Volume Fourteen • Number One Spring 2010 • Price $3.50

Table of Contents Alberta

is a proprietary publication of This Issue 4 Letter from the Editor 6 Head Office Water Right/Allocation Debate on Deck 1320 - 36th Street North , AB T1H 5H8 8 Diverse Skills Suited for Large District Toll Free 1-877-328-0048 10 Cows and Fish – Past to Present Phone 403-328-5114 Email: [email protected] 12 Reproduction or use of editorial content in any man- Irrigators Big Winners in Water Sale ner without written permission is strictly prohibited. Thank you for supporting our advertisers. 14 Industry Honors Peter Langemann Without them, this publication would not be possible. Irrigating Alberta is proudly produced 15 in and distributed inside the Customer-focused, Sustainable Agriculture? Farmer/Stockman Ad-Viser to over 21,000 farms and ranches. 16 The South Saskatchewan Region 18 Preparing Your Yard and Garden for Drought Publisher Jeff Sarich 20 Riparian Demonstrations in the Waterton Park Front Editor 22 Maintenance Key to Problem-Free Irrigating Claudette Lacombe 23 Advertising Consultants Raymond Irrigation District (RID) Update Al Such, Mel McDonald

24 Technology and Water Conservation Pre-Press Production Lisette Cook 26 Up Seeding Rates for Higher Yields Advertising Co-ordinator 28 Born to Water – Roger Hohm Sarah Sarich 29 Micronutrients – The Pros and Cons Cover Photo Claudette Lacombe 30 Book Review – “Restoring the Flow”

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 3 Letter from the Editor

One of the challenges in writing practices and projects, then we won’t the spring edition of Irrigating diligently ensure we avoid that in our backyard. Are we proud that the prairies Alberta is that we write it in have lost 70% of the wetlands that used January. There is no way of know- to sustain ground water supplies? ing in January what kind of water Robert Sandford wrote another O book – Restoring the Flow – and, if you season we have coming. As any read it, you will understand that it’s experienced irrigator can tell you, time Alberta farmers and ranchers our water situation can change in show how they plan to overcome the one good storm. challenges before them. Last July, Rockyford saw its 1-in-100 If we are honest, most people year event and received 11 inches of involved in agriculture know that mod- rain in 90 minutes. The little village ern agricultural practices are not went from brown lawns to white caps sustainable. Studies that are decades old on Main Street. show productivity decreases on irrigated But perhaps that’s the point when it lands over time by as much as 30% due comes to water management in Alberta. to soil exhaustion and water logging. We live in a variable and changing cli- Agriculture has become a Go Big or mate. Water supply, seasonal weather Go Home enterprise and most small to and human endeavors can have a medium producers are drowning under change of fortune at a moments notice. the pressures of the Green Revolution; That’s the beauty which is turning out to be anything but of an irrigation sys- green. Now, it appears that the bee col- . . . most people involved in agriculture tem isn’t it? lapse is related to the philosophy of ever Irrigation systems increasing production from the same know that modern agricultural provide an amount piece of land. We keep pushing for of security and take more from less and believing we can practices are not sustainable. some of the wild chemically augment and everything fluctuations off will be fine. weather variability. No wonder someone dreamed up Although, I think it’s important for the idea of a crystal ball because while Alberta irrigators to acknowledge that hindsight is 20/20 it’s also too late to places exist in this world where irrigation avoid disaster. But that’s the beauty of systems have done damage to the social living and working in Alberta. We have and environmental fabric of countries. the opportunity to do better here The destruction around the Aral Sea because we can learn from older sys- is the result of too much water extrac- tems and places that show our tion upstream causing the sea to shrink vulnerabilities by what they’ve endured. to about 33% of its 1960s size. Plus the I don’t think any of us want to expe- reduction in fresh water inputs created rience what the Australian farmers and an increase in the salt content of the ranchers faced in recent years. I doubt water to the point where fisheries and an Alberta farmer would trade places water use for other purposes is no with someone irrigating from the longer feasible. Apparently, salt on the Ogallala Aquifer or farming on the winds is killing the soils as far away as banks at the mouth of the Yellow River Afghanistan and the people in the in China. region breathe in salt. Nope, if you own a farm or ranch Why do I think we need to acknowl- with irrigation rights in Alberta, you edge this in Alberta? Because if we do are right where it’s best to be. So, make not acknowledge that it is possible to sure it stays that way for your grand- cause damage through careless irrigation children.

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IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 5 Water Right/Allocation Debate on Deck NOW IT’S TIME TO HAVE YOUR SAY BY C. LACOMBE

The last issue of Irrigating Alberta urged irrigators to watch for the FITFIR debate and be prepared to The Minister’s Advisory Group on Water engage in the process. According to Bev Yee, Management and Allocation investigated cur- Assistant Deputy Minister Environmental rent and future pressures provincially and Stewardship Division, public consultation begins in specifically for the seven major basins. The advisory March 2010. group provided high-level recommendations in five TOver the past six months, the government asked some of its areas: protected water, reallocation of water, a sys- think tanks to provide recommendations and you can view tems approach, governance and future studies. the reports on-line as listed in the sidebar of this article. http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/ library/8239.pdf It may also be a good idea to bookmark those sites and keep an eye on the process as it moves forward. These process- The Alberta Water Council provided recommen- es often take a year or more and, sometimes, there is more dations on enhancements to the current water than one round of public consultation. allocation transfer system. The council identified Another excellent way to stay informed on this issue is to keep talking to irrigators and watershed stewards in your areas for improvement in six areas: protected water; region. The South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB) has a transfer markets; unused water; conservation; Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) for all its administrative process; and data and information. major basins – Red Deer, Bow, Oldman and South www.albertawatercouncil.ca Saskatchewan Rivers. There is also a group for the Milk River. These organizations will be well informed on the progress of The Alberta Water Research Institute examined this debate. water allocation policies and practices of other juris- This is a province-wide process and Yee pointed out that dictions facing water challenges similar to Alberta, circumstances are different in the major river basins around the province while speaking at a Legislation & Policy including the western U.S. and Australia. The Committee workshop for the Bow River Basin Council. The Institute then conducted a comparative review of Athabasca River has different challenges than the South Alberta’s current policies to develop a white paper Saskatchewan River. outlining ideas and opportunities on how the She pointed out that this process aims to integrate environ- province can improve its water allocation manage- mental, economic and social needs for water while minimizing cumulative effects on our natural systems and ment system in order to fulfill the goals of Water for biodiversity. Life. www.waterinstitute.ca Yee outlined some of the key discussion points the govern- ment extracted from the reports listed here. All the reports recommend establishing in-stream flow Mandate all large license holders create Water Shortage needs for healthy aquatic ecosystems. In short, give the river a Response Plans. high priority allocation that will ensure it remains able to pro- Make sure planning decisions incorporate knowledge of vide the goods and services a healthy river gives our society. the existing system both from an overview and on-the-ground Before we go any further with allocations, give the rivers what perspective. Link ground and surface water in decision-mak- they need. Improve the water allocation transfer system and put in ing and develop comprehensive monitoring systems to ensure place a limit on how much of a license can be transferred. all natural water systems, above and below ground, remain Create grades of transfers so that a transfer application that viable. has a low risk of changing any conditions on the river moves Finally, make sure all organizations understand their forward quickly with limited process. Conversely, license responsibilities. At the moment, there is some confusion transfers that change diversion point, water use, time of with- regarding which organization trumps another in decision- drawal etc. would require higher levels of scrutiny and more making. The WPACs have a mandate to create Integrated parties invited to participate in the transfer process. Water Management Plans and the Regional Advisory Apparently, the current license transfer system is a murky, Councils (RACs) have the job of making land use decisions. drawn out process that includes substantial frustration and The argument is that there is no separation between land use cost. Fix that. and water management.

6 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 Cont’d from page 6

So, when it comes to making decisions about water and land use, tie the Water Act and the Alberta Land Stewardship Act together. The reports also ask the provincial government to talk amongst themselves a little more. When it comes to water and land management, several departments at the provincial level have responsibilities related to management of resources. A little internal communication could go a long way to making life easier for all Albertans. After Yee provided this overview, Dave Hill of the Alberta Water Institute, Danielle Droitsch of Water Matters and Jim Webber on behalf of the Alberta Water Council elaborated on some of the key messages these groups have in the debate. Hill pointed out that we’re going to need criteria for defin- ing critical human use. His organization spoke to people from around the world that have faced the challenges Alberta would like to address through this discussion. Other coun- tries have water scarcity issues Alberta/ hasn’t had to deal with yet and, therefore, they can provide some good advice about brick walls and pot holes that can get in the way of progress. Hill says that if Alberta succeeds in creating a truly coop- erative and substantial water management system before we go into water scarcity crisis, we will accomplish a global first. Some if Hill’s more interesting points were if public money creates water savings through infrastructure improvements, then some of the conserved water should transfer back to the government. He also suggested Alberta make nature and human use a priority over economic use. Bow Lake & Glacier supply late season Danielle Droitsch stressed that Alberta has no in-stream flows to the Bow River. Photo: C. Lacombe flow regulations, volumes or protection mechanisms to ensure continued aquatic viability. She pointed out that mation regarding its water and its use in this province. Alberta has impaired aquatic ecosystems at this time and This is the tip of this iceberg debate in Alberta. As it pro- drought and climate change can exacerbate those conditions. gresses, Albertans could see some volatile side debates and Also, Alberta does not have water conservation incentives in strange bedfellows emerge. The discussion will be everything place anywhere for anyone and the environment isn’t even on but boring. the list of priority for water. Droitsch also talked about the discussions not taking place in Alberta that are elephants in the room. For instance, what are basic human needs? Why aren’t we talking about the fact that the government has an economic interest in water use, so perhaps they shouldn’t be in charge of the Water Market? When Jim Webber took the podium on behalf of the SERVICES Alberta Water Council, he added these points. Water supply in Alberta is variable; always has been; • Used Pivots for Sale • Thunderbird & Wheel always will be. Alberta has not had a new vision for water • Teardown, Setups, Line Specialist since the 1920s. Hauling • Also Insurance When it comes to the SSRB, any ‘found’ water will come • Free Estimates Estimates & Repairs from water conservation and efficiency, yet Alberta doesn’t promote efficient water use or conservation very well. One over-riding piece that every speaker at this event Phil Hofer 315-0313 Owner/Operator TABER, AB mentioned is that Alberta needs much more data and infor-

