Volume 38, Number 15 | OCTOBER 8, 2012
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PRACTICAL PRODUCTION TIPS FOR THE PRAIRIE FARMER
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Is it aster yellows? Aster yellows are taking the blame for low yields across the Prairies. Aster yellows is definitely a factor, but experts don’t agree as to how much damage it’s caused BY ANGELA LOVELL
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t may be a little premature to blame all of the yield losses in canola and cereal crops this year on aster yellows. Although infection rates of aster yellows are considerably higher than average across the Prairies, there are also other factors that, in combination with aster yellows (AY), could have caused significant yield losses. Although AY has certainly been a major factor, environmental conditions and other diseases such as sclerotinia (in canola) and fusarium head blight or root rot have also taken a toll on yields. “There is a lot of sclerotinia in canola because we’ve had rains during the summer and heavy dews every night, and that is perfect conditions for sclerotinia to form,” says Brent Flaten, integrated pest management specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture in Moose Jaw. “We also had hot temperatures while the canola was flowering, which probably blasted some of the flowers so they didn’t form pods, and the heat following a cool wet spring could also have caused yellowing off of leaves.”
WHAT IS ASTER YELLOWS? Aster yellows is a disease caused by phytoplasma, a wall-less bacteria that lives and reproduces in the phloem of the plant (the tissue that carries nutrients). Aster yellows is spread by sap-feeding insects, mostly leafhoppers. On the Prairies, AY is mainly spread by the aster leafhopper (Macrosteles quadrilineatus). The majority of the aster leafhopper population arrives in spring, on winds coming from the southern U.S. Before it can infect other
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plants, the leafhopper must first feed on infected plants for a substantial period of time to acquire the pathogen. After eight hours of feeding, there is still only a 50 per cent chance that a leafhopper
and says it was not uncommon to find 200 leafhoppers per plant. Evans suspects that damage from AY may also compound in the crop as it develops. The primary spread from incoming leafhoppers
Once visible symptoms appear, there is no effective chemical control and no tolerant crop varieties exist will become infected. Generally, only two to three per cent of leafhoppers are infected. But once infected, they remain infected for life. Once a leafhopper becomes infected, there is a delay before it can begin to re-infect other plants. This delay is roughly 10 to 18 days, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature. An infected leafhopper must feed on a healthy plant for a few hours to pass on the pathogen. It is possible for the aster leafhopper to overwinter in perennial weeds and grasses on the Prairies, but this doesn’t happen in large enough numbers to be of concern. The main sources of infection are the migrant populations, which generally arrive on the Prairies around the first week of June. Many arrive immediately ready to infect crops, so the disease spreads soon after their arrival. The leafhoppers are carried on air currents and get dropped over an area due to associated weather events. This year, they arrived early across the main crop growing areas of Western Canada, and in huge numbers. Ieuan Evans, a forensic pathologist with Agri-Trend Agrology Ltd., scouted many fields across the Prairies in early summer
leaves the plant more vulnerable to damage from the secondary spread, which hits when secondgeneration leafhoppers hatch later in the season. “You would expect that a primary infection rate of 10 per cent would correspond to a yield loss of 10 per cent,” says Evans. “But, with the secondary infection, I suspect that plants that were partially infected from the spread of the first generation of leafhoppers had seeds that had already sprouted or shrivelled in the pods. So in reality there may be potentially a 50 to 70 per cent yield loss in those infected plants. So those secondary infections, which look so innocuous, may in fact be causing even bigger losses by aborting the seed.”
HIGH INFECTION RATES The leafhoppers arrived unusually early this May, in massive numbers. “The high number of leafhoppers led to the high AY incidence we see this year in the three provinces in oilseeds and cereal crops,” says Dr. Chrystel Olivier, an entomologist with Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) in Saskatoon, who tested samples of leafhop-
PHOTOS: CHRYSTEL OLIVER, AAFC
Symptoms of aster yellows on canola. pers from across Western Canada. “Also, over the past 20 years, it has been observed that the south winds have been coming earlier, therefore bringing the leafhoppers earlier in the season and increasing the chances of AY outbreaks.” Olivier suspects that more leafhoppers arrived already infected than usual — perhaps due to drought conditions where they originated in the U.S. Drought reduces the number of plant hosts available for leafhoppers to feed on, increasing the chances that they will be feeding on infected plants. As well, the mild 2011-12 Prairie winter might have increased the local population of overwintering infected leafhoppers.
YIELD LOSSES? At time of writing many provincial agronomists were still compiling yield data, so the full extent
In This Issue
of yield losses from AY or other sources is still uncertain. Estimates of the losses caused by aster yellows vary widely. Evans has seen some areas with AY infection rates as high as 40 per cent in canola, and thinks potential losses could easily be in the hundreds of millions of dollars “When you get a 30 per cent infection rate in a 50 bushel per acre canola crop you’ve now lost 15 bu./ac. of canola. At a cost of $15 per bushel, that’s $225 an acre loss,” says Evans. Olivier says that the only known information to date on yield losses caused by AY was a report from 1957 — a year when AY infection levels were similar to 2012. The 1957 report associated a 10 to 15 per cent yield loss in flax and barley with AY. “An analysis I did on canola in 2000 to 2004 showed that 30 to
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Wheat & Chaff ..................
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Crop Advisor’s Casebook
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Features ............................
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Columns ........................... 23 Machinery & Shop ............ 30 Cattleman’s Corner .......... 37
Straight cutting the swath
ANNE LAZURKO PAGE 22
Machinery section “spectrackular”
SCOTT GARVEY PAGE 30
FarmLife ............................ 43
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
Wheat & Chaff LEEANN MINOGUE
MIND CONTROL
“I suppose you have the useless extended warranty”
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I love the yield monitor. There could have been a pair of moose doing a rain dance just north of the combine while I was staring at that little screen, oblivious. I’ve been hearing rumours that a bear was sighted not too far from Weyburn. He may have wandered through our field waving at me on his way west while I was combining. I could have missed him. It’s so hard to look away from that small-sized screen mounted in the cab. But I’ve recently found out that some combine operators don’t constantly stare at the “yield” number on the monitor while they’re harvesting. These people don’t secretly believe that they’ll be able to increase that number telepathically, if they just concentrate hard enough and send positive thoughts in the direction of the screen. Really? I think that’s the real reason that human combine operators will never be replaced with automated, GPS-enabled remotecontrolled robotic machines. It has nothing to do with “listening to the engine” or “watching for rocks.” It’s all about the mind control. Could I really be the only one who feels personal satisfaction when the “average yield” number goes up by one or two bushels when it happens to be my turn in the combine cab? Sure. I didn’t actually run the sprayer so I can’t really take credit for the weed control. Obviously, I’m not responsible for the rainfall. But I still can’t help feeling that the combine operator is solely responsible for any good results. It’s only a coincidence that it happened to be my turn to run the combine when we were in that fertile low spot. I’m quite convinced that when the average yield goes up while I’m running the combine, it’s mainly because of my relationship with that monitor. Clearly, my father-in-law isn’t concentrating on the screen with quite the right thought patterns. They generally don’t cover this at the dealerships’ combine clinics. Maybe next year they’ll feature a session on “brain-wave calibration.” Or, maybe it will be better for me if they don’t. That way, I’ll still have the competitive edge.
HOLD ONTO YOUR HAT I hope you get a chance to read this. But if this wind doesn’t die down, it’s very likely that your copy of Grainews will be blown right out of your hands before you can get it from the post office to the truck.
Lots of farmers found their canola didn’t yield as well as they thought it would. But many farmers were happy just to find their canola. We may not be able to agree on marketing policy, politics, or what colour of tractor to buy, but everybody hates wind. Especially when there are canola swaths out. We were very lucky to pick up most of our canola before it had a chance to blow. But by the time we got into the last few fields, there was a lot of cursing coming from the combine cab. We took to swerving up and down the field, picking up as much as we could with each pass. We’d considered setting up autosteer in the combine, but that have been a complete waste of time. It’s embarrassing enough to know that the yield monitor made a digital map of path our combine took to pick up those blown swaths. We weren’t alone. Swaths were blowing across fields from here to Calgary. I heard reports from one farmer who swore he’d seen canola swaths blown “20 feet in the air.” Lee Hart’s Farmer Panel on page 14 includes testimony from farmers across the Prairies who fought the wind and lost. Anne Lazurko is freelance writer who farms with her husband Dave west of Weyburn. When she said they’d resorted to putting the straight cut header back on the combine, outfitting it with lifters, and actually “cutting” the already-cut swath to pick up their canola, I asked her to take some photos. You can read about the Lazurko’s “Plan B” on page 22. I suspect this year’s wind festival will lead a lot of farmers to take another look at straight cutting canola next year. And there will probably be a lot more experimenting with which direction the canola is cut, and the absolute best methods of rolling swaths. We’ll cover the options this winter, and try to find as much new information as we can to help you have a better experience with your canola next year. Between wind and disease, other farmers may decide to invest less in the canola project altogether. Freelance writer Melanie Epp has given this some thought — find out what she’s learned on page 9. Although this is actually the first of two issues with a “new varieties” theme, you’ll notice we opened this issue with a story about aster yellows. Most farmers have taken yield hits from at least one disease they’ve never dealt with before, and aster yellows was one of the big ones.
NEW VARIETIES We’ve covered new varieties of soybeans and canola in this issue. Of course the soybean and canola lists on pages 17 and 20 are not full variety catalogues. These are just lists of what’s new on the market, so don’t worry when you don’t see your
favourite variety from 2012 on these lists. Don’t panic, we haven’t forgotten about cereal crops. Not only is there a story about winter wheat varieties on page 10, Grainews field editor Lee Hart is working feverishly right now to compile lists of new wheat and barley varieties. You’ll see them in the next issue. We also haven’t forgotten pulse crops. There are always new advancements in the pulse industry, but, more importantly, pulse seed is much more photogenic than wheat or canola. We’ll cover this in our pulse and special crop issue on Dec. 3. Special crops deserve coverage too. We have articles planned on flax, canary seed, camelina, carinata and hemp for the winter issues. Are you looking for more information about a new crop you’re growing? Call or send an email to let us know.
NEW STAFF We are happy to tell you that Lisa Guenther has joined us as a field editor for Grainews. Lisa has been working as a freelance writer, writing articles for Grainews and some other publications. We’re happy to have her join us on a more formal basis. Lisa lives at Livelong, Saskatchewan. She isn’t working full time for Grainews— she says she needs extra time to train her horse. This is good news. I don’t know a lot about livestock, so it will be nice for Lee Hart to have someone else to work with who can confidently tell the difference between a horse and a llama. You’ll see Lisa’s article about crop lodging and how to avoid it on page 12. Feel free to send her an email, follow her on Twitter at @LtoG or learn more about her from her website at www. brickhorse.ca.
SPECTRACKULAR We’re really excited about the machinery section in this issue. Mainly because machinery editor Scott Garvey and I have come up with the word “Spectrackular” to describe it. You’ve guessed it (I hope). The machinery section in this issue focuses on machines with tracks. And it is spectacular. A few years ago, I remember my husband noticing that a neighbour was trying out something with tracks, and saying that he didn’t think we needed something like that in this part of the country. But after the disastrous flooding we lived through in 2011, we were both quite excited when a tractor with tracks rolled into our yard. It won’t get us out of every situation, but it might increase our odds of success. I hope you like this Spectrackular section. If you have ideas about other topics Scott should try to feature in the machinery section, please let him know, or give me a call. Leeann
OCTOBER 8, 2012
grainews.ca /
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Wheat & Chaff Soil testing
Market information
Grain marketing
Best time to soil test News online
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all is a good time to do soil tests. Growers may have some extra time to take samples once harvest is wrapped up, unlike in spring. And with results and recommendations in hand before winter, growers have more time to plan their fertilizer programs for 2013, to order fertilizer, and to take advantage of reduced pricing opportunities that may occur. The question is, do you test soils now or wait until closer to freeze up? Testing close to freeze up: If you want results to be as close to spring 2013 results as possible, the ideal time is to take samples when soil temperatures drop below 7 C. Microbial processes in the soil slow down as temperatures cool, so mineralization should be minimal below that threshold. Testing now: If you want to use
soil test results to see whether this year’s crop had enough nutrients, sampling now would be the better option. The crop may have used up available nutrients to build biomass, especially with good rains early, and didn’t have enough left to meet seed yield potential. Low nutrient availability is one reason why crops with low plant counts may not have yielded out as well this year. If the soil is drained, consider higher nutrient rates for canola fields next year. Sampling behind the combine may also ensure it gets done, if the late timing has historically been busy with other field work, and grain marketing and delivery. † CanolaWatch This information originally appeared in the Canola Council of Canada’s September 12 issue of CanolaWatch, available online at www.canolawatch.org.
photo contest
GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT Clare Boyd of Melfort, Saskatchewan sent in this photo of her grandson, Dawson. Clare says, “Helping Grandpa can get a bit tiring.” Don’t worry, Dawson is wearing his seat belt! It’s tucked under the edge of his jacket. We are sending a cheque for $25 to Clare. Perhaps the Boyds will put the money towards Dawson’s harvest wages. If you’d like to see your photo on this page and receive $25, send your best shot to
[email protected]. Please send only one or two photos at a time and include your name and address, the names of anyone in the photo, where the photo was taken and a bit about what was going on that day. A little write-up about your farm is welcome, too. Please ensure that images are of high resolution (1 MB is preferred), and if the image includes a person, we need to be able to see their face clearly. — Leeann
CWB’s canola payments
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ave you already signed up to get a free daily email from Grainews? If not, you might have already missed the most interesting story of the day. Sign up at www.grainews.ca. Or, if you’re using a smartphone, download the free Grainews app. You’ll have current news, weather info and market updates in your pocket all day. † Leeann Minogue
Safety nets
Federal program changes
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n September 14, the federal government announced its changes to farm safety net programs. Among other changes, Agri-Stability margin coverage will decrease from 85 to 70 per cent. The federal government’s matching contributions to AgriInvest accounts will decrease from 1.5 to one per cent of allowable net sales. These changes will take effect for the 2013 program year. † Leeann Minogue
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WB has announced initial payments for farmers who contract canola to its Harvest Pool. The payments are effective September 1 for deliveries into the 201213 pool. For No. 1 Canada, the 2012-13 initial payment will be $475 per tonne; the Pool Return Outlook is $640 per tonne. For No 2. Canada, the initial payment is $462 per tonne; the Pool Return Outlook is $627 per tonne. Initial payments represent a portion of the returns farmers can expect from the sale of their grain over the entire year. During the crop year, CWB regularly reviews the initial payments and will recommend adjustment payments if market conditions and sales progress warrant. For comparison purposes, the CWB’s Pool Return Outlook (PRO) for canola is also shown above, as an early projection of what farmers might expect as their overall return for canola marketed through the CWB pool. The Government of Canada
guarantees a portion of the CWB initial payments and approves the basic levels at which they are set. New this year, CWB is taking on additional risk to provide farmers with a higher upfront payment, in recognition of cash flow needs. As a result, the CWB initial payments for canola are equal to about 75 per cent of anticipated final Harvest Pool returns. The Harvest Pool sign-up deadline is October 31, 2012, with a marketing period that runs from harvest to June 30, 2013. Pool volume may be capped depending on farmer demand and logistical capacity. Farmer participation in CWB pools is based on a firstcome, first-served system. Farmers’ decisions to participate in CWB pools should not be based on these initial payment values nor the market’s current view of new-crop prices. Instead, farmers should consider signing pool contracts as a strong risk-management tool that will provide a solid return over a longer period. † www.cwb.ca
Canola markets
Cargill building canola refinery in Sask.
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argill announced plans to construct a world scale canola refinery at its Clavet, Sask., canola processing facility. The refinery is expected to be completed in time for the 2014-15 canola harvest. “We are delighted to make this announcement and confirm our commitment to provide foodgrade canola oil to Cargill’s customers throughout Canada and the United States. It represents the first investment of this kind for Cargill in Canada and is one
further step in the creation of Clavet as a major centre for value added processing,” says Gonzalo Petschen, president of Cargill’s Dressing, Sauces and Oils division. The facility will employ the latest in design for both efficient and food-safe production of canola oil for the North American market. The Clavet canola crush facility was first built in 1996 and later expanded in 2009. It currently is the largest canola processing facility in Canada and capable of processing 1.5 million metric
tonnes per year serving the canola growers of Saskatchewan — Canada’s largest canola producing province. This latest investment by Cargill complements the Cargill specialty canola research facility in Aberdeen and the Cargill AgHorizon farm service centres throughout the Province. The refinery will add up to 30 additional jobs and boost the total Cargill Clavet complex close to 200 employees. † www.Cargill.com
Farm safety
Safety first with quick-hitch
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ime is a precious commodity. So it’s understandable that some safety advocates see the quick-hitch system as a win-win: farmers hitch their equipment more quickly than the manual method (saving their backs in the process), and the risk of hitching injuries is reduced. Or is it? Unfortunately, nothing in life is ever risk free, and neither is the quick-hitch attachment system. The construction industry has been using these systems for years. In agriculture, the systems are available for frontend loader components as well as three-point hitch mounted equipment. However recent bulletins and training reports from Australia, England and Ireland report that these quick attachment systems are not failsafe and there is a real potential for injury or death if operators are not properly
trained and a routine inspection process is not followed. The National Construction College, Europe’s largest construction training provider, has identified several factors contributing to incidents with these systems: operator carelessness or being in a rush; failure to activate any secondary locking devices; wear or poor maintenance of equipment resulting in the failure of primary or secondary locking mechanisms; overloading the quick-hitch system with too much weight; using the system for applications it is not designed for; or any combination of these factors. The college has also identified several root causes of problems with these systems: inadequate, or no operator training; inadequate supervision; and failure to maintain a safe operating distance between workers and active equipment.
Hitching injuries can be horrible and deadly. But like most things in life, there isn’t a quick fix to this problem. However, establishing good training and operating procedures will reduce the risk while also being efficient. Whether the hitching operator is a farmer or farm worker, whether using a quick-hitch system or manual method, there is no replacement for taking the time to properly educate all parties involved in safe hitching practices, and ensuring that all workers follow prescribed procedures. In fact, it’s the only way to ensure all precautions are taken to protect all parties involved. For more information on safe hitching, download the Safe Implement Hitching Guide by typing “safe implement hitching“ in the seach box at www.planfarmsafety.ca. † From the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association — www.planfarmsafety.ca.
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
Cover Stories Disease » CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Identifying leafhoppers
is it aster yellows? 70 per cent of the seeds were small or misshapen for every AY-infected plant,” says Olivier. “This means that growers might lose one to three per cent of their seeds for every five per cent of infected plants, depending on the combine settings. However, no analysis has been done since then, and these data might not be correct this year.” In infected canola, flowers are replaced by sterile, leaf-like structures and pods are malformed.
Controlling AY Once a crop is infected, AY is difficult to control. Once visible symptoms appear, there is no effective chemical control and no tolerant crop varieties exist. Crop rotation isn’t much help — leafhoppers can feed on over 300 different plant species, including most of the major crops grown across Western Canada. The only option is to control the aster leafhoppers, which can be tricky. “The whole issue of controlling leafhoppers gets pretty complicated because a lot of them may not be infected with the phytoplasma that causes AY,” says Flaten. There is no simple, on-farm test that can tell farmers whether the leafhoppers in their crop are infected. That would involve complex DNA testing that is currently only possible at AAFC research centres or laboratories such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)-approved PhytoDiagnostics Ltd. run by Dr. Peter Ellis in British Columbia. Even if there was a way to assess the number of infected insects, spraying insecticides would
become a question of timing and effectiveness. One application is unlikely to be effective because of the high risk of re-invasion by insects from neighbouring fields and the fact that a second generation will later hatch. “In field crops insecticides are generally considered of little value in management of this disease, since the little bit of research that has been done suggests single insecticide applications would have low probability of being of much value, and multiple applications (as done in horticultural crops) would not be practical in field crops,” says John Gavloski, extension entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. Spraying can also have a negative effect on beneficial insects and potential leafhopper predators. “The risk, aside from insecticide cost, is that use of a general insecticide can make the crop more vulnerable to some insect pests
» continued on page 5
Manitoba’s provincial entomologist, John Gavloski, emphasizes that it’s important to identify that the leafhoppers present in the crop are actually aster leafhoppers which spread AY. “There are over 350 species of leafhoppers across the Prairies, including many non-economical species that can be found in crops and the area surrounding the crop,” he says. “While some leafhoppers, such as aster leafhopper, have broad host ranges, others may be more specific in what they feed on and prefer weeds or roadside vegetation over crops. “It is only a few leafhoppers that have the ability to spread aster yellows. For growers of field crops and agronomists working in these crops, it is aster leafhopper, because of its disease vectoring potential, and potato leafhopper, because of its ability to affect phloem movement in leaves it feeds on, that can be of concern. So getting to know what these two species look like is important. There are some non-economical species of leafhoppers that can be quite abundant in some years in the roadside vegetation surrounding fields.” Farmers and agronomists can monitor levels of aster leafhopper using sweep nets or sticky traps. For horticultural crops, where insecticides would be an option in years of high risk, monitoring should begin once crops emerge and continue through the season. Early season monitoring will » continued on page 5
help farmers learn when aster leafhoppers arrive, and in what levels. The aster leafhopper is olivegreen or straw coloured with six dark markings on the forehead, but in flight they appear white. The abdomen is charcoal and the wings are opaque. Leafhoppers undergo a series of nymphal stages before reaching adulthood. Nymphs resemble a wingless adult but are much smaller, ranging in size from 0.6 to three millimetres and vary in colour from yellow to light brown or a pale, greenish-grey. They can often be distinguished by their unique sideways scuttle when disturbed. Adults range from 3.5 to four mm. They are relatively poor fliers and tend to glide along with wind currents. Leafhoppers need to be infected with the phytoplasma that causes AY in order to spread the disease in the crop. The only way to determine whether they are infected is to perform a polymerase chain test (PCT) test of the DNA. Currently such tests are only available through AAFC research centres or laboratories such as the CFIA-approved Phyto-Diagnostics Ltd run by Dr. Peter Ellis in British Columbia. Farmers concerned that they may have infective leafhoppers in their crop should consult with their crop advisor as to options for testing samples. Economic thresholds are available for some horticultural crops, such as carrots, but in oilseeds or cereal crops none have been established. † Angela Lovell
1 6 6 6 D u b l i n Av e n u e , W i n n i p e g , MB R 3 H 0 H 1 w w w. g r a i n e w s . c a PUBLI SH ER
Bob Willcox Associate Publisher/ Editorial director
John Morriss
Edi tor
Leeann Minogue fiel d Ed ito r
Lisa Guenther Cattleman’s Corner Editor
Lee Hart Farm life Edito r
Sue Armstrong Machinery EDITOR
Scott Garvey Pro duction Di recto r
Shawna Gibson Des igne r
Steven Cote MARKETING/CI RCUL ATION Dir ector
Lynda Tityk
Circul at ion manag er
Heather Anderson H e ad O f f i c e 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1 Phone: (204) 944-5567 Fax: (204) 944-5562 Ad ve rtis ing Sa le s
Cory Bourdeaud’hui Phone: (204) 954-1414 Fax: (204) 944-5562 Email:
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[email protected] Printed in Canada by Transcontinental LGM-Coronet Winnipeg, Man. Grainews is published by Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0H1. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240.
EXTENDED OUTLOOK FOR THE PRAIRIES Weather Forecast for the period of October 7 to November 3, 2012
Southern Alberta
Peace River Region October 7 - 13 Cooler temperatures and frosty nights. Fair overall, aside from some snow in central and northern areas, chance of heavy in places.
October 7 - 13 Windy at times with cooler temperatures and frosty nights. Fair overall aside from rain in the south on 1 or 2 occasions.
October 14 - 20 Weather conditions fluctuate this week ranging from fair to unsettled , with rain becoming mixed with snow in central and northern areas.
October 14 - 20 Weather conditions fluctuate this week ranging from fair to unsettled , with rain . Windy at times. Expect frost on most nights.
October 21 - 27 Fair and seasonal most days apart from rain on a couple of days in the south, and rain mixed with snow in the north. Chance of heavy snow in the north.
October 21 - 27 Fair and seasonal most days apart from rain on a couple of days in the south. Chance of heavy snow in the north.
21.7 mms
October 14 - 20 The weather varies this week from fair and dry to wet and blustery. Temperatures fluctuate from cold to mild. Some snow in central and northern areas. October 21 - 27 Temperatures vary with some sub zero lows. Blustery at times. Fair, except for scattered rain on a couple of occasions. October 28 - November 3 Fair overall, but rain on 2 or 3 days mixed with snow in central and northern areas.
Manitoba October 7 - 13 A couple of cooler, windy outbreaks bring rain to the south, with changeable temperatures trending to the cool side. Cool in the north with snow. October 14 - 20 Fair skies on many days will be followed by scattered rain and blustery winds. Temperatures vary from cool to mild, but average near normal. October 21 - 27 Mostly fair this week aside from rain on a couple of days. Temperatures fluctuate from mild to cool with a few sub zero lows. October 28 - November 3 Fair overall, aside from rain on a couple of days in the south, changing to snow in the north. Seasonal to occasionally mild. Brisk winds.
-2 / 11 Edmonton
NEAR NORMAL
-1 / 10 Jasper
30.9 mms
-1 / 10
30.3 mms
Banff
-3 / 12 Red Deer 20.2 mms
-1 / 13 Calgary
15.5 mms
0 / 14 Medicine Hat cms Lethbridge 15.519mms 15.9 mms 26 cms 1 / 14
-1 / 11 North Battleford
1/8 The Pas
-3 / 10 Prince Albert
13.6 mms
-1 / 11 Saskatoon 16.9 mms
33.2 mms
21.6 mms
BELOW NORMAL
-1 / 11 Yorkton
-1 / 11 Dauphin
1 / 11 -2 / 12 24.5 mms 31.2 mms 0 / 13 Gimli Regina -1 / 12 Moose Jaw 20.3 mms 39.8 mms Swift 18.3 mms 1 / 12 -2 / 12 Current Portage 0 / 11 -1 / 12 Brandon 32.7 mms Winnipeg 17.5 mms Weyburn 22.2 mms 29.5 mms 19.7 mms 0 / 13 Estevan Melita -2 / 13 21.3 mms
Subscription prices: For Canadian farmers, $46.20 per year or $72.45 for 2 years (includes GST). Man. residents add 7% PST to above prices. U.S: $43.00 per year (U.S. Funds). Outside Canada & U.S.: $79 per year. ISSN 0229-8090. Call 1-800-665-0502 for subscriptions. Fax (204) 954-1422. Canadian Postmaster: Send address changes and undeliverable copies (covers only) to PO Box 9800, Winnipeg, Man. R3C 3K7. U.S. Postmaster: Send address changes and undeliverable copies (covers only) to 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1. Grainews is printed on recyclable paper with linseed oil-based inks. Published 18 times a year.
Precipitation Forecast 17.3 mms
Forecasts should be 80% accurate, but expect variations by a day or two because of changeable speed of weather systems.
October 7 - 13 Cooler, windy outbreaks bring rain on a couple of occasions this week. Frosty nights. On fair weather days, temperatures average close to normal.
October 28 - November 3 Seasonal to cool with a few sub zero lows. Fair skies interchange with some rain.
October 28 - November 3 Seasonal to cool with a few sub zero lows. Fair skies interchange with some rain, mixed or changing to snow in central and northern areas.
-1 / 10 Grande Prairie
Saskatchewan
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28.2 mms
Precipitation Outlook For October Much Above Normal Below Much above normal normal below normal normal
Temperatures are normals for October 15th averaged over 30 years. Precipitation (water equivalent) normals for Oct. in mms. ©2012 WeatherTec Services Inc. www.weathertec.mb.ca
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The editors and journalists who write, contribute and provide opinions to Grainews and Farm Business Communications attempt to provide accurate and useful opinions, information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists and Grainews and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the editors as well as Grainews and Farm Business Communications assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader for this publication based on any and all information provided.
