2014 Calgary Stampede International Agriculture Profile

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International Agriculture

The official publication of the International Agriculture committee

Showcasing the Agricultural Industry to the world MADE-IN-ALBERTA VETERINARY SCHOOL

AGRICULTURE, WE’RE IN IT FOR LIFE

THE FUTURE OF CANADIAN AGRICULTURE IS BRIGHT

FOCUS ON GENOMICS

Message from Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and minister for the canadian wheat board

Message from Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

Gerry Ritz

Verlyn Olson, Q.C.

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

I am pleased to welcome our international guests to the 2014 Calgary Stampede!

W Welcome to the 2014 Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.

For over 100 years, the Stampede has showcased the quality and diversity of Canadian agriculture. Despite incredible challenges last year, the Stampede and the City of Calgary pulled together to put on a world-class show. It‘s certain to be even better and stronger in 2014.

Last year, organizers promised the show would go on ‘come hell or high water’ and did not let one of the worst floods in Canadian history stop the greatest outdoor show on earth from proceeding. The Stampede has never been cancelled and has weathered two world wars, the Great Depression and the Flood of 2013.

The Stampede proudly showcases Canada‘s world-class beef genetics, of course – but also the whole range of products, from grains, oilseeds and pulses, to meat, dairy and cheese, not to mention our advanced technologies and systems, including our global leadership in livestock traceability.

I‘m proud our Government continues to support the International Room to help international visitors tap into everything Canadian agriculture has to offer. Canada is a trading nation, with our exports representing up to 85 per cent of our farmers‘ production. Not only does trade build a stronger farm gate, it drives jobs and growth, and it is key to advancing the global economic recovery and feeding a growing world population.

All the best to everyone for an enjoyable and productive visit to the Stampede!

That spirit and dedication are what Alberta and Albertans are all about.

For more than a century, the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede has been an annual celebration of our western heritage, rural life and agricultural roots. Our resolve to succeed is as strong today as it was when our pioneering forefathers first came to Alberta.

That resolve has helped transform and grow our agricultural sector to worldclass standards. There are more than seven billion mouths to feed and Alberta producers are ready and able to proudly supply commodities to the world.

One of the cornerstones of the Building Alberta Plan is to open new markets for our products, including our agricultural exports. We welcome the world to Alberta and to the Calgary Stampede, and hope that our international visitors enjoy our products while they are here, and also when they return home.

As Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, I am proud to say Alberta has some of the most innovative producers in the world. The Calgary Stampede showcases many of our producers and their products and I encourage you immerse yourself in the Stampede experience.

The Calgary Stampede is proud of Alberta’s agricultural and ranching history. We are committed to preserving and promoting that heritage, as well as connecting modern-day aay ur urban ban and rural audiences.

The Stampede continues to build agriculture awareness through classic events like Aggie Days, 4-H on Parade and the extensive 10-day Stampede agriculture programming. The completion of the Agrium Western Event Centre in June 2014 will give southern Albertans the chance to experience agriculture as never before. The building has been custom designed with best animal care practices in mind and will bring world-class agriculture events to Calgary year-round. This project was made possible by our key sponsor Agrium, as well as the Governments of Canada and Alberta who each committed $25 million toward this facility.

Bob Thompson President and Chairman of the Board, Calgary Stampede

Led by ranch manager Ken Pigeon, in 2013 the Stampede successfully initiated ownership of a cattle herd for the first time in its history. After local oilman and philanthropist Bill Seibens gifted the historic OH Ranch to the Stampede in 2012, more than 200 bred cows arrived at the ranch giving birth to 205 live calves in spring 2013. The calves were weaned and sold in the fall and did very well at market. The Calgary Stampede OH Ranch hosted sponsors, artists and Stampede friends at several events throughout the year. For many guests, it was their first experience to witness the working environment of a significant ranch. We look forward to the many future educational and experience-based opportunities to be presented at this wonderful and historic ranch. We are proud to be stewards of the Calgary Stampede OH Ranch.

The Stampede will never stop looking for ways to strengthen and build urban and rural connections and promote agriculture to our community.

Message from the chair Calgary Stampede International Agriculture committee Keith Jones Chair, International Agriculture committee

Greetings from the Agricultural Managers of the Calgary Stampede Robert Wise

Leah Jones

Janette MacMillan

Western Competitions Manager, Calgary Stampede

Agriculture Manager, Calgary Stampede

Agriculture Manager, Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede is delighted to extend a huge invitation to international visitors and local guests alike to join us at the 2014 Calgary Stampede: July 4-13, 2014.

As we embark on the next chapter of our story, we will continue to deliver exceptional experiences that entertain, educate and engage visitors, build inspired spaces to bring our community together to celebrate, and further energize the Calgary Stampede brand that helps define Calgary on the world map.

In 2013, the Calgary Stampede became a beacon of hope and a symbol of revival when we opened the gates to 1.1 million guests for the 101st Calgary Stampede, less than two weeks after one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history flooded most of southern Alberta. With less than two weeks to go until Stampede 101, the Calgary Stampede organized and orchestrated a massive recovery effort and opened the doors on time. For those unfamiliar with the extent of the flood on Park, 63 buildings or parts of buildings had to be remediated (emptied, repaired, cleaned, sanitized and inspected), 88 million pounds of new dirt had to be moved in to rebuild the race track, and it took 200 hours of people-power to pull grass out of the fence lines.

In the 10 days of Stampede, guests experienced world-renowned competitions, exhibits and displays including the Heavy Horse Show, Heavy Horse Pull, Steer Classic, Working Cow Horse, World Championship Blacksmith’s Competition, Cowboy Up Challenge, Team Cattle Penning, World Stock Dog Championship, International Youth Livestock and the International Livestock Auctioneer Championship.

The 2014 Stampede will truly demonstrate our commitment to strengthening and building urban and rural connections through the grand opening of the Agrium Western Event Centre. This new addition will permanently change the Calgary Stampede skyline and stand as an ongoing promise to continue creating meaningful year-round experiences. This new space will host many of our signature programs that feature animals, showcases and western events.

The Agrium Western Event Centre will also feature a state-of-the-art interactive educational display that will focus on how we will feed the planet in the year 2050. To teach students the importance of agriculture around the world this educational display will feature a section from Canada, India and Africa.

On behalf of our enthusiastic International Agriculture committee volunteers at the Calgary Stampede, I welcome our international audience to enjoy this year’s edition of Profile magazine, which shares stories of our vibrant and growing agriculture industry in Alberta. Profile provides a glimpse of the excitement of our industry, and is the first of the five programs our committee offers to international visitors with an interest in agriculture. In addition to Profile, we welcome international visitors to enjoy the hospitality of our International Agriculture Room in the heart of the Agriculture Building at Calgary Stampede from July 4 to 13, 2014. More than 2,000 visitors from more than 40 countries enjoy our hospitality each year, and the opportunity to meet our volunteers and sponsors who are leaders in our industry and our community. And our International Agriculture Reception on Wednesday, July 9 will bring together business and political decision makers in agriculture for a fun and informal networking opportunity. Our Cattle Trail experience connects international guests with our industry, and we are establishing a new tours program to introduce international visitors to the best of Alberta agriculture both during Stampede and beyond the 10-day festival.

And 2014 represents a very exciting year for Calgary Stampede, as we open a new Agriculture experience zone which combines our established agriculture facilities coupled with the brand new $42 million Agrium Western Event Centre.

Of course, these programs would not be possible without the support of more than 30 sponsors, who provide the enthusiastic support and resources enabling the International Agriculture committee to bring members from the world agricultural community together to share ideas, to facilitate business opportunities and to foster friendship and cultural understanding. I and our committee’s Vice Chairmen Brent Difley and Aaron Grant are honoured to work with a group of committed and enthusiastic volunteers, with tremendous support from the dedicated staff of the Agriculture Department of the Calgary Stampede, to deliver these programs.

Should you need any booking information or have any questions, visit the Calgary Stampede website at calgarystampede.com to find out all the details about the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth! We look forward to seeing you during the 102nd Calgary Stampede in July.

We look forward to seeing you during the 2014 Calgary Stampede; the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”!

