IrrigatingAB Spring 2010

A l b e r t a
Volume Fourteen • Number One

Spring 2010 • Price $3.50
Table of Contents A l b e r t a
is a proprietary publication of
This Issue
4 Letter from the Editor
Head Office
6 Water Right/Allocation Debate on Deck 1320 - 36th Street North
Lethbridge, AB T1H 5H8
8 Diverse Skills Suited for Large District
Toll Free 1-877-328-0048
10 Cows and Fish – Past to Present Phone 403-328-5114
Email: adsales@farmpressltd.com
12 Irrigators Big Winners in Water Sale Reproduction or use of editorial content in any man-
ner without written permission is strictly prohibited.
Thank you for supporting our advertisers.
14 Industry Honors Peter Langemann Without them, this publication would not be
possible. Irrigating Alberta is proudly produced
15 Customer-focused, Sustainable Agriculture? in Southern Alberta and distributed inside the
Farmer/Stockman Ad-Viser to over 21,000
farms and ranches.
16 The South Saskatchewan Region
18 Preparing Your Yard and Garden for Drought Publisher
Jeff Sarich
20 Riparian Demonstrations in the Waterton Park Front Editor
Claudette Lacombe
22 Maintenance Key to Problem-Free Irrigating
Advertising Consultants
23 Raymond Irrigation District (RID) Update Al Such, Mel McDonald
24 Technology and Water Conservation Pre-Press Production

Lisette Cook
26 Up Seeding Rates for Higher Yields
Advertising Co-ordinator
28 Born to Water – Roger Hohm Sarah Sarich
29 Micronutrients – The Pros and Cons Cover Photo

Claudette Lacombe
30 Book Review – “Restoring the Flow”
IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 3

Letter from the Editor
O
One of the challenges in writing
the spring edition of Irrigating
Alberta is that we write it in
January. There is no way of know-
ing in January what kind of water
season we have coming. As any
experienced irrigator can tell you,
our water situation can change in
practices and projects, then we won’t
diligently ensure we avoid that in our
backyard. Are we proud that the prairies
have lost 70% of the wetlands that used
to sustain ground water supplies?
Robert Sandford wrote another
book – Restoring the Flow – and, if you
read it, you will understand that it’s
time Alberta farmers and ranchers
show how they plan to overcome the
one good storm. challenges before them.
Last July, Rockyford saw its 1-in-100 If we are honest, most people
year event and received 11 inches of involved in agriculture know that mod-
rain in 90 minutes. The little village ern agricultural practices are not
went from brown lawns to white caps sustainable. Studies that are decades old
on Main Street. show productivity decreases on irrigated
But perhaps that’s the point when it lands over time by as much as 30% due
comes to water management in Alberta. to soil exhaustion and water logging.
We live in a variable and changing cli- Agriculture has become a Go Big or
mate. Water supply, seasonal weather Go Home enterprise and most small to
and human endeavors can have a medium producers are drowning under
change of fortune at a moments notice. the pressures of the Green Revolution;
That’s the beauty which is turning out to be anything but
of an irrigation sys- green. Now, it appears that the bee col-
... most people involved in agriculture tem isn’t it? lapse is related to the philosophy of ever
Irrigation systems increasing production from the same
provide an amount piece of land. We keep pushing for
know that modern agricultural more from less and believing we can
of security and take
some of the wild chemically augment and everything
practices are not sustainable. will be fine.
fluctuations off
weather variability. No wonder someone dreamed up
Although, I think it’s important for the idea of a crystal ball because while
Alberta irrigators to acknowledge that hindsight is 20/20 it’s also too late to
places exist in this world where irrigation avoid disaster. But that’s the beauty of
systems have done damage to the social living and working in Alberta. We have
and environmental fabric of countries. the opportunity to do better here
The destruction around the Aral Sea because we can learn from older sys-
is the result of too much water extrac- tems and places that show our
tion upstream causing the sea to shrink vulnerabilities by what they’ve endured.
to about 33% of its 1960s size. Plus the I don’t think any of us want to expe-
reduction in fresh water inputs created rience what the Australian farmers and
an increase in the salt content of the ranchers faced in recent years. I doubt
water to the point where fisheries and an Alberta farmer would trade places
water use for other purposes is no with someone irrigating from the
longer feasible. Apparently, salt on the Ogallala Aquifer or farming on the
winds is killing the soils as far away as banks at the mouth of the Yellow River
Afghanistan and the people in the in China.
region breathe in salt. Nope, if you own a farm or ranch
Why do I think we need to acknowl- with irrigation rights in Alberta, you
edge this in Alberta? Because if we do are right where it’s best to be. So, make
not acknowledge that it is possible to sure it stays that way for your grand-
cause damage through careless irrigation children.
4 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

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Water Right/Allocation Debate on Deck
NOW IT’S TIME TO HAVE YOUR SAY
BY C. LACOMBE
T
The last issue of Irrigating Alberta urged irrigators to
watch for the FITFIR debate and be prepared to The Minister’s Advisory Group on Water
engage in the process. According to Bev Yee, Management and Allocation investigated cur-
Assistant Deputy Minister Environmental rent and future pressures provincially and
Stewardship Division, public consultation begins in specifically for the seven major basins. The advisory
March 2010. group provided high-level recommendations in five
Over the past six months, the government asked some of its areas: protected water, reallocation of water, a sys-
think tanks to provide recommendations and you can view tems approach, governance and future studies.
the reports on-line as listed in the sidebar of this article. http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/ library/8239.pdf
It may also be a good idea to bookmark those sites and
keep an eye on the process as it moves forward. These process- The Alberta Water Council provided recommen-
es often take a year or more and, sometimes, there is more dations on enhancements to the current water
than one round of public consultation.
Another excellent way to stay informed on this issue is to
allocation transfer system. The council identified
keep talking to irrigators and watershed stewards in your areas for improvement in six areas: protected water;
region. The South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB) has a transfer markets; unused water; conservation;
Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) for all its administrative process; and data and information.
major basins – Red Deer, Bow, Oldman and South www.albertawatercouncil.ca
Saskatchewan Rivers. There is also a group for the Milk River.
These organizations will be well informed on the progress of The Alberta Water Research Institute examined
this debate. water allocation policies and practices of other juris-
This is a province-wide process and Yee pointed out that dictions facing water challenges similar to Alberta,
circumstances are different in the major river basins around
the province while speaking at a Legislation & Policy including the western U.S. and Australia. The
Committee workshop for the Bow River Basin Council. The Institute then conducted a comparative review of
Athabasca River has different challenges than the South Alberta’s current policies to develop a white paper
Saskatchewan River. outlining ideas and opportunities on how the
She pointed out that this process aims to integrate environ- province can improve its water allocation manage-
mental, economic and social needs for water while
minimizing cumulative effects on our natural systems and ment system in order to fulfill the goals of Water for
biodiversity. Life. www.waterinstitute.ca
Yee outlined some of the key discussion points the govern-
ment extracted from the reports listed here.
All the reports recommend establishing in-stream flow Mandate all large license holders create Water Shortage
needs for healthy aquatic ecosystems. In short, give the river a Response Plans.
high priority allocation that will ensure it remains able to pro-
Make sure planning decisions incorporate knowledge of
vide the goods and services a healthy river gives our society.
the existing system both from an overview and on-the-ground
Before we go any further with allocations, give the rivers what
perspective. Link ground and surface water in decision-mak-
they need.
Improve the water allocation transfer system and put in ing and develop comprehensive monitoring systems to ensure
place a limit on how much of a license can be transferred. all natural water systems, above and below ground, remain
Create grades of transfers so that a transfer application that viable.
has a low risk of changing any conditions on the river moves Finally, make sure all organizations understand their
forward quickly with limited process. Conversely, license responsibilities. At the moment, there is some confusion
transfers that change diversion point, water use, time of with- regarding which organization trumps another in decision-
drawal etc. would require higher levels of scrutiny and more making. The WPACs have a mandate to create Integrated
parties invited to participate in the transfer process. Water Management Plans and the Regional Advisory
Apparently, the current license transfer system is a murky, Councils (RACs) have the job of making land use decisions.
drawn out process that includes substantial frustration and The argument is that there is no separation between land use
cost. Fix that. and water management.

Cont’d from page 6
So, when it comes to making decisions about water and

land use, tie the Water Act and the Alberta Land Stewardship
Act together.
The reports also ask the provincial government to talk
amongst themselves a little more. When it comes to water
and land management, several departments at the provincial
level have responsibilities related to management of
resources. A little internal communication could go a long
way to making life easier for all Albertans.
After Yee provided this overview, Dave Hill of the Alberta
Water Institute, Danielle Droitsch of Water Matters and Jim
Webber on behalf of the Alberta Water Council elaborated on
some of the key messages these groups have in the debate.
Hill pointed out that we’re going to need criteria for defin-
ing critical human use. His organization spoke to people
from around the world that have faced the challenges Alberta
would like to address through this discussion. Other coun-
tries have water scarcity issues Alberta/Canada hasn’t had to
deal with yet and, therefore, they can provide some good
advice about brick walls and pot holes that can get in the way
of progress.
Hill says that if Alberta succeeds in creating a truly coop-
erative and substantial water management system before we
go into water scarcity crisis, we will accomplish a global first.
Some if Hill’s more interesting points were if public money
creates water savings through infrastructure improvements,
then some of the conserved water should transfer back to the
government. He also suggested Alberta make nature and
human use a priority over economic use. Bow Lake & Glacier supply late season
Danielle Droitsch stressed that Alberta has no in-stream flows to the Bow River. Photo: C. Lacombe
flow regulations, volumes or protection mechanisms to
ensure continued aquatic viability. She pointed out that mation regarding its water and its use in this province.
Alberta has impaired aquatic ecosystems at this time and This is the tip of this iceberg debate in Alberta. As it pro-
drought and climate change can exacerbate those conditions. gresses, Albertans could see some volatile side debates and
Also, Alberta does not have water conservation incentives in strange bedfellows emerge. The discussion will be everything
place anywhere for anyone and the environment isn’t even on but boring.
the list of priority for water.
Droitsch also talked about the discussions not taking place
in Alberta that are elephants in the room. For instance, what
are basic human needs? Why aren’t we talking about the fact
that the government has an economic interest in water use, so
perhaps they shouldn’t be in charge of the Water Market?
When Jim Webber took the podium on behalf of the SERVICES
Alberta Water Council, he added these points.
Water supply in Alberta is variable; always has been; • Used Pivots for Sale • Thunderbird & Wheel
always will be. Alberta has not had a new vision for water • Teardown, Setups, Line Specialist
since the 1920s. Hauling • Also Insurance
When it comes to the SSRB, any ‘found’ water will come • Free Estimates Estimates & Repairs
from water conservation and efficiency, yet Alberta doesn’t
promote efficient water use or conservation very well.
One over-riding piece that every speaker at this event Phil Hofer 315-0313
Owner/Operator TABER, AB
mentioned is that Alberta needs much more data and infor-

