December 2007
PLANT
SEED NEWS Association of ALBERTA Co-op Seed Cleaning PLANTS Ltd.
Contents all. I am pleased to announce asset to this assoc. for years President’s Message 1 that as of Sept. 1, 2007 to come. GM’s Report 2 Bayer CropScience Update 3 Lorena Pahl has served as Important Dates 3 GM for the Seed Industry The ACES committee Morneau Sobeco Update 4 Partnership. Bill Witbeck has continues to develop a work 50 Year Celebrations 4 continued to work with plan to bring this concept - St. Paul Lorena to make this closer to reality. To this end, - Alliance - Taber transition as smooth as funding in the amount of - Three Hills possible. Bill’s last day with $140,000.00 was received Our First Auxiliary Member 9 us was Nov .30 and we wish from ACAAF (Advancing Finding, Selecting and him a long and happy Canadian Agriculture and Keeping Good Employees 10 retirement. Agri-Food). Your New Region 7 Director 11 Manager’s Session 11 Feedback Form 12 As many of you know Nick This money will be used to New Look 12 Markovich decided to retire source outside people to the as the director for Region options available in regards Additional News: seven this past summer. We to industry partnering, • Annual General Meeting Agenda would like to thank Nick for marketing opportunities and • Alberta Branch, CSGA Panel Discussion his 17 years in that capacity. funding options. His knowledge and Seed plant news is now published experience will be missed. I look forward to updating four times annually to member Thank you Nick. you on these and other issues plants, the executives and the that we, the provincial board managers of the Association of Alberta Co-op Seed Cleaning The new director for Region have before us, at the annual Plants Ltd. seven is James Obniawka. general meeting to be held th th James sits on the board of the on January10 – 12 , in President’s Message Sexsmith Seed Cleaning Edmonton. Hope to see you Steven Miller Plant. I know that James will there! represent region seven well.
Your provincial Assoc. has As of Aug.1 Westlock had a busy summer dealing Terminals Ltd. became the with many changes. The first auxiliary member of this hiring of a new General Assoc. We welcome them Manager being the most and know that they will be an significant challenge of them
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th th General Manager’s meeting January 10 – 12 , There are enough funds in Report 2008 at the Westin Hotel in place to pay for RVT Edmonton. I would like to coordination until December From the desk of... highlight a couple of our 2008 with the possibility of Lorena Pahl, General guest speakers – Brock ACIDF funding the RVTs Manager Ketchum, Director of into 2009. Cooperatives will help us Wow – I can’t believe it is interpret the Cooperatives Additives in grain such as nearing the end of 3 months Act as to whether or not a Phostoxin or Malathion, are since I started as your new plant can dispense with the a safety concern to the seed General Manager, Seed services of an auditor and cleaning plant employees. Industry Partnership. It has what other options might be The Board of Directors been extremely gratifying to available. Tom Goddard, strongly encourages all have Bill on board during Alberta Agriculture and plants to develop a policy this time to help with the Food will update us on the with regards to having transition. We have gone current Alberta Carbon producers inform plant through a pile of information Market situation. David employees if any of their and STORIES! As he is Beckman, our Keynote grain has been treated with preparing to embark on a Speaker, will bring his any such additives. new journey in life or should international agricultural I say heading south with the experiences to a local The Alberta Branch, CSGA rest of the “Snowbirds”, I perspective. The Annual wishes to extend an would like to take this General Meeting package invitation to all seed plant opportunity to express my has been mailed out; directors and employees to sincere thanks and wish you however, we have included attend a panel discussion in the 2008 Agenda in this the afternoon of Monday all best in your retirement! st edition of the Seed Plant January 21 at the Westin A new face in the Lacombe News as a reminder to book Hotel, Edmonton AB. your hotel rooms at the Dissecting the Seed office is Shelley Stibbs who st just started mid November, Westin by December 21 . Industry. SWOTing your has taken over the The hotel can be reached at Seed Business will offer an administration support role. (780) 426-3636. in depth discussion on the Residing in Lacombe, Strengths, Weaknesses, Shelley and her husband The office just received an Opportunities and Threats of originally hail from update on the regional the seed industry. Come Manitoba and together with variety trial (RVT) funding. prepared with questions and their two young boys are The Agriculture Minister has ideas to challenge yourself busy with hockey and agreed to reinstate Alberta and others on the future of soccer!! Welcome Aboard! Agriculture’s in kind support the seed industry. How will Shelley can be reached at (but not cash) to help with the seed industry evolve and (403) 782-8023 or email at the RVTs. The transition what does this mean for your [email protected]. grant from Alberta Ag & seed business? Please refer Food for the RVTs, to assist to the insert for more details. I look forward to seeing in funding the coordinate’s everyone at the annual position, has been extended until March 31st, 2009.
