Farm Forum Summer 2018

THE SHIFTING SANDS OF GLOBAL TRADE | farmforum.ca

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The AGRONOMICS of

turf

MANAGEMENT Technology

Business

Production

Farm Life

New high-tech app takes scouting to next level

Alliance gives independent retailers a collective voice

OYF winners kick diversity up a notch

Protect the skin you’re in

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farm forum / summer 2018

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

The agronomics of turf management /8

features

production

business

Editor's Note / 4 The shifting sands of global trade / 6 Who will farm the farm of the future? / 18 OYF winners kick diversity up a notch / 14

farm life

Are there “really” 29 players on your team? / 26

Protect the skin you’re in / 22

Alliance gives independent retailers a collective voice / 20

technology

New high-tech app takes scouting to next level / 24

FARMFORUM.CA / s ummer 201 8

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Publisher Bayer CropScience Inc. Editor Sherry Warner

N

o matter what business you’re in or how successful you are, there is always room for improvement. And for farmers, a boost to the bottom line often comes by being open to new ways of doing things and by taking advantage of new scientific and technological advances.

Enjoying the day out on the links is a favourite pastime for many farmers. In our cover story we go behind the scenes and look at what it takes to create a world-class golfing experience. Although the approach to turf management is very different at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club, located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just west of Calgary, and Devil’s Pulpit and Devil’s Paintbrush courses, just northwest of Toronto, both superintendents use science and a little help from local agronomists to inform how they manage their turf. Turn to Page 8 to learn more.

Craig and Jinel Ference, 2018 regional winners of the Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program award for Alberta, use technology to help them better run their diversified operation — a combination of cropland, feedlot, nursing herd and custom farming.

The two take advantage of advancements in corn hybrids as well as seeding and harvesting technologies in the field and use advanced farming software to manage their entire operation from their farm office. Their custom farming business helps them keep their equipment costs in line and the latest feedlot management technology keeps their herd healthy and easier to manage.

As farming becomes more and more digitized, the next generation of farmers are going to have to have a diverse skill set to succeed in this new ag environment. That’s where Saskatchewan Polytechnic steps in with its new two-year diploma program, Agriculture and Food Production.

Set to start in September 2019, the program’s modern curriculum will prepare students for the new challenges ahead.

And speaking of digital farming, Bayer’s Digital Farming Solutions’ new high-tech app makes it easier than ever to scout for disease.

Currently, this app can reliably identify about 10 weed species. As the app evolves, it’s expected to offer more such as crop protection recommendations and the ability to predict pest movement across geographies.

As 14 independent agriculture retailers discover in our story on Page 20, working as part of a team definitely has its benefits — support and learning from like-minded individuals and being better able to compete in the industry. These retailers formed a group called AgLink Canada and an alliance with its parent organization, AgLink Australia. Together they will work to help strengthen independent retailers across western Canada.

And finally, science has a role to play in helping to reduce the incidence of skin cancer among those who spend a lot of time outdoors.

Farmers have several choices to help protect their skin from harmful UV rays including the latest broad-spectrum sunscreens and clothing, hats and sunglasses that offer both UVA and UVB protection.

— Sherry

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Contributors Trevor Bacque Jennifer Barber Dianne Finstad Joy Gregory Clare Stanfield 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 2018 Website www.farmforum.ca Return undeliverable copies to: Bayer CropScience Inc. Suite 130 160 Quarry Park Blvd. SE Calgary, AB T2C 3G3

On the cover Rob Wright is the superintendent at Devil’s Pulpit and Devil’s Paintbrush golf courses, located just northwest of Toronto. To keep his courses in top condition, Wright works with an agronomist and uses soil test data to help with nutrient management.

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business

By Clare Stanfield

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FA R M FO R U M .C A / s umm er 2018

I

f the term “Silk Road” has you conjuring up images of romantic adventurers and ruthless traders travelling over mountains and through deserts in caravans or on camel back, it’s time for an update.

Welcome to One Belt One Road initiative, or OBOR, the 21st century reinvention of the Silk Road announced

by China in 2013. “It’s a very ambitious project,” says Bruce Burnett, director of markets and weather information at Glacier FarmMedia. “It’s patterned like the old Silk Road and the idea is to optimize and maximize trade through Africa to Asia and Europe.”

The ancient Silk Road was a network of overland tracks and sea routes that connected the great historic civilizations of East and West. For centuries, it was the conduit for economic and cultural trade to and from China through Japan and south Asia to India and the Horn of Africa, through the Middle East and into Europe as far as Greece and Italy. Indeed, it’s said that the Silk Road was already well over 1,000 years old when one of its most famous travellers, Marco Polo, journeyed along its length and breadth in the late 1200s.

OBOR aims to recreate and expand those old trading routes by way of massive investment in transportation infrastructure to better facilitate commodities trade to and from China. This means roads, rail, transportation depots and commercial port facilities across the region.

To get a sense of the scope of OBOR goals, look no further than the two financial institutions established to fund the work — the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a multilateral effort designed to support OBOR in the AsiaPacific region, which has $100 billion USD in capital, and the Silk Road Fund, a $40 billion USD, Chinese state-funded and state-owned investment fund dedicated to OBOR development in Eurasia.

The idea for spending all this money, says Burnett, is to help other countries fund needed infrastructure projects in their own territory, or have China build and own them outright. “China is looking

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The shifting sands of global trade

to decrease the friction of trade — for its own self interest, of course — but also so that other markets can improve,” he says.

“We’re talking about countries that don’t have the ability to finance these kinds of massive projects and, because China is that large an economy, it has the wherewithal to do this kind of thing.”

He adds that OBOR also helps China split its sphere of influence a bit so that it is not so reliant on the U.S. as a trading partner. “China has already targeted Africa where it can access natural resources,” says Burnett. “I would equate this initiative with some of China’s investments in Brazil, for example.” Among the country’s many investments there is a recently established $20 billion USD bilateral fund specifically aimed at developing rail infrastructure to bring crop commodities to port.

Why does this matter to you?

Well, right now, it doesn’t. But that doesn’t mean Canadian farmers should ignore the geo-economics at play with OBOR. “The thing that’s interesting to me is the two big economies in Asia, India and China,” says Burnett. “They are going to be vying for supremacy in economic terms. One Belt One Road is something India is watching warily as it views this as a competitor to its own trade routes.

“From a North American perspective, we’re a bit isolated because we’re not part of this geographical block,” he adds. “But there has to be a recognition that the Chinese and Indian economies are expanding rapidly and they are going to be driving the bus when it comes to commodities.”