OCTOBER 8, 2012
grainews.ca /
5
Features » CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
IS IT ASTER YELLOWS? later in the season, as some natural enemies of crop pests could be taken out in the process,” says Gavloski. “So as the saying goes, choose your battles wisely.” Evans, however, isn’t convinced that an insecticide application isn’t a good idea to reduce the potential for insect feeding damage, especially if leafhoppers arrive early and in large numbers, as they did this year. “With a one to five per cent infection you hardly expect a yield increase from a single application,” he says. “But with these high numbers, if they continue, spraying not only keeps the level of infection down and kills the incoming leafhoppers. If you spray with a pyrethroid that’s about a $5 an acre cost and you will have almost a 100 per cent kill.”
that only adult aster leafhoppers could be found in canola. It appears that while they will temporarily feed on canola when they arrive in the field, they do not reproduce in canola, and likely move out after a brief period of feeding,” says Gavloski. “On average, the number of aster leafhoppers in cereal fields was three to seven times the number of aster leafhoppers in canola fields.” Olivier and other scientists conducting research in the U.S. have concluded that phytoplasma diseases have been endemic in cereal crops for many years at levels around 29 to 48 per cent. These diseases have gone largely undetected, due to a lack of symptoms in the plants. Analysis has shown that AY infection levels in cereals in Saskatchewan could reach 50 to 60 per cent without any symptoms showing up. “This year is different as symptoms are showing up,” says Olivier. “This might be because of the high level
of AY-infected leafhoppers and therefore a high level of inoculums, or the hot and humid weather conditions. Research is needed to explain the causes.” Because of the symptoms, especially empty heads, AY is often misdiagnosed as root rot, says Evans, who himself missed diagnosing AY in wheat during the last severe outbreak in 2007. This year, after sending wheat samples to PhytoDiagnostics Ltd. in B.C., he has confirmed his long-held suspicion that it was in fact AY that was causing yield losses in wheat back then. “This was the answer to why in 2007 there were 15 to 20 per cent of the wheat crops dying.” You could see dead heads in the field right next to a healthy plant, so it wasn’t root rot, Evans says. “Aster yellows was killing the wheat.”
NEXT YEAR? Infection rates of AY across the Prairies vary from year to year. A high infection rate one
year does not mean that farmers should expect a high infection rate the following year. A lot will depend when and in what levels aster leafhoppers arrive, how infected these leafhoppers are, and the stage of the crops at arrival time. In canola, it is possible for infection rates to be quite high, but it can also be easy to overestimate the amount of AY present. Infection can be verified by the very visible symptoms in the crop and the erect nature of the infected plants, which makes them stand out in the field. Farmers should also take care to correctly diagnose diseases in cereal crops before jumping to the conclusion that they have AY. It can be difficult to differentiate AY symptoms from some pathogens such as barley yellow dwarf, says Gavloski. † Angela Lovell is a freelance writer, editor and communications specialist living and working in Manitoba. Find her online at www. angelalovell.ca.
The adult aster leafhopper is olivegreen or straw coloured with six dark markings on the forehead. In flight they appear white.
Aster leafhopper larvae.
CEREALS AND CANOLA Aster yellows may not present as much of a threat for wheat crops as it does for some other crops, such as barley. Out of the symptomatic wheat samples Olivier tested, only five to 15 per cent tested positive for the presence of phytoplasma. By comparison, 20 to 40 per cent of symptomatic oat and barley samples tested positive for the pathogen. Interestingly, research suggests that aster leafhoppers don’t really care for canola as a food source, preferring cereals. “Studies in Saskatchewan found
the
Canola
profitability challenge
Symptoms of aster yellows
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Symptoms of aster yellows (AY) vary, depending on the infected crop.
25
$
CANOLA In flowering plants such as canola, flowers are replaced by sterile, leaf-like structures and pods are malformed. Plants may turn purple or blue-green. Infected plants are often bluegreen, with leaves developing a red or purple tinge later in the season. Malformed flowers and pods are the most obvious symptoms of aster yellows in canola. The infected plants may become woody and are often taller than the rest of the plant canopy. Symptoms on canola may sometimes be confused with herbicide damage and sulphur deficiency.
Per aCre
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We’re not asking you to switch everything. But you do owe it to yourself to use the Clearfield Production System on some of your canola acres. In fact, we challenge you to compare it to your current system side-by-side. Because Clearfield may outperform what you’re using now in terms of profitability – by $25 more per acre according to field trials. With that in mind, this may not be much of a challenge for us at all.
CEREALS In cereals, symptoms of AY are often confused with barley yellow dwarf disease and other viruses. Plants will have a red or purplish discolouration and become very erect. The main symptom is empty heads. Farmers should contact their local crop advisor or provincial extension service to help with diagnosis of AY. Angela Lovell
The Profitability Calculator is a tool that automates calculations of values and is precise only to the extent of accuracy of all inputted values. Yield data is based on mid and long season testing only. Values shown are an example only. Values of inputs such as the costs of seed and crop protection products (including application rates and frequency) will vary over time, location and crop conditions. This tool may be unable to reflect the details of every user’s experience and in such cases the resulting calculation may be invalid as a comparison of profitability for any particular individual.
always read and follow label directions. Clearfield, and the unique Clearfield symbol are registered trade-marks of BASF Agrochemical Products B.V.; all used with permission by BASF Canada Inc. © 2012 BASF Canada Inc.
110200659_CLC_GN_AG_v8_R1.indd 1
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/ grainews.ca
OCTOBER 8, 2012
Features CROP PRODUCTION
HERBICIDE HEADACHE
CROP ADVISOR’S CASEBOOK BY JASON SAUCHUK
N
ot only did Bill’s canola plants look funny a week after spraying them with an in-crop herbicide last June, but some of those plants were also dying. It was no laughing matter for the Alberta producer, who farms 2,200 acres of canola, barley and wheat near Waskatenau. “I think there may have been something wrong with the herbicide,” Bill told me over the phone. “The plants look sickly.” “How did the plants look before you sprayed?” I asked him. “We had great conditions this growing season,” he said. “Good moisture, lots of sun and heat, so the plants took off right away, and they looked healthy before spraying.” Sure enough, the canola plants weren’t looking their best when I visited Bill’s farm shortly after he contacted me. The affected plants were significantly shorter than the healthy ones. Their leaves were purplish, cupped and covered with white speckles. I observed new growing points on the damaged plants. However, the older leaves on those plants had turned brown. We quickly eliminated many factors that could have caused the damage to the plants. For
example, it could not have been a bad seed lot because Bill’s other fields were healthy and progressing well. The fertilizer application rates were also correct. Environmental conditions couldn’t have been better that growing season, so that theory was rejected as well. There was a distinct look to the damaged area. The stunted and dying plants were mostly concentrated at one end of the field, the damage gradually tapering off until the majority of the plants appeared healthy. We checked the sprayer for mechanical issues, but we found none. However, the measurement of the affected zone confirmed my diagnosis. “It’s an herbicide issue, but it’s not what you think,” I told Bill. What’s caused the stunting of Bill’s canola plants and for some to die? Send your diagnosis to Grainews, Box 9800, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3K7; email leeann.minogue@fbcpublishing. com or fax 204-944-5416 c/o Crop Advisor’s Casebook. Best suggestions will be pooled and one winner will be drawn for a chance to win a Grainews cap and a one-year subscription to the magazine. The answer, along with the reasoning which solved the mystery, will appear in the next Crop Advisor’s Solution File. † Jason Sauchuk is a sales agronomist for Richardson Pioneer Ltd. at Sprucefield, Alta.
Jason Sauchuck
The affected plants were significantly shorter than the healthy ones.
The leaves were purplish, cupped and covered with white speckles.
WEEVIL WATCH
CROP ADVISOR’S SOLUTION BY TREVOR WARBURTON
A
s Glenn, a Saskatchewan grain and cattle producer, approached his alfalfa field last June, he expected to find a thick, lush field ready to be cut. Growing conditions that spring had been excellent and all other crops were off to a good start in Tribune and the surrounding areas where Glenn farms 3,000 acres of canola, peas,
lentils and durum as well as 1,500 acres of hayland. Glenn had just finished seeding and spraying his other crops and was heading over to check his alfalfa field for the first time in a while. Glenn’s expectations of a good crop were cut short at first sight of the field — the stand was thin and appeared grey from a distance. Closer up he noticed the plants weren’t flowering consistently. Glenn asked me to visit his farm to assess the situation. As I approached the field from the road, I also noticed its silvery sheen and the patchy occurrence of the flowers.
Bill’s canola plants weren’t looking their best.
However, up close I discovered that the plants had been defoliated, which was causing the field’s silver appearance from afar. In some areas of the field the plants had pinholes in the leaves, while in the areas where the crop looked the unhealthiest, the plants appeared skeletonised. It had to be insect damage. Grasshoppers had not been an issue in this area of Saskatchewan so far that season. When we checked, we found only a few grasshoppers in Glenn’s field, which was nowhere near the economic threshold. However, what Glenn did find was a bright green worm almost a centimetre long with a black head and a distinctive white stripe down its back — an alfalfa weevil larva! Although uncommon for this area, alfalfa weevils are destructive pests of alfalfa, and are continually expanding their territory northward and eastward. The larvae feed on shoot tips
and leaves, and they can cause serious forage losses through plant defoliation. Glenn had to act quickly because economic thresholds had been surpassed. He had a couple of options: cut the alfalfa immediately or to spray with an insecticide. Glenn began cutting right away to salvage what he had left of his hay crop. Because he had a lot of acres to cut, Glenn also sprayed half with an insecticide in order to control the weevils until he could get to the rest of the field with the haybine. If weevil populations are high during a late first cut, surviving larvae will feed on the regrowth as it develops, which may terminate all future regrowth, resulting in stand loss. Farmers should spray stubble with insecticide when four to eight larvae per square foot, or two or more active larvae per crown, are detected in the field.
After the hay was cut and baled, Glenn sprayed the field with insecticide because the stand was not showing signs of regrowth due to the number of active larvae still present in the field. It was not a completely happy ending for Glenn, but it could have been much worse. His yield was halved. However, his quick action to spray some of the field and cut the rest of it immediately after discovering the infestation has gone a long way to helping maintain his stand. Pure alfalfa stands are more susceptible to early and heavy damage from alfalfa weevils, so these fields should be checked first. Monitoring crops closely, including hayland, by scouting for pests at least twice per week, will also help promote healthy stands. † Trevor Warburton is an area marketing representative for Richardson Pioneer Ltd. in Weyburn, Sask.
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8/22/12 1:24 PM
OCTOBER 8, 2012
grainews.ca /
7
Features SPRAYING
Prep your sprayer for winter storage Taking the time to do a little sprayer tank TLC now will set you up for next spring BY AARON BOUCHARD
Repeat this two more times (for a total of three five-minute boom flushes). 5. Empty the tank, refill with clean water and flush through the system. Then repeat steps one through five.
O
nce there was a time when the sprayer was considered a minor piece of farm equipment. Not any more. The sprayer is the first thing to come out in the spring and the last thing to be put away in the fall and has become one of the most important pieces of equipment on any farm, including mine. It’s important to take the time to properly prepare your sprayer’s tank, booms and nozzles for winter storage so that when spring rolls around, you can get up and running as soon as possible. Here is the procedure that you should follow to get the job done right.
PAY ATTENTION TO NOZZLES Once you’ve completed the ammonia rinses, remove the nozzles and screens for a more intense cleaning. An old toothbrush works well for this. When you’ve finished cleaning them, put them back on, flush everything through with fresh water, then empty the system completely.
CLEAN OUT RESIDUES There are a lot of plastic parts on a sprayer. They are not only more prone to wear, but also, chemical residues easily stick to them. There are three ways to clean out these residues: an ammonia rinse, a fresh water rinse or a detergent rinse. Since detergent can be hard on sprayer parts, and fresh water doesn’t remove all residues, most farmers use the ammonia rinse. Here’s the five-step procedure for best results:
Don’t underestimate the time it takes to properly circulate the ammonia solution and rinse water through the system 1. Fill the tank nearly full with clean water. 2. Add one litre of household ammonia for every 100 litres of water (this is a three per cent ammonia solution).
3. Agitate and let circulate for 15 minutes. 4. Turn the booms on for five minutes, allowing the solution to flow out, then turn them off and continue to circulate solution.
PROTECT AGAINST FREEZING Any small droplet of water allowed to freeze will expand and damage your equipment. It can be tough to get the system completely dry so, in some cases, the addition of antifreeze may be warranted (windshield washer fluid works well). Allow the antifreeze to circulate through the system so that all areas are protected, then empty the tank. Now your sprayer is ready for winter storage.
OBSERVE PROPER STEWARDSHIP With booms up to 120 feet long, and the number of times the tank is filled and emptied during cleaning, rinsate disposal can be a challenge. Remember that you are flushing out chemical residue as well as the ammonia, so be sure to dispose of water in a safe area away from riparian areas or water bodies.
TAKE YOUR TIME Don’t underestimate the time it takes to properly circulate the ammonia solution and rinse water through the system. If you try to hurry the job, you might not get all chemical residues thoroughly cleaned out, and that could lead to crop injury the next spring. It can take two to three hours to properly clean out your spray tank and ready it for storage. While it can be tough to find the time, making sure you do the job right will pay off in the spring when your sprayer is ready to go when you are. † Aaron Bouchard is an agronomic service representative with Syngenta Canada, based in Regina. He also farms near Radville, Saskatchewan.
Farmers have been telling us that when it comes to growing canola they are looking for more than yield. with outstanding yield potential, DEKALB brand canola hybrids also offer strong agronomics, an enhanced disease package, ease of harvest, and the superior weed control of the genuity® roundup ready® system, to provide the total offering. Visit DEKaLB.ca for more details.
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Always follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these requirements can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. DEKALB and Design®, DEKALB®, Genuity®, Roundup Ready®, and Roundup® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Canada, Inc. licensee. ©2012 Monsanto Canada, Inc.
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/ grainews.ca
OCTOBER 8, 2012
Features seed
Choosing the right variety Don’t get lost in the details. Danell van Staveren lists eight big picture factors to keep in mind By Danell van Staveren
A
s the 2012 harvest winds down, spring seeding may seem a long way off. However, for many farmers, thoughts of what to plant in the spring are never far away. Farmers must consider many factors when choosing seed: yield, insect tolerance, disease resistance, markets, and which variety to plant. “When I travel to trade shows, or other venues, the question I get asked the most is ‘what’s the best variety?’” says Todd Hyra, SeCan business manager, Western Canada, “And I have to say, ‘Well, where do you farm?’”
When deciding on crop variety, Hyra encourages farmers to step back, and look at the big picture. To do this, the farmer must first look at her over all farming operation. What is the best use of land? Second, know where the end product is going to end up. For example, canola may be delivered to a local market, while soybeans may not be delivered locally. Third, a farmer should consider her budget. Farming is expensive. Lessen the risk by growing different crops, and varieties, because growing 100 per cent of what might make the most money, may lead to surprises at the end of the growing season. Each farmer must decide what
is comfortable for her big picture, and what fits with her operation. Hyra cautions there are no get rich quick schemes when it comes to crop varieties. Sticking to tried and true varieties, while factoring in some trial acres, may be a good way to reduce risk. “I’ve never found one product that has all attributes in one place,” says Hyra. Now, with the big picture in place, and the crops figured out, what attributes are important when choosing variety? Yield is perhaps the most important attribute. After all yield equals bushels in the bin, and bushels in the bin equal bills paid, a combine upgrade, and groceries in the pantry.
However, there are several other significant attributes that need to be considered when choosing variety.
1. Disease resistance Disease resistance is one attribute farmers need to consider in a crop variety. Knowing what diseases pose a threat to crops year in and year out in the local area, and choosing a variety that is resistant, can increase yield. Likewise, farmers may need to watch for diseases that have not been a problem in the past, but may be a problem in the future. For example, while farmers in Manitoba have been concerned with fusarium for a number of years, farmers further west are now beginning to be affected and need to consider varieties of grains resistant to the disease.
2. Insect tolerance Insect tolerance is another attribute to consider when choos-
ing a variety. There are any number of insect pests that will damage crops, depending on location and season. Wheat midge is one such pest — midge tolerant wheat can be used to defend against lost yield. Similarly, growing a solid stem variety of wheat will provide tolerance to saw fly.
3. Protein content Depending on the crop and the market it is destined for, protein content — high or low — can be a desired attribute. Farmers aiming for the flour market must choose varieties that typically produce high protein; farmers growing barley for malt must choose varieties with a lower protein content. If you have large acres, Hyra suggests you should grow more than one variety to offset risk. For example, if one variety yields higher protein, while another yields lower protein, farmers could work with grain handlers to hit a middle market.
4. Maturity
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Maturity needs to be considered. Although later maturing varieties are higher yielding, they may not be a wise choice for farms located in cooler areas with shorter growing seasons. A faster maturing crop, which allows for grade retention, although yields less, may be a better option compared to the risk of frost, which may significantly decrease both grade and yield.
5. Threshability Threshability is another attribute that varies with variety. The ease with which straw goes through the combine is desirable. Shattering of the straw, however, is not desirable.
6. Standability
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Standability of a variety is important come harvest time. Short strong straw means less to put through the combine. Not everyone is looking for short straw. Livestock producers are in need of longer straw.
7. Colour and grade retention Colour and grade retention can factor into choice of variety. 2012 has seen good grades, and little sprouting, however, on a wet year, sprouting becomes an issue, and varieties that sprout less easily could be a consideration.
8. Winter cereals Winter cereals, such as winter wheat and fall rye, can spread out the work load on the farm. Cropping timing may also allow a winter crop to take advantage of early moisture, or avoid the threat of disease or pests. After considering the big picture, and selecting varieties with desired attributes, of which yield is the most important, Hyra reminds farmers that, “Proper management is critical. Management tools take the crop all the way.” Adequate fertilizer, timely seeding and spraying, and scouting fields for disease or pests are vital to the success of the crop. A poor variety well managed is likely to out-yield a top variety that is poorly managed. † Danell van Staveren farms and writes near Griffin, Saskatchewan.
OCTOBER 8, 2012
grainews.ca /
Features Crop planning
Switching to soybeans Disappointing canola yields and earlier maturing soybean varieties are causing many Prairie farmers to consider a switch
Quick expansion Mike Reimer of the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association, an organization that works with 3,000 pulse and soybean growers, agrees. “That’s one thing we’ve seen with Western Canadian producers is that they are willing to adapt and change,” he says. “Soybeans, certainly over the past few years, are seeing a lot better-adapted varieties — and a lot of producers are having success.” Currently, approximately 80 per cent of Manitoba soybeans are going to the U.S. crush market. Reimer says MPGA anticipates a need for new soybeans markets. “Right now, though, marketing soybeans is fairly straightforward,” he says. “It is something that is still unfolding. The growth we’ve seen in soybeans has just been exponential. It’s been incredible to see just how far soybean production has been able to be pushed outside of the Red River Valley.” Growth has been so rapid that MPGA has had to adapt just as quickly in order to better serve its members. In the near future, members can expect to see investment in agronomic work and research, which should provide growers with access to better information. “From our perspective,” says Reimer, “that’s something we’re really looking to support in the upcoming year, is ensuring that that research is done so that producers with these types of questions who are maybe in some of the fringe areas have a really good understanding of what they’re getting into and do have some resources to access.” Until that time, those considering making the switch should talk to seed companies and other experienced growers.
Pros and Cons Todd Hyra, Secan’s business manager for Western Canada, says that there are pros and cons to trying out new crops. Research, he says, is key. “There
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lanning on switching to soybeans? You’re not alone. Seed companies are expecting more Prairie farmers to switch to soybeans next year, especially given unpredictable and disappointing canola yields. Record numbers of acres were seeded to canola this year, says Statistics Canada. Across the country, numbers are up by 13 per cent, with record acreage in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan. But soybeans are definitely attracting more attention, particularly in non-traditional areas. This is likely a result of a combination of things, including an increase in commodity prices, higher yield potentials and better success rates.
are many new growers who may want to try soybeans based on what their neighbours have done or what they’ve seen in areas further east. I just want to explain a few cautions on that,” he says. First, since it is a new crop, Hyra encourages growers to start out small and act cautiously. Secondly, although the maturity ranges continue to get much, much earlier, they’re still borderline for many areas in the Prairies. In a less than desirable season, there’s still a risk of beans not maturing and growers, as a result, experiencing great losses. “We don’t want to get too bold, too fast, until the maturity ranges fall into line,” says Hyra. “The other piece of this is that in non-traditional growing areas there’s really maybe no infrastructure or handling system for soybeans yet, so the soybeans may have to be transported a long way to get them to their desired market,” he continues. But for many farmers, the pros will inevitably outweigh the cons. In particular, Hyra says that farmers will be happy with soybeans’ ability to withstand excess moisture, how well they handle heat and, since they provide their own nitrogen supply, how economical they can be. “In 1992, I didn’t think soybeans had a fit in Manitoba,” says Hyra. “I was so wrong because they certainly have fit in. And every year that goes by, the maturity range continues to improve, and the agronomics continue to improve, so I think we’ll continue to see an expansion of soybean acres moving beyond the traditional areas of southern Manitoba and into the western part of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
rough year with canola, is trying out 130 acres of soybeans in Glenboro, Man. This year he chose to go with DuPont Pioneer variety 900Y61. It allowed him to row crop, as opposed to solid seed, giving him 30-inch rows, instead of 10 inch. He says that the pods are higher off the ground, which limits disease and makes harvesting easier, but the canopy doesn’t close off, so he’s definitely seeing more weeds. Regardless, his soybean crops are looking good and he’s planning on planting more in the future. † Melanie Epp is a freelance writer who SEC-VESP-12T_GN.qxd specializes in writing web copy 9/17/12 for small businesses. She is based in Guelph, Ont., and can be found online at melanierepp.com.
2:57 PM
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NEW
AC® Vesper VB MIDGE TOLERANT WHEAT
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New experiences Rod Fisher, a farmer near Dauphin, Manitoba, says his family tried growing soybeans some 30 years ago. They gave it a good go, but after three or four years, decided that the varieties on the market at the time just weren’t getting the returns; canola, however, was. Now that varieties have improved, Fisher has decided to return to soybeans. “Canola’s been somewhat disappointing. I mean it was a struggle,” he says, attributing this year’s troubles to a combination of things, including cutworms and aster yellows. “This year we’ve had lower yields than we’ve had in the past.” He also points out that cereal and canola is a tight rotation. Whenever you can add something else into your rotation, he says, you get a break in disease cycles. For farmers looking into getting into soybeans, Fisher recommends that they talk to experienced growers. Ask for advice and choose the earliest variety possible, especially in those non-traditional areas. Ron Jeffries, who’s also had a
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
Features Seed varieties
Roblin
Rosebank
Stonewall
Wawanesa
Winnipeg
The Canadian Grain Commission plans to move CDC Falcon, Manitoba’s most popular variety, from the Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) class to the Canada Western General Purpose (CWGP) class as of August 1, 2014. This oneyear delay will allow farmers more time to evaluate possible replacement varieties if their planned end-use markets need a milling type wheat. Please note that CDC Kestrel, CDC Clair, CDC Harrier and CDC Raptor (varieties not commonly grown in Manitoba) will be moved from the CWRW class to the CWGP class as of August 1, 2013, a year earlier than CDC Falcon.
Oak River
CDC Falcon transition delayed
Melita
F
armers select winter wheat varieties based on yield potential, disease resistance, height, standability and maturity. But what is becoming increasingly important is selecting varieties on planned enduse or marketing considerations. Is the harvested product for milling? For ethanol production? As an ingredient in feed rations? Knowing the answers to these questions will help farmers select not only a variety that will perform on their farm but be suitable for the planned end-use.
25-135*R. More caution must be exercised when evaluating the performance of these two varieties as the data only represents one year of data.
Hartney
By Pam de Rocquigny
Carman
Manitoba’s Crop Variety Evaluation Team has released 2012 results from 10 Manitoba sites
2012 YIELD: % OF CDC FALCON Carberry
Manitoba winter wheat performance
2012 YIELD COMPARISONS TABLE
CDC Buteo
97
109
95
92
94
84
86
104
108
94
107
CDC Falcon
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
Flourish~
104
149
102
96
104
104
119
91
109
102
94
Moats~
103
109
113
103
99
88
124
104
106
95
103
Variety
2012 Average Yield
Canada Western Red Winter
Canada Western General Purpose Accipiter~
103
107
111
103
110
100
68
113
95
100
108
Broadview~
103
112
103
99
103
104
103
101
100
92
114
Peregrine~
104
111
113
97
113
90
115
106
101
100
103
Sunrise
104
125
117
94
116
96
98
118
91
81
111
Varieties that have been supported for registration
Multi-site data for 2012
Canada Western Red Winter
Multi-site data can be found in the Yield Comparisons Table. Although yields are expressed as per cent of CDC Falcon, comparisons are not restricted to only CDC Falcon. Comparisons can be made between other varieties. For example, you may want to compare the performance of Flourish and Moats at Carman. The first step will be to look at the “Sign Diff” value — a “yes” or “no” will indicate if a real difference exists between varieties. At Carman, there is a significant difference between the varieties tested. You then need to look at the “LSD %” value. LSD stands for
DH00W31N*34
104
104
110
99
105
100
139
94
109
97
101
Canada Western General Purpose 1603-137-1
101
121
117
94
105
85
100
108
88
90
107
DH01-25-135*R
108
122
110
98
110
102
139
111
102
102
101
DH99W18I*45
105
109
111
98
114
102
122
103
100
94
106
DH99W19H*16
104
90
113
94
111
101
102
106
102
105
114
CDC Falcon (bu/ac)
52
95
96
58
101
52
99
74
92
86
CV %
7.6
3.6
6.5
4.4
3.4
8.3
6.5
7.2
5.1
6.0
LSD %
15
7
-
8
6
16
12
12
8
11
Sign Diff
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
CHECK YIELD
~ Indicates a variety that is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights or a variety where protection has been applied for but not yet granted at time of printing.
DOW AGROSCIENCES Contract NexeraTM 7.500X8.00 000030504r1 before 4C
canola
November 29th.
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Updated long-term data To assist with variety decisions, MCVET (Manitoba Crop Variety Evaluation Team) is publishing performance data collected in 2012, and updated variety descriptions. Farmers should look at longterm data and select those varieties which perform well not only in their area but across locations and years. Long-term data can be found in the 2012 Winter Wheat Variety Descriptions Table. The “Yield % Check” column provides an indication of how the listed varieties performed compared to the check CDC Falcon. Remember that direct comparisons can only be made between CDC Falcon and the variety chosen to compare it to. The more site-years, the more dependable the data. If farmers want to choose their own check, the website www. seedinteractive.ca gives them that ability. Flourish and Moats, possible CWRW replacements for CDC Falcon, have now been tested for a second year so additional data is available. New CWGP entries in 2012 are 1603-137-1 and DH01-
Sign your Nexera canola production contract for a minimum of 500 acres before November 29th, 2013 – and get a $1000 signing bonus. Visit healthierprofits.ca for details.
