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VOLUME 9, NUMBER 8 APRIL 9, 2012 Richardson International to share top spot in Canada’s grain industry STAYING POWER  The patient 155-year-old firm outlasted the Pools, UGG and the wheat board

BY ALLAN DAWSON STAFF

he pending multibillion- dollar sale of Viterra demon- Tstrates the value of patient capital and private ownership, says Richardson International president Curt Vossen. Last month, publicly traded Viterra, Canada’s largest grain company, announced it was sell- ing to the world’s No. 1 diversified commodities trader, Swiss-based Glencore, for $16.1 billion. But in a move believed aimed at getting government approval, Glencore will sell some of Viterra’s assets to Winnipeg-based Richardson and fertilizer giant Agrium, headquar- tered in Calgary. Richardson’s market share will jump to 34 per cent from around 24 currently. Richardson will buy 19 Viterra elevators, 13 attached retail farm input outlets, Viterra’s smaller 231,000-tonne capacity “C” termi- nal at Thunder Bay, one-quarter of Viterra’s 282,830-tonne Cas- cadia terminal at Vancouver and Can-Oat milling, which includes a wheat mill in Texas and an oat plant in Nebraska. Calgary-based Agrium will buy 90 per cent of Viterra’s 258 input

RICHARDSON’S  page 6 The Pioneer elevator at Olds. Family-owned James Richardson International is now tied for No. 1 in grain handling on the Prairies. SUPPLIED PHOTO

INSIDE: Q & A - PARTY LEADERS ADDRESS FARM AND RURAL ISSUES  PAGE 46 It’s time. Prices in effect from March 26 to April 30, 2012

18311_07 UFA LubeFilter_Banner_10.25x3.indd 1 3/14/12 2:29 PM 2 news » inside this week APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

inside » livestock crops columNists

Grain Commission Two-legged Precision DAVID DROZD turns 100 Japanese “candlesticks” ranching ag is fine… alert of change in hog prices 11 A special feature on a century of service 13 Bernie Peet Time to start thinking about group sow housing 28 Cute but deadly Roy Lewis Deer mice carry Tips on practical potentially fatal Poultry can also be But there’s no substitute 50 raised “on the range” for soil sampling heat detection hantavirus 27 33 30

NEWS

Anti-waste groups “buy the farm”

Five U.S. organizations that lobby for government spending restraint say they’ve come up with a new fundraising scheme — buy- ing farmland. “This will give a whole new meaning to ‘buying the farm,’” said Citizens Against Government Waste president Tom Schatz. The Heartland Institute, Citizens Against Govern- ment Waste, National Tax- payers Union, Americans for Tax Reform and Taxpay- ers for Common Sense will jointly own and operate “Greenback Acres,” a farm in Illinois. “Instead of aiming to produce any food or fibre, the farm will turn profits entirely by taking advan- tage of federal agricultural subsidies,” the groups said in a release. “Unlike the overwhelm- ing majority of family farm- ers, who actually hew to the outdated notion that they should make money by A parasitic wasp heading for its next meal. growing things, caring for their land, and selling their products at market prices, we plan to take advantage of every loophole, subsidy, absurdity, and program in Trials start of GM wheat existence,” said Greenback Acres general manager Lirpa Sloof. Sloof says the farm pro- vides a variety of surefire that terrifies aphids money-making strategies such as enrolling land in Aroma } The gene comes from peppermint, the Conservation Reserve, planting highly specula- but the smell is like Granny Smith apples tive crops in erosion-prone areas to take advantage of crop insurance and collect- inside out so it takes out the in Britain although there are ing direct payments based london/reuters population on the crop,” Pick- two involving GM potatoes. on crops it no longer pro- ett said. Pete Riley, campaign direc- The wheat emits a duces. ield trials are underway in “We are providing a totally tor for campaign group GM “I can’t wait to be guaran- England of a genetically new way of controlling the Freeze, which opposes use of pheromone which teed an annual salary that’s F modified (GM) wheat pests that doesn’t rely on toxic genetically modified organisms aphids release when twice that of the average that strikes fear into aphids modes of action,” he told a (GMOs), said he had several American family thanks and attracts a deadly predator media briefing. concerns and believed there they are under attack to price controls and sub- to devour them, providing an The wheat has been modified were better alternatives for sidies,” said Kelly William alternative to the insecticides using a gene found in pepper- controlling aphids. to create panic and Cobb, government affairs now used to control the crop mint plants, he added, although “There are natural alterna- prompt the insects to manager at Americans for pest. the smell was more like Granny tives with which, if you design Tax Reform. “Plus, taxpay- The wheat emits a phero- Smith apples and too faint to be your farm right with plenty of flee. ers are going to pay us not mone which aphids release detected by humans. cover and food for predators to farm on half of our land!” when they are under attack to Pickett said the field trials, at and parasitic wasps, you can “When we looked at the create panic and prompt the Rothamsted’s research facility control aphids pretty effectively astonishing range of guar- insects to flee, John Pickett, sci- in Hertfordshire, used a spring- and that has been demon- wheat was produced com- anteed-money programs entific leader of chemical ecol- planted variety of the wheat strated in the U.K.,” he said. mercially it could contaminate available to farms, we real- ogy at Rothamsted Research in cultivar Cadenza. “We don’t see any need for non-GMO varieties. He also ized it was such a good deal eastern England, said. He said the approach could this technology other than it is questioned its effectiveness. we couldn’t afford not to It also attracts tiny parasitoid eventually be used to protect potentially more profitable to “We feel it is likely, if it is used take advantage,” said Eli wasps to provide a second line other crops and flowers from do GM than to tell farmers how very widely, that aphids would Lehrer, vice-president of of defence for crops by laying aphids. to create the right habitats on eventually get habituated to The Heartland Institute. eggs in the aphids. There are no other GM wheat their farms,” he added. the chemical and not take any “(It) eats the aphids from the trials currently being conducted Riley said that if the new notice of it,” he said. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 3 Super-size surveys show consumer landscape is changing REALITY BITES } Consumers today want their Big Mac, but they want hormone- and antibiotic-free meat too

by sheri monk af staff | edmonton

cDonald’s is an iconic brand which has tran- M scended its all-American heritage to become the world’s most renowned fast-food brand leader. Yet to stay at the top, McDonald’s must change some of the same practices that got it there, says a senior company official. “As the face of Canada truly changes, so does its eating habits,” Jeff Kroll, senior vice-president, supply chain management for McDonald’s Canada told a Cattle- men’s Young Leaders (CYL) semi- nar hosted by the Alberta Live- stock and Meat Agency (ALMA) last month. Kroll, an ALMA board member, said McDonald’s, like other suc- cessful enterprises, must change with its customers. “The Canadian consumer land- scape is changing. Canada’s demo- graphic environment is changing, driven by two things. One is an aging population, and population growth fuelled by immigration.” Members of those groups are less interested in what propelled McDonald’s to the top — burg- ers and french fries. Kroll said an aging population is increasingly Asians like McDonald’s too, but Canada’s growing Asian population prefers fish and chicken. ©thinkstock concerned about health and wants more fruits and vegetables. in what they want,” said Kroll. And While most people still associ- what they want, he says, is taste. The new face of ate beef with burgers, that trend “But in addition to taste, they want McDonald’s. The “Managing desires is slowly changing, in part due to to be educated about the food they McBistro grilled for natural and fresh immigration. Kroll says two-thirds are eating. They want to learn chicken sandwich of Canada’s visible minorities are about the food, they want to know has 460 calories products needs to be of Asian descent, and cultural where it comes from and that the versus 540 in a preferences are shaping buying company they are buying from is Big Mac, and balanced with the ability decisions. concerned about societal issues.” 780 for an to offer those options at “When selecting meats, Asians Kroll said three of five consum- Angus bacon are more likely to choose pork, ers say it is very important that the with cheese affordable prices.” poultry and fish and the over- meat used to make their burger is burger, and you all decline in beef consumption sourced from animals that were can order it suggests that Canada’s changing raised without the use of steroids. without the sauce. Jeff Kroll demographic profile is an influence More than half say it’s important McDonald’s Canada on the proteins that Canadians are that their burger patty is made eating,” said Kroll. Also, Canadian from meat that is hormone and tastes are becoming more eclec- antibiotic free. Kroll said these ald’s would have difficulty even increasingly adorning drive-thru tic, and in the last 10 years, more concerns have risen considerably sourcing enough hormone- and menu boards across the country. the noticeably fit and trim Kroll are experimenting with new spice in the past two years, especially antibiotic-free product to meet Consumers equate certain brands ultimately passed the buck to the sensations, especially ginger, gar- over antibiotic use. It’s a trend demand. like Angus, and certain cuts like sir- consumer. lic, basil and curry. any large retailer is going to be loin as pivotal to a higher-quality “I think it’s all about balance watching closely — if consumers Defining “local” sandwich, and specialty cheeses, and choice. I have been eat- Taste — and information become serious about hormone Another new trend is consumer buns and season ingredients ing McDonald’s for 31 years — With 33,000 restaurants in 119 and antibiotic use, there would desire for local product. are also prized. This demand for almost every day when I worked countries, McDonald’s has a lot be serious ramifications for the “Local is an interesting and slower, guilt-free, gourmet food in the restaurant,” he said. “For at stake, and part of protecting livestock industry. complex one, because I like to say is paradoxically at odds with the example, just two days ago I had and even growing its market share “Managing desires for natural everything is local to someone, so traditional consumer demand for our new McBistro grilled chicken, depends on market intelligence. and fresh products needs to be it’s how you define that local,” inexpensive, uniform, high-speed no sauce because I tailor it to the To that end, McDonald’s con- balanced with the ability to offer Kroll said. food. way that I want it,” he said. “If you ducts regular market research to those options at affordable prices,” In an effort to satisfy the public’s Asked about the fast-food want balance and choice, we have stay ahead of the curve. said Kroll. Large-volume suppli- growing hunger for foods seen as industry’s social responsibility everything available to make that “Canadians are very consistent ers like Wal-Mart and McDon- wholesome, gourmet burgers are in a time of increasing obesity, happen.”

Leaders in off-patent solutions. 4 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

EDITOR Will Verboven Phone: 403-697-4703 Email: [email protected]

Reporters Alexis Kienlen, Edmonton (780) 668-3121 [email protected] Sheri Monk, Pincher Creek (403) 627-9108 [email protected] The party leaders speak PRODUCTION director Shawna Gibson Email: [email protected] on farm and rural issues AsSistant PRODUCTION manager Close race } The results in rural ridings can’t be Farrah Wilson Email: [email protected] taken for granted in this critical election

Director of Sales & Circulation Lynda Tityk date and Canada Post deliveries this is the able co-operation is understandable. Their Email: [email protected] By will verboven only edition that we knew for sure would leader Danielle Smith was well versed on Alberta Farmer | Editor CIRCULATION manager arrive before the election date. ag issues, thanks in part to her extensive Heather Anderson Alberta Farmer contacted the five politi- touring and consultation in rural areas Email: [email protected] ntil this time most elections in cal parties for an interview with their lead- during last year’s Wildrose leadership Alberta were foregone conclusions ers. The parties all responded with interest, campaign. national ADVERTISING SALES before they were even called. In the and time and dates were discussed. But as The Liberals were enthusiastic about an James Shaw U same light agricultural issues usually barely I learned many years ago, the ag industry Phone: 416-231-1812 Fax: 416-233-4858 interview, but admitted their leader wasn’t Email: [email protected] saw a mention. And rural and small-town and ag publications don’t rate much of a up to steam about ag issues. But they are voters usually did their duty and voted the priority in the eyes of urban-focused cam- happy political warriors and were willing classified ADVERTISING SALES ruling PC party back in for another term. paign managers. to make an effort to have their leader be Maureen Heon But it’s different this time around. There part of the discussion. It turned out to be Phone: 1-888-413-3325 Fax: 403-341-0615 is a sense that an epic election battle is a delightful interview, and it turned out Email: [email protected] underway — this seems to happen every that their leader, Raj Sherman, came from ADVERTISING Co-ordinator 40 years in Alberta. The ag industry and ag a dairy and sugar cane farm in India. It Arlene Bomback To try and raise the agricultural issues turns out he had the closest connection to Phone: 204-944-5765 Fax: 204-944-5562 interest in this election, I planned to engage publications don’t rate much of agriculture of all the leaders. Email: [email protected] directly the party leaders by posing them all Alberta Party Leader Glenn Taylor showed the same questions. This rarely happens in a priority in the eyes of urban- real interest and made a genuine effort to PUBLISHER Alberta as leaders either assign other can- research ag issues and he provided a robust Bob Willcox focused campaign managers. Email: [email protected] didates to deal with the ag media, or when interview. In preparation for the interview asked about agriculture, recite the usual he consulted extensively with his candi- Associate PUBLISHER/editorial platitudes and bromides of the party ag dates that had ag backgrounds. He admit- director policy (if they even have one). It’s the safe ted that it was quite a worthwhile exercise, John Morriss approach for political parties, when on the being he is now much more aware of issues Email: [email protected] whole their leaders are usually urban folk facing the ag industry. Printed by Gazette Press, St. Albert, AB who have little understanding or interest in The ruling PC party initially showed a agriculture, the province’s second-largest The NDP did indicate some initial inter- positive interest in having their leader Th e Al b e r ta Fa r m e r Ex p r e s s is published 26 times a year by Farm Business Communications. industry. Yet those same leaders are well est, but did not pursue the offer. That’s Premier Alison Redford participate in the We acknowledge the financial support of the versed on energy, health, education and a no surprise, I expect they understand the discussion on ag issues. I was even given Government of Canada through the Canada host of other issues. hopelessness of spending time and effort a time for the interview, albeit for only 15 Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian At press time a survey showed the on rural ridings where only divine inter- minutes. But at literally the last minute PC Heritage for our publishing activities. Wildrose Party ahead in rural Alberta. I vention could see an NDP candidate win. party staff decided even that was not pos- Publications mail agreement number 40069240 figured with almost half the ridings in the It would also have meant a crash course for sible and they cancelled the interview. I province deemed to be rural, that survey their leader learning about ag issues and should say that the premier herself may Canadian Postmaster: Send address changes and should spark some interest in rural and ag they probably figured his time is better not have been even aware of what has undeliverable addresses (covers only) to issues. It did — but not with all parties. spent elsewhere. occurred, being leaders are sometimes Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 9800, The journey to get party leader involve- The Wildrose Party on the other hand kept out of the loop by party strategists Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K7 ment has been quite challenging, being knows their election destiny is based on who figure they know best. ISSN 1481-3157 you have to deal with suspicious campaign capturing rural ridings, so ag issue aware- In the end three out of five leaders are managers. Time was a problem because of ness is a high priority. Being in striking part of the ag issue discussion — that’s not Call our early publishing deadline. We publish distance of winning the election, their too bad for what I believe may be a first time twice a month and because of the election enthusiasm for immediate, knowledge- for the farm media in Alberta. 1-800-665-0502 or U.S. subscribers call 1-204-944-5568 For more information on Th e Al b e r ta Fa r m e r Ex p r e s s and subscriptions to other Farm Business Communications Moving beyond supply management products, or visit our web site at: www.albertafarmexpress.ca Trade deals } Doha may be dead, but bilateral negotiations may require change or email: [email protected] many accounts Doha is all but twice the amount of dairy that tive place in the global market, By Sylvain Charlebois and dead. is needed for its domestic con- policy reform is needed at the At Farm Business Communications we have a Tatiana Astray The real menace now stems from sumers. These production capa- international and domestic lev- firm commitment to protecting your privacy and security as our customer. Farm Business other potent multilateral agree- bilities would allow the U.S. to els. Communications will only collect personal ow that we have some clar- ments with the U.S. and the Asia- flood the Canadian market with In the end, the potential for information if it is required for the proper ity on the economic future Pacific region regarding the Trans- cheap dairy products, instantly Canada’s domestic industry to functioning of our business. As part of our of the Canadian Wheat Pacific Partnership, and even from jeopardizing the Canadian dairy leverage its strengths and become commitment to enhance customer service, we N Board, attention is slowly turn- the European Union regarding industry. may share this personal information with other competitive will only manifest strategic business partners. For more information ing toward the issue of supply CETA (the Comprehensive Eco- In addition, Canada would have itself if interest groups put the regarding our Customer Information Privacy Policy, management, which has arguably nomic and Trade Agreement). competition from emerging mar- long-term success of the dairy write to: Information Protection Officer, Farm served our agricultural economy Our trade-friendly federal kets and more efficient countries industry ahead of their desire Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Ave., well for decades. government is keen in pursuing such as Australia. While analysts for short-term inflated profit, if Wpg., MB r3H 0H1 Occasionally we make our list of subscribers Economically speaking, these an aggressive global commerce predict that the Canadian dairy consumers become advocates for available to other reputable firms whose products sectors have been unwavering, agenda, and is more than willing market would not be significantly themselves, and if government and services might be of interest to you. If you and consumers have long ben- to put supply management on affected in a liberalized scenario, starts pushing for reform. would prefer not to receive such offers, please efited from stable retail prices the table. Many agree that supply such forecasts are questionable, Supply-managed industries contact us at the address in the preceding for these products. However, the management in Canada will ulti- considering Canada’s inability to should consider committing to paragraph, or call 1-800-665-0502. global agricultural landscape is mately end; indeed, many farm- be competitive in domestic and their own reform agenda before The editors and journalists who write, contribute shifting, and international talks ers working under supply man- international markets. Canada is asked to comply with and provide opinions to Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications attempt to currently underway suggest the agement believe this as well. The Canadian dairy industry externally generated standards. provide accurate and useful opinions, information possibility of externally imposed Should supply management has strengths that can be lever- and analysis. However, the editors, journalists agricultural reforms. cease, threats to our domestic aged in a liberalized market, such Sylvain Charlebois is acting and Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business For example, WTO’s Doha market would come primarily as the availability of abundant dean and professor, and Tatiana Communications, cannot and do not guarantee Round, focused on addressing from the U.S., particularly to the land, low-cost good-quality feed Astray is a lecturer in the College the accuracy of the information contained of Management and Economics in this publication and the editors as well as agricultural trade distortions, dairy industry. The U.S. has dairy and genetics, which give farmers at the University of Guelph. They Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business has made Canada look like a production capabilities that are the ability to scale their produc- are authors of The Future of the Communications assume no responsibility for lone wolf on supply manage- 14.5 times larger and exports that tions with cost efficiencies. Canadian Dairy Sector in a Post any actions or decisions taken by any reader ment issues since negotiations are 16.2 times larger than Cana- In order to position the Cana- Supply Management Era published for this publication based on any and all began in 2001. However, by da’s. The U.S. currently produces dian dairy industry in a competi- by the Frontier Centre (fcpp.org) information provided. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 5

Livestock industry needs to build trust with consumers Shared values } Simply claiming that science is on their side won’t help producers build trust with consumers

cations equation exactly back- brands such as McDonald’s and for you,” he says. “Through this AFAC release ward.” Wal-Mart facing pressure and approach we were able to define Research by the centre and its driving changes.” terms we could live with that “One of the emerging new culture of care is partners shows perceptions of Often the most damaging devel- would allow our industry to con- emerging around farm ani- shared values and confidence are opments are high-profile media tinue to operate. We faced a lot areas being considered A mal welfare that demands three to five times more important issues that damage food brands of criticism but in the end we got now is labelling fresh thinking, partnerships, than demonstrating competence. and industry sectors, he says. a better deal than we would have expectations and strategies for “It keeps coming back to values,” Research by Tonsor and oth- otherwise, including consistency of animal welfare the livestock industry to define a Arnot says. “That’s where we need ers shows increasing consumer of requirements across states that successful future. And it’s coming to connect with people. It’s not awareness and scrutiny of welfare was critical to avoiding costly or attributes on retail fast, said speakers at the Livestock just about polishing our image. practices often have significant unworkable models.” products, including Care Conference hosted by Alber- It’s an issue of trust that requires impact on meat demand. Having some control over the ta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) last fundamentally different strate- “One of the emerging areas pace of change is essential for potential mandatory month in Red Deer. gies. We need to be integrated in being considered now is labelling industry to manage new expec- approaches.” “We’re in a completely different our thinking not only as a supply of animal welfare attributes on tations, echoed scientist Herman environment today,” says Charlie chain but with the values and retail products, including poten- Vermeer of the Netherlands, who Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food expectations of our customers.” tial mandatory approaches,” says shared his experience and insight Glynn Tonsor Integrity, a major U.S.-based ini- Tonsor. Much work is needed from the EU swine gestation stall Kansas State tiative spanning the broad food Where is it from? before mandatory labelling dis- phase-out. industry. “The world is changing Customers increasingly want to cussions go further, he says. “It’s “With science we can solve and our ‘social licence’ to control know more about how their food an area we need to follow closely. problems. But often as in the case how we operate is at stake. We is produced and desire products Clearly it has the potential to here the debate is an emotional What does that mean? One thing need to build public trust to con- that make them feel good about strongly influence the economic one. We have made adjustments clear is the relationship between sistently earn and maintain that their purchases, says agricultural implications of various animal but it has not been easy for the pig animal agriculture and the con- licence, to define a future we can economist Glynn Tonsor of Kansas welfare approaches.” farmers.” sumer needs to be an authentic compete and succeed in.” State University. If that relation- While public perception is relationship — that ‘authenticity’ Science and standards alone are ship is thrown off by questions of HSUS partnership increasingly the major factor word is really trending in what not the answer, says Arnot. trust or confidence the economic This new world demands new driving change, industry can help matters to consumers today.” “In agriculture, we’re good at implications can be dramatic. approaches, says Gene Gregory, navigate by keeping on top of the Keep in mind activists are one science and we think if the sci- “Animal welfare is increasingly president of United Egg Produc- consumer mindset and strength- end of the spectrum and don’t ence is on our side people will a focus and it’s now in the con- ers, an organization that has ening that relationship, says con- reflect the general consumer, come around to our side of the versation on trade. We’re seeing taken the bold step of directly sumer research consultant The- advises Dietrich. “By focusing on argument. But our stakeholders more and more examples where negotiating and partnering with resa Dietrich. “People increasingly the consumer relationship, there need more than that — they need a welfare issue is creating chal- the Humane Society of the United want to have a closer connection is an opportunity to build confi- to know we share their values and lenges for industry, from state bal- States. “It’s about having a mea- to their food. They want to know dence and have a positive discus- are committed to doing what is lot initiatives in the U.S. targeting sure of control in your future, where it’s coming from and to feel sion of welfare as it continues to right. We’ve had the communi- specific practices to iconic global rather than having it dictated good about what they’re eating. get more interest and profile.” Pink slime a learning opportunity for Canada Trust issues } The furor over the beef additive comes at a time when consumers are leery of industry and government

slimy, LFTB is still meat — technically. newspapers served the LFTB story to tanks, funded by a private sector afraid By Sheri Monk But if most of us were honest, we would readers and nothing happened. So of expensive climate regulations, went af staff | pincher creek admit that given the choice, we’d pass what’s changed? Nothing — at least not into overdrive to discount the evidence, on the pink slime and take the 100 per overnight. What we’re seeing now is the and the issue became intensely politi- he pink slime controversy is cent fresh ground beef option. inevitable explosion when widespread cal. It culminated into a war on science, poised to become an infamous The American public was never mistrust and consumer disconnection which to this day calls into question the Tpart of our cultural food lexicon given that choice and that’s why they reach critical mass. processes and even motivations of the — it’s gone viral and unfortunately, it’s are angry. Astoundingly, the U.S. beef We’ve come to expect jittery consum- world’s smartest minds. given the beef industry another black industry seems incapable of recogniz- ers in Asia, in part because of China’s In 2008, the U.S. economic system eye. ing this. Instead of offering an apology, poor record with food safety. But North ruptured after years of systematic Pink slime refers to lean finely tex- they’re trying to pummel the public Americans have been nothing less than financial deregulation that spawned tured beef, or LFTB, an additive used as with scientific facts showing the LFTB stoic when it comes to food — as long the subprime housing crisis. Adding filler in ground beef. In fact, it really is is safe. Meanwhile, hundreds of work- as it was provided cheaply and easily. insult to injury, taxpayers had to bail still beef. LFTB harvests the bits of meat ers have been laid off at Beef Products Two factors have helped create this out the very corporations that the gov- left on trimmings and fat by separat- Incorporated plants where LFTB was perfect storm of consumer cynicism ernment had failed to protect them ing the two using heat in a centrifuge. made. — climate change and the financial from. Afterward, the product is treated with meltdown of 2008. Global warming Americans have learned the hard food-grade citrus acid, compressed into Detached from consumers really began hitting the public radar way not to trust their government to bricks, and frozen for shipment to pro- In Canada, we need to watch this very in the mid-’90s. Conservative think- protect them from a predatory corpo- cessors who mix it with ground beef. closely, even though we don’t use LFTB. rate world, so when pink slime hit the Until a former USDA microbiologist Perhaps more importantly, we are bear- news again in 2012, the public noticed. blew the whistle on the practice, the ing witness to how incredibly detached So what if the USDA and industry public was largely unaware that this the American beef business is from its researchers say LFTB is safe? filler could comprise as much as 15 per end-users. If we’re smart, we’ll learn from The truth is, no one wants Psychologically, Canadian consum- cent of their ground beef. The USDA their mistakes. If we’re complacent, we’ll to eat on a technicality. And ers aren’t in the same bad place right still considered the product meat, with repeat them. now as our American counterparts, but no need for any special labelling. Food industry analysts have taken given the choice, we’d all take we easily could be. It’s imperative we The reaction in the U.S. has been swift notice of the fiasco because it signifies a the 100 per cent fresh ground carve out a different, higher road before and visceral. McDonald’s won’t touch paradigm shift. The consumer force has we run out of eyes we can afford to the stuff. finally been roused from its discount beef option. have blackened. Most in the industry would agree that slumber, and it is not in a good mood. while it may be pink, and it may appear In 2008 and 2009, two national U.S. [email protected] 6 Off the front April 9, 2012 • Albertafarmexpress.ca

RICHARDSON’S } from page 1 stores in Canada and all 17 in Agricore United was created in Bakers run Australia, along with 34 per cent 2001 when United Grain Growers of Canadian Fertilizers Ltd. for acquired Agricore. Agricore was short of eggs $1.15 billion. founded in 1999 when Alberta Viterra traces its roots back to Wheat Pool and Manitoba Pool after battery the defunct farmer-owned Prairie Elevators, created in the 1920s, Pools and United Grain Growers, merged. cage ban which once dominated Western SaskPool and Richardson both Canada’s grain industry. Glen- pursued Agricore United in 2007. brussels / reuters / Bis- core, which is the dominant global Although SaskPool was the vic- cuit and cake makers across commodities trader, will have tor, Richardson picked up some Europe are cutting back on roughly 34 per cent of the western assets thanks to the Competition baking because of an egg Canadian market after the sale — Bureau. shortage being blamed on the same as Richardson. a ban on cross-border trade “The beauty of this situation Family businesses remain in eggs from small battery is I don’t have Glencore coming Richardson existed long before cages. in at twice the size that I already farmers formed their own compa- Since the ban took effect in am,” Vossen said in an interview. nies starting with the Grain Grow- January, some suppliers have “They’re going to be the same ers Company in 1906, the Prairie failed to meet their contracts size. It’s a fair fight.” Pools in the roaring ’20s or the Richardson International president Curt Vossen says his company can because of the shortage, forc- Fair, but also challenging, Canadian Wheat Board. compete with Glencore and the competition will serve farmers well. ing bakers to buy eggs from Vossen conceded. In fact, the company formed in Photo: Allan Dawson supermarkets. Pasta makers Farmers win because of 1857 is older than Canada itself. are also being affected by the increased competition, he Vossen agrees Richardson’s Cargill have been in business don’t integrate back into origina- scarcity. added. longevity stems from being a more than 100 years and are pri- tion we could get cut off at the The new EU rules only Suddenly Richardson Interna- family-owned, private company. vate, family-owned firms. knees...’” banned the retail sale of eggs tional will go from No. 2 spot in The structure allows for a longer- Canadian grain companies Richardson International has from battery hens and still Canada’s grain sector to tied for term view. N.M. Paterson and Parrish and no immediate plans to expand allow producers to sell non- No. 1. Not so long ago it was third, “With many of these global Heimbecker formed in 1908 and into the United States or beyond, compliant eggs to domestic behind Agricore United and Sas- grain companies, one thing that’s 1909, respectively, are as well. Vossen said. The focus is on inte- food manufacturers, though katchewan Wheat Pool. synonymous with them is patient “They won’t get pushed out of grating its new assets. they cannot be exported to capital, private ownership and business unless they want to be “We definitely plan to grow other EU member coun- quite often family ownership and pushed out of business because our base in Canada,” he said. “If tries. willingness to ride out the cycles,” they’ve got great positioning in it makes sense growing business he said. Western Canada,” Vossen said. outside of Canada we’re also open “Inevitably this business “Maybe once or twice or three The Pools dominated Western to that.” has its ups and downs. times a generation we’re going Canada’s grain sector both in busi- While Glencore is a huge com- to hit a down cycle. If you’re a ness and farm policy for most of pany, Richardson is confident it You have to live with the modern, publicly traded com- the 20th century. While many fac- can compete with it in Canada, downs and ride the ups pany you’re under the magnify- tors contributed to their downfall, Vossen said. ing glass every quarter,” he said, their perceived inability to raise “The advantage isn’t sheer size and stay relatively even noting private companies don’t capital is often cited as one. That’s globally, what’s important is how keeled through it all.” face that kind of pressure. why United Grains Growers and strong are you in your particular Eggs on sale at a vendor in “Inevitably this business has its SaskPool went public in the 1990s. marketplace,” he said. “The key Budapest. The Hungarian ups and downs. You have to live But publicly traded companies are for us... to compete in this mar- Central Statistical Office says with the downs and ride the ups vulnerable to takeovers. ket is... a demand-pull for prod- egg prices had risen by 23.1 per Curt Vossen and stay relatively even keeled Being able to originate grain in ucts that we’re originating. We’ve cent year on year in February through it all.” Canada is why Glencore is buying got the infrastructure to bring that 2012. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh Multinational grain merchan- Viterra, VossenB:10.25” said. stuff right from the farm gate... to dising giants Louis Dreyfus and “They said toT:10.25” themselves, ‘If we a consumption-end customer.” S:10.25”

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403 261 7161 403 261 7152 ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 7

Spring sprung “As we juice these plants with carbon dioxide, we’re going to make people have greater allergy symptoms.” early signals AARON BERNSTEIN global warming HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL EXTREMES  Heavy rainfall, heat waves and increased pollen-induced allergies are to Live daily grain market analysis on your be expected as climate change unfolds