And let’s be clear that we’re not talking just about agricultural commodities; OBOR is aimed at the bulk transportation of all commodities — energy, agriculture, manufacturing, you name it — and about getting them into these burgeoning economies more efficiently and economically, says Burnett. Will it mean a change to how Canada produces oilseeds, grains and pulses? Probably not — at least for now.

“What a lot of people don’t understand

about China is that it’s a lot like North America with population clusters along the coastline,” says Burnett. “That’s one reason One Belt One Road is looking to develop the maritime routes.” So while Canada isn’t a recipient of OBOR investment, there’s no denying that we ship our commodities primarily by sea, and that’s something we should think about. “One of the things I’ve gathered from analysts is that some of them are worried about our infrastructure not keeping pace.”

Again, Burnett emphasizes that this is all speculative — just food for thought at the moment. He doesn’t believe OBOR will change where certain crops are produced or current trading routes overall. “Is One Belt One Road going to change Pakistan into a big oilseed producer? No,” he says. “It will be a refinement of the global supply chain, it’s not going to change it.” FF

“China is looking to decrease the friction of trade — for its own self interest, of course — but also so that other markets can improve” Bruce Burnett Director of Markets and Weather, Glacier FarmMedia

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production

The AGRONOMICS of

turf

MANAGEMENT

By Joy Gregory

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N The Devil’s Pulpit golf course near Toronto features lush fairways and lots of treed areas.

o Canadian farmer purposely manages a crop to perform just under par. But farmers, whose ideal summer evening may include at least nine well-manicured fairways, are unknowing participants in an agronomic work of science that’s largely centred on growing a crop marginally shy of peak health.

While nature makes sure farmers and golf turf managers can’t achieve perfection, the push to grow plant communities that generate a great golfing experience are uniquely taxing.

“We have to work at finding a healthy medium because even though you want a course that looks great, a really healthy and dense turf is difficult to play,” explains Rob Wright, golf course superintendent at Devil’s Pulpit and Devil’s Paintbrush, two golf courses about 45 minutes northwest of Toronto. Besides contributing to “worm burners” and “flubs” (golf speak for a poorly hit shot), peak turf provides ideal conditions for the spread of grass-killing pathogens that are nourished by heavy thatch, says Wright.

“The depth of the science behind turf management is incredible — it’s really what makes the job fascinating,” says James Beebe, golf course superintendent at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club, a 20-kilometre drive from Calgary. Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Priddis Greens is comprised of two 18hole courses carved from a natural forest of towering spruce.

At 1,120 m (4,000 ft.) above sea level, long winters with high snow and moisture are part of an alpine-type growing zone that’s ill disposed to growing picturesque fairways and greens. “The shade in the winter and spring isn’t conducive to melting the snow, and chinook winds generate a freeze and thaw pattern that can really hurt the turf,” says Beebe.

Back in Ontario, Wright’s job is complicated by the fact he manages courses that deliver completely different golf experiences. Devil’s Pulpit features a parkland-style course with treed areas and lush fairways; a kind of “Augusta north” environment, while the design of the links-style course at Paintbrush resonates with the rougher courses of Scotland. While the greens at both courses are bent grass, the fairways at Paintbrush are seeded to a drought-tolerant low fescue. Rough bluegrass dominates at the Pulpit, where tall fescue is used in the shadier areas near the trees. »

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production

The Devil’s Paintbrush is a links-style golf course with fairways seeded to a drought-tolerant low fescue.

“The depth of the science behind turf management is incredible — it’s really what makes the job fascinating” James Beebe Superintendent, Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club

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The fungus fight Fungal diseases in general, and snow mould in particular, top the list of turf-killing infections Beebe and Wright train their staff to identify and control. Morning staff meetings at Wright’s Ontario courses include reminders about the importance of disease scouting and the need for diligent thatch management.

At Priddis Greens, concerns about what happens during the winter means “we’re thinking about putting the golf course to bed by early summer,” says Beebe. “We don’t want to overstimulate growth as that will leave organic matter where spores overwinter,” he explains.

“We also do a lot of tree removal specifically to aid spring and fall sunlight that enhances air flow and shade management. We want to give the plants a chance to prepare for winter. If the grass is actively growing, it goes into the winter in a weaker state.”

Beebe’s staff is also on the lookout for the annual bluegrass that creeps into their bent grass greens. A nasty competitor during the growing season and highly susceptible to winter kill, annual bluegrass creates dead spots in the greens.

While insect pests aren’t always an issue, Wright says they watch for and will control grass-root-eating grubs. At Priddis, where summer insect damage is abated by cool temperatures, Beebe is wary of the damage done by voles, a root-and-stem eating rodent.

A matter of science Good access to the latest science is essential to his job, says Wright. He contacts an agronomist several times a year and uses soil test data to guide nutrient management.

When in doubt about which pathogen he’s treating, Wright sends tissue cultures to a lab at the University of Guelph, his turf management alma mater. »

Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club, located just west of Calgary in the Rocky Mountain foothills, features two, 18-hole courses that wind their way around stands of towering spruce trees.

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production

“… even though you want a course that looks great, a really healthy and dense turf is difficult to play” Rob Wright Superintendent, Devil’s Pulpit and Devil’s Paintbrush

The Devil’s Pulpit is a parkland-style golf course just northwest of Toronto.

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The golf industry’s ties to agronomic experts makes good business sense, says Colin White, who joined Bayer’s Environmental Sciences division after 16 years in the golf course business. “Golf course managers are highly trained and use many different cultural practices to keep their turf healthy,” he says. “But sometimes, they need to rely on science-based plant protection products to manage their golf courses.”

Golf’s luxurious caché disguises a business of tight margins, adds Beebe, who often invites Bayer experts to speak at in-house education sessions and seeks advice from Bayer’s PhD-level turf grass

pathologist. “We’re like farmers in that when we need to apply products — the conditions are never perfect,” he says.

“It’s really a business decision. I want to make sure we are getting the best bang for our buck.” Beebe also appreciates Bayer’s support with questions about environmental stewardship.

“I don’t think you can run a course without an agronomist’s help,” adds Wright. “We get a lot of questions, even from staff, about how we manage our turf. You really want to be sure that you’ve diagnosed the right pathogen and that you’re using the right product and the right amount.” FF

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production

OYF winners kick diversity up a notch

By Jennifer Barber · photos by joyce ference

A

s every Canadian farmer knows, basing your business plan on the weather and fluctuating commodity markets can be a challenge. The Ference family mitigates those risks by going bigger and doing more.

