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4 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | November/December 2024 INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE “In Saskatchewan, over the past 10 or so years, asphyxiation by grain entrapment has become the leading cause of non-machinery on-farm fatalities.” - Merle Massie, Page 16 “A 2022 survey of 167 farmers found that they had invested, on average, only $541 in cyber security since 2020.” - Steve Croucher, Page 21 “Central banks typically begin lowering interest rates to provide some stimulus when there are economic storm clouds on the horizon. This is certainly the case at the moment.” - Graeme Crosbie, Page 22 “The geopolitical landscape in this country is scary when everyone thinks we are trying to kill them with glyphosate and fertilizer. We obviously don’t wake up in the morning and say, ‘How much diesel can I burn today?’” - Sarah Leguee, Page 32 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR THANKS, READERS; YOUR CYBER SECURITY We’ve all come a long way in five years. And time does fly. As we celebrate the fifth anniversary of Better Farming – launched in November 2019 – I want to take a moment to thank all our loyal readers sincerely. Your involvement has been instrumental in our growth and success, and we’re deeply grateful for the time you have invested in every edition we’ve published. Your support goes beyond the articles we work so hard to bring you – we also appreciate your engagement with our advertising, which helps our advertisers grow their businesses and brands, and keeps this publication going strong. We especially want to acknowledge your valuable feedback over the years. We continue to evolve through your input, ensuring we provide relevant, insightful content that speaks directly to your operation’s needs. You’ve helped us stay connected with the challenges and triumphs of farming life, and we’re genuinely grateful for that. Thank you for being a part of this journey. We look forward to many more years of working together to inform, support, and celebrate the producers of the Prairie provinces – the best farmers in the world. In his feature on cyber security in this edition, farm journalist Geoff Geddes mentions two attacks that hit close to home. A ransomware attack a few years back targeted the meat processing company JBS and included its beef processing plant in Brooks, Alta. The attack saw a US$11 million ransom payment to the hackers and caused costly production disruptions for several days. Another recent victim of cybercrime was Saskatoon-based Federated Co-operatives Ltd. Earlier this year, FCL reported a cyberattack that disrupted both internal and customer-facing systems, impacted stock availability, and affected cardlock fuel stations. Note the recommendations in this article and protect yourselves and your farms from these despicable criminals. 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 JOURNALISTS MARY LOGGAN EMILY MCKINLAY PRAIRIE CONTRIBUTORS GEOFF GEDDES ADRIANE GOOD Edmonton, Alta. Moose Jaw, Sask. RON SETTLER Lucky Lake, Sask. NATIONAL CONTRIBUTORS MOE AGOSTINO ABHINESH GOPAL DIEGO FLAMMINI 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: January 2025. 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. Follow us on @PrairieFarming Cover: Vanessa Lanktree Photography photo, Mary Loggan photo
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6 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | November/December 2024 Beyond the Barn OLDS COLLEGE OFFERS INDOOR AG CERTIFICATE A new sustainability program will train more than 225 agronomists in soil-centric land management, potentially bringing conservation agriculture to over 500 Prairie farms by 2029. The first cohort of the Canadian Prairies Trusted Advisor Partnership (TAP) will launch in 2025 at Assiniboine College in Brandon, Man. The program follows the North Dakota TAP program, which started in 2022. The program aims to provide certified crop advisors (CCAs) with further education on sustainability practices, technical training, and soil health. In doing this, the goal is for CCAs to expand their reach to thousands of additional acres and provide farmers with more sustainable options for farm adaptability. In a recent release, Elizabeth Reaves, senior program director of Agriculture & Environment at Sustainable Food Lab, said that “crop advisors, farmers, and companies are excited by this model. “Advisors are an integral part of the support system for farmers and bring logistics-based decision support to soil health implementation.” Reaves said that “with more boots on the ground to help producers mitigate the risks of conservation and maximize its significant upside, we believe that farmers who have been on the fence will come on board. We’re already starting to see this play out in North Dakota TAP, and expect the same in Canada with a made-in-thePrairies program.” According to the Assiniboine College release, “more than 30 independent CCAs have graduated from the unique curriculum, which focuses not only on the principles of soil health, but the logistical considerations, labour needs, and site-specific constraints that pose common barriers to adoption of sustainable agriculture.” BF - Mary Loggan SOIL HEALTH BOOST: NEW CCA PROGRAM GOOD FOR FARMERS The Saskatchewan government is launching a pilot program in five communities to support farmers experiencing wildlife damage. The rural municipalities of Livingstone, Hazel Dell, Kelvington, Bjorkdale, and Leask will participate in the Big Game Management Extended Hunt from Nov. 1 to 10. Each RM will receive 50 antlerless elk licences in addition to what they received during the Big Game Draw. The licences are available through the online Hunting, Angling and Trapping system. “Regardless of population status, deer and elk are