THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012 VOL. 90 | NO. 3 | $3.75
WIND PROJECTS EXPAND | P60 SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM
SPRAYING | CHEMICAL RESISTANCE DINNER IS NEARLY READY CWB | NEW PROGRAMS Resistant Wheat board ready to chart kochia new course discovered BY BRIAN CROSS SASKATOON NEWSROOM
Crop Production Week The Canadian Wheat Board will be | Scientists confirm a significant player in an open grain market, but farmers will have to wait glyphosate resistance a bit longer for specifics about its new contracts and programs, according BY DAN YATES & MICHAEL RAINE to a top CWB executive. SASKATOON NEWSROOM Gord Flaten, vice-president of mar- keting and sales, said the board has Hugh Beckie’s prediction has come been working hard behind the true: glyphosate resistance has con- scenes to ensure that competitive tinued to spread and the first resis- programs are in place before Aug. 1. tant weed on the Prairies is kochia. “We are ready,” Flaten said Jan. 13 Beckie, a scientist with Agriculture during a presentation at Crop Pro- Canada, has confirmed that kochia duction Week in Saskatoon. pulled from three chem-fallowed “We believe we will be a good mar- fields in southern Alberta that had keting option for farmers … and we received multiple applications of think we will be a significant player in glyphosate is resistant to the popular the western Canadian grain industry.” Group 9 herbicide. The board’s new programs are His message to producers: now that expected to include cash contracts, it’s here, it’s here to stay and it will harvest pools with flexible delivery spread. The tumbleweed moves dates and early payment options, quickly, producing more than 10,000 and futures contracts that allow pro- seeds and covering kilometres a day. ducers to choose between base deliv- Resistance evolves after the repeat- eryaccess=subscriber grades section=news,none,none and different delivery ed use of a single herbicide without windows. adequate culture weed manage- ment. The susceptible weeds are SEE CWB PROGRAMS, PAGE 3 » killed while resistant weeds are left behind to reproduce. Beckie said that based on previous studies, all kochia is already consid- ered resistant to Group 2 herbicides. “Field-to-field spread of glypho- u|xhHEEJBy00001pzYv+:. sate-resistant kochia is likely going to JANUARY 19, 2012 be rapid, and so don’t feel sorry for Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: those three farmers, because if Box 2500, Group 2-resistant kochia is any indi- Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4 cator, I think all of us will be dealing with glyphosate-resistant kochia within 20 years,” said Beckie, who made the announcement at last week’s Crop Production Week in Saskatoonaccess=subscriber section=news,none,none with colleague Bob Black- shaw. Luckily, walking under a grain auger isn’t included as a superstition as Murray Jorgensen prepares some cattle SEE GLYPHOSATE RESISTANCE, P. 2 » feed on Friday the 13th at his farm east of Bassano, Alta. | KEVIN LINK PHOTO CROP PRODUCTION WEEK COVERAGE APPEARS ON P. 4, 6-7, 26-29, 58, 62-63. ations Inc. Publisher, Larry Hertz ations Inc. Publisher,
SHOW US YOUR TANDEM TRUCK. AND YOU CAN WIN ONE. HURRY! Contest closes January 31, 2012. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240; Registration No. 10676 No. 40069240; Registration Agreement Publications Mail No. which is ownedCommunic by GVIC
Enter at www.winatandemtruck.ca TMTrademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. TMThe Western Producer
11/12-17287-3 Producer Publications, by Western Producer is published in Saskatoon Western The 2 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS SPRAYING | FROM PAGE ONE INSIDE THIS WEEK REGULAR FEATURES Ag Stock Prices 70 Glyphosate resistance Classifieds 33 Events, Mailbox 23 Livestock Report 9 Market Charts 8 Opinion 10 The thing is they have to add Open Forum 12 something with glyphosate that On The Farm 77 will control the glyphosate- Weather 79 resistant populations. COLUMNS HUGH BECKIE Barry Wilson 10 AGRICULTURE CANADA Editorial Notebook 11 Hursh on Ag 11 Satellite images shown at the con- On the farm: Catering to loyal customers is key for two sisters The Bottom Line 71 ference indicate the fields are near the running a B.C. market garden. See page 77. | TAMARA LEIGH PHOTO Animal Health 69 Alberta communities of Warner and Cowboy Logic 68 Milk River, although it’s unknown whether the resistance was selected NEWS TEAM Living Tips 76 there or blew into the region. Health Clinic 77 Beckie was alerted to the case in » PULSE SHIFT: A major pulse » ECO-BUFFERS: Shelterbelts Speaking of Life 76 August, and when he saw the “linear player wants to turn the crop are becoming more compli- patterns” of kochia, he knew what he into food in Canada instead cated as producers plant CONTACTS 4 24 was looking at. of exporting raw product. multiple species. His team retrieved 15 plants from » GROWING DRUGS: Poppy » WHEAT BREEDING: Bayer Larry Hertz, Publisher each field — “that’s all the truck could production to produce pain- CropScience plans to build a Ph: 306-665-9625 hold” — and took them back to the lab. killers and sedatives is con- wheat breeding centre in the [email protected] The plants were grown out for seed and sidered for the Prairies. 14 Saskatoon area. 26 Joanne Paulson, Editor the offspring were grown and sprayed “The thing is they have to add YOUNG FARMERS: Alberta is LENTIL PRICE: Red lentil Ph: 306-665-3537 at an eight centimetre height. something with glyphosate that will » » placing a new emphasis on prices need to rise to avoid [email protected] The tests proved positive for control the glyphosate-resistant attracting young farmers to a significant reduction in glyphosate resistance. populations,” said Beckie. agriculture. 18 seeded acreage. 27 Terry Fries, News Editor “Even at the highest rate we had He said Group 4 or 6 herbicides, Ph: 306-665-3538 about 50 percent survival,” said previously identified for Group » CROP CENTRE: Fundraising » WIND POWER: Wind electri- [email protected] Beckie, which he called a moderate 2-resistant kochia, remain an option has started to build a crop cal generation is increasing, level of resistance. for wheat producers. production interpretive and with it comes a need for Newsroom inquiries: 306-665-3544 “In practical reality, a farmer cannot “But clearly we need more research centre in Saskatchewan. 22 skilled workers. 60 Newsroom fax: 306-934-2401 control these populations within a this coming year on fine tuning or reasonable rate of glyphosate,” he said. developing more recommendations MARKETS 6 Paul Yanko, Website Monsanto, which makes glypho- for growers in various cropping situ- Ph: 306-665-3591 sate-based Roundup and Roundup ations.” » FALLING CANOLA: Canola growers are told [email protected] Ready crops, said the weeds devel- Agriculture Canada has started a to expect canola prices to start falling. 6 Barbara Duckworth, Calgary oped from a crop rotation that didn’t preliminary survey of 50 samples » PEA STOCKS: Dwindling stocks should Ph: 403-291-2990 include regular use of Roundup collected within a 20 km radius of the encourage farmers to start planting peas. 7 Ready crops, which Beckie con- original three fields. Beckie is expect- [email protected] firmed aren’t likely to be widely ing further cases from the area. Mary MacArthur, Camrose grown in the area. While this is the first case of Ph: 780-672-8589 Monsanto argues that resistance glyphosate tolerance in Western PRODUCTION 28 [email protected] can be managed with proper agro- Canada, there are 21 confirmed cas- » FLOOD CONTROL: Water-filled tubes are a nomic practices, tank mixes and es worldwide dating back to the mid- good alternative to sand bags and dikes. 30 Barb Glen, Lethbridge cultural weed control methods. 1990s. This is the third case of Ph: 403-942-2214 “The effective use of Roundup agri- glyphosate tolerance in Canada, » PICKING ROCKS: This rock picker allows [email protected] culture herbicides and Roundup joining giant ragweed and Canada producers to keep their topsoil. 31 Ready crops has continued in areas fleabane discovered in southwestern Karen Briere, Regina where glyphosate resistance has Ontario. LIVESTOCK 65 Ph: 306-359-0841 occurred in the past and we have Glyphosate-tolerant kochia has [email protected] some very knowledgeable people already been found in Kansas, looking into this issue. I am confident Nebraska and Colorado, with sus- » STOCK SHOW: Canadian Red Angus Ed White, Winnipeg breeders had a good week in Denver. 65 in our ability to present good options pected instances in Montana and Ph: 204-943-6294 to the growers in the region,” Sean North and South Dakota. » IN THE YARDS: Cattle producers wheel and [email protected] Dilk, technology development man- “It’s very difficult in any weed spe- deal “in the yards” at the Denver show. 66 ager with Monsanto, said in a news cies to drive the seed bank to extinc- Ron Lyseng, Winnipeg release. tion,” Beckie said. “This is nature Ph: 204-654-1889 Beckie said a Group 4 herbicide such we’re dealing with, so it’s a bit of a AGFINANCE 70 [email protected] as dicamba is an option for producers. life sentence.” » BRASSICA CARINATA: A new oilseed is Robert Arnason, Brandon being tested for use as jet biofuel. 70 Ph: 204-726-9463 » POST CWB: Viterra expects earnings to rise [email protected] after the CWB monopoly disappears. 71 Barry Wilson, Ottawa Corrections Ph: 613-232-1447 On page 48 of the SaskSeed Guide, delivered in the Jan. 12 Western Producer, FARM LIVING 74 [email protected] Canterra should have been listed among the seed companies that submitted Canada Post Agreement Number varieties for new canola performance trials. » NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY: An Alberta 40069240 A headline on page 25 of the Jan. 12 issue should have referred to the photographer finds beauty in nature. 75 SEE INSIDE BACK COVER FOR Canadian International Grains Institute instead of the Canadian Grain » FEED THE WORLD: A slow food advocate Commission. questions the idea of feeding the world. 78 ADVERTISING AND SUBSCRIPTION TELEPHONE NUMBERS
www.pioneer.com/yieldwww.pionpionneer.com/yielccom/ d The PROVING GROUND.TMT 1000 Large-scale canola, soybean and corn trials across Western Canada.
All purchases are subject to the terms of labelling and purchase documents. ®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marksks licenslicenseded to PioPioneerneer Hi-BHi-Bredred LiLimited.mited. © 2011 PHL. PR2259PR2259 NEWS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 3
CWB | FROM PAGE ONE CWB program details still to come The harvest pools will likely require producers to sign up shortly after harvest but before a specified post- harvest deadline. The pools are expected to cover red spring wheat, durum, winter wheat and malting barley. The CWB will continue to publish Pool Return Outlooks but permit books and contract calls will likely become things of the past. Feed barley business will likely be conducted only on a cash basis. The board is also considering a pre- harvest pooling option that would require growers to sign up produc- tion before the crop is seeded. Pre-harvest pooling would allow the CWB to estimate the volume of grain at its disposal and would enable the board to begin marketing new crop wheat, durum and malting bar- ley well in advance of harvest. The board will continue to examine different aspects of pre-harvest pool- ing, including the potential use of an act-of-God clause that would reduce producer risk in the event of a crop Darrell Knash of Flaman Group of Companies sprays snow off a 1041 Loadout Wheatheart Auger in preparation for failure. CLEANING UP | Manitoba Ag Days, which were held Jan. 17-19 in Brandon. The show featured more than 500 exhibitors, seminars, Although the board is free to deal in workshops and also a Bull Congress. | SANDY BLACK PHOTO all crop types come Aug.1, Flaten said directors and staff will focus primar- ily on finalizing contract details for the core crops of wheat, durum and CWB | COURT CHALLENGE NEWS BRIEFS barley before expanding into so- called non-board crops, such as INDUSTRY SHAKEUP canola, lentils, peas and oats. CWB programs will not be made available to growers until the board has Group vows to broaden CWB announces layoffs had an opportunity to conclude com- The Canadian Wheat Board will mercial grain handling agreements continue to downsize staff over the with private-sector grain handlers and next few months as it attempts to elevator companies, a process that has transform the board from a state- been underway for some time. owned trading enterprise into a CWB legal challenge competitive commercial entity. “We’re discussing (commercial agree- ments) with all of the companies and CWB spokesperson Maureen Fitz- those are discussions that are going on henry confirmed this week that the behind the scenes,” Flaten said. Class action suit considered | Fight may go all the way to Supreme Court board notified 23 full-time employ- ees on Jan. 16 that their jobs would “As soon as we reach some agree- be eliminated. ments, that will be common knowl- BY BRIAN CROSS as a down payment on a pair of ships, group is fully prepared to argue Fitzhenry said additional job cuts edge.” SASKATOON NEWSROOM about $100 million tied up in board- against the Marketing Freedom for would be made but she did not say Private sector grain handlers owned hopper cars and a Winnipeg Grain Farmers Act before Canada’s how many positions would be elimi- including Viterra, Richardson Inter- The legal quagmire surrounding office building that is worth roughly top court if other legal challenges nated in total. national and Cargill have already the Canadian Wheat Board contin- $14 million. prove fruitless. “I can’t provide estimates at this begun signing forward delivery con- ues to deepen. Bohdanovich declined to com- Bohdanovich said the group will point as to the number of further tracts with prairie farmers. Last week, the Friends of the Cana- ment on Merchant’s class action suit need $350,000 to have the case heard staff reductions or when we’ll have A number of companies unveiled dian Wheat Board (FCWB) but said it is up to farmers and single- by the Supreme Court, a small reached that optimal staff size but details of their delivery contracts in announced that it is prepared to desk supporters to decide whether amount given what’s at stake. as we continue to review our current mid-December, shortly after Bill broaden its legal challenge against they want to join Merchant’s action The money will be raised from pro- and upcoming roles and require- C-18 received royal assent in Ottawa. Ottawa if cases now before the courts or support the FCWB’s efforts to ducers and other organizations that ments, we will have a better idea of Asked if the wheat board was con- are not successful in stopping imple- block legislation aimed at ending the oppose the act. what our optimal staff size will look like,” Fitzhenry said. cerned about further delays in rolling mentation of the Marketing Freedom single desk. “We’re going to begin soliciting It is believed that most, if not all, out their programs for the 2012-13 for Grain Farmers Act. “We are observing (Merchant’s funds from the farm community very of the 23 affected employees, were marketing year, Flaten said the Larry Bohdanovich, a producer lawsuit) from the side. We’re not shortly,” he said. based in Winnipeg. board’s top objective is to negotiate from Grandview, Man., and a mem- endorsing it or condemning it, but “Our legal counsel has said (it will “Right now, we’re focused on try- reliable agreements. ber of the FCWB, said the group will that’s not part of what (we’re involved cost) around $350,000…. You can’t ing to figure out the best course of “I think the priority is to get good seek a Supreme Court hearing if in),” Bohdanovich said. buy a combine for that right now.” action to successfully transition into agreements so that we can offer good necessary and is also considering a “Mr. Merchant is known for class Another court case, this one seek- an open market for August 2012 and contracts and good services for farm- class action lawsuit against Ottawa action suits in Western Canada. We ing an injunction against the act, was helping employees cope with the ers so we’re focused more on that on behalf of participating grain are not affiliated with him. We are scheduled to be heard in Winnipeg change,” she said. than we are on a particular date,” producers. affiliated with Winnipeg lawyer this week. Flaten said. Bohdanovich said a class action Anders Bruun as legal counsel. We Bohdanovich acknowledged that CABINET SHUFFLE “There are also some limits to how suit will be launched only after all have followed and have been defend- ongoing legal battles could have a much forward sales demand there is other legal avenues aimed at block- ing farmer rights since 2006 … on negative impact on sales to interna- and it’s still fairly early in the 2012-13 ing the act, including an application issues regarding the wheat board so tional grain buyers, but he said the Manitoba gets new marketing campaign, so that’s not a for a Supreme Court hearing, have we’ve got a depth of history and expe- blame for any negative market agriculture minister really big concern right now.” been exhausted. rience there.” impact rests with Ottawa and not Flaten also dismissed concerns “We’re not going to initiate it … If the FCWB does launch a class with FCWB. Manitoba premier Greg Selinger about growers holding back signifi- until we’ve exhausted all other legal action against Ottawa, it could be “There may be turmoil, but the fed- has appointed Swan River rookie cant quantities of old crop wheat and remedies,” he said. years before the lawsuit is initiated, eral government created that tur- MLA Ron Kostyshyn as the prov- durum and contracting it into the The FCWB announcement came Bohdanovich added. moil, we didn’t.” ince’s newest agriculture minister. Kostyshyn replaces Stan Struthers, 2012-13 marketing year. just days after Regina lawyer Tony The value of an FCWB-sponsored A statement issued on behalf of who is now Manitoba’s minister of He said the CWB is expecting a Merchant launched a separate class class action would likely be deter- federal agriculture minister Gerry finance. smooth transition between crop action suit against Ottawa on behalf mined in consultation with other Ritz said Ottawa is disappointed to Kostyshyn, who has operated years with no significant hiccups in of prairie grain farmers. aggrieved parties, including the see further “misguided legal a mixed farm for 25 years in the grain flow or logistics. Merchant’s suit claims farmers are Canadian Wheat Board Alliance, the action.” region north of Dauphin, was for- The board announced last week owed $300 million that originated National Farmers Union and eight “This baseless action in no way merly reeve for the Rural Munici- that it will be offering Series B con- from CWB’s pool accounts. farmer-elected directors that were affects the (legislation) or western pality of Mossey River and chair of tracts, giving growers an additional The $300 million claim includes removed from the CWB’s board in farmers’ ability to forward contract the Manitoba Conservation District opportunity to market grain from last $100 million from the CWB contin- mid-December. rightaccess=subscriber now section=news,none,none for an open market on Aug. Associationaccess=subscriber section=news,none,none before becoming an year’s harvest before Aug. 1. gency fund, $65 million that was used In the more immediate future, the 1, 2012,” Ritz said. MLA last fall. 4 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS
CROP EVENTS | ANNOUNCEMENTS Information flows at coinciding crop events Crop Production Week | Producers heard from industry experts and Berny Wiens of Hershel, Sask., uses his smart phone to photograph the screen while Patty Rosher from the Canadian Wheat Board talks about Weatherfarm Jan. 13 during Crop Production Week in Saskatoon. | WILLIAM DEKAY PHOTO commodity associations
BY DAN YATES SASKATOON NEWSROOM PULSES | VALUE ADDED Warm weather helped organizers set a new attendance record at the Western Canadian Crop Production Pulse guru has ambitious plans for sector Show. Almost 20,000 people walked through the doors at the four-day Crop Production Week | Murad Al-Katib wants to process pulses at home instead of exporting raw products event held at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. The 19,948 total is a 15.8 STORIES BY SEAN PRATT ted $50 million to building a pasta ounced plans to build a red lentil throughout North America, Central percent increase over 2011. SASKATOON NEWSROOM and pulse processing facility in Regi- splitting plant in Regina. Those who America, South America and West- A total of 306 companies show- na and $12 million toward acquiring are skeptical of marketing pulse food ern Europe. cased technology services and prod- The man who helped transform and completing a pulse processing ingredients in North America need His company already uses 50 per- ucts at the event, occupying 993 trade Saskatchewan’s pulse industry into a and food ingredient plant in Minot, only think of one product. cent lentil flour in its Barilla Pasta show booths. global powerhouse has a new vision North Dakota. “How many of you ate hummus 10 line, which is the fastest growing “Outstanding weather combined to share with growers. And that is just the start. years ago and how many of you eat it brand of pasta in the United States. with a strong agriculture economic “You know how you sell more peas “We need to increase Canadian today?” Al-Katib asked his audience. He is convinced food companies climate (contributed) to record atten- to India? You drop the price,” Murad milling capacity for pulses,” said Al- Annual spending on food in the will eventually pay a premium for dance at this year’s show,” Prairie- Al-Katib, president of Alliance Grain Katib. United States is $1.24 trillion. pulse food ingredients because land Park agriculture manager Lori Traders Inc., told farmers attending “I’m not a greedy man. I only want pulses have the lowest carbon foot- Cates said in a news release. Pulse Days 2012. Location scouted out 10 percent of that,” said Al-Katib to a print of any crop due to their nitrogen Across the city, producers met with “That’s plain and simply how you chorus of laughter. fixing ability. Sustainability is sexy commodity associations and experts sell more peas to India. I don’t want He said Regina’s Global Transpor- He believes farmers will benefit by these days, he added. at Crop Production Week, which is to be there and I don’t think growers tation Hub would be an ideal loca- processing pulses at home rather Al-Katib said the company will held concurrently with the produc- want to be there.” tion for further expansion into the than exporting raw product abroad. continue to service markets looking tion show. Instead, Al-Katib intends to take food ingredient business. “If we seize the opportunity to cre- for whole or split pulses, but he Co-ordinator Kevin Hursh wasn’t his pulse processing empire, with 29 The anchor tenant for the hub is ate value, we are not dependent on doesn’t understand why Saskatch- able to provide detailed attendance factories in five continents, in a dif- Loblaws, Canada’s largest food whether or not India has a good crop ewan is shipping half a million figures at the meetings. ferent direction and hopes growers retailer. An estimated 2,800 trucks or a bad crop, whether or not Turkey tonnes of bulk peas to China, where Attendance at the Jan. 11 special will follow by committing more per week will be coming into Regina has a surplus or a deficit, whether or mills extract the starch to make ver- session with Geoff Honey of Grain acres to peas, lentils, chickpeas and with product that the Loblaws ware- not Australia has good weather or micelli noodles, when that can be Trade Australia was approximately beans. house will distribute from northern bad weather. We will create our own done at home. 400, he said, while the newer canary- He plans to build value-added facili- Ontario to British Columbia. consumption.” He was inspired by a recent tour of a seed session saw more than 100 ties that will fractionate pulse crops Al-Katib intends to fill some of He said red lentil prices started to U.S. corn mill that processes 7,500 attendees. into flour, proteins, starches and fibre those empty trucks with pulse food climb shortly after the company tonnes of the crop per day into fibre While the two shows aren’t orga- that will be marketed to food compa- product ingredients that will be opened its Regina splitting plant in used to make a biopolymer, proteins nized together, what’s good for one is nies around the world as a replace- shipped across North America. 2002. for food and feed ingredients and good for the other, he said. ment to soy-based products. He said people scoffed at the Al-Katib said pulse-based food starchesaccess=subscriber section=news,none,none for enzymes, ethanol and “It shows that there’s money in the The company has already commit- company a decade ago when it ann- ingredients would be marketed high fructose corn syrup. farm community,” he said. “Save for the people that had real terrible flooding problems, a lot of other producers have done well and CANOLA MERGER | VOTE UNANIMOUS done well in the past few years.” The event saw some significant announcements, including the con- Canola sector seeks stronger voice with merger firmation of glyphosate-resistant kochia in Alberta, but Hursh said Canadian Wheat Board discussions Crop Production Week | Canola association merges with development commission to prevent duplication hung over the week. “Even though it didn’t appear obvi- Saskatchewan’s canola growers ing Crop Production Week 2011, “We think it’s best for all farmers to Crop Production Week 2012. ously directly as an agenda item, I will be speaking with a unified voice shortly after the group’s executive just have that one clear voice out “I’m being a little self-serving here, think that the changes in wheat, after the merger of two commodity director took another job. there for canola.” but I think it’s far easier for us to work durum and barley marketing was groups. Membership had fallen to 300 SaskCanola expanded its board by with the one organization going for- sort of a background theme in all of The province’s grower association growers from a high of more than two positions, which were filled by ward. I think it’s going to work very the meetings,” said Hursh. formally amalgamated with its 1,000. two former grower association board well,” he said. He said the show will continue to research and market development Last year was spent making the members, and broadened its man- He later told reporters that it was evolve, with the possible inclusion commission at Crop Production transition from two groups to one date to include policy and govern- difficult having two voices represent- of new groups. Week 2012, completing a two-year larger entity, and the amalgamation ment outreach activities. ing the canola industry. The CWB’s future with the show is merger process. became official Jan. 12. Jeff Pylatuik, past-president of the “It duplicated the meetings that we uncertain, he added. Saskatchewan Canola Growers “Boards of both organizations grower group, said SaskCanola will have and all of the input that we have “It’s too early to say whether or not Association has been absorbed by determined that as the industry and be a stronger organization by taking and quite often it’s the same people they want or if it will be appropriate the Saskatchewan Canola Develop- marketplace continues to expand, on the policy portfolio. that we’re dealing with,” said for them to remain part of Crop Pro- ment Commission (SaskCanola), an canola producers and stakeholders “We are pleased with the outcome Bjornerud. duction Week,” said Hursh. organization the grower group would be better and more effectively of these endeavors,” he said. Halstead said the commission will “So there’s always changes, a little helped spawn in 1991. served by one organization to man- So is Saskatchewan Agriculture continue to be funded by a manda- bit of juggling back and forth ... but The grower association voted age all services related to our farmers minister Bob Bjornerud, who con- tory but refundable 75 cent per tonne overall I think it’s still a very useful unanimously in favour of the merger and the industry,” said SaskCanola gratulated the two groups on the levyaccess=subscriber on section=news,markets,nonesection=news,none,none Saskatchewan produced formataccess=subscriber section=news,none,none to haveone all of the groups in one a year ago at its annual meeting dur- chair Brett Halstead. merger at the SaskCanola portion of canola. place.”
FOR MORE CROP PRODUCTION WEEK COVERAGE, SEE PAGES 6, 7, 26-29, 58, 62-63 NEWS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 5
CP RAIL | OPERATIONS KEEPING AN EYE ON THE CHALLENGE AHEAD Railway outlines financial plans
BY BRIAN CROSS SASKATOON NEWSROOM
The chair of Canada’s second larg- est railway assured shareholders last week that the company has a multi- year plan aimed at increasing vol- umes, expanding rail network capac- ity, controlling costs and boosting profitability. Canadian Pacific Railway chair John Cleghorn said the company’s new plan has been endorsed by the CPR’s board of directors and will result in greater efficiency and reduced operating ratios, which are defined as a ratio of operating expenses to revenues. In an open letter to shareholders issued Jan. 9, Cleghorn said CPR’s board fully supports the railway’s president and chief executive officer, Fred Green, and will continue to work with Green and other senior managers to ensure that the compa- ny meets its financial targets. “The board is working closely with management and monitoring the company’s performance,” Cleghorn Five-year-old Evan Malcolm braves the frigid temperatures and high wind chill as he skates around the new rink in downtown Banff Jan. 15. wrote. A pancake breakfast was served to help kick off SnowFest Days with activities all through the upcoming week. | PATRICK PRICE PHOTO “This plan has been specifically designed to generate the best possi- ble operational and financial results from CP’s unique assets and circum- stances.” FARM PROGRAM | PAYMENTS Cleghorn’s letter was issued in response to criticism by American fund manager William Ackman, who manages Pershing Square Capital Grain prices put squeeze on AgriStability Management. Ackman’s Pershing Square holds a 14.2 percent share in CPR. Based on margin average | High reference prices mean if income declines, the program pays out Earlier this month, Ackman threat- ened to take action aimed at replac- ing several members of CPR’s board BY BARRY WILSON been too long of a dip,” said Manitoba when the inevitable low-income and ousting Green as the company’s OTTAWA BUREAU farmer and safety net specialist years return. He is predicting a CEO. Owen McAuley. Farmers who have had both high decline in grain prices within a few Ackman proposed that the board Recent years of higher farm sector “But on the grain side in the area years. replace Green with former Canadian commodity prices have restored where we farm on the Saskatchewan prices and high yields have built “Farmers who have had both high National Railway executive Hunter AgriStability reference margin levels border, we have established very up some incredible margins in prices and high yields have built up Harrison, who is credited with and made governments susceptible good margins in the last few years the grain and oilseed sector. some incredible margins in the grain improving efficiency at CN, CPR’s to higher future farm payments even and because we didn’t get a lot of and oilseed sector,” he said. main rival, and setting a new perfor- as they look for deficit-fighting cost acres seeded this year because it was RICHARD GRAY “That protects farmers from the mance standard for the North Amer- savings. too wet, I expect those margins will ECONOMIST next shock, but it also creates incred- ican rail industry. Through years of low prices in the pay us big dividends.” ible exposure for governments. The CN, Canada’s largest rail company, grain sector and later cattle and hog Agriculture Canada agrees. cattle industry is building margins has since advised CPR against hiring sectors, the AgriStability program Departmental economists have losses have made the AgriStability and a couple more good years should Harrison, suggesting that he has a and its predecessor Canadian Agri- developed a model that predicts program largely unhelpful. do it. Hog producers who have had contractual commitment that pro- cultural Income Stabilization pro- AgriStability payments of more than Part of the problem is that the refer- the worst time in recent years remain hibits him from working for CPR. gram became less effective because $1.6 billion if there is a grain sector ence margin formula takes the past the least protected by the program.” Ackman also said last week that he payments are triggered based on income decline in 2015, more than five year average income as the trig- The potential for bigger program would lobby CPR shareholders to historic income. double predicted payments if there is ger with the highest and lowest year payments comes at a time when fed- support a plan aimed at replacing Farmers have complained that no sharp industry income decline. excluded. eral and provincial governments that several directors on CPR’s current years of low returns can reduce the “In the grains and oilseeds sector, “We have not rebuilt our margins share the financial obligation are board. reference margin average so much reference margins right now are yet,” said Skinner in an interview dur- looking for ways to cut spending. In Cleghorn said CPR directors take that payments are difficult to trigger very high, so when there is a future ing a national farm policy conference Ottawa, all departments have been all suggestions from shareholders when sectors need them the most. dip against that reference margin, in Ottawa Jan. 12. told to find five to 10 percent savings seriously. Recent years of good returns have the program will pay out, so it is “For most hog farmers, the 2011 to be included in the March budget. However, suggestions to replace made the program more robust and completely foreseeable that a sector calendar year should be positive, but However, Meredith said that Green are not in the company’s best useful when future income declines that is doing well but not as well as in with the Olympic average that drops because the business risk manage- interest. occur, at least in grain and cattle sec- the past five years will be getting the high year, it is out of the formula ment programs are enshrined in law “Having considered Pershing tors, government and industry play- payments,” Agriculture Canada so we still have negative margins. If and must respond when there is Square’s demand, the board came to ers said in interviews. Hog industry assistant deputy minister Greg Mer- we have a sudden downturn, AgriSta- industry demand, it does not affect the unanimous conclusion that reference margins after years of edith said. bility will not function as it was Agriculture Canada’s cost-cutting replacing the company’s chief execu- losses still are too low to make the “Across the board, margins are meant to function.” obligations. tive officer, and thereby jeopardizing program effective. being built up and even in hogs, the University of Saskatchewan agri- “These are statutory demand-driv- the successful execution of the multi- “The margin system in the hog trend is up.” cultural economist Richard Gray en programs so it isn’t really Agricul- year plan, is not in the best interests industry isn’t there right now and Stewart Skinner, a hog producer said the recent boom years in most ture Canada budgets that are affect- of access=subscriberCP or section=news,none,none its shareholders,” Cleghorn AgriStability probably is doing very from Listowel, Ont., said that despite sectors have made the AgriStability ed,”access=subscriber he section=news,none,nonesaid. “It comes out of the fiscal wrote. little for hog people because it has better sector returns, the years of program a more robust support framework (of general revenues).” 6 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER
www.secan.com NEW AC® Carberry MARKETS CWRS Wheat Start strong. Finish fast. ‘AC’ is an official mark used under license from Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
MARKETS EDITOR: D’ARCE MCMILLAN | Ph: 306-665-3519 F: 306-934-2401 | E-MAIL: [email protected]
CANOLA | PRICE OUTLOOK Canola on downward cycle, says analyst Crop Production Week | Expert says biodiesel sector will keep prices from falling too far
BY SEAN PRATT SASKATOON NEWSROOM
Farmers should strongly consider marketing a portion of next year’s crop at today’s new crop canola bids, says an independent market analyst. GREG KOSTAL Greg Kostal, president of Kostal Ag ANALYST Consulting, has a sinking feeling about where markets are heading. crop seem to be expanding with each “The speed of supply change is World Agricultural Supply and accelerating more than the speed of Demand Estimates report released demand change,” he told growers by the U.S. Department of Agricul- attending the canola portion of Crop ture. Wheat supplies are as comfort- Production Week. able as they’ve been in a long while. “A year from now expect prices to be U.S. soybean exports have been lower.” sluggish, leading to expectations for Kostal thinks growers should take a higher ending stocks. Three-quar- hard look at new crop bids in the ters of Argentina’s soybean crop $10.50 to $11 per bushel range. If that received a meaningful shot of rain number produces an acceptable last week to help ease dryness con- Domestic and export demand for canola is excellent but stocks of other crops are comfortable and markets are profit for their operation, they should cerns in that key production area. spooked by global financial instability. | FILE PHOTO consider committing 10 to 20 percent Markets are becoming more com- of their 2012 crop. fortable with supplies at a time “All things being normal, I think when importers are having difficulty to replicating what has happened in duction. At some point, falling around for a long time. canola is going to trade at $9 per securing affordable credit from the previous cycles,” he told growers. oilseed prices will trigger increased Kostal expects crushers to process bushel in this upcoming year,” he banks because of global financial Rallies are still possible. Markets demand from the biodiesel sector, seven million tonnes of the com- said. instability. will react to dryness concerns, the establishing a price floor for crops modity in 2011-12. The problem doesn’t lie with Kostal has charted nearby canola pending U.S. acreage battle and oth- such as soybeans and canola. He also sees a strong future for spe- canola, which continues to experi- futures dating back 30 years and er drivers, but the general outlook is “That’s the fundamental reason cialty canola, which he expects to ence phenomenal demand growth. noticed a pattern. Prices tend to bearish. why canola should not go back to $5 reach four million acres by 2014-15, However, canola values can’t stray move in two-year cycles. They’ll There will have to be some big or $6 per bushel again,” he said. up from an estimate of slightly less too far from soybeans and Kostal trend up for a couple of years, then North American weather scare to get The other good news is that it is still than 2.5 million acres in 2011-12. firmly believes soybeans peaked at down for a couple and then sideways things moving back in a bullish direc- a demand-pull market for canola. However, he wonders how long the $14 per bu. and are heading down for two years. He thinks we’ve tion. Canadian crushers are keenly inter- premiums will last once the crop toward $9. entered the down trend. The good news is that global ested in the crop as evidenced by the faces competition from high oleic Global supplies of almost every “Boy, this is ominously suspicious biodiesel capacity far exceeds pro- narrow basis levels that have been soybeans in two or three years.
