Farm Forum Spring 2017

MILLENNIALS ‘MEET IN THE MIDDLE’ | farmforum.ca

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FARM FORUM / SPRING 2017

CONTENTS COVER STORY

Get volunteer canola under control /6

PHOTO: LAURA RANCE

FEATURES

PRODUCTION

BUSINESS

Editor's Note / 4 Millennials ‘Meet in the Middle’ to talk food and ag / 12 Soybean acres increase along with risk of disease / 24

Fine-tune your seeding rate to maximize yield / 10

FARM LIFE

Mix It Up to keep resistance at bay / 30

Are you at risk of developing bone and joint disorders? / 20

‘Constant growth and improvement’ is this family's motto for success / 16

TECHNOLOGY

Online tools to help you better predict the weather / 28

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 201 7

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EDITOR’S NOTE

PUBLISHER Bayer CropScience Inc. EDITOR Sherry Warner

M

any times when we’re putting together an issue of Farm Forum, a theme or consistent message emerges from seemingly unrelated stories. In this issue the message I received loud and clear from our story lineup was: being proactive — taking action by causing change rather than reacting to change when it happens — is a great way to ensure success.

Volunteer canola is one of the biggest challenges facing farmers today with the estimated value of harvest losses at about a billion dollars annually. Getting volunteer canola under control is going to take a combination of harvest loss reduction, careful tillage routines and some type of chemical control, depending on your crop rotation plan. To find out more, turn to our cover story on Page 6.

When it comes to maximizing canola yield, most farmers pay careful attention to every step in the process from the seed they plant to weed management to deciding on the best time to harvest. Now it’s time to be as proactive about your seeding rate to help ensure a successful crop.

Find out how in our story on Page 10.

As soybean acres grow across the country, so does the risk of soilborne diseases, namely soybean cyst nematode and sudden death syndrome. Knowing how to identify both diseases and what to do about them will go a long way to ensuring your crop’s success. For details turn to our story on Page 24.

Farming is physically demanding and can lead to any number of injuries such as broken bones and pulled tendons. Unfortunately, it’s these types of injuries that can lead to more serious and painful musculoskeletal disorders. In our story on Page 20, we offer some tips on how you can take action to create a healthier work environment and minimize your risk of developing bone and joint disorders.

The Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program co-national award winners, Dominic Drapeau and Célia Neault, are the definition of proactive. Every decision they make on their 1,150 head dairy farm in rural Quebec — from the selection of their rotary milking parlour to acquiring land for future expansion — helps them achieve their goals through constant growth and improvement.

And finally, our agricultural meteorologist, Andrew Nadler, gives us some online tools to help you better predict the weather on your farm.

Now that’s being proactive!

CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Barber, Joy Gregory, Andrew Nadler, Céline Normandin, Gerald Pilger, Sarah Weigum, Todd Korol, Debra Marshall and Xiaoke Zeng.

DESIGN/PRODUCTION Farm Business Communications 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 Crop Science 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: BAYER

— Sherry Warner

ON THE COVER Although volunteer canola has become a huge challenge for prairie farmers, there are various ways to manage this weed starting with reducing harvest losses.

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

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

C-60-03/17-10713665-E

PRODUCTON

GET VOLUNTEER CANOLA UNDER CONTROL

BY GERALD PILGER

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anola has truly been the Cinderella crop for prairie agriculture.

Unfortunately, there is a downside to this story. The increase in production and its overall management has also led to real challenges for farmers today — namely volunteer canola.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s 2014-15 Saskatchewan weed survey found volunteer canola to be the fourth most prevalent weed in the province. That is up from 14th place back in 2003, passing Canada thistle, cleavers and even lamb’s quarters.

Jeanette Gaultier, weed specialist with Manitoba agriculture, reports that the 2016 weed survey in that province has identified volunteer canola to be the fifth most common weed, up from ninth place in the previous survey.

This is backed up by the 2015 National Weed Survey, which, with input from over

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700 weed scientists from across Canada and the U.S., lists volunteer canola as the most common and most troublesome weed in Manitoba soybean fields, and the third most common and most troublesome weed in Alberta pulse crops.

With the estimated value of canola harvest losses on the prairies at about a billion dollars annually, how did volunteer canola become such a problem and how do producers control volunteer canola?

A paper recently published in the journal Crop Science by a team of leading Canadian plant scientists* describes a three-year study of canola harvest losses on 310 western Canadian farms. It found crop losses ranging from a low of 2.3 per cent on a farm in Lacombe, AB, to a high of 11.2 per cent on a Saskatoonarea farm. The average yield loss across all 310 farms was 5.9 per cent.

Aside from the obvious income loss of

Volunteer canola has become a huge challenge for prairie farmers, with the estimated value of harvest losses at a billion dollars annually.

“Reducing harvest losses is the first step in controlling volunteer canola” Steve Shirtliffe

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN

canola left on the ground, farmers are also adding a massive number of seeds to the soil seed bank. A 5.9 per cent harvest loss on a 50-bushel canola crop means 2.95 bu./ ac. left on the ground. That’s equivalent to a seeding rate of just under 150 lb./ac., or 30 times the traditional canola seeding rate.

Imagine if that lost canola had a thousand kernel weight (TKW) of four grams, you’d be leaving about 17 million canola seeds per acre on the field (390 seeds per square foot).

So is it any wonder why volunteer canola has become such a big weed problem? One made worse by the fact that canola seed can remain viable for a number of years.

Controlling volunteers can be tricky considering losses due to shatter (wind, hail, etc.) and regular losses at harvest that lead to an increase in the seed bank. When compounded with shorter rotations, even fewer options remain to control volunteers.

Steve Shirtliffe, a professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, says the volunteer canola problem is getting worse given higher canola yields, shorter rotations and the ability of canola seed to develop dormancy.

Back in 2003, he began calling for work into screening canola varieties for their propensity to develop dormancy.

“Now, 15 years later, work is finally underway to try to identify molecular markers that would allow selection of varieties by their dormancy,” he says.

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS “Reducing harvest losses is the first step in controlling volunteer canola,” says Shirtliffe. One way to help reduce those losses is to use pod shatter varieties such as InVigor L140P or InVigor L233P, which have shown in DSTs to reduce harvest seed loss by up to 62 per cent over regular canola varieties. Another way is to attempt to reduce seed loss at harvest.

But are growers fully aware of the extent of their harvest losses? A combine loss monitor, even if properly and accurately set, reflects changes in the rate of loss only. It can’t tell you how much you’re actually losing.

To calculate that, you need to use a collection pan under the combine to catch the seed, then measure that by weight or volume to determine actual bushels per acre losses. The Canola Council of Canada has a step-by-step process online. Visit www.farmforum.ca/measurecombinelosses for details.

Remember too, harvest losses are not limited to the combine and can occur when swathing or at the header if straight cutting.

Reducing harvest losses can greatly reduce volunteers, but even the best harvest management system will still leave at least 0.5 bu./ac., or about 60 seeds per square foot, behind — still well above the typical seeding rate. The good news is not all of »

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 201 7

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these seeds will be viable and some will germinate in the fall and die come winter.

Then there’s tillage. Charles Geddes, a graduate student at the University of Manitoba, researched the impact of various tillage practices on controlling volunteers in southern Manitoba. He found fall soil disturbance could significantly reduce the number of viable volunteer canola seeds in the soil seed bank.