attracted to and may congregate in areas with easy access to unprotected agricultural products, especially during severe winters,” Environment Minister Christine Tell said in a Sept. 20 statement. “This hunting opportunity will allow us to mitigate damage from wildlife while also ensuring their populations remain sustainable into the future. An extended hunt is implemented if certain criteria are met, including: Damage by game species (mule deer, white-tailed deer, or elk) to agricultural products has been reported to Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) through wildlife damage claims; and Producers in the RM have exhausted all other preventative measures or agree to implement preventative measures. Wildlife can cause significant damage to farm fields. By March 31, 2024, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) received 3,091 big game claims and paid $27.9 million in compensation, an SCIC document says. As of March 31 of the previous year, SCIC received 2,412 big game claims and paid $25.8 million in compensation. “One thing that has grown is the deer and elk population. They’re decimating feed stacks. In my area, hay – if you can get it – is $200 a bale, delivered. The deer are moving in and taking their share first and what’s left they urinate on and defecate on, and destroy it,” Larry Grant, the reeve of the RM of Val Marie, said during the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in 2023. BF - Diego Flammini EXTENDED HUNT HELPS SASK. FARMS Tracy Miller photo
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8 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | November/December 2024 Beyond the Barn BAYER EXPANDS BUTEO LABEL FOR MUSTARD CROPS Mustard growers in Western Canada will have a new crop protection tool available for next year. Bayer has expanded its label of BUTEO start insecticide seed treatment to include use on mustard. “This product has been trusted by canola growers for a few years for (striped and crucifer) flea beetle control, and we’re excited to be able to help more farmers have that same level of protection,” Bryan Bryson, marketing portfolio lead for Traits and Licensing with Bayer CropScience, recently told Better Farming. Canadian farmers planted 637,037 acres of mustard in 2023, StatCan says. Seedlings are especially vulnerable to flea beetle damage as the pest can locate and defoliate seedlings shortly after emergence. If left untreated, the flea beetles can cause poor plant stand, delayed maturity, and reduced yield. In Western Canada, these pests can cause yield losses up to 10 per cent, costing growers about $300 million each year. Canola farmers have been using BUTEO since 2020. The Group 4D insecticide delivers rapid uptake and systemic translocation from cotyledon to leaf margins. This enables a quicker-growing canopy and uniform flowering even in conditions where flea beetles thrive. A BUTEO label expansion to include mustard seemed like a natural progression, Bryson said. “We identified there was a need for this kind of product in mustard given that these beetles attack it as well as canola. Expanding the label helps farmers protect those acres and gives them another tool at their disposal.” BUTEO start insecticide seed treatment will be available for mustard growers for the upcoming 2025 growing season. BF The Brandt Group of Companies (Brandt) plans to launch its new 1345B U-Trough Auger at this year’s Agri-Trade Equipment Expo in Red Deer. The farm show takes place from Nov. 12 to 15 and the event will be the first time the company reveals the new auger to farmers. Better Farming recently connected with Curt Borys, director of product marketing at Brandt, who said, “This product was completely redesigned and thoroughly tested to ensure that we were providing performance and reliability for producers.” He emphasized that “this product is unique because it was designed to make things easier and more comfortable for the operator. “We worked with multiple customer groups and adjusted the design based on their feedback. “In doing this, we wanted to make sure we understood the customers’ needs, so that we could provide the best solution for them with this product.” According to Brandt, some features of the new auger include: Intakes use oversized flighting and a funnel-shaped hopper to improve grain flow efficiency and keep the tube full, moving up to 9,000 bushels per hour; 13" U-trough allows more grain to move above the flighting for higher output and less damage in a wider range of conditions; Purpose-built discharge flares open to handle peak capacities to prevent risk of plugging and direct grain flow downward; Upgraded three-bearing gearbox provides higher load tolerance, while the solid driveline and chain coupler ensure smooth, reliable operation; Triple-banded belt delivers maximum traction, while the true parallel-link belt tensioning system maintains ideal power transfer; Centralized operator control station includes the ignition, throttle, electric clutch, and EZMOVE operations in one convenient location; Compact EZMOVE is integrated into the frame to eliminate obstructions and make relocating from bin to bin easier. Borys said, “We’re excited to receive feedback from a large customer audience at Agri-Trade. We’re always looking for ways to help our products have success on every farm.” BF NEW AUGER ROLLS OUT IN RED DEER Brandt Group of Companies photo