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 7 Diverse Skills Suited for Large District

BY RON MONTGOMERY

In August 2009, Tom Crooks (M.Ed, B. Admin. irrigation district and I want to be on its frontlines CHRP) took the reins as General Manager of to help create a lasting water legacy for southern Alberta.” Canada’s largest irrigation district. Crooks is the former national Executive The St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) Director, Operations for the Beef Information delivers water through 2060 km (1280 miles) of Centre of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. canals and pipelines to approximately 150,500 His background also includes senior administrative Ihectares (372,000 acres) of land south of the positions at the University of and signifi- Oldman and South Saskatchewan Rivers between cant years of experience with the Alberta Lethbridge and , Alberta. Tom Crooks Government as a tax auditor and then Head of Crooks is an innovative and motivated leader Photo: SMRID Crown Debt Collections. with significant experience in service-intensive, With a strong belief in the value of life-long customer-based businesses. His qualifications learning, Crooks has himself invested great energy include finance; strategic development and response to the in an ongoing effort to acquire new skills and encourages his service needs of the organization, its Board members and staff to do the same. stakeholders; program and project management; information “I am excited to be working with a great staff and living security and IT; conflict resolution and compliance. again in southern Alberta.” Besides his busy new life in “I see water as one of the most key, strategic resources of Lethbridge, Tom and his wife Rhonda have a small ranch in our province’s future,” says Crooks. “We need to make the very SW Alberta. best use of the resources we have so future generations of For further information on SMRID visit www.smrid.ab.ca, Albertans have the water they need. SMRID is Canada’s largest e-mail [email protected] or telephone 403-328-4401.

Premier Stelmach’s Cabinet : Minister of Seniors and Community Supports : Premier, President of Executive Council, : Minister of Culture and Community Spirit Chair of Agenda and Priorities, Vice-Chair of Treasury Board : Minister of Service Alberta : Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, and Minister Liaison to the Canadian Armed : Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Forces : Minister of Municipal Affairs : Minister of Finance and Enterprise Frank Oberle: Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security : Minister of Education, Government House : Minister of Aboriginal Relations Leader. He will also serve as Political Minister for . : Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, : President of the Treasury Board Deputy Government House Leader : Minister of International and Intergovernmental : Minister of Employment and Immigration Relations List of Parliamentary Assistants : Minister of Energy : Advanced Education and Technology : Minister of Transportation Broyce Jacobs: Agriculture and Rural Development : Minister of Sustainable Resource Development Janice Sarich: Education : Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Deputy Government House Leader. She will also serve as Teresa Woo-Paw: Employment and Immigration Political Minister for Calgary. Diana McQueen: Energy : Minister of Environment, Deputy Government : Environment House Leader Raj Sherman: Health and Wellness : Minister of Health and Wellness, Deputy : Municipal Affairs Government House Leader : Seniors and Community Supports : Minister of Children and Youth Services : Sustainable Resource Development : Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Jeff Johnson: Treasury Board (Oil Sands Sustainable : Minister of Infrastructure Development Secretariat)

8 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 9 Cows and Fish – Past to Present

BY RON MONTGOMERY

The Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society, also known as Cows and Fish and first created in 1992, strives to foster a better understanding of how improvements in grazing and other management of riparian areas can enhance landscape health and productivity for the benefit of landowners, agricul- Ttural producers, communities and others who use and value riparian areas. A non-governmental organization (NGO), Cows and Fish registered as a society in 2004. The name came about through the representation of two founding members, Alberta Beef Producers and Trout Unlimited Canada, and to emphasise that cows and fish can thrive together with appropriate management. Given that Cows and Fish is entering their 18th year of operations in Alberta, Irrigating Alberta (IA) magazine recently asked Norine Ambrose (NA), Program Manager based out of Lethbridge, a few questions related to various changes that have occurred since the organization’s inception. IA – How has C & F evolved over the past decade? NA – Cows and Fish is still strongly rooted in our work with rural communities, particularly livestock grazing. Over the past decade, we have and continue to do more and more work with urban residents and support many lake residents in learning about and more effectively managing lakes where they live and recreate. This is one of the youth education tools Cows & Fish IA – What’s different about the organization now from its developed and uses. early days? quality protection and the role of riparian management have NA – In the early days, we had no paid employees, just relying certainly increased in the past decade, but there are many on deliverers to fit it into their existing jobs or own time. From other environmental and conservation issues also more top- there, we moved to a few employees and now, to meet the of-mind than they were in the past. One of our larger ongoing demands, we have about a dozen employees. We still challenges, perhaps even more so than in the past, is to pro- rely upon annual grants from a variety of sources to enable us vide core program delivery with enough funding. Funding to provide information and expertise on riparian areas and sources are more limited, often small in amount, and may only their management. For many years, we were not a formal support predetermined projects. We continue to struggle to organization, just a handshake agreement between partners to meet all the demands and requests, which are growing, since enable us to deliver a great program. We are currently a regis- funding resources are limiting and uncertain. tered society with passionate and committed staff, and our IA partners are really members that provide input and guidance – Has the demand for projects increased? through our board of directors. NA – Our work has never been focused on projects as much as overall program delivery. This might mean assisting local IA – Do you feel the organization is now working in a differ- groups/landowners with their specific projects, and trying to ent political or social climate? ensure that in addition to education efforts, we provide tools, NA – Over the years, many things have changed, including expertise and advice on management. We help measure and the financial programs and focus of government delivery from monitor riparian health, at the request of local communities. various departments. These changes have led to increased Demand has changed a bit, since there are some more people local coordination and skills at county and municipal district with growing technical expertise and interest in riparian areas, levels, which has helped support a considerable expansion of but an area that has really increased is the request for our local watershed stewardship groups. The awareness of water input on more and more strategic, regional and provincial

10 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 Cont’d from page 10 level initiatives, including watershed and planning advisory IA – Does C & F have any additional partners now? councils’ (WPACs) reports/plans, Landuse Framework plan- NA – Except for departmental name changes, our supporting ning and other provincial strategies. organizations have remained very stable over the years, and IA – Do you notice any trends in the type of project requests? we are very glad to have the long-term relationship with our NA – As mentioned above, more and more regional/large partners. We work with many different local organizations in basin-wide planning and reporting is occurring, while at the terms of delivering the actual program and this continues to same time more local groups exist. Compared to a decade ago, change as local needs change, as well as new groups form and at the local level, groups are doing more tree planting and request our involvement. other bank erosion repair or restoration, but there are still the For further information, visit www.cowsandfish.org or con- same needs for improved land management as there were in tact Norine Ambrose, Program Manager in Lethbridge by the past. e-mail [email protected] or phone 403-381-5538.

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IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 11 Irrigators Big Winners In Water Sale