REUTERS / Extreme weather home, cell, smart phone or computer! events over the past decade have increased and were “very likely” caused by man-made global warm- ing, a study in the journal Nature Climate Change said March 25. Scientists at Germany’s Pots- dam Institute for Climate Research used physics, statistical analysis and computer simulations to link extreme rainfall and heat waves to global warming. The link between warming and storms was less clear. “It is very likely that several of the unprecedented extremes of the past decade would not have Spring is now arriving three days occurred without anthropogenic earlier than in the period 1951 to global warming,” said the study. 1980. PHOTO: THINKSTOCK.COM The past decade was probably the warmest globally for at least a Extremely hot summers are now David’s the best I have seen millennium. Last year was the 11th observed in about 10 per cent of at nailing the tops. I would hottest on record, the World Mete- the global land area, compared orological Organization said. with only about 0.1-0.2 per cent for give him 85% accuracy. Extreme weather events were the period 1951 to 1980, the study devastating in their impacts and said. – Doug, Saskatchewan affected nearly all regions of the The link between storms and David Drozd globe. hurricanes and global warming is Senior Analyst They included severe floods and less conclusive but at least some record hot summers in Europe; a of recent rainfall extremes can be Ag-Chieve Corporation record number of tropical storms attributed to human influences on and hurricanes in the Atlantic in the climate, it added. 2005; the hottest Russian summer A report March 23 said the unprec- since 1500 in 2010 and the worst edented heat wave across much of flooding in Pakistan’s history. the U.S. set or tied more than 7,000 Last year alone, the United States high temperature records. suffered 14 weather events which “This heat wave is essentially caused losses of over $1 billion unprecedented,” said Heidi Cullen Independent, unbiased grain marketing advice since 2002 each. of the non-profit science and com- Sell Your Grain For More! Go to www.Ag-Chieve.ca to setup a Free Trial. munication organization Climate Abnormal Central. “It’s hard to grasp how The high amount of extremes is not massive and significant this is.” normal, the study said. These records include daytime Even between March 13 and 19 high temperatures and record-high this year, historical heat records low temperatures overnight, which were exceeded in more than 7,000 in some cases are higher than previ- places in North America. ous record highs for the day, Cullen For some types of extreme said. weather, there are physical reasons “When low temperatures are why they would increase in a warm- breaking previous record highs, ing climate. For example, if average that’s when you see this is incred- temperature rises, then so will the ibly special,” she said. number of heat records if all else April 30, 2012 remains equal, the study said. Spring arriving earlier Natural weather patterns like Cullen noted that this warmth is Deadline Reminder El Niño or La Niña can also cause part of a trend that is pushing the highs in global temperature or spring season earlier by an average increased precipitation which leads of three days in the contiguous 48 PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT to floods. U.S. states. “Single weather extremes are The date of first leafing — the often related to regional processes, day when buds burst open — has like a blocking high pressure sys- moved forward from March 20, √ tem or natural phenomena like where it was during the 30-year Apply or make changes to Annual El Niño,” said Stefan Rahmstorf, period from 1951 to 1980, to March Crop Insurance Coverage co-author of the study and chair of 17, where it has been for the period the institute’s earth system analysis from 1981 to 2010. Elect Straight Hail Insurance at the same time! department. This early wake-up call for plants “These are complex processes and animals can have disastrous that we are investigating further. But health consequences, especially √ Pay your AgriStability Fee for 2012 now these processes unfold against for children, said Dr. Aaron Bern- the background of climatic warm- stein of the Center for Health and (without penalty) New participants must enrol prior to April 30. ing. That can turn an extreme event the Global Environment at Harvard into a record-breaking event.” Medical School. Recent years have seen an excep- Pollen counts are breaking tionally large number of record- records around the United States, NEW for 2012: Enhancements to unseeded and breaking and destructive heat Bernstein said, noting that allergies waves in many parts of the world cost the U.S. economy between $6 reseeding acreage benefit! and research suggests that many or billion and $12 billion annually. even most of these would not have The early heat stimulates growth Growing Forward is a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. happened without global warm- in plants and the pollen season has ing. become longer by one to two weeks Currently, nearly twice as many over the last half-century, while the For more information contact Agriculture Financial Services Corporation: record hot days as record cold higher levels of carbon dioxide in days are being observed both in the air stimulate pollen production Your Local 1-877-899-AFSC (2372) www.AFSC.ca the United States and Australia, in highly allergenic plants like rag- District Office the length of summer heat waves weed, Bernstein said. in western Europe has almost dou- “As we juice these plants with car- bled and the frequency of hot days bon dioxide, we’re going to make has almost tripled over the period people have greater allergy symp- from 1880 to 2005. toms,” Bernstein said. 8 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA Hedging strategies if you’re selling grain in U.S. dollars Options } An example of protecting against currency moves with a combination of calls and puts

March 2011 to April 2011, we canadian dollar u.s. dollar exchange By David Derwin wanted to leave some room in Union Securities the event the C$ pulled back from its recent strong run but f you sell product to the U.S., as still have protection against a many Canadian businesses do move higher. I and want to protect yourself, • At the same time, the client was you are probably asking what to do less concerned about the C$ if the loonie is worth more than a going much above 1.10 U.S. U.S. greenback, which it has been • Also, the client would be happy again recently. With many risk- locking in C$ at a much lower management tools available today, level of 1.02. what is the best strategy for you in • We wanted to structure the your situation? hedge so there would be little Forward contracts are simple, net cost to the client. but are they the most effective tool? It depends on whether now Option strategies is a good time to lock in prices. Option strategies work best con- With forwards, since you lock in sidering all these conditions at a fixed price without the poten- combined. In early April, with the tial for gain, there can be a lot of C$/U.S. exchange rate at 1.0450, opportunity cost and you can leave we recommended the following a lot of money on the table. to hedge a US$800,000 payment There are other potentially more expected in the summer/fall of profitable risk-adjusted option 2011: strategies to consider instead of, or • Buy eight September 1.0500 calls in addition to, just forwards. Pro- for $16,400 for premium paid implement this $800,000 hedge Here’s how the approximate your house is already on fire; or, vided is an example of a risk-man- including commission and fees until September. numbers worked: if you can, it will be extremely agement profile we implemented as protection against a stronger In summary, this strategy pro- • The cash currency gain from expensive and difficult to imple- for a client showing why options C$. vided protection from 1.05 all the converting cash US$ to C$ ment. Bottom line, as we like to can often offer a better risk-reward •  Sell eight September 1.1000 calls way up to 1.10, with the opportu- was of $32,720 since the C$/ say: “Manage your risks before ratio than using only forwards. for $3,200 for premium received nity to convert at a better rate if C$ US$ spot rate fell from 1.0450 they manage you!” including commission and fees dropped back to 1.02, all at little at the beginning of hedge to Example to offset some of the cost of buy- cost to the client. 1.0041 at end of hedge. Courtesy of David Derwin, an Last year at this time, we helped ing the 1.05 calls since the client • The option hedge offset was investment adviser for Union a client who needed to manage was not too concerned about C$ Results $15,400, representing the dif- Securities Ltd. For a complimentary copy of our Risk Management his Canadian dollar risk. To bet- moving above 1.10. So, how did this strategy unfold? As ference between the put sold at Systems Guide or if you have ter understand their situation, we • Sell eight September 1.0200 you can see from the chart, the C$ 1.02 and the spot rate of 1.0041 any questions, please contact us have included some of the criteria puts for $11,400 for premium moved sideways to lower in favour as well as all option costs, com- directly at 1-800-661-0298 ext. 7 or used to determine our best strat- received including commis- of the client. Based on US$800,000, mission and fees. [email protected]. egy for their needs: sion and fees to offset some of the net benefit of the strategy was • The net gain from hedging • The client had sold grain in U.S. the cost of buying the 1.05 calls $17,320. The main gains came from with options versus just lock- This article is furnished for information dollars with payment expected since the client would be happy having the flexibility of an option ing in a forward was therefore purposes only and is not intended to late summer/early fall. to convert his US$ into C$ at strategy to convert US$ into a $17,320, assuming the client induce a decision to buy or sell any • Given the C$ had moved higher 1.02. weaker C$ at 1.02 rather than lock- exchanged the cash the same securities, investment product or from 1.00 par to 1.045 from • Therefore, it cost $1,800 to ing in the US$/C$ up at 1.045. day the hedge was lifted. investment advisory services. The views presented herein are those of the author This is just one example and only and not necessarily of Union it won’t necessarily work this Securities Ltd. The risk of loss in trading cleanly every time. For instance, futures and options can be substantial; if the C$ had moved dramati- therefore, only genuine risk funds should cally lower, significant funds be used. Futures and options are not suitable investments for all individuals, could be required during the and individuals should carefully course of the hedge to cover the consider their financial condition in short put until the US$800,000 deciding whether to trade. Option account receivable was received traders should be aware that the exercise and/or the assignment of commodities and the hedge was lifted. options results in a futures position. Regardless of the exact strat- Past performance is not indicative of egy you implement for your situ- future results. Consult your investment ation, we advocate a continuous, adviser to determine if this is suitable for Milligan Bio-Tech Inc. is a disciplined, proactive approach your risk profile. Union Securities Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor pioneer in the biodiesel industry to put the odds in your favour Protection Fund and the Investment over time. Remember, it’s too Industry Regulatory Organization of and is now a major supplier late to buy fire insurance when Canada.) WET, of bio-diesel as well as manufacturing numerous other products all from CALL FOR NOMINATIONS GREEN non-food grade canola. The Agriculture and Food Council of Alberta (AFC) is looking for All Milligan Bio-Tech’s products Albertans committed to working toward solutions for issues facing are environmentally friendly. Alberta’s agriculture and food industry to fill three seats on its Board of Directors. We will take all the non-food OR HEATED AFC is a membership-driven leader in Alberta’s agriculture and grade canola you’ve got, food sector with a vision to be an innovation and breakthrough up to 100% damaged. catalyst for the sector. AFC operates targeted programs and initiatives supporting the development of the sector, and is also CANOLA We are a bonded and insured respected by industry partners as a convenor of policy discussions seed buying company with many and outcomes on important issues affecting the sector. freight options available. Though membership applications are accepted throughout the SEED - WE Sell your damaged canola year, organizations that have paid the annual $200 membership fee and individuals who have paid the $50 fee by April 25 may cast seed today. Call us toll-free at one vote each for three available director positions at our June 26 1-866-388-6284 or visit us at AGM. The 2012 AGM Keynote Speaker is Robert Orr, co-founder WILL BUY IT. www.milliganbiotech.com. of the world’s largest ingredient supplier of Omega 3s from fish oil and a new health and wellness company. www.agfoodcouncil.com/director-nominations-2012

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18086_02A MBT GotSeedAd_6x6.625.indd 1 1/18/12 11:51 AM ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 9

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You can still produced, agronomists say. mind knowing that their nitrogen the battered bottom lines of grain and Jennie-O turkeys, would save get the nutrients the plant needs will be protected and used and food companies. on feed costs for its turkey-raising What’s more, wheat requires to get a good start, but avoid the nitrogen in all plant development efficiently by the crop resulting in Food and beverage companies operation, but farmers might use crush of having to place all your a better bottom line. like Sara Lee, PepsiCo and Gen- those savings to expand their phases. So what happens if the eral Mills have struggled to absorb flocks over time, pressuring over- nitrogen at once and all the time crop doesn’t get the nitrogen it If you have a question for the high costs of meat and grains in all turkey prices. it takes away from seeding to needs? The results can include Nitrogen Miser or need more the past year, while economic U.S. beef packers have posted stop and fill the fertilizer tank. reduced tillering, smaller head information on Stabilized uncertainty has hammered agri- big losses since late last year as Cool spring conditions can make sizes, poor grain fill, diminished Nitrogen Technology, don’t business giants. the prices they paid for cattle out- While weather worries persist in stripped what they earned on beef, your urea fertilizer vulnerable yields and low protein content. hesitate to contact me at some areas — notably droughts according to private data. to nitrogen loss. As much as A carefully timed nitrogen [email protected] affecting crops in South America The high cost of cattle has 30 percent or more of surface- application can prevent most or 780-850-1679. and the southern U.S. Plains — pinched JBS, the world’s largest applied nitrogen can be lost of those problems. Seeding expanded global farm produc- beef processor as well as owner in the first critical weeks after fields immediately after surface AGROTAIN.COM tion looks to take the sting out of of the largest U.S. cattle-feeding application even with melting applying your fertilizer isn’t farm prices for food makers by late operation. 2012. On the restaurant side, regional, ©2012 Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. All rights reserved. AGROTAIN® is a registered trademark of The Mosaic Company and is licensed exclusively to Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. AGROTAIN® nitrogen stabilizer is manufactured and sold by Koch Agronomic Services, LLC under an exclusive license from The Mosaic “Let’s make the assumption semi-national chains such as Company. IMPORTANT: The technical data herein is believed to be accurate. It is offered for your consideration, investigation, and verification. Buyer assumes all risk (prices) stay down year over year; Sonic Corp. and Jack in the Box of use, storage, and handling of the product. No warranty, express or implied, is made including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a that would be a pretty welcome might have the most to gain from particular purpose which are specifically excluded. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as a license to operate under, or recommendation to infringe, any patents. 0412-16748-6-AFE event,” said Matt Arnold, a con- food cost relief, since they are not sumer analyst at Edward Jones in protected by the greater bargain- St. Louis. ing power enjoyed by names like McDonald’s and KFC parent YUM Mixed blessing Brands, said RJ Hottovy, an analyst Makers of breakfast cereal and at Morningstar. other packaged foods, such as “Corn costs, which play a big Kellogg and Kraft Foods Inc., part in (influencing) just about absorbed some of the recent spike all the commodities out there, in grain prices and are unlikely to especially for restaurants, have pass along all of their expected certainly been a headwind for cost savings to consumers, Arnold the past two years,” he said. “I said. think restaurants are looking for Instead, food makers will prob- any kind of relief as soon as they ably offer shoppers short-term can.” CAREA gives back! 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For more information on Central Alberta REA’s community commitments, you can visit CAREA.ca!

“Keep up the great work of providing WHAT’S UP us with electricity. We all would be lost without it.” D. R. Johnson, CAREA Member Send agriculture-related meeting April 20/21: AB Human Ecology & and event announcements to: Home Economics Conf. Hilton Inn, [email protected] Stony Plain. Call: Margurite 780- Joe – CAREA Utility Tree Trimmer 968-3513 April 11: Working Well Workshop, April 24: Cows, Creeks, & location tba, Rockyview County. Communities, Kurt Browning Call: Brenda 403-520-8159 Complex 12:00 pm, Caroline. Call: Albert 403-844-2645 April 12: AB Canola Industry Research Update, Mayfield Inn, May 2: Grey Wooded Forage Edmonton. Call: Rick 780-678- Association AGM, Hall 4:00 pm, Find more of the latest in regional ag news online at 6167 Leslieville. Call: Muriel 403-844- 2645 April 18: Women in the North May 2/3: 2012 Swine Breeding MGT. Conference, location TBA, Workshop, Alberta AG building, www.albertafarmexpress.ca Peace River. Call: Agnes 780- Edmonton. Call: Tracy 780-248- 624-1161 1159 10 NEWS » Markets APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

USDA predicts record acreage to corn Argentine soy cut again Farmers in the United States are expected to plant more acres to corn in 2012 than Argentina’s biggest grains exchange slashed its forecast for 2011-12 any year since 1937, according to USDA’s Prospective Plantings report released Apr. soy production to 43.1 million tonnes on Apr. 2 as the extent of drought 1. It pegged U.S. corn acres in 2012 at 95.9 million, up four per cent from 2011. “If damage became clearer, especially in northern provinces. realized, this will be the largest corn acreage in the United States since 1937, when “The reductions as a result of dryness are very significant in those producers planted 97.2 million acres of corn,” USDA said. Soybean is forecast at areas,” the Rosario grain exchange said in a report. Recent rains have not 73.9 million acres, down one per cent from 2011, with wheat expected to touch 55.9 been sufficient to offset damage from dry weather during sensitive crop million acres, up three per cent from 2011. development stages in December and January. — Reuters

Fewer U.S. soybean acres bode well for canola

Ever larger } Some analysts are talking up 23 million acres of yellow flowers this year

in 2011 — and already an unprecedented By Phil Franz-Warkentin number. However, anecdotal reports now point to canola plantings at 23 mil- CE Futures Canada canola contracts lion acres or more. The excessively wet climbed sharply higher during the land in Saskatchewan and Manitoba that I week ended March 30, hitting their was unseeded last year could be up to 75 strongest levels in over six months and per cent canola if some reports are to be settling just below contract highs at the believed. Seed dealers are said to see doz- end of the week. Canola first rose on ens of farmers come in daily for canola. the back of the tightening supply situa- There is also plenty of talk in the market tion in Western Canada and solid export of more farmers than normal looking to demand, but saw another leg up when seed canola on the same ground they a much-anticipated U.S. Department seeded to the crop last year. of Agriculture report provided a bullish spark for soybeans south of the border. Rolling the dice The USDA forecast soybean plantings That canola-on-canola crop rotation in 2012 at 73.9 million acres, which was poses disease and yield risks. However, well-below average trade guesses for a when the price is right, that seems to be 75.5-million-acre crop and about a million a risk many will be willing to take this acres smaller than the year-ago level. The spring. From a monetary perspective, trade was quick to point out that actual growing canola this year could conceiv- acres will likely be larger, as the rally in ably boost profits by $100 per acre com- soybeans over the past month will swing pared to wheat or barley. some area its way, but the initial bullish Those large acres are overhanging the reaction in the futures was swift. market, but canola supply/demand in With South American soybean produc- itself won’t dictate the price, as the crop tion failing to live up to expectations this is a small player in the global oilseed mar- year, the world is banking on a larger U.S. ket. That means even if the canola crop crop to cover some of the slack. However, does end up as huge as is being forecast, with the corn market also working to draw prices could still stay firm if soybeans photo: istock.com in acres, any limitations on U.S. soybean hold up. Some luck will be needed, but area bodes well for canola prices. there is always an element of rolling the prices, canola still looks attractive from ings report was the smaller-than-antic- In Western Canada, all signs point to dice each spring. an end-user’s perspective. Crush margins ipated spring wheat estimate, at only 12 the largest sea of yellow in history this The rally in canola does raise some con- against the nearby futures are at their low- million acres. After poor conditions limited summer. The largest official industry cerns that the market is becoming over- est levels in a few years. However, when some plantings in the northern states last guesses have topped out at 22 million bought. That may be true on the old-crop calculating the margins — which basically spring, the general consensus had been for acres, well above the 18.9 million seeded contracts, but when you look at new-crop work out to the difference between the a million-acre increase from the 12.4 mil- seed cost and the product values — the lion acres of spring wheat grown in 2011. new-crop prices still look very profitable Minneapolis wheat futures led to the for the crushers. upside in the U.S. during the week, and While the oilseeds were rallying, corn the ICE Futures Canada milling wheat For three-times-daily market reports from Resource News futures in the U.S. actually moved down contracts actually saw some light com- slightly on the week. The USDA forecast mercial trade as well. International, visit “ICE Futures Canada updates” U.S. corn plantings at 95.9 million acres, U.S. durum acres are expected to which easily surpassed trade guesses and increase to 2.2 million, from 1.4 million at www.albertafarmexpress.ca. would be the largest crop since 1937. Tight in 2011, with crop insurance programs nearby supplies mean that increase will offering good returns for the crop. be needed, but profit-taking was enough to keep some pressure on values during Phil Franz-Warkentin writes for Commodity the week. News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company What could prove interesting from a specializing in grain and commodity market Canadian perspective in the USDA plant- reporting.

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AFE Apr 9 12.indd 1 3/15/2012 2:22:00 PM ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 11 Harami alerts hog producers to a downward correction CANDLESTICKS  Japanese charting technique signals changes in market direction

year 1750 developed a relatively called the “real body.” It high- BY DAVID DROZD LEAN HOGS PRICES sophisticated way to analyze the lights the range between the markets. open and close. If the close is fter rallying up, but fail- These same techniques have above the open, then the body ing to fill a gap between evolved over nearly 2-1/2 cen- will be white. When the real A $91.475 and $91.650, lean turies into an amazingly power- body is black this simply means hog prices on the weekly nearby ful modern-day charting method the close was below the open. candlestick chart turned back referred to as candlestick. Now The lines above and below the down on February 24, 2012. The anyone can learn how the mas- real body represent the high and ensuing reversal pattern (sell terminds of the Orient have low ranges for the period and are signal) that developed is referred attained wealth in their markets called “shadows.” to as a harami on a candlestick and in ours. The long black body illustrates chart. Virtually all modern-day tech- a bearish period in the market Lean hog prices have since lost nical analysis used in conjunction with an opening near the day’s more than six cents per pound in with bar charting such as trend- high and close near the day’s the past five weeks. line analysis and pattern recogni- low. Candlestick charting provides tion can be applied in the exact The long white body is the an insight into market activity same way using candlesticks with opposite of a long black body and that is not readily apparent with additional advantages. shows technical strength with an the conventional bar-type charts. opening near the low and a close in conjunction with other techni- tion areas, which often form When you see a black bar, the Strength and weakness near the high in a wide range cal tools such as stochastics, RSI, prior to prices having their next sentiment is bearish and when Candlestick charts allow the period. The small body repre- etc. creating a vast array of tech- big move. the bar is white it is bullish. viewer at a casual glance to spot sents a tight range between the niques and possibilities. Send your questions or com- Harami suggests a waning in technical strength and/or weak- open and close. However, when It is important for farmers to be ments about this article and momentum and a change in ness by highlighting the relation- combined with other patterns aware of the reversal patterns that chart to [email protected]. trend. At a market top, the harami ship between the opening and they can be very significant, such routinely occur in the grain and closing price for each line. is identified by a long white body as in the formation of a harami. livestock charts. By recognizing David Drozd is president and senior followed by a short black body The Japanese method of chart- The candlestick method gives buy and sell signals, producers market analyst for Winnipeg- which is contained within the ing is called candlestick because you deeper insight into market can be better informed on price based Ag-Chieve Corporation. The parameters of the preceding long the individual lines resemble analysis by utilizing numerous direction and take advantage of opinions expressed are those of white body. candles. The exact same data interpretations for intra-line pricing opportunities. the writer and are solely intended Harami in Japanese means is used in traditional bar chart- activity. Hence, the user has a Lean hog prices have been to assist readers with a better pregnant. The Japanese are ing — open, high, low and close timely advantage in spotting key trading in a sideways $8 range understanding of technical analysis. Visit Ag-Chieve online at www. regarded as the true pioneers of is all that is required. The daily market turning points for all time for the past five months. Support ag-chieve.ca for information about market technical analysis. They line shows the open, high, low frames. comes in at $83 and resistance is grain-marketing advisory services, began trading forward rice con- and close. Candlesticks are a useful up at $91. Rectangular patterns or call us toll free at 1-888-274-3138 tracts (futures) in 1654 and by the The thick part or candle is stand-alone tool or can be used like this tend to be consolida- for a free consultation.

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4287-A SYNGENTA Axial Ad.indd 1 12-01-19 6:20 PM The Manitoba Co-operator | April 5, 2012 21 ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 13

1912-2012CANADIANCANADIAN GRAIN GRAIN COMMISSION COMMISSION1912-2012 MARKING A CENTURY OF SERVICE

n April 1, 2012, the Canadian The Canada Grain Act, which guides us in grain, demonstrating how valuable a right Grain Commission celebrates its delivering our mandate, was passed by the this is to them. Finally, producers are still 100th anniversary. The employ- Canadian government to meet the needs offered payment protection for deliveries ees of the Canadian Grain of grain producers. Through the Act, we to licensed primary elevators. CommissionO join with me in thanking the work to establish and maintain standards While we celebrate our past, we also look hardworking staff at Grainews for producing of quality for Canada’s grain, regulate grain to the future. We are a vibrant organization, this publication to commemorate a century handling in Canada, and to ensure that ready to take on new challenges. We draw of service. Canada’s grain is a dependable commodity strength from a proud past while we evolve To survive a century is quite an achieve- for domestic and export markets. to meet changing demands. ment. But our longevity is not what is Grain producers still have rights that Along with the dedicated employees noteworthy, as you will see as you read were initially granted to them under the of the Canadian Grain Commission, I look about our past. No, our true achievement Act in 1912. Producers can dispute the forward to another century of collaboration is our role in the growth of the Canadian grade and dockage received at a licensed with our stakeholders to assure to the con- grain industry. For 100 years, we have col- primary elevator and ask our inspectors tinued success of Canada’s grain industry. laborated with Canadian grain producers to provide a binding decision. Producers and other members of an industry that are also guaranteed the right to ship has shaped Canada’s society, economy their grain using producer cars. In 2011, Elwin Hermanson and landscape. producers loaded over 12,700 cars with Chief Commissioner CGC guarantees Canadian grain quality worldwide Quality assurance makes Canadian grain superior

BY RON FRIESEN it back isn’t practical because the cost for offloading the vessel would be prohibitive. he owner of Singapore’s larg- The cost of having an unsold cargo afloat est bakery chain sits in a high- is not practical either. The customer is not rise office tower gazing out over left high and dry. The checks and balances the world’s busiest ocean port. of the Canadian grain system extend all TAny day now, a ship carrying wheat from the way from the Prairie grain fields to the Canada is scheduled to arrive and unload end user’s bakery. its cargo for milling. The baker is already planning his pro- COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED duction and quality-control program for If, for example, a customer feels the pro- months ahead, based on grain from half- tein strength of the wheat in his shipment way around the world he has never laid is not as expected, he lodges what’s called a eyes on, much less inspected. cargo complaint. The CGC retains a sample But he isn’t worried. He knows he will from each shipment for six months. It will almost certainly get exactly the right kind take part of the sample in question and test of wheat with the precise specifications he it in the CGC’s Grain Research Laboratory requested. He also knows that, if there’s a in Winnipeg to determine if the grading problem with the bread when it emerges was correct. The commission can also mill from the oven, Canadian officials will step and bake that sample in its lab to see if in to provide technical assistance. Canada there really is a protein problem, as the is one of the only countries in the world customer alleges. able to provide wheat sight unseen to an If the sample performs as expected in the overseas buyer with the assurance that lab, the problem may be at the customer’s it’s what he paid for and will perform the end. Perhaps there’s something wrong with way he wants. That fact is due in large A prize-winning Board of Grain Commissioners display in Italy in 1932. his flour mill or the baking process. part to the Canadian Grain Commission, But if a cargo complaint turns out to a federal agency responsible for regulating “A customer in the U.K., for exam- 300 country elevators owned by competing be justified, the system works to try and the country’s grain handling system. ple, can have confidence that when he grain companies. correct it. How the CGC provides customers with buys No. 1 Canadian Western Red Spring That’s because the system works It may be that the grade and content what the industry calls “the best wheat in wheat with 13 per cent protein, when co-operatively to produce the right product. of the shipment are right but, for some the world” is a story spanning 100 years it is shipped, that the Canadian Grain Any grain exported through a terminal reason, the protein isn’t performing as it this month. Commission will certify that everything elevator in Canada must be inspected by the should. Perhaps the reason is an agronomic loaded on this boat constitutes No. 1 CGC as it goes into the terminal and as it’s one, because soil and weather conditions PURPOSE REMAINS CWRS 13.0,” explains Hermanson. loaded on to the vessel. under which wheat is grown can affect The world was a very different place Satisfying customers at the end of the sup- To ensure the grain going into the cargo protein functionality. in 1912 when the Board of Grain ply chain may not have been uppermost in the hold is what the customer requested, sam- In that case, the CGC may go over and help Commissioners, the CGC’s forerunner, was minds of the Board of Grain Commissioners ples are taken continuously during load- the customer work with the grain to produce formed with a mandate to administer the when they first set about their work a century ing. A quality check occurs for every 2,000 the desired quality in the final product. new Canada Grain Act and enforce regula- ago. Protecting farmers from unfair treatment tonnes, so a load to fill a 20,000-tonne As a result, if an Indonesian buyer blends tions for grain inspection. by railways, grain dealers and milling compa- vessel would be tested 10 times as the grain No. 2 CWRS 13.0 with Australian soft But then, as now, the purpose was the nies by enforcing regulations was the main goes in. white wheat and Turkish flour to produce same. The Board of Commissioners would emphasis (see related story). What if, for example, nine samples are of steamed buns or noodles, he can rely on see that farmers would be guaranteed fair But as Canada’s grain exports expanded, the right stuff but one is not? The certificate the wheat from Canada even though he’s treatment for the grain they delivered. especially after World War II, customers final will say so. using other products in the mix. They would receive the correct grade began to demand that, if they were buying “We cannot order the vessel unloaded,” “So that buyer in Indonesia can say. with the correct bushel weight. If there wheat from so far away, it had better be says Daryl Beswitherick, the CGC’s program ‘When I buy this, I know I’m going to be was any disagreement, the CGC could what they ordered. manager for quality assurance standards. able to use it in such a manner in my plant investigate and, if warranted, uphold the Of course, European millers buying “But what we will tell the grain company to upgrade the other ingredients I’m buy- farmer’s complaint. wheat from Western Canada could (and is that 2,000 tonnes that went on did not ing’,” Hermanson says. “The Canadian Grain Commission is an did) come over to observe the harvest. But meet specifications. If they remove it, and The above process — inspecting, grading, unbiased third party that ensures that all they still needed to know for certain that continue to load grain that meets the qual- certifying and providing customer support players who have a stake in the grain are what was in those vessels leaving Montreal ity that was sold, we will certify the whole — holds true for any of the 21 official treated fairly. That balance would not exist was what they had purchased. lot as making spec. If they choose not to grains listed by the Canada Grain Act, if there were no Grain Commission,” says remove it, we will certify that 2,000 tonnes whether cereals, oilseeds, pulses, mixed Elwin Hermanson, chief commissioner of QUALITY GUARANTEE did not meet specification. grains or other crops. the Canadian Grain Commission. Thus was born the “certificate final” — a “The vessel would be able to sail. But “You have a disciplined system for putting document signed by the CGC’s chief grain what the customer would know when they FARMER INPUT grain into the market and you don’t have inspector certifying that the vessel was receive their certificate final is that there It’s important to note that farmers, to deal as often with bad outcomes.” loaded with grain equal to the customer’s are two different qualities within the hold who grow those crops in the first place, Implicitly, that means end-use customers order. It is, in effect, a guarantee by the of that vessel. are directly involved in helping to shape are treated fairly, too. A regulated, co-ordi- Government of Canada that what you buy “If you’re loading wheat or barley or peas, Canada’s grain grading system. nated system involving farmers, the CGC, is what you get. the procedure is the same.” Every spring and fall, the Western grain handlers and marketers ensures it. Guaranteeing a specific quality for each How often is a vessel loaded with the Standards Committee, a 26-member indus- Farmers produce the grain, grain handlers load is a remarkable achievement, consid- wrong grain? “It’s fairly rare that instances try committee, which includes 12 grain market the grain and establish the price; ering the grain is grown over a vast area like this occur,” says Beswitherick. producers as well as processors and export- the CGC certifies grades and quality and under varying conditions that can range If it does happen, it’s up to the shipper ers, meets to discuss grading issues and provides technical expertise and support to from flooding in one part of the Prairies to and the customer to come to an agreement overseas customers. drought in another and delivered to over prior to the vessel leaving the port. Sending » CONTINUEDcontinued ONon PAGEpage 2214 22 The Manitoba Co-operator | April 5, 2012 14 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

