Summer 2011 Volume 5 Issue 2

Spring 2016 Volume 10, Issue 1

NEWS from North Peace Applied Research Association

RESEARCH FARM UPDATE With the exception of some forage demos our plots, trials and demonstra-tions are seeded and . . . we have moisture!!! The trials have made it through extremely dry seeding, a considerable snow event, seasonal rains and two rounds of hail; so far so good on all fronts. We have installed a new weather station which reports 4.85” of moisture received from May 1—June 13. The accuracy of the snowfall moisture measurement is ques-tionable. Cereal variety trials have been seeded. There are 37 entries in the wheat trial including some of the newer varieties:

From SECAN—AAC Brandon, Foray VB, Penhold, Redwater, Ryley & KWS Alderon, Charing and Sparrow

Canterra provided AAC Concord & Connery and AC Conquer VB

Harvest, Stanley, CPS 5700, CDC Abound, CPS 5702, AAC Eli and CDC Go and others were sourced locally. The barley variety trial has 23 entries including Amisk, CDC Kindersley and CDC Maverick. And the oat variety trial has 13 entries including CDC Biscuit & CS Camden from Canterra and CDC Haymaker from SECAN.

There’s also flax, soybean, canola, fababean, green and yellow pea, coriander, corn, chickpea and lentil variety trials. Plus there is a canola shattering/green seed trial that was initiated from producer suggestions. NPARA is participating in a provincial forage variety trial which is being replicated at 8 sites across the province. There are 43 entries in this trial and data will be for the next 5+ years. Forage demonstration strips have also been seeded on the west side of the farm with numerous grass and legume varieties. The annual Regional Silage Variety trial for barley, triticale, oats and cereal/pea was again included in our trials. The sainfoin/alfalfa replicated tri-al, established in 2014, continues to provide data, and a local 10-acre demo site is being estab-lished at the Jackknife Creek Farm East of North Star which will be grazed next year evaluating high legume pasture productivity. We continue with our Soil Health projects: multi-species mix-

es and an extensive crops garden was established and additional demos will be seeded throughout the season.

The soybean selection program continues: staff hand seeded all the mature seed we produced last year from the 148 varieties screened in 2015. Unfortunately, the 300+ varieties we expected this year were not available and we will have to wait until 2017 to evaluate them. We know of no one in Western Canada doing this much work on soybeans, and while the outcome is any-one’s guess, if there is a variety suited for the

Peace Country we should be able to find it, or even develop it.

The MES Grade 1 class visited the farm in May to plant their garden and will be revisiting to monitor its growth. We invite you to visit the farm anytime—the tri-als will be labeled and staff usually available to answer questions. Make sure to note our tour and special event dates—they are always fun & informative!!

Sainfoin/Alfalfa

NPARA seeding crew

MES Grade 1 Class

Staff hand seeding

Page 2 NEWS from North Peace Applied Research Association

NPARA Library – available to NPARA members

HORTICULTURE

Pruning in Alberta Alberta Yards & Gardens: What to Grow Planning Your Shelterbelt

CROP PRODUCTION

Weeds of the Prairies Weed Seedling Guide Common Plants of Western Rangelands Insect Identification Program CD-ROM Diseases of Pulse Crops in Western Canada Canola Growers Manual Pulse Crops in Alberta Triticale Manual Sod Seeding Brush Management on the Western Canadian Plains Crop Rotation on Organic Farms

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

Fencing with Electricity Beef Cow/Calf Manual Managing a Cow/Calf Business: An Essential Guide Stock Poisoning Plants of Western Canada Year Round Grazing Manual Pasture Planning Guide Handling and Feeding Sheep – DVD Meat Goats Silage Manual

Alberta Forage Manual Wintering Site Assessment & Design Tool Grass-fed to Finish: A Production Guide to Gourmet Grass-

Finished Beef Comeback Farms: Rejuvenating Soils, Pastures and Profits

with Livestock Grazing Management

SOILS

Soil Fertility Manual Soil Survey for Hotchkiss/Keg River & Grimshaw/

Notikewin Areas Building Soils for Better Crops Soil Biology Primer The Nature and Properties of Soil Cows Save the Planet

