Farming Smarter -- 2009 Edition

2009 – $8.00

Helping Increase Your Net Returns From Farming

R.O.I.Return on Investment

MADEPOSSIBLE BY

Flaman has the equipmentto help you obtain andmaintain the maximumreturn for all the hard work you have invested.

RENT, LEASE OR BUY...

HEAVY HARROWS AND LAND ROLLERSEquipment with the best features and

strength in the marketplace.

ROTARY CUTTERSMany models to choose from to

suit your every need.

R.O.I.FLAMAN

POST POUNDERS& POST HOLE

AUGERSFencing

equipmentbuilt toughto take it!

The only disc that can stand upin the Flaman rental fleet.

Wheatheart

Load-Out AugersSelf-Propelled Auger Transport KitsHydrostatic Bin SweepsPortable Bin SweepsSupersweep Bin SweepsTransfer AugersPortable Pits

Wheatheart

33 models7 lines30 attachments

CALL US FORDETAILS

Telehandler dDIECI hasyou covered

BRUNS GRAIN WAGON

- 13 tonne running gear

- Automotive steering

- Used 22.5 tires

430 Bu. Grain Wagon

18 Province Undertakes MassiveCoordination Under LUF

19 Plan and Test to Get the Most from Manure

20 Pulses Offer Beneficial Option to Fallow

22 Exploring Energy Use on Farm

24 Precision Agriculture – A Tricky Target to Hit!

26 Environmentally Safe Nitrogen Update

27 Triticale: Potential Value-AddingPlatform Alternative for Producers

28 Winter Peas: Potential Pulse for Alberta’s Future

30 ARECA Fosters Province-Wide Applied Research

5 SARA Chairman’s Message

6 Partnership Researching New Fungus Control

7 SARA Hitting the Fields in 2008

8 Alberta Ag Still There for Farmers

9 World Fertilizer Demand Drives Input Costs

10 Grain Commission Removes KVD for Wheat

11 Natural Gas Still Important to Fertilizers

12 SARA Field School

14 Managing Risk on the Family Farm

15 Multiple Group Herbicide Resistance on the Rise

16 Ducks Unlimited and Bayer CropScience Team Up

Farming Smarter is published annually by the Southern Applied ResearchAssociation with the assistance of the Southern Alberta Conservation Association,

Ducks Unlimited and support from the Agriculture Opportunities Fund and Albertaenvironmentally Sustainable Agriculture program.

Editorial Board: Alex Russell, Ron Svanes, Ron Lamb, Ken Coles

Editor: Claudette Lacombe • Cover Photo: Claudette Lacombe

Photography: Claudette Lacombe, Hector Carcamo, Jamie Rieger, S.A.R.A.

Contact SARA: Ken Coles, M.Sc. B.Sc., Agronomist, Southern Applied Research Association,Agriculture Center, #100, 5401 – 1st. Ave. South, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, T1J 4V6

Tel: 403-381-5118 Fax: 403-382-4526 Email: [email protected]

Published by:

3

Contents

4

LESS STRESS, MORE PRODUCTIVITY.

Give your blue machine the technology it needs to be moreefficient and competitive.An AgGPS® Autopilot™ guidance system extends your operating hours so you canwork when you need to, and maximize the precision of your rows. Realize paybackin terms of hours of your time, yield per acres and dollars added to your bottom line.A system would include:

• NEW! THE EZ-GUIDE® 500 lightbar guidance system with internal GPS• The AgGPS NavController II for precise steering control• The AgGPS RTK base station to deliver 1” year-to-year correction

Want to know how to get the best guidance?Stop in and talk to us today. We know what you need to grow.

EZ-Steer® from New Holland Delivers accurate, affordable, assisted steering.This affordable system works in conjunction with the EZ-Guide® Plus lightbar to provide hands-freesteering, reducing driver fatigue and allowing operators to focus on equipment operation. EZ-Steer and EZ-Guide Plus can provide one-foot pass-to-pass accuracy in most locations—perfect for spraying, tillage, small-grain harvesting and broadacre seeding operations.

• Hands-free steering• Affordable upgrade from the

EZ-Guide Plus lightbar• Low-cost alternative to

auto-guidance

• Easy transferred from vehicle to vehicle• Fast, easy installation and set-up• Reduces driver stress and fatigue• Allows operator to focus more on

equipment operation

Thank you to all of themembers and those whosupport the farmer direct-

ed Southern Applied ResearchAssociation (SARA) and itsworks.

As an association, SARA expe-rienced tremendous growth inthe past two years. This growthbenefits all southern Albertafarmers and agri-businesses. At

SARA, our focus is to offer educa-tion and networking for farm producers to to helpmanage and make decisions on-farm. Our research andoutreach projects benefit the next generations of farmersor farm employees.

The knowledge and experience I gained through myattendance at SARA events and, for the past two years, asa board member is invaluable to me.

I encourage all farmers with a thirst for informationto take part in all SARA events and research.

Our premier event, the Diagnostic Field School, is agreat way to keep your farm practises up to date and tostay in tune with the latest in applied research. Alsomark your calendars to attend our annual general meet-ing coming March 11.

Thank you for your support;

Greg StampChairman, SARA Board of Directors

5

SARA Chairman’s Message

��

� ��

� �� !"!�!��

� #��$��

%�� !"!��&��'�� (�!��)�� *��+��,�

��*��-��./01��2��./-11��3��40125�206$7661��$��8��,��

2009 Field School July 7, 8, 9A whole new crop of information!

Sclerotinia and white mold continue to createproblems for canola and bean growers, but helpappears to be on the way.

Working through the Pest Management Centre ofAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada, two co-operatingresearch agencies have won approval for a major fieldtrial project to test Constans WG. It is a biological fungi-cide that controls sclerotinia diseases by attacking thedisease-causing fungus in the soil before it can infect asusceptible plant.

The commercial formulation of Constans contains 1 X109 active spores per gram of the naturally occurring soilfungus Coniothyrium Minitans and easily mixes with water.

Once applied into the soil, it attacks the black sclero-tia that spreads the disease and destroys it within twomonths of contact.

This action breaks the cycle of disease by reducing oreliminating the disease-causing fungus from treated soil.

Ken Coles, agronomist for the Southern AppliedResearch Association, will head the largest test andinclude the plots in SARA’s 2009 Diagnostic Field Schoolheld each summer at the Lethbridge Research Centre.

Co-operators for that demonstration protocol includeRon Howard of Brooks’ provincial Crop DiversificationCentre South, Matthias von Erffa with Prophyta, TobiasLangle with Ag Canada’s Pest Management Centre andTy Faechner with the Agricultural Research andExtension Council of Alberta.

Coles said there should be nothing to stand in theway of registering the research project this year.

The objective of the protocol is to introduce Constansas a safe alternate control option for Canadian produc-ers and to demonstrate efficacy for the control ofsclerotinia in canola and white mold in beans.

A plot will be established with canola seeding May 1and beans May 15. Canola will be seeded at the rate offive kilograms per hectare; beans at 75 kilograms perhectare. It will contain 13 plots with a variety of variables.

“We will attempt to inoculate this disease by spread-ing sclerotia bodies collected from a bean plant spreadwith a small hand-pushed fertilizer spreader.

Three deposits will be made at one to two centimetersdeep in the spring, each with 10 sclerotia per treatment.

Barley will be seeded on plot borders in the spring tohelp block the spread of ascopores from plot to plot.

Canola will be seeded on the back half and beans onthe front half in the spring and irrigated often to ensuredisease incidence.

Some of the plots will be cultivated after spreadingthe sclerotia treatments and two will be cultivated againafter applying Constans.

The field scale work will afford on-farm field demon-strations of the use of Constans within an integratedapproach.

Work started in fall 2008 by identifying potentialfarmer demonstrators chosen due to an elevated risk ofsclerotinia in canola and white mold in beans. Also, grow-ers who farm with global positioning systems and yieldmonitors were selected. A good range of soil types, farm-ing practices and incorporation practices are employedamong co-operators to help determine the most effectiveuse of Constans in southern Alberta conditions.

With the 10 fields selected, Constans was appliedusing field sprayers equipped with low-drift nozzles at50 to 100 litres per hectare water volume. Constans wasincorporated as soon as possible after application.

Those demonstration sites are located near Enchant,Nobleford, two each at Grassy Lake and Bow Island,Tempest, Vauxhall and Lethbridge.

Coles said the work plan and timetable for the fielddemonstrations appears to be satisfactory. With excellentcommunications between SARA and the PestManagement Centre staff, most of the barriers have beenresolved.

6

Partnership Researching New Fungus Control

by Ric Swihart

SARA Agronomist Ken Coles visits with Ty Faechner at the SACAconference.

There’s never a dull moment in southernAlberta Agriculture. It’s next to impossible to definea “normal” year and we’ve experienced a one in ten

year for about the tenth year in a row! Soil moisture andprecipitation were above normal while temperatureswere average. Record breaking hail and wind stormsrepeatedly hammered large areas damaging crops andequipment. Harvest was late while an open fall offeredenough time to bring in all crops with minimal reduc-tion in quality.

SARA had a very productive and successful yeardespite the difficult weather. A vigorous tour season andDiagnostic Field School involved close to 600 producers,consultants, industry and government agronomists andstudents representing close to 15 million acres. Guestswere able to network with researchers while discussinginnovative crops, technologies, current issues and oppor-tunities in production agriculture.

Along with many extension activities, SARA partici-pated in interesting and relevant research projectsincluding winter pulses, winter barley, winter wheat,environmentally smart nitrogen, pea leaf weevil, pestmonitoring, the pulse / wheat rotation, triticale biore-finery initiation, camelina and the regional variety trials.

