Make the Grade with Winter Wheat Putting Winter Wheat Into Your Rotation? Start Planning Now

Volume 38, Number 7 | March 12, 2012 $4.25

PRACTICAL PRODUCTION TIPS FOR THE PRAIRIE FARMER www.grainews.ca Make the grade with winter wheat Putting winter wheat into your rotation? Start planning now. Here’s what buyers are looking for, and some tips for growing high-quality winter wheat

BY ANGELA LOVELL “With the upcoming changes in wheat marketing I think it ust like spring wheat, winter remains to be seen how the mar- wheat products end up in keters of wheat are going to han- our bread, our animals or our dle what varieties are going to be cars. Each potential market acceptable for their target end use Jhas specific quality require- market,” says Pam de Rocquigny, ments, and in a freer marketing cereal specialist with Manitoba, environment for western Canadian Agriculture, Food and aRural wheat, those end-user needs will Initiatives (MAFRI). “Increased be increasingly important. communication between the producers and the companies that WHAT DO CUSTOMERS WANT? are now buying wheat will be important going forward.” “I think grain companies are One of the biggest barriers going to be reaching out to indi- for winter wheat milling varie- vidual purchasers and looking at ties, Canada Western Red Winter a more specific, characteristic- (CWRW), is the fact that they pro- based pricing regime,” says Curtis vide high grain yields but often at Sims, a winter wheat grower from the expense of protein levels. These MacGregor, Man, and a director can fall below the 11 per cent min- of Winter Cereals Manitoba Inc. imum set by the Canadian Wheat

“I think, over time, there will be Board as the minimum milling PHOTO : FAYE BRIAN BERES , AAFC changes in terms of what you’ll quality for winter wheat. These trial plots were part of an extensive three-year winter wheat study recently completed at various AAFC be paid for a specific sample of research centres across the Prairies. wheat, based on its characteristics CHOOSING VARIETIES as determined by the end user, Some farmers are moving to other marketing environment, and we the red bran content of the wheat) just as producers do currently The dominant variety in varieties to try and achieve milling will end up with a fairer price for does not discourage consumers. with edible beans or sunflowers Manitoba has been CDC Falcon, quality. “It’s been problematic, and our winter wheat based on more These include specialty, artisan-type or oats. I think the industry is a CWRW variety scheduled to be farmers are starting to change win- than just protein.” breads and oriental noodles. going to be a lot more ambitious, moved to the Western General ter wheat varieties to try for higher Less commonly grown win- The ethanol industry prefers aggressive and energetic.” Purpose wheat class in August protein but are probably giving up ter wheat varieties are often more lower-protein grain, but requires a For now, farmers have to rely on 2014. Four other CWRW varie- yield,” says Sims. “I do see opportu- acceptable in niche or alternative higher starch content, and in partic- the Canadian Grain Commission’s ties, CDC Clair, CDC Harrier, CDC nities for a more streamlined market markets. CWRW wheat has excel- ular, soft kernel white winter wheat lists of varieties and specific quality Kestrel and CDC Raptor are being in the future, so maybe events will lent milling quality but is more suit- varieties such as CDC Ptarmigan. requirements each market sector moved to the General Purpose overtake the impact of these rigid ed to baking applications where a will accept. class in August 2013. structural changes on the actual darker coloured end product (due to » CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Publications Mail Agreement Number 40069240 In This Issue Wheat & Chaff ...... 2 Features ...... 5 Crop Adviser’s Casebook 16 Columns ...... 27 Machinery & Shop ...... 33 Cattleman’s Corner ...... 38 Long-term zero till Backhoe attachment FarmLife ...... 43 study results adds versatility GARRY ROPCHAN PAGE 24 SCOTT GARVEY PAGE 34

NothiNg hits harder. or lasts loNger.

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17722-02C PrePass 10.25X3_GN.indd 1 2/20/12 8:55 AM 2 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Wheat & Chaff

in the bin dry and aerated it for 10 was broken. It had been picked days afterwards, but in the fall Bin away by birds, and moisture was LEEANN No. 7 was warm to the touch. The getting in through the broken seal. MINOGUE canola had heated. And, some of Allison helped her client solve the Dennis’s barley had heated the year problem with some spray foam before, also in Bin No. 7.There was insulation. Since birds don’t like definitely something funny going spray foam, they didn’t bother on with this bin. with it again. The mystery was I received several emails and a fax solved, and “Dennis” could keep CORRECTION about this case — every one with a on using Bin No. 7. I’m still finding my feet here at different answer to this problem. Because it was so unusual for Grainews. Unfortunately, I suspect A grain bin sales representative me to receive so many different that by the time I get a good grip wrote in to suggest that the bin answers to a Casebook problem, I on this job, your actual editor, was closed tight after aeration, called Allison at work in Manning, Lyndsey Smith will probably be and then, “The grain did not get a Alberta to talk to her about it. She back from her maternity leave! chance to breathe as the weather said she’d received a few calls at As a new editor, I’m making outside changed.” the office too, and she was pleased occasional mistakes. Last month, A farmer said, “I have had trouble that her article had generated so I accidentally omitted a caption with direct sun on steel bins causing many responses. “I know they’re from one of Les Henry’s graphics. the bin to heat. It takes a while but reading it,” she said. There have been a few typos. And by mid-July or August, one side will As it turns out, Allison had a I’ve mislabelled a photo. start to heat. I have stacked round special interest in this particular Every month the Crop Advisor’s bales where the sun hits the hardest case. “Dennis,” the bin-owning Casebook includes a photo of and have good success.” client, is Allison’s father. And the crop advisor who describes a A reader from Carnduff, Sask., Allison was feeling a little guilty problem. In the February 6 issue, said “One of two things has hap- about the problem. She said, Elizabeth Simpson explained the pened. The first possibility is that “I’d talked him into keeping his mysterious case of some wild oats the bin still has a standard bin door canola through the summer, in the refused to die. Elizabeth Simpson on it. If this door has been bent or case he needed to blend it with “I’m going on vacation. The next 6 weeks will be sunny, is a sales agronomist at Richardson the caulking has dried up or been some poorer canola later. And cloudy, cold, windy and snowy.” Pioneer Ltd. in Lamont, Alta. damaged, the door will leak rain then it heated!” I put a photo of Elizabeth in with into the bin, causing high-moisture There was also something special the article, but accidentally labelled grain to build up at the floor under about Bin No. 7. Allison’s father pur- CONTACT US the photo “Allison Pierson.” Allison the door and eventually heat the chased most of his bins at auction is an area marketing representa- bin and rot the grain at the floor. sales, and his bin row is a bit of a tive at Richardson Pioneer Ltd. at “The second possibility is a prob- mismatched set. Bin No. 7 was origi- Write, Email or Fax Manning, Alta. My apologies to lem with the auger lid at the top nally a fumigation bin, fully sealed SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES: both Elizabeth and Allison. of the bin. Some bins allow snow with rubber foam gasket around the to blow past them either by a gap top and on all of the joints. The fact Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CST) 1-800-665-0502 CASEBOOK at the lid when closed (by missing that this bin was originally different U.S. subscribers call 1-204-944-5568 seals between the lid assembly and from the others helps to explain or email: [email protected] As you know, we include the the corrugations of the bin roof why it heated while the rest in the Crop Advisor’s Casebook in every leaving gaps that snow and rain row did not. issue. Each week, there’s a new can blow past), or by the wind I don’t know if there’s a moral If you have story ideas, call us. You can write the article and we’d agronomic problem and the solu- blowing the lid open when the to this story. If there is, I suppose pay you, or we can write it. tion from the problem featured wind is in the right direction and it’s that farming is complicated. in the previous issue. (This issue’s strong enough. This will cause a Even something that seems simple Phone Leeann Minogue at 306-861-2678 Casebook is on page 16). Readers shaft of high-moisture grain down can go wrong 40 different ways. Fax to 204-944-5416 who think they can solve the mys- from the peak of the pile in the Farmers have to be on their game tery are welcome to submit their bin, causing heating. This can usu- all the time, ready with creative Email [email protected] solutions. The correct responses ally be spotted by towers of grain solutions for any problem. are pooled and one winner is standing up in the center of the bin Write to Grainews, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1 drawn for each edition. The win- during emptying.” SEED AND SEEDING ner receives a hat and a one-year I had no idea so many differ- HEARTS subscription to Grainews. ent things could go wrong a piece This time of year farmers are get- I enjoy reading your responses of farm equipment that seems as ting down to the final stages of pre- to Casebook. It’s always great to simple as a bin. seeding planning. We hope we’ve Ask for hearts hear from readers. With a typical included some information in this When you renew your subscription to issue, most entrants come up with MYSTERY SOLVED issue that will help you do that. Grainews, be sure to ask for six Please the same answer as the agron- Angela Lovell kicks things off Be Careful, We Love You hearts. Then omist. However, for one recent None of the reader responses I with a cover story about winter stick them onto equipment that you, Casebook problem I received a received matched the agronomist’s wheat. In the coming seasons, your loved ones and your employees surprising number of answers with answer that we ran in the February marketing changes may make it operate. That important message could different solutions. 6 issue. more important to choose seed save an arm, a leg or a life. The January 23 Crop Advisor’s Allison Pierson reported that one that buyers want. Casebook was titled “Bin Bungle.” of her colleagues had helped her Jason Casselman has an arti- Allison Pierson submitted the mys- solve the mystery. They went out cle on page 8 about quality CROP NUTRITION tery. It was a problem her client at night with flashlights to confirm control. Jason makes the point “Dennis” had with one steel bin visually that the seal between the that, though farmers usually in a row of 11. He’d put his canola wall and the roof joint of the bin plan what they’re going to seed Approval for UAP where and with which fertilizer, it could help to take the Canada’s Awaken ST next step, and come up with a Like us on Facebook! detailed plan laying out who’s he Canadian Food Insp- “It’s a unique, nutrient-based going to do what, when. ection Agency (CFIA) has product that helps develop a Grainews has a On page 9, Grainews field edi- approved a new, liquid larger, more extensive root sys- tor Lee Hart has an article about a formulation, nutrient tem, quicker emergence, greater Facebook page. new flax variety you might want Tseed treatment for use on wheat, plant biomass and improved Find, read and comment on blog posts to consider. oats, barley and corn. plant health and vigour.” easily and with a thumbs up! On page 22 you’ll find a piece Awaken ST is a seed-applied Awaken ST comes in a liquid I’ve written about new midge-tol- nutrient, with a micronutrient formulation that can be applied erant wheat varieties. Studies are package including 5 per cent zinc using traditional seed treating showing that these varieties yeild plus boron, copper, iron, manga- equipment. According to Loveland as high or higher than the varie- nese and molybdenum. Canada general manager, Jeff Find us on Twitter: ties we’ve been using, and have “Awaken ST puts nutrients Crampton, “Awaken ST can be Lyndsey Smith is @grainewsgal the benefit of increased resistance where a germinating plant applied on its own, blended or Lee Hart is @hartattacks to wheat midge. needs them — on the seed,” applied sequentially with tradi- Scott Garvey is @machineryeditor I hope you’ll find something in says Eric Gregory, product man- tional chemical-based fungicide or this collection that helps you with Leeann Minogue is @grainmuse ager with UAP Canada Inc., insecticide seed treatments.” † your seeding plans. based in Oak Bluff, Manitoba. UAP Canada Leeann MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 3 Wheat & Chaff FARM SAFETY Safety week’s over. Now get with the Plan! anadian Agricultural Safety Week Remember — safety on the farm isn’t at three levels — regulatory, civil and crim- Commodity loss is the third business wrapped up on the weekend but some kind of charitable donation for fam- inal. Regulatory action refers to provincial risk. Depending on the type of incident, there are 51 more weeks to prac- ily and employees. It’s an investment that occupational health and safety regulations this may include loss of livestock, crops tise what Safety Week preached directly contributes to positive financial per- that, in the case of an incident, puts the or buildings, lost productivity, and loss of —C PLAN.FARM.SAFETY. formance. Safety must be part of farm risk onus on the business owner-operator to optimal opportunity such as for planting As a farm owner, operator or manager, you management. prove all possible preventative measures or harvesting. are responsible for the safety and health of Investing up front in safety training, equip- were taken. Civil action could be taken And finally, human resource loss is a signifi- everyone who lives, works or visits your farm ment, repairs and anything related to keep- by the injured party if it is believed that cant risk to any agricultural business. In addi- or ranch. Everyone. Every day. That’s why ing safe on the farm is always less expensive the employer failed to provide a safe work tion to the pain and suffering of the affected you really need to get with the plan. The than recovering from injuries, illness or dam- environment. Criminal liability sets out person, there can be a significant impact on Canada FarmSafe Plan. age. Good farm safety practices makes good legal duties for workplace health and safety the well-being of employees with added work Developed by the Canadian Agricultural business sense. and can assign penalties for violations that pressures, finding and training a replacement Safety Association, this comprehensive, Successful business people know that a dol- result in injuries or death. worker, and administrative and possible legal straightforward plan will work for you — no lar saved is worth more than a dollar earned. Economic loss is the second business risk. paperwork related to the incident. matter what sort of farm you run or where. Think of farm safety risk management the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting Risk management planning can go a long The Canada FarmSafe Plan is a business same way. A loss prevented is worth more (CAIR) has determined the average costs of way toward ensuring a successful farm opera- risk management tool. The Plan’s best prac- than increased production. workplace injuries are $275,000 for a fatality, tion. And the template for that planning is tices recommendations provide you with Risk management encompasses four areas $143,000 for a permanent disability, $10,000 a couple of clicks away. Download the core guidance on developing an effective health of health and safety risks to a farm business: for hospitalization and $700 for non-hospi- Canada FarmSafe Plan at www.planfarm- and safety program for your operation. prosecution, economic loss, commodity loss talized injuries. An incident could also cause safety.ca . Get with the Plan! † But let’s be honest here. It takes commit- and human resource loss. thousands of dollars of damage to machinery From the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association — ment. It delivers security. It could save lives. Prosecution is legal action that can occur and property. www.planfarmsafety.ca

PULSE INDUSTRY GRAIN HANDLING Legumex Walker buys U.S. special Viterra to boost crops processors capacity in rairie pulse and special crop With a staff of about 35 people, The St. Hilaire business, considered processor Legumex Walker has St. Hilaire buys and processes pinto one of the largest dry bean process- bought its way into the U.S. and black turtle beans and processes ing operations in the U.S., “materially SE Sask. dry bean and dehulled sun- dark red kidneys, great northern, cran- increases the contribution from dry high-throughput Viterra elevator in Pflower seed markets. berry and small red beans, through a beans in our product mix,” Legumex Saskatchewan’s southeast corner is set The Winnipeg company, formed last processing plant with about 45,000 Walker CEO Joel Horn said in a release. to get expansions of both its storage and summer in the merger of Roy Legumex tonnes of capacity. “It also diversifies our dry bean sourcing rail car capacity. and Walker Seeds, announced it has The plant is expected to more than dou- and processing through expansion into TheA Calgary company will double the rail car spot at bought St. Hilaire Seed Co. and the sun- ble Legumex Walker’s dry bean capacity, the American Midwest.” its concrete elevator at Fairlight, Sask., about 55 km flower seed processing assets of Anderson and the sale also includes six St. Hilaire The sunflower seed facilities, mean- west of Virden, Man., and boost its storage capacity Seed Co. for $12 million and $4.8 million receiving facilities in North Dakota and while, “offer us an attractive opportu- by about 25 per cent. respectively (all figures US$). one in Minnesota, with combined storage nity to expand the scope of our sun- The Fairlight facility’s rated capacity, according Both St. Hilaire and Anderson were space of about 40,000 tonnes. flower seed business,” he said. to the Canadian Grain Commission, now sits at founded by Minnesota seed grower The sunflower facilities, on the other In all, Horn said, the deal “allows us 25,340 tonnes. According to Kyle Jeworski, the and businessman Ron Anderson, who hand, will still need to be “transitioned to further expand and leverage our glo- company’s vice-president for North American grain started out with a seed conditioning and staffed” with an expected roster bal sales and distribution network with merchandising, the expansion will add capacity for plant at Mentor, Minn. in 1981. of about 25 employees. The assets sold well-established and well-regarded about 7,000 tonnes of grain. The sale of the St. Hilaire company include the processing facility at Mentor, brands. In addition, it brings us impor- The rail car spot, which connects to Canadian — based at St. Hilaire, Minn., about 75 about 80 km east of Grand Forks, and tant new relationships with grower National Railway (CN) track, will expand from 52 km east of Grand Forks, N.D. — includes two receiving stations in North Dakota. communities in Minnesota, North to 104 cars, he said. The company didn’t say when about $3.5 million in “net working capi- Legumex Walker said it plans to oper- Dakota and South Dakota.” † it expects to complete the work at the site. tal” and the refinancing of about $2.5 mil- ate the sunflower business through a new The expansion, “coupled with the strength of lion in the company’s long-term debt. division, Legumex Walker Sunflower. AgCanada.com CN’s Scheduled Grain Service Plan, will enhance our joint ability to meet the shipping and handling GRAIN HANDLING needs of southeastern Saskatchewan grain farmers,” Andy Gonta, CN’s vice-president for bulk sales the reclaim will allow to optimize time and marketing, said in a Viterra release. and productivity. The Fairlight elevator was built by Saskatchewan New grain sweep All hydraulically powered, this sweep Wheat Pool during the company’s shift to new has the ability to power through even the high-throughput facilities in the mid-1990s. eMar Industries has introduced lined geometry with no sharp edges toughest commodities. The Maverik HTF While south-eastern Saskatchewan’s crop pro- a new zero-entry Maverik HTF or odd angles to collect grain and features two powerful 12-inch hydraulic duction last year was largely curtailed by excess (hydraulic twin flow) commercial increase drag. augers and a hydraulic positive drive moisture, the region has “historically been a very grain sweep that sweeps twice in Variable speed technology lets the sys- system. Hoses run internally through the strong area” for Viterra, Jeworski said. La single pass. tem automatically control the sweep, shell in a patent-pending design for maxi- The expansion, he said, stemmed from the Todd Hall, vice president of research advancing and regressing with “ava- mum protection. company’s ongoing review of its grain handling and development says, “We’ve engineered lanches.” It matches reclaim conveyor In addition, the Maverik HTF offers infrastructure, and in the Fairlight area it saw an it with proprietary patent-pending tech- speed, speeding up and slowing down both electric and diesel power options, opportunity to better serve both farmer and end- nology, delivering two sweeps in a single as needed to prevent choking or bog- with a convenient mobile power unit user customers and increase the facility’s efficiency pass with dual hydraulic augers.” ging down. As cleanup progresses, the that allows easy relocation to maximize with the 104-car spot. † † The 15,000 bushel-per-hour capacity Maverik HTF increases speed in the sec- efficiencies on multiple bin sites. Ag Canada.com Maverik HTF features smooth, stream- ond half of the pass, moving as fast as www.lemarindustries.com.

PHOTO CONTEST GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT This is four-month old Laytyn Pulyk. Laytyn is a fifth generation farmer, and already loves calves. On February 13, Laytyn’s heifer calved. Laytyn was very curious about the calf, and enjoyed touching his ears. His family knows he’s going to love farming and especially cows — just like his dad. He’ll be his dad’s little helper on the Pulyk farm in Mannville, Alberta for many years to come.

Thanks to Laytyn’s mom Krystal for sending this photo. A cheque Superior for $25 is on it’s way to you. Send your best shot to leeann.minogue@ SoilActiveTM technology. fbcpublishing.com. Please send only one or two photos at a time and include your name and address, the names of anyone in the photo, where the photo was taken and a bit about what was going on that day. A little write-up about your farm is welcome, too. Please ensure that images are of high resolution (1 MB is preferred), and if the image includes a person, PrePassTM and SoilActiveTM we need to be able to see their face clearly. are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. 02/12-17722-03C — Leeann

17722-03-04C PrePass Earlug 3X3_GN.indd 1 2/2/12 12:10 PM 4 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Cover Stories

CROP PRODUCTION

» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the correct depth. “Winter wheat can’t guarantee that when you put compulsory,” he says. “It’s a matter starts on less moisture than you on 100 pounds of N you will get the of choice but I haven’t found that might think so you don’t need to yield and that’s the frustrating part. they make a big difference to qual- 1666 DUBLIN AVENUE, MAKE THE GRADE WITH WINNIPEG, MB R3H 0H1 WINTER WHEAT seed too deep to try and find mois- The GreenSeeker technology can ity or yield.” www.grainews.ca ture,” says Sims. Seed should be cov- give an idea of what is happening Most winter wheat varieties cur- ered with soil that is well packed but with the growing crops and what rently registered have low levels of PUBLISHER Husky Energy, also requires the should not be covered to a depth of the nutrient requirement really is.” resistance to pests such as aphids, Bob Willcox wheat it purchases as a feedstock to more than one inch. Sims says that his preferred meth- wheat curl mite (which spreads ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR weigh at least 58 pounds per bushel, Always plant clean seed and od of applying N is dribble banding wheat streak mosaic virus), wheat John Morriss have less than 15 per cent moisture, varieties recommended for the a liquid fertilizer in the spring. In stem sawfly, wheat stem maggot no mould and no more than 1.0 growing area. Take special pre- general he uses about 100 pounds and hessian fly. Consult provin- EDITOR parts per million vomitoxin or DON cautions to avoid the introduc- per acre of 28-0-0 and sometimes a cial crop protection guides for Lyndsey Smith (on leave) (from fusarium-infected kernels). tion of weeds from other winter little sulphur too. more information on economic ACTING EDITOR wheat production areas. A seed Phosphate fertilizers should be thresholds and recommended Leeann Minogue MAXIMIZING QUALITY treatment will ensure the estab- applied at recommended rates. control treatments. lishment of healthy stands and MAFRI suggests 30 to 40 lbs./acre CATTLEMAN’S CORNER EDITOR Lee Hart Farmers growing winter wheat help control smut. Preliminary to give the germinating seedlings ROTATION must be prepared to tackle logis- research from a large Prairie-wide immediate access to an adequate FARMLIFE EDITOR Sue Armstrong tical problems, like how to jug- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada supply of phosphorus to get them Consecutive years of winter gle harvesting spring-seeded crops (AAFC) agronomy project reports started. Phosphorus helps winter wheat should be avoided due to MACHINERY EDITOR while they’re seeding winter cere- significantly higher grain yield wheat resist winter damage and disease risks. Most farmers prefer to Scott Garvey als. However, many farmers rate with a combination fungicide/ gives earlier maturity, especially in seed winter wheat into canola stub- PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Shawna Gibson higher yields, conservation ben- insecticide seed treatment over growing seasons with cool, damp ble, although it has followed oats efits and a reduction in peak sea- not treating seed. spring weather. in the rotation with some success. DESIGNER Steven Cote son pressure as good reasons for Seed at recommended rates. Most Winter wheat is best sown after growing winter wheat. agronomists recommend 40 to 45 early-maturing spring crops. It can MARKETING/CIRCULATION WEED, DISEASE AND PEST DIRECTOR The following production tips can seeds per square foot to achieve a MANAGEMENT also follow a spring wheat crop if Lynda Tityk help farmers produce high quality target plant population of 20-30 it’s harvested early enough, but a CIRCULATION MANAGER winter wheat crops to provide maxi- plants per square foot. A thin winter Winter wheat is highly competi- fungicide will almost certainly be Heather Anderson mum marketing flexibility when wheat stand has the potential to tive and can choke out many annu- necessary in this scenario. it comes to marketing options. HEAD OFFICE (With thanks to the University 1666 Dublin Avenue, HARVEST Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1 of Saskatchewan’s Winter Wheat Phone: (204) 944-5567 Production Manual and MAFRI’s Harvest should be done prompt- Fax: (204) 944-5562 Winter Wheat Production and ly. Winter wheat has little or no seed ADVERTISING SALES Management Guide.) “I think, over time, there will be dormancy and care must be taken Cory Bourdeaud’hui to prevent sprouting once it reaches Phone: (204) 954-1414 Fax: (204) 944-5562 PREPARATION changes in terms of what you’ll be maturity. Do not let winter wheat lie in the swath any longer than E-mail: [email protected] Winter wheat works best under paid for a specific sample of wheat, is absolutely necessary. Exposure ADVERTISING SERVICES a zero-till system, with crop residue to damp, warm weather in August CO-ORDINATOR based on its characteristics as Arlene Bomback helping reduce the risk of winterkill can result in rapid deterioration of Phone: (204) 944-5765 and retain moisture for use by the determined by the end user.” the crop. “Winter wheat will sprout Fax: (204) 944-5562 crop in early spring. Every effort even standing if it’s left out there E-mail: [email protected] should be made to conserve soil — Curtis Sims through a lot of rain so you need to moisture during seeding as lack of get at it and get it off,” says Sims. Printed in Canada by fall moisture can be a limiting factor tiller and therefore compensate for al summer weeds by getting off to Winter wheat can be swathed Transcontinental LGM-Coronet Winnipeg, Man. for winter wheat production. low plant counts. an early start. when the kernels have 35 per cent

Avoid tillage and improper drill- It’s probably best to try and moisture or less without loss of GRAINEWS is published by Farm Business furrow closure to prevent soil mois- FERTILIZING avoid winter wheat in fields which yield, bushel weight or quality. Communications, 1666 Dublin Avenue, ture loss. Chemical summerfallow are heavily infested with peren- Wheat kernels with a moisture con- Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0H1. can ensure more fall moisture to Compared to spring wheat, win- nial weeds like quackgrass. Other tent of 14 per cent can be safely Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240. establish the winter wheat crop, but ter wheat is usually more responsive broadleaf, winter annual weeds combined without the need for dry- there may not be enough stubble to nitrogen (N) fertilization and can like stinkweed, shepherd’s purse, ing. Kernels with a moisture content We acknowledge the financial support of the to trap snow for spring moisture be a heavy feeder, especially as no- flixweed and narrow-leaved hawk’s of 20 per cent can be combined and Government of Canada through the Canada requirements. till fields can be deficient in avail- beard can be controlled with 2,4-D dried without loss of quality. Wheat Periodical Fund of the Department Spread straw and chaff uniformly able soil nitrogen. Consequently it’s applied in mid-October during a is dry and safe for one year storage of Canadian Heritage. on fields that are to be seeded to not a good idea to skimp on N. frost-free period and once weeds at 14.5 per cent. winter wheat. Where seeding is to MAFRI recommends testing soil have germinated. Check for sum- If feasible, farmers can reduce be done with a disc drill, straw must before winter wheat seeding to mer annual weed development in the risk of sprouting by straight Subscription prices: For Canadian farmers, $46.20 per year or be well chopped. determine appropriate N applica- the early spring and try to spray combining. Warm temperatures in $72.45 for 2 years (includes GST). Man. Preventing disease transfer from tion and fertilizing for maximize them as early as possible. August, when winter wheat is nor- residents add 7% PST to above prices. spring to winter crops is really impor- the yield potential. Without soil-test Don’t be too hasty to plough mally harvested, also make aeration U.S: $43.00 per year (U.S. Funds). Outside Canada & U.S.: $79 per year. tant, says Sims, who usually sprays a results, general recommendations down a poor-looking spring stand. drying an attractive option. Or it ISSN 0229-8090. glyphosate herbicide before seeding suggest applying N at a rate of 80 to Winter wheat has the tillering can be mechanically dried. “I know Call 1-800-665-0502 for subscriptions. in the fall to kill off any volunteers, 120 pounds per acre. capacity to compensate for low it sounds bizarre to be drying in the Fax (204) 954-1422. which eliminates the “green bridge” New technologies are provid- plant stands. Populations as low second week of August but we’ve Canadian Postmaster: Send address and prevents the spread of wheat ing more options, particularly as 15 plants per square foot can done it just so we can keep rolling,” changes and undeliverable copies streak mosaic virus. for in-crop fertilization. Systems still recover to produce acceptable says Sims. (covers only) to PO Box 9800, like the GreenSeeker use optical grain yield. Winnipeg, Man. R3C 3K7. SEEDING sensors to measure reflectance of Choosing disease resistant cul- STORAGE U.S. Postmaster: Send address changes and growing plants and calculate the tivars and properly managing the undeliverable copies (covers only) to 1666 Winter wheat should be sown Normalized Difference Vegetative crop are the first lines of defence Good general storage conditions Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1. as early as possible, usually late Index (NDVI), which is highly cor- against disease, although weather are important to maintain the qual- GRAINEWS is printed on recyclable paper with August or early September. Ideally, related to biomass and can be used conditions play a huge role. ity and as the crop is often hot, cool- linseed oil-based inks. winter wheat plants should be well to predict grain yield potential. Fungicides may be necessary to ing fans may be needed to bring the Published 18 times a year. established (with approximately This offers another tool to assess N control foliar diseases such as pow- temperature down. three leaves) before freeze-up. needs during the growing season dery mildew, septoria leaf blotch, Moulds and mites tend to be SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES: Call toll free 1-800-665-0502 Areas which usually experience and top up nutrient levels to match tan spot or rusts, but an eco- inactive when storage moisture is U.S. subscribers call earlier frosts should try to plant as yield potential. nomic assessment should be made below 13 per cent. If storage tem- 1-204-944-5568 or email: early as possible, and by August 30 AAFC Scientists at Indian Head before applying foliar fungicides peratures are below 8 C, insects are [email protected] at the latest. and Brandon are developing a spe- to ensure that the crop’s yield inactive. Below 3 C, moulds become Your next issue! “The earlier you seed affects how cific algorithm for GreenSeeker for potential justifies the cost. Scount inactive. soon it’s ready to be combined next winter wheat, which will establish regularly and early, as fungicides There are several online You can expect your next issue in your mailbox about March 19, 2012 summer,” says Sims. “Not many the baselines for in-field calculations are usually most effective before resources for farmers looking for people realize how much of a direct of winter wheat N requirements. diseases are too advanced. more information about winter correlation there is between seeding “The laboratory soil test is a Sims rarely uses fungicides on wheat. A good place to start is date and harvesting date.” good place to start but so many his winter wheat, except in spe- www.wintercereals.ca. † Seed at a shallow depth — no things can change in the field cial circumstance such as where The editors and journalists who write, more than three-quarters to one and environmentally,” says Byron the crop is very dense or very wet Angela Lovell is a freelance writer, editor contribute and provide opinions to Grainews and communications specialist living and and Farm Business Communications attempt inch — and make sure that the seed Irvine, Research Manager at AAFC’s conditions prevail through the sea- working in Manitoba. Find her online at to provide accurate and useful opinions, drill is properly adjusted to achieve Brandon Research Centre. “You son. “Fungicides aren’t automatic or www.angelalovell.ca information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists and Grainews and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this At Farm Business Communications we have a firm commitment to protecting your privacy and security as our customer. Farm Business Communications will only collect personal information if it is required for the publication and the editors as well as Grainews proper functioning of our business. As part of our commitment to enhance customer service, we may share this personal information with other strategic business partners. For more information regarding our Customer and Farm Business Communications assume no Information Privacy Policy, write to: Information Protection Officer, Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 responsibility for any actions or decisions taken Occasionally we make our list of subscribers available to other reputable firms whose products and services might be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please contact us at the address by any reader for this publication based on any in the preceding paragraph, or call 1-800-665-0502. and all information provided. MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 5 Features SEEDING Better Quality Controls at Seeding Take your spring seeding plans to the next level

