sunflower the Canadian Grower Growing More Than Sunflowers: Growing an Association Premier Issue The official publication of the

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1 the Canadian sunflower The official publication of the Grower National Sunflower Association of Canada, Inc. Premier Issue Growing More Than Sunflowers: Growing an Association Canada Post Publications Agreement Number:

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5 contents Premier Issue Published For: The National Sunflower Association of Canada Box 1269 Carman MB R0G 0J0 Tel: (204) Published By: Matrix Group Inc. Return all undeliverable addresses to: 52 Donald Street Winnipeg, MB R3C 1L6 Toll Free: (866) Toll Free Fax: (866) Publications Agreement Number President & CEO Jack Andress Senior Publisher Maurice P. LaBorde Publisher Peter Schulz Publisher & Director of Sales Joe Strazzullo Editor-in-Chief Shannon Lutter Finance/Administration Shoshana Weinberg, Nathan Redekop, Pat Andress Director of Marketing & Circulation Jim Hamilton Sales Manager Neil Gottfred Sales Team Leader Albert Brydges Matrix Group Inc. Account Executives Lewis Daigle, Rick Kuzie, Miles Meagher, Vicki Sutton, Davin Commandeur, Declan O Donovan, Jessica Potter, Bruce Lea, Kevin Harris, Jim Hamilton, Ken Percival Advertising Design James Robinson Layout & Design J. Peters 2008 Matrix Group Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Matrix Group Inc. Printed in Canada. MESSAGE: 7 From the NSAC Message Executive Director, Darcelle Graham FEATURES: 9 The 2008 Manitoba Sunflower Post-Registration Trial Data 13 Sunflower Market Outlook 15 Proposed Flexible Variety Registration System: Where Does That Put Sunflowers? 17 Sunflower Rotations in Manitoba FOCUS ON RESEARCH: 21 KAP UPDATE: Food and the Farmers Share 23 Sunflower Bud Moth: The Larva Behind The Black Frass NSAC IN-DEPTH: 25 The 2009 Manitoba Special Crops Symposium 28 The 2009 Manitoba Special Crops Summer Tour 29 NSAC Board Meetings - Summary of Minutes 31 Membership Benefits 32 Where Are Your Check-off Dollars Going? 34 Buyer s Guide 5

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7 Message From the NSAC Message Executive Director, Darcelle Graham Welcome to our first edition of the, a resource that the Board of Directors of the National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) agreed would serve as a tool for sunflower growers to provide information on the Association as well as provide insight to where the Association has agreed to allocate your check-off dollars. To provide you an update from the office, this past year the Association has engaged itself in a number of different areas in order to represent the sunflower industry of Canada. One main area that we continue to work on behalf of sunflower growers is the movement of tiers for sunflowers in the Variety Registration system. The Association has been lobbying the federal government for approximately a decade to allow our industry ease of access to sunflower hybrid varieties. As of June 28th, 2008 the proposed amendments to the Seed Regulation Act have provided strong rationale for the movement of sunflowers to Part III which would no longer require sunflower varieties to be tested for merit requirements prior to registration. The movement of tiers will allow Canadian sunflower growers the ability to access new genetic development and markets and no longer be at the mercy of the registration system. Another area that the NSAC continues to utilize is the Minor Use system to access the required production tools to provide ideal conditions for plant growth. Currently, the tool box for sunflower chemistries is fairly empty due to our small acreage crop and the required dollars by chemical companies to perform efficacy trials to develop a data package to present to our regulatory body. One chemistry that the Association continues to work on is Sulfentrazone or Authority, as it will be sold in Canada. This product has been on the radar for a number of years and we have provided numerous letters of support and continue to work very closely with FMC to register this product on sunflowers. Our regulatory body, PMRA has concerns with re-cropping and ground water issues, which FMC has provided additional data for their review to clear up these issues. Preparations are once again underway for the 2009 Manitoba Special Crops Symposium. This year s symposium will be held February 11th and 12th, 2009 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The symposium committee is pleased to announce our keynote speaker, Jolene Brown who is well known across North America for her entertaining and straight shooting presentations about issues that face farmers everyday. Jolene will speak in a two-part series on the The Top Ten Stupid Things Families Do to Break up Their Business. Also look forward to numerous sunflower presentations on Markets, Desiccation, Weed Control and much more. Once again the NSAC will be holding its Annual General Meeting during the Symposium on February 11th, This meeting will provide sunflower growers with a review of 2008 activities as well as the budget and plans for This is the time that the board of directors looks to hear from membership and provide us direction for the future. Another way for members to have their voice heard is to run for a director position with the NSAC. Every year, director positions come up for re-election and this is your opportunity to make your voice hear and represent sunflower growers in your area. For more information on becoming a director or to put your name forward for nomination, contact the office or any current board member. As we wrap up our first edition of the, I hope you enjoy reading our new magazine and its contributions. We look forward to seeing you in February at the 2009 Manitoba Special Crops Symposium! Once again the NSAC will be holding its Annual General Meeting during the Symposium on February 11th, This meeting will provide sunflower growers with a review of 2008 activities as well as the budget and plans for

