Farm Forum Fall 2017

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RED SHED MALTING No guts, no glory for this Alberta upstart

Technology

Business

Production

Farm Life

Breakthrough tech takes plant breeding to new heights

It’s all about the soil for these OYF winners

Make your fungicide investment count

Delegates share experiences at global 4-H conference

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farm forum / fall 2017

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

Red Shed Malting No guts, no glory for this Alberta upstart /6 photo: genesis studio

features

farm life

technology

Editor's Note / 4 Test your clubroot knowledge / 22 Monitor weather conditions to avoid spray drift / 24

Delegates share 4-H experience at global conference / 11

business

Fall and winter seed treating / 28

It's all about the soil for these OYF winners / 16

Breakthrough tech takes plant breeding to new heights / 13

production

Make your fungicide investment count / 26

FARMFORUM.CA / fa ll 201 7

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Publisher Bayer CropScience Inc. Editor Sherry Warner

— Sherry

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FA R M FO R U M .C A / FALL 2017

Design/Production Glacier FarmMedia LP Farm Forum is published seasonally by Bayer CropScience Inc. Contact Farm Forum at: Bayer CropScience Inc. Suite 130 160 Quarry Park Blvd. SE Calgary, AB T2C 3G3 T. 1 888-283-6847 F. 1 888-570-9378 E. farmforum@bayer.com www.cropscience.bayer.ca Contents of this publication are copyrighted and may be reproduced only with written permission of the publisher, Bayer CropScience Inc. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Publications Mail Agreement Number 40743517 Registered in Canada Copyright 2017 Website www.farmforum.ca Return undeliverable copies to: Bayer CropScience Inc. Suite 130 160 Quarry Park Blvd. SE Calgary, AB T2C 3G3

photo: genesis studio

I

n today’s political climate where science and ideology seem to be more at odds than ever, I’m with Bill Nye when he says, “Science is the key to our future, and if you don’t believe in science, then you’re holding everybody back.”

Advances in science and technology are extremely important to any industry including agriculture. Just ask Derek and Tannis Axten, the 2017 Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program award winners for Saskatchewan. The two are constantly learning the ins and outs of soil science to ensure a solid foundation for their crops, which they believe is key to a sustainable future.

On their farm near Minton, SK, the Axtens are always looking for new ways to improve the health of their soil — from creating special compost recipes to use as fertilizer to growing more than one crop in the same field.

Find out more about this OYF family in our story on page 16.

The latest plant breeding technology has been described as the “biggest biotech discovery of the century” by MIT Technology Review. It’s called Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, or CRISPR for short — a gene editing technology that allows plant breeders to target and modify specific, individual genes. In our story on page 13, discover some fascinating applications on the horizon for this new tech.

One issue that can become a real problem among rural neighbours is spray drift. In this issue’s weather story, Andrew Nadler, agricultural meteorologist, gives you the tools you’ll need to help prevent spray drift and maintain good neighbourly relations.

While you can’t control the weather, you can control when you spray.

And you can determine the best time to spray by observing various weather conditions — namely wind, temperature and relative humidity — and minimize the risk each poses to damage caused by spray drift. Turn to page 24 for more info.

A few issues back we introduced you to the concept of digital farming. In this issue we take a look at the Bayer Digital Farming team’s zone spraying technology that uses satellite imagery to help canola growers identify the best “zones” to spray fungicide to control sclerotinia. It also helps you get the most value from your fungicide dollar. For more on zone spraying, turn to page 26.

We couldn’t say no to covering a great success story, especially when it involves beer. From their farm near Penhold, AB, the Hamills produce base and specialty malt for Alberta’s thriving craft beer industry. Through this new business, Red Shed Malting, the Hamills found a profitable way to diversify their barley operation. Read about this dynamic family in our cover story on page 6.

Rounding out this issue is a story on the Global 4-H Network Summit held this past July in Ottawa, ON. The Summit gave delegates the opportunity to share their 4-H experience with others from around the world.

And finally, as clubroot continues to expand across western Canada, it’s time to find out more about this disease and the best ways to control it. Turn to page 22, to put your clubroot knowledge to the test.

As always, enjoy the read!

Contributors Jennifer Barber, Dianne Finstad, Andrew Nadler, Gerald Pilger, Clare Stanfield and Genesis Studio.

On the cover Brothers Joe (left) and Matt Hamill, along with their parents, John and Susie and Joe’s wife Daelyn, started Red Shed Malting as a way to diversify their farming operation and make the most of the 1,500 tonnes of barley they produce annually.

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-55-07/17-10788005-E

cover story

No guts no glory for this Alberta upstart

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By Clare Stanfield photos by genesis studio

T

he word “diversification” gets thrown around a lot in agriculture as farmers look to get more value from their raw products. And while farmers are independent business people simply through the nature of what they do, starting a business is a completely different kettle of fish.

That’s what the Hamills found out when they decided to put a malt house on their fourth generation farm near Penhold, AB. Their journey to build Red Shed Malting, a thriving value-added business, holds lessons for anyone thinking of diversifying.

Ideas born at the kitchen table Matt Hamill, his brother Joe, parents John and Susie and Joe’s wife, Daelyn, all played a role in the creation of Red Shed Malting, which began production in April 2016.

“We started planning a little more than three years ago,” says Matt. Joe was an avid home brewer at the time, which is why building a brewery was part of those early after-supper discussions around the kitchen table.

At the time, craft brewing had taken off in Alberta. Regulatory changes in 2013 removed minimum production limits and opened the floodgates for small breweries, which quadrupled in number by 2016. That momentum shows no signs of waning with roughly 30 new craft breweries opening in 2017, and more scheduled for 2018 and beyond. »

From their farm near Penhold, AB, brothers Joe (left) and Matt Hamill produce base and specialty malt for Alberta’s thriving craft beer industry.

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cover story

That kind of market is partly why the Hamills started thinking about malting the barley they grew rather than brewing. After all, those new breweries need to get their malt from somewhere, and the movement toward locally produced, traceable ingredients as part of many brewers’ branding efforts seemed tailor made for an Alberta family farm looking to add value.

Building is the easy part “There were a lot of different choices to be made,” says John Hamill. “For example, how big to start the operation.” On the advice of Kathy Bosse, a new venture specialist with Alberta Agriculture, the Hamills did a feasibility study to find out, among other things, how much specialty malt was being bought in Alberta — nearly all of it, by the way, imported from other countries.

It’s worth pausing here to explain that beer is made with two types of malt: base and specialty. Base malt is just that — it provides the base of fermentable sugars needed to make beer and comprises the bulk of a brew’s malt input. Specialty malts are used to give a beer its special character, providing colour and flavour, and are used in smaller quantities than base malts. A typical all-grain craft beer recipe, for example, may have 70 per cent base malt and 30 per cent specialty malt.

Right from the beginning, the Hamills were interested in making specialty malts so they researched what equipment they’d need, where to source it and how much it would cost, including the cost of building a malt house in half of John’s new (red, of course!) equipment shed.

But this wasn’t just a building job. Before a shovel went in the ground, Matt and Joe went to the Malt Academy at the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre in Winnipeg for specific training. The brothers also sought out Alberta craft brewers and industry experts to talk about what the industry wanted and needed. Those discussions along with market insight from the feasibility study helped with the decision on how big to build.

Having a great business idea is one thing; financing it takes some real fortitude. How did the Hamills get their heads wrapped around the capital outlay and the risks that entailed? “With great difficulty,” laughs John. “We had to keep it within a certain cost so that if it flopped, the farm could bail it out. It was extremely daunting!”

Fortunately, Matt works in agricultural banking, so he had a better idea than most about how the numbers would play out. It didn’t stop them going through those numbers again and again with a fine-toothed comb to make sure that the financial risk was manageable and worth the reward.

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Clockwise from top left: Red Shed’s malting house located on their farm near Penhold, AB; Employees from Red Deer’s Troubled Monk Brewery take a tour of Red Shed’s facilities; This steep tank is the first step in the malting process. Grain is put into the vessel with warm water that’s aerated to get the barley to start germinating.

