years, before deciding to move back to my family’s farm while continuing to commute to our jobs in the Regina.” “Calvin commuted into work and farmed at the same time for almost six years,” said Andrea. “I was working as a habitat stewardship co-ordinator for five years in Regina before giving that up and moving back to the farm to start a family.” “In 2012, we made the jump to fulltime farming,” Calvin said. “I gave up the commuting and Andrea started a job as a financial consultant at the Plainsview Credit Union in Montmartre, Sask. At that time we went from 30 cows to 250 cows in one month and we took on more grain land. That big move allowed our family to be in one place and have both a family life and a life in our community.”

Serving up more than 80% of the two-row malting barley acres grown in western Canada.

Who do you farm with? “I have a partnership with my dad on the grain side so he’s out here helping at seeding and harvest. We used to have joint ownership in the cattle as well, but once I quit my city job, I took over the cattle operation and have been running it 100 per cent on my own with Andrea.”

Genes that fit your farm. 800-665-7333 secan.com ®

Developed by Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan. Developed by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Brandon. Genes that fit your farm ® is a registered trademark of SeCan.

Ad Number: SEC_MALT17_T

Why did you choose farming? “I chose him and he chose farming,” laughed Andrea, explaining that she always told her family she would never be a farmer. But when she started dating Calvin, she knew his heart was in farming. “I like the freedom of it and the fact that you can do what you want when you want and you are your own boss,” said Calvin. “It’s a good way of life. After living in the city where you don’t

really know your neighbours or have any sense of community I knew I wanted to move back to a small town where I was a part of the community and people around us were always looking out for me and my family.” “I value the quality of life it offers us and the fact that we can raise our children on the farm,” said Andrea. “Having grown up on a farm, that lifestyle is ingrained in us and it’s what we enjoy doing whether it’s watching the harvest come off or calves being born.” What farming season do you enjoy most? “I personally like the winter,” Calvin said. “Even though it’s cold and sometimes difficult to get out to do chores, it’s more of a relaxing time of year and the stress level is lower than it can be during calving and harvest.” “I enjoy the spring because of all the new life, especially with all of our animals and the baby goats, pigs, chicks and calves,” said Andrea. What’s the farm implement you can’t live without? “My wife,” laughed Calvin, explaining that with three young children, a wide assortment of pets and an active community life, it takes a team to make everything work. “My tractor is probably my mostused implement. It’s a John Deere 7230 and I use it for pretty much everything from feeding cows to bailing to spraying.” What decision have you made that turned out well? “The decision to expand from 30 cows to 250 cows in 2012 turned out really well for us. The timing was good. The first year was scary because prices were not that great but the year after they started coming up so that made up for it. During that first year, I was questioning our decision and thinking that maybe we might be going back to work in Regina but after we made it through that time, it’s been good since. It’s allowed us to have more time with our kids — that’s the biggest thing. “Moving to the farm was a very good decision for us as it has allowed us to be involved in our community. I’m a Lions member and Andrea is a First Responder and she is on a number of boards and helps out with lots of events and kids activities. By moving back home, we were able to teach our kids that you can repay what was given to us all those years that we were growing up here and had things like sports and activities available to us.” Have you made a decision on the farm that you regret? “Sometimes we regret not jumping in earlier and buying more land when it was cheaper. But at the time of lower land prices, we weren’t ready to make that move. It was hard enough to pay

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

The two oldest Kotylak boys, Jonny and Nate, are an integral part of the farm, checking cattle with their dad Calvin and their mom Andrea and baby brother Christopher.

T:7.875”

Brothers Jonny (front) and Nate are pictured here with one of their 4-H calves.

for the land we had already purchased. But looking back, it’s not a bad thing because the size of our farm right now is good for us because it still allows for lots of family time and involvement in our community. If we had gotten much bigger, it would have cut into our family time.” What do you see as the biggest challenge over the next five to 10 years? “The biggest challenge will be if and how we can bring our children into farming. That’s all our two older boys talk about. When that time comes, we want to take the approach our parents did: you have to go to school or get away from home for a while to make sure that farming is what you really want to do. We had a chance to experience life away from the farm and we want our kids to do that too because there’s a lot out there they don’t even know about yet.”

TAKE CONTROL.

What do you see as the biggest opportunity over the next five to 10 years? “In our area, I think it might be the opportunity to rent more land if you wanted to. For us, we would have to decide if that’s what we wanted and it would have to come down to timing.”

Christalee Froese writes from Montemarte, Sask.

For control of all volunteer canola, tank mix Pardner® herbicide with your pre-season application of glyphosate. Make Pardner your first choice.

SAVE UPTO 10%

ASK YOUR RETAIL FOR DETAILS*

cropscience.bayer.ca

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

#AskBayerCrop

*To be eligible, grower must be registered and comply with all terms and conditions of the program. For complete terms and conditions, please visit cropscience.bayer.ca/BayerValue or call 1 888-283-6847. Always read and follow label directions. Pardner® is registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada.

R-37-01/18-10895366-E

T:10”

What do you like to do for fun or to relax? “Today we’re going to the waterslides in Regina with family, so that’s something our farming lifestyle has allowed us to do,” Calvin says. “I have a poker group of area farmers. We get together once a week for a night out at each other’s houses and we’ve been doing it for about eight to 10 years now. It’s not about the money, it’s more about seeing if you can bluff your neighbour.” Andrea is an avid crafter, building barn board signs and woodwork wall hangings. “The boys are into 4-H beef club — they really like to do that. And now that they’re getting older, they love swimming, fishing, skating and tobogganing too.” “A lot of our fun revolves around the kids and the farm. This summer we turned our backyard into a slip and slide area one afternoon and even the adults and grandparents got into it. We were supposed to be combining that day but nobody worried about it, we just enjoyed that Sunday off and spent all afternoon in the back yard with the sprinkler on.” GN

You’ve identified volunteer canola as a weed. Now it’s time to deal with it.

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Weed control

Mechanical harvest weed control The Harrington Seed Destructor is a chem-free way to chew up weed seeds at harvest time

photo: credit name

Photo: Lisa Guenther

By Lisa Guenther

The three trays on the left represent 10,000 canola seeds that were not put through the Harrington Seed Destructor before researchers grew them out. The two trays on the right show the low germination rate of 10,000 canola seeds after researchers ran them through the Seed Destructor.

ecent research into harvest weed seed control is yielding some promising results. Breanne Tidemann, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientist based in Lacombe, has been studying how effectively the Harrington Seed Destructor chews up weed seeds. Tidemann and her

colleagues collected chaff from a bag attached to the back of a combine, then ran the chaff and weed seeds through the seed destructor. Researchers tested kochia, green foxtail, cleavers, volunteer canola, and wild oats in barley chaff. They also tested different volumes of chaff and seed, and seed sizes, in the Seed Destructor. Each treatment was repeated four times.

GET FARM FRESH AG NEWS DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! IT’S EASY to SIGN UP - and it’s FREE! Glacier FarmMedia publications have been providing farmers with insight and information on agriculture for over 100 years. Our diverse family of magazines, newspapers and websites cover all aspects of the industry with keen insight and award-winning reporting. Everyday we deliver the latest agricultural news that effects you and your livelihood. Now you can get this essential news — from the sources you choose — delivered directly to your inbox! Get the same up to date agricultural news content from Canada’s most trusted farming publications DELIVERED FREE to your tablet, smartphone or desktop!

HERE’S HOW: 1. Visit www.freefarmnews.com and simply select the newsletters you want to receive from the list shown. Choose as many as you like! 2. Enter your email and postal code and then click the SIGN UP button – it’s that easy! You will receive a confirmation notice when you’re done.

It works on mobile too! Scan the QR code with your phone to choose your free newsletters!

Signup today at: www.freefarmnews.com

Statistically speaking, there were differences between how the Harrington Seed Destructor performed in each treatment. But those differences will make little difference to farmers in the field. The Harrington Seed Destructor destroyed 95 to 98 per cent of the seeds, no matter the seed type, size, number, or amount of chaff, Tidemann says. “It just seemed to work.” Evaluating seed viability was a bit of a challenge. Growing seeds with the full milled material, which includes milled chaff and seeds, “really promotes fungal growth to the point that you can’t actually find seeds because they’re decomposing,” says Tidemann. Instead, researchers did a multistage cleaning process, which allowed them to grow out the seeds, minus the excessive fine chaff material. Not every western Canadian weed will be a perfect fit for the Harrington Seed Destructor. Tidemann outlined three conditions for harvest weed seed control to work: 1. Weed seeds must be on the plant at harvest time. 2. Weed seeds need to be at the right height so they can be collected by the combine. 3. The weed must be harvestable, and must go through the combine. For example, kochia tends to tumble right over the header, meaning it might not be a good candidate for the seed destructor. And previous research by Tidemann and her colleagues found that wild oats often shatter before harvest, so harvest weed seed control alone won’t control all wild oats.

Next steps The next stage of her harvest weed seed destructor research is already underway. During harvest 2017, researchers started field-testing a tow-behind unit of the Harvest Weed Seed Destructor in 20 fields in the Lacombe area. Tidemann and her colleagues are working in peas, canola, and wheat. Canola and wheat will include swathed and straight-cut crops. “Each of those fields has a weedy area in it, and the size of the trial in each field was determined by how big of a weed patch we could find and how consistent those weeds were,” says Tidemann. Weeds in the fields include wild oats, cleavers, chickweed, hemp nettle, sow thistle, and buckwheat. Researchers harvested the weedy areas both with and without the Harrington Seed Destructor, and they’ll do the same for the next two years. In spring 2018, they’ll start counting weed seed emergence in both treatments before the farmer sprays. Tidemann says they’ll also do seed bank weed seed density collections in both treatments in 2020. Tidemann has learned a few practical lessons from her first harvest with the tow-behind Harrington Seed Destructor:

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

1. Air velocity is important. If there’s not enough air velocity, the equipment will plug. 2. Don’t harvest green or wet material. It doesn’t grind as well, and it tends to plug. 3. The tow-behind unit doesn’t handle hills well. The tubes attaching the combine to the

Harrington Seed Destructor tend to accordion. But farmers interested in harvest weed seed destruction can skip the tow-behind units entirely. Integrated versions of the Harrington Seed Destructor and a rival brand, the Seed Terminator, are now available. Both products were

developed in Australia, and both attach to the combine. The Harrington Seed Destructor is powered hydraulically and uses a cage mill. The Seed Terminator is mechanically driven and uses a hammer mill.B:9.875 in Australian research has shown T:9.875 in that the tow-behind and inteS:9.875 in

grated Harrington Seed Destructors are equally effective at destroying weeds. That means Tidemann’s research on the towbehind unit will apply to the integrated model as well. Tidemann hasn’t done any work with the Seed Terminator, but that doesn’t mean researchers are rec-

ommending one brand over another. “We’re looking at the whole concept of harvest weed seed control, not just the product.” GN Lisa Guenther is field editor for Grainews based at Livelong, Sask. Follow her on Twitter @LtoG.

*15 Bayer development trials with medium to high disease pressure (2014-2016)

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

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

#AskBayerCrop

C-55-07/17-10788005-E

B:11.4286 in

Prosaro® XTR is here and it’s better than ever. How much better? How about a whopping 14% over untreated*. So regardless of disease pressure, in wet or dry weather, give your wheat and barley yields a big-time boost come harvest. Protect your cereals and your bottom line with New Prosaro XTR.

T:11.4286 in

NEW Prosaro XTR fungicide. The best just got even better.