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We hope you enjoy some of Market Development of new the new additions to the Seed and existing products, Olds College Seed Fair & Plant Newsletter – 50th including InVigor canola, Hay Show anniversary celebrations! and new crop protection Open House April 5th, 2008 Finding, Selecting and products. Entry Deadlines Keeping Good Employees... Hay & Silage and Meet your New Director. Monica is excited to be back January 31st, 2008 If you have any comments or working with you all and Other Classes ideas as to what information will be out and about in the February 28th, 2008 you would like to see in next few months. Please feel future editions of the Seed free to contact her at: North American Seed Plant newsletter please call (403) 625-7027 or email Fair/AgExpo me at (403) 782-8022 or [email protected] February 27th – 29th, 2008 email at [email protected]. Entry Deadlines Important Dates Hay & Silage th Bayer Update February 8 , 2008 Pesticide Applicators – Other Classes th Monica Klaas is returning to Seed Protectant Tutorials February 15 , 2008 the Bayer CropScience Seed For a complete listing of Exhibition Park, Lethbridge, Treatment Team as Seed dates & locations please go AB Treatment Specialist for to the following link: Alberta. In June of 2007, http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/protenf/pes Northlands Pedigreed Seed ticide/usage/index.html Show Monica moved to assume the Click on Applicator th th role of Territory Sales March 26 - 29 , 2008 Recertification, then Entry Deadlines Manager for the Lethbridge Agriculture area, dealing with the entire All classes Olds College will be offering March 7th, 2008 portfolio of Bayer the following tutorials in ‘08 CropScience products, Northlands, Edmonton, AB Feb. 4-5, Lethbridge, AB including seed treatments, Feb 25th – 26th, Olds College, Peace Country Classic herbicides, fungicides, Olds AB InVigor canola and AgriShow Details will be posted shortly March 6th – 8th, 2008 insecticides. As part of a at the following link or corporate restructuring, the Entry Deadlines for Seed phone (403) 507-7761 Show seed treatment group has http://www.oldscollege.ab.ca/programs th become a very specialized /ContinuingEducation/ All classes February 29 , group consisting of four 2008 people in Canada. Association of Alberta Co- Evergreen Park, Grande op Seed Cleaning Plants Prairie, Alberta This change is part of a Annual General Meeting January 10th – 12th, 2008 FarmTech restructuring initiative that th st had moved Kent Hall, former Westin Hotel, Edmonton January 30 – February 1 2008 Register before January 11th, Seed Treatment Sales 2008 for Early Bird Discounts. Manager for Northern Mayfield Inn & Suites,
Alberta into a newly created Edmonton, AB department dedicated to
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Morneau Sobeco Participation – Are all Update eligible employees enrolled Spousal Coverage – Did you on the plan? Are you adding know that employees who Association of Alberta Co-op them to the plan promptly so have Health and Dental Seed Cleaning Plants Group as to avoid late application coverage through a spouse Insurance Administrative penalties? All group may waive the health/dental Updates insurance programs require portion of their program, but employees to be enrolled on are still required to join the Is Your Employee Information the plan within 31 days of plan to receive any Life and Being Kept Up-To-Date? becoming eligible. New full Disability benefits for which time employees become they are eligible? Failure to Please take a moment to eligible the 1st of the month enrol employees in the review your most recent following 3 months of Life/Disability benefits could billing statement for employment. Should the result in legal action from the accuracy and advise us employee application not be employee or their immediately of any changes. received within the 31 day beneficiaries in the event of For legal and underwriting period following eligibility, death or disability. purposes it is important that no coverage will become you review this information effective for the employee or Keeping employee and ensure your employees their family unless they pass information up to date will are covered for the correct a medical review conducted ensure that employees level of benefit. It is equally by the insurer. receive the benefits they are important to confirm that all entitled to and protect the eligible employees are Employee Terminations – employer against potential covered under your plan. Have all terminated legal issues arising from employees been removed improper coverage levels. Your attention to this matter from the plan? Are you is critical since an eligible aware that you should have If you require any assistance employee who is not insured the benefits portion of a with the administration of correctly or who has not severance package pre- your group benefits program, been offered the benefits will approved by the Insurer please contact Stephanie have the right to take legal before offering it to an Airth at Morneau Sobeco action against their employee? (1-866-432-8425). employer. In the event of death, the beneficiary of an Income – Are all reported eligible employee who has incomes correct? This ST. Paul Seed Cleaning not been insured for the ensures the employee is Plant Celebrating 50 proper level of coverage, properly insured in the event Years! according to several court of a life or disability claim rulings, will have the right to and reduces potential St. Paul Municipal Seed take legal action against the employer liability. Please Cleaning Association Ltd. is employer and/or the Insurer. ensure Morneau Sobeco is a cooperative business that is updated with the most recent owned and operated by local Please pay attention to the basic salary (excluding producers operating in its following: bonuses and overtime) for 50th year. each employee.
