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4 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | March 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 STACY BERRY RICHARD KAMCHEN Parkland County, Alta. Winnipeg, Man. RON SETTLER ERICA YASKOWICH Lucky Lake, Sask. Kindersley, Sask. NATIONAL CONTRIBUTORS MOE AGOSTINO ABHINESH GOPAL DIEGO FLAMMINI STEPHANIE ROGERS 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: April 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: Jesse Williams photo, wikoski/iStock/Getty Images Plus 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 “When planning the next crop, producers should keep in mind recropping restrictions and herbicide carry-over from previous years. Crop rotation is important and beneficial in many areas, including rotating herbicide groups.” - Erica Yaskowich, Page 42 “We have a full-time farm and two full-time jobs and two kids. We are pretty much working on the farm all the time. We don’t have any wild passions outside of ag. Once you are involved in ag, all your passions seem to evolve around ag.” - Jesse Williams, Page 34 “Rumour has it that when the seat belt light technology was first introduced, an irate driver was tired of looking at it and smashed out the light with her high-heeled shoe.” - Ron Settler, Page 48 “When the funds are as short as they are, that’s when markets can quickly turn around with a short covering rally and climb higher.” - Moe Agostino, Page 52 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR NEW PULSE PLANT; SCLEROTINIA WATCH Louis Dreyfus Company’s recent announcement of a new pea protein isolate production plant at its existing site in Yorkton, MLA Jeremy Harrison said it takes the province “one step closer to achieving our goal of processing 50 per cent of the pulse crops produced in Saskatchewan.” Indeed, this is good news for pulse growers across the province. “Be on the lookout for sclerotinia as it can survive over winter at the soil surface and in stubble.” That advice comes from Quinton Cubbon, crops extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. While recent data shows that Sclerotinia Stem Rot was less severe last year than in 2022, many canola growers will still have to contend with the white mould in the months to come. Cubbon reported that in 2023 there were “hot spots scattered around Meadow Lake, Prince Albert, Yorkton and in a couple small areas in Rural Municipality 253 and 162. “The reason for these hot spots is linked with wetter conditions and spotty rains.” The North Battleford-based agrologist noted that “it is important to identify apothecia (small mushroom-like structures that create the ascospores that germinate on petals) before determining whether a fungicide should be applied.” Cubbon’s full report can be found on Saskatchewan.ca. The world has seen dramatic farmer protests in the past few months. In France, buildings were torched and farm tractors shut down major highways. German farmers dumped manure on the streets of Berlin over subsidies for diesel in farm vehicles. Similar protests have been staged in Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and other countries, many with attribution to measures to address climate devastation, and some farmers feeling they are being asked to do or pay more than their fair share. That’s an oversimplification. But the issues are complex, and the conflicts have been intense.
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8 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | March 2024 Research A RENAISSANCE IN SOIL MAPPING New technology will measure soil properties at a lower cost with less time commitment. By Stephanie Rogers Dr. Brandon Heung likes thinking about soil. “I certainly liked digging holes and things like that as a kid, but I guess a lot of my interest in soil is that it is the interface of many of our vital earth systems,” he says. “Soils are the centre of my universe. The better our soil functions, the better everything works because soil security is related to water security, food security, energy security, ecosystem services; soil is everything, when you think about it.” Heung’s work falls under the umbrella of soil mapping and understanding its spatial and temporal variability – how it changes over space and time. “As far as I know, I’m the first PhD student that did predictive soil mapping focusing on machine learning in Canada.” Soil mapping is just as it sounds. It’s an actual map that shows the various types of soil properties that are of interest to various stakeholders. But Heung takes things one step further. “I do work related to modeling soil status, so, ‘what is the state of our soil right now?’ Looking at techniques to monitor soil change and how well the soil functions based off soil properties,” he explains. He then transforms that data into knowledge that will help a farmer or a forester or even a higher-level policymaker in terms of defining their carbon policy and climate change mitigation strategies. Indicators of soil health Understanding soil health over space and time and determining threats to soil health are important predictors of the long-term viability of our soils. Erosion is a major concern. Heung Dr. Brandon Heung, now an associate professor, was the first PhD student to work with predictive soil mapping focusing on machine learning in Canada. Brandon Heung photo … the top producers across the Prairies for just PENNIES per adult reader! Paul.Nolan@Farms.com ADVERTISERS REACH ...