19207_02A Nexera FallAd_Rev.indd 1
OCTOBER 8, 2012
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11
Features 2012 WINTER WHEAT VARIETY DESCRIPTIONS RESISTANCE LEVEL: Site Years Tested
% Protein +/- Check
Height +/- Check
Days to Maturity +/- Check
Lodging
Stem Rust
Leaf Rust
Fusarium Head Blight
Relaive Winter Hardiness
Distributor
100
73
-0.1
4
4
G
I
I
MR
VG
SeCan
CDC Falcon
100
85
0
0
0
VG
MR
MR
S
F
SeCan
Flourish~
102
16
0.2
2
0
VG
I
I
S
F
SeCan
Yield % Check
CDC Buteo
Variety
Canada Western Red Winter
McClintock~
98
69
0.2
7
5
VG
R
MR
S
F
CANTERRA SEEDS
Moats~
103
16
0.4
6
0
G
R
R
S
G
SeCan
Canada Western General Purpose Accipiter~
104
31
-0.4
3
3
VG
R
MR
MS
G
SeCan
Broadview~
104
25
-0.4
2
1
VG
R
R
S
G
CANTERRA SEEDS
CDC Ptarmigan
104
36
-1.7
8
3
F
S
S
I
G
Western Ag
Peregrine~
106
31
-0.5
10
2
G
I
MR
I
VG
SeCan
Sunrise
107
25
-1.0
6
4
G
MR
MR
-
G
Western Ag
Varieties that have been supported for registration Canada Western Red Winter DH00W31N*34
105
25
-0.1
7
2
G
R
R
S
F
-
-
4
2
G
R
R
MS
G
-
Canada Western General Purpose 1603-137-1
101
10
DH01-25-135*R
108
10
-
8
3
F
R
R
-
F
-
DH99W18I*45
107
31
-0.1
6
2
VG
MR
R
-
F
-
DH99W19H*16
104
25
0.1
1
1
VG
R
R
MS
VG
-
CHECK CHARACTERISTICS 81 bu/ acre
CDC Falcon
85 site years
11.1% protein 26 inches
~ Indicates a variety that is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights or a variety where protection has been applied for but not yet granted at time of printing. Protein data for 2012 was not available at time of publication. Please reference Seed Manitoba 2013 in December for 2012 data.
least significant difference and it shows the percentage that individual varieties must differ by to be considered significantly different. At the Carman location, varieties must differ by seven per cent. Since yields of Flourish and Moats differs by 11 per cent, statistically Moats yielded more than Flourish at Carman. The next step would be to determine if that yield potential is consistent across all sites. Out of the 10 locations, Moats yielded significantly more than Flourish at two locations, but at the remaining locations the performance of Flourish and Moats is similar at six sites while Flourish yielded significantly more than Moats at two locations. Therefore by looking only at the 2012 data, farmers can see that yield potential of Flourish and Moats is pretty similar. Keep in mind that data accumulated over several sites in a single year must always be viewed with caution. Varieties that excel under one set of environmental conditions may not perform as well under the next year’s conditions. Farmers can do the same exercise with past guides (available online at www.seedmb.ca), to see how consistent yield is between sites and locations (in Seed Manitoba 2012, at the six locations the performance of Flourish and Moats were statistically the same at five). Farmers can also go to www. seedinteractive.ca. Here they can select multiple varieties, locations and years that best compare with their farm, while still offering the ability to choose their own check variety.
Fusarium head blight ratings
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A concerted effort to improve fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance in winter wheat varieties is being undertaken by breeders. In past editions of the seed guide, there has been limited data available to publish ratings for many varieties. However, official FHB evaluations have started for winter wheat entries tested in both the Central and Western winter wheat co-operative registration trials. Combined with previous testing, also done by Dr. Anita Brulé-Babel at the University of Manitoba, enough data exists to assign, and in one case change, ratings to some of the varieties. The rating for CDC Buteo has been changed to moderately resistant or MR from the previous intermediate (I) rating. Data for CDC Ptarmigan and Peregrine shows both at an intermediate (I) rating. All other varieties are either susceptible (S) or moderately susceptible (MS), or not enough data exists yet to give a rating. It is important to note that with future testing, more changes to the ratings may occur in order to provide the most accurate information to farmers. But it is a great first step and subsequently great news for farmers as FHB can be an issue in winter wheat production. In 2012-13, MCVET is evaluating the variety W454 which has improved resistance to FHB. The suite of Seed Manitoba products — the Seed Manitoba guide and the websites www.seedinteractive. ca and www.seedmb.ca — provides valuable variety performance information. Look for Seed Manitoba 2013 this December. † Pam de Rocquigny is a provincial cereal crop specialist with MAFRI.
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
Features CROP PRODUCTION
Cut risks of cereal lodging Cereal lodging can be a big problem for some farmers. Cut the risk of lodging on your farm with careful variety selection and management choices BY LISA GUENTHER
C
ereal lodging is a perennial problem for some farmers, but variety selection and management practices can lower your risk. “It’s basically like statistical analysis. You do everything right, and then your chances of lodging are that much reduced, and hopefully it won’t be an issue. But if you get a big windstorm coming along, or a plow wind, than yeah, she’s going to lodge,” says Harry Brook, crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.
ABOUT LODGING Lodging breaks down into two types — stem breakage and root failure. A plant’s susceptibility to lodging depends on its straw and stem length, the resistance of the lower internodes, and the rooting system, according to an Alberta Agriculture factsheet. Yield losses are severe when lodging occurs during the 10 days after head emergence, and can range from 15 to 40 per cent. If plants lodge after reaching maturity, yield won’t be directly affected, but harvestable grain might be lost. Crops that lodge before flowering may recover with the right weather conditions. Root lodging occurs early in the year and is a common type of lodging. Brook suggests looking for varieties with root rot resistance. “If your plant is healthy, with healthy roots and healthy stem, it’s less likely to lodge,” says Brook. Wheat stem sawfly larvae can also cause lodging later in the season. Solid and semi-solid stemmed varieties are more resistant than hollow stemmed varieties.
VARIETIES Farmers concerned about lodging should avoid taller cereal varieties such as cowboy barley. At the other end of the spectrum are semi-dwarf varieties, which are much less likely to lodge. Brook says semi-dwarfs are popular in irrigated areas, where moisture and nitrogen can create an ideal environment for lodging. Semi-dwarfs aren’t the only varieties with lodging resistance. Other
varieties rate from poor to very good in terms of lodging resistance. Many varieties offer both high yields and lodging resistance. Brook suggests looking at the lodging ratings in terms of relativity. “If something is very good versus something that is good, the very good stuff should obviously be less likely to lodge. But that being said, there is no such thing as a variety that will never lodge. Even a semi-dwarf will lodge under the right conditions,” says Brook.
Farmers may want to swath rather than straight combine crops that have lodged after reaching maturity. Neck breakage and loss of the whole head can add up to severe harvest losses, but swathing may cut those losses. Whether lodging takes priority over other issues depends on location, management practices and past experience. Farmers need to
assess best practices and pick traits based on their own situation. “If they’re in the black soil zone, maybe they’re going to think lodging is a fairly serious problem for them, so they’re going to try to pick one that’s got the most (lodging) resistance. Otherwise, I would say that the disease package is really important, especially with the fact that most producers
nowadays are having shortened crop rotations,” says Brook. Farmers can talk to Harry Book and other crop, livestock and business specialists by calling Alberta Agriculture’s Ag Info Centre at 310-FARM (3276). The number is toll-free within Alberta. † Lisa Guenther is a field editor with Grainews based at Livelong, Sask. Contact her at lisa.
[email protected].
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MANAGEMENT PRACTICES “It’s (lodging) oftentimes associated with having excess nitrogen because then you get too much green growth, and not enough fibre put into it, especially when the plants are younger. As it’s heading out, it doesn’t have a lot of fibre still in the plant, and that is when they do get susceptible,” says Brook. Farmers who have had lodging problems should evaluate their nitrogen rates and consider adding potassium. Potassium deficient plants have brittle straw and tend to lodge.
Farmers may want to swath rather than straight combine Longer crop rotations can also help reduce lodging risk by preventing diseases such as root rot. Cereals grown on canola, flax, or other broad leaf stubbles are subjected to less disease pressure. Carefully planned rotations have the bonus of lowering protein levels in soft white spring wheat and malt barley. If wheat stem sawfly cut 10 to 15 per cent of a crop, farmers should implement control measures to protect the next crop, according to a Manitoba Agriculture factsheet. Shallow fall tillage can kill up to 90 per cent of the sawflies, while spring tillage only takes care of 25 per cent of the pests. Delaying planting of susceptible varieties and including sawfly resistant varieties in rotations will also help control sawflies.
BayerCropScience.ca/Liberty or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. InVigor®, Liberty® and LibertyLink® are registered trademarks of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.
SBC12153.Liberty.F
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Cyan,
Magenta,
Yellow,
Marsha Walters None
100% 12.9167” x 8”
SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: Marianne
SAFETY: None TRIM: 12.9
Helvetica Neue LT Std (55 R
Wheat crops lodging near Livelong, Sask.
PHOTOS: LISA GUENTHER
Swathing may be more effective than straight combining when it comes to picking up lodged crops.
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
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Features WEED CONTROL
Controlling weeds in winter wheat With downy and Japanese brome becoming more prevalent, winter wheat growers may have to re-consider their fall weed control options BY ANGELA LOVELL
O
ver the past five years so-called “cheat” grasses like downy and Japanese brome have become more established in areas where winter wheat has been grown on a continual basis. “These grasses can be devastating because they take off in the
fall and become almost sod-like by the next spring,” says Scott Day, a diversification specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives at Melita, Man. “These weeds aren’t really an issue in spring planted crops because they are winter annuals, so once you’ve sprayed glyphosate or cultivated in the spring they are killed. But in fall
planted crops where they get established they can be a real problem.” Downy and Japanese brome reproduce by seed, so production practices such as minimum tillage and continuous cropping assist their spread, as does dispersal via feed transportation or harvest equipment. “My first experience with these weeds
being really significant was on farms that had custom combiners come up from the U.S.,” says Day. Because these bromes have a similar growth cycle to winter wheat, they can compete for moisture and nutrients. Infestations up to 100 plants per square metre have been known to reduce crop yields by 40 to 50 per cent. Studies conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre showed that downy brome can reduce wheat biomass by up to 59 per cent and seed yield up to 68 per cent.
NEW CONTROL OPTION
InVigor® needs Liberty® the same way. Liberty herbicide is the backbone of the LibertyLink® system and together they’re powerful partners.
O-67-10/12-BCS12261-E
B:8”
She is a wife, mother, business partner, advisor and confidant. She wears all these hats and more, ensuring everyone is taken care of and that the business runs smoothly.
T:8”
Thankfully, there is a new in-crop control option for these weeds. Simplicity, a nonresidual, Group 2 herbicide from Dow AgroSciences was recently registered for use on winter wheat for the control of downy brome and Japanese brome. According to the product factsheet, one jug of Simplicity will control brome grasses and broadleaf weeds over 40 acres and can be used on all varieties of spring, durum and winter wheat. The year following application of Simplicity in winter wheat, fields can be seeded to any major crops, including pulse crops. The product should be applied when the crop is at the three leaf to flag leaf emergence stage or when the downy or Japanese brome grasses are at the one to six leaf stage. It can also be tank mixed with other products for additional broadleaf weed control. Although not enough research has been done to establish economic thresholds for these grasses to help farmers determine when to spray, Day suggests using thresholds similar to those established for green foxtail. He emphasizes, however, that if these grasses are present in the field in any volume they will impact yield. “They are probably going to see these grasses along the field edges and in other specific parts of the field, but it won’t be an even infestation, so it’ll be a judgement call whether they need to spray or not,” he says. “I would
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Unsung hero.
erty.Female.5.GN.indd
Yellow,
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say that if they are easily finding them, then they could be a problem and should be controlled.”
OTHER OPTIONS The first line of defence against weed problems in winter wheat begins with preparation of the seed bed. Although Day says he expects a lot of the canola stubble to be pretty clean this year, he still advises farmers to take a close look at it and expect to spray ait with glyphosate for a burn down. “Don’t be tempted to leave it because these weeds are very tiny grasses in the fall,” he says. “If you do the burn down properly and then use Simplicity later in the fall after the winter wheat is established you may not get 100 per cent control, but it is the only option that’s out there right now. To make sure the seed bed is clean, farmers may have to consider adding something to the glyphosate — depending on what other weeds could impact yields the following season. “They could have Roundup Ready canola volunteers or some hard to control winter annuals,” says Day. “They need to be really aware of what is growing there before they simply spray a litre of glyphosate.” Many winter wheat producers don’t spray in the fall, and instead wait until spring, when they can also hit spring germinating weeds, although winter wheat can be very competitive against weeds that germinate in the spring. The other advantage of a fall application is the control of winter annuals like stinkweed, shepherd’s purse, flixweed and narrow-leaved hawk’s beard, which might be present. “I am not saying that all producers will need to spray in the fall,” says Day. “But they should pay attention to the winter wheat after it has emerged to see if downy brome or Japanese brome are there. If they are, I would be inclined to control them in the fall rather than wait until the spring.” † Angela Lovell is a freelance writer, editor and communications specialist living and working in Manitoba. Find her online at www. angelalovell.ca.
SBC12153.Liberty. Grainews Insertion Date: October 8, 2012
Black
Bayer Crop Science PAGE: 1
BCS12261
IM: 12.9167” x 8” Bleed: None
Std (55 Roman, 75 Bold; OpenType)
Production Contact Numbers: 403 261 7161 403 261 7152
PHOTOS: SCOTT DAY, MAFRI
Winter wheat plots in southwest Manitoba, almost completely choked out by downy brome.
Because they have a similar growth cycle to winter wheat, these bromes can compete for moisture and nutrients.
14
/ grainews.ca
OCTOBER 8, 2012
Features FARMER PANEL
Canola takes a hit in harvest stories BY LEE HART
A
t mid-September, harvest was all over the b o a r d f o r We s t e r n Canadian farmers. Some Manitoba farmers were done, while others in Alberta were just getting started. Yields were ranging from disappointing to above average, however quality was generally good. Crop disease and insect pests seemed to be more of a problem in many areas. Soybeans — still to be combined — appeared to doing well again. It sounded like the cereals did better than canola this year. And the wind… on the days I talked to farmers, the wind was an obvious concern in all provinces. Canola growers were talking about straight combining canola for fear they might have to drive to North Dakota to pick up swaths that blew. And a few farmers had certain varieties that seemed to stand out under adverse conditions. I talked to one Hutterite farmer in Alberta, who didn’t want his or his colony name mentioned (maybe he shouldn’t have been on the phone). He said they were about half done combining, and most crops were doing very well. CPS wheat was yielding about 70 bushels per acre, feed barley was running 75 to 80 bushels with a 54-pound bushel weight, and canola was yielding 35 to 40 bushels. It wasn’t the best canola crop ever, he said, but a good price was helping to compensate for lower yield. The weather for the most part was cooperating with the harvest. Some farmers started combining almost a month early, and most were enjoying pretty decent weather. Here is what this month’s Farmer Panel had to say about the 2012 harvest — so far.
DALE GRYBA GILBERT PLAINS, MAN. Dale Gryba chuckled a bit when asked how harvest had gone in his area of west central Manitoba. It wasn’t his best year. July had been very wet and August very dry. He started combining hard red spring wheat August 6 — almost a month earlier than usual — and by September 10 was all finished except for soybeans, which weren’t quite ready. “The wheat was good, but the canola was very poor,” says Gryba. He figures he only got half to two-thirds of the usual yield on canola. “But you get two or three hits during the year and the crop just can’t take it.” Seeding was early this year. The earliest seeded canola also seemed to be hardest hit by aster yellows, a disease carried into Canada by the aster leafhoppers, which blow in from the United States. Disease hit the earlier crop, then it was hard hit by too much rain in July, and then the high winds in August took their toll of shattering losses. “You get three strikes like that in a season and my share of the crop wasn’t that great,” he says. Gryba did straight combine some of his later canola. He has
done that a few times over the years, and he noted some of his neighbors straight cut all their canola. “It seemed to work well,” he says. “Shattering losses of standing canola aren’t as great as canola in the swath. I spray the crop with Roundup when I would normally be swathing, wait a couple weeks and then combine. It also helps to control weeds and deal with the green spots too. I talked to a friend of mine in North Battleford who was having trouble getting the crop swathed because of too much moisture, and suggested straight cutting might be an option.” Another good aspect of the early harvest and dry conditions were lower harvesting costs. “Usually if you are out there in September or October you can have cold, wet conditions, the crop can be tough and you have to look at drying it. It was warm and dry this year and whatever I was able to harvest is of good quality, without drying.” He says the hot, wet conditions in July were “perfect growing conditions” for soybeans, and figures they should yield well. On the flip side, while the dry conditions have been good for harvest, it is difficult to get
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“Shattering losses of standing canola aren’t as great as canola in the swath.” — DALE GRYBA the fall field cultivation done. “I have done some field work, but it is very dry,” he says. “Some of the neighbors have abandoned ship on that project and are waiting for some moisture. I thanked God for global warming in the spring — we were seeding wheat in April — but now we could use some rain.”
FRED GREIG RESTON, MAN. In southwest Manitoba, Fred Greig, at Avondale Seed Farm at Reston described it as a “good solid average” year for crops in his area. “I think expectations were a bit higher because so many people seeded crops on summerfallow this year — not that much was seeded last year — so yields may not have been as high as expected, but pretty good.” Greig started combining winter wheat in mid-July, about two weeks ahead of normal. By early September all other crops were harvested except for a couple quarters of soybeans. “The hard red spring wheat was a bit better than average,” he says, noting some farmers in the area had “phenomenal yields.” Malt barley was a bit disappointing, likely due to a combination of high heat and disease. “And we also had a four-inch rain in June and barley doesn’t like wet feet — so it was a combination of
BayerCropScience.ca/InVigor or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. InVigor® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.
things,” says Greig. He estimates malt barley varieties ranged from a high of about 60 bushels per acre down to about 40 bushels per acre. It was the first year he had seen the crop affected by aster yellows. “And I think canola this year is a Prairie wide issue,” says Greig. “A combination of heat, too much rain at times, disease — a lot of crops were affected by aster yellows — and then the wind too. We had one storm that went through with rain, hail and wind and it was early enough our crop seemed to bounce back from the hail, but a lot of the stems were bent over and kinked from the wind, and that took a toll.”
Greig says on summerfallow good disease package, however in his area a lot of people were this year producers growing AC expecting 40-plus bushel yields, Carberry, say it out performed while in some areas the actual CDC Go. And, as a bonus feaSBC12149.InVigor Carberry has improved yield was more in the 20 to 25 10:55ture, 9-13-2012 AM bushel range. He said 30 isCALMCL-DMX8127 a fusarium head blight resistance. Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Greig hadn’t got to the soyreasonable average for his area Marsha Walters most years. beansNoneyet — expected toMarianne be SPEC ORIGINALLY GENERATED: 100% He didn’t see any “clear winby mid or third week of TRIM: 12.916 12.9167”ready x 8” SAFETY: None ners” in the varieties he grew this September — but they were Helvetica Neue LT Std (55 Rom year. In canola, he did notice that “looking exceptional.” It appears Canterra 1970, which has resist- to be a crop that can handle both ance to blackleg and fusarium, excess moisture and high temhad “very rapid dry down, and peratures. He’s grown soybeans it seemed the pods were really for a dozen years. “I have been getting lots of tough, so there was very little calls from producers interested shattering loss.” On the wheat side, he says in soybeans,” says Greig. “And I a lot farmers in the area have don’t suggest they should abanbeen growing CDC Go because don canola completely, but they it is high yielding and has a might want to consider 10 to 20
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15
Features per cent of their oilseed acres be seeded to soybeans. They can handle some of the adverse conditions better.”
says. “What’s left still has a bit of green in it, but if the weather holds we should be done in about a week.”
CRAIG SERFLING NOKOMIS, SASK.
DALLAS LEDUC GLENTWORTH, SASK.
Craig Serfling was down to his last 600 acres when contacted for the Farmer Panel. He was combining his later canola and also had about 300 acre of later hard red spring wheat to go. “I’m 75 per cent done, and just starting in to some of the later crops and things are looking pretty good,” says Serfling, who farms about 100 miles south east of Saskatoon. “I was a bit disappointed with
Although an August hailstorm took its toll on several crops, Dallas Leduc says he is still happy with “slightly aboveaverage yields” on his southern Saskatchewan farm. Leduc, who crops about 7,000 acres of grains, pulses and oilseed, says he was about 75 per cent done harvest when contacted for the Farmer Panel. “We have about 14 quarters of wheat and durum to go,” he
mustard crop, which yielded about 12 bushels per acre. On the cereal side, he was happy with durum that was in the high 30s bushels/acre and the hard red spring wheat was in the low 30s bushels/acre. “Considering the growing season — we didn’t have any rain since late June or early July — and it was hot and dry, so I am happy with what I am seeing there now,” he says. “I had some hard red spring we combined 88 days after seeding. It was a bit lower land, it grew and matured and came in at about 33 bushels per acre. But that was fast.” Leduc did straight combine his canola this year for the first time. With windy conditions
For the most part, they also look the same. Except for their remarkable composure when faced with adverse conditions. Nothing outperforms InVigor.
the earlier canola — I think dis- says. “All the peas, canola and ease was a factor there (referring mustard are done. If the weather to aster yellows), but this later holds we should be finished in crop is yielding quite a bit better another 10 days. SBC12149.InVigor.Face.4 Vigor.Face.4.indd so overall I’m happy.” An August hail storm hamGrainews Serfling says he stayed with mered Insertion Date: October 8,all 2012 the peas and good llow, Black most of his usual varieties for Bayerportion Crop Science of canola, he says. He thePAGE: 2012 growing season. He was looking 1 BCS12261 at a decent 30 to 35 happy with the yields pro- bushel per acre pea crop before M: 12.9167” x 8” was Bleed: None by Stettler hard red spring the storm, but that disappeared d (55 Roman, 75 duced Bold; OpenType) wheat — he’s been growing that into single digit yields. for a couple years. He did notice And the canola was looking Production Contact Numbers: that Invigor L150 canola403lodged like it403 had potential yield in the 261 7161 261 7152 more this year, which wasn’t low 30s bushel range, but came great, but at the same time in the high 20s bushel range. Invigor 5440, which has been “We had about 30 per cent out for about five years did yield hail damage on part of the quite well. canola,” he says. “We sustained “Fortunately we had no dis- some losses but I was still happy asters or wrecks and no hail so with what we got.” everything is looking good,” he He was disappointed with the
O-66-09/12-BCS12259-E
during the growing season, he figured shattering loss would be high in a swathed crop. “We watched so it didn’t get over ripe,” he says. “The moisture was down, and we had to cut around a few green patches which we’ll go back for. But I figure we gained several bushels — probably two or three bushels — by straight combing. I plan to do that again next year.” “Considering the lack of rain and the hail, I am fairly happy with the yields,” he says.
BRIAN CORNS GRASSY LAKE, ALTA. By the second week of September, Brian Corns had about 320 acres
B:8”
InVigor® growers are no different from other growers. They don’t get up earlier, work harder or longer than their neighbours.
“Crops themselves are on the upper side of average yield.” T:8”
S:8”
It’s written all over his face.
of flax left to harvest on his family farm, Corns Brothers Farm in southern Alberta. With canola, wheat, peas and winter triticale already harvested, aside from hail and some insect pressure, crops had held up quite well. “We’ve been going at it for 25 days straight and we’re nearly done,” says Corns. “Overall I’d say crops themselves are on the upper side of average yield. We lacked a bit of rain to really fill things out, and we also had hail over about 80 per cent of the farm, which knocked things back. It is still dry now and if that continues, I don’t know if much winter wheat will be seeded this fall.” Corns says the wheat, much of it produced for pedigree seed, appeared to be better than usual this year — good quality, with very little disease. “I don’t know if any varieties really stood out, but one thing that did impress me, especially with canola, is just how resilient that crop is to hail,” he says. “We had canola that took a pretty good thrashing during a storm in early June — about 75 per cent damage — and yet it bounced back and produced a pretty respectable yield. So I am impressed with that” Corns says the winter triticale was exceptionally heavy, with good yield and heavy crop residue. All wheats performed well. Farming in a sawfly-prone area,
— BRIAN CORNS he says AC Lillian, with good sawfly resistance performed well, and in on-farm variety comparisons, AC Carberry performed a bit better than other wheats. He had already treated flax with Reglone for dry down and it was expected to be ready in a few days. He was also waiting for the strong westerly winds to subside before combining. “Our crops did quite well, but even if you go just 10 to 15 miles south where they didn’t get the hail, I think they are looking at a record year,” he says. “My brother-in-law farms near Foremost and has been at it for 30 years or so and pretty well knows how much grain storage he needs, but he has grain piled on the ground this year.”
LYNDON MANSELL INNISFREE, ALTA. Lyndon Mansell had just got a nice start on harvest when contacted for the Farmer Panel. He says early indications are that canola yields were “a little disappointing, but we should be thankful for what we have,” he says. While there was generally good moisture during the growing season, it did turn hot and dry for about 10 days at flowering and that blasted a lot of flowers, says Mansell. And Bertha armyworm also caused damage to the crop.
“Usually it is something we don’t have to worry about, especially if we get the crop seeded before May 24 weekend,” he says. “But it was a problem this year. We even had Bertha army worms in the corn and everyone said they had never seen that before.” Mansell, who also runs a cowcalf herd, grew his first crop of 25 acres of corn for grazing this year. “Despite the pests it is a phenomenal crop,” he says. “We had lots of heat and moisture and it is 10 feet tall. It is a more expensive crop to grow, but hopefully it will produce the feed.” Mansell says he had just started on the canola and he also had wheat and barley yet to do. “The cereals are looking pretty good,” he says. “We applied some copper this year and there doesn’t appear to be any ergot in either crop, so hopefully that made the difference. We’re not use to having so much moisture during the growing season, so there are some leaf diseases in the cereals.” If the weather stays good, he expects to finished combining by late September.
LINDA SCHMIDT MANNING, ALTA. The quality was pretty good this year, but a very dry summer took its toll on yields for themselves and many other producers in the Peace River region, says Linda Schmidt who farms with her husband Ed near Manning. “Yields are generally poor this year,” she says. “Last year we had very good yields but then it was a very wet year too. Last year we didn’t start combining until September 27 and this year we started our peas August 16. It was good to get an early start but the yields just weren’t there.” Schmidt says pea yields were less than 20 bushels per acre compared to 35 bushels last year. Hard red spring wheat ranged from the low 30s bushels per acre to 55 bushels on their better land, that received a bit more moisture. Last year the average was about 60 bushels. And canola was quite disappointing, yielding about 18 bushels per acre, although some of their fields eight miles north were a bit better. “We still have a few hundred acres of canola left, and we’re hoping yields will be better, but it has been very dry,” says Schmidt. “It’s been dry and there seemed to be more bugs this year too.” For the most part they have been straight cutting canola since 2008, to reduce the risk of shatter loss in the swath do to high winds. “A lot of larger farmers in this area don’t even own a swather anymore,” she says. “We have gradually worked our way to straight cutting as well. It saves time and shatter loss seems to be reduced. You have weigh that against the risk of hail, but with farming you have to accept the risk. This year actually many of the chemical reps were advising farmers not to swath because the crop was so light, there was a greater risk of swaths being blown around.” Although yields have been disappointing, Schmidt says quality has generally been good. † Lee Hart is a field editor for Grainews in Calgary. Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at
[email protected].
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Features WEED CONTROL
Controlling foxtail barley This perennial weed can be difficult to control. One way to kill it is a fall application of glyphosate BY MELANIE EPP
A
lso known as wild barley and squirrel’s tail, foxtail barley is native to most of North America. Aptly named for its bushy head, it’s a simple perennial weed that reproduces by seed and is well adapted to extreme conditions including drought, flooding and high salinity. Because it’s a prolific seed producer, it is hard to control. Foxtail barley harbours wheat rust and blackstem rust, which can indirectly affect the development of field crops. Where very aggressive annual crops or other perennial plants
grow, foxtail barley is not particularly competitive, but where there is no competition, it will entirely cover the ground. “Even though it’s not very competitive, it’s very adaptable,” says Clark Brenzil, provincial weed control specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. Salinity, or foxtail barley’s tolerance to salinity, is also a problem, particularly when you look at perennial forage land. There are solutions that address that specific challenge, says Brenzil, especially where the land in question is continually supplying seed in and around the crop. “By dealing with some of
those non-crop areas that maybe have some of those challenges,” he says, “you can help address some of those issues in the annual crop.” Because foxtail barley is a perennial, you have to use a perennial strategy to address the problem. “One of the things that’s been found is that a fall application of glyphosate is very effective for controlling foxtail barley,” says Brenzil. “Because a large number of the plants available that fall are ones that have germinated through the season, by making a fall application you can clean out that stand-up pretty successfully.” Then, come spring, all you have
to deal with are the seedlings that come up, which are a lot easier to control than the perennial plants. Another one of the challenges of foxtail barley is that, although it’s relatively easy to control, if you don’t put something on top of that land after you clean it up, it’ll come back right away.