S:11.4286 in

Out-yield. Out-protect. Out-freaking-standing.

cropscience.bayer.ca/ProsaroXTR

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Crop protection

Diamondback moth:

Why was 2017 an unprecedented year? By Melanie Epp

ast year’s growing season was a freakish one for diamondback moth in Western Canada, and while the probability that an outbreak of this calibre will be seen in 2018 is very low, the possibility is always there. Knowing what to do and when to act can help you to get this insect pest under better control. While diamondback populations occur throughout Western Canada each growing season, the severity of the infestation varies

from year to year. Outbreaks are hard to predict, as the insect pest — as far as the experts know — doesn’t overwinter in Canada. Instead, it makes its way north from the southern and western U.S., sometimes from even as far as Mexico. The diamondback moth is capable of producing as many as four generations each year. The earlier they arrive and the better the conditions, they more they reproduce. Scott Meers, insect management specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, tracks the moth’s movement each year. He

Photo: Shelley Barkley, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

Reviewing economic thresholds and action plans to control this insect pest

Populations in one year do not impact the next described last year’s flight as “nothing special.” However, in his 36 years in agriculture he has never seen anything like last year’s outbreak. “This is by far the worst year for diamondback moth,” he said. “Nothing even comes close.”

The diamondback moth is capable of producing as many as four generations each year. The earlier they arrive and the better the conditions, they more they reproduce.

Fit spray trailer?

Hauling?

Too bulky?

Will they mix?

? Will it perform?

Extra trips?

? Package disposal?

Get my weeds? Add broadleaf product?

Add grassy product?

57790_1 DAS_Rexade_Performance_EB_G4A_20-875x7-75.indd 1

Backup plan?

FEATURES

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

The extent of the damage is hard to assess. Typically, about 4,000 to 5,000 acres are impacted, but Meers said, in Alberta, virtually every canola field south of Hwy. 1 that was worth spraying got sprayed. “That’s a lot of acres,” he said. The first hint of trouble surfaced when producers were looking for cabbage seedpod weevil, so at early flower. “They were saying that they were finding an awful lot of diamondback moths,” said Meers. What happened in 2017 can be best described as “the perfect storm.” Meers surmises that it had something to do with a combination of things, including a lack of beneficial insects and weather. The diamondback moth lifecycle ranges from 21 to 45 days depending on the environment they’re in. “It’s essentially a temperaturedriven timeline,” Meers explained. “And southern Alberta had so much hot weather that probably we were seeing faster development of the generations through the season.”

An economic problem First, it should be noted that populations in one year do not impact

the next, so growers need not worry about severe infestations arising next year as a result of this year’s unprecedented numbers. In many cases, the insect’s presence doesn’t impact crops economically at all, especially early in the growing season. “Generally, we don’t consider early generations of the larvae to be economically important,” said Meers. “They’re mostly feeding on leaves and occasionally they’ll take out some flowers, but for the most part canola is able to compensate for flower loss.” It’s the later generations that can be problematic. “Really, what we’re worried about is the larval feeding on pods,” he said. “The yield losses, actually, are more from shelling of the pod after the feeding damage than direct feeding losses.”

When to take action A nominal threshold has been issued for diamondback moth, but Meers says it’s not well supported by science. “It’s just kind of what we think,” he said. There’s a reason that economic thresholds are difficult to establish, but we’ll get to that later.

What happened in 2017 can be best described as “the perfect storm.” The Canola Council of Canada recommends that growers consider an insecticide application when there are 20to 30 larvae per 0.1m2 present at the advanced pod stage. If plant population is close to 100 plants/m2, this should work out to about two to three larvae per plant. “But our experience this year was that that threshold didn’t serve us very well,” said Meers. “When we started seeing it on big acreages, it was difficult to measure and a lot of agronomists felt that it was not giving them a good read on the potential damage.” Meers thinks part of the problem with the current nominal threshold could be that it doesn’t take crop health into consideration. “We had poor growing conditions, and so when we started

looking at these numbers in a poor crop it seemed like lower numbers were doing more damage than we expected,” he said. “It was the perfect storm of a poor crop and lots and lots of insects.” “It’s fair to say that we need to revisit the economic threshold for this insect,” Meers concluded. But economic thresholds are not easy to establish in pests that don’t overwinter in Canada in large enough numbers to cause a problem every year. Héctor Cárcamo, entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, explained that in order to develop economic thresholds they would have to be able to predict where the pest will be — and that is something that they cannot do. He agrees with Meers, saying that nominal thresholds are based on “best guesses.” One of the factors that these best guesses are based on is the presence of beneficial insects, which explains why even though populations are higher during the early part of the season, sometimes high numbers of larvae don’t appear later during the critical pod stage. “The reason for that is that

there are some parasitoids — some wasps, mainly — that can attack the larva and reduce the population substantially so that by the time the canola is at the pod stage you don’t see that many larva,” explained Cárcamo. For this reason, he recommends that when considering nominal thresholds one should also take parasitoids into consideration. To do so, growers can dissect larvae to see if they have parasites feeding inside them. If you’re not sure, you could ask your provincial entomologist. Western Canadian crop entomologists plan to get together in March where Meers says diamondback moth will be a hot topic, as will the question of economic thresholds. In the meantime, he suggests modifying the threshold based on what’s going on in the field. “After a while, you kind of have to modify what you’re seeing for numbers and then modify your thinking on thresholds with what you’re seeing with crop as well,” he said. “That’s just an experience thing, unfortunately. GN Melanie Epp is a freelance farm writer.

NEW

Add AMS?

Rexade™. Performance.

? FINALLY! ONE BOX. ONE PASS. ONE EASY DECISION. New Rexade™ is pure performance—today’s complete grass and broadleaf weed control for wheat and the only one pass decision you need to make. Go to Go4Arylex.com.

SAVE UP TO

$5.55

PER ACRE when you book by March 15, 2018 with Diamond Rewards™.

GO ® TM

Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. |

12/17-57790-1

CODE:

GO101RP

2017-12-20 10:53 AM

columns

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Guarding wealth

Using annuities for an income stream They’re rock solid investments and eliminate market risk, but annuities are not cheap By Andrew Allentuck

nnuities are life insurance running in reverse. Rather than paying a premium for benefit at the death of the insured, an annuity stars with a lump sum and pays out income until the death of the person getting the money, the “annuitant” in annuity-speak. Payments will sometimes last longer than a lifetime, if there are guaranteed minimum numbers of payments or another person to get payments after the death of the annuitant. The company issuing the annuity would prefer a sooner death, to cut short the payments of the simplest life annuities with no guaranteed minimum number of payments. Annuities are a mirror image of life insurance, in which the insurance company would like the person insured to live as long as possible, delaying payment of benefits. Annuities have a curious history. They existed in the Middle Ages but they were often annuities in kind, for example, the right to hold land for the life of the beneficiary. In a financial setting, tontines — asset pools with income paid to surviving members — were sold by governments to raise revenue. Investors paid a sum to the government for the right to receive income and, at the death of an investor, his or her share would be reallocated among the surviving investors. Tontines led to much mischief, as you can imagine, for it paid to be a survivor. Tontines are not available in Canada for good reason. In Canada, there are a handful of annuity varieties. None have incentives to do in other members of the pool. Each annuity is

sold individually — what others do or how they fare has no bearing on what the annuity pays. Annuities in Canada are just investment devices. You pay a lot of money for what, at present interest rates underlying the annuity, will be a trickle of income, For most people retiring with a fixed sum of capital, the annuity provides a rock solid guarantee of income backed by the insurance industry bailout fund called Assuris that will pay annuitants even if the insurance company becomes insolvent. It happened with Confederation Life when it became insolvent in 1994, but no annuitant lost money. Canadian annuities are based on government bonds. At present, government bonds pay little so annuities have low payouts. Were government bond interest rates higher, annuities would have more appealing incomes. Annuities almost never cover inflation. Such coverage would reduce what they pay to a trickle. However, if one buys a ladder of annuities, say one every few years, inflation is automatically indexed.

The practicalities Once you are in and getting paid, backing out of an annuity is difficult or impossible. Because annuities function under life insurance law, the payments have limited protection from lawsuits, though not tax claims by the Canada Revenue Agency. In sum, annuities are very useful for providing a known income for the life of the person receiving the money. They are a lousy way to build up savings late in life and usually a lousy way to receive savings in late life.

FMC grower cashback

These are crap shoot odds and, personally, I would not take them There are almost as many annuity structures and payment possibilities are there are pebbles on a beach. They vary by age of annuitant(s) at start of payments, guarantees of payment, jurisdiction, gender, immediate or deferred start, tax structure, and number of lives until end of payments. Here are some examples from current annuity rates based on $100,000 starting capital. These are representative quotes. In actuality, there is a range of prices among insurance companies: • Male, age 60, simple life annuity, no guarantee: receives $473 per month. • Male age 70, simple life annuity, no guarantee: receives $633 per month. • Female, age 60, simple life annuity, no guarantee: receives 432 per month. • Female, age 70, simple life annuity, no guarantee: receives $559 per month. If we add up the payments by year, for male at 60, the payoff is $5,676 per year, for a woman $5,184 per year. Displayed as interest, it’s 4.73 per cent and 4.32 per cent at 60, which is more than a savings account or GIC pays these days. But the annuity is illiquid, irreversible, and, with our example of no guarantee

period, results in confiscation of capital at death. These are crap shoot odds and, personally, I would not take them. If you add a guarantee period of 20 years, the payoffs drop to $434 and $493, respectively, for men and $413 and $475, respectively for women. If the survival factor is reduced or eliminated for the guarantee period, the annuity pays less. These are term certain annuities. Thus a term certain for either gender at age 60 for 20 years pays $521 per month or $125,040 over the term of the annuity. That’s $6,252 per year or 6.25 per cent in crude interest disregarding potential compounding of payouts and the eroding capital base. It’s not bad, but when the 20 years are up, all the capital is gone and the payments stop. The discouraging returns and retention of initial capital is less onerous when you consider that part of the return of the annuity is capital. That makes the crummy returns a lot more attractive. Consider an annuity for $100,000 up front purchase price paid by a 70-year old man. He would receive $6,880 of income each year of which $1,000 would be taxable income. This tax advantage can be compounded by buying a ladder of straight life annuities. The payout increases with each year you get older and the relative tax advantage over straight interest grows as well. Annuities are for those who don’t want their capital back but who do want bulletproof guarantees of income. Annuity calculations are designed to expend all capital at some defined time. The Department of Finance incorporates the

annuity idea into Registered Retirement Income Fund tables. They have increasing payouts and are thus not pure mathematical annuities. For RRIFs established before the end of 1992, they start with payments of four per cent at 65 and 20 per cent at 96 and thereafter. Pure insurance annuities have constant payoffs, although in other countries, annuities can be structured to carry investment risk and therefore to pay more or less than the mathematically determined rate. The upside of annuities is that they leave no risk for the annuitant other than inflation. That can be covered by buying a ladder of annuities with payouts rising alongside interest paid on the government bonds that power them. As to security, even during the Great Depression, not one insurance annuity failed. But there is a hidden cost in annuities: commissions. They are embedded in the rates, hard to figure out, and, alongside the lack of ability get your money back after the annuity starts, they are negatives. Bottom line: annuities can be a solution for the elderly, for the infirm and even as a way to put a floor under a retirement income, leaving the annuitant to take on stock market risk without the danger of running out of money and winding up poor. If the annuity idea appeals to you, check with a financial planner and price a few annuities with independent insurance agents. The homework will be worth it. GN Andrew Allentuck’s book, “Cherished Fortune: Build Your Portfolio Like Your Own Business” (with co-author Benoit Poliquin), will be published in November, 2018

BARRICADE® II TRAVALLAS™

Introducing NEW FMC Grower CashBack Get up to 20% cash back on your herbicide purchases Ask your retailer about FMC Grower CashBack today. For more information call 1-833-362-7722 or visit FMCcrop.ca Always read and follow label directions. Member of CropLife Canada. FMC, Aim, Authority, Barricade, Command, Express, PrecisionPac and Travallas are trademarks of FMC Corporation. © 2018 FMC Corporation. As of November 1, 2017, the PMRA registration for Barricade, Express, PrecisionPac and Travallas have been sold to FMC by DuPont.

2597 Gower Cashback 2018 Print Ad_Banner_9.875x4_Grainews.indd 1

1/18/18 9:10 AM

columns

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Topic heading Can’t take the farm from the boy

Moving from “just new here” to “experienced” Moving ahead on the learning curve requires you to make a mental switch Toban Dyck

Toban Dyck is a freelance writer and a new farmer on an old farm. Follow him on Twitter @tobandyck or email tobandyck@gmail.com.

