NEW FACE AT NPARA€¦ · DATE: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 TIME: 2:00 p.m. LOCATION: NPARA Farm (½...

Summer 2011 Volume 5 Issue 2

NEW FACE AT NPARA

Summer 2012 Volume 6, Issue 2

NEWS from North Peace Applied Research Association

TREES, TREES, TREES

MEET NPARA’S CEREAL & OILSEED SPECIALIST:

TOM FROMME

It is a pleasure to introduce myself as Cereal and Oilseed Specialist at NPARA in Manning. As the settling in process proceeds I look forward to meeting and cooperating with many of you. From my home in Illinois in the U.S. to Northern Alberta

is quite a transition. Your patience may be tried as I learn about Alberta agriculture, but as my research adventures include work in Argentina, Chile, and Central America I have some experience in adapting to new cultures, crops and methods.

This spring NPARA purchased a 56’ camp shack which provides washrooms, lunchroom and office for staff plus living accommo-

dations for Tom. A huge THANK-YOU TO SILVERTIP OIL-FIELD SERVICES for moving the trailer to its final location at the research farm - this was very much appreciated.

We encourage you to come out for a visit and look at the plots.

And NPARA’s summer staff this year are: ☺Courtney Vandemark, local girl that resides in the North

Star area and helped with the NPARA harvest last fall.

☺Randi Doll, also from the North Star area, joined us in May and will work with Court-ney until the end of August when she will resume her post-secondary education for Pharmacy Assistant. Both girls are enthusiastic hard workers.

☺Jolene Noble returned to manage our Agro-forestry project at Murdoch Lake. This will be the 4th season of grazing cattle on this pro-ject.

Randi

Courtney

We couldn’t have asked for better weather in early June for planting 900 replacement trees in our eco-buffer demo that we lost due to drowned out areas last year. Despite the losses we endured, the eco-buffer project and shelterbelt tree demo are both looking really good. If you are planning to plant more trees - come out and have a look at these pro-jects. Plus see how well plastic mulch works!

After providing trees to farmers since the early 1900’s the federal government has decided to end the Prairie Shelterbelt Tree program in 2013. This will be the final year that land owners can order trees through this program with delivery next spring. If you are planning to order trees for next year - get your order in as soon as possible. We have order forms at the office or you can go on line to: www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/shelterbelt.htm

SUMMER STAFF

Planting crew: Cara Noble, Nora, Courtney, Tom, Randi & Al Eagle, AESB, Dawson Creek. Missing Jolene Noble



CANOLA DIAGNOSTIC SCHOOL &

PULSE AGRONOMY FIELD DAY

County in Bloom Garden Tour - Saturday, August 4, 2012 ENJOY a FANTASTIC DAY with friends & family as we tour:

North Peace Applied Research Eco Buffer Demo & Shelter Belt Tree Project Beautiful County Gardens Peace Cherry Farm

ENJOY:

Speaker Dr. Ieuan Evans Outdoor English Garden lunch Cherry Salsa Demo Willow Garden Demo

DATE: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 TIME: 2:00 p.m. LOCATION: NPARA Farm (½ mile west of North Star)

Free supper

following the tour

Pre-register by calling 780-836-3354 or email [email protected]

CANOLA DIAGNOSTIC SCHOOL

These instructional plots will showcase Seeding speed effects on plant stand

1000K weight on seeding rate

Seed placed urea, ESN, Agrotain

Residual herbicide carryover Fertilizer treatments and rates Herbicide staging, drift and carryover

Join Canola Council of Canada agronomist Greg Sekulic for a tour of

NPARA’s Growing with Canola demo site PULSE AGRONOMY FIELD DAY

Fababean Field Trial & Variety Plots

Lentil Field Trial & Variety Plots

Field Pea Inoculant Trial

Field Pea Variety Plots

Join Duane Ransome of the Alberta Pulse Growers’ Commission for a tour of

NPARA’s Pulse plots & trials

Bus will load promptly at 9:00 am at the

County office.