Diverse Skills Suited for Large District
BY RON MONTGOMERY
I
In August 2009, Tom Crooks (M.Ed, B. Admin. irrigation district and I want to be on its frontlines
CHRP) took the reins as General Manager of to help create a lasting water legacy for southern
Alberta.”
Canada’s largest irrigation district. Crooks is the former national Executive
The St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) Director, Operations for the Beef Information
delivers water through 2060 km (1280 miles) of Centre of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
canals and pipelines to approximately 150,500 His background also includes senior administrative
hectares (372,000 acres) of land south of the positions at the University of Calgary and signifi-
Oldman and South Saskatchewan Rivers between cant years of experience with the Alberta
Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, Alberta. Tom Crooks Government as a tax auditor and then Head of
Crooks is an innovative and motivated leader Photo: SMRID Crown Debt Collections.
with significant experience in service-intensive, With a strong belief in the value of life-long
customer-based businesses. His qualifications learning, Crooks has himself invested great energy
include finance; strategic development and response to the in an ongoing effort to acquire new skills and encourages his
service needs of the organization, its Board members and staff to do the same.
stakeholders; program and project management; information “I am excited to be working with a great staff and living
security and IT; conflict resolution and compliance. again in southern Alberta.” Besides his busy new life in
“I see water as one of the most key, strategic resources of Lethbridge, Tom and his wife Rhonda have a small ranch in
our province’s future,” says Crooks. “We need to make the very SW Alberta.
best use of the resources we have so future generations of For further information on SMRID visit www.smrid.ab.ca,
Albertans have the water they need. SMRID is Canada’s largest e-mail smrid@smrid.ab.ca or telephone 403-328-4401.
Premier Stelmach’s Cabinet Mary Anne Jablonski: Minister of Seniors and Community
Supports
Ed Stelmach: Premier, President of Executive Council,
Lindsay Blackett: Minister of Culture and Community Spirit
Chair of Agenda and Priorities, Vice-Chair of Treasury Board
Heather Klimchuk: Minister of Service Alberta
Doug Horner: Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education
and Technology, and Minister Liaison to the Canadian Armed Cindy Ady: Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Forces Hector Goudreau: Minister of Municipal Affairs
Ted Morton: Minister of Finance and Enterprise Frank Oberle: Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security
Dave Hancock: Minister of Education, Government House Len Webber: Minister of Aboriginal Relations
Leader. He will also serve as Political Minister for Edmonton. Jonathan Denis: Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs,
Lloyd Snelgrove: President of the Treasury Board Deputy Government House Leader
Iris Evans: Minister of International and Intergovernmental Thomas Lukaszuk: Minister of Employment and Immigration
Relations
List of Parliamentary Assistants
Ron Liepert: Minister of Energy
Greg Weadick: Advanced Education and Technology
Luke Ouellette: Minister of Transportation
Broyce Jacobs: Agriculture and Rural Development
Mel Knight: Minister of Sustainable Resource Development
Janice Sarich: Education
Alison Redford: Minister of Justice and Attorney General,
Deputy Government House Leader. She will also serve as Teresa Woo-Paw: Employment and Immigration
Political Minister for Calgary. Diana McQueen: Energy
Rob Renner: Minister of Environment, Deputy Government Cal Dallas: Environment
House Leader Raj Sherman: Health and Wellness
Gene Zwozdesky: Minister of Health and Wellness, Deputy Manmeet Bhullar: Municipal Affairs
Government House Leader Fred Horne: Seniors and Community Supports
Yvonne Fritz: Minister of Children and Youth Services Evan Berger: Sustainable Resource Development
Jack Hayden: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Jeff Johnson: Treasury Board (Oil Sands Sustainable
Ray Danyluk: Minister of Infrastructure Development Secretariat)

Cows and Fish – Past to Present
BY RON MONTGOMERY
T
The Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society,
also known as Cows and Fish and first created in
1992, strives to foster a better understanding of how
improvements in grazing and other management of
riparian areas can enhance landscape health and
productivity for the benefit of landowners, agricul-
tural producers, communities and others who use
and value riparian areas.
A non-governmental organization (NGO), Cows and Fish
registered as a society in 2004. The name came about through
the representation of two founding members, Alberta Beef
Producers and Trout Unlimited Canada, and to emphasise that
cows and fish can thrive together with appropriate management.
Given that Cows and Fish is entering their 18th year of
operations in Alberta, Irrigating Alberta (IA) magazine
recently asked Norine Ambrose (NA), Program Manager
based out of Lethbridge, a few questions related to various
changes that have occurred since the organization’s inception.
IA – How has C & F evolved over the past decade?
NA – Cows and Fish is still strongly rooted in our work with
rural communities, particularly livestock grazing. Over the
past decade, we have and continue to do more and more work
with urban residents and support many lake residents in
learning about and more effectively managing lakes where
they live and recreate. This is one of the youth education tools Cows & Fish
IA – What’s different about the organization now from its developed and uses.
early days?
quality protection and the role of riparian management have
NA – In the early days, we had no paid employees, just relying
certainly increased in the past decade, but there are many
on deliverers to fit it into their existing jobs or own time. From
other environmental and conservation issues also more top-
there, we moved to a few employees and now, to meet the
of-mind than they were in the past. One of our larger
ongoing demands, we have about a dozen employees. We still challenges, perhaps even more so than in the past, is to pro-
rely upon annual grants from a variety of sources to enable us vide core program delivery with enough funding. Funding
to provide information and expertise on riparian areas and sources are more limited, often small in amount, and may only
their management. For many years, we were not a formal support predetermined projects. We continue to struggle to
organization, just a handshake agreement between partners to meet all the demands and requests, which are growing, since
enable us to deliver a great program. We are currently a regis- funding resources are limiting and uncertain.
tered society with passionate and committed staff, and our
partners are really members that provide input and guidance IA – Has the demand for projects increased?
through our board of directors. NA – Our work has never been focused on projects as much
as overall program delivery. This might mean assisting local
IA – Do you feel the organization is now working in a differ-
groups/landowners with their specific projects, and trying to
ent political or social climate?
ensure that in addition to education efforts, we provide tools,
NA – Over the years, many things have changed, including expertise and advice on management. We help measure and
the financial programs and focus of government delivery from monitor riparian health, at the request of local communities.
various departments. These changes have led to increased Demand has changed a bit, since there are some more people
local coordination and skills at county and municipal district with growing technical expertise and interest in riparian areas,
levels, which has helped support a considerable expansion of but an area that has really increased is the request for our
local watershed stewardship groups. The awareness of water input on more and more strategic, regional and provincial

level initiatives, including watershed and planning advisory IA – Does C & F have any additional partners now?
councils’ (WPACs) reports/plans, Landuse Framework plan-
NA – Except for departmental name changes, our supporting
ning and other provincial strategies.
organizations have remained very stable over the years, and
IA – Do you notice any trends in the type of project requests? we are very glad to have the long-term relationship with our
NA – As mentioned above, more and more regional/large partners. We work with many different local organizations in
basin-wide planning and reporting is occurring, while at the terms of delivering the actual program and this continues to
same time more local groups exist. Compared to a decade ago, change as local needs change, as well as new groups form and
at the local level, groups are doing more tree planting and request our involvement.
other bank erosion repair or restoration, but there are still the For further information, visit www.cowsandfish.org or con-
same needs for improved land management as there were in tact Norine Ambrose, Program Manager in Lethbridge by
the past. e-mail nambrose@cowsandfish.org or phone 403-381-5538.
Alberta Pork Producers Learn Revitalization Strategy

