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Summer 2011 Volume 5 Issue 2

MORNING FIELD TOUR @ NORTH PEACE APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATION FARM

WHEN: THURSDAY, AUGUST 15

TIME: 8:00 AM - coffee will be on!!

WHERE: NPARA RESEARCH FARM

TOUR OF RESEARCH TRIALS INCLUDING:

Summer 2013 Volume 7, Issue 2

NEWS from North Peace Applied Research Association

Used grain bags may be hauled to the Long Lake Regional Landfill Site. Assis-tance for unloading is available by call-ing 780-971-2200 and making prior arrangements. These grain bags will be stored on site until there is a recycling use for them.

The County of Northern Lights does have a Grain Bag Rolling Machine for rent by producers. Call 780-836-3348

If you are unable to attend our organized tours, all plots are signed so you may tour them at your leisure. If you have questions please call Tom Fromme, Re-search Coordinator at 780-836-0651

GRAIN BAGS SELF-GUIDED TOURS

VARIETY TRIALS:

52 Canola Varieties

30 Wheat Varieties

Oat, Barley, Pea, Fababean, Flax

CANOLA DIAGNOSTIC PLOTS

PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS

SEED TREATMENT TRIAL

SOYBEANS

Field Tour held July 31

ABC’S OF GRAIN STORAGE

Summer 2013 Volume 7, Issue 2

Joy Agnew with the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) travelled up the Peace and spoke at various locations on best management practises for grain aeration and storage. If you would like a copy of her presentation please contact our office. Some of the highlights were: Aeration = cooling/conditioning with low airflow:

Need airflow rate of 0.1-0.2 cubic feet per minute (cfm)/bu If the outside air temperature is cooler than the grain then

the grain will cool At 0.1 cfm/bu it will take about 200 hours (8 days) of fan

operation to equalize the temperature in the bin as long as the outside temperature remains lower than the tempera-ture of the grain

Natural Air Drying (NAD) with high air flow: Airflow rate of 1-2 cfm/bu If the outside air has “capacity to dry”, grain will dry At 1 cfm/bu, it will take 7-14 days of continual fan operation to dry wheat from 16.5% to 14.5%

and is highly dependent on ambient conditions. The air at night is drier but cooler, so water holding capacity is less. When air and grain are cool,

moisture does not transfer easily Aeration vs Natural Air Drying:

It is all about the airflow rate which depends on the static pressure Static pressure depends on

Grain Type - smaller seed = smaller voids = increased resistance to airflow Depth of Grain - increased depth = greater resistance to airflow Type of distribution system (% perforations) - cross duct, Y duct, rocket, etc

How to measure static pressure? Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McPGPsgGRsM Natural Air Drying + Supplemental Heat:

Increases the air’s capacity to dry General recommendation: increase air temp by 10◦C or less and do not exceed 15◦C

Other considerations: Grain naturally piles into a cone and this can add up to 50% to drying time Grain spreaders can be used to minimize the cone and evenly distribute fines Exhaust vents help expel moist air from the top of the bin, preventing condensation under to

roof or on top of the grain, recommend 1 ft² of vent per 1000 cfm

Fans should operate only 45% of the time and air has more capacity to dry during the day Cost to run a fan continuously is $300 per month based on cost of $0.10/kwhr By optimizing the operation of a NAD fan a producer can save approximately $150 per month

plus there is a reduced chance of overdrying the grain Cost of overdrying canola by 2 points results in loss of $300/1000 bushels. The value of

rewetting canola from 6% to 7% could equal at least $964/1000 bushel s Temperature of grain impacts the air’s capacity to dry (cool grain + cool air = little to no drying)

For the full presentation please go to the PAMI website: http://pami.ca/crops/storage/



2013 PEACE RIVER REGION ANNUAL CANOLA SURVEY by Jennifer Otani¹

1 Beaverlodge Research Farm, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, P.O. Box 29, Beaverlodge AB, [email protected]. 2 Saskatoon Research Centre, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon SK. 3 Smoky Applied Research and Demonstration Association, Falher AB. 4 North Peace Applied Research Association, Manning AB.

