VOLUME 11, NUMBER 13 JUNE 23, 2014 Publications Mail Agreement # 40069240 CANADIAN FARM GROUPS BACK BIOTECH } PAGE 18 GM WHEAT NEW WATER RESCUE GEAR ARRIVES The rural MD of Foothills in southern Alberta received a water rescue-equipped truck and boat, as a gift from Spruce Meadows and various sponsors. Until now, the municipal district which suffered severe damage during last year’s floods, was without a water rescue boat. The horse complex near Calgary decided to help out by saluting First Responders and handing over the keys to the truck and boat to the MD’s Deputy Fire Chief Gregg Schaalje and Deputy Reeve Larry Spilak. PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY BY ALEXIS KIENLEN AF STAFF A proposed free trade deal with Korea is good news for Canadian cattle pro- ducers, says the president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “We were unable to compete at all these last two years because the U.S. has achieved their free trade achievement and has a tariff advantage over us,” said Dave Solverson. “It’s not going to be huge ton- nage but it might be some of the cuts that add value to our car- cass. Korea is the best market in the world for short ribs. I think it’s still a market that’s worth working on.” Korea was once one of the top buyers of Canadian beef. In 2002, it bought $40 million worth — which made it our fourth-largest customer — but by last year, beef exports had fallen to less than one-fifth of that. Tariffs were a big part of that story, but the pro- posed Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement would see the 40 per cent tariff on fresh and frozen Trade deal reopens door to Korea Punishingly high tariffs are partly to blame for a steep drop in beef exports to Korea SEE KOREA } page 6 BY JENNIFER BLAIR AF STAFF T here’s never been a better time for ag school grads. “This job with DuPont Pioneer, I actually had basically guaranteed before Christmas- time,” said Travis Elford, a recent University of Lethbridge gradu- ate who grew up on a grain and sheep farm near Foremost. Before he accepted his job as a field supervisor, Elford received five other offers from seed com- panies. “It was extremely easy (to find a job). I had more offers to say no to than I looked for.” Elford’s story isn’t unique. There are currently more jobs in agriculture than there are graduates to fill them, said Josie Van Lent, dean of agriculture at Lakeland College. “I’ve been in the ag industry professionally for well over 30 years, and I cannot think of a time when the job opportuni- ties were this strong,” she said. “If there’s a student who doesn’t have a job in ag, it’s because they’re being choosy. There are job opportunities for the majority of our students.” The highest demand is for crop technology and agri- business grads, but there’s no shortage of jobs on the live- stock side. Maaike Van Kuilenburg said most of her friends in crop tech- nology programs had snagged jobs long before she did, but she still had her job as a dairy con- sultant and sales rep with Car- gill lined up in early January. “In the animal industry, it was a lot slower,” said the recent graduate of the University of Alberta, who grew up on a dairy farm near Red Deer. “Other companies started asking me to apply for them in January and February, but I already confirmed myself with Cargill.” Crop service centres, retail- ers, and the banking sector are all scrambling to fill jobs, but the strong pull of corporate jobs for recent graduates and competition from other sectors is making it more difficult for producers to find workers. The sky’s the limit for recent grads entering the agriculture workforce Crop technology and agribusiness students are seeing multiple job offers once they leave school — but there’s no shortage of work on the livestock side, either SEE GRADS } page 6 CATTLE THEFT BOLD THIEVES NAB 59 HEIFERS » PAGE 8 HORSE SENSE WINDHORSE RETREAT OFFERS EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL » PAGE 3
Transcript
V o l u m e 1 1 , n u m b e r 1 3 J u n e 2 3 , 2 0 1 4
Publications Mail Agreement # 40069240
Canadian farm groups baCk bioteCh } page 18GM WHEAT
NEW WATER RESCUE GEAR ARRIVES
the rural md of foothills in southern alberta received a water rescue-equipped truck and boat, as a gift from spruce meadows and various sponsors. until now, the municipal district which suffered severe damage during last year’s floods, was without a water rescue boat. the horse complex near Calgary decided to help out by saluting first responders and handing over the keys to the truck and boat to the md’s deputy fire Chief gregg schaalje and deputy reeve Larry spilak. Photo: Wendy dudley
By Alexis Kienlenaf staff
A proposed free trade deal with Korea is good news for Canadian cattle pro-
ducers, says the president of t h e C a n a d i a n C a t t l e m e n ’ s association.
“We were unable to compete at all these last two years because the U.s. has achieved their free trade achievement and has a tariff advantage over us,” said Dave solverson.
“It’s not going to be huge ton-nage but it might be some of the cuts that add value to our car-cass. Korea is the best market in the world for short ribs. I think it’s still a market that’s worth working on.”
Korea was once one of the top buyers of Canadian beef. In 2002, it bought $40 million worth — which made it our fourth-largest customer — but by last year, beef exports had fallen to less than one-fifth of that. tariffs were a big part of that story, but the pro-posed Canada-Korea free trade agreement would see the 40 per cent tariff on fresh and frozen
Trade deal reopens door to KoreaPunishingly high tariffs are partly to blame for a steep drop in beef exports to Korea
see KOReA } page 6
By JennifeR BlAiRaf staff
T here’s never been a better time for ag school grads.
“this job with DuPont Pioneer, I actually had basically guaranteed before Christmas-time,” said travis Elford, a recent University of Lethbridge gradu-ate who grew up on a grain and sheep farm near foremost.
Before he accepted his job as a field supervisor, Elford received five other offers from seed com-panies.
“It was extremely easy (to find a job). I had more offers to say no to than I looked for.”
Elford’s story isn’t unique.there are currently more jobs
in agriculture than there are graduates to fill them, said Josie Van Lent, dean of agriculture at Lakeland College.
“I’ve been in the ag industry professionally for well over 30 years, and I cannot think of a time when the job opportuni-ties were this strong,” she said.
“If there’s a student who doesn’t have a job in ag, it’s because they’re being choosy.
there are job opportunities for the majority of our students.”
the highest demand is for crop technology and agri-business grads, but there’s no shortage of jobs on the live-stock side.
Maaike Van Kuilenburg said most of her friends in crop tech-nology programs had snagged jobs long before she did, but she still had her job as a dairy con-sultant and sales rep with Car-gill lined up in early January.
“In the animal industry, it was a lot slower,” said the recent graduate of the University of
alberta, who grew up on a dairy farm near Red Deer.
“Other companies started asking me to apply for them in January and february, but I already confirmed myself with Cargill.”
Crop service centres, retail-ers, and the banking sector are all scrambling to fill jobs, but the strong pull of corporate jobs for recent graduates and competition from other sectors is making it more difficult for producers to find workers.
The sky’s the limit for recent grads entering the agriculture workforceCrop technology and agribusiness students are seeing multiple job offers once they leave school — but there’s no shortage of work on the livestock side, either
For Radient Technologies, it means better access to funding, nearby sources of agricultural biomass, and joining a developed sector of bio-based companies. Founded in Toronto in 2001, the now Edmonton-based company has developed a new, faster way to extract high-value natural compounds from plant biomasses.
Using a microwave-assisted process, it can extract valuable material from flax, rosemary, berries, algae and other types of biomass. For example, it can process flax that has already had the oil extracted.
“We’ll take that from an almost waste stream, extract further actives from that and then put that spent biomass back for use either as a fuel or an animal feed,” said founder Steven Splinter, who is also the company’s chief technology officer.
“We’re working with local groups, and will even potentially look at growing spe-cific biomasses for specific actives. We understand that we will have to have a commitment to Alberta agriculture for sure, and we’re prepared to do that.”
The exact list of products isn’t made public for commercial reasons, but the company can process up to five tonnes of biomass a day in its new 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. The extracts it produces can be used as nutraceuticals and food additives in natural health products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic ingredients. Its customers range from big multinationals
to smaller companies developing new and innovative products, said Splinter.
“We’re really a business-to-business group, so we’re not selling locally and will not brand and sell our own products,” said Splinter.
While extraction has been done for centuries, using microwaves reduces pro-cessing time and costs while also produc-ing purer compounds, higher yields, and different extract profiles.
“It’s also environmentally friendly because you extract quickly, use less solvent and less energy and you’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Splinter.
The company made its way to Edmon-ton in 2009 and recently began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange after raising $14 million from investors.
Companies like Radient are good for Canada, Mike Raymont, CEO of venture capital firm AVAC, said at the official opening of the plant earlier this month.
“Canada has actually run a deficit in processed foods, not in the whole agri-cultural area, but in upgraded food, in value added, where the money really is,” said Raymont.
“The situation is getting worse. In the last seven years, the deficit in processed foods in Canada has gone from a billion dollars to $6.7 billion. We have to reverse this trend, and we can’t be left to export just raw materials.”
Company expects big things from microwaving biomassRadient Technologies uses patented microwave technology to extract high-value components from flax, rosemary, and other crops
NEWS » INSIDE THIS WEEK
Young women seizing opportunities in ag
Colourful fundraiser helping flood victims
PREDATOR OR PEST?
DIFFERENT WORLD
PAINTED PONIES
HIT HARD
BRENDA SCHOEPP CHINA IS IN TROUBLE, BUT STILL OFFERS OPPORTUNITY
LAURA RANCE ADDING ANIMAL WELFARE TO BREEDING EQUATION
ALLISON AMMETER REALLY, THE YEAR OF PULSE IS WORTH CELEBRATING
INSIDE » LIVESTOCK CROPS COLUMNISTS
Sheep producerstally coyote impact
Stripe rust has wheatgrowers on high alert
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Radient Technologies uses microwaves to remove extracts from raw materials. This picture shows the extract removed from raw flax. PHOTOS: ALEXIS KIENLEN
Research scientist Harmadeep Kaur demonstrates part of microwave extraction at Radient Technologies.
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3ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • JUNE 23, 2014
By Jennifer Blairaf staff / rimbey
T en years ago, city girl sandy bell took a four-day trail ride into the mountains
that changed her life.“it was not a beginner ride, and
i found at the end of it, i had never been so sore, i had never been so tired and dirty, but i had never been so happy,” said bell, who now operates Windhorse retreat, an equine-assisted training facil-ity near rimbey.
bell decided then and there she needed to learn how to ride a horse. after a year of lessons, she bought a Percheron-cross named alaska who showed her the heal-ing power of horses.
“i realized if i had a bad day, i’d go out and spend time with alaska, and she always made it better.”
since then, bell has turned her own experience into a growing farm-based business — one that combines her love of horses with her interest in helping people.
“i wanted to get back to doing something where i felt like i was making a difference for peo-ple,” said bell, who is a certified equine-assisted personal devel-opment coach.
“i can’t imagine my life now without horses. they have improved it immeasurably — emotionally and physically and even spiritually.”
today, bell has six horses — including four donated to her program — that she uses in workshops that incorporate nat-ural horsemanship and personal development, such as goal setting, leadership, and self-reflection.
“We found that, when people are with horses and they’re learn-ing things like how to communi-cate your status in the herd to the horse, that can highlight some personal things for them. they have these aha moments.”
most training sessions involve working with the horses on the ground rather than on horseback, making her training accessible for
people who have never ridden a horse before.
“What seems to be a simple thing — just hanging out with horses — can actually lead to some deeper conversations and reflection,” she said.
Horses facilitate that because they’re “experts at non-verbal communication.”
“as people, our non-verbal communication is 70 to 80 per cent of how we communicate, but we don’t pay a lot of attention to that,” said bell. “but working with
horses, we can get a glimpse into that whole other way that we com-municate with each other.
“When we work with people, the feedback we get from them may not be as direct, as open and honest, and as immediate as the feedback we get from a horse.”
Word of mouthsince moving to her farm and training facility six months ago, bell has hosted two to three work-shops a month, with eight to 10 people at each. Her new location,
with its lush fields and forests, seems to be the ideal retreat for urbanites looking to get back to nature.
“People get really busy, and they get disconnected from nature. being able to take some time in nature and spend some time with horses is special for them.”
every workshop has sold out, but the farm’s distance from major centres is a challenge.
“We are competing with this sense of busyness that people have in their lives,” she said. “to
make the time to do this is some-times a struggle.”
Word of mouth and facebook are her main marketing tools, but community support has also been key.
“People are so helpful. they don’t mind answering dumb questions from a greenhorn,” she said.
“i’m a city girl, and this is a real steep learning curve for me, but i’m enjoying the adventure.”
‘City girl’ turns love of horses into farm-based businessRunning a farm-based business has come with a ‘huge learning curve’ for city girl Sandy Bell, who operates Windhorse Retreat near Rimbey
Sandy Bell offers equine-assisted personal and professional development workshops on her farm near Rimbey. PhoTo: CoURTESy SANdy BELL
By alex Binkleyaf contributor
W ith three level-of-ser-vice complaints against the railways already
filed and more expected, it could take the canadian transporta-tion agency until the fall to ren-der decisions.
t h o s e d e c i s i o n s c a n b e appealed to the federal court of appeal or the cabinet so the ultimate resolution of complaints about inadequate grain transpor-tation last winter could stretch into the next one.
“We handle each complaint separately and render a decision in each one,” said cta spokes-woman chantal Laflamme.
once all the pleadings are received, the agency aims to ren-der a decision in 90 days although a complex case could take 120 days, she said.
“there are a lot of exchanges during the process and either party can ask for an extension.”
the three complaints were filed under existing legislation. Par-liament has just approved c-30 the fair rail for Grain farmers act, which will give the cta a bigger role in handling disputes
between grain shippers and the carriers.
the first complaint filed to the cta was from ashland inc. and ashland canada corp. against cn. the companies applied for an order requiring cn and Kelowna Pacific rail-way, a short line which has since declared bankruptcy, “to fulfil their respective level-of-service obligations.”
the second one was filed by Louis Dreyfus commodities, also against cn, and the third by the canadian canola Growers asso-ciation against both cn and cP. its complaint involves the service
since the start of the current crop year last aug. 1.
in many ways, this case will be a replay of the raucous debate between the carriers and grain industry that finally prodded the federal government into passing c-30. the grain indus-try blames the railways for hav-ing insufficient locomotives and hopper cars to move the crop that was 50 per cent greater than average.
“the breakdown of the western canadian rail transportation this year is completely unacceptable for grain producers. ultimately it is farmers who are bearing the
cost of this supply chain failure,” said canola Growers president brett Halstead.
as a result of the transporta-tion chaos, farmers face “unprec-edented carry-out stocks that will negatively impact the markets for several years to come; a sus-tained wide basis; and a potential shrinking or loss of international markets due to perceived vulner-ability and ineffectiveness of the canadian supply chain.”
the carriers say a big crop, late harvest and long brutal win-ter forced them to change their operations and that all shippers suffered.
Level-of-service complaints may drag onThe Canadian Transportation Agency handles each complaint separately and its decisions can be appealed
By Sylvain CharleBoiS
A nimal welfare and other ethical issues in agriculture are an ongoing concern for consumers, and in light
of a recent incident on a dairy farm in B.C., they will likely be so for the long term.
