By Lee Hart

Between COVID-19, supply-chain disruptions and now the conflict in the Ukraine it seems like any calm or normalcy in the world is sort of out the window.

Add in the effects of increasingly volatile weather patterns, and the question of what it all means to crop and livestock production in the year ahead seems almost too big to ponder.

Some clarity would be of value.

That relatively new, producer/expert conduit, AGvisorPRO is hosting a webinar next week featuring speakers who will hopefully put all events in perspective.

“There’s no question that the 2022 planting season will be one for the history books,” says Rob Saik, AGvisorPRO CEO. ” Huge issues are colliding, creating all kinds of uncertainty in our global food system. How are crop prices going to respond? What will happen to the cost of inputs? How can farmers make the most out of the mess?
“AGvisorPRO aims to bring some clarity to these questions with our upcoming plant 2022 webinar. We’re bringing together some fantastic market experts for a panel discussion. If you want some assurance at an unsure time, join in on the webinar. “

Experts joining the March 30, 2022 webinar at 6 p.m. MST include:

• Dr. Bob Trogele, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, AMVAC  (a world leader in the ag chem business) has enjoyed a 34 year leadership career in agribusiness, working for “large caps” such as Hoechst, Aventis and Bayer, and “mid-caps” such as Schering and FMC.

• Moe Agostino is an experienced commodity trading and marketing expert specializing in risk management within the agriculture industry. Qualified in Canada and the U.S., he is a trained commodity broker with a Risk Management certification from the Canadian Farm Business Management Council, holds an honours degree in Business Administration and is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute.

• Robert Saik has 40 years of experience as a professional agrologist, entrepreneur and an international consultant who’s worked with a wide variety of agriculturalists from Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture to Bill Gates. He’s also the founder and CEO of AGvisorPRO, a platform that “uberizes” knowledge and wisdom, enabling farmers to instantaneously connect with agriculture experts worldwide.

To register and for more details on the webinar Click here .

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By Kristine Tapley

Over the past year, Canadians have felt the first-hand effects of climate change more than ever. Scorching temperatures, droughts, wildfires and floods – all of unforeseen magnitudes – have claimed homes and livelihoods while ravaging the environments they have impacted.

Among those who experience the effects of climate change most acutely are farmers. Unfortunately, this same group often receives more than its share of the blame for the climate situation we find ourselves in. Yet, here in Canada, it is these farmers and ranchers who hold the key to some of our most promising solutions to climate mitigation.

Natural areas are a climate solution. And there is a growing need to consider habitats such as wetlands and grasslands as on-farm assets that provide economic benefits as well as support the resiliency of our agricultural landscapes.

In particular, wetlands stand out as a powerful defense system. They sequester carbon and filter water, support pollinators and biodiversity, and provide habitat for countless wildlife including many species at risk. Through the provision of these environmental benefits, wetlands protect us against an ever-changing climate, drought and floods. With more than 25 per cent of the world’s remaining wetlands found in Canada, they can be considered a true national treasure.

Guardians of the Wetlands

A little-known fact is that raising cattle helps preserve wetland ecosystems. In certain parts of the country, wetlands and riparian areas neighbouring cattle-dotted grasslands or pasture are a common site to see, and for good reason. Much of the Canadian landscape that is suitable for raising beef cattle is the same land that supports these natural systems.

Under proper management, cattle co-exist and provide environmental co-benefits to ecosystems like wetlands and beef producers are doing their part to protect these sensitive areas. Measures including strategic fencing, solar powered water troughs and managing cattle movement at certain times of the year all reap environmental wins. Farmers and ranchers know preserving habitat is not only crucial to the health and vitality of their land and animals, but is also intrinsically linked to the sustainability of their business.

When considering the land left for conservation, a significant proportion exists because of the presence of a viable beef operation, which has spared it from being converted to other purposes. As the leading national conservation organization who partners with Canada’s agricultural industry, Ducks Unlimited Canada has repeatedly shown that a healthy beef sector is good for the environment and for our working landscapes. We recognize that beef farmers and ranchers safeguard some of Canada’s most important, diverse and threatened habitats, including wetlands.

