Ag-talk : newsletter for the Leduc district office

6 Pages·1997·2.9 MB·English

by  Alberta. Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

f I M
\e -d-
Ag Talk
Volume 3, Issue 1 Newsletter from the Leduc District Office of
- Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development -
Winter/Spring
2000 - Agriculture Financial Services Corporation -
- Alberta Reduced Tillage Initiative -
- Alberta Pulse Growers Commission -
- Bison Centre of Excellence -
4301 - 50 Street
Leduc, AB T9E 7H3
Serving the Counties of Leduc, Strathcona, Wetaskiwin,
Inside this issue:
the M.D. of Brazeau and Beyond!
The Care and 1
alberta
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Feeding of Landlords
Phone: [phone] (Toll Free 310-0000)
Fax: [phone] AGRICULTURE. FOOD AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Can You Be Held 2
Accountable for Cindy Bishop Rural Development Specialist- Organizations
George Rock Farm Management Specialist
Your Organization’s
Demise? Roger Andreiuk. Cereal & O ilseed Crops Specialist
Bob Buchanan... ... ... Agricultural Water Specialist
Pasture Water 3 Leanne Chubocha &
Systems for Liz Ross Client Service Representatives
Livestock
AFSC 3 The Care and Feeding of Landlords
Reminder...
By George Rock, Farm Management Specialist, Leduc
Seeding Equipment: 3 Over 40% of farm land in there are all kinds of rent and timing of rent
The Next Step in the Alberta is rented and this
economic justification for
Move to Direct
percentage is g rowing. Ever either lower cash rents or
Seeding
larger equipment with large changes to rental agreements. Bpuaty,m emnotrse. and more
prices attached is forcing But, the market is not successful farmers must have
The Welcome Mat is 5
Out at The Bison more farmers to acquire showing much decline. good working relationships
Genre of Excellence more land to help get their What’s going on anyway? with their landlords. They
There are more people
per unit (per acre or per cow) must know ‘what makes
fixed costs for
Announcements 6 seeking land at present rates them tick’, why are they
than there is land. So, land involved with farming, what
equipment in ‘line’. Further,
pre unit (per acre, per cow) rents are trending upwards.
do they expect from the land
margins are also declining. they have, how long do they
To get more land, you must Most farmers are production plan to have the property and
buy or lease. Ownership oriented, they would sooner more. Obviously, you as a
costs are higher than leased. pull a calf at midnight, or pull farmer must have the skills,
Consequently there is a stuck seeding outfit out of
the equipment and the
growing pressure on the a mud hole than talk to then-
rental market. At present landlords about leases, land (C ontinued on page 2)
(Continued from page I) gestures can do a l ot with negotiated product (the lease),
landlord- tenant relations. though important, is not as
financial backing to be able to Don Gee, Farm Management useful as the process used to
farm all of the land under
Specialist in Iowa, outlines a develop the lease. Drawing
your control in a t imely
fewr: holiday greetings, a f ruit up a l ease forces you to think
fashion. But, landlords will basket, a p roduct from your about issues, such as access to
not give you a g reat deal of farm, a f arm related cap, buildings, upkeep of fences,
extra credit for this, it’s the sharing your records including crop share percentages, nurse
minimum they expect from yield monitor data (if crops, banked fertilizer and
you as a f armer. The extra available) or a simple more. To be a g ood
things they want are harder to invitation for a combine ride
negotiator landlords and
find out. For some, it m ight at harvest. It might be an farmers must become good
be wildlife, deer and beaver invitation to winter outlook listeners to be able to cultivate
dams. For others it’s a meetings you might be attend- long-term relationships that
straight investment or it m ight
ing or maybe an extra pay- are good for both. But make
be a l egacy from their parents ment in a g ood year might
sure good meaningful com-
and grandparents or a p lace of make negotiations in a t ough munication continues while
solitude that gives them peace. the lease is in force. And, for
year easier to do.
Whatever it i s, y ou as a f armer most, initiating and continuing
must know this to do a g ood A w ritten lease can help make this dialogue must start with
job by their standards. landlord- tenant relationships the farm operator or tenant.
better. In many cases, the
Some relatively simple
Can You Be Held Responsible For Your
Organization ’ s Demise?
By Cindy Bishop, Rural Development Specialist - O rganizations, Leduc
Organizations survive and home and do nothing. can’t spare the time.
thrive because of individual ♦ The day after the meeting ♦ Never read anything
commitment. Here is a find fault with the officers
pertaining to the
reference that you can use to and members.
