February web

SARDA

Back Forty Mission: To facilitate the transfer of unbiased ideas and information between research institutions, industry, and agricultural producers.

WINTER ISSUE

FEBRUARY 2016

AIA Award Winning Photo

1

Abandoned Wells in AB

2

Caring for Green Zone

4

SARDA’s Abstracts

6

The photo was taken with a GoPro Hero3+ Silver Edition camera with a H3-3D Gimbal for stable pictures and video and First Person Video (FPV).

SARDA, the Organization

7

Herbicide mixes tackle resistant weeds

9

The drone used was a DJI Phantom 2 drone with a multifunctional Quad-rotor system. The drone is equipped with precision flight, stable hovering, auto return home and landing. It is capable of 25 minutes of flight time per battery and a range of 1 km..

AIA Award Winning Photo

By Shelleen Gerbig

The above photo received the third place award in the Alberta Institute of Agrologists’(AIA) photo contest in the fall of 2015.

Khalil Ahmed & Victor Gauthier, staff member of SARDA snapped this photo from his drone in August of 2014. The foreground (bottom) of the photo shows the cereal plots and trials located south of Donnelly in 2014. Broadleaf plots and trials are visible in the background

IN THIS ISSUE

(top) of the photo.

This publication made possible in part by:

Producer's Perspective Alberta BSE Program

11

2016 ACPC Board

14

Modernizing Canada's Wheat Class System

15

Canola Performance Trial results for 2015 16 2016 Peace Region Insect Forecast Maps

17

County of Grande Prairie Corner

20

An Introduction to Phosphorous

21

Page 2

FEBRUARY 2016

Three Things You Need to Know about Abandoned Wells in Alberta

by Riley Bender and Leanne Chartrand, AER.

Oil production has been happening in Alberta since the first oil well was drilled in what is now Waterton Lakes National Park in 1902. And for nearly as long, abandoned wells have been a reality in the province.

company.

Like other oil-and-gas bearing regions across North America, abandoned wells dot the province’s landscape, from Medicine Hat to High Level. As of January 2016, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has An abandoned well is one that calculated that there are 66 496 no longer produces oil or gas abandoned wells across or maintained for future use. It Alberta—roughly 15 per cent of has been plugged to prevent all wells in the province. oil and gas from flowing up With that in mind, here are the the wellbore and its casing top three things you need to has been cut off at least one know about these wells: metre below the surface to Abandoned wells are the ensure that activities at ground level, like farming, can responsibility of the current be done safely. Of the many well owner, not the reasons why a well may be landowner. abandoned, the most common While over 66 000 wells may is that the well no longer seem like a lot, the AER has produces enough oil or gas at several programs, and expert to make it economic for the

staff, in place to help manage the growing number of abandoned wells in Alberta.

According to David Hardie, senior advisor at the AER, companies operating in Alberta must follow very strict rules and requirements when it comes to abandoned wells. If the rules are not followed, the AER can penalize the company in a variety of ways, including a fine or shutting down the operation.

“The AER also has programs to help manage the costs and environmental concerns associated with abandoned wells,” Hardie added.

The Licensee Liability Rating Program helps protect Albertans from the costs of abandoning wells and reclaiming lease sites. With a

Build a Legacy!

Give a gift that benefits the Agricultural Community by providing a piece of land or funds to assist with the purchase of land. SARDA is a producer directed, not for profit organization whose Vision is to own an advanced agriculture resource center of excellence. Build your legacy. Call Vance at 780-837-2900. Tax deductible benefits available.

Page 3 growing number of abandoned wells in the province, Hardie said that it’s important for the AER to hold operators, not Albertans, accountable for all abandonment and reclamation costs.

FEBRUARY 2016 abandon and reclaim wells that were owned by companies that went bankrupt.

If you have concerns about an abandoned well, call the regulator.

Wells that haven’t been abandoned by companies that go bankrupt are not your responsibility.

One of the things that makes Alberta unique is the presence of the Orphan Well Association (OWA). The OWA is a nonprofit organization that makes sure Albertans don’t have to pay for abandoning wells that belong to companies that have gone bankrupt. Each year, energy operators pay into a fund to ensure the OWA can pay for abandonment and reclamation. The money collected by the AER’s Licensee Liability Rating Program is used to fund the OWA. The OWA in turn uses these funds to properly

to every complaint. The AER can be reached at 1-800-2226514 for all concerns about energy development.

Further information on energy development, the rules industry must follow, and the AER is available at www.aer.ca.

And if you don’t know where oil and gas development has occurred on your property, you can request specific information from the regulator in its Products and Services Catalogue. To find information about energy development on your land, request a land development package by calling 1-855-297-8311 or by e-mailing inquiries@aer.ca.

If you have any concerns specific to abandoned wells, or anything else related to oil and gas development, you can call the AER. Experts in oil and gas operations are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and they respond

More Information

Alberta Energy Regulator www.aer.ca inquiries@aer.ca 1-800-222-6514 (24 hr hotline)

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FEBRUARY 2016

Caring for your Green Zone

By Meghan Payne, BSc, Executive Director

The weather may still be chilly but things at the Lesser Slave Watershed Council things are sure starting to heat up! After hiring a new watershed coordinator before Christmas, we are getting everything ready for a busy spring. In addition to our usual school programs and outreach events, we are going to be turning our focus onto riparian areas. Riparian areas are those narrow bands of vegetated slope between streams, rivers, water bodies and the upland or agricultural

area adjacent to them. Not only are these green zones beautiful but they are vital to a healthy upland and aquatic environment. Riparian zones provide essential habitat to nearly 80% of Alberta's native species including mammals, birds amphibians and all fish.