Geddes work contradicts research in England, Germany and Austria, which found the greatest seed bank reduction in those countries happened with zero tillage. More study is needed to determine if the seed bank depletion Geddes noted in Manitoba is climate related or a result of differences in tillage depth, seed predation and/or seed decay between Manitoba and Europe.

Even with the best harvest management practices and careful tillage routines, there will still be plenty of volunteer canola the following year, meaning some type of chemical control is usually required.

What to use largely depends on your crop rotation plan. Cereal after canola offers quite a few broadleaf herbicide options for controlling most canola system volunteers. The choices drop off if you’re following with a specialty crop.

Pay close attention to which canola system you grew the previous year. A glyphosate burn off will not control glyphosate-resistant volunteers, so you’ll have to add a broadleaf product for pre-seed volunteer canola control.

Keep good records of your crop rotation and herbicides used. Be aware of the potential for outcrossing of herbicide resistance traits. For example, if a field has only ever been seeded to the LibertyLink system, that doesn’t necessarily eliminate any outcrossing with neighbouring Clearfield or Roundup Ready fields, so you may miss some volunteers if you just rely on one chemistry for control.

Finally, be vigilant about controlling volunteers on field edges and watch for spray misses. A single plant can produce up to 500 seeds and just adds to the volunteer problem. More importantly, unchecked volunteers act as hosts for disease and insects. FF

PHOTO: LAURA RANCE

PRODUCTON

North Dakota State University National Weed Survey: www.farmforum.ca/nationalweedsurvey Volunteer canola seed bank disturbance info: www.farmforum.ca/seedbankdisturbanceinfo Volunteer canola management, Canola Council: www.farmforum.ca/volunteercanolamanagement Guide to measuring combine losses: www.farmforum.ca/measurecombinelosses

*Paper: Evaluation of the Causes of On-Farm Harvest Losses in Canola in the Northern Great Plains, Published May 2016 in Crop Science by: Andrea Cavalieri, Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba; Neil Harker, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe AB; Linda Hall, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta; and Chris Willenborg, Department of Plant Science, University of Saskatchewan.

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TAKE CONTROL. You’ve identified volunteer canola as a weed.

Now it’s time to deal with it. For control of all volunteer canola, tank mix Pardner® herbicide with your pre-season application of glyphosate.

Make Pardner your first choice.

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1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

Always read and follow label directions. Pardner® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group.

Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada.

R-66-01/17-10672949-E

PRODUCTON

Fine-tune your seeding rate to maximize yield

BY GERALD PILGER

SO WHAT IS THE BEST SEEDING RATE? Rob MacDonald, product excellence at Bayer has a mantra: “Plant population matters!” He urges growers to seed at a rate that maximizes the genetic potential of the variety.

MacDonald points out that Bayer has 10

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

PHOTO: CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA

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ust about every facet of canola production is characterized by science, precision and attention to detail. The canola seed you plant is likely a hybrid, carefully developed through modern breeding techniques, which include years of lab and field testing for yield and many other traits.

Every seed is treated to control earlyseason diseases and pests, and in some cases also coated with a biological or nutrient product to promote growth.

Farmers pay close attention to soil tests, cropping history, and/or agronomist recommendations to develop a fertility program to meet yield targets.

Most producers regularly scout for pests; some even rely on drones to get accurate damage assessments. They carefully and accurately apply pesticides to control weeds, insects, and disease. Growers patiently open pods to determine the best time to harvest, and spend time fine-tuning combines to minimize harvest loses.

And yet, when it comes to seeding rates — arguably one of the most important steps for a successful canola crop — “acres per bag” is still how most farmers determine their seeding rate.

More farmers need to ensure they are calibrating their drill, as seed size can vary by a 100 per cent or more between varieties. Did you know, for example, that a 22.7 kg bag of large-seeded canola (7.5 g/thousand seeds) contains approximately 3 million seeds, yet a 22.7 kg bag of small-seeded canola (3.0 g/ thousand seeds) contains approximately 7.5 million seeds? That’s 2.5 times as many potential plants based on seed size alone!

identified the best seeding rate through what he calls “data driven agronomy.”

For the past three years Bayer has conducted yield trials of varying seeding rates at 42 locations across the prairies.

Diverse locations mean these trials were conducted under a wide range of growing conditions from dry to wet, warm to cold, and with varying amounts of trash on the soil surface. Planting was done using highly accurate, scaled-down commercial equipment — exactly what farmers use, only smaller. Trials were both conventionally and zero-till seeded.

The trial results revealed a classic bell curve where yield increased with plant populations to a certain point, then began to decrease as populations increased.

When all trial results were combined, the optimum plant population count was determined at 5-7 plants/ft2.

There are 43,560 ft2 in an acre, so theoretically a seeding rate of 217,800 to 304,920 seeds per acre should result in the ideal plant population to maximize yield potential. But as all farmers

know, there can be wide discrepancies between theory and practice.

No matter how accurate your equipment and consistent your fields, not every seed will end up in moisture or at the depth needed for germination and survival.

Seedlings can be stressed and die as a result of heavy trash, environmental conditions, disease or insects.

MacDonald suggests an initial seeding rate of 10 seeds/ft2, or approximately 435,600 seeds per acre for farmers aiming for a stand of 5-7 plants/ft2.

Use the thousand seed weight (TSW) of your specific variety to convert into pounds per acre, or even acres per bag.

For example: If the seed has a TSW of 5 grams, to seed 425,000 seeds per acre would require 425,000 seeds x (5/1,000) = 2,125 g/ac. Converted to lb./ ac. that’s 4.68 lb./ac. (1 gm = .0022 lb.)

Not surprisingly, this is close to the traditional recommendation of 5 lb./ac. But if a variety’s TSW is only four grams, the optimum seeding rate would be 3.75 lb./ ac. Conversely, if the TSW is six grams,

FALL STAND COUNTS The most important step in determining the right canola seeding rate happens not in the spring but in the fall, says MacDonald.

“Look at the plant population in the fall, after harvest of that year’s canola crop.

It is so easy to do a plant count then.”

This comparison between your initial seeding rate and the actual plant stand represents survivability. It reflects the difference between the number of seeds planted per acre and the number of plants that actually grow to maturity and are harvested. It reflects the combined total of all losses arising from your seeding operation — equipment, timing, speed, pests, environment and management.

So the plant survival you achieve can be vastly different from your neighbour, who may be seeding a mile and a half faster or slower, or an inch deeper or shallower. It is why some farmers who have very accurate equipment and are careful to seed shallow into an ideal seed bed at a relatively slow speed are able to reduce seeding rates and still achieve a great plant stand. It is applying science to your individual canola seeding practice.

When conducting a stubble count in the fall, growers should also pay attention to the uniformity of the stand. The suggested plant stand target assumes a relatively even spacing of plants within the row, right across the field. The less uniform the stand, the more you have to increase the seeding rate to ensure you have an adequate plant distribution across the field.

MacDonald points out that by doing an accurate stubble count every fall and comparing that to your seeding rate from the spring, you can develop the baseline seeding rate you need to consistently achieve an optimum plant stand. With this knowledge, a grower can fine tune the suggested initial seeding rate of 10 seeds/ft2 up or down so that you will achieve the desired plant stand.

