Big Shows Offer a Chance to Reconnect

Rely on the unrivalled BREEDING standability of Proven Seed BIG BIRDS Just how did today’s poultry become so large? » PG 3 Learn more at provenseed.ca or ask your CPS retailer

Publications Mail Agreement # 40069240

VOLUME 11, NUMBER 22 OCTOBER 27, 2014

High costs slowing cattle herd Big shows offer a expansion Canada’s beef cattle industry is poised for chance to reconnect expansion, but will high capital costs cause Every year, Alberta’s farm shows attract hundreds of thousands of visitors — delays? and socializing remains the major draw

BY JENNIFER BLAIR AF STAFF

trong prices are signalling that it’s time to start retain- S ing heifers and build the herd — but rising capital costs could cause some producers to hold off. “There’s lots of opportunities, but it’s costly,” said Rick Dehod, farm financial specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. A decade of pain and low prices means many producers have other priorities than expanding at the moment, he said. “A lot of those ladies and gentlemen for the last 13 years have kept their cost of production down, and they’ve really managed their farms well and survived,” he said. “But they’re behind on some of their working capital and some of the things that need to be done. “I’m sure they’re going to take their profit and meet some personal goals and some farm goals prior to keeping those cows back.” That’s the plan on Jake Meyer’s farm south of Lethbridge.

SEE HIGH COSTS  page 7

The cattle on show are only one of the attractions at Farmfair International. PHOTO: FARMFAIR

Before there were gest running — farm shows. With nearly BY JENNIFER BLAIR 300 exhibitors and 90,000 visitors over the smartphones, Twitter AF STAFF week-long show, Farmfair attracts farmers and Facebook, farmers from across the country who come to talk nd that’s still what keeps ’em coming shop about beef. perfected the art of social back for Alberta’s two biggest farm “It’s where the beef industry comes to networking the good old- A shows. meet,” said Fiddler. “It’s the largest beef “For agricultural folk, whenever they event in Alberta, and that is the major fashioned way — face to face gather, networking is a major component draw.” of what they do,” said Dave Fiddler, show Over the years, Farmfair has added equine at meetings, trade shows, manager for Farmfair International. events and sales, entertainment, and com- and conferences during the The Edmonton event has grown from petitions to appeal to a broader audience humble beginnings 41 years ago into one busy winter season. of Western Canada’s largest — and lon- SEE BIG SHOWS  page 6

CENTURY OF SOLUTIONS AG SCHOOL SAVOURS ITS SUCCESSES  PAGE 2 2 NEWS » INSIDE THIS WEEK OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

INSIDE » LIVESTOCK CROPS COLUMNISTS

VOTING FOR THE SKINNY A COCKTAIL BRENDA SCHOEPP VADIM ON RATIONS FOR CROPS TRADE DEALS 2.0 4 Alberta vet creates social media sensation 42 VICKY HORN CREATING OUR LIFE’S MICROBIAL MASTERPIECE 5 ECO-WARRIORS Biobeds a simple way to KELSEY BEASLEY Cows cost big money if DANCING WITH MOTHER prevent pesticide they’re too light heading Building more productive soil contamination 19 NATURE into winter 12 with multi-species cover crops 17 5

Benchmark survey for cattle New book catalogues a sector

BY JENNIFER BLAIR AF STAFF ‘century of solutions’ at

More than 1,500 western Canadian cow-calf producers are needed for a management survey that will help U of A’s ag department guide provincial extension and research activities for the beef cattle industry. Department started in 1915 with just 16 students and “What we’re hoping to do is get farmers to fill out the survey and has gone on to win national and international renown tell us what they did last year,” said Barry Yaremcio, beef and forage specialist with Alberta Agriculture thing readable, entertaining, and and Rural Development. BY ALEXIS KIENLEN enjoyable... There are no footnotes or The survey, which will be available AF STAFF academic language. We just wanted before the end of October, will look to make it a really great story that all at common management measure- hundred years of scientific kinds of readers can enjoy and get ments, including calf birth and mor- innovation and agricultural something out of.” tality rates, vaccinations, weaning, A advancements produced by Gillespie said he was surprised both and culls. Once the data is compiled, University of Alberta faculty and by the diversity of the faculty and the producers will have a chance to researchers is being celebrated impact the school and its alumni have compare their results with the in a new book entitled A Century had both nationally and internation- provincial average. of Solutions. ally. Reading about past deans and “What we’ll do with these surveys The Department of Agriculture — faculty members and their various is give them the information back now the faculty of agriculture, life eccentricities was particularly enjoy- and say, ‘OK, this is how you ranked and environmental sciences (ALES) able, he added. against your peers provincially, and — was established in 1915 and had 16 here’s some suggestions on what you students that first year. In was a quiet might want to look at to improve,’” start, but much has happened since, said Yaremcio. said author Curtis Gillespie. “It is unbelievable the “We’ll tell him if you’ve got an 85 “It is unbelievable the number of per cent calving rate and the indus- things they do in that faculty — it’s number of things they do try average is 90 per cent, there’s an just mind blowing,” said Gillespie, in that faculty. It’s just opportunity for improvement.” who with fellow Edmontonian writer The data will also be compared Theresa Shea spent a year researching mind blowing.” to baselines established in 1988 the book. and 1998. “Every single thing the faculty how much of its research has been on “What we’re trying to do is see how does touches every other faculty on CURTIS how to keep food production up to the management techniques have campus. ALES really uses every other GILLESPIE pace with the population explosion,” changed by producers over the last 15 faculty. You can’t say that about he said. years.” other faculties.” The 250-page-plus, heavily illus- The survey can be completed The history is a general interest book, trated book, which costs $20, can be online through the Western Beef he said. “Dean Fred Bentley, for example, purchased from the agriculture faculty. Development Centre, Alberta Beef “We wanted a narrative book that was so frantically worried that we (the It was released last week at the kick- Producers, and provincial Agriculture wasn’t too academic,” said Gillespie. human race) were going to breed our- off to what will be a year of centenary Ministry websites. Hard-copy surveys “In discussions with the dean (John selves into extinction — that was all he events, including a number of public will be available at government exten- Kennelly), (communications man- talked about,” Gillespie said. lectures and events. For more info, go sion offices and industry meetings ager) Michel (Proulx), and the others “Fifty years later, the global popula- to www.ales100.ales.ualberta.ca. this winter. who were involved with the project, tion has exploded. But then, the thing they decided that they wanted some- that’s so fascinating about ALES is [email protected] [email protected]

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Proven Seed is the secret The tale of how to a successful harvest chickens got so big Today’s strain of chickens are four times bigger than the broilers of 60 years ago, and they need only half the feed

Learn more at provenseed.ca or ask your CPS retailer

You lookin’ at me? Today’s broilers can channel their inner Robert DeNiro — they’re bruisers compared to their 1950s’ era cousins. PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

from 1978, and the third was a mod- genetics,” said Zuidhof. “We didn’t BY ALEXIS KIENLEN ern commercial variety developed in feed them hormones. This is decisive AF STAFF 2005. evidence that it’s not hormones — All three sets were given the same it’s genetics.” modern broiler chicken grows feed and raised under identical con- The media inquiries have given a whopping four times faster ditions — but the end result was the professor a chance to explain the A than one bred in the 1950s dramatically different. After 56 days, basics of livestock breeding, and why — and packs on those pounds with the scrawny ’57 model weighed 905 chickens have changed so quickly. much less feed. grams and while the ’78 version was “The chicken is like the drosophila “They’re much more efficient,” double the size, it still looks puny (fruit fly) of the livestock industry,” said Martin Zuidhof, associate pro- compared to the 4.2-kilogram mod- he said. “If you want to see genetic fessor poultry systems at the Univer- ern bird. changes quickly, you choose a model sity of Alberta. “It takes half the feed “We also took some pictures and that has a short generation time and to grow a bird.” that’s one of the reasons why this lots of progeny. The chicken isn’t a fly Zuidhof has been getting lots of study has become fairly popular,” but on the spectrum of livestock, the calls from reporters since he and fel- said Zuidhof. chicken is the most fruitful.” low researchers from the University Not surprisingly, some thought Actually, the seeds of change were and Alberta agriculture published something untoward was behind the planted more than 70 years ago when a study on chicken breeding in the growth spurt. American grocer A&P began holding journal Poultry Science. The research- “The subject of hormones has “Chicken of Tomorrow” contests to ers raised three types of commercial come up a couple of times, and we spur development of a meat chicken broilers — the first group was from can honestly say that the only thing at a time when most broilers were a strain developed in 1957, another that was different in this study was culls or spent layers. “Traditionally, they were grown for eggs and at the end of a laying cycle, STRAIN 1957 1978 2005 you’d stew a chicken in a pot and you had a little bit of meat from it,” said Zuidhof. A number of farmers entered the contest, selecting and breeding their biggest birds. That led to mod- 0 DAYS 34 kg 42 kg 44 kg ern breeding programs with the emphasis on growth rates and feed efficiency. The short breeding cycle made for rapid gains, said Zuidhof. “You get a fast-growing chicken that has 120 progeny (in a year). If it’s a male, closer to 1,000. You can multiply your best genetics over a lot of progeny, from which you then select from again.” 28 DAYS 316 kg 632 kg 1,396 kg That’s not only led to bigger birds, but ones that suit the market. Breast meat now accounts for 20 per cent of live body weight versus just 11 per cent a half-century ago. A wave of consolidation left just two big chicken breeders (Cobb- Vantress and Aviagen, both head- quartered in the southeastern U.S.).

GRAPHIC: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS They still select for growth, yield and efficiency, but also for qualities like leg strength and resistance to metabolic disorders, which has made today’s chicken quite robust and with a lower mortality rate, said Zuidhof. 905 kg 1,808 kg 4,202 kg 56 DAYS [email protected] 4 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

EDITOR Glenn Cheater Phone: 780-919-2320 Email: [email protected] twitter: @glenncheater Reporters Alexis Kienlen, Edmonton 780-668-3121 Email: [email protected] Jennifer Blair, Red Deer Trade deals open a door, but 403-613-7573 Email: [email protected] PRODUCTION director meeting customers’ needs is the key Shawna Gibson Email: [email protected] Europe has agreed to lower its tariffs, but will only accept Director of Sales & Circulation Lynda Tityk beef raised without growth promotants and beta-agonists Email: [email protected] CIRCULATION manager as the EU looks specifically for ship and our industry adapt to study found an enabling regu- Heather Anderson Email: [email protected] By brenda schoepp beef that has not been enhanced this new reality? latory environment is the back- af columnist with growth promotants or beta- If not, the beauty of trade lib- ground in all business decisions, national ADVERTISING SALES agonists. We cannot look away eralization is that businesses and that includes regulations James Shaw Phone: 416-231-1812 Fax: 416-233-4858 rade agreements have from this. can deal with foreign business and taxation as well as market Email: [email protected] changed in nature. Can- Our other trade agreements and be supported in doing so. access. Regardless of the prod- ada once went through shirt-tail trade acceptance, Private-sector standards are uct, there must be an avenue to ADVERTISING sales T a formal process via GATT such as with Japan and Korea. not set by governments, but they sell it. Crystal McPeak Phone: 403-646-6211 or 403-360-3210 or WTO. Now it is first come, The U.S. was first at the gate and are part of the agreement. It is Expecting a windfall when Email: [email protected] first serve. This has been both coming in second on a trade part of the role of government industry won’t meet brand favourable and limiting for our agreement does not mean pref- classified ADVERTISING SALES to inform and promote those expectations or product stan- country. erential treatment. There can be standards, but it can only do so Sharon Komoski dards is folly. It is also a waste Phone: 1-888-413-3325 Fax: 204-944-5562 Trade liberalization is just that enhancers to trade agreements if and when they exist. of time to continue to hope upon Email: [email protected] — the freeing of trade. This tran- that pave a smoother way for a star when your country is the scends from country to country investors in both Canada and bridesmaid in the trade agree- ADVERTISING Co-ordinator and even penetrates from busi- their trading partners. That does ment, such as the case with Arlene Bomback Phone: 204-944-5765 Fax: 204-944-5562 ness to country. It allows for the not guarantee a transfer of value. Canadians who Japan. Certainly tariffs will be Email: [email protected] reduction or elimination of tar- For example, on a per-kilo- reduced, but slowly and over a iffs, but does not soften regula- gram basis, China may be the wish to trade often long period of time. Smaller mar- PUBLISHER tory requirements of the trading least profitable export market kets are important as they take a Lynda Tityk ask themselves: Can Email: [email protected] partner. for beef — earning $5.93 less variety of beef products, but it is For example, the Compre- than a kilogram of beef sold to I compete? Do I have the time of the tariff reduction Associate PUBLISHER/ hensive Economic and Trade the EU. Our dependency on access? Can I change? that is important. An 11-year editorial director Agreement (CETA) with the U.S. trade may be reduced if phase-out period is substantially John Morriss And in the case of the Email: [email protected] European Union means Canada we manage the EU agreement different than 11 months. is first in line for reduced tariffs well — as the value of beef sold beef industry — do I The real action will happen president and improved market access to the States is expected to be in those agreements where Bob Willcox for beef. The EU however, has $3.50 a kilogram less than have the product? tariff barriers to trade are lifted Glacier FarmMedia [email protected] not changed the requirements beef sold into the EU. This quickly so that manufacturers 204-944-5751 or standards under which the proposes quite a shift in can respond before the market beef is to be produced or deliv- conventional thinking and in changes. And even then, the The Alberta Farmer Express is published 26 times ered. Although 94 per cent of production practices. beef industry must be willing a year by Farm Business Communications. the tariffs under CETA are to Canadians who wish to trade and ready to respond. We acknowledge the financial support of the be reduced, no standards have often ask themselves: Can I com- In the world of trade we must Government of Canada through the Canada been changed. pete? Do I have access? Can I ask ourselves if this will be our Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Industries and companies change? And in the case of the limitation. must respond then with what beef industry — do I have the Once an agreement is in Publications mail agreement number 40069240 that customer wants. Increas- product? place, governments step in to Brenda Schoepp is a farmer Canadian Postmaster: ingly, private standards and The massive populations help by promoting the agree- from Alberta who works as an Send address changes and brand assurance is what is being we are hoping to serve require ment and enabling companies international mentor undeliverable addresses (covers only) to and motivational speaker. She can sought in trade agreements. The much more than we produce to do business. It is this enabling be contacted through her website Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 9800, current industry declaration unless we pull away from Ameri- environment that is extremely Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K7 www.brendaschoepp.com. All of high-quality grain-fed beef can dependency for exports of important to business. A Cana- rights reserved. Brenda Schoepp ISSN 1481-3157 misses the mark under CETA cattle and beef. Can our leader- dian Agri-Food Policy Institute 2014

Call 1-800-665-0502 or U.S. subscribers call 1-204-944-5568 For more information on The Alberta U.S. local corn prices dip below $2 in some areas Farmer Express and subscriptions to other Farm Business Communications A review of ending stocks in the past does not give much hope for a turnaround products, or visit our web site at: www.albertafarmexpress.ca unusual basis. Coming from the upper Midwest and the season average price paid to farmers or email: By Daryll E. Ray and we always watch the prices and basis (gener- (basis included) tumbled from $3.24 to $1.94 [email protected] Harwood D. Schaffer ally negative) in those areas. And living in Ten- and $1.82 the following year. This time around nessee, we also watch the prices and basis in we have seen ending stocks increase from 821 At Farm Business Communications we have a ven before the current U.S. Farm Bill was west Tennessee (generally positive). During the million bushels to over two billion bushels and firm commitment to protecting your privacy adopted, we shared our concern that a first week in October 2014, both areas showed the price has plunged. and security as our customer. Farm Business $4-plus plateau in corn prices, which was a negative basis in the range of 30 to 40 cents. Without increased demand or significantly Communications will only collect personal E being widely predicted, was in all likelihood no reduced supply, the price in the 1998-2001 information if it is required for the proper functioning of our business. As part of our plateau at all. period remained below $2 for the whole period. commitment to enhance customer service, we A year ago many were predicting corn would The year-to-year variation in year-ending stocks may share this personal information with other average $4.50 a bushel, partly because of etha- ‘It was only the ethanol mandate made little difference. It was only the ethanol strategic business partners. For more information nol demand and partly because production mandate and the subsequent demand for five regarding our Customer Information Privacy Policy, costs had increased so much in recent years. and the subsequent demand for five billion bushels of corn for ethanol production write to: Information Protection Officer, Farm We were doubtful. that lifted corn prices out of the doldrums. Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Ave., billion bushels of corn for ethanol Wpg., MB R3H 0H1 Even so, we were shocked, but not surprised, Prices next year are likely to remain low even Occasionally we make our list of subscribers to see a newspaper headline announcing corn production that lifted corn prices if stocks drop a little. It seems that it takes a available to other reputable firms whose products prices that were well below the $2 level. It was constant stream of bullish news to keep prices and services might be of interest to you. If you news of an elevator in the Minot, N.D. area out of the doldrums.’ up — like increasing demand for corn for eth- would prefer not to receive such offers, please contact us at the address in the preceding that priced corn at $1.73 per bushel. Yes, you anol production. It doesn’t take bearish news paragraph, or call 1-800-665-0502. are reading that number correctly — $1.73 as to keep prices down, only the absence of news The editors and journalists who write, contribute the result of a $1.50 negative basis on a $3.23 of a sharply reduced supply or a significantly and provide opinions to Alberta Farmer Express futures price. increased demand. and Farm Business Communications attempt to And that $3.23 itself is 20 per cent below the And if prices remain low, the current configu- provide accurate and useful opinions, information supposed $4-plus plateau. ration of farm policies may not provide the kind and analysis. However, the editors, journalists We agree that it took a combination of cir- of help farmers will need. and Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee cumstances to bring about a -$1.50 basis — an All of this raises the question of what the next the accuracy of the information contained in this anticipated bumper crop, railroad problems, couple of years are going to look like. Daryll E. Ray holds the Blasingame Chair of publication and the editors as well as Alberta full elevators, and the lack of local demand — An examination of the 1995-2001 period Excellence in Agricultural Policy, Institute of Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications but circumstances will not pay the bills no mat- may give us a hint. Between the high prices we Agriculture, University of Tennessee, and is the director of UT’s Agricultural Policy Analysis Center assume no responsibility for any actions or ter how they came about. decisions taken by any reader for this publication experienced in 1995 and the lows that began (APAC). Harwood D. Schaffer is a research assistant based on any and all information provided. And it is not only in North Dakota that we are in 1998, corn year-ending stocks increased professor at APAC. Their weekly columns are seeing situations in which farmers are facing an from 426 million bushels to 1.8 billion bushels archived at www.agpolicy.org. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 5

Seizing opportunity and Feeding the World, making a difference Caring for In a fast-food world, farmers and ranchers understand the true cost of producing real food the Earth

shipping, I have to look my future To celebrate World By Vicky Horn meal in the eye. For me to do that Food Day on Oct. with good conscience, I hon- 16, the UN’s Food ur farm is deeply personal our that animal’s life by cooking and Agriculture to us. It is more than just wholesome meals that provide Organization invit- O where we work and where good nutrition for my family. I ed farmers, ranch- we live. This is our life’s work; our waste as little food as possible, ers, politicians, and land and animals become our life’s knowing full well the hard work experts to submit masterpiece. that myself or another farmer essays on its 2014 Taking care of the land, raising put into growing that vegetable, theme: Family healthy animals and educating the protein or grain. Farming: Feeding next generation of stewards on our the World, Caring land will be our legacy. The pride for the Earth. that we have in seeing our pastures Contributors improve is measurable through the ranged from the abundance of plant species, the ‘There are few well-known (Agri- thriving ecosystem of microscopic opportunities today culture Minister bugs right through to wildlife and Being good stewards and educating the next generation of farmers are key Gerry Ritz, his U.S. healthy animals we raise. where you can put in for Vicky Horn, pictured with son Brantley. photo : Supplied counterpart Tom Our animals are our livelihood a full day’s work and Vilsack, and Willie and their welfare is of utmost variability — these all can dramati- Why do we farm? Thomas Edison Nelson) to farmers importance to us. Our lives are physically see all you cally affect how we do financially. said, “Opportunity is missed by from Nicaragua, implicitly bound together; we each As a young farm, these fluctuations most people because it is dressed Mexico, India and depend on each other for our well- have accomplished.’ in cash flow drastically impact our in overalls and looks like work,” Ethiopia. being. The wonder of birth, watch- farm’s viability. Working off farm and nothing could be truer about Among the four ing them grow, the deep sadness provides cash flow throughout the farming. dozen contributors when we lose one — we are emo- year that may not be there just There are few opportunities were two Alberta tionally tied to these animals and from farm income. today where you can put in a producers — Vicky do our absolute best in raising Local customers supporting full day’s work and physically Horn and Kelsey them. local farms is essential to our exis- see all you have accomplished. Beasley. Food is extremely valuable to us. tence. As a young startup farm, While we all yearn to make a All of the essays In a world of fast food, disposable Many farmers work two jobs being able to sell our product direct difference, farming provides a can be found at income and throwaways, farmers to be able to put food on the to customers and set a stable price unique opportunity to see first www.worldfood- know the true cost of producing table, literally. Reality is margins provides financial stability for our hand the changes you can make, dayusa.org (click on real food and the hard work that on farms are tight, capital costs farm. Being able to meet your cus- even just on your small piece the ‘Perspectives’ went into producing every potato are huge, and financing can be tomers, hear the wonderful meals of the world. link at the top of destined to become a french fry hard to come by. There are many they are enjoying with your prod- the home page). and every pound of beef in that variables outside our control: uct and having them thank you Vicky and Shayne Horn raise Katahdin Big Mac. extremely cold winters, drought, for the safe, nutritious food you and Dorper sheep at Tangle Ridge When we load our lambs for rising feed costs, predators, market raised is a reward all in itself. Ranch near Thorsby.

Dancing with Mother Nature and leaving a legacy of sustainability Being sustainable means focusing on a triple bottom line — the people, the land and the business

Family farming is a way of life children, making a home, provid- of agriculture on the Prairies. Realizing there are more By Kelsey Beasley for us. As a family that invests ing for our dependent little ones. We approach land stewardship unknowns than knowns in sci- their life’s energy into the rais- We want to cultivate the passion by applying principles of grazing ence and agriculture, and that y husband John and ing of livestock for food; we in our kids. We want to nurture management and ecology that simple observations on the fam- I have always been understand the fundamentals their talents and share the joys result in healthy ecosystems as ily farm, at most times, teach us M drawn to the land. He of livestock ecology: the science that our way of life brings. It is well as a profitable business. more about ecological relation- is a third-generation rancher of the interrelation between the more than just performance and A good indication of sustain- ships than the most sophisti- here in Canada; I grew up on my animal and its total environ- economics; it is creating and sus- able rangeland management is cated research yet developed, parents’ small mixed farm. I am ment. Wearing many hats, we taining that environment that will the biodiversity or range of natu- it is key to realize that family a microbiologist by trade and a are the shepherds, the stock- ensure a lasting legacy. ral organisms the ranch has. Bio- farms are always in a state of rancher by inclination. men, the ranchers, the land- To be sustainable we look diversity is essential to healthy continuous action, interaction John and I possess a strong owners, who tend these animals at the triple bottom line, the ecosystems. As families that and reaction between the ani- land ethic as well as a keen and the land we sustain on. We people, the land and the prof- have a vested interest in their mals, the people and the land- ecological awareness; as stew- realize the utmost importance in itability of the business. We way of life, and a deep love and scape. ards of the land we manage our maintaining a sustainable sys- approach our livelihood with a respect for the land that we live We dance with Mother Nature business to ensure a viable live- tem where optimum production sense of passion and respect, on, we realize the responsibility every day, starting from a young lihood for future generations. It is achieved while maintaining with goals to produce safe food we carry to ensure biodiversity age, learning how to tend the is a model of thinking we follow long-term ecological manage- sources for people, livestock is maintained. Increased biodi- land and animals and by adult- that influences our daily deci- ment of the land. and wildlife. Our vision strives versity in rangelands increases hood have developed the skills sions working with our family. In a single given day we can with emphasis of key principles; many essential functions such and mindset to ensure the leg- We value long-term sustain- experience the raw beauty as innovation, integrity, respect, as drought mitigation, improv- acy lives on. ability within our industry and well as the tragic power of nature collaboration, doing our best, ing water quality and quantity, approach our livelihood with a just as the weather changes. It is and always learning. Sustainable and ensuring critical habitat for John and Kelsey Beasley, with balance between preserving tra- a living where our very existence grazing systems start with eco- sensitive species. It is right for us children Hannah (pictured with dition, maintaining a pioneering is so deeply intertwined with our logical soil management prac- when we can preserve the integ- her mom), Jasper and Clara, ranch near the communities of Bigstone spirit, recognizing innovation surroundings. tices which replenish and main- rity, stability and beauty of our and Youngstown, and operate as and embracing change. We are also parents with small tain soil fertility, the foundation natural environment. Integrity Ranching. 6 Off the front october 27, 2014 • Albertafarmexpress.ca

BIG SHOWS } from page 1 And while the show’s exhibits will be expanding even further — but it’s the visitors themselves in 2014, thanks to more outdoor “We’re going to have who are the biggest draw. tent space for exhibitors, some “Coming to these events, going of that space will be dedicated to more space for you to to the shows, seeing entertain- “social networking.” hang out with other ment, and just as importantly, “Our whole purpose for being is sitting down and having coffee — bringing the community together Alberta farmers and certainly, networking and social- and allowing them, under one share stories and ideas.” izing is a major component of any roof, to check out new equip- agricultural event,” said Fiddler. ment, but more importantly, Agri-Trade’s show manager catch up with their neighbours Dianne Smirl agrees. and people in the ag industry,” Dianne Smirl “They really want a place to said Smirl. socialize and network and con- “We’re going to have more nect with each other,” said Smirl. space for you to hang out with “With agriculture being so other Alberta farmers and share spread out, it’s a great chance stories and ideas.” “More and more, we’re also for them all to get together and But shows like Agri-Trade and seeing an urban audience that compare notes on how this year Farmfair play an important role wants to come out and find out was and what they’re planning in bridging the gap between pro- where their food comes from and for next year.” ducers and consumers as well, how it’s produced.” Agri-Trade started out in Red said Fiddler. Agri-Trade runs in Red Deer at Deer 31 years ago with 35,000 “Every year, we have a livestock Westerner Park from Nov. 5 to 8. square feet. Today, the show has innovation showcase, and in that Farmfair International is held at grown to over 300,000 square area, a lot of consumers will stop Northlands in Edmonton from feet, more than 400 exhibitors, by, talk to the producers, and ask Nov. 4 to 9. and 20,000 visitors during the how this affects them as a con- 3-1/2-day event. sumer,” he said. [email protected]

