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We want to send a big thank-you to everyone who participated in our contest and helped make it a success!

And a special congratulations to our winners Stephanie Werkman and Mercedes Werkman! Stephanie’s awesome photo won first prize, she will walk away with a Pelican Kayak! Mercedes wins two zero gravity lawn chairs and a cooler for her photo submission! Their photos received the most votes!

Congratulations Stephanie and Mercedes!! Take a look at their photos below!

Click here to see all of the contest entries. Full contest RULES & CONDITIONS.

Merriams Webster defines Stewardship as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care”. This really speaks to the essence of 4R nutrient stewardship, what it is and what is stands for. As a farmer you know more than anyone how important the resources that you work with are. The soil that we grow our crops on is really our lifeline, in order to successfully grow crops we know that we need to maintain our soils health.

Modern farming is under more scrutiny than ever and consumers are demanding that the food they buy and eat is produced locally, sustainably and environmentally. This can seem like an impossible feat but many farms are already doing a great job of farming sustainably. Practices such as applying anhydrous ammonia when the soil temperature has cooled or consistent soil sampling are great examples of practices that you as growers are doing already. These practices showcase your care for the resources that you are working with. 4R compliments these practices that you are already doing and measure the stewardship goals that you are working towards.

4R Nutrient stewardship refers to applying the Right source of nutrients, at the Right Rate of nutrients, at the Right time and in the Right place. It is really nothing more than a quantified version of the sustainable practices that you are doing already on your farm. The reason that 4R Nutrient Stewardship is becoming so important is that it gives us a way to show consumers that we, as the farming community, are stepping up and doing the right thing for our soils, crops and the environment.

The Dirt on Nitrogen Stabilizers

Nitrogen fertilizer is one of the most significant investments that you make on your farm every year. In terms of yield limiting factors that growers encounter, Nitrogen losses to the environment can be one of the most substantial. Nitrogen stabilizers were developed to regulate nitrogen release from various fertilizer sources once applied to the soil. These products work by interfering with soil bacteria and enzymes that change and transform Nitrogen in the soil. Having a clear understanding of these transformations is necessary in order to choose the proper Nitrogen stabilizing product for your farm.

When Nitrogen fertilizers are applied (eg. Urea or Anhydrous ammonia), they undergo transformations in the soil which are facilitated by soil bacterium that convert the fertilizer into a different form of Nitrogen, usually Nitrate-Nitrogen. This Nitrate-N can be lost from the soil to the environment by several mechanisms, including being leached by soil water or lost to the air as ammonia gas. There are three basic types of nitrogen stabilizers, all of which affect this transformation in some way; slow release fertilizers, Urease inhibitors and Nitrification Inhibitors. Choosing which product to use will depend on several factors, which should include the type of Nitrogen fertilizer being used, how you apply it and when you apply.

1. Slow Release products – ESN fertilizer manufactured by Agrium (http://www.smartnitrogen.com/) is a polymer coated form of Urea. Water diffuses through the polymer coating and dissolves the Urea pellet. This does not directly interfere with the soil processes mentioned earlier, however it does decrease the amount of nutrient loss because the Nitrogen release is gradual. This is useful for seed placed Nitrogen applications if you are concerned about ammonium or salt toxicity.
2. Urease Inhibitors – Agrotain, produced by Koch fertilizers (http://kochagronomicservices.com/us/products/agriculture/agrotain/), works by inhibiting the Urease enzyme. This enzyme breaks down the Urea molecule to ammonia gas which is released and lost into the atmosphere. Urease inhibitors are beneficial under circumstances where Urea is being broadcast onto the soil surface and may not be incorporated for some time.
   
3. Nitrification Inhibitors – These products slow down the activity of the bacterium Nitrosomonas which converts ammonium-nitrogen to nitrate-nitrogen. Nitrate-N can be lost to the environment via leaching or as atmospheric gases. There are several products produced by Dow Agrosciences that fall into this category, eNtrench and N-serve (https://www.protectyournitrogen.ca/en/home/). eNtrench can be used with liquid fertilizers and manure and N-serve is applied with Anhydrous Ammonia. These products would be best used in circumstances when you are banding in your fertilizer, perhaps in the fall or early spring.The important thing to remember if you are thinking about using a Nitrogen stabilizer product is to not get bogged down in complicated soil interactions. Keep it simple, look at what kind of Nitrogen source you are using and how you are applying it, from there you can decide what kind of stabilizer you should be using for your farm.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pLynYaX-HY

In current cropping systems, we rely heavily on chemical herbicides to control our weed populations. These herbicides are divided up into groups indicating their mode of action (MOA); all products that fall in the same group kill plants by interfering with the same enzyme or biochemical pathway in a plant. These products have served us well since the 1940’s when 2,4-D, the first modern herbicide, was discovered.