The 2013 Annual Peace Canola Survey was completed by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada staff based at Beaverlodge1 and Saskatoon2. Samples were also kindly collected by staff from the Smoky Applied Research and Demonstration Association3 (SARDA) and the North Peace Applied Research Association4 (NPARA). The survey has been performed since 2003 with the main objectives of collecting canola insect pest data throughout the region and to detect introduction of the Cabbage seedpod weevil into the Peace River region. A total of 189 cano-la fields were randomly selected at ~10km distances while surveying through the main canola producing areas within the BC and Alberta Peace during early- to mid-flower stages. Sweep-net sampling was conducted in individual canola fields (≥80 acres) using 50 - 180° sweeps. Sweep-net samples were frozen then processed to generate data for 16 species with Lygus specimens identified to all five instar stages. The 2013 summary includes six economically important pests of canola reported from 169 surveyed canola fields: 1) LYGUS

Populations of ≥5 adults plus nymphs per 10 sweeps were observed in 31.2% of fields surveyed (N=169 fields). There were zero Lygus pre-sent in only 2.4% of surveyed fields whereas 28.4% of the surveyed fields contained Lygus adults only and 69.2% of the fields were popu-lated by both Lygus adults plus nymphs (N=169 fields). Note that all nymphs collected during our survey will have matured into new adults since July 16th.

2) DIAMONDBACK MOTH These were present in low numbers in 42% of our sweep-net samples (N=169 fields) in 2013. Sweep-net monitoring is NOT recommended for this insect pest yet we have reported its presence/absence in the follow-ing map to reflect the widespread distribution in the Peace in 2013. Two important surveying notes for this pest include: (1) No surveyed filed exhibited economically significant levels of DBM damage and (2) parasitoid wasps known to attack DBM were observed at most sites surveyed. Diamondback moth larvae will feed on the exterior of canola pods during the early pod stage. Damaged pods

Total Lygus (Adults + Nymphs) per 10 sweeps

NEWS from

North Peace Applied Research Association

are prone to shattering, particularly under dry, hot, windy conditions. The action threshold for DBM larvae is 20-30 larvae per 1/10m² (approximately 2-3 larvae per

plant).

3) BERTHA ARMYWORM

Very early instar stages of Bertha armyworm larvae were detected in our sweep-net samples at 5 fields located near LaCrete, Wanham, Valleyview, Huallen and Hythe. Normally, our canola survey is con-ducted during the initial weeks of BAW adult flight period so larval stages are typi-cally too small to accurately detect in sweep-net sampling. Producers should continue to monitor for larvae within indi-vidual fields now and be ready to compare densities per m² to the economic threshold table below. We have reported the pres-ence/absence of early instar stages of ber-tha armyworm larvae in the adjacent map to reflect its initial distribution within the Peace as of mid-July in 2013

2013 Peace River Region Canola Survey:

Presence/Absence of Diamondback Moth

in Sweep-Net Samples



4) Grasshoppers were present in only 19 canola fields surveyed. Late-instar to adult stages of two-striped, lesser migratory, and red legged grasshoppers were present near (from most numerous to least) Grimshaw, Nampa, Whitelaw, Valleyview, Royce, Marie-Reine, Hines Creek, LaCrete, Carcajou, Sexsmith, Falher, LaGlace, Wanham, Codesa, Rycroft, Grande Prairie and Girouxville.

5) Unlike 2012, very low densities of leafhoppers were observed in our canola sweep-net samples in 2013. Of the 38 canola fields where leafhoppers were present, the highest density was a mere four per 50 sweeps in a canola field near Valleyview. Therefore incidence of Aster Yellows is very low.

6) We are again happy to report that zero cabbage seedpod weevil were observed in the 169 fields sampled in the Peace River region in 2013. A total of six small beetles measuring <5mm in length were collected from six surveyed fields in 2013. These specimens will be forwarded to the National Identification System (AAFC-Ottawa) for species confirmation.

► Attend NPARA events

► Visit the NPARA Research Farm often to monitor crop develop-ment

► Suggest research or demonstration projects

► Share your weather station data for NPARA newsletters

► Be a monitor for the Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network next year

NPARA IS YOUR ASSOCIATION

GET INVOLVED WITH NPARA

When showers or rains fall on hay that is lying in the swath it negatively impacts forage quality and losses

can be substantial. Metabolic activity within the plant continues when moisture

levels are above 40%. Soluble carbohydrates are used to keep the plant “alive”

resulting in a reduction in TDN or energy content in the forage. One study showed

a 22% yield reduction when one inch of rain fell on a stand of alfalfa that was cut

the previous day. A prolonged slow rain will do more damage than a rapid rain.

When hay moisture content is below 40%, the cell walls rupture, allowing for

moisture to move in and out of the cells and other soluble nutrients to be leached

out of the cells. Carbohydrates (part of TDN) loss can account for 50% of the

nutrient loss. As a result, energy density in the forage is reduced, making the hay less nutritious to the

animals. Acid Detergent Fibre and Neutral Detergent Fibre levels increase when other nutrients are lost

making the hay more difficult to digest and less palatable to the animals. Voluntary feed intake is reduced.