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10 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | November/December 2024 MPs returned to Ottawa recently to begin the fall session of Parliament, with a decided shift in the dynamics of the House of Commons. The carbon tax, cost of living and other topics are expected to be hot-button issues in the House, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to lead an unstable minority government. But where could ag fit into the equation? For that answer, Better Farming recently connected with Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. An issue with implications for the Canadian ag sector is the newest dispute with China. The Chinese government recently launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of Canadian canola from 2023, alleging Canada is dumping canola into China, sending its domestic prices down. This situation with China should have federal ministers looking ahead, McCann said. “It should really send the signal that government needs to be thinking about what to do next, the available tools and how to deal with these situations,” he told Better Farming. This could potentially be an opportunity for Trade Minister Mary Ng’s office to do some work around market diversification. However, McCann said that no market can make up for China’s purchases. “Having more customers is always a good thing, but there’s no other customer like China,” he said. “They buy so much of what the world produces, that you can’t just go and find a market to replace that.” To put China’s Canadian canola imports into context, in 2023, it imported about 4.6 million metric tonnes of Canadian canola seed. According to StatCan, Japan had the second-highest import volume of Canadian canola seed that year with just over 1 million metric tonnes. Where do federal politicians stand on the issues facing agriculture in Canada? Marius - stock.adobe.com Parliament hill Report AG ISSUES IN OTTAWA: WHAT TO EXPECT ‘My hope is that we get more of a mainstream interest during this session.’ By Diego Flammini
11 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | November/December 2024 At home, there could be opportunities for federal Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAulay, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, and Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault to support Canadian canola producers through biodiesel innovations and other avenues, McCann said. The federal government started a rollout of its national school food program, which could be an opportunity for governments to engage with Canadian farmers to ensure the food comes from local producers. But Canada has some work to do on that front, McCann said. “Countries around the world do a better job of using government procurement to support local agriculture, where we struggle with that here,” he said. “This is clearly an opportunity, but I don’t get the sense there’s a lot of effort to seize on that opportunity.” Examples of school food programs that source products from local farmers are in Latvia and Ghana. Latvian farmers provide fruits, vegetables and other items used in school programs, and the source farms are within 300 km of each school. In Ghana, about 80 per cent of the food in the program comes from local growers. To advocate for ag and related issues, Minister MacAulay needs to have the time in question period to bring them to attention. He had 95 interventions in the House of Commons between Nov. 22, 2021 and June 19, 2024, the CBC reported in a look at MP participation. For comparison, John Barlow, the Conservative ag critic, and Alistair MacGregor, the former NDP ag critic, had 329 and 530 interventions, respectively, during the same timeframe. MacGregor is also the party’s deputy critic for justice. But with so many issues facing ag, Minister MacAulay should have a larger role, McCann said. “I think that’s where some of the frustration comes from,” he said. “We have lower farm incomes, labour issues, and other things that should keep the agriculture minister busy, active and engaged. My perennial hope is that we see agriculture get more of a mainstream interest during this session, but I expect those hopes not to be met.” That’s extra frustrating considering Canadian ag plays such a vital role in the economy, job creation and innovation, McCann added. When the carbon tax is mentioned in ag, many in the sector may wonder about Bill C-234’s status. The bill is back in the House of Commons after senators passed an amended version last year. It’s looking more like the legislation will die on the floor of the House before it gets any more attention, McCann said. “Unfortunately, that might be the case.” BF Parliament hill Report
12 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | November/December 2024 A sweeping global research review of the links between climate and agriculture reveals the likelihood of an emergent feedback loop whereby, as climate change puts more pressure on the global food supply, agriculture will, by necessity, adopt practices that may exacerbate its environmental impact. This research, published in Science, includes an extensive evaluation of experts, including from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The paper also identifies new agricultural practices that have the potential to increase efficiency and stabilize our food supply in the decades to come. The authors point out that greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are now 18 times higher than they were in the 1960s, accounting for about 30 per cent of global warming. Excess fertilizer left on farm soil is broken down by bacteria to form nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Strategic efforts to reduce the warming impact of agriculture while maintaining high yields are essential to both mitigating climate change and protecting our food supply from its impacts. “It is important to recognize that the impact of agriculture on public health, from pesticide usage to water quality, is almost certainly going to be exacerbated with climate change,” said Lewis Ziska, PhD, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and a co-author. The research found: Climate change has broad-ranging impacts on agricultural practices, increasing