MARKET OUTLOOK | WHEAT, DURUM, BARLEY Wheat market in doldrums, waiting for weather shakeup Crop Production Week | Ukraine’s drought problems not enough to spark wheat price rally
BY D’ARCE MCMILLAN ket analysis. months away from seeding. southern Plains, North Africa and the percent to 41.9 million acres. SASKATOON NEWSROOM Global crop production in 2011 “Weather can change that and can western half of the Canadian Prairies. “Prices in (the fall) were still rela- was adequate and 2012 looks like it change it really quickly,” he told All might face dryness problems. tively high. In the U.S., prices that The world grain market is moving might help build a surplus if yields farmers at Crop Production Week in Winter wheat seeding generally their crop insurance program would from tightness to surplus, says Bruce are normal, but it is too early to talk Saskatoon. increased last fall in the northern pay were high so that encouraged Burnett, the Canadian Wheat with any authority about a northern The areas to keep an eye on are hemisphere. The U.S. winter wheat acres to go in.” Board’s director of weather and mar- hemisphere crop that is several Ukraine and Eastern Europe, the U.S. acreage appears to be up by three CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE MARKETS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 7
PEAS | PREDICTIONS CWB CONTRACT | WHEAT Wheat board delivery contract Analysts expect pea prices, shows market interest steady
SASKATOON NEWSROOM There had been speculation in the acres, exports to increase industry whether the CWB would be The Canadian Wheat Board is offer- able to sustain enough market inter- Crop Production Week | Lack of rain has taken a toll on India’s pulse ing a 2011-12 Series B delivery con- est to offer Series B contacts, given tract for all wheat types except for the expected removal of its single crop and drought in Mexico will slash chickpea production durum. desk status on Aug. 1 The decision reflects the fact that The sign-up deadline is March 15, the pace for the 2011-12 wheat sales six weeks later than previous years’ BY SEAN PRATT program has been positive, with deadlines, aligning with deadlines SASKATOON NEWSROOM good opportunities expected for for farmers to sign up for 2011-12 milling wheat sales through the fixed price, basis price and FlexPro Pea stocks will be next to nothing at remainder of the year. contracts. the end of this crop year, which I think the trade is being means acreage will likely rise, say extraordinarily cautious about pulse market analysts. how they’re approaching new Mike Jubinville, an analyst with Pro Farmer Canada, is forecasting crop right now. Maybe it’s 200,000 tonnes of carryout, while a bit of a fishing exercise. Colin Topham, director with Agro- corp International, thinks it could be MIKE JUBINVILLE as low as 50,000 tonnes. PRO FARMER CANADA Topham said that would encourage WantsWants toto growers to plant as much as 3.8 mil- lion acres of peas, up from the 2.3 sendsend youyou toto million acres seeded last spring. strong compared to the U.S. dollar, strengthen pea prices. “There’s nowhere for acres to go but and the 550,000 tonnes he expects to India’s crop received much-needed up,” he told a meeting held during go to that country could easily end up rain two weeks ago, so conditions are Pulse Days 2012 in Saskatoon last being 750,000 tonnes. not dire yet, but pea markets will be FarmTechFarmTech week. “They’ve been buying what they closely following its progress. That is why Jubinville scoffs at believe will be the cheapest peas of “If it turns into a serious condition today’s new crop bids in the $6.75 per the year,” he said. in India, well, the upside may start to bushel range. Topham believes total exports and really open up,” he said. “I think the trade is being extraordi- domestic use will amount to 2.35 mil- Green peas are selling at a 50 cent narily cautious about how they’re lion tonnes out of total beginning premium to yellow peas, which isn’t 20122012 approaching new crop right now. supplies of 2.4 million tonnes. much considering growers need to Maybe it’s a bit of a fishing exercise,” However, he is worried that only make a No. 2 or better quality to he said. 100,000 tonnes of peas have been achieve that premium. Jubinville used a slightly higher contracted since September. “We’ll see a further reduction in FarmTech price of $7.25 per bu. to compare pea “(It) is a little bit scary,” he said. green pea acres next year again,” said Global Perspectives... returns with other crops, but it still Jubinville said another bearish fac- Topham. Local Knowledge 2012 ranks no better than the middle of the tor is that many in the trade are Vicki Dutton of Western Grain and pack. beginning to feel that Statistics Cana- Processing Division encouraged “There is some work that needs to da underestimated pea production, growers not to abandon green peas. Join us... Jan. 24-26 be done by the marketplace to attract which could result in more carryout She said a 50 cent premium can add Edmonton EXPO CENTRE the interest of growers,” he said. than what was originally expected. up, and there are still good markets at Northlands “My opinion right now is to exercise The bullish news is that he believes for bleached product. some patience.” India’s pulse acres will be down five On chickpeas, Jubinville said Mexi- Topham has penciled in 1.1 million percent instead of the 1.2 percent co, which is a significant producer of tonnes of exports to India and that the Indian government is report- large kabulis, is experiencing its 250,000 tonnes to Bangladesh in ing because of poor rainfall since the worst drought in 70 years. Topham 2011-12, but those totals may not be beginning of October. said there is speculation that India’s achieved. Sales have stalled, mainly He is forecasting 16.25 million desi chickpea crop is going to be Congratulations because of currency devaluation in tonnes of Indian pulse production, short. those countries. down from the 18.25 million tonnes Both scenarios bode well for chick- China’s currency has remained produced last year, which could pea prices. Heather Haugen, Good rain in the late fall in the U.S. “To get independent support for growing and acreage has increased. southern Plains improved the condi- wheat, support apart from any other However, it has been dry in the tion of the winter wheat, which had commodity, we definitely need some region since mid-December, nor- Lougheed, AB been seeded into dry soil caused by a problems,” Burnett said. “It is some- mally a month when rains are the long-term drought. thing we are going to have to bide our largest of the growing season, so that The winter wheat crop in Ukraine time on to see what happens.” situation bears monitoring given that and Eastern Europe also suffered The problem in Ukraine and East- the region is often Canada’s largest & from dryness, which prevented some ern Europe is not yet enough to durum customer. of it from germinating. strengthen wheat prices. “Unless they pick up some mois- There is no snow cover, which has World production would have to ture at the tail end of their growing Leonard Lundberg, not been a serious problem because fall from current projections by 15 season, they are going to be in some the winter has been mild, but if it million tonnes to give wheat inde- trouble.” turns colder it could cause damage. pendent strength. While the CWB expects more “In Ukraine, about 30 percent of the “It is hard to find that (level of durum acreage, it also sees stronger Turtleford, SK crop is looking really rough,” he said, decline) in one country.” demand and so doesn’t expect stocks but added winter wheat is the crop Durum prices trade relative to to increase by the close of 2012-13. THE ABOVE with nine lives. spring wheat. A large premium built The barley market is characterized Russia’s winter wheat is in good up last year when many Canadian by tight supply in North America and WINNERS RECEIVE shape, as is the Western European and American farmers were unable Europe but improved supply in Aus- 3 Day Registrations crop. to seed durum because of wet soil. tralia and Argentina. The CWB sees world wheat produc- That premium is falling but has not Burnett expects supply and de- to FarmTech 2012 tion falling to 677 million tonnes disappeared. mand will be in rough balance in from about 689 million last year “We expect that to continue for a 2012. from The Western Producer because of a return to normal yields. while, at least until we see next crop “There is nothing very bullish about Consumption is also expected to fall year’s seeding figures,” Burnett said. this, nor is it very, very bearish.” — to 673 million from 681 million — The CWB expects to see more Ukraine could be the wild card. If because less feed wheat will likely be durum acres this spring in North the winter gets cold and severely Enjoy produced. The result would be an America, thanks to better seeding damages the winter wheat, the crop increase in global ending stocks to conditions. European acreage likely to replace it in the spring would 211 million tonnes from 207 million should also increase. be barley, potentially marking a large FarmTech 2012! at the end of 2011-12. The North African crop is already production increase. 8 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER MARKETS CATTLE & SHEEP GRAINS
Steers 600-700 lb. Slaughter Cattle ($/cwt) CWB Domestic Pulse and Special Crops (average $/cwt) Asking Prices Grade A Live Previous Year Rail Previous Source: STAT Publishing, which solicits bids from Maviga N.A., Jan. 6-Jan. 12 Dec. 30-Jan. 5 ago Jan. 6-Jan. 12 Dec. 30-Jan. 5 Roy Legumex, CGF Brokerage, Parrish & Heimbecker, Walker Alberta Durum 1 AD Thunder Bay Seeds and Alliance Grain Traders. Prices paid for dressed product Steers $160 $560 at plant. Alta. 113.75 114.25‐115.00 100.03 190.75-192.85 192.75‐194.00 $520 Jan. 16 Avg. Jan. 9 $155 Ont. 115.77-124.74 117.37‐124.66 98.82 197.00-201.00 193.00‐199.00 Laird lentils, No. 1 (¢/lb) 27.50-28.50 28.11 27.54 $480 $150 Sask. n/a n/a n/a n/a 192.00 Laird lentils, Xtra 3 (¢/lb) 16.00-20.50 18.46 18.46 $145 $440 n/a Man. 105.00-110.00 n/a n/a n/a n/a Richlea lentils, No. 1 (¢/lb) 24.00-25.00 24.70 24.70 $140 $400 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 Heifers 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 Eston lentils, No. 1 (¢/lb) 26.00-29.75 27.96 27.39 Alta. 115.00 115.40‐116.00 99.92 192.85 193.75‐194.00 Eston lentils, Xtra 3 (¢/lb) 16.00-19.75 18.30 18.30 Saskatchewan Ont. 114.03-125.90 114.81‐123.76 98.27 196.00-201.00 192.00‐198.00 Barley Sel. 6-row St. Law. Sm. Red lentils, No. 2 (¢/lb) 14.75-16.75 16.07 15.21 Sask. n/a n/a n/a 190.00 192.00‐192.25 Sm. Red lentils, Xtra 3 (¢/lb) 12.50-15.75 13.93 13.93 $155 $365 Peas, green No. 1 ($/bu) 8.50-9.00 8.80 8.68 $150 Man. 100.00-107.75 n/a n/a n/a n/a $360 *Live f.o.b. feedlot, rail f.o.b. plant. Canfax Peas, green 10% bleach ($/bu) 8.30-8.50 8.47 8.47 $145 $355 Peas, med. yellow No. 1 ($/bu) 8.40-8.55 8.49 8.49 $140 $350 n/a n/a n/a Feeder Cattle ($/cwt) Cattle Slaughter Peas, sm. yellow No. 2 ($/bu) 8.30-8.55 8.46 8.46 $135 $345 Maple peas ($/bu) 8.25-8.50 8.42 8.67 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 Sask. Man. Alta. B.C. To Jan. 7 Fed. inspections only 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 Feed peas ($/bu) 3.50-5.50 4.83 4.83 Mustard, yellow, No. 1 (¢/lb) 35.75-37.75 36.75 36.75 Manitoba Steers Canada U.S. Barley Sel. 2-row St. Law. 900-1000 115-134 no sales 118-139 no sales To date 2012 42,880 560,000 Mustard, brown, No. 1 (¢/lb) 30.75-32.75 31.42 31.42 $155 800-900 122-143 120-139 125-145 123-135 To date 2011 52,690 639,512 $375 Mustard, Oriental, No. 1 (¢/lb) 24.75-28.75 26.75 26.75 $150 700-800 134-152 no sales 132-150 131-144 % Change 12/11 -18.6 -12.4 $370 Canaryseed (¢/lb) 25.00-27.25 26.18 26.46 $145 600-700 141-161 130-161 140-162 140-154 $365 Desi chickpeas (¢/lb) 26.10-27.50 27.22 27.22 $140 500-600 150-178 140-174 150-177 150-173 $360 Kabuli, 8mm, No. 1 (¢/lb) 43.00-47.00 44.00 44.00 n/a n/a Chicago Futures ($US/cwt) $135 400-500 164-192 160-193 165-193 168-186 $355 Kabuli, 7mm, No. 1 (¢/lb) 32.30-34.00 33.58 33.58 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 Close Close Trend Year 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 B-90 ckpeas, No. 1 (¢/lb) 31.50-32.00 31.63 31.63 Heifers Jan. 13 Jan. 6 ago 800-900 113-129 no sales 115-131 115-124 St. Lawrence Asking Jan. 11 Jan. 4 Year Ago Heifers 500-600 lb. 700-800 116-136 112-126 120-136 119-128 Live Cattle Rye Saskatoon ($/tonne) 191.32 166.46 144.78 (average $/cwt) 600-700 120-144 118-134 126-144 125-144 Feb 122.48 120.33 +2.15 109.38 Snflwr NuSun Enderlin ND (¢/lb) 28.10 28.55 24.65 500-600 130-149 125-148 133-153 130-150 Apr 126.40 124.60 +1.80 113.75 Wheat 1 CWRS 13.5% Alberta 400-500 138-164 130-165 140-165 no sales Jun 125.25 124.00 +1.25 112.30 $410 International Grain Prices ($US/tonne) Aug 126.85 126.05 +0.80 112.78 $400 $150 300-400 145-171 no sales 150-172 145-171 Oct 129.65 128.88 +0.77 115.45 $390 Canadian Wheat Board Jan. 6-Jan. 12 $145 Canfax $380 U.S. Barley PNW 287.00 $140 Feeder Cattle Jan 150.58 147.30 +3.28 125.60 $370 U.S. No. 3 Yellow Corn Gulf 259.63-260.62 $135 Average Carcass Weight 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 n/a Mar 152.38 149.88 +2.50 127.30 U.S. Hard Red Winter Gulf 289.59 $130 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 Canfax Jan. 7/12 Jan. 8/11 YTD 12 YTD 11 Apr 154.00 151.20 +2.80 127.75 U.S. No. 3 Amber Durum Gulf 396.83 Steers 881 861 881 861 May 154.78 152.30 +2.48 128.13 Cash Prices U.S. DNS (14%) PNW 352.52 Saskatchewan Heifers 811 795 811 795 Aug 155.90 153.60 +2.30 128.40 No. 1 DNS (14%) ($US/bu.) Montana elevator 7.86 $145 Cows 684 662 684 662 Canola (cash - March) No. 1 DNS (13%) ($US/bu.) Montana elevator 6.86 Est. Beef Wholesale ($/cwt) $140 Bulls 944 980 944 980 $530 No. 1 Durum (13%) ($US/bu.) Montana elevator 7.90 No. 1 Malt Barley ($US/bu.) Montana elevator 5.88 $135 This wk Last wk Yr. ago $520 U.S. Cash cattle ($US/cwt) No. 2 Feed Barley ($US/bu.) Montana elevator 4.20 $130 Montreal 208-210 208-210 187-189 $510 n/a n/a n/a $125 Slaughter cattle (35-65% choice) Steers Heifers Canfax $500 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 Grain Futures National 123.10 123.12 $490 Sheep ($/lb.) & Goats ($/head) 12/9 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/6 1/13 Manitoba Kansas 122.90 122.97 Jan. 16 Jan. 9 Trend Year ago Nebraska 123.56 124.00 Jan. 6 Previous Wpg ICE Western Barley ($/tonne) $145 Canola (basis - March) Nebraska (dressed) 198.86 199.80 Base rail (index 100) 3.75 n/a Mar 212.00 217.00 -5.00 194.00 $140 Index range 101.60-101.87 n/a $5 May 215.00 224.00 -9.00 194.00 $135 Feeders No. 1 (700-799 lb) Steers Trend Range off base 3.81 n/a $0 Jul 220.00 224.00 -4.00 194.00 $130 Feeder lambs 1.50-2.50 n/a $-5 Oct 207.00 207.00 0.00 185.00 n/a n/a South Dakota n/a n/a $125 Sheep (live) 0.40-0.65 n/a $-10 Wpg ICE Canola ($/tonne) 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 Billings 142.50-152.50 +4/+8 Dodge City 144-150 firm/+2 SunGold Meats $-15 Mar 515.00 533.30 -18.30 591.40 12/9 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/6 1/13 USDA Jan. 9 May 519.10 538.90 -19.80 599.10 Basis New lambs 2.50-3.00 2.50-2.92 Jul 521.70 543.30 -21.60 602.40 Cattle / Beef Trade 65-80 lb 2.40-2.91 2.40-2.60 Feed Wheat (cash) Nov 500.70 520.30 -19.60 549.50 Cash Futures 80-95 lb 2.14-2.19 2.26-2.33 $225 Jan 506.70 525.80 -19.10 554.00 Exports % from 2010 > 95 lb 2.05-2.10 2.00-2.15 $220 Chicago Wheat ($US/bu.) Alta-Neb -12.36 -9.96 Sltr. cattle to U.S. (head) 596,498 (1) -29.2 > 110 lb 1.90-2.10 1.90-2.00 $215 Mar 6.0225 6.4175 -0.3950 7.7325 Sask-Neb n/a n/a Feeder C&C to U.S. (head) 76,021 (1) -61.2 Feeder lambs 1.75-2.20 1.75-2.10 $210 May 6.2425 6.6075 -0.3650 8.0300 Ont-Neb -4.92 -2.36 n/a Total beef to U.S. (tonnes) 212,127 (3) -21.3 Sheep 1.29-1.50 1.30-1.50 $205 Jul 6.4575 6.7675 -0.3100 8.2775 Canfax Total beef, all nations (tonnes) 284,609 (3) -18.6 Rams 1.25-1.35 1.25-1.35 12/9 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/6 1/13 Sep 6.6675 6.9500 -0.2825 8.4675 Kids 70-120 70-120 Canadian Beef Production Imports % from 2010 Chicago Oats ($US/bu.) Sltr. cattle from U.S. (head) n/a (2) n/a Ontario Stockyards Inc. Flax (elevator bid- S’toon) Mar 2.8250 2.9550 -0.1300 3.9200 million lb. YTD % change Feeder C&C from U.S. (head) 59,854 (2) +46.6 Jan. 16 $520 May 2.8300 2.9850 -0.1550 3.9850 Fed 29.2 -20 Total beef from U.S. (tonnes) 165,540 (4) +26.7 Wool lambs > 80 lb. 1.90-2.10 $515 Jul 2.8700 3.0425 -0.1725 4.0000 Non-fed 6.0 -4 Total beef, all nations (tonnes) 202,137 (4) +15.6 Wool lambs < 80 lb. 2.30 $510 Sep 2.9350 3.0525 -0.1175 3.6400 Chicago Soybeans ($US/bu.) Total beef 35.2 -17 (1) to Dec. 31/11 (2) to Oct. 31/11 (3) to Oct. 31/11 (4) to Dec. 31/11 Hair lambs 1.80-2.00 $505 n/a Jan 11.6000 12.2575 -0.6575 14.0650 Canfax Agriculture Canada Fed sheep 0.50-0.70 $500 Sask. Sheep Dev. Bd. 12/9 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/6 1/13 Mar 11.5825 12.3300 -0.7475 14.2250 May 11.6775 12.4200 -0.7425 14.3125 W. Barley (cash - March) Jul 11.7775 12.5050 -0.7275 14.3475 Chicago Soy Meal ($US/short ton) HOGS $225 Basis: -$1 Jan 304.8 320.2 -15.4 377.0 Due to wide reporting and Fixed contract $/ckg Hog Slaughter $220 Mar 301.5 323.5 -22.0 388.1 collection methods, it is $215 May 304.5 326.0 -21.5 390.4 misleading to compare hog Maple Leaf Hams Mktg. To Jan. 7 Fed. inspections only $210 Jul 307.8 328.7 -20.9 390.6 $205 prices between provinces. Jan. 13 Jan. 13 Canada U.S. 12/9 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/6 1/13 Chicago Soybean Oil (US¢/lb.) Feb 19-Mar 03 150.08-152.47 150.40-151.68 To date 2012 357,640 2,063,000 Jan 50.20 52.02 -1.82 56.70 Mar 04-Mar 17 150.55-151.95 150.87-152.28 To date 2011 386,537 2,174,535 Canola, western barley are basis Mar 50.29 52.33 -2.04 57.27 Index 100 Hog Price Mar 18-Mar 31 152.42-152.42 152.75-152.75 % change -7.5 -5.1 par region. Feed wheat basis May 50.70 52.71 -2.01 57.76 Trends ($/ckg) Apr 01-Apr 14 153.72-156.07 154.10-156.46 12/11 Lethbridge. Basis is best bid. Jul 51.06 53.05 -1.99 58.08 Apr 15-Apr 28 159.36-162.66 159.76-163.06 Agriculture Canada Chicago Corn ($US/bu.) Alberta Apr 29-May 12 170.04-170.51 169.56-170.03 Mar 5.9950 6.5200 -0.5250 6.4875 $160 May 13-May 26 173.33-173.33 172.86-172.86 Index 100 hogs $/ckg Chicago Nearby May 6.0650 6.5950 -0.5300 6.5800 ($US/100 bu.) $155 May 27-Jun 09 170.98-172.86 170.51-172.39 Futures Jul 6.1200 6.6450 -0.5250 6.6225 Alta. n/a Man. 141.00 $150 Jun 10-Jun 23 172.39-175.21 171.92-174.75 Sep 5.7800 6.1025 -0.3225 6.0950 Sask. 155.06 Que. 158.00 $145 Jun 24-Jul 07 168.63-173.77 168.15-173.23 Corn (March) Minneapolis Wheat ($US/bu.) n/a n/a *incl. wt. premiums $140 Jul 08-Jul 21 173.30-173.77 172.76-173.23 $690 Mar 8.0125 8.0975 -0.0850 8.9025 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 $660 May 7.8575 8.0275 -0.1700 8.9925 Hogs / Pork Trade $630 Jul 7.7775 7.9725 -0.1950 9.0550 Saskatchewan $600 Sep 7.6450 7.8700 -0.2250 9.0100 $165 Export % from 2010 Import % from 2010 $570 Kansas City Wheat ($US/bu.) $160 Sltr. hogs to/fm U.S. (head) 1,005,582 (1) -7.0 n/a n/a 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 Mar 6.7000 6.9800 -0.2800 8.6000 $155 Total pork to/fm U.S. (tonnes) 255,097 (2) -9.2 190,773 (3) +7.5 May 6.7925 7.0675 -0.2750 8.7075 $150 Total pork, all nations (tonnes) 944,328 (2) +3.4 205,140 (3) +12.1 Soybeans (Jan.) Jul 6.8875 7.1500 -0.2625 8.7925 n/a $145 (1) to Dec. 31/11 (2) to Oct. 31/11 (3) to Dec. 31/11 Agriculture Canada $1250 Sep 7.0375 7.2775 -0.2400 8.9200 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 $1200 Chicago Hogs Lean ($US/cwt) $1150 Canadian Exports & Crush Manitoba $1100 $170 Close Close Trend Year Close Close Trend Year $1050 (1,000 To To Total Last $160 Jan. 13 Jan. 6 ago Jan. 13 Jan. 6 ago 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 tonnes) Jan. 8 Jan. 1 to date year $150 Feb 85.60 83.90 +1.70 79.53 Jul 95.50 95.10 +0.40 94.43 Wheat 114.2 394.3 5830.6 5083.1 Oats (March) $140 Apr 87.05 87.75 -0.70 85.28 Aug 95.90 94.75 +1.15 93.58 Durum 55.1 51.2 1537.9 1728.5 $130 May 94.85 94.50 +0.35 92.98 Oct 85.68 84.73 +0.95 83.65 $340 Oats 8.1 35.8 670.7 577.5 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 $320 Barley 57.4 19.3 545.0 723.1 Jun 96.10 94.90 +1.20 95.48 Dec 81.60 80.70 +0.90 79.85 $300 Flax 2.5 7.2 111.9 180.0 $280 Canola 125.1 476.3 3995.0 3203.9 EXCHANGE RATE: JAN. 16 $260 Peas 0.5 69.1 1008.5 1161.2 $1 Cdn. = $0.9808 U.S. $1 U.S. = $1.0196 Cdn. 12/12 12/16 12/23 12/30 1/9 1/16 Canola crush 139.9 141.2 2887.1 2710.5 MARKETS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 9
USDA CROP REPORT | ENDING STOCKS Prices tumble on USDA ending stock numbers Corn biggest shocker | Corn ending stock was 13 percent higher, while analysts expected a slight decline
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) — been sparked by dry weather in tradition of roiling markets with sur- The USDA cut its estimate of corn The United States painted a rosier- Argentina and southern Brazil. U.S. SOYBEAN ENDING prises, and it will stir more contro- production in Argentina by 10 per- than-expected picture for global However, the report will be wel- STOCKS WERE versy with grain traders who have cent, which was not as much as some grain supplies and the U.S. winter comed by inflation-minded govern- been caught wrong-footed by several traders had expected. It held steady wheat crop Jan. 12, which sent prices ments around the globe that have recent government reports. on Brazil corn production, which tumbling to near last year’s lows. struggled against several years of ris- The USDA increased its corn pro- analysts expect will drop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture ing food costs. 18 percent duction estimate marginally, while For soybeans, a small bump-up in projected that, after a larger-than- The U.S. corn stocks projection was analysts had expected a small dip. At USDA production estimates was expected 2011 U.S. harvest, corn and still the smallest in 16 years, leaving HIGHER THAN the same time, the agency stood pat coupled with a two percent cut in soybean stocks will be much higher little margin if the U.S. is struck by on its estimates of corn consumption exports and a drop in domestic use. at the end of this marketing year than weather problems in the year ahead. TRADERS EXPECTED by livestock operations and the etha- In the first estimate of wheat acre- traders had predicted. “It was pretty much negative across nol industry. age for 2012, the report showed farm- U.S. farmers seeded more winter the board,” said Mark Schultz, an last month but a whopping 13 per- The department projected corn ers planted 41.947 million acres of wheat than expected while world analyst at Northstar Commodities. cent higher than traders expected. exports jumping by 50 million bu., winter wheat, up 3.2 percent from a wheat stocks were pegged at the larg- “The biggest shocker is that the corn Soybean ending stocks rose for a aided by the drought that is shrivel- year earlier and 2.5 percent beyond est in 12 years and the second largest crop ended up getting larger, not third consecutive year to the highest ing the crop in Argentina. trade expectations. in the past 50 years. smaller.” in five years. At 275 million bu., the However, the agency was conser- The winter wheat seedings were up Crop futures fell following the The USDA projected U.S. corn end- supply was 18 percent higher than vative on how badly the dry condi- for a second consecutive year and report, wiping out gains made during ing stocks at 846 million bushels, two what traders had forecast. tions have reduced potential South represented the largest acreage since the post Christmas rally that had million bu. lower than its estimate The USDA’s January crop data has a American production. 2009.
CANFAX REPORT FED CASH PRICES FALL COW PRICE DIPS was strong. Steer calves were $1.50- BEEF PRICES FALL That was down from 1.03 million $3 per cwt. higher. Dec. 1. Sluggish beef demand is hurting A flush of cows held over for tax Mid-weight heifers were steady to U.S. cut-out values fell $2.50-$4 on Placements in December were packer margins and causing them to reasons were on offer. Packer interest $1 higher. weak beef demand. High cutouts in 100,624 head, down eight percent bid lower. was relatively moderate. The Canfax average steer price rose December means retailers are not from last year. Market ready numbers will D1, D2 cows fell for the first time in $2 and heifers climbed 50 cents. featuring beef. Marketings in the month were increase seasonally because quick seven weeks. They ranged $64-$75 to The 650 pound steer-heifer price Weekly Canadian cut-out values to 122,434, up six percent. weight gain by yearlings is bringing average $69.56 in Alberta. spread was $11-$13 per cwt. in Dec- Jan. 6 fell 75 cents-$1. cattle to market ahead of schedule. D3 cows narrowed their trading ember. AAA cutout Jan. 6 was $183.04 and Last week’s Canfax fed steer aver- range to range $55-$66 to average Last week, the price spread wid- AA was $176.20. age was $113.91 per hundredweight, $60.83. Rail values were $133-$138 ened to $16 per cwt. Montreal wholesale for delivery down $1.08, and heifers were per cwt. delivered. Warm weather saw auction vol- this week was anticipated to be This cattle market information is $114.26, down 51 cents. Slaughter bulls are $9 higher than umes total 15,351, up significantly steady at $208-$210 per cwt. selected from the weekly report from It was the first time steers were the same week last year. Prices from the previous week and 19 per- Canfax, a division of the Canadian below $114 since the second week of should be supported by good U.S. cent higher than last year. CATTLE ON FEED November. buyer interest. Feeder exports for 2011 were 61 Cattlemen’s Association. More Corn prices fell last week, causing percent lower than 2010. There were 998,791 cattle in market information, analysis and fed cattle futures to rise to record FEEDERS STRONGER Prices should be supported by fall- Alberta and Saskatchewan feedlots statistics are available by becoming levels. The stronger futures market ing grain prices and demand for Jan. 1, up two percent from last year a Canfax subscriber by calling 403- and a widening basis caused feedlots Demand for all classes of feeders bunk replacements. at the same time. 275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca. to hold back some cattle in the hope of better values this week. Feedlots are current in their mar- keting. WP LIVESTOCK REPORT Sales volume was 13,664 head, down about 20 percent from the pre- HOGS SLIGHTLY HIGHER The U.S. federal weekly slaughter SHEEP STEADY $220-$250, 86-105 lb. were $180- vious week. estimate was 2.2 million, up from $200 and 106 lb. and heavier were The cash to futures basis widened Expectations of storms slowing 2.06 million the previous week. Beaver Hill Auction in Tofield, Alta., $170-$188. by about $1.50 to -$9.96. deliveries this week caused U.S. reported that 607 sheep and 76 goats Hair rams were $75-$90 per cwt. Steer carcass weights were steady packers to raise bids. BISON STEADY sold Jan. 9. Cull ewes were $80-$90. with a week ago but are 20 pounds Packer margins are tight, but the Wool lambs lighter than 70 lb. were Good kid goats lighter than 50 lb. more than year ago. market expects demand to improve The Canadian Bison Association $246-$274 per cwt., 70-85 lb. were were $230-$275. Those heavier than Weekly fed exports for 2011 were seasonally as Easter ham season said grade A bulls in the desirable $227-$266, 86-105 lb. were $197- 50 lb. were $210-$275 per cwt. Nan- down 32 percent from 2010. approaches. weight range were $3.80-$4 per $225 and 106 lb. and heavier were nies were $96-$126 per cwt. Billies Unless there is support from Iowa-southern Minnesota live hogs pound hot hanging weight. Grade A $186-$198. were $130-$160. increased exports or a weaker dollar, traded at $62.25 US per hundred- heifers were $3.60-$4. Wool rams were $86-$110 per cwt. Ontario Stockyards Inc. reported fed prices could be under pressure weight Jan. 13, up from $61 Jan. 6. Animals older than 30 months and Cull ewes were $85-$100 and bred 980 sheep and lambs and 37 goats later this month or in early February The U.S. pork carcass cut-out value those outside the desirable weight ewes were $210-$290 per head. traded Jan. 9. Good lightweight beforeaccess=subscriber section=markets,livestock,nonepicking up steam heading into closed at $83.85 Jan 13, down from range may be discounted. Slaughter Hair lambs lighter than 70 lb. were lambsaccess=subscriber section=markets,livestock,nonesold slightly higher. All other the spring rally. $84.06 Jan. 6. cows and bulls averaged $2.40-$2.70. $225-$254 per cwt., 70-85 lb. were lambs, sheep and goats sold steady.
Experience SALFORD %63"#*-*5:t7&34"5*-*5:t*//07"5*0/
3544&3*&4 354"55"$).&/54
Call your SALFORD Dealer today, or visit www.salfordmachine.com 0OUBSJP P $BOBEBt0TDFPMBB **PXBt 10 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER
Editor: Joanne Paulson Phone: 306-665-3537 | Fax: 306-934-2401 WPEDITORIAL E-Mail: [email protected] OPINION
FLAX | PRODUCTION CRAIG’S VIEW Flax must tackle challenges for crushers to enter ring
t’s healthy, it’s beautiful and it’s rea- its part in dragging down acreage. Yet flax sonably easy to grow. as a major crop is worth saving, or even I Still, the omega 6 laden, blue flow- developing. ered, low-input flax crop of Western Flax is an excellent crop to use in rota- Canada is likely to be the smallest in tion. It requires few inputs, and is recent history. extremely hardy. Many farmers leave the Current prices are lower per bushel flax for last, sometimes successfully har- than for canola, and sales remain con- vesting it into the winter. strained after the genetically modified In addition, there are good reasons for Triffid variety was found in a Canadian humans to eat flax, to gain the benefits of shipment to Europe. omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Therefore, at least one flax industry By far the majority of bushels still go into watcher believes flax acres could go as industrial products. Perhaps the human low as 500,000 in the 2012-13 crop year, food and nutraceutical market could be unless prices rise. expanded through increased marketing. Larry Weber of Weber Commodities Weber may well be correct that a large said one solution to the declining for- local crusher would go a long way toward tunes of prairie flax is building greater improving the flax market for farmers. crushing capacity. At present, there are And there may be new niche opportuni- only two small crushers, one each in ties, such as the Saskatoon company Manitoba and Saskatchewan. making IPhone cases from flax fibre. That “This would be one of the best invest- being said, a linoleum plant would be the ments we could make in Western Cana- best opportunity for flax growers. da,” said Weber at Crop Production Week But there is no quick fix for flax. in Saskatoon. Unfortunately, the Saskatchewan Flax Most of the prairie flax crop is shipped Development Commission is in serious for crushing to China with the resulting financial trouble due to reductions in products sent to Europe. Crushing mar- check-off funds — again, because of gins are as high as $226 per tonne. Why, Triffid. It posted a $158,000 deficit for the Weber asked, are Canadian producers year ended July 31, 2011, and at present is and processors allowing others to take not funding new research projects. those margins? Flax must also compete with more prof- It’s a good question. There are likely itable crops, and it’s hard to blame farm- good reasons why more crushing facili- ers for growing canola instead. ties have not been built, and the flax This year, too, the once-soggy acres of industry would do well to investigate the southeastern Saskatchewan — where 82 roadblocks. percent of the province’s flax is grown — One of those roadblocks is that there is has had no meaningful precipitation for no significant domestic demand for flax, several weeks. There are concerns that beyond the small human food market. It the area will be dry this year. was when the canola industry began sell- Yet flax as a rotational crop should be Snow finally began to ing meal to dairies in the U.S. Pacific promoted and saved. Flax must first move fall on the Prairies last Northwest that Canadian crushing really beyond Triffid, be promoted to industry weekend, and Barbara took off. and consumers for its benefits, and then, Jack’s cattle south of Flax needs a similar kick, and that perhaps, be crushed in Western Canada. Portage la Prairie, would likely come from increased meal It has too many agronomic and healthy Man., did not seem to sales to poultry and egg producers. properties to be ignored. mind. With so little Omega 6 laden eggs are becoming popu- snow, producers are lar on grocery store shelves. worrying about winter Bruce Dyck, Terry Fries, Barb Glen, D’Arce However, the interest in flax seems to be McMillanaccess=subscriber and section=opinion,none,noneJoanne Paulson collaborate in the kill on their hay fields. flagging. The Triffid fiasco certainly did writing of Western Producer editorials. | BARBARA JACK PHOTO.