As we celebrate World Wetland’s Day on February 2, we have a tremendous responsibility to elevate the discussion around habitats as on-farm assets. The amount of land available is finite. We must farm the best and conserve the rest. We are fortunate that in Canada, certain landscapes allow for the overlapping uses of growing food and conservation, but now is the time to recognize these areas for their invaluable worth and ensure they continue supporting the resiliency of our landscapes long into the future.

Kristine Tapley is a Manitoba beef producer and Ducks Unlimited Canada’s agricultural sustainability lead.

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Glacier Farm Media is excited to be back with live conferences and farm shows in 2022.

Conference director Iris Meck is busy organizing the 14th Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference (AWC) for March 21 and 22 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Calgary.

Ag In Motion will be operating full tilt with a live farm equipment show at Langham Saskatchewan July 19 to 21, 2022. And later in the year if you’re passing by Woodstock, Ontario plan to attend Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show September 13 to 15.

ADVANCING WOMEN CONFERENCE

While the speaker agenda is being finalized for the March conference in Calgary, attendees will hear from experts, women producers, ag entrepreneurs and women working in and outside of agribusiness.

A keynote speaker already confirmed is Roxanne Derhodge, a prominent psychotherapist, author and international speaker on mental health, and wellness with more than 20 years experience. She will be speaking during the plenary session and participate in an interactive workshop session at AWC.

For details and updates and to register visit the conference website at: advancingwomenconference.ca

AG IN MOTION

Located at Langham, Saskatchewan about 20 minutes northwest of Saskatoon, Ag In Motion (AIM) is billed as Western Canada’s outdoor farm show. It will be back bigger and better than ever for the sixth live show July 19 to 21.

As the 2019 AIM wrapped up it was supported by more than 500 exhibitors and drew about 30,000 visitors over the three day run. The invitation is out for 2022 to attend the show to kick the proverbial tires of the latest in farm equipment, machinery and technology. As well there will be hundreds of plots showcasing some of the latest crop varieties and agronomic practices, a huge show of farm innovations and services, as well as an ever expanding livestock component  — including cattle demonstrations and livestock feeding and handling equipment.  For more information and updates visit the AIM website at: aginmotion.ca

CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW

For more than 25 years, farmers have attended Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show to learn about the newest and most innovative products and technology in agriculture. After a two-year COVID break, the 2022 will return as a full scale outdoor farm show September 13 to 15. The interactive content from the field gives participants a unique vantage point to experience to see and learn about agricultural equipment, crop production and livestock — all up close and in person. For details visit the show website at: outdoorfarmshow.com

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Inflation is raging at 686 per cent, people can’t afford food including beef, the ranching industry has downsized by half, ranchers are forced to milk cows and sell milk for about 60 cents per litre to make ends meet, criminal gangs are destroying farms, as well as torturing farmers and livestock. Wow, what a mess!

And we have complaints in Canada?

It doesn’t mean the Canadian agriculture industry couldn’t stand some improvements, but man-o-man things could be so much worse.

Lee Hart is a field editor with Grainews based in Calgary. Contact him at 403-815- 3719 or by email at lee@fbcpublishing.com

BARINAS, Venezuela, Jan 14 (Reuters) – Cattle ranchers in Barinas state, one of Venezuela’s main agricultural regions, milk their herds in the small hours each morning before selling the milk in dollars to make ends meet, as a lack of credit worsens a long-running economic crisis.

Venezuela’s agriculture industry has been hit by years of regulations and expropriation of land, leading ranchers who depend on selling meat to scale back cattle breeding and shift to dairy.

Ranching across Venezuela’s sprawling plains boasted 2.5 million head of cattle as little as four years ago, but has dwindled to 1.7 million as rearing costs soared, producers said. Fewer cattle are being slaughtered because high inflation has hit demand for beef, they added.

Though President Nicolas Maduro’s government loosened business regulations in 2019, the measure has not permitted the complete reactivation of key areas for the South American country’s battered economy.

However, some ranchers can now sell milk for dollars, helping to offset the devaluation of Venezuela’s bolivar.

“Milk is what provides us the opportunity to have petty cash on the farm … that keeps us operating,” said Jose Labrador, president of the Barinas rural producers association, adding that he and his fellow ranchers faced a grave crisis.