Herbicide resistance is quickly becoming one of the biggest concerns facing grain farmers today. This concern became very real in 1996 when the first case of glyphosate resistance was discovered in Australia in 1996. Previous to this, many believed weeds would not be able to develop resistance to this herbicide MOA. By 2008 glyphosate resistant giant ragweed was first discovered in Ontario and by 2011 glyphosate resistance was discovered in Alberta. Weed scientist suspect the next weed in Western Canada to develop glyphosate resistance may be wild oats or cleavers.

This issue should be of serious concern to all grain farmers. It is estimated that herbicide resistance already costs Western Canadian farmers between $20-50/acre, imagine the cost once glyphosate resistance becomes common! Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year by crop protection companies looking for new MOA’s, but none have yet to be discovered. Dr Hugh Beckie, research scientist for AAFC, has developed 10 resistance management strategies that can be applied to your farm:

1. Maintain a Database
   Tracking herbicide MOA, cultural/mechanical practices and weed populations will be an invaluable future reference.
2. Strategic Tillage
   Deep tillage may reset the resistance clock but only use if, where, or when needed.
3. Field & Site Specific Weed Management
   One size does NOT fit all; treat each field and situation separately.
4. Weed Sanitation
   We may be able to slow herbicide resistant seed dispersal by tarping trucks and cleaning equipment between fields.
5. In Crop Wheat-Selective Herbicide Rotation
   Group 1 wild oat resistance is a common problem, mostly due to the over use of wild oat herbicides in wheat. Rotate between a wheat-selective herbicide (e.g. Axial) when growing wheat and herbicides not selective in wheat (e.g. Centurion) in subsequent crops, or use herbicides that are non-selective period (e.g. Roundup or Liberty).
6. Herbicide Group Rotation
   It is important to know the risk of weeds developing resistance to the herbicide mode of action you are using. For example, group 1 and 2 products are the highest risk so avoid back to back in crop applications of these groups.
7. Herbicide Mixtures/Sequences
   Mixing multiple MOAs in one tank is much more effective at preventing herbicide resistance than rotating groups as long as all MOAs target the weed of concern.
8. Pre- & Post-Herbicide Scouting
   Know your enemy! Weed resistance is often shrugged off as non-performance of herbicide; often by the time we realize we have resistance it’s two years to late and it has already spread extensively throughout your field.
9. Competitive Crops
   Practices that promote crop competitiveness act as natural biological weed control. Keep seeding rates up, narrower row spacing, sufficient nutrition, using seed treatments, etc.
10. Crop Diversity
    Rotation, Rotation, Rotation! The risks facing grain producers from issues such as herbicide resistance, Clubroot in canola, Fusarium Head Blight and Stripe Rust in cereals and root rots in pulses can all be reduced by extending rotations. We have to start looking at our farm economics over four or five year cycles instead of just one year at a time. Our ability to continue to grow the crops that traditionally are the most profitable could be at risk if we don’t improve our crop diversity.

We can not afford to continue to keep doing things the way we’ve always done them; by doing so we are effectively selecting for our next big problem. Recognize the importance of managing risk, take a look at your weed management strategies, improve them where you can and keep those weeds guessing!

Ever wondered what it really means to be a member of Neerlandia Co-op? This list of Frequently asked questions should help you understand the benefits of Co-op membership!