Finding space for exhibitors has become one of Agri-Trade’s biggest challenges. Photo: Agri-Trade Crowds stream into Northlands for Farmfair International. Photo: Farmfair For the crops you grow 2014 JOINT COMMISSION MEETINGS Fund to help TAKE PART IN THE LOCAL MEETINGS FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT CROPS AND THE COMMISSIONS THAT WORK FOR YOU. injured farmers get NOVEMBER 2014 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY back to farming Alberta Wheat – Region 5 Alberta Wheat – Region 5 Alberta Pulse – Zone 3 Alberta Pulse – Zone 4 Back to Ag Program provides up to $10,000 to Westlock Memorial Hall Alberta Barley – Region 6 support the cost of adaptive technology Holiday Inn & Suites, Grande Prairie 10 11 12 13 14 ers get back to doing what they Canadian Agricultural love – farming.” Alberta Wheat – Region 4 Alberta Barley – Region 5 Alberta Wheat & Alberta Alberta Pulse – Zone 2 Safety Association release To kick-start the program, FCC Best Western Plus, Camrose Westlock and District Barley – Region 2 Lacombe Memorial Centre donated $100,000 to the program Community Hall Three Hills Community Alberta Wheat & Alberta he Canadian Agricultural following a successful two-week Alberta Canola – Region 1 Memorial Centre Barley – Region 1 Safety Association is now social media campaign earlier La Crete Heritage Centre Alberta Canola – Region 6 Bow Island Multiplex accepting applications for this year. Individuals and other Best Western Sunrise Inn & T Alberta Canola – Region 4 Alberta Canola – Region 5 the Back to Ag Program, an ini- organizations also donated to the Lamont Recreation Suites, Stony Plain Westlock & District Community Hall tiative of the association, Farm program. Centre Hall Alberta Canola – Region 11 Alberta Canola – Region 10 Credit Canada, and the Rick Han- Applications for the Back to Ag 17 18 19 Norsemen Inn, Camrose 20 Paradise Valley Hall 21 sen Foundation. Program will be accepted until “Every year, there are Canadian Nov. 28. Canadian residents who Alberta Wheat & Alberta Alberta Canola – Region 2 Alberta Pulse – Zone 5 Barley – Region 3 Rycroft Ag Centre Alberta Barley – Region 4 farmers who experience a life- are 18 years or older, have expe- Lacombe Memorial Centre Reunion Station, St. Paul altering injury, such as paralysis rienced a life-altering injury, and Alberta Canola – Region 8 or lost limbs,” says Rick Hansen, are able to show their need and Alberta Canola – Region 9 Rosebud Centre Alberta Canola – Region 3 Coast Hotel & Conference Knights of Columbus Hall, Falher CEO of the Rick Hansen Founda- demonstrate how the adaptive Centre, Lethbridge Alberta Canola – Region 7 tion. “They often need specialized technology will help them return Lacombe Memorial Centre equipment or adaptive technol- to work on the farm are eligible to 24 25 26 27 28 ogy to return to the occupation apply. The adaptive technology DECEMBER 2014 they love. We’re thrilled to part- can come in the form of medi- ner in this incredible program to cal devices or accessibility tools Alberta Canola – Region 12 help farmers get back to work.” such as ramps or lifts or any other 01 02 Medicine Hat Lodge 03 04 05 The program will provide up technology that will allow the Alberta Pulse – Zone 1 to $10,000 to support the cost of producer in return to work. Taber Legion Hall adaptive technology for farmers For more info, visit casa-acsa. 08 09 10 11 12 and agricultural workers who ca/Back_To_Ag_Program, email have experienced a traumatic [email protected] or call FREE ALBERTA CROPS BREAKFAST ON THURS., NOV. 6 IN RED DEER. injury. CASA at 877-452-2272. “Some farmers must leave agri- The Canadian Agricultural SEATING IS LIMITED. REGISTER ON YOUR COMMISSION WEBSITE. culture all together when they Safety Association is a national, Visit your commission’s website to ﬁ nd out about pre-registration for meetings. experience a traumatic injury,” non-profit organization dedi- | albertabarley.com | canola.ab.ca | pulse.ab.ca | albertawheat.com | said Marcel Hacault, executive cated to improving the health director of the safety association. and safety of farmers, their fami- “This program will help produc- lies and agricultural workers. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 7

HIGH COSTS  from page 1 base, and different capital base,” he said. “It’s different for each “We came to the conclusion that farm in each different location in “You can see that land it just doesn’t pay to retain them Alberta.” right now,” said Meyer, who farms In the brown soil zones of south- prices have pushed up, with his wife and three young sons. eastern Alberta, for instance, herds and with the amount “The chance of prices coming have been expanding for the past down is better than prices going couple of years because of lower of land required to run up. They’re at an all-time ridicu- land prices. cattle, for hay, feed, and lous record high, so the chance of “Those people have made those them coming back down is pretty choices because those lands were pasture, you need quite a good.” available and those ranchers were Right now, the Meyers sell every- able to expand because they had bit of capital to purchase thing in the fall and “play the game access to cheaper pasture land,” those lands.” a little bit in the springtime,” buy- he said. “Will the cow numbers ing up bred heifers. come back in the black soil zone “Most of the time you can find a or grey soil zone? Time will tell.” better deal,” he said. “There’s usu- Land is in short supply in the JAKE MEYER ally a producer out there who has grey soil zones, especially in cen- somehow figured out how to feed tral Alberta, said Dehod. cheaper or had extra feed left over “There’s a lot of demand, and from the year before. A lot of times, there’s a lot of people looking at invest to get started, and we were producers like us can capitalize on buying farmland.” lucky to have the capital from a that.” In southern Alberta where previous career that I had,” said Some producers are taking Meyer farms, irrigated land has Meyer, who worked as an oilfield advantage of strong prices to been selling for $8,000 to $10,000 manager in South America. “become better established in per acre near Lethbridge, with dry- He invested a portion of his a shorter amount of time,” said land prices increasing to $3,000 capital in buying a quarter sec- Meyer. per acre and grassland approach- tion — “you need a base to get “A lot of guys are saying they ing the $1,000 to $1,500 range. started” — and another portion can pay their cows off sooner now. “You can see that land prices in his herd. They’re able to take a whole extra have pushed up, and with the “When we first started out, we year off their payments just from amount of land required to run owned 30 head and financed this year’s calf crop.” cattle, for hay, feed, and pasture, another 30 head. We’ve slowly Others are improving infrastruc- you need quite a bit of capital been building, buying more bred Jake and Tanya Meyer want to build a sustainable cattle operation for ture so that they’re “a little more to purchase those lands,” said heifers, up to 150 today,” he said. their three sons — three-year-old Duane and twins Bradley and Devin — but comfortable” when prices come Dehod. And though the Meyers have no they don’t think retaining heifers is the answer right now. down. “If you take a look at a quarter of plans to start retaining heifers in PHOTO: COURTESY JAKE MEYER “Anything can happen,” he pasture land, you’re looking at, at the foreseeable future, they want said. “You might as well get your- least $160,000.” to expand every year “as much as right now and from a business he said. “But with all your other self comfortable right now while Those costs are a growing barrier (they) can.” standpoint, a lot of guys right now calves worth a little more, maybe there’s money to be made. That to new entrants in the industry. “We want to be large enough are tempted to just make money you can keep more heifers back. way, you’re still comfortable if “With the cost of capital and cost so that when our children are old while there’s money to be made.” Maybe you can retain cows a lit- something happens.” of farmland, for young guys to get enough to decide what they want Some producers may choose tle bit longer because there’s an in, it’s insurmountable.” to do, our operation is big enough “just to ride this out,” said Dehod, opportunity to put a calf on the Land prices key to support them and their fami- but with cow numbers dropping ground. Expansion will ultimately be “an Go slow? lies,” he said, adding that he’d like and demand for beef rising, it’s a “Hopefully, we have a few risk- individual decision” for each oper- Meyer chose the slow expansion to expand to 500 to 1,000 head in good time to start thinking about takers and people who see that ation, said Dehod. route when he began farming full the next 15 years. expanding — however slowly. opportunity.” “Everybody’s got a different time five years ago. “To be able to do that, obviously “If you keep heifers back, that resource base, different labour “You had to have the capital to we need to expand, but with prices comes out of your cash flow,” [email protected]

We’re used to other varieties bowing down to us

Rely on unrivalled standability It’s no secret that Proven® Seed offers high-yielding canola varieties that stand tall for ease of harvest. In fact, Proven Seed offers superior genetics from the best canola-breeding programs in Western Canada to ensure first-rate results for growers. Talk to your CPS retailer to select the best Proven Seed canola variety for your farm. Book your 2015 seed now and save. Learn more at provenseed.ca

Proven® Seed is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services (Canada) Inc. CPS CROP PRODUCTION SERVICES and Design is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services, Inc. 10/14-40681 AFE 8 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA T:21.6”

Earth-Shattering, Shatter Reduction Technology

The First-Ever Pod Shatter Reduction Canola Hybrid With its patented pod shatter reduction technology, InVigor® L140P provides growers with the flexibility to delay swathing or straight cut their canola, knowing that they have less risk because of the hybrid’s built-in genetic protection.

Save time, money and yield Considering the significant reductions in labour and fuel costs with less wear and tear on machinery, the benefits of straight cutting are numerous; but the biggest advantage of pod shatter reduction technology is the increased harvest flexibility you gain. With the enhanced yield protection of the InVigor pod shatter reduction hybrid, you have more freedom and flexibility in making your most crucial harvest management decisions. L140P

The ability to delay swathing or straight cut canola with minimal yield variance is what the InVigor pod shatter reduction hybrid is all about. Straight cutting and delayed swathing allows the pods to mature for a longer period of time, resulting in larger seeds, a greater pod fill and lower green seed counts.

How does L140P work? The genetic researchers at Bayer CropScience found a way to select for genotypes which silence the dehiscence gene, creating a firmer pod seal/seam. This significantly increases the hybrid’s tolerance to in-field pod shatter, while still allowing for normal seed extraction during harvest. In addition to the built-in pod shatter reduction technology, InVigor L140P also exhibits lower levels of naturally occurring pod drop, ensuring all seeds end up in the bin – minimizing volunteer canola in following seasons.

technology built into InVigor L140P, seeds remain safely intact inside the Whether you’re looking to minimize input costs, mitigate pod. Pod shatter technology is not 100% risk-free and growers could weather concerns or need a reliable time-management tool still expect losses under extreme weather conditions, but clearly the at harvest, InVigor L140P helps ensure you get every bushel associated environmental risks with straight cutting are minimized with in the bin. this technology. To learn more visit: BayerCropScience.ca/InVigorL140P INVIGOR L140P 2013 DST RESULTS InVigor L140P InVigor L130 InVigor 5440 108 106 104 102 100 Normal Swathing)

Yield (% of InVigor 5440 98 Normal Swath Timing Late Swathing Straight Cut Source: 2013 DST Results n=22 (net yield)

The patented pod shatter reduction technology of InVigor L140P provides stronger adherence of the seed valve and greatly reduces the effects of pod shatter. The results are increased yield protection and greater harvest management flexibility, including the ability to delay swathing or try straight cutting. In the 2013 DSTs (Demonstration Strip Trials), straight cut InVigor L140P showed a 7% yield advantage over InVigor 5440 at normal swath timing.

For more information or to view an online demonstration of InVigor L140P, please visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/BayerCropScience

To see local trial results for this hybrid and other InVigor technologies, BayerCropScience.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. InVigor® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. O-66-10/14-10250626-E please visit InVigorResults.ca

FS:10.425” F:10.8” F:10.8”

BCS10250626_InVigorL140P_3.indd None DPS 4C, inserts: Oct.27/14 Marsha.Walters 21.6” x 15.5” Alex.VanDerBreggen 1 21.6” x 15.5” Noel.Blix NEWSPAPER None Mike.Meadus 100% None 2 Laura.Zschach Production:Volumes:Product...CS10250626_InVigorL140P_3.indd Bayer CropScience 10250626 Helvetica Neue LT Std Alberta Farmer Express 10-15-2014 4:52 PM -- 10-15-2014 4:52 PM -- Marianne.Morrow -- Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black -- -- T:21.6” Albertafarmexpress.ca • october 27, 2014 9

Earth-Shattering, Shatter Reduction Technology

The result is considerably lower shelling levels due to pod shattering and a substantial decrease in overall pod drop. Simply put, this hybrid has greater pod adherence to the stem and a much stronger pod seal. InVigor L140P lets your canola ripen safely within the pod, firmly The Evolution of T:15.5” connected to the plant until you’re ready to harvest. Harvest Management. Yield protection you need NEW InVigor® L140P is the first canola hybrid to ever feature Heavy moisture and increasingly common prairie wind events can our patented POD SHATTER REDUCTION technology, prematurely split pods and shell seeds before harvest time, resulting providing growers with optimal pod protection for straight in massive seed bank deposits and subsequent volunteer canola cutting canola or delayed swathing. management issues. However, with the pod shatter reduction technology built into InVigor L140P, seeds remain safely intact inside the Whether you’re looking to minimize input costs, mitigate pod. Pod shatter technology is not 100% risk-free and growers could weather concerns or need a reliable time-management tool still expect losses under extreme weather conditions, but clearly the at harvest, InVigor L140P helps ensure you get every bushel associated environmental risks with straight cutting are minimized with in the bin. this technology. To learn more visit: BayerCropScience.ca/InVigorL140P INVIGOR L140P 2013 DST RESULTS InVigor L140P InVigor L130 InVigor 5440 108 106 104 102 100 Normal Swathing)

Yield (% of InVigor 5440 98 Normal Swath Timing Late Swathing Straight Cut Source: 2013 DST Results n=22 (net yield)

For more information or to view an online demonstration of InVigor L140P, please visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/BayerCropScience

FS:10.425” F:10.8” F:10.8”

BCS10250626_InVigorL140P_3.indd None DPS 4C, inserts: Oct.27/14 Marsha.Walters 21.6” x 15.5” Alex.VanDerBreggen 1 21.6” x 15.5” Noel.Blix NEWSPAPER None Mike.Meadus 100% None 2 Laura.Zschach Production:Volumes:Product...CS10250626_InVigorL140P_3.indd Bayer CropScience 10250626 Helvetica Neue LT Std Alberta Farmer Express 10-15-2014 4:52 PM -- 10-15-2014 4:52 PM -- Marianne.Morrow -- Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black -- -- 10 NEWS » Markets OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Ethanol price rigging suspected USDA raises estimates again The European Commission has raided ethanol companies as part of investigations into alleged U.S. corn and soybean production in 2014, already estimated at record highs, will be price fixing. The competition watchdog said it had concerns companies may have colluded in higher than forecast a month ago but somewhat below market expectations. The USDA submitting price information used to set industry benchmarks for trading in Europe and globally. says overall corn yields will be a record 174.2 bushels per acre, with 22 states expected The raids followed inspections in May 2013 of the offices of oil majors Shell, BP and Statoil as part to post new yield marks. Soybeans were also in great shape. Compared with final of a probe into suspected manipulation of oil and biofuel prices. Financial benchmarks have come pod counts for 2013, pod counts are up in seven of the 11 published states, USDA said. under increased scrutiny since some of the world’s biggest banks rigged two interest rate Twelve states are heading toward record-high soybean yields, including No. 1 benchmarks. — Reuters producer Illinois. — Reuters

Canola rising on U.S. soybean worries, for now WILD CARD } Outside volatility is pushing money into commodities

gains in beans to trigger any more short- should pick up over the next month given the winter. World wheat supplies remain By Phil Franz-Warkentin covering in the Canadian market. the need to generate some cash flow. large, but of lower quality overall. Further gains in soybeans, however, Corn and wheat futures also moved up Winter wheat seeding in the U.S. could CE Futures Canada canola contracts are questionable. The U.S. soybean har- during the week, but just as in the oil- also provide some direction, with the saw some choppy activity during the vest is still moving along, and the record- seeds, any further gains may prove lim- recent rainfall in the southern Plains pro- I week ending Oct. 17, but trended large crop will eventually be in the bin ited. Midwestern harvest delays provided viding some much-needed moisture for higher overall as a combination of spec- despite any short-term delays. a modest boost for corn, but supplies are the wheat there. ulative short-covering, spillover from For those looking for a spark in beans, already starting to pile up in some loca- soybeans, a weaker Canadian dollar, it may need to come from elsewhere. tions and the big U.S. production pros- Phil Franz-Warkentin writes for Commodity and a lack of significant farmer selling One place to watch right now is South pects remain a bearish influence there. News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company all provided support. America, where farmers are in the early For wheat, grade spreads and basis specializing in grain and commodity market The November contract jumped above stages of planting their soybean crop. A levels will be the story heading through reporting. the psychological $400-per-tonne level drought in Brazil has raised some con- to start the week, and managed to hold cerns over acres and yield reductions in above that point finishing Friday’s ses- that key soybean-producing country. sion at $410.50. The initial catalyst for the Beyond that, outside financial markets strength in canola was the wet weather have also been very volatile recently, with For three-times-daily market reports from Resource News across the U.S. Midwest, which was caus- equity, energy and currency markets all ing harvest delays. seeing some big moves over the past International, visit “ICE Futures Canada updates” Fund traders are also holding very week. One side-effect of those gyrations large short positions in canola of 25,000 was increased money flows into the com- at www.albertafarmexpress.ca. to 35,000 contracts. That position had modity markets, but whether that activity been as high as 50,000 contracts at one continues remains to be seen. point, before they started to book profits, While the U.S. soybean harvest is less according to some analysts. The nearby than half complete, the Canadian har- technical signals are pointing higher for vest is in its final stages. Farmer selling in canola, but it will likely take additional the futures has been lacklustre so far, but

Photo: Thinkstock ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 11 Watch for mineral deficiencies when grazing on stubble Cow-calf pairs turned into stubble fields have different mineral supplementation requirements compared to when they were on pasture

down and it generally requires a magnesium content should be ALBERTA AGRICULTURE AND veterinarian to treat animals in in the three to five per cent range RURAL DEVELOPMENT RELEASE this situation. if the recommended intake is A mineral supplementation pro- between 70 and 100 grams per etting cows graze on stubble gram should contain additional day. is a good way to utilize for- calcium and magnesium. “The added magnesium along L age resources, but producers “When it comes to calcium, in with the calcium reduces the risk need to pay attention to potential many cases, a 2:1 mineral does not of downer cows,” says Yaremcio. mineral deficiencies, says pro- provide enough calcium to rem- “If magnesium is not present in vincial beef and forage specialist edy the situation,” says Yaremcio. the mineral, it can be purchased as Barry Yaremcio. “A feedlot mineral with a 3:1 or an individual product from some “They will pick and choose what 4:1 calcium-to-phosphorus ratio feed stores or feed mills.” they eat from the straw, chaff, is preferred. If a 1:1 or 2:1 mineral Feeds that are overmature or FILE PHOTO weed seeds in the stubble, slough is left over from the summer, mix crop aftermath are usually low in hay from the low areas and mature one bag of limestone (38 per cent protein. along with a protein supplement oats, which has 10 to 11 per cent hay growing along the fences and calcium) with one bag of mineral “A lactating cow requires 11 per is another option. Putting weaned protein on average, the calves headlands,” says Yaremcio. and one bag of fortified trace min- cent protein (minimum on a dry cows onto these fields is an option will put down fat rather than lean “Quality of what they eat can be eral salt (with selenium). basis) to maintain feed intake and to reduce protein requirements.” growth and they could possibly variable depending on the type of “This mixture (roughly 165 milk production,” says Yaremcio. If the energy and protein not frame out properly resulting crop grown, fertility program and pounds) should be consumed by “Dry cows can manage on eight requirements of the cow are not in fat, dumpy butterballs that will stage of maturity when the crop 100 cow-calf pairs in five to six per cent protein. Supplementing met, the cow will not be producing be discounted at auction. A mix- was cut or harvested. The combine days. If consumption is too low, protein on pasture is troublesome. much milk, says Yaremcio. ture of one-third peas and two- setting — the amount of light grain add dried molasses to improve Protein tubs or blocks will help “This will reduce calf gains. To thirds oats or barley by weight will and weed seeds thrown out onto consumption. Add eight to 10 solve the problem, but the min- offset the loss of calf performance, provide a creep ration that meets the ground will impact what the pounds of dried molasses to the eral and vitamin supplementation creep feeding the calves with a protein and energy requirements. cows eat as well.” entire mix and adjust to get the should still continue as described ration that is between 14 and 16 With lower grain prices and high Straw, chaff, and overmature proper intake.” above. Feeding three to four per cent protein will improve aver- calf prices creep feeding will pay grass hays typically have low If feeding a straight mineral, pounds of grain every third day age daily gains. If feeding straight very well in the long run.” amounts of protein, energy, calcium and magnesium. “These feeds are also high in neutral detergent fibre (which can reduce total feed intake) and relatively high in phosphorus,” says Yaremcio. “Grains and weed seeds are also high in phosphorus and have higher energy and protein content than the grasses, straw and chaff.” Cow-calf pairs that are turned into stubble fields have different mineral supplementation requirements compared to when they were on a mixed alfalfa — grass pasture. The lack of calcium and magnesium in the straw and forages can cause two problems. First, a diet low in calcium and higher in phosphorus can reduce phosphorus absorption. Phos- phorus is the driver of all metabolic functions, and when it isn’t absorbed, feed intake is reduced. That in turn reduces milk production and weight gain on the calves. Cows can also start to lose weight. If the imbalance continues, it can impair reproductive performance — with cows taking longer to cycle and conceive a calf next year. Second, a calcium/magnesium deficiency can cause cows to go

British wheat yields reach record highs It will be the largest crop since 2008 Record wheat yields were recorded in Britain this year following a summer of near- perfect growing conditions. A National Farmers Union survey indicated a wheat yield of 8.6 tonnes per hectare, the highest ever and 16 As a farmer, you have a lot of decisions to make. The DEKALB® brand team is here to empower you with per cent above the previous season. expert advice, agronomic insight and local data. With every important decision you face on your farm, A crop of 16.67 million we’re behind you. And we’re ready to help you turn great seed potential into actual in-field performance. tonnes was projected based on area estimates for Eng- DEKALB canola... Empowering Your Performance. land, Scotland and Wales by Britain’s Farm Ministry and the Home-Grown Cere- ® als Authority. It would be Talk to your DEKALB dealer today, or visit DEKALB.ca the largest wheat crop since ALWAYS FOLLOW GRAIN MARKETING AND ALL OTHER STEWARDSHIP AND PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. 2008, when Britain har- Details of these requirements can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers vested a record 17.2 million printed in this publication ©2014 Monsanto Canada, Inc. tonnes. — Reuters 12 news » livestock OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Canfax forum coming up Meeting season is underway The Canfax Cattle Market Forum is fast approaching. The event, Nov. Alberta Beef Producers’ fall meetings are underway — with 23 meetings in nine zones 18-19, at the Deerfoot Inn in Calgary, will feature Richard Vesta of slated for the next two weeks. Meetings will provide attendees with an overview of the Harmony Beef who will speak about the reopening of the beef-packing work ABP and partner organizations have focused on the last year and discussion on the plant in Balzac. Other topics include building a consistent supply chain, Plan Review will take place. Producers have the opportunity to bring forward resolutions a feed grain market update, supply chain risk management, and major that if passed will be voted upon by the entire delegate body at the annual general meet- retail trends in protein both locally and globally. For more info, visit ing in December. For a full list of meeting dates and locations go to www.albertabeef.org www.canfax.ca/CFX_forum_2014. — Canfax release and follow the links. — ABP release

Building winter cattle rations that won’t wreck your bottom line Improving your feeding efficiency and reducing waste can help you save money overwintering your cattle this year

A balanced ration will also sure your calcium/phosphorus By Jennifer Blair keep the cow in good condi- balance is right?” af staff tion heading into winter while CowBytes — software avail- improving feed efficiency — and able through Alberta Agriculture espite record-high cat- saving some feeding costs. The and Rural Development — can tle prices and strong first step in the process is testing help balance those major nutri- D demand for beef, mar- the feed, said Yaremcio. ents and micronutrients. gins remain tight for cattle “Take samples of the hay from “Basically, you put your cow producers who are battling the different fields, and if you’re information in and the feed test high price of land and feed. using greenfeed, take samples results into the program, and you But cattle feeders can widen out of the bale using a forage just punch numbers to balance their margins as they head into probe,” he said, adding that the ration so that everything winter by taking measures to using a probe is “more accurate matches the requirements,” said improve feed efficiency and than taking a grab sample.” Yaremcio. reduce waste right now. “If you’re using a swath- “To prepare your cattle for grazing method, you probably Reducing waste winter, the biggest thing is to want to go to 10 or 15 locations But improving feed efficiency is make sure they’re fat enough throughout the field and pick five only one piece of the equation, or have enough body condi- to 10 stems or complete plants he said. Reducing feed waste can tion so that they’re not skinny out of the swaths, compile them have a big impact on the bottom going into winter,” said Barry together, make a composite line, and that starts with proper Yaremcio, beef and forage spe- sample, and send that in.” feed storage. cialist with Alberta Agriculture “There’s a number of different and Rural Development. ways to stack hay when it comes Fat provides insulation, off the field,” he said. “Some peo- File Photo he said, and a cow that’s 200 “The biggest thing is to ple use the pyramid method, but pounds lighter than she should that’s probably the worst way to while simply unrolling a bale on “If you have a hay that was be at this point of the season make sure they’re fat store hay.” the ground creates about 14 per 11.5 per cent protein when it needs an extra 1,400 pounds of When stacked in a pyramid, cent waste. Using a bale proces- was baled and fed to the cows, hay “not to gain weight, just to enough or have enough moisture that accumulates on sor or swath grazing causes up to by the time you take the waste keep her warm over the win- body condition so that the top of the bales will seep 20 per cent waste. factor into consideration, ter,” said Yaremcio. down through the stack, caus- “When you’ve got the cows they’re only getting about 8-1/2 “At five cents or six cents a they’re not skinny ing spoilage in every row. walking all over the feed or to nine per cent protein for the pound, that’s $90 of cost that going into winter.” “Anywhere a bale touches tramping onto the product that’s feed that they’re actually con- you’re going to have to incur another one, that’s where the been put out by the bale pro- suming. just because these cows are a spoilage occurs.” cessor, they’re working the fine “The on-paper ration versus little bit skinny going into win- The best way to store hay is in a material — the stuff that’s got the what they’re actually consum- ter.” Barry row aligned with the wind, he said. high protein, high energy, high ing are two different things Yaremcio If the cow’s short ribs are “If you’ve got a northwest/ calcium,” he said. completely.” showing, “wean the calves southeast wind, you want to “That material is being pushed Yaremcio recommends using early” and put them on a grain/ stack the bales in that direction into the snow, and 75 per cent of a bunk-line feeder or a portable hay ration, he said. so that when the wind blows, waste from a bale processor or bunk feeder to reduce the waste “If the cow can have 40 to 60 Once the feed results are in, it blows all the snow out from from an unrolled bale is typically caused by bale processors, but days of good grazing or three “that’s when the work starts,” between the rows,” he said, add- that fine material.” producers need to find the best to four pounds of grain supple- he said. ing the rows should be at least As feed waste increases, nutri- fit for their own farms. ment a day before it gets cold, “How do you combine the three feet apart with six inches of ents in the feed also drop. “Each farm has its own situ- she should be able to put on different feeds? How do you use space between each bale. “The quality of the feed drops a ation and management tech- that extra 200 pounds to get her a combination of hay or straw Feeding methods can also lot faster than what the physical niques that it uses.” back into the shape she needs or greenfeed? What kind of create waste. Bale feeders cause waste is, and then they’re getting to be in.” minerals do you need to make between five to 13 per cent waste, a poor-quality ration,” he said. [email protected]