BY HELEN MCMENAMIN

The sale of part of the water allocation of the each have two 133-acre pivots and they’re looking at buying Western Irrigation District (WID) to the Rocky View another. They’re finally able to irrigate all the acres that have irrigation rights. County raised a lot of concern in some quarters, but Even when the pipeline was only about half complete, proved beneficial to some WID irrigators. Browns were convinced the water savings from stopping canal Transferring some of its water allocation allowed the WID leakage would more than compensate for the water allocation to replace 50 km of open ditches with about 35 km of buried the WID transferred to Rocky View. Tpipeline. Part of the project took shape in fall 2008 and con- Jim Webber, Manager of the WID, agrees. As an engineer, struction finished in fall 2009. The irrigation district Webber bases his opinion on water data and calculations. conveyance modernization is a long slow process when reno- Browns and other farmers are right he says. And, because the vations have to be squeezed into the regular budget along with pipeline was completed in two years, rather than over several normal maintenance of a very old system. years, WID was able to engineer in some improvements that “The sale was a great opportunity for the irrigation dis- save more water. trict,” says Dianne “We’ll save at least Brown. She and her the 2,000 acre-feet we husband, Don, farm at transferred to Rocky the eastern end of the Delivering water underground, with View,” he says. Just as WID, east of Cluny, and important, the pipeline they knew first hand no sunlight reaching it, means no eliminated some has- what rough shape the sles for his staff. old canals were in. “So many of the “We were ecstatic to need to filter the water at the farm. problems that were find that this big reno- constant have ended. vation project was Weeds, algae and all finally going ahead,” she says. sorts of things blowing into the ditches can all block ditches, The pipeline that now delivers water to part of their land, especially in smaller channels. We save money, machinery and the last place serviced by the WID system, has made a huge staff time spent on clearing channels and getting rid of weeds. difference to them. It’s changed their farming operation. We’re able to service our members much more efficiently.” Before the pipeline, they were only able to access irrigation Delivering water underground, with no sunlight reaching water in spring because later in the year, farmers further up it, means no need to filter the water at the farm. Some people the system used quite a bit of the water. And, ditches at the can even run pivots on water pressure because the pipeline extreme end of the system had grass and cattails growing in system starts high on a hill. them so irrigating wasn’t practical for the Browns. Webber’s only complaint about the sale of WID’s water Also, water from the ditches seeped over quite a bit of land allocation was that the process was slow and onerous. Water and caused salinity and made the ground so soggy it was rights transfers were legalized across Alberta in 1999, but only impossible to farm. happen in the South Saskatchewan River Basin because it’s the “We had one piece of land that was so bad, you could hard- only system where new water licenses are no longer available. ly get across it with a horse,” says Don. “It’s dried up quite a bit The Alberta government, in its updated Water for Life already. I think we’ll be farming it in a couple of years. We’re strategy, committed to making transfer of water allocations going to see more and more land coming back into farmland.” more efficient. It plans to take proposals around the Some neighbors aren’t pleased. They’ve built cattle opera- province to give Albertans a chance to offer their opinions. tions that took advantage of the grass growing on the seepage The government has said it will use public input to develop from the irrigation ditches. But, others, those who are actual- possible changes to regulations around transfers of water ly members of the irrigation district and pay for water, are allocations. The Alberta Water Council developed a report very happy to be able to upgrade their operations with assured based on consensus opinions from all water users, from oil water delivery. and gas companies to fishermen and environmentalists, that “We used to irrigate early in the spring,” says Don. “But will be the basis of public consultations. Discussions are after haying, we could never get enough water, so we only took likely to be wide-ranging. The head of the Alberta Water one cut of hay.” Research Council, former Environment Minister, Lorne Browns used to do most of their irrigating with wheel- Taylor, expressed the opinion that water sales must increase moves. They had to build a storage dugout to be able to use a and the first-in-time, first-in-right allocation system must pivot. Now, they have a section pivot and they and their son change.

12 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 Cont’d from page 12

The Browns expect to see some transfers of water rights within the WID as people on older sections of the irrigation system see that farmers on the pipeline system value their irrigation rights more highly. “Some people only have 50 or 100 acres of irrigation,” And, they’re in widely scat- tered areas, so it may make sense for them to transfer, especially those at the west of the system where rainfall is higher. Here, we’re hotter and drier, so this is where irrigation has the greatest potential.” The general media seems to have forgot- ten the furor over the water sale as the development that precipitated the water sale, Cross Irons Mills, or the Balzac Mega- mall, opened to great fanfare with no dis- cussion of the source of water. The extra capital allowed the WID to deliver more of the water it withdraws from A pivot on the new South Cluny system operates without a the Bow River to its irrigators and municipal customers as well pump since the new pipeline as free up water for Rocky View to use for new developments. came on line. Photo: Erwin Braun, Western Irrigation District The WID water allocation was particularly valuable for the municipality because it was granted in 1903. That gives it pri- ority over water licensees with newer licenses. PARRISH & The river ecosystem is not harmed by the change because HEIMBECKER, even if WID and Rocky View withdraw their entire alloca- LIMITED tions, the amount of water taken out of the river will not increase. The only downside to the whole change is that the land- scape is changing drastically around the Browns. Trees growing on the moisture that leaked from the canals are already dying. “The pipeline’s good for the whole district,” says Dianne. “We’re not losing water any more. But the wildlife around here Serving the Agriculture Community Since 1909 will really miss those wet seepage areas, especially the trees. ALBERTA LOCATIONS “Maybe we can get some shelterbelts in, and now we have Head Office: 480 - 220 4th St. S. the water, we’ll be able to irrigate them.” Lethbridge, AB T1J 4J7 Phone: 320-9440 Fax: 328-8561 New Report Examines the Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on the Environment Bow Island ...... (403) 545-2748 The Pacific Research Institute (PRI), a free-market think tank based Dawson Creek ...... (250) 782-5625 in California, released a new report examining the environmental Fairview...... (780) 835-3003 and health concerns associated with genetically modified (GM) Medicine Hat ...... (403) 526-2831 crops. The Way in Which We Produce Our Food, by Amy Kaleita, Ph.D., PRI senior fellow in environmental studies, concludes that Milk River ...... (403) 647-3633 genetically modified crop regulations are often based on fear: Mossleigh ...... (403) 534-3961 “Over-regulation of GM crops has little to no environmental ben- efit, and instead discourages genetic diversity, encourages Rycroft ...... (780) 765-2800 corporate monopoly, and limits opportunities for farmers on the Vulcan ...... (403) 485-2727 margins.” Visit http://liberty.pacificresearch.org/ publications/the- Wilson Siding ...... (403) 381-8710 way-in-which-we-produce-our-food to read the report.

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 13 Industry Honors Peter Langemann

BY RIC SWIHART

What started out as one man’s invention to increase water management capacity has turned into a best seller. Industry recognized Peter Langemann for his Langemann Gate and myriad other inventions. “We honored Peter with a Certificate of Appreciation for his life-time of dedication to bringing innovative solutions to Wthe challenges in irrigated agriculture and his inspiration to Aqua Systems over the past 15 years,” says Ken Craig of Lethbridge, a senior official with Aqua Systems 2000 Inc. which is making and marketing the Langemann Gate. Earlier this year the 400th Langemann Gate was supplied to the irrigation industry in North America. Meeting special needs on his irrigated farm just west of Langemann Gates installed at the SMRID Lethbridge lateral Lethbridge was Peter’s Mother of Invention. Langemann headgates site. Photo: Aqua Systems 2000 Inc. turned those needs into physical farming and irrigating aids, making him the Father of Invention. For those years of work, especially development of the rights, and royalties, over to the St. Mary River Irrigation Langemann Gate that allows water managers to regulate the District. level of water upstream and downstream from the gate, AquaSystems 2000 Inc. won the right to manufacture and Langemann previously received a distinguished service award market the gate. Handsaeme Welding in Coaldale is the man- from the Northwest Irrigation Operators Association. ufacturer. It all started in 1978 when Langemann searched for a solu- Langemann also developed a water flow monitor designed tion to a problem faced by all irrigators at the end of a canal to help irrigation districts and irrigators know how much with no spillway or drainage system for any surplus water. It water is used on a farm. meant any water that came to his farm had to be used on the An improved version has a mechanical flap, activated when farm. It also meant if there was any water shortage in the water begins to flow in the pipe, triggers a water flow hourly canal, he had to do with what was available. monitor to measure water consumption, based on the water The surplus meant water wasn’t used as efficiently as pos- allocated to the farm and the pressure. sible. The shortages, after he replaced flood irrigation with In normal years, the monitor is for records. In a year like sprinklers, meant he couldn’t be sure of a constant supply of 2004, when SMRID irrigators were limited initially to 12 inch- water needed for the pumps to work properly. es of water per acre, it became a key management tool to alert He developed the LOPAC Gate, and installed one in the the district and farmer when that rationed limit was near. canal adjacent to his farm. It paid quick dividends because it It doesn’t mean a farmer has to stop irrigating crops like assured a constant flow of water. Gone were the days when up alfalfa, but it means the farmer will have to purchase addi- to 12 water users on four laterals stretching from his canal tional water rights from other farmers, or shift some pondered water shortages with charges of somebody stealing allocation from crops that use less than 12 inches per acre, to water they had ordered from the irrigation district ditchrider. continue. He said one of those early gates installed east of Coaldale Langemann said inventions often run into criticism. continues to operate efficiently, with virtually no maintenance. “I have been fortunate with my inventions to earn the His big invention, the Langemann Gate, was registered respect and support of irrigation district staff and irrigation with the patent’s office, and Langemann signed the patent farmers,” he said. “It helps with encouragement.”

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14 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 Customer-focused, Sustainable Agriculture?