They can also provide some great benefits to producers including flood and drought mitigation, improved rangeland quality and opportunities for forage and shelter.

We want to work together with landowners, farmers and ranchers to complete several riparian restoration projects over the spring and summer.

Right now, we are in the process of forming partnerships with producers and selecting suitable project locations. To help this process along we are using data from aerial riparian health assessments, which we completed in partnership with the Alberta Conservation Association. We also hosted

Page 5 our first open house in partnership with Peace Country Beef and Forage on February 3rd as a way to start more directly engaging with producers, landowners and the community. During this event we shared information riparian areas and best management practises, were able to meet met with a variety of producers, and started laying the groundwork for future partnerships. We plan to continue positively promoting,

FEBRUARY 2016 supporting and providing information on riparian and wetland enhancement work by educating and working with and local governments, community groups, landowners and stakeholders. As they are completed the LSWC plans to showcase our upcoming projects throughout the community and watershed by completing project journals for each of our restoration sites.

These will include pre project photos and riparian health

scores, description of challenges and of the project work we did including costs and challenges we experience along the way that will help us improve as we move forward.

If you are interested in learning more or want to get involved, get in touch with us at info@lswc.ca or (780)5239800.

More Information

Meghan Payne 780-523-9800 meghanpayne@lswc.ca

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FEBRUARY 2016

SARDA’s 2015 Research Report Abstracts

By Nasima Junejo

Abstracts are brief summaries of research reports or articles that give the reader a snapshot of what each report is about. Below are the summaries of some of the research trials SARDA staff worked on in 2015. A hardcopy of the full report is included with the purchase of a SARDA membership.

Barley, oats and triticale varieties comparison for forage production in 2015 The objectives were to compare forage yield and quality of different cereal varieties under Alberta and Peace Region growing conditions in 2014, and to communicate information to the producers. The results for several sites across the province are available in the Alberta Seed Guide (www.seed.ab.ca). This report contains the details and results from the site in the southeast Peace region at Big lakes, high prairie.

Effects of long term crop rotation on the Wheat and Canola yield Crop rotation and legumes are long-standing farming practices to improve crop yield. Long term trials were conducted in the Peace Region of Alberta, to study the effects of legumes and crop rotations on canola and wheat yields and on fertilizer inputs. Canola (C), wheat (W), pea (P), barley (B) and flax (F) crops used to form

12 crop rotations i.e. CC monoculture, WW monoculture, WC, PWW, CWW, CCW, PCW, CPW, WBC, BWC, FWC, and FCW. One crop from each of the 12 crop rotations was grown each year in 2009 - 2015.

Similar amounts of fertilizers were applied to a given crop in the given year, irrespective of the stubble type. Canola and wheat monoculture showed lowest yield from their monoculture or on their own stubble than in other rotations or on other stubble. Averaged across all years, the canola yield benefit on the stubble of other crops over the canola stubble was 24%. Similarly, averaged across all years, the wheat yield benefit on the stubble of other crops over the wheat stubble was 15%. The maximum amounts of the N, P, K and S fertilizers were used in the CC monoculture. Thus there were fertilizer savings in other crop rotations. Major savings were observed for N fertilizers when a rotation included peas and for S fertilizers when canola was not a part of the rotation. Overall,

use of crop rotations and legumes can increase canola and wheat productions and reduce fertilizer inputs.

Effects of tillage and fertilizer rates on wheat, barley and canola yield The project was started in 2010 near Donnelly in the southeast Peace Region (Gauthier Farms, NW7-77-20W5). The objectives are to assess seeding systems by soil test based fertilizer rate interactions for canola and cereal production and to communicate the findings to the producers. Combinations of two seeding systems (DS - no-till, direct seeding and CT conventional till, fall plus spring tillage) and four fertilizer rates (0, 60, 100 and 140% of the soil test based recommended rate) are the 8 treatments. A cereal (wheat from 2010 to 2012 and barley in 2013) – canola rotation was used. Both crops were grown every year. The same seeding system and fertilizer rate are repeated in a given plot to assess the long term effects.

Continued on page 7

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FEBRUARY 2016

profitability of Alberta growers.