I will be a trailblazer by recognizing opportunity and embracing the future. I will face change head-on, using flexible solutions in order to adapt and overcome. I will continually challenge the status quo and place my trust where it is deserved.

cropscience.bayer.ca/InVigor

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

#AskBayerCrop

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

O-66-01/18-10796481-E

B:10”

When Jamie and I moved to the farm in 2012, we were new to the area. I said, “we just moved back,” to my old friends I’d run into at the local grocery store. I did this for years. And I

others may not feel comfortable tackling. I will be driving north on Hwy 10 on my way to Ag Days 2019 and I won’t feel any different than I do now. But, guess what, those conversations will be more frequent and will steer even deeper. That’s the hope, anyway. GN

T:10”

Shifting from new to experienced

So, in my scenario, the hurdle is agricultural knowledge, then things when do I change from being the one are moving in the right direction. I am who asks all the questions to the one no longer new to rural life and perhaps who can maybe answer a few? Or even I can no longer say I’m new to the the one who could challenge some old, farm. I can say this — or, in this case, dusty agricultural norms? write this — but it’s going to take a These questions are slightly rhe- while before I fully believe that I’m not torical. Asking questions is a good both of those things. thing and I always want to be the guy Whatever the case, and however I who feels comfortable doing so. But feel about where I’m at on the learning B:7.875” I’m also quite fond of challenging held curve, I will hopefully never stop askT:7.875” beliefs. ing questions and writing about the If Ag Days is the bellwether of my simple things, concepts, practices that S:7.875”

S:10”

ventually, I will get it. Eventually, I will understand farming and agriculture. I don’t know when, though. And when I retreat inside my own brain to take stock what I do in fact know, the process gets interrupted by questions such as, what does it really mean to know or learn anything? The first time I attended Brandon Ag Days as a Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers employee I survived the week on nervous energy. I was at the booth from setup to takedown. It was a frenzy of activity. I chatted with a slew of farmers, leaning heavily on my sense of humour and fresh-to-the-farm charm when tackling their agronomic questions. It worked. I could point them in the right direction — to the people who had answers to their questions. And they left the booth believing chatting with me wasn’t a complete waste of time. I had meaningful conversations. I’d end the Keystone Centre portion of the day and head to the Motel 6, where, last year, I had columns due for this newspaper and the National Post. On the same day, I believe. In a few hours, I would return to the booth and do it all over again. This year has been a completely different experience — almost recognizable to the last. But this is the interesting thing about learning, in general. It happens so slowly sometimes that progress and/or the acquisition of actual knowledge is hard to recognize. It turns out, I know more this year than I did in 2017. For one, this year we have enough staff to setup a shift schedule for managing the booth. So, I’m not a nervous ball of energy. I was able to take the event in a mental space somewhere between work mode and chill. It was nice. More significantly, though — especially to the subject matter of this column — is that not only did I have more chats with more farmers, but I was also able to answer more of their questions, which allowed those conversations to go deeper than a joke and a redirect. Oddly, I also knew a lot more people at the event than I did last year. I didn’t think I had met that many new people in 12 months, but apparently I did. Fantastic. So, I learned a few things since last January. That’s great. It sure beats moving backwards. But what is it about us — or maybe it’s just me — that prevents us from being able to properly track our own trajectories?

started to say it again to the maybe one or two people from my past I haven’t run into in the last six years, but I caught myself. I can’t say that anymore. I can’t say we just moved back. It’s been six years. It doesn’t feel that way, though. When will it? I may never. I recently received a letter from a European immigrant, who told me that even though he’s been in Canada for many years, he still feels like a newcomer. I get it.

columns

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Soils and crops

Cooler July, thanks to farmers and canola Swift Current temperature data shows different long-term trends in January versus July

Les Henry

his piece is a result of the Canola Discovery Forum at Canola Days in Saskatoon in December, 2017. Jay Whetter, former editor of Grainews and now communications manager with the Canola Council of Canada, invited me to address the issue of precision agriculture with specific reference to the role soil maps might play. My contribution was very small but I learned a lot that day. It was a very well run program — a class act and an honour for me to attend and learn. The feds (Agriculture and AgriFood Canada) still play a very important role in canola — particularly disease and insect issues. The contribution of Hugh Beckie (AAFC, Saskatoon) in weed control, particularly resistance issues, has been outstanding. Unfortunately we are losing him to Australia. Good luck Hugh.

engineer and the author of many papers related to Prairie droughts and floods. It was an interesting compilation of climate data with a great reference list I will use for further knowledge. They showed Medicine Hat rainfall data with a huge drought from 1917 to 1926. We have all heard about the “Dirty Thirties,” but I did not know about the 1917 to 1926 issue. That “Dry Belt” went north from Medicine Hat, Alta., to

Alsask, Sask., west to Hanna, Alta., and east to Rosetown, Sask. It was their final conclusions that: “The Prairies continue to be vulnerable to drought,” and further that “The drought causing weather patterns are now recognizable and can be used to predict drought.” Twenty years later I have not seen anyone rushing out to predict a drought. Climate warmers scream drought after it has not rained for a

few weeks but I see no one predicting it. The PFRA document related hot June-July months to drought and listed 1987, 1988 and 1989 as well as 1970 as the four hottest on record. Seeing the 1980s on the list was no surprise to this old fossil. I will long remember June 5, 1988, as the hottest day I have known (40 C at Saskatoon). And, the Saskatchewan Soil Moisture maps in 1987 and 1988

were full of red ink (indicating very dry). The 1970 hot spot was interesting. How many readers are long enough in the tooth to remember 1970? Wheat markets were in the tank and farmers were sitting on huge surpluses that the world market did not need. The feds responded with the LIFT (Lower Inventories for Tomorrow) program. They paid farmers to summerfallow

Canola as a cool crop A highlight for me was the final talk by Brian McConkey, AAFC Swift Current. Brian has many years of experience dealing with climate change issues. The title of his talk was interesting: “Why canola is a cooler crop than cereals.” Of course I thought he was talking about “cool” as a teenager puts it. I assumed he would talk about how “cool” it is to make all that money growing canola. But he was talking about the reflective nature of the beautiful and prolific canola flowers that reflect heat back where it came from. It is much the same idea as the cooling effect of snow. Thanks Brian. Given the same solar radiation, my anecdotal evidence suggests that snow vs. bare ground is good for about 5 C for the same amount of sun. I recall a one-hour trip from Outlook, Sask., to Saskatoon in April, driving one of the first cars with an outside temperature readout. The snow was all gone at Outlook, but about 20 minutes north the snow line appeared. The temperature dropped a few degrees very quickly. In spring, all one has to do is watch The Weather Network on a widespread clear day and the snow line can be read from the air temperature. Canola is not going to give that kind of cooling, and the effect only lasts a few weeks, but at least canola is doing its part to keep it cool so flower blast is minimized.

Hard-to-kill grassy weeds are no match for EVEREST® 3.0. An advanced, easier-to-use formulation delivers superior Flush after flush™ control of wild oats and green foxtail. In addition, EVEREST 3.0 is now registered for use on yellow foxtail*, barnyard grass*, Japanese brome and key broadleaf weeds that can invade your wheat and rob your yields. You’ll still get best-in-class crop safety and unmatched application flexibility. Talk to your retailer or visit everest3-0.ca to learn more.

A primer on drought *Suppression alone; Control with tank-mix of INFERNO® WDG Herbicide.

While cleaning out boxes of files at the University of Saskatchewan I stumbled on “Drought in the Palliser Triangle: A Provisional Primer,” a 58-page bulletin published in January 1998 by the then PFRA. The main author was Walter Nemanishen, who had been a planning

Always read and follow label directions. EVEREST and INFERNO are registered trademarks of an Arysta LifeScience Group Company. The “Flush after flush” slogan is a trademark of an Arysta LifeScience Group Company. Arysta LifeScience and the Arysta LifeScience logo are registered trademarks of Arysta LifeScience Corporation. ©2018 Arysta LifeScience Group Company. ESTC-388

ESTC-388_ GrainNews_16.875x10_Print.indd 1

columns

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Swift Current: 30-year running average January temperature

Swift Current: 30-year running average July temperature

20.0

-10.0

Temperature in °C

-9.0

-11.0 -12.0 -13.0 -14.0 -15.0 -16.0 1915

Source: AAFC data

19.0

1955

1975

1995

2015

18.0

1915

fields two years in a row. Summerfallow is bare ground for sure. It absorbs and re-radiates the heat to increase air temperature. Which brings us to the final argument — the climate cooling effect of doing away with summerfallow.

Summerfallow as a heat engine

17.0 1935

1935

1955

1975

1995

2015

Source: AAFC data

When the early settlers came up with the slogan “rain follows the plough” they were dead wrong. The plough-bare ground makes heat, which reduces the rain. A paper published in 2006* concluded that 1976 to 2000 climate trends from mid-June to mid-July in the Brown, Dark Brown and Black soil zones saw maximum temperatures decline by 1.7 C per decade. They also observed a 10.3 mm increase in precipitation for the same mid-June to mid-July period. I once again give thanks to AAFC Swift Current folks Herb Cutforth and Jason Nimegeers for providing the data used in the figures on this page. The 30-year average January temperature in Swift current has a range of 6 C. It’s easy to see the sharp rise from 1975 on. If you look at the data, February and March trends also show rises, but the other months, not so much. I’ve used a 30-year period as that is generally what separates climate from weather. The July data is not the same. The first thing to note is that 30-year average temperature for July has a range not much more than 1 C. The data also clearly shows that July is a month that is getting cooler, not warmer. Thanks farmers for doing away with that wretched summerfallow that was burning us up. Thanks canola for your pretty and lightcoloured flowers that help to keep our summers cool and comfortable for crops and mankind. In the light of all the above, a federal carbon price is not the answer. It makes no sense to me. At the many meetings I attend where a long line of “experts” say we are heading to you-know-where in a handbasket, I always have two questions: 1. What thermometers and what months are averaged to come up with the “global” temperature? And, 2. How did all the ice from the last glaciation melt with not a fossil fuel in site? I have yet to receive an answer. *The full reference for this paper is:“Gameda, S., Qian, B., Campbell, C.A. and Desjardins, R.L. 2006. Climatic trends associated with summerfallow in the Canadian Prairies. Agriculture and Forest Meteorology vol 142 pages 170-185.” GN J.L.(Les) Henry is a former professor and extension specialist at the University of Saskatchewan. He farms at Dundurn, Sask. His book, “Henry’s Handbook of Soil and Water,” mixes the basics and practical aspects of soil, fertilizer and farming. To order a signed copy, send a cheque for $50 (includes shipping and GST) to Henry Perspectives, 143 Tucker Cres, Saskatoon, Sask., S7H 3H7.

2017-12-14 6:20 PM

columns

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Hart Attacks

Big boats and Bitcoin boggle me Keeping up with new technology is a full-time job. Lee Hart hopes there’s no test

Lee Hart

magine my excitement the other day when I saw China had just launched another of the world’s largest container ships. All I could think about was how much great merchandise this boat could carry to my nearest Canadian

The Cosco KHI231 container ship is 400 metres long, with a deck larger than four soccer fields.

I M P O R T A N T Canadian Grain Commission

Tire Store. So much good stuff — much of it I probably need. But then I read further and this ship at the outset is only intended to carry cargo on the Yangtze River in China. But it is impressive. The Cosco KHI231 is 400 metres long, with a deck larger than four soccer fields (in case you haven’t played soccer lately each field is round 100 metres long and 75 metres wide). And this container ship can carry

N O T I C E

Commission canadienne des grains

Grain producers: Changes to wheat variety designations These varieties will move to the Canada Northern Hard Red wheat class. They will remain in their current classes for the 2017 harvest.