Adjusting your mindset The malt house they built has the capacity to produce five tonnes of malt a week. That’s small potatoes when you consider that the Rahr Malting plant in Alix, AB, about 45 minutes northeast of the Hamill farm, produces around 2,700 tonnes per week.

Even so, they knew there was a market for their product, but selling to that market required a whole new set of skills. “It’s a big challenge,” says John. “When you’re growing grain there’s always a buyer.

When you’re selling malt, you have to find a buyer and that means establishing relationships.” And that requires a decent amount of travel away from the farm, face-to-face meetings, lots of discussion, offering samples etc.

One of Red Shed’s early wins was going into Edmonton’s Alley Kat Brewing Company with samples. The successful craft brewery started to work on a recipe with Red Shed’s malt right away, says Matt.

Currently, 22 Alberta craft breweries are now using Red Shed malt regularly in their operations. Not bad at all for under two years in business!

And Red Shed is already branching out. With an increasing interest in how a specific malt barley variety can affect beer flavour, it’s also started to make some single variety base malts, for which there is some demand.

Being a price maker is an interesting mind shift, too. Red Shed specialty malts are priced a bit higher than imported competitors and it’s something the Hamills have wrestled with. “It’s a lot of worry to get our sales up there where we want them to be and keep them there,” says John. “And that’s really a different thing to have to think about.”

“We’ve always been challenged with finding the right price,” says Matt, explaining that while Red Shed can produce five tonnes of malt a week, it’s done five 22.7 kg bags at a time, which is the full capacity of the roaster. Ultimately, this is where Red Shed’s ability to custom malt, as well as being local and traceable, have to become sellable features, which circles back to the importance of relationship building.

(Top left) This is the germination/kiln room that turns barley into malt before it heads to the roaster. (Top right) Joe chats to the guys from Troubled Monk Brewery during a tour of the malt house. (Bottom left) Red Shed malt samples to taste. Finished malt is really dry and crunchy while some of the lighter malts are really nutty.

It never stops The whole family is committed to making Red Shed Malting a success.

Joe works full time in the malt house, Matt looks after sales and deliveries, John produces the barley (about 1,500 tonnes of malt a year, 200 of which goes to their own malt house), Susie does the books and Daelyn handles social media. So far, only Joe is taking a wage. »

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cover story

(Top) Matt talks with employees of Troubled Monk Brewery during their tour. (Right) Pictured here is the malt roaster.

Depending on the desired traits of the malt, roasting can take anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours at temperatures ranging from 72 C to 230 C. This is the last stage in the malting process, which produces Red Shed specialty malt such as Biscuit, Amber or Chocolate.

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Matt is constantly touring small groups of brewers through the malt house to show them what Red Shed can offer. A group of agricultural journalists were through in June and left eager to write stories. Open Farm Days in August offered an opportunity to tour wider audiences, because part of creating demand is encouraging consumers to ask their local brewers about the malt in their beer. All tours begin with a professional video telling the story of Red Shed and include tasting some of the malt produced there.

It’s going well, really well. But John, Matt and Joe are still putting in crazy hours and still learning. “You always hear how hard it is to start a business, how much time it takes,” says Matt. “But I sure underestimated it. And you’d think I should know better, working in a bank and helping entrepreneurs!”

“It’s just such a steep learning curve,” says John. “Malting barley on this scale, in this way — there are no real resources out there to tell you how, so you just have to figure it out.

You change one small thing in the malt process and that changes everything down the line and you think, ‘Oh, I just learned another lesson.’”

For John, a pleasant surprise of the whole venture is seeing how well everyone works together as a family. “One of the reasons I got into this was the boys were so interested in it,” says John. “Matt is very good on the business end, and Joe just loves being in the malt house. I look at the farm, too.

The price of land is getting up there, it’s hard to find land to rent, equipment is expensive and succession planning is difficult. I see this malt house as part of the succession plan.

It’s a way to stay together.” FF

FARM LIFE

Delegates share 4-H experience at global conference

By Jennifer Barber

F

or someone who bleeds 4-H green, the opportunity to meet like-minded people from around the globe who share the same passion was too good to pass up. For Emily Letendre, who has participated at every level of 4-H, from club to national, that chance to share her experiences at the Global 4-H Network Summit is one she will never forget.

“It was such an exciting opportunity and I was so pleased to be chosen as one of less than a dozen participants from Saskatchewan,” says Letendre. “I am passionate about 4-H and it was amazing to get the chance to speak with people from so many different cultures, and to get a broader understanding of what 4-H means to people in different cultures.”

With attendance by more than 600 people from 27 countries, the Global 4-H Network Summit was truly an international event. The second summit of its kind was held in mid-July in Ottawa, Ontario, where 4-H youth, volunteers and professionals came together to network with one another, share experiences and discuss the role for 4-H globally going forward.

“This summit was an incredible opportunity for 4-H members to connect to talk about issues that are common among them and about the things that make them unique,” says Jennifer Christie, event chair at Global 4-H Network Summit. “It was quite the feat to bring such a diverse group together. The event has grown significantly since our first Summit three years ago in Seoul, South Korea. Now we are able welcome more groups, from emerging economies, such as those in Africa, that showcase the potential of 4-H.” Internationally, a board of directors made of up representatives from the five global regions govern the Global 4-H Network, which consists of over 70 independent, country-led 4-H programs.

While in Canada 4-H involvement is extracurricular, in countries like Kenya it is

Bayer summer student and 4-H ambassador, Faith Stewart, help a 4-H delegate get ready to experience Bayer’s 360 Digital Farming Zone Spray video.

part of the school curriculum. In the U.S., which has the largest 4-H contingent, citybased clubs are starting to gain momentum, with increased focus on new technologies, food and the environment.

4-H is ingrained in the history of rural Canada, with a focus on farming and ranching. But as more people move away from rural areas, the organization is reinventing itself to offer leadership skills, public speaking opportunities and community building — things 4-H is known for — to youth across Canada. And this focus on expansion is working. After years of declining membership, 4-H Canada added 600 new members in 2016.

The conference was modelled around the four “pillars” of 4-H Canada: Community Engagement and Communications, Science and Technology, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, and The Environment and Healthy Living. As a long-time partner

of 4-H, Bayer sponsored the science and technology day, welcoming presentations and panel discussions all with a focus on scientific exploration.

“The science and technology day fits well into our mandate of “science for a better life,” says Paul Thiel, VP product development and regulatory science for Bayer. “Supporting youth in this area is one of many things we have in common with 4-H and that’s part of the reason we have been partners for many years. We are advocates for modern agriculture to both our rural and urban audiences and we are pleased we had the chance to show that to 4-H members on that day.”

“As an organization, Bayer works to foster innovation, so it was a natural fit,” adds Christie. “The science and tech day provided participants the opportunity to learn best practices to demonstrate science in our everyday lives, from the kitchen to

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FARM LIFE the backyard,” she explained. “Participants were encouraged to participate in handson workshops, learned how to use the scientific method and discovery model and explored how science will enhance agriculture into the future.”

Letendre participated in the clinics and events, and also spoke during the science and technology day to share her experience in the 4-H National Science Fair. Her project studied the effects of oregano on chickens — to determine if adding oregano to feed could reduce ammonia in the air and salmonella in the feces, creating a safer work environment. She says that her experience with 4-H helped develop her comfort level speaking in front of crowds and also in engaging people on a more personal level.

“I spoke with people who are working on scientific projects of all manner,” she says. “There are so many unique ideas out there that help all aspects of agriculture, and even those who are using 4-H to help them pursue other interests. As an animal biology science major at the University of Saskatchewan, I have seen my ideas tested at the university level and my goal is to move it from a 4-H project to a PhD level one. At the conference I was able to see what others were doing and to share ideas and input.”

Bayer employees also participated in a showcase panel that discussed different perspectives. Sesh Iyengar, director

Paul Thiel (top), VP product development and regulatory science for Bayer, welcomes delegates to the Global 4-H Network Summit held this July in Ottawa, ON. (Bottom photo) Komie Hossini, Bayer communications business partner (pictured far right) hosts a panel discussion with Canadian YouthAg Summit alumni Bruce Sargent, Ally Barnable and Mathieu Rouleau.