. organization - k eep your
gauge your impact, or monitor ♦ Take no part in the thoughts pure.
the effect other individuals are
structural affairs of the
having on your organization. ♦ Nite i vse r ea s iaecrc e tpot c arnit i ocfizfei c et h -a n
organization.
“If it i s to be, it i s up to me!” ♦ Be sure to sit in the back to do things as an officer.
16 Ways to End an so you can talk it o ver ♦ If appointed to a
with a f riend. committee, accept, then
Organization
♦ Get all from the don’t give anytime or
service to the committee
organization that it c an
♦ Don’t attend meetings ♦ If y ou receive a request
but, if y ou do, always give you, but don’t give
arrive late. the organization anything for funds, ignore it.
back.
♦ Be sure to leave well ♦ Don’t do any more than
♦ At every opportunity, you have to and, when the
before the meeting is
threaten to resign and get Others willinglyand
closed.
others do the same.
♦ Never have anything to ♦ Talk cooperation, but unseltifesi tso h hellyp u tshee tchaeuisre , a bili-
say at meetings but, once
outside, say plenty. twhheenn d ocnal’lte d c ouoppoenr.a te complain beganizcationa irs uusne b yth e a or-
♦ When at meetings vote to ♦ If asked to help, say you clique.
do everything, then go
Pasture Water Systems for Livestock
(Updated Agdex 460/716-3)
By Bob Buchanan, Agricultural Water Specialist, Leduc
This new updated agri- facts various options and the The agdex also contains some
addresses a number of issues factors that livestock information on groundwater
and benefits related to pasture producers should consider sources and winterized pas-
water systems including: when selecting a water system ture water systems.
that best suits their pasture
♦ Livestock producers desire
to provide a safe, reliable system The pasture water In the future, it i s expected
supply of g ood quality systems options outlined are: that livestock producers will
water for livestock ♦ lriavmepsst ock access rely more on groundwater
sources, also more on pipeline
production.
♦ Livestock producers want ♦ water hauling systems to water cattle on pas-
ture. Improved technology
to increase the livestock
♦ water storages
and pumping systems will play
production, herd health
and pasture utilization. ♦ gravity- fed systems an important role in this.
♦ pumped gravity flow
♦ Livestock producers also reservoirs
If y ou would like more infor-
want to do their part to
mation on p asture water sys-
protect both natural and ♦ animal- operated
constmcted water sources pastures pumps tems, please contact our Dis-
trict Office in Leduc at 986-
from environmental dam- ♦ shallow buried 8985.
age.
pipelines
♦ gas, solar and wind
The agri-facts discusses the powered systems
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
Insurance: 986-4088 Lending: 986-0999
Fax: [phone] AFginrainccuilatlu r eS ervices
Corporation
Insurance Division Val Hensch Lending Division: Garry Poffenroth
Carol Ohm
Karen Brenneis
Deadline for Forage Insurance Application is February 29th, 2000.
Alberta Reduced Tillage Initiative
Phone: [phone] Cell: 940-8625 Fax: [phone]
INITIATIVE • P HASE II
Seeding Equipment: The Next Step in the Move
to Direct Seeding
By Mark Olson, Reduced Tillage Agronomist
Over the last few years, I’ve management - the first step in over the field will cause seed-
written numerous articles and
making the move to direct
ing equipment problems.
talked to many farmers at seeding. The simple fact is
great length on the that, straw and chaff that is Once straw and chaff have
importance of residue not spread widely and evenly (Continued on page 4)
Volume 3, Issue I
Page 3
(C ontinued from page 3) fact, Western Canada is the of acres farmed may or may
world leader in this area, with
not be feasible because of land
been managed properly, the
our seeding technology being
next step is to look at seeding availability in y our area or how
exported to many countries
equipment issues. Surveys and around the world. But can financially leveraged the farm
is already. Neighbors going
focus groups conducted by
government and industry you afford it ? together to buy large more
alike, reveal that one of the costly pieces of equipment is
In many of the machinery cost
main reasons farmers give for becoming increasingly
not having made the switch to spreadsheets I’ve seen run common but responsibilities
over the last few years, farm
direct seeding or reduced have to be clearly defined
size to the greatest extent, before hand. Financial
tillage is seeding equipment. determines whether a f armer
institutions will lend money
should buy, lease, or have it
There are primarily two for such arrangements,
custom done. Commonly,
concerns - the cost of seeding however, each partner would
these spreadsheets will still be held accountable for
equipment and choosing the
indicate that, 1200- 1500 acres the entire amount of the loan
right seeding equipment for minimum, is needed to pay
the soil types and off a new airseeder. This cost rather than simply the share %
environmental conditions on ownership of the machine.