MANAGING FOXTAIL BARLEY The best way to manage foxtail barley in areas outside of annual crops is to put permanent cover on it. If the land is too saline to support permanent cover, you’ll want to seed a saline-tolerant perennial forage. “Once that perennial for-
Precise. Gentle.
age establishes, it will push out the foxtail barley,” says Brenzil. Within annual crops, typically a fall application of 360 grams of glyphosate per acre is very effective in controlling foxtail barley. It will control both the seedlings that have come up through the year, as well as the perennial plants going into the following year. It can be either a pre- or post-harvest treatment, however, post-harvest treatment can be challenging. If the cutter on the combine has been fairly low, especially in the case of pulse crops, the weed will have to re-grow a little bit before you have enough foliage for treatment to be effective, says Brenzil. For farmers who miss the opportunity this fall, there’s still a chance to control the weed come spring, but this also presents challenges. The old, dead clumps sitting on top of the soil will shelter the new growth. The earlier in the spring you try to manage the problem, the more glyphosate you’ll have to use. An early application could require as much as 540 to 720 grams of active glyphosate per acre to control the clumps. Seedlings, however, are very sensitive.
“Even though it’s not very competitive, it’s very adaptable.” — CLARK BRENZIL
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“If the application is delayed into June, they can control that perennial plant with as little as 180 grams of active glyphosate per acre,” says Benzil. “It really depends on how much of that green growth is available to pick up the glyphosate when it’s supplied.” Once the perennials are under control, there are the seedling annuals to take care of as well. Planting a strong, competitive crop that will cover over very quickly will prevent seedlings from getting established. “The only ones that are going to have a bit of a challenge that way, no matter how much management you do to that crop, are some of the pulse crops and flax,” says Brenzil. “But that’s just the nature of the beast.” In cereal crops, competitiveness is a big deal. In non-competitive broadleaf crops, Assure II is a good option. With less competitive crops, you can use an herbicide that’s based on the active ingredient quizalofop. “Really, your initial proprietary product is Assure II. Another product on the market is called Yuma, that’s a generic version of that product,” says Brenzil. Assure II was registered this spring for foxtail barley control. † Melanie Epp is a freelance writer who specializes in writing web copy for small businesses. She is based in Guelph, Ont., and can be found online at melanierepp.com.
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Features SEED VARIETIES
New canola varieties
Farmers will have 12 new canola varieties to choose from when they look for new seed in the spring of 2013 BY LEEANN MINOGUE
H
igher yields, more disease resistance. That’s the short summary of this list of new hybrid canola varieties available for 2013. There are now a dozen new varieties available in Western Canada, as well as many of your favourites from previous years. Start shopping.
BAYER CROPSCIENCE InVigor Health L156H is a LibertyLink hybrid that is part of Cargill’s Specialty Oil program. It yielded 138 per cent of the checks 46A65/Q2 in the 2008-09 co-op trials. InVigor Health L156H has all the yield potential of an “L Series” combined with a simple contract premium offering greater returns.
BRETT YOUNG 6050 RR is a new mid- to earlymaturity hybrid with excellent yield performance across the three canola production zones. 6050 RR is resistant to blackleg and has very good standability. 6050 RR yielded 124 per cent of the checks Q2 and 46A65 in the
2009-10 co-op trials and yielded 103 per cent of 45H29 in the 2011 BrettYoung Comparison trials. It is well suited to all canola production areas. 6056 CR is a new clubroot resistant hybrid which has shown very good yield potential in the co-op trial system in 2010 and 2011. It has very good resistance to Blackleg and excellent standability. Overall yield was 133 per cent of the checks Q2 and 46A65 in the co-op trials. It will be a good choice for farmers in areas affected by clubroot.
CANTERRA 1999 is a Genuity Roundup Ready hybrid that yields 103 per cent of 45H29. 1999 rated No. 1 for yield, standability and oil percentage in the 2011 field analysis comparison trials. It has an R rating for blackleg and fusarium wilt. CANTERRA 1999 will be available in very limited quantities this fall from your independent crop supply retailer.
DOW AGROSCIENCES Nexera Hybrid 2016 CL: For canola growers in the long-
season zone of Western Canada Nexera Hybrid 2016 CL offers yield potential equivalent to any competitive canola hybrid, an R rating for Blackleg, the advantages of the Clearfield system, excellent lodging resistance for easier swathing, and excellent harvestability. Nexera Hybrid 1016 RR: For canola growers in the mid- and long-season zones, Nexera Hybrid 1016 RR offers yield potential equivalent to any competitive canola hybrid, the convenience and weed control of the Roundup Ready system, excellent lodging resistance for easier swathing, excellent harvestability and the shortest days to maturity of all Nexera hybrids.
DUPONT PIONEER 45S54 is a Roundup Ready hybrid with the Pioneer Protector Sclerotinia Resistance trait builtin. Yield is rated at 126 per cent of 46A65/Q2. Excellent disease resistance package — rated R for sclerotinia, blackleg and fusarium wilt. Very good standability. Available exclusively through Pioneer Hi-Bred sales reps. Seed supply is good for 2013. 43E02 is a very early hybrid
with the Roundup Ready trait. Very good early growth. Good performance with yield potential 117 per cent of 46A65/Q2. MR for blackleg. Available exclusively through Pioneer Hi-Bred sales reps. Seed supply is good for 2013. D3154S is a Roundup Ready hybrid with built-in Pioneer Protector Sclerotinia Resistance trait. Yields 126 per cent of 46A65/ Q2. R for blackleg. Seed supply is good for 2013 and is available through DuPont at Co-op and select independent retailers.
MONSANTO CANADA INC. DEKALB brand 74-44 BL is the newest broad acre Genuity Roundup Ready hybrid. 74-44 BL offers outstanding yield potential at 107 per cent of 45H29 and 100 per cent of L150. It includes DEKALB’s next generation of a strong blackleg resistance to multiple pathogenic groups (2, 3, 4, and T). The excellent emergence and vigour of this hybrid combined with its ease of swathing make it an excellent option across the Prairies. DEKALB brand 74-47 CR is a Genuity Roundup Ready hybrid. 74-47 CR is the DEKALB brand’s
PHOTO: LEEANN MINOGUE
There are 12 new canola varieties available for 2013. second generation clubroot resistant hybrid. It protects from pathotypes 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8. This hybrid provides good early season vigour with outstanding standability and high yield potential. It yields 103 per cent of its check 45H29 across Western Canada.
SECAN Fusion is a high yielding Roundup Ready Argentine composite canola. It’s rated as “resistant” to blackleg and fusarium wilt. Fusion rated 123 per cent of checks over all sites in two years of co-op registration trials. † Leeann Minogue is the editor of Grainews.
Fall ch eck
list
Book RoundGenuity up Re B o o W k Roun ady canola eather dup MAX B herbic ook w ide inter v acatio n
engineered to work together. Book Roundup WeatherMAX® herbicide with your Genuity® Roundup Ready® canola this fall. www.roundup.ca www.genuitycanola.ca Always follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these requirements can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. Roundup WeatherMAX® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Canada Inc. licensee. © 2012 Monsanto Canada, Inc.
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Features SEED VARIETIES
Variety registration explained The Prairie Grain Development Committee evaluates new varieties every year. The CGC explains how they choose which varieties make it to the market BY THE CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION
B
efore a new variety of grain such as barley or wheat is registered and commercially grown in Canada, it must be evaluated and tested against standards for agronomy, disease resistance and quality. This evaluation and testing is known as Canada’s variety registration system. The system gives farmers tried, tested and improved varieties, while protecting Canada’s reputation with customers for consistent quality grain.
“Canadian producers have access to varieties that have been evaluated for their performance over several years in different environments across the prairies. Varieties undergo stringent tests for end-use quality. For customers, this means they can be confident that varieties will meet their quality expectations and Canadian grain will perform the way they need it to,” Edwards says.
EXPERTISE AND INPUT The Canadian Food Agency is responsible for registering varieties of most agricultural crops in Canada. The agency ensures
New varieites of wheat are called “wheat lines” That input comes from the Prairie Grain Development Committee. The committee is at the centre of Canada’s variety registration system. Its mandate is to act as a forum for the exchange of information related to the development of improved grain varieties for the western Canadian
27097 NodulatorXL FreeForm GrainNews_finalbanner.indd 1
Canola evaluated on quality
The registration of new canola varieties is separate from the Prairie Grain Development Committee and is handled by the Western Canada Canola/Rapeseed Recommending Committee (WCC/RRC). Unlike crops like wheat, new canola lines are only evaluated for end-use quality. The quality factors evalu-
BALANCING THE NEEDS OF FARMERS AND CUSTOMERS Nancy Edwards, program manager for breadwheat research, says that Canada’s variety registration system works by balancing the needs of both farmers and customers.
ated include protein and oil content, total saturated fatty acids and glucosolinates. A new canola line must undergo one year of private trials before it is brought to the committee and then must undergo two years of co-operative trials. Like the Prairie Grain Development Committee, the Western health and safety requirements are met. It also plays a gatekeeper role for maintaining and improving quality standards for grain in Canada. It relies on the expertise and input from Canada’s grain industry to make recommendations on which varieties should be registered.
Canada Canola/Rapeseed Recommending Committee evaluates the performance of new canola lines, votes on those that should be put forward for registration and makes recommendations to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. † CGC
prairies. The committee brings together those with an interest and expertise in one of three areas: agronomy, disease resistance and quality. Prairie Grain Development Committee members meet annually to evaluate new varieties being proposed for registration and to recommend, by a vote, varieties
for registration by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Edwards and other Canadian Grain Commission research and inspection staff lend their expertise to the Prairie Grain Development Committee. They contribute to the quality recommending committees for wheat, rye and triticale; oats and barley; pulses and special crops; and oilseeds. Their role on these recommending committees includes looking for any issues related to grain grading. The Grain Research Laboratory is responsible for the end-use quality testing for new proposed varieties, with the exception of quality testing for
oats, which is done by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
PROCESS FOR REGISTERING WHEAT VARIETIES New varieties of wheat are called “wheat lines” before they are registered. Once a new wheat line is developed, plant breeders can put it forward for the Prairie Grain Development Committee’s co-operative field trials. The co-operative field trials are tests that involve growing general purpose wheat lines for two years and milling wheat for three years in multiple locations across the prairies. The data collected are evaluated by the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticale for agronomy, disease and quality and are used to make a decision on whether or not the new wheat line will be supported for registration. General
purpose wheat only requires evaluation by the agronomy and disease committees and does not undergo quality evaluation.
CHECK VARIETIES The recommending committees evaluate new wheat lines against check varieties, registered varieties that are used as benchmarks. All new wheat lines must demonstrate equal-to or better performance than the check varieties. Check varieties may vary from year to year. In the case of new Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat lines, four to five varieties are
used for quality evaluation for a range of quality factors and new wheat lines are compared against the mean of the checks for most tests. In the case of dough strength measurements new wheat lines are compared against the weakest and strongest check varieties. For example, Katepwa, which has weaker dough properties, and Laura, which has stronger dough properties, are currently used as check varieties in the Western Bread Wheat trial to represent lower and upper dough strength limits. A new wheat line in that trial will be evaluated against these two for dough strength, and ideally its results will fall somewhere in the middle of this range.
EVALUATING AGRONOMICS The recommending committee for agronomy evaluates a new wheat line’s performance for factors
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Features
photo: agriculture and agri-food canada
Wheat field trial.
such as yield, maturity and height. The recommending committee for disease evaluates the wheat line’s resistance to diseases such as fusarium head blight, leaf and stem rust, and midge. The quality evaluation team ensures that new lines meet different wheat class requirements for processing quality. For the CWRS class for wheat, new wheat lines are evaluated for test weight, wheat protein, falling number, milling yield, flour ash, baking quality and other factors that are important to customers. New wheat lines are evaluated for falling number, a test used to detect the activity of the enzyme alpha amylase.
Recommending varieties for registration In 2011, there were 180 wheat lines evaluated by the Prairie
Grain Development Committee. They included lines in each year of evaluation, as well as check varieties. Of these, 15 thirdyear milling wheat lines, along with three general purpose lines and one spelt line were recommended for registration to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Benefits for farmers and customers The evaluation of agronomic characteristics, disease resistance and quality performance assures producers and customers that registered varieties will meet their needs. Edwards says that countries which don’t have the same stringent requirements for variety registration, such as the United States, leave it up to farmers to determine the
9/14/12 9:27 AM
Clearing up misconceptions One prevalent misconception about Canada’s variety registration system is the time it takes to register a new variety. In Canada, it takes up to three years to evaluate a new wheat line and make a recommendation on whether or not to register it. What takes the most time is the actual development right variety for their area and whether or not there is market interest in that variety. Edwards has also heard directly from customers that the primary reason they buy Canadian grain is because of its consistent quality, from shipment to shipment. “Customers can see consid-
of new lines, which can take breeders anywhere from eight to 10 years. If a line shows promise when undergoing evaluation by Prairie Grain Development Committee there is flexibility within the system that allows for seed increase and in some cases interim registration to bring valuable new wheat vaerable variability among the shipments they buy from other countries, including the United States. Not having a registration system makes it harder to manage quality and can make it challenging for customers to predict how the grain will perform. That’s not the case with
rieties into commercial production more quickly. This development time is often attributed to the variety registration system, but it isn’t unique to Canada. It takes time to develop a new line in every country, including the United States. † CGC
Canadian grain and it’s in large part due to our variety registration system,” she says. † This article was written by the Canadian Grain Commission and was originally run in the CGC’s online newsletter Harvest Science. Harvest Science can be found online by clicking “Publications and Forms” at the CGC’s website (www.grainscanada.gc.ca).
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Features SEED VARIETIES
New Soybean Varieties For 2013
If you’re starting to think about what you’ll be planting in 2013, here are 15 new soybean varieties to consider BY MELANIE EPP
W
ith soybeans growing in popularity in the southern and eastern edges of the Prairies, there are 15 new varieties to consider for 2013. All of them are in the 2400 to 2500 heat unit range (CHU), except for one new variety from North Star Genetics at 2325 CHU, as well as two varieties from
Quarry Seeds, which are 2525 and 2575 CHU.
DUPONT PIONEER 90Y01 — 2500 CHU. Contains the Roundup Ready trait Excellent field emergence. Very good harvest standability. Contains multi-race phytophthora resistance via the Rps1k gene. Available exclusively through Pioneer Hi-Bred sales reps. Seed supply is good for 2013.
NORTH START GENETICS NSC Reston RR2Y — 2325 CHU. A very, very early maturing line requiring only 2325 CHUs to reach maturity. Tall stature line with exceptional podding along the nodes. This variety will help expand soybean productions in areas north and west. NSC EXP 1209N R2 — 2450 CHU. This is the first line with genetic resistance to cyst nema-
todes. Will be of interest to farmers who’ve planted soybeans on soybeans for a number of years. NSC EXP 1201 LL — 2450 CHU. This is the earliest maturing Liberty Link soybean variety available. For Western Canada, this line is classified as a mid-season maturity line. Has great IDC scores, branchy plant architecture and grows to a consistent height across a range of locations.
PRIDE SEEDS PS 0074 R2 — 2475 CHU. New early high-yielding RR2 variety adapted for the western Canadian market. Good IDC tolerance rating and outstanding emergence. Moderated height and canopy, great variety for 15-inch row widths and less, and very good harvest standability. PS 0083 R2 — 2500 CHU. Early high-yielding RR2 variety adapted for the western Canadian market. Outstanding emergence and stability, and excellent agronomics. Very good white mould tolerance, visually attractive and easy to harvest.
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TH 33003R2Y — 2400 CHU. Extremely high yielding for its early maturity. Very adaptable variety. Pod height is highest on the market. Lateral branching provides exceptional pod set. TH 33005R2Y — 2450 CHU. Great mid-maturing, high yielding variety, Great IDC tolerance. Excellent standability. TH 33006R2Y — 2500 CHU. Excellent spring vigour out of the ground. Good yielder for midand full-season maturity zones. Branches very well to fill in rows 21 inches and less. TH 33007R2Y — 2525 CHU. High yielding variety in full season maturity zones. Great branching allows for adaptability in all row spacings. Yield potential is great under dry conditions. TH 33008R27 — 2575 CHU. Extremely high yielding potential along the Manitoba/U.S. border. Very aggressive bushy plant. Excellent standability on all row spacings.
SECAN Chadburn R2 — 2475 CHU. This variety is well adapted to the Manitoba environment. Tolerant rating to iron chlorosis, stands well with nice plant height. Yield is equal to 102 per cent of Portage in 2012 Manitoba seed guide. Beurling R2 — 2500 CHU. A tall, strong plant that yields well and is similar maturity to NSC Portage. 102 per cent of NSC Portage in 2012 Manitoba Seed Guide. Bishop R2 — 2450 CHU. An early maturing variety that stands tall and delivers great yield for its maturity. 100 per cent of NSC Portage in 2012 Manitoba Seed Guide. Currie R2 — 2500 CHU. Currie R2 is a high yielding variety that matures within a couple of days of NSC Portage. It is tolerant to iron chlorosis. 111 per cent of NSC Portage in 2012 Manitoba Seed Guide. † Melanie Epp is a freelance writer who specializes in writing web copy for small businesses. She is based in Guelph, Ont., and can be found online at melanierepp.com.
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Features
Crop heat units
A
s earlier maturing soybeans are developed, the soybean growing range continues to expand. For farmers on the edge of the traditional growing area, the heat unit rating is typically the most important statistic when it comes to new varieties. The heat rating is abbreviated as CHU. Some sources use CHU as an abbreviation for “crop heat units,” others refer to “corn heat units,” becuase the measure is most often used to evaluate the suitability of an area for growing corn.
Calculating CHU Like annual rainfall, CHU is a cumulative measure, taking into account the total heat in a specific area during a growing season. Heat units are calculated using a complicated formula (for math wizards only). But even the algebra-intolerant should know about the assumptions that go into CHU: The CHU formula assumes maximum growth occurs at 30 C, and decreases when the temperature goes above 30 C. When daytime temperatures are less than 10 C, the formula assumes no growth can take place. CHU takes nighttime temperatures into account as well as daytime temperatures. The math assumes that no growth is taking place when the nighttime temperature is less than 4.4 C.
CHU cautions When you look at a CHU map for your area, make sure you know what you’re looking at. Some maps show long-term averages. Others show average data for only a few years. There are also maps that put risk in the picture — for example, the province of Saskatchewan has published a map with a 90 per cent risk, showing you the minimum CHUs you can expect in your area nine years out of 10. These risk maps are especially useful for farmers on the edge of the soybean growing area who are trying to assess their chances of having enough heat to allow the crop to mature before it
freezes. If you’re thinking of using these statistics and taking a chance, remember that a 90 per cent guarantee of “warm enough” weather is still a 10 per cent risk that you won’t get your crop off in time. Finally, when you’re looking at the map, keep in mind that local factors such as soil type, slope and elevation will also impact growth.
Your CHUs Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Agriculture has developed a map showing the CHU that can be expected in any area nine years out of 10. On the main page (www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca), search for “corn heat units.” This map shows Regina as a cooler part of the province, in an area that can expect to receive only at least 1901 to 2000 CHU 90 per cent of the time. According to statistics kept by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance, (www.saskcropinsurance.com/cropinsurance/statistics/chu), in 2010, Regina received 2125.8 CHU, and in 2011, 2306 (there is no final statistic for 2012 yet, as the growing season is still in progress.) Manitoba: The provincial government has posted a detailed discussion of CHU, including the formula (www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/climate/waa50s00.html). There are links to maps showing the average CHU across the province, as well as useful maps showing provincial CHUs with 25 and 10 per cent risk. A 25 per cent risk means that in one year out of four, the CHU would be lower than appears on the map. A 10 per cent risk map indicates that in one year out of 10, actual CHUs would be lower than the CHU shown on the map. Alberta: From the main provincial page (agric.gov.ab.ca), type “corn heat units” into the search box. You can find a document showing average rainfall, CHU and frost free days in Lethbridge, Bow Island and Brooks. There is also a link to a provincial map of CHUs, but take note that this map is a bit out of date — it covers the period from 1971 to 2000. †
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
Features HARVEST
Straight- Cutting the Swath PHOTOS: ANNE LAZURKO
Anne and Dave Lazurko assume they lost eight to 10 bu/ac of canola due to shatter caused by wind and harvest.
Wind-strewn canola swath forced some farmers to switch to Plan B — the straight cut header outfitted with lifters BY ANNE LAZURKO
A
An 85 km per hour wind can really spread a canola swath.
fter a summer of unusual calm in southeast Saskatchewan, an 85 kilometres per hour wind decided to vent itself on 600 acres of canola lying in perfect swaths on our farm near Weyburn. It was the day before we were scheduled to start harvesting the crop, and we could only watch the swaths lift and roll while we readied the com-
. t i m i l e h t o t t h g i r . . . s d l Out yie e. anc m r o f r e p yield ny hybrid m u m i titive with a x e p m o c Ma is canola bigger yield , VR 9559 G ffers es to yield t’s more, it o a h W . When it com s ie ir e pra ht across th system – rig a rtility rates. fe r e h ig h to ed.viterra.c e s r o il response ta re g iterra a , visit your V n o ti a rm fo For more in
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Anne Lazurko is a freelance writer and farmer near Weyburn, Sask.
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Notice to Farmers
Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. This product has been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship.
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Nitrogen is not the only factor to yield. Weeds, insects, and disease also have an impact. Always practice a balanced crop and fertility management approach to ensure optimal yields. VR 9559 G canola is a Viterra researched and recommended variety. Roundup Ready® is a registered symbol used under license from Monsanto Company. Pioneer® and the Trapezoid symbol are registered trademarks of Pioneer Hi-Bred.
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bine, trucks, augers and bins in the yard. Pulling into it the next day we found the mess we hoped we wouldn’t. The tops of the swaths had rolled and scattered across the field. It took two hours to combine two miles of swath with the pickup header because clean up in between required several passes. Plan B: outfit the straight cut header with lifters and hope for the best. We weren’t the only operation to try this method. At “the John Deere,” the parts personnel told us there were a lot of lifters leaving their shop with guys using them for the same purpose. It was hard on the header to cut so low and there were a few rocks in the trap and broken guards, but in the end the canola came off, averaging 22 bushels per acre. Not bad, all things considered. Direction of swath made a big difference. The bulk of ours was swathed north to south. It blew the worst in the westerly wind. A northwest to southeast angle blew a little less. One quarter on our worst land (of course) was swathed east to west. It didn’t blow at all. It averaged 30 bu./ ac., so we can safely assume we lost eight to 10 bu./ac. to shatter caused by wind and harvest. Moral of the story: Prairie winds are inevitable so swath to combat the prevailing wind and hope for the best. And don’t forget you can always straight cut the swath. †
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23
Columns CAN’T TAKE THE FARM FROM THE BOY
Welcome to the neighbourhood After moving from downtown Toronto to a farm in rural Manitoba, Toban Dyck and his wife are finding that things aren’t quite what they expected TOBAN DYCK
mowing services. We love the community feel of this rural life.
machine (I’ve noticed the playful rivalry between the red and green farms), he left me and the combine
IN THE CAB
T
oronto is a smoggy memory by now. Our farm home is setup (except for that hanger rod I need to install in our closet), deck built and my wife and I have already hosted neighbours for coffee. You know, like a good farm couple. The dirt under my fingernails, once new, now seems permanent and normal. And, my parents are confident enough in my newly acquired farm steward abilities to leave me in charge of the acreage for an entire week. But, socializing in a town I haven’t lived in for over a decade remains full of complexities, at least for me. I dreaded this event, so I am glad it is behind me: I ran into an old friend in town, one I hung out with a fair bit but never kept in touch with. Very few people enjoy the conversation where you have to recap the past decade, so, the tendency in these situations, and I know you all can agree, is to avoid eye contact. We were both engaged in this avoidance behaviour, when, that’s right, we made eye contact. And, I am glad we did, as our conversation was pleasant, without pretense on both sides and lasted long enough to anger a couple customers who desperately needed my friend’s services as a sales representative.
I may only be slightly over a month old as a farmer, but already I feel confident talking to other farmers about crops and machinery, all while using the appropriate terminology. This specific brand of confidence began a couple weeks ago, when my dad let me drive the combine, which to me as a child and now as an adult, is the ultimate farm implement. Not only did he let me drive the gorgeous, Case IH
Harvesting what is an essential feed product is truly an honour to finish the canola while he busied himself with other farm-related duties. I was proud.
I won’t get too sentimental about combining, but, sitting in a climate-controlled cab, surrounded by windows, watching the sun set on a big Manitoba sky while harvesting what is an essential food product is truly an honour. As a child, working on the farm as a means to some weekend spending money, I didn’t bother to learn about how individual tasks, such as, say, cultivating, fit into the larger picture of what makes a farm tick. Chatting with my dad now, however, I am learning in broad strokes about what goes on in a farmer’s mind throughout the
season. Words such as markets, futures, contract, bushels, yield, protein and dockage have seeped into my daily vocabulary. And I am proud to say I know what they all mean. Sort of. Driving home to the farm from Winnipeg still feels surreal for my wife and me, but it also feels very right. We’ll stare at each other, then gaze at the wide open, beautiful space around us and then let out a laugh, because who would have guessed we’d be here, farming in southern Manitoba. † Toban Dyck is a freelance writer and a new farmer on an old farm. Follow him on Twitter @tobandyck or email
[email protected].
AGRICULTURE FOR LIFE 10.000X4.00 000029664r1 4CFFWD, RHP, OPP/ADJ EDITORIAL
QUIET LIFE? Living a few miles out of town, distant from man-made lights and sounds, we assumed that things, life, would be quiet and remote. This is not the case. Sunday: Our neighbour and one of his boys dropped in on us for a quick, general chat that broached the topic of crops and harvest, and, because my dad was away, I was in charge and thus the best person on the property to answer such questions. Then Monday came and, first thing in the morning, a different neighbour rolls onto the yard to chat. Then, a few minutes after that exchange ended, a young man rang our doorbell regarding lawn-
We’re in it for life.
Ag for Life delivers educational programming that will serve to improve rural and farm safety and build a genuine understanding and appreciation of the impact agriculture has on lives.
BY DAN PIRARO
Bizarro
Founding members: Agrium Inc. ATB Financial
ATCO Group Penn West Exploration
Rocky Mountain Equipment TransCanada Corporation
UFA Co-operative Ltd.
Contributing members: AdFarm Glacier Media Group Government of Alberta
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Columns OFF-FARM INCOME
Selling puts is risky, but it can make money Selling puts is generally considered to be risky behaviour. Andy Sirski explains how it works for him and talks about the trades he’s made ANDY SIRSKI
S
elling puts is considered quite risky because when you sell a put, you become an insurance company — you’re contracting to buy shares at a certain price if they drop below the strike price. Selling puts is mainly considered to be risky because most people don’t know how to manage it. It doesn’t have to be this way. I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes selling puts. Education seems to cost me money. But I’ve also managed to work my way out of losing money, and got lots of practice and experience along the way.
SELLING PUTS I’ve figured out how to sell puts properly: don’t be greedy and take small positions. I’ve been able to make a fairly easy couple of hundred dollars a month, without owning the shares. Investors can sell puts for one of two reasons. First, to bring in cash month after month, and second, to help drop the original cost of shares. There is one more rule: sell puts only on stocks you would like to own. You can sell puts only if your account is approved by a broker. Only trading accounts can be approved to sell puts. New put sellers would be wise to start small and try to break even or better, not to hit home runs. A big premium from selling a put often means the shares are about to drop big time. I try not to sell puts into a falling market or on a stock that has peaked out and is about to roll over and drop. And finally, if I can
find a favorite stock that has bottomed, I’m usually tempted to sell a put on 100 to 300 shares to pull in a couple hundred dollars for a month.