A viral video exposing what seems to be the abuse of cows by several employees of Canada’s largest dairy farm is one of many that have surfaced in recent years, and is not sitting well with anyone. Staged or not, these incidences are affecting both ends of the food continuum — both consumers and restaurant owners are now asking difficult questions to food retailers, and many of them are struggling to provide satisfactory answers.
For years, many in the food industry believed that the issue of animal welfare was a short-lived issue, connected primar-ily to an urban-driven anxiety juxtaposed with the principles of pet ownership. It was assumed that consumers’ desire for conve-nience and affordability would trump this concern. Consumers continue to express this desire, but the issue is clearly retaining traction in ongoing conversations about agriculture.
For years, the industrialization of agri-culture has successfully produced a large supply of meat, eggs and dairy products for urban centres, but some argue that this
supply comes at significant costs to ethical treatment of animals on farms. Chicken, hogs, cattle, foie gras, and now, the dairy industry have been, at one point or another, the centre of controversy over the last five years in Canada. Many animal rights advo-cates are using this momentum to promote the fact that agriculture, as we know it, may have lost its moral bearings.
Feeling the pressure, some jurisdictions adopted improved legislation in order to safeguard the health of animals on farms. However, the proper resources to sup-port these laws were not forthcoming. The industry, on the other hand, is not waiting. For example, agribusiness giant Cargill will shift to group housing by the end of 2015, moving away from gestation crates that animal welfare groups have opposed. And more companies are starting to fund uni-versity research to better understand the societal and financial implications of trac-ing and tracking manifests displaying farm practices on food products. Some Canadian universities have even launched programs focusing on animal welfare.
The agricultural industry is also beginning to use a very powerful tool: Transparency.
An increasing number of facilities are now installing closed-circuit cameras to monitor employees and animals around the clock, which is exactly what the B.C.-based dairy producer promised to do hours after the video surfaced. A commitment to transpar-
ency goes a long way in the age of instant information, especially when the intent is to reduce concerns about the practices of an industry that is remotely located from 98 per cent of the population.
With the price of animal protein currently reaching record levels in food stores, videos revealing irresponsible behaviour with live-stock provides another reason for consum-ers to stop purchasing steak and chicken. Indeed, some consumers are opting to stop eating meat entirely in protest, resulting in the opening of Canada’s first meatless butcher shop in Toronto.
But make no mistake — farmers are true stewards of the land, and displays of such cruel behaviour towards any farm animal is rare. While the root causes of these inci-dences are far more complicated than what is being suggested in media analysis, they are clearly unacceptable, and the industry will need to get its act together, quickly. With trade deals looming between Korea and Europe, countries where the rights of farm animals are perceived differently, industry pundits need to demonstrate to the Canadian public that current farming practices are still worthy of their trust, and the trust of potential trading partners.
Sylvain Charlebois is a professor of food distribution and policy and associate dean of College of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph
Animal welfare concerns not going awayConsumer concerns about animal welfare are clearly retaining traction and need to be addressed
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By laUra ranCe EdITor, THE MAnTIoBA Co-opErATor
T here once was rooster on our farm who was so nasty and unpredictable, he wound up in the stewing pot after
a violent confrontation with Uncle Jerry — a cherished bit of family folklore for decades.
That rooster was big, beautiful and fear-less. He ruled the roost with ferocious authority until his untimely demise, after which everyone breathed a little easier when moving about the yard. But he came by his aggression honestly. It was in his genes, traits which may have contributed as much to his survival in the wild as they did to his downfall in domesticity.
How genetics are selected and the traits that emerge in commercial production are among the issues dealt with in newly released research reports prepared for the national Farm Animal Care Council com-mittees updating the codes for the care and handling of poultry raised for meat and egg production in Canada. These reports address some of the welfare issues created as a result of commercial breeding choices.
one of the topics dealt with in the scien-tific review is aggressive, sometimes mur-derous, mating behaviour exhibited by male broiler breeders. Apparently, due to a combination of genetics and how they are raised, male broiler breeders have a harder time attracting the girls than their counter-parts in the wild.
In layperson’s terms, it’s because they skip the dating and go straight to mating. “Males appear to be motivated to copu-late, but are not communicating this with the females, either through their inability
or lack of motivation to perform courtship behaviour. Certain courtship behaviours such as waltzing, tidbitting and high-step advances appear at low frequencies or not at all in commercial broiler breeders.”
The females aren’t just playing hard to get, they’re running for their lives.
While not conclusive, one theory is that raising males and females together can help stimulate some of the courtship behaviours that get both parties in the mood.
Scientists have also looked at the aggres-siveness inherent in different strains of breeding stock, as well as the fact that these birds have been bred for meat yield. Their breast bones are now so big it’s difficult for them to mate, which is understandably frustrating.
Another issue related to meat yield genet-ics and aggression is the fact that these birds tend to be hungry — all the time. The breed-ers have become highly efficient at mak-ing birds grow, but nothing has changed about their appetites. So their feed intake is restricted to prevent them from collapsing under their own weight.
Feeding them every day instead of every second day was shown to reduce the amount of overall aggression such as peck-ing, but had no effect on the bad breeding behaviour.
It’s unclear how these reports will support the work of nFACC as committees update the codes for care and handling for poultry raised for egg and meat production in Can-ada. That process is still to be completed.
But these scientific reviews offer a glimpse into the imbalances that can result from our genetic selection of animals and plants according to a single-minded focus on pro-duction efficiency.
Examples abound of some of the welfare trade-offs, of which society increasingly takes a dim view. A federal scientist speak-ing to the recent Livestock Genomics in Alberta conference said breeding for traits that improve livestock health and perfor-mance have fallen by the wayside.
Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein pointed out that although production levels of meat and milk have more than doubled in north America since the 1960s, there have been unintended consequences.
For example, high-producing dairy cows are more prone to mastitis, lower fertility levels and higher rates of lameness. Laying hens bred to pour all their resources into egg production suffer from foot problems and brittle bones due to calcium deficiencies.
researchers’ ability to select for spe-cific traits is improving all the time and Schwartzkopf-Genswein suggests the advent of molecular breeding provides an opportunity to achieve better welfare outcomes.
The same goes for how livestock is man-aged. The pressure continues to grow an industry to provide so-called “enrichment” or housing and management practices that allow animals to exhibit natural behaviours.
Beef cattle producers are among the few who still make their own genetic selections to build herds that respond to their individ-ual environment and management. They know all too well that genetics that produce big calves are only an asset if their cows can deliver them without a vet’s assistance.
Instead of a trade-off between traits that enhance productivity and animal welfare, the goal should be balance.
Finding a better balance in breeding programsImbalances can result when a single-minded focus on production efficiency drives the genetic selection of animals and plants
4 JUNE 23, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA
5ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • JUNE 23, 2014
By Brenda schoepp
C hina has always been regarded in the West as a superpower.
But despite its recovery from the 2008 financial crisis and the perceived recent growth, China is estimated to be $23.3 trillion in debt — which is up $15 trillion in the past five years. The world’s largest user of steel (46 per cent) and copper (47 per cent), it now needs something miraculous to rebuild its falling bridges.
The 1.3 billion persons in China were at the cusp of a true economic revolution both in terms of a creation of a middle class and for the explosion of the upper crust’s ability to spend on consumer goods. But the economic plan to stimu-late the economy was based on credit creation or in simple terms — lending. And just as we saw in the U.S., those types of economic packages tend to implode, leaving thousands out of work and billions owed.
Perhaps the most telling sign
of the economic upset in China is the fact its citizens are spending less on food and beverages. This is a very troubling fact for the Chinese government because when basic food and beverage consumption declines, so does all other domestic spending. And while China’s foundations are crumbling like week-old cake, the West is gaining in momentum. In Canada, the food sector is responsible for 2.3 mil-lion jobs, or more than nine per cent of GDP and 13 per cent of all employment.
It is reported one-fifth of Chi-na’s farmland is so toxic because of chemical pollution, it cannot be used for food production. Cadmium, nickel and arsenic are the top contaminants and are affecting water quality as well as destroying soil. More than one-half of the rice grown last year was reported as con-taminated with cadmium, but was diverted to food processors to make noodles. The depth and breadth of toxicity is so great that China may never recover its ability to feed the population.
So why is it that many export-ers and government still focus so heavily on China as the answer to our economic woes?
The staggering population would be a major driver when it has the capability to buy con-sumer or processing goods. But the backing off of domestic spending, even as wages increase is puzzling and not without just concern. With China’s high debt-to-GDP ratio and defaults a daily ritual (including bonds) it is only a matter of time before we smell the scorched dragon’s breath. In total, the combination of household, government and corporate debt is more than 200 per cent of GDP — a 150 per cent increase from 2008.
Even though Chinese immi-grants will not find the level of job when they move abroad, they are willing to leave for a slower and less restricted life. They leave with their cash after selling property, and coun-tries such as Canada welcome the investment. It may be just opportunity knocking, but the reality is they are concerned
about their future should they stay on Chinese ground.
The yuan (Chinese currency) is widely used in financial trans-actions but is nowhere near con-version. To be a global trading currency, the yuan must not only settle deals but be con-vertible and then grow into a reserve. Many economists are skeptical that this will happen considering the protectionism in the past. And the past is con-cerning as China has a reputa-tion as a bully on the interna-tional stage. Despite the gov-ernment’s recent efforts to calm those waters, human rights vio-lations continue to take centre stage and the ability to get things manufactured in China is now getting more costly. With growth projected to be near seven per cent in the near future, China is now desperate for our business and not us for theirs.
This presents an oppor-tunity for Canada, the land of resources. In Canada, the food-manufacturing business is the leading sector in terms of employment and GDP —
greater than auto manufactur-ing. We can gain traction in this area using more of our produc-tion and let the world come to us. Rather than standing with our mouths gaping looking at China as a potential for our pri-mary product, perhaps we need to take off our red shades and see it as a potential for our goods.
It will be tough on the dragon either way. To get out of this mess they will have to clamp down and desperate measures to attract investment will hurt a lot of innocent people. The dragon has not been slain, nor should it be, as we need sound economies and a strong middle class worldwide. We will, how-ever, feel the heat of the dragon’s breath as it rears up to clear the economic mess that makes its nest.
Brenda Schoepp is a farmer from Alberta who works as an international mentor and motivational speaker. She can be contacted through her website www.brendaschoepp.com. All rights reserved. Brenda Schoepp 2014
China has deep problems, but offers opportunity for our food sectorstraight from the hip } The Asian titan is deeply in debt and its economy under stress, but it needs high-quality and safe food
By allison ammeterSylvAn lAkE
S ome of you read this article title and decided to read one sentence before moving on. Some of you have already
moved on.like many of you, I haven’t had a lot
of respect for many of the things the Un thinks, endorses, or gets involved in. So why am I, a self-proclaimed redneck Alberta grain farmer, excited about the International year of the Pulse? So many reasons!
First, full disclosure — I serve on the board of the Alberta Pulse Growers, so I am obviously a pulse promoter. Second, we grow pulses — in our area, that means yellow or green peas and faba beans — and we appreciate they are our only crops that make the soil better after hav-ing grown them due to nitrogen fixation. Third, I like to know what’s in my food, and I know how good pulses are for our diet, not to mention our taste buds.
So in my mind, anything that promotes pulse consumption, and therefore pulse production, is something I’ll get behind.
But it goes deeper than that. Before you say, “nobody pays any attention to the Un year ofs,” consider 2013 — the Inter-national year of Quinoa.
How many of you had tasted quinoa before 2013? How many of you had
purchased it? Had it in a restaurant side dish?
not many, I would venture.And yet, today, it is a common item
in the “small grains” section of grocery stores, and trendy in our restaurants. If a Un designation can do that for a grain that was hardly heard of 10 years ago, imagine what Un promotion can do for a food item that has been eaten around the world for millennia.
now, to a key question: Why should you try eating more peas, beans, or len-tils?
First of all, variety is important in all healthy diets. Secondly, pulses are very high in fibre, in protein, and are very nutrient dense. They contain complex carbohydrates, which keep blood sugars very normal (good for a diabetic diet). They are gluten free, which is important for celiacs. And when eaten regularly, they can reduce bad cholesterol.
So why don’t Canadians, who grow so many pulses and account for 35 per cent of the world’s pulse trade, eat more of them?
The main reason is we think they give us gas.
Most dietitians will tell you that your body needs to eat something regularly in order to adapt to it and not have side-effects. This is a basic food rule, whether it is meat, milk, a fruit, a vegetable, or the pulses which you are avoiding. In other words, if you eat beans more regularly, you’ll actually stop having gas issues. Give them a chance.
now back to the original question. Why would I, as a farmer, be excited about the International year of the Pulse?
In my market-oriented mind, if the Un promotes pulses worldwide and con-sumers around the world decide to eat more pulses, there will be more demand for them. large companies such as Pep-siCo and Unilever will put even more whole pulses, pulse purée, and fraction-ated pulses in their prepared foods. More restaurants will prepare meals and side dishes with pulses. Farmers world-wide will be asked to produce more pulses and should see higher prices. That will also generate demand for bet-ter varieties, better disease control, bet-ter herbicides, etc.
That’s all good for farmers, right?So yes, I’m excited about the Interna-
tional year of the Pulse. I’ll be promoting it wherever I find a venue, as will many others in pulse-producing countries around the world.
How about you? Grow more pulses, eat more pulses!
Why you should care about the UN’s International Year of the PulseTake a look at what it did for quinoa, and you’ll realize this event will benefit your pocketbook, soil, and maybe your health
While en route to the World Pulses Convention in Cape Town in early May, Allison Ammeter passed under this bridge in Buckinghamshire, England and took it as a sign that big things were afoot in the world of pulses. PhoTo: SUBMiTTEd
Off the frOnt June 23, 2014 • AlbertAfArmexpress.cA6
“Farmers are facing intense challenges in f inding farm labour,” said Debra Hauer, program manager at Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council.
“Many of the recent grads are people who work in support ser-vices to industry, like input com-panies and sales and service.”
Traditionally, farmers have relied on their children to work on the farm, but with more young people turning to off-farm work after school, they have to widen their search.
“Farmers now have to go farther afield, away from family and com-munity, in order to find people to work on their farms,” said Hauer.
About half of Lakeland College grads return to the family farm, but that isn’t an option for many students today.
Van Kuilenburg started school with the idea of one day taking over the family dairy, but the high cost of quota and land is a huge barrier.
“It’s difficult coming straight out of university with the debt and having no equity underneath you,” she said.
Employers are also having to change their expectations, said Van Lent.
“We do get quite a few requests for farm businesses looking for students in March, April, and May, and frankly by that time, many of them are already hired,” she said.
The demand is also a reflection of the educational system meeting the needs of industry, she added.
“We’re starting to see more requests for students with spe-cific skill sets in primary agricul-ture,” she said.
“As an employer, you want it all. You want the smartest kid with the best attitude and a lot of practical experience. We’ve been encouraged by industry to continue with our programs, and our students have great job opportunities. That’s telling me the hands-on piece is valued.”
