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4 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | January 2025 INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE “Harvest was not the best this year. We didn’t get enough rain in July, which resulted in poor growing conditions and lower yields. Canola was terrible this year; it was way below average. Lower commodity prices are also an issue for us.” - Kevin McGillivray, Page 19 “We noticed that wheat tends to take water from a deeper depth, and peas tend to use water from shallower depths. Over the course of a rotation, we saw improvement in water use efficiency and reduced water footprint with those deeper and shallower rooted crops together in rotation.” - Jeff Schoenau, Page 21 “For farmers looking to transition out of day-to-day operations, renting out land offers a way to remain connected to the industry while easing into retirement.” - Brenna Grant, Page 29 “With every generation, the population gets further from agriculture. It’s important to put yourself out there and have good discussions.” - Jagger Thomas, Page 31 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR EASING U.S. RELIANCE, LET’S LOOK TO ASEAN “As Canada looks to further diversify export markets and reduce the marketing risk that comes from an overreliance on the U.S., Asia looms large.” That timely statement comes from FCC economics editor Martha Roberts in a recent post on growth opportunities for Canadian agri-food. Roberts suggests we look at further trade with the ASEAN market, “one of the world’s largest.” The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization with 10 member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Roberts explains that “as a group of countries, the 10 member states of ASEAN represented Canada’s fourth-largest merchandise trading partner in 2023. The bulk of that trade is to the six largest countries within the region (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), for whom food exports are, by far, the smallest of the three export categories.” Rice dominates diets in Southeast Asia, but wheat – Canada’s top ag export – is making inroads. Over the past decade, wheat consumption in Asia rose by 4.6 per cent annually, with wheat used as animal feed growing even faster at 9.8 per cent per year. This surge highlights an increase of animal-based protein in daily diets, signalling new opportunities. There are opportunities to increase market share. “According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), Canada is currently exporting below its potential to the ASEAN region. The ITC estimates ‘potential exports’ as a function of supply capacities in Canada, demand conditions in the target market, and bilateral linkages between Canada and the target country.” Roberts says we are exporting less wheat than we could be ($163 million in unrealized potential) to Vietnam and the Philippines, and lower volumes of swine cuts to countries like Singapore and Vietnam. Canola oil is estimated to represent $51 million in unrealized potential. 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 RON SETTLER CHELSEY SIEMENS Lucky Lake, Sask. Kindersley, Sask. JASON VOOGT Miami, Man. NATIONAL CONTRIBUTORS MOE AGOSTINO ABHINESH GOPAL DIEGO FLAMMINI MARIANNE STEIN 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: February 2025. 1-888-248-4893 ext 281 Subscriptions@BetterFarming.com ISSN 2563-9803 (Printed) Copyright ©2025 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: Thomas Family photo, Kristen Edwards photo
Be your own hired hand this spring. CST-1550 Good help isn’t hard to find this spring thanks to a Commercial Seed Tender from Convey-All. Turn filling your seeder into a one-man operation with a CST-1550. With remote controls, six separate compartments for seed or fertilizer, and a 2ton/ minute unload speed, you’ll maximize your efficiency and reduce your labour needs. Visit Convey-All.com or call (800) 665-7259 to find a dealer near you. © 2024 Meridian Manufacturing Inc. Registered Trademarks Used Under License. (12/2024)
6 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | January 2025 Fungal contamination of cereal grains poses a substantial threat to food security and public health while causing hundreds of millions of dollars in economic losses annually. In a new study, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign evaluated farultraviolet C (far-UVC) light as a safe way to alleviate fungal contamination of corn and wheat and found this technology to be effective. “Light-based technology is easy to use, and the cost is minimal compared to many other methods. However, conventional UVC lamps emit light at a wavelength of 254 nanometers, which can cause skin or eye damage to humans, so it’s not safe to use when workers or consumers are around,” said study co-author Yi-Cheng Wang, an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at Illinois. “So instead, we are using a technology called microplasma-based farUVC light. It emits light at 222 nanometers, a wavelength other studies have found to be safe for humans, even at prolonged exposure. We wanted to see if it can also be used to mitigate fungal contamination.” Conventional 254-nanometer light disinfection works by damaging cells’ DNA, whereas the shorter 222-nanometer wavelength is mainly absorbed by peptide bonds and amino acids. Wang said this means far-UVC causes cell damage to microorganisms, but cannot penetrate humans’ outermost layer of dead skin cells or the tear layer of their eyes, and thus poses no threat to them. Wang and lead author Zhenhui Jin, a recent graduate of FSHN’s doctoral program, tested the efficacy of farUVC light against two fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium graminearum. Both fungi affect grains in the field; they can lead to substantial losses in grain quality and produce mycotoxins that threaten human and animal health. First, the researchers suspended the fungi’s spores in a liquid buffer and treated them with various doses GRAIN SAFETY GOES HIGH-TECH Far-UVC light battles fungal contamination. By Marianne Stein Research & Farm Science Zhenhui Jin tested the efficacy of UVC light against fungi. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign photo
7 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | January 2025 of far-UVC light. They found that, at the highest treatment doses, 99.999 per cent of the spores of both Aspergillus and Fusarium were inactivated via changes to the cells’ membranes and their mitochondria. The next step was to test the farUVC light treatment against the two fungi’s mycelia – a network of threadlike strands that invade host plants’ tissues after spores germinate. On agar plates, the growth of mycelia for both fungi was successfully inhibited. But that wasn’t the end. “For the liquid and agar, we could just put the lamp above the petri dishes containing the fungi. However, food products are three-dimensional. Therefore, we constructed a treatment system with six lamps that shine light over and around the grains,” Wang said. The researchers tested the system on corn kernels and wheat grains. The treatment reduced more than 90 per cent of both fungi. The surface roughness of the cereal grain was likely the reason for lower treatment effects than in liquid buffer, Wang said. However, the results were comparable to, or better than, previously published studies in which cereals were treated with conventional 254-nanometer UVC light. The team also investigated whether the light treatment affected the quality of the grains. They found no significant effect on moisture content in either the corn or the wheat, and no significant change in the percentage of the wheat that germinated within seven days after treatment. However, for the corn kernels treated with the highest dosage of light, there was a 71 per cent increase in germination over the same period. This could have been because the light treatment increased the corn cells’ permeability, facilitating their uptake of water, but Wang said this idea will need to be tested through future research. Wang envisions grain would be treated at the processing facility after harvest, before it reaches the food production system. “Our results demonstrate that 222- nanometer far-UVC light treatment can effectively inactivate fungal spores in liquid buffer, inhibit the growth of mycelia on agar, and inactivate fungi on cereal grains. “If this technology can be scaled up, it should provide an easy-to-use and safe option that mitigates fungal contamination, thus alleviating post-harvest economic losses and improving food security.” Jin received a scholarship from the ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss (ADMI) for the project. BF Wild buckwheat is an annual weed that produces about 1,200 seeds per plant and can cause crop lodging, making swathing and combining difficult, if not controlled. What to look for • Seedlings: Look for linear cotyledons positioned at 120 degrees from each other. True leaves are arrow-shaped with pointy tips and pointed basal lobes. Leaves are alternately arranged and petioled with entire margins*. • Mature Plants: Look for 1-3 ft. long, slightly angular stems that trail on the ground or twine on other plants. Leaves are heart-shaped, pointed, long, alternate and smooth. The flowers are greenish-white, small and borne in the leaf axils or at the tip of branches. Five sepals enclose a single seed**. Count the cost • Yield loss in wheat: 12% loss can occur with five plants/m2 and 22% loss with 30 plants/m2**. • Yield loss in flax: Up to 10-20% loss has been reported with 5-15 plants/m2. Yield loss can vary depending on when weeds are present (before or after crop emergence)**. When to scout • Take several weed counts across the field. Check low spots for patches. Scout fields early because it is most sensitive to herbicides in its early stages**. How to control • The earlier you can apply herbicides, the better control you’ll have. Consider applying a tank-mix partner with your glyphosate pre-seed burn-off such as Intruvix™ II herbicide. WILD BUCKWHEAT *Weeds of the Prairies: Alberta Agriculture **Government of Manitoba Crop and Agronomy Information site. https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/weeds/wild-buckwheat.html Always read and follow label instructions. Member of CropLife Canada. FMC, the FMC logo and Intruvix are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2024 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 8190 - 12/23 8190 Weed of the Month Series_Wild Buckwheat.indd20214-12-06 10:47 AM 2024-12-06 10:47 AM Research & Farm Science Fungi can cause yield loss and damage grain quality. Kelly - stock.adobe.com MARIANNE STEIN Marianne is a senior research editor with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign.