THE PROFILE

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Profile International Agriculture

CO N T E N T S

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MADE-IN-ALBERTA VETERINARY SCHOOL

10 FOCUS ON GENOMICS 14 AGRICULTURE, WE’RE IN IT FOR LIFE 20 THE FUTURE OF CANADIAN AGRICULTURE IS BRIGHT

INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE John Third (Director Liaison)

Keith Jones

Brent Difley

Aaron Grant

(Chair)

(Vice-Chair)

(Vice-Chair)

John Arnold

Shannon Haney

Harvey McKernon

Barry Bennett

Shawn Hansen

Ravinder Minhas

Doug Blair

Kerrie Harvie

David Collins

Larry Konschuk

(Tours Lead)

Cherie Copithorne-Barnes (Strategic Planning Lead)

Darcy Davis Graeme Finn Ramon Fosado Candace Grimes (Events Lead)

Larry Koper Dave Lantz

Jenn Norrie (Communications Lead)

Doug Sauter Christie Simpson

Anila Lee Yuen

Rick Smith

Myra Lever

Bryan Walton

Syd Loeppky

Jan Warren

Kim McConnell

Tina Zakowsky

Special thanks to:

Mandi Morris (Agriculture Program Coordinator, Calgary Stampede)

THE PROFILE TEAM Publisher:

Calgary Stampede International Agriculture Committee Editor:

Tina Zakowsky Jan Warren Tina Zakowsky

Welcome to all Agriculture Exhibitors and International Visitors.

Clem Samson

John Lee

Myra Lever

& Canadian Agriculture

Dave Phillips

(Sponsorship Lead)

Shannon Haney

THE INTERNATIONAL ROOM Promoting Alberta

Jenn Norrie

The Profile is the official publication of the Calgary Stampede International Agriculture committee.

Published yearly, The Profile celebrates and showcases Alberta and Canadian agriculture to the world. This is the 21st edition of The Profile.

The Profile is distributed throughout Alberta and across Canada to agriculture producers and associations and industry representatives. The Profile is shared with worldwide friends of the Calgary Stampede and distributed at major American and International stock shows, through international agricultural associations, and through selected embassies and consulates.

The International Room on Stampede Park presents agricultural product and service exhibits, shares information on industry sectors and invites visitors to socialize with producers, industry specialists, exporters and government representatives.

Members of all Stampede committees, representing Canada’s diverse agricultural sectors—are encouraged to bring their international guests and visitors too.

Located on the second floor of the Agriculture Building on Stampede Park, the International Room is open each day of Stampede from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

(11:00 to 18:30).

Our International Agriculture committee members are on hand to welcome you, provide information and help ensure you have a memorable Stampede experience. If you represent an agricultural group planning to visit this year’s Stampede, contact us now and we’ll pre-register your group members for their visit to the International Room; we’ll have your name tags ready. Follow the Agriculture links on calgarystampede.com to the International Agriculture/ International Room page.

The Calgary Stampede July 4–13, 2014 July 3–12, 2015 July 8–17, 2016 calgarystampede.com

To be added to The Profile’s distribution list, email the International Agriculture Committee at: agriculture@calgarystampede.com.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content within The Profile. Opinions expressed by individuals profiled within articles are their own. We apologize for any inaccuracies and accept no liability.

Graphic Design: Eldon B. Rice Design Printer: Apache Superior Printing Ltd. PHOTO: SHOWCHAMPIONS INC

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In Profile:

Real Agriculture

THE IDEA THAT FARMERS ARE SLOW TO ADOPT TECHNOLOGY COULDN’T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. ADAPTING TO MOBILE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL MEDIA IS NO DIFFERENT, AND FARMERS HAVE BEEN INTEGRATING SMARTPHONES, TABLETS AND APPS INTO THE CORE OF HOW THEY RUN THEIR BUSINESS AT THE SAME RATE AS ANY OTHER INDUSTRY. With any change comes opportunity, and RealAgriculture. com has been at the forefront of this shift to web-based information. Similar to an online magazine but so much more, RealAgriculture.com began as a blog by Shaun Haney, a seed grower from Picture Butte, Alberta.

What started as commentary on what was happening in just one corner of the agriculture world has, in five years, grown into a full-scale media company focused on delivering online education, market insight for both the cattle and grain industries and the inside scoop on current events all in an engaging, media-rich format.

A must-follow on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook, what makes RealAgriculture.com unique is not just the diverse opinions and personalities of the contributors, but also the ability for the community of readers and fans of the site to truly participate in discussions and dialogue.

“It’s about striking up a conversation on a topic, whether through Twitter or Facebook or the site itself,” says Lyndsey Smith, editor of RealAgriculture.com. “Yes, we interview the experts and offer our own opinions, but we draw heavily on our audiences’ suggestions and questions when deciding on content. We want to cover what farmers want to talk about, not what we think they should be talking about.”

With about 12,000 followers on Twitter, more than 7,000 Facebook fans and more than 1,000 video views per month, RealAgriculture. com and its readers are proving that farmers are heavily engaged in online and social media tools to communicate and learn while in the office or on the go. It’s a trend that’s only going to continue.

Lyndsey Smith is the editor of RealAgriculture.com Real Agriculture

@RealAgriculture

ONS INC

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Sponsor Profile:

Show Champions TO SAY THAT SHOWCHAMPIONS WAS ALLAN BROWARNY’S DESTINY IS ACCURATE—IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT HE WAS BORN HOLDING A CAMERA IN HIS HAND. IN FACT, AS ALLAN’S MOM MARIE WAS AT THE HOSPITAL IN LABOUR WITH ALLAN, ALLAN’S FATHER WALT WAS PHOTOGRAPHING THE VERY PROMINENT CHAROLAIS SHOW AND SALE AT STAMPEDE PARK IN 1967—DEDICATION AT ITS FINEST. GENETICS ARE AS STRONG IN THE BROWARNY FAMILY AS THEY ARE IN THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY. B Y S H A N N O N H A N E Y There is most certainly family history that must be acknowledged in the creation of ShowChampions. Walt Browarny Photographics and both Allan and his sister Shannon played integral roles in the business throughout their careers.

As the business was expanding internationally, it was this time spent travelling through his summer breaks to amazing countries, gorgeous ranches and family livestock operations that truly grew Allan’s own passion and intrigue in the business of photography, and the exposure opportunities it presented.

During these travels, Allan developed not only a love of photography, but also a keenness for the business aspects of livestock photography.

After high school, Allan completed (what was then known as) the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Cinema Television Stage and Radio Arts Program. Video was quickly developing and this program allowed Allan a position during the 1988 Olympics as a videotape operator, recording the day’s footage for duplicate presentation(s) of the events. During this period Allan realized that his true love was with a camera and not in videography.

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As his role within Browarny Photographics continued to expand both behind the camera and with a management role in the company, Allan sought out new and innovative techniques and tools to incorporate into daily operations. In 2000, Allan switched the company’s photography schedule at the Denver Stock Show from film cameras to digital cameras—a revolution in livestock photography. Completely digital, Allan opened booths equipped with computers and monitors which for the first time allowed exhibitors to source their photos online rather than scouring proofs walls. Not without trial and error, the first few days of hosting the online viewing of photos was a challenge unto itself and was great cause for concern for Walt— who pleaded with Allan to return to film to allow ‘a year to solve the problems.’ Allan resisted. Through great persistence, the company was able to deliver more than 500 packages on site through the completion of the show that year—a near tripling of revenue over previous year(s) and received incredibly positive reaction from their customer base—both old and new.

The company never looked back.

As the capability for digital success and delivery grew, Allan continued to search for opportunities to continue to increase the speed and quality of the deliverables to their customers. After attending a website traffic-tracking and momentum developing discussion seminar, Allan began loading ‘Champion Photos’ for viewing from various events online, an arm of the website that took on a life of its own. In the process to register the domain name, the name ‘ShowChampions.com’ was chosen to launch the digital brand.

In developing the new venture, Allan foresaw the ability to sell images online as the next transition for the company.

A purchased online sales platform was utilized in 2002 and 2003 through the test-marketing phase. Although it was still a cumbersome process, it was the initial step to the client managing their purchases online. As payment facilities continued to develop, ShowChampions was able to locate a program that automated the company website into a digital platform allowing for purchases to be made directly from the website without a third-party photo-hosting location. This enabled customers to browse online results and purchase and download their chosen images with a click of their mouse.