9 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | March 2024 maps and models soil erosion and redistribution over the landscape. Another big concern is the decline in soil organic matter, especially in Eastern Canada. Heung looks at the spatial patterns in those declines and the hot spots of decline. This then provides a tool for policymakers to prioritize their actions or mitigation strategies. “If we are able to map things like the sequestration potential of soil, for example, and if they are the right mitigation strategies, there may be ways to put more carbon back into the soil using best management practices,” he explains. Heung also works in forestry and forest productivity, in particular, modelling growth and yield in forests. “So where should we plant trees to maximize carbon sequestration? “Some of the work that I’m doing in British Columbia is called predictive ecosystem modelling.” What he and his team are doing is trying to model the types of ecosystems, which effectively will help develop their forest resource inventories, predicting how trees will grow in the future and where to plant trees to optimize their potential. Heung and a group of Dalhousie University researchers recently received funding from the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust to undertake research on Nova Scotia’s forests over the next five years. “We’re trying to understand carbon dynamics within the forest and are looking at how much carbon we can sequester into the soil,” he says. “I like trying to understand the relationship between the environment and soil.” He is also co-chair of a national network of soil scientists or soil mappers known as the Canadian Digital Soil Mapping Working Group – a subsidiary of the Canadian Society of Soil Science – whose efforts are directed at coordinating national soil mapping efforts. Heung believes soil spectroscopy is the next big thing and will be a priority area for sustainable soil management at a national level. New technology will enable the measurement of soil properties in a more cost-effective and time-efficient way. Soil spectroscopy examines the electromagnetic characteristics of soils to predict soil properties. “Ultimately our soil is a source of greenhouse gases, but at the same time, it’s also the ultimate nature-based solution towards climate change mitigation,” explains Heung. “Because the soil constitutes the largest terrestrial pool of carbon, I think there’s a lot of opportunity.” The needle is shifting Soil function and how soil management can sustain this function is the focus of the Centre for Sustainable Soil Management recently established on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, of which Heung is an integral part. The centre builds on the extensive experience of a team of faculty members who are skilled in research and teaching about soils in agricultural, forestry and urban environments. The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry is currently completing a study on the status of soil health in Canada. “For me, the most important part of soil mapping and carrying out this national-level work is having a team of similar-minded folks who value the importance of collaboration and teamwork,” he says. “We’re working very closely with colleagues at the University of Guelph who are experts in spectroscopy and also soil organic matter characterization, soil chemistry and that kind of thing.” This helps to provide the analytical capacity – a very valuable piece of the puzzle. “It’s about how everything fits together, which is what I’m interested in – just like a map.” BF Stephanie Rogers is manager of communications, Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University. Research An annual grassy weed, wild oats can germinate over a wide range of temperatures (5-30°C) resulting in early spring emergence and flushes throughout the growing season. What to look for • Seedlings have a counter-clockwise leaf twist and no auricle. The leaves have hairs on the margins and a membranous ligule. • In the mature plant, the stems are smooth, erect, and grow up to 150 cm (4 ft.) tall. The leaves are much like tame oats. Count the cost • Yield loss will depend on the number of wild oats per square metre and the stage of the wild oats and the crop. • Left unchecked, 10 wild oat plants per square metre (sq. yd.) can reduce wheat, barley and canola yields by 10% and flax yields by 20%. When to scout • The best time to scout for patches is after application of herbicide when the remaining weed patches have headed and are visible above the crop or after the field has been sprayed with a wild oat herbicide application and appears clean (except for resistant patches). How to control • Timing the crop emergence relative to wild oats is critical in reducing yield loss caused by the weed. • Apply a pre-seed burnoff close to seeding or crop emergence. • Wild oats resistant to Group 1 and 2 herbicides leave growers with limited options so it is important to have an effective herbicide rotation plan in place. WILD OATS Sources: https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/weeds/wild-oats.html https://manageresistancenow.ca/weeds/managing-herbicide-resistant-wild-oats/ Always read and follow label instructions. Member of CropLife Canada. FMC and the FMC logo are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2024 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 8190 - 01/24 8190 Weed of the Month Series_Wild Oats.indd 1 2024-02-05 11:58 AM 2024-02-05 11:58 AM