8 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | January 2025 Beyond the Barn AG REFERENCES IN MANITOBA THRONE SPEECH Manitoba’s ag sector received multiple mentions during the recent throne speech. During Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville’s remarks, she highlighted the government’s plans for Winnipeg. “Our new vision for downtown Winnipeg includes Manitoba’s agricultural sector,” she said. “The new Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) campus will bring visitors to Manitoba and Manitoba’s grains to the world at a time when we need to diversify and expand our markets.” The $102-million-dollar project will support research, development and innovation focusing on milling, food processing and end-product development. And it will serve as the headquarters for Cereals Canada. “The Gate project is driven by ambition and a vision for the Canadian cereals industry to grow and thrive in both domestic and international markets,” Cereals Canada CEO Dean Dias said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the Province of Manitoba and all levels of government to bring this world-class facility to downtown Winnipeg.” Last January, Manitoba and the federal government invested $1.3 million to advance horticulture programming at Assiniboine College through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Another mention of Manitoba ag was a reminder of the government’s prior commitments. One is to open two Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation offices in 2025. Budget 2024 allocates $200,000 of funding to open these offices in rural Manitoba. The other is the provincial government’s agreement with Azure Sustainable Fuel on a $1.9 billion jet fuel production facility in Portage la Prairie. BF One industry leader is recommending government study and action as Canada’s ag sector almost found itself caught in yet another labour dispute before Christmas. Canadian National Railway reached a tentative agreement in mid-December with the union representing its mechanical workers and clerks, two weeks after workers voted to authorize a strike. More than 5,000 CN employees represented by Unifor were prepared to walk out if there was no deal by Jan. 1. This would have been the second CN work stoppage in about six months after CN locked out employees in August. That disruption only lasted hours as the federal government quickly imposed binding arbitration on CN, CPKC and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. Canadian industries – including ag – are often caught in the crosshairs in these labour disputes. In 2023, Canadian rail freight was 375.1 million tonnes, Stats Canada reported, with loadings of canola, wheat, and potash all increasing during that year. Farm leaders are continuing to stress that Canada must be seen as a reputable supplier of agricultural products. That’s why the government needs to take action again, said Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. “We urge the government to recognize the transportation and handling of agricultural and perishable goods as essential services, ensuring their uninterrupted flow during labour disputes,” Currie told Better Farming in an emailed statement. The government also needs to take a step back and identify how these situations reach a strike or lockout position, said Currie. He suggested that labour negotiations involving workers at ports or railyards must be studied to find out where gaps exist. “It is crucial to address the root causes that lead to recurring disruptions,” he said. “We call on the government to work with labour and employer groups to examine and resolve the systemic issues behind the increasing regularity with which labour disputes are disrupting the flow of agricultural goods and the broader Canadian economy.” BF CURRIE CALLS FOR STRIKE SOLUTIONS Pascale Simard photo
Clean is good “H-E-double hockey sticks, this stuff works great.” The speed and performance of new Intruvix™ II herbicide is so darn good, folks can hardly contain their excitement. By applying it with glyphosate before planting cereals, they’re saying goodbye and good riddance to narrow-leaved hawk’s-beard, volunteer canola, kochia and many other problem weeds. Enjoy cleaner fields, faster, while protecting your future glyphosate use. Cheese and crackers, how easy can you get? Always read and follow label instructions. Member of CropLife Canada. FMC, the FMC logo, and Intruvix are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. © 2024 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 17108 - 11/24 REWARD OFFERED. GET CASH BACK WHEN YOU BUY INTRUVIX™II HERBICIDE