The demand for applied research continues to expandand SARA is taking on more projects. In the fall, SARAinitiated an expanded look at winter peas and lentilscooperating with breeder Dr. Kevin McPhee from NorthDakota State University, the Alberta Pulse Commissionand Alberta Agriculture.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Pest ManagementCenter also contracted SARA to design and administer afield scale project studying the effectiveness of Contans,a biofungicide used to manage sclerotinia in canola and

white mold in beans. Nine field scale plots were treatedin the fall of 2008 as well as a small plot demonstrationat SARA’s research site to be featured at the 2009Diagnostic Field School. The goal is to create awarenessof the product set for registration in 2009 and help adaptits use to southern Alberta practices and conditions.

SARA continues to work with ARECA and other ARA’simproving our ability to meet producers needs on aregional and provincial level. The ARECA crops team isworking toward provincially coordinated field scaleapplied research with producer cooperators who ownGPS equipment and yield monitors. This technology canbe used as an effective tool to conduct research on vari-ous products and practices in a cost effective andscientifically sound manner. It also allows for site specif-ic analysis of data considering the variability ofindividual fields.

7

SARA Hitting the Fields in 2008

Agronomist Report by Ken Coles

Pest and beneficial insect identification. PHOTO: SARA

SECAN variety update. PHOTO: SARA

Harvesting pea leaf weevil trap crop study. PHOTO: SARA

The latest review of Alberta Agriculture and RuralDevelopment spells a major change in providingservices to provincial farmers, says a new depart-

ment head.Cornelia Kreplin, director of the department’s agricul-

tural research division, describes the change as one of“continuous improvement.”

“We are not taking anything away,” she said.Part of the reason for the review is to find about $40

million to help pay for operation of the AlbertaLivestock and Meat Agency developed to help theprovince and livestock producers meet the goals of theAlberta Livestock and Meat Strategy (ALMS).

Department restructuring will result in a total reduc-tion of 130 positions through not filling vacantpositions, canceling nine department positions andincentives for voluntary early retirement accepted bymore than 100 employees.

“We lost 2,600 years of service and considerable lossof knowledge said Kreplin. We are trying to bring someof it back.”

A recent Alberta Agricultural Products MarketingCouncil review found, “People in the department don’thave a clear understanding of the issues facing industry.”

Kreplin said the department has been hearing a simi-lar message as the department’s role continues tochange.

But it was the economic crisis faced by most of theglobe in varying degrees that sparked the change, shesaid. That is when the department announced the ALMS,a $356-million investment to stabilize and strengthenthe livestock sector.

Under the program, producers received a share of theinitial payment of $150 million in June. The second pay-ment of $150 million was due in January to producerswho accept and adopt the strategy. They have to age ver-ify their 2008 calf crop, ensure farm of origin for thosecalves and, soon, be prepared to adopt a program thatwill allow those cattle to be traced on their path to mar-ket.

She said the 2003 diagnosis of BSE in Alberta showedthe need to be able to trace animals back and forth. “It isvital to maintain market share.”

Another move was establishment of the Alberta FeedGrain Centre of Excellence.

Industry felt that it needed to change the way it gov-erns and that government should work as catalyst.

Another recent change was the appointment of twomore directors to the strategy agency that selects direc-tors for ability. The new directors bring membership onthe board to nine.

She said that board will work hard on market devel-opment, value chain co-ordination and building skillsfor producers seeking innovative ways to improve thebottom line.

She said the department will work more closely withmunicipal Agricultural Service Boards (ASB). AssistantDeputy Agriculture Minister Jason Krips has been travel-ing to ASB meetings to ask if they understand the issues.

Kreplin said the department developed three clearmessages — its system of extension needs to be flexibleto meet different needs across Alberta; extension staffprovide expertise, but also listen to industry to bringmessages back to department and, ASB members whowant a change will have input to government programs.

She said the agriculture program is on the move inAlberta. “It is hearing your concerns, and designing waysit can work with industry. It has a clearer vision of its roleand how it should work.”

She said, starting in 2009, the department will havean overall strategic plan, a business plan for a market-driven industry that is concerned for food andenvironmental safety.

8

Alberta Ag Still There for Farmers

by Ric Swihart

AgCall names new president

Arron Madson became the company president ofAgCall announced AgCall founder, Gordon Butcher.

Madson spent his career working in the agriculture and food industry across Canada and the USA. Hisexperience in strategic marketing, communications,sales, account management and client relations helphim add value to his client’s strategic and tactical needs.He is an experienced facilitator, active volunteer and hassat on the Board of Directors for various organizations.

“The core of AgCall’s business over the last 20 years hasbeen providing outsourcing services to help influencecustomers, raise awareness and drive sales. We havedeveloped a deep network, and have the ability to findknowledgeable people at all levels of the industry thatknow and understand agriculture and are trusted bytheir peers,” says Butcher.

For the North American agriculture and food industry,AgCall is the leading provider of project outsourcing,data services and social marketing techniques.

Nutrient demand will return with a vengeancein 2009, says the head of the Canadian FertilizerInstitute speaking at the 15th annual Southern

Alberta Conservation Association conference in theMedicine Hat Stampede and Cypress Centre.

Roger Larson of Ottawa says world food demand con-tinues to rise and that means fertilizer retailers could bein for a tough time.

“Retailers moved to ensure fertilizer supplies for cus-tomers in the summer of 2008,” he said. “Many werecaught off side by the sudden shift in markets.” The priceof fertilizers late in 2008 jumped to record highs and itwill take some time for high-priced inventory to movethrough the system.

Meanwhile, farmers around the world are cautiouswith risk minimization at the top of farmer fertilizerdecisions. The difficulty of accessing credit is dramatical-ly affecting farmers in some parts of the world.

July-December purchases of fertilizers were down 20to 30 percent. January to June purchases were up 19 to29 per cent in the U.S. and that means that much morefertilizers moved to Canadian retailers so they will beavailable for farmers.

“We have a logistics problem as well,” he said. Globalfertilizer demand has increased price and supply volatil-ity making Agri-retailers the best source for informationon fertilizer markets for farmers in Canada.

He outlines some actions to consider, including:• Canada needs policies to remove constraints to

Canadian fertilizer producers, including a raillevel-of-service review;

• Talk to the federal government to end trade distor-tion measures;

• Look at better farm financing programs to managethe risk of purchasing farm inputs;

• USDA, Agriculture Canada and industry companyanalysts working to put together a story of global sup-ply-demand for fertilizer need better market analysis.

Larson said fertilizer makes the news when 40 to 60per cent of world’s farmers can produce extra food withfertilizers.

“It is the most important business on earth, becausewe help farmers produce more food,” he said, addingthat agriculture faces many challenges, includingimproved environmental stewardship.

Another challenge is the need to help farmers feed theworld by helping to put the right product at the right rateat the right time in the right place.

Larson pointed to the world food outlook. The worldpopulation is growing 70 million a year and stands atabout 6.6 billion.

Even though more food is grown on less land, agri-cultural production lands are shrinking in China as theyflood land for hydro plants and, globally, urban sprawlpaves amazing amounts of land.

Larson said there are about one billion in the worlddesperately trying to improve diets to North Americastandards; which means additional feed stock require-ments. Also, more fruits and vegetables are underintensive production.

He said the Canadian dollar plays a role in agricul-ture. When it dipped in value compared with theAmerican dollar late last year, it meant higher prices forexported foods while cost of inputs increased becausethey are based on the American dollar.

9

World Fertilizer Demand Drives Input Costs

by Ric Swihart

The annual Canadian Farm Business Management Council (CFBMC) Managing Excellence inAgriculture conference brought together experts in business management, finance, succession

planning, renewable energy and biofuels, work-life balance and a variety of other topics.

“We know farming is a challenging industry and requires similar skill sets needed to make any otherbusiness successful, so we bring together the resources that we hope will make it easier for thesefarmers to succeed in agriculture in Canada,” says Melissa Dumont, Project Manager, CFBMC.

“The speakers and experts we brought together this year really provided a broad range ofexpertise that focused not just on the farmer but also a variety of industry partners,” says Dumont.

HARNESS THE ENERGY:Advantages and Opportunities in the 21st Century

Alberta wheat producers may see a return tomore biodiversity in available varieties now thatthe Canadian Grain Commission removed kernel

visual distinquishability (KVD) for wheat.Brian Beres, a scientist with the Lethbridge Research

Centre and secretary for the Prairie RegistrationRecommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticalesaid KVD was an effective method of segregating registeredwheat varieties, a major reason for Canada’s world-widereputation for quality bread wheat.

However, the change is good because KVD meant lowbiodiversity in the gene pool for plant breeders.

Beres told the Southern Ag Advantage Conference host-ed by the Southern Alberta Conservation Association thatlow biodiversity means a very narrow genetic base forwestern Canadian wheat.

That leads to restricted yield improvement comparedwith rest of the world, said Beres. It can also mean delayedintroduction of pest and disease resistance like Fusariumhead blight.

There can be a gradual loss of Canadian market com-petitiveness because of those factors.

The nature of the KVD program created unrealisticexpectations of the system, he said.

KVD works for the eight market classes with relativelyminor differences between some classes. KVD failures arenormally due to mixtures of different types, not off typesof a specific variety.

He said yield components in seeds per head, heads perplant, seed size and plants per acre generally compensatefor each other over a wide range of plant densities.

Number of tillers per plant varies in a field, with a high-yielding environment often resulting in more tillers.

Environmental effects also play a role, he said.A problem can occur under certain yielding conditions;

high yielding conditions lead to more tillers per plant andtwice as many KVD conflicts than in lower-yielding years.It can lead to an extremely large bottleneck to breeding.