10 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | March 2024 Beyond the Barn PRODUCERS ARE LESS RETICENT ON MENTAL HEALTH When Premier Wab Kinew and ag minister Ron Kostyshyn recently announced $450,000 in funding for the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program, it came at a time when producers are often being less hesitant to talk about their mental health. “I really think the stigma around mental health in agriculture is lessening, and more people within ag are open to the idea of talking about this subject,” said MFWP CAO Gerry Friesen. “That’s awesome because talking about mental health is the first step to getting support. I started talking about my mental health journey about 13 years ago and I’m still on this journey.” The support will come over three years, from the provincial and federal governments through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. It’s “important to have specialized mental health resources available specifically for producers and their families, and why we are proud to partner with the federal government on this key initiative,” the premier said at the announcement Ag Days in Brandon. The MFWP appreciates the support. This funding will allow the organization to expand its footprint in the community, said Friesen, who is also a founding member. “On Jan. 1 of this year we expanded our programming to providing counselling sessions to farm employees,” he told Better Farming. “Now we can look at bigger and better things because we know there’s a large ag community out there who require support. “We need every farmer, family and employees to know we’re here for them in Manitoba.” MFWP launched in March 2022. It provides six free counselling sessions with farm-focused counsellors. Since then, the number of farmers accessing support has increased each year. BF - Diego Flammini When SaskCanola and SaskFlax recently announced their amalgamation, part of the stated reasoning was the ongoing need of oilseed producers for alternatives to heavy canola rotations – and flax has synergies in terms of oilseed marketing and crop rotation. The two organizations will officially join together in August 2024 after successful votes at their annual general meetings. Growers voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of joining forces. “The collaborative efforts are expected to streamline operations, enhance research initiatives, and provide a more cohesive voice for oilseed growers in the province,” Tracy Broughton, executive director of SaskFlax and SaskCanola, said in a statement. “Both commissions will now work with Agri-Food Council to amend regulations as the amalgamation will officially commence at the start of the next crop year on Aug. 1, 2024.” The independent council supervises and monitors ag agencies in the province. Boards and staff from each organization will remain in place until the consolidation takes effect, with Keith Fournier as chair and Dean Roberts as vice-chair of SaskCanola and Greg Sundquist as chair and Patricia Lung as vice-chair of SaskFlax. After the organizations are joined, one single board and staff will be installed to operate the new organization. SaskCanola and SaskFlax started the amalgamation process in January 2023 with a management collaboration that saw them operate out of one office in Saskatoon to increase efficiency. Between July and November 2023, the organizations encouraged producers to participate in an online consultation related to possible amalgamation. An October 2023 update on the consultations revealed the synergies offered by flax in crop rotation and oilseed marketing. Other expectations: Overhead costs reduced by amalgamating would allow more levy dollars to flow directly into research and market development, Policy issues are often the same for all grain farmers, therefore a merger would provide greater efficiencies in advocacy efforts. SaskFlax represents 3,000 producers and SaskCanola represents 17,000 growers across the province of Saskatchewan. BF REMEDY FOR HEAVY CROP ROTATIONS pictureguy32 - stock.adobe.com
Always read and follow label instructions. Member of CropLife Canada. FMC, the FMC logo and Focus are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2023 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 5343 - 11/23 FEEL THE POWER OF GETTING CASH BACK. Growing lentils and growing wheat couldn’t be more different. Still, both benefit hugely from a clean start in the spring. Whether you grow lentils, wheat or both, insist on Focus® herbicide. Applied with glyphosate, Focus® herbicide provides everything you could ask for – burnoff and extended control on key grassy and broadleaf weeds. You’ll like the feeling of confidence that comes from giving your lentils and wheat exactly what they need. With modes of action from both Group 14 and 15, Focus® herbicide also provides excellent resistance management. Focus® herbicide from FMC Canada: Lentils. Wheat. Burnoff. Extended. Done. FEEL THE POWER IN LENTILS AND WHEAT LENTILS | WHEAT | FIELD PEAS | SUNFLOWERS | SOYBEANS