The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life & Health

Grass, Soil, Hope

OTHER

Building Added Value through Farm Diversification Quality Farm Dugouts Beekeeping in Western Canada Managing Alternative Pollinators Cover Crops Field Guide Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Society Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems

GREG JOHNSON—THE TORNADO HUNTER

NITROGEN FIXATION & NODULATION Dr. Diane Knight, University of Saskatchewan will discuss the role of N-fixing plants: understanding the relationship between plants and rhizobial bacteria

how legumes & pulses fix nitrogen; the plant’s role in soil fertility

optimizing the role of nitrogen fixing plants & the benefits of biological nitrogen fixation

effects of preceding crops on N fixation by pulse crops & crop rotation effects on N fixation

soil biological systems & biological soil amendments

THURSDAY, JUNE 16 @ the MANNING LEGION HALL

REGISTRATION @ 9:30 A.M.

COST: $15/member; $25/non-member includes lunch!!

Call North Peace Applied Research Ass’n @ 780-836-5230 or email nora@npara.ca to register. Join us for a morning of learning &

following lunch there will be a field school at the research farm assessing nodu-

lation on pulses & legumes

Root Nodule

Summer 2011 Volume 5 Issue 2

Page 3 NEWS from North Peace Applied Research Association

My name is Manuel Garza and

I’m 21 years old and I am from

Coahuila Mexico. I came to Canada

thanks to a partnership between

my university in Mexico and the

Olds College here in Alberta. I am

currently enrolled in an 8-month

program called Post Diploma

Certificate Program, which involves 4

months of studying in the college then

another 4 months of practical

experience. That is why I have

the huge opportunity to be here in Manning working for NPARA.

Back in Mexico I completed 2 of the 4 years of my Agronomic and

Administration Engineering program so that’s why I was interested in

doing an internship in the Canadian agricultural area. Working for

NPARA has been a great experience and I am learning a lot about

Canadian agricultural practices and it is so interesting comparing the

different methods and agricultural techniques that are common in

Canada with the ones we have in Mexico. Tom and Nora they are

great mentors and I am glad to be their intern for the summer. As a

foreign student it feels really good to be as welcome as I am here in

Manning - this is a beautiful place with amazing people. In the near

future I want to become a successful agronomist and I am sure that

all this practice and knowledge I am getting out of this experience will

be an important part of achieving my goal.

MEET OUR AWESOME SUMMER STAFF My name is ERIK FRIESEN and I am 22 years old, born and raised in a Mennonite community in Paraguay, South America. After I finished high school in 2012 I moved to Steinbach, MB for a 9 month work experience program. Upon my re-turn to Paraguay I started attending uni-versity in March 2013 taking Agronomy. During my second year I received an offer to participate in a program with Olds Col-lege which I accepted. The program con-

sists of 4 months of College and 3.5 months of practical experience which I am doing at NPARA. I'm enjoying the work at the research farm and I'm looking forward to observing and studying the plants in their different growth stages and weather conditions. A lot of these crops that are grown in Canada, we don't grow in Paraguay, so it's very interesting to get to know all the cereals, canola, peas, etc.

CASSIDY YASINSKI - I am really excited

to be working at NPARA and am very thank-ful for this opportunity. I am currently pursu-ing a Science and Education combined degree at the University of Alberta. I am going into the third year of my program with a focus on biology and mathematics. Being born and raised in Manning, I am really happy to be able to work at home this summer. I am enjoying being outside, learning new things and I look forward to spending the rest of the summer with this awesome group of people!

My name is EMILY LYSENG. I was born and raised in the Manning area. I am Pursuing a bachelor degree at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus with a Kinesiology major and Biology minor. I enjoy reading and play-ing music, including guitar and piano. I love to be outside working with my horses, camping

and kayaking. I spend lots of time in the summer cross coun-try run-ning, swim-ming and

playing fast-ball. This is

my first year as a member of the NPARA team and I appreciate how much I am learning about agriculture and working with our great team.