water use and scarcity, nitrous oxide and methane emissions, soil degradation, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, pest pressure, pesticide pollution and biodiversity loss. Climate-agriculture feedback pathways could dramatically increase agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Without changes in agriculture, this feedback loop could make it impossible to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 C to 2 C. Existing sustainable agricultural practices and technologies, if they are implemented on a wide scale, can greatly reduce agricultural emissions and prevent a feedback loop from developing. To achieve this, governments must work to remove socioeconomic barriers and make climate-resilient solutions accessible to farmers and food producers. “We need agriculture, but the future of humanity also requires that we reduce agriculture’s environmental harms,” said co-author David Tilman, a professor at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences. “By evaluating new practices being tried around the world we have identified practices that appear to increase harvests while decreasing environmental harm. “Once these new practices are tested and verified, we need a farm bill that pays farmers both for producing food and for improving the environment. Enabling better stewardship has tremendous benefits for all of us.” The researchers looked at all aspects of the relationship between agriculture and climate to determine where new practices are the most effective. While carbon sequestration is currently a Climate change has broad-ranging impacts on agricultural practices, increasing water use and scarcity. Tracy Miller photo Research & Farm Science CLIMATE COLLAPSE & FARMING PRACTICES Climate change exacerbates environmental impacts of agriculture. From Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
13 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | November/December 2024 priority, an integrated approach that factors in farming efficiency and pollutants like nitrous oxide could deliver much larger climate benefits and a more stable future for agriculture. Practices such as precision fertilizer use and crop rotation can prevent a feedback loop from developing.” The team identified a number of next steps. First and foremost, stakeholders should accelerate the adaptation and cost-reduction of efficient and climate-friendly agriculture. Precision farming, perennial crop integration, agrivoltaics, nitrogen fixation, and novel genome editing are among the emerging techniques that could increase production and efficiency in agriculture while reducing climate change impacts. They recommend further research on climate-agriculture feedback pathways and new technologies like onfarm robots. BF This research was funded in part by the National Science Foundation. Founded in 1922, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health pursues an agenda of research, education, and service to address the critical and complex public health issues affecting the world. Research & Farm Science MICROSOFT JOINS CARBON REMOVAL DEAL UNDO, a leading carbon dioxide removal project developer, has signed a deal with Microsoft to advance enhanced rock weathering (ERW) carbon removal science. The plan directly involves Canadian Wollastonite, a wollastonite mine based in Kingston, Ont., along with a University of Guelph research farm, and a laboratory based at Queen’s University in Kingston. The Microsoft award will remove 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide funding for crucial scientific research in the ERW field. It will also contribute to Microsoft’s commitment to be carbon-negative by 2030. UNDO's commercial relationship with Microsoft began in 2023 with a contract to remove 5,000 tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere. ERW is the acceleration of natural rock weathering, whereby the carbon dioxide in rainwater interacts with silicate rocks such as wollastonite and mineralizes and is safely stored as solid carbon for hundreds of thousands of years. To speed up this natural geological process, UNDO spreads crushed silicate rock across agricultural land, accelerating the chemical reactions between rain, air and rocks, permanently removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Jim Mann, CEO and founder of UNDO, commented that “this agreement with Microsoft is a clear signal to the market that enhanced rock weathering has potential to deliver scalable carbon removal, and that UNDO can deliver critical scientific research to instill more confidence in this vital climate tech.” Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy Markets at Microsoft, said that “Microsoft is committed to being carbon-negative by 2030. We are excited to support UNDO’s enhanced rock weathering carbon removal projects with co-benefits for soils, farmers and rural communities.” Earlier this year, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) concluded a clear link between the heat waves that Canada suffers annually and human-caused climate change. To avoid the worst effects of climate change, we need to be removing at least 10 billion tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere every year by 2050. In 2021, the Government of Canada announced its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. The country has developed major political, business and financial backing for carbon removal and has attracted more than 70 carbon dioxide removal (CDR) companies around the country. This deal will see UNDO, in partnership with Canadian Wollastonite, spread 25,000 tonnes of crushed wollastonite rock over 5,000 hectares of Canadian farmland, permanently removing thousands of tonnes of atmospheric CO2. Canadian Wollastonite will supply and spread the crushed rock to local (Ontario) farmers free of charge in 