GRAIN MARKETS REPAIR REMINDERS DAIRY-BEEF CALVES JULY/AUGUST 2024 $9.50 NITROGEN FERTILIZER EXCITING TECHNOLOGY Exploring Drones AG TECH TRADE SHOW Lakeland College UPDATE ON PULSE GROWTH New Opportunities SUPPORTING POLLINATORS What’s the Buzz? 14 36 26 22 40 SUSANNAH CORNELISSEN & MOCHA Farming Peas & More in Alberta
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY. PREMIUM FEATURES. COMPACT DESIGN. What makes the Vestrum® series tractor stand out from the pack? For starters, it’s the first Case IH tractor in the 100HP class that comes with the option of ActiveDrive 8 dual-clutch transmission or CVXDrive™ continuously-variable transmission. Next up? Premium features like a comfortable cab with a panoramic high visibility roof panel. Which means your everyday chores just got easier. To learn more, contact your local Case IH dealer or visit caseih.com/vestrum All rights reserved. Case IH is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. www.caseih.com Case IH merchandise available at your dealer A.E. CHICOINE FARM EQUIPMENT LTD. Storthoaks, SK 306.449.2255 FUTURE AG INC. Coronation, AB 403.578.3747 Olds, AB 403.556.6711 Red Deer County, AB 403.343.6101 Stettler, AB 403.742.3740 Stony Plain, AB 780.963.7411 HERGOTT FARM EQUIPMENT LTD. Humboldt, SK 306.682.2592 HI LINE FARM EQUIPMENT LTD. Wetaskiwin, AB 780.352.9244 LEO’S SALES & SERVICE LTD. Winnipeg, MB 204.694.4978 REDHEAD EQUIPMENT Estevan, SK 306.634.4788 Lloydminster, SK 306.825.3434 Melfort, SK 306.752.2273 North Battleford, SK 306.445.8128 Prince Albert, SK 306.763.6454 Saskatoon, SK 306.934.3555 Swift Current, SK 306.773.2951 ROCKY MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT, CANADA Balzac, AB 403.513.7000 Boissevain, MB 204.534.2463 Brandon, MB 204.725.2273 Camrose, AB 780.672.9136 Dauphin, MB 204.638.5558 Drumheller, AB 403.823.2626 Elie, MB 204.353.2392 Falher, AB 780.837.4691 Grand Prairie, AB 780.882.7637 Grimshaw, AB 780.332.4691 High River, AB 403.652.7944 Killarney, MB 204.523.4644 Kindersley, SK 306.463.4651 Lethbridge, AB 403.327.3154 Medicine Hat, AB 403.528.3838 Milk River, AB 403.647.3828 Moosomin, SK 306.435.3866 Neepawa, MB 204.476.3344 Oyen, AB 403.664.3730 Picture Butte, AB 403.732.5658 Preeceville, SK 306.547.3300 Shoal Lake, MB 204.759.2424 Steinbach, MB 204.326.6417 Taber, AB 403.223.2333 Westlock, AB 780.349.3720 Winkler, MB 204.325.4122 Yorkton, SK 306.783.8508 YOUNG’S EQUIPMENT INC. Assiniboia, SK 306.642.5991 Chamberlain, SK 306.638.4516 Davidson, SK 306.567.3074 Moose Jaw, SK 306.694.1800 Raymore, SK 306.746.2288 Regina, SK 306.565.2405 Weyburn, SK 306.842.2629 Windthorst, SK 306.224.2110 VESTRUM SERIES TRACTORS
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4 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | July/August 2024 1-888-248-4893 PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR PAUL NOLAN ext 202 Paul.Nolan@Farms.com ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR LESLIE STEWART ext 265 Leslie.Stewart@Farms.com AGRICULTURAL JOURNALIST EMILY CROFT PRAIRIE CONTRIBUTORS BEV BETKOWSKI RICHARD KAMCHEN Edmonton, Alta. Winnipeg, Man. GRAHAM PARSONS RON SETTLER Prince Albert, Sask Lucky Lake, Sask. NATIONAL CONTRIBUTORS MOE AGOSTINO ABHINESH GOPAL DIEGO FLAMMINI EUGENIE OFFICER ADVERTISING TEAM GLENN RUEGG JEFF McKEE JENNY LONGSTREET SCOTT FARHOOD SAMANTHA RENAUD JOAN SPIEGELBERG ANDREW BAWDEN DESIGN & PRODUCTION TEAM TANYA MYERS GREG MARLOW SHAUN CLARK ANDREA WILLIAMS www.BetterFarming.com Better Farming Magazine, Prairie Edition is mailed to producers in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Next issue: September 2024. 1-888-248-4893 ext 281 Subscriptions@BetterFarming.com ISSN 2563-9803 (Printed) Copyright ©2024 by AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content without written permission of the publisher is forbidden. Acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement of the advertiser, its products or services, nor do Better Farming, AgMedia or Farms.com endorse any advertiser claims. The publisher shall have no liability for the omission of any scheduled advertising. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 90 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 Mail agreement #0042518524 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Cover: Enjoy Today Photography photo, Emily Croft photo Follow us on @PrairieFarming INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE “It takes many years to develop superior hybrid canola cultivars, but the genetic research we are doing is important to maintaining the profitability of this crop at the farm level.” - Dr. Habibur Rahman, Page 12 “They had a calf every year and when it sold, I told them they had to put the money in a trust, and they couldn’t touch it until they turned 18. They had a pretty nice little trust fund when they were 18 and they were all pretty happy with that.” - Albert Mutcher, Page 19 “You have to love farming. It’s a labour of love. With the profit margins that you see and the money you put into farming, if you put that money into a stock market you could make significantly more just sitting around the house.” - Dustin Cornelissen, Page 32 “As my Uncle Irvin often told me, ‘Oil is cheaper than repairs.’ Servicing and maintaining your equipment can save you thousands of dollars.” - Ron Settler, Page 46 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ALBERT MUTCHER, 91; NEW MAPPING TOOL “I’ve had quite a few bumps in my time farming. During the second year I farmed on my own, we had some big storms and I got hailed out. I thought that was the end, but I had a banker who had lots of faith in me, and we carried on from there.” That recollection comes from 91-year-old farmer Albert Mutcher, who continues to actively manage his cattle herd in Stephenfield, Man. to this day. Our Emily Croft recently connected with Albert, and her inspiring profile of him starts on Page 18 of this issue. With some beautiful farm photos, taken by photographer Mallorey Bergen. This is Albert’s 73rd year in farming. How great is that? We all know this to be true, but I have to say it again. Our most experienced farmers have so many years of wisdom to share – about the land, the livestock, crops, farm machinery and our weather. They should be key figures in farming families and rural communities, sharing their knowledge with younger generations. Respecting and learning from them strengthens our farms and keeps our traditions alive. A new mapping tool is available to Prairie farmers to help manage Fusarium head blight. Ag reporter Diego Flammini recently wrote on Farms.com that the Fusarium Head Blight Risk Mapping Tool (prairiefhb.ca) is the result of collaboration between government and industry groups to support spring wheat, winter wheat, durum and barley growers. Making the tool synchronized across the Prairies is a benefit for producers. Farmers bordering two provinces previously used multiple maps. “Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba all produced their own individual maps,” explained Manitoba Crop Alliance’s Andrew Hector. “So a farmer could be getting two different risk levels.” With this new tool, all that information is harmonized for them.
Harnessing the power of data We’re empowering Saskatchewan businesses to work together for our farmers A unique, customizable ecosystem that brings together the expertise of our partners for the betterment of Canadian farms. Collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data at the field level will lead to data driven decisions and Field to Fork traceability. Canadian farmers and ranchers are feeding the world They work hard to produce the highest quality grain and livestock on the planet. By empowering them with digital tools we can help streamline their eorts and increase their productivity, giving them peace of mind and more time to spend where it really counts. Farms will be able to customize a digital toolkit to their unique needs. Having access to data driven insights will empower their decisions and streamline their day. Larger operations can organize and communicate across the team and keep employees accountable for daily and weekly tasks and targets. Smaller operations can get the most out of every acre and pass on the knowledge of the land to the next generation. A tool for every decision, food for every plate, a farm for every future. sasktel.com/smartprovince SaskTel’s solutions and Ag partnerships can help provide: › Knowledge of where your equipment and vehicles are located › Instant diagnostics › Maintenance schedules › Safety checklists › Variable rate fertility planning › Carbon tracking › Animal location tracking › Soil nutrient analysis
As western Canadian agricultural practices evolve, the quest for efficient, profitable and practical harvest methods intensify. Straight cutting and pod integrity are two complementary advancements that promise to bring efficiency and profitability benefits to growing canola. Straight Cutting: A Shift Toward Simplified Harvesting The option to straight cut or delay swathing continues to gain traction among farmers seeking to streamline operations, reduce costs and maximize yields. The primary advantage of straight cutting is the elimination of the swathing process, which saves time, labour and fuel. Additionally, straight cutting minimizes losses caused by windrow movement due to strong winds. However, straight cutting poses challenges. Canola’s susceptibility to pod shattering—where mature pods break open, dispersing seeds prematurely—has historically deterred many farmers from adopting this approach. This is where NTACT Technology comes into play. NTACT Technology: Enhancing Yield Stability Shatter reduction is a breakthrough in canola genetics. In the past, canola varieties that did not have specific selection for harvest management characteristics were prone to shatter loss, particularly under adverse weather conditions during ripening. Proven Seed’s development of NTACT hybrids mitigate this risk, enabling more growers to adopt straight cutting with confidence. Genetic advancements have fortified canola pods, preventing premature opening. These enhancements have been achieved through selective breeding and biotechnological interventions, focusing on strengthening the pod walls and increasing their elasticity. The result is a canola crop that stands resilient against environmental stressors, significantly reducing seed loss. Aligned for Optimal Results The synergy between straight cutting and NTACT Technology offers a holistic solution to the challenges of canola harvesting. Straight cutting allows