Corn and soybean growers are highly aware of the impact their seeding rate has on crops and have adopted seeding by unit rather than pound. Rather than do mathematical calculations to get an optimum seeding rate, they simply plant by seeds per acre. Given equipment improvements in seeding accuracy for small seeded crops, and the increased performance and consistency of seed, canola seeding by unit may be the next step for canola growers too.

IT’S NOT JUST YIELD Canola is a very elastic plant, which to some degree, compensates for low or high seeding rates. While yield may not be impacted by plant stands as much as cereals are, the impact of a less than desirable plant stand is more detrimental in canola

when other factors are considered.

MacDonald points out that seeding rate impacts much more than just yield.

“A plant stand that is too low results in weed control challenges and delayed maturity,” he says. Given the amount of canola that was left over winter this year, it would be interesting to know how much of this was seeded with a low seeding rate and simply did not mature and dry down before winter set in.

Too low seeding rates can lead to large bushy plants that present harvest challenges such as swath timing, insufficient stubble to hold the swathes, and increased potential for shelling due to delayed maturity and uneven ripening.

Too high seeding rates can lead to very dense stands with a lot of in-row competition for nutrients, more rapid spread of disease and increased risk of lodging due to thin stems. Plants can be up to 10 cm shorter, which can present a whole different set of harvest problems.

There’s no question you can grow a good canola crop with a wide range of seeding rates. But you should be striving for the seeding rate that maximizes the genetic potential of the plant. Simply using the “acres per bag” approach may not get you there today. FF

Canola Council of Canada seeding rate information www.farmforum.ca/seedingrateinfo

PHOTO: MYRABELLA / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

the seeding rate needs to jump to 5.6 lb./ ac. to achieve a similar plant stand.

The big question is: “Will you actually achieve the optimum plant stand if you follow these steps and seeding at the correct rate for the variety?” MacDonald challenges the correlation between emergence and survivability. "It's important to not overestimate your plant stand based simply on emergence."

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BUSINESS

MILLENNIALS ‘MEET IN THE MIDDLE’ TO TALK FOOD, COMMUNITY AND AGRICULTURE

BY SARAH WEIGUM

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wind made the day feel more like April than mid-February as I drove up to the beautiful hip-roofed barn.

Dozens of people who looked like they could have been rounded up from post-work cocktails at a downtown bar milled about in front of the barn, where large farm equipment was parked.

From the table of drinks I picked up a glass of mead — hopped and fizzy, not sweet like I expected — and introduced myself to the first friendly faces I saw. Dan Molyneux and Nathan Ryan just happened to be representatives of Fallentimber

February’s “Meet in the Middle” event brought together 150 millennials from across Alberta, half from the world of agriculture and half from the city, to talk food, community and agriculture.

The event was sponsored by ATB, Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance and Alberta Motor Association.

PHOTOS: TODD KOROL

O

ne hundred fifty millennials walk into a barn …

No, it’s not the beginning of a joke, but the beginning of a fruitful conversation that I was fortunate to join on a day set aside to celebrate Canada’s agriculture.

On February 16, 2017, I drove from my farm at Three Hills, AB to Willow Lane Barn just outside of Olds. (Ever the farmer, I had to pop into Olds first to drop off the starter from my auger engine for rebuilding.) The sun was shining and a warm chinook

Meadery — located in the foothills north of Calgary — where my drink originated.

Soon, the crowd gathered around a fire pit closer to the farm equipment where we watched as Jamie Parker and Mike Wenzlawe, from Calgary Heritage Roasting Co., showed us how they first learned to roast coffee beans over an open fire — a skill they’ve propelled into a coffee roasting business now humming along in Alberta’s largest city.

Meanwhile, a bus from Calgary and one from Edmonton arrived, delivering their passengers to this appropriately titled event — “Meet in the Middle.” It brought together 150 millennials, half from the world of agriculture and half from urban lives, to this barn in Olds where, under twinkly lights, we dined on locally sourced and created food and beverages all the while partaking in great conversations about food and agriculture.

The event was spawned from “A Seat at our Table,” which is the umbrella name for a number of events organized around food, community and agriculture.

“A Seat at Our Table was created two years ago and it was really about trying to tell an ag story but not from a scientific perspective,” said Terry Andryo, director

“A Seat at Our Table was created two years ago and it was really about trying to tell an ag story but not from a scientific perspective” Terry Andryo DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY INITIATIVES REPUTATION AND BRAND WITH ATB

of community initiatives - reputation and brand with Alberta Treasury Branch (ATB). “If we get to the consumer through the emotional perspective, which is food, then we might have a chance to get to that connection.”

The partners in this initiative include ATB, the Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance and Alberta Motor Association.

For Meet in the Middle, 20 other partners representing various parts of the agriculture industry were also included.

Andryo added that this event was designed specifically to bring young Albertans together who might not have a

chance to meet otherwise. About 95 per cent of the Meet in the Middle participants were millennials (the generation born between approximately 1980 and early 2000s) — from the chefs who cooked the five-course meal, to the brewmasters and distillers who provided the drinks, to the photography students who captured the event.

As a millennial farmer myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The food was delicious, but more importantly the conversations were inspiring. For the first part of the evening I sat across from John Kowalchuk, a fellow farmer, and Carol Cooper, a woman from Edmonton who, in her words, “rescues urban fruit.”

Beside me sat Eva Wright of Red Deer’s Troubled Monk Brewery, as passionate a beer connoisseur as you’ll find anywhere.

John, who I know from being on the Alberta Pulse Growers’ board together, tapped away at Twitter off and on throughout the evening, joining in the #meetinthemiddle conversation online. Carol, the urban fruit rescuer, explained that her non-profit society harvests unwanted fruit from rhubarb patches, apple trees, raspberry bushes and other fruit-bearing plants growing in older neighbourhoods in the city. »

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BUSINESS

Millennials from across Alberta enjoy and share the fruits of their labour at “Meet in the Middle."

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They then turn them into delicious preserves, branded Fruits of Sherbrooke.

And Eva told me about how even though she grew up in a city, her favourite job was working on a custom silage crew. Now she passionately promotes beer, crafted with Alberta’s world famous malt barley.

As I drove home from Olds that evening, I reflected on how much we, as farmers, have to share with, as well as learn from, our fellow citizens. I want the world to know that farmers are as tech savvy as they come and you can’t pick one out of a crowd just based on her clothes — we don’t all wear Wranglers and coveralls ya know.

I learned that there are ways to be a farmer that I never could have imagined. Carol collecting fruit and preserving it is not all that different than me. We both take the resources that are available to us and steward them into something more valuable than if they had been left untended.

I realized that many people who have never lived on a farm still have connections with agriculture and they truly value those experiences. Those of us who are engaged in agriculture on a day-to-day basis can get smug, but we get further in the conversation if we understand and honour the meaningful encounters our consumer friends have had with farming, no matter the scope.

From farm to kitchen to table we are all innately connected to one another through food and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have developed a richer understanding of this connection through Meet in the Middle. FF

PHOTOS: TODD KOROL

Story author Sarah Weigum (right), chats up Eva Wright from Red Deer’s Troubled Monk Brewery during the spectacular meal at “Meet in the Middle."