Send your calving tips to Calving Tips & Tales Needs Your (and your address) to Canadian Cattlemen 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 CalviNg tips & tales Email: [email protected] Fax: 1-866-399-5710 Friends and neighbours, we are once again looking for your best calving ENTER BEFORE NOV. 29, 2014 tips and tales for Cattlemen’s January 2015 Calving Special. We’re looking for good ideas, practical advice, or humorous tales and photos YOUR REWARD to share with fellow readers. A reward will be sent for Tips & Tales A limited edition Canadian Cattlemen baseball cap printed in this special. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 13 Feeding horses round hay bales — hidden costs and risks horse health } Concentration of nutrients and overfeeding are among the potential problems

feeding or unexpectedly bullied by from the feeding group during the Left unsupervised the majority By carol shwetz, dvm a pen mate are positioned vulner- day to offset their gluttonous ten- of horses tends to gain weight ably while feeding. For this reason dency. Slow feed netting will slow over the winter season consum- onvenience and dollar sav- it will be important to recognize down the greedy eaters, but hard ing more calories than are spent. ings are often cited as two the social workings within groups keepers may need to be separated Limited exercise in combination C major advantages when of horses. In addition to becoming and offered a little extra hay. with excessive forage intake sets feeding round baled hay, especially targets for bullying, timid horses the stage for metabolic disease when feeding groups of horses. At can become outliers unable to Monitoring weight gain and obesity. Weight gain in the first glance these advantages may consume their daily requirement Supervision of individual horse’s winter season is an unnatu- seem obvious, but for actual eco- of feed, losing weight. body condition can identify how ral phenomena stressing the nomic benefit certain conditions When round baled hay is used, individual horses are responding horse’s internal hormonal and need to be met and the inherent horse owners forfeit the ability to to the round bale feeding system. metabolic environment. health risks to the horses being fed closely monitor intake. Although Unfortunately round bale feed- Acknowledging the inherent round bales need to be considered. free-choice forage is a great idea ing methods do little to engage limitations and health risks of The preferred forage of choice for for horses, it can be disadvan- the horses in foraging activity and feeding round bales of hay will most classes of horses is grass hay, tageous for the non-stop eater. movement. It is not uncommon identify whether it is suitable for Round hay bale feeders designed even more so when feeding round Slow feed nets designed specifi- for horses with unlimited access the individual horse. specifically for horses will have the bales. As the percentage of alfalfa cally for round bales can be a use- to round bales within enclosed signature “paperclip” bar frame climbs in round bales, health ful tool to limit the daily intake of wintering grounds to consume 40 Carol Shwetz is a veterinarian and lack the linking top bar in an problems become more frequent. some horses. It may be necessary to 45 pounds of hay a day when specializing in equine practice at attempt to avoid traumatic injuries As the horses burrow through to separate particular individuals 20 to 25 pounds would suffice. Westlock, Alberta. while the horses are feeding. the bale, the bale collapses, sift- ing delicate leaves out of the hay, leaving them to settle in pockets at the bottom of the feeder. These pockets of rich, dense leaves are high in proteins and sugars. When consumed in excess by susceptible horses, atypical and unseasonal episodes of laminitis can be triggered. In groups of weanlings MAKING THE MOST OF these pockets of leaves will spur on non-productive growth spurts and in all groups of horses these pockets of rich leaves can induce colic and digestive upsets. If round bales are not stored properly or managed appropri- ately while being fed to the horses, weathering and/or spoiling of hay can substantially whittle away any their return. price-per-pound advantage round With a steady hand for managing them like baled hay may offer over square baled hay. your stock portfolio — and gloves on for a If enough horses have access to successful home stretch. and consume a round bale in a reasonable time of four to seven days, there may be little concern for spoilage. However, once the twine That’s agriculture. That’s UFA. or plastic covering is removed from the bale, it begins to collapse, losing its resiliency to moisture and spoilage. Warming trends in Supplies, expertise, prosperity. UFA.com. combination with wet weather begin to take their toll, diminishing the nutritional content of the hay and setting the stage for mouldy patches and caramelization of proteins and sugars. As the hay quality deteriorates, the risk of digestive and respiratory disorders to the horse rises. Digestive upsets, colic and respiratory conditions such as (COPD), also known as heaves become prevalent. Round baled hay is typically associated with a higher incidence of dust and mould. Therefore horses with respiratory problems are not good candidates in round bale feeding systems. A certain percentage of hay spoilage is often inherent in the manner in which round bales are fed. It is important to maintain hay quality as the horses feed in order to maximize the nutritional content of the hay.

Dangers for groups Round bale feeders designed specifically for horses limit waste by containing the hay, preventing the horses from trampling and render- ing the hay unpalatable. Although round bale feeders offer advantages when feeding round bales, they also can become problematic in certain groupings of horses. Head, neck, ©2014 UFA Cooperative Ltd and back injuries are not uncom- UFA.com 09/14-39272 mon. Horses that are startled while

39272_UFA Beef ABFarm_8.125x10.indd 1 10/3/14 11:55 AM 14 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA Strong prices, low feed Feed ingredient unlikely to spread killer pig virus costs reviving pork The OIE findings rule out porcine plasma as a vector for spreading PEDv

feed manufacturers, which industry — but U.S. herd By Tom Polansek and had come under scrutiny Sybille de La Hamaide amid concerns about their chicago/paris / reuters products. The findings were based rebounding The World Organization for on scientific work of an OIE Animal Health says an animal- ad hoc group on PEDv and feed supplement suspected of highlight the feed industry’s The big unknown is how much impact PEDv will spreading a deadly pig virus is “strong commitment to feed have on production, but USDA is upping its forecasts not likely to transmit the dis- safety,” the International ease if manufacturers follow Feed Industry Federation said proper safety measures. in a statement. mates commercial pork produc- Multiple studies suggest However, the OIE, which By Terryn Shiells tion for 2015 will hit 23.9 billion that spray-dried porcine sets global standards on poli- Commodity News Service Canada pounds. That’s up 2.6 per cent plasma, a supplement con- cies affecting animal health, with files from Reuters from a month earlier and five per taining pigs’ blood that is fed confirmed that feed is among cent more than in 2014. And for to piglets, is not a likely source the objects that can transmit ecent strong prices, paired the first time in 62 years, more of porcine epidemic diarrhea PEDv indirectly if it is con- with low feed costs for pork than beef will be produced virus (PEDv) “provided that taminated with feces carrying R Canadian farmers are in the U.S. good manufacturing practices the disease. increasing profitability for hog The sooner-than-expected and biosecurity standards are Researchers had previously farmers and helping to revive the improvement by pork producers followed,” the organization, established that PEDv was pork industry. from the porcine epidemic diar- known as the OIE, said in a transmitted from pig to pig “We are seeing some of the idle rhea virus (PEDv), which killed an fact sheet. by contact with manure that barns that were taken out of pro- estimated eight million pigs since The findings represent an contains the virus. It can also duction three years ago starting May of 2013, will result in more important development in be spread from farm to farm to come back into production,” hogs in 2015, said USDA and mar- the global effort to identify via trucks, personnel or feed said Brad Marceniuk, livestock ket analysts. Hogs will become FILE PHOTO the methods in which PEDv is that are contaminated with economist with the Saskatchewan readily available as farms largely transmitted. feces, according to OIE. Ministry of Agriculture. “So we’re unaffected by the virus grow their likely to drift down going forward. The virus has killed an esti- “Feed could play a role, seeing some of the barns in Sas- herds, thanks largely to high- But, farmers will still be making mated eight million piglets, most probably as a vehicle not katchewan get repopulated.” priced hogs and low-cost feed. good profits because of lower feed or 13 per cent of the U.S. hog as a contaminant itself,” said The recent rise in prices for live “PEDv just was not as extreme costs, Marceniuk said. herd, since it was first identi- Paul Sundberg, vice-president hogs in Western Canada is linked during the summer months as What happens in the new year fied in the United States last of science and technology for to firming pork cut-out values, some had anticipated,” said Pur- is still up in the air, because there year, pushing U.S. pork prices the National Pork Board. strong demand for pork and the due University livestock econo- could be more deaths related to to record highs. The disease In May, the European Com- weakening Canadian currency. mist Chris Hurt. PED virus this fall, which would has also been found in Mexi- mission strengthened its rules Selling into the Canadian cash The disease doesn’t spread as reduce supplies for early 2015, co, Canada, Japan and other on imports of pig blood market remains routine, as farm- well in hot conditions, Marceniuk he added. countries. products for use in hog feed ers only have a certain amount of noted. “I don’t think expectations are Blood products, such as in a bid to keep out PEDv. hogs to market each week. But, “The amount of pigs born alive for as many cases (of PED virus) spray-dried porcine plasma, Canada first alarmed the overall supplies in North America for the third quarter was not too as there were last year, but we are used around the world in farm and feed industries in could be larger than first antici- far off from the same time last don’t really know that for sure,” the diets of piglets and had February when it said it had pated this fall, Marceniuk said. year, so we’ll likely see more sup- Marceniuk said. been considered potential determined the virus was The USDA raised its pork pro- ply coming to market over the Farmers will continue to clean carriers of PEDv because they present in samples of U.S.- duction forecast Oct. 10 for the month or two, and that could trucks and barns diligently, as contain pigs’ blood. origin plasma. It was calendar year ending September put some pressure on prices,” “biosecurity continues to be the The conclusion that porcine unclear whether the feed 2015 that shows U.S. hog farms he added. main objective for producers to plasma is not likely to spread was capable of causing the are rapidly recovering from a Typically, values move lower in keep the disease out of the barn,” the disease gives a boost to disease in piglets. deadly pig virus. The forecast esti- the fourth quarter, so prices are he added. Fifth barn a false positive A fifth hog barn once thought to contain the virus that causes PED has been cleared after an extensive investigation and further testing

“It’s kind of unexplained as to By Shannon VanRaes how that first sample came in posi- staff tive, we’re not exactly sure how that came about,” said Mark Fynn, A false test was to blame for an animal care specialist with the a report that a fifth farm in Manitoba Pork Council. “Whether Manitoba was infected with por- there was some cross-contamina- cine epidemic diarrhea (PED). tion at some point not related to The province had issued a the farm, we don’t know.” bulletin Oct. 1 indicating a Four farms in the province have nursery finisher barn had tested been confirmed to have the PED positive for the virus, but sub- virus — two sow barns and two sequent tests found no trace of finisher barns, all located in the  porcine epidemic diarrhea at the southeast of the province. farm. The presence of PED can be   “Really what it comes down easier to identify in sow barns, to is that no test is ever perfect,” because newborn pigs are most    said chief veterinary officer susceptible to the disease. Some Megan Bergman. “Unfortunately sow barns see piglet mortality rates these things do happen.” in excess of 80 per cent.  An initial sample taken from However, adult swine show few   the farm was tested twice and clinical signs of the virus.   returned positive results both “Signs in a nursery finisher are times. However, further moni- pretty subtle,” said Fynn. “Usually     toring by both the province and you have the herd go through a   a private veterinarian turned up bout of having some diarrhea for no signs of PED and no clinical a couple of days and then the pigs signs of the disease in the herd, are back to normal — they recover officials said. Since PED moni-   pretty well and you don’t see any  toring in Manitoba began early increase in mortality or anything this year 1,090 samples from 182 like that.” farms have been tested for the But better to have a false positive virus. Nearly 4,000 samples have than a false negative he said, also been submitted for test- adding he believes the protocols ing from high-traffic sites in the for detecting the disease in the     province. Eight of those high- province are working well.    traffic sites have tested positive for the virus. [email protected] ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 15 Officials at Red Deer hog facility vow animal abuse won’t happen again Western Hog Exchange chair says he doesn’t like animal rights group’s tactics but says its undercover video will result in ‘very positive changes’

“I don’t believe that putting our By Jennifer Blair head in the sand is going to make af staff this issue go away,” said Moen. “We have to deliver good, solid he Western Hog Exchange plans going forward to minimize has one message for the the potential of this happening T pork industry in the wake again. We want to do what’s right, of animal abuse allegations at its and we will do what’s right.” Red Deer facility. Taking immediate action was “What we saw is not accept- the right thing to do, said Darcy able,” said Brent Moen, chairman Fitzgerald, executive director of of the farmer-owned exchange. Alberta Pork. “We’re introducing changes, and “Certainly, things were done we’re taking responsibility for this. wrong, and they are being cor- And we will make improvements rected,” he said. “Something to our process.” wasn’t right. They jumped on it. An undercover video showing They fixed it quickly. And they’re the alleged abuse came to light on willing to move in that direction Oct. 11, when CTV’s W5 aired foot- for continuous improvement.” age taken by someone working That includes working with undercover for Mercy for Animals third-party auditors on an ongo- Canada, an Ontario-based animal ing basis to prevent similar inci- welfare group. The video shot by dents in the future. the person, who was employed “I view this, for our organization at the plant for 10 weeks, showed and our industry, as a real learning The latest undercover video by animal rights group Mercy for Animals Canada was taken at workers dragging, kicking, and experience. We will make some Western Hog Exchange’s Red Deer facility. Photo: Mercy for Animals video striking hogs with a plastic bat. very positive changes out of this,” But no one in Alberta’s pork said Moen. the SPCA are better equipped to released,” he said. “You start to What happened at the exchange industry was blindsided by the “At the end of the day, while I handle animal welfare concerns, wonder what is the ultimate goal is a “systemic issue,” said Osborne, news. In September, CTV con- don’t like the process that Mercy said Greter. between Mercy for Animals and who claimed “over eight mil- tacted Western Hog Exchange for Animals uses, I do recognize “Everybody has an onus on W5 who continuously do this. If lion animals in Canada arrive at about the footage, and the orga- this as an opportunity to make them to report abuse if they see it,” we’re truly concerned about the assembly yards and slaughter- nization worked quickly to get to positive changes, and we will she said. “The fact that this type of animals, let’s voice it right away. houses either dead or too sick the bottom of the allegations. do that.” thing was going on for that length Let’s not wait.” and injured to become part of “We asked that they imme- of time and wasn’t reported is That’s a question that should the food supply and, as such, are diately turn the videos, in their Changes needed? really concerning for us. That’s not be put to the CFIA, responded euthanized.” entirety, over to the SPCA and the Since the video was released in acceptable either. If this is going Osborne. “The only way to get any form of CFIA, because they are the two leg- mid-October, Mercy for Animals on, someone should be reporting “We must remember that the justice is to ensure that our grossly islative bodies that can take legal has called on the federal govern- it right away.” CFIA is law enforcement, and outdated transportation regula- action against us if there were, ment to “dramatically improve the Fitzgerald said that should have what went on at Western Hog tions are updated in a wholesale indeed, violations or charges that very poor transportation regula- been Mercy for Animals. Exchange was in full view of law manner and that there is clear needed to be issued,” said Moen. tions” in Canada’s livestock sec- “The individual was there for enforcement,” she said, adding enforcement with dissuasive pen- When CTV refused — citing tor. three months and then the video the undercover worker made alties for infractions.” a distribution agreement with “The Agricultural Ministry has was held for at least another a complaint directly to a CFIA Mercy for Animals Canada — been promising for over eight month and a half before being inspector, who “failed to act.” [email protected] exchange officials contacted the years to update our transportation Alberta chapter of the SPCA and regulations, and it has consistently the regional office of the Canadian failed to act in any way,” said Food Inspection Agency. Krista Osborne, executive direc- “We told them that we would tor of Mercy for Animals Canada. work with them and co-operate Canada lags “grossly behind HAVE YOU GOT IT YET? with them in any investigation every other western nation” in its that was forthcoming,” said Moen. transportation regulations, she “Obviously, we have no tolerance said. In the European Union, ani- for this kind of stuff, so we agreed mals must be provided with food, to get to the bottom of it.” water, rest, and protection from Two independent swine special- the elements on journeys lasting ists were brought in to conduct a longer than eight hours. “complete open investigation,” Under Canada’s Health of Ani- he said. mals Regulations, hogs can be “We asked them to come in and transported for up to 36 hours A new way to search and find review all of our protocols, our without food or water, but Fitzger- training manuals, our procedures, ald said that happens “very rarely.” ag equipment! and give us a report on what they “Most pigs travelling to our facil- found related to animal-handling ities would be under eight hours,” issues and treatment of animals.” he said. Management also met with staff Even so, a review of transport at the Red Deer facility to inform regulations is “always worth look- them of the complaint, review ing at,” said Angela Greter, acting animal welfare standards, and executive director of Alberta Farm to warn that disciplinary action Animal Care. OVER 30,000 would be taken if those standards “Things change and new weren’t adhered to. research becomes available,” she FULLY SEARCHABLE AG Since then, the exchange has said. “We’re always striving to EQUIPMENT LISTINGS IN terminated one employee and make it better.” suspended two others for failing to THE PALM OF YOUR HAND!! follow proper handling protocols. Enforcement necessary Sponsored by Every livestock producer wants Mercy for Animals is also calling Now you can find the ag equipment you’re looking for quickly companies like his to use “the for “appropriate and dissuasive and immediately on your iPhone or Android Device. most humane handling practices fines and penalties.” that we can do,” said Moen. “Regulations are certainly a first “That said, people make mis- step, but enforcement is neces- takes. Within our handling system sary. As we saw at Western Hog and with our workers, they have Exchange, the industry is inca- WHY WAIT And mIss A dEAl!? made mistakes. We have to hold pable of regulating itself,” said Start your search now! Scan the code to download the app »» them accountable for it, and we Osborne. will try to ensure that it does not “The CFIA was there for every happen again.” single shift that our undercover investigator worked, and the CFIA Immediate action failed to take any action.” Or visit agdealermobile.com for download details. The response shows the exchange While the food inspection is serious about animal welfare, he agency is responsible for enforc- added. ing regulations, organizations like 16 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

The boy is back? LA to slash water use The El Niño weather phenomenon could surface within one or two months and last Los Angeles aims to reduce local water use by 20 per cent over the next three years into the Northern Hemisphere spring, though it will remain weak throughout its to address a record drought through a mix of voluntary measures and mandatory duration, says the U.S. weather forecaster. It could worsen droughts in Australia and restrictions. Residents would be asked to limit watering their lawn to twice a week, Thailand, and also cut rainfall in Indonesia and Malaysia. El Niño could bring above- municipal workers would cut back on watering, and there could be mandatory average rainfall to parched California and bring milder-than-normal temperatures cutbacks on car washing if the 20 per cent target isn’t met. The drought is expected

forecasts to the U.S. Midwest. In China, it could bring more rain south of the Yellow River and to cost the state an estimated $2.2 billion this year, along with a loss of more than cause flooding in major rice- and cotton-growing regions. — Reuters 17,000 jobs, as farmers are forced to leave fallow valuable cropland. — Reuters }

A deeper look into Antarctica’s sea ice paradox Trapped greenhouse gases, the hole in the ozone, and the nature of salt water all play a role in this situation

By Daniel Bezte

hen people hear sea ice around Antarctica Percent of Average Precipitation (Prairie Region) W is hitting record-high September 1, 2014 to October 16, 2014 winter levels, many scratch their heads and wonder how that could be happening in a warming world. Those who don’t want to believe in the fact that we are < 40% 40 - 60% definitely increasing the amount 60 - 85% of greenhouse gases and that 85 - 115% extra energy is being trapped in 115 - 150% our lower atmosphere will likely 150 - 200% jump all over this type of news > 200% and declare global warming is Extent of Agricultural Land Lakes and Rivers just one big conspiracy. In my last article we started to look at just what has been going on in both the Arctic and Ant- arctic. Evidence shows air and sea temperatures are increasing over and around Antarctica. In fact, over the last half-century, average winter temperatures to the west of the Antarctic Pen- insula have increased by about

5.8 C, which is the fastest known Produced using near real-time data that has undergone initial quality control. The map rate of global warming recorded may not be accurate for all regions due to data worldwide. availability and data errors. So what’s going on? Well, Copyright © 2014 Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada depending on who and what Prepared by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s National Agroclimate Information Service (NAIS). Data provided through partnership with Created: 10/17/14 Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and many Provincial agencies. www.agr.gc.ca/drought you read, the science behind this is straightforward and This map shows the total amount of precipitation so far this fall (Sept. 1 to Oct. 16), compared to the long-term understandable — or it’s not as average. Southern Manitoba, northern Saskatchewan, and northeastern Alberta have been dry so far, with amounts simple as it first seems. For me, falling in the 40 to 60 per cent range. The wet spots have been southern Alberta and much of the southern half of I think the explanation is prob- Saskatchewan, where some regions received more than double their average precipitation. ably somewhere in between, with some fairly simple and easy-to- understand scientific explana- tions combined with a few new not going to disappear any time moving objects veer to the left, ciated with natural cycles, while the oceans around the Antarctic is things Mother Nature hasn’t yet soon. this results in the ice having a other collapses seem to be con- also increasing. revealed to us. What does the hole in the ozone tendency to veer or move away nected to unusually high levels of This results in warmer ocean The first explanation, I think, layer have to do with sea ice cov- from the continent and out to melting. Whatever the reason, this water getting trapped under covers most of what is going erage? sea. When the ice moves away melting results in an increase in a layer of less dense fresher on with winter sea ice cover- Well, the hole above Antarctica from the continent, ice-free areas fresh water. water. So, now two things are in age around Antarctica. It all has caused cooling in the strato- open up and are then quickly fro- Here is where things that at play, the warmer ocean water is starts with the hole in the ozone sphere. One of the side-effects of zen over by the cold air coming off first glance look simple and trapped below the surface and layer. No one disputes this has this cooling is a strengthening of of the continent, thus increasing straightforward, get a little more cannot warm the surface layer, occurred, and while we have the cyclonic winds that circle the the amount of ice. muddled. Fresh water and ocean and the surface layer is able to seen some minor weakening in Antarctic continent. I mentioned in the last couple of water have an obvious differ- freeze at warmer temperatures so the amount of ozone in the upper This increase in wind speed articles that while the amount of ence — ocean water contains more surface ice is created and at atmosphere over the North- seems to have several effects on winter sea ice has been increasing salts. This makes fresh water and a faster rate. ern Hemisphere, the hole that sea ice coverage. First, it helps to around Antarctica, the total vol- ocean water behave a little differ- That’s about all the room I is found over Antarctica is very push colder air from the centre of ume of ice on the continent has ently. First of all, fresh water will have. It’s pretty interesting, so I do pronounced. the Antarctic continent out over been going down. This is due to start to freeze pretty much around invite you to read up on it further. On a positive note, global the water, which helps to rapidly increased melting along with an the 0 C mark, while ocean water efforts to reduce ozone-depleting freeze the ocean water. Another increase in the amount of glacial begins freezing at about -2.0 Daniel Bezte is a teacher by chemicals look to finally be pay- effect is that these winds also ice coming off of the continent C. The second difference is that profession with a BA (Hon.) ing off as the ozone hole appears increase the push on the ice, and moving out into the sur- in geography, specializing in ocean or salt water is denser than climatology, from the U of W. He to have stabilized and there are which increases its speed as it rounding seas. fresh water. This means that if operates a computerized weather signs of a slow recovery begin- moves around the Antarctic. Since In fact, there have been several there is an increase in the amount station near Birds Hill Park. ning. That said, the hole has been this ice is rotating clockwise, and ice sheet collapses over the last 10 of continental ice melting, the Contact him with your questions around for a while now and it is in the Southern Hemisphere or so years. Some seem to be asso- amount of fresh water going into and comments at [email protected]. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 Trim: 10.25” 17

Protein data available Preliminary protein content data for the 2014 Canada Western Red Spring wheat harvest are now available by crop region. The data are based on samples received through the Harvest Sample Program and will be updated weekly. Go to www.grainscanada.gc.ca, type ‘protein content red spring wheat 2014’ and select the most recent upload. Producers have until Oct. 31 to register for the Harvest Sample Program, and samples can harvest be submitted until Nov. 30. — Canadian Grain Commission release }

Cover crops and soil health guru winning converts in Alberta brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which which purchase of conditions and terms the to subject provided are products brand ® Gabe Brown’s methods of using a ‘cocktail’ of cover crops to rebuild soil, PHL. 2014, © Limited. Hi-Bred Pioneer to licensed marks service and Trademarks SM , TM lower input costs and boost yields are attracting serious attention , are part of the labeling and purchase documents. purchase and labeling the of part are DuPont. of trademark registered a is Logo Oval DuPont The Pioneer ®

he plants cover crops on all 2,000

By Alexis Kienlen acres of cropland every year, either TM af staff with the cash crop or on its own.

ike many farmers, Gabe Inputs reduced Brown hates the term “sustain- Organic matter in his soils has tripled, L able agriculture.” his input costs are lower, and syn- But his beef is that it doesn’t go thetic fertilizer is a thing of the past, far enough. he said. He does use the occasional “For us to have the resources that herbicide pass, but hasn’t used insec- will be truly sustainable for future ticides or fungicides in years. generations, we have to regenerate A cocktail of cover crops includes our degraded soil,” said the North a mixture of different annual crops Dakota rancher and farmer, an inter- planted together in the same field. Trim: 15.5” nationally renowned speaker who has Plants need to be different heights toured North America and Australia. and have different leaves and rooting “Everywhere I’ve been in the world, habits; broadleaf and grasses need to I’ve yet to be on an operation that is be seeded together; and so do warm- Gabe Brown says soil organic matter has tripled on his North Dakota farm, not degraded, including my own. We season and cool-season grasses. and that’s allowed him to slash input costs while boosting yields. photos: Supplied can’t keep operating like that. We “There can be up to eight to 20 have to start regenerating those soils plants in a cocktail,” said Nora Pau- and building them back in order for lovich, manager of the North Peace us to be sustainable.” Applied Research Association. “The Brown first came to Alberta in 2013 premise is that all these plants have and is holding five workshops in the different growth habits but because province this week (for dates, go to of their diversity, they encourage www.areca.ab.ca and click on the the diversity of micro-organisms in Gabe Brown link near the bottom of the soil.” the home page). Cocktail cover crops also increase Brown’s method was developed on the diversity of micro-flora, which his own 5,000-acre mixed farm fol- improves soil health. lowing four straight crop losses from Brown describes cover crops as 1995 to 1998 due to drought and hail. “biological primers.” “The banker wouldn’t loan me “We’re just trying to mimic what money anymore for operating, so I nature evolved,” said Brown. “It’s just Curtis Hale’s “cocktail” mix is These cover crops, grown by Jack had to figure out how I had to make simple. When I describe it to people, predominately hairy vetch, along Stahl, have done well despite a dry my land productive without using they get it right away, or they’re just with sorghum, purple-top turnips, growing season. any inputs,” he said. “I started plant- in denial... It’s so simple that we’re in sunflower, crimson clover, tillage GROUND. PROVING ing more legumes, and I saw that denial that it can work. radish, kale, barley, oats, and rye. “This year was a real challenge when you plant a legume with a “But part of it is that we’ve been fed because we were so dry and hot up grass, it benefits both species. Then this mentality that we’ve got to feed fall. After his first talk, a group of here,” said Paulovich. “But it was we started growing some cover crops, the world — yield, yield, yield; grow eight producers in the Manning really neat to see how well these The and when I did that, the soil health more, more, more — and that’s totally area formed an informal cock- cocktail cover crops did.” improved.” the wrong concept.” tail cover crop group. The group Staff at the North Peace Applied Brown noticed more earthworms Paulovich initially brought put together a seed order, and Research Association sowed four in the soil, and then larger yields. Now Brown to the Peace Country last sowed different cocktail cover crops. see Cover crops } page 18

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Every year, DuPont Pioneer conducts over 1500 large-scale canola, corn and soybean trials – more than any other seed company in Western Canada. Ask your local Pioneer Hi-Bred sales rep for details.