is dependent on which
your particular farm.
options you get as well;
Used equipment and
seeders with Global Position-
For this article, the cost of modifying equipment is
ing System capability for
seeding equipment will be another solution to the high
addressed. Both of these things like, variable rate cost of equipment but do your
fertilization, and seeding could homework before you buy,
issues are interrelated, though,
cost well over $150,000
airseeder technology has
since having a costly new
depending on the type of
piece of seeding equipment improved allot over the last 10
opener and width of machine.
which is not the right one for years. DK Noble, Versatile
2000, and Edwards HD 812
nyoiugrh t mfaarrme, cios m ae f atrrmueer.’ s worst Cost savings in diesel fuel hoe drills have been used as
through less tillage passes, of- direct seed drills by many
Interestingly, in my travels ten will make the annual
and visits to farms throughout farmers just starting in direct
payments on a n ew air seeder.
Western Canada, the Dakotas seeding without alot of
and Montana, I h ave seen Alberta Agriculture’s “Farm modifications. As for
every type of seeding Operations Costs Guide” has modifying seeding equipment,
equipment work and work survey results in which farm- one of the best kept secrets is
ers indicate that a single tillage
well, if, t he farmer under- taking the John Deere 9350,
stands the b asic concepts pass costs between $4.50- 9450 or International 7200
$6.00/ acre. This maybe
around direct seeding and hoe drills and adding an Atom
slightly different from your
plant growth. The old adage farm and will vary with tractor jet o pener to direct seed.
of, if y ou believe it w ill work,
size, cultivator size, yearly
it w ill, rings true. Wanting some more ideas on
payments and interest rates.
However, based on these seeding equipment and mak-
The cost of equipment is an ing the move to direct seeding
survey results, eliminating two
inherent problem to the or reduced tillage? Give me a
tillage passes on 1200 acres
business of farming no matter call at 780-980-4898 or attend
whether it i s a seeder, tractor, would be a $ 10,800- $14,400 Farm Tech 2000 conference
grain truck, or combine. Will savings or payment. (See Al- in Red Deer which runs from
this piece of equipment pay berta Agriculture’s Ropin’ The
for itself ? T here is no Web site to find machinery February 2-4.' There are two
cost calculators. URL http:// equipment modification ses-
question, in my mind, that the www.agric.gov.ab.ca/) . am chasiiornsi n(Dgay. 1 a nd 3) o f which I
new seeding technology of
today is better than that of 20,
However, for the smaller
10 and even 5 y ears ago. In
farmer, increasing the number
Volume 3, Issue I
Page 4
/dlberra
AGRICULTURE. FOOD AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
The Welcome Mat management specialist in in Vermilion but we are
is out at the Hanna. Cathie’s new office is looking forward to her joining
Bison Centre of in Fairveiw where she will be the Leduc staff early in the
Excellence more accessible to producers new year.
in the Peace country. In
addition to their role of The first person to greet you
The paint is dry, the boxes
at the BCE either on the
unpacked, the computers are assisting producers Cathie and
Gerald are very busy
up and running and so are we. phone or in p erson will be
The Bison Centre of researching and developing a
Judy Kohls mith. As Client
Excellence (BCE) opened its resource library for the Service Representative for the
Centre.
doors on November 15th. BCE Judy is the initial contact
for the Centre. Judy recently
With a g oal of being a one Susanne Pohl was recently came to AAFRD from
hired as the new secretary to Alberta Health and Wellness
stop, leading edge information
source about the bison the Alberta Bison Association where she worked for three
industry in Alberta and a staff (ABA). Susanne has ten years years in the Communications
of six it h as become a b ustling secretarial experience most of Branch as administrative
little office. Doug Bienert is which was with the county of support. She is a novice when
the marketing manager for the Wetaskiwin. In addition to her it c omes to bison but is eager
work with the ABA Susanne to leam and is h ard at work
new Centre. Doug has a vast
amount of experience in has first hand knowledge of compiling contact and
marketing both in the private the bison industry. She and resource information to
sector as well as with the her husband Victor have a enable her to assist BCE
provincial government. Just bison and hay farm just west clients.
of Wetaskiwin.