As of August 1, 2018 From Canada Western Red Spring: AC Abbey Alikat AC Cora CDC Makwa AC Eatonia CDC Osler AC Majestic Columbus AC Michael Conway AC Minto Harvest Alvena Kane From Canada Prairie Spring Red: AC Foremost AC Taber

Katepwa Leader Lillian McKenzie Neepawa Park Pasqua

Conquer

As of August 1, 2019 From Canada Prairie Spring Red: AC Crystal

For more information: 1-800-853-6705 or 204-984-0506 TTY: 1-866-317-4289 www.grainscanada.gc.ca

Pembina Thatcher Unity 5603HR

up to 20,000 twenty-foot long containers. It also has a helicopter landing pad. I believe the Cosco ship is powered by diesel fuel. It is just slightly larger than the first electric cargo shipped that was launched in China in late 2017. Powered by 1,000 lithium-ion batteries, the Maersk Line ship can carry up to 2,200 tons of cargo. Its top travel speed is eight m.p.h. and it can travel about 50 miles on one full battery charge. It takes about two hours to recharge the batteries — about the same amount of time it takes to unload the ship. It was interesting to note in the article, this electric ship was built on the premise it posed “no threat to the environment.” However the article also noted it takes a great deal of power from the Chinese electric grid to recharge the batteries and the grid is largely supplied by power generated by fossil fuels. The other irony is that although the ship is designed to carry containers with all sorts of consumer goods, at the outset it was being used to ship coal up and down the Pearl River... oh well, one day those green revolution features will kick in. I shouldn’t be surprised when I read about this high level of Chinese shipping technology, but I have to admit often when I hear about China, the first image that comes to mind are peasants with water buffalos wading through water to plant rice paddies. I believe that is still how much of rice in China is produced. Obviously there is a large disconnect in technological adoption among the different industries.

Baffled by Bitcoin

Oslo

And speaking of technology and disconnects — am I the only one left on the planet not using or investing in Bitcoin? There are many things I don’t understand, but I really have a hard time getting my head around the concept of and need for Bitcoin, which falls into a fairly new monetary class known as crypto-currency. It is some type of digital currency. Apparently people can buy and sell things using Bitcoin or several other so-called currencies. If Wikipedia is correct they say there are about 700 named crypto-currencies. Bitcoin just happens to have the largest “capitalizations” of the crypto-currencies with about $11 billion behind it. On some level it is real. If you went on the market you could buy one Bitcoin share for about CDN$14,000 (at the time of this writing). Share values had dropped a bit. It was at one time worth about $20,000. That’s great. Doesn’t matter. I just checked my wallet and I don’t have $14,000 for a share. I have read a bit about what Bitcoin (or crypto currency) is, but I still don’t understand why it is needed. It’s digital, it is virtual money — I am sure the wise U.S. president would describe it as “fake money.”

columns

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

To me it is very much like what country singer George Strait sang about — “ocean-front property in Arizona.” It’s something of high value that really isn’t there. I thought I was doing good getting my head around using my debit card. Isn’t that virtual money? I know far too often when I look at my bank balance it is virtually zero!

I know there was a time when for every paper dollar printed in Canada there was one dollar worth of actual, physical gold in the Canadian Mint. For any history buffs in the crowd who have never been to the community of Carp, Ontario, just outside Ottawa, you will find a 100,000 square foot underground bunker, built during the Diefenbaker govern-

ment era — late 1950s early 1960s — to protect the Canadian government during the Cold War. In that bunker is a vault built to hold Canada’s gold in the event of a Russian nuclear attack. It was an actual, physical room designed to hold the gold that backed up the Canadian economy. I believe the days have passed T:9.875” when there is actual gold to back up

every dollar. That ended somewhere around the time it began costing $1 billion to buy a hotdog stand. Anyway, Bitcoin is one of those great, new, high value, important pieces of technology that I don’t understand. Probably it is a wonderful thing, but in this rapidly changing era when few people ask me what I think before they do

something, I have to admit I am more in tune with those farmers using water buffalo to grow rice, than I am with the Bitcoin/cryptocurrency banking system. GN Lee Hart is a field editor with Grainews based in Calgary. Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at lee@ fbcpub lishing.com.

T:11.4286”

TAKE A BITE OUT OF CLEAVERS AND KOCHIA It’s time to get territorial. Strike early, hard and fast against your toughest broadleaf weeds. Lethal to cleavers up to 9 whorls and kochia up to 15 centimeters, Infinity® FX is changing the landscape of cereal weed control.

EARLY BOOK BY MARCH 16, 2018 UP $ TO ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR DETAILS

SAVE

2/ACRE

cropscience.bayer.ca/InfinityFX

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

#AskBayerCrop

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

O-52-01/18-10887598-E

columns

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Understanding market bulls and bears

Getting info and seeding early It is the time of year to gather knowledge and make your plans for the coming season

Brian Wittal

ground breaking discoveries and improvements in the near future.

Ultra-early wheat

anuary is the busiest month of the year for ag trade shows, conferences, updates and industry meetings. You could spend the entire month traveling across the Prairies attending sessions. I attended the inaugural Cereals Innovation Symposium in Red Deer, Alta., hosted by the Alberta Wheat Commission, and heard some very interesting speakers. Scientists talked about new genetic opportunities in plant breeding and disease resistance. Researchers discussed projects ranging from fractionation of barley straw to extract high purity starches to using varietal mixes in wheat to improve lodging. The future of the grains industry is alive and well and ever changing! I believe we are going to see major

One research project that caught my attention was an ultra-early wheat seeding system. It may not be high tech, but it could help with time management and profitability. This project is being overseen by Graham Collier, a PhD candidate at the University of Alberta. The fiveyear project is currently in year three/ four, and Collier anticipates the published findings will be available in 2020. These researchers want to find out if we can push seeding dates for wheat earlier. They aren’t seeding plots based on the calendar, but instead based on soil temperature. They seeded their first plots on the first day that the soil temperature reached 0 C. Then they seeded more plots when the soil temperatures hit 2 C, 4 C, 6 C, 8 C aand 10 C, so they would have a wide range of data.

NEW

57781_1_DAS_Paradigm_2018_Preseed_EB_20-875x7-75_GN_Ad.indd 1

In 2016, this meant seeding as early as February 16 in Lethbridge and March 29 in Edmonton! They used a number of cold-tolerant varieties, with AC Stettler as a check variety. So far, AC Stettler has performed just as well as the coldtolerant varieties. Here are some preliminary results: • Seeding by soil temperature usually meant getting in the field two weeks earlier than normal. • They haven’t seen a significant yield decrease. • For the most consistent results, the best temperatures to seed were between 2 C and 6 C. • There has been a trend toward a decline in yield the longer they waited to seed. • Despite as many as 37 nights of below 0 C temps and lows down to -10 C after seeding, the plant stands were as good or better at the early seeding dates. They will do more trials and come up

with a management and growing plans for interested producers.

The future You are going to have a tougher and tougher time deciding which new technologies to implement on your farm, be it adopting new varieties, changing your agronomics or upgrading equipment. The appeal of new technology is hard to resist for some, while others almost fear it. Whatever you decide, consider the potential for real value for your farm. Can it provide an increased net return? When I sit down with clients to build a marketing plan, which includes a brief review of farm financials, I start with this little tidbit of wisdom: agronomics can be determined very scientifically. But weather and markets are out of your control so your end results are not guaranteed. You need to build some buffer and flexibility into your financial plan so you can react when the variables that

are out of your control move against you. The place to do that is within your fixed costs, the area you can control. When you’re considering spending money on new technology or equipment, honestly evaluate the expected net return. If it doesn’t pencil out to some real dollars, stop and reflect before going any further. If there is a positive real dollar benefit, consider the implementation costs. Adding more fixed costs to your financial statement does not help build flexibility into your financial plan. This makes it harder to build a marketing plan that will provide you with a profitable year when uncontrollable variables don’t go your way. The bottom line is to make a profit. How you get there is your decision. GN Brian Wittal has 30 years of grain industry experience, and currently offers market planning and marketing advice to farmers through his company Pro Com Marketing Ltd. (www.procommarketingltd.com).

columns

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Reporter’s notebook

Removing the stigma of clubroot If we’re going to deal with clubroot, we need to consider the psychological issues

Lisa Guenther

ack in 2015, I was in Australia, talking to farmers and others in agriculture about how they were handling herbicide resistance. Australian farmers have the unenviable task of dealing with weeds that are resistant to several modes of action. The country ranks number two globally for the number of herbicide-resistant weeds. During that trip, Brad Collis, editor of Ground Cover, said something that’s stuck with me. Australian researchers have eliminated the stigma attached to having herbicide-resistant weeds, he said. “So people report it immediately. And that’s really important if you’re going to get on top of this,” said Collis. That comment started to change

how I thought about agronomic problems such as herbicide resistance. I hadn’t seriously considered how important it is to have the right mindset to deal with these problems. Fast forward to December 2017. Kent Lamoureux was speaking about clubroot at Cavalier Agrow’s farm forum. Lamoureux is an agronomist in Alberta’s Sturgeon County, the first Alberta county to confirm clubroot infestations in canola. Lamoureux had practical advice for proactively managing clubroot. But, most intriguing, he compared finding clubroot on your farm to going through the grieving process. Lamoureux isn’t the only one thinking this way. John Guelly, who farms near Westlock, Alberta, talked about the same thing during Crop Sphere in Saskatoon this January. And when I spoke to Manitoba psychologist Greg Gibson, he confirmed that a farmer facing clubroot

could go through the grieving process. It seems to me very tragic and unnecessary to feel shame over having clubroot, or herbicide-resistant weeds, or any other agronomic problem confirmed on your farm. To put things in perspective, it’s not as though you’ve been caught kicking puppies. Having clubroot or herbicide resistance does not make you a bad person. Maybe you feel guilty about your tight rotations. After all, tight rotations do worsen problems like clubroot and herbicide resistance. Even a two-year break from canola cuts the number of clubroot spores by over 90 per cent, making it extremely effective when spore loads haven’t reached critical levels. But I talk to farmers all the time with tight rotations. They’re concerned about agronomic problems, but economics, logistics and all kinds of other factors come into play. So even if your rotations are

tight, I don’t think it’s fair to call you a “bad farmer,” because that would mean a huge proportion of Western Canadian farmers are bad.

removing the stigma Western Australia was the first region to develop herbicide resistance. At first, farmers there didn’t know what was going on, Collis said. But between scientists and researchers, they figured out what the problem was. Farmers in the rest of Australia had the advantage of seeing the cost of herbicide resistance before they had any experience with it. Clubroot is not strictly an “Alberta problem.” It has already been confirmed in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and it’s likely more widespread in both provinces than official reports. But clubroot hammered Alberta canola growers first, giving Saskatchewan and Manitoba a chance to learn from their western neighbours.

Policies and regulations around cropping practices should be fair and science-based. They should not feed into any social stigma. And municipalities and other agencies should not discourage farmers from reporting and dealing with early clubroot infestations. Manitoba has no regulation around the disease yet. From what I’ve gleaned, provincial agronomists focus on education and deal with it on a case-by-case basis. In both Alberta and Saskatchewan, clubroot has been declared a pest, which empowers counties and municipalities to enforce their own bylaws around prevention and enforcement. Saskatchewan’s municipal leaders would be wise to see what’s worked well and what hasn’t in Alberta before they try to regulate farming practices. Kevin Hursh had a column in the Continued on Page 30 

Above the surface. Under the surface. It’s GO time.

NEW! Paradigm™ is the most powerful pre-seed tank mix ahead of wheat and barley. It gets the weeds you see and the weeds you don’t, including Group 2 resistant cleavers and hemp-nettle, in tough spring or fall conditions. Pre-seed or post-harvest, it’s GO time. Go to LeaveNothingBehind.ca.

® TM

Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. |

SAVE UP TO

PER ACRE

when you book by March 15, 2018 with Diamond Rewards™.