LIBERAL CONVENTION | RENEWAL Federal Liberals have tough road ahead as they attempt to rebuild
The Natural Governing Party is no “renewal” national conference by the when the next election is fought. fers vague bromides rather than NATIONAL VIEW more, he says. Liberals that governed Canada for It is a party in renewal that gave a decisive positions or even debate Newman has chronicled the Liber- most of the 20th century, has only standing ovation to a 71-year-old about national problems and com- als from their 1958 debacle against recently had a duo of leaders who did woman who was elected as a New plex issues like agricultural policy John Diefenbaker through the cha- not become prime minister and last Democrat in Jean Chrétien’s former and the contradiction between free otic and nation-changing five years May suffered the worst defeat in par- riding May 2 and suddenly decided trade ideology and supply manage- of Lester Pearson in the 1960s to the ty history? she really is a Liberal. ment protectionism. frustrating and game-changing 15 Hopefully, he would be amused. It is a party that condemns the Ste- It is a party that condemns Conser- BARRY WILSON years of Pierre Trudeau and the The renewal of the party almost phen Harper government for its lack vative central control while prime tumultuous 10 years of Jean Chrétien certainly is in the hands of Bob Rae, a of transparency and its information minister Harper learned many of his to the dithering of Paul Martin, the 1970s New Democrat whose non- control while excluding reporters tactics by studying Chrétien. disaster of Stéphane Dion and the confidence motion against Conser- from convention sessions where And it is a party that seems to n his controversial and succinct recent historic defeat under Michael vative Joe Clark in 1979 gave Canada delegates were able to ask Liberal believe it should be in power if new book about the decline and Ignatieff. four more years of Pierre Trudeau, politicians honest-to-God ques- only…. Ifall of the national Liberal party, In other words, Newman would who ran a disastrous NDP Ontario tions about why party fortunes have Leaving the convention hall at journalist Peter C. Newman, dean of know a Liberal disaster in the making regime in the 1990s that spawned a fallen so far. noon on a Sunday, a reporter over- Canadian political writers, pulls no when he sees one, even if he is prone rigid anti-liberal Tory government To be fair, Liberal MPs, at least on heard an earnest Liberal conversa- punches. to grandiose over-statements about and who now prances as a natural- the rural side of the party, did not tion. “This book is my attempt to try to political futures. born Liberal. know that their “accountability” ses- “All Canadians want a reason to explain how the Liberals turned from He wasn’t there (likely wouldn’t Rae almost certainly will be the new sions would not be open and argued vote Liberal, so we have to give them the walking wounded to the walking have been welcome), but what would leader, having dropped the “interim” to have reporters included. one.”access=subscriber section=opinion,none,none dead,” he writes. Peter C. have made of last week’s during the convention. He will be 67 It is a party that has decided it pre- Over to you, Mr. Newman. OPINION THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 11 & OPEN FORUM
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | ATTRACTING INVESTMENT CROP PRODUCTION WEEK | MARKETS Analysts share Investment: a New Year’s resolution what they see BY MICHAEL BOURQUE in crystal ball n a recent speech to the Canadi- an Club, Bank of Canada gover- Inor Mark Carney called on busi- EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK nesses to invest in Canada now, an action he sees as the most likely to prevent our country from slipping into another recession. Interestingly, attracting new invest- ment is the primary focus of Canadi- an manufacturers and exporters, and JOANNE PAULSON, EDITOR we believe that businesses and gov- ernments must work together to achieve this end. Canada’s tax and regulatory environment should be tweaked to encourage investment — a focus of he U.S. Department of Agricul- Government plays a critical role in manufacturers and exporters. | FILE PHOTO ture certainly has a way of all aspects of business in today’s Tthrowing cold water over com- interconnected economy, regulating However, we need to keep working ENERGY SKILLS modity prices. its products, taxation and regional on our tax system to ensure that it Futures were down significantly development. Governments and continues to attract new investment. Investment in the energy sector is Skills shortages in certain sectors Jan. 12 when the USDA reported that businesses agree that if we can make Tax measures that lead to business the largest source of new investment and regions are well known, such as crop supplies and ending stocks were Canada an attractive place for invest- investment will result in better envi- in Canada. in Alberta’s oilsands. This is also a up from earlier estimates. Worse, the ment, we will continue to grow, cre- ronmental performance, lower costs The delay of the Keystone XL pipe- huge challenge for advanced manu- stocks were higher than traders ate jobs and generate the wealth of production and a commitment to line, which would carry oil from facturers. expected, which always has a nasty required to look after the health and keeping jobs in Canada. Alberta to the United States, has led to Many new firms are forced to train effect on prices, whether commodity welfare of our citizens. a greater understanding of our reli- workers themselves, which takes prices or company share values. So the question becomes, how do REGULATION ance on the U.S. energy market, the away from their productivity. Canola, for instance, fell $9.50 per we attract new investment? Let’s look cost of regulation and the need for Canada needs to improve the tonne to $514.40 that morning, at four key areas: taxation, regula- Canadian manufacturers have Canadian upgrading. A national readiness of its workforce for the although it fought back later in the tion, energy and skills. identified excessive and duplicative energy strategy could address these manufacturing sector, whether it be day. That drop would not have come regulation as the number one issues. shop classes in high school, immi- as a surprise to Greg Kostal of Kostal TAX STRATEGY impediment to attracting new invest- For the business of chemistry, that gration policy or training mature Ag Consulting, who on the same day ment. strategy would offer an opportunity workers. told canola growers at Crop Produc- Tax strategy is critical to attract That is why the Beyond the Border to link natural resources to value- This, in turn, will help attract new tion Week in Saskatoon that canola investment, and Canada offers a and Regulatory Co-operation Coun- added manufacturing. investment. could fall to $9 per bushel in the clear advantage because it has one of cil initiatives, which U.S. president Canada is rich in energy resources, Attracting more business invest- upcoming year or so. the lowest corporate tax rates in the Barack Obama and prime minister including oilsands, shale oil and gas, ment is a terrific New Year’s resolu- “We’ll see $4 corn again in this world. Stephen Harper recently announced, and biomass from agriculture and for- tion for Canada. Let’s work together cycle,” added Kostal. As well, recent measures such as are so important. Reducing red tape ests. We also have incredible energy to bring it home. John Duvenaud, a week earlier, was the accelerated capital cost allow- will encourage new investment. know-how in engineering and con- on the same page at St. Jean Farm ance for new machinery and equip- It is a particularly important issue struction, marketing and manage- Michael Bourque is vice-president Days in Manitoba. The analyst from ment have helped manufacturers because many products, such as ment. As the demand for energy grows, for external relations with the Wild Oats admitted he was mildly convince their head offices to invest nanotechnologies, will be regulated we need to ensure that our expertise is Chemistry Industry Association bearish going into 2012. in Canada. in the future. put to work here in Canada. of Canada. Mike Jubinville of Pro Farmer Can- ada said he found that the market tends to regroup after two years of strong prices. CROP PRODUCTION WEEK | INFORMATION GATHERING All three analysts, with backup from the USDA numbers, feel the peaks have been scaled. None saw poten- Projections, worries, prospects from Crop Week tial for another bull run unless a major weather event destroys a sig- nificant crop. While some have predicted that the been more talk than business. nata this year. Also known as Ethio- But none saw cataclysm, either. It’s HURSH ON AG end of the Canadian Wheat Board Producers attending the SaskCano- pian mustard, carinata oil is well safe to say that prices are declining, single desk will mean the prolifera- la market outlook presentation by suited to the production of aviation but there are other more bullish sig- tion of processing plants on the Prai- Greg Kostal will remember his state- fuel. nals that indicate decent profitability ries, what’s happening at Prairie Malt ment that canola prices are on the Based on what has been observed may continue. shows that market conditions can way down and will likely trade at $9 a to date, carinata should yield 15 to 20 Viterra apparently thinks its busi- trump other factors. bushel in the next year or year and a percent better than the current vari- ness will boom after the Canadian There was lots of discussion about half. That isn’t a bad price historical- eties of brown and oriental mustard. Wheat Board loses its monopoly. In KEVIN HURSH the wheat and durum contracts ly, but it certainly isn’t the lofty levels Agrisoma wants to spread the acre- two years, the company expects its offered by grain companies for the we’ve been enjoying. Overall, the age across southern Saskatchewan operating profit should rise by $40 new crop year. While most appreci- entire grains complex is heading and Alberta, so each contract is lim- million or more. Granted, there’s a rop Production Week and the ate this marketing freedom, some lower. ited to 160 acres. It will be paying a flat sea change at work here, but Viterra Western Canadian Crop Pro- producers are expressing dismay Although none of the sessions dealt price of $12.50 a bushel with a $40 an clearly sees positive numbers. Cduction Show are always a that grade discounts aren’t defined. with it directly, land prices were a acre new crop incentive. The seeding There is disagreement on the pot- blur. The contracts are typically based common topic in farmer conversa- rate is five to six pounds an acre with ash front, but some analysts think As someone who loves hearing the on a No. 1 or No. 2 grade with a set tions. Grain prices have been soften- treated seed costing $5 a lb. potash prices will rise this year, even latest news and views, I’m like a kid in protein level. Naturally, discounts ing, but land prices are going the Another emerging opportunity will as nitrogen falls. If crop prices were a candy shop. There are more pre- apply if a producer ends up with a other way. come from Mustard Products and going to tank entirely, we’d be seeing sentations and more people to talk to lower grade, but the contracts to date Meanwhile, there was chilling Technologies of Saskatoon. Using more predictions of collapsing pot- than can be accomplished in just one leave those discounts to the discre- news that glyphosate resistant mustard meal, the company is pro- ash prices. week, but here are some of my eureka tion of the grain company. kochia has been discovered in south- ducing a fungicide-fertilizer called Then there’s the Conference Board moments. Some producers are fine with that, ern Alberta. The clock is now ticking MustGro for horticultural crops. of Canada, which does not have its I was surprised to hear of the saying it’s the same as canola. Others for when glyphosate resistance MPT hopes to be buying 15,000 agriculture analysis out yet, but still extent of the slowdown at Prairie say they are uncomfortable signing becomes a big weed control issue for tonnes of mainly oriental mustard by included ag among the industries Malt. The long-time malting facility something so open ended. Western Canada. 2015. that will buoy Western Canada’s located at Biggar, Sask., is jointly There’s a sense by a lot of producers There were a number of new Check out www.cropweek.com for economy this year. owned by Viterra and Cargill. that the CWB has been slow to get opportunities presented during the links to many of the presentations. At $5.50 wheat, say, and $9 canola, Declining beer sales due to the into the new crop contracting game. week. A biotechnology company 2012 may not be spectacular, but Kevin Hursh is an agricultural journalist, world economic downturn is taking a However, the volumes committed to called Agrisoma will be contracting consultantaccess=subscriber section=opinion,none,none and farmer. He can be reached by weatheraccess=subscriber section=opinion,none,none permitting, it should still be toll on maltsters. date are relatively small. There’s 5,000 to 10,000 acres of Brassica cari- e-mail at [email protected]. pretty good. 12 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER
LETTERS POLICY: OPEN FORUM Letters should be less than 300 words. Name, address and phone number must be included for STEALING ASSETS Examples: Mr. Ritz’s new entity is The minute that the Conservatives their own money — contingency verification purposes and only letters going to take control of the CWB thought they had control of the CWB, money, sale of 3,400 hopper cars and accepted for publication will be To the Editor: building, the 3,400 CWB hopper cars, they started to increase the contin- the sale of the building and the two confirmed with the author. and the two lakers, all belonging to gency fund. Now they are going to lakers…. Open letters should be avoided; Who is stealing from whom? I western Canadian farmers. use all of the above to destroy the Mr. Ritz also takes aim at Malcolm priority will be given to letters written would say Mr. (agriculture minister Mr. Ritz is also taking over the con- CWB. Allen, the NDP agriculture critic. Mr. exclusively for the Producer. Gerry) Ritz and the Conservatives are tingency fund that will be worth $200 This is all farmers’ equity and Ritz says Mr. Allen is not a grain Editors reserve the right to reject or stealing from the taxpayers. We, the million by the end of this crop year money, and should be paid back to farmer. Well, Mr. Ritz has been stating edit any letter for clarity, brevity, taxpayers, are paying for the anti- ending Aug. 1, 2012. farmers. The new entity should be to the media that he was an “ostrich” legality and good taste. Cuts Canadian Wheat Board ads that Mr. Mr. Ritz and the Conservatives paid the start-up cost by the govern- farmer, and I understand that was not will be indicated by ellipsis (…) Ritz has been broadcasting in Cana- would not let the CWB increase the ment. very successful. Publication of a letter does not imply da. Mr. Ritz and the Conservatives are contingency fund over the past years Those farmers who supported the Now he is telling grain farmers that endorsement by the Producer. also stealing from farmers. when they requested an increase. single desk should be paid out with theaccess=subscriber CWB section=opinion,none,none can survive in an open mar-
©2012 Agrium Advanced Technologies. ESN; ESN SMART NITROGEN; SMARTER WAYS TO GROW; A SMARTER SOURCE OF NITROGEN. A SMARTER WAY TO GROW. and AGRIUM ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES and Designs are all trademarks owned by Agrium Inc. 01/12-17547-05 WP OPINION THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 13 ket. I don’t think so. Just look at the I don’t think anyone is against “the the toughness should apply to their law of the land before introducing farming operation…. example in Australia. new farmers of today wanting choice own members of Parliament. legislation to abolish the farmer I firmly believe that farmers can He has his head in the sand again. and making more money.” Rahim Jaffer apparently didn’t wheat and barley marketing system, achieve much more in the market- The issue, as I understand it, is how think so when he used his privileged then firing the farmers’ democrati- place by organizing and working David Bailey, the federal agriculture minister is position to secure business deals for cally elected board while retaining together rather than by trying to get a Saskatoon, Sask. averting the proper procedures in his friends. his own appointees. little better price at the expense of accordance with the present act, Their man in Edmonton East didn’t The confusion and hard feeling in their neighbour. The wheat board is which was also legally established. think so when he refused to blow for the market today is clearly the the only friend farmers have out TIME TO MOVE ON That is what this case is all about. a breathalyzer when stopped by a result of Ritz’s haste, lack of plan- there. Had the (agriculture) minister fol- police officer. ning and complete disregard for To the Editor: lowed the procedures, as per the Apparently Gerry Ritz thought that the 62 percent of farmers who real- Donald A. Thompson, existing legislation, none of this legal freedom meant he needn’t follow the ize the value of the CWB to their Rosalind, Alta. Free at last, free at last, thank God, wrangling would be taking place and we are free at last. all the money now being spent is a The next time Ralph Goodale and result of his contrary way of not fol- the Canadian Wheat Board sup- lowing the established procedure. FIRST NATIONS | ACCOUNTABILITY porters sing Canada’s national Governments, even Stephen Harp- anthem, and they come to the part, er’s government and his majority of “the true north strong and free,” egos, are not above the law. First Nations, gov’t need to address root problems they need to stop and think. West- Minister (Gerry) Ritz has cost the ern Canadian farmers now have farmers a great deal of stress and a treated half a century ago, yet here we munity? Did they say it would cost marketing freedom. great deal of their own money in try- SPIRITUAL VIGNETTES are. $1,300 per day? Without a doubt, that It’s time to move on, to ensure the ing to ram this through, and has Pleas for help have been issued, but it person would make sure he never future can and will be everything the remained defiant to continue his takes the threat of exposure through spent a night in the community. next generation of farmers needs to spending crusade using taxpayers’ the media to get attention. And it Hurrah to the chief for her public prosper. money in an appeal process to fur- would appear the government thought refusal to accept him. Hurrah to the This whole Canadian Wheat Board ther his strategy of benefitting multi- the sensationalism of the moment Red Cross for their ongoing work to debate is perplexing. Only in Canada, national corporations. would soon fade. But it hasn’t. improve conditions as best they can. the greatest country in the world, did I don’t want him using my tax dol- JOYCE SASSE The Red Cross heard the plea Slowly we are beginning to notice a the government literally own your lars for such an agenda. from Attawapiskat, the First Nation thaw: promises of new homes and a top quality wheat and barley, after Hopefully, prime minister Harper in northern Ontario battling a hous- slightly more conciliatory attitude you grew it. will take the initiative and tell his ing crisis. are coming out of Ottawa. Still, it’s a Free at last. agriculture minister to stand down. Meeting between chiefs Contrary to its normal practices, long battle. and government should the organization loaded basic sup- We all need to pray for a deeper John Olinik, John Fefchak, plies, flew workers and an assess- understanding to come out of the Kelliher, Sask. Virden, Man. examine Indian Act ment team to the north and got to January meeting of chiefs and gov- work trying to meet the critical needs ernment, for an honest look at how feel embarrassed and angry of people struggling to survive. destructive the Indian Act is and for a AVERTING PROCEDURE TOUGH ON CRIME every time I think about the At first, the government treated this way to stop playing games with these, I tragic living conditions in situation as financial mismanage- Canada’s first citizens. To the Editor: To the Editor: northern aboriginal communities. ment. All of us need to stand witness to the Prime minister Stephen Harper’s “Send a third party person to go ongoing saga. Re: Ritz to press ahead on CWB When the (Stephen) Harper gov- government went to great lengths to over the accounts.” Joyce Sasse writes for the Canadian changes, despite court ruling, by ernment promised to be tough on issueaccess=subscriber an section=opinion,none,none apology to these people in Did they tell the public the bill for his Rural Church Network at www.canadian Barry Wilson, Dec. 8 WP online. crime, it apparently didn’t mean that 2008 because they were so poorly taking over would be sent to the com- ruralchurch.net.
Why do crops keep coming back for more? Because they can.
ESN ® SMART NITROGEN ® feeds your crops throughout the growing season. And timely N-feeding helps increase yield and improve crop quality. Get the facts from your retailer, or visit SmartNitrogen.com/wp. 14 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS
Thebaine poppies produce alkaloids that can be processed into painkilllers and are different from opium poppies from which heroin can be made. | FILE PHOTO
CROPS | POPPIES Poppy field trials await Health Canada approval Painkiller production | Researchers are studying the crop’s agronomics to gauge its suitability for southern Alberta and Saskatchewan
BY BARB GLEN thebaine poppies in Alberta and Sas- thebaine poppies cannot be made Macedonia, Turkey and the United Southern Alberta’s long summer LETHBRIDGE BUREAU katchewan and process them into into heroin. Conversion of thebaine Kingdom. days and cool nights are expected to painkillers to supply the North to various painkillers and sedatives Thebaine poppies for pharmaceu- suit poppies. They are the same con- The vibrant red and orange of pop- American market. requires complex processing. ticals are grown in Spain, France and ditions that favour growth of sugar pies may be added to the prairie crop It now awaits a report from Health “Thebaine is not a narcotic sub- Australia. Canada is the only G8 beets and corn under irrigation in the palette if a plan to grow and process Canada’s Office of Controlled Sub- stance. It is a controlled substance country that does not cultivate pop- region. the crop proceeds. stances, which will determine but it is not a starter for illicit mate- pies or process them for medical use. Irrigated versus dryland poppies It could be a lucrative cash crop for whether field trials planned in the rial,” he said. Metzler said Canada’s retail sales of will be one focus of study, Metzler prairie farmers with estimates of County of Lethbridge this spring can Poppies are cultivated for the phar- drugs derived from thebaine were said. $5,000 per acre. proceed and if so, what security mea- maceutical industry in Australia, worth more than $600 million in “That’s part of the research we’re
Lethbridge based API Labs is in sures, if any, must be taken. China,access=subscriber section=news,none,noneCzech Republic, France, Hun- 2011. In the United States, thebaine- looking at now. Australia is the only its fifth year of planning to grow API president Glen Metzler said gary, India, Japan, Slovakia, Spain, derived drugs were worth more than country that cultivates poppies under $5 billion last year. irrigation. Everyone else is dryland, Codeine, oxycodone, methadone France and the U.K., for example, and and other commonly used drugs can Spain, is all on dryland.” be derived from thebaine poppies. API promotional information sug- “Ten of the 200 most prescribed gests potential for 25,000 acres of the drugs in Canada are derived from crop by 2015. Metzler said the plan is thebaine,” said Metzler. to split production between Alberta He sees major economic benefits if and Saskatchewan. Canada could grow and process its Adding Canadian crop would not own thebaine and also supply the displace production in other coun- U.S. market. tries because demand for the drugs As well, poppy seed for food use produced from poppy alkaloids is could be worth another $50 million if growing. Canada could supply North Ameri- “In the last five years, worldwide can poppy seed needs, he said. At poppy production increased by 36 present, all poppy seed used for food percent,” said API literature. “Theba- in North America is imported. ine poppy production has increased Metzler estimates potential returns by 209 percent.” of $5,000 per acre for farmers, a figure As for the processing side, API pre- based on the Australian experience. dicts a facility could create 300 jobs “That’s what’s really got our atten- and a climate for ongoing research. tion and then when we started look- ing at the research and realized that Australia uses two percent of the POPPY AND DRUG FACTS world demand of narcotic medica- • Thebaine is a schedule 1 controlled tions and Canada uses 5.8 percent, substance under the Controlled why are they growing it and we are Drugs and Substances Act. not?” Plant pathologist Ieuan Evans, a • Fifteen countries legally grow technical adviser for API, thinks the opium poppies for pharmaceuticals. crop can be easily grown on the Prai- • Spain, France and Australia ries, particularly in view of its short grow thebaine poppies for season and frost tolerance. pharmaceuticals. “I wouldn’t see much of a challenge • Consumption of thebaine-based at all,” he said. medications increased 26-fold Reglone is suited for weed control globally from 1989-2009. in the crop, and although there are diseases that affect poppies, they can • Thebaine poppy production has be mitigated by using clean seed and increased by 209 percent in the close monitoring. last five years. Evans said the small seed will likely • Canada’s annual sales of medication require equipment modifications derived from poppies are more than and may have to be scattered on the $565 million per year. soil surface in moist conditions to get • Canada is the second largest good germination. importer of codeine in the world. A five-member team of researchers The U.S. is the largest. at the University of Lethbridge, headed by biotechnologist Igor Kov- • In 2010, the International alchuk, has been studying the crop’s Narcotics Control Board said global agronomics as well as processing stocks of thebaine were 17 percent methods to extract desired alkaloids undersupplied. found in the straw. Source: API Labs Inc. NEWS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 15
BIOTECHNOLOGY | REGULATIONS Biotech industry must consider social impact
BY BARRY WILSON predictable with a transparent pro- OTTAWA BUREAU cess that judges product safety on its merits and not on the technology Canada has developed one of the used to produce it. best biotechnology regulatory systems He said Canada has developed a sys- in the world, despite its critics and the tem that assesses products with novel need for constant improvement, says a traits without judging the process. biotech company executive. “That is not done anywhere else in “Looking at the world, who’s got it the world.” right?” Pioneer Hi-Bred Interna- De Beer said industry praise of the tional biotech and regulatory affairs Canadian system for its predictabili- Canadian director Don MacKenzie ty and fairness suggests “we have to asked during a Jan. 12 discussion at a be doing something right.” national agriculture policy confer- However, he said the biotech regu- ence in Ottawa. “We do.” latory system must continue to But a regulatory expert from the change because it faces serious chal- University of Ottawa warned that lenges. Canada’s system could face uncer- Among the most important are the Judicial contradictions add uncertainty to the future of the biotechnology regulatory system. | FILE PHOTO tainty and confusion in the future as unpredictability of court decisions. companies seek to patent higher life While politicians create laws and forms, including more complex plant bureaucrats develop and administer and animal genetic modification. The regulations needed to implement ECONOMY | COMMODITY PRICES Supreme Court of Canada has issued them, disputes are adjudicated by contradictory rulings on the issue. judges who often have little under- Jeremy de Beer said Canada’s bio- standing of the implications of the tech regulators and the politicians issues. who make the rules face the compli- They are asked to decide a case Braced for a downturn? cated task of figuring out how to between two litigants, but the impli- accommodate social and economic cations can be far broader. effects in regulatory decisions with- He cited the Supreme Court ruling Commodity prices poised to fall | Economists say markets have peaked out undermining the system’s sci- that a GM mouse developed by Har- ence-based credibility. vard University scientists to study He said in a later interview that the cancer cures could not be patented BY BARRY WILSON is a tendency to assume it will last tives are scaled back, said Irwin. controversy around whether to in Canada, although it had been in OTTAWA BUREAU forever and farmers begin to make “So on the demand side, I see a lot approve GM wheat despite fears of other countries. Higher life forms investment decisions based on that,” less pressure as we look over the next export market losses is a prime could not be patented. Farmers who have enjoyed several said Gray. three to five years,” he said. example of the dilemma. Later, in a case involving a battle years of high prices and improved “If you look across many commodi- “I also have faith in the market sys- “Many people will agree that the between Saskatchewan farmer Percy incomes should be preparing for a ties, the historic pattern is many years tem principle that if there is a boom question (of biotech regulation) is Schmeiser and Monsanto Inc., the significant decline in commodity of low prices followed by a few years in investment because of higher more than just whether it is safe for court ruled that the company’s pat- prices and market returns, promi- of high prices followed by many years prices, particularly outside the Unit- human health or not because the ent on a canola gene was valid. nent agricultural economists warned of low prices. I see no reason why that ed States in South America, Africa, issues it raises are so much broader, “So you can’t patent higher life last week. pattern won’t repeat.” Ukraine and Russia, we are just a including economic and social forms but you can patent higher life And a price slump that will shave Irwin said U.S. corn prices now in the couple of good weather years away impacts,” said de Beer. form building blocks,” de Beer told several dollars per bushel off current $6 per bushel range can be expected to for the impact of those investments to “Somehow, we have to be aware of the conference, which was organized market returns is predicted to hap- fall to the $4 range within a few years, start to show up in supplies, which the social and human impacts of by the Canadian Agricultural Eco- pen sooner rather than later. which is a drop of 33 percent. will put pressure on prices.” what this is doing.… A science-based nomics Society. “All commodity price booms his- “I don’t expect us to ever go back to In the corridors of the conference, system is important, but anyone with He said in the later interview that torically end,” Scott Irwin from the the era of $2, but there will be a sig- which attracted economists and pro- a realistic view of what is happening the judicial contradiction adds University of Illinois told a national nificant drop,” he said in an inter- ducers from across the country, there on the ground will realize that people uncertainty to the future of the regu- agricultural policy in Ottawa Jan. 12. view. “Wheat will follow, I predict, also was discussion about the impact care about the impacts of these deci- latory system. “What is significant about this one down from the $8 range to $5 or $6.” that the end of the price boom could sions, so we have to find some way to “This is part of the unpredictability is how long it has lasted. But it too will The two economists said the end of have on farm debt, already at record deal with them within the system. It is because it is only a matter of time end.” the price boom is predictable levels of more than $60 billion. unacceptable to ignore them or dis- before we have more complicated Richard Gray of the University of because of industry reaction to high- If higher income in recent years miss them as not scientific because questions on the scope of patents in Saskatchewan echoed the prediction er prices and an end to growth in the persuades farmers to expand or they are real and people need to find agriculture dealing with issues like at the second annual conference biofuel industry’s demand for grain invest rather than pay down debt, the a way to deal with them.” regulation of genetically modified organized by the Canadian Agricul- and oilseed crops as feedstock. result could be more borrowing and a MacKenzie told the conference that livestock or other animals,” he said. tural Economics Society. In the United States, the ethanol higher debt load to service even as the biotech industry needs robust “It will come to the courts and at
“When prices are high, there often boom is ending as government incen- marketaccess=subscriber section=news,none,none incomes drop. and credible regulations that are thisaccess=subscriber point, section=news,none,none the message is mixed.”
BISON FEEDS ON GRASSY WEEDS
Achieve more with BISON®.
With the same active ingredient as Liquid Achieve®, Bison stomps out wild oats, Persian darnel and green foxtail. Bison is tank-mixable with more than 20 broadleaf herbicides. MANA herbicides, insecticides and fungicides are available from leading retailers. Support choice and fair pricing – ask for your MANA product by name. Same active as Liquid Achieve®
manainc.ca Fair Price. Brand Results.
® Bison is a registered trademark of Makhteshim Agan of North America. All others are registered trademarks of their respective companies. Always read and follow label directions. 11035.01.12 16 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS
WORKSHOP | LAND VALUES WORKSHOP | CONSUMER MARKETING Farmer boosts branding on Is no-till land worth more? zero-till production Higher yields, fewer inputs | Value could be $1,000 per acre more MINOT, N.D. — An American want to buy food that is healthy for wheat farmer has carved out a niche them and the environment, but they STORIES BY ROBERT ARNASON for himself by staying ahead of the may not want to pay a steep premium BRANDON BUREAU consumer trend curve. for organic. However, instead of going organic, “Organic has a certain restriction MINOT, N.D. — It’s a given in the which many farmers in his shoes when it comes to volume … so we set real estate business that property have done, Karl Kupers built his ourselves at a different (price point),” next to the ocean is worth signifi- brand around zero tillage. he said. cantly more than property adjacent In 1999, the farmer from Washing- “In addition, we talk about the agri- to a cement factory. ton state joined fellow farmer Fred culture of the middle. There is that In the agriculture business, it’s also Fleming to form a company called level, from a consumer standpoint a given that “good” land is worth Shepherd’s Grain. Their idea was to that needs larger volumes, and we’re more than “poor” land. sell bakers, restaurant owners and able to fulfill that.” With that principle in mind, Jim food service companies on the con- With success comes criticism. Sev- Halford, a producer and business- cept that grain produced from no-till eral producers who farm near Kupers person from Indian Head, Sask., says soil was healthier for consumers and near Ritzville have told him his wheat cropland where no till has been prac- better for the environment. isn’t any better than theirs so where ticed for two decades or longer is Although their efforts haven’t been does he get off telling consumers that superior to other agricultural land. as successful as the organic brand, his wheat is superior? Therefore, according to his calcula- the 33 growers who produce grain for “I didn’t say mine was better. All I tions, long-term no-till land should their company now sell 750,000 did is tell my story…. I told the story of be worth $1,000 per acre more than bushels of wheat annually under the no till,” he said. farmland that doesn’t have the same Jim Halford tells growers that long-term no-till land on his farm produces Shepherd’s Grain brand to custom- Kupers said his story and his cha- history of zero tillage. higher yields than short-term no-till land. | ROBERT ARNASON PHOTO ers primarily in Seattle, Portland and risma are helpful, but potential buy- Halford told the annual Manitoba California. ers want assurance that no till is a North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers per acre while the short-term plots CALCULATING LONG-TERM Zero tillers on the Prairies might credible environmental practice. Association annual workshop in yielded 20.8 bu. per acre. NO-TILL LAND VALUE wonder if it’s possible, or necessary, Third party certification is the easiest Minot in early January that long-term Lafond attributed the yield differ- to sell their grain under the brand of path to that credibility. no-till land produces higher yields ence to more organic carbon and Jim Halford, a producer from Indian sustainability, but Kupers said it’s not Shepherd’s Grain farms are audited and requires fewer inputs compared increased nitrogen cycling in the Head, Sask., has calculated that long- only possible but also worthwhile to by Food Alliance, which certifies to short-term no-till land. Conse- long-term no-till field. term no-till land on his farm is worth sell branded grain to consumers in quently, it should be worth more. “These results imply that LTNT $1,000 per acre more than his short- cities such as Minneapolis, Winni- However, he also said he hasn’t (long-term no-till) soils provide term no-till land. His estimate is based peg, Calgary and Edmonton. heard anecdotal evidence of farmers more N to support crop growth dur- on the following assumptions, in a “The ocean isn’t going to part and canola-wheat-canola rotation: paying a premium for this type of ing the growing season,” he noted in you walk (across) it,” he told farmers land. a paper summarizing the research. • at 54 pounds of nitrogen, long- at the Manitoba North Dakota Zero “I don’t know when this is going to Halford said it’s obvious that the term no-till land produced 11.3 Tillage Association’s annual work- start happening in the real world of long-term no-till soil on his farm is extra bushels of wheat compared shop in Minot in early January. “(But) land sales,” said Halford, founder of more capable of mineralizing nitro- to his short-term no-till land. At it will be a lot easier today than it was Vale Farms Ltd., an agricultural gen, but it’s difficult for farmers to $5.50 per bu. for wheat, that repre- 10 years ago.” equipment company that manufac- market mineralization when selling sents $62.15 more per acre Jill Clapperton, a soil rhizosphere tured the Conserva Pak Air Hoe Drill their land because it’s a difficult soil • at 81 lb. of nitrogen, long-term no- expert from Montana, agreed that before John Deere bought the tech- factor to measure. till yielded 3.5 extra bu. of canola. consumers are looking for a story nology in 2007. “It’s not the type of thing you can go At $8.50 per bu. that equals an that connects them to their food. Karl Kupers’ company, Shepherd’s Guy Lafond of Agriculture Canada’s out on a piece of land and take a soil additional $29.75 per acre “They (consumers) want to feel Grain, sells environmentally research centre at Indian Head has sample and necessarily have the good about the choices they’re mak- sustainable flour to customers • Halford saves $8.10 per acre by conducted trials on Halford’s farm answer right there,” said Halford. ing with food,” she said. in Portland, Seattle and across cutting back phosphorus in the since 2002, comparing land that has “You don’t get that (mineraliza- California. | ROBERT ARNASON PHOTO years he grows wheat Since food marketing is likely 90 per- been no till since 1978 to land where tion) from a soil test…. It’s not avail- cent perception and 10 percent reality, no till began in 2001. able as a conventional soil test.” • in total, the yield benefits and Kupers said it’s not difficult to sell con- food production for social and envi- Lafond grew a two-crop rotation of Halford said it’s also possible to cut nutrient savings on his long-term sumers the story of zero tillage. ronmental sustainability. canola and spring wheat at both sites the rate of nutrient application on a no-till land equals $50 per acre “I found in marketing that you need He said the environmental stamp of and varied the rate of nitrogen long-term no-till field, which pro- per year an elevator speech, meaning you approval carries a lot of weight with applied on the plots. vides additional cost savings for pro- Therefore, at a capitalization rate of have 20 seconds (to make a pitch),” his urban customers. Data from 2002-09 has led Lafond ducers. five percent, the long-term no-till land said Kupers, who looks the part of a “It turns a cold (sales) call into a to determine that wheat and canola “In our long-term improved soils, is worth an additional $1,000 per salesperson, with an easy laugh, a warm call.” yields were substantially higher in we haven’t been using phosphorus acre. booming voice and a willingness to Kupers urged fellow no tillers to get long-term no-till plots for all levels of on our wheat crops for about the last mock his own failings. out of their comfort zone and dive into applied nitrogen. eight years,” he said. ord also said more studies should be “Well, my elevator speech is that the marketplace for branded wheat. For example, long-term no-till “I’m not advocating stopping fertil- done on other soil types. nature doesn’t till…. It’s such an easy Urban consumers in the middle of wheat yielded 50.3 bu. per acre with izing, but maybe you don’t need “Don Flaten (University of Manito- concept. It’s nature… They get it.” the continent are willing to pay more 54 lb. per acre of nitrogen while quite as much and maybe you don’t ba soil scientist) has come to our Shepherd’s Grain has found a sweet for sustainable flour, he said. As well, short-term no-till wheat yielded 39 need it every year.” place (and said) this is the greatest spot in the marketplace between farmers don’t have to give up on the bu. per acre. Although he’s convinced that long- site in the world, but it’s only got one organic wheat and conventional traditional export market just
At the same nitrogen rate, long- term no-till soil on his farm is more problem,access=subscriber section=news,none,none it’s only one site,” Halford wheat, Kupers added. Bakers, food becauseaccess=subscriber section=news,none,none they try to enter the branded term no-till canola produced 27.1 bu. productive and more valuable, Half- said. service companies and consumers wheat market. BLAKE KELLIE HURRY! PICKLER SHELTON CALL 1.888.404.1234 OR TICKETMASTER MICHELLE ELI YOUNG BAND JASON MCCOY BIG VALLEY JAMBOREE HIGH WILLIAMS AUGUST 2-5, 2012 • CAMROSE,AB WRIGHT VALLEY & REE
Scan this code with your Smart Phone NEWS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 17
FARM POLITICS | MEMBERSHIP FARM POLITICS | LEADERSHIP Alberta farm group adds President brings corporate members to roster experience to table Policy changes | New president plans to lobby for Wild Rose Agricultural Producers | Members vote to open up checkoff or seek other funding sources access=subscriber section=news,none,none membership to attract more people and increase financial stability BY MARY MACARTHUR CAMROSE BUREAU BY MARY MACARTHUR Hayden, the previous agriculture CAMROSE BUREAU minister, and he hopes Berger will EDMONTON — Southern Alberta maintain the same openness. farmer Lynn Jacobson is the new EDMONTON — Wild Rose Agricul- “I think they saw we made sensible president of Wild Rose Agricultural tural Producers has decided to allow policies,” said Jacobson. Producers in Alberta. agriculture corporations and com- Banack said the past year of work- Jacobson takes over leadership of modity groups to become members. ing with the government has been the general farm organization from The group said during its recent encouraging for the organization Humphrey Banack, who is stepping LYNN JACOBSON annual meeting that the change is the and he believes Wild Rose has turned down after four years as president NEW PRESIDENT first step to becoming a more inclu- a corner in its relationship with the and a previous two years as a mem- sive farm organization. province. ber of the board of directors. members. Members voted to open up mem- A general farm organization is “Our goal of the organization is to Jacobson was the organization’s “It’s time we all come together and bership from individual farmers to restructure ourselves and see how we first vice-president and believes his speak with one voice. It’s very neces- corporations and commissions in an paramount to agriculture in this can put together an organization that years with the provincial farm orga- sary,” he said. attempt to attract more members province. is presentable to government. A gen- nization will help him move the orga- Changes made by the federal gov- and increase financial stability. eral farm organization is paramount to nization forward. ernment to remove the Canadian “It’s a starting point,” said outgoing HUMPHREY BANACK agriculture in this province,” he said. “I’ve been training for this posi- Wheat Board’s monopoly powers WILD ROSE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS Wild Rose president Humphrey OUTGOING PRESIDENT “There is a huge spot for a general tion,” Jacobson said after being may also reduce the polarization Banack. farm organization in this province.” elected during the group’s annual between commodity organiza- Alberta’s general farm organization Wild Rose also voted to replace two meeting. tions. is struggling to attract members and directors with members of commod- Jacobson said he believes policy WRAP’s policy was to allow farmers with it a solid financial base. Evan Berger, Alberta’s newest agri- ity groups. It already has 11 commod- changes made during the annual to decide the future of the wheat By becoming more inclusive, Wild culture minister, didn’t dismiss the ity members, but they can sit only as meeting to allow corporate and board. Rose also hopes the provincial gov- request when he spoke to the group. board members. commodity organizations to join “That’s been a source of friction ernment will decide to allow it to use “That’s the first ask I heard about The group hopes to increase indi- Wild Rose will help strengthen its between a lot of groups.” a checkoff or other funding mecha- that. I’ll keep it in consideration,” vidual producer membership to base. Jacobson will continue lobbying nism to improve its financial base. Berger said. 1,000 paid members by 2012, have 10 While 22 organizations belong to the provincial government to allow The group has asked several previous New Wild Rose president Lynn corporate members and increase the WRAP, most of the membership for a checkoff or other funding mech- agriculture ministers for such a Jacobson said relations with the gov- numberaccess=subscriber section=news,none,none of commodity group mem- comes from the province’s dwin- anism to ensure a more secure finan- change, but with little success. ernment improved with Jack bers by 10 by 2014. dling farm population as individual cial future for the group.
GROWERS, START YOUR PULSES.
Trilex® AL seed treatment takes the checkered fl ag for seed and seedling disease protection in pulses and soybeans. In addition, it clears the track to allow your pulse inoculant to supercharge nodulation.
Led by trifl oxystrobin and metalaxyl, the fi nest pit crew on tour, Trilex AL has been engineered for high performance disease protection. This high level of disease protection and synergistic benefi ts with inoculants provides growers with their best return on investment. Now that’s a winning formula.
For more information visit BayerCropScience.ca/TrilexAL.
BayerCropScience.ca/TrilexAL or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. Trilex® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. 12/12-BCS11088 18 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS
FARM POLICY | YOUNG FARMERS New Alta. ag minister focuses on attracting youth Alberta farm group also interested | Young people key to rural survival
BY MARY MACARTHUR “If we’re going to have people to tion in this industry?” CAMROSE BUREAU move this next generation of agricul- Berger said he doesn’t just want ture forward, it’s going to have to children to come back to the farm to EDMONTON — The optimistic come out of our youth,” Berger told do chores, but to return with a post mood in agriculture makes now a members of Wild Rose Agricultural secondary education, open a new perfect time to attract youth back into Producers at their annual general business and use their youthful farming, says Alberta’s agriculture meeting. energy to reinvigorate and recharge minister. “We’re struggling to engage the rural communities. Wild Rose Agricultural Producers president Humphrey Banack, left, Evan Berger said young people are youth, and without them our indus- “We need to get our rural commu- listens to Alberta agriculture minister Evan Berger during the group’s key to keeping farms and rural com- tryaccess=subscriber won’t section=news,none,none survive. Who else will buy nities vibrant again,” said Berger, annual general meeting. | MARY MACARTHUR PHOTO munities alive. us out if we don’t have new invigora- who challenged Wild Rose members to engage youth and show them how successful and rewarding agriculture can be. WRAP president Humphrey Banack said his group plans to estab- lish a scholarship or bursary to 5525 CL CRUSHES encourage post secondary study in agriculture. “Wild Rose has to encourage youth. TM We need young people coming for- NEXERA 2012 ward to take over farms,” said Banack, whose own son returned last year to rejoin the family farm. “It’s a huge opportunity for my son.” Berger said WRAP hopes to find dif- ferent ways to encourage youth to join the discussion about the future of agriculture, not just as advisers but as industry partners. 5525 CL “We can’t be the grouchy guy standing in the coffee shop com- plaining about everything. Let’s make this attractive for youth and have them engaged. To do that we have to up our message,” he said. “If the only message our youth gets is that everything is bad, they won’t return. We are very committed to BETTER YIELD. BETTER NET. bringing youth in. I want their input.” Berger said he also wants input from WRAP on how to encourage MARKETING FLEXIBILITY. youth to return to agriculture. “You have a vital role to play in get- There are 50.36 reasons why 5525 CL is the winner over Nexera 2012. ting it right,” he said. “We need to work together and Head-to-head in the mid season zone, 5525 CL out-yielded Nexera 2012 by stand together to promote this an average of 8 bu/ac1. The result: $50.362 per acre more in your pocket. industry.”
In the end, it all comes down to performance, and BrettYoung brings a new standard of excellence to the field. POULTRY | FIRE brettyoung.ca 800-665-5015 Fire strikes poultry farm
CANOLA PERFORMANCE TRIALS3 – 2011 BY BARB GLEN LETHBRIDGE BUREAU 5525 58 bu/acre Fire destroyed 21,000 chicks and Nexera 2012 50 bu/acre one of two barns at the Martin Vrede- 0 15 30 45 60 goor poultry operation north of Average Yield Lethbridge Jan. 7. A second barn containing about the 3 Canola Performance Trials are funded by the Alberta Canola Producers Commission, the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) and the Manitoba Canola same number of birds was saved. Growers Association and the trial program is delivered by the Canola Council of Canada. Fire chief Sam West from Picture For complete details on the trials visit www.canolaperformancetrials.ca Butte, Alta., said firefighters got the call at about 9 a.m. and arrived on the site near the hamlet of Shaughnessy, Alta., to find one barn fully engulfed. “In any field, a gold medal performance is a result Fire crews also responded from of preparation, hard work and unwavering support.” nearby Coalhurst, Alta. JON MONTGOMERY West said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Crews 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist – Skeleton 2008 World Championship Silver Medalist remained on the scene to protect the second barn for about five hours. Unlike recent grass fires, wind co- 1 Based on 2011 Canola Performance Trial data. 2 Based on Nexera Production Contract – Bunge and BrettYoung SRP canola price list. operated in the handling of this blaze BrettYoung is a trademark of BrettYoung Seeds Limited. All others are trademarks of their respective companies. 11072 12.11 by keeping smoke from impeding
visibilityaccess=subscriber section=news,livestock,none on nearby Highway 25, West said. THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 19
It’s the canola herbicide you’ve been wishing for.