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regulatory science, talked about Bayer’s experience in science and technology programming as a passionate proponent of science fairs. Komie Hossini, communications business partner with Bayer hosted a session that discussed Bayer’s Youth Ag-Summit, which has been held in Calgary, Australia and will next be in Brussels. Mary Compton, regulatory affairs coordinator, discussed how Bayer’s mentorship program helped her with her career and what mentorship could mean for younger employees going forward.

Hands-on workshops were tailored to either youth or professional audiences, all with the 4-H idea of “learning to do by doing” behind them. “I think events such as these will bring in youth from all types of communities to see the impact they can make — whether that be in food safety, technology or even cooking,” says Thiel.

“There is also tremendous value in allowing Canadian members to see how youth, agriculture and science interact around the world, and for us to share our experience.”

The next Global 4-H Network Summit will take place in 2020 in Tanzania. The location was chosen to represent the growth in 4-H throughout Africa, and to continue to encourage youth participation in the coming years. The organization hopes to make an even bigger impact going forward and to help equip newer countries with the tools they need to understand the benefits of strong youth involvement. FF

technology

Breakthrough tech takes plant breeding to new heights

By Gerald Pilger

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PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

t’s been described as the “biggest biotech discovery of the century”

by MIT Technology Review and the “breakthrough of the year”

by Science magazine. And its developers have already won the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, which honours “transformative advances made toward understanding living systems and extending human life.”

The tech is called Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, or CRISPR for short. It is a gene editing technology that is expected to revolutionize many areas of life, including agriculture. Huge investments are being made by plant breeders and seed companies for rights to use the technology. »

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technology

Chinese scientists have used CRISPR to create a strain of wheat that's resistant to powdery mildew. A U.S. company is testing drought-resistant corn and wheat strains

Crops modified by CRISPR are already in the pipeline and may be available to commercial producers in some countries within the next few years.

CRISPR may even replace the genetic engineering techniques that gave the world GMO plants and foods. When asked if gene editing (of which CRISPER is one process) is a better technology than GMO, Dr. Dean Bushey, global regulatory manager for research at Bayer in Raleigh, North Carolina, says that gene editing is more efficient. “Gene editing enables scientists to make specific, targeted deletion, edits or insertions to the plant genome and know what will happen. It allows more precise changes to the plant.”

Bushey describes gene editing as a natural progression in plant breeding. He explains how early farmers selected seed for the next crop by saving the seed from the biggest and best plants. Better scientific methods led to plant crossbreeding to achieve desired traits.

Most recently, transgenic insertions and genetic modification have been used to introduce new traits in plants such as herbicide and insect resistance. Today’s CRISPER technology allows breeders to target and modify specific, individual genes.

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“Gene editing is the next evolution in plant breeding,” says Bushey.

So just what is CRISPR? Simply put, the use of CRISPR technology in plant breeding could be compared to the way a modern word processor allows writers to edit their work. Historically, when handwritten scrolls were the only available medium, making a mistake or any changes meant the entire scroll would have to be replaced. With the introduction of type, new information could be added or corrections made by rewriting only a portion of a book or newspaper. But even a small change meant re-typesetting the entire page in question before sending it to press.

Today, word processors allow writers to quickly and cleanly edit text by simply placing the cursor where they want to type in new copy, insert or delete a single letter, word or series of words, and even add effects, like italics and bullet points, to achieve the desired result before publication.

CRISPR works in a very similar way. If plant scientists can identify which gene (or genes) is responsible for regulating plant growth under drought conditions, for example, CRISPR allows them to target that

specific gene and delete a gene segment, or edit it by enhancing or decreasing the action of that gene, or even insert a new section of DNA to make the plant more drought tolerant.

Instead of growing thousands of plants under drought conditions and hoping to find one that is more tolerant, CRISPR raises the bar so that all plants tested have more drought tolerance to begin with. However, Bushey points out that plant breeders still have to screen the offspring plants to make sure the changes they made to the genome does not impact any other growth factors, or that they don’t overlook other genes that may impact drought tolerance.

Bushey predicts the biggest initial benefit from CRISPR will be a hugely expanded pool of scientific knowledge. “We are going to learn a lot more about plants,” he says.

“Plants have 20,000 to 30,000 genes and CRISPR will help us understand what each gene does.”

Still, this technology will provide measurable, tangible benefits for farmers.

Bushey points out that instead of taking 10 to 12 years to bring a new trait to market, it could be achieved in five or six years. It will lower costs of research and development and

enable many more researchers and breeders to produce more new and better products.

There are already new advances on the horizon. Chinese scientists have used CRISPR to create a strain of wheat that’s resistant to powdery mildew. A U.S. company is testing drought-resistant corn and wheat strains. A new variety of corn is being grown which has unique starch properties. A new canola variety has been developed with a different mode of herbicide resistance. Penn State has created a non-browning mushroom. All of these developments have been done without transgenics, allowing the new plants to be classified as non-GMO. CRISPR is also being tested in rice, soybeans, potatoes, sorghum, oranges and tomatoes. Livestock producers are not being left out. In Scotland, CRISPR induced changes have given hogs resistance to a hemorrhagic virus. The technology has also been used to develop hornless dairy cows.

we run the same risk with CRISPR that happened with GMOs. A lack of knowledge about this technology, as well as a lack of acknowledgement and clarity by regulatory agencies around CRISPR could prevent farmers and consumers from reaping the benefits it offers agriculture.

We need to learn a lesson from the introduction of GMOs that transparency is vital. Farmers need to understand and share the benefits CRISPR offers and how, by using this new technology, they can provide consumers with more, better and cheaper foods in the future.

Farmers need to proactively explain to consumers what they are doing and why.

Regulation matters Unfortunately, science is proceeding faster than regulation, or demand by consumers, for this new technology. As an industry,

Farmers and researchers need to show that CRISPR derived products have been achieved through a process that mirrors the way nature changes the genome. All this must be done without making CRISPR developed plants and food products a special class.

Fortunately, this is the way CRISPR is currently being judged by regulatory bodies in North America. But this definition is under review, so now is the time farmers need to look at this technology, decide what it can offer, then tell researchers and regulators what they want this technology to do rather than simply accepting what is offered. FF

Further reading about CRISPR CRISPR Applications in Plants www.farmforum.ca/CRISPRapplications Dirt to Dinner, Food Matters, CRISPR article: www.farmforum.ca/dirttodinner-CRISPR CRISPR: A new toolbox for better crops www.farmforum.ca/CRISPRforbettercrops B:8.375” T:8.125” S:7.625”

I will not limit my potential, cut corners or compromise on quality. I will do things right the first time. I will work tirelessly to achieve my goals.

I will make my farm a true reflection of me. cropscience.bayer.ca

@Bayer4CropsCA

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For 2017 trial results visit InVigorResults.ca FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 201 6

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BUSINESS

It's all about the soil for these OYF winners

By Dianne Finstad

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A Derek and Tannis Axten with their two children, Brock (11) and Kate (13) at their farm in Minton, SK.

ny good farm business needs a firm foundation. Derek and Tannis Axten looked to the ground beneath their feet, literally, to begin building what they’re confident, is a sustainable future.

The Axtens, who were selected as Saskatchewan’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program award winners for 2017, operate a century farm at Minton, just north of the U.S. border. To help spread out drought risk, they also farm land at Milestone, some seventy miles away. All together, that amounts to 5,500 cropped acres.

It’s hard to describe them simply as grain farmers; it might be more accurate to call them soil farmers. Their approach to production involves a wide range of crops, often planted simultaneously. Being in a dry region

of southern Saskatchewan adds an extra challenge.

But always, their focus is on what’s best for what they consider their most important resource: the soil.

The 2017 drought really put the Axtens’ approach to soil health to the test. The low-input, intercropping, no-till techniques they’ve adopted over the last five years seem to be up to the challenge.

In the spring of 2006, the family became one of the first in the area to search for a no-till drill. When shopping for it took them to South Dakota, the dealer assumed they’d come to see soil guru, Dr. Dwayne Beck, of the Dakota Lakes Research Farm.