farmers to harvest efficiently, while NTACT hybrids ensure maximum seed retention. This combination translates to higher net yields and improved farm profitability. NTACT Technology from Proven Seed allows farmers to harvest their crops with reduced labour, lower costs and enhanced yield stability. Proven® Seed: Another Step Towards Simplifying Seed Choices with NTACT™ Technology Always read and follow insect resistance management requirements (where applicable), grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Scan the QR code or visit traits.bayer.ca/en/product-legal to review important stewardship and product information including regulatory status, grain marketing requirements, herbicide and insect tolerance, pesticide use and product trial results. Roundup Ready® and TruFlex® are trademarks of Bayer Group. Used under license. ©2024 Bayer Group. All rights reserved. Proven® Seed and NTACT™ are registered trademarks of Nutrien Ag Solutions (Canada) Inc. Nutrien Ag Solutions and Design is a registered trademark of Nutrien Ag Solutions, Inc. Exclusively at:
Bred, tested and proven to perform in your local soil. Learn more at ProvenSeed.ca
8 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | July/August 2024 Beyond the Barn FCC COLLABORATES WITH PEPSICO & DUCKS UNLIMITED Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is collaborating with Ducks Unlimited Canada and PepsiCo to support Prairie grain and oilseed farmers who grow oats or canola in their rotations.These financial incentives will be directed to Prairie producers who participate in FCC’s Sustainability Incentive Program. To participate, producers will need to plant perennial forages on their unproductive cropland as part of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Marginal Areas program. The Marginal Areas program promotes seeding down less productive acres with forage seed to improve profitability, create buffer zones, and manage crop disease and weeds. “The uptake from our producer partners who have already taken advantage of our partnership with FCC has been incredible,” said Paul Thoroughgood, national manager of sustainability at DUC, in a recent release from FCC. “With PepsiCo at the table, we can support more farmers across the Prairies, recognizing them for the positive impacts they have on the landscape by providing more incentives.” Ducks Unlimited Canada and PepsiCo will contribute 50 per cent of total payment that producers are eligible for as part of FCC’s Sustainability Incentive Program, up to a limit of $1,000 per application. Payments are determined as a portion of a loan with FCC to a maximum of $2,000 per year or $50 per acre registered in the DUC’s Marginal Areas Program. “Our Sustainability Incentive Program encourages sustainable farming practices while supporting nature-positive outcomes,” said Curtis Grainger, FCC director of sustainability programs. “With support from PepsiCo, we can further reward producers who add to the long-term health of Canada’s agriculture and food industry.” BF The government of Manitoba is working with the Canadian government to prioritize predation prevention in a new investment. The Livestock Predation Prevention Program was recently announced by federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn as part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) and will promote improved relationships between wildlife and livestock farmers in Manitoba. The collaborative investment by the federal and provincial governments will total $500,000 and can be used to purchase equipment, livestock guardian animals, or construct predator-resistant fencing. “Our hardworking livestock producers can face major challenges due to predator attacks. This funding will ensure our producers have access to the tools they need to modernize their operations so they can continue to farm alongside rural wildlife, while protecting their bottom lines,” said MacAulay in a release from the government of Manitoba. The funding will be divided into two streams. The first stream, Livestock Predation Prevention Equipment and Guardian Dogs, will allow for the purchase of pre-approved solar foxlights, electronet, fladry, and livestock guardian dogs. The second stream, Predator Resistant Fence Construction, will allow producers to apply for support in building eligible fencing that deters predators from entering calving and lambing areas, pastures, and deadstock compost sites. “Predation-related challenges pose a significant concern for Manitoba’s livestock producers, who not only lose animals, but experience significant economic losses as well,” said Kostyshyn. “Producers will be able to make on-farm management changes that should reduce livestock predation and will help offset compensation claims under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program funded by the federal and provincial governments.” Producers who were paid for a livestock predation claim under the Manitoba Wildlife Damage Compensation Program from 2021 to present are qualified to apply for up to 75 per cent reimbursement on the two streams of funding. BF MAN. HELPS LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS Frank Fichtmüller - stock.adobe.com photo Funding will allow for purchase of predation prevention equipment and livestock guardian dogs.