1912-2012 CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION 1912-2012 Fair treatment for Western farmers began 100 years ago Federal agency brought peace to the Prairie grain war

BY RON FRIESEN largely unregulated, farmers felt federal agency, to administer it. ally forced to accept street prices for handling grain. It set stand- exploited and emotions often ran It was a watershed in the history because, as Friesen says, “they ards for weights and measures. It t was more than a centu- at a boiling point. of agriculture in Western Canada. could not fill a boxcar within a required grain-handing facilities ry ago but bitter conflict The mood among Western In the words of former CGC chief particular variety and grade of to be licensed. And it enshrined between farmers and the grain farmers at the close of the commissioner G.G. Leith: “Then, grain within the limited time per- in law a grain producer’s right to early western Canadian 19th Century was one of “out- as now, the Commission’s pur- mitted by the rail companies.” load and ship his own rail car. Igrain industry still resonates in rage, indignation and frustration,” pose was to protect farmers’ inter- The problem, as farmers learned, the childhood memories of old- according to Jim Blanchard, a ests and, through the Canada EXCESSIVE DOCKAGE was in getting the cars they were timers like Harvey English. University of Manitoba librarian Grain Act, to provide a legisla- There were other legitimate legally entitled to. It soon became “It was highway robbery. That’s and local historian. tive framework for a fast-growing grievances, as a Royal Commission evident the railways’ practice was what it was in those days,” says “There was no doubt in their grain industry.” appointed in 1899 to investigate to allocate cars to grain compa- English, 94. “They were just steal- minds that the CPR, the grain Of course, grievances between the industry discovered. nies before granting them to indi- ing everything off the farmer that dealers and the milling compa- Prairie farmers and the grain The Commission found that “a vidual farmers. they could possibly steal.” nies were formed into a monop- industry are as old as agriculture in vendor of grain is at present sub- English, whose uncle home- oly designed to cheat them,” the West. But it’s hard to overstate jected to an unfair and excessive LANDMARK CASE steaded the family farm near wrote Blanchard in his 1987 book the anger producers felt in those dockage for his grain at the time It wasn’t until 1902 that a land- Rivers, Manitoba, remembers his The History of the Canadian Grain days at what they saw as unequal of sale.” It also determined that mark court case upheld the right father once talking about a pro- Commission. treatment by grain companies and “doubts exist as to the fairness of of farmers to access producer cars. ducer who delivered a load of “There can be no doubt that the railways. It was, as Blanchard the weights allowed or used by Brought by the newly formed wheat to the local elevator and there were abuses in Western puts it, “a state of undeclared war the owners of elevators.” Finally, Territorial Grain Growers, it accused received 88 cents a bushel. A week Canada — this was inevitable in between the two factions involved it said elevator companies enjoyed the station agent at Sintaluta, later, English’s dad took wheat to a situation where the railroad and in the grain industry.” an unfair monopoly “by refusing Saskatchewan of not complying the same elevator and learned the the grain trade held all the cards Complaints were many but to permit the erection of flat ware- with the law by giving cars out of price was now 44 cents a bushel. and the farmer held none.” they generally centred around houses where standard elevators are turn to elevators. The court ruled in Like other grain growers, he felt at The tumultuous days of the early four main ones: prices, dockage, situated” and thus being able “to favour of the farmers. the mercy of grain companies and 20th century gave rise to the farm weights and the ability of produc- keep the price of grain below its true The railways may have had to their take-it-or-leave it attitude. movement and the formation of ers to ship their own rail cars. market value to their own benefit.” supply producer cars but they “Nobody seemed to have any producer organizations with polit- There were actually three prices: The only solution was legis- didn’t have to like it. Glen Franklin, backbone to get out and do some- ical clout. But what really made the “street price” (offered by the ele- lation to regulate the industry, who farms at Deloraine, Manitoba, thing for the farmers at that particu- the difference was the eventual vator on delivery), the “track price” “there being no rules laid down says his grandfather once shipped lar time,” says English, who farmed response by the federal govern- (received after loading a rail car and for the regulations of the grain a producer car around 1911 which until 90 and was still out on the ment to demands by Western then selling it), and the “spot price” trade other than those made by mysteriously disappeared from the combine last fall. “It was terrible.” farmers for fair treatment. (the one at the terminal where grain the railway companies and the ele- system. Tracked down after more Western Canadian farmers, who was sold on the world market). vator owners,” the commission’s than a year, the car was finally either applaud or chafe at govern- “MAGNA CARTA” What angered farmers most, report concluded. unloaded, Franklin’s grandfather ment regulations in today’s grain That response culminated exactly according to former University of The result was a federal statute in got paid, but he never did receive sector, can little appreciate what 100 years ago with the passage on Manitoba history professor Gerald 1900 titled the Manitoba Grain Act. an explanation. their ancestors experienced in April 1, 1912 of the Canada Grain Friesen in his book The Canadian The act was well intentioned Did the car vanish on purpose? the early days of settlement. The Act — sometimes called the Magna Prairies: A History, was the spread and pushed all the right buttons. “It was certainly a possibility, I sup- grain trade, if not exactly Wild Carta of the Western grain grower in prices between street and track It created the post of Warehouse pose,” Franklin says. West, wasn’t far removed. Buying, — and the creation of what is now prices, probably three to four Commissioner to administer Part of the problem with con- grading and inspecting grain were the Canadian Grain Commission, a cents a bushel. Farmers were usu- the statute. It established rules tinuing inequities lay with the

» CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE make recommendations to the Commission about grain grades and standards. According to a recent CGC statement, the committee works to “make sure changes to the grading system reflect the inter- ests and concerns of all stake- holders in Canada’s grain sector, Congratulations Canadian including producers.” The committee “constantly Grain Commission on review(s) Canada’s grading sys- tem so that it continues to be years of quality relevant to the grain sector and to buyers of Canada’s grain,” says assurance the statement. The committee employs sub- committees to collect informa- tion about grading issues for specific crops. There are four 100 subcommittees for wheat, barley VANDERVEEN COMMODITY and other cereals, oilseeds and pulses. SERVICE LTD. Chuck Fossay, who farms at Starbuck, Manitoba, sits on the wheat subcommittee. He says the Grain Commission reinspection staff provide independent, CARMAN, MB. R0G 0J0 group looks at all grading fac- third-party analysis of grain grades and quality. tors to distinguish one class of Phone 1-800-251-1532 wheat from another. Those can say, “sorry, the CGC says the ensuring grain quality. Another include bushel weight, protein minimum weight for that grade important piece is the variety- Licensed & Bonded Grain Buyers levels, allowable levels for fusari- is 60 pounds and if you want registration system, in which the um head blight, or dockage. more, you’ll have to pay a pre- CGC plays a central role. • Heated • Flax mium.” And the CGC will back The Canadian Food Inspection LEVEL PLAYING FIELD up the farmer. Agency administers the variety Canola • Oats By setting such standards, the “So you’re not dealing with registration system, and the CGC CGC creates a level playing field for four different buyers who have is responsible for evaluating new • Sunflowers • Corn farmers when marketing their grain four different standards for the varieties from a quality perspec- to different buyers, Fossay says. grain you’re showing them,” tive coming forward out of co-op • Feed Barley • Soybeans Say, for example, the minimum says Fossay. “You may be deal- trials for registration. Once a year, weight for No. 1 CWRS is 60 ing with four different buyers in Saskatoon, Banff or Winnipeg, pounds per bushel. A buyer look- but there’s one standard set by a the Prairie Grain Development Andy, Brett & ing for a heavier weight might third party.” Committee (PGDC) meets to demand 65 pounds per bushel. Grading and inspection are receive data from the Grain Jesse Vanderveen In that case, the producer could only one part of the puzzle for Commission on those varieties 22 The Manitoba Co-operator | April 5, 2012 The Manitoba Co-operator | April 5, 2012 23 ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 15

1912-2012 1912-2012 CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION 1912-2012 CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION “It was an avenue of communi- other major players accept all cation,” says Zastre. “I don’t say this regulation? the Commission was out there Zastre says the industry struggled Fair treatment for Western farmers spreading the word. But there was against some provisions, especially somebody that people knew they those in the Manitoba Grain Act. could talk to.” But the 1912 legislation brought a Adds Doug Langrell, CGC corpo- kind of peace to the sector. It was began 100 years ago rate development advisor: “The com- no longer an unregulated market in mission, as a federal organization which anything went. That was a Federal agency brought peace to the Prairie grain war founded by an act of Parliament, blessing for farmers. gave a kind of sanction to the rights But in a strange sort of way, of farmers in a way that UGG or any it was a double-edged sword BY RON FRIESEN largely unregulated, farmers felt federal agency, to administer it. ally forced to accept street prices for handling grain. It set stand- of the Pools could not.” also benefiting grain companies exploited and emotions often ran It was a watershed in the history because, as Friesen says, “they ards for weights and measures. It Indirectly, this helped immigra- because it helped ease the cut- t was more than a centu- at a boiling point. of agriculture in Western Canada. could not fill a boxcar within a required grain-handing facilities tion because it drew on the role throat environment which pre- ry ago but bitter conflict The mood among Western In the words of former CGC chief particular variety and grade of to be licensed. And it enshrined of government that appealed to vailed before, says Langrell. between farmers and the grain farmers at the close of the commissioner G.G. Leith: “Then, grain within the limited time per- in law a grain producer’s right to people coming to Canada in the “Companies were not always in early western Canadian 19th Century was one of “out- as now, the Commission’s pur- mitted by the rail companies.” load and ship his own rail car. first place, says Zastre. It ena- fair competition for farmers’ grain,” Igrain industry still resonates in rage, indignation and frustration,” pose was to protect farmers’ inter- The problem, as farmers learned, bled government to say, here are he says. “While they certainly want- the childhood memories of old- according to Jim Blanchard, a ests and, through the Canada EXCESSIVE DOCKAGE was in getting the cars they were rights you didn’t have back home. ed to get the grain for the best price timers like Harvey English. University of Manitoba librarian Grain Act, to provide a legisla- There were other legitimate legally entitled to. It soon became An early scene at Wolseley, Saskatchewan. Farmers in the early days of grain production Grain companies had less leeway from farmers so they could pass “It was highway robbery. That’s and local historian. tive framework for a fast-growing grievances, as a Royal Commission evident the railways’ practice was believed they were at the mercy of elevator agents for grade and price. in making decisions because now it on for the best margin or prof- what it was in those days,” says “There was no doubt in their grain industry.” appointed in 1899 to investigate to allocate cars to grain compa- there was oversight. it, they couldn’t risk significantly English, 94. “They were just steal- minds that the CPR, the grain Of course, grievances between the industry discovered. nies before granting them to indi- Manitoba Grain Act itself. For settling the West, large chunks of 1912. It built on its predecessor, undercutting the competition.” ing everything off the farmer that dealers and the milling compa- Prairie farmers and the grain The Commission found that “a vidual farmers. one thing, it applied only to “the it were still virgin territory. Many the Manitoba Grain Act, only PRODUCER CAR Having standardized procedures they could possibly steal.” nies were formed into a monop- industry are as old as agriculture in vendor of grain is at present sub- Inspection District of Manitoba,” immigrants, lured by the promise with teeth. PROTECTION also helped. Sampling was a good English, whose uncle home- oly designed to cheat them,” the West. But it’s hard to overstate jected to an unfair and excessive LANDMARK CASE since Saskatchewan and Alberta of cheap land, came from politically Zastre says the pre-1912 approach Producer cars were one example. example. In the old days, a com- steaded the family farm near wrote Blanchard in his 1987 book the anger producers felt in those dockage for his grain at the time It wasn’t until 1902 that a land- were not yet part of Confederation. oppressed countries and harboured to solving problems was piece- Episodes such as the railway los- pany could take a pail of grain from Rivers, Manitoba, remembers his The History of the Canadian Grain days at what they saw as unequal of sale.” It also determined that mark court case upheld the right By the time those jurisdictions a deep suspicion of elevator com- meal — single-issue approaches for ing Franklin’s grandfather’s pro- the back of a farmer’s wagon and father once talking about a pro- Commission. treatment by grain companies and “doubts exist as to the fairness of of farmers to access producer cars. achieved full provincial status in panies telling them the grade of resolving multi-faceted grievances. ducer car were not uncommon. that was the sample, like it or not. ducer who delivered a load of “There can be no doubt that the railways. It was, as Blanchard the weights allowed or used by Brought by the newly formed 1905, they were producing more their grain. How could you encour- Different authorities had different But the Board of Commissioners, Now the commission set a proce- wheat to the local elevator and there were abuses in Western puts it, “a state of undeclared war the owners of elevators.” Finally, Territorial Grain Growers, it accused wheat than all of Manitoba, though age people to come to Canada and responsibilities. There was no single as the CGC was originally called, dure for sampling grain. You took received 88 cents a bushel. A week Canada — this was inevitable in between the two factions involved it said elevator companies enjoyed the station agent at Sintaluta, technically not under the statute. homestead in a remote corner of message to give to producers who put a stop to that, says Zastre. a probe into a boxcar or truck and later, English’s dad took wheat to a situation where the railroad and in the grain industry.” an unfair monopoly “by refusing Saskatchewan of not complying But a greater problem was that Saskatchewan if you couldn’t guar- felt they were being wronged. The Commission ensured that extracted samples at five points — the same elevator and learned the the grain trade held all the cards Complaints were many but to permit the erection of flat ware- with the law by giving cars out of the railways and grain companies, antee them fair treatment for the The Canada Grain Act changed cars were properly numbered and one in the middle and four from price was now 44 cents a bushel. and the farmer held none.” they generally centred around houses where standard elevators are turn to elevators. The court ruled in the Sintaluta case notwithstand- crops they grew? that. All matters regarding grain recorded by an independent body. each of the corners, two feet in. Like other grain growers, he felt at The tumultuous days of the early four main ones: prices, dockage, situated” and thus being able “to favour of the farmers. ing, paid little attention to the industry regulation were combined If producer cars were not distrib- That was an advantage to both the mercy of grain companies and 20th century gave rise to the farm weights and the ability of produc- keep the price of grain below its true The railways may have had to Act, says James Zastre, a Canadian THE CANADA GRAIN ACT under one umbrella. uted the way they were supposed the farmer and the company, says their take-it-or-leave it attitude. movement and the formation of ers to ship their own rail cars. market value to their own benefit.” supply producer cars but they Grain Commission community Worse still, there appeared to be Now you had a package deal to be, someone was watching and Zastre. The farmer knew his grain “Nobody seemed to have any producer organizations with polit- There were actually three prices: The only solution was legis- didn’t have to like it. Glen Franklin, relations officer. no avenue for complaint. You took simultaneously looking after a lot something would happen. would be sampled consistently backbone to get out and do some- ical clout. But what really made the “street price” (offered by the ele- lation to regulate the industry, who farms at Deloraine, Manitoba, “There were these rights that a wagonload of grain to an eleva- of things related to the industry. Another change occurred when in a certain way. It was also an thing for the farmers at that particu- the difference was the eventual vator on delivery), the “track price” “there being no rules laid down says his grandfather once shipped were given to producers under the tor and immediately felt at the You also had a federal government the government began building advantage to companies because it lar time,” says English, who farmed response by the federal govern- (received after loading a rail car and for the regulations of the grain a producer car around 1911 which Manitoba Grain Act but most felt agent’s mercy. If you didn’t like his telling farmers they had a right to inland grain terminals. Facilities meant there was one less thing to until 90 and was still out on the ment to demands by Western then selling it), and the “spot price” trade other than those made by mysteriously disappeared from the that the grain companies and rail- decision, you could take the grain fair treatment under the law. And at Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and argue about and they could get on combine last fall. “It was terrible.” farmers for fair treatment. (the one at the terminal where grain the railway companies and the ele- system. Tracked down after more ways ignored them. Many produc- back home. You didn’t know what if you felt you still weren’t being Calgary were constructed soon with the business of buying and Western Canadian farmers, who was sold on the world market). vator owners,” the commission’s than a year, the car was finally ers felt they had no voice, they had your rights were because nobody treated fairly, an independent tribu- after 1912. Suddenly, there was selling grain. either applaud or chafe at govern- “MAGNA CARTA” What angered farmers most, report concluded. unloaded, Franklin’s grandfather no organization at the time and had told you. Communication nal served as an arbiter. less shipping pressure after the “It helped pour oil on the waters,” ment regulations in today’s grain That response culminated exactly according to former University of The result was a federal statute in got paid, but he never did receive most of them probably didn’t even was sometimes difficult because of In short, the Canada Grain Act harvest season because more Zastre says. “There was less disrup- sector, can little appreciate what 100 years ago with the passage on Manitoba history professor Gerald 1900 titled the Manitoba Grain Act. an explanation. know they were being denied any cultural differences and a language served two purposes, Zastre says. grain could be stored on the tion. Producers could be sure they their ancestors experienced in April 1, 1912 of the Canada Grain Friesen in his book The Canadian The act was well intentioned Did the car vanish on purpose? rights,” Zastre says. barrier. The very sociology of the It provided solutions to problems. Prairies. There was less urgency were getting a fair deal. If they felt the early days of settlement. The Act — sometimes called the Magna Prairies: A History, was the spread and pushed all the right buttons. “It was certainly a possibility, I sup- It was a critical period in the his- Prairies in those days cried out for And it let people know, through for farmers to sell their grain they weren’t, they had some ave- grain trade, if not exactly Wild Carta of the Western grain grower in prices between street and track It created the post of Warehouse pose,” Franklin says. tory of Western Canada. Although a solution. their farm organizations or other- immediately for fear prices would nues for appeal. And the grain com- West, wasn’t far removed. Buying, — and the creation of what is now prices, probably three to four Commissioner to administer Part of the problem with con- the Liberal government of Wilfred That solution came in the wise, that they had rights backed by be lower if they waited. panies knew the other guy had to grading and inspecting grain were the Canadian Grain Commission, a cents a bushel. Farmers were usu- the statute. It established rules tinuing inequities lay with the Laurier had a strong interest in form of the Canada Grain Act of the law of the land. How did grain companies and do the same as they were doing.”

» CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE make recommendations to the and assess whether they are good of the most significant devel- Commission about grain grades enough to be registered, based opments in the recent history and standards. on quality factors. Other com- of the Canadian grain industry: According to a recent CGC mittee members will study other the impending removal of the statement, the committee works factors such as disease and insect Canadian Wheat Board’s single to “make sure changes to the resistance and agronomics. (The sales desk for wheat and barley. grading system reflect the inter- committee also meets in Eastern How a post-monopoly envi- ests and concerns of all stake- Canada, with the CGC playing ronment will affect the Canadian holders in Canada’s grain sector, the same role.) Grain Commission is uncertain. Congratulations Canadian including producers.” With spring wheat, for exam- Some believe business will con- The committee “constantly ple, the quality of a variety has tinue more or less as usual, only Grain Commission on review(s) Canada’s grading sys- to meet a certain end-use speci- without a CWB monopoly. Others tem so that it continues to be fication. Therefore, as produc- have serious doubts because the We are proud to announce the development of our new years of quality relevant to the grain sector and ers make their seeding choices, CWB and the Commission are to buyers of Canada’s grain,” says they know that each variety has closely linked. processing facility in Moose Jaw, SK.. Agrocorp believe assurance the statement. certain attributes from a quality, In the meantime, the CGC The committee employs sub- disease and insect resistance, and itself is under the microscope. strongly in the products we trade, their nutritional benefi ts committees to collect informa- agronomic perspective. For their Suggested changes to the Canada tion about grading issues for part, buyers can expect that a Grain Act would eliminate man- and their role in making the world a healthier place. specific crops. There are four new variety within that class will datory requirements for inward 100 subcommittees for wheat, barley perform in a certain manner. inspection and weighing at Long term partnerships are at the core of Agrocorp VANDERVEEN COMMODITY and other cereals, oilseeds and Beswitherick says the system licensed terminals and transfer pulses. has very rigid requirements. If a elevators. Grain handlers them- International’s mission and we pride ourselves in SERVICE LTD. Chuck Fossay, who farms at variety is to be registered, it has selves would report inward grain Starbuck, Manitoba, sits on the to be equal to or better than a cer- grades and weights. conducting business with honesty and integrity. wheat subcommittee. He says the Grain Commission reinspection staff provide independent, tain standard set by the PGDC. Some worry the changes, if CARMAN, MB. R0G 0J0 group looks at all grading fac- third-party analysis of grain grades and quality. “So a customer who buys reg- implemented, would limit the Phone 1-800-251-1532 tors to distinguish one class of istered varieties in a CWRS class CGC’s role as an independent wheat from another. Those can say, “sorry, the CGC says the ensuring grain quality. Another knows that, if there are new vari- arbiter and compromise assur- Vancouver Offi ce: Moose Jaw site location: include bushel weight, protein minimum weight for that grade important piece is the variety- eties in there, they’re supposed ance of fair payment to farmers — Licensed & Bonded Grain Buyers levels, allowable levels for fusari- is 60 pounds and if you want registration system, in which the to be at least equal to what he’s the very reason the Commission 201-209 Carrall Street 1402 East Caribou Street um head blight, or dockage. more, you’ll have to pay a pre- CGC plays a central role. used to getting, or better than he was formed in the first place. • Heated • Flax mium.” And the CGC will back The Canadian Food Inspection used to get.” “Regardless of changes pro- Vancouver, BC Moose Jaw, SK LEVEL PLAYING FIELD up the farmer. Agency administers the variety Although the registration proc- posed, we remain committed to V6B 2J2 S6H 4P8 Canola • Oats By setting such standards, the “So you’re not dealing with registration system, and the CGC ess is the same for all crops, the Canada Grain Act,” explains CGC creates a level playing field for four different buyers who have is responsible for evaluating new quality parameters can vary. Hermanson. “That means that, Phone# (604)681-8675 Phone# (306)693-8887 • Sunflowers • Corn farmers when marketing their grain four different standards for the varieties from a quality perspec- Beswetherick notes that criteria through grain quality and quan- to different buyers, Fossay says. grain you’re showing them,” tive coming forward out of co-op for canola, for example, are not tity assurance as well as grain • Feed Barley • Soybeans Say, for example, the minimum says Fossay. “You may be deal- trials for registration. Once a year, as stringent as for some of the safety assurance, we will contin- weight for No. 1 CWRS is 60 ing with four different buyers in Saskatoon, Banff or Winnipeg, wheat classes. ue to ensure a dependable com- pounds per bushel. A buyer look- but there’s one standard set by a the Prairie Grain Development modity both domestically and Email: [email protected] Andy, Brett & ing for a heavier weight might third party.” Committee (PGDC) meets to CHANGE CONTINUES internationally, for the benefit of demand 65 pounds per bushel. Grading and inspection are receive data from the Grain Right now, all this is happen- producers and the grain industry Jesse Vanderveen In that case, the producer could only one part of the puzzle for Commission on those varieties ing against the backdrop of one as a whole.” 24 The Manitoba Co-operator | April 5, 2012 16 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

1912-2012 CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION 1912-2012 Quality assurance through world-class research stands the test of time The Canadian Grain Commission’s Grain Research Laboratory has been assessing and improving the quality of Canadian crops for more than nine decades

BY VAL OMINSKI By June 1914, the Grain • quality testing of samples Research Lab was up and running from all grains and oilseeds he bright blue paint on the with a staff of five. moving to market; A.E. Birchard, the Board of Grain Commissioners first chief chemist, Allis Chalmers roll stands F.J. Birchard, the first director • monitoring of moisture tests pushed for a scientific method of evaluating grain quality. looks conspicuously out of (chief chemist), was a crusty and done by inspectors place among the gleaming determined individual who began • limited quality testing of Tmodern metal in the pilot-scale by setting acceptable levels for new varieties; flour mill on the 16th floor of the moisture in grain, thus helping • participation in grain-drying CGC Grain Research Lab. producers get more reasonable research with three Prairie Miller Dave Turnock thinks they prices for damp grain. universities. are about 80 years old and have He also expressed concerns about Birchard also began sending the also seen duty at the lab’s former the grading system, and questioned results of the GRL’s quality testing location in the Grain Exchange whether grade prices actually program to Canadian and foreign Building. They may even have reflected the value of the grain. millers, and pushed for enhanced been housed in the very first This was good news for farmers — use of these publications in a variety Grain Research Lab, located in a but not so for the rest of the indus- of languages. This marketing tool is postal station on Main Street and try. Birchard’s research was caught still a cornerstone of the CGC qual- Magnus Avenue in Winnipeg’s up in ongoing disputes between the ity assurance program today. North End. grain trade and producers, with the Birchard’s final contribution The CGC Grain Research Lab result that the federal government was a trip in 1932 to Italy, in order is that kind of place — where shut the GRL down in 1923. to demonstrate the lab’s quality new research and technologies A stubborn Birchard continued assurance work, promote the use are building upon past efforts in to work in the empty lab, until of Canadian wheat, and gather order to provide quality assur- — as a result of lobbying from market intelligence. ance for Canada’s evolving grain farmer groups and members of As the 1930s unfolded, the industry. Parliament — the GRL reopened. GRL continued to gain promi- It coincided closely with the move nence under the leadership of THE GRL’S EARLY DAYS to the Grain Exchange Building in its new director, W. E. Geddes. When the Board of Grain May of 1927, where the lab joined It acquired the Durum Research Commissioners (now the CGC) the CGC’s Winnipeg offices. Lab and its durum milling and was formally established in 1912, Once back in business, Birchard pasta-testing equipment from a beefed-up inspection and grad- undertook a number of programs the University of Manitoba — ing system was introduced. The that would help establish the including a spectrophotometer board-wanted a research lab to quality of Canadian wheat and for studying pasta colour. oversee moisture testing, to test define the GRL: It began work, in conjunction wheat quality through milling • extensive protein testing of with the Associate Committee on Allis Chalmers roll stands in the CGC lab have and bread baking activities, and red spring wheat, beginning Grain Research, to test promising been in use for at least 80 years. to test flax for oil content. in 1927; new varieties of wheat and barley. It also began working with other their grain for the first time, the Wheat Board’s newly created tech- national and international organiza- GRL tested all farm-dried grain nical services and marketing depart- Congratulations Canadian tions to research rust resistance and for milling and baking qualities. It ment. When he became director in Grain Commission on test new Canadian rust-resistance also provided a free sample-testing 1963, he increased the amount of varieties, among other projects. service that helped farmers adjust time he — and other staff members The GRL played an important their grain dryers. — spent overseas providing techni- role in helping to establish the In 1954, Anderson spelled out cal support to the CWB. 100 new wheat variety Thatcher in the the five priorities for the lab as it As well, to further bolster mar- years of quality assurance marketplace. moved into the second half of the ket development, Irvine estab- 20th Century: lished a technical services section THE WAR YEARS • assessing the quality of each within the GRL to study problems AND BEYOND new crop and informing or potential problems in milling During World War ll, the lab domestic/foreign customers; and baking of Canadian wheat in continued its protein survey, mois- • recording the quality of all foreign countries. ture measurement and quality grades of grain at port provid- As the 60s moved toward the testing functions, although due to ing lab services to the inspec- 70s, the GRL’s work in the testing limited resources and staff, little tion branch; of new varieties, an essential step new research could be undertaken. • collaborating with plant prior to licensing, gained interna- It was, however, able to study breeders in the development tional respect — so much so that the effects of long-term storage and testing of new grain vari- it collaborated with the U.S. Crop on grain sitting in terminals and eties; Quality Council to test the quality bins due to a lack of customers. • serving as the main centre for of American varieties. An entomologist was added to the research into the quality of team, insecticides were used, and cereal grains. A NEW ERA for the first time, the GRL began He noted that research was most A move in 1973, along with testing for chemical residues. important, because ”the improve- the rest of the GCG head office, In 1942, the GRL acquired ment of all other services depends into a modern building near the the Malting Barley Lab from the upon progress in research.” famed corner of Portage and Main National Research Council. Today, almost 60 years later, heralded a new era of research, After the war, with J. A. Anderson these priorities still continue to technology, achievements, and at the helm, staffing was brought define the Grain Research Lab. expansions for the GRL. Call us today for winter priCes on your back to its full contingent and Another major contribution of Keith Tipples, who became direc- fertilizer and grain storage needs. research flourished once again. Anderson’s was his yearly overseas tor in 1979, was a vital part of these Work was done on dough quali- travel with the Canadian Wheat exciting times. His work included a ties, reactions that cause durum Board to promote Canadian pioneering study of wheat protein colour to fade during processing, grains and oilseeds, both to exist- strength, which enabled the lab to and compounds that increase the ing customers and to potential do more meaningful evaluations of viscosity of barley. ones such as China. bread-baking qualities and poten- Work continued also on grain- G. N. Irvine, who would even- tial new varieties. drying research, and in 1951, tually succeed Anderson, worked Tipples also showed how the when the harvest was wet and with the CWB to train the grain large numbers of farmers dried technical officers in the Canadian » CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 17

Congratulations Canadian years of quality Grain Commission on 100 assurance 26 The Manitoba Co-operator | April 5, 2012 18 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

1912-2012 CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION 1912-2012

» CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE it developed a rapid procedure gation can take place, and cargoes for estimating erucic acid. This can be certified for classes of wheat level of alpha-amylase enzyme allowed for segregation of new, and varieties of barley. found in wheat can affect quality low erucic acid varieties. “We developed the technology — depending on the end products Shortly after, Jim Daun, who to do this,” Burnett said. “We and specific baking methods used. worked in rapeseed and canola are doing extensive work in DNA Some markets such as Japan require research at the GRL for 31 years, identification, and have become a sound top-grade wheat with a very established specifications for world leader in this area.” low enzyme activity, whereas for glucosinolates and erucic acid In 2009, the GRL used its DNA other markets such as China, the — thereby helping to create the expertise to mitigate a crisis in moderate enzyme activity of No. official definition of canola. He the Canadian flax industry. The 3 CWRS wheat may be perfectly also developed a method of glu- terminated GMO variety Triffid satisfactory for their end uses. cosinolate measurement; he was had somehow made its way into In a recent interview, Tipples recently recognized by the Canola European shipments and the com- said that this and other research Council of Canada for his work. modity was quickly shut out of the meant a different approach to The development of near-infra- EU marketplace. looking at quality in wheat. red technology for reliable rapid “We worked with industry to “We developed new areas of exper- protein analysis in wheat was develop a protocol for DNA test- tise, which allowed us to develop another world first, said Tipples. ing in a matter of weeks,” said more sophisticated techniques of Protein segregation had been Burnett. “The border re-opened to measuring quality,” he said. With the overhaul of the grad- ing system in the early 70s, the lab During the Second World War, worked with inspectors to relate the physical appearance of wheat the lab continued its protein survey, to the quality required for its end use. If a particular type of damage moisture measurement and quality did not negatively affect end use, testing functions, although due to there could be more tolerance to this damage. limited resources and staff, little new “In this way, we maximized Carlot inspections taking place at the CGC’s original inspection room the amount going into the top research could be undertaken. at the Winnipeg Grain Exchange building. grade, while protecting top qual- ity,” he said. introduced along with the new Canadian flax, and we can assure to count the undesirable colour In the area of barley research, Another important highlight dur- grading system, and this technol- that all flax going to Europe is specks in noodles and pasta. Marta Izydorczyk and her team ing this time were the achievements ogy revolutionized the process. GMO free.” Grain-safety testing and moni- are using a rapid visco analyzer to of the residue analysis section. (See related article.) Another industry-response toring at the GRL is more impor- predict how long malting barley “This was a new, state-of-the-art When Tipples retired in 1998, development at the GRL is a new tant that ever as a result of chang- will retain its ability to germinate. lab that could provide detailed Bill Scowcroft led the GRL into the pulse section, created as a result of ing world standards, but now in This in turn predicts how quickly reports of toxic residues in parts per 21st Century. the recent increase in pulse acre- addition to pesticide, mycotoxin it must be used after harvest and billion,” Tipples said. “It assured age, Burnett noted. One aspect of and heavy metal testing, the GRL how long it can be stored. buyers and users that Canadian THE GRL TODAY its research, the measurement and regularly tests for fallout from These wide-ranging research grain was free from unacceptable Blue Allis-Chalmers stands aside, comparison of the cooking qual- nuclear accidents — something activities all contribute to the GRL’s levels of heavy metals, pesticides if Birchard and some of his imme- ity of peas from different samples, that would have had early GRL mandate, as set out in 1954, of sur- and mycotoxins.” diate successors were to visit the has led to the invention of the researchers scratching their heads veying the annual harvest for qual- During this era, new Grain Research Lab today, most of it Mattson cooker, which can cook in puzzlement. ity, monitoring export shipments, momentum and equipment were would be unrecognizable to them. individual kernels. Another recent GRL achieve- and assisting in variety evaluation. added to the GRL’s flour mill, For example, wheat and barley This invention is now being ment, said Burnett, has been its While so much has changed so that it could replicate, on a variety identification is no longer used by research labs around work with breeders to develop low in the way this is done, the basic pilot scale, milling techniques done on a visual basis. Both DNA the world. cadmium-accumulating varieties of premise of providing quality of customer countries. This identification and polyacrylamide Also in pulse research, image durum wheat in order to meet inter- assurance has remained the same. enabled the evaluation of gel electrophoresis, a technology analysis is being investigated as national food safety standards. Like the blue roll stands, the Canadian wheat in foreign pasta, that uses electric currents to create a way to provide accurate pho- Differentiating protein in wheat Grain Research Lab has served noodle and bread making. protein profiles for comparison tographs as reference for lentil is now routine work, as a result of the CGC and the Canadian grain Also during the 70s, a new purposes, are being used to moni- grading. It is anticipated that this the 20 near infrared machines in industry solidly and consistently oilseeds section — which had been tor varieties as they move through technology will address the prob- use at the GRL. In addition, this over the years, helping to created in response to the growth the system, said Peter Burnett, cur- lem of colour fading that occurs technology is now being used to enhance and maintain Canada’s in rapeseed production — had rent GRL director. over time in actual samples. differentiate chlorophyll in canola reputation in the international almost immediate success when At port, it means variety segre- Image analysis is also being used to protect oil quality. grain marketplace.