While that wasn’t the case then, the Axtens did their homework and the next year Derek made the first of what would become many visits to Dr. Beck at his facility, visits which ultimately changed the course of their farming. »

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BUSINESS Initially impressed by the moisture absorption of the soil in South Dakota, Derek began what would become a life-long learning journey into the fascinating world of soil science. On one tour he saw two farm fields across the road from one another that were dramatically different in their soil function because of the way they’d been managed. The Olds College graduate was soon convinced it was time to start trying new practices at home.

At the time, Tannis was a busy mom looking after two kids, plus doing the farm books and substitute teaching. “Until you see something, it doesn’t have the same effect,” she says. “Doing the books was when I really started getting curious.”

What caught her eye was a gradual reduction in input costs. Seeing Derek’s enthusiasm about the people he was meeting led her to join the tours and learning path. Then she began to really put her biology background to good use, and now does the majority of the farm’s soil testing and composting work. “When I found out I got to buy a microscope, that was my exciting moment,” she laughs. “It changes everything to look at what’s actually in your soil.”

“When we started looking at our soils under the microscope it made it real,” says Derek. “It’s a broken system. The real challenge for us now is to restore its

functionality.” One of the key changes on the thirdgeneration farm has been a move to growing more than one crop in a field at a time. “All of our broadleaf crops are grown as intercrops of some form,” says Derek.

A basic combination many start with is peas in canola, but the Axtens also do flax in chickpeas, or lentils in mustard. They’ve compared notes with fellow farmer Colin Rosengren (from Midale, SK) on numerous other crop combo experiments. “We’ve always found it to be a net benefit, yield-wise, and we’re able to reduce our inputs,” says Derek.

Generally, they’ve found at least a 10 per cent equivalency ratio improvement over mono-cropping, but they have seen as much as a 50 per cent gain.

Equivalency ratios are a way to measure yield between cropping systems so that you’re comparing apples to apples. For example, if you had 140 acres of intercropped peas and canola, you’d compare those yields to 70 acres of mono-cropped peas and 70 acres of mono-cropped canola.

The Axtens contend that intercropping means less need for fungicide or insecticide treatments, along with lowered disease pressure, as the crops appear to help each other out. For instance, as peas trellis up the canola, they keep off the ground, making for less disease and easier harvesting.

Instead of regular fertilizer, the Axtens use special compost brews to improve soil health.

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The Axtens constantly work to improve their farm’s soil health. For example, they turned the platy soil, pictured top left, into healthy soil (bottom left) that’s more porous and better able to hold water. Intercropping also helps improve soil health. Just one example is intercropping sunflowers with hairy vetch, pictured top right.

Derek acknowledges there’s a bit of finessing needed for intercrop harvest management, and they do use swathing and desiccants as tools in that effort.

“But we’ve never had a huge maturity difference. The crops seem to even themselves out,” he says.

Now that half the farm is intercropped, a welcome addition has been a mobile grain cleaner plant, so crops can be separated right off the combine. In order to keep the biology always active in the soil, the Axtens also try to seed again as soon as possible after harvesting. The cover crops they put in work well for

grazing the neighbour’s cattle, and keeping the soil intact over winter.

Last year, they were happy to take their neighbour’s corral cleanings, which they made into 14 large compost piles. With training in soil health management from world-renowned micro-ecologist, Dr. Elaine Ingham, through her company Soil Foodweb Canada, Tannis began experimenting with various compost recipes. This spring, using a 500-gallon “tea brewer,” they mixed water with the compost and applied it to their fields, instead of regular fertilizer. »

FARMFORUM.CA / FALL 201 7

19

BUSINESS “Our big focus is to increase the diversity of our soil biology,” she says.

“The diversity of crops helps a lot, but by using compost extracts and teas, we’re trying to boost that by putting some biology back into the soil.”

After experiencing one of the wettest years in 2016, this summer has become one of the driest, with their area only receiving two showers, each one providing about a half-inch of moisture.

The Axtens were very happy they’d cut back significantly on fertilizer.

“As time went on, and it didn’t rain, we knew the yields weren’t going to be there,” says Derek. “It’s been a lot less stressful this summer, knowing that we don’t have high inputs into the crops.”

With no noticeable differences from other crops in the region, the Axtens figure they will be further ahead.

“Maybe that is our advantage — to be able to maintain yields in a dry year,” says Derek. And, adds Tannis: “If we’re maintaining yields, we’ve got to quit looking at yields, and look at the cost of production, because the bottom line is where we’re seeing the big difference.”

“If we can improve our resource at the same time, that’s the goal,” says Derek. By changing their focus from just meeting the plants’ needs, to giving the soil the biology it needs, the Axtens are confident the soil will cycle the nutrients and look after the plant requirements.

“I like to say healthy soil is going to give us healthy plants, which is going to give us healthier food,” says Tannis. “The nutrient density of our foods is down, so while we can produce a bunch of food, that’s great, but let’s make sure we’re producing quality food.”

No holistic approach to soil management would be complete without considering compaction issues, so the Axtens are on their third year of controlled traffic farming to minimize the impact of equipment on soil structure. “Put it this way,” says Derek, “every time I go to the field, or we do an operation, I think ‘What is the impact on the soil biology going to be?’ That’s the mindset.”

By taking a holistic approach to putting soil first, Tannis says they are already seeing a better balance in so many ways.

“It’s not only the cutback in a lot of the expenses, but we’re enjoying what we’re doing. It’s fun and exciting to see what works, and it’s really renewed our passion for farming, and our optimism.” FF 20

FA R M FO R U M .CA / FALL 2017

Tannis does most of the farm’s soil testing and composting with the aid of her microscope.

A body of knowledge They may not be household names on the ag conference scene quite yet, but the Axtens cite numerous “rock stars” of soil health they’ve learned much from, beginning with the legendary Dr. Dwayne Beck. Interested in checking them out? Here’s a few to look up.

Dwayne Beck: www.farmforum.ca/dwaynebeck Dakota Lakes Research Farm: www.farmforum.ca/dakotalakes Gabe and Paul Brown, Brown’s Ranch: www.farmforum.ca/brownsranch Dr. Elaine Ingham, Soil Foodweb: www.farmforum.ca/soilfoodweb Colin Rosengren, Rosengren Farms: www.farmforum.ca/colinrosengren

¿Cuál es nuestro * próximo destino? *

Translation: Where are we going next?

¡Panamá!* *

Translation: Panama!

You’ve worked hard and now it’s time to reward yourself!

Every eligible purchase you make earns Hot Potatoes® reward points that you can redeem for the group trip to Panama, cash or maybe even both.

Just don’t forget to pack a Spanish-to-English dictionary and a muy grande sense of adventure! And check the website to discover the final trip itinerary.

Learn more at Hot-Potatoes.ca or call 1 877-661-6665

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

production

Test your clubroot knowledge

By Gerald Pilger

Growers have been repeatedly alerted to the dangers of clubroot by scientists, government and industry. This disease has been written about extensively in most farm publications and even discussed in mainstream media. There is a huge amount of information available online about clubroot, including management strategies to keep it in check.

And yet, clubroot continues to expand its footprint in western Canada. Indeed, at the end of August 2017, another Alberta county reported its first case of clubroot.

How much do you really know about this disease? Test your own clubroot knowledge by answering these eight questions. ď‚Š

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Clubroot is a new disease: True or False?

False. Actually, descriptions of clubroot-infected crops date back to 13th century Europe. In 1875 Russian scientist Mikhail Woronin identified the plasmodiophorous organism that was causing a clubroot epidemic that wiped out cabbage crops in St. Petersburg. He named it Plasmodiophora brassicae.

Clubroot is just an Alberta problem: True or False?

False. In the fall of 2011 Agriculture Canada confirmed the presence of clubroot in two north-central Saskatchewan canola fields. In 2013, Manitoba Agriculture reported that two canola fields had been identified and confirmed as showing in-crop clubroot symptoms. By 2016, the province had identified five rural municipalities where clubroot symptoms were observed.

Harry Brook, crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture in Stettler, says new DNA testing for clubroot in the soil has revealed low levels of clubroot genetic material in soils across the prairies.

Clubroot only affects canola: True or False?