Next came the challenge of spreading the message of this new e-commerce venture. ShowChampion’s General Manager Dave Evans and Allan developed a proposal they presented to several software development companies with the vision that they would create a software package specific to ShowChampions’ design requirements. As their own corporate brand was not large enough and the company was still operating in a relatively niche market, it was difficult to grow support for their proposal. After several failed pitches, Allan and Dave met Simon Green—a very talented software developer excited about the opportunity and in late 2008, ShowChampions.com was re-launched as an independent digital sales platform.

The following year saw great growth for ShowChampions as new contracts were secured including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Youth Livestock Show. These contracts were part of a niche area in the United States and identified a large target market for the company—candid (hotshot) photos and backdrop (show) photography in the junior and youth divisions. Over the past five years, ShowChampions has continued to grow its international contracts and now sees more than 75% of its annual revenue generated in Texas, USA. As the photography industry has been revolutionized with the transition from film to digital, ShowChampions has been and continues to be on the forefront of the technology access they provide to their customers.

In striving for constant improvement in quality and deliverables, ShowChampions has been able to continue to develop new and innovative ways of bringing the retail product—the pictures, to the consumer via the online market—the website and sales software. ShowChampions has more than 40 contract photographers, image managers and interns working with the management team and at the contracted events, most coming from agriculture colleges and all having personal agriculture backgrounds adding great depth to the company’s structure. General Manager Bruce Kuehl has long been an integral part of the ShowChampions group and it is his management skills and loyalty to the corporate brand that have allowed Allan the opportunity to invest his time in the custom photo shoots—truly his passion in photography. The focus at ShowChampions remains on growing the volume and delivering a quality product—the photograph—to the customer, rather than just developing the product alone.

What’s next for ShowChampions?

The newly designed website (2013) now takes advantage of cloud storage and hosting to effectively provide unlimited capacity at a much lower cost. The new database storage offers much faster performance and quicker development times, as having the website load quickly is essential to the customer experience, and eliminates the worry of running out of space. This year will continue to see advances in the performance and reliability of the site, especially during the busiest peak show times and will contribute to further cost savings with the ability to adjust the application as required. Currently the website has viewership from more than 70 countries and the management team at ShowChampions continue to build the international scope of the company.

The creation of an online community is also in progress to give website visitors the chance to provide feedback, discuss events and agriculture in general, as well as promote their own businesses, items or services for sale—ShowChampions being the hub bringing industry people together via technology and innovation and allowing Allan Browarny to continue to appreciate his passion for the business, people and the animals of livestock photography.

THE PROFILE

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Made-inAlberta Veterinary School: The First and only faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Alberta is approaching 10 years of age.

AS CANADA’S FIFTH VETERINARY SCHOOL, THE UNIVERSIT Y OF CALGARY FACULT Y OF VETERINARY MEDICINE (UCVM) WAS FORMALLY ESTABLISHED IN 2005 AND GRADUATED ITS FIRST DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE (DVM) STUDENTS IN 2012. UCVM IS NOW APPROACHING 10 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN VETERINARY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. B Y G L O R I A V I S S E R - N I V E N UCVM is the first and only veterinary college located in the province of Alberta. The school is dedicated to meeting the animal and public health needs of Alberta through its education, research and outreach programs.

“UCVM was established following the BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) crisis in Alberta and a number of other important animal and human health events such as West Nile virus, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), and chronic wasting disease,” says Dr. Alastair Cribb, dean, UCVM. “Students receive a general veterinary education, but the program is structured to ensure that they are well prepared to work in areas supporting rural sustainability and development in Alberta, including production animal industries.”

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The four areas of emphasis are: Production animal health: population and individual animal health of all food and other production animal species; educating veterinarians to meet the needs of the livestock industry and rural Alberta.

Ecosystem and public health: animal and public health at the interface of domestic animals, wildlife, humans and the environment; educating veterinarians to meet the needs of society through public and private practice in areas related to public health, food safety, environmental and agricultural interfaces, wildlife/conservation/zoo medicine and health.

Equine health: population and individual veterinary care of horses; educating veterinarians to meet the needs of the horse industry, horse owners and rural Alberta.

Investigative medicine: comparative medicine and biomedical research; encouraging students to pursue careers advancing animal and human health through research (basic, clinical, applied or population health).

UCVM students

The DVM program welcomes 30–32 students each year to its unique four-year program.The hands-on learning for the students in the first three years of the program takes place at the Clinical Skills Building on the Spy Hill Campus of UCalgary.

Located on more than 500 acres in the northwest corner of Calgary, the Spy Hill campus houses cattle, horses and alternative hoofstock. The diagnostic services laboratories are also located there.

The fourth year of the DVM program, and much of the clinical research, takes place in the Distributed Veterinary Learning Community (DVLC). The DVLC encompasses private practices, non-governmental organizations, private and government research laboratories, public health and policy environments, and partners engaged in wildlife and environmental activities. This broad engagement of practicing veterinarians and the broader animal health communities as partners in the education process is unique in Canada.

“UCVM is about community—we collaborate with the veterinary and animal health communities to deliver a unique veterinary program. Our faculty and students learn and share their knowledge with our partners. Our DVM graduates are working in the many communities across Alberta that need veterinarians and are also capable of understanding and serving communities around the world,” adds Dr. Cribb.

The first years of UCVM’s history focused on the DVM program. By the summer of 2014, three classes have graduated.

Approximately half of each graduating class has taken positions supporting rural Alberta. The remaining students have variously pursued advanced clinical training programs, graduate degrees, wildlife health and small animal practice.

Approximately 95% of the graduates have remained in Alberta.

UCVM also offers graduate degrees (Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy), advanced clinical training programs,and post-doctoral training opportunities. There are approximately 150 advanced trainings associated with the school. Partnering with regional practices, UCVM has offered internships for the last six years. More recently, they have expanded their advanced clinical training programs and have started to offer clinical fellowships and residency programs.

One of the leading examples of these new programs is the Simpson Ranch Fellowship in Beef Cattle Health.

For more information on UCVM, visit vet.ucalgary.ca or follow them on Twitter @UCVMnews.

Gloria Visser-Niven is the Marketing and Communications Manager with the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. She can be reached at gvissern@ucalgary.ca

@UCVMnews

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2013 Western

First Recipient of Simpson Ranch Fellowship Dr. Elizabeth Homerosky is pursuing her master’s degree in veterinary medical sciences and board certification in beef cattle practice at UCVM. She is doing this through the newly established Simpson Ranch Fellowship in Beef Cattle Health at UCVM. Supported by a $3 million endowment, this is one of a new breed of clinical animal health programs being offered by UCVM. The primary goal of the Simpson Ranch Fellowship is to work with industry to identify areas for improvements in practices that affect animal health and productivity. Educating producers and veterinarians on the use of these new and improved practices is a key component of the Fellowship.

“I look forward to developing the expertise needed to best serve Alberta’s number one agricultural industry and am thankful for the opportunity to work with a team of industry leaders and visionaries so dedicated to the future of global beef production,” says Dr. Homerosky.

John Simpson of the Simpson Ranch says his family funded the fellowship because of his commitment to the beef cattle industry. “It is important to study, in-depth, how standard industry practices need to improve so that health issues in the food chain can be circumvented to create healthier environments and standard protocols for livestock.”

“We want to recognize the Simpson family for their contributions to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and to the University of Calgary that allow us to create more opportunities to enhance our student experience and serve our community,” says Dr. Alastair Cribb, dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Before coming to the University of Calgary, Dr. Homerosky received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ohio State University in 2012 and most recently worked as associate veterinarian at a predominantly beef clinic in Iowa.

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Aw Br

PHOTO: Tye Carson/Calgary Stampede

THIS CALGARY STAMPEDE AWARD PROGRAM, LAUNCHED IN 2005, HONOURS INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN PROMOTING WESTERN VALUES AND PRESERVING WESTERN HERITAGE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. Each year, the Western Legacy Award committee receives nominations from the community which are reviewed by an independent committee who selects the recipients of the Western Legacy Awards.“We are humbled and inspired by the stories we hear each year of some of the unsung heroes in our community,” says Paul Valentine, chair of the Western Legacy Awards committee. “The recipients of the 2013 Western Legacy Awards embody the Stampede values of pride of place, western hospitality, commitment to community and integrity.” Read on about the incredible accomplishments of the 2013 Western Legacy Award recipients.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L A G R I C U LT U R E C O M M I T T E E

BY S K Y H O R N I G

Award for Youth: Carson Reiser

Organizing a yearly charity event is no small feat for any individual. But the fact that Carson Reiser has done so since the age of eight is simply amazing.