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Varro – wild oat control that’s worth talking about.

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1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

Always read and follow label directions. Varro® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group.

Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada.

C-72-03/17-10703665-E

Dominic Drapeau and CÊlia Neault and their four children are pictured here on their Quebec dairy farm. The couple were the 2016 Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program award winners for their region and co-national winners.

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photo: credit needed

business

‘Constant growth and improvement’ is this family’s motto for success

By Céline Normandin

F

erme Drapeau et Bélanger is not your typical Quebec dairy farm. In a landscape dotted by small family operations, Ferme Drapeau breaks the mould with an 1,150 head herd, that includes 625 milking cows.

Third generation farmer, Dominic Drapeau, operates the family farm with the same entrepreneurial spirit as his father and grandfather before him — to see each obstacle as an opportunity to grow and improve.

It’s this innate approach to the business of farming that helped Drapeau and his wife, Célia Neault, win both the 2016 Outstanding Young Farmers’ program award for the Quebec region and the conational award, which was presented at a ceremony in Niagara Falls last December.

Drapeau’s grandfather, Marcel, bought the family farm back in 1956 in the Sainte-Françoise municipality, which is located about mid-way between Montreal and Quebec City. “He had seven cows, an old horse and eventually a tractor,” says Dominic. By the early 1980s, the farm had more than 100 cows, well over what was common at the time.

Today, at 85, Marcel is still part of the business along with Dominic’s parents. While Dominic and Célia share herd management and finances,

Dominic’s father, Michel, takes care of the fields while his mother, Sylvie, works in the office.

Célia, who didn’t grow up on a farm, adds a skill set that every modern farm needs. “She’s very good at managing employees, analyzing data and using various management tools,” says Dominic. “Her contribution has allowed the company to continue to grow.”

Every now and then, the family gathers to discuss farm business. “There’s no bickering,” says Dominic. “Everybody shares the same values and vision on how to manage the farm.” And no one is afraid to admit when mistakes are made nor start something over again if necessary.

Currently, the family runs an 1,150head herd and crops 3,850 acres, mostly in corn and soybean, as well as corn and hay silage. Their 120 x 600 ft. free-stall barn was built in 2003 with future expansion in mind.

Barn installations include a 36-head rotary milking parlour where cows are milked three times a day — an informed choice made after many visits abroad, including trips to California and New Zealand. Milking is done on a set schedule during the day, which helps the couple organize other daily tasks. But this is not the only reason Dominic and Célia invested in the milking parlour. »

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business

“We are better now than we were yesterday and we will be better tomorrow than we are today” Dominic Drapeau

“We chose a milking parlour because every day the cows are physically seen and handled by a person who can detect any problems that may occur,” says Dominic.

“Using a sorting barrier, we put cows aside in a palpation area for vaccination or insemination without needing to run after them. We have everything we need within a radius of 100 feet,” he explains. An older renovated barn is used to house calves from birth to nine months.

Dominic, Célia and the family have always sought to do things more efficiently, which is why they equipped the farm with a lot of advanced technologies. For example, in the barn they use genomic testing on young animals, motion detectors for reproduction, a smart scale on the mixerfeeder and temperature probes close to calving. As a result, milk production has increased from 8,295 kg 10 years ago to 11,724 kg in 2016.

In the fields, they use a satellite navigation system to identify areas of land for levelling and tile drainage, and to aid 18

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seeding, fertilizing and spraying. Since 2011, production has increased by five to 10 per cent each year.

Dominic attributes part of their success to how they analyze all the data they generate about the farm, and how they use that information to modify operations as needed, better manage the team and herd, and to sell their crops. Data analysis also allows them to make informed long-term plans and make the necessary decisions to achieve those goals.

Over the years, they’ve expanded the team to include a full-time herd manager and a veterinarian one day per week.

They’ve also hired 20 local people to work during the week, students to work on weekends and several specialists including a livestock nutritionist and an agroeconomist.

“I still visit the farm every morning, but I act more as a manager now,” says Dominic.

“Before, my herd manager could go on vacation without too much trouble. It is no longer the case,” he adds with a laugh.

Dominic and Célia have a long-term business plan that includes building another barn, tripling their herd and adding another 36-head milking parlour.

To facilitate that, Dominic has been buying land in the area over the last six years — a wise strategy, he thinks, as land prices in Quebec have reached new highs recently, particularly in the much sought after area they are in.

“The way I see it, I’m only passing through,” he says. While the couple’s four children are still young, Dominic works to eventually pass on to them a thriving enterprise. For now, the couple has found a way to have family time, enjoy Sundays together and have winter and summer vacations away.

With their entrepreneurial spirit intact, these two are ready to take on whatever challenges come their way. “We are better now than we were yesterday and we will be better tomorrow than we are today,” says Dominic. FF

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O-52-03/17-10713665-E

farm life

Early treatment of on-farm injuries can help prevent the development of more serious musculoskeletal disorders

By Joy Gregory

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

PHOTO: thinkstock

When I farming hurts

t’s no secret that many Canadian farmers still work even when in physical pain.

Unfortunately, that same work ethic that puts money in the bank can increase your risk of developing recurrent or chronic musculoskeletal disorders, say researchers with the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA) in Saskatoon.

Farming is physical, and it’s that part of the job that can lead to injuries such as broken bones, soft-tissue injuries, pulled tendons and pinched nerves, says Brenna Bath, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan’s School of Physical Therapy and a CCHSA researcher.

These types of injuries may lead to the development of some painful musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as osteoarthritis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few.

Osteoarthritis — sometimes called “degenerative joint disease,” or “wear-andtear arthritis” — is one of the more common musculoskeletal disorders. It often shows up

years after an injury and in the joints affected by the repetitive stresses of the work environment. (see sidebar) MSDs can affect any area of your musculoskeletal system such as the neck, hips, knees, wrists, shoulders and back.

Those that manifest in the lower back, shoulders and knees are more common in farmers than the rest of the Canadian population, says Catherine Trask, Canada research chair in ergonomics and musculoskeletal health with CCHSA. The most common symptoms of MSDs include dull aches, swelling, stiff joints and recurrent pain.

Unfortunately for farmers, the prevention and treatment of these injuries and any associated MSDs are complicated by circumstance. CCHSA research shows:

PHOTOs: top: Xiaoke Zeng, bottom: University of Saskatchewan

• Compared to other occupations, farmers start younger and work more years, putting more physical stress on their bodies over a longer period of time.

• Seasonal stressors dictate long hours.

• Geographic isolation restricts access to treatment.

• Some farmers/employees lack access to funded health benefits like physiotherapy.

“Even when farmers experience an episode of increased pain, it’s ‘job first,’” says Bath. “There is a sense that taking time off is not a realistic option. And faced with the prospect of a long drive followed by a brief appointment with a health care provider, some farmers opt against seeing a health care professional,” she explains. “They may not think the time trade-off is worth it.”

“In fairness, the tendency to work through pain is not always a bad thing,” says Trask. “Pain tolerance or acceptance can be healthy when it keeps people active and engaged with life. Movement can also help with healing.” She and Bath recommend seeking advice from a health care professional when pain is constant and doesn’t change with activity or rest.