2024. Farmers only pay the cost of trucking the material to their land. (The cost of the wollastonite itself will be 100 per cent subsidized by the sale of carbon removal credits.) Crushed wollastonite can bring agronomic advantages such as improved soil pH, crop health and pest resistance. The recent announcement represents a significant contribution to UNDO’s scientific research concerning the measurement, reporting and verification of ERWbased carbon dioxide removal. With the funding, UNDO will set up field trials and monitoring sites in Ontario, including one on a research farm owned by the U of G, and at UNDO’s principal laboratory for operations in Canada, at Queen's. Currently operating in Southeast Ontario, UNDO plans to expand its operations across Eastern Canada, first in Ontario and then in Québec. UNDO is establishing a range of operational commercial partnerships that will enable the spreading of millions of tonnes of silicate rock each year, a first step towards billion-tonne scale operations. BF Based on a release from Greenhouse Communications
14 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | November/December 2024 Farm Machinery ‘THE YEAR OF THE COMBINE’ Case IH celebrates their past while introducing new technology. By Leslie Stewart At the recent Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Case IH territory sales manager Robert Meier and his team brought together vintage and new equipment for producers to see the progress in some iconic farm machinery. While things have changed over the years, a central theme remains: Constantly innovating to ensure efficiency, productivity, and minimal yield loss. “This (2024) is the ‘Year of the Combine’ for Case IH,” Meier tells Better Farming. “We had the AF9 on the lot, and our flagship 8260 combine. Both new products. To contrast, I had the 1938 Case A-6 combine positioned between them.” The event was held in September in Woodstock, Ont. Before modern combines existed, harvest was an all-hands-on-deck affair. Many farmers had to hire outside help to get the crop off the field. Case engineered a solution that allowed farmers to work more independently: The 1938 A-6 Case combine. This pull-type implement hooked on to the back of tractors and processed the crop hands-free. The spring-balanced header had knife sections that shaved the ground and could harvest all commercial crops. It was adjustable with a lever so operators could adapt the machine for different tasks and field types. Reels brought the grain through the combine on a ‘continuous canvas’ by synchronizing with the movement of the combine as it drove through the field. The reel drive was equipped with an adaptable chain tightener so that you could change speeds without removing links. Once the crop was on the canvas, it was fed up to the cylinder to be threshed and moved through to the ‘bottom bouncing’ separator to remove the chaff. Farmers were impressed with the A-6 and saw potential in the machine. Indiana farmer Ralph Unger is quoted in company literature: “I have used the Case six-foot combine and am sure it is what the future farmer wants.” Unger was right. The combine is still an essential part of every harvest, and many things have evolved in the last 86 years since the A-6 hit the market. Combine technology has grown more sophisticated, accurate, and comfortable for the farmer. Case IH has been using and advancing Axial-Flow rotor technology for some 50 years. In 2024, they expanded their Axial-Flow combine lineup to include the single-rotor AF9 A 1938 Case A-6 combine next to a 2024 Case IH AF9 at the recent Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. Paul Nolan photo
15 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | November/December 2024 Farm Machinery and AF10, and the AF11, which uses a brand-new AFXL2 dual-rotor system. The AFXL2, available with the AF11 combines, increases the threshing and separation area by 45 per cent and uses six threshing and 12 separating modules to allow for greater adaptability in changing conditions. “The AFXL rotor on the AF9 and AF10 combines has been made larger for 2024 and has 50 per cent more separation area. “The new 2024 releases come standard with a 455 bu grain tank capacity and can unload the tank at the speed of 4.5 bu per second,” explains Case IH product specialist Patrick Landry. “The optional 567 bu grain tank capacity can be unloaded at the speed of six or 4.5 bu per second. A big step up from the A-6’s capacity of 20 bu.” The AF Series combines have a climate-controlled cab full of precision ag technology. Dual Pro 1200 displays are mounted onboard, and can display helpful information about yield and moisture, set up auto guidance, view yield maps, and share data between the fleet, or with off-site managers or other consultants. In 1938, farmers relied on a lever to control the cutting height of their combine. Now, automation is in play to take out the guesswork. Harvest Command is a standard feature that comes with all AF Series combines. Once you punch in your crop type, maximum operating speed, and your power limit, the system adapts to your needs. The four automation modes let you decide whether you’re prioritizing performance, grain quality, or throughput. Meier explains: “In 1938, the compact and light A-6 combine replaced reapers and stationary threshing machines. It was the future, and farmers likely could not imagine more. “Today, we have incredible technology to deliver capacity, simplicity of operation, and precision guidance. It is hard to imagine any more possibilities. But then, farmers in 1938 likely thought the same thing – and look at where we are now.” BF Case IH photo Case IH photo Paul Nolan photo A page from the 1938 A-6's brochure. Early pull-type implements let farmers process crops hands-free. The AF Series combines come standard with a 455 bu grain tank.