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10 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | July/August 2024 Beyond the Barn BCRC SHARES TIPS FOR CATTLE GRAZING ALFALFA The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) recently shared tips to minimize the risk of bloat for cattle grazing alfalfa. There are several benefits to including alfalfa in forages including nitrogen fixation, improving protein content of animal feed, and increased forage yields. BCRC recognizes that many producers are hesitant to add alfalfa to their forages, or to turn out cattle on forage stands with alfalfa, because of the risk of bloat. In a recent informative release, the organization shared nine tips to help producers minimize risk while using the beneficial legume in their pastures. Don’t move cattle onto wet pasture. Wet alfalfa increases the risk of bloat. Move cattle around mid-day or later. This minimizes moisture and increases plant carbohydrate concentration. Don’t turn cattle out on alfalfa while they are hungry, to avoid overconsumption. Wait until alfalfa is in full bloom. Fibre content increases as the plant matures and slows digestion rate. Don’t graze alfalfa from three days to two weeks after a killing frost. Frost will rupture cell walls, increasing the initial rate of the digestion and increase the risk of bloat. Monitor cattle frequently for signs of bloat or health problems. Put animals with smaller rumens on pastures with alfalfa. Discuss bloat prevention with a vet. One option would include Alfasure, which can be mixed with water to prevent frothy bloat. Some producers may also choose mix alfalfa with other feeds to minimize risk, says the BCRC article. They can use a grass mixture for pasture seeding or include an additional fibre source such as straw or fibrous hay bales to dilute the percentage of alfalfa in the diet. BF - Emily Croft Protein Industries Canada is working to address herbicide-resistant weeds in Canadian crops using artificial intelligence technology. The not-for-profit organization, which focuses on promoting Canadian plant-based proteins, recently announced a project that will develop AI-based detection systems for herbicide-resistant weeds. The program will help farmers and agronomists detect and treat resistant weeds earlier, with the goal of reducing crop inputs and the number of field passes required to manage crops. Protein Industries Canada will collaborate with Precision AI, Geco Strategic Weed Management, the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan, and SureGrowth Solutions for the project. “Our farmers are always looking for new ways to make their operations more resilient, so they can keep producing top-quality food for Canadians to enjoy. “This innovative AI-powered system will help treat herbicide-resistant weeds more effectively, helping farmers improve the quality of protein-rich crops and enhancing the whole value chain,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The project will cost $6.2 million, with $2.8 million of that investment contributed by Protein Industries Canada. The remaining investment will be contributed by other partners. The project is part of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which is a federal government effort to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence in Canada. “By using AI to detect resistance early and provide precision herbicide application, we have a realistic path to reducing or even eliminating resistant strains in Canada,” said Dan McCann, founder and CEO of Precision AI, a collaborator in the study. Founder and CEO of Geco, Greg Stewart added, “A weed population evolves over years and disrupts crop yields over hundreds of acres. Geco is working with a range of weed detection technologies to provide our 50-plus farms with predictive weed control and resistance detection. “We are looking forward to quantifying the value to the farm that will be achieved at plant-level resolution.” BF William - stock.adobe.com photo AI TECH ADDRESSES RESISTANT WEEDS
©2024 CNH Industrial Canada Ltd. All rights reserved. Case IH is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. MODEL 110A 120A 130A 140A PTO HP* 92 102 112 118 All Models: Available Cab and Non-Cab, 2WD or MFD *PTO HP at 2200 RPM A TRACTOR WORTHY OF THE NAME FARMALL® With over a hundred enhancements, Farmall 100A series tractors are heavy-duty, reliable tractors in a straightforward, cost-effective package. To learn more, contact your local Case IH dealer or visit caseih.com/farmall100a FARMALL 100A PRO SERIES TRACTORS
12 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | July/August 2024 New research from the University of Alberta (U of A) is expanding the genetic diversity of canola, one of Canada’s most important cash crops. By sifting through the genes of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale, Dr. Habibur Rahman, a professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences at U of A, and his team plan to pinpoint the best ones for breeding new lines of canola to produce hybrid cultivars with higher seed yield. “This work is taking us to the next level of improved genetic diversity that will make hybrid canola stronger,” says Rahman. Production of the oilseed crop contributes $29.9 billion per year to the Canadian economy and is an important global export, totalling $14.4 billion a year. Mainly grown in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, Canadian farmers harvest about 20 million tonnes of canola annually, with hybrid cultivars accounting for more than 95 per cent of the crop grown in Canada. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale are varieties of a species known as Brassica oleracea. Determining which genes among them spur higher seed yield will help scientists fortify that crucial trait in hybrid canola. Rahman says that the food-grade oil crushed from canola seeds is the crop’s most valuable product. “Since oil is extracted from harvested seeds,” he explains, “if you harvest more seed, you will get more oil.” The in-depth work builds on Rahman’s past research developing hundreds of canola lines. Supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Discovery Grants program, the experiments proved Rahman’s hypothesis that Brassica oleracea carries favourable genes for early flowering and for high oil content, traits that are also vital to successful canola cultivars. His work also proved that Brassica oleracea carries favourable genes for seed yield in canola lines and hybrids, but it is still unknown which specific genes influenced this positive trait. Working with Bayer CropScience, a research and funding partner on the new project, Rahman and