Alberta’s pork industry, hard hit by economic challenges, has been developing an aggressive revitalization strategy over the past
two years.
“We have literally searched the world for the best ideas inside and outside the pork business on how to revitalize our industry,” says
Herman Simons, producer and chairman of Alberta Pork.
“We have been fortunate to acquire the services of experienced people in several areas to help lead us forward,” he says.
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Irrigators Big Winners In Water Sale
BY HELEN MCMENAMIN
T
The sale of part of the water allocation of the each have two 133-acre pivots and they’re looking at buying
Western Irrigation District (WID) to the Rocky View another. They’re finally able to irrigate all the acres that have
irrigation rights.
County raised a lot of concern in some quarters, but
Even when the pipeline was only about half complete,
proved beneficial to some WID irrigators. Browns were convinced the water savings from stopping canal
Transferring some of its water allocation allowed the WID leakage would more than compensate for the water allocation
to replace 50 km of open ditches with about 35 km of buried the WID transferred to Rocky View.
pipeline. Part of the project took shape in fall 2008 and con- Jim Webber, Manager of the WID, agrees. As an engineer,
struction finished in fall 2009. The irrigation district Webber bases his opinion on water data and calculations.
conveyance modernization is a long slow process when reno- Browns and other farmers are right he says. And, because the
vations have to be squeezed into the regular budget along with pipeline was completed in two years, rather than over several
normal maintenance of a very old system. years, WID was able to engineer in some improvements that
“The sale was a great opportunity for the irrigation dis- save more water.
trict,” says Dianne “We’ll save at least
Brown. She and her the 2,000 acre-feet we
husband, Don, farm at transferred to Rocky
the eastern end of the
Delivering water underground, with View,” he says. Just as
WID, east of Cluny, and important, the pipeline
they knew first hand
what rough shape the
no sunlight reaching it, means no eliminated some has-
sles for his staff.
old canals were in. “So many of the
“We were ecstatic to need to filter the water at the farm. problems that were
find that this big reno- constant have ended.
vation project was Weeds, algae and all
finally going ahead,” she says. sorts of things blowing into the ditches can all block ditches,
The pipeline that now delivers water to part of their land, especially in smaller channels. We save money, machinery and
the last place serviced by the WID system, has made a huge staff time spent on clearing channels and getting rid of weeds.
difference to them. It’s changed their farming operation. We’re able to service our members much more efficiently.”
Before the pipeline, they were only able to access irrigation Delivering water underground, with no sunlight reaching
water in spring because later in the year, farmers further up it, means no need to filter the water at the farm. Some people
the system used quite a bit of the water. And, ditches at the can even run pivots on water pressure because the pipeline
extreme end of the system had grass and cattails growing in system starts high on a hill.
them so irrigating wasn’t practical for the Browns. Webber’s only complaint about the sale of WID’s water
Also, water from the ditches seeped over quite a bit of land allocation was that the process was slow and onerous. Water
and caused salinity and made the ground so soggy it was rights transfers were legalized across Alberta in 1999, but only
impossible to farm. happen in the South Saskatchewan River Basin because it’s the
“We had one piece of land that was so bad, you could hard- only system where new water licenses are no longer available.
ly get across it with a horse,” says Don. “It’s dried up quite a bit The Alberta government, in its updated Water for Life
already. I think we’ll be farming it in a couple of years. We’re strategy, committed to making transfer of water allocations
going to see more and more land coming back into farmland.” more efficient. It plans to take proposals around the
Some neighbors aren’t pleased. They’ve built cattle opera- province to give Albertans a chance to offer their opinions.
tions that took advantage of the grass growing on the seepage The government has said it will use public input to develop
from the irrigation ditches. But, others, those who are actual- possible changes to regulations around transfers of water
ly members of the irrigation district and pay for water, are allocations. The Alberta Water Council developed a report
very happy to be able to upgrade their operations with assured based on consensus opinions from all water users, from oil
water delivery. and gas companies to fishermen and environmentalists, that
“We used to irrigate early in the spring,” says Don. “But will be the basis of public consultations. Discussions are
after haying, we could never get enough water, so we only took likely to be wide-ranging. The head of the Alberta Water
one cut of hay.” Research Council, former Environment Minister, Lorne
Browns used to do most of their irrigating with wheel- Taylor, expressed the opinion that water sales must increase
moves. They had to build a storage dugout to be able to use a and the first-in-time, first-in-right allocation system must
pivot. Now, they have a section pivot and they and their son change.

The Browns expect to see some transfers

of water rights within the WID as people on
older sections of the irrigation system see
that farmers on the pipeline system value
their irrigation rights more highly.
“Some people only have 50 or 100 acres
of irrigation,” And, they’re in widely scat-
tered areas, so it may make sense for them
to transfer, especially those at the west of the
system where rainfall is higher. Here, we’re
hotter and drier, so this is where irrigation
has the greatest potential.”
The general media seems to have forgot-
ten the furor over the water sale as the
development that precipitated the water
sale, Cross Irons Mills, or the Balzac Mega-
mall, opened to great fanfare with no dis-
cussion of the source of water.
The extra capital allowed the WID to
deliver more of the water it withdraws from A pivot on the new South Cluny system operates without a
the Bow River to its irrigators and municipal customers as well pump since the new pipeline
as free up water for Rocky View to use for new developments. came on line. Photo: Erwin Braun, Western Irrigation District
The WID water allocation was particularly valuable for the

municipality because it was granted in 1903. That gives it pri-
ority over water licensees with newer licenses. PARRISH &
The river ecosystem is not harmed by the change because
even if WID and Rocky View withdraw their entire alloca-
HEIMBECKER,
tions, the amount of water taken out of the river will not LIMITED
increase.
The only downside to the whole change is that the land-
scape is changing drastically around the Browns. Trees
growing on the moisture that leaked from the canals are
already dying.
“The pipeline’s good for the whole district,” says Dianne.
“We’re not losing water any more. But the wildlife around here Serving the Agriculture Community Since 1909
will really miss those wet seepage areas, especially the trees. ALBERTA LOCATIONS
“Maybe we can get some shelterbelts in, and now we have
Head Office: 480 - 220 4th St. S.
the water, we’ll be able to irrigate them.”
Lethbridge, AB T1J 4J7
Phone: 320-9440 Fax: 328-8561
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“Over-regulation of GM crops has little to no environmental ben-
efit, and instead discourages genetic diversity, encourages Rycroft . . . . . . . . . . . . (780) 765-2800
corporate monopoly, and limits opportunities for farmers on the Vulcan . . . . . . . . . . . . (403) 485-2727
margins.” Visit http://liberty.pacificresearch.org/ publications/the- Wilson Siding . . . . . . . (403) 381-8710
way-in-which-we-produce-our-food to read the report.

Industry Honors Peter Langemann
BY RIC SWIHART
W
What started out as one man’s invention to increase
water management capacity has turned into a best
seller.
Industry recognized Peter Langemann for his Langemann
Gate and myriad other inventions.
“We honored Peter with a Certificate of Appreciation for
his life-time of dedication to bringing innovative solutions to
the challenges in irrigated agriculture and his inspiration to
Aqua Systems over the past 15 years,” says Ken Craig of
Lethbridge, a senior official with Aqua Systems 2000 Inc.
which is making and marketing the Langemann Gate.
Earlier this year the 400th Langemann Gate was supplied
to the irrigation industry in North America.
Meeting special needs on his irrigated farm just west of Langemann Gates installed at the SMRID Lethbridge lateral
Lethbridge was Peter’s Mother of Invention. Langemann headgates site. Photo: Aqua Systems 2000 Inc.
turned those needs into physical farming and irrigating aids,
making him the Father of Invention.
For those years of work, especially development of the rights, and royalties, over to the St. Mary River Irrigation
Langemann Gate that allows water managers to regulate the District.
level of water upstream and downstream from the gate, AquaSystems 2000 Inc. won the right to manufacture and
Langemann previously received a distinguished service award market the gate. Handsaeme Welding in Coaldale is the man-
from the Northwest Irrigation Operators Association. ufacturer.
It all started in 1978 when Langemann searched for a solu- Langemann also developed a water flow monitor designed
tion to a problem faced by all irrigators at the end of a canal to help irrigation districts and irrigators know how much
with no spillway or drainage system for any surplus water. It water is used on a farm.
meant any water that came to his farm had to be used on the An improved version has a mechanical flap, activated when
farm. It also meant if there was any water shortage in the water begins to flow in the pipe, triggers a water flow hourly
canal, he had to do with what was available. monitor to measure water consumption, based on the water
The surplus meant water wasn’t used as efficiently as pos- allocated to the farm and the pressure.
sible. The shortages, after he replaced flood irrigation with In normal years, the monitor is for records. In a year like
sprinklers, meant he couldn’t be sure of a constant supply of 2004, when SMRID irrigators were limited initially to 12 inch-
water needed for the pumps to work properly. es of water per acre, it became a key management tool to alert
He developed the LOPAC Gate, and installed one in the the district and farmer when that rationed limit was near.
canal adjacent to his farm. It paid quick dividends because it It doesn’t mean a farmer has to stop irrigating crops like
assured a constant flow of water. Gone were the days when up alfalfa, but it means the farmer will have to purchase addi-
to 12 water users on four laterals stretching from his canal tional water rights from other farmers, or shift some
pondered water shortages with charges of somebody stealing allocation from crops that use less than 12 inches per acre, to
water they had ordered from the irrigation district ditchrider. continue.
He said one of those early gates installed east of Coaldale Langemann said inventions often run into criticism.
continues to operate efficiently, with virtually no maintenance. “I have been fortunate with my inventions to earn the
His big invention, the Langemann Gate, was registered respect and support of irrigation district staff and irrigation
with the patent’s office, and Langemann signed the patent farmers,” he said. “It helps with encouragement.”
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granular formulations. The Nodulator® Q-Pak is a granular formulation.

Customer-focused, Sustainable Agriculture?
BY LES BROST
B
Back in my ranching days, I usually felt The explosive growth of the organic, farm-direct,
uneasy buying bulls at auction sales. I wasn’t and locavore food movements, particularly
among younger and affluent Canadians, is prov-
sure why, but the discomfort was definitely ing that consumers are willing to put their wallets
there. It took a bit of cogitating, but I final- where their values are.
ly figured out what caused my anxiety. At Will farmers have the courage to ask them-
selves why they shouldn’t have a more organized
the sale, there was no opportunity to have a influence on supply of their product? Their agri-
“long view” of the animal. When buying business suppliers quickly cut shifts when their
bulls directly from the breeder, I could stand products are in oversupply, and processors shut
down their plants during market gluts. OPEC
back and inspect the bull from a distance to Les Brost countries set global oil prices by setting produc-
assess his overall balance and proportion. tion targets. Why can’t farmers play a more
Distance and time gives us an important perspective on structured, assertive role in setting their own pro-
duction levels?
complexity. I have a hunch that the answers to those questions would
Distance has helped me resolve a couple of puzzling ques- be quick in coming and predictable in content. It would be
tions that gnawed at me over those ranching years. Why is something like, “Food production is different. How can we
primary agriculture the only industry to consistently attempt ethically cut back on production? Consumers won’t buy more
to survive low prices by increasing production? And why do costly supply-managed products”.”
many primary producers look at the consumers of their prod- Do consumers really feel that they have a “right” to cheap
uct with suspicion and even hostility? food? Would they prefer to pay for that cheap food in perpet-
After a few years away from the business, I think I finally ual government handouts, or would they prefer to pay a fair
understand. The light came on last fall when I saw a newspa- price at the grocery store? The last time I checked, I didn’t see
per article titled, “Standoff Over Fertilizer Prices Imperils riots in front of the dairy coolers at Sobey’s, yet milk products
Food Supply”. In that article, I saw two key links in the chain in Canada are supply-managed.
binding most farmers to the recurring cycle of financial crisis Many of the settlers who built our agriculture industry
and government bailouts. with their sweat and courage came here to escape a toxic sta-
In the article, a representative of the agri-supply industry tus quo in their homelands. Today’s farmers have had to be
said that farmers’ cutbacks in fertilizer purchases could cause both smart and resilient to survive in the dysfunctional system
global starvation. It reminded me that there is a powerful per- in which they operate. Will they have the pioneering courage
ceived Judeo-Christian ethic directing farmers to feed the necessary to challenge and change the present dysfunctional
world. Didn’t Jesus say in John 21:15, “Feed my lambs?” system?
Farmers’ belief in a Christian duty to feed the world makes it Will today’s farmers have the audacity to check out the
difficult for them to reduce production, even though that’s accuracy of those old scripts through direct, unfiltered con-
what other businesses- including their suppliers- do in times versations with their customers? Can they create a new, more
of market oversupply. customer-focused, sustainable agricultural industry? These
The second link is the social and political isolation of the are incredibly important questions, for the answers will
farming community. Few points of direct connection exist impact every citizen of tomorrow’s Canada.
between farmers and their customers. That isolation makes it
easy for groups with an interest in farmer isolation- suppliers,
processors, politicians and others- to maintain the disconnect. Another Delay for the Wetlands Policy
Generations of farmers have heard the refrain, “Consumers On November 20, Alberta Environment announced a new timeline for
won’t pay for expensive food”. That refrain hooks into the
the completion of a province-wide policy to protect wetlands that
“Christian duty” theme, increasing farmer frustration and iso-
would delay its adoption and implementation until 2012. The delay
lation. Reflexively, farmers move even closer to those with
was outlined in a new plan released by Alberta Environment outlining
whom they have face-to face relationships- suppliers, proces-
sors and politicians. actions on the renewal of Water for Life. The original date for
In reality, the “Consumers won’t pay for expensive food” completion of the policy under the Water for Life strategy was 2007.
theme is as threadbare as a panhandler’s poncho. Many urban To read the Water For Life renewal, visit
Canadians understand that they pay their total “food bill” http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/8236.pdf
both at the grocery store and when they file their tax returns.