Carson, together with a team of his best friends, has developed a yearly fundraising bike ride—collecting over $60,000 for Wellspring Calgary—a local cancer support centre. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a 13-year-old with such determination and willingness to volunteer throughout the community.

Carson has inspired countless other youth and adults to do the same and his spirit and enthusiasm are contagious.

To Pa Ca Ca th th wi se tau ho fo we pa T sp Ca de m

Legacy cy Aw Awar Award d Recipients: Award for Innovation: Brian Nimijean and Paul Wagman

Award for Sustained Contribution— Individual: Rick Smith

Together in 2002, Brian Nimijean and Paul Wagman helped to create Camp Carmangay — a retreat southeast of Calgary for disadvantaged kids. Since the doors opened 11 years ago, more than 10,000 youth have passed through with positive results, learning about self-worth and control. Youth are taught to feed and look after rescued horses, a process during which they form a unique bond. Camp Carmangay welcomes all kids, regardless of their past, appearances, culture or finances.

Tipis, wide-open spaces and equine spirit grace the boundaries of Camp Carmangay, but it is the inspiration and dedication of Brian and Paul that have made it all possible.

For close to three and a half decades, Rick Smith was the heart and soul of the Heritage Park Historical Village. During his 33 years there, Rick made Heritage Park one of Calgary’s major tourist attractions, known for preserving the history and western values of Calgary and Alberta. Rick is a member of many committees and organizations, including Tourism Calgary, Rising Sun Extended Care Centre, and the Longview Music and Arts Festival.

His love for western hospitality is shown through the countless hours he dedicates to the community. If you’re trying to find Rick during the Calgary Stampede, look no further than the GMC Rangeland Derby—his love for chuckwagon races runs deep.

Award for Sustained Contribution— Group: Children’s Hospital Aid Society

The Children’s Hospital Aid Society (CHAS) has funded services for Calgary’s low-income, at-risk and ill children for over 104 years. It is an organization with deep roots in the community and was instrumental in the creation of the Children’s Hospital.

In 2012 alone, CHAS was able to raise nearly $500,000 for children in the Calgary area. CHAS volunteers reach out to groups who help kids, rather than waiting to be asked—often focusing on smaller organizations without the capacity to raise funds on their own.

One hundred per cent volunteer-run, the Children’s Hospital Aid Society is an integral part of the community.

All of these individuals were honoured at a ceremony on Stampede Park on October 8, 2013.

Sky Hornig is a communications advisor with the Calgary Stampede.

About the Cover Alberta’s agriculture industry employs more than 2 million people.

These individuals work on farms, orchards, in greenhouses and nurseries, on ranches, in feedlots, fishing, trapping as well as agricultural support services such as planting, harvesting, management and research. The province is Canada’s second-largest agricultural producer, adding nearly $3 million to Alberta’s gross domestic product.

The 2014 edition of Profile magazine celebrates just a few of the innovations taking place within the province’s agriculture industry.

To learn more about agriculture in Alberta, visit agriculture.alberta.ca Cover photos courtesy of Showchampions Inc. and the Alberta Agriculture Staff

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Focus on G

Angus DNA Tracking Research Project The Canadian Angus Association is conducting a research project titled “The Design and Demonstration of a High Throughput DNA Tracking System for Genetic Improvement, Label Verification, and Traceability in the Canadian Beef Industry”.

Competing protein sources have integrated their supply chains and applied genetic selection to increase efficiencies dramatically. Creating vertical linkage, or integration, in the Canadian beef supply chain may be an opportunity to meet production challenges.

With more than half of Canada’s purebred beef cattle registrations and an estimated 65% influence in the commercial beef cattle herd, the Canadian Angus Association has used their breed-specific national radiofrequency identification tag as the basis for a practical DNA tracking system. These tags are available to purebred Angus cattle and crossbred cattle with at least one registered Angus parent.

SNP technology was used to create links between 1,237 feeder calves and their performance records to their respective sires for the purpose of genetic improvement. Subsequent producer breeding decisions were based on progeny performance summaries generated for their sires.

As an added value, this system also delivers DNA traceability on beef products, enabling label verification and expansion into markets demanding traceability.

For more information about the project, contact Kajal Devani in Breed Development with the Canadian Angus Association at kdevani@cdnangus.ca

CANADIAN BEEF BREEDS INVEST IN GENOMIC RESEARCH. CONTINUED GENETIC IMPROVEMENTS IN BEEF CATTLE Farmers and ranchers are continually under pressure to produce more food in more efficient ways, using fewer resources, with less impact on the environment while also adapting to climate change and minimizing their ecological footprint.

The beef industry is no exception. Global demand for animal protein is expected to double by 2050 and genetic improvement will be key to enabling cattle producers to meet that demand. Canadian beef breeders are pooling resources and collectively and individually pursuing genomic research and innovations to help them accomplish these goals.

Genomics is the field of science that studies an organism’s entire genome or DNA sequence. Genomics analyzes the relationship between genetics and traits, and uses the data to answer scientific questions and solve practical problems.

Genomics has already proved beneficial in the dairy industry which currently benefits from increased profitability, higher yield and better health in its animals.

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Genome Canada Project

The Canadian Angus Association, Canadian Charolais Association, Canadian Gelbvieh Association, Canadian Hereford Association, Canadian Limousin Association and Canadian Simmental Association along with the Canadian Holstein Association/Canadian Dairy Network and Beefbooster Inc. have partnered with a team of researchers, scientific collaborators and corporate and government sponsors on the Genome Canada project. The Canadian Cattle Genome Project, formally titled “Whole Genome Selection through Genome Wide Imputation in Beef Cattle”, is focused on delivering genomic technology to Canada’s beef industry. The project has three overall goals: 1. To gain a deeper understanding of the acceptability of the use of genomics in beef production 2. To predict producer adoption of the technology 3. To measure the costs and benefits of genomics to the industry

n Genomics:

Hereford Residual Feed Efficiency Trial The Canadian Hereford Association, Olds College, Cattleland Feed Yards, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, the University of Alberta and Livestock Gentec which is funded through the “Idea to Innovation Program”, Natural Sciences and Engineering Council (NSERC), and cooperating Hereford breeders have collaborated on a three-year research project. From 2012 through 2015, the Canadian Hereford Association will assist researchers in measuring 900 Hereford bulls for residual feed efficiency (RFI). The goal of the project is to produce a Residual Feed Intake (RFI) EPD. Trial 1 tested 300 bulls in 2013. An additional 300 bulls are scheduled for testing in 2014.

Early results have been promising, and the Association confirms they are on track to develop genotype-based EPDs for feed efficiency, ultrasound carcass EPDs and yearling growth.

ALLOW PRODUCERS TO FEED MORE PEOPLE WHILE USING FEWER RESOURCES. BY TINA ZAKOWSKY Investment in genomics benefits livestock producers, offering reduced costs from efficient breeding and management, improved breeding performance, improvement in traits that are lowly heritable or difficult to measure, faster genetic improvement and improved animal health and feed efficiency. The benefits extend beyond the primary producer: breeding for animals that better respond to vaccination, carry a lower burden of animal-to-human organisms and need fewer antibiotics improves food safety throughout the food chain.

Improved traceability allows for rapid identification of disease outbreaks or contamination in the food chain. And of course better animal welfare and positive environmental impact such as 25–30% lower methane emissions and 15–17% lower manure nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium production are important benefits for everyone.

For more information, visit www.canadacow.ca

GE-EPDs

In beef cattle, genomics works by analyzing a calf’s genes and the environmental impact on traits such as its potential to grow, resistance to disease or ability to produce milk for its offspring. Most traits are governed by many genes. Using a few drops of blood or the root of a tail hair, DNA analysis examines an animal’s genetic makeup and tests for thousands of SNPs (pronounced “snip”). A SNP is one of the smallest possible differences in the DNA between two organisms. Computer software can then match the pattern of the calf’s SNPs with specific traits.

Two Canadian beef breeds, the Canadian Angus Association and Canadian Gelbvieh Association, offered their members GE-EPDs or genomically enhanced (GE) expected progeny differences (EPDs) in 2013.

The Canadian Simmental Association is expected to offer GE-EPDs to their members in 2014. EPDs are selection tools that describe the genetic potential or breeding value of seedstock animals.

