MBC120223

STALL-FREE PORK COMING TO McDONALD’S

FLOOD VICTIMS FIGHTING MAD “Our southwest corner is not being treated equally.” Rick Plaisier, RM of Sifton » PaGe 3

Consumer demand building momentum » PaGe 36

february 23, 2012

SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | Vol. 70, No. 8

Trucking front and centre in talks on new beef code

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manitobacooperator.ca

$1.75

Farmers head to school for Canadian Agricultural Literacy Week

Highly visible to consumers, trucking is a key welfare focus

By Daniel Winters co-operator staff / Pipestone

W

hat’s the most commonly raised topic in the letters that land on federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz’s desk?

If you guessed the Canadian Wheat Board, you’d be wrong.

“Animal transport is the issue that he gets the most letters on from constituents,” said Canadian Cattlemen’s Association vice-president Martin Unrau at a recent town hall meeting.

See TRUCKING on page 6 »

Publication Mail Agreement 40069240

Farmers will be in schools across the country next week reading to schoolchildren. Pictured is Roland grain farmer Bob Bartley with AITCManitoba project co-ordinator Diane Mauthe reading to schoolchildren during another recent AITC-Manitoba project. photo: AITC-Manitoba

Organizers are expecting lively discussions when producers meet with schoolkids to talk about agriculture

By Lorraine Stevenson co-operator staff

I

t’s often said farmers speak their own language, but schoolkids in nine provinces might soon understand it a little better thanks to Canadian Agricultural Literacy Week.

Hundreds of farmers will be going back to school Feb.

26 to March 3 to talk to children and read from selected books telling stories about food and farming as part of a first-ever initiative put on by Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC).

It’s a week to strengthen the relationship between schoolchildren and the people who produce food, said Johanne Ross, executive

director of AITC-Manitoba, who is co-ordinating the national program.

AITC develops agriculturally themed teaching resources for schools, but this initiative is different, she said.

“When you think of literacy you automatically think See LITERACY on page 6 »

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2

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

INSIDE

on the lighter side

LIVESTOCK

Mars Inc. lightening up the calorie content of its chocolate bars

Grandin on cattle and chutes Avoid short chutes, yappy dogs and lone animals under stress

33

At least they waited until after Valentine’s Day

CROPS

Reuters

Roundup Ready canola No easy answers to control in other Roundup Ready crops

17

FEATURE These rules could save a life Permit needed to move farm equipment under power lines

38

Barriers to rural health care

4 5 8 10

Editorials Comments What’s Up Livestock Markets

REUTERS/Will Burgess

is a broader push for responsible snacking.

Mars has also said it will reduce sodium levels in all its products 25 per cent by 2015.

Spokeswoman Marlene

Machut said the plan to stop shipping any chocolate product that exceeded 250 calories per portion by the end of 2013 is part of Mars’ “broad-based commitment to health and nutrition.”

correction

Ethiopia

CROSSROADS

Rural communities need more doctors who understand farming

Mars Inc., the maker of Snickers and Twix candy bars, will stop selling chocolate products with more than 250 calories in them by the end of next year, a spokeswoman said Feb. 15.

The McClean, Virginia-based company, which also makes M&Ms and Skittles candies and Juicy Fruit chewing gum, said the goal is part of an ongoing effort to improve the nutritional value of its products and to sell them in a responsible way.

The new calorie limit target means fans of the 540-calorie king-size Snickers bar might want to enjoy the big bar while they can. Come 2014, it’s going to be gone, part of what Mars says

A story in the Feb. 16 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator stated erroneously that the Canadian International D e v e l o p m e n t A g e n c y ’s (CIDA) allocation for partnered projects in Ethiopia

is between $170 million and $180 million. In fact, that number represents Canada’s overall assistance to Ethiopia through CIDA as well as the departments of Finance, Foreign Affairs and IDRC.

As well, the $120 million allocated to bilateral aid is distributed through multilateral, Canadian and international organizations, not only non-government organization (NGO) partners as was stated.

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Grain Markets Weather Vane Classifieds Sudoku

11 16 26 30

READER’S PHOTO

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Southwest reeve slams province’s 2011 flood response record Almost one year after the epic 2011 flood, officials from 40 RMs and towns say they are still waiting for the province to address outstanding issues

By Daniel Winters co-operator staff

T

he provincial government’s handling of the 2011 flood has come under fire from a group representing 40 rural municipalities and towns in the southwest corner of the province.

The province needs to step up its efforts in the area hard hit by severe overland flooding of the Souris and Assiniboine rivers almost one year ago, said Rick Plaisier, co-chair of the Southwest 2011 Flood Strategy Committee and reeve of the RM of Sifton.

“They’ve made some progress, but not enough as far as we’re concerned,” said Plaisier.

The group lauded the government’s decision to conduct an independent flood review, but alleged the flood mitigation study’s special focus on Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin shows that some areas are “favoured over others.”

“Our organization strongly feels that our southwest corner is not being treated equally” said Plaisier. “If this kind of flood had happened on the Red River, there would be an instant program. “ T h e p re s e n t p r ov i n c i a l government favours where it gets the majority of its votes from. But you know what? The rest of us are not second-class citizens.”

But a senior provincial official says flood management and mitigation is a “critical” issue, and a major flood-mitigation study, undertaken by an independent consultant, will also look at “all potential methods” for alleviating flows on the Assiniboine, Qu’Appelle and Souris rivers and the Dauphin Lake area.

It also includes a proposal for a provincial surface-water management strategy to create a co-ordinated approach combining farm groups, municipalities, conservation districts and other agencies, said Steve Topping, executive director for Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation.

“The surface-water management strategy will be kicked off very quickly,” said Topping, adding a firm timeline has not yet been established.

Topping denied that certain areas are being favoured, noting for example that a home, business and farm flood-mitigation program is in place provincewide, and a community diking program has invited RMs and towns to submit applications.

Among a list of other grievances outlined in a recent press release, Plaisier called for special compensation in the southwest for landowners who are forced to hold surface water to prevent damage farther downstream, and special compensation or grants to assist RMs not covered by present programs to help repair roads affected by washed-out bridges and traffic diversions.

Plaisier also criticized the NDP government’s “tardiness” and “inconsistency” in rolling out disaster financial assistance to affected homeowners.

A van navigates concrete barriers on a bridge on the Souris River near Hartney. Damaged by the 2011 flood, it has been blocked to heavy truck traffic which must use alternate routes. photo: Daniel Winters

“Some people have sent their applications three times because DFA indicates that they’ve lost their applications,” said Plaisier.

Topping said that he has had numerous discussions with Plaisier about overland flooding on the Oak Lake and Plum Creek marshes. Last spring, officials decided they could not comply with the Sifton reeve’s call that PTH 254 be cut to give relief to flooded landowners in the area due to the risk of aggravating damage to properties downstream in nearby Souris.

Although a special program like the one for the area near Hoop and Holler Bend is not in place, compensation for affected landowners is being paid out under the Disaster Financial Assistance program, said Topping, noting 82 private and one public claim has been filed in Plaisier’s RM. “There have been a significant number of claims filed to date, and over $500 million has been paid out,” he said.

Preliminary repair work for road and bridge infrastructure is well underway, with $105 million committed, “but it does take a substantial amount of time,” said Topping.

Plaisier also complained of a lack of effort on the part of the province in getting Sa s k a t c h e w a n a n d No r t h Dakota to work with Manitoba to find ways to control water entering the southwest corner of the province. He noted that officials from the northern U.S. state and Saskatchewan have already sat down for talks. “ We’r e w o n d e r i n g w h y Manitoba isn’t at the same table,” he said.

Topping, who sits on the Prairie Provinces Water Board, said “tremendous” co-operation is coming from Saskatchewan on the issue. He added that Manitoba is also part of the International Joint Commission which has a mandate to prevent flooding on the Souris River watershed. daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

“The present provincial government favours where it gets the majority of its votes from.

But you know what? The rest of us are not second-class citizens.”

Rick Plaisier

NSAC, MPGA, MCGA presents the

Manitoba SPECIAL CROPS PRODUCTION DAY March 1, 2012

Keystone Centre, Brandon MB 1175 18 ST, Brandon, ManiToBa Speakers will present agronomic information on sunflowers, soybeans and corn.

Larry Weber of Weber Commodities Ltd. will provide a marketing address.

CCA credits are available for all sessions.

Featuring a Wine and Cheese Reception from 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm.

For a complete agenda, please visit www.canadasunflower.com, www.manitobapulse.ca or www.manitobacorn.ca

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

OPINION/EDITORIAL

The economics of animal welfare

B

ack in the early 1990s, when University of Manitoba animal scientist Laurie Connor first oversaw local research into hoop-housing systems for hogs, animal welfare wasn’t really even on the public radar.

The key questions of the day were whether keeping pigs outdoors through a Prairie winter compromised production efficiency. Connor told a seminar last week Laura Rance she was initially mortified at the thought of Editor keeping pigs in an outdoor facility through the cold winter months.

At the time, keeping sows in gestation stalls in heated barns was seen not only as more efficient, but more welfare friendly because the pregnant sows weren’t being attacked by their more dominant herdmates and it allowed producers to tailor feed rations to individual needs.

True, sows weren’t allowed freedom of movement, but that was viewed as a reasonable compromise in exchange for the vast improvements in management, the ability of herdsmen to manage more pigs as the industry expanded and consolidated.

At the time, hoop housing and straw-based bedding were being explored as less capital-intensive alternatives in hog production.

The research done under Prairie conditions found that although feeding costs were higher and different levels of management were needed, the system could match the productivity of conventional housing due to its lower capital costs. In fact, the sows were modestly more productive.

After that, it sat on the shelf. The level of interest from mainstream industry ranked somewhere close to zero.

So sow housing isn’t a new field of study for animal scientists. It’s just that over the past two decades the priorities driving it have done a complete 180 as the industry’s operating environment has changed.

Now, scientists such as Connor are tasked with finding ways to make various group-housing systems work economically — not as an alternative for producers seeking a lowercost or niche-market option, but for conventional producers who could lose market access if they don’t transition out of gestation stalls.

Many thought that day would never come.

But just last week McDonald’s, the world’s largest fast-food chain, served its North American suppliers notice they are to come up with a plan for phasing out sow gestation stalls.

Seven U.S. states have passed laws to end their use. Europe’s conversion is expected to be completed by 2013.

The Manitoba Pork Council has publicly committed to phasing sow stalls out of the system by 2025. But as most of the competition has already moved in that direction and major customers are demanding a change, it’s likely that producers planning to stay in business will make the transition much, much sooner.

It’s an expensive proposition. The pork council’s sustainability plan cites the cost of converting an existing barn to group housing at $1 million. Producers have no way of recouping those costs and it comes at a time when they are faced with costly new manure-management requirements and a moratorium on expansion that makes it impossible to capture new economies of scale.

Thankfully, they are able to draw on the previous research that suggests it can be done, and on new research designed to show them how.

Connor and many of her colleagues have over the course of their careers faced criticism from producers for acknowledging the downsides of gestation stalls, such as increased lameness and culling rates. Likewise they have been accused of being an industry apologist for citing their benefits — evidence of their even-handed, science-based approach to the highly charged debate.

Once again, it underscores the value of research that looks beyond the immediately relevant to explore questions on the mainstream’s fringe.

It is through these ongoing research efforts that our knowledge as it relates to sow behaviour and comfort has evolved.

It is now acknowledged that pigs are inherently social beings and are more content when allowed to behave as a herd. The issues with aggression and dominance can be managed with individual feeding.

The research shows the industry can make group housing work for the sows. Whether it can work for farmers is based on a number of variables ranging from the cost of renovating, to their ability to adapt their stockmanship and nutrient management.

Announcements such as the one making the news this week brings a new sense of urgency to the issue.

The companies forcing these changes perceive a market advantage to being animal welfare friendly, even if it comes at a cost to the supply chain. The economics of animal welfare are real, and they now trump the economics of production efficiency. laura@fbcpublishing.com

OUR HISTORY:

Willow Plain School

By Edward M. Ledohowski MUNICIPAL HERITAGE CONSULTANT / MANITOBA HISTORIC RESOURCES BRANCH

W

illow Plain School is located along a short stretch of rural highway that forms the main street in the village of Sarto, an early Ukrainian settlement in the RM of Hanover in southeastern Manitoba.

Constructed in 1911, it is a good, typical example of the many one-room multigrade schools that served small communities and rural districts throughout Manitoba.

The era of the one-room rural schoolhouse lasted from the time of the pioneers, beginning in the 1880s, to the late 1960s, when provincewide school consolidation resulted in the closure of rural school districts in favour of transporting students to regional schools in the larger communities.

In some rural districts the local schoolhouse functioned as a multi-purpose community focal point for several generations of local residents.

The design of the Willow Plain schoolhouse was loosely based on the simplest of several standardized school plans made available to local school boards by the province, and thus was similar in appearance to many other rural one-room schools.

Willow Plain School had close ties with the nearby St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, where most of the students also attended frequent religious services and functions.

The schoolhouse possesses many good surviving elements and fixtures, including: two sets of large classroom windows, wall-mounted blackboards, 1950s-style suspended glass-globe light fixtures, and examples of several styles of school desks.

2003 – Interior view showing surviving original materials and fixtures.

2005 – Now on its new footing, community volunteers give the school’s exterior walls a good brushing and a new paint job.

The wood drop siding and cedar shingles on the exterior are also true to its original design.

After the school was closed, it was purchased by the Ukrainian People’s Home of Sarto, an arts and culture association commonly established in Ukrainian-settled areas, and used as a meeting room and for storage.

In 2003, with the building in need of serious rehabilitation, a local heritage group, the District Schools Heritage Association, organized to repair and restore the building to its original appearance. The project formally commenced on December 17, 2003, with its designation as a Municipal Heritage Site by the RM of Hanover.

The restoration itself was undertaken by local volunteers with assistance provided by the Historic Resources Branch, Thomas Sill Foundation, J.M. Kaplan Fund and generous local contributions. The work included the pouring of a new concrete foundation, roof repairs and reshingling, exterior siding repairs, and interior and exterior painting. The completion of the $51,000 restoration project was marked and celebrated by a well-attended reunion celebration held July 29-31, 2005.

Willow Plain School is the RM of Hanover’s sole surviving schoolhouse still on its original site, and a much-loved local landmark.

One of several markers at the site proudly proclaims “Willow Plain School Municipal Heritage Site. Preservation of the history of the one-room community school. This project will be a legacy of the history of education to the future generations and a tribute to our immigrant forefathers.” More information on the Willow Plain School can be found online at: www.gov.mb.ca/ chc/hrb/mun/m254 and www.historicplaces. ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=2764, or by calling (204) 222-4769 or (204) 333-2687.

2004 – Preparing to move the school back onto its new foundation.

2005 – A view of the completed restoration shortly after receiving a new wood shingle roof.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

COMMENT/FEEDBACK

India’s rising wealth and food security not reflected in its children Thanks in part to the Green Revolution, India has become a production powerhouse.

So why are almost half of its children under five malnourished?

By Annie Banerji shivpuri, india / reuters

C

r ying as she is put on an electronic scale, two-yearold Rajini’s naked, shrivelled frame casts a dark shadow over a rising India, where millions of children have little to eat.

The children are scrawny, listless and sick in this rundown nutrition clinic in central India with its intermittent power supply. If they survive they will grow up shorter, weaker and less smart than their better-fed peers.

Rajini weighs five kg (11 lbs.), about half of what she should.

“She’s as light as a leaf, this can’t be good,” says her grandmother, Sushila Devi, poking her rib-protruding stomach in the clinic in Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh state.

Almost as shocking as India’s high prevalence of child malnutrition is the country’s failure to reduce it, despite the economy tripling between 1990 and 2005 to become Asia’s third largest and annual per capita income rising to $489 from $96.

A government-supported survey last month said 42 per cent of children under five are underweight — almost double that of sub-Saharan Africa — compared to 43 per cent five years ago.

The statistic — which means 3,000 children dying daily due to illnesses related to poor diets — led Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to admit malnutrition was “a national shame” and was putting the health of the nation in jeopardy.

“It is a national shame. Child nutrition is a marker of the many things that are not going right for the poor of India,” said Purnima Menon, research fellow on poverty, health and nutrition at the International Food Policy Research Institute.

In d i a’s e f f o r t s t o re d u c e t h e number of undernourished kids have been largely hampered by blighting poverty where many cannot afford the amount and types of food they need.

Poor hygiene, low public health spending and little education and awareness have not helped. Ageold customs discriminating against women such as child marriage have also contributed, but are far harder to tackle, say experts.

In addition, shoddy management of food stocks, subsidized carbohydrate-rich food that fuels and fills the poor rather than truly nourishing them and real shortages in its poorest states have worsened the problem.

“Nutrition crisis”

At the Shivpuri clinic, health worker Rekha Singh Chauhan tends to emaciated young children in a ward with a ganglion of electrical wires running across its paint-chipped walls.

“We only have a handful to take care of now, but come April, the cases will shoot up,” says Chauhan, adding that diseases such as diarrhea and malaria will cause an influx of sick, underweight children with the onset of summer. “ The situation becomes bad.

Three children are made to share a

Severely malnourished two-year-old girl, Rajni, is weighed by health workers at the Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre of Shivpuri district in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

bed and many have to sleep on the floor.”

That picture jars with an India clocking enviable eight to nine per cent growth over the last five years that has put money in the pockets of millions of its people and fuelled demand for everything from cars and computers to clothes and fancy homes.

It has also catapulted the country onto the world stage, boosting its claim for a bigger role on forums such as the UN Security Council.

This month, it moved closer to buying new fighter jets worth a whopping $15 billion.

Ye t w h i l e t h e u r b a n m i d d l e classes dine in swanky shopping malls where eateries offer everything from sushi to burritos, millions of children are dying due to a lack of food.

Last month’s report by the Indian charity Naandi Foundation, the first comprehensive data since a 200506 study, said India’s “nutrition crisis” is an attributable cause for up to half of all child deaths.

Yet India’s public spending on health, estimated at 1.2 per cent of its GDP in 2009, is among the lowest in the world.

“This isn’t a quick fix that we’re looking at here, it’s not a magic bullet,” said Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children International.

“Not just in India, but in countries around the world, we know that you can’t just rely on trickled ow n . T h e re h a v e t o b e p o l i cies in place, there have got to be political choices that prioritize malnutrition.”

In Shivpuri, an impoverished tribal-dominated district in Madhya Pradesh state, that reality is on full display.

The region’s malnutrition level for children under five matches the national average, but child mortality rates are worse at 103 deaths per

Shoddy management of food stocks, subsidized carbohydrate-rich food that fuels and fills the poor rather than truly nourishing them and real shortages in its poorest states have worsened the problem.

1,000. The national average is 66 deaths per 1,000, according to UN children’s agency, Unicef.

Most of the children here are from India’s most marginalized and poorest communities, such as tribals and lower castes where literacy is poor and poverty high.

Their mothers are themselves often undernourished, forced into early marriage when they reach puberty, and give birth to underweight babies with weak immune systems.

Illiteracy or lack of awareness takes its toll as well. These mothers do not breastfeed, offer ing buffalo milk and contaminated water instead and making their children prone to illnesses like diarrhea, which prevents nutrient absorption.

Mostly living on less than $2 a day, these families can hardly afford anything beyond wheat chapatis that are devoid of much-needed protein and other nutrients.

Economic toll

India’s neglect of its young — 48 per cent are stunted, 20 per cent wasted and 70 per cent anemic — will have serious repercussions. The World Bank says malnutrition in the poorest countries slashes around three per cent from annual economic growth.

Malnourished children will struggle at school, if they go at all, and earn 20 per cent less during their working life and are more prone

to infections, including HIV, and death.

Human development goals, signed up to at the start of the millennium by 192 UN members, including India, are also at risk.

Reducing child malnutrition by half and child mortality levels by two-thirds of 1990 levels are unlikely to be met by India by the 2015 deadline, say experts.

In compar ison, neighbouring China has already achieved its target on malnutrition and under-five child mortality goals as its economic growth has been more broad based, focusing on health, sanitation and smallholder production.

While India has several schemes already running to battle malnutrition, the Indian government is now vaunting a multibillion-dollar food subsidy program as a possible solution.

But the Food Security Bill, which guarantees cut-price rice and wheat to 63.5 per cent of the population may be more a political gimmick, experts worry, than about providing nutritious food to those who need it most.

“The Food Security Bill is a very good development, but it is a food security bill, not a nutrition security bill,” said Lawrence Haddad, director of the U.K.-based Institute of Development Studies.

For the children at Shivpuri’s nutrition centre, government plans mean little unless they put enough of the right food in their stomachs.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

FROM PAGE ONE TRUCKING Continued from page 1

LITERACY Continued from page 1

“It doesn’t hurt them to stay on the truck...

Bureaucrats don’t always understand that, but we have to make sure that the message gets through.” ©thinkstock

That’s because the only time the average urban consumer actually catches a glimpse of live farm animals is when they are on a truck.

“It’s amazing the amount of letters that he gets from consumers across Canada that talk about the transport of animals,” said Unrau, as part of a discussion on the CCA’s bid to renew and update the beef industry’s code of practice.

The dairy industry finished its code about two years ago, but progress for the beef industry has been much slower, he said, mainly because stakeholders are demanding that the guidelines be realistically achievable by ranches and feedlots.

Unrau, who once operated a trucking business and sits on the CCA committee working on the code, said revisions to the current transportation regulations have been in the works for about a decade.

Discussions on the subject are generally based on the number of hours cattle spend on trucks and the number of animals per square foot.

That’s especially significant for Manitoba ranchers, who regularly ship cattle to

Nebraska, Alberta or as far as Quebec.

“The closest market for our product is 800 miles away,” he said.

Restrictions on the length of time cattle can spend aboard trucks will inevitably increase cost. For example, unloading cattle once per trip adds one cent per pound to the load.

Twice, and it adds two cents per pound.

When Unrau hauled cattle, rest stops were based on weather. If it was hot, they’d unload twice. If it was -10, they wouldn’t unload at all.

In his opinion, restrictions on trucking cattle should be based on type. Wet-nosed calves should have more frequent rest stops than feeder cattle, for example.

Slapping a strict limit on loads might backfire, too, if it gives truckers an incentive to try to beat the clock by “hammering through.”

“In Europe, they are talking about an eight-hour limit, which would mean unloading the animals every eight hours,” he added.

To Unrau, that doesn’t make any sense, because in his expe-

Martin Unrau

rience, it takes at least four hours again for the animal “to get his legs.”

On a 40-hour run, if the driver stops for a rest after 14 hours, he’ll often find the cattle are laying down to rest. But if they are run off the truck for feed and water, they fill up their bellies, which adds to their discomfort for the next two to three hours.

“It doesn’t hurt them to stay on the truck,” said Unrau.

“Bureaucrats don’t always understand that, but we have to make sure that the message gets through.”

A CCA study of 10,000 loads between Ontario and Alberta found that 99.9 per cent of the cattle arrived with no problems such as deads, downers or sweaters, but weaned calves and old cull cows were at the highest risk.

“The greatest risk, even more than weaned calves, was skinny dairy cows,” he said, adding that in his opinion, future regulations should reflect this reality. daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) MARKETING COURSE To provide participants with training on risk management and marketing of canola, with specific focus on marketing analysis and hedging strategies using futures and options. The role and function of a futures exchange and clearinghouse will also be discussed. This two-day course will include take-home materials, interactive review of questions and numerous examples.

of reading books, but in this day and age literacy can mean so many things. We want it to be beyond the books and about making that personal connection and putting a face behind agriculture.”

In Manitoba, 20 schools and about 40 classrooms of Grades 3, 4 and 5 students were expected to open their doors to Manitoba farmers. Across the entire country as many as 400 classrooms are expected to take part. “ We’ve had a wonderful response from our producers and our ag industry contacts to get in there and tell the agriculture story,” said James Perkins, interim executive director for AITC-Saskatchewan.

With most families now two or more generations removed from the farm, organizers are expecting some lively classroom discussions.

“Someone is bound to raise their hand and ask a question,” said Perkins. “We’re really encouraging farmers to tell their story.

They have a story to tell that goes far beyond the books.”

Other provinces will take different approaches. Ontario Agri-Food Education doesn’t have the same kind of volunteer base among farmers so they’ve arranged for newly graduated teachers not yet in teaching jobs to visit classrooms, said Jan Robertson, marketing and communications manager for OAFE. They’ll be bringing books as well, but also a game called AgriTreking Across Ontario to teach about different types of production throughout the province.

Up t a k e by s c h o o l s h a s exceeded their highest expectations, Ross said.

“We want (students) to get curious about it, and see agriculture as something beyond the farm, and the role they can play in giving back to agriculture as consumers,” she said.

Organizers said they hope the event spurs Canadian writers to create agriculturally themed books for children. Many prov-

inces, including Manitoba, have gone with American titles because they couldn’t find Canadian ones, said Ross, noting many U.S. books focus on types of production not used north of the border.

“It’s just not on writers’ radar screens,” said Ross. “We really need Canadian books about agriculture and we’re hoping maybe this week will start to build on that.”

Farmers will read two specially selected books in Manitoba classrooms. Where Beef Comes From written by Saskatchewan cattle producer Sherri Grant is one of them.

“It’s a wonderful story from start to finish, and it doesn’t run away from the message of why we produce beef either,” said Ross.

The other book is Seed Soil Sun - Earth’s Recipe for Food by American writer Cris Peterson, a book about growing different kinds of crops. Ontario’s titles include Alfalfabet A-Z, The Wonderful Words From Agriculture by B.C. author Carol Watterson and How Did That Get In My Lunch Box? The Story of Food by American writer Chris Butterworth. Sherri Grant’s book is also on their list for Saskatchewan, said Perkins. So is another by Cris Peterson entitled Fantastic Farm Machines.

They’re also reading Farm by Elisha Cooper, a U.S. author who writes about corn growing in the American Midwest.

All books read in classrooms will be donated to the schools.

Canadian Agricultural Literacy Week is funded by Farm Credit Canada.

February is designated I Love to Read Month across North America, promoting early childhood interest in reading and highlights the importance of literacy skills.

The province of Manitoba is expected to formally proclaim Feb. 26 to March 3 Agricultural Literacy Week. lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

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The role of an Exchange and Clearinghouse Description of Futures contracts Hedging with Futures Carrying Charges and Spread markets Description of Options

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Where Beef Comes From and Seed Soil Sun – Earth’s Recipe for Food, two books selected for the program.

“When you think of literacy you automatically think of reading books, but in this day and age literacy can mean so many things. We want it to be beyond the books and about making that personal connection and putting a face behind agriculture.”

Johanne Ross

Executive director, Agriculture in the Classroom — Manitoba

7

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

FCWB launches $17-billion class-action lawsuit The group says that’s how much farmers need to be compensated for losing the single desk

By Allan Dawson CO-OPERATOR STAFF

T

he wheat board’s single desk must stay or western farmers should get $17 billion in compensation for its loss, says a class-action lawsuit launched Feb. 15 against the federal government by four farmers with the Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board (FCWB).

It’s the latest salvo in the fight against the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act. It became law in December, even though a Federal Court judge ruled Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz introduced the legislation illegally.

There are several other legal challenges against the law underway.

The new law declares that on Aug. 1 the wheat board’s monopoly on the sale of Western Canada wheat, durum and barley destined for export or domestic human consumption ends.

The suit, being heard in Federal Court, is a two-pronged approach, said FCWB counsel, Anders Bruun, who is working with Toronto law firm Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP on the case. The FCWB alleges the federal government “infringed and denied” farmers their constitutional rights by creating an open market without farmers’ collective approval.

The wheat board ceased to be a Crown agency in 1998 when governance was turned over to a majority of farmer directors elected by farmers. Under Section 47.1 of the wheat board act the minister of agriculture is obliged to consult with the board’s directors and get farmers’ approval through a vote before changing the board’s mandate. Ritz didn’t do that.

“The right to associate to achieve collective goals and to develop a majority position is protected by Section 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” the FCWB farmers say in their statement of claim.

The right of the majority of farmers to collectively market through a compulsory single desk is similar to the rights of workers that want to bargain collectively for better pay and working conditions, Bruun said in an interview.

The FCWB is asking the courts to rule the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act has no force, returning the board to farmer control and preserving the board’s single-desk authority.

If the court agrees, the FCWB wants the federal government to pay $3.75 billion to offset wheat board losses since the law was proclaimed.

However, if it doesn’t, the FCWB wants $17 billion in compensation for the estimated 70,000 farmers who have marketed through the board. Each farmer, on average, would get around $250,000.

The compensation requested is based on estimates that the board’s monopoly provides farmers with between $630 million and $850 million in additional revenue annually.

It also covers loss of the board’s assets, which the FCWB argues belongs to farmers.

There are precedents for compensation, including the $1.6 billion Ottawa gave western grain

farmers in 1996 after it scrapped the Crow Rate grain transportation subsidy.

If the suit is approved as a class action, all farmers will automatically be part of the claim and eligible for compensation if awarded, so long as they don’t opt out, Bruun said.

The four farmer plaintiffs named in the suit are Harold Bell of Fort St. John, B.C., Andrew Dennis of Brookdale, Man., Nathan Macklin of DeBolt, Alta., and Ian McCreary of Bladworth, Sask.

Ritz said in a statement that it’s unfortunate a small group of farmers wants to prevent farmers from marketing their own crops.

“Marketing freedom is now law and farmers are moving forward, rightfully contracting their wheat and barley for August 1, 2012,” he said.

“Our government promised

“The right to associate to achieve collective goals and to develop a majority position is protected

by Section 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

FCWB

western Canadian farmers marketing freedom and we have delivered.”

The Producer Car Shippers of Canada, the Canadian Wheat Board Alliance and National Farmers Union support the FCWB’s suit.

The FCWB, along with the wheat board itself and eight of its 10 elected directors, argued successfully in Federal Court Dec. 7 that Ritz introduced the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act illegally. Ottawa is appealing.

Regina lawyer Tony Merchant

launched a $15.4-billion classaction lawsuit against the federal government Jan. 10 in anticipation of the board losing its single desk.

On Jan. 18, eight former farmerelected wheat board directors argued before a Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench judge that Ritz’s law should be put on hold until its legality is determined. They also argued the court should scrap the law because it was introduced illegally. The judge has yet to render a decision.

BRIEFS

Impact of downed Brazil grains loader looms SAO PAULO / REUTERS / A ship that collided with the main grain terminal at Brazil’s Santos Port could reduce corn and soybean exports from the South American country.

There are fears that if repairs at the Guaruja Grain Terminal at Santos drag on into March, Brazil exports will fall far enough to push up world food prices. In a few weeks, the flow of grains from the centre-west Farm Belt will peak in Brazil. Last week, the dry bulk carrier MV Milagro knocked into the water one of the four grain loaders at Guaruja Grain Terminal, the main soybean, meal and corn export terminal at Santos, which is Brazil’s largest grain port.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

WHAT'S UP Please forward your agricultural events to daveb@fbcpublish ing.com or call 204-944-5762.