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9 Feature Post-Registration Trial Data The 2008 Manitoba Sunflower Post-Registration Trial Data The Manitoba Sunflower Post-Registration variety testing is organized and conducted by the National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) in co-ordination with the Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. The Sunflower Post-Registration Trials serve as a tool to provide Sunflower Growers with regional third-party performance date of varieties that are registered or have interim registration status in Canada OR have been recommended for registration by the Manitoba Sunflower Committee. The varieties that appear in these trials are varieties that sunflower companies are actively pursuing or marketing in Manitoba. In 2008, the Board of Directors of the NSAC agreed to expand the Sunflower Post-Registration Variety Trials to six locations around Manitoba. This year, the trials were located in Carman, Morden, Minto, Medora, MacGregor and Oak Bluff. These trials and results are made possible with your continued support through the sunflower checkoff levy. Growing conditions in 2008 were abnormal in terms of both heat accumulation and rainfall in most areas of Manitoba. Some areas of the province experienced early season frosts and excessive rainfall. In general, disease incidence was more prevalent in 2008 as compared to previous years, specifically with increases in sunflowers rust and sclerotinia (basal, mid-stalk and head rot). In addition, high Sunflower Bud Moth infestations were reported in localized hot spots around the province. Total Continued on page 10 SUNFLOWERS - NON-OIL TYPE Comments: Trial locations for 2008 were Carman, MacGregor, Melita, Minto and Morden Disease resistance, maturity, height, and seed sizing ratings are taken from results gathered during the Manitoba Sunflower Committee Co-op Performance Testing These varieties were tested and data donated by the National Sunflower Association of Canada Inc. Variety Descriptions Registration Data (Manitoba Sunflower Committee) Disease Resistance to: Yield (lbs/acre) % over Days to Days to Height Verticillium Downy Rust 22/64 inch Maturity Maturity (inches) Sclerotinia 3 Company Variety Wilt Mildew Wilt CHS Sunflower 05EXP S MS HS MS Seeds S MR MS MS Dahlgren Dahlgren MR S HS MS Dahlgren Dahlgren HS MR HS MS Monsanto IS MS MS MS MS Monsanto IS MS MS HS MS Seeds 2000 Jaguar * S MR MS MS CHS Sunflower RH MS MS HS MS CHS Sunflower RH HS MR HS MS Seeds 2000 X4407 (Panther) MS MS MS MS Overall Average (lbs/acre) # Site Years * indicates Clearfield tolerant sunflower 1 Reaction indicated is to Races 2, 3, and 4 under controlled indoor conditions. 2 Reaction indicated is to Race 2. 3 Reaction to sclerotinia wilt (stem rot) is based on naturally infested fields. 9

10 Continued from page 9 seeded sunflower acres in 2008 as reported by MASC were 110,017 acres of confections and 71,274 acres of oils. The NSAC appreciates the hard work of the MAFRI Oilseed Specialist, Anastasia Kubinec, who compiled the data for the trials. As well, a big thank you goes to Keystone Grain Ltd. for providing seed sizing services and to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada-Morden for providing the oil data. In addition, we appreciate the hard work of all the contractors who plant, monitor and harvest the plots throughout the growing season. SUNFLOWERS - NON-OIL TYPE Yield Comparisons 2008 Yield: lbs/acre Variety 2008 Average Yield 05EXP Dahlgren Dahlgren IS IS Jaguar * RH X4407 (Panther) Grand Mean CV% LSD (lbs/acre) Sign Diff Yes Yes No Yes Yes No * indicates Clearfield tolerant sunflower Carman MacGregor Medora Minto Morden Oak Bluff SUNFLOWERS NON-OIL TYPE Sizing Comparisons Variety 2008 Sizing Average Carman MacGregor Medora Minto % Seed over Screen 18/64 20/64 22/64 18/64 20/64 22/64 18/64 20/64 22/64 18/64 20/64 22/64 18/64 20/64 22/64 05EXP Dahlgren Dahlgren IS IS Jaguar * RH X4407 (Panther) Grand Mean * indicates Clearfield tolerant sunflower 10

11 SUNFLOWERS - OIL TYPE Comments: Trial locations for 2008 were Carman, MacGregor, Melita, Minto and Morden. Disease resistance, maturity, height, and %oil ratings are taken from results gathered during the Manitoba Sunflower Committee Co-op Performance Testing These varieties were tested and data donated by the National Sunflower Association of Canada Inc. Variety Descriptions Registratilon Data (Manitoba Sunflower Committee) Resistance to : Company Variety Yield (lb/acre) Days to Days to Height Verticillium Downey %Oil Rust Maturity Maturity (inches) Sclerotinia Wilt Mildew Wilt High Oleic Sunflowers Dow AgroSciences 8H288DM HS MR R S Dow AgroSciences 8H350DM HS MR R S Seeds 2000 Defender HO HS MR R S NuSun Sunflowers (Mid Oleic type) CROPLAN Genetics 3080 DMR, NS HS MR R MS Pioneer Hi-Bred 63M S MR MS S Pioneer Hi-Bred 63M S R R MS Dow AgroSciences 8N358CL * HS MR MS S Seeds 2000 Defender Plus HS MR HR S Interstate Seed IS 3433 NS/DM HS MR MR MS Interstate Seed IS 6131 NS/DM MR MR MR MS Seeds 2000 Viper * HS MR MS MS Overall Average (lbs/acre) Site Years * indicates Clearfield tolerant sunflower 1 Reaction indicated is to Races 2, 3, and 4 under controlled indoor conditions. 2 Reaction indicated is to Race 2. 3 Reaction to sclerotinia wilt (stem rot) is based on naturally infested fields. SUNFLOWERS - OIL TYPE Yield Comparisons 2008 Yield: lbs/acre Morden Oak Bluff 18/64 20/64 22/64 18/64 20/64 22/ Variety 2008 Average Yield 8H288DM H350DM DMR M M N358CL * Defender Plus IS 3433 NS/DM IS 6131 NS/DM Viper * Grand Mean CV% LSD (lbs/acre) Sign Diff Yes Yes No No Yes * indicates Clearfield tolerant sunflower Carman MacGregor Medora Minto Morden 11

12 SUNFLOWERS - OIL TYPE % Oil Comparisons Variety 2008 Average Oil Carman MacGregor Medora Minto Morden 8H288DM H350DM DMR M M N358CL * Defender Plus IS 3433 NS/DM IS 6131 NS/DM Viper * Grand Mean * indicates Clearfield tolerant sunflower Ag-Chieve Adds Online Resource Centre to its Grain Marketing Advisory Services A new online resource centre featuring weekly audiovisual market commentaries and daily web TV segments on grain marketing topics is the latest offering from Winnipeg based Ag-Chieve Corporation, a grain marketing advisory firm subscribed to by hundreds of farmers across Alberta,Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Founded in 2002, by David Drozd with just a dozen clients, Ag-Chieve Corporation has grown quickly since then and now employs a staff of 14, including 7 full time Grain Marketing Advisors. Our purpose at Ag-Chieve is to assist and empower Canadian farmers and help them make informed grain marketing decisions when it comes time to sell their crops. We know every farm and farmer is unique so we tailor our advice to meet their specific needs and help them be more successful in their business and in their lives, says Drozd, a former grain farmer turned commodities broker, now Senior Grain Marketing Analyst for the company. Ag-Chieve s new online resource centre will allow farmers to access the information they need whenever they need it, whether it be early morning, dinner time, or the middle of the night all via a secure user name and password protected web portal. We know the electronic services we re launching will never replace the personalized one-on-one service that our Grain Marketing Advisors currently deliver to our clients, says Drozd, but we do think the new services are a step in the right direction allowing clients greater access to information in easy-touse formats, like video, any time that is convenient for them. Visit Ag-Chieve online at for additional information. 12