They are used around the world to estimate how an animal’s calves will perform in comparison to either other

For more information, visit http://hereford.ca

animals or the breed average. GEEPDs can have higher accuracies for young animals and animals with limited performance data. These improvements in accuracy are only seen in EPDs with low accuracies. Once an animal has progeny on the ground and those progeny are proven, they have higher accuracy EPDs and the genomic marker panels have less impact on the accuracy of their EPDs. Cattle producers use GE-EPDs to help them make breeding decisions. Using genomic data, producers can pair animals that will grow efficiently, resist disease and thrive. Although the matings do not always produce the exact results anticipated, today’s producers are able to select the most efficient cattle—and purge the inefficient cattle from their herds— generations before their predecessors were able to.

Tina Zakowsky is a member of the International Agriculture Committee, editor of Profile magazine, and Director of Communications for the Canadian Angus Association. She can be reached at tzakowsky@shaw.ca THE PROFILE

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C algary Stam ped e an d th e

2013 FLOOD: IN JUNE 2013, HEAVY RAINS LED TO THE WORST FLOODING IN ALBERTA IN MORE THAN 100 YEARS— AND A CHALLENGE THAT THE CALGARY STAMPEDE WILL NOT SOON FORGET. BY B O N N I C L A R K On the morning of Thursday, June 20, just two weeks before the scheduled start of Stampede 101, the organization was bracing for a possible disaster. After the City of Calgary declared a state of emergency around 10 a.m., the Stampede activated its own Emergency Command Centre— immediately taking action to protect property and move valuables, files and perishables to higher ground.

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But when the water arrived, no one could have been prepared for the sight. By the early morning hours of Friday, June 21, eight inches (20 centimetres) of water covered Stampede Trail and the entire Infield was flooded, along with the basements of the Big Four, Grandstand, People Centre and Agriculture buildings. The Scotiabank Saddledome was filled up to row 10, the Stampede’s historic ‘Blue Bridge’ had been washed away, and the fate of Stampede 101 appeared to be in jeopardy.

In fact, if it hadn’t been for a courageous team of employees who stayed through the night to push water away from the electrical substation, the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth may indeed have been in trouble.

Water” image and phrase went viral on social media, our Consumer Marketing Department jumped in and created a commemorative t-shirt. Screen printers from across Western Canada worked day and night to keep up with the incredible demand. Net proceeds totaling $2.3 million went directly to the Red Cross Alberta Floods Fund.

The magnitude of the damage was overwhelming, but thanks to pre-planning and quick-thinking, cleanup had already begun. On Monday, June 24, contractors from all over North America arrived to help. Tandem trailers, dump trucks and other heavy machinery laboured in constant 12-hour shifts.

And while the furious clean-up effort raged behind the scenes, a press conference atop nearby Scotsman’s Hill announced that Stampede 101 would proceed.

Thanks to the tremendous effort and support of volunteers, employees and the community, Stampede 101 went ahead with almost no visible signs of the disaster that occurred just days beforehand. It was proof that we are greatest together and a testament to the strength of our organization, our city and our province.

One of the most daunting recovery tasks involved dirt from the Infield and Track. It all had to be removed—then rebuilt with more than 25,000 cubic meters (88,287 cubic feet) of clay, sand and gravel. In addition, every building had to be power washed, sanitized and inspected…with power, communication and safety systems restored.

Once Stampede was over, a thorough assessment was completed and full restoration of Stampede Park venues to pre-flood condition began. Most of this multi-million dollar repair effort will be complete in time for Stampede 2014. Repairs to the damaged banks of the Elbow River will be complete by the end of 2014.

Although the devastation was tremendous, there were positive stories from the flood as well. When the “Hell or High

Bonni Clark is a Communications Advisor with the Calgary Stampede.

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Agriculture,

AG FOR LIFE IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO BUILDING A GREATER UNDERSTAND UNDERSTANDING T TAND ING AND APPRECIAT APPRECIATION CIA ION OF AGRICULTURE CIAT ICULTURE AND ITS FUND ICUL FUNDAMENTAL AMENTAL C AMENT CONNECTION ONNECTION TO LIFE. B Y L U R E E W I L L I A M S O N It is our mission to help Albertans understand the incredible depth and opportunity that agriculture affords. Bringing together some of Alberta’s strongest corporations from various sectors along with farmers, ranchers, government and community leaders, Ag for Life is dedicated to delivering educational programming that will serve to improve rural and farm safety and build a genuine understanding and appreciation of the importance agriculture has on lives.

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Through close collaboration with stakeholders, Ag for Life develops, expands and offers hands-on educational programming to children, youth and adults. “We do this by providing committed funding and support that enables the delivery of great programs, removing financial pressure and allowing full concentration on delivery and successful outcomes,” comments Ag for Life CEO David Sprague. “Together we can increase the reach of these programs across the province and enhance their long term sustainability,” he adds.

we’re in it for Life

This past year, Ag for Life committed more than $1.2 million to the expansion and development of educational programming. The goal is to continue to invest and reach 100,000 rural and urban Alberta children ages 5 to 15 in the next two years through school curriculum and community events. Programs that Ag for Life supports include Classroom Agriculture Program, Little Green Thumbs, Alberta Open Farm Days, City Slickers, Progressive Agriculture Safety Days and the Rollover Simulator Project.

Ag for Life is made possible through the funding and commitment of companies that employ almost 20,000 people in more than 350 Alberta communities. Founding members include Agrium Inc., ATB Financial, ATCO Group, Penn West, Rocky Mountain Equipment,

TransCanada Corporation and UFA Co-operative Limited.

Contributing members include AdFarm and Glacier FarmMedia.

Luree Williamson is the Director of Development and Communications for Ag for Life.

Learn more at agricultureforlife.ca AgricultureForLife

@4AgForLife

Watch the video: agricultureforlife.ca/video-blog

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Innovation in Agriculture Business Data: ISIS GEOMATICS LTD. USES THE MOST ADVANCED AND RELIABLE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVS) TO PROVIDE LOW COST, HIGH RESOLUTION AERIAL IMAGERY AND MAPPING PRODUCTS WHICH HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN COST PROHIBITIVE. BY J O R DA N WA L K E R ISIS Geomatics Ltd. was started by two students who met during their Masters of Geography classes at the University of Lethbridge, and who shared vast knowledge about remote sensing, surveying, image processing and geographic information systems (GIS) hardware and software.

Their experiences led them to identify a crucial need for advancements in aerial imagery acquisition across small- to large-scale projects, leading to the creation of ISIS Geomatics and the beginning of commercial applications for UAVs. Steve Myshak and Owen Brown used their knowledge, expertise and research to form a business that uses UAVs to gather high-resolution imagery which can be turned into valuable information products that can benefit many industries.

They had to plan their business goals and work through the complicated authorization process to meet the stringent regulations required by Transport Canada to acquire a special flight operations certificate (SFOC). Their non-compromising approach has led to successful operations that provide the

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highest quality product, while complying with the strictest safety standards. They have carefully looked at the client base for their venture and realized that the diverse applications of this technology and the resulting analyses find broad-reaching and beneficial applications for many industries such as agriculture, environmental planning, mining, civil engineering, forestry and oil and gas.

ISIS takes data consisting of ultra-high resolution georeferenced imagery acquired using unmanned systems and transforms it into three-dimensional surface maps, elevation models, drainage maps and vegetation health maps using their vast expertise and cutting-edge software. Further applications of this technology enable their clients to determine highly valuable information such as: • Precise volume of stockpiles and pits (silage, gravel, loam, etc.) • Highly accurate elevations and contour mapping

High resolution visual imagery of a potato crop.

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of the same potato crop. A vegetation index that clearly displays dead vegetation and non-vegetated regions in red, less-healthy vegetation in yellow and green, and healthy, productive vegetation in blue.

• Plant health mapping and disease detection in crops • Water flow, movement and direction with detailed drainage/flood mapping • Area calculations and proximity analysis • Cattle counts and bale inventories ISIS also provides imaging services using infrared and thermal sensors which can be a great asset to clients requiring services like wildlife monitoring and cattle counts, clearly displaying the animals — even in shaded areas. Infrared imaging is a key component in vegetation mapping that reveals issues in crops before they become visible to the naked eye, enabling early detection of disease and understanding of plant health on a cellular level.