They call it a “four farming enterprise,” referring to four separate business units — grain, feedlot, nursing herd and custom farming — that operate separately to manage risk. And with 10,000 acres of cropland, an 8,000-head feedlot, 4,000 mother cows plus the custom work, those risks aren’t small.

“When we joined my parents in running the farm, we envisioned a multiple enterprise business,” says Craig Ference, who together with his wife, Jinel, and his parents, own and manage Double F Farms, located near the hamlet of Kirriemuir in south-eastern Alberta.

“That meant combining cattle with cropping and learning to work smarter so we could do more with less.”

Craig and Jinel are the 2018 regional winners of the Outstanding Young Farmers award for Alberta. Double F Farms was founded in 1985 with a single wheat field and has since expanded to a second location in Biggar, SK. Craig and Jinel are fourth generation farmers who have made growth through diversification their main priority.

“In many ways the technology available today allows us to work better and helps us do more,” says Craig, “A lot of that technology comes down to genetics — both plant and animal

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genetics. Today we can produce more feed per acre and calve more cows without increasing our labour needs. These advancements allow us to grow more and to try different things so we can take advantage of opportunities in good years and weather tough seasons.”

Market swings are the driving force behind the Ferences desire to diversify. And even when times are good, it’s all about controlling costs.

They carefully watch the price of fuel and make bulk purchases when they see a number that works for them. Right now they are looking at barley prices and determining a good price to lock in.

On a farm this size, labour costs are always a concern, and they know it is easier to get full-time labour than seasonal workers.

By diversifying the operation, they have value-added businesses in each area of their enterprise, allowing for more year round work and efficient use of their labour force.

The people behind the farm A farm this size requires all hands on deck, especially during the busy seasons. At its peak, the farm employs up to 20 workers. However, they generally have a dozen year-round fulltime staff.

Because it’s challenging to find farm labour locally, the Ferences often use the temporary foreign worker program to find experienced farm workers from around the world, and work with an immigration consultant to stay on top of visa applications and paperwork. »

OYF winners for the Alberta region, Jinel and Craig Ference with their children: Maddie (8), Macy (3) and Nate (6).

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production

“We now have guys who come back every year. We have several workers who have been here seven or eight years,” says Craig. “In addition to our seasonal workers, we have key operators from Ireland, Sweden, the Ukraine and Australia. Our most seasoned and experienced employees have helped in hiring and sourcing employees from their communities overseas. We have been able to develop a network of like-minded workers who support our growth mindset.”

One of the challenges in finding temporary workers willing to work on rural farms is making sure they have nearby accommodations. The Ferences have worked hard to make their farm a desirable location for workers to live. “We own properties in a nearby town where most employees live,” says Jinel. “Craig’s dad also built a duplex for our employees. We think it’s wonderful to have accommodations available for our employees and their families so they can be close to work and also part of our community.”

Harnessing technology to manage growth Advances in all areas of technology throughout the operation have helped facilitate growth. The Ferences have become big proponents of feed corn and the advancements in corn hybrids, as well as seeding and harvesting technology that has allowed them to manage more cropland each year.

In addition, computer-based systems help them manage the entire operation from their farm office. “I enjoy operating our feedlot and farming software,” says Jinel. “These programs allow us to watch and manage the different aspects of our 16

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Three generations of the Ference family live on the farm. Craig, Jinel and kids are pictured here with Craig’s parents, Joyce and Harvey.

farm — from feedlot management to inventory control,” she explains. “We can look at the performance of different areas and make decisions based on the information from those programs.”

Naturally, a farm this size requires a lot of equipment, so Craig and Jinel make that equipment work longer in order to manage the capital costs. “The custom farming aspect of our farm means we can use our equipment better,” says Craig. “This area of our business is rapidly growing, especially as corn acres increase in this area. We custom plant corn in a 200-kilometre radius from our farm and help other farmers out with the agronomy and harvesting. Again, this helps us use our labour force and our equipment more efficiently.”

Double F Farms also uses section control on the sprayer and in plant management programs to make the most of hybrid seed technology. In addition, the Ferences have adopted the latest feedlot management technology for a healthier, easier-tomanage herd.

Keeping it in the family The Ference family manages costs by doing as much as possible in-house, building on family members’ wealth of knowledge. For

“As part of the OYF program we get to meet lots of Canadian farmers across many agriculture industries and learn how other people do things in order to help us run our business better” Jinel Ference

instance, Craig’s dad, Harvey, builds most of their structures while his mother, Joyce, does the majority of the bookkeeping.

Three generations of Ferences live on the farm site, which allows their three children, Maddie, Nate and Macy, to experience farm life and the role different generations play on the farm.

“We have a lot of connections in the community. In fact, a neighbour nominated us for the Outstanding Young Farmer award,” says Jinel. “As part of the OYF program we get to meet lots of Canadian farmers across many agriculture industries and learn how other people do things in order to help us run our business better. We’ve already made some terrific connections and met some great people who are all interested in growing agriculture in this country.”

For Craig, travel is also a priority when possible — not just for pleasure but also to learn how people in other countries deal with adversity. For instance, on a trip to Australia, Craig saw how growers in that country dealt with consecutive years of drought, which helped him deal with that same issue at home.

“We never dreamed we would be where we are today so in some ways it’s challenging to look to the future because we are already so much further ahead than we thought we’d be at this point,” says Craig. “We have invested a lot in our physical assets over the past few years so right now we want to use those assets better and invest in expanding our land base. We are always looking forward to see how we can do more, get better, farm sustainably and instil strong rural values for our kids and for future generations.” FF

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technology

Who will farm the farm of the future?

New curriculum gives next-gen farmers a leg up to farm in the digital age

By Trevor Bacque

F

arming in 2018 is a far cry from farming a mere decade ago, never mind 20 or 30 years ago. As the ground of agricultural technology and practice continues to shift, the ability to provide relevant education to the next cohort of would-be farmers and agribusiness professionals is vital.

The braintrust at Saskatchewan Polytechnic realized this and in the summer of 2015, consulted with many groups in the agriculture community to develop a curriculum that would prepare students for success in the increasingly digitized world of farming. The result is a new two-year diploma program, dubbed Agriculture and Food Production, and set to commence September 2019 with 24 students.

“The changing workforce in the field of agriculture means there are no longer large numbers of farm kids,” says Jamie Hilts, the polytechnic’s dean of the School of Natural Resources and Built Environment and the School of Mining, Energy and Manufacturing. “There’s a need for the agriculture and food production industry to turn to a new labour force to meet these necessary skills and demands within food production.”