01/18-57781-1

1/11/18 10:10 AM

columns

 Continued from Page 29

October 17 issue of the Western Producer about using Sask Crop Insurance to encourage longer crop rotations. Since a one-year break between canola is so common, Hursh suggested focusing on the canola-canola rotations instead. In those cases, the

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

farmer could pay the full premium themselves. Hursh points out that this type of carrot-stick system has already been done with chickpeas, to control ascochyta blight. I’m not sure what the right answer is, but I like this idea better than having a patchwork of municipal bylaws. I think it would be less of an emotional

bombshell than nailing farmers who’ve just found out they have clubroot. It also seems fairer than punishing people who have scouted for the disease. If Sask Crop Insurance adopted this policy, they could also consider rewarding farmers with a three-year T:9.875 in or longer rotation by giving them

breaks on premiums. After all, a longer rotation reduces the risk of many other crop diseases, along with herbicide resistance. Whatever approach government and industry take, we all need to remember that issues like clubroot are not moral failings. They are agronomic problems, and they can be managed.

So if you’re facing these problems, don’t be too hard on yourself. And if your neighbour is struggling with these kinds of problems, don’t be too hard on him either. GN Lisa Guenther is field editor for Grainews based at Livelong, Sask. Follow her on Twitter @LtoG.

T:11.4286 in

It’s hard to imagine that one small seed could hold so much promise, but it does. And when you consider the importance of having a successful season, a cereal seed treatment you can rely on makes a huge difference. Raxil® seed treatments provide first-class disease control and a faster, stronger emergence that helps you realize the full potential of your crop. Depend on Raxil.

cropscience.bayer.ca/Raxil

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

#AskBayerCrop

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

C-55-/18-10887607-E

machinery & shop

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Photos: John Deere

New machinery

John Deere added the 6230R and 6250R to the top end of its 6R line in Europe. Expect to see them become available here soon.

Deere adds to its tractor line again Flagship 6250R model pushes horsepower to 250 in the 6R Series By Scott Garvey

ne of the announcements John Deere made at Germ a ny ’s Ag r i te c h n i ca machinery show in November was the introduction of two new models to its 6R tractor line. Although they were just being introduced to the European market at that time, expect to see them become available here in the not-to-distant future. The 230 horsepower 6230R and 250 horsepower 6250R will push the maximum available horsepower in the 6R chassis configuration well beyond the 215 it currently tops out at in North America. With a power bulge thanks to Deere’s Intelligent Engine Management System, the 6.8 litre PowerTech PSS diesel in the 6250R can summon up to 300 horses when needed. The 6230R can jump up to 280. With dual turbochargers and “advanced DPF and SCR” emissions systems, the 6.8s will breath cleaner with less fuel consumption, according to the company. Engine power gets routed through an upgraded version of the AutoPowr transmission. When roading, the

THIS IS

The new 6R models get an improved CommandPRO joystick, which has a more ergonomic design and has 11 programmable buttons.

these tractors get a pump that can deliver 160 l/min AutoPowr achieves a fuel saving by hitting a 50 km/h road speed at just 1,630 engine r.p.m. And it will do 40 km/h at 1,300 r.p.m.

THE ONE

These two models are meant to be versatile with a base chassis weight of only 9.3 tonnes. That gives them an impressive power-toweight ratio of 31 kilograms (68 pounds) per horsepower. The whole idea, according to Deere’s marketing reps is to make them fuel efficient if used for lighter loader jobs or towing grain carts. But still allowing them to be ballasted up to a maximum of 15 tonnes for heavy draft work in the field. Even with maxi-

mum ballasting the chassis are still sturdy enough to tolerate another 5.7 tonnes of weight, such as with a loader or a mounted implement on the three-point hitch. There are upgrades inside the cab too. The all-new CommandPRO joystick uses a more ergonomic design. It gets 11 programmable buttons, which are capable of controlling the PTO, SCVs and threepoint hitch along with any ISOBUScompatible implement systems. And, of course, the joystick also controls tractor speed with a simple forward and back movement. In the hydraulic department, these tractors get a pump that can deliver 160 l/min at only 1,500 engine r.p.m. The cabs are available with hydro-pneumatic suspension. Up front, the triple-link TLS Plus selflevelling axle suspension system helps deliver 10 per cent more power to the ground, according to Deere’s calculations. The smart axle suspension has an automatic sensitivity feature that adjusts the suspension rate, and it can synchronize that with the hitch sensing system to minimize power hop under heavy draft loads.

YIELD, EXCELLENCE, ANYWHERE. LEADING MIDGE TOLERANT CWRS WITH LODGING RESISTANCE.

Proven® Seed is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services (Canada) Inc. CPS CROP PRODUCTION SERVICES and Design is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services, Inc. |

58389_1 CPS_Proven_Titanium_10-25x3.indd 1

When it comes to digital capabilities, the new 6Rs get more than their fair share there too. They’re available with Deere’s MyJobsConnect and MyJobsManager apps that allow operators to view and carry out tasks in real time with a portable smart device. There’s also the Intelligent Navigation and Fleet Logistics function that holds a database of public roads and allows operators to find the quickest way to a field entrance. Deere says all the maintenance points on the new 6Rs are easy to access, and they come with 750hour engine oil and filter along with fuel filter service intervals. They also have a lifetime DPF (diesel particulate filter) and a lower DEF consumption rate that the company claims will improve overall fluid consumption by two to three per cent. If my guess is right, keep an eye out for these two new tractors to debut at North American shows this summer. GN Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at Scott. Garvey@fbcpublishing.com.

provenseed.ca

01/18-58389-1

2018-01-12 7:55 AM

machinery & shop

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Machine history

The era of the pull-type combine: Part 2 A look at how the pull-type design evolved and production eventually ended By Brian Kirkpatrick

Self-propelled gains traction By 1959 when I started my career in the business at IH, the idea of SP combines for grain harvest was spreading on the Prairies and things

Photos: Ray Bianchi

n the first part of the pull-type combine story in the January 23, 2018, issue of <Grainews> we looked at some of the earliest commercial offerings. Now, we pick up the story from World War II until last production in 1991. The war created a serious shortage of farm manpower, which accelerated the demand for combines. But farm equipment companies were busy building war materials and were not allowed to devote resources to new products — although they were authorized to continue limited production of prewar pull types (PT). An exception was granted to Massey Harris by the government in late 1943, when they were permitted enough steel to produce 500 model 21A self-propelled (SP) models in addition to their allocation of 1,300 PTs. These 500 were to be built exclusively for the 1944 “Harvest Brigade” (a moving group of custom combiners harvesting across much of North America), which is a story in itself. The next year that number was increased to 750, so the market was still very much a PT business. The PT market remained strong during the early post war period in the grain growing areas, but farmers in the corn belt were testing the idea of combines to harvest grain corn. Initially this did not affect the Canadian West, because there were no grain corn varieties grown there. At that time on our family farm in southern Manitoba, we did grow corn for ensilage but, usually between August 25 and September 5 there would be a killing frost and the corn had to be foraged immediately before the leaves dried out. We harvested all of it with a one-row forage harvester. Corn heads on SP combines really started to gain traction during the mid 1950s. At the same time, PT combines were changing to include sealed bearings, variable cylinder speed control (without changing sprockets), easily adjusted concaves and hydraulic header lifts. At International Harvester the model 140 was released in 1954, and at the same time the IH tractors featured independent power take off and Torque Amplifier which allowed “on the go” ground speed control, making an efficient unit.

The 1482 pull-type combine was the smaller brother to the larger 1682, which was introduced in 1987.

were getting extremely competitive, with Massey and Cockshutt (plus CCIL selling re-branded Cockshutts) making major inroads. At IH, any time we could convince a customer of the economy of a PT combine and a new tractor it was good news, since our chances of a sale became much better. The key to this was often a demonstration. These demonstrations were a real highlight for me as a not-long-offthe-farm boy. A new tractor and combine brought to the farm on a fine fall day were usually met with great hospitality. Most of the meals were excellent and reflected the farm tradition left over from the threshing crew days. However, we occasionally had a different experience. My most vivid memory was of a noon meal provided by a gracious farm wife whose married daughter and her new baby were visiting. I was sitting at the right hand end of a rectangular table .The young mother was sitting to my right, not at the table. When it became necessary to change the baby, she did it right beside me. The next thing I knew the diaper was “sunny side up” on the table, right beside my plate. My experience with babies

By the late 1970s the PT market in North America was concentrated in Western Canada was very limited, so this almost caused another embarrassment. Lunch was soon over and the action moved gratefully back to the field. Tractors kept getting bigger and every few years IH and some competitors released larger PT combines to match them. By the late 1970s the PT market in North America was concentrated in Western Canada, with a few sold into the neighboring wheat-growing states. At IH we were getting a greater and greater share of a declining market. This prompted the decision to stay in the PT business to provide volume for the East Moline plant, which had capacity to build far more combines than the market for SPs could absorb.

With farm consolidation in full swing in Western Canada, many things were changing. Effective weed control was common, new grain varieties were being developed with stronger stems to keep from lodging, making straight cutting more practical. SP combines were capable of wider headers too, while pull types couldn’t handle them due to their offset design. And the change from auger to draper feeding meant more high-speed productivity.

There was also the less obvious, but very significant pride of owning a modern SP combine that trumped the slower economy and helped push SP sales higher. In 1987 the last of the big pulltype combines, the Case IH 1682 was introduced. It was discontinued in 1991, ending another agricultural chapter in Western Canada. GN Brian Kirkpatrick spent a long career working for International Harvester in Canada.

machinery & shop

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Technology

Bridging the gap

The bridge system retails for US$3,300 and simply plugs into a machine's existing wiring.

Agra-GPS “bridge” kit makes Deere GPS compatible with other brands By Scott Garvey

Photos: Agra-GPS

ohn Deere currently offers a pretty broad range of digital features for its equipment, and many Prairie growers are familiar with using the brand’s GPS and data management systems. But for those using mixed fleets, transferring the Deere technology to other machines and getting anything near the full range of available features hasn’t always been possible. Johannes Heupel, a farmer from Stony Plain, Alberta, says he ran into that problem on his farm. “Like every operation we started with GPS for seeding and spraying,” he says. “Our combines, initially at least, were not equipped with GPS. I’m running Claas Lexion combines. So when you think of adding GPS to combines, you think of what your exiting GPS is and if you liked it. We happened to run John Deere GPS and liked it for its documentation and some other features it has. So we wanted to see if it would work on our Claas Lexions. That was in 2014 and there was no such option. Since my background is in electrical

A bridge system from Agra-GPS allows Deere GreenStar GPS to function in several non-Deere machines.

engineering, I looked into what it might take to do that.” Using his engineering skills, he created a “bridge” that allowed the Deere system to function on his Claas combines. Now, he’s expanded his bridge technology to function on not just the Claas machines, but also most of AGCO’s tractors. He’s formed a company called Agra-GPS Ltd and is retailing the system through a number of ag machinery dealers across Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

Heupel says the bridge allows almost all of Deere’s digital features to work when installed on equipment of another color. And collected data can even by transferred through the JDLink system. “On the combine, it’s not just steering, it does the full yield and moisture mapping as well,” he says. “On my machines we’re running John Deere MachineSync. Obviously you can’t set the (Claas) combine, because you’re talking about a rotary versus a hybrid, so you can’t see the fan speed and all that.” But those features can still be monitored and controlled through the Claas onboard system. “And you’d want to anyway, I would think,” he adds. Installing Heupel’s system on a nonDeere machine is as simple as unplugging a connector and inserting the bridge into the line. “That’s really all there is to it. You plug it in. You run your John Deere wiring to the John Deere GPS display and receiver and you’re good to go. I’m using that to make it as easy as possible, no changing wires, putting an extra switch in, or God forbid, put-

ting in an extra hydraulic. Essentially, it’s the same plug and play,” Some machines have different connectors and electrical configurations, so Heupel’s bridge packages are tailored for specific brands and models to ensure there is no compatibility problems or mismatched connectors. The bridge systems carry a US$3,300 price tag. Although they are available through a variety of prairie ag equipment dealers, Heupel can be contacted through his website www.agragps.com to help anyone find the nearest retailer. “I do sell direct, as well,” he says. “But I prefer (buyers use) the dealers for local support. Typically, there’s not a lot of support required. But if there is, it’s good to have someone with knowledge plug in a laptop and see what’s going on. If there is a problem, it may be the wheel angle sensor on the tractor itself. So it’s good to have someone from the dealership to know if all the sensors are functioning properly.” GN Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at Scott.Garvey@fbcpublishing.com.

ll hydraulic u f h it w w o N stment and ju d a h t p e d veling machine le

THE EFFICIENCY OF BLUE HIGH ACREAGE PERFORMANCE AT LOW COSTS WITH THE HELIODOR 9 The Heliodor 9 is your perfect choice for efficient stubble cultivation and residue management. The unique disc attachment provides a dual cutting angle that allows you to work shallow but also across the entire soil profile. The combination of mixing and leveling creates a seed-ready field after one pass.