13 Feature Sunflower Market Outlook By David Drozd, President & Senior Market Analyst, Ag-Chieve Corporation Will sunflower prices return to the heady prices seen in 2008? Let s look at the factors influencing sunflower prices. Fundamental analysis is inconclusive, as North American sunflower production has yet to be verified for As of October s report, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is estimating a 19 per cent increase in harvested area and a slight increase in yield over USDA estimates a 20 per cent increase in 2008 production at million pounds compared to million pounds in In their October report, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in their Pulse and Special Crops Outlook estimates Canadian harvested area to decrease 11 per cent in 2008 to 71,000 hectares. Higher yields will offset the lower area to bring 2008 production to 128,000 tonnes compared to 125,000 tonnes in Carryout is expected to decline to 10,000 tonnes at the end of the crop year, which is 2,000 tonnes less than in , and would leave carry-out stocks at their lowest level in a decade. As Asian populations continue to grow more affluent and improve their diet, world consumption of grains and oilseeds will continue to increase. This rally is demand driven, and they last longer than those driven by supply concerns, such as a weather scare. Any further reductions in U.S. soybean yields or unexpected demand could have U.S. soybean ending stocks running on empty. Economic analysis would substantiate higher prices because the stock markets and commodity markets generally move in opposite directions due to the flow of money shifting from one to the other. The initial reaction to any calamity, such as the financial crisis is for panic stricken investors to liquidate their holdings, whether it is stocks or commodities. Once the dust settles traders return to safe havens like gold. This buying provides spillover support to all commodities including the grain sector. Technical analysis would suggest the soybean market has succumbed to a downward blow off stage in October 2008 and is entering a period of consolidation, as prices turn back up. Whether the grain and oilseed markets experience a dead cat bounce or the beginning of another leg up to rejuvenate this bull market has yet to be verified. The flow of money back into the soybean market or the absence of it will ultimately determine price direction from here (see the chart) (c). If prices rebound into an area of resistance at approximately $11 to $12 and fail, it could signify the beginning of a bear market. Similar price action was evident in 1997 (a). In our opinion, a more likely scenario is for prices to ultimately rally back up above the line of resistance, similar to 2003 (b). Psychology of the market is indicating the long liquidation is over. Long liquidation occurs when investors bail out of their long positions following a significant event or series of events that cause a general loss of confidence in the market. This has been the main reason for the grain and oilseed market s recent decline. Since peaking in February 2008, the open interest in the soybean market has declined back to levels not seen since September 2006 when soybean prices were $5.30 per bushel. Therefore, there is the potential for traders steering clear of the uncertain financial sector to pour money back into the commodity markets. Where will the money come from? The U.S. consumer has $12 trillion dollars in checking & saving accounts and treasuries. This is more than enough to pay off every residential mortgage in the United States. Summary: Given all the underlying factors mentioned, we conclude the grain and oilseed markets, including sunflowers, have established a bottom in October 2008 and prices will improve into David Drozd is President and Senior Market Analyst for Winnipeg based Ag-Chieve Corporation. The opinions expressed are those of the writer and are solely intended to assist readers with a better understanding of the markets influencing agriculture. The information contained herein is deemed to be from sources that are reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Visit us online at for more educational tools and ideas about grain marketing, or call toll free (888)

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15 Feature Proposed Flexible Variety Registration System: Where Does That Put Sunflowers? By Darcelle Graham After a decade of consultations, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has proposed changes to the current Variety Registration System. A more flexible variety registration system has been proposed to respond to the specific needs of different crop sectors in Canada and, where appropriate, to reduce regulatory burden while maintaining appropriate government oversight. This would be accomplished by dividing the list of all crops that require variety registration, found in Schedule III of the Regulations, into three parts with three levels of variety registration requirements. The NSAC provided commentary to express that the majority view within the industry for some time is having open access to sunflower varieties without the requirement for pre-testing, is the most efficient method for a small industry to access new varieties from abroad. In all three parts, basic variety registration information is required and must include: a description of the variety, pedigree, plants with novel trait status, human and animal health as well as environmental safety assessment, results of testing that supports claims and a reference sample. The timelines outlined to review the basic variety application package may be somewhat reduced from the original timelines of eight weeks to approximately two to three weeks for basic registration requirements. However, it will depend on the number of submissions they must review at that point in time. In addition to the basic registration information, there will be the following specific requirements for each Part of Schedule III: Part I (status quo) The registration of new varieties of crop kinds in this category would require pre-registration testing and merit assessment to determine whether the variety performs as well or better than reference varieties. Part II The registration of new varieties of crop kinds in this category would require testing, but no merit assessment. This part is intended for crop kinds for which official oversight to confirm the validity of pre-registration testing data is required, but for which merit assessment is burdensome relative to effectively predict the usefulness of varieties in the marketplace. (proposed for this category include safflower and buckwheat.) Part III New varieties of crop kinds in this category would be subject to only basic variety registration requirements. This allows for an appropriate level of government oversight for crop kinds where pre-registration testing and merit assessment are deemed to be excessively burdensome or ineffective. (proposed for this category include sunflowers and potatoes.) The proposed changes to amend the Seeds Regulations, to create a more flexible variety registration system, was pre-published in Canada Gazette, Part I on June 28th, The proposed changes were up for a 75-day comment period which ended September 11, The NSAC provided commentary to express that the majority view within the industry for some time is having open access to sunflower varieties without the requirement for pre-testing, is the most efficient method for a small industry to access new varieties from abroad. This new system will accommodate the needs of all crop kinds including sunflowers based on their industry needs and requirements. The new system will continue to maintain the basic registration requirements that ensure health and safety, while at the same time, reduce any regulatory burden that the current system imposes. This option will encourage innovation and allow Canadian sunflower producers the opportunity to access and compete for markets that are currently not accessible due to lack of genetics available. Currently, the Canadian sunflower market is undergoing change and expanding into a number of specialtytype market options; such as specialty oils, regular oils, oil dehulls and specialty confectionary types. The sunflower market is diverse, with numerous market opportunities for growers to capture and differing seed requirements to meet. The Manitoba Sunflower Committee, the 15