CAFA Canadian Association of Farm Advisors One GRL scientist and his Advisors & Consultants to revolutionary technology Farm Families & Farm Business Protein makes the world go round; the trick is MAKE INFORMED finding instruments that can measure it BY VAL OMINSKI technology. In February 1972, and in the early 80s the CGC he bought the first near infrared put the new version into a CHOICES rotein has always made spectroscopy instrument in the number of grain terminal eleva- Hire professionals who understand the wheat world go world for the CGC. tors in Thunder Bay. round, but it became Unfortunately, it didn’t per- Over the years, Williams the business of farming. even more important in form well, he said, so he began worked with various manufac- Pthe mid-60s when some of the working with the American turers as the use of near infra- Certifi ed Agricultural Farm Advisors have world’s major wheat producers company that produced the red technology expanded, and the training and experience to help you began selling wheat according instrument to develop an has assisted in the calibration to protein content. improved version. It was called and adaption of nearly 50 new make the best choices for your business. In response, the Canadian the automated digital analyzer, instruments. Grain Commission developed and it evaluated 10 samples a Under his influence, the Best of all – they understand the a method for segregating wheat minute — compared to a time CGC converted completely to business of farming. based on protein content — frame of two hours per sample the newest of the new whole thereby increasing the number with the Kjeldahl method. grain instruments in the early of samples to be protein test- In 1975, the CGC began using 1990s. The rest of the world ed from about 40,000 to over the ADA to test point- of-origin has followed its lead, and near 500,000 annually. samples. It worked for 18 years, infrared technology is now a Testing was done using the Williams said, and completed standard international method century-old Kjeldahl method 11 million tests. for protein testing. that was time consuming and “In the first year of use, we “Grading and protein analy- sometimes inconsistent — until saved an estimated $350,000,” sis are part of the mosaic of the Grain Research Lab’s Phil he said. wheat,” Williams explained. “I Williams streamlined it and Williams continued to work love it; it’s my life.” enabled improved precision. with the manufacturer to In 2002 he retired from Still not satisfied, Williams, develop an updated instrument the CGC, but is still active in an analytical chemist, took the that could test whole kernels, advancing new technologies in www.cafanet.com [email protected] step of investing in an all-new as opposed to ground samples, the agriculture industry. The Manitoba Co-operator | April 5, 2012 27 ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 19

1912-2012 1912-2012 CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION Breaking into grain inspection was tough, but the rewards were worth it Women have risen through the ranks in grain-inspection field

BY VAL OMINSKI when automatic grain-sampling systems take representative sam- ebbie Pankewich has ples from each rail car going into come a long way since a given port. Samples are first she walked the decks cleaned to assess dockage, and of ships at Thunder preliminarily inspected for mois- DBay and sampled outgoing grain ture and protein. Then a grain cargoes by hand. inspector visually assesses and Hired in 1979 by the Canadian assigns the sample a grade which Grain Commission to work in the forms the basis of payment to the weighing program, by 1982 she was producer. Grain is exported using one of a small group of female “pio- a similar process, and all infor- neers” working in the inspection mation is stored electronically. program. Traditionally, both disci- Gone are the days of inland plines had been a man’s domain (primary) elevator inspection — and Pankewich knew she was on on grain destined to port — ground-breaking territory. and in the very early days, of “The microscope was on you breaking the seal on rail cars, and you had to prove yourself to climbing in overtop the grain, other staff and to management,” and thrusting a probe down she said. “For me, it was a moti- to acquire samples. Gone, too, vating factor.” are the days of hand-sampling Over the next 30 years, that aboard ships. motivation took her up the cor- According to Pankewich, not porate ladder, first in Thunder just the physical work of the job, Bay, then on to Winnipeg where but also the health and safety she eventually established the regulations have evolved. Back in national monitoring program her day, she said, “only the fittest that reviews the work of grain would survive.” Many moved on. inspectors across the country. She stayed, and today she man- When Pankewich moved on to ages an inspection program with Montreal, and then to Vancouver over 175 employees who grade all as manager of inspection serv- grain moving in and out of west ices for the eastern and western cost port facilities, and at service Laurie Campbell, the CGC’s first female inspector on the Prairies, was hired in 1986. regions respectively, it was fit- centres in Calgary and Saskatoon ting that her replacement was where farmers can bring or send she no longer deals directly she is grateful to the CGC for to promote the quality assurance also a woman whose early days samples for personalized grading with producers. allowing her to work her vacation programs that make Canadian included hand-sampling in the at a nominal cost. “I really miss having that face- schedule around her farm work. grains so reputable worldwide. inspection program before work- Campbell, meanwhile, runs to-face contact and assisting them Pankewich, too, is appreciative “The CGC has allowed for growth, ing her way up. Laurie Campbell the lab that checks the work of in understanding the grading sys- of the opportunities afforded her development and movement,” she was the first female grain inspec- these and all other CGC grain tem,” she said. by the CGC. During her vari- said. “I’ve loved the opportunities tor on the Prairies. inspectors from across Canada. Campbell is still farming herself ous capacities, she has travelled and the challenges — and I’ve taken “I was a rarity in what some She and her staff select graded near Teulon, Manitoba, and said domestically and internationally them and ran with them.”

“The microscope was on you and you had to prove yourself to other staff and to management. For me, it was a motivating factor.” — Debbie Pankewich might consider a man’s world samples from approximately — I was in the last part of an three per cent of all railcars era,” Campbell said. “It was tough that go into ports, and a larger walking into an elevator, but once percentage from export cargoes, they learned I was a farmer myself, reviewing the grading that has Congratulations to the Canadian Grain it was much easier.” been done in order to make cer- Initially hired in 1986, by 1998 tain current grain standards and Campbell had become manager guides have been met. Commission 100th Year Anniversary of Inspection Services for the prai- This process helps ensure that rie region, and in 2009, when grain is consistently graded the the region was amalgamated into same way, regardless of where from Delmar Commodities what is currently the central and across Canada it is being done, western regions, she moved into and also helps identify any train- The future is in the seed and the future has arrived. her present position as manager of ing needs that may be required by the national monitoring program. inspectors, Campbell said. Legend Seeds Roundup Ready® soybean varieties She is adamant about the impor- “The process is not to point fin- tance of inspection and grading, gers, but to ensure our inspectors have already gained a proven record of success and the way they are done. have the training and skill they “You either have an aptitude for need in order to provide consistent on farms across Manitoba. it or you don’t,” she said. “But you grading and analysis,” she said. also have to develop a very unique To maintain consistency in skill set that needs to be constantly the lab, equipment is precision- honed, to be sure you stay sharp. checked each day before use — “You look at a kernel of wheat including the machine that exact- and you have be able to distinguish ingly divides down all compo- between degree of damage and the nents of samples, the screens used direct correlation to qualities for to separate dockage, the protein milling and baking. Because of testers and the moisture meters. Canada’s reputation for producing Precision scales are calibrate every top quality, we can export grain to day, and even the grading lights customers based on a simple docu- have an expiry date because they ment attesting to this quality — affect how the grain will be seen. something that a lot of countries Despite her obvious passion currently can’t do.” for her job, there is a downside, The inspection process starts said Campbell — and it’s that 28 The Manitoba Co-operator | April 5, 2012 20 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

1912-2012 CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION 1912-2012 Nancy Edwards: keen for the challenges of wheat research Her career path has focused on better understanding processing qualities in wheat and durum

BY VAL OMINSKI work identifying baking and dough- hen Nancy Edwards, a bio- mixing characteristics of durum wheat logical technology grad — not for traditional pasta making, but from Red River Community for bread making. She looked at durum College, joined the Grain lines from 14 different countries, in WResearch Lab as a technician in 1976, little order to identify which proteins could did she know that one day she would be make a variety suitable for bread-bak- the scientist responsible for the lab’s bread ing quality. wheat research group. The end result could be new markets Edwards went on to achieve her PhD in for Canada’s durum wheat crop. Food Science in 2002, thanks to the sup- “I work on puzzles all the time,” port and encouragement of now-retired Edwards said. “For example, the bread- GRL scientist Jim Dexter and other lab baking qualities of durum were not colleagues. what I expected — and I needed to ask She built upon a decades-old tradition ‘why.’” that started after the Second World War, Edwards also assesses new bread wheat when staff with potential and interest lines for quality characteristics, as a mem- were encouraged to further their educa- ber of the wheat, triticale and rye quality tion. The difference is that they were all evaluation team that is part of the Prairie men; Edwards became one of the first Grain Development Committee. She has female scientists at the GRL — and she recently created a new method for pre- did it while holding down her job. senting data that makes her team’s job In 2005, she was promoted to her current easier. position, where she is responsible for qual- Her next big project might not be yet ity evaluation of wheat, as part of the GRL’s known, but it could involve absolute- annual harvest survey. In addition, she ly anything that affects the processing monitors CWRS cargoes leaving from the quality of wheat. East, West or Churchill terminals and pro- “There’s always a new challenge duces class profiles for marketing support. around the corner, waiting to be solved,” Edwards has done groundbreaking she says. Edwards has done groundbreaking work on the use of durum wheat for breadmaking.

Congratulations Canadian Grain Commission on 100 years of quality assurance

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DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 11 2/24/12 4:17 PM 24 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

FARM MACHINERY FARM MACHINERY FARM MACHINERY FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Various Tractors – Various Machinery Miscellaneous Machinery Miscellaneous

50’ Flexicoil #75 Packer Bar, 1/yr as new ...$25,000 New Sakundiak 8x1200 (39.97’) , 25HP Kohler 2006 John Deere 2320 Flexicoil TBH airtank, 1996, eng., E-Kay mover, battery, fuel tank...... $13,000 always shedded, exc. cond ...... $25,000 New Sakundiak 7x1200 (39.97’) , 22HP Robin- 2005 Toyota 25 Forklift, 5325, 5 Cyl Turbo 5000 lb Lift, $5800. Diesel, 1386 Hours, Flexicoil 6 run seed treater ...... $2,000 Subaru eng., battery & fuel tank ...... $7,500 67 HP, 3PTH, 2 Sets Hydraulics, $18,500. 51 Flexicoil Bodies c/w GEN. SC 4” carbide spread New Sakundiak 8x1400 (45.93) auger, 27HP tip openers, like new ...... $3,500 Kohler, E-Kay mover, scissor lift, oil bath chain case, You 70’ Degelman Heavy Harrow, 9/16 tines P/S, electric belt tightener, work lights ...... $18,000 always get what good condition...... $20,000 New E-Kay 7”, 8”, 9” Bin Sweeps ...... Call Highline 6600 Bail John Deere 920, 9435 MF Swather, 30’, 5200 header, PU reel 2002 7000HD Highline bale Processor, c/w twine 40 HP diesel, you want at: Processor, 1000 PTO, 200hrs...... $95,000 cutter, always shedded ...... $7,950 Very Clean, $5500. REBUILT Motor, NEW Rear Tires, 4952 I 30’ Prairie Star swather, 2005, 800hrs, New Outback S3, STS, TC E & X drives in stock Andrukow Group 3PTH, P/S, $11,500 30’, 972 header, roto shears, header mover, New Outback E drive X c/w free E turns ...... CALL outback auto steer ...... $69,000 Used Outback 360 mapping ...... $750 Solutions Inc. 810H 25’ Hesston grain table - PU reel ...... $10,000 Used Outback S2 guidance ...... $1,000 Wainwright - 780-842-3306 www.doublellindustries.com 9300 Westward MadDon swather, 1883 hrs. Used Outback E drive c/w valve & hoses ... $2,000 www.PrecisionPac.com 780-905-8565 21’, 960 header w/PU reel ...... Call NISKU, ALBERTA CIH WD1203 swather 2011, 280hrs, 36’ header, split Ron Sauer PU reel, roto shears, header transport, top auger, Machinery Ltd. floating rear axle 1/yr ...... $105,000 (403) 540-7691 1372 MF 13’ swing arm discbine 4yrs, **Flexi-Coil, Westward MacDon Swathers, NuVision augers, like new ...... Call Sakundiak, Farm King, Outback GPS Systems, EK Auger FARM MACHINERY Movers, Sweeps, & Crop Dividers, Degelman, Headsight New Sakundiak 10x1200 (39.97’) 36HP, Kohler Harvesting Solutions** Tractors – Case/IH JD 9400, 9420, 9520, 8970 JD 4710, 4720, 4730, 4830, 4920, Sales Rep for George’s Farm Centre eng. E-K mover, P/S, electric belt tightener, [email protected] CIH 155 PUMA, FWA, 3pth, 220hrs, loaded, like JD 7810 & 7210, FWA 4930 SP sprayers work lights, slim fit, 12 gal. fuel tank ...... $18,000 JD 9860, 9760, 9750, 9650, 9600 JD 9770 & 9870 w/CM & duals DP2371_PPAC_Classifiednew, offers, (403)546-2170, BC & AB.indd Swalwell 9 area 2/24/12 4:17 PM JD 9430, 9530, 9630 CIH 3185, 3230, 4260, 3150, 4420 sprayers FARM MACHINERY CIH 8010 w/RWD, lateral tilt, duals 900 hrs. CIH Skidsteer 440 & 430 LIVESTOCK HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING Tractors – John Deere Case STX 375, 425, 430, 450, 480, 9580 Kubota, FWA, FEL, low hours Cattle – Hereford 1985 JD 8450, DUAL 18.4X38 tires 75% VGC, 500, 530 3545 MF w/FWA FEL BULLS FOR SALE, REGISTERED Polled Here- $30,000. Call for details (403)664-0488, Sedalia AB. CIH 8010-2388, 2188 combine Rogator 854 c/w 2 sets tires. ford’s, Registered Black Angus, Yearlings and 2/yr 9880, 9882, 9680, 9682 NH, 4WD Selection of Combine Headers & The Icynene Insulation JD 7520, 741 LOADER w/grapple, 3pth, 4600hrs, olds, Double N Ranch, Sundre, 403-638-2356, ® IVT trans., Exc. $82,500; (403)933-5448, CIH 435Q, 535Q, 450Q, pto avail. Haying Equipment System www.doublen.ca (403)608-1116 MF 8160 FWA Low hours • Sprayed foam insulation HEREFORD BULLS, YEARLINGS AND two year NH TJ 450, New Triples, Big Pump JD 7810 840 LOADER, 4500hrs, mint. condition, • Ideal for shops, barns or homes olds, dehorned, excellent quality, check out our never been a chore tractor, (780)990-8412 STX 375 Case with Big Pump catalogue of bulls for sale by private treaty at Cou- • Healthier, Quieter, More lee Crest Herefords, couleecrest.ca (403)227-2259 FARM MACHINERY “LIKE MANY BEFORE, WE’LL HAVE YOU SAYING Energy Efficient® or (403)588-6160, Bowden, Ab. Tractors – Kubota THERE’S NO DEAL LIKE A KEN DEAL” •Phone: (403)526-9644 •Cell: (403)504-4929 USED KUBOTA Utility Tractors (780)967-3800, (780)289-1075 www.goodusedtractors.com •Greg Dorsett (403)952-6622 •Email: [email protected]

FARM MACHINERY www.penta.ca 1-888-484-5353 Machinery Miscellaneous

1990 MF 8450 COMBINE, HYDROSTATIC Mer- cedes engine, long auger, westward p/u hopper IRON & STEEL cover, $25,000; Case Int. 8500 Air Drills, 33ft, 54 points, 7in. spacing, $15,000; 70ft. Flexi-Coil Spray- PIPE FOR SALE 3-1/2IN., 2-7/8in., 2-3/8in., 1in. You er, Hyd. Pump, Auto fold, single wheels 16.5x16.1, Sucker Rods. Henderson Manufacturing Sales. windscreens, $3,500; Leon 3000 Rock picker, hyd. (780)672-8585 always get what drive, $1,500; Blanchard swath roller 6ft. $200.; Loaders: Sakundiak HD6-37 12hp Kohler motor, You $500., Sakundiak HD7-1000 c/w 13hp Honda motor you want at: $800; Co-op Press drill, 2-10, 6in. spacing, $1,000; You always get what 1975 Louisville 700-Gas 361, 58,980 miles, Steel box, wood floor, roll up tarp, 10.00R20 tires, always get what Viterra you want at: $4,000; 1984 Versatile 4400 Hydrostatic swather, Ford motor, 20ft, pu reel, Keer Sheer, heater, a/c, you want at: Brooks - 403-362-2072 United Farmers of radio, $3,500. All prices OBO. (403)734-2348 1996 8810 BOURGAULT 40-FT. air seeder, 450 United Farmers of www.PrecisionPac.com Alberta trips, single chute, packers, 10-in. space, granular Lethbridge - 403-328-5531 kit, 3195 tank, always shedded, $32,000 OBO. Alberta Randy (403)533-2240. Strathmore - 403-934-6684 You www.PrecisionPac.com 2002 JD 1820, 45-FT., 10-in. spacing, double shoot, dutch paired row, 3-1/2in steel, $28,500; 1 www.PrecisionPac.com always get what 2004 McHale 991B bale wrapper, $8,500; LIVESTOCK (403)665-2341, Craigmyle, AB. you want at: Cattle – Shorthorn ACREAGE EQUIPMENT: CULTIVATORS, DISCS, Plows, Blades, Post pounders, Haying Equipment, Sturgeon Valley Cattle for sale - ShorthornQuality yearling shorthorn FARM MACHINERY Etc. (780)892-3092, Wabamun, Ab. DP2371_PPAC_Classifiedbulls, red, roan BC an &dw AB.inddhite. Also 36amature herd sire2/24/12 4:17 PM Tractors – Various Fertilizer andared long yearling. Prices start at $3000.00. IHC 620 PRESS DRILL, 24ft, rubber packers, Greg Tough, Hargrave Man. (204)748-3136; marker, one owner, stored inside, no rust, $4,750; Legal - 780-961-3088 [email protected] JD 2210, LDR, 3PTH, MFD DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 34 2/24/12 Brandt4:17 PM 14ft hyd. drill fill c/w spout, $475; www.PrecisionPac.com JD 4430 c/w loader (403)782-2545 LIVESTOCK JD 4440, loader available DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 35 2/24/12 4:17 PM JD 4455, FWA, 3pth, loader JD 1995 79DELC TRACKHOE, low hrs; Komatsu Cattle Various JD 7200, ldr, 3pth FWA, WA 320-1 3yd loader, Ford 1990655 extend hoe; UH 122 trackhoe; Cat 631 scraped 24-yd; Bomag APPROX. 275 HEAD QUALITY commercial re- Steiger ST 270, 4WD 170 PD packer Cummings motor. (306)236-8023 placement heifers. Red & Black. No implants, herd Mustang 2044 Skidsteer, 1300hrs. health program, palpated. Ready to breed. Will sell 14’ Schulte rock rake MF 750 COMBINE, $6,500; MF 655 Swather, LIVESTOCK in smaller packages. Contact John (403)934-3012 Clamp on duals, 20.8x38-18.4x38 $1,200; Both in good running condition; 2-14ft IHC or (403)934-7972 IHC 5600 DT 33’ • 158 & 148 D loaders 150 Hoe press drills, good condition, $1,000; Leon Barb Wire & Loader c/w bucket/bale spike, $3,000; 1948 W6 LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK Willmar 500 Fertilizer spreade IHC McCormick gas tractor, for parts or restoration, Electric High TensileDP2371_PPAC_Classified BCCattle & AB.indd – Angus 33 2/24/12 4:17 PM Sheep For Sale FINANCE, TRADES WELCOME $1,500; Please call 780-281-0291 between 7-9pm Wire Spooler 780-696-3527, BRETON, AB or email: [email protected] PB RED & BLACK Angus yearling bulls for sale. PLAN TO ATTEND THE Warren and Norine Moore Adapter available to unroll new barb Canadian pedigrees, semen tested. Phone 6th Annual Pound Maker Ram Sale with guest con- VERSATILE 2200 HOE DRILLS, 42ft. Atom jet wire off of wooden spool (780)336-4009, Kinsella, AB. signors. 115 yearling rams sell by auction Thurs- openers, tarps, liquid fertilizer kit, $5,000 OBO; - Hydraulic Drive (roll or unroll wire) day, May 24th, 2012 at Fort Macleod Alberta. Suf- Big Tractor Parts, 1998 Dodge truck box, dually, $1,200; Summers LIVESTOCK folk, Dorset, Hampshire, Rambouillet, North 70ft multi weeder, $4,800; - Mounts to tractor draw bar, skidsteer or bobcat, front end loader, post driver, Cattle – Red Angus Country Cheviot and Coloured. For more informa- Geared For tion call Warren (403)625-6519 Inc. 3pt. hitch or deck truck 38 REGISTERED RED ANGUS bulls, (from 6 sires) The Future (with receiver hitch & rear hydraulics) quiet, easy calving, low to moderate birth weight, - Spool splits in half to remove full roll good growth, EPD’s, guaranteed breeders, exc. for heifers or cows. Cleveley Cattle Company - Shut off/ Flow control valve (780)689-2754, Ellscott, AB. STEIGER TRACTOR SPECIALIST determines speed - Works great for pulling out old wire LIVESTOCK RED OR GREEN (approx. 3--5 minutes to roll Cattle – Charolais 1. 10-25% savings on new replacement up 80 rod or 1/4 mile) The Level-Wind Wire Roller rolls wire REGISTERED RED FACTOR/WHITE BULLS year- parts for your Steiger drive train. ling and 2/yr/olds, big butted, big nutted, quiet, se- You evenly across the full width of the spool men tested, guaranteed, 50% down 50% upon free 2. We rebuild axles, transmissions automatically as the wire is pulled in delivery. Call (403)933-5448, cell(403)608-1116. You always get what www.willowbrookcharolais.webs.com and dropboxes with ONE YEAR Ken Lendvay (403) 550-3313 WARRANTY. you want at: Red Deer, AB always get what email: [email protected] you want at: 3. 50% savings on used parts. Andrukow Group Web: www.levelwind.com Solutions (Dekoda) Inc. Viterra Sedgewick - 780-384-2265 FARM MACHINERY 1-800-982-1769 Machinery Wanted Coronation - 403-578-3302 www.PrecisionPac.com www.bigtractorparts.com WANTED: 2 BOTTOM LAND breaking plow, (780)928-4024 www.PrecisionPac.com FARM MACHINERY WANTED: NH BALE WAGONS & retrievers, any You Machinery Miscellaneous condition. Farm Equipment Finding Service, P.O. Box 1363, Polson, MT 59860. (406)883-2118 always get what 30FT MORRIS DISC DRILL; MF 750 SP combine; FARM MACHINERY WANTED: Small square balers and end Wheel 1482 PT CIH combine; 400/gal 68ft Versatile spray- you want at: er; 18ft Versatile PT swather w/2 reels; 21ft white Machinery Miscellaneous Seed Drills, Rock Pickers, Rock Rakes, Tub grind- PT swather; 21ft MF 775 SP swather, pu and batt ers, also JD 1610 cultivators (403)308-1238 FARMING IS ENOUGH OF reel; 1975 Ford 3/4 ton for parts, good 360 motor. RETIRED FROM FARMING, MOST machinery Andrukow Group A GAMBLE... Reasonable Offers. (306)344-7758, ParadiseDP2371_PPAC_Classified Hill shedded, 1998 BC & Peterbuilt, AB.indd 10 460 Cummins, 18spd,2/24/12 4:17 PM w/36ft tandem Doepker grain trailer $75,000; Solutions Inc. 3 500/GAL FUEL TANKS w/stands; 1350/gal truck Rock picker, $1,500; PTO wind power plant; 400 DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 37 2/24/12 4:17 PM water tank; Blanchard 5 in 1 air tank, c/w attach- barrel fuel tank. $14,000 w/fuel; (403)586-0978, Viking - 780-336-3180 ments; 40ft Melroe harrow bar. (403)646-5621 Torrington, Ab. Stretch your ADVERTISING DOLLAR! www.PrecisionPac.com JD 4995 16-FT DISCBINE 2009; also Honey Bee WIRELESS DRIVEWAY ALARMS, calving/foaling Advertise in the Alberta Farmer Express 25-ft grain header 47-ft flex coil 800 Deep Tillage; barn cameras, video surveillance, rear view came- Classifieds, it’s a Sure Thing! 45-ft Willrich Cultivator; Cummings 240bp skid ras for RV’s, trucks, combines, seeders, sprayers 1-888-413-3325 mount clutch&trans; JD 7410 MFWD PS 740 SL; and augers. Mounted on magnet. Calgary, Ab. 860 MF PV & 20-ft grain. (306)236-8023. (403)616-6610. www.FAAsecurity.com 1-888-413-3325

DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 8 2/24/12 4:17 PM ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 25