Most musculoskeletal and joint injuries tend to be self-limiting, or resolve on their own, says Marvin Fritzler, a rheumatologist and member of the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health in Calgary. “If that doesn’t happen in a normal healing window, which would be a month or less, then attention is required,” he says.

But it’s not always as straightforward as it seems. “‘Arthritis’ is a catch-all label for joint disorders, but there are more than 100 different forms of arthritis,” says Fritzler.

Catherine Trask, Canada research chair in ergonomics and musculoskeletal health with CCHSA, is out in the field measuring tractor vibrations, which can have a negative impact on bone and joint health.

“When an individual develops joint pain, the importance of making sure which of those 100 we’re dealing with is important.”

He says the initial cause of the disorder may be obvious if it happens after an injury, a fall or being trampled or kicked by an animal. “We now know that events like that can be a trigger for one of the inflammatory autoimmune diseases that can lead to significant disability,” he says.

Inflammatory diseases that might be triggered by a joint injury include gout and pseudo-gout, which can present as debilitating foot or knee pain. Definitely go see a doctor when an injury fails to resolve in a timely fashion, or if other joints are affected by pain, swelling, redness or limited movement.

Fritzler, who grew up on a farm southeast of Calgary, knows the culture of farming can work against seeking medical care. But it’s important to seek help because post-trauma treatments such as physiotherapy, may help slow the progression of some forms of osteoarthritis.

The bottom line is that while MSDs are a leading cause of disability, early treatment can impact long-term outcomes. FF

“Even when farmers experience an episode of increased pain, it’s ‘job first’” Brenna Bath Professor University of Saskatchewan’s School of Physical Therapy

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 201 7

21

PHOTO: Debra Marshall

farm life

Catherine Trask, a research chair at the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture in Saskatoon says that musculoskeletal disorders that manifest in the lower back, shoulders and knees are more common among farmers than the rest of the population.

Top 5 ways to help prevent musculoskeletal disorders Farmers can help mitigate the risks of developing musculoskeletal disorders by paying attention to aspects of the work environment that contribute to fatigue, a precursor of discomfort, pain and injury, says Calgary workplace ergonomist Jill Bates. “The biggest risk factors for musculoskeletal health are static posture, awkward posture, force, repetition, contact stress and vibration.”

Here are the top five ways you can minimize your exposure to these workplace hazards: 1. Move your body. “You don’t need a 15-minute coffee break, but if you’re in the same position for an hour, you need to move.

It’s essential for blood flow,” says Bates. “Stop the tractor or combine and take a quick walk around and do some stretches.

I’m not in the business of making guarantees, but a farmer who takes a quick micro-break every hour will notice the difference.”

2. Maintain proper posture. When a body sits to work, ergonomists like to see elbows, hips and knees at 90-degree angles. You shouldn’t have to reach for the steering wheel or hunch over a workbench or computer keyboard. If long legs make it difficult to keep your knees below your hips, sit on a wedge cushion. To maintain a neutral spine, find a lumbar support backrest that keeps a gentle S-curve in your back.

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

3. Prepare for force. Before lifting, pulling or pushing, get the blood flowing to your extremities. Also try to store heavy items on racks above your knees. “We are most powerful from our shoulders to about mid-thigh,” says Bates.

4. Beware of repetition and contact stress. Look for ways to interrupt repetitive tasks with other movements (including stretches) and pay attention to contact stress, which occurs when part of your body makes frequent contact with a piece of equipment. Internally, this can impact nerves, tendons or blood vessels. In the legs and feet, contact stress is exacerbated by long hours on cement floors. An anti-fatigue mat at the workbench can make a big difference.

5. Mitigate vibration. Operating machines that vibrate your whole body increases your risk of musculoskeletal harm. Reduce the harm with a seat pad that dampens vibration.

The bottom line is that healthier work environments require action. “It’s not normal to have aches and pains related to work, but it’s up to you to look for ways to make that better,” says Bates.

THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE DEPENDS ON IT The experts at Mix It Up are committed to help build a strong resistance management strategy for your farm.

Find solutions on the NEW MixItUp.ca website.

production

SOYBEAN ACRES INCREASE ALONG WITH RISK OF DISEASE 24

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

By Jennifer Barber

PHOTO: thinkstock

F

rom 2005 to 2015, Canadian soybean production increased by almost 98 per cent. But as soybean acres spread across Canada, so does the risk of yield-crushing soil-borne diseases.

Knowing what could be lurking beneath the soil, and what to do about it, can help define your crop’s success.

“Soybeans have been grown in Canada for 100 years, but the crop has really only taken off in the past 30 years,” says Albert Tenuta, field crop pathologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

“It is now grown successfully in Quebec and Manitoba and is expanding into the Maritimes and western prairies. Because soybean commodity markets have been strong, growers are showing increased interest in producing the crop, and breeders have been able to develop shorter season varieties that work in those regions.”

According to Statistics Canada, in 2016, soybeans were the fourth most seeded crop in Canada in terms of acreage, and the third largest field crop in terms of cash receipts.

More than 2.2 million hectares were seeded last year, producing six million tonnes of soybeans, making Canada one of the top 10 soybean producing countries in the world.

Currently the biggest impediment to the crop’s success is disease, with soybean cyst nematode (SCN) topping the list — its impact is greater than the next five diseases combined. In Canada, SCN is only an issue in Ontario and some areas of Quebec.

However, once established it’s impossible to eradicate. Even the most extended rotations can’t eliminate it since cysts can live in the soil for decades.

“The cysts are very hardy and easily overwinter in the ground,” says Tenuta.

“And most of the damage from SCN happens below ground. Each cyst can contain 40 to 300 eggs that produce juvenile nematodes that feed off a soybean root. The female will migrate inside the root and set up a feeding site where a lemon shaped cyst will form on the root of the plants.”

Above ground, soybeans can look normal or, in particularly stressed areas, become stunted. The plant will yellow, mimicking a potassium deficiency.

“Identification is one of the big challenges with the disease,” says Tenuta. “It looks like so many other things. People wonder if it’s compaction, or pH issues, fertility problems or herbicide stresses.”

Partner in crime: SDS Another soil-borne disease that requires particular attention is sudden death syndrome (SDS), which is aided and abetted

by SCN. The root damage caused by SCN provides an entry point for SDS, as well as other early-season diseases.

“SCN and SDS go hand-in-hand,” says Holly Derksen, field crop pathologist with Manitoba Agriculture. “While you typically find SDS in SCN-infected fields, it can occur on its own. But they like different conditions. SDS prefers cool and wet soil and shows symptoms later in the season, SCN likes a wide variety of weather conditions and shows up earlier in the season. Both can dramatically reduce yield.”

As with SCN, most SDS damage happens underground, so correct identification after emergence is important. But that can be difficult. SDS symptoms are very pretty: veins on soybean leaves stay green while the tissue between them turns a »

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 2017

25

production

Sudden Death Syndrome is a fungal disease caused by Fusarium virguliforme.

Soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycine) is a plant-parasitic nematode.

brilliant yellow then brown before falling off entirely, leaving the green veins behind.

Sudden death syndrome rates have been steadily increasing in Ontario, particularly in the Toronto-Windsor corridor, and has not yet been confirmed in eastern Ontario, or any other growing region in Canada.

But as populations build, it’s only a matter of time.