BY LES BROST

Back in my ranching days, I usually felt The explosive growth of the organic, farm-direct, uneasy buying bulls at auction sales. I wasn’t and locavore food movements, particularly among younger and affluent Canadians, is prov- sure why, but the discomfort was definitely ing that consumers are willing to put their wallets there. It took a bit of cogitating, but I final- where their values are. ly figured out what caused my anxiety. At Will farmers have the courage to ask them- selves why they shouldn’t have a more organized Bthe sale, there was no opportunity to have a influence on supply of their product? Their agri- “long view” of the animal. When buying business suppliers quickly cut shifts when their bulls directly from the breeder, I could stand products are in oversupply, and processors shut down their plants during market gluts. OPEC back and inspect the bull from a distance to Les Brost countries set global oil prices by setting produc- assess his overall balance and proportion. tion targets. Why can’t farmers play a more Distance and time gives us an important perspective on structured, assertive role in setting their own pro- duction levels? complexity. I have a hunch that the answers to those questions would Distance has helped me resolve a couple of puzzling ques- be quick in coming and predictable in content. It would be tions that gnawed at me over those ranching years. Why is something like, “Food production is different. How can we primary agriculture the only industry to consistently attempt ethically cut back on production? Consumers won’t buy more to survive low prices by increasing production? And why do costly supply-managed products”.” many primary producers look at the consumers of their prod- Do consumers really feel that they have a “right” to cheap uct with suspicion and even hostility? food? Would they prefer to pay for that cheap food in perpet- After a few years away from the business, I think I finally ual government handouts, or would they prefer to pay a fair understand. The light came on last fall when I saw a newspa- price at the grocery store? The last time I checked, I didn’t see per article titled, “Standoff Over Fertilizer Prices Imperils riots in front of the dairy coolers at Sobey’s, yet milk products Food Supply”. In that article, I saw two key links in the chain in Canada are supply-managed. binding most farmers to the recurring cycle of financial crisis Many of the settlers who built our agriculture industry and government bailouts. with their sweat and courage came here to escape a toxic sta- In the article, a representative of the agri-supply industry tus quo in their homelands. Today’s farmers have had to be said that farmers’ cutbacks in fertilizer purchases could cause both smart and resilient to survive in the dysfunctional system global starvation. It reminded me that there is a powerful per- in which they operate. Will they have the pioneering courage ceived Judeo-Christian ethic directing farmers to feed the necessary to challenge and change the present dysfunctional world. Didn’t Jesus say in John 21:15, “Feed my lambs?” system? Farmers’ belief in a Christian duty to feed the world makes it Will today’s farmers have the audacity to check out the difficult for them to reduce production, even though that’s accuracy of those old scripts through direct, unfiltered con- what other businesses- including their suppliers- do in times versations with their customers? Can they create a new, more of market oversupply. customer-focused, sustainable agricultural industry? These The second link is the social and political isolation of the are incredibly important questions, for the answers will farming community. Few points of direct connection exist impact every citizen of tomorrow’s Canada. between farmers and their customers. That isolation makes it easy for groups with an interest in farmer isolation- suppliers, processors, politicians and others- to maintain the disconnect. Another Delay for the Wetlands Policy Generations of farmers have heard the refrain, “Consumers On November 20, Alberta Environment announced a new timeline for won’t pay for expensive food”. That refrain hooks into the the completion of a province-wide policy to protect wetlands that “Christian duty” theme, increasing farmer frustration and iso- would delay its adoption and implementation until 2012. The delay lation. Reflexively, farmers move even closer to those with was outlined in a new plan released by Alberta Environment outlining whom they have face-to face relationships- suppliers, proces- actions on the renewal of Water for Life. The original date for sors and politicians. In reality, the “Consumers won’t pay for expensive food” completion of the policy under the Water for Life strategy was 2007. theme is as threadbare as a panhandler’s poncho. Many urban To read the Water For Life renewal, visit Canadians understand that they pay their total “food bill” http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/8236.pdf both at the grocery store and when they file their tax returns.

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 15 Planning Process Needs You

BY RON MCMULLIN

Adding another 1.5 million people to Alberta by Some irrigators have asked if the 2026 will put more pressure on our natural resources water allocation system is on the table in and infrastructure. To guide growth and develop- this the land-use planning process. It is not. However, as noted in the terms of ment that would result from this expected surge in reference for the Regional Advisory population, the Government of Alberta created a Council, the “RAC’S work will explore land-use planning process. the relationship between population ASeven major regions in Alberta will develop land use plans. growth, water supply, economic growth, The region that boasts 99% of the irrigated area in Alberta is and land conservation.” The RAC will named the South Saskatchewan Region (SSR) after the water examine potential development scenar- AIPA Executive basin that includes the Bow, Oldman, Red Deer and South ios in the South Saskatchewan Region, Director Saskatchewan Rivers and tributaries. The region runs from looking at environmental thresholds and north of Airdrie southward to include the Milk River basin. social objectives. You can check out The Red Deer basin will have its own plan. In the South more details of the RAC’s role by reading from page 21 to the Saskatchewan Region, a strong economy is supported by a end of the RAC’s Terms of Reference, accessed online at diversity of landscape features including land, water, air, bio- http://landuse. alberta.ca/. The Terms of Reference document diversity and extractable gives a pretty good summary of natural resources such as oil, the whole process. The SSR gas and forests. The land-use The Government of Alberta Plan will consider such things plan will help Albertans enjoy a as water supply and demand, strong economy that supports conservation of valued land- people-friendly communities is asking for advice, scapes and biodiversity, source while maintaining a healthy water protection, economic environment. yours and mine. growth including agriculture, You can easily see the grow- energy, forestry, and recreation ing pressures on our landscapes and tourism. by looking at recent trends. For The Government of Alberta example, in 1980 there were 1.6 million vehicles on Alberta’s is asking for advice, yours and mine. In December 2009, the roadways; by 2006 there were 2.6 million. The number of first series of public consultation meetings took place in 16 ATVs increased from 19,000 in 1995 to 67,000 in 2006. communities in the region. This consultation, number 1 of 3, Albertans own 30% of Canada’s RVs. In 1995, 8,400 oil wells sought input from stakeholder groups on issues and solutions were drilled; in 2007 there were 16,500. Electrical demand related to land use. In January, an online workbook asked for since 1998 grew annually by the equivalent of adding two direct input into the process, where anyone could share their cities the size of Red Deer. Our beef herd increased from 2.9 ideas with those who are going to write the plan. Two more million in 1960 to 6.4 million in 2006. The population of consultations will occur, one in late summer or early fall, Calgary mushroomed to over 1 million people, and develop- where you will be invited to comment on the vision for the ment in surrounding communities boomed. Sustaining SSR Plan and the outcomes that it hopes to achieve. What that natural resources, while continuing to meet the needs of a means is if you have an idea of what difference this plan growing population, won’t happen without some guidance should make, you have the opportunity to say what should and some rules. The SSR land-use plan will supply those so come out of the process. If a secure water supply for irrigation, that provincial government departments, local municipal gov- food processors, and new agri-busines is important to you, ernments, and all Albertans can make decisions that will then you need to say that to those writing the plan. If other strengthen Alberta for the long haul. land use issues are important to you, they need to know that A Regional Planning Team will draft the South too. The final consultation will provide an opportunity to Saskatchewan Regional Land-use Plan and will consider infor- comment on the draft plan and make suggestions for its mation provided by government departments, the public, and improvement. advice from a Regional Advisory Council (RAC). The RAC To keep current on what is happening in the land-use plan- consists of 18 people appointed by Cabinet to provide advice ning process, use the following internet link for the latest for Cabinet’s consideration during the plan’s formulation. Five information: http://landuse.alberta.ca/. I encourage you to get of the 18 have strong agricultural connections, and two of us involved, share your views and ideas. Let your side of the story are directly involved in irrigation; Greg Sekura, potato farmer be heard. Silence only benefits those who have views that dif- and County Council in the MD of Taber and myself. fer from your own.

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IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 17 Preparing Your Yard and Garden for Drought

BY RIC SWIHART

Cheryl Bradley lives every day as a strong advocate for the environment and her community sees and acknowledges this. Now, she is starting to enjoy the fruits of her latest endeav- or — xeriscaping her front yard. It has evolved in one year to the point the yard was part of the Prairie Urban Garden Tour. CBradley shares her home with husband Lorne Fitch who last year stood against a mailbox in the front yard, the bare soil around him looking a bit like a moonscape. But you have to start somewhere. Working with a specialist on plant selection and design, the home now features a small ground-level patio with table and chairs, a myriad of mostly native plants with various colour flowers that bloom at different times, some preserved trees and bushes and in the front, native grass struggling to estab- lish as a lawn. This yellow tea rose is one of the plants Lacombe gives away each spring. It thrives in the southern Alberta climate without It is a dream that started for the couple six or seven years the help of fertilizer, pesticides or extra water. Photo: C. Lacombe ago. Lorne was tiring of watering the lawn and the necessary work cutting grass. Both wanted to build a yard that would be more drought-tolerant and self-sustaining to reduce water southern Alberta are declining, some think as much as 20 per consumption and the monthly bill. cent over the next few decades. But other changes were dictated first. They replaced the And it is becoming more unpredictable when the river driveway and front entry of their home. Then came new sid- water flows come, he said. While the project is strictly person- ing, and while the walls were exposed, upgraded insulation. al, as members of the Urban Team of the Oldman Watershed The first obvious change for the yard was to replace the tra- Council, the couple hopes it will become a demonstration ditional lawn of Kentucky blue grass and red fescue grass, but yard, one that will showcase what can be done with proper retain the good parts of the yard built by Asael Palmer, former planning to minimize water consumption in a period of director of the Lethbridge Experimental Farm. increased concern for supplies. They also wanted to eliminate the use of pesticides when Meanwhile in Rockyford, a bustling village of 475 residents possible and to be able to manage their yard with a minimum in 125 homes a reformed Easterner, Claudette Lacombe of effort. Plant selection became vital, first to fit in with watched a big yard became an over-grown patch of grass, weeds xeriscaping principles and to meet Cheryl’s joy of pruning and shrubs, interrupted by walking paths dictated by her habits. plants rather than mowing grass. The location of the house on the lot provides two large yard The project started with xeriscaping design that became areas, one with direct southern sunny exposure, the other more personalized as it progressed. They worked with Kristen blessed with more shade. and Clayton Hironaka, owners of Earthlings. Kristen worked initially in central Alberta as a qualified landscape designer. Cheryl said there are more than 50 companies in Lethbridge that do gardening work, but only a handful do landscape design. The patio is already paying dividends. Sitting in the shade of the big trees sipping an iced tea, neighbours often stop to visit the couple; which fosters community-building. And the native plants seem to enjoy the semi-arid weather conditions encouraged by xeriscaping. Up to two-thirds of the plants are cultivars of native plant species. Perennial plants are part of the landscape, featuring pur- ples, yellows and pinks with a few whites thrown in. “Once we settled on a plan, installation of the plan was easy,” she said. Cheryl Bradley displays her yard after Fitch said Mother Nature is sending a signal. River flows in its transformation. Photo: Ric Swihart 18 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 Cont’d from page 18