10 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | January 2025 Beyond the Barn SYNGENTA BRINGS BIOSTIMULANT TO PRAIRIE FARMS Syngenta is bringing a new product to Prairie and Canadian farmers to help increase yields. Starting in 2025, canola, wheat, corn, soybean, and other row crop farmers can add YieldON to their toolboxes. This product is designed to be applied at a very specific time, said Christopher Dumigan, biologicals technical lead at Syngenta Canada. “It’s a biostimulant meant to be mixed with a foliar fungicide application,” he recently told Better Farming. “After it’s applied at the reproductive stage of a crop’s lifecycle, so like around heading time in wheat, it amplifies the process that plants naturally do when they move sugars from their leaf tissue into the sink at seed formation.” The product combines biomolecules from plants and seaweed, with trace elements of manganese, zinc, and molybdenum. It also has a four-hour rainfastness. YieldON trials have shown the product can help increase yields. But the increases aren’t uniform across the board. “In cereals, so wheat, durum, and barley, we’ve seen an average of 2.9 bushel per acre increase over fungicide alone,” Dumigan said. “In canola, we are 1.8 bushels per acre above fungicide alone.” It’s too early to identify how YieldON will help 2024 corn and soybean acres in Eastern Canada, Dumigan adds. A small trial plot at the Honeywood Research Facility in Plattsville, Ont. in 2023 showed a six-bushel advantage over fungicide alone.That’s in line with results out of the U.S. “Our U.S. friends have done well over 100 trials in corn, and they’ve seen an average of seven bushels per acre,” Dumigan said. BF - Diego Flammini Four new members were inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame (CAHFA) during a recent ceremony in Toronto. The 2024 inductees – Dr. Bruce Coulman, Dr. Michael Eskin, Paul Larmer, and Dr. Charles Vincent – were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to agriculture. Phil Boyd, CAHFA chair, praised the inductees during the ceremony for their remarkable careers, which span various fields, including forage crops, canola, cattle genetics, and entomology. “We are so proud to shine a bright spotlight on the achievements these individuals have made throughout their careers,” said Boyd. Dr. Bruce Coulman, a renowned forage crop researcher, has spent more than 40 years advancing forage varieties that have shaped the cattle feed industry. His innovations, including bloat-reduced alfalfa and hybrid bromegrass, were crucial in improving the profitability of forage production. Dr. Coulman was nominated by the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre. Dr. Michael Eskin, a leading canola researcher, revolutionized canola oil’s quality and stability, helping to establish it as a healthy dietary choice and expanding its global market. His work has had a lasting impact on both the economy and the health of Canadian consumers. Dr. Eskin was nominated by the University of Manitoba. Paul Larmer’s leadership in cattle genetics has positioned Canada as a global leader. As the former CEO of Semex Alliance, Larmer played a pivotal role in transforming the company from a Canadian exporter to a major international player in cattle breeding. The past chair of the 4-H Ontario Foundation was nominated by Semex. Dr. Charles Vincent, an expert in agricultural entomology, has spent decades researching insect pests, developing sustainable methods to control them. His innovations have significantly reduced the use of chemical insecticides, benefiting crops like apples, grapes, and blueberries. The longtime research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada was nominated by the Co-Lab R&D division of Ag-Cord Inc. These four inductees join over 250 other members of the hall of fame. BF Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame photo RESEARCHERS ENTER HALL OF FAME Dr. Bruce Coulman (left) and Dr. Charles Vincent beside their portraits with CAHFA director Ann Louise Carson.
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14 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | January 2025 The agricultural community across the Prairies can reflect on 2024 as a year filled with both challenges and achievements. With the dawn of 2025, farmers and industry leaders are already focused on new goals and opportunities. As the agricultural sector faces a range of uncertainties from supply chain disruptions to shifting trade dynamics, there’s a shared hope for more stability, continued innovation, and strengthened support systems to help ensure the success and sustainability of the Prairie’s vital farming industries. Better Farming recently connected with Prairie industry leaders to ask them what they wish for agriculture in 2025. Dean Roberts, Vice Chair, Canola Council of Canada “Canola is one of Canada’s most valuable agricultural exports and a significant source of income for approximately 40,000 Canadian farmers, as part of an industry generating $43.7 billion annually. As we look ahead to 2025, our New Year’s wish is to ensure that we can continue to build on our sector’s success, resilience and commitment to help keep Canadian canola thriving. “While many factors play into this, recent and ongoing headwinds that our industry is navigating include shipping and labour disruptions, and geopolitical and trade-related issues, highlighting our hope for more predictability and stability in the marketplace. “We also look forward to continued innovation, advancements in agronomy and access to new tools and technologies that will help support even more productive and resilient canola crops and continue to set Canadian canola apart as a leading food, feed and fuel source.” Gordon Ell, Chair, SaskMilk “Looking to 2025, SaskMilk and Saskatchewan dairy farmers wish for continued development and implementation of current projects and initiatives seeking to further efficienDean Roberts Gordon Ell Keith Fournier Cam Dahl Matthew Atkinson PRAIRIE AG LEADERS’ WISHES FOR 2025 NEW YEAR, NEW GOALS BY MARY LOGGAN jkgabbert - stock.adobe.com New Year's Wishes