BY JASON CASSELMAN hiring a custom treater to do the job • Some farmers like to fine-tune system for keeping seed tags and seed if you’re not equipped to do it prop- settings across the field; others are samples from each lot for future refer- hen farmers make their erly yourself. comfortable leaving things alone ence. If there’s a problem with seed crop plans, they typi- • Larger operations have certain once they’re set. Each operation is in the field, you’ll have a reference to cally include what will people tasked with specific jobs. A different. refer to. go into each field for good logistics plan has a description • Some farmers like to plan to make • Storing seed tag information from seed,W fertilizer and pest management. of those duties. This will be helpful if adjustments on the seeder as soil tem- each field is a quality control tool But something that isn’t generally someone else has to step into that job perature and moisture levels change. to make sure that the seed variety included is a plan for logistics, execu- for the day. Determine when you are going to planned for that field was actually tion and follow through. Including • Maps can be used in a logistics want to plan to make adjustments. seeded. these things makes sense to me, espe- plan to show everybody ahead of time • Making sure that the weeds are in • Keep a sample of seed as it comes cially when the optimum seeding where the loading and fill locations check at seeding time and doing the from the treater to verify proper appli- window for each crop is only about areas are and how to access them with pre-seed and pre-emergence burn off cation and coverage. 10 days. trucks and other equipment. Good application is part of a good execution • Record fertilizer load information The focus of a logistics, execution maps show field locations and routes plan. by field to help with inventory and and follow through plan is the tech- for operators. These are especially use- • Know how and when to make application data. nical procedure of the operation. ful if you might be working at night, adjustments to closing furrows and • Check seed bed condition after Successful farmers have the advantage when it’s easy to get turned around packing pressure based on soil condi- seeding. Ensure there are no lumps, of having learned to be able to do this, and waste time backtracking. tions and equipment settings. clumps or piles, to make sure that the and they are reaping the rewards. • Logistics plans should include • The execution plan could details seeding equipment is handling stubble A crop plan that includes logistics, fueling and in-season maintenance fertilizer rate settings and calibration. and crop residue as expected. execution and follow through is a requirements. The first day of seeding Know how to check the actual density • Review application monitors and system of quality control — a way to is not a good time to learn the fuel of the fertilizer you are using when rate controller records to check that ensure that all the details of the seed- gauge doesn’t show “empty” when you’re loading the air cart to make any application changes were flagged ing operation are effective. the tank is. sure if settings don’t need to change in the as applied data. The “logistics” part of the plan • GPS equipment and subscriptions or recalibrate. • A follow through plan can include describes how everything is going to must be current for spring, with appli- • Is seed treatment application field maps marking areas where chang- happen. Execution is how things are cation files arranged ahead of time on equipment doing the right job and es were made to rates, varieties, treat- happening. Follow through is making the rate controllers. treating the correct amount of seed ments and settings in the field. sure things happened the way they • Prepare a quick start list for using with the right amount of product and • Look at any problems you may were planned. rate controllers and monitors, so oper- getting the best coverage? have had during seeding. Then plan ators don’t miss anything. • In the execution plan, implement ahead to make sure these issues are LOGISTICS PLAN These are a number of items that a system that ensures information is addressed for next year. may be included in a logistics plan entered properly into the rate con- • Talk to operators and other people The logistics plan is a plan of how but each individual farm manager will trollers. If using precision placement who worked with you through the things will happen and who will do have their own list of the most impor- technology and rate control, check season. They may be able to identify each job. Look at logistics as the sup- tant for their farm. that prescription maps for the correct areas of your operation that could be ply chain of resources required to keep year and crop are loaded accurately for modified or improved. the seeding equipment going at peak THE EXECUTION PLAN each field. • A strong follow through plan efficiency. There are several things to In every farm operation, there are includes a system for obtaining feed- consider when you’re developing a The execution plan details who will some tasks that are that are critical to back on what worked well and where detailed logistics plan. do each actual operation — includ- accomplishing the seeding operation. there are opportunities to fine-tune • Calculate the capacity of the air ing setting the equipment, making Include these in as much detail as you performance. cart tanks in volume and weight, so adjustments and fine-tuning for field think is required for your farm. The follow through plan is done you’ll know how many acres you can conditions. The crop planning part is right through seeding, and is a seed with each tank with the seed and the easy part — the execution is the FOLLOW THROUGH check on where you are, compared fertilizer rates you’re planning. real work, making sure everything is to your plan. • Know the density of the fertilizer happening according to plan and that, The follow through plan is a quality Successful farmers manage the you’ve chosen, and how many tonnes if things change, the work can get back improvement plan to check that the details of logistics, execution and of each blend or product you’ll have on track. seeding operation happened as it was follow through. When you’re work- capacity for. Then check rates to estab- Here are some items that could be supposed to. It’s a way to find out what ing on your crop plans, I recommend lish acres per fill. included in a detailed execution plan. adjustments should be made to perfect putting some effort into a solid qual- • Check cereal 1,000 kernel weights • Establish a procedure for docu- and simplify seeding in future years. ity control system for your cropping (TKW) on the seed lots (seeding rates menting seeding depth checks while Here are some things you may want to operation. † will vary from year to year based on seeding. Consider how often you want include in your follow through plans. Jason Casselman is a partner and agronomist with TKW and target plant stand counts). seeding depth checked and how you • In the follow through plan, it Dunvegan Ag Solutions Inc. (www.howtogotoagsi. • Plan your seed treating. Look at want it done. may be important to implement a com) at Rycroft, Alta.

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PR2246 PrvngGrd_CPS.indd 1 28/10/11 4:19 PM 6 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features INOCULANTS 5 steps to good inoculation Planting pulses in 2012? Here’s 5 steps to good inoculation, and a guide for seeding pulses into soil that was flooded last year

BY PATTY MILLIGAN 1. JUST DO IT For peas, use a pea-specific 5. GET THE SEED INTO liquid and granular inoculant in inoculants. And so on. THE GROUND combination. While the liquid ulse crops are still pop- Shannon Friesen, crops intern is applied directly to the seed, ular, but production agrologist with Saskatchewan 3. ENSURE COMPATIBILITY Once all of these steps have been the granular is placed in the declined in 2011. With Agriculture’s Agricultural Know- AND COVERAGE taken, don’t dawdle about getting ground away from the seed. In the exception of soy- ledge Centre, has one salient piece inoculated pulses into the ground. the case of a wet spring, inocu- beans,P Statistics Canada reports of advice for producers when it Farmers should ensure that the Once the inoculant is on the lant on the seed may wash away a decline in overall pulse pro- comes to inoculants: “Do it.” inoculant they choose is compat- seed, growers don’t have much but the granular inoculant will duction for 2011 (an estimated Friesen says she’s known grow- ible with their seed treatments. of a window, says Friesen. The still be there. Farmers who don’t 24.6 per cent for peas and 23.4 ers who avoid inoculating. While Check the charts provided by the standard is 24 hours, which may have the capacity to use granular per cent for lentils, for exam- you may grumble about need- inoculant company or “you’ll change depending on the type of inoculant sometimes double the ple). ing an extra tank, or the addi- have a big mess,” says Friesen. inoculant and treatment. Though rate of liquid inoculant or use a The main reason for the tional process or taking care with Ensure good coverage of seeds products exist to extend the life of combination of liquid and peat decline in production was the the temperature, getting it done because if they aren’t covered the bacteria, Lange says “There’s instead. thousands of acres of southern will pay off, she says. Inoculated then “you can’t expect effective still no substitute for getting the Researchers are currently work- Saskatchewan that were under- seed into the ground as quickly ing on a method to accurately water in the spring. as you can.” Inoculants are living count nitrogen-fixing bacteria in In Manitoba, 2011 was organisms — heat and sunlight the soil, which would allow farm- a record year for soybeans impact their lifespan. They thrive ers to better estimate how much (578,000 acres), while edible in the dirt where it’s dark and inoculant to apply. Farmers tend beans dropped to 51,000 acres, hopefully damp! to cut back inoculant rates if says Dennis Lange, farm pro- Pulses grown on new land respond they’re very confident about soil duction advisor with Manitoba much more positively to granular PLANTING INTO bacteria numbers — for instance, Agriculture, Food and Rural FLOODED LAND Lange says, in Saskatchewan Initiatives (MAFRI) in Altona. product than to peat or liquid where farmers have been growing Statscan predicts a 30 per cent The best form of inoculant for peas in rotation for many years. drop in pulses for the upcoming seed leads to plants with better disease control or nodulation,” your fields may be partly deter- But, when unsure, farmers often season, as well as a 22 per cent root nodulation. These plants are she says. mined by whether or not the opt for an alternative method, decrease in exports. Meanwhile, not only healthier, but produce land flooded last year. Given the considering it “cheap insurance,” prices are expected to increase, more. And higher yields means 4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT FORM extent of the flooding in 2011, says Lange. with some pulse crops seeing higher profits. this will be consideration for Walley recommends that historically high levels due to “In the end, it’s well worth it Inoculants come in different many farmers. Saskatchewan farmers who are the national — and global — for your plants and your soil,” forms — peat, liquid, and granu- “It’s important for farmers to uncertain about the post-flood decrease in supply. Friesen says. lar. Each form is generally effec- have a heads-up,” says Dr. Fran effects plant pulses into previ- While no one likes to see tive, but there are some factors Walley, a soil science professor at ously flooded land using the same pulse acreage go down, Prairie 2. ORDER PLANT-SPECIFIC to consider. With peat inocu- the University of Saskatchewan. approach they would use if they farmers growing pulses in 2012 INOCULANTS, EARLY lants, you must mix a slurry While some rhizobium have were planting pulses into land may have a unique window of to apply to the seed. Liquid some tolerance to flooding, pro- that hasn’t grown pulses. For opportunity. This might really “Book early, because inoculants inoculants simply need to be longed flooding has likely had Walley, that means using granu- be the year to get pulse crops go fast,” says Friesen. poured on. Granular granular a very negative effect on rhizo- lar inoculants. The reason, she right, and big yields may pro- She also emphasizes the need inoculants require an additional bium populations. explains, is that pulses grown on duce major payoffs in 2012- to choose plant-specific strains of tank. Some inoculants include Manitoba has a more regu- new land respond much more 13. inoculants. Inoculants are not inter- both nitrogen fixers and phos- lar history of flooding and soy- positively to granular product One of the key elements to changeable. A crop won’t die if it’s phorus solubilizers, but most beans are the main pulse crop than to peat or liquid. The lateral “getting it right” is to inoculate inoculated incorrectly, but the rhizo- liquid inoculants only contain grown there. Typically, Dennis roots are better nodulated than seed effectively. bium will not perform efficiently. nitrogen fixers. Lange says, when farmers plant with other forms of inoculant, soybeans on land that hasn’t and as a result, nitrogen fixation seen them before, they use a is promoted for longer in the growing season. Walley notes that there isn’t BY DAN PIRARO such a dramatically different response when different inocu- Bizarro lant forms are applied on a pulse crop planted into land that has previously seen the same crop. That is because the rhizobium is already present; the liquid or peat inoculants grow nodules on the seeds, but the rhizobium in the soil produce the nodules on the lateral roots. In other words, all three forms of inoculants all perform equally well when there’s already a strong community of rhizobia in the soil. The flooding of 2011 creates uncertainty and essentially means those pulse growers whose fields were underwater must start from zero. The slightly differ- BY DAN PIRARO ent measures account for the fact that those fields likely have Bizarro low rhizobial numbers, therefore growers should treat them as if they were planting pulses in them for the first time. While inoculation is only one part of growing a successful pulse crop, it’s an important one. Not only will Prairie farmers have a better chance of cash- ing in on rumoured high prices, they’ll receive all the other benefits of pulse crop rotation too — including higher yields in their grain and oil seed crops for 2013. †

Patty Milligan writes from Bon Accord, Alta.

EverstGBXSMSPad.6x6.625.indd 1 2/15/12 8:52 AM MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 7 Features

NEW PRODUCTS These boots are made for Case IH fans Branded work boots are the newest offering from the company’s merchandising branch

BY SCOTT GARVEY field and the last to leave,” says Sarah Pickett, Case IH licensing and merchandising manager. ou’ve likely seen Caterpillar-branded boots Available in brown, tumbled, full-grain leather, the boots and shoes, which have been available in have a composite toe making them light-weight. Attached stores nearly everywhere for years now. with Goodyear welt construction, the boot also has an elec- Case IH has decided to get in on that kind trical hazard outsole with oil and skid resistance. Yof merchandising action by introducing its own line They’re available directly from Case IH online at shopca- of branded work boots. seih.com or from participating dealers. † “We teamed up with Eastman Footwear to create Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at scott.garvey@ a boot made for farmers who are the first in the fbcpublishing.com

GRAIN SAMPLING Taking a proper grain sample When you’re getting your seed tested before spring seeding, be sure to take a representative sample

BY REBECA KUROPATWA and a rectangular truck box will large number of primary sam- due to the challenges of access- all have an impact on where ples to get a clear picture of the ing all areas of the bin. REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLES hen sending grain some of the segregated product whole lot.” “Once you’ve collected all your off as a sample or will end up.” According to Little, if every- GRAIN PROBES primary samples, whether that’s having a seed lot Once grain has segregated one followed rules established five or 40 samples, you need to tested, it’s critical itself in the sides, middle, cor- by the International Seed Testing Once you’ve got the grain in ensure they’re thoroughly mixed Wto take a representative sam- ners, and other places, these Association (ISTA), procedures the bin and it’s too late to take a together to form the composite ple, according to Barry Little of different groups will exit the bin would be a lot more involved. stream sample, there are several sample before sending it to a 20/20 Seed Labs Inc. or truck at different points and For example, each 30 ton lot kinds of grain probes to choose buyer or away for testing. Having accurate information intensities. This reinforces the would have been sampled at from. Each has its own set of “If the composite sample is fair- about the grain in the bin will need for sampling at multiple least 40 times. “This would be pros and cons depending on its ly small, it might be fairly simple help farmers (and buyers) make locations. application, container type, and to mix in the bottom of a pail better decisions. Little has seen the significant use mode. by hand or using a stick. On the benefits from “consistent, inten- “The most obvious parameter is other hand, when many primary SEGREGATION sive seed sampling rules verses probe length, but there are also dif- samples have been taken, you the lax and inconsistent grain ferent tube diameters. And the slot might end up with one or two One reason accurate sampling sampling equipment and tech- Sampling is more opening needs to be big enough five-gallon pails. In that case, if is so important is that grain will niques currently used.” Little’s representative for the grain and contaminants the grain isn’t mixed repeatedly segregate. “This is the separa- job includes providing training being probed,” says Little. “Other using good technique, segregation of shapes, weights, and size in proper use of equipment, from a stream than typical differences are compart- tion might have resulted.” that happens after the discharge sampling techniques, maximum mentalizing, non-compartmental- Once you’ve got your sample of the grain from the auger or lot sizes, sampling intensity, and from a bin izing, and spiral opening.” and are ready to send it off or conveyor or any other move- sample preparation for seed test- A partitioned probe has open- take it to town, Little says, “it’s ment of it into a static state,” ing lab submission. using a probe ings along the length of the also important to always retain a says Little. probe, to allow farmers to sample duplicate sample after mixing for “We’ve all watched a bin or STREAM SAMPLING okay if you’re taking stream from different depths of the bin. further testing at a later date.” a truck be filled with grain and samples from the end of the “In theory, you should be Little advises having a plan have seen different weights, If done properly, Little says, auger every couple of minutes, able to reach all parts of the that includes the number of sam- sizes, or shapes of grain or impu- “Sampling your grain in the bin but probe sampling does seem container with your probe to ples you will take, a randomized rities and contaminants go to with a probe or stream sampling overwhelming when you’re in help ensure you’re getting a method of covering all parts different places.” from the truck or the end of the the top of a hopper bin pushing good cross-section of all grain of the bin or container, prop- The way the grain segregates auger are very good methods.” a 12-inch long probe into your from all parts of the bin or er equipment, a large enough will depend on the shape of Stream sampling is a good wheat 40 times.” container,” said Little. “If your collection container, and clean your storage. way to get a representative Ordinarily, sampling is more probe is four inches long and equipment. † “Secondly, a round bin, a sample. Little says, “The most representative from a stream your bin is 10 feet high, you Rebeca Kuropatwa is a professional writer in square bin, a hopper bottom, important factor is to take a than from a bin using a probe, have a problem. Winnipeg, Man.

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17722-03-04C PrePass Earlug 3X3_GN.indd 2 2/2/12 12:10 PM 8 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features CROP NUTRITION

at several AAFC research facilities across the Prairies to assess winter wheat response to different forms Fertilizing winter wheat of N, the timing of placement of N, and the effect on grain yield and protein. Two winter wheat varieties There are many ways to fertilize winter wheat. An AAFC study were studied: AC Radiant (a milling variety) and CDC Ptarmigan (a finds advantages to split applications soft, white winter wheat developed for ethanol production). BY ANGELA LOVELL is better and in what situation — spring field conditions. Others have and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC’s) “With the exception of UAN, straight urea, slow release products avoided adding much N in the fall Brandon Research Centre. “There almost all of the forms can opti- ithout soil test like ESN (Environmentally Smart because of logistics of handling the is generally more volatilization mize yield and protein, but will results, general rec- Nitrogen) or Agrotain (a urease bulk associated with both seed and in average situations with urea differ when and how they are ommendations for inhibitor), Super U (a urease inhibi- fertilizer during a small window of or UAN in the spring, especially applied,” says Brian Beres, cereal winter wheat suggest tor combined with a denitrification seeding opportunity. N application under moist conditions. It is now agronomist at AAFC’s Research Wapplying nitrogen (N) at a rate of 80 inhibitor, which is not yet available in the late fall or at the wrong time almost standard operating proce- Centre in Lethbridge, who headed to 120 pounds per acre. Soil tests can in Canada) or liquid UAN (urea in spring can result in significant dure to apply the N in the fall.” up the AAFC study. “If all N is give you a more accurate estimate as ammonium nitrate). N losses due to leaching, volatiliza- Other farmers are experimenting sidebanded the advantage for to the specific amount of fertilizer ESN is a polymer-coated urea tion and denitrification. with split applications to try and controlled release products over required for your particular field. But that has already become something “What is generating the most minimize both weather-related risk urea is not apparent. However, how to fertilize winter wheat is the of the gold standard for seed-placed interest is the idea of putting all the and losses. So what works best? in split applications or when all million dollar question. N; however there was interest in N down in the fall with the seed. N is applied in spring, control- Questions remain around timing ESN as a form for side-banded split We now have newer types of ferti- STUDY RESULTS led release forms like Agrotain or and whether it’s best to put down application situations. lizer like ESN, Agrotain and Super Super U all provide high yield, all the N at seeding in the fall, Many winter wheat growers pre- U which give a more controlled Preliminary results recently good protein, and provide the best broadcast everything in the spring fer to fertilize in the fall, while release and reduced losses due to released from a three-year study N utilization and recovery.” or do a split application. Then, they’re seeding the crop, due to denitrification,” says Byron Irvine, can help to answer some of these Applying the entire N amount there is the question of which form time constraints or potentially wet Research Manager at Agriculture questions. Trials were conducted in spring using uncoated urea or ESN was the least productive in terms of yield, but protein levels did increase with ESN. Now Registered in Flax, Field Peas, Chickpeas and Sunﬂ owers In split applications or when all N is applied in spring, controlled release forms like Agrotain or Super U all provide high yield, good protein, and provide the best N utilization and recovery

ESN has a polymer coating which helps provide a slower release of N once water is absorbed. Researchers believe that N may not release if it is stranded by the residue thatch layer away from moisture. In that case, it remains dry and does not release any N. Or, the N eventually releases much later. Data from the AAFC study suggests that split applications perform just as well as sidebanding all the N at seeing. But in the spring application, when using products like urea or liquid UAN it is probably wise to use a urease inhibitor like Agrotain to reduce the risk of losses due to volatilization. In a Excellent solution for Kochia and other tough weeds split application, ESN gave as good a result as it did when sidebanded, but applying all N in the spring with ESN is not recommended. • New mode of action (Group 14) For farmers trying to achieve mill- –weed resistance management ing quality it’s always going to be a tough road, because the results • Early weed removal benefits of pre-emergent–controls flushing will depend so much on a par- weeds, higher yields due to less competition with the crop ticular site and conditions, but data from AAFC’s study seems to suggest that split applications may give an advantage. “Our data thus far To learn more about Authority® Charge suggests that, for both yield and protein you’re probably going to do talk with your retailer today! quite well splitting your application of N,” says Beres. “However, the results suggest that the top-dress application be performed in spring, as late-fall applications of N produced significantly less grain and protein regardless of N form.” †

Angela Lovell is a freelance writer, editor and communications specialist living and Always read and follow label directions. FMC and Authority are registered trademarks and Investing in farming’s future is a service mark of FMC Corporation. ©2012 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. F100-23773 1/12 working in Manitoba. Find her online at www. angelalovell.ca

F100-23773-2_Grainnews.indd 1 2/7/12 3:19 PM

F100-23773-02-Grainews Color: 4/color Size: T - 8.125 x 10” SIZE A Grainews MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 9 Features SEED VARIETIES Prairie Sapphire — jewel of a flax A new flax variety from AAFC performs well in the field, with high yields and a good oil content

BY LEE HART which is a combination broad- for seeding the following year, leaf and grassy weed herbicide, Stamp says they have some years rom the Agriculture and but other years finds Buctril M baled the residue. They always Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) or Lontrel in combination with seems to be able to market flax Morden, Manitoba flax a Group 1 herbicide effective straw. But the Stamps have also breeding program comes on weeds. Last year he found had good results getting good Fa new high yielding, high-oil Equinox — a newer (Group 1) even distribution of residue with content flax variety, expected grassy herbicide from BASF — the chopper/spreader on their to have an excellent fit in crop was effective. John Deere combine. rotations anywhere flax is grown Stamp usually straight cuts flax “This Prairie Sapphire appears across Western Canada. later in the season. Sometimes to be a good variety from both it’s the last crop combined in an agronomic and a yield stand- PRAIRIE SAPPHIRE November. Other farmers prefer point,” says Stamp. “While 2011 to swath flax, but the Stamps was a good year for flax, I think Prairie Sapphire, developed like to straight cut because of even in a dryer year it might by plant breeder Scott Duguid, the risk of swaths being blown out-perform canola in some appears to be a significant around by the wind in their part areas.” † improvement over existing flax of the country. Lee Hart is a field editor for Grainews in varieties, says Greg Stamp, a While flax residue can be a Calgary, Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by Greg Stamp combines Prairie Sapphire flax, which proved to be a top southern Alberta grower and challenge to manage, especially email at [email protected] performing variety in 2012. seed producer. “We’ve been growing flax for years and we were surprised just to see what kind of yields we were getting,” says Stamp who is part of the family that run Stamp’s Select Seeds (www. stampseeds.com) at Enchant, north of Lethbridge. “Typically, we budget flax for a 40 bushel yield, but with Prairie Sapphire on one field, which had been manured previously, it yielded 65 bushels per acre and on another field it yielded 55 bushels per acre with very little lodging. Even though it was generally a good year for flax, it was hard to believe. We double checked the yield monitors too.” Stamp, who will be marketing the seed this spring to commercial producers as well as other seed growers, is one of the distributors handling Prairie Sapphire on behalf of the Winnipeg-based ASC (Alliance Seed Corporation). The Stamps follow a proper crop rotation and good fertility program with all crops. They have also been moving toward higher seeding rates, especially with varieties grown under irrigation. Prairie Sapphire was seeded at about 60 pounds per acre, on irrigated fields in 2011. “We have both irrigated and dryland acres and have been increasing seeding rates on all crops,” says Stamp. “Especially for crops grown under irrigation. That’s one herbicide We have the water, so we aim to that’s always in tune! optimize yields.” The Stamps have grown two leading flax varieties — Hanley and CDC Sorrel — for several years. Hanley was developed and registered by AAFC at Morden, MB in 2001 and CDC Sorrel, from the University of Saskatchewan, was registered in 2006. Give weeds the once-over. DuPont™ Harmony® brand herbicides hit tough broadleaf and grass weeds HARD, such as VARIETY FEATURES wild oats and green foxtail. Along with high yield, other They deliver outstanding value and convenience in one-pass weed control for cereals. features of Prairie Sapphire All in one easy-to-handle package with the grass surfactant built right in. include improved disease resistance — it is immune to Rust Give weeds the once-over – with DuPont™ Harmony® herbicides. (race 731) and is moderately resistant to wilt. The variety has improved lodging resistance, Questions? and has a large, consistent choc- Ask your retailer, call 1-800-667-3925 or visit www.weedwreckingcrew.com olate-coloured seed. The seed has higher protein and higher As with all crop protection products, read and follow label instructions carefully. oil content than check varieties. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Harmony® and Solumax® are registered trademarks or trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. E. I. du Pont Canada Company is a licensee. Member of CropLife Canada. For in-crop weed control, © Copyright 2012 E. I. du Pont Canada Company. All rights reserved. Stamp says there are a number of options depending on the weed spectrum. He has used Flaxmax,

2179 HAR GN AE.indd 1 2/1/12 10:23 AM 10 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features Crop production European wheat yields

By Marianne Stamm At the beginning of the growing improve kernel quality. Wanner season the next spring, sometime says many neighbouring farmers urt and Hans Wanner in March, Wanners will apply a use more inputs than he does. farm in northern chemical fertilizer, using 50 to Switzerland along the 60 kilograms of nitrogen per hec- Prairie agonomics German border. They tare. Unless the weather is too consistentlyK produce eight dry, they’ll apply a second top- Many western Canadian farm- tonnes of wheat per hectare. dressing before the crop heads out, ers, especially those in higher The European average is six to sometimes using liquid manure rainfall areas, are beginning to eight tonnes per hectare, but or another 30 to 40 kilograms of change their agronomic prac- some produce 10. The Canadian nitrogen hectare. This second top- tices. Von Rennenkampff pro- average for 2011 was 2.9 tonnes dressing is what really makes the duces around five to 5.5 tonnes per hectare. Why do Europeans quality, gives that extra protein of wheat per hectare, and prob- consistently out-produce the they are looking for as hog feed. ably uses more fertilizer than Canadians? Depending on how well fall the average Canadian farmer. herbicides worked, Wanners may Farmers in the area have begun Canadians are playing catch-up. This is Marianne Stamm in the cab, out Moisture and apply a second application of her- making consistent use of fun- in the field at Westlock, Alberta. growing season bicides with a plant growth regu- gicides to control disease. Like lator in April or May. The plant Wanner says, that affects the top-dress his wheat. “If moisture ties are closing the gap between In the 1960s, the European growth regulator is important in time of harvest. Healthier crops isn’t consistent, it is lost,” he says. European and Canadian farmers. average wasn’t much above that heavy crops for maximum stem live longer. That’s good if the He’ll spray the crop with a her- But Canadians can’t shorten winter of Canada’s now — 3.2 to 3.6 strength and to prevent lodging. season is long, but can be cut- bicide end of May or early June, shorter or order more rain. What’s tonnes per hectare. They usually only spray a fungi- ting it dangerously close to the and use a fungicide at the flag leaf a Prairie farmer to do? † Johann von Rennenkampff, who cide once — at the flag leaf stage edge in an area like Westlock. stage if he thinks it’s necessary. Marianne Stamm farms in Alberta, but is T:17.4” immigrated to Westlock, Alberta — mostly to prevent fusarium and Von Rennenkampff doesn’t Better agronomics and varie- currently writing from Switzerland from Germany more than 30 years ago, attributes the increase in wheat yields in Europe to the arrival of effective fungicides in the 1970s. Much of Europe has much more precipitation than the Canadian Prairies, so disease pressure is higher. The Wanners’ farm is in a drier InVigorResults.ca corner of Europe and gets 800-900 millimetres of precipitation per year. Regina, Sask.’s average precipitation is 364 mm. Westlock, Alta., receives an average of 520 mm per year. Those numbers don’t just say something about disease pressure, but about yield potential. “England and northern Germany have very consistent moisture,” von Rennenkampff says. Those are the areas in Europe with the highest yields. It’s not just the moisture. It’s the length of the growing season. Wanners seed their first wheat in beginning of October. “It gets a good start and can root well,” Kurt says. By the time the Swiss winter arrives in December, the crop is an even thick thatch of green. By March, it’s starting to grow again and it’s ready to harvest end of July. Winter cereals yield higher. Wanner maintains that a winter

wheat variety produces at least 20 T:10” per cent more than spring wheat. In Alberta, Von Rennenkampff seeds his wheat at the beginning of May. The ground might still be cold. Hopefully he has good spring moisture and it rains. “The time isn’t long enough in Western Canada,” von Rennenkampff says. “We only have 100 days to grow a crop.” Most of the time, the first hard frost holds off to end of September. Sometimes it comes already end of August. “The higher the yield, the more fungicides we use, the later the harvest,” Wanner says. It’s okay to have a later harvest in Europe. But a late harvest in western Canada can mean the crop is frozen before it’s off. InVigor L130 A B European Inputs A longer growing season and more consistent moisture encourage European grain farmers to increase inputs. In 54.5 bu./ac. 51.8 bu./ac. 50.5 bu./ac. Switzerland, before seeding, the Wanners will apply manure on stubble. Depending on rotations and rainfall, they may seed a green manure crop first. After the wheat emerges, when they can BayerCropScience.ca/InVigor or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. O-66-02/12-BCS11026-E Always read and follow label directions. InVigor® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. see the tram lines, they apply a soil-based herbicide.