The yard was an “interesting challenge” for a homeowner, Keeping the gar- she said. At the same time irrigation and water management den under control was a brewing topic in industry and society, generating the isn’t “work” these need for more stories as she worked as a freelance journalist days. She often gives with more farmers, watershed stewardship groups and the away pieces from the Alberta irrigation industry. plants suited to such Then the massive drought of 2000 hit and caring for a tra- propagation, one way ditional yard seemed counterproductive to the industry she she can rein in some was serving. How could she justify watering a large lawn in the shrubs and bushes her yard when the farmer across the road needed the water for that can double in size his wheat crop? in a short time. Xeriscape could be the saviour — allowing Lacombe to Is she done? design and build a wonderful yard while conserving water. “I still have some Her plans won support of the Rosebud River Watershed grass to get rid of,” she Partners, the Village of Rockyford and Wheatland County said. “And on the that recognized the value of exposing residents and visitors to north side, I want to xeriscape landscaping. finish the pathway I’m Lilies are drought tolerant plants that Starting in April 2004, the yard evolved slowly. Large creating with rhubarb do well in a xeriscape. Photo: C. Lacombe patches of grass became new patios, pathways and garden stepping stones.” beds. Her yard has become a source of pride and an example of Today, Lacombe still has to power up her lawnmower. But what can be done with planning and hard work. grass covers less than 15 per cent of the yard, all on the north Lacombe says people often ask if they can do the same side where shade helps limit the need for water. thing. She urges questioners to first assess what they use their Lacombe encouraged the trees at strategic locations and yard for before settling down on any planning. And make sure drought-tolerant ground-cover plants to replace the grass. to plan pathways where they should be located. One can walk on that ground cover and she finds it spreads “And be ready for surprises as you progress on the plan,” quickly. In the first years, she planted potatoes to help improve she said. “Don’t be afraid to try something, or to move some the soil and limit weeds by filling space while working on plants. If you are going to buy plants, talk to a specialist to other areas. learn what plants will do well in the shade, in hot temperatures Lacombe is happy with the development of her yard, and is or exposed to the wind. amazed at the persistence of the plants that fit into the “I find that what goes on in my yard is really a personal xeriscape concept. thing. I still spend some of the winter writing about my yard The beauty the colour the blooms add to her yard is a real on my Website. I want to teach about my yard experience and bonus. Now, she is prepared for drought. And when it rains, perhaps it will be an inspiration for others.” Visit her garden simply grows better. www.umbel.ca and click on the link to the Rockyford Urban Xeriscape Demonstration to see tons of photos, essays, annu- al updates and more.

Taber Irrigation District Specialty Crop T I D Country (Established in 1915) Taber is the centre of specialty crop production and value added processing in Alberta including sugar beets, hay, potatoes, corn and many other vegetable crops. 4420 - 44 Street, Taber, Alberta T1G 2J6 Telephone: (403) 223-2148 • Fax: (403) 223-2924 Email: [email protected] TABER IRRIGATION DISTRICT Lorne Fitch stands in front of his yard Serving over 82,000 acres and 750 water users in the Taber area as it’s prepared for redesign. Photo: Ric Swihart IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 19 Riparian Demonstrations DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE WATERTON PARK FRONT BY RON MONTGOMERY

An integral component of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is stewardship of the numerous prop- erties under their watch. In fact securing the land is often only the beginning of their conservation efforts. The Waterton Park Front (privately owned lands that A"front" Waterton Lakes National Park) now consists of approx- imately 30,000 acres of conserved ranchlands. Thanks to the unprecedented support of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation, local landowners and other partners, these incredible landscapes currently under various conservation agreements with NCC will remain intact and agriculturally productive. NCC properties are monitored regularly to ensure range- land and riparian areas remain functional while seeking to strike that oft-times elusive balance between sustainable cattle A NCC hosted tour of riparian demo sites on September 29, grazing and maintaining or improving biodiversity. The 2009 included this portable solar pump ranchers that have committed their lands to conservation in and trough system. Photo: R. Montgomery perpetuity are important partners in this ambitious program. In most cases the very lands they’ve committed are leased gains. The grass has better distribution across it, the pond has back to the original owners. a chance to heal and regenerate its banks and NCC has NCC and its partners have initiated a number of fencing accomplished its goal of conserving and enhancing the prop- and off-site watering projects designed specifically to enhance erty’s natural diversity through working with its partners on watershed and livestock management in areas of the Waterton the land. Park Front. NCC purchased the Jack Property, consisting of roughly The Bruder Property consists of a half section of land with 480-acres, from the Jack family in 2000. An approximately 980 no cross fences and only two sources of water for the 35 cattle m reach of Cottonwood Creek is located on the property. In pairs that graze there for three months annually. Dungarvan 2006, a joint project between Alberta Conservation Association Creek, which is often in flood early in the season, recedes (ACA) and NCC constructed nearly 1350 m of fence. underground by August. A large pond situated in the middle The project was a westward extension of a previous project of a heavy aspen stand has poor cattle access. In dry years, this where ACA also worked with the neighbouring downstream pond becomes a mud hole that is hard for cattle to access, neg- landowners to build a riparian pasture. One particular family atively affects weight gain and is not a wildlife friendly had worked for many years managing cattle in the extensive wetland. Since this is often the only water source in the pas- wetland area around Cottonwood Creek using electric fenc- ture, the cattle really don’t utilize the south part of the pasture. ing. Seeing positive results with their electric fencing The solution was a well drilled near the creek and the water pumped with solar power into a trough. Sundog Solar (an prompted them to seek a more permanent and lower mainte- Alberta company) sells the portable trough, pump, and solar nance fence. panel unit. A single panel 175-watt solar unit is hooked up to The fence on the Jack Property is the same design as on the four deep cycle batteries. The well is 150 feet deep with an adjacent property. The three strands of barbed wire are placed optimal output of 25 gpm. Actual pumping rate into the 600- at specific wire heights and spacing with wildlife movement in gallon trough is four gpm. The pump system and trough are mind. After a prolonged absence from the area, beaver re- portable and reasonably simple to move; which allows for use established at several sites along Cottonwood Creek, including in other locations. within the riparian pasture on the Jack Property turning por- Although initially unsure how to keep the cows from going tions of the riparian pasture into wetlands. back to their habituated watering hole at the pond, a combi- The Shiotani-Rice Property, purchased in 2004, consists of nation of a strategically located blocks of salt and the natural 278 acres. Cottonwood Creek flows through the length of the curiosity of the cattle, allowed the lessee to achieve immediate property; which is divided into two main pastures along the success in getting the cattle to drink at this new system. quarter section line. The south quarter had beaver recolonize This stock watering project worked well for all involved. it in the past three years or so, creating wetlands that host a The rancher has better water; which equals better weight diversity of birds.

20 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 Cont’d from page 20

In the north quarter, there’s a hay that are low-cost and less labour-inten- meadow adjacent to the creek. Cattle sive than establishing permanent fences. use this area more so than the south An education centre tied into the quarter and this reach of the creek suf- Waterton Park Front is located in fered: eroded banks, no establishment/ Waterton Springs Campground, regeneration of preferred shrub species, immediately north of Waterton Lakes approximately 60% of standing woody National Park on Highway 6. The material dead and decadent and Weston Family Conservation Centre, approximately 10% bare ground. operational from May through In 2008 and 2009, at the grazing September and offering free admis- leaseholder's suggestion a project erect- sion, is aimed at visitors of all ages. In ed a single strand electric fence on an addition to an excellent enclosed approximate 150 m reach of the information area, it also features a unhealthy portion of the creek. The one-kilometre, self-guided interpre- effects of cattle exclusion from this por- tive trail. tion of the creek will be assessed for a For further information on the few years, and a permanent fence estab- Waterton Park Front visit www.nature lished if it is considered necessary and conservancy.ca or contact Kimberly beneficial. Pearson by telephone 403-859-2218 or NCC continues to explore other e-mail kimberly.pearson@ naturecon- This is the portable solar pump system. options for improving riparian areas servancy.ca. Photo: R. Montgomery

Lindsay Introduces FieldNET With Pump Control, Allows Growers to Control Entire Pump and Center Pivot Irrigation System Lindsay Corporation, maker of Zimmatic® irrigation systems, announces the addition of pump control to its award- winning FieldNET™ Web-based irrigation management sys- tem. With this addition, growers will be able to access a single online portal to monitor and control their entire pump and center pivot irrigation system. “This means for the first time growers have the ability to use a combination of cutting-edge irrigation and pump con- trol technology, all in one package, to save energy, water and labor costs,” says Reece Andrews, GrowSmart Product Manager at Lindsay. CELEBRATING 53 YEARS OF FieldNET allows growers to monitor and control their pivots CUSTOM FEEDING EXPERIENCE from any Internet connection or cell phone. With a user- friendly Web portal, FieldNET provides growers a quick view Consider these advantages our operation offers: of every pivot, providing information on pivot location, • 15,000 head modern feedlot pivot status and water usage. • Will share pens with customers • Up-to-date computer records With FieldNET pump control, growers now have information • High moisture barley rations on their entire water delivery system, allowing them to • Home grown corn silage monitor and maintain each pump and pivot for peak per- • Computerized feedmill – excellent results formance. This integrated solution automatically tracks and reports pump start-ups and shutdowns and sends alerts for FAMILY FRIENDLINESS any disparity of normal operations, such as flow alarms. Telephone 223-8800 • Fax 223-4488 For more information on FieldNET with pump control, visit Richard Visser, 223-8354 www.lindsayfieldnet.com. Hans Visser, 223-8402