16 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | January 2025 MARY LOGGAN Mary was raised on a dairy farm and currently operates an equestrian facility. cies both on the farm and within our business models. “We are so proud of everything our industry has accomplished in recent years, and are heartened to see the support of our consumers for our agricultural sector. We are committed to bringing the same nutritious, quality milk from farm to table for years to come. “SaskMilk hopes for 2025 and into the future that continued growth and success in our industry and across agriculture can continue to bring consumers locally grown and made products that reflect the industries and people within Saskatchewan.” Matthew Atkinson, President, Manitoba Beef Producers “If I had a specific wish for the agriculture industry for 2025, it would probably be no surprise that it would be specific to the beef/livestock sector. In general, it would be to achieve more equitable business risk management tools that are on par with other agriculture sectors and countries with whom we trade. This would include completing a cost-shared premium on livestock price insurance. “Another wish would be to see forage and pasture insurance go to a simpler, easier-to-understand, and less subjective weather station data-driven model. “With the high cattle prices we are seeing, we continue to see farmers and ranchers exiting the beef industry. While we have many other things that also need attention, the lack of ability to protect oneself from weather and market events as well and as affordably as other sectors appears to be one of the great causes.” Keith Fournier, Chair, SaskCanola “The new year for grain producers is a time for optimism, with another fresh start to a growing year. “My wish for the ag industry is for increased respect and understanding between rural and urban people. As farmers, we are working hard to meet national and global food security needs. This requires the right to ‘farm responsibly,’ and that can only happen with the trust and confidence of the consumer. “This same consumer is also working hard to provide us with services that we need to keep our farms going and make sure the needs of our families are met. We are fortunate to have organizations like Farm & Food Care and Agriculture in the Classroom to help build this understanding. Both the urban and rural communities are stronger when we work together. “All the best in 2025.” Cam Dahl, General Manager, Manitoba Pork “Agriculture is a key pillar of the economy in every region of Canada. My first wish is therefore not just for farmers, but for the country. First on my wish list is completing an emergency response plan for a foreign animal disease, like African swine fever. “Governments must be ready to support farmers when an outbreak is announced. “The second key item on my wish list is the development of a strategic plan for agriculture trade negotiations, mainly targeted at the upcoming renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement. “Protectionism is on the rise around the world, including in the U.S., and Canada needs a comprehensive plan of response. “My third key wish is for governments to provide incentives for farmers to adopt new technologies and management practices that increase productivity or reduce costs while advancing sustainability objectives. Mitigating the risks taken on by farmers who are early adopters of new technology and beneficial management practices is far more effective than regulations.” BF New Year's Wishes … the top producers across the Prairies for just PENNIES per adult reader! Paul.Nolan@Farms.com ADVERTISERS REACH ... Leaders hope for a prosperous future for generations to come. Farm & Food Care Photograph Library photo
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18 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | January 2025 Enjoy Today Photography photo Harvest Review With harvest wrapped up, farmers are reflecting on a growing season shaped by weather challenges. For many pro- ducers, last year required constant adaptation to fluctuating conditions that impacted crop yields and harvest timing. Weather played a pivotal role in shaping this year’s yields, with each province experiencing its own challenges. The fluctuating climate – from early- season frosts that delayed seeding, to late-season heat waves that accelerated ripening – was an ongoing factor for many. Droughts in some regions and heavier-than-usual rains in others contrasted growing conditions across the Prairies, forcing farmers to make tough decisions about managing their land, crops, and resources. Better Farming recently connected with Prairie farmers to hear how this year’s growing season and harvest went for them. Here’s a closer look at how producers in each province fared. Landon Friesen, Manitoba: “This year, we had quality issues in wheat and poor yields in canola. The weather conditions in my area were wet to start, but we had a dry finish, with the ground hard and tight. Overall, for 2024, we found corn and wheat up, peas average, and canola down.” Anthony Eliason, Saskatchewan: “Hot and dry conditions made threshing difficult and hard to clean samples. Harvest was fast – dry weather had everything ready simultaneously.” Gus Lange, Alberta: “This year, we were expecting slightly below-average yields, and that’s what we got. We had hot and dry conditions with