Practical experience is impor-tant, but completing a degree “will give you jobs you want,” said Elford.
He got a job after earning an agriculture science diploma from Lethbridge College, but found his advancement opportunities were limited, he said.
“I actually took some time off between my diploma and my degree, and I went back due to knowing that was my highest level I could achieve without going back to get my degree,” said Elford.
Having both a diploma and a degree is an advantage, he added.
“With the hands-on experience that a college provides — whether it’s in Lethbridge or Olds or Ver-milion — you definitely have the upper hand on a strict four-year university program.”
Jose Puente agrees.“It’s important to know the
books, but it’s also important to have the technical skills,” said Puente, who just earned a mas-ter’s degree in animal science from the University of Alberta.
Puente came to Canada in 2007 through a partnership between his university in Mexico and Olds College, where he spent his last semester in the college’s meat-processing course.
“When I came to the University of Alberta, I was also hired as the meat-processing technician at the university,” said Puente, who grew up on a cattle farm.
“I had the hands-on experi-ence from Olds College’s meat-processing course. When I went to the university, I was the only one who knew how to break down carcasses into cuts.”
Puente also worked for two years as a supervisor at Dairy Queen after he left Olds College — work experience that helped him land a job as a foreman trainee in JBS’s Approach Pro-gram.
“This program is for people who have previous experience as
a supervisor,” he said. “Besides the technical skills that I got from Olds College and the U of A, the experience I had as a supervisor has helped me to be ahead of my competition.”
Being in JBS’s leadership pro-gram has shown Puente the opportunities that exist in Alber-ta’s agriculture industry.
“Right now, my managers and other managers I have met from other plants are about to retire. Those are opportunities that are going to come up,” he said. “The sky’s the limit.”
Elford also sees opportunities to move “up a company’s lad-der” and take on a management role, but he also sees the option to start his own consulting busi-ness.
“I think in the industry in gen-eral, there’s so many companies to choose from to work for, but there’s also the ability to start up your own thing,” he said.
“The opportunities are abso-lutely endless. They’re definitely there for those who want to take them.”
June 30, 2014 is the deadline for the AFSC Alberta Flood Recovery Loan Program (AFSC AFRLP). Our AFSC AFRLP loans assist Alberta businesses in recovering, rebuilding and re-establishing their operations after the June 2013 floods.
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Canadian beef eliminated in 15 equal annual steps. As well, an 18 per cent tariff on offal will be elimi-nated in 11 equal annual steps.
But the U.S. has a head start on that score, as its free trade deal with Korea was implemented in 2012. Australia also finalized a free trade agreement with Korea in 2013, and will be implementing it as soon as possible.
But there’s significant interest in buying Canadian beef, said Solv-erson.
“When I was in Korea with the prime minister this spring, I talked to some of the people who were interested in importing,” he said. “It wasn’t only the free trade agree-ment that kept us out; we were out of the market because of BSE until two years ago. We had to sort of rebuild from there.”
But even though the U.S. and Australia have captured the lion’s share of Korean imports, there’s been an upside for Canada, he said.
“Sometimes when there’s strong North American demand, we’ve been flooded with offshore beef, like beef from Australia, New Zea-
land and South America. That’s not happening this time because of the demand in Asia. Australia is exporting a lot of beef to China, while it historically would have sent more to the U.S. and Canada. Even if it isn’t us exporting, we’re benefiting because our competi-tors are exporting to them and not us.”
Still, it’s important to go after market share in countries such as Korea, especially as the sharp rise in beef prices might affect domes-tic demand, he added.
“High prices are often the cure for high prices,” he said. “I think it’s important to have a lot of out-lets all over the world, and a lot of places where beef can go.”
And while Canadian prices are high by historical yardsticks, our beef is cheap by Korean stan-dards. Locally produced beef sells for about 60 per cent more than imported beef, said Solverson.
“I’m guessing that that will change. In Canada, about 11 per cent of our income goes to food. In Korea, it’s about 24 per cent. They’ll be looking for alternatives to high-priced protein.”
Job postings in ag are soaringIn the past four years, AgCareers.com has seen almost a 50 per cent increase in the number of Canadian agriculture jobs posted to the popular job site. Here are the industries that are hiring.
Note: this chart is not a complete listing of all crops and diseases controlled. For a complete list of all crop types and diseases controlled, consult the product label or talk with your local UFA Crop Sales Staff member.
Always read and follow label directions.
Treat fungicide as an investment, not a cost.
Today’s depressed (and depressing!) grain prices have many producers feeling squeezed for operating capital. But experts say reducing inputs on the upcoming crop in order to minimize expenditures could cost producers more in the long run.
“Producers need to maintain a balanced approach, because the production of a successful crop requires all inputs in balance. You need to set out with an intention of what kind of yield is realistic and what kind of inputs are necessary to achieve that yield. If you have to cut back anywhere, you have to recalibrate to a lower yield goal and calculate corresponding inputs to achieve that revised goal,” says Sheri Strydhorst, an agronomy research scientist, with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD).
“Imagine if it’s a year where crops are susceptible to disease and someone loses 25 per cent of their yield because they choose not to apply a fungicide. That fungicide might cost $25/acre in input and application costs. But if wheat is $4 a bushel and the yield drops by 20 bushels per acre because of disease, they’ll lose $80 per acre to save $25 per acre. It’s a very dangerous thing to make a pest
management decision based solely on minimizing input costs rather than growing conditions.”
In 2013, Strydhorst conducted the first of a four year small-plot research trial that compared various agronomic management systems. Jason Wood, a production crops economist with ARD, then took this production data and analyzed the cost of production
“The extra cost of fungicide application is divided across more bushels, resulting in a lower overall production cost per bushel.”
of various agronomic practices. At the Barrhead location – where growing conditions were favourable and high yields were achieved – the cost of production (including cost of inputs, land and labour) of a standard CPS wheat crop grown with basic agronomic management and no fungicide application was $2.66/bu. When sprayed at flag leaf with Headline® at full rate, the cost of production dropped to $2.51/bu. A single application of Prosaro® at head emergence dropped production cost further to $2.43/bu. Two applications of fungicide resulted in
the highest yield, at a cost of $2.51/bu.
“It is complicated to get your head around, but the extra cost of fungicide application is divided across more bushels, resulting in a lower overall production cost per bushel. The cost of production economics are so dependent on yield,” explains Strydhorst.
It’s important to note that the per bushel costs from these trials are a result of a single year of data in a single location in a year with heavy disease pressure. Strydhorst cannot confirm that the findings represent a long term trend. That said, the benefit of slightly higher inputs resulting in significantly more yield is obvious, she says.
The window to apply an effective fungicide is very small, particularly for farmers who opt to spray only a single application. Some diseases, especially stripe rust, move incredibly quickly and need to be attacked as soon as they first infect a field. Therefore, scout often, have a spray plan in place and supplies available, and be prepared to act quickly. It is always harder to scramble to apply an unplanned but necessary application than to cancel a planned application if weather conditions or crop growth are not conducive to disease.
R ural rescue organizations from across Canada are invited to apply for the
Funding Initiative for Rural Emer-gencies (F.I.R.E.).
DuPont Pioneer launched the program last year and gave out more than $100,000 to 32 rural fire departments and emergency services for rescue equipment and training. Among the equipment purchased last year was grain bin rescue equipment, oxygen tank refill stations, ventilation fans, and jaws of life rescue tools.
“We have heard from many of the departments that received funding last year, and they are more confident that they have better tools in place to respond to agriculture-related and rural emergencies,” said Ian Grant, business director for DuPont Pio-neer.
Rural rescue organizations interested in applying for the program may contact their Pio-neer sales representative or email [email protected].
Funding available for rural fire departments and emergency services
Buy and Sell anything you
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1-800-665-1362
By Alex BinkleyAF ContRIbutoR
A llegations of animal abuse against eight employees of a b.C. dairy farm are under investigation by the
provincial Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after videos showing scenes of alleged mistreatment were released by a toronto-based vegan organization opposed to livestock production.
Jeff Kooyman, co-owner of the Chilliwack Cattle Company, said it is co-operating with the bC-SPCA in the criminal investigation.
“We were not given a chance to view the footage until it aired on television,” he said. “now that it has aired, we are taking immediate action to terminate all employ-ees involved as well as take several steps to ensure that this type of abuse never hap-pens again.”
that includes longer training periods for new employees and animal welfare training for all current employees, he said. As well, closed circuit cameras will be installed to monitor the 35,000 cattle on the family-owned operation. the farm was opened for media tours.
“We deeply apologize for what hap-pened,” Kooyman said. “We cannot stress further how much the actions of these young men have shocked our fam-ily. this does not reflect at all on the care or respect our family has for animals and we will do everything necessary to make sure this never happens again.”
the treatment of the animals was con-demned by Wally Smith, a b.C. dairy farmer and president of Dairy Farmers of Canada, which has been one of the leaders in developing care codes for the humane treatment of farm animals.
“I hate to see animals mistreated,”
Smith said. “I was very upset, disgusted and devastated upon hearing the news. this treatment of animals is intolerable, and not how most people care for their animals. Animal abuse is never, never oK — animals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Smith said authorities acted quickly to ensure any mistreatment doesn’t reoc-cur.
the Mercy for Animals undercover video shows farm workers viciously kick-ing, punching, beating, and hitting cows in the face and body with chains, canes, metal pipes, and rakes. they also depict animals suffering from inadequate vet-erinary care and sick and injured cows being lifted by chains around their necks.
Dave taylor, chairman of the b.C. Dairy Association, said in a statement that two vets — Dr. David Dykshorn and Dr. Rich Vanderwal of the Abbotsford Veterinary
Clinic — regularly visit the farm and monitor animal health.
“We have had a working relationship with the Kooyman’s for over 20 years and can speak to their integrity and care for their animals,” their statement said.
taylor said the video footage is shock-ing and damaging to the industry’s repu-tation. “Having witnessed the footage, we are deeply shaken. organizationally, we will be taking proactive steps to further our already strong animal care practices.”
Kooyman said his family will continue to work with bC-SPCA and regulatory authorities during the investigation. “In addition, we will be taking any and all steps necessary to assure that no such incident takes place on our family farm in the future. As a farming family we are committed to providing the best care for our animals and have zero tolerance for animal abuse.”
British Columbia dairy farm confronts abuse allegationsThe owners say they were unaware and are co-operating fully with an investigation
8 JUNE 23, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA
Helvetica Neue LT Std (65 Medium, 97 Black Condensed, 85 Heavy; OpenType)
Bayer CropScience
Insertion Date: June 23/July 7
10181845
CALMCL-DMX8127 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
None
BCS10181845.Prosaro.Alberta Farmer, Jr DPS5-21-2014 11:31 AM
Marsha Walters
100%
SAFETY: None TRIM: 17.4” x 10” Bleed: None17.4” x 10”
SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: Marianne Morrow PAGE: 1
BCS10181845.Prosaro.AB_SK.106.indd
Production Contact Numbers:403 261 7161 403 261 7152
BayerCropScience.ca/Prosaro or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative.Always read and follow label directions. Prosaro® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. C-53-06/14-10181845-E
COULDA SHOULDA WOULDA DID
PROSARO
For unparalleled yield and quality in your wheat and barley crops, choose Prosaro® fungicide. It delivers premium disease protection against fusarium head blight (FHB), reduces DON levels and controls leaf diseases.
Two leading actives – tebuconazole for fast activity and prothioconazole for future defence – bring curative and preventative properties to your crop. Prosaro is truly the complete package for protecting both cereal crops and your peace of mind.
For more information, visit BayerCropScience.ca/Prosaro
T:17.4”
T:10”
F:8.7”
FS:8.325”
F:8.7”
By Alexis Kienlenaf staff
I f you like it and want to keep it, then you better put a brand on it.
that’s the advice from RCMP livestock investigator Cpl. Dave Heaslip following the theft of 59 mixed breed heifers from the Provost area earlier this month.
“as a police officer investigat-ing, you need to think that this is a commodity that’s worth something,” said Heaslip. “One of the criteria for proving with-out reasonable doubt in a court of law, is that you need to be able to identify your property. Before you put them out, make sure you can identify your property.”
Branding and Canadian Cattle Identification agency tags are both good insurance, and also help police officers do their job. Under the Health of animals acts, producers cannot legally move animals from a farm site to a pasture location without tags.
Heaslip has investigated some cases where upwards of 20 head of cattle without branding or tags have gone missing. that slows the investigation and low-ers the chance the thieves will be caught.
“It’s very cumbersome. By the time you get all this information gathered and the co-operation from the people, the cattle are down the road,” said Heaslip.
“With this case that we’ve got going right now, this guy is a good farmer, a good rancher and a good cattle guy. He had all his brands on there and they had tags in their ears and stuff.”
the theft of the 59 cattle was detected after a monthly head count. When the landowner noticed his cattle were miss-ing, he searched the area on the ground and in an aircraft. RCMP also conducted a thor-ough search of the property for evidence, alerted the media, and contacted inspection markets and auctions across Western Canada and the U.s.
It’s suspected the thieves knew the daily routine on the farm and used a trailer capable of hold-ing 60 heifers to steal them in one go.
“since cattle prices are so high, it makes cattle more valuable with regards to taking a chance and thefts,” said Heaslip.
the 59 stolen cattle are val-
ued at around $80,000, and their owner is offering a reward of $25,000 for their return.
Heaslip encourages produc-ers to keep an eye on their cattle numbers and check their cattle daily when they’re out on pas-ture. another way to avoid theft is to maintain good relationships with neighbours and groups like Rural Crime Watch.
“stay in contact with your neighbours,” he said. “Baby-sit each other’s stuff and have a look. Let your neighbours know when you’re putting your cattle in.”
It also helps to take pictures of any cattle with unusual-looking marks or birthmarks.
Heaslip said cattle are reported missing from pastures every once in a while, but it certainly isn’t an epidemic.
anyone who has information about the 59 missing cattle, is asked to call their local RCMP detachment, police force, or Crime stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (tIPs). Crime stoppers offers rewards of up to $2,000 if information leads to an arrest and calls can be made anony-mously. (the organization does not subscribe to call display, call trace, or tape any phone calls.) all the cattle are tagged and bear the HOBBs brand.
Cattle theft a reminder of the need to brand cattle and keep a close watchRecent theft of 59 mixed breed heifers highlights the need to brand and tag cattle, says RCMP livestock investigator
“Stay in contact with
your neighbours. Babysit
each other’s stuff and
have a look. Let your
neighbours know when
you’re putting your cattle
in.”