When breeding, the gene being sought may be difficultto find because of seed size restrictions due to KVD.

Beres said the end of KVD does not mean the end ofquality classes. But some classes will eventually have asimilar appearance.

He said the future hope is increased rate of yieldimprovement, recognizing that gains will not be instant.

“Now that we can breed and select without KVD restric-tions, will see long-term benefits,” he said.

10

Grain Commission Removes KVD for Wheat

by Ric Swihart

Bill 5, the Marketing of Agricultural Products Amendment Act, 2009, will clarify regulatory powers, simplifywording, reduce duplication and streamline the review and appeals process, by moving it to a new regulation.

“This legislation enables our producers to work more effectively to promote Alberta products,” said GeorgeGroeneveld, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Today’s producers are competing in a globalmarketplace and they need to be able to respond quickly and efficiently to meet changing customer and marketdemands.”The intent of the proposed amendments is to update the Act to effectively respond to the rapidly changing globalenvironment, in response to an industry-wide consultation. The Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council (Marketing Council) facilitates the establishment andsupervision the operations of agricultural marketing boards and commissions in accordance with the legislation.Currently, there are 20 producer organizations under the Act. Powers of the individual boards and commissionsvary according to the needs of the commodity group it serves. Marketing Council also has a liaison role betweenthe province and the National Farm Products Council (NFPC). NFPC oversees the operations of Canadianagricultural agencies with national marketing plans.

Legislation to help Ag producers market products domestically and globally

Wheat producers may see increasedwheat varieties in the future. PHOTO: C. LACOMBE

Natural gas will likely remain the main feedstockfor most fertilizers, says Roger Larson, the head ofthe Canadian Fertilizer Institute. He told a partic-

ipant at the 2008 Southern Alberta ConservationAssociation conference that there may be alternatives tonatural gas, but none appeal yet.

Nitrogen from natural gas is the key ingredient and, ifthat product could be available from other sources, thefertilizer industry would not need natural gas.

“Nobody has figured ways to get energy dependantproducts from other than natural gas,” he said. “Coalgasification is another option, but it all comes down tothe same thing. We will never have cheap natural gasagain. Eveb Arab natural gas has increased in value froma few years ago when they flared most of it off.”

He said everybody has a role to play in protecting theenvironment.

Even highway diesel tractors will have to clean up theparticulates in the atmosphere, he said; which will createa huge ammonia demand.

Larson said there is strong interest in importing nitro-

gen from offshore markets. The Canadian industryalready imports about half of all phosphorous while it isalmost self-sufficient in potash.

Larson kept his comments general. “I work for the fer-tilizer institute, not for any company,” he said. “Irepresent fertilizer importers too. We do not get intocommercial issues.”

Asked to shed light on Russian production and con-sumption, Larson said fertilizer consumption collapsedwhen the Soviet Union collapsed. At that time, Russiawas right behind the U.S. in fertilizer use. Now Russiauses less than Canada.

He said the Russian government requires a percentageof fertilizer produced there be kept for Russian farmers.That nation is working hard to rebuild Russian agricul-ture.

Larson said something good is raising from the ashes.Ukraine and Russia have huge tracts of land ready to bere-engaged in food production.

“They will be huge food producers, perhaps in 10 to 15years,” he said.

11

Natural Gas Still Important to Fertilizers

by Ric Swihart

PIONEER HI-BRED SALES AGENTFor Southern Alberta:

BenchMark Seeds (Alberta) Ltd.RR8 – 41 – 3 Lethbridge, AB T1J 4P4 Phone (403) 320-5987

Corny Van Dasselaar Adrian Moens Berwyn KonynenbeltCell. (403) 308-3602 Cell. (403) 308-6685 Cell (403) 308-9866

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then the SARAField School is worth millions of words and possiblythousands of dollars to the producers that take home

a wealth of knowledge gained from seeing with theirown eyes the actual trial plots, hearing first hand theagronomic practices that produced the plots and gettinganswers from the mouths of experts right there in thefield.

In 2008, almost 600 people took advantage of thelearning available in the research plots. It’s a rare oppor-tunity these days for producers to have this level ofexperimentation and expertise gathered specifically tohelp them get the most of their management practices.

“I think it’s the best management practices that helpthe producer the most,” says Ron Svanes, past SARADirector and participant in the field School. He adds thathe’s very proud to be a part of such a useful program forproducers.

“You can see the differences just from going from plotto plot. They’re very well marked so as far as producers

12

SARA Field School

by C. Lacombe

go it sticks in your mind a lot easier than if we read it ina newspaper or reading it in a magazine,” adds Svanes.

Ken Coles, SARA agronomist and mastermind behindthe organization of the field school, sees the benefit ofthe field school for the producers, industry representa-tives, agricultural scientists and the province.

“We’re pretty happy with the growth and success ofour field school. It’s a project you build on last year’sreputation,” says Coles.

For July 2009, Coles has an innovative idea for partic-ipants to get the most out of the industry representativesthat attend and contribute to the field school.

“In the past we invited companies to showcase what’snew in their product line and each representative gavetheir talk. What we’re going to do next year is set up anin-field trade show. We’ll allocate a certain amount oftime for the whole event and then folks can wander andspeak with industry representatives and look at theirplots and have a more informal discussion aboutthings,” Coles explains.

��

��

� ��

�� !��"�� #�$��$��%�&�&%'()''��(� � ��*+��,-�� . ��/�� %�&�&�0('00��-� � ��*�� ,,-��/��1��$��%�&�&�0('00��+��$*��,��-�,�

2 �� 3�45�

�� 6�� 1 �� 7�� #�� /��7��(/��8�� 3�� 8�� 8�9�� 1 �� ,�� 9�� ,�� :---�

��

0&)-'��;�#�<�� (�3��(, ,� �� (� ��, ,� ��+�

00�-�'�;�#�<�� =9 ,� ��

2009 Field School July 7, 8, 9 ~ A whole new crop of information!

13

SARA Field School

Producers at the DFS 2008. PHOTO: SARA

Date Type of Tour # ofpeople

June 12 Crop Walk 55

June 19 Crop Walk 65

July 8 - 10 Field School 216

July 21 Dupont 76

July 22 PMRA 43

July 23 Co-op 21

July 23 Winter Wheat 56

July 29 Seed Growers Assoc 12

July 30 Secan 35

Sept. 29 Lethbridge Collegestudents 13

Total 592

Acres Impact 14,944,072

2008 SARA Event Attendance

Smart farmers read the fine print* In 119 farmer-applied split-field trials, JumpStart increased canola yields by an average of 7% for an average of $15.49/acreincreased return after costs. Average yield increase for only hybrid varieties was 2.4 bu/acre for an average net return of$23.31/acre, open pollinated canola by 1.7 bu/acre for an average of $12.74/acre increase, based on canola pricing of $10.00/bu.The 3 to 1 return on investment is based on the 119 trials—individual results may vary. All trial results are published on ourwebsite. ® JumpStart is a registered trademark of Novozymes A/S. All rights reserved. © 2009 Novozymes. 9011 02.09

Phosphateefficiency

$15.49 moreprofit per acre*

JumpStart® increases theefficiency of phosphate fertilizerand improves access to soilphosphate allowing your crop toreach its full yield P2O5TENTIAL.

Ask your retailer for JumpStart onyour favorite canola variety.

WEBSITE: www.bioag.novozymes.com1-888-744-5662

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation.Together with customers across a broad array ofindustries we create tomorrow’s industrialbiosolutions, improving our customers’ businessand the use of our planet’s resources. Read moreabout Novozymes at www.novozymes.com.

Managing risk in dynamic times often meansfinding a new tool in your management box, aSouth Dakota State University official said while

speaking at the 15th annual Southern AlbertaConservation Association conference. Roger Gates saidplanning during interesting times is critical. “It is whena farmer must be attuned to change,” he said.

Gasoline price fluctuations and swings in feeder steerprices at auction markets are some of the things produc-ers may experience.

Gates said a university booklet, Strategic and ScenarioPlanning in Ranching, is designed to put some order inthat sector of the cattle industry.

Man now tries to manage grasslands for uniformity.Some think it might be a good idea to introduce disrup-tions to the grasslands. Both options may enter theplanning process.

He said it is difficult to judge the impact managementchanges today will have into the future.

For instance, family dynamics in a business can havefar-reaching impacts. “We in production agriculture areoften very good at a couple of aspects of the decision-making process while being less adept at others.Sometimes the family gets ignored.”

The burning question is what will lead a personthrough the complex family business system.

Gates said too often people use history to make newdecisions. A more realistic policy is to try to predict whatmight happen in the future.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it,” he said.Gates said it is important to make a case for strategic plan-

ning and then evaluate the strategies that can be put forward.The key is simplicity of planning, he said. A producer

must have a way to gauge the benefits of the plan.The bottom line is for a manager to know where he

wants to go and then implement processes to get there.

14

Managing Risk on the Family Farm

by Ric Swihart

Corns Brothers Farm Ltd.Box 729

Grassy Lake, Alberta T0K 0Z0

OATS - A.C. Morgan- Waldern

TRITICALE - A.C. Alta (Spring)- Pronghorn (Spring)- Bobcat (Winter)- Pika (Winter)- Tyndal (Spring)

DURUM - Strongfield

SORGHUM SUDAN GRASSMILLETSSPRING - A.C. SuperbWHEAT - A.C. LillianWINTER - C.D.C. OspreyWHEAT - Buteo

- A.C. RadiantFALL RYE - A.C. Remington

Seed treating & blending available.Bryan Gary Fax

(403) 655-2464 (403) 655-2339 (403) 655-2543

E-MAIL: [email protected]

Family farms need to manage risk creatively. PHOTO: C. LACOMBE

Kayben Farms: Claude & Judy Kolk of KaybenFarms south of Okotoks have a reputation forproviding outstanding products and services.Their farm business includes landscaping, a treenursery, prairie fruit orchard, and greenhouse.Kayben Farms plans to expand their business to include agri-tourism activities, a cafe andfruit processing facility in 2009.