False. Clubroot is a much bigger problem than just a disease of canola. It affects the roots of all cruciferous plants, including field crops like canola, mustard and camelina; cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale; and cruciferous weeds, like stinkweed, shepherd’s purse and wild mustard. All cruciferous plants are potential hosts for the disease.

And that includes volunteer canola. If you are not controlling volunteer canola as well as cruciferous weeds in rotational crops, you are increasing the risk of the disease in your canola fields.

to seed clubroot infected areas of fields to grass to limit movement of soil from these areas. Never use seed bin run seed, as even earth tag on seed can harbour clubroot spores.

Clubroot is easy to identify: True or False?

It depends. Early in the year, clubroot can easily be mistaken for root rot, black leg, fusarium wilt or even sclerotinia. Early infection of any of these diseases can result in wilting, stunting and yellowing of canola plants, right up to podding. All of these diseases cause premature ripening and shrivelling of seeds from late infections.

So, simply looking at the crop will not confirm clubroot — pulling up diseased plants will. The formation of galls on the roots of the plant is an indicator for clubroot; hence the name of the disease.

Another thing to watch for is during swathing when clubroot infected plants are often pulled right out of the ground by the reel or knife due to the deformation of the root.

Finally, DNA testing of plant tissue can confirm clubroot. Labs are also able to detect the presence of clubroot in the soil at very low levels; below levels at which clubroot becomes problematic.

The seed testing lab, 20/20 Seed Labs Inc. uses a DNA-based test developed at the University of Alberta that can detect clubroot at levels as low as 1,000 spores per gram of soil. It takes 10 to 100 times this level for clubroot symptoms to appear in crop.

Rotation to a non-host crop is key to reducing clubroot risk: True or False?

True. There is no question rotation is probably the best management practice for reducing clubroot spore load in the soil.

However, the half-life of clubroot spores is four years so if you are growing canola, or any other host crop, more than one year in four you are increasing the number of clubroot spores in the soil.

Failure to control canola volunteers in rotational crops is the same as having no rotation and a sure way to increase the risk of clubroot. Furthermore, resting clubroot spores can survive in the soil for 10 to 20 years. So even with a one in four rotation, the possibility of clubroot losses can never be eliminated by rotation alone.

It’s sobering to note that research done in Sweden found it took 17 consecutive years of growing non-cruciferous crops for spores to drop to non-detectable levels in clubroot infested rapeseed fields.

Essentially if you have clubroot in your fields, the only way to eradicate it is to never again grow cruciferous crops. FF

photo: Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org

There are no chemical controls for clubroot: True or False?

True. Currently, no chemicals have been proven effective or registered for the control of clubroot. Since the clubroot pathogen displays plant, animal and fungal characteristics, it will be very difficult to develop a safe, effective chemical for controlling clubroot.

Scientists are investigating bio-controls (bacterial and fungal agents) for controlling clubroot. There is also ongoing research into the effects that soil pH and soil nutrients have on this disease and if the disease can be managed by modifying soil characteristics.

I don’t have to worry, I plant clubroot resistant varieties: True or False?

False. If clubroot resistant varieties had not been developed, canola would not be a viable crop in some areas of central Alberta where the disease has caused significant yield losses since 2003.

Unfortunately, the resistance is now breaking down. There are a number of strains of clubroot and the strains found in Alberta are quite virulent. Clubroot is overcoming the resistance faster than the development of new resistance packages. Growers cannot rely on resistant varieties alone; they must follow an integrated pest management program to keep clubroot in check.

You can prevent the spread of clubroot: True or False?

True. Clubroot is a soil borne disease so if you can prevent the movement of soil from field to field, you can prevent the movement of the disease. However this is easier said than done.

Cleaning and sanitization of equipment between fields is very important when moving from an infested field to a field without clubroot. This means all equipment, not just tillage and seeding tools must be cleaned as infected soil can be carried on tires and even footwear. » You also need to control soil being carried in water run-off from infected fields as well as movement of soil by wind. One solution is

Clubroot is not just a disease of canola. All cruciferous plants, such as the infected turnips pictured here, are potential hosts for the disease.

Further information: Canola Council of Canada clubroot info: www.farmforum.ca/CCCclubrootinfo Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture clubroot in canola factsheet: www.farmforum.ca/SKclubrootincanola Alberta Agriculture and Forestry clubroot in canola info: www.farmforum.ca/ABclubrootincanola 20/20 Seed Labs Inc. Alberta clubroot map: www.farmforum.ca/ABclubrootmap

FARMFORUM.CA / FALL 2017

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technology

Monitor weather conditions to avoid spray drift

By Andrew Nadler | Agricultural meteorologist

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Delta-T Conditions for Spraying MARGINAL UNSUITABLE

PREFERRED

relative humidity (%)

Wind Wind is the most common cause of drift.

It’s also the easiest to avoid. The windier the conditions, the more likely it is that the chemical will be carried away from its intended target. Product labels specify the maximum wind speed for application, which is usually between five and 15 km/hr. If the wind exceeds the recommended velocity, do not spray.

Droplet size influences how wind carries particles through the air. Finer particles are lighter, making them more susceptible to movement. A particle the size of 100

DELTA-T CONDITIONS FOR SPRAYING

R e l a t i v e H u m i d i t y (%)

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pray drift can become a huge issue between rural neighbours. Not only can those affected by drift damage take a financial hit, but the potential conflict can ruin even the most solid friendships.

It’s wise to remember that if drift damage occurs, the operator is 100 per cent responsible. So, it only makes sense that farmers and operators equip themselves with the tools and knowledge to avoid spray drift.

While weather plays a major role in spray drift it’s something that’s out of the operator’s control. Having said that, observing certain weather conditions including wind, temperature and relative humidity, and how they all interact, goes a long way towards preventing spray drift.

100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10

Preferred

Marginal

0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9

Unsuitable

0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5

0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5

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0 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 5 5 6 6 6 7 6 6 6 7 7 7 6 7 7 7 8 8 7 7 8 8 8 9 7 8 8 9 9 10 8 8 9 9 10 11 8 9 10 10 11 12 9 10 10 11 12 13 10 11 11 12 13 14

0

2

4

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8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 A i r T e m p e r a t u r e (C) air temperature (C)

0 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 15

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0 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16

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0 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 18 20

This chart shows typical daily temperature at two heights in Southern Alberta. During the day, the temperature near the ground is warmer. At night, ground temperature becomes cooler, causing an inversion. Data source: Farmers Edge

microns, about the diameter of a human hair, will move more by air turbulence than by gravity. Therefore, nozzle selection, spray pressure and spray mix viscosity are all important to ensure that particles are adequately coarse, while still ensuring acceptable coverage.

Boom height determines the distance that a particle must fall. And since wind velocity increases with height, a higher boom not only increases the travel distance of the particles, it may also expose them to higher wind speeds than if spraying closer to the ground.

Wind direction is also important and the operator should always consider downwind hazards. Even when conditions are ideal for spraying, extra caution should be taken near neighbouring residences, public areas, waterways and sensitive crops. Always increase buffer distances and if possible, spray when downwind of such areas.

Temperature and humidity Delta-T is a tool farmers can use to help them determine when conditions are acceptable for spraying. Delta-T indicates acceptable spraying conditions using air temperature and relative humidity and is calculated by subtracting the wet bulb temperature from the dry bulb temperature. Ideally, Delta-T should be between two and eight.

Values below two occur when the air is moist. This can result in small droplets surviving for extended periods, increasing the risk of travel to off-target areas. Such conditions normally occur during the night or any time humidity is high.

Higher Delta-T values, those greater than eight or 10, occur when the air is hot

and dry. Under these conditions, droplets evaporate faster, becoming smaller, more concentrated, and airborne for longer. The longer a particle remains suspended, the more likely it is to float away. Generally, coarser nozzles will allow spraying with slightly higher Delta-T values.

Some products may also be more prone to vaporization when Delta-T is high.

Depending on the product’s volatility, temperatures greater than 25 to 30°C will increase the risk of vaporization. Product in vapour form is extremely prone to longdistance travel with air currents. Unlike particle drift, which is only a concern while spraying, vaporization can occur hours to days after application and is not affected by the equipment used.