It’s no wonder farmers are just itching to get their hands on this. New ARES™ herbicide is an integral part of the enhanced Clearfield® Production System for canola. It controls all the weeds other systems get plus the ones they don’t, including tough weeds like lamb’s quarters, wild buckwheat and cleavers. And with its user-friendly, liquid formulation, it’s bound to be on most canola farmers’ wish lists this year. Visit your BASF retailer or agsolutions.ca/ARES for more details.
Always read and follow label directions. AgSolutions is a registered trade-mark of BASF Corporation; ARES is a trade-mark, and Clearfield and the unique Clearfield symbol are registered trade-marks of BASF Agrochemical Products B.V.; all used with permission by BASF Canada Inc. © 2012 BASF Canada Inc. 20 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS
WORLD IN BRIEF
WEATHER OUTLOOK conditions in Argentina and Brazil tonnes of wheat in 2011. nitrogen, phosphorus and fertilizer demand except for Western wither crops while the southern Analyst UkrAgroConsult said the potassium, should rise three percent and Central Europe, with the largest United States suffers through a former Soviet republic could harvest to 178.2 million tonnes in 2011-12, increases in East Asia, South Asia and La Nina may linger once-a-century drought. 44.7 million tonnes of grain this year, the IFA said in a market outlook. Latin America, it said. ORLANDO, Fla. (Reuters) — including 14.5 million tonnes of “Responding to attractive wheat. agricultural prices, world fertilizer The United States government WORLD PRODUCTION AG FINANCE forecaster is warning that La Nina, demand is anticipated to rise steadily in 2011-12,” it said. the weather phenomenon blamed FARM INPUTS for drought in the southern United Ukraine harvest to Overall demand growth this Monsanto shares rise States and South America, may season will include a 3.1 percent rise persist into spring. decline Fertilizer demand sets for nitrogen to 107.7 million tonnes, a (Reuters) — Global agribusiness In a monthly update, the U.S. KIEV, Ukraine (Reuters) — 1.0 percent increase for phosphorus company Monsanto has posted a Climate Prediction Center said the Ukraine’s 2012 grain harvest may record to 41.1 million tonnes.and a 5.7 higher-than-expected quarterly latest sea temperature data suggests fall to 44 to 46 million tonnes from a PARIS, France (Reuters) — World percent rise for potassium to 29.4 profit, driven primarily by expanding La Nina “will be of weak-to-moderate record 56.4 million tonnes in 2011 demand for fertilizers will rise again million tonnes, the IFA report said. business in Brazil and Argentina and strength this winter, and will due to a drought during seeding, this season to hit a new record The projected demand for 2011-12 strong U.S. seed orders for spring continue thereafter as a weak event Ukrainian farm minister Mykola level, driven by growth in emerging will surpass an already record level planting. until it likely dissipates sometime Prysyazhnyuk said. economies and strong fundamentals of 173 million tonnes estimated Monsanto also announced 14 between March and May.” Prysyazhnyuk said a fall in the 2012 in agricultural markets, the for 2010-11, when an economic areas of advancement in its research The prolonged phenomenon, wheat harvest to about 12 million International Fertilizer Industry rebound and tight commodity and development platforms, noting although weaker than it was a year tonnes was the main reason for the Association (IFA) said. markets drove a 6.2 percent rise in progress in corn, soy, cotton, wheat fertilizer consumption, the IFA said. and canola. ago,access=subscriber threatens section=news,none,none to roil commodity decrease in the grain crop this year. Fertilizer demand, expressed markets from corn to coffee as dry Ukraine harvested 22.4 million as consumption of key nutrients All regions will see growth in total Shares rose 4.3 percent on the results. Monsanto, the world’s largest seed company, said net income for the first quarter ended Nov. 30 totalled $126 million US, up from $9 million the year before, while earnings per share came in at 23 cents, versus two cents a year earlier. Analysts had expected 16 cents per share. Total sales of Monsanto’s specialized corn, soybean, cotton seeds and productivity products rose 33 percent to $2.4 billion in the quarter. Corn seeds and genetic CORRECTION SERVICES traits sales jumped 46 percent to $895 million.
AG FINANCE
Cargill earnings fall Agribusiness giant Cargill has reported a third consecutive slump ® in quarterly earnings, as one of the world’s largest commodity traders NEW! TRIMBLE took a beating from sugar losses and ™ ™ volatility in financial markets. Cargill reported $100 million US in CENTERPOINT RTX earnings from continuing operations for its second quarter ended Nov. 30, down 88 percent from $832 million a CORRECTION SERVICE year earlier. After a period of booming profits, it was the company’s worst quarter ANOTHER OPTION FROM TRIMBLE since 2001, excluding earnings from Cargill’s former majority stake in FOR HIGH-ACCURACY CORRECTIONS fertilizer maker Mosaic Co. The company’s trading operations THROUGHOUT MOST OF NORTH AMERICA. dragged down stronger earnings in the food and agricultural services t 1FSGPSNZPVSQSFDJTJPOBHSJDVMUVSFPQFSBUJPOTXJUI divisions. It said Europe’s debt crisis walloped equity and distressed-asset SFQFBUBCMF wBDDVSBDZ trades in its hedge fund division, while sugar trading recorded a loss. t %FMJWFSFEWJBTBUFMMJUFEJSFDUMZUPZPVSJODBCEJTQMBZXJUI OPFYUSBIBSEXBSFPSDFMMVMBSEBUBQMBOTSFRVJSFE SUBSIDIES
t 'BTUTUBSUVQUJNF U.S. farm group urges t UFMFQIPOFTVQQPSUUISPVHI0NOJ45"3 farm bill changes WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) t "WBJMBCMFOPXJONPTUPG/PSUI"NFSJDB — The largest U.S. farm group urged government to modernize the 80-year- old farm program by replacing most Trimble. Bringing you more correction options crop subsidies with a plan that protects farmer revenues, a move that would throughout the world. accommodate federal spending cuts on the horizon. Delegates at the annual meeting of For more information on CenterPoint RTX, the six million-member American Farm Bureau Federation called for visit www.trimble.com/agcorrectionservices a new foundation for farm support, one that shields growers from the or contact your local dealer. To order, call impact of low prices or poor yields. 1-888-OmniSTAR. They kept one element of the current safety net, so-called price supports, but indicated they should be higher. Among the subsidies that would ¦ 5SJNCMF/BWJHBUJPO-JNJUFE"MMSJHIUTSFTFSWFE5SJNCMFBOEUIF(MPCF5SJBOHMF MPHPBSFUSBEFNBSLTPG5SJNCMF/BWJHBUJPO-JNJUFE SFHJTUFSFEJOUIF6OJUFE4UBUFTBOEJO be eliminated is the $5 billion a PUIFSDPVOUSJFT$FOUFS1PJOU BOE359BSFUSBEFNBSLTPG5SJNCMF/BWJHBUJPO-JNJUFE"MM year direct-payment subsidy, paid PUIFSUSBEFNBSLTBSFUIFQSPQFSUZPGUIFJSSFTQFDUJWFPXOFST regardless of need. It is the prime target of reformers and deficit hawks. The U.S. Congress is scheduled to write a new U.S. farm policy law this year, with large cuts likely in funds for crop and conservation subsidies. THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 21
1# Roundup Ready ® HYBRID
0UNYVZZYL]LU\LHJJVYKPUN[VUL^ *HUVSH7LYMVYTHUJL;YPHSZ
Bold innovation. Exciting returns.
Discover the hybrids that are shaking up the canola category. Choose VICTORY® v1040 and V12-1 to help your farm generate best-in-class yields and gross revenues — as proven by the NEW Canola Performance Trials!
Scan the code to view trial highlights and more at victorycanola.com or go to www.canolacouncil.org ©2012 Cargill, Inc. All rights reserved. Inc. Cargill, ©2012
www.victorycanola.com www.cargill.ca 22 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS
WHEAT | ALBERTA Producer support tapped for new wheat commission Steering committee charts its course | Preliminary plans call for new 70 cent per tonne levy on all wheat produced in province
BY BRIAN CROSS cents per tonne administered by the producers for their views. It is also Erickson said the new commission
SASKATOON NEWSROOM Western Grains Research Fund. available online at www.alber- would complement work already The two levies would bring the check- tawheat.com. done by the Western Grains Research A committee is pushing ahead with off for Alberta wheat growers to $1 per (Evan Berger) has been very Erickson said 500 producers have Foundation. plans to establish a wheat commis- tonne, which is similar to what Alberta receptive to the idea ... completed the survey. Of those, An Alberta commission could pro- sion in Alberta. canola and barley producers pay. roughly 80 percent support the idea. vide a provincial perspective to the Kent Erickson, co-chair of the Erickson said the checkoff would KENT ERICKSON The committee will circulate the WGRF, which operates on a wider, Alberta Wheat Commission steering be invested in wheat research and STEERING COMMITTEE survey until March 1. It hopes the regional basis across all of Western committee, said his group is continu- market development programs. new commission will be opera- Canada. ing to gauge producer support for “Right now, we are trying to get pro- tional by Aug. 1. WGRF executive director Garth Pat- establishing a commission that ducer feedback and trying to get a Berger) … some time in February. He The Alberta Winter Wheat Produc- terson said there are different models would collect a producer levy of 70 benchmark of how much support we has been … very receptive to the idea … ers Commission and the Alberta Soft that could be used to direct producer cents per tonne on all wheat pro- have,” said Erickson, who farms near if there is sound support in Alberta.” White Wheat Producers Commis- investments in cereal research. duced in the province. Irma, Alta. Erickson and other members of the sion have endorsed the idea. Those The concept of a national wheat coun-
If approved, the Alberta levy would “We’ve got a meeting set up with the steering committee are distributing a organizations would be dissolved if cil access=subscriberwith section=news,none,none regional and provincial repre- be in addition to an existing levy of 30 (Alberta minister of Agriculture Evan survey at industry events that asks the new commission goes ahead. sentation is also being considered.
NEW CENTRE | CROPS Centre focuses on crop Ask about The ultimate the TagTeam production ROI guarantee combination Year-round indoor facility planned
Hit the field with TagTeam® and win the BY CHRIS PUTNAM fight for more phosphate and nitrogen. FREELANCE WRITER
TagTeam is the ONLY inoculant that gives your Plans are underway to raise money for a multimillion-dollar centre that pulse crops access to more phosphate and would tell the story of modern crop nitrogen. By increasing uptake of these crucial production in Canada. The Western Canadian Crop Tech- elements, TagTeam improves overall crop growth nology Interpretive Centre in Yorkton, and standability. Your crops grow bigger, Sask., is expected to be a 6,000 sq. foot facility containing interactive displays stronger, and deliver an average of 8% more on agricultural technology and sus- yield compared to single-action competitors – tainability. It is to be built adjacent to the city’s visitor centre within 2 1/2 that’s more than $18.00* profit per acre! When years. phosphate is limiting, nothing beats TagTeam – Plans for the interpretive centre have been in the works for more than we guarantee it.** Get the most from your crops two years. The idea grew out of Tour- with the powerful combination of TagTeam. ism Yorkton’s Crops of the Parkland walking tours. Inquiries from local schools and the public prompted organizers of the crop walking tours to “investigate taking it one step further,” according to interpretive centre steering com- mittee chair Thom Weir. The committee envisioned a year- round indoor facility that would operate in parallel to the summer tours, providing a more complete TagTeam mini-bulk is now available perspective on modern agriculture. for pea/lentil and soybean. The contents of the interpretive centre are still under discussion, but Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Weir said it will likely feature displays ® Together with customers across a broad array on modern seed varieties, pest man- MultiAction of industries we create tomorrow’s industrial agement, food processing, designer solutions, improving our customers’ business and crops, environmental sustainability Legume Fertility the use of our planet’s resources. Read more at and precision technologies such as www.novozymes.com. GPS and variable rate application. The business side of the industry will also be discussed at the centre. The project’s steering committee received provincial funding while developing the idea, but planners www.useTagTeam.ca | 1-888-744-5662 expect to rely exclusively on private sponsors for the facility’s construction. At least $2 million must be raised. Smart farmers read the fine print. “We think that it’s a big enough and Source: Summary of 36 lentil and 177 pea independent large-plot research trials. *On average, TagTeam inoculants for pea and lentil outperformed competitor, a good enough story that hopefully single-action (nitrogen fixing only) inoculants by 8% in independent large-plot research trials. That’s an average increase of .62 bushels per acre, for a net agribusiness will be able to fund the return of $18.82/ac. Net return is calculated after the cost of inoculants is removed, using current commodity prices of $15.00/bu for lentils and $8.00/bu for peas. See our website for details. **For details on the TagTeam ROI guarantee, call Novozymes at 1-888-744-5662. whole thing,” said Weir. The fundraising campaign is antici- MultiAction ® TagTeam and are registered trademarks of Novozymes A/S. All rights reserved. 11028 10.11 © 2011 Novozymes. 2011-22927-01 pated to last about one year. Once operational, the centre will
requireaccess=subscriber section=news,technology,crops an annual budget of $150,000 to $175,000. NEWS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 23
AG NOTES COMING EVENTS Jan. 17-19: Manitoba Ag Days, Keystone 6832, www.farmtechconference.com) Laurier, Ottawa (613-236-9997, [email protected]) MANITOBA CANOLA GROWERS Centre, Brandon (www.agdays.com, [email protected]) Feb. 17-19: Saskatchewan Equine Expo, ELECT DIRECTORS Jan. 26-29: Organic Agriculture 204-571-6566) Conference, Guelph University Centre, Feb. 9-10: University of Manitoba Prairieland Park, Saskatoon (306- Jan. 17-20: Banff Pork Seminar, Kinnear Guleph, Ont. (519-824-4120, ext. Transport Institute, Supply Chain 931-7149, www.saskatoonex.com) Four members were recently elect- Centre, Banff, Alta. (Ruth Ball, 780- 56205, www.guelphorganicconf.ca) Connections conference, Delta Feb. 21-22: Western Canadian Holistic ed to the Manitoba Canola Growers 492-3651, [email protected], www. Farm Leadership Council workshops, Winnipeg Hotel, Winnipeg (www. Management Conference, Gallagher Association’s board of directors: banffpork.ca) 888-569-4566, www.ourflc.com: umti.ca) Centre, Yorkton, Sask. (Sask. Ministry Hugh Drake of Elkhorn, Jacob (Jack) Jan. 17-26: Farm Leadership Council Jan. 28-30: Leaders in Growth Feb. 14-15: The Manitoba GreenShow, of Agriculture, 306-786-1531) Froese of Winkler, Dale Gryba of Gil- online Advanced Managing Risk workshop, Lloydminster Victoria Inn, Winnipeg (Kelly Feb. 28-March 1: National Invasive Tole, 204-736-2517, lmb@ bert Plains and Clayton Harder of Workshop, 888-569-4566, www. Feb. 1-9: FLC-CIGI online Species Forum, Ottawa (Barry Gibbs, landscapemanitoba.com, www. Winnipeg. ourflc.com biodiesel workshop 403-558-0144 or 403-850-5977, The vote was conducted using a landscapemb.com) [email protected]) Jan. 18-19: Saskatchewan Beef Industry Feb. 7-March 8: FLC online mail-in preferential voting system Feb. 15-17: Western Barley Growers conference, Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon intermediate Managing Risk that allowed producers to rank the Association convention, Deerfoot Inn For more coming events, see the (Shannon McArton, shannon. workshop candidates in order of preference. mcarton@sasktel.net, 306-488-4725, and Casino, Calgary (403-912-3998, Community Calendar, section 0300, Candidates were required to win www.saskbeefconference.com) Feb. 1-2: Manitoba Swine Seminar, in the Western Producer Classifieds. more than 50 percent of the active Victoria Inn Hotel and Conference Jan. 20-21: Canadian Bull Congress, Centre, Winnipeg (Dallas votes in any particular count to win Camrose, Alta. (780-672-3640, info@ one of the four available positions. Ballance, 204-475-8585, dallas@ bullcongress.com, www.bullcongress. goodwinballance.ca, www. MAILBOX Four directors are elected every two com) years for four year terms. manitobaswineseminar.ca) Secrets of a Ukrainian Baba — True of Cactus Lake, $20 postpaid. Jan. 24-26: FarmTech, Expo Centre, Feb. 2: Dairy Farmers of Canada Dairy stories of olden days from the Contact: Naden Bochar Hewko, 306- For more information, visit www. Northlands, Edmonton (866-327- access=subscriber section=events,none,none access=subscriber section=events,none,none mcgacanola.org. Policy Conference, Fairmont Chateau parklands of Paynton to the prairies 753-3155.
HOLSTEIN CANADA PRESENTS EDUCATION AWARDS
Six young people are recipients of the Holstein Canada 2011 Education Awards. Each winner will receive a cheque for $750. This year’s winners are Lorene Vanderwal of Abbotsford, B.C., Alex Mackinnon of Montague, P.E.I., Annick Michaud of St-Philippe-De-Néri, Que., Christine Breton of Norbertville, Que., Alan Nanne of Pakenham, Ont., and Peter Spruit of Woodstock, Ont. The awards program received 37 applications. Winners were selected based on scholastic performance, agricultural experience, youth involvement and career choice.
PROPERTY RIGHTS SURVEY NOW ONLINE
Alberta’s property rights task force will conduct an online survey to gather landowner input about prop- erty rights. It is holding 10 community sessions from Jan. 9-17 in Grimshaw, Grande Prairie, St. Paul, Westlock, Olds, Rocky Mountain House, Brooks, Hanna, Rise of the Smart Machines Medicine Hat, and Lethbridge. Opinions can be expressed through e-mail, mail or a toll-free phone number. The information will be part of a public report to government. The online survey can be found at The 2012 8R/8RT Series Tractors – the most intelligent tractors in the www.propertyrights.alberta.ca. world. With intuitive controls, integrated GreenStar™ 3 technology, and
BUSINESS LEADER RECOGNIZED the new JDLink™ information-management system, these tractors make FOR PULSE EXPANSION LWHDV\IRU\RXWRWXUQ\RXUIDUPLQWRDPRUHHIƟFLHQWDQGSURGXFWLYH RSHUDWLRQ:KDWŤVPRUHWKHDGYDQFHG3RZHU7HFKƀ36; /(QJLQHRIIHUV Alliance Grain Traders president † Murad Al-Katib is this year’s award XSWRHQJLQHKS SOXVDQDGGLWLRQDOHQJLQHKS during mobile and recipient of the BASF Pulse Promoter UHDU372RSHUDWLRQVşDOOZLWKRXWVWDQGLQJSHUIRUPDQFHDQGHIƟFLHQF\ Award. The annual award is presented to 7KHVHDUHQŤWMXVWWUDFWRUVWKH\ŤUHVPDUWPDFKLQHV an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the &KRRVHIURPZKHHOPRGHOVZLWKWRHQJLQHKS WR372KS development of the pulse industry. BASF Clearfield business manager RUWUDFNPRGHOVZLWKWRHQJLQHKS WR 372KS 6HH\RXU Bill Greuel and Saskatchewan Pulse -RKQ'HHUHGHDOHUIRUGHWDLOV Nothing Runs Like A Deere.™ Growers chair Lee Moats presented Al-Katib with the award at Pulse Days in Saskatoon Jan. 10. “In a very short period of time, Al- Katib has built Alliance Grain Trad- ers into a world leader in value-add- ed pulses, staple foods and specialty crops,” said Greuel. Alliance Grain Traders was founded 5DWHGHQJLQHKS ,62 SHU (& in 2007 when Agtech Income Fund JohnDeere.com/8R acquired Saskcan Pulse Trading. Ū7KURXJK,QWHOOLJHQW3RZHU0DQDJHPHQW The company exports lentils, peas, beansaccess=subscriber section=news,none,noneand chickpeas to more than 100 countries. 24 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS
ENVIRONMENT | TREES Shelterbelts gain new purpose Eco-buffers | Dense tree and shrub system is designed to trap more snow, improve yields and provide habitat for bees, insects and birds
BY WILLIAM DEKAY out of a need for functionality. SASKATOON NEWSROOM Bank said the key question behind the research was determining the He wanted systems that would tion and be less dependent on large matched natural systems. Shelterbelts are getting more com- types of tree systems that could stand up to longer periods of amounts of inputs. “So more complex equals more plicated. optimize farm survival under drought and pestilence, reduce Bank’s solution was to produce biodiversity. Farmers should learn Called eco-buffers, they are a com- changing circumstances. energy reliance, increase pollina- more complex systems, which to recognize that and leverage biodi- plex tree system that encourages biodiversity. This new approach to shelterbelts involves planting two to seven rows of trees and shrubs in a narrow, dense arrangement. The goal is to quickly establish a concentrated group of plants that models a natural hedgerow. The trees and shrubs should be native to the region, chosen specifically for the site and include a variety of species with diverse characteristics. Planting around established shelterbelts, riparian areas, wetlands 3URWHFW crop. The eco-buffer should raise those percentages. One of the key areas that Bank is Most literature reports that studying on Ruzicka’s farm is the canola yields will increase effect of the natural habitat in the between 10 and 30 and some eco-buffer on the presence of wild The most complex as much as 50 percent through bees. He will measure the amount of pol- eco-buffer built additional pollination from on Don Ruzicka’s linated stigma in canola at the edge farm near Killam, wild bees. of the field, in the middle of field and Alta., comprises close to the natural pollinators. GARY BANK “Most literature reports that canola seven rows of AGRO FORESTRY SPECIALIST 41 species of yields will increase between 10 and trees, shrubs, 30 and some as much as 50 percent herbaceous these natural areas to help the agri- through additional pollination from plants, berry culture proceed and survive, that it wild bees,” he said. bushes and native will take benefit of these natural eco- Building more complex vegetative flowers. | MARIE systems services,” he said. areas has other benefits as well. RUZICKA PHOTOS “I call this stacking the benefits of Bank thinks nutrient cycling of shelterbelts.” nitrogen and phosphorus should versity so that they can have more and shelterbelts that became more “If you’re in a system where you’re Bank said the typical single become more available to adjacent resilient systems,” he said. diverse.” farming wall to wall, then the bush and double row shelterbelt traps crops. “Thus, this idea of farming systems Bank encouraged farmers to think gets in the way. But another way of snow and increases yields by 10 to Pest suppression is also important that mimics more natural systems outside the box. looking at agriculture is, we need 20 percent, depending on the by increasing the number of birds and insects, particularly carnivorous pest-eating beetles. It’s important to know what a eco- buffer is expected to achieve before designing it. “I think you’ll get more than one thing, always,” he said. “It’s just trying to strike the right balance. “ He said more farmers are looking for shelterbelts that are closer to ecological integrity. The eco-buffer may be the answer because it allows them to reduce their economic risk by lowering their input costs and producing a wider range of products. “We’re finding that there’s a group of farmers emerging who are very interested in this kind of work and we’re responding to that. Not everybody wants a 50 quarter section with six quarter section fields,” he said. “They may be growing wheat but they may be growing vegetables in the shade, or they may be growing alfalfa where they get assured pollination from leaf cutter bees. They may harvest the berries from these kinds of shelterbelts because they will be organic by nature. They might be able to get some of their fuel from these things (biomass) if we design them the right way.” Bank said he sees tremendous potential for eco-buffer designs on large farms. “Is it better to have two rows or six rows every half mile or one mile for these people, and shelterbelts that would work within their riparian areas (places they can’t farm)?” he said. “There’s a range of products you can get from shelterbelts that are properly designed. You, as a farmer, can customize it: I want a lot of timber out of this one, I want a lot of fibre for fuel, or I want berries, or I want pollination services.” Bank said more research is needed. “There’s a lot of science out there that suggest this will work, but we haven’t proven that it will work this way,” he said. “We’re very interested in testing these different designs and what’s both effective and economic. We want to get there at some point. We may get all these services, but we find that this is too expensive to do or too hard to do.” Two more eco-buffers are planned on Ruzicka’s farm this spring. He said experiences like these help him become more intimate with the land. “We are slowly figuring out where everything belongs and why,” he said. “Well known biologist E.O. Wilson claims that ‘the more diversity that there is in an ecosystem, the more able that it is to survive droughts and other environmental challenges.’ I couldn’t agree more.” 26 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS WHEAT | BREEDING VENTURE Bayer launches wheat breeding with new centre Crop Production Week | The Saskatchewan centre will be Bayer CropScience’s first direct involvement with wheat in Western Canada BY BRIAN CROSS lia and the United States. SASKATOON NEWSROOM Merryweather said the company sees considerable growth potential Bayer CropScience is planning to in the North American wheat indus- establish a new wheat breeding cen- try and will continue to expand tre in Saskatchewan. Canadian wheat breeding efforts Bayer spokesperson Rod Merry- over the next few years. weather said the centre will be based “This will be a progressive (invest- in the Saskatoon area and will devel- ment) so initially, we’ll probably op new wheat cultivars suited for have three or four employees specifi- western Canadian growing condi- cally in wheat this year and that will tions. expand over the years,” he said. The company has already hired a “Probably a full-fledged wheat lab technician for the centre and is in breeding program is 15 to 20 people, the final stages of hiring a full-time approximately, but that might take us wheat breeder. three or four years because … we’ll Additional staff members will be have to build the facilities and every- added over the next few months. thing else.” Bayer now grows early generations Internationally, Bayer has been of wheat crosses at its greenhouses at ramping up participation in wheat Innovation Place in Saskatoon. breeding and cereal trait develop- Outside test plots will be estab- ment over the past few years. lished this spring to multiply plants It has already established partner- and allow for selection of the most ships with a variety of wheat breed- promising material. ing and cereal research programs “We will have a breeding station in around the world. Canada in the next few months … if Those partnerships will allow the things go as planned and that breed- company to collaborate with existing ing station will be located here in the wheat breeding programs and build Saskatoon area,” Merryweather told on work that has been conducted at delegates at the Saskatchewan Seed publicly funded institutions in key Growers annual meeting. wheat producing countries. The wheat centre is Bayer’s first The company’s Canadian program direct involvement in Canadian will use germplasm from a variety of wheat breeding. sources, including varieties that While Bayer has operated a canola breeding centre in the Saskatoon area for some time, it plans to soon The company already has a canola have been developed by Agriculture establish a wheat breeding centre there as well. Here Friedrich Berschauer, who was chief executive officer breeding facility northeast of Canada and the University of Sas- for Bayer CropScience at the time, looks over plants during a tour of the new Global Canola Breeding Centre in Saskatoon and has dedicated wheat katchewan’s Crop Development 2009. | FILE PHOTO breeding facilities in Europe, Austra- Centre. Bayer will focus on crossing that material and developing cultivars that can be used a platform to deliver advanced agronomic traits that will produce higher wheat yields for prai- rie growers. “We believe that traits are going deliver a tremendous value to wheat through enhanced yields, and the Save the Date areas we’re looking at are input traits like nutrient use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and things like that,” 2012 Regional Pulse Development Workshops Merryweather said. “We believe we have the base now and the research collaborations that will allow us to introduce our traits Saskatchewan Pulse Growers is teaming up with the into the marketplace on a global Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture to bring you our annual basis.” Regional Pulse Workshops. This year’s topics include the A wheat breeding centre is the first step in a long-term investment latest news on weed and disease control, new varieties, in the western Canadian wheat international market outlooks, pulse grading and more. industry. Commercialization of Bayer’s first January 30 - Melfort Canadian wheat varieties is not January 31 - Rosetown expected to occur for a decade or so. February 1 - Swift Current “Traits will not happen tomorrow,” February 2 - Moose Jaw Merryweather said. “We don’t believe we’ll see these February 3 - Weyburn traits for about a 10-year period and so that’s why we’re interested in To pre-register, call 1-866-457-2377. Registration is developing our wheat breeding pro- also available at the door. Visit the SPG webstie for gram immediately because it will more information. take us six to 10 years … to develop an effective breeding program that we www.saskpulse.com/producer can then put these traits into to deliver that value to the market- place.” NEWS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 27 LENTILS | PRICE FORECAST Red lentil prices expected to rise Crop Production Week | Analysts say prices aren’t high enough to avoid a significant reduction in seeded acres this year BY SEAN PRATT will also face stiff competition in that SASKATOON NEWSROOM marketplace from one of India’s neighbours. Red lentil prices need to rise to “That’s what we hear from the mar- spark grower interest in the crop, say ket is that Myanmar is going to be pulse market analysts. preferred in case there is any shortfall “If current bids for red lentils per- in pigeon pea production in India,” Some analysts say red lentil prices will rise in coming months and they will need to if they are to entice sist, we’ll be looking at a major con- said Sampathkumar. farmers to seed more acres. | FILE PHOTO traction in the red lentil production area,” Simpson Seeds Inc. president Greg Simpson told growers attend- ing Pulse Days 2012. Today’s bids of 16 to 17 cents per pound are not causing hearts to race. Stat Publishing president Brian Clancey said there is a high probabil- ity that prices will creep back over 20 cents in the coming months. “Red lentil prices on average will be higher next season than they were Breakthrough performance this season,” he said. However, he is still forecasting a contraction in red lentil production in 2012 to 629,300 tonnes, down from 780,400 tonnes last year. Clancey is forecasting ending stocks of 297,200 tonnes, down from an estimate of 437,900 tonnes this Enhanced nodulation, excellent plant year, although it could be a lot lower if more of the poor quality crop from growth, and extraordinary ROI. 2010 is sold into domestic feed mar- kets. Optimize® combines a quality nitrogen He is projecting 465,000 tonnes of large green lentil production, down inoculant with Novozymes’ LCO Promoter from 606,600 tonnes last year, and ® 616,700 tonnes of overall green len- Technology . This unique LCO molecule til output, down from 751,500 drives communication between the tonnes. Green lentil carryout is expected to pea plant and the nitrogen inoculant be 252,800 tonnes, down from an estimated 322,100 tonnes in 2011-12. independent of soil conditions. The result? Initial bids for new crop No. 1 large Enhanced nutritional capabilities that drive green lentils are 21 cents per lb. Clancey said a realistic future value natural growth processes, maximizing plant for the crop is in the 20 to 24 cent range, which is down from today’s growth and crop performance. values. “I would anticipate lower average (green lentil) prices,” he said. Total lentil production is forecast at 1.25 million tonnes, down from 1.53 million tonnes last year, but Clancey thinks red lentil production could be even lower than he is predicting, which would drive total output to as low as one million tonnes. Simpson is forecasting 2.07 million acres of lentils and 1.07 million tonnes of production, including 475,000 tonnes of large greens and 415,000 tonnes of reds. LCO Promoter His large green number is almost ® identical to Clancey’s, but he expects 214,300 fewer tonnes of red lentils. Technology No price support is expected for large green lentils unless India’s pigeon pea prices improve, he said. Raghavan Sampathkumar, who works for Saskatchewan Pulse Grow- ers in India, said that is not in the Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers cards. across a broad array of industries we create tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, improving our customers’ business and the use of our planet’s resources. The market is “quite comfortable” Read more at www.novozymes.com with the pigeon pea supply from India’s kharif (summer) crop. “The response for Canadian green www.useOptimize.ca | 1-888-744-5662 lentils will be quiet for at least the next six to eight months,” said Sam- pathkumar. ® Optimize and LCO Promoter Technology are registered trademarks of Novozymes A/S. All rights reserved. 11033 10.11 © 2011 Novozymes. 2011-27519-01 Canadianaccess=subscriber section=news,crops,markets large green lentils, which are a good substitute for pigeon peas, 28 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER WATER PROTECTS FROM WATER AquaDam is a bladder fi lled with water to PRODUCTION create a protective dike. | Page 30 PRODUCTION EDITOR: MICHAEL RAINE | Ph: 306-665-3592 F: 306-934-2401 | E-MAIL: [email protected] EQUIPMENT | TRACKS Italian firm making tracks in N. America Simplicity attractive | Tidue aftermarket rubber track system has shorter footprint BY RON LYSENG The accumulator is a key element to WINNIPEG BUREAU this. “The enclosed hydraulic system There are many North American performs two functions: It’s a ten- built aftermarket rubber track sys- sioner and a shock absorber. It has a tems on the market, yet at least one nitrogen accumulator that serves to Minnesota dealer sees advantages in adjust belt tension and absorb the From the outside, the Tidue looks like other aftermarket rubber track systems. However, it has fewer working importing a new track from Italy. shock. There’s a gauge so you can parts and a shorter footprint than others, making it easier on combine drives. | RON LYSENG PHOTOS “Tidue is the simplest rubber track check the pressure and make chang- conversion anywhere in the market- es if needed.” place today. It has the least number RDO is importing two configura- of working parts,” said Lee Rognes of tions of the Tidue track. The model RDO Sales. with three fixed bogies sells for RDO, a John Deere dealer in Moor- $65,000 US for the pair. The model head, Minnesota, picked up the Tidue with four oscillating bogies sells for line in 2011 to offer farmers a less- $72,000 US for the pair. complicated rubber track system. “The model with four oscillating “It has a slightly shorter footprint, bogies is best if your farm is spread so there’s less stress on the combine over a wide area and you do a lot of final drive when you’re turning. road travel between fields. “That’s why combine manufactur- “The road is crowned. The oscillat- ers seem to prefer it to other after- ing bogies take the pressure off the market tracks.” tracks so the mechanisms last longer. Rognes said transit speed is a factor “But if you’re lucky enough to have when fitting aftermarket tracks to an your land in a tight area, three fixed The inside view shows the hub. implement, especially if fields are bogies is best. When you’re in soft spread out over long distances. conditions giving way underneath track conversion kits, they can be He said the internal gearing on the the track, it seems the fixed bogies removed and reinstalled as quickly Tidue allows 80 percent of the origi- work better.” as a regular rubber tire. The nitrogen accumulator combined with the enclosed hydraulic system nal transport speed at the same All models come with 36 inch wide For more information, contact Lee and gauge allow the operator to control belt tension and shock absorber engine r.p.m. tracks from the factory. Like other Rognes at 701-526-2200. bounce. RESEARCH | SUSTAINABILITY Long-term research has benefits when studying sustainability Crop Production Week | Changes in soil reveal themselves slowly, which makes long-term research projects particularly important BY DAN YATES now asking how farmers and future frequency will increase yields. For practice, but it’s kind of fascinating SASKATOON NEWSROOM generations can prosper without example, continuous wheat has how resilient in fact our soils can be if compromising the land. resulted in higher annualized grain they don’t blow away,” said Lemke. Patience is a virtue for scientists “Not only thinking of the farm yield over a 30 year period. A wheat-lentil rotation over that and producers as they search for operation itself, but of the land and While Lemke said he wouldn’t recom- period produced yields “neck-and- ways to farm sustainably. the ecosystems that are embedded in mend back-to-back-to-back wheat, it neck” with continuous wheat, said Agriculture Canada scientist Rey- it and surrounding it,” Lemke said. shows producers can continually crop Lemke. It didn’t boost yields, but the nald Lemke told the Saskatchewan However, he said changes in soil without a buildup of weeds or diseases. nitrogen requirements were smaller. Soil Conservation Association meet- reveal themselves slowly, which REYNALD LEMKE “It’s still performing really quite “We were applying less fertilizer, ing at Crop Production Week in makes long-term research projects AGRICULTURE CANADA happily,” said Lemke. but getting the same yield,” he said. Saskatoon that sustainability isn’t a important, such as Agriculture Can- “Yields are generally as high or “And even though we were applying new concept. ada’s studies into crop rotations. higher than the average for the area less fertilizer, we were getting better He said scientists in Western Cana- He used fallow and the Dirty Thir- are beyond our control, but perhaps and there’s no indication of the protein values.” da have been wrestling with sustain- ties as an example. some of the really damaging erosion reducing trend in yields.” Lemke said these kinds of findings able agriculture since sod was first “If we could’ve found a reasonable events and so on, may have been, if In one experiment, a continuous aren’t found in short-term studies. turned on the Prairies, but their ter- solution or an alternative for the use not entirely avoided, at least reduced.” wheat crop, with no nitrogen inputs, “(For) the type of questions that we minology and questions have of fallow, perhaps some of this Scientists have been closely follow- showed higher yields than a rotation want to talk about or think about or evolved. Today the question is about could’ve been avoided,” he said. ing crop rotations since the late 1960s including fallow. understandaccess=subscriber section=production,none,none for sustainability issues, more than mere survival. They are “Obviously, the drought conditions and have found that extending crop “Certainly not a recommended you need these sort of studies,” he said. PRODUCTION THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 29 RESEARCH | SEED INDUSTRY New varieties on the road from lab to field Crop Production Week | Testing program designed to help companies develop the most beneficial genetics There were errors in a chart on page through to commercialization. Of the RESULTS OF THE AC 2011 VARIETY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS VARIETIES WITHOUT A HOME 52 of the annual SaskSeed Guide that 17 varieties from 2011 that weren’t The following list contains the names of companies that were awarded licence Varieties not offered or without arrived recently in the Western Pro- assigned a commercialization con- rights in 2011 to multiply and distribute new crop varieties developed by proposals accepted by Agriculture ducer. We have corrected that infor- tract, eight are still being offered to Agriculture Canada. Canada from the 2011 offerings: mation and it appears here. seed companies and will be added to • BW410 Spring Wheat Mike Raine, managing editor the 2012 RFP process. VARIETY COMPANY “It’s important and highly competi- • BW425 Spring Wheat* AW625 hard red spring wheat Semican Incorporated BY MICHAEL RAINE tive for seed companies. The better • GP047 Spring Wheat* SASKATOON NEWSROOM the seed, the more they have to offer BW429 red spring wheat Seed Depot (Agriculture Canada) in terms of a • HB122 Two-row Barley Every year, government and aca- distribution plan, marketing pro- BW901 red spring wheat Canterra • HR174 Navy Bean demic plant breeding institutions gram and money,” said Les Trowell, a FP2270 flax FP Genetics • HR177 Navy Bean offer, through a request for proposals Saltcoats, Sask., seed grower and process, some of their grain and president of the Saskatchewan Seed HR199 navy bean SeCan Association • HR200 Navy Bean* oilseed varieties that have received Growers Association, at last week’s HW024 hard white spring wheat SeCan Association • MP1861Yellow Pea support from the industry’s recom- Crop Production Show in Saskatoon. mending committee. Seed compa- “As a seed grower who grows for HY694 Canada prairie spring wheat FP Genetics • MP1867 Green Pea nies compete for the right to multiply several different seed companies, I MP1864 yellow pea Hadland Seed Farms Limited • MP1880 Green Pea* and distribute these lines. want to see the companies I deal with • MP1882 Orange Pea* This seed becomes, in three or four getting the varieties that my farmer OT07-10 Natto soybean Hendrick Seeds Limited • NA06-002 Navy Bean* years, the varieties that commercial customers will want me to have on SC A101 alfalfa SeCan Association producers plant on their farms. hand.