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Hilts acknowledges that there isn’t a typical student they expect to see walk through the program’s doors. The school is currently developing an international outreach to attract worldwide learners, and Sask Poly is also actively working at home with seven First Nations groups in hopes of having a portion of the enrolment be represented by nearby indigenous groups surrounding Saskatoon.

The diploma’s syllabus will feature 33 to 35 courses designed to instil a wealth of agricultural acumen — from soil health, meteorology, GPS and GIS mapping, to general math, arts and sciences. Other courses will focus on precision agriculture, safety, irrigation, financing, contracting, as well as ag-specific HR and conflict resolution.

Students must also complete a co-op term as well as a capstone project, which is an applied research assignment done in conjunction with industry.

“This is definitely filling a gap that the industry needs,” says Susan Blum, Sask Poly’s vice-president of applied research and innovation. “Industry will have trained students coming to work for them (during their co-ops). If there’s

“There’s a need for the agriculture and food production industry to turn to a new labour force to meet these necessary skills and demands within food production” Jamie Hilts Dean, School of Natural Resources and Built Environment and School of Mining, Energy and Manufacturing

a problem or a prototype that needs to be made, or solutions, students will have that opportunity. They need individuals in this sector.”

The mixture of theoretical and applied education is what makes this program unique and Hilts recently inked a memorandum of agreement with Ag in Motion — an annual outdoor farm expo held each July — to use its Langham, SK site as an equipment training ground for the students.

“Some of these courses are going to be very, very hands-on. Learners will have access to farm equipment such as combines and sprayers,” says Hilts. “They’ll learn fuel and air systems. Students have that comfort level with the equipment they are exposed to and have time in the equipment to do basic operations. For some, it will be the first time they’ll be in that piece of equipment, but it’s also about exposing them to the technology and agriculture and food sovereignty.”

At Ag in Motion, show director Rob O’Connor is thrilled that the school and show site will work in-tandem to educate students to farm successfully in a time where there is more to keep track of than ever before. “(This partnership) is a great feeling because that’s what we are really hoping to accomplish, working with groups like Saskatchewan Polytechnic to offer these opportunities,” says O’Connor. “It takes people who are highly educated to operate this equipment and we need people to understand the new technologies. They will

“If there’s a problem or a prototype that needs to be made, or solutions, students will have that opportunity” Susan Blum Vice-President, Applied Research and Innovation, Saskatchewan Polytechnic

have class time where they learn behind a desk, but they’ll also be able to come to the Ag in Motion site and operate equipment and feel comfortable after they finish the course and go into the workplace in this new equipment.

“People currently do not have that opportunity, they’re just behind a desk,” says O’Connor. “Then, they go to farm, and they’re on the huge fields in western Canada, and they must learn on the job and that’s difficult for the employer and employee. This program helps to eliminate that gap for those who will enter the agricultural workforce.”

Practical training aside, a highly information-driven component will educate students about the growing preponderance of farm data and how it may be interpreted and applied to achieve operational gains.

“It’s about using the data from the

technology,” says Blum. “Generally, lots of information can be collected, but how do you use that to best make decisions in your industry and what you’re working on? That’s the twist that is sort of high in demand, it’s the analytical side of things.”

Hilts agrees with Blum, adding that the next generation of Canada’s farming workforce will require a divergent skillset than previous generations to guarantee farm-level success, and this program is one avenue to such an end.

“I don’t believe there is any question that agriculture and food production have changed dramatically in recent years,” says Hilts. “The program’s concept is really being able to ensure the learner has the skillset upon graduation, with boots on the ground experience to make decisions based on information they can gather, assist whomever, to help maximize return on investment.” FF

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BUSINESS

New alliance gives independent retailers a collective voice

BY DIANNE FINSTAD

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FA R M FO R U M .CA / SUMMER 2018

vice-president of sales and operations for McEwen’s.

“Initially, the biggest draw was to get a better voice with suppliers and manufacturers so we can compete with the larger, national companies,” he says.

“The sideline to come out of that was the networking that we’ve developed over this last year, which actually, to me, has become a bigger part of being part of this team.”

Gaumont has 20 years of experience in the industry under his belt but, through AgLink, is only now meeting colleagues from Saskatchewan and Manitoba who he’d never connected with before.

“We are like-minded business people, so just bouncing ideas off each other is pretty nice,” he says. “You’re not stuck on an island trying to solve the world’s problems by yourself. It’s a support community for the small businesses.”

From his experience down under, Dowdle is big on the benefits of independent retailers being able to network. “There are so many good ideas that come out of entrepreneurial small businesses,” says the Aussie with 40 years of ag experience.

“You don’t have to re-invent the wheel.

By sharing ideas amongst yourselves, you create value. Being involved in an AgLink platform allows you to do that, to learn from other like-minded individuals,” he says. “But you still have the freedom to be your own person. The greatest strength of independents is their independence. The secret is you don’t obstruct the independent nature of the businesses but harness the collective capability of the group.”

That can range from comparing notes on business computer programs or staff retention to, perhaps more importantly,

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

I

n the ever-changing world of agribusiness, is it possible to maintain independence and still compete with the big boys?

AgLink Canada says yes, and that’s what it wants to provide to ag retailers. This uniquely structured entity is based on a very successful model that has been operating in Australia for three decades.

Last fall, 14 independent agriculture retailers in western Canada signed a founding agreement to create AgLink Canada, as well as form a strategic alliance with its parent organization in Australia.

That alliance included the “borrowing” of long-time AgLink Australia CEO Bill Dowdle, who was welcomed to Canada in January. The frigid temperatures did not cool his enthusiasm for the AgLink concept and what it will mean for prairie agriculture.

“It doesn’t matter how big or small you are as an independent, it’s nice to have likeminded individuals that you can network with — that was the genesis of AgLink in Australia,” says Dowdle, who’s based in Calgary.

“It’s been a very successful model. It’s really around giving a collective voice to independents with the manufacturers or suppliers,” he explains. “The DNA of AgLink in Australia has really been around technology, helping manufacturers bring technology to the customer, and helping them position the technology so that it creates benefits for end-users.”

After searching the global marketplace, the group of Canadian retailers approached Dowdle to learn more about AgLink Australia, which commands a $1.2 billion AUD input market, representing 23 per cent of the market. The wheels were soon in motion to create AgLink Canada, with each retail member purchasing an equal share.

McEwen’s Fuels and Fertilizers, which has eight outlets north of Edmonton, is one of them. “It really appealed to us to be part of a larger organization across western Canada,” says Mike Gaumont, partner and

strategic thinking for the future. There’s no doubt when you get 14 independent thinkers around a table there will be differences of opinion and some lively discussions.