This study examines Overall, the yield of crops combinations of advanced significantly increased when agronomic practices on wheat, the fertilizer rate was increased feed barley and field pea. Small from the 0% to 60%, while the plot field trials were conducted differences among the 60% to at 5 locations across Alberta – 140% were not always including Falher – to maximize significant. No consistent effect harvestability, yields, quality & of the seeding system or the profitability. interactions between seeding system and fertilizer rates were Response of Spring Wheat to Macro and Micro observed crop yield.

combination of Nitrogen , Phosphorus , Potash and Sulphur fertilizer which were significantly different from only Nitrogen ,MOP and check treatments however the yield obtained from other combinations were not significantly different. The outcomes of research trials showed a potential increase in wheat yield when plots were supplemented by potash and fertilizers blend Sulphur amended fertilizer at Advanced Agronomic Practices in Wheat, Barley The experiment was started in smoky river region . A and Pea to Maximize Yield 2006 at different research sites comprehensive long term research trials are needed to of SARDA, Alberta . Different and Harvestability confirm the results. SARDA is combinations of conventional This project uses systems thankful to Mosaic fertilizer and mosaic fertilizers were thinking to identify synergies company for providing funding applied to evaluate the effects between advanced agronomic on wheat yield .The highest for this project. practices to maximize the yield was obtained from the Continued from page 7

SARDA, the Organization and its Board

By Charles Turcotte, Chairman

The New Year has come and gone, so here we are fast approaching SARDA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). It will be an exciting AGM as the Board and the organization has had a productive year, but for the purposes of this article I will focus on one key aspect of the AGM – director replacement. Terms for our elected director’s service are three years long and we will have three director positions

up for election at the upcoming AGM. Are you wondering what it means to be a director of SARDA? Well let me give you a high level view, with a little help from the works of John Carver and Nathan Garber, on what it means to be a director.

To begin, we are a not for profit organization run by the staff of a policy board. All Policy Board Models share the view that the job of the board is: 1. to establish the guiding principles and policies for the

organization; 2. to delegate responsibility and authority to those who are responsible for enacting the principles and policies 3. to monitor compliance with those guiding principles and policies; 4. to ensure that staff, and board alike are held accountable for their performance.

We have three advisory or standing committees. Most committee meetings are held in

Page 8 conjunction with the regular Board meeting. We have approximately 4-5 meetings per year. Board development is given a high priority in order to ensure that directors are able to function effectively.

Elected directors are expected to aid in the ongoing development of the values, mission, and policies of the organization.

FEBRUARY 2016 simple total authority-total accountability is true of all boards that truly have governing authority.

the vote, to respect the decision that was made. Board decisions can be changed by the Board, but never by board members.

The Board speaks authoritatively when it passes an official motion at a properly constituted meeting. Statements by board members have no authority. In other words, the

SARDA has a reasonably large operating budget. SARDA is impactful to the economy of the municipalities we operate in through, first of all, the impact on the decision making of the agricultural producers as well as the jobs and expenditure of SARDA itself.

Operating under the Policy Board Model requires high level of attention to our policies and our guiding principals (vision and mission) as well as trust and confidence in the General Manager. On behalf of the ownership, the Board has total authority over the organization and total accountability for the organization. But the Board relies on others to carry out the work, that is, to exercise most of the authority and to fulfill most of the accountability. This dependence on others requires the Board to give careful attention to the Board speaks with one voice or principles of sound delegation. not at all. The "one voice" Simply put, the Board exists to principle makes it possible to know what the Board has said, be accountable to our and what it has not said. This is members (who are our organizations owners) that its important when the Board gives organization works. The board instructions to one or more subordinates. "One voice" does is where all authority resides until some is delegated through not require unanimous votes.

But it does require all board our policies to our general members, even those who lost manager and his staff. This

Directors

Directors are the voice of agricultural producers supporting and directing unbiased research, demonstrations, and workshops

Currently our mission is Smoky Applied Research and Demonstration Association will own an advanced agriculture resource centre of excellence. and our vision is Smoky Applied Research and Demonstration Association facilitates the transfer of unbiased information between research institutions, industry, and agriculture producers.

I hope to see you at our upcoming AGM and if you are interested in putting your name forward to be a director for a growing and exciting member organization make sure to let us know through our website www.sarda.ca or by contacting our manager or any director!

Further Information SARDA 780-837-2900

www.sarda.ca

FEBRUARY 2016

Page 9

Herbicide mixes tackle resistant weeds Posted Jan. 8, 2016

By Sean Pratt

While many growers rely on herbicide and crop rotations, a U.S. study finds tank mixtures more effective A new research study from Illinois casts doubt on a commonly promoted method to combat herbicide resistant weeds.

changing up herbicides prevents more effective than herbicide resistant weeds. rotation,” he said.

“It can be a portion of your weed management program, but if that’s the only thing you’re doing The study of herbicide records is rotating herbicides and think from hundreds of fields over an you’re done, then you have a eight-year period in that state false sense of security,” he showed that rotating herbicides recently told farmers attending from year to year increased the Agri-Trend’s 2015 Farm Forum likelihood of developing event. glyphosate resistant weeds.

Vink said growers are better off Joe Vink, weed management tank mixing herbicides so that technical lead with Monsanto they are applying two or more Canada, said the surprising modes of action to their fields. findings run contrary to a “More and more experts support commonly held belief that the evidence that mixtures are

Mixtures can be highly effective in combating herbicide resistance, and growers should strive to use multiple modes of action on every acre of their land every year, he said.

“It’s not as easy as it sounds, obviously, because the way it is, not a lot of herbicides have the same efficacy as glyphosate does on such a broad range of weeds.”