Inversion Normally, the air closest to the ground is warmer than the air above. This causes a natural circulation — more buoyant air near the surface rises, gradually cools and is replaced by the cooler, denser air from above.

During an inversion, cool, dense air remains close to the ground, resulting in a stable stratification that prevents any vertical movement of air — or the fine particles or vapour that may be suspended.

These particles are much more likely to travel horizontally, often pushed by the slightest air movement.

Despite being an important factor for spraying, inversions are difficult to detect.

There are certain factors that are conducive to inversions: calm winds, clear skies, dry air and high pressure. Most often, inversions start to form several hours before sunset and persist through the night.

In general, the time of minimum air temperature and maximum inversion intensity is just before sunrise. Inversions normally persist one to two hours past sunrise, and are broken up as winds pick up, or as the ground surface heats up.

Conclusion Clearly, an important part of avoiding spray drift is being familiar with the weather conditions that contribute to the risk. Direct measurement, by means of a weather station located near the field is the most effective means of monitoring conditions during field activities. Tracking wind, temperature and relative humidity in real time allows the operator to spray at optimal times and shut down when conditions change.

In the event of a spray drift issue, historical data from the weather station and detailed machinery records become important.

Being able to prove, using hard data, that an application was made under appropriate conditions can avoid unnecessary headaches.

A reliable, detailed forecast is a must for any applicator. While there are several good forecasts, finding one that you are can trust for your local area is important. You can also consult several forecast models to see how closely they agree with each other. If the various forecasts disagree, the outcome is less certain.

Above all, being extremely aware of one’s surroundings, monitoring weather conditions, and adhering to labels will greatly reduce the risk of spray drift. This will ultimately save money by preventing drift damage and will help maintain good neighbourly relations. FF

FARMFORUM.CA / FA LL 201 7

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PRODUCTON

Make your fungicide investment count Bayer Digital Farming’s Zone Spray technology helps growers identify specific zones in their canola fields that would benefit most from a fungicide application to control sclerotinia | By Jennifer Barber

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It’s called Zone Spray, and it uses satellite imagery from Bayer’s satellite technology partners, to calculate the density of crop canopies on a field-by-field basis. Bayer chose sclerotinia in canola to test the technology as the disease thrives in areas with more lush vegetation. Also, canola has proven to respond well to a Proline application when the disease is present.

Satellite images are taken from mid to late June, when the canopy is closing but flowering has not begun. At this point, fields are at peak levels of vegetation and the system is able to evaluate individual fields within a pre-determined boundary.

Once the fields have been mapped, the program uses a growth model to calculate

an ideal window for fungicide application, and then identifies which parts of the fields have the highest biomass — in other words which areas are at highest risk for a sclerotinia outbreak.

Now the fun begins. Bayer has developed a field manager microsite on its website where users login to see their fields and management zones. Users simply turn on or off toggle switches to choose which areas to spray. That information is fed back into the GPS system on the grower’s sprayer and applied automatically. Once the completed map is loaded into the sprayer, the boom then switches on or off depending on the zones the user selected for fungicide application.

PHOTO: jeannette greaves

ungicide has proven to be an effective weapon in the fight against sclerotinia in canola. And one way growers can ensure they get the best return on their fungicide investment is to spray the product only on fields that have the most to lose from the disease.

“If you have a good-looking crop, you want to protect the value of that crop,” says Warren Bills, business development manager at Bayer Digital Farming. Bayer’s Digital Farming team is taking its existing sprayer technology and using it to augment the performance of Proline fungicide to make sure the parts of fields with the highest yield potential are being protected from the disease.

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FA R M FO R U M .CA / FALL 2017

Bayer’s Digital Farming team began a very limited trial of this technology in 2015 to make sure it would work for farmers tackling sclerotinia stem rot infections. The team also ran disease trials to make sure its assumptions about the relationship between crop biomass, sclerotinia and return on investment were correct. In 2017, the team went out to more than 300 growers to test the technology on a broader scale. Initial feedback has been positive and early results show that spraying an area with higher biomass does give a higher return on investment.

“At this point we are still demonstrating it so we can get feedback from growers and fine tune how this will work,” says

Bills. “We plan to get complete results in later this fall with detailed information on how the technology worked with an application of Proline to control sclerotinia in a precise, risk conscious manner. At that point we plan to put this technology in the hands of farmers, and those supporting them, to be implemented quickly and effectively,” he explains.

“The Bayer Digital Farming team is continually looking at ways of enhancing Bayer products to improve the performance and experience to advance the business of farming,” says Bills. “We are taking the best products and combining them with the latest technology in order for growers to get a better return on their investment.” FF

PHOTOs: planet labs

“The Bayer Digital Farming team is continually looking at ways of enhancing Bayer products to improve the performance and experience to advance the business of farming”

Pictured is satellite imagery from Bayer’s satellite tech partners. Bayer Digital Farming team’s zone spraying technology uses these types of images to help farmers identify the best “zones” in their fields to apply fungicide.

FARMFORUM.CA / FALL 201 7

27

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Fall and Winter Seed Treating It’s never too early to start thinking about your seed treatments

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When should farmers get a germination/ vigour and fungal scan?

Growers should get a complete germination and fungal scan before treatment in the fall. If your fungal scan shows significant disease presence, or there is a significant gap between the germ and vigour of the seed, then you should be considering a new seed lot. We recommend a second germination and vigour test in the spring to make sure the seed has maintained its high quality as germination and vigour can change over time.

Can micronutrients be applied in the Fall and still be present on the seed in spring?

Micronutrients should be fine to sit in the bin. Being an element (not an organic

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FA R M FO R U M .C A / FALL 2017

bin are a big concern as they can cause subsequent moisture gradients. Zones of higher moisture have an increased risk for spoilage and degradation of treatment on the seed.

compound), they will not degrade.

However, you must consider the form and formulation of the micro being applied. To be effective, a micronutrient must be in a plant-available form. Always consult the micronutrient manufacturer for detailed storage information.

How long can a fungicide and/or insecticide seed treatment last on the seed in the bin without losing efficacy?

Treating your seed in the Fall, and then storing your seed in dry and cool/cold conditions will provide the best results. If the treated seed is not used the following spring and hence stored for a longer period, there could be loss of efficacy of the fungicide or insecticide components depending on the storage conditions (temperature fluctuations, changes in humidity and moisture levels). Talk to your SeedGrowth™ representative if you have concerns (Call 1 888-263-6847 to find the rep nearest you).

Is there a certain bin temperature that will start to affect seed during the winter months?

For storage temperatures, cooler is better. Temperature gradients within a

What are the risks of treating seed in the Fall?

The biggest risk to treating seed in the Fall is potentially treating seed which loses germination (and/or vigour) over the winter. While the risk is fairly low, if your spring test shows a drop in germination and/or vigour from your fall test, consider a different source of seed. Note that your treated seed cannot be sold.

Many farmers have a well-planned crop rotation, which allows for Fall/Winter treating, but for those who plan their crop rotation based on commodity prices at planting, Fall treating can be risky and flexibility may be more important.

Can leftover treated seed be used the following year?

Seed may drop in germination with age or under adverse storage conditions, so a germ and vigour test the following spring is recommended. If the germ has decreased, it is likely due to storage issues, as chemical seed treatments are not known to affect the germ.

Increasing the seeding rate will compensate for low germination, but if the reduced germination was a result of disease, an increased seeding rate can introduce more disease into the field.

PHOTO: jeannette greaves

o matter what challenges are encountered throughout the cropping season the best opportunity to maximize your success begins early on and it all starts with seed.

Using the right seed treatment will lock in the full potential of your crop — supporting a healthy start, strong emergence and targeted, effective protection against major yield and quality robbing threats.

With today’s top seed treatment options you can get ahead of the game with early application, enjoying efficacy that is just as strong as it would be if the application was done closer to seeding time. Beth Markert of the Bayer SeedGrowth™ team provides more insights in the following Q&A:

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Cashing in on the Success of Soybeans Disease protection is critical to support fast-rising acreage

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growing success story for Western Canadian crop production is the rise of soybean production across the region, with the number of acres seeded to soybeans growing dramatically over the past several years, including 2017.