SBC12025.INVIGOR.17.indd SBC.12025.INVIGOR.17 2-22-2012 10:56 AM Grainnews CALMCL-DMX8127 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Insertion Date: March 12, 2012 Marsha Walters Bayer Crop Science 100% None SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: Marianne PAGE: 1 BCS11026 17.4” x 10” SAFETY: None TRIM: 17.4” x 10” Bleed: None Helvetica Neue (Condensed Black, Condensed Bold; True Type), Helvetica Neue LT Std (55 Roman; OpenType)

Production Contact Numbers: 403 261 7161 403 261 7152 MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 11 Features Soil management Diagnose 4 types of compaction problems Not all compaction types should be treated the same way. Find out exactly what you’re dealing with before you decide what to do about it By Angela Lovell It restricts water movement dur- water impact. The crusted soil can a forage in the crop rotation or Subsurface compaction can be ing wet conditions, which results restrict both water infiltration into using direct seeding practices will identified by using a shovel or fter last year’s flooding, in poor topsoil quality, crusting soil and emergence of germinating increase soil organic matter and trowel to shave away the tilled many farmers may be problems and soil erosion. crops, reducing plant stands and make the soil more resistant to surface soil until the compacted dealing with soil com- To manage Solonetzic soils, tim- potentially affecting yield. breakdown. In irrigated fields, layer is exposed. If plant roots are paction. Not all soil ing of tillage and seeding opera- Crusted soils are easy to diag- water application should be man- growing horizontally along the compactionA is the same. Knowing tions with respect to moisture con- nose by examining the soil surface, aged to ensure the infiltration rate surface, roots are having difficulty how to identify the four main ditions is important. When the soil which may have a plate-like, hori- of the soil is not exceeded. penetrating the layer. types of soil compaction can help is too wet, tillage implements don’t zontal layered structure of crust. Most compacted soil layers you diagnose and solve the prob- work. Conversely, when the soil is A short-term emergence solu- 3. Subsurface compaction should break down with annual lem on your farm. too dry, tillage implements have tion for soil crusting after seeding freeze-thaw and wetting-drying difficulty penetrating the soil and might be a light harrowing or roll- Subsurface compaction occurs cycles. If they persist, the soil 1. Hardpan cause hard lumps when they do. ing with packers to gently fracture in the layer of soil just below the may need tillage or sub-soiling Deep plowing or deep ripping of the soil crust after seeding, to depth of tillage and is worsened by to break up the compacted layer. True hardpan generally occurs Solonetzic soils is often necessary. aid in seedling emergence through wet conditions or in soils with high This should be done when soil is only in Solonetzic or heavy clay the crust. silt or clay content. It occurs when dry, there should be some residue soils which have a very dense soil 2. Surface soil crusting The best way to prevent soil soils are cultivated repeatedly at left on the surface to prevent ero- layer high in clay and sodium. crusting is to minimize tillage and the same depth and is caused by sion and care should be taken not This hard, dry Solonetzic layer can Surface soil crusting is usually leave a protective layer of residue the weight of equipment, produc- to mix subsoil with topsoil. This T:17.4” be as shallow as 10 centimetres or caused by a combination of soil on the soil surface to absorb the ing a compacted layer about two type of tillage is a temporary fix, can extend to a depth of 75 cm. tillage and raindrop or irrigation impact of water droplets. Including to three centimetres thick. however, and farmers should also consider tweaking crop rotation to include taproot and fibrous root crops, reduced tillage and direct seeding for a more permanent solution. For soils that must be cultivated, varying the depth of tillage and avoiding working wet soils will help. Deep ripping equip- InVigorResults.ca ment is not recommended for this type of soil compaction.

4. Wheel traffic-induced compaction Heavy farm equipment can exert considerable weight onto the soil surface and, consequently, into the subsoil. The effect of equipment weight can penetrate down to 60 cm when soils are moist. Wheel track compaction problems are identified by reduced crop growth in wheel track areas of the field. Dig up and examine plant roots from healthy, unaffected crop areas as well as those from problem areas to see if growth is being affected by compaction. Plants from compacted areas may have malformed or restricted root development that is confined to the top layer of soil. Wheel-induced compaction can be prevented and managed through

good agronomicT:10” practices, although deep tillage may sometimes be necessary. To prevent the problem, avoid having equipment repeatedly use the same wheel tracks to enter or leave the field. Avoid traffic on the land when soils are quite moist and load seeders and unload combines on the headlands to reduce traffic in the field. Use deep-rooted crops, such as alfalfa, to penetrate the compacted soil layer and help utilize natural wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles to mellow the soil. Where wheel traffic has caused compaction to a depth of 30 to 50 cm deep tillage may be necessary, but this method will not generally help with compaction at a depth below 50 cm. Soil must be dry and equipment operators should try to InVigor L130 A B leave as much residue on the surface as possible. Subsoilers or deep rippers can cause mixing of soil layers, which should be avoided. Mechanical deep tillage is only a 54.5 bu./ac. 51.8 bu./ac. 50.5 bu./ac. short-term solution to soil compaction and is expensive. In the long term, agronomic practices are a better solution to minimize wheel traffic compaction.

BayerCropScience.ca/InVigor or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Angela Lovell is a freelance writer, editor and communications specialist living and O-66-02/12-BCS11026-E Always read and follow label directions. InVigor® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. working in Manitoba. Find her online at www.angelalovell.ca

Production Contact Numbers: 403 261 7161 403 261 7152 12 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features WHEAT PRODUCTION 7 tips for better root health A healthy wheat crop starts from the basics at the bottom — the root. Here are 7 tips for better root health in your wheat fields

BY TED LABUN says Larocque. “Seedling mortality as they compete against bigger, in initiating germination. “Those 3. TREAT YOUR SEED might also be higher if it’s cold and stronger plants beside them.” with high soil pH, high calcium, oots play a pivotal role Seed treatments are a good risk wet.” If you see that conditions phosphorus and copper may see a in crop emergence and management tool as they can help may be tough, then take steps that 6. EVALUATE ALL NUTRIENTS response to seed placed zinc.” seedling health, so the protect seeds from both insects will help mitigate them, such as more you can do to pro- and diseases. Some seed treatments increasing your seeding rate and Larocque urges growers to con- 7. MANAGE RISK Rtect them from disease, the better protect just the seed itself, while using a seed treatment with a good sider all nutrients, beyond the usual chance your crop has to establish others have systemic action and fungicide package. nitrogen, phosphorus and potas- As with most cropping practices well, setting the stage for a success- soil mobility, offering protection sium, that will help root develop- and decisions, healthy root devel- ful season. from to the roots as well as they 5. PLACE SEED ACCURATELY ment and function. He says the key opment is about good risk man- “You’ve got to have a solid foun- first emerge. Understand the pest nutrients for early season root and agement and best practices. dation to build your house on,” says pressures in your field and choose “Accurate seed and fertilizer seedling development are nitrogen, “If you’re seeding into cool soils Steve Larocque. “If you don’t, it will the seed treatment accordingly placement is equally as impor- phosphorous, potassium, magne- and wet soils, pushing rotations collapse. It’s the same with plants.” tant,” says Larocque. “Inconsistent sium, calcium, zinc and manganese. and seeding early, you’re suscep- An independent crop advisor 4. CONSIDER SEEDING DATE seeding depth can lead to uneven “In the case of zinc, there’s a tible to disease,” says Larocque. and owner of Beyond Agronomy emergence. For example, if 30 per strong correlation between the rate “Understand your risks, test seed in Three Hills, Alta., Larocque is “The push toward earlier seeding, cent of your crop takes three to five of germination and the level of zinc and treat.” † the first to say that root health particularly if the soil is cool and days longer to emerge, those plants inside the seed,” he says. That’s Ted Labun is a seed care technical lead at alone won’t ensure a great wet, increases the risk of disease,” are already at a yield disadvantage because zinc plays a critical role Syngenta Canada Inc. wheat crop come fall. But it is a very good place to start for the simple reason that healthy roots, generally speaking, lead to healthy plants. “When you think of what roots actually do, aside from anchor- ing the plant, they extract water and nutrients from the soil, so any practice that encourages root growth will generate higher yields,” says Larocque. It really comes down to effective disease management and doing everything you can to protect roots so that they can help get your crop out of the ground as quickly as possible, and continue to help them grow well throughout the season. Here are some tips.

1. ROTATE. ROTATE. ROTATE. The importance of observing proper rotations cannot be over- estimated when it comes to breaking soil-borne disease cycles. All soils contain varying levels of the major disease families, such as fusarium spp., rhizoctonia spp., pythium spp., so managing for them is important to overall root and seedling health. Economics are driving short rotations where canola is planted every second year on the same field — it’s been the big money in tandemtm. maker for years, and shows no Tougher signs of stopping. But there are also economic consequences when disease inoculum is allowed to build up in the soil over time. Larocque calls it “super loading.” Not even seed treatments can fully protect roots when disease levels are too high. The point is that while you might not lose a crop entirely to unchecked soil-borne disease due to poor rotations, plants will struggle to produce well, and that does cost you yield and grade in the end — money, in other words.

2. TEST YOUR SEED In Tandem, two active ingredients work synergistically to deliver the most Tougher, more flexible Flexibility • Convenience Seed-borne disease can also have flexible, high-performance, one-pass control of wild oats, kochia, cleavers, a detrimental effect on root health. one-pass control of One pass control • Two active ingredients chickweed, hemp-nettle and more, across all soil zones. Plus a wide window If you’re planting your own wheat seed, have it tested to find out wild oats and broadleaf multi-mode of action of application, rotational freedom and tank mix options. bulk up deadline what, if anything, you need to weeds in wheat. Better resistance management extended to March 20th, 2012. Accomplish more. Call our Solutions manage for. Center at 1.800.667.3852 or visit www.dowagro.ca today. Don’t forget to ask for a 1,000 kernel weight test as well. Knowing that figure, along with germination and vigour, can help you TMTrademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. 02/12-17724-02A Rev2 determine the optimal seeding rate for the seed lot you have.

17727-02A_Rev2 TandemBUP 17.125X10_FBC.indd 1 2/22/12 8:22 AM MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 13 Features AGRI-BUSINESS Young farmer has a passion for the business

BY LISA GUENTHER LAND BASE given the farm or anything like that. I hope to build my own.” eff Prosko jokes that he’s Though Prosko and his father, Expansion is Prosko’s biggest been farming since he Rick, have separate farms, they challenge right now. “The competi- could drive a tractor. share equipment and staff. Since tion for farmland is fierce. You’ve When he was 16, his 2002, their combined acreage has got investors and foreign owner- Jfather made him responsi- grown from about 3,500 acres to ship and people who quite honestly ble for the crop on one quarter 11,000 acres. About 3,400 of these aren’t ready to sell or step down.” section. In the 11 years since, acres are owned or rented by Jeff The Prosko family at their farm near Rose Valley, Sask. From left to Prosko has worked off the farm Prosko. Though working with EMPLOYEES right: Rick and Donna (Jeff’s parents), Giselle and Joel (Jeff’s siblings), and attended the University of his father has many advantages, and Jeff Prosko. Saskatchewan. After earning his Prosko finds their combined acre- Keeping retired farmers involved diploma in agriculture in 2005, age can be a hindrance when he’s sometimes makes them more com- round. Finding the right people Prosko says the crew they have Prosko returned to the Rose trying to get more land. fortable with land deals. Prosko has become more important. now is fantastic. Over time, he Valley area to farm. “The perception is that what’s finds that retired farmers make “Where we farm, the weather and his employees have become “I think I was meant to be Dad’s is mine, or something like good seasonal workers, too. can be so challenging that you friends. “It’s more than just a a farmer. I know that sounds that. I think that happens to a The Prosko family also employs might get a window of 10 days working relationship. You work corny, but I could never picture lot of sons and fathers. My dad’s retired teachers and friends to help to seed 10,000 acres. It seems with each other, you get to myself doing anything else,” an active farmer and he’s got two with seeding and harvest, along impossible, but you have to do know each other, you build a says Prosko. other kids. I don’t expect to be with one full-time employee year- it,” Prosko says. rapport, and then they’re even more comfortable because they know what you’re really about,” says Prosko. Prosko tries to show employees they’re appreciated by throwing staff Christmas parties and keeping the work environment positive. He and his dad have also streamlined their farm operations. They plant canola and a cereal crop each year, partly to keep seeding rates simple. They also use the same types of farm equipment, which makes it easier to train employees and fix problems. The idea to run the same combines and tractors came from talking to other farmers. “I’ve got some good friends who are large farmers and have been for a couple of generations now. Through interactions with them, and asking questions about how they run their business, basically you start to pick up on some of these things.”

NETWORKING Much of Prosko’s networking is done through organizations. He’s involved with the Saskatchewan Young Ag-Entrepreneurs, the Canadian Young Farmers Forum, the Kelvington-Wadena constituency, Saskatchewan’s Youth Ag Advisory in tandemtm. Committee, and the Western Tougher Canadian Wheat Growers. By talking to other farmers he’s gained different perspectives on issues, bounced ideas off other people, and found solutions to problems. Farming is more than a business to Prosko. He eventually wants to raise a family on the farm, and this June he will marry his fiancé, Ebony Kozak, who works as a massage therapist. Though Kozak’s not a farm girl, she supports Prosko’s passion for farming. Their first date was on a tractor. Ultimately, Prosko knows he’s picked the right line of work. “I like it all. There’s nothing In Tandem, two active ingredients work synergistically to deliver the most more special than when you Tougher, more flexible Flexibility • Convenience plant a crop and you see it flexible, high-performance, one-pass control of wild oats, kochia, cleavers, coming out of the ground. I one-pass control of One pass control • Two active ingredients chickweed, hemp-nettle and more, across all soil zones. Plus a wide window remember the first few years I got to run air drill, and I drove wild oats and broadleaf multi-mode of action of application, rotational freedom and tank mix options. bulk up deadline by (the fields I’d seeded) after weeds in wheat. Better resistance management extended to March 20th, 2012. Accomplish more. Call our Solutions a month and saw green rows. Center at 1.800.667.3852 or visit www.dowagro.ca today. I thought that was the most amazing thing. It’s the simplest thing, but it’s so amazing that you get to do that.” † TMTrademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. 02/12-17724-02A Rev2 Lisa Guenther is a communications specialist in LIvelong, Sask. Find her online at www. brickhouse.ca

17727-02A_Rev2 TandemBUP 17.125X10_FBC.indd 1 2/22/12 8:22 AM 14 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features Crop production The role of copper in plant nutrition A lot of research has been done into copper’s role in crop nutrition. Find out how to identify or correct a copper deficiency by Angela Lovell much weight in the heads,” says to ergot because it has a period of copper deficiencies in cereal crops determine the extent of the copper Elston Solberg, president of Agri- time when the flowers are mostly are light green leaves and dry issue and develop a strategy to deal opper deficiency in soils Trend Agrology Ltd., who has con- open to the outside atmosphere leaf tips, with slow and stunted with it, he adds. has been correlated to ducted extensive research into the as the head emerges,” he says. “If growth. Another symptom that A wheat crop will take up just lodging in cereal crops, role of copper in plant develop- you get a period where it gets cool has been observed in copper defi- over 0.5 grams of copper per mainly because copper ment. “The heads are predisposed and it slows down the develop- cient cereal crops is bending of the bushel, and remove about 0.15 g/ isC a nutrient involved in lignifi- to stay open for a longer period of ment of the wheat, you have the stems or heads, which may break bu. from the soil. So a 70 bushel cation or straw strength, which time because, even though they are wheat flowers exposed for a longer 15 to 30 cm below the head. crop will need to find 36 to 37 determines the standability of the close-pollinated, if they have none period of time to any windblown “The best way for a farmer to grams of copper and will remove plant. Low copper can also cause of their own pollen, they will keep spores or fungus. So (ergot infec- know for sure if he has a copper about 10 grams. increased disease, increases in their heads open for a longer period tion) is mostly weather related.” deficiency is to have soil and tis- Barley will take up about 0.38 g/ ergot and melanosis, twisted flag of time in the hopes of getting pol- The important message is that sue tests done,” says Aberhart. “Just bu. and remove about 0.34 g/bu. of leaves and an increase of aborted len from a nearby plant, and that’s copper deficiency should be cor- having a soil test alone will not pro- copper from the soil. A barley crop seeds in the head. when the ergot infection gets in.” rectly diagnosed before copper fer- vide the same level of confidence as will remove almost all of the copper “As well, copper plays an impor- Although Brook acknowledges tilizer is applied. having both soil and in season tis- it takes up. A 100 bushel barley crop tant role in nitrogen utilization,” that copper can sometimes play a sue analysis.” If a farmer sees some will need to take up about 38 g/ says Terry Aberhart, an agri-coach role in ergot infection, he believes Detecting copper of these symptoms or feels he is not bu. and will remove about 34 g/bu. with Agri-Trend Agrology Ltd. that weather is more often the deficiency getting the yields and crop quality from the soil. Aberhart has seen and dealt with biggest contributor to the prob- he’s striving for, he should get in- Oats take up almost the same copper deficiencies on his own lem. “Wheat is most susceptible Some of the main indicators of depth soil and tissue tests done to amount of copper as barley but only farm in Saskatchewan. “You may see poor nitrogen efficiencies and have a hard time achieving top protein levels if you have issues with copper in your crops.” Growers aiming for high yields in cereal crops should pay close attention to soil-available copper levels to avoid yield loss, quality loss, delayed maturity and severe crop lodging, which can be due to a copper deficiency sometimes induced by high nitrogen levels.

Copper and lodging The lodging susceptibility of copper deficient cereal crops due to impaired lignifications of cell walls can be increased by high nitrogen fertilizer rates, says German plant physiologist, Horst Marschner, in his book Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants. Other experts are not so sure about the relationship between LCO Promoter lodging and copper. “If the lodging is observed on peat or very high organic matter soils, (where Technology copper deficiency is common), the cause of that lodging may also be due to low potassium level of peat soils and high nitrogen release,” says John Heard, crop Leaving Competition Obsolete nutrition specialist with Manitoba L C O Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. “I would suggest that if soils test low in copper with suspect soil conditions (low organic matter, sandy and high pH soils or peat soils) that farmers should fix their copper problem — regardless of any minor effect it has on lodging. But I am not a proponent of copper use on non-deficient soils.” Harry Brook, crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is convinced that the problem of lodging is usually more related to potassium levels in prairie soils than copper. “I believe A new era in agricultural history is upon us with the discovery of LCO Promoter Technology®, producers should test the hypoth- ® esis for themselves by conducting available exclusively in Optimize . This truly groundbreaking LCO molecule does for the inoculant business what strip trials on their fields. If there email did to the mail system. LCO speeds communication between the rhizobia and the pea plant. The result? A is a real deficiency, it should show up in the results at harvest time,” scientific breakthrough in enhanced nutritional capabilities that drive natural growth processes, maximizing pea says Brook. plant growth and overall crop performance. Let’s change history together. Call your Novozymes representative Copper and ergot today and take the next giant step in inoculant history. Ergot is a disease that often seems to be present when there is significant lodging in cereal crops. Some www.useOptimize.ca | 1-888-744-5662 experts believe that the correlation between the two relates to copper. “If you have poor lignifications and Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries we create tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, ® Optimize and LCO Promoter Technology are registered poor pollination (because of copper improving our customers’ business and the use of our planet’s resources. Read more at www.novozymes.com. trademarks of Novozymes A/S. All rights reserved. 12011 02.12 2012-02150-01 Novozymes. 2012 © deficiency), the plant is predisposed to fall over, even though there isn’t MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 15 Features

remove about 0.18 g/bu., so a 130 response. “The thing to consider in hot conditions, especially if com- interception,” says Aberhart. “This “Most of our growers that we work bushel per acre oat crop will need with seed a treatment is that you are bined with fungicides, where there is where applying lower analysis with on a copper strategy use a to take up about 47 g/bu. of copper applying a very small amount, and are additional surfactants. products, impregnation of other dry combination of a couple of dif- and will remove only 23 g/bu. from that copper will be gone by the time Soil-applied copper is effective, fertilizers which will increase granu- ferent products and applications the soil. the crop gets to the critical stage,” but there needs to be good root lar distribution, or adding to a liq- to best suit the needs of the crop says Aberhart. “The same is true with interception and uptake. If a 20 uid blend can increase your chances and work with the logistics of their CORRECTING COPPER a foliar treatment. You are applying per cent granular copper product is and efficiency of uptake with soil operation,” says Aberhart. “There DEFICIENCY a small amount of copper, but it can applied at five lbs./ac., it will result applied products.” are hundreds of easy, effective, and be very effective if applied at the in one lb./ac. (or 454 grams) of There are many factors involved profitable ways to apply copper to Copper can be applied within right time.” actual copper. Depending on the in copper uptake and application you crops. There are many times a seed treatment as a granular for crops. Farmers need to consider we hear from growers that have application, impregnated on dry soil type, organic matter, copper tried applying copper to their crops fertilizer, in a liquid fertilizer blend levels throughout the soil profile with no response. There are two or as a foliar treatment. (many soils may have poor copper reasons for this, either the crop Copper is not mobile in the soil levels at the surface but increases did not need copper, or they did or in the plant, so placement and deeper down), pH levels, crop yield not use the right product, in the timing of products is very impor- Some of the main indicators of copper and quality, protein goals, and proper manner or timing, as there tant. Most cereal crops have the deficiencies in cereal crops are light whether they are dealing with soil are many ways you can apply these highest demand for copper uptake that they want to build, maintain products and not get the value in the vegetative and seed devel- green leaves and dry leaf tips, with slow or mine, says Aberhart. from them because of this.” opment stage. “So that is when and stunted growth Aberhart suggests that farm- you will want to ensure that your COPPER PRODUCTS ers work with someone that can crop will be able to get the copper really understand their soils and all it needs to produce top yields and Copper cannot be foliar applied crop and yield, this could provide There are hundreds of copper the different copper products and quality,” says Aberhart. once the head is starting to come enough copper for ten or 15 years products and application methods methods of application in order If only small amounts of copper out of the boot, as crop damage and or crops. “The issue is that you with various considerations includ- to achieve the best results. On are required, seed treatments and reduced yields can occur. Foliar cop- will only have about two or three ing efficiency of uptake, timing, his own farm, Aberhart has seen a foliar application may be suffi- per can cause some leaf burn to the granules per square foot of soil and solubility of the product, and suit- better crop yields, increased stand- cient and give the most economical plant if put on at higher rates and will have very low root uptake and ability for soil or foliar application. ability, reduced disease and ergot issues. “Overall we see better crop quality, more consistent yield and increased grain weight and plump- ness especially in barley and oat crops, as well as increased protein levels in our wheat crops,” he says. “In today’s new pricing environments crop quality and protein levels will have a large economic impact on the farms bottom line.” The debate about the role of copper and whether copper deficiencies have a role in lodging, ergot development or other crop problems could go on forever, but perhaps what’s more important in growing any crop is to think like a plant. What does it need and where is it going to get it? That involves moving away from traditional recipe farming along a continuum that leads to assessing and farming different parts of each field according to their individual requirements, says Solberg. LCO Promoter “There’s no better example than copper,” he says. “The variability of copper is so huge sometimes Technology that only 30 per cent of the field may be affected by the copper deficiency. That’s where you see the lodging and the predominance of the ergot and all those other issues Leaving Competition Obsolete that are associated with copper L C O deficiency. So it’s really important to collect information and act on that information in a logical and scientific manner.” A proper crop planning system with a good soil and tissues testing program means that farmers can consistently track yields, quality, soil and plant levels every year to make sure they get the best economic benefit to their bottom line, says Aberhart. † Angela Lovell is a freelance writer, editor and communications specialist living and working in Manitoba. Find her online at www.angelalovell.ca

A new era in agricultural history is upon us with the discovery of LCO Promoter Technology®, BY DAN PIRARO available exclusively in Optimize®. This truly groundbreaking LCO molecule does for the inoculant business what Bizarro email did to the mail system. LCO speeds communication between the rhizobia and the pea plant. The result? A scientific breakthrough in enhanced nutritional capabilities that drive natural growth processes, maximizing pea plant growth and overall crop performance. Let’s change history together. Call your Novozymes representative today and take the next giant step in inoculant history. www.useOptimize.ca | 1-888-744-5662

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries we create tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, ® Optimize and LCO Promoter Technology are registered improving our customers’ business and the use of our planet’s resources. Read more at www.novozymes.com. trademarks of Novozymes A/S. All rights reserved. 12011 02.12 2012-02150-01 Novozymes. 2012 © 16 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features CROP PRODUCTION CROP ADVISOR’S CASEBOOK OFF-COLOUR LENTILS NOT SO FUNNY

ack, a farmer from Eston, the leaflets and lower stems of Sask., thought he had a the plants. major problem on his farm Jack was dealing with a fungal at the end of June 2011. infestation of some kind — root J “My lentil field is dying off rot, anthracnose, ascochyta blight, and I don’t know if it’s anthrac- fusarium wilt, stemphylium nose, root rot, or what,” he said. blight. The list of potential can- “This is a critical time for my didates was long. Some we could lentils, and whatever is happen- eliminate easily. For example, the ing in my field is going to affect plants were at an advanced stage my final yield!” He told me that with the canopy closing in, so off-colour patches of plants had root rot probably wasn’t the prob- developed over the past week. lem. The brown lesions on the In Jack’s lentil field, I could lower leaflets and the blacken- see scattered patches of brown- ing of the stem characteristic of coloured plants. It appeared as anthracnose infection were also Joel Finlay though the plants were prema- absent. The pods of stempyhlium turely dying. Up close, I could see blight-infected plants do not turn that produce mould growth on spots ranging from cream to tan brown, and there were no tan the plant. White fluffy mould can in colour spread across the leaves. lesions on the lower leaflets of the be found on plants infected with The spots were evidently then plants in Jack’s field, eliminating the pathogen responsible for scle- infecting the whole leaflet, as well this disease from the list. rotinia white mould, and the roots as the rest of the plant. Even the I dug up some of the plants and of these plants are often infected pods were turning light brown. examined their roots. If fusarium and rotting. However, the roots of The occurrence of the patches wilt had infected this field, I Jack’s plants were healthy, elimi- was heavier toward the edge of would have expected to find red- nating this disease as the possible the field Jack shared with his dish to brown discolouration of cause of damage to his lentil crop. neighbour. “I know my neigh- the roots, but they looked com- There was now only one pathogen bour had disease pressure last pletely healthy and normal. left to consider. “I know what’s year. I’m not sure what the prob- The small black pycnidia (asex- growing in your field, and I think lem was,” Jack said. ual fruiting bodies) and spot-like your neighbour can confirm my There was a mould-like fuzzy growth on some of the leaflets and lower As the result of premature lesions on leaves, stems, and diagnosis,” I said. stems of the plants. plant death, plant density was pods characteristic of ascochyta What disease has infected Jack’s lower within the patches when blight infection were also not lentil field? Send your diagnosis Advisor’s Casebook. Best sugges- reasoning which solved the mys- compared with the surround- present on the plants in Jack’s to Grainews, Box 9800, Winnipeg, tions will be pooled and one win- tery, will appear in the next Crop ing areas. As I peered through lentil field. MB, R3C 3K7; email leeann. ner will be drawn for a chance to Advisor’s Solution File. † the canopy I could see a mould- There are only two fungal diseas- [email protected] win a Grainews cap and a one-year Joel Finlay is a sales agronomist at Richardson like fuzzy growth on some of es of importance in Saskatchewan or fax 204-944-5416 c/o Crop subscription to the magazine. The Pioneer Ltd. in Swift Current, Sask.

CROP ADVISOR’S SOLUTION SO MANY VARIABLES, SO LITTLE TIME

hen soil tests noticeably poor crop stands. The tilizer in the seed row can result fertilizer injury. In John’s case, a ingly. With the 2012 crop year indicated a sulphur plant populations were much in ammonia toxicity (which is timely rain may have diluted the just ahead, I made some recom- deficiency in two sparser in these fields than in caused by most nitrogen fertiliz- fertilizer salts and free ammonia — mendations to John to reduce his of his fields, John his other healthy fields, with ers), salt damage from the dis- produced from the urea — and the risk of seed injury, such as lower- Wthought he was doing the right only six plants per square foot. solving fertilizer, and the absorp- problem may have been avoided. ing the amount of seed-placed thing by increasing the amount The plant density increased in tion of moisture by the fertilizer, The type of soil texture can fertilizer when seeding into coarse of seed-placed fertilizer blend he low-lying areas, and it seemed causing the seeds to dry out. also increase the risk of salt and soils, and using products with a applied. But instead of correcting thinner on the slopes and tops Not only had the increased ammonia toxicity. Crops seeded lower salt index. It is also essential the deficiency, he had unknowingly of hills. fertilizer rate caused damage, but into coarse soils such as sandy to understand the rate of applica- created another serious issue. The plants had been seeded into the conditions present in John’s loam will be more affected by fer- tion and capabilities of the seed- John now had a problem with sandy loam with low soil mois- fields had combined to create the tilizer toxicity than those seeded ing tool — John could have used seedling emergence in those two ture content. It had not rained ultimate environment for seedling into fine-textured soils such as a wider opener. Being knowledge- fields. Meanwhile, the other 1,200 in the three weeks since the crop injury. The soil moisture content clays. Crops also vary in their able and aware of the seed bed acres of canola he’d planted were had been sown. John had applied at seeding, the lack of precipita- sensitivities to seed-placed ferti- utilization of the seeding tool, doing fine, he told me. a seed-placed fertilizer blend at tion, the type of crop, soil texture lizer; for example, canola, as an soil type and conditions at time of I visited John’s 3,000 acre farm, planting. He’d increased the rate and seeding tool settings — all of oilseed, is one of the least toler- seeding also reduce the chances of located northwest of Saskatoon, of fertilizer blend on these two these factors affect the tolerance ant crops, whereas cereal crops crop injury. An awareness of these during the first week of June. John fields to compensate for the sul- of seed to seed-placed fertilizer. For such as oats, wheat and barley are many factors will increase your produces wheat, canola and peas. phur deficiency. What John didn’t example, the higher the soil mois- more tolerant than oilseeds. success when using seed-placed The first canola fields he showed realize was at the increased rate the ture content at seeding, the more It is important to understand fertilizer. † me were completely healthy and fertilizer had caused ammonia tox- tolerant the seed is to seed-placed the many variables involved when Dale Zimmer is an area marketing developing normally. icity and salt damage to the seed! fertilizer. Precipitation after seeding applying fertilizer in the seed row, representative at Richardson Pioneer Ltd. in The other two fields had High application rates of fer- will help reduce damage caused by and to make adjustments accord- Saskatoon, Sask.