“It’s been really positive,” Gaumont says.

“When the doors open and we all leave back to work, we are speaking the same message as a group. I’m pretty proud that in the short period since we launched, it feels like we’re coming together as a team. For a new company, it’s pretty neat to see.”

Manufacturers and suppliers are becoming aware there’s a larger entity to deal with now in western Canada, which has been key, early work for AgLink.

“When you’re a small independent on your own, it’s harder to be heard,” says Dowdle.

“If you’re a group you can actually get their attention. You’re more important as a group than you are as an individual to get a ‘fair go’, as we say in Australia, in the heat of the battle. That’s important.”

BEYOND PRICING All this won’t necessarily translate into better deals for farmers. Dowdle points out independent ag retailers have to be price competitive, but because they’re local businesses and community members, they’re often more in touch with their customers’ needs and situations. He says AgLink is really about helping the members take those trusted relationships and build on them further, by providing more and broader services.

“Does it necessarily mean a lower cost of product? I would say that’s not why we’re doing this,” says Gaumont. “But bringing the best we can bring to our customer group, that’s really our focus. That’s why we joined. We’re trying to use this as a tool for securing the foundation of being a small independent in northern Alberta through access to new products and innovation to the same level as the national companies,” he says.

“Really, it’s so that we don’t get left behind in new product launches or marketing opportunities, or access to training so our staff can keep ahead of the changing technologies, so that we stay on the forefront of the industry,” explains Gaumont. “At the end of the day, if our farm customers aren’t successful, if they’re not profitable, not sustainable, it doesn’t bode well for our retail business. We have to make sure they’re environmentally sound, and profitable. Then we’ll all be in it for the long run.”

Looking ahead to the technological

“It doesn’t matter how big or small you are as an independent, it’s nice to have like-minded individuals that you can network with” Bill Dowdle CEO AGLINK AUSTRALIA

challenges and opportunities farmers face, Dowdle sees a real fit for AgLink Canada.

“There’s a whole tsunami of technology coming at you. In Australia we pride ourselves on being leaders of technology in each of our regions — in technology relevant to the area the farmer operates in,” he says. “It’s in the best interest of our members to ensure that farmers have that access and we want to play a role in helping with that.”

Dowdle is well aware there are some big differences in farming between Australia and Canada, like the intensity of the Canadian growing season. He stresses they’re not trying to implant Australia here, but rather learn some lessons from the way independent rural retailers do business there. The relationship is already spawning other activities, including one AgLink Australia member who plans to bring 100 Australian farmers to tour western Canada later this year.

“What makes me get up in the morning is independents and for them to be successful in very competitive and changing environment,” says Dowdle. “I think AgLink will play a part going forward in the development of strong independent retailers in western Canada over the coming years. It will be one platform where people who want to be part of something can be, and they can be heard.” FF

FARMFORUM.CA / SUMMER 201 8

21

farm life

Protect the skin you’re in Sun exposure is a major risk factor in the development of skin cancer, so it’s important for those who spend a lot of time outdoors to protect their skin

W

hen pharmacist Barb Hawken had a cancerous mole removed from her forehead a few years ago, her interest in skin cancer prevention got personal. While she wonders if the lesion was linked to her sun-loving teenage years on a family farm in southern Alberta, the mother of three red-headed farm kids now approaches cancer prevention with an action plan.

Knowing that a family history of skin cancer increases the risk of developing the disease, sunscreen has become a sun-safety 22

FA R M FO R U M .C A / s umme r 2018

staple on the Hawken farm located north of Provost, AB, about halfway between Edmonton and Saskatoon.

Hawken, her husband Brad, their three kids and Brad’s parents also wear Tilley hats, which offer UV protection, when working outdoors. UV protectant sunglasses are another priority. “I even put sunscreen on our son when he leaves for school in the morning. His complexion is so fair he’s had sunburns at recess,” says Hawken.

Wander into the pharmacy where Hawken works and she and her co-workers

will help you sort through the sunscreen products to find one that best meets your needs. “I know people can be fussy about what they put on their skin. It’s important to find one that works for you,” she explains.

“Skin conditions related to sun exposure are increasing with the sheer intensity of the sun and people are at risk if they spend a lot of time outdoors,” says Philip Emberley of the Canadian Pharmacy Association.

“Pharmacists know the products on their shelves. If you have questions, ask.”

PHOTOs: getty images

By Joy Gregory

Prevention priority Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting Canadians and the incidence of this form of cancer is on the rise. Donna Turner, PhD and provincial director of population oncology with CancerCare Manitoba, studies and reports on the prevention, early detection and screening of cancer and approaches skin cancer discussions with three messages. First, skin cancer can kill. Second, it’s preventable and third, early diagnosis significantly improves the odds of successful treatment.

There are three common types of skin cancer, says Dr. Mariusz Sapijaszko, an Edmonton-based dermatologist.

Melanoma is the deadliest, but basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are more common and are also serious. Basal cell carcinoma can increase the chances of developing other kinds of skin cancer and aggressive forms can damage nearby tissue, including bones, nerves and muscles. Sapijaszko and Turner urge farmers to take specific steps to protect themselves, their families and farm workers. These include:

• Limit sun exposure. UV rays peak at mid-day and are strongest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sapijaszko recommends farmers check the daily UV index along with the weather report. The UV scale goes from zero to 11, but an index higher than three is cause for greater care.

• Cover your skin. Wear widebrimmed hats and clothing that shades the skin — ideally made of fabric that offers UV protection — even when inside a vehicle cab.

• Wear UV-protectant sunglasses.

“You can get melanoma in your eye and that’s an important fact that people might not know about,” says Turner.

• Choose sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Choose a broadspectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection. Remember to apply it to the face, neck and ears and reapply often, especially after sweating. Also apply lip balm with a minimum SPF 30. Turner says there’s one caveat: “We don’t recommend sunscreen for children under six months of age. To protect babies, they need to be in the shade.”

Early detection While the majority of moles are normal and harmless, “it is important to be vigilant,” says Sapijaszko. He says people should know their skin and their moles and check them once a month. Enlist a loved one to check moles that are difficult to see. Moles that become itchy or bleed easily — like after towelling off — should be assessed by a doctor. Other warning signs include asymmetry, irregular borders and colour changes. Moles that get bigger should also be assessed.

“Dermatologists are the experts in the

health and disease of the skin, hair and nails but it is also appropriate to see your family doctor if there are concerns about your moles. If there is a need for a patient to see a dermatologist, a referral can be made,” says Sapijaszko.