Feb. 22-23: Precision Ag 2.0, The Next Generation: Western Canadian Precision Agriculture Conference, Deerfoot Inn and Casino, 1000-11500 35th St. SE, Calgary. For more info visit www. precision-ag.ca.

Feb. 23: Manitoba Model Forest seminar on non-timber forest products (wildcrafting, herbal teas, etc.), 7-9 p.m., Winnipeg River Learning Centre, Pine Falls. To pre-register contact Ken Fosty at 204-340-5013 or email kfosty@ treecanada.ca.

Feb. 23-25: Growing Local Conference, Marlborough Hotel, 331 Smith St., Winnipeg. For more info call 1-800-731-2638 or visit http://foodmattersmanitoba.ca.

Feb. 24: Manitoba Farm Mentorship/Harvest Moon Society partnership event, 7 p.m. to midnight, atrium, Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex, University of Winnipeg, 599 Portage Ave. For more info call 204-772-3790 or visit www.mani tobafarmmentorship.ca.

China trip boosts food industry Trade mission to China produces a number of agreements, but they still have to be translated into orders

By Alex Binkley CO-OPERATOR CONTRIBUTOR / OTTAWA

P

rime Minister Stephen H a r p e r ’s t r a d e m i s sion to China seems to have opened doors for major Canadian agri-food exporters.

Now they’ll have to translate those agreements into orders.

The beef, pork, pulse and canola sectors all received special attention during the visit and the Canadian Wheat Board got to remind everyone it isn’t going out of business.

Among the positives were an agreement to work toward the approval of additional Canadian beef export facilities, the inclusion of beef and offal from cattle under 30 months of age along with beef tallow in future shipments, and increased opportunities for the export of live dairy cattle genetics.

President Travis Toews of t h e Ca n a d i a n Ca t t l e m e n’s Association called the mission very rewarding and said he’s confident beef products from animals over 30 months of age would be added to the export list in the near future.

The president of the Canadian Meat Council was also happy.

“Of particular interest to us is the initiative on agriculture that clears the way for immediate access to the lucrative Chinese beef tallow market,” said Scott Entz.

In 2002, the year before the discovery of BSE in Canada, those exports topped $31 million, making China the biggest export market for Canadian tallow. In 2010, China imported more than $400 million in tallow from countries around the world.

Once full market access is achieved, it is expected

Canadian beef and beef product exports to China could exceed $110 million per year.

“China is an important market for Canadian farmers and by working together with Chinese producers and processors we can open new windows of opportunity in both countries,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

C h i n a a g re e d t o c e r t i f y additional Canadian plants to export beef; begin technical discussions on expanding beef access; create a joint technical working group to move forward a Canada-China Cooperation dairy farm pilot project; and discuss technical export conditions for Canadian dairy cattle.

Tongwei Co. Ltd., a major Chinese feed company, will i n c re a s e i t s p u rc h a s e o f Canadian canola meal by up to $240 million annually by 2015.

The company anticipates its imports of Canadian canola could rise to $900 million over the next decade. The Canola Council of Canada has been working with a number of Chinese dairy and aquaculture processing companies to d e m o n s t ra t e t h e s u p e r i o r quality and nutritional benefits of canola meal. As a result, Tongwei intends to increase its use of Canadian canola meal in its aquafeed and to include it in other animal feed rations.

A n e w m e m o ra n d u m o f understanding between Canada and China that will support research aimed at more effectively mitigating risks associated with blackleg was also signed.

In 2010, $1.8 billion worth of canola was exported to China.

A s we l l , G e n s u s In c. , a major swine breeder, signed a $1.6-million contract with Best Genetics for 1,000 swine.

Feb. 24: Organic Federation of Canada annual general meeting, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ambassador D room, Canad Inns Fort Garry, 1824 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg. For more info call 514-488-6192 or email info@organicfederation.ca.

Feb. 26-28: Wild Oats Grainworld, Fairmont Winnipeg, 2 Lombard Place, Winnipeg. For more info call 204-942-1459 or visit www. wildoatsgrainworld.com.

Feb. 28: Manitoba Canola Growers Association canola storage clinic and annual meeting, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Keystone Centre, Brandon. For more info or to register, visit www.canolacouncil.org/ mcgastorageclinic.aspx.

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March 2: h@ms Marketing Services southeast district annual meeting, noon, Smitty's Restaurant, Steinbach. For more info call 1-800-899-7675.

March 5: h@ms Marketing Services' Heartland Marketing district annual meeting, 1:30 p.m., Starbuck Community Hall. For more info call 1-800-899-7675.

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March 7: h@ms Marketing Services southwest district annual meeting, 1:30 p.m., Somerset Community Hall. For more info call 1-800-899-7675.

March 7: h@ms Marketing Services northwest district annual meeting, 7 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion, Neepawa. For more info call 1-800-899-7675.

March 7: Marketing Your Wheat, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oak Bluff Community Hall. Registration $20, deadline March 2. For more info call MAFRI at 204-735-4080.

March 8: h@ms Marketing Services H.B. Marketing district annual meeting, 2 p.m., Glesby Centre, 11 Second St. NE, Portage la Prairie. For more info call 1-800899-7675.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Obama calls for end to direct payments

SHADES OF WINTER

No-strings-attached payment based on historical production difficult to justify with high grain prices REUTERS

W

Winter birds hunker down amidst the hoar frost following a dense fog on the Bennie farm near Waskada.

ith Congress beginning an overhaul of U.S. farm law, President Barack Obama called Feb. 13 for elimination of a $5-billiona-year subsidy paid to farmers regardless of need but held steady funding for the department’s often-criticized data forecasting arm.

Obama proposed reforms totalling $32 billion over 10 years for farm supports in his new budget. It is far larger than the $23 billion agreed by Agriculture Committee leaders in Congress last fall during deficit-reduction talks.

Budget cuts have squeezed the U.S. Agriculture Depar tment’s repor ting of crop production over the past couple years. The White House proposed steady funding, $109 million, for agricultural estimates in the coming fiscal year.

Besides eliminating the “direct payment” of $5 billion a year, Obama said the longterm Conservation Reserve, which holds farmland out of production, should be limited to 30 million acres, down two million acres, and crop insurance subsidies should be cut by $7.6 billion through fiscal 2022. A disaster-relief fund, scheduled to expire this year, would stay in operation.

Direct payments, created as a temporary measure in 1996, are the biggest target for farm reformers this year.

“In a period of severe fiscal restraint, the payments are no longer defensible,” said the administration, referring to the direct payments.

Farm groups are divided on the shape of the new farm law. The Senate Agriculture Committee opened the Farm Bill process with a hearing recently on renewable energy.

Analysts say there is a 50-50 chance, at best, that Congress will enact a farm law this year, given election-year and deficit-reduction pressures.

The White House won little support among farm groups and lawmakers when it proposed a similar package of cuts last fall. Two farm lobbyists said the new package would be ignored too. Agriculture Committee leaders seem set on $23 billion in farm subsidy cuts.

There is broad agreement the direct payment will not be renewed. It is paid to landowners based on historical production of grain, cotton and soybeans. Farm income hit a record high in 2011, making the payments harder to justify.

While the White House suggested a 30-million-acre cap for the Conservation Reserve, some proposals call for a ceiling of 25 million or 26 million acres.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

LIVESTOCK MARKETS

EXCHANGES: February 17, 2012

$1 Cdn: $1.003 U.S. $1 U.S: $.9970 Cdn.

COLUMN

Cattle Prices Winnipeg

(Friday to Thursday) Slaughter Cattle

February 17, 2012

Steers & Heifers $ — D1,2 Cows 62.00 - 70.00 D3 Cows 54.00 - 62.00 Bulls 75.00 - 87.75 Feeder Cattle (Price ranges for feeders refer to top-quality animals only) Steers (901+ lbs.) $ 115.00 - 124.00 (801-900 lbs.)

125.00 - 140.00 (701-800 lbs.)

130.00 - 149.00 (601-700 lbs.)

145.00 - 178.25 (501-600 lbs.)

155.00 - 182.00 (401-500 lbs.)

155.00 - 205.00 Heifers (901+ lbs.)

— (801-900 lbs.)

— (701-800 lbs.)

125.00 - 142.00 (601-700 lbs.)

130.00 - 146.00 (501-600 lbs.)

135.00 - 155.00 (401-500 lbs.)

140.00 - 170.00 Slaughter Cattle Grade A Steers Grade A Heifers D1, 2 Cows D3 Cows Bulls Steers

Heifers

Alberta South $ 111.00 - 114.00 112.50 - 114.00 67.00 - 80.00 58.00 - 72.00 — $ 125.00 - 140.00 134.00 - 149.00 142.00 - 160.00 150.00 - 177.00 168.00 - 198.00 180.00 - 215.00 $ 115.00 - 130.00 122.00 - 141.00 130.00 - 149.00 137.00 - 161.00 148.00 - 175.00 160.00 - 191.00

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

(850+ lbs.)

(901+ lbs.)

(801-900 lbs.)

(701-800 lbs.)

(601-700 lbs.)

(501-600 lbs.)

(401-500 lbs.)

(901+ lbs.)

(801-900 lbs.)

(701-800 lbs.)

(601-700 lbs.)

(501-600 lbs.)

(401-500 lbs.)

Futures (February 16, 2012) in U.S. Fed Cattle Close Change February 2012 126.77 1.60 April 2012 129.65 1.45 June 2012 127.60 0.45 August 2012 129.32 -0.35 October 2012 132.60 -0.45 December 2012 133.80 0.30 Cattle Slaughter Canada East West Manitoba U.S.

Feeder Cattle March 2012 April 2012 May 2012 August 2012 September 2012 October 2012

Less demand is seen for a larger supply of fat cattle Dwayne Klassen CNSC

Ontario $ 105.44 - 123.22 108.03 - 122.92 62.69 - 79.18 62.69 - 79.18 73.27 - 89.41 $ 132.46 - 143.62 132.56 - 148.21 133.21 - 158.68 138.23 - 171.64 148.75 - 185.63 150.99 - 194.43 $ 120.95 - 133.19 126.86 - 139.00 133.87 - 145.46 135.86 - 152.31 133.53 - 162.05 138.29 - 161.90

Close 156.82 159.32 160.62 162.12 161.55 161.25

Change 1.67 2.07 1.80 2.02 1.53 1.35

Cattle Grades (Canada)

Week Ending February 11, 2012 54,725 14,642 40,083 N/A 602,000

Previous Year­ 56,235 15,039 41,196 N/A 639,000

Week Ending February 11, 2012 401 22,746 18,818 725 651 7,836 335

Prime AAA AA A B D E

Previous Year 445 24,969 17,915 800 327 4,759 275

Hog Prices Source: Manitoba Agriculture

(Friday to Thursday) ($/100 kg) MB. ($/hog) MB. (All wts.) (Fri-Thurs.)

MB. (Index 100) (Fri-Thurs.)

ON (Index 100) (Mon.-Thurs.)

P.Q. (Index 100) (Mon.-Fri.)

Current Week 172.00E 158.00E 157.52 163.20

Futures (February 16, 2012) in U.S. Hogs February 2012 April 2012 May 2012 June 2012 July 2012

Last Week 172.25 158.03 158.13 163.66

Close 87.19 90.22 98.45 99.45 99.85

Last Year (Index 100) 161.10 147.81 151.86 157.59

Change -0.11 0.57 0.65 1.00 0.60

Other Market Prices Sheep and Lambs $/cwt Ewes Lambs (110+ lb.)

(95 - 109 lb.)

(80 - 94 lb.)

(Under 80 lb.)

(New crop)

Winnipeg 85.00 - 109.00 180.00 - 205.00 180.00 - 205.00 205.00 - 224.00 — —

Chickens Minimum broiler prices as of May 23, 2010 Under 1.2 kg................................... $1.5130 1.2 - 1.65 kg.................................... $1.3230 1.65 - 2.1 kg.................................... $1.3830 2.1 - 2.6 kg...................................... $1.3230

Turkeys Minimum prices as of February 19, 2012 Broiler Turkeys (6.2 kg or under, live weight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.905 Undergrade .............................. $1.815 Hen Turkeys (between 6.2 and 8.5 kg liveweight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.890 Undergrade .............................. $1.790 Light Tom/Heavy Hen Turkeys (between 8.5 and 10.8 kg liveweight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.890 Undergrade .............................. $1.790 Tom Turkeys (10.8 and 13.3 kg, live weight truck load average) Grade A..................................... $1.880 Undergrade............................... $1.795 Prices are quoted f.o.b. farm.

Toronto 97.54 - 121.02 170.56 - 200.27 187.95 - 208.70 198.62 - 215.07 227.95 - 317.73 —

SunGold Specialty Meats —

Eggs Minimum prices to producers for ungraded eggs, f.o.b. egg grading station, set by the Manitoba Egg Producers Marketing Board effective June 12, 2011.

New Previous A Extra Large $1.8500 $1.8200 A Large 1.8500 1.8200 A Medium 1.6700 1.6400 A Small 1.2500 1.2200 A Pee Wee 0.3675 0.3675 Nest Run 24 + 1.7490 1.7210 B 0.45 0.45 C 0.15 0.15

Goats Winnipeg ($/each) Kids 90.00 - 125.00 Billys 230.00 - 290.00 Mature —

Toronto ($/cwt) 57.00 - 247.50 — 70.76 - 242.27

Horses 1,000 lbs.

1,000 lbs.+

Winnipeg ($/cwt) — —

Burger demand spurs need for butcher cows, bulls

Toronto ($/cwt) 33.50 -43.45 25.50 - 44.87

C

attle movement in the province continued to remain at a brisk pace during the week ended Feb. 17, although values for the heavier-weight animals continued to weaken.

The quality of the animals being marketed was described as being in the average to above-average category, with premiums still being offered for the top-quality grass cattle.

The Louis Riel Day holiday in the province on Monday was not expected to have much of an impact, if any, on cattle marketings during the next week.

“I would call the market fully steady to a bit firmer on the cattle weighing under 800 pounds,” said Robin Hill, the manager of Heartland Livestock Services at Virden.

Cattle weighing 800 pounds and above lost some ground in value.

The decline in value for the heavierweight cattle was associated with a drop-off in demand from the buyers, Hill said. An increase in the marketings of the heavierweight cattle was also a factor behind the price weakness.

The increase in the movement of the heavier cattle was linked to the fact that feeding these animals has become an expensive proposition, he said.

“While the fat market has seen some minimal price improvement over the past couple of weeks, there still needs to be more of a climb to offset the weight gain cost of these cattle,” Hill said.

Cattle weighing in the 800-lbs.-and-under class were in good demand, with values experiencing some strength as a result.

Cows and bulls heading for the butcher market experienced some price strength as demand from consumers for hamburger meat begins to pick up, Hill said.

“There has definitely been some improvement in the butcher market as of late,” he said, noting the climb in value was partly associated with the fact that there has been a drop-off in these animals being marketed.

“Cattle farmers just don’t have as many of those animals to market like they once did,” he said. Some of the animals were sold early, as producers were unable to sustain the cost of feeding those animals.

Canadian 2011 farm income hits record high reuters

C

anadian farmers recorded recordhigh net income in 2011, but their earnings are likely to slip modestly in 2012, an AAFC report said Feb. 19.

In 2 0 1 1 , s t ro n g c ro p and livestock prices, combined with higher government payouts for flooding in Western Canada more

“Every packer in Canada and in the U.S. is looking for hamburger, and they are going where there are those types of cattle on offer.” robin hill

A ramp-up in demand from consumers for hamburger was also contributing to the price firmness.

Hill speculated that values for butcher cows and bulls will continue to increase over the next few months as supplies of these animals slowly diminish. End-users were seen trying to stock up on those cattle while they still can.

Packers from all over Canada and even the U.S. were expected to be actively involved in pursuing the butcher cows and bulls from Manitoba, Hill said.

“Every packer in Canada and in the U.S. is looking for hamburger, and they are going where there are those types of cattle on offer,” he said.

Buyers for the other classes of cattle being marketed in the province also continued to come from both western and eastern regions, including from the U.S. Hill described some of those buyers as fairly aggressive.

The dispersal of bred cows at auction yards was also garnering a lot of attention.

“There has certainly been a nice amount of people filling the stands at these auctions,” Hill said, adding that there are individuals very interested in the expansion of this sector.

“All classes of bred cattle are experiencing some great demand,” he said, suggesting the rebuilding of the cattle herd in the province was in the early stages.

The Canadian dollar continued to have little impact on the direction of values seen at the auction marts during the week. The Canadian unit continued to trade just above parity with the U.S. currency. There are indications that the Canadian dollar will continue to hold these levels although the on-againoff-again macroeconomic situation in Europe will remain a factor, determining whether the currency strengthens or weakens.

Dwayne Klassen writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.

than offset higher operating expenses, Agriculture a n d A g r i - Fo o d Ca n a d a said in a report. Net cash income reached $11.7 billion in 2011.

Pr i c e s o f g r a i n s a n d oilseeds rose in 2011 because of low worldwide stocks, partly due to a poor 2010 harvest in eastern Europe, the government department said.

2012 will also be a strong year for farmers, as income from market sources rises faster than expenses, Agriculture Canada said.

While grain prices are pro-

jected to ease, receipts should climb slightly as farmers look to plant more acres.

Overall income is forecast to slip in 2012 — by four per cent to $11.2 billion.

Cattle exports should benefit from an expected revision of the U.S. mandatory meat-labelling law, starting in 2013, the Agriculture Department said.

T h e Wo r l d Tr a d e Organization last year sided with Canada and Mexico that the U.S. law is unfair. However the United States can still appeal.

Looking for results? Check out the market reports from livestock auctions around the province. » PaGe 34

11

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

GRAIN MARKETS column

Expect canola industry to seek even more acres Tight stocks and talk of drought add to the land demand Phil-Franz Warkentin CNSC

I

CE Futures Canada canola contracts remained pointed decidedly higher during the week ended Feb. 17, showing no real signs of slowing down.

Similar gains in the Chicago soy complex did provide some underlying support to the Canadian futures, but canola was also benefiting from its own bullish fundamental and technical factors.

Depending on the chart analysis you want to focus on, canola is either entering overbought territory and is thus due for a correction, or it’s in the middle of a solid rally with no end in sight for the time being. How the charts play out remains to be seen, but the fundamentals for the time being definitely look constructive.

For three-times-daily market reports from Commodity News Service Canada, visit “ICE Futures Canada updates” at www.manitobacooperator.ca.

Canada has exported 5.15 million tonnes of canola during the crop year to date, which compares with 3.95 million at the same point the previous year. That’s a record pace, and could very easily contribute to drawing stocks down below the magic one-million-tonne level by the time the 2012 production starts to become available. The domestic crush is also very active, with 3.6 million tonnes processed to date, or 600,000 more than at the same point in 2011.

Concerns over European and Ukrainian rapeseed crops, due to adverse winter weather conditions, also look supportive for canola prices in Canada.

The solid demand and resulting tight stocks situation mean the industry would like to see an increase in production in 2012 to keep the demand satisfied. After planting 18.9 million acres of canola in 2011, industry sentiment is leaning toward a 21-million-acre crop in 2012 in order to replenish stocks. If the dry weather conditions, and talk of possible drought, per-

Open interest tiny amid CWB doubts, timing

By Rod Nickel winnipeg / reuters

A

fter nearly four weeks of trading, open interest is tiny in the new milling wheat, barley and durum futures and options contracts offered by ICE Futures Canada.

“I don’t think it’s fair to say we were looking for a lot of liquidity at this point in time with the contracts,” said Brad Vannan, president and chief operating officer for ICE Futures Canada.

“The futures are a reflection of the marketplace as a whole, and if that marketplace hasn’t had a chance to fully hatch yet, the futures will also reflect that.”

sist into the spring, there may be a need to secure even more canola acres in order to counter the possible decline in yields.

In the current market environment, oldcrop canola contracts are trading at a sizable premium over the new-crop futures. Spring really isn’t that far away, and under the current environment it looks like an increase in the deferred months is more likely than declines in the nearbys.

Milling wheat, durum and barley futures saw some light activity during the week, but liquidity is still slow in building for the new contracts.

Soybean gains

In the U.S., wheat, corn, and soybeans all moved higher during the week, with the largest gains in soybeans.

The strength in soybeans, at least in theory, was partially tied to the fact that a Chinese government delegation was in the U.S. during the week signing off on some contracts. Those purchases would have happened regardless, but the headlines were enough to trigger some additional speculative buying in the futures.

Renewed concerns over South American soybean production, as conditions turned hot and dry in Brazil, were also underpinning the U.S. soy market, given ideas that any problems in South America translate into increased demand for U.S. supplies.

For wheat, persistent weather problems in Ukraine and Eastern Europe were getting talked up during the week. Just as with the soybean situation in South America, production concerns in one part of the world will open the door for the grain to flow from somewhere else. The demand for grain isn’t really going anywhere, which means any lost exports from Ukraine will need to be filled from somewhere else — and the U.S. could easily fit the bill.

Attention in the U.S. is also starting to turn to new-crop planting ideas, and to the fight for acres between soybeans and corn. We may still be in the middle of our lacklustre Canadian winter, but spring is just around the corner, if not already here in the southern U.S. It’s getting to be more than a little old, but economic news out of Greece continued to sway the financial markets — and, in turn, the commodity markets — during the past week. Ahead of the weekend, a deal to save the country from defaulting on its debt was said to be imminent, but deals have come and gone before and volatility can be expected to remain the order of the day in the global financial sector for the foreseeable future.

Phil Franz-Warkentin writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.

Open interest in ICE’s milling wheat futures contract was 80 contracts Feb. 15, compared with open interest of 187,475 in ICE Canada’s long-running canola contract.

The lack of trading activity, a pending court ruling that could derail the law ending the single desk, and widespread dryness across the Prairies just two months prior to planting are all considered factors.

So far, the industry has little reason to take futures positions in the new contracts which start with October delivery, said Keith Bruch, vice-president of operations at grain handler and miller Paterson GlobalFoods.

“Buyers are bearish, farmers are bullish and so there just isn’t much liquidity in the marketplace,” Bruch said. “

Export and International Prices Last Week

Week Ago

Year Ago

CWB export 1CW 13.5 St. Lawrence

373.29

384.96

470.40

US hard winter ord.Gulf ($US)

291.41

300.42

375.32

All prices close of business February 16, 2012 Wheat

EU French soft wheat ($US)

284.00

293.00

374.00

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

231.00

237.34

312.57

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

300.44

305.58

360.42

US corn Gulf ($US)

284.14

282.17

308.84

US barley (PNW) ($US)

287.00

287.00

204.00

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

250.49

250.79

280.61

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

209.93

206.20

269.09

462.28

450.98

516.01

1,169.75

1,158.51

1,284.41

Coarse Grains

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

Winnipeg Futures ICE Futures Canada prices at close of business February 17, 2012 Western barley

Last Week

Week Ago

March 2012

213.00

212.00

May 2012

217.00

217.00

July 2012

220.00

220.00

Canola

Last Week

Week Ago

March 2012

554.50

535.30

May 2012

556.00

537.90

July 2012

558.40

540.30

CWB Pool Forecasts January PRO 2011-12

Total Payments 2010-11

December PRO 2011-12

Wheat No. 1 CWRS 13.5

307

344.96

305

No. 1 CWRS 12.5

271

317.73

271

302

337.13

299

No. 1 CWHWS 13.5

307

344.96

305

No. 1 CPSR

237

277.77

238

No. 1 CPSW

232

274.67

232

No. 1 CWRW

241

284.23

241

No. 1 CWES

277

314.96

275

No. 1 CWSWS

237

268.72

233

342

302.94

352

229

235.72

N/A

Sel CW Two-Row

313

265.74

314

Sel CW Six-Row

297

247.98

298

Durum No. 1 CWAD 13.0 Feed Barley No. 1 CW Pool A Designated Barley

* No. 1 CW feed barley, Pool B 2011-12, as of January 19: $223.

Special Crops Report for February 21, 2012 — Bin run delivered plant Saskatchewan Spot Market

Spot Market

Lentils (Cdn. cents per pound)

Other ( Cdn. cents per pound unless otherwise specified)

Large Green 15/64

25.20 - 26.50

Canaryseed

Laird No. 1

24.00 - 26.50

Oil Sunflower Seed

Eston No. 2

22.50 - 25.00

Desi Chickpeas

24.75 - 26.75 — 26.10 - 27.50

Field Peas (Cdn. $ per bushel)

Beans (Cdn. cents per pound)

Green No. 1

8.50 - 9.25

Fababeans, large

—

Medium Yellow No. 1

8.40 - 8.75

Feed beans

—

Feed Peas (Cdn. $ per bushel)

No. 1 Navy/Pea Beans

—

Feed Pea (Rail)

No. 1 Great Northern

—

Mustardseed (Cdn. cents per pound)

No. 1 Cranberry Beans

—

Yellow No. 1

34.00 - 35.75

No. 1 Light Red Kidney

—

Brown No. 1

30.75 - 32.75

No. 1 Dark Red Kidney

—

Oriental No. 1

22.60 - 23.75

No. 1 Black Beans

—

No. 1 Pinto Beans

—

3.50 - 5.50

Source: Stat Publishing SUNFLOWERS

No. 1 Small Red

—

No. 1 Pink

—

Fargo, ND

Goodlands, KS

25.85

25.60

—

—

Report for February 17, 2012 in US$ cwt NuSun (oilseed) Confection Source: National Sunflower Association

12

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Lack of snow probably hasn’t hurt the winter wheat — yet But as spring gets closer the winter wheat becomes more susceptible to winterkill

By Allan Dawson

“I think we can probably safely say for plants that were well hardened going into the winter with three leaves and a tiller we haven’t hit the soil temperatures where we would be concerned.”

CO-OPERATOR STAFF / MIAMI

E

verybody is talking about the lack of snow this winter, but like the weather, nobody can do much about it.

The fields here are bare and it’s the same for much of southern Manitoba. That’s raising concerns about possible winterkill to crops such as alfalfa, winter wheat and strawberries.

Snow is a good insulator.

Fortunately there hasn’t been a lot of cold weather either. There was some before Christmas and a few cold days since, which potentially could’ve hurt some alfalfa stands, according to Glenn Friesen, forage specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI). Much depends on the condition of the alfalfa when it went into winter, he said.

“We know that on average the alfalfa crown can withstand -12, which is one or two inches below the soil,” Friesen said in an interview Feb. 16.

Grass in alfalfa stands provides some insulation.

Subsoil temperatures

Four inches of “good snow” can keep the soil two inches below the surface 10 C warmer than the air temperature, Friesen said.

PAM DE ROCQUIGNY

The lack of snow could hurt this year’s winter wheat if there’s a severe cold snap.

Inset: A new white shoot shows this winter wheat is alive. PHOTOS: ALLAN DAWSON

Strawberry growers routinely protect plants from the cold with a straw mulch.

MAFRI monitors soil temperatures at five cm at 33 places around the province.

In the last two weeks temperatures have ranged from -4 to -12, said MAFRI cereal specialist Pam de Rocquigny. A -18, which is where winter wheat can be damaged, was recorded at one site, but it’s probably

not representative of the field.

Cracks in the soil might have allowed cold air to reach the sensor.

Winter wheat is hardiest in December and January — normally the coldest months of the winter, de Rocquigny said. As spring gets closer winter wheat’s cold tolerance declines. That tolerance also depends on how acclimated the winter wheat was going into winter. Cold

tolerance also varies between varieties.

“I think we can probably safely say for plants that were well hardened going into the winter with three leaves and a tiller we haven’t hit the soil tem-

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peratures where we would be concerned,” de Rocquigny said in an interview Feb. 15. “But I know there were lots of acres that went in, in less-than-ideal conditions. The fall was dry.

There were lots of concerns with germination. Obviously those plants wouldn’t be going into winter as well hardened as we’d like to see.”

This is Manitoba, so by the time you read this there could be two feet of snow on the ground. But if the snow doesn’t come and there’s a cold snap farmers should assess their alfalfa and winter wheat in early spring.

Continued on next page »

13

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Continued from previous page

Early assessment

While dead plants can’t be resurrected, early assessment will give farmers more time to consider their options.

“It’s going to be a field-byfield assessment in terms of how the winter wheat fared and then making your management decisions from that point on,” de Rocquigny said.

If spring comes early farmers might be able to assess their winter wheat right in the field in April. Once weeds start to show signs of life dig up some crowns in search of new, white root shoots. Brown leaves mean nothing. The plant could be dead or alive.

To get an earlier start crowns can be dug up and taken indoors to see if they send out new roots.

“Often the plant stand is variable so deciding on keeping it is never an easy decision... for the producer,” de Rocquigny said.

“It’s not black and white.”

The optimum winter wheat stand is 20 to 30 plants per square foot, but Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research shows even eight plants per

square foot can produce a 47-bushel-an-acre crop.

If winter wheat stands are thin farmers need to weigh the pros and cons of ripping it. If they reseed spring wheat they must ensure all the winter wheat has been destroyed. Living winter wheat could provide a “green bridge” resulting in the spring wheat being infected by wheat streak mosaic.

If a thin crop is left farmers should apply nitrogen early to help it along and control weeds earlier to because the crop will be less competitive, de Rocquigny said.

A stressed winter wheat crop could take longer to mature, making it more susceptible to fusarium head blight.

Alfalfa growers have similar decisions to make.

“If the plant is slow to emerge then it’s injured so you should be considering some remedial action or at least keeping an eye on it,” Friesen said. “Do your stem density counts and if you’re below the thresholds in the first part of the spring it’s your choice if you want to terminate it or take the first cut and then make a decision or add some fertilizer to bump up the yield as a band-aid solution.

BRIEF

No to more fungicide in orange juice

This winter wheat didn’t survive the winter.

I don’t think this is the year guys want to stretch themselves thin on forage production.”

Excess moisture followed by dry weather last year resulted in a reduced forage harvest.

Supplies are tight now and prices rising.

Pastures and forage crops aren’t soil tested as much as they should be, Friesen said.

“Water tends to change what the nutrient profile looks like... so if there was a time to do it, this is the time,” he said.

M a n i t o b a’s s t r a w b e r r y fields are probably all right so far, if they’ve been covered

PHOTO: ALLAN DAWSON

with a straw mulch, Anthony Mintenko, MAFRI’s fruit crop specialist wrote recently on MAFRI’s website.

“We still need to be concerned with the potential occurrence of winter temperatures in the -25 to -30 C range for extended periods as the winter winds down in Manitoba in regions without snow cover,” he wrote. “Continue to monitor your strawberry fields and ensure that straw mulch is not being removed by wind or displaced by deer attempting to feed on dormant plants.”

REUTERS / The U.S. Food and Drug Administration declined to change the levels it will accept of an illegal fungicide commonly used in the Brazilian orange juice industry, the agency said Feb. 16.

The Brazilian and U.S. juice industry groups had asked the FDA to allow higher levels of the fungicide, carbendazim, until June 2013 to allow the industry time to switch to another option.