Page 4 NEWS from North Peace Applied Research Association

GET MORE BANG FROM YOUR NITROGEN INVESTMENT by Nicole Master, Director, Integrity Soils

Optimising nitrogen use is one of the holy grails in a drive to produce food for a booming world population, all whilst looking after the environment. Across the world a growing number of farmers are successfully dropping their N to astoundingly low levels in an approach that provides a wide range of bene-fits. How is it that some farmers can dramatically reduce nitrogen without reducing produc-tion? The journey starts with an appreciation of soil health’s role in driving the nitrogen cycle.

Soil Structure

Air is your number limiting factor to yield. Without adequate airflow, roots and microbes curl up and die and natural mineral and water cycles breakdown. Compacted and waterlogged soils lose valuable nutrients including N, and reduce those microbes responsible for providing N to your crops. Improving yield starts with a soil that can breathe. Air, and water, moves into soil through the gaps in soil aggregates; the crumbs formed by soil microbes. Just like con-structing an apartment building, microbes and earthworms make hallways, stairwells and liv-ing spaces. Poor soil structure turns these apartments into a tarmac. This loss of structure stalls the natural nitrogen cycle. Research shows, that depending on the type of N used, up to ten times more N is lost from compacted soils; requiring more inputs to maintain production.

Often when considering natural nitrogen inputs, producers think of legumes. However, in healthy soils common or-ganisms are free-living N-fixers. These bacteria require air; so compacted soils will have less of these important organ-isms. The high use of soluble nitrogen creates a vicious cycle; putting producers on a treadmill of decreasing returns due to the breakdown of soil carbon, thus a loss of humus and an increase of microbes which love to feed on N. The loss of carbon creates the conditions for compaction, increasing runoff and erosion and limiting root growth. Just to really put the boot in, these soils then require more irrigation, creating more vulnerable farm systems.

The success of regenerative agriculture begins through building a foundation to enhance natural cycles, using proac-tive practices which address the root causes, versus reacting to symptoms. Fostering underground livestock is an es-sential ingredient to reducing N inputs. One key in profitably reducing N, is through the addition of carbon based bio-logical foods and stimulants to improve soil structure and nitrogen storage while maintaining yields.

Microbiology and Soluble N Many plant species are completely dependent on microbial partners for growth and survival. High inputs of soluble N fertilisers dramatically change microbial communities; reducing organic N and C, microbial diversity and overstimu-lating bacteria.

Fungi to Bacteria (F:B) ratios are important for soil structure and pasture health. New research has also shown that soils higher in fungi reduce N leaching. Mycorrhizae, a plant symbiotic fungus, have been shown to reduce leaching by 40%. These important fungi also produce a substance called glomalin, a relatively stable soil protein important in soil structure. Degrading soil health and the addition of soluble N reduces the F:B ratio, creating more bacterial soils with time. Not all synthetic N is detrimental, adding small amounts of N (5 units/Ha) has actually been found to be benefi-cial for soil microbiology, acting as a catalyst to help stimulate the natural N cycle.

Research is showing that high yields can be maintained and inputs reduced through good management of soil, water, energy and biological resources. Soils are an ecosystem; supporting and feeding soil microbes have huge benefits across the entire farm enterprise. Reducing nitrogen can be profitably and sensibly done through enhancing microbi-ology and soil health. With huge leaps forward for the environment and farming bottom lines.

Join us on June 22 for a Soils Workshop with Nicole—she will discuss building soil health, capacity & productivity, using simple and practical methods while taking carbon out of the atmosphere. She is an expert at building soil at a rate previously thought impossible. By carefully grazing, growing crops, or gardens on the land above, one can increase important soil microbes and fungi in the soil. Masters will show how to use inexpensive and practical methods to stimulate the underground life in the soil. In addition to production benefits, attendees will be getting down and dirty in the soil and see how to pull carbon out of the air and into the soil. See ad on next page for details.