We stand behind our products – and our customers. See our full line of fully backed, value-driven herbicides at www.nufarm.ca

Leaders in off-patent solutions. MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 17 Features PESTS Controlling gophers When gopher populations get out of control, forage production will suffer. Learn how to re-establish the balance of predator-prey

BY KEVIN ELMY summer they were full of fleas. oilstem pipe, fence posts, round weasels, and the predatory birds. will give the predators a chance Because they were domesticated, bales, or planting trees. With Having shrubs and tall grass to get closer. ichardson Ground Squi- they would approach the own- these strategic observation posts, around the gopher colonies will Managing and promoting preda- rrels, or gophers, are one ers — actually climbing up into tors like ferrets, weasels, and birds of of the major problems Dr. Salmon’s father’s pockets to be prey around gopher, or Richardson in forage stands. Not transported home. Ferrets proved Ground Squirrel, colonies will help Ronly do they rip up the soil, leav- to be an effective biological con- to naturally balance the rodent ing mounds and holes to deal trol of the gophers. They are also population. When gopher popula- with, they also attract preda- very effective at rat control in bale Once established in a good productive tions are controlled, other digging tors that leave larger holes and yards, silage piles, and elevators to predators like badgers and coyotes mounds when they start digging. name a few places. area, the gopher population will explode will have less to dig after. Once In 2007 in the southwest part of without proper predation control the balance of predator-prey is re- Saskatchewan, there were farmers BIRDS AS PREDATORS established, forage production will who lost 50 to 70 acres worth of improve. † hay, pasture, or crop production to Another effective strategy is the birds are able to land and allow predators the ability to gopher consumption. setting up a raptor or owl perch look for targets. sneak up on the gophers and Kevin Elmy operates Friendly Acres Seed Once established in a good pro- in areas of gopher activity. The Leaving ungrazed ground also effectively hunt them. Gophers Farm, along with his wife, Christina, and parents, Robert and Verene, near Saltcoats, ductive area, the gopher popula- perch can be made of anything creates habitat for ground pred- work as a group to warn of poten- Sask. Contact him at 306-744-2779 or visit tion will explode without proper that the birds can land on like ators like fox, coyote, skunks, tial predators, so creating cover www.friendlyacres.sk.ca predation control.

KNOW YOUR ENEMY To adequately control gophers, you must understand your enemy. When they wake from hiberna- tion, they spend the first 28 days raising their young. They only mate once a year, raising five to 10 young. Their tunnel system Blackleg becoming a big concern in canola. will have five to seven exits. If one gopher dies, another will take the burrow over. The average gopher The importance of canola to Canadian growers is easily seen in and stems early on at the 4-leaf stage, then subsequently as stem will live to four years, males less. the numbers. The Canola Council of Canada reports over 18 million cankers in the mature plant. There is no cure once Blackleg appears Gophers are omnivores, meaning total acres harvested in 2011, an increase of over 42% in five years. and so a preventative fungicide treatment is strongly recommended. they eat vegetation, insects and With increasing acres due mostly to tighter rotations, Blackleg One effective option for control of Blackleg is HEADLINE® road killed gophers. They eat their has again become a concern. And it’s a concern that is growing. dead to decrease the attention of Shortened rotations put more pressure on resistant (R-rated) canola fungicide from BASF. What differentiates HEADLINE from other predators. They prefer to live in varieties, currently the primary defense against the disease in Western fungicides are the additional benefits BASF callsAgCelence ™. forage stands or other areas of Canada. If genetic resistance breaks down, Blackleg will become a AgCelence is unique to HEADLINE and has been observed by minimal disturbance. problem for growers looking to maximize their canola production. growers to increase yield with or without the presence of disease. To control gophers, the key Over the past three years, grower trials have also shown that the Blackleg is common in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and is keeping them under control greater the yield potential of a canola crop, the greater that yield has been consistently found in over half the canola fields in provincial increased with an application of HEADLINE. Growers also report and maintaining a good preda- disease surveys. What is surprising is that Blackleg is an increasing seeing greener, larger leaves, taller plants with more pods and tor balance. Under low predator concern despite the fact that R-rated varieties are being seeded. populations and dry conditions, stronger stems that help improve harvestability. There are a variety of tools recommended for reducing Yield increase vs. yield potential with HEADLINE gopher numbers rise quickly. In Yield increase vs yield potential with HEADLINE areas of higher rainfall gophers Blackleg’s impact on yield. While it’s always best to rotate canola one in four years, growers should also rotate R-rated 6 will drown in their burrows and 5.3 varieties and be vigilant about scouting for the disease. Rotation When HEADLINE suffer from increased disease — 5 combined with the use of a fungicide can also be an excellent is added with any numbers will go down. 4.1 canola system* strategy against Blackleg. The decision is up to the grower as 4 3.6 herbicide at the One of the things we forget in 3.3 2-6 leaf stage, the to whether the return on investment demands the additional 3 the time of technology is how protection delivered by a fungicide, but increasingly it is 3 greater the yield people controlled problems back potential, the becoming a more important tool to consider. 2 in the turn of last century. For greater the crop response and 1

example, under grazing, which Yield increase over Untreated (bu/ac) Untreated Treated yield increase. leaves taller forage, promoting 0 existence of predators like weasels All Yields >40 bu >45 bu >50 bu >55 bu and garter snakes, and deep rip- n=70 n=50 n=33 n=23 n=11 Performance Performance ping. Deep ripping is effective at Source: Grower yield data, HEADLINE at herbicide timing, 2009 to 2011, n=70 destroying gopher burrows, but it opens a new can of worms with With tighter canola rotations and the growing presence of Blackleg AgSolutions soil erosion, brings rocks to the increasing the pressure on current R-rated canola varieties, a preventative fungicide application is due to become more common. Trials, Raymore, SK 2011 SK Raymore, Trials, surface, and brings up fresh cal- Source: For canola growers looking to control the disease and increase cium and magnesium to the soil Untreated canola can suffer yield A preventative application of HEADLINE loss if Blackleg is present. fungicide can help preserve yield. yields, HEADLINE fungicide is a highly effective tool to help get a which will decrease phosphate, leg up in the battle against Blackleg. potassium, and zinc availability. Blackleg is a fungal disease in canola caused by the pathogen, Leptosphaeria maculans. Symptoms appear as greyish white To find out more about HEADLINE, visitagsolutions.ca/HEADLINE ® FERRETS AS PREDATORS lesions with black spots (pycnidia, which contain spores) on leaves or call AgSolutions Customer Care at 1-877-371-BASF (2273). One of the animals that has all but disappeared is the black footed ferret. Ninety per cent of their diet is made up of ground rodents. Since they are very endangered, using domestic ferrets to control gophers may be an accessible option. Dr. Don Salmon says when he was growing up on his family farm, they regularly used ferrets in their pastures to control gophers. Take the ferrets out in the spring, and provide them additional shelter, like a small dog house. You may have to supply them with sup- * Canola production systems include Clearfield® canola, InVigor® canola or Roundup Ready® canola. plemental food, like dog food. Always read and follow label directions. The only negative that Dr. Salmon AgSolutions, and HEADLINE are registered trade-marks of BASF Corporation; AgCelence is a trade-mark of BASF SE; Clearfield is a registered trade-mark of BASF Agrochemical Products B.V., all used with permission by BASF Canada Inc. HEADLINE should be used in a preventative disease control program. All other trade-marks are properties of their respective mentioned was the fact when owners. © 2012 BASF Canada Inc. they picked up the ferrets in late

110200496_GrainNews_Headline_Advtrl_v3.indd 1 12-02-23 5:36 PM

Client: BASF Publication: GrainNews . . . Michael File Name: GrainNews_Headline_Advtrl_v2 Page Position: FP Project Name: Advetorial Live Area: 8125” x 10” CMYK PMS ART DIR CREATIVE CLIENT MAC ARTIST V3 Docket Number:110200496 Trim size: na . . . . 02/23/12 STUDIO AD#: Kenna_JrPg-GN_110200496_ADV_E Bleed: na PMS PMS COPY- ACCT MGR SPELLCHECK STUDIO PROOF # 18 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features DIVERSIFICATION Hemp? Is that even legal? It’s been legal to grow hemp for industrial purposes since 1998. While it’s still a something of a novelty, industrial hemp is grown across the Prairies and Ontario BY ANDREA HILDERMAN the machine,” explains Oatway. The main consideration in growing CONTRACTING “ emp is an interesting industrial hemp is the need to have “I would certainly advise farm- crop to be involved a dryer. Industrial hemp is harvested ers not to grow industrial hemp in,” says Kent Oatway, at about 20 per cent moisture con- unless they have a contract,” says a farmer on the tent for ease of handling, and the Tom Greaves of Manitoba Harvest. north-westH edge of Winnipeg, seed needs to be dried down to nine Manitoba Harvest is the largest, Once emerged, industrial hemp is a very competitive crop as it creates a Manitoba. “It’s something new per cent for storage. vertically integrated hemp food thick canopy that chokes out weeds. and challenging.” “This is more work, of course, manufacturer in Canada. (Find Industrial hemp, Cannabis and more expense, but we have our more information at www.mani- a reputation as a new, innovative but also, hemp like many special Sativa, is one of the oldest culti- own dryer,” says Oatway. “You have tobaharvest.com.) healthy ingredient very quickly. crops is susceptible to declining vated plants in history. Most peo- to balance that against the higher Hemp Oil Canada (www.hel- Dale Risula is the Saskatchewan acres when the economics of crops ple are aware of other uses of this seed costs but almost zero chemical poilcan.com) is another market- provincial specialist for special like durum and canola look good. plant as a recreational drug, but costs.” ing option for farmers. Hemp is crops and according to him hemp Those crops are an easy, attractive hemp is produced from a type of The seed itself resembles a very used to make a range of healthy acres are declining in the province. option for farmers and the special Cannabis Sativa specifically bred to small nut, not unlike a small, round foods including oils, butters, milks “I think it’s mostly due to the reg- crops take a bit of a hit.” † yield long fibres. Hemp was used buckwheat seed. and protein powders. It is gaining ulations farmers have to adhere to, Andrea Hilderman writes from Winnipeg, Man. for thousands of years for rope, canvas, paper, and clothing until other textiles were discovered. In 1998 hemp was legalized in Canada, and commercial cultivation became much easier and straightforward. A license is required from Health Canada and farmers must complete annual criminal checks. Despite some necessary paperwork, industrial hemp can still be an attractive option for farmers to consider as part of their rotations. “Licensing is straight-forward, With thE support, but it is just more paperwork that has to be completed,” said stEWardship and Oatway. He also said that depending on the variety you choose to innovation that only grow, you may have to submit the results of a THC test to Health CErEal hErbiCidE Canada. THC is tetrahydrocan- nabinol, the ingredient which pErformanCE gives people a “high” when they ElEvatE ElEvatE your Can providE. smoke cannabis or “weed.” Most cultivated industrial varieties of performance. hemp have less than 0.3 per cent THC and have no physical or physiological effects. Farming has become a business of higher technology. Only Cereal AGRONOMICS Herbicide Performance provides Industrial hemp is grown across a full range of high-performance, the Prairies and into Ontario. It’s seeded mid-May to early June and technologically-advanced crop is very frost resistant. It requires protection options to help safeguard about 110 days to maturity. The seeding rate is 25 to 30 pounds per your investment. So you can produce acre, at a depth of one half to one the highest cereal crop yields inch. No special seeding equipment is required. possible. Plus real-time planning The key to getting hemp off to a and advice. Investment in research good start is to seed into a clean field that is pre-tilled or sprayed, and into and development. Innovations a firm and uniform seedbed. in formulations and packaging. “This is the key management issue,” says Oatway. “We seed our Cereal Herbicide Performance. We hemp on our cleanest, highest and best-drained land. Hemp does set the standard with twelve high- not like wet feet.” Once emerged, performance products for grass and industrial hemp is a very competitive crop as it creates a thick broadleaf weed control in western canopy that chokes out weeds. Canada. Contact our Solutions This is a very important characteristic considering there are no Center at 1.800.667.3852 or visit herbicides registered for use on www.dowagro.ca today. industrial hemp. “Give this crop heat, and you’ll see it jump out of the ground really fast,” says Oatway. The plant will reach five or six feet in height, but lodging is not an issue. C E r E a l Industrial hemp is usually straight combined using a draper header. In hErbiCidE the past, it was difficult to thresh, pErformanCE but with new shorter varieties and better combine technologies, ™Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC ®All other products are registered trademarks that is no longer such an issue. of their respective companies. “The biggest challenge harvesting 01/12-17671-02C hemp is because of the long, very strong fibers, it wraps itself inside

17671-02C DAS_CHP 17.125X10_FBC.indd 1 2/21/12 1:51 PM MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 19 Features SPRAYING 8 tips to reduce spray drift Spray drift can be a farmers’ worst nightmare. While there are lots of things you can do in the field, some of these will require some pre-season planning

BY ANGELA LOVELL ture inversion when air near the ful near sensitive areas when using tare. Use of higher carrier volumes significantly reduces the poten- ground is cooler than the air above Groups 1, 10, 14 and 27. is a very effective way of reduc- tial for spray drift. Faster travel hese tips are adapted it, causing poor spray dispersal. ing drift, for two reasons. First, if speeds cause increased air shear from information pro- Temperature and relative 3. USE LOW DRIFT NOZZLES travel speed is maintained, a larger on the spray sheet which increases vided by Thomas Wolf, humidity (RH) affect how quickly nozzle is used to apply the higher its breakup and produces a finer Research Scientist at spray droplets evaporate. Droplets Conventional fan nozzles or hol- volumes. This results in a coarser, spray which is more prone to drift. TAAFC, Saskatoon. evaporate more quickly at higher low cone nozzles are usually too less drift-prone spray. Second, the Spray stays aloft longer at faster temperatures and lower RH, mak- drift prone and don’t provide an spray solution is more dilute at the speeds because it is swept back 1. CHECK CONDITIONS ing them more prone to drift. efficacy advantage. A larger nozzle higher volume. Drift will contain due to wind resistance. Higher opening will produce a coarser spray. less active ingredient, and have boom heights are usually required Use an anemometer and com- 2. USE COARSE SPRAY Narrower fan angles generally pro- less potential to cause damage. at higher travel speeds due to pass to check wind speeds and duce larger droplets. Manufacturer uneven terrain. direction. Spraying is best done Coarse sprays are less prone to tables show spray quality for nozzles 5. ADJUST TRAVEL SPEED AND Orienting the spray forward or when there is some wind and the drift than fine sprays. Choose her- at a range of pressures. BOOM HEIGHT backward can allow boom height operator can be sure that wind bicides that are known to perform to be reduced as long as the nozzle direction has stabilized. Low-drift well when applied with coarser 4. USE HIGH CARRIER VOLUMES The relationship between travel to target distance is maintained at nozzles allow for spraying in faster sprays, such as Group 2, 4 and 9, speed and boom height is very the minimum recommended for wind speeds. Avoid night spray- when drift is more likely to occur. Most herbicides work well important. Generally a lower travel the direction it is pointing. For low ing under conditions of tempera- Use finer sprays and be more care- between 50 and 200 litres per hec- speed and lower boom height drift sprays, boom height should ensure 100 per cent overlap.

6. USE SHROUDS Shrouds can reduce drift by up to 75 per cent in some cases, although not all booms can accommodate them. Cone shrouds are an alternative which have also been shown to reduce drift by up to 50 per cent, and allow more ground clearance for suspended booms. They won’t contaminate susceptible crops With thE support, with spray residue on the shield- ing material. Shrouds become less stEWardship and effective at higher boom heights and faster travel speeds. innovation that only CErEal hErbiCidE 7. AIR ASSIST Air assist uses an air stream to pErformanCE increase the speed that the spray is carried down toward the target. This ElEvatE ElEvatE your Can providE. should reduce the time it hangs performance. in the air, exposed to wind. The direction and velocity of the airblast must be matched with atmospheric Farming has become a business and crop canopy conditions. Too of higher technology. Only Cereal strong an airblast into a small crop canopy, like seedling wheat, and the Herbicide Performance provides spray can bounce off the ground a full range of high-performance, and return up into the airstream, increasing drift. Air assist must be technologically-advanced crop adjustable to be useful and requires protection options to help safeguard an experienced operator. your investment. So you can produce 8. KNOW YOUR PRODUCT AND the highest cereal crop yields WHAT’S DOWNWIND possible. Plus real-time planning Know the active ingredient and and advice. Investment in research the likely impact of spray drift on anything downwind. Sulfonylurea and development. Innovations herbicides, phenoxies and glyphosate are very potent and can dam- in formulations and packaging. age susceptible plants at very Cereal Herbicide Performance. We small doses. Most other herbicides are less active and may have less set the standard with twelve high- effect on plants. Many insecticides performance products for grass and and fungicides, however, are very harmful to aquatic or avian spe- broadleaf weed control in western cies and drift or run-off into water Canada. Contact our Solutions must be avoided. Always make sure the wind Center at 1.800.667.3852 or visit is blowing away from sensi- www.dowagro.ca today. tive areas. Buffer zones should be used to reduce the impact of spray. Buffer zones are the downwind distance from the edge of the spray swath to the upwind side of a sensitive area. C E r E a l Product labels list recommended buffer zones from sensitive eco- hErbiCidE logical areas. pErformanCE Keep people around you informed if you intend to spray, and take care when spraying near ™Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC ®All other products are registered trademarks † of their respective companies. to yard sites and gardens. 01/12-17671-02C Angela Lovell Angela Lovell is a freelance writer in Manitoba. Find her online at www. angelalovell.ca.

17671-02C DAS_CHP 17.125X10_FBC.indd 1 2/21/12 1:51 PM 20 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features FARM FINANCES

per acre and then by bushel. This didn’t work for them, it may for me. shows you what your actual costs Small-acre experiments or learning look like based on actual yields. from someone who’s successfully Know your costs Because prices are reported to us growing a crop may open up new in dollars per bushel, we need to opportunities to make money. know our costs per bushel. There are two ways to decrease To increase profits, you need to know your costs per bushel. The first is to USING THE NUMBERS reduce costs per acre while get- costs inside and out — both fixed and variable ting the same yield. This might Once we know our fixed and mean no longer putting extra costs — on a per bushel basis variable costs, we can pull the inputs into the ground that are trigger on prices that will make us unmerited (like over-fertiliza- BY KEVIN ELMY cost and unit margin — your cost compare with other producers. But money. Making margin on vari- tion), getting rid of a payment, and profit per bushel. cost and revenue per unit (bushel) able cost is nice, but are we actu- or reducing inputs with low rates usiness owners need to In the past, people talked about shows your efficiency. ally making enough money to pay of return. The other option is to know where they make reducing costs per bushel by pro- You can calculate this measure for the power and equipment and increase bushels per acre. Once their money. ducing more bushels. It makes either after harvest or by using put food on the table? again, there are two ways of Determining where the sense, as producing more with budgeted yield estimates. Take the These measures also allow us to doing this. Use the same dollars Bprofit centers are means knowing less accumulated cost is more costs and revenues per acre, then look at the bigger picture. If it’s per acre, just reallocate them into revenue and expenses, plus those efficient. It can be even better if divide by the yield. difficult to pencil in a profit for a different management zones, or overhead expenses that must be you produce the same amount Another good thing to calculate crop, why are we growing it? If it increase inputs and have the paid whether production occurs with fewer inputs due to lower is your overhead cost. What would is just a rotational crop, is there a return higher than the addition- or not. Most farmers talk about risk. Then you throw in a bad your farm cost if you did not put in better replacement? al costs. Either way, there is a costs per acre, revenue per acre, year like 2010 or 2011, and it a crop or spend money on inputs? One of the things I’ve learned change in management. and maybe margin per acre. But makes the numbers scary. This includes payments on land, is, just because someone else isn’t With a change in management, to see where your risk and margin Per-acre revenue and costs are equipment, labour, taxes and liv- growing something, doesn’t mean one expects a change in results. occurs, take a look at your unit easy to budget with, measure, and ing expenses — first broken down I can’t. Or if someone tried it and Doing things differently should give different results. As they say, insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. In agriculture, doing the same thing will be influenced by PRIMERS / STARTERS / FOLIARS weather, which can give different results. To make the most of management opportunities, one needs to know the risk-reward and cost-benefit scenarios. Adding extra nitrogen during a drought is probably a high-risk, low-reward management decision. Keeping budgets in line while bumping up yields looks great on Stronger start. paper, but it’s challenging to do. It takes discipline and time to make sure each field gets an optimal fertilizer blend, go to a longer rotation, or to set longer-term goals to Faster finish. ensure long-term sustainability. It also means getting things done at the right time to get the maxi- The nutrition available to your crop in the First 30 mum dollar benefit. Days® has a significant impact on seed germination, early root development, emergence and crop vigour. HIT THE JACKPOT To hit the jackpot, you need The First 30 Days® nutrient management plan to decrease inputs and increase from Omex focuses on addressing the nutritional yields. This may be due to rotational benefits, improved tim- requirements of early-stage growth – getting ing through equipment, tech- your crop off to a stronger start and nology or labour changes, or to the finish line faster. a change in weather patterns. On our farm, we changed our rotation to increase our pulse acres, changed our canola system to LibertyLink and changed our cereal from winter wheat to winter triticale. Alfalfa and sainfoin is included on some of the acres, along with corn that is grazed. The next move is to include cover crop blends into all of the acres to cycle nutrients through the profile, potentially gain some grazing opportunities and create more biodiversity on our farm. Just changing our winter cereal from winter wheat to winter triticale cut our costs by $40 per acre while keeping our revenue similar, down about $10 per acre. Net gain. Actual numbers will vary from farm to farm and will depend on what stage you’re at in your farming career. Knowing your break-even and, better yet, knowing where you’re making money, makes negotiating finances easier. On every farm there are money sources and money pits. With good growing conditions, higher management will result in higher ® yields and lower costs per bushel Make the most of the First 30 Days . of grain produced. † Speak to an Omex Plant Health Professional Kevin Elmy operates Friendly Acres Seed Farm, along with his wife, Christina, and parents, Robert and Verene, near Saltcoats, at 1-866-860-9660 or visit omexcanada.com. Sask. Contact him at 306-744-2779 or visit www.friendlyacres.sk.ca

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Part of the network 22 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features Seed Varieties Midge tolerant wheat yields well A new AAFC study shows that, as well as decreasing midge damage, midge tolerant wheat yields as well as the varieties we’ve already been growing

By Leeann Minogue was managed by a number of resistant are not completely people; Vera was in charge of immune to the midge. There is learly, Prairie farmers have preparing and distributing the some damage, but much less.” been looking for a solu- seed and gathering data. Vera and other researchers tion to control orange “These varietal blends are doing involved in this study are still wheat blossom midge. quite well compared to others. evaluating the seed and data CEven though midge-tolerant For example, Unity VB, in the gathered over the time period blends have only been com- northern part of Saskatchewan, — more results in areas of seed mercially available since the yields are 20 per cent higher quality and the varietal blend spring of 2010, the Canadian than AC Barrie. Shaw VB is also will be published in the future. Wheat Board’s 2011 Variety listed as 120 per cent of AC Survey found that two of the Barrie. The other varietal blend Study Results new varieties are already very of interest to farmers has been popular. Seven per cent of the Goodeve VB. That one is listed The table shows average yield spring wheat seeded by Prairie as 11 per cent higher-yielding results for areas with high and farmers last spring was Unity than AC Barrie.” low midge pressure during the VB, and another three per cent In general, the AAFC study four-year study period. The vari- of the spring wheat seeded was found that the midge-resistant eties including “VB” are the new, Goodeve VB. wheat blends, as a group, pro- midge tolerant varieties, sold as Farmers have directly con- duced higher yields than the “Varietal Blends.” tributed to the development of typical varieties. Each year, each of the eight these new cultivars through In areas and years where there areas was classified according to the wheat check-off managed was little or no trouble with the local wheat midge experi- by the Western Grains Research midge, the varietal blends still ence as shown in the table. Foundation (WGRF), and these yielded higher than regular varie- new blends have shown them- ties (four per cent higher). In areas The Sm1 Gene selves to be popular. Now, there the researchers classified as having is documented research to prove “moderate” midge damage, the Midge resistance was first their worth. midge-resistant blends showed a noticed in soft red winter wheat five per cent yield advantage. from south eastern USA. The AAFC Study But it was in the areas and years gene, Sm1, that was causing wheat where there was a high occurrence to resist midge was moved into Cecil Vera, researcher at of losses caused by wheat midge spring wheat using traditional the Agriculture and Agri-Food that the new blends really showed plant breeding techniques. Canada (AAFC) Melfort Research their stuff. The researchers found When wheat midge larvae feed Farm, was one in a group of a 14.8 per cent yield advantage. on wheat containing the Sm1 AAFC researchers involved in (After comparing this with the gene, the gene causes the level the study titled “Relative per- yield advantage in areas of low of the naturally occurring phe- formance of four midge-resistant risk, the researchers attribute about nolic acids in the wheat kernels wheat varietal blends in Western 11 per cent of the yield gain to the to elevate more rapidly than in Canada.” The researchers presence of the new Sm1 gene, and midge susceptible wheat. The planted four varietal blends of four per cent of the yield advan- elevated acids cause the larvae to midge-resistant wheat and four tage to other gains made through stop eating and starve to death. varieties of traditional wheat at plant breeding). By the time the wheat reaches eight Prairie locations during While this is great, of course maturity, these acids have gone

p h o t o : i a n w i s e , c e r e a l r e s e a r c h c e n t r e (c r c ), w i n n i p e g four consecutive growing sea- it’s not perfect. Vera says, “These Adult wheat midge. sons, 2007 to 2010. The study varieties that are called midge » continued on next page Study Results: Yield and Days to Maturity (DTM) Midge Classifications, based on local experience High Midge Low Midge 2007 2008 2009 2010 pressure Pressure Brandon, MB High Low Low High bu./acre dtm bu./acre dtm Indian Head, SK High Moderate Moderate High Fieldstar VB 53.7 99.5 71.3 106.2 Melfort, SK High Low Moderate High Goodeve VB 50.3 98.4 70.2 105.2 Shaw VB 58.2 100.3 75.3 106.3 Regina, SK High Low Low High Unity VB 56.0 100 76.3 106.4 Saskatoon, SK High Moderate Moderate High AC Intrepid 49.2 97.3 72.1 103.5 Swift Current, SK Moderate Low Moderate Moderate CDC Teal 47.2 99.9 71.2 105.7 Lethbridge, AB Low Low Low High Katepwa 43.3 98.6 65.4 104.7 Waskada 50.4 100.2 73.1 107.4 Lacombe, AB High Low Low Low

Leaders in off-patent solutions. MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 23 Features

p h o t o : i a n w i s e , c e r e a l r e s e a r c h c e n t r e (c r c ), w i n n i p e g Wheat midge larvae.

» CONTINUED FROM Previous PAGE co-operative testing this summer. The new variety needs to back down to normal levels, so pass the registration require- harvested grain is not affected. ments in the next couple of This type of biological solu- years. If successful, it will be tion to pest control, based on a available to Western Canadian single gene resistance, typically farmers after the necessary seed does not last long. Generally, production steps. † some pests resist the new gene, p h o t o : m a r j o r i e s m i t h , c e r e a l r e s e a r c h c e n t r e (c r c ), w i n n i p e g T:8.125” those pests multiply, and the Leeann Minogue is the Acting Editor of Grainews Undamaged wheat kernals as compared to kernels damaged by wheat midge. new solution no longer works. In the case of wheat midge, some midge may develop a mutation that would allow them to attack the wheat with the Sm1 gene — these midge would be known as “virulent.” The proliferation of these virulent midge would soon render the Sm1 gene useless. To prevent this, and hopefully extend the useful life of the Sm1 gene for up to 90 years, plant scientists developed the idea of the interspersed refuge system. With this strategy in place, virulent midge will most likely mate with the avirulent Comes out fighting. midge found on the refuge (susceptible) plants. The hybrid offspring of these matings would most likely be killed when they feed on Sm1 plants, slowing the evolution of virulence.

The Refuge System All of the new midge-tolerant Raxil® MD is the winner and undisputed seed varieties are sold as “varietal treatment champion of wheat, barley and oats. blends.” That is, 90 per cent of the purchased seed contains the Its new micro-dispersion technology provides Sm1 gene, and the other 10 per uniform and thorough seed coverage resulting in cent doesn’t. That 10 per cent strong emergence, superior plant protection and provides a refuge where a nor- an increased return on your investment. mal (avirulent) midge popula- Score an easy victory over the most serious tion can survive. T:10” When you buy a varietal early-season cereal diseases, including true blend, it should be easy to find loose smut and both seed- and soil-borne out what other variety has been fusarium, without the application struggle. blended in with the midge-tolerant variety. Farmers buying midge tolerant wheat are asked For more information visit: to sign a stewardship agree- BayerCropScience.ca/Raxil ment, limiting the use of farm- saved seed to one generation past Certified Seed. (A full copy of this agreement can be found online at www.midgetolerant- wheat.ca.) Researchers are inves- tigating the feasibility of extend- ing this time period.