Continued on page 20

le modes of action should strive to use multip ers ow “gr ys sa st iali ec sp A weed management every year.” on every acre of their land

Page 10

FEBRUARY 2016

In almost every case, glyphosate resistance was That’s why 71 percent of the gly found after a farmer didn’t -phosate used by western follow the recommended crop Canadian farmers in 2014 was and herbicide diversity. applied alone, eight percent was a glyphosate co-pack and The first case of glyphosate resistant waterhemp in Ontario 21 percent was tank mixed. was found in a field where the Glyphosate is classified as a farmer had grown soybeans for low risk herbicide for weed nine consecutive years. resistance. By contrast, Group “Glyphosate was applied at 1 and 2 herbicides are least twice every single year,” considered high risk. he said.

Vink said glyphosate will remain low risk as long as it is It was the same scenario with used properly, such as in tank glyphosate resistant giant ragweed. The Ontario farmer mixes. planted soybeans for six However, the foundation for consecutive years and applied weed resistance management only glyphosate at least twice a will always be crop rotation, year. with ideally three or more Alberta’s first case of crops. glyphosate resistant kochia There is a strong case for was on a farm where the western Canadian growers to grower relied solely on employ an oilseed-cereal-pulse glyphosate for weed rotation. management in his fallow rotations for six to eight years.

Vink said it is even better if There was no history of growers throw a forage or Roundup Ready crops on that winter crop into the mix.

Continued from page 15

Farmers should also consider using non-herbicide weed management tools.

“This gets kicked under the table, but this is so important.”

Those tools include growing competitive crops that quickly form a canopy, increasing seeding rates and adjusting seeding depth.

Vink said growers shouldn’t be fooled into thinking they can rely on chemical companies to come up with new modes of action to combat resistance.

“To the best of my knowledge, and I’ve talked to many people about this, it’s not going to happen anytime soon,” he said.

“It’s kind of staggering. The last new class of herbicides registered in Canada was the HPPD inhibitors, Group 29. That was in 1982. So it has been a long time.”

calculate expected total margins and probabilities based on your knowledge of soil and moisture conditions, along with long term yield and price expectations.  create a "base" cropping plan, then compare it to other different scenarios.  choose a plan that works for your operation by looking at forecasted margins and their probability of success. 

2015 is now Available Click Here

farm.

Page 11

FEBRUARY 2016

Producer's Perspective - Alberta BSE Surveillance Program From Agri-news, Feb. 1, 2016

BSE surveillance is a program that tests a representative group of animals focusing on higherrisk cattle that are most likely to be affected by the disease.

The surveillance program's objectives are to determine and monitor the level of BSE present in Alberta and to confirm the effectiveness of the suite of measures that Canada has implemented to protect human and animal health from the disease.

following years to create market access back into the markets that had closed to us because of the outbreak. Without this ongoing surveillance program, I feel we are in danger of losing or being severely restricted access to the markets we’ve reopened if we don’t carry on this program,” Rutt says.

analysis of the carcass which Rutt says “takes the guessing out” as to possible causes of the animals death.

BSE testing helps maintain continuous access to domestic and international markets for Alberta cattle and beef products resulting in, and maintaining very good business profitability. Rutt offers his thoughts on those who aren’t yet participating in the program.

The programs offers free veterinary visits for Darrel Rutt, a long-time cattle sample “I think it’s incumbent on rancher in the Valleyview collection and free testing, which everyone to be involved in this area, says he sees a lot of is beneficial to understand the (the surveillance program) value in the program. herd’s health situation. because it has effects on the “We went through it when it whole livestock industry and I Any animals suspected of first hit and it was devastating carrying the disease is inspected can’t see why anyone would not and a lot of people went participate in it,” he says by a veterinarian who also through a lot of work in the provides a free post-mortem

DECEMBER 2015

Page 12—13

requires A D R SA tration s i g e r e pr RDA A S L L for A events.

Event Name

Time

Date

Cost

Comments

1:00 pm

February 11

FREE

Pre-Register by calling Kaitlin at 780-835-6799

TBA

November 16-18

$318.60

For more information and to register, visit www.soilsworkshop.ab.ca

9:30—3:30

November 19

$125

For more information and to register, call Megan at 780-324-3355 or email mpwa.admin@telus.net

8:30-3:30

Feb 25

FREE

Please register at www.sarda.ca/events or phone 780-837-2900 ext. 3

Demmit Hall, Grande Prairie

TBA

March 8

For more information contact Jill Henry at 780-567-5585

Manning Legion Hall, Manning

TBA

March 9

For more information contact Nora Paulovich at 780-836-3354

Ag-Plex High Prairie

TBA

March 10

For more information contact Kaitlin McLachlan at 780-835-6799

MPWA Annual General Meeting

Sawridge Inn, Peace River

TBA

May 27

FREE

For more information contact Megan Graham at 780-324-3355

FarmSafe Workshops

3 locations in the Peace Region

TBA

TBA

TBA

For more information, call SARDA 780-837-2900

8:30 am

June 22

$200

Registrations accepted online www.sarda.ca or phone 780-837-2900 ext 3

Working Well Workshop

Location Ag-Plex, High Prairie

Alberta Soil Science Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre, Workshop Grande Prairie Wetlands Workshop