16 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | November/December 2024 Grain Handling Safety Prairie farmers are busy managing their grain throughout harvest and the following months. After all the work to grow it, they must now transport, store, and market it. Each time a grower handles the grain, there is an associated risk. Kendra Ulmer, a Saskatchewan farmer and agriculture occupational health nurse for the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, says that a focus on awareness and a strong safety culture is the best way to avoid the incidents and health threats that accompany grain handling. Farmers and employees should know the risks and how to mitigate them to stay safe. The risks The initial risk that comes to mind when handling grain is entrapment. Merle Massie, professional research associate for the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, says that it has been happening more frequently in recent years. “In Saskatchewan, over the past 10 or so years, asphyxiation by grain entrapment has become the leading cause of non-machinery on-farm fatalities,” says Massie. Larger operations and equipment have contributed to this development. “Some of the reasons which have led to grain entrapment becoming much more of a risk are larger storage bins on farms and in industry, faster grain handling equipment – including the size of augers used which move grain faster – and increased use of large-scale grain moving equipment such as grain carts and bottom-dump semi-trailers,” Massie explains. “These larger-scale units, combined with typical farm safety issues such as farmers often working alone, and fewer farms following an operational culture based first on safety, means that grain entrapment risk is much higher now than it has been in the past.” Grain entrapment isn’t the only risk. Health hazards, which often create problems after long-term exposure rather than immediately, may be overlooked when discussing farm safety. “Entrapment and engulfment are the most obvious risks when it comes to handling grain,” says Robin Anderson, director of Programs and Communications for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA). “But there are other hazards and risks, including exposure to grain dust, falls from heights, confined space-related hazards, hazards that include ‘GRAIN ENTRAPMENT RISK IS MUCH HIGHER NOW THAN IN THE PAST’ CREATE A FARM CULTURE OF GRAIN SAFETY BY EMILY MCKINLAY CASA photo CASA's BeGrainSafe program trains firefighters on grain entrapment rescues.
17 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | November/December 2024 Grain Handling Safety farm machinery and equipment like entanglements from augers, noise exposure, and road move incidents from using public roadways to transport grain from field to bin or to the terminal.” Ulmer says she hosts clinics for agricultural-related health concerns, including respiratory and hearing issues. In these clinics, she hears about the hazards farmers are exposed to. “When grain is harvested and dried, that dust contains a variety of things, including bacteria, fungi, insects, potential pesticide residue, animal droppings, and dried plant particles,” says Ulmer. “We need to protect ourselves from dust exposure by limiting that exposure as much as we can, but are exposed whenever we are moving grain and working with it.” While exposure to hazards can’t always be avoided, the risks can be mitigated through planning, along with a focus on safety. Working safer The easiest way to avoid accidents is to prioritize training. “It’s important to bring awareness of hazards, pre-plan, and foster a safety culture on farms,” says Ulmer. “Make sure those hazards are talked about and there’s a plan is in place related to those potential exposures.” These plans would include responses for a potential emergency but could also include the preparation of first aid kits, personal protective equipment, and well-maintained facilities. “It's always a good idea to have a fully stocked, up-to-date First Aid kit,” says Anderson. “Refreshing the contents during the off-season is helpful in making sure it's ready to go for the busy season. If something from the First Aid kit is used, it should be replaced as soon as possible. It's also important to make sure the kit is where you might need it – and this might mean you need more than one.” Anyone working on the farm should also know the hazards directly related to grain bins and grain handling. “Recent years have seen a rise in grain entrapments,” repeats Ulmer. “It can happen in just seconds. In four seconds, an adult can sink waistdeep, and complete submersion can occur as fast as 20 seconds. Grain acts as quicksand. It exerts a force of friction and pressure. Someone buried to their waist in grain requires a force of their own body weight plus 600 pounds to be extracted.” As general rules for safety, unauthorized people, including children and visitors to the farm, should never be around areas where grain is being moved. No one should enter bins as grain is flowing. Ulmer recommends using grain vacs or augers to move grain without entering the bin or wagon, as well as a shovel or long pole to break up any potential clumps or bridges. Monitoring grain condition can also help improve grain flow during handling. “Now that we are getting into November, we have to be thinking about grain condition. We are putting grain that’s in good condition into the bins at harvest,” says Ulmer. “The best way to keep grain in good condition is to make sure it’s dry, monitor the moisture, and know what ideal moisture is for that grain.” Out-of-condition grain can bridge, forming a crust over a void, which can then collapse, or it can adhere to its container, creating an unstable vertical grain wall. The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association has created a Grain Bin Assessment Chart, an 18-question tool to assess if it is safe to enter a bin containing grain that is out of condition. Producers should also make sure they have the right tools and equipment. This includes PPE. Ulmer says a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator should be worn whenever grain is handled. All equipment and facilities should be checked frequently to ensure ladders and other features are safe and functional. “A comprehensive inspection of any farm machinery before the busy season, and then a pre-check before any operation, can help identify potential hazards and flag any issues,” says Anderson. “Addressing these small issues before they become big issues can help not only with untimely and expensive breakdowns but also improve safety.” CASA also has free online training courses for farm operators seeking Limit exposure to moving grain. Tracy MIller photo