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 21 Maintenance Key to Problem-Free Irrigating MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY BY HELEN MCMENAMIN

Every service person you ever meet tells you preven- tive maintenance is the best way to keep any piece of equipment running and working for you. When the equipment is your pivot, they really have a point. “Pivots are always run 95 percent of their life in the Eworst of conditions, always in water and mud,” says DeLon Crapo, service manager with Oliver Irrigation in Lethbridge. “And, like any machinery, it breaks down when it’s working hardest – when it’s really hot and you’re struggling to keep your corn from burning up. That’s when the cost of a service call is the least of the costs of a breakdown. Doing it Mouse nest found in tower box. Photo: DeLon Crapo right first time costs even less.” Whether you’re doing routine maintenance or trou- bleshooting an issue, make safety your first consideration, says . . . a snake sheltering in a poorly Crapo. Before you do anything else, lock out the machine so nobody can start it while you’re working on it. You may be out sealed box gives anybody a start. of sight of the control panel, so lock out the power at the dis- connect, don’t just switch it off. If you don’t have a good idea what the problem is and how Boxes and covers need to be well-sealed to keep out all to fix it, don’t touch it, says Crapo. It’s high-powered equip- sorts of creatures. Crapo and his crew think they’ve seen it all, ment that can be deadly. but a snake sheltering in a poorly sealed box gives anybody a “And, when you first touch the machine, give it the back of start. your hand. If it is live, it’s 480-volt power, a hold-on voltage. Check tire pressures two or three times a year. Check the the shock will throw your hand off the machine. Testing it drive train too, particularly U-joints and shields. The shields with the back of your hand is safer.” protect the U-joints as well as you. Replace broken and lost driveshaft covers. Those drive- Regulators have limited lifespans so these may need to be shafts won’t stop for any small thing, like a body part. It’s easy changed. to avoid the shaft or step over a rut out of season, but maybe Check your sprinklers and valves under running condi- not when you’re already stressed or tired during the long days tions. And, if you need to change a sprinkler package, replace of summer. it with the correct one, not any old sprinkler package. Crapo advises making a maintenance program, doing “The whole purpose of a pivot is to carry water to the crop,” some things at least annually and others, like changing the oil says Crapo. “Without the right sprinkler you’ll be over- or in the gearbox during in depth maintenance every three years. under-watering, losing productivity.” “Meters are great for checking what’s going on,” he says. Ruts are hard on the pivot as well as you. Boom backs and “But pay attention to your own sensors – your ears and nose – part circle sprinklers can keep the wheels on dry ground as and check out anything that smells or sounds strange around much as possible. On difficult soils, 3- and 4-wheel basebeams the tower box.” or RAAFT tracks, plastic minitracks can drastically reduce Regular maintenance includes checking the electrical sys- rutting. tem, particularly micro-switches and contactors. Dirt and Check for broken or chewed conduit and insulation. leafcutter bees are the worst enemies of electrical parts, he Frayed insulation can lead to a short to the frame, sometimes says. One leaf-cutter bee can topple a pivot if it’s the one that sending a “fuses out” message to the panel. builds a nest behind a micro-switch, stopping it from making Crapo is proud of the pivot schools Oliver runs every win- contact. Blow out the bees, nests and dirt and hold the lid up ter, usually a one-day version in Medicine Hat and a two-day to the light to look for tiny holes. school in Lethbridge. He recommends anybody planning to Home-made fuses don’t belong in your pivot’s electrical do their own maintenance come to one, whatever make of panel. It needs the correct voltage. Crapo repeats the old adage pivot you have. that you get what you pay for and, since you’ve paid lots for the “We teach you everything you need to know to maintain pivot, keep its parts like cables and fuses up to the original your pivot and extend its lifespan,” he says. “With good main- standard, preferably with OEM parts and cables. tenance, a pivot can function well for 40 years or more.”

22 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 Raymond Irrigation District (RID) Update

BY RIC SWIHART

The dream of getting rid of hundreds of electric and weedy canals, optimum water control, no seepage and leaky gas-powered irrigation pump motors and their cost- canals, and vastly improved water use efficiency. ly emissions while converting the Raymond Irrigation The province cost-shares irrigation rehabilitation and cap- ital projects with all the districts, so RID needs $47 million. District into a gravity-powered sprinkler haven has “I think we've got a good idea,” said ZoBell. “It is the next moved a step closer. step of possibilities. Gordon ZoBell, Raymond Irrigation District (RID) gener- Jeff Nelson, whose family farm irrigated about 2,500 acres Tal manager, said the announcement of $100 million in of hay, corn, canola and silage, said any time irrigation can economic development work in the next two years through improve water use efficiency and reduce energy use, the envi- Western Economic Diversification Stimulus Fund sparked an ronment benefits also. application for the $60-million pressurized sprinkler irriga- He admitted the project is “a big chunk of money for infra- tion system that would cover about 85 per cent of the district’s structure,” but once in place, will pay big dividends. Byron 46,300 acres farmed by about 300 producers. Wilde, whose family farm recently converted from natural ZoBell said RID farmers produce alfalfa, barley, several gas to electric turbines and pumps installed at a cost of wheat varieties, canola, irrigated pasture, market garden $10,000 each, said the pipeline project fits well with the crops, fruit trees, sugar beets and limited acres of a range of provincial government's “go green” program. other speciality crops. He said energy costs about $1.80 per acre inch of water The district also delivers water for 3,500 in Raymond, applied. That translates into $18 an acre for the 132 acres cov- 1,200 in Stirling and 200 in Welling. ered by a quarter section pivot. Lethbridge MP Rick Casson supported the energy-effi- He said many farmers normally irrigate less than recom- cient, environmentally-friendly project, but had to inform mended to save money. With no energy costs, they will use district officials the massive project to let water flow by grav- more water, much of it conserved with the pipeline system, ity from Milk River Ridge Reservoir likely couldn’t be but also achieve higher yields. finished in the two-year time frame for the fund spending. But it will also lead the way in improving water use effi- Because the project met all the criteria the federal govern- ciency and help conserve energy. Herb Hofer, secretary for ment has set for such funding, RID directors decided to get the East Raymond Colony, said most farmers won't need irri- proactive to be in position to move quickly on phases of the gation pumps and the north end of the pipes will need big project. pressure reducers. “We know there are government funding programs, and The colony has some land above the reservoir that will be more to come, that we think we can access,” said ZoBell. irrigated with traditional methods, while land 25 metres To be ready, the board commissioned Darren Wilde with below the reservoir will only require a slight pump boost to Wilde Brothers Engineering of Welling to prepare more meet pivot pressure requirements. detailed design plans for the initial project target area. It will He feels the Alberta government, and perhaps the federal also work on securing the land easements for the pipeline. government, should recognize the benefit of the project with “Instead of going for $60 million for the total district, we some funding. Farmers can do more, like contributing their will go for $7 million to start the project,” said ZoBell. The annual energy savings and paying higher per-acre water rates. area earmarked for the start has about 10,000 acres of irrigat- He said irrigation to large a degree has drought-proofed ed land farmed by about 80 producers. the region. As the project proceeds, there will be positives, he said. “We take our hats off to forward-thinking politicians who No more pumping motors and no greenhouse gases, no have made it happen.”

Alberta Beef Producers Welcomes New Executive At the Annual General Meeting in Calgary Dec. 7 – 9, the membership elected a new executive and board of directors of Alberta Beef Producers. Chuck MacLean (Bow Island) is the new Board Chair. Doug Sawyer (Pine Lake) is Vice Chair and Dave Solverson (Camrose) is Finance Chair. Rick Burton (Claresholm) is the Past Chair. Chuck MacLean, ABP Chair, comes to the executive ready to face major concerns in front of the organization. He has experience in most facets of the cattle industry. He has served six terms with ABP, four of those as a board member and one year as Chair of the Cattle Feeder Council. He is currently Promotion Committee Chair for the Canada Beef Export Federation. ABP also welcomes the newly-elected 2009/2010 Board of Directors: Brent Carey (Stavely), Greg Bowie (Ponoka), Brian Chomlak (Beauvallon), Ben Schrader (Jarvie), Howard Bekkering (Vauxhall), Bob Lowe (Nanton), John Bland (Strathmore), Judy Fenton (Irma), Charlie Christie (Trochu), Kelly Olson (Athabasca), Ted Ford (Westlock), Brad Calvert (Brooks) and Roland Cailliau (Valleyview).