Registration fee is $10.00. Seating is lim-

ited, register before July 31st.

To register or for more information, call

Teresa Tupper, Community Services @

780-836-3348



AT THE RESEARCH FARM………..

PRECIPITATION RECEIVED

TO DATE:

APRIL INCHES

13 0.08

14 0.01

15 0.04

20 0.12

21 0.02

23 0.16

24 0.02

25 0.07

26 0.05

27 0.18

TOTAL 0.75

JUNE INCHES

2 0.01

5 0.46

6 0.56

11 0.21

12 0.01

13 0.46

15 0.01

16 0.23

17 0.24

18 0.11

TOTAL 2.30

MAY INCHES

4 0.18

22 0.13

23 0.22

TOTAL 0.53

At the farm we have 36 active trials and demonstrations. They will all be identified with signs soon, but if you are interested in an informal tour please call the office (780-836-3354)or Tom’s cell (780 836–0651). Variety trials are abundant

wheat, barley, oats, peas, flax, lentils, fababean, bromegrass and timothy are included Field pea inoculant trial Winter wheat fungicide trial Canola diagnostic school Brown bag vs certified seed trial Barley and oat silage variety trial Agrowplow trial initiated last fall Tillage radish demonstration Converting smooth bromegrass to annual cropping trial Perennial forage demo plots Eco-buffer & Tree shelterbelt demonstrations

Always eager to cooperate, we partner with Alberta Pulse Growers (APG), the Canola Council, Alberta Canola Produc-ers Commission, Ducks Unlimited and others to bring methods and technology to the North Peace region. Please be sure to attend the Canola Diagnostic School and Pulse Agronomy Field Day on July 11 to see and discuss current

production trends for those crops.

Seems we are doing everything at once with the addition of the camp shack, hooking up to the water co-op (thanks to funding from the County of Northern Lights) and installation of a sewer system. This trailer not only houses Tom but includes an office for the farm. Pardon our clutter as we build for the future at NPARA.

AND OFF THE FARM……….. Together with the Peace River Forage Ass’n of BC we held a Forage & Livestock Tour on June 9 which included a tour of the Twin Rivers Colony (they were very gracious hosts), Murdoch Lake & the plots and demos at the research farm. Douglas Lake Farm Equipment travelled over from Dawson Creek to cook us a delicious barbecue steak supper - a good time was had by all!!!



NEED HELP AGE-VERIFYING YOUR CALVES ?

Call us and we can help you out. To age verify your calves you need your RFID tag numbers, the date calving started, your CCIA and Premise Identification numbers. If you do not have these numbers we can assist you with that also.

The County did purchase a wand reader for producers to use (free of charge) which is available through our office.

NORTH PEACE APPLIED

RESEARCH ASSOCIATION’S

ANNUAL FIELD TOUR

Join us for a tour of our plots, trials and demonstrations:

WHEN: THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

WHERE: NPARA RESEARCH FARM

(1/2 mile west of North Star)

TIME: SUPPER @ 5:30 PM with TOUR TO FOLLOW

COST: No cost to members, $10 for non- members



AGRICULTURAL TOUR TO ARGENTINA

As our valued association member we invite you to submit your expression of interest in the proposed agricultural tour to Argen-

tina. Space will be limited, all those who complete & submit their information will receive advanced registration privilege. Thank

you in advance for taking the time to submit this information:

Expression of interest please indicate:

I am interested in participating in the Argentina Ag Tour YES NO (please circle)

Possible number of people travelling: _________

Name: _____________________________ Phone: _____________________ Email: _______________________________

Please send your response to Nora Paulovich at (NPARA) PH: 780-836-3354; FAX: 780-836-2670 or [email protected]

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Humid Pampas, the most productive land of the Argentine corn and soy belt region.

The National Agricultural Technology Institute - a branch of the Ministry of Agriculture devoted to Ag research

South America’s largest Livestock Market: 8-12 thousand head of cattle are sold daily for processing in the abat-toirs - Cattle inventory of Argentina is close to 49 million.