A liter of milk can go for 30 to 60 cents, Labrador said.

Use of the dollar has helped producers survive, they said, while making smuggling cattle to neighbouring Colombia less attractive, Fedenaga said.

Beef production is much slower and takes longer to generate income in a country where annual consumption has dropped to eight kilograms per person from 26 kilos in the 1990s, according to the national federation of ranchers in Venezuela (Fedenaga).

A handful of ranchers have been able to sell beef abroad, with the government pushing exports to Asia and the Middle East.

Milk production in Barinas is around two million liters per day, according to producers’ estimates. Milk production figures from before Venezuela’s crisis were unavailable.

Restrictions on new loans have limited producers’ capacity to invest in their farms, causing some to abandon their lands, while others turn to options like producing corn or rearing sheep or pigs alongside cattle, Labrador said.

Ranchers also contend with government measures to limit loan availability and spending in bolivars to control hyperinflation, which have reduced the circulation of local currency.

According to the central bank, inflation in Venezuela hit 686.4 per cent in 2021.

A farm on the outskirts of Barinas state’s capital of the same name produced some 14,000 liters of milk per day before Venezuela’s economic crisis, but now sees output of 9,000 liters due to high production costs.

Only one of the farm’s milking systems is operational after a lack of financing paralyzed the other, which was poised to add 8,000 liters to daily production, Labrador said.

Attacks by criminal gangs who burn farms, destroy equipment and kill livestock, as well as damaging nearby forests, has also disrupted output, producers added.

The gangs aim to drive ranchers from their lands, before selling them to third parties, producers told Reuters. Videos provided by ranchers and on social media show cattle being abused, or confined without food until they die. (Written by Reuters staff.)

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Lange works with clients on key management areas such as financial and succession planning. He’s also a fairly regular contributor to Grainews. Following is a message from Lange, of AJL Consulting on some of his recent presentations.

Hello Ag Industry Colleagues

I recently did some extension work on a farm business area that I feel has been neglected. Creating strong farm teams and business plans (or more specifically, lack of same) is a topic that has been on my mind for some time. In the fall of 2021 I worked with several organizations to address these two topics to make farmers aware of them and hopefully start to address them. Thus, the following initiatives resulted: 

• Webinar with the Mackenzie Applied Research Association https://www.dropbox.com/s/eo2chrb45fqe56d/Farm%20Team%20Building%20%26%20Business%20Planning%20zoom_0%20Dec%201%2C%202021.mp4?dl=0

• Podcast with Tracy Brunet of Farm Marketer https://www.farmmarketer.com/Resources/ResourceItem?resourceItemId=379

  If you would like further information don’t hesitate to give Lange a call or email at:

Art Lange PAg

AJL Consulting

Ph: 780-467-6040

Cell: 780-914-2847

Fax: 780-449-2993

Web: www.ajlconsulting.ca

Email: art@ajlconsulting.ca

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With the assistance of $15,000 each in scholarship money the six recipients from across the country will spend the next couple years researching and expanding their knowledge on a wide range agricultural-related topics.

The 2022 scholars are:
 
Ingrid Johnston, is a co-owner and manager of Onward Ranch near 150 Mile House in BC. Her topic of study will focus on how primary producers can direct market their farm products and ship to consumers without using a distribution company or middleman. Ingrid’s scholarship is sponsored by Farm Credit Canada.   
 

Ken Coles, is executive director of the agriculture innovation hub Farming Smarter, in Lethbridge, AB.  Ken hopes to change the way people farm by studying grassroots on-farm innovation organizations around the world. His studies will be sponsored by the Alberta Wheat Commission.
 

Shawn Moen, is the CEO and co-founder of 9 Mile Legacy Brewing Co., an innovative nanobrewery located in Saskatoon, SK. He plans to study how jurisdictions use a business incubation model to create environments where diverse, stratified, and multi-channel agricultural SMEs can survive in start-up and thrive in growth. Shawn is sponsored by Nuffield Canada.

Odette Menard, is from Saint-Simon de Bagot, QC, and works in soil and water conservation for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries of Québec. Odette is an expert in earthworm behaviour and soil improvement under no-till conditions. Her study topic is to recognize and understand the behavioural changes required to adopt soil health practices for the long term.  Odette is sponsored by Nuffield Canada.
 