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 23 Technology and Water Conservation TECHNOLOGY FINDS ITS PLACE IN WATER CONSERVATION BY RON MONTGOMERY

The Western Irrigation District (WID) headquartered out of Strathmore, AB has been busy upgrading and enhancing its water delivery system over the past few years. In addition to canal rehabilitation and, in many cases, conversion to PVC pipeline, computer systems (aka SCADA — Supervisory Control And Data TAcquisition) are being installed to automate controls, provide real-time flow data and reduce return flows. To date, SCADA has grown to include the real time moni- toring and /or control of 41 locations, which include both instream sites and return flow sites. In addition four 88-foot high repeater towers have been erected in strategically located positions. Brian Sander, Water Master for WID, recently provided IA magazine with a project overview and update, including the Finished installation of pipeline inlet with numerous benefits of their SCADA system. solar powered SCADA. Photo: WID

. . . “a quick look at the computer screen before bed and knowing everything is running well makes for a restful sleep.” Pipe saddle with doppler flow meter inserted. Photo: WID

“All sites report in real time. Most sites have trending over the entire season so events can be reviewed by the hour right up to the entire season if necessary. The majority of sites also have the ability to call out alarms to the Water District Supervisors (WDS) if tripped. These can be anything from security, high or low water levels and flow rates to power fail- ures. Alarm triggers are determined and preset by the WDS so that he has time to perform whatever tasks are necessary to satisfy the alarm condition. We now know when a condition that may threaten infrastructure is occurring rather than Inside pipeline view of doppler flow meter. Photo: WID reacting to the condition once it has occurred.” SCADA currently allows over half of the WDS staff con- tingent to look at their service area over a laptop screen before management for WDS and better information as to how much leaving for the day. Each year, as sites are added, laptops are and where water is in their delivery system. They can now provided to the respective WDS when enough of a service manage some gates remotely, which saves time traveling. area can be adequately monitored. This allows increased time Maintenance and wear and tear on vehicles is lower, plus the

24 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 Cont’d from page 24

WDS can plan their daily tour already knowing what is hap- pening within their area. Alberta Beef Producers Announces Sander also adds the practical aspect that, “a quick look at 2010 ESA Recipient the computer screen before bed and knowing everything is Alberta Beef Producers awarded Waldron Grazing Cooperative Ltd., running well makes for a restful sleep.” located in Southern Alberta the 2010 Environmental Stewardship WID’s SCADA system all began in 2005 when the WID Award at its Annual General Meeting. explored then initiated an electronic monitoring system that Each year a judging panel visits all nominated operations across would enable water operations staff and management to see in Alberta. “real time” how much, as well as where, water diverted from the This is this first time in the 18-year history of the award that a coop- Bow River was being split up throughout the WID canal system. erative operation has been the award recipient. The Waldron currently has around 70 share holders that all run cattle on the land. Funding for the SCADA projects in 2005 and 2006 was Recognising that they are part of a larger community, it is very impor- provided through WID. Beginning in 2007 project costs tant to them that they do the right thing and be proactive in their were funded under a special water measurement program environmental practices. through the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program (IRP), a cost The Waldron has worked closely on environmentally-focused projects sharing agreement between the provincial government and with groups like Cows & Fish, Sustainable Resource Development and the districts. the Alberta Conservation Association. They pride themselves on their innovative stewardship practices that focus on energy management, It was decided early in the design process to use radio fre- watering systems, minimizing air pollution, rangeland health, and quency to move data from the points of collection to the wildlife management. central SCADA computer. The basis for this decision was the It is the Waldron’s dedication to their best management practices that reliability of radio, the lower long term cost of the system earned them the 2010 Alberta Beef Producers’ Environmental compared to other alternatives like cellular or satellite, and the Stewardship Award. topography within District boarders. A 180-foot high existing communications tower, located in the WID yard, acts as the key anchor point from which information is sent to or received from all monitoring sites. Repeater towers provide a central collection point for the various monitoring sites, which are a complex system of remote automation, measurement and flow monitoring. All new pipeline projects now include a flow meter as standard practice. Locating the four existing towers in strategic land locations identified by elevation provides the WID with the ability to set-up real-time monitoring at virtually any location it wishes within the District. No additional repeater tower construction should be required. However, as deemed necessary, local monitoring sites may require antenna heights to be slightly increased to improve line of sight. To date (four years of design and three years of construc- tion), overall investment into WID’s SCADA system has been approximately $ 900,000. For the upcoming 2010 season (year six of the program), the WID budgeted another $100,000 toward monitoring of existing structures or upgrades to more of the return flow locations. 1431 - 13 STREET, COALDALE, ALBERTA T1M 1M7 Brian sums up, “from a management perspective, SCADA allows us to see what is happening over the entire district, including diversion, consumption and return flow. It provides data that can be used to help management in the office to see daily operations as they occur. Tracking water usage from year to year will also show us where water savings occur as reha- bilitation of our District takes place.” For further information on the Western Irrigation District visit www.wid.net or telephone 403-934-3542.

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 25 Up Seeding Rates for Higher Yields

BY HELEN MCMENAMIN

Yields for irrigated crops might well be higher with higher seeding rates, that’s the conclusion of a major research program by Dr. Ross McKenzie, Agronomy Research Scientist and his team with Alberta Agriculture. McKenzie looked at yields of 11 crops with various seeding Ydates, seeding rates and fertility levels over four years at two sites, Lethbridge and Bow Island. All treatments were replicat- ed four times at each site. You might think, all these things have been figured out This view of seeding date trials gives an idea of the work long ago. You’d be right, but only partly right. We’ve had rec- involved in this project. ommendations for fertilizer for years, but the field work McKenzie used to develop those recommendations was done in the early 1980s. McKenzie says, there’s been very little seed- ing date and rate research with irrigated crops over the past 50 years. Today’s irrigation technology is so much better, you can give a crop the exact amount of water it needs, when it needs it. Crop breeders have made huge leaps in yield potential and quality in modern varieties compared to those of a generation ago. Seeding technology has improved enormously and it allows a lot less tillage, even zero-till sometimes, and you have more options in fertilizer application to improve its efficiency. The crop rotation options are greater and herbicides and The impact of early seeding is highlighted where random replication put mid-May seeded crop beside late April seeding. fungicides can prevent more yield-robbing problems than was possible 25 or 30 years ago. The old agronomic advice may not hold today. the second week of May. Even the first week of May yields McKenzie also worked with irrigation scientist, Dr. Shelley were significantly lower than those of April seeding. Woods, Soil and Water Research Scientist. She looked into In real life, you can’t get all your seeding done in a week. water use efficiency and water needs of crops at McKenzie’s McKenzie has seen that even though top yields are most like- sites over the 4 year project to measure water use by each crop ly with early seeding, later seedings of flax don’t lose as much over the growing season. yield potential as other crops. Canola usually does best seed- McKenzie tested seeding rates from 100 to 500 seeds per ed early, but in April the risk of frost is higher so seeding for square meter for the cereal crops and seeding dates from mid- canola at the end of April might be wise. Among wheats, April (weather permitting) at 10-day intervals through spring durum and soft white types are much more affected by late for four classes of spring wheat (HRS, CPS, soft white and seeding than hard red. durum); malt, feed and silage barley; grain and silage triticale; Seeding rate has not been much studied in Alberta, says canola and flax. McKenzie. His preliminary results show higher rates are best. 2009 was the last year of the project, but with such a big He advises cereal seeding rates of at least 300 seeds per square project, it will be a while before the scientists analyze all the meter, even 400 seeds per square meter – around 190 to 200 data and develop specific new recommendations. In the lbs per acre for cereals except hard red spring wheat and malt meantime, McKenzie has identified some trends. barley. Even for oilseeds, McKenzie recommends higher rates. As in many dryland trials McKenzie has done, earlier seed- For canola, 175 seeds per square meter, 7lbs per acre yielded ing is best. In some years and sites, some crops were better best. Flax did best with 500 seeds per square meter, 30 or even seeded a little later than mid-April, but compared to seeding 40 lbs per acre. in May, getting the crop seeded in mid to late-April gave much Good quality seed isn’t cheap and raising seeding rates may better yields. Even for silage crops, mid-May seeding was seem unnecessary when cereals can tiller and canola can often less than half the yield of crops seeded in April. Mean branch to compensate for thin stands, but grain on side yield losses due to seeding around May 10th instead of mid- branches or tillers are often smaller and more likely lost at har- April ranged from 24% to 48%. In some crops, some years, vest. No doubt, McKenzie and other scientists will be working seeding early yielded twice the crop produced from seeding in out many recommendations from this project.

26 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 New Traceability Regulations Come Into Effect March 2010 Alberta is strengthening its animal health and food safety legislation with the introduction of new regulations effective March 1, 2010. The Traceability Cattle Identification Regulation repeals the Traceability Livestock Identification Regulation. There are two parts to the new regulations: tagging requirements for cattle identification and cattle move-in reporting for feedlots. All producers now have until cattle are 10 months of age, rather than 8, to apply industry-approved Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and register the cattle’s birth date. Producers using actual birth dates also have the option of using a cattle identifier (tattoo or production dangle tag) by three months of age and until applying an RFID tag at 10 months of age or the animal leaves the farm, whichever comes first. Previously, RFID tags were required at three months of age. Feedlots feeding 1,000 or more head a year are now required to report move-in information to the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA). Previously, only feedlots feeding 5,000 or more head were required to do so. This regulation applies only to feedlots, not cow-calf operations . Livestock traceability regulations have been in effect since January 1, 2009. Cattle born after that date are required to be age verified under the Animal Health Act. Traceability enables government to move quickly to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from natural disasters and outbreaks of disease, while minimizing economic impacts.