16 recommending body for CFIA, follows a merit system to evaluate hybrid varieties. The current system for recommending varieties does not take into account the various market requirements and the certain varietal characteristics that companies need to meet market demands such as colour, seed length and specialty oil content. The merit system does not recognize and credit varieties based on specialty markets but rather grades these varieties based on good yield, oil content, seed sizing and 1000 kernel weight. As the producer organization, one of our primary functions is to assist our producers in managing risk and accessing production information. Third-party testing and reporting of seed variety performance performs this function, and the NSAC has committed to maintain and provide reliable, accurate data for our Canadian growers through the continuation of independent, third-party, small plot replicated testing. Currently, these trials are conducted at six sites around Manitoba and in four locations around Saskatchewan; the two major sunflower growing areas in Canada. These sites are featured throughout the summer and highlighted at our summer tours, allowing growers the time to visit the sites and the opportunity to walk through the plots and determine which varieties are best suited for their soil type and climate. Data is reported to our growers through this magazine as well as posted on our website (www. canadasunflower.com). This data provides growers the necessary testing to assist them in making decision based on reviewing the data generated by a third party comparison of varieties. The concerns of moving to Part III for sunflowers are very minimal, as the NSAC believes the risk of inferior varieties being introduced into the Canadian marketplace is minimal relative to the benefits of rapid access to technology gains this system would allow for. Currently, contracted sunflower production is specified by variety and processors will only purchase varieties their customers have accepted. Growers will simply not grow an unproven variety that has few alternative markets if end-use consumers reject it for human edible consumption. Furthermore, seed companies cannot afford the risk of market injury by retailing inferior products. Therefore, the National Sunflower Association of Canada maintained its position to move sunflowers to Part III of Schedule III and requested that the CFIA move forward in a timely manner and accelerate the modernization process. Based on the presentations at the October 28th National Workshop on Seed Program Modernization in Ottawa, the comments received during the 75 day comment period expressed support and confirmation of the rationale for the movement of sunflower to Part III. However, based on federal legislation, the CFIA could not provide comment on timelines for implementation of the proposed changes to the Seeds Regulation due to cabinet confidence secrecy provisions. The amendments must receive Ministerial and Treasury Board approval before being published in Canada Gazette II. Once published in Canada Gazette II the amendments become regulation. 16

17 Feature Sunflower Rotations in Manitoba By Douglas Wilcox, MASC It is generally agreed that crop rotation has an influence on crop performance, a phenomenon referred to as the rotation effect. While the exact mechanism of the rotation effect in a particular field may be difficult to explain, it is known that crop rotations influence factors such as soil moisture and fertility, the build-up of diseases, insects, toxic compounds, pesticides and weeds, and field management including timeliness of operations. Historically, producers have tried to take advantage of positive rotation effects to maximize farm production. Sunflower producers are particularly aware of the importance of crop rotation. Sunflowers are very susceptible to sclerotinia diseases, as are many other crops (e.g. canola, soybeans, dry beans), which is why a crop rotation of at least four years between susceptible crops is recommended. However, technological innovations and economic pressures have challenged producers to be less concerned with the rotation effect. To study whether the rotation effect is still relevant for sunflower crops, the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) analyzed its database of sunflower crop insurance records for the recent six-year period from 2002 to MASC offers production insurance in Manitoba, and annually collects information from insured producers on what crops are planted in each field and their corresponding yields. More than 85 per cent of annual crops are insured by production insurance in Manitoba, making the database a very representative and useful reference for studying field scale agricultural practices. From 2002 to 2007, MASC collected annual data from an average of 149 oil and 520 non-oil sunflower fields. As the bulk of recent sunflower production in Manitoba is non-oil sunflowers (77 per cent), this article focuses on non-oil sunflowers. What stubble do sunflower producers prefer? Figure 1 illustrates the relative stubble preferences of Manitoba non-oil sunflower producers over the last six years. There is a clear preference for sowing sunflowers into the stubble residue of small grain cereals, with 74 per cent of non-oil sunflower fields sown into either wheat or oat or barley stubble. It is also noteworthy (though too small to illustrate in Figure 1) that less than half of one per cent of sunflower fields were planted into sunflower stubble. Figure 2 shows the average yields of Manitoba non-oil sunflowers sown into different stubble types, and only includes results where data could be collected from a minimum of three fields in each year for at least five of the six years analyzed. Although it would be nice to report yield data for sunflowers rotated into stubble from crops such as dry edible beans, soybeans, and sunflowers, there was insufficient data for these stubble types. During the six-year period of this study, non-oil sunflowers planted on barley or spring wheat stubble had average yields that exceeded the overall 17