Horses REAL ESTATE TIRES

LIVESTOCK REAL ESTATE Horse Auctions Mobile Homes INNISFAIL AUCTION MART MACHINERY You You AUCTION WE ADDED MORE TIRE SIZES! 23.1-26, 12 PLY, always get what always get what $1154; 11R22.5, $299; 13.00-24, 12, PLY $436; Friday, April 27, 2012 16X70-20, 14 PLY, $795 (equivalent to 405/70-20); you want at: you want at: 17.5-25, 24 PLY, $839; 20.5-25, 24 PLY, $1390; 10:00AM 23.5-25, 24 PLY; $1690. Factory direct. More sizes Your Consignments You available new and used. 1-800-667-4515. www. Welcome Plus Vehicles! always get what Viterra Viterra combineworld.com CATTLE SALES you want at: Red Deer - 403-346-2931 Trochu - 403-442-2700 TRAVEL Every Wednesday www.PrecisionPac.com www.PrecisionPac.com 2 Horse Sales Each month Agriculture Tours DAINES RANCH Viterra Ukraine/Romania ~ June 2012 Grassy Lake - 403-655-2497 Scandinavia & Russia ~ Land & Cruise - July 2012 PROFESSIONAL Australia & New Zealand ~ Jan/Feb 2013 Kenya/Tanzania ~ January 2013 RODEO www.PrecisionPac.com South America ~ February 2013 COMMON SEED Costa Rica ~ February 2013 June 14 - 17th Select Holidays 1-800-661-4326 Best Cowboys in the World! COMMON SEED 403-227-3166 DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 45 DP2371_PPAC_Classified2/24/12 4:17 PM BC & AB.inddVarious 48 2/24/12 4:17 PM CAREERS Price Reduced! 1998 Mfg. Home, 1216/sq ft. MB Specialty w/walkin closet, and ensuite, 2 more bdrms and SEED OATS CAREERS guest bath. Open kitchen & LR, cedar deck, w/en- Farm / Ranch closed porch. (403)653-2166 LIVESTOCK AC Morgan Waldern DON’T JUST VISIT, LIVE IT! Agricultural placements Livestock Equipment in EUROPE, UK, AUSTRALIA or NEW ZEALAND. DP2371_PPAC_Classified BCREAL & AB.indd ESTATE 41 2/24/12 4:17You PM AC Mustang AC Juniper Farms & Ranches – Pastureland Wide range of jobs (4-12 months) awaitingexperienced 5’X10’ PORTABLE CORRAL PANELS, 6 bar. individuals ages 18-30. Book an AgriVenture program Starting at $55. Storage Containers, 20’ & 40’ always get what SEED BARLEY now! www.agriventure.com 1-888-598-4415. Canadian GRAZING LEASES FOR SALE, Parcel #1 is 1-866-517-8335, (403)540-4164, (403)226-1722 farmers looking for ex-tra hands are also encouraged to 885/ac & Parcel #2 is 965/ac North Eaglesham you want at: AC Metcalfe Seebe apply for international trainees. SHAVINGS FOR BEDDING BRITEWOOD Industries area, Call Paul @ (780)359-2261 manufactures high quality pine shavings & supercom- Sundre & Busby presses them into 4X4 bales. Call for truck-load quotes REAL ESTATE or for a dealer in your area. www.britewood.ca. sales@ Farms & Ranches – Acreages/Hobby Viterra Winter & Spring britewood.ca Tony (250)372-1494, Ron (250)804-3305 Provost - 780-753-2355 Triticale, Silage Peas CDC Go Wheat www.PrecisionPac.com Polish Canola Delivery Possible MASTIN SEEDS You PEDIGREED SEED Sundre, AB always get what 403-556-2609 You You PEDIGREED SEED mastinseeds.com you want at: Cereal – Triticale always get what always get whatDP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 44 2/24/12 4:17 PM you want at: you want at: SEED / FEED / GRAIN Webb’s Crop Services SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Vermilion - 780-853-6565 Feed Grain www.PrecisionPac.com Viterra Viterra BUYING ALL TYPES OF feed grain. Also have Killam - 780-385-2188 market for light offgrade or heated, picked up on the Delia - 403-364-3735 farm. Eisses Grain Marketing 1-888-882-7803, (403)350-8777 Lacombe. www.PrecisionPac.com www.PrecisionPac.com FEED GRAIN WANTED! ALSO buying; Light, tough, or offgrade grains. “On Farm Pickup” West- CAREERS You can Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252 Help Wanted always get what SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS GRAIN FARM: F/T Must be seeding operations ready, Hay & Straw GPS familiar & self motivated. Class 1 or intent neces- LIVESTOCK REAL ESTATE you want at: DP2371_PPAC_Classifiedsary. Mechanics BC && grainAB.indd experience 53 are assets. Wage2/24/12 4:17 PM Livestock Services & Vet Supplies Land For Sale HAY FOR SALE: 980 round at 3 cents per lb, 2011 dependant on qualifications. (403)364-2129 fax resume crop, Alfalfa Timothy, Orchard Grass Grass mix, (403)364-2004 [email protected] Delia, AB Orchard Grass Clover mix, little rain. (780)696-2491 HERD BOOKS COW/CALF SOFTWARE for Cana- RM 588 2 PARCELS in grass, these two would Breton, AB. CAREERS dian producers handles all CCIA forms 90 day trial. make great acreages, 1 parcel in summer fallow. Viterra DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 38 DP2371_PPAC_Classified2/24/12 4:17 PM BC & AB.indd 42 2/24/12 4:17 PM Employment Wanted For details see www.herdbooks.com Phone (306)204-5445, Meadow Lake, SK. Sexsmith - 780-568-6060 SMALL SQUARE BALES HORSE hay, Crossfield, Ab. 50/lb bales $3.00/per bale, (403)946-5481, EARN $75,000/yr PART TIME in the livestock or RECREATIONAL VEHICLES (403)613-4570 equipment appraisal business. Agricultural back- www.PrecisionPac.com ground required. Classroom or home study courses RECREATIONAL VEHICLES available. 1-800-488-7570 Motor Homes

2008 MONACO CAMELOT MOTORHOME, load- ed, $210,000; (403)347-0723, Torrington, Ab. PEDIGREED SEED Cereal – Wheat

CERT #1 UNITY-WASKADA Midge Tolerant VB You Vigor & Germination tested 97%. Winter & Volume DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 46 2/24/12 4:17 PM always get what Pricing. (306)874-7590, Naicam, SK. You you want at: always get what You you want at: always get what Viterra You you want at: Fort Saskatchewan - 780-998-2808 Viterra always get what Vulcan - 403-485-6696 W. Buis www.PrecisionPac.com you want at: Holdings Ltd. You www.PrecisionPac.com Foremost - 403-867-2436 Viterra always get what www.PrecisionPac.com Lavoy - 780-658-2408 you want at:

www.PrecisionPac.com Viterra SEWING MACHINES DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 40 2/24/12 4:17 PM Stettler - 403-742-4036 Stretch your INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINE FOR leather and ADVERTISING DOLLAR! DP2371_PPAC_Classifiedupholstery (403)749-3871, BC & AB.indd Delburne, 50 Ab. 2/24/12 4:17 PM www.PrecisionPac.com 1-888-413-3325 We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you TIRES DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 52 2/24/12 4:17 PM want to sell it fast place your ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifieds. It’s a Sure Thing. Call our toll-free number today. We have friendly staff ready to help. FEDERATION TIRE: 1100X12, 2000X20, used air- 1-888-413-3325. craft. Toll free 1-888-452-3850 DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 43 2/24/12 4:17 PM You always get what DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 47 2/24/12 4:17 PM you want at: Viterra Falher - 780-837-2065

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DP2371_PPAC_Classified BC & AB.indd 39 2/24/12 4:17 PM 26 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Advertorial

New strategies for controlling Glyphosate Resistant Kochia. Glyphosate resistant kochia is not just coming Deveson says CleanStart can be applied on its own or topped up with to Canada. It’s already here. Even more additional glyphosate for sharper control of larger weeds, winter annuals and troubling, it is poised to spread quickly unless perennials. Being a contact herbicide, it’s important to stick with the necessary farmers start taking preventative measures. water volume (10 gallons/acre). CleanStart can be applied pre-seed or up to three days post-seed. This past year, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada researchers confirmed the presence Authority®: Kochia control for specialty crops. of glyphosate tolerant kochia plants in the Lethbridge region of southern Alberta. It is a Authority® is a next generation selective pre-emergent herbicide. It is weed that has already reared its head in registered for peas, flax, sunflowers, and chickpeas. This soil applied residual several US states, including Nebraska, Kansas product is activated with moisture, and forms a barrier in the soil to keep and Colorado. kochia out. “Kochia is a highly competitive weed that The secret is sulfentrazone: a, Group 14 chemistry that prevents aggressive spreads extremely quickly,” explains Nufarm weeds from emerging. Kochia, wild buckwheat, lamb’s quarters and pigweed Commercial Manager, Grant Deveson. are among the weeds Authority will control.. Grant Deveson says the The agriculture industry is taking this news “Authority is incredibly safe… but don’t let that fool you,” Deveson says. practice of rotating herbicides “It does a number on some pretty hard to kill weeds. That’s what makes it has been largely forgotten very seriously. There is a real concern that this when it comes to glyphosate. new strain of resistant kochia will be hard to such a welcome option for those growing these sensitive specialty crops.” contain for several reasons. And that’s not all. Kochia is a highly prolific seed producer. In addition to spreading seeds through the wind, kochia is a tumbleweed. It can travel quickly and cover Deveson notes there are a number of other Nufarm products growers can great distances – dispersing seeds along the way. Once pollen from use to provide early season kochia control. Nufarm 2,4-D Ester and glyphosate resistant kochia crossbreeds with Amitrol 240 can both be tank mixed with glyphosate, and will take out other plants, the genetics responsible for the resistant kochia. Meanwhile, Valtera™ is a Group 14 residual soybean resistance can be passed on. herbicide that does an exceptional job. Farmers and seed producers throughout Do your part to fight resistance. Western Canada are being urged to Herbicide rotation is an essential part of any weed management strategy. reevaluate their burndown practices – and As we’re starting to realize, this applies to glyphosate as well. Ask your retailer target kochia with products that offer a or crop advisor about these and other options for early season kochia control. different mode of action. “Agronomists and scientists have preached the importance of rotating herbicides. But for Fighting resistant kochia in-crop. whatever reason, this practice has largely been forgotten when it comes to glyphosate. If you miss it at burndown Deveson says Nufarm has two Taking the proper steps now will help slow exceptional products for taking down kochia (including the spread,” Deveson says. glyphosate resistant plants) in cereal crops. Nufarm, a Calgary-based herbicide manufacturer, has recently introduced Estaprop® is one of the best products available for two new products that are proven to eliminate kochia in a spring burndown application: CleanStart® and Authority®. As Group 14 products, both provide controlling kochia in-crop. It is a very well established an effective means of controlling glyphosate tolerant kochia plants. Group 4 chemistry known to clean up even heavily infested fields. Lately, there has been much talk surrounding Nufarm’s ® CleanStart : Kochia control ahead of all launch of Enforcer™, which contains two proven modes of key crops. action to battle all types of kochia. ® CleanStart has become recognized as an advanced burndown solution “Moving forward, Enforcer may emerge as the best in-crop for safe control of kochia and a broad spectrum of weeds ahead of pulse and broadleaf product for fighting the spread of glyphosate canola crops. resistant kochia,” Deveson concludes. But what is not as widely known is that CleanStart is also registered for wheat, barley, flax, soybeans, potatoes, corn and oats… which makes it ideally suited for addressing glyphosate resistant kochia in most key crops grown on the prairies. “Because it is registered for so many crops, is easy to tank mix and is quite reasonably priced, CleanStart is being touted as the new line of defence for controlling glyphosate resistant kochia,” Deveson reveals. CleanStart is formulated with carfentrazone and glyphosate. It is the carfentrazone component that provides control of actively growing kochia plants on contact. 1-800-868-5444 This product provides dependable control of kochia plants 4” tall or less. In addition, CleanStart will control Roundup Ready® volunteer canola from the the 1 - 3 leaf stage, spring germinating dandelions and all weeds that are CleanStart® and Estaprop® are registered trademarks of Nufarm Agriculture Inc. Enforcer ™ is a trademark of Nufarm Agriculture Inc. Authority® is a trademark of FMC Corporation. Valtera™ is a trademark of Valent USA controlled with glyphosate. Corporation. All other products are trademarks of their respective owners. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 27

New name for egg farmers U.S. hog herd grows The Alberta Egg Producers name is gone and growers will now be known as The Egg Farmers of Alberta The U.S. hog supply grew modestly this past winter amid record-breaking births, (EFA). The changes were unveiled during the EFA annual general meeting held in February. David Webb, but herd growth was tempered by fluctuating feed costs and concern that marketing and communications co-ordinator, said the marketing board domestic pork sales may slow, analysts said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture chose the name “Egg Farmers of Alberta” to more accurately represent on Mar. 30 reported the U.S. hog herd as of March 1 at 102 per cent of a year ago. the 150 egg producers in the province. Research has shown consumers Cash hog and wholesale pork prices were the highest ever late last year, but hog have positive perceptions about the word “farmer” and equate it to hon- and pork prices have gradually come down as Chinese pork buying slowed. Also, est, hardworking and trustworthy people who own a family farm, he said. U.S. shoppers have been slow to buy pork for spring grilling. — Reuters

It’s not just cows and sheep that benefit from chowing down on pasture. Expert says grazing poultry is not a bird-brained idea GRAZING GURU } Bert Dening says putting chickens or pigs on pasture has many benefits but strong management is needed

Pastured poultry can be raised in a “chicken tractor,” an open-bottom cage that can be moved easily. photo: laura rance

grazing poultry can improve “The amount of substance fast and you graze lightly,” he by alexis kienlen nutrient cycling and land qual- you have on top is directly said. In the middle of summer af staff | red deer ity, reduce insect numbers, lower related to the root system,” he or fall, animals can be allowed “It’s a catch-22, labour and machinery costs, said. “If you manage a pasture to graze more and stay on pas- razing is for the birds — or and improve the taste of poultry correctly, you will have a really ture for a longer period. because you want a should be, says an Alberta meat, he said. In fact, Dening healthy root system under- Poultry grazing can be done healthy plant, but GAgriculture official. prefers the term “management- neath and you’ll have more by using “chicken tractors” or It’s not just cows and sheep intensive grazing” as it suggests drought tolerance.” special structures, such as pens once a plant reaches that benefit from chowing down animals, plants, soil, land and However, as yield increases, on skids. Dening recommends maturity it might not on pasture, business develop- people should be considered as quality may go down. using chickens to graze a pasture ment officer Bert Dening told parts of a whole system. “It’s a catch-22, because you after cattle have been on it. be terribly palatable attendees at a recent Alberta But livestock producers must want a healthy plant, but once a Pigs can also be grazed, but for some grazers, like Farm Fresh Producers confer- be careful not to overgraze, he plant reaches maturity it might tend to root and dig holes, so ence. said. If less than 50 per cent of not be terribly palatable for they are best on bushland or chickens.” Poultry need some grain and the leaf area is grazed, there will some grazers, like chickens,” land that needs to be dug up. other nutrients in their diet, be very little effect on the roots. Dening said. Mature pigs can get more nutri- but chickens can get about 20 But plants that have been grazed The best time to graze depends ents from grass than younger per cent of their nutrient needs severely will take longer to grow on the species and the type of pigs. Dening said the best way Bert Dening from grass, and turkeys about 50 back while lightly grazed plants crop. to create a grazing program is per cent, he said. will produce more roots and “If the plant is growing fast, by planning, monitoring and Along with lowering feed costs, more top growth. like in May and June, you graze learning. 28 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA Time to start thinking about group sow housing

START NOW  With a phase-out of sow stalls almost inevitable, producers need to start evaluating different systems

a major change in housing sys- benefits will be completely able levels of foot and leg inju- group or be remixed, depend- BY BERNIE PEET tems. The danger is that produc- realized in a group-housing sys- ries. However, a combination ing on the system. In dynamic ers make changes to their barns tem. Some aspects that need to of well-bedded lying area and groups it is not necessary to hen the new Code of that are not only inappropriate be considered when choosing a dunging area overcomes this remix sows because the group Practice for the Care for their circumstances and and designing group housing problem. An alternative would contains sows at all stages of W and Handling of reduce performance, but also include: be to use a special bedded pen pregnancy. In weekly or fixed Pigs is published in draft form compromise sow welfare. • Group size: In most systems for grouping, then transfer sows groups, sows that return can this summer, it will very likely There is a huge amount of group size is determined by the to an unbedded pen once they be remixed with newly weaned include a requirement that experience with group housing number of services per week and had established their domi- sows. sow stalls be phased out over a in Europe, especially in the U.K., the type of feeding system used. nance hierarchy. However, as this leaves a space period of time. Producers will be Denmark and the Netherlands. Where feed cannot be rationed • Space requirements: Recom- in the pen that cannot be used, able to house sows in stalls for It will be essential to maximize individually, it is usually best to mendations for lying areas are: some producers prefer to leave a period after breeding, in order the use of this information rather split each week’s served sows sows in their original groups. to allow checks to be made for than trying to reinvent the wheel into two or more groups accord- Sows 14-15 ft.2 (1.3-1.4 m2) This creates the need for addi- returns and a first pregnancy completely. Herd size in Canada ing to body condition and to Gilts 13 ft.2 (1.2 m2) tional small pens which can be test to be carried out prior to is generally larger than in most house gilts separately. used to house sows for the last grouping. Keeping sows in stalls European countries and this Large group sizes (40 - 60 sows/ Where floor feeding is prac- few weeks of pregnancy, when for a period of, say, 35 days post- factor will influence the choice week) allow static sow groups tised, additional solid lying their contemporaries have been breeding, also allows any loss of of system. Also, in our climate, with electronic sow feeding area is required so that sows can moved to the farrowing barn. body condition in lactation to be it is unlikely that producers will (ESF) to be used. With smaller move around easily during feed- Working out a clear policy for substantially corrected by hav- wish to build straw-bedded numbers of sows bred each ing. Excess space may lead to remixing is an important part ing the ability to feed individu- systems. The need to use slat- week, sows have to be added soiling of the lying area, depend- of the design process. ally. ted floors will also influence the to and removed from a large ing on the system. The amount • Handling facilities: Routine After the financial battering type of group housing. ESF group each week, which is of dunging area required is tasks such as pregnancy testing producers received between termed dynamic grouping. generally in the range of 7-10 and vaccinations are easily car- 2007 and 2010, there is still very Group-housing options • Bedded or slatted floors: Most ft.2 (0.65-0.9 m2) giving a total ried out in group systems, espe- little enthusiasm for new invest- When considering group-hous- group housing can be designed space requirement of 21-25 ft.2 cially where ESF is used because ment or expansion, as witnessed ing options, it should be borne with slatted floors, providing (2.0-2.3 m2). sows are very docile. ESF feed- by the almost static sow num- in mind that sow stalls provide sows are in fixed groups. Euro- • Pen layout: In systems with ers usually have the facility to bers in the latest census data. individual feeding, minimize pean experience has shown troughs or individual feed- automatically separate sows However, even with a 10-year competition for feed, avoid that dynamic groups on slatted ing spaces, the pen layout into a holding pen after they phase-in time, producers must aggression and provide ease of floors with an unbedded lying is largely determined by the have fed to allow certain tasks start to think — sooner rather management. Not all of these area may result in unaccept- feeding-space requirement. to be carried out. In all group than later — about their options Large dynamic groups provide systems it is advisable to have and try to understand the factors much more flexibility in design. a handling crate for procedures that need to be considered. Generally, the length of the pen such as lancing an abscess, foot There are many factors should not be more than 2.0- trimming or blood testing. Industry unprepared to be considered when 2.5 times the width. Electronic In my next article, I will review While there is good research feeders should be located so the group-housing options cur- data on some forms of group choosing a group sow- that adequate access is pro- rently available and how they housing available in Canada, vided, otherwise aggression compare. there is very little large-scale housing system. may occur, especially around commercial experience and the feeder entrance. Bernie Peet is president of Pork certainly no good comparative • Degree of remixing: Sows that Chain Consulting of Lacombe, data. At this point the industry is return or are found not-in-pig Alberta, and editor of Western Hog quite unprepared to launch into may remain in their original Journal

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Thankfully walking under a grain auger isn’t included as a superstition as Murray Jorgensen prepares his cattle’s feed UFA.com this Friday the 13th on his farm east of Bassano, Alberta. PHOTO: KEVIN LINK ©2012 UFA Co-operative Ltd. All rights reserved. 03/12-18313-02A-Rev

18313_02A-Rev UFA FuelAd_6x6.624 4c.indd 1 12-03-16 12:58 PM ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 29 The beef industry is losing the image war From the hip } The beef industry needs to sell its product based on health and nutrition

tial buyers and by the next day, drinks and pharmaceuticals. Selling good food teenager on and am certain By brenda schoepp all sizes were sold out. Do children really want this that the meat case turns most When children and young or are they being told they It is our role to ensure that young girls off. Who is chuck onsidering that children adults can communicate what want it? Take a look at a retail the industry we work in pro- anyway? What is a steak and now spend only one per is cool and what is not, it gives flyer. What do you see? Very vides that information for how do I cook it? Who likes C cent of their time read- them a personal investment in little of that flyer is devoted the future shopper. We know steak and is it cool to eat? ing books or magazines, the the product. to true food — fruit, milk and that as much as processed Someone said this chuck guy future shopper will look quite The question about future pure juice, raw vegetables and foods can harm, pure food can is tough, should I even eat different than you and I. Not retailing is not so much about meats. The rest is an assort- also heal. Selling an image of beef? The answers to these only will the children of today technology, as youth are quick ment of products that sell health as it relates to all of life questions as they are posed be unlikely to read the news- and capable. The question is sugar, salt and fat, which are is important to the beef and all on social media will deter- paper, they will be even less of retail ethics and what they addictive. the agricultural industry. We mine the buying behaviour of concerned about the sales cannot assume that the future the young customer. flyer. shopper will know us so we We have an opportunity to How do we reach the next have to ensure that they can ensure that all the informa- generation of consumer and find us. tion is available to the buyer what is it that we need to say? The meat industry is defending the practice. If the beef industry fails to and that beef is cool to eat. With 61 per cent of a child’s That is the position of a loser. make serious investment in And when we make a claim, reading time online or on the social media, product presen- we need to stand by it. The cellphone, we can expect that tation, delivery online and be recent assault on the indus- they will find food there. In dedicated to the future con- try regarding “pink slime” urban areas this is already sumer, we will perish. As one should be lesson enough. The true — 32 per cent of Euro- retail adviser so bluntly put it, meat industry is defending the peans buy their food with “You must always try for the practice. That is the position a mobile device and 74 per next level. Not 100 per cent of a loser. Why are we in the cent say they plan to do so in but 120 per cent to get the position of even discussing the future. This means that to experience of WOW. Some- this? The world is transpar- capture the future generation times as adults we are just too ent and the consumer has only of shoppers, we need to be a hope to convince your child We cannot underestimate realistic.” begun to unravel the secrets “virtual beef industry.” to buy. the intelligence of our chil- Creative marketing is targeted behind food processing. Our Although kids still like tele- The processed food busi- dren and one has to wonder at young people. Take the name children are making decisions vision and will spend up to 28 ness is a powerful lobby and if all the information avail- Fish N Chips, which is no ordi- today that will influence them per cent of their time in front one only has to shop to know able to them won’t change nary small french fry company. for a lifetime based on the of the tube, they are making it. With the exception of the the face of retail. They can Fish N Chips is the brand of information on the Internet buying decisions based on the outer aisles, the other aisles look up great recipes, new shoes distributed by Base Lon- and through social media. Internet. in a grocery store are filled vegetables, and nutritional don for teenagers that you can Beef needs to be there. There are more products with processed product. To information and put the order online. The brand name online but most important is put together a single meal pieces together. I think they separates the product from Brenda Schoepp is a market the interaction that they can may only mean one stop or do know what they like to eat the old retail “shoe store.” The analyst and the owner and author be part of. one shop for a meal in a box. and apart from pizza, they do Facebook interaction makes it of Beeflink, a national beef cattle market newsletter. A professional For example, when a shop It is an easy sell of fat, sugar care about themselves and cool to wear footwear from Fish speaker and industry market and brought in a stunning blouse, and salt. they have the ability through N Chips. research consultant, she ranches the owner put a picture on The world’s largest food technology to interact with When we look at beef, I near Rimbey, Alberta. brenda. Facebook. Comments caused companies sell addictive other consumers and make am not sure the label “chuck [email protected] or www. an interaction between poten- products such as tobacco, soft good choices. steak” is going to turn the brendaschoepp.com

WF MK - 6 x 6.625 -_AGI 12-02-22 5:13 PM Page 1 “Pink slime” pushes BIGGER processor into bankruptcy Stronger faster Finely textured beef } The market has changed due to consumer backlash

reuters / Ground beef proces- sor AFA Foods filed for bank- ruptcy protection April 2, citing the impact of the uproar over a meat filler dubbed “pink slime” by critics. Meat processors have faced a backlash over the use of an ammonia-treated beef filler they call “finely textured beef.” Food activists have campaigned to have The beef product known as pink it banned, but supporters say the slime or lean finely textured beef product is safe to eat. is displayed on a tray during a AFA is one of the largest ground tour March 29, 2012, of the Beef beef processors in the United Products Inc.’s plant in South Sioux States and produces more than City, Nebraska, where the product 500 million pounds of ground is made. REUTERS/Nati Harnik/Pool beef products annually, the com- pany said in documents filed in halt production at some of its U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilm- plants and has led some big U.S. The MK130Plus Auger ington, Delaware. supermarket operators, including In filing for bankruptcy, it cited Safeway Inc. and Supervalu Inc., The heavy-duty MK130Plus is built tough to take on the “recent changes in the market” for to say they will stop buying the its products and media coverage ammonia-treated beef. biggest of jobs. related to the filler, and said it The impact of the controversy was seeking a sale of some or all is far reaching, said Gary Acuff, Constructed with heavier gauge tube and flighting than of its assets. AFA owner Yucaipa director of the Center for Food our other models, the MK130Plus offers more years of Companies, the investment firm Safety at Texas A&M University founded by Ron Burkle, could not in College Station. dependable, high-capacity performance. immediately be reached for com- “The public view of this product Call your local Westfield dealer today! ment. is pretty damaged at this point,” The backlash over “pink slime” Acuff said. “I’m not sure they’ll has prompted companies such recover from something like 1-866-467-7207 www.grainaugers.com as Beef Products Inc. (BPI) to this.” 30 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA Does feeding DDGS Tips on practical a ect manure heat detection nutrient levels? BEFF 911  It’s best to only AI for one or two cycles FEED FACTORS  Study finds increase in N and P and then use good-quality cleanup bulls content but tempered by other factors

all of the silage with 25 per cent, shipped after that season. Use for breeding can be utilized if BY REYNOLD BERGEN, CCA 30 per cent or 35 per cent wheat BY ROY LEWIS, DVM a poorer-grade animal, prefer- AI is not done by the producer. SCIENCE DIRECTOR DDGS. ably with smaller testicles. The One shot of prostaglandin if CALGARY When grain was replaced with hen looking into any cost of the procedure is much given sufficient time (at least DDGS, dietary crude protein and artificial insemina- cheaper than overwintering 45 days) after calving should Distillers dried grains with solu- P levels rose as the amount of W tion program, sev- the bull till next season. have 65 to 75 per cent of cows bles has become a popular live- DDGS in the diet increased. Feed eral goals must be kept in Chin ball markers are a great coming into heat over five days. stock feed source, but it has some intake did not change a great deal, mind. Achieving pregnancies help but a word of caution — Other programs use GnRh first significant differences than feed so this meant that the animals is of course the most impor- let the bull get used to the followed by prostaglandins in grain. consumed more N and P as more tant. Improving your genetic marker without any ink in it for seven days which will bring Fibre, protein, fat, and mineral and more grain was replaced with base is always a desire of any several days. Otherwise fences, most cycling in over one to two levels are about three times more DDGS. Manure and/or urine pro- breeder whether you are a watering bowls and everything days. The more elaborate CIDR concentrated in DDGS than they duction also tended to increase commercial operator or seed- around will be marked till the or PRID programs have been were in the original grain. Although as the DDGS content of the diet stock breeder. In order to be bull gets used to wearing this talked about in other articles. cattle can use the fibre, protein increased. Greater amounts of successful though, costs both new device. Changing ink Other programs are available and fat from DDGS for energy, the N and P were excreted as DDGS for supplies and labour must colour can aid with errors in and each should be explored increased protein and mineral lev- inclusion rates rose. The manure first be considered. confusing cows already bred. with your veterinarian for the els in it may be problematic. had higher N and P values when Irregardless of all the pro- Many colours of ink are avail- best one suited to your opera- When cattle consume more pro- cattle were fed wheat DDGS than grams available heat detec- able. tion. Make sure nutrition is tein than they need, the excess when they were fed corn DDGS. tion is still a very important Even though these marker adequate, phosphorus and protein can be metabolized for When silage was replaced with key in overall success. Methods bulls are full-penetration energy are the two keys for energy. But protein metabolism DDGS, dietary crude protein and to assist in this are the use of breeders, disease risk is very cycling to occur. also releases nitrogen (N), which P levels also rose as the amount detector patches, heat detec- low since virgin bulls are used The biggest mistake many is converted to urea in the kidneys of DDGS in the diet increased. tor paint or marker (gomer- from a known source. It has producers make is to get and excreted (primarily in the But feed intakes dropped as more ized) bulls. The patches can been found that the natural act caught up in the glamour of urine). Similarly, if cattle consume and more silage was replaced with lead to errors when they dis- of breeding with a gomer may AI and lose sight of the fact more phosphorus (P) than they can DDGS. So the increase in dietary N charge from cows rubbing increase the AI rates a small they still need to get the cow or absorb, much of the excess P will and P concentration that occurred them on bush, and with light percentage as well. Marker heifer pregnant early. It’s best be excreted in the manure. Provin- as silage was replaced with DDGS rubbing they can be partially bulls should not be consid- to only AI for one or two cycles cial nutrient management regula- was balanced out by the drop in discharged releasing some of ered if the group is too large and then use good-quality tions are increasingly focused on feed intake. the red colour. You want to see or if synchronization is being cleanup bulls. Heat detection levels of N, P, or both. As a result, cattle ate about the a complete red colour to verify done. Otherwise the bulls get is still desirable even if natu- In two studies, finishing diets same amount of N and P, and a cow is in heat. overworked, burnt out and rally breeding is occurring for containing varying levels of DDGS excretion rates for both nutri- Gomers bulls can be very basically don’t know which several reasons. It ensures the were fed to heifers weighing 925 ents were fairly stable as dietary beneficial in smaller breeding way to turn. In the situation cows are actually cycling. to 1,000 pounds. A different diet DDGS level increased from 20 to groups. I have tried the numer- of large groups manual detec- Especially if new, young, was fed to each animal (or pair of 35 per cent DDGS. But if manure ous ways to create a marker tion is still the best by spending virgin bulls are used, hand animals) for a three-week period. output decreased (due to reduced animal including implant- time observing towards dawn mating should occur for the After two weeks of adaptation to feed intake), the concentration of ing open cows and juicing up or dusk. first couple of breedings. This the diets, nutrient digestibility was N and P in the manure may have steers with testosterone. The ensures these newcomers are evaluated from a series of inten- increased. best procedure I have found Synchronization actually getting a successful sive feed intake, rumen, urine and Incorporating DDGS into feed- is using a smaller, quiet bull, Synchronization programs, if breeding in. Mark down dates fecal measurements. The animals lot finishing diets can increase either from your herd or a successful, concentrate heat- on any breedings observed. then were rotated to another diet, the amount of N and P excreted known herd and performing detection times over just a few This information can come in and this was repeated until all ani- by beef cattle and could increase an epididymectomy on him. days. If wishing to synchronize handy next year at calving if mals had been fed all of the diets. the land base needed for spread- Your veterinarian will know large groups of heifers, a pro- problems arise or if cows need The University of Saskatchewan ing. how to do this procedure. This gram using MGA at 0.5 mg per to be induced. Only a very few study compared a control diet (89 When DDGS replaces increas- is the simplest, most economi- head for 14 days, withdraw- cows should be coming back at per cent rolled barley, six per cent ing amounts of grain in the cal surgery and the bull can be ing it and either waiting for the next heat otherwise the bull barley silage, five per cent supple- diet, manure N and P levels rise the second heat (first heat is should be rechecked. I know of ment) to four diets that replaced steadily. When DDGS replaces not a fertile one), or using a numerous incidences where some of the barley grain with 20 silage in the diet, manure N and prostaglandin 15 to 19 days diligent farmers have averted or 40 per cent corn DDGS, or 20 P concentrations increase, but The biggest mistake after withdrawal of the MGA a disaster by carefully watch- or 40 per cent wheat DDGS. this may be partly offset by lower will synchronize most heifers. ing if cows were returning to The Lethbridge Research Station manure production. Under com- many producers make If your heifer pen is large you heat. study compared a control diet (83 mercial conditions, the N and P is to get caught up may want to stagger groups These hints hopefully will per cent temper-rolled barley, 15 content of feedlot manure will of heifers so calving does not allow you to have a success- per cent barley silage, two per cent also be influenced by bedding, in the glamour of AI overwhelm you the following ful breeding season with high supplement) to three diets that weather conditions and other and lose sight of the year. Be warned this program conception rates while at the replaced 20 per cent of the barley factors that affect nutrient run-off does not work successfully in same time enjoying genetic and five per cent, 10 per cent or and ammonia volatilization. fact they still need to cows. gain. Happy breeding! Several programs have been get the cow or heifer Roy Lewis is a large-animal developed to synchronize veterinarian practising at the pregnant early. cows; some are very labour Westlock Veterinary Centre. Incorporating DDGS into feedlot finishing diets can intensive but conception rates His main interests are bovine increase the amount of N and P excreted by beef cattle and can be very good. Hired labour reproduction and herd health could increase the land base needed for spreading.