Holiday Inn and Suites, Grande Prairie

SARDA AGM

Falher Regional Recreational Complex, Falher

Solar for Alberta Farmers

2016 Summer Field TBA School

FEBRUARY 2016

Page 14

2016 Alberta Canola Producers Commission Board of Directors For Immediate Release

(Edmonton, Alberta), February 1, 2016 – The 26th Annual General Meeting of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission (ACPC) was , Stuart Holmen, Steve , John Guelly, Kevin Serfas held January euz itkr Bre n Ren . em Ugl e Terry Young, Kelly Back Row (L to R): Dal Denis Guindon, Daryl Tuck, rs, Sea g Gre R): 26 at the to (L Row Marshman; Front McIntyre FarmTech dedication to this board, and Conference in Kevin Serfas of Turin, AB their contributions to this Edmonton. In the fall, replacing Lee Markert in Region industry and its producers.” director nominations were 9 held and 2 new directors "Thank you to Lee Markert, our ACPC is actively seeking were acclaimed. Following eligible growers that could the AGM, the board met and past chair, for setting a high standard in professionalism, represent Region 12. This voted for executive positions. passion for the industry, and region is made up of areas The new Chair of the board leadership. We wish you the such as Drumheller, County of is Greg Sears of Sexsmith, best in your future on the farm Forty Mile, Cypress County, AB and Vice Chair is Renn with your family and in your Starland County and Breitkreuz from Onoway, AB. business,” says new Chair of the surrounding areas. Anyone We would like to welcome: Board Greg Sears. “I would also growing canola in these areas Denis Guindon of Falher, AB like to thank our two past is eligible for the board of replacing Raymond directors Marlene Caskey and directors.

Blanchette in Region 3 Raymond Blanchette for their

Page 15

FEBRUARY 2016

Modernizing Canada's Wheat Class System Agri-news, November 30, 2015

classes will be eliminated.

However, there will be two new classes with the proposed names of Canada Northern Hard Red and Canada “The CGC began a review of Gluten strength is an important Western Special Purpose. wheat varieties that are factor in bread baking “Canada Northern Hard Red suitable to new quality performance as it contributes will include certain restandards in May, based on to the ability of dough to rise the outcomes of the Canadian and maintain its shape as it is designated Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Wheat Class Modernization baked, notes Kotylak. “The Canada Prairie Spring Red consultation,” says Krista reclassification is intended to (CPSR) varieties,” says Kotylak, field crop business narrow the range of gluten development agrologist, strength parameters within the Kotylak. “Canada Western Special Purpose will include Alberta Agriculture and CWRS class, establishing Forestry, Edmonton. “The Carberry as the lower threshold varieties that are currently designated to the Canada review was in part due to some for gluten strength and Glenn Western General Purpose concerns about declining as the upper threshold.”

Wheat Class.” gluten strength in Canadian Effective August 1, 2016, both wheat shipments. The The transition of Canada the existing Canada Western proposal included reviewing Feed and the Canada Western Western Red Spring (CWRS) the quality of standards and Canada Prairie Spring General Purpose wheat expected for the CWRS and The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is working towards modernizing Canada’s wheat class system.

CPSR wheat classes so the performance of those classes is more consistent with customer expectations.”

Wheat Reclassification Session March 10, 2016 10-11 am

Speakers and Topics Jim Smolik Bill Chapman Trent Whiting

CGC Overview AF

New Varieties and Transitioning

Secan Replacement Varieties

Enterec Centre Grande Prairie

Page 16 Red (CPSR) varieties will start on August 1, 2018.

“Commercial growers who produce these varieties will still be able to market their grain in the CWRS class until this time. As of right now, we know of 25 CWRS and 4 CPSR varieties that will be affected – including Lillian, Harvest and Unity. These three varieties accounted for 25 per cent of prairie-wide CWRS acreage last year.”

FEBRUARY 2016 The CGC has also identified additional varieties for which more quality data is needed, but these varieties were not disclosed publicly. The CGC will provide at least two years notice if they are to be designated to another class.

if producers obtain tests on their samples so that they have a better understanding of the quality of grain they have, and can market it to maximize its value.”

More information can be found on the Canadian Grain Commission’s website.

“The grain commission’s decision will likely pressure Contact: some wheat growers to switch Krista Kotylak varieties and buy new CWRS 780-643-0702 genetics within two years,” adds Kotylak. “It would be best

Canola Performance Trial results for 2015 now online January 11, Press Release

January 11, 2016 – Results are in for the 2015 Canola Performance Trials (CPT).

Data from the science-based, third-party variety evaluations have been uploaded to the online comparison tool at www.canolaperformancetria ls.ca. A summary booklet is also available for download at the site.

The online tool includes interactive maps and the ability to refine searches by season zone, herbicide tolerance (HT) system, yield, days to maturity, lodging and height. The tool also has

results from each of the past five years, which allows for important comparison across different growing conditions.

“By structuring the trials with replicated small plot trials and numerous sites for field scale trials, as well as strict adherence to protocols and statistical analysis, CPTs provide growers with a fair third-party assessment of variety performance,” says Nicole Philp, CCC agronomy specialist and CPT co-lead.

“Growers want this type of information when making variety decisions, which is why

CPT results are such an important resource for them.”

