Members and non-members alike invited to AFA’s 2020 Conference & AGM

AFA’s Board and Executive is mixing it up this year by asking both AFA members and non-members to join them in Nisku, Alberta for the organization’s annual Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) on January 21 & 22, 2020.

To bring Alberta producers up-to-date on industry developments – like seed royalty proposals, soil carbon, crop and beef sustainability and more – AFA’s Conference & AGM will begin with a first-day emphasis on information sharing and agricultural learning, with official AGM business taking place the second day.

All Alberta producers – whether they are AFA members or not – can attend their choice of one or both days for a fuller understanding of Alberta’s current agriculture policy landscape, key issues AFA is working on, and how individual producers can help shape policy.

“We’re changing the format of our AGM by placing the information sessions on one day and the AGM business on the second day,” says Lynn Jacobson, AFA president. “We want to encourage members and non-members alike to come have a dialogue, discuss the issues that impact us all and be part of the solutions going forward.”

Here are just a few of the speakers that will present on the first day of the AGM:

• Edward Bork, Professor of Agricultural Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Alberta, will present on soil carbon and the impact of grazing
• Ted Menzies, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops, will present on sustainability in our industry
• Filmmakers Sarah Wray and Ben Wilson wil show their award-winning documentary Guardians of the Grasslands and talk about cracking the code of stroytelling in agriculture
• other topics will include presentations on sustainable beef, a Western Farm Leaders Panel on seed royalties and an update on AFA’s development of a remote sensing platform.

Sneak peek at new AFA-Aquanty remote sensing platform

AFA has partnered with Aquanty, a company that specializes in computer simulation technology, to offer Canadian producers an exciting new online tool. This tool will provide producers with a low-cost option for accessing remote sensing and terrestrial sensor data plus several ground-measured characteristics for their farm in one easy-to-use online platform.

AFA Conference & AGM attendees will be among the first producers to get a detailed look at the current development of this new online tool, the type of information that farmers can access and information on when the tool will be available.

Currently in Canada, there are commercially available, subscription- or fee-based remote sensing and drone-based data products which can add to the wealth of information for producers. Often, however, specialized software and data-management specialists are required to understand and use the raw data. Producers can subscribe to data feeds from agri-tech service providers, often on a per acre basis, and the cost of this can really add up.

While AgSat doesn’t compare to these types of services on a feature-by-feature basis, AgSat does provide an entry level access to the farm data revolution and gives all producers data essentials for farm decision-making. For a modest yearly investment, the new AFA-Aquanty tool will help farm producers make informed decisions on weather, moisture and other characteristics that impact a farm’s bottom line. This lower-cost tool aligns with AFA’s mandate to bring benefits to all producers, regardless of their size and ability to pay for more expensive satellite options.

 Updates to seed royalty proposals and survey

An important issue AFA and our partner general farm organizations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been involved in since our last AGM is the federal government’s proposed changes for royalties on farm-saved seed.

“Western Canadian producers that took a survey this fall said they are not happy with either of the federal government’s proposed models,” Jacobson noted. “At the AGM, we’ll share the survey results and discuss how we move forward to make sure producers are consulted in any options that may be put forward.”

For more background on the seed royalty issue, see our news release here.

Have a say in agriculture’s most pressing issues

Jacobson points out that the seed royalty issue, first discussed at the 2019 AFA AGM, is just one example of why it’s important for Alberta producers and AFA members to attend the AGM: to be updated on critical developments in Canadian agriculture and to ensure their voice is heard.

At the 2020 AFA AGM on January 22, members will hear presentations and vote on a variety of resolutions. AFA members can propose a resolution for the AGM by sending an email to info@afaonline.ca by January 13, 2020. Non-members can attend the AGM to listen to the discussions, but producers must be a member to vote on the proposed resolutions.

Membership in AFA costs only $150 per year – or just over $12 a month – and comes with a wide variety of benefits, as outlined on our website.

Producers attending the AFA AGM directly impact policy in agriculture for the year ahead since the resolutions agreed upon at the AGM are shared with policy makers in government and within provincial and national agriculture organizations.

Jacobson says AFA wants to see producers from all sectors at the AGM, whether they grow crops, raise livestock or produce value-added food. He points out that if AFA doesn’t hear from producers, it’s hard to fight for what they want.