The data they can generate supports Alberta in agriculture, irrigation and even road construction. They are also working on cutting-edge projects to develop greenhouse gas detection

for the oil and gas industry, and the ability to capture real-time data for live video feeds, which is particularly useful for disaster monitoring and other management practices. ISIS Geomatics can often provide most of their services with a minimal turnaround time of one to three days.

ISIS Geomatics currently has clearance to work within British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick. In October 2013, the company received the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award for “Change and Innovation” in recognition of their customer service coupled with constant research and development and creative applications of cutting-edge technology.

For more information, visit www.isisgeo.com Jordan Walker graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Lethbridge and now has the privilege of working on the ISIS Geomatics team, supporting the company in its efforts to grow a new and innovative business. He can be contacted at info@ISISgeo.com

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GET CRACKING: NEW ALBERTA EGG-BREAKING FACILITY PROCESSES RAW, SHELLED EGGS INTO EGG PRODUCTS AND EXPECTS A TOTAL GROSS ANNUAL OUTPUT OF $5 MILLION FOR THE PROVINCE’S ECONOMY.

BY T I N A Z A KOW S K Y

The Alberta Government, through the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, partnered with Egg Processing Innovations Cooperative (EPIC), a producer-owned cooperative, to refurbish an existing dairy plant in Lethbridge to house EPIC’s egg-breaking and processing environment. Before the plant opened in June 2013, Alberta was the largest net importer of interprovincial egg products (liquid and table eggs) in Canada.

The first phase of the project focuses on pasteurized liquid whole egg, pasteurized albumen, pasteurized yolk, blending for food-service companies and by-products made from the shells.

In addition to creating consumer products, EPIC works with the pharmaceutical industry, researchers and other partners to explore innovative uses for egg by-products, yolks and whites.

Using everything from the eggshell membrane to the calcium contained in the shell, EPIC and its partners are experimenting with diverse product lines that include batteries, cinderblocks, nutraceuticals and more. Other egg-breaking plants ship their shells to landfills, but EPIC wants to find a use for the entire egg and maintain a “green” operation with little waste.

According to EPIC CEO Bruce Forbes, “The pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies are looking for enriched feed eggs, fertilized eggs and eggs that are otherwise unique.

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Likewise, we have partners on the retail side that want cagefree, enriched cage or organic eggs used for the value-added process. Because we are producer-owned and we do work closely with our suppliers, we can ensure that our end customer gets the exact product they are looking for.”

For years, Alberta egg producers have sought alternatives to the former practice of shipping eggs to British Columbia or Manitoba plants for breaking, only to have liquid eggs shipped back to Alberta for use in food production, restaurants and health-care facilities. EPIC has 143 members, 108 of whom put money into the operation and about 110 of which are Hutterite colonies.

Bruce sees change in the future of the egg industry. “There is a definite trend towards more processed egg products, which will increase as consumers continue to look for convenience and ready-made meal solutions. To meet these needs, we will need more eggs from Alberta farmers–good news all around,” he says.

Tina Zakowsky is a member of the International Agriculture Committee, editor of Profile magazine, and Director of Communications for the Canadian Angus Association. She can be reached at tzakowsky@shaw.ca

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THE FUTURE OF CANADIAN AGRICULTURE IS BRIGHT

OVER THE PAST YEAR, MANY GREAT EVENTS AND MOVEMENTS HAVE HAPPENED IN WHICH THE CANADIAN AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY HAS RECOGNIZED THAT SUPPORT IS NEEDED FOR THE NEXT GENERATION AND THAT WE NEED TO TELL THE POSITIVE STORY OF CANADIAN AGRICULTURE.

BY J E N N N O R R I E

Large Canadian agriculture companies such as Bayer CropScience, Farm Credit Canada and Agrium have partnered with organizations such as 4-H Canada and the Calgary Stampede and are working together to tell our story and empower the next generation of “AGvocates” through initiatives such as the Global 4-H Youth Ag Summit, the

Journey 2050: Growing Responsibly education program and the Ag More Than Ever agriculture awareness program.

Jenn Norrie is member of the Calgary Stampede International Agriculture committee, an agriculture marketing and communications professional and a proud AGvocate. You can follow her on Twitter @jennorrie

4-H YOUTH AG-SUMMIT: AS PART OF 4-H CANADA’S 100

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, 118 YOUNG DELEGATES (18–25 YEARS OLD) GATHERED FROM 24 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS HOW THEIR GENERATION CAN OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF FEEDING A GROWING WORLD POPULATION OF MORE THAN 7 BILLION PEOPLE.

TH

BY CHR I S T I NE MOSE S

4-H members discussed the theme of ‘Feeding a Hungry Planet’ and tackled topics such as food waste, climate change and the growing human footprint, consumer awareness of agricultural practices and farming efficiencies.

The final vision that was agreed upon by all the youth delegates was the following: “To increase sustainable access to nutrientdense food for women and children world-wide to alleviate global hunger.”

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4-H conferences such as the 4-H Youth Ag-Summit provide opportunities for Canadian youth to expand their knowledge in support of the food and agriculture industry. Members have opportunities to travel nationally and internationally on exchanges, participate in leadership conferences as well as apply for scholarships, grants and awards. 4-H Canada works with all provinces to create clubs in local communities and has an exceptional track record of supporting the development of confidence and leadership among Canadian youth.

Fundamental to the mission is the creation of relevant programs that engage and nurture youth to create positive impact in the world around them.

The 4-H Youth Ag Summit was an opportunity for 4-H to endeavour in a program of global significance and discuss the issues of food security right here in our own backyard.

“4-H Canada helps young people thrive in their community and beyond,” says Shannon Benner, CEO of 4-H Canada. “We were very excited to host this world-class event because investing in young people is at the heart of what 4-H does.”

Christine Moses is Marketing and Communications Manager at 4-H Canada.

4-h-canada.ca Facebook/4-H Canada

@4HCanada

A WEEK TO TACKLE ONE OF THE WORLD’S BIGGEST CHALLENGES: FEEDING A HUNGRY PLANET. DELEGATES OF THE 4-H YOUTH AG-SUMMIT COLLABORATE TO SHARE PERSPECTIVES AND FIND GLOBAL SOLUTIONS DURING THIS INAUGURAL EVENT ORGANIZED BY 4-H CANADA AND BAYER CROPSCIENCE CANADA.

“The goal of the Summit was to invite youth from around the world to come to the table, share ideas and have an open dialogue about how we’ll feed a hungry planet,” said Kamel Beliazi, President and CEO of Bayer CropScience Canada.

“Feeding the planet is a topic we think about every day as a science-based agricultural company.”

Delegates were selected through written and video essays that framed the issues they saw in their community and around the world, proposed viable solutions and addressed how they would utilize the Summit to progress change. The major issues they identified included increasing consumer awareness of the agriculture industry, reducing food waste, battling the effects of climate change and coping with a growing human footprint.

BY KO M I E H O S S I N I

“It’s estimated that by 2050, less than 37 years from now, there will be an additional 2 billion people on the planet to feed,” explained Mathieu Rouleau, a delegate from Quebec who grew up on his family’s dairy farm. “Our generation will need to deal with the problem of feeding all of these people, which is why we need to come together now to start working towards a solution.”

The week-long summit involved a full schedule of presentations, debates, discussions, group work, tours and networking. After kicking off the opening celebration at the Calgary Stampede with the world-famous ‘white hat’ ceremony, the following three days were themed around innovation, sustainability and leadership, pushing the delegates to dig deep on this complex issue.

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Calgary’s Mayor Naheed Nenshi spoke and challenged each delegate to do three things to better their communities and advance the need to feed more people. As a result, more than 354 personal pledges were made by the delegates to return home as ambassadors for change.

“When we developed the program we knew we wanted the delegates to move from challenges to solutions, developing an action plan for change that they would be responsible for realizing at home and globally,” says Valerie Pearson, Canadian 4-H Council President. “This is the kind of leadership 4-H has always tried to inspire in our members and we are so proud of what they accomplished.”

“It took a lot of work and there were a lot of great ideas, but in the end we came together and decided on one vision: to increase sustainable access to nutrient-dense food for women and children worldwide, to alleviate global hunger,” explained Jacob Onyschuk, an Alberta delegate who was elected Saturday to represent the country on the Youth Ag-Summit Committee now responsible for bringing this vision to life.