Midge Tolerant Durum? Midge are also a problem in durum wheat. Dr. Danny Singh, AAFC durum breeder at Swift Current says research is under- way in this area with funding from AAFC, WGRF, Agriculture Development F u n d ( A D F ) and the Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund (ACIDF). When it comes to inserting the Sm1 gene into durum varieties, Singh says, “There are lines that are currently being tested in the Western Canadian Varietal aReg- istration System that have the BayerCropScience.ca/Raxil or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. ® Sm1 gene.” Always read and follow label directions. Raxil is a registered trademark of Bayer. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. C-55-02/12-BCS12047-E One of those lines will be in

SBC12000.RAXIL.23.indd SBC.12000.RAXIL.23 2-23-2012 11:39 AM Grainews CALMCL-DMX7993 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Insertion Date: Mar 12, 2012 Sandra Menge Bayer Crop Science 100% None SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: Dal PAGE: 1 BCS12047 8.125” x 10” SAFETY: None TRIM: 8.125” x 10” Bleed: None Helvetica Neue LT Std (55 Roman, 75 Bold, 97 Black Condensed; OpenType)

Production Contact Numbers: 403 261 7161 403 261 7152 24 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features TILLAGE 14 years of experience with Zero Till Garry Ropchan was experimenting with zero-till farming before many farmers had heard of it, and he has the data to prove it. Read about his research results in the first of a two-part series

BY GARRY ROPCHAN

hen I started farming in 1986 I adopted my father’s techniques. Like most beginningW farmers, I took a job to help pay for my farm. I became the soil conservation technician with what was then I.D. #22 Applied Research Association in Manning, Alberta. My job included looking at the potential for farmers in the Peace River region to adopt zero-till seeding. After seeing the results of zero till trials we conducted in 1990-91, I bought a zero-till drill and converted my own farm to zero till in 1992. In 2011 I celebrated my twentieth year of zero till — this outlasted my mar- riage! I see no reason why this will PHOTOS : GARRY ROPCHAN change. Otto Toerper’s plot at the time it was seeded in 1994. While Norm Dreger was custom zero till seeding Otto’s fields he also seeded the test plot area. Because this has been a long Norm did the seeding with a Flexi-Coil 5000 drill. experiment, we’ve generated a lot of information. This arti- and saw that in each case, yields zero-till trials I got to know The entire plot area covered 20 TILLAGE COMPARISONS cle covers our yield results over were equal or higher than with Otto Toerper. Toerper, along acres, with each of the nine strips the 14-year period, and some of conventional till. With higher with his wife Inge, ran a mixed being a little over two acres each. When I first started the tillage the agronomics we noticed in yields and less work, why not farm about 15 miles south-west I knew it would be essential comparisons with Toerper I real- the first few years. In the next adopt this system? But other of Spirit River, Alta. He had to gather information like this ly had no idea where it would issue of Grainews, I’ll cover the farmers I was worked with did been participating in a con- for as long as possible. The more lead. Most of my previous plot longer-term changes measured not share my view. Why? servation seeding trial since data I had, the stronger the work with farmers lasted two or in the soil after several years of I believe it came down to con- about 1988. We decided that case for selecting one tillage sys- three years. Then they adopted zero till. fidence and risk. After two year we would study three different tem over the others. This would the new management practice of trials, I accepted zero till as seeding systems: conventional make farmers more confident and the plot was stopped. CONVERTING TO ZERO TILL a viable system. Other farmers till (two or more spring tillage about making changes. But this was a rare thing. This didn’t want to take the risk. I passes), minimum till (only one First-hand experience can be a plot has been in use since 1994. My conversion to zero till was couldn’t argue — two years isn’t spring tillage pass) and zero till very powerful a teacher. Toerper The final year I was able to use the fairly straightforward — I looked enough to be sure that the sys- (no tillage passes, weed control was very generous with his time site was in 2007. This means we at the results of the trials I was tem worked over the long term. with 0.5 litres per acre Roundup and understood the benefits of have results going back over 14 involved with in 1990 and 1991 During my employment and burn-off herbicide). long-term plot information. years, although some years we were

The alternating yellow and green bands of the leaves of the crop grown under minimum till This photo shows displaced soil caused by the front tires losing traction when turning in 1994. There is no comparable photo from the zero till area — the plants weren’t damaged on the headland of the tilled soil caused by poor trafficability. This did not happen on the like this. zero-till area. Does thistle make you bristle? Curtail* M the leading broadleaf herbicide for Canada thistle infestations.

* Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Leaders in off-patent solutions. MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 25 Features

not lucky enough to collect data. Yield bu./ac. In 2003 the snow fell early and the plot could not be combined. In Year Crop Zero till Minimum / conventional tillage 2004 it rained heavily enough that I was only able to weigh one of my 2007 Barley 34.8 30.6 plots out of some 25. Long-term test data serves will 2006 Wheat 47.5 39.5 strengthen our confidence, and providing that data is purpose 2005 Canola 25.4 23.2 of my work. Having a long-term 2004 - Rain Rain project like the “Toerper Tillage Trial” is one of the reasons why 2003 canola Snow Snow I have the confidence in recom- mending zero till. This is not 2002 barley 59.0 58.7 based on a few years of work, and it’s a pleasure to share the results. 2001 Canola 32.5 28.6 We’ve seeded four different Lots of residue after the seeding operation on the zero-till (on the left) 2000 Wheat 53.0 48.1 crops — canola, hard red spring and nothing at all on the surface on the minimum till (on the right). The wheat, feed barley and field peas. previous crop was field pea. We’ve seeded through years of 1999 Pea 11.0 10.3 double normal rainfall, years call it. Since time is money, we 1998 Barley 72.2 58.9 when there was half normal TRAFFICABILITY usually seed at a fairly rapid pace, rainfall and even a year when In 1996 while we were seed- up to five miles per hour. When it 1997 Canola 11.7 9.6 there was frost in August. ing the plot, I noticed another came to turning at the headland, In 1994, a Flexi-Coil 5000 air difference between the seeding the front wheels used to really 1996 ES Wheat 25.8 28.0 drill was used to seed the plot, systems. I have heard of some dig into the soil on the minimum while from 1995 to 2007, we zero-till farmers who talk about and conventional till strips and 1995 Peas 33.3 27.0 seeded the plot with a Haybuster their land being easier to drive 8000 zero-till drill. The minimum on — “better trafficability” they » CONTINUED ON PAGE 25 1994 Barley 58.6 50.6 and conventional tillage systems reflect normal operations for the area. The zero-till system was normally sprayed with 0.5 litres per acre of Roundup. Sometimes the tillage strips were sprayed as well (like in 1995) to help control weeds like quackgrass.

DAMAGE AND HEAT BANDING Can you get big yields from In 1994, Year 1, we learned there were some immediate benefits to growing crops under a zero-till an earlier maturing canola? system. 1994 was a hot, dry, windy spring. I looked in a number of fields that had been tilled in the spring and I saw a remarkable sight: the newly emerging plant leaves were severely damaged. At first, I suspected insect damage, but after having to cover my face to prevent dirt blown in my eyes, the answer came to me. The leaves were damaged by particles of loose soil being propelled across the soil surface. These particles would strike the leaf surface like a sand blaster. Small pieces of leaf were getting broken off! I was so excited by this sight that I drove to Toerpers’s field. In areas that had been tilled and I saw the same thing but the seedlings emerging in the zero-till land were fine. “Ah ha!” I cried. “Standing stubble really does protect the NEW! CANTERRA 1980* new crop from damage!” As the crop continued to grow, I made another interesting obser- Type Growing Zone Maturity (Days) Height (Inches) Lodging vation. A number of the intact plant leaves had alternating GENRR HYB All - 1.5 - 1.0 G bands of yellow and green. What was going on? As I crossed the field I started to notice a pat- A canola that yields well throughout the prairies, YES YOU CAN have it all. tern. The leaves were only this pattern where the ground had 2011 Yield Data been cultivated, but not in the • 102% of 73-75 RR – field scale trials zero-till area. Puzzled, I asked other extension people and was • 102% of 73-75 RR – independent Canola Performance Trials told this damage was called “heat banding.” It occurs when the * Supplies are limited! Visit canterra.com for information on all of our canola varieties. maximum and minimum temperatures that a plant is exposed to vary a great deal (very cool in the morning and very hot in the afternoon) and the plants become stressed. I was stunned. Zero-till stubble was preventing the temperatures from getting too hot or too cold and protecting the plants from stress. As shown in the table, after the first year of the trial, the crop grown on the zero-till land yielded eight bushels per acre more than the crops on minimum- and canterra.com conventional-tilled land. This was after the first year of the trial. 26 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Features

» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 surface. While this might not seem too surprising considering 14 years of experience that the previous crop was field with zero till pea, the zero till had a nice layer of residue to protect the soil and soon-to-be emerging crop. would throw up a “rooster tail” of soil. This never happened on the Plant height zero-till plots. Due to this better trafficability, the turning radius of The wheat that was seeded the tractor on the zero till was less, into the pea stubble in 2000 was and fewer passes were needed on remarkable as well. As the sum- the headland to finish the field. mer wore on, I started to notice The benefits occur where you least some strange differences along the suspect them sometimes. boarders between the tillage treatments. As time went on these dif- Crop residue ferences became more pronounced and warranted a closer look. By the time we were seeding The most interesting point of in 2000, after six years, you all was that when I took crop could really start to see a nice height measurements and ana- layer of crop residue building up lyzed the data, the differences on the soil surface of the zero were significant. The zero-till till. This difference was easiest to crop both out-yielded the mini- observe after seeding was com- mum and conventional tillage pleted. The surface of the mini- by three to six bushels per acre, A photo from late summer 1994, the first year of the plot. The wild oat pressure on the left (zero till) is clearly mum and conventional areas and grew taller. The zero-till higher than in the minimum-till area on the right side. was barren of residue on the wheat was 39.4 centimetres; wheat in the conventional and minimum till strips were 34 and 35.2 cm. When you reached the ADvERTISEMENT edge of a zero-till strip, the crop just shot up in height!

New seed-applied nutrient technology Weeds and tillage While the barley crop was Awaken® ST enters growing during 1994, I began to Rancona Bare Seed Awaken ST Canadian market notice something discouraging. The & Rancona wild oat pressure was considerably higher on the zero till compared The Canadian Food Inspection to the minimum and conventional Agency (CFIA) has approved till areas. While this bothered me at a new liquid nutrient seed first, I tend to look that the bottom treatment for use on wheat, line. The net yield of the zero till oats, barley and corn. was eight bu./ac. higher than the Awaken ST is manufactured other areas. The question was, what by Loveland Products and would be the effect of these seeding available from UAP Canada systems on weeds in the long term? Inc. as part of its Nutritionals I felt confident weeds such as portfolio of products. wild oats would not be an issue for Awaken ST is a patented, zero tillers. As time went on, I was seed-applied nutrient that to be proven correct. 2001 provided includes 6-0-1 and 5% zinc me with some of the strongest plus boron, copper, iron, support on how long term zero till manganese and molybdenum. can result in fewer weed problems when competent management “Awaken ST puts nutrients practices are carried out. where a germinating plant After seeding the plot to Roundup needs them – on the seed,” Ready canola, I came back to do says Eric Gregory, Western 30 Days after Emergence the in-crop herbicide application. Product Manager with UAP When I drove in the field, the first Canada Inc. “It’s a unique, Awaken ST pushes root hair development and increases plant biomass. thought that came to my mind was nutrient-based product that increase in plant emergence Research at the University of applied with traditional what a nice crop of wheat this was. As I got closer I noticed that the helps develop a larger, more and an 8 percent yield Wales showed that the zinc seed treating equipment, zero-till areas were not as green. extensive root system, quicker increase when compared complex found in Awaken ST and is a seed safe, low I was, at first, a bit disappointed emergence and greater to untreated seed. stimulates 44 percent more dust-off formulation. but then the truth came to me. plant biomass for improved auxin production in the plant Gregory explains that the “We know there aren’t any It wasn’t seeded to wheat, it was plant health and vigour. All than other forms of zinc. Zinc seeded to canola! All those lush patented zinc ammonium mixing issues with Rancona® of this supports the goals of and the other micronutrients in green plants were actually weeds! acetate compound found in Apex, and the other popular progressive growers in Awaken ST are also essential I could not believe what I was see- Awaken ST is the key driver pursuit of maximum yield in the photosynthetic process seed treatments all look very ing. My first thought was that the and return on their crop behind both the plant and of the plant to help maximize good, too,” says Gregory. zero-till strips might not even need inputs investment.” soil effects of the product. In growth and yield. Proposed mixtures should be to be sprayed. Since this would the plant, zinc boosts auxin evaluated in a jar test before have made the spraying operation In independent research production, which promotes Ammonium acetate acts as a full scale use. more difficult I sprayed the entire and CFIA registration trials, cell division and increased soil extraction agent releasing plot in the end. The result? The Awaken ST increased stand lateral root growth. “Improved nutrients that are tied up in Awaken ST is packaged zero-till canola yielded four bu/ac establishment, biomass and lateral root growth means more the soil. Together, the zinc in 2 x 9.46 litre jugs per higher than the other canola! yield. Research conducted in root hairs. In terms of nutrient ammonium acetate complex case with one case treating This was not some little small 2009 at North Dakota State and water uptake we know provides increased plant approximately 180 bushels trial seeded with some kind of University on hard red spring that root hairs do all the heavy growth and improved nutrient of wheat seed. off-brand name research drill. The wheat showed a significant lifting,” says Gregory. uptake from the soil, ultimately drills used are drills that farmers providing improved plant can buy themselves. The environ- Awaken ST on HRS Wheat Awaken ST on HRS Wheat health and vigour. mental conditions we faced were common for our area, and this 65 75 Easy to use system works. It is not, after 10 70 60 Awaken ST is available in a years, just a case where we tried 65 convenient, easy flowing, zero till for a year or two and got 55 60 clear liquid. It may be applied good results. We used good man-

50 55 on its own, blended or applied agement practices, did not cut cor- Bushel/acre Plants/2 ft row 50 sequentially with traditional ners, and the end result? We made 45 more money with zero till. † 45 fungicide and/or insecticide

40 40 seed treatments. It can be Awaken ST Check Awaken ST Check Garry Ropchan is research coordinator for

Source: Dr. Joel Ranson NDSU 2009 Source: Dr. Joel Ranson NDSU 2009 the Central Peace Conservation Society and www.uap.ca along with his son Aidan, operates a grain Awaken ST is a registered trademark of Loveland Products Inc. and Rancona is a trademark of Chemtura Canada Co/Cie. UAP Canada is a member of CropLife Canada. 02.12 12009 farm near Grimshaw, Alta. Contact him at [email protected] MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 27 Columns GUARDING WEALTH How to profit from off-farm investments Keeping your faith up and your fees down is the best way to profit from off-farm investments. Here are three rules to help you protect yourself

BY ANDREW ALLENTUCK with long histories of growth London and Frankfurt, Paris and These markets are speculative, and rising dividends, essential Hong Kong, variously linked to energy con- 3. LOWER YOUR FEES he first rule of investing and immoveable positions in computers driven by complex sumption for oil and gas, to prices The old saying that fools rush money is “don’t lose it.” the economy, experienced and mathematic models can trade of crops for potash, and to fear of in where angels fear to tread In stock, bond and com- predictable management, faith price opportunities in microsec- almost anything for gold. Statistics implies that one should hire a modity markets in which should pay off. onds. High speed trading is now showing relationships abound, cautious angel to manage money. Tmost trading is controlled by insti- Buy a stock, keep it for a few busi- thought to represent 80 per cent but most of the relationships are Mutual funds represent them- tutions and professional investors, ness cycles, each of which may be 36 of the volume of trading in New merely inevitable. After all, there selves as such angels. The man- the little guy with $10,000 in his to 48 months long, and you should York. Any bright idea you read are at least 100,000 index num- agers of funds are usually char- fist is the last to get the news, the do well. Keep the faith and hold the in the daily press or even in an bers generated every day around tered financial analysts. Often slowest to trade on it, and the most stock for 20 years and the odds of online news feed has already been the world and in that forest of they know their fields with many likely to pay the highest fees. making a decent return improve. exploited by these trading meth- statistical trees, a few will rise and years of experience. What to do? There are some self- If you think the market is a ods. But the machines can’t match fall together. In theory, everybody gets the protection rules that can function casino, realize that the odds of faith for buy and hold investors. Many index numbers are for information at the same time, but as fortune preservers. None will making short term gains are worse And that is the long term edge. things seldom traded or inaccessi- very few average investors listen make you rich, but they’ll help than in Vegas. Commodity trading does not fol- ble to outsiders. Unless you are an to conference calls between com- keep you from drowning in seas In quickie stock plays, after low these rules. There is no long insider in an agricultural commod- panies and fund managers or fol- of red ink. costs, the odds of winning are less term payout for gold, copper, pot- ity and know a thing or two about low statistical services. So mutual than 50 per cent. ash or, for that matter, tallow (actu- the market, you should stay out. 1. NEVER OVERPAY On Bay Street and Wall Street, in ally a board traded commodity). Even then, prudence should rule. » CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 FOR AN ASSET It sounds simple, but this rule calls for subtle judgment about what something is worth. There are many financial formulas to determine the future value of a stock or bond. In the case of stocks or bonds that produce cash flow, the value of the asset is the sum of everything that will be paid out as stock dividends or bond interest. If a stock with a $100 price tag pays a five per cent annual dividend and you have a 20-year outlook (or time horizon), then the stock is fairly priced at $100. At $90 it’s a good deal as long as the dividend is reliable and a better deal if the company has a history of raising the dividend from time to time. At $150, the stock is a pretty lousy bet. If an investor buys a stock that falls below his purchase price for many years, he still may still be able to come out ahead just by collecting dividends. If you want to buy a stock with no dividend, then the fundamen- tal valuation of stock price to earnings (p/e) per share comes into play. By tradition, Canadian char- tered banks have p/e’s in the 12 to 15 range, growth companies in the 20 to 25 range, and stocks running on hormones in the 30+ range. Earnings are customarily next year’s estimates, a figure widely available on the Internet. There is simple numerology at work here. If a stock has a p/e “Hey! My roots below 10, that means either than One flame there is an expectation of declin- are on fire!” ing earnings (or sales), that earnings, though robust from time to time, are not dependable, or that burns brightest. some other trouble is thought to DuPont™ Express® brand herbicides don’t just burn weeds down, they get right to the be ahead. Low p/e stocks may be bargains, but you need to know root of your weed problems for super-hot performance. why the price is low. Add an Express® herbicide to glyphosate in pre-seed, chemfallow or post-harvest applications. If a stock has a p/e above 30, it Express® SG: turn up the heat ™ on dandelion, volunteer canola and narrow-leaved hawk’s-beard. means, in the simplest case, that ® † it will take 30 years to get your Express PRO delivers up to 15 days of extended control on tough weeds like cleavers, dandelion money back. Stocks with high and narrow-leaved hawk’s-beard. p/e’s often turn into tragedies for DuPont™ Express® herbicides - Canada’s #1 glyphosate partner, used on more pre-seed acres than any investors. If a stock has a p/e over 50, it other brand in Western Canada. They’re that hot! is a momentum stock. You may be lucky and ride the momentum for a little while. The safe thing Questions? is to stay away. If you can’t resist Ask your retailer, call 1-800-667-3925 the temptation, keep your stake to what you are able to lose. or visit www.weedwreckingcrew.com †Depending on environmental conditions at and following application. As with all crop protection products, read and follow label instructions carefully. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Turn up the heat™, Express® and Solumax® are registered trademarks 2. KEEP THE FAITH or trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. E. I. du Pont Canada Company is a licensee. Member of CropLife Canada. © Copyright 2012 E. I. du Pont Canada Company. All rights reserved. I like to say that the stock market is either a church or a casino. As a church, with solid stocks

2178EXP_GN_FE.indd 1 1/18/12 9:59 AM 28 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Columns OFF-FARM INCOME Farmland price pressure Some say farmland prices may be heading into bubble territory. Whether or not they’re right, consider your land purchases carefully

based on several factors both long Another forced sale period was feel the land will be with them you have to sell one parcel of ANDY and short term: current rates of around 1991. Again the price of for many years. So it could be land to hold onto the rest you SIRSKI interest and long term outlook; grain was low, and after 1988 out of circulation forever, or can do that. genetic potential of crops (often most subsidies to the grain certainly for many years. Some Second, do the numbers. overlooked); local demand due industry in Canada had dried up. land is leaving farming for hous- Purchasing land when the num- to expansion or new regulations Interest rates were around 12 to ing and highways — that is bers are “iffy” gets some buyers (as in manure management); and 14 per cent at the time, which a permanent irreversible reduc- into trouble. Optimistic buyers s farmland prices ratchet lately, outside money. likely helped to push down the tion in the supply. say to themselves that they can up, many are asking me price of farmland. Long-time contributors to “make this work.” Some will, and if we’re in bubble ter- THREE BOTTOMS Since then, through years Grainews like me and Les Henry some won’t. ritory. Bubble territory of good poor crops, good poor might feel that this land will Another way might be to buy meansA one of these days some lit- I have seen three bottoms in prices, if we study the price of come up for sale as soon as the land with a vendor-back mortgage. tle poke will pop the balloon and the price of farmland in Western farmland we will see that prices price of wheat drops to $3 a A lot of land is sold this way in the price of farmland will drop Canada. In your area cycles might have gone up year after year bushel again. That is certainly the U.S., but it’s not common like a rock. have been different, but I think regardless of commodity prices possible, but not probable for in Canada. If you buy with a If you’ve ever popped a balloon, my observations will be close. and crop conditions. some time, likely years. vendor-back mortgage normally first you see the balloon flying The first bottom I recall was I think it’s fair to say that, over However, my sense is that the you don’t tie up or implicate around aimlessly, which I could around 1970. The Prairies were the years, the price of farmland price of crops used to have a existing farmland. And the seller translate into volatility. However, soaked for three years in a row has always been on the expen- fairly low ceiling. Now that price can spread out his or her capital in my 41-year career in this agri- from 1968 to 1970 and the price sive side. Farmers have subsi- could well be the bottom. Big gain, which might be a benefit. culture industry, I don’t think I’ve of grain was very low to boot. dized land purchases with exist- difference. Canadian sellers want their money seen the sort of volatility we see The price of farmland in the ing land or off-farm income. This In my opinion, the supply of lump sum. But owning a good with a popped balloon. Red River Valley dropped from winter I’ve heard that the price farmland for sale is going to mortgage with the option of I have statistics going back to around $200 an acre to $50. Most of farmland in the Red River shrink while the buyers might be getting the farm back (in good or the 1930’s. When the price of of the low prices were due to Valley has moved up to $3,000 persistent. Low interest rates help bad shape) can be a benefit. farmland stopped rising, setbacks forced sales. and more per acre. West of there to boost the price of farmland, I tell my young farmer friends resembled more of a gentle slide Around 1982, when interest in the high-value crop areas, I’ve just like low rates helped to boost to have three to five years of than a popped balloon. Plus, we rates were high, the price of heard $7,000 per acre and more. the price of homes into bubble payments squirreled away in have to remember that both high farmland again dropped, but I In Saskatchewan, I hear farmland territory. (I don’t think we can case cash flow from farming and low prices for farmland hap- don’t recall it being as dramatic. is up 20 to 30 per cent compared use the same thinking with farm- drops or the cost of money pen to a fairly small amount of Lenders had learned to rent their to a couple of years ago. Any land as for housing. Farmland goes up. That money could be land. And generally, the long land to the next farmer so even farmer in a forced sale situation usually brings in income and in cash, solid investments or in term trend for farmland prices if there was a forced sale, a lot can put land up for auction and usually buyers already have other inventory that can be sold at a has been up. of that land didn’t get sold at expect top dollar. It really seems land. That is different than a good price. The price of farmland often is that time. to be a seller’s market. speculator buying three homes at Most mortgages let you lock in high prices. rates for five to seven years. This RBC Dominion Securities Inc. BUYERS AND SELLERS Interest rates are at 30-year might be the time to lock in these lows, perhaps held down artifi- low rates. Another idea might be There are two sides to every cially, and likely will revert back to sell some distant land when you Your partners deal: buyers and sellers. Who are to the mean (higher rates) but buy land closer to home. the sellers? I think affordable low interest And finally, if buying the next for financial There are some forced sales, rates are here for years to come. piece of farmland puts your farm but there certainly does not seem Add in volatile stock markets and on an economic banana peel, to be a glut of farmland for sale. low returns from mutual funds then it’s time to say no. These SUCCESS Some older farmers are selling and we have a recipe for continu- days new money seems to be out. After all, especially if the ing rising prices for farmland. ready to pay whatever the price capital gain falls within the lim- We also are heading into a so the farmland might be out of Dale Garthus, Investment Advisor its of the tax free capital gain bullish time for the beef industry the market for years. But does it exemption, many older sellers and 400 to 500 cow herds need make sense to jeopardize your When it comes to investing, experience makes a difference. Since can leave with a million bucks. lots of pasture and feed. farm just to own more land? 1901, RBC Dominion Securities has been helping individuals, With a little planning and some Finally, I see the genetic poten- There are other ways to make families, farmers and businesses achieve their financial goals. income splitting smaller farmers tial rising in crops, which is rais- money besides farming farmland. Today, we are Candada’s leading full-service investment firm. can sell out and pay very little ing income from crops and help- Young educated farmers can earn tax on that money. ing to push up and keep up the good money off the farm. Our Investment Advisor Dale Garthus and his team have a wealth of Generally there are more buyers price of farmland. strategy of learning how to sell cov- experience to help investors choose investment strategies that than sellers. Some of these buyers ered calls on good stocks can bring are right for them. are farmers who need to grow BUBBLE OR NOT? in good cash flow taxed at prefer- their farms to a critical size. ential rates. It’s not as easy to lever- Contact Dale at 306-691-4290 or 1-800-563-8877 to arrange a Others are buying farmland to I’m not convinced farmland age stocks as farmland, but stocks complimentary consultation, or visit www.dalegarthus.com to learn rent and operate it, or rent it out to is in a bubble. But when the offer reversible decisions. This strat- more. farm operators. This list includes a taxi cab driver and shoe shine egy does take some knowledge and division of Manulife of Canada, boy in down town Calgary or some time. But so will dealing with private individuals, a silver guru, a Edmonton tells you he’s buying a bubble in farmland if you get Professional Wealth TV panelist and others. farmland, we will be close or caught in one. † Management Since 1901 I also hear from farmers that even there. money from Africa, China and How can you protect yourself? Andy Sirski publishes a newsletter called oil money is buying farmland in One way is not to hand over StocksTalk where he tells what he does with RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. his investments, win or lose. If you want to *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Western Canada. titles to all your existing farm- read it free for a month go to Google and type Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. I think it’s safe to say that at land when you borrow for the in StocksTalk.net or email [email protected] Used under licence. ©2011 Royal Bank of Canada. All rights reserved. least some of the new owners next piece of land. That way if Andy will sign you up

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GN March 12 12.indd 1 2/16/2012 1:59:08 PM MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 29 Columns SOILS AND CROPS The concept of precision agriculture In the first of a three-column series on precision agriculture, Les Henry discusses topography and variable rate research

home office and in a few hours gest soil forming factors is the cli- — material unceremoniously SOIL FORMATION scan through the entire 12 vol- mate — particularly the amount of dumped directly from a glacier LES HENRY umes of the Precision Agriculture In Volume 12 (2011), a paper water that has percolated through complete with lots of clay but also journal and I have just now done based on uniform and variable the soil over 10,000 years and a bit of sand and silt and stones. exactly that. nitrogn rates at eight locations the native vegetation the soil and Within this field of Weyburn In Volume 1, Number 1 (1999) over three years with wheat in water regime would support. loam there are several types of soil. a paper from Australia looked at Oklahoma showed no advantage Within one field the major soil And these differences occur in a his is the first in a series Variable Rate N for wheat in an to all the fancy technology. forming factor is the topography repeatable pattern over the field. of three articles on preci- environment where moisture is I noticed that most of the articles (lay of the land) which rearranges To deal with the soil types in sion agriculture. important. in the journl used fancy technology rainfall and snow melt. this kind of land, a contour map Precision agriculture has They concluded that varying and mathematics to “deal” with with one meter intervals would Tbeen with us now for almost 20 the nitrogen rate had little benefit soil variation. Much of the fancy be an imperative first step. Veris, SOIL VARIATION years. There is a journal (Precision in an environment where nitro- math assumes that soils are a strictly EM38 and other options make that Agriculture) devoted to just that topic gen response is dependent on soil random event. For sure, soils can be In the photo of the field with easy. Veris or EM38 will also pro- that is now in Volume 12, and there moisture at seeding plus growing hugely variable within one field. rolling topography just east of vide electrical conductivity (EC) have been at least that many world season rain. That is precisely why But, when Mother Nature took Saskatoon, the land is Weyburn numbers that can be interpreted conferences on the subject. we changed nitrogen recommen- the soil material left behind by gla- loam. The “Weyburn” part in various ways. EC is primarily to I am a firm believer that farm- dations in Saskatchewan in 1971 ciers and their meltwaters, she did means it is in the dark brown measure soil salinity but it can also ing individual soils rather than to give three rates — one each for not make our soils in a completely soil zone. Soils in that land unit be used for other purposes. I claim the whole landscape is the way to dry, average and wet years. random fashion. One of the big- are developed from glacial till to have drug an EM38 over more go. Some of my very first research was about soil fertility differences within a single field. Much work was done on “Farming within a field” in the 1960s and 70s but it was pie in the sky as there was no technology to ® make it happen. At the University of Saskatchewan there was work Authority 480 done on variable rate nitrogen in the 80s and early 90s. But this Pre-emergent herbicide research reconfirmed that water and the interaction with nitrogen is the big issue, not nitrogen alone, so it was dropped again. I have watched the development without being directly involved. I see many great things, but some not so great. Almost the only regret I have about officially retiring early is not being mixed up in the middle of the exciting business of farming soils instead of fields. Fancy technology and creative mathematics are at the forefront and basic soil science and agronomy have been left behind. Don’t get me wrong — just because I am too old to handle the fancy technology does not mean I do not respect it. There are huge opportunities.