Planning Process Needs You
BY RON MCMULLIN
A
Adding another 1.5 million people to Alberta by Some irrigators have asked if the
2026 will put more pressure on our natural resources water allocation system is on the table in
and infrastructure. To guide growth and develop- this the land-use planning process. It is
not. However, as noted in the terms of
ment that would result from this expected surge in
reference for the Regional Advisory
population, the Government of Alberta created a Council, the “RAC’S work will explore
land-use planning process. the relationship between population
Seven major regions in Alberta will develop land use plans. growth, water supply, economic growth,
The region that boasts 99% of the irrigated area in Alberta is and land conservation.” The RAC will
named the South Saskatchewan Region (SSR) after the water examine potential development scenar- AIPA Executive
basin that includes the Bow, Oldman, Red Deer and South ios in the South Saskatchewan Region, Director
Saskatchewan Rivers and tributaries. The region runs from looking at environmental thresholds and
north of Airdrie southward to include the Milk River basin. social objectives. You can check out
The Red Deer basin will have its own plan. In the South more details of the RAC’s role by reading from page 21 to the
Saskatchewan Region, a strong economy is supported by a end of the RAC’s Terms of Reference, accessed online at
diversity of landscape features including land, water, air, bio- http://landuse. alberta.ca/. The Terms of Reference document
diversity and extractable gives a pretty good summary of
natural resources such as oil, the whole process. The SSR
gas and forests. The land-use Plan will consider such things
plan will help Albertans enjoy a
The Government of Alberta as water supply and demand,
strong economy that supports conservation of valued land-
people-friendly communities is asking for advice, scapes and biodiversity, source
while maintaining a healthy water protection, economic
environment. yours and mine. growth including agriculture,
You can easily see the grow- energy, forestry, and recreation
ing pressures on our landscapes and tourism.
by looking at recent trends. For The Government of Alberta
example, in 1980 there were 1.6 million vehicles on Alberta’s is asking for advice, yours and mine. In December 2009, the
roadways; by 2006 there were 2.6 million. The number of first series of public consultation meetings took place in 16
ATVs increased from 19,000 in 1995 to 67,000 in 2006. communities in the region. This consultation, number 1 of 3,
Albertans own 30% of Canada’s RVs. In 1995, 8,400 oil wells sought input from stakeholder groups on issues and solutions
were drilled; in 2007 there were 16,500. Electrical demand related to land use. In January, an online workbook asked for
since 1998 grew annually by the equivalent of adding two direct input into the process, where anyone could share their
cities the size of Red Deer. Our beef herd increased from 2.9 ideas with those who are going to write the plan. Two more
million in 1960 to 6.4 million in 2006. The population of consultations will occur, one in late summer or early fall,
Calgary mushroomed to over 1 million people, and develop- where you will be invited to comment on the vision for the
ment in surrounding communities boomed. Sustaining SSR Plan and the outcomes that it hopes to achieve. What that
natural resources, while continuing to meet the needs of a means is if you have an idea of what difference this plan
growing population, won’t happen without some guidance should make, you have the opportunity to say what should
and some rules. The SSR land-use plan will supply those so come out of the process. If a secure water supply for irrigation,
that provincial government departments, local municipal gov- food processors, and new agri-busines is important to you,
ernments, and all Albertans can make decisions that will then you need to say that to those writing the plan. If other
strengthen Alberta for the long haul. land use issues are important to you, they need to know that
A Regional Planning Team will draft the South too. The final consultation will provide an opportunity to
Saskatchewan Regional Land-use Plan and will consider infor- comment on the draft plan and make suggestions for its
mation provided by government departments, the public, and improvement.
advice from a Regional Advisory Council (RAC). The RAC To keep current on what is happening in the land-use plan-
consists of 18 people appointed by Cabinet to provide advice ning process, use the following internet link for the latest
for Cabinet’s consideration during the plan’s formulation. Five information: http://landuse.alberta.ca/. I encourage you to get
of the 18 have strong agricultural connections, and two of us involved, share your views and ideas. Let your side of the story
are directly involved in irrigation; Greg Sekura, potato farmer be heard. Silence only benefits those who have views that dif-
and County Council in the MD of Taber and myself. fer from your own.

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Preparing Your Yard and Garden for Drought
BY RIC SWIHART
C
Cheryl Bradley lives every day as a strong advocate
for the environment and her community sees and
acknowledges this.
Now, she is starting to enjoy the fruits of her latest endeav-
or — xeriscaping her front yard. It has evolved in one year to
the point the yard was part of the Prairie Urban Garden Tour.
Bradley shares her home with husband Lorne Fitch who
last year stood against a mailbox in the front yard, the bare soil
around him looking a bit like a moonscape. But you have to
start somewhere.
Working with a specialist on plant selection and design, the
home now features a small ground-level patio with table and
chairs, a myriad of mostly native plants with various colour
flowers that bloom at different times, some preserved trees
and bushes and in the front, native grass struggling to estab-
lish as a lawn. This yellow tea rose is one of the plants Lacombe gives away
each spring. It thrives in the southern Alberta climate without
It is a dream that started for the couple six or seven years the help of fertilizer, pesticides or extra water. Photo: C. Lacombe
ago. Lorne was tiring of watering the lawn and the necessary
work cutting grass. Both wanted to build a yard that would be
more drought-tolerant and self-sustaining to reduce water southern Alberta are declining, some think as much as 20 per
consumption and the monthly bill. cent over the next few decades.
But other changes were dictated first. They replaced the And it is becoming more unpredictable when the river
driveway and front entry of their home. Then came new sid- water flows come, he said. While the project is strictly person-
ing, and while the walls were exposed, upgraded insulation. al, as members of the Urban Team of the Oldman Watershed
The first obvious change for the yard was to replace the tra- Council, the couple hopes it will become a demonstration
ditional lawn of Kentucky blue grass and red fescue grass, but yard, one that will showcase what can be done with proper
retain the good parts of the yard built by Asael Palmer, former planning to minimize water consumption in a period of
director of the Lethbridge Experimental Farm. increased concern for supplies.
They also wanted to eliminate the use of pesticides when Meanwhile in Rockyford, a bustling village of 475 residents
possible and to be able to manage their yard with a minimum in 125 homes a reformed Easterner, Claudette Lacombe
of effort. Plant selection became vital, first to fit in with watched a big yard became an over-grown patch of grass, weeds
xeriscaping principles and to meet Cheryl’s joy of pruning and shrubs, interrupted by walking paths dictated by her habits.
plants rather than mowing grass. The location of the house on the lot provides two large yard
The project started with xeriscaping design that became areas, one with direct southern sunny exposure, the other
more personalized as it progressed. They worked with Kristen blessed with more shade.
and Clayton Hironaka, owners of Earthlings. Kristen worked
initially in central Alberta as a qualified landscape designer.
Cheryl said there are more than 50 companies in
Lethbridge that do gardening work, but only a handful do
landscape design.
The patio is already paying dividends. Sitting in the shade
of the big trees sipping an iced tea, neighbours often stop to
visit the couple; which fosters community-building.
And the native plants seem to enjoy the semi-arid weather
conditions encouraged by xeriscaping. Up to two-thirds of the
plants are cultivars of native plant species.
Perennial plants are part of the landscape, featuring pur-
ples, yellows and pinks with a few whites thrown in.
“Once we settled on a plan, installation of the plan was
easy,” she said. Cheryl Bradley displays her yard after
Fitch said Mother Nature is sending a signal. River flows in its transformation. Photo: Ric Swihart

The yard was an “interesting challenge” for a homeowner, Keeping the gar-
she said. At the same time irrigation and water management den under control
was a brewing topic in industry and society, generating the isn’t “work” these
need for more stories as she worked as a freelance journalist days. She often gives
with more farmers, watershed stewardship groups and the away pieces from the
Alberta irrigation industry. plants suited to such
Then the massive drought of 2000 hit and caring for a tra- propagation, one way
ditional yard seemed counterproductive to the industry she she can rein in some
was serving. How could she justify watering a large lawn in the shrubs and bushes
her yard when the farmer across the road needed the water for that can double in size
his wheat crop? in a short time.
Xeriscape could be the saviour — allowing Lacombe to Is she done?
design and build a wonderful yard while conserving water. “I still have some
Her plans won support of the Rosebud River Watershed grass to get rid of,” she
Partners, the Village of Rockyford and Wheatland County said. “And on the
that recognized the value of exposing residents and visitors to north side, I want to
xeriscape landscaping. finish the pathway I’m Lilies are drought tolerant plants that
Starting in April 2004, the yard evolved slowly. Large creating with rhubarb do well in a xeriscape. Photo: C. Lacombe
patches of grass became new patios, pathways and garden stepping stones.”
beds. Her yard has become a source of pride and an example of
Today, Lacombe still has to power up her lawnmower. But what can be done with planning and hard work.
grass covers less than 15 per cent of the yard, all on the north Lacombe says people often ask if they can do the same
side where shade helps limit the need for water. thing. She urges questioners to first assess what they use their
Lacombe encouraged the trees at strategic locations and yard for before settling down on any planning. And make sure
drought-tolerant ground-cover plants to replace the grass. to plan pathways where they should be located.
One can walk on that ground cover and she finds it spreads “And be ready for surprises as you progress on the plan,”
quickly. In the first years, she planted potatoes to help improve she said. “Don’t be afraid to try something, or to move some
the soil and limit weeds by filling space while working on plants. If you are going to buy plants, talk to a specialist to
other areas. learn what plants will do well in the shade, in hot temperatures
Lacombe is happy with the development of her yard, and is or exposed to the wind.
amazed at the persistence of the plants that fit into the “I find that what goes on in my yard is really a personal
xeriscape concept. thing. I still spend some of the winter writing about my yard
The beauty the colour the blooms add to her yard is a real on my Website. I want to teach about my yard experience and
bonus. Now, she is prepared for drought. And when it rains, perhaps it will be an inspiration for others.” Visit
her garden simply grows better. www.umbel.ca and click on the link to the Rockyford Urban
Xeriscape Demonstration to see tons of photos, essays, annu-
al updates and more.
Taber Irrigation District