very little rain and had higher pressure from wild oats. The harvest wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t the best either.” Daniel Wyrich, Manitoba: “We have issues getting cereals to dry down with high humidity. Overall, we found the earlier-seeded crops did better. Yields went down as the seeding date got later.” Heath Fairley, Saskatchewan: “We had trouble with canola this year. We thought we could get away without reseeding our crops. Wheat turned out fine, but canola was a real problem with variability and regrowth.” Jordan Wiebe, Alberta: “We definitely needed more rain; there were very dry conditions at times. Yields would have improved if we had more rain, and crops would not have been so stressed. The harvest process went smoothly; wheat was pretty good, but canola was down.” Nicolea Dowe, Manitoba: “We had problems cutting canola with severe verticillium stripe infections. Since the stems were weakened, several areas were flat on the ground and were very difficult to cut, and some stalks with pods had to be left behind. The harvest went well. We had great weather and a long open fall to get the crops off and PRODUCER PERSPECTIVES ON THE 2024 HARVEST. WEATHER WOES & MIXED YIELDS BY MARY LOGGAN
19 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | January 2025 prepare the fields for next season. Canola yields were poor, and wheat was average, but the later season crops, like soybeans and corn, were fantastic. We pulled off one of our highest-yielding corn crops ever.” Adam Heavin, Saskatchewan: “The weather was inconsistent this year, with not enough rain at the right time and not premium weather for harvesting. The harvest was long and drawn out for us, and our canola crop suffered – likely at a five-year low. Otherwise, our other crops got average yields, and harvest went decently.” Kevin McGillivray, Alberta: “Harvest was not the best this year. We didn’t get enough rain in July, which resulted in poor growing conditions and lower yields. Canola was terrible this year; it was way below average. Lower commodity prices are also an issue for us.” Archie Waldner, Manitoba: “Harvest this year went well. The weather was great, and we had decent yields all across the board. We didn’t have problems because we have John Deere tractors.” Craig Dumais, Saskatchewan: “Harvest was interesting this year. The weather was dry with the odd shower, but we had several challenges getting everything dried down. We took the biggest hit with crop conditions in late-stage seeding. We also had to deal with lots of weeds and second growth. Overall, yields were down a bit, especially in canola.” Lucas Penner, Alberta: “Harvest went well, except for almost burning the combine. This year’s challenges were drought conditions and the increased presence of wild oats. Canola was low, as expected, and wheat and other crops were around average or slightly under.” Overall Last year’s growing season and harvest were uneven across the Prairies. Alberta and Saskatchewan faced significant challenges, particularly in the south, where drought and heat reduced crop yields. Manitoba, on the other hand, saw a more stable and productive season, with many crops performing close to average. However, one common theme across all provinces was below-average canola yields. Drought and heat, particularly in Alberta and Saskatchewan, stressed the plants during crucial growth stages, while inconsistent moisture further hindered crop development. Delayed seeding and weed competition also contributed to lower yields. As we look ahead to 2025, farmers are hopeful for a more consistent growing season, but the unpredictable nature of Prairie weather remains a constant factor. BF Harvest Review 1-877-956-6843 / novid.ca / sales@novid.ca Dry Storage Liquid Storage Your Experts in Stainless Steel Storage
20 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | January 2025 INCREASING WATER-HOLDING CAPACITY Drought is not uncommon in the Prairies, and precipitation and soil moisture can often be the determining factor in crop success. Ashley Ammeter, whole farm specialist at Manitoba Crop Alliance, says that management of soil water-holding capacity can be critical for grain and oilseed farmers. “Water is critically important to our ability to grow crops, particularly in Western Canada where often water is a limiting factor,” says Ammeter. “The ability to manage soil water- holding capacity, to the extent that we can, could be the difference between having a crop and not having a crop.” Managing land to improve soil water-holding capacity is a long-term process. While producers may have goals to improve, they must also understand their soil’s current capacity and how to work with it. What is soil water-holding capacity? Soil water-holding capacity is a measurement that can help farmers understand how their soil handles moisture. “It’s quite simple,” explains Ammeter. It is “the amount of moisture soil can hold, in this case, for plant uptake. When we think about the soil-water relationship, we can think about soil as a sponge.” Texture and organic matter are the two soil characteristics influencing its ability to hold moisture. Soil texture would be determined by the makeup of the soil, related to the proportions of clay, sand, and silt. Organic matter refers to the decomposing matter, from plants or animals, in the soil. Jeff Schoenau, a professor of soil fertility at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources, says that he looks at clay content and organic matter when considering the soil water-holding capacity. “The clay content is governed by the parent material upon which the soil formed, so there’s not a lot you can do for management,” says Schoenau. “But soil organic matter, sometimes referred to as humus, is something that can be altered by management.” He also notes that these two soil colloids, in the form of clay minerals and humus, play a significant role in soil structure. ‘INCREASING SOIL WATER-HOLDING CAPACITY IS REALLY A LONG-TERM GAME.’ COULD YOUR SOIL HOLD MORE WATER? BY EMILY MCKINLAY Tracy Miller photo