Ravenwood Farm Fresh Meats: Tamara Taylor,in partnership with her husband Mark Taylorand her parents, Dayle and Alice Murray, raiseand direct-market their own farm-grown live-stock through Ravenwood Farm Fresh Meats inCaroline. Their plans for expansion are to add a goat milk dairy and expand their retail storeto include a butcher shop, bakery, and deli, aswell as expand their product lines to includeother local farm and Alberta made products.

Spring Creek Ranch: The Spring Creek Ranchnear Vegreville is famous for its Premium Beef.Kirstin Kotelko, President of Spring CreekRanch Inc., plans to expand sales of brandedbeef by expanding the value chain whichincludes developing criteria to financiallyreward ranchers who supply the branded beefprogram and developing a system for efficienttracking of meat quality data.

2009 Best Practices Awards Winners

Researcher says wild oats and kochiabuilding up resistance in Alberta

Wild oats and kochia are flexing their muscles,showing increased resistance to herbicides, saysone researcher. Russian thistle, green foxtail,

redroot pigweed and stinkweed also continue to beproblematic.

Hugh Beckie, a part-time farmer in Saskatchewan andherbicide-resistant plant expert at Agriculture Canada’sSaskatoon Research Centre, told a room full of produc-ers at the Southern Ag Advantage conference inDecember that surveys from last year show a jump inGroup 1-resistant wild oats in Alberta. Out of 300 fieldssurveyed, about 40 per cent contained Group 1-resistantwild oats, up from 11 per cent in 2001.

“If this trend continues, 50 per cent of those fieldscould show Group 1-resistant wild oats by 2010,” Beckiesaid.

There was also evidence of Group 2-resistant wild oats,although they tend to follow black rather than the drierbrown soil types. “In cereals, when you have wild oatsresistance to both groups of herbicide, your post-emer-gent control options become very limited,” says Beckie.

In southern Alberta, researchers surveyed 82 fields,with 22 per cent of them Group 1 resistant, nine per centGroup 2 resistant, and four fields showing resistance toboth Group 1 and 2.

“So why is there so much wild oat resistance?” Beckieasked. “We’re spending $500 million a year controllingwild oats, and although there’s usually a strong correla-tion between dollars and resistance, we’ve seensignificant yield losses.”

Kochia is another weed that continues to cause prob-lems in Alberta and across Canada. With a taproot thatcan go down up to five metres and high tolerance toheat, cold and salinity, kochia has one of the highestrates of spread among invasive weeds. It can quicklybecome a headache for producers, especially in reducedtillage systems.

Beckie says the weed has moved up in ranking by 14places to tenth place, with an expansion of range intonorthern parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“At this point, I think most farmers just assume theirkochia is Group 2 resistant,” says Beckie.

Some possible control methods are to use a Group 4herbicide or a tank mix with another Group 2 herbicide.

“The biggest direct cost for producers is when theyspend money and still get yield and quality penalties,”says Beckie. He says based on weed samples, more than 10per cent of producers had to re-spray in the same growingseason where the suspected weed was collected. “The keyis knowing how low you can go in application rates to beeffective and not accelerate resistance.”

This article first appeared in Alberta Farmer, February 2, 2009.

15

Multiple Group Herbicide Resistance on the Rise

by Sarah Sutton, Alberta Farmer staff

2009 Spring Workshop & Annual MeetingWednesday, March 11, 2009

Luigi’s Restaurant, Taber, ABTime: 9:30 a.m. ~ 2:00 p.m.

Speakers / Topics include:Can Alberta help solve the world’s malaria problem?

Triticale Bio-refinery InitiativeFusarium Head Blight UpdateWhat are Research Clusters?

Producer-Directed Applied Research in Southern Alberta

Cost:Members: free Memberships available (which include meeting cost)Non-members: $15.00 Lunch and Refreshments provided

To register, call Elizabeth at 345-6550 or e-mail [email protected]

1716

“Partnering with Bayer CropScience is a great exampleof how a sustainable vision for the agricultural land-scape includes both profitable agriculture and habitatconservation,” says Jeff Nelson, Ducks UnlimitedCanada’s executive vice president. “Ducks UnlimitedCanada is dedicated to working with farmers and theagricultural industry to find pragmatic approaches towaterfowl habitat conservation.”

More information on Bayer CropScience/DucksUnlimited “Winter Cereals: Sustainability in Action”initiative is available at wintercereals.ca.

Bayer CropScience and Ducks Unlimited believewinter wheat has an important role to play in sus-tainable agriculture on the prairies and have

joined forces to launch a North American project called“Winter Cereals: Sustainability in Action.”

“By working with Ducks Unlimited, we want toexpand the practice of growing winter cereals across theprairies in Canada and the United States,” says BillBuckner, head of North America and President and CEOof Bayer CropScience LP. “We recognize winter wheat isan excellent crop that provides economic advantages togrowers when included in cropping rotations while alsoenhancing waterfowl and other wildlife habitats.”

Partnering with Ducks Unlimited under the “WinterCereals: Sustainability in Action” program, BayerCropScience will make a commitment of $20 millionover five years to:

• Enable significant research to develop new winterwheat varieties adapted to prairie climatic condi-tions while providing grower incentives, technicalsupport and education programs;

• Promote improvements and research in agronom-ic practices; and

• Conduct waterfowl and environmental research toensure a sustainable habitat and production system.

“As leaders in the agriculture industry we see this ini-tiative as an important and tangible part of delivering onour commitment to sustainable agriculture,” says Buckner.

Winter wheat has gained a foothold on NorthAmerican’s prairies with growers. New varieties,improved marketing options and the agronomic advan-tages provided by winter wheat have made it anattractive choice for many growers.

“The goal of Ducks Unlimited and Bayer CropSciencein this initiative is to support this trend by investing ininnovations and grower programs,” he says.

From a waterfowl conservation standpoint, one of thekey limiting factors for continental waterfowl popula-tions is a lack of nesting cover on the prairies. DucksUnlimited Canada’s research has shown that the densityof hatched nests in winter wheat fields is 24 timesgreater than in spring wheat.

“This partnership between Bayer CropScience andDucks Unlimited has the potential to provide unprece-dented opportunities for expanding winter wheat on theprairies,” said Don Young, executive vice president ofDucks Unlimited. “This is research that will not onlybenefit Ducks Unlimited waterfowl conservation andhabitat efforts in the Prairie Pothole Region in Canadaand the U.S., but also provide tremendous advantages toagricultural communities.”

From an agronomic perspective, winter wheat pro-vides economic advantages to producers when includedin cropping rotations. Winter wheat can yield 10 to 30percent higher than spring-seeded varieties, and autumnplanting allows growers to spread their workload thusreducing potential production risks.

Ducks Unlimited and Bayer CropScience Team Up to Increase Winter Wheat in North America

The Prairies Research has played an important role in theincrease of seeded acreage across the Prairiesover the last few years. One of the toppriorities of the Winter Cereals: Sustainabilityin Action initiative is the development of newvarieties. Paul Thoroughgood, RegionalAgrologist for Ducks Unlimited Canada, saysthat funding research and developing newpartnerships has been a central focus of theirwinter wheat program since its inception in1991. “Our investment in plant breeding willfocus on addressing key factors limiting winterwheat production, particularly winterhardiness. Here in southern Alberta, producershave been growing winter wheat for a long time and are familiar with the benefits the crop can bring to the entire farm,” saysThoroughgood. “New varieties will open the door for many producers across the Prairies to add winter wheat to their rotations andexperience the benefits for themselves.”

Research will play a Big Role

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and theAlberta Winter Wheat Producers

Commission (AWWPC) are pleased toannounce the launch of the newly designedwintercereals.ca website.

With a new refreshing look and feel, this siteoffers long-time winter wheat growers, orthose who are thinking about growing winterwheat for the first time, a one-stop on-lineinformation source for successful winter wheatproduction, including the latest research andmarketing updates.

Website features include a Growing WinterWheat section, with a wide range of contentsuch as winter wheat agronomy, researchupdates, and acre statistics. Visit the GrowingWinter Wheat section which includes seedingdates by area, seeding rates, variety options,agronomic guidelines and production tools.Need your winter wheat questions answered?Ask a qualified individual using the new Ask anExpert feature. Or find your local AWWPCdirector or DUC agrologist in the staff andboard directories. Ducks Unlimited Canada is also pleased to feature information aboutWinter Cereals: Sustainability in Action, a newconservation partnership with BayerCropScience.

Visit the wintercereals.ca website and learn more about how winter wheat can benefityour operation, as well as waterfowl andwildlife.

Rediscover wintercereals.caPHOTO: DUCKS UNLIMITED

PHOTO: DUCKS UNLIMITED

Province Undertakes Massive Coordination Under LUF

The Alberta Land Use Framework (LUF) couldbe the most important piece of legislation in manyyears that will affect Alberta landowners. After all, if

you own land, you probably use it for something andmay even have ideas for other ways to use it.

Therefore, you will want to pay attention to the deci-sions made over the few years at the regional level.

For agricultural landowners, there may be somerecognition of land stewardship coming down the pipe.

“Landowners in our province take land stewardshipand conservation seriously,” said Sustainable ResourceDevelopment Minister Ted Morton. “The Government ofAlberta will support and encourage stewardship of pri-vate lands in the province through the development ofapplicable incentives and market-based instruments.”