… So what happens with this • OT05-18 Oilseed Soybean Seed companies make proposals year’s release will be the profits for S9489 crested wheatgrass SeCan Association • OT05-21 Tofu Soybean that they hope will be both finan- the seed companies, in three or four Western Ag Labs and Wagon Wheel T200 triticale cially enticing and beneficial to the years, for seed growers and ultimate- Seed Corp. • OX-101 Tofu Soybean* industry over time. ly for the commercial grower.” • OX-901 Tofu Soybean Agriculture Canada offered 31 lines Agriculture Canada will post a list of T204 triticale Seed Net Incorporated • S9240M Crested Wheatgrass* of seed through the RFP process for varieties on its website at www.agr. W454 red winter wheat Canterra the 2012 growing season and select- gc.ca March 1 that are available to Varieties marked with an asterisk will ed 14 companies’ offers to take seed companies to make proposals for. Source: Agriculture Canada | WP GRAPHIC be offered in the 2012 RFP process. MUSTARD | BIOPESTICIDE Sask. company turns mustard into biopesticide Crop Production Week | Mustard Products and Technologies estimates it will need 15,000 tonnes of mustard seed annually by 2015 BY WILLIAM DEKAY zones, has a higher yield increase It now contracts with Viterra for of slow releasing nitrogen. It’s robust, eases and nematodes. SASKATOON NEWSROOM and is easy to use. clean seed, which is run through a doesn’t blow around in the wind and The product reduces plant diodes It works like this. customized oat cold press. doesn’t break down before it’s and increases plant growth and Would you like some mustard with A hydrolysis reaction occurs when The company uses a much lower applied to the soil. vigour. your strawberries and tomatoes? cell walls are broken in the mustard temperature than the 100 C used in Its shelf life is seven years if kept “For the organic guys it’s a no Organic fruit and vegetable grow- seed, resulting in the release of a vol- the standard cold press to ensure that dry. brainer,” Robinson said. ers now have that option. atile gas and the creation of a colour- the properties within mustard are MustGro Enable is applied to the “Just from the data we’ve seen, we Jay Robinson, co-founder and less oil called allyl isothiocyanate not destroyed. Oil is removed and the soil 14 days before transplanting or can increase the yields by 80 percent general manager of Mustard Prod- (AITC), which acts as a fumigant. mill is run through MPT’s patented seeding using standard fertilizer (standard organic production), give ucts and Technologies, told a meet- MPT’s patented process replicates extraction process. application equipment and follow- them an extra $16,000 an acre. For a ing during Crop Production Week in this naturally occurring chemical Compounds are isolated and the up irrigation. tomato grower, that’s great for them, Saskatoon that his company has reaction and converts mustard’s final product is dry, granular and It begins to release AITC when irri- but also for the conventional grower found a way to use mustard seed as unique compounds into specially looks like a standard fertilizer pearl. It gation starts and moves through soil, using mythl bromide, which is being a biopesticide, including a natural formulated biological pesticides that naturally contains about five percent water and air to kill soil borne dis- phased out.” soil fumigant called MustGro control soil-borne diseases such as Enable. pythium, phytopopthora, rhizocto- Robinson said the product has con- nia, fusarium and verticillium and sistent and comparable perfor- soil-borne nematodes such as root- mance to synthetic products, has knot, sting, stubby root and lance organic status, is safe for use in buffer nematodes. The company is focusing its prod- uct on the lucrative fruit and vegeta- ble markets of California, Florida, Quebec, Ontario and British Colum- bia. “Our initial focus in the next two years is strawberries and tomatoes. As we expand, vineyards are another big thing (along with) orchards and carrots,” he said. At its Saskatoon facility, MPT is When you purchase a full set processing three tonnes per day and of Advantage Series openers your dealer will enter expects to increase to 10 tonnes by the end of the month. you for a chance to win your money back. Future expansion in one to two THE FOLLOWING SERIES OF SEED OPENERS years is expected to reach 40 tonnes. Sales forecasts predict that the com- ARE ELIGIBLE: pany will need 15,000 tonnes of mus- tard seed by 2015, which would be 610 (C-Shank Paired Row) 682 (Edge-On Side Band) equivalent to nine percent of the prov- 612 (C-Shank Side Band) 683 (Morris Contour) ince’s current mustard production. MPT’s 12,000 sq. foot production 680 (Edge-On Paired Row) 684 (New Holland P2070 & Case IH PH800) facility will eventually include a No purchase necessary, see website for official contest rules. This contest is open to residents of Canada and USA. Mustard-based product controls seed cleaning plant, and the com- A complete set of openers must be purchased to be eligible for automactic entry. Contest ends June 13th 2012, visit soil-borne diseases and pests. | panyaccess=subscriber plans section=production,none,none to contract directly with your dealer today to book your openers for this spring. Draw to completed at the Western Canada Farm Progress FILE PHOTO growers. 30 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER PRODUCTION FLOODING | WATER CONTROL AquaDam fights water with water Better than sandbags | Cheaper and faster to build, the water-filled poly dams resist erosion BY RON LYSENG WINNIPEG BUREAU We saved the Prairie flooding has caused mil- lions of dollars in damage to farm- house three steads, towns and rural homes in consecutive recent years. years, so In many cases, flood waters rose faster than sandbag or clay dikes we think could be erected. $5,750 is The crisis worsened as the cost of pretty cheap For the past three years, Richard Thomas used AquaDam to protect his home near Fargo, North Dakota. | building a proper dike caused delays protection. RICHARD THOMAS PHOTO in decision-making. As well, the clay required to build a decent dike often RICHARD THOMAS wasn’t available within reasonable AQUADAM REPRESENTATIVE trucking distance. And all too often, says Richard Thomas, sandbag dikes didn’t work. He dug two small sump holes inside Thomas knows what he’s talking the dike perimeter and fitted them about. with five gallon plastic buckets. He He saved his rural North Dakota put a 1/6 h.p. sump pump in each. home from flood damage in 2009, There was so little seepage that the 2010 and 2011 by surrounding it pumps were spitting air most of the with a three-foot high water-filled time. AquaDam. “We saved the house three consec- Thomas heard about AquaDam utive years, so we think $5,750 is just days before the record 2009 flood pretty cheap protection.” waters reached the small subdivision When flood waters subside, they where he lives south of Fargo. He pull the plug at one end and start roll- bought enough AquaDam tubing to ing up the tube from the other end. Cattle Handling protect his home. “We estimate there’s not more than Since that flood, half the homes in a couple quarts of water left once it’s Learn about a unique feed & water his subdivision have been torn down all rolled up. There’s no need to com- monitoring system that detects animal because of flood damage. That pletely dry it or air it out because it’s health issues on January 21st and 22nd prompted Thomas to become a part- all poly inside, so you can store it time AquaDam representative. indefinitely.” AquaDam is a California company Thomas said the tube can stay out- specializing in designing and manu- doors for months at a time because facturing water-filled temporary the outer shell is a ultraviolet resis- coffer dams for construction along tant fabric. waterways, environmental projects The tube doesn’t float away when Farm Shops and flood mitigation. full because of a thick master tube on The basic concept is that if firefight- the outside. Catch up on shop innovations like a ers use fire to fight fire, then water “It’s a heavy plastic geo-tech canvas unique tool that can weld, cut, solder and control engineers can use water to type of fabric,” he said. “On the inside, braze on Jan. 28th and 29th control water. there’s two polyethylene tubes, so the whole AquaDam is twice as wide as it Several advantages is tall. For example, a four-foot high dam is eight feet wide at the base. The AquaDam says its water-filled poly mass of the stationary water cap- dams can be built 95 percent faster tured inside, along with the width Grain Handling than a sandbag dike for 90 percent factor, holds the tube in place.” the labour costs. According to AquaDam’s promo- See unique grain handling inventions Water often makes a shambles out tional material, friction between the including a tight fitting auger hopper that of dikes built of clay, sandbags, con- master tube and the inner tubes crete or stone. However, water seems results in a solid non-rolling wall of eliminates messy auger cleanups on to resist the erosive efforts of flowing contained water that automatically Feb. 4th and 5th flood water. adjusts to the bottom terrain. This is “Ten houses in our subdivision put why the AquaDam allows so little up sandbag dikes in 2009. Nine of seepage. them flooded when the sandbag However, the AquaDam only holds Watch the PFR on demand in HD at: dikes gave out. Five of those nine back water that’s 75 to 80 percent the homes have since been demolished height of the tube. prairiefarmreport.com because of structural damage from “For example, the four foot high the flood. When my wife and I filled AquaDam will only hold back three CITY-TV: Alberta Sunday 12:30 Noon our 250 foot long ring dike around feet of water without shifting,” said Sat. 12:00 PM & Sun. 1:30 PM our house, it only took about three Thomas. “It will not hold back water CHAT: Medicine Hat Visit The Prairie Farm Report hours of pumping water,” he said. that’s as high as the AquaDam itself.” CITL: Lloydminster Sunday 5:30 PM VIDEO LIBRARY at “It measured three feet high and AquaDam comes in lengths up to CTV: Sask. Sat. 12:00 Noon seven feet wide at the base. I just 1,000 feet and 12-feet high. Tubes of CITY-TV: Manitoba Sunday 12:30 Noon FARMVIDEOS.COM pumped in Red River flood water that the same height can be joined was coming in at a lower part of the together to form longer dikes. (Most of the above stations are available nationally via for the world’s best private Shaw Direct & Bell TV satellite services) yard.” Potential uses includes temporary collection of farm related DVD’s Thomas said the three-foot high river or stream diversions, coffer Fri. 1:30 & 11:30 PM RFD-TV: USA or call AquaDam sells for $23 per linear dams for construction, emergency (DirecTV & Dish Network) Sat. 4:30 PM (CST) foot. His dike cost $5,750. control of mudslides, flood control 1-800-667-8888 He already had all the necessary and Haz-Mat situations involving pumps and hoses, so that cost was a dangerous liquids. FOR TELEVISION ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES OR Join us on Follow us on wash. He used a pair of five horse- For more information, contact CORPORATE VIDEO PRODUCTIONS CONTACT Facebook Twitter @PFRTV power pumps to fill the 30,000 gallon Thomas at 701-237-0125 or visit Ag-Com Broadcast Sales: (306) 781 2424 [email protected] tube. www.aquadam.com. PRODUCTION THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 31 DIFFERENT BOX, SAME ACTIVE INGREDIENTS. Tom Johnson, left, says he’s able to clear big rocks from his fields quicker using Kwik-pik. | RON LYSENG PHOTO World’s Largest Post-Patent Crop Protection ROCK PICKING | SOIL SAVING DEVICE Company Machine saves BRAND NAME ACTIVES AT FAIR PRICES. MANA HERBICIDES Ladder™ Contains the same active as: precious topsoil Horizon® (Clodinafop-propargyl) Phantom™ Contains the same active as: ® when picking rocks (Imazethapyr) Pursuit Arrow® Contains the same active as: ® ® Loftness Kwik-pic | A hydraulic shaker helps (Clethodim) Select and Centurion dirt to fall through the tined basket, in which ® Bison Contains the same active as: ® large rocks are trapped (Tralkoxydim) Liquid Achieve ® BY RON LYSENG into a small heap and subsoil went Bengal Contains the same active as: ® WINNIPEG BUREAU into a bigger heap. (Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl) Puma But instead of using the Cat to push LUNDAR Man. — Tom Johnson has the rocks and soil into the hole, Badge® Contains the same active as: ® spent most of his 70 years picking Gordy used the Kwik-pik to shake soil (Bromoxynil & MCPA ester) Buctril M rocks on the west side of Manitoba’s off the rocks before dumping them Interlake. into the pit. Thrasher® Contains the same active as: Crop yields in his part of the prov- The low quality soil was then Thumper® ince never match those in the Red pushed into the pit and the topsoil (Bromoxynil & 2,4-D Ester) River Valley, but the numbers are went back on the surface. ® Bromotril Contains the same active as: respectable when nature co-operates. “It cost us about $7,000 to buy this ® “In the long run, I figure cheaper rock picker three years ago,” Johnson (Bromoxynil) Pardner land makes up for the nuisance of said. dealing with rocks,” said Johnson, “ It’s saved us a lot of time since MANA INSECTICIDES who crops 4,000 acres in addition to then. We’ve buried a lot of old rock ® Contains the same active as: running a 2,000 head cow-calf opera- piles.” Pyrinex ® tion and custom forage harvesting The Loftness Kwik-pik, built in Hec- (Chlorpyrifos) Lorsban outfit with his sons. tor, Minnesota, is designed for clear- ® “We have to pick rocks on this land ing rocks, logs, roots, bricks and con- Silencer Contains the same active as: ® every year.” struction debris. The shaker’s vigor- (Lambda-cyhalothrin) Matador Three years ago, Johnson found a ous action should remove most machine that lets him pick and move clinging surface material. Alias® Contains the same active as: only those rocks big enough to dam- It has a front dump bucket with ® (Imidacloprid) Admire age seeding equipment. He ignores enough lift to fill a tandem truck. It the smaller stuff. handles rocks up to 24 inches in MANA FUNGICIDES The Loftness Kwik-pik is smaller diameter. The hydraulic require- than conventional pull-type rock ment is six gallons per minute. Bumper® Contains the same active as: ® pickers. It mounts to the front of a The tines are one-inch high carbon (Propiconazole) Tilt skid steer loader or small mechanical steel, and the grated bottom has two- front-wheel assist tractor. inch openings. A protective screen Overall™ Contains the same active as: The hydraulic shaker removes dirt, prevents debris from flying back Rovral® clay and other debris from the tined toward the operator. (Iprodione) basket of rocks. There are four models, ranging “We go into each field in the spring from the 48-inch unit that handles a with this thing on the Bobcat, just half cubic yard to the 84-inch before seeding,” he said. machine that handles one full cubic “The Bobcat is very manoeuvrable. yard. He can run from rock to rock really The smallest is the 480, which quick and pick them up, shake off the weighs 855 pounds with an 1,800 lb. dirt and go dump them.” lift capacity. The largest is the 840, Johnson said it’s quicker than which weighs 1426 lb. with a lift anything else he has tried. Keep- capacity higher than 2,700 lb. Fair Price. Brand Results. ing topsoil on the field is impor- Loftness says the 840 is designed for tant in an area with a thin A soil the New Holland bi-directional trac- horizon. tor. manainc.ca He and his son, Gordy, used the Prices run from $6,071 for the 480 to machine in early November to bury $8,491 for the 840. ®Alias, Arrow, Badge, Bengal, Bison, Bromotril, Bumper, Pyrinex, Silencer and Thrasher are registered trademarks an old rock pile. For more information, contact Tom and ™Ladder, Overall and Phantom are trademarks of Makhteshim Agan of North America Inc. Johnson used a Cat to dig a pit next Johnsonaccess=subscriber section=crops,news,none at 204-762-5534 or visit All others are trademarks of their respective companies. 11019.11.11 to the rock pile. Black topsoil went www.loftness.com. 32 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER PRODUCTION COMBINES | GLEANERS Watch rod bolts in old Allis Chalmers and Deutz combines INSIDE MACHINES This article is a continuation of a response to correspondence from two Alberta the crankcase without a mark on it. Apparently, this doesn’t happen owners of Gleaner combines: Wayne from St. Paul and John from the Peace River The other rod bolt could eventually again once the rod bolts have been country. The first part was published in last week’s Western Producer. break off or sometimes the cap would changed, so I would not be scared to become so distorted that the rod buy a combine that had this problem. ohn, you mentioned the engine bine clinics that I know there was a would come off and on the next turn of However, I would be sure to change of old Allis Chalmers and Deutz problem. the crank would push through the the bolts if I had a combine like this Jcombines. That was before my Oneaccess=subscriber rod section=crops,news,none bolt could loosen and come block. This almost always happened and it had not yet had the failure. time, but I heard enough at com- out. It could be found in the bottom of at 1,100 to 1,300 hours. The air-cooled engine always came HENRY GUENTER with its own set of problems, not the least of which was the fact that there were so many fires. The air-cooled engine needs only half as much air as the water-cooled. This engine did not have enough air to blow the chaff and straw out of the engine compartment, so it built up in there. Often the operator would say, “I got there just in time. I just opened the door and the fire started.” Well, it was hot enough to burn before then, but started burning only when the Get the cleanest fields in the fastest way possible this spring. Tank-mix operator introduced the oxygen. The company put a covering over glyphosate with HEAT® herbicide and you’ll get the most complete the exhaust manifold because it ran at 800 F and the kindling temperature of control from your pre-seed and chem-fallow applications. Learn more by wood is 400 F. I imagine straw is lower. visiting agsolutions.ca/heat or calling AgSolutions® Customer Care at Then, to make matters worse, the hood was so flat that the material 1-877-371-BASF (2273). wouldn’t slide well. It became really sticky if nobody washed the storage wax off the outside. This stuff would slide against the muffler and just sit there. Then, to add fuel to the fire, if the operator had the spreader belts off for any reason and did not watch the direction of the twist in the belt, the spreader would put straw into the engine compartment if he put it back on wrong. John said that one of his combines wasn’t as lively as the others and said that it would lose speed and finally , ks stop when he tried to climb a hill in rks rk c . n Inc Inc. Inc marks mark ma s. s second gear. That sounds like a prob- d d n n rade- rade anada anad an lem with the relief valves. on o dt d i ed t F red t r ti t SF C S C e They are set at 9,000 pounds per ASF C AS s c B giste gist g y B e re ec by B square inch, so be careful. by B n re re a ir R a ssion ss s A simple way to diagnose the prob- i d XOR a XO d r l e lem is to switch the forward and reverse permi perm p el e h nd KI K n th a For the with wit and see if it fixes it or induces the prob- Ta d AT a ed ab a EAT a se l H used lem in reverse. l l l n; H n all on; H o ; w ati a You might have a bigger problem if SE; orati orat ora or F SE FS ow o p l Ultimate you find metal filings in these valves. A ll l Corp Co C Cor BAS Corp f BAS BA o o Then you might have to take the fo f ASF A rk o o BASF BAS B ark o a o BASF Burndown. d entire unit apart. k e rk of o r of de-m n a ade-m ade- ade ad a r The most likely place to see a prob- ma m tr an a -ma a tr e-ma e a tr de-ma dede-m ma i a l lem would be on the valve plates. They d tra ol is o is b d tra tra a mb m re will probably show heat discoloura- ere nc. nc n tere ter symb sym sy s ea e symb sym sy stere ster st s R r eg egi r ada I a tion. r regi reg XOR X n IXOR a an a s KIXOR KI K Can Ca C s a is a is a The heat could come from various ys F Can Ca Ca s S que qu ique iq a AS A n BAS un tion places other than the unit itself. You utionutio 2 BAS BA B e wa w he un 1 ol o t 01 Sol might have: 201 20 d t g nd t Al A AgSolAgSoAgSAg A and t a © 201 2 • too small a pick-up motor. You should always run in the top half of your speed adjustment • you are running in too high a gear. Again, pick a gear where you have run in the top half of your speed adjustment. The lower your gear, the lower the pressure and the lower the temperature • this problem often shows up after you repair or replace a motor. That pump and motor better be full of oil before starting a combine after repair. The factory fills up the hydraulic system from the bottom and the motors are the lowest point • your cooler might be dirty. Canola puts a thin coating of oil on every- thing. This will collect on the fins of the cooler and attract dust, espe- cially the fine dust from canola. The problem is you can hardly see it. It will only come off with soap. The dust acts as an insulator and won’t let the heat escape Henry Guenter is a former service manager for Massey Ferguson. Contact: [email protected]. 58 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS Cropping charts attracted attention at Crop Production Week during an intermission of the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association meeting Jan. 11. | WILLIAM DEKAY PHOTO PEDIGREED SEED | CROP QUALITY Pedigreed seed producers predict good year Crop Production Week | Producers should ask if germination levels have been tested for seed grown in 2010 BY BRIAN CROSS but this past year, I think there was Seed that is stored for an extra sea- troubles (with seed quality). This of the banned variety. SASKATOON NEWSROOM some excellent seed taken off around son is prone to deterioration, espe- year it’s pretty good.” Although disease was not a major the province,” he said. cially if storage conditions are less He said germination rates are very concern in 2011, Carriere said After a disastrous year in 2010, Sas- “Quantity concerns are probably than ideal. good for most seed crops harvested fusarium graminearum is becoming katchewan’s pedigreed seed growers more (common) in the east and “It’s not (certain) how much of that last fall. more prevalent. harvested a high quality seed crop in southeastern edge where there was crop was saved over … so for those Wheat, barley and lentil samples “If you look at all of the gra- 2011 with good germination rates no crop put in.” that did carry their seed over, please were particularly outstanding, with minearum numbers from 2010-11 and no significant disease problems. Reduced acreage in some parts of get it retested to make sure that you few exceptions. and compare them to 2011-12, As a result, commercial grain grow- the province last spring could mean have what you think you have,” Trow- About 85 percent of wheat samples almost without exception … there is ers in most parts of the province that significant quantities of 2010 ell said. tested had germination rates of 95 an increase,” he said. should have no problem finding suf- seed were carried forward. Bruce Carriere, owner of Discovery percent or higher. “It’s getting more and more preva- ficient supplies of top-quality certi- Disease levels in the 2010 seed crop Seed Labs in Saskatoon, told last Germination in barley was almost lent and there’s getting to be more fied seed this year, said Les Trowell, were generally higher and germina- week’s SSGA annual meeting that as high as it’s ever been and lentil and more samples that are showing president of the Saskatchewan Seed tion rates were lower. pedigreed seed samples from the samples were beautiful, he added. positives right across the board.” Growers Association. Seed growers that are still selling 2011 harvest are significantly better “There was a beautiful crop of len- Carriere said fusarium didn’t exist Some seed growers, particularly 2010 seed are encouraged to retest than they were a year ago. tils out there this year and I can guar- in western Saskatchewan as recently those in the province’s eastern and seed supplies to ensure adequate Germination rates on the large antee you it’s been a few years since as four years ago. Now, the disease is southeastern regions, were heavily quality and germination. majority of 2011 samples were at or I’ve said that,” Carriere said. showing up in every crop district. affected last year by a wet spring and Commercial grain growers who above historical averages. “Just some gorgeous looking stuff Winds are carrying the spores fur- recurring rainfall throughout May buy 2010 seed for 2012 planting Disease pathogens were also down out there.” ther west each year. and June, Trowell added. should ask if germination levels have significantly. Flax also looks good and the geneti- “Graminearum numbers are com- Certified seed acreage was down been retested. “The difference between last year cally modified flax variety Triffid did ing up,” he said. significantly in those areas and sup- Similarly, 2010 seed that was and this year can only be described not show up in any pedigreed flax “You’re going to have to learn to live plies for some varieties may be limited. bought last year and stored on the as the difference between an orange samples. with it and it sucks to be in Alberta “Every year there are a few spots farm for an extra year should also be and a banana,” Carriere said. About three percent of commercial because they’re going to be the next where seed quality isn’t that great, retested. “Last year we had nothing but flax samples are still showing traces recipients of it.” CROP RESEARCH | FUNDING Saskatchewan, federal governments announce record spending for crop research Crop Production Week | Sask. Ag minister expects private companies and industry groups will step up with $14 million BY SEAN PRATT Saskatoon, said the money will pay ment Commission (SaskCanola) Saskatchewan farms. SASKATOON NEWSROOM for a variety of research initiatives: chair Brett Halstead thanked “We may see a lot more wheat being • improving yields and disease- Bjornerud and Saskatoon-Rose- grown in the province because I A record amount of government resistance in wheat, barley and flax town-Biggar MP Kelly Block for the know producers out there that money will be spent on crop research • increasing lentil yields and mar- record funding. backed away over the last number of in Saskatchewan in 2012. ketability through fertilization and “We think it’s great. It allows us to years from wheat because it was The provincial and federal govern- genetic analysis spread our dollars further because through the wheat board,” he told ments are spending $8.3 million to • studying infrared technology to we can use some of these govern- reporters. fund 34 research projects in the prov- screen out fusarium-infected ment funds for our research,” he said. Bjornerud said he noticed a sense ince. wheat and barley seeds Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, of optimism about farming at Crop “This record funding will support • nutritional and quality analysis of Western Canadian Wheat Growers Production Week. projects that will ultimately create peas, oats and saskatoon berries Association and the Western Barley “Everybody has got the feeling that long-term benefits for producers at • increasing profitability for wheat Growers Association also praised maybe agriculture is starting to come the farmgate,” said Saskatchewan and lentil producers through the announcement in a news out of where we’ve been over the last agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud. genetic developments release. number of years.” Oilseeds projects will receive $4.13 Saskatchewan ag minister • reducing yield losses in pulse Bjornerud expects the $8.3 million He doesn’t think farming receives million followed by cereals at $2.33 Bob Bjornerud announced the crops due to drought in government funding to leverage the attention it deserves in the prov- million and pulses at $1.25 million. government will spend $8.3 • increasing flax seed size to improve another $14 million from private ince with all the excitement sur- Fruit and vegetables and other small million to fund 34 crop research yields companies and industry groups such rounding Saskatchewan’s oil and gas crops get the remainder. projects in 2012. | SEAN PRATT PHOTO • identifying clubroot resistant as SaskCanola. and mining sectors. Farming still The funding will be doled out to seven genes in canola He said the cereals portion of the accounts for 20 to 25 percent of the research agencies and companies. The Bjornerud, who made the • identifying factors that cause funding could rise to reflect what he province’s economy. University of Saskatchewan receives the announcement at the canola por- blackleg disease in canola believes will be an increased promi- “I think sometimes we forget that in lion’s share at $5.67 million. tion of Crop Production Week in Saskatchewan Canola Develop- nence of wheat, barley and durum on the big mix.” THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 59 SUBSCRIBE. SUBSCRIPTION/RENEWAL ORDER FORM Name Account # I would like to give a GIFT SUBSCRIPTION to: Address Name City/Town Postal Code Address Phone ( ) Year of Birth City/Town Province Email Postal Code Phone ( ) One Year: Two Years: One Year: Two Years: I’m an active farmer/rancher I’m interested in agriculture Name I would like to pay by (check one): Cheque enclosed Visa Mastercard Address MONTH YEAR City/Town Province CARD NUMBER EXPIRY DATE Postal Code Phone ( ) One Year: Two Years: Signature Date Subscription Prices One Year Two Years Subscription Prices One Year Two Years Per copy retail add taxes $3.75 SK & AB residents (GST 5% inc.) $76.57 $142.42 ON residents (HST 13% inc.) $82.40 $153.27 United States US/year $158.00 MB residents (GST 5% & PST 7% inc.) $81.67 $151.92 BC residents (HST 12% inc.) $81.67 $151.92 All other countries CDN/year $315.00 NS residents (HST 15% inc.) $83.86 $155.99 MY BILLING INFORMATION: Name Account # I would like to pay by (check one): Cheque enclosed Visa Mastercard MONTH YEAR Address City/Town Postal Code CARD NUMBER EXPIRY DATE Phone ( ) Year of Birth Signature Date Email Mail to: The Western Producer, Box 2500, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2C4 or Call 1-800-667-6929 What’s the bottom line? Keep yours in sight with the Prairie Farm Account Book The Prairie Farm Account Book is designed for farm and ranch use. Whether it’s your primary bookkeeping method or a supplement to computer PFABINCOME TAX RECORDS programs, the Prairie Farm Account Book is a simple, portable and aff ordable ledger to help you keep the books straight. Prairie Farm Account Book 6/23/10 11:45:35 AM SK & AB $19.43 taxes inc. Prairie Farm Account Books MB $20.72 taxes inc. P.O. Box 2500, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2C4 ON $20.91 taxes inc. or call toll-free 1-800-667-6929 BC $20.72 taxes inc. 60 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS Kris Hodgson, wind energy community liaison at Lethbridge College, shows wind turbine equipment used to train students in maintenance of wind energy components. | BARB GLEN PHOTO WIND ENERGY | SPINOFFS Wind energy pushing economic growth Wind projects expand | Manufacturers and maintenance workers in demand DID YOU KNOW … BY BARB GLEN controversial because they will affect Hornung said an Ontario study Facts about an average 1.8 LETHBRIDGE BUREAU farms and native grasslands. estimated an additional 5,500 mW of megawatt wind turbine: Each blade “The (Alberta Electric System wind power would generate $16 bil- is 39 metres Turbines are churning the winds of Operator) has actually been a strong lion in investment, create 80,000 long, the same change in Canada. proponent of building a transmis- person years of employment and add length as a The country is expected to generate sion loop in southern Alberta that more than $1 billion to municipali- The swept area Boeing 737 14,000 megawatts of electricity from would allow 3,000 mW of wind to con- ties’ and landowners’ coffers over a of the blades wind by 2015 as it shifts from other nect on the system,” said Hornung. 20 year project lifespan. is 5,024 sq. energy sources. Though rates vary by location and Canada doesn’t have wind projects metres, the size Slightly more than two percent of company, payments of $15,000 per that are more than 20 years old, but of three NHL Canada’s electrical needs are now turbine per year can be paid to land- old turbines in other countries are hockey rinks, or The nacelle supplied by wind. owners. often replaced with more modern about 1.25 acres is the size Robert Hornung, president of the Some companies play flat fees and ones, increasing capacity. of a small Canadian Wind Energy Association, others offer a percentage of income Kris Hodgson, wind energy liaison motor home said the country had slightly more from electricity generated. at Lethbridge College, said each Total weight and weighs than 300 mW of wind power genera- “There are certainly many, many three mW turbine costs $6.6 million, of the entire 63,000 tion in 2003, which grew to 5,000 mW farmers who appreciate the opportu- including materials, access roads, turbine is kilograms by the end of 2011. nity to have an additional alternative transport of parts, foundation and 230,000 kg, Contracts for another 5,000 mW source of revenue on their land,” Hor- geotechnical services. They pay for about the have been signed, he added, and nung said. themselves in about six years. same as two The 65 metre tower most provincial governments have The burgeoning industry is the Turbines are criticized for killing fully fuelled is made of rolled adopted targets that, if all come to wind beneath the wings of a supply bats and birds, but Hodgson said 3,200 h.p. steel and comes in fruition, will generate 12,000 to chain designed to service it. Though studies show fatalities can be reduced diesel electric three pieces. The 14,000 mW by 2015. there are no Canadian turbine man- by up to 60 percent if turbines are shut locomotives entire tower weighs “It’s driven by the need to invest in ufacturing companies, there are down during the migratory season 132,000 kg and new generation within our electricity operations that build towers, others and at dusk and dawn. contains enough system as demand grows and as old- that build blades and some that build Research continues, with the goal steel to manufacture er generating stations start to come nacelles and components. of further reducing bird and bat 206 average cars off line,” said Hornung. “This has all happened essentially deaths. Southern Alberta turbines gener- in the last four or five years,” said Hor- Hornung also acknowledged criti- ate about 850 mW, helping place nung. cisms about turbines. Canada ninth in the world in terms of Manufacturing and turbine main- “No form of electricity generation installed wind power capacity. The tenance creates jobs, and thus the has no environmental impact. I think region has one of the best wind pro- need for trained employees. we can say quite confidently that files worldwide in terms of frequency In the past, companies that erected when you compare wind to other The turbine’s foundation and strength. turbines also looked after operation sources of electricity generation, it’s is nine to 10 metres deep Wind farm projects in various stag- and maintenance. But now, as tur- clear that its environmental impacts and four metres across. 102 es of planning and approval stand to bine numbers grow, companies are are at the lower end. That’s not to say tension bolts run the full double Alberta’s wind power capac- hiring firms specifically created to do that people should not be cognizant depth of the foundation ity and are the reason for numerous those tasks. of those impacts and be working to electrical transmission lines pro- Construction jobs are also created minimize those impacts going for- posed across the south. Several are as wind farms are built. ward.” Source: International Wind Energy Academy | MICHELLE HOULDEN GRAPHIC NEWS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 61 LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE | TRAINING COURSE Students eager to get career off the ground Wind turbine maintenance course | ‘You kind of get that ‘sitting on a boat’ feeling’ BY BARB GLEN company while taking the course. As LETHBRIDGE BUREAU a journeyman electrician, he has other skills useful to turbine mainte- Wind turbines on farmland can be nance. a lucrative “crop.” “The course is really good, very Payments of $15,000 per year per thorough. It was as long as it needed turbine are paid to landowners, to be and they definitely touched on depending on the company and the enough subjects. They really set you region. up to be well rounded to begin your Southern Alberta is home to 600 trade.” individual wind turbines with anoth- The bulk of wind turbine mainte- er 40 multi-turbine projects in vari- nance work occurs 80 metres in the ous stages of development. air. It’s not a good career choice for One of those, the Wild Steer Butte anyone nervous about heights. Wind Farm proposed by Shell near “Right away when they come into Bow Island, Alta., would almost the program, we take them up,” said double the current wind generation Hodgson. capacity of 850 megawatts. “We have that 25 metre training As wind power generation grows, tower. We take them up there to see if so will the need for turbine mainte- their legs are wobbly or not.” nance. That’s where Lethbridge Col- The wobblers are diverted to elec- lege’s Wind Technician Turbine trical, mechanical and hydraulics Training course enters the picture. courses, while the others enter a pro- “It has been extremely successful,” gram that includes extensive safety wind energy community liaison Kris training for working at heights, Hodgson said about the seven- instruction on the intricacies of tur- month course that has been running bine operation, oil changes, repairs since 2005. after lightning strikes and basic “There’s been waiting lists at times cleaning. for people to get on the course, Chamberland said turbines sway in because really, you can provide the wind but he didn’t get weak in the operation maintenance to the ones knees. here in southern Alberta, but you can “My very first time standing on top also work anywhere in the world.” of a turbine was great. I felt very com- The program graduates 45 students fortable,” he said. per year, 15 students at a time. One of “Sometimes it rocks back and forth. those was Patrick Casey, a former You kind of get that ‘sitting on a boat’ Lumsden, Sask., resident who now feeling.” lives in Kelowna, B.C. For Casey, height is part of the He had applied with several wind appeal. power generation companies by the “I’m young and that’s what I’m end of December and was confident hoping to do, is climb towers and of getting a job. Employment pros- work at heights and stuff. It kind of pects and the renewable energy makes me feel good.” aspects were attractions for the for- Of course, there’s only one way to mer mine and oil patch worker. the top of a wind turbine: stairs. “I’ve always kind of been a hippie at Just getting to work can be a work- heart,” he said. out, but fortunately there are land- “I had an idea that wind turbines ings every so often so climbers can were going to be a big thing and I just rest. decided to get away from the coal and For those interested in smaller the gas and go for wind generation. I wind projects, the college is offering think it’s going to be pretty big in the a course in solar and small wind future.” installation. A second new course in Jeff Chamberland, another recent wind park construction is also avail- Students in the Wind Technician Turbine Training course at Lethbridge College measure their feelings about graduate, worked with a wind energy able. working at heights and also undergo safety training on this platform at the college campus. It is lower than most wind turbines but is of a sufficient height for training needs. | BARB GLEN PHOTOS INSIDE A WIND TURBINE Windmills were used for generations to grind grain, but modern wind turbines are used to generate electricity. The World Energy Council estimated global capacity at 150,000 megawatts in 2010, up from 59,322 mW in 2006. Primary components of Canadian wind turbines: 1 Blade 2 Rotor hub 3 Pitch cylinder 4 Main shaft 5 Gear box* 6 Generator 7 Transformer *note that some turbines use direct drive systems and have no gear box Patrick Casey works on a wind turbine mechanism at Lethbridge College. He is nearing the end of the Wind Technician Turbine Training course Source: Vesta Wind Systems | MICHELLE HOULDEN GRAPHIC and said he thinks it’s a good career move because interest is growing in wind power generation. 