12 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | March 2024 Beyond the Barn FORMER USASK RESEARCHER JOINS AG HALL OF FAME A forage breeder with more than 40 years of experience is joining the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame. Bruce Coulman, whose time in agriculture includes his role as the head of the Plant Sciences department at the University of Saskatchewan and as a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will be enshrined during a ceremony in Saskatoon next month with five other inductees. The inductees were revealed during the recent Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon. “I was quite surprised and very humbled,” Coulman told Better Farming. “I know a number of folks who have been inducted, so to be included among them is a great honour.” In his professional career, he developed 24 novel forage varieties in nine different species. In some cases, they were the first of their kind. A hybrid grass stands out as a key accomplishment, Coulman said. “Smooth bromegrass has been around a long time and is quite a good hay species, but it doesn’t regrow very well after first cut,” he said. “Meadow brome is a little different in that it doesn’t yield as much, but it regrows really well. We made crosses between these two types of bromegrasses to combine the characteristics of the grasses and that’s been very popular among beef producers.” Nothing replaces field-level trials, he said. “You’ve got to grow them in the field and evaluate them there because that’s where the farmers grow them,” he said. “It can take multiple years before you get a good handle on how the crop performs in different conditions. No matter how fast some things in crop breeding evolve, nothing will replace the benefit of being thorough.” BF - Diego Flammini After MPs recently returned to Ottawa for the winter session of Parliament, Better Farming connected with Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, for a preview of this session and where agriculture could fit in. Bill C-234, which provides carbon tax exemptions for propane and natural gas used to dry grain and heat barns, is coming back to the House of Commons. This after senators voted in December in favour of an amendment that shortens the sunset clause in the bill from eight years to three. And because a Conservative MP introduced Bill C-234, making it a private member’s bill, the government can decide when to bring it up for debate. “Given how committed the government seems to be to kill this bill, there doesn’t seem to be a path for it,” he said. “I would be surprised if the government brought it back.” Had a new senator been appointed earlier, the outcome may have been different. Mary Robinson, a former president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, received a Senate appointment on Jan. 22. “It’s great to see another person from the ag community get opportunities like this,” McCann said. “I think if her voice was in the Senate at the time of the vote, the outcome would’ve been very different. Another ag topic the government may have to answer for is suspended trade talks. Discussions between Canada and the U.K. have broken down, partly due to how much tariff-free access Britain should have to the Canadian cheese market. Also, Canada wants Britain to ease its rules on hormone-treated beef. In terms of the dairy portion of the negotiations, this could bring Bill C-282 back into the spotlight, McCann said. The bill would remove supply management from any future trade deals. It’s currently in its second reading in the Senate. The trade situation with Canada and the U.K. “will add fuel to the fire for those who don’t want to see C-282 passed because they are concerned about what it could mean for trade,” McCann said. BF - Diego Flammini Tracy Miller photo AG ISSUES WHICH MAY BE IN SPOTLIGHT
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14 Follow us on Twitter: @PrairieFarming Better Farming | March 2024 PESTICIDE SAFETY ‘READ THE LABEL. THAT’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PRODUCT.’ HANDLING PESTICIDES: DON’T FORGET ABOUT SAFETY. By EMILY CROFT Emily Croft photo
15 Follow us on Twitter: @PrairieFarming Better Farming | March 2024 PESTICIDE SAFETY As the 2024 growing season approaches, many producers are thinking about what is needed to make this year’s crop the most successful yet. This includes planning to manage weeds, insects, and fungus in the fields. Prairie growers should also remember to focus on safety when handling and spraying pesticides. “Safety when handling pesticides is always important,” says James Dyck, engineering specialist of Crop Systems and Environment at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “It needs to be the first thought. You are dealing with a chemical that is designed to control pests and weeds, and it is a hazardous material that needs to be treated with respect and caution.” Each pesticide is different, so farmers should be familiar with the safety protocols specific to the products they are using. While the greatest risk of exposure is for the operator of the sprayer, it’s also critical that operators communicate with those around them. What do farmers need to know to keep themselves safe while keeping their crops healthy? The risks Dean Anderson, a board member of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association who recently retired from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, says that being secretive while spraying is not safe. “The biggest thing is to make sure