Carbendazim is illegal on all citrus in the United States, but commonly used in Brazil, the world’s top orange juice exporter, to combat mould on orange trees.

allan@fbcpublishing.com

EU approves Morocco agriculture trade deal The deal will extend duty-free trade in food and fisheries

“It comes through for me every time.”

By Charlie Dunmore BRUSSELS / REUTERS

E

uropean Union lawmakers approved a new trade deal with Morocco Feb. 16 that will significantly extend dutyfree sales of agricultural, food and fisheries products between the North African kingdom and the 27-nation bloc.

The EU’s agriculture chief, Dacian Ciolos, described the deal as both economically and politically significant.

“It is a balanced agreement, which opens new opportunities for our producers in Europe (and) paves the way for a real reinforcement in our relations with Morocco,” he said.

But critics said the deal would threaten the livelihoods of small-scale agricultural producers in Morocco and Europe and prolong a decades-old dispute over control of the Western Sahara.

“Those MEPs who endorsed this agreement today should be under no illusion: the agreement is not in the interest of the average Moroccan citizen and not in the interest of the people of Western Sahara,” French activist and Green EU lawmaker Jose Bove said in a statement.

The agreement will allow 70 per cent of EU agricultural exports to enter Morocco duty free within the next decade.

This includes oilseeds and cereals, with the exception of common wheat and durum wheat, for which Morocco would apply improved rates.

In return, the EU will immediately lift all its current duties on 55 per cent of imports from Morocco.

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14

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

La Niña seen fading between March and May

CATS UP A TREE

However a “wide range” of forecasts does not rule out redevelopment GENEVA/REUTERS

L

Cats are hard to herd, but apparently they flock easily.

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a Niña, a weather phenomenon usually linked to heavy rains and flooding in Asia-Pacific and South America and drought in Africa, seems to have reached its peak and is expected to fade between March and May, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said Feb. 10.

A weak to moderate La Niña pattern has cooled the tropical Pacific since around October, a considerably weaker event than in 2010-11, the United Nations agency said in a statement.

“Model forecasts and expert interpretation suggest that the La Niña is near its maximum strength and hence is likely to slowly decline over the coming months,” the WMO said.

“However, beyond May, there is some uncertainty over the expected state of the Pacific Ocean, with no particular preference for El Niño, La Niña or neutral conditions,” it said, referring to its opposite phenomenon which warms the Pacific.

There was a “wide range” in the model forecasts for the period beyond May, and even the rede-

PHOTO: GEORGE MICHIELS

Page 1

velopment of La Niña cannot be ruled out, it added.

Conditions in the Pacific Ocean would be closely monitored throughout the rest of the year, it said.

Changes in sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific are “strongly linked to major climate fluctuations around the globe,” which can last for a year or more, according to the WMO. La Niña periods are often associated with heavier rains across large parts of Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, it says. They are also generally linked to increased rainfall in southern African countries and parts of West Africa, but other factors influence climate patterns.

The La Niña will likely dissipate this spring, but farmers in the southern United States and South America will have to contend with lingering dryness as they plant corn, soybeans, cotton and coffee.

The U.S. Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said in its monthly update recently that computer models favour “a return to neutral conditions during the Northern Hemisphere spring, which are likely to continue into the summer.”

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15

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

NEWS

Big exports but cattle herd expansion unclear — USDA High retail prices may not prompt expansion WASHINGTON / REUTERS Recent drought and forecasts for limited rainfall could constrain the size of the U.S. cattle herd despite high retail beef prices and forecasts for near-record exports, the Agriculture Department said Feb. 15.

Record-high retail beef prices “are not sufficient to provide the long-term margins and profits the wholesale and cattlefeeding sectors must have in order to sustain an expansion,” USDA economists said in a monthly outlook report.

Beef exports are forecast to fall slightly to 2.76 billion lbs. this year from 2.79 billion lbs. Favourable exchange rates and economic growth in Asia are expected to sustain exports.

USDA’s Economic Research Service said heifer calves were expected to fall by 200,000 head in 2011 and 2012, an insufficient number to offset an overall decline in beef cows.

A continuation of the La Niña weather phenomenon could limit rainfall and limit the amount of forage on rangelands, said USDA in listing factors at play.

“Continued negative profit margins for cattle feeders and meat packers, along with consumer resistance to higher prices, would also put an upper boundary on expansionary enthusiasm,” said the report.

On the other hand, demand for feeder cattle has driven feeder prices to record highs. And the number of cattle on feed on Jan. 1 was among the highest in a decade.

“There are signs that consumers are beginning to resist the escalating retail prices,” said USDA. “It is not clear how much higher beef retail prices can go with pork and poultry so much less expensive.”

Retail prices for “fresh” beef rose by 31 per cent, to $4.35 a lb. in the first quarter of 2011 from 2003.

Organic and natural beef appear to be taking a larger share of fresh beef sales, said USDA. Natural and organic beef made up 4.2 per cent of sales in 2011, from 1.1 per cent in 2003, according to scanner data collected by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Prevent hardware disease in cattle Tire feeders pose a hidden hazard to your cattle herd NDSU

I

nverted tires can make great containers to hold cattle feed and water, but tires also can pose health risks for the animals if the tires aren’t maintained regularly.

“If the tires you are using on your operation have wire in the walls, this wire can break off and subsequently be consumed by cattle,” warns North Dakota State University Extension Ser vice beef cattle specialist Carl Dahlen. “Cattle ingesting these pieces of wire can develop a condition known as hardware disease.”

Once wire is swallowed, it goes into the digestive system and often gets trapped in the chamber of the stomach called the reticulum. The reticulum has honeycomb-shaped structures on the walls and is designed to trap foreign materials.

If the wire punctures the reticulum wall, stomach contents can leak through the wall and cause a condition called peritonitis. Peritonitis can lead

to poor health and also may cause systemic infections. Cattle that continually decline in health eventually may need to be culled.

Metal, wire and other foreign materials in the reticulum also can lead to sudden death, Dahlen says. The diaphragm is the thin muscle that divides the abdominal cavity (which contains the stomach, intestine, liver, etc.) from the thoracic cavity (which contains the heart and lungs).

The reticulum and heart are close to each other, separated only by the diaphragm. In instances when cattle experience severe abdominal contractions, such as while delivering a calf, foreign material in the reticulum can be forced through the reticulum wall and into the heart.

“If this happens, the animal will die shortly thereafter,” Dahlen says.

“Alternatively, the metal may pierce only the protective layers around the heart and cause inflammation and/or infection. Either way, it is not a good situation.”

To avoid hardware disease, perform regular maintenance on your tire feeders. Maintenance should include: • Cutting or grinding off exposed wire, and picking up pieces and removing them from the cattle-feeding area; • Removing any wire, nails or other metal scraps from areas to which cattle have access; • Including powerful magnets in feed mixers.

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16

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

WEATHER VANE

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T h e winds o f th e da y tim e w r e stl e and f i g ht , L on g e r and st r on g e r than thos e o f th e ni g ht .

Will we see a late-winter cold snap?

Issued: Monday, February 21, 2012 · Covering: February 22 – February 29, 2012 Daniel Bezte Co-operator contributor

I

t’s looking more and more likely that our weather pattern will undergo a bit of a switch over the next week or so. We saw the first indications of this early in the week, as a Colorado low brushed southeastern areas and brought the first heavy snow event of the year to this region.

No cold air was in place to move in behind this low, so it looks like temperatures will continue on the mild side, at least until the weekend.

During the second half of this week, a second, less organized area of low pressure will slide through Manitoba, bringing clouds and flurries with it.

Temperatures will continue to be mild with highs around -5 C and overnight lows in the -10 to -15 C range.

Over the weekend this system will pull off to the east and intensify. At the same time, another fairly strong storm system will move in

from the Pacific. This second system is forecast to move south of us as a large area of cold arctic high pressure begins to drop southward.

This push of cold air looks as if it will move into our region around Sunday and will likely stick around for most of the week. This just might bring the longest cold snap of the season.

Luckily, winds look to be light with high pressure overhead, so while overnight lows might get pretty cold, with the increasing early-spring sunshine, daytime highs will not be too bad.

T h e m o d e l s s h ow m o re active weather later next week, so there is still a chance of seeing some significant snowfall before spring really moves in.

Usual temperature range for this period: Highs, -15 to 0 C, lows, -27 to -10 C. Daniel Bezte is a teacher by profession with a BA (Hon.) in geography, specializing in climatology, from the U of W. He operates a computerized weather station near Birds Hill Park.

Contact him with your questions and comments at daniel@bezte.ca.

WEATHER MAP - WESTERN CANADA

This week’s map shows the total amount of precipitation that has fallen across the Prairies so far this winter compared to historical amounts. From all the red on the map, which indicates record-low amounts of precipitation, you can really see just how dry it has been this winter. You really have to struggle to find any area that has seen high amounts of precipitation.

Warm winter: Putting it all together A strong positive phase for both the NAO and AO overrode the effects of La Niña

By Daniel Bezte co-operator contributor

I

t looks like this is a good time to finish our look at the different weather patterns that have been affecting our weather this winter, because the weather pattern that has been dominating for most of the fall and winter appears to be undergoing a shift.

In the last article we continued our look at the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and tried to picture how these two features can influence our weather. We left off by looking at how, if the NAO is positive, then it would seem that the AO would also be positive, but this is not always the case. If we have a positive NAO, that means both the Icelandic Low and the Azores High are stronger than usual. The AO is said to be positive when the upper low, or Arctic vortex, over the North Pole region is stronger than usual and at the same time the Azores High is stronger than usual.

So, if we have a positive NAO, then the Azores High is stronger than usual, but at the same time the Arctic vortex could be weak, which would result in a negative AO. Now this is when we have to start hurting our brains think-

ing about all the different combinations that can occur with just these two different circulation patterns and how each of these combinations can affect the weather.

As we have pointed out several times over the last month or so, both the NAO and AO have been very strongly positive for most of the fall and winter.

We know that for both of these features, a positive index usually results in warmer weather for our part of the world. Since both were strongly positive, it’s not surprising that we had such a warm winter. Before we go on to why forecasters missed this when they created this winter’s long-range forecast, let’s examine some other combinations that could occur.

Let’s say that the NAO was positive but the AO was negative. One would be pushing our weather toward warmerthan-average conditions while the other would be pushing us toward colder than average. What would the end result be? That’s hard to say. The easy answer would be average weather conditions, and in the long run that might be correct.

It’s possible that under these conditions, the weather might oscillate between periods of extreme warmth and cold.

Much of it would depend on

With our current state of understanding of these circulation patterns, we can at best only forecast changes about two weeks in advance.

just how strong one of these features was compared to the other. So far we have been talking as though these features are either strongly positive or negative, but just like everything else that has do with weather, they are in a constant state of flux. That is, the strength of each pattern changes from day to day and week to week.

So in reality, there are numerous different combinations of pressures that can occur, each of which can result in different overall weather patterns. It’s only when they stay in one type of pattern for an extended time, and that pattern is stronger than usual, that their influence on our weather becomes — if I dare use the term — predictable.

Controlling factor

It’s the lack of predictability of these two patterns that makes using them for longterm weather forecasting difficult. With our current state of

understanding of these circulation patterns, we can at best only forecast changes about two weeks in advance. So while we know they can possibly have a big impact on our weather, we just can’t reliably predict them far enough into the future to be of any use.

This is why forecasters tend to hang their forecasting hats on the atmospheric and oceanic circulation known as El Niño and La Niña. I have written about these features several times over the years and I don’t have time to go into any depth about them this week.

The big reason forecasters put so much confidence in these features is the fact that they are a slowly changing circulation pattern we have now gotten pretty good at predicting even several months in advance.

When forecasters were trying to figure out what the longrange forecast was going to be for this winter, the Pacific was

experiencing a moderate to strong La Niña and the longrange forecast for this feature showed it remaining in the moderate range for most of the winter and possibly into the spring. Now, as we are starting to enter spring, La Niña is exactly as the models predicted. So it’s understandable that forecasters would use this as their main controlling factor for our winter’s weather.

Typically, when there is a moderate to strong La Niña, our part of the world sees colderthan-average conditions along with more snow, and this is what was forecast. What forecasters didn’t count on was the prolonged strong positive phase of both the NAO and AO, which basically overrode the effects of La Niña.

What will be interesting is to see is how the weather will play out over the next month or so. It appears the NAO and AO are now either negative or around neutral and have been in this state for at least the last two to four weeks. The two-week forecast for both of these continues to show them remaining neutral. With La Niña still in place, I wonder if we will finally see some of that cold, snowy weather we were supposed to be seeing all winter long.

17

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

CROPS

Tahere are in-crop herbicides options but farmers need to be careful to avoid crop damage

By Allan Dawson CO-OPERATOR STAFF

DEKALB agronomist Bruce Murray says farmers must be careful applying 2,4-D or MCPA to Roundup Ready corn when trying to control Roundup Ready canola. If the corn is too advanced — past the six-leaf stage — or temperatures are extremely hot the corn can be severely damaged. PHOTOS: MAFRI

being sprayed with 2,4-D or MCPA is unlikely to recover, he said.

Phenoxy herbicides are not recommended for use on corn in Ontario because the risk of crop damage is high. To minimize the risk, Manitoba farmers must apply the correct rate, at the right time, Murray said.

That means not spraying later than the six-leaf stage and holding off if the temperature and/or humidity are high, or if there are big differences between day and night temperatures.

Some corn hybrids are more susceptible to injury, so consult your seed dealer.

Preventing canola volunteers in the first place is best, but is easier said than done. Canola tends to be a weedier crop because it hasn’t been domesticated as long as some others, Murray said.

It shatters more easily at harvest and sometimes goes dormant.

While dormancy can last four years, most canola seed germinates in the first season following harvest, he said. Research in Saskatchewan found some canola fields had 3,590

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canola seeds per square metre on the ground after harvest — 20 times the normal seeding rate, he said.

Shattering can be reduced by swathing canola when 25 to 30 per cent of the seed has changed colour, he said. Setting the combine to reduce losses helps, too.

Studies have shown it’s better to avoid tillage immediately after harvesting canola. “(With) deep tilling, all you are doing is burying it and creating conditions where it is probably going to go dormant on you,” Murray said.

“And then when you bring them back up, guess what happens?” They germinate and grow.

Often fall tillage isn’t needed because freezing temperatures in the fall will kill volunteer canola, he said.

“Sometimes fall tillage is not a bad thing as long as you wait long enough and let the canola germinate,” Murray said. “If you are tilling, don’t bury the stuff down six inches.

You don’t need a lot to get rid of that canola — nice shallow tillage.”

Corn is a competitive crop later in the growing season, but it’s a wimp

The first node of the corn plant can be weakened and break in the wind.

at the start. That’s why weeds should be controlled early, he said.

“If you don’t, it’s going to cost you and it’s going to cost you big time. It’s clear. If you wait you’ll lose yield.”

The

TM

P

revention is the best method when it comes to Roundup Ready canola volunteers in a crop of Roundup Ready corn.

If that fails there are pre-seed and in-crop herbicide options — but they’re risky, says Bruce Murray, a DEKALB agronomist with Monsanto.

“It you’re expecting a miracle, sorry there isn’t a miracle out there right now,” Murray told farmers at the recent Manitoba Special Crops Symposium.

Conventional canola volunteers are easy to control with glyphosate in Roundup Ready corn — but Roundup doesn’t kill Roundup Ready canola. Pre-seed herbicide treatments include: Clean Start (which needs to be applied when the canola is in the one- to two-leaf stage), bromoxynil plus MCPA and Heat.

Monsanto endorses Heat because it’s effective, has some residual control, belongs to Group 14, and is relatively affordable, Murray said.

“It works well and it works quickly.”

There’s also no antagonism when it’s mixed with Roundup and the tank mix can also be applied before seeding soybeans, he said.

In-crop options are 2,4-D, Basagran, dicamba plus 2,4D, bromoxinal plus MCPA, and DyVel DSp. It’s safest to apply a 2,4-D-glyphosate tank mix when corn is in the two- to four-leaf stage, Murray said. When corn is in the four- to six-leaf stage mix glyphosate with bromoxynil plus MCPA. “Do it earlier with the 2,4-D, do it on time with the Buctril-M (bromoxynil plus MCPA) and go fishing if you’re too late,” he said.

It’s risky spraying corn with phenoxy herbicides such as 2,4-D and MCPA, Murray stressed. The in-crop 2,4-D-glyphosate tank mix should be applied early when the corn is in the two- to four-leaf stage.

“It’s more an art than science,” Murray said. “If you get it wrong and get injury that first node (on the corn plant) gets brittle and if the wind picks up, it breaks off. That’s a real yield hit if you get it wrong.”

Corn that twists and flattens after

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Controlling Roundup Ready canola in Roundup Ready corn

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18

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

ESN, urea or a blend? Researchers say that is a complicated question Slow-release fertilizer ESN has some obvious pluses, but researchers want to know what happens when the rubber meets the road

By Alexis Kienlen FBC STAFF / RED DEER

E

SN? Urea? A blend? Which is best for your crops?

That may depend where you live.

ESN is a polymer-coated urea product that releases the fertilizer over time, and new research suggests local matters when it comes to using it.

“Once (ESN) is put into the soil, water moves into the granule, dissolves the nitrogen and it is released into the soil,” Alberta Agriculture’s Len Kryzanowski told the recent Agronomy Update event in Red Deer.

“This is very heavily dependent on temperature and moisture, which are the same conditions that affect crop growth. In

theory, it should sync the availability of the nitrogen with the crop demands.”

But does it?

That was one of the key questions of a four-year study that sought to evaluate urea, ESN and a blend based on crop growth and yield. Researchers wanted to discover the optimal situation for the use of each fertilizer, based on spring or fall applications, moisture conditions and crop.

They also wanted to determine the best regions for use of the three products as well as agronomic rate limits for ESN and urea to reduce seedling damage.

Researchers compared ESN, urea and a blend of 25 per cent urea and 75 per cent ESN, fall versus spring application, and banding versus seed placement.

Wheat, barley and canola were used throughout the study.

Fertilizer was applied at rates of zero, 30, 60, 90 and 120.

“You’ve got quite a complex design of treatments, but these are the common decisions that a farmer will have to make when he is using fertilizer products, so it makes sense to do these comparisons,” said Kryzanowski.

Moisture effect

There were nine research sites (Beaverlodge, Barrhead, Bow Island, Lacombe, Vegreville, High River, Gibbons and Lethbridge — irrigated and dryland) and all were continuously cropped or stubble fields. Researchers tracked dates for heading, emergence, maturity, and plant counts at the two-leaf stage. After

“What we found was about 40 per cent of the time, you’ll see an economic response on barley and wheat when you use ESN.” LEN KRYZANOWSKI

harvest, factors such as per cent grain moisture content, grain yield, weight, thousand kernel weight and kernel plumpness were analyzed. Soil and precipitation information was also collected, and the nitrogen left after cropping was measured to gauge the potential for leaching.

“High River was a high-moisture situation,” Kryzanowski said.

“You got an excellent response to added fertilizer, whether it was

ESN or urea. There were some indications that there was some damage to the crop, especially the wheat with seed-placed urea.

“In comparison, Beaverlodge had drier conditions, much lower yields, and the response to added fertilizer was in the opposite direction. As you increased the fertilizer, the yields were starting to go down. We’re startContinued on next page »

Do your research when choosing a micronutrient The cost of the product may well exceed actual benefit

By Alexis Kienlen FBC STAFF / RED DEER

B

e skeptical of hype about micronutrients and only use them when they make economic sense, says Rigas Karamanos, manager of Agronomic Solutions for Viterra in Calgary.

“When a product is registered with CFIA, that means the company that sells the product bothered to do 12 experiments in Canada,” Karamanos told attendees at the recent Agronomy Update event in Red Deer.

“Sixty per cent of them have to work. We’re talking about 12 experiments, in which seven showed a positive result.”

Producers who want to find out if their micronutrient is registered can go on to the CFIA website and check the registered product list.

But the key is that fertilizers need to be applied at the right source, in the right place, at the right time and at the right rate, said Karamanos, who participated in the annual Canadian Fertilizer product forum.

“I stand on record in that particular forum as saying that all products are good, as long as they are used properly,” he said.

He advised producers to ignore hype and see if there is scientific research done on the products.

“Don’t trust testimonials because they are anecdotes. They are stories, not scientific data,” he said.

Karamanos told his audience to remember that agronomic conditions vary by region, and a product that works well in one location may not in another.

“Micronutrients should be used when their application results in an economic benefit to the farmer,” he said, adding those benefits have to be measurable increases in yield and quality.

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19

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Continued from previous page

ing to see less response for fertilizer application for all three crops.”

In moist conditions, protein levels in the grain and seed were found to increase with the addition of fertilizers.

“In some cases, you could see better responses with urea and fall-banded versus spring and fall applications,” said Kryzanowski. “You have a whole mixture of responses that are occurring here. That’s the challenge in trying to sort out the information.”

Beaverlodge, with its low moisture, showed higher levels of grain protein than High River. “Even though you have lower moisture conditions, your response in regards to the protein level is actually increasing,” he said.

Seed-placed urea product caused seedling damage and decreases in plant population at the High River site. However, this did not cause a reduction in yield, indicating the ability of the crops to compensate for the loss.

Beaverlodge showed a greater rate of seedling damage, particularly when urea was seed placed next to canola.

“This also reflected low productivity” said Kryzanowski.

“We’re below the threshold in terms of having an adequate amount of plant population to grow a sustainable yield. One of our challenges is going to be to identify these thresholds in terms of plant numbers, populations, and product.”

There was a significant yield response to nitrogen from the majority of sites and crops and significant protein response and nitrogen rate for all southern sites and crops. Yield and protein response to fertilizer varied by region and crop. Seed-placed urea caused the greatest seedling damage to wheat and canola, followed by barley. Blending ESN and urea allowed for good nitrogen rates without seedling damage for most of the sites. Seedplaced ESN allowed for high rates of nitrogen to be applied with the crop and banding with ESN maximized the slow, gradual nitrogen release.

The bottom line

Researchers completed a simple economic analysis to compare the various treatments.

“What we found was about 40 per cent of the time, you’ll see an economic response on barley

and wheat when you use ESN,” Kryzanowski said. “Canola is a bit better and you’ll see an economic benefit about 60 per cent of the time.”

Rates and benefits vary by different areas of the province.

“Variation between sites, in sites and among sites was high and there was some indication of regional differences,” Kryzanowski said.

The variability of response makes it hard for researchers to determine or predict best products or applications.

“We have a big challenge ahead of us in terms of trying to use this information,” he said.

Since ESN is a slow-release fertilizer, it has the ability to reduce nitrate emissions and minimize leaching. N2O emissions varied greatly during the year. Spring thaw is a critical time in terms of nitrous oxide loss.

“Any time we have fall fertilizer application, we’re going to see high N2O emissions coming off in the springtime,” Kryzanowski said.

Going from a fall urea to a spring urea resulted in a reduction of 65 per cent of nitrous oxide emissions, and going from fall urea to spring ESN also greatly reduced emissions.

Len Kryzanowski says the variability of response makes it hard for researchers to determine or predict best products or applications. PHOTO: ALEXIS KIENLEN

Monsanto to appeal French ruling The company says it sees no causal link PARIS / REUTERS

U

.S. agribusiness giant Monsanto said Feb. 14 it will appeal a French court ruling that found it responsible for the poisoning of a farmer who inhaled a weed killer in what is the first such case to reach court in France.

A court in Lyon, southeast France, ruled Feb. 13 that Monsanto was guilty of poisoning grain grower Paul Francois, 47, who suffered from memory loss, headaches and stammering after inhaling the Lasso weed killer in 2004.

The farmer accused the company of not providing adequate safety warnings on the product label.

“Monsanto is going to appeal this verdict. We are disappointed by the court’s decision,” Yann Fichet, head of institutional relations at Monsanto France, said.

“An in-depth examination of the case does not show in our view sufficient evidence of a causal link between the use of this herbicide and the symptoms reported by Mr. Francois,” he told France Info radio.

Francois said his health problems were caused by inhalation of Lasso while cleaning the tank of his crop sprayer. He blames Monsanto for not specifying on the label the presence of chlorobenzene, a chemical substance later detected in the farmer’s hair and urine.

Lasso was banned in France in 2007 in line with a European Union directive.

The product has also become less popular with farmers elsewhere and Monsanto’s leading herbicide is now Roundup, which it markets in conjunction with its genetically modified, weed killertolerant “Roundup Ready” crops.

Monsanto’s appeal in the French court case will take up to a year to be heard.

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20

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

New products must pass the “smell” test Big claims frequently accompany new crop input products

By Gord Gilmour FBC STAFF / WINNIPEG

J

eff Schoenau gets a variation of the same questions several times a year — on the phone, over coffee, via email or somewhere on the winter meeting circuit. “They basically all want to know, ‘What do you think of product XYZ?’” the University of Saskatchewan soil fertility specialist says.

That can be a tough question for an academic to answer as very little third-party research is ever done on commercial products these days, and typically research work by him and others in his field deals with larger basic questions such as how to manage soil fertility and runoff.

“I basically can’t give an informed, scientific response, because I haven’t worked with it,” he says.

But the continuing nature of these inquiries suggests that NSG MB 2012 Ad 1.pdf 1 there is a need for primary pro-

ducers to be able to sort fact from fiction. With that in mind, he’s on the meeting circuit this winter offering some practical guidelines for growers.

Do claims stack up?

At the recent Manitoba Agronomists Conference in Winnipeg, he told agronomists and farmers that the first test will always be the “smell” test — do the claims stack up with what we know about how soil science works?

“Do the claims fall within the laws of nature?” he asked, followed by a slide of a decrepit old outhouse appearing on the screen. “Or are they more like the call of nature?

“It’s hard to make something out of nothing, so ask yourself, how are we going to get 100 pounds of nitrogen from something you’re going to add at one pound an acre?”

When a product is at the early stages of commercialization, 11-10-28 3:16 PM it can be a tough thing to find

much meaningful information, Schoenau says. Typically the companies rely on lab and greenhouse studies that may or may not translate into the field.

He also cautions that product testimonials shouldn’t necessarily be taken at face value, since they’re frequently in the realm of anecdote, not evidence.

“A testimonial is fine, but is there a name and contact information? That becomes a bit more meaningful.”

Information sources

In the field there’s typically contract research by privately owned research facilities commissioned by the manufacturer, which can be another source of information, but still tend to be small-plot trials which may not translate to field-scale results.

Another source of information might be published articles, but he cautions they need to be critically examined too. Look for who wrote it, what their credentials are and if there’s any

“Do the claims fall within the laws of nature? Or are they more like the call of nature?”

JEFF SCHOENAU

doubt, contact them with your questions.

One of the best sources of information comes from government agencies that may regulate these products like the CFIA and PMRA. Those organizations have high scientific standards and frequently require efficacy trials.

“That is only available, of course, where it’s appropriate,” Schoenau said.

If there still isn’t enough information to make a decision you’re comfortable with, there’s another call you can make — to the company marketing the product.

“Ask them, ‘Can I have a demonstration?’” Schoenau

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said. “Doing and seeing is believing.”

But these guidelines don’t eliminate the basic shortfall — a knowledge gap that requires scientific evidence.

To address it, Schoenau and his fellow faculty members at the university have designed a new program for their advanced thesis students, based on one of the agriculture science classes where they’re required to design an experiment.

Do it yourself

The intention is to familiarize the students with the scientific method, and Schoenau says in the past couple of years they’ve been having students test available commercial products.

He cited the work of student Gisele Ulrich during his presentation, who examined enzymes as soil additives.

To test their efficacy, Ulrich planted samples in a phosphorus-deficient soil, with four replications at various rates of the amendment and four without any additive. After growing it she measured phosphorus and nitrogen uptake, and soil residual available phosphorus and nitrogen. She also measured the biomass.

“There was no significant difference in yield, no significant difference in biomass and no significant difference in phosphorus or nitrogen uptake or residual,” says Schoenau. “The enzymes didn’t really seem to do anything.”

He went on to stress that the study still didn’t provide a definitive answer, since there could be variables outside the scope of the experiment that altered its outcome — say for some environmental reason the enzymes were inactivated and decomposed before they could have an effect.

Bioproducts are affected by complicated factors — they may have a positive effect in one environment or one season, and not another, he noted.

“But we do know that on that soil, and that crop, at that rate, there was no apparent effect,” he says.

“One of the things I have to remind my students is that performing an experiment and getting no result can be just as important as getting a dramatic result — in some cases it may be even more important.”

For farmers and agronomists he recommends asking questions and seeking evidence when considering new products. He cautioned them to be open minded and fair and to acknowledge that there can be variables in any experiment, and to continue to update their knowledge and be willing to learn. He also suggested that if there was no good evidence, they might consider creating their own.

“You could build a simple light tray, get some pots and soil, and perform your own experiment,” he said. “You can do what our fourth-year thesis students are doing.”

21

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

briefs

Farmers favouring corn over wheat

Picking rocks — in February?

kiev / reuters / Ukraine is likely to bring in a grain harvest of 45 million tonnes in 2012 — its fourth largest in 20 years — despite a severe drought and cold snap which has hit winter grain crops.

“This year’s harvest could total 45 million tonnes thanks to a record harvest of maize,” said Yelizaveta Malyshko, analyst for UkrAgroConsult Ukraine harvested a record 56.7 million tonnes last year. The latest estimate puts the wheat harvest at 13.7 million tonnes versus 22.3 million tonnes of wheat a year ago. Corn production is expected to jump by onequarter to 20 million tonnes.

U.S. ethanol stocks swell

It’s too early to seed but farmers like Jan Chalmers in the Somerset area are still capitalizing on the lack of snow in the fields. photo: jeannette greaves

reuters / U.S. ethanol makers stepped up production of biofuel last week after output had fallen to a 2-1/2-month low and stocks swelled to a fresh record high, the Energy Information Administration reported Feb. 15.

Ethanol production averaged 928,000 barrels a day in the week ended Feb. 10, up 5,000 barrels per day from the previous week, a 0.5 per cent increase, EIA data showed.

Stocks of ethanol, primarily made from corn in the United States, ballooned to a fresh all-time high of 21.49 million barrels, up 430,000 barrels, or two per cent, from the prior week.

Ethanol supplies have increased by more than 3.5 million barrels, or nearly 20 per cent, since the beginning of the year.

Wheat board has no comment beijing / reuters / Canadian Wheat Board boss Ian White refuses to say whether the board might be planning to sell wheat or barley to Iran, but added that “we sell wheat to Iran when they need it.”

Trade with Iran is becoming increasingly difficult because of sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the European Union over Tehran’s controversial nuclear program.

Asked whether the sanctions would complicate a possible sale to Iran, White said: “The Iranians pay promptly but obviously we’d have to look at all the factors associated with it.”

Iran imports around 4.5 million tonnes of grain a year, including about 3.5 million tonnes of corn, mostly for animal feed.

Cargill says it plans to continue grain shipments despite signs Iran is struggling to process payments as trade sanctions bite.

“Like all the international companies, we do business there, but you have to be very careful,” said vice-president Paul Conway.