his team will develop new canola lines to create hundreds of hybrids. They’ll then test them all in field trials across the Prairies for seed yield, as well as other traits such as days to flowering and maturity, disease resistance, and oil content. Paired with other genetic and statistical analysis included in the scope of the project, the research will identify the genes or chromosome regions of Brassica oleracea contributing to high seed yield in canola. “The findings can be used to increase the efficiency of breeding new hybrids,” Rahman says. “The resulting canola lines are expected to carry fewer undesirable traits such as late flowering that come with Brassica oleracea vegetables and will produce better hybrids. “By continuous breeding, we’re trying to maintain the good genes in the new lines for higher yield and other positive traits. “Once it’s developed and proven effective, the improved genetic material and the knowledge from the research will support the long-term work of Bayer CropScience and other breeders to produce new commercial hybrids. “It takes many years to develop superior hybrid canola cultivars, but the genetic research we are doing is important to maintaining the profitability of this crop at the farm level.” The U of A’s research partnership with Bayer CropScience on the project is also supported through a NSERC Alliance Advantage grant. BF Researchers are trying to maintain good genes in new lines for higher yields with continuous breeding. primestockphotograpy - stock.adobe.com photo Research CANOLA RESEARCH LOOKS FOR NEW GENES ‘It takes many years to develop superior hybrid canola cultivars.’ By Bev Betkowski, University of Alberta
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14 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | July/August 2024 ‘PEOPLE ASSUME DRONES ARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT THE OLDER GENERATION TENDS TO DRIVE ADOPTION.’ DRONES: HOW CAN THEY MAKE FARMING EASIER? By EMILY CROFT Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have been creating a lot of buzz in agriculture for over a decade now. Most drones were initially purchased for entertainment, but their uses have evolved. How can UAVs be used to make farming easier across the Prairies? Scouting, mapping, and application of seed and fertilizer can all be performed by drones. They also have spraying capabilities – the source of much of the drone excitement — but spraying pesticides remains illegal in Canada. To make the most of potential financial, time, and labour savings, it’s important to have a strategy for managing data and using drones as a tool. “When drones first became a consumer item and farmers started buying them off the shelf – it was typically the first workhorse imaging drone that farmers were using – they were saying ‘Oh my goodness, I can see my fields from above,” recalls Tom Wolf, professional agrologist and sprayer technology specialist with Sprayers 101. “The farmers with drones don’t really fly them anymore because they don’t know what to do with the info. How do you analyze the data? How do you use it to change the way you farm? What tools do you have to work with? That’s the sticking point.” Dr. Steve Shirtliffe, professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at University of Saskatchewan, agrees that if producers want more than images, they need to manage information. “You have to have a workflow figured out,” says Shirtliffe. “Photos don’t do much good. There’s nothing wrong with them and they can provide producers with a lot of entertainment – but to use them for scouting and mapping they have to have a plan for analyzing data and turning that into actionable information.” Putting drones to use in a meaningful manner requires thought and planning, but producers have already been using them to increase their efficiency and reduce labour across Western Canada. Scouting and mapping Scouting and aerial photography are some of the longest-standing uses of drones in agriculture. “Scouting is what brought us into the drone world,” says Markus Weber, DRONES: A NEW PERSPECTIVE Ruslan Ivantsov - stock.adobe.com
15 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | July/August 2024 president of LandView Drones in Alberta. “Scouting is what most people think of when they think of drones in agriculture. A camera or sensor is flown above the land, and the farmer or rancher sees what the drone sees. It can be reading an ear tag on an animal or finding animals on pasture. For crops, it can be figuring out the weed profile. “Those functions are the easiest for people to grasp. They don’t require data but give access to hard-to-access areas and speed up processes.” Weber says that an estimated 40 per cent of farms own drones, with most producers using them recreationally or for scouting. Shirtliffe’s lab at USask has been working on using drones to monitor crops. This takes drone use one step further, creating data to manage fields more precisely. “Our one study is a proof-of-concept project using UAVs as a tool to help assess emergence of canola,” says Shirtliffe. “This is a common task that an agronomist would have to do. Canola can emerge unevenly, and fields are large and can be wet, so the agronomist maybe can’t access it all. For the study, we wanted to work out a methodology to figure out how to do that with drones.” Shirtliffe’s team collaborated with a group from the Department of Computer Science and used commercially available software to take high-resolution images of various areas of the field, similar to an agronomist using quadrats. They then worked with computer scientists to create a program to count canola plants and distinguish them from weeds to calculate total ground cover and canola emergence. “Because it was proof of concept, the program is not commercially available yet. We are hoping to develop something we can release, but we have shown it’s a viable option,” says Shirtliffe. “It shows that drones can be a tool to help crop scouting. It’s never going to replace boots on the ground, but it can help farmers cover more land.” With similar technology, drones can be used for mapping fields. Shirtliffe’s lab is also working on using drones for mapping kochia in fields. “Our current research project is mapping kochia in crops to determine optimal timing and site-specific weed control. Kochia is resistant to a lot and can be expensive to manage, so this mapping could save farmers a lot of money.” Weber adds that mapping farms requires additional software. “Mapping becomes possible when a drone manufacturer allows for software to be written to automate the flight of the drone. The user outlines the quarter section they want