18 average. The best stubble was barley, with an average yield of 1,297 lbs/ac (105 per cent of average) for non-oil sunflowers. Below average yields for non-oil sunflowers were obtained when sown on flax, oats, canaryseed, winter wheat or fall rye. It is a concern that over 20 per cent of the stubble used for non-oil sunflower planting is the poorer performing stubble from oats and winter wheat. The worst stubble used was fall rye, with an average yield of 935 lbs/ ac (75 per cent of average) for non-oil sunflowers. Additionally, although it isn t addressed in this article, a similar analysis done by MASC has determined that oil sunflowers yield 93 per cent of average when planted on canola stubble (there was insufficient data for non-oil sunflower comparison). What subsequent crop do sunflower producers prefer? Figure 3 illustrates the relative preferences of Manitoba producers for planting crops into non-oil sunflower stubble. There is a clear preference to follow sunflowers with small grain cereals. Producers followed non-oil sunflowers with either red spring wheat or oats or barley 80 per cent of the time. Figure 4 illustrates the relative yields of various crops planted into non-oil sunflower stubble. In order for a crop result to be included there must have been data from at least three fields in each year for at least five of the six years analyzed. Over the six years of this study, non-oil sunflowers left superior stubble only for oats and soybeans, with oats yielding 104 per cent and soybeans yielding 102 per cent of average. For all other crops with adequate data (red spring wheat, barley, grain corn, white pea beans, canola, and flax), the yields of crops grown on non-oil sunflower stubble were below average. White pea beans, canola and flax had the lowest yields, with yields on the order of 80 to 85 per cent of the provincial average. Please note that these results are from a survey of MASC producer records and not scientific trials with standardized treatments. Additionally, the reasons for the observed rotation effects have not been studied. The observed yield differences could be simple coincidental artifacts of soil conditions or management practices on the fields reported, or some other confounding variable. Despite these limitations, there are some interesting observations that could help with directing future scientific studies. For example, the positive impact of sunflower stubble on soybean yields, particularly in contrast to the negative impact of sunflower stubble on other crops with similar agronomics (e.g. white pea beans), suggests a need for further investigation. These MASC results indicate that the rotation effect is still relevant for sunflowers fields and, despite technological advances, its effects are worthy of ongoing consideration. Over the period studied, the average yield of sunflowers varied by over 350 lbs/ac depending on stubble type selection and the average relative yield of subsequent crops planted into sunflower stubble varied by over 25 per cent. Sunflower growers would be wise to consider the rotation effect when they make field and cropping selections. 18

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21 Focus on Research KAP Update: Food and the Farmers Share With the rising cost of food continuing to be a hot topic in the media, Keystone Agricultural Producers decided to conduct a research project on the price of food and the portion of each food dollar that goes back to farmers. Over the summer, KAP released the results of the project to help Manitobans understand where their money goes when they buy food at the grocery store. Here in Canada we spend approximately 10 per cent of our annual incomes on food. Compare that to around 15 to 18 per cent in Europe and about 40 per cent in Asia, and you ll soon realize we re getting very reasonably priced products. The study, titled The Farmers Share, focused on groceries for a family of four for one week, with 89 per cent of the highlighted foods labelled as produced in Canada. Canada s Food Guide to Healthy Eating was the basis for the menu for the case family consisting of two adults, a teenager, and a child. The research required extensive calculations with KAP s researcher taking into consideration how many cranberries or apples would be in a litre of juice, or the ratio of wheat to bread. The meat yield and other processes had to be considered in determining the farmers share of these purchases as well. KAP sourced farm prices in April and May, and priced groceries on May 10th, 2008 in Winnipeg. The total grocery bill before taxes was $ The majority of the money was spent on vegetables and fruit, with the balance spent on grain products (18 per cent), milk and alternatives (16 per cent), and meat and alternatives (25 per cent). The study found farmers receive an average of only 27 per cent of the cost of an entire week s worth of groceries. Depending on the food group, that percentage ranged from 4 per cent for grain products like bagels and rice, to 35 per cent for dairy products like yogurt and cheese. Manitobans have access to some of the most affordable food in the world, but only a relatively small portion goes back to the farmers that grow and raise it, said Ian Wishart, KAP president. We re hoping this information helps people think critically when the media is saturated with stories that put the blame on rising food costs straight back to the farm gate. According to Statistics Canada, farmers expenses account for 86 per cent of their revenue. This means for every dollar received, farmers only keep 14 cents to re-invest into their farms. The rising cost of inputs like fuel and fertilizer, as well as utilities, wages, and other services all put a strain on the farmer s bottom line. Manitobans can decide what portion of their dollar is going back to local farm families by changing their purchasing habits, said Wishart. Here in Canada we spend approximately 10 per cent of our annual incomes on food. Compare that to around 15 to 18 per cent in Europe and about 40 per cent in Asia, and you ll soon realize we re getting very reasonably priced products. KAP held a media event to present the findings from the study. KAP was pleased with the coverage the results received from urban and rural newspapers, radio, and television, and has received positive feedback on the study. Wishart said releasing the study was an excellent way to put the spotlight on food and returns to the farm gate. Farmers need to get a reasonable return on the food they produce because they re being asked to do more on ensuring food safety and getting products ready for the market. The consumer needs to know what farmers are doing for them and what our share of the profits are in order to understand we re not gaining from the higher prices popping up on store shelves, said Wishart. We want consumers to ask questions at the retail level, and think about the products they re purchasing. For details on The Farmers Share, go to KAP s website at 21