people around you know what’s going on. Don’t be secretive because you don’t want people to get sprayed,” says Anderson. Rob Forrest, regional sales manager, Prairies West for Nufarm, adds, “When you are spraying, you are in control of the product and should be familiar with it, but the people around you might not know what to do.” Anderson explains that while everyone in the area needs to be informed of what is being sprayed, the biggest risk is personal exposure for the operator. “Applicators need to be really cautious and read the label. If you have 2,000 acres to spray every year with the same herbicide, over 10 years and 20,000 acres you are getting more exposure compared to a worker in a barn who is milking cows,” says Anderson. Insecticides present the greatest risk as their target is an animal and the mode of action is more likely to impact humans. Herbicides, which target plants rather than animals, tend to present a lesser risk but there is a potential for latent issues resulting from long-term exposure. It is important that applicators follow instructions to avoid exposure every time the product is handled, not just when there is a perceived immediate risk. Exposure can occur a few different ways. “The most obvious are contact with the skin or eyes,” says Forrest. “You also have to worry about inhalation and absorption. The risk is not only getting splashed, but also the vapours and potential drift that comes off when handling those products. The No. 1 thing farmers should do is understand the product they are handling.” Spills also pose a risk to the surrounding environment. Preparation and training are the best way to avoid spills and minimize their impact when they do happen. Each product has a label that will describe the risks for the specific chemical and will explain how to minimize that risk. Read the label “Read the label. That’s everything you need to know about the product,” explains Anderson. The label should be included with every box or tote of product and is also available from the manufacturer. It will detail mixing and application instructions, as well as listing all safety precautions. The label will tell producers how the product should be transported and stored, what PPE they need, what to do in the case of a spill, and what to do if they are exposed. Producers should also review the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of each product to educate themselves about the potential hazards. “The label is the law,” says Dyck. “You need to follow the label, including handling, transport, and storage. If you don’t, technically you are not following law.” If a product is commonly used on the farm, Dyck suggests obtaining an additional copy of the label to be stored in a safe place in the farm office. If it is easily accessible and everyone knows where to find it, it can be reviewed quickly in the case of an accident or simply if the operator needs a reminder on the protocols. Anderson suggests that farmers keep a label in their pickup truck as well. “Often there’s a paper label on the side of the jug. Take one and put it in the truck so it’s not smeared in water and mud, and you can read it. And then if someone goes in the truck, they know what you’re spraying as well,” explains Anderson. He also suggests that producers review the label for products at least once annually, as they can change from year to year. Be prepared Preparation is the best way to avoid costly mistakes and reduce the risk of exposure or spills. Reading the label should always be the first step before handling products, but there are additional ways that sprayer operators can plan ahead. “Preparation is the best risk prevention in chemical handling,” says Forrest, who recommends that producers take their time when handling chemicals, review the label, and set out all necessary supplies in advance. “Always know what you’re handling, how to do it safely, who’s responsible for it, and who could be affected by your actions.” All farm staff should be trained in safe pesticide handling, and the relevant contact details and all safety equipment must be easy to access for
16 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | March 2024 PESTICIDE SAFETY anyone involved. “Farms with multiple staff should take time to remind each individual about safe handling of pesticides,” says Forrest. “Make a checklist with steps for safe handling and preparation of commonly used products so everyone is aware. Make sure the necessary phone numbers are easily accessible and known to everyone if a spill were to occur, and that staff know who should be called. Not only should the business owner know, but also the people who are out in the field doing it.” Dyck also recommends keeping a spill kit handy in pickup trucks and in the sprayer. “Farmers can carry a spill kit in their sprayer and pickup truck. You can buy pre-made kits or assemble one yourself. It should have a shovel or broom and dustpan, a hazardous waste bag, a warning sign, extra PPE, and absorbent material,” says Dyck. “Then if there were a spill, you would have everything you need to get started on clean-up.” Record-keeping is another good way for producers to be prepared when handling chemical. “Keep good notes. It doesn’t have to be in a computer database, but keep something that you can refer back to,” explains Anderson. “Record the temperature, daylight, dew, what