November 2010 Archives

A grain farming couple from Saskatchewan and market gardeners from Ontario were named Canada’s newest Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF), Friday, at a national awards ceremony held at the elegant Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C.

Ryan and Lauren Maurer, who crop 11,300 acres with their family at Grenfell, Saskatchewan, and Steve and Lisa Cooper, who along with their family, grow vegetables and involve the community in their farming operation at Zephyr, just north of Toronto, were selected the two national winners in a competition that involved several days of interviews and presentations before a panel of three judges.

(Pictured, making their acceptance remarks, from left Lisa and Steve Cooper, and Ryan and Lauren Mauer)

The Maurers and Coopers were among a field of seven OYF couples from across Canada who were selected as regional winners earlier this year. Also vying for the national award were Josh Oulton and Patricia Bishop of Port Williams, Nova Scotia; Jean-Francois Lemieux and Mylene Gagnon from Saint-Vallier, Quebec; Jan and Tracy Bassa of La Broquerie, Manitoba; Ryan and Annette Mercer of Lethbridge, Alberta and Gene and Shelly Covert of Oliver BC.

For the first time in the history of the program, a federal agriculture minister, Gerry Ritz was on hand for the awards banquet, and was given the honor of announcing the winners. Also among the guests at the gala event was Steven L. Pointe, Lieutenant Governor of B.C.

Senior OYF judge Garry Meier, who farms with his family near Tisdale, Saskatchewan described the difficult task of trying to select only two winners from a field of excellent candidates, all deserving of the award. He said the judges were recommending to the OYF board that in the future the number of regional nominees be trimmed to six (instead of seven) making it easier for judges to “roll the dice” to select winners. Completing the judging panel were Ross Hudson, an agriculture consultant from BC and James Peel, general manager of Holstein Quebec.

It was the 30^th year of the awards program, which was launched in 1980 by the Jaycee organization as a means of recognizing the talents and achievements of young farmers across Canada. Although the program is now managed by the alumni of the OYF program, hundreds of farm couples from all parts of the country, involved in all sectors of agriculture have been honored for their abilities as regional winners over the three decades.

As Derrick Rozdeba, on behalf of long-time OYF sponsor Bayer Crop Science told nominees in remarks at the awards banquet, as the best of the best “this program is not about winning. With the skills and knowledge you have it is about going forward to mentor other young farmers to be successful.”

The Maurers and their four children operate Land & Sky Grains Inc., an extensive cropping operation they have expanded and developed since 1992.

They produce a wide range of grains, oilseeds and specialty crops including spices, with 75 percent of their operation today involving production of crops under an Identity Preserved system for specific end users.

The Coopers and their two children started with a mixed farming operation, but have developed it into a successful market garden operation producing a wide range of vegetables crops. They have also developed a successful agri-tourism operation that each year hosts about 12,000 urban visitors who come to participate in the farming “experience” and also wander through an elaborately designed corn maze. Another aspect of their farm business is an expanding Community Shared Agriculture program that involves supplying some 400 subscriber or member families with fresh vegetables throughout the year.

Along with Bayer Crop Science, other long-time national sponsors of the OYF program include CIBC, John Deere and Agriculture Canada.

Lee Hart is a field editor for Grainews in Calgary, Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at lee@fbcpublishing.com

I am not sure whether to feel sorry for farmers or give them credit. It is impossible for producers to go anywhere – to a conference, trade show, field day, wherever – without some very knowledgeable and trustworthy person telling them “this is the product to buy that will give you that little extra ummph in yield”.

The concept isn’t new, but there just seems to be more of these products these days. “Use this and your biggest problem will be finding enough bin space for all those extra bushels” although most claims also come with the caveat of (under certain soil conditions, and depending on weather). A seed treatment, a soil treatment, a foliar spray that will deliver that little extra shot of kryptonite or something else that isn’t included in —or may not be in the proper ratio — of your standard N,P,K,S fertilizer blend. And to top it off, it can often be something that isn’t identified in the standard soil test recommendation, so you just have to trust us on this one.

I was at a farm meeting this week, where a fairly new company, led by someone who has been around the crop nutrition industry for a long time, was making the pitch for a seed treatment product, that gives the seedling that little extra vigor so it can reach out for nutrients and optimize the genetic potential of the crop variety.

It seemed logical. It made sense. So I have no reason to doubt the information, although I’m not a farmer or a soil fertility specialist. But all the pitches for products are good. There appears to be lots of research, there are photos of side-by-side comparisons of treated and untreated plots that show a huge difference, there are charts and graphs and farmer testimonials, and the cost of these products isn’t crazy either. On average you only need about one teaspoon for every hundred acres so costs are going to run anywhere from $0 to $10 per acre depending on product or combination of products.