CPL. Dave HeasLIP
Anyone who sees cattle bearing this brand should call the RCMP or Crime Stoppers. PhoTo: SUPPLiEd
AlbertAfArmexpress.cA • june 23, 2014 9
Helvetica Neue LT Std (65 Medium, 97 Black Condensed, 85 Heavy; OpenType)
Bayer CropScience
Insertion Date: June 23/July 7
10181845
CALMCL-DMX8127 Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
None
BCS10181845.Prosaro.Alberta Farmer, Jr DPS5-21-2014 11:31 AM
Marsha Walters
100%
SAFETY: None TRIM: 17.4” x 10” Bleed: None17.4” x 10”
SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: Marianne Morrow PAGE: 1
BCS10181845.Prosaro.AB_SK.106.indd
Production Contact Numbers:403 261 7161 403 261 7152
BayerCropScience.ca/Prosaro or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative.Always read and follow label directions. Prosaro® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. C-53-06/14-10181845-E
COULDA SHOULDA WOULDA DID
PROSARO
For unparalleled yield and quality in your wheat and barley crops, choose Prosaro® fungicide. It delivers premium disease protection against fusarium head blight (FHB), reduces DON levels and controls leaf diseases.
Two leading actives – tebuconazole for fast activity and prothioconazole for future defence – bring curative and preventative properties to your crop. Prosaro is truly the complete package for protecting both cereal crops and your peace of mind.
For more information, visit BayerCropScience.ca/Prosaro
T:17.4”
T:10”
F:8.7”
FS:8.325”
F:8.7”
AlbertA Agriculture And rurAl development releAse
A lberta Agriculture is once again conducting its annu-al honeybee winterkill and
management survey.“The honeybee winterkill and
management survey is an impor-tant component in developing Alberta Apiculture surveillance system and best management practices,” says Medhat Nasr, pro-vincial apiculturist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Develop-ment.
“Results are also used to justify any emergency registration of new potential miticides or medications as needed.”
Nasr says it is impossible to jus-tify the registration of any prod-ucts to control honeybee pests without providing field data col-lected through this type of survey.
“As such, replying to the 2014 survey is essential for the continu-ation of our program services and to keep healthy bees.”
The survey is being sent to all registered Alberta beekeepers. Completed surveys by commer-cial beekeepers who own 400 hives or more may be faxed or mailed to:
Bee Survey - Provincial Building4705-49 AvenueStettler, Alberta T0C 2L0Fax: 403-742-7527For the rest of beekeepers, fax or
mail the survey to the Provincial Apiculturist office:
Alberta Provincial ApiculturistCrop Diversification Centre
North17507 Fort Road NWEdmonton, Alberta T5Y 6H3Fax: 780-422-6096The deadline for submissions is
D uring the summer in Canada, light-ning strikes on average every three seconds. Besides causing power out-
ages and forest fires, lightning strikes can also seriously injure or kill.
The Canadian Lightning Danger Map dis-plays high-risk lightning areas in red. These maps are updated at an interval of 10 minutes and are based on recent lightning observa-tions. The Canadian Lightning Danger Map can be found on weather.gc.ca and is acces-sible on mobile devices.
If the map indicates red areas over your location or if you hear thunder, then you are at risk of being struck by lightning. You should go to a safe location, either a building with plumbing and wiring or an all-metal vehicle and stay there for 30 minutes following the last rumble of thunder.
Why stay inside so long? Research in North America shows that one-third of lightning injuries and fatalities occur in the early stages of a storm, one-third at the peak of a storm and one-third once the peak of the storm has passed by.
Environment Canada issues Severe Thun-derstorm Watches and Warnings when severe weather such as large hail, strong winds, heavy downpours, or even torna-does are possible. When planning outdoor activities this summer, it is important to listen to weather forecasts, and to keep an eye on the sky as weather conditions can change quickly.
Please contact your regional Warning Preparedness Meteorologist at 1-866-672-5463 if you have questions or need more information.
Lightning in Canada website: http://www.ec.gc.ca/foudre-lightning
Canadian Lightning Danger Maps: http://weather.gc.ca/lightning/index_e.html.
Lightning ‘danger map’ warns of risk in your area
photo:thinkstock
10 JUNE 23, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA
By Jennifer Blairaf staff
J osie Van Lent was “purposely naive” when she began her agricul-ture career more than 30 years ago.
“there were times when the fact that I was female was probably less appreci-ated, but I was too stupid to see that,” Lakeland College’s dean of agriculture says with a laugh.
“Definitely people would react to the fact that I was a woman in the job, but I never took that personally.
“You have to sort out what is a legitimate discrimination and what is really simply a reaction to something different.”
While those times were few and far between, there has been a sea change in attitudes since then, and Van Lent says she sees it every day at her college. Women make up half of its 7,500-stu-dent enrolment at its two campuses in Vermilion and Lloydminster. those entering its agricultural programs expect to be judged on their abilities — and expect to excel.
“the young women coming into agri-culture today have more confidence,” she says. “a lot of them are quite skilled and come in as equals to our male students. there isn’t anything they can’t do.
“If they’re from farms, the expecta-tion is that they will learn and do what the guys are doing on farms. I don’t think that was the case even 15 years ago.”
Male students also have a different attitude and their understanding of equality is “refreshing,” she says.
“Our male students expect our female students to do the same things they’re doing, and our female students don’t see why they shouldn’t be.”
Even though she grew up on a farm and obtained her degree in agricul-ture at the University of alberta, Van Lent never really thought her future lay in that direction. the plan was to get a law degree. However, when her undergrad days ended, she decided that “law school wasn’t going to come until I made some money.”
But what was to be a short stint with alberta agriculture and Rural Develop-ment ended up lasting 15 years.
“I feel like I absolutely hit my sweet spot,” she says. “I can honestly say that there’s been very, very few days that I have not wanted to get up and go to work in my career. and I feel really privileged about that.”
Van Lent first worked as a district agriculturalist and then as a livestock specialist.
“I really loved being on farms and involved at the grassroots level, whether it was with livestock or crops.”
a startup crop services company near Vermilion approached Van Lent about helping to build their agronomy program — an opportunity that gave her experience in “the business side of things.”
“We were small and lean and mean,” she says. “We slept in the office some-times to make sure that fertilizer trucks
got out to farms at 2 in the morning when the season was really pressured — whatever it took.”
she then worked for Ufa, managing its crop inputs division in northeast-ern alberta for two years before Lake-land College approached her seven years ago.
“they typically don’t hire from indus-try,” she says. “they took a bit of a gam-ble on me.”
at the time, the college wanted to create stronger ties between its agri-culture programs and the industry, and with Van Lent at the helm, the col-lege did just that, completing a com-prehensive review of its programs “to make sure they were aligned with what industry needed.”
“In some cases, some things stayed the same, and in other cases, we needed to make some changes.”
she also found that the culture had changed since her university days. today, female students seek out lead-ership roles within their classes and coursework — and that’s a significant shift.
“When I was in university, I think some of us would hold back a little bit. If there was a lab where we would be handling an animal, we might not be the first to step up to the plate. Here, they’re quite confident.”
Van Lent points to two factors driving this change.
first, young women are beginning to see opportunities in agriculture and taking advantage of them.
second, talent counts.
“It’s less of a gender thing than it is about who’s the best person to do the job,” says Van Lent.
“the people I’ve worked with in the ag industry — whether it’s producers or colleagues or peers — have high expec-tations, but those expectations are there whether you’re male or female.
“No matter who you are — male or female — if you are interested in something and passionate about it, you should have that opportunity.”
Van Lent hopes her students take advantage of those opportunities — “that they get up in the morning and most days really want to go to work. for me, it’s kind of neat that I get to influ-ence that somewhat.”
Part of a series of articles showcasing women in agriculture in Alberta.
Talent trumps gender in today’s agricultureJosie Van Lent says young women see the opportunities in agriculture and are reaching out to seize them
“No matter who you are
— male or female — if you
are interested in something
and passionate about
it, you should have that
opportunity.”
JOsIE VaN LENt
Young women in agriculture today are confident and eager to grab the opportunities the industry offers, says Josie Van Lent, pictured here with student Sheena Merrild. PhoTo: CoURTESy LAkELANd CoLLEgE
11ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • JUNE 23, 2014
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BY TOM POLANSEKCHICAGO / REUTERS
I nvestigators may never deter-mine how a highly conta-gious virus that has killed an
estimated 10 per cent of U.S. pigs entered the country.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) has wiped out an estimated seven million pigs and infected farms in 30 states since the first case was found in Ohio in April 2013. A second strain of the virus and a separate disease called swine delta coronavirus also have been discovered.
“That pathway that it came in on, and the same pathway that delta corona came in, is very con-cerning to us,” said USDA’s Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford.
“We’re doing all that we can to try to identify that. We may not iden-tify it, though.”
While PEDv is not a threat to humans or food, its success in get-ting past inspectors at U.S. borders and other safeguards has alarmed government officials, private vet-erinarians, hog producers and meat processors. They fear more serious diseases could enter by similar means.
Clifford said that trying to figure out how PEDv entered the coun-try is difficult because there are so many potential pathways.
He added that USDA’s ability to track how the virus entered and spread was hampered because veterinarians were not required to report cases. The USDA has said international regulatory standards do not require reporting of PEDv.
Following the initial outbreak, the hog industry also preferred to have private veterinarians handle cases rather than calling in the USDA, Clifford said.
“Frankly we don’t have good-quality data all the time,” he said.
“Back in May, there were no rules about who would do what,” said Paul Sundberg, vice-presi-dent of science and technology for the National Pork Board. Because the virus was not a disease that required USDA reporting, “the obvious thing was for the produc-ers to continue to work with their veterinarians,” he said.
Some producers and veterinar-ians have criticized USDA for wait-ing until April 2014 to announce it would require U.S. veterinarians to report new cases. The agency has not laid out guidelines for
compliance or started collecting data yet.
PEDv can be transmitted from pig to pig by contact with pig manure and from farm to farm on trucks. Scientists believe it is also likely spreading through animal
feed or feed ingredients, such as plasma from pigs’ blood.
Clifford said USDA believes any PEDv particles in plasma are inac-tivated during processing, but feed could potentially be contaminated after it was processed.
U.S. o� cials concede they may never know the source of a deadly pig virusOfficials fear even more serious diseases could also surface using a similar pathway
Missouri fi rm recalls over 4,000 pounds of beef over BSE concernsUSDA review finds risk material not removed from older cattle
REUTERS / A Missouri slaughterhouse recalled 4,012 pounds of fresh beef over concerns that nervous tissue that could contain the mad cow disease pathogen may not have been prop-erly removed from the meat before shipment, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said June 12.
The recalled bone-in rib-eye roasts and quartered carcasses from Jackson, Missouri-based Fruitland American Meat were deliv-ered to restaurants in New York City and Kansas City, Missouri, as well as a Whole Foods distribution centre in Connecticut that services the region, the USDA said.
The agency said no adverse events had been reported. Officials at the agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service dis-covered the problem during a review of the company’s slaughter logs. Reviewers found the firm may not have removed dorsal root ganglia tissue from cattle aged 30 months and older, in viola-tion of federal regulations.
That tissue is considered a risk material as it can contain the pathogen responsible for bovine spongiform encepha-lopathy, more broadly known as mad cow disease. The disease is transmissible to humans and can be fatal.
The agency rated the health risk of the recall as low.
FILE PHOTO
WORKER SHORTAGE SLOWS PACKERSThe Canadian Meat Council last week issued a statement saying packers are short hundreds of workers, forcing plants to run well below full capacity. It said plants are operating at 77 per cent of capacity on average, resulting in more Canadian cattle and hogs being shipped to the U.S. for slaughter. It said not enough Canadians want to work in packing plants, and processors have instead relied on the temporary foreign worker program, but it has become more difficult to gain government approval for those workers. “We’ve got plants trying to keep their doors open,” a spokesman said.
DROUGHT FORCES SLAUGHTERAustralia has raised its forecast for beef exports in the 2014-15 marketing year by nearly eight per cent as dry conditions across the east coast mean farmers are slaughtering livestock at a near-record pace. Shipments are expected to total 1.12 million tonnes this season, the second highest on record amid rising demand from China. With no pasture and expensive feed grains as a result of prolonged drought, farmers have been culling animals at record levels, driving cattle prices down to a more than three-year low in January at A$2.78-1/2 a kg. — Reuters
BY ALEXIS KIENLENAF STAFF
I t’s always a nightmare when a sheep producer goes out into the yard and sees that
an animal has been ripped apart by predators.
“Some years are worse than others,” said Bill Gibson, a sheep producer near Bashaw. “We did lose 25 lambs one year in a short period of time, and that was very hard to deal with.”
It’s also a significant financial hit. Last year, a market lamb was worth about $175, said Gibson, who raises about 200 ewes a year.
“Multiply that by about 25, and that would have been our losses that year. That’s fairly substantial, because you put your effort and all that expense into getting that lamb to that size and then you lose it.”
That’s a major reason why Alberta Lamb Producers is con-ducting a survey to track coyote predation, coyote control, and livestock losses.
“There is some feedback com-ing from producers that there are some areas of the province where there are quite a few issues with predators,” said Ronald den Bro-eder, chair of Alberta Lamb Pro-ducers. “Generally, coyotes are the biggest issue.”
“There isn’t any way to track,” adds Gibson, the association’s Zone 4 rep. “There’s the survey that we’re trying to get producers to complete, and that will hope-fully give us some better informa-tion. Right now, there isn’t a lot of information available as far as numbers of producers affected.”
Wolves, bears, and cougars are also an issue, but the Wildlife Division of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development offers compensation when those pred-ators kill livestock. But coyotes are classified as pests, rather than predators, and that means no compensation.
If the survey finds a large num-ber of producers are having issues with coyote predation, the group will go to the province to ask they be reclassified as predators, said den Broeder.
“It depends on how many people are going to come back to us,” he said. “If we have a decent amount of numbers that say that people have issues, at least we will
have a record of something that we can go to government with.”
The anecdotal evidence is that coyote predation is a serious problem — but seems to vary by area and by year.
“About four years ago, we had a big wreck with coyotes, and the last two years — knock on wood — it’s pretty good,” said den Broeder, who farms near Barrhead. “We were losing one or two sheep a day.”
Another problem with the cur-rent situation is that coyote con-trol is regulated by the counties, rather than Fish and Wildlife and the Alberta government. That means regulations and assis-tance vary.
Den Broeder was able to get some help from Fish and Wildlife, who put up cameras to help him track the coyotes.
“But in other counties, they just say there’s nothing they can do, and that’s where it stops.”
Gibson was able to use the ser-vices of the county agricultural fieldman.
“We did everything we could and it took several months to resolve it,” he said.
Thwarting coyotes requires constant vigilance, good fencing and guardian dogs, said Gibson.
“Since then, we haven’t had as many problems, but we still see coyotes and we have predation problems from time to time.”
Alberta Lamb Producers rec-ommends a combination of good fencing; guard donkeys, dogs or llamas; and in some cases, hunt-ing.
“My personal experience is that if you just rely on one thing, you might get away with it, but generally it’s not going to be suf-ficient,” said den Broeder. “You have to tackle it with more than one thing.”
Gerty Sorensen, who raises sheep near Bezanson with her husband Albert, has seen lambs with their hind legs ripped off and throats ripped open.