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22

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Red River nutrient management plan in the works Lake Winnipeg’s health will be monitored in order to gauge plan’s effectiveness Staff

P

lans for a nutrient management strategy for the Red River watershed have been endorsed by the International Red River Board of the International Joint Commission.

Representatives of North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba, the Red River Basin Commission (RRBC) and federal agencies from both countries have agreed to work together across various jurisdictions within the watershed.

“The reduction of nutrients will improve water quality and the health not only of Lake Winnipeg but of all surface waters across the international Red River watershed,” said Nicole Armstrong, director of Manitoba’s Water Science and Management Branch of Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship.

Information on nutrient reduction efforts already underway will be collected, and committee members will exchange information on nutrient control activities such as treatment tech-

nologies, best management practices and educational programs.

Reducing nutrient inputs in respective jurisdictions will also be discussed, as well as efforts to develop nutrient load allocation and/or water quality targets for nutrients for the Red River.

Implementation of the outcomes of the nutrient management strategy will be a future topic of discussion between and within jurisdictions.

Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen enter lakes and rivers from fields, discharges from waste water treatment facilities and other sources and cause excessive growth of algae and other plants leading to problems with water clarity and dissolved oxygen levels.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency commissioner Paul Aasen said the committee will pursue a consensus-based approach to decision-making.

“We recognize that ultimately local jurisdictions will make final decisions regarding the nutrient reduction measures that are most appropriate for their

own jurisdictions, but the committee will help facilitate the exchange of information and promote consistency wherever possible.”

Aasen said an important first step will be to identify high-priority areas in order to focus resources on those areas first.

“Another priority is the health of Lake Winnipeg. Monitoring progress in the lake is a good way to gauge the effectiveness of nutrient reduction efforts,” said Aasen.

Dennis Fewless, director of the North Dakota Department of Health’s Division of Water Quality, said that preserving water quality in the watershed is the responsibility of the people who live in it.

“The committee’s goal is to develop a strategy based on sound science and basin-wide co-operation, while retaining the nutrient management efforts unique to each jurisdiction,” said Fewless.

RRBC has been working across the state, provincial and international boundaries for over a decade and has developed a vision for the future called

“Another priority is the health of Lake Winnipeg.

Monitoring progress in the lake is a good way to gauge the effectiveness of nutrient reduction efforts.”

Paul Aasen

the Natural Resource Framework Plan that has 13 basin-wide goals.

Lance Yohe, executive director of RRBC, said that the nutrient management strategy addresses goal No. 9 – improving water quality.

“We are excited that Manitoba, Minnesota and North Dakota are in agreement on the importance of this issue and are willing to explore a strategy. This is an example of the type of cross-border co-operation that is needed to find solutions that will provide lasting results,” said Yohe, in a press release.

T:17.4

Seaway set to open but seasonal outlook uncertain

By Alex Binkley co-operator contributor / ottawa

A

fter posting modest growth in 2011 despite a shaky North American economy, the St. Lawrence Seaway opens March 22 amidst upbeat predictions.

However, ever yone tempers their forecasts with a caution about the prospect for Canadian and American grain exports. While there’s plenty of grain in North America, there’s also more grain supplies around the world. And what will happen to Canadian grain exports after the CWB’s monopoly ends this summer?

The seaway handled 37.5 million tonnes of freight in 2011, up a respectable 2.5 per cent from 2010, but the coming year is difficult to predict, said Mike Broad, president of the Shipping Federation of Canada.

“From what I hear, the first half of the year will be like last year,” said Broad, before adding it’s hard to say what might happen next.

The head of the Chamber of Marine Commerce is more positive.

“By all accounts, things look up — shipments could be up by five per cent,” said Raymond Johnston.

“The United States economy has looked better lately with manufacturing rates on an upswing.”

One positive sign is that ocean freight rates are down and shipping lines are looking for business.

If the U.S. economy picks up more momentum, especially on the export side, then ship owners will be looking for business.

A survey of economic forecasts for 2012 underscores the cautious optimism.

Both the Conference Board of Canada and Bank of Canada have reduced their growth projections for 2012, with both estimating it will be around two per cent.

Serious growers take weed control personally.

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

23

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Entomologist warns sunflower growers to take a close look before spraying Be kind to the honeybee, less toxic sprays can mean more bees and higher yields

By Shannon VanRaes co-operator staff

S

T:17.4”

omething bugging your sunflower crop? Or just bugging you?

Separate sunflower friend from foe before spraying, a provincial government entomologist reminded producers at the annual Special Crops Symposium.

“Ground beetles can destroy as much as 40 per cent of the sunflower beetles’ larvae over the winter, they’re important ... and significant,” said John Gavloski. “It’s good to have them.”

The humble ground beetle, also known as the carabid beetle, isn’t alone in its culinary tastes. At least five species of parasitic wasps also feed on the larvae of sunflower pests, noted Gavloski.

And despite its name, the minute pirate bug is also one of the good bugs. It attacks and feeds on instar eggs as well as some larvae.

But the banded sunflower moth, sunflower beetle, lygus bugs, midge and red sunflower seed weevil continue to require vigilance, said the entomologist.

“Sunflower midge may be increasing, or it could be, depending on the weather,” said Gavloski. “They like early moist soil, so another wet spring could make it an issue.”

The banded sunflower moth may also increase in the coming year, although trap levels varied from field to field in 2011, he said.

However, seed weevils remain at low levels in most areas of the province and aren’t

“So you need to consider what is the biggest risk in your area and plan ahead.”

John Gavloski

expected to be a major issue in 2012.

Late planting can reduce the amount of damage caused by t h e b a n d e d s u n f l ow e r moth, but there is a trade-off because damage by red sunflower seed weevil is slowed by early planting, Gavloski said.

“So you need to consider what is the biggest risk in your area and plan ahead,” he said.

What type of sunflower you grow is also a factor. Gavloski noted 10 to 12 weevils per plan t i s th e th resh o l d f o r treating oilseeds, compared to one to two per plant for confection seeds.

As with all pesticides, farmers need to take the honeybee population into account.

“Sunflowers will self-pollinate to some degree, but if you have a good honeybee

population you will have a higher yield,” said Gavloski.

He added that using less toxic pesticides should be considered, noting less toxic doesn’t necessarily mean less effective.

The entomologist also suggested producers spray late in the evening when fewer pollinators are out. shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

news

Developing nations to lead in biotech crops

By Carey Gillam reuters

N O IT C-60-02/12-BCS12055-E

SBC12007.Velocity.12

T:10”

G N I R B

Farmers in developing nations will sow more biotech crops than those in the industrialized world for the first time this year.

Globally, the area planted with biotech crops rose eight per cent last year to a record 160 million hectares, or 395 million acres, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of AgriBiotech Applications.

The U.S., by a wide margin, has the largest GMO area with 43 per cent of acreage, but the gap is closing.

“Developing countries grew close to 50 per cent of global biotech crops in 2011 and for the first time are expected to exceed industrial countries’ hectarage in 2012,” ISAAA said in a report.

“This is contrary to the prediction of critics who, prior to the commercialization of the technology in 1996, prematurely declared that biotech crops were only for industrial countries and would never be accepted and adopted by developing countries.”

Biotech crops were planted by 16.7 million farmers in 29 countries.

Brazil and Argentina are the second-biggest adopters, but in Latin America biotech crops are so far limited to soybeans, corn and cotton.

Canada is fifth with 25.7 million acres of GMO canola, corn, soybeans and sugar beets.

24

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

U.S. Plains farmland values jump again Farmers bought 73 per cent of the farmland sold in 2011, up from 60 per cent in 2005

By Christine Stebbins CHICAGO / REUTERS

F

armland prices in the U.S. Plains states extended record-setting gains in the fourth quarter of 2011, rising 25

Fed also said credit conditions improved as farmers paid down debt at the year-end, comments that may help temper concerns of a land-price bubble.

“Strong farm incomes were fuelling the robust farmland

per cent from a year earlier as cash-rich farmers competed for land, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said Feb. 15.

In a quarterly survey that provides an important gauge of the U.S. agricultural economy, the

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value gains,” the Fed said in the survey of 253 bankers in its district.

Non-irrigated cropland values jumped almost nine per cent in the last three months of 2011 and were 25 per cent higher than year-earlier levels, matching the record pace in the third quarter.

“District bankers noted an increasing number of absentee landowners were putting their farms up for sale and attributed much of the auction activity to landowners seeking top-dollar prices. Farmers were the main buyers,” the Fed report said. It said the share of non-farmers who purchased land had diminished over the past six years to about one-quarter of all buyers.

The corn state of Nebraska saw the biggest jump — a 37.8 per cent year-on-year price gain for non-irrigated cropland.

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Visit your local MAFRI GO Office or manitoba.ca/agriculture.

Gaining Ground Ad Publication: MB Co-operator Ad size: 6-1/8” w x 90 lines deep

February 27 & 28, 2012 The Fairmont Winnipeg

Grain World, Canada’s leading annual grain-market outlook conference, is returning for 2012, co-ordinated by Wild Oats Grain Market Advisory

Farmland values are closely monitored by economists at the Federal Reserve and by commercial banks, as a barometer of U.S. banking assets and as a benchmark for agricultural balance sheets. Farmland is basic collateral for farm loans.

Skyrocketing land values have caused worries among bankers about the possibility of a ruinous farmland bubble like the one seen in the 1980s U.S. farm crisis, when overleveraged farmers lost their land as interest rates jumped.

But farmers carry much less debt now, thanks to record farm income. Grain prices and production have also been strong, a rare double for farmers used to seeing prices fall as production rises. Booming farm exports and domestic ethanol have changed that traditional equation, market analysts say.

T h e Fe d’s 1 0 t h d i s t r i c t stretches across the major wheat, corn and cattle states of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, along with Wyoming and parts of New Mexico and Missouri. The area has seen a jump in corn prices in recent years with the rapid expansion of corn-based ethanol output.

“Strong farm incomes were fuelling the robust farmland value gains. During the fourth quarter, crop prices remained historically high but volatile, while livestock prices were well above year-ago levels,” the report said.

“Half of survey respondents reported higher farm income

in the fourth quarter compared to last year, and almost a third expected further income gains in 2012. With bullish farm income prospects, many landowners negotiated steep increases in cash rental rates for farmland,” the bank said.

But farm income varied in the district, with some hurt by flooding and others by drought. The strong grain and livestock prices helped buoy Oklahoma and Kansas ranchers where drought forced them to reduce herd sizes to historical lows.

Farmer demand robust

A third of the district bankers surveyed expected the price and amount of farmland offered for sale to continue to rise in 2012, as well as farm income.

One banker from eastern Nebraska said that “with current price levels, many older landowners are cashing out.”

Such farm sales were met by robust farmer demand, pushing land prices higher. The Fed said farmers bought 73 per cent of the farmland sold in 2011, up from 60 per cent in 2005.

“Land sales have exploded in number and price due to record farm profits. Many farmers have also prepaid for nearly all of next year’s crop inputs,” a banker in northeastern Nebraska told the Fed. Of non-farmer purchases, more bankers reported farmland being bought for investment purposes such as rental income and earning capital gains. Farmland purchases for recreational use or residential/ development projects continued to fall.

“Two reasons given for buying farmland are alternative investments are limited and land will always be there,” one banker in northeastern Colorado told the Fed. Cash rents for farmland jumped last year, up 18 per cent compared to a six per cent gain in 2010 as “landowners factored in high farm income expectations when renegotiating lease terms,” the Fed said. Ranchland rent values rose but at a slower rate, about 10 per cent, versus a four per cent average annual gain in 2010.

Interest rates averaged 6.3 per cent on farm operating loans in the quarter and for farm real estate loans fell below six per cent for the first time in survey history, dipping to 5.9 per cent, the Kansas City Fed said.

Featuring: • Review of overall world crop supply and demand • Outlooks for the crops we grow on the Prairies • Adding wheat to your marketing strengths For the agenda and to register online, visit www.wildoatsgrainworld.com or call (204) 942-1459

A farmer stands in a wheat field near Lincoln, Nebraska. Non-irrigated cropland values have jumped 25 per cent in the U.S. Midwest since last year as absentee landowners cash out and farmers compete aggressively for more land. REUTERS/CARLOS BARRIA

25

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Record world wheat stocks to offset South American drought USDA sees stocks the highest in 12 years due to larger crops in India, Kazakhstan and Morocco

By Charles Abbott

“The big, feared shocker is not there ... The drought is basically over. The bean numbers could grow.”

WASHINGTON/REUTERS

W

orld wheat stocks will swell to a record this year and cor n supplies will be larger than expected despite a cropwithering drought in South America, the U.S. government forecast Feb. 9.

India will post a record rice crop of 102 million tonnes, up two million tonnes from a January estimate, due to beneficial monsoons and growing weather, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast, as the global grain outlook improves slightly after years of tight stocks and rising prices.

Fur t h er s ig ns of repl enished global grain bins may help keep a lid on grain prices globally. Corn, for instance, has slid by more than $1 a bushel from late last year to about $6.40 a bushel.

Wheat stocks will rise to 213.1 million tonnes at the end of the marketing year, up six per cent from the record set last year of 200.7 million tonnes, the largest stocks in 12 years. USDA cited larger crops in India, Kazakhstan and Morocco. Russia and its neighbours harvested bountiful crops last summer, bouncing back from drought.

Corn stocks were forecast at 125.35 million tonnes, over average trade estimates of 124.9 million tonnes, and soybeans at 60.28 million tonnes, below estimates of 61.4 million tonnes.

U.S. traders said this report was largely neutral for corn and soybeans, because the drought in Brazil and Argentina was not as bad as

DON ROOSE

U.S. Commodities

feared by the market leading up to the release of the report.

“The focus is on production in South America,” said Don Roose, president of U.S.

Commodities. “The big, feared shocker is not there ... The drought is basically over. The bean numbers could grow.”

For the second month in a

row, USDA lowered its forecast of the soybean harvest in Brazil and Argentina, and cut Argentine corn for the second time since January. But the cuts were largely in line with traders had been expected as drought continues to ravage agriculture output.

Argentina’s corn crop was forecast at 22 million tonnes, d ow n f o u r m i l l i o n t o n n e s from the January estimate.

Soybeans were forecast at 48

million tonnes, down 2.5 million tonnes in a month.

“Hi g h t e m p e ra t u re s a n d extensive dryness... resulted in irreversible damage to early corn,” said USDA. Traders had expected a lower corn figure and a slightly higher soybean estimate for Argentina.

In Brazil, the world’s largest soybean exporter, the crop will total 72 million tonnes, down two million tonnes from January’s estimate said USDA.

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26 1

TheManitoba ManitobaCo-Operator Co-operator | | February 2012 The October 23, 6, 2011

FARMER'S

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

Selling?

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

Classification

index Tributes/Memory Announcements Airplanes Alarms & Security Systems AnTiqueS Antiques For Sale Antique Equipment Antique Vehicle Antiques Wanted Arenas

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

Roofing Building Supplies Buildings Business Machines Business Opportunities BuSineSS SeRViCeS Crop Consulting Financial & Legal Insurance/Investments Butchers Supply Chemicals Clothing/Work wear Collectibles Compressors Computers

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

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AuTO & TRAnSpORT Auto Service & Repairs Auto & Truck Parts Autos Trucks Semi Trucks Sport Utilities Vans Vehicles Vehicles Wanted

FARM MAChineRy Aeration Conveyors Equipment Monitors Fertilizer Equip Grain Augers Grains Bins Grain Carts Grain Cleaners Grain Dryers Grain Elevators Grain Handling Grain Testers Grain Vacuums

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hAyinG & hARVeSTinG Baling Equipment Mower Conditioners Swathers

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New Holland Steiger Universal Versatile White Zetor Tractors 2WD Tractors 4WD Tractors Various Farm Machinery Miscellaneous Farm Machinery Wanted Fencing Firewood Fish Farm Forestry/Logging Fork Lifts/Pallets Fur Farming Generators GPS Health Care Heat & Air Conditioning Hides/Furs/Leathers Hobby & Handicrafts Household Items LAnDSCApinG Greenhouses Lawn & Garden LiVeSTOCK CATTLe Cattle Auctions Angus Black Angus Red Angus Aryshire Belgian Blue Blonde d'Aquitaine Brahman Brangus Braunvieh BueLingo Charolais Dairy Dexter Excellerator Galloway Gelbvieh Guernsey Hereford Highland Holstein Jersey Limousin Lowline Luing Maine-Anjou Miniature Murray Grey Piedmontese

Pinzgauer Red Poll Salers Santa Gertrudis Shaver Beefblend Shorthorn Simmental South Devon Speckle Park Tarentaise Texas Longhorn Wagyu Welsh Black Cattle Composite Cattle Various Cattle Wanted LiVeSTOCK hORSeS Horse Auctions American Saddlebred Appaloosa Arabian Belgian Canadian Clydesdale Draft Donkeys Haflinger Miniature Morgan Mules Norwegian Ford Paint Palomino Percheron Peruvian Pinto Ponies Quarter Horse Shetland Sport Horses Standardbred Tennessee Walker Thoroughbred Warmblood Welsh Horses For Sale Horses Wanted LiVeSTOCK Sheep Sheep Auction Arcott Columbia Dorper Dorset Katahdin Lincoln Suffolk Texel Sheep Sheep For Sale

Sheep Wanted LiVeSTOCK Swine Swine Auction Swine For Sale Swine Wanted LiVeSTOCK poultry Poultry For Sale Poultry Wanted LiVeSTOCK Specialty Alpacas Bison (Buffalo) Deer Elk Goats Llama Rabbits Emu Ostrich Rhea Yaks Specialty Livestock Various Livestock Equipment Livestock Services & Vet Supplies Miscellaneous Articles Miscellaneous Articles Wanted Musical Notices On-Line Services ORGAniC Organic Certified Organic Food Organic Grains Personal Pest Control Pets & Supplies Photography Propane Pumps Radio, TV & Satellite ReAL eSTATe Vacation Property Commercial Buildings Condos Cottages & Lots Houses & Lots Mobile Homes Motels & Hotels Resorts FARMS & RAnCheS British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Pastures Farms Wanted

Acreages/Hobby Farms Land For Sale Land For Rent

Oilseeds Pulse Crops Common Seed Various

ReCReATiOnAL VehiCLeS All Terrain Vehicles Boats & Water Campers & Trailers Golf Carts Motor Homes Motorcycles Snowmobiles Recycling Refrigeration Restaurant Supplies Sausage Equipment Sawmills Scales

FeeD/GRAin Feed Grain Hay & Straw Hay & Feed Wanted Feed Wanted Grain Wanted Seed Wanted Sewing Machines Sharpening Services Silos Sporting Goods Outfitters Stamps & Coins Swap Tanks Tarpaulins Tenders Tickets Tires Tools

SeeD/FeeD/GRAin pedigreed Cereal Seeds Barley Durum Oats Rye Triticale Wheat Cereals Various peDiGReeD FORAGe SeeDS Alfalfa Annual Forage Clover Forages Various Grass Seeds peDiGReeD OiLSeeDS Canola Flax Oilseeds Various peDiGReeD puLSe CROpS Beans Chickpeas Lentil Peas Pulses Various peDiGReeD SpeCiALTy CROpS Canary Seeds Mustard Potatoes Sunflower Specialty Crops Various COMMOn SeeD Cereal Seeds Forage Seeds Grass Seeds

TRAiLeRS Grain Trailers Livestock Trailers Trailers Miscellaneous Travel Water Pumps Water Treatment Welding Well Drilling Well & Cistern Winches COMMuniTy CALenDAR British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba CAReeRS Career Training Child Care Construction Domestic Services Farm/Ranch Forestry/Log Health Care Help Wanted Management Mining Oil Field Professional Resume Services Sales/Marketing Trades/Tech Truck Drivers Employment Wanted

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

AGREEMENT The publisher reserves the right to refuse any or all advertising for any reason stated or unstated.

Advertisers requesting publication of either display or classified advertisements agree that should the advertisement be omitted from the issue ordered for whatever reason, the Manitoba Co-operator shall not be held liable. It is also agreed that in the event of an error appearing in the published advertisement, the Manitoba Co-operator accepts no liability beyond the amount paid for that portion of the advertisement in which the error appears or affects. Claims for adjustment are limited to errors appearing in the first insertion only.

While every endeavor will be made to forward box number replies as soon as possible, we accept no liability in respect to loss or damage alleged to a rise through either failure or delay in forwarding such replies, however caused, whether by negligence or otherwise.

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CAUTION The Manitoba Co-operator, while assuming no responsibility for advertisements appearing in its columns, exercises the greatest care in an endeavor to restrict advertising to wholly reliable firms or individuals.

However, please do not send money to a Manitoba Co-operator box number. Buyers are advised to request shipment C.O.D. when ordering from an unknown advertiser, thus minimizing the chance of fraud and eliminating the necessity of a refund where the goods have already been sold.

At Farm Business Communications we have a firm commitment to protecting your privacy and security as our customer. Farm Business Communications will only collect personal information if it is required for the proper functioning of our business. As part of our commitment to enhance customer service, we may share this personal information with other strategic business partners. For more information regarding our Customer Informa-

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tion Privacy Policy, write to: Information Protection Officer, Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1.

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The editors and journalists who write, contribute and provide opinions to Manitoba Co-operator and Farm Business Communications attempt to provide accurate and useful opinions, information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists and Manitoba Co-operator and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the editors as well as Manitoba Co-operator and Farm Business Communication assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader for this publication based on any and all information provided.

ADVERTISIng RATES & InfoRMATIon REgulAR ClASSIfIED • Minimum charge — $11.25 per week for first 25 words or less and an additional 45 cents per word for every word over 25. Additional bolding 75 cents per word. GST is extra. $2.50 billing charge is added to billed ads only.

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27

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

ANTIQUES

BUILDINGS

BUILDINGS

ANTIQUES Antiques For Sale MULVEY FLEA MARKET, Manitoba’s Largest year-round indoor flea market, weekends 10-5. Collectables, Antiques & More. Lots of great stuff new & old. Fun place to shop. Osborne @ Mulvey Ave. E. Wpg. 204-478-1217. Visa, MasterCard, Interac accepted. Visit us online at www.mulveymarket.ca SUN., MAR. 11TH, 2012 MB Antique Association Spring Antique & Collectibles Show. 10:00-4:00pm CanadInns Polo Park 1405 St Matthews Ave. Admission $4.

Vendor spaces avail.

Kelly (204)981-9616. Glassware, books, postcards, nostalgia items, art, silver, collectibles, etc.

STRONGEST POSTS INDUSTRY-WIDE Toll Free:1-877-239-0730 www.mcdiarmid.com/farm

ANTIQUES Antique Equipment 2 COMPLETE SETS OF good leather harness, 1 set of heavy leather harness w/breechen, 3-ply tugs. A good assortment of horse collars, new yokes & double trees, old horse machinery, spread rings & scotch tops.

Phone:(204)242-2809, Manitou.

AUCTION DISTRICTS Parkland – North of Hwy 1; west of PR 242, following the west shore of Lake Manitoba and east shore of Lake Winnipegosis.

Westman – South of Hwy 1; west of PR 242.

Interlake – North of Hwy 1; east of PR 242, following the west shore of Lake Manitoba and east shore of Lake Winnipegosis.

Red River – South ofHwy 1; east of PR 242.

The Pas

10X22 OFFICE BUILDING on skids, fully insulated wired & 2 electric heaters, laminate flooring, 2x6 roof & floor, 2x4 walls, two 36x36-in sliders, outswing door. (306)524-4636, (306)528-7588 AFAB INDUSTRIES IS YOUR SUPERIOR post frame building company. For estimates and information call 1-888-816-AFAB(2322).

Website: www.postframebuilding.com CONCRETE FLATWORK: Specializing in place & finish of concrete floors. Can accommodate any floor design.

References available. Alexander, MB. 204-752-2069.

BUSINESS SERVICES BUSINESS SERVICES Crop Consulting

Birch River

FARM CHEMICAL SEED COMPLAINTS

Swan River Minitonas Durban

We also specialize in: Crop Insurance appeals; Chemical drift; Residual herbicide; Custom operator issues; Equipment malfunction; Yield comparisons, Plus Private Investigations of any nature. With our assistance the majority of our clients have received compensation previously denied. Back-Track Investigations investigates, documents your loss and assists in settling your claim.

Licensed Agrologist on Staff.

For more information Please call 1-866-882-4779

Winnipegosis

Roblin

Dauphin

Grandview

Ashern

Gilbert Plains

Fisher Branch

Ste. Rose du Lac Russell

Parkland

Birtle

Riverton Eriksdale

McCreary

Langruth

Neepawa

Hamiota

Gladstone

Rapid City

1

Melita

Carberry

Boissevain

Killarney

Pilot Mound Crystal City

Elm Creek

Sanford

Ste. Anne

Carman

Mariapolis

Lac du Bonnet

Beausejour

Winnipeg

Austin Treherne

Westman

Waskada

Stonewall Selkirk

Portage

Brandon Souris

Reston

Interlake

Erickson Minnedosa

Virden

Arborg

Lundar Gimli

Shoal Lake

St. Pierre

242

Morris Winkler Morden

Altona

Steinbach

1

Red River

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

AUCTION SALES AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Interlake MCSHERRY AUCTION SITE Estate & Moving Auction Sat., March 3, 10:30am Stonewall, MB. 12 Patterson Dr. 79 Ford L9000 DSL Cat Tandem w/15-ft. Gravel Box & Hoist, Sft; 90 Ford 350 4x4 Crew Cab 351 gas, ns; 89 Ford F250 XL 4x4, 351 gas Sft; 30s Original Oak Phone Booth w/Phone; Oak Curved Glass China Cabinet; Oak Hall Seat; Exc Crockery Collection; Hudson Bay; Hand Painted Birds & Flowers; RWing Churn Water Coolers, Crocks; Jugs; Hudson Bay Tin; Birch Berry Basket. Plus More! Go to Web www.mcsherryauction.com STUART MCSHERRY (204)467-1858 or (204)886-7027.

1966 CAT 950 WHEEL loader, bucket, recent work order sleeves, pistons, bearings & heads, 20.5x25 tires, $21,000; 853 Bobcat, bucket, very good 12-16.5 tires, recent reman engine, $12,500; 3 of 621 Cat motor scrapers, 23H series, canopy, $25,000 each; 1975 Willock tandem axle drop LoBoy, WB suspension, 7-ft. neck, 20-ft.x9-ft. deck, 3ft.6-in. beavertail, safetied, $18,500; 1969 Freuhauff low bed, safetied, 8-ft.x18-ft. double drop deck, 30Ton, near new 255/70R22.5 tires, beavertail, $13,500. (204)795-9192.

1968 D7E CRAWLER, twin tilts, needs work, $12,000; 1973 Wilock triaxle low-bed, double drop, beaver tail, $28,000; Fleco brush rake for D7E, $5500; 1982 Ford L9000 tandem truck $8000; Cat70 cable scraper $11,000. (204)326-3109, Steinbach.

AUTO & TRANSPORT

1981 CASE W20B WHEEL loader, well maintained, $23,500. www.waltersequipment.com (204)525-4521

AUTO & TRANSPORT Auto & Truck Parts

1986 KING LOWBED, DECK, 8ft 8in. wide plus outriggers by 19ft 6in long, drop deck, beaver tail, 50-ton capacity, MB safety, triple axle, 275/70R22.5 tires, detachable gooseneck w/reconditioned cylinders, 4 new bushings in suspension, $30,000.

Phone: (204)795-9192, Plum Coulee.

REMANUFACTURED DSL ENGINES: GM 6.5L $4,750 installed; Ford/IH 7.3L $4950 installed; GM Duramax; new 6.5L engines $6500; 12/24V 5.9L Cummins; other new/used & reman. engines available.

Thickett Engine Rebuilding, 204-532-2187, Binscarth.

8:00am-5:30pm Mon.-Fri. STEEL SERVICE TOOLBOX FOR 1/2, 3/4 or 1-ton truck, 6 compartment, 79” wide, 8’ long, good shape, $1000 OBO. Phone: (204)669-9626

1996 INTERNATIONAL DAYCAB, IN good condition, safetied, $9000. Phone:(204)248-2110, Notre Dame.

2004 T800 AS NEW, 60,000-km c/w Doepker Super Bees; 1993 GMC Top Kick tandem, new box & hoist; 100kW Gen Set c/w JD DSL motor, as new 1,000-hrs. (204)665-2360.

AUTO & TRANSPORT Semi Trucks & Trailers

BEEKEEPING

FERTILIZER SPREADERS 4T, $1,000; 4T stainless, $2,500; 5T, $4,000; 6T, $3,000; 8T, $8,000; 8T Tender, $3,000; 16T Tender, $5,900; PU Sand Spreader, $3,500. Phone (204)857-8403.

BIG BINS & FLOORS at old prices, 20,000-56,000bu. bins holding prices until spring. NEW MOISTURE CABLES! Call Wall Grain for details (204)269-7616 or (306)244-1144 or (403)393-2662.

FOR SALE: 3 USED Grain Max 2,300-bu. Meridian Hopper bins. Call Valley Agro (204)746-6783.

690 POLY SURROUNDS; 385 with nests; 75 poly shelters, various makes. Phone: (204)435-2253.

BUILDING & RENOVATIONS BUILDING & RENOVATIONS Roofing

WANTED: USED NEW STYLE grain bin doors complete. Also 18 gauge side panels for standard 19-ft. bins. Phone Bill (204)763-4390 or leave msg.

WESTEEL ROSCOE GRAIN BINS, 3 3350-bushel, $2500 OBO; 2 3850-bushel $3000 OBO. All to be moved, good shape, Morris area. Phone: (204)669-9626.

FARM MACHINERY Grain Cleaners HARVEY GISELLE 5-IN-1 GRAIN cleaner. Phone: (204)755-2244

WINTER BLOWOUT!!

75 truckloads 29 gauge full hard 100,000PSI high tensile roofing & siding. 16 colours to choose from.

2

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

Ask about our blowout colours...65¢/ft.2

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

5-TON WILLMAR FERT SPREADER w/tarp, like new, $4,000 OBO. Phone (204)758-3897, St Jean.

CUSTOM BIN MOVING: Large Flat Bottom Bins & Hoppers. Also Buying & Selling used bins. Phone: (204)362-7103. Email: binmovers@hotmail.com

BEEKEEPING Bee Equipment

FOUILLARD STEEL SUPPLIES LTD.

FARM MACHINERY Fertilizer Equipment

FARM MACHINERY Grain Bins

2005 VOLVO 630, 465HP, 13-spd trans, new stearing tires, 1.4m kms, truck in VGC, $24,500 OBO. Phone: (204)325-1383 or cell (204)362-4874

BEAT THE PRICE INCREASES CALL NOW

WRECKING 1968 D7E CRAWLER, serial #48A10609 twin tilt angle dozer, scraper winch.

Phone:(204)326-3109, Steinbach MB.

FARM MACHINERY

AUTO & TRANSPORT Trucks

B-Gr. coloured......................70¢/ft.