18 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | November/December 2024 more guidance on training and grain handling safety, including Introduction to Grain Handling and Storage Hazards. Handling emergencies Even with the many safety resources available, incidents can still happen. Every farm needs a plan for these emergencies, which should be shared widely. Anderson says that no one else should put themselves in danger when responding to an emergency. “It's important that the number of victims doesn't increase.” “Don't put yourself in danger. Call emergency services. Everyone on the farm should know who to call and how to direct them to the emergency. This includes knowing how to direct services to the farmyard, fields, and other farm sites where an emergency might occur.” Each farm is different and will have its own response plan for these situations. The first step should always be to call emergency services, and if someone is trapped in grain, stop the flow of grain by turning off any augers or grain vacs. Ulmer says that aeration fans can also be turned on to increase oxygen to a person trapped in grain. Attempts to rescue someone trapped in grain should be left to emergency responders. “There’s been an increase in initiative taken by local fire departments to get training in grain entrapment rescue,” says Ulmer. “We want to continue that effort.” An example of this effort is CASA’s BeGrainSafe program. “CASA has a training program specifically for firefighters, for them to understand grain entrapment rescue. CASA, through the BeGrainSafe program, has been working across Canada to get this information to as many firefighters as possible,” says Anderson. “In 2023, the BeGrainSafe trailer travelled 7,055 km, which is farther than the distance from Victoria, B.C. to St. John’s, Nfld. Over 500 firefighters were trained on specific safety and rescue procedures to increase their chances of a successful grain entrapment rescue while keeping members of their department safe. “Training took place in 21 different locations from Quebec to Alberta this year.” While more local emergency responders learn how to manage grainrelated emergencies, it’s essential to reduce their occurrence by prioritizing safety. Ulmer: “The safest approach is to not enter the grain storage when loading or unloading grain.” BF Grain Handling Safety EMILY MCKINLAY 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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20 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | November/December 2024 Cyber Attacks Remember when “hacking” was simply a way of cutting through the brush on your woodlot? Today, it is a cutting-edge method of infiltrating computer systems without permission. Though it is not always done with malice, the incidence of hacking as part of cyber-attacks in many industries, including agriculture, is on the rise. These attacks aim to ”steal, expose, alter, disable, or destroy data, applications, or other assets through unauthorized access to a network, computer system or digital device.” For the ag sector across the Prairies, the impact on farmers, retailers, and consumers is a growing concern. “The biggest challenge most businesses face is from ransomware,” says Ryan Westman, director of threat intelligence with eSentire, a managed detection and response (MDR) service based in Waterloo, Ont. “Ransomware is a type of malware (malicious software) that finds a way into your computer system, often when a staff member opens an attachment. From there, the hackers lock you out of your files and demand a ransom in exchange for the key.” The intrusions can even come with a twisted sense of humour, often including a message that “your system is slowing down while your pulse is speeding up.” “Hackers like to put a lit cigarette in your eye,” says Westman. Minding your Ps More importantly, they often threaten one or more of the “3 Ps” for ag operations: Production, profit and profile. While individual farms are unlikely to report an issue, a cybersecurity attack on Canadian farmers can impact production, revenue and animal health. If an attacker compromises an industrial control system that powers fans for drying grain, there could be a significant decrease in grain quality and revenue. “Disruptions to irrigation systems during critical drought conditions could severely affect crop yields, impacting overall productivity and financial outcomes for the farming operation,” says Steve Croucher, vice president of sales with Malleum, a cyber security company based in Ottawa. Compromising a farming operation’s Wi-Fi network could also expose sensitive information, such as financial data, personal records, and crop/ livestock details. This type of breach may result in operational disruption, economic loss and long-term reputational harm to the business. Potential issues with livestock range from the dangerous – such as messing with milking machines and preventing farmers from assessing milk quality on dairy farms – to the daft. “On an Ontario pork farm recently, an animal activist hacked their system and froze all the technology,” says Cathy Lennon, general manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) in Guelph. “They told the farmer they would only unlock his operation if he made a public statement that he was responsible for animal abuse.” Though leaps in technology have brought rewards for farmers, it is the classic case of a double-edged sword. Friend and foe “Farmers are increasingly leveraging automation and devices to run their farms,” says Croucher. “Most operations today have some form of industrial control/operational technology systems, and they are using advanced equipment such as drones and autonomous machines to reduce labour and increase efficiency. However, this also means that farmers are managing increasingly large amounts of data and HOW TO HALT THE HACKING CYBER ATTACKS TAKE A BYTE OUT OF AG BY GEOFF GEDDES Mary Loggan photo