Specialty Crop
Country
TID (Established in 1915)
Taber is the centre of specialty crop production and value added
processing in Alberta including sugar beets, hay, potatoes, corn
and many other vegetable crops.
4420 - 44 Street, Taber, Alberta T1G 2J6

Telephone: (403) 223-2148 • Fax: (403) 223-2924
Email: tid@telusplanet.net
Lorne Fitch stands in front of his yard

TABER IRRIGATION DISTRICT
Serving over 82,000 acres and 750 water users in the Taber area
as it’s prepared for redesign. Photo: Ric Swihart

Riparian Demonstrations
DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE WATERTON PARK FRONT
BY RON MONTGOMERY
A
An integral component of the Nature Conservancy of
Canada (NCC) is stewardship of the numerous prop-
erties under their watch. In fact securing the land is
often only the beginning of their conservation
efforts.
The Waterton Park Front (privately owned lands that
"front" Waterton Lakes National Park) now consists of approx-
imately 30,000 acres of conserved ranchlands. Thanks to the
unprecedented support of The W. Garfield Weston
Foundation, local landowners and other partners, these
incredible landscapes currently under various conservation
agreements with NCC will remain intact and agriculturally
productive.
NCC properties are monitored regularly to ensure range-
land and riparian areas remain functional while seeking to
strike that oft-times elusive balance between sustainable cattle A NCC hosted tour of riparian demo sites on September 29,
grazing and maintaining or improving biodiversity. The 2009 included this portable solar pump
ranchers that have committed their lands to conservation in and trough system. Photo: R. Montgomery
perpetuity are important partners in this ambitious program.

In most cases the very lands they’ve committed are leased gains. The grass has better distribution across it, the pond has
back to the original owners. a chance to heal and regenerate its banks and NCC has
NCC and its partners have initiated a number of fencing accomplished its goal of conserving and enhancing the prop-
and off-site watering projects designed specifically to enhance erty’s natural diversity through working with its partners on
watershed and livestock management in areas of the Waterton the land.
Park Front. NCC purchased the Jack Property, consisting of roughly
The Bruder Property consists of a half section of land with 480-acres, from the Jack family in 2000. An approximately 980
no cross fences and only two sources of water for the 35 cattle m reach of Cottonwood Creek is located on the property. In
pairs that graze there for three months annually. Dungarvan 2006, a joint project between Alberta Conservation Association
Creek, which is often in flood early in the season, recedes (ACA) and NCC constructed nearly 1350 m of fence.
underground by August. A large pond situated in the middle The project was a westward extension of a previous project
of a heavy aspen stand has poor cattle access. In dry years, this
where ACA also worked with the neighbouring downstream
pond becomes a mud hole that is hard for cattle to access, neg-
landowners to build a riparian pasture. One particular family
atively affects weight gain and is not a wildlife friendly
had worked for many years managing cattle in the extensive
wetland. Since this is often the only water source in the pas-
wetland area around Cottonwood Creek using electric fenc-
ture, the cattle really don’t utilize the south part of the pasture.
ing. Seeing positive results with their electric fencing
The solution was a well drilled near the creek and the water
pumped with solar power into a trough. Sundog Solar (an prompted them to seek a more permanent and lower mainte-
Alberta company) sells the portable trough, pump, and solar nance fence.
panel unit. A single panel 175-watt solar unit is hooked up to The fence on the Jack Property is the same design as on the
four deep cycle batteries. The well is 150 feet deep with an adjacent property. The three strands of barbed wire are placed
optimal output of 25 gpm. Actual pumping rate into the 600- at specific wire heights and spacing with wildlife movement in
gallon trough is four gpm. The pump system and trough are mind. After a prolonged absence from the area, beaver re-
portable and reasonably simple to move; which allows for use established at several sites along Cottonwood Creek, including
in other locations. within the riparian pasture on the Jack Property turning por-
Although initially unsure how to keep the cows from going tions of the riparian pasture into wetlands.
back to their habituated watering hole at the pond, a combi- The Shiotani-Rice Property, purchased in 2004, consists of
nation of a strategically located blocks of salt and the natural 278 acres. Cottonwood Creek flows through the length of the
curiosity of the cattle, allowed the lessee to achieve immediate property; which is divided into two main pastures along the
success in getting the cattle to drink at this new system. quarter section line. The south quarter had beaver recolonize
This stock watering project worked well for all involved. it in the past three years or so, creating wetlands that host a
The rancher has better water; which equals better weight diversity of birds.

In the north quarter, there’s a hay that are low-cost and less labour-inten-
meadow adjacent to the creek. Cattle sive than establishing permanent fences.
use this area more so than the south An education centre tied into the
quarter and this reach of the creek suf- Waterton Park Front is located in
fered: eroded banks, no establishment/ Waterton Springs Campground,
regeneration of preferred shrub species, immediately north of Waterton Lakes
approximately 60% of standing woody National Park on Highway 6. The
material dead and decadent and Weston Family Conservation Centre,
approximately 10% bare ground. operational from May through
In 2008 and 2009, at the grazing September and offering free admis-
leaseholder's suggestion a project erect- sion, is aimed at visitors of all ages. In
ed a single strand electric fence on an addition to an excellent enclosed
approximate 150 m reach of the information area, it also features a
unhealthy portion of the creek. The one-kilometre, self-guided interpre-
effects of cattle exclusion from this por- tive trail.
tion of the creek will be assessed for a For further information on the
few years, and a permanent fence estab- Waterton Park Front visit www.nature
lished if it is considered necessary and conservancy.ca or contact Kimberly
beneficial. Pearson by telephone 403-859-2218 or
NCC continues to explore other e-mail kimberly.pearson@ naturecon-
This is the portable solar pump system.
options for improving riparian areas Photo: R. Montgomery
servancy.ca.
Lindsay Introduces FieldNET With Pump

Control, Allows Growers to Control Entire
Pump and Center Pivot Irrigation System
Lindsay Corporation, maker of Zimmatic® irrigation systems,
announces the addition of pump control to its award-
winning FieldNET™ Web-based irrigation management sys-
tem. With this addition, growers will be able to access a
single online portal to monitor and control their entire
pump and center pivot irrigation system.
“This means for the first time growers have the ability to
use a combination of cutting-edge irrigation and pump con-
trol technology, all in one package, to save energy, water
and labor costs,” says Reece Andrews, GrowSmart Product
Manager at Lindsay. CELEBRATING 53 YEARS OF
FieldNET allows growers to monitor and control their pivots CUSTOM FEEDING EXPERIENCE
from any Internet connection or cell phone. With a user-
friendly Web portal, FieldNET provides growers a quick view Consider these advantages our operation offers:
of every pivot, providing information on pivot location, • 15,000 head modern feedlot
pivot status and water usage. • Will share pens with customers
• Up-to-date computer records
With FieldNET pump control, growers now have information • High moisture barley rations
on their entire water delivery system, allowing them to • Home grown corn silage
monitor and maintain each pump and pivot for peak per- • Computerized feedmill – excellent results
formance. This integrated solution automatically tracks and
reports pump start-ups and shutdowns and sends alerts for FAMILY FRIENDLINESS
any disparity of normal operations, such as flow alarms.
Telephone 223-8800 • Fax 223-4488
For more information on FieldNET with pump control, visit Richard Visser, 223-8354
www.lindsayfieldnet.com. Hans Visser, 223-8402