THE LOSERS I have made my share of goofs selling puts. For example, Osisko (OSK) is a gold stock I like. The price was $12.50 one day, and he premium on the put was quite good so I sold a put on 1,000 shares. Share prices started to drop because we were going into spring. I let the price drop a lot before I bought back my puts. Lesson number one. Of course I could have bought back my puts when I was down a few hundred bucks. I did not have to wait until I was losing $1,000. Second, I could have bought the loser put back and sold another put at a lower strike price and been even on cash or better again. My next loser was RMX, a small cap gold stock in Ontario. The price was around $4 in March, 2012 and I sold a put on 1,000 shares for June, collecting $0.20 per share or $200. I watched the shares drop to around $3 so basically I was down $0.80 a share or $800. But I wanted to try this out so I let the shares be “put to me” as the term is called. Then as if that wasn’t enough, I sold another put for July at strike price $4 and collected $0.50 on 2,000 shares or $1,000. The shares kept on dropping and again I let them be put to me. My actual cost on those 3,000 shares was around $3.60 per share. I did sell calls on them, picking up 20 cents per share, which dropped my cost, and as I write in early September the shares are trading at $3.40 so I’m not losing or making much. But selling calls brought me back to about even on the cash. I sold a call for January with a strike price of $4 and picked
Are you looking for…
up around $800. If the shares do go up by January and someone buys them I’ll make over $0.60 per share, which on a $3.50 stock is a 17 per cent return for a year. Pretty good, considering the whole deal was a comedy of errors. So, while I did not have to own shares to sell puts, because the shares dropped and because I did not reverse my decision, I now own a few thousand shares. But I have worked my way out of the red.
Sell puts only on stocks you would like to own The big lesson here is don’t sell puts on small cap stocks from January to March. Here’s why. Many investors sell small cap stocks that are losing money near the end of the tax year to offset capital gain on other stocks. If those small caps are worth their salt, buyers often start buying the shares back after the 30-day tax rule is up, or just because the shares are cheap. That uptrend often runs until March. So you can see I sold puts just about the time the shares were ready to roll over and drop. I would be smarter and richer if I sold puts when stocks bottom out and maybe a bit later just as shares are starting to go up after a lousy summer.
NOW SOME WINNERS This summer I decided that was enough of losing when I was selling puts so I started to do the opposite of what I was doing before. One day, Tech Resources (TCK.B) was trading at $27 per share. That
is about as low as that stock gets on a bad day. That was a bad day. Selling puts on a bad day improves the odds that the shares will go up, which is good for the put selling strategy. I sold a put for August with a strike price of $27 and picked up about $150. The shares went up and I paid $28 to buy the puts back — keeping over $100. Pretty good for a couple of weeks, without owning the shares. The shares went to $28 and higher so I sold a put on 300 shares with a strike price of $27 for just over $300. The shares went up so I bought the puts back for $40 and kept another $250. One day I sold more puts on TCK.b for November, same strike price ($27), and collected another few hundred bucks. As I write in early September the price was $27.24. As long as the shares stay above $27, I will not have to buy the shares and I will keep the cash. If I did have to be put the shares my cost would be $27 less the premium (say $1.20): $25.80 per share. And the shares have not been that low for a long time. As things currently stand I could sell a put on 300 more shares for and collect another couple of hundred bucks for a few weeks of time. I now wait and look for a bad day in the market to sell a put on some shares. Keep in mind, you are only allowed to sell puts on about 25 per cent of the value of your trading account.
MORE STOCKS Molycorp (MCP) is a rare element mining company near the Nevada/California border. Two years ago it went public at $14 per share. The shares got caught up in the rare element frenzy when China started to hoard the stuff and jumped to $75. Then shares dropped to $10 lately, after the
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company issued more shares to raise money. Recently the company started mining rare element. It has a pipeline to bring in natural gas. It has a pile of tailings that have rare elements that can be mined profitable at today’s prices. It has a rare element for making magnets and for making water filters that can take arsenic out of water. I don’t know exactly how fast some of these projects will get going but I bought 300 shares in late August at around $12 per share. Franco Nevada (FNV) is another stock that helps mines get going. Recently it lent $750 million to Hudbay (HBM) and another billion or so to Inmet Mining (IMN). The general deal is that FNV gets paid in product (silver or gold) or collects a royalty on the product. I own 1,500 shares and have sold calls on 1,300 for January. This company has lots of free cash flow almost like Silver Wheaton (SLW). The difference is that SLW relies only on silver and so it is a very volatile stock. FNV has other projects and so is less volatile. Potash Corp (POT) is a stock I owned last winter when the price dropped to $40 and change; I sold calls and shares got exercised. The shares went to $45 or so an in late August the price was back down to $40 and change. POT manages supplies of potash and has shut down some mines as the pile of potash was getting too big for comfort. The outlook for fertilizer might be good and it might not. The U.S. corn country is very dry, as you know. Odds are, farmers might not put down any fertilizer until it rains. I don’t think corn country uses a lot of potash at the best of times and American drought programs likely will send cash to farmers who have been hard hit with drought. Also, many farmers have paid lots of income tax the past couple years. On a bad year like this they can average back and collect some of the taxes they paid in the past. At $40, I think my risk of owning POT is quite low, so I bought 300 shares around $40 and will sell calls when I get around to it. First Majestic (FR) is another stock I own. I paid a hefty price — around $18 last winter. I sold calls for July with a strike price of $18 and collected around 12 per cent ($2.20 per share or higher). By July shares dropped to under $16, I bought the calls back for around 35 cents and sold a call with an October strike price of $18, collecting about $1.60. That brought in enough cash to let me buy another 200 shares. I’ve added shares with no new money of my own. That is how the magic of compounding can help build wealth, and how we can sell calls and buy more good shares with no new money. That is the power of selling covered calls on stocks we own. † Andy is mostly retired in Winnipeg. He enjoys gardening, grandchildren, running his Datsun and managing his own portfolio. Andy also publishes a newsletter by email where he tells readers what he does with his stocks. Andy specializes in selling covered calls on stocks he owns which brings in cash and or drops the paper cost of his shares. To read the newsletter free for a month, contact Andy at
[email protected].
OCTOBER 8, 2012
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Columns MANAGEMENT MINUTE
To price or not to price? That is the question When a client asks for help with marketing decisions, our management experts suggest 9 questions to ask before pricing your crop ANDREW DERUYCK
MARK SLOANE
M
ark Etgonup called us as he turned the key off for the final time on the combine. He was very satisfied with cereal yields but thought his canola must have come down with heat stroke as it was a bit disappointing. On the bright side, prices are at a level significantly higher than the historical average, which may or may not mean something anymore. Although this price has the potential to shore up a somewhat disappointing yield, it isn’t money in the bank until it is priced.
and his ending working capital was still adequate given today’s pricing opportunities. Is there still potential for the market to go up or down? You bet. So how will Mark make his decision? There is inherent risk to not locking in Mark’s margins today at the pricing available. Here is a list of the considerations that we challenged him to work through in order to remove the emotion from his understanding of his risk appetite for any future market changes. 1. What impact would a decrease in the market have on immediate cash flow? Or are your immediate cash flow requirements already met? 2. What impact would a
decrease in the market have on your year end working capital, and your ability to fund next year’s operations? 3. Do the present market conditions provide you with the additional capital needed to make anticipated equipment purchases with cash instead of financing? 4. What is the longer term debt service coverage risk for the business? Would additional capital at the point allow the business to prepay some debt, creating breathing space down the line? 5. What is driving you to speculate on market direction? Typically the advantage in the market goes to the one with the most information and the most capital. Do you fit into these categories?
6. Do you feel that you need to try to maximize the value in your current inventory to be competitive with others in the industry? 7. Have you discussed the decision with other stakeholders in the business to ensure a common risk appetite? 8. Are you comfortable with options as a means to mitigate price risk with consideration given to mechanics and affordability? 9. Would a staged marketing approach help to satisfy your concern for risk? That is, would selling another portion of the crop create comfort that you did not miss out on the market opportunity? As with many decisions in managing a farm business, you
need to clearly understand what is at stake and what your appetite for the risk may be. Planning is an integral part to any successful business and when actual results have the potential to outperform the plan, that is exciting but… don’t fall into a trap where your are taking risks that you cannot afford and jeopardize longer term plans for the chance for a short term gain. † Andrew DeRuyck and Mark Sloane manage two farming operations in southern Manitoba and are partners in Right Choice Management Consulting. With over 25 years of cumulative experience, they offer support in farm management, financial management, strategic planning and mediation services. They can be reached at
[email protected] and
[email protected] or 204-8257392 and 204-825-8443.
THE DECISION Mark felt lost. He is confident that the market is operating within a new trading range and given the volatility, he found himself second guessing his intuition. Mark has a very firm handle on his production costs and appreciates the good margins that are available from the market today. He also recognizes the bulls, real or not, are active in the market and he doesn’t want to leave money on the table. We indicated to Mark that we felt the key to being comfortable in his pricing decisions moving forward was to remove the emotion from the decision. We immediately revisited the production, cash flow and projected balance statements that we prepared with Mark last January. There are a couple of quick calculations that we can use to compare his present position to the one he projected: • One method is to work through the actual income and expenses year to date in an effort to arrive at the actual accrued net income for the fiscal period. • The second option is to compare the projected new crop sales and projected ending inventory to the present inventory position. Can the actual inventory, which is lower, still accomplish the cash required from new crop sales and provide the desired working capital at year end?
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BOTTOM LINE The bottom line in Mark’s situation was that although his inventory was lower, his expenses were very close to what he had planned. The appreciation in the market value of his commodities was more than going to make up for the decrease in bushels. His accrued net income would actually be slightly higher than projected, his new crop sales would provide the cash that he was expecting
*Field results show that Pioneer Protector® Sclerotinia resistance can reduce the incidence of sclerotinia in a canola crop by over 50%. Individual results may vary. Depending on environmental and agronomic conditions, growers planting Pioneer Protector Sclerotinia resistant hybrids may still require a fungicide application to manage sclerotinia in their crop. The DuPont Oval Logo is a registered trademark of DuPont. ®, TM, SM Trademarks and service marks licensed to Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited. © 2012, PHL. PR182_Prtctr Kneeling Ad3_FE
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Columns GUARDING WEALTH
The future of the Euro Why smart investors are willing to lose money on bonds isssued by strong countries BY ANDREW ALLENTUCK
T
he bond market, usually the haven of investors who don’t want to take risks, has waded into territory in which losses are not just possible, but certain. Bonds issued by Canada, the U.S. and Germany with maturities less than 20 to 30 years now pay less than the rate of inflation in each country. Their real returns are therefore negative. For farmers with some spare cash, global bond returns are pretty obscure, but the caution big investors are showing deserves attention from everybody. We’re talking selfdefense here. You might think that only a fool would buy a bond that pays less at maturity than it costs to buy, but there is a rationale for this seeming madness. If the Euro should collapse and be abandoned, which is no longer unthinkable and in some circles thought likely, the bonds of the financially strong countries — the U.S., Germany and Canada, to name a few — would probably soar in value. So is it sensible for off-farm money to go into bonds that pay what are currently negative returns? People may pay a great deal for stocks being propelled upward by momentum. The idea of doing this with a bond is not much different, save that the bond has a life expectancy and will expire worth no more than
its face value. German bonds, some of which, like the oneyear bond with a nominal yield of minus 3/10 of one per cent before inflation make no sense unless you are ready to pay for insurance or you expect the Euro to be abandoned. The same goes for global fixed income funds loaded with German bonds.
SAVING THE EURO? The idea that the Euro must be saved at any cost may soon morph to the idea that it cannot be saved regardless of cost. The evidence for the decline and perhaps the doom of the Euro is in the bond market where, for lack of their own currencies, the value of bonds issued by the 17 nations that use the Euro have become stand ins. Day by day, German, French, Dutch and Austrian bonds — the good credits in the system — fetch successively lower record yields as frightened investors push up their prices. German 10-year bonds pay about 1.5 per cent to maturity. In contrast, Spanish bond markets have spreads between bid and ask as wide as castle moats and the Greek bond market is said to be bid-free. Nobody wants to buy the Greek bonds and nobody really thinks their 42 per cent theoretical yield will happen. One cannot say decisively that the Euro cannot recover, but, for now, worse is likely yet to come.
The Libor scandal in which a few large market making banks kept the rate that banks pay to borrow U.S. dollars from one another artificially low by their reluctance to reveal their own risks may seem piffle if the continental banks that influence the Euribor, the rate on interbank loans in Euros, admit to similar deceit. The argument for keeping the Euro is promotion of stability, maintenance of convenient trade in one currency (never mind the problem of borrowing to finance that trade), a good currency for the debtors who could not afford to buy German goods with their own drachmas and pesetas and a trade promotion mechanism for the Germans. The Germans confuse the fairness of their problem of having to finance deadbeats with the great benefits they get, but in public debate fairness has a lot of weight. To the Germans, and in the larger world, the balance of whether to save or to scuttle the Euro is much the same as the issue of whether debtors that overspent should be rewarded and prudent creditors punished. In another view, Germans complain, rightly, that for Germany to maintain a form of money that their customers cannot
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Always follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these requirements can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. © 2012 Monsanto Canada, Inc.
Evidence for the decline and perhaps the doom of the Euro is in the bond market afford is vendor financing that the deadbeats do not deserve.
EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK The European Central Bank could fix the currency issue in a stroke by pumping vast sums into the market with quantitative easing in which the ECB buys every bit of doubtful debt on commercial banks’ books — every crummy Greek bond and every toxic loan — and then fixes bank capital ratios to allow the banks to lend perhaps 100 times their capital. A ratio of 12 to one is what conservative Canadian banks maintain. At 100 times capital, if one per cent of loans go bad, the bank no longer has any capital. But if central banks agree to cover every loss, then, hey, monetary policy turns into a Mexican piñata and it’s holiday time for everybody. The result, though it might work for a while, would be a huge risk of inflation, the coup de grace for the Euro. Investors would then dump their Euro assets to buy still more U.S. dollars and perhaps loonies, Australian dollars, and, of course German bonds. What all this means is that the ECB is running out of creative room. The half lives of its measures are shrinking rapidly. Fear is generating hefty trading profits for alternative currencies and, especially, U.S. dollar-denominated riskless assets like Treasury bonds. German finance costs are falling rapidly just as finance costs in Spain, Italy and the other debtor countries have soared. In the end, it will be the market for national debt that voices
what the non-existent national currencies of Europe would say if they could. Credit authorities may try to salvage the Euro as a core trade credit by deconstructing their common currency into a Euro for domestic use and one for investing or one for spending and one for trading or long and short or whatever. The market will finish that off or cut the spreads down to almost nothing. The monetary people ought to know that. New scrip, say a Euro-denominated bond due in 30 years, as a noninflationary way of getting the future to pay for the present, could also be a great flop. Moving to new or replacement currencies would be enormously difficult. How do you translate a five-year payment stream in a currency that may not be around in five years, after all? And that is why, simply, investors are loading up on Northern European bonds and selling bonds from the south, buying Canadian and U.S. bonds and even hoarding American and Canadian cash in bank deposits and GICs in spite of low interest rates. The market is offering a solution to the crisis of the Euro, the one money in the world backed by no fiscal policy, that has no central tax authority and no regional or national monetary policy. British prime minister Margaret Thatcher said all that when she refused to have Britain be part of the Eurozone. New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra’s famous saying describes the present situation well enough: “It’s déjà vu all over again.” † Andrew Allentuck’s latest book, “When Can I Retire? Planning Your Financial Life After Work,” was published in 2011 by Penguin Canada.
OCTOBER 8, 2012
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Columns SOILS AND CROPS
Grey soil, pH and anhydrous ammonia With more information and more study, researchers continue to provide new and improved answers to the same old questions LES HENRY
A
recent Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) laboratory study at Lethbridge looked at the retention of anhydrous ammonia (NH3) for soils of different pH, clay, organic matter and moisture content. Viterra had provided funding and researcher Rigas Karamanos was involved. Rigas and I have pounded many trails together so respect one another. One conclusion from the study was that dry soils would hold on to NH3 very well in the lab. This agreed with lab work we did in the 1980s. In field applications, dry soils can be a problem if the ammonia knife slit does not close properly, but dry soils will hold NH3. However, the Lethbridge study also said soil pH was the most important factor. Organic material (OM) was also found to be important, but clay content not so much. In the 1980s we (the Soil Science Department at the University of Saskatchewan) did a very large field and lab program on NH3 and found that clay and organic matter were the important factors determining how well NH3 would be held by the soil, so I was puzzled by the importance placed on pH in the Lethbridge study.
EARLY DAYS OF NH3 When anhydrous became widely available in the late 1970s, coffee shop and bar talk had all kinds of rumours about anydrous ammonia wrecking the land. It would kill the bugs, make the soil hard and sterile and generally ruin the soil. We reviewed the literature and found that soil organisms are fried in the injection point but quickly bounce back from surrounding soil. Most other myths were exploded also. The one question that had no answer in the literature was the organic matter solubilized by the NH3. Our graduate student, Dale Tomasiewicz — an Outlook, Sask. farm boy — tackled the problem. (Manitoba folk will know Dale as the director at Carberry research center for he past many years. He just moved back home to Outlook last spring.) Dale put a number on the OM solubilized and showed that it was insignificant on a whole soil basis. It was the first work of its kind anywhere in the world and Dale did it all. I was his supervisor, but all I did was tell him the problem and suggest where to get soils. We had a wide range of soil clay and OM contents but did not consider pH, as most of our soils are pH 7 to 8. One site I sent him to for samples was the Ed Roth farm (a well known auctioneer late of Rosthern, Sask.). There he would find a Blaine Lake Black loam soil on level lacustrine (water laid) topography. The sample came in with a pH of 5.3 and I questioned his sampling. But a look back at a previous strip test at that farm showed three of 10 sites in a
half mile strip to have pH around 5.5. So we carried on with that soil. As I now look back at our data I see that the Blaine Lake soil with pH 5.3 did retain the most NH3. It also had 36 per cent clay and 7.7 per cent OM. So, the point of all this is that soil pH, OM and clay all have an impact on how well a soil will hold onto NH3. In any research study we need to be careful to have a suitable variation of all variables under study.
HIGH PH Probably the most important part of pH and NH3 retention is the lack of retention at very high pH. When we apply NH3 it quickly
converts to NH4+ and is held by the soil clay and OM. But the percentage of free NH3 in relation to pH is shown in the table. We do not have any soils at pH 9 but we do have many eroded knolls and other lime rich soils with pH in the mid to high 8s. My nitrogen source on my Dundurn farm has been almost exclusively anhydrous NH3 and it has produced many good crops for me. But, except for peas, not much of that yield comes from the eroded knolls with high pH. Now, these eroded knolls have little or no topsoil and OM of only 2 per cent so pH is not the only factor, but lack of NH3 retention could be part of the problem.
Perhaps we need to take a second look at NH3 and consider the pH effect. Thanks to AAFC Lethbridge and to Rigas for forcing me to go back and take a second look at our own data. Research is much like farming, we must constantly question what we do and look for new ways and new information.
I had dug thousands of holes in farm fields all over Saskachewan for 15 years or more and nary an earthworm to be found. All soil surveyors I have quizzed say the same thing. But, that has all changed with the switch to continuous cropping and zero till. Stay tuned for my next article when I provide some information — and photos — about earthworms. †
EARTHWORMS
J.L.(Les) Henry is a former professor and extension specialist at the University of Saskatchewan. He farms at Dundurn, Sask. He recently finished a second printing of “Henry’s Handbook of Soil and Water,” a book that mixes the basics and practical aspects of soil, fertilizer and farming. Les will cover the shipping and GST for Grainews readers. Send a cheque for $50 to Henry Perspectives, 143 Tucker Cres, Saskatoon, SK, S7H 3H7, and he will dispatch a signed book.
When the rumours about anydrous ammonia wrecking the land were rampant in the late 1970s and early1980s, one of the bad things it was supposed to do was kill all the earthworms. My response to that was, “What earthworms?”
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Columns UNDERSTANDING MARKET BULLS AND BEARS
Lower your market risk You’ve finally got that crop in the bin, yet your profit still isn’t safe. Here’s some advice to help you minimize market risk on your farm BY BRIAN WITTAL
I
n the new marketing environment there are a number of things that one must be aware of to help reduce marketing risk exposure.
1. WHICH COMPANY? Not all companies are created equal. There are many grain companies and brokers to deal with and there will be more starting up in this new open marketing system. Making sure the ones you deal with are licensed and bonded through the Canadian Grain Commission is critical to your farms financial risk management. Check their website (www.grainscanada. gc.ca) or call the CGC (1-800-8536705) to confirm that the company or broker you are dealing with is both licensed and bonded. Licensing and bonding ensures you that if a company or broker defaults on payment for grains delivered that you have some recourse through the CGC to get your monies owed. If they are not licensed and bonded and they default on payment to you, your only recourse (if any) is through the courts.
2. WHICH CONTRACT? Not all contracts are created equal. Every grain buying company or broker will have their own grain purchase contract with
their own terms and clauses that have been created to meet their needs and give them flexibility to meet unforeseen situations. Some of these terms or clauses may be that they have the right to defer delivery of your grain to their facility for 30, 60 or even 90 days with written or verbal notice. You have no say in the matter, and you usually will not be compensated for this delay. Having worked in the industry for 30 years I can appreciate the fact that many outside factors could delay their ability to move grain in a timely manner and force them to have to delay delivery of grain. But this does not preclude you from negotiating (in advance of signing the contract) an escalating storage or late delivery payment if such an event were to occur. If they want your business they will negotiate. Then rest assured that if they are going to delay delivery of grain to their facility they will make an extra effort to get yours in on time and delay someone else to avoid paying the late delivery fee you negotiated. It comes down to cash flow management and making sure you are not paying interest on loans or line of credit if you don’t have to. This will help to make sure you get your monies when you need it. The contract may also give the buyer the right to change delivery location to better meet their business needs. This could mean you have to travel further than first
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intended. Will they compensate you for that? Here are some questions to ask before signing a new crop contract: • Does the contract offer an Act of God clause to protect you from production loss? • What additional costs (such as administration or hedging) are there to buy out of a contract, other than the contract price and current price differential? • What, if any, costs (such as freight, elevation, cleaning or administration) will be deducted from the contract price? Will
If they want your business they will negotiate they lock those costs in now or are they subject to the market costs at time of settlement? If you want guarantees or assurances on grades or discounts when signing a deferred delivery contract you probably won’t get them. Or, if you do, it will cost you — the companies need to offset their risk somehow. The end result is that you carry all of the marketing and pricing risk for your grains unless you have a way to offset that risk.
The key is market awareness and being prepared to act when the price is right.
3. WHICH MARKETING PLAN? Not all marketing plans are created equal. Determining your marketing strategy is critical. How much should you pre-price? How much can you spend using futures and options to price protect? When planning your marketing strategy it is important to look at the kinds of grains you are growing and the risk management options available for each of them. If the grains you are growing are traded on a futures market you have a greater ability to price protect than you do in the cash markets. So if you are going to pre-price new crop to create cash flow in the fall to pay bills, you may be more inclined to sell grains that allow you to either hedge yourself on the futures market or use options to floor price, as opposed to selling cash grains, strictly because you cannot price protect. If you should lose the crop before harvest, you are totally at risk at the buyout, with no protection. Incremental selling throughout the year is a good strategy that works for both cash and futures market grains. It helps minimize risk exposure and reduces the need to spend a lot of cash using futures or options to price protect your entire crop. You need to determine your pricing risk threshold. How
many tonnes are you willing to pre-price at a given point in time prior to harvest that won’t put you at risk if you end up with below average production for the year. How much cash do you have available to use in an options or hedging strategy? If it is February and canola is $13 per bushel do you pre-price 100 per cent of your new crop? (Very risky.) Or do you pre-price five or 10 per cent and then use options to price protect another 20, 50 or 90 per cent of your grain? Only you can determine what is best for your farm business by doing your own risk management plan.
GETTING STARTED Once you have a plan in place, share it with your banker and talk to them about setting up a line of credit that you can use for options trading. Then, when the time is right, you can execute a contract without worrying about finding the cash. You may be in the middle of spring work when cash flow is limited or nil and there is a great opportunity to price protect some grain using options. Having the line of credit means you won’t miss the pricing opportunity. † Brian Wittal is a Saskatchewan raised farm boy who has spent the past 32 years in the Alberta Grain Industry. He started Pro Com Marketing Ltd in 2006 with a focus on helping grain producers better understand the markets and advise them on how to market their grains more profitably. Contact Brian at
[email protected].
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Machinery & Shop New equipment
AGCO introduces new Challenger MT700D Series Tractors For the first time, some models of belted Challenger tractors will not have Cat power under the hood By Scott Garvey
series at the U.S. Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. n mid July, AGCO invited From a few paces away, the members of the farm media new D models look nearly iden GRACOL to a wheat field in northern tical to their predecessors in the Kansas for an early look at C Series, but there are major Client: Broadhead Co. the new MT700D Series, belted changes under the hood. The Challenger tractors. The “D” in two, new D Series tractors are 69925 the number indicates the line the first belted Challengers not 𰂦𰀡𰀲𰀲𰀳𰀲𰀡𰁋𰁢𰁤𰁬𰁴𰁰𰁯𰀡𰁔𰁵𰀡𰁏𰁆𰀭𰀡𰁔𰁵𰁦𰀡𰀲𰀲𰀴𰀡𰂦𰀡𰁎𰁪𰁯𰁯𰁦𰁢𰁱𰁰𰁭𰁪𰁴𰀭𰀡𰁎𰁏𰀡𰀶𰀶𰀵𰀲𰀴𰀡𰂦𰀡𰀷𰀲𰀳𰀯𰀸𰀷𰀸𰀯𰀴𰀵𰀶𰀶 has been updated from the cur- powered by a Caterpillar engine Epson Color Profile: Gracol Swop Newssince Supplied Lpi: rent “C” models. the original model 65 that wheat field, writers were entered production in 1987. The Approval Stock: Fortune McCoy Producto Pub News In Supplied Epson Stock: Comm/Gracol Pub/Swop3 News given the chance to get behind the C-9 Cat engines found under photo: scott garvey wheel of a new Challenger and get hoods in the C Series have been In a stubble field in northern Kansas, AGCO gave members of the farm a feel for it. The ride-and-drive pre- replaced by AGCO Power 8.4media a chance to get behind the wheel of one its two new belted view was held a few weeks ahead litre, in-line, six cylinder diesels tractors in the MT700D Series. These models use an AGCO engine rather of the August public launch of the in the new models. than the C-9 Cats under the hoods of the previous C Series machines.
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“From the outside it doesn’t look like a new product,” says Luke Olsen, an AGCO product marketing specialist. “But on the inside it certainly has a new heart. We’ve incorporated the new AGCO Power engine. With that comes an increase in horsepower.” The MT755D gets a horsepower rating of 260 at the PTO (327 engine), up from 245 on the C Series. The second tractor in the line, the MT765D, gets a new rating of 285 (350 engine). That also means a shift away from Cat’s Interim Tier IV (IT4) exhaust emissions strategy, EGR (exhaust gas recirculation), to the selective catalytic reduction system on the AGCO engine, which requires the use of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). The rate of DEF consumption on these engines will average around five per cent. While meeting IT4 emissions levels, the current AGCO 8.4-litre engine also provides an improvement in fuel economy over the older Tier III AGCO version. “The best thing about going to Tier IV Interim was we actually lowered our fuel consumption,” says Olsen. “On an average, it is six to 11 per cent better than our previous (AGCO) engine. We’re getting more power and torque and we’re using six to 11 per cent less fuel.” Inside the cabs of the MT700D models, operators will notice the overall noise level has dropped. The AGCO engine doesn’t growl as loudly as a C-9 Cat, according to Olsen. So, the in-cab sound rating of the D Series tractors falls to 71 decibels from 74 in the previous C Series, making for a more comfortable operator environment. “The AGCO Power engine is extremely quiet,” Olsen explains. That noise reduction comes, in part, from balancing the rotating parts inside the engine to within one gram, which minimizes vibration and also extends its service life.