The LUF will create a whole new department at theprovincial government level including a Secretariat andRegional Advisory Councils (RACs). The Secretariat willreport to Cabinet and advise on provincial policy tomake the LUF work. It will also act as support body tothe RACs helping them develop regional plans.

Government appointed Albertans will populate theRACs and it will be their job to hammer out a plan for theirregion that respects cumulative effects of development.

Currently, Alberta works under the 1948 decision todivide the province in White and Green Areas. Eightprovincial ministries, four appointed boards and allmunicipalities make land use decisions today.

The premise behind the LUF and its bureaucracy is totake control of negative cumulative impacts taking placeon Alberta’s landscape and develop a smarter way to fitthe puzzle pieces together so as to avoid further impactswhile leaving room for sustainable growth.

If the most recent boom taught us anything, it is thatthe natural environment cannot indefinitely supporteverything, everywhere. Both the social and natural envi-ronment have thresholds after which negative impactsbecome obvious such as degrading water quality orreduced tolerance among the population for furtherdevelopment.

Ideally, the LUF will create a province where land usedecisions for all types of activities will take into accounthow a development fits into a region and best uses thehuman and natural resources in a long-term sustainableactivity.

Alberta saw a land use conflict recently when the nowfamous Balzac development struggled to get water andthe Pekisko Group formed to protect the Eastern Slopes.

However, long before that water and land managersfrom all over the province began to see the cumulativeresults of disconnected planning.

The LUF aims to correct the process that fragmentslands and causes irreversible side effects that reduce theproductivity and quality of life of our province.

The LUF documents says, “The desired outcomes forAlberta are:

• healthy economy supported by our land and naturalresources,

• healthy ecosystems and environment, • people-friendly communities with ample recre-

ational and cultural opportunities.”Farming Smarter readers predominately live in the

South Saskatchewan Region and this will be the secondregion to develop its regional plan. The Governmentbegan canvassing for South Saskatchewan RAC memberslast fall. This means there is a RAC coming to yourregion soon.

You can download a copy of the LUF fromhttp://www.landuse.alberta.ca.

18

Massive Coordination Under LUF

by C. Lacombe

The Land Use Framework creates seven regional planning areas. GRAPHIC: GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA

19

Plan and Test to Get the Most from Manure

by Dwayne Rogness

The County of Lethbridge AESA Programevolved from a nutrient management focus to aWater for Life focus for 2009.

This change will add diversity to the AESA program.Nutrient management programs ultimately help to alle-viate excessive nutrient buildup in our aquatic systems.Therefore, they will always be a part of the County ofLethbridge AESA program. A Nutrient ManagementPlan (NMP) is a great tool for farming operations. TheNRCB can instruct producers as to whether or not theyneed a NMP.

A key component of a NMP is analyzing the manureto determine its nutrient content. Manure can be a valu-able source of crop nutrients and lessen the need to useinorganic fertilizers that increase input costs. However,given the cost of crop fertilizer and the potential foroverloading nutrients, there are several factors to con-sider before applying manure to a field. Without testing,it’s difficult to know the exact nutrient content ofmanure to determine the application rate that will opti-mize nutrient use.

Manure rarely contains the ideal mix of nutrient lev-els for a specific crop. Nutrient levels, and by extensionthe efficiency of the manure, vary depending on the typeof animal, what the animaleats and other factors.

Because of nutrient varia-tion in a manure supply anddifficulty finding a represen-tative sample, testingmanure is not an instantsolution. In fact, finding anaccurate estimate of nutri-ent content is a process thatneeds consistent, repeatedtesting over a number ofyears. The key is to keep anaverage nutrient level as aguide to determine idealapplication rates. It’s alsoimportant to know where togo for help.

Nutrient Management Specialists from across theprovince can help producers find private labs that testmanure. However, it’s generally up to the producer tocome up with a representative sample.

The best time to get a representative sample ofmanure is at the time of manure application. For mostproducers, however, it’s more proactive to test prior tothat. Keep in mind that different sampling techniquesexist to sub-sample lagoons and manure piles prior toapplication. Also, it usually takes 10 to 21 days after thelab receives the sample to get results.

The increased use of dry distillers grains with solubleswill increase phosphorous and nitrogen nutrient levelsin livestock manure beyond “book values.” This shouldbe a great motivator for producers to test manure beforethey apply it to the soil.

If you do not have a NMP, but would like to start one,please contact Dwayne Rogness Soil ConservationTechnologist / AESA Coordinator with the County ofLethbridge 403-732-4722. Rogness can help you obtainyour manure and soil samples with the new soil samplerthat the County purchased.

Dwayne Rogness is Soil Conservation Technologistand AESA Co-ordinator

A manure spreader in action. PHOTO: DWAYNE ROGNESS

A5-year SARA study concludes that growing pulsecrops, rather than leaving a field fallow, offers realbenefits to the soil, following crop and financial

bottom line for crop growers. The study had two mainobjectives: to provide an option to fallow acres and tostudy the tight rotation for potential problems.

“There were a lot of skeptics concerned about diseaseand weed pressure with that tight a rotation. In this 5-yearstudy, the producers involved said that they haven’tnoticed any increase or negative impact from disease orweeds,” says Chris Procyk of SARA.

He adds that he would like to see the study areas mon-itored to ensure that problems don’t arise over a longertime frame, such as 15 – 20 years.

As an option to fallow, the pulse rotation provided someimmediate benefits to the producers involved in the study.

Pulse crops establish a mycorrhrizal soil fungus thatassists nutrient uptake for both the pulse crop and thecrop rotated into the field the following year. This func-tion increased yields in wheat crops grown the next yearon pulse fields.

“The wheat yields were 40.1 bu/ac; which is 10 bu/acmore on average,” states the final report on the study.Also, the average pulse yield was 32.3 bu/ac providing anincome from a field that otherwise would have costmoney to fallow.

“Having successful pulse crops in place of fallow cap-tured significant value for producers every year ratherthan every other year. In addition the increased yield ofthe wheat crop the following year further increased thiseconomic impact. There is also a substantial environ-mental impact by substituting pulses for fallow as therewill be a significant reduction in wind erosion and

tillage,” according to the report.At the start of this study in 2004, pulse acres in Alberta

were approximately 640,000, while summer fallow acreswere approximately 2.04 million. In the last five years asthe benefits of the pulse/wheat rotation have been becom-ing clear, pulse acres in 2008 were approximately 770,000and fallow acres were 1.6 million acres.

However, some in the industry worry that the increasedinput costs will see a resurgence of fallow acres in Alberta.

“With peas in place of the fallow, you have a fairly lowinput crop. Rather than no income, they’re making betteruse of the land,” says Procyk. “As a conservation practice,it’s not the best, but peas that rotate instead of fallow def-initely provide an advantage.”

20

Pulses Offer Beneficial Option to Fallow

by C. Lacombe

An example of the environmental benefits of the pulse/wheat rotation. (Schuler). Behind R. Weisgerber is the pulse/wheat rotation field. In front is a conventional fallow rotation. PHOTO: SARA

Creating improved business development opportunities for livestock feeder associations is the intent of Bill 8, theFeeder Associations Guarantee Act, 2009.

The proposed legislation and regulations that will follow will include a better cash flow structure for associations,expand what the loan program covers, who it extends to, requirements to qualify, as well as additional risk mitigationand protection measures.The legislation also refines legal language, updates industry definitions, clarifies qualification requirements and bothgovernment and industry roles. Bill 8 will also align with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and remove the requirement torenew the Act every five years.“This legislation will enable more effective financial services for producer-driven supply chains so they can successfullyadvance their businesses and market their products,” said George Groeneveld, Minister of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment. Intended to replace the current act of the same name, The Feeder Associations Guarantee Act, 2009 was based on acomprehensive review of existing legislation and stakeholder consultation.

New legislation to improve livestock business development opportunities

21

Pulse Wheat Rotation

Active by nature.

Good for my land. Good for my business.

It’s never too soon to begin preparing for my winter wheat crop. I’m planning my crop rotation now, so I can successfully seed winter wheat next fall. Put winter wheat’s high yields, earlier harvest and lower input costs to work for you. Visit www.wintercereals.ca or call 1-866-479-DUCK (3825) to learn more.

ducks.ca

Pulse-Wheat Rotation Yield Data Summary CREDIT: Chris Procyk/SARA

AFSCAvg Yield 2008

Bu/ac

2008Yield

Bu/ac

2007Yield

Bu/ac

2006Yield

Bu/ac

2005Yield

Bu/ac

2004Yield

Bu/ac

AverageYield

Bu/ac

Increase fromAFSC Averages

+/- Bu/ac

Lethbridge(AFSC Zone 2)

31.4 Peas34.7 HRS

34.1 Durum

23 Peas58 Wheat

27 Peas34 Durum

28 Lentils43 Durum

27 Peas68 Wheat

28 Peas48 Wheat

26.6 Pulse58 Wheat

38.5 Durum

-4.8 Pulses+23.3 Wheat+4.4 Durum

Lomond(AFSC Zone 2)

31.4 Peas34.7 HRS

34.1 DurumN/A N/A

N/ADestroyed

by fire

42 Peas52 Durum

32 Pea32 Wheat

37 Pulse32 Wheat52 Durum

+5.6 Peas-1.3 Wheat

+17.9 Durum

Foremost(AFSC Zone 3)

31.4 Peas29.7 HRS

30.7 Durum

30 Peas29 Durum

29 Peas23 Durum

32 Peas34 Wheat

32 Peas21 Durum

30 Peas21 Wheat

30.6 Pulse27.8 Wheat24.3 Durum

-0.8 Peas-1.9 Wheat-6.4 Durum

Schuler(AFSC Zone 4)

31.4 Peas22.2 HRS

45 Peas40 Wheat

29 Peas27 Wheat

30 Peas33 Wheat

35 Peas46 Wheat

52 Peas35 Wheat

38.2 Pulse36.2 Wheat

+6.8 Peas+14 Wheat

All SitesAverage Yields

31.4 Peas30.3 HRS33 Durum

32.7 Peas49 Wheat29 Durum

28.3 Peas27 Wheat

28.5 Durum

31 Peas33.5 Wheat43 Durum

34 Peas57 Wheat

36.5 Durum

35.5 Peas34 Wheat

32.3 Peas40.1 Wheat34.3 Durum

+0.9 Peas+9.8 Wheat+1.3 Durum

http://ducks.ca

Agricultural production uses large amonts ofenergy on-farm and studies show there are waysfarmers can reduce energy consumption through

management practices.The University of Manitoba and in particular Dr. Martin

H. Entz, Professor of Agronomy and Cropping Systemsprovided two examples of energy pertinent studies. For fur-ther information visit www.umanitoba.ca/ outreach andfollow the link to “natural systems agriculture.”