By my rough calculations if a producer chose to use all these crop aids combined, an average farm in Saskatchewan could produce enough grain to feed China.

What adds to my personal confusion about these products, is when I ask an independent, unbiased, neutral soil fertility specialist – like a government guy – about these products I often hear this damning critique “there has never been any research that shows these products are necessary” and/or “they are supposed to be applied at such sparing rates how could it possibly make any difference.”

I see, but what about the research, the photos, the graphs, the compelling farmer testimonials? Somebody must be seeing some value in these products.

And often these product promotions tag onto a field day or event organized by an “independent” crop consulting company, so that implies to me that the consulting company figures this product has some value. Although I have often heard too that your good old family doctor will often prescribe a particular remedy for whatever ails you, but some of them also get a kickback from the company, so how necessary is that prescription? And that could be a lot of hearsay, too.

I guess my point is, I find it a confusing world. I guess from the farmers’ point of view they have the option to either try some of this stuff, or not. They can try it on 100 acres and see what happens, or they can also stay with the standard N,P,K,S blend they’ve used for the past 25 years and just hope after sitting through one of these presentations they get a new pen or ball cap or whatever.

I think this whole area of crop enhancement products needs a real Moses. Some bullet-proof, independent, larger than life authority that can lead the masses from the Desrt of Confusion, across the Misinformation River, past the Valley of Conflicting Stories, to the promised land of What Really Works.

It is too big a job for me to handle, but at least I can do an article on their appointment notice when they are hired.

Lee Hart is a field editor for Grainews in Calgary, Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at lee@fbcpublishing.com

Whether you are a crop or livestock producer there are important events coming up over the next three weeks, you should plan to attend.

SACA – MEDICINE HAT, AB

The Southern Alberta Conservation Association is holding a two day conference Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2010 at the Medicine Hat Exhibition Centre in Medicine Hat.

It gets underway Nov. 30 with registration at 8 a.m. and after opening comments the first keynote speaker is Preston Manning, who will talk about how farmers can use some everyday tools to bring about change in policy and programs that affect agriculture.

There are a number of other speakers the first day who will talk about some bigger picture items related to agriculture, as well as hands-on production and management topics. There are several speakers talking about production topics December 1.

For more information visit their website at www.farmingsmarter.com  or phone 403-381-5118.

WCGC – VERMILION, AB

And livestock producers will want to be in Vermilion Dec.1 and 2 for the Western Canadian Grazing Conference at the Vermilion Regional Centre and Lakeland College.

The conference will feature a number of speakers with hands-on information about pasture and grazing management. Topics will include multi-species grazing, new technology, stockpiled grazing, climate, soil, livestock nutrition and mob grazing to name a few.

For more information or to register phone 780-416-6046 or visit their website at www.areca.ab.ca.

GRAZING SCHOOL – BRANDON, MB

Several excellent speakers are lined up to make presentations Dec. 7 and 8 at the 12^th annual Manitoba Grazing School in Brandon. Being held at the Victoria Inn in Brandon, speakers include Jim Gerrish, a well known U.S. grazing expert, Kevin Sedivec a professor at North Dakota State University, Doug Wray, a long time beef producer from Alberta, Brenda Schoepp of BEEFLINK on marketing, and several other speakers during breakout sessions.

For more information or to register contact Pam Iwanchysko with Manitoba Agriculture at 204-648-3965 or the Manitoba Forage Council at 204-254-4192 or visit their website at www.mbforagecouncil.mb.ca

AB BARLEY GROWERS – BANFF

The Alberta Barley Commission will hold their annual meeting Dec. 10, 2010 at the Banff Park Lodge in Banff, AB.

The day kicks off with the barley commission business meeting, followed at 10:30 by a number of speakers on topics ranging from marketing to industry issues.

For more information or to register contact the Alberta Barley Commission office in Calgary at 403-291-9111.

Lee Hart is a field editor for Grainews in Calgary, Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at lee@fbcpublishing.com

If you’ve every wanted to go to China, but were afraid of driving there, a long time Southern Alberta ag consultant is organizing his 10^th travel excursion to The Far East this coming March.

The China Venture Tour 2011 is being organized for March 11 to 28 (almost three weeks) by John Calpas of Lethbridge, who has been around the agriculture industry almost since wheat was discovered.

The tour, which is billed as a five-star, virtually all-inclusive package costs $5,400 per person, based on double occupancy, but it offers a professionally guided visit to many of the cultural and industrial highlights of the country we hear so much about.