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We have 650 active The plant recently added Walter Weber spoke on shareholders and several Certified Hybrid Canola and behalf of the County of other customers that deal at Corn seed sales through Paintearth and Bill Reister the plant for their seed or Pioneer Hybrid, a DuPont spoke on behalf of the feed needs. Company. This will allow County of Flagstaff. Don the seed plant to retail Davidson congratulated the The business has grown over Round-up Ready and board on their 50 years and the years from seed Clearfield varieties of canola spoke on past board processing to shipping export and corn for silage and meetings. products to several overseas grazing. Terry Howe, Manager of the ports such as India, Alliance Seed Cleaning Philippines, Columbia, Alliance Plant Celebrates Association, gave a brief Mexico and Taiwan. 50 years! history and a humorous recollection of customers and We are mostly shipping The Alliance Seed Cleaning happenings over the years. pulses into these Plant Association celebrated “My first customer brought destinations, but with the their 50th anniversary in 500 bushels to get cleaned, diversified agriculture Saturday, November 3, 2007. then expected to go home industry we have, there have A banquet and dance was with 550 bushels,” said been lots of inquiries for held at the Alliance Howe, “do the math.” shipping other commodities Community Hall, and to top into these same destinations. the evening off, “CCMA Brett Kissel opened the The St. Paul Municipal Seed Chevy Rising Star nominee evening’s entertainment with Cleaning Association is the Brett Kissel was the main “Will you dance with this old only local delivery point left entertaining. cowboy”. That song set the in this area. pace for the rest of the night. The evening began with Couples took to the dance Locally, we are overseen by happy hour followed by the floor to enjoy a fine evening a board of directors, a seven banquet. “MC” Tom of dancing to a live band. farmer, two county counsel Coppock then introduced the representatives and a district guest speakers. Provincial Construction for the Alliance agriculture fieldman. The Reps. Glen Miller and Seed Cleaning Plant began in plant is operated by a plant Wayne Jackson praised the September of 1957 and manager and five employees board for 50 successful years officially opened in ranging from a secretary and of doing business. Mayor November of the same year. plant operators to feed Muriel Fankhanel Cleaning and treating of delivery individuals. congratulated the Alliance cereals through the first 20 Seed Cleaning Plant for years was their main We currently sell a full line winning the Alliance’s business. of forage and cereal seeds for Outstanding Contribution to local producers. We also the Community Award. This In 1984, the plant went carry a full line of feed farmer-owned co-op through a major upgrade products including (i.e. conceived and proceeded with the addition of a new 30 cattle, hogs, chickens and all with the idea of bringing foot scale, metal siding, a pets). producer cars to all 2000 bushel per hour communities on the rail line. receiving leg, and overhead
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hopper bottom bins. At this the plant started to handle consisted of Cliff Pierson, time, a canola treater was set feed and veterinary supplies President; Ken Williams, at the plant to apply Vitavax. which turned a small profit Vice-President; Billy Another small upgrade was and increased the people Holtman, Secretary. adding a building to house flow which helped the Directors were: Sam Hauka, our canola treater. The business in other areas. To Bob Williams, Albert cereal treater was changed to date, 15 million bushels has Bullock, Arthur Anderson, a S1000 for faster been cleaned. Glenn Grant, John Hill, Ole turnaround. With this Olson and Rube Collett, Bob machine, peas could be Good management, Simmons. inoculated. Bin bottoms dedication, and progressive were replaced with steel thinking attribute to the The second annual hoppers inside the plant and success of the Alliance Seed meeting was held in June a new indent was put in to Cleaning Association. 1956 and the new officers increase capacity. Then an elected were Cliff Pierson, Oliver gravity table was Source for this article by Val President; Ken Williams, added to put out a better Vincett Staff Reporter at The Vice-President; Billy product. A power upgrade Community Press Holtman, Secretary. was also completed. Directors were: Gabriel Tajcnar, Rex Powell, Jim With Chemical storage Taber Seed Cleaning Coop Graham, Henry Danforth, becoming a concern in the Association Ltd. Celebrates and Albert Torrie. Ken future, another major 50 Years! Williams and Jim Graham upgrade took place in 1996. were representatives of the A building was constructed Organizational work for Agriculture Service Board with three phase standards the cleaning plant started on and A. R. Jones represented implemented into it and a April 29, 1954 when the the Department of complete new testing and Cannery Growers asked the Agriculture. bagging facility (25 kg bags Municipal District of Taber Bill Hart, had worked on to 750 kg mini bulks). to establish a cleaning plant the plant since construction Along with this, a new 90 in the community; then an started as the Manager of foot scale was installed (70 Agriculture Service Board Operations and the venture tonne), and a larger 5000 was set up and resolution was supervised by Spence bushel per hour leg to handle passed at the annual meeting Goddard of the Dept. of the larger loads. The 30 foot of the Municipality in Agriculture. The local plant scale was relocated on the February 1955. The was the twenty-second co- north side to streamline the resolution asked for the operative cleaning plant to be truck traffic. Over the entry establishment of seed built in the province. driveway, 4,500 bushels of cleaning plants at Taber and Estimates of the cost were clean seed bins were Vauxhall when required. $45,000 with $15,000 installed. At the phase three provided by 269 warehouse, 3400 bushels The first meeting of shareholders; $15,000 by the clean seed storage was provisional board of the seed Municipal District and installed and from there, it cleaning plant was held on $15,000 by the provincial could be loaded on a truck or April 4, 1955; the board government. It was treated and loaded. In 1994, originally planned to build