One study compares the energy use and carbon emis-sions of two case study farming operations with similarcrop rotations: a zero tillage and a conventional tillagefarm. The energy use and carbon emissions release bymanufactured inputs varies among cropping systems.Without going into detail, a couple of excerpts from thearticle are that a simple method of decreasing the energyuse and carbon emissions in a conventional tillage farm-ing system is a shift to a minimum tillage system.Decreasing the amount of harrow passes would reducethe amount of energy use and carbon emissions by 1 to2 % per pass, depending on the annual crop grown.

The other study known as the Glenlea Long-TermRotation Study, established in 1992, compared the inter-action of crop rotation and crop inputs (fertilizer andherbicide). Comparisons are made between organic andconventional in two different farming systems. Croprotation ranged from simple annual systems to morecomplex forage based systems. The present study reportson results from the first 12 years of this study. The bigenergy savings in crop production come from reducingor eliminating N fertilizer since inorganic N fertilizeraccounts for 40 to 55% of crop production energy use.

Elwin G. Smith, Bioeconomist with Agriculture andAgri-Food Canada (AAFC) worked on a paper titled“energy balances of biodiesel production from soybeanand canola in Canada.” The study concluded that“biodiesel production from either soybean or canola oilwill result in a positive net energy balance in Canada.Energy output in biodiesel was about 2.1 to 2.4 timeshigher than energy input needed to produce andprocess the vegetable oil, but the energy ratio dependedon the farm production system and energy allocated toco-products. The energy balance would still remaingreater than 1.0 for more energy intensive farming andprocessing systems and for systems that allocated less ofthe energy input to co-products. Nitrogen was the mainenergy input for canola: any change in energy to pro-duce nitrogen or in nitrogen use efficiency would havea major impact on the biodiesel energy balance. Thebiodiesel energy balance was higher for zero tillage sys-tems because less fuel energy was used for fuel and

machinery manufacture. The economics of biodieselproduction is generally poor, suggesting that incentivessuch as subsidies or mandatory blends would berequired to encourage expanded production ofbiodiesel. Subsidies are a transfer from governments tothe industry: mandatory blends would pass the highercosts, compared with petroleum diesel, directly to theenergy consumer.”

Ken Coles of SARA adds “to put it bluntly, nitrogenfertilizer is an energy hog in our agriculture systems. It'salso important to not just consider the amount of ener-gy used to produce a crop but also how much crop isproduced per unit of energy consumed. For example theefficiency of crop production = total energy consumeddivided by amount of crop produced.

We always hear about reducing energy consumptionwhen we should really focus on energy efficiency andthat is Agronomy. Agronomy is finding ways to improvethe energy efficiency of crop production.”

He adds that, “in dryland systems, nitrogen fertilizercan represent up to 70% of the total energy inputs. Allthe nitrogen fertilizer used in Alberta represents morethan double the amount of electric energy consumed inall the homes in Alberta. It's really quite staggering.”

There’s an amazing amount of energy-related litera-ture (brochures, fact sheets and manuals) available toproducers both online and in hardcopy. Much of thiscan be obtained simply by contacting AARD publica-tions at 1-800-292-5697. You can also call the Ag-Infocentre at 310-FARM (3276) or visit www.agric.gov.ab.ca.

By decreasing the amount of fuel used, you can loweryour energy costs, boost the efficiency of your operationand decrease the amount of harmful emissions released

22

Exploring Energy Use on Farm

by Ron Montgomery

This photo shows four on-farm energy users, but people often don’t think about the energy contained in nitrogen fertilizers. PHOTO: C. LACOMBE

into the environment. Energy accounting provides a sim-ple process to determine your energy use and costs tohelp you identify which energy-saving options will workbest for your operation. The OnFarm Energy EfficiencyProgram was developed by Climate Change Central,Agriculture and Rural Development’s AgTech Centre andAlberta Advanced Education and Technology. Producersin the SouthGrow region can get information about anon farm subsidized energy assessment throughwww.onfarmenergy.ca or by calling 403-329-1212.

The Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC)recently announced they will evaluate a new computer-based tool designed to help agricultural producersidentify opportunities to calculate and reduce green-house gas (GHG) emissions on their operations.

“Holos, a greenhouse gas calculator designed byAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), analyzes arange of on-farm conservation management scenariosand determines potential reductions in GHG emissions.It is being evaluated by SCCC’s Taking Charge Teamsacross Canada, who will test the program by plugging in

real data provided by farmers. They will then report theirfindings to AAFC, who will modify the program into afinal version for field use.” Visit www.soilcc.ca.

The Technology and Innovation Branch of AAF andSouthern Applied Research Association (SARA) willjointly host an alternative energy conference “EnergyOptions Behind the Farm Gate 2009: Practical Solutionsfor Wind and Alternative Power Generation” March 17 &18, 2009 (Tuesday and Wednesday) at the Heritage Innin Taber, Alberta. The conference is geared towards afarm and rural audience and will cover technical aspectsof many renewable energy technologies as well as thepermitting aspects, including information on Alberta'snew Micro-Generation Regulation (visit the AlbertaEnergy website at www.energy.alberta.ca). Conferenceinformation and registration is available from AlbertaAgriculture’s Ag-Info Center Registration Line at 1-800-387-6030.

For further information, contact Ken Coles, Agronomistwith SARA, 403-381-5118, by e-mail [email protected] or visit www.areca.ab.ca/sara

23

LETHBRIDGE 327-4444PICTURE BUTTE 732-4585

COALDALE 345-3290TABER 223-3002

WELLING 752-3361CLARESHOLM 625-3329

“Your Local Fertilizerand Ag Chemical Retailer”

Products and Services:Liquid/Granular/Nh3 Fertilizers • Custom Fert. and Chem Applications

Ag Chemicals/Micronutrients • Forage and Canola Seed RetailerSoil Testing and More! • Certified and Qualified Staff

Serving Six Southern Alberta Locations

“Leaders in the Field”

Probably the biggest barrier to the successfulrealization of precision agriculture in southernAlberta has been the shortfall in clearly proving its

value to growers. There’s been a lot of hype and minimaladoption over the last two decades.

Truthfully, the objectives of precision farmingchanged over the years and must continue to evolvebefore wide scale adoption. The core objective of old wasto manage variability within a field to improve the effi-ciency of crop inputs.

It has been predominantly based on variable rate fer-tilizer application according to a few “managementzones” usually associated with topography. While thishas been easily proven in high value, high input crops, ithas not been so clear cut for lower valued dry land cropseven though farm sizes are typically much larger.

Why the slow adoption? To start there are very fewdocumented success stories to kindle interest. The inno-vators continue to play and tweak while early adoptionlags as farmers are deterred by the perceived commit-ment of money, time and skill development in abusiness that is already quite taxing. Concerns with accu-racy and appropriate interpretation of observedresponses are prevalent as farmers understand the com-plexity and uncertainty in agricultural systems. Massadoption has been plagued with technical issues of com-patibility between equipment manufacturers along witha mash of complicated and ambiguous information withlittle access to reliable and affordable support.

Nevertheless, we’re seeing a resurgence of precisionagriculture largely due to the adoption of global posi-

tioning satellite guidance and automatic steering.Reduced overlap and less operator fatigue is noticeablyvaluable. It’s fun and relatively easy to use. As young-sters, we could only imagine owning a full size remotecontrol tractor!

So what’s the next step? Likely a new objective is inorder for precision agriculture. We need to shift the focusfrom trying to “precisely” improve the efficiency of inputsto a focus that uses all the available technologies as toolsto provide easy to use, visual information regarding prac-tices and product use in specific fields over time.

Farmers are forced to make important decisions withincomplete information and large uncertainty. A com-plete management system should provide meaningfulinformation to guide good decisions that reduce risk anddependence on outside information. The value ofinformed decision making is undeniable.

However, many of the same barriers to adoption stillexist. Farmers must be cautious and patient in determin-ing what they’d like to achieve and how. Technical,agronomic and research support may be crucial for accu-rate setup, evaluation and interpretation of data.Simplicity in design is a key factor to consider withoutsacrificing pertinent information.

At the end of the day, precision agriculture has to beworth the investment. It’s hard to believe that remotecontrol farm equipment is now a reality which begs thequestion of where we’ll be in another 10 to 20 years. It’sa good bet that the targets for precision agriculture willcontinue to be on the move and it’s time to set yoursights.

24

Precision Agriculture – A Tricky Target to Hit!

by Ken Coles

Landowners in Alberta will have access to a more efficient process for resolving surfacerights compensation under the new Surface Rights Amendment Act tabled in the

Legislature as Bill 12.