Watching and waiting “Manitoba soybean growers are experiencing a prolonged honeymoon period in terms of disease concerns,” says Derksen. “While we have had to deal with some phytophthora root rot, in a region that struggles with high levels of disease in cereals and oilseeds, we haven’t seen any SCN or SDS so far.”

Manitoba Agriculture conducts an annual disease survey to try and get a picture of what growers can expect in the coming season. “We really need to keep a sharp eye on our neighbours to the south,” 26

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

Keeping disease under control Once these diseases are in your field, it becomes a matter of managing their effects going forward. A soybean crop can see a 30 per cent reduction in yield with no visible symptoms above ground, so step one is proper identification.

“If you think you have SCN, which is the first disease you’ll likely find, use a shovel and dig up some of the roots,” says Tenuta. “Don’t pull the plant as that will leave many of the tiny cysts in the ground.

They are the size of a period at the end of this sentence so they are easy to shake off or miss on a visual inspection.”

Growers can send in a soil sample to confirm disease presence and levels in the soil. After that, it is all about managing for the disease, starting with choosing a resistant soybean variety. There are a number of them available for all lengths of growing seasons in Canada.

And even though it won’t eliminate SCN, crop rotation is an important tool to reduce soil inoculum. Corn and wheat are good rotational crops, while beans, peas and legumes are less successful since they’re also identified hosts and provide a reproductive source.

Seed treatments also help to suppress disease levels, but they must be used within an integrated pest management system as they can only reduce, not eliminate, the risk of disease development. There are nematicides available for SCN, and a new seed treatment this season has shown to suppress both diseases. (see sidebar) “Any time a plant has to defend itself it has to divert resources,” says Tenuta.

“Little stressors can create bigger stressors as the pressure on that seedling or plant accumulates, so making sure your seed is fully covered against potential diseases will give it the best chance to tackle whatever is hiding in the soil.” FF

PHOTOS: top: Daren Mueller, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org bottom: Elizabeth Bush, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org

says Derksen. “We know that there is SCN right up to the Canadian border of North Dakota and Minnesota. So, it’s likely in Manitoba, but we just haven’t found it yet.”

SCN spreads through the soil and so any opportunities to minimize soil movement will help. “Growers need to be on top of their biosecurity,” says Derksen. “They should be careful about transporting soil from the U.S. and they need to be cleaning their equipment carefully. But they can’t control flooding or erosion or movement from rivers, so it’s impossible to completely prevent its movement north.”

New soybean seed treatment takes on SDS

Nobody wants to hear the phrase “sudden death” associated with their crop, but in soybeans, sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a very real threat, causing annual yield losses of 20 to 60 per cent. That should change with ILeVO, the first seed treatment registered against SDS.

PHOTOS: top: thinkstock, above: bayer cropscience, weber/leifels

David Kikkert, crop and campaign marketing manager, soybeans and pulses, with Bayer explains: “In 2016 we once again conducted research trials with the University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the average yield gain with ILeVO over non-treated seed was four bushels per acre,” he says.

“This further backed up previous results of research trials in both Canada and the U.S. Our five-year average in these trials was a 3.4 bushels per acre improvement over untreated seed.”

ILeVO permeates the roots and young seedlings, moving at a high-concentration into the cotyledons and unifoliates, and then stays in the seed zone. It protects the seedling and root system against the SDS fungus and has activity on nematodes in the seed zone.

“The fungus that causes SDS is very common in soils and can be difficult to identify,” says Kikkert. “The disease tends to show up under stressful conditions. However, practices like improving soil drainage to help reduce cool, moist soils, rotating crops, avoiding or reducing soil compaction and maintaining proper pH and fertility levels, can all help in reducing, but not controlling, SDS.”

Currently SDS is only a threat in Ontario, but it is expected to move into all soybean-growing regions in the coming years.

ILeVO is also registered for protection against soybean cyst nematode (SCN), which has already spread across Ontario to Quebec and is a real threat to Manitoba growers as well.

While there are a few SDS and SCN resistant varieties available to growers, that resistance alone is not enough to provide adequate control to reduce yield losses.

ILeVO will be available to seed companies and commercial seed treaters for the 2017 growing season.

—Jennifer Barber

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 2017

27

TECHNOLOGY

Online tools to help you better predict the weather

BY ANDREW NADLER | AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGIST

M

any people love to hate the weather forecast, or the weather forecaster! There’s no end to the jokes about meteorologists. For instance, I’m sure you’ve all heard this one: “In what other occupation can you be wrong more than half of the time and still keep your job?”

But as the skies open up and ruin your plans despite the weatherman’s promise of sun, who else are you going to blame?

In a New York Times article entitled The weatherman is not a moron, author Nate Silver likens the weather forecaster to a baseball umpire who rarely gets credit for making the right call.

Most people take forecasts for granted.

When they’re correct, folks don’t notice but when the forecast is wrong, everyone comments. Instead of putting all your faith in the weatherman, there are some great tools available that will enable you to go well beyond standard public forecasts.

But first, let me give you some background on forecasting. Nowadays, weather forecasts are mainly based on massive computerized numerical weather prediction models. These models draw upon vast datasets and run complex simulations using some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers.

A better prediction can often be achieved by increasing the number of opinions.

There are numerous weather prediction models throughout the world and no one model will always outperform in all situations. For this reason, forecasts are based on several models.

For example, The Weather Company’s forecast considers 162 different model results. The relative weighting of each of these opinions is based on algorithms that compare how closely each forecast matches what was recorded at each weather station.

As certain models perform better at certain times, their relative weighting increases.

The Weather Company, and its parent company, IBM, have an arsenal of supercomputers on hand to parse through billions of forecasts per day. Most people don’t have those sorts of resources

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Climendo.com provides forecasts from various providers and gives a confidence rating from fairly certain to certain to fairly uncertain. Here, five different weather providers give a forecast for Feb 14, 2017 at 2 PM. Based on the info the forecast at this time is fairly certain.

available, but if you’re looking to dig deeper into the various forecast models, check out SpotWX (https://spotwx.com), for a range of weather forecasts for any location or “spot” you choose.

The main feature of SpotWX is that when users select a location on the map, they can view the output from 10 to 12 different numerical weather prediction models, depending on what’s available for that specific location. Viewing different outputs is much like asking for a second or third informed opinion on what is likely to happen. If there’s a consensus of opinions, the outcome is more probable — if the forecasts are all different, there’s more uncertainty.

The three examples on page 29 show forecasts from two Canadian models (HRDPS and RDPS) and one American model (NAM). In this example, the noon temperature and humidity forecasts from the three models show a temperature difference of 0.8° C and a relative humidity difference of six per cent, so there’s reasonable agreement. For important decisions that rely on a weather forecast, consulting more than one opinion is an excellent strategy.

Another helpful insight from SpotWX is information about model resolution.

Every model outputs a virtual grid across the region that it covers with a forecast calculated for each grid cell. For example, the HRDPS produces a fine grid of 2.5 km over parts of North America, the RDPS is at 10 km over all of Canada and much of the United States, and the NAM is at 12 km over most of North America. Some models, such as the GDPS, run at 25 km resolution globally.

While a finer resolution is not necessarily more accurate, it will produce a forecast with more detail within a local area. This is particularly useful in areas with varied elevation, terrain, or landuse. For example, the 25 km grid of the GDPS will produce a somewhat regional or averaged forecast for an area whereas the 2.5 km HRDPS will consider local variability and be more likely to produce a farm- or field-specific forecast.