The bottom line is that skin cancer is preventable. “We need sun but we need to be sun smart,” he says. “We need to know our own skin and pay attention to it. If there are concerns, prompt review by the doctor would help in early detection of skin cancer. If detected early, skin cancer can be successfully treated.” FF

Learn what to look for in moles and skin growths that may indicate cancer using the ABCDEs of early detection: www.farmforum.ca/ABCDEsofearlydetection

Choose sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection. Remember to apply it to the face, neck and ears and reapply often, especially after sweating.

FARMFORUM.CA / s umme r 2018

23

Technology

New high-tech app takes scouting to next level

By Jennifer Barber

S

couting your crop for weeds, disease incidence or leaf damage has just become easier with the launch of a new, high-tech mobile identification tool from Bayer.

It’s called xarvio™ SCOUTING, and it’s a free phone or tablet-based app from Bayer’s Digital Farming Solutions group that builds on the technology of previous generation scouting apps with a simple-touse interface and much larger database of reference points.

“In the past, most weed identification tools were catalogue based,” says Warren Bills, business development with Bayer’s Digital Farming Solutions group. “You would take a picture of the weed and compare it to a database of pictures to see what matched. Our new xarvio SCOUTING app takes the photo and quickly identifies it using a deep learning algorithm comparing it to an extensive image database. It can also now identify disease and quantify leaf damage.”

Two years ago, Bayer’s global Digital Farming Solutions group developed its WeedScout app to provide a quicker, easier way to identify common weeds. It used the type of leading edge image capture technology (currently being used for facial recognition in other industries) and applied it to weeds. Users were encouraged to take as many photos of weeds as possible in order to populate the app with a wide variety of images.

“Once we started collecting a volume of several species of weeds at all different growth stages, the technology evolved to offer even more precise identification,” says Bills. “Each picture is analyzed by the algorithm and we now have thousands of reference points to help identify weeds.

The algorithm intelligence in this software improves when more information is uploaded, providing greater accuracy in identifying weeds.”

Last year, Bayer Canada contracted with universities to start capturing as many images of various weeds as they could to help improve the algorithm. It also worked with different research groups for

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FA R M FO R U M .CA / s umm e r 2018

In addition to weeds, the new xarvio SCOUTING app will also be able to identify disease and quantify leaf damage.

in-field weed collection. Experts validate the images to make sure the algorithm is identifying them correctly. While these groups are helping improve the user experience, the key audiences for this technology are expected to be growers, agronomists and retail outlets.

There are different versions of the app available for global users, and the latest version of the Canadian app can now reliably identify approximately 10 weed species. Bills says it’s an accelerated start to the priority weed species that the app will eventually be able to accurately distinguish from a single photo.

In addition to weeds, the new xarvio SCOUTING app will also be able to identify disease and quantify leaf damage.

Because most crop disease is ideally treated preventatively, some of the disease information will be most useful for identifying symptoms or for making disease management decisions the following year.

“This app will supplement other scouting tools and software, rather than replace them entirely,” says Bills.

“The xarvio SCOUTING app is not an extensive record keeping software and, in its current version, does not recommend a crop protection treatment for the weed, disease or pest,” he explains. “We expect the app will evolve to offer more in the future. In some cases, such as with disease, we hope eventually the app will be able to send alerts, show pest intensity heat maps or predict pest movement across geographies.”

Bills says that the aggregate data collected by users will help Bayer determine the direction of the app in the future. “Crowd sourcing info will help make this tool more valuable and will also help us determine where we need to take it into the future,” he says. “Right now xarvio SCOUTING is easy to use, free and will help extend our knowledge of weeds, disease and insect pressure across Canada.”

Bayer’s xarvio SCOUTING app is now available on the Apple App Store or on Google Play. FF

YOU’RE EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.

“I think it was a great decision to use Zone Spray, it’s a very efficient way of applying fungicides and I’d recommend it to other farmers.”

- James Jackson, Grower, Jarvie, Alberta

Just because you can’t walk every acre, doesn’t mean you can’t be there for your farm. Using in-season satellite imagery, Zone Spray enables you to make a more informed decision on which parts of your field are best worth protecting. Once uploaded to your sprayer, Zone Spray maps control the sprayer’s nozzles automatically, turning sections on and off to selectively protect the highest production zones of your crop while optimizing your fungicide application.

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

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Are there ‘really’ 29 players on your team?

How a well-managed herbicide lineup can destroy the weed competition and contribute to the success of a farm

• Foreign players: Approximately 10 of the potential 29 players are not allowed on your team because they are not registered in Canada.

• Tired veterans: Currently, nine out of those now 19 potential players have built resistance against their opponents in Canada.

• No draft prospects: You’ve had no new players added to your team since 2008.

• Lengthy development program: On average, it takes approximately 14 years for crop protection companies to research and develop a new player.

And when looking at specific crops, target weeds and application timing, the size of your team continues to decrease.

As an example, when looking at an incrop herbicide application in wheat,

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herbicides registered for grass and/or broadleaf control are in Groups 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 27. With only six options to control weeds in a pivotal yield setting growth stage of wheat, a management strategy needs to be implemented to support their longevity. So, if you find yourself, as in this example down to six players on your team to protect your wheat crop, what can you do to maintain control of your toughest weed opponents, keep your future options open and to prevent herbicide resistance?

• Know your opponent: Research your key problem weeds. Look for weakness — some modes of action work better than others.

• Good coaches: Keep accurate records year-to-year to track your lineup and to monitor what’s working and what’s not.

• Level the playing field: Follow a good crop rotation. Even though there are six in-crop herbicide options in wheat, other crops such as canola or soybeans can utilize other Groups.

• Consider a man-on-man defense: Match the herbicide(s) to your most

difficult weeds, such as kochia, cleavers and Canada fleabane.

• Play by the rules: Use full-labelled rates and use the best tank mixes and adjuvants to ensure your product choice works optimally.

• Mix it up: Apply multiple herbicide Groups that are effective on target weeds. For instance, in wheat: Velocity m3 (Groups 2, 6 and 27) or Infinity® FX (Groups 4, 6 and 27) from Bayer are perfect examples of mixing multi-modes of action for resistance management. Out of the six modes available for wheat, Bayer’s product line provides options with five of those herbicide Groups.

Remember, you can only manage what is in your control. With no new modes of action currently ready to be launched to the market, preserving the longevity of the current herbicide team will be critical for your farm’s success. Otherwise your hard-to-control weed list will increase to also include herbicide resistant ones and there will be more “tired veterans” sitting on the bench.