Visit a farm dedicated to the production of corn, soybeans and wheat in no till agriculture and also learn about their cattle operation

Meet Alejandro Calderón one of the Directors of Farmers Union, get an insight into the challenges that the farm-ers face with Government policy

Visit the Rosario region, Paraná River, see the 25 terminals at the shore of the river, where 70 to 80 % of total grain and oilseed are exported out of Argentina.

Ag equipment manufacturer - Most manufacturers are descendent of Northern Italy migrants arriving in the 19th & 20th centuries.

The School of Agriculture - North West Buenos Aires University

Sightseeing tour of Buenos Aires & experience spectacular Tango Show

PROPOSED TOUR DATE: February 2013

LENGTH OF TOUR: Approximately 10 Days

APPROXIMATE PRICE: $3600 - 4000 (subject to change on confirmation of the tour arrangements)

Package will include all land arrangements, International & domestic air, taxes/fuel surcharges, transfers, technical Ag visits, Professional Ag guide, Tourist attractions, Daily full breakfast, Dinners and lunches where applicable


GROWING FORWARD - FUNDING PROGRAMS FOR PRODUCERS


GROWING FORWARD STEWARDSHIP PLANS

Stewardship Plans are designed to help producers dem-onstrate their environmental practices and plan for op-erational improvements that will reduce their environ-mental impact. Producers will be required to complete an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) and a risk report based on their EFP which will direct them to one of three manage-ment programs that best suit their operation. Producers who apply to the Programs and are approved can receive 50/50 cost-share funding to help them achieve actions they have identified in their work plan. Stewardship Plans are divided into 3 programs:

Integrated Crop Management - $20,000 Grazing & Winter Feeding Management - $15,000 Manure Management - $50,000 Application deadline is August 31, 2012. You are eligible to apply for funding only if you have completed an Envi-ronmental Farm Plan and have a Growing Forward regis-tration number. For more information contact us or visit the website: www.GrowingForward.Alberta.ca

2009-2013 LONG TERM

WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

This program, offered through the Growing Forward Initiative, provides agricultural producers with technical and financial assistance to plan and construct secure water supplies. Program support is provided for 1/3 of eligible costs up to $5000. Installation of water use metering is eligible at 50% of cost up to $1000.

The first step is to register with Growing Forward to get a registration number. Second step is to complete the required work plan and a Long Term Water Management Plan. This is a simple assessment of 3 things:

water needs

current water supply

proposed improvement(s)

The registration forms and above mentioned documents are available from our office or Alberta Agriculture @ 310-FARM (3276) or the website: www.GrowingForward.Alberta.ca. The completed documents are then submitted and reviewed by Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development water specialists. It is important that producers go through the approval process

BEFORE beginning construction.

ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN Please contact us if you wish to complete an EFP. We have all of the resource materials and will be able to assist you. There is also the option of completing one on-line.

Why an EFP is still important: Environmentally sustainable production of crops and livestock , managing risks, protecting water resources and air quality, preserving soil and biodiversity, providing a healthy landscape for the next generation and maintaining market access. These are just a few of the reasons for creating an EFP. If you have one, you are more ready for whatever the op-portunity or need that arises. The EFP process helps you identify and address environmental risks and opportunities in your opera-tion. Maintaining a healthy environment is essential to the success of Alberta’s agricultural producers. Also, an EFP is required for application to any of the Stewardship Programs available under Growing Forward.