CATERPILLAR D6B SER #1134, standard shift w/Johnson bar, hydraulic angle dozer, good undercarriage, pup start, tractor in good shape, ready to work, $15,000 OBO. Phone: (204)669-9626

FARM MACHINERY Grain Dryers

FARM MACHINERY Grain Handling

WALINGA GRAIN VACS Tired of shovelling out your bins, unhealthy dust and awkward augers?

Walinga manufactures a complete line of grain vacs to suit your every need.

With no filters to plug and less damage done to your product than an auger, you’re sure to find the right system to suit you. Call now for a free demonstration or trade in your old vac towards a new

Walinga agri-Vac! Fergus, On: (519) 787-8227 carman, MB: (204) 745-2951 Davidson, SK: (306) 567-3031 FARM MACHINERY Haying & Harvesting – Baling 2007 956 HESSTON ROUND baler, c/w Agco GTA monitor, constant moisture readout, has less than 5000 bales, shedded, excellent condition, $16,500 OBO. Phone: (204)325-1383 or cell (204)362-4874 2009 2150 HESSTON SERIES, 3x3 large square baler. Always shedded, total bales, 2500, used two seasons, asking $65,000 cdn OBO; 1982 1069 NH diesel bale wagon, c/w 1028S mil-STAK 3x3 loader arm, 354 Perkins engine w/redone fuel system last season. Always shedded. paint & rubber in good condition, AC/CD stereo, very nice wagon, well maintained ready to go to work, asking $45,000 cdn obo. email sdryden@rfnow.com or contact Steve Dryden (204)838-2352, Virden, MB. CASE-IH 8575 LARGE SQUARE Baler, GC; Inland 4000 square bale picker, GC; 2004 1475 NH haybine, VGC. Phone (204)467-5984 leave msg, Stonewall.

FARM MACHINERY Haying & Harvesting – Various REBUILT CONCAVES Rebuild combine table augers, Rebuild hyd. cyls, Roller mills regrooved, MFWD housings rebuilt, Steel & aluminum welding, Machine Shop Service, Line boreing & welding.

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

Combines FARM MACHINERY Combine – Case/IH 2008 5710 BOURGAULT AIRDRILL, updated to 5810, comes w/6550 Bourgault tank, done very little acres, Best Offer. (204)352-4037, evenings.

FARM MACHINERY Combine – John Deere 1991 JD 9600 COMBINE, 914 PU, sunny brook cyl, fore & aft, grain star moisture & bushels, 3,000-hrs, A1 condition, $48,000 OBO. (204)758-3897, St Jean.

2005 JD 9760 STS combine, 1100-hrs, duals, contour w/2009 JD 635F flex head, $144,500. Phone: (507)993-0720 .

2011 JD 9770 COMBINE, Premier cab, 615 PU, small grains concave, Contour Master, 22.5-ft. auger, duals, 55 engine hrs, like new. Phone (204)467-2109, after 8:00pm

FARM MACHINERY Combine – Various

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories

FARM MACHINERY Tillage & Seeding – Various

TRACTORS FOR PARTS: IHC 1486, 1086, 886, 1066, 966, 1256, 656, 844, 806, 706, 660, 650, 560, 460, 624, 606, 504, 434, 340, 240-4, W9, WD6, W6, W4, H, 340, B-414; 275 CASE 4890, 4690, 2394, 2390, 2290, 2090, 2470, 1370, 1270, 1175, 1070, 970, 870, 1030, 930, 830, 730, 900, 800, 700, 600, 400, DC4, SC; MF 2745, 1155, 1135, 1105, 1100, 2675, 1500, 1085, 1080, 65, Super 90, 88, 202, 44, 30; JD 6400, 3140, 5020, 4020, 4010, 3020, 3010, 710; Cockshutt 1900, 1855, 1850, 1800, 1655, 1650, 560, 80, 40, 30; White 4-150, 2-105; Allis Chalmers 7045, 7040, 190XT, 190, 170, WF; Deutz DX130, DX 85, 100-06, 90-06, 80-05; Volvo 800, 650; Universal 651, 640; Ford 7600, 6000, 5000, Super Major, Major; Belarus 5170, 952, 825, 425; MM 602, U, M5; Versatile 700, 555, 145, 118; Steiger 210 Wildcat; Hesston 780. Also have parts for combines, swathers, square & round balers, tillage, press drills and other misc. machinery. Buying machinery, working or not. MURPHY SALVAGE (204)858-2727 or toll free 1-877-858-2728

2003 JD 53-FT. air drill w/3-in. Dutch openers 4-in. rubber packers, 8 manifold, dual markers, sold w/2003 JD 1910 270-bus tow behind air cart, Seed Star control, 8-in. fill auger, Immaculate. Offered for sale prior to Dee Zee Farms Ltd Retirement Auction June 12th, 2012. To view please contact Murray Rankin Auctions (204)534-7401 Killarney, MB.

WISCONSIN MOTOR PARTS FOR VG4D: crank shaft, heads, fly wheel, starter, manifold and carb, $1000 OBO. Phone: (204)669-9626

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

Tractors Combines Swathers

FYFE PARTS

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

www.fyfeparts.com NEW & USED TRACTOR PARTS NEW COMBINE PARTS Large Inventory of new and remanufactured parts

STEINBACH, MB. Ph. 326-2443 Toll-Free 1-800-881-7727 Fax (204) 326-5878 Web site: farmparts.ca E-mail: roy@farmparts.ca FARM MACHINERY Salvage GOODS USED TRACTOR PARTS: (204)564-2528 or 1-877-564-8734, Roblin, MB.

FARM MACHINERY Specialty Equipment POTATO EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS seed cutters, treaters, live bottom truck boxes, trailers, pilers, conveyors, clodhoppers & much more. Visit our website at www.gallantsales.com Call Dave 204-254-8126.

Spraying EquipmEnt FARM MACHINERY Sprayers 1982 HAGIE 647 HIGH-CLEARANCE 4WD diesel Sprayer, 80-ft updated boom, 500-gal, MT flow control, outback guidance, new nozzles, $9000OBO; MF200 Swather, 30-ft, 1500-hrs, updated knifedrive, VGC, $19,000OBO. (204)529-2104.

2001 NH SF550 SPRAYER equivalent to Rogator 554, 2,300-hrs, 5.9 Cummins, 660-gal. SS tank, 90-ft. booms, pressure washer, chem inductor, EZ steer, EZ boom, mapping. Triple nozzle bodies w/5 & 10-gal Bubblejet Tips, 2 sets of tires, 23.1x26 & 9.5R44, excellent condition, $78,000. (204)763-8896, Minnedsoa, MB. HYTRUX SPRAYER W/2000 F-350 std trans 5-SPD, 5.4L gas engine, 90-ft. F/S sprayer w/hyd fold & hyd boom height control, 750 US gal tank, TeeJet 844-E auto rate controller, 2 sets of tires, sprayer is 5 yrs old; 1996 Flexicoil 65 100-ft. sprayer w/windscreens, manual controls. Call (204)523-7215 leave msg, Killarney.

CCIL 960 COMBINE PT from 1970s, always shedded; Deutz D13006 tractor 1970s, always shedded.

Phone R.N. Rollins (204)523-8872, Killarney, MB.

Tillage & Seeding

Combine ACCessories

FARM MACHINERY Tillage & Seeding – Air Seeders

FARM MACHINERY Combine – Accessories

BOURGAULT 8800 AIR SEEDER, 24ft, 2130 tank, w/ harrows & knock-on shovels. Phone: (204)326-9861.

2000 JD 930 FLEX platform PU reel, full finger auger, poly skids, reconditioned, $17,900 OBO; 2006 JD 635 Flex, PU reel, FF auger, poly skids, single pt, looks like new, $27,900 OBO; 2000 JD 925 Flex, PU reel, FF auger, poly skids, real nice, $15,900 OBO; 2007 JD 630 flex, PU reel, FF auger, poly skids, single pt, beautiful platform, $28,900 OBO; Over 20 Platforms in stock, many more coming in, all makes. Garry (204)326-7000, Steinbach, MB. www.reimerfarmequipment.com 2010 MACDON V60-D DRAPER header, 45-ft. JD 70 series adapter, single pt hook-ups, fore & aft, finger reels, stubble lights, new sickle & guards asking $49,900 OBO. (204)433-7557 or cell (701)520-3036

FLEXICOIL 2320 TOW BETWEEN air tank 230-bu. good condition, canola roller, $12,500. Can supply tow behind hitch & air package parts. Phone (204)324-3647.

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

FOR SALE 1989 MORRIS MH310 30-ft hoe press drill, steel packers & atom jet openers, in good condition, asking $5000. Phone:(204)435-2130, Miami.

TracTors FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Allis/Deutz 1987 DUETZ 7085 FWA, open-station, 85hp, 5900-hrs, Allied 794 FEL $18,000. (204)525-4521 www.waltersequipment.com

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Case/IH 1988 CASE-IH 7130 TRACTOR, 4900-hrs, MFD, duals, $38,000 OBO. Phone: (204)352-4037 INTL INDUSTRIAL 484 W/INDUSTRIAL loader factory cab & air, 4,500 actual hrs, tractor is in excellent condition, price $13,500. Phone (204)853-7755, Wpg.

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Steiger 1975 STEIGER BEARCAT II, Cat engine 320B, 4WD, 210-HP, 3,636-hrs, tires 18.4-38, $18,500.

Call (204)736-3954.

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – John Deere 1982 JD 1040 W/CAB 3-PTH, JD 175 loader, $12,900 OBO. Garry (204)326-7000, Steinbach, MB. www.reimerfarmequipment.com 1995 JD 7200 MFWD 3-PTH, JD 740 loader, joystick, 7-ft. bucket, grapple, high hrs but excellent shape, free shipping in MB or SK, $42,900 OBO. Garry (204)326-7000, Steinbach, MB. www.reimerfarmequipment.com 2003 JD 6420 W/640 FEL bucket & grapple, joystick, 24-SPD trans, new front tires, 3-PTH, 8,000-hrs, asking $45,000 OBO. Call (204)739-3759 or (204)762-5913.

2004 JD 7320 MFWD 3-PTH, JD 740 loader, joystick, 7-ft. bucket, LH reverser, 16x16 partial powershift trans, 3,820-hrs, free shipping in MB or SK, $67,900 OBO. Garry (204)326-7000, Steinbach, MB. www.reimerfarmequipment.com 7400 JD TRACTOR, 4WD, power quad, 2795 HD loader w/bucket & bale spear, 4 yrs old, rear tires 75%, clean, runs well, $22,500 OBO. (204)427-3311.

7810 MFWD, PQ, LHR, 3-pt, new tires; 7710 MFWD, PQ, LHR, 3-pt, new tires; 7210 MFWD, PQ, LHR, 3-pt, w/740 FEL grapple; 4650 MFWD, 3-pt, 15-SPD; 4455 MFWD, 3-pt, 15-SPD; 4450 MFWD, 3-pt, 15-SPD; 2, 4250 MFWD, 3-pt, 15-SPD; 2950 MFWD, 3-pt, w/260 s/l FEL; 4440 quad, 3-pt, fact duals; 2555 CAH, 3-pt, 4,600-hrs, w/146 FEL; 3140 3-pt, new paint, tires, hi/low shift, mint; 1830 3-pt, front weights 30, 40, 50 series. We also have loaders, buckets, grapples to fit JD tractors. BEN PETERS JD TRACTORS LTD 204-828-3628 shop, 204-750-2459 cell, Roseisle.

FOR SALE: JD 7520 3 hyds & PTO, in good working order, $6,900 OBO. Phone (204)655-3458.

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Kubota KUBOTA MFWA BOTTLE M125X 3-PTH, LH reverser, loader, 1,400-hrs, new front tires, nice clean unit. Call (306)538-2153, Whitewood.

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

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous 120 GEHL MIXMILL W/PWR bale feeder; 25-ft.

Westward 3000 PT swather w/hyd set up; 1560 MF round baler; 16 section Kovar hyd harrow bar & diamond harrows; 24.5-ft. JD C20 cultivator; 22 NH3 knives. (204)386-2507 1983 CASE 2390 TRACTOR, duals, 4,200-hrs; 1983 MF 850 combine, DSL; MF 560 round baler.

Phone (204)268-4317.

1983 MF 860 COMBINE, 9001 belt PU, chopper, chaff spreader, 24.5x32 tires, rear traction tires, rebuilt engine, new rad, VGC, always shedded, $7,800; JD 800 SWATHER, 18-ft. head, good shape, $900; JD 9350 PRESS DRILLS 2x10 rubber press, fert attach & markers, 1981 god condition, $3,500; JD 7000 PLANTER 8x36, fert attach & markers, good conditioner, $3,500.

Phone (204)828-3396, Graysville.

FARM MACHINERY Tillage & Seeding – Seeding JD 7000 8-ROW 30-IN. planter, c/w dry fertilizer attachment, bean cups, 200 monitor, always shedded, $6000 OBO. Phone: (204)325-1383 or cell (204)362-4874.

2160 LUCKNOW VERTICAL MIXER wagon, new 2006, good condition, always shedded; New Holland 195 spreader, balloon tires, good shape, farmuse only; approx 700 Broam alfalfa mix, 1st & 2nd cut, large round bales. Phone:(204)264-0099, (204)576-0071.

FARM MACHINERY Tillage & Seeding – Tillage

NEW MC DRYERS IN STOCK w/canola screens 300-2,000 BPH units. Why buy used, when you get new fuel efficient & better quality & control w/MC. Call Wall Grain for details (204)269-7616 or (306)244-1144 or (403)393-2662.

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

8-ROW JD 7200 VACUUM planter, 36-in. spacing, dry fert & row cleaners, $7,500; 8-row Alloway cultivator, $1,200; Elmers 8-row band sprayer, $1,200; Phone (204)857-8400, Portage.

1997 JD 9600 COMBINE w/914 PU header, 1,980 sep hrs, VGC, $69,000; 1984 Vers 895 tractor, 9,000-hrs, runs great, $18,000 or take the Outback S2 & autosteer too for $24,000. Phone (204)386-2284, Plumas.

NEW GSI GRAIN DRYERS FOR SALE. Canola screens, propane/NG, single or 3-phase. Efficient, reliable, and easy to operate. Significant early order discount pricing now in effect. Call for more information. 204-998-9915 www.vzgrain.com

FARM MACHINERY Grain Elevators

28-FT. IHC 6200 DOUBLE disc seed drill w/rubber press wheels & grass seed attachment. Fertilizer partition, reversed for grain only. All faulty disc bearings replaced. Field ready. Includes transport trailer. Best offer. Phone (204)736-2723, Sanford.

Gauge Wheel Solutions ridgelandmanufacturing.ca Phone: 1-204-866-3558

28

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous 70-FT. SUMMERS HEAVY HARROW, $15,000; Phoenix 42/53-ft. harrow, flexheads I-H 820, $2,000; 1020 25-ft., $6,000; 30-ft., $8,500; JD 925, $6,500; 12 wheel rake, $6,000; 14 wheel, $7,000; Vermeer hyd rake, $4,000; NH 9-ft. mower $2,200; IH 9-ft., $1,800; Haybuster 256+2 shredder, 4,000lb creep feeder, $1,200; Harsh 350 feedmixer cart, $6,000; Roorda feed cart, $2,000; 12-yd. JD scraper, $12,000; Haybuster 106 rockpicker, $2,500.

Phone (204)857-8403.

LIVESTOCK Cattle Auctions

HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING

10 YEARLING OPEN HEIFERS, $1000 each; 9, 2 yr old bred heifers to calve March 15, $1500 each.

Phone (204)526-7168

The Icynene Insulation System®

BLACK ANGUS & POLLED Hereford bulls for sale, yearling & 2 yr olds. Semen tested, performance records & delivery available. Call Don Guilford (204)873-2430, Clearwater.

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

ANGUS BULL & COW SALE Tuesday, Feb. 28th 11AM

85-FT TORMASTER DIAMOND HARROW, good condition, $1800; 2001 Labtronics 919 moisture meter, good condition, $550. Phone:(204)746-8230 after 6pm.

CO-OP DISCER & SEED drills; parting out tractors & combines; cultivated farm land for rent; standing spruce timber; tractor tires & rims; 1/2 Ton truck & car. (204)268-1888.

FOR SALE DUE TO Quit Farming: 1) 1981 JD 8640 4WD tractor, approx 9,000-hrs, new 50 series eng, 4 whl diff lock, triple hyds, PTO, ac/heat, clean, $20,000; 2) 1993 Case-IH 1680 combine, approx 2,800-hrs, Cummins PWR, specialty rotor, chopper, hopper topper, 1015 PU, excellent, reliable, $35,000; 3) 1989 Freightliner FL112 semi truck, 3406 CAT, 13-SPD trans, air ride suspension & air ride cab, sleeper, very good Michelin rubber, diff lock, very clean, $15,000; 4) 1985 Ford L9000 Feed Truck, tandem axle, Rayman Aluminum feed body, 12-Ton 4 compartment, Cummins PWR, large front tires, good for fert or seed tender, $15,000; 5) 1985 Ford L8000 tandem grain truck, 20ft. Cancade box, roll tarp, diff lock, 3208 Cat, 13-SPD trans, new PTO pump, mechanically sound, needs paint, $15,000; 6) Ezee-on 33-ft. Air Drill, double shoot, Model 2175-bu. cart, tow behind, hyd fan drive, 8-in. spacing, excellent, low acs, $35,000; 7) 1989 CI 722 swather, approx 1,900-hrs, 25-ft. UII PU reel, Isuzu DSL, joystick control, good canvas, ac/heat, $15,000; 8) 1981 JD 2750 tractor, 2 whl drive, new motor, c/w Allied FEL, joystick control, PTO, 3-pt. new rubber, new clutch, new starter, $19,000; 9) Farm King MD swing away auger, 60-ft. low profile hopper, hyd hopper mover, $4,000; 10) 4 misc augers, 5-HP electric 30-40ft., $500 each; 11) Snowblower Farm King 8-ft., 3-pt., double auger, hyd chute, $1,800. Prices negotiable for more info contact Claude (204)744-2501 home or (204)825-0001 cell.

FOR SALE: HARROW BAR 100-ft. wide w/hyd lift, pressure washer; 225 JD 3,400-lbs of pressure; 100ft. Sprayer Flexicoil w/foam marker, low profile, rocking axle, tandem; Hypro pump; jet agitator; 4 castor wheel; 830-gal water tank. Phone (204)895-1650.

HARMAN HARROW BAR 61-FT., good condition, $900. Phone (204)825-8354 or (204)825-2784.

JD 1995 79DELC TRACKHOE, low hrs; Komatsu WA 320-1 3yd loader, case W26 4-yd loader; Ford 1990655 extend hoe; UH 122 trackhoe; Cat 631 scraped 24-yd; Bomag 170 PD pocket cumming motor Phone:(306)236-8023 JD 4995 16-FT DISCBINE 2009; also Honey Bee 25-ft grain header 47-ft flex coil 800 Deep Tillage;45-ft Willrich Cultivator; 25-ftx60-ft fabric Burlship New; cumming 240bp skid mount clutch&trans; JD 3410 MFWD PS 740 SL; 860 MF PV & 20-ft grain Phone:(306)236-8023 MANURE SPREADERS NH 195, $5,500; NH 500bu, $9,000; New Idea 3634, $4,000; H & S 400-bu., $3,500; Gehl scavenger, $2,500; JD 1,500-gal slurry, $2,500; Meyers 550 for poultry horse, sheep manure, $11,900; Henke 36-in. rollermill, $5,000; Farmhand mixmill, $1,500; Allied 2795 loader, $4,500; Dual 340 loader, $2,000; Dual 320 loader, $1,500. Phone (204)857-8403.

MAYRATH PTO GRAIN AUGER 10X60, used very little $1,475; 10ft 3-PH Deep Tiller $275, tires 28L-26, like new w/rims. Phone: (204)347-5995 SCHULTE STONE PICKER, real nice; JD 9400 only 1,500-hrs, as new; 84-ft. Bourgault heavy harrows; 1545 Brandt conveyor, real nice; Assortment of like new grain cleaners. (204)665-2360.

SCRAPERS FOR SALE!!! Cat, Laplante, Allis, Letourneau, converted to hyd., can direct mount. Will also do custom conversion. Looking for cable scrapers. Phone Borderview Enterprises toll free 1-866-602-4093.

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Wanted CCIL 24-26-FT. DEEP TILLER w/mulchers in good condition, model 806 or 807. Phone (204)662-4580, Cromer, MB. CEREAL IMPLEMENTS 808 & 379 cultivators w/mounted harrows. Phone (306)554-2615.

JD MODEL R, ser #19735, any condition; Pony motor or parts for JD R & JD 70; Fenders or parts tractor JD model 80. Phone: 204-851-0344.

WANTED: GOOD USED 20X8X38 radial tires, no cracks; Older tow between air cart; 5-HP, 10-HP or larger 220V single phase electric motor; 6-in. or 7in. grain augers for dismantle; Behlin grain bin panels. (204)655-3458 WANTED: SYSTEM 80 HARROW bar, for parts.

Phone (204)655-3458.

FENCING FREE STANDING PANELS FOR SALE: 30ft 5-bar panels, made out of 2 7/8” pipe $425/panel. Phone Brent (204)642-3026

www.penta.ca

TRIPLE CHAROLAIS (Steven Cook) Steeprock, MB 204-449-2344 75 Black Cows 35 Cows - 3Years Old 15 Cows - 4 Years Old 25 Cows 5-8 Years Due to calf starting April 15th & have a calving window of 60 days. All rebred Black Angus. On a top vaccination program with Scourboss & given Ivomec

1-800-587-4711

IRON & STEEL

CUSTOM CATTLE CO. (Colin Mailman) Eddystone, MB 204-448-2350 24 PB Performance tested Black Angus Bulls All 2 year old Bulls

2 1/8, 2 3/8, 2 7/8, 3 1/2-in oilfield pipe; 3/4, 7/8, 1in sucker rod; 4.5, 5.5, 7-in., 8 5/8, 9 5/8s casing pipe. (204)252-3413, (204)871-0956.

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

DEVOS FARMS Fork River, MB 204-648-4005 110 Black Cows Due to calf in mid April

LIVESTOCK Cattle Auctions

For more info call

204.447.2266

or for pictures & videos

LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING Greenhouses LOOKING FOR SHELTER BELT or shade trees?

Confused with all the choices? Call us, we can help you! Poplar & willow bare root trees for sale.

Phone:(204)857-1739, Karl. mandal@hotmail.com, www.digthistree.com

LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK Cattle Auctions 6TH ANNUAL PROUDLY WESTERN BULL SALE, 60 Simmental yearling bulls & a select group of yearling heifers sell Sat., March 31st, 1:00pm at the Whitewood Auction Barn, Whitewood, SK. For more info contact one of the consignors: Johnson Stock Farms (306)224-4272, Oak Hill Farms, (306)728-5674, Prairie Wind Farms Ltd., (306)634-4410, Scissors Creek Cattle Co., (306)7354434 or Sun Rise Simmentals, (306)534-4700. Catalogue can be viewed at www.transconlivestock.com.

FEEDER/SLAUGHTER SALES Every Friday 8AM Receiving open until 11PM Thursdays Presale Sundays BRED COW/FEEDER/SLAUGHTER SALE Monday, February 27 9AM SHEEP & GOAT SALE 1st & 3rd Thursday of Every Month March 1st 1PM Gates Open Mon.-Wed. 8AM-4PM Thurs. 8AM-11PM Friday 8AM-6PM Sat. 8AM-4PM For more information call: 204-694-8328 or Jim Christie 204-771-0753

www.winnipeglivestocksales.com Licence #1122

GLADSTONE AUCTION MART LTD

ONE IRON BRED COW SALE Fri Mar 2 11:00AM

For Reiner Bros Farms Ltd of Plumas MB -----------------------------------------------------------Complete herd dispersal of 300 cows 170 Red Angus Simmental cross cows bred Char 130 are Tan Char X cows bred Red Simmental The Bulls were turned out Jul 3rd to start calving mid April This herd is on Verified Beef program These cows have been treated with Pyramid 5 prior to breeding and Ivomeced 75 percent of these cows had 6 calves or less -----------------------------------------------------------Plus, 4 white PB Charolais Bulls from Pleasant Dawn Charolais 3 PB Red Simmental Bulls 1 Full blood Simmental Bull Simmental Bulls are from Kopp Simmentals All Bulls are papered & will be semen tested before the sale -----------------------------------------------------------Owners Richard & Murray Reiner For more info Phone The Mart (204)385-2537 Manager Gerald McGowan (204)385-2043 Auctioneer Dave Nickel (204)637-3393 License #1108

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Black Angus

GRUNTHAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION MART. LTD. GRUNTHAL, MB. Agent for T.E.A.M. Marketing Monday Feb. 27th - Sheep & Goat Sale with small animals - 12Noon Saturday, Feb. 18 - Bred Cow & Heifer Sale - 10am Regular Cattle Sales every Tuesday 9AM

Sales Agent for HIQUAL INDUSTRIES Livestock Handling Equipment for info regarding products or pricing, please call our office.

For on farm appraisal of livestock or for marketing information please call Harold Unrau (Manager) Cell 871 0250 Auction Mart (204) 434-6519 MB. Livestock Dealer #1111

www.srauctionmart.com Licence #1171

The Commercial Cattlemen’s One Stop Bull Shop McMillen Ranching Ltd. 18th Annual Bull Sale With Select Females Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

At the Ranch, Carievale, Sask. at 1:00 p.m.

150 Bulls Sell • 50 Red Polled Simmental • 40 Black Polled Simmental • 15 Red & Black Simm/Angus • 10 FB Fleckvieh Simmental • 35 Registered Red Angus • 17 Open Purebred Females Free Delivery, Semen Tested, Sight Unseen Buyer’s Program For more info or Catalogue Contact: Lee (306) 928-4820, Dave (306) 928-2249, Jim (306) 928-4636 Email: mrl@sasktel.net Catalogue at: mrlranch.com Performance & Calving ease bulls in every category

Mar Mac & Guests Annual Bull Sale March 7, 2012 1:30PM at Mar Mac Farms, Brandon Guests: Downhill Simmentals Perkin Land & Cattle Magnusville Farm

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Angus

80 lots of thick functional Beefy Red & Black Simmental, Red & Black Angus Bulls.

These bulls are selected for feed efficiency, temperament & structural soundness.

Bulls are semen tested & ready to go to work.

Only the top end of our bull crop sell.

Call Mar Mac Farms 204-728-3058 or view bulls online at www.marmacfarms.net

BRED RED & BLACK Angus Heifers, Registered, AI & bull dates avail. Start calving Apr 1. Call after 7:00pm for more info. Doug (204)467-5093, Stonewall.

HAMCO CATTLE CO. 14TH Annual Angus Bull Sale, Sat. March 17th, 2012 (1:00pm) at the farm South of Glenboro, MB. Selling approx. 70 yearling & 20, 2-yr old Red Angus & 25 yearling & 5, 2-yr old Black Angus bulls. Many are AI & some are ET. Free board till spring, semen tested, free delivery, delayed payment plan. Call for catalogue or view online at: www.hamcocattleco.com. Albert, Glen & Larissa Hamilton (204)827-2358 or (204)526-0705; Dr David Hamilton (204)822-3054 or (204)325-3635

Edie Creek Angus 2-Year Old Black & Red Angus Bull Sale

Saturday, March 17th 1:00PM Ashern Auction Mart 29 Forage Developed 2-Yr. Old Bulls Meaty, Moderate, Maternal, Easy Calving, Easy Fleshing For a catalogue or more info call 204-471-4696 or info@ediecreekangus.com Come early for a Free Hot Chili Lunch

www.ediecreekangus.com Advertise your unwanted equipment in the Classifieds.

Call our toll-free number and place your ad with our friendly staff, and don’t forget to ask about our prepayment bonus. Prepay for 3 weeks and get 2 weeks free! 1-800-782-0794.

BOTANY ANGUS & LEANING SPRUCE STOCK FARMS have for sale yearling Black Angus bulls.

These bulls are fed a grower ration. For performance information and prices contact Ryan. Come early, a deposit will hold your purchase until spring.

Contact Ryan Shearer (204)824-2151 or Lyall Edgerton (204)483-2913.

CATTLEMAN’S CONNECTION BULL SALE March 2, 2012, Heartland Livestock, Brandon. For catalogue or more information call BROOKMORE ANGUS, Jack Hart (204)476-2607, (204)476-6696 or email brookmoreangus@mts.net CRANBERRY CREEK ANGUS BULLS for sale. Bulls are Reg. & will be semen tested before delivery May 1st. Hand fed & very quiet. These bulls are beefy & will add pounds to your calf crop. Please call for weights & EPD’s. Pics by e-mail also avail David & Jeanette Neufeld (204)534-2380, Boissevain.

FOR SALE: 5 TWO yr old Black Angus Bulls w/experience; 15 Black Angus yearling bulls. Phone Holloway Angus (204)741-0070 or (204)483-3622 Souris, MB. HI-WEIGH BULL SALE, WEDNESDAY March 28, 1:00pm Plains-Ag complex, Neepawa, MB. Offering 60+ yearling and two-year-old Charolais & Angus bulls. Mostly Polled, some Red factor. Weights, measurements & performance data will be posted.

Delivery available. For catalogues & information call Raymond Airey (204)328-7153, (204)724-3600 or T Bar C Cattle Co. (306)933-4200 (PL# 116062).View the catalogue online at www.buyagro.com OSSAWA ANGUS AT MARQUETTE, MB has yearling bulls for sale. For more info phone (204)375-6658.

PURE COUNTRY BULL SALE, Tues., Mar. 27th, 2012 at Taylor Auction Mart, Melita, MB. Offering 72 Red & Black Angus Yearling & Virgin Two Year Old Bulls. Also Mature Red Angus Herd Sire. Bulls that get it done in the pasture, in the feedlot & on your plate. Profitable, proven, genetics. Call for more info or a catalogue or view online at www.vvvranch.com Dan Van Steelandt (204)665-2448 or (204)522-0092 or Tony Dekeyser (204)665-2424 or (204)264-0270.

PURE COUNTRY BULL SALE, Tues., Mar. 27th, 2012 at Taylor Auction Mart, Melita, MB. Offering 72 Red & Black Angus Yearling & Virgin Two Year Old Bulls. Also Mature Red Angus Herd Sire. Bulls that get it done in the pasture, in the feedlot & on your plate. Profitable, proven, genetics. Call for more info or a catalogue or view online at www.vvvranch.com Dan Van Steelandt (204)665-2448 or (204)522-0092 or Tony Dekeyser (204)665-2424 or (204)264-0270.

TOPVIEW ACRES HAS 20 Black Angus bulls for sale. Free delivery & board until April 1st. For pictures and information call (204)546-2150 or (204)648-3280. Email: kltopham@goinet.ca

PRAIRIELANE FARMS LTD

34th ANNUAL BULL AND HEIFER SALE

SATURDAY APRIL 14th, 2012 1:00 pm on the farm 12 miles west of Souris, MB Contact: Blaine Canning 204-858-2475 Michael Canning 204-858-2457 or visit website at www.prairielaneangus.com LIVESTOCK Cattle – Red Angus 18 MTH OLD PB Red & Black Angus bulls for sale.