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OGILVY PUB: Alberta Farmer Express AD #: REV-L-Better-SEED OPERATOR Print Production Contact: FORMAT: Newspaper FILE: 05-38837-REV-Better-SEED-NWS.pdf KB Chris Rozak TRIM: 10.25" x 15.5" CLIENT: Pioneer West PASS RedWorks Delivery/Technical Support: (416) 945-2388 JOB #: P.DUP.DUPBRW.14019.K.011 FINAL 18 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA U.S. farmers latest to sue Syngenta over GMO corn rejected by China Farmers who did not plant the seed say corn prices dropped when China began rejecting boatloads containing Viptera corn

trait, claimed they suffered losses bers have said the trait can be million linked to China’s rejections synchronize its regulatory review of By Tom Polansek because the price of U.S. corn found throughout the supply chain of U.S. crops containing the trait. new traits with the United States in chicago / reuters dropped when China began reject- because it is difficult to segregate Syngenta had no immediate a bid to reduce approval times, said ing boatloads of crops containing one variety from another. comment on the farmers’ law- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. armers from the biggest U.S. Viptera corn last year. “There are a lot of angry farmers suits. The company has said corn-growing states have In April, the National Grain & out there who really feel like Syn- the exporters’ complaints are Farmers misled F sued Syngenta AG over sales Feed Association estimated that genta needs to step up and do the without merit. According to the lawsuit, farmers of genetically modified corn seed U.S. farmers had lost more than right thing, and that is, compen- The U.S. Department of Agricul- felt misled about the prospects for not approved by China, joining $1 billion due to trade disruptions sate farmers for all the losses that ture is negotiating with China to China to approve imports of Viptera global exporters in pursuing damag- linked to the rejections. occurred as a result of Syngenta corn because Syngenta chief execu- es from the Swiss-based company. The lawsuits seek to open the prematurely rushing the product tive Michael Mack said in an April In co-ordinated lawsuits filed in complaints to all U.S. farmers who to market,” said James Pizzirusso, 2012 earnings call that he expected early October in Federal Courts in grew non-Viptera corn since China a partner with law firm Hausfeld Beijing to clear the trait “within a Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas began rejecting the trait in Novem- LLP, which is handling the farm- “We don’t mess matter of a couple of days.” and Missouri, farmers accused ber 2013. ers’ lawsuits. with China.” Beijing still has not approved Vip- Syngenta of being reckless when Last month, agribusiness com- tera corn. it launched U.S. sales of Agrisure Widely dispersed pany Cargill Inc. and another “We don’t mess with China,” said Viptera corn seed in 2011 without Viptera corn, known as MIR162, exporter separately sued Syngenta Deb Volnek Deb Volnek, a Nebraska farmer who obtaining import approval from was planted on about three per for selling Viptera corn seed before a Nebraska farmer who is among those suing Syngenta. China, a major buyer. cent of U.S. corn acres during the Beijing approved imports. The is among those suing “When China buys something, the Syngenta The farmers, who did not plant past two years, according to court companies said they suffered com- markets go up. When it doesn’t, the seed containing the unapproved documents. Still, industry mem- bined damages of more than $131 markets go down.”

Cover crops } from page 17

different mixes at four different times during the growing season, with a great deal of success. “They didn’t look so good at certain times in July and August, but with the moisture we had in Septem- ber, they are doing phenomenally,” said Paulovich.

Big potential Curtis Hale, who raises cattle and grows grain near Hines Creek has the highest number of cover crops in the Peace. He and his sons first saw Brown during his initial visit and that prompted Hale to travel to North Dakota to see Brown’s farm. “For the most part, on the production side, we’ve been impressed with what we’ve seen on an extremely dry year,” said Hale. “We’re just getting going and we believe that the potential is phe- nomenal. We intend to keep going in this direction. We’re convinced this is the only future for us.” Even during a dry year, Hale’s cocktail cover crops improved his forage yields. With monocropping, he got six to eight tonnes an acre. That jumped to 13 tonnes an acre using the cocktail cover crop. “This is a tremendous advantage for us,” said Hale. “We have high- quality feed, high production, and we’re building soil health. Those three things are all happening all at once for us, so it’s a no-brainer.” Hale didn’t have as much success on the cereal side because of low moisture levels, but he’s said he’ll conduct more trials in 2015. More producers will likely adopt this system, especially in a time of high input costs and low grain prices, said Hale. Americans in some regions have adopted the system and have done a great deal of research, and Hale said he thinks it might be because of low corn prices. “I do believe that this is the future, I really do,” he said. “I think people are beginning to wake up to the fact that you can’t ride the highs. If you have a dip and you can’t sustain yourself, you better look at a different system. I think that’s where we’re headed.”

[email protected] ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 19 Biobeds a simple way to prevent pesticide contamination The European innovation can break down pesticide simply and efficiently, but needs to be adapted to the Prairie climate

BY ALEXIS KIENLEN AF STAFF

p to 80 per cent of pesticide contamination on U a farm occurs where a sprayer is washed, filled, han- dled or rinsed — but there’s a simple and inexpensive way to prevent it. Biobeds, already in use in the U.K., Scandinavia, and South America, are trenches filled with absorbent materials (such as peat moss, compost or biochar), soil, and straw or wood chips. “It’s a fairly simple system that basically absorbs pesticides,” said Larry Braul, a water quality Larry Braul stands next to an above-ground biobed at a field An alternative to an above-ground biobed is a pit with a engineer with Agriculture and day in Outlook, Sask. PHOTOS: AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA geothermal membrane. Agri-Food Canada in Regina. “By introducing micro-organisms that break it down, the pesticide is degraded over time.” Braul and Ag Canada colleague Claudia Sheedy in Lethbridge are leading a project to Canadi- anize the European innovation. “What we’re trying to do is take WRITING A NEW CHAPTER FOR SOYBEAN PERFORMANCE the idea that they’ve adopted in Europe and adapt it to the Cana- dian climate,” said Braul. When it comes to trait technology, you’re looking for leadership and innovation. Hyland™ is powered “There are a few challenges by Dow AgroSciences outstanding research and development. Balance that with exemplary customer with that. One of them is that it’s a lot colder here. It’s a bit more service and you have a combination of performance and profitability that is worthy of an encore. challenging.” Micro-organisms can’t do their job when it’s too cold, and so the researchers are looking at heating methods, including solar, to keep them warm and active. “The big goal associated with the project is to solve any issue with biobeds and make them practical,” said Braul. “We’re actually trying to understand the microbial population within the biobed.” The research is looking at the ideal mix of material in the beds and the effect of torrential heavy rainstorms that are common on the Prairies. The goal is to adapt European designs and create a construction, operation and mainte- nance manual for biobeds that will function well in the Prairie climate. So far, an above-ground biobed and a pit with a geothermal membrane are the leading candidates. The price tag for a biobed will likely range between $4,000 and $8,000 depending on the size of sprayer, accessibility to electricity, and materials used, said Braul. If the collection pad is concrete, that would add another $5,000 to the cost. Researchers are also working with farmers to test prototypes and establish practical guide- lines for using them. “When you introduce something like this, a producer always has some comments on how we can change it to make it better and more practical,” said Braul. Test biobeds have already been installed in the County of Grande Prairie and Outlook, Sask. Another test facility will open near Vegreville in spring. The concept was first introduced to Canada in 2008 after Farming Forward. former Ag Canada researcher hylandseeds.com Tom Wolfe encountered biobeds on a trip to Sweden. ®™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow 10/14-37905-2R AFE [email protected] 20 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA EPA approves Dow’s Enlist glyphosate and 2,4-D combo Resistance will be monitored and approval will be reviewed in six years instead of the normal 15

EPA said the approval lays out EPA will review its approval of yields. Such weeds now infest mental Working Group non- By Carey Gillam a template of new requirements Enlist Duo in six years rather than roughly 70 million acres of U.S. profit advocacy organization Reuters for future approvals of herbicides the usual 15 years. farmland, according to Dow. listed the names of more than designed for use with genetically The EPA decision comes after Enlist Duo combines 2,4-D, 77,000 people asking EPA to he Environmental Pro- modified crops. the U.S. Department of Agri- which used in combination with deny approval. tection Agency gave final Dow will be required to closely culture gave final approval last glyphosate should help farm- But the EPA said its scientists T approval on Oct. 15 to a monitor and report to EPA to month to Enlist corn and soy- ers kill weeds that are resistant used “highly conservative and new herbicide developed by ensure that weeds are not becom- beans, which have been altered to to Roundup, Dow officials say. protective” assumptions to eval- Dow AgroSciences that has faced ing resistant to Enlist Duo, the tolerate being sprayed with Enlist Dow pegs the market for Enlist uate the human health and eco- broad opposition, ordering a agency said. As well, EPA is order- Duo herbicide. The specialty at about $1 billion, and hopes logical risks of Enlist Duo and that series of restrictions to address ing a 30-foot in-field “no spray” crops and the herbicide are to be to start selling the system for the usage as approved will protect the potential environmental and buffer zone around application sold as a branded “Enlist Weed 2015 U.S. spring planting season. public, agricultural workers, and health hazards. areas. It has also banned use Control System.” There has been broad oppo- endangered species. EPA said it was applying “first- when wind speeds are over 15 Like the popular Roundup sition to Enlist Duo. Critics say The agency said it evaluated time-ever restrictions” on its miles per hour. Ready system developed by rival use of 2,4-D has been linked to the risks to all age groups, from approval of the herbicide, called Initially, Enlist Duo will be Monsanto Co., farmers who plant a range of health problems. They infants to the elderly, and took Enlist Duo, which is designed allowed only in Illinois, Indiana, Enlist crops can spray over the also fear the new herbicide could into account exposure through to be used with new genetically Iowa, Ohio, South Dakota and crops in their fields with Enlist drift into neighbouring farm food, water, pesticide drift, and modified crops developed by Wisconsin. EPA will take public herbicide and kill weeds but not fields, harming crops there. And as a result of use around homes. Dow AgroSciences. comments until Nov. 14 about the crops. they say that in the long run it will “Our decision reflects sound The herbicide was developed approving the product for use Heavy use of Roundup herbi- only increase weed-resistance science... and is protective of by Dow as an answer to severe in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, cide triggered an explosion of problems. everyone and the environment,” weed-resistance problems that Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, herbicide-resistant “superweeds” The EPA received more than said Jim Jones, assistant adminis- are limiting crop production Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee that are hard for farmers to fight 400,000 comments about Enlist trator for EPA’s Office of Chemical around the country. and North Dakota. and which can choke off crop Duo. In one letter, the Environ- Safety and Pollution Prevention.

Brazil soy exporters to police Monsanto JUMP IN biotech seeds At least one company will BEFORE IT’S collect royalties on Monsanto’s behalf

TOO LATE By Caroline Stauffer sao paulo / At least one soybean exporter in Brazil has agreed with Monsanto to collect royalties, in exchange for a fee, from farmers who planted genetically engineered seeds marketed by the company, according to industry sources. The landmark deal, already finalized by a firm that declined to be identified, highlights an increasingly complex relationship between global grain merchants and biotech firms. Other bigger merchants like ADM and Bunge will finalize agreements soon, the sources said, resolving a months-long dispute that had threatened to disrupt as much as a quarter of all soy Time is running out to jump into CWB’s Annual Pool shipments from the world’s second-largest grower. and Futures Choice Annual Pool. The trading firms are Sign-up to the Annual Pool and Futures Choice Annual Pool is wary of serving as biotechnology police in Brazil, a available until October 31, 2014, or until fully subscribed. role they have not had to play in the United States · Switch your grade for free until pool sign-up deadlines because biotech compa- · Manage your basis risk nies’ patents are protected by laws that do not allow · Rest easy with our Act of God clause farmers to reuse seeds year after year there. And, for every tonne delivered against 2014-15 pool contracts, In Brazil, where genetical- you will be eligible for an equity stake in a privatized CWB. ly modified seeds have only LEARN MORE AT been legal since 2005, reus- CWB has already closed some pools early due to high demand. WWW.CWB.CA/JUMPIN ing seeds is more common and it is easier for farmers to skip out on Monsanto’s fees after buying the seeds the first season. – Reuters ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 21 Right to save seed will be absolutely clear in updated plant breeders’ rights bill, Ritz vows The government has introduced amendments to its Agricultural Growth Act to make the language around seed saving clearer

write it “in more farmer-friendly tection of New Plant Varieties, ducers, rather than having dif- enue protection program because BY ALEX BINKLEY language” to remove any doubt, which sets rules for plant breed- ferent commodity groups handle it would be countervailable. AF CONTRIBUTOR he said. The only thing producers’ rights, patent-like protection them. “Farmers will be treated CFA and GGC along with 16 ers won’t be able to do is resell for the developers of new variet- more like customers and there other farm groups are members egislation updating plant the seeds to other farmers ies or strains of crops, Ritz said. will be more flexibility in dealing of the Partners in Innovation. It breeders’ rights will be for planting. About 90 countries are signato- with requests.” says the bill would bring Canada L amended to make it abso- ries to UPOV 91. By joining them, The program allows producers “in line with the rest of the world; lutely clear that farmers can save Farm group support Canada is expected to gain access to get a loan based on the value of opening opportunities for plant and replant seeds from crops they A coalition representing most to promising varieties developed crop they have in storage on their breeders in Canada and outside have grown, says Agriculture Min- farm groups including the Cana- in other countries. farm so they have more marketing of our borders to deliver superior ister Gerry Ritz. dian Federation of Agriculture The government will also flexibility. The loan is repaid when varieties to Canadian farmers.” It was one of several amend- and Grain Growers of Canada change provisions of its Admin- the grain is sold. The protection of intellectual ments the government plans supports the bill. However, the istrative Monetary Penalties Act to property is important to gener- for the Agriculture Growth Act, National Farmers Union and make it easier to crack down on No increase ate funds for investment in fur- which was forced through sec- environment groups have com- imports that violate food safety Ritz said the government doesn’t ther plant breeding and research, ond reading in the Commons plained it would prevent farmers rules, he said. As well, companies intend to increase the advance the coalition adds. The greatest in June. It had been introduced from saving seeds from a crop for will be able to appeal the penal- payment maximum because impact on farmers from amended last December but languished planting and would subject them ties to the Canadian Agriculture that’s sufficient for most farmers. PBR legislation will be access to on the order paper until March. to costly challenges from multina- Review Tribunal. “Only six per cent of farmers need new genetics and improved crop The government finally made it a tional seed companies. Legislation is also being more than $400,000 and they have varieties that will increase pro- priority item just before the sum- The amendment will also bring amended to designate one orga- other sources of financing.” He ductivity, deliver higher yields, mer recess. Hearings on it by the Canada up to the terms of the nization to handle all advance added that the government still and open more market opportu- Commons agriculture committee International Union for the Pro- payment applications for pro- refuses to support Ontario’s rev- nities for farm production. began Oct. 7. The government wants it passed before the next crop year. While the existing legislation allows so-called farmer privi- lege, the government decided to

Monsanto BETTER choices reports smaller loss MEAN BETTER returns. Company executives cite Start by choosing UFA. ‘more challenging’ Top Canola varieties, all the crop inputs you need, and the expertise commodity environment to help maximize return on investment – UFA is your best bet when it comes to making the right choices for your operation. Talk to your

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Monsanto has reported a Because a whole lot can grow from one good decision. narrower fourth-quarter loss and said it sees continued growth in the new fiscal year on sales of corn and soybean seeds. Monsanto forecast earnings in a range of $5.75 to $6 per share for the 2015 year. Analysts were expecting $6.03. Monsanto executives laid out plans for growth and investments in new business units for the 2015 fiscal year despite a “more challenging” environment for global commodities. It will also pour $350 million into a new farm data business unit, Climate Corp., and other emerging business units. Edward Jones analyst Matt Arnold said that even with grain prices depressed, Monsanto’s premium seed products should continue to be popular with farmers. “We think that fiscal ’15 can play out reasonably well, even in a pretty challenging agricultural environment,” Arnold said. Monsanto sees flat to lower key U.S. and Latin America corn seed plantings for 2015, while drought in Australia will hurt cotton sales. But those elements should be offset by upgrades and expansion © 2014 UFA Co-operative Ltd. All rights reserved. All other products are registered trademarks UFA.com of soybean products, of their respective companies. officials said. – Reuters 09/14-39792 AFE 22 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA Crop protection firm MANA Canada now Adama The company will continue to bring off-patent chemistry to farmers, but also intends to add value through innovation

Until now, Makhteshim Agan’s In 2011, 60 per cent of Makhteshim “A big part of our portfolio is off Adama’s roots lie in Israel By Allan Dawson subsidiaries around the world, Agan was sold to state-owned patent, alternative choice, but we where Agan Chemical Manu- staff including MANA, operated ChemChina, starting a new part- are going to be pursuing more and facturers was founded in 1945, under 26 unique local brand nership, which will result in further more chemistries from discovery,” and its global corporate head- he world’s biggest off- names. expansion. said Mann. We may not be the dis- quarters remains in Airport patent farm pesticide sup- Adama, which means earth in coverer of them, but hopefully we City, Israel, just outside of T plier and seventh-largest Hebrew, posted revenues of more would have a proprietary position.” Tel Aviv. crop protection company has a than US$3.1 billion in 2013. It Adama sells more than 20 farm Adama Canada is headquar- new name and focus. “This change essentially employs more than 4,500 people, pesticides in Canada now — 12 tered in Winnipeg, with two Makhteshim Agan is now including 14 in Canada, has 50 herbicides, four fungicides, and representatives in Manitoba Adama Agricultural Solutions brings us to one subsidiaries and 120 active ingre- four insecticides. and Alberta, respectively, three Ltd., including in Canada, where company, one culture, dients. To simplify pesticide options in Saskatchewan and two cover- it was called MANA (Makhteshim Adama will continue to bring off- Adama has colour coded and ing Eastern Canada. Agan, North America) Canada. one identity, one brand patent pesticides to farmers, but will created a unique icon for each “This change essentially and one name around also seek ways to make them better pesticide category. [email protected] brings us to one company, than the original, Mann said. For one culture, one identity, one the world.” example, Adama might combine brand and one name around certain products to create a unique the world,” said company chief blend to assist farmers with herbi- executive Andrew Mann. cide-resistant weeds or herbicide- “We have a broad portfolio of tolerant volunteer crops, he said. products and services. Innova- Andrew Mann It could be as simple as changing a tion is not just about the prod- pesticide formulation or concentra- uct,SEC-RYLEY14-T_AFE.qxd but it’s also about the 10/15/14 way 12:55 AM Page 1 tion to make it easier for farmers to of doing business.” use. SSEC-RYLEY14-T

Andrew Mann, CEO of Adama Canada Photo: Shannon VanRaes Ad Number: Publication: Alberta Farmer Express 3Col x 133 (6” x 9.5”) Non Bleed

Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Commercialized products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for canola contains the active ingredients difenoconazole, metalaxyl (M and S isomers), fludioxonil, and thiamethoxam. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for soybeans (fungicides only) is a combination of three separate individually registered products, which together contain the active ingredients fluxapyroxad, pyraclostrobin and metalaxyl. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for soybeans (fungicides and insecticide) is a combination of four separate individually registered products, which together contain the active Marketing freedom ® ingredients fluxapyroxad, pyraclostrobin, metalaxyl and imidacloprid. Acceleron seed treatment technology for corn (fungicides only) is a combination of three separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin and ipconazole. with higher yield. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for corn (fungicides and insecticide) is a combination of four separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin, ipconazole, and clothianidin. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for corn with Poncho®/VoTivo™ (fungicides, insecticide and nematicide) is a combination of five separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin, ipconazole, clothianidin and Bacillus firmus strain I-5821. Acceleron®, ✔ improved yield potential ✔ good sprouting resistance Acceleron and Design®, DEKALB and Design®, DEKALB®, Genuity and Design®, Genuity®, RIB Complete and Design®, RIB Complete®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design®, Roundup Ready 2 Yield®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup Transorb®, Roundup WeatherMAX®, ✔ replacement for AC Crystal ✔ no production contract required Roundup®, SmartStax and Design®, SmartStax®, Transorb®, VT Double PRO® and VT Triple PRO® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Used under license. LibertyLink® and the ® ® Water Droplet Design are trademarks of Bayer. Used under license. Herculex is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Used under license. Poncho® and Votivo™ are trademarks Genes that fit your farm. of Bayer. Used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Produced by: SeCan Product/Campaign Name: SeCan AAC Ryley Date Produced: October 2014 800-665-7333 Developed by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current. www.secan.com Plant Breeders’ Rights applied for. Genes that fit your farm® is a registered trademark of SeCan.

Ad Number: SEC-RYLEY14-T Legal Ad Client: Monsanto Ad#: 4187 905.403.0055 > [email protected] Insertion Order # LCA00900 Pub: Alberta Farmer Dimensions: Trim: 4 x 5 ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 23 Move over Golden Rice Orange corn rich in vitamin A on its way

breeding methods, not trans- African countries where yellow Purdue University release genics,” said Torbert Rocheford, corn is generally fed only to ani- the Patterson Endowed Chair mals, Rocheford said. hile the world con- of Translational Genomics for Their study found that a tinues to debate the Crop Improvement. combination of visually select- W potential for Golden Vitamin A deficiency causes ing corn with darker-orange Rice genetically modified to blindness in 250,000 to 500,000 kernels and using a number of contain higher vitamin A, Pur- children every year, half of these favourable genes could be due University researchers have whom die within a year of losing an effective way to rapidly con- found a way to boost vitamin A their eyesight, according to the vert white and yellow corn vari- in corn using traditional plant- World Health Organization. The eties to orange corn with higher breeding methods. problem most severely affects levels of provitamin A and total Researchers say they have children in sub-Saharan Africa, carotenoids. identified a set of genes that an area in which white corn, Their research was done in can be used to naturally boost which has minimal amounts of collaboration with HarvestPlus the provitamin A content of corn provitamin A carotenoids, is a and the International Maize and kernels, a finding that could help dietary mainstay. Wheat Improvement Center, combat vitamin A deficiency in Identifying the genes that also known as CIMMYT. developing countries and macu- determine carotenoid levels Varieties of orange corn are lar degeneration in the elderly. in corn kernels will help plant currently being grown in Zam- “This study gives us the breeders develop novel biofor- bia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and genetic blueprint to quickly and tifed corn varieties for Africa Ghana. An open-pollinated cost effectively convert white or and the U.S. The dark-orange variety of orange corn could be yellow corn to orange corn that colour of these corn varieties available for organic and local Orange corn, which is naturally high in provitamin A carotenoids, could is rich in carotenoids — and we also makes them more cultur- grower operations in the U.S. by help combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries, a condition that can do so using natural plant- ally acceptable to consumers in 2016, he said. causes blindness in 250,000 to 500,000 children every year. T:8.125”

EU corn crop reaches record high Estimates also raised for wheat and barley production

Paris / French consultancy Strategie Grains has lifted its forecast for the EU’s 2014 grain maize harvest for the fourth month in a row to a record 73.3 million tonnes. The estimate was nearly two million tonnes above last month’s and now 14 per cent above the crop harvested in 2013. “Since last month we have increased our production estimates for several countries, in which excellent yields were expected: Hun- gary, Romania, France, Cro- atia, Austria and Germany,” it said in a monthly report. This large EU maize crop T:10” adds to already hefty global supplies with a record U.S. corn crop of 373 million tonnes. However, as opposed to the United States, where corn ending stocks are expected to exceed the 51-million-tonne mark for the first time in a decade, the outlook was rather balanced in Europe, Strategie Grains said. “The gain in attractiveness of EU maize, along with the competitiveness of maize BETTER START. BETTER HARVEST. against wheat, have enabled it to pick up demand and gave the EU maize balance Bright golden yellow as far as the eye can see. Now that’s the mark of a truly successful sheet a more balanced out- canola crop. But when you plant with seeds treated with DuPont™ Lumiderm™ insecticide look,” it said. seed treatment, you’ll see the benefits of flea beetle and cutworm protection long before the The consultancy also first hints of yellow begin to grace your fields. That’s because Lumiderm™ helps get your raised its estimate for this year’s soft wheat crop in crop off to a better start. And a better start means a better harvest. the 28-member bloc for ™ the sixth month in a row, Ask your seed retailer or local representative to include Lumiderm on your ™ putting it at 147.4 million 2015 canola seed order and realize a better start. Visit lumiderm.dupont.ca. DuPont tonnes, against 146.6 million Lumiderm™ estimated last month and ™ ™ ™ ™ now nine per cent above DuPont Lumiderm is a DuPont Lumigen seed sense product. insecticide seed treatment 2013. The EU barley harvest As with all crop protection products, read and follow label instructions carefully. is estimated to be 59.9 The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Lumiderm™ and Lumigen™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. E. I. du Pont Canada Company is a licensee. Member of CropLife Canada. million tonnes. – Reuters © Copyright 2014 E. I. du Pont Canada Company. All rights reserved.