■ Independently mounted discs offer maximum clearance for high residue and low maintenance ■ Leaf springs create disc vibrations for a self cleaning effect and superior crumbling ■ Integrated rollers deliver precise depth control

Regional Distributors MANITOBA & SASKATCHEWAN Prairie Agri Sales Ltd., 204-712-7073 ALBERTA & BRITISH COLUMBIA AgriGem Equipment Sales Ltd., 250-938-0076

@strategictill | lemken.com

machinery & shop

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

On-farm material handling

ASV adds models at the high and low end The Minnesota brand unveils a model for tight spaces and another offering big horsepower

By Scott Garvey

ollowing closely on the heels of the debut of its VT-70 track loader, Minnesotabased ASV has introduced two more new models to its line of track loaders, the compact RT-30, which is meant to be a little brother to the larger VT-70, and the biggest machine it's built yet, the RT-120. The RT-30 is meant to appeal to anyone that needs a machine able to work in very close quarters, such as inside barns. But the company says despite its small size, this machine is built as tough as any other. “This is not an entry-level machine,” said Jim DiBiagio, ASV general manager, in a press release. “We designed it to our standards of maximum performance with no compromises.” The RT-30 is only 48 inches (1.22 metres) wide, weighs in at 3,600 pounds (1,636 kilograms), and has a lift height of 8.4 feet (2.56 metres). To move around the farmyard, the RT-30 has a top speed of 5.7 m.p.h. (9.2 km/h),

and the standard 11-inch-wide tracks put down an average ground pressure of just three PSI. That floatation along with 10 inches of under-body clearance should allow it to move easily through corrals and mud. It relies on a 1.5-litre, 32.7 horsepower Perkins diesel engine, and planetary drive motors deliver the diesel’s torque to the drive sprockets. In the hydraulic department, these machines get a 10 g.p.m. pump. And operating load capacity is 665 pounds. The company says the RT-30 is priced comparably to walk-behind or stand-on designs, making it a better and safer choice as a small-capacity machine. The RT-120 on the other hand gets a 120 horsepower and 360 foot-pounds of torque from a 3.8 litre Cummins diesel. That makes it one of the most powerful machines of this type on the market. To reduce friction loss and get as much of that power to the ground as possible, the RT-120 doesn't use planetary drives. Instead power is routed directly to high-efficiency hydraulic motors connected directly to the drive rollers.

It relies on a 1.5-litre, 32.7 horsepower Perkins diesel engine, and planetary drive motors deliver the diesel’s torque to the drive sprockets Because the RT-120 uses a direct drive hydraulic pump, rather than a belt-driven design, and includes larger lines and coolers, the company claims it can deliver 16 per cent more power to attachments than the PT-110 model it replaces.

ASV introduces a small model designed for work in tight spaces, the RT-30 and a high-horsepower model for heavier jobs, the RT-120. Photos: ASV

Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at Scott.Garvey@fbcpublishing.com.

COUNTRY CHUCKLES BY JONNY HAWKINS

Stay on top of what’s new with all your favourite brands! Sign up for E-Quip enews for FREE today and get the inside scoop on the latest ag machinery and equipment right in your inbox every week!

Ag equipment enthusiasts will love E-Quip enews!

TO Sign up FOR FREE TOday! ViSiT:

freefarmnews.com/#agd “... And that’s 350 eyes and one big neigh.”

EXpERiEnCE MaTTERS

E-Quip enews features the latest stories and videos from veteran Grainews machinery editor, Scott Garvey. Scott dives deep into the latest ag innovations, interviewing company reps and showing equipment up close and in action.

E-Quip enews also features AgDealerTV equipment videos with host Spencer Myers. Spencer takes a close look at a wide range of cutting-edge ag machinery and technologies that benefit producers on and off the field.

machinery & shop

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Grain handling

photo: credit name

Venlaw’s new portable aeration fan This gas-powered portable fan takes aeration to bins without electricity Venlaw Manufacturing’s portable aeration fan can replace a conventional 10 horsepower electric model.

By Scott Garvey

any farms that have grown in size over the years often continue to make use of the remote grain storage facilities they acquired with a land purchase. But often those sites were located on other farmyards, where electricity is no longer available. That means aeration bins can no longer be used without the expense of re-establishing electrical service. And, of course, there are other reasons farms may have bins without electrical outlets nearby. This past summer Venlaw Manufacturing of Quill Lake, Saskatchewan, introduced a quick way to get remote aeration bins back into service. Their gas-powered fan can run continuously for hours and handle a variety of bin sizes, entirely eliminating the need for electricity. “It’s made for remote locations, somewhere you don’t have power,” said Tom Dooley, company owner, who spoke to Grainews at his display on the grounds of the Ag in Motion farm show this past summer. “We have a 16 horsepower V-twin gasoline engine powering what if it was electrically powered would be a 10 horsepower fan. That’s our standard model. It’s putting out 5,850 c.f.m. (cubic feet per minute) at two inches of static pressure.” “The nice thing is you can run it at a couple of different r.p.m.s. If you had a smaller bin, you could run it at an acceptable r.p.m. That would change the c.f.m.” When connected to a 5,400-bushel bin, Dooley said farmers could expect to get about 55 continuous hours of operation. For convenience, it can be refilled from a slip tank or even pulled back to a nearby yard fuel storage facility. “This has a 132-litre tank,” he said. “The way the unit is set up you can just disconnect from the bin and it hooks right up to a quad with a two-inch ball. You can just take it to the fuel tank in your yard, fill it up and take it back to the bin. That’s what we’ve been doing.” Anyone interested in getting a quote for one of Venlaw’s fans can contact Dooley at 306-383-7191. “We have a dealer network set up all across the prairies,” he said. GN

Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at Scott.Garvey@ fbcpublishing.com.

Put on your top hat and come celebrate with us!

AnnuAl GenerAl MeetinG February 28, 2018 | 4 – 8 pm 211034 Hwy 512, Lethbridge County

Farming Smarter Feast! Due to space limitations, only registered guests can attend Register on farmingsmarter.com

machinery & shop

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Equipment market

Equiplinx another option for buyers and sellers Sales network can draw on inventory and buyers from a wide area By Scott Garvey

Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at Scott.Gavery@ fbcpublishing.com.

Kirk Frankish is co-founder and CEO of Equiplinx.

When a farmer wants to list a machine, one of the Equiplinx agents will come to the yard, photograph it and do an evaluation of recent sale prices for similar models “Anything over $200,000 is five per cent,” he said. “And anything under $20,000 is 12 per cent. And there’s a sliding scale in between. When we get an offer, we send to you in writing or email exactly what you’re going to get. You have the option to say yes or no right then.”

Photos: Scott Garvey

t his company’s display during the Ag in Motion farm show at Langham, Saskatchewan, in July, Kirk Frankish, cofounder and CEO of Equiplinx, told Grainews his previous experience running a New Holland dealership in Alberta led to him creating a new option for farmers who want to buy and sell equipment. Although the problem has eased somewhat in recent years, the newequipment sales boom that began in 2008 has saddled dealerships with unusually large volumes of used equipment that stays on their lots for too long. “That’s honestly why I started this,” said Frankish. Now Equiplinx, which was founded in 2013, allows buyers to shop for machinery across a wide geographical area in order to find just the right machine at the right price, he explained. The company will help facilitate the buying a selling of used machines through its combined online website presence and the active involvement of local field agents. “We’re website based where we have all the information,” he said. “But we also believe, especially on the agriculture side, that people buy from people. So we have the online side with the technology, but we also have the personal touch, where our agents purchase a territory, because it’s a franchise system, and we network the inventory together, just like an MLS system in real estate. So a guy in Saskatchewan has access to inventory in Montana, B.C., or wherever. Anyone interested in buying a machine listed in the online Equiplinx inventory — which Frankish said hovers between and $30 and $40 million in value at any one time — or selling something they don’t need anymore begins the process by calling the company’s toll-free number. “We ask what they’re looking for and where they’re from, then we dispatch it to that agent,” Frankish said. “We transfer the call to them so they can put a deal together. It’s part technology, it’s part old school where we sit down at the kitchen table and have coffee and shake hands, because we

“The (buyers’) cheques go to Equiplinx. It’s a transparent system. We transfer the money, usually within hours. The turnaround is within the same day, sometimes two.” Frankish says the organization also does its best to see the equipment listing is accurate. “We always have somebody with the buyer and the seller to make sure it’s represented properly,” he said. “If the owner knows there’s a problem (with the machine) he has to let us know.” GN

believe with all the technology in the world, that’s being missed. And it’s a very important aspect.” When a farmer wants to list a machine, one of the Equiplinx agents will come to the yard, photograph it and do an evaluation of recent sale prices for similar models. “He does what we call a market trend analysis report, where we take all of the past history, be it auction, retail or after sales of that machine with those hours and those options and we formulate a price with the owner,” said Frankish. “That machine will stay in your yard, your possession until it’s sold. You can use it, as long as you update the hours with us. We have no problem with that.” The company also offers a timed online auction option if a seller hasn’t received an adequate offer and wants to wrap up a sale quickly. Equiplinx charges sellers a onetime $175 listing fee for that initial evaluation, which also includes a lien search along with the online posting. Once the machine sells, the company will take a commission between five and 12 per cent, based on the purchase price.

Wetaskiwin-based Equiplinx offers farmers an alternative way to sell or buy equipment. 57793-1 DAS_SimplicityMatters_Black_EB_12-8419x9.indd 1

machinery & shop

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

New equipment

New CASE G Series loaders CASE Construction offers seven new models with strong farmer appeal Photo: CASE Construction

G Series wheel loader specs

Management at CASE Construction believe their new G Series wheel loaders will appeal to many farmers.

Model/Spec

521G

621G

721G

821G

921G

1021G

1121G

HP (gross)

141

172

195

230

255

320

347

Bucket Capacities

2.1 - 2.6 cubic yards

2.5 - 4.5 cubic yards

3.0 - 4.5 cubic yards

3.5 - 4.5 cubic yards

4.0 - 4.75 cubic yards

4.75 - 5.5 cubic yards

5.25 - 6.25 cubic yards

Breakout Force

20,937 pounds (9,497 kg)

27,282 pounds (12,375 kg)

33,810 pounds (15,336 kg)

40,608 pounds (18,420 kg)

42,254 pounds (19,116 kg)

49,787 pounds (22,583 kg)

56,245 pounds (25,512 kg)

Source: CASE Construction

By Scott Garvey

I NEW

What matters most to you. That’s Simplicity ™

n August CASE Construction, the partner brand of Case IH, introduced the all-new G Series line of wheel loaders, and brand managers think some of these new machines will appeal to agricultural producers. Spanning the 141 to 347 horsepower range, they have bucket capacities ranging from 2.1 to a massive 6.25 cubic yards. The design of the cab interior relies heavily on automotive inspiration, down to a steering column with controls mounted on it that are exactly the same as a typical car. The brand claims that helps make this cab control layout is the most “intuitive” it’s ever designed for any machine. It’s also added other ergonomic features like a membranecovered keypad that replaces the previous toggle switch array. An options package allows buyers to better configure the control arrangement for handling typical ag

jobs. All machine functions are monitored on an eight-inch LCD screen. Up front, bucket linkage options allow the machine to be configured for maximum breakout force with the Z-bar or for better handling materials with the XT. Not surprisingly, the G Series uses FPT (Fiat PowerTrain) diesels. The new chassis design allows them to be positioned lower in the frame, which provides for better stability. The engines are mated to a fourspeed powershift transmission capable of road speeds up to 40 km/h. The four smallest models come with standard limited slip differentials. The CASE ProCare package offers a 3,000-hour full machine warranty along with a planned threeyear maintenance contract. GN Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at Scott.Garvey@ fbcpublishing.com.