Soils Workshop with Nicole

Summer 2011 Volume 5 Issue 2

Page 5 Spring 2016 Volume 10, Issue 1

ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN (EFP)

This program is now administered by our umbrella organization ARECA (Agricultural Research & Exten-sion Council of Alberta). What is an EFP: EFP is a whole farm risk management tool for farmers that enhances the understanding of the agricul-tural and environmental relationship. It is a self assessment process that identifies areas for improvements. Why an EFP is still important: Environmentally sustainable production of crops and livestock , managing risks, pro-tecting water resources and air quality, preserving soil and biodiversity, providing a healthy landscape for the next genera-tion and maintaining market access. These are just a few of the reasons for creating an EFP. If you have one, you are ready for whenever the opportunity or need arises. The EFP process helps you identify and address environmental risks and opportunities in your operation. Maintaining a healthy environment is essential to the success of Alberta’s agricultural pro-ducers. Also, an EFP is required for application to any of the Stewardship Programs available under Growing Forward. Please contact us if you wish to complete an EFP. We have all of the resource materials to assist you. There is also the option of completing the web book on-line.

The Alberta Canola Producers, Alberta Barley, the Alberta Wheat and the Alberta Pulse Grower Commissions are addressing a growing need for the grain sector to meet high sustainability standards to maintain and expand international market competitiveness. The commissions have established the Alberta Farm Sustainability Extension Working Group and have contracted Ipsos Reid to conduct a phone survey of Alberta growers in late June to gain a better understanding of farm-ers’ readiness to benefit from internationally recognized sustainability standards and beneficial management practices. Build-ing on the work from the Alberta Crops Sustainability Certification Pilot Project from spring of 2015, the working group will assess the results and provide resources and extension support to continue advancing on farm sustainability production prac-

tices in Alberta. “We are living in a world where fewer and fewer people have a connection to agriculture. At the same time there is a

growing interest by consumers as to where their food comes from,” says Jason Lenz, Vice Chairman with Alberta Barley. “Sustainability is increasingly important to consumers, restaurants, and food retailers, so we need to be able to demonstrate

that we are producing a sustainable product and dedicated to continued improvement on this front.”

Contact: Jolene Noble, Extension Coordinator; Alberta Farm Sustainability Extension Working Group jolene@albertacanola.com 780.887.9446

Page 6

NEWS from North Peace Applied Research

Growing Forward 2 is a five year program ending in 2018, providing programs & services to the agriculture industry. The following programs are presently NOT open for new applications:

Agri Processing Automation and Efficiency & Agri-Processing Product & Market Development - Crop

Animal Health Biosecurity Producer

Livestock Welfare Producer

On-Farm Solar Photovoltaics

For more info refer to the Growing Forward Website and subscribe for automatic updates to be notified when these programs are reopened: http://www.growingforward.alberta.ca/Programs.

These programs are open and accepting applications. Please go to the website for the complete listing: Business Management Skills Development Program -reimbursement of 75% to assist in improving

business management skills. Examples: training in financial management, marketing, human resource management.

Business Opportunity Program - purpose is to help producers and agri-processors obtain expert business advice; eligible for reimbursement of 50% of eligible costs up to $5,000. Examples: business plans, market research, succession planning.

Food Safety Systems Producer - the purpose is to help producers invest in equipment and tracking systems to improve On-Farm Food Safety practices. Successful applicants will be reimbursed 70% of eligible activities /items which could include cattle squeeze with neck extender, a scale head (indicator), loadbars, scale platform, computer software for tracking animal health records.

On-Farm Energy Management - cost share at 50% of eligible projects that install high-efficiency equipment, retrofit projects to improve the operation’s energy usage/unit of production, installation of submeters to monitor on-farm electricity and/or natural gas usage

On-Farm Stewardship - producers will be reimbursed 30-70% depending on the project:

Grazing Management - includes riparian area fencing and management, summer and year-round watering systems, wetland restoration and shelterbelts & alert monitors for remote livestock watering systems

Manure & Livestock Facilities Management - includes improvements to manure storage facilities, livestock facilities runoff control and livestock facilities relocation

Crop Input Management - includes new purchases of sprayer cones and shrouds, sectional control operation system, for sprayer & seeding equipment, and pulse modulating sprayer systems.