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23 Focus on Research Sunflower Bud Moth: The Larva Behind The Black Frass By John Gavloski, Entomologist, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. Sunflower bud moth is an insect that has been causing concern to may sunflower growers in Manitoba in recent years. The insect itself is not all that commonly seen, unless you are opening up the stems or heads of the plants looking for the larvae. But the piles of black faeces (frass) at the entrance of its burrow, or abnormal growth of the plant are very visible indicators of the insect presence. Young larvae penetrate the epidermis and begin feeding in the pith area of either the stalk or head. The larvae enter the plant usually in a leaf axil or at a tender area on the back of the head. A larva keeps an open burrow, and continually pushes frass to its entrance. Thus, as a larva grows, frass accumulates at the entrance of its burrow. Most larvae make feeding burrows of less than 3 cm and cause only localized injury to plants. However, as the infested plant matures, abnormal plant growth may occur at the site of injury on either the stalk or head. The mature larva moves to the entrance of its burrow to pupate. Just before adult emergence, the pupa wriggles partly through the burrow entrance. After the adult moth emerges, its pupal exuvia extrudes from the entrance of the burrow. There are two generations of sunflower bud moth per year. The only time yield loss due to sunflower bud moth is likely to be noticeable is when larvae burrow into unopened buds, preventing proper head development. Unfortunately, there are currently no controls available or management strategies for sunflower bud moth. Larvae feed inside the plant and it would be hard to get an insecticide to them. And trying to controlling adults is currently not recommended. We do not have good information on when the adults will emerge. And spraying insecticide when an economic insect problem is not evident and controllable can cause more problems then it solves by eliminating the beneficial insects in the field which in many years will keep many potential insect pests from reaching economic levels. Research in North Dakota in the 1970 s found a higher rate of larvae in the stalks than the heads of early sunflowers. More research is certainly needed to determine whether seeding date has any impact on sunflower bud moth. There is some evidence that young larvae penetrate younger epidermal tissue of the plant much easier than they do older tissues. It may be that how many larvae end up in the head depends on the stage of the sunflowers when the sunflower bud moths are laying eggs. But again Frass from sunflower bud moth larva in leaf axil. Larva of sunflower bud moth. Pupa of sunflower bud moth. more research is needed. We currently can not recommend whether strategies using seeding date, variety selection, or rotation or tillage practices will in any way reduce the prevalence of damage to the heads by sunflower bud moth. Very little research has been performed on sunflower bud moth. This year we did do a survey of sunflower bud moth in Manitoba and did find it to be very prevalent in many fields in Manitoba, particularly in the eastern part of the province. But be aware that this is one of those insects where its presence is very visible due in part to the piles of black frass it leaves behind. In many instances yield and quality will be negligibly impacted in spite of very noticeable levels of sunflower bud moth. Frass from sunflower bud moth larva on head. Photos courtesy of John Gavloski, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. 23

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25 NSAC In-Depth The 2009 Manitoba Special Crops Symposium February 11-12, 2009 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, 375 York Avenue, Winnipeg, MB Why the change in location? Due to an increase in equipment production at MacDon, their Exhibition and Training Center was unavailable for the 2009 Manitoba Special Crops Symposium. This unexpected news led the Symposium Organizing Committee to tour a number of facilities in Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba in hopes of finding a new home. After an extensive search and exhaustive review process, it was decided the Winnipeg Convention Centre was the only site that could hold an event of the Symposium s size and calibre. Keynote speaker This year, the Manitoba Special Crops Symposium committee has booked keynote speaker Jolene Brown. Jolene will have you laughing while you learn! Coming from West Branch, Iowa this real Farmer Brown uniquely understands the hearts, homes and the business of agriculture. Through humour, hope, and helpful ideas her messages are guaranteed to bring ideas to put into action and something good to talk about in the days to come. Hotel information Place Louis Riel Suite Hotel has been selected as the hotel for the MB Special Crops Symposium due to availability. Conference rates have been obtained for February 10-12th, 2009 at a rate of $ for a Traditional One Bedroom Suite including daily parking fee. Luxury Suites also available at a discounted rate during the specified dates. Reservations can be made by calling or through the hotel website at using the id code CROP09. Deadline to receive the conference rate is January 10, Jolene will be speaking in a two part series on The Top Ten Stupid Things Families Do To Break Up Their Business. Her sessions will focus on how to prevent many daily aggravations and family business catastrophes if we learn from the mistakes of others. This eye-opening, fun filled presentation will highlight the stupid things families do that break up their business. We will discuss in-laws and out-laws, off-site family and estates, daily communications and important meetings. From conversations to contracts, from assumptions to clarification, from complaints to celebrations, we will open eyes and save fighting on the way to the funeral home. Sunflower related speakers Mike Krueger is the founder and President of The Money Farm. The Money Farm is a grain marketing advisory service Notice of Annual General Meeting Notice issued December 1, To receive the financial statements Notice is hereby given that a of NSAC for the current fiscal year. meeting of the members of the National 3. To appoint the auditor for NSAC. Sunflower Association of Canada 4. To receive the board and managers (NSAC) will be held at the Winnipeg report. Convention Centre, 375 York Avenue, 5. To elect one director for the NSAC Winnipeg, MB during the Manitoba Board. Special Crops Symposium. 6. To vote on the amendments to the The agenda for the meeting is as Constitution and Bylaws of the follows: NSAC. 1. To approve the minutes of the Nominees must be a producer 2008 members meeting. of sunflowers and are in good standing with NSAC (must not have requested a levy refund but have remitted check-off to the Association in the past two years). Nominations to serve on the Board of Directors can be made by submitting the candidate s name to the NSAC office prior to the commencement of the meeting, or by nominating a candidate during the call for nominations at the Annual General Meeting. 25

26 located near Fargo, North Dakota, that works with individual farmers, country elevators and others associated with agriculture. He is a licensed commodity broker clearing through ADM Investor Services. Mike will provide attendees with a US perspective on marketing Sunflowers, Corn and Pulses. Brian Jenks is a Weed Scientist at North Dakota State University and is based out of the North Central Research Extension Center near Minot. Brian has an extensive research background in special crops; including sunflowers, dry peas, beans and lentils, corn, and soybeans. Brian will discuss weed control methods in conventional and Clearfield Sunflower systems. Kirk Howatt is a Weed Scientist at North Dakota State University with the Plant Science Department in Fargo, ND. In 2007, Howatt and other university weed scientists conducted a four-site study to look at the effect of desiccant application timing on seed yield and quality. Kirk will present to Sunflower growers the benefits of desiccating their sunflower fields with a focus on application timing. The above are just some of the Sunflower speakers that we will be featuring at the 2009 Manitoba Special Crops Symposium. For more information about the Symposium, 2009 Speakers, Tradeshow packages, and the Final Agenda visit the Manitoba Special Crops Symposium website www. manitobaspecialcrops.ca. 26

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28 The 2009 Manitoba Special Crops Summer Tour Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 Check our website for more details as they become available. For more information contact: National Sunflower Association of Canada (204) Manitoba Pulse Growers Association (204) Manitoba Corn Growers Association (204) Or visit our websites:

29 NSAC In-Depth NSAC Board Meetings Summary of Minutes Board Meeting January 14th, 2008 Sunflower Research The board discussed areas of priorities for research and based on budgets have allocated $17,400 to be spent on tangible, short-term projects. Sunflower Post-Registration Trials With the recent announcement that the MAFRI Oilseed Specialist position will be vacated in mid-january, the board discussed the need for a coordinator to arrange the trials. It was agreed that D.Mabon would assume the necessary responsibilities for the 2008 trial coordination until such time that the Oilseed Specialist position is filled. The board also discussed the concerns expressed by the contributing seed companies such as site location, site maintenance and data accuracy and changes for Manitoba Special Crops Symposium The board reviewed the 2008 MB Special Crops Symposium agenda and the arrangements for the Nufarm Canada bus transportation from the SW part of Manitoba into Winnipeg. Board Meeting March 6th, 2008 Reorganization of the NSAC Board Blair Woods was acclaimed as President, Kelly Dobson as Vice-President and Dean Fraser as Secretary/Treasurer. The committees were structured based on knowledge of the Board of Directors and approved. NSAC Code of Conduct The Board of Directors of the NSAC adopted the NSAC Directors Code of Conduct Policy which outlines a Directors legal obligation and to ensure they meet the standard of care imposed under the Business Corporations Act (Manitoba). Annual General Meeting Review D.Mabon reported from the NSAC Annual General Meeting held on February 21, 2008 at the MacDon Centre in Winnipeg. The Board discussed a grower s concern that MB Sunflower Processing Industry is losing business from MB Sunflower growers due to the increase in check-off fees. The board expressed little concern as the NSAC has good working relations with a number of US companies which are deducting and remitting the fees back to the Association. D.Mabon was instructed to contact US purchasers to determine whether there is any refusal by Manitoba growers in deducting Canadian levies. Sunflower Post-Registration Trials D.Mabon update board members that the 2008 Sunflower Post-Registration Trials will be expanding to 6 sites around Manitoba; Morden, Melita, Minto, MacGregor, OakBluff and Carman. All trial locations will be located within commercial Sunflower fields to minimize the possibility of bird damage. It was discussed with the seed industry in January that we need to revise our protocols with suggestions to thinning plots and the collection of additional data such as harvest moisture, test weight, oil analysis, seed size and hull ratio. The Board approved a motion to collect harvest moisture when the earliest variety achieves 13 per cent moisture. Manitoba Special Crops Symposium Review D.Mabon provided a recap of the symposium including attendance in general as well as for Sunflower topics. The board review tradeshow and grower commentary and made suggestions for next years show. The NSAC board agreed to continue with the partnership for Board Meeting - June 4th, 2008 Sulfentrazone Update D.Mabon updated the board on the recent announcement of Authority (sulfentrazone) registration on Chickpeas in Saskatchewan only. The board discussed its disappointment that the registration did not include Sunflowers and reviewed the concerns expressed by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. The Board agreed to take action and move forward with a User Requested Minor Use Label Expansion in order to see Spring 2009 registration. The Board approved a motion that based on the recent information brought forward ant the requirements that the NSAC may need to take action to move forward with the Authority label expansion, financial expenses may be incurred to meet this priority for our membership. Keystone Agriculture Producers The Association has been approached to join the Keystone Agriculture Producers (KAP) to provide a Sunflower presence as a commodity group member 29

30 with their organization. The board approved a motion to apply for membership to KAP. Bill C-39 Act to Amend the Canada Grains Act The board reviewed the announcement of Bill C-39 which reflects the government s commitment to reducing regulation and mandatory costs to the grain sector, including producers. The key component of the bill includes clarifying the Canadian Grain Commission s mandate, eliminating inward inspection and inward weighing, and eliminating security as a requirement for licensing. The board agreed that any program replacement that is put into effect needs to be mandatory between all commodities and purchasers. The board agreed to provide feedback to the steering committee which includes MPGA to research available options to replace the CGC producer payments. Matrix Group Inc. The NSAC office was contacted by the Matrix Group Inc. to establish a magazine on behalf of the Association for our membership. The publication would be a once a year mailing that would include editorial, trial and research information as well as any other relevant information that the board wishes to include. The magazine to produce and mail would be at no expense to the organization as the costs are off set by advertising. The board approved a motion to initiate a market study of the industry to determine if a magazine would be viable. 30

31 NSAC In-Depth Membership Benefits Active Member Benefits (as outlined in the NSAC Constitution and Bylaws) for those producers who do not request a refund of their check-off dollars from the National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) they are eligible for the following Membership Benefits: Access to the Sunflower Cash Advance Program; Access to the Canadian Sunflower Crop Production Manual; Quarterly grower mail-outs updating membership on the activities of the NSAC; Subscription to the Canadian Sunflower Grower Magazine; Yearly subscription to the NSA (U.S.A) Sunflower magazine; Access to the data from the Sunflower Post-Registration Trials; Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting; and Grower events such as MB Special Crops Symposium and the Manitoba Special Crops Summer Tour as well as any other grower events hosted by the NSAC. The National Sunflower Association of Canada is a producerfunded organization that provides sunflower growers with an arena to have their voices heard on matters that affect the sunflower industry in Canada and provide a representative to bring these issues forward at a provincial and federal level. Currently, no other association or organization is 100 per cent focused on ensuring the profitability and long term growth of the sunflower crop in Canada. At present, a small portion of pathology research is conducted at the AAFC Morden Research Station in conjunction with two masters student at the University of Manitoba. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives provides our association with a 1/3 time of their oilseeds specialist to dedicate to the sunflower industry. Without the support of Manitoba sunflower growers and the dedication of the Board of Directors of the NSAC, this industry would not be able to move forward and address the needs of sunflower growers. Therefore, the Board of Directors requests that Manitoba sunflower growers consider all the work done on behalf of them and continue to support our Association in order to move our industry forward. 31