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the plant in Taber, but due to land worked out well for us plaque at the seed plant lists lack of available trackage as in 1994 a bean company Howard Boles, James P. and a saving of $6,000 the came to us about leasing part Christie, Larry Edwards, site was moved to Fincastle, of our land to put up a bean Harold Howe, Verne Kester, which is about the center of receiving station. We Louis Lemay, Ralph the Municipality. assisted them with help and Loosemore, Sulo Luoma, weighing trucks during P.J.G. Rock and George Taber Seed Cleaning harvest. In 2002 we took Vasseur as members of the Co-operative Association over running the receiving board. Ltd. celebrated its 50th station for them. anniversary by having beef We have come a long The new plant opened in Oct. on a bun for its members. way in 50 years from 13, 1958 with Bob About 70 people came out. cleaning 100 bushels per Sommerville as the first hour to 600 bushels per hour operator. The first Over the past 15 years and treating 400 bushels per permanent board consisted of we have added a gravity hour to 1000 bushels per 2 directors appointed by the table, the first south of hour. From 1 ton trucks to municipality – Ralph Highway #1. We have super B’s. We reached the Loosemore and Dunc Peters. replaced all of our cleaning million bushel milestone in Elected directors were Ray and treating equipment some 2005! Dau, Verne Kester, Jim more than once. We have Christie, George Vasseau added bins, 100 foot scale Submitted by and Sulo Luoma. The and new legs. In 2000 we Joe Hanson Manager district agriculturist from knocked down the original Drumheller, Stan Pettem working part of the plant and Three Hills & District Seed attended occasionally to rebuilt it using a simple but Cleaning Plant Celebrates represent the province. effective design making it 50 Years! more open and user friendly. The original plant was built The building cost The plan to build a seed with a bagging facility for $526,000.00. Our equipment cleaning plant at Three Hills pedigree seed and for was fairly new so we didn’t began with a “provisional treating with panogen need to replace it at that time board” in March 1957. At (mercury) treatment for $.50 but 5 years later we did with that time there were 8 a bushel (cost $0.03 for bigger equipment. We were elevators in Three Hills, four panogen). There was a front able to use our existing of which had grain cleaning end lift hoist as many trucks basement and scale. We can equipment but farmers didn’t have a box hoist yet. now handle all trucks. In wanted better quality The plant has always had 2006 we finished the cleaning. improved service in mind building by putting on a new and soon a width grader office. The provisional board led by cleaner was added. The list chairman Raymond Dau goes on, a larger treater, a In 1992, we bought the decided to build a plant. larger scale, a large capacity land we are on from CP Rail Other members of this steel leg to replace the (we are the only plant to my provisional board original wood leg, two knowledge to get grant represented different areas additional small legs, more money on land). Buying the surrounding Three Hills. A screening bins and a larger
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screening auger, etc. Six directors. It was noted at the designed into the plant, the steel bins of approximately 40th anniversary that the clean grain bins could be 500 bushel capacity were average director had served used for incoming grain with installed on the side of the nearly 15 years. Four three way valves on the bins. plant over the driveway and innovative managers have We wanted a large work the office size was increased. piloted the plant for 49 years: floor machine area and 100 When Vitavax came out we Bruce Ruby, Watson Reed, foot scale, a treating built a chemical room. Later George Dewald and driveway with its own scale, a bag warehouse was built presently Greg Andrews. and a heated chemical room. too. Free standing dust We selected a site west of cyclones were also added In 1985, the plant cleaned town away from the railway. and an electronic scale. 965,000 bushels, a provincial record for an original design The plans became reality and We became involved in side single wood plant. It a new plant was opened in ventures. This area was an thoroughly exhausted the 1990/91 at a cost of about early adaptor of wild oat staff (Watson Redd, Albert $1,700,000. The plant control chemicals and one Johnson, and Keith Irving)! presently has 2 indents, a year we reduced the price of Twenty years earlier the larger screen machine and Avadex liquid for the whole plant was cleaning 300,000 two gravity separators and province! For a time no one bushels. That is all they canola spiralling capacity. was interested in running the were designed for. The original cyclones soon local fertilizer outlet and we wore out and were replaced took it over. We became the The plant was wearing out with a dust bag system. The first local agent for Canbra and the basement, even with plant started with 4 outside and had outside storage bins reinforcing added, was spouted pedigree hopper for canola. This lasted until becoming a concern. We seed bins which increased to the AWP became Canbra’s had increased the door size 16. Now non spouted seed agent. At the old plant we to the level of the ceiling bins have been added away offered an “unofficial above the driveway but the from the plant. germination test”. The plant exhaust pipes of the tractors shipped bags of pedigree were taller so tractors had to We have always been aware oats, wheat and barley in back trailers in. Some had to of shareholder needs and saw boxcars to eastern markets. weigh at Harold Huxley’s the need for pulse cleaning Once bulk certified seed AWP elevator. We started for the export market and we started in the late 1960’s a seriously accumulating funds made an arrangement with number of grower bins for for a new plant. We visited FINORA. Today, FINORA certified seed were located many other plants in the does not buy peas, but we on site. province and further abroad. have shareholders We decided we wanted a experienced in pea The old plant served the plant with a large storage production. local area well in providing capacity and our design was shareholders more for 68lbs per bushel wheat. The plant has served the opportunities and helped Many other plants were shareholder and the district introduce the use of new being designed with well. In 2000 the plant technology. Over the years structural loading for 50 lb cleaned 2, 200,000 bushels. we had an excellent board of barley. Versatility was This is another provincial