Industry quote

CONFIDENCE IN A JOB DONE RIGHT. Simplicity™ GoDRI™ is #1 for elite wild oat control in wheat. POWER, FLEXIBILITY, MORE. Go to dowagro.ca.

SAVE UP TO

$5.55

PER ACRE

when you book by March 15, 2018 with Diamond Rewards™.

Certainly when you look at the breadth of products we’re investing in, next generation Maxxum, Steiger CVX, Trident 550 combo sprayer-spreader and then the continued evolution of the Early Riser planter line technology, you can see we understand it takes leading-edge technology for a producer to stay ahead of the game nowadays. And you can’t just focus on one product range. So, we’re quite proud of the new products we’re introducing this year.” Jim Walker vice president, Case IH, during a presentation to farm media members in Iowa in August

® TM

Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. |

11/17-57793-01

2017-11-13 1:21 PM

cattleman's corner

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

FEEDING CATTLE

Build your own bale-spear loader head Working in the shop even with repurposed materials can result in a long-lasting bale mover more pieces to build the vertical extensions to prevent the top bale, when carrying two at a time, from tipping back onto the hood or cab of the tractor.

By Michael Thomas

uch like the transitions other ranchers and farmers have experienced over the past 50-plus years, our evolution with hay handling here in rural Idaho has been a transition from loose hay, to small square bales, and now large round and square bales. Each transition was made with an attempt to increase efficiency and reduce waste and cost. These transitions required a new machine or implement to handle the hay during transportation and feeding. Initially we resisted the move to large bales because our tractors and loaders were not big enough to handle them. One winter we could not locate small square straw bales for bedding and were forced to buy 4x4x8-bale straw. At that time we realized we would have to catch up with the large bale movement or continue to have difficulty locating, and affording, hay and straw that our small operation could not produce. With the advice of a local metal fabricator, Bob Minor, owner of Minor Irrigation Parts and Service near Baker, Idaho, we began building our own bale-spear hay heads. “Even today, factory-built heads are often not built heavy enough for what we expect of them,” says Minor. “Of the 30-plus heads that I have built over the past 28 years, not one has come back for repairs on the frame. I have had to replace broken spears for people over the years, but never repaired the frame itself.”

DETERMINE SIZE NEEDED

Minor builds frames out of 4x4" 250 tubing (1/4-inch wall thickness) or 4x6" 250 tubing (1/4-inch wall thickness) for the bottom beam and basic frame. He says he can get away with 188 (3/16-inch wall thickness) for the outside vertical and top beams, but it is best to use the heavier wall for all of the main load-bearing portions of the frame. But as some producers learned, they don’t always have to work with all-new material. “We built our first bale spear from an old automobile hoist out of a service garage,” says Lynn Thomas, owner of Sky Range Ranch, near Salmon, Idaho. “The lift was going to be scrapped and we picked it up cheap.” The lift was built from two parallel six-inch heavyduty I-beams about 14 feet long with a rectangular central core two feet by six feet long. To build the unit, they cut the I-beams away from the main body of the hoist frame, used the main body as the central portion of the bale head, welded one of the extra pieces of I-beam across the bottom to serve as the receiver beam for the spears, and used two

As you begin the project of building a bale-spear hay head, know what type of bales you will be handling and how many at one time. A head wider than the bale causes problems when reaching across a truck or trailer when loading or unloading. The head can grab the bales adjacent to the one you are handling. The five-foot head is narrow enough to work well for six-foot round bales and tall enough to carry two 4x4x8 big square bales. Once you have an idea what size/weight bales to be handled, determine what length of bale spear you will need, and how many. The 49-inch spear is a standard for handling large round and square bales. If you plan to handle 3x3x8 bales exclusively, you can use a 39-inch spear. You can carry one 4x4x8 bale with 39-inch spears, but it is not advisable to carry more than one as the short spears will cut up through the bottom bale, causing you to drop the load. Install enough spears to safely carry the heaviest expected load. Some manufactured bale-spear heads come with only two spears. This is can cause harm to you or your tractor if one spear breaks. The load will shift and fall. For most large-bale applications, a minimum or four spears is recommended, and in cases of continuous handling of multiple heavy 4x4x8 bales, five spears is considered more secure and reliable. Bale spears and the weld-in sleeves to mount the spears into the bottom beam of the

loader head are available at most farm supply stores and implement dealers. Lay out and build the outer frame for the bale head before installing the spears. Once you have squared and welded the outer frame of the head, measure and mark the locations for the holes for the receiver sleeves equal distance from one another. Mark a clean two-inch circle for each sleeve. The sleeve is slightly less than two inches. Cut right on the line and this will give you enough gap to easily insert the sleeve, allowing you room to square up the spears and give you a void for good weld penetration. Next, determine the location for the two vertical load-bearing frame members where your loader arms and tilt cylinders will connect to the hay head. Measure the width of your loader arms and tilt cylinders. Weld these members in place. Today, quick-attach kits are available for all major loaders. It is worth the time and money to use this system to attach your loader if you anticipate switching from the hay head to a bucket or other attachment in the future. These brackets are available through all major loader dealers. Weld the female quick-attach brackets to the vertical load bearing members of your new bale-spear hay head and you are ready to attach the head to your loader. The time and materials invested in building your own bale-spear loader head, customized to your needs and expectations, will pay you back for years to come. GN Michael Thomas operates Thomas Ranch along with family near Salmon, Idaho. Contact him at: Thomasranch@centurytel.net

THE MARKETS

Market message: time to cut production The market will bounce back temporarily, but producers should consider liquidating cows MARKET UPDATE Jerry Klassen

estern Canadian cattle prices have been quite volatile over the past month. Alberta fed cattle prices climbed higher for seven weeks in a row from late November through the first week of January. Alberta packer bids rose from $147 to highs of $167 during this time. The finished market appeared to divorce from the live cattle futures; however, weaker fundamentals weighed on the price structure in mid-January, causing Alberta packers to lower their bids. U.S. first- and second-quarter beef production is expected to finish above earlier projections due to the sharp year-over-year increase in placement numbers in the latter half of 2017. Changes in beef demand have also contributed to the rollercoaster market. U.S. beef demand moves through a seasonal high in November and December. From December through January, beef demand experiences a monthover-month decline of about 10 per cent.

Feeder cattle prices made fresh 52-week highs in mid-December. When auction barns opened the second week of January, feeder cattle prices were down about $10 from three weeks earlier. Feedlot margins have been hovering around $120 per head but it appears that lower fed cattle prices in the deferred positions will cause profitability to erode. Generally speaking, feedlot operators buy as many cattle as possible by midDecember. Therefore, demand for replacement cattle are saturated in January and only improves in midFebruary, once feedlots liquidate a significant volume of fall-placed yearlings. It’s not uncommon for the feeder market to experience a softer tone in January. In central Alberta, 850-pound larger-frame Charolais steers were quoted at $202 in mid-December. In early January, similar-quality cattle were trading around $188. The year-over-year increase in the Canadian slaughter pace along with the year-over-year increase in fed cattle exports to the U.S. has drained market-ready supplies in Western Canada. Feedlots are fairly current with production with carcass weights running below year-ago levels. The function of the Alberta fed

market is to ration demand by trading at a premium to U.S. prices. This is why the Alberta market has divorced from the live cattle futures and the U.S. cash market in the Southern Plains. In the U.S., feedlot placements consecutively came in sharply above year-ago levels throughout the fall. This will result in a larger U.S. slaughter pace for the first half of 2018. The USDA has increased its first- and second-quarter beef production estimates. I’m estimating first-quarter beef production to even be higher than the USDA estimate by 140 million pounds. The second-quarter production is expected experience a year-overyear increase of 670 million pounds. This is a fairly bearish scenario for the quarter. In Canada, I’m expecting the second-quarter production to be similar to year-ago levels so the Canadian market will maintain a premium over the U.S. prices. The U.S. fed cattle market is expected to trend lower in the second quarter.

POST-CHRISTMAS SLOWDOWN It is important to realize that awayfrom-home food spending during January is usually about 10 per cent

below the previous December. Food spending increases in March and early April. This surge in demand usually causes the cattle market to make a seasonal high in March. Demand stays relatively flat in the spring and early summer. August and September are also periods of seasonal low beef demand. The fed cattle market is experiencing larger than expected production and seasonal low demand. Weakness in the live cattle futures has spilled over into the feeder market, making it difficult for cow-calf producers and backgrounding operators to buy price insurance or implement any type of risk management strategy. I’ve advised cow-calf producers and backgrounding operators that they do not want to be holding feeder cattle past the middle of March. Remember, it’s a futures market. Traders are discerning the fundamentals in the deferred months and this can overhang the market in the nearby delivery positions. This is the second reason the cash market in Western Canada has maintained a strong premium over the futures market. Feedlot margins are expected to remain positive into March, which

should sustain the price of replacements. In the second quarter, feedlot margins will erode and by September and October, margins will have hovered in negative territory for about six months and there will be significant equity erosion in the feedlot sector. The U.S. cattle herd will continue to expand and supplies will be extremely burdensome south of the border. The cattle market needs to discourage production and encourage the cow-calf operator to liquidate cows. This usually causes the feeder market to overextend to the downside. I’m extremely bearish on the feeder cattle market for next fall. The feeder cattle futures market tends to experience a seasonal bounce in March and this will be the time for cow-calf producers to buy price insurance on their fall marketings. This is not the year to wait for higher prices or better opportunities. GN Jerry Klassen is manager of the Canadian office for Swiss-based grain trader GAP SA Grains and Products Ltd. With a strong farming background, he is also president and founder of Resilient Capital, a specialist in commodity futures trading and commodity market analysis. He can be reached at 204 504 8339.

cattleman's corner

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Topic Better heading Bunks and Pastures

Proper diets take a bite out of wind chill When temperatures dip, it’s time to torque up the ration

Peter Vitti

eef cow diets developed at the beginning of winter when temperatures were mild are not adequate to meet their energy requirements when new year’s winds blow. That’s because pregnant beef cows need extra calories in order to keep warm, rather than burning up fat reserves needed for the upcoming calving season. Therefore, if it is suspected that your cows need an energy boost to their feeding program, now is the time to do it. As the photo shows, I know of one 200-cow-calf producer that provides better feed so his cows are in good body condition for calving during the first week of February. He often jokes that his cows are too skinny, but he knows the true value of supplying enough dietary energy to his mature cows, so they maintain a BCS of 2.52.75 (thin = 1, and 5 = obese) by calving time, while his replacement heifers calve out at a little better BCS of 3.0. Despite cold weather, he also takes into account with a growing fetus (and placenta), the cow herd’s energy requirements are also up about 25 per cent and protein needs increased by 10-15 per cent compared to the start of the winter. We both believe that nothing can strip body condition (cow’s energy fat reserves) off a gestating cow like frigid wind chill values setting over the prairies without dietary energy compensation. Cattle, like human-beings, experience wind chill temperatures, which encompass both ambient air temperature, humidity and wind speed. That combination of cold, when passing over the animal, draws heat energy away at a specific rate — the lower the wind chill, the higher the rate of heat loss. For example, air temperature (40 per cent humidity) of -12 C with a windspeed of 40 kph yields a wind chill of -34 C. It draws more heat away from an unprotected standing cow in an open field than compared to -25 C under still skies. In this simple case, related factors mitigate wind chill such as sunlight exposure, whether it is snowing or freezing rain, fog (humidity), or wind direction as well as cow condition (re: BCS — fat insulation, health and hair coat). When I make changes to my “wind chill” feeding programs, I use a research-proven rule of thumb as follows: for every 1 C drop in temperature below 0 C, the beef cows’ TDN energy maintenance requirements are increased by about two per cent. This means if our above early morning wind chill temperature is -25 C, there is an increase of about 50 per cent in the cows’ basic dietary energy needs. On a practical basis, this can be as simple as increasing the energy density of their diets by feeding higherquality forage and/or some extra grain during the coldest time of winter.