If passed, this Act will help the Surface Rights Board improve its service to Albertans bysimplifying its processes, enabling the board to implement more informal, flexible forms ofdispute resolution and allowing the board to better manage its workload. The proposedamendments are entirely procedural and do not address other matters, such as compensation.

The Surface Rights Board is an independent adjudicative tribunal established under statute bythe Province of Alberta. The board provides independent, accessible, fair, timely and impartialprocesses when operators and landowners or occupants fail to agree on compensation relatedto resource activity on privately owned lands or occupied public lands. The board operatesunder many different pieces of legislation, including the Alberta Surface Rights Act.

New Act will simplify dispute resolution process for landowners

25

Become a Member of the Southern Applied Research AssociationHelp direct farm research in this region. Receive early notice of conferences, workshops, field days. Send your SARA membership fee, $40 per year to Southern Applied Research Association, Agriculture Center, #100, 5401 – 1st. Ave. South, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, T1J 4V6

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Membership/subscription $ enclosed _____________________________________________________________________________________

Major farm interests_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

http://www.millerstn.com

Arecent Southern Applied Research Association(SARA) study highlights how to get the most outof Agrium’s ESN (Environmentally Smart

Nitrogen) in crop production.“Our study looks at seedling safety of canola with dif-

ferent levels of disturbance from seed openers in singleshoot openers. As predicted, increasing seedbed utiliza-tion, from disc openers, to narrow knife openers tospreader tips, increased seedling safety with seed placednitrogen. At high rates of nitrogen, we consistently gotbetter plant stands with canola - more plants per squaremeter. Also we found that yield was directly correlatedwith plant stands,” comments Ken Coles of SARA.

“So as we increase seedbed utilization, we can savemoney by decreasing the amount of ESN required andensure early release of nitrogen when using blends ofESN and straight urea. The idea is to save money by onlyusing the amount of ESN required.”

Coles suggests that growers consider moisture condi-tions and rainfall potential at the time of seeding asimproved seedling safety increases with optimum mois-ture for germination.

Many growers see the ESN advantage as it releasesnitrogen later in the season and hopefully helps withgrain fill and protein levels. It may also help reduce lodg-ing in highly productive crops by minimizing foliargrowth earlier in the season.

A recent multi-partner paper involving Agricultureand Agri-Food Canada; Lethbridge Research Centre;Agricultural Research Division, Alberta Agriculture andFood; Agrium and the Department of Agricultural, Foodand Nutritional Science, University of Alberta addressedthe safe rates of seed-placed ESN. The partnership stud-ies are both completed and ongoing.

According to the paper, when used at the extremelyhigh, seed-applied rate of 120 kg N ha-1, seed placedESN caused no negative effects. This represents approxi-mately 4x the safe rate for uncoated seed-placed urea.The studies also found that canola and winter cerealsshowed no negative effects to seed-placed ESN rates thatwere 3x the safe rate of uncoated urea.

The results demonstrate that ESN is ideally suited forseed placed applications. If substantially higher ESNrates can be seed-placed with reduced N losses, thiswould have a huge benefit to prairie farmers.

For direct seeding systems, this technology benefits thoseproducers that use single shoot openers as fertilizer place-ment. With conventional forms of fertilizer, inadequateseparation between seed and fertilizer can produce some risk.

Future studies plan to explore the safe upper limits forESN in various agronomic conditions.

The move to reduced andno-till practices shifted tradi-tional fall band applied N tomore spring applications usingpre-plant band application or,in the case of no-till, side, mid-row or directly in the seed row.

Side and mid row bandingequipment work well. But if agrower is not wishing to makean investment in equipment, or feels the extra soil dis-turbance, moisture loss and fuel requirements are a littletoo much to bear, then ESN in the seed row is a viableoption,” says Ray Dowbenko of Agrium

Work conducted throughout the prairies on winterand spring wheat, barley and canola, shows seed rowapplied ESN provides the same measure of safety foryour seed as compared to a side band application of N.

The prairie-provinces have established guidelines forsafe rate of N placement with the seed of various crops.Guidelines are based on row spacing, opener width, soiltexture, organic matter and seedbed moisture. In manycases the amount of N that can be safely seed placedwith traditional N sources is below the amount requiredto attain target yield.

The majority of the ESN research since 2000 showsseed row applied ESN offers the same seed safety as ureaside band applied at safe rates ranging from 1.5X up to 7X.

Growers will recognize that many factors affect seedsafety of seed placed N, seed germination, early seedlinggrowth and ultimately, final yield. Although ESN offersuncompromising seed safety, growers must considerissues such as: seed quality, seeding depth, soil bed qual-ity and compaction, drought, seed treatments anddisease, herbicide residues, etc.

For further information on the topic of ESN, pleasevisit Agrium’s website at www.agrium.com and followthe links under Products and Services. Contact RayDowbenko, Agronomist with Agrium at 800-661-6757or by e-mail [email protected].

Contact Ken Coles, Agronomist with SARA at 403-381-5118 or [email protected]. FindSARA’s ESN Research findings posted at www.areca.ab.ca/sara

26

Environmentally Safe Nitrogen Update

by Ron Montgomery

Ray Dowbenko shares someESN information withSARA DFSparticipants.

PHOTO: C. LACOMBE

Triticale: Potential Value-Adding PlatformAlternative for Producers

These are challenging times for grain producers.Canadian grain production has primarily focused onthe efficient production of low-value commodity

grains that are marketed and exported to internationalmarkets, resulting in little value-added possibilities forincreased returns for producers. There are increasing con-cerns of global climatic changes, environmentalsustainability and consumers seeking alternatives to non-renewable energy and products.

Triticale and a Canadian led Triticale research initiative toadd value for farmers and transform Canada’s agriculturalindustry may offer producers a new market for non-food,bio-refining triticale.

Triticale researchand innovationstarted in 2002indicates that triti-cale, a wheat/ryehybrid, yields anaverage 20% moregrain than wheat inthe prairies, withlower input costs;and has shownmore stable yieldsthan other grainsovertime; is moresuited to diverse andmarginal soil types; and can be grown in every agricul-tural zone according to project co-lead Dr. FrancoisEudes, Cereal Biotechnologist with Agriculture andAgri-food Canada at the Lethbridge Research Centre.

Dr. Eudes also states that Triticale offers producers arealistic new market, value-added opportunities: itcould be competitive with corn for sugar and ethanolproduction and, since it is essentially a non-food crop,its biological diversity and molecular make-up can beused to tailor this plant for industrial uses withoutimpacting overall food supply; every part of the plant,grain, and straw has an end use once broken down toits basic components; is amenable to genetic engineer-ing; and given its limited low profile its furtherdevelopment is not hindered or restricted by propri-etary licenses.

To pursue the further development of triticale’spromising potential, Dr. Eudes was instrumental inestablishing the Canadian Triticale BiorefineryInitiative (CTBI) as a Director. CTBI is a dedicated glob-

al research network of some 100+ research and devel-opment staff from 16 partnering public and privateorganizations that began its full scale collaborativeresearch in 2008. CTBI focus seeks to increase value andopportunities for rural development to foster a made inCanada bioindustrial sector; and to establish Triticaleas Canada’s bioindustrial cereal supplying locally estab-lished Canadian world-scale biorefineries that make arange of products and co-products, including renew-able energy, platform chemicals, biomaterials andbiocomposites.

Dr. Eudes stated some of the current research workbeing undertaken this year will include: documenting theagronomic competitiveness of Triticale across Canadafrom Alberta to PEI to identify where Triticale grows best;genome research to increase biomass, yield, and change

the ratio of frac-tions; increasing theamount of celluloseand simple sugarfractions; and reduc-ing the amountof lingen to reducethe amount of ener-gy required inprocessing.

It is Dr. Eudeshope that in 10years CTBI and

Canadian Triticalegrowers will haveturned this margin-

alized grain into Canada’s dedicated bioindustrialcereal to satisfy the rapidly developing multi-billiondollar global biorefining market. Contact Dr. Eudes([email protected]) or visit the CTBI websitewww.ctbi.ca.

27

Triticale: Potential Value-Adding Platform

by Reg Norby

27

WILLMS SEEDSGrassy Lake, Alberta

Seed Available for 2008-2009HRSW: AC EatoniaDurum: AC StrongfieldChickpeas: Diva, FrontierSWSW: AC AndrewPeas: Golden, Meadow, BroncoClearfield Red Lentils: CDC Imperial, CDC ImpactClearfield Green Lentils: CDC Improve

Weigh Bin and Truck Scale on FarmTim 403-655-2434 | Henry 403-655-2413 | Fax 403-655-2431

Triticale plots at the SARA research site. PHOTO: C. LACOMBE

Winter Peas: Potential Pulse for Alberta’s Future

Changing and challenging climate conditionsand recent genetic improvements make winterpeas a potential crop rotation alternative. Grain

legume crops grown in the future will have to have dif-ferent attributes than those grown currently and bedesigned to withstand this change in climatic condi-tions.

Spring grain legumes sometimes suffer due to bothheat and water stress. Early seeding of spring types hasbeen a common practice to avoid the hotter and drierconditions during flowering, but cool and wet condi-tions in the early spring, as well as, general timeconstraints from the high volume of spring field workoften prevent early sowing. Field pea is one of the mostwater use efficient crops grown on the prairies; whichwill be important as the grain growing areas of theprairies become drier.

Capturing precious moisture throughout the late fall,winter and spring, winter pulse crops can move into thereproductive or flowering stage earlier than the conven-tional spring types, thus avoiding high temperaturesand the resultant loss in yield. Also, an earlier harvestallows additional time to recharge soil moisture for thefollowing crop especially important in southernAlberta.