After listening to the weather forecast, it usually begs the question: “How sure are you?” Some weather events are harder to predict than others such as where and when a thunderstorm will occur or the exact path of a frontal system and whether

SpotWX is an online tool that offers a range of weather forecasts for any location or “spot” you choose. When you choose a location on a map, you can view output from 10 to 12 different numerical weather prediction models such as the three shown here.

or not these weather events will hit or miss your farm.

The question of forecast certainty makes this next tool quite handy. Climendo (http://climendo.com) is a website and app that tracks and compares forecasters’ accuracy in order to identify the statistically best forecast for a given location. While SpotWX provides the user with output from several numerical weather prediction models, Climendo shows actual forecasts from various providers.

Along with providing five different forecast opinions, Climendo gives a

confidence rating from certain to fairly certain to fairly uncertain. This probability is based on the level of agreement between forecasts. Disagreeing forecasts will result in higher level of uncertainty. When an important weather-dependent decision needs to be made, you can factor in the level of certainty associated with the forecast.

Ultimately, everyone wants the most accurate forecast that they can get. An always-right forecast would, of course, be the best solution, but with weather, there will always be errors and uncertainties.

While forecasts are improving and technology is getting better at dealing with this uncertainty, people who can dig deeper into the forecast for their area can make more informed weather-related decisions.

Armed with these tools, you can understand more of what goes into the forecast and perhaps question the weatherman when the forecast does not look right. Every farmer knows the high costs of unforeseen weather, so better insight into future weather can be extremely valuable and worth the investment. FF

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 2017

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WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Mix It Up to Keep Resistance at Bay Championing solutions to protect your productivity and profits

T

he evolution of herbicide-resistant weed populations is one of the most pressing and important challenges for the future of crop production.

Everyone has a role to play in managing resistance — not only to protect productivity and profitability today but also to preserve tools and options for the next generation.

As part of our commitment to help ensure the future sustainability of your farm, Bayer is proud to support MixItUp.ca, your online resource against herbicide resistance.

A RISING ISSUE Every year, new survey results add to an expanding body of evidence showing that herbicide resistance is not going away and is a real threat to the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Canadian farms.

Big financial impact. The economic consequences are especially dire. If resistance is not managed, resistant weed populations can rapidly expand resulting in major losses, increasing every year, as weeds outcompete your crops and drain away both yield and quality.

Tough to fix if left unchecked. Make no mistake: resistance is out there. It may not seem likely or much of a threat until

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

A study from the University of Illinois and USDA-ARS shows that mixing two or more herbicide Groups in the same tank for each application produces the most effective results, making fields 83 times less likely to have resistance issues compared to those treated using only one herbicide or even just rotating crops.

it happens. Just look at our neighbours to the south, where herbicide resistance has required growers to rely on different, pricier herbicides due to their reliance on the same herbicide on the same field, yearafter-year. In some instances, growers have even incurred an additional $150/acre for hand roguing.

USING NEW KNOWLEDGE TO FIGHT BACK The latest research shows one of the most effective strategies you can use to combat resistance pertains to herbicide mixing.

It’s important to keep in mind that there is no silver bullet for combatting resistance. Utilizing an integrated strategy is one of the best things you can do to fully minimize the threat of resistance and make sure your yield and quality are protected.

Together, we can champion stewardship

and with our actions, shape farming for years to come. We will diversify. This means diversity in our tools, tactics and skill sets. And perhaps most importantly, diversity in our mindset — because the answer to herbicide resistance isn’t the next herbicide.

Learn more about the full spectrum of integrated resistance management options at MixItUp.ca

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Big-League Weed Control, All-Star Value Take advantage of Bayer’s leading herbicides while bundling your purchases to capture outstanding savings

N

ow is the perfect time to get the best of both added to your roster, to help you achieve an outstanding 2017 growing season.

Bayer’s lineup of herbicides features a number of powerful and innovative options — including two new, cutting-edge formulations — to tackle your toughest weed challenges.

Utilize the BayerValue West program with the latest tough-on-weeds technology to keep purchases easy on your wallet. This rebate program provides compounding savings when you bundle your Bayer herbicide purchases with additional Bayer product purchases.

The BayerValue program allows you to select the best combination of options for your farm that are tough on weeds and high on value. With the newly updated program for 2017, the lineup of herbicide options has never been better and the opportunities to save have never been greater.

to Luxxur for 2017, save $2 per acre on your first 640 acres*. This works in conjunction with the other BayerValue offers. *A minimum purchase of 320 acres is required to qualify for this offer.

With BayerValue: Another standout option is NEW Infinity® FX, a lethal broadleaf herbicide that strikes early, hard and fast against tough to control cleavers and kochia. Featuring multiple Groups including unique Group 27 pyrasulfotole, Infinity FX utilizes both systemic and contact activity for exceptional resistance management.

Performance profile: • Delivers the unparalleled strength of three distinct and powerful herbicide Groups for fast-acting control of your toughest broadleaf challenges, including cleavers and kochia

PHOTO: JAN SAMANEK, PHYTOSANITARY ADMINISTRATION, BUGWOOD.ORG

• Powered by Group 27 pyrasulfatole for activity that is visible within days

NEW HERBICIDE INNOVATIONS Among the top performers headlining the BayerValue West program is Luxxur™ – a NEW, innovative herbicide that offers commanding control of your most challenging grass and perennial weeds, which threaten wheat fields including wild oats, Canada thistle, narrow-leaved hawk’s beard and dandelions.

FULL ROSTER OF TOP PERFORMERS These herbicide options headline a robust and diverse BayerValue West offering that also includes Velocity m3, Tundra®, Infinity, Varro, Puma® Advance, Thumper® and Buctril® M.

• Confidently mix with Varro® herbicide for exceptional wild oat control

• Save up to 20% on Luxxur, Infinity FX, Velocity m3 and Varro • Save up to 15% on Tundra and Infinity MAXIMIZE YOUR SAVINGS ALL SEASON No matter your cropping challenge, take confidence in the breadth of innovative solutions available through the BayerValue West program. Combine your qualifying purchases across multiple product segments and watch your savings grow.

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

Performance profile: • Unique solution for perennial weed control • Exceptional control of grass weeds • Flexibility to rotate back to sensitive pulse crops Plus right now, get the perennial weed control for less than $1. As an introduction

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 201 7

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Timing is Everything – Especially When it Comes to Weed Removal Early season application stops potential problems before they can eat away at your profits

W

hen it comes to farming, timing is everything, especially when dealing with weed control.

Five years of research has shown that the earlier you remove weeds, the better. Herbicide delay allows emerging weeds to firmly entrench themselves and outcompete crops for available resources.

The longer they’re left to grow, the worse it becomes for overall crop quality and yield.

+10% YIELD*** with Early Weed Removal

THREE-POINT PLAN FOR SUCCESS Here are some tips to get the best results with cereals and canola: 1. Start clean A clean field prior to planting will give your crop the best start. Herbicide choices for pre-burn include a range of product and tank-mix options.

2. Hit the target zone Plan your post-emergence herbicide application to hit the important 1- to 4-leaf stage for cereals. This is the optimal timing to maximize the yield benefits of herbicide application.