1. Who can become a member of Neerlandia Co-op?
   Anyone can become a member of the Neerlandia Co-op.
2. How do I become a member of Neerlandia Co-op?
   Fill in an application form and purchase an initial share for $25. Once your membership has been processed you are assigned a member number which is used to track purchases for the purposes of Co-op patronage.
3. Do I have to be a member to shop at the Neerlandia Co-op?
   You do not have to be a member to shop at Neerlandia Co-op; however, membership means becoming part owner in a local business and sharing in the earnings.
4. What is Co-op Patronage and how does it benefit me?
   The Neerlandia Co-op is member owned; at the end of each year all profits are allocated to member equity accounts, calculated as a percentage of your purchases throughout the year.
5. What is my Co-op Equity account?
   Neerlandia Co-op profits are allocated to members equity accounts at the end of each year. As your purchases increase, your equity account grows. Part of your equity is paid back to you each year as an Annual Cash Repayment. The amount paid back is determined by the Board of Directors and Co-op Management and depends on the cash position and financial health of the Co-op. In 2016 $1.6 million was paid out directly to Neerlandia Co-op members.
6. How do I get my equity out of the Neerlandia Co-op?
   Your equity account continues to grow as you support the Neerlandia Co-op. Some of member’s equity is paid out to members each year (see #5). The balance of your Equity account is paid out in one of three ways:
   • Over age withdrawal – once members turn 65 they can apply to withdraw their equity, which is normally paid out over 4 years depending on the size of the equity account.
   • Move away from the trading area – members can apply to withdraw their equity if they move away from the trading area, at the Board of Directors discretion.
   • Deceased – your equity will be paid to your estate.
7. Is my Co-op Patronage tax refundable?
   A tax of 15% is withheld from refunds exceeding $100. If your purchases are for personal use they are not taxable; you can claim the amount found in Box 22 of your T4A as prepaid income tax by including this amount on line 437 of your income tax return. If your purchases are for business purposes, the amount of your refund can be included as part of your income tax calculation.
8. What does it mean to be a charge customer or a cash customer?
   Cash customers pay for all products & services at time of purchase. Charge customers are invoiced once a month for all products & services purchased during that month. The statement received at the end of each month must be paid by the 15th of the following month to receive up to a 3% cash rebate (see #9) or by the end of the following month to not be considered in arears.
9. What is the Neerlandia Co-op cash rebate?
   Members with cash accounts receive a 3% discount at time of purchase. Members with charge accounts receive a 3% rebate on account if they pay their monthly statement by the 15th of the following month. This is a Neerlandia Co-op specific policy and represents immediate savings to you as a member!

Cleavers are quickly becoming one of the top weeds of concern in canola crops in western Canada. It is estimated that Cleavers are the number 3 weed in canola, and there’s increasing concern that they are developing resistance to certain in-crop herbicide groups, eventually including glyphosate. Cleavers are very competitive in canola and their seed size and shape are very similar to canola so they can cause significant reductions in grade. A spring pre-seed glyphosate application is the most effective way of controlling winter annual cleaver populations, before they advance too much to be controlled in crop. Higher rates of pre-seed glyphosate are required in order to control larger winter annual cleavers.

Controlling summer annual cleavers is a different story; they tend to emerge right after the crop is planted and may grow large too quickly to be controlled by in crop herbicide applications. In the past some growers have fall applied residual products, such as Edge, to help control cleaver populations. Due to weather conditions this fall, fall herbicide applications were difficult to make, however there are some different management strategies.

In 2012 and 2013 the University of Saskatchewan conducted research regarding Cleaver control in canola. Their results showed that pre-plant applications of glyphosate and certain tank mixes followed by standard in-crop herbicide applications provided good control of cleaver populations, usually greater than 85-90%. One of these tank mix options is, Command Herbicide, a newly registered soil applied, pre-emergent, residual herbicide for early season management of Cleavers in canola. Its active ingredient is clomazone, the only registered group 13 herbicide in western Canada, which is great for resistance management. Command can be used in front of any herbicide tolerant canola system. “It is your first line of Cleaver control in front of canola,” said Nolan Kowalchuck, Account Manager for FMC Agriculture products in Alberta. “You can expect up to 4 weeks of residual control for your canola and because Command is a group 13, a new mode of action, it is an additional tool in the battle against herbicide resistance.”

Control tips:

• If possible control cleaver populations the year before you seed canola. In cereals there are some good options for in-season cleaver control.
• Fall glyphosate applications are an important control method if you have heavy populations of winter annual cleavers.
• Whenever possible, add a different herbicide group to your pre-seed glyphosate applications, that targets cleavers, resistance management is becoming more and more important.
• If you are straight cutting your canola, pre-harvest or harvest aid applications can also help control cleaver populations.