62 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS MUSTARD | MARKETS WHEAT | MIDGE TOLERANCE Mustard prices likely steady Wheat containing Crop Production Week | Need for long-term contract to keep growers interested BY D’ARCE MCMILLAN in the bin.” midge resistance SASKATOON NEWSROOM Longer term, Leavins believes mus- tard marketing must change to keep The mustard market is quiet and growers interested. prices are unlikely to improve in the “Rayglen thinks the biggest prob- proving popular coming crop year. lem facing the mustard industry is Bobby Leavins of Rayglen Com- keeping mustard growers growing modities told Saskatchewan mustard mustard,” he said. “Keep that core Crop Production Week | Midge tolerant wheat growers at Crop Production Week in group in the industry.” Saskatoon that buyers are holding He said it is often a profitable crop, blends accounted for 10 percent of wheat acres back and it is hard to do new business. but others can be more profitable “Bids and offers are just too far and more crop protection products apart to get much business done,” Mustard can provide a good return are available for other crops. BY BRIAN CROSS “But we would like to hear a bit Leavins said. on investment. | FILE PHOTO “The industry needs to concentrate SASKATOON NEWSROOM more producer feedback as to how Buyers are looking at falling prices on being in the top half of the (crop these varieties are performing out on of major crops and think there is no would generate adequate acreage to choice) spectrum, just because of the Uptake of midge tolerant wheat the landscape.” reason to chase mustard higher. meet needs. The range of expected other issues growers deal with, blends continues to grow among Les Trowell, president of the Sas- He said mustard provides a good prices is 35 to 37 cents with an out- whether it’s weed control or cash prairie wheat producers. katchewan Seed Growers Associa- return on investment even at current side chance for a rally to 40 cents. flow issues.” According to the Canadian Wheat tion, said demand for midge tolerant prices and growers should be selling. Brown will likely be about 30 cents Leavins thinks buyers and growers Board’s 2011 variety survey, midge wheat among commercial growers There are a lot of risks in the economy per lb. with a range of 29 to 32 cents. need to get into long-term contracts. tolerant blends accounted for nearly has been strong. with slow growth and government debt Stocks of brown mustard are a lit- Rayglen was able to work out a three 10 percent of Western Canada’s total In some areas of the province there problems, and buyers are nervous. tle tighter than for other mustard year flax contract this year with a buyer wheat acreage in 2011. are concerns about erosion of the “If you look at the charts, we are at types. who wanted stable supply and was That’s an impressive number, refuge component. historically high prices, maybe not Oriental stocks on the farm are the willing to pay a premium to get it. considering the first blends didn’t On some pedigreed seed farms, the the highest but in the high range for most burdensome, which is holding Leavins sees growers shifting to hit the commercial seed market proportion of refuge seeds dropped prices,” he said. back the price to the point where it canola if mustard does not take a until 2010. significantly from one season to the “Right now, history is telling us will not generate needed acreage. similar step, which will prevent them “In two years, to be able to take 10 next. there is a better chance for prices to “At 28 cents, I think this crop goes from coming back to mustard percent of the total wheat acreage, Seed growers who plan to sell certi- go lower than higher.” in the ground, but any less it is going because canola volunteers will con- that’s a pretty amazing statistic,” said fied midge tolerant seed must test For new crop, Leavins suggested to have a tough time because the taminateaccess=subscriber section=news,crops,markets the mustard samples, limit- Todd Hyra, SeCan’s business man- their seed stocks to ensure that the yellow mustard at 35 cents per pound guys who seed it do have quite a bit ing their marketability. ager for Western Canada. refuge variety falls within an accept- “The performance continues to be able range. there, the new products are doing But in some cases, lab tests have what we were expecting them to do produced results with significant NOW ARRIVED! and growers seem to appreciate the variations. technology.” “There has been some variability in This year will be the third year of results and it has caused some (seed) commercial production for midge growers grief,” said Trowell. tolerant wheat. “They get the test … (results) back Four varietal blends were available and the refuge falls outside of the to commercial growers last year. range of tolerance that they were Three more will be available this expecting. That may or may not spring, bringing the total to seven. affect what they were hoping to Of those, five are red spring variet- market.” ies. Many factors can affect the refuge Midge tolerant wheat blends con- component in blended wheat seed. tain a combination of midge tolerant Those factors include seed size, seeds and midge susceptible, or ref- midge pressure, sampling proce- uge seeds. dures, climate and agronomic condi- Depending on the product, about tions. 85 to 95 percent of the seeds in a Factors in the lab can also affect test 51 mpg* blend are midge tolerant. results. The other five to 15 percent are Phillip Stephan, business manager most fuel effi cient midge susceptible. for the Saskatchewan Research The system, known as an inter- Council’s Genserv Laboratories, AWD ever built! spersed refuge, is designed to protect told seed growers that systems are against the development of mutant being improved and factors that insects. have the potential to skew test Growers who use the varietal results are being identified and blends are surveyed annually to addressed. +0641&7%+0)6*'#..0'957$#47+/24'<# monitor the performance of the A stewardship team is also con- 6JG PGZVIGPGTCVKQP CNNPGY 5WDCTW +ORTG\C JCU HKPCNN[ CTTKXGF $QVJ VJG products. ducting research to determine how KPVGTKQT CPF VJG GZVGTKQT JCXG DGGP UV[NKUJN[ TGFGUKIPGF +VoU IQV OQTG In 2010, 86 percent of farmers who long refuge varieties remain in vari- KPVGTKQTURCEGCPFECTIQURCEGVJCPGXGT#PFNGVoUPQVHQTIGVKVoUVJGOQUV HWGNGHHKEKGPV#9&XGJKENGgKP0QTVJ#OGTKEC0GGFNGUUVQUC[KVoUPQV[QWT planted midge tolerant wheat said etal blends that are harvested and CXGTCIGEQORCEVECTUWDCTWEC the varieties met or exceeded their replanted. expectations. Researchers are fairly certain that Canadian Wheat Board agrono- the proportion of refuge seeds ++*( mist Mike Grenier said results from diminishes each time a subsequent 6125#('6;#9#4& the CWB’s latest variety survey sug- generation of seed is harvested and gest that producers see value in replanted. ON ALL REMAINING planting midge tolerant wheat The research, now in its fourth year, products. will help measure that reduction to 2011 SUBARUS! The survey listed midge-tolerant develop new policies. Unity VB as the third most popular Trowell said loss of the refuge com- NEW 2011 NEW 2011 NEW 2011 NEW 2011 NEW 2011 NEW 2011 NEW 2011 hard red spring variety grown in ponent in certified seed blends is not LEGACY LP 6 LEGACY LP 6 LEGACY LP 6 FORESTER CP FORESTER CP IMPREZA SP FORESTER 2.5X LIMITED SEDAN, AUTO, 6 CYLINDER, LIMITED SEDAN, AUTO, 6 CYLINDER, LIMITED SEDAN, AUTO, LEATHER, SUN CONVENIENCE PKG, AUTO, CLOTH, CONVENIENCE PKG, AUTO, CLOTH, SPORT HATCH, AUTO, HEATED CLOTH 2.5X, AUTO Western Canada. a widespread problem in Saskatche- LEATHER, SUN ROOF, ALLOYS, DE- LEATHER, SUN ROOF, ALLOYS, DE- ROOF, ALLOYS, DE-ICER, 9 SPEAKER ALLOY WHEELS, POWER SEAT, USB, ALLOY WHEELS, POWER SEAT, USB, SEATS, BLUETOOTH, SUN ROOF, DE- CLOTH, AIR CONDITION, ICER, 9 SPEAKER HARMON CARDON, ICER, 9 SPEAKER HARMON CARDON, HARMON CARDON, MEDIA HUB, AIR CONDITION, HEATED SEATS, AIR CONDITION, HEATED SEATS, ICER, IPOD USB HUB, LEATHER WRAP HEATED SEATS, POWER PKG, MEDIA HUB, POWER HEATED SEATS, MEDIA HUB, POWER HEATED SEATS, POWER HEATED SEATS, POWER PKG, REMOTE ENTRY, SATIN POWER PKG, REMOTE ENTRY, SATIN STEERING, BODY KIT, CAMELIA RED REMOTE ENTRY It accounted for 6.6 percent of over- wan but it can have a significant GRAPHITE GREY/OFF BLK. INT. CARAMEL BRONZE/IVORY INT. SATIN WHITE/BLK. INT. WHITE/BLK. INT MARINE BLUE/GREY INT PEARL/BLK. INT SPARK SILVER/OFF BLK. INT NOW WAS $36,915 NOW WAS $34,085 NOW WAS $34,805 NOW WAS $30,185 NOW WAS $30,185 NOW WAS $28,785 NOW WAS $29,185 all prairie acreage and 13.7 of CWRS financial impact on individual seed $33,915 $31,085 $SOLD31,805 $SOLD27,685 $SOLD27,685 $26,285 $26,685 acreage in Saskatchewan. growers. JUST ADD TAX JUST ADD TAX JUST ADD TAX JUST ADD TAX JUST ADD TAX JUST ADD TAX JUST ADD TAX In pre-registration testing, midge If the refuge drops below accept- NO HAGGLE SAVINGS OF $2,500 NO HAGGLE SAVINGS OF $2,500 NO HAGGLE SAVINGS OF $2,500 NO HAGGLE SAVINGS OF $2,500 NO HAGGLE SAVINGS OF $2,500 NO HAGGLE SAVINGS OF $2,500 NO HAGGLE SAVINGS OF $2,500 tolerant varieties showed a yield able limits, the seed growers’ only MANY MORE UNITS IN STOCK... OPEN 24 HOURS AT WWW.SUBARUOFSASKATOON.CA advantage of roughly five percent option is to sell the seed as com- over comparable midge susceptible mercial grain or reblend the prod- ELITE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP INC. O/A www.bramerauto.com varieties. uct. Open 24 Hours @ www.subaruofsaskatoon.com Open 24 Hours @ “I expect that they (midge tolerant “Seed growers can buy refuge vari- SUBARU OF SASKATOON BRAMER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP blends) are going to continue on a ety and reblend but before they do &,5&/(3/$&( 25 &251(52)6$5*(17 .,1*(':$5'&$//72//)5(( pretty steep adoption trend,” Grenier that they should always retest,” Trow- said. ellaccess=subscriber said. NEWS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 63 INTERNATIONAL TRADE | CANOLA MEAL GRAIN MARKETING | OUTLOOK CONFERENCE GOES AHEAD Sales rebound from Analyst takes over GrainWorld co-ordination salmonella setback Gearing up | Outlook sessions draw hundreds eager for markets information BY ED WHITE is organizing the conference. Crop Production Week | Canola meal exports fell to WINNIPEG BUREAU “The wheat board did it for a long time and did a good job. But things 60,000 tonnes in early 2010 during peak of crisis For decades the Canadian Wheat change.” access=subscriber section=news,none,none Board system has determined to a The conference, which has been large degree how the western Cana- Canada’s most significant agricul- BY SEAN PRATT dian grain trade operates. But as the tural markets outlook conference, is SASKATOON NEWSROOM CWB sales monopoly appears to be scheduled for Feb. 26-28 at the Fair- ending, farm groups, grain compa- mont Hotel in Winnipeg. Canola meal sales to the United nies and regulators are installing a More information is available at JOHN DUVENAUD States recovered from the salmonel- new set of gears for a changed market- www.canadagrain.com/grain- WILD OATS la setback of 2009, says an industry ing machine. In this series, Ed White world2012. official. looks at changes happening through- GrainWorld has been drawing hun- Canadian crushers were shipping out Winnipeg’s grain trade, which has dreds of farmers and representatives all world economic outlooks, the an average of just under 160,000 long served as the main base of opera- of grain companies, marketing firms, ocean freight market and U.S. and tonnes of meal a month into that tions for the industry. railways, banks and commodity European government agricultural market in 2008. organizations for decades since the policies. Exports fell as low as 60,000 tonnes The Canadian Wheat Board lost its wheat board took over the confer- Organizing a big conference is a a month in early 2010 during the There was good strong monopoly and dropped GrainWorld, ence in the late 1980s and moved it to challenge for a small firm like Wild height of a crisis sparked by the awareness of canola meal. but another marketing firm has Winnipeg. Oats, but Duvenaud betrayed no detection of salmonella in Canadian picked up the ball and is carrying it Before that, it was an Agriculture anxiety when asked if he was excited canola meal shipments. LES NERNBERG forward. Canada event that was held in Otta- or fearful about hosting it. That two-year market disruption CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA Wild Oats, the Winnipeg-based wa under a different name and timed “It’s going to be great, a lot of fun,” appears to be behind the industry as marketing newsletter and advisory to follow the U.S. Department of Agri- he said. all of Canada’s crushers are back service, will be running the confer- culture’s outlook conference. The ferment caused by the ending exporting product to the U.S. market in ence at the same time and place. GrainWorld is usually a day and a of wheat board’s monopoly might compliance with a salmonella policy “That is a big threat in the use of “It’s been one of those good things half of market outlook sessions on all draw additional interest to the con- guideline, Les Nernberg, canola meal canola meal,” said Nernberg. that has been going on a long time, major prairie agricultural classes, ference this year, so Duvenaud manager with the Canola Council of To help combat that threat the and I want to carry it on,” said Wild including livestock. doesn’taccess=subscriber section=news,none,none know how many people to Canada, told growers attending Crop council has hired a public relations Oats publisher John Duvenaud, who Also included are sessions on over- expect. Production Week. firm to correct misconceptions about The latest export data shows canola meal and to increase its value monthly sales have jumped above as a dairy feed ingredient. 240,000 tonnes, which is well above The U.S. produces 160 million the pre-salmonella average due to tonnes of animal feed annually, mak- the fact there is a lot more canola ing it the world’s largest feed market, being crushed in Canada these days. but it will soon be eclipsed by China. The U.S. is by far Canada’s most That is why the council was also important meal market, accounting promoting canola meal in China last for 60 to 80 percent of annual exports. year, conducting feeding trials in Grow a greener The California dairy industry con- conjunction with the country’s five sumes about half of that. The council largest dairy firms. Those companies surveyed 356 U.S. dairy nutritionists account for 75 percent of the coun- last summer to find out what they try’s dairy production. Saskatchewan thought about the feed ingredient. The trials, which were completed “There was a good, strong aware- last spring, helped convince Chinese ness of canola meal. Many were actu- nutritionists there are no feed intake ally using canola meal within their issues with canola meal. They were feeding programs,” said Nernberg. skeptical because cows tend to reject The nutritionists said it has a more bitter-tasting rapeseed meal. consistent nutrient profile than dis- One company realized a feed cost tillers grain, excellent protein quality savings of $1 million by incorporat- and a good amino acid profile. ing the ingredient in feed rations and Weaknesses included poor avail- two companies witnessed a 0.5 to ability in some places, inconsistent one kilogram per cow per day physical appearance, lower protein increase in milk production. content than soy, high cost for the “This information was able to give nutrients delivered, poor digestibili- them confidence that they could ty and lower energy content than indeed use canola meal in their feed- soybean meal and distiller’s grains. ing programs,” said Nernberg. Corn ethanol plants are churning In addition to its work in China, the out such a huge volume of distiller’s council hosted a delegation of 26 grains that it will soon overtake soy- Chinese government officials, aca- bean meal as the second biggest feed demics and dairy industry employ- Order your free Shand Greenhouse ingredient in the U.S. ees who toured various facilities. seedlings today. Since 1991 SaskPower Shand Greenhouse has distributed 7.9 million seedlings to wildlife areas, NEW STANDARDS | AUGERS reclamation projects and shelterbelts across Saskatchewan, free of charge. Guidelines address dangers If you have a project that might qualify for tree or shrub seedlings, apply today. It’s easy. Simply visit BY DAN YATES retractable intake guard. our website and complete our online application. SASKATOON NEWSROOM “What we’re finding is a lot of the Or mail a completed form to us. current augers do have a good guard- For more information on this or other programs, Manufacturers of portable augers ing system, but occasionally that visit saskpower.com/shandgreenhouse, or call us have a new set of guidelines from the guard interferes with operation. So at 1-866-SPTREES (1-866-778-7337). Canadian Standards Association. it’s removed and many times it’s not The safety standards address spe- replaced,” said Jim Wassermann, an cific concerns, including areas engineer with the Prairie Agricultur- around the auger intake and drive- al Machinery Institute who worked line. Statistics show augers are sec- on the committee. ond only to tractors in their involve- The CSA standard for portable ment in machinery-related injuries augers is available for purchase at on the farm. shop.csa.ca, although Wasserman The new standard was developed said it could be two years before pro- by the CSA’s agricultural machinery ducersaccess=subscriber section=news,none,none see its influence in the mar- technical committee. It allows for a ket. 64 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS ENVIRONMENT | NEW LAWS Sask. gov’t addresses technology changes Draft environmental code first of its kind in Canada 5 Great Reasons to make the CBR250 YOURS! BY KAREN BRIERE REGINA BUREAU 2011 2011 With ABS † $ † Saskatchewan is changing the way CBR250R $ 250 CBR250RA $ it regulates environmental impacts. $ $ (Freight & PDI extra, 435) 4,499 MATCH (Freight & PDI extra, 435) 4,999 A draft environmental code, the first LOYALTY DEPOSIT¨¨ of its kind in Canada, is now out for OFFER FINANCING public review. It is based on four main $ % pieces of legislation passed in 2010 100 1.9 but not proclaimed: acts governing FOR Honda FOR 24 environmental management and ¨ 1 YEAR OWNERS** MONTHS protection, forestry, greenhouse gas- NO-CHARGE 90 DAY es and environmental assessment. HondaPLUS DEFERRED The first version of the code con- tains 19 chapters and others will be 2 YEAR TOTAL PAYMENT†† COVERAGE*** added over time. The chair of the development com- mittee, Wayne Clifton, likened it to the national building code devel- oped by the National Research Council. Environment minister Dustin Dun- can said the idea is to have a results- based approach rather than top- down direction. This allows flexibili- ty for certain requirements to be met without prescribing exactly how that should be done. “Each chapter sets out requirements and objectives along with acceptable practices,” Duncan said. “Proponents have the opportunity to develop their own alternative solutions.” Those alternatives must be approved by the ministry and achieve an outcome equal to or bet- 2011 ter than the code. Duncan said this change, the first in 30 years, is necessary to accommo- date changing technology. It was difficult under the old prac- tices to adopt new technologies that offered solutions to problems or new 201020201210 GOLDWING SHOW STOPPERS PRICE 20102010 VT750RSA SHOW STOPPERS PRICE ways of dealing with certain practic- es, he said. $ Re-Designed for 2012 † MSRP 8,899 † Some low-risk practices that used $ * $ Starting From 29,999 SAVE $1,750 7,149 to require permits will no longer COMBINED MANUFACTURER’S need them. For example, hydrostatic (Freight & PDI extra, $810) & DEALER’S DISCOUNT (Freight & PDI extra, $510) testing of pipelines, which requires running water under pressure through lines to test integrity, used to require a permit but now would be allowed under the code. honda.ca Practices that aren’t regulated by the code, such as the establishment of intensive livestock operations Visit Your under the Agricultural Operations Act, will continue to be regulated. Honda The current version of the code deals with the management and protection INTRODUCINGINTRRODUCING Motorcycle & of air, land, water and natural resourc- 2011 CRF250R SHOW STOPPERS PRICE 2012 SHOW STOPPERS PRICE TRX420FM es, as well as waste management. $ ATV Dealer $ MSRP 8,499 † MSRP 6,999 † Duncan said he expects to see more SAVE $ * $ SAVE $ * $ NC700XNC700X regional landfills developed as a result 1,500 6,999 See honda.ca to locate 400 of changes to waste management. COMBINED MANUFACTURER’S 6,599 COMBINED MANUFACTURER’S a dealer near you. & DEALER’S DISCOUNT (Freight & PDI extra, $400) & DEALER’S DISCOUNT (Freight & PDI extra, $510) As well, the long-awaited multi-mate- rial recycling program for the province is still in the works. Officials are gather- ∆∆ Limited time deposit match offer of $250 (maximum) available when customers place a deposit of $250 or more on any new (not previously registered) 2011 CBR250R or CBR250RA (“Eligible Products”). Customer must take delivery and unit must be registered by March 31, 2012. Offer ends March 31, 2012 and is subject to change or cancellation without notice. **The 2011 CBR250R/CBR250RA Loyalty Offer (“Offer”) is valid from December 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 inclusive or while quantities last. Offer only available to current Canadian Honda owners. This refers to any Canadian (no ing information for municipalities on non-Canadian VINS will be accepted) Honda automobile, Honda motorcycle, Honda ATV, Honda Power Equipment or Honda Marine product purchased in Canada. Limit of one loyalty offer of $100 per Honda (other than CBR250R bought as part of and used for this promotion) owner per CBR250R purchase. Claim form along with the required supporting documents (i.e. proof of ownership, bill of sale) must be received by Honda Canada Inc. within 30 days of purchase to be eligible for this promotional offer. ***Enter into an agreement to purchase or finance a new (not previously registered) 2011 how much waste could be diverted CBR250R or CBR250RA (“Eligible Products”) during December 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 inclusive and Honda will provide a 24-month Honda Plus protection (1 year in addition to manufacturer’s warranty) on select 2011 CBR250R and CBR250RA motorcycles only from December 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 inclusive. Offer valid at participating Honda Motorcycle or Honda Powerhouse dealers. Dealer may sell for less. Offer subject to change or extension without notice. Dealer order or trade may be necessary. See dealer or honda.ca for full details and eligible models. Errors and omissions excepted. from landfills into recycling programs. ∆ Limited time purchase financing offer available to qualified retail customers on approved credit (O.A.C.) on new (not previously registered) 2011 CBR250R and CBR250RA. Example: Selling Price is $4,934 (including $435 freight & preparation) financed at 1.9% APR equals $209.68 per month for 24 months. Down payment or equivalent trade may be required. Cost of borrowing is $98.24 for a total obligation of $5,032.24 (including down payment). Total obligation does not include taxes, license, insurance and registration. Dealers may sell for less. Offer subject to change or cancellation without The practice of allowing liquid notice. Offer runs from December 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 and is subject to change or cancellation without notice. Visit Honda.ca or your dealer for more details on other finance rates. †† No payments for 90 days offer applies to purchase finance offers on all new (not previously registered) 2011 CBR250R and CBR250RA models purchased and delivered by March 31, 2012. Offer available only through Honda Financial Services, on approved credit (O.A.C.). Monthly payments are deferred for 90 days. Contracts will be extended accordingly. Interest charges will begin accruing 60 days from the domestic waste to be spread on land contract date and the purchaser will repay principal and interest monthly over the term of the contract, but not until 90 days after the contract date. Offer runs from December 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 and is subject to change or cancellation without notice. Dealer may sell for less. Honda’s Show Stoppers Event (“Offer”) applies to eligible retail purchase agreements for a limited time, while supplies last. Offers are valid on selected new and not previously registered Honda Motorcycles and ATVs.*Combined Manufacturer’s/Dealer’s discounts are deducted from the MSRP before taxes, and available only at par- will not be allowed five years after the ticipating Alberta dealers, on select models only, and vary from $350 to $5,750 for Motorcycles and from $250 to $2,620 for ATVs, depending on model. †Prices shown do not include freight and PDI, applicable fees, GST, licence, insurance, dealer administration fees (if applicable) or registration. Offers valid at participating Honda Motorcycle, ATV or Honda Powerhouse Dealers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba only. Dealer may sell for less. Prices/offers subject to change or extension without notice. Dealer order or trade may be necessary. See dealer or honda.ca for full details and eligible models. Errors and omissions excepted. code comes into force, although Dun- can said it won’t be banned outright. The review document suggests 20 new small lagoons costing $14 to $20 million will be required to contain VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.PRODUCER.COM the liquid that used to be spread. THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 65 GAS ATTACK A U.S. study aims to determine the contributions of the livestock industry to greenhouse gases. LIVESTOCK Th e country’s largest beef group expects to fi nd that improvements in cattle production methods have reduced the carbon hoofprint. | Page 67 LIVESTOCK EDITOR: BARB GLEN | Ph: 403-942-2214 F: 403-942-2405 | E-MAIL: [email protected] NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW | RESULTS Canada in spotlight at U.S. cattle show Championships, high sellers | Several Canadian producers took top spot in Denver BY BARBARA DUCKWORTH CALGARY BUREAU DENVER, Colo. — Canada Day came early for Red Angus breeders at this year’s National Western Stock Show in Denver. Canadians won the grand champi- on bull, reserve bull and grand cham- pion female banners as well as numerous division and class winners Jan. 9. Clinton Morasch has been coming to the Denver stock show for the last three years, winning division cham- pions and a reserve bull. This year, working with his 13-year-old daugh- ter Laurie, the Bassano, Alta., pro- ducer won grand champion with a bull calf named Red Lazy MC Eye Spy 64Y. The reserve bull came from Six Mile Angus of Fir Mountain, Sask., where Callie Gibson stood at the halter of Six Mile Smokin Gun 133Y. Working with Christy Collins of Oklahoma and Safari Cattle Co. of Texas, Six Mile also exhibited the champion female named Six Mile Countess 105Y. With her Texas part- ABOVE: Laurie Morasch ners, Collins bought the heifer at both aspects with maternal genetics of Bassano, Alta., shows Canadian Western Agribition in and good carcass values,” Clinton a Red Angus heifer from Regina last November for $14,000. said. her family’s show string Six Mile Angus, owned by Clayton They also had reserve intermediate at the National Western and Corrine Gibson, was also named champion bull in Denver with an Livestock Show. She was premier breeder and exhibitor of the animal that had been undefeated in named junior herdsman show, while Laurie Morasch was Canada. They own the champion and her family’s ranch, named junior herdsman at the youth exclusively, while the other bull is Lazy MC Red Angus, portion of the show. owned with partners in Idaho. was awarded the grand The Morasch family expected to do The family sells large amounts of champion bull banner well, but had no inkling this would be semen and embryos to the United with a 2011 bull calf at their big year. States, where Canadian red genetics the national Red Angus “We expected to do well with both are well accepted. show. calves, but we didn’t expect to win Their next event is their 16th annual LEFT: Clayton Gibson of the overall show. It was quite an hon- bull sale, and a win like this is good Six Mile Angus shows our and pretty exciting to do it,” Clin- promotion when selling to purebred off his grand champion ton said. and commercial ranch customers. female. The family from The grand champion bull will go Corinne Gibson from the Six Mile Fir Mountain, Sask., into the ranch breeding program this operation had to stay home and also won reserve grand spring to work with heifers. The fam- mind the ranch, so she watched the champion bull as well ily breeds about 250 cows. If their family successes over the internet. as premier breeder and champion continues to develop well, The family has had numerous presti- exhibitor. | BARBARA the family will enter it in the fall gious awards, including supreme shows. bull at Agribition in 2007 and the DUCKWORTH PHOTOS It was previously shown at Farmfair World Angus Forum grand champi- in Edmonton, where it was junior calf on red female. champion. It was also third in class at “This is an honour for us to go to the Agribition. American national show and have Their daughter, Callie, is in univer- was the result. Wander, consigned by Brylor Ranch “It is nice to think judges and other our cattle accepted as well as they sity but plans to continue ranching Coy owns their reserve champion of Pincher Creek, Alta., sold to Dia- cattle people like your genetics,” he were. It was a privilege,” she said. and 10-year-old Coy actively shows bull, which he showed with its moth- mond K Angus of Maple Creek, Sask. said. This is the third year in a row that Six cattle while Cade works on the ranch er throughout the summer. The cow for $16,000. A second Brylor entry, In his opinion, the bull was selected Mile travelled to Denver. It has won behind the scenes. was recently named Canadian Red offering a pick of heifer calves by the on the basis of phenotype and ex- division championships but no “Our son wasn’t able to be there but Angus show female of the year. The bull Mulberry, sold for $12,500 to pected progeny differences statistics. major victories. when our calf won, I have never seen bull will be offered for sale at the Griffin Red Angus of New Hampton, The bull has low birth weight val- “We felt the judge paid attention to him jump higher,” she said. ranch’s April 14 sale. Iowa. ues, which means he has the poten- conformation and structure, the real They bought the mother of the Canadian cattle were also the high Five bulls on offer averaged tial to sire calves that are born easily important traits in cattle,” Corrine winning female from Roger Hardy of sellers during the red Angus sale at $12,050, 22 open females averaged andaccess=subscriber also section=livestock,none,none exhibits good carcass traits. said. “The best part of it is our kids are Soo Line Cattle Co. in Midale, Sask. the stock show. $5,293 and one bred female fetched “It is tough to find both, so he fills so involved.” The cow was pregnant and this calf An interest in the bull Get Along $11,250. 66 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER LIVESTOCK NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW | PUBLIC RELATIONS Cattle producers hold show and tell between the tracks Exhibitors talk beef | Show gives Canadian producers chance to educate, advertise BY BARBARA DUCKWORTH and ranches. CALGARY BUREAU But at the National Western Stock The best place to do business is “in the yards,” an outdoor showcase of cattle and equipment at the National Show in Denver, the place to hang Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. Walls are covered with ads from ranches attending the 16 day event. DENVER, Colo. — Business is done out and talk bull is in the yards, an | BARBARA DUCKWORTH PHOTO at the kitchen table on many farms outdoor area beside the stock yards building and between two railroad tracks. “This is the place to advertise in the U.S.A.,” said Roger Hardy of Soo Line Cattle Co. at Midale, Sask. His crew set up a display of eight black Angus along with a hospitality corner to meet and greet visitors, exchange business cards and possi- bly do private treaty sales. His display attracted guests from the United States, Finland, Mexico, Canada, and Argentina. Included was a large poster pointing out Mida- le is only 200 kilometres north of Minot, North Dakota. “These are people we wouldn’t normally see,” he said. Exhibitors set up for seven days and get ready to talk beef. The mass of Knowledge Increase people moving through the alleys FLC Webinars causes human traffic jams, especially Training Farm & Workshops on balmy days when the temperature Education Profi tability is around 13 C. For others, the yard experience exposes international guests to unique breeds, including Speckle Park cattle from Saskatchewan. Jason Goodfellow, who represent- ed Six Star Ranch and Notta Ranch What you DON’T know can from Neilburg, Sask., has been show- Rolling Hedging Simple Moving negatively impact your operations ing off the unique cattle for three The Basis Average years at Denver. FLC can help with that Thousands of people walk through FLC the yards and more than once he has watched as they stop at the stall Risk asking, “what are those damned Management Intermediate Risk Management things?” Paul Cassidy, Mitcom Inc. “People automatically think it is a Online February 7 - March 8, 2012 cross between two breeds. We want Every Tues., Wed., Thurs. to educate people that it is a pure- Futures Contracts Options bred,” he said. 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (CST) Americans are attracted to the *this workshop is sponsored by FCC unusual black and white pattern and are interested in the moderate size and ability to produce well marbled Leadership In Growth beef. He said semen sales he made to New Jersey, Montana and Florida are January 28, 29, 30 - Lloydminster a direct result of their display in the Workshop – Facilitated by the Successful Recipient from yards. After seeing the cattle at Den- CBC’s Dragon Den. Mental Technology un-defi ne the way we ver last year, American buyers flew into Saskatchewan a few weeks later think and act about Agriculture. Growing the new Leaders of for Goodfellow’s March production the Future of Agriculture. sale. About 16,000 head of livestock go through the grounds in the 16 days of The “Business Solutions Side” the show. During weekdays, 25,000 of Effective Farm Estate Planning to 30,000 people come through the gates, while on weekends attendance FREE January 20 - 10:30 a.m. Online Webinar soars past 40,000. Chris Geldert, Daystar Financial Group Stino Scaletta, MNP OPENING DAY JAN. 7 SAW Doug Markewich, Daystar Financial Group Dave Watson, Wealth Planning Group (go to FLC website to pre-register) 44,282 Check out 1-888-569-4566 www.ourfl c.com PEOPLE THROUGH THE ourfl c.com The Western Producer is our offi cial Media Partner TURNSTILES, UP NEARLY FIVE PERCENT FROM 2011. LIVESTOCK THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 67 CATTLE STUDY | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Beef industry will withstand environmental scrutiny: NCBA A new U.S. study will anti-livestock campaign. to cut our entire carbon emissions, examine how beef Her field of study focuses on quan- we absolutely should, but to think we tifying the environmental effects of can make this huge difference by not production contributes to dairy and beef production systems. having red meat and dairy just greenhouse gas emissions The cow herd has shrunk in the last doesn’t make sense because it is a 40 years, but the resulting calves are really small number,” she said. yielding larger carcasses. Fewer cat- Water scarcity is an increasingly BY BARBARA DUCKWORTH tle release less methane and use less important issue, but livestock produc- CALGARY BUREAU land and water. tion is not using as much water as some In 1977, an average steer needed 606 data in the popular press suggests. DENVER, Colo. — A major study days to achieve the average carcass A water footprint report said 1,857 hopes to assess the beef industry’s weight of 603 pounds. By 2007, the gallons of water are required to pro- carbon hoofprint in the United States. average steer reached market weight duce one pound of beef. However, Announced late last year, the study in 482 days and yielded 773 lb. of beef. the report said it takes a feedlot ani- involves the National Cattlemen’s About 97 percent of U.S. beef cattle mal three years to produce 441 lb. of Beef Association and BASF Corp., go through feedlots. While Capper boneless beef. which will measure the industry’s said she is not opposed to other sys- The reality is most animals are water and land use and establish tems, grass fed programs require slaughtered at 14 to 16 months and how beef production contributes to more time for animals to finish. produce an 800 lb. carcass, which greenhouse gas emissions. Land use would increase by an means it takes 367 gallons to produce NCBA president Bill Donald is con- extra 131 million acres, or 75 percent a pound of beef. fident the industry will be shown as of the land area of Texas, if all U.S. “This number becomes very dan- environmentally responsible, but beef was grass fed. gerous when it is out there as fact. the association is also willing to take it on the chin if some practices are found to be harmful. “We really do have a good story to tell and we are reducing our carbon We all have our place, whether it is organic, grass-fed, corn-fed. We footprint as we go ahead with the can all improve efficiency from the birth of the animal to the arrival efficiencies we are gaining, so there is of the beef at the grocery store. not a lot of fear that we are going to get bad news,” said Donald, a cow- JUDE CAPPER calf producer from Montana. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY Preliminary results are due this summer, which will lead to research Emissions would increase by 134.5 Numbers make people think it is projects on further improving envi- million tonnes of carbon dioxide, true,” she said. ronmental care and raising more which is the equivalent to emissions However, livestock producers have beef on less land. An improved set of from 26.6 million cars. plenty of room to reduce environ- best management practices for con- Water use would increase by 468 bil- mental impacts. tinuous improvement in the beef lion gallons, which is the annual use “We all have our place, whether it is cycle is also expected. by 53.1 million American households. organic, grass-fed, corn-fed. We can “It is not an end destination, it is a Consumers may think grass fed is all improve efficiency from the birth journey,” Donald said in a Jan. 10 safer, but she said it would require an of the animal to the arrival of the beef interview at the International Live- extra 64 million head of cattle to pro- at the grocery store,” she said. stock Congress held in Denver. duce enough beef to meet current Improved pastures and better for- “We are always going to be pro- consumption requirements. age varieties can reduce the time it gressing and this is going to give us a Capper said statistics on current takes to reach target weights. In- benchmark of where we are at a given impacts from the red meat and dairy creased growth rates and feed effi- point in time.” sectors should be questioned. ciency using improved diet formula- Jude Capper of Washington State She said dairy and red meat pro- tions can also produce more beef on University told the congress that pre- duction equals 3.05 percent of total the same land base. vious studies indicate beef’s envi- carbon emissions, so following the Producers need to aim for more live ronmental impact has been reduced fad of switching to a meatless Mon- calves per cow because the latest by 30 percent with improved animal day makes little difference because it statistics suggest 89 percent of cows productivity. However, improve- reduces carbon emissions by less wean a live calf, which indicates 11 Previous studies indicate beef’s environmental impact has been reduced ments are often overlooked when than a half percent percentaccess=subscriber section=livestock,none,none of the herd is lost, making by 30 percent with improved animal productivity. | FILE PHOTO facing a louder and better funded “I am not saying we should not try less beef available. BEEF CONFERENCE | RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN High-performance bale throughput! Beef producers seek federal support for risk management BY JEFFREY CARTER more than we had before.” FREELANCE WRITER The 40 percent is the provincial share, committed last spring. And LONDON, Ont. — The Ontario while federal support may be doubt- Cattlemen’s Association hopes the ful, the program is moving forward. federal government will join the Risk Pallister said it’s like receiving 100 Management Program in the prov- percent coverage, but for just 40 per- ince but producers are skeptical. cent of your cattle. Invest in Quality! Those concerns were expressed at Curtis announced producer RMP Kuhn’s Integral Rotor Technology ensures The simple, heavy-duty driveline has the the Beef Industry Convention spon- premiums at the meeting. There will even feeding, regardless of variations in the fewest moving parts among competitive sored by the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ be 100, 90 and 80 percent coverage Association here on Jan. 6. options with categories for cow-calf, crop. Even the heaviest crops are force-fed models. With rugged bearings and only three “I don’t think the feds will come in,” backgrounder and feedlot and mini- through the short intake, resulting in higher main chains, it is designed for low maintenance Dale Pallister, OCFA president, said. mum and maximum weight criteria. forward speeds for outstanding productivity. and long life in even the toughest conditions. Curtis Royal, who will retire as For 100 percent coverage, cow-calf VB 2160 & 2190 OCA’s president at the organization’s operators will pay $42.59 per head. Videos at 50th annual general meeting in Feb- The backgrounder and feedlot pro- Variable Chamber Round Balers ruary, was more hopeful. gram premiums are calculated on www.KuhnNorthAmerica.com produce 4x5 and 4x6 bales “There’s a group of federal MPs gain. we meet with regularly. That group For 100 percent coverage, the pre- Central Alberta Noble Tractor H & L Motors Nick’s Service is led by Bev Shipley. It’s a chal- mium rate for pound of gain is 0.0336 Hay Centre & Equipment Glenboro, MB Emerald Park, SK lenge, I can tell you that. It’s not cents for the backgrounder program Red Deer, AB Armstrong & Kamloops, BC T.I.C. Parts and Service Ask us about Matsqui Ag-Repair Huber Farm Equipment Neepawa, MB preseason savings, going to happen overnight but at andaccess=subscriber 0.0484 section=livestock,none,none cents for the feedlot pro- least we’ve got the 40 percent. It’s gram. Abbotsford, BC Prince George, BC now through February 28! 