Maintenance Key to Problem-Free Irrigating
MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY
BY HELEN MCMENAMIN
E
Every service person you ever meet tells you preven-
tive maintenance is the best way to keep any piece
of equipment running and working for you. When
the equipment is your pivot, they really have a
point.
“Pivots are always run 95 percent of their life in the
worst of conditions, always in water and mud,” says
DeLon Crapo, service manager with Oliver Irrigation in
Lethbridge. “And, like any machinery, it breaks down
when it’s working hardest – when it’s really
hot and you’re struggling to keep your corn
from burning up. That’s when the cost of a
service call is the least of the costs of a breakdown. Doing it Mouse nest found in tower box. Photo: DeLon Crapo
right first time costs even less.”
Whether you’re doing routine maintenance or trou-
bleshooting an issue, make safety your first consideration, says . . . a snake sheltering in a poorly
Crapo. Before you do anything else, lock out the machine so
nobody can start it while you’re working on it. You may be out sealed box gives anybody a start.
of sight of the control panel, so lock out the power at the dis-
connect, don’t just switch it off.
If you don’t have a good idea what the problem is and how Boxes and covers need to be well-sealed to keep out all
to fix it, don’t touch it, says Crapo. It’s high-powered equip- sorts of creatures. Crapo and his crew think they’ve seen it all,
ment that can be deadly. but a snake sheltering in a poorly sealed box gives anybody a
“And, when you first touch the machine, give it the back of start.
your hand. If it is live, it’s 480-volt power, a hold-on voltage. Check tire pressures two or three times a year. Check the
the shock will throw your hand off the machine. Testing it drive train too, particularly U-joints and shields. The shields
with the back of your hand is safer.” protect the U-joints as well as you.
Replace broken and lost driveshaft covers. Those drive- Regulators have limited lifespans so these may need to be
shafts won’t stop for any small thing, like a body part. It’s easy changed.
to avoid the shaft or step over a rut out of season, but maybe Check your sprinklers and valves under running condi-
not when you’re already stressed or tired during the long days tions. And, if you need to change a sprinkler package, replace
of summer. it with the correct one, not any old sprinkler package.
Crapo advises making a maintenance program, doing “The whole purpose of a pivot is to carry water to the crop,”
some things at least annually and others, like changing the oil says Crapo. “Without the right sprinkler you’ll be over- or
in the gearbox during in depth maintenance every three years. under-watering, losing productivity.”
“Meters are great for checking what’s going on,” he says. Ruts are hard on the pivot as well as you. Boom backs and
“But pay attention to your own sensors – your ears and nose – part circle sprinklers can keep the wheels on dry ground as
and check out anything that smells or sounds strange around much as possible. On difficult soils, 3- and 4-wheel basebeams
the tower box.” or RAAFT tracks, plastic minitracks can drastically reduce
Regular maintenance includes checking the electrical sys- rutting.
tem, particularly micro-switches and contactors. Dirt and Check for broken or chewed conduit and insulation.
leafcutter bees are the worst enemies of electrical parts, he Frayed insulation can lead to a short to the frame, sometimes
says. One leaf-cutter bee can topple a pivot if it’s the one that sending a “fuses out” message to the panel.
builds a nest behind a micro-switch, stopping it from making Crapo is proud of the pivot schools Oliver runs every win-
contact. Blow out the bees, nests and dirt and hold the lid up ter, usually a one-day version in Medicine Hat and a two-day
to the light to look for tiny holes. school in Lethbridge. He recommends anybody planning to
Home-made fuses don’t belong in your pivot’s electrical do their own maintenance come to one, whatever make of
panel. It needs the correct voltage. Crapo repeats the old adage pivot you have.
that you get what you pay for and, since you’ve paid lots for the “We teach you everything you need to know to maintain
pivot, keep its parts like cables and fuses up to the original your pivot and extend its lifespan,” he says. “With good main-
standard, preferably with OEM parts and cables. tenance, a pivot can function well for 40 years or more.”

Raymond Irrigation District (RID) Update
BY RIC SWIHART
T
The dream of getting rid of hundreds of electric and weedy canals, optimum water control, no seepage and leaky
gas-powered irrigation pump motors and their cost- canals, and vastly improved water use efficiency.
The province cost-shares irrigation rehabilitation and cap-
ly emissions while converting the Raymond Irrigation
ital projects with all the districts, so RID needs $47 million.
District into a gravity-powered sprinkler haven has “I think we've got a good idea,” said ZoBell. “It is the next
moved a step closer. step of possibilities.
Gordon ZoBell, Raymond Irrigation District (RID) gener- Jeff Nelson, whose family farm irrigated about 2,500 acres
al manager, said the announcement of $100 million in of hay, corn, canola and silage, said any time irrigation can
economic development work in the next two years through improve water use efficiency and reduce energy use, the envi-
Western Economic Diversification Stimulus Fund sparked an ronment benefits also.
application for the $60-million pressurized sprinkler irriga- He admitted the project is “a big chunk of money for infra-
tion system that would cover about 85 per cent of the district’s structure,” but once in place, will pay big dividends. Byron
46,300 acres farmed by about 300 producers. Wilde, whose family farm recently converted from natural
ZoBell said RID farmers produce alfalfa, barley, several gas to electric turbines and pumps installed at a cost of
wheat varieties, canola, irrigated pasture, market garden $10,000 each, said the pipeline project fits well with the
crops, fruit trees, sugar beets and limited acres of a range of provincial government's “go green” program.
other speciality crops. He said energy costs about $1.80 per acre inch of water
The district also delivers water for 3,500 in Raymond, applied. That translates into $18 an acre for the 132 acres cov-
1,200 in Stirling and 200 in Welling. ered by a quarter section pivot.
Lethbridge MP Rick Casson supported the energy-effi- He said many farmers normally irrigate less than recom-
cient, environmentally-friendly project, but had to inform mended to save money. With no energy costs, they will use
district officials the massive project to let water flow by grav- more water, much of it conserved with the pipeline system,
ity from Milk River Ridge Reservoir likely couldn’t be but also achieve higher yields.
finished in the two-year time frame for the fund spending. But it will also lead the way in improving water use effi-
Because the project met all the criteria the federal govern- ciency and help conserve energy. Herb Hofer, secretary for
ment has set for such funding, RID directors decided to get the East Raymond Colony, said most farmers won't need irri-
proactive to be in position to move quickly on phases of the gation pumps and the north end of the pipes will need
big project. pressure reducers.
“We know there are government funding programs, and The colony has some land above the reservoir that will be
more to come, that we think we can access,” said ZoBell. irrigated with traditional methods, while land 25 metres
To be ready, the board commissioned Darren Wilde with below the reservoir will only require a slight pump boost to
Wilde Brothers Engineering of Welling to prepare more meet pivot pressure requirements.
detailed design plans for the initial project target area. It will He feels the Alberta government, and perhaps the federal
also work on securing the land easements for the pipeline. government, should recognize the benefit of the project with
“Instead of going for $60 million for the total district, we some funding. Farmers can do more, like contributing their
will go for $7 million to start the project,” said ZoBell. The annual energy savings and paying higher per-acre water rates.
area earmarked for the start has about 10,000 acres of irrigat- He said irrigation to large a degree has drought-proofed
ed land farmed by about 80 producers. the region.
As the project proceeds, there will be positives, he said. “We take our hats off to forward-thinking politicians who
No more pumping motors and no greenhouse gases, no have made it happen.”
Alberta Beef Producers Welcomes New Executive

At the Annual General Meeting in Calgary Dec. 7 – 9, the membership elected a new executive and board of directors of Alberta Beef Producers.
Chuck MacLean (Bow Island) is the new Board Chair. Doug Sawyer (Pine Lake) is Vice Chair and Dave Solverson (Camrose) is Finance Chair.
Rick Burton (Claresholm) is the Past Chair.
Chuck MacLean, ABP Chair, comes to the executive ready to face major concerns in front of the organization. He has experience in most facets
of the cattle industry. He has served six terms with ABP, four of those as a board member and one year as Chair of the Cattle Feeder Council.
He is currently Promotion Committee Chair for the Canada Beef Export Federation.
ABP also welcomes the newly-elected 2009/2010 Board of Directors: Brent Carey (Stavely), Greg Bowie (Ponoka), Brian Chomlak (Beauvallon),
Ben Schrader (Jarvie), Howard Bekkering (Vauxhall), Bob Lowe (Nanton), John Bland (Strathmore), Judy Fenton (Irma), Charlie Christie (Trochu),
Kelly Olson (Athabasca), Ted Ford (Westlock), Brad Calvert (Brooks) and Roland Cailliau (Valleyview).

Technology and Water Conservation
TECHNOLOGY FINDS ITS PLACE IN WATER CONSERVATION
BY RON MONTGOMERY
T
The Western Irrigation District (WID) headquartered
out of Strathmore, AB has been busy upgrading and
enhancing its water delivery system over the past few
years. In addition to canal rehabilitation and, in many
cases, conversion to PVC pipeline, computer systems
(aka SCADA — Supervisory Control And Data
Acquisition) are being installed to automate controls,
provide real-time flow data and reduce return flows.
To date, SCADA has grown to include the real time moni-
toring and /or control of 41 locations, which include both
instream sites and return flow sites. In addition four 88-foot
high repeater towers have been erected in strategically located
positions.
Brian Sander, Water Master for WID, recently provided IA
magazine with a project overview and update, including the
Finished installation of pipeline inlet with
numerous benefits of their SCADA system. solar powered SCADA. Photo: WID
. . . “a quick look at the

computer screen before bed
and knowing everything is
running well makes for
a restful sleep.”
Pipe saddle with doppler flow meter inserted. Photo: WID
“All sites report in real time. Most sites have trending over
the entire season so events can be reviewed by the hour right
up to the entire season if necessary. The majority of sites also
have the ability to call out alarms to the Water District
Supervisors (WDS) if tripped. These can be anything from
security, high or low water levels and flow rates to power fail-
ures. Alarm triggers are determined and preset by the WDS so
that he has time to perform whatever tasks are necessary to
satisfy the alarm condition. We now know when a condition
that may threaten infrastructure is occurring rather than
Inside pipeline view of doppler flow meter. Photo: WID
reacting to the condition once it has occurred.”
SCADA currently allows over half of the WDS staff con-
tingent to look at their service area over a laptop screen before management for WDS and better information as to how much
leaving for the day. Each year, as sites are added, laptops are and where water is in their delivery system. They can now
provided to the respective WDS when enough of a service manage some gates remotely, which saves time traveling.
area can be adequately monitored. This allows increased time Maintenance and wear and tear on vehicles is lower, plus the