The surge is tied directly to rising profit potential, with StatsCan surveys showing 2017 acreage jumping 40% to 2.3 million in Manitoba and nearly quadrupling to 850,000 in Saskatchewan compared to 2016.

Fully capitalizing on the yield potential of soybeans means taking the right steps to avoid having your soybean performance derailed by disease.

Tackling FOUR Pest Challenges in soybeans Here’s what to watch out for: Rhizoctonia. Rhizoctonia is a common soybean disease that typically causes the most damage to seedlings and can also impact older plants. Symptoms on older plants include rust-brown, dry sunken lesions on stems and roots near the soil line. Conditions favouring the disease include high soil moisture and warm soil temperatures, as well as conditions such as delayed emergence and plant stress from external pressures such as herbicide applications and soybean cyst nematode.

For each of these challenges, the best defence is to encourage seedling health with good agronomic practices and the use of high-quality seed along with a proven seed treatment.

White mould. White mould is another common issue typically favoured by cool, damp conditions. With high severity, yield losses can exceed 40% and the disease can also damage standability and quality. Infection begins at flowering, with infected petals falling down into the canopy resulting in a water-soaked lesion on the stem that soon becomes overgrown with white mould.

White mould can persist in fields via sclerotia, which are formed inside and outside the stem within the white mould mass. Integrated approaches such as, utilizing high-quality seed with some tolerance, crop rotations, weed control, fungicide application and equipment cleaning can all help break the disease cycle and control the risk.

Sudden Death Syndrome. Also known as SDS, this rising threat to soybean acreage is caused by a fungus that enters the plant via the roots and causes root rot. The pathogen produces toxins in the plant that cause the damage, with average yield loss of 20%. In severe cases yield loss can be up to 60%. SDS is often considered a late-season disease and surprisingly its yield-robbing potential begins long before any symptoms are present. There are two phases of SDS – a root rot phase and a foliar symptom phase. Visible symptoms are not typically evident until flowering begins, with symptoms including mottling or mosaic patterns beneath the leaf veins, which eventually turn into brown tissue and necrotic lesions.

The spread of SDS is closely related to soybean cyst nematode distribution. While neither the pest nor the disease are currently present in western Canada, the rising incidence of SDS in Ontario and in northern states such as South Dakota means growers should be on the lookout.

The only product registered for SDS in Canada is ILeVO™ seed treatment.

Soybean cyst nematode. This pest challenging soybean crops is a microscopic round worm that attacks seedlings and roots. Growers are advised to be on the lookout for unexplained yield losses that may indicate presence of this pest, which can cause typical losses of 20% to 30%. Early detection is key to reducing losses. Watch for a waviness or lack of levelness across the field. When the nematode is suspected, dig up plants to look for cysts on the roots.

Resistant varieties of seeds are available and using high-quality seed along with a seed treatment is advised to reduce the risk. In fact, even with resistant varieties, seed treatments like ILeVO are necessary to help suppress reproduction around the roots of those varieties. Rotation is also important to break the pest cycle.

FARMFORUM.CA / FALL 2017

29

Stand Your Ground Get the most out of your Liberty herbicide application

Six Tips to Spray Like a Pro Fully maximizing the benefits of Liberty herbicide requires getting the details right. Here are some tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your Liberty herbicide application.

Watch water rate Because Liberty herbicide works on contact, it is essential to ensure higher water volumes. Spray with at least ten gallons of water per acre to ensure good contact and optimal coverage.

Add Centurion® to boost control Adding Centurion® herbicide to your Liberty herbicide application increases control of difficult grass weeds like wild

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FA R M FO R U M .C A / FALL 2017

oats, foxtail barley, volunteer barley and many others.

Apply under good conditions Apply when it’s warm and sunny (10˚C or more is optimal). For maximum performance, avoid cooler, cloudy and windy conditions, or those with excessive moisture or dryness.

Optimize equipment selection Nozzle selection and droplet size are key.

To get good coverage, aim for medium to coarse droplets (250-350 microns) and avoid spraying under pressure. Try to stay between 40 – 80 psi.

Change direction on second application Use the same tracks, but reverse your direction of travel on a second pass to help control any weeds that may have been sheltered during the first application.

Apply at a slow, steady pace Don’t rush. Spraying too fast can drastically reduce your control and result in a less than optimal application. Keep sprayer speeds under 24 km/h to avoid drifting off target.

Visit SprayYourBest.ca for more application recommendations and advice.

Raising the bar on resistance management Herbicide resistance is a growing problem in Western Canada and you have a role to play to help keep it in check. Liberty herbicide is a valuable resistance management tool as the only Group 10 for use on canola. It helps to control Group 1-resistant wild oats and Group 2 and 9-resistant kochia, and provides a unique option to allow you to rotate herbicides.

Learn more at MixItUp.ca.

PHOTO: thinkstock

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iberty® herbicide continues to lead the charge as a trusted, broad-spectrum herbicide. With two flexible rate options, the ability to perform a second pass when required and no re-cropping restrictions, it’s a proven performer you can rely on to protect and unlock the full potential of your InVigor® hybrid canola.

Additionally, as a Group 10 herbicide, Liberty’s unique mode of action also makes it an excellent resistance management tool — addressing a top issue of modern, sustainable farming.

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

NEW InVigorResults.ca

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or 21 consecutive years, InVigor® canola hybrids have continued to lead the industry and gain the trust of growers on more acres than any other canola hybrid in Canada. The InVigor team is a family of passionate experts, driven by your success. As part of that family, Bayer’s Field Marketing team, in partnership with local growers, meticulously oversees the InVigor Demonstration Strip Trial (DST) program to deliver quality replicated local results.

These year-over-year replicated trial results can be viewed at the newly revamped website, InVigorResults.ca, where you can see how InVigor canola hybrids stack up against each other and the competition in your area.

With over 15 years of replicated trials from across the Prairies, InVigorResults.ca was designed to simplify your canola hybrid selection. The easy-to-use interactive map provides meaningful, localized results from your area.

• Now optimized for mobile use • Hybrid comparison tool displays side by side ratings of potential hybrids in your area • Compare days to maturity, harvestability and yield performance • Download the information or have it sent directly to your email

Latest results from 2017 are now available — including trial data for the newest Evolution™ hybrid, InVigor L255PC, featuring both the patented Pod Shatter Reduction technology and clubroot

resistance*. Plus you can view the widescale performance of the two 2016 Evolution hybrids, InVigor L233P and InVigor L230. *To predominant clubroot pathotypes identified in Canada at the time of registration.

Higher Yields, Higher ROI Every season throws different agronomic challenges at you.

Luckily, Bayer offers an extensive lineup of crop protection solutions to harness the full potential of your crop.

Combining your Bayer seed treatment, herbicide and fungicide purchases protects your crops for the duration of the season and helps increase the yield and quality.

Additionally, with BayerValue purchase incentives, mixing and matching from our complete offering of high-performing crop protection products increases your savings and maximizes the return on your investment.

Get complete program details at cropscience.bayer.ca/BayerValue

FARMFORUM.CA / FALL 201 7

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Harvesting Success Capture the advantage with the latest InVigor canola hybrids

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new era in harvest management is taking shape across the Prairies as new innovations emerge for improved time management, greater harvest flexibility and a better overall return.

Leading the way is a clear shift toward straight cutting canola. In fact, Bayer predicts that by 2020, over 50% of the canola in Western Canada will be straight cut. This represents a huge jump considering that traditionally about 80% of canola is swathed before being combined.

Rise of Straight Cutting “The rise in straight cutting is no surprise when you consider the advantages” says Bayer Field Marketing Rep, Allana Lewchuk. “Not having to swath reduces time, labour and equipment required — making harvest that much simpler.

The yield trials are also showing a yield advantage that really adds up.”

The risk of pod shatter has been the main obstacle to greater adoption of straight cutting, Lewchuk says. But with the patented Pod Shatter Reduction technology now available in several InVigor® canola hybrids, that is no longer an issue. “The Pod Shatter Reduction trait is a real game changer that is transforming the way harvest is managed across the Prairies.” It offers the ability to straight cut or delay swathing canola without sacrificing yield potential.