OGILVY PUB: Alberta Farmer Express AD #: DUP-LUM-01014-JR-AFE OPERATOR Print Production Contact: FORMAT: Newspaper FILE: 05-39647-DUP-LUM-01014-JR-AFE-NWS.pdf j k Dave Scanlon TRIM: 8.125" x 10" CLIENT: Dupont West PASS RedWorks Delivery/Technical Support: (416) 945-2388 JOB #: P.DUP.DUPCSE.14016.K.011 FINAL 24 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

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Always follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these requirements can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. ©2014 Monsanto Canada Inc. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 25

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Always follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these requirements can be found in ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Genuity and Design® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Canada, Inc. licensee. the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. ©2014 Monsanto Canada Inc. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. Helix® and Vibrance® are registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2014 Syngenta. 26 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

BRINGING IN THE HAY

A truck hauling a trailer stacked with round bales makes its way across a field near Millarville, Alta. Producers in southern Alberta have taken advantage of clear and warm weather in early fall to catch up on field work after a freak snowstorm in September left pastures too soggy. Photo: Wendy Dudley SEC-REDW14-T_AFE.qxd 10/15/14 12:46 AM Page 1 Tips for making hay during fall’s cool, damp weather Fall is less than an ideal time for putting up forage, so the goal should be to salvage what A better harvest. can be salvaged and feed it quickly bales that reach 50 C or higher lose Alberta Agriculture and their value as the protein is con- Rural Development release verted to a form that is unavailable to livestock. The cool fall temper- ime is of the essence when atures reduce the amount of heat putting up forage under produced in the bale by slowing T less-than-ideal moisture down the activity of the bacteria conditions. and mould, as well as cooling the “Cool and wet fall weather is great bales faster and keeping them from for pasture recovery and for easing reaching the critical 50 C.” SEC-REDW14-T forages into dormancy, but not so So use the assets that living in good for drying hay,” says Linda a northern climate provide, says Hunt, forage specialist with the Hunt. Alberta Ag-Info Centre in Stettler. Colleague Ken Ziegler suggests “It’s not uncommon for fall con-

Ad Number: Publication: Alberta Farmer Express 3Col x 133 (6” x 9.5”) Non Bleed “only putting 900 pounds of feed ditions in the central and northern into the space of a 1,200-pound areas of the province to be too cool bale. When the bale is popped out and wet to allow the swath to get of the baler, you will be able to slip down to the ideal 15 to 18 per cent your hand into the side of the bale moisture. So what do you do when quite far and quite easily compared your second cut is on the ground to a tightly made bale. This allows and it is too dry to silage but too the moisture to exit easier and the wet for hay?” heat to dissipate.” The short answer is to salvage Line bales up in north-south rows what can be salvaged and feed it to minimize the exposure to the sun, quickly. says Hunt, and increase the surface “The big advantage we have in area exposed to the westerly fall Canada is the cool fall temperatures winds. give us some grace to bale forage up “Leave a four- to six-inch gap tough and still come out OK,” says between bales within the row, and Hunt. space the rows far apart to increase “It’s sort of like storing your salad circulation and enhance cooling. in the fridge rather than on the Keep wet bales out of doors for the ® counter. The cooler temperatures best circulation and at the front of ✔ AC Harvest and McKenzie parentage for good grade retention can slow down the rate of spoilage the stack where they can be accessed giving you a chance to get the for- and fed first.” ✔ very good sprouting resistance age fed while there is still value. It’s Wrapping bales can also be an ✔ short, strong straw definitely not the ideal situation, and option. is highly dependent on the weather, “Ideally, bales should be in the 35 ✔ early maturity but it is a useful strategy when snow to 50 per cent range to ensure they ® is in the forecast.” ensile. If you have lower than 35 per Genes that fit your farm. Forage baled between 18 to 35 per cent moisture it can be difficult to cent is highly variable and unpre- remove the oxygen and spoilage is dictable so should be fed first and common. Again, the cool tempera- 800-665-7333 with caution, advises Hunt. tures we have in the fall and winter “Wet, warm bales provide an slow down the rate of spoilage buy-

Produced by: SeCan Product/Campaign Name: SeCan AAC Redwater Date Produced: October2014 www.secan.com Developed by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Winnipeg. ideal habitat for bacteria and ing time to get the bales fed.” Plant Breeders’ Rights applied for. mould growth, and it is the activ- For more information on ‘AC’ is an official mark used under license from Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada. ity of the mould and bacteria that making quality bale silage, go to ® Genes that fit your farm is a registered trademark of SeCan. causes the bales to heat. Protein in foragebeef.ca.

Ad Number: SEC-REDW14-T ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 27 U.S. farmers seen cutting fertilizer use as crop prices slide A late harvest and poor cash flow mean fewer applicators on U.S. fields this fall

Products. He sees farmers cutting BY ROD NICKEL back by as much as 50 per cent on REUTERS autumn fertilizer usage. Farmers also face dwindling .S. farmers are cutting back credit availability based on pro- on spreading fertilizer this jections that prices for next year’s U autumn in response to a crops will remain weak, he said. drop in crop prices to multi-year Chicago nearby corn futures lows and a delayed harvest, deal- earlier this month touched their ers say, warning of a pullback that lowest price since 2009 on expec- will be felt from grain markets to tations for the biggest harvest Canadian potash mines. ever. Ten of 12 U.S. farm retail companies surveyed by Reuters say fertilizer sales this autumn are lower than they were last year. “We’re having customer Reductions in fertilizer use of an estimated 10 to 50 per cent by vol- after customer telling us ume could hit profits of producers they’re having trouble such as PotashCorp of Saskatch- ewan and Mosaic Co. with their banks.” Lower fertilizer use in the One banker sees farmers cutting fall fertilizer applications by as much as 50 per cent. FILE PHOTO world’s biggest corn-growing country could also point to RANDY STEPHENS Farmers apply fertilizer from said Ralph Price, agronomy man- duced in the U.S. With that, there smaller yields and reduced U.S. SUREGROW AG PRODUCTS late October into early December, ager at Meadowland Farmers was a lot of phosphate and potash corn production in 2015, depend- depending on the region, once Co-op in Lamberton, Minnesota, taken out of the soil,” Mosaic chief ing on weather and the size of the the harvest is complete. The U.S. who expects orders to fall 20 per executive Jim Prokopanko said in planted area. Department of Agriculture said on cent this fall. a Sept. 30 interview. “That has to Some U.S. dealers say there Dealers said farmers are likely to Oct. 14 that only 24 per cent of corn Not all dealers are so bearish. be replenished.” is still time for fertilizer sales to cut back on all three major nutri- was harvested, compared with the The reduction in sales is likely Agrium Inc., which produces recover to last year’s levels once ents — potash, phosphate and normal pace of 43 per cent. to be modest because farmers fertilizer and operates North farmers complete the harvest. nitrogen — but especially potash While corn, wheat and soy- will have good cash flow after the America’s biggest farm retail But others fear a slump that and phosphate, which are not bean prices fall, wholesale prices harvest, said Bill Wolf, president network, expects a normal fall could stretch into 2015 as low typically applied every year. for granular potash and granular of the plant nutrient group at application season, depending on crop prices push purchases out Joe Dillier, director of plant food urea in the U.S. Corn Belt were up Andersons Inc. when harvest wraps up, spokes- of reach. at Growmark, a co-operative that seven and 13 per cent year over Fertilizer producers have man Richard Downey said. “We’re having customer after spans 30 states, said fertilizer year as of Oct. 10, according to acknowledged the possibility of a Mosaic recently cut phosphate customer telling us they’re hav- orders have been “non-existent.” data posted by Mosaic. demand drop-off, but emphasize production due to rising costs, ing trouble with their banks,” But he expects a sales drop of only “There’s going to be some cut- that farmers risk smaller crops and Agrium warned its final two said Randy Stephens, president 10 per cent as high-yielding crops backs because (crop) prices are and profits by cutting back. quarters of 2014 would miss profit of Texas-based SureGrow Ag strip the soil of nutrients. poor and inputs are too high,” “This was a gigantic crop pro- expectations.

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All major U.S. railroads must GMO label foes spend report service stats: regulator The edict comes as the grain sector big on campaigns in braces for a long, slow winter

on all products shipped on the By Karl Plume rails, and make sure all prod- Oregon, Colorado reuters ucts — whether grain, oil, coal or anything else — are treated he top U.S. rail regulator equally and fairly in how they Voters weigh in on issue in upcoming midterm elections ruled all Class 1 railroads are transported,” Senator Heidi T operating in the United Heitkamp, of North Dakota, States must provide detailed said. By Carey Gillam weekly freight service reports, The STB ruling came after a Reuters a decision that cited months of public hearing last month and congestion that has hit the grain supersedes an earlier decision pponents of GMO food and power industries particu- requiring only Canadian Pacific labelling proposals larly hard. and BNSF, the top carriers in O on the ballot next month Carriers must submit detailed the congested northern Plains in Oregon and Colorado have data on average train speeds, region, to report service details. contributed roughly $20 mil- dwell times and other service Railroads have argued that lion for campaigning against metrics on a temporary basis they are taking all necessary the proposed laws, nearly triple beginning on Oct. 22, the Sur- steps to improve service, includ- the money raised by support- face Transportation Board (STB) ing hiring additional staff and ers of the initiatives, campaign said. They must also jointly expanding track capacity. But finance reports show. submit a narrative summary they have struggled to fully Both measures would require of operating conditions at the recover from service slowdowns labels on foods made with Chicago gateway, a busy rail caused by extremely harsh genetically engineered crops, hub that is a choke point in the weather last winter and soaring which are common in the national network. demand for hauling crude oil United States. Voters in Colo- The ruling was a victory for by rail. rado and Oregon weigh in on santo Co., the leading devel- have contributed more than the agriculture and power “It is unclear how the the issue in midterm election oper of biotech crops. Other $11.2 million, versus roughly industries, which have argued increased reporting require- voting on Nov. 6. large contributors include $441,000 contributed by sup- for more transparency from rail ments in today’s order will in Similar mandatory labelling PepsiCo Inc., Kellogg Co. and porters of labelling, accord- carriers about the products they any way lead to improved ser- measures failed at the ballot Kraft Foods. ing to campaign reports filed carry on their networks. Some vice,” said Edward Hamberger, box in California in 2012 and Campaign finance reports this week. have accused railroads of pri- president and chief executive in Washington state in 2013. filed Oct. 15 in Oregon show Among the supporters oritizing crude shipments from of the Association of American Vermont passed a mandatory opponents have pooled about of GMO labelling is the ice shale oilfields in North Dakota Railroads. labelling law this year, but a $10.7 million to try to defeat cream company Ben & Jerry’s, over grain and coal, a charge the Carriers have been voluntarily group of grocery manufactur- the measure. That compares which is also one of the major carriers deny. providing the STB with weekly ers has sued to block the law. to more than $5.5 million from financial backers of the effort. “Today, the STB is taking statistics on terminal dwell Opponents who have con- supporters of mandatory label- Other supporters include food needed action to hold the rail- times, velocity and the num- tributed to defeat the measure ling. safety and family farm groups, roads accountable, require more ber of cars online since 1999, include a long list of corporate In Colorado, many of the organic food companies and transparency from the railroads he said. powerhouses such as Mon- same labelling opponents individuals.

What’s on the horizon in agriculture?

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This Country Called Agriculture is a new on-demand video series that delivers relevant news & information on the agriculture industry. Host Rob Eirich interviews ag pioneers,

professionals and academics that offer insight into today’s TCCA CURRENT EPISODES trends and what the future holds for agriculture – Consumer Benefits from Genomics on and off the farm. Video topics include: Rob Eirich talking with Tom Lynch-Staunton of Livestock Gentec, and Colin Coros of Delta Genomics, about the  Sustainability  Ag innovations  Exporting benefits of animal genomics for consumers.  Starting a new farm  Renewable energy  Alternative energy  New technology  Production & fuel sources  Food production and marketing  AND MORE Brought to you by Start watching now at AGCanada.com/TCCA Or scan the code with your phone to watch. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 29 U.S. foods labelled ‘natural’ often contain GMOs, group reports Virtually all of the 80 ‘natural’ foods tested contain genetically modified corn or soy

BY CAREY GILLAM REUTERS

majority of U.S. packaged foods labelled as A “natural” and tested by Consumer Reports actually contained a substantial level of genetically modified ingredients, according to a report from the non-profit product-testing group. Consumers are being misled by the “natural” label, said Urvashi Rangan, executive director of Consumer Reports Food Safety and Sustainability. Consumer Reports said it had conducted a survey of more than It has been two years since this photo was taken during the California 80 different processed foods GMO labelling campaign was lost, but the debate rages on. Recent testing containing corn or soy, the two has shown many packaged foods labelled as “natural” contain GMO most widely grown genetically ingredients. PHOTO: REUTERS/STEPHEN LAM PHOTO: THINKSTOCK engineered crops in the United States, to determine whether labelling claims for GMO presence were accurate. While foods labelled as “non- GMO,” or “organic” were found to be free of genetically modified corn and soy, virtually all of the foods labelled as “natural” or not labelled with any claim related to GMO content contained substantial amounts of Kubota Muscle Series GMO ingredients, Consumer Reports said. GMOs were present in breakfast cereals, chips, and infant formula, the group said. The organization said it tested at least two samples of each of the 80 products to measure GMO content. The products were purchased between April 0% and July 2014, the group said. Financing Products considered to be free or 60 Months OAC* of GMOs contained no more F than 0.9 per cent genetically *Limited time offer. modified corn or soy. See your dealer The report comes as the Gro- for details. cery Manufacturers Association, which represents more than 300 food companies, is pushing the federal government to develop a definition of the term “natural” on food packaging, and to allow foods containing GMOs to be labelled as natural. Some food manufacturers have been sued for using “all natural” labels on products that contain genetically modified ingredients. Biotech crops currently on the market include corn, soybeans, canola and sugar beets that have been genetically altered to repel pests or tolerate direct spraying of herbicides. The companies that develop them say the crops are safe. Many scientific studies back those claims. But critics point to studies that show links to human and animal health problems and environmental damage. Last October, an international coalition of scientists said there is a lack of consensus in the scientific community about the safety of genetically modified crops. Vermont has passed a law Kubota packs power and performance into every M Series tractor we build. that requires foods containing There are over 40 models in the M Series line-up ranging from the 50 Hp GMO ingredients to be labelled economy-priced MX Series to the all new, premium featured MGX Powershift as such, and more than 20 other Series topping out at 135 Hp. One of the 150 Kubota dealers in Canada would states are considering manda- be happy to recommend an M Series to partner with you to meet tory labelling of GMO foods, your needs and fit your pocket book. There is an M Series for you! including Colorado and Oregon, which have the issue on the bal- kubota.ca lot for the November election. The policy arm of Consumer Reports, Consumers Union, supports mandatory labelling of foods containing GMOs. 30 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA Aid groups cheer food price fall to four-year low However, ‘hunger hot spots’ remain in countries affected by disease and strife

Global cereal stocks are expected By Chris Arsenault to rise above 2.5 billion tonnes, rome / thomson reuters foundation their highest level in 15 years. Prices of sugar and dairy prod- orld food prices have hit a ucts fell most sharply in the lat- four-year low with record est monthly report, followed by W harvests breathing new cereals and oils, while meat prices hope into the fight against hunger, remained high. though some “hunger hot spots” But not everyone is happy. Low remain, says a UN agency. prices mean large trading houses Global wheat production is fore- and integrated supermarkets are cast to reach a record high in 2014, paying less to small farmers. the Food and Agriculture Organiza- “The people at the bottom are tion (FAO) said in its monthly food being squeezed,” said Graciela price index released in Rome. Romero, international programs Other coarse grains, includ- director at the British anti-poverty ing maize, are seeing a “comfort- charity War on Want. able” balance between supply and “It is just a few hands controlling demand, leading to the lowest the market and prices will likely world prices since August 2010, it spike up again because there is said. no regulation.” “Lower prices are good news The current period of lower from two points of view,” said Jane prices is a marked change from Howard, a spokeswoman for the 2007-08 when rising food prices World Food Program. triggered riots across several “Fewer people go to bed hungry developing countries. every night and it also means our Across the world, countries are Vendors sell vegetables in a market in Monrovia, Liberia October 1, 2014. The threat of hunger is tracking Ebola organization’s food bill — buying set to spend more than $1 trillion across affected West African nations as the disease kills farmers and their families, drives workers from the fields food for our operations — is lower.” on food imports in 2014. and creates food shortages. Photo: REUTERS/James Giahyue While harvests in much of the world hit high or even record levels, some regions continue to struggle. Countries affected by Ebola in West Africa — Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone — are facing serious market disruption. “In the Ebola-hit countries (we are) concerned about rising food prices,” Howard said. “While (the latest report is) good news overall, NovemberNovember we are very worried about hunger hot spots.” Drought conditions in Central 24-29, 2014 America are likely to reduce harvests there in 2014, while political violence in Iraq and Syria has ------severely degraded food security in those countries. Food prices in Somalia and Sudan remain at record levels, despite the generally better food security situation in much of East Africa. Ukraine sees 2014-15 grain BEEF SHOWS exports at a record ...... Ukraine’s grain exports in 2014-15 will exceed last season’s record level of EQUINE ENTERTAINMENT 33 million tonnes thanks to a higher harvest, said ...... Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Ihor Shvaika. He gave no exact forecast, CANADIAN COWBOYS’ but the ministry has previously said exports would be no less than 30 ASSOCIATION FINALS RODEO million tonnes this season which runs from July to ...... June. Ukraine plans to harvest 64.4 million tonnes of grain this year versus 63 million LIVE MUSIC tonnes in 2013. According to the ...... ministry’s data, Ukraine exported a total of 9.9 million tonnes of grain SHOPPING in the period from July 1 to Oct. 14, including 5.9 million tonnes of wheat and 3.07 million tonnes of barley. The former Soviet republic exported 7.4 million tonnes of grain in the same period last season. Analysts have said Ukraine is likely to export at about 26 million to 27 million tonnes. — Reuters ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 31 Food prices rise by 24 per cent in Ebola-hit countries Hundreds of farmers have died, disrupting planting and harvesting

scarcity and panic buying, further Reuters pushing up prices. “Prices have risen by an average ood prices have risen by of 24 per cent,” said WFP spokes- an average of 24 per cent woman Elisabeth Byrs. F across the three countries “Planting and harvesting is being worst hit by the Ebola outbreak, disrupted with implications for forcing some families to reduce food supply further down the line.” their intake to one meal a day, Byrs said her organization was said a World Food Program (WFP) carrying out a food security survey spokeswoman. remotely using mobile phones to The food-producing regions of investigate the impact of the crisis Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia on 2,400 families across the three in West Africa have been severely countries. affected by the worst outbreak on The first round of the survey of record of the viral hemorrhagic 800 people in Sierra Leone’s eastern fever that has killed nearly 4,500 districts of Kailahun and Kenema people. showed that people are worse off Infection rates in the food-pro- in terms of food security, despite ducing zones of Kenema and Kaila- being the main producing areas. hun in Sierra Leone, Lofa and Bong “The survey showed that cer- County in Liberia and Guéckédou tain families have cut down to one in Guinea are among the highest meal a day or that people are eating A health worker checks the temperature of a woman entering Mali from Guinea. The food-producing regions in the region. Hundreds of farmers food that costs less, such as cassava of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia in West Africa have been severely affected by the worst Ebola outbreak on have died. instead of rice,” she said. record. Photo: REUTERS/Joe Penney Decisions by the three governments to quarantine districts and restrict movements to contain the spread of the virus have also disrupted markets and led to food

U.K. rapeseed production jumps despite lower area Wheat area and yields recover from rain-soaked 2013

U.K. rapeseed production in 2014 rose 17 per cent to 2.5 million tonnes as favourable weather drove an increase in yields. “The overall oilseed rape yield has increased 25 per cent to 3.7 tonnes per hectare (66 bu./ ac.) following favourable weather conditions in 2014,” Britain’s Farm Ministry said. The area planted with rapeseed fell by 5.8 per cent to 674,000 hectares but there was a shift towards higher-yielding winter-sown varieties. The winter rapeseed area climbed 6.3 per cent to 660,000 hectares while spring plantings fell by 85.2 per cent to just 14,000 hectares, the ministry said. Wet weather in the autumn of 2012 prevented many farmers from planting winter rapeseed and led to a switch towards spring varieties. Condi- tions were more favourable for the planting of Everything you want in a seed, plus advice you can count on. Each DEKALB® this year’s crop. — Reuters corn seed represents a high performing package of leading traits and genetics, advanced breeding techniques, years of testing, and solid agronomic advice. All tailored to your farming conditions. That’s how we help you make the most of every seed, every season. Empowering your performance.