VARIABLE RATE FERTILIZATION At the January Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association APPROVED conference in Saskatoon I heard a talk analyzing the yield results and economics of variable rate N applications in Alberta. The study included data from a number of sites. The bottom line was positive for some and negative for others but the overall conclusion was Hey, kochia… time to move on. that it is not worth the hassle. That data, and other examples, left me thinking that a new approach Authority® is now registered for sunflowers, field peas, flax and to variable rate is needed. In the whole scheme of precision chickpeas in all Prairie Provinces. agriculture there are some runaway winners. Sprayers that shut Sunflowers, field peas, flax and chickpeas will no longer bow passively to tough broadleaf weeds. off boom sections to avoid overlap Not even Glyphosate or Group 2 resistant kochia can withstand this new technology. win on all fronts. Fungicide applications based on an air photo a Authority is an advanced new Group 14 (sulfentrazone) chemistry that now offers a safe, day or two ahead of spraying and a effective solution for these high-value crops. map to target the dense vegetation seems to me to be a winner. • Controls kochia, wild buckwheat, lamb’s-quarters and more. Another runaway winner is to • Canada’s first sulfentrazone herbicide. Fully serviced. map saline areas with Veris or • Convenient Spray and Go® technology. EM38 and reduce or eliminate fertilizer altogether in those areas. Saline soils are highly fertile and 1-800-868-5444 www.nufarm.ca often very high in organic matter. Spray & Go® is a registered trademark of Nufarm Agriculture Inc. Adding more fertilizer makes them Authority® is a registered trademark of FMC Corporation. worse, not better.

RESEARCH FROM AUSTRALIA In today’s world I can sit at the 27-inch computer screen in my 30 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Columns

acres than most and point out to completely random events and a » CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 folks new to the business: fancy mathematical formula that “The EM38 always tells the truth pretends that they are is a very how to profit from — it’s up to the operator to figure crude instrument. off-farm investments out what that truth is.” It has been a great thrill for me Soil types to see Veris and EM38 units map- fund managers should beat their ping individual quarter sections, In almost all the scientific papers markets, right? and I see great improvements to I have read or heard about preci- Wrong, because after the high precision agriculture as private sion agriculture, the land or soil fees charged by Canadian mutu- agrologists figure out applications. type is seldom if ever mentioned. al funds — the highest in the When we farm the land we do I fail to see how we can make the world, by the way — individual one thing over the whole quarter most out of farming soils instead investors usually don’t do as well section of Weyburn loam. When of land without using the wealth Weyburn Loam on rolling topography just east of Saskatoon. as market indexes. we farm the soil, we treat different of information already available The alternative, of course, is areas differently. in map form. to buy the index itself cheaply The second photo shows Regina The next article in this series on packaged in an exchange traded heavy clay on nearly level topogra- precision farming will deal with fund (ETF) and sold with very low phy near Milden. Even level land soil classification and soil maps in commission by online discount can have quite different soils with- the three Prairie provinces. Stay traders. Brilliant or lucky manag- in one field. It takes little elevation tuned. † ers will beat their indexes from difference to result in runoff of rain time to time, but after the high or snowmelt, and accumulation in J.L. (Les) Henry is a former University of costs of mutual fund administra- Saskatchewan professor and a farmer at shallow sloughs can change the soil Dundurn, Sask. His book, “Henry’s Handbook tion, the odds are with the low fee dramatically. But the variation here of Soil and Water,” that mixes the basics ETF investor is less than the Weyburn loam, and and practical aspects of soil, fertilizer and Need proof? Say that you make the approach to precision agricul- farming. Les will cover the shipping and GST an RRSP contribution of $10,000 for Grainews readers. Simply send a cheque ture would be very different. for $50 to Henry Perspectives, 143 Tucker Regina heavy clay on nearly level topography near Milden, where Les and put the money into an aver- So, you see, land and soil are not Cres., Saskatoon, SK, S7H 3H7 Henry was raised. age TSX mutual fund with a 2.5 per cent management expense ratio. You leave the money there. Over 10 years, the fee will take 25 per cent of performance, over 20 years, 50 per cent (well, slightly less because the fee is charged on a shrinking base). An ETF with an annual management fee of 20 basis points, a fifth of one per cent, will take just four per cent of your fund value over 20 years. ETFs come in many flavours: straight indexes, indexes with weighing set by cash flow per share rather than market weight of the stock, bonds arrayed by term to maturity, ladders of terms, by credit quality, by industry, by country and by sensitivity to interest rate changes. Just picking ETFs is a challenge. The theory of indexing is based on avoiding selection error. That theory should drive one to buy the broadest indexes. That would be all stocks on the Toronto Stock Exchange, all stocks in the Standard & Poor’s Index of U.S. large cap stocks, all Hong Kong stocks, or even all big companies on all major exchanges — the Morgan Stanley Capital International Index does that. The index investor who wants safety should eliminate risk by buying ETFs priced in Canadian dollars or hedged to the Canadian dollar. Global currency variation is hard to predict, can make or break an investment, and does not follow What’s your simple financial rules. Consider that the U.S. dollar traded at a 30 per cent premium to the loo- nie in 2001 and now trades at par or close to it, while the Dow favourite colour? Jones Industrial Average has barely moved in the last 10 years. Currency moves would have wrecked an oth- FCC equipment leasing has your brand covered erwise flatlined investment for the unfortunate Canadian who bought the Dow index in 2001 — a year When it comes to financing equipment for your operation, it’s good to have options. when, ironically, a book came out With FCC Leasing, you get your choice of brands, including new and used equipment. called Dow 30,000 by 2008. Robert Zuccaro’s book predicted that the And you pay less money up front than a standard loan. index, about 12,800 as I write this, would hit that number well before Ask your equipment dealer for FCC Leasing. now, a guess based on a straightline www.fcc.ca/leasing extrapolation of the dozen years leading to 2001. The bottom line: don’t trust trends, don’t trust predictions. Keep your costs down, your options open, spread your money widely to avoid asset selection error, and stay for the long run. Do all that and the odds shift to your favour. † Andrew Allentuck’s latest book, When Can I Retire? Planning Your Financial Life After Work, was published in 2011 by Penguin Canadaa Presenting a NEW way to SAVE BIG on all things AG...

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Go to ag-deals.com today and start saving!! 32 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Columns MANAGEMENT MINUTE Find your competitive edge If you’re going to compete, you need an edge. Take time to figure out what extra advantage will make your business successful in the long run

under five-foot-ten, we knew new The ability to skilfully manage Often individuals with this strength our future was not in basketball. We POTENTIAL STRENGTHS relationships with suppliers, buy- have the ability to spot opportuni- ANDREW knew we had no edge there! 1. Economies of Scale: There ers, landlords, and customers is ties and assess the risk associated in DERUYCK We constantly work with cli- can be significant efficiencies if a having a greater impact on the such a manner that no opportunity ents to complete SWOT analy- farm is grown in line with man- way business is being done. Those with reasonable risk is missed. ses of their businesses — iden- agement capabilities. who can assemble and leverage 8. Financial management: In tifying Strengths, Weaknesses, 2. Diversification: Operations these skills within their team have any operation, understanding Opportunities, and Threats. such as a grain and livestock oper- proven to be very successful. liquidity, cash flow, profitability, Identifying a core strength so ation can benefit from diversifying 6. Exceptional production leverage, and debt structure is a MARK you can build on it is critical. And their risk. techniques: In any type of pro- major strength needed in order to SLOANE just as strengths must be exploited, 3. Education: Using intellectual duction, certain individuals are maximize results. weaknesses are risks that need to resources can help to grow a busi- top producers who consistently 9. Value-added processing: be mitigated, opportunities need to ness as a service provider. innovate and adapt to outper- Some businesses have the ability be evaluated, and threats need to 4. Human Resources manage- form the rest of the industry. to identify value-added opportu- be avoided. We thought we would ment: Certain individuals have 7. Risk Management: Identifying nities and processing businesses fter graduating from high take this opportunity to share with the ability to motivate and engage risk in an operation and under- related to primary commodities school neither of us knew you some of the strengths that employees to achieve extraordi- standing how and what to miti- and various byproducts. what we were going to we have identified for clients that nary results. gate ensures the business won’t find 10. Integrated value chain man- do, but with both of us made them successful. 5. Relationship management: itself in an unacceptable situation. agement: The concept of “gate to A plate” is effective in distributing total profit throughout the value chain. Moving up the value chain can create stability for your business and boost profitability. All the clients we have worked ™ ™ with had at least one of the DuPont DuPont above strengths — this was their edge. But all also had more one Vertisan™ Vertisan™ fungicide fungicide Ask yourself, “What is my edge? Is it secure and will it last going forward?”

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FIND YOUR EDGE General Electric CEO Jack Welch famously said “If you don’t have a competitive advantage — don’t compete.” So ask yourself, “What is my edge? Is it secure and will it last going forward? And what is my weakness and how do I prevent it from holding me back?” † Andrew DeRuyck and Mark Sloane manage two farming operations in southern Raise your standards! Manitoba and are partners in Right Choice Management Consulting. With over 25 years ™ ™ of cumulative experience, they offer support DuPont Vertisan fungicide – in farm management, financial management, strategic planning and mediation services. They can be reached at [email protected] A new outlook on disease management. and [email protected] or 204-825- 7392 and 204-825-8443 When it comes to protecting your high-value crop, you shouldn’t settle for anything but the best. Introducing DuPont™ Vertisan™, a powerful new fungicide™ ™ for managing sclerotinia and other key diseases in DuPontcanola, pulses, sunflowers DuPont BY DAN PIRARO and potatoes. Bizarro ™ ™ Vertisan™ is the next-generation Group 7 fungicide that stops disease in its tracks with residual, preventative and post-infection Vert activity.isan No matter Vertisan what the season brings, you can count on Vertisan™ to deliverfungicide high yielding, fungicide high quality crops. New Vertisan™. Higher yield. Higher quality. Higher standards. Questions? Ask your retailer, call 1-800-667-3925 or visit cropprotection.dupont.ca.

As with all crop protection products, read and follow label instructions carefully. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™ and Vertisan™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. E. I. du Pont Canada Company is a licensee. Member of CropLife Canada. © Copyright 2012 E. I. du Pont Canada Company. All rights reserved.

DU2356VER_Gra_FE .indd 1 2/27/12 11:56 AM MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 33 MachineryMachinery && ShopShop CLASS PROJECT Project F-250, part five We get creative and apply some bed liner to the exterior of the truck for protection from stone chips BY SCOTT GARVEY a reference, which will ensure you ing. When removing the masking get a straight, good looking edge. tape along the edge of the applied arlier in this project we Once the first tape line is estab- liner, lift one end of the tape applied a paint-on bed lished, use a second strip of tape to and pull it back over itself and liner coating to the truck attach some masking paper above slightly up from the painted sec- box, but there’s more it. We used ordinary newspaper for tion. That keeps the tape coming Ethan one way to use that prod- masking paper to keep costs down, off smoothly, and it doesn’t cause uct. The thick textured coating it but you can buy proper automo- the edge of the painted section leaves makes an excellent protective masking paper if you want. to flake off, making for a neater tion against road damage from Apply several light coats of the finished job. stone chips. So this time we apply liner rather than one heavy one, The coating should keep the a coat of it to the lower portion of and keep the can moving as you truck body protected from road the truck’s exterior body. spray; that will prevent sags. spray which tends to chip off paint. When the box was coated with The thick, textured bed liner In the next segment, start prepping bed liner, we used a roller to apply doesn’t mist very much compared the truck for a complete paint job. it. For this job we picked up the to ordinary paint, so you won’t The materials cost for this part

same Dupli-Color-brand product, need to do a lot of masking to of the project was about $25 for PHOTO : SCOTT GARVEY but this time in a spray can. We prevent overspray. There was vir- two cans of liner, with ample left The F-250 will get a coating of bed liner along the bottom edge of the wanted to ensure a nice even tex- tually none when we applied it. over in the second can. † body. That will protect it from getting chipped by stones and other ture in the finish coat. The roller Let the liner set up for an hour or Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. road spray. Here, the masking is in place and the truck is ready to didn’t really create that appearance. so and carefully remove the mask- Contact him at [email protected] be sprayed. The spray cans, however, do leave a nice, even, good looking surface. Before applying the bed liner, you need to first clean the truck’s Order Now for metal surface thoroughly. That Summer Delivery means starting with a good soapy wash and rinse, then going over the area again with a wax and grease remover. Any impurities left on the surface will prevent good adhesion to the sheet metal. Basically, we’re doing exactly the same thing to the truck we would do if we were applying ordinary paint. Success

The coating should through innovation. keep the truck body protected With revolutionary new technology SeedMaster is the only farm equipment manufacturer to win multiple like the UltraPro Canola Meter, Zone Innovation Awards – including the coveted Gold Innovation Award – from road spray at the 2011 Farm Progress Show. Command, and the Nova XP-820 Once the surface is cleaned, it ■ Gold: UltraPro Canola Meter has to be scuffed with a red auto- Smart Cart, we help you drive yields ■ Sterling: Nova XP-820 Smart Cart motive Scotchbrite pad or sanded with 400-grit sandpaper. This will and profitability higher than ever. ■ Sterling: Zone Command create tiny grooves that allow the bed liner to stick properly. Be sure to clean away all the sanding dust with a clean, lint free cloth. As a final step, use a sticky tack cloth to wipe away any remaining dirt or sanding particles. When using a tack cloth, just hold it lightly against the surface, don’t press it down hard. You can buy special tack cloths at places like Canadian Tire or automotive parts stores. We only want the bed liner coating on the lower section of the body, so we’re masking off a line about 40 centimetres up from the bottom. To start, run a strip of masking tape along the line where you want the liner coating to end. It easiest if you use a body line as

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™The Leader. By Design.™ 1.888.721.3001  www.seedmaster.ca 34 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 MachineryMachinery && ShopShop NEW EQUIPMENT Backhoe attachment adds versatility Hanging a detachable backhoe on a farm tractor’s three-point hitch might provide an economical alternative to hiring contractors

BY SCOTT GARVEY jobs you’ve forgotten about. At buying a used construction backhoe the same time you could get to tractor, which likely doesn’t make f you live on a farm, you’ve park a new piece of equipment financial sense for most farmers. likely found it difficult to in your yard that you can use For about $10,000 Wallenstein, an get the services of trades- whenever you need it, which Ontario company, sells its GX920, men or custom operators could be a real advantage. which mounts on the three-point whenI you need them. That, A utility tractor with a three- hitch of any farm tractor in the 45 combined with the associated point hitch is standard equipment to 100 horsepower range. It attaches costs, may have caused you to in most farm fleets, and adding a quickly and offers a reasonable dig- PHOTO : SCOTT GARVEY abandon some smaller on-farm backhoe attachment to one could ging depth of 9’ 4”. An extended Wallenstein, an Ontario-based manufacturer, displayed its line of projects. But having the right make that small tractor one of the version, the GX920XT will add detachable backhoe attachments at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon. It attachment for a tractor you handiest in the yard. Investing in another two feet to that, if you want builds three models designed for agricultural tractors. They offer working already own may make it pos- just a backhoe attachment is a lot to pay extra for the option. depths as deep as 11’ 4” inches. sible to do some of those minor less expensive than trying to justify The hoe connects directly to a tractor’s hydraulic system, while the operator uses the controls on the attachment to dig. “It needs six to eight gallons (about 23 to 30 litres) per minute of hydraulic flow,” says Dale Bast, Saskatchewan territory manager for Wallenstein. While most newer tractors can supply that, the Wallenstein can create its own hydraulic power with an optional PTO power pack if necessary for older machines. The company also offers two

Having the right to attachment for a tractor you already own may make it possible to do Rev up some of those minor jobs you’ve forgotten about

lighter backhoe attachments for smaller tractors, even those in the 15 to 25 horsepower compact WIN!® utility segment. Of course, dig- Win your CO-OP ging depth and speed drops off with the smaller models. “It (The Wallenstein line) is all 2012 Spring Lube Canadian built,” adds Bast. “We even make our own hydraulic cyl- inders.” And farmers can order a Purchase! hoe painted to closely match the tractor or in a variety of other specialty colors. For more information, see www. embmfg.com or call 1-877-695- 9293. † Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at [email protected]

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EVENT Minimum purchase of 200 litres. Contest ends May 18, 2012. OIL Draw date is June 30, 2012. OF THE YEAR! See your local Co-op for details. MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 35 MachineryMachinery && ShopShop KEEP IT GOING Massey Ferguson 760 combine keeps on going Maintaining older equipment takes a lot of time and effort. In the case of this MF 760, it’s been worth the trouble BY MELISSA DEMAS ity of this machine. However, the most important factor in keeping Editor’s note: It seems nearly every this combine going for over 30 farmer and machinery collector has years is that the MF 760 was always an interesting story to tell about one shedded in the off-season. The last machine or another. Melissa Demas year this combine was used on the originally sent this wedding photo in Fuchs Farm was in 2009. In 2010, a for the Give Us Your Best Shot photo neighbour used it to take his crop, contest on page four. But we knew and the MF 760 is now owned by there must be a story behind it, so we that neighbour. encouraged her to tell us more. Although it has just recently — Scott Garvey been retired from our fields, it hen it came to only seemed right to have a fam- finding the right ily picture with the old girl on a backdrop for my day that was so important. I have wedding photos I always been proud of my agricul- searchedW for the perfect spot. I grew tural upbringing. To top it off, up on a mixed farming operation I’ve been lucky enough to marry less than a mile from Fleming, Sask. a grain farmer!! † This wedding photo was taken on Miles and Margaret Fuchs’ farm on July 23, 2011. From left to right: Myles My Dad, Myles Fuchs, had grown Fuchs, Maria Fuchs, Margaret Fuchs holding Melissa’s daughter Kaycee Demas, Danielle Cant (on top the up and farmed there his whole Melissa Demas is happy to be married to a Saskatchewan grain farmer stairs), Melissa Demas, Redmond Demas, Chris Cant, Katherine Cant, and Kurt Fuchs. life with my grandfather, Edmond Fuchs. When I thought about my parents’ operation it soon became apparent that I had forgotten about an old family member that was significant in our farming operation and my childhood. That was my parents’ old MF 760 combine, which is still working today. My father bought the Massey Ferguson new in October 1980 from Bradleys in Moosomin, Sask. It was the last MF 760 before shipments of MF 860s started coming out. Every one of my three siblings and the first grandchild has napped, played and ridden in this combine. It came into our family before the oldest of us four kids was a year old. In fact, my Mom, Margaret Fuchs, who was the primary operator of this machine had my grandmother, Mary Fuchs, bring my youngest sis- ter Maria out to the combine so she could be nursed (in 1985). So I guess you could say it was “lady driven.”

My father’s ability to maintain and repair was key to the longevity of this machine

To date the combine has roughly 6,300 hours on it. The motor in So, you think you’re the MF 760 has always been excellent. The hydraulic pump has been replaced twice, along with the injector pump which was rebuilt. The MF 760 was faithfully greased every 10 hours which has been important to its longevity. If any vibra- pretty fast. tions started, the cause was located and repaired before more dam- The GrainVac 7500 HP is up to any challenge. age resulted. Bearings and chains When it’s time to move huge volumes of grain, nothing out-hustles the GrainVac 7500 HP. Brandt’s breakthrough technology delivers were always replaced as needed. high capacity and high efficiency – with lower horsepower requirements and low-cost, easy maintenance. So if you’ve got a need for speed, My father replaced the rethresher see the GrainVac 7500 HP at your local Brandt dealer. That’s powerful value, delivered. with a rebuilt one, replaced the concave three times and replaced all the sieves. The elevator paddles were removed and straightened as needed and new rubber paddles Rebate Thanks a were installed. At 4,500 hours the on GrainVac 5200EX or 7500HP brakes were rebuilt. Every year the $ Some restrictions apply. Offer valid January 1 - March 31, 2012. Billion ! combine was gone over before use 500 to see what needed to be replaced or repaired. The oil was changed every 150 hours. The belts were Visit thanksabillion.ca for rebate details always replaced as soon as any and other offers. For product details and cracking was noticed. In 2007 the a dealer near you, call 1-866-4BRANDT left hand final drive was replaced or visit www.brandt.ca with a used one. My father’s ability to maintain and repair was key to the longev- 36 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 MachineryMachinery && ShopShop NEW EQUIPMENT Wider tool bar enhances manure application efficiency Tough economics prompted Redhand Ltd. to develop a new wider tow-behind manure injector

BY TONY KRYZANOWSKI FINDING EFFICIENCIES

ith the hog indus- Rose says for the new, wider try struggling fin- applicator to be effective, the boom ancially, custom needed to be able to handle the manure applica- stress of a 64-foot implement. Last tor,W Redhand Ltd., knew it need- spring, Redhand Ltd. injected 40 ed to find ways to operate more million gallons of manure with it, efficiently to manage its own and the boom worked beyond their rising costs. So the Manitoba- expectations. The applicator moved based company designed a smoothly as it was towed across new, tow-behind, 64-foot wide cropland and worked equally well manure injection toolbar that is with either hog or dairy manure. robust and nearly twice as wide “It just makes us that much as other injection toolbars in more efficient to be able to run their fleet. one machine at 64 feet versus two “Our costs go up every year, at 33 feet,” he says. “We didn’t but we couldn’t raise our rates think we could get more efficient because of trouble in the hog two years ago, and now we have industry,” says company co- dropped a tractor, which is huge.” owner Scott Rose. “We were Designing a wider, tow-behind running 33-foot injector tool- toolbar has allowed the company bars before and we just couldn’t to reduce the size of its equipment get a boom arm long enough fleet, its fuel consumption when without having major structural applying manure, and the number problems like stress breaks and of its employees. stress cracks. We just kept beef- “With other swing-mounted PHOTOS : TONY KRYZANOWSKI ing up that swing arm, and that booms on applicators, they are typi- Redhand Ltd. designed this new, tow-behind, 64-foot wide manure injection toolbar that is robust and nearly made it heavier, which made it cally mounted on the front of the twice as wide as other injection toolbars in their fleet. more prone to breaking.” machine and then pivot on top

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of that machine out to half the it has developed with equipment been operating three four-wheel- and three miles of 8-inch hose by the flow rate. An eight-inch distance of the machine in either fabricator Degelman Industries. drive tractors in the 375 horse- for direct delivery of the manure Krohne flow meter is located on direction,” says Rose. “The one we Rose says Regina-based Degelman power range to pull their 33-foot to a pump in the field, which is the implement boom with controls built is tow-behind. So, we can basi- Industries was another key player in manure injection toolbars. connected to the manure appli- in the tractor cab. Field tractors are cally build any width now because the design of the applicator. They “That’s one of the efficiencies cator hitched to the tractor. The equipped with GPS and auto steer. of our boom design. We were a little modified the frame on a land roller we tried to build into the design of hose from the in-field pump to Rose says in addition to using the bit concerned about what would implement to Redhand’s specifica- our new toolbar,” says Rose. With the applicator reduces from eight wider applicator themselves, they happen when we did a really hard tions, which was incorporated into the design of their new 64-foot inches to six inches to increase the plan to fabricate the unit through turn, but we didn’t have any issues the applicator’s overall design. tool bar, they now only need two flow rate. Rose says they are able Triangle Welding and market the like hose getting tangled up at the “One of the unique features of product to other custom manure far end of the toolbar.” He adds that the Degelman machine is that it applicators, in conjunction with the major difference between this folds back and trails behind you Degelman Industries. He says mak- manure applicator and other con- and keeps everything in exactly ing the transition to this custom ventional injection systems is that the same position as it is in work- injection unit would be relative- it is a tow-behind boom, supported ing field position,” says Rose. With a wider implement working at ly simple for custom applicators by wheels versus a free swinging “It’s not a fold up machine.” The already equipped with eight-inch boom mounted at the front of an applicator is just over 13 feet a slower pace, there is less stress on hoses. Application is at a slower applicator. wide for road transport and fol- speed — with wider injectors, a lows in the tracks of the tractor equipment and operators slower speed is needed to apply the THE REDHAND APPLICATOR when turning, which enhances required gallons per acre. Although its maneuverability. 375 horsepower four-wheel-drive to pump at a rate of about 2,200 the application speed is slower, The Redhand applicator has “We tow the applicator down tractors, complemented by six U.S. gallons per minute, even with more volume is applied per pass and three Bambauer manifolds. Each the road at 24 miles per hour, no front-wheel-assist tractors for vari- three eight-inch and three six-inch with a wider implement working at manifold has 13 ports and 39 hoses problem,” Rose adds. ous operations such as manure pit lengths of draghose from the field a slower pace, there is less stress on leading to splitters, resulting in 78 In addition to the new, custom- agitation, equipment towing and pump to the manure applicator. equipment and operators. † drops leading to the Gentil injection built toolbar, their fleet consists hose management. The objective, he says, is to system. Rose says the injection of Ford New Holland tractors pur- Complementing their draghose achieve as much flow rate as pos- Tony Kryzanowski is a writer and photographer with extensive experience writing about the system looks almost like a golf green chased from Mazer Implements in system are 52-foot Houle pit agita- sible, as the speed of the tractor and natural sciences. He is headquartered in St. aerator. A series of knives, each Brandon. Up until now, they’ve tors and pumps, booster pumps the application rate is determined Albert, Alta. about eight inches long, fracture and make holes in the soil where the manure is applied. Each knife is four inches apart and the manure is injected approximately four inches into the ground, depending on soil conditions. A second motivation behind designing this new applicator was to reduce crop stripping, a condition where some areas receive more nutrients than other areas, which becomes evident from crop growth patterns. This was occurring with some Redhand Ltd. customers particularly in low gallon applications Protect Your Investment of about 3,000 gallons per acre and where the liquid manure was of heavier consistency. The company has achieved row spacing of only about six inches with the design of its applicator, which it believes will significantly reduce problems with crop stripping.

REDHAND LTD. Redhand Ltd. is owned by Scott Rose and Trevor Cowieson, with foreman and partner, Paul Bell, a key member of the team and a major contributor to the toolbar design. Rose, Cowieson and Bell are joint venture partners in another company located in Boissevain, Man., called Triangle Welding Ltd., which fabricates the complete applicator. Rose and Cowieson farm southwest of Brandon and operate the custom manure application business as a sideline. Scott says he and Cowieson were part owners in a hog barn and, given the expense of managing the manure in that operation, they decided it was something they wanted to do themselves. They purchased equipment eight years ago, starting out with tankers but eventually evolving exclusively into a draghose system about four years ago to address soil compaction issues. They also discovered that other draghose operators were able to work in wetter ground conditions, so the transition was made. They are pumping and applying about 150 million U.S. gallons of liquid manure annually, largely in Southern Manitoba, almost exclusively for the hog industry. The majority of their business is Your reputation is critical to your success. Smooth-wall, hopper bottom conducted in spring and fall, with bins from Meridian Manufacturing ensure your grain stays pure. We know some custom application on pas- the details matter, our bins have a premium powder coating that improved tures in summer. Because their tow-behind applica- the slip factor to ensure superior clean out. Other companies powder coat, tor has proven itself in a commer- Meridian does it best. Visit www.MeridianMFG.com to learn more. cial setting, Triangle Welding has begun fabricating a second machine © 2012 Meridian Manufacturing Group. Registered Trademarks Used Under License. for Redhand through a relationship 38 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Cattleman’s Corner genetics Genomics 101 — what it means

Part 1 of 2 even growth. This doesn’t mean groups such as Igenity (Merial) BY SEAN MCGRATH we should stop research to find or Pfizer. genes, but it does mean we need The approach to finding SNPs here is a lot of work a faster, broad-scale approach. is then flipped on its head and going on in the field multiple animals are tested of genomics these days. Enter the SNP using the smaller panel to see if While technical terms (pronounced snip) the DNA chunks we are interest- Tare somewhat intimidating, ed in are present. These results genomics is a fancy way to say The way we get around the are then compared with their we are studying DNA — in this problem of finding genes is performance to “validate” the case bovine DNA. DNA is the through technology called Single research. In other words, to see code that determines the genetic Nucleotide Polymorphisms or if the DNA predicts the outcome potential of an individual. Half SNPs for short. These are short in the same way the original of an animal’s DNA comes from pieces of DNA that are rela- data found the DNA. the sire and half from the dam. tively evenly spread across the A SNP panel can be used after It is possible to have cattle that bovine DNA like so many road the fact, as previously mentioned. do not perform to their genetic signs. Researchers then take They are useful for sorting feeder potential, but it is difficult to large amounts of data, and DNA calves, for example. They are also have them outperform their samples that are tied to that data useful before the fact. The lead- innate genetic limitations. DNA and start digging. In essence ing edge of research right now is is present in every tissue in the they take DNA from influential not only finding SNPs but incor- animal’s body. animals and look at hundreds porating them into EPD results. There are basically two broad of thousands of small pieces of The knowledge of an individual’s approaches to genomics, which DNA. By comparing these pieces DNA means the predictive abil- we will term “after the fact” and of DNA to results in the data, ity of an animal’s EPD can be “before the fact.” After-the-fact they start to see patterns where improved, and also traits that genomics attempts to look at an specific chunks of DNA appear are difficult to measure can be animal’s DNA after it has been when certain results are present. estimated early in life. born to define it within a pro- In other words, a particular SNP duction system. These are the or road marker may show up Set at conception DNA tests many feedlots use to when calves are heavier than sort cattle into outcome groups. the average of other calves in An animal’s DNA is set at the Perhaps one of the most familiar their group. This specific chunk moment of conception. If a sam- to Canadians is the use of Leptin of DNA may not be “the gene” ple is collected on a newborn calf, testing to sort feeder cattle into for weaning weight, but it is it will contain the same DNA that groups based on projected days “associated with” pre-weaning calf will pass on to its calves later on feed. growth. in life. If we are aware of pieces p h o t o : c o u r t e s y o f s r c Before-the-fact genomics Out of these hundreds of thou- of DNA associated with improved Kevin Lang, research scientist, studying livestock genomics at in the involves examining the DNA of sands of short pieces of DNA, growth, or health, or longevity Saskatchewan Research Council’s (SRC) GenServe Laboratories. animals expected to reproduce research may find a few thou- of daughters, or meat quality we in order to assist selection deci- sand that are useful or informa- can measure them directly in that production environments. This is this. Commercial DNA panels are sions and produce desirable off- tive for the things we are inter- young animal. While these DNA working “before the fact.” becoming more accurate and lower spring. ested in about beef cattle. These pieces are not the gene for the The world of genomics is vast cost all the time and there are a Occasionally research turns up few thousand SNPs are then put trait, they provide a good indica- and advancing rapidly, but it is lot of potential applications in the a specific gene or chunk of DNA into a commercial panel that tion of what is going on. By incor- very similar to a lot of things in commercial industry we will touch that controls a specific trait, can be used for testing cattle at porating DNA and phenotypes our lives. We don’t need to under- on in the next several weeks. † however more often the traits a lower cost than testing hun- (measurements on an animal and stand every detail of the technol- we are interested in are complex dreds of thousands of pieces of its offspring) into a single more ogy, as long as we understand Sean McGrath is a rancher and consultant from Vermilion, Alta. He can be reached and involve many genes work- DNA on every calf. These are accurate EPD for a trait of inter- how to apply it in our own situa- at [email protected] or (780) 853- ing together, such as disease the type of tests people may be est we can produce genetic com- tion. Cellphones, GPS and satellite 9673. For additional information visit www. resistance, long-term fertility or familiar with that are offered by binations that excel in various television are good examples of ranchingsystems.com