3. Take advantage of top options Quality herbicides are built for early weed removal. Choosing an effective herbicide option will support your crop to have excellent emergence and a healthy start that carries forward benefits throughout the crop year.

Study and trial results show time and again that early application with herbicides such as Varro, Velocity m3 and Luxxur — all of which are specifically engineered for early weed removal — offers up to 10 percent in yield increase over late application and optimizes weed control.

Why apply early?

• Early season is the time when emerging crops are at their most vulnerable and when weeds have the greatest impact on your yield, sapping away valuable moisture, nutrients and energy that your crop needs to reach its full potential • Smaller, actively growing weeds absorb herbicides much faster, making them easier to control • Getting weeds early minimizes the risk of damage at later stages • According to Agriculture Canada, the best yield results in cereal crops have been achieved by maintaining a weed-free field during the 1- to 4-leaf stage. This small change can provide less trouble later in the season and a better crop

*Source: 2015 Market Development Demonstration Strip Trials, 3 replicated trials, 6 different treatments: Varro® or Simplicity® or Everest® + Pixarro™ or Paradigm™

Got questions? Need answers?

Get them quickly on Twitter using the hashtag #AskBayerCrop 32

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

U

sing the hashtag #AskBayerCrop allows you fast and easy access to a number of our Bayer experts. As a valued partner, we want to help you succeed. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions you may have.

Simply log on to Twitter, tweet your question and use #AskBayerCrop. Answers will be provided by the official Bayer CropScience Canada Twitter account, @Bayer4CropsCA.

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Zone in on Corn Weed Control Tackle early weeds to make sure your crop maximizes yield

F

rom the time your seed hits the ground a highly competitive race for resources begins between your corn and weeds that want to drain its yield potential.

Weeds do this by stealing moisture and nutrients essential to maximize emergence, growth and overall health.

To keep your crop’s potential at its greatest and minimize costly yield losses, you need the right herbicide approach to provide protection early in the season right through to harvest.

Two of the best options are well trusted and proven to deliver:

This dynamic performer offers the broadest spectrum weed control for corn.

It is also the most consistent, crop-safe solution for grassy and broadleaf weeds.

Converge® XT herbicide remains stable on soil surfaces — recharging with as little as

a half inch of rain for residual activity that continues to control weed flushes.

It contains two active ingredients, including Group 27 and Group 5 chemistry, to deliver reliable control while also helping to manage the risk of resistance.

Application timing is before planting or prior to crop emergence up to the 3-leaf stage of growth.

This proven herbicide, tank mixed with either glyphosate or Liberty® herbicide, delivers the broadest spectrum in-crop residual corn weed control. It is available in a concentrated liquid formulation that is simple to use and extremely efficient.

A 1.78 L jug treats 40 acres.

The combination of Vios™ G3 herbicide with glyphosate or Liberty provides three different herbicide Groups to offer robust control and outstanding resistance management. Target application timing is the 1- to 6-leaf stage of growth.

Even small weeds cause major losses It’s a mistake to think small early weeds won’t do much damage, says Jon Weinmaster, Crop and Campaign Marketing Manager, Corn & Horticulture “The reality is that below the surface there is a battle going on. Germinating weeds and their root systems are competing with your corn crop and taking valuable moisture and nutrients that will cost you in yield and quality. With today’s proven herbicide options and well established economic thresholds, there’s simply no reason to risk those losses.”

FARMFORUM.CA / SPRING 201 7

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Ramp-up Savings with BayerValue East Rewarding growth – More than the best products, great rewards

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rom seeding to harvest, taking advantage of the portfolio of products from Bayer really pays – not only in the field but also in your wallet.

The new for 2017 BayerValue East program delivers rewards when you make purchases of $2,000 or greater and includes a broad range of qualifying products and bundle options.

The more you take advantage of the program, the more you save, with the potential to capture compoundable savings of up to 15 percent along with an additional bonus reward.

“The potential savings are significant no matter what the size of your operation,” says David Kikkert, Bayer Crop and Campaign Marketing Manager, Soybeans & Pulses. “When you consider the agronomic benefits you get from the products, plus these rebates, there is a lot of potential value to be captured by taking advantage of Bayer purchase options.”

RANGE OF TOP PRODUCTS Examples of qualifying products include corn herbicides Converge XT and Vios G3; cereal herbicides Buctril M, Infinity and Puma Advance; and fungicides such as Proline® and Stratego® PRO. BUNDLE OPTIONS FOR COMPOUNDABLE SAVINGS Bundle your crop protection purchases to save even more. Bundling options include: - Cereal Bundle: cereal herbicide + cereal fungicide

- Crop Bundle: cereal product (herbicide or fungicide) + corn herbicide - Fungicide Bundle: any two fungicides PROLINE BONUS There is also an additional Proline Bonus that allows you to save an additional 4 – 8 percent on qualifying Proline purchases.

SIMPLE TO REGISTER Growers who registered for BayerValue in 2016 are already automatically enrolled for 2017.

For more details visit cropscience.bayer.ca/BayerValue or call the Bayer Rebate Fulfillment Interaction Centre at 1-888-283-6847

It Pays to Spray: See how Fungicides Performed in Your Area

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isit ItPaysToSpray.ca to view the latest 2016 fungicide trial results from your area based on a wealth of data from grower-cooperated Demonstration Strip Trials (DST).

The website features a newly updated map that works as an interactive tool, allowing you to access information from over 120 trials from across the Prairies, including results spanning back to 2008.

INTERACTIVE TOOL, MANY FEATURES • Click on the map to see the most relevant results to your growing area, with a wide variety of multi-year performance

information available under real world conditions in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta • The tool also allows you to break the information down into clear-cut, bottom line results that help make your decisionmaking straightforward and simple • View fungicide effectiveness for different types of crops and conditions Also available online is our newly updated 2017 Fungicide ROI Calculator, which allows you to see the potential return you can get from a fungicide application. Visit cropscience.bayer.ca/ROICalculator today!

cropscience.bayer.ca 1 888-283-6847 @Bayer4CropsCA Always read and follow label directions. Buctril®, Converge®, Infinity®, Liberty®, Luxxur™, Proline®, Puma®, Stratego®, Thumper®, Tundra®, Varro®, and Vios™ are trademarks of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada.

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

Without Vios, even a full tank is half empty.

Ever wonder if your weed control program has a hole in it? Now you can erase all doubt by tank mixing Vios™ G3 herbicide with glyphosate or Liberty® herbicide. Tough grass and broadleaf weeds won’t know what hit them, but you will: three modes of action. Plus, you can count on the broadest spectrum residual weed control available from an in-crop herbicide.* Learn more at cropscience.bayer.ca/ViosG3

Weed out herbicide resistance.

Vios G3 uses 3 different modes of action to help you control resistant weeds. Visit MixItUp.ca to learn more. cropscience.bayer.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer representative.

@Bayer4CropsCA

*When compared to competitors applied at the same timing. Vios G3 has the broadest spectrum weed control when compared to residual competitors applied at the same timing.

Always read and follow label directions. Vios™ and Liberty® are trademarks of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada.

HATES WEEDS AS MUCH AS YOU DO. 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.

cropscience.bayer.ca/Luxxur

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.

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