To view the bulls check our website www.reddiamondfarm.com We semen test, guarantee & deliver. Phone Michael Becker (204)348-2464, Whitemouth.

DENBIE RANCH IS PROUD to offer an excellent set of long-yearling and yearling bulls for sale. We have a great group of Red Angus bulls along with a good selection of hybrid bulls, who are half-bred Angus & half-Simmental. The long yearlings are the perfect age bulls, developed on grass so they will stand up for a long time and big enough to go out and breed any size of cow with no problems! The yearling bulls are also a great group out of breed leading A.I. sires as well as our own herd sires! Contact Denbie Ranch at (204)4472473, or 447-7608 and 447-7057.

F BAR & ASSOCIATES ANGUS bulls for sale.

Choose from a good selection of 2 yr old and yearling Red & Black Angus bulls. Above-average EPD’s, good genetics, easy handling, semen tested, delivery available. Call for sales list or other details. Inquiries & visitors welcome. We are located in Eddystone, MB, about 20 miles east of Ste Rose, or 25 miles west of Lake Manitoba Narrows, just off Hwy 68. Contact Allen & Merilyn Staheli (204)448-2124, Email: amstaheli@inethome.ca RED ANGUS & BLACK angus bulls for sale, yearlings and two-year olds, semen tested & delivery available. Contact Wayne (204)383-5802.

MORE SELECTION, MORE OFTEN, MORE DEALS. Find it fast at

29

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Simmental

KINARED RED ANGUS OFFERS about 50 2 yr old bulls for sale, complete performance data, guaranteed, semen tested, delivery available. Come select your bulls early, $500 deposit will hold your bull until Spring. Vaughan & Judy Greenslade (204)239-6891, Portage la Prairie.

PRAIRIE PARTNERS BULL & FEMALE SALE, MARCH 13/2012, KILLARNEY AUCTION MART. 38 low birth weight, polled power house meat machines.

Red, Black, Fullblood Fleckvieh. Also a select group of 20 PB & Commercial open heifers. View bulls online at www.bouchardlivestock.com For information/catalogue or video call Fraser Redpath (204)529-2560, Gordon Jones (204)535-2273, Brian Bouchard (403)813-7999, Wilf Davis (204)834-2479

PURE COUNTRY BULL SALE, Tues., Mar. 27th, 2012 at Taylor Auction Mart, Melita, MB. Offering 72 Red & Black Angus Yearling & Virgin Two Year Old Bulls. Also Mature Red Angus Herd Sire. Bulls that get it done in the pasture, in the feedlot & on your plate. Profitable, proven, genetics. Call for more info or a catalogue or view online at www.vvvranch.com Dan Van Steelandt (204)665-2448 or (204)522-0092 or Tony Dekeyser (204)665-2424 or (204)264-0270.

REGISTERED PB RED ANGUS bulls, 2 yr olds & yearlings w/low birth weights. Phone: Ren-Ele Red Angus, (204)526-2424, Bruxelles.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Charolais 18 MTH OLD POLLED PB Charolais bulls for sale. To view the bulls check our website www.reddiamondfarm.com We semen test, guarantee & deliver. Phone Michael Becker (204)348-2464, Whitemouth.

CHAROLAIS BULLS, MAINLY 2-YEAR olds, polled & Horned, Red factor & white. Excellent performance, good feet & above average testicular development. Some semen tested & used in 2011.

Bulls fed to grow but have longevity. Semen tested & delivered. Ian Milliken. Reston. Phone: (204)877-3346, email imilliken@mts.net.

DEFOORT STOCK FARM HAS 1 of the largest groups of Charolais bulls for sale private treaty in MB. Selling both White & Red factor, moderate birth weights, performance tested & semen tested. 32 yrs in the business. Check out our website for both pics & info www.defoortstockfarm.com Phone Gord & Sue (204)743-2109 anytime.

FOR SALE: PB CHAROLAIS bulls 1.5 yr olds & yearlings, Polled, some Red factor, some good for heifers, semen tested in Spring, guaranteed & delivered. R&G McDonald Livestock (204)466-2883 or (204)724-2811, Sidney, MB. FOR SALE: PB REG Charolais bulls 1 & 2 yr olds avail. All are polled, moderate birthweights & semen tested.

Sunny Ridge Stock Farm (204)824-2115, Wawanesa, MB. HI-WEIGH BULL SALE, WEDNESDAY March 28, 1:00pm Plains-Ag complex, Neepawa, MB. Offering 60+ yearling and two-year-old Charolais & Angus bulls. Mostly Polled, some Red factor. Weights, measurements & performance data will be posted.

Delivery available. For catalogues & information call Raymond Airey (204)328-7153, (204)724-3600 or T Bar C Cattle Co. (306)933-4200 (PL# 116062).View the catalogue online at www.buyagro.com

nutrition digestion prevention 99 PRE-CALVING 99 CALVING 99 PRE-BREEDING 99 FREE9DELIVERY 99 LOWEST9COST-TO-FEED RIOCANADA

=

1.888.762.3299

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Gelbvieh POLLED YEARLING GELBVIEH BULLS, Red & Black, semen tested & delivered. Also check our bulls out at Douglas Bull Test Station & Lundar Bull Sale. For more info phone Lee at Maple Grove Gelbvieh (204)278-3255.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Hereford 2-YEAR OLD POLLED HEREFORD bull. $2000.

Phone:(780)203-2653, Morinville, AB. POLLED HEREFORD & BLACK Angus bulls for sale, yearlings & 2 yr olds available. Semen tested, performance records & delivery available. Call Don Guilford (204)873-2430, Clearwater.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Holstein WANTED: NEW BORN HOLSTEIN bull calves, on an ongoing basis. Call Howard (204)483-2990.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Limousin TWIN OAK LIMOUSIN & Twin Meadow Livestock farms has Red Polled yearling bulls, birth weights 84-97-lbs, ADG 2.73-3.48. Selected for performance, moderate frame, calving ease, excellent disposition & body length. Will keep until needed. Call Gary or Josie (204)723-2275 or Tracey (204)723-2386.

SIMMENTAL BULLS FOR SALE by private treaty.

Reds & Fullbloods available. Will keep until Spring.

To view call HOMESTEAD-T SIMMENTALS (204)248-2008, (204)750-1147, or (204)750-1039 Notre Dame, MB WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT group of Polled, all Red & Red Blazed face yearling Simmental bulls.

FULLY GUARANTEED. Select your bull now & at our expense we will feed them, semen test & deliver them when you need them. 5-mi south of Wpg. Riverbank Farms, Ray Cormier (204)736-2608.

LIVESTOCK Cattle Various 115 OPEN HEIFERS FOR sale: Blacks, Reds & some Charolais, can take possession by mid March. If interested phone David Johnson (204)873-2692 evenings or (204)825-7752 day.

12 SIMMENTAL-CROSS, 1ST, 2ND & 3rd calvers, start calving March 1st, $1300 you pick or $1200 takes all; Also 12 quality replacement heifers, $1000 each. Phone:(204)825-4289.

20 RED ANGUS X cows bred Red Angus, start calving May 1st, $1200. Phone Art Langrell (204)383-5974 or cell (204)461-1662.

22 EXCELLENT QUALITY 850-900-LB, mostly Red Angus Cross Simmental open heifers; Also 10, 900-lb Black Angus open heifers, very quiet & pale fed, $1,100 take all or $1,200 choice. Phone (204)825-2799 or (204)825-8340, Pilot Mound.

COMPLETE DISPERSAL: 210 excellent bred heifers & 60 2nd calvers Red & Black Angus X, bred Charolais and Red Angus. Also 130 very good Char X cows, bred Charolais. All done Pfizer Gold. Call (204)447-0184.

FOR SALE: 38 BLACK Angus cows bred Black Angus all coming in w/3rd calf start calving in April.

Phone (204)886-2126, Teulon.

INHERITANCE FARM BUTCHER SHOP can do inspected cut & wrap or farm kill- We also do mobile farm kills. Call to book (204)379-2840, St Claude.

Closed Sundays.

LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO feed calve & pasture cows for the 2012 season. Mostly Black Angus cows, starting to calve Apr 15th. Call Darrell (204)937-3719, Roblin, MB. PB BULLS FOR SALE: good selection of Reg 2 yr old Red & Black Angus & Hereford bulls. Reasonably priced. Call Rod or Kristi (204)873-2637.

TO LEASE ON A 50/50 arrangement close to Brandon. A herd of 34 mixed breed cows/heifers & 15 yearlings. Purebred Red Angus bull. Phone: (204)571-1254.

80 YEARLING BULLS Red Angus Black Angus & Hereford On Test at Southwest Bull Development Center Oak Lake, MB Growth bulls & Heifer bulls Tested BVD free, Semen tested, Carcass evaluated Sale Date: Sunday, April 1, 2012 1:30pm Heartland Livestock, Virden, MB For more info Google Southwest Bull Development Center Or Contact Ron Batho, Test Station Manager 204-855-2404

LIVESTOCK Cattle Wanted

TIRED OF THE HIGH COST OF MARKETING YOUR CALVES??

300-700 LBS. Steers & Heifers Rob: 528-3254, 724-3400 Ben: 721-3400 800-1000 LBS. Steers & Heifers Don: 528-3477, 729-7240

Contact: D.J. (Don) MacDonald Livestock Ltd. License #1110 LIVESTOCK Sheep – Dorper WANTED: BRED (204)281-1985.

PB

DORPER

ewes. Phone

Horses LIVESTOCK Horses For Sale TEAM OF WELL MATCHED 2 yr old fillies, 1 Thoroughbred/Percheron born June 2010, 1 performance horse registry born April 2010. Both registered w/NAERIC. For more information call Gerald (807)482-2980.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Shorthorn 3 & 4 YR old mature bulls for sale. Proven breeders in excellent condition. 2 Roans & 1 White. The perfect choice for Black cows. Greg Tough (204)748-3136 or Monty Thomson (204)771-7205.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Simmental IN PURSUIT OF PERFECTION BULL SALE: Selling 100 Red & Black Simmentals, Red & Black Angus and Bestbeef Hybrid bulls March 8, 2012 at Spring Creek Ranch near Moosomin, SK. Contact: Spring Creek Simmentals/Red Rose Angus, Brian McCarthy (306)435-3590 or Black Sand Cattle Co. Craig Davidson (204)761-5991. www.springcreeksimmentals.com and www.blacksandcattle.com

ORGANIC Organic – Certified

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES All Terrain Vehicles

ORGANIC PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA CO-OPERATIVE (OPAM). Non-profit member owned organic certification body, certifying producers, processors and brokers since 1988.

Phone: (204)567-3745, Miniota, Manitoba. Email: info@opam-mb.com

2010 POLARIS 500 SPORTSMAN H.O. 4x4 quad, 850-mi, VGC, $5,600 OBO; 08 Panterra side-byside 700cc 4x4 w/dump box, good condition, $3,800 OBO. (204)252-2266

PETS PETS & SUPPLIES

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Campers & Trailers LARGE VOLUME OF REPOSSESED RVs & parts, from the foreclosure of Canada One RV is being sold to the public. Phone Dave (204)233-4478, www.gnrcw.com

CKC REGISTERED GERMAN SHEPHERD pups black & tan, born Jan 6th, championship line, $500.

Phone: (204)736-3954.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Motor Homes

REAL ESTATE

2001 HOLIDAY RAMBLER ENDEAVOR 40-ft., 2 sliders, 330-HP Cummins, 7.5KW DSL gen, 64,500-mi., Roadmaster Chassey, hardwood floors, satellite, 2 TVs, excellent condition, $65,000. (204)325-2550.

REAL ESTATE Houses & Lots HOUSE IN GATED COMMUNITY, very clean.

Phone (250)490-3838.

HOUSE TO BE MOVED. 28x28 1.5 storey, 3 Bdrm, built in 1942, 12 yr old roof, solid construction, no water damage, needs windows & reno work. Last lived in 2 yrs ago. $5,000. Can send photos. stepplerfarms@hotmail.com, Miami, MB.

• Collect Used Filters • Collect Oil Containers REAL ESTATE Southern and Western Manitoba Motels & Hotels

Tel: 204-248-2110

Swine

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Snowmobiles WANTED: JD LIQUIDATOR SNOWMOBILE or Liquifire; Also wanted older TNT or RV Squidoos or any other free air snowmobile. Phone (204)728-1861.

RECYCLING

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

LIVESTOCK Swine For Sale PUREBRED BERKSHIRE TAMWORTH, CHESTER White Boars & Guilts for sale. Nationwide delivery available. Contact Troy Callingridge (204)828-3317, (204)379-2004 or cells (204)750-2759 (204)750-1493.

LIVESTOCK Swine Wanted

We BUY used oil & filters Collection of plastic oil jugs Glycol recovery services

WANTED: BUTCHER HOGS SOWS AND BOARS FOR EXPORT

Specialized waste removal Winter & Summer windshield washer fluid Peak Performance anti-freeze ( available in bulk or drums )

P. QUINTAINE & SON LTD. 728-7549 Licence No. 1123

Specialty

The only company that collects, recycles and re-uses in Manitoba!

888-368-9378 ~ www.envirowestinc.com

LIVESTOCK Livestock Equipment

PEDIGREED SEED

1300 JAYLOR SINGLE SCREW mixer wagon, side unload, good scale, $5000; 7400 JD tractor, 4WD, power quad, 2795 HD loader w/bucket & bale spear, 4 yrs old, rear tires 75%, clean, runs well, $22,500 OBO. (204)427-3311.

ALTERNATIVE POWER BY SUNDOG SOLAR, portable/remote solar water pumping for winter/summer. Call for pricing on solar systems, wind generators, aeration, powerflex fencing products. Carl Driedger, (204)5562346 or (204)851-0145, Virden.

FOR SALE: 285 LUCKNOW mix wagon w/scales, in good shape, $13,000. Phone:(204)648-3983 or (204)638-7634.

FOR SALE: PALLISER CATTLE oiler, like new, used only 1 yr. Phone (204)886-2142.

HEAVY BUILT CATTLE FEED bunks & troughs 3/8” thick steel, 500-gal capacity, 3.5ft x 16.5ft, good for grain, silage or water, easily moved.

(204)362-0780, Morden.

KELLN SOLAR SUMMER/WINTER WATERING System, provides water in remote areas, improves water quality, increases pasture productivity, extends dugout life. St. Claude/Portage, 204-379-2763.

PORTABLE WINDBREAKS, CALF SHELTERS, free standing rod & pipe panels, fence line & field silage bunks. Also sell Speed-Rite & 7L Livestock fence equipment, drill pipe & sucker rod. Phone (204)827-2104 or (204)827-2551, Glenboro.

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Manitoba

PEDIGREED SEED Cereal – Wheat

159-ACRES ARBORG AREA, approx. 100-acres mature bush, balance pasture, $53,000. Call Mike, Golko’s Realty (204)642-7979.

CERT #1 UNITY-WASKADA Midge Tolerant VB Vigor & Germination tested 97%. Winter & Volume Pricing. (306)874-7590, Naicam, SK.

FARM SPECIALIST: COUNT ON GRANT TWEED, informed, professional assistance for sellers & buyers.

Call (204)761-6884 anytime, or www.granttweed.com.

Service with integrity.

LESS FUSARIUM MORE BOTTOM LINE. Wheat seed available. Suitable for ethanol production, livestock feed. Western Feed Grain Development Coop Ltd. 1-877-250-1552 www.wfgd.ca

VISIT MANITOBAFARMS.CA for all ranches, pastures, grain land, hunting land, investment property, bldg lots & homes. Call Harold (204)253-7373 manitobafarms.ca Delta Real Estate

PEDIGREED SEED Cereal – Various

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Pastureland

DURAND SEEDS: CERT AC Carberry & Harvest & Kane wheat; Souris Oats; Conlon Barley; CDC Bethune & Sorrel flax; Mancan Buckwheat; Canola & Forage seed. (204)248-2268,(204)745-7577, Notre Dame.

SUPERVISED PASTURE FOR 210 cow/calves, can keep year round. Would consider lease to own option. Open to offers. Phone: (204)859-3018.

ELIAS SEEDS: Cert & Reg Carberry, Waskada Wheat & Cert Kane & Barrie Wheat. Call (204)745-3301, Carman, MB.

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Wanted GOOD QUALITY GRAIN & Cattle Farms wanted for Canadian & Overseas Clients. For a confidential meeting to discuss the possible sale of your farm or to talk about what is involved, telephone Gordon Gentles (204)761-0511, www.farmsofcanada.ca or Jim McLachlan (204)724-7753, www.homelifepro.com Home Professional Realty Inc. WANTED: GRAIN & LIVESTOCK farms for both foreign & domestic buyers. Considering selling w/2012 or 2013 possessions. Now is the time to discuss all options. Professional service & confidentiality guaranteed. Call Rick Taylor (204)867-7551, HomeLife Home Professional Realty Inc., www.homelifepro.com

2 YR OLD & yearling Black Maine-Anjou bulls for sale. Low birth weights, good performance, all guaranteed, delivered in Spring. Phone (204)523-8408

POLLED SALERS BULLS on farm at Douglas Test Station & Lundar Bull Sale. Red or Black, hand fed, quiet. BW from 78-lbs. Top performance genetics in Canada. Ken Sweetland (204)762-5512, Lundar, MB.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

Parkland Single Family Home, 5 BR, 2 BA. For sale NOTRE DAME USED OIL 100 year old house, loads of character! To be moved approx. 1800 ft. well maintained.

New shingles, &sq.

FILTER DEPOT some new windows. For pictures check out "Character for sale" (204)546-2299 • home Buy Used Oil on Kijiji.•$15,000.

Buy Batteries

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Maine-Anjou

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Salers

ORGANIC

SUPER TRAIL FEED BUCKET Quick Attach; Orbit motor driven 7ft.-46 bus; 8ft-57 bus. Fold up spout: Scoop up & go. Fill creep feeders, feed troughs. Ph. 204-836-2441

LIVESTOCK Livestock Services & Vet Supplies HERD BOOKS COW/CALF SOFTWARE for Canadian producers handles all CCIA forms 90 day trial.

For details see www.herdbooks.com

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE METAL SELF FEEDER $2700, N.H 12 wheel V-rake $4300, Oliver Super 55 for parts $550, M.H 101 Twin Power Gas Tractor $675 OBO (204)886-3115

MISCELLANEOUS WANTED WANTED: 12-FT DEEP Phone:(204)838-2397.

TILLAGE

Proud Supporter of Manitoba Businesses & Municipalities

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Red Angus

cultivator.

WANTED-LOCAL FARMING FAMILY LOOKING to aquire up to 2 sections of good grain land in an area encompassed within the Rm’s of Cornwallace, Glenwood, Oakland, or Whitehead for 2013 season. Interested parties please Reply to Ad# 1017, c/o MB Co-operator, Box 9800, Station Main, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K7.

JAMES FARMS LTD: AC Barrie & AC Carberry Wheat, Tradition Barley, Leggett & Summit Oats, Hanley Flax, Various Canola, Sunflower & Soybean seed varieties, Forage seed. Customer processing. Seed treating & delivery available. Early payment discounts. For info (204)222-8785, toll free 1-866-283-8785, Winnipeg.

PUGH SEEDS: CERT KANE, AC Barrie, Somerset Wheat. Souris Oats. Conlon Barley. Reg & Cert Sorrel Flax. Phone (204)274-2179, Bill’s cell (204)871-1467, Barry’s cell (204)872-1851, Portage.

SANDERS SEED FARM FDN, Reg. Cert. Domain Kane, Cert. Carberry, Harvest Wheat, Manitou, MB. Phone (204)242-4200 or (204)242-2576, Daniel Sanders.

LaChance Seeds

NEW CARBERRY WHEAT Reg. & Cert, Good Rating Against Fusarium, Short & Strong straw.

Reg. & Cert Kane Wheat.

Phone (204)353-2694 or Lionel (204)941-9115 Elie, MB

REAL ESTATE Land For Sale 160-ACS FOR SALE: in the RM of Grey North of Haywood, approx 150-acs open, has a dugout currently used for pasture. Call (204)436-2301.

R.M. NORTH NORFOLK Offers being accepted to purchase the following farm land: NW 18-10-9W SW 18-10-9W Offers to be reached by March 16th, 2012 at: Offers PO Box 508 Ile des Chenes, MB R0A 0T0 1) Parcels described sold AS IS 2) Possession date April 15th, 2012 3) Any offer not necessarily accepted.

For further info call (204)782-9208 or (204)878-3538

WE OFFER A FULL LINE OF SEED TESTING SERVICES INCLUDING GERMINATION, PURITY, VIGOR & VOMITOXIN PO Box 579 Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 Ph: 204-328-5313 Fax: 204-328-7400

30

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

save!

Renew early and

PEDIGREED SEED Specialty – Potatoes

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Hay & Straw

WANTING TO BUY 30-TON Dark Red Northern potatoes & 10-ton white Granger potatoes. Koshowski Potato Growers (204)638-8415, Dauphin.

GRASS & ALFALFA MIX bales. Contact Steve Dryden, 204)838-2352,email sdryden@rfnow.com Virden MB.

COMMON SEED

LARGE ROUND ALFALFA/BROME BALES. Phone: (204)859-2724 evenings, Rossburn MB.

COMMON SEED Forage

LARGE ROUND NET WRAPPED hay bales, 1st & 2nd cut $30-$45/bale. For more information call Randy (204)246-2205 or Gord (204)822-1918.

HAIRY VETCH SEED FOR sale, cleaned & bagged, high germination, excellent forage & nitrogen fixation source. Phone: Ron at (204)723-2831, Austin, MB.

SMALL SQUARE BALES Horse Hay, Beef Hay & Wheat Straw.

Close to Brandon.

Phone (204)728-0664 or (204)761-7976.

COMMON SEED Various

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Grain Wanted

CORN SEED $25/ACRE. Lower Cost Alternative for Grazing & Silage. High Yield & Nutrition 7 to 9-ft.

Tall. Leafy Early 2200 to 2350 CHU’s –Open Pollinated Varieties. Phone (204)723-2831.

RED CLOVER SEED, double cut, hardy, cleaned, trace sweet clover & catchfly, cert. organic. Phone: (204)534-7843.

SEED / FEED / GRAIN

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

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Feed Grain CONVENTIONAL AND ROUND UP Ready Grazing Corn. CanaMaize Seed 1-877-262-4046 or email info@canamaize.com

Renew your subscription to the Manitoba Co-operator for 2 years BEFORE we mail your renewal notice, and we'll extend your subscription by 2 additional months.

That's 26 months for the price of 24. OR - Renew for one year and receive 13 months for the price of 12!

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SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Hay & Straw

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Feed Grain

1ST & 2ND CUT large round hardcore Alfalfa, Afalfala Silage & Hay, feed tested, 1,500-1,800-lbs.

Phone (204)246-2032 or (204)823-0431

• Competitive Prices • Prompt Movement • Spring Thrashed

200 MEDIUM SQUARE BALES, asking $25 bale; 100 medium bales of wheat straw, $20 bale. Both in the yd, hay shed. Can deliver. Phone (204)755-2244.

450 TIMOTHY/ALFALFA MIX 1st cut hay, 5x6-ft bales, no rain, approx. 1650lbs $0.03/lb. Call John (204)483-3234

Call, email or mail us today!

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Email: subscription@fbcpublishing.com

500 ROUND HAY BALES For Sale, good quality, excellent condition, no rain, 1500lb bales, $45. Will consider trade for young bred cows. Phone: (204)746-5121.

600 LARGE ROUND GRASS mix hay bales, no rain, good quality, 1700-lbs; 150 dry oat & wheat straw bales. Trucking arranged. Call (204)345-8532

“ON FARM PICK UP”

1-877-250-5252

Specializing in: • Corn, wheat, sunflower, canola,

soymeal, soybeans, soy oil, barley, rye, flax, oats (feed & milling) • Agents of the CWB • Licensed & bonded 5 LOCATIONS to serve you!

Your expiry date is located on your publication's mailing label.

BROME ALFALFA ROUND BALES, 1st & 2nd cut, & also round Barley Straw. Dan Lovatt (204)483-2717, Souris.

FOR SALE: 600 MEDIUM square bales, 1st crop, Timothy/Alfalfa, feed test & delivery avail. Call (204)268-5615 or (204)268-4218, ask for Martin.

FOR SALE: APPROX 200 1st cut Alfalfa bales (round) good quality; Approx 200 small square 1st cut premium quality. Call (204)745-3301 or (204)750-8187, Carman, MB.

ATTACH YOUR MAILING LABEL HERE

A Season to Grow… Only Days to Pay!

Head Office - Winkler (888) 974-7246 Jordan Elevator (204) 343-2323 Gladstone Elevator (204) 385-2292 Somerset Elevator (204) 744-2126 Sperling Elevator (204) 626-3261

FOR SALE: 400 BIG round, 1,400-lbs 1st cut Alfalfa Brome grass. Phone (204)571-1254.

FARMING IS ENOUGH OF A GAMBLE...

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

FOR SALE: ROUND ALFALFA and brome Hay bales and round straw bales delivered in 40 bale loads. Phone:(204)483-2551 or (204)724-4974.

Licensed and Bonded Grain Brokers

Andy Vanderveen · Brett Vanderveen Jesse Vanderveen

“Naturally Better!”

Soybean Crushing Facility (204) 331-3696

FOR SALE: 190 MILLET bales, asking 2 cents per lb. Call (204)526-0936 or (204)248-2291.

Vanderveen Commodity Services Ltd. 37 4th Ave. NE Carman, MB R0G 0J0 Ph. (204) 745-6444 Email: vscltd@mts.net

80 BALES OF MIXED slough & highland hay good only for bedding, some of which they will eat. $20 per bale. Phone Mark after 6:00pm,(204)422-5914.

M SE R: 12345 2010/ 12 PUB Joh n Sm i t h C om p a n y Nam e 123 E x a m pl e St .

T ow n , P r ovi nce, PO STA L CO DE

BUYING:

HEATED & GREEN CANOLA

Advertise in the Manitoba Co-operator Classifieds, it’s a Sure Thing!

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Sudoku 3

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Please fill in the spaces below that apply to you. Thank you!

If you're not the owner/operator of a farm are you: q In agri-business (bank, elevator, ag supplies etc.) q Other total farm size (including rented land)_______________ Year of birth________ q I’m farming or ranching q I own a farm or ranch but i'm not involved in it's operations or management

My Main crops are: No. of acres 1. Wheat ____________ 2. Barley ____________ 3. Oats ____________ 4. Canola ____________ 5. Flax ____________ 6. Durum ____________ 7. Rye ____________ 8. Peas ____________ 9. Chick Peas ____________ Livestock Enterpise No. of head 1. Registered Beef ____________ 2. Commercial Cow ____________ 3. Fed Cattle (sold yearly) ____________ 4. Hog Weaners (sold yearly) __________

My Main crops are: No. of acres 10. Lentils ___________ 11. Dry Beans ___________ 12. Hay ___________ 13. Pasture ___________ 14. Summerfallow ___________ 15. Alfalfa ___________ 16. Forage Seed ___________ 17. Mustard ___________ 18. Other (specify) ___________ Livestock Enterpise No. of head 5. Hog farrow-to-finish (# sows) ______ 6. Finished Pigs (sold yearly) _________ 7. Dairy Cows ___________ 8. Other Livestock (specify) __________

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Occasionally Farm Business Communications makes its list of subscribers available to other reputable firms whose products and services may be of interest to you. If you PReFeR NOt tO ReCeIve such farm-related offers please check the box below. q I PReFeR MY NAMe AND ADDReSS NOt Be MADe AvAILABLe tO OtHeRS

1 7 6

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

Last week's answer

4 7 2 8 6 9 1 3 5

6 5 9 4 3 1 8 2 7

8 1 3 2 7 5 9 6 4

3 4 8 6 5 2 7 1 9

9 6 1 7 4 8 2 5 3

5 2 7 1 9 3 6 4 8

1 8 4 5 2 7 3 9 6

7 9 5 3 1 6 4 8 2

2 3 6 9 8 4 5 7 1

Puzzle by websudoku.com

Puzzle by websudoku.com Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

31

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Grain Wanted

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Grain Wanted

TIRES

CAREERS Professional

CAREERS Professional

FEDERATION TIRE: 1100X12, 2000X20, used aircraft. Toll free 1-888-452-3850

“Your feed grain broker”

Brokers of high/low vomi wheat and barley, corn, rye, feed pea canola and soybeans.

Farm pickup prices available.

Darcy Caners 204-415-3485 dcaners@pvcommodities.com Colin Hoeppner 204-415-3487 choeppner@pvcommodities.com Brian Harland 204-415-7123 bharland@pvcommodities.com Fax 204-415-3489 www.pvcommodities.com

Contact Denis or Ben for pricing ~ 204-325-9555

NOW BUYING Confection and Oil Sunflowers, Brown & Yellow Flax and Red & White Millet Licensed & Bonded

P.O. Box 1236 129 Manitoba Rd. Winkler, MB. R6W 4B3

FARMERS, RANCHERS, SEED PROCESSORS BUYING ALL FEED GRAINS Heated/Spring Threshed Lightweight/Green/Tough, Mixed Grain - Barley, Oats, Rye, Flax, Wheat, Durum, Lentils, Peas, Canola, Chickpeas, Triticale, Sunflowers, Screenings, Organics and By-Products √ ON-FARM PICKUP √ PROMPT PAYMENT √ LICENSED AND BONDED

We are buyers of farm grains.

SASKATOON, LLOYDMINSTER, LETHBRIDGE, VANCOUVER, MINNEDOSA

1-204-724-6741

• Vomi wheat • Vomi barley • Feed wheat • Feed barley • Feed oats • Corn • Screenings • Peas • Light Weight Barley You can deliver or we can arrange for farm pickup.

Winnipeg 233-8418 Brandon 728-0231 Grunthal 434-6881 “Ask for grain buyer.”

FOR SALE: 4, 11X22.5 Goodyear truck tires, 70%; Westfield 7-41 auger w/gas motor. 29-ft Degelman mounted harrows for cultivator.

Phone (204)348-2064, cell (204)345-3610.

TRACTOR TIRES (2) GOODYEAR 520/85R46, new cost $2,500 each plus tax, like new condition, asking $1,500 each. Lavern (204)371-9954.

TRAILERS Grain Trailers 2010 CASLETON SUPER B trailers, excellent rubber; 2007 Casleton Super B trailers, new rubber.

Both excellent condition & no fertilizer. Retiring.

Phone: (204)734-8355, leave message.

TRAILERS Livestock Trailers 6X16FT STEEL GOOSENECK HORSE/LIVESTOCK trailer, stant load w/divider gates, living quarters, good tires & brakes, $4000. Phone: (204)267-2582, Oakville.

TRAILERS Trailers Miscellaneous 45-FT. FRUEHAUF TRAILER, SAFETIED, new brakes & drums, complete rigging for round bales, $5,500 OBO. Phone (204)636-2450.