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IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 27 Born to Water

BY RIC SWIHART

Roger Hohm had little chance avoiding a career involving water. Born and raised in the shadow of the St. Mary Dam that opened in 1952, son of the former manager of the St. Mary Project through the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, Hohm said, “Water runs pretty deep in my veins.” RHe remembers fondly his friends from the Blood Reserve who lived on the other side of the St. Mary River and starting school in Spring Coulee before moving to Magrath to finish high school. He also credits his family’s active participation in the Magrath United Church for having a role in the person he has become. His first educational decision was easy — head to Roger Hohm, coffee cup and work scheduler at the ready, Edmonton and the University of Alberta where he took all the in his afternoon digs as secretariat for the irrigation courses available on his way to an engineering and Alberta Irrigation Council. Photo: Ric Swihart agriculture degree. “That is what launched my desire for knowledge,” he said. advances “that put Alberta on the global map for water man- “Agriculture and irrigation courses provided the building agement and water movement.” blocks for my future.” One of the most satisfying parts of the advances irrigation With no opportunity to go farming, Hohm spent time achieved has been the tremendous adoption of technology working for Ken Long Seeds. His first hands-on work with and knowledge by Alberta irrigators, said Hohm. irrigation was moving side- wheel sprinkler pipe, harvesting “On the farm side, producers have spent billions of dollars operations, helping run the seed-cleaning plant and learning investing in their farms to improve on-farm irrigation meth- the role of marketing in the seed industry. ods and benefits,” he said. “They quickly adopted new His major at U of A netted him a bachelor’s degree in engi- irrigation technology from around the world. It has been neering agrology. Rather than use his education in amazing.” agribusiness for equipment firms, Hohm chose irrigation and land drainage. He quickly joined Alberta Agriculture and moved his career along in roughly five-year blocks, starting in 1980 with Increasing Federal Oversight of Oil Sands the project planning branch in Lethbridge. His next stop was Impacts to Water irrigation specialist in Lethbridge followed by a stint in the A report authored by Water Matters sheds new light on the significant same role focusing on specialty crops in the Taber office, and impact that oil sands activities have on water resources. The report then helping develop and manage the Canada/Alberta profiles key issues such as leakage from tailings ponds, wetlands Irrigation Demonstration Farm at the Lethbridge Agriculture destruction, water flows, and bird deaths. Centre. The report, Watered Down: Overcoming Federal Inaction on the With the tightened department budget, Hohm has been Impact of Oil Sands Development to Water Resources was released pressed into expanded services. Not only is he head for the Nov. 23, 2009 by the Alberta Wilderness Association, Environmental basin water management section, he spends most afternoons Defence, Keepers of the Athabasca, the Pembina Institute, the Polaris as secretariat for the Alberta Irrigation Council. Institute, the Sierra Club of Canada and Water Matters. Watered Down Council oversees the Irrigation District Act and supervises reviews testimony on oil sands activities made to the federal House of the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program that manages the Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable province- irrigation district cost-shared irrigation rehabilita- Development. The majority of testimony from non-governmental tion spending. organizations, legal and scientific experts, First Nations and the Hohm said there have been many changes in irrigated agri- Northwest Territories government suggested that the damaging impact culture in his tenure and the creation and use of the Heritage of oil sands activity on Canada’s water resources required more federal Savings Trust Fund for irrigation, ranks high on his list. involvement. He said a tremendous amount of money was poured into Read the report, http://www.water-matters.org/pub/watered-down irrigation rehabilitation, irrigation research and technological

28 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 Micronutrients – The Pros and Cons

BY HELEN MCMENAMIN

Viterra agronomy manager, Rigas Karamanos has Karamanos is not con- been studying micronutrients since he was working on vinced that the testing for his Master’s degree, so he’s the ideal person to pick the soil levels of micronutrients really reflects what’s available nuggets of truth from some micronutrient marketing. to crops under prairie condi- He did that at this year’s Irrigation Update. tions. The standard, and the The critical levels for micronutrients in soil are identical for test he uses in all his recommendations, is DTPA extractable. Vdryland and irrigated crops, says Karamanos. Irrigated crops He also notes that many reports of micronutrient applica- may use slightly more nutrients, but they have advantage of tions improving yields come from soils that are very different soil micronutrient levels, particularly boron, iron and chloride from our prairie soils. Boron responses, for example, are com- as well as sulfur being augmented by minerals in irrigation mon in PEI, California and Taiwan and have no meaning in water. western Canada. The only part of the prairies where boron (B) is in short Specialty crops may need more trace elements, but supply is northeast Saskatchewan, says Karamanos. At 40 sites, Karamanos has found no scientific reports of yield responses including some testing as deficient, canola yields over three to applying micronutrients for cereals, oilseeds, peas or lentils years varied from 18 to 63 bushels, but there was no link on the prairies. And, as long as your micronutrients are above between soil boron and yield. Applying boron increases tissue the critical level, there’s no point in adding more. It takes a boron levels, but his trials show the highest yields from crops long time to draw down those reserves. with low tissue levels and no boron applied. Karamonos cautions against “fufu dust” with his long- “Just forget boron,” he advises. standing reminder: You need $2 back for every dollar you Low chlorine (Cl) has been linked to disease risk in North invest in fertilizer. Dakota, but Karamanos has not been able to find any links between chloride level and disease. And, he says there’s plenty of chloride in irrigation water. Copper (Cu) is advised by soil test labs at different levels in INNOVATIVE each province. Karamanos, who has done much of the research, has seen agronomic response to copper application WATER – fewer burnt-looking leaf tips – in 94% of fields testing lower CONTROL than 0.4 ppm. But, only 62% of the fields had an economic response to copper application. Between 0.4 and Alberta’s PRODUCTS 0.6ppm “deficiency” level, Karamanos has seen agronomic responses on 16% of fields and economic benefits from cop- per on only 2% of 50 fields. Apply copper on sandy soils if soil tests show less than 0.4 ppm, he says. On pastures, high levels of molybdenum (Mb) without adequate copper can lead to molybdenosis, a secondary cop- per deficiency, which causes faded hair, diarrhea and lameness. Feeding copper in salt prevents the problem. Crop responses to manganese (Mn) have only been report- ed for organic soils, but in one trial in Finland sugar beet For reliable automatic yields increased with manganese application. screening needs Iron (Fe) and molybdenum have not been researched, but contact: Karamanos has heard on soil has free lime, strawberries may benefit from these minerals. Zinc (Zn) has been widely studied in western Canada and cereals and oilseeds show no response to its application, even though levels below 0.25 ppm are considered marginal, but corn, beans and, probably potatoes benefit if levels are below 0.5 to 1.0 ppm. High rates of phosphate fertilizer may cause zinc deficiencies, Karamanos believes. He’s seen some interac- tions between zinc deficiency and phosphate fertilization, but email: [email protected] 1-800-315-8947 the question needs more research.

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 29 Restoring the Flow CONFRONTING THE WORLD’S WATER WOES REVIEW BY C. LACOMBE

By Robert William Sandford Who in Alberta wouldn’t want to remove drought from the ISBN #978-1-897522-52-3 program if they could? The story in this section is a caution- ary tale if ever there was one. Dr. Sauchyn will tell you that we Published by Rocky Mountain Books cannot remove drought from our program in the middle of Robert Sandford’s most recent book clearly shows how his this continent by any means currently known to man. role as Canada’s water ambassador has led him to take a cold, Sandford’s chapter on our Mighty McKenzie River brings hard look at Canada’s water situation in a global context. home the fact that human impact can travel far and wide. In He brings what he sees through the lens of international a place where the majority of Canadians would expect pris- experiences and conversations to his readers and, I’ll warn tine, undisturbed wilderness, human impacts on our you, Canada is not pretty on the world watersheds and landscapes flow north. stage. This chapter is a real eye-opener for If you rely in any way for your liveli- any Canadian that still believes we hood on water, you will want to read have places where we haven’t hurt the this book and attempt to remain objec- ecology yet. tive until you get through to the end. Our eastern Canadians have trou- The book skillfully shatters any illu- bles too and in this chapter I couldn’t sions you may have about water help but wonder just how foolish abundance, progressive water policy or Canada and the United States will water safety in Canada. look if we manage to drain the Great It is not that Sandford gets vicious; Lakes. Collaboration to preserve the he simply shares the lessons he’s world’s largest lake system will take gleaned from other country’s experi- immense commitment from large ences and honestly explores Canada’s populations and levels of government ability to meet similar challenges if no on both sides of the border. It is not changes take place to our habits, laws, that this likelihood is imminent that beliefs or narratives. concerns Sandford and, one would While I found myself defending irri- hope, many others. It is the fact that it gation in Alberta – sometimes out loud is even conceivable. Will humans real- while alone – I had to concede in the ly stumble forward until we reach this end that Sandford does not say any- eventuality? thing an intelligent and studied person In the final chapter, Sandford wouldn’t concede in the privacy of their explains how Canada does not have the own home regarding Alberta’s water mechanisms in place today to care for situation. He makes some very valid our water resources in the future. points about what we don’t say in pub- Indeed, he explains why it is such a lic about agriculture or irrigated . . . Canada does not have the daunting task and how our very nature agriculture today. gets in our way. He uses Australia and Spain to mechanisms in place today to We do have some success in some explain why we might want to start care for our water resources areas, but we do not have a compre- really talking about sustainability in hensive and achievable plan, goal, southern Alberta. He also illustrates in the future. policy, legislative framework or any how very little we learned in North other mechanism to reach a sustain- America by surviving the Dirty Thirties able society. He points out in fact that and how dangerous a situation this creates in modern times. we don’t even have a definition for sustainability we all agree Sandford also draws a rather frightening parallel between upon. Calgary and Los Angeles. For people paying attention, This book is a must read because the change will not come Calgary has used its water abundance in a rather dictatorial from on high; it will come from informed grassroots directing way in recent years and Sandford’s discussion in this book political leaders and cooperating with changes that have to sheds some light on what that might look like in the future. come before we further embarrass ourselves. When you get the chapter where Sandford visited Austin, I’m sure Sandford would love to report positive progress in Texas, try to be amused by the desire of gamers wishing to Canada the next time he attends an international forum. Let’s simply remove the possibility of drought from the program. give him that.

30 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

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