WDS can plan their daily tour already knowing what is hap-
pening within their area. Alberta Beef Producers Announces
Sander also adds the practical aspect that, “a quick look at 2010 ESA Recipient
the computer screen before bed and knowing everything is Alberta Beef Producers awarded Waldron Grazing Cooperative Ltd.,
running well makes for a restful sleep.” located in Southern Alberta the 2010 Environmental Stewardship
WID’s SCADA system all began in 2005 when the WID Award at its Annual General Meeting.
explored then initiated an electronic monitoring system that Each year a judging panel visits all nominated operations across
would enable water operations staff and management to see in Alberta.
“real time” how much, as well as where, water diverted from the This is this first time in the 18-year history of the award that a coop-
erative operation has been the award recipient. The Waldron currently
Bow River was being split up throughout the WID canal system.
has around 70 share holders that all run cattle on the land.
Funding for the SCADA projects in 2005 and 2006 was Recognising that they are part of a larger community, it is very impor-
provided through WID. Beginning in 2007 project costs tant to them that they do the right thing and be proactive in their
were funded under a special water measurement program environmental practices.
through the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program (IRP), a cost The Waldron has worked closely on environmentally-focused projects
sharing agreement between the provincial government and with groups like Cows & Fish, Sustainable Resource Development and
the districts. the Alberta Conservation Association. They pride themselves on their
innovative stewardship practices that focus on energy management,
It was decided early in the design process to use radio fre- watering systems, minimizing air pollution, rangeland health, and
quency to move data from the points of collection to the wildlife management.
central SCADA computer. The basis for this decision was the It is the Waldron’s dedication to their best management practices that
reliability of radio, the lower long term cost of the system earned them the 2010 Alberta Beef Producers’ Environmental
compared to other alternatives like cellular or satellite, and the Stewardship Award.
topography within District boarders. A 180-foot high existing
communications tower, located in the WID yard, acts as the
key anchor point from which information is sent to or
received from all monitoring sites.
Repeater towers provide a central collection point for the
various monitoring sites, which are a complex system of
remote automation, measurement and flow monitoring. All
new pipeline projects now include a flow meter as standard
practice.
Locating the four existing towers in strategic land locations
identified by elevation provides the WID with the ability to
set-up real-time monitoring at virtually any location it wishes
within the District. No additional repeater tower construction
should be required. However, as deemed necessary, local
monitoring sites may require antenna heights to be slightly
increased to improve line of sight.
To date (four years of design and three years of construc-
tion), overall investment into WID’s SCADA system has been
approximately $ 900,000. For the upcoming 2010 season (year
six of the program), the WID budgeted another $100,000
toward monitoring of existing structures or upgrades to more
of the return flow locations.
1431 - 13 STREET, COALDALE, ALBERTA T1M 1M7
Brian sums up, “from a management perspective, SCADA
allows us to see what is happening over the entire district,
including diversion, consumption and return flow. It provides
data that can be used to help management in the office to see
daily operations as they occur. Tracking water usage from year
to year will also show us where water savings occur as reha-
bilitation of our District takes place.”
For further information on the Western Irrigation District
visit www.wid.net or telephone 403-934-3542.

Up Seeding Rates for Higher Yields
BY HELEN MCMENAMIN
Y
Yields for irrigated crops might well be higher with
higher seeding rates, that’s the conclusion of a major
research program by Dr. Ross McKenzie, Agronomy
Research Scientist and his team with Alberta
Agriculture.
McKenzie looked at yields of 11 crops with various seeding
dates, seeding rates and fertility levels over four years at two
sites, Lethbridge and Bow Island. All treatments were replicat-
ed four times at each site.
You might think, all these things have been figured out This view of seeding date trials gives an idea of the work
long ago. You’d be right, but only partly right. We’ve had rec- involved in this project.
ommendations for fertilizer for years, but the field work
McKenzie used to develop those recommendations was done
in the early 1980s. McKenzie says, there’s been very little seed-
ing date and rate research with irrigated crops over the past 50
years.
Today’s irrigation technology is so much better, you can
give a crop the exact amount of water it needs, when it needs
it. Crop breeders have made huge leaps in yield potential and
quality in modern varieties compared to those of a generation
ago. Seeding technology has improved enormously and it
allows a lot less tillage, even zero-till sometimes, and you have
more options in fertilizer application to improve its efficiency.
The impact of early seeding is highlighted where random
The crop rotation options are greater and herbicides and
replication put mid-May seeded crop beside late April seeding.
fungicides can prevent more yield-robbing problems than was
possible 25 or 30 years ago. The old agronomic advice may not
hold today. the second week of May. Even the first week of May yields
McKenzie also worked with irrigation scientist, Dr. Shelley were significantly lower than those of April seeding.
Woods, Soil and Water Research Scientist. She looked into In real life, you can’t get all your seeding done in a week.
water use efficiency and water needs of crops at McKenzie’s McKenzie has seen that even though top yields are most like-
sites over the 4 year project to measure water use by each crop ly with early seeding, later seedings of flax don’t lose as much
over the growing season. yield potential as other crops. Canola usually does best seed-
McKenzie tested seeding rates from 100 to 500 seeds per ed early, but in April the risk of frost is higher so seeding for
square meter for the cereal crops and seeding dates from mid- canola at the end of April might be wise. Among wheats,
April (weather permitting) at 10-day intervals through spring durum and soft white types are much more affected by late
for four classes of spring wheat (HRS, CPS, soft white and seeding than hard red.
durum); malt, feed and silage barley; grain and silage triticale; Seeding rate has not been much studied in Alberta, says
canola and flax. McKenzie. His preliminary results show higher rates are best.
2009 was the last year of the project, but with such a big He advises cereal seeding rates of at least 300 seeds per square
project, it will be a while before the scientists analyze all the meter, even 400 seeds per square meter – around 190 to 200
data and develop specific new recommendations. In the lbs per acre for cereals except hard red spring wheat and malt
meantime, McKenzie has identified some trends. barley. Even for oilseeds, McKenzie recommends higher rates.
As in many dryland trials McKenzie has done, earlier seed- For canola, 175 seeds per square meter, 7lbs per acre yielded
ing is best. In some years and sites, some crops were better best. Flax did best with 500 seeds per square meter, 30 or even
seeded a little later than mid-April, but compared to seeding 40 lbs per acre.
in May, getting the crop seeded in mid to late-April gave much Good quality seed isn’t cheap and raising seeding rates may
better yields. Even for silage crops, mid-May seeding was seem unnecessary when cereals can tiller and canola can
often less than half the yield of crops seeded in April. Mean branch to compensate for thin stands, but grain on side
yield losses due to seeding around May 10th instead of mid- branches or tillers are often smaller and more likely lost at har-
April ranged from 24% to 48%. In some crops, some years, vest. No doubt, McKenzie and other scientists will be working
seeding early yielded twice the crop produced from seeding in out many recommendations from this project.

New Traceability Regulations Come Into Effect March 2010
Alberta is strengthening its animal health and food safety legislation with the introduction of new regulations effective
March 1, 2010. The Traceability Cattle Identification Regulation repeals the Traceability Livestock Identification Regulation.
There are two parts to the new regulations: tagging requirements for cattle identification and cattle move-in reporting for
feedlots.
All producers now have until cattle are 10 months of age, rather than 8, to apply industry-approved Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) tags and register the cattle’s birth date. Producers using actual birth dates also have the option of using
a cattle identifier (tattoo or production dangle tag) by three months of age and until applying an RFID tag at 10 months of
age or the animal leaves the farm, whichever comes first. Previously, RFID tags were required at three months of age.
Feedlots feeding 1,000 or more head a year are now required to report move-in information to the Canadian Cattle
Identification Agency (CCIA). Previously, only feedlots feeding 5,000 or more head were required to do so. This regulation
applies only to feedlots, not cow-calf operations .
Livestock traceability regulations have been in effect since January 1, 2009. Cattle born after that date are required to be
age verified under the Animal Health Act. Traceability enables government to move quickly to prevent, prepare, respond and
recover from natural disasters and outbreaks of disease, while minimizing economic impacts.
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Born to Water
BY RIC SWIHART
R
Roger Hohm had little chance avoiding a career
involving water.
Born and raised in the shadow of the St. Mary Dam that
opened in 1952, son of the former manager of the St. Mary
Project through the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation
Administration, Hohm said, “Water runs pretty deep in my
veins.”
He remembers fondly his friends from the Blood Reserve
who lived on the other side of the St. Mary River and starting
school in Spring Coulee before moving to Magrath to finish
high school.
He also credits his family’s active participation in the
Magrath United Church for having a role in the person he has
become.
His first educational decision was easy — head to Roger Hohm, coffee cup and work scheduler at the ready,
Edmonton and the University of Alberta where he took all the in his afternoon digs as secretariat for the
irrigation courses available on his way to an engineering and Alberta Irrigation Council. Photo: Ric Swihart
agriculture degree.
“That is what launched my desire for knowledge,” he said.
advances “that put Alberta on the global map for water man-
“Agriculture and irrigation courses provided the building
agement and water movement.”
blocks for my future.”
One of the most satisfying parts of the advances irrigation
With no opportunity to go farming, Hohm spent time
achieved has been the tremendous adoption of technology
working for Ken Long Seeds. His first hands-on work with
and knowledge by Alberta irrigators, said Hohm.
irrigation was moving side- wheel sprinkler pipe, harvesting
“On the farm side, producers have spent billions of dollars
operations, helping run the seed-cleaning plant and learning
investing in their farms to improve on-farm irrigation meth-
the role of marketing in the seed industry.
ods and benefits,” he said. “They quickly adopted new
His major at U of A netted him a bachelor’s degree in engi-
irrigation technology from around the world. It has been
neering agrology. Rather than use his education in
amazing.”
agribusiness for equipment firms, Hohm chose irrigation and
land drainage.
He quickly joined Alberta Agriculture and moved his
career along in roughly five-year blocks, starting in 1980 with Increasing Federal Oversight of Oil Sands
the project planning branch in Lethbridge. His next stop was Impacts to Water
irrigation specialist in Lethbridge followed by a stint in the A report authored by Water Matters sheds new light on the significant
same role focusing on specialty crops in the Taber office, and impact that oil sands activities have on water resources. The report
then helping develop and manage the Canada/Alberta profiles key issues such as leakage from tailings ponds, wetlands
Irrigation Demonstration Farm at the Lethbridge Agriculture destruction, water flows, and bird deaths.
Centre. The report, Watered Down: Overcoming Federal Inaction on the
With the tightened department budget, Hohm has been Impact of Oil Sands Development to Water Resources was released
pressed into expanded services. Not only is he head for the Nov. 23, 2009 by the Alberta Wilderness Association, Environmental
basin water management section, he spends most afternoons Defence, Keepers of the Athabasca, the Pembina Institute, the Polaris
as secretariat for the Alberta Irrigation Council. Institute, the Sierra Club of Canada and Water Matters. Watered Down
Council oversees the Irrigation District Act and supervises reviews testimony on oil sands activities made to the federal House of
the Irrigation Rehabilitation Program that manages the Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable
province- irrigation district cost-shared irrigation rehabilita- Development. The majority of testimony from non-governmental
tion spending. organizations, legal and scientific experts, First Nations and the
Hohm said there have been many changes in irrigated agri- Northwest Territories government suggested that the damaging impact
culture in his tenure and the creation and use of the Heritage of oil sands activity on Canada’s water resources required more federal
Savings Trust Fund for irrigation, ranks high on his list. involvement.
He said a tremendous amount of money was poured into Read the report, http://www.water-matters.org/pub/watered-down
irrigation rehabilitation, irrigation research and technological