“We should be compensated, as far as I’m concerned,” she said. “You can build what you think is
the best fence going (and) the coyotes will find a means of get-ting under it.”
Spring is the worst time because that’s when pups are being taught to hunt, she said. Coyotes are so smart that they can monitor a farmer’s habits, and figure out the best time to kill.
“We’ve been dealing with coy-otes ever since we brought the sheep on the property,” she said. Her two llamas and three dogs reduce, but don’t eliminate, pre-dation.
“I don’t care how many dogs you have. Unless you lock the sheep up at night and lock the dogs in with them, they’re still going to get them. A bunch of coyotes will lure the dogs off one way, and another group will come in and kill (the sheep).”
Sorensen estimates that if she didn’t have her dogs, she would lose at least 50 per cent of her sheep.
“I live right by the creek and the river. I’m in prime coyote coun-try.”
Alberta Lamb Producers volun-tary survey should be completed by June 30. It can be found at www.ablamb.ca.
Lamb producers tallying the cost of coyote predationCoyotes are classed as pests, and so producers receive no compensation for lost livestock
NEWS » LIVESTOCK 12 JUNE 23, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA
“There is some
feedback coming from
producers that there
are some areas of the
province where there
are quite a few issues
with predators.”
RONALD DEN BROEDER
A couple years ago, Bill Gibson, who farms near Bashaw, lost about 25 sheep to coyote predation. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Gerty Sorensen and husband Albert are sheep producers from Bezanson who have had issues with coyote control. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
PHOTO: BRIAN MCMILLAN
13ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • JUNE 23, 2014
Cattle photo courtesy of Canada Beef Inc.
ILC_2014_AlbertaFarmer_JrPage
Register at www.ilccalgary.com ILC Beef 2014: Wednesday July 09, 2014 Deerfoot Inn & Casino, 1000, 11500-35 Street SE, Calgary, Alberta
Beef 2014: International Livestock ConferenceThis year’s conference will focus on the opportunities of marketing the whole carcass. With the trends that are taking shape today, there are many opportunities for the future. Hear an update on the local and global economies and the market opportunities that exist for the entire carcass both here in Canada and around the world.
Beef 2014: International Livestock Conference
BY ALEXIS KIENLENAF STAFF
M ost people love a good burger or pork chop, but they don’t think
about the science or research involved with meat. Fortunate-ly, there’s a group of people who do.
And starting this fall, students who want to become experts in “the science of meat” will be able to enrol for a graduate degree in the subject at the Uni-versity of Alberta. The new meat science graduate program is the first of its kind in Canada — but there’s already a huge demand for experts in this area.
“Most of the time, students are hired very quickly, as soon as they graduate,” said Heather Bruce, associate professor of carcass and meat science at the university and director of the Canadian Meat Education and Training Network (MEaTnet).
“I’ve had two — one was hired before he graduated and the other was hired three days after she graduated. That’s the kind of demand that’s out there.”
And the opportunities don’t stop there.
“The meat industry has been mentioning and foreshadow-ing that it’s going to have a lot of retirements in the next little while, particularly in the mid-dle management and supervi-sory area,” said Bruce, who has experience in both industry and academia.
These retirees have built up an enormous amount of expe-rience over the course of 15 or 20 years, which is typical of how long it takes to gain exper-tise in the industry. By work-ing with industry partners and providing increased training, the new graduate program will help bring people into middle management and supervisory roles after only five or six years of experience.
“We want to produce gradu-ates who are professional and ready to be employees who can hit the ground running,” said Bruce. “That’s why this program is a very intensive program and we hope to take the best and the most hard working.”
The new program capitalizes on academic knowledge from the universities as well as Olds College expertise in teaching hands-on meat handling, cut-ting, and animal slaughter.
The master’s program is a two-year initiation into research and investigation while the PhD builds on a master’s and is more self-directed, with a supervisor acting as an adviser.
“Essentially, they get a dry run at research with the ability to make mistakes in a safe place,” said Bruce.
Students can choose to spe-cia l ize in meat safety and microbiology, meat and muscle biochemistry, the economics of meat, or the science of meat processing.
The University of Alberta is home to the MEaTnet, a new virtual network linking it, Olds College, and universities of Sas-
katchewan, Guelph, and Laval. The group was formed by meat scientists who wanted to col-laborate on research.
“We wanted to put together as complete a package as pos-sible,” said Bruce. “With elec-tronic communication now being so good and so easy, we’re really looking forward to putting this together and becoming a flagship for other organizations that are looking to deliver more information virtually, rather than just simply on the ground.”
Students will be able to access the program virtually through any of the participating univer-sities, she added.
“We’ll probably share the
course so it’s offered through each university, using each university’s electronic platform. Every university gets credit for it and every student gets credit for it at the university they’re attending.”
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada provided $1.65 mil-lion in funding to create the program. The funding will also allow MEaTnet to build a plat-form for undergraduate stu-dents, as well as online courses for industry personnel who want to upgrade their qualifications without leaving the workplace.
U of A home to new meat programProgram will teach students necessary skills to fill looming labour shortage
Heather Bruce, associate professor of meat science and carcass at the University of Alberta is the director of the Canadian Meat Education and Training Network and head of Canada’s first meat science graduate program. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Don’t delay. Send us your free Custom feedlot Guide listing today to get national exposure for your business. Remember, the deadline is August 1, 2014.
All you have to do is fill in the blanks below and mail, Fax or Email it back to us before August 1, 2014. We’ll do the rest, at no charge to you.
PRESENTS…A FREE DEALFOR CUSTOM FEEDLOT OPERATORSMake sure you take advantage of your free listing in the annual National Custom feedlot Guide in the September issue of Canadian Cattlemen — The Beef Magazine.
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BY ROY LEWIS, DVM
P a s t u r i n g a l f a l f a c a n i m p r o v e g a i n s , b u t bloat is always a worry.
Thankfully, advancements in technology, along with pas-ture management, can make this a viable option.
Adhering to several princi-ples can go a long ways to pre-venting unnecessary deaths when turning cattle out into leguminous pastures.
Cattle should initially be turned out in the heat of the day. This helps two things: the crop is dry with no dew (mois-ture greatly increases the pos-sibility of bloat) and cattle do not graze as vigorously in the heat of the day.
Ensure they are full of dry feed before being turned out. The higher (coarser) the crop and more mature (in bloom), the lower the possibility of bloat. Coarser crops increase the production of saliva for digestion and saliva is a natu-ral anti-foaming agent.
This is why you’ll hear the o l d - t i m e r s t a l k i n g a b o u t tying a stick crossways in the mouth of a bloating animal. This resulted in tremendous chewing, saliva production and hence bloat reduction. The old-timers had a lot of common sense.
Once cattle are exposed to the alfalfa, leave them on it. Reintroduction can result in problems similar to what occurs after a storm in which grazing patterns have been
changed. Uniform and regu-lar intake is the key to mini-mizing bloat. By all means be vigilant about observation — especially when they are first turned out.
Strip grazing will prevent cattle from selectively graz-ing rich stands, but one must also watch the regrowth, as it is much more likely to result in bloat.
There are several alternative medical preventions available for bloat on pasture.
Rumensin (monensin), an ionophore, prevents bloat by altering fermentation and
decreases the production of methane gas and carbon diox-ide. If possible, this can be added daily in a grain ration while on pasture. It has the added benefit of improving feed efficiency and weight gain. The only negative is the daily feeding and ensuring you get uniform consumption. Generally the feed mills can mix in the required amount of rumensin (250 mg/head) in approximately 0.5 kg of grain per animal per day.
One pharmaceutical com-pany has circumvented this inconvenience by inventing
the slow-release monensin capsule (called Rumensin CRC). This comes as a large bolus with wings, which is inserted, into the rumen. It lets out a set amount of rumensin daily over a 120-day period. It is licensed for animals up to 770 pounds, but we have used it in much larger heifers with good success.
In trials, it showed an 80 per cent reduction in bloat inci-dence where the potential was very high. This is a more costly product, but you also get the weight gain and feed efficiency advantage seen in the other forms of rumensin. There is some individual vari-ation with the dissolving of the bolus and some cattle will dissolve the entire amount by 90 days. Generally, the risk for bloat is much reduced by this time.
On pastures with moderate- to low-bloat potential lasoacid (Bovatec), also and ionophore, can be scripted in at 10 per cent to a salt mineral mix. At this dosage, mature cows need to consume two ounces (or 55 grams) per head per day.
We have found this product very effective, easy to admin-ister and not too costly. It requires a yearly prescription from your veterinarian and the local feed mill can easily mix it in to a prepared min-eral. Make sure it is mixed into a mineral your cattle are accustomed to, so consump-tion remains consistent.
With all these preventions make sure they are on the
products at least one week before turnout into the forage.
The last product which has been re-released over a year ago now is “Alfasure.” It comes as a suspension totally misci-ble in water. It should be pur-chased with a metering device that administers it into a water line as it is pumped into your water tank, which should be the only water source avail-able to the cattle. With most cattle at pasture watering through tanks on wind or solar systems this could have huge applications. Also uni-form consumption would be assured. This product was shown to be literally 100 per cent effective against bloat, which is fantastic in high-risk areas.
All these preventive systems should allow most produc-ers the ability to graze alfalfa crops when too short to har-vest or to take advantage of regrowth in the fall. With very strong electric fencing sys-tems and portable watering systems, all land can poten-tially be grazed. Newer vari-eties of alfalfa that are more bloat resistant are also being developed. If pasturing alfalfa or other bloat-causing forages, be sure to talk to your veteri-narian and implement one of these preventive strategies to reduce your risk.
Roy Lewis is a Westlock, Alberta-based veterinarian specializing in large-animal practice. He is also a part-time technical services vet for Merck Animal Health.
Ways to reduce the risk of bloat when pasturing on alfalfaBEFF 911 Producers can take steps to reduce the risk through management and preventive products
If pasturing alfalfa or other bloat-causing forages, be sure to talk to your veterinarian. PHOTO: THINKSTOCK
Beef sustainability benchmark study to be ready by fall
I nitial results of a project to benchmark the sustainability of the Canadian beef indus-
try will be presented this fall at its annual general meeting, the Canadian Roundtable for Sus-tainable Beef has announced.
The group, set up last fall, now has a website (www.crsb.ca) and is encouraging those in the beef value chain — from producers and processors to retailers and non-governmental organizations — to become members.
“It’s important for industry stakeholders to come together to combine their expertise to ensure the industry remains economi-cally viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible for future generations,” said Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, a Calgary-area rancher and round-table chair.
Thomas Lynch-Staunton of Livestock Gentec chairs the sustainability assessment work-ing group and Jeff Fitzpatrick-Stilwell of McDonald’s Canada chairs the communication work-ing group.
McDonald’s has chosen Can-ada to pilot its plan to start selling verified sustainable beef in 2016.
15ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • JUNE 23, 2014
Please join us on a 16 day agricultural tour to Australia’s national beef exposition.Beef Australia is one of the world’s great beef cattle events and is held just once
every three years in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
Departing Canada April 30th to May 16th 20155 nights Rockhampton - 5 nights Cairns - 4 nights Sydney
Space is limited please register your interest by contacting:Lawrence Rowley Phone: 403-270-7044 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.leadertours.ca
For more tour information please visit Beef Australia webpage:
http://www.leadertours.ca/beefweek2015/
des moines, iowa / reuters
The impact of a deadly pig virus on U.S. trade is mount-ing, with 11 countries limit-ing imports of live hogs and one banning pork imports.
El Salvador, Guatemala and South Africa have banned imports of live U.S. hogs following the discovery of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PEDv) in the United States last year, said John Clifford, the USDA’s chief veterinary officer.
China, Japan, the Euro-pean Union and Russia have restricted hog imports, while four other countries have imposed unofficial limita-tions, he said.
Uzbekistan has banned imports of U.S. pork, while Costa Rica has banned imports of pork casings.
“This is beginning to have a much greater impact than what any of us initially thought that it would,” said Clifford.
PEDv has wiped out an estimated 10 per cent of the U.S. pig population in the past year. The USDA has tried to calm concerns among trading partners about the virus, which the agency says does not threaten humans or food safety.
The United States last year exported about $6 bil-lion worth of pork and $30.5 million worth of live hogs.
Pig virus disrupts U.S. trade more than expected Eleven countries have limited imports of live hogs and one has banned pork imports
Search Canada’s top agriculture publications… with just a click. Network SEARCH
By shannon VanraesSTAff
W hen Helmut Janz sees a problem, the self-professed tinkerer likes
to solve it.So when the Maple Leaf hog
barn manager in southern Mani-toba noted he and his employees were suffering from sore wrists and carpal tunnel syndrome after the process of castrat-ing, tail notching, ear tattooing and oral drenching piglets, he decided there had to be a better way — one that took the pres-sure off employees’ hands, wrists and arms.
“I’ve had carpal tunnel in both my hands and I had two employ-ees come to me — both on the same day — who were getting booked into surgery for carpal tunnel as well,” said Janz. “And one of the main causes of carpal tunnel in the barn is from pro-cessing pigs. You have to squeeze these piglets hard enough so that you don’t drop them... and they can get pretty big.”
So two winters ago, Janz headed into his garage to see what he could come up with. The result was a prototype of what he calls the “piglet processing arm.”
“It is a cradle with a cushion on it for the pigs to sit in,” he said. “They’re pretty comfortable in it, actually. If you hold them in your hands they’re kind of being tossed back and forth and upside down and everything. With this they’re in a nice stable position.”
The piglet is held in place with a Velcro strap and universal joints like those used on power takeoffs allow the arm to move. The device is then attached to the processing cart and can be adjusted for the height of the employee.
The first processing arm was a hit, said Janz, adding it only needed a few tweaks to fine tune it. Now the device is mandatory in all Maple Leaf barns and is used on approximately 1.5 mil-lion piglets each year.
“We kind of played around with it in the barn here for two
or three months, then we tried it in another barn, then all of a sudden it started to catch on,” he said. “It takes a week or two for people to get used to it, but once they’re used to it, they won’t go back.”
Steve Davies, Janz’s boss and manager of multiplication at the barn, encouraged his inventive efforts, giving him some cash to get the project going.
But he said most employ-ees don’t spend their off time inventing new equipment for their barns.
“It’s very unusual,” he said.
Neil Booth, Maple Leaf’s director of manufacturing agreed.
“It’s not something that we’d usually expect, but Helmut is a guy with a very inquiring, curious mind and he has quite a deep passion for health and safety, as well as the well-being of the people who work with him,” he said. “We’ve been very pleased with what he’s done.”
The new processing arm has also improved efficiency when it comes to castrating, tail notching, ear tat-tooing and oral drenching.
“The same processing crew can process more litters now without needing to rotate positions and do something else for a break on those wrists, because it’s so much easier on them,” Booth said.
Janz’s work earned him the Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production at the Banff Pork Semi-nar earlier this year, but he said the real reward is seeing how it affects his fellow employees.