32 NSAC In-Depth Where are Your Check-off Dollars Going? The National Sunflower Association of Canada needs the support of all producers to work on your behalf to ensure a sustainable sunflower industry. By collecting just one half of one per cent from the proceeds of the sale of all sunflowers grown in Manitoba, we are able to provide many benefits for our producers. The revenues collected from check-off dollars have allowed the Association to do the following work on your behalf: Research NSAC continues to allocate matching dollars towards Sclerotinia and Verticillium Wilt through funding parties such as ARDI and MII. In 2008, NSAC allocated $7000 checkoff dollars towards Drs. Gavloski and Roughly Manitoba Sunflower Insect Survey. This two-year project will be looking at insects emerging from fields that were in sunflowers last year, to get an idea of what over winters in sunflower fields and collecting insects at regular intervals from fields planted to sunflowers this year. A key card will be developed for growers and agronomists to understand the role of various insects found in sunflower fields as well as a photos for identification purposes. Once again, the NSAC administered and coordinated the 2008 Sunflower Post-Registration Trials in six locations around the province to provide Sunflower growers with third-party replicated data. This year a total of 20 varieties were tested from a number of different seed companies. To view data results, go to pages 9 to 12. Again in 2008, NSAC representatives participated in the National Sunflower Association of US s Sunflower Survey and surveyed a total of 18 fields from across the province. The data collected from this survey will be analyzed and complied to provide a North American outlook on the 2008 Sunflower crop. Results from this survey will provide the NSAC board the information required to determine priority areas for research and minor use submissions. To view the results visit: edu/aginfo/ndipm/index.htm. By collecting just one half of one per cent from the proceeds of the sale of all sunflowers grown in Manitoba, we are able to provide many benefits for our producers. Grower communication To date, NSAC has sent out 3 grower mail-out letters in addition to providing all active members with a membership to the NSA Sunflower magazine. This year, the board agreed to produce an annual magazine to provide a Canadian Sunflower prospective to our growers. This magazine, which you are reading, allows our board to provide another communication method to our growers which focuses on our activities and goals that we are working towards, to insure the profitability and long term growth of the sunflower crop through industry wide leadership as well as a means to update membership on activities which are funded through your check off dollars. The NSAC continues to maintain and expand the website com, where it is possible to find the most up-to-date information on NSAC activities, Research, Sunflower Variety Trials and much more. The NSAC joined together with the Manitoba Corn Growers, Manitoba Pulse Growers and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiative to hold our 2nd Manitoba Special Crops Symposium. This symposium featured a two-day event held at the MacDon Exhibition and Training Centre including sessions addressing all three commodities on marketing, agronomic and pest management issues. Plans for the 2009 Manitoba Special Crops Symposium are currently under progress at the Winnipeg Convention Centre to be held February 11 and 12, The Association held its annual summer tour in conjunction with the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association and the MB Corn Growers. The summer tour was held on July 23rd, 2008 at the AAFC Morden Research Centre. The tour commenced at the AAFC Morden Research Centre in the morning with discussion on the Sunflower and Pulse Co-op and Post-Registration trials and continue with the afternoon portion of the Diagnostic School with five featured topics; Agronomy, Disease, Fertility, Insects and Weeds on both crops. 32

33 Policy NSAC continues to be active through participation in numerous federal and provincial meetings. Consultations with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency remain a very high priority as the NSAC works to convey the concerns of our current registration system and its ultimate effects on our producers involved several important consultations on Business Risk Management programs and the Growing Forward Consultations. In January, the NSAC also held discussions with the U.S. Sunflower Seed Industry to address one major constraint in growing our Canadian industry, thus being the ability to access new genetic development in sunflower varieties. The Association continues to work towards accessing chemistries for Sunflower growers through the Minor Use system. This year we submitted three chemistries for minor use funding, those being: Express, Glypohsate and Mustang Max. The NSAC continues to work with FMC to include Sunflowers on the Authority (Sulfentrazone) label for Canada. The Executive Committee of the NSAC meets annually with Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation to discuss coverage options for blackbird damage in Sunflowers as well as to review coverage prices for both oilseed and confectionary sunflowers. 33

34 Buyer s Guide Ag Marketing Solutions Ag-Chieve Agricultural Equipment, Parts, Service AG West Equipment Greenland Equipment Agricultural Products and Services BASF... 8 Nu Farm Agriculture Inc... outside back cover Belt Conveyors Elias Reliabelt Buyer of Sunflower Chin Ridge Seeds Ltd Buyers Seed Ex BUYERS, PROCESSORS AND SELLERS Nestibo Agra Inc Commodities Red River Commodities Confection Processors Sun Opta Sunflower Confection Seed Buyer Spitz International Farm Insurance BSI Farrell Agencies Grain Bins Vider Morris Inc Grain Cleaning and Material Handling Can-Seed Equipment Ltd Grain Handling, Marketing, Transportation Mission Terminal Inc Harvesting Equipment Lucke Manufacturing... 4 Leading Exporter of Sunflower Seeds Globeways Canada Inc Leasing Services National Leasing Manitoba Pulse Growers Association Manitoba Pulse Growers Association Inc Merchandising, Redigreed Seed Agri-Tel Grain Oil Sunflower and Flax Crushing Plant Cargil Inc Processors Pembina Seeds Inc Prairie Sun Seed Ltd West Can Agra Inc Processors and Buyers Quarry Grain Commodition Inc... 3 Processors and Marketers Delmar Commodities Ltd Seed Buyer Legumex Inc Keystone Grain Ltd... inside back cover Seed Buyers Vanderveen Commodity Services Ltd Seed Dealer Seeds Seed Farm Remillard Seed Farm Seed Supplier Hunt Seeds Inc...inside front cover Paterson Grain Seed Testing SGS Canada Inc Special Crop Marketing Kalshea Commodities Inc Sunflower Buyer Dahlgren & Company Sunflower Harvesting Attachment Midwestern Machine... 8 Sunflower Harvesting Attachment / Header Intersteel Industries (1999) Ltd Sunflower Header Sheyenne Tooling & MFG The Voice of Manitoba Farmers Keystone Agricultural Producers Value Added Investments AVAC Ltd Your Industry is Our Specialty call (866) for more information. 34

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