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record. The plant is totally 5, 2002. Westlock Terminals Statement” now and for the paid for and is in good is an independently operated future. repair. Manager, Greg grain terminal located in the Andrews and his efficient town of Westlock at the Mission Statement staff provide exceptional crossroads of highway 44 "To develop a viable broad- service. The quality of seed and highway 18, situated on spectrum grain business, cleaning is very high as the a C.N. Rail main line. impacting community growth, yearly list of winning seed promoting quality service and fair samples testifies. Westlock Terminals Ltd is productivity." owned by over 235 The excellent plant board has shareholders that are a blend Vision "Your Grain Link To The always been aware of the of farmers and business Future” need of the shareholder and people from the draw area co-operated well with the surrounding the terminal. Our business has grown in leaps staff. Larry Penner is the Westlock Terminals provides and bounds from day one, this present chairman, we regular returns to crop year we expect to handle appreciate the excellent co- shareholders through the and ship over 150,000 tonnes of operation of our, now 500 dividend yields of the Class grain. Westlock Terminals is shareholders in bringing “C” shares as well as the planning Phase 3 of their 4 grain in and to taking it out incentive yields of the Class phases of building programs promptly. “D” shares. For the past 2 next summer, in order to years, Westlock Terminals accommodate the tremendous The plant will continue to be has also declared a 3% growth of the business. innovative and help local dividend for Class “A” Westlock Terminals (NGC) farmers with their new needs Membership shares and Ltd. is pleased to be a member as technology, crops and Class “B” Growth Shares. of the Association of Alberta markets change. The aim is Since inception in 2002, Co-op Seed Cleaning Plants to provide the service that Westlock Terminals has paid Ltd. and is prepared to bring shareholders need. back over $435,000 in grain sourcing and marketing dividends to their expertise to the Association. It Sulo Luoma shareholders. gives the Association members a solid connection and Auxiliary Member Westlock Terminals has communication line to an utilized capital investment established successful Profile independent grain company from the community to while opening a door and the The Association’s First maintain a profitable opportunity of building some Auxiliary Member: operation in Westlock. This alliances for grain and Westlock Terminals (NGC) commitment will facilitate marketing with the present LTD the viability of local membership. infrastructure in addition to Westlock Terminals (NGC) providing investors a Contact Information Bob Heck, General Manager Ltd is an exciting new grain positive return on their Phone (780) 349.7034 company incorporated on investment. This commitment is evident in the Fax (780) 349.7056 August 23, 2002 and began [email protected] accepting grain on December organizations “Mission Box 5809, Westlock, AB, T7P 2P6 Statement” and “Vision
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Finding, Selecting and banks, targeted The Phone Interview Keeping Good communications – email, fax and executive search firms. Possibly the most Employees underutilized tool; can cover
Consider searching for up to 80% of the information Why is it so tough to get candidates in a different you are looking for, Good Applicants? labour pool. This may highlights those who are
include older people, sincerely interested in the Today we have a smaller different gender than the job. Inexpensive, easy to traditional labour pool to traditional, new Canadians, schedule, but is not meant for choose from – fewer farms, inexperienced people, those the final hiring decision. smaller family size, with an urban background or demographics – baby seasonal help (teachers, boomers, aging population. Behaviour Descriptive “snowbirds”). We are losing candidates to Interviewing non agriculture sectors. Dual You need to figure out what The most polished income families are less exactly are you looking for interviewee may not be the mobile and remember people in a candidate. Separating best employee! What a don’t move for the fun of it. skills from experience as person has done in the past is Employers are doing a better years of experience may not the best indicator of what a job of meeting their necessarily mean highly person will do in the future. employees’ needs. People skilled. Clarify “want” skills What have you done? Not change jobs ONLY if they vs. “need” skills. You can what would you do? Ask for believe they will be better teach technical stuff, be a specific event. For off. prepared to hire personality, example, Have you ever desire, smarts. Know the dealt with a tough customer Finding Candidates minimum skill level required – tell me about it? Tell me
for the job. about the most complicated When communicating to the agronomic problem you have people in your target talent solved. Give me an example pool, remember what Reading the Resume from your last job where you motivates them – need to be Remember the resume is a had to rely on your safe and secure, desire to sales document. Things you communication skills. Ask belong to a group, need to need to watch for: Related why? Ask how did you do feel special, opportunities for work experience – what they that? growth and flexibility – the did, their track record, how work/life balance. well they did it, gaps in the Recognize and deal with the
timeline (good people do “slips” or “pauses”. For Traditional ways include jump around). Consider that example “...so many that I networking – word of mouth, transferable skills may be can’t think of one specific newspapers and employment from non related work example...” using offices. Non traditional experience. generalities rather than methods could include specifics, talking about the Internet postings – AgCall results but without indicating Job Ads, Face Book, Google how they achieved those Ad Words, electronic resume results.