you mixed, and the rate you sprayed it at. Know what you sprayed and write it down. It’s your best defence if something goes wrong.” Farmers should assess if the spill is small enough to contain itself if the worst does occur. If so, stop the source of the spill, ensure that people and animals are kept away from the area, and contain its spread with absorbent materials and barriers. If the spill is too big to handle, it’s important that operators know the numbers to contact for direction on how to clean up the spill and decontaminate the area. Here are the numbers to contact: Alberta: Environmental Response Line 1-800-222-6514 Saskatchewan: Spill Control Centre 1-800-667-7525 Manitoba: Environment, Climate and Parks Department 1-204-944-4888 PPE and staying clean Personal protective equipment (PPE) needs to be worn every time chemical is handled to reduce the risk of exposure. The product label should detail which specific PPE items are needed. “What you should wear and which safety gear you need – goggles, gloves, a respirator, or a Tyvek suit – should all be on the label,” says Anderson. Forrest adds, “At minimum, make sure to cover as much exposed skin as possible and cover your eyes.” Producers should always take time to put on goggles, which seal around the eyes, as opposed to glasses, and rubber gloves that will not absorb the Use any 'waste spray' you have left on the field before you finish up. Tracy Miller photo
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18 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | March 2024 chemical. Clothing should be a long sleeve shirt, but to avoid absorbing chemical, producers could also wear a repellent material like Tyvek. The PPE worn when handling chemical is also only beneficial if it’s clean and well cared for. “If you are wearing coveralls or spray clothes, keep them separate from household laundry. Run them through the wash twice and then run the washer without anything in it before washing anything else,” suggests Anderson. This will keep PPE clean without contaminating other clothes. Forrest adds that people are more willing to use PPE when it is clean. Once PPE has been cleaned, it should be stored somewhere clean, dry, and out of direct sunlight to avoid breakdown, Dyck says. It should be frequently checked over for faults or cracks, as damaged PPE will be less effective. Sprayer operators and anyone handling pesticides should always practise good hygiene. Hands, face, and any other exposed skin should be washed immediately after working with chemical. Storing pesticides and sprayers Proper sprayer maintenance reduces risks of spills and exposure to pesticides. When operators are finishing up spraying the field, they should assess if they have product left in the sprayer. “Generally, the best thing to do if you have a bit of waste spray is to speed up and spray the last bit on the field,” explains Anderson. “You might apply a little extra, but most pesticides have a safety factor of twice the application rate on a specific crop.” After the sprayer has been emptied, it should be cleaned as soon as possible to avoid any product drying in the machine, which could cause blockages or rust from corrosive chemicals. Improper cleaning can also lead to contamination when switching products and can damage crops. “Cleaning is dependent on the product being used,” says Forrest. “The best rule of thumb is to triple rinse the spray tanks and booms. Clean the filters and triple rinse them as well.” Dyck adds, “Some more modern sprayers have a continuous rinse system. They have a separate container on the sprayer with clean water and once you’ve drained the tank, you use the rinse to inject clean water into the sprayer tank and continue to spray on the field. It’ll dilute the residue and flush out the boom.” The sprayer should always be put away clean and should be frequently inspected to avoid leaky nozzles or hoses. Pesticide should also be stored appropriately. Storage instructions will be on the label, but as a general rule, jugs and totes of chemical should have their own storage area. “Storage is very important,” says Dyck. “Under the Pesticides Act, it is illegal to store pesticides under unsafe conditions. What constitutes unsafe conditions might be different depending on the chemical.” He says that they should be kept in a self-contained room dedicated to pesticides with proper ventilation and no floor drains. The door should be secured with a lock and have signs to warn about potential hazards. The room should also be accessible from outside. Farmers may want to store different products away from each other to avoid cross contamination. If precautions and labels are taken seriously, the risks associated with handling pesticide can be kept to a minimum. This growing season, make sure safety is a top priority when keeping fields clean. BF Toll free in SK: 1.877.645.7275 usedoilrecyclingsk.com By recycling used oil, filters, antifreeze, their plastic containers and DEF containers, you help keep Saskatchewan's water, land and air clean and safe. With 37 EcoCentres, nearly 100 drop-off points and over 30 registered collectors province-wide, we have one of the best recycling networks in the country, let's use it! Making every drop count Recovering. Recycling. Reusing PESTICIDE SAFETY 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.