21 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | January 2025 “Pore size distribution in the soil – which refers to the relative amount of small versus large pores or holes in soil – affects the ability of soil to hold water against gravity,” says Schoenau. “This is affected by the minerals and organic matter and how they are stuck together. When we think about soil with good soil structure, it has mineral particles cemented together by organic matter to form larger aggregates. This creates a distribution of pores ranging from small micropores, which are effective at retaining water against gravity, to larger macropores that are necessary for drainage to occur and allow the exchange of gases between the soil and external atmosphere.” Ammeter adds, “Soil has the ability to hold water on soil particles and organic matter, but also in pores spaces. The soil texture will also determine the size of pore spaces. Clay has many small holes that hold lots of water, whereas sandy soils have fewer large holes which hold less water.” Producers looking to improve capacity can manage their soils to increase organic matter. They can also pay more attention to improving water infiltration and reducing evaporation. Improving it The clay, silt, and sand content of a soil, termed soil texture, cannot be significantly influenced by management. Instead, farmers can best manage their soil to increase organic matter, which has many benefits in addition to improving water holding capacity. Soil organic matter can also support soil fertility, biology, and structure, improve infiltration of water, and reduce erosion. “Organic matter is critically important. Any practice that will negatively impact soil organic matter will also negatively impact soil water-holding capacity,” says Ammeter. “To improve water-holding capacity, do the opposite. Use practices which will increase organic matter, including reduced tillage, maintaining crop residue on fields, and avoiding baling or burning crop residue.” She notes that soil erosion can be particularly damaging to soil water-holding capacity, as the topsoil is typically highest in organic matter. Schoenau, whose research focuses largely on soil fertility and chemistry, says that his lab has also found that some crops will utilize water from different depths depending on their rooting habit. He recommends rotating these crops to use available soil water in the soil profile more efficiently. “The kind of crops you grow, particularly in a rotation, can affect soil water use efficiency,” says Schoenau. “In recent research, we looked at cereals in rotation with pulses, specifically wheat and peas. We noticed that wheat tends to take water from a deeper depth, and peas tend to use water from shallower depths. Over the course of a rotation, we saw improvement in water use efficiency and INCREASING WATER-HOLDING CAPACITY 22_0470_MH_Agricultural_HalfHoriz_US_MXsp Mod: December 2, 2024 4:17 PM Print: 12/02/24 page 1 v2.5 TAKE YOUR PICK HUGE SELECTION ALWAYS IN STOCK ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING πSHIPPING SUPPLY SPECIALISTS COMPLETE CATALOG 1-800-295-5510 uline.ca
22 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | January 2025 reduced water footprint with those deeper and shallower rooted crops together in rotation.” Avoiding moisture loss to evaporation can also help farmers who are concerned about their soil moisture retention in the soil profile. “We want the water that comes down as rainfall or from snowmelt to enter the soil rather than run off the surface into depressions,” explains Schoenau. “That can cause erosion, nutrient transport off-site, and flooding. Infiltration is important to get water into the soil and keep it in the field.” He recommends using crops that add residue coverage to the soil surface and create root channels to aid in water filtration. Leaving standing stubble in the field also helps capture snow, reduce evaporation, and conserve that moisture. Ammeter reminds producers that improving water-holding capacity is a long process. “There are practices that can increase the amount of water available in the soil in the short term, like maintaining crop residue to catch snowfall and decrease evaporation, but increasing soil water-holding capacity is really a long-term game.” Working with current conditions Since increasing capacity is a slow process, producers strive to do their best with the water they already have stored in the soil and will receive precipitation during the growing season. It is good to have an idea of what their soil’s capacity is and know how to manage it accordingly. “Look at your soil profile,” says Schoenau. Take a core and look at what it’s made of for organic