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The world is coming in 2018 Videos on AgInnovations winners The 28th Commonwealth Agriculture Conference will be part of Farmfair International Agri-Trade has its own YouTube channel and recently posted videos in 2018. Since 1963, the conference has been held biennially in Commonwealth nations on its 2014 AgInnovations winners. The three winners are Haukaas across the world and is designed to give delegates a taste of the agriculture industry Manufacturing (Rotating Bale Grapple), Integrity Post Structures in the region of the host country. It was developed by the Royal Agriculture Society of (Perma-Column) and John Deere (Interactive Combine Adjustment). the Commonwealth, which encourages and arranges an interchange of knowledge and See story on page 46. To view the videos, go to www.youtube.com experience in agriculture throughout the Commonwealth by working with leading national and enter ‘Agri-Trade Equipment Expo’ in the search box. The videos agricultural shows. — Farmfair release can also be found at www.agri-trade.com — Staff

HeritageHEARTLAND Ranch Rodeo a showcase of real-life cowboy skills The 10-year-old event is the only place outside a working ranch to see traditional skills such as sorting, branding, and team doctoring

By Tessa Nybo af contributor

skilfully thrown loop glides around a steer’s neck; another A comes from behind to capture his two hind legs; and then two ranch hands on the ground hold the steer down for treatment. If this was out in the middle of a pasture, the cowboy or cowgirl would likely give the calf an injection, perhaps to treat a foot rot or pink eye problem. However, this time the ranch hands are under the lights of the Edmonton EXPO Centre with a crowd of specta- tors filling the seats on each side of the arena. They are competing in the team doctoring event at the Heritage Ranch Rodeo and the clock is ticking. And all the while, the familiar voice of longtime ranch rodeo announcer Gord Colliar booms over the sound system. “It is the only event that brings the “It is the only event that working cowboy to the spotlight,” Col- brings the working cowboy to liar said in an interview. The Heritage Ranch Rodeo consists the spotlight.” of events that simulate the work done every day on many of the country’s working cattle operations. Contestants Gord Colliar must perform the events in a controlled (above) manner that is humane to the horses and cattle involved, while also racing the clock in the team sorting, branding, doctoring and wild horse race, or being judged in the bronc riding. The events provide heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat excitement while showcasing the traditional methods of the working cowboy that are still in use to this day. Teams from 16 working ranches from across Western Canada will compete Nov. 4-6 at this year’s rodeo, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Colliar, Vern Lonsberry, Dave Fiddler, and Wilf Robson were instrumental in getting the rodeo started at Farmfair International to celebrate Alberta’s centennial in 2005. They chose to make ‘heritage’ part of the name to honour the cowboys and cowgirls of years past. “In that initial year, the ranch rodeo was an invitational event where ranches since Day 1. A cattle, dairy, and equine ping of calves. But that hasn’t affected sionate about that,” said Colliar, adding with a brand that had been registered for industry specialist with Zoetis, he had the level of competition and there has that’s what brings him back year after a minimum of 100 years were invited to announced the Medicine Tree Ranch been a continual improvement in the year. put together a team of hands from their Rodeo in Nanton for 10 years prior, so horsemanship of the contestants, said It is a showcase of skills both the sea- ranch to compete,” recalled Colliar. announcing the Heritage Ranch Rodeo Colliar. soned cowboy and first-time urban “It was an extremely high honour was a natural fit. Although the rodeo is the premier spectator can enjoy — and a glimpse of for a ranch to be selected to compete The rules have been loosened to allow showcase of traditional ranch skills, it’s a world most people don’t get to expe- in the Heritage Ranch Rodeo and the other ranches to compete, and many also much more than that, he said. rience. ranch hands worked hard all year to be of the bigger, historic operations have “The social aspect of getting together “There are lots of working cowboys left selected for that honour.” dropped out because the event coin- with old friends and educating people in the world,” said Colliar. “They’re just Colliar has been the voice of the rodeo cides with weaning, selling and ship- about our industry — I am very pas- hard to see from the road.” 34 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA The next farm tech revolution Rob Saik says big data will soon be a fact of life on farms, and producers will have to find ways to deal with it all

now has more than 65 million the company stated in a press By Jill Burkhardt acres of farm data in its system. release. “Kinze continues to work af contributor The key is to zero in on specifics toward full commercialization of that truly matter, he said. the system.” arm technology has come “In southern Alberta, I coach a a long way — the leap from farm — every year they have low Ranches next F horses to tractors seemed zinc levels on their cornfield,” Many of the big changes have huge until computers, auto steer, said Saik. “I know they have to put occurred on grain operations, and advances in seed and crop zinc on. There is 13 to 14 years’ with cattle producers waiting for chemistry came along. worth of data saying this is what their turn in the high-tech lime- But the next technological leap it needs.” light. is going to be the biggest yet, and But with cattle prices at an all- it’s already underway, according Why bigger? time high, that wait may soon be to Rob Saik, CEO and founder of Another driver in farm technol- over. the Agri-Trend group of compa- ogy is obvious to every visitor “There will be a very sharp lift in nies. at any farm equipment show — technology in forage equipment “We are in an age of exponential machines are getting bigger. and on the cattle end of things,” growth with devices connecting It’s no coincidence this is hap- predicted Saik. to the Internet,” said Saik, who is pening at a time when it’s increas- On the forage side, Vermeer also the author of The Agriculture ingly harder to find people willing introduced a conceptual fully Manifesto: Ten Key Drivers That to work on farms, said Saik. continuous round baler in Sep- Will Shape Agriculture in the Next “We can’t find qualified opera- tember. “(The baler) allows two Decade, a look at technology in It’s an odd sight, but driverless tractors are already here. And tech expert tors,” he said. “(But) we are able bales to be formed simultane- farming and food production. Rob Saik says combines will be next. Photo: Kinze Manufacturing to drive 120-foot-wide sprayers ously, enabling the operator to Take a look at the equipment travelling 18 miles an hour.” continually move forward without on display at Agri-Trade — vir- “This is going to happen more Big data The next logical step is to have having to stop and wait for a fin- tually all of it can communicate rapidly than the adoption of the All these monitoring devices mean driverless farm equipment, he ished bale to eject before moving wirelessly with the operator and, smartphone itself,” Saik said. there will be a growing mountain said. on to the next bale,” boasts the increasingly, other equipment. But as is always the case, it’s of data on every farm. But without “If Google has cars that travel Vermeer website. With all these devices giving us not what technology farmers interpretation and implementa- half a million miles without an Cattle producers can also use data, Saik said he can see a rapid have, but what do farmers want tion, data is useless, said Saik. accident, farmers will have com- Bluetooth technology integrated creation of a “central nervous sys- technology to do. While auto steer That is going to lead to artificial bines that drive themselves.” in RFID tag readers and scale tem” for the farm. was adopted very quickly once it intelligence — software that relies And if the thought of tractors weigh-bars that connect to a tab- Just as nerve fibres continu- became easy to use, variable-rate on algorithms — to help farmers driving themselves makes you let like the Gallagher TSi 2. ally send data to the brain, farm technology has advanced rapidly turn data into dollars, he said. laugh, consider that since 2012 Keeping up with the latest tech- devices of the future will monitor but remains challenging because “The key to helping us sort data Kinze Manufacturing has been nology is critical to sustaining effi- a host of things such as weather, it’s not easy to get all the pieces is to integrate technology,” said working with three farmers in cient operations, said Saik. soil moisture, heat and moisture to fit. Saik. “The information will be western Illinois to reduce labour And so shows like Agri-Trade in your bins, and even real-time “There is a separation with grasp- too large and with tight margins, at harvest time via driverless trac- are not only a chance to see the data on what’s happening to ing technology compared with guys farmers can’t afford to guess.” tors pulling grain carts. latest and greatest in new tech- plants in the field. ignoring it,” said Saik. “When the And data has a way of piling up. “The participating farmers have nology, but also a chance to think And all these devices will link user interface becomes easy to use, Saik’s company has been tracking experienced significant efficiency about what’s driving innovations with smartphones, he predicted. more adaptation takes place.” farm data online since 2001 and gains during this year’s harvest,” and what the future might hold.

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PASTURES OF PLENTY

Extended warm fall weather has producers still working in the fields to get the hay in, all with a golden backdrop of aspens and mountains, west of Okotoks, Alta. Photo: Wendy Dudley

Elm pruning NEW ban over at UFA Alberta has the largest stand of American elms in the world that is free of Dutch elm disease

The 2014 elm pruning ban in Alberta has ended for the year. “Although Alberta remains free of DED, with two neighbouring jurisdictions, Sas- katchewan and Montana battling the disease, we must stay vigilant to keep our elms healthy,” says Janet Feddes- Calpas, executive director, Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease. Platinum Pro model shown Since its introduction from Europe in 1930, Dutch elm disease has destroyed millions of American elm trees across North America. At present, Alberta has the largest DED-free American elm Visit our booth stands in the world. There are at Agri-Trade an estimated 750,000 mature trees found in Alberta. One- UFA Agricentre West, third are in urban areas, with Westerner Park, Red Deer the remaining 500,000 in provincial parks, farm shelter- ALWAYS FIELD READY. November 5-8, 2014 belts, and rural homesteads. The ban, which will resume Refuel at your convenience with the new April 1, is necessary during the time when DED-carrying Meridian Fuel Express Trailer. beetles are active, which is • Delivers 3,750L of fuel right to your machinery between April and Septem- ber. Fresh cuts from prun- • Structural tube frame and powder coat finish for durability and longevity ing may attract the beetles that can spread the disease, • Design carries a low centre of gravity for straight and true tracking increasing the chance of an • Transport Canada approved infection. Once they have infected an area, elm bark • Decrease downtime and keep your equipment operating at full efficiency beetles will feed on healthy elms during the growing • Cowling houses 64 cubic feet of space for pumps, motor, DEF tanks, season and then breed and battery and other amenties overwinter in dead and dying elm trees. Available in three models: Fuel Express, Platinum Edition and Platinum Pro. “The annual pruning ban is in effect during the time of year when elm bark beetles are potentially most active,” says Feddes-Calpas. “Pruning remains an important part of regular elm tree care and is encouraged in Alberta, outside of the annual ban period. Proper pruning helps keep trees healthy and better able UFA.com to resist disease.” © 2014 UFA Co-operative Limited. All rights reserved. 130400 36 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA FNA wants more time to present CWB purchase plan to farmers Is a sale being sped up ahead of the next federal election?

Ritz supports a farmer-owned supplies products to FNA At more than 100 recent Pool where their shares were BY ALLAN DAWSON CWB but the matter goes beyond customers. farmer meetings across the West available to be picked up by STAFF Ritz’s office, Mann said. Mann said western Canadian 1,000 producers said they would other entities that aren’t farmers “I think this is a deeper farmers have the money to buy invest almost $50 million in and as a result lose their owner- armers of North America political question,” Mann said. CWB and is convinced they’ll Genesis, although their pledges ship interests,” Mann said. (FNA) says with harvest “We’re not that far away from do just that if they have time to are not binding, Friesen said. If as few as 3,000 farmers com- F delays it needs another six the election.” consider the deal. It makes eco- FNA first approached CWB in mit to delivering 1,000 tonnes to eight weeks to pitch its plan FNA wants to create a new nomic sense to handle grain and 2012 and has since sent a letter each for a total of three million for farmers to buy CWB from the farmer-owned company called fertilizer at the same facilities, of intent demonstrating it’s seri- tonnes, Genesis can succeed, federal government. Genesis Grain and Fertilizer he said. ous, he said. but the goal is to handle 20 per But FNA president and CEO Limited Partnership to handle Moreover, whoever buys CWB CWB was created Aug. 1, 2012 cent of Western Canada’s grain James Mann fears CWB will be and market western grain and gets the money back to reinvest after the federal government or five million to seven million sold first — probably to a foreign distribute fertilizer. in the company, Friesen said. ended the Canadian Wheat tonnes a year, Friesen said. multinational grain company. (FNA is also trying to create That’s what federal officials told Board’s monopoly. CWB has Work has started on West “I would say I don’t have high a $1.7-billion, farmer-owned an unnamed farm organization, never made its financial report Coast port access for the com- hopes currently, but we’re defi- nitrogen-manufacturing plant he said. public, despite operating for pany, he added. nitely doing everything we can at Belle Plaine, Sask.) The Winnipeg Free Press two crop years. “We’re not proposing to resur- to get farmers the time they FNA is a privately owned com- quoted CWB’s chief strategy When asked if FNA has seen rect the wheat board,” Friesen need to look at this,” Mann said pany that describes itself as “a officer Dayna Spiring as saying CWB’s books Penner replied: said. “We’re not proposing to Oct. 16. business alliance of farmers much the same. “Based on our best estimates, buy the CWB for nostalgic or Agriculture Minister Gerry dedicated to maximizing farm “The government wants a using publicly available infor- ideological reasons. We’re pro- Ritz didn’t directly respond profitability.” Farmers pay a fee strong and viable CWB,” Spir- mation, we put the value of posing that the farmer buy the when asked if FNA will get for FNA services. ing is quoted as saying. “That those (CWB) assets at between CWB’s assets purely for com- more time. In its offering memorandum was its goal when it removed the $250 million and $300 million.” mercial reasons...” “The CWB will assess all poten- issued Oct. 10, FNA asks farm- monopoly. To take away assets FNA and AgraCity have put up CWB assets include its Win- tial bidders and then submit a ers to invest a minimum of or to take a purchase price away the capital to kick-start Genesis. nipeg office building, around plan for commercialization to $10,000 (10 units of $1,000 each) would not be consistent with To recover its costs FNA will own 3,300 hopper cars and two new the government, in accordance to establish Genesis, which will the goal of a strong and viable shares in Genesis, Mann said. lake freighters, port terminals at with the legislation,” Ritz said try to buy CWB’s assets. CWB going forward.” “The first portion is to cover Thunder Bay and Trois-Rivières in an email. costs, the second portion is to a and a small elevator at Alexan- In April, CWB president and Money stays with CWB? Excess margins subordinated position to farm- der, Man., acquired when it pur- CEO Ian White said the com- Should the CWB purchase fail, The wide price discounts grain ers having received their capital chased Mission Terminal. pany intends to provide a priva- FNA will continue to create farmers received last crop year back in the project,” he said. CWB has also purchased Great tization plan to Ritz before the Genesis if it raises at least $20 relative to port prices were Other strategic partners, Sand Hills Terminal and Prairie 2016 deadline, which also million. The maximum to be akin to “a great grain robbery,” including grain customers, are West Terminal, both in Sas- requires CWB to be privatized raised is $380 million. Mann said. also being sought, he said. katchewan and is building new or wound down by 2017. If CWB isn’t purchased “The only solution they (farm- The company is being set up concrete elevators at Bloom and That means CWB’s sale is farmers can get their money ers) have to protect themselves so farmers retain ownership, Ste. Agathe, Man. and Colonsay imminent, said Bob Friesen, back, said Derek Penner, chief from excess margins is to be he added. and Pasqua, Sask. FNA’s vice-president of govern- financial officer of AgraC- involved in the business and “They (farmers) do not want ment relations. ity, a privately held firm that capture those margins.” to see a situation like SaskWheat [email protected]

Lack of information on CWB privatization criticized Farmers of North America BY ALLAN DAWSON (FNA) wants to buy CWB with- STAFF out having seen its books. He’s also skeptical that FNA’s A former Canadian Wheat proposed grain company Board director is critical about would have much impact in the the lack of information around market given its size relative to how CWB will be privatized. much bigger competitors. Stewart Wells, who is also Keystone Agricultural Pro- chair of the Friends of the ducers wants to see as much Canadian Wheat Board, which competition for farmers’ grain fought to retain the board’s as possible, but isn’t publicly sales monopoly, suspects the endorsing FNA’s plan to buy federal government has secret CWB, said Doug Chorney, criteria for the sale, including president of the Manitoba farm that CWB remain a stand-alone group. entity for a certain period. That way the government can say it (L to R): Blair Sanderson, CA; Glenn Dogterom, CFP, CMA; Bob Rice, CA fulfilled its promise to make CWB an option in an open “The federal market. “The federal government is government is trying YOUR OPPORTUNITIES ARE GROWING, SO IS OUR TEAM trying to bury this dead skunk to bury this dead as fast as it can and it’s using these CWB assets as a bribe,” skunk as fast as it MNP Welcomes Our Newest Ag Advisors Wells said, alluding to reports can and it’s using that whoever buys CWB will get their money back to reinvest in these CWB assets as You’re always looking for new opportunities to grow your business. That’s why MNP continues the company. a bribe.” to add the best within the industry to meet your business needs. Please join us in welcoming What happens to CWB assets matters to farmers because, Bob Rice and Glenn Dogterom as partners and Blair Sanderson as a senior manager to MNP’s according to Wells, they belong Agricultural Services team. Backed by 88 years of combined experience serving the Ag industry, STEWART to farmers. Almost all the wheat WELLS Bob, Glenn and Blair know what it takes to ensure you stay competitive and profitable. board’s revenue was earned Contact Diana Render, Regional Managing Partner at 403.317.2777 or [email protected] while marketing farmers’ grain, he said. “The Canadian taxpayer has a dog in this battle too,” Wells “We don’t want to put sup- said referring to the $177 mil- port behind one initiative in lion Ottawa contributed to case there’s another initiative assist the wheat board transi- potentially competing with it tion to an open market. comprised of another farmer- Wells said he’s surprised ownership option,” he said. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 37 WTO again ‘Fair rail’ act no so fair for short lines sides with Under pressure to meet legislated quotas, railways give preference to their own main lines Canada on there are fast turnaround times, at “Whenever you have govern- could provide a quick turnaround, COOL, but… By Phil Franz-Warkentin the expense of other business. ment regulation, you do certainly but noted that other lines located Commodity News Service Canada “The legislation was a knee-jerk get unintended consequences,” farther off the beaten track were reaction, and has proved very dis- added Lee Jebb, vice-president having issues. estern Canadian short ruptive to the transportation system of railway operations with Cando One additional consequence By Shannon VanRaes line railways say they are as a whole,” said Sheldon Affleck, Rail Services, which runs the Cen- of the grain-moving legislation staff W getting the short end of president of Big Sky Rail Corp. and tral Manitoba Railway short line. “If is that customers moving other the stick as they struggle to meet Mobil Grain in Saskatchewan. you’re under orders to move a lot products, such as fertilizer, have It’s the third time the World their own commitments moving While large elevators on the main of wheat, you’ll move it to places been given lower priority, said Trade Organization has ruled grain and other products along line are getting a steady supply of that make the best utilization of Jebb. Difficulties moving grain in Canada’s favour, but it may their tracks. cars, “the short lines are getting the your cars.” He said his short line and other products to the U.S., not be the charm producers Last winter’s backlog of grain, short end of the stick,” said Roger which has a longer turnaround are hoping for. linked in part to poor rail move- Gadd, general manager of Saskatch- time, were another issue, accord- The international organiza- ment, prompted Ottawa to require ewan’s Great Western Railway. ing to Affleck. tion’s appellate body issued a the CN Rail and CP Rail move “We’re still trying to catch up with “The legislation was “If you believe in the free enter- 206-page decision last week 500,000 tonnes of grain per week last year’s crop, and we’ll prob- prise market, just let it go and don’t that said the United States or face fines. There have been some ably never catch up this year,” said a knee-jerk reaction, regulate things to death,” said has not done enough to concerns raised over the relatively Gadd. He said rail car deliveries were and has proved very Affleck, “because then you’re just comply with previous WTO cheap financial penalty (now at inconsistent and estimated his rail- adding one regulation on another rulings regarding country-of- $100,000 per violation). There way was about 1,500 cars behind. disruptive to the regulation on another regulation, origin labelling (COOL). have also been a few cases where transportation system and putting out fires, and listening That prompted Agriculture the quotas were not met, but in gen- Unintended consequences to complaints, on and on.” Minister Gerry Ritz to urge eral the legislation has met its broad While Great Western depends on as a whole.” The current legislation runs out Washington to comply. goal of seeing more grain move. CP Rail for its cars, Gadd said rail- Nov. 29, and Affleck said he hopes “This ruling is further vindi- However, an unintended conse- ways are simply doing what was it is not extended. “We need ideas Sheldon cation for our Canadian posi- quence of the legislation has seen best for their own business under Affleck on how to make things move tion and what we have known CN and CP focus their attentions on the current legislation. Rather, he Big Sky Rail Corp. smooth, not how to force people for many months now,” said the “low-hanging fruit” of moving placed the blame on the federal to do this, that, or the other thing,” Ritz. “It’s important that the grainSEC_BRAW14_T_MC.qxd along their main lines, 9/25/14 where 9:40mandates AM Pagethemselves. 1 said Affleck. Americans immediately do the right thing in the interest of our North American integrated beef and pork industry — Canada calls upon the U.S. to enact legislative change as soon as possible.” Representatives of Cana- da’s beef and pork sectors echoed the call for swift compliance by the United States government, but were not optimistic that change would come quickly. “We are very pleased with this win, but it is the third time,” said Canadian Pork Council chairman Jean-Guy Vincent. “After the WTO appellate body confirmed the illegal discrimination in COOL in 2012 the U.S. did nothing to eliminate the discrimination against imported Canadian-born hogs and beef cattle. Indeed, the revised final rule made the discrimination worse.” SEC_BRAW14_T

Ritz was clear that the fed- Manitoba Cooperator eral government is preparing to take retaliatory measures, and has circulated a wide- ranging list of products that Publication: could be affected. Ad Number: Size: 4Col x 140 (8.125” x 10”) Non Bleed He said that Canada is prepared to use “any and all means at our disposal.” But before retaliation can occur, farmers and politicians will likely have to wait for a U.S. response to the ruling. “We fully expect the Ameri- cans to appeal again,” said Ritz. First introduced in 2008, the U.S. law requires retailers to list the country of origin on meat products. The Canadian and Mexican governments have argued that this requirement dis- criminates against their meat products, resulting in a significant decline in the number of hogs and cattle exported to the U.S. In Canada, the CWRS Wheat federal government estimates the losses in excess of $1 billion per year. Proud supporter of ✔ 5% higher yield than AC® Carberry “The first step of being a good partner is living up to ✔ short, strong straw similar to AC® Carberry your obligations,” said Ritz. “It’s paramount that U.S. leg- ✔ moderately resistant to FHB (Good rating) islators act quickly to remove the discrimination and costly

Produced by: SeCan Product/Campaign Name: SeCan AAC Brandon ‘ Wheat King Date Produced: September 2014 ® segregation of our Canadian livestock.” Genes that fit your farm. shannon.vanraes@ Developed by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current. 800-665-7333 www.secan.com Plant Breeders’ Rights applied for. fbcpublishing.com Genes that fit your farm® is a registered trademark of SeCan.

Ad Number: SEC_BRAW14_T 38 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA Ebola predicted to lead to ‘hunger crisis of epic proportions’ Hunger and displacement caused by the crisis could have long-lasting effects

The virus that has so far killed by Laura Rance thousands in Sierra Leone, Liberia Manitoba Co-operator Editor/ and Guinea has driven 40 per cent Des Moines, Iowa of farmers from their fields, and is causing the agricultural economy he global campaign to end of the West African region to col- world hunger came face to lapse. Entire populations now lack T face last week with famine’s access to food, and farmers who powerful new ally: the Ebola virus. do have crops have no market “It could lead to a hunger cri- access. sis of epic proportions,” Kanayo “It is a disease of the forgot- Nwanze, president of the Interna- ten and the invisible world and tional Fund for Agricultural Devel- it has been a neglected disease,” opment (IFAD) told delegates Nwanze said. “Now it has come to attending the Borlaug Dialogue, reach capital cities and travelled an annual event held in honour of as far as Europe and the U.S.; the Nobel Peace Prize-winning wheat visible world is trembling.” breeder Norman Borlaug. “We need a rapid, collective Starving the future response. We need to deal with In a live address from the Republic the emergency swiftly, but we also of Sierra Leone, President Ernest need to invest in long-term resil- Koroma said Ebola has taken its ience in the rural areas.” biggest toll on young adults, most While much of the North Ameri- of whom work in agriculture. can focus has been on how to pre- “A disease that strikes youth and vent the deadly virus from invad- farmers is a disease that destroys ing the First World, hunger fight- food production,” Koroma said. ers, defence experts and political “It weakens our present and leaders from West Africa appealed starves our future.” to delegates to see Ebola as a symp- In its postwar era, Sierra Leone tom of the very issues they came to had become one the fastest- discuss — hunger and poverty. growing economies in the world, Nwanze told delegates that with projected annual economic accomplishing what has been growth of more than 11 per cent. described as the “world’s greatest Since May, its economic growth challenge” of feeding more than outlook has been downgraded to People carry a bag of rice at a World Food Program distribution point in Freetown Oct. 18, 2014. The UN’s World nine billion people by 2050 cannot three per cent. Food Program and Food and Agriculture Organization say border and market closures, quarantines and movement be accomplished without unleash- Florence Chenoweth, the minis- restrictions, and widespread fear of Ebola have led to food scarcity, panic buying and price increases, especially ing the productive capacity of the ter of agriculture for Liberia, said in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The WFP is trying to provide food to around one million people in the three worst- very population that is currently her country has also worked hard affected countries. Photo: REUTERS/Josephus Olu-Mamma being ravaged — poor farmers liv- to rebuild in the aftermath of a civil ing in remote, hard-to-reach areas. war that raged from 1980 to 2006 The country had since become ment, $17 billion of which was livestock had to be eliminated and “We must look to the invisible when a democratically elected self-sufficient in seed production in agriculture. that resulted in more than 800,000 in the forgotten world… it is easy government came to power. and was producing enough rice “All of that agricultural invest- people without livelihoods who to pretend that they don’t exist, “We started from scratch,” she that food procurement programs ment has of course left,” Che- started migrating to the city to but they do,” he said. “And their said, noting that after the war, for the poor were able to source noweth said. survive.” problems are our own; anyone farmers returning to the land supplies within the country. “When Ebola is contained, our Speckhard said at a time when who doubts this has only to look lacked even the seed they needed Liberia had attracted more than country will virtually be starting there needs to be strong leader- atCAHOF Ebola.” 2014 Ad 9/9/14 3:24 PMto plantPage a 1crop. $17.6 billion in foreign invest- again,” she said. ship from the international com- Instead of nine per cent eco- munity, the ability of traditional nomic growth, her country’s out- international government orga- look has been downgraded to 2.1 nizations to respond is compro- per cent since the virus first struck mised by nationalism and popu- in May. lism. “I think the impact on regional He joined John Hamre, presi- trade is going to be very, very dent and CEO of the Center for strong,” she said. Strategic and International Stud- JOIN THE CELEBRATION! ies and former U.S. undersecre- No hiding tary of defence, in urging citizens Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Linkages between food security, to support efforts to de-escalate the Ebola crisis and the escalat- regional tensions before they ing conflict in Syria were powerful erupt into global crises. undercurrents rippling through Hamre warned North Americans the conference, which focused delude themselves by thinking on how to close the gap between their safety lies in sealing them- stagnating global productivity selves off within “no-fly zones.” gains and the projected growth “We are living in an interna- in demand for food. tional age when good things and “We need to recognize that the bad things can move at unprec- link of food security to conflict edented speed,” he said. “We’ve and instability is a strong one,” known for six months that Ebola said Daniel Speckhard, president was going to become a global and CEO of Lutheran World Relief problem, we didn’t do anything Induction Ceremony to Honour and a former high-level U.S. dip- as a nation. We thought of it as a lomat serving in Iraq. remote problem, a tragic problem “We shouldn’t forget that multi- that affected West Africa, not us. Walter Browarny year droughts in Syria between “That’s not the case anymore. (nominated by: Canadian Beef Breeds Council) 2006 and 2010 are part and parcel And I think what Norman Borlaug of the spark that led to the begin- realized 50 years ago was that ning of the crisis in that country,” the human condition has now Charles Froebe he said. become seamless. We are not the (nominated by: Canadian Canola Growers Association) “During that period one-half beneficiaries if we try to hide.” of the country turned into des- Lorne Hepworth ert, more than 80 per cent of the [email protected] (nominated by: CropLife Canada)

Sunday November 9, 2014

6:00 pm Cocktail Reception For tickets and information contact: 7:00 pm Dinner and Ceremony Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame c/o Doug McDonell Centennial Room, Liberty Grand Tel: (905) 878-4394 25 British Columbia Road, Cell: (905) 467-3483 Exhibition Place, Toronto ON [email protected] Kanayo Nwanze, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, spoke to reporters at the recent Borlaug Dialogue about the effect of Ebola on food security. PHOTO: LAURA RANCE ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 39

Rural Internet service Ukrainian farmers like to burn stubble will not be compromised: minister Industry Canada says spectrum now used for high speed will not be taken for cellular

By Meghan Mast Staff NASA says the red dots in Industry Canada says this satellite photo taken rural Canadians have no Sept. 18 are probably fires set reason to worry about los- by farmers in Ukraine and other ing broadband services. Eastern European countries to “Under no circumstanc- burn crop residue. es will our government Photo: NASA/Goddard, Lynn Jenner take spectrum licences away from any local Inter- net service provider that is providing Internet service to rural Canadians,” T:8.125” said Industry Minister James Moore. Industry Canada launched a consultation in August proposing to reclassify population cen- tres of more than 30,000 as “urban,” raising concerns rural users would lose the spectrum currently used for high-speed Internet to cellular. The consultation pro- CLUBROOT vided an opportunity for Canadians to submit their thoughts on how the spectrum can best be used. “I have received thoughtful feedback from LIVES IN local municipalities, Internet service providers and individual Canadi- ans,” said Moore. “Regret- tably, some have falsely suggested that this consultation will somehow THE SOIL. result in rural Canadians losing broadband services.” SO NATURALLY Late this summer Xplor- net Communications, a rural broadband service provider, charged that WE PUT CLUBROOT proposed changes would take spectrum away from rural Internet providers and users. RESISTANCE T:10” Moore said that if anything, the changes would benefit rural users. “The decisions resulting from this consultation IN OUR SEED. will ensure that the 3500- MHz spectrum band is deployed in the best interests of Canadian consumers, especially those living We believe the best way to minimize your in rural areas.” NEW Xplornet president HYBRID risk of getting clubroot is to grow canola Allison Lenehan said in a with built-in resistance to clubroot. That’s statement that her com- why more growers count on Pioneer® brand pany is “delighted” the canola hybrids that contain the Pioneer changes won’t affect rural Protector® clubroot resistance trait built Internet services. right into the seed. Because, like you, meghan.mast@ Average Yield we want your crop and your yield fbcpublishing.com From 169 Proving GroundTM ﬁ eld protected at all times. comparisons in 2013.* Ask your local Pioneer Hi-Bred sales representative about the