The three Prairie canola grower groups —the Alberta Canola Producers Commission, the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) and the Manitoba Canola Growers Association — provide funding for the CPT program. The B.C. Grain Producers Association conducted trials in the Peace as their means of participation. The Canola Council of Canada delivers the CPT program.

Continued on page 18

Page 17

DECEMBER 2015

Line companies, independent retailers and seed companies, including Bayer CropScience, BrettYoung, Canterra Seeds, Cargill, CPS Canada/Proven Seed, DL Seeds and Syngenta participated in the 2015 trials.

Haplotech, led by Dr. Rale Gjuric, coordinated the trials under the guidance of a governance committee that oversees approval of varieties, protocol design,

data collection, analysis and reporting, and financial management.

The CPT program includes both small plot and large field scale trials. Results for 2015 are based on 29 small plot trials and 33 field scale trials across the Prairies. In addition, to add more value to the CPTs, a pilot project was conducted this year in which varieties were both swathed and straight cut at the same locations for comparison.

The Canola Council of Canada is a full value chain organization representing canola growers, processors, life science companies and exporters. Keep it Coming 2025 is the strategic plan to ensure the canola industry’s continued growth, demand, stability and success – achieving 52 bushels per acre to meet global market demand of 26 million metric tonnes by the year 2025.

2016 Insect Forecast Maps for the Peace River Region

The 2016 Insect Pest forecast maps for the Peace River Region were posted earlier this month.

With the assistance of Shelley Barkley and Scott Meers with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, I am able to provide you with the specifics for the Peace Region.

The wheat midge forecast for 2016 shows an overall lower level of wheat midge across Alberta. There has been a slight bounce back from the collapse of the extreme populations in the eastern Peace Region. Although wheat midge has not followed our forecasts very well in the Peace region it is important to Continued on page 16

Page 18 Continued from page 15

note that there are likely sufficient populations of midge in the eastern Peace to fuel resurgence if conditions are in the insects favor. (Specifically delayed crops and higher than normal rainfall). Central Alberta has some areas of east of Edmonton with high numbers

Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) was monitored in 2015 using a network of pheromone-baited traps placed in 265 locations throughout Alberta.

FEBRUARY 2016 of wheat midge. The population has remains low in much of southern Alberta with the exception of some irrigated fields. Producers should pay attention to midge downgrading in their wheat samples and use this as a further indication of midge risk in their fields. Over the past several years the field

traps are managed by a wide range of cooperators. Without dedicated and willing cooperators such a comprehensive monitoring system would not be possible.

Our cooperators can submit their trap counts using their smart phones with a web based application.

Pheromone traps are used to determine the density and distribution of moths. This network of pheromone traps is organized by Alberta Agriculture The bertha armyworm population in Alberta has mostly and Forestry and individual

to field variation has been very considerable throughout the province, especially in those areas with higher counts. Individual fields throughout Alberta may still have economic levels of midge. Each producer also needs to assess their risk based on indicators specific to their farm.

collapsed in 2015, especially in central Alberta. This is likely due to the impact of diseases and parasitism in the areas that previously had high populations.

There was very little need for spraying of bertha armyworm in Alberta in 2015 with the exception of a small area in the northern Peace Region.

This small bertha armyworm

DECEMBER 2015

Page 19 outbreak unfortunately occurred in an area not

covered by the pheromone trapping system.

The risk of economically significant grasshopper populations in 2016 has increased in northern central Alberta and the Peace region.

although populations in southern Alberta are generally lower several areas remain with significant risk, notably in Fourty Mile (and parts of Cypress) and Willow Creek (and western Lethbridge) counties but the overall population in southern Alberta could translate into grasshopper problems if conditions are favorable in the spring.

environmental conditions favor the hatching and development of grasshoppers in late May through June. Localized factors such as light soils or south facing slopes result in an In some cases the populations elevated risk of grasshopper in 2015 were very severe. infestations. Conditions in late Southern parts of central spring 2016 will determine the Alberta is highly variable with extent of the grasshopper several areas that could cause problems later this growing problems in 2016. season. Infestation levels in The grasshopper risk had been individual fields are NOT Areas indicated with moderate increasing in southern Alberta indicated in this 2016 to severe risk could experience for the last few years and Grasshopper Forecast Map. problems with grasshoppers if Rural Farm mailboxes in the MD’s of Smoky River and Greenview, the County of Grande Prairie, Big Lakes County and Northern Sunrise County, all receive complementary issues of the Back Forty Newsletter. Request your mailbox be classified as Farm by talking to your local Post Mistress to ensure you receive your copy.

Do you Receive t he Back For ty?

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FEBRUARY 2016

County of Grande Prairie Corner

By Sonja Raven, Agricultural Fieldman

The County of Grande Prairie is proud to announce that the Richards Family of Scenic Heights Farm in La Glace is our 2016 Farm Family! The entire Richards Family has a long history of service to their community, and deep roots in 4H. Cliff and Karren took over from Cliff’s family in 1982, and their eldest son Dan and his family are the next 2 generations to be involved in this multi-generational farm.

We are proud to be represented by a family so committed to agriculture and their rural community.