matter and clay content and how that composition changes with depth. It will give you an idea of what you have for available water for your crop. A foot of moist soil that is high in clay and organic matter will contain more available water for the crop than a foot of moist sandy, low organic matter soil. Determine how many feet of moist soil you have to help tell you how much stored soil moisture you have.” He notes that while investigating their soils, producers may find other conditions that could limit water infiltration, water-holding capacity, and usage in their crops. “Gravel lens, saline and hardpan layers can restrict root growth, as shown in our recent research work. This reduces water utilization from the soil,” says Schoenau. His soil fertility research has also suggested that it is valuable for producers to have an idea of their expected growing season precipitation along with stored soil moisture and soil water-holding capacity to create an appropriate fertility plan. “For the most accurate fertilizer recommendations, knowing the available moisture you have stored in your soil profile at the start of the season is important,” says Schoenau. “The amount of water you can have stored in your soil profile, along with growing-season precipitation, drives crop yield and nutrient demand. It gives you a better idea of your yield potential and how much fertilizer you need to apply to meet that crop’s nutrient demand. “Fertilization with nutrients like phosphorus can also promote early root growth and efficient soil water use early in the season.” Producers who know their soil and its capacity for holding water and soil water status will have more information to determine relationships between moisture and their crop’s yield potential, and the need for added fertilizer to optimize the yield and water use efficiency. Moisture is an annual concern for many producers, and while long-term efforts can continue to improve soil water-holding capacity and potentially ease those concerns, collecting data on current soil moisture can help producers manage their land in its current state. BF Leaving crop stubble helps capture precipitation and snow melt. NSMediaPhoto - stock.adobe.com INCREASING WATER-HOLDING CAPACITY 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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WHERE ARE RECORDS OF DAIRY CALF HEALTH FALLING SHORT? ‘GOOD RECORDS HELP YOU ASK BETTER QUESTIONS.’ BY EMILY MCKINLAY Kristen Edwards photo KEEPING BETTER CALF RECORDS
25 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | January 2025 Record-keeping is an important practice for anyone raising livestock, but farmers may find it challenging to keep entries up to date and in a format that is usable. Kristen Edwards, a dairy veterinarian with Tavistock Veterinarians and PhD candidate at the University of Guelph, recently studied the barriers to maintaining complete and accurate calf data records on dairy farms. “I am a practising veterinarian,” says Edwards about her motivation to study the topic. “I’ve been a dairy vet for over 10 years and have recognized that calf records are often incomplete on dairy farms.” She explains that previous research has found that only 15 per cent of Ontario dairy farms that were enrolled in Lactanet services had accessible calf health records. Fewer than 50 per cent of dairy farms across the country had complete calf records. “Having good records for calves or any age group is important. If you are not monitoring data, it is difficult to objectively quantify whether there is an issue or if a management or protocol intervention needs to occur.” Her research explores why many farmers struggle with record-keeping and what changes could be made to receive usable information from the data collected. The barriers Edwards’s research occurred in two stages. First, an electronic survey was sent to veterinarians to share with their clients. The survey included questions about farm health practices, treatment protocols and recording, data utilization, and other relevant practices. The second stage of the research investigated barriers to utilization of calf health data from the veterinarian perspective. After responses were collected, the first stage of the study had 88 eligible surveys which were reviewed. “We basically looked at the likelihood of farmers making management changes based on health outcomes, and we looked at if all illnesses and treatments were recorded, and how records were kept,” explains Edwards. “We found that only 19 per cent of producers recorded all calf illnesses, 43 per cent recorded all treatments with antimicrobials, 38 per cent recorded all treatments with anti-inflammatories, and only 13 per cent of farmers recorded supportive therapies.” She also said that 49 per cent of farmers reported that they seldom or never received actionable recommendations from their veterinarian based on calf records. This discouraged some producers from keeping complete records, as they couldn't see the benefits. The initial study also looked at how different management factors affected the likelihood of farms maintaining complete health and treatment records. Some of these factors included the location and method of record collection. “We did find that the probability of farmers keeping complete records for KEEPING BETTER CALF RECORDS
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