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OGILVY DIVISIONOGILVY PUB: Alberta Farmer Express AD #: PBRW-CLUB-45H33-JR-ABX OPERATOR Print Production Contact: FORMAT: NEWSPAPER FILE:04-39577-PBRW-CLUB-45H33-JR-ABX-NWS.pdf EG Chris Rozak TRIM: 8.125" x 10" CLIENT: PIONEER WEST PASS RedWorks Delivery/Technical Support: (416) 945-2388 JOB #: P.DUP.DUPBRW.14047.K.011 F i n a l 40 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA More people are eating a healthier Lakeland newest breakfast, but it has to be quick member of Fewer people are skipping breakfast, but they’re often grabbing a take-out breakfast meal ARECA The Lakeland Applied “Overall, in-home or carried- Research Association Alberta Agriculture and from-home breakfast trends (LARA) has become a Rural Development release imply time-pressured consum- member of the Agricul- ers with a motivation towards tural Research and Exten- reakfast habits are chang- eating healthy,” says Fernando. sion Council of Alberta ing, says provincial con- Innovation in the limited- (ARECA). B sumer market analyst service segment (LSR) has grown “LARA has a long his- Jeewani Fernando. overall traffic for the breakfast tory in conducting applied “Market research shows that meal occasion. However, break- research and extension in while skipping breakfast has fast full-service restaurant traf- northeast Alberta,” says declined in Canada, consumers fic has declined. Bill Gaugler, ARECA chair. are heading out of their homes The old standbys — such as “It’s great to have LARA on in search of breakfast more often eggs, bacon, sausage, hash the ARECA team.” than previously,” says Fernando. browns and toast — are less LARA conducts local “Cafés and fast-food restaurants popular, while more people are not-for-profit research, are top of mind for away-from- grabbing breakfast sandwiches demonstrations, and pro- home breakfast options. That and bagels. Egg and cheese jects in the Lakeland area, said, many consumers source sandwiches are the most popu- serving farmers in the their breakfast at home more lar sandwich category in LSR. counties of St. Paul, Smoky often than any other meal. Coffee is the dominant item Lake and Lac La Biche, and “Food trucks and ethnic fla- ordered at food service, fol- the municipal district of vours are making their mark lowed by breakfast sandwiches. Bonnyville. on breakfast meals, too. These “Food-service breakfast meal “I’m particularly trends are creating many oppor- trends also indicate consumers pleased to have LARA on tunities for food processors and are constrained by time,” says the ARECA team,” says restaurant owners alike.” Fernando. “These trends also Gaugler. “I grew up on According to The NPD Group, suggest that while consum- a farm in that area and 80 per cent of all breakfast meals ers are demanding convenient was the manager of the are made in five minutes or less. food, they also want to ensure Lakeland Forage Associa- Ready-to-eat cereal remains this food is healthy and high tion after I graduated and the most popular, followed by quality.” PHoto: Thinkstock before I went farming. toast, fruit and hot cereal — but When it comes to food truck ARECA’s goal is to provide toast is in a long-term decline sales, Fernando says millennials ties and late-night bars. Some “Tim Hortons is facing stiff good production infor- while fruits and yogurts are (those born in the early 1980s to food truck companies commu- competition from rivals who are mation to farmers across steadily becoming more popu- the early 2000s) are the driving nicate their schedules via social aggressively contending for a Alberta, so having LARA lar. force. media.” slice of the profitable breakfast on the team is right in line However, fruit juice, break- “This, in part, explains the Breakfast accounted for market,” says Fernando. “Inter- with where we want to go.” fast’s second most commonly tendency of food trucks to nearly 60 per cent of restaurant estingly, more than one-quarter — AARD release consumed beverage after coffee, locate near where millennials industry traffic growth over the of McDonald’s revenue comes has been in decline since 2006. congregate, such as universi- past five years. from breakfast.”

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Scan the code or visit the website for more information www.agcanada.com/aggronomytv ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 41 Ex-Cargill Dogs, hogs and dairy cows: manager ﬁ ghts attempt ‘Animal pharm’ catches to keep him from rival investor attention Lower development cost and shorter approval time than for human drugs makes them attractive BY TOM POLANSEK REUTERS Jaguar recently launched its ing to a report by Technology profit streams secondary to the BY CAREY GILLAM first commercial product, a drug Acceleration Partners. parent operations, or startups Valuable trade secrets that REUTERS to treat diarrhea in calves. From 2011 to 2016, the animal struggling for cash. Cargill claims were stolen Analysts say interest in the medicines and vaccines sector is That changed in January 2013 by a longtime manager ancer drugs for cats, pain growing sector is strong despite expected to grow by 5.7 per cent when Pfizer Inc. spun off its ani- in its meat-packing divi- relief for dogs, diarrhea risks such as drugs that do not per year, the report states. mal health business Zoetis, raising sion who quit for rival JBS C drugs for hogs and hor- perform as expected. Investors like the fact that regu- $2.2 billion. Shares have climbed SA are nothing more than mones for dairy cattle: The “ani- “There is a lot of enthusiasm latory approval of products for ani- more than 40 per cent since. basic butchery, lawyers for mal pharm” industry is increas- for animal health,” said Tim mals can move faster at less cost One of Zoetis’s hottest draws the employee said in court ingly drawing the interest of Wall Lugo, an analyst at William than with drugs for people. While is a vaccine for pregnant hogs to documents. Street investors. Blair & Company, which has a drug for humans can take 10 ward off the PED virus that has Cargill is asking a federal One of the newest companies helped manage two recent ani- years and more than $1 billion to killed millions of newborn pigs judge in Denver to forbid to market in the emerging sector, mal health IPOs. “Vets in general develop, one for animals can reach in the United States. Jason Kuan from working California-based Jaguar Animal are starving for new innovative market in half that time for about Rising world population and for a competitor for one Health, notified the Securities therapies.” $10 million, industry experts said. increased wealth are boosting year to prevent damages and Exchange Commission in The animal health industry Until 18 months ago, animal demand for animal health prod- stemming from the loss of late August of intent to launch an globally is pegged at $92 bil- drug development companies ucts, industry experts say. The confidential information. initial public offering valued up lion to $102 billion, with the were largely off the radar screen, drugs being developed help keep The dispute illustrates to $70 million for development of subsector of animal medi- either divisions of much larger livestock healthy and can extend the intense competition gastrointestinal products for pets cines and vaccines seen at human-focused pharmaceutical the lives and well-being of the pets among meat producers and livestock. $22 billion annually, accord- companies, with products and people want to pamper. and processors at a time when beef prices are at record highs and the U.S. cattle herd is at a 60-year low. In August, Cargill sued Kuan, who led its “case- ready” meat unit in Can- ada, for allegedly copying hundreds of company documents after he already had a job offer from JBS in Colorado. Kuan, who worked for Cargill for 20 years, did not return the documents when he resigned, according to the complaint. Kuan’s lawyers denied that he stole the materials, We know the value of according to a court fil- ing. They said this month cold weather germination. that Cargill’s worries about the potential disclosure We have to. It’s Canada. of trade secrets were mis- placed because the meat industry is not highly technical. They noted that all competitors in the case-ready meat business, in which companies deliver meat to retailers after packaging it at plants, basically purchase, process and sell raw materials in the same way. “Simply stated, there are only so many ways to cut a steak,” Kuan’s lawyers said in a motion fighting Car- gill’s move to keep Kuan from working for a case- ready rival. Kuan periodically backed up Cargill documents from his work computer onto an external hard drive due to equipment failures and planned to return the documents to the company when he resigned, according to court filings. However, after Kuan quit, the company served Creating a seed treatment that helps crops withstand this country’s unpredictable him with an “instant law- ® suit” before he was able to elements was no accident. Like you and your operation, Insure Cereal was built in return the documents, the Canada. Of course more consistent emergence in cool germination conditions is filings said, adding that he just one of this innovative seed treatment’s advantages. It also delivers increased subsequently returned all biomass both above and below the ground, and provides the plant with enhanced the materials. ability to manage exposure to minor stress.* They’re all part of the unique benefits** Cargill believes Kuan ® “fabricated an unreliable we call AgCelence . And Insure Cereal is the only cereal seed treatment that has ‘computer backup’ story” them. For details, visit agsolutions.ca/insure or call AgSolutions® Customer after being caught steal- Care at 1-877-371-BASF (2273). ing trade secrets and that he cannot refrain from using the company’s con- *All comparisons are to untreated unless otherwise stated. **AgCelence benefits refer to products that contain the active ingredient pyraclostrobin. fidential information in his job as president of JBS’s Always read and follow label directions. case-ready business, court AgSolutions is a registered trade-mark of BASF Corporation; AgCelence, and INSURE are registered trade-marks of BASF SE; all used with permission documents show. by BASF Canada Inc. INSURE CEREAL should be used in a preventative disease control program. © 2014 BASF Canada Inc.

110201511_Insure_CG_AFE_v1.indd 1 2014-10-10 11:29 AM

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STUDIO AD#: Kenna_FP4C_ASG_110201511_Insure Bleed: .N/A PMS PMS COPYWRITERACCT MGR SPELLCHECK PROD MGR PROOF # 42 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Community news and events from across the province

Only in the digital age — Alberta and what’s Ukrainian vets a YouTube sensation up A shared passion for veterinary medicine and YouTube has Albertan Cody Creelman Send agriculture-related helping a Ukrainian colleague in his bid to win a bovine ultrasound meeting and event announcements to: [email protected] By Alexis Kienlen Oct. 27: Harvest Sunlight — Feed af staff the Soil, Grimshaw Legion Hall, Grimshaw. Contact: Monika t started with an online friendship between Benoit 780-523-4033 (Also Oct. two cattle veterinarians, and blossomed 28 in Legal, Oct. 29 in Vermilion, I into a worldwide, viral campaign. Oct. 30 in both Pollockville and Even though he doesn’t speak a word of Vulcan.) Ukrainian, Airdrie vet Cody Creelman, was drawn to the online videos of Vadim Pryadko, Oct. 28: Working Well Workshop, who lives in a town called Khmelnitsky near Stettler. Contact: Kevin the Polish border. MacDonald 780-672-4765 “We developed a relationship,” said Creel- (Also in Whitecourt, Lac Ste. man. “We started talking about what type of Anne County, Clearwater, Pincher practice he was at, what kind of school he went Creek, Morinville, Newbrook, to, about his family. He had lots of questions Westlock, and Lac La Biche — see about how we do things in the West in terms www.workingwell.alberta.ca.) of cow medicine. He was keen to learn how Oct. 30: Getting into Farming to manage different diseases, our vaccination Information Session, Agriculture protocols, and antibiotic strategies.” Centre, Airdrie. Contact: Ag-Info It all started when Creelman, also an avid Centre 1-800-387-6030 videomaker, left a comment on Pryadko’s YouTube channel, saying that he wished he Oct. 30: Agriculture Labour could understand the words in the video. Since Summit, Black Knight Inn, Red Pryadko doesn’t speak English, he used Google Vadim Pryadko (r) and his friend Anatoly Petruk star in a video aimed at winning the Ukrainian vet a Deer. Contact: Bryan Walton 403- Translate to add subtitles and to communi- bovine ultrasound. Photo: Supplied 250-2509 cate with his new Alberta friend via the social networking sites Facebook and Google Plus. Easi-Scan portable ultrasound unit for cattle images of bovine injuries and veterinary Nov. 3: Body Condition Score The two quickly discovered they have many and equine veterinarians valued at US$14,000. procedures can be viewed at www.youtube. & BIXS workshop, Tomahawk. things in common. They are around the same “Since he doesn’t speak English, he had no com/watch?v=Uh-tGPzxPVo.) Contact: Carla 780-727-4447 age, and both are married with one child. But knowledge of the contest,” said Creelman, Winning would make a world of difference Nov. 4: Building Soil — Creating it is really their passion for their practice that who entered his friend in the contest. “We for him, Creelman said prior to the end of Land, Olds College (Land Sciences brought them together, said Creelman, who collaborated together. He had all the muscle, the contest. Building), Olds. Contact: Cassie has no Ukrainian heritage. I just had a couple of ideas for him.” “What I make in a day before lunch, he 403-652-4900 “Our real connection is wanting to tell our Creelman (@vetpracticeVAHS) is a prolific makes in a month,” he said. “To have some- story through the digital media,” said Creel- user of Twitter and has been relentlessly cam- thing that is worth US$14,000 is very special.” Nov. 5: 16th Annual Red Deer man, 29. “As soon as I saw what a master he paigning for his Ukrainian friend, using the And that’s just what will happen — the Swine Technology Workshop, was at that, I was instantly drawn to what he hashtag #VoteforVadim. A host of producers video was voted the winning entry although Sheraton Hotel, Red Deer. could do. from Alberta and across the country have further details weren’t available at press time. Contact: Lisa Doyle 403-244-7821 “I kind of dragged him into our little cow vet taken up the cause. Pryadko also won a lot of friends in the Twitter circle and he became popular there. But his friend is no slouch at promotion, West. People contacted Creelman during the Nov. 6: Alberta Verified Beef He’s quite the photographer, so he always tells either. In a tongue-in-cheek video titled voting, offering to donate money or gather Production Training Workshop, a pretty special story through a completely for- “Dreaming of an Easi-Scan,” a sad-faced Pry- vet supplies in case his friend didn’t win. Oth- Winfield Main Hall, Winfield. eign yet familiar perspective. He does the same adko laments the task of preg checking cows. ers changed their Twitter avatars to a blue Contact: Kim Barkwell 780-955- job that we do, but in a completely different “My poor hand,” he says to a co-worker and yellow checkmark to show their support. 3555 (x3287) land. He’s been a great source of inspiration (played by friend Anatoly Petruk). “It’s so international. We have such Nov. 10-14: Greener Pastures for my videos. He has a mantra of making art “Sit down, look at how Cody Creelman great support throughout Europe, Aus- Ranching Ltd. Presents: Year- out of the routine.” checks pregnancy,” the co-worker responds tralia and in Canada. It’s just been huge,” Round Grazing Systems, Pryadko works for a large dairy, as well as at before showing him a video of Creelman using said Creelman. Westlock. Contact: Steve Kenyon an equine stable. There are only a few veteri- the Easi-Scan. P r y a d k o ’ s Y o u T u b e c h a n n e l i s 780-307-6500 narians in his city of around 300,000, so he also Crisply shot and tightly edited, the video www.youtube.com/channel/UCqc_ treats dogs, cats, mules and horses. also pushes the pathos button with a zlJiP2QXTqmQBnHnlFw while Creelman’s Nov. 12: Safe Agricultural His excellent videography skills made him a frustrated Pryadko in tears before his friend is www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ Practices Workshop, Edmonton. shoe-in for an annual video competition put tells him of the video contest and the pair gI1jXVfTkzzftiYBlKdIw. Contact: Sherri 204-294-4376 on by diagnostic imaging company BCF Tech- launch their quest to win the prize. (The nology, which this year is offering a prize of an video, which does contain graphic, real-life [email protected] Alberta students rally to help out food banks

farm tractor pulling a trailer more than 2,000 kids and five local drove down the streets of businesses worked alongside us dur- A Red Deer, Blackfalds, and ing the tour.” Lacombe and stopped at eight More than 850,000 Canadians are schools earlier this month. assisted by a food bank each month, And each time, hordes of students and 36 per cent of them are children. brought bag after bag of donations It’s estimated more than half of peo- for area food banks. More than 2,000 ple using food banks in 2014 will do participated in FCC Drive Away Hun- so for the first time. ger — an 11-year-old program that The participating Red Deer schools has collected more than 17 million were Fairview, Grandview, Joseph pounds of food. Welsh, St. Francis of Assisi, and “We don’t have exact food num- Father Henri Voisin. In Blackfalds, bers yet, since we are still waiting students at Iron Ridge Junior Cam- for some totals to come in,” said pus collected food while students FCC spokesman Jamie Marcotte. at James S. McCormick and Central “We estimate it was around 60,000 Alberta Christian schools did the The trailer was filled many times during the annual FCC Drive Away Hunger campaign in Alberta this fall. pounds of food. We’re excited that same in Lacombe. ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 43

Economist says supply SCRUBBING UP management costly for consumers But critics say study flawed because it ignores billion-dollar U.S. subsidies

By Shannon VanRaes staff

Supply management hurts the poor and costs Canadi- ans as much as 69 per cent more for some products, according to a University of Manitoba agriculture economist. But Ryan Cardwell drew a strong response by audience A red squirrel washes itself in the autumn sun, surrounded by aspen leaves, on a farm near Priddis, Alta. Photo: Wendy Dudley members at a recent pre- sentation at the University of Manitoba — some calling the work “narrow” and “almost inflammatory.” But the study was trying to assess the “distribu- tional effects” of the system, Cardwell said. “So if you support this policy, or if you are against this policy, just be aware of the cost and consequences,” he said. “We’re not putting a value judgment on this system. Our point is that without this system consumers would be paying a lower price.” The study compared pric- Growers can’t stop talking es in select Canadian cities to those in the U.S. and used about its ushing weed control. “a very conservative price ( Please accept our apologies. ) premium,” said Cardwell. Those price differentials ranged from 10 per cent to 69 per cent. Many questioned the use of U.S. pricing in the comparison, noting American farmers receive billions in subsidies, while the U.S. government buys up surplus milk and eggs to prevent a flooded marketplace. “I’m so sick and tired of this argument that some people throw up,” said Bruce Muirhead associate vice-president of external research at the University of Waterloo. “There is no reasonable comparison between Canada and the U.S.… we’re not paying taxes to subsidize the dairy industry like they do in the United States and those subsidies range anywhere from $4 billion to $8 billion a year for the dairy sector alone.”

shannon.vanraes@ fbcpublishing.com If you’ve been anywhere within earshot of a grower who’s used Ares™ herbicide for Clear eld® canola, you’ve already heard all about it. A lot. Because only Ares controls the toughest ushing weeds and keeps them from coming back. Which means you save time and money in the process. So try it for yourself. Once you see the result, we doubt you’ll be able to keep it to yourself. To nd out more visit agsolutions.ca/clear eldcanola or contact AgSolutions® Customer Care at 1-877-371-BASF (2273).

Always read and follow label directions. Ryan Cardwell speaks at AgSolutions is a registered trade-mark of BASF Corporation; ARES is a trade-mark and Clear eld and the unique Clear eld symbol are registered the University of Manitoba. trade-marks of BASF Agrochemical Products B.V.; all used with permission by BASF Canada Inc. © 2014 BASF Canada Inc. Photo: Shannon VanRaes

newsprint - 240 ink density

Client: BASFCAN Publication: Alberta Farmer Express . . . Madeline File Name: CLC_Yard_AlbertaFarm_2014_v1 Page Position: JrPg Project Name: CLC Ads_2014 Live Area: n/a CMYK PMS ART DIR CREATIVE CLIENT MAC ARTIST V1 Docket Number: 110200853 Trim size: 8.125” x 10” . . . . 08/19/14 STUDIO AD#: kenna_JrPg4C_AFE_110200853_YardTalk_2014 Bleed: n/a PMS PMS COPYWRITER ACCT MGR SPELLCHECK STUDIO MGR PROOF # 44 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 45

FARMFAIR & AGRI-TRADE SPECIAL

Farmers can kick tires and talk shop at 31st Agri-Trade farm show With more than 425 exhibitors and an even bigger floor space, Agri-Trade is the place to check out new equipment and connect with old friends Something for everyone at Farmfair International Today’s Farmfair isn’t just cowboy hats and cattle sales

BY JENNIFER BLAIR AF STAFF

eading into its 41st year, Farmfair Inter- H national is set to impress visitors once again with its unique blend of livestock sales, entertainment, and western hospitality. “It’s one of the longest- running agricultural events in Alberta and in Western Canada,” said show manager David Fiddler. “When you combine the Canadian finals rodeo and Farmfair Interna- tional, you’ve got a pretty significant agricultural event.” As Alberta’s premier ranch- “We’re going to have the ing show, the Edmonton- purebred beef shows, but based Farmfair International we’re also going to have a boasts more than 300 exhibi- commercial cattle show and tors and in excess of 90,000 sale, where we have bred visitors each year — in no heifers that show and sell, small part thanks to the new and bulls that just show.” features that continue to be The Livestock Innovation added to the show. Showcase — an area dedi- BY JENNIFER BLAIR “Over the years, we’ve added cated to the latest technology AF STAFF horse sales, equine events, available for producers — has entertainment features, and also grown this year. entral Alberta’s biggest farm show is back more competitive events, like “We’ll have other species and the 31st edition of Agri-Trade is big- the Team Roping Futurity, represented in that, not just C ger than ever, with new exhibitors, new Barrel Racing Futurity, and the beef cattle. We’ll have dairy spaces, and, of course, new equipment for farm- ever-popular Heritage Ranch and goats and sheep.” ers to explore. rodeo,” said Fiddler. With entertainment fea- “I think they’re going to be very impressed with While the livestock shows tures, including the Cana- the exhibitor mix we have in the show,” said show continue to be the major draw dian Finals Rodeo, round- manager Dianne Smirl. of Farmfair, exhibitors are ing out the show, Farmfair “If you’re looking for a piece of equipment or now going for quality rather International is a must-see technology, I’m pretty sure we’re the one-stop than quantity when showing for city folk and ranchers shop for you. I know our exhibitors always bring their animals, he said. alike. their best products to Agri-Trade.” “We’re seeing the same “If you’re in the business Agri-Trade has long been known as the go-to number of exhibitors bringing of agriculture, there’s lots to show for new equipment and technology, and this fewer head of cattle to town, see and do,” said Fiddler. “It’s year’s show will be no different. “If you’re looking for a piece of but the quality has definitely a great opportunity to come “Our technology area has gotten bigger. Tech- improved.” out and make your operation nology is of such great importance for us to high- equipment or technology, I’m pretty And the commercial live- better.” light, and that area will only expand,” said Smirl. stock show grows in popu- “We’ll have some new things for people to look sure we’re the one-stop shop for you.” larity every year. [email protected] at there.” Last year’s show was packed to the rafters with 415 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors over the 3-1/2- DIANNE SMIRL day show, but with new exhibitors like Lemken, Pillar Lasers, and Salford, the 2014 show will be even bigger — so big that Smirl has nearly run out of space for it. “This year, we’re testing out a tent solution that This year, the show’s learning stage has been we’re looking at expanding in 2015 to overtake the replaced with a networking space to better outside exhibitors that we have,” she said. “We’re accommodate that socializing. actually converting most of that into tent space “We got rid of the learning stage and instead to get more exhibitors into the show.” added more social areas to allow people to net- And while Agri-Trade may be known for its tire work and exchange information,” she said. kicking and equipment deals, the show is equally “We’re going to have more space for you to hang popular for the networking opportunities it offers. out with other Alberta farmers and share stories “Our whole purpose for being is bringing the and ideas.” community together and allowing them, under Agri-Trade 2014 runs from Nov. 5-8 at West- one roof, to check out new equipment but, more erner Park in Red Deer. importantly, catch up with their neighbours and people in the ag industry,” said Smirl. [email protected] 46 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

FARMFAIR & AGRI-TRADE SPECIAL

Temptations abound at equipment shows A rotating bale grapple is one of the featured products at this year’s Agri-Trade

“The grapple is gentle on net By Jill Burkhardt wrap, unlike teeth on manure af contributor bucket grapples,” said Haukaas. The rotating grapple requires gri-Trade visitors be an extra hydraulic remote in warned — you may be addition to the existing one A gripped by an urge to to run the rotating part of the splurge. grapple. An inexpensive electric Take, for example, the Haukaas solenoid valve with a foot switch Rotating Bale Grapple, one of this that shares the oil between grap- year’s winners of the show’s Ag ple and rotating cylinder is also Innovation award. available, he said. After watching the video show- Currently there are no other casing the device (www.youtube. rotating grapples on the market. com/watch?v=pcseBOSqXb0), Haukaas Manufacturing pro- cattle producers who feed round duces four different kinds: one- bales may want to run out and bale rotating and non-rotating buy one. and two-bale rotating and non- The exhibitor submissions in rotating. the seven-year-old contest are Integrity Post Structures is a judged by a committee of farmers, post-frame construction busi- who also selected Integrity Post ness founded in 2008 and based Structures’ Perma-Column and in Okotoks. The company started John Deere’s Interactive Combine with one construction crew, but Adjustments as 2014 winners. now has 17 crews and constructs Haukaas Manufacturing was about 400 buildings a year. started 34 years ago by Greg Hau- In 2009, co-owners Al Wil- kaas and his father on their fam- A rotating grapple takes bale stacking to a new level. Photo: Haukaas Manufacturing liams and Jerry Myer spotted the ily farm near Mortlach, Sask. The Perma-Column while attend- company has grown over time, “On average, an experienced the bale stack, rotate them to a age from ground moisture, keeps ing the National Frame Build- and for the past 20 years, it has operator can unload a 53-foot vertical position, and set them on the net wrap from freezing to the ing Association trade show in St. been an allied supplier to John semi-trailer (carrying 30 bales) the ground. When four bales are ground, allows for more bales in Louis. Although they had been in Deere with one of their products. in 12 minutes,” he said. lined up as a set, the operator can a smaller area, and more precise use in the United States for years, The goal of the rotating grapple With the grapple on the tractor, then place two more horizontally placement makes the stacks more no one had investigated bring- was to simplify and speed the the operator is able to pick up two on top to prevent weather dam- stable. ing them to Canada and the duo process of unloading and stack- big round bales off the semi in a age. Known as “mushroom stack- The device was also designed to ing bales, said Haukaas. horizontal position, drive over to ing,” this method reduces dam- be easy on the bales. CONTINUEd ON NEXT PAGE }

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FARMFAIR & AGRI-TRADE SPECIAL

HOME QUARTER MERCANTILE 216 – 1st Street West Cochrane, AB 403-932-2121 [email protected] UNIQUELY WESTERN CLOTHING, JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES • Double D Ranchwear • Patricia Wolf • Pat Dahnke • Rockmount • Kippy • Christine Alexander • Pendleton • Vintage Revival • Arohoe • Southwest Inlaid Sterling Silver • Montana Silversmiths • Custom Hand Tooled Leather Furniture • Reclaimed Barnwood Furniture • Wooded River & Pendleton Bedding • Mesquite Lamps & Tables inlaid with Turquoise (new shipment arriving soon)

• LEATHER & HAIR ON HIDE RECLINER • MADE IN USA • OFFERING A WIDE SELECTION OF CHAIR STYLES, LEATHER & HIDES TO CHOOSE FROM Keeping the wood frame off the ground along with special concrete makes building more durable, says Integrity Post Structures. PHOTO: INTEGRITY POST STRUCTURES WWW.HOMEQUARTER.CA quickly secured the Canadian reinforcement from rusting, and companies do not have with a rights for distributing and manu- a final admixture is added to give wood foundation.” facturing it. freeze/thaw protection. The company’s five-year-old The Perma-Column is a five- Although, using the precast headquarters along Highway 2 foot-long precast concrete col- concrete column adds five to 10 at Okotoks was the first building umn paired with an engineered per cent to the value of the build- in Canada to be built with the metal steel bracket, which is ing price, the value is in the lon- Perma-Column. installed in the ground. This gevity. John Deere won for its Inter- keeps a building’s wooden frame “Seventy-five per cent of the active Combine Adjustments, Where the stories go. off the ground. The column Integrity post-frame buildings which allows a combine opera- is made with self-compacting sold today are being built with tor to select a harvest priority and concrete, which provides three the premium Perma-Column,” specify which performance issue times the strength of standard said Williams. the machine should focus on — concrete. Microfibres and micro- “People who buy buildings grain quality, straw condition Network SEARCH silica add shock resistance, dura- feel they have added value with or grain loss. The system will be bility, compressive strength, Perma-Column. It adds longevity available on all W, T and S-series Search news. Read stories. Find insight. and erosion resistance. A corro- and provides the building with a combines and is integrated into sion inhibitor protects the rebar concrete foundation that other the cab’s armrest display.