Lauren Park, is a beekeeper with two farms – Forest Hill Apiary, and Cosman and Whidden Honey Ltd., in Forest Hill, NS. She specializes in queen bee rearing along with fruit pollination, and honey production. Her topic of study is on queen health, and the queen bee’s impact on sustainability in the beekeeping industry. Lauren is sponsored by Canadian Canola Growers Association.
 
Mark Phillips, is from Bonshaw, PEI, and is the marketing specialist for the PEI Potato Board. His goal is to learn more about issues producers face with respect to developing public trust and how to work with the general public to foster an understanding of agricultural practices and the reasons behind them. Mark’s sponsor is the PEI Department of Agriculture & Land.
 
The goal of Nuffield is to attract mid-career scholars with a passion for agriculture who are ready to challenge themselves in a program of international travel and study. The experience results in personal and professional benefits, while adding value to Canadian agriculture as scholars assume positions of greater influence in their field.

 “Nuffield Canada is part of a global network of Nuffield alumni who support each other in their travel studies to learn more about various aspects of agriculture,“ explains Blake Vince, Nuffield Canada Chair and 2013 Scholar. “This unique scholarship opportunity develops new influencers that go on to reshape our Canadian agricultural sector with revitalized innovation, global perspectives and leadership.”
 
Recipients can come from any capacity of primary production, industry, or governance of agriculture and must do a minimum of 10 weeks of travel study within 24 months to examine and research an agriculturally relevant issue. They then write a report on their research findings and make a presentation to the Nuffield Board.
 

Nuffield Canada was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1986 and currently has more than 100 alumni. As part of a larger international community, Nuffield Canada has affiliate organizations in Australia, Brazil, Chiles, Ireland, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Zimbabwe. Scholar recipients become a member of the global Nuffield alumni network, more than 1,700 strong, who in return host and help current traveling scholars.

The next round of applications will open in April 2022. For more information visitwww.nuffield.ca.    

– 30 –

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I have been a fairly casual commodity market observer for many years, but the weather-related boom and bust nature of crop and livestock production still has me shaking my head some days. There is just so much variability around the world all due to whatever weather package Mother Nature delivers during the growing season.

In 2021 for example, Canada had one of it’s worse years for canola production due to drought, while on the other side of the world Australia, a country which in some places in 2020 was literally burning up, had one of its best canola growing years ever.

I’m not sure what the final figures are for Canada, but in mid-September the 2021 canola production was forecast at 14,749,000 tonnes, also above the average trade expectation at 14.1 million tonnes but down 24 per cent from 2020 and the lowest in nine years. Average canola yield was forecast down 30 per cent from last year, more than offsetting an expected eight per cent increase in harvested area.

At MarketsFarm Pro, analyst Mike Jubinville says the final production figures could even be lower. “If you take the yield analysis of both Saskatchewan and Alberta crop reports did last week, [production] should be under 12 million tonnes,” he says. Alberta said its canola yields were about 26 bushels per acre after 13 per cent of the province’s crop had been combined. With 31 per cent of Saskatchewan’s canola in the bin, its agriculture department placed yields at 20 bu/ac. Jubinville says in the final analysis Stats Can could peg canola in the lower 13 million-tonne range. Whatever the final figure is, Canadian farmers had considerably less canola in the bin.

CANOLA IN AUSTRALIA

Meanwhile, Reuters news reports from Australia suggest a frenzy over canola yields and the opportunity for high prices.

“Australia is set to play a significant role in the export market for canola – also known as rapeseed – accounting for just under one third of the world trade estimated at 14.21 million tonnes in 2021/22.The nation is expected to ship more than four million tonnes in 2021/22, up from 3.1 million tonnes a year earlier.

The first canola truckloads for the season have been sent to port storage weeks earlier than usual after warm and wet growing conditions lifted yields, especially in Western Australia.

“We are trying to prioritise getting the canola off first because of the value in it,” said Levis MacKenzie, a farm manager at Viridis Ag’s The Grange farm in Western Australia.

He said the farm added an extra “couple thousand hectares of canola” during the planting window due to high prices.