BRANDON TRAILER SALES “You will like our prices!”

“It’s that Simple!” “Let’s compare quality & price!” “Certainly worth the call!” Phone (204)724-4529. Dealer #4383 CRAIG 19-FT. TRI-AXLE GOOSENECK trailer, $1,800 or trade for bumper hitch trailer. Phone (204)825-8354 or (204)825-2784.

NEW ARC FAB COMBINE platform trailers in stock 30-ft., 36-ft., 38-ft., 40-ft. w or w/o dolly wheels.

Dealer inquiries welcome. Garry (204)326-7000, Steinbach, MB. www.reimerfarmequipment.com WANTED: 2 USED ARNES 22ft.x24ft. & dump gravel trailers in any condition. Phone (204)376-2340 or (204)641-1350.

CAREERS CAREERS Farm / Ranch

TANKS 9000-GALLON TANK, 2 COMPARTMENTS, 2 man holes, not certified, would be good for water or liquid fertilizer, sits on cradles, $1000 OBO. Phone: (204)669-9626.

Running Classified Ads? Take the common sense, cost effective approach. Run your classified ad in Western Canada’s leading farm papers and get more for less!! Call us TOLL FREE 1-800-782-0794

Help wanted for field work on a large farm near Hayter, AB beginning May 1. Previous experience operating farm equipment, mechanical ability and class 1 or 3 driver’s license an asset. Please phone or fax (780)753-4720.

Help Wanted for calving and feedlot work on a large farm near Hayter, Alberta to begin April 1.

Experience with cattle and equipment an asset.

Please phone or fax (780)753-4720.

Located near St. Claude, Philgo Farms has a permanent, full-time position starting @ $16/hr. Duties: working with dairy cattle, assisting with seeding, harvest. Two years experience required. Fax resume to (204)379-2293 or email philgo@inetlink.ca DON’T JUST VISIT, LIVE IT! Agricultural placements in EUROPE, UK, AUSTRALIA or NEW ZEALAND. Wide range of jobs (4-12 months) awaiting experienced individuals ages 18-30. Book an AgriVenture program now! www.agriventure.com 1-888-598-4415. Canadian farmers looking for extra hands are also encouraged to apply for international trainees.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics to farmers worldwide.

ACCOUNT MANAGER CENTRAL MANITOBA

Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited has an immediate opening for an Account Manager in Central Manitoba. The successful candidate will lead the sales effort for Pioneer® brand products in an assigned territory.

Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Business, or Marketing plus 3-5 years relevant sales experience. To view the complete position description and to apply please visit www.pioneer.com/careers. Refer to job#16667BR. Apply

by February 24, 2012. Pioneer Hi-Bred offers a superb working environment, a competitive salary, and an excellent company benefit package.

®, SM, TM Trademarks and service marks licensed to Pioneer Hi-Bred. ©2011 PHL

CAREERS Farm / Ranch

CAREERS Help Wanted

HELP NEEDED STARTING March 15th for calving & general farm duties. Must have experience w/driving farming equip & working w/cattle. Living accommodations avail.

(204)449-2149 or e-mail resume eklinde@tcmsnet.com

JODALE PERRY CORP. IS currently accepting applications from energetic and qualified individuals to join our Morden team for the following full time position: CAD Specialist. The CAD Specialist is responsible for the design process in the development of new products at Jodale Perry. The CAD Specialist reports to the Engineering Manager / EIT. The ideal candidate will have experience and abilities in the following: Diploma in Engineering Design & Drafting Technology; CAD Software proficient; Pro Engineer would be preferred but not required; Competent in Microsoft Office programs such as Excel; Competent in BOM maintenance in electronic database software; Manage design responsibilities according to scheduling plan provided by Design Mgr; Develop detailed lists of materials as per design; Provide Engineered Mechanical Dwg. Packages for mfg. purposes; Communicate effectively with production staff & CAD Team; Excellent communication skills; Must be able to work independently and within a team.

For more information regarding Jodale Perry Corp. visit our website at: www.jodaleperry.com. Please forward your resume along with references in confidence to: Jodale Perry Corp. 300 Route 100 Morden, MB. R6M 1A8, Fax: (204)822-9111 Email: darmstrong@jodaleperry.com. We appreciate all applicants for their interest, however only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

MIXED GRAIN/COW-CALF OPERATION looking for reliable, self-motivated, F/T farm workers. Duties include operation & maintenance of cropping machinery, care of livestock & calving. Experience w/livestock & machinery operation an asset. Must have valid drivers licence & be willing to work long hrs in peak seasons.

Basic training wage $11/hr. Accommodation provided.

Send resume w/references to gmdigby@iewireless.ca or Fax (204)564-2107

CAREERS Help Wanted CATTLE/GRAIN FARM NEAR CARBERRY has fulltime position available. Must have cattle handling experience, ability to run and maintain equipment. Having your class 1 and ability to weld a definite asset. Please call (204)724-6093 or (204)466-2939.

WANTED FARM LABOURER FOR mixed farm w/cattle, hay & grain, wages negotiable according to experience. Call (204)483-3694.

Search the nation’s largest selection of used ag equipment with just one click.

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32

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Searching for…

Fencing & Pens Feed & Supplies Tillage & Seeding Tires & Lubricants Tractors & Engines Engines & Compressors Specialty Crop Equipment Attachments & Equipment Sprayers & Chemical Applications Computers, Communication, Finance

Chemicals & Fertilizers Miscellaneous Products & Services Monitoring, Control Equipment Seed Pedigreed & Commodities Insurance Brokers & Banking Livestock Equipment & Feed Buildings, Covers & Heating Parts, Repairs Maintenance Trucks, Trailers & Canopies Harvest, Haying & Forage Grain Handling & Storage Commodity Marketing Irrigation & Drainage Lawn, Garden & ATV Safety Equipment Energy Solutions Solar Products Salvage Scales GPS

LIST YOUR

COMPANY ON Contact Ter ry McGarry at 204-9813730

…has never been easier.

AgSearch.com is your online guide to regional and national businesses & products serving the needs of the agricultural community.

AgSearch.com provides you with a comprehensive set of searchable listings as well as useful information on agricultural products and services.

Relevant info to help you make informed decisions, plus ag business location and contact details — you’ll find it all together at AgSearch.com.

33

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

LIVESTOCK

Negligible risk from virus reuters / The Schmallenberg virus that infected animals in five European countries and prompted Russia to ban some livestock imports poses negligible risks to humans, says the world animal health body OIE. The virus has infected cattle, sheep, and goats in Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, causing birth defects in offspring including deformation of the head, neck and limbs.

h u s b a n d r y — t h e s c i e n c e , S K I L L O R ART O F F AR M IN G

Renowned expert says think like a cow when handling cattle Short chutes, yappy dogs and not recognizing danger signs are all no-nos in Temple Grandin‘s book

By Alexis Kienlen fbc staff /olds

L

earning how to use a cow’s natural tendencies to improve handling takes time, but it’s a skill that can be learned.

“Good cattle handling is going to require a lot more walking,” Temple Grandin told attendees at a recent livestock-handling seminar at Olds College.

People make a lot of mistakes when handling cattle and designing facilities, said the renowned animal science professor from Colorado State University.

Common mistakes include having too many cattle in a corral at one time and using poorly designed chutes. Many of Grandin’s cattlehandling systems use a half-circle in their design because cattle like to return to where they have come from. Cattle also have a natural impulse to follow other cattle, so you don’t want a cow to exit the chute before the next one starts in.

“One of the worst design mistakes you can make is to have a singlefile chute that is too short,” she said.

“This makes it impossible to use following behaviour.”

Knowing a bit about cow psychology alerts you to problems, such as the lone animal which becomes distressed when separated from the herd. These are the animals that cause the most injury to humans. Animals raised without a social group can also become dangerous. Dairy bull calves are a prime example of this, and it’s preferable to raise them in a group as they are less likely to be aggressive.

“You want bulls growing up knowing that they are cattle, so they don’t view people as rivals for mates,” Grandin said.

Grandin said she does not like dogs around cattle chutes as it teaches cattle to kick. When people are working on a calf, they should let the mother see what’s happening.

Ideally, cattle should be accustomed to people on horses and people on foot, as they see them as two different things. Cattle moved by trucks or four-wheelers should be introduced to these kinds of machines and become accustomed to them.

Cattle have a natural impulse to follow other cattle. ©thinkstock

“We’ve got to have manners and control things. We don’t want cattle racing to the feedyard,” she said.

Grandin spoke about Albertan Dylan Biggs, and his low-stress handling techniques.

“One of the basic principles is that you move inside the flight zone in the opposite direction of desired movement,” she said. “If you’re outside the flight zone, you move in the same direction as the desired movement.

“If you want to slow cattle down, you walk outside the flight zone in the same direction. If you want to speed them up, you walk inside the flight zone in the opposite direction. You cross the point of balance.

When they’re out in the pasture, that’s going to be just past the eye, rather than the shoulder.”

Walking back and forth on the edge

of the flight zone can cause cattle to bunch up. Stragglers should never be chased.

“Use the motion of the herd to bring those cattle in,” she said.

And don’t circle around cattle.

“You want to try to go perpendicular to the direction of movement,” she said. “When they start to go where you want them to go, back off! Don’t just keep pushing them.”

Cattle need to see where they are going, which makes dead ends in chutes a bad idea.

“If you bend too sharply, that will not work,” she said. “That’s one of the worst mistakes you can make,” she said.

The event was hosted by the Fo o t h i l l s Fo r a g e a n d G r a z i n g Association and Mountain View County.

“Good cattle handling is going to require a lot more walking.”

temple grandin

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1-877-FNA-FARM | fna.ca 2/16/2012 1:51:05 PM

34

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

LIVESTOCK AUCTION RESULTS Weight Category

Ashern

Gladstone

Grunthal

Heartland

Heartland

Brandon

Virden

Killarney

Ste. Rose

Taylor

Winnipeg

Feeder Steers

Feb. 15

Feb-14

Feb-14

Feb-16

Feb-15

Feb-13

Feb-16

Feb-16

Feb-17

No. on offer

1,460

1,072

1,182

1,435

1,489

335

1,225

644

1,330

Over 1,000 lbs.

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

900-1,000

n/a

110.00-128.50

120.00-135.00

122.00-138.75

127.00-137.50

n/a

120.00-135.00

120.00-130.00

120.00-124.00

800-900

118.00-145.00

100.00-143.75

130.00-142.25

133.00-148.00

133.00-144.00

132.00-142.00

125.00-144.00

125.00-138.00

127.00-140.00

700-800

140.00-165.00

120.00-145.00

138.00-153.00

140.00-155.00

139.00-151.00

135.00-146.00

140.00-156.00

135.00-155.00

135.00-140.00

600-700

160.00-174.00

140.00-160.00

150.00-162.50

156.00-172.50

148.00-164.00

150.00-166.00

155.00-170.00

145.00-165.00

150.00-178.00

500-600

165.00-187.00

150.00-184.00

160.00-189.00

169.00-192.00

165.00-183.00

160.00-185.00

170.00-180.00

160.00-180.00

160.00-182.00

400-500

170.00-196.00

165.00-210.00

185.00-222.00

180.00-202.00

177.00-206.00

180.00-199.00

175.00-209.00

180.00-195.00

165.00-205.00

300-400

191.00-213.00

180.00-221.00

190.00-222.50

188.00-215.00

180.00-210.00

n/a

170.00-217.00

190.00-210.00

180.00-200.00

Feeder heifers 900-1,000 lbs.

n/a

85.00-115.00

n/a

115.00-125.75

118.00-120.00

n/a

n/a

115.00-122.00

n/a

800-900

n/a

100.00-139.00

120.00-133.50

119.00-138.00

122.00-133.00

120.00-131.00

120.00-140.00

120.00-130.00

n/a

700-800

120.00-143.00

105.00-145.25

128.00-141.50

128.00-142.00

129.00-142.00

125.00-137.50

125.00-144.00

125.00-138.00

125.00-142.00

600-700

130.00-155.00

120.00-151.50

135.00-146.00

133.00-149.00

138.00-150.00

136.00-146.00

140.00-154.00

130.00-145.00

130.00-146.00

500-600

140.00-165.00

130.00-175.00

140.00-165.00

141.00-167.00

147.00-162.00

140.00-159.50

145.00-163.00

145.00-160.00

135.00-155.00

400-500

150.00-181.00

130.00-184.50

160.00-189.50

158.00-184.00

157.00-175.00

155.00-170.00

160.00-189.00

160.00-170.00

150.00*170.00

300-400

159.00-176.00

145.00-184.50

175.00-191.00

161.00-188.00

160.00-186.00

n/a

160.00-180.00

170.00-180.00

n/a

Slaughter Market No. on offer

260

n/a

116

n/a

n/a

n/a

163

75

260

D1-D2 Cows

62.00-71.00

n/a

n/a

65.00-69.00

65.00-70.00

60.00-68.00

63.00-75.00

68.00-80.50

n/a

D3-D5 Cows

54.00+up

n/a

n/a

60.00-64.00

60.00+64.00

50..00-60.00

52.00-64.00

58.00-68.00

n/a

Age Verified

72.00-82.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

66.00-72.00

62.00-70.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

Good Bulls

80.00-100.00

80.00-88.75

77.00-82.00

80.00-86.00

77.00-83.50

78.00-85.25

84.00-95.00

78.00-83.50

80.00-90.25

Butcher Steers

n/a

n/a

n/a

102.00-106.75

100.00-104.50

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Butcher Heifers

n/a

n/a

n/a

100.00-104.50

99.00-103.5

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Feeder Cows

n/a

45.00-79.50

70.00-78.00

n/a

68.00-78.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

70.00-77.75

Fleshy Export Cows

n/a

n/a

69.00-75.50

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

65.00-70.00

Lean Export Cows

n/a

n/a

57.00-64.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

58.00-65.00

* includes slaughter market

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

Instant info. With the Manitoba Co-operator mobile app you can stay up to date on all things ag.

Download the free app Your smartphone at agreader.ca/mbc just got smarter.

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Register Today

On-Farm Food Safety Workshops The Manitoba and Canada governments are hosting a series of on-farm food safety program workshops. The workshops will provide training and information to help prevent, detect and control food safety risks on your farm through National On-Farm Food Safety Programs. Plan to attend the workshop in your area.

For cattle producers

Verified Beef Production is the national on-farm food safety program for cattle producers. Workshops will be held: Thursday, February 23 Tuesday, February 28 Wednesday, February 29 Monday, March 5 Wednesday, March 7

Dauphin Neepawa Birtle Beausejour Vita

Provincial Building Legion United Church Sun Gro Centre Arena

6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Noon to 3 p.m.

7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For grain, oilseeds, pulse and special crops farmers ExcelGrains Canada is the national on-farm food safety program for grain, pulse and special crops farmers. Workshops will be held: Tuesday, February 28 Wednesday, February 29

Neepawa Birtle

Legion United Church

4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

10:30 a.m. to Noon

Registration is required. Call your local Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) GO Office.

Your Farm. Your Products. Your Plan.

You could be eligible for funding that will help implement national on-farm food safety, biosecurity and traceability programs on your farm through the Growing Forward Food Safety Program, for Farms. For program information, contact your local MAFRI GO Office.

FoodSafety- Feb. 16.indd 1

12-02-09 2:20 PM

35

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

SHEEP & GOAT COLUMN

Good combination of supply and demand There was solid demand and good prices offered for breeding quality ewes and ram

By Mark Elliot Co-operator contributor

T

he Winnipeg Livestock Auction had approximately 200 sheep and goats delivered for the Feb. 16 sale. Demand was strong with the Easter season approaching. Reminder: the first sale in April is one day before Good Friday.

The price of the ewes slightly increased from the last sale. The bidding remained constant on the good quality of these ewes. There appeared to be no correlation between the weight and age for the bidding prices. The majority of the ewes were fleshy and could have been for breeding purposes. The quality ewes brought $0.85 to $1.09 per pound.

A producer was selling his small herd of ewes, which had been bred to a Dorpercross ram. The auctioneer sold these by the dollar thus creating major interest within the various buyers. Some bred ewes were also sold last sale in this fashion. At the last sale, the ewes brought a price of $1.13 to $1.25 per pound. The ewes sold at this sale, brought a price range of $1.35 to $1.38 per pound.

The demand on the rams caused some major bidding.

The selection of rams, was good for either improving a herd or for the meat industry.

The price ranged from $0.88 to $1.05 per pound.

The extreme heavyweight lambs showed some lower bidding by the buyers. A 155pound Suffolk-cross lamb, brought $155 ($1 per pound).

While the lighter lambs of the heavyweight lamb classification, brought a higher price range. Two 128-pound Suffolk-cross lambs, brought $229.12 ($1.79 per pound).

The group of two 125pound Rideau-cross lambs, brought $236.25 ($1.89 per pound).

There were no lambs delivered for the market-weight lamb classification in this sale.

The classification of the feeder lambs maintained a high percentage of the lambs sold at this sale. There were no novelty breeds, at this sale. The bidding was strong and produced a high dollar per pound for these 83- and 86-pound lambs. These lambs brought a price range from $2.08 to $2.23 per pound. Only one group of six 85-pound lambs, brought a lower price range of $1.95 per pound.

The lambs in the lightweight classification, continued with this higher bidding, from the buyers. These lambs brought a price range of $1.80 to $2.29 per pound. The hairless lambs brought the lower end of this price range, $1.80 to $1.99 per pound.

The 65-pound Dorper-cross lamb, brought $127.40 ($1.96 per pound).

The group of eight 49-pound Dorper-cross lambs, brought $95.06 ($1.94 per pound).

The 40-pound Suffolk-cross lamb, brought $68 ($1.70 per pound).

The price for does slightly dropped for this sale. A 150-pound Boer-cross doe, brought $120 ($0.80 per pound) and a 115-pound

Boer-cross doe, brought $107.50 ($0.94 per pound).

A group of three 103-pound does, brought $100 ($0.98 per pound). The auction-

February 2, 2012

February 16, 2012

$168.30 - $215.82

$150.80 - $202

$130.72

$43.32 - $134.40

$229.12 - $236.25

n/a

95 - 110

n/a

$194.67 - $203.83

80 - 94

$165.75 - $185.09

$169.20 - $188

70

$126 - $179.20

$126.75 - $179.40 (72 - 78 lbs.)

73

$145.27 / $167.17

65

$127.40

$136.40 - $167.28 (60 - 68 lbs.)

52 - 57

n/a

$116.48 - $133.95

40 - 49

$68 / $95.06

n/a

Ewes Lambs (lbs.)

110+

Under 80

eer announced that the next doe had been treated and would take a period of time, before this animal could be used for the meat industry.

T h i s 8 5 - p o u n d Bo e r- c ro s s doe, brought $110 ($1.29 per pound).

There was only two bucks delivered for this sale; thus creating some good bidding. The 215-pound Boercross buck, brought $295 ($1.37 per pound). The other w a s a n A l p i n e - c ro s s b u c k w i t h i m p re s s i v e m a r k i n g s that fetched $235 ($1.47 per pound).

A group of three 102-pound wethers, brought $151 ($1.48 per pound).

Goat kids dominated the selection of goats on offer.

The interest from the buyers has continued, however, slightly dropped from the past sale. A 60-pound Boer-cross

kid, brought $106 ($1.77 per pound). The dairy variety of 65-pound kids, brought $110, ($1.69 per pound).

A group of nine 55-pound dairy wether kids, brought $92 ($1.67 per pound). Another group of four 54-pound dairy wether kids, brought $110 ($2.04 per pound).

Two 58-pound Boer-cross doelings, brought $94 ($1.62 per pound). Three 53-pound Angora-cross doelings, brought $110 ($2.08 per pound).

A 45-pound Alpine-Boercross wether that had received treatment and could not be sold for meat in the short term, brought $88 ($1.96 per pound).

The Ontario Stockyard Report (February 16, 2012), states the sheep traded steady; with lower bidding on the lambs. The young goats (kids) sold with a higher interest from the buyers.

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And you pay less money up front than a standard loan.

Ask your equipment dealer for FCC Leasing. www.fcc.ca/leasing

36

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Stall-free pork coming to McDonald’s menu Transition to open-housing systems for sows won’t happen overnight, but consumer demand is building momentum

By Shannon VanRaes CO-OPERATOR STAFF

A

move by fast-food giant McDonald’s to have its U.S. pork suppliers phase out sow gestation stalls has drawn praise from animal rights groups, but questions remain about the impact it will have on Canadian producers.

“This is huge. That a major corporation has made this move is really very significant,” said Winnipeg Humane Society CEO Bill McDonald.

Ten years ago, the society launched a “Quit Stalling” campaign aimed at outlawing the practice in Manitoba. They will meet with Manitoba’s NDP caucus in the coming weeks to again make the case for outlawing sow stalls.

“It’s been a long uphill battle,” he said.

The Humane Society of the United States has lobbied both government and corporate entities in its fight to ban the use of sow stalls. To date, seven states have outlawed the practice, said McDonald.

McDonald’s Canada spokesman Louis Payette said the move will include pork products sold in Canadian establishments, as those items are sourced from U.S. suppliers.

Many Canadian pork processors have already made commitments to have suppliers phase out the use of stalls, including Maple Leaf and Smithfield.

Manitoba Pork Council, which last year pledged to eliminate such stalls in the province’s hog barns in the next 15 years, isn’t surprised McDonald’s is making the move.

“It’s something the consumer is asking for, people look at these things now and I think companies know that,” said the

PHOTO: PRAIRIE SWINE CENTRE

council’s animal-care specialist, Mark Fynn.

He said the council is encouraging producers to move to group housing, and is assisting with research on barn conversion. Because of a provincewide ban on new hog barn construction, old barns must be retrofitted to accommodate any change in sow housing systems.

Laurie Connor, head of animal science at the University of Manitoba, said she is pleased to see McDonald’s intends to pursue a gradual and reasoned approach.

“I find it encouraging that they didn’t come out and take a stand saying it’s banned,” she said. “They are saying down the road we’re not going to accept it, so for me it’s a positive that they recognized this

isn’t something that happens overnight.”

Connor has been studying the issue of sow housing for decades, and believes group housing offers health and welfare benefits to swine. However, the researcher said animal welfare is also balanced with the producers’ ability to remain profitable and reasonable timelines.

Connor and Fynn are both continuing to study the issue of barn conversion.

Although many producers are actively considering making the change, some holdouts exist.

“I have spoken to some primary producers, or heard them say, no, the whole thing is ridiculous, or I don’t want to change my system, it works great ... or I’m confident with the care I’m providing my animals,” said

Connor. “I’m not disputing that, but what I am saying is that the times are changing and as an industry we’ve recognized that yes, we have to make a change.”

McDonald’s has given its suppliers four months to present plans to phase out the use of sow gestation stalls in their hog barns.

“McDonald’s believes gestation stalls are not a sustainable production system for the future,” said Dan Gorsky, the senior vice-president of North American supply chain man-

agement for the Illinois-based company. “There are alternatives that we think are better for the welfare of sows.”

Several of the company’s U.S. suppliers are already in the process of adopting “commercially viable alternatives” for penning of gestating sows, he added, naming Cargill and Smithfield Foods as examples of companies making “significant progress in this area.” shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com With files from Dave Bedard

“They are saying down the road we’re not going to accept it, so for me it’s a positive that they recognized this isn’t something that happens overnight.”

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37

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

NEWS

COSY FOR A GOOD CAUSE

“Cowgate” scandal rocks Malaysian government

By Stuart Grudgings KUALA LUMPUR / REUTERS

A

scandal centred on cows and luxury condos raises the chances that Malaysian elections will be delayed a n d h i g h l i g h t s Pr i m e Minister Najib Razak’s stuttering efforts to reform t h e c o r r u p t i o n - p ro n e Southeast Asian nation.

“Cowgate,” as it has inevitably been dubbed, is providing rich fodder for the opposition as it digs up dirt on a publicly funded cattlerearing project that it says was used as a personal fund for the family of one of Najib’s ministers.

It is not the first corruption scandal to hit Najib and his long-ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO), but the farmyard connection makes it a potentially damaging one because rural Malays — the bedrock of UMNO’s support — may relate to it more easily than to more obscure financial matters. “ T h e c ow i s s u e i s G o d g i v e n ,” Z u r a i d a Kamaruddin, the head of the women’s wing of the opposition People’s Justice Party, told Reuters following a speech at a recent rally, which she punctuated with the occasional “moo” for comic effect.

“This time we have real evidence that proves their mismanagement.”

The family of Women, Families and Communities Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil is accused of using 250 million ringgit ($83 million) in soft government loans meant to develop the cattle project to buy luxury apartments, expensive overseas trips and a Mercedes.

Meanwhile, the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) project was found by the auditor general to have done little to reach its initial goal of making the country 40 per cent self-sufficient in beef production by 2010.

Najib last month froze the assets of the NFC, which is under investigation by Malaysia’s anti-corruption commission. With fresh allegations appearing almost daily on the country’s lively Internet news sites, the scandal adds to growing temptations for him to delay elections that must be called

by April 2013.

The 58-year-old son of a former prime minister had been expected to call the polls around April, before a looming global slowdown risked hurting Malaysia’s trade-dependent economy.

But with the U.S. economy showing signs of recovery and the euro zone not yet imploding, he may feel he can wait and hope for the scandal to blow over while recent government handouts to poorer families take effect.

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PHOTO: JEANNETTE GREAVES

38

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Permits required for moving tall farm equipment beneath power lines There were 79 incidents last year in which agricultural equipment touched overhead power lines

By Lorraine Stevenson CO-OPERATOR STAFF

M

anitoba’s largest farm organization fears not enough farmers know about a Hydro regulation meant to ensure they navigate tall equipment safely under power lines.

Fa r m e r s m ov i n g e q u i p ment that exceeds 4.8 metres (15 feet, nine inches) are supposed to apply for a Manitoba Hydro Agricultural Move Permit at their local Manitoba Hydro office.

“It certainly seems to be a lot aren’t aware of it,” said Starbuck farmer and KAP transportation committee chair Chuck Fossay.

That might explain why so many incidents in which equipment comes into contact with the uninsulated wires occur annually.

Hydro officials say there are about 300 contacts every year along their lines; it’s estimated about one in every four involve farm equipment.

In 2011, there were a total of 79 incidents involving overhead power lines logged as agricultural and of these only two did not involve farm equipment, said Scott Powell, a Manitoba Hydro spokesperson.

And while Hydro statistics don’t specify precisely where incidents occur, what they know is that these are occurring both on public roadways as well as yard sites, he added.

Which is why Hydro’s permit system is in place — to help farmers safely navigate roads, by first contacting their local Hydro office and providing detail on equipment size and type as well as a description of the route they intend to travel.

Hydro staff will then dispatch staff to measure and ensure overhead lines along the route are high enough for safe clearance. If they cannot confirm the route is safe, they’ll suggest alternate routes.

The permit issued is valid for 45 days.

The permits have an expiry date so Hydro can continuously monitor line heights. Heights can and do change over time, said Powell.

“Clearance can change even depending on the temperature of the day,” he said, adding that on hot days more stretch and sag to the metals causes the lines to hang lower.

“We’ve heard of differences in clearance of up to 12 to 18 inches. It depends on type of

Manitoba Hydro overhead power lines distance guidelines • • •

• •

Know your route before transporting tall equipment; Look up and make overhead safety a priority; Remember that cultivators, air seeders, and grain augers make contact with overhead power lines most often; Move slowly and carefully when you move tall equipment; Check to make sure that there’s enough room for clearance; never let anyone ride on top of

• •

•

moving farm equipment or hay bales; Only Hydro staff should lift power lines; Never transport metal elevators, metal irrigation pipe or metal ladders near power lines; Granaries and other farm buildings should be located at least nine metres (30 feet) from overhead power lines.

Moving farm equipment taller than 15 feet, nine inches along roadways with overhead power lines?

You need a Manitoba Hydro permit. PHOTO: LORRAINE STEVENSON

the wire and the material it’s made of. Metals will stretch.”

Three inches of gravel added to a municipal roadway, or heavy rain which cause poles to lean also influence line height.

“If you need 12 inches for a piece of equipment and the line is stretched and the clearance is six to seven inches, we want to know that.”

“We have to be comfortable that the clearance will be safe for the farmer moving the equipment. We don’t want anyone injured with overhead contact. And we don’t want damage to the lines.”

Source: Manitoba Hydro

Hydro generally needs 10 working days from the time a farmer applies to issue the permit. The utility can usually get the measuring work done sooner if it’s been measured not so long ago, and Hydro deems that there have been no significant conditions changed that could affect line height.

“We have to be comfortable that the clearance will be safe for the farmer moving the equipment,” Powell said.

“We don’t want anyone injured with overhead contact. And we don’t want damage to the lines.”

Fossay said KAP’s transportation committee hopes to meet with Hydro officials this spring to talk over the permit process and raise members’ concerns, including the number of days a permit is valid, as well as application procedures.

KAP also wants its membership informed about the permit.

The farm organization created a brochure about it a few years ago to raise farmers’ awareness but thinks farmers may need a reminder, given that farm

Canola Storage Clinic & MCGA Annual General Meeting Did you know that if your canola seed isn’t stored and monitored properly, the whole bin of canola can be damaged? Join us at our Storage Clinic to find out how you can store your canola safely to protect your investment.

Brandon, Manitoba

You’ll have the opportunity to learn from leading experts as they walk you through the critical steps to safely store and monitor your canola. Come join us to:

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 8:55 am to 6:00 pm Registration – 8:00 am

• Attend the MCGA Annual General Meeting (no charge for members not attending the storage clinic) • Find out the key tips about conditioning of canola from Joy Agnew (Prairie Agriculture Machinery Institute (PAMI)) • Ask Digvir Jayas (University of Manitoba) about effective bagged storage practices • Attend technical breakout sessions including: - A live demonstration of bagged storage with Eugene Frank (Grain Bags Canada) - Bins and monitoring systems - Floors, Ducts and Vents; Fans, Aeration Systems and Rockets • Enjoy an opportunity for open discussion with speakers, manufacturers and MCGA during our closing reception

equipment is getting bigger all the time, Fossay said.

Hyd ro c u s t o m e r s e r v i c e offices located in the Parklands and Westman area of Manitoba estimate about 25 permits were issued between them last year.

Farmers also require a permit from Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation if their equipment or load height exceeds a height of 4.15 metres (13 feet, seven inches). KAP also passed a resolution at its January meeting calling for harmonizing the permit process between Hydro and MIT. For more details on Hydro’s overhead power lines distance guidelines or for applying for a Manitoba Hydro Agricultural Move Permit log on to: www.hydro.mb.ca/ safety_and_education/farm/ overhead_lines.

Concerns about clearance with overhead power lines should be brought to local Manitoba Hydro district offices or call 1-888-MBHYDRO. lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

Announcement

KEYSTONE CENTRE #1 1175 18th Street

RSVP: Registration deadline is Tuesday

February 21, 2012 at midnight. Space is limited. To register, please call 1.866.834.4374 ext 7751 or visit

www.canolacouncil.org/mcgastorageclinic.aspx

COST: $30.00 per person (GST included) for

those who pre-register. $40.00 per person (GST included) at the door.