AGCO Power The AGCO Power name given to the company’s engine line is also new. Previously, they were known by the SISU moniker, which is a Finnish word that
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Machinery & Shop
PHOTO: AGCO
The rotating assembly in AGCO’s own 8.4-litre diesel engine is balanced to within one gram of accuracy to reduce vibration and noise. That also increases the engines’ service life. which is a Finnish word that implies strength and durability. The engines are built in Finland, at a facility AGCO acquired when it originally bought the Finnish tractor company Valtra. Since then, the company has focused on making the AGCO Power (SISU) engines the standard power plant for most of its equipment. When speaking to the media at AGCO’s dealer convention in Kansas City last fall, Jason Marx, vice president of marketing, said AGCO would eventually power all its equipment with the AGCO Power engines, “Sooner, rather than later.” This is one more step along the way to achieving that
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“Tires will always have their place.” — LUKE OLSEN goal. All AGCO’s mid- to highhorsepower wheeled tractors are already using them. The larger, belted MT800s and articulated MT900 Challengers, however, continue to use Cat engines. For the time being, at least. Aside from a host of minorcomponent upgrades, the most notable change, aside from the new engine, in the MT700D models is with the electronic tractor control system. The in-cab monitors now include an expanded range of information, including a screen that keeps track of maintenance intervals. “We’re giving (farmers) a better operator experience,” says Olsen. “We’re giving them more information and better tools for the operator in order to manage this tractor. That will help farmers with increased up time.” And according to Olsen, overall demand for tracked machines is steadily rising, giving them a larger share of the North American farm tractor market. “People are seeing the benefits (of tracks),” he says. “Tires will always have their place. But as a track machine goes, it is more productive. That’s been proven.” † Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at
[email protected].
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
Machinery & Shop PROFI
Long-term test of a Challenger MT765C Profi evaluates the maintenace history and performance of a 3,631-hour Challenger MT765C working on a large vegetable farm in Europe
E
ditor’s note: The tractor Profi evaluated in this report is a European model. There may be some differences between it and a North American version, but you’ll still get a good impression of the tractor’s overall performance. For more information on Profi magazine, visit www.profi.com. Responsible for a large vegetable and farming operation, the owner of our featured long-term MT765C tractor runs a number of MT700s, so he’s pretty well qualified to report on what these MT machines are like to live with. Delivered to the farm in March 2010, the test tractor has already managed to rack up nearly 4,000 hours since replacing an earlier B-series machine that had arrived at its 8,000hour trade-in time in just over four years. Clearly those are serious hours by any standards. So, what’s this MT tractor been up to? Our particular test example occupies itself for six months on ploughing, preparing potato ground with a three-bed Baselier and then hitching up to a 6m Kuhn 6004 power harrow. Other jobs include towing a press — either an eight metre Phillip Watkins or a seven m Knight Triple-Press — and then there’s subsoiling with a 4.2 m wide Simba Flatliner fitted with seven Tilso legs. Despite these hours and workload, the MT is largely a oneoperator machine. Although the
tractor is purchased, it’s looked after under a service contract agreement, and the tractor’s operator points out that the local dealer is quick to respond to any issues.
THE ENGINE Providing the grunt is a Cat Acert C9, which is the same 8.8-litre motor as used in the B-series machines, where it was able to meet Stage IIIA exhaust emissions. The only subtle difference is the engine map that, within the C, produces slightly better torque figures and an additional 35 hp. The MT765C’s motor is rated up at 320 hp at 2,200 r.p.m., maxing at 355 hp as engine revs are pulled back to 1,850 r.p.m. The maximum torque of 1,586 Nm appears at 1,400 r.p.m., and the Nebraska tractor test results put PTO output at 266hp. Our test machine is equipped with the larger 526litre fuel tank, and the operator says that, in the right conditions, this is sufficient for two 12-hour days when ploughing with a seven-furrow mounted reversible. C-series tractors come with two engine presets, which can be altered by the operator and stored as one of the eight implement headland sequences — for example, when ploughing, the test machine’s preset A is generally set at 1,500 r.p.m., with B up at 1,600 r.p.m. to cope with
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any slightly heavier ground. Our driver adds that his 765C seems to have more torque backup than his previous B-series, remarking that when power harrowing under load the motor rarely dips below 1,600 r.p.m. Accessing the cooling pack is straightforward: simply release over-centre latches on either side of the hood, and it pivots up at the rear. Stretchable rubber holders keep the cooling pack closed up tight in work, and again these need releasing when cleaning out. This allows the upper intercooler radiator
Track running gear has been fairly reliable to be lifted up, with a mechanical stay locking it in the open position while the lower fuel cooler flips forward. This isn’t a job that needs doing regularly, says our user. For more intimate engine access, the operator must remove the lower side panels, though these generally only have to come off for the MT’s 250-hour service, which, as mentioned earlier, is carried out by the contracted local dealer on our test unit. Daily checks can be completed as the operator
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climbs the cab steps, the only exception being the hydraulic sight gauge around at the back, which is checked after the tractor has been started so the pump has had a chance to take its share of oil. The only modification happening up front is with the exhaust silencer. This unit was changed at the 2,750-hour service when extra insulation was also added under the cab floor mat. Not only has this made the tractor quieter on the outside, but it has also made a difference inside the cab. Our operator says, though, that his machine has now developed an annoying hum around the 2,000 r.p.m. mark, though he adds that this is a trait that Challenger is investigating.
TRANSMISSION/HYDRAULICS A full powershift with 16 forward ratios and four in reverse, the Caterpillar transmission has been installed since the tractors were introduced in 2002, so any hardware issues should have been sorted by now. Our test machine is spec’d with the optional creeper range that reduces the speed by 1:4, so he lowest gear starts at a steady 0.7km/hr. Without the creeper range, this minimum speed would be 2.7km/hr. All gear changes are selected via the shifter buttons on the shuttle, which is located on the armrest. Our test tractor driver finds MT gear changes relatively smooth, especially when upshifting, with only a slight delay between gears four and five as well as 12 and 13. But he adds that, when down-shifting under load, these changes are much more noticeable, and it isn’t unknown for the MT to go from five to three, with the operator then having to peel himself off the windscreen. Challenger says the transmission is supposed to do this to protect itself when under load, as there are two clutch pack changes between fourth and fifth. Track running gear has been fairly reliable, with the only gremlin occurring in the first week when the MT decided to blow three pressure relief caps. The track tension accumulator was changed, and this now seems to have cured the problem. Also, while the farm’s 2009 MT765C has had two mid-rollers replaced, these items haven’t given any bother on our 2010 test machine, which is just about due for its first new set of tracks. In mitigation, our test tractor user explains that his machine clocks a high road mileage, hence the increased wear on the 635 mm (25 in) wide Extreme Agricultural tracks. On-road comfort is described as surprisingly good when the tracks are new, but, as the rubber wears, vibration starts to set in. This is made worse if a heavy weight is placed on the MT rear linkage, because the tractor squats down more on its rear drive wheels. Still on tarmac, the indicators are often left
on after completing a junction manoeuvre, because there’s no beeper warning or self-cancelling function. Ballast-wise, our test tractor permanently carries 800 kg on its nose with a further 800 kg on each of the front idlers. When field conditions become trickier, then more track ballast is added: 250 kg on each side on farmfitted weight carriers. Around at the rear, the linkage is rated at 11,785 kg at the link ends and is able to cope with everything that has been thrown at it by our host farm — from the seven-furrow vari-width ploughs to the hefty Baselier three-bed tiller. There’s no lower link sensing; instead, the tractor relies on engine load to determine draft and will only do so once one of the two engine pre-sets has been selected. While not a problem with this particular C-series, two of the farm’s other machines have had issues with their lift arms creeping down. To overcome this, all C-Series machines have had the poppet valves in the lift control valve changed, which seems to have resolved the problem. Top link storage is not ideal, comprising just a wire rope loop that holds the top link upright when not in use but, at the same time, allowing it to rub against the rear linkage. Not ideal. Newer models, thankfully, boast a far more robust design. One rather peculiar gremlin is when the PTO is engaged and the linkage is lowered at the headland. Here, the terminal takes a few seconds to catch up before it shows the lift arms are down. Intriguing, to say the least — and Challenger has been informed. The only host farm implement that puts any load on the test tractor’s hydraulic flow is the Nemathorin applicator for controlling potato cyst nematode on the Baselier bed tiller, though, to be fair, this unit is nowhere near as demanding as, say, the fan for a pneumatic drill, comments our operator. The poppet valves on all four remotes fitted to our test tractor were modified at the 500-hour service. Also, on the host farm’s older C-series machine the metal plumbing below the spool block used to fracture at regular intervals, so it was then changed to flexible hoses. Problem solved. Interestingly, our test MT tractor has rigid pipes and hasn’t suffered from similar issues.
CAB AND CONTROLS As previously mentioned, inside the C’s cab is probably where the biggest differences lie between it and the B-series’s accommodation — items such as the ISObus-compatible screen, engine pre settings and improved dash layout. Though our operator struggles to identify why, he now feels that sitting in a B-series machine isn’t quite the experience it should be. This could be down to the better ergonomics or increased functionality, and he says he wouldn’t want to go back. The
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Machinery & Shop
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Mervyn Bailey writes for “Profi” magazine.
The regular operator of this MT765C tractor likes the interior, but he is looking forward to improvements in the new models.
Summary
Produced by: Salford Farm Machinery Product/Campaign Name: Brand - Tillage Date Produced: September 2012
Ad Number: SFM09_13-8.125x10 Publication: Grainews Trim - 8.125” x 10” Non-Bleed
test tractor sports the standard cloth-upholstered seat rather than the plusher leather air-suspended throne in the deluxe cab. To keep the dust off, our operator has invested in a good-fitting seat cover, which was supplied by his local dealer. And over to the right, the Challenger’s bulky multi-function armrest is starting to show its age when compared with the sleeker design of Deere’s 8RT equivalent, which our operator has had a chance to use and likes. Part of the C-series package includes a 7 inch terminal for the MT’s Tractor Management Centre. It’s a simple-to-navigate set-up, but it needs to be bigger given the amount of info it displays; any short-sighted operators might struggle, should they leave their glasses at home. More positively, the ability to store up to eight implement headland sequences means it’s simple to recall job settings. RTK auto-steer guidance comes courtesy of a Topcon 150 display, which is top-notch according to our MT operator, who prefers using it to the X20 display that now solely looks after variablerate application when applying Nemathorin and data logging. If there’s one criticism of the 150 terminal, it’s that the screen can be hard to see in bright sunlight. The windscreen sun blind is also said to be much less effective than the finer mesh item supplied in the older B-series machine. And one other retrograde step is that the new MT tractors no longer have an intermittent mode for the front and rear windscreen wipers. The farm’s previous MT765B tractor had the optional HID light package, which is said to be in a different league when compared with the standard light package on the test MT765C; illuminating power is distinctly lacking, adds the operator. Conversely, visibility is described as excellent, especially for on-land ploughing, although the automatic steering system renders the view, or the lack of it, less of an issue anyway. Having tried similar hp wheeled tractors, our operator says there’s no contest, as wide front mudguards covering big tyres fill a significant proportion of the forward glass area. On the C-series, a plethora of mirrors results in few blind spots. While there’s in-cab storage courtesy of a chilled cool box, there’s little room for that allimportant application paperwork — hence the presence of an old veg-box on the test tractor’s floor.
Tasked with a demanding workload, our test MT has carried out all that’s been asked of it, and, if there have been any issues, the dealer has been quick to resolve them. Fuel consumption is reckoned to be reasonable, with ploughing requiring around 10.1 litres/acre. From the operator’s point of view, there’s still room for improvement to certain in-cab functions, and a CVT would be a welcome addition, too. Past experience confirms that each MT700 spec update builds positively on what is already in place, so we, and the host farm, are very much looking forward to the next one — whenever that might be. †
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Machinery & Shop NEW EQUIPMENT
NH offers tracked T9s Although the high-horsepower NH T9 tractors share some technology with Case IH’s Steigers, the line offers its own distinct features, which now include track options BY SCOTT GARVEY
A
PHOTO: SCOTT GARVEY
New Holland’s two largest T9 tractors are now available with two different track systems as a factory option.
s New Holland increases its focus on offering a full line of crop production equipment, the largest two models in its flagship T9, articulated tractor line now include SmartTrax systems as an option for the 2012 season. And although the T9 tractors share some technology with their cousins, the Case IH Steigers, NH management says the brand has gone its own way with the design of several features on the high-horsepower T9s.
“There is more differentiation now than there was in the early days,” says Sean Dorosz, segment manager, tractor marketing.
SMARTTRAX One of the most significant new options available on the two largest, wide frame T9 models is the new SmartTrax system. The company now offers two different styles of rubber tracks, a bell-shaped module and the high-idler design. Many farmers may have seen the high-idler
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track systems installed on a T9 at farm shows in the past when it was being offered as an aftermarket component by U.S.based manufacturer API. “This was an option we found outside our company,” acknowledges Dorosz. The two largest T9s give farmers unique flexibility when it comes to traction. Any T9 equipped with the SmartTrax system can be converted back and forth between tracks and tires right on the farm. “It does have a very unique feature in having two different track systems you can put on the vehicle,” he adds. “We have the ability to bolt these right on the same axle as tires. So if a customer has a certain time of year he doesn’t need tracks, he can install wheels and go that way.” By offering two styles of tracks, customers can select the type that best suits their needs. For most, that will likely be the highidler design. “It has the ability with the high-idler module to keep a lot of the dirt and debris going under instead of piling up in front as it does on other machines,” notes Dorosz. “It also gives a little smoother ride.” To offer even more versatility with its SmartTrax option, the T9’s tracks can be removed and transferred to a New Holland combine. “Another thing he can do is unbolt these tracks and install them on his combine,” confirms Dorosz. NH combines are available with their own tracks as a factory-installed option, but their SmartTrax system is a little different than the tractor designs.
IN THE CAB
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Inside the T9 cab, NH chose to go with its own control arrangement. In 1993 it launched the SideWinder armrest control system and the second generation version is standard in 2012 T9 tractors. “We really took the industry in a whole other direction, which made everybody else pay attention to that operator’s comfort,” says Dorosz. “The SideWinder II is the second generation of that armrest. We took three years, interviewed 300 customers and listened to what controls they wanted and where. We also used our Fiat auto side of the company to learn from ergonomics in cars.” The SideWinder armrest moves forward and backward so operators can find the most comfortable position. As it is moved forward it automatically raises slightly to place it in a more ergonomic position for shorter operators. “Once you have it set you have the ability to move your hand between different controls without moving your elbow,” explains Dorosz. † Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at
[email protected].
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Machinery & Shop Aftermarket tracks
Soucy Track ramps up its marketing efforts The rubber track manufacturer is taking aim at the ag equipment market in Western Canada with a new website and an expanded dealer network By Scott Garvey
A
fter living through the past few growing seasons, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that the only thing certain about Prairie weather is uncertainty. And as the size of farm equipment grows, so does concern over issues like soil compaction. Tracked machinery can help farmers deal with both compaction and floatation in wet field conditions. All the major brands now offer rubber belt-equipped, four-wheel drive tractors and combines, however, there are many farmers that would like to get the benefit of tracks without buying new equipment. Fortunately for them, there are companies producing track systems for the aftermarket. Quebec-based Soucy Track is one of them. The company is relatively young, founded in 2005. But its track systems are already being sold in 25 countries. It makes tracks for ag applications and others, like trail grooming machines and UTVs.
Growing presence Soucy Track’s presence in the ag equipment market has grown significantly in the past few years. And the number of systems it offers for farm machines has also increased. The company’s new website, www.soucy-track.com, which it launched last October, provides a search feature that can match compatible tractor and combine models with the company’s products. “The popularity of tracks has clearly been on the rise over the past few years, and we are looking to establish ourselves as the leader in this field,” says Eric Ellyson, general manager of the Soucy Group. “As the first company on the market to offer a website of this quality, we feel that we are taking a step in the right direction.” Soucy’s track systems can be retrofitted to a variety of machines, including some mechanical front wheel drive (MFWD) tractors. “In order to get the best results, a track system must not in any way alter the tractor on which it is installed,” explains André Léger, director of engineering. “All tractors have different designs, and in order to ensure optimum product quality, we must direct our research and development efforts to models that are a good fit for our tracks. We are therefore using this new website to inform consumers about which tractor models are compatible with tracks made by Soucy Track.”
Soucy dealers This spring Soucy also announced the giant Rocky Mountain dealership network will now retail its track systems, which gives the company an extensive dealer network all across the prairie. “The rubber track market has tremendously grown in the past 18 months in Western Canada,” says Dave Simoneau, district sales manager for Soucy Track prod-
ucts in Canada. “We are really excited about working with Rocky Mountain Dealerships.” Previously, Soucy only had one Western Canadian dealer, Hanmer Seeds in Govan, Saskatchewan. The new, more extensive dealer network is likely to help further grow Western demand for aftermarket track systems. Rocky Mountain operates 39 dealerships across Western Canada. Primarily a Case IH network, it will sell Soucy Track systems through three of its primary outlets, Miller Equipment in Alberta and Saskatchewan, along with Hammer Equipment and Hi-Way Service in Alberta. † Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at
[email protected].
photo: scott garvey
Soucy Track markets its agricultural track systems in 25 countries. It had a presence at last year’s Agritechnica machinery show in Hannover, Germany.
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
Machinery & Shop NEW EQUIPMENT
Case IH debuts the Rowtrac Three new Steiger models bring a mix of four tracks and high horsepower to the row crop segment BY SCOTT GARVEY
C
ase IH has been offering Steiger, four-wheel drive tractors spec’d out in a row crop configuration for a few years now, but this year the company is introducing three all-new Steiger models that blend those row crop specifications with four, equal-sized tracks. That makes them an industry first.
THE CONCEPT The company believes the fourtrack concept offers benefits tires or even two-track machines just can’t match in row crop applications. “It puts more power to the ground with four tracks,” says Mitch Kaiser, Steiger tractor marketing manager. “You only get about two percent slippage on the soil, with less slippage you get less compaction. We’re only putting about six PSI down to the ground. It gives you full power in the turns with the articulation so there’s no berming, no crop loss, no uneven fields” By reducing slippage, engine power is efficiently turned into useable traction, which leads to another benefit: optimum fuel
economy. Combine that with performance data for the new FPT engines and marketing reps aren’t shy about talking fuel efficiency numbers. “Tier IV (Interim) Case IH FPT high-horsepower engines burn an average of 10 percent less fuel than comparable Tier III models,” adds Kaiser. “Plus oil-change intervals have been lengthened to 600 hours.” The new 350, 400 and 450 horsepower Rowtrac models ride on a stretched, 160-inch wheelbase, making them six inches longer than regular Quadtrac Steigers. That extra length allows for a longer track module. That’s important in order to give the narrower belts enough ground contact to effectively turn all that engine horsepower into traction. The longer wheelbase also allows for a very tight, 21-foot turning radius.
DESIGN CHANGES Extra length isn’t the only difference incorporated into the Rowtrac track modules. Other design changes include a largerdiameter drive sprocket than the Quadtracs use, which eliminates belt slippage. Once again, that’s necessary because of the narrower
drive belts. Rubber blocks in the undercarriage help absorb shocks but keep the suspension from shifting side-to-side. “(It’s) a totally new undercarriage system designed to fit into those (crop) rows,” explains Kaiser. “What we’ve done is create a new suspension system to create a better ride and keep that track on the ground. Each track drive oscillates up and down up to 10 degrees to maintain consistent ground contact no matter what the conditions.” The mid-rollers also include see-through bearing covers for quick oil level checks. That’s a big improvement over the Quadtrac design, which requires operators to remove a cap to check levels. The Rowtracs are available with three axle widths, 80, 88 and 120 inches, so they can accomodate 20-, 22-, 30-, and 40-inch crop row spacings. A 16-inch belt width is standard with 18- and 24-inch sizes also available. For a video look at the new Rowtracs, check out e-Quip TV. Find it at www.grainews.ca — click on the videos link. † Scott Garvey is machinery editor for Grainews. Contact him at scott.garvey@ fbcpublishing.com.
“our
PHOTOS: SCOTT GARVEY
Case IH is debuting three all-new Rowtrac models for the 2013 season. Designed with features that appeal to row crop farmers, these tractors offer redesigned track modules and engine choices of 350, 400 and 450 horsepower.
To transfer power to the narrower tracks, Rowtrac models use a larger diameter drive sprocket, which minimizes belt slippage.
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
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Cattleman’s Corner forage production
Grazing corn beats economics of hay Subsoiling is important tool for improving productivity, whether there’s too little or too much moisture BY LEE HART
K
oos Bos saves about $23,000 a year by pasturing his 110-head beef herd on corn over winter, rather than feeding baled hay. The Peace River region mixedfarmer can feed the herd for about 79 cents/day/head on grazing corn, over a 150-day winter feeding period. If he had to bale hay and haul it out every day with a tractor and bale feeder, he estimates the cost would be closer to $2.18/day/head. (Those are bare production and operating costs. He’s not including labour and other overhead costs). But his figures represent a daily feed cost savings of $153 and over the 150-day winter feeding period it adds up to $22,950. Those are the numbers that pencil out for Bos on his farm near the town of Peace River. This is the third year he’s produced grazing corn. Last year he seeded 65 acres and this year 80. There is also an 80-foot wide strip of barley around the outside edge of the corn field he cuts for swath grazing. “We can’t just eat hamburger every day,” says Bos. “Everything needs a little variety.” Bos has been working to develop and improve the productivity of the 2,460-acre farm he bought in 2005, when the family immigrated from Holland. About 2,000 acres are seeded to annual crops such as wheat, canola, malt barley, peas, and now grazing corn, and the other 460 acres is pasture and hayland.
Corn potential “We thought we would try the grazing corn,” he says. “It grows well if we get the moisture, the cows seem to do well on it, and it reduces our costs and labour. This year, for example, once the pasture is done — probably by the end of October — I will turn them into the corn and that should carry them until the middle of March.” While corn can be a fairly expensive crop to produce, Bos is applying different production strategies to optimize yield and keep costs in line. He didn’t apply any fertilizer with the corn in 2012, for example. “We just want to see how well it works,” he says. “If we can get the production with cow manure providing the nutrients that is a further savings.” Over the first two years of corn, Bos applied a total of about 660 pounds per acre of nitrogen to the crop. He’s been producing corn on the same field a short distance from the main farmyard all three years. The 110-head cow herd is concentrated on those 80 acres for about 4-1/2 months. “All the manure, and all the nutrients, stay on the field,” he says. “It’s been a dry year here, but despite that and no other added fertilizer, the crop looks pretty good.”
Subsoiling benefits One other treatment Bos has applied to most of the annual cropped land over the past three years is deep tillage with a subsoiler to break up a hardpan layer. He was familiar with the practice
when he farmed in Holland. There he used a toolbar with three shanks to loosen the soil and break up any hardpan layer on fields where he produced seed potatoes, wheat and horticultural crops. “When we bought this place the fields were in poor shape,” he says. “It was a grain farm at one time, but we bought it from German owners who raised bison and everything was in pasture. In 2005 when we got here we started discing to work up the pastures and in 2006 we started seeding. It was a dry year as well, and the crops weren’t very good. The pasture land was very hard, it was almost like breaking fields for the first time.” In 2007 he did a trial demonstration with a deep tillage tool — just a couple of passes — and crop yields the following year on treated strips appeared to be much improved. While there are different makes of deep tillage tools on the market, Bos preferred a straight shank system that fractured the soil down, but didn’t turn the soil over. The demo convinced Bos to buy a 13-shank AP2 Agrowplow tillage tool (www.agrowplow.com) and began treating land for annual cropping. Over the past three years he has subsoiled most of the farm, so far treating about 1,700 acres — mostly annual cropland. He also plans to subsoil the pastures as well, but he’ll need to add a coulter in front of each shank to slice through the sod ahead of the tillage shank. “The shank is 20 inches long, but you don’t run it at that depth,” says Bos. “You just need to figure out where the hardpan layer is and run the shank so it is working a couple of inches below that layer.” Bos, who has a mixture of soil structures within the grey wooded soil zone, says on his farm there is hardpan about 10 inches below the soil surface. He runs the AgrowPlow shank at about 12 inch depths. Shanks are on 24-inch spacing. “It is somewhat of a slow process, but what I like about it is that it fractures the soil down and doesn’t turn it over,” says Bos. He pulls the 13-shank toolbar with a John Deere 9300, 360-horsepower tractor. Depending on the field, he holds the speed at between three and five miles per hour. He could go faster but that would also leave a rougher finish on the soil surface. He estimates tractor fuel consumption for subsoiling at about 18 litres per hour, and overall subsoiling costs between $40 and $50 per acre. He says, however, the benefits of a treatment should be obvious for four to five years.
Yield difference Bos, who has seen several dry growing seasons in the Peace Region, says the benefits of subsoiling were really obvious comparing the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons. “The 2009 season was very dry, and canola yields averaged about 16 bushels per acre,” says Bos. “And 2010 was also a dry year, but we did have some snow cover the winter of 2009-10 and that moisture went
Farmer Koos Bos, stands in the 2011 corn crop and uses his hands to show the difference in corn height. On the left is corn seeded on subsoiled land, and on right is a corn on a strip of field that wasn’t subsoiled.
Farmer Koos Bos, left, and Graeme Finn of AgrowPlow, in August 2012, stand in an area of the corn crop that wasn’t subsoiled, where crop is about shoulder height. A few feet away where the field had been subsoiled the crop was at least head high.
Pastures and crops suffered during another dry Koos Bos puts an 80 foot wide strip of barley around the growing season in most of the Peace River reigon. corn field. Barley will be cut for swath grazing, giving Grass was mostly brown and dry by early August. cattle some feed variety during winter. in the ground. In 2010 our canola yields were 25 bushels per acre and it was a drier year than 2009. It showed me that the subsoiling worked. It loosened the soil and any moisture we did receive went into the ground.” The 2011 growing season has been the only wet growing season Bos has experienced since he began farming at Peace River. “Crops were amazing that year,” he says. “It was dry for about 3-1/2 weeks after seeding and then it turned wet. We had excellent yields, and the benefits of the deep tillage were obvious that year, too. Where we had subsoiled there were no wet spots or standing water compared to fields that hadn’t been treated.” He says subsoiling helps with weed control too. Running at a 12-inch depth, the shank cuts off dandelion roots, at least weakening the plants. “Overall on land that
has been subsoiled compared to land that isn’t subsoiled, I’d say we see an average increase in canola yields of seven bushels per acre,” says Bos.