Micronutrients – The Pros and Cons
BY HELEN MCMENAMIN
V
Viterra agronomy manager, Rigas Karamanos has Karamanos is not con-
been studying micronutrients since he was working on vinced that the testing for
soil levels of micronutrients
his Master’s degree, so he’s the ideal person to pick the
really reflects what’s available
nuggets of truth from some micronutrient marketing. to crops under prairie condi-
He did that at this year’s Irrigation Update. tions. The standard, and the
The critical levels for micronutrients in soil are identical for test he uses in all his recommendations, is DTPA extractable.
dryland and irrigated crops, says Karamanos. Irrigated crops He also notes that many reports of micronutrient applica-
may use slightly more nutrients, but they have advantage of tions improving yields come from soils that are very different
soil micronutrient levels, particularly boron, iron and chloride from our prairie soils. Boron responses, for example, are com-
as well as sulfur being augmented by minerals in irrigation mon in PEI, California and Taiwan and have no meaning in
water. western Canada.
The only part of the prairies where boron (B) is in short Specialty crops may need more trace elements, but
supply is northeast Saskatchewan, says Karamanos. At 40 sites, Karamanos has found no scientific reports of yield responses
including some testing as deficient, canola yields over three to applying micronutrients for cereals, oilseeds, peas or lentils
years varied from 18 to 63 bushels, but there was no link on the prairies. And, as long as your micronutrients are above
between soil boron and yield. Applying boron increases tissue the critical level, there’s no point in adding more. It takes a
boron levels, but his trials show the highest yields from crops long time to draw down those reserves.
with low tissue levels and no boron applied. Karamonos cautions against “fufu dust” with his long-
“Just forget boron,” he advises. standing reminder: You need $2 back for every dollar you
Low chlorine (Cl) has been linked to disease risk in North invest in fertilizer.
Dakota, but Karamanos has not been able to find any links
between chloride level and disease. And, he says there’s plenty
of chloride in irrigation water.
Copper (Cu) is advised by soil test labs at different levels in
each province. Karamanos, who has done much of the
INNOVATIVE
research, has seen agronomic response to copper application WATER
– fewer burnt-looking leaf tips – in 94% of fields testing lower
than 0.4 ppm. But, only 62% of the fields had an economic
CONTROL
response to copper application. Between 0.4 and Alberta’s PRODUCTS
0.6ppm “deficiency” level, Karamanos has seen agronomic
responses on 16% of fields and economic benefits from cop-
per on only 2% of 50 fields. Apply copper on sandy soils if soil
tests show less than 0.4 ppm, he says.
On pastures, high levels of molybdenum (Mb) without
adequate copper can lead to molybdenosis, a secondary cop-
per deficiency, which causes faded hair, diarrhea and
lameness. Feeding copper in salt prevents the problem.
Crop responses to manganese (Mn) have only been report-
ed for organic soils, but in one trial in Finland sugar beet For reliable automatic
yields increased with manganese application. screening needs
Iron (Fe) and molybdenum have not been researched, but contact:
Karamanos has heard on soil has free lime, strawberries may
benefit from these minerals.
Zinc (Zn) has been widely studied in western Canada and
cereals and oilseeds show no response to its application, even
though levels below 0.25 ppm are considered marginal, but
corn, beans and, probably potatoes benefit if levels are below
0.5 to 1.0 ppm. High rates of phosphate fertilizer may cause
zinc deficiencies, Karamanos believes. He’s seen some interac-
tions between zinc deficiency and phosphate fertilization, but email: info@aquasystems2000.com 1-800-315-8947
the question needs more research.

Restoring the Flow
CONFRONTING THE WORLD’S WATER WOES
REVIEW BY C. LACOMBE
By Robert William Sandford Who in Alberta wouldn’t want to remove drought from the
ISBN #978-1-897522-52-3 program if they could? The story in this section is a caution-
ary tale if ever there was one. Dr. Sauchyn will tell you that we
Published by Rocky Mountain Books cannot remove drought from our program in the middle of
Robert Sandford’s most recent book clearly shows how his this continent by any means currently known to man.
role as Canada’s water ambassador has led him to take a cold, Sandford’s chapter on our Mighty McKenzie River brings
hard look at Canada’s water situation in a global context. home the fact that human impact can travel far and wide. In
He brings what he sees through the lens of international a place where the majority of Canadians would expect pris-
experiences and conversations to his readers and, I’ll warn tine, undisturbed wilderness, human impacts on our
you, Canada is not pretty on the world watersheds and landscapes flow north.
stage. This chapter is a real eye-opener for
If you rely in any way for your liveli- any Canadian that still believes we
hood on water, you will want to read have places where we haven’t hurt the
this book and attempt to remain objec- ecology yet.
tive until you get through to the end. Our eastern Canadians have trou-
The book skillfully shatters any illu- bles too and in this chapter I couldn’t
sions you may have about water help but wonder just how foolish
abundance, progressive water policy or Canada and the United States will
water safety in Canada. look if we manage to drain the Great
It is not that Sandford gets vicious; Lakes. Collaboration to preserve the
he simply shares the lessons he’s world’s largest lake system will take
gleaned from other country’s experi- immense commitment from large
ences and honestly explores Canada’s populations and levels of government
ability to meet similar challenges if no on both sides of the border. It is not
changes take place to our habits, laws, that this likelihood is imminent that
beliefs or narratives. concerns Sandford and, one would
While I found myself defending irri- hope, many others. It is the fact that it
gation in Alberta – sometimes out loud is even conceivable. Will humans real-
while alone – I had to concede in the ly stumble forward until we reach this
end that Sandford does not say any- eventuality?
thing an intelligent and studied person In the final chapter, Sandford
wouldn’t concede in the privacy of their explains how Canada does not have the
own home regarding Alberta’s water mechanisms in place today to care for
situation. He makes some very valid our water resources in the future.
points about what we don’t say in pub- Indeed, he explains why it is such a
lic about agriculture or irrigated . . . Canada does not have the daunting task and how our very nature
agriculture today. gets in our way.
He uses Australia and Spain to mechanisms in place today to We do have some success in some
explain why we might want to start care for our water resources areas, but we do not have a compre-
really talking about sustainability in hensive and achievable plan, goal,
southern Alberta. He also illustrates in the future. policy, legislative framework or any
how very little we learned in North other mechanism to reach a sustain-
America by surviving the Dirty Thirties able society. He points out in fact that
and how dangerous a situation this creates in modern times. we don’t even have a definition for sustainability we all agree
Sandford also draws a rather frightening parallel between upon.
Calgary and Los Angeles. For people paying attention, This book is a must read because the change will not come
Calgary has used its water abundance in a rather dictatorial from on high; it will come from informed grassroots directing
way in recent years and Sandford’s discussion in this book political leaders and cooperating with changes that have to
sheds some light on what that might look like in the future. come before we further embarrass ourselves.
When you get the chapter where Sandford visited Austin, I’m sure Sandford would love to report positive progress in
Texas, try to be amused by the desire of gamers wishing to Canada the next time he attends an international forum. Let’s
simply remove the possibility of drought from the program. give him that.

Zimmatic® dealers are a lot like the pivots they sell. Smart. Genuine. Trustworthy.
Zimmatic dealers stand out because they’re experts.
They know pivots inside and out – the newest models
and the best products. Plus, they’re proud to offer
GrowSmart™ technology – cutting-edge technology
that works with your fields, making irrigation even
easier. 0gT kg 01dki iJ3g3 adc3o g0nRcA
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And since they’re local, they know you and your fields, • Huge per tower cash allowance
so you can count on the personal attention you need. • Low interest financing with delayed
first payment due in 12 months
• Genuine Zimmatic parts
© 2008 Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic and GrowSmart are
• Smart Design – allowing your dealer to customize trademarks or registered trademarks of the Lindsay Corporation. Certain
restrictions and limitations apply. See your local Zimmatic dealer for
an irrigation system for your field complete details.
• Knowledgeable, dependable service
Visit New Way Irrigation today for information,

assistance and some friendly advice. Or go to
www.zimmatic.com.
1-800-561-4608
TABER LETHBRIDGE BROOKS STRATMORE BOW ISLAND
403-223-3591 403-328-3777 403-362-4087 403-934-3570 403-545-2510
L E AS I N G A N D F I N A N C I N G AVA I L A B L E AT C O M P E T I T I V E RAT E S
Kawasaki’s Brute Force 750 4x4i, oozing with

aggressive style, packed with performance
and built for serious work and play. If you’re
heading across the property or deep into
back-country trails, just select the 4x4 or 4x2
mode with the touch of a button and you’re
ready to go. And when the going gets wild,
the Brute Force 750 4x4i tames it with
selectable high/low range gears and a
powerful sealed multi-disc rear brake. Add a
host of flagship features like hassle-free fuel
injection, fully independent rear suspension
and our legendary V-Twin engine and you’ve
got an ATV that’s ready for anything.
newwaymotorsports.com
LETHBRIDGE BROOKS
1602 – 3 Avenue Jo Anne Trucking Road
403-394-9939 403-362-4087
©2009 Canadian Kawasaki Motors Inc. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and proper riding apparel. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Adhere to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. Professional Riders shown on closed course.

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A l b e r t a

Volume Fourteen • Number One

24 Technology and Water Conservation Pre-Press Production

29 Micronutrients – The Pros and Cons Cover Photo

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 3

4 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

GRAIN CARTS Wheatheart

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 5

6 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

So, when it comes to making decisions about water and

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 7

8 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

10 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

Alberta Pork Producers Learn Revitalization Strategy

5800 – 46 Avenue, Taber, AB.

12 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

The Browns expect to see some transfers

The WID water allocation was particularly valuable for the

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 13

Growers Get Performance and Convenience In Large, Soft-Sided Tote

14 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 15

16 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

As industry founders of the world’s best-selling

The Leader in Precision Irrigation.

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 17

18 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

Taber Irrigation District

4420 - 44 Street, Taber, Alberta T1G 2J6

Lorne Fitch stands in front of his yard

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 19

perpetuity are important partners in this ambitious program.

20 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

Lindsay Introduces FieldNET With Pump

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 21

22 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

Alberta Beef Producers Welcomes New Executive

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 23

. . . “a quick look at the

24 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 25

26 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 27

28 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010 • 29

30 • IRRIGATING ALBERTA – Spring 2010

• Knowledgeable, dependable service

Visit New Way Irrigation today for information,

Kawasaki’s Brute Force 750 4x4i, oozing with

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