“If people can go home in the same condition that they came in, that’s what I want. I suffered from carpal tunnel, it wakes you up at night, so if people don’t have to go through that, for me, that’s a huge success,” he said.
Janz added that Maple Leaf hasn’t patented the device, and he would like to see barn work-ers everywhere use it to reduce injuries.
What’s good for the piglet is good for the piglet processorA Manitoba inventor’s passion for health and safety has changed the way piglets are handled
Helmut Janz (l) Aherne Award winner and Dr. Michael Dyck, chair of the F.X. Aherne prize committee. PhoToS: SUBMiTTEd
Piglet nestled in processing arm.
Aussie fArmers worry About el NiñoAustralian farmers are holding back new-crop wheat sales on fears an El Niño will slash yields. Growers have been hurt in the past by selling forward, but then not being able to deliver. Production slumped to 9.74 million tonnes in 2006-07 from 25 million tonnes a year earlier. “If you commit and forward sell and you can’t meet that physical delivery, you can’t just unwind it. It happened in 2008 and it can get very, very ugly,” said Dan Cooper, a grain farmer. The chance of an El Niño developing this year remains at least 70 per cent, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said recently. — Reuters
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by daniel bezte
F or severe thunderstorms to form, it takes heat, humid-ity, lift, and some way to
vent the air at the top of the storm. Let’s take a look at what takes a severe thunderstorm and turns it into a thunderstorm to truly remember.
So, we have a hot, humid air mass in place, the air a few thou-sand feet up is very cold, provid-ing for good lift, and we have a strong jet stream overhead pro-viding the venting at the top of the storm. Everything is in place for a severe thunderstorm, but what can Mother Nature add to the mix to make things even worse?
The first and probably most important “extra” ingredient that can be added to the mix is to have the wind change direc-tion with altitude. Remember that the atmosphere is three dimensional; that is, air can flow horizontally, but this horizon-tal direction can change as you move upwards. Why would this have an impact on our storm?
To put it in a nutshell, this change of direction can cause t h e d e v e l o p i n g s t o r m t o rotate. Picture what would hap-pen if you take a rising parcel of air and push on it from the south when it is at the surface. Then as it rises up a couple of thousand feet the wind switches direc-tion and now blows from the east. Then a few thousand feet farther up it is blowing from the northwest. What would hap-
pen to our rising parcel of air? It would get twisted — it would start to rotate.
Remember that if we can get air to rotate counterclockwise we have an area of low pres-sure. Air flows inward in a coun-terclockwise rotation and then is forced to move upwards. One thing we get if we can get our severe storm rotating is a small-scale area of low pressure that helps the air to rise even more than it would without the rota-tion. The second thing a rotating thunderstorm can do is to nicely separate the area of updrafts and downdrafts. This is impor-tant, since the downdrafts, even with a severe thunderstorm, will eventually cut the updraft off from its source of warm, moist air. In a rotating thunderstorm, the source of warm, moist air is maintained, giving these storms a long life and a lot of moisture to produce heavy rains.
Another aspect to the storm that a rotating column of air can provide is tornadoes. While we still do not understand how tor-nadoes are formed, we do know that rotating thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. It is believed that rotating columns of air can get squeezed into a narrower shape, as this happens, the wind speeds increase eventually pro-ducing the tornado.
Like most things in nature, thunderstorms rarely behave like a textbook example of a thunderstorm. Even when all the ingredients are there, no storms may form, or sometimes some key ingredient is missing
yet we get a really severe storm, this is what makes weather so interesting.
Now, not every thunderstorm that develops becomes severe, in fact, much of our summer rainfall comes from garden-variety thunderstorms, or what is called an air mass thunder-storm. These storms, as the name indicates, develop in the middle of a typical warm sum-mer air mass. Because they are in the middle of an air mass, a number of the key ingredients for severe storms are missing.
Usually in the middle of an air mass, temperature will not decrease that rapidly with height. The wind will usually remain constant with height, and there will probably not be a jet stream overhead. Nonethe-less, we can still have enough heat and humidity for air to rise and thunderstorms will form. Since these storms don’t rotate or have any way to vent the rising air from the top of the storm, they rarely last long. The accumulating air at the top of the storm will eventually fall back down as a downdraft; this will wipe out the updraft, essentially killing the storm. The whole process from the start of the storm to the downdraft kill-ing it can be anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour.
While these storms are short lived they can give brief peri-ods of heavy rain and the odd good gust of wind, especially when the downdraft fist hits the ground. These storms often provide us with just the right
amount of precipitation just when we needed it during the summer. So, now I hope you
know just a little bit more about the nature of severe thunder-storms.
what it takes to make a truly memorable thunderstormMother Nature has a few ways to take a severe thunderstorm and make it worse
This map shows the total precipitation during the 30-day period ending June 10. It was a very wet period over central Alberta where widespread areas recorded 60 to more than 100 mm.
drought puNishes exportersDrought in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state has cut off barge traffic on a key waterway used to transport soybeans as the government prioritizes hydro electricity generation amid falling river levels. The Tiete-Parana waterway has been drying up since February as a result of one of the hottest and driest summers on record. Part of the waterway was completely closed to barge traffic on May 30. Exporting firms, including Cargill, said they have had to hire trucks to transport their goods the full distance to Brazil’s main soy-exporting port of Santos. — Reuters
16 JUNE 23, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA
PhoTo: ThINkSToCk
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Cereals Canada unveils websiteCereals Canada has launched its website at www.cerealscanada.ca. The website contains the organization’s vision and mission, reviews of policies and news releases, commentaries, and bios of its board members. Cereals Canada, launched last fall, is a multi-commodity organization, and includes growers, grain-handling companies, and seed companies. Three of the four producer reps on the 12-person board are from Alberta: Greg Porozni (chair), Kevin Bender, and Kent Erickson. All are also Alberta Wheat Commission directors.}
LAU
NC
H
By Jennifer Blairaf staff
S evere stripe rust infections in central alberta have put wheat growers on high alert, says a
federal research scientist.“Because wheat is such an impor-
tant crop, stripe rust is one of those diseases that could have a major, major impact on cereal crop pro-duction,” said Denis Gaudet of agriculture and agri-food Canada.
“to me, it represents one of the most serious pathogens and poten-tial threats to crop production any-where in the world.”
In early June, researchers found “heavy infections of stripe rust” in winter wheat fields near Olds, a result of overwintering of the dis-ease in the crop.
“the conditions there are pretty good for the winter survival,” said Gaudet. “they generally get a nice blanket of snow that’s continuous. that helps preserve the leaf tissue and the fungus in those leaf tissues throughout the winter.”
the disease was also found in “a few plants” near the Lethbridge research centre in mid-June, but overwintering doesn’t seem to be the culprit there.
“We’re convinced that it came in on a spore shower from the Pacific northwestern United states (in late May),” he said.
Most years, the spores arrive too late to cause damage.
“We caution farmers to be very careful when they consider apply-ing fungicides. they need to really
look at the crop stage that they’re at and whether or not they’re seeing a lot of stripe rust.”
Normally, stripe rust presents as long pustule stripes on leaves that, as they erupt, cause the leaves to shrivel. the disease causes the most problems in the upper leaves — the flag leaf and flag minus one — because those leaves are “most closely associated with yield and quality in wheat.”
“If there’s very little rust on them going into flowering, we don’t nec-essarily recommend spraying,” Gaudet said.
“But if… by the time it is flower-ing, we’re starting to see rust on the lower leaves and moving up, we want to make sure we protect those upper leaves through the flowering and maturation process.”
Resistance breakdownstripe rust became a problem in southern alberta more than seven years ago, when the disease began to mutate and overcome the resistance in some varieties of winter wheat.
“there was a major shift in patho-genicity at the time, and all of a sud-den, we had a whole bunch of winter wheat that was highly susceptible to this new race of stripe rust,” said Gaudet.
the disease has “a tremendous capacity to evolve,” a result of its ability to build up “rapidly and dra-matically.”
“We’re quite concerned about it,” he said. “In addition to our winter wheat being susceptible, many of our spring wheat varieties are sus-ceptible as well. Producers have to
be very careful now which varieties they choose.”
In North america, plant breed-ers have been selecting a more generalized form of resistance that the pathogens are less able to adapt to, but that comes with some limitations.
“these types of resistances aren’t as effective and are more prone to environmental modulations,” Gaudet said.
“If it’s cool and wet for an extended period of time, the resistance may not be as effective.”
Even so, varieties that contain more than one form of resistance will be “a lot more durable in the field over time” when compared with resistance that is race specific. Because of that, producers should only seed resistant varieties, he said.
“there is the option to select your control measure before you actually go into the field,” said Gaudet. “On the spring wheat side, there are vari-eties that have good resistance. On the winter wheat side, there are vari-eties that only suffer minor damage from stripe rust.”
for producers who have already seeded susceptible varieties, “step No. 2 is to get out and monitor your fields to check for the presence of stripe rust.”
“We’re advising producers not to panic right now or consider any con-trol measures in their winter wheat,” said Gaudet, adding researchers with both the provincial and fed-eral governments are monitoring the disease situation “very closely.”
Central Alberta winter wheat fields hit hard by stripe rustStripe rust is showing up in winter wheat fields in central and southern Alberta, and threatens adjacent spring wheat fields
17ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • JUNE 23, 2014
FiLE PhoTo
18 JUNE 23, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA
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Proper rinsing of containers contributesto a safe work environment.
T en years after Monsanto put the brakes on releasing genetically modified wheat, 16 organizations in
Canada, the U.S., and Australia are backing GM wheat.
“The goal (of the statement) is to help encourage investment and innovation in wheat,” said Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada, one of five Canadian organizations that signed the statement. “That includes biotechnology, but that isn’t the only tool. We have seen the results of investment in innovation in other crops. We do need to see that in wheat.”
The seven-point statement was also signed by the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, Grain Growers of Canada, Grain Farmers of Ontario, and the Canadian National Millers Association.
The groups say wheat innovation is needed to help feed the world and that GM crops are safe.
“More than 15 years of commercial production and peer-reviewed scientific research show this technology is safe for the environment and consumption,” the state-
ment says. “Over one trillion meals have been consumed without a single reported incident, and studies have found that bio-technology and products derived from bio-technology have not caused any legitimate food safety concerns.”
The statement also demonstrates the wheat industry is aware of market concerns. It calls for countries to adopt a policy for dealing with low-level presence of GM crops in non-GM crops, synchronize the release of GM wheat traits with approval in importing countries, and have a system to segregate GM wheat so customers can still buy non-GM wheat.
In the early 2000s, 82 per cent of Canadian Wheat Board customers said they wouldn’t buy GM wheat. But when dealing with mar-ket resistance to GM wheat, industry and government have distinct roles, Dahl said.
“The responsibility of government is that of a strong, science-based regulatory sys-tem,” he said. “But when it comes to those marketing questions those are what the industry does really need to address.”
Cereals Canada’s support for GM wheat is consistent with the policy of its member-associations, which includes the Grain Growers, miller’s association and life sci-ence companies, Dahl said. The policy was adopted by Cereals Canada’s board of direc-tors, which includes farmers as well as offi-cials with companies researching GM wheat.
However, the backing of GM wheat may be academic for the moment.
In May, Monsanto Canada announced it was deferring its work on Roundup Ready wheat “until such time that other wheat biotechnology traits are introduced.” The company said it would focus on improving new and existing traits in corn, cotton, and oilseeds.
Five Canadian grain groups back introduction of GM wheatCereals Canada says the main goal is to ‘encourage investment and innovation in wheat’
BY JENNIFER BLAIRAF STAFF
E thiopian mustard could hold the key to blackleg resistance in Canadian
canola crops, says a University of Alberta researcher.
“Almost all varieties (of canola) are susceptible to blackleg,” said Habibur Rahman. “But now, the pathogen has shifted, and it’s become a new pathogen that’s more resilient and more aggres-sive.
“The resistance cannot protect the plant. We have resistance breakdown.”
Across Western Canada, black-leg in canola is on the rise, hit-ting canola yields and creating trade barriers for Canadian canola destined for Asia. Rah-man and his team are working on identifying new resistant genes from brassica carinata — commonly grown as an oilseed in Ethiopia — to introduce into brassica napus, better known as canola.
“Carinata shows strong resis-tance to all the new pathotypes,” he said. “If there’s single gene resistance, it’s relatively easy
to introduce. If it is more than one gene resistance, it’s more difficult.
“We’re at the stage of deter-mining how many genes there are, while at the same time try-ing to introduce the genes from brassica carinata.”
So far, his research has shown at least three resistant genes of a brassica carinata chromo-some that could make it easier for researchers to introduce into canola.
“ W e ’ r e s t u d y i n g f u r t h e r whether a single gene is enough to give resistance to this more severe pathotype or if it needs more than one gene.”
But his preliminary findings suggest that one gene is not enough to create resistance to the more virulent strains of blackleg that can devastate canola fields.
“It seems that more than one gene is required for resistance. In the meantime, we have intro-duced one gene from the bras-sica carinata, and we have also mapped another gene in another chromosome.
Mustard genes could be key to new blackleg-resistant canolaMore than one gene is needed to create blackleg resistance in canola, says a researcher at the University of Alberta
FILE PHOTO
The goal (of the statement) is to
help encourage investment and
innovation in wheat.
CAM DAHL
19ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • JUNE 23, 2014
Run longer with Chevron lubricants and you could win. For every 50L of Chevron brand product that you buy from UFA, you will be automatically entered to win a new shop (ARV $65,000 CDN)!Your brand new UFA shop will come stocked with $1,000 of Chevron product. The more you buy, the more entries you get for this 42' x 60' x 16' insulated shop.
Your UFA Petroleum Agent or Farm & Ranch Supply Store has the details. Promotion runs June 1 – July 31, 2014.
A swallowtail butterfly graces a balsamroot flower that appears throughout May and June along the Montane and southern Alberta foothills. The flowers cover the slopes near Waterton Lake, Alta. PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY
ALBERTA AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT RELEASE
G rowing Forward 2 has o p e n e d i t s C o n f i n e d Feeding Operation (CFO)
Stewardship Program to com-mercial manure applicators in Alberta.
Commercial manure applica-tors — or custom applicators, manure haulers or corral clean-ers, as they are sometimes called — are now eligible for $70,000 on a 50/50 cost share for equipment and other items related to safe manure application.
“In the past this program only offered grant funding to live-stock producers (such as dairy and hog operations) to help them purchase manure injec-tion equipment,” says Jennifer Neden, co-ordinator of the Con-fined Feeding Operation Stew-ardship program with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Develop-ment.
“In addition to being opened to commercial manure applicators, the list of eligible items under the program has increased and the maximum grant has gone up from $20,000 to $70,000. Items are still cost shared 50/50.”
The change was made to include custom manure appli-cators because they apply the majority of liquid manure in the province, she said.