Corn success The subsoiling has also benefited yield on the 80 acres of grazing corn, he says. Standing corn on subsoiled areas is about two feet taller than on land that hasn’t been subsoiled. “It is hard to estimate yield on standing corn that will be grazed, but I estimate corn on the subsoiled land produces 20 per cent more yield,” says Bos. He and a neighbour went together and bought a corn planter. Bos seeded his 2012 crop of both Pioneer and DeKalb Roundup Ready corn varieties on May 29. Despite the dry growing season, the corn in early August was
between six and seven feet tall, and without any frost as of mid-September averaged at least nine feet tall. Cobs “which are the first thing the cows go for when you turn them into the corn,” were also large. Bos starts the cows on grazing corn in late October. He limits the herd to about one acre at time with portable electric fencing. They also have access to some of the swathed barley each day as well. Along with corn and barley he also provides a proper mineral supplement for the herd. “We supply some hay as needed or if there is a cold snap,” says Bos. “Last year I gave the cows some good alfalfa hay and they mostly laid on it, so the next time I just gave them straw and they spent a lot of time eating straw, so it is hard to figure them out.” † Lee Hart is editor of Cattleman’s Corner based in Calgary. Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at
[email protected]
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
Keepers & Culls Barley prices going up… but, but, but LEE HART
What a weird barley year. Lots of acres seeded, mostly favourable growing conditions, fields looked good, but yield and quality in many areas were sadly disappointing this fall. In July, Stats Canada forecast a 9.5-million tonne crop, about 22 per cent bigger that last year. But it is doubtful that is going to materialize. Reports I heard in late September said 20 to 25 per cent of the Saskatchewan barley crop is light (under 48 pounds/ bushel) and in Alberta yields and quality are all over the board. Fields that looked like they would produce 100-bushel crops came in at 60 to 80 bushels. Too much moisture, too much heat, hail, and disease are all cited as reasons for the disappointing production. (Unless you were in the Peace River region and there it was too dry). Fortunately the upside is that prices are near or at record highs for feed barley at least. So regardless of quality this year, you’ll probably get a decent price for it, because there is demand. Quality feed barley in late September ranged between $5.20 to $5.50/bushel delivered in Lethbridge. That’s a record price. And some industry analysts say over the next few months that
could get up to even $6.15 to $6.20 per bushel. One maltster I talked to said they weren’t sure what they had yet, as farmers were slow to bring in samples for grading and testing. The company started the year with all requirements contracted, but they were still waiting to see if the quality and quantity is out there. So a very bullish market for barley this fall, BUT… and there is always a BUT… be careful. Market analysts I talked to said with prices at or near record the bubble is bound to burst. The economics of these high feed prices are weighing heavily on the livestock sector. There are signs that hogs and poultry producers are already pulling back on production. Cattle feeders are managing right now, but they too have a limit to how much they can pay for feed before they have to start leaving pens empty. So the take-home message I received in all this research, pay attention and don’t get greedy. If you have barley to sell, know your cost of production, find a price that gives a decent profit, and sell at least of portion of your crop at that price. And be prepared to sell in increments over the winter and spring. On the other hand, the advice of what NOT to do… don’t put your barley in the bin and then go on holiday for six months expecting it to be worth $7 a bushel when you get back, because you could be disappointed.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE COLLAR A new minister in east-central Alberta was invited to attend a welcoming house party. Naturally, he was properly dressed and wearing his clerical collar. And he was aware a little boy kept staring at him the entire evening. Finally, the minister asked the little boy what he was staring at. The little boy pointed to the minister’s neck. When the padre finally realized what the boy was pointing at, he asked the boy, “Do you know why I am wearing that?” The boy nodded his head yes, and replied, “It kills fleas and ticks for up to three months.”
RECENT PASSINGS Two long-time players in the Canadian agriculture industry passed away recently in Calgary. In late August, Harald Gunderson, founding publisher of the Limousin Leader and World of Beef magazines, died at the age of 83. Gunderson, who was born at Maple Creek, Sask. had a long and varied career. After serving in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1948, he was a writer and editor for a number of publications including the Bow Island Graphic, Medicine Hat News, The Albertan and the Calgary Herald. Along with founding the beef industry publications, he also launched Canadian Funeral News, Network magazine, Canadian Emergency Services News, and was publisher/ editor of Gunderson Funeral
CONTACT US
Write, Email or Fax Contact Cattleman’s Corner with comments, ideas or suggestions for and on stories by mail, email, phone or fax. Phone Lee Hart at 403-592-1964 Fax to 403-288-3162 Email
[email protected] Write to CATTLEMAN’S CORNER, PO Box 71141 Silver Springs RPO, Calgary, Alta. T3B 5K2 Journal. He authored provincial history books on funeral service in British Columbia, Alberta, Atlantic Canada and Manitoba, as well as the Limousin cattle breed in Canada, and pro-rodeo legend Herman Linder. He operated a public relations firm and was involved in a number of community and industry boards and associations. Gunderson is survived by his wife Shirley and four children and their families. And in early September, Dan Fullerton, a well-known ag economist and consultant, died suddenly at the age of 59. Fullerton was born in Eston, Saskatchewan and grew up on a farm near Lacadena. His farming background guided his choice of career as an agricultural economist; he graduated with a Master’s degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1981. With a keen interest in international agricultural development, he worked over the years with Vanuatu, a south Pacific island nation; Agrodev, and international development consulting agency; the World Bank and various other banks. After his years of travels, Fullerton settled into consultancy
work in Calgary. Since 2002, he worked as a director, business and international development where he especially enjoyed his international work. Fullerton is survived by his wife Margaret, two children and extended family.
COMING EVENTS MANITOBA RANCHER’S FORUM — The long-running Manitoba Grazing School has been revamped and renamed this year as the Manitoba Rancher’s Forum to be held Nov. 27 and 28 at the Victoria Inn, Brandon, Man. While the school was good, organizers decided to refresh the program, with a broader range of topics focusing on the needs of livestock, forage and grain producers. There will be a wide range of topics and speakers for all involved in agriculture. The topics include: marketing, animal rights, soil and pasture cropping systems, herd health, legal liability issues on the farm, tax management, feedlot topics, goat and sheep production, social media development and much more.
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GRAZING MANAGEMENT
More beef from fewer acres A well managed, rotational grazing system makes every blade count and improves profitability BY ANGELA LOVELL
G
etting the most nutrient value out of every blade of grass is every livestock producer’s aim, and those who use some form of intensively managed, planned, rotational grazing system generally believe they are doing a better job of reaching that goal than with conventional grazing methods. How do they know? The first indicator for most is the improved productivity from the land — increased carrying capacity and increased livestock weight gain. When both of these increase it’s a good sign, animals are getting the nutrition they need to produce more pounds of beef per acre. Neil Dennis, who farms near Wawota, Saskatchewan, has been using a holistic management system on his ranch since 1998 and rotationally grazes cattle through varying degrees of intensity depending on the year and his goals.
MEASURING SUCCESS Dennis measures the success of his system by carrying capacity and livestock weight gain. In 2004
each animal required more than three acres of pasture to carry it through the summer. But by 2010, thanks to his managed grazing system, the carrying capacity was increased to one acre per animal. In 2006, cattle achieved 1.71 pounds of weight gain per day per animal. “I produced 152 pounds of beef per acre,” says Dennis. “The neighbours produced 68.75 pounds of beef per acre under conventional grazing on the same amount of land. I got almost 84 pounds more beef per acre because I was using smaller paddocks, with higher stock densities, and moving the cattle frequently to ensure good grass recovery.” Planned rotational grazing uses animal impact on the soil and plants as a tool, and balances grazing and recovery time to improve soil health and animal nutrition. Dennis recently gave a holistic management presentation at Pipestone in western Manitoba to discuss his grazing system with area producers. The workshop was part of an ongoing educational program, organized by the Manitoba Forage Council in association with Ducks Unlimited Canada. It gave producers a chance to learn about production tech-
niques, such as planned rotational grazing, from other producers. Neil Dennis is also one of the featured speakers attending the Western Canadian Grazing Conference coming up in Red Deer, Alta., November 28 and 29.(www.westerngrazingconference.com)
TIMING IS KEY Matching the productivity of the plants to the time they should be grazed is a crucial aspect of animal nutrition, says Dennis. Alfalfa growers will cut the crop when the first blooms appear, because plants have higher protein content at that stage. Turning the cows into a pasture at a similar stage of plant development almost means they are grazing when the stand has optimum protein production. By not grazing too heavily and leaving lots of plant material behind to kick-start the regrowth phase, the plant can be tricked into repeating its cycle. “When a plant comes into seed it’s done what it is supposed to do for the year,” says Ralph Corcoran, who also uses planned rotational grazing at his ranch near Langbank, Saskatchewan. “We consider a plant to be fully recov-
ered and ready to be grazed again when it starts to flower or bloom a little bit. By grazing it again at that stage you can keep it growing so the nutrition of that plant is always at a fairly high plane.” Dennis’ own research experience shows grazing 40 per cent or less of grass or legumes will allow the stands to recover quickly, generally after about 60 days of rest, during periods of fast growth and 90 days during slower growing periods. If 80 per cent of the plant’s leaves are removed the root stops growing for 12 days. And if 90 per cent of the leaf material is removed it will stop growing for 18 days. “If you graze too hard at the best growing time of the year you lose a lot of production,” says Dennis. The health of the land also reflects in the mineral requirements of the cattle. Dennis has cut supplemental mineral consumption by 90 per cent since implementing holistic management and planned rotational grazing. Recent carbon testing on Dennis’s farm showed that the land used for planned grazing has about 10 per cent organic matter, compared to three to four per cent on land that has not.
MINERALS FROM THE PLANTS In Saskatchewan, Corcoran has also found the biodiversity in his paddocks has improved the mineral cycling of his soil to the point where he doesn’t provide any supplemental minerals or salt to his cattle.
Neil Dennis “The cows are getting the minerals they need from their diet,” he says. “The different species of plants all have roots at different levels, so they are bringing up different minerals from different levels in the soil. By giving the plants proper recovery time we have a good root system to continue to bring up those minerals.” In essence, says Dennis, using a well-managed, planned rotational grazing program is like having free land. “There’s not one silver bullet, everything just works together,” he says. “And then you start getting extra pounds of beef per acre and you are not spending as much on minerals because your land is healthier.” † Angela Lovell is a freelance writer based in Manitou, Manitoba
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Cattleman’s Corner RANCHERS DIARY
Forest fires continue to threaten valley HEATHER SMITH THOMAS
AUGUST 26 ndrea is still working on the Halstead fire near Stanley. It’s still out of control — approaching 100,000 acres — and the firefighters are trying to contain the portion that’s threatening people’s homes along the highway and the river. While Andrea’s gone, Lynn and I have been taking care of her kids. The girls have been riding with me, and helped move the cows to a new pasture. Lynn took 11-year-old Charlie to his hunter safety field day and he passed all his tests. A friend took Emily and another young hockey player to hockey camp for a week in Portland, Oregon. Emily enjoyed that experience and placed second in the speed skating. A week ago Saturday, Andrea drove home from Stanley (a threehour drive) late in the evening to have a chance to see the kids, and drove back again in the early morning after only two hours sleep. We were afraid she might be too tired to drive, so Rick went with her. On Sunday Lynn and Charlie drove to Stanley to get Rick, and Charlie got to see the fire camp where his mom does the power washing, and he got to ride in a pumper truck. Dani and Sam helped me wrap birthday presents for Charlie. Tuesday we moved the cows again — up to heifer hill — after taking them to the corral to sort out the bull and leave him in the corral. Sam and Dani enjoyed riding Veggie and Ed to help move cows. The next day Lynn put wire mesh panels across the gate on the far side of that pasture, where the gate post has shifted and there’s
A
Plume of smoke rises above the Halstead forest fire. a big gap where calves could get under the gate. Sam and Dani helped me bake a birthday cake for Charlie. Andrea drove home Thursday night, to surprise Charlie for his birthday. We had a late dinner and invited Jane Minor to come for cake and ice cream. It was wonderful having Andrea here briefly again, and she left at 4:30 the next morning to drive back to Stanley. The girls rode with me to check on the cows in their new pasture, but it’s been so smoky these past few days that we didn’t ride again. It’s hard on their lungs to be out in the smoke, especially with their asthma and breathing problems.
Heather Smith Thomas ranches with her husband Lynn near Salmon, Idaho. Contact her at 208-756-2841.
SEPTEMBER 11 This past week the smoke has been so thick we can’t see the hills around us; it’s like a heavy fog. The Mustang fire north of town continues to grow, now up to 281,000 acres burned. It’s the largest fire in the U.S. right now, and larger than the Clear Creek fire that burned here 12 years ago. Most of the people living along highway 93 north have been evac-
GRASS ROOTS OF GRAZING NOVEMBER 28 & 29, 2012 SHERATON HOTELS & RESORTS – RED DEER, AB Optional Field Tour - November 27 Lacombe Research Station - Swath Grazing Trials Keynote Speakers: Neil Dennis Managing Chaos to Improve Soil Health
Charley Orchard What Really Counts for Grazing Managers
Glen Rabenberg Improving Crop Quality for All
Christine Jones Fundamentals of Soil
uated, and firemen are trying to protect the buildings. Last Thursday we changed the poultice and boot on Sprout, and again on Sunday. By then we were able to see part of a wood sliver sticking out from under the frog area, and pulled it out. It was a greasewood thorn about 1-1/2 inch long, jammed into the bottom of her foot at an angle. That’s probably why the infection and inflammation never did clear up. Now that we have it out of there, we hope her foot can get better. We put a new poultice and bandage on her foot. Andrea came home from the Halstead fire on Sunday to get ready to leave again for the World Burn Congress. Michael and Carolyn branded the last of their late calves, and borrowed our other bull to put with a dozen latecalving cows on the upper place. They hauled him up there Sunday afternoon in their trailer. Andrea and Emily left Sunday night to drive to the fire camp at Stanley, where a fellow from north Idaho wanted to do a video about Emily the next morning, with interviews before and after her experience at the World Burn Congress. After filming the first segment at fire camp, Andrea and Em travelled on to Boise yesterday evening, stayed with my brother overnight, and this morning he drove them to the airport at 5 a.m. They are off on an exciting new adventure! †
Banquet: David Irvine Working with the Ones You Love: The Human Side of Agriculture
For more information contact:
West Central Forage Association
[email protected] 780-727-4447 www.westerncanadiangrazingconference.com
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KEEPERS & CULLS
Speakers will range from the Manitoba minister of agriculture, to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association President Martin Unrau. Other highlights include Brenda Schoepp from Beeflink, a national weekly newsletter on marketing, Merle Good, a taxation specialist from Alberta with extensive experience in taxation and business setup and an everpopular producer panel on sustainable farming. Agribusinesses will be in attendance with booth displays and handout materials. Registration is $150 per person for Manitoba Forage Council Members (earlybird), which includes meals and sessions. For more information go to the Manitoba Forage Council website at: www.mbforagecouncil.mb.ca or any MAFRI Go-office. C AT T L E M A R K E T I N G — Canfax, the cattle market info division of the Canadian Cattleman’s Assoc. is staging its first cattle market forum in Calgary, Nov. 13 and 14. The forum, geared for beef producers, backgrounders, feedlot owners and other industry players, such as feed companies, bankers, consultants, wholesalers and retailers, will provide a wide range of information on cattle and livestock feed markets as well as the global economy. Among the speakers are Todd Hirsch, senior economist with ATB Financial, who will give an overview of the global economy and Mike Jubinville, president of Pro Farmer Canada, with a report on grain markets for 2013. Len Steiner, of Steiner
Consulting, will give an overview of competing meat markets — poultry and hogs; Andrea Brocklebank, Canfax research manager will talk about the future of the Canadian beef industry; Duane Lenz, with Canfax in Englewood Colorado talk about the U.S. cattle market, and Brian Perilat, manager of Canfax will talk about profitability in the Canadian beef market. David Hughes, professor at Imperial College London, based in Wales will talk about export markets. The event will be held at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino. Registration details can be found on the Canfax website at: www. canfax.ca by clicking on the forum poster. GRAZING CONFERENCE — The Western Canadian Grazing Conference and Trade Show is coming up November 28 and 29 at the Sheraton Hotel, Gaetz Ave. in Red Deer, Alta. Held every two years, the conference this year has an excellent line up of speakers including beef producers Neil Dennis of Wawota, Sask., Charley O rc h a r d , g r a z i n g m a n a g e ment specialist from Great Falls, Montana; and Glen Rabenberg, president of Soil Works, PhosRite and Genesis Soil Rite Calcium. Banquet speaker is David Irvine, an Alberta psychologist who will talk about “Working with the ones you Love: The human side of agriculture.” For more information visit the conference website at: www.westerncanadiangrazingconference.com or call the West Central Forage Association at 780727-4447.
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Cattleman’s Corner ANIMAL HEALTH
Make sure calves are vaccinated before weaning The only stress at weaning should be weaning. Vaccination and other processing should be done earlier ROY LEWIS ANIMAL HEALTH
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roducers this year in areas with above-average feed stores, and lots of pasture still available, may consider backgrounding calves as a viable option. Over the past several years with fluctuating prices, the majority of cow-calf operators have sold their calves directly off the cow. While this yielded maximum price with minimal risk, the distances to feedlots are increasing, trucking fees have increased and the public concern over animal welfare is cracking down on situations where high death losses result. Backgrounding of calves should be reviewed and a plan set in place.
REDUCE STRESS Producers — both purebred and commercial — are in the best position to reduce stress and maximize resistance to disease when timing of weaning is totally in their control. It has
been proven time and again, that with pre-immunized (vaccinated) calves both morbidity (per cent getting sick) and mortality (per cent dying) are reduced. If you did not immunize calves at spring turnout for the common diseases such as blackleg (7or 8-Way), the viral pathogens IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV, and the respiratory pathogens Pasteurella Multocida (PM), Mannheimia Hemolytica (MH) and histophilus somni, consider it now. Most feedlot, cow-calf or dairy veterinarians recommend to vaccinate for these common infectious diseases.
VACCINATE EARLY Ideally, and this is important, the calves should have protection to these diseases before the stress of weaning occurs. If vaccinated already at spring turnout, the booster can be given right at weaning. The timing of the booster is not as critical as getting the initial shots into calves early. Any other stressful procedures such as branding, castration or dehorning is best to do ahead of weaning as well. Hopefully those procedures are already done but if not, don’t leave them ‘til wean-
ing. The only stress at weaning should be the weaning event itself. A good hint when branding is definitely use small calf irons, clip the hair first, and minimize the number of characters used for the brand. Branding in my mind is the most stressful procedure of all and if possible eliminate it.
FALL OPTION If the calves were NOT immunized at spring turnout the priming or initial shots should be given at least two weeks prior to the major stress of weaning. This allows the calves to achieve maximum immunity. This requires the herd to be brought in, separated, immunized and put back together. It’s effort that is well worth the investment in healthier calves that go on to gain well and hopefully make you a profit. Remember to implant steers and non-replacement heifers to maximize growth — a proven 10-toone return on investment. Never implant bull calves to be kept for breeding bulls. Deworming is also critical to improving growth and it improves health and the abil-
ity to resist infection. In other words it keeps the immune system healthy. Just recently many fecal sample tests have indicated the pour-on endectocides are not working as well on internal worms. The trend is to combine a pour-on or injectable product for lice and the dewormer fenbendazole (Safeguard) for internal worms. Talk to your veterinarian about these new approaches to parasite control.
TRANSITION TO FEED The transition period to get calves started on proper feed is critical. Ideally if they have had creep feed over the summer the change will be minimal. If the calves are use to the pen and know where the watering bowls are change is again minimized. It is best to remove the cows and leave calves in their familiar surroundings. This is not always possible I know. Make sure water (good quality, clean and clear) is readily available and there is lots of bunk space. It is also good to spread the forage in several locations to get calves started. Grass hays are the best to start with as they most closely mimic the pasture situa-
tion. If grain is introduced begin very gradually and bring up over a week’s time. Follow the weather reports and wean when weather is the most stable. Snowstorms or times when ambient temperatures are really fluctuating are obviously not ideal times to wean. When temperatures fluctuate below freezing at night to warm during the day this allows for a natural buildup of extra fluid on the lungs. In stressed calves this is where the respiratory viruses such as BRSV will multiply, causing respiratory disease. We definitely see more severe cases of BRSV in farm-raised calves then in purchased ones. This makes vaccination for this disease imperative if retaining ownership. This disease is often covered in what we call the five-way vaccines. Most veterinary clinics carry this BRSV combined with the IBR PI3 and BVD (two types) vaccine and a very comprehensive vaccine including the pasteurella and mannheimia is also used commonly preweaning. Histophilus (ITEME) is still
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Cattleman’s Corner THE MARKETS
Signs point to strong markets for next 12 months JERRY KLASSEN MARKET UPDATE
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ed cattle in Alberta were trading in the range of $107/cwt to $110/cwt in late September, down approximately $3/cwt from a month earlier. Strength in the Canadian dollar and softer prices for live cattle and wholesale beef exports has tempered domestic prices. Fed cattle in the U.S. Southern plains are actually $3/ cwt higher than a few weeks ear-
lier with Texas steers trading as high as $127/cwt. Cattle on feed numbers are expected to be in line with year-ago levels throughout the fall in Canada and U.S.; therefore, many analysts now expect fourth-quarter beef production to be similar to last year. Retail and restaurant demand has marginally improved with disposable income slowly rising for the average North American consumer. Deferred live cattle futures continue to show strength as market ready supplies tighten later in winter and the demand moves through seasonal highs. The feeder market has remained firm; the yearling run was delayed by approximately three
weeks due to favourable pasture conditions and plentiful forage supplies. Calf and yearling prices are expected to percolate higher into the winter as corn values come under pressure during the harvest period. Strength in live cattle prices will also underpin the feeder market, especially if feeding margins improve. The USDA increased thirdand fourth-quarter beef production estimates in its latest report. Third-quarter beef production will be higher than year ago levels and analysts also expect fourthquarter production estimates to be increased on subsequent reports. Cattle on feed numbers will be similar to year-ago levels
U.S. Quarterly Beef Production (million pounds) 2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
1
6,248
6,251
6,411
6,283
6,190
2
6,602
6,547
6,559
6,475
6,330
3
6,690
6,768
6,737
6,765
6,325
4
6,426
6,741
6,492
6,260
5,825
Total
25,966
26,307
26,199
25,783
24,770
and dressed weights are approximately 20 pounds heavier than last year. Overall beef supplies will not be as tight as earlier anticipated Looking in the first quarter of 2013, beef production will be simi-
TIPS & TALES
Friends and neighbours, we are once again looking for your best calving tips and
tales for CATTLEMEN’S expanded January 2013 Calving Special. We’re looking for good ideas, practical advice, or humorous tales and calving photos to share with fellow readers. A reward will be sent for Tips & Tales printed in this special.
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CANADIAN CATTLEMEN cap Send your CALVING TIPS & TALES (and your address) to:
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lar to the first quarter of 2012. Notice in the third and fourth quarters of 2013 (see table) supplies will drop sharply in comparison to the latter half of 2012. This is especially important for cowcalf producers and backgrounding operators which I will explain later in the article.
CONSUMER TRENDS In August, at-home food spending was up 3.4 per cent in comparison to August of 2011; away from home spending was up 10.3 per cent over year-ago levels. Overall, restaurant spending tends to decline in September, October, November and then increase in December through March. Consumers tend to stay at home during the fall period resulting in constant grocery store spending. Obviously, people tend to eat more in November and December which results in stronger grocery purchases. At the time of writing this article, October live cattle futures were hovering at $126, while the April 2013 live cattle futures were at $135. The futures market is reflecting a $10 gain from October through April. The Canadian dollar will keep domestic basis levels under pressure but we should see Alberta prices improve by a similar amount.
FEEDLOTS BELOW CAPACITY Western Canadian feeder cattle prices have been slowly ratcheting higher during the late summer period. Cattle on feed numbers in Alberta and Saskatchewan are at seasonal lows with many operations running less than 50 per cent capacity. Auction market volumes will increase in late September and October as the yearling run comes on full stream and calves sales also increase. Similar to the live cattle market, feeder values should slowly trend higher into late winter. Looking at the beef production estimates, you can see that 2013 third- and fourth-quarter beef production will be down sharply from 2012. Usually feeder cattle price soften in the spring and early summer but next year, the market is factoring in a counter seasonal rally. March 2013 feeder cattle futures are trading at $154 while the May contract is at $156. Featherweight calves under 400 are expected to be in very high demand this fall and the outlook for cow-calf producers in general looks positive over the next 12 months. † Gerald Klassen analyzes cattle and hog markets in Winnipeg and also maintains an interest in the family feedlot in Southern Alberta. For comments or speaking engagements, he can be reached at
[email protected] or 204 287 8268.
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Cattleman’s Corner BETTER BUNKS AND PASTURES
Alternative forage sources for beef cows when good hay is unavailable PETER VITTI
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lterative forages can be used in many beef feeding programs when good hay is in short supply. They can be used to extend existing forage inventories or may make up a substantial portion of the cows’ daily diet. Usually these feeds are lower quality than forages fed in better times, but if they are incorporated into balanced diets and fed at the appropriate time, alternative feeds can be fed with much success. The window of opportunity often seems to be a 60- to 80day period in the fall, between the time spring calves are weaned from the herd and the onset of a cold winter. At this point, some low-cost beef diets can be formulated for early- to mid-gestation cows, which are at their lowest stage of nutrient requirements compared to any other time of year. Beef cows right at weaning have a small fetus growing inside them, and really don’t require a lot of nutrients. They need about 25 lbs. of a diet consisting of: 52-55 per cent TDN and about eight to nine per cent pro-
tein and 0.25 calcium calcium, and 0.20 per cent phosphorus with a similar pattern of trace mineral and vitamin needs. This plane of nutrition is expected to meet the nutritional needs of routine body functions, maintain an adequate body condition of 3.0 (re: 1 = emaciated, and 5 = obese). Furthermore, autumn weather is usually comfortable and makes no extra dietary demands on upon the cow herd.
PARAMETERS When pencilling out new fall-time beef cow diets using alterative forages or roughages instead of routine hay, there are a few parameters that producers should keep in mind: 1. As mentioned, the nutrient profiles of alternative feeds are most likely to be of lower quality compared to those standard roughages being replaced. Cereal straw (includes grain swaths, chaff piles and standing stubble), prairie hay, oilseed residues and corn stover are high in fibre, lower in energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. A typical laboratory analysis of these alternative forage reveal a dietary energy content of about 40-45 per cent TDN and a protein content of about 3.0-6.0 per cent protein. 2. The nutrient profile (#1)
of most forage alternatives will not solely support the energy, protein, mineral and vitamin requirements of early and midgestation cows in a commercial herd. Therefore, extra energy and other nutrients must be supplemented. 3. Feed intake by beef cows tend to be significantly lower on low-energy/protein forages compared to better-quality forage. For example, a big beef cow is only able to consume about 25 lbs. of lower-quality forage such as straw and what is consumed is digested slowly by the ruminal microbes, due to the low-quality forage’s high indigestible fibre content. 4. Although we tend to look at the energy and protein content of alterative forages, their macro-, trace- and vitamin profiles are equally poor. Therefore, a complementary mineral/vitamin program should be worked out as part of a complete beef cow feeding program.
OPTIONS Using this four-point protocol, we have different alternative forage options at our disposal, particularly after harvest, when a lot of cereal straw and other residues will shortly be at most people’s fingertips and can be turned into good alternative forage for beef cows.