PHOTOS: bottom, bayer cropscience /top: getty images/ligora

S

uccessfully run farms are built by strong coaches, managers and teams. Crop input and agronomist teams; an equipment manager; and of course, banker support are just some examples. Since herbicides are considered an important tool on farms, what if we specifically looked at them as a subset of your crop input team? Currently, according to the Weed Science Society of America, there are 29 different herbicide Groups, all classified based on their distinct ability to interfere with the way a weed cell operates. If those 29 herbicide Groups, or modes of action were your players, here’s how your team would look:

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Between the crosshairs: yield and quality

T

he challenge with cereal fungicides has been application timing: protect the flag leaf, but miss on protecting quality by not protecting against fusarium at flowering. Or, obtain the best quality with a flowering application but risk leaf disease by not protecting the flag leaf.

But, does it have to be a choice? Or can you hit both and maximize your yield AND quality opportunity? With fusarium infections increasing in intensity and moving westward across the Prairies, focus and research on application timing has indeed found the optimal fungicide application timing for quality. But where this is of particular interest, is that this timing is where the opportunity for the highest quality and yields intersect.

Rising to the top over the past 10+ years of Bayer’s fungicide trials is Prosaro, which has achieved an additional +7.7 extra bushels per acre over checks during the past decade. Through these trials and many other research trials, it’s been proven that optimal timing for

both quality and yield timing of wheat is between Days 1 and 2 after flowering and Days 1 to 3 in barley.

Better aim with a better tool In 2017, the next generation of Prosaro was introduced: Prosaro XTR. But what is the “XTR?” “The addition of mefenpyrdiethyl to Prosaro resulted in better than expected benefits for plant health,” said James Humphris, Cereal Crop Manager at Bayer.

“Not only does it help plants metabolize stresses more efficiently, resulting in higher yields, but it provides comprehensive DON and FDK reduction, resulting in a better quality wheat,” he adds.

“Extra yield, extra quality. That’s where the XTR acronym comes from.”

With two different active ingredients (tebuconozole and prothioconazole), Prosaro XTR has long-lasting preventative and curative properties to quickly eliminate existing infections and prevent new ones from developing.

Because fusarium head blight is a

fungus that infects wheat during the flowering stage, the ideal timing to protect your wheat’s quality is from early up to 50 per cent flowering.

At this stage, the wheat head is fully extended up from the flag leaf.

With the most leaf surface area of any other wheat leaf, its primary role is to capture sunshine for photosynthesis. So important in fact, that it fuels over 50 per cent of the plant’s growth and grain fill.

Preserving this flag leaf health is critical.

That’s where some of the added health benefits, such as metabolizing stresses, from the mefenpyr-diethyl in Prosaro XTR have their greatest impact: it results in the plant filling more kernels. And that’s more bushels in the hopper.

If high yield and high quality for wheat or barley are in your sights this season, be sure to use the latest fungicide tool that delivers both. For more information on achieving both your target yield and quality with Prosaro XTR, consult your local retail, Bayer representative or visit cropscience.bayer.ca/ProsaroXTR

✔ optimal Optimal timing provides best results

+6.7

+8.7

early head Head is completely exposed, but just emerged from the flag leaf.

optimal head Head extended up from the flag leaf, first flowers visible.

bu./ac.

bu./ac.

+7.2

bu./ac.

late head Head fully flowered/flowers falling off.

FARMFORUM.CA / SUMMER 2018

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Spotlight on pulses

S

INCREASE YOUR PROFIT POTENTIAL AND SAVE WITH BAYERVALUE

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FA R M FO R U M .C A / S ummer 2018

pulse crops on our farms. However, there can’t be a success story without a little drama to make the story interesting. White mould, grey mould and aschochyta blight are just a few of the examples of diseases impacting Canadian field peas, lentils, and chickpeas. And, in many cases, when these diseases hit unprotected fields, disastrous yields are the result. Luckily, pulse growers have tools, such as Delaro® fungicide from Bayer to protect their crops. It is proven in the results below (averaged over three years in multiple sites):

• Field Pea DST results: +6.3 bu./ac. increase (+11% yield) over untreated checks • Lentil DST results: +3.0 bu./ac. increase (+11% yield) over untreated checks

“Apply early and as your first fungicide pass,” says Jared Veness, Bayer Field Marketing Manager.

“Delaro’s strength comes from being a multi-mode of action fungicide containing prothioconazole and trifloxystrobin. These two actives provide translaminar and systemic control: meaning, not only will existing disease presence be impacted positively but Delaro will also stay in the plant to provide extended control well after the time of application.”

So, next time you dip a veggie into your hummus, consider all the diseases it had to encounter to become that new option on your plate. And remember, it only really got there with the help of Canadian farms and some fungicide protection.

The 2018 BayerValue program gives you access to the complete lineup of innovative cropping solutions from Bayer with exceptional savings.

Participating products vary from Eastern to Western Canada, so ask your local retail or visit CropScience.Bayer.ca/BayerValue to determine the participating products in your area.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES/Elena Schweitzer

peaking with Jennifer Evancio, Director of Sales & Marketing at Best Cooking Pulses, a global pulse food ingredients company, her passion and knowledge about pulses as a global food source is evident, even on the phone.

“We’re in such interesting times in the food industry. Non-traditional markets for pulses have really been gaining momentum, particularly in North America and Western Europe. They’ve really been in the spotlight,” she says. “And you know where it started? Hummus.”

While average North Americans may have thrown the odd “garbanzo bean” onto their plate at a salad bar, overall awareness and interest for incorporating pulses into their diets up until recently has been exceptionally low.

Less than five years ago, the average person on the street may not have known what a pulse crop was. But, now, with the consumer market driving specific food trends, such as gluten free, low-fat, and sustainable production, there is greater interest in incorporating pulses into diets. In addition to having the above appealing traits, the UN globally declared 2016 as The Year of the Pulse. This public recognition and the desire to increase consumption of pulse food options in our diets has expanded well beyond the hummus dip section.

Globally, Canada is the world’s largest exporter of lentils and peas, with a reputation for producing high quality

WHAT’S NEW WITH BAYER PRODUCTS

Simplifying the options

C

usually, but not always, happens around early silking. This is the same timing for a fusarium application. Luckily, your fungicide and insecticide may be tank mixed for one application if this is the case.

Tracey Baute, entomologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs outlines many details on WBC scouting and thresholds online at Field Crop News, The Baute Bug Blog. So, while there are a number of combinations, there are only two, maybe three choices.

orn production can be complicated. Leaf diseases limit yield while fusarium infection creates quality-debilitating toxins.

Causing further concern is rising populations of Western Bean Cutworm (WBC), which make the plant more vulnerable to disease infection.