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Leaders in off-patent solutions. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 31 Know the health inspection rules HIGH STANDARDS  Selling food to the public means following the rules and regulations that protect consumers

business plan and contact their Richen recommended produc- BY ALEXIS KIENLEN local public health inspector with ers date their processed meats. AF STAFF | RED DEER their plan to deal with specifics. He noted frozen meats must be Working areas on a farm opera- kept frozen and fresh meat must o farm operator wants a tion need to be approved by public be stored under 4 C, so the tem- ticket for a public health health inspectors before renova- perature of the freezer or fridge N violation — and public tions occur, he added. should be checked regularly. As health inspectors don’t want to “You must set aside an area that well, transportation of food prod- have to issue them, says Dan is completely separate from all ucts over long distances is regu- Richen, a public health inspector other activities for all processing, lated and permits are required. and supervisor for the Drumheller packaging and storage,” he said. Richen recommends producers area. Giving any food product to obtain mechanical refrigeration But the public must be pro- someone outside the immediate units for long-distance travel. tected, Richen told attendees at a family counts as distribution. Food sold at farmers’ markets recent Alberta Farm Fresh Produc- Producers who are in the busi- is given special consideration ers meeting. ness of selling or processing meat and falls under different regula- “If you’re selling food, you need are considered commercial food tions. Public markets, even when to know what the regulations operators and must comply with called farmers’ markets, are not are and what the expectations appropriate food regulations. All approved by Alberta Agriculture imposed on you are,” said Richen, food must come from an approved and have different regulations and who works in the Environmental source, and is subject to inspection permit requirements. Public Health program of Alberta by a regulatory agency. Meat sold “If you’re selling meat products, Health Services. to the public must be inspected make sure you check that a place Public health legislation is and prepared in a place that has that calls itself a farmers’ market deemed to be strict liability leg- a food-handling permit and if is actually an Alberta Agriculture- islation, which is different than stored on a producer’s operation approved market,” he said. “A criminal law. For a person to break and sold to the public, that area public market is actually just a the law, they simply have to act in must also be inspected and given shopping mall. It’s a bunch of Meat sold to the public must be inspected and prepared in a place that has a way that violates the regulations. a permit. vendors in one area.” a food-handling permit. ©THINKSTOCK Food processing, manufacturing and distribution regulations are controlled by three different agen- cies: Alberta Agriculture, the Cana- dian Food Inspection Agency, and Alberta Health Services. “It’s a lot easier to demonstrate why someone should do some- thing, rather than telling them they have to do it because it is the law,” said Richen. “We use education, consultation and collaboration, but we also can use enforcement. We try to use a variety of tools and select the one that is the most effective. Some- times enforcement is the one.” Alberta’s public health inspec- tors conduct about 180,000 inspections annually, and in 2011, inspectors went to court about 40 times. Inspectors have the power to issue orders under the Public Health Act, the right to enter into any public places where food is sold (including garages or sheds on a farm) to ensure regulations are being followed, and disobey- ing their orders is an offence. “Although police can’t enter some public places without a warrant, we as executive officers of public health, have the right of entry,” said Richen. “Refusal to allow us to enter to perform our duties is essentially an offence under the Public Health Act.”

Co-operative approach Public health inspectors try to work on a co-operative basis and will often call ahead if they are going to inspect a small, farm- based operation. Richen encour- aged new operators to develop a

“Although police can’t enter some public places without a warrant, we as executive officers of public health, have the right of entry. Refusal to allow us to enter to perform our duties is essentially an offence under the Public Health Act.”

DAN RICHEN 32 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

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Kelly Toft Troy Packet Shane O’Neill District Manager District Manager District Manager Southern Alberta Central Alberta Northern Alberta 403-331-1385 780-361-3231 780-305-1433 [email protected] [email protected] shane.o’[email protected]

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® / The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/or other countries. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA •APRIL9, 2012 PR2154 v1 AFE_39F44_CPS.indd 1 P TRUE TEST Precision agcan’treplacesoiltesting information site. There’s zero cost cost zero There’s site. information ing it up on Alberta Agriculture’s soil material of each soil polygon by look- your soil type, slopes and the parent on your land,” he said. “You can find soils the about learn to equipment sandy particlestolowerspots. carrying and knolls eroding areas, Wind weathering has changed some McKenzie. said texture, soil about mostly is and position landscape Alberta fieldsismainlylinkedtothe soils areverydifferentfromours.” Montana even so border, U.S. the of the glaciers was almost right along ent site of Calgary. The southern edge there was a mile of ice above the pres- ago, years 12,000 or 10,000 just age, said McKenzie. “In the Wisconsin ice Plains,” Great U.S. the of those from North America. in else anywhere soils than recently more formed have soils Alberta’s can’t be easily adopted here because methodologies used in other regions and field a across variation soil ing understand- on depends map tion conference. 2.0 Agriculture Precision recent the Alberta Agriculture told attendees at the agronomy research scientist with developed, fully not is technologies from GPS, remote sensing and related developed maps prescription input need tobecautious. scientist Ross McKenzie says farmers gy to basic agronomics, but research soil tests are essential in understanding its productive capacity for Alberta for CORn Pioneer products for each of your of each for products seed best the you select help to ready They are representative. sales Hi-Bred Pioneer local your call needs, growing your corn of all For  RESISTANT “It doesn’t take a lot of high-tech high-tech of lot a take doesn’t “It across soil in variation result, a As different very are soils “Alberta’s applica- variable-rate a Building That’s because the science behind REFUGE INABAGREGSCLARIFIED marrying space-age technolo- by line bottom the boost to promises agriculture recision AF CONTRIBUTOR|LETHBRIDGE BY HELENMCMENAMIN  Ross McKenzie says knowing soil types in your fields and regular acres. hybrids ® brand zones. soil Wooded Grey and Dark-Grey the of soils leached highly acidic, the developed areas northern ested for- The prairie. and bush mixed of and even more in the Black soil zone prairie of the Dark-Brown soil zone, mixed-grass the under developed matter organic more Slightly ter. conditions limited soil organic mat- dry prairie, short-grass under oped devel- soil where zone, soil Brown to affect soils was the climate. In the and nofancyequipmentrequired.” not convinced remote sensing or EC important if it’s there, otherwise I’m is Salinity variation. real no with fields of lot a see I zones. agement may or may not need different man- an on-board GPS unit can help. You topographic map that you make with “A McKenzie. said zones,” agement photos gives you a good idea of man- low fertility. suggests also It storage. moisture less and infiltration water less ing, structure that’s more prone to crust- soil poor to leading matter organic soil low with matter, organic the most soil layer, the A horizon, reflects ing at.” look- you’re what know to have you and — them get to time take does it But field. a of zones management the see to way real the are cores Soil soil. the of characteristics chemical and physical the shows “It said. he the crop. out the horizons and their impact on crop development. He always points and levels moisture at look to cores soil with starts he said McKenzie crops, at looking he’s Whenever The soil’shistory After the glaciers, the next thing next the glaciers, the After “Farmer wisdom along with air with along wisdom “Farmer upper- dark, the of thickness The history,” its is profile soil “The varieties thatcontainarequiredfivepercentrefugeinthesamebag. companies havesincepickedupCFIAapprovalforsaleofinsect-resistantcorn or strips.Wheatmidge-tolerantvarietieswerealreadysoldasablendbutseed growers toplantacertainpercentageoftheiracresstructuredrefugeinbars resistant seed.Suchvarietieswerepreviouslysoldbythemselvesandrequired “refuge inabag”blendscombiningpedigreedinsect-resistantseedwithnon- Federal regulationsonthesaleofcertifiedseedhavebeenclarifiedtoallowfor

stress emergence score. emergence stress and silage characteristics good Very Alberta. for suited especially platform Ultra-early Heat Units 2000 well relatedtosoilzones.” same from year to year — they’re not ness of the crop and yields aren’t the lush- The inputs. your managing in advantages any you gives mapping soil sample cores from the areasthe from cores sample soil regular thing.” a as not but once, doing worth be may it similar, is Texture time. over change don’t they and young so are soils our because saturation, base years, hesaid. the rooting zone, especially after wet in deeper lots but soil of inches six top the in S little very be may There and EC in the 12- to 24-inch samples. McKenzie. Get numbers for N, S, pH said quickly, change don’t they as years five to three every analyses micronutrient get only but depths, soil three all for analyses nutrient recommendations areused.” the where soils the on benefits yield to calibrated been has result lab the that essential “It’s McKenzie. said Alberta,” for useless are they but methods, those and soils those for ommendations have been calibrated rec- test soil the all but soils, other owna methodforP. Kel- modified the including soils, Alberta suit that methods analysis uses that lab a to them Send cool. is soil when spring, early or fall late in dom sites or benchmark areas taken ran- either from area, management your sample,”hesaid. sample. ing time to get a good, representative make the case for soil testing and tak- to chance a miss doesn’t McKenzie Get agoodsample McKenzie suggested grouping suggested McKenzie cent per or CEC need don’t “You micro- and EC pH, S, K, P, N, Get for well work methods “Other each for cores 20 to 15 advises He as good as only is analysis “The and very good root strength. root good very and package agronomic Balanced maturity. for potential yield good very with hybrid Early Heat2050 Units precision agriculturetool. says farmerwisdomisanother Alberta Agriculture’sRossMcKenzie pling andanalysis,”hesaid. deposit. fied that soil as aeolian, a windblown identi- McKenzie low. were fertility and matter organic other, every like But in one low spot that looked much spots. high on soils eroded coarser with areas, low in were soils fertile As expected, most revealed the more field. a across sites lower and upper from summer last took he samples soil cites he example, an As tests. soil for substitute easy no is there him convinced has Alberta in soils studying of career long a but tools, agriculture precision some using mapping,” hesaid. high-tech from as much as cover dis- probably you’ll zones, agement man- three or two than more no of each in sites random some or sites, tions. posi- lower-slope and upper- separating — position landscape their and/or maps yield rience, expe- your on based zones, ment manage- different are think you “There’s no substitute for soil sam- against isn’t he said McKenzie benchmark use you “Whether

08/11/11 3:04 PM TM www.pioneer.com/yield The ® Roundup Ready is a registered trademark used under license from Monsanto Company. All purchases are subject to the terms of labelling and purchase documents. proving ground.®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marks licensed to Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited. © 2011 PHL. 33 34 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA Making your bugs work for you BUG BUSINESS  Environmental farming expert says identifying good and bad insects is the first step

BY ALEXIS KIENLEN AF STAFF | RED DEER

ome insects are pests, but others are your allies and you want more S of them on your farm. Insects that perform valuable tasks such as pollination, recycling and microbial actions, are obviously good guys, but even some which feed on plants can be help- The wheat midge is sometimes mistaken ful, Ken Fry told attendees at the Alberta for its beneficial predator, the lauxanid Farm Fresh Producers conference. A wasp. little bit of feeding by an insect can even make a plant stronger by inducing it to compensate and produce more, said the co-ordinator for the Environmental Hor- “Chemicals can be one tool ticulture program at Olds College. to fight pests in the organic “You actually get higher yields with a little bit of pruning,” said Fry. tool box, but they need to He encouraged his audience to think holistically and consider how every action be sourced from a natural taken will affect the entire ecosystem on source and used in a naturally a farm. Fry specializes in organics and noted that type of farming uses a variety compatible way.” of methods to improve productivity — Ladybugs, which eat aphids, are one example of a beneficial insect. PHOTOS: USDA including chemicals. “Chemicals can be one tool to fight pests in your enterprise as the living, so don’t Creating diverse growth habitats with KEN FRY in the organic tool box, but they need to ignore the abiotic (non-living) inputs in different types and heights of crops be sourced from a natural source and your ecosystem.” can help bring beneficial insects to a used in a naturally compatible way,” he The first line of defence in pest manage- yard. Changes in heights create wind said. “They’re not a sledgehammer, more ment is picking the right crop species and resistance, block disease inoculum and like a surgical cut with a scalpel.” cultivars. Fry said producers need to con- change relative humidity. desired insects. Hedgerows and beetle Fry said the key to organic growing is sider what is palatable for the consumer, “Where the most biodiversity occurs banks, shelterbelts and mulches are a understanding natural mechanisms, and and what can grow in the region. He noted in terms of insects is when you change good place for beneficial predators and accepting a yield loss. plants can attract or repel insects. In some vertical scales,” he said. “You’ll see a lot parasitoids to live. Shelter banks and “You no longer have as much control as cases, plants will produce a chemical more predators and parasitoids.” watering sources such as bird baths, conventional growers do,” he said. resistance to prevent insects from feed- Some will reduce the number of pest sloughs or wetlands are also desired to Growers should look at their property ing on them. Plants that have too much insects in a field, but will not eradicate bring the beneficials in. Fry noted some as a growing space for beneficial insects nitrogen actually become weaker and are them completely. live in grasslands alongside fields or in and should consider if there are alternate less able to fight off insects. An abundance “Ideally you want equilibrium,” Fry ditches, and cutting this grass destroys hosts and plant species which can house of nitrogen will attract pests to crops. said. some of their habitat. “beneficials.” Biodiversity in the field can reduce the Some beneficial parasitoids that feed “This land may be taken out of pro- “You need to put everything in context number of harmful insects as they have to on other species may thrive on nearby duction, but you may give yourself a and realize that the community of living work harder to find food sources. weeds. Beneficial insects may also need yield advantage by cutting down on things exists in an ecosystem of living and “By putting things in a monoculture, some flowering species. Weed manage- pests,” said Fry. “You need to think non-living things,” Fry said. “The non-liv- you’re playing right into the strong suit ment is No. 1, but ornamental, shallow about what constitutes a useful land ing, such as the soil, is as much a partner of the insect,” Fry said. flowering plants will help cultivate use.”

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A young snowy owl chooses a lofty perch over a stubble field south of Strathmore, Alberta in search of a meal. PHOTO: KEVIN LINK Prairie strong, worldwide www.cwb.ca m.cwb.ca ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 35 Empowering women vital for world food supply Cultural } Men own the assets, but women do most of the work

If women upped their produc- by michelle martin tion by this amount, the agricul- london / reuters tural output of developing coun- tries would rise by between 2.5 mpowering female farm- and four per cent, which could ers in developing countries slash the number of undernour- E is crucial to solving the ished people by 12 to 17 per cent, world’s food problems, accord- according to the United Nations’ ing to the chair of a panel which Food and Agriculture Organiza- advises governments and donors tion. on agricultural development in Women account for around 43 sub-Saharan Africa. per cent of agricultural labourers “If we’re going to feed the world in developing countries. and in particular if Africa is going But poor access to land, water, to be fed, we need every tool we fertilizers, seeds and technical can lay our hands on to make knowledge is limiting their pro- that happen and one component ductivity, Conway said. of that is to ensure that women “In many ways it’s a cultural fulfil their potential as farmers,” thing,” he said. “Men tend to have said Gordon Conway, chair of the the rights to land in particular and Montpellier Panel. the rights to other resources... the “Women are constrained by the woman is doing the work but she fact that they don’t have enough hasn’t got real access to what she access to productive resources and needs. they don’t have enough access to “Everywhere you go in Africa, assets and if they did, they could particularly in rural villages, you increase yields on farms by 20 to can see that women are often 30 per cent, which would have a regarded as second-class citi- A woman works in a plantation of rubber seedlings in San Pedro March 9, 2012. Women account for around 43 per cent of agricultural labourers in developing countries. REUTERS/Thierry Gouegnon really big impact.” zens.” T:8.125”

Mustard — it’s not just for hotdogs anymore research } The meal byproduct from Slams Wireworms. mustard seed crushed for oil has antibacterial properties

U of A release

University of Alberta researcher ® Christina Engels has discovered You know Raxil seed treatment as the most how to extract a compound from effective opponent of smut in wheat, barley mustard seeds that can protect and oats. You trust it to have your back against against food spoilage, and add eco- nomic value to a leftover byprod- seed- and soil-borne fusarium. And there is no uct. doubt that it is the undisputed champion when Engels recovered a particular it comes to return on investment. compound — sinapic acid — from mustard seed meal, which shows So what’s this about Raxil WW? It’s all the T:10” antibacterial effects against such above and more. It’s the sworn enemy of strains as Staphylococcus aureus, the dreaded wireworm. It takes it down and E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes, all of which can cause grave illness teaches it a lesson it will never get a chance and death in humans. Canada is to remember. Ring the bell for Raxil WW. the world’s largest exporter of mustard seed. For more information visit: The results published recently BayerCropScience.ca/Raxil in the European Food Research & Technology journal. Engels’ isolation of sinapic acid lends a useful function to mustard seed meal, which is the product left over after the seed is pressed for its oil. While the oil can be used in making biodiesel and in some Asian markets as cooking oil, “the defatted seed meal left over is cur- rently of little economic value,” said Engels, who conducted the research to complete her PhD in the U of A department of agricultural, food and nutritional science. Since most companies don’t have the intricate technology required to sort through the many compounds found in plant extracts, the discov- ery makes it possible to quantify the bioactivity of the extracts with standard instrumentation. “That means the mustard seed meal can be used as a source for BayerCropScience.ca/Raxil or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. Raxil® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. C-55-04/12-BCS12047-E natural food preservatives,” Engels said, and could mean more con- sumer choice.

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GOPHER SERIES · PART III WHAT’S IN A NAME? Ask a ground squirrel or a gopher

GO FIGURE  Alberta’s lone gopher species is actually beneficial, with each individual turning more than 16 tons of soil yearly without disturbing the surface

BY SHERI MONK AF STAFF | PINCHER CREEK

lthough we call them gophers, they are actually A ground squirrels and five species call Alberta home. Pocket gophers do exist in Alberta, but they have much smaller eyes, larger teeth and aren’t as “cute” looking as the vermin people refer to as gophers. • Richardson’s ground squirrel — Spermophilus richardsonii The most common and wide- spread ground squirrel, Richard- son’s have large litters of between four and nine young. They are found in prairie habitat, and pre- Thirteen-lined — This ground squirrel species is very distinct, and quite Columbian ground squirrels are husky, and have reddish fur and are found fer short grass and dry conditions. rare outside of the Three Hills area. PHOTO: ALBERTA AGRICULTURE in the foothills, Porcupine Hills and in alpine meadows. PHOTO: BRIAN MCMILLEN They are considered an agricultural pest in Alberta. lines running down their body, this more common in eastern Sas- eyes and bigger front teeth. They innards of his cousin, but that’s • Columbian ground squirrel — species is widespread but dense katchewan and Manitoba. They are beneficial, with each individual the exception rather than the Spermophilus columbianus populations are rare. They are still are slightly larger than the Richard- turning more than 16 tons of soil in rule. This species is larger than Rich- considered an agricultural pest in son’s and can climb trees. They are just one year — without disturbing “If it’s early, they will surely ardson’s, and has grey fur with Alberta, but are rarely seen outside still considered an agricultural pest the surface. feed on carcasses because they some spots with red fur on its face, of the Three Hills area. in Alberta. are hungry, but if you put a bait forelegs and tail. They are found at • Golden-mantled ground squir- • Northern pocket gopher — Short lifespan station out and had grain in it and higher elevations in alpine mead- rel — Spermophilus lateralis Thomomys talpoides Ground squirrels can live to the then a carcass in another one, ows of the Rockies, average 3.5 Found only in high-altitude Pocket gophers create large ripe old age of three years, although there would be very little uptake young per litter, and in B.C., they mountain ranges, this species mounds of soil, often incorrectly a large percentage will die before of the carcass,” said Marrill. cannot be hunted indiscriminately looks like a chipmunk because of referred to as “mole hills.” This spe- their first birthday. They breed in “It could be moisture and maybe because of concern over their long- the white stripe on its sides. cies lives primarily underground early March and have a gestation when they’re short on minerals or term sustainability. They are still • Franklin’s ground squirrel — and digs huge networks of hori- period of four to five weeks, with something they’ll be a little more considered an agricultural pest in Spermophilus franklinii zontal tunnels for underground young emerging above ground at attracted to it, too. They seem to Alberta, though their range is lim- This species sports a longer, root grazing. They remain active the beginning of May. Technically scavenge on each other a little ited to the foothills and mountain bushier tail than its counterparts, during winter, and emerge under classified as omnivores, they prefer bit.” meadows. and prefers aspen parkland, shrub the cover of darkness to snack plain, old grass for a main course. Though as unpopular as the • Thirteen-lined ground squirrel land and tall-grass prairie. There on green vegetation in summer. “They will eat the carcass of gophers, badgers are a quintes- — Spermophilus tridecemlineatus are some reported in eastern They look huskier and darker than another dead animal or insects, sential piece of the prairie, and Easily spotted due to the 13 white Alberta, but the species is much ground squirrels, and have smaller but their diet is probably 80 to rely on ground squirrels during 90 per cent vegetation,” said Phil the months they are out. In B.C., Marrill, an inspector with Alberta researchers found the badger Agriculture. population sharply declining, and Anyone who has ever driven launched a recovery strategy in down a lonely gravel road between 2008. Marrill said he was unaware March and June will remember the of any badger population studies first time they ever saw a gopher in Alberta, but strongly suspects poke its bloody face out from the they’re on the decline.

Richardson’s ground squirrels are the most common species in Alberta, and have light-coloured fur and a slender This was a real gopher — a northern pocket gopher. Note the obvious appearance. PHOTO: BRIAN MCMILLEN physical difference from the ground squirrel. PHOTO: PHIL MERRILL

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FNA MPower Banner Ad 2.5 high.indd 1 3/30/2012 12:32:51 PM ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 37 BriefS Think you know what the future holds? Think again U.S. organic Equine hazard } Crop-guzzling horses once posed serious risk to human health in major city growers appeal court ruling lution and toxic emissions endan- taxes and horse diapers. None by shannon vanraes gering the environment as well as were feasible. The issue was so staff/washington, d.c. individuals’ health.” serious that a major conference By Carey Gillam At that time, horses were the was called in New York with five reuters ext time someone tells primary means of transporta- days set aside to identify poten- you what the future holds, tion in cities, and each produced tial solutions. But after just two A group of U.S. family N think manure. nearly 25 pounds of manure a days, frustrated attendees gave farmers said March 28 it is Literally. day. Initially, this was a good up and went home. appealing its lawsuit against That’s the advice of writer Ste- thing as it provided farmers on Then unexpectedly, the prob- Monsanto Co. to challenge phen Dubner, who used the tale the city’s outskirts with valuable lem of horse manure disappeared the company’s patents on of a century-old manure crisis to fertilizer. But as cities grew, a tip- — almost overnight. technologies for genetically illustrate the folly of predicting ping point was reached. “It was solved of course by the modified seeds. what lies ahead. “As more and more horses invention of the internal combus- The group of organic “Human beings are terrible at flooded into the city centres, tion engine and the automobile,” farmers and seed dealers predicting the future,” the jour- there was a glut in the market he said, noting the New York says its industry is at risk nalist and co-author of Freako- and the market collapsed,” said Times referred to the car as an from Monsanto’s growing nomics told attendees at the Dubner. “environmental saviour.” market dominance. Canola Council of Canada con- This was a major issue and a There’s a lesson here for today, “One big mark of our “Farmers are under ference in the U.S. capital. crisis for cities such as New York, said Dubner: Solutions to prob- threat. Our right to farm At the turn of the last century which had 200,000 horses in 1900 lems come from unexpected arrogance is our belief the way we choose, and — as today — there was a food- that collectively produced five sources, and rarely from the in our ability to predict to grow pure organic seed for-fuel problem. Only then it was million pounds of manure each industry that is the source of the and healthy food on our grain being used to fuel horses. day. problem. the future.” farms for our families and “Crops that would have landed “The city was really in danger — The same lesson may apply to for our customers is under on a family’s dinner table (were) this was considered a problem of current crises of global warming assault,” said Maine organic sometimes converted to fuel, the highest order,” he said. and food production, he said. Stephen seed farmer Jim Gerritsen, driving up prices and causing A host of options was consid- “One big mark of our arrogance Dubner president of the Organic shortages,” said Dubner. ered, including breeding horses is our belief in our ability to pre- Seed Growers and Trade “And then there are the air pol- that produced less waste, manure dict the future,” he said. Association, lead plaintiff in the case. The group sued Mon- santo in March 2011. U.S. District Court Judge Naomi Buchwald, for the Southern District of New York, threw out the case last month, criticizing the groups for a “transparent effort to create a controversy where none exists.” The group of more than 50 organizations filed its notice of appeal, seeking review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The lawsuit challenges the company’s patents on its genetically modified seeds and seeks to prohibit Monsanto from suing the farmers or dealers if their organic seed becomes con- taminated with Monsanto’s patented biotech seed gern- plasm.

Agriculture and Food Council seeks “...and lower the members boom on weeds!” The Agriculture and Food Council of Alberta (AFC) is inviting organizations and individuals involved in Alberta’s agriculture and food sector to apply for membership before April 25, 2012 for the opportu- nity to take part in all of the advantages available to council members. AFC accepts membership applications throughout the Raise the bar on your year, but only those who applied or renewed before April 25 are eligible to vote, broadleaf weed control. nominate or run for the board of directors at the DuPont™ Barricade® herbicide delivers consistently powerful performance against your annual meeting in June. toughest broadleaf weeds in cereals. Count on Barricade® for outstanding weed control. Forms and online payment information can be found at Controls a wide range of the toughest weeds of the West www.agfoodcouncil.com/ Consistent and powerful control of cleavers and kochia membership-application- Excellent tool for resistance management renewal. Individual mem- berships cost $50, while This year, raise the bar higher with Barricade®. organizational member- ships cost $200, plus tax. Questions? All applicants must be Ask your retailer, call 1-800-667-3925 or visit www.weedwreckingcrew.com approved by the board of directors. As with all crop protection products, read and follow label instructions carefully. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Barricade® 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. © Copyright 2012 E. I. du Pont Canada Company. All rights reserved.

2177BAR_AFE_FE.indd 1 1/19/12 5:46 PM 38 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

SOIL CONSERVATION ADVOCATE HONOURED Consider IPM before spraying Former senator Herb Sparrow PREVENTION FIRST  has been honoured for his lifetime of leadership in soil Regular cleaning, and water conservation with vent covers, and an induction into the Canadian Conservation Hall of Fame. careful monitoring Soil Conservation Society of keys to integrated Canada president Don McCabe pest management (l) made the presentation in Ottawa Mar. 21. Sparrow, a farmer and rancher from North Battleford, Sask., served in BY ALEXIS KIENLEN the Senate and chaired the AF STAFF | EDMONTON committee that produced a report on the state of Growers need to root Canada’s soils entitled “Soil around in their pest-control at risk, Canada’s Eroding tool box and consider insec- Future.” That report led to ticide as a last resort, says the formation of SCCC, the research scientist Kwesi Eastern Canada Soil and Water Ampong-Nyarko. Conservation Centre and the Prevention is always the Canadian Conservation Hall of better option, the special Fame. SUPPLIED PHOTO crop research scientist with Alberta Agriculture said at a recent field day for bedding plants held at Crop Diversi- fication Centre North. Since it’s almost impos- sible to eradicate insects, growers need to carefully weigh the cost of spraying against the potential eco- nomic benefit, he said. “You have to decide the level where you want to take action,” said Ampong- Nyarko. He advocates integrated Can you get top yields from a pest management, which starts with identifying insects and assessing infes- ® ® tation levels. Genuity Roundup Ready canola? “If you routine spray, just planting and then spray- ing without monitoring the pests, then you are not practising IPM,” Ampong- Nyarko said. Sticky traps, which are changed weekly, can be used to monitor the number of pests. Growers should also scout, inspect the plants, count bugs, and keep annual records of pest levels and damage. They should also record pest management actions taken and their effectiveness. Plants coming into green- houses should be examined and kept in a quarantined area; windows and vents covered with insect screens; NEW! CANTERRA 1990* and greenhouses regularly cleaned. The latter includes Type Growing Zone Maturity (Days) Height (Inches) Lodging removing soil and organic matter from floors and GENRR HYB Mid-Long + 0.5 + 2.0 VG disinfecting pots, flats and trays. Hose ends are a hot- bed for insects and should be removed from the floor, Outstanding yield and impressive standability, YES YOU CAN have it all. kept in a clean area and covered. Hydrogen peroxide 2011 Yield Data and bleach can safely be • 111% of L150 – field scale trials used to clean greenhouses. • 102% of L150 – independent Canola Performance Trials * Supplies are limited! Visit canterra.com for information on all of our canola varieties.