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After harvest, consider that more than half of the entire plant mass of cereal crop such as barley collected together or the chaff can be collected separately. Then these straw bales, straw/chaff or chaff-only residues might be stacked or blown into various piles for cattle grazing throughout the field. Frequently, straw and its residues are directly incorporated between half and two-thirds of a typical drylot diet for gestation cows as long as it is fortified with other higher nutritious feed ingredients to create a complete beef cow diet. Similar to cereal grain residues and relatively new to the eastern Prairies, soybean residue has become increasingly available for beef cattle as more soybean acres are planted. The extension advice from North Dakota State University says that soybean residues are not especially palatable and therefore animals should be only given this one choice when utilizing them. Furthermore, soybean residue should be grazed by gestation cattle rather than raked into rows or baled together in order to avoid shattering leaves and remaining pods that are more nutritious than the sturdy stems. Like soybean residue, leftover corn stover is a good candidate as a low-cost feed for early to mid-gestation beef cows which can make up a sizeable portion of their diet, after spring calves are weaned. The true value of corn stover is that it contains whole plant material that a passing combine leaves behind. It consists mainly of cornstalks, corn leaves and husks. Sometimes, there is a significant amount of intact corn ears that are missed. Consequently, many harvested cornfields are grazed by beef cows or some producers mechanically gather and then stack or bale corn stover, which can be still be fed on pasture or in drylot. Regardless of which alternative
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MAKE SURE CALVES ARE VACCINATED BEFORE WEANING a major problem in feedlots across Western Canada, which is why vaccinating and boostering is a very worthwhile procedure. A lot of the “feedlot chronics” with conditions ranging from heart abscesses to severe arthritis can be traced back to this disease. Vaccinating prior to weaning is critical to acquire the immunity necessary to protect calves from the many forms of this disease. Even though feedlots vaccinate directly upon arrival they still have a large number of cases. This is simply because it is too late and vaccinating when calves are stressed does not achieve as high a level of immunity. This constitutes a second choice option at best. You as cow-calf producers have
roughage chosen, let us make up two gestation cow rations with alternative forage sources and compare them to a similar diet utilizing good-quality grass hay. All rations are balanced to meet the maintenance requirements of a 1,200 lbs. early-gestation cow:
(1) 18 lbs. barley straw @ $70/ mt, 10 lbs. 14 per cent cow screening pellets @ $250/mt and 2 oz. of com 2:1 mineral with salt @ 8c/head/d. $ 1.78/head/d (2) 22 lbs. of soybean residue @ $50/mt, 7 lbs. 20 per cent range cube @ $375/mt and 2 oz. of com. 2:1 mineral with salt @ 8c/hd/d $1.78/head/d (3) 25 lbs. of good quality hay @ $125/mt and 3 oz. of com. 2:1 mineral with salt @ 12 c/hd/d $1.55/head/d The actual feed ingredient prices of these diets may vary from farm to farm, but the point of this exercise largely illustrates what feeds are used in a complete mid-gestation beef cow diet as well as demonstrates many similarities in feeding costs. Providing the best alterative forages to early- to mid-gestation beef cows when regular good-quality hay is unavailable takes some homework compared to simply choosing anything available and putting it in front of the cows. Rather, these latter roughages can be utilized as suitable forage replacements during times of shortage; if they are added to autumn beef cow diets and supplemented with other nutritious feed stuffs, so all respective beef cow nutrient needs are met. † Peter Vitti is an independent livestock nutritionist and consultant based in Winnipeg. To reach him call 204-254-7497 or by email at
[email protected].
the option of vaccinating at the most ideal time. When all precautions have been taken still watch diligently, especially the first two weeks after weaning, for signs of respiratory disease and digestive upsets. Work with your nutritionist and veterinarian to assist setting up the ideal program for your calves. Specific pneumonia treatments are best left up to you and your personal veterinarian. Remember to tag with the RFID tags. By utilizing all or most of these procedures it is not uncommon to keep death loss very low (in the order of one per cent), minimize any welfare issues and minimize antibiotic usage as well. These are all win-win issues for the cattle industry. Have a great fall everyone. † Roy Lewis is a practising large animal veterinarian at the Westlock Veterinary Center, north of Edmonton, AB. His main interests are bovine reproduction and herd health.
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Home Quarter Farm Life SEEDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Emotional and financial cost of nastiness The cost is immeasurable if you lose the relationship of your family ELAINE FROESE
F
irst of all, my apologies to any readers named “Nancy,” this is not really about you. I have coined the phrase “nasty Nancy” to describe anger-filled farm-coaching clients. These are the folks who are extremely negative, they threaten to leave the room and the conversation often. They are really closed off to any awareness of how their cruel habits are driving the farm to “rack and ruin.” Lest you think that I am talking about your farm or ranch, please be aware that the names in this column have been changed to protect the innocent, and my scenarios are composite stories of learnings along my coaching journey. I understand the value of being thankful and appreciative, which we are celebrating this month as official “Thanksgiving.” I think it has been written many times before that we should be acting out “thanks living” every day of our lives. It saddens me to see farm families grasping for solutions to the age-old problem of lack of appreciation, and missing general kindness and civility from the founders of the farm. The employees who had one
day hoped to be equity partners in a thriving ag business, leave the farm in their prime because they just can’t take being taken for granted, anymore. If nasty Nancy is married to loving Larry, Larry may well decide to end the marriage contract, and spend more time with his cows (or vice versa.) Bullying behaviour from workaholic founders or early exits of potential, well-intentioned successors is costing farms way too much in terms of emotional relational capital, and affecting the balance sheet. Sometimes the successors are nasty, too, which just adds fuel to the conflict fire, rather that addressing issues. We reap what we sow. If readers could tell me who sowed all the foxtail barley in pasture fields, we might attack the source, and cultivate away the problem. Foxtail barley rubbed up against skin and socks is itchy and irritating to hikers. The same holds true for minor irritations that evolve into large tirades that crush any hope of things changing for the better. You get the behaviour you allow or accept. It is time to say “let’s practise being more thankful for each other’s contributions to our business, and our family.” Enough of the negative effects of ingratitude. How do you challenge the behaviour? 1. Acknowledge that each of us as adult farmers is responsible for our responses to other’s behaviours
and words. I get to choose my response. They say that it’s the little foxes that spoil the vineyards. What small random acts of kindness and thankfulness can you intentionally create this week? 2. Past behaviour tends to be a very good indicator of future performance, and this is why next-gen farmers leave for other careers or farms where they will be appreciated for their skills and insights. They don’t have to work with “time bomb-” style fathers forever. (See Stephen Poulter’s book called The Father Factor.) 3. Now that you are an expert at getting maximum production and efficiency out of your fields and livestock, it is time to brush up on your human resource or people skills. I know your cows understand you, it’s time to start understanding the power of appreciation and gratitude showered on respectful partners, family and employees. One of the greatest stumbling blocks to stalling a great business continuance plan (a.k.a. succession plan) is lack of appreciation. 4. Eating your gold alone is a lonely endeavour, and you can’t take it with you when you pass away, i.e. die. Some farmers see gifts as their preferred way of being affirmed, maybe in the form of cash, land or bonus canola cheques. It’s time to figure out how your way of being affirmed as a decent bloke in the business is best confirmed.
Do you want words of verbal affirmation? Do you want quality time with your family? Do you want action or acts of service, such as the tools being put away in the shop without a tirade? Perhaps just a firm squeeze on the shoulder for a job well done will keep you humming until the killing frost. 5. Use regular farm business meetings with issues on the agenda to attack the problem, and not the person. So, that’s my Thanksgiving pep talk. The folks who entrust me to facilitate the sacred space of farm family meetings know well what relief feels like when the words of appreciation, forgiveness and gratitude start flowing. The emotional cost of being a “nasty Nancy or cruel Charlie” is immeasurable if you lose the relationship of your son or daughter and their children. The financial cost of taking others for granted can cause huge conflict avoidance and fear that keeps folks away from the source of fierce conflict triggers. This means that farms that need infrastructure changes, or capital planning restructuring, don’t get things done, because everyone is avoiding the bully, and staying clear of being unappreciated. Fear is a horrible motivator for lasting change. It’s way better to be proactive and challenge the nastiness, rather that just accepting it as something that no one has the
power to address or change. Find your voice, and speak up! Let’s resolve to be emotionally healthy adult farmers. Look in the mirror first. Chat with your spouse for helpful, loving feedback. Embrace the behaviours that are going to groom the next generation to want to love being on the farm for the next 30 years, and create an emotionally rich legacy. That’s the relational capital that costs thousands when someone leaves hurting, and the balance sheet never quite recovers from the high cost of retraining or finding a passionate replacement. If you are quiet and shy, find a non-verbal way to express your thanks to your farm team. If you are talkative, use a novel approach to show others how much you really care about them feeling appreciated. Break bread together, tell stories of the best part of 2012 so far, and find a way to build up the relational capital of your farm. In the end it’s really the richness of relationship that will outlast your time on earth. † Elaine Froese is thankful for a loving family, an average crop, hail insurance and a faithful hard-working husband, son and farm team. Visit www.elainefroese.com to buy her book for your customer appreciation gifts and successors. Call 1-866-848-8311 for coaching by phone or to book Elaine’s expertise and common sense for your event. Elaine is a member of CAFA, the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors, and the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. She farms near Boissevain, Manitoba. Give thanks with a grateful heart.
The general store lives on Couple continues storekeeping tradition in farm community BY BRENDA DOWELL
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s farmers, we appreciate the difficulties that accompanied running a general store in the early years — things like dealing with 100-pound containers of salt and brown sugar and 45-gallon containers of vinegar and coal oil. The storekeeper’s wife had to have midwifery and nursing abilities as well as working in the store and homemaking.
In pioneer years a store near the present site of Wimborne, Alberta provided top-notch service to the area. In 1931, two years after the coming of the railroad, a new store was built in Wimborne. The closing of the store in 1982 proved temporary, as Labour Day weekend 2011 marked the opening of Kotales General Store, which continues the tradition of storekeeping in a new era. There were many reasons Joyce and Brian Kotales considered
restoring the Wimborne store. Joyce’s grandparents, John and Laureen Prohl had owned the store from 1962 until 1983, and she had happy childhood memories of that time. Brian was no stranger to the retail business either, as his grandparents owned the KB Boot Company in Nanton, Alberta. The location is good, situated at the intersection of the main street of Wimborne and Highway 805. The population of Wimborne
PHOTO: BRENDA DOWELL
Joyce Kotales keeps up the general store tradition in a new era.
(which is approximately 28 miles northeast of Olds) has remained at around 30, but is in a farming area where several generations remember, value the past and are loyal to each other. When the store was restored, Joyce and Brian already had a place in the heart of a large community. Joyce said, “The most positive thing that happened (in their move to Wimborne) was becoming part of the Wimborne community.” Joyce credits Brian with doing most of the major renovations, with help from their son Mitchell to gut the building, and contracting out for the installation of two gas fireplaces. She says her role was doing “gopher work.” The couple wanted to retain as much history of the store as possible so they salvaged what they could (meat and cheese slicer, cash register, safe) and people have donated smaller items. The store’s goods are shelved in original display cases and the original counter shows the scars from many cigarette burns. Agriculture has seen huge changes since 1982 but rural people have remained the same. Joyce is one of their own — the granddaughter of beloved store owners — so they initially came from the surrounding area to support her. They quickly became loyal customers because of her vibrant personality (one old-timer described her as the “cat’s meow”), the selection of merchandise (including
local crafts, honey, bacon and sausages), and the competitive prices. As one Wimborne resident said, “Her grandparents would be so proud.” † Brenda Dowell writes from Trochu, Alberta.
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
Home Quarter Farm Life
Many feathers in his cap Sask. man breeds heritage chickens and exotic fowl BY EDNA MANNING
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ichard Moroz’s lifelong fascination with birds has gained him the reputation as one of Saskatchewan’s primary breeders of heritage chickens and exotic fowl. It’s a hobby that has proven to be a hit with his many clients. Some of the varieties of chickens he currently breeds and raises include Black and Copper Marans, Wheaten Marans, Blue and Black Cochins, Black, Blue, Lavender and Splash Orpingtons, Euskal Oiloa, True Ameraucanas, Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Jersey Giants, Silkies, Show Girl Silkies, and guinea fowl of all colours. Turkeys include the Ridley Bronze and Bourbon Red. He also has a collection of parrots, Eclectus, Bare-eyed cockatoos and parrotlets. Moroz hatches about 1,600 chicks every year, and raises the heritage chickens for customers who value their characteristics over those of the conventional breeds. “The Orpingtons are a large, dual-purpose breed and good layers. Cochins are similar to Orpingtons but have feathered feet. The Euskal Oiloa, also known as the Basque hen, is the ideal backyard bird. Friendly and inquisitive, their personalities are unlike any other breed. As a dual-purpose bird, the hen will lay at least 220 (though often more) large (60- to 65-g) shiny brown eggs, and at maturity the roosters, which weigh about eight pounds, can be used for meat.
This incredibly rare breed comes in five colour varieties, though the Maradunna, a beautiful cuckoo barred variety, is the most common in North America. “It’s estimated there are fewer than 100 breeding hens in North America, with the largest flock here in the Saskatoon area,” Moroz said. Both the Black and Blue Copper Marans lay chocolate-brown eggs and are a proud bird, the aristocrats of the chicken world. The True Ameraucanas are dualpurpose birds that lay robin-blue eggs. They are not a heavy bird but are great egg layers. Moroz raises some birds just for fun — like the Polish crested, the Mille Fleurs, Frizzles and the Silkies. He acquired the guinea fowl originally for bug control but sells some for those who raise them for meat. Insects such as grasshoppers, ants and ticks are their main diet in the summer and many organic gardeners purchase them for pest and bug control. Peafowl are also raised mostly for interest. They come in many colours: India blue, Silver Pied, Black Shoulder, Midnight Black Shoulder, Cameo, Buford Bronze, Pied, Whites, Purple Pied and the extremely rare Java. Turkeys can be a nuisance, Moroz admits. The females can fly and they tend to wander and lay eggs in other birds’ nests and then try to nest with them. Moroz’s birds are totally free range — they have the run of the property. “After I’m done selective breeding, all my birds run free on
PHOTO: EDNA MANNING
Richard Moroz with two of the heritage chickens: a Euskal Oiloa on the right, and a Mille Fleur on the left. 80 acres. This gives them access to a variety of food, and plenty of sunshine, fresh air and exercise. I think they’re happier when they can roam free. I just don’t like seeing anything locked up,” he adds. He also has flocks at his daughter’s acreage near Vanscoy. The birds are free to roam the yard under the watchful eyes of Zeus, the Great Pyrenees. Moroz likes to stay away from medications as much as possible.
www.cyff.ca Ph: 888-416-2965
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ENERGIZE EMPOWER
The birds are dewormed throughout the year with diatomaceous earth. He adds small amounts of hydrogen peroxide to their drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. Apple cider vinegar is another product he adds to the birds’ drinking water as a cleanser. “Apple cider vinegar is an absolutely fantastic product. It’s a good fly, tick and mosquito repellant. Just mix one cup of apple cider vinegar with five gallons of water and wipe it on your horses or cattle. It works for a long time and it’s perfectly natural,” he says. Moroz’s fondness for birds began as an 11-year-old, when he was given a pair of budgies. He was soon breeding and raising them. By the time he was 23, he’d received dozens of ribbons and awards at dozens of shows he attended.
Later, he and his wife’s apartment became home to a multitude of beautiful birds: cockatiels, kakarikis, parakeets and macaws. He passed on his love of birds to their children, and the basement of their home became an aviary where they had the pleasure of watching baby birds hatch and grow. “My wife, Dianna, says our house sounds like spring every morning,” he says. Why this love of birds? “They give back all you put into them and more in many more ways than one,” he says. For more information, visit Richard Moroz’s website at www. popscoops.com. Richard Moroz also does Estate Sales dispersals for a living. See www.artandneedfulthings. com. † Edna Manning writes from Saskatoon, Sask.
Moroz’s fondness for birds began as an 11-year-old, when he was given a pair of budgies
The CYFF connects leading young agriculture producers across Canada, to provide support, encouragement and resources to promote agriculture. CYFF provides networking opportunities and workshops focussed on succession planning, board governance and leadership training, inspiring innovation, the best management practices and more.
Get connected, contact your provincial organization or CYFF: • Newfoundland and Labrador Young Farmers Forum • Young Farmers of Prince Edward Island • Nova Scotia Young Farmers Forum • New Brunswick Young Farmers Forum • La FRAQ - Federation de la releve agricole du Quebec
• Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario • Keystone Agriculture Producers • Saskatchewan Young Ag-Entrepreneurs • Future Agriculture Business Builders • BC Young Farmers • Yukon Young Farmers
YOUNG FARMERS: AGRICULTURE’S FUTURE.
PHOTO COURTESY: RICHARD MOROZ
Moroz raises some birds just for fun, like this Peafowl.
OCTOBER 8, 2012
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Home Quarter Farm Life POSTCARDS FROM THE PRAIRIES
Life’s secrets, according to you… Part 1 What makes your soul sing? JANITA VAN DE VELDE
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riends, it’s good to be back! In fact, I got so darn excited that I sent in a long, rambling article, only to be met with some resistance from the kind editors at Grainews. They said something like “Hey, this article is waaaaaaaaaaaay too long. (In case you missed it, emphasis on way.) We need to fit some ads on this page so you’re going to have to split this into a few parts.” My opinion? That’s kind-speak for “Janita. We’re not even entirely certain anyone reads your articles, so stick to the suggested word count. In fact, for you, it’s not a suggestion. Consider it a requirement.” Regardless where the truth lies, let’s tuck in, shall we? Part One. Recently, my five-year-old son Jack and I were driving in the van and we had some Johnny Cash music cranked up. Jack informed me that “It Ain’t Me Babe” is his new favourite song. Mine too. (Incidentally, I didn’t have the heart to tell him we were actually listening to Joaquin Phoenix. Quite frankly, I’m not even entirely certain how one goes about pronouncing his name. At any rate, I don’t think Johnny would mind... how is it again that Joaquin didn’t win an Oscar for his portrayal of Johnny Cash? Still irks my craw. Moving on...) The conversation went as follows: Jack: Mommy, is Johnny Cash a real person? Me: He is, honey. Except sadly, he died, so he’s not alive anymore. Jack: Is he in heaven? Me: Yes, he is. Jack: Will he see his family again? Me: Absolutely. Jack: Does he still sing in heaven? Me: I suspect he does, yes. Jack: I think that Johnny Cash is Jesus’ favourite singer. Me: I think you’re right. Jack: Are you going to die? Me: We all will, Jack. But don’t worry. It’s not going to happen for a long time. Jack: I don’t want you to die, Mommy. Who will take care of me? Me: Jack, I don’t want you worrying about me dying. It’s not going to happen for a long time. And when Daddy and I die, Auntie and Uncle will take care of you. A few minutes passed... I could see him in the rear-view mirror. Clearly he was contemplating a very deep thought. Jack: Mommy? Me: Yes, honey? (And yes, I was totally waiting for him to say something profound and endearing, like he simply couldn’t imagine his life without me.) Jack: When I go to live with Auntie when you die, can you give her the password for buying games on the iPad? If that’s not heartfelt grief right there, then I don’t know what is. This discussion about Johnny and Jesus and singing and life got me to thinking about all the things I want to share with my children before I die... the knowledge I want to pass on to them one day. There are so many things I want to
tell them one day. Like that I think you do what you were born to do when you arrive back in heaven. Whether or not you get around to doing it on earth is inconsequential. This makes me sad though, because so many of us never get around to doing what we’re meant to do. Fear stops us. We’re paralyzed by it. Fear of what other people might think, fear of failure, humiliation, scorn, adversity, loss, giving up what we know... completely letting go and trusting God that it’ll work out as it should. We sometimes don’t even bother trying. We protect our hearts from hurt, which seems easier to do than risking failure. It feels easier to breathe when you’re comfortable — until that day arrives when it feels as though your soul has been sucked out of you. You stare
at yourself in the mirror and ask, “What happened to you? What happened to your dreams? Why
When I go to live with Auntie when you die, can you give her the password for buying games on the iPad?
what makes your soul sing.” Do I lead by example? Not always. Writing makes my soul sing. Holding (happy) babies makes my soul sing. Playing with children (who aren’t evil little monsters...) makes my soul sing. Travelling the world makes my soul sing. Helping people makes my soul sing. Spending time with my parents (and most of) my siblings makes my soul sing. Have I created a life that allows me to focus my energy on these things? Sort of. There’s no question that my heart knows what I want to do. My brain, however, tells me a different story. It tells me to keep my job in the corporate world... earn money, pay off the mortgage, stay connected, cool, driven. Is that wrong? I struggle with
do you believe in others and not yourself?” I want to tell my children this: “You can do anything. Be what you want to be. But please, do
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it all the time. I don’t hate what I do. That’s too strong a word. It’s all right. I don’t mind it. It doesn’t put me in a bad mood. Hell, I sort of like it. And the people? Oh, how I love those people. It feels like a second family. Check that. It is my second family. But does it make my soul sing? To be continued… † Janita Van de Velde grew up on a farm near Mariapolis, Man. She holds a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics from the University of Manitoba, and has worked for a financial institution since graduating. She lives in Regina, Sask., with her husband Roddy and their children Jack, Isla and James. Her first novel, Postcards Never Written, was the recipient of the Saskatchewan Reader’s Choice Award and also listed by CBC as one of the top funny books in 2009. She donates a portion of proceeds from the sale of her book to World Vision to help those less fortunate. For more information, or to order her book, visit her website at www.janita.ca.
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OCTOBER 8, 2012
Home Quarter Farm Life SINGING GARDENER
Getting the best from your fall blooms Plus, Ted responds to more of your emails TED MESEYTON
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elcome autumn! I’m hoping it’s been a banner year for crops and gardens wherever you reside in this great nation. Is that wishful thinking, or did some gardeners have issues to deal with? As usual... lots to write about.
EATING VEGAN A memorable time with some friends was eating vegan during an outdoor open air firepit barbecue in August. Among the menu items were cobs of corn roasted in their husks. Something new to which I took an immediate liking was my introduction to vegan beet patties (that’s beet, not beef) also cooked on the outdoor grill. Beets, in my opinion, are among the most health promoting of all veggies. On the dessert side, we had brownies made with natural cocoa, whole pea flour and other pure food ingredients drizzled in cashew cream. Smoothies from a combo of fruits and vegetables provided fluid to round out the meal. For nibbling, there were homemade dried apple rings and dried zucchini rings.
DIVIDE AND CONQUER … or pinch and get away with it. This is that time of year when we can plant tulip, daffodil and lily bulbs, trees and shrubs. Also, divide and move perennials around at a pleasing, leisurely pace. Unless you’ve already had an early, killing frost in your area, there’s still a lot of intense colour to enjoy too. For example, I’m thinking of asters and chrysanthemums. If your mums didn’t perform to their full spectacular splendour, (or up to snuff) there are a couple things you can do next summer. Pinching back new shoots on chrysanthemums promotes compact, bushy growth and a storm of flower buds. Most cultivars will benefit from at least one and up to three pinchings in a
SUE ARMSTRONG
LOVE HEARING FROM YOU Do you have a story about a farm or home-based business? How about some household management tips? Does someone in the family have a special-diet need? Share some of your meal ideas. Send them to FarmLife, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1. Phone 1-800665-0502 or email susan@ fbcpublishing.com. Please remember we can no longer return photos or material. — Sue
This Waterton mock orange in shrub-tree form is at least nine feet tall. To the right is a closeup of its impressive and spectacular sweet-smelling blossoms enticing pollinating insects. Ted tells more in his Singing Gardener column and recommends another Prairie-hardy mock orange that will do gardeners proud. season. Space these about a month apart starting mid-June and continue through until the middle of August or later. Something else! If chrysanthemum flower buds are slow or late to open, reduce the amount of daylight they receive each day. Completely cover the plant with a stiff cardboard box or something else of your choosing so it gets no more than about eight hours of daylight. Apply and remove the box daily until a change is noticed. Such reduced or low light may also work for marigolds whose buds are slow at coming into full bloom. It’s sort of the same idea as you’d do to get a poinsettia to colour up in December. A bit of a chore perhaps, but it usually works.
GOT AN EMAIL … from Rose Park back on June 21, 2012. Hi Ted: Just wanted to share this photo with you. When I first moved into my house 14 years ago the shrub was only about 4.5 feet tall and was straggly and had a lot of dead growth. Once I saw the beautiful blooms I decided to try to revive it, so every year I trim it and remove the dead stems. When my mom, Drina was still alive she couldn’t wait every year for it to bloom and come to see it and smell its fragrant blossoms. This year it is the most beautiful it has ever been, not sure if it’s because all of the rain or what. Only wish the blooms lasted longer. I’m attempting to identify this local Portage growing ornamental flowering shrub-tree that’s about nine feet tall now and loaded with masses of flowers that emit a very sweet scented perfume. Do you think it’s a mock orange, or could it actually be a jasmine? The shrub is at least 15 or 20 years old. Sincerely Rose Park (nee Nelissen) Ted says: Thanks Rose and it’s so good to hear from you. We determined her shrub-tree is called Waterton mock orange. Let me reiterate what Rose said: “Only wish the blooms lasted longer.” That sentiment probably applies to many favourite flowering shrubs and ornamental trees grown by gardeners and landscapers. Waterton is an old variety that may not be so readily available anymore at garden centres, but
no harm looking. Today, the focus seems to be on dwarf and shorter ornamentals. If you’re wishing to grow a mock orange, you won’t go wrong with one called “Blizzard.” It reaches about 1.5 metres (four to five feet) tall at maturity with a similar dimensional spread. Blizzard mock orange is covered with clusters of very fragrant white flowers in midsummer and was developed at Morden Research Station. Another bonus: Blizzard is well named! It’s hardy in Zone 2 and readily available.
IN EARLY SEPTEMBER … I heard from Debbie Ott at Glenella, Man. She writes: Hi Ted, Our potatoes began dying off before the August long weekend this year. That’s much too early in terms of our usual potato-growing schedule. Our potato harvest was a great deal less than usual as well. Have you been hearing about this from other gardeners? We were wondering what was causing this. I read about a condition that causes the potato stem to wither and prevent water takeup and thought it might be that. Apparently, applying compost is an effective approach. A couple of my tomato plants showed the same type of drying up, in spite of being watered every few days. We haven’t had much rain this summer, but I felt that we had a somewhat cool and dampish early spring. My husband keeps a daily journal of sorts and may have recorded when we planted what. We had potato bugs after the potatoes were up for a week or so. They were quite numerous for a while and then disappeared — about the time the potatoes first started showing signs of wilting and drying. I thought the wilting might have been because it was so hot but the drying continued even after watering them thoroughly. On the other hand, I had tomatoes that started turning red sooner than ever. My husband’s watermelons were huge and yummy and we had tons of cucumbers, cantaloupes and honeydews. Not a good year for peas though and my beans were very slow to start producing. I thought I would have a great sweet pepper
year — I watered regularly and deeply and it was so hot… but I only have a couple of little fellows on my plants. I hope the prediction you gave about September rain is correct — we sure could use some rain in our area. My husband and I both look forward to all your articles, not only the gardening topics, but the information on using plants for health and healing and the recipes too! We enjoy your columns and have made much use of the information included in them. Which reminds me, I had finally figured out how to calculate the 500 degree days mentioned in your article when you wrote about apple maggots earlier this summer. Thanks for the further info on the degree days calculations. For the apple maggots, I put out yogurt containers with little “windows” cut in the sides and filled with the liquid you gave the recipe for. I hung them from the trees (punched a hole in either the lid or the sides and put some string through). My husband also brought home some Tanglefoot and red balls (Styrofoam, I’m guessing) and after smearing the Tanglefoot on, I hung those from the apple trees too. I don’t think we had any worms this year and had lots of great-tasting apples from the Norland tree. We were careful to keep the apples picked up from off the ground. Funny enough, we had a lot less crabapples than usual, but the wind may have blown the buds off the tree. We planted potatoes on May 19 apparently. This is traditionally the time we plant them (Victoria Day long weekend). The past few years we’ve been earlier though. It looks like it was a new moon on the 20th of May, so maybe that wasn’t the best day to plant. I find the idea fascinating that nature is just so amazingly efficient — even from the bug’s point of view. Thanks very much, Debbie Ott Glenella, Manitoba To my fellow gardeners: I, Ted, invite feedback, especially as it applies to your successes and challenges faced in connection with growing potatoes, tomatoes and apples. Debbie was right! May 20 was the start of a new moon and
folklore says nothing should ever be planted on the first day of any new moon. Potatoes are best planted during the third quarter. That is to say, starting the second day after full moon.
IT’S THANKSGIVING MONTH For the skill and strength in each gardener’s hand, For the farmer well done and wealth in our land, For the gardens now grown and pantry shelves heaped, For the hay, the canola and wheat that is reaped, For the flowers, the bees and the sweet honeycomb, For the birds and their song; what a harvest brought home!
GARDEN CENTRE HUMOUR An attractive woman spots some nice petunias for filling a bare spot in her flower garden and asks the attending male clerk: How much do they cost? “Only one kiss per petunia,” replied the young man with a smirk. “That’s fine,” said the woman. “I’ll take two dozen plants.” With anticipation written all over his face, the clerk quickly carries the petunias to the checkout. He teasingly hands them over to the woman for payment and then directs her to the elderly male cashier. She smiled; thanked the youthful clerk and said: “Grandpa will pay the bill.”
This is Ted Meseyton the Singing Gardener and Grow-It Poet from Portage la Prairie, Man. Home remedies! Here’s one to cherish. Of all the home remedies, a good wife is best. Thank you each and every one for walking with me to the end of the trail today. From start to finish it’s been a great experience. I like what British actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn said: As we grow older, we will discover that we have two hands, one for helping ourselves, the other for helping others. Please come again next time and we’ll go for another stroll along the Grainews garden path. My email address is
[email protected].
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