“The change now allows them to access funds to help them purchase equipment that injects manure below the soil surface, which helps to manage odour and prevent loss of nitrogen and other gases to the atmosphere,” says Neden. “And because they transport so much manure, the program is there to assist them in purchasing proper road signs to notify the public, auto shut-off features to help prevent spills, and software to help map and record where manure is applied.”
The changes apply to any livestock producer applying for grant assistance under this project and are retroactive back to April 1, 2013.
To be eligible for funding, commercial manure applicators must attend a one-day workshop to be hosted in Olds in July.
For more information, go to www.growingforward.alberta.ca or call Jennifer Neden at 403-329-1212 ext. 225.
Funding available for commercial manure applicatorsMaximum grant raised to $70,000 on a 50/50 cost share
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20 JUNE 23, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA
By Shannon VanRaeSstaff
T he Canadian International Grains Institute, better known as Cigi, is moving into
research in a big way in an attempt to better serve its clients.
“since 2010, Cigi has been mov-ing in a new strategic direction,” said CEO Earl Geddes. “and this whole move to a sustainable, inde-pendent, technical institute has been core to our transition away from the previous marketing struc-ture, to make sure we can provide the kinds of services that industry requires today and will require in the future.”
since about 2010, the institute has also been fielding complaints about the quality, in particular the strength of Canadian wheat. Much of the planned research will work to address and prevent those issues.
“We know that weather has an impact, and we’ve gone through a cycle of some pretty wet weather later in the season, and we know if you get rain later in the growing season, that can have an impact,” said Rex Newkirk who will lead Cigi’s technical team in the applied commercial research.
“But there are concerns that maybe it’s more than weather, so we’re looking at what else has changed.”
that will include a detailed look at the effects of fungicide on wheat, as well as those of glyphosate.
“Our hypothesis is that it is hav-ing an effect, but we don’t know if it’s positive, negative or neutral,” Newkirk said.
the research — made possible by $5 million in funding over five years through the federal govern-ment’s agriInnovation Program — will also look at the interactions between wheat varieties and the regions in which they are grown.
“this allows us to look forward and ask what do we have to do to be proactive. What are the detailed things that need to be known to make sure we keep those custom-ers happy?” he said.
that also means sussing out greater specificity as to what uses various wheat varieties are best suited to.
“What does this mean to a baker in Guyana, versus a baker in Eng-land, versus a baker in Japan?” Newkirk asked, adding that they will be working closely with the Canadian Grain Commission.
But while the commission looks at varieties pre-commercializa-tion, Newkirk said Cigi will be look-ing at the properties and uses after commercialization.
More focus on pulsesGeddes noted that recent changes to how wheat is sold and mar-keted, mean that regional varia-tions may become more pro-nounced.
“Nobody has 100 per cent of the grain to blend to make up the car-goes that smooth out any regional issues, so the research we’re doing is to help both those exporters understand better what exactly is happening, region by region, variety by variety and to be able to provide direction to farmers.”
a portion of Cigi’s research will also focus on pulse crops, with the institute working closely with Pulse Canada as initiatives move forward.
“We need to understand the milling properties of peas and lentils and beans as we mill them in roller mills and hammer mills and stone mills and tin mills,” said Geddes. “and that’s led us into a very extensive set of conversa-tions with customers, and with the commission... to start to cre-ate cereal and pulse food products and ingredients.”
as part of the new focus on research, new staff has and will be hired, swelling the seams of the organization’s current location. Currently Cigi is looking at mov-ing into a larger space by 2017.
“We’re doing the work with our engineering company, so the design work, the load work for a new facility — and we’ve got a couple of new buildings in downtown Winnipeg that we’re interested in renting space in,” said Geddes, adding once a cost estimate is established, fundrais-ing for the move will begin.
Cigi to probe effects of inputs on wheat qualityWith $5 million in funding in hand, Cigi hopes to address issues around Canadian wheat quality, while also expanding its research on pulse crops
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Cigi staff evaluate wheat flour for use in oriental noodles. The institute is hiring more staff and is looking for more space in downtown Winnipeg. PHOTO: CIGI
21ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • JUNE 23, 2014
STAFF
T he old adage “you have to eat a peck of dirt before you die” is often used to
comfort horrified mothers who catch their first-born playing in situations that are — ahem — less than clean.
But researchers now say chil-dren who are exposed to dirt, dander and germs — specifically in their first year of life — tend to have fewer allergies and asthma later.
In fact, infants exposed to rodent and pet dander, roach allergens, and a wide variety of household bacteria in the first year of life appeared less likely to suffer from allergies, wheez-ing and asthma, according to results of a study conducted by scientists at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and other institutions.
Previous research has shown that children who grow up on farms have lower allergy and asthma rates, a phenomenon attributed to their regular expo-sure to micro-organisms present in farm soil.
Other studies, however, have found increased asthma risk among inner-city dwellers exposed to high levels of roach and mouse allergens and pol-lutants. The new study confirms that children who live in such homes do have higher overall allergy and asthma rates, but adds a surprising twist: Those who encounter such substances before their first birthdays seem to benefit rather than suffer from them. Importantly, the protec-
tive effects of both allergen and bacterial exposure were not seen if a child’s first encounter with these substances occurred after age one, the research found.
A report on the study, pub-lished on June 6 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunol-ogy, reveals that early exposure to bacteria and certain allergens may have a protective effect by shaping children’s immune responses — a finding that researchers say may help inform preventive strategies for allergies and wheezing, both precursors to asthma.
“Our study shows that the tim-ing of initial exposure may be critical,” says study author Rob-ert Wood, MD, chief of the Divi-sion of Allergy and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. “What this tells us is that not only are many of our immune responses shaped in the first year of life, but also that certain bacteria and allergens play an important role in stimu-lating and training the immune system to behave a certain way.”
Asthma is one of the most common pediatric illnesses. By the time they turn three, up
to half of all children develop wheezing, which in many cases evolves into full-blown asthma. But scientists now say strict avoidance of allergens to avoid asthma risk has proven unsuc-cessful.
“If confirmed by other studies, these findings might even have us think of returning to the pat-terns of exposure of the 1940s, when families were larger, food was less processed and steril-ized, and children spent a lot of their time outdoors,” said co-researcher UCSF pulmonologist Dr. Homer Boushey.
It’s true: A little dirt never hurtChildren exposed to dirt, dander and germs tend to have fewer allergies and asthma
WASHINGTON / REUTERS
U .S. dairy farmers and milk processors have threat-ened to oppose a Pacific
trade deal if Japan and Canada do not agree to accept substantially more dairy imports.
In a recent letter to the U.S. Trade Representative and Depart-ment of Agriculture, members of the National Milk Producers Fed-eration and the U.S. Dairy Export Council said Japan and Canada are dragging their feet and U.S. negotiators must insist on “mean-ingful” dairy market access.
The threat by U.S. agricultural lobbyists to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal marked an escalation in the dispute. It could undermine sup-port in Congress for the trade deal, which is still being negotiated.
Japan insists it will not abolish all tariffs on wheat, rice, dairy, sugar, wheat, beef and pork. The warning from dairy groups comes after wheat, rice and pork farmers called for Japan to be cut out of the TPP talks if it insisted on keeping tar-iffs on sensitive products, and cattle farmers demanded the trade deal eliminate all tariffs on beef.
The farm lobby wields consid-erable power in Congress, and their opposition could weaken support for the TPP further, especially with midterm elec-tions due in November.
The dairy groups said they m i g h t a l s o w i t h d r a w t h e i r backing for fast-track author-ity allowing the White House to pass trade deals quickly through Congress, which would be another blow.
U.S. dairy farmers threaten to block Pacific trade dealPowerful farm lobby groups want Canada and Japan to accept more U.S. dairy imports
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Cockroaches, pet dander as immunity boosters? PHOTO: THINKSTOCK
BRIEF
Commonwealth Agriculture Conference coming to Edmonton
ALBERTA AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
RELEASE
Northlands has success-fully secured the bid to host the 28th Common-wealth Agriculture Con-ference.
The 28th Common-wealth Agriculture Con-ference will mark the event’s second visit to Alberta and will take place at the Edmonton EXPO Centre from November 3-5, 2018, preceding Farmfair International. The conference will focus on the success of Alberta and Canada’s agriculture industries while provid-ing a forum for discuss-ing mutual successes and challenges in agriculture around the world.
Since 1963, the Com-monwealth Agriculture Conference has been held biennially in Common-wealth nations across the world and is designed to give delegates a taste of the agriculture industry in that region of the host country. Developed by the Royal Agriculture Society of the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth Agri-culture Conference 2018 will mark the conference’s fourth trip to Canada.
22 JUNE 23, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA
text & photos by Wendy dudley
A herd of painted ponies is leav-ing hoofprints on the hearts of communities devastated by
last year’s floods that ravaged towns and farms, leaving many homeless across southern Alberta. The Spruce Meadows horse complex near Cal-gary gave 20 non-profit organizations each a fibreglass horse to decorate. They are on display at the facility throughout the summer. Groups include the Opening Gaits Therapeu-tic Riding Society of Calgary, Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Founda-tion, Boys and Girls Club of Diamond Valley and District and Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta Foothills Chapter. “It was really fun to see the horses take life. I hope this brings luck and energy into these organiza-tions,” said Spruce Meadow CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott. “Each one is unique. This is a way to bring all the (flood-affected) communities together.”
From striped stockings and angel wings to ribcage landscapes of
flooded farmland, the equines were painted with spirit and a vibrant pal-lette.
Each of the 20 organizations, selected from 58 applicants, receives $1,000. The public is also invited to bid on each horse, with proceeds going to the organizations. Bids can be made through to September by going to www.sprucemeadows.com http://www.sprucemeadows.com/ .
Also, cash prizes were awarded to those judged to be the most innova-tive equines. A first-place cheque for $10,000 went to the SHARP Foun-dation (which provides care both medically and spiritually for people living with HIV or AIDS). Literacy for Life Foundation received $7,000 for second place and Special Olympics Calgary and the Bowness Commu-nity Association tied for third, each winning $3,000. A special Pegasus volunteerism award of $10,000 went to the Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society.
“So many organizations are suf-fering from donor and volunteer fatigue,” said Southern-Heathcott. “We chose those that were struggling and needed a leg up.”
Painted ponies give
leg up to those helping flood victims
Floyd Visser, executive director of the SHARP Foundation (which cares for people living with HIV or AIDS), accepts $10,000 for the first-place decorated horse. The Horse Jump to Give A Leg Up project is helping non-profit organizations that serve those affected by last summer’s floods in southern Alberta. The horse was nicknamed Penny, as it is covered in donated coppers.
Helping hands adorn the rump of this horse, symbolic of all the help given to those who suffered loss during the floods.
This painting appeared on a horse representing the Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society of Calgary. The organization won $10,000, as the winged Pegasus horse was deemed to represent volunteerism at its best.
Community news and events from across the province
23ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • JUNE 23, 2014
The mane of this horse flows as water through the streets of downtown Calgary, depicting the floods of last summer that destroyed homes and businesses.
This horse, representing Special Olympics Calgary, tied for third place in the contest for most innovative.
Members of the public are invited to bid on each of the decorated fibreglass horses. Proceeds will go to the non-profit organization represented by each painted horse.
Various animals decorate the side of this horse painted by the Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation which took in many animals displaced by the floods.
This painted pony, representing the CanLearn Society for Persons with Learning Difficulties, overlooks the arena at Spruce Meadows which organized the fundraiser for non-profit organizations.
Gordon Gilchrist’s antique John Deere collection packs two Quonsets on his farm near Wainwright.
The slogan Hell or High Water appears on the rump of one of the painted fibreglass horses.
The cheek on this horse has been painted with a building destroyed by the floods that damaged much of southern Alberta.
Send agriculture - related meeting and event announcements to: [email protected]
June 24: Farming Smarter Field School, Farming Smarter field site, Lethbridge (also June 25 and 26). Contact: Jamie 403-381-5118 2014 Pulse/canola/wheat/barley crop walks & research plot tours. Highway 18 and Range Road 25, Barrhead. Pre-registration requested. (Also June 25 in Bon Accord and Morinville; June 26 in Thorhild and Vegreville; July 3 in Killam; and July 4 in Westlock.) Contact: Kelly or Cindy 780-674-8268
June 24: Range Health Assessment Training - 2nd Course, Elkwater. Contact Donna Watt 403-563-8925
June 25: Solstice Crop Tour, NPARA Research Farm: 4 mi. south and 1/2 mi. west of Manning. Contact: Nora 780-836-3354
July 7: Pasture School with Jim Gerrish, Warrensville Hall. Contact: Nora 780-836-3354
July 8: Disease and Insect Crop Tour, Manning. Contact: Nora 780-836-3354
July 8: Erosion Control, Drainage & Watershed Restoration Workshop, NPARA Research Farm, Manning. Contact: Nora 780-836-3354
July 9: LARA Summer Field School, Bonnyville. Contact: Alyssa Krone 780-826-7260
July 10-12: Balancing the Trade-Off between Productivity and Environmental Health, University of Lethbridge. Contact: Sheri Strydhorst 780-674-8248
By Jennifer Blairaf staff / wainwright
I n 1952, 18-year-old gordon gilchrist arrived in alberta from Ontario with a shopping
bag in one hand and a gramo-phone suitcase in the other.
Back home, his family farmed with horses. But when he came to alberta, the Ontario teen found work with a farmer north of Edg-erton who introduced him to John Deere tractors.
“he had a big Model r,” said gil-christ. “well, i could hardly wait for the opportunity bell to ring. some people call it an alarm clock, but i call it the opportunity bell.”
Other tractors were good, but “John Deeres were the ones i kind of liked,” he said.
today, he has 85 meticulously restored ones on his farm near wainwright — at least one of every model since the Model D was released in 1924.
“after we got established, i started buying them up,” he said.
he spent “1,000 bucks” for his first one — a Model ar — when he started his collection 30 years ago, and he still marvels at how transformative those early trac-tors were.
“we had a 100-acre farm, so we walked behind the walking plow,” he said. “You could plow two acres a day if you had a good team of horses, and you were out there at seven in the morning until six at night.”
in 1924, a 23-horsepower Model D retailed for around $1,500 and could plow an acre in under an hour. today’s models can till an acre every five minutes.
and while tractors now cost 200 times more, the price to restore an old one is “unbelievable,” said gilchrist.
“there’s a sale west of Edmon-ton where there was a 730 gas stan-dard — very rare. it was seized up, it wasn’t good, the tires were fair, and do you know what it sold for? $17,000.”
there’s a reason why tractor col-lectors have a fondness for green and yellow, he said.
“John Deeres are very, very strong,” he said. “they’ve been going for years, and they’re very dependable. You couldn’t wear those old tractors out.”