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Reference Checks and brother-in-laws growing Box 103 fescue, barley, oats and Sexsmith, AB T0H 3C0. Always do reference checks. canola. You may find skeletons in Manager’s Session January the closet; you may even find James attended Sexsmith 10th 2008 tips for managing the new School for 12 years, and perspective employee. graduated from the Don’t miss out on a chance University of Alberta to be part of the Managers Employee Retention majoring in Agriculture Association Meeting! Economics. James worked Weigh the cost of meeting for Alberta Agriculture in In addition to the business their NEEDS against the cost Olds, AB. from 1978-1986, portion of the meeting, a of losing people. What does in the winter, helping to set session on marketing your the cost of losing an up the Managing Agriculture business will be held in the employee REALLY COST? Technology for Profit afternoon. “How to Market Experts estimate on 1 – 2 x’s conference in Banff, working Your Business” – by Lee the employee’s annual wage. on farm publications and Dechaine, Sponsored by This includes the cost of the working with farmers in Bayer CropScience. recruitment process financial trouble. James has (management time, staff refereed hockey for 23 years, I grew up in small town time, hard dollars), played high school football, northeastern Alberta, the son opportunity cost, lost and has been Santa for 33 of an independent fertilizer, customers, wear and tear on years at various schools and seed chem. dealer. The remaining employees, cost of functions. family business just training a new person, cost of celebrated 40 years in mistakes the new person will James is currently President business this fall. Graduated make and the cost of losing of the Sexsmith Museum; from the University of your “trade” secrets to the and has been for the last 19 Alberta with degree in Ag competition. People change years. He holds a position Business Management in jobs only if they believe they on the Board of the Sexsmith 1994. From there started will be better off. Chamber of Commerce, is with DowElanco at the time the President of the local as a sales rep in the Peace Submitted by: Recreation Board and sits on country. I left Dow and then Steve Peddie, AgCall the Chautauqua Days spent a year and a half with Committee which he has for Grow-Tec in Nisku as a sales the past 21 years. James has rep or whatever else needed New Region 7 Director been the Secretary Treasurer to be done which sometimes of the local Sexsmith Seed included loading trucks and Meet your NEW Region 7 Cleaning Plant Board for 3 bagging! I left Grow-Tec to Director James Obniawka: years now, and is currently join Agrium as a product James Obniawka was born in your Region 7 Director for development agronomist Sexsmith, AB. October 15, the Association of Alberta working on the development 1955. He was raised on the Coop Seed Cleaning Plants of controlled release urea family farm, 1 mile West of Ltd.! James can be reached which today is being Sexsmith, which he still lives at (780) 568.2357 marketed as ESN. At the time on and farms with his sisters or I coordinated the testing and
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development of new markets in my wife’s families farm another successful year in which sent me around the just outside of Stettler where 2007. world testing the product all I now live. Feedback Form: over the US and Vietnam, the Philippines and China and Do you have an idea for a on most major crops Seed Plant News story? Or is including rice, tomatoes, Merry Christmas from there something you would grapes, potatoes, wheat, Lacombe Office like to see featured in this canola and the list could go publication? on for a while. Wishing you and all of yours, a very Merry Please send your ideas, In spring of 1999 I joined Christmas and all the best in submissions or feedback to AdFarm as an Account the New Year! Lorena Pahl at Manager where I have been [email protected] or ever since. In that time I We hope that you and your phone 403.782.8022 have worked with many families enjoy a safe and different clients on happy holiday this season communications and and we look forward to New Seed Plant News: marketing including Dow seeing you in 2008. AgroSciences, Westco Watch out for our NEW Fertilizers, Secan, and of From Lorena, and Shelley at look! We are currently in the course Bayer CropScience. the Lacombe office, your process of re-designing Seed provincial Board of Plant News and will show All tolled I have over 13 Directors, & Bayer off our new look in the years experience in sales and CropScience. February 2008 edition – stay marketing and agriculture is tuned! the only place I want to be as Bayer CropScience would evidenced by the fact that in also like to take this addition to all the AdFarm opportunity to thank you for work I hold an active interest
13 SEED PLANT NEWS December 2007
.Yjjc ll`aakk %Yll] gf qgmjj $Ydd]f\Yjj Dissecting the Seed Industry. SWOTing your Seed Business! Monday January 21st 1 – 4pm An in depth discussion on the Strengths, Weaknesses, Westin Hotel, Edmonton, AB Opportunities and Threats of the Seed Industry.
(Devonian Room) How will the seed industry survive in the next 10 years? Panel Discussion What does this mean for your individual seed operation?
John Cowan, General Manager Dr. Brian Rossnagel, Barley & Oat Breeder Hyland Seeds – Thompsons Ltd. Crop Development Centre, U of S Dr. Greg Penner, President & CEO Warren Kaeding, CEO NeoVentures Biotechnology Inc. Wagon Wheel Seed Corp.