flown, tells it the desired altitude, and hits start. The drone collects the data, and the software is available for analytics,” says Weber. He says that drones can map elevation, assess crop health, and quantify damage to the crop. The data from maps can be used to create plans for variable rate application of inputs. Seeding In recent years, the development of higher capacity drones has led to UAVs capable of crop input application, including seeding. “Most of the seeding I’ve seen has been not of primary crop, but cover crops or adding legumes into pasture,” says Weber, noting that producers should remember the germination implications of broadcasting seed. “Ultimately seed to soil contact is very important for germination, so if you can harrow in seeds or seed with a planter, you’ll get better germination than broadcast seeding, but drone application does work incredibly well within a standing crop.” Weber explains that drone technology has been rapidly improving for this purpose. “The equipment has really matured. Producers just need to do a calibration of the spin spreader, which is automated by software, and need to confirm the spread pattern. There’s a little bit of learning, but it’s not any different than calibrating spin spreaders for ground equipment.” Many livestock farmers are using drones to improve their pastures and extend their grazing seasons. “Some people will do upwards of 10,000 acres to improve forage quality and quantity,” says Weber. “There’s also a lot of funding for these projects to go along with the climate change element.” Weber specifies that these grants and programs would typically be available for seeding, rather than buying a drone. The increased capabilities of these drones, along with greater size required to carry seed, means that these drones can have a higher price tag than drones for mapping or scouting. Weber says that generally, a drone for scouting could be acquired for $5,000, a mapping drone may cost between FCC ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING Join us for a review of our 2023-24 financial results, highlighting the achievements of the past year and looking forward to the opportunities ahead. Wednesday, August 21, 2024 2 p.m. Eastern REGISTER AT fcc.ca/AnnualPublicMeeting DRONES: A NEW PERSPECTIVE
16 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | July/August 2024 DRONES: A NEW PERSPECTIVE $5,000 and $20,000, and drones with application capabilities cost around $40,000. As this investment may not be reasonable for the purposes of seeding cover crops and pasture on a single farm, there are companies that offer custom drone seeding services. Spraying Spraying and application by drone is the source of much of the UAV excitement in agriculture. Currently, no products covered under the Pest Control Products Act are approved for application by drone in Canada. Farmers are eager for regulations to catch up, recognizing the potential labour and cost savings of spraying with UAV technology. “The hardware is more affordable than a ground sprayer,” says Weber. “If producers spend $40,000 for the drone, plus $20,000 for a trailer and tank to go with it, that’s a total investment of $60,000 for a farm of around 2,000 acres. A ground sprayer would be way more.” Wolf says that increasing input costs might increase interest in drones. “A lot of things have to fall into place for these technologies to be really usable. What we were waiting for was agronomic reasons,” says Wolf. “When spot-spray technology started, Round Up was $30 per acre and then it plummeted to five dollars. Why would you spot-spray something so cheap? I think herbicide resistance is an issue that’s changing all that. “The ability to kill weeds with a tank mix is gone and now that’s making herbicide expensive. Now spot- spraying makes sense. If a spray drone costs $35,000 – that’s affordable to work with. I can spot-spray my low spots or I can go back to the field where rain came before I finished spraying. That’s what people are thinking right now, and drones do make sense for that.” Weber says there are also convenience factors that interest farmers. “You can get spraying at times when you could not be spraying with a ground sprayer,” says Weber. “In regions with a lot of rain, drone spraying doesn’t require soil contact and you don’t need to wait for the ground to dry. “You are also not trampling crop when applying a desiccant, fungicide, or insecticide. Usually, two to three per cent of a field will be trampled by sprayer tracks.” He has seen the most interest in drone spraying from the older generations of farmers. “I’ve noticed the older farmers tend to see more value in drones. People assume drones are for young people, but the older generation tends to drive adoption. “Keeping costs down is a big motivation for drone use. They are a lowcost investment and that’s why older farmers see the value in them.” Regulations and barriers While many producers are currently realizing the benefits of drones, there are still regulations and barriers that limit their utility. Transport Canada has three size categories for drones. The smallest size, less than 250 g, does not require a special licence. These may have cameras that can be used recreationally or for scouting. The next size category is 250 g to 25 kg. Drones in this category require a basic licence, which can be obtained from a self-taught course and online testing. Drones greater than 25 kg, which includes most spray drones, require an Ava Moller, a precision agriculture intern for LandView Drones from Lakeland College, flies a Matrice 350 drone. Bianca Weber photo
17 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | July/August 2024 advanced licence, which can be significantly more difficult to obtain. The farmer will be assessed in person, and they will be assigned a mission to fly with their drone. Wolf explains that drone operators also need to be aware of airspace regulations. “Most airspace below 400 feet is uncontrolled, which means you don’t have to talk to a tower. If you go higher than 400 feet or close to airports, it’s controlled airspace,” says Wolf. “I’m within three kilometres of an airport and have a nearby hospital with a landing pad, so I need a special flight operations certificate from Transport Canada.” These certificates require information about your experience, drone details, and when and where you want to spray. This is necessary to protect aircraft and bystanders. While many farmers are eager to try drone spraying, barriers remain due to a need for more research and slow action by pesticide companies to validate their products for drone use. “There are concerns. We don’t know how they drift, how well they work, or if bystander and operator exposure is an issue, and we don’t know what it means for maximum residual in crops with lower water volumes being used in drones,” says Wolf. Wolf explains that registrants need to generate this information for each of their products for the pesticides to become approved for use with drones. “They have to petition to register their products for drone use. They have to say what data is needed and then the registrant has to generate that data, and it’s expensive and takes time,” says Wolf. “They are likely asking, ‘What’s in it for us? Do we sell more product, or do we get more headaches and liability with drift or performance if products are registered for drones?’ They are pretty serious about whether they should do this or not.” While there already are farmers illegally spraying with drones, Wolf has concerns about public perception and trade implications if too many people stretch the rules. Weber says that Prairie producers can learn to use their drones as a tool rather than a toy at LandView Drones’ Ag Drone School. The school teaches farmers how to legally fly their drones and utilize them more effectively and safely. While producers wait for regulations to catch up to their enthusiasm for spraying, using them for scouting, mapping, and seeding can make farming easier by increasing accessibility and flexibility for managing crops and livestock. BF 23_001099_Jars_Bulk6Grid_HalfHoriz_US Mod: January 5, 2024 10:49 AM Print: 05/03/24 page 1 v2.5 UTILITY JUGS PLASTIC PAILS F-STYLE JUGS MILK JUGS WIDE-MOUTH JARS BULK PACKS IN STOCK, READY TO SHIP π ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING 1-800-295-5510 uline.ca EMILY CROFT Emily lives on a beef farm, raising Red Angus and Simmental cattle. She holds a Master of Science in Animal Biosciences, with a focus on ruminant nutrition. DRONES: A NEW PERSPECTIVE
FARMER PROFILE: ALBERT MUTCHER ‘YOU HAVE TO HANG TOUGH & STAY WITH IT.’ ALBERT MUTCHER: 73 YEARS IN AGRICULTURE By EMILY CROFT | Photos by MALLOREY BERGEN Mallorey Bergen photo
19 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | July/August 2024 FARMER PROFILE: ALBERT MUTCHER Albert Mutcher has been farming in Stephenfield, Man. since he was 18 years old. After 73 years, he is still managing his cattle herd on his own and hopes to pass on his passion to his great-grandchildren. “I was born and raised on the farm, and I just fell into livestock farming. I worked at home until I was 18 and then I got out on my own and got started on my farm with eight head of cattle,” says Albert. “When I bought my first cattle, at that time I paid 26 cents a pound and I sold them in the spring for 32 cents a pound. At that time, that was a pretty good markup.” At one point in time, Albert built his herd up to 300 head of cattle, and he farmed 2,500 acres of grain. Now he is downsizing his herd and has rented out his crop acres. “There were lots of years that I probably didn’t make too much money, but I can’t say I ever lost money on livestock,” says Albert. He says that farming has changed drastically over the past 73 years. “It’s been a very big change. It’s gone from farming half-sections to thousands of acres,” he explains. “That makes it pretty tough for cattlemen, as it’s hard to compete with crop people. Land is worth so much that the only real chance a livestock man has anymore is if it isn’t real cattle country and can’t be harvested or cropped. That’s how it is in the area that I have my livestock. “You have to make real good use of the land if you’re going to make it pay.” Sharing his passion for agriculture with his community has been a priority. Albert has been a part of his local fair board for 55 years and started his local livestock committee 65 years ago. He has also been involved in 4H, judging many cattle shows over his years in the industry. “He is very well-known and respected in the cattle industry,” states Albert’s granddaughter Karla Last. “He was a long-time fair board member, 4-H member, and now a sought-after judge.” Albert also aims to share this passion with the younger generations of his family. He has two granddaughters, a grandson, four great-grandsons, two great-granddaughters, and another on the way. “My grandchildren are all interested in livestock,” says Albert. “When they were six years old, I gave them all one cow and that got them started. Of course, Grandpa had to look after them, but they sure knew their cow even when they were six or seven years old. They could pick them out as quick as I could. “They had a calf every year and when it sold, I told them they had to put the money in a trust, and they couldn’t touch it until they turned 18. They had a pretty nice little trust fund when they were 18 and they were all pretty happy with that.” Albert plans to do the same for his great-grandchildren. “They really seem interested in livestock. They like to see Grandpa’s cows. They come and visit quite a bit. I’m hoping some will be cattlemen when they grow up.” After 73 years in agriculture, Albert has some advice for new farmers, which may someday include his great-grandchildren. “It’s pretty tough for young farmers. There are going to be some bumps in the road. You just have to hang tough and stay with it,” says Albert. “I’ve had quite a few bumps in my time farming. During the second year I farmed on my own, we had some big storms and I got hailed out. I thought that was the end, but I had a banker who had lots of faith in me, and we carried on from there. It worked for me. It’s not easy but I really enjoy it – or I wouldn’t be doing it right now. “There’s a saying – ‘If you don’t like your job, you shouldn’t be there.’” Albert is proud of his career as a livestock farmer. Now 91 years old, he is winding down to a more manageable size. But he still believes that cattle play a key role in his province. “I think livestock farmers are pretty important in our economy. We produce a lot of beef here in Manitoba and I think a lot of people don’t realize how valuable we are in the economy. Livestock is a pretty big industry.” BF More photos on next page. Albert and his granddaughters, Taylor and Karla. Mallorey Bergen photo
20 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | July/August 2024 FARMER PROFILE: ALBERT MUTCHER Albert with Reid, Leah, and Barrett. Albert’s great-grandchildren love livestock. “There are going to be some bumps in the road. You just have to hang tough and get through it,” says Mutcher. Albert with some of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Front row, from left, Tucker Last, Barrett Nicolajsen, Reid Nicolajsen, and Leah Nicolajsen. Back row, Karla Last, Taylor Nicolajsen, Colin Nicolajsen, and Albert.