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SBC12028.Infinity.19.indd SBC12028.Infinity.19 2-28-2012 3:28 PM Alberta Farmer CALMCL-DMX8127 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Insertion Date: Mar.12, 26, Apr.19, 2012 Marsha Walters Bayer Crop Science 100% None SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: Marianne PAGE: 1 BCS11083 10.25” x 15.5” SAFETY: None TRIM: 10.25” x 15.5” Bleed: None Helvetica Neue LT Std (97 Black Condensed, 55 Roman, 75 Bold; OpenType)

Production Contact Numbers: 403 261 7161 403 261 7152 40 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Enrolment Communicator receives AFAC award opens for CWB’s

Agriculture reporter Dana Zielke new-crop of Golden West Radio in High River received the Award of programs Distinction for Communication at Alberta Farm Animal Care’s Mixture } The annual meeting in Red Deer last CWB is offering a month. Over a 20-year career, Zielke has taken an active role combination of cash in helping to get agricultural contracts and pools messages out on a variety of critical issues. Zielke (r) staff / The sign-up period received the award from Clover is officially underway for Bench of the University of wheat, durum and malting Alberta. Photo: AFAC barley growers wanting to get in on the refurbished CWB’s new-crop pool and cash con- tracts. The CWB on March 29 opened the new-crop pools and programs for the 2012-13 crop year, which begins Aug. 1. “Farmers can rely on the CWB to provide them with the most effective grain-mar- B:8.125” keting strategy as they enter a new open-market environ- T:8.125” ment,” CWB CEO Ian White S:8.125” said in a release. “Our programs offer com- petitive returns and solid risk management, with options designed for maximum choice and minimum hassle.” The CWB, which officially loses its single-marketing desk for Prairie wheat and barley with the start of the new crop year, will offer two pools, three cash-contract programs and malting barley production contracts. Unleash the power Farmers can now sign up directly with the CWB for some of Puma Advance. contracts, and choose their delivery point later, the CWB said. They may also contract through their “preferred CWB grain-handling partners.” As of Mar. 30 those partners includes Cargill’s 29 Prairie Instantly save $1.00/ac. elevators (12 in Saskatchewan, with the Puma Full Rate Rebate. 10 in Alberta and seven in When used to its maximum potential, full-rate Manitoba) and, more recently, Ask your retailer for details. South West Terminal at Gull Puma® Advance ensures superior crop safety Lake, Sask., about 50 km west and exceptional control of wild oats. of Swift Current. Handling agreements are A natural grassy weed predator, Puma Advance also expected to be reached also provides the ability to move between shortly with all other Prairie grain companies, giving farm- wheat and barley without having to clean out ers “a wider range of delivery your sprayer. choices than any other con- B:10” S:10” T:10” tract available,” the CWB Available in convenient 300 and 1,000 said. Sign-up periods for the acre BigBoys. CWB’s new harvest pool and For more information visit: early delivery pool run from March 29 to Oct. 31 and from BayerCropScience.ca/PumaAdvance March 29 to Sept. 28, respec- tively, or until the pools are fully subscribed, whichever comes first. White said he expects the CWB’s pricing pools to be a popular marketing approach for many growers. “Our pool contracts provide simple, effective risk man- agement and marketing that ensure farmers will never be forced to settle for the bottom of the market or chase an elu- sive market high,” he said. “With one CWB contract, farmers are covered in terms of sales planning, execution, foreign exchange and risk management — including the risk from grade spreads, which can be a significant issue for spring wheat in particular.” If market rallies occur after contracts are signed, the CWB said, “only pooling ensures that farmers continue to share BayerCropScience.ca/PumaAdvance or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. in the additional revenue.” Always read and follow label directions. Puma® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. C-54-03/12-BCS12046-E

SBC12006.Puma.3.indd SBC12006.PUMA.3 2-28-2012 2:22 PM Alberta Farmer CALMCL-DMX8127 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Insertion Date: Mar.12,30 & Apr.13, 2012 Marsha Walters Bayer Crop Science 100% None SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: Marianne PAGE: 1 BCS12046 8.125” x 10” SAFETY: None TRIM: 8.125” x 10” Bleed: None Helvetica Neue LT Std (75 Bold, 95 Black, 97 Black Condensed, 55 Roman; OpenType)

Production Contact Numbers: 403 261 7161 403 261 7152 ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 41

How can my farm benefit from Seed Interactive?

Cutlass is the field pea check variety in Seed Manitoba, but I want to compare with Eclipse, the variety I’ve grown on my farm. How can I do that?

SEED Interactive Advantage: Choose your own check.

Seed Interactive allows you to select varieties suited to the agronomic and management practices on your farm. Use the Variety Characteristics Report to generate an overall summary using all data, or to compare disease resistance and general agronomic performance. INTERACTIVE.CA Use the Yield Comparison Report to compare two varieties at the same location. With both reports, choose your own A Manitoba Crop check variety. It’s easy and informative. Log on to customize Variety Decision Tool selections for your farm. www.seedinteractive.ca 42 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

BriefS HONKY TONKY Crop insurance eyed for U.S. Farm Bill cuts

washington/reuters A federally subsidized crop insurance system seems to be everybody’s top priority for the new U.S. farm law. It also is a popular target for cuts. President Barack Obama, Republicans in the U.S. House, and small-farm advocates separately call for cuts in the program, which has mushroomed into the most expensive part of the farm safety net. It is estimated to cost near- ly $9 billion a year over the next decade. Arguably, crop insurance is the most widely used risk management tool for U.S. farmers. They bought more than 1.1 million policies last year to cover $114 bil- One sure sign of springtime in the Rockies is the arrival of the Canada geese who fill the stubble fields with their honks, as they take lion of production on 265 advantage of the snow-clear furrows. This flock had settled in the foothills west of Calgary. Photo: Wendy Dudley million acres, or four-fifths of U.S. cropland. Cost of the program, roughly triple of a decade ago, soared with the popu- larity of policies that guar- antee revenue from a crop. That’s prompted House ™ Republicans to call for Make your first Move Pre-Pare a cap on government support while President ™ Adding PRE-PARE to your glyphosate gives you a longer lasting burndown of Obama has proposed cut- grassy weeds like wild oats and green foxtail. It also takes care of aggressive ting $7.7 billion over 10 years for crop insurance. weeds like Roundup Ready® volunteer canola* and foxtail barley.** PRE-PARE The National Sustainable gets the weeds that can rob valuable nutrients and moisture from young Agriculture Coalition, with wheat. So your wheat gets the head start it needs. And you get the 90 member groups, would focus crop insurance on yields you deserve. For the whole story, visit preparefortheseason.ca. small and medium-size farmers and limit pay- ments to large operators.

For a longer lasting burndown that includes grassy weeds Japan to import less food wheat in 2012-13

By Risa Maeda tokyo /reuters

Japan, the world’s fifth- biggest wheat importer, plans to buy 6.5 per cent less foreign food wheat in the year to March 2013 in anticipation of higher local production, helped by gov- ernment initiatives to lift food self-sufficiency. A panel of experts approved a plan March 28 by the Ministry of Agricul- ture to buy 4.78 million tonnes of foreign wheat for milling use in 2012-13, compared with the 2011- 12 plan for 5.11 million tonnes. Japan, which keeps a tight grip on wheat imports, sets an import target annually to supple- ment local crops, and buys foreign wheat via tenders and sells to users at prices revised every six months based on purchase costs. Japan’s lower wheat import estimate came at a time when the world has a surplus of supply due to healthy harvests in major producing countries. *Contact control only **Contact control with 900 gae/ha of glyphosate only. Always read and follow label directions. PRE-PARE and the PRE-PARE logo are trademarks of Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. Arysta LifeScience and the Arysta LifeScience logo are registered trademarks of Arysta LifeScience Corporation. All other products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective companies. ©2012 Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. PREC-099

0000-1140_PREPARE_Gameboard_CANv3 8.125x10.indd 1 2/17/12 5:27 PM ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 43 Save money, get more milk with a shorter dry period DRY FACTS  A shorter dry period reduces stress and health problems for cows, and means you can produce more milk with fewer animals

but you get extra revenue so it’s sition to a 35-day dry period and BY ALEXIS KIENLEN a profitable strategy,” Lefebvre should remain on the conven- AF STAFF | RED DEER said. “If you’re over quota, then tional cycle, said Lefebvre. Cows that’s a different story. This is a that produce 20 kilos of milk 60 horter is better when it comes management tool that can very days prior to calving are the to the dry period for dairy easily apply to the current situ- best candidate for the short dry S cows, says Daniel Lefebvre, ation of the farm.” cycle. Cows going into their first general manager of Valacta, the When implementing this sys- dry period can also be included centre for excellence in dairy tem, it’s critical to use a single in the short dry period cycle, as production for Quebec and the dry-period ration during the they tend to produce more milk Atlantic provinces. entire period and cows should be in their first lactation. “The recommendation to dry moved from the lactation ration Lefebvre stressed the impor- cows for 60 days between lacta- to the close-up, pre-calving one. tance of maintaining accurate tions has been wrong for several Lefebvre recommended produc- breeding records and well-bal- decades,” Lefebvre told attendees ers aim for a dry period of 35 days anced rations. Gradual ration at the recent Western Canadian as research has found periods of change is preferred over abrupt Dairy conference. less than 30 days increases mor- ration change. “This might not be adapted to tality rates, reduces production, “Minimizing stress and maxi- today’s dairy cows, which produce and ups the risk of antibiotic mizing comfort is the key to a lot more milk. When we come to residues in the milk. the short dry period cycle,” he Each ration change during a dry period causes stress on the animals, says dry them off 60 days before calv- Some cows simply can’t tran- said. a Quebec researcher. ©THINKSTOCK ing, they’re still producing quite a bit of milk.” This is stressful for the cows, said Lefebvre who recommends a short dry period of 35 days. During the conventional 60-day system, rations are changed sev- MAXIMUM PerforMAnce. eral times — there is a late lactation ration, followed by a fall-off ration high in forage, then a close-up minimum price. pre-calving ration 21 days before calving, and finally a lactation ® ration. Each change causes stress Shift your farm’s profits into high gear with MPower crop in a cow, said Lefebvre, including stress to the mammary gland dur- protection products, offered exclusively through FNA. ing dry-off, nutritional stress with each ration change, and physio- MPower Herbicides Contain the same active as: logical and environmental stress ® from being moved into a new pen MPower Aurora® Horizon or group. (clodinafop) In the 35-day system, cows do not go through the fall-off ration and move directly into the close- up ration close to calving. Fewer transitions equals less stress, researchers from Laval University

and Agriculture Canada found in ® ® a study of 13 commercial herds in MPower HellCat Puma Super Quebec. In one study, 800 cows (fenoxaprop) — half coming out of their first lactation and half mature cows — were divided into two groups, with one undergoing the conventional 60-day program and half a short dry period. The latter were less likely to suffer ketosis and had a ® ower ® Pursuit decrease of Plasma NEFA. Mature MP Kamikaze cows in the short dry period had (imazethapyr) an increase in retained placentas, but this didn’t seem to cause any reproductive problems. There was a slight decrease in cows with udder edema in early lactation and producers saw less shrinkage ® of the udder for cows that were dry MPower Glyphosate Roundup Transorb for a shorter period of time. There was no difference in the rates of clinical mastitis in either system. ClearOUT® 41 PLUS Cull rates lower There were fewer cows culled in lactation in short dry-period Also Available: management, while reproduc- tion rates were unaffected. And, MPower 2,4-D Ester 700 critically, you need fewer cows to generate the same economic per- MPower MCPA Ester 500 formance. “It’s more expensive to feed her, MPower MCPA Amine 500 Not a Member? Get your Shift together and make FNA your Partner in Profitability.

“The recommendation 1-877-362-3276 | fna.ca to dry cows for 60 days between lactations has been wrong for several decades.”

Aurora®, HellCat®, Kamikaze® and NewAgco Inc.® are registered trademarks of NewAgco Inc. MPower® is a registered trademark of Farmers of North America. All others are trademarks of their respective companies. 04.12

FNA MPower ad JR AFE.indd 1 3/30/2012 10:58:25 AM 44 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

BriefS Stampede recognized for innovation Cargill not commenting on IPO rumours Reuters / U.S. agribusi- The Calgary Stampede ness Cargill Inc. said on received Alberta Farm Animal March 28 it had no com- Care’s Award of Distinction ment regarding a market for Innovation at the AFAC rumour that it was planning annual meeting in Red Deer an initial public offering. last month. The Calgary “Our company does Stampede has implemented not comment on market a number of new initiatives rumours,” Cargill spokes- to enhance animal welfare, woman Lisa Clemens said. including developing codes Talk about an IPO among of practice and carrying out traders and investment both internal and third-party bankers surfaces periodi- assessments on animals in cally about Minneapolis- transportation, agricultural based Cargill, a player in exhibits and rodeo. Dr. Ed world agribusiness for more Pajor of the University of than a century and one of Calgary (l) presented the the world’s largest privately award to Paul Rosenberg, the held corporations. Cargill stampede’s vice-president of routinely issues a “no com- programming. Photo: AFAC ment” on such rumours. Cargill in 2011 repeatedly denied speculation that it would carry out an IPO. Cargill spun off its major- ity stake in fertilizer maker B:17.4” Mosaic Co. in 2011, partly T:17.4” to maintain its private com- pany status and partly to S:17.4” enable Cargill family trusts to diversify their holdings.

Agribition launches 2012 scholarships

Canadian Western Agribi- tion’s annual scholarships are open for applications for 2012. “One of Agribition’s stron- gest goals is to promote innovation in agriculture. There is no better way to foster innovation than to feed the minds of the young people who will be our industry’s leaders in the near future,” said Marty Seymour, CEO and general manager of Agribition. Established in 1994, the Agribition Scholarship program has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships. The fund receives contribu- tions annually from private donations as well as from other Agribition events. Serious growers take weed control personally. The Canadian Western Agribition Scholarship With three modes of action in a single solution, program is intended to pro- GO Velocity m3 herbicide provides enough raw power to B:10” S:10” vide financial support and take down your toughest broadleaf and grassy weeds. T:10” incentive to support young Agribition participants seeking higher education. Take control of your Group 1-resistant wild oats and To qualify for one of the Group 2-resistant broadleafs. $1,000 grants, applicants must have participated For more information visit during a past Agribition as an exhibitor (such as in a BayerCropScience.ca/Velocitym3 livestock show, 4-H, grain AHEAD, and forage classes or active trade show exhibitor). Let’s DO this! Applicants must be pursu- ing a post-secondary or graduate program that is at least two years long. Schol- arships are provided to help cover costs of the second or subsequent year of an edu- cation program in Canada or U.S. The deadline for applica- tions for this year’s scholar- MAKE ships is July 1, 2012. For a scholarship application, visit: www.agribition.com/ Show_Information/Educa- tion/Scholarship/. MY DAY BayerCropScience.ca/Velocitym3 or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. C-60-03/12-BCS11080-E

SBC12007.Velocity.9.indd SBC12007.Velocity.9 3-6-2012 10:14 AM Alberta Farmer CALMCL-DMX8127 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Insertion Date: Feb.13, Mar.12 & Apr.9/2012 Marsha Walters Bayer Crop Science 100% None SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: Marianne PAGE: 1 BCS11080 17.4” x 10” SAFETY: None TRIM: 17.4” x 10” Bleed: None Helvetica Neue LT Std (96 Black Italic, 55 Roman, 75 Bold, 66 Medium Italic; OpenType)

Production Contact Numbers: 403 261 7161 403 261 7152 Albertafarmexpress.ca • april 9, 2012 45 Time is right for free trade agreement push HUNGER GAMES } Food security is becoming increasingly important as world hunger increases with its population

senior business adviser for the law Beef tariff in Japan is 38.5 per cent, by sheri monk firm Bennett Jones. and through a trigger mechanism af staff | edmonton Weekes says that politically, if there’s a certain volume going now is the time for the Canadian in it can go up to 50 per cent, and A seasoned trade negotiator says beef industry to really push for you can see similar numbers when trade agreements will do a lot to increased foreign market access. you look at other markets,” Weekes open markets for Canadian beef, With more than 50 per cent of said. but once they’re open, a second Canadian beef now exported, ingredient is needed — customer increased growth has to come Falling behind the U.S. demand. from other countries. A recent free trade agreement “Despite all the constraints and “There’s a lot of opportunity in between the U.S. and Korea means problems there may be, the future taking advantage of markets in U.S. beef and pork can be imported for Canadian agriculture and for Europe and Asia where there’s still for less, and tariffs are being reduced Canadian meat production and increasing demand for meat, and annually with a total phase-out in beef production, I think is really it’s growing quite rapidly in places 15 years. “You can already see the very bright,” John Weekes told a like China and Korea,” Weekes order books drying up on Canadian seminar for members of the Cat- said, adding that markets in Asia pork exports to Korea right now,” tlemen’s Young Leaders program and the EU are significantly more Weekes said. Japan’s beef tariff is 38.5 per cent, and can go up to 50 per cent. here last month. valuable on a per-kilogram basis He said the Canadian govern- Weekes, an Alberta Livestock and than exports to the U.S. However, ment is responding. “The Harper Japan, India is on the table (albeit “It’s very important to set some Meat Agency (ALMA) board mem- the potential payoff is often offset government has an ambitious not for beef,) and talks with the priorities. You can’t just say, ‘Well, ber, served as Canada’s ambassa- by high tariffs. trade negotiations agenda. It’s mega-market of China are pro- we want everything.’ It’s just not dor to the World Trade Organiza- “The barriers to foreign access perhaps the most ambitious trade gressing. manageable to go about achieving tion, as ambassador to GATT dur- are often quite high and this is agenda we’ve ever had.” With a smorgasbord of nations everything. You should figure out B:17.4” ing the Uruguay Round of trade particularly true in Asia where you New talks with Korea look prom- as possible export destinations, it where your key markets are — and ising to reignite negotiations, pre- T:17.4” negotiations and as a Canadian have tariffs, for instance in Korea can seem overwhelming to know this has been done to a large extent negotiator for NAFTA. He is now on beef and pork, of 40 per cent. liminary talks have begun with which countries to target. — and what the priority barriers S:17.4” are,” Weekes said.

Consumer demand As the government works on open- ing the door to foreign markets, Weekes says it’s critical that work to create consumer demand is done at the same time. Market access isn’t worth a red cent if no one is buying the product.

“You can already see the order books drying up on Canadian pork exports to Korea right now.”

John Weekes trade expert

“Canada is a relatively small player and I think we need to make clear to our partners what it is we’re trying to achieve,” said Weekes, emphasizing that industry Serious growers take weed control personally. cannot give the government mixed signals on trade policy. “We need to With three modes of action in a single solution, work together in advising the gov- GO ernment on trade negotiations. If Velocity m3 herbicide provides enough raw power to B:10” S:10” take down your toughest broadleaf and grassy weeds. theT:10” industry comes at them with fractured voices as to the direction they should be taking, inaction is Take control of your Group 1-resistant wild oats and the most likely result.” Group 2-resistant broadleafs. Weekes said that with a surge in bilateral free trade negotiations For more information visit among many countries — what he calls “competitive liberalization” BayerCropScience.ca/Velocitym3 — the time to act is now. Many AHEAD, countries are feeling pressure to sign agreements they believe will Let’s DO this! increase their security. However, the very meaning of security may be changing, Weekes said. “Increasingly I think people are not just looking for security of energy supply but are starting to look for security of food supply,” he said. “We’re now seeing a tran- sition to a world that is beginning to run short of food resources. We’re going to be responding to MAKE pressures to supply these other markets, which is certainly a much more favourable game to be in.” Weekes said ALMA’s priority in its business plan has been to increase foreign trade opportunities. “I think it’s really interesting that DAY a provincial government agency has put this as its No. 1 priority, and that’s quite challenging from the perspective of sitting in this MY place to think about how you can BayerCropScience.ca/Velocitym3 or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. advance those interests from this Always read and follow label directions. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. C-60-03/12-BCS11080-E vantage point.”

SBC12007.Velocity.9.indd SBC12007.Velocity.9 3-6-2012 10:14 AM Alberta Farmer CALMCL-DMX8127 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Insertion Date: Feb.13, Mar.12 & Apr.9/2012 Marsha Walters Bayer Crop Science 100% None SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: Marianne PAGE: 1 BCS11080 17.4” x 10” SAFETY: None TRIM: 17.4” x 10” Bleed: None Helvetica Neue LT Std (96 Black Italic, 55 Roman, 75 Bold, 66 Medium Italic; OpenType)

Production Contact Numbers: 403 261 7161 403 261 7152 46 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Q&A ELECTION FORUM Farm and rural issues

Danielle Smith Raj Sherman Glenn Taylor Wildrose Party Liberal Party Alberta Party

lbertans go to the polls to elect a new government April sale and development of more responsible way to manage the servancy, the Southern Alberta public land for irrigation and South Saskatchewan River Basin. Land Trust and others are doing 23, and farm and rural issues will be important in many more publicly funded development We believe that water for human a good job getting easements and constituencies. Alberta Farmer asked all leaders of all five of irrigation infrastructure? consumption comes first, but agri- compensation for landowners. of the main parties to answer questions on their farm culture is sure a close second. I haven’t heard anything about Sherman: Any sale of public land more tax credits, but we are open Aand rural policies. Three agreed to respond — Liberal Leader Raj should be by an open and trans- Smith: We support the first-in- to listening. I am a believer in the Sherman, Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith and Alberta Party Leader parent process. We believe that time, first-in-right principle for voluntary approach to this mat- Glenn Taylor. Their responses follow: the development of that land, for allocation. Irrigation districts have ter and oppose the stewardship irrigated crops, housing or other been the first in usage and it seems act having government making changes should involve open pub- to be working right now. It’s more the decisions. The concept of AF: Supply management is the bring common sense to the issue. lic consultation including consid- an issue of water management and paying people to keep land in a most successful sector of Canadian As far as we see the system is work- eration of its ecological value. We in our policy our members have pristine condition is something I agriculture. Yet it does not fit with ing well, it provides a safe and know irrigation investment has stated they want more opportuni- am generally in favour of. We need those who favour free market ide- secure source of eggs, poultry and been good for Albertans. Irrigation ties for on- and off-stream storage to look at all the options to make ology. What is your party’s position milk and our producers are receiv- farmers have been able to produce which would increase allocations. I that work. on the future of supply manage- ing a secure source of income. Sup- bigger, better crops with less water do worry with the present steward- ment in Alberta? ply management is a cornerstone through improved irrigation effi- ship act that the government has Taylor : We support methods that of the ag economy of Alberta ciency. the right to reallocate water rights allow farmers to receive payment Sherman: Supply management without proper compensation or for conserving land in such areas has delivered safe milk, egg and AF: Does your party support pro- Smith: Irrigation is one of our recourse to the courts. We think as ecoservices, carbon capture, no poultry products to consumers at vincial government research into greatest agricultural opportunities. that is the wrong approach. till and others. We want to assure reasonable prices that are quite genetic engineering of barley and The economic results are pretty landowners that there is a value in stable and it’s provided our pro- wheat, which are mainstream compelling. But I haven’t heard of Taylor: We want to engage every- keeping land as it is. ducers with income stability. We crops in Alberta? any proposals from the irrigation one in the discussions. First we realize that our markets look very districts for any expansion but we want to ensure a safe supply of AF: Will you repeal Bill 43 and attractive to dairy and poultry pro- Sherman: Research should be as are open to any ideas. We need to drinking water to the residents of allow cattle, sheep, hog and potato ducers in other countries where broad ranging as possible so that look at the economics, but I am Alberta — that’s our first prior- producers their democratic right to costs of production may be lower. farmers can access grain varieties open minded to any proposals. ity. Agriculture would be second actually vote on checkoff refund- And their leaders may be pressur- and technologies that meet their because of course we have to eat. ability? ing our national leaders to open up needs. We need genetic engineer- Taylor: We believe that develop- We have to recognize the expand- this trade. It might be something ing to make the production leaps ment needs to proceed in an open ing demand for water for residen- Sherman: Each industry should be we’d have to take up with Ottawa. needed. We are supportive of and transparent method. We sup- tial, agriculture and industrial use. entitled to decide for itself how its research as a matter of principle. port what the Alberta Irrigation We can do this more efficiently. But marketing and research organiza- Smith: Our membership hasn’t Projects Association is doing in we don’t support water becoming a tion is funded and what activity, taken a position on supply man- Smith: I understand we do plant- helping developing and renovat- commodity, where water licences so we would favour allowing pro- agement one way or the other. We breeding research in the province ing irrigation infrastructure. We are sold to those with the deepest ducers to vote. I recall this legisla- don’t think we can do something and we have no problems with believe investing in technology to pockets. tion and discussed it with some on this at the provincial level. Our genetically modified crops grown conserve more water for irrigation. producers, it was contentious, members did take a position on by farmers. Alberta has an opportu- We support more development in AF: What is your view on public and I understand it caused a lot of the Canadian Wheat Board and we nity to be a leader in plant breeding irrigated production, but we want funding or tax credits for ecological division between cattle industry supported the federal government, so we support research. We don’t it done in a responsible way. It services provided by landowners? groups. which is why I was able to speak on have a position one way or another shouldn’t be political or based on it vocally. I haven’t gauged where on GM research, but we support emotion. Sherman: To some extent we do Smith: That issue divided produc- our members are on this. At this maintaining the plant-breeding this by compensating farmers for ers right down the middle and point, silence means we will stick research being done right now. AF : The government has indicated predator damage for instance. arbitrarily repealing it would prob- to the status quo on the supply that it will be initiating a review We realize farmers provide us all ably divide the community again. management issue. Taylor: Yes, we support GM of water allocation in the south- with valuable service by caring for Anytime you are making decisions research into those crops. We ern Alberta area. What priority in the ecology of their area. We’d be that affect the producer we believe Taylor: We recognize that it is understand that can lead to better your view does agriculture have for open to discussions on providing that it should be done by plebiscite. federally managed and we under- yields and we believe that good sci- water allocation? some benefit — tax credit or fund- We heard that there was a demand stand that there is a push by big ence can lead to good results. We ing to compensate the farmer/ for more accountability, we also food business to get rid of the sup- understand that there is a demand Sherman: We will work within the landowner for ecological services heard that there should have been ply boards. We don’t see a huge for organic crops, but we also goals of the Water for Life strategy. that benefit us all. Harmonizing discussion on a directional check- push by consumers or the supply- believe there will be a demand for Irrigation is a huge part of this goal. production agriculture and eco- off. At this point we would have to managed groups to get rid of the GM crops and we believe in market Southern Alberta would not have logical benefits is in everybody’s have a consultation with all those system. We develop our policies by choice. the vibrant economy it does with- interest and is something we’d involved before any action is con- consulting with the people affected out irrigation. We’ll need to hear all want to be part of. and experts in their field and try to AF: What is your position on the viewpoints in looking into the most Smith: I think the Nature Con-  Continued on next page

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* Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Leaders in off-patent solutions. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 47

Q&A

sidered. There should have been the wilderness and that is where it farmers and find out challenges. I comes to the industry side we are eval. Government should make its a democratic vote at the begin- should be. am an emergency room doctor so going to have change. We have policies based on an open process ning. We have 16 candidates with I am well aware of what accidents bigger, larger farms using bigger that Albertans can put their faith an agriculture background so I Smith: It’s a big issue and we are and injury can do to devastate equipment, we need safe work- in and ministers must be able to expect that this will be a robust divided on it, our MLAs will have lives. I have also seen instances of ing conditions for the employees. defend those policies without conversation. a free vote if it comes up again in child labour in the Fraser Valley. There is a challenge with the family the perception that government the legislature. It divides urban We believe workers and operators farm; how do they get work done? would take action against people Taylor: We are not interested in and rural; we have not taken a need this type of protection. We have to wrestle with what is a who offend them. doing that unless we hear a large position on it. corporate farm and what is a fam- groundswell of support from pro- Smith: I am sympathetic to farm ily farm. We believe agriculture is Taylor: The whole process needs ducers, which we are not hearing. Taylor: It’s not something we workers getting proper cover- a heritage industry and we need to be reviewed. There are good I don’t understand the issue in have discussed so I am not well age. But I don’t believe govern- to protect its viability, but we also parts to the legislation, but flawed great detail. We do believe in con- informed on the issue on either ment should be regulating family need to recognize the changing policy comes from a flawed pro- sultation before actions are taken side of the question. homes or the family farm and the world we live in. cess. It all needs to be revisited; by government, not after. two are sometimes the same. We the problem is people don’t trust AF: What is your position in can’t have officers interfering with AF : Property rights and the gov- the process. We need to see what AF: Wind farms continue to be including farm workers and farm the family home. But workers do ernment legislation surrounding works, and what didn’t but we controversial. Would you favour owners in mandatory OHS and need coverage; I don’t know if it is a controversial issue with don’t believe it all needs to be a complete third-party review of WCB programs? WCB is the only answer. I under- landowners. What is your party’s thrown out. We are not interested that business to get to the real stand that there may be better position on the legislation? in fear-mongering, but we believe story? Sherman: It would help farm coverage under the insurance a it can be made better. workers whether they’re tempo- lot of farms already carry. There Sherman: It is undemocratic to Sherman: We are in favour of rary foreign workers in green- are many options that we need to make decisions in the cabinet Smith: As Wildrose’s position more transparency, but feel this houses, market gardens or work- look at. room without open consultations on landowner legislation is well should go beyond just this sector ers in other more extensive opera- or even reasons, and denying a known, we did not submit this and include related utilities. For tions. Other provinces can do it, Taylor: I feel we need good safety landowner recourse to the courts question to Danielle Smith. instance, we will end the cabinet’s why not Alberta? We could consult rules on the farm, but when T:8.125”it following such actions is medi- ability to approve power lines in secret without public input. We will force power companies to conduct their business honestly — market manipulation will mean significant fines.

Smith: We are against subsidies to private business that create an unlevel playing field. We don’t want to see an unfair advantage to certain sectors, some feel there is a disadvantage against coal. It seems to me right now in Alberta with our natural gas resources, that is the best way forward for more power generation.

Taylor: We are in favour of a diversified electricity generating system. But we are not in favour of propping up an industry with sub- sidies. If it’s profitable let the free market reign. Yes we would favour a review of wind power generation to see if it’s actually profitable. We need to get a better understanding of all methods including generat- ing power on farms. We need to review the entire system.

AF : Does your party support keep- ing the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency?

Sherman: Yes we support keep- T:10” ing it. The initial investment in the single agency for research and market development has been made. If changes are needed, bet- ter to change ALMA than to start again from scratch.

Smith: Once you create some- thing arbitrarily, you don’t want to remove it arbitrarily. When it was first created there were a lot of people frustrated that these deci- sions were being taken out of the hands of industry. Obviously we will want to have a consultation whether it has served its purpose or what it should be. I am very concerned with it getting into business giving direct subsidies to individual firms. I don’t mind the idea of doing research.

Taylor: Yes, we want to keep it. The complete solution. Grassy and broadleaf, wheat and barley, no tank mixing. It funds research for the industry and that’s good for the future of For more information, please visit BayerCropScience.ca/Tundra the livestock industry and for the next generation.

AF : Do you favour the legaliza- tion of hunt farms in Alberta?