Leaving from Calgary and Edmonton, March 11, the tour begins in Shanghai for a couple days, then onto to Yi-Chang in Hubei Province, including a ride on a train that travels 431 km/h, a cruise on the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, bus tours into the country side, a visit to a Giant Panda reserve, a visit to a tea plantation, the tomb of the Terra-Cotta warriors, The Great Wall of China, Beijing, and many other stops.

Calpas, who spent most of his career in various capacities with Alberta Agriculture, and since retirement has been involved in consulting and ag-tourism, says he and colleague Dr. John Keng, an agri-business consultant, have put together an excellent tour that isn’t like a travel agency package. This is a professionally tailored and escorted tour that takes visitors into the heart of the country.

Deadline for registration is fast approaching, and organizers need to know in the next few weeks who is interested in coming. There is a $500 deposit at time of registration.

For more information contact John Calpas at 403-320-1774, or Mary Rempel at 403-328-1528 or email John at: jgcalpas@shaw.ca

Lee Hart is a field editor for Grainews in Calgary, Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at lee@fbcpublishing.com

This looks like a great modification for anyone using an ATV, whether it is for checking cows or roaming the bush looking for elk or deer – a set of quad tracks for the four-wheeler.

I haven’t done a lot of ATV riding, but I know they are great little machines, with some limitations. If you are older and whimpy like me there are certain places you don’t like to go, and in winter you might as well park them unless you chain up.

This probably isn’t completely new, but Northern Plains Track had this display unit, (see photos) at the recent Agri-Trade Show in Red Deer. These Canadian-made tracks were installed on a John Deere side-by-side Gator, but Mark Nowacki of Northern Plains says the tracks can be installed equally as easy on a conventional four-wheeler.

Made by Camoplast of Quebec, the tracks can be installed in a couple hours, says Nowacki. And if the operator wants to switch back to wheels, that is roughly a half-hour project.

The tracks certainly make the average quad an all-season vehicle. It doesn’t mean a person should install the tracks and then get stupid by looking for high risk situations where no machine was ever meant to go. But

 for rolling over dry land, mud, snow and/or fairly steep country, I suspect these tracks give you the capability to go, with confidence you will be able to make it home in time for supper.

Great for just getting from Point A to Point B, or you could also put the machine to work in the winter and seriously plow snow. And let’s not forget the intangible benefit — you look good too. With these macho tracks on a quad, you’re not one of them wimpy flatlanders. You’re now equipped to climb trees.

A set of tracks cost between $4,500 and $5,000, but they may make the difference between getting a job done, or not getting it done. Supposedly they have a bit more cushion too making it easier on your back and butt. And, if you decide to sell the quad there’s no reason you can’t take the tracks off and re-install them on the new unit.

From the province that gave us the snowmobile and poutine, another great invention. Northern Plains Track, based in Minnesota is the distributor in Canada and the US. You can reach them at 1-866-332-8473 or contact Nowacki directly on his cell at 1-218-201-0786 or by email at mark@northernplainstrack.com

Lee Hart is a long time blogger and social media guru who can be reached at lee@fbcpublishing.com

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The strange weather this year, has made for some interesting crop tours and events.

In “dry old southern Alberta” I went to a seeding demonstration in June and the big question was, which tool works best in mud? In July I went to a “crop walk” day at Lethbridge and it was so wet the only crop we saw was during a power point presentation in a seminar room. At about the same time a field day sponsored by the Western Stock Growers Association checking out livestock research and feedlot operations had to be postponed, due to a shortage of gumboots.

And then, just this past week — early November— I went to a grain marketing workshop east of Calgary where 30 farmers were expected, and no one showed up. It was a sunny, plus 17 C day and anyone who still had crop to harvest was out doing it, or at least helping a neighbor. I knew something big affected attendance, because this was an event with a free lunch.

Organizers were understanding and will plan to rescheduled after freeze up.

It will be hard to know what to wear to the AgriTrade farm show at the Westerner Exhibition Grounds in Red Deer this week. While most displays are inside, some years the most popular outdoor display was the guy selling wood burning and pellet stoves, and other times you could be looking for shade. No matter what the conditions it is hard to dress appropriately. If you  bundle up for the outdoor stuff, you get too hot inside, and if you have a light jacket, chances are you won’t dawdle too long with the grain auger and manure spreader displays in the central parking lot.

And does anyone know this gal (pictured above) who was working on a farm south of Strathmore last week. She looks like a very knowledgeable  person on forage handling, but I wouldn’t want her giving any husband-handling advice to my wife.

Lee Hart is a long time blogger and social media guru who can be reached at lee@fbcpublishing.com