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22 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | July/August 2024 Jodie Aldred photo Update on Pulses For decades now, the benefits of pulses have been touted by commodity groups and media. We’re told pulses are good for farmers, consumers, and that demand potential is barely tapped. One group, Alberta Pulse Growers, has long sought to achieve its vision of “pulses on every farm, on every plate.” But the sector remains a long way from reaching that goal. Are pulses, in fact, a niche in Canadian agriculture? And can they ever be more than that? Acreage and production Commenting on the growth of pulse acres in Western Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada spokesperson Bronwyn Goodman points out that seeded area of pulses rose about two million acres in 20 years. That’s true: Statistics Canada in spring 2024 forecast pulse acres to reach 7.7 million this year, up from about 5.5 million in 2004. “This is mostly due to an increase in lentil seeded area in Western Canada, particularly in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta,” Goodman says. Almost 90 per cent of Canada’s lentils are grown in Saskatchewan, where seeded area rose from 1.8 million acres in 2004 to Statistics Canada’s spring estimate of almost 3.4 million in 2024. However, lentil acres during the decade between 2014 and 2024 were higher than StatCan’s new crop estimate seven times. And Saskatchewan’s lentil acreage peaked in 2016 at 5.1 million. In Alberta, lentil seeded area rose dramatically in 20 years, from 18,000 acres in 2004 to StatCan’s predicted 451,000 in 2024. But the latter is actually a 3.7 per cent decrease from 2023. Further, the 2024 estimate has also been bested in 2016, 2017, and 2022. “While acres can fluctuate year to year, pulses remain a key component in many farmers’ crop rotations,” says Pulse Canada’s Jeff English. Pulse Canada is the national association representing growers, traders, and processors of Canadian pulse crops, namely, peas, lentils, beans, and ‘IT ALWAYS SEEMS LIKE A BIT OF A CATCH-22.’ PULSE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: AN UPDATE By RICHARD KAMCHEN Tracy Miller photo
23 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | July/August 2024 chickpeas. English points out that Canadian pulse production has roughly doubled in the last 20 years. StatCan shows 2003 production at 2.8 million tonnes vs. 4.8 million in 2023. More recent figures are even less flattering. Dry peas alone reached 4.8 million tonnes in 2016, a record year. That same year, lentil production also hit all-time highs at 3.2 million tonnes. Meanwhile, production of beans (all dry, white and coloured) peaked in 2020 at 489,500 tonnes. The only other time output cracked 400,000 was in 2002. Chickpea production topped out back in 2001 when it hit 455,000 tonnes. It has not hit those highs again, and eclipsed 300,000 only once since, back in 2018. Export demand Pulses that Canadian farmers produce in a given year are mostly shipped abroad. Canada is the world’s largest exporter of pulses, with roughly 85 per cent of its production exported. But that comes with some challenges. “There is more geopolitical risk for pulses than other crops, given our reliance on exports versus domestic demand,” explains Brian Voth, president of IntelliFARM. English, however, sees new use market opportunities arising. He cites a report from U.K. market intelligence firm Mintel, which highlights greater interest from Indian consumers for dairy alternative products, which represents the packaged food category that accounts for the largest volume use of pea protein. India, however, is a sore spot for Canada’s pulse sector. Once representing over 40 per cent of Canadian yellow pea and red lentil exports in 2016, India stopped being a reliable go-to market following tariffs and other restrictions in 2017 and 2018. It would take almost six years before Canada shipped peas to India tariff-free. Voth says that India dropping its tariff earlier this year was an unexpected boost to demand. “But, as of right now, that does not go into new crop, so that is up in the air again,” he says. Currently, Canada’s top markets for its peas are China, Bangladesh, and the U.S. But Canada faces stiff competition from Australia, which has a huge logistical advantage into the Asian and Indian markets, Voth says. Besides Australia, Canada also faces greater competition in global export markets from Russia and Kazakhstan, notes LeftField Commodity Research’s Jonathon Driedger. “So, while global consumption may see steady increases, the extent to which Canada’s potential exports may also increase might not happen in a FILTRATION YOU CAN TRUST. WIX® heavy-duty filters are built to withstand the rigorous demands of the ag industry. By extending service intervals and reducing downtime, the right filters can increase your production and yield. WIX filters are tested and trusted—even in the harshest conditions. WIX-003083-04_2024 Trade Media HD_Agriculture_V4.indd 1 4/10/24 3:33 PM Update on Pulses
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