EVENT DATE TIME LOCATION CONTACT COST Canola Diagnostic School/Pulse Agronomy Field Day July 11 2 pm North Peace Applied

Research Farm Nora @ 780-836

-3354 No charge

NPARA Field Tour August 9 5:30 pm North Peace Applied Research Farm

Nora@ 780-836-3354

No charge to members; $10/non-members

County in Bloom Garden Tour August 4 9 - 4 Meet at County

Building Teresa @ 780-

836-3348 $10/person

Western Canadian Grazing Conference Nov 27-29 Sheraton Hotel,

Red Deer

Farm Tech 2013 Jan 29-31 Edmonton Expo Center, Northlands


UPCOMING EVENTS

As crops start to grow and another hail season gets under way, high commodity prices and input costs are raising the stakes for farmers this year, says Chris Dyck, with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), Alberta’s provincial crop in-surer. “Hail is a threat every growing season in Alberta because we have one of the highest incidences of hail in the world. But when crop prices and inputs like fertilizer and seed climb as high as they are now – at well-above average levels – hail becomes an even greater concern for farmers because they have so much invested in the ground,” says Dyck, senior man-ager of business risk management operations for AFSC. The Crown corporation provides the majority of hail insurance to farmers across Alberta on behalf of the provincial government.

AFSC Straight Hail Insurance As soon as crops emerge from the soil, they’re vulnerable, says Dyck. He points out hailstorms in late-May and early June triggered several claims under the AFSC Straight Hail program this spring in southern Alberta. Last year, the first Straight Hail claim happened on June 4 in the Peace region. “Crops have an amazing ability to rebound from early season hail dam-age,” says Dyck. “However, those early storms do often result in reduced plant stands and yields. The later hail strikes in the growing season, the greater the damage,” he adds, “because once plants have podded or headed out – usually by mid-July – it’s too late for recovery.”

More Farmers Choosing Auto Elect An increasing number of farmers are electing to take out Straight Hail coverage in April with their crop insurance – before their fields are even planted – qualifying them for a 2 per cent premium discount, says Dyck. “It’s an option we started of-fering two years ago for producers who want protection the instant their seeds are in the ground – rather than waiting for their crops to emerge and risk early hail damage,” he says, explaining crops that suffer more than 25 per cent hail damage before being insured with Straight Hail coverage become ineligible for AFSC hail insurance until the next growing season. “It’s a risk many farmers want to avoid,” says Dyck. AFSC Mandate AFSC has been providing hail insurance to Alberta farmers on behalf of the provincial government for more than 70 years. It all started when the province passed special legislation in 1938 creating the Alberta Hail Insurance Board. The original hail program offered by the Hail Insurance Board still exists today and is administered by AFSC. “Until the Hail Board was estab-lished, there were farmers in Alberta who didn’t have access to hail insurance. That’s because private insurers weren’t able to provide hail insurance in all areas of the province due to the high level of risk involved,” says Dyck. “Hail is risky business, and our mandate as a provincial insurer today is the same as it was back then – to provide hail insurance to farmers in every corner of the province, even in the highest risk townships.” Farmers can access Straight Hail Insurance online at www.afsc.ca, through their AFSC District Office, local hail agent, or by contacting the AFSC Call Centre at 1-877-899-AFSC (2372). Farmers receive a 2 per cent premium discount by purchasing online. Once a policy is purchased, it takes effect at noon the next day.

STAKES ARE HIGH FOR ALBERTA FARMERS AS HAIL SEASON BEGINS


Box 750 Manning, Alberta

T0H 2M0 Phone: 780-836-3354

Fax: 780-836-2670

We are on the web: www.areca.ab.ca/npara

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

North Peace Applied Research Association

STAFF

NORA PAULOVICH Manager, Livestock & Forage Specialist

Email: [email protected]; Cell: 780-836-5230

TOM FROMME Cereal & Oilseed Specialist Email: [email protected]; Cell: 780-836-0651

Janet Vandemark Accounting

President Michael Scott Vice President Trevor Paulovich Secretary/Treasurer Mark Kamieniecki

Directors

Ed Schmidt

Judy Bowcott

Al Dumas

Ken Herlinveaux

Trevor Enders

Representatives

County of Northern Lights Terry Ungarian Agribusiness

Jarvis Asmussen, CPS

NEW FACE AT NPARA€¦ · DATE: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 TIME: 2:00 p.m. LOCATION: NPARA Farm (½...

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