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22 Follow us on Twitter: @PrairieFarming Better Farming | March 2024 BIOLOGICAL AMENDMENTS Biological amendments – or simply biologicals – are relatively new to the conventional row crop world and can be a great way for farmers to better utilize nutrition already present in their environment. However, most people who have been farming for a while “probably didn’t learn about biologicals in university or college, so the familiarity isn’t there to make (biologicals) top of mind in your regular crop plans,” says Brady Code, the Biologicals technical lead with Syngenta Canada. Gustavo Roelants, marketing lead for Biologicals with Syngenta Canda, explains, “biological products are derived from natural elements or inspired by natural processes to protect and promote plant growth. There are three main categories of biologicals: Biofertility, biocontrol, and biostimulants.” For this article, biofertility and biostimulants are the focus. “Biocontrol products are crafted from naturally occurring elements to help manage (pests),” says Roelants. They are used in conjunction with pesticides rather than soil nutrition. The main difference between biofertility and biostimulants is how they work. “Biofertility products address nutrient needs,” explains Roelants, while biostimulant products “stimulate a plant’s natural processes.” “Biofertility products colonize the rhizosphere and/or the plant itself and encourage growth by synthesizing growth-promoting compounds. Examples include beneficial microorganisms that can fix nitrogen from the air or solubilize phosphorus from the soil,” Roelants continues. Basically, “you can get nitrogen (and other nutrients) through fertilizers, or you can get them through bacteria,” says Manas Banerjee, the CEO of XiteBio Technologies in Winnipeg, Man. “The bacteria – the most common being Rhizobium – give nitrogen back to the crops through nodulation. They are able to pull nitrogen right from the air. It’s a symbiotic relationship between the bacteria and the plant.” The term for this process is nitrogen fixation, where the bacteria give the plant usable nitrogen in exchange for ‘room and board’ in the nodules formed on the plant roots. If you grow pulses, you’ve already heard of nodulation and nitrogen fixation. However, other crops like cereals and oilseeds don’t have this inherent nitrogen- fixing ability. In fact, these crops can have distinct microbiomes, which can impact the yields of the following crops planted in the field the next season. “Plants are fussy about nutrient forms. They will only take up nitrogen in nitrate or ammonium forms. They will only take up sulphur in sulphate BIOLOGICAL AMENDMENTS MIGHT BE JUST WHAT YOUR SOIL NEEDS WHEN BIOLOGY MEETS CHEMISTRY By STACY BERRY Brady Code Gustavo Roelants XiteBio photo
23 Follow us on Twitter: @PrairieFarming Better Farming | March 2024 forms,” says Banerjee. When a farmer adds phosphate to the soil, a rough estimate is “40 per cent (of the nutrients) are available, and the other 60 per cent is unavailable.” The specific ratios vary with different nutrients. When nutrient availability is considered, there are two parts to the explanation. One is the form, as has been mentioned, but the other is within the soil. Plant-available forms of nutrients are the ionic forms – like nitrate and sulphate. These ions have positive or negative charges. Positively charged ions, like ammonium (NH4+), will be drawn to the negatively-charged organic matter and soil particles. This “fixes” the nutrients to the soil, removing them from the soil solution and making them unavailable to the plant for uptake. Alternatively, other ions in the soil can have chemical reactions with the nutrient ions we need, and can precipitate out the nutrients, also making the nutrients unavailable to the plant. Fortunately, the bacteria present in the biological amendments “can unlock those bonds, so the plants can take them back,” says Banerjee. This is where biostimulants come into play. “Biostimulants contribute to overall plant health, improving nutrient use efficiency, crop quality, or the plant’s ability to cope with stress,” explains Roelants. Healthy soils have a variety of microbes, and the bacteria in biologicals is naturally derived. Agriculture is an essential industry; unfortunately, agricultural practices also interrupt many of the natural cycles that would occur without human influence. This can throw the biology of the soil and the system out of balance. “Chemistry can’t sell without the biology,” says Banerjee. “I would argue that biologicals might be farmer’s least expensive (soil nutrition) option. This is nature enhancing nature.” Banerjee is hopeful for the biologicals market within Canada. “There’s already a huge global market, I’m confident that Canada’s market will grow, too.” However, a big problem for the biologicals industry is “farmers going back to what they know will work, because the other answers aren’t there.” Banerjee is confident that those answers will come. “Our biology is getting nearly as precise as the chemistry.” Unfortunately, the history of biological amendments is a little bumpy. Chris Dumigan, the Biologicals field specialist with Syngenta, explains, “there is widespread skepticism surBIOLOGICAL AMENDMENTS Manas Banerjee Chris Dumigan