Pasture production Important to pre-calculate pasture days Winter is a good time to pencil out whether you will have sufficient grass and make plans as needed ach pasture season has its should be done with pastures in ture production side, the pasture in the season. Later turnout, on aver- challenges, whether it’s wintertime before spring turn- Start with an inventory this example produced 22,500 AD age, means a net return of two periodic drought or cool out arrives. To start, do an inventory to see of grazing from 600 acres or each days. At pasture costs of $1/day, weather that can slow or “To start, first look at the big if animal numbers and the desired acre produced 37 AD. Due to factors this means $2 more from your Ehalt forage growth. Cattle numbers picture,” says Grant Lastiwka, length of the grazing season are in such as dry falls and compound own land in grazing this year for change as beef producers adjust to grazing/forage/beef specialist with balance with pasture production. effects from previous grazing years, every day held back.” markets and overhead costs always Alberta Agriculture and Rural Whether it is written or not, eve- the beef operator may feel that pas- Another option is renting pas- seem to be on the rise. In facing Development. “It’s easiest to use ryone knows roughly when they tures will produce 30 per cent less ture. Using the same example, the these challenges, producers strive percentages and compare them to start and end grazing, so begin by than normal. In this example that grazing shortfall is calculated as to find ways to create more profit. normal. If your cattle numbers are calculating the number of grazing means 15,750 AD or 26 AD/acre. 25,000 AD - 15,750 AD = 9,250 AD The best way is usually to keep 10 per cent more, you will need pairs and yearlings. Pasture pro- The calculation of 15,750 AD/165 (26 AD per acre) = 356 additional down cost per pound of animal 10 per cent more grass. Also, if duction can then be calculated as animals works out to a 95-day graz- acres needed to graze 165 cows raised. Pasture is cheaper than pastures were hurt by drought and Animal Days (AD) or Animal Unit ing season. In this example pasture until October 30. feeding mechanically harvested grasshoppers or hammered with Months (AUM). will be done by Aug. 28, far before “Seeding annuals, fertilizing, hay or silage systems. High pas- overgrazing, they could be 30 per For example, 150 cow-calf pairs the Oct. 30 date. arranging for crop aftermath use ture production is needed for all cent less productive. If this is the grazed from May 25 to Oct. 30 “By knowing the shortfalls, and early weaning can also be grazing animals and for a cow case, it means that there is going to (150 days) is equivalent to 22,500 it’s possible to effectively take used to offset pasture produc- herd, the ability to extend the be a 40 per cent shortage of grass. AD of grazing. If there are 165 action before damage is done to tion shortfalls,” adds Lastiwka. grazing season is particularly “Planning early is very impor- pairs (10 per cent more), an addi- pastures, cattle performance and “Being flexible with grass and important. Pastures can only tant because if you determine you tional 2,500 AD are needed if the cash flow,” says Lastiwka. “The cash gives producers options meet these goals if they are man- have a shortage of pasture, there is goal is to graze until October 30. best economic solution may be to make wise cattle decisions. aged with some planning. still time to make other decisions If all weather factors stay constant to sell a few of the poorer cows Fewer animals grazed longer and A plan for a grazing season such as renting more pasture, and no extra grass is grown and no or early wean and ship the culls each making a good profit will starts before cattle are turned out seeding annuals, selling cattle, fer- cows are sold, the grazing season rather than taking the risk of los- be a better alternative than if on grass. Decisions are based on tilizing or feeding longer so that will be done by October 15 — two ing out on grazing days. In addi- more animals went onto winter the information gathered from the grass can get the jumpstart it weeks short of the October 30 goal. tion, if some winter feed is left, feed earlier and each was losing a fall assessment of pastures. needs. Knowing what you’ve got Presuming grazing is about half the delaying turnout will help to set money.” † Just as a winter feed inventory and deciding how best to manage cost of feeding hay or silage, this up a grass buffer. Reprinted courtesy of Grant Lastiwka and is done in fall to determine if your grass is an important step in means the operation is set up for As a general rule, for every day The Blade newsletter published by the Grey there are enough bales or silage meeting pasture needs and help- some extra costs and may face a cattle are held off grass, three more Wooded Forage Association, based in Rocky to last the winter, the same ing with next year’s cash flow.” cash flow problem. From the pas- days of grazing can be added to Mountain House, Alta. www.gwfa.areca.ab.ca BUILDING TRUST IN CANADIAN BEEF

Cattleman’s Corner

A winning ranch formula: Cut costs, add value, build marketing integrity The McGrath family ranch is 105 years old and heading for another century

his is the kind of ranch that is being able to document story Canada’s beef management practices. Tindustry likes. A young The operation is audited under family with heritage ranching the Verified Beef Production roots and a clear energy about (VBP) program to ensure animal the opportunity to build a busi- and human health wellbeing. The ness and a family life around ranch is also actively involved with cows and grass. several range health and environ- Round Rock Ranching near mental sustainability programs. Vermilion, in Northeastern Calves are all age verified. All Alberta has a very clear vision: cows have DNA records, and all ‘Producing the best beef in a bet- vaccination and medical records ter world.’ “We like to say we are documented and VBP proto- have a kinship with the land,” cols followed. says Sean McGrath, the fifth “From a marketing and doc- generation to live on this land, umentation of integrity, it’s all and young father of the sixth. Documented practices assists marketing efforts, there,” says McGrath. “We’re says Sean McGrath of Round Rock Ranching. “In simple business terms quite comfortable saying to any we focus on the cow side,” he ing costs for the 200-cow herd. grass when everyone else is bring- of our grass-fed beef customers explains. “We watch costs. If we “Our goal is to feed cows as little ing theirs in.” that if they would like to come can do something for less money, as possible. More than 45 days is in and look at our system and that’s clearly an objective. But considered strenuous.” Customer first, value added pick a calf, we will show them we’re also concerned about value Calves are weaned early, mid- “We try to make every calf the records on our computer, so added, trying to make every calf October to mid-November. Cows worth more, but more than any- they will see what we are doing. worth more. That’s through our graze native prairie into February. thing, we sell ourselves,” says genetics, our vaccination and “They’ll put 100 to 150 pounds McGrath. VBP aids marketing herd health program and our of weight on in that time,” says The cow herd is Angus. “We use the VBP record infor- management program. Every- McGrath. “Then we’ll switch to Younger animals are bred Angus mation a lot for marketing,” thing ties together.” swath grazing and eventually, in and older cows are bred Sim- adds McGrath. “If we sell a spring, to tame forage. mental. The ranch markets grass load of calves, we’ll contact the Grazing to cut costs “We don’t do mixed farming finished beef, feeder calves, F1 potential buyers well ahead of A cornerstone of the ranch is and 80 per cent of our land is heifers and grass cattle. “Our rule time and let them know about its advanced grazing system. Built native pasture. Our approach is we don’t sell weaned calves.” the cattle. They’ll know that they on nearly year-round grazing, it’s is pretty unusual for this area. Customers first is the market- have been vaccinated and that designed to aggressively cut feed- We’re usually taking cows out to ing mentality and a big part of there are records for all of that.” DEVELOPED BY PRODUCERS. DEVELOPED FOR CONSUMERS

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RALGRO Grain News QSH.indd 1 12-01-25 14:33 40 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Keepers & Culls

Supply management is not the enemy CONTACT US Write, Email or Fax of the marketing fence on his the kitchen for lunch and now Contact Cattleman’s Corner with comments, ideas or suggestions LEE farm — they background beef, decide whether I am going to HART farrow-to-finish hogs, and also have leftover chicken stir-fry or a for and on stories by mail, email, phone or fax. have dairy and poultry — so he roast beef sandwich. Maybe I will Phone Lee Hart at 403-592-1964 works in both open market and have both. Fax to 403-288-3162 supply management systems. He made the point that producers CAN’T ARGUE WITH SCIENCE Email [email protected] won’t belabour the beef/ involved in supply management Write to CATTLEMAN’S CORNER, supply management topic sectors have made a large invest- After having dug to a depth PO Box 71141 Silver Springs RPO, Calgary, Alta. T3B 5K2 too much because longtime ment, and supply management of 10 feet last year outside of Grainews reader Ed from which governs them to produce Vancouver, B.C. scientists found ISaskatchewan says he’d like to see what the market needs with traces of copper cable dating ago, Saskatchewan had already the consumer level,” says Heini more jokes on this page… and I limited exports, keeps produc- back 100 years. They came to the gone wireless.” Hehli, a dairy producer from agree. ers profitable, but doesn't put conclusion that their ancestors the Rimbey, Alta., area and chair I made a comment a couple an unfair food price burden on already had a telephone network ANIMAL-CARE CONFERENCE of AFAC. “It represents signifi- issues back that perhaps the beef consumers. more than 100 years ago. cant challenges but also major industry should revisit the pos- Not that it was an economic Not to be outdone by Vancouver, Showing leadership in farm opportunities for those who are sibility of a supply management study, but Hofer points to a recent in the weeks that followed, a animal care has emerged as a knowledgeable, progressive and marketing system. I was being column in Grainews by mostly Toronto, Ontario archeologist dug defining issue that will deter- innovative on this issue. As pro- somewhat of a devil’’s advocate. retired Alberta beef producer Stan to a depth of 20 feet somewhere mine the future competitiveness ducers, that’s the category we Following that comment, I Harder, who said a recent nice just outside Trenton. Shortly after, and market success of livestock want to be in.” received an email from Charolais roast beef dinner in his house cost a story in the Toronto Sun read: industries around the globe. The two-day agenda includes breeder Jake Harp, who disagreed $10.50 per plate for beef, while a “Toronto archeologists report One of the best places to learn an evening reception and student with the notion. He said in part: nice chicken dinner was more like a finding of 200-year-old cop- about the latest developments poster session on Wednesday, “Supply management is currently $2.75. Who is creating the con- per cable, have concluded that in farm animal care — includ- March 21, with the main speaker in place in the poultry, egg and sumer burden, Hofer wonders? their ancestors already had an ing what they mean for pro- agenda running from 8:15 to dairy industry already and it only Hofer says the supply manage- advanced high-tech communica- ducers and industry — is the 4:30 on Thursday, March 22. Full benefits the producers. It adversely ment system works very well — tions network 100 years earlier 2012 Livestock Care Conference, conference agenda is available affects the price to the consumer no one is looking for handouts. than Vancouver.” March 21-22 in Red Deer, Alta. at www.afac.ab.ca/lcc. Livestock and should be illegal under He wasn’t advocating a supply One week later, a local news- The annual event is hosted producers, industry representa- the North American Free Trade management system for beef or paper in Yorkton, Saskatchewan by Alberta Farm Animal Care tives and others interested can Agreement.” hogs, but he says current farm reported the following: “After (AFAC), the organization rep- register for this event online at And that is fair comment, but economics do force him to be the digging down about 30 feet deep resenting all major livestock the AFAC website or by calling then I had a phone call from David most efficient producer he can be in his pasture near the com- producer organizations in the 403-662-8050. † Hofer, who farms near Moose Jaw, and also he has to pay much bet- munity of Springside, farmer province. Sask. He didn’t agree with Harp’s ter attention to be a better mar- Bob, a self-taught archeologist, “Farm animal care today is comments that supply manage- keter of any non-supply manage- reported that he found abso- unquestionably a top issue inter- ment only benefits the producers. ment commodities. lutely nothing. Bob has there- nationally, with many implica- Hofer works on both sides And soon I have to head up to fore concluded that 300 years tions from the farm level to

RANGE MANAGEMENT Ranchers need a CRMP process Ranchers must be willing to take a leadership role in developing a management plan that not only involves all of the stakeholders

BY HYLAND ARMSTRONG ditional uses, such as livestock involves all of the stakeholders, includes developing procedures The final point the rancher production. Unfortunately, soci- but also provides a tangible benefit that enable the facilitator to cen- should consider is ensuring the great deal of beef produc- ety no longer feels this approach to all of the stakeholders involved sure those groups or individuals plan has mechanisms to allow the tion in Western Canada is acceptable, particularly on in the issue. who try to circumvent or “short manager to determine if the plan takes place on native public land and there is mount- circuit” the process. is working and make provisions rangeland. In their book ing pressure from environmen- RANCHER TAKES LEADERSHIP Finally efforts must be made for unforeseen events. This is ARange Management , Stoddart, Smith talists and recreationalists to to ensure all individuals who accomplished by incorporating and Box define native rangeland change the status quo on this The key principle is that this is a represent the various stakeholders a very large degree of flexibility as those areas of the world char- particular issue. As this public voluntary process initiated by the have authority to make decisions in the plan’s construction, acterized by physical limitations pressure mounts, it is very prob- rancher before the conflict becomes and are willing to allow the collecting accurate baseline making these areas unsuitable for able ranchers will face dramatic unmanageable. Ranchers must consensus of the group rather data, creating a monitoring cultivation and suitable solely for changes to government policy, adopt a leadership role in the issue than political machinations to program to determine if the livestock grazing. lawsuits or both. Whatever hap- and invite ALL those stakeholder determine what management plan is achieving its objectives Historically, these areas have pens, ranchers can rest assured groups with a legitimate stake in decisions are made. and creating a mechanism to provided a number of products the transition from the present the issue to become part of the make the appropriate changes that include: forage for domes- management policies to any planning process. The goal of this THREE KEY POINTS to the plan. tic and native animals, wood future management policies will process is to create an action plan In the past, ranchers have had and wood products, water, wild- not be a smooth one, unless with goals which are clearly stated, When ranchers decide to use a major voice in determining life, mineral development and they change their approach. prioritized, attainable and which this process to develop a man- the goods and services created recently oil and gas exploration While the traditional skills encompass the concerns of all the agement plan, it is imperative on western Canadian grasslands. and recreational opportunities. of ranching will still play a stakeholders. It is also important for they make sure the other stake- Unfortunately, because of dra- As the number and variety of major role in planning, ranch- the management plan to state the holders understand three impor- matic changes in demographics, goods and services associated ers will need to develop new responsibilities of each stakeholder. tant points. The most impor- this will no longer be the case with rangelands increase, so too skill sets. Ranchers will have For this process to be success- tant point is to impress upon and it is very likely (because of will the conflicts between the to begin employing a combi- ful, it is important that ranchers the other stakeholders to think lawsuits, changes in government stakeholders demanding these nation of integrated resource ensure the process incorporates outside the box and focus on policy or both) ranchers will goods and services. management and co-ordinated a number of key elements. The those management policies that lose the ability to manage their As the numbers of conflicts resource management planning most important and fundamen- will achieve the desired goals ranches in an effective manner. increase, it will become increas- (CRMP). This means ranchers tal element is choosing a facili- the most effectively, rather than If ranching is to continue on ingly difficult for traditional must develop a better under- tator who not only has a good focus on laws and regulations. western Canadian rangelands, users, like ranchers, to make a standing of wildlife manage- general knowledge of the issues Next, it is important to ensure ranchers will have to adopt a living. If ranchers are to reduce ment; recreation management but is regarded as an impartial the members of the group are leadership role and through the the number and severity of and ecosystem management “referee” by all of the stake- willing to act as a team. Finally, process of Co-ordinated Resource these conflicts, they will have (integrated resource manage- holders participating in the to keep these groups committed Management Planning adopt to become more proactive in ment) and begin using CRMP to planning process. to the process, each stakeholder more flexible resource manage- their approach to resource man- manage future conflicts. The second crucial element is has the opportunity to contribute ment strategies. † agement issues. Ranchers must be willing to take the establishment of a set of to the process and feel they have Hyland Armstrong is a retired rancher from In the past, resource manage- a leadership role in developing a “ground rules” all stakehold- something positive to gain from Cypress Hills, Alberta. He can be reached at ment decisions focused on tra- management plan that not only ers can work with. This even the process. [email protected] or 403 528 4798 MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 41 Cattleman’s Corner environmental farm plans Get with the plan, Stan! an EF plan that is All three Prairie provinces still offer EFPs. Here are some of the procedures for participation

Part 1 of 4 BY ANGELA LOVELL

hile the popular E n v i r o n m e n t a l Farm Plan process in Western Canada hasW dropped off the radar to some extent, the program is still alive and well and of value in all Prairie provinces, say program officials. Prairie farmers and ranchers who over the past decade have completed Environmental Farm Plans More than 12,000 producers have participated in Alberta’s EFP program. (EFPs) consider them invaluable tools in helping to manage their Step 4: Peer Review practices. A renewal of the work- environmental assets and potential farms with greater sustainability. Saskatchewan EFP Completed action plans are sub- book will also help develop a more risks and record their findings in Many involved in the process Saskatchewan has developed a mitted to a Peer Review Committee suitable action plan for identifying the workbook. believe EFPs will be even more list of 70 beneficial management for a compulsory review. The and managing environmental risks 3. Workshop 2 valuable in the years ahead. practices that minimize or miti- action plan remains confidential on the farm. To be eligible for fund- With a completed workbook Perry Philips, Alberta’s EFP co- gate possible environmental risks and anonymous and is reviewed by ing a producer is required to update and the help of the EFP workshop ordinator, says the province is related to agriculture. These BMP’s a panel of producers who already their EFP Statement of Completion facilitators, producers create their extensively revisiting its EFP proc- fit into 30 categories dealing with have endorsed action plans. certificate every five years. customized action plans by identi- ess in 2012. “We’ve adopted a air, water, soil or biodiversity and Step 5: Implementation There are 11 best manage- fying the steps required to manage continuous improvement compo- include improved manure stor- Once the Peer Review Committee ment practices categories eligible or reduce identified risks, and pri- nent with the EFP program,” says age and handling, wintering site has endorsed the action plan, pro- for cost-shared funding under oritizing their action plans. Philips. “We expect there will be management and erosion control ducers are eligible to apply for cost- the Environmental Farm Action 4. Work book Review increased demand for EFP to be a structures. shared funding under the Canada- Program (EFAP). The amount To access financial incentives, comprehensive, consistent and rig- Producers completing EFPs are Saskatchewan Farm Stewardship that the government pays completed workbooks must be orous tool for producers as certain eligible for cost-shared funding Program (CSFSP). towards a project ranges from reviewed by a third party review sectors of the industry seek ways under the Canada-Saskatchewan For more information on 50 to 75 per cent and the cap for agency (Keystone Agricultural to demonstrate their commitment Farm Stewardship Program (CSFSP) Saskatchewan EFPs visit the the maximum amount allowed Producers) to ensure all risks have to environmental stewardship. to help implement BMPs on their PCAB website at: http://saskpcab. under each category ranges from been assessed and an action plan The EFP program, led by Alberta farms. The matching grants range com/environmental-farm-plan or call $15,000 to $160,000. A change has been developed. Agriculture & Rural Development from 30 to 75 per cent of the total 1-866-298-7222 to speak to a pro- for 2012 is that funding will no 5. Implementation (ARD), needs to ensure this is possi- cost of the project. Each has a dif- gram representative. longer be available through the After the action plan has been ble through EFP resources, services ferent cap amount ranging from Manitoba Sustainable Agriculture reviewed and issued a valid and processes.” $5,000 to $50,000. The cap is ((EFP)) Manitoba EFP Practices Program. Statement of Completion cer- The Environmental Farm Plan determined based on the project’s tificate, producers are eligible program has been around for environmental benefit. For exam- Since 2005 nearly 7,800 produc- The EFP Program in to apply for financial incentives nearly 10 years. As the federal gov- ple, corral relocation away from a ers have attended EFP workshops Manitoba under the EFAP. ernment’s new Agricultural Policy primary water source would have across Manitoba. The program For more information on Framework — Growing Forward a larger cost-share cap than pur- is delivered through Manitoba 1. Workshop 1 Manitoba EFPs visit their website II, is anticipated in April 2013, it’s chase of a GPS system. Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives Trained facilitators introduce at: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/ not entirely clear if changes will In Saskatchewan, retroactivity is (MAFRI), with 12 employees who producers to the EFP workbook growingforward/gf_programs/ be made to the program, but it’s allowed for BMPs already imple- conduct EFP workshops around the and begin by assessing and record- aaa19s16.html almost certain that it will continue mented as part of the EFP within province on a regular basis. ing the soil and site characteristics in some form. the current fiscal year an applica- EFPs in Manitoba are reviewed of their operations. Resource maps Alberta EFP tion is received. Farmers should by Keystone Agricultural Producers and aerial photos are provided to Voluntary program contact a program rep for details. (KAP). KAP also plays an impor- facilitate environmental analysis of More than 12,000 producers have To date about 11,500 Saska- tant role in providing feedback the producer’s land and operation. participated in the EFP initiative in Environmental Farm Plans tchewan producers have com- to MAFRI on environmental pro- 2. Completion of Asset and Alberta, although not all of these are voluntary, confidential, self- pleted EFPs. Saskatchewan does grams. For example, KAP feedback Risk Assessment at Home have current, completed EFPs, and assessment tools used by produc- allow producers who have capped given to MAFRI during the revision Producers progress through their some farmers have upgraded their ers to identify environmental out CSFSP assistance can have their of the EFP workbook makes it more workbook, reviewing all aspects risks and opportunities on their program cap reset, provided their relevant and easier for producers to of their operations. They identify » continued on page 42 farms and ranches. As part of original EFP is at least five years use. The workbook now has more their EFP, producers develop an old. Co-ordinators are advising questions with a more specific action plan to identify beneficial producers to submit their applica- focus, making it easier for produc- management practices (BMPs), tions as early as possible if they ers to zero in on specific manage- which could reduce environmen- still have projects that they want ment practices as they assess their tal risk on their operations. to complete before the March 31, operations. It also features the lat- Farmers then have the option 2013 deadline. est pest management knowledge, to enact the action plan, and regulations affecting farm opera- producers with completed plans The Saskatchewan tions and a chapter on climate are eligible to access cost-shared change, which focuses on actions Black Angus Bulls EFP process government funding that can be farmers can take to reduce green- used to assist with the imple- Step 1: Workshop 1 house gas emissions and adapt to a mentation of approved BMPs on There are 10 program repre- changing climate. their farms. sentatives who deliver two free In 2010, in consultation with “Developing an EFP shows pro- workshops throughout the prov- industry partners, MAFRI also ducers care about environmental ince. Producers attend Workshop developed a commodity-spe- protection and want to be good 1 and are introduced to the EFP cific EFP chapter which includes stewards of the resources they man- workbook and begin assessing the detailed questions and information age,” says the Provincial Council soil and site characteristics of their relevant to each individual com- of Agriculture Development and own operation. modity group. Diversification Boards, (PCAB), Step 2: At-Home Farm “This addition to the EFP proc- Turihaua Crumble -reference sire which delivers the program in Assessment ess allows a commodity group to Saskatchewan. “EFPs provide a way Producers review all aspects meet contracting requirements - his sons sell / spring 2012 by private treaty to increase awareness of environ- of their operation and complete (as demanded by consumers) and mental issues, to improve environ- the worksheets in the workbook remain viable in their industry,” www.nerbasbrosangus.com & mental management practices, to that apply. They identify possible says Laura Grzenda, a landscape foster public recognition of farm- solutions for identified risks and stewardship specialist with MAFRI. www.nerbasbrosangus. ers’ stewardship efforts and to posi- develop an action plan, specific to “This is a good example of the tively position Canadian agricul- their farm or ranch. movement towards recognition of blogspot.com tural products in world markets.” Step 3: Workshop 2 the EFP as a tool to ensure on-farm The EFP process and funding pro- With a completed workbook sustainability at a national and Shellmouth, MB CANADA • 204-564-2540 grams available may vary slightly and the help of the program rep eventually global level.” in each province. Following is a at Workshop 2, producers final- MAFRI encourages producers to rundown of the EFP process in each ize their action plan to manage review their EFPs, especially proof the prairie provinces and lists of any identified risks and prioritize ducers who have acquired new further resources. action items. land, sold land or changed farming 42 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Cattleman’s Corner calving Advice on the risks cold-stressed calves Calves that get cold, wet and don’t receive colostrum on time have a much greater risk of being sick or not making it all

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

alves that get chilled at birth, without immediate assistance to warm and dry them and haven’tC ingested colostrum in a timely manner, have poor survival rates. If a calf gets cold before it suck- les, it won’t be able to get the teat in its mouth. If it fails to nurse, it doesn’t get the crucial energy (for keeping warm) or the antibodies it needs to protect it against disease. Also, its ability to absorb antibodies from colostrum diminishes as it becomes colder. Even if you force-feed it colostrum a few hours after birth, absorption rate will be p h o t o s : h e a t h e r s m i t h t h o m a s less than that of a calf that was The health status of a cold, wet calf is easily compromised, especially if Whether you use a commercial calf dryer or the home kitchen remedy it not chilled. it doesn’t get colostrum. is important to get a cold-stressed calf warm and dry. Late winter storms can put newborn calves at risk even in says Daly. “The rancher might be problems with scours, pneumonia tal thermometer. Any calf whose a spring calving season. Some more focused on getting warm- and other infections,” he says. So rectal temperature is below 100 F FROSTBITE years, more calves are lost to bad ing boxes ready for the calves, it is important to prevent cold (37.7 C) could benefit from being In cases of frostbite, rub the calf weather during “spring” than but colostrum is really crucial. stress if possible. Paying attention warmed or having a supplemental down with warm water, if it hasn’t during winter calving, because I was involved in a study with to cows’ nutrition pre-calving is dose of colostrum.” been cold too long. “The key is ranchers with spring-calving Holstein calves in which some did important, along with watching If producers aren’t sure how warm water, not hot,” says Daly. herds may not be as prepared for not receive colostrum. When cold weather forecasts. much or whether a calf has nursed, “This can help warm the tissues, dealing with cold stress if they weather hit, it was very obvious “If you know a storm or cold feed it colostrum. but you don’t want to rub very don’t have facilities to provide which calves had colostrum and weather is coming, get the calving much because those tissues may shelter for newborns. which ones didn’t. The colostrum cows out of the elements, and take WARMING A CALF be damaged from freezing and you Russ Daly, extension veteri- contains much higher levels of fat care of any calves born outside as could damage them worse. narian at South Dakota State and protein than regular milk.” quickly as possible,” Daly says. Daly says there are many options “Purebred breeders are very dili- University, says cold stress in After a newborn calf nurses a “Newborn calves can handle rela- for calf-warming boxes, includ- gent to prevent frostbitten ears calves may be aggravated by full feed of colostrum, it can han- tively cold temperatures, with no ing commercial boxes which blow and tails, for cosmetic reasons. nutritional issues in the cows. If dle the cold. wind. But if there’s wind or pre- warm air from the bottom. These There are various types of ear the cow is in poor body condition “It quickly absorbs the lipids cipitation with the cold, they lose quickly help warm the calf body, warmers that you can buy. Even or doesn’t have adequate protein (fats) and amino acids, and this too much body heat from being as well as the air it breathes. commercial cattlemen usually try and energy during late gesta- aids the body’s physiology and wet. They need to be dried as soon “A commercial warming box to keep calves from losing ears tion, the newborn calf will have metabolism; the calf doesn’t have as possible. may be more expensive, but often and tails, because it is a well-being decreased amounts of brown fat to burn so much of his brown fat “I’d worry more about a 32 F these are made from a poly type issue. They don’t want the calf to for energy reserves and will chill to keep warm,” says Daly. “Calves (zero C) temperature with wind of plastic, which is very easy to suffer pain.” Also, a calf without more quickly. most adversely affected by cold and precipitation than a much clean,” says Daly. Producers can ears or tail is less able to protect “Protein and energy are cru- stress are ones not able to get up colder day with no wind,” says also build adequate wooden warm- itself from flies. cial, and there’s also research that and nurse.” Daly. ing boxes, and they work very well Frozen feet is a more crucial issue. shows supplying supplemental fat With these cold calves, pro- A “warm” windy day can be to insulate the calves, but they are “Most of the calves I’ve seen to cows during late gestation will ducers need to intervene quickly. deceptive and producers may not a lot harder to completely clean. with frozen feet were usually help the calf be better prepared to Force-feeding colostrum can make realize drying a newborn calf is Boxes should be cleaned and dis- debilitated from some other rea- handle cold weather,” says Daly. the difference between survival an emergency. Even though the infected between calves. son, like scours,” says Daly. The “Much of how cows are fed, how- or not. temperature isn’t very cold, the “Bacteria love a nice warm dehydrated calf has less blood ever, revolves around economics If a calf becomes too chilled wind or precipitation may chill it place with humidity,” he says. flow to the extremities; its limbs and logistics — how to supply before it can nurse, it may not too quickly, making it impossible “I’ve seen several situations in become cold and more vulner- some of the ration ingredients.” absorb antibodies when it is fed. for it to get up and nurse before which suspected poor sanitation able to freezing. A sick calf spends Cows that are not protein-deficient “Any stress,whether from cold, or it’s too cold. in the warming box led to an too much time lying down; it will produce better colostrum. a difficult birth, can interfere with “You can tell when calves are increase in calf scours. Paying may not be able to and walk optimum absorption,” says Daly. really cold, and you can usually attention to materials and design, and get circulation going. Blood Needs colostrum “If it’s a question of warming the tell when calves will be all right, and making sure the box can be perfusion to the limbs is severely calf or giving it colostrum first, but it’s those borderline calves cleaned easily, is important. You compromised and a rancher may Timely ingestion of colostrum is a don’t delay on the colostrum.” that may be hard to determine,” need good ventilation in the box, not realize that these calves may big factor in how a calf handles cold Ideally, producers should be able he says. “Many ranchers will stick and some way to remove humid- freeze their feet at temperatures weather. A calf that nurses soon to bring the calf out of the cold a finger in a calf’s mouth to see ity. If it’s too humid, you have that would not be dangerous to a after birth stays warmer. The type of and give it colostrum at the same how cold it is (if a calf hasn’t more problems with respiratory normal, healthy calf. † fat in colostrum is readily metabo- time it’s warming up. nursed yet, the inside of its mouth diseases in the calves as well as Heather Smith Thomas ranches with her hus- lized to keep the calf warm. “Calves that have undergone is usually cold, for instance), but I a buildup of pathogens in that band Lynn near Salmon, Idaho. Contact her at “Sometimes this is overlooked,” cold stress are more likely to have encourage producers to use a rec- environment.” 208-756-2841

» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 EFPs online is also in the final cated, so producers are encouraged receives information on techni- the Growing Forward program, stages of development. The EFP to apply early. cal resources. they require this letter from an get with the plan, “Web-book” is currently being 3. Completion of EFP at home EFP technician verifying the stan! an ef tested by a handful of Alberta The Alberta EFP Process Participant completes chapters Farm Plan has been reviewed plan that is producers, who are working that apply to his/her operation and and the EFP is considered current on their online EFPs. The new 1. Introduction and identifies and prioritizes situations and effective. existing EFPs in the past couple of online EFP accounts are admin- preparation that need to be addressed, then 5. Continuous implementa- years. istered through EFP technicians. Participants contact a local EFP completes the EFP. tion of EFP improvements Alberta has more than 30 techni- It is expected that the online EFP technician and begins to collect 4 Submission of EFP for review Producer puts the EFP into action cians and a provincial co-ordinator option will be formally launched information about his or her farm Participant submits EFP to through BMPs according to priori- to assist farmers with EFP devel- in early 2012 and then be avail- operation, such as soils reports and an EFP technician for review. ties, and re-evaluates the EFP on an opment. Since 2009, instead of able to all Alberta producers. actual distances to water sources. The tech offers suggestions to ongoing basis. workshops, most EFPs in Alberta Alberta has three Stewardship The EFP tech may also help by gath- strengthen the plan and ensure For more information visit Alberta are now started or upgraded by Plan funding programs, which ering additional information such appropriate risk mitigation and EFP website at: www. albertaefp.com EFP technicians, most working for require completion of an EFP as as well reports and aerial photos. returns it to the producer along Or for details on the stewardship local municipalities, meeting face a prerequisite: Integrated Crop 2. Discussion with resource with a letter validating the funding programs visit: www. to face with their producer clients. Management, Grazing and Winter person farm plan has been developed. growingforward.alberta.ca/ Throughout the entire process the Feeding Management and Manure The EFP technician helps the Although it is not compulsory ProgramAreas/EnhancedEnvironment/ participant has continual access to Management. Each fund different participant learn to use the EFP to have EFPs reviewed, if the index.html. † the local EFP resource person. BMP’s on a cost-shared basis and workbook to assess his/her poten- producer intends on applying for Angela Lovell is a freelance writer based in A new option to complete are run until the funds are allo- tial environmental concerns and certain funding streams through Manitou, Man. MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 43 Home Quarter Farm Life SEEDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT The gift of contentment What would it take for you to be happy with your life?

tentment. One fellow had tears tea shared in a spirit of friendship to pack away the story that goes reverence the Lord will never lack well up as he awaits the surgeon’s and caring with our neighbour. with the special clock, orna- any good thing (Psalm 34:9). ELAINE FROESE report. Others just shrugged their You might want to make an ordi- ment, or photo. Tuck a love note and Bible verse shoulders and said “it’s been a nary day more extraordinary, even Someone said that “clutter is into your loved one’s lunch bag. tough year… 50 years of work is if you aren’t celebrating a birthday energy constipation.” It is time to Bake cookies together or deliver now in jeopardy.” or anniversary. declutter our lives. treats to a lonely person. Circumstances may be critical, Mom might rearrange the fur- What if we, as women, were Go skating, sledding, trail rid- s part of the redecorat- yet God is still in control. Is this niture and dig to the back of the content with a kitchen that ing, skiing, or walking. Look up! ing project of my flood- a key to being content, no matter attic or closet for long-forgotten was “good enough” and spent Share memories around a scrap- ed basement, I took an what life crisis tries to crush you? treasures that need new light and our time, energy, and financial book, photo album, or family his- ancient (faded) moun- Being content calls us to reflect perspective. I like to spend some resources helping other women tory book. tainA print gold-framed picture to and cherish the spiritual gift we days “putzing” where I dedicate locally and globally who are Tell stories. Build an outdoor the glass guys, and had a mir- can choose to open. We each have bonfire and roast wieners. ror put into the frame. The print the chance to accept and open up Laugh lots. Find a puzzle to had faded to blues, but the story a vital, dynamic relationship with work on. behind the picture prompted me God for our lives, for the present, You have many tools and to “repurpose” what other design- and for our eternal well-being. resources in your home to be ers might label “junk.” This was In God’s word, the Bible, Paul content. Recycle those decorat- my mother-in-law’s left-behind writes to the Philippians about She shared her life story with a ing magazines, and volunteer at treasure from a catalogue purchase contentment: thankful heart, content to share what the local thrift shop this year. sometime in the l960s. My moth- “… I have learned to be con- In New Zealand they call them er-in-law came to this country as tent whatever the circumstances. I she has with others in need “OP Shops” which is short for a young toddler, with parents, sib- know what it is to be in need, and opportunity shops. We have lots lings and a suitcase. She shared her I know what is it to have plenty. the search of forgotten white glass strapped for time and resources? of opportunity to repurpose our life story with a thankful heart, I have learned the secret of being collections, linens or art that can “Relationships, not achieve- stuff and be content with what we content to share what she has content in any and every situa- find a new place to bring beauty ments or the acquisition of things, have. It might also be a good idea with others in need — her health, tion, whether well fed or hungry, and energy to our home sanctu- are what matters most in life,” to shut off HGTV to curb your her wealth, her wisdom and her whether living in plenty or in ary. says Rick Warren, author of the “house envy” episodes. Open the cookies! “When you have enough want. I can do everything through Some gifts to the kids may bestselling Christian book Purpose good book and be content in — the basics — it is good to be him who gives me strength.” — be a family heirloom or book Driven Life (Zondervan, 2002). going God’s way. What would it content,” is the gist of what Mom Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV) that needs to be passed along to I agree. take for you to be more content? Froese believed. The “new” mir- Wow… what a gift! the next generation. Share the We can be content with what How much is enough? † ror reminds me of my beloved There might not be a new sofa story that goes along with your we have and not worry (Matthew mother-in law and her ability to in the design plan this year, or the treasure, and do some spring 6:25-35). We can be content Elaine Froese loves to hear your stories. Call be content. trip, or patio stuff. The gifts may cleaning in the process. When because God will never leave us no her toll free at 1-866-848-8311 or check out her website at www.elainefroese.com. Invite I asked a few other farmers about be letters of love, thankfulness and you are storing things as you matter how tough the situation is your farm advisers and suppliers to sign up what they would say about con- affirmation. It might be a cup of clean, take a few extra moments (Hebrews 13:5-6). Those of us who for her e-newsletter on the website

Do you have a picky eater in the family? Research shows that genetics may play a part in their fussiness

BY JULIE GARDEN-ROBINSON NDSU that was broccoli, brussels sprouts or of a familiar food at the grocery store. For EXTENSION SERVICE other distinctive-flavoured foods. Some example, if you like fresh blueberries, con- researchers have shown that breast-fed sider offering some dried blueberries as a ’ve been asked the question, “Are babies are more apt to try new foods snack for a change. picky eaters born or made?” As I because they have experienced a variety • Be patient. Some researchers have looked for some research-based infor- of flavours. shown that getting a child to try a new mation to share, I came upon a study But don’t blame yourself or your mom food may take 10 or more offers. † ofI twins. According to a study published for picky eating. We all can learn to enjoy Julie Garden-Robinson, PhD, R.D., L.R.D., is a North in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, new foods. Dakota State University Extension Service food and genetics may play a greater role in “food Here’s some tips: nutrition specialist and associate professor in the neophobia” (aversion to new foods) than • Offer a small amount of the new foods department of health, nutrition and exercise sciences previously believed. at a time. The researchers studied 5,390 sets of • Pair the new food with familiar foods twins and reported that 78 per cent of instead of providing an array of foods he or neophobia may be genetic, while 22 per she has never tasted. cent is due to environmental factors. In • Try other textures. Some people pre- other words, we may be born with certain fer crunchy, raw broccoli instead of soft aversions to foods. However, our experi- and steamed. ences play a role in our preferences. • Be a good role model. Enjoy the Other researchers have studied whether new food together. exposures to certain flavours during the • Invite kids into the garden. Now is a prenatal and early-infancy stages affect good time to start planning a garden and later acceptance of the food. researchers have shown that gardening Later, if your first “beverage” was breast activities can foster a willingness to try milk, you tasted the unique flavours the food. of your mom’s food choices, whether • Buy a new food or a different form PHOTO : THINKSTOCK

Tundra Tundra 44 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Home Quarter Farm Life POSTCARDS FROM THE PRAIRIES Our House Rocks… Get your mind out of the gutter. This is a family-friendly article

most part… that’s under the grand who they are, don’t hate them for ROCK No. 5 — We cover our from the roof because we will hurt assumption that the person mak- who they’re not. DO NOT let your mouth when sneezing. our self and die. (Final addition JANITA ing them possesses a modicum kids off the hook on this one. My ROCK No. 6 — We don’t pick from Jack; he was so serious when VAN DE VELDE of common sense), although no parents taught me that you stick our nose. Unless it’s stuck. (The he said it that I had to add it. one likes being told what to do. it out as a family, for better or for last part was another addition from Better safe than sorry.) So I thought on this and came up worse. It’s the first vow you learn Jack. He makes a valid point; if God ROCK No. 18 — Our House with a solution. Why not find a to take and not break. hadn’t intended for us to go on in Rocks — with silliness, laughter, ecently, I found myself fun way to get the same message Now parents, be forewarned: the there, he wouldn’t have made our singing and dancing. uttering the following across in a way that might be a lit- first time you put your son on fingers fit so beautifully.) One of my favourite quotes is sentence to my two-year- tle more stimulating for the kids? the time-out chair after incorpo- ROCK No. 7 — We take turns from the author Shauna Neiguist old: “We, as a family, Use something we have an abun- rating this particular rule, you’ll with toys and share. and it goes as follows: “I want a life Rdon’t sneak into the crib and slick dance of here on the Prairies? be admonished (quite fiercely): ROCK No. 8 — We listen to that sizzles and pops and makes me our baby brother up like a seal Here’s what I came up with. I’ve “What’s rule No. 1 in this house, each other, we don’t interrupt laugh out loud. And I don’t want with Daddy’s Old Spice deodor- written each declaration on a rock Mommy? Rule No. 1 is that we and we’re respectful when talk- to get to the end, or to tomorrow, ant.” Now this got me to think- and numbered the other side; not love each other. And you’re not ing back. (We allow talking back, even, and realize that my life is ing — I often find myself making only can they play with the rocks a collection of meetings and pop reference to the collective “we.” (and in all likelihood, eventu- cans and errands and receipts and We don’t do that or We really like ally throw at each other’s heads), dirty dishes. I want to eat cold tan- this or We shouldn’t say that. This but it’ll help them learn their gerines and sing out loud in the car gave me an idea: I was going to numbers. Two birds, one stone. with the windows open and wear create a set of house rules, paste Oh, friends, my cleverness rears pink shoes and stay up all night them up on the fridge and be done its ugly head from time to time, I loved the overall concept of coming up laughing and paint my walls the with it. House rules — the rules and there’s no taming that beast. exact colour of the sky right now. I all inhabitants of said household And the kids? They LOVE them. with this list, but it got me to thinking: want to sleep hard on clean white shall follow. Don’t like ’em? Move They take them out, ask us to read kids hate rules sheets and throw parties and eat out. Period. This way, no one’s the them, line them up in order and ripe tomatoes and read books so bad guy, that’s just the way this then put them back in their box. good they make me jump up and house rolls. Occasionally, James tries to eat loving me right now by putting as most things we tell them lead down, and I want my everyday to So my husband and I took a one; really, there’s no end to the me on this chair!” Oh, sweetheart. to questions or comments, which make God belly laugh, glad that crack at creating the initial list. fun. So without further ado, here It hurts me more than it hurts you. we encourage. We just ask that it’s he gave life to someone who loves We then reviewed it with Jack, as they are — Our House Rocks: (Not really, but I’ve heard other done, gently.) the gift.” we felt his input was important so ROCK No. 1 — We love each parents say this. I want to appear ROCK No. 9 — We always tell Although the “stay up all night he felt part of the solution. If they other. No matter what. equally charming and maternal.) the truth. (We don’t ever want laughing” is in direct violation of think it’s their plan all along, they I’ve written about this before, ROCK No. 2 — We are nice and them to be afraid to tell us what ROCK No. 15, this quote is how I shall lovingly embrace it and fol- and I’ll say it again. I firmly believe thoughtful. happened. Sh** happens. Let’s talk want to live my life, and in doing low it. (Rule of Directing, 101.) it’s our role as parents to teach ROCK No. 3 — We hug after about it.) so, pass the gift on to my children. Now before I share what we our children how to love each fights and say sorry. Gently. (Jack ROCK No. 10 — We know that I want God to know that we love came up with, I have a confes- other. No option. You don’t have asked me to add the “gently” bit… Mommy and Daddy are in charge. his gift… that our love for it is stag- sion to make. I loved the overall to be the best of friends with all when I asked him what he meant (As my mom so cleverly shared gering. concept of coming up with this your family members (in my case, he said you’re not allowed to with me, kids come to live with I’m sure over the coming years, list, but it got me to thinking: prescription drugs certainly help), shout it. It has to be gently. Wise you, not the other way around. modifications will be made — some kids hate rules. Hell, for the most but you do have to love them little dude.) They become part of your life, rocks will be changed out, some will part, adults hate rules. Yes, they’re and have their backs when times ROCK No. 4 — We always use they don’t run it. Your choice.) stay, some will go, new ones will be important and make sense (for the get tough. Period. Love them for our manners. ROCK No. 11 — We all pitch in added. Take Turns might morph to help with chores. Even during into Be Gracious and No Nose playoffs. (The latter being added Picking may turn into Please talk for my husband. It’s bound to sink to us before you make any big deci- in one day.) sions about your body. But for now? ROCK No. 12 — We talk about They work. As for my rocks? They’re Minimize …at Spraying our favourite things every day. the people who live in this house — Risks caused by ROCK No. 13 — We read a story when things shift around me and Unpredictable Weather every day. I can’t see through the darkness, ROCK No. 14 — We say our they’re my light. When I feel like prayers every day. I can’t go on, they’re my strength. Manage ROCK No. 15 — We stay in our They’re the rocks I pray are with me own beds for a good night’s sleep. the rest of my days. † Nutrient Requirements (Translation: We don’t wander for Higher Yields Janita Van de Velde grew up on a farm near the house during the night like Mariapolis, Man. She holds a bachelor of an intruder, only to give our science degree in agricultural economics from mother a heart attack when she the University of Manitoba, and has worked for a financial institution since graduating. Maximize opens her eyes to find us breath- Your Return She lives in Regina, Sask., with her husband ing on her face.) Roddy and their children Jack, Isla and James. on Investment ROCK No. 16 — We don’t push, Her first novel, Postcards Never Written, was hit, bite, punch or kick. (Addition the recipient of the Saskatchewan Reader’s Choice Award and also listed by CBC as one …at Seeding from Jack; this is a very important of the top funny books in 2009. She donates a rule in school and day care and portion of proceeds from the sale of her book to he insisted it be included. For the World Vision. For more information, or to order her book, visit her website at www.janita.ca. record, I refrain from doing any of Follow her blog at www.postcardsneverwritten. said things to my children.) blogspot.com. It’s her yet-to-be-rated material. ROCK No. 17 — We don’t jump Consider yourself warned Boost Your Bottom Line with BY DAN PIRARO BY DAN PIRARO the ALPINE® Advantage Bizarro Bizarro

Contact your local Alpine representative:

Aaron Fahselt Patrick Schultz Keith Anderson Southern Sask. DSM Eastern Sask. DSM Southern Alberta DSM 306.297.7595 306.327.8173 403.399.8099 Blake Weatherald Chris Cox David Tysdal Western Sask. DSM Manitoba & Central Alberta DSM 306.441.5779 Southeastern Sask. DSM 780.239.2295 204.851.5403 Chad Wonchulanko Leo Lutz Central Sask. DSM Northern Alberta DSM 306.570.9317 403.393.0312 MARCH 12, 2012 grainews.ca / 45 Home Quarter Farm Life Slow down — life is precious BY CHRISTALEE FROESE farmer doesn’t remember any- like that have an opportunity to thing after that. He assumes he come out of it.” s Louis Giroux stepped passed out from sheer exhaustion Farm safety is now paramount down from his tractor and mental anguish. on the Giroux farm. “When it on a September day in “I ran to the neighbours and I comes to fixing safety things on 1979, it crossed his mind was just screaming, ‘Louis is caught your equipment, take time to do it thatA he should turn the PTO off. in the combine,’” recalls Gina. because an accident happens in a But it was harvest, time was of the It took several neighbours an split second and it’s pretty hard to essence and he was confident that hour to remove the young farmer explain to a spouse that someone unplugging his pull-type combine from his combine, after which is gone because you didn’t take the would take just a few seconds. time he was transported to the time to repair something.” Those few seconds are ones Louis hospital. While the physical With Louis’s son Kevin now wishes he had back. wounds in his leg were quickly farming alongside his dad, “That one second can be the healed, the nightmare of fighting and Kevin’s four-year-old son difference between life or death,” for his life for four hours took its Sebastian on the scene, safety said the Montmartre-area grain toll. Louis couldn’t keep any food never leaves the minds of the farmer. In an instant, he found or water down for days, being Giroux family. “Nobody moves a himself sucked into the header of hospitalized and put on intrave- piece of equipment on this farm Louis and Gina Giroux now make sure that farm safety is a top priority. his combine. nous for a week before he was without walking around it and “I unplugged it and all of a sud- able to go home. checking it first.” ed back at the house. “Now her vehicle to check out why den it just took off and caught By the next harvest, Louis had a Gina says she is extremely we have radios in every piece they’re late. my pant leg.” The only thing that new self-propelled combine, with vigilant about remaining in con- of equipment and we all have Louis’s message to farmers is a prevented Louis, who was 29 at the his work habits and attitude having tact with Kevin and Louis when- cellphones,” said Gina, adding simple one — “Slow down. Life is time, from being swept into the been changed forever. “You learn ever they are in the field, always that if someone misses their more precious than dollars.” † combine was the hard heel of his to appreciate life a lot more because tracking their whereabouts and estimated arrival time by even Christalee Froese writes from Montmartre, cowboy boot that caught under the not many people who get caught the times when they are expect- 10 or 15 minutes, she jumps in Saskatchewan centre strand of the feeder chain. In an instant, he was trapped under the auger with three metal prongs having gone through his leg and his body being inched toward the combine intake. Fortunately, the clutch would get overheated and would kick out, giving Louis about five minutes to breathe and regain his strength. But when the mechanism cooled, it would kick in again. He hung on for his life, literally, holding with all his might to the bottom of the auger while keeping his leg braced against the combine. While his leg had been punctured all the way through three times, twice in the thigh and once in the calf, he didn’t feel any pain. “When you’re going to die, there isn’t much feeling in your body — it’s more of a mental thing.” Hope returned when Louis heard his neighbours in the next field shutting down for the night. Though he could hear their voices, his anguished screams for help could not be heard over the noise of his running tractor. The neighbours Searching for… left, not knowing that their fellow farmer was slowly being pulled into his combine, inch Fencing & Pens by inch. “I talked to the Lord a Feed & Supplies lot and hoped that things were Tillage & Seeding going to turn out.” Tires & Lubricants Back at the farm, Louis’s wife Gina was busy bathing their young Tractors & Engines children, Tanya, 5, and Kevin, 3. She Engines & Compressors had dropped off supper to her hus- Specialty Crop Equipment band in the field around 6:30 p.m. Attachments & Equipment and she knew he probably wouldn’t Sprayers & Chemical Applications get back to the house until around 10 p.m. As 10 p.m. approached Computers, Communication, Finance and there was no sign of Louis, she Grain Handling & Storage thought he probably stopped at a …has never neighbour’s house for coffee, which Miscellaneous Products & Services wouldn’t have been unusual. Monitoring, Control Equipment The registered nurse lay down, been easier. only to wake up at 11 p.m. with an Seed Pedigreed & Commodities uneasy feeling. “I just left the kids Chemicals Fertilizer & Inputs and went.” Insurance Brokers & Banking AgSearch.com is your online guide to regional and national businesses & products serving the needs When Gina saw the combine still Livestock Equipment & Feed running in the field, her instinct of the agricultural community. told her that something was ter- Buildings, Covers & Heating AgSearch.com provides you with a comprehensive set ribly wrong. Parts, Repairs Maintenance of searchable listings as well as useful information Her worst fears were realized Trucks, Trailers & Canopies on agricultural products and services. when she saw her husband lying Harvest, Haying & Forage Relevant info to help you make informed decisions, plus beneath the combine. ag business location and contact details — you’ll ﬁ nd Gina knew she had to turn the Commodity Marketing it all together at AgSearch.com. tractor off, but she wasn’t expe- Irrigation & Drainage rienced with equipment and she Lawn, Garden & ATV feared the worst. “I was panick- Safety Equipment ing and I knew if I did the wrong Energy Solutions thing, it would suck him into the combine.” Solar Products Louis was able to get his wife Salvage to shut off the fuel switch and Scales the combine died. The trapped 46 / grainews.ca MARCH 12, 2012 Home Quarter Farm Life SINGING GARDENER Cucumbers, roses, seed sources… The list goes on. Keep reading for a whole lot of info on these and others

THE REAL COOL BREEZE TED HYBRID CUCUMBER MESEYTON I was talking with Vicky Berg, seed manager at Early’s Everything for the Gardener in Saskatoon. Vicky tells me she has a real hybrid cucumber that’s good supply of the true-to-name cool as a breeze; a new seeds for Cool Breeze cukes. If rose from the Canadian you missed out in the past, that Artists group, a source shouldn’t happen this year. Cool whereA gardeners can buy heirloom Breeze is among the earliest of and open-pollinated tomato seeds cukes (45 days after germination) and seed potatoes… plus a shrub that sets bitter-free fruits with- fit for a queen. Do you mind if I out cross-pollination. The unique cram a lot of information in this skin is dark green, thin, sweet Grainews issue. How be it if I share and juicy. There are numerous an email for starters? nutrients in cucumber skin not Hi Ted: My town is Thorhild, found elsewhere in the flesh, so Alta. “Your articles in Grainews please don’t peel and throw it in are always so interesting. I saved the compost bin. Those gardeners many of them and I’m just won- seeking to grow low-acid, deep- dering if all those tips are in a rosy-pink, heart-shaped Oxheart book or is a CD available. Over the tomatoes can also get seeds from PHOTO : EARLY ’S OF SASKATOON years, I’ve had many, many kinds Early’s. You can phone Early’s at For pickling or fresh eating, Cool Breeze is a cool cucumber. This remarkable French gourmet cuke requires no of tomatoes. I’m still on the search 1-800-667-1159 or shop online at pollination and virtually 100 per cent of its flowers produce fruit. for a tomato with a thin skin www.earlysgarden.com. and the flavour I remember from A UNIQUE BLEND OF DAZZLING my childhood. A low-acid tomato SO YOU WANT TO GROW A FOLIAGE COLOUR would be nice for canning. What SHRUB ROSE would be your recommendation? … is waiting to unfold and gar- And a last question: Do you … that’s hardy in Zone 3 with deners who plant Amber Jubilee know of a company that sells little or no protection. May I rec- Ninebark will be more than delight- German Butterball potatoes? I’m ommend a new one for 2012? ed. What a nice size too with a sure you already have the window- It’s called Bill Reid rose, the lat- height/spread of 1.75 m (five to six sills full of little seedlings. I send est in the Canadian Artist Rose feet) by 1.5 m (four to five feet) and them my best growing wishes series. It’s named to recognize the hardy for Prairie Zone 3. from Alberta.” acclaimed Haida sculptor. If you’ve It makes an attractive stand- — (From) Barbara A. Kaiser been wanting a really good yellow alone specimen. Or, plant sev- shrub rose, then Bill Reid rose is the eral in a medium-high shrubbery Singing Gardener replies: I one. It grows on its own roots and group that will certainly add value have neither a book nor a CD is a generous repeat bloomer on to the landscape. with all my tips from past and a robust shrub that’s 0.9 m (three Culturally, best performance current columns, but am work- feet) tall with similar spread. Pink, will be achieved in moderate to ing on such a project. To buy red and white shrub roses… look full sunshine, although it is suited old-fashioned heritage tomato out! This year, you’ve got compe- to a wide range of soil types and seeds to meet every need go to tition for the spotlight from Bill growing conditions. There appears the following websites: www. Reid’s yellow rose. Ask for it at your to be no specific issues with pests uppercanadaseeds.ca out of local garden centre this spring, or and disease. Toronto or www.heritagehar- try McFayden’s in Brandon, phone During early summer, new vestseed.com at Carman, Man. 1-800-205-7111 or visit Jeffries growth emerges in shades of yel- PHOTO : JEFFRIES NURSERIES , PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE German Butterball seed potato Nurseries, Portage la Prairie. low and orange, maturing to a Distinct yellow roses on a hardy shrub have been difficult to come by, and numerous other varieties lime green and later turning crim- but not any more. Bill Reid shrub rose originated at Agriculture and can be purchased from Eagle IS THERE A PLANT son and purple for the fall season. Agri-Food Canada Morden Research Station. This is an outstanding rose Creek Seed Potatoes, Bowden, FIT FOR A QUEEN? An annual pruning of stem tips for our harsh Prairie conditions and even merits testing in Zone 2. The Alta. TOM OKO; visit www.seed- is recommended to assist Amber single, self-cleaning yellow flowers generously appear on a compact, potatoes.ca or phone toll free Indeed there is! Amber Jubilee Jubilee at always looking its finest. disease-resistant and vigorous plant, performing well in full sunlight and 1-877-224-3939. As I write this, Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius You’ll be more than amazed how well-drained soil. Bill Reid shrub rose demonstrates significant resistance I have no seedlings on my win- “Jefam”) originated as a seedling Amber Jubilee provides a kaleido- to powdery mildew and some resistance to black spot. dowsills. By the time you read resulting from the cross Diabolo x scope of foliage colours through- this Grainews issue, things may Dart’s Gold. It was hybridized by out the three seasons of spring, What more could a gardener ask? kled with either gingersnap cookie have changed. And thank you Rick Durand at Jeffries Nurseries, summer and autumn. Besides No wonder Amber Jubilee Ninebark crumbs, finely chopped walnuts or to Barbara for her best growing specifically for and named in hon- excellent vigour, tidy, delightful is considered a crown jewel among a smidgen of powdered cinnamon. wishes from Alberta which I also our of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond white flower clusters in rounded shrubs. Many nurseries and gar- Anyone with a milk allergy can try pass along to every reader. Jubilee in 2012. form will appear as a bonus. den centres across the nation have substituting almond milk instead. ordered it for sale this spring. Interest Here’s another option. If you among gardeners and landscapers is want a bit of a peppery spark expected to be high. when biting into a doughnut, try SUE dusting them by hand or shak- ARMSTRONG MAPLE SYRUP AND MOLASSES ing them inside a large plastic DOUGHNUT GLAZE bag with the following mixture. Combine 1 cup (250 ml) icing Molasses can serve a great pur- sugar, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) cinna- LOVE HEARING pose in the garden, but that’s for mon and a skimpy 1/4 teaspoon another column. Let me ask… Do cayenne pepper. Make sure these FROM YOU you ever make homemade dough- dry ingredients are well mixed for Do you have a story about nuts or anything requiring a glaze? even distribution. The cayenne a farm or home-based busi- Well in that case, let me tell you pepper can be adjusted more or ness? How about some house- about this doughnut glaze. less to suit individual taste. † hold management tips? Does Mix together, 1 cup (250 ml) of This is Ted Meseyton the Singing Gardener someone in the family have icing sugar, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) and Grow-It Poet from Portage la Prairie, a special-diet need? Share pure maple syrup and 1 teaspoon (5 Man. Never stop learning. I’ve discovered some of your meal ideas. ml) cooking molasses. If you desire that one of the best classrooms is in the garden. Walking the garden path and learning Send them to FarmLife, 1666 a more pronounced molasses fla- about weeds, wild plants, herbs, flowers, Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, Mani- vour, use blackstrap instead. Stir in vegetables, trees and shrubs provided toba R3H 0H1. Phone 1-800- 1 teaspoon of milk, or a few more many delight-filled hours as a child and did drops at a time to make a creamy wonders for me as an adult. Life’s lessons 665-0502 or email susan@ never stop. Let me ask. Have you visited a fbcpublishing.com. Please PHOTO : COURTESY DR . PHILIP RONALD glaze that pours, but isn’t runny. senior lately? Sometimes all a person needs remember we can no longer The Singing Gardener tells why Amber Jubilee Ninebark ought to be Dip doughnuts, or gently brush to make their day is a hand to hold and a return photos or material. the next shrub for your landscape project. What is Ninebark? It is any of a touch of glaze on tops and let sit willing heart that listens and understands. There’s wisdom in those years. My email — Sue several shrubs belonging to the genus Physocarpus of the rose family, until firm. To add a bit of crunch, address is [email protected]. having bark that separates into thin layers, whence cometh the name. the doughnuts can then be sprin- Let’s go for 500 hours* between oil changes. © 2012 Chevron Canada Limited. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of Chevron Intellectual Property LLC. Property Intellectual Chevron of property the are trademarks All reserved. rights All Limited. Canada Chevron 2012 ©

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