Agricultural Waste Management - includes purchase of new double-walled fuel tanks or double-walled storage tanks for used oil and plastic rollers for used grain bags

On-Farm Water Management - enhancements of on-farm water supply management, including construction of water sources with reimbursement of up to ⅓ of expenses, maximum of $5,000; well decommissioning, well pit conversions, water meters, water well depth measurement equipment, and connections to multi-user water supply pipelines. These projects are eligible for reimbursement of up to 50% of expenses.

Traceability Technology Adoption - eligible producers will be reimbursed for 70% of approved costs for equipment and software that capture animal data for animal management & traceability purposes.

Some of the programs require completion of an Environmental Farm Plan. Contact us if you have any ques-tions or visit the website: www.GrowingForward.Alberta.ca

Spring 2016 Volume 10 Issue 1

Summer 2011 Volume 5 Issue 2

EVENT DATE TIME LOCATION CONTACT COST

Nitrogen Fixation & Nodulation June 16 9:30 am Manning Legion Hall

NPARA 780-836-3354

Soil Health Workshop with Nicole Masters June 22 9:30 am Rycroft Ag Hall NPARA

780-836-3354

Solstice Field Tour June 24 9:00 am NPARA Research Farm

NPARA 780-836-3354

canolaPALOOZA June 28 9:30—4:00 Lacombe Research Station 780-454-0844

Summer Field Tour July 27 5:00 pm NPARA Research Farm

NPARA 780-836-3354

Canadian Beef Industry Conference Aug 9-11 All Day Grey Eagle Resort &

Casino, Calgary

www.canadianbeefindustryconference.com

www.canadianbeefindustryconf

erence.com

Soil Field School with Jay Fuhrer Aug 18 TBA NPARA Research

Farm NPARA

780-836-3354 TBA

Morning Coffee Tour Aug 19 8:00 am NPARA Research Farm

NPARA 780-836-3354

Cover Crop & Pasture Bus Tour Aug 25 3:00 pm County of Northern

Lights NPARA

780-836-3354 TBA

Page 7 Spring 2016 Volume 10, Issue 1

INSECTS The Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network program is designed to keep the ag industry

informed of the risks to crop production from pest species with

updates and information as the growing season progresses.

The website for the program is www.agriculture.alberta.ca/

bugs-pest with easy to use maps that are updated in real time

during the growing season. NPARA has traps for Diamondback

Moths & Bertha Armyworms & Wheat Midge placed in fields

from Deadwood to Hawk Hills. These are checked and reported on a weekly basis to

the website. To see what has been found in our traps choose trap locations in MD of

Northern Lights. Consider subscribing to the Prairie Pest Monitoring Blog located at:

http://PrairiePestMonitoring.blogspot.ca and you will receive automatic weekly up-

dates . If you have a bug question tweet:

Scott Meers, Provincial Entomologist @ABbugcounter.

Bertha Armyworm Trap

Summer staff installing weather

station with traps

Box 750 Manning, Alberta

T0H 2M0 Phone: 780-836-3354

Fax: 780-836-2670

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

North Peace Applied Research Association

STAFF

NORA PAULOVICH Manager

Email: nora@npara.ca Cell: 780-836-5230

TOM FROMME Research Coordinator Email: tom@npara.ca Cell: 780-836-0651

Janet Vandemark

Accounting

President Peter Bigler Vice President Al Dumas Secretary/Treasurer Mark Kamieniecki

Directors

Bill Gaugler

Kelly Coulter

Odell Raymond

Trevor Enders

Pete Stahl

Representatives

County of Northern Lights Arie Loogman Agribusiness

Albert Michaud

HAWK HILLS AG SOCIETY

Spring 2016 Volume 10, Issue 1

Visit us: www.npara.ca