68 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER LIVESTOCK WEATHER | NICE WINTER Worrying about the price we’ll pay for this winter’s weather inside of my cap, and that doesn’t 1936. But we caught heck in the new trip to town to get supplies with the our bikes down the road and it felt COWBOY LOGIC often happen in January in North year after.” A friend told me we were same team and sled when the snow just like spring? That might make for Dakota. having another 1941, and it stayed was deep and the temperatures were a longer lasting memory. These are the little things that nice all winter. I heard another farm- frigid. I don’t suppose the memory The other common denominator I memories are made of, and good er on the radio say it was just like would be so indelibly marked if you hear, along with the comparisons memories at that. Now, today, as I 1979. He remembered because he go from a warm house into a warm and reminiscing about winters past, write this, the weather is more like was building a shop that winter and garage to get into a heated car to drive is the fear of the price we’ll pay for old times. The temperature has they worked on it until the middle of to a heated office to do your day’s having it so nice this long. That’s the RYAN TAYLOR dropped, the wind is blowing, and January without any cold weather or work before auto starting your car for kind of people we are, I guess. We snow is coming down. Not a lot, but snow to slow them down. He didn’t the warm commute back. believe in retribution. fter a few years of having win- the ground is white again. say what it was like after that. So I wonder if we’ve gotten out and Ryan Taylor is a rancher, writer and senator ters we’d like to forget, this When we started having these I suppose those of us who spend a enjoyed enough of this nice weather in the state legislature from Towner, North A year we’ve gotten a winter we record breaking warm temperatures, lot of time outside have reason to to mark our memory of it for the Dakota. want to remember, at least so far. I was struck by how many people dug remember the easy winters and the future. Yesterday was Jan. 10 and I did back in their memory banks and hard winters. Remember that winter it was so chores wearing a vest instead of a remembered winters past for the Dad would tell me vivid stories nice in January that we stayed inside jacket, and there wasn’t a speck of sake of comparison. about the winter of 1948-49, feeding and watched television? No, that BULL DEAL | ALASKA CUSTOMER snow on the ground. It was so nice I My uncle told me back in Decem- cows with a team of horses and a hay won’taccess=subscriber cut section=livestock,news,none it. Remember that winter it even had my ear flaps tucked up ber, “this is the kind of fall we had in sled, and making the 20 kilometre was so nice in January that we rode Long trip made to buy cattle BY BRENDA KOSSOWAN FREELANCE WRITER DELBURNE, Alta. — At the core of every cut of prime beef is the genetic code that determines how the steer will shape up as it grows. Getting just the right genetics is worth every hour it has taken and all the money it has cost to pull a stock trailer from Delta Junction, Alaska, to Delburne and back — a 6,000 kilometre round trip — to pick up young bulls that will bring fresh blood to their herd, say Alaskan beef pro- ducers Doug and Cathie McCollum. The owners of Delta Meat and Sau- sage Co. made history four years ago when they bought six Galloway bulls from Delburne-area producer Russ Horvey and his brother, Wesley, who farms east of Leduc, Alta. Those animals became the first mature Alberta cattle to cross into the United States when the border was fully reopened to Canadian beef, four years after BSE was discovered on an Alberta farm. The six bulls are now reaching the end of their breeding careers and the time has come to pick up new bloodstock, Cathie McCollum said Jan. 9 as she and her husband drove through Watson Lake, B.C., on their way to Delburne. They picked up three bulls and then headed to Wesley Horvey’s farm for two more, all selected for them by the Horveys. Get up and running In Delta Junction, the bulls will be crossed with Angus cows from which the McCollums raise the beef to sup- ply their processing plant and market. Start smart with the Transition Loan Delta Meat and Sausage slaughters 150 to 160 head of McCollum cattle a year, selling sides of beef to custom- Young farmers are important to the future of agriculture – so is having the right ers as far away as the northwestern United States. financing. The Transition Loan lets you start with as low as zero down. Interest is charged Their customers are former Alas- only on the disbursed amount so you can build equity quickly or manage your cash flow – kans, now living in Washington state, who don’t want to give up the consis- the choice is yours. tency and quality of the grass-fat- tened beef they had been buying in To find out more about the Transition Loan, call your nearest FCC office at 1-800-387-3232. Delta Junction, said McCollum. Horvey said the fact that customers www.fcc.ca are willing to make a 6,000 km round trip to pick up breeding stock reflects the special quality in Galloway beef. Now retired from his job as a beef specialist with Alberta Agriculture, Horvey said research he did recently showed that like the Speckle Park breed that was developed from Gal- loway genetics, Galloway are noted for their fine marbling that makes beef especially juicy and tasty. Theaccess=subscriber marbling section=livestock,news,none is not visible because it is inside the muscle fibre, he added. LIVESTOCK THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 69 RISE ABOVE GRASSY WEEDS LOOK NO FURTHER THAN LADDER Calving is much easier than it used to be, but new producers and veterinarians still need to know what to do when things get complicated. | FILE PHOTO CALVING | TOUGH JOB Teaching calving skills to next generation next generation of veterinary students ANIMAL HEALTH need to give new graduates a feel for this part of large animal practice. The Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon has been sending students to veterinary clin- ics in peak calving season. Although calving season for us is now just a blip ROY LEWIS, DVM on the radar, a larger clinic can have students jump from obstetrical case- to-case experience going on call and assisting the veterinarian with the e are losing a bit of the sci- infrequent C sections . ence and art of calving a Teaching videos and being able to W cow because fewer cows handle a calf puller can provide valu- give us problems these days. able experience. The new generation on the farm A few new producers have occa- will generally have much less of a sionally ridden with me to get a little chance to use a calf puller and apply calving experience. Just feeling a calving chain. inside the vagina of a calving cow and It is a wonderful thing that genetics applying the obstetrical chains prop- and breeding selection has signifi- erly goes a long way to building con- cantly reduced the need to assist fidence and improving dexterity. cows. It decreases labour signifi- You also learn how to properly cantly at calving, and there is no restrain a calving cow and how to doubt calves born unassisted have keep yourself and the cow clean. much less stress than those born Producer seminars on calving used after a hard pull. to be popular, but the need for them However, how do we provide at least has diminished as calving problems some experience for these new pro- became less frequent . ducers, farm workers and young vet- The University of Calgary’s veteri- erinarians so they understand how to nary medicine school has newer get the job done when a tough calving approaches involving lifelike mod- does come along? The problems that els. For example, it has a rubberized do crop up, albeit infrequently, are calf with flexible joints so fetal mal- usually difficult ones. presentations can be created for the This dilemma also exists for final students to solve. year veterinary students doing cae- Dr. Gordon Krebs of the Calgary sarean sections and calving cows. We school has created these models and is breed to not need caesareans, but working on others to make the hands- where do the new graduates get the on experience as realistic as possible. necessary experience to handle a Students will also go on a calving fetal monster, a heifer calf bred by rotation at two large cattle operations mistake, co-joined twins, a schisto- that calve a large number of cows in a Grassy weed control, at a fair price, somas reflexus (inside out calf), or short period of time. Although there is just over the horizon. the rare fetal oversize? will be few major problems, at least Same active as Horizon® Older veterinarians like me had to handling the normal calving cow With the same active ingredient as Horizon®, Ladder™ attend lots of calving related prob- plus the subsequent calf care will lems, caesareans and prolapses cre- give them a good start on their veteri- takes grassy weed control to new heights, coming down ated by fetal oversize and harder nary careers should they pursue hard on wild oats and foxtail in wheat and durum. Ladder deliveries. Those days are hopefully mixed or large animal practice. The is tank-mixable with more than 20 broadleaf herbicides. gone and won’t return because of other subtleties can be explained and proper bull selection, heifer selec- make sense once the basics of calving MANA insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are available tion and breeding. are learned. from leading retailers. Support choice and fair pricing – Veterinary colleges have tried to find Practicing things like a fetotomy ask for your MANA product by name. new models to teach budding veteri- (cutting a dead fetus in parts to facili- nary students. Some of these ideas tate delivery) on cadavers will give could also be used for new producers. students good experience for the day My guess is producers of the future when they might encounter them in manainc.ca Fair Price. Brand Results. will more frequently turn to their vet- practice. erinarians to try to “save the day” ™Ladder is a trademark of Makhteshim Agan of North America Inc. All others are registered trademarks of their respective companies. because calving problems are so rare. Royaccess=subscriber Lewis section=livestock,none,none is a veterinarian practising in Always read and follow label directions. 11020.10.11 This is where we as mentors of the Westlock, Alta. 70 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER CDN. BOND RATE: CDN. DOLLAR: 1.2614% $0.9808 1.50% 1.010 1.40% 0.995 1.30% 0.980 AGFINANCE 1.20% 0.965 1.10% 0.950 12/5 12/12 12/16 12/30 1/9 1/16 12/5 12/12 12/16 12/30 1/9 1/16 Bank of Canada 5-yr rate Jan. 16 AGFINANCE EDITOR: D’ARCE MCMILLAN | Ph: 306-665-3519 F: 306-934-2401 | E-MAIL: [email protected] BIOFUEL | CARINATA AG STOCKS FOR JAN. 9 - 13 Euro zone efforts to manage debt were hammered when Standard & Poor’s downgraded the credit ratings of France, Austria, Italy and Spain. For the week, the TSX Jets test fuel from new oilseed rose 0.3 percent, the Dow rose 0.5 percent, the S&P 500 was up 0.9 percent and the Carinata in mustard family | Contracts designed to generate 5,000 to 10,000 acres this year Nasdaq gained 1.4 percent. Cdn. exchanges in $Cdn. U.S. exchanges in $U.S. BY D’ARCE MCMILLAN GRAIN TRADERS SASKATOON NEWSROOM NAME EXCH CLOSE LAST WK Jets are expected to make test flights ADM NY 29.17 29.07 this year using biofuel produced Alliance Grain TSX 20.12 20.33 Bunge Ltd. NY 58.77 58.19 from Brassica carinata, a new oilseed ConAgra Foods NY 26.85 26.42 in the mustard family grown in West- Legumex Walker TSX 6.25 6.00 ern Canada last year. Viterra Inc. TSX 11.16 10.87 The fuel will come from 50 acres of W.I.T. OTC 13.32 13.32 production last summer, but Agriso- PRAIRIE PORTFOLIO ma, the company advancing the crop and its industrial applications, plans to NAME EXCH CLOSE LAST WK contract 5,000 to 10,000 acres this year. Assiniboia FLP OTC 41.48 41.48 Patrick Crampton, vice-president Ceapro Inc. TSXV 0.11 0.10 Cervus Equip. TSX 15.59 15.77 of business and product develop- Ridley Canada TSX 8.55 8.31 ment for Agrisoma, told Saskatche- Rocky Mtn D’ship TSX 8.99 8.85 wan mustard growers at Crop Pro- duction Week that processors tested FOOD PROCESSORS seed from 2011. The yellow coated, low fibre seed, NAME EXCH CLOSE LAST WK BioExx TSX 0.17 0.15 also known as Ethiopian mustard, Hormel Foods NY 28.97 29.00 performed well at crushing plants. Maple Leaf TSX 10.75 10.70 The oil was sent to interested aviation Premium Brands TSX 16.58 17.00 fuel makers. Smithfield NY 23.16 23.83 “We are basically working with two Sun-Rype TSX 6.55 6.20 Tyson Foods NY 19.88 20.32 of the major producers out there,” Crampton said. FARM EQUIPMENT MFG. “One is Honeywell-UOP, which has the current registered technology.… NAME EXCH CLOSE LAST WK They just finished production last AGCO Corp. NY 49.62 47.64 week and we are going to have some- Buhler Ind. TSX 5.49 5.44 Caterpillar Inc. NY 102.48 95.76 where in the neighbourhood of 800 CNH Global NY 42.47 39.63 to 1,000 litres of jet fuel produced.” Deere and Co. NY 84.66 82.30 He expects test flights by mili- Vicwest Fund TSX 9.92 9.12 tary and commercial jets will be announced later this year. FARM INPUT SUPPLIERS “It is a key part of the development NAME EXCH CLOSE LAST WK of a new market, where it is not just a Agrium TSX 79.13 71.80 new crop. It is an entirely new value BASF OTC 72.88 71.03 chain.” One of seven elite lines of brassica carinata, or Ethiopian mustard, at left, alongside a check crop of Vulcan at a Bayer Ag OTC 67.17 66.08 Dow Chemical NY 32.02 30.32 The oil is processed in a different Swift Current, Sask. research site last summer. | FILE PHOTO Dupont NY 48.40 46.04 way than for biodiesel and must pro- BioSyent Inc. TSXV 0.55 0.50 duce jet fuel that is indistinguishable later than a mid-season Argentine not jeopardizing other markets. The elite line we are bringing out is 15 to 20 Monsanto NY 79.59 77.51 from the petroleum-based product canola when scientists first started emerging low level presence legisla- percent higher yield than the oriental Mosaic NY 55.18 52.67 to meet airline specifications. working with it, but they were able to tion that is being developed world- mustard checks,” Crampton said. PotashCorp TSX 45.80 42.94 Syngenta ADR 60.10 58.51 The aviation industry is pursuing reduce it to only five to seven days later. wide is a key factor to that launch.” The crop’s commercial success will plant-based feedstocks for renew- Agrisoma, which has been co- Agrisoma will have contracts in a be enhanced if there is a market for TRANSPORTATION able fuels with a smaller carbon foot- operating with Agriculture Canada, few weeks that are designed to attract the meal left over after crushing. print. Biofuel made from jatropha, the Plant Biotechnology Institute 5,000 to 10,000 acres of production by Traditional mustard types produce NAME EXCH CLOSE LAST WK camelina and animal fat are already and the Mustard 21 project, will use 30 to 50 farmers. meal that has quality protein but suf- CN Rail TSX 78.25 78.85 CPR TSX 70.77 69.08 undergoing flight tests. its gene altering technology to It is working with Paterson Grain on fers from high glucosinolate levels that Toronto Stock Exchange is TSX. Canadian Venture Exchange Carinata’s oil is high in erucic acid enhance the oil profile and yield. the identity preserved closed loop hurt its use in livestock feed rations. is TSX Venture or TSXV. NAS: Nasdaq Stock Exchange. NY: ideal for industrial applications such “The vision is to put the biotechnol- contracts. “Carinata is not truly a condiment New York Stock Exchange. ADR: New York/American Deposi- as jet fuel. ogy in longer term, but we are focused The payment will be $12.50 per type, spicy mustard. It is kind of mid- tory Receipt. OTC: Over the counter. The crop, which is native to Ethio- on launching the conventional crop bushel on farm plus an incentive of range,” Crampton said. List courtesy of Ian Morrison, investment advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy in Calgary, a division of CIBC World pia, is suited to the hotter, drier areas right now,” Crampton said. $40 per acre. “It is similar to what rapeseed origi- Markets Inc. Member of CIPF and IIROC. Listed stock of the Prairies and has been in Agri- “Even though it is an industrial Last year it was grown in three Sas- nally was, which had 10 percent prices come from Thompson Reuters and OTC prices culture Canada research and breed- crop, we know we need to pursue full katchewan locations: Kincaid, Fron- inclusion rates for a number of live- from Union Securities Ltd. Sources are believed to be reliable, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Morrison ing programs for more than a decade. food and safety registration for the tier and Scott. stockaccess=subscriber species, section=ag_finance,none,none so there is a fair bit of can be reached at 800-332-1407. Carinata maturity was three weeks GM product. We are committed to “The small plot yield data shows the excitement for this meal.” AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION | INPUT COSTS U.S. farmers expect inflation costs to outweigh gains in commodity prices: survey HONOLULU, Hawaii (Reuters) — farm costs because of rising fuel and rise by as much as five percent com- increase more,” said Victor Womack, However, even with uncertain U.S. farmers expect another year of fertilizer prices, according to a ran- pared to 2011. However, almost 40 a dairy farmer from Baton Rouge, prices, farmers said they would plant rising income and even higher costs dom survey of 462 farmers and percent of those surveyed predicted Louisiana. He said fertilizer, electric- more acres to grains this year. and plan to boost their plantings of ranchers at the American Farm costs would rise 5.1 to 10 percent, ity and diesel fuel were already rising. Farmers who participated in the corn, wheat and soybeans, according Bureau Federation’s annual meeting and 19 percent saw costs going high- Other farmers said land values, survey said they expect corn and to a Reuters survey released Jan. 11. in Honolulu. er than that. which had soared, were stabilizing soybean prices to fall in 2012, while Farmers expect a slight increase in Twenty-four percent of respon- “Prices are going up and costs are and that they did not believe high pricesaccess=subscriber section=ag_finance,none,none for wheat and cotton were income but are bracing for higher dents expect their farm income to going up, but costs are going to grain prices could be sustained. seen unchanged. AGFINANCE THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 71 GRAIN HANDLING | COMPANY EXPECTATIONS Viterra predicts steady rise in earnings post CWB Higher grain volumes | While Viterra expects healthy fourth-quarter results, Cargill reported its worst quarter since 2001 WINNIPEG (Reuters) — Viterra BMO Capital Markets analyst Ken- Daniels Midland. Viterra, which has made several ing, but Schmidt said he does not expects to see higher earnings and neth Zaslow in a note to clients. The “We have said we expect a robust acquisitions of grain processors in expect them to delay Western Cana- grain-handling volumes thanks to company will likely see the higher and strong fourth quarter and I don’t the United States in recent years fol- da’s move to an open grain market. the end of the Canadian Wheat earnings it is forecasting for 2014 a have any reason to change that view,” lowing its purchase of Australia’s Despite the fragile global economy, Board’s marketing monopoly, start- year earlier, he wrote. he said. “We’re quite confident not ABB Grain in 2009, has no plans to get Viterra remains interested in acquisi- ing with modest benefits in 2012’s Viterra and other grain handlers are only in a strong finish to this (2011 smaller, Schmidt said. tions, such as North American crop fourth quarter. signing forward contracts with farm- fiscal) year but a terrific start to next “We’re currently in more of a hiring processors and western Canadian Viterra, Canada’s biggest grain han- ers for delivery of grain once the CWB year.” mode than the status quo.” grain handlers, Schmidt said. dler, said it expects its annual earn- monopoly ends Aug. 1. Viterra was first to announce that it “We haven’t changed our view a bit, ings before interest, taxes, deprecia- Viterra does not expect to incur any Market volatility hurts Cargill was offering forward contracts to that we’re looking for opportunities tion and amortization to increase by additional capital costs connected farmers for their 2012 wheat and bar- to strengthen our business, although $40 to $50 million a year by fiscal with higher earnings, but additional Last week, agribusiness giant Car- ley, and both purchases from farmers I would say at this time most of those 2014. grain purchases will require $150 to gill reported its worst quarter since and sales to customers have been opportunities are from investing in Additional grain volumes at eleva- $200 million of added working capi- 2001, partly due to volatility in finan- brisk, Schmidt said. the strength of our current opera- tors and port terminals will generate tal, it said. cial markets. “We’ve had some extraordinarily tions.” higher revenues from facilities with Schmidt said the company will Cargill earlier announced plans to large days of buying and sales com- The company’s stock gained three fixed costs, the company said in a report solid fourth-quarter results lay off 1.5 percent of its staff. In the mensurate with those purchases,” he percent, or 32 cents, to $11.04 in statement. on Jan. 18 and has no plans to re- same week, Archer Daniels Midland said. Toronto after issuing its guidance on Viterra’s guidance is positive, but duce its workforce, unlike two of its said it would slash its workforce by Legal challenges of the law to end Jan.access=subscriber 11, section=ag_finance,none,none touching its highest price in “decidedly conservative,” wrote big U.S. rivals, Cargill and Archer three percent. the CWB’s single desk are still pend- nearly four months. FARM MANAGEMENT | WORKERS High expectations mesh with company’s hands-off philosophy to write off. He married at age 18 and but honest evaluation and tell them mance reviews and empowering Archived columns from this series can dropped out of high school. He tried what they need to do to get ahead. employees. It’s way easier to just sit be found at www.fcc-fac.ca/learning. THE BOTTOM LINE Farm Credit Canada enables business to make a go of farming but failed and “If you do that, you’re going to see back and complain about how you management skill development through had to take a labourer’s job on a poul- personal growth,” says Harder. can’t get good help these days. resources such as this column, and try farm. Then a small company gave “Believe me, that’s a powerful thing.” But the truth is that sometimes it’s information and learning events available him a shot, hiring him to run an ele- Bonuses and benefits. Perfor- the boss who’s only doing a half a job. across Canada. vator even though he knew nothing about the business. GLENN CHEATER “I was very fortunate because some- one believed in me,” says Harder. He stayed in the business after Car- artin Harder doesn’t apol- gill took over the small company. ogize for being a demand- “I continued to get opportunity Ming boss. after opportunity. I was given plenty “People who work for me know of rope. It was up to me to run with it they can’t get away with doing half a or hang myself.” job,” he says. That’s why Harder believes in But Harder isn’t one of those empowering and rewarding em- crusty, nothing’s-ever-good-enough ployees. Five of his workers became types. Quite the opposite. His suc- significant Delmar shareholders and cess stems from his ability to moti- every single employee was eligible vate employees, and he has advice for bonuses, which were paid faith- that many farmers could profit from. fully every year. Harder founded Delmar Com- He also took all the staff to a luxury modities, a Manitoba grain market- fishing resort every year, all expenses ing and processing company, in paid, until the company became too 1995. He started with an old elevator big to take everyone. he bought for $150,000, and 15 years By 2010, Delmar had four elevators, later was generating $60 million in a soybean-processing facility, and 33 annual sales. employees. But most of all, everyone Delmar avoided being crushed by got as much rope as they wanted, and giant competitors in the grain indus- Harder had innovative ways to try because its employees always encourage them to think beyond went the extra mile when it came to narrow job descriptions. What he customer service. wanted most of all were employees Before starting Delmar, Harder who came with ideas on how to do spent 21 years in the grain business, something better. rising up the ranks to become an area “Not all ideas work out, but some manager for Cargill. do,” says Harder, who is now mayor of like me He was the kind of guy who would Winkler, Man. give a new hire a shovel, and then “What’s critical is telling that per- watch him clean out a grain bin. If it son, ‘what you did was good.’ It’s hard wasn’t done well, Harder would to describe what it means to an demonstrate how to do it properly. employee when suddenly they real- A few quit early rather than work for ize that they’re valued.” this seemingly controlling guy, but The high school dropout knows most stuck around and soon discov- what it means. He also knows many ered Harder was the opposite of farmers just don’t get it. controlling. Harder, who couldn’t wait to offer “Once an employee shows me that his employees a benefits plan, says www.grainaugers.com 1-866-467-7207 he’s capable of making some deci- he shakes his head when he hears sions on his own, then I’m very quick farmers complain that they now have to take a hands-off approach and let to pay Employment Insurance pre- him run.” miums. This is not something he learned in Those are simply things you want to a book, but from life. do when you value employees, he Asaccess=subscriber a section=ag_finance,none,noneyoung man in MacGregor, says. It’s why you want to sit down Man., Harder would have been easy every year to give employees a fair 72 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER NEWS POLITICS | WHITHER THE LIBERALS Rural candidates deliberate on Liberal party revival How do you move forward? | A killer issue in rural Canada was the decision to oppose the end of the long gun registry, says agriculture critic BY BARRY WILSON tion, we have to start to win back At the Jan. 13 session where MPs answer, said Easter. Better rural out- “I couldn’t believe the backlash in OTTAWA BUREAU some of the rural ridings we have and senators met with convention reach is required. my community when that policy was lost.” delegates, veteran Prince Edward Liberal agriculture critic Frank announced,” he said. As they have since the Liberal party The easy part was promising to do it. Island MP Wayne Easter said the Valeriote from Guelph, Ont., said a However, the argument that Liber- began to shrink into a “downtown During a caucus accountability Liberals in the May 2 election cam- killer issue in rural Canada was the als failed in rural ridings because of a urban party” years ago, rural Liberals session late Jan. 14, a delegate asked paign “had one of the best rural decision by the party, which was failure to communicate or because meeting in Ottawa last weekend the assembled caucus to stand up if policies ever. The problem was no imposed by then-leader Michael the Conservatives derailed the cam- wondered why and how to fix it. they agreed that the “keys to 24 Sus- one knew it.” Ignatieff, to oppose Conservative paign with negative advertising cut “We’ve got some work to do in rural sex” are in part available in rural The election led to the worst Liberal proposals to end the long gun regis- no ice with delegates. Canada,” Liberal rural caucus chair Canada. showing in Canadian history, third try in favour of retaining it with “The party has lost its way in rural and rookie Newfoundland MP Scott The entire caucus rose with dreams party parliamentary status for the reforms. Canada,” said a southern Ontario Andrews said as the party opened a of one day again occupying the prime first time and the loss of more rural “The issue of the gun registry was Liberal. session on rural issues Jan. 13 during minister’s residence. Liberal seats, reducing the rural cau- the key in rural ridings and the A delegate from southwestern Sas- the Liberal biennial convention in Figuring out the “how to do it” and cus to a mainly Atlantic Canada result,” he said. katchewan said getting the message Ottawa. “why it happened” parts proved rump. Aaccess=subscriber delegate section=news,none,none from rural Alberta rein- out was not a problem. Candidate “If we are going to win the next elec- more difficult. Better communication is an forced the gun registry analysis. Duane Filson went up against Con- servative David Anderson, and while farmers in the riding voted over- ADVERTORIAL whelmingly for Canadian Wheat Board single desk supporters in CWB elections, they also voted over- whelmingly for anti-single desk 1000 Foot Views Show Technotill Advantage Anderson. “It wasn’t that people didn’t know Getting a 1000 foot perspective on how crops are which covered the seed, but I wasn’t happy with germination. our positions,” the delegate said. “It is performing, gives North Battleford, Sask. area farmer and The Technotill system works extremely well.” that they don’t believe a thing the Liberals say.” private pilot Alan Heidel a much better idea of how his crop The Liberal answer on how to management system is working. And with the Technotill system, he likes the fact that change that was to approve, as their first priority resolution, a general fertilizer is placed just above and to the side of the seed row. statement in support of a national Heidel who switched to the Technotill seeding system on He can place all fertilizer at time of seeding without risk of food strategy “that will address food supply, sustainable farm his 41 foot airseeding system fi ve years ago, says a weekly seedling injury, and especially in wet years he likes the fact income for farmers, agricultural fl ight in his Piper Warrior PA28 over his fi elds throughout the the fertilizer is being moved down into the root zone, rather employment, environmental sus- tainability and a secure food supply growing season tells the story. than being leached away below the roots. for Canadians.” Although the resolution came from the P.E.I. Liberal party, Easter said in “I have been really impressed with how even the With a direct seeding system, with very low disturbance, an interview it was “general mother- germination is over a whole fi eld, from fl at areas to the hill and by leaving crop residue on the fi eld, Heidel says hood” that did not address specific actions or policies. tops, and over different soil types and you can’t always see there has been a marked increase in soil organic matter The resolution, which was approved that even walking the fi elds,” says Heidel who crops about particularly in areas of sandier soil. by convention delegates without 2,200 acres of grains, oilseeds and pulse crops. “I use a debate, could also raise some eye- brows in the farm lobby outside the narrow one-inch Bourgault opener so there is very little soil “We’ve had some good growing conditions the last few Canadian Federation of Agriculture. disturbance. I can run the opener shallow when there is good years, but even with that I can tell crops are much more It said a future Liberal government should “create a partnership moisture, or deeper to reach moisture in dryer years and even, the fi elds are fuller with improved plant stands, and between Agriculture and Agri-Food there is still just this one-quarter inch of packed soil on top yields have increased,” he says. “It is a very simple and Canada and the (CFA) to develop a national food strategy.” of the seed. There is excellent seed to soil contact and very effi cient system that all helps the bottom line,” says Heidel. The CFA has been promoting a even germination.” national food strategy. The Liberal resolution said the Conservative government has “centred its focus on Heidel says the system works equally well with all crops industry matters and not on con- www.technotill.com sumer interests in having a sustain- from wheat, to canola, to peas, to lentils, and to oats. able Canadian food industry for “We used to broadcast apply our canola just Canadians.” Meanwhile, the rural issues session ahead of the seeding equipment, also brought a complaint from an Making Seeding Simple! urban Ontario delegate about genet- ically modified food and the Liberal position. Valeriote said GMO technology 780-352-9890 must be part of future agriculture. Telephone: , Wetaskiwin, AB “I have not seen any peer-reviewed evidence that indicates genetically modified products approved for the market are a danger for human health,” he said. “If you have contrary evidence, please bring it to me.” Easter’s argument to delegates was that a Conservative majority govern- ment was the best weapon the party has in rural Canada. As prime minister Stephen Harper and his government enact their rural strategy over the next four years, rural Canadians will see that the Conser- vative agenda is not rural friendly, he said. “I really believe that having a majority Harper government will show rural Canada that their agenda is not rural Canada’s agenda and they will start to look for alternatives.” NEWS THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 73 LIBERAL CONVENTION | SUPPLY MANAGEMENT STANCE LIBERAL CONVENTION | SINGLE DESK POSITION Liberals vow to defend No resurrection of CWB, say Liberals BY BARRY WILSON ernment pushed legislation through on this, to keep an eye on what the supply management OTTAWA BUREAU Parliament last month to end the effect on farmers is of the end of the CWB monopoly July 31, 2012, with- single desk, to keep this issue alive Conservative agriculture minister out a farmer vote. even if the single desk is gone.” while promoting trade Gerry Ritz predicted before last Liberal agriculture and CWB critic At a Jan. 13 meeting between Lib- week’s national Liberal convention Frank Valeriote said in an interview eral MPs and senators and delegates, in Ottawa that the party would prom- the party is not committing to trying Saskatchewan senator Bob Peterson Debate sought | Protectionism is not buying ise to resurrect the Canadian Wheat to resurrect the monopoly if it retakes said Liberal arguments against Con- Board monopoly if re-elected. government. It would be almost servative wheat board policy should goodwill in rural Canada, says delegate He was wrong. impossible, he added. pay political dividends once the Delegates at the conference did “Under WTO (World Trade Organi- negative implications of eroding the BY BARRY WILSON “Every country has its sensitive sec- approve without debate Jan. 15 a zation) rules, we could only bring CWB are evident. OTTAWA BUREAU tors and defends them,” he said. “We resolution that called on the Conser- back the single desk with consider- “We fought it,” he said. are no different.” vative government to hold a vote able penalties and that is not what we “Farmers in Western Canada rec- Ted Haney, former Canada Beef The Conservative government among prairie grain farmers before are proposing,” said the MP from ognize that it was the Liberal party Export Federation president and a holds the same “balanced position” changing the board’s monopoly Guelph, Ont. that fought for them. I hope we get federal Liberal candidate from Cal- view and vows support for supply powers, as legislation requires. “I see this resolution as a mandate results from that when rural voters gary, went to last weekend’s national management during free trade nego- However, the resolution was sub- from this convention and the party to recognizeaccess=subscriber section=news,none,none who were their real Liberal convention in Ottawa with tiations. mitted before the Conservative gov- keep the government’s feet to the fire defenders.” one major goal in mind. He wanted to jog the party into rethinking its rigid support of protec- tionist supply management that he thinks undermines Canada’s ability to negotiate free trade deals for export- oriented Canadian farm sectors. “My challenge to the Liberal party is to commit fully to liberalized trade and to reduce tariffs,” Haney said Jan. 13 during a private session between delegates and Liberal MPs. “Protectionism is not bringing us votes. It is not buying us goodwill in most of rural Canada.” The response from Liberal politi- cians at the session during the party’s national biennial convention in Ottawa was that while the Liberal party supports free trade, it also stands by supply management with its triple digit tariff protections for dairy, poultry and egg producers. “We are very much in favour of trade liberalization,” said party trade critic Wayne Easter. “We haven’t favoured protectionism.” Yet as agriculture critic, Easter was a fervent supporter of protectionist supply management. Ontario MP Frank Valeriote, the party’s agriculture critic, reinforced the Liberal support for supply man- agement. He said leader Bob Rae will reinforce that support during a Jan. 31 meeting with the leaders of Cana- da’s five supply management agen- cies. Liberal speakers said during the It’s more than a sign. It’s a signal. The game-changing conference that the Conservative Slingshot RTK/Online Service gives you the power to government will target supply man- improve virtually every aspect of your farming operation. agement once the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly has been destroyed. RTK corrections deliver sub-inch accuracy for automatic They vowed to defend it. “This is part of the Liberal legacy in steering with a simple subscription Canada, it is a successful policy and No line-of-site limitations with cellular-enabled we will defend it while promoting trade,” Valeriote said in an interview. technology for uninterrupted signals and performance Haney, who persisted in his Unrivaled high-speed wireless connectivity for instant demands for a clear Liberal declara- two-way data transfer, including prescription maps, yield tion on liberalized trade throughout the convention, said in an interview UHSRUWVDQGRWKHUoHOGGDWD he did not expect to trigger a party 5HPRWHoHOGVHUYLFHDQGDVVLVWDQFHIRUQRQVWRS shift quickly. “But I want to see the party debate operation this,” he said. “I admire the supply 5HDOWLPHPRQLWRULQJRIoHOGRSHUDWLRQV management people and the system they have created because it is profit- /RZHUFRVW)OHHW9LHZÍoHOGKXERSWLRQIRUWUDFNLQJ able. Monopolies are profitable. But I WHQGHUWUXFNVDQGVHUYLFHYHKLFOHVDQGPRUH believe we have to make an unequiv- ocal commitment to trade liberaliza- tion and not the qualified commit- Put more power in your operation with Slingshot, the ment we always make. Protectionism most robust wireless RTK solution on the cannot be qualified with support for PDUNHW/HDUQPRUHRQOLQHRUFRQWDFWXVWRGD\ protection.” RavenSlingshot.com Easter said the issue has raised debate within the Liberal party, but it 1-800-243-5435 remains firm in its “balanced posi- © 2011 Raven Industries. All Rights Reserved. tion” of supporting liberalized trade for Canadian exports and protection foraccess=subscriber Canadian section=news,none,none sectors that are import- sensitive. 74 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER CARVING OUT A FOOD NICHE Lydia and Rachel Ryall are providing FARMLIVING produce and poultry for local markets in Vancouver through small plot agriculture. | Page 77 FARM LIVING EDITOR: KAREN MORRISON | Ph: 306-665-3585 F: 306-934-2401 | E-MAIL: [email protected] HEALTH | CHOLESTEROL 2012 | YEAR OF CO-OPERATIVES UN declares Lean beef makes the cut 2012 year to recognize for heart-healthy diet choices co-operatives Counting cholesterol? | Health experts say lean beef can help lower levels of LDL cholesterol Canada has more than 18 BY BARB GLEN million co-op members LETHBRIDGE BUREAU BY BARRY WILSON Is beef the new chicken? OTTAWA BUREAU A study recently released by Pennsylvania State With a band playing and co-opera- University researchers tive enthusiasts packing a small room might lend support to the at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, idea. Canada kicked off its celebration of By comparing four diets International Year of Co-operatives on 36 human test subjects, Jan. 11. they found lean beef contrib- Similar events were held across the utes to a heart-healthy diet in country to launch a year that will the same way as lean white meat include local events, promotion of such as chicken. the role of co-ops and major confer- “We designed a heart healthy diet ences in Montreal June 27-29 and for people with elevated cholesterol Quebec City Oct. 8-11. levels and it included lean beef,” Veterans affairs minister Steven said nutrition professor Penny Kris- Blaney, MP for the Québec city of Etherton. Lévis, which was the site of the first “We saw similar blood cholesterol Canadian credit union (Caisse Popu- lowering effects as a low beef diet or laire) more than 110 years ago, spoke a DASH diet.” for the government during the official The DASH diet, which stands for launch. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hyper- Michael Roussell, lead CHOLESTEROL CONTENT IN MEATS The United Nations-designated tension, is considered the “gold Penn State researcher, said Year of the Co-operatives is “a unique Cholesterol, a waxy substance produced by the standard” for prevention and treat- lean cuts and portion size opportunity to celebrate the contri- liver and found in certain foods, is needed to ment of cardiovascular disease, she are the key messages con- bution of co-operatives to Canada,” make vitamin D and create bile salts to help said. It emphasizes plant protein sumers can take from the he said via an often-jumbled video digest fat. The liver produces about 1,000 mil- food and limited red meat. link across the country. study. ligrams of cholesterol every day. Kris-Etherton and her research “A lot of people attribute There are more than 9,000 co-ops team tested the DASH diet against eating red meat to lots of Cholesterol is only found in animal products. with 18 million Canadian members, the Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet, as saturated fat and it’s gen- Fruits, vegetables and grains do not contain he added. well as BOLD+, which included more erally not the case,” he cholesterol. Kathy Bardswick, president of the beef and other sources of protein. said. Medical experts advise if you have risk factors Co-operators insurance company, They found that total cholesterol “In the U.S., beef doesn’t for heart disease, you should not consume said from Calgary that the next year and LDL (bad cholesterol) de- even come in the top five more than 200 milligrams of cholesterol a will be used in Canada and around creased in all three diets. LDL cho- of our number one sourc- day. Even if you aren’t at risk for heart dis- the world to promote the idea of local lesterol was reduced by five percent es of saturated fat.” ease, limit your cholesterol intake to no more capital and local control of financing in the BOLD diet, 4.5 percent in the The Canadian Food than 300 milligrams a day. at a time when skepticism lingers BOLD+ diet and almost six percent Inspection Agency de- The table shows the cholesterol content for a 3 about the role of greed in the financial in the DASH diet. fines lean as having less 1/2 oz. serving of various kinds of meat: collapse of 2008. “To our knowledge, this was the than 10 grams of fat per “The time has never been better for first controlled consumption study 100 grams of meat. cholesterol total fat saturated the promotion and growth of the co- that showed an increase in lean beef Canada Beef statistics (mg) (grams) (mg) operative model,” she said. consumption while controlling indicate 71 percent of Cana- Chicken liver 631 6 2 “We are entrepreneurs for a better saturated fat in the context of a heart dians buy lean or extra lean Beef Liver 389 5 2 world.” healthy diet associated with signifi- ground beef and nearly 80 per- Claude Gauthier, president of the cant decreases in LDL cholesterol,” cent of them trim visible fat from Squid 231 1 0 Canadian Co-operative Association, researchers wrote. beef before or after cooking. Shrimp 194 1 0 said the year of celebration is an Kris-Etherton said the study A Harvard School of Public Veal (top round) 135 5 2 opportunity to “educate the public, results were not a surprise. The Health study supports the Penn Lamb (foreshank) 106 14 6 and our own co-op members, about diets showing best results in lower- State findings, according to Canada the enormous role co-operatives Beef (short ribs) 94 42 18 ing LDL cholesterol contained little Beef Inc. play in building communities, revi- saturated fat, which is key to choles- It said consuming 100 grams per Beef (sirloin) 89 12 5 talizing economies and creating terol reduction. day of fresh red meat, defined as Pork (chop) 85 25 10 jobs here in Canada and around the Nor did the study surprise Karine unprocessed, single-ingredient Chicken (no skin) 85 5 1 world.” Gale of Canada Beef Inc. meat, is not linked to development Pork (tenderloin) 79 6 2 The Canadian government sup- “The research is definitely mount- of coronary heart disease. ported the UN motion to declare a ing that lean beef does not increase Previous studies recommending Beef (ground, lean) 78 18 7 year of co-operatives and is sharing in your risk of heart disease. The against red meat consumption Lobster 71 1 0 event funding. recent BOLD study was just the lat- may have included processed Salmon 63 12 2 According to the CCA, co-ops est in the growing body of evidence meats in their findings, it specu- Oysters 55 2 1 employed more than 155,000 Cana- that attests to this,” said Gale in an lated. dians last year and held assets of Ham 53 6 2 e-mail. “There’s also mounting evi- Heart disease is responsible more than $370 billion. dence that increasing the amount of for more than 25 percent of Crab 52 1 0 A co-operative political goal this protein in our diets is good for heart American deaths. It is in the top Halibut 41 3 0 year, as it has been in recent years, health as well.” three causes of death in Canada, Tuna (in water) 30 1 0 will be to lobby Ottawa for a tax credit However, lean was the watch- according to the Heart and foraccess=subscriber capital section=farmliving,none,none investments in perpetually word. Stroke Foundation. Source: University of California San Fransisco | WP GRAPHIC under-capitalized co-ops. FARM LIVING THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 75 CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: Vomit drips from the beak of a young turkey vulture. A beaver clasps its lunch in its claws. A long-eared owl peers out from its nest. A bluebird takes a captured grasshopper home for lunch. A mountain bluebird splashes in a bird bath. CENTRE INSET: A sturdy little chickadee perches on a rail. BELOW: A bufflehead fledgling leaves the nest for its first flight | MYRNA PEARMAN PHOTOS NATURE | PHOTOGRAPHY Passion for nature yields tender, thoughtful images Natural talents | Sylvan Lake photographer says some of the best opportunities are just outside her front door BY BRENDA KOSSOWAN take, anything related to natural his- Now 55, Pearman has spent most of FREELANCE WRITER tory — anything related to the earth. her working years at Alberta’s Ellis That gave me a really good grounding Bird Farm, whose nest boxes, feeders SYLVAN LAKE, Alta. — A red fox in the natural sciences.” and natural features provide a wealth slips into the trees as Myrna Pearman Pearman was still taking courses in of subjects. comes to the door, packing a Nikon 1978 when Seidel felt himself about Capturing those images is much digital camera with a long zoom lens to lose his long battle with cancer. He easier with a high-end digital camera attached. asked her to take over his business, that is capable of shooting at nine “Shhh. I think he’s coming back.” giving her his equipment and inven- frames per second and holds the She mouths rather than speaks the tory, including a client list, negatives, electronic equivalent of 10 to 20 rolls words as she peers into the twilight cameras and related equipment. of film, she says. through her kitchen window. Members of Seidel’s family always Capturing action like a bluebird A few minutes later, a fox slips considered Pearman a natural returning with a grasshopper for its around to the north side of the natu- choice to take over the business, says babies or a fox in mid-jump as it hunts ralist’s lakeside home, sniffing out Rebecca Seidel, Seidel’s daughter. mice in the snow is much easier when the goodies she has thrown into the Pearman returned to Rimbey after there is an unlimited supply of record- snow. CARA MOORE PHOTO completing her degree in 1979 and ing medium available, says Pearman. The fox’s bushy tail is almost as big as Junior Senior High School in Alberta. continued with the photography To capture those images, she the rest of its body. It works as a porta- School librarian Rolf Seidel had business alongside painting houses observes the subject’s behaviour, ble duvet, wrapping around the animal strong technical skills and operated his and sweeping chimneys. anticipates the moment and then when it curls up to sleep, says Pearman, own wedding photography business. Her first roll of colour film was her holds the shutter open. The method manager of the Ellis Bird Farm and a He became a close friend and mentor life’s next game changer. has produced photos of animals in strong advocate for the preservation of for Pearman, teaching her how to get It was a time when people were their most vulnerable and fascinating native species, both flora and fauna. the most from the twin-lens, medium- cautious about hitting the shutter moments, such as a mother moose Pearman’s intimate images of wild format cameras in vogue at the time, button, because rolls of film were and her calves foraging in a stand of animals going about their daily busi- along with how to develop and print limited to about 36 images and devel- trees, a beaver packing a huge branch ness appear monthly in the Red Deer her own black and white pictures. oping and printing were expensive. to rebuild the family home after a Advocate. They maintained the friendship Fall colours were at their peak when spring flood and a straight-on shot of a Some of the best opportunities for after Pearman’s graduation in 1973 Pearman ventured out to see what male bluebird, wings spread wide and photographing wildlife occur right and while she pursued a bachelor of images she could capture. packing a freshly caught grasshopper outside the front door, says Pearman, science degree in physical geography After collecting her prints, she to feed its family. whose course in life was set while she at the University of Alberta. showed them to local naturalist and The delete button means the pho- was still a teenager going to school. Pearman chose the program family friend Fred Schutz who, over the tographer can edit the images that Two local men were powerful influ- because of the broad scope of studies span of 40 years, published more than work best, like her closeup of a turkey ences in her decision to pursue a that would be available to her, 2,200 West of the Blindman columns in vulture. The ease and versatility of career that would blend her interest in including geology, biology, ichthyol- the now defunct Rimbey Record. digital cameras mean even the most photography with her desire to study ogy and ornithology. “He just loved nature, so he shared mediocre of photographers can and advocate for the natural world. “If you took physical geography, that with us. When I took my first roll sometimes capture good images, One of five children, Pearman got you were open to take all of the other of colour pictures, he looked at them says Pearman, who sees herself as an her first camera, a Kodak Instamatic, classes,” she says. and he said, ‘Myrna, you’ve got tal- artist but not necessarily a great pho- while she was a student at Rimbey “I took all of the ‘ologies’ I could ent.’ That was all I needed.” tographer. 76 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER FARM LIVING PERSONAL DOCUMENTS | KEEPING RECORDS TIME MANAGEMENT | FAMILY Organize important papers to make life easier Creative is stored in a secure location. TEAM RESOURCES outlet helps FAMILY DOCUMENTS Other important documents that self-esteem need to be kept are immunization records, marriage, birth and adop- tion certificates, divorce or separa- SPEAKING OF LIFE BETTY ANN DEOBALD, BSHEc tion agreements, immigration and citizenship papers, wills, powers of attorney, titles to property and secu- e are moving toward a rities, and life and accident insur- paperless society but there ance policies. They should be stored W is still a need to maintain a in a safety deposit box or fireproof number of important papers, num- container. JACKLIN ANDREWS, BA, MSW bers and files. A bit of yearly organi- List what you have in your safety zation can keep this information safe deposit box and file it with your tax and accessible. January is a good FILE PHOTO information files. Update annually. Our three kids are running time to gather the information and to Your personal, farm and business Q:my husband and me ragged. do an update. If you have youths in your family be carried with you when needed. A financial records need to be main- Th ey are involved in everything. We who are working part-time or are safety deposit box provides a secure tained and retained for at least seven decided that I would quit my job KEEPERS post-secondary students, help them storage option. years. to give us time to keep up with the set up a small filing system. Go Commit to memory your social Some information such as property children’s activities. But it has been Identify what needs to be kept and through a list of what information insurance number and give it out purchase information and expenses hard. I no longer sense that I am why, then identify groups of items they will need when they do their sparingly such as when contacting a to upgrade that property need to be contributing my share to the family that should be kept together such as taxes. government agency. maintained until that property is fi nances and I feel guilty. tax related information, personal They need to keep track of tuition, It is a good idea to make a photo- sold. Receipts and warranty informa- I would like to regain some self- identification, passwords, family books, medical and donation copy of the identification, bank cards tion for large or expensive items esteem I picked up from the work- documents and financial records. receipts, tips or casual earnings and and credit cards that you carry in should be retained until you dispose place but I am not sure how I can go pay stubs. If they have moved for your wallet. Put this information in of the item. about retrieving it when I spend as TAX INFORMATION school or work, moving expense the safety deposit box. That will make Investment information should be much time as I do just scheduling our receipts should also be kept. An it easy to notify your banks, creditors kept as long as you hold the invest- kids and keeping the house in order. Set up files in a filing cabinet, expandable folder is an easy way to and the authorities in case of loss or ment and then for another seven What do you think? drawer or expandable file for tax keep these papers organized. theft. years because it is tax related informa- related information. Some informa- tion. If a computer program is used to Not that many years ago, wom- tion such as medical and donation PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION PASSWORDS AND PINS maintain your financial records, do a A:en were feeling guilty when receipts, tips and occasional earn- regular backup and store the disks in a they went off to work in the morning ing receipts are collected all year Maintaining your personal infor- There are passwords for computer safe location. In addition, securely and did not connect with their kids while T4, T5 slips, RRSPs, pension mation in a safe and secure location programs and electronic devices, store all land and mineral titles, stock until they got home for supper. receipts and tax forms should soon is essential to avoid identity theft. and banking cards and credit cards shares, leases, mortgages, loans and As long as you are home to bet- arrive. Your passport, social insurance now have personal identification agreements for sale. ter manage family commitments, Create new files for the 2012 infor- number, health card, driver’s licence numbers. A wallet, cellphone or lap- It is essential to have this data avail- you can best help your children by mation and file the 2011 year-end and employment identification top computer is not the place for able when a situation arises and it is spending more time looking after slips in the 2011 files as they arrive. cards are all essential pieces of iden- these numbers to be stored. Commit needed. It is much easier to have it yourself. The healthier that you are, When it is time to do your taxes, tification. these numbers to memory and as a organized so you and your family can the better you are able to support the everything will be in one spot. Your passport and SIN should only backup, list them in a notebook that access it. family. Your first challenge is to make sure that you have a structure in place to better manage your time when the children are in school and their dad is BANANA BREAD OATMEAL working. You may be your own boss now but you still have to use your This is an easy and delicious hot time wisely and organize the daily breakfast that will fill you up. chores. Your second chore is to keep the 1 c. skim milk 250 mL whole family engaged in daily 1 tbsp. brown sugar, 15 mL responsibilities. Don’t let your guilt firmly packed drive you into thinking that you have 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 mL to do everything because you are at dash of salt (optional) home. Part of your children’s self- dash of ground nutmeg esteem is drawn from understanding 2/3 c. quick or old 150 mL that they are vital participants in the fashioned, uncooked family. The more important they are rolled oats to the home, the greater their sense of 1/3 c. banana, mashed 75 mL self-worth, and the more they are 2 tsp. toasted pecans, 30 mL able to process the successes and coarsely chopped failures thrown at them from various plain or vanilla nonfat community activities. yogurt (optional) Finally, you need to schedule banana slices (optional) activities that are personally reward- pecan halves (optional) ing for you. These activities will help you feel good about yourself, what In a medium saucepan, heat milk, you are doing and what you have sugar, salt and spices until steaming, done. watch carefully. Stir in oats. Heat to a At one time, many women were boil, reduce heat to medium. isolated in their homes. With all of Cook one minute for quick oats, five the electronic media at your finger- minutes for old-fashioned oats or until Warm your body and spirit with a bowl of banana bread oatmeal and toasted pecans. | BETTY ANN DEOBALD PHOTO tips and those incredibly complicat- most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring ed cellphones, you can be as con- occasionally. nected to global events as you were Remove from heat and stir in on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave NUTRITION INFORMATION (Serving Size: 1/2 recipe) when you were working. mashed banana and pecans. on high for one minute, stir and con- You can be involved in the world Spoon oatmeal into two cereal tinue to microwave on high at 30 sec- Percent of daily while staying home, looking after requirement bowls. Top with yogurt, sliced banana ond intervals until the nuts are fra- yourself, tending to your family and or pecan halves, if desired. grant and light brown. Calories: 220 11% Fibre: 4 g 16% keeping up with the community Adapted from www.quakeroats. Total Fat: 3.5 g 6% Sugars: 18 g activities in which you children are To toast pecans, spread evenly in com. Saturated fat: 0.5 g 3% Protein: 8 g 17% involved. a shallow baking pan. Bake at 350 F Trans fat: 0 Vitamin A: 277 IU 6% (180 C) seven minutes or until light Betty Ann Deobald is a home economist from Cholesterol: 5 mg 1% Vitamin C: 4 IU 6% golden brown. Jacklin Andrews is a family counsellor Rosetown, Sask., and a member of Team Sodium: 55 mg 2% Calcium: 179 mg 20% from Saskatchewan. Contact: jandrews@ To microwave, spread nuts evenly Resources. Contact: [email protected]. Carbohydrates: 40 g 13% Iron: 2 mg 10% producer.com. FARM LIVING THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 77 A mobile greenhouse allows Cropthorne Farm, operated by Lydia and Rachel Ryall, to provide fresh greens year-round. Lydia, left and right, focuses on the details to ensure high quality products. Rachel, middle, sells at the Vancouver Farmers’ Market. | TAMARA LEIGH PHOTOS ON THE FARM | SMALL PLOT AGRICULTURE Vegetables fulfil farming, family interests Building reputation | Sisters combine growing and marketing skills to meet local demand for organic produce BY TAMARA LEIGH time going down the tomato rows based,” Lydia says. passed down to Rachel and myself,” FREELANCE WRITER where every row looks the same.” Making small-lot agriculture profit- says Lydia. We are expanding slowly After earning a diploma in agricul- able is a delicate balance, closely tied “When we go to the markets, people DELTA, B.C. — Canadian farmers ture production at Olds College and a to the local markets and preferences can see the quality of our produce and are usually done harvesting before because we are still learning bachelor of science in agriculture at of the customer. they are willing to pay for it. January but at Cropthorne Farm, so many other things about the the University of Lethbridge, Lydia “You quickly start realizing what “We are expanding slowly because they are still bringing in the greens business. It’s good to be a little took a job with the Alberta govern- you like to grow and what grows well we are still learning so many other and winter vegetables for markets in bit cautious. ment before making the commit- in your area,” says Lydia, describing things about the business. It’s good to Vancouver. ment to farming. the learning curve. “It’s also a matter be a little bit cautious.” In a corner of a farm dominated by LYDIA RYALL “Rachel has her family and the farm of what the customers want. You get a The sisters are celebrating 2011 as a an 18-acre greenhouse complex, CROPTHORNE FARM is my baby,” she says. pretty good idea of what is profitable banner year, but there are uncertain sisters Lydia and Rachel Ryall are The sisters work well together, bal- and what is not. times ahead. working the soil for their small-scale ancing each other’s skills and tem- “Every year, something entices me Their parents recently sold the land market vegetable business. Lydia and Rachel are third genera- peraments. Lydia is in charge of the and this year, I’m going to try okra. I that Lydia and Rachel were leasing The pair is heading into a fourth tion farmers. Their parents, David growing, while Rachel manages the went to an Ethiopian restaurant and along with the family greenhouse year of production. and Sarah, have spent 40 years build- marketing and farmers’ markets. there was an okra dish that was abso- business. They have one more year Using organic principles, the sisters ing their greenhouse business and For Rachel, farming is as much about lutely amazing, so we’ll do a small on the current plot, while they look grow 40 varieties of vegetables on advocating for the B.C. industry. family as it is about the business. trial and see how it grows,” she says. for a permanent home or long-term three acres and run a small pasture- Lydia inherited her parents’ pas- “We have a hard time seeing our- They have developed a loyal follow- lease for their operation. based poultry operation. sion for agriculture but wasn’t inter- selves anywhere less rural. It’s hard to ing at local markets and are involved “It’s exciting,” says Lydia. “Right “The focus is on farming with ested in taking over the family green- think of living in the suburbs raising in a popular community supported now, our walk-in cooler is too small respect for the natural environment,” house business. our kids,” she says of her husband, agriculture program with a waiting and we need another hoop house. says Lydia. “I really want to keep off- “I’ve always wanted to be outside. I John, and their daughters, Isla and list. Having permanent access to farm- farm inputs low. I don’t want to get on like working with the seasons and the Adelaide. “Mom and Dad have always focused land will allow us to develop that that treadmill.” weather. I like diversity. I have a hard “All of Isla’s first words were plant- on quality and that’s really been infrastructure and be more efficient.” CANCER | LIFESTYLE Study shows adjusting diet, lifestyle reduces cancer risks simply good luck that determines Unfortunately, the researchers did HEALTH CLINIC whether a person gets cancer or not. A STUDY SHOWED EATING ABOUT not specify which types of bread However, a British study found were consumed. They found that that unhealthy lifestyles and other SLICES OF BREAD the group that ate the most bread, detrimental environmental factors A WEEK INCREASES about 35 slices weekly or five daily, are responsible for as many as half THE RISK OF were almost twice as likely to devel- the new cases of cancer diagnosed 35 op primary kidney cancer as those KIDNEY CANCER each year. who had just 11 slices a week or 1 1/2 CLARE ROWSON, MD Max Parkin of Cancer Research per day. U.K. published a paper in the British smoking, not eating too much salt cases can be prevented by not smok- There will always be examples of Journal of Cancer. Researchers and consuming more fruits and veg- ing, but more significantly, half of all people who live a long time despite Is it true that unhealthy life- looked at 14 lifestyle factors such as etables. other types of cancer can be avoided bad habits. My father died at 84 Q:styles are some of the main smoking, drinking, dietary habits, When they looked at sex differenc- as well. despite smoking a pack of unfiltered causes of cancer? I know people who salt intake and whether women had es, they found that many of the can- The researchers also looked at cigarettes each day all his adult life. It drank and smoked and lived to a babies and breastfed their infants. cers in men could have been pre- occupational exposure to things like might have helped that he never good old age despite their bad habits. They compared them to the rates of vented by eating more fruit and veg- asbestos, infections such as human drove a car, but walked everywhere I think good genes are more impor- different types of cancers. etables, while for women, being papillomavirus and sunburn, which and even rode a bike into his 60s. tant. What is your opinion? For example, they expected to find obese was more risky than alcohol are also preventable. However, he may have lived to 94 if he a link between smoking and lung consumption. Uterine cancer was A study in Milan, Italy, demon- wasn’t a smoker. Th ere have been several stud- cancer, but were surprised to dis- definitely linked to obesity. strated a clear link between eating A:ies on this topic recently. Most coveraccess=subscriber that section=farmliving,none,none three quarters of stomach Looking at the problem in another lots of bread and the risk of getting Clare Rowson is a retired medical doctor in people think it is good genes or cancers could be avoided by not way, one quarter of all lung cancer renal cancer. Belleville, Ont. Contact: [email protected]. 78 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER FARM LIVING ON SILVER POND Centennial Column Celebrating 100 years of students at the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. The Centennial Column is a weekly feature highlighting the history and present successes of the college. First Quarter Century University Stone Barn was completed in 1912. Photo from the University of Children take advantage of a watershed that has been dammed to provide a skating rink in a coulee near Saskatchewan Archives. Madden, Alta. The government spent a lot of time and effort in summer making sure the water would flow freely down the coulee but didn’t count on a beaver damming the water. | PATRICK PRICE PHOTO When the college opened its doors to students in 1912, there were only three subject-matter departments — Animal Husbandry, Field Husbandry and Agricultural Engineering. These were the subjects considered at the time to be crucial to the development of agriculture in SLOW FOODS | ALBERTA the province, but the need for expertise and services in other agricultural disciplines soon became apparent. The college’s dedication to public service was established from the outset by the work of its fourth unit — the Department of Agricultural Extension. This unit helped to assure that the college would never lose touch with the agricultural producers of the Common ground sought province and their organizations. The Department of Dairying was established in 1914, followed by Poultry Husbandry (1916), Soils (1919), Horticulture and Protective Forestry (1921), and Farm Management (1925). In 1926, the Department for slow food concept of Agriculture Engineering was placed under the dual sponsorship of the colleges of Engineering and Agriculture. Two important early service units associated with the college were established in its fi rst quarter century: Fighting for fair wages, prices | Commercial agriculture is not feeding the Animal Diseases Laboratory (1924), administered by the Department the world but degrading the environment: slow foods movement of Animal Husbandry, and the Food Quality Control Laboratory (1930), under the direction of the Department of Dairying. BY BARB GLEN marry the two, and work together The fi rst quarter century saw a modest but consistent growth in the LETHBRIDGE BUREAU and collaborate.” college’s resources. The college’s initial core of buildings consisted of Simple changes to large-scale agri- the College Building, the Agricultural Engineering Building and the Jackie Chalmers is critical of com- culture can make a difference, Stock Pavilion. Shortly after the completion of these structures in 1911, mercial agriculture although she Chalmers said. Planting hedgerows construction began on the Dean of Agriculture’s residence (now the understands its drivers. to provide wildlife habitat and retain- Faculty Club). That same year the college’s Stone Barn, Poultry Building, The president of the southern JACKIE CHALMERS ing wetlands to help control ground- Sheep Barn, and Farrowing Barn were built. The fi rst horticulture Alberta convivium of the Slow Food SLOW FOOD water are two examples that could greenhouse was constructed in 1916. Others were added in 1918 and movement talked about its concepts help. 1925. In 1929 the Field Husbandry Building (later named the Crop and how it differs from a “feed the “Those simple kinds of things can Science Building) was built. world” focus at the Southern Alberta slow food movement’s beliefs. make a tremendous difference… We Council of Public Affairs meeting in “We must let go of the mantra that should not consider ourselves two The fi rst 25 years of research by the college produced great benefi ts Lethbridge Jan. 12. we’re feeding the world. We’re not. solitudes. There’s no upside.” for the people of Saskatchewan. As a result of new, hardy crops, Slow food as a global movement Because of this quest, which has improved production and management practices, and better dairy was founded in 1986 to counteract been promoted by the multination- products, millions of dollars in agricultural production were added to fast food and make people aware of als, we have degraded our ecoscape,” TREAT YOUR TUMMY the Saskatchewan economy. Notable early achievements in research the taste and value of locally pro- she said. • The Slow Movement was founded include: the initiation of the fi rst soil survey of the province, which helped duced food. “We must let the world feed itself. by Carlo Petrini in 1986. Slow determine the suitability of our soils for different types of agriculture; the It now has more than 100,000 mem- Two point four percent of the popula- Food became an international improvement in quality of Saskatchewan’s dairy products that led, in bers in 153 countries. tion in North America are farmers. … association in 1989. 1926, to the development of the Canadian butter grading system; the The southern Alberta group, formed For the rest of the planet, 60 percent last spring, has about 20 members, are farmers. What a tremendous and • Slow Food believes in the right to licensing of Fairway crest wheatgrass in 1932, a very valuable forage grass gastronomic pleasure. It stresses still used extensively throughout Saskatchewan; and crossbreeding studies said Chalmers. There are also groups, untapped resource.” called convivia, in Edmonton and Chalmers acknowledged that the need for taste education as in animals and poultry, particularly beef cattle investigations carried out Calgary. North Americans have come to the best defence against poor from 1929 to 1937 at the Matador ranch. quality food and food process- “Our supporters are joined by the expect cheap food and commercial ing. By learning how to enjoy pleasure of good food and our com- agriculture evolved in part to deliver From the College of Agriculture Highlights 1911-1986. flavourful food it hopes to combat mitment to our community and to that. As a result, farmers expanded www.agbio.usask.ca the invasion of fast food into our the environment,” said Chalmers. operations to become more efficient diets. Slow Food has called this “We are a group of folks who care and profitable. approach ecogastronomy. about what we eat, where it is grown, Local food produced in an environ- how it is grown and how it got here. mentally sustainable way costs more, • When McDonald’s planned to build We believe in knowing the faces of and so does slow food’s commitment a franchise outlet near the Piazza Congratulating the our food.” to pay people fair wages for farm pro- di Spagna in Rome in 1986, Carlo College of Agriculture Chalmers said industrial agricul- duce and farm labour, said Chalmers. Petrini organized a demonstration and Bioresources on ture has failed to reduce global hun- “Commercial agriculture isn’t all in which he and his followers brandished bowls of penne as 100 years of students! ger partly through its failure to recog- bad and slow food isn’t all good. We nize the value and wisdom of the must marry the two,” she said in a weapons of protest. world’s farmers. As well, industrial later interview. • Slow food supports healthy, less agriculture’s embrace of genetically “We must take what’s good in com- intensive agriculture that can modified crops, big production and mercial agriculture and take what is access=subscriberbe economically section=farmliving,none,none beneficial in monocultures runs counter to the known in traditional wisdom and developing countries. WEATHER THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | JANUARY 19, 2012 79 TEMP. PRECIP. THIS WEEK’S TEMPERATURE FORECAST MAP MAP THIS WEEK’S PRECIPITATION FORECAST Jan. 19 - 25 (averages are in °C) Jan. 19 - 25 (averages are in mm) Much above normal Above Churchill normal Churchill Prince George Prince George Edmonton Normal Edmonton Saskatoon Calgary Saskatoon Vancouver Below Calgary Regina normal Vancouver Winnipeg Regina Winnipeg Much below normal The numbers on the above maps are average temperature and precipitation figures for the forecast week, based on historical data from 1971-2000. LAST WEEK’S WEATHER SUMMARY ENDING SUNDAY, JAN. 15 n/a = not available; tr = trace; 1 inch = 25.4 millimetres (mm) SASKATCHEWAN ALBERTA MANITOBA Temperature Precipitation Temperature Precipitation Temperature Precipitation last week last week since Nov. 1 last week last week since Nov. 1 last week last week since Nov. 1 High Low mm mm % High Low mm mm % High Low mm mm % Assiniboia 8.8 -19.3 0.9 14.4 35 Brooks 13.6 -21.7 1.0 14.6 36 Brandon 4.5 -23.8 2.4 28.5 55 Broadview 6.9 -22.7 0.3 29.3 58 Calgary 10.7 -24.0 4.1 30.2 78 Dauphin 5.0 -29.0 2.1 22.9 40 Eastend 9.2 -21.7 1.0 19.1 36 Cold Lake 6.1 -25.1 3.6 31.9 64 Gimli 5.1 -24.9 1.6 17.0 29 Estevan 7.4 -19.3 2.0 32.3 69 Coronation 11.7 -23.2 1.3 23.2 53 Melita 8.6 -22.3 0.0 7.0 13 Kindersley 7.7 -22.0 0.8 42.5 117 Edmonton 7.8 -24.6 1.5 38.9 73 Morden 7.6 -23.2 0.0 8.9 14 Maple Creek 13.2 -20.1 1.1 16.1 33 Grande Prairie 5.6 -25.5 5.3 40.9 59 Portage la Prairie 6.7 -22.1 4.2 27.8 45 Meadow Lake 4.7 -22.7 0.0 12.4 25 High Level 1.7 -27.1 4.5 53.8 87 Swan River 2.0 -28.2 5.2 36.6 62 Melfort 2.3 -23.4 1.4 22.7 46 Lethbridge 12.2 -22.7 1.7 13.2 28 Winnipeg 5.1 -25.5 1.9 19.8 33 Nipawin 3.4 -26.4 1.4 27.0 50 Lloydminster 5.7 -24.8 0.0 1.8 4 North Battleford 6.8 -21.0 0.5 13.5 30 Medicine Hat 12.4 -19.9 3.7 27.7 66 Prince Albert 2.3 -23.5 5.1 34.0 70 Milk River 10.7 -23.8 1.6 28.3 50 BRITISH COLUMBIA Regina 5.8 -20.1 0.5 21.1 50 Peace River 5.4 -26.0 3.5 38.4 66 Cranbrook 7.4 -14.2 2.6 79.5 63 Rockglen 8.1 -18.4 0.7 25.4 59 Pincher Creek 5.9 -23.1 14.3 62.6 82 Fort St. John 5.9 -25.7 6.1 70.8 103 Saskatoon 5.1 -26.2 3.6 11.4 27 Red Deer 10.2 -23.7 3.9 35.6 72 Kamloops 11.9 -14.0 8.2 29.4 40 Swift Current 9.7 -23.0 3.5 28.1 66 Stavely 11.0 -22.9 7.0 42.1 71 Kelowna 6.1 -12.2 0.8 25.8 25 Val Marie 9.8 -22.0 3.4 20.7 52 Vegreville 8.7 -25.0 2.3 26.8 53 Prince George 5.8 -20.6 3.2 104.7 74 Yorkton 3.3 -25.3 1.1 20.0 39 Wynyard 7.4 -21.3 4.1 18.7 40 All data provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s National Agroclimate Information Service: www.agr.gc.ca/drought. Data has undergone only preliminary quality checking. Maps provided by WeatherTec Services Inc.: www.weathertec.mb.ca PUBLISHER: LARRY HERTZ EDITOR: JOANNE PAULSON MANAGING EDITOR: MICHAEL RAINE BOX 2500, SASKATOON, SASK., S7K 2C4 (STREET ADDRESS: 2310 MILLAR AVENUE) TELEPHONE: (306) 665-3500 THE WESTERN PRODUCER IS A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARMERS SINCE 1923. PUBLISHED AT SASKATOON, SASK., BY WESTERN PRODUCER PUBLICATIONS, OWNED BY GLACIER MEDIA, INC. PRINTED IN CANADA. ADVERTISING The Western Producer reserves the EDITORIAL Include your full name, address CANADIAN HERITAGE right to revise, edit, classify or reject and phone number for verification ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Classified ads: 1-800-667-7770 any advertisement submitted to it for Newsroom: 1-800-667-6978 purposes. Display ads: 1-800-667-7776 publication. Fax: (306) 934-2401 We acknowledge the financial support In Saskatoon: (306) 665-3515 News editor: TERRY FRIES To contact a columnist, write the of the Government of Canada through Fax: (306) 653-8750 SUBSCRIPTIONS e-mail: [email protected] letter in care of this newspaper. We’ll the Canada Periodical Fund of the forward it to the columnist. Department of Canadian Heritage. HOURS: Subscriptions: 1-800-667-6929 News stories and photos to be Return undeliverable Canadian Mon.& Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. In Saskatoon: (306) 665-3522 submitted by Friday each week, but Coming Events/ Stock Sales/ Mailbox Tues., Wed., Thurs. 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Fax: (306) 244-9445 the sooner, the better. addresses to Subscriptions, Box 2500, Please send pertinent details and Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 2C4 e-mail: [email protected] Subs. supervisor: HORTENSE PEREIRA include a phone number or call (306) Advertising director: KELLY BERG e-mail: [email protected] The Western Producer Online 665-3544. You may fax information to Classified sales mgr: SHAUNA BRAND Features all current classified ads (306) 934-2401 or send it to SUBSCRIPTION RATES and other information. Ads posted [email protected] ADVERTISING RATES Within Canada: online each Thursday morning. Visit Classified liner ads (3 line minimum): One year: $72.92 + applicable taxes our website at www.producer.com or If you’d like to buy a photo that Two years: $135.64 + applicable taxes $5.65 per printed line contact [email protected] appeared in the paper, call our ™ Printed with inks Classified display ads: Sask. / Alberta add 5% GST. Manitoba add containing canola oil 5% GST & 7% PST. Ontario add 13% HST. librarian at (306) 665-9606. $6.30 per agate line B.C. add 12% HST. Nova Scotia add 15% HST. Letters to the Editor/contact a ROP display: columnist Mail, fax or e-mail letters Member, Canadian Farm Press Association United States $158.00 US/year This is also the number to call if you’d $8.95 per agate line to [email protected] or like a copy of a news story. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240 All other countries $315.00 Cdn/year [email protected] Per copy retail $3.75 plus taxes Registration No. 10676 Holistic Management is an approach Please join us for wine and cheese. REGISTRATION IS Monday February. 20th 8:00pm EARLY BIRD WESTERN to managing resources that builds NON-REFUNDABLE Registration includes: REGISTRATION ADDITIONAL BANQUET 2 lunches, banquet,& breakfast at the Comfort Inn Yorkton. (On or before February 3, 2012) biodiversity, improves production and TICKETS $25.00 EACH. & admission to all sessions. $150.00 Pp. CANADIAN generates fi nancial strength. LATE REGISTRATION name ______Accommodations It improves quality of life while enhancing (After February 3, 2012) name (additional registrant) ______Block booked under the $200.00 P.p. Western Canadian Comfort Inn HOLISTIC the environment that sustains us all. Holistic Management mailing address ______Conference.Ramada Inn 22 Dracup Ave., phone ______extra banquet______100 Broadway St. E. Yorkton, SK. S3N 3W1 MANAGEMENT p: (306) 783-0333 e-mail ______Yorkton, SK. S3N 0K9 p: (306) 783-9781 CONFERENCE Pre-payment by cheque only (mail). Please make cheque payable to: healthy people, Yorkton Agricultural Information Inc - “YAI” www.holisticmanagement.org GALLAGHER CENTER Send to Ministry of Agriculture Organizational Assistance provided by: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture healthy land ! Manitoba Agriculture, Holistic Management International YORKTON, SK Regional Services Branch 38 - 5th Avenue N. Yorkton, SK S3N 0Y8 Food and Rural Initiatives Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Manitoba Forage Council Canadian Forage and Grassland Assoc. FEBRUARY 21-22, 2012 & healthy profits Phone: (306) 786-1531 Fax: (306) 786-1511 Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Dev. Yorkton Agricultural Information Inc. 80 JANUARY 19, 2012 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER The PROVING TM GROUND. 1000 Large-scale plots across Westernsternstern Canada.Canada. More than any other seed company, Pioneer Hi-Bred tests our genetics where it really matters: in fields close to yours. In 2011, over 1000 large-scale 45H29 Hybrid with built-in Pioneer Protector® Clubroot resistance trait. Proving Ground™ plots were grown across Western Canada. These canola, corn and soybean trials Pioneer® Comparison # of Pioneer Comp. Yield Yield Product Brand/Product Comp. Yield Yield Adv. % Win are grower-managed under real-world growing 45H29 DeKalb 73-45RR 80 49.6 48.5 1.1 60% conditions and farming practices. 45H29 DeKalb 73-65RR 20 45.3 43.9 1.4 70% Our goal is to give you “advice well-grounded” 45H29 InVigor 5440 23 54.9 55.4 -0.5 48% so together we can help position the right Pioneer® brand seed product for every acre you grow. Talk with your local Pioneer Hi-Bred sales rep for more information. 45S52 Hybrid with Pioneer Protector® Sclerotinia resistance built-in. www.pioneer.com/yield Pioneer® Comparison # of Pioneer Comp. Yield Yield Product Brand/Product Comp. Yield Yield Adv. % Win 45S52 DeKalb 73-45RR 26 54.3 53.0 1.3 54% 2-year (2010-2011) yield data collected from large-scale, grower managed trials across Western Canada as of December 16, 2011. Product responses are variable and subject to any 45S52 Pioneer 45H29 184 50.8 50.5 0.3 53% number of environmental, disease and pest pressures. Individual results may vary. Multi-year and multi-location data is a better predictor of future performance. DO NOT USE THIS OR ANY OTHER DATA FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF TRIALS AS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN PRODUCT SELECTION. Refer to www.pioneer.com/yield or contact a Pioneer sales representative for the latest and complete listing of traits and scores for each Pioneer® brand product. ® Roundup Ready and Roundup are registered trademarks used under license from ® ® 46H75 Monsanto Company. CLEARFIELD is a registered trademark of BASF. Pioneer brand ® products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of Pioneer brand 46H75 is a new leader hybrid the labelling and purchase documents. Pioneer is a brand name; numbers identify products. in the Clearfield® segment. ®, SM, TM NEW Trademarks and service marks licensed to Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited. © 2011 PHL. PR2305_PrvngGrnd_v2_WP_N_E Pioneer® Comparison # of Pioneer Comp. Yield Yield Product Brand/Product Comp. Yield Yield Adv. % Win 46H75 Pioneer 45H73 57 41.6 40.5 1.1 63%