Lunch and refreshments included.

Claude Durand Ray Wytinck, General Manager of NorthStar Genetics Manitoba, along with the Board of Directors, is pleased to announce that Claude Durand has joined the company as Product Development Manager.

Claude has worked in the seed industry for the past 16 years with several different seed companies. He has developed a keen sense and proven ability for selecting top performing genetics.

NorthStar Genetics Manitoba has grown to become the leading soybean seed company in western Canada. Top performing varieties, locally grown and processed, have driven the success of the company.

Looking forward, we see many new and exciting traits being developed for soybeans in western Canada and we are working hard to bring the best of those traits to our dealers and farmer customers.

39

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

Cuba reports food output up 8.7 per cent in 2011 Rice, beans and corn production is up significantly havana / reuters

C

uba’s non-sugar agricultural production increased 8.7 per cent in 2011, the government said this week, an indication reforms aimed at reversing a farm crisis and cutting food imports may be kicking in.

Produce output was up 11.5 per cent and livestock and related products six per cent, according to the report issued by the National Statistics Office

on its web page (http://www. one.cu).

The upturn followed a 2.5 per cent decline in 2010.

The cash-strapped country is still producing less food than in 2005 and importing 60 per cent to 70 per cent of what it consumes at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion to $2 billion annually.

Food prices increased 20 per cent in 2011 as limited market reforms, higher prices paid by the state for agricultural prod-

ucts and a slight reduction in imports countered the increase in domestic output.

President Raul Castro, looking to cut imports and supply a growing food-service sector, has made increasing food production a priority since he took over for his ailing brother in 2006.

Castro has decentralized decision making, opened more space for farmers to sell directly to consumers, leased small plots

of fallow state lands to 150,000 would-be tillers and raised prices the state pays for produce, but to date has stopped short of allowing market forces to take hold.

While the government still assigns farmers crops, monopolizes food distribution and the supply of critical farm inputs, the report indicated a higher percentage of produce was being sold by farmers directly to consumers.

Huge state farms and cooperatives continue to sit on fallow land and despite controlling some 60 per cent of the arable land produce just 30 per cent of the food.

Most Cuban farmers praise Castro’s measures and promises to allow market forces to play a bigger role in the future, but complain bureaucracy and vested interests are holding back progress.

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS

In Preparation for the Public Hearing on

Manitoba Hydro’s Bipole III Transmission Project The Manitoba Clean Environment Commission invites individuals or groups to apply to be a Participant (intervener) in the review of this project proposal.

Project Overview Manitoba Hydro has proposed to construct an 500kV high-voltage DC transmission line originating at the site for the proposed Conawapa generating station near the mouth of the Nelson River and running along the west side of Manitoba, crossing south central Manitoba and terminating near Winnipeg.

A farmer sells bananas at a market in Sagua La Grande, around 240 km (149 miles) east of Havana. Cuban farmers can now bypass the state and start selling products directly to businesses catering to tourists. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan

news

La Broquerie farmer recognized Protecting our Earth award recipients

Staff / La Broquerie farmer Gerry Dube has been honoured by the Manitoba Eco-Network for his efforts in sustainable agriculture.

Dube was among four recipients of the annual Anne Lindsey Protecting Our Earth Awards Feb. 3.

Dube was a founding member of the Organic Food Council of Manitoba as well as the Manitoba Composting Association and continues working to promote agricultural, large-scale composting as well as municipal composting of organic waste.

Other recipients include Dennis Cunningham, the environmental sustainability manager at Assiniboine Credit Union in Winnipeg, for his involvement in multiple projects that make the credit union a leader in environmental sustainability.

Cunningham’s contributions range from promoting electronic recycling to sustainable home renovation.

The Landless Farm Collective, which has created an urban farm on City of Winnipeg property near the Pan Am Pool and a partnership with Grade 8 students at Grant Park High School was recognized for its efforts to demonstrate and promote sustainable food production. Also recognized was Ron Thiessen, the executive director of CPAWS, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, for his tireless commitment to wilderness protection.

Rising input costs take a bite out of near-record U.S. farm income washington / reuters / U.S. farm income will drop sharply from 2011’s record high as production costs rise by more than $10 billion for the second year in a row, according to the latest USDA income forecast.

Net cash farm income, a measure of solvency, is expected to fall 11.5 per cent to $96.3 billion — although last year was the first time it ever topped the $100-billion mark.

Production costs are forecast to rise by 3.9 per cent, or $12.5 billion this year, to a record $333.8 billion. USDA said receipts for crop sales would be on par with 2011.

Drought constrained crop production last year so there will be less volume to sell this year. Costs rose by 12 per cent in 2011.

Crop receipts are expected to increase slightly with wheat prices trending downward but corn prices remaining strong.

Higher prices will boost livestock receipts.

The debt-to-asset ratio for the farm sector will decline to 10.3 per cent this year, from 10.5 per cent last year, USDA said, and the debt-to-equity ratio also will decline. “These declines indicated that the farm sector’s overall solvency position is strong,” the report concluded.

The project includes two new converter stations (Keewatinoow in the north and Riel in the south); 230 kV collector transmission lines; and two ground electrodes with connections to the converter stations. The public hearing will review environmental and socio-economic impacts of construction and operation.

Selection Criteria If you are selected as a Participant, you must be committed and prepared to take an active role in the pre-hearing and hearing activities. Funding is available to assist Participants in their review of the proposed project.

1.

2.

Participants will be selected based on the identified level of impact the proposed project will have on them and/or their ability to bring additional comprehensive information to the hearing.

Funding proposals will be assessed on their applicability to the terms of reference, content, and whether products and costs are reasonable and realistic within the estimated time frame.

This notice is not for citizen presenters. The general public will be invited to get involved in the hearing process when dates and locations for hearing sessions have been set.

Visit cecmanitoba.ca for information about process, funding assistance and for applications.

View the project proposal online, or at public registries at these locations: Winnipeg

Conservation Library (Union Station), Main Floor, 123 Main Street Millennium Public Library, 4th Floor, 251 Donald Street Manitoba Eco-Network, 3rd Floor, 303 Portage Avenue

Thompson

Public Library, 81 Thompson Drive MKO, 200-701 Thompson Drive

The Pas

Public Library, 53 Edwards Avenue

Dauphin

Public Library, 504 Main Street Northwest Regional Library, 200-6th Ave. North

Swan River

Minitonas Library

Snow Lake

Town office

Gillam

Town office

Brandon

Regional Library, 638 Princess Avenue

Steinbach Portage

Jake Epp Public Library, 255 Elmdale Avenue Public Library, 40-B Royal Road North

Registration deadline: NOON, APRIL 16, 2012 To register, please complete the participant registration form and/or the funding application package and submit them to the Commission Secretary at: Manitoba Clean Environment Commission 305-155 Carlton Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3H8 Phone: 204-945-7091 or 1-800-597-3556 Email: cec@gov.mb.ca www.cecmanitoba.ca

Éditique docket 4567 Manitoba Cooperator 6.13” X 175 lines

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The Manitoba Co-Operator | February 23, 2012

COUNTRY CROSSROADS connecting rur a l communities

RURAL

DOCTORS: Communities must grow their own MDs to fill shortages

By Alex Binkley co-operator contributor / ottawa

N

ot only does rural Canada suffer from doctor shortages, it also has to contend with a medical system that doesn’t fully understand the challenges farmers face, says medical student Wilf Stymiest.

Both those shortcomings could be addressed if governments encouraged more rural students into careers in medicine and health, he said in an interview. He was in Ottawa as part of a lobby by the Canadian Federation of Medical Students to raise awareness of the barriers to delivering medical services in rural and remote areas.

A native of Miramichi, New Brunswick, Stymiest is enrolled in the Dalhousie University Medical School in Halifax, but doing much of his training in his home province. His goal is to work in a rural practice after he graduates.

“Currently, 22 per cent of Canadians live in rural areas, but only 17 per cent of the doctors are there,” he says. That gap will widen in the coming years unless changes are made. “That makes it harder to access family doctors or get referrals to specialists.

Also, doctors need to understand the issues farmers face dealing with pesticides and hazardous materials.”

Farmers and other rural dwellers also find it harder to make the time to visit a doctor’s office “because of the time pressures of their employment,” he adds.

One significant barrier for rural students interested in a medical career is the cost of a university education, he said. The government has addressed this in part with its announcement last March that it will forgive a portion of Canada Student Loans for new family physicians working in rural and remote communities.

“The government could make this program a lot more effective,” he says. It needs to realize that students with a rural background are

“Currently, 22 per cent of Canadians live in rural areas, but only 17 per cent of the doctors are there.”

more likely to return there when they’re ready to begin practising.

The federation says graduates must begin to pay off their loans during medical residency training, before they are eligible for the loan forgiveness. “We are requesting that the government defer repayment of these loans until the completion of medical residency training.

This would more effectively attract new medical graduates to rural and remote communities and better serve the needs of Canadians.”

The CFMS is also calling upon the federal government to allocate funds for the establishment of mentorship programs that attract rural students to medical school. Mentorship programs in the United States and Australia have been highly successful in recruiting rural students to careers in medicine.

“These are simple, sensible strategies for improving health-care access to those for whom it is least available,” says Matthew Tenenbaum, vice-president of communications. “It is important to ensure that the principle of accessible health care is realized everywhere in this country.”

CFMS represents more than 7,500 medical students at 14 medical schools across Canada.

It was a marketing ploy that worked The Homecoming promotion boosted provincial tourism Travel Manitoba release The year-long celebration known as Manitoba Homecoming 2010, designed to bring former Manitobans and new visitors to the province and maximize the economic benefits of tourism, appears to not only have met its goals, but exceeded them.

Recently released figures from Statistics Canada show that Winnipeg recorded 2.8 million person visits in 2010, an increase of seven per cent over 2009, and $506 million in visitor expenditures, an increase of five per cent.

According to Marina James, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc., the city would normally see visitor expenditure growth in the range of 1.7 to two per cent.

“Of the $25-million increase in expenditures in 2010, we believe we can attribute approximately $14.7 million to the success of Homecoming,” James said. “Total attendance at some 400 Homecoming-affiliated events was over 200,000, and those additional visitors contributed to Homecoming’s economic impact.”

Similarly, provincial visitation rose 5.7 per cent to 8.599 million person visits and expenditures rose by 5.6 per cent to $1.258 billion, more than the all-time high of $1.236 billion in 2007. Of the $67 million increase in expenditures between 2009 and 2010, approximately $30 million can be attributed to Homecoming.

“One of Homecoming’s goals was to capitalize on the positive feeling in Manitoba and take advantage of that

increased community confidence,” said Doug Harvey who, along with Mariette Mulaire, co-chaired Manitoba Homecoming. “These numbers confirm the success we had with those original goals of promoting our changing and vibrant province.”

Homecoming 2010 was an initiative created jointly by Travel Manitoba and Tourism Winnipeg, and supported by the Province of Manitoba.

The campaign’s $3.5-million budget — derived from public investment and leveraged private-sector funds — was spent largely on marketing across Manitoba, throughout Canada and internationally. The Homecoming website tracked 200,000 visits from 10 provinces, two territories, 50 states and 137 countries.

41

The Manitoba Co-Operator | February 23, 2012

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

RecipeSwap

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

Dinner at the Grey Owl

Tangy-Sweet Balsamic Sirloin Steak The flavours that you will experience in this tangy-sweet balsamic sirloin steak recipe are fantastic.

Lorraine Stevenson Crossroads Recipe Swap

Y

ou know you’re in for a remarkable meal when giving your waiter your order reminds you of when you had to memorize a poem in school.

This month I sat down in the Grey Owl in Brandon for such a dinner. Never heard of it? Nor had I, until invited to join with other writers, and farmers and chefs to a very special dinner hosted by the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA).

The Grey Owl is Assiniboine Community College’s upscale (and seasonal) restaurant run by students in their culinary arts and restaurant/ hotel management program. Apparently, you get into a long queue to dine here. Open just part of the month of each February, this is where the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts (MICA) firstand second-year students dream up and team up, cooking and serving a lavish menu to multiple dinner parties.

My invitation was to join with canola growers for this fine dinner and hear more about not only canola oil itself, but the partnership they’ve forged with the institute.

We visited MICA’s media and educational culinary theatre whose title sponsor is the Manitoba Canola Growers where we watched a video featuring Manitoba pastry chef Mary-Jane Feeke, then tasted a variety of flavoured canola oils, while sipping a little wine and hearing some of the story of canola’s emergence as a key Canadian crop.

We nibbled on the nutty-flavoured leaves of a canola plant too, as Newdale-area canola grower Bruce Dalgarno spoke of visiting Japan a few years back, where he saw small packages of canola seed sold in garden centres too.

The Japanese love canola oil, but they also

Bruce Dalgarno of Newdale samples one of the delicious flavoured canola oils in Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts’ educational theatre while Ellen Pruden, MCGA’s education and promotions manager describes the multiple uses of flavoured oils to another dinner guest, Johanne Ross, (r) executive director of Agriculture in the Classroom (Manitoba). PHOTO: LORRAINE STEVENSON

grow canola in their backyards for its flowers, and for leaves for salads.

Here I also heard more about the Canola Learning Centre at Kelburn Farm south of Winnipeg where students visit and learn about agriculture, and the $1,000 scholarship the MCGA awards the winner in an annual cooking competition at MICA. Four first-year students, using surprise ingredients put before them, compete for the prize. This year’s winner was Pesila Aropio, born in Fiji, now calling Neepawa home, where her family farms.

Her winning entry was an arugula salad including grilled chicken and peaches, with a honey dijon balsamic vinaigrette dressing, plus a main dish of pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce.

That’s a hint about the kind of meal canola growers’ guests sat down to February 7. My choices were a foie gras appetizer, a delicate salad, “ebony and ivory” soup (as in melted chocolate and heavy cream), then an entree of rack of lamb with potato croquettes and a slice of luscious Turtle Mountain cheesecake.

Did I mention the meal lasted three hours?

It was a lovely evening spent among farmers, chefs and other writers in a beautiful setting; it’s been five years since ACC moved its hotel and restaurant management and culinary arts programs into the grand, turn-of-the-century building formerly housing the Brandon Mental Health Centre nurses’ residence.

Red Beet Tarragon Oil

Brownie Bites

This recipe is for one of the simple, delicious flavoured oils we tasted at the MICA culinary theatre last week. Flavoured oils are used as salad dressings, or dips or in salsas or as bastes for meats. Use of flavoured oils is a chef’s secret for making good food great.

Who can resist brownies? Baked in mini-muffin tins these are as cute as they are delicious.

1 c. canola oil 3 small roasted red beets 2 tbsp. fresh tarragon, finely chopped 1 tsp. pink grapefruit zest 1/2 tsp. lemon zest

In a blender, place roasted red beets, tarragon, grapefruit and lemon zest; blend until smooth.

Slowly add the canola oil until well emulsified.

Season to taste. Refrigerate for up to three days.

Source: Manitoba Canola Growers Association (canolarecipes.ca)

1/3 c. cocoa powder 1/2 c. whole wheat flour 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 1/4 c. chopped walnuts 1 tsp. baking powder 3 tbsp. canola oil 1 tsp. vanilla 3/4 c. brown sugar 1/2 c. white sugar 2 egg whites 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray canola oil cooking spray on non-stick mini-muffin pans. In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, flours, walnuts and baking powder. In a second bowl, beat together canola oil, vanilla, sugars, egg whites and applesauce. Add flour mixture and walnuts into the wet ingredients and stir just to combine ingredients. Add batter to prepared mini-muffin pans. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from pans and let cool on a wire rack.

Source: Manitoba Canola Growers Association (www.canolarecipes.ca)

1 lb. lean sirloin steak, trimmed of fat, about 3/4 inch thick 2 tbsp. light soy sauce 1 tbsp. canola oil 2 tbsp. granulated sugar 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1/2 tsp. dried pepper flakes 1/8 tsp. salt and pepper or to taste

Place steak, soy sauce, canola oil, granulated sugar, vinegar, pepper flakes and salt and pepper in a quart-size resealable plastic bag. Seal tightly and shake back and forth to allow ingredients to blend evenly. Refrigerate 24 to 48 hours, turning occasionally. Preheat grill or broiler. Coat a cold grill rack or broiler rack with canola oil cooking spray, place over grill or broiler pan. Remove beef from marinade, reserving marinade. Place beef on top of rack and cook for five minutes. Remove from rack and place on cutting board five minutes before thinly slicing diagonally against the grain.

Meanwhile, place the reserved marinade in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat and continue boiling two minutes or until reduces to 1/4 cup. Watch carefully not to reduce more than 1/4 cup. Remove from heat. Place sliced beef on serving platter and pour sauce evenly over all.

Source: Manitoba Canola Growers Association (www.canolarecipes.ca)

Moroccan Chickpea and Pasta Salad Dressing: 1/2 c. mayonnaise 1/4 c. plain yogurt 1 tbsp. canola oil 1 tbsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. turmeric 1/2 tsp. curry powder 1 garlic clove, minced Salad: 1 lb. penne pasta 2 c. quartered fresh white mushrooms 1-1/2 c. grape or cherry tomatoes, halved 1 (19-oz./540 ml) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1/2 c. kalamata olives 1 c. sliced celery 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1/2 c. sliced green onions 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced 1/4 c. chopped cilantro or parsley

In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients; set aside. In large pot of boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions.

Drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain pasta again and transfer to a large bowl; add remaining salad ingredients, toss with dressing and serve. Serves 10 to 12.

Source: Great Tastes of Manitoba

Recipe Swap I’m always happy to hear from readers with your recipes and suggestions for columns! Write to:

Manitoba Co-operator Recipe Swap Box 1794, Carman, Man. ROG OJO Or email: lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

42

The Manitoba Co-Operator | February 23, 2012

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

J

ennifer Jackson stared in silence at the computer screen in front of her, her index finger poised above the return key on the keyboard. Click. Click. Clickclickclickclickclickclick!

Nothing.

“You got a problem?” Jennifer’s mother Rose peered at her over her reading glasses from across the table.

“The Internet connection is gone,” said Jennifer. “It just disappeared. In the middle of my homework assignment.”

Rose raised an eyebrow. “Looking at wedding dresses online is a homework assignment?” she said.

Jennifer shook her head distractedly. “Looking at wedding dresses while I do my homework is a coping mechanism to help me deal with the excruciating boredom of the homework assignment. As if anyone cares who won the battle of New Orleans.”

She clicked the key a few more times. “I don’t know how I’m going to cope without the Internet.

How do I fix this?”

“I think you just have to bang on the keyboard,” said Rose. “As far as I know, all computer problems of any kind can be fixed by banging on the keyboard. Clicking the return key is a good start but you have to get more angry and aggressive. Give it a few good smacks. I’m sure you’ve seen Dad do it a hundred times.”

“You’re not helping, Mother,” said Jennifer.

“I’m not about to get my computer-fixing skills from a man whose motto is ‘don’t force it, get a bigger hammer.’”

“Well then, there is only one other option that I can think of,” said Rose, “and that’s to reboot the computer. Whatever that means.”

“It means turn the computer off and then back on,” said Jennifer.

“We used to have to reboot the dryer all the time when it wouldn’t start,” said Rose. “But that was like, give it a good boot and if that didn’t work give it a reboot.”

“I’m pretty sure the dryer wasn’t connected to the Internet back then like it is today,” said Jennifer. “But rebooting is a good idea anyway.”

She pushed the computer’s power button and held it briefly till the screen went black, then

The

Jacksons

By Rollin Penner

waited a few seconds to push the button again and then watched the screen flicker back to life.

“Aren’t you supposed to power it down properly?” said Rose. “You know, click on the restart button and whatnot?”

“Too much work,” said Jennifer. “It’s faster just to push the button.”

Rose shook her head. “How have we managed to raise a generation for whom clicking the restart icon is too much work?” she said. “It’s a metaphor for what’s wrong with our society.”

“What’s wrong with our society,” said Jennifer, “is that we can’t get a decent Internet connection so we can look at wedding dresses online

when we’re doing our homework. It’s a threat to the whole institution of marriage, which is under enough pressure as it is.”

“Speaking of which,” said Rose, “I assume you’re looking at dresses for Amanda, not for yourself?”

“Duh,” said Jennifer. “I’m still in high school. I can’t get married for at least nine or 10 months. I mean first I have to graduate, then I have to find the right guy, then I have to propose…it’s a long process Mom.” “So you’re saying Frederico’s not the right guy?” said Rose.

“Fernando,” said Jennifer. “His name is Fernando. I don’t know why you guys can’t get that right.”

“I’m just messing with you,” said Rose.

“And obviously he’s not the right guy,” said Jennifer. “He’s from Argentina and he’s going back there when school’s out and then we’ll file it under ‘fun while it lasted.’ Which incidentally, it is, in case you wanted to know.”

“Not really,” said Rose. “If it isn’t fun or if it’s too much fun I might want to know, but otherwise I prefer not to think about it.”

“That works for me,” said Jennifer. “Ignorance is bliss, right? In this case, for both of us.”

Rose frowned. “When you put it like that,” she said, “maybe I do want to know.”

Jennifer shook her head. “There’s nothing to know,” she said. “We’re just two well-behaved kids doing what we do best. Behaving well.”

“And I’m sure you would tell me if you weren’t,” said Rose.

“If I didn’t, your motherly intuition would,” said Jennifer. She brightened suddenly. “It’s back!” she said.

“What’s back?” said Rose.

“The Internet.” said Jennifer. “I just fixed the Internet.”

“Which may or may not be a good thing,” said Rose, “depending on what you plan to do with it.”

“I plan to finish my homework,” said Jennifer.

“And while I’m at it, possibly save the institution of marriage.”

Rose smiled. “Good luck,” she said, “with both of those things.”

Mona Lavender – a great flowering plant Will put on a display as a houseplant or in the outdoor garden

By Albert Parsons FREELANCE CONTRIBUTOR

I

f you walk into a large garden centre during the winter, you might very well observe large pots of particularly attractive plants sporting lovely panicles of lavender blooms atop shiny, dark-green foliage. The plants may be as high as a metre and almost as wide. These plants are Plectranthus ecklonii “Mona Lavender,” and would have been offered by the garden centre during the spring bedding plant season as pot plants. Many garden centres pot up such plants if they have some left over after summer sales have ended — some do this with coleus also — and they become focal points in the garden centres’ display areas during the winter.

After seeing these plants in full bloom and putting on such a performance a couple of winters ago, I purchased a smaller version the next spring and have grown it ever since. The first year it grew quite quickly and I moved the container outdoors after transplanting it into a larger pot. By summer’s end, the plant was about 50 cm tall and in full bloom. In the fall before moving the plant indoors for the winter, I cut it back severely, using the cut-

off terminal stems as slips, which I potted up into six-inch pots. The cuttings rooted quickly and I grew them on during the winter.

The following spring I used the smaller plants produced from the cuttings to add variety to a number of my mixed containers. I planted the parent plant into a large, attractive container and placed it on the patio for the summer where it served as a specimen plant. The smaller plants seemed to be right at home shoulder to shoulder with other plants in my mixed containers and added unique colour and texture to the containers.

Plectranthus ecklonii, has darkgreen leaves that appear as opposite pairs on the square stems. The leaves are about four cm long and are wedge shaped at the base and quite pointed at the tips. The leaf edges are toothed, the teeth being coarse and short. The leaves have attractive purple veining and the undersides of the leaves are purple burgundy.

Blooms of P. ecklonii “Mona Lavender” are terminal panicles about 15 cm long. The blooms remind me a bit of coleus blooms and literally cover the plants while they are in bloom. Bloom is long lasting and my plants flower all

summer in the outdoor garden and after they resume flowering after being cut back in the fall, they bloom off and on all winter in my sunroom.

The plant is native to South Africa; it is a tender tropical plant that will not tolerate frost. It is actually a shrub and has woody stems.

It is a fast-growing plant and will bloom the first year from a cutting.

Plectranthus ecklonii will take some sun but prefers a partial shade location. The leaves will burn if exposed to harsh midday sun in the middle of the summer in the outdoor garden.

“Mo n a L a ve n d e r” s e e m s t o be the most popular cultivar of Plectranthus ecklonii, and I have not seen any others, but there is a pink one called “Erma” and a whiteflowered cultivar named “Tommy.” I will keep my eyes open for the pink one as I think it would be a good addition to my garden. I will still keep my “Mona Lavender,” however, as it has served me well both as a great flowering plant in my indoor winter garden and as a container plant in my outdoor summer garden.

Albert Parsons writes from Minnedosa, Manitoba

PHOTO: ALBERT PARSONS

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The Manitoba Co-Operator | February 23, 2012

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

BUTTER VS MARGARINE The debate has gone on for years so here’s some tips to keep in mind

By Julie Garden-Robinson NDSU EXTENSION SERVICE

B

The relative healthfulness of butter versus margarine has been an ongoing controversy. ©THINKSTOCK

utter and margarine — are they good or bad? The relative healthfulness of butter versus margarine has been an ongoing controversy. It has started many debates by nutrition scientists in laboratories and consumers in grocery stores.

Butter has a long history dating to ancient times. Rationed during the Second World War, butter was such a desired commodity that many people kept a cow to provide butter.

Margarine was developed in 1870 in response to Napoleon’s challenge for a butter substitute. A Frenchman discovered margaric acid and used it to create his butter-like concoction. The drops of fat reminded the researcher of pearls, which in Greek are called “margarites.”

In the early 1900s, margarine was white and colouring bans were in place in 32 states. Taxes were placed on yellow margarine, so “bootleg” coloured margarine became popular. During the 1930s, the U.S. military was banned from using margarine for anything other than cooking. By the 1950s, the restrictions on margarine ended, and since then, many types and brands of margarine have become available.

Compare the types of fat you typically purchase. Margarine types vary in their nutritional content, so compare labels for saturated fat and trans fat in particular.

Saturated fat is found naturally in some vegetable and animal fats.

Trans fat is formed when vegetable oils are hydrogenated to make solid or shelf-stable shortenings, margarine and oils. Trans fat is found in most fast-food french fries, in some snack foods and in some bakery goods such as cookies, pastries and cakes.

Consuming a diet high in trans fat may result in a double whammy. It may raise your LDL (bad) blood cholesterol and reduce your HDL (good) blood cholesterol.

Consider these tips when choosing the spread for your toast: • Minimize your trans fat intake. Be a label reader. If the ingredient list includes “partially hydrogenated oil,” there’s a good chance the food contains some trans fat.

Be aware of this loophole for food manufacturers: Foods that contain less than 0.5 gram of trans fat per serving can list the amount of trans fat as zero.

• Don’t give up on your favourite foods. If you prefer butter, monitor your portion size. Keep in mind that 1 tablespoon of butter provides more than one-third of the “daily value” for saturated fat.

• If you prefer margarine or are on a special diet, use the softer spreads that have less saturated fat and trans fat. Consider trying some of the spreadable butter and oil mixtures.

• Try recipes that call for oil instead of solid shortening.

Julie Garden-Robinson, PhD. L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension Service food and nutrition specialist and associate professor in the department of health, nutrition and exercise sciences.

Glossary of garden terms A quick reference guide for green thumbs new and old

National Garden Bureau As we look through those seed catalogues and plan for a new season, here’s a list of terms to brush up on: Acidic soil: has a pH below seven, typical of clay soils. Azaleas, camellias, dogwoods and roses like acidic soils.

Corm: is a rounded, thick, modified underground stem base bearing membranous or scaly leaves and buds (gladiolus, crocus, etc.).

Crown: is the base of the plant, where the stem and root meet.

Alkaline soil: has a pH of seven or higher.

Cultivar: is a cultivated variety or strain that originated and has persisted under human cultivation.

Annual plant: lives one year or less, planted in the spring after the last frost. During this time, the plant grows, blooms, produces seeds, and dies.

Deadheading: is removing the dead blossoms.

If a plant is termed “self-cleaning,” the blossoms fall off on their own. Deadheading usually extends the blooming season.

Balled and burlapped: is when the roots of the plant have soil attached and are held in place with burlap or some other material.

Deciduous: is a plant that loses its leaves seasonally, usually in the fall.

Bare root: is when the roots of the plant are bare, with no soil.

Determinate: is when the growth of a plant stops at a certain height (usually in reference to tomatoes).

Biennial: is two seasons duration, from germination to maturity and death, usually developing vegetative growth the first year and flowering, fruiting and dying the second year. Biennials need exposure to winter temperatures to trigger flowering or fruit production the second year.

Dormancy: is the period in the life cycle of a plant where it is “asleep” and not actively growing, brought about by cool temperatures and shorter day length.

Bulb: is a resting stage of a plant that is usually formed underground and consists of a short stem base bearing one or more buds enclosed in fleshy leaves and buds (tulip, daffodil, etc.).

Floriferous: bears flowers/blooms freely.

Evergreen: is a plant that stays green year round.

Germination: is the sprouting of a seed and the commencement of growth. Also used to describe the starting of plants from seeds.

Grafted plant: is when the top (desirable) part of the plant is grafted onto rootstock, usually of a hardier or less rare plant.

Heirloom seeds: are mostly open-pollinated seeds that have been planted and passed down for generations. Most lack disease resistance.

Herbaceous plant: dies back to the ground in winter and returns again in the spring.

Herbicide: is a chemical used to destroy undesirable plants and vegetation.

Hybrid seed: is the result of cross-pollination of parents that differ in size, colour, taste or other traits. Seeds from hybrid plants cannot be saved and used again, as they will revert back to one of the parents.

Indeterminate: is a plant that continues growing until pinched or killed by frost (opposite of determinate). These plants usually require staking.

Organic seed: has been grown and harvested without being exposed to any inorganic chemicals, fertilizers, hormones, etc.

first season planted, especially ones that are shipped bare root.

Rhizome: is the somewhat elongated, usually horizontal subterranean plant stem that is often thickened by deposits of reserved food material that produces shoots above and below the roots (bearded iris).

Rootstock: is the root system of a more common or hardy variety that is used to graft a more desirable variety onto, usually roses and/ or standard forms.

Self-pollinating plants: do not require pollen from another plant in order to produce fruit.

Standard: is a shrub or herb grown with an erect main stem so that it forms or resembles a tree.

Sucker: is undesirable growth coming from the rootstock of a grafted plant.

Treated seed: has been treated with an insecticide or fungicide to aid in preventing soil insects or disease from destroying the seed prior to germination.

Pelleted seeds: are small seeds (petunias, pentas etc.) that have been coated with an inert material such as clay to make them easier to handle.

Tuber: is a short, fleshy, usually underground stem bearing minute scaly leaves, each of which bears a bud in its axil and is potentially able to produce a new plant (iris potato, caladium, tuberose begonia).

Perennial: is a plant that lives for three or more seasons. Perennials may not bloom the

Founded in 1920, the National Garden Bureau is a non-profit organization.

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44

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 23, 2012

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