prior to working with bison
Doug worked with the We are very excited about our
International Marketing With preparations underway new office and can’t wait to
Division of AAFRD for the International Bison show it o ff. We look forward
concentrating on numerous Conference (IBC2000), to meeting as many of y ou as
geographic regions including taking place in Edmonton possible. If y ou are in the
Europe, South and Central August 1 t o 4, 2 000, the new Leduc area drop by, have a
America and the U.S. year is shaping up to be a b usy coffee, meet the staff and get
one at the BCE. This is
the grand tour of the new
The Centre also boasts two especially true for Jacquie facility. We are located in the
Bison Production Specialists B u rris . As well as working old county building in Leduc,
Gerald Hauer and Cathie for the ABA and the Peace at 4301 50 Street. For more
Erichsen Arychuck. Gerald Country B is o n As s o ciation information about the Bison
came to the Centre from the (PCB A), Jacquie is the Centre of Excellence or to
Northern Alberta Institute of coordinator for the speak to any of the staff
Technology (N.A.I.T.) where conference. Jacquie ’s i nterest please call 780/986-4100. We
he taught in the area of in the bison industry started in look forward to hearing from
Animal Health Technology. 1995, when she was a
Prior to that he worked as a facilitator at Lakeland College,
large animal veterinarian in Extension Department.
There she was involved in the
private practice. Cathie has
been with AAFRD for a implementation of several
you.
extension courses on bison.
number of y ears, most
recently as a r ange Currently, Jacquie is working
Volume 3, Issue I Page 5
National Library of Canada
Announcemc Bibliotheque nationale du Canada
08
3 3 286 5193568
Super Canola Workshop Super Cereal Workshop
Thursday, February 10, 2000 Wednesday, February 16, 2000
9:30 am - 4 :00 pm
9:30 am - 4 :00 pm
Wetaskiwin Memorial Centre (5206-50 Street) Leduc Denham Inn (5207-50 Avenue)
Cost $10.00 (includes lunch & G ST) Cost $10.00 (includes lunch &GST)
Registration Deadline February 7, 2000 Registration Deadline February 11, 2000
To register call the Alberta Agriculture office in Leduc at 986-8985 To register call the Alberta Agriculture office in Leduc at 986-
or in Wetaskiwin at 361- 1240. 8985 or in Wetaskiwin at 361-1240.
This program will cover many of todays FIOT TOPICS! There are several issues in cereal production this year that
Transgenic canola production heads the list both from a sci- farmers need to keep updated on. In the wheats, ergot,
entific and m arketing point of view. Fallout from the US fusarium and sterile heads are concerns. There is new in-
Environmental Protection Act is changing our seed treat- formation on p roducing high protein wheat as well. This
ment industry. Come and find out the latest developments seminar will cover varieties, malt barley production, winter
and how they could affect the way you farm. Production wheat production and some new information on cereal dis-
practices such as insects, diseases, rotations and fertility will eases. The day will wrap up with the results of trials and
triticale silage.
also be discussed at this meeting.
Agenda Topics: Agenda Topics:
Canola Varieties, Canola Production Systems, Canola Insects, Rotations, Diseases and Seed Treatments, Variety Selection-
wheat, barley and oats, Winter Wheat Production, High Protein
GMO’s - T he Science, GMO’s - T he Perception, New Seed Treat-
WFhoreaagte trial test results, Malt Barley Production, Cereals for
ments, Canola and Food Safety, Canola Production Centre’s
Machinery Economics Excellence 2000
The Measure of Capital Worth
... Managing Excellence in Agriculture featuring
Dr. Stephen Covey and “The Seven Habits of Highly
This course will be held in Leduc on March 1-3, 2000.
Effective Farm Business Managers”
Cost $265 per FARM / L ap Top computer. Farm “teams” Other speakers include:
are welcome and only charged one fee for the use of the
Jeremy Rifkin and Dennis Avery on Biotechnology
computer.
Robert Napier (Australia), New Trends in Farm
Management
For more details on course content, please call George Rock
Peter Reese- Adding Value
in Leduc at ( 780)986-8985.
Birgitt Bolton on Risk
For more information check out the Canadian Farm
Price Is Right: Foundations of Product
Business Management Council website at www.cfbmc.
Development & P roduct Costing
com/ excellence- eng/ or call George Rock, Farm
March 6, 2000
Management Specialist, at 986-8985.
9:30 am - 3 :00 pm: Wetaskiwin Provincial Building
Conference Room
Dates: February 23-26, 2000
$37.45 (includes GST and manual)
Location: Banff Springs Hotel, Banff Alberta
This new course has been developed for any emerging or exist- Conference rate $165/ night single or double
ing agri-food processor interested in learning or reviewing the 1-800-441-1414
basics of p roduct costing. Wally Marcolin, workshop facilitator
will share real-life examples and encourage sharing of experi- Cost: $825/ person, additional registration in same
ences among participants.
family, $725. Does not include accommodation.
For information or to register for this workshop call Joyce Lencucha,
Agri-Food Development Specialist in Red Deer at ( 403)340-5358.