While canola prices were already strong during the Australian planting window early in the year, they have since climbed to record levels due to a drought affecting top producer, Canada.

November canola contracts there have gained more than 70 per cent this year to trade over C$900 ($724) per tonne. At the start of 2020, prices were below C$500.

Demand for Australian canola is so strong that some farmers have started forward selling next year’s crop at A$800-A$850 a tonne ($590-$627 a tonne), one Australian-based analyst told Reuters, compared with average prices of A$500 a tonne.

This season’s anticipated strong harvest, forecast to deliver the country’s second biggest ever wheat take, comes just when Australia needs it, with an extended lockdown in the country’s two biggest cities disrupting the economic recovery https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australias-economy-slowed-q2-ahead-lockdown-downturn-2021-09-01.”

TOO MUCH PORK

Aside from canola, supply and demand and prices are crazy in several other markets too.

Again, according to Reuters news agency, “China’s third-quarter pork production surged to its highest in three years, official data earlier this week showed, after producers built thousands of large breeding farms last year to rebuild a hog herd decimated by African swine fever.

Pork output for July-September was 12.02 million tonnes, up 43 per cent compared with a year earlier, according to Reuters’ calculations based on official data, and the highest since the third quarter of 2018, before China began feeling the fallout of the swine fever epidemic.

China’s pork output jumped 38 per cent in the first three quarters of 2021 versus a year earlier to 39.17 million tonnes, the statistics bureau said.

But the dramatic increase in pork production resulted in prices plunging by 65 per cent so far this year, prompting some farmers to sell their herds and exit, while others took the opportunity to get rid of less productive sows.

Some producers were losing as much as 1,000 yuan ($194 CDN) per head last month, when live hog prices fell to under 11 yuan per kilogramme. Prices are currently at 13.08 yuan (that’s about $2.50 CDN).

CRYING OVER ONION PRICES

Here’s a commodity that isn’t even on the radar of Canadian households, but for consumers in India there has a been a rapid rise in the cost of everyday essentials, from cooking oil to sugar and now onions, a basic ingredient in most Indian food.

“After the cost of fuel and edible oils hit record highs, Indian consumers are likely to be further squeezed by a rally in onion prices after heavy rainfall in the country’s key growing regions damaged the summer-sown crop and delayed winter crop planting.

Onions are also a politically-sensitive commodity, with price spikes contributing to the fall of more than one state government in the past.

India is also the world’s biggest onion exporter and the price rise could prompt New Delhi to restrict shipments, potentially lifting prices further afield, especially in Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, traders said.

“Too much rainfall in September led to disease attack and stunted growth of onion bulbs,” says Samadhan Bagul, a farmer from Dhule district, nearly 325 km north of Mumbai, who expects to harvest just one tonne of onions from an acre of land instead of his usual five tonnes.

Key onion producing states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka received as much as 268 per cent more rainfall than normal in September, according to the weather department.

The crop damage limited supplies, more than doubling wholesale prices at India’s largest onion trading hub, Lasalgaon in Maharashtra, to 33,400 rupees (about $550 CDN) per tonne in just a month. Retail prices in metro areas such as Mumbai have jumped above 50 rupees a kilogram (about 82 cents Canadian).

Little news items like these always serve to remind me, no matter where you farm there is always something.

Lee Hart is a field editor with Grainews based in Calgary. Contact him at 403-815- 3719 or by email at lee@fbcpublishing.com

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The husband and wife team of Merle and Barbara Olson of Calgary, veterinarians and researchers and principals of the Solvet company, along with the late Cor Van Raay a long time farmer and cattle feeder in the Picture Butte area just north of Lethbridge were among eight Albertans inducted into the order this week by Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani.

DR. MERLE OLSON

After graduating from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981, Merle Olson spent three years in a veterinary practice in Pincher Creek, AB, later moving to Calgary where he worked at the University of Calgary for 20 years.

In 2009, he established Alberta Veterinary Laboratories Ltd. to market products for use in animal health. AVL has developed and manufactured over 50 products for farm animals at their manufacturing facility in Calgary.

 Olson created Solvet to market products through veterinarians. Not only are the products driven by veterinarian requests, practicing veterinarians are providing technical support in the field.