Preventing Costly Losses Prior to patented Pod Shatter Reduction trait availability, it was estimated that Canadian canola growers lost an average of two to four bushels per acre to pod shattering, adding up to a loss of more than $500 million annually.* This innovative trait represents an opportunity to minimize those losses.

The patented Pod Shatter Reduction trait strengthens the pod seam, stem and connective tissue to safely retain the seeds until you are ready to harvest.

It can also minimize pod shatter

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These hybrids continue to fuel a dramatic shift in the way growers approach their harvest.

Bayer predicts that by 2020, over 50% of canola in Western Canada will be straight cut.

damage from adverse late-season weather and wind events.

THREE OPTIONS: Three InVigor canola hybrids now feature Pod Shatter Reduction technology, offering excellent yield protection while providing you with enhanced harvest management options, including the opportunity to straight cut your canola.

NEW InVigor L255PC The newest InVigor hybrid to the 2018 lineup, InVigor L255PC, is a dual trait hybrid combining the yield protection of the patented Pod Shatter Reduction technology and built-in resistance to clubroot**. Additionally, this hybrid offers outstanding yield protection, excellent standability and exceptional harvest flexibility for all mid- to long-growing zones in Western Canada.

across Western Canada, as part of Bayer’s Canola Trials.

The chart below shows how they performed against the competition in 2016.

Yield advantage In 90 InVigor trials over the last four years, straight cutting InVigor L140P provided an average of 4% yield increase over swathing InVigor L140P at normal swath timing.

“With the traits and quality of the new hybrids, Western Canadian canola production is well positioned to take a big leap forward,” says Lewchuk. “It’s an exciting time to be a canola grower.”

InVigor L140P and InVigor L233P Among the first canola hybrids featuring this trait is InVigor L140P hybrid and early maturing InVigor L233P hybrid, which have consistently outperformed the competition over multiple, replicated sites *Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada field Surveys **To predominant clubroot pathotypes identified in Canada at the time of their registration.

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Tackle Tough-to-Control Cleavers in Canola and Save Big

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rotect your canola crop from difficult-to-control cleavers and save big with the new ‘$3 for 300’ offer. InVigor® hybrid canola and Command® herbicide* are teaming up to provide you with a special trial use offer dedicated to save you money and help control problem cleavers. Purchase 300 acres of any InVigor hybrid between September 1, 2017, and June 15, 2018, to receive a $3/acre rebate on your first 300 acres of Command herbicide**.

Cleavers have quickly become one of the most problematic weed challenges of canola, and field surveys show a rising incidence of the weed across Western Canada. Command, a Group 13-preemergent herbicide registered last year, provides reliable control with an easy-touse liquid formulation that can be tankmixed with glyphosate for a one-pass, pre-seed application.

Speak to your local retailer for more details or visit cropscience.bayer.ca/command for full terms and conditions.

*Maximum rebate is on 300 acres or $900. Purchases must be made between September 1, 2017 and June 15, 2018. See your local Retailer for complete details. **Other program terms and conditions apply. Always read and follow label directions. InVigor®, Liberty® and LibertyLink® are registered trademarks of the Bayer Group. All other products are trademarks of their respective companies.

Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. For complete information on Command and all FMC products, please contact your local FMC sales representative or visit FMCcrop.ca.

FMC and Command are trademarks of FMC Corporation. All rights reserved.

Destination Panama for Hot Potatoes Rewards Program Redeem your points by Nov. 30 for this warm weather getaway Sun, fun and a chance to visit and relax with your fellow growers in a tropical getaway are all part of the featured package of the 2016/2017 Hot Potatoes Rewards Program.

Don’t miss your chance to redeem your reward points and join fellow growers for this Bayer group trip to Panama, slated for February 4-11, 2018.

PHOTO: thinkstock

See complete information at hot-potatoes.ca.

FARMFORUM.CA / FALL 201 7

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Optimizing InVigor Plant Populations

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bright future for Canadian canola production is continuing to take shape, fuelled by an ever-increasing global demand, ongoing trait innovations and fresh perspectives on best practices to maximize the yield performance of your crop.

The opportunities are great, but so are the challenges, as growers face heavy pressure to hit top yield and quality in order to fully capitalize on expanding world markets.

As an InVigor® hybrid canola grower, you can take advantage of important new research findings by the Bayer Product Excellence Team to further increase your canola yields.

Striking the right balance If plant populations are too high, it can result in numerous issues. Like weed competitors, canola plants in over-populated crops fight amongst themselves for available resources and do not significantly contribute to yield.

Increased intra-crop competition for resources generally results in taller, thinner plants that are less productive.

Additionally, these plants are less robust and have weaker stems that make them more susceptible to lodging. A dense canopy with lodged plants traps heat, moisture and greatly increases the risk for sclerotinia and other diseases.

Higher populations also make the crop more susceptible to heat stress and low moisture, ultimately increasing mortality rates.

Ironically, lower plant populations come with their own set of problems.

Low populations do not effectively utilize the seedbed and surrounding resources.

With excess room, the plant architecture changes drastically, resulting in plants that are much larger and more susceptible to delayed flowering and uneven maturity.

This unevenness makes staging difficult

for in-season applications. Additionally, the abundance of space also increases weed competition and reduces the impact of herbicide applications providing a major harvest challenge.

Recipe for success While planting 10 seeds per square foot is the general recommendation, Wade Stocker, Canola Seeds and Traits Campaign Manager at Bayer says, InVigor growers may need to adjust their seeding rates based on their specific environmental factors, preferred agronomic practices and field conditions.

“The five to seven targeted plant population is accomplished by knowing the thousand seed weight (TSW) of your selected hybrids and figuring out the specific survivability of your canola fields. After that, it’s a simple matter of calibrating your drill so you are seeding appropriately to hit the five to seven zone,” says Stocker. “It’s a really simple adjustment that makes a big difference and helps you get even more out of your InVigor hybrids.”

To learn more about Targeted Plant Populations, please visit CropScience.Bayer.ca/InVigor or contact your local Bayer Representative.

PHOTO: thinkstock

Advantages of a ‘TPP’ approach Three years of research from the Product Excellence Team, including 42 large-scale trial locations across Western Canada, has shed new light on optimal plant density and its essential role in maximizing crop performance. Furthermore, the team has identified a Targeted Plant Population (TPP) approach specific to InVigor hybrids that consistently maximizes results.

While traditional methods support seeding canola at a rate of five pounds per acre, the Product Excellence Team research shows that a better method when seeding InVigor hybrids is to use the TPP approach that strives to achieve an optimal plant density of five to seven plants per square foot. Furthermore, its

research indicates that in most situations this can be achieved by planting 10 seeds per square foot. That said, the Product Excellence team acknowledges that every field is different and recommends growers do a bit of research on their own farms to find their best seeding rates.

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FA R M FO R U M .CA / FALL 2017

Trilex it any way you want.

Trilex EverGol. The fully customizable seed treatment for pulses.

Exceptional flexibility. Exceptional disease control. Whatever your needs, applicators and growers like you can reap the rewards of its concentrated formulation to adjust water volumes and optimize coverage. And that’s just the start. You get superior protection against rhizoctonia, ascochyta, botrytis, Fusarium spp. and pythium. Plus the ability to protect against insects including pea leaf weevils and wireworms when tank-mixed with Stress Shield® or when using Trilex® EverGol® SHIELD. This year, choose a pulse seed treatment that puts more control in your hands. Choose Trilex EverGol. Learn more at cropscience.bayer.ca/TrilexEverGol

cropscience.bayer.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer representative.

@Bayer4CropsCA

Always read and follow label directions. EverGol®, SeedGrowth™, Stress Shield® and Trilex® are trademarks of the Bayer Group.

Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada.

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STRAIGHT CUT MY WORKLOAD I will approach harvest with flexibility and confidence, knowing that my yield potential is protected.

Take advantage of InVigorÂŽ patented Pod Shatter Reduction hybrids. InVigor L140P, early maturing InVigor L233P and NEW InVigor L255PC with the added benefit of clubroot resistance.* cropscience.bayer.ca

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

#AskBayerCrop

Always read and follow label directions. InVigor ÂŽ is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group.

Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada. *To predominant clubroot pathotypes identified in Canada at the time of registration.

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