An animal with a full rumen does not mean that nutritional requirements of the animal are being met.

All forages whether weather damaged or not should be tested for quality.

Weather damaged hay is also more prone to deterioration from microbial activity. Microbes use up soluble

carbohydrates and proteins to produce heat and form mold. Symptoms of this are bales that start

“squatting” 7 to 10 days after baling, and if you put your hand into the bale, it is hot to the skin. Tempera-

tures above 40o C within the bale result in some of the protein being bound to the fibre and not available to

the animal. If heating has occurred, an Acid Detergent Insoluble Nitrogen test should be done.

Dirt splash occurs when it rains, resulting in some soil landing on the swath and contaminating the forage

material. Some of the bacteria or fungal spores in the soil can cause mold to form. The most common is

white mold. If conditions are correct, blue, green, and red mold can also form. Molds within a feed reduce

voluntary intake, decrease digestibility of the feed, and can cause a number of problems. Mycotic abortions,

vitamin deficiencies, and bovine interstitial pneumonia are possible complications when feeding moldy hay.

If possible, alternate on a four day rotation between moldy and good quality hay. This will allow any possible

toxins to be diluted out in the rumen or blood stream and the chances of having problems are decreased.

Keep an eye on animal condition and for unusual behavior. If problems are suspected, call a veterinarian for

a second opinion.

IMPACT OF WEATHER DAMAGE

ON HAY FEEDING VALUE

By Barry Yaremcio, Beef and Forage Specialist, Alberta

Agriculture and Rural Development

NEWS from



NEWS from North Peace Applied Research

ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN - our umbrella organization, ARECA, now administers this program.

Please contact us if you wish to complete an EFP. We have all of the resource materials and will be able to assist you. There is also the option of completing one on-line.

Why an EFP is still important: Environmentally sustainable production of crops and livestock , man-aging risks, protecting water resources and air quality, preserving soil and biodiversity, providing a healthy landscape for the next generation 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 producers. Also, an EFP is required for application to any of the Stewardship Programs available under Growing Forward.

Growing Forward 2 is a federal-provincial-territorial 5 year (2013 - 2018) partnership with 3 priorities: research & innovation, competitiveness & market development. Programs which producers are eligible for:

Business Management Skills Development Program - reimbursement of 75% of costs for skills develop-ment training courses

Business Opportunity Program - eligible for reimbursement of 50-75% of certain non-capital costs related to researching and planning a new business venture

On-Farm Energy Management - shares the cost at 50% of investments that improve energy efficiency on Alberta farms, ultimately reducing the environmental footprint. Eligible projects include construction projects that install high-efficiency equipment, retrofit projects that 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, portable shelters or windbreaks and wetland restoration

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

Improved Pesticide Management - includes purchase of low-drift nozzles and air induction tips, sprayer cones and shrouds, chemical handling systems with jug rinse, sectional control operations system, sprayer boom height control and weather monitoring equipment.

Fuel & Used Oil Management - includes the purchase of new double-walled fuel tanks or double-walled storage tanks for used oil.

On-Farm Water Management - this program provides assistance to producers to complete a Long-Term Water Management Plan and share the cost of related enhancements of their on-farm water supply management. Eligible projects include construction of water sources which are eligible for reimbursement of up to 1/3 of expenses to a maximum of $5000 per applicant.

You are eligible to apply for funding only if you have completed an Environmental Farm Plan.

Contact us if you have any questions or visit the website: www.GrowingForward.Alberta.ca

Box 750 Manning, Alberta

T0H 2M0 Phone: 780-836-3354

Fax: 780-836-2670

We are on the web: www.areca.ab.ca/npara

BOARD OF DIRECTORS


STAFF

NORA PAULOVICH Manager, Livestock & Forage Specialist

Email: [email protected] Cell: 780-836-5230

TOM FROMME Research Coordinator Email: [email protected] Cell: 780-836-0651

Janet Vandemark Accounting

President Bill Gaugler Vice President Trevor Paulovich Secretary/Treasurer Mark Kamieniecki

Directors

Peter Bigler

Judy Bowcott

Al Dumas

Ken Herlinveaux

Trevor Enders

Representatives

County of Northern Lights Terry Ungarian Agribusiness

Albert Michaud, Pioneer

HAWK HILLS AG SOCIETY

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