21 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | November/December 2024 Cyber Attacks technologies that potentially expose them to cyberattacks.” Adding to the problem, many farmers may not be adequately equipped to deal with the accompanying cybersecurity threats that these technologies introduce. “The farming industry in Canada is made up of a significant number of independent business owners who manage their own IT and OT systems,” says Croucher. “A 2022 survey of 167 farmers found that they had invested, on average, only $541 in cyber security since 2020.” Not surprisingly, the damage to agriculture goes far beyond the farm gate. For example, in 2021, a ransomware attack on JBS, the world’s largest meat processing company, earned the hackers US$11 million in ransom. “In the process, production was disrupted for several days, including at the JBS Canada beef processing plant in Brooks, Alta.,” says Westman. “The incident threatened to disrupt food supply chains and further inflate already high food prices.” Another prominent target was Saskatoon-based Federated Co-operatives Ltd. (FCL), a wholesaling, manufacturing, marketing and administrative co-operative owned by more than 160 independent retail co-operative associations from B.C. to Manitoba. These co-ops own and operate “agrocentres,” food stores, gas bars/convenience stores and home centres. “FCL stated it was hit by a cyberattack in June of 2024,” says Westman. “Though it did not publicly state that it was a ransomware attack, there were many signs indicating as much.” The attack affected internal and customer-facing systems, stock in some grocery stores, and cardlock fuel locations, which supply fuel to various corporate clients. “There is a potential for consumers to face higher prices for certain products if farming operations are disrupted by these intrusions,” says Croucher. “A reduction in the quality or quantity of crop yields could drive up costs. Additionally, pressure on commodity prices may arise from irrigation issues, reduced product availability in grain elevators, and impacts on transportation systems, such as the rail network, due to lower volumes.” As a result, consumers may receive lower-quality products at inflated prices. Furthermore, if farming operations are compromised and struggle to recover, consumer confidence could be lost. Learn not to burn The private and public sectors are being encouraged to educate farmers, businesses, organizations and citizens about current and emerging cyber threats. “The Government of Canada has started an educational program where you can take short, online courses for free to enhance your awareness of the issue,” says Lennon. “What does a scam or phishing expedition look like? How do you know if a message or email you receive is safe? “We regularly send out test messages to our staff to see if they recognize the threat, just to remind them of what to look for.” One of the easiest and most effective protective measures, whether for a family farm or large retailer, is to have strong, unique passwords. “We are all guilty of reusing the same password over and over, and that can be your weakest link,” says Lennon. “Once a hacker gets your password for one of your sites, they can use it for all of them.” As an additional safeguard, Lennon advises changing your passwords regularly and keeping them private, even from friends and co-workers. While some larger companies hire a managed detection and response agency to monitor their systems 24/7, that comes at a cost. “I have been advocating for the Canadian government to offer a non-refundable tax credit for small and medium-sized businesses when they hire an MDR,” says Westman. “This would allow those companies to pair with a service that will identify risks and help manage them.” The Canadian government has taken steps to address the threat of cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. “In 2020, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security released the National Cyber Threat Assessment, identifying the agricultural sector as part of Canada’s critical infrastructure vulnerable to cyber threats,” says Croucher. “Additionally, the CCCS has published the ‘Baseline Cyber Security Controls for Small and Medium Organizations’ to assist small independent businesses in managing their security. However, Bill C-26 – An Act respecting cyber security, which aims to strengthen critical infrastructure on cyberattacks, does not include food and agriculture specifically.” Fortunately, whether it’s crops or computers, ag sees the need to “act, not react” – something Croucher cites as vital to winning the cyber war. “By providing targeted guidance, education, and actionable steps, stakeholders can help reduce risks across the entire farming supply chain, including farm operations, transportation and shipping.” BF Ryan Westman Steve Croucher Cathy Lennon GEOFF GEDDES Geoff is an agriculture writer and editor based in Edmonton, Alta. He has written for farm magazines, blogs, websites and social media.
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