John Cowan John is the General Manager of Hyland Seeds – Thompsons Ltd., and is also a Thompsons Limited member of the Executive committee. Prior to 1997 John was the Sales & Marketing Manager (1985-1997) and the District Sales Manager/Seed Corn Production Manager (1977-1985) with Hyland Seeds – Thompsons Ltd. Graduate of Business Marketing at Humber College (1974), Business Administration at York University (1975) and Ag Business at University of Guelph (1986). Committee and Association involvement includes Past President of CSTA, current Chair of the External Relations Committee CSTA, board liaison of the Biotechnology Committee CSTA, past Chair of the Corn Soybean Committee CSTA, past member Board of Directors of Ontario Agribusiness Association and member of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association. John and his wife Kerry have been married 30 years and live at RR#1, Blenheim which is approximately 40km from Point Pelee, the southernmost point in Canada. They have 3 children who are all currently attending a university somewhere so John plans to stay working for some time yet!
Dr. Greg Penner Dr. Gregory Penner holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the Crop Science department at the University of Saskatchewan, a M.Sc. in Cytogentics from the Plant Science department of the University of Manitoba and a B.S.A. in Plant breeding/Genetics from the same university. He worked as a research associate for the National Research Council in Saskatoon and with AAFC in Ottawa before joining the Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg, where he became the head of cereal biotechnology. In 1998 Gregory joined Monsanto Inc. in St. Louis, where he led economic evaluations of a number of business opportunities, and managed their advancement to commercialization from both a technical and a business perspective. In the fall of 2002, Dr. Penner obtained the contract to lead the Soy 20/20 Project, where he analysed soy-based market opportunities for Ontario. Gregory has been the President and CEO of NeoBio Consulting since 2002. NeoBio provides senior level advice and project management to private industry and government in regard to the development of biobased strategies. The primary focus has been working with chemical companies to identify and develop strategies for biobased replacement of petrochemicals.
Dr. Brian Rossnagel Professor (CDC), Barley & Oat Breeder, Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan for the past 30 years (1977 – 2007). Raised on a small mixed farm in the Tupper district near Plumas in south central Manitoba. Bachelor of Science in Agriculture - Univ. of Manitoba – 1973 Ph.D. - Plant Breeding & Agronomy - Univ. of Manitoba – 1978. Developed and released more than 50 barley and oat varieties since 1982 including Calibre, Derby, CDC Dancer and CDC SO-I oat; CDC Dolly, CDC Helgsaon and CDC Mindon feed barley; CDC McGwire hulless barley and CDC Candle, CDC Rattan, CDC Alamo and CDC Fibar hulless waxy food barley; and co-released, in collaboration with Dr. B. L. Harvey, 25 malting barley varieties including Harrington, CDC Kendall and CDC Copeland. Major research interests – development of premium quality 2R malting barley; development of hulless barley for feed, food and malting; development of high yielding, high quality hulled feed barley; and the development of high quality milling and feed oat, all in collaboration with cereal chemists, animal nutritionists, agronomists, plant biotechnologists and plant pathologists.
Warren Kaeding Warren grew up on the family farm at Churchbridge, SK near Yorkton located in east central Saskatchewan. He graduated from the College of Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan in 1984. As well as setting up a pedigreed seed business with his father, Roger in 1985, he was working full time with Hoechst Canada. As a family farm operation known as Wagon Wheel Seed Corp. they have expanded their pedigreed seed business to approximately 5000 acres of their own production and 1500 acres of contract production. They process all of their own production and wholesale and retail into Eastern Canada, Western Canada and the northern US states. They grow or have grown winter cereals, wheat, oats and barley, canola, flax, pea, faba and pinto bean, soybean, sunflower, nutraceuticals, turf seed and pumpkins. Warren farms with his wife Carla, two sons - Michael-18, Matthew-15 and his parents Roger and Phyllis. Other interests include sitting on the advisory board of the Crop Development Center - Saskatoon, elder on his Lutheran Church council, treasurer of the senior hockey team and assistant coach of the local Midget hockey team. Warren and Carla were named co-recipients of Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers in 1999 with the Seversons of Innisfail, AB.
14 SEED PLANT NEWS December 2007
ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA CO-OP
SEED CLEANING PLANTS LTD. JANUARY 10 – 12, 2008 WESTIN HOTEL EDMONTON ALBERTA
WELCOME TO THE 55th ANNUAL MEETING
HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Please make reservations for the Westin Hotel at 780.426.3636, the room block is listed under the Association of Alberta Co-op Seed Cleaning Plants. Guestroom rates include Complimentary Parking in the Westin Edmonton Underground, outside lot and Library Parkade. NOTE: Parking at the Library Parkade does not allow for in and out privileges. In other words, guests will be charged for parking each time they leave and return to the Parkade. Delegates and/or guests not registered at the Westin may be required to pay for their parking.
A Block of Rooms are available at $102.00 + taxes. Reservations must be made prior to December 21st, 2007 to receive the reduced rate!!
REGISTRATION FEE of $170.00 per person (includes G.S.T.) includes: - Convention Material - Informal Reception Thursday evening - Breakfast and Luncheon on Friday - Friday Night Entertainment - Breakfast, Luncheon & Banquet on Saturday - Women’s attendance prizes and corsages - Access to the entire convention as per agenda
Meal tickets will be collected at the door at each meal.