How can you manage these problems?

Well, it actually is quite easy. Pests such as leaf diseases, fusarium and WBC, create an array of combinations based on what you might target. But, there are only two spray timings to be concerned about: early tassel and early/mid silking. While these two growth stages may only be five days apart in good growing conditions, they are worlds apart in terms of how a fungicide application will help your corn crop.

Why not spray once for both leaf disease and fusarium?

Running from outside of the corn husk directly to the kernel, silks act like a railway track, connecting the outer to the inner world. This is how pollen enters and unfortunately, diseases like fusarium can do the same. There are currently two fungicides, Caramba® and Proline® that protect against fusarium and their application timing is critical: when silks are newly and fully emerged. At this timing, both products will also control labelled late season leaf disease.

But, the ideal leaf disease fungicide timing is actually at early tassel to protect

Western Bean Cutworm egg masses.

the biggest photosynthesizing (energy producing) leaves. Since silks are not yet present the fusarium does not have the “inside track” to infect so therefore the fungicide application at that timing won’t control fusarium.

Another major factor in the timing decision is WBC. An insecticide application for WBC won’t always be needed. This should be determined by scouting and examining against economic thresholds. If economic thresholds are going to be reached it

•

•

Spray at early tassel for: Broad spectrum leaf disease protection Spray at early silking: Late season leaf disease + fusarium protection, Late season leaf disease + fusarium + WBC protection

A third option is spraying at both early tassel and early silking. Depending on corn prices and disease and insect pressure this may make sense for some growers.

Forecasted insect and disease pressures, environmental conditions, economic thresholds, resource availability and finances will impact your decision on whether to spray and at what timing.

Understanding which diseases have the greatest (leaf or fusarium) impact on your crop should be the deciding factor.

Need help deciding? Contact your local agronomist or Bayer representative.

B:8.375”

Ten years of proof

PHOTO: k. hamilton

T:8.125”

Authentication. Validation. Collaboration.

Verification. That’s what 10 years of grower managed fungicide trials in real-life conditions looks like: proof of what you can expect from your fungicide in your area.

Resources Make Decisions Easier “Turn to resources for help during the decision making process,” says Gunter Jochum from St. Francois Xavier, MB.

“From agronomists to university extensions to local suppliers, learn as much as you can.”

ItPaysToSpray.ca is your resource for localized results from the Bayer Fungicide Demonstration Strip Trials program. From wet years or dry, heavy disease pressure to low, we’ll give you a good idea what you can expect from your fungicide. And the proof is positive.

B:11”

T:10.75”

FARMFORUM.CA / S ummer 201 8

29

Supercharge your contact potato fungicide

T

hroughout the season, applications of a contact fungicide such as chlorothalonil or mancozeb, are critical to keeping diseases such as early and late blight from impacting your potato crop. Bayer offers an excellent tank mix solution to help growers get the most out of their contact fungicide’s chemistry.

By mixing Bayer’s Reason® fungicide with either a chlorothalonil or mancozeb

application, you’ll increase performance and improve the protection beyond what you’d get with a contact fungicide alone.

Plus, when it rains, the systemic activity of Reason keeps you covered until you can get back in the field.

Potato growers know that early blight is a slow threat, appearing across potato growing regions most seasons, killing off potato plants and significantly impacting yield. While it doesn’t appear every

year, late blight is an instant killer, taking down an entire crop in a matter of days.

Potatoes need protection against both early and late blight and a systemic plus contact fungicide tank mix provides the best protection you can get.

At less than $9/ac. the systemic activity of Reason is an economical tank mix partner that can help you get the most out of your contact fungicide application this year.

H

erbicide resistant weeds are a permanent fixture in farming today and are an annual consideration in any grower’s cropping plan. One long-term approach to reducing the development or impact of resistant weeds in your fields is by enlisting weed control strategies to lower the weed seed in the soil.

The weed seed bank is the total of the viable, dominant seeds that are in the soil at any given time. Weed seeds are returned to the soil when weeds go to seed. To reduce the number of weed seeds populating the seed bank, high levels of control are necessary. At one time, weed control was defined as 80 per cent of weeds controlled in a given field. However, that strategy allows 20 per cent of the weeds to populate the seed bank. Total weed control should be the goal of weed management strategies.

Weeds are most damaging to the crop in the early stages.

When weeds are allowed to grow unchecked, they not only compete with the crop for moisture, nutrients and light, they also reproduce and recharge the soil seed bank. As many weed species can overwinter for several years, this can be an ongoing problem, particularly when dealing with resistant species.

You can reduce the number of weed seeds in the soil

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seed bank by practicing integrated weed management strategies throughout your crop rotation. This includes killing weeds and weed escapes before they set seed, targeting optimum seeding rates by crop, rotating crops, using competitive crops and rotating with forages. You can also consider cultural management such as post-harvest burn down and targeted tillage. Other tactics such as the use of chaff carts or a Harrington Seed Destructor can also capture weed escapes.

In addition, know your fields and your weeds to stay on top of any potential threats. Research shows that herbicide resistant weeds are more mobile than previously thought, moving through wind, water, animals and farm machinery, so start your season clean with a pre-season burndown when necessary. Be sure that all of your equipment is clean to prevent the spread of weed seeds.

Reducing the number of weeds returned to the soil helps provide a longer-term weed control solution. The best way to control weeds is with a herbicide properly applied at the recommended rates. Keep your herbicides working into the future with a fully integrated weed management approach.

For more information on herbicide resistance and how to manage specific concerns, visit Mixitup.ca.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES/Bronwyn8

Breaking down weed seed banks

HATES WEEDS AS MUCH AS YOU DO There’s nothing quite like knowing the toughest 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.

#AskBayerCrop R-66-04/18-10960222-E

Out-yield.

Out-protect.

Out-freaking-standing.

NEW Prosaro XTR fungicide.

The best just got even better.

Prosaro® XTR is here and it’s better than ever.

How much better? How about a whopping 14% over untreated*. So regardless of disease pressure, in wet or dry weather, give your wheat and barley yields a big-time boost come harvest.

Protect your cereals and your bottom line with New Prosaro XTR.

IT’S GROW TIME INSTANT DISCOUNT

1ac.

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on Prosaro or NEW Prosaro XTR**

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

00

Ask your retail for details.

cropscience.bayer.ca/ProsaroXTR

1 888-283-6847

@Bayer4CropsCA

#AskBayerCrop

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

Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada. **It’s Grow Time Instant Discount applies only to purchases in Prairie provinces and Peace River Region of BC. C-55-04/18-10960222-E