The Committee, consisting of 10 delegates and mentors

from around the world, was given $40,000 from Bayer CropScience and 4-H to help them get started in fulfilling their vision.

“Women are the world’s primary food producers responsible for producing 60 to 80 percent of all food in developing countries and almost half of the food we consume worldwide,” explains Derrick Rozdeba, Manager, Marketing Communications for Bayer CropScience Canada. “What the delegates have acknowledged is that by empowering these women and enabling them to produce more food we can increase the food supply for all men, women and children on the planet.”

For more information, visit bayercropscience.ca Komie Hossini is the Marketing Engagement Specialist with Bayer CropScience

bayercropscience.ca

@Bayer4CropsCA

4-H YOUTH AG SUMMIT CHALLENGES FUTURE AGRICULTURE LEADERS

BY K I M M C C O N N E L L

I have had the great fortune of participating in many conferences throughout my career but my week this summer with the 118 youth, ages 18 to 25, from 22 countries who attended the Global 4-H Youth Ag Summit is near the top of my list.

To witness these very intelligent, articulate young men and women, who see the opportunities, are willing to address the challenges, and who understand how to take advantage of both was humbling and inspiring. I loved how engaged they were with the speakers, tours and in the workshops but also how they used technology to quickly confirm facts and offer an alternative opinion. Also, their presentation skills were exceptional.

Seeing how such an exciting variety of perspectives and experiences came together to discuss and debate these major issues, I think, speaks to the important role that 4-H plays in the development of future leaders. The ability to articulate 22 I N T E R N AT I O N A L A G R I C U LT U R E C O M M I T T E E

points in small and large groups and the discipline to handle and complete large projects are the skills that are needed for success—and it was clear that the 4-H program has played a great training role in the development of these young professionals.

One particular topic that I found intriguing was the general enthusiasm, passion, commitment and concern related to sustainability. This generation of leaders views sustainability on a larger and more holistic level—economic, environmental and social sustainability—which are taken very seriously. In my parents’ generation, or even in my generation, I believe greater emphasis was placed on economic sustainability and profitability. But sustainability with this group of leaders was looked at from a bigger and broader perspective and this, to me, was very encouraging.

The summit featured some exceptional speakers who challenged the youth to show leadership within the agricultural industry as well as their home countries and communities. I was delighted to see the youth step forward and live the 4-H motto of “learn to do by doing” and form a board of directors to ensure that summits like these continue.

I am so proud that Canada—Calgary—was given the opportunity to host this first ever Global 4-H Youth Ag Summit. I commend the organizers, and specifically 4-H Canada, Bayer CropScience and the other sponsors—for the foresight to host this great summit. And I think the delegates and mentors were impressed with the very progressive agri-food industry that Canada has to offer.

Based on the passion, intelligence and commitment to excellence displayed by the youth at the Global 4-H Youth Ag Summit, the future of agriculture is in good hands.

For more information, visit www.agriculturemorethanever.ca/ 4-h-youth-ag-summit-challenges-future-agriculture-leaders Kim McConnell is a founder and the former CEO of AdFarm and the Chair of the Canadian 4-H Foundation and was an adviser at the Global 4-H Youth Ag Summit. Follow Kim on Twitter @kmcconnell1

AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION IN THE STAMPEDE SPOTLIGHT FOR 2014: IN JUNE 2014, THE CALGARY STAMPEDE WITH ITS CORPORATE PARTNER AGRIUM WILL PROUDLY UNVEIL THE NEXT PHASE OF THE STAMPEDE’S COMMITMENT TO AGRICULTURE.

The new, state-of-the-art Agrium Western Event Centre introduces a world-class educational experience for middleschool students and triples the Calgary Stampede’s capacity for agricultural programming. This 150,000 square-foot (13,936 square metre), ultramodern building is the feature jewel at the very centre of Stampede Park, linked to recent infrastructure investments which together create an integrated Agriculture Discovery Zone.

Visitors to the Agrium Western Event Centre will have the chance to attend events in the competition arena and visit the adjacent exhibit hall and multi-purpose space. The main arena features more than 30,000 square feet (2,787 square metres) of clear span space, an extra-large arena for rodeo and equestrian sports and seating for 2,500 guests. The magnificent Rotunda will host the innovative educational program Journey 2050.

Research shows that moving classrooms into the community creates fascinating environments that engage students in exploration and discovery. Together, the Stampede and our key sponsor Agrium have developed the Journey 2050 program.

Teachers and sustainability experts have designed the program to complement the Alberta Education curriculum and build upon critical thinking skills.

This captivating, interactive, inquiry-based learning experience will inspire middle-school students to provide real solutions about how to feed an estimated population of nine billion people, with finite resources, in the year 2050. With the help of technology, children will explore the lives of three farming families in Kenya, India and Canada. Journey 2050 will challenge and empower students to make decisions and evaluate how those decisions impact society, the environment and the economy on a local and global scale.

Designed to form a lasting connection between urban and rural communities, the Agrium Western Event Centre and Journey 2050 will play a pivotal role in making the Calgary Stampede a year-round gathering place.

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Follow the Trail for Honey Mead: THE ANCI ENT NEC TAR OF THE GODS, AL SO KNOWN A S HONEY WI NE, IS E XPERI ENCI NG A RENAISSANCE. B Y J A N WA R R E N Around Calgary, agricultural producers work hard to add value to their products. Honey producers have surpassed the creation of common honey jams and spreads and are making interesting honey wines. They have some truly decadent gifts for guests to take home.

Cherie and Art Andrews added mead to their line of honeyrelated products in May 2008. Now known as Chinook Honey Company & Chinook Arch Meadery (located about 2 kilometres southwest of Okotoks on Highway 7 towards Turner Valley/Black Diamond), their business has experienced steady growth ever since. As Cherie says, “Our mead styles follow the traditional recipes, using our own honey and local fruit 90 percent of the time. In the farm store, the mead complements the other honey products so well it has helped to broaden our customer base, to the point that we have become a tourist destination for people of all ages and cultures.”

Their customers fall in love with the diversity of mead styles, from traditional to spiced to fruit flavoured; and all are available for tasting at the meadery. The meads do not contain tannins or sulphites because these are not used in processing.

These honey producers have also chosen to innovate something new, Iced Mead which is similar to an ice wine, and recently resurrected an old-style mead called Bochet.

Chefs often select their mead to complement unique food pairings and mixologists are starting to use mead in upscale cocktails. The Chinook Arch Meads have won medals at the Northwest Wine Summit and most recently at the 2013 All Canada Wine Competition where they picked up Silver, Gold and Double Gold in the mead category. Their wines are found in select wine stores in the Calgary and Edmonton areas, but the widest selection, opportunity to sample and the best chance to meet Art the mead maker is at the meadery.

The Bonjean Family live just west of Millarville and also market a honey wine at their Spirit Hills Winery. Owners Hugo and Ilse Bonjean began producing mead in 2012 with the intention of promoting their commitment to sustainable, self-sufficient farming practices. Their farm serves not only as a source for food but as an educational tool for those wishing to explore organic farming. Each year they host a group of WWOOFers (willing workers on organic farms) who live and work on the property for a period of time. Their farm produces all the meat, dairy and produce they need to survive the year and most of it is consumed on the farm. They introduced the meadery as a valued-added stream to honey to provide a viable form of income because, they say, “apparently there is no money in honey”. They are now known for their “Saskwatch” awardwinning mead, which their community of willing workers and THE PROFILE

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like-minded sustainability partners make together, allowing them to increase their batch sizes with no outside employees.

Their mead products are thus considered to be a “community process” and are sold in Calgary wine stores.

Northwest of Calgary is the community of Water Valley and signs leading to Fallen Timber Meadery. Owned by the Ryan family who started as Ryan’s Honey, they collect their honey on the edge of the foothills north and west of Calgary. They exclusively use their own honey in their mead. They feel their strategic hive placement gives them access to wildflowers and natural blossoms. They make sure the honey is meticulously handled and is never pasteurized. Thus their meads are produced with a unique flavour. They have also developed processes which include blending mead with BC Merlot

grapes and crab apples to create alternative flavours. They even tried a “hopped up” version which sold so well that they are out of stock.

Whether you like the smooth sherry-like brandied mead or the fruit-flavoured and oak background in your wine, or just the joy of participating in a honey mead making event with fellow willing workers, mead offers something for all wine drinkers here in Alberta.