24 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | March 2024 rounding biologicals in Canada. Much of this likely comes from a number of products with grand claims, poor supporting evidence, and lack of knowledge around the product fit to deliver. “It is important to understand that most biologicals are not a one-sizefits-all all silver bullet, but rather, technology that has the potential to deliver great results in the field if it is used right. “This is why companies have invested into R&D about how to use their products with precise application information.” Banerjee concurs. “Don’t promise a magic wand or a 100 per cent success rate. Biologicals won’t solve everything, and Mother Nature can be treacherous. However, when our customers use our biologicals, they like it and they can trust it.” Companies are investing the resources to make products better, explains Code. “Syngenta is building out the agronomic understanding with the Canadian-led performance data growers expect from a company like ours. We can then offer a support team to provide agronomic recommendations and advice tailored to your operation.” The questions and uncertainty around biologicals is a little like the question of the chicken and the egg. “The more that farmers use biologicals,” says Banerjee, “the more companies will be interested in them. Then more smart people will study them, and the quality and consistency of the product will increase.” Code: “With things moving so fast in this space, we’re always trying to improve on the consistency of results with biologicals. We appreciate that growers play a large part in our ability to fine-tune best practices.” “Technology is now at a stage where we can begin to understand how biological products work, Code continues. “An example is Megafol … a solution containing (the same) compounds seaweed plants make to be able to survive in their harsh environment. We can test these compounds and see what plant genes are turned on or amplified. Then test (those compounds) on (crop) plants and see what effects they have, like improving recovery from drought, heat, cold or even hail. “There’s more science and understanding behind biologicals than ever before.” Companies selling biologicals also know that user-friendliness is crucial. “People won’t use a good product, just because it’s good,” explains Banerjee. “They’ll use it because it’s easy to use. No one is going to keep something frozen. No one wants to use crazy amounts of water or to buy a specialty piece of equipment just for one product. The product must fit into the farmer’s management system and into their budget.” Code agrees. “Because we know that growers aren’t looking to do another pass with just their biological in the tank, we are testing our biological portfolio the way you as a customer would use it – in the tank with a planned (crop input) application.” Farmers are often the best fieldlevel testers when it comes to product development. “Growers are often curious and ingenious experimenters on their farms,” says Code. Biological products generally come with a broad range of rates, and growers are relatively safe to experiment with applications, with no risk of resistance issues when they drop the rates. Banerjee has an ambitious goal. “I think every farmer should be using at least one biological. It would, of course, be nice if they used ours, but I hope they try any of the good products out there.” He hopes that farmers will “accept the technology – the more that farmers use it, the more the demand for quality and consistency will grow, and industry will respond. “More growers are thinking about climate change and the environment, and they are looking to reduce applications. Biological products can do that, while simultaneously getting better returns to the farmer.” BF BIOLOGICAL AMENDMENTS Wheat treated with the Megafol solution. Syngenta photo STACY BERRY Stacy is a certified crop advisor and professional agrologist who was born and raised on a farm in Alberta. She has a BSc in Crop Science from the University of Alberta.
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