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FARMFAIR & AGRI-TRADE SPECIAL

Shining a spotlight on Canadian genetics Farmfair International rolls out the red carpet for foreign buyers so they can learn about and connect with Canada’s purebred sector

ics in Dubbo, NSW Australia, is By Tessa Nybo the Australian representative for af contributor Farmfair International and has nothing but praise for it. t comes with a learning curve, “The show is located in an area but sourcing or selling genetics with a high number of purebred I abroad can open your opera- herds, which is reflected in the tion to exciting opportunities to quality of livestock on display,” improve your purebred herd or said Wheeler. find new customers. “The Inbound Buyer Program The Inbound Buyer Program is ensures that the buyers receive just one of the ways that partici- support and are connected with pating in Farmfair International the right people.” can get your purebred breeding It’s also fun, she added. stock noticed by breeders and “The unique combination of buyers from across the country, high-quality livestock, RAM Coun- and around the globe. try Marketplace, equine events, The program has worked well for and the Canadian Finals Rodeo many Alberta seed-stock produc- Getting to visit Alberta ranches is one of the draws for the Inbound Buyer Program. Photo: Courtesy Northlands creates a great spectacle,” she said. ers including Dawn Wilson. “The ability for visitors to tour “Farmfair International is an in its current format since Novem- farm tours, another day at Agri- itinerary also allows them to take around the large number of pure- ideal destination for international ber 2010. Trade in Red Deer, and hosting a in the Heritage Ranch Rodeo, RAM bred herds in close proximity to producers interested in making “It was created as a venue to reception so the buyers can meet Country Marketplace, and Cana- Farmfair is also a big advantage.” business contacts and learning facilitate another format of sales Canadian producers and industry dian Finals Rodeo. Organizers are now looking at about the Canadian beef indus- to benefit the domestic purebred reps. Funding for the program is But while the goal is to facilitate expanding the program to include try,” said Wilson, who owns and livestock market and to showcase provided by Alberta Livestock and sales, the program doesn’t get sheep and goats. operates Miller Wilson Angus near Canadian cattle and genetics Meat Agency and the Canadian involved in any business transac- Applications for the Inbound Bashaw with husband Lee. to the world,” said Stacy Felkar, Beef Breeds Council. tions — that’s left entirely to pro- Buyer Program are available at “The quality of the product is Northlands’ international market- The visiting buyers can also ducers and buyers. www.farmfairinternational.com top notch. We’ve met great peo- ing manager for agriculture. take in breed-specific events and There will be 12 breeds of cattle and are accepted until Sept. 1 of ple over the years and have made The program reimburses buy- take part in a matchmaking ses- on show this year, and buyers each year. Selected participants numerous international sales ers for 50 per cent of eligible travel sion that lets them meet purebred from eight different countries have are notified by mid-September. at the show. It is the single best costs (up to a total of $1,500) for producers of their breed. There’s signed on — Australia, Argentina, For more information, con- venue we have ever been at for foreign buyers attending Farm- also a full gamut of educational Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, U.S., tact the Northlands Agriculture direct sales.” fair. Organizers also roll out sessions ranging from nutrition Scotland and Turkey. Department at 780-471-7300 or The program has been operating the red carpet, offering a day of to genomics, and their customized Rachel Wheeler, of T & R Genet- [email protected].

FOR A bag of hay, WE’LL SHOW YOU HIGHER RETURNS.

UFA offers forage testing to arm you with the information you need to make profitable feed decisions. Drop off your forage sample at your local UFA Farm & Ranch Supply store or at the UFA Booth (UFA AgriCentre West, Booth #130) during Agri-Trade in Red Deer, November 5–8, 2014.

HOW TO COLLECT A PROPER FORAGE SAMPLE

1. Label your resealable plastic bag with a 4. Ensure the bag is fully sealed and store it description that will allow you to easily somewhere cool to avoid spoilage. identify where the sample was taken. 5. Deliver the sample as soon as possible and 2. Use your hay probe to randomly sample at avoid exposure to excess sun (e.g. in the least 20 cores from different bales. back of your truck). 3. Hay — the final bagged amount should weigh 112–225 g (¼–½ lb). Silage — the final bagged amount should weigh 225–454 g (½–1 lb).

1-800-665-1362 • [email protected]

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However, the editors, journalists and Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Add 5% GST ______number replies as soon as possible, we accept no Card_No.___/__/__/__/____/__/__/__/____/__/__/__/____/__/__/__/____ Expiry_Date___/__/_____/__/ liability in respect to loss or damage alleged to a rise Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy through either failure or delay in forwarding such of the information contained in this publication and the editors as well replies, however caused, whether by negligence or as Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communication assume no Signature______otherwise. responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader for this TOTAL ______publication based on any and all information provided. 50 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

FARM MACHINERY FARM MACHINERY FARM MACHINERY ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS Machinery Miscellaneous Machinery Miscellaneous Machinery Wanted

H1000 HAYBUSTER, TUB GRINDER, nmew ham- WANTED: NH BALE WAGONS & retrievers, any mers & new governor, $8,500 OBO. Phone: condition. Farm Equipment Finding Service, P.O. (403)556-0665. Box 1363, Polson, MT 59860. (406)883-2118

SOLD COWS. 2006 Haybuster bale processor, HAYING & HARVESTING model 2650, good shape, stored inside, $13,000. Also calf sheds & round bale feeders. Also have a HAYING & HARVESTING Five minutes can Westward 30-ft pull swather, $4000, has cut less than 8000-acs. (403)485-6530. Baling Equipment * HESSTON 4655 INLINE SMALL square baler, We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you quarter turn chute; New Holland 1033 square bale get you 5% back want to sell it fast place your ad in the Alberta Farmer pickup wagon; 1948 Farmall M tractor, live hydraul- Express classi¦ eds. It’s a Sure Thing. Call our toll-free ics; single bottom 30-in breaking plow; Maxant sin- number today. We have friendly staff ready to help. gle frame ail honey uncapper. Call (780)841-2984 1-800-665-1362. Available at: WANTED: JD 7810 c/w FEL & 3-PTH; sp or PTO from CPS bale wagon; JD or IHC end wheel drills. Small Medicine Hat square baler. (403)394-4401 HAYING & HARVESTING Contact your local CPS RON SAUER Co-op Ltd. Various representative about MACHINERY LTD. Medicine Hat, AB 2011 MACDON R85 DISC mower conditioner (403) 540-7691 header. No use since $10,470.00 Warranty up- [email protected] grade work order. Excellent condition. $24,900.00 our PrePay program Trades welcome. Toll free 1-877-862-2387, 846 Ford Versatile Designation 6, 4WD Tractor 1990, newer 18.4 x 38 dualled tires,12 speed manual, 4 hyds., (403) 528-6609 1-877-862-2413 and start earning. 6036 hrs., looks & runs good ...... $28,500 555 JD Crawler Loader, 250 hrs. on rebuilt engine, www.dseriescanola.ca good condition ...... $17,500 Combines 8070 AC Tractor, FWA, wheel base extended, duals ..$22,500 275 MF Tractor, diesel, multi power, 3 pth, new 18.4 x 30, front weights, loader available, looks and runs great ...$12,500 COMBINES B275 IHC Tractor & Loader ...... $3,500 51’ Degelman Landroller, only done 3,000 acres, Combines - Various as new...... $40,000 Degelman Dozer Frame MF 4000 Series 4WD .. $1,000 41’ Flexicoil B Chisel Plow, 3 bar harrows, excellent condition ...... $12,500 *Conditions apply. Flexicoil 6 Run Seed Treater ...... $1,000 134’ Flexicoil S68XL Sprayer, 2007, suspended boom, 10/14-40516-1A auto rate, joystick, rinse tank, triple quick jets, auto boom height, electric end nozzle & foam marker ...... $32,500 100’ 65XL Flexicoil Sprayer, complete withwindguards,elec. end nozzles single tips, auto rate,excellent condition ...$12,500 AUTO & TRANSPORT BUSINESS SERVICES 10 Wheel MATR (Italy) Trailer Type V-Hayrake, hyd. fold, as new ...... $5,000 40516_A CPS_PrePay Print_4x4_rev1.indd 1 10/8/14 9:14 AM NEW 12-39 Sakundiak Grain Auger, 44 HP Generac AUTO & TRANSPORT BUSINESS SERVICES engine, E-Kay HD mover, power steering, belt tightener, slim fit, lights, scissor lift, remote throttle, new tires ...... $23,500 Barb Wire & Auto & Truck Parts Crop Consulting 8 x 1000 Sakundiak Auger, new 30 HP Koehler engine, Hawes mover, gear box clutch, spout ...... CNT $9,000 Electric High Tensile 8 x 1200 Sakundiak Auger, 25 HP Koehler engine, FARM CHEMICAL SEED COMPLAINTS Hawes mover, clutch, runs good ...... $8,500 Wire Spooler & 7 x 1200 Sakundiak Auger, 18 HP Koehler Water Hose Roller We also specialize in: Crop Insurance appeals; engine, c/w sweep hyd. drive...... $2,500 Available at: Chemical drift; Residual herbicide; Custom operator 8 x 1400 Sakundiak Auger, 25 HP Robin engine, Hawes mover, clutch, spout, excellent condition, ...... CNT $10,000 issues; Equipment malfunction; Yield comparisons, 8 x 41’ Wheat Heart Auger, 25HP Robin engine, mover, Plus Private Investigations of any nature. With our spout & light, only 3 yrs old, like new ...... $7,000 Wild Rose Co-op 8” E-Kay Bin Sweep, hoses to tractor ...... $1,000 assistance the majority of our clients have received 1390 Brandt XL Swing Auger, elec. power swing, compensation previously denied. Back-Track spout, adj. axle, as new ...... $22,500 225 Kello-Bilt Tandem Disc, 28” smooth front & rear blades, Association Ltd. Investigations investigates, documents your loss and 10.5” spacing, oil, bath bearings, line new ...... $62,500 assists in settling your claim. 50’ Brandt Heavy Harrow, 27.5 x 5/8 tines, Licensed Agrologist on Staff. low acres ...... $32,500 Sedgewick, AB 47’ 820 Flexicoil Chisel Plow, 4 bar harrows, For more information line new ...... $67,500 Please call 1-866-882-4779 2009 GMC Topkick 20 ft. Grain Truck, automatic, silage gauge, air brake suspension,approx. 7,000 kms ..$105,000 (780) 384-3877 40’ 5710 Bourgault SS Air Drill, 9.8” spacing, 3” steel Available at: BUSINESS SERVICES packers w/ 3225 tb tank, c/w 3rd tank, new augers, drive sprockets, main clutch, good condition ...... $25,000 - Wire Roller can now be converted to www.dseriescanola.ca Financial & Legal New E-Kay 7” Bin Sweep ...... **In Stock** $1,785 roll up & unroll flat plastic water hose Sturgeon Valley New E-Kay 7”, 8”, 9” Bin Sweeps available...... Call 8” Wheat Heart Transfer Auger, hydraulic drive .. $1,500 up to 6” diameter (11” flat) HAVE CANOLA? NEED CAPITAL? We buy Canola. 18.4 x 30, tractor tire & tube ...... $350 We pay you before delivery. Canola for cash before New Outback RTK BASE stn ...... Call - Hydraulic Drive (roll or unroll) Fertilizers delivery. Need Capital? www.inputcapital.com 844- New Outback MAX & STX guidance & mapping ...In Stock 715-7355. New Outback E-Drive, TC’s ...... In Stock - Mounts to tractor draw bar, skidsteer New Outback E-Drive X, c/w free E turns ...... In Stock front end loader, post driver, Legal, AB New Outback S-Lite guidance ...... **In Stock** $900 New Outback VSI Swather Steering Kit ...... In Stock 3pt. hitch or deck truck FARM MACHINERY New Outback E-Drive Hyd. kit, JD 40 series ...... $1,000 Used Outback E-Drive Hyd. kits...... $500 (with receiver hitch & rear hydraulics) (780) 961-3088 FARM MACHINERY **NuVision (Spray Air) & Meridian-Sakundiak Augers, Outback GPS - Spool splits in half to remove full roll Grain Vacuums Systems, EK Auger Movers, Belt Tighteners, Bin Sweeps & Crop Dividers, - Shut off/ Flow control valve www.dseriescanola.ca Kohler, Robin Subaru & Generac Engines, Headsight Harvesting Solutions, Greentronics Sprayer Auto Boom Height, Kello-Bilt Discs** determines speed 2011 BUHLER 6640 GRAIN vacuum. NEW, never 2004 DODGE DUALLY TRUCK box, white, good used. $19,900. Trades welcome. Call toll free: - Works great for pulling out old wire condition, asking $1,500. Phone (403)325-4695. COMBINE WORLD located 20 min. E of (877)862-2387 or (877)862-2413. (approx. 3--5 minutes to roll Saskatoon, SK on Hwy. #16. 1 year warranty on up 80 rod or 1/4 mile) all new, used, and rebuilt parts. Canada’s largest AUTO & TRANSPORT FARM MACHINERY - Also works great for swath grazing inventory of late model combines & swathers. Autos Parts & Accessories 1-800-667-4515 www.combineworld.com or rotational grazing EXCLUSIVE MERCEDES-BENZ DISCOUNTS for Al- berta farmers & ranchers. www.mercedessalesman.com The Level-Winder II Wire Roller rolls COMBINES wire evenly across the full width of Accessories AUTO & TRANSPORT the spool automatically as the wire Trucks is pulled in RECONDITIONED COMBINE HEADERS. RIGID & ex, most makes & sizes; also header transports. 1980 GMC 7000, STEEL box, hoist, roll-tarp; 1976 Ken Lendvay (403) 550-3313 Ed Lorenz, (306)344-4811 or Website: www.straightcutheaders.com Paradise Hill, SK. Ford F600, steel box, hoist. Phone (403)321-0455. Red Deer, AB 2005 GMC 3500 DURAMAX dually 4x4 crew cab email: [email protected] TracTors long box, w/exhaust brake, 5th wheel rails, camper Web: www.levelwind.com tie downs & full leather, in excellent condition, Available at: $23,000 +GST. (403)932-2343 (403)519-7815. NEW WOBBLE BOXES for JD, IH, MacDon TRACTORS headers. Made in Europe, factory quality. Get Case/IH W. Buis Holdings See my Wire Roller on display BUILDINGS it direct from Western Canada’s sole distributor starting at $1,095. 1-800-667-4515. NOVEMBER 5 - 8 , 2014 1997 CIH 9330 4WD. 240-HP, 4700-hrs, 4-hyd, www.combineworld.com Limited power shift, radar, EZ steer, 500-hrs on drop in en- IN BOOTH #CLL0129 (at the gine, excellent condition, no pto. $68,900.00 Phone STEEL STORAGE CONTAINERS, bottom of the stairs on the Centrium ice FARM MACHINERY toll free 1-877-862-2387. 1-877-862-2413. 20-ft & 40-ft. Wind, water & rodent proof. Foremost, AB surface at the Red Deer Agri Trade Show) Machinery Miscellaneous 1-866-517-8335, (403)540-4164, (403)226-1722 As well as IN BOOTH #900 2012 CIH STEIGER 500HD. 696-hours, like new, [email protected] (on the ice surface with full factory warranty until May 15th, 2015. Loaded 1999 CAT 460 1,400 sep. hrs, rake up, $52,500; Dutch Bunning Dist.) w/options-no PTO. Almost anything on trade. MacDon 962, 36-ft pick-up reel, $16,000; MacDon (403) 867-2436 $269,000.00 Phone toll free 1-877-862-2387 or 871 CAT 460 adapter, $2,500. Call:(403)665-2341, LOOKING FOR EQUIPMENT? 1-877-862-2413. Craigmyle, AB. www.dseriescanola.ca

TRY ACREAGE EQUIPMENT: CULTIVATORS, DISCS, CASE 2090 (1984) W/CAB, A/C, dual PTO, front Plows, Blades, Post pounders, Haying Equipment, weight & duals. Full engine rebuilt 7,000-hrs, in Etc. (780)892-3092, Wabamun, Ab. VGC, $14,000 +GST. (403)932-2343 or (403)519-7815 CASE 621 LOADER, 3-YD; 1996 Ford 7.3 Diesel, 5-spd, SCAN TO DOWNLOAD THE APP »» XL350 w/Haul-all compactor; 1980 Ford 8000 series gas TRACTORS tandem, 15-ft gravel box & hoist. (780)573-0292. Do one little thing Various BUILDINGS BUILDINGS JD 2130 c/w ldr., 3 pth hitch * JD 3155 FWA, c/w ldr, 3 pth hitch and get 5% back on JD 4255 2 WD, ldr. available JD 7200 FWA, c/w ldr. 3 pth hitch JD 7600 FWA, c/w loader everything JD 6420 FWA, c/w loader CASE IH 4700 Vibra Shank, 34ft. Clamp on Duals, 20.8x38-18.4x38 Ask your local CPS 148, 265, 740, JD ldr. FINANCE, TRADES WELCOME 40’ X 60’ X 16’ representative about 780-696-3527, BRETON, AB RIGID FRAME our PrePay program STEEL * BUILDING and earn 5% toward future crop inputs. $28,418 Buy and Sell When you go with anything you steel you get the need through the right deals!

Pioneer One Steel Buildings *Conditions apply. Call toll free 1 (877) 525-2004 or see us online at www.pioneeronesteel.com 10/14-40516-2A 1-800-665-1362

40516_A CPS_PrePay Print_4x4_rev1.indd 2 10/8/14 9:14 AM ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • OCTOBER 27, 2014 51

TRACTORS TRACTORS SEED/FEED/GRAIN TRAILERS TRAVEL Various Various Grain Wanted TRAILERS Big Tractor Parts, BUYING: Livestock Trailers AGRICULTURAL TOURS HEATED & GREEN WILSON CATTLELINER ALUMINUM STRAIGHT, Costa Rica ~ Feb 2015 1986, spring ride, weather inserts, barn doors, good South Africa/Zambia ~ Feb 2015 Geared For CANOLA condition, asking $10,750. Phone (403)325-4695 Inc. India ~ Feb 2015 The Future • Competitive Prices TRAILERS Greece ~ April 2015 • Prompt Movement Trailers Miscellaneous Japan ~ May 2015 • Spring Thrashed Ireland/Scotland ~ June 2015 STEIGER TRACTOR SPECIALIST Scandinavia ~ June 2015 RED OR GREEN “ON FARM PICK UP” Alaska Land/Cruise ~ July 2015 1. 10-25% savings on new replacement 1-877-250-5252 NWT/Yukon ~ July 2015 parts for your Steiger drive train. Available at: If you want to sell it fast, call 1-800-665-1362. *Portion of tours may be Tax Deductible Select Holidays 2. We rebuild axles, transmissions South Country 1-800-661-4326 and dropboxes with ONE YEAR www.selectholidays.com WARRANTY. Co-op CANOLA WANTED 3. 50% savings on used parts. High River, AB Buying Tough, Heated, Green, 48-FT. 1995 WILSON ALUMINUM Combo tandem AG EQUIPMENT Canola, Freight Options, hi-boy, new tires, new airbags. Hasn’t been used for (403) 652-4143 10 yrs, excellent condition, asking $11,500. Phone DEALS ON THE GO! 1-800-982-1769 Prompt Payment (403)325-4695. www.dseriescanola.ca Bonded and Insured www.bigtractorparts.com 53-FT. MANAC DRY VAN, 1997, spring ride, roll- up door, breglass roof, no leaks. Great for storage SPRAYING EQUIPMENT SPRAYING EQUIPMENT CALL 1-866-388-6284 or mobile shop, asking $6,450. Phone Sprayers Sprayers www.milliganbiofuels.com (403)325-4695. SCAN TO DOWNLOAD THE APP »» TIRES CAREERS

JD 9400, 9420, 9520, 8970 4955 JD low hrs, 3 pth, very clean CAREERS JD 9860, 9760, 9750, 9650, 9600 S680 JD Combine low hrs Help Wanted JD 9430, 9530, 9630 2011 4730 JD Sprayer, 100 ft. Case STX 375, 425, 430, 450, 480, NEW-HOLLAND/CIH TECHNICIAN REQUIRED 4050 JD, fwa loader with complete front end 500, 530 IMMEDIATELY. Sunny Southern Alberta, growing CIH 8010-2388, 2188 combine NH T8050 with fwa 48-FT. ROADMASTER TANDEM DROPDECK, independent dealership, competitive wages, bene- 4920 Macdon, 21 ft. D.S.A. 1987, air ride, tires 65%, asking $9,750. Phone ts, relocation. Call Bob (403)625-3321 or email CIH 435Q, 535Q, 450Q, 550Q, 600Q (403)325-4695. [email protected] pto avail. GOOD SELECTION OF New 30.5L-32 16 ply, $1,995; 20.8-38 12 ply JD 4710, 4720, 4730, 4830, 4920, JD & CASE SP SPRAYERS $795; 24.5-32 14 ply, $1,495; 14.9-24 12 ply, 4930 SP sprayers AND 4WD TRACTORS $486; 16.9-28 12 ply $558; 23.1-30 12 ply, $1,495; JD 9770 & 9870 w/CM & duals 18.4-26 10 ply, $890; 11R22.5 16 ply, $299. CIH 3185, 3230, 3330, 4430, 4420 Factory direct. More sizes available new and used. sprayers 1-800-667-4515. www.combineworld.com “LIKE MANY BEFORE, WE’LL HAVE YOU SAYING Hit our readers where it counts… in the classi eds. Give us five minutes Place your ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifed THERE’S NO DEAL LIKE A KEN DEAL” section. 1-800-665-1362. • Phone: (403)526-9644 • Cell: (403)504-4929 • Email: [email protected] and we’ll give you * HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING SEED/FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted 5% back BUYING HEATED/DAMAGED PEAS, FLAX & GRAIN “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain The Icynene Insulation 1-877-250-5252 System® • Sprayed foam insulation BUYING SPRING THRASHED CANOLA & GRAIN See your local CPS • Ideal for shops, barns or homes “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252 expert. Sign up for the • Healthier, Quieter, More Available at: Energy Efficient® BOW VALLEY TRADING LTD. CPS PrePay program. WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN Webb’s Crop Services Ltd.

www.penta.ca 1-800-587-4711 Wheat, Vermilion, AB Barley, Oats, Peas, etc. (780) 853-6565 Green or Heated Canola/Flax *Conditions apply. 1-877-641-2798 www.dseriescanola.ca 10/14-40516-3A 40516_A CPS_PrePay Print_4x4_rev1.indd 3 FARMING10/8/14 9:14 AM IS ENOUGH OF A GAMBLE... Available at: CHS DynAgra Carseland, AB Prairie-Wide Display Classiﬁ eds Advertise in the (403) 934-4644 Alberta Farmer Express Classifieds, MORE OPTIONS TO it’s a Sure Thing! www.dseriescanola.ca SAVE YOU MONEY LIVESTOCK Buy one province, buy two 1-800-665-1362 LIVESTOCK provinces or buy all three. Cattle – Shorthorn

4’S COMPANY 34th ANNUAL Purebred Shorthorn sale, Great rates whatever Sun., Dec 7th. Camrose Regional Exhibition AB, 1:00pm. Canada’s longest running private sale. Bred Heifers, Heifer you choose calves, Herd Sire prospects & commercial bred Heifers. View catalogue online, www.canadianshorthorn.com, catalogue’s call (780)763-2209. Please pre-register for online bidding at dlms.ca LIVESTOCK Specialty – Alpacas

HERD DISPERSAL DUE TO personal health issues dual registered, champion bloodlines, 26 fe- males, 17 males, open to offers as must sell. For Available at: more info [email protected] Contact Sharon Beaver Creek Co-op SEED / FEED / GRAIN Email: [email protected] SEED/FEED/GRAIN Association Ltd. Feed Grain Lamont, AB BUYING ALL TYPES OF feed grain. Also have market for light offgrade or heated, picked up on the farm. Eisses Grain Marketing 1-888-882-7803, Lacombe. (780) 895-2241 FEED GRAIN WANTED! ALSO buying; Light, tough, or offgrade grains. “On Farm Pickup” West- www.dseriescanola.ca can Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252 52 OCTOBER 27, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

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