Sherman: We have no policy on BayerCropScience.ca/Tundra or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. this matter that I am aware of, but Always read and follow label directions. Tundra™ is a trademark of Bayer. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. C-59-04/12-BCS11082-E from a personal view I don’t sup- port this idea. I support hunting in

SBC12019.Tundra.22.indd SBC12019.TUNDRA.22 3-27-2012 1:24 PM Alberta Farmer CALMCL-DMX7991 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Insertion Date: Apr 9, 2012 Marsha Walters Bayer Crop Science 100% None SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: DLO PAGE: 1 BCS11082 8.125” x 10” SAFETY: None TRIM: 8.125” x 10” Bleed: None Helvetica Neue LT Std (75 Bold, 55 Roman; OpenType)

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403 261 7161 403 261 7152 48 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

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Alberta Farmer Mobile is sponsored by } Visit agreader.ca/afe today to download the app or text “afe” to 393939 to be sent the link. Standard text messaging rates apply. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 49 CWB hopes to continue to VET RECOGNIZED FOR 40 YEARS OF SERVICE supply most wheat to Japan Alberta’s chief provincial veterinarian Dr. Gerald Ollis PREMIUM  Wheat received Alberta Animal board will focus Care’s Award of Distinction for Industry Leadership at on quality rather the AFAC annual meeting than lower-value in Red Deer last month. His 40-year career spanned commodity wheat private veterinary practice to periods as provincial dairy veterinarian and several years working on the development of the province’s innovative Animal Health Act. Ollis (l) received the award from AFAC chair Heini Hehli. PHOTO: AFAC

CWB chief Ian White says the new grain company will focus on serving premium-paying customers like Japan. PHOTO: ALLAN DAWSON

BY ALLAN DAWSON STAFF

The Canadian Wheat Board has the inside track on the lucrative Japanese market for Canadian milling wheat. White told a meeting in Somer- set, Man. last month that he had just returned from Japan and is encouraged about prospects in that premium market. “I think they (Japan) want the CWB to be their main supplier and we hope to be able to do that.” CWB wheat exports to Japan have averaged 1.2 million tonnes annually over the last 10 years, but one farmer questioned whether the CWB can maintain that volume given that others can now compete for the sales. “The Japanese value long-term relationships,” White said. “We know it’s a competitive world and we are going to have to com- pete in that world, but they are saying to us that they will give us the first look at the business, particularly if we can deliver them the quality and the conti- nuity that they are used to.” White said the CWB might not be able to compete in commod- ity markets where buyers focus on getting the lowest price. “We understand that and we will be competing in there where we need to, but we will also try to keep away from those markets “Hey! My roots where we can,” White said. One flame Glencore is a commodity are on fire!” trader, he said. The company that wants to buy Viterra usu- ally sells on a multiple-origin burns brightest. basis, allowing it to source wheat DuPont™ Express® brand herbicides don’t just burn weeds down, they get right to the where it’s the cheapest. root of your weed problems for super-hot performance. “We’ll be selling the grain that we take from Canada and Add an Express® herbicide to glyphosate in pre-seed, chemfallow or post-harvest applications. selling to customers who value Express® SG: turn up the heat ™ on dandelion, volunteer canola and narrow-leaved hawk’s-beard. quality,” White said. “So we see Express® PRO delivers up to 15 days of extended control† on tough weeds like cleavers, dandelion our place very much more down the end of the market... dealing and narrow-leaved hawk’s-beard. with customers who value that DuPont™ Express® herbicides - Canada’s #1 glyphosate partner, used on more pre-seed acres than any and who will deal with a com- pany like the CWB and gener- other brand in Western Canada. They’re that hot! ally pay a bit more because we have a relationship with them, we know them and we can satisfy Questions? their needs.” Ask your retailer, call 1-800-667-3925 The CWB has the authority to buy and sell wheat produced or visit www.weedwreckingcrew.com outside of Canada, but doesn’t †Depending on environmental conditions at and following application. As with all crop protection products, read and follow label instructions carefully. expect to do so often, White The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Turn up the heat™, Express® and Solumax® are registered trademarks said. Sometimes customers want or trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. E. I. du Pont Canada Company is a licensee. Member of CropLife Canada. lower-quality wheat to blend © Copyright 2012 E. I. du Pont Canada Company. All rights reserved. with Canadian wheat and now the CWB can provide both.

2178EXP_AFE_FE.indd 1 1/18/12 9:58 AM 50 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA Calgary woman contracts hantavirus, lives to tell tale DEADLY DUST  Cathy was infected after sweeping the floor near some firewood contaminated with mouse feces and urine

while rearranging the woodpile work on Tuesday, but then took was a symptom of hantavirus a teacher, I’m a professional — I BY SHERI MONK just outside the patio doors, a turn for the worse and stayed pulmonary syndrome (HPS). don’t go into someone’s office and AF STAFF which prompted her to say, “Oh home for the rest of the week. lay on their floor in front of their great, now we’re all going to get “On Saturday morning, I got Plummeting blood pressure reception desk.” ne week, Cathy was a hantavirus and die.” up and I said my destination was When the virus invades the body, The alarmed receptionist took vibrant and healthy wife, Some of the wood was later the doctor, or the hospital,” she the immune system responds by her to the doctor right away. Omother and music teacher. brought into their home, and said. “We just have to go. I tried attacking certain cells that harbour “I think he thought I was faking The next, she was fighting for when Cathy swept the area next to shower and I was out of breath. it. The internal structure of the cells it. He tried to take my blood pres- her life in a Calgary hospital, to where it was stacked, she I was really weak.” is damaged and they leak fluid. This sure and I had no reading. It was wondering whether she’d see her believes she inhaled dry mouse Cathy said it never occurred causes the lungs to slowly fill with not measurable,” she said. son’s next birthday. feces and urine which became to her to go to the doctor earlier fluid, restricting oxygen intake, and The doctor told Cathy to go home Cathy K. (her last name with- airborne. because she assumed it was just can also cause a dangerous drop and take some Tylenol. held by request) was exposed to On a Friday three weeks later, the flu. In retrospect, she said she in blood pressure. In other words, “And then I said I’d been throw- hantavirus around Halloween she began to feel some flu symp- believes her falling blood oxygen Cathy was slowly drowning in her ing up water, and it saved my life. of 2002, when she was 44 years toms, and called in sick to work. levels were impairing her judg- own fluids. He said to go immediately to the old. She, her husband, and their On Saturday, she still felt ill, but ment and ability to evaluate how Unaware of how serious her con- ER.” five-year-old son were living on felt well enough to attend a family sick she truly was. She wasn’t dition was, Cathy opted for a medi- Cathy’s husband rushed her to an acreage just seven kilometres gathering the following day. She coughing, and didn’t notice any cal clinic instead of a hospital. Rockyview Hospital. Too weak to east of Calgary. One day, her hus- missed work again on Monday, shortness of breath until that Sat- “When I got to the clinic, I laid sit up, she laid down in the back band discovered a mouse nest recovered enough to return to urday, but the ongoing weakness down on the floor,” she said. “I’m of the van. By the time she arrived, she couldn’t walk. She was admitted and treated with oxygen, which initially helped. But even with the oxygen therapy, her blood gas levels continued to worsen and she was moved to the ICU in the middle of the night.

“I looked up and there ® must have been seven new eVeReST 2.0. people around me — respiratory techs, nurses and doctors — and then RelenTleSS on weedS. I heard them say that if I thrashed, they’d hold me eaSy on wheaT. down.” CATHY K. SURVIVOR A new formulation with advanced safener technology built in gives new EVEREST® 2.0 an extra measure of crop safety in a wide range of conditions. EVEREST 2.0 is easy on wheat, “I looked up and there must have but relentless on weeds, giving you Flush after flush™ control of green foxtail, wild oat been seven people around me — respiratory techs, nurses and doc- and key broadleaf weeds. It’s highly concentrated, so you’ll use less product. And with tors — and then I heard them say that if I thrashed, they’d hold me a flexible application window and exceptional tank mixability, nothing is easier to use. down.” EVEREST 2.0. What a difference one generation can make. She realized the medical team was about to intubate her (insert- ing a tube to provide rapid respira- tory assistance). That was her last memory before entering a three- day drug-induced coma. In total, Cathy spent 13 days in the hospital. Had she not received

RelenTleSS eaSy wIde wIndow TReaT MoRe InCReaSed medical attention when she did, on weedS on wheaT oF aPPlICaTIon wITh leSS yIeld PoTenTIal she would have been dead within hours. She credits her survival to an exceptional medical team and plenty of prayer. A small woman to begin with, she was only 90 pounds after leaving hospital. But unlike many others who experience scarring in their lungs, she was lucky and doesn’t suffer from the same debilitating symptoms other survivors must cope with. The experience was life chang- ing, and humbling. Cathy’s faith is stronger now, and she said she feels as though she was spared. “I feel it was a miracle.” Cathy and her family have since To learn more, visit www.everest2-0.ca moved back to the city, and she continues to work as a music teacher. She urges people not to gamble with hantavirus. Always read and follow label directions. EVEREST and the EVEREST 2.0 logo are registered trademarks of Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC “Flush after flush” is a trademark of Arysta LifeScience North “You must take this seriously… America, LLC. Arysta LifeScience and the Arysta LifeScience logo are registered trademarks of Arysta Farmers are healthy, strapping LifeScience Corporation. ©2012 Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. ESTC-162 men, but this can knock them down and kill them. It can take their lives.”

ESTC-162 Everest20Launch_MB Cooperator_8.125X10.indd 1 11-12-09 12:58 PM 1•403•930•4000 EXT: 1932 ConTaCT: JEN CLIEnT: Everest Job #: ESTC-162 VERSIon: F SIzE: 8.125 x 10 CoLouRS: 4 DaTE: Nov. 24/11 Pub: MaNiToba CoopEraTor PRoJECT: Everest 2.0 CDN Launch ad ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 51 Hantavirus: Better safe than sorry by sheri monk af staff Rare, but often deadly Living in a rural area puts you in danger of being exposed to hantavirus, but you can reduce the risk: SAFETY FIRST } When cleaning out areas that could have housed mice, • Take steps to reduce the rodent population, but don’t kill their natural predators. take precautions such as goggles, a mask and gloves • Keep pet food and horse feed in plastic rodent- proof containers. Reduce potential nesting sites by keeping your property clean and woodpiles 100 feet away from the house. By Sheri Monk • Guard your home by setting traps, sealing pos- AF staff sible entrances, and securing food sources. Take action if droppings are spotted. n the giddy delight of longer days • Dampen droppings, nests or carcasses with and warmer temperatures, many diluted bleach in a 1:10 ratio and wait 10 min- I landowners will take to cleaning utes for the solution to take effect. Use dispos- outbuildings and machinery without able gloves, and dispose of waste and carcasses realizing it could expose them to a rare in a double plastic bag or by burning. but often fatal disease. • Before cleaning a building which may have Hantavirus is contracted by inhaling housed mice, open the doors and windows infected droplets from rodent urine, and air it out for at least 30 minutes both saliva and feces. There are many han- before and after disinfecting for cleanup. taviruses, but the one found in Canada Dampen droppings, nests or carcasses with is the Sin Nombre Virus (SNV) and its bleach solution, damp mop, and NEVER sweep vector is the common deer mouse. The or vacuum. resulting disease is called hantavirus It can be hard to tell rodent species apart when they are infants, like this one. It is • Wear an appropriate mask (dust masks don’t pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and it best to err on the side of caution and assume all rodents as a possible hantavirus offer enough protection) such as the NIOSH- is fatal in 30-40 per cent of cases. By vector. photo: Buddy Simmons approved 100 series filters, or a respirator with conducting surveys on deer mice in P100 cartridges. An N95 mask may also be Alberta, it was learned that as little as April, May and June and 70 per cent develop a secretion-producing cough used, and are commonly sold in pharmacies one per cent or as much as 35 per cent of victims are ranchers or farmers. The and a shortness of breath which mean and used in influenza outbreaks. Wear goggles of the deer mice population carry the number of incidents in the spring may fluid is accumulating within the lungs. and full clothing to reduce skin exposure. virus, depending on region and local- be attributed to increased activity in Low blood pressure and reduced heart • After cleanup is complete, dispose of gloves ized conditions. outbuildings that had been left undis- efficiency may follow and death may and mask, and wash goggles with hot, soapy Its discovery in North America is turbed all winter, allowing mouse follow. water. Soiled clothing should be removed relatively recent, and dates back to nests, feces and urine to accumulate. There is no treatment specific for immediately and washed in hot, soapy water 1993 to the Four Corners area of the The course of the illness varies, but HPS, but early detection and admis- before being dried thoroughly. southwest United States, although it the incubation period is typically two sion into the hospital improves the • Talk to your family and remind them to take has likely existed long before it was weeks, though it can be as short as a patient’s prognosis. With supportive precautions. Learn the symptoms and, if in found here. few days, or as long as six weeks. Ini- medical care such as intubation and doubt, seek medical attention and mention Alberta was home to the first Cana- tially the patient will experience fever, oxygen therapy, a victim’s critical possible hantavirus exposure. dian case in 1989. Since then, there chills, muscle aches, headaches, nau- systems may be supported enough have been approximately 60 cases in sea and stomach problems. As the dis- to avoid mortality. Recovery can take Sources: Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canada, 42 of which have been found ease progresses through the next three months or even years, and ongoing Government of Alberta, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Alberta, and 10 were fatal. to seven days, the symptoms become fatigueT:10.25” (10’is commonly3”) experienced by The peak infection time is during increasingly severe. The victim may survivors.

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403 261 7161 403 261 7152 52 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA Alberta Angus breeder elected V-P of Canada Beef Breeds Council BULL MARKET  It’s been a long time coming, but the market looks strong for all cattle sectors

The CBBC is comprised of quite prominent as we go for- BY SHERI MONK members representing all breeds ward here, with the population AF STAFF | PINCHER CREEK with the shared goal of advancing growth,” Bolduc says. “I think the Canada’s purebred stock through- beef cattle industry is going to be avid Bolduc says Canadi- out the globe, through embryos, a significant part of that. There’s an purebred cattle raised semen and live cattle. Though the so much of this planet that’s not Dtoday aren’t as good as CBBC’s mandate hasn’t changed, arable to farming, but it is produc- they used to be. They’re better, the market has, and for the first tive as far as grass and forage and says the newly elected vice-pres- time in a long while, everyone ruminants are obviously the way ident of the Canadian Beef Breeds seems bullish on beef cattle. we’re going to harvest that.” Council (CBBC). “We’ll try to improve exports Bolduc says advances such as “We all think that the cattle we of Canadian genetics into some genomics, coupled with Expected raised years ago were really good of the growth areas of the world. Progeny Differences (EPDs) are cattle, and they probably were, but Beef cattle is really on the upbeat. allowing producers to continue I truly believe that the cattle we I just read an article that one guy is building on breed successes. raise right now are the best cattle predicting that investments in the “The best part about this is the most purebred breeders have ever cattle industry right now would be optimism in our youth. Prob- raised,” says Bolduc. better than investments in gold — ably for the first time in a whole “There’s a lot of exciting stuff and gold has been relatively strong generation of people who have happening in the purebred indus- the last few years,” says Bolduc. raised purebred livestock, I think try right now with genomics and There are several market factors our youth are excited about being now we’re going to get a far better contributing to the demand-pull involved in the industry because evaluation of our cattle than we’ve reality of the beef business today. they can see the potential of actu- ever had before.” The world population is larger ally making a living there without Along with his wife Margaret and hungrier, emerging nations having off-farm employment,” and his son Matt, Bolduc operates are beginning to be able to afford Bolduc said. Cudlobe Angus with his brother a taste for beef, and cattle supply Bolduc will serve a one-year Dyce and his family near Stavely. is tight. term as vice-president. Byron Together, they run 400-500 cows “When we were in Argentina Templeton representing Hereford and they host an annual produc- last fall at the Angus World Sec- was elected as president, Allan tion sale. The family has been in retariat meetings, there were 19 Marshal (Charolais) will remain the purebred business since the countries there in which they on the executive as past president, 1800s. raise Angus and they were see- and Rod Remin (Speckle Park) and Bolduc is current president of ing record-high grain prices and Anne Brunet-Burgess (Limousin) Along with his wife Margaret and his son Matt, David Bolduc the Canadian Angus Association record-high beef prices. Agricul- are also members of the execu- operates Cudlobe Angus with his brother Dyce and his family board of directors. ture is actually going to become tive. near Stavely.

Is your ag equipment search more like a needle in a haystack search?

OVER 43,000 PIECES OF AG Find it fast at EQUIPMENT! ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 53 Market access to China key to expanding Canadian canola exports

Tarrifs } Blackleg concerns set aside as Canada works to negotiate better access to China’s growing market

Everson said the current federal industry as a whole, we should By Shannon VanRaes government has been promoting not forget there has been signifi- staff washington, d.c. a level playing field for canola as cant growth in the U.S. market as it works on international trade well.” f you’re thinking of heading agreements. Canada exports 85 per cent of into the canola markets, it He noted Prime Minister Harper the canola it produces to about 55 I might be time to brush up on visited China in February, along different markets. your Mandarin and Cantonese. with Agriculture Minister Gerry Canada’s ambassador to the China and its growing economic Ritz. U.S., Gary Doer, emphasized the influence featured prominently “Building, maintaining and importance of the trade relation- during discussion on growing growing global market access is ship between the two countries export markets at the Canola Coun- critical to all of us,” said Everson. during the convention. cil of Canada’s (CCC) convention “And canola is the largest agricul- “Agriculture, canola being part in the American capital, largely tural product shipped to China by of that of course, is a $38-billion because it is expected to feature a country mile.” two-way trading relationship prominently in future agricultural But Van Osch cautions against between Canada and the United exports. overlooking other trade partners States,” he said. “And of that, “There is certainly strong demand in the wake of China’s rising eco- about $3 billion is represented from China, and strong growth in nomic status. by canola.” their demand for the products we “There is certainly a lot of talk But Doer also noted the Cana- produce, the oil, the meal and for about China, and certainly it has dian government is working on the seeds,” said Patrick Van Osch. been a game changer over the securing greater access to Chi- Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer speaks to members of the canola industry The Richardson Oilseed Ltd. last 10 years,” said Van Osch. nese markets, along with other during the Canola Council of Canada’s Washington, D.C. convention. executive and CCC chairman, said “But when you look at our canola Asia-Pacific countries. Photo: Shannon VanRaes although there have been issues exporting seed to China following blackleg concerns raised in 2009, he is concentrating on the indus- try’s long-term relationship with China. He also noted that when seed ™ ™ exports where stymied by Chinese DuPont DuPont quarantine policies, the export of

canola oil and meal increased dra- ™ ™ matically. “I think the market is going to be Vertisan Vertisan there. Yes, there is going to be some fungicide fungicide challenges that come up from time to time over the years, but in the end, the demand is growing,” Van Osch said. Beijing-based Ruojun Wang agreed, explaining China cannot increase its domestic production of rapeseed. “Generally speaking it is the amount of arable land that limits Chinese production,” said the CCC consultant and professor at China Agricultural University. Along with the CCC, he is working to introduce canola meal into farms as a high-quality feed, through workshops and seminars. “In China, it works best to show people how it works, otherwise they say ‘when we see it, then we will believe it,’” Wang said. Changes to Chinese diets may also increase demand for canola meal as livestock feeders seek more protein sources. “This also generates good com- petition with soy, it gives an oppor- tunity to bargain — you can’t put all your eggs in one bucket,” said Wang. Raise your standards! High tariffs But Canadian exporters say more ™ ™ still needs to be done to deal with DuPont Vertisan fungicide – issues of market access in China, including the levelling or elimina- A new outlook on disease management. tion of trade tariffs. Currently, canola is subject to a When it comes to protecting your high-value crop, you shouldn’t settle™ for ™ nine per cent tariff while soy is sub- anything but the best. Introducing DuPont™ VertisanDuPont™, a powerful new fungicide DuPont ject to a three per cent tariff. for managing sclerotinia and other key diseases in canola, pulses, sunflowers “Our goal is to eliminate tariffs and potatoes. in the markets we serve,” said Jim ™ ™ Everson, vice-president of cor- Vertisan™ is the next-generation Group 7 fungicide Ve that stopsrt diseaseisan in its tracks with Vertisan porate affairs for the CCC. “Our residual, preventative and post-infection activity. No matter whatfungicide the season brings, fungicide second goal is to eliminate the dif- you can count on Vertisan™ to deliver high yielding, high quality crops. ferentials in trade tariffs between canola and the products we com- ™ pete with.” New Vertisan . Higher yield. Higher quality. Higher standards. Wang said it is canola processors in China that pay the tariff, but that Questions? Ask your retailer, call 1-800-667-3925 or visit the cost eventually trickles down to cropprotection.dupont.ca. producers. “It would be calculated into the 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 price the importer or crusher pays E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. E. I. du Pont Canada Company is a licensee. Member of CropLife Canada. for the seed or product... so in some © Copyright 2012 E. I. du Pont Canada Company. All rights reserved. way the tariff differential is com- ing out of the farmer’s pocket,” he said.

DU2356VER_AFE_FE.indd 1 3/30/12 8:48 AM 54 APRIL 9, 2012 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

European farmers concerned Australia says La Niña dead Farmers in Western Europe are concerned that persistent dryness could further cut yields following A weather pattern blamed for heavy rains and crop destruction in the Asia-Pacific region over an unusually cold winter. In France, dry weather has allowed farmers to sow spring barley and the past two years has run its course slightly ahead of schedule, forecasters in Australia said spring wheat on damaged fields worst hit by freezing weather. An estimated 700,000 hectares, may March 27. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said climate models indicate the weather need to be replanted. In Germany, arctic-style weather earlier this winter may have damaged grain phenomenon known as La Niña has come to an end, after earlier this month predicting it crops more seriously than expected, but the rapeseed outlook remains positive. British crops are in would drag on for a further month or two. Sea surface temperatures across the central

dryness generally good condition but in Spain, the driest winter in 40 years will cut yields of winter grains by tropical Pacific Ocean were now at neutral levels, according to the bureau. area because of 30 to 60 per cent. — Reuters the late rains,” said Andre Pessoa, director at Agroconsult analysts. — Reuters }

Spring forecast — will above- average temps. continue? stuck } During March, Alberta was between two systems, missing the record heat farther east

and Calgary regions ended up to-day weather didn’t change. by daniel bezte recording above-average mean Short periods of nice warm monthly temperatures. Edmon- weather were replaced by short ith record warm ton recorded a mean monthly periods of cooler weather as the weather covering temperature of -2.8 C which two patterns battled it out. This W much of Central and was nearly 2 C above the long- allowed for a fair number of This issue’s map shows the precipitation across Alberta from Eastern Canada during March term average. This was Edmon- storm systems to track through Nov. 1 through to Mar. 11. A good portion of the province saw and cold weather settling in over ton’s fifth month in a row with Alberta, resulting in the aver- very little precipitation during this period. The only regions the West Coast, most of Alberta above-average temperatures. age to above-average precipi- to see average to above-average amounts where the extreme experienced a little bit of both. Calgary had a mean monthly tation. western regions along with a corridor northwest of Edmonton While it might have seemed and temperature of 0.6 C in March, and southeast of Grande Prairie. felt that March didn’t measure which was 2.5 C above the long- Outlook for the spring up this year, I think that was just term average. This made March The question that seems to be because the regions to the east the eighth month in a row with on a lot of people’s minds is saw such incredible weather, above-average temperatures for whether Alberta will see the with only the northeast seeing Farmer, I am calling for average which made Alberta feel like it Calgary. above-average temperatures near-average amounts. to above-average temperatures was being left out. Precipitation during March continue into spring and will Over at the Old Farmer’s to continue into spring. The When all was said and done came in right around average they be accompanied by dry or Almanac, they are still singing current medium-range weather for March, both the Edmonton for both Edmonton and Cal- wet conditions? from the same songbook and models have been jumping gary, with Edmonton recording According to Environment are calling for below-average back and forth between mild 18.7 mm and Calgary reporting Canada, April will see aver- temperatures. They have been weather moving in and a cold 17.6 mm. This is the second age temperatures over all of calling for this over the last five snap breaking out. Lately the month in a row with near- to Alberta. The average condi- months and have yet to get it models have been leaning more When all was said and above-average precipitation, tions will then transition to right. They are also calling for towards the milder forecast, so I done for March, both reversing a six-month trend of above-average temperatures below-average precipitation. am going to go with that. Along below-average precipitation. over southern regions in May, The Canadian Farmers’ Alma- with the mild conditions I think the Edmonton and Over much of agricultural with near-average tempera- nac appears to be calling for that Alberta will continue to see Calgary regions ended Alberta, March could best be tures continuing in the more near- to below-average tem- near-average precipitation, described as fairly steady or northern regions. peratures, with above-average with a turn towards drier con- up recording above- persistent. The weather pat- It does look like it will be a precipitation. They mention ditions in May. average mean monthly terns during the month didn’t fairly dry spring, according to stormy and showery conditions Now as usual, we’ll have to sit change much, with Alberta Environment Canada, as they several times in both April and back and wait to see just what temperatures. basically stuck between two are calling for below-average May, along with the terms pleas- Mother Nature is going to dish very different weather patterns. amounts of precipitation over ant and cold a couple of times. up for us this year… she usually That doesn’t mean that the day- southern and western regions, Finally, here at Alberta has a few things up her sleeve! ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • APRIL 9, 2012 55 Agriculture Canada’s news IGC sees record world is expected to be not entirely absorbed by demand, leav- corn crop in 2012-13 ing room for a modest rise budget chopped in stocks,” the IGC said in a monthly report. By Nigel Hunt U.S. farmers will plant the Details awaited } AAFC facing major cuts london / reuters most corn (maize) in 75 years to cash in on higher prices, but how it will affect farmers is not yet known Global maize (corn) produc- topping expectations due to tion is projected to rise to a surprise reductions in soybean The budget also promised of new inspectors and beefing up of record 900 million tonnes in and spring wheat sowings, by alex binkley expanded rural high-speed Internet other food safety operations. 2012-13, outstripping demand according to a U.S. govern- AF contributor/ottawa service through a spectrum auction Some farmers and food businesses for the first time since the ment report. in 2013 that will impose increased might also benefit from accelerated 2008-09 season, the Interna- The IGC forecast maize griculture Canada will have service requirements on successful writeoffs announced in the budget tional Grains Council said stocks at the end of the 2012- its $3-billion-a-year budget bidders. for equipment used for heat or elec- April 2. 13 season would rise to 129 A chopped by 10 per cent dur- While the government will cut tricity generation from farm, plant The IGC, in a monthly million tonnes. ing the next few years — but details CFIA’s annual funding, it plans to and wood waste as well as solar- and report, also cut its forecast for Maize consumption in 2012- are scarce. allocate $51.2 million during the wind-powered equipment. the global maize stocks at the 13 was seen rising by around Both the Canadian Federation of next two years “to strengthen Can- Despite a lot of talk in the budget end of the 2011-12 season fol- 2.2 per cent to 893 million Agriculture and Grain Growers of ada’s food safety system.” about boosting research and inno- lowing a lower-than-expected tonnes with growth slowing Canada said they wouldn’t judge A spokesman said the details on vation, there were no initiatives for estimate for U.S. inventories following a 3.7 per cent climb the budget until they learned more both the savings and the additional increased agricultural research, issued by the U.S. Department in 2011-12. about how the reductions will be safety measures would come later. said Bonnett. of Agriculture March 30. The IGC projected the 2012- implemented. The new money would go toward And while tax breaks for renew- “The supply-and-demand 13 world wheat crop at 681 mil- “Although on the surface the completing the implementation of able energy projects are welcome, outlook for maize is projected lion tonnes, marginally above cuts look large, we are reserving the food safety recommendations the “CFA believes the tax support to remain quite tight in 2012- the prior month’s forecast of judgment till we have more details contained in the Weatherill report for clean energy generation needs 13 but a large crop, including 680 million but still shy of pre- regarding which programs will be on the deadly listeria outbreak of to be expanded to include energy a major upturn in the U.S., vious season’s 696 million. trimmed,” said Richard Phillips, 2008 — an effort that has already generated from animal waste, as executive director of the Grains resulted in the hiring of hundreds well as plant residue,” he said. Council of Canada. “Potentially, these widespread cuts may not touch critical areas. We will be looking for more detail where the cuts are coming from.” One of the few specifics relating to agriculture in Finance Minister JOB ID: Jim Flaherty’s budget is that Agri- 4671-A culture Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will col- DATE: laborate on research. MARCH His organization will be watch- CLIENT: ing to see if this move “will trans- SYNGENTA CANADA late into more agriculture research PROJECT: and scientists on the ground,” said QUILT ON CEREALS Phillips. “Agriculture and Agri-Food Can- PUBLICATION: ada was one of 10 departments to ALBERTA FARMER EXPRESS see cuts in the double digits,” noted Ron Bonnett, president of the Cana- DESIGNER: dian Federation of Agriculture. CB

While the federation supports ( ) MECHANICAL ( ) PDF/X moves to increase efficiency in the department, if “the cuts result in FINAL SIZE: 8.125" X 10" hampering the success of farmers’ UCR: 240% businesses and rural communities, then this will be an area of concern CLIENT SERVICE we will address and will work with the government to identify solu- PROOFREADING tions,” said Bonnett. ART DIRECTION “We need to maintain a strong agricultural industry and support PRODUCTION our producers to ensure Canada continues to compete successfully within a changing global econ- omy.”

CFIA cut The Agriculture Department’s bud- get will be cut by nearly $15 million in the 2012-13 fiscal year and the CFIA will have to reduce spending by $2 million. Next year, the cuts will rise to $158.4 million and $56 million respectively and by the third year reach $253 million and $56.1 million. A government spokesman said the combined $2.6-billion budget allocation would become permanent, although annual fund- ing would fluctuate depending on circumstances. Money will have to be allocated later for Growing Forward 2, which is to come into effect next year, and other programs. The department expects to save money by consolidating the deliv- ery of grants and contribution pro- grams and by streamlining man- agement of the Farm Debt Media- tion Service, according to budget documents. The Canadian Grain Commission will also receive $44 million dur- Apply Quilt® fungicide at the ag leaf stage and you’ll boost your returns. That’s because the ing the next two fiscal years while X-Factor of Quilt protects the ag leaf – the plant’s single biggest contributor to grain  ll – from it transitions to a self-sustaining stem to tip. The bottom line: An investment in Quilt pays off. For more information, contact our agency. The Conservative govern- ment tried to overhaul the com- Customer Resource Centre at 1-87-SYNGENTA (1-877-964-3682) or visit SyngentaFarm.ca mission when it was in a minority, Always read and follow label directions. Quilt,® the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and but hasn’t acted on the issue since the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2012 Syngenta Canada Inc. winning the 2011 election.

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BayerCropScience.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. Movento® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

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