Jan Warren is a member of the International Agriculture Committee and is an innovative networker for the development of value-added agriculture businesses. As a Home Economist Professional, she develops and supports direct marketing and innovative ag-ventures. She can be reached through Alberta Agriculture at jan.warren@gov.ab.ca

Finding Links to Local Food Sources:

Who’s your Farmer?

E AT I NG LOC A L I S NOT JUS T A PA S SI NG T REND B U T AN I MPORTANT SH I F T I N HOW Consumers are demanding food that is fresher than what is commonly found in the supermarket and tastier than can be managed with inter-continental coolers and shipping practises.

Local farmers food box programs and farmers’ markets are among the ways that Alberta’s agriculture industry is meeting this demand.

In Alberta, family farms can sell their produce directly to the public through various channels — farmers markets, communitysupported agriculture, food box programs, local on-farm stores and even supermarkets with a “locally grown” section.

Besides keeping local farmers in business, you conserve energy and care for your own health and wellbeing when you “eat local.” Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association (www. albertafarmfresh.com) has been dedicated to connecting local

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produce and farmers with consumers. They do their best to show you online where the closest agriculture producers are so you can go direct to their farm gate to purchase products. They also provide tips on how to store and manage fresh produce.

Alberta has an approved Farmers Market Association which sets guidelines and provides provincial approval to ensure the produce, publications and direct marketing benefit a sustainable business for both the producers and the consuming public. They support innovation that supports responsible growth of safe food products while maintaining the integrity, and vitality of the farm-based business. Farmers markets are an excellent place to make direct contact with farmers. Through the Farmers Market Association (www.albertamarkets.com), you can find the Farmers Market and contacts nearest you. They also have a smartphone app.

W E F EED OUR SELVE S A N D OUR FAM I LI E S. As a city, Calgary has supported the Urban Agriculture movement by endorsing the Calgary Food Policy Council. A planned effort to support Calgary gardeners and community gardens for local food banks and restaurants has been in motion for five years.

We have three chapters of the “slow food” movement here in Alberta which list and support many of the food and culinary schools in our province. The directory “Faces of our Food” is printed by Slow Food Southern Alberta Chapter. The Slow Food Youth chapter in the Calgary area sent Darl Hobsbawn to Turin, Italy in December 2013. Slow Food Calgary Chapter hosts a number of events throughout the year, all filled with diverse agriculture producers.

BY J A N WA R R E N

Albertans can choose to subscribe to a food delivery system such as Good Food Boxes or Community Supported Agriculture groups including co-operatives and local field box companies.

There are several groups which truck and trade to support the local food movement, delivering from the deep south part of our province into high-end restaurants like the Fairmont Banff Springs or the Post Hotel at Lake Louise. Anyone who wants to be involved in obtaining our high-quality local food can find a resource with a little scouting.

Jan Warren is a member of the International Agriculture Committee and is an innovative networker for the development of value-added agriculture businesses. As a Home Economist Professional, she develops and supports direct marketing and innovative ag-ventures. She can be reached through Alberta Agriculture at jan.warren@gov.ab.ca

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A living piece of history

Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Festival Agritourism: CORN MAZES AND FALL FESTIVALS COMBINE AGRICULTURE EDUCATION WITH GOOD OLDFASHIONED FUN. B Y J A N WA R R E N

Up to your “ears” and feeling lost? Maybe you are experiencing the exhilaration of finding your way through a corn maze.

Teamwork, skill building through taking directions and competitions that pit men against women are common at Alberta’s corn mazes. Worried about getting lost? There are plenty of helpful guides—and they will always find you—for sure when they harvest the corn in November!

If seeking a way out of the corn maze doesn’t appeal to you, Alberta also offers pumpkin festivals, corn fests and more general good old-fashioned outdoor fun. Agriculture producers are taking the function of the farm and using it as an opportunity to educate non-agricultural producers about farm production. These agritourism opportunities offer more experience with particular foods and the food producers’ activities. They provide a fun destination for those who want to learn more about where their food comes from or how it is produced. Searching the Internet for corn mazes or pumpkin festivals in Alberta will provide a wide variety of activities and great food to eat.

Agritourism offers chances to reacquaint yourself with the efforts it takes to raise farm animals, to hold rabbits, watch pig or duck races or treat the kids to kiddie rides in farm-decorated buckets pulled by a small garden tractor. Scarecrow-making classes and pumpkin-painting opportunities are plentiful. Creativity on the farm shows itself in hay bale climbing and sliding castles: you

can decorate a pumpkin, carve it or try bowling…and there are folks who prefer the excitement of pumpkin vaults, smashing and stomping! There is even something called the “Pumpkin Destruction Zone” not to mention flashlight Friday nights in the corn maze. All of these activities show that agriculture can be exciting and offer a great experience to get back to the farm.

Corn mazes and pumpkin festivals are often great sources of fresh local food and can provide beautiful backdrops for some of the best family photos in October–thanks to pumpkins and straw bales! Take the challenge to see how the mazes are laid out and add to your own skills by visiting some of these local agritourism locations.

Southern Alberta is rich in corn mazes and pumpkin festivals, including the Calgary Corn Maze, Kayben Farms and Saskatoon Farms near Calgary and the Lethbridge Corn Maze, Blue Sky Corn Maze and Broxburn Farms in the Lethbridge area.

Jan Warren is a member of the International Agriculture Committee and is an innovative networker for the development of value-added agriculture businesses. As a Home Economist Professional, she develops and supports direct marketing and innovative ag-ventures. She can be reached through Alberta Agriculture at jan.warren@gov.ab.ca

THE PROFILE

2014

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Potato Industry Thriving: $900 Million

ALBERTA ENJOYS THE HIGHEST AVERAGE POTATO YIELD PER ACRE OF ALL THE POTATOPRODUCING PROVINCES IN CANADA. ALTHOUGH WE RANK THIRD IN THE NUMBER OF ACRES PLANTED, WE ARE SECOND ONLY TO PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND IN OVERALL PRODUCTION BECAUSE OF EXCEPTIONAL YIELDS. BY D R . M I C H E L E KO N S C H U H In 2012, Alberta experienced the highest ever acreage of potatoes planted with crops covering more than 58,000 acres. Alberta potatoes are renowned for quality—a result of committed, progressive growers and some natural advantages in our growing region.

Alberta potato production is almost exclusively contract production. Alberta seed potato growers export seed to other parts of Canada as well as to Mexico and the United States. In southern Alberta, there are three major French fry processing plants, two potato chip plants, a dehydration facility, and a number of packers. The Potato Growers of Alberta estimates the overall value of the potato industry in Alberta at more than $900 million dollars.

Examples of innovation in the potato industry include the evaluation of a novel production method for early generation seed potatoes, development and marketing of low glycaemic index potatoes, and adoption of technology to maximize return per acre and efficiently utilize natural resources.

Alberta Agriculture partnered with seed potato growers and funders to evaluate the Vital Farms PIP 200 from NorthBright Technologies, an aeroponic system for producing early-generation seed potatoes. The system should

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reduce costs of production in this important link in the value chain by increasing the number of saleable seed tubers produced per plant.

Edmonton Potato Growers now grow and market Stampede Russet potatoes. The starch in Stampede Russet potatoes differs from starch in more common potato varieties and may allow people on special diets to enjoy potatoes without concerns about blood-sugar fluctuation. The variety was selected in Alberta from among many cultivars generated by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada National Potato Breeding Program.

Some southern Alberta growers have been exploring bedplanting of potatoes and variable rate irrigation technology to maximize yield per acre and ensure the efficient use of irrigation water applied to potato fields. This exploration of new technology is an example of the commitment our producers have to sustainable production.

Dr. Michele Konschuh is a research scientist with Alberta Agriculture who supports the Alberta Potato Growers by collaborating on regional and national projects that increase the competitiveness of the potato industry in Alberta. You can contact her at Michele.konschuh@gov.ab.ca

THE PROFILE

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THE CALGARY STAMPEDE INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE COMMIT TEE EXISTS TO SHARE A N A L B ERTA AG R IC ULTUR A L H OSPITALIT Y E XPER I ENCE WIT H OU R I N TE R N AT I O N A L G U E S T S A N D S TA M P E D E FA M I LY .

The Calgary Stampede International Agriculture committee thanks the following partners whose support is essential for our program

Crowfoot

Strathmore

Mike Janzen

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