No stopping Wainwright man’s passion for John Deere tractors
Gordon Gilchrist shows off the oldest tractor in his antique John Deere collection — a 1924 Model D. PhoToS: JENNiFER BLAiR
what’sup
24 JUNE 23, 2014 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA
U.S. cropS look topSU.S. grain futures were under more pressure last week after the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported some of the best corn and soy conditions on record. The U.S. corn crop was rated 76 per cent good to excellent as of June 15, the best mid-June rating since a 77 per cent reading in 1994. Soybean ratings weakened by one percentage point, dropping below analysts’ expectations, to 73 per cent good to excellent. That was still the best mid-June rating for soybeans on record. However, rain has raised some concern of damage to the quality of wheat being harvested in the southern United States. — Reuters}r
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By Terryn ShiellS
I CE Futures Canada canola con-tracts fell to four-month lows before rebounding and finishing with only
small changes during the week ended June 13.
Large Canadian canola supplies con-tinue to overhang the market, and will likely mean weaker cash prices through-out the growing season. Farmers are going to have to sell some of their old crop eventually to make room for new-crop supplies, which will curb any rallies seen ahead of harvest time.
Farmers in Western Canada had a good chunk of the 2014-15 canola crop seeded by mid-June, with growing conditions reported as being generally favourable as well. Some worries remain about unseeded acres in pockets of east-ern Saskatchewan and western Mani-toba, which should keep some caution in the market.
Various crop reports showed the most troubled areas were in southeastern and east-central Saskatchewan, which still had 10 to 11 per cent of acres left to seed. In Manitoba, some areas in the southwest were reported only 10 to 20 per cent fin-ished seeding as of June 9.
Alberta was nearly finished seeding, with no reports of any significant crop problems. There were some concerns about cold temperatures slowing crop growth, but it’s still a bit too early to be worried about that yet.
Some analysts believe about four to six per cent of the intended 19.8 million acres of canola won’t get seeded due to wetness this spring. That number’s above normal, but not far off from losses seen in the past few years.
Statistics Canada will release its latest acreage report on June 27, which could give a better idea of what did get seeded this spring, but the actual acreage will still likely be different from the report as the survey was conducted in early June.
Durum, barley tradeICE Futures Canada grain contracts were temporarily brought back to life during the week, with five contracts trading in both October 2014 durum and barley. It was just a small amount of trade, but the Winnipeg-based exchange still believes it’s a step in the right direction. We’ll have to keep watching markets throughout the summer to see if they can sustain the interest from the industry.
One argument against the Canadian milling wheat contract is that the indus-try already has plenty of hedging options through the Kansas City, Chicago and Minneapolis futures, which all moved sharply lower during the week.
Improving conditions for development of U.S. and Canadian spring wheat crops, and reports that most intended acres made it into the ground, were bearish for prices.
Ideas that the global supply situation for wheat is burdensome and a U.S. Department of Agriculture report that showed 2013-14 U.S. ending stocks at higher-than-expected levels also contrib-uted to the weakness. According to USDA, 593 million bushels of wheat will be car-ried out of 2013-14 into the next crop year, an increase of five million bushels from the previous estimate due to lower food usage.
Chart-based selling, as futures continue to break below key technical levels, was also a source of downward pressure.
Going forward, markets will continue to monitor global wheat-growing condi-tions, as well as the progress of the U.S. winter wheat harvest. There are some concerns about rain slowing harvest activities and causing some quality prob-lems for U.S. winter wheat crops.
Corn, soy slipCorn futures in Chicago were also down sharply on the week, as USDA’s May 11 monthly report showed 2014-15 U.S. corn production is still expected to be a record-
large 13.94 billion bushels, despite earlier worries about seeding delays this spring. Good weather helped farmers plant a good chunk of corn and is getting crops off to a good start.
Nearby soybean futures moved sharply lower, while new-crop values were slightly higher. Ideas that old-crop values need to come down significantly, due to large looming supplies, took those con-tracts sharply lower.
USDA pegged the 2014-15 U.S. soybean crop at 3.64 billion bushels, but some members of the trade believe it will be even larger as more acres than expected were planted in the U.S.
Both corn and soybean futures are becoming weather markets, and if con-ditions remain as favourable as they have been so far, they will have a hard time going anywhere but down.
Terryn Shiells writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.
concerns over unseeded acres hang on canola futuresiCE’s durum and barley contracts saw actual trading
For three-times-daily market reports from Resource News
International, visit “ICE Futures Canada updates”
at www.albertafarmexpress.ca.
More Black Sea coMpetitionBlack Sea neighbours Romania and Bulgaria are gearing up to harvest good wheat crops this year which could keep exports strong in 2014-15 although heavy rain has taken its toll on yields in the lower Danube River plains. Toepfer International said in May that Romania would harvest 8.26 million tonnes this year (7.4 million last year) and Bulgaria’s crop will rise to 5.17 million (4.6 million last year). Romania has emerged as a major cereal exporter to Egypt, the world’s biggest wheat importer. — Reuters
PHoTo: CANoLA CoUNCIL oF CANADA
ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • JUNE 23, 2014 25
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Spray Field SW20% Complete, Assigned to Joe Due Sept 26 , 2014
Transfer Barley to Bin 20% CompleteAssigned to John Due Sept 26 , 2014
Fertilize Field SE3
Service Sprayer 3432
100% Complete, Assigned to Frank Done Sept 26 , 2014
100% Complete, Assigned to David Done Sept 25, 2014
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Spray Field SW2Due March 6, 2014
Spray Field SW250% CompleteAssigned to JohnDue March 6, 2014
Spray Field SW2100% CompleteAssigned to JohnDone March 3, 2014
Used 2,000 L InsecticideUsed Sprayer for 2 hrs
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BY BARBARA LEWISLUXEMBOURG / REUTERS
EU energy ministers have agreed to limit production of biofuels made from food
crops, responding to criticism they stoke inflation and do more environmental harm than good.
The ministers’ endorsement of a compromise deal overcomes a stalemate hit late last year, when European Union governments failed to agree on a proposed five per cent cap on the use of biofuels based on crops such as maize or rapeseed.
The new agreement would set a seven per cent limit on food-based biofuels in transport fuel.
It still needs the approval of the newly elected European Parlia-ment, expected to begin consid-ering it later this year.
“We think this proposal is much better than nothing,” said European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger.
“We need to support research and development in advanced biofuels so we can move forward from generation one into genera-tion two and generation three,” he added, referring to more sophisticated biofuels that do not compete with growing crops for food.
T h o s e t r y i n g t o d e v e l o p advanced biofuels say they are not being given sufficient incentive.
The deal was positive in that it reduced uncertainty, but Europe was in danger of being left behind, said Manuel Sanchez Ortega, CEO of Spanish renewable and engineering firm Abengoa SA.
“In the United States there has been a revolution (in second-generation ethanol),” he said. “To us it seems that Europe is acting timidly.”
EU agrees plan to cap use of food-based biofuelsNew-generation biofuels say they need more incentives
BERRY BEARS
A sow and her two cubs raid the juniper bushes on a slope in Waterton Lakes National Park, in southern Alberta. PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY
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1939 JD “BR” TRACTOR to restore; 1955 IHC R100 PU, started to restore. Offers. Phone (780)682-2279
AUGUST 9 &10, 2014 the Eighth Annual IHCC Ch 38 show will be held on the grounds of the Western Development Museum in North Battleford Sask. We will be joining WDM to celebrate their annual “Those were the days” & join them on the occasion of their 65th birthday. [email protected] All IH machinery, trucks, tractors, household, station-ary engines, power units, cub cadets & anything else marketed by IH are welcome. Membership an-nual meeting w/banquet & guest speaker. More in-formation available from show chairman Gary Algot. (780)741-2115. www.ihc38.com
FARM CHEMICAL SEED COMPLAINTSWe also specialize in: Crop Insurance appeals;
Chemical drift; Residual herbicide; Custom operator issues; Equipment malfunction; Yield comparisons, Plus Private Investigations of any nature. With our
assistance the majority of our clients have received compensation previously denied. Back-Track
Investigations investigates, documents your loss and assists in settling your claim.Licensed Agrologist on Staff.
For more informationPlease call 1-866-882-4779
FARM MACHINERY
HAYING & HARVESTINGBaling Equipment
WANTED: JD 7810 c/w FEL & 3-PTH; sp or PTO bale wagon; JD or IHC end wheel drills. Small square baler. (403)394-4401
Combines
COMBINESCombines - Various
COMBINE WORLD located 20 min. E of Saskatoon, SK on Hwy. #16. 1 year warranty on all new, used, and rebuilt parts. Canada’s largest inventory of late model combines & swathers. 1-800-667-4515 www.combineworld.com
Combine ACCessories
FARM MACHINERYCombine – Accessories
RECONDITIONED COMBINE HEADERS. RIGID & ¤ ex, most makes & sizes; also header transports. Ed Lorenz, (306)344-4811 or Website: www.straightcutheaders.com Paradise Hill, SK.
FARM MACHINERYParts & Accessories
NEW WOBBLE BOXES for JD, IH, MacDon headers. Made in Europe, factory quality. Get it direct from Western Canada’s sole distributor starting at $1,095. 1-800-667-4515.www.combineworld.com
RARE 1980 JD 1840 Mint Condition, always stored inside, Excellent Rubber, Well maintained, serviced regularly, 7,260-hrs, Open Station, MFWD, Hi/Low Tran, 148 Loader, 96-in. Bucket, 65-HP, 2 hyd, 3-pt, 540 PTO. Serious inquires only, coming from a family farm. Firm $21,000 this tractor has been well taken care of. (780)942-2980
FARM MACHINERYTractors – Various
WANTED TO BUY: STEIGER PTA tractor, any year or condition, please call (403)550-4004 with details.
Degelman 10 ft. Snow Pusher Blade JD 2950 complete with ldr. with 3 pth hitch
8070 AC Tractor, FWA, wheel base extended, with duals ...........................................................$22,500
275 MF Tractor, diesel, multi power, 3 pth, new 18.4 x 30,front weights, loader available, looks and runs great ..$12,500B 275 IHC Diesel Tractor, 3 pth, pto, runs good ......$3,50051’ Degelman Landroller, only done 3,000 acres,
as new.... ..........................................................$40,000Degelman Dozer Frame MF 4000 Series 4WD .$1,00031’ Flexicoil B Chisel Plow,3 bar harrows,
extensions to 41’ incl., excellent condition .............$12,500Flexicoil 6 Run Seed Treater .............................. $1,000134’ Flexicoil S68XL Sprayer, 2007, suspended boom,
auto rate, joystick, rinse tank, triple quick jets, auto boom height, electric end nozzle & foam marker .............$39,500
100’ 65XL Flexicoil Sprayer, complete with windguards,elec. end nozzles single tips, auto rate, excellent condition ..............................................$12,500
30’ 8230 CIH PT Swather, PU reel, nice shape, .$10,00025’ 8225 CIH PT Swather, PU reel, nice shape .... $9,50025’ 1200 Hesston PT Swather, bat reel, good .... $5,50010 Wheel MATR (Italy) Trailer Type V-Hayrake,
hyd. fold, as new .................................................. $5,00014 Wheel Enorossi V-Hayrake extra contour wheels,
as new ..............................................................$11,5008 x 1000 Sakundiak Auger, new 30 HP Koehler
engine, Hawes mover, gear box clutch, spout ....... CNT $9,0008 x 1200 Sakundiak Auger, 25 HP Koehler engine,Hawes mover, clutch, runs good ................................... $8,5007 x 1200 Sakundiak Auger, 18 HP Koehler engine,
looks and runs good, ......................................... CNT $3,5008 x 1400 Sakundiak Auger, 25 HP Robin engine, Hawes
• Sprayed foam insulation • Ideal for shops, barns or homes • Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient®
www.penta.ca 1-800-587-4711
LIVESTOCK
LIVESTOCKCattle – Black Angus
YEARLING BLACK ANGUS BULLS, $2500 each, free delivery within 100-miles. Phone (403)578-3312
LIVESTOCKCattle – Red Angus
41 REGISTERED RED ANGUS BULLSQuiet, Easy Calving, Low to Moderate
Birth Weights, Good Growth, E.P.D’s availableGuaranteed Breeders (Vet Checked & SemenTested). Excellent Bulls for Heifers or Cows.Cleveley Cattle Company (780)689-2754.
LIVESTOCKCattle – Charolais
PUREBRED CHAROLAIS HERD for sale. Selling small herd due to retirement. 20 plus cows w/calves & 7 bred heifers. Excellent young herd sire available as well. Good young healthy herd. Would be a good start up for any op-eration or if you would like to add a few nice quiet cows to your existing herd. Contact Rob & Alma Ross at White Heather Charolais. (403)946-5936 [email protected]
LIVESTOCKCattle – Limousin
WILLOWCREST LIMOUSIN. REASONABLY PRICED guaranteed yearling & 2-yr old Limousin
bulls for sale. Quiet, polled, semen checked, delivery available, 27-yrs in the business.
Call Harvey (780)623-2468.
LIVESTOCKCattle Various
Cow calf pairs. I have 19 cow calf pairs. I am asking$2500 a pair or take all 19 pairs for $2400 each(204)250-4796 [email protected]
S7J 0R1*Please state the Variety & Quantity for Sale
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATELand For Rent
WANTED: ACCESS TO LAND in Central AB for gopher hunting purposes, willing to travel. Phone (780)542-0323.
REAL ESTATE/RENTALSLand For Sale
WANTED: ACCESS TO LAND in Central AB for gopher hunting purposes, willing to travel. Phone (780)542-0323.
COMMON SEED
COMMON SEED Cereal
For sale: Triticale for seed or feed, has been in the binfor a while & needs to go. Approximately 1,000-bu.Would need to be cleaned if you want it for seed.$5.50 Call: (780)524-5099. [email protected]
SEED / FEED / GRAINSEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS
Feed Grain
BUYING ALL TYPES OF feed grain. Also have market for light offgrade or heated, picked up on the farm. Eiss-es Grain Marketing 1-888-882-7803, Lacombe.
FEED GRAIN WANTED! ALSO buying; Light, tough, or offgrade grains. “On Farm Pickup” West-can Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252
We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you want to sell it fast place your ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classiª eds. It’s a Sure Thing. Call our toll-free number today. We have friendly staff ready to help. 1-800-665-1362.
Farming is enough of a gamble, advertise in the Alberta Farmer Express classiª ed section. It’s a sure thing. 1-800-665-1362.
SAFETY: None TRIM: 10.25” x 15.5” Bleed: None10.25” x 15.5”
SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: Oli PAGE: 1
BCS10184469.Pro.Boat.100.indd
Production Contact Numbers:403 261 7161 403 261 7152
Bon Voyage, Sclerotinia!
For countless ages, sclerotinia “The Pirate of the Prairies” has ravaged the countryside, butchering canola yields and plundering grower profits. But now, thanks to Proline® fungicide, sclerotinia is in over its head.
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Say goodbye to sclerotinia and enter for a chance to WIN* 1 of 3 - $5,000 travel vouchers.
For more information visit BayerCropScience.ca/EndOfPirates
BayerCropScience.ca/Proline or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. Proline® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada. *Contest will be subject to eligibility requirements. See online for contest details, contest ends June 27, 2014. R-29-10184469-04/14-E