Our Weed Inspecting Policy was updated to allow for a shorter deadline for compliance on a Weed Notice IF the problem is a long-standing one that we have been dealing with for some time. Individuals who have never received a Weed Notice will still receive 10 days to comply, which is after all the previous discussion that occurs with a weed inspector prior to a Notice being issued. Our focus remains on education, and Weed Notices are only issued when all other efforts to address the situation with a land owner have failed.

The Agriculture department has been reviewing their policies, as part of an ongoing effort to ensure what we do reflects the needs of our producers, and the regulatory requirements we must follow.

Some changes were as minor as a name change to more accurately reflect the content of the policy, or to address small omissions.

Finally, our Rental Equipment Policy was updated to address problems we have been experiencing with people not picking up or dropping off the equipment at the agreed times.

This causes problems for staff who cannot do their regular duties while waiting to load or unload equipment. Also, with our equipment being so popular, the next renter is often waiting for the equipment, and when it doesn’t show up, they are left hanging. Therefore, the Board agreed to impose a $50/ day late fee for equipment that is not returned on time. Again, we make every effort to work with people, so if you call

Our Roadside Mowing Policy was updated to reflect what we do, which is ensure that each roadside ditch receives at least one pass per season. We also mark rocks and debris for later removal by Public Works.

ahead and can make

Sonja Raven, Agricultural Fieldman

arrangements to change the time, this fee will be waived.

Also, should the sprayer equipment be returned without being thoroughly rinsed/ cleaned, we may impose a fee of $75 to clean it for you. You may make use of the Biobed to clean your rental sprayer, if it contained a herbicide that is compatible with our system.

Finally, just as a reminder, with the rapid expansion of new varieties of clubroot that have overcome our clubrootresistant varieties of Canola, we strongly encourage you to practice sound crop rotation. It is recommended that a minimum of 3 years of nonbrassica plants be grown on fields that were planted to canola in the past year. If you have any questions on clubroot, virulent blackleg, or any other agronomic issue, please call the Ag department at 780-532-9727.

More Information

Sonja Ravens, AF 780-567-5585 sraven@countygp.ab.ca

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FEBRUARY 2016

An Introduction to PhosphorousThanks to Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for granting permission to adapt some of the above text from their “Best Management Practices for Phosphorus” factsheet.

of Manure or Fertilizer  Milk house and barn wash Phosphorus is an essential Exposed manure or fertilizer water. nutrient for crop growth. Alberta on the surface increases the soils are generally deficient or To learn more about chance of the material low in phosphorus for negatively affecting surface optimum crop production runoff. (<60 ppm). Successful crop production requires the 2. BMPs addition of phosphorus in Direct injection or the form of fertilizer or incorporation of the manure manure. However, the loss will help retain more of phosphorus from the nutrients in the soil and landscape can negatively reduce the amount of impact water quality. phosphorus exposed on the Phosphorus can move with surface to runoff from s levels can eroded soil or be dissolved In water, elevated phosphoru rainfall or snowmelt. in runoff water and carried to cause eutrophication. This can impair king water 1. 3. Issue: Nutrient nearby surface water bodies. municipal and private drin t of the cos supplies (increasing the Application or Storage Too much phosphorus in irrigation treatment) impede the flow of Close to Water Bodies lakes, reservoirs, rivers and water, and foul beaches and lakes for Storage or application of streams can speed up recreation use. manure or fertilizer in close aquatic plant and algae proximity to water bodies phosphorus management, growth. This process is called eutrophication, which can lead phosphorus risk assessment or increases the risk of phosphorus runoff reaching the to oxygen depletion, release of how to adapt any of the water body. toxins, degraded water quality, management practices identified in this publication fish deaths and odours.

2.4. BMPs please contact your local 3.When applying manure or When Beneficial Management Agricultural Fieldman, Rural fertilizer close to water Practices (BMPs) are used in Extension Staff, applied bodies, maintain a setback, the management of research or forage association, appropriate for the method of phosphorus, losses are or one of Alberta Agriculture application, that meets or minimized and crops receive and Forestry (AF) regional exceeds the regulations. maximum benefit. technical staff through the AgIn agricultural settings, Info Centre at 310-FARM Continued on page 15 phosphorus can be commonly (3276). found in the following: More Information Reduce the Movement of  Soil Phosphorous to water by Alberta Agriculture  Manure adopting BMPS www.1.agric.gov.ab.ca  Fertilizer Ag Info Call Centre  Feed Additives 1. Issue: Broadcast Application 310-Farm (3276)  Septic Effluent

Page 22 Continued from page 1

Establish and maintain a grassed buffer zone around water bodies and do not apply manure or other fertilizers to the buffer.

Buffers help filter nutrients from runoff.

5. Issue: Over Application or Accumulation of Nutrients If nutrients are applied at rates greater than the crop requires, i.e. if manure is spread on the same site repeatedly, the risk that excess nutrients are lost in the surface water runoff increases.

6. BMPs Know your soil and manure nutrient levels.

Soil and manure testing is the basis of a sound phosphorus management program. The “right rate” approach balances nutrient applications and soil nutrient availability with crop needs.

Calibrate all nutrient application equipment to ensure the desired rate is applied. Increase the amount of hectares receiving manure to avoid nutrient buildup.

Phosphorus in Soil Soil tests are required to determine how much crop available phosphorus is present in the soil, so that the proper amount of phosphorus is applied.