DR. BARBARA OLSON

Barbara Olson, a long time instructor at the University of Calgary, completed a Bachelor in Sciences at the University of Manitoba followed by a Master of Sciences in Toxicology at the University of Guelph. She obtained a Doctorate in the Department of Veterinary Physiological Sciences (WCVM University of Saskatchewan) complemented by a Post-Doc at the University of Calgary.

While teaching at the University of Calgary in the Department of Biological Sciences, Barbara became involved in regulatory work and as a member of a research group involved in conducting contract and in-house research studies for submission to the FDA and Health Canada on medical devices (catheters, implants), biofilms, drugs and vaccines. She brought all those skills and experience along when she joined Solvet full time.

Today she serves as director of Quality and Regulatory Affairs for Alberta Veterinary Laboratories (AVL) /SOLVET.

Solvet products are manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility that is the only GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) plant in Alberta. The company produces a wide range of veterinary products that includes antimicrobials , disinfectants, gastrointestinal, pain-relief, and parasiticide products.

COR VAN RAAY

Born in Holland in 1936, Van Raay immigrated to Canada in 1959, eventually arriving in southern Alberta some 60 years ago, where he began his career in agriculture. He started out growing beets, later adding barley, potatoes, and wheat to his crops. In time, he bought land and cattle, developed large feedlots, and honed his marketing skills.

Van Raay became a leader in the cattle and grain industry. With his business acumen and leadership abilities, it was natural for him to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities and he became partners in numerous business adventures. In later years, Van Raay successfully extended his farming enterprises into Saskatchewan.

Working along side Van Raay in the diversified farming operation was his wife Christine. They raised six children, Kenneth, Brenda, Sandra, Colleen, Michelle, and Darren.

Van Raay believed Canada and his Southern Alberta community provided opportunities, which contributed to his success. In a spirit of gratitude and generosity, he gave back to his community by supporting a variety of organizations with monetary donations and service. Among them are the YMCA, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College, and St. Michael’s Health Centre.

Van Raay passed away in July 2021 at the age of 85.

The Alberta Order of Excellence recognizes Albertans who have made an outstanding provincial, national or international impact. It is the highest honour a citizen can receive as an official part of the Canadian Honours System. The new additions will bring the total membership of the Alberta Order of Excellence to 197.

Lee Hart is a field editor with Grainews based in Calgary. Contact him at 403-815- 3719 or by email at lee@fbcpublishing.com

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Lehr who along with family members operates Short Grass Ranches near Medicine Hat, says a recently created position called the BCRC – Hays Chair in Beef Production Systems is intended make beef industry research more available, more useable and as required more understandable by the industry.

He’s interested in the new research position, not only as a cow-calf producer and feedlot operator, but also in his role as vice-chair of the Beef Cattle Research Centre (BCRC). Lehr is also a director of the Alberta Beef Producers and represents ABP on the BCRC board.

The newly created research position, was recently filled by Dr. Gleise Silva who takes over her new responsibilities July 1, 2021.  The research chair is being funded by funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), along with the Hays family, and additional support from McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada and Cargill.

“There is a lot of great research information out there now,” says Lehr. “But as a producer I may not be aware of it, or may not immediately see how it benefits me or some other part of the beef production chain. So we are hoping as Dr. Silva gets into her new role she will help increase industry awareness of current beef research.

“I’m hoping she will be able to present it with a systems approach. There is great information available on genetics or on range management for example. But what is the benefit of this particular research not only to a particular segment of the beef production chain, but perhaps across the whole chain? How does it benefit the cow-calf producer but then does it also have a ripple effect through to finishing feedlot or even the processor? So that’s what I’m hoping this new research position will provide.”

Born and raised in Brazil and attending university in Florida, Dr. Silva will work with beef producers, translating her and her colleagues’ research on cow-calf production into practical advice. It is hoped, her work will help producers save money, maintain forage lands and advance the Canadian beef industry’s leadership in sustainable production.

This work will not be new to Silva, whose PhD focused on environmental and diet-induced stress in cattle, and on potential solutions to make cattle healthier and more efficient for the producer.