An early harvest allows market penetration andmovement into global markets 3-4 weeks earlier thanspring seeded types.

Recent genetic improvements developed winter fieldpea and lentil lines with a clear seed coat with little orno tannins. Previously, only Austrian winter or foragepea types with brown seed coat pigmentation, that con-tains tannins with anti-nutritional properties and limitsthe uses of the seed, limited both market opportunitiesand returns for producers and processors.

Research initiated in the fall of 2008 will examine theadaptability of winter field pea, lentil and zero tanninfaba bean compared to the spring types in differentagro-ecological environments in Alberta. This three yearproject, at four Alberta research sites, Lethbridge,Brooks, Lacombe and Edmonton, will provide anunderstanding of the factors, such as seeding date andrate, growth stage and plant height before freeze up,percent of ground cover, ambient and soil temperature,snow cover, disease and soil moisture that contribute toor hinder the winter hardiness. The yield from the frac-tionation of the grain components and quality analysis(cooking, compositional and functionality) will deter-mine which application (food, non-food) the winterpulses best suit.

The lead researcher of this SARA collaborative, indus-try-wide project is Mark Olson, Provincial PulseIndustry Development Specialist, Alberta Agricultureand Rural Development, ([email protected]).Olson stated that the two objectives of the project are:1) to assess whether existing germplasm for winterpulse crops, namely field pea, lentil and zero tanninfaba bean is adapted to the harsh and variable climaticconditions of Alberta; and, 2) to measure the composi-tion of whole seed and fractions of this winter geneticmaterial and determine if it meets the quality parame-ters of the food and feed industries. He indicated thatthe project will include and compare eight pulse vari-eties: two winter pea lines (yellow, cv Specter and cv.Windham), two spring pea (green cv. Cooper and yel-low cv. Cutlass), one winter lentil (red, cv. Morton), onespring lentil (red, cv. Redberry ), one winter faba bean(tannin, cv. Diva), and one spring faba bean (zero tan-

28

Winter Peas: Potential Pulse

by Reg Norby

Smart farmers read the fine print* On average, Next Generation TagTeam inoculants for pea and lentil outperformed competitor, single-action (nitrogenfixing only) inoculants by 6% in farmer-conducted split-field trials. That’s an average increase of 2.2 bushels per acre, for anet return of $15.35/acre. Net return is calculated after the cost of the inoculants is removed using current commodity pricesof $18/bu for lentils and $8/bu for peas. See our website for details. ® TagTeam and MultiAction are registered trademarksof Novozymes A/S. © 2009 Novozymes. All rights reserved. 9011 02.09

$15.35/acremore profit*

More phosphate.More nitrogen.

Next Generation TagTeam® is theonly inoculant that deliversincreased phosphate efficiencyand more fixed nitrogen.

Choose TagTeam for the bestphosphate and nitrogen useefficiency – and getthe best yield andbest valuein pulseinoculants.

WEBSITE: www.bioag.novozymes.com1-888-744-5662

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation.Together with customers across a broad array ofindustries we create tomorrow’s industrialbiosolutions, improving our customers’ businessand the use of our planet’s resources. Read moreabout Novozymes at www.novozymes.com.

http://www.bioag.novozymes.com

nin, cv. Snowbird); three seeding rates (1.0 X, 1.5 X,2.0X) (all types); and three seeding dates for the winterpulses only. He indicated this latter component of theproject will provide much needed insight as currentlythe optimum seeding date for winter pulses isunknown.

He indicated that the project had a positive start asthere was excellent plant establishment of all the winterspecies going into winter at the four locations.

SARA, through Farming Smarter, will report annualfindings as they become available.

29

Winter Peas

29

��

��

��

�� !�

��"��

��

��!"�#$#%&'(&&%�

)�*��!"�#$#%�'"(�+�

Lentils mature at the SARA research plots in Lethbridge. PHOTO: C. LACOMBE

ARECA Fosters Province-Wide Applied Research

The Agricultural Research and ExtensionCouncil of Alberta (ARECA) is a not-for-profitorganization working with producers to enhance

and improve farming operations through access to fieldresearch and new technology. Made up of 16 memberassociations focused on applied research, demonstra-tions and extension in the areas of forages, annual cropand livestock production, ARECA speaks in a strong,united voice to industry leaders and government repre-sentatives. Each member association delivers programsand develops projects that address the concerns and pri-orities of producers in their specific regions.

On a provincial scale, there are many benefits to hav-ing such a broad cross-section of research sites.Producers within the respective member associationsbring their individual expertise and enthusiasm to par-ticipate in various field trials; which in turn collectivelybenefits the entire membership. This is a powerful tooland essentially producer-driven.

ARECA is currently conducting a survey to determinepublic interest in people returning to the business offarming and to assess what kinds of training, skills andbackground information people would require toachieve that objective. The number of people farminghas steadily decreased and the age of those remaining in

that business is increasing. According to StatisticsCanada, the country’s farm population continued todecline between 2001 and 2006 and, like the populationas a whole, got older. The overall farm populationdropped 6.2 per cent to 684,260 nationally and 40.7 percent of these farm operators were aged 55 and over. InAlberta, the 2006 census marked a 7.9 per cent decreasein the number of operating farms during the past fiveyears, for a total of 49,431.

ARECA and its member associations throughoutAlberta will deliver The FarmCraft survey through theinternet, conferences and workshops, as well as mentor-ing and apprenticeships. Courses may include topicssuch as tools for getting a farm business started, what isinvolved in owning and managing different types offarming operations, marketing opportunities, alternativepractices, farm business management and productionmanagement. Individuals interested in participating inthe survey can find a link to it on the ARECA website.

Another project underway since November 2007 isthe GPS Crop Yield Monitoring Program that involvescollecting crop yield information from reclaimed indus-trial sites in Alberta to determine their impact onproductivity over an extended period of time. An indus-trial site includes any reclaimed areas such as oil/gas wellsites, battery sites, pipelines, sand/gravel pits or roadborrow pits. However the primary focus of the programis on oil/gas sites in Alberta.

30

ARECA Province-Wide Applied Research

by Ron Montgomery

Research plots at the SARA DFS are a small part of the province-wide research taking place by ARECA organizations. PHOTO: C. LACOMBE

Funded by Alberta Environment and conducted byARECA, this study is a long term monitoring projectwith the overall objective being to develop GPS-basedcrop yield monitoring for reclaimed industrial sites inAlberta and to report on crop yields, using GPS-gener-ated maps, for up to five years at up to 100 selectedsites. Two years of the study are complete and ARECAawaits further funding to continue the project.

Farmers who have a yield monitor on their combineand a reclaimed industrial site on their land are eligibleto participate in this program and will be paid for theircrop yield information. This monitoring program isexpected to conclude in 10 years, so participants sign aguideline to provide their crop data over 5-years, pend-ing continuation of program funding.

An interim report posted on ARECA’s website sum-marizes the results from 16 sites, which include a mixof industrial sites, including well sites, borrow pits andpipelines.

The crop yield data, collected on a PMCIA card(about the size of a business card) is slotted into a read-er connected to the producer’s office computer. Data istaken off of the card and exported from the office com-puter to an electronic file using the crop yieldmonitoring program software. This electronic file canbe emailed to the ARECA office in Sherwood Park orput on a CD-Rom and mailed.

Another program planned for spring 2009 initiationinvolves field scale testing of phosphorus inoculantsapplied to peas and canola. An inoculant is a livemicro-organism that when added to the soil or appliedto the seed gives growing plants access to importantnutrients like nitrogen and phosphate.

The project’s success depends on partnership partic-ipation with associations, commissions and corporateagencies of like-minded interest, however queries andresponses to date appear promising.

Novozymes (formerly Philom Bios of SaskatoonSaskatchewan) developed and manufactures bothJump Start (canola) and Tag Team (pulse crops) inocu-lant brands. Visit their website at www.philombios.caand follow the links.

Dr. Ty Faechner, Research Program Manager withARECA is optimistic that a number of the memberassociations and, therefore producers in different areas,will elect to take part in this program. “The possibilityof doing field scale trials in a variety of soils and cli-mates throughout the province is a great opportunitywith far reaching benefits. Once the combine yieldmonitor results are submitted, we’ll be able to deter-mine how the different application rates in select cropstrips affect yield. Another variable we can address ishow the crop responds to inoculant treatment in vari-able topography.”

For further information on ARECA and their memberassociation’s regional activities, projects and events visitwww.areca.ab.ca. You can also contact Laura McNabb,Communications Program Manager at ARECA’s office inSherwood Park Alberta by telephone at (780) 416-6046or by e-mail [email protected]

31

ARECA

http://www.areca.ab.ca

LEASING AND F INANCING AVAILABLE AT COMPET IT IVE RATES

1-800-561-4608LETHBRIDGE

328-3777Bryan Smith 795-5147 • Don Laturnus 795-5148

Dave Wilkins 795-4198 • Colin Friesen 795-5144 • Eileen Schroeder 363-0731

BROOKS

362-4087TABER

223-3591

An annual preventativemaintenance program for yourpivot means:

• Less downtime duringgrowing season

• Improved reliability• Higher trade-in value• Longer life• Lower maintenance costs

Plus, New Way Irrigation canservice any pivot, no matter what brand it is.

Visit New Way Irrigation today to schedule preventativemaintenance for your pivots.

ASK US ABOUT THESE MONEY-SAVINGOFFERS YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM:

• Huge per tower cash allowance• Delayed First Payment until

January of 2010

© 2009 Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic is a registeredtrademark of the Lindsay Corporation. Certain restrictionsand conditions apply. See your local Zimmatic dealer forcomplete details.

Farming Smarter -- 2009 Edition

Documents

Transcript of Farming Smarter -- 2009 Edition