Phosphorus soil test levels give a measure of the

FEBRUARY 2016 capacity of the soil to supply phosphorus to the soil solution. The soil test does not measure the total amount of phosphorus in the soil, because the amount of phosphorus available to the plants is much less than the total amount.

7. Issue: Application of Manure on Snow or Frozen Ground

anchored going into winter, helps reduce soil erosion and runoff. Plant crop rows across slopes (not up and down) to reduce the risk of runoff and erosion. Seed the waterway to a perennial to reduce erosion by slowing water flow, which helps trap sediments and other contaminants.

Winter application of nutrients 11.Issue: Unhealthy Riparian Areas Riparian vegetation poses a risk for runoff to stabilizes the stream bank, surface water because of the helping it resist the erosion decreased ability for frozen from stream flow. The riparian ground to absorb runoff from area also helps slow runoff the melting snow. Eighty flow and filter nutrients and percent or more of the runoff sediment from upslope. in Alberta comes from Overgrazing, chemical drift or snowmelt. So, spring is the tillage can damage the health time of the year with the of the plants and ground highest runoff risk. cover, which reduces the 8. BMPs riparian area’s ability to function, leading to increased Ensure your manure storage erosion and nutrient loss. is sized to contain all the manure that is produced so 12.BMPs Delay spring grazing that application of manure on in the riparian area until soils snow or frozen ground is not have dried after spring necessary. Temporarily moisture. Limit the amount of stockpile solid manure in time livestock are allowed to areas with low runoff risk until graze in these areas. Use it can be applied in the spring. portable shelters, salt and Spring application of nutrients mineral licks, oilers, fencing after snow melt will reduce the and offsite waterers to risk of runoff. encourage animals to spend time outside the riparian 9. Issue: Topography and area.“ Ground Cover Steep sloping, tilled, and bare land have the highest risk for surface runoff of nutrients and erosion.

10.BMPs A no-till or direct seeding system, where the crop stubble remains

13.Issue: Poor Site Selection Not every site is suited for manure application or livestock feeding. Sites that are susceptible to flooding or have channeled surface water

Page 23 runoff pose a greater risk for nutrient loss.

14. BMPs Do a risk assessment of the site to determine the environmental risk. Risk Assessment tools such as the Wintering Site Assessment Tool, the Environmental Farm Plan and the Alberta Phosphorus Management Tool can help producers evaluate a site and identify actions to minimize nutrient loss.

15.Issue: Runoff from Livestock Corrals and Feeding Areas Water flowing through livestock feeding areas can carry manure, dissolved and particulate phosphorus to neighbouring surface water bodies.

FEBRUARY 2016 Look for signs of septic failure Systems Repeated bale such as slow drainage, septic grazing or processed feed smells, spongy beds, and delivered on the ground can sewage backups and deposit a huge amount of breakouts. Update old nutrients onto a site, resulting systems to ensure you have in the accumulation of a properly functioning system. nutrients and increasing the risk of nutrient loss in surface AOPA is provincial legislation runoff. that sets manure management 18. BMPs Have soils analyzed standards for all operations in Alberta that handle manure. to determine nutrient levels.

The BMPs outlined in this guide Move feeding areas around.

For example, place the bales are to meet or exceed the regulations set by AOPA. in a different location every year. Do not use a site more Producers need to be aware of than once every 4 to 5 years. the regulations around the Use feeders instead of placing following practices: processed feed directly on the  Incorporation  Application of manure ground. Use and move  Nitrogen and salinity limits portable windbreaks to encourage animal movement  Record keeping requirements  Setbacks for manure and manure distribution application around the site.  Spreading manure on snow 19. Issue: Improper Septic and frozen land System Design or  Siting of wintering sites and Management Grey water from livestock corral domestic laundry, kitchens  Siting of temporary and and bathrooms contains soap permanent manure storages and detergent based For more information on the phosphorus. Black water from regulations you can check the toilets is a source of organic ARD website www.agriculture. phosphorus. Improperly alberta.ca/aopa or contact an functioning septic systems or ARD extension specialist or the illegal systems hooked to Natural Resources pipes that discharge to rivers, Conservation Board, who is ponds or lakes are a point responsible for the source of phosphorus for administration of the act. surface water.

16. BMPs Relocate the livestock corral or feeding area away from the drainage areas and surface water bodies. Construct a berm or diversion to prevent upslope water from running into the corrals or livestock feeding area. Construct a berm or diversion to divert runoff away from surface water bodies. Construct a catch basin to capture, collect and store runoff water. Ensure it is designed to hold the anticipated runoff from the site. Empty the catch basin 20. BMPs Inspect your septic as soon as possible after a tank for sludge and scum significant runoff event. buildup on a regular basis (every 3 to 5 years). Clean the 17.Issue: Nutrient tank when a third of the tank accumulation from Feeding is full of sludge and scum.

More Information Alberta Agriculture www.1.agric.gov.ab.ca Ag Info Call Centre 310-Farm (3276)

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FEBRUARY 2016

2016 Summer Field School June 22

SARDA Box 90 Falher, AB T0H 1M0 Phone: 780-837-2900 Fax: 780-837-8223 Email: admin@sarda.ca

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