At the U of A, Silva will explore ways to responsibly produce the best beef cattle and protect grasslands—all with the goal of advancing the economic, environmental and social sustainability of Canadian beef. For example, one area she will focus on is how to reduce the cost of feeding beef cattle during long Canadian winters.

“Dr. Silva has a strong background in extension services as well,” says Lehr. “Along with research projects, a big part of her job will be extension…connecting with the various sectors of the beef production chain and increasing awareness of available research and also identifying gaps where further research is needed.”

Silva’s position was also supported by Kathy and Dan Hays. Dan is a U of A graduate, a former Canadian senator and the son of Harry Hays, creator of the Hays Converter beef cattle breed.

“The Hays family has a long history of pursuing improved productivity in the cattle industry and we’re excited to be looking to the future,” says Dan Hays. “The research coming out of this chair position will well serve our producers, Albertans and the environment.” 

Lee Hart is editor of Cattleman’s Corner based in Calgary. Contact him at 403-815-3719 or by email at lee@fbcpublishing.com

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Any time you can increase pasture productivity and stocking rate by anywhere even close to 80 per cent, that has to be a management practice delivering value to livestock producers.

But that’s the kind of benefit research shows can be achieved by doing a better job of controlling weeds and brush on pasture, according to studies conducted by Corteva Agriscience.  The weed and brush control was part of what’s known as an integrated pasture management plan.

The company has done research trials across Western Canada, using different weed, shrub and even tree control products on more than a dozen pastures to knock back what are often invasive plants, allowing both native and tame forage species to grow.

Isabelle Thibout, product manager of range and pasture herbicides with Corteva Canada says herbicides applied on 14 different pastures across Western Canada increased forage production by 101 per cent the first year, followed by a 77 per cent increase in forage production the second year.

Looking more specifically at a project that compared herbicide treatment on an 80 acre pasture versus no herbicide application on a very similar 80 acre pasture, the treated pasture produced nearly 80 per cent more forage than the untreated pasture.

Looking at it in terms of carrying capacity, the untreated pasture produced about 1,120 animal days of grazing, while the treated pasture produced 2,000 animal days of grazing.

“If these pastures were grazed for 120 days it meant the producer could increase the number of cattle by about 80 per cent on the same land base,” says Thibout. “Forage produced on the untreated pasture could support 9.3 cows for 120 days, while on the treated pasture where weeds and brush had been controlled the extra forage could support 16.6 cows for 120 days.”

More forage produced, more cows on the same land area, more feed, improved milk production, all translating into higher calf weaning weighs and potential for improved profitability. Improved weed and brush control also means fewer weed seeds produced and distributed, improved pasture vigour and a healthy forage stand better able to withstand environmental stresses such as drought.

“There are multiple benefits not only from an overall beef production standpoint, but from an environmental standpoint as well,” says Thibout.

The research demonstrates the value of applying herbicides to control weeds, brush and trees, but Thibout and Corteva regional range and pasture management specialists across Western Canada, advocate beef producers apply a more holistic approach.

Thibout encourages producers to develop an integrated pasture management plan. “That’s looking at the whole picture,” she says. “It’s not just about weed and brush control.”

An integrated pasture management plan involves developing a plan that looks at improving forage production with improved fertility, introducing more productive species in the grass or forage blend, weed, brush and tree control as necessary, a grazing management plan, that usually includes rotational grazing and routine pasture health assessments.

“Range and pastureland is an important crop and should be treated with the same management practices as other crops,” says Thibout. “Improving the health and productivity of pastures also improves the productivity of the beef herd.  A healthy and vigorously growing forage stand will remain productive much longer and as conditions change, new forage species can be introduced to help keep it productive.”

Corteva Agriscience range and pasture herbicides include Restore II which is effective on invasive broadleaf weeds such as Canada thistle, Reclaim II which is effective on brush species such as snowberry (buck brush) and Grazon XC which provides effective control on trees and weeds in permanent pastures.

Working with Thibout are regional range and pasture specialists based in all four western provinces. For more information visit the company website at: www.corteva.ca  or Google Corteva range and pasture management.

Lee Hart is editor of Cattleman’s Corner based in Calgary. Contact him at 403-815-3719 or by email at lee@fbcpublishing.com

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