Extra tickets for invited guests to the banquet and entertainment may be available. Space will be limited! -SPECIAL DRAW- THE WESTIN HOTEL will present a gift certificate for two in the Premier Wing. To be eligible you must be registered as a hotel guest for the seed plant convention. Draw will take place at the Saturday night dinner. Winner must be in attendance.
We sincerely hope you will be able to join us.
Steven Miller President
15 SEED PLANT NEWS December 2007
Tentative BUSINESS AGENDA
THURSDAY - JANUARY 10, 2008
4:00 - 8:00 p.m. CONVENTION REGISTRATION 2nd Floor - North Foyer Provided by: Foster Park Baskett
IMPORTANT Delegates and Managers Credential Cards must be completed and presented at Registration Desk.
8:30 - 10:30 p.m. RECEPTION (Manitoba/Saskatchewan Rooms)
FRIDAY - JANUARY 11, 2008
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. BREAKFAST - (BC/Alberta/Yukon Rooms) Co-sponsored with Foster Park Baskett
8:00 a.m. CONVENTION REGISTRATION Provided by: Foster Park Baskett 2nd Floor - North Foyer Exhibits
9:00 a.m. JOINT OPENING - Women, Delegates, Managers, Guests (Manitoba/Saskatchewan Rooms) Call to Order - President Steven Miller O Canada – Julia Walker Invocation – Lloyd Lidberg Greetings from the Westin Hotel
9:30 a.m. Opening Address Minister of Agriculture and Food (Tentative) Greetings from A.A.M.D.C. Greetings from Alberta Branch C.S.G.A.
Introduction of Association Directors & Spouses
Approval of Agenda
Draw for Women’s Prize: Sponsored by BASF
16 SEED PLANT NEWS December 2007
10:15 a.m. WOMEN ADJOURN Women’s Program Sponsored by BASF Refreshments – Exhibits Co-sponsored with Lewis M. Carter Mfg. & ATB Financial
10:30 a.m. Presentation and Adoption of Minutes Business Arising out of Minutes Appointment of Committees - Resolutions - Finance (Budget) Reports - Board of Directors, Steven Miller - President - General Manager, Lorena Pahl - Auditor, Daryl Andre
Disposition of Resolutions
11:20 a.m. Insurance Program Update Rob Dechant – Foster Park Baskett
11:50 a.m. LUNCHEON - (BC/Alberta/Yukon Rooms)
1:00 p.m. Alberta Carbon Market Kicks into Gear! Tom Goddard – Member of Policy Secretariat, Alberta Agriculture and Food
2:00 p.m. The Audit Process Brock Ketcham – Director of Cooperatives
2:30 p.m. Regional Meetings – Dead or Alive Wayne Jackson
3:00 p.m. Refreshments - Exhibits Co-sponsored Issues Ink
3:30 p.m. BASF: Harley House
3:45 p.m. Group Insurance Update Doug Sample – Morneau Sobeco
4:15 p.m. Resolutions - Chairman – Resolutions Committee
- ADJOURNMENT -
7:30 p.m. Fun Casino Night - Sponsored by: Your Allied Trade Group (Manitoba/Saskatchewan Rooms)
17 SEED PLANT NEWS December 2007
SATURDAY - JANUARY 12, 2008
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Sponsored by Westin Hotel (BC/Alberta/Yukon Rooms) Exhibits –
Annual Meeting (Manitoba/Saskatchewan Rooms) 9:00 a.m. How big is big: Putting the Seed Business in Perspective – Robynne Anderson
9:30 a.m. Get the Latest Tech Trends: RUUP4IT? Lynette Lefsrud
10:00 a.m. Refreshments - Exhibits Co-sponsored with Managers Association
10:25 a.m. Draw for Women’s Prize – Sponsored by BASF
10:30 a.m. KEYNOTE SPEAKER – David Beckman Farming in the Periphery of the Periphery In the past, David has worked for the Canadian International Development Agency in Lesotho, Africa & in Mozambique for the Food & Agriculture Organization (United Nations). David also spent 18 years as Director of Agriculture in Whitehorse, Yukon helping develop an Agriculture Industry.
12:00 p.m. LUNCHEON (BC/Alberta/Yukon Rooms)
1:30 p.m. Bayer Crop Science: Monica Klaas
1:45 p.m. Managers’ Association Report – Ron Wirsta
2:00 p.m. Syngenta – Rob Bishop
2:15 p.m. If I Can Do It – You Can Do It – Blair Peregrym, Stony Plain Seed Cleaning Association Ltd.
2:45 p.m. Hazard Prevention Plan Wayne Walker
3:00p.m. Budget, Resolutions, Appointment of Auditor, Unfinished Business and New Business
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT - BANQUET FLOOR
5:45 p.m. Reception – Women’s corsages compliments of Bayer Crop Science
6:30 p.m. Banquet - (MB/SK/BC/Alberta/Yukon Rooms) Awards Presentation Entertainment: Brent Kissel Sponsored by: Syngenta