To help determine when extra forage and grain should be fed, the following table outlines a sample feeding guide dependent upon the wind chill conditions to which most cow herds are often exposed: When I put this table together, I assumed that the cow herd was exposed to prolonged periods of cold weather and thus achieved a state of acclimatization. That means maintenance metabolic rate increases in

order to divert more dietary energy to maintain vital body temperature. This physiological change of lategestation cows requires about 5.06.0 kg of TDN per head per day. I also assumed medium quality hay of 50-55 per cent TDN and heavy barley of 75 per cent TDN is fed. Last, a well-balanced 2:1 mineral (and vitamins) is provided as loose mineral at the rate of 70-100 g per head per day.

Here’s to the

FARMER “My family started working this land in 1891. Today, I’m proud to continue our farming tradition with my dad, brother and sister. Our farm is part of a great industry, and I want the world to know it. My name is Katelyn Duncan and I grow lentils, canola and durum.” From all of us at FCC, thanks for making Canadian agriculture so amazing.

#HeresToCdnAg

fcc.ca

FEBRUARY 13

This exercise is a good testimonial that producers should save their better-quality forage (re: energy and protein) for midwinter’s coldest months and forgo feeding a lot of straw or low-quality forages, which may not meet the cows’ increased energy requirements despite heavy grain supplementation. See Proper diets on page 42 

cattleman's corner

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Rancher’s Diary

Deer cash in on cattle feed Heather Smith Thomas

DECEMBER 26 A week ago today Michael and Nick worked setting more posts on the new fence most of the day, and I fed them lunch. When I did chores and fed the horses that evening, I still had a tarp over the exposed loads of hay at the end of my hay shed, and had to go up under the tarp to roll some bales down. The two rows of stacked hay have a gap between them, and I’m always careful to not slip and fall down that crack when I’m up on the stack. I stepped across the crack to get another bale and when I started rolling it down the bale caught on the tarp and lurched sideways, pushing me backward into that crack. One leg went down between the bales. As I fell backward, my leg was caught and twisted and I was hanging there, with excruciating pain in my knee. It took a moment to extricate myself and tumble on down off the stack. Nothing broke, but the sudden sideways jerk on my knee must have partially torn a ligament. I finished my chores slowly, trying not to move the knee very much. It’s not quite so sore now. Using DMSO, ice and wrapping it for a few

days helped, and I can tolerate hobbling around carefully to do my chores. The day after I injured my knee, we brought our cows down from the upper place and put them in the field and hill pasture by Andrea’s house where there’s still some grass. Michael started feeding hay to their cows. We bought chains for Michael’s skid steer so he and Nick could finish driving posts for our new fence. Snow on the hillside next to the road made it too slippery to maneuver, and they needed chains. We celebrated Christmas at Andrea’s house with her kids, and Emily and Robert.

JANUARY 5 We had more cold weather and snow after Christmas. Jim helped Lynn put chains on the tractor so we can get around with it to load bales. Then it warmed up for a few days and the cows were able to keep grazing on the big hill by Andrea’s house. The white-tail deer started pawing through the net wrap on the round bales by the horse pens. When Lynn went to town on Thursday he got salt for the cows, a tarp for the hay on the feed truck (so the deer won’t eat it) and two big rolls of plastic mesh to protect our haystack. Michael took the shoes off Sprout and Dottie for me. My knee is still too

Photo: Heather Smith Thomas

Cold, then freezing rain, then snow over ice — winter brings it all

Dozens of deer are eating hay in the field and feeders.

sore to do any work with their feet. While he was here, we gave him the belated Christmas gifts to take to Canada for young Heather, Gregory and baby Joseph. Jim and Charlie dug some unfrozen dirt out of the big piles in Shiloh’s pen to put in large buckets to haul around in Jim’s pickup and spread over the worst icy spots in the driveway. Tuesday was very cold, so we started feeding hay to the cows. The big alfalfa bale on the feed truck was frozen and we used an axe to break it apart. The creek ice is froze nearly solid again and we’re breaking ice daily so the cattle can drink. Michael, Carolyn and Carolyn’s mom left early that morning to drive to Saskatchewan to spend several days visiting young Heather and family.

JANUARY 17 We had warmer weather for nearly 10 days. Last Tuesday night it rained and froze, leaving a half-inch of ice on

everything I found the “chains” for my boots and put them on, so I wouldn’t fall down doing chores. Even the horses had trouble moving around in their pens without slipping and sliding. Lynn wasn’t able to find his boot chains so I did his chores (feeding the bulls in the back pen). The next morning we needed to move some big bales and load straw bales for Michael, so Jim and I helped Lynn get across our very slippery driveway to get to the tractor. That night it snowed, with about five inches of new snow, making it impossible to see where the worst icy places are, so I’m glad for my boot chains. Saturday we brought the cows down from the field (very slowly and carefully with the slippery footing) following the feed truck. Andrea’s kids helped; we sorted off the pregnant heifers and a couple of the thinnest young second calvers and then vaccinated them all. Carolyn vaccinated, Dani pushed cows along the runway and into the squeeze chute, Sam ran the tailgate and squeeze after Andrea caught their heads, I filled the dipper with the proper amount of delousing product for each cow, and Charlie carefully spread the delouser along each cow’s back from head to tail. We put the cows back to the field by Andrea’s house where we’re feeding them alfalfa and free-choice straw, and took the heifer group to heifer hill

to eat free choice round bales (grassalfalfa) in feeders until we bring them all down in late March to calve. The white-tail deer are fenced out of our haystacks, truck but dozens of them are eating hay in the field and feeders with the cows and heifers! I’m glad my knee is healing and not as painful now, and Andrea’s broken ankle is healing. We are able to keep doing our work! GN Heather Smith Thomas is a longtime Grainews columnist who ranches with her husband Lynn near Salmon, Idaho. Contact her at 208-756-2841

Editor’s Note: Look what Heather and Lynn Thomas got started. The granddaughter of the long-time Idaho ranching couple is now farming in Saskatchewan. Heather (senior) has been a writer and columnist (Rancher’s Diary) for Grainews for more than 30 years. And now with this issue, her granddaughter, Heather C. Eppich is starting a column about the life of a young family starting out in the farming business near Handel, in southcentral Sask., west of Biggar. The saga unfolds in The Eppich News.

The Eppich News

We are the Eppichs Young farm couple starting from scratch in the cattle and horse business By Heather C. Eppich

Photos: Heather Eppich

ello! We are Gregory and Heather Eppich. I, Heather, grew up on the family ranch in Salmon, Idaho and Gregory grew up on the family farm in Handel, Saskatchewan. We got married July 23, 2016 and I moved to Handel. We have a small organic farm, a few cows and horses and a Border collie/Lab named Dude. We have six Hereford cows and two bred heifers. We purchased a “good used Angus bull” in December 2016. We couldn’t afford a young bull with our cow numbers. We’re hoping to buy five more bred Hereford heifers this year. And then somehow we have 14 horses. The horses? Well, Gregory had three and I brought five up from Salmon. The rest we seem to have acquired. We went to a farm auction sale this last August with hopes of bringing home one nice stallion. Instead we came home with three stallions, a mare and foal, and an old gelding. I guess the plan for “one” somehow got expanded to “one halfdozen.” With his dad’s help to work the land, Gregory leased three quarters

Gregory, Heather and young Thomas Eppich are in the farming (and horse) business together.

from a neighbour and put in his first crop on the fifth day of the fifth month of 2005. Slowly, he started buying his own equipment and purchasing his own land. We now own four quarters. Now there are two Eppich farms with homes side-byside. The work is done side-by-side too, with Gregory’s parents helping us and us helping them. The two

farms are practically one when it comes to seeding, harvesting, and working summerfallow. Though our farm is small, we don’t have any immediate plans to expand the grain land. God only made so much land and with land prices as high as they are we are looking to diversify instead. We are working to slowly build up a cow

herd by purchasing a few bred heifers every year and keeping the best of our own. Horses are in my blood and Gregory is very supportive so we also plan to raise a few horses, some for our own use and some to sell. We bought a quarter of poor grain land in 2016 and we hope to utilize its full natural potential as a pasture. When we bought the land there was no fence, no water and no grass. Perfect pastureland right? And so off to work we went. Gregory seeded it to grass with a barley cover crop. We had practically no snow cover over the winter in 2016, however, and some of it winterkilled. We left it alone this last year to see if it would seed itself and in the spring Gregory will broadcast more grass seed if needed. We haven’t got a fence around it yet, but we did buy some lightly used fenceposts from a retired feedlot a few hours south of us. Hopefully we can get them in the ground this summer. The water problem we did fix. This last December we hired an excavator to dig a dugout next to an existing slough. There’s water already in the bottom. With the spring runoff we hope never to see the bottom of that dugout again. While we’re working on our pasture

we have leased the neighbour’s pasture. Gregory and I have been working hard together since we got married but our greatest accomplishment came in a small, fragile form. On April 29, 2017 we were blessed with a healthy baby boy, Joseph Michael Eppich. Joseph is named after both his grandpas: Gregory’s dad, John Joseph Eppich, and my dad, Michael James Thomas. Joseph Michael got a chance to enjoy this last year’s harvest from his car seat in the combine. He put in a lot of hours taking the crop off, for such a little guy. He’s a farmer in the making! This winter has been hard on the animals. We’ve had serious temperature changes, which make it hard to adjust to the cold temperatures. We’ve gone from -35 C to +2 C over the course of a few days. January was a month of feeding and bedding animals, and fixing and maintaining equipment. It was also a time for celebrating as Gregory’s dad celebrated his 72nd birthday on January 16. GN Heather Eppich, is a young, former Idaho ranch kid, building a new farm and family with her husband and young son, near Handel, Sask. Contact her at: h.t.horsemanship@gmail.com

cattleman's corner

GRAINEWS.CA / FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Animal Health

Dealing with contracted or lax leg tendons In many cases, time and a bit of physiotherapy will fix the condition

t is not uncommon during calving season for producers to end up with calves with contracted tendons (knuckling over) or the complete opposite — cases of lax tendons whereby the back of the fetlock is touching the ground. Although it is difficult to prevent these abnormalities, fortunately they only occur sporadically. Even so it is important to know how to manage them successfully and when to intervene. Generally the knuckling over we see occurs in bigger raw-boned calves or weaker calves (twins). Whether it is lack of room in the uterus or simply long bones that have grown faster

than the tendons, calves will knuckle over (especially on the front legs). This occurs in varying degrees from slight knuckling to those where the fetlock is bent over at 90 degrees. The tendency for many producers is to splint these or have them cast. My experience is that most will get stronger with time if left. Some physiotherapy in the form of physically extending the toe to stretch the tendon will do some good. Casts or splints immobilize the area well, but don’t allow it to strengthen. To encourage healing of contracted tendons on their own, keep the calf area well bedded and be ever-vigilant of pressure sores developing on the front of the fetlock from rubbing as the calf walks. If this occurs a protective padded bandage needs to be applied. Every time you see the calf, help place the foot in the natural posi-

tion and over time in 95 per cent of the cases the problem will resolve. Another problem with splints is pressure sores can develop and movement is greatly restricted. This restriction may make it hard for the calf to stand or suckle, predisposing it to other infectious problems. The front of the toes can be rasped a bit so long as they do not continually catch on the ground. This tips the toes in the right direction and with time and exercise the condition often reverses. In foals with contracted tendons tetracycline antibiotics are given intravenously. The theory is the antibiotics bind up the calcium, reducing the growth of the long bones, allowing the tendons to catch up. See lax leg tendons on page 42 

Photo: Roy Lewis

ANIMAL HEALTH Roy Lewis

Contracted tendons (knuckling over) in front legs will often repair itself over time

Grow informed.

With the new web series: AGGronomyTV

AgCanada.com is proud to present this new informative web video series. AGGronomyTV is a series of videos that covers today’s top issues related to soil management and crop production. Video topics include: New Seeding Technology  Tire Performance  4R Stewardship  Growing Soybeans 

Crop Suitability for NW Saskatchewan  Plus more… 

Scan the code or visit the website for more information

www.agcanada.com/aggronomytv