“Sometimes, producers don’t attend an AGM because they aren’t sure how they fit into these activities if they’re not that involved,” explains Jacobson. “Whether you’re interested in the speakers and the topic areas, or if you’re interested in being a non-voting observer at our AGM, you are more than welcome to be involved in this meeting to find out more about what we’re focused on today.”

There is a cost to attend the first day of the AGM, which includes a pre-event President’s Reception from 7 pm to 9 pm on January 20, plus breakfast, lunch, dinner and sessions on January 21. Attendance at the January 22 AGM from 8:30 am to noon is free to all. To attend, register here.

“We hope producers take this opportunity to attend the presentations and the AGM, spend a few days with us and see what agriculture policy is all about,” says Jacobson. “We invite all Alberta producers to be part of the change they want to see.”

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AFA Summer Meeting: a chance to discuss challenges and opportunities in agriculture

The Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA) will hold their 2018 Summer Meeting on June 26 and 27, 2018 in Camrose, Alberta.

AFA Members – and those interested in agricultural policy – are invited to attend the working session on June 26 to participate in discussions about the emerging issues that will most affect farmers in the coming year. There will also be a presentation on sustainable agriculture.

AFA Director Humphrey Banack says he always looks forward to challenging debate and discussion when those passionate about agriculture get together.

“During the AGM, we gather with producers to debate and discuss top issues in agriculture, then use those policy directions to draw the future of agriculture forward,” says Banack. “The June Summer Meeting is an important way to check in on how we’re doing for the year and discuss emerging issues that have developed since January.”

After the day of discussions on June 26, the meeting will conclude with a networking barbeque to give those in attendance an opportunity to connect with each other and share good food, good company and discuss issues in agriculture in a more informal way.

Here’s the agenda for the Tuesday, June 26, 2018 meeting:

10 am – noon:  Issue Update & Policy Development: What AFA has been up to this year

Noon: Lunch at Camrose Resort Casino

1 – 3 pm: Discussion on the top emerging issues facing our industry in the coming year

3 – 3:15 pm: Break

3:15 – 4:30 pm: Sustainable Agriculture Panel

4:30 – 5 pm: Issue/Debate Wrap Up

5:30 pm: Steak BBQ at the Park Pavilion, Camrose Exhibition Trail RV Park

On Wednesday, June 27, AFA will hold their regularly-scheduled board meeting, of which AFA Regional Directors and former AFA board members are welcome to attend.

Please RSVP for this event so we can assess attendance and plan for our barbeque. Contact AFA’s Executive Director Shannon Scofield by email at shannon.scofield@afaonline.ca, or call us toll-free at 1-855-789-9151 or contact the AFA Director in your area.

Humphrey Banack, who farms near Camrose, Alberta, reminds producers that it’s never been more important to speak up and drive agricultural policy decisions. He stresses that meetings like this are a direct channel for producers to let their voice be heard.

“At AFA, our people are working for a stronger industry for all,” says Banack. “Past discussions like this have laid the foundation for some significant changes in agriculture. It’s great to know you can have such an impact at a grassroots level.”

Your chance to spend some time on the farm this summer

Open Farm Days visitors learn about, and see, the grains grown on the Banack farm.

Consumers continue to be tremendously interested in how their food is grown. Getting farm producers and consumers together is one of the goals of Alberta’s Open Farm Days. This annual event provides an important connection for rural producers and their urban neighbours.

Open Farm Days also continues to be a popular event for farm producers, with a 28% increase in host farm participation when compared to last year. For 2016, a total of 90 host farms will provide real-world farm experiences for visitors on Sunday, August 21.

Once again, our Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA) Vice President, Humphrey Banack and his family will be participating as a host farm. Humphrey and wife Terry Banack will welcome visitors to their Camrose-area homestead and will provide information and demonstrations for those who attend.

“Open Farm Days is a very important event in Alberta,” says Humphrey Banack. “People come with questions and a real open interest in agriculture. Traceability and social license are hot topics for today’s consumer, and Open Farm Days allows us to have that important conversation with members of the public.”

Humphrey and Terry say that Open Farm Days lets them provide visitors with a ‘mini-adventure’ with a hands-on look at how food is produced nearby in Alberta communities. This year, the Banacks hope to take visitors out harvesting and send them home with a bag of peas straight from the field that they can use in recipes at home. Check out this video for more information.

Host farms that offer Open Farm Days “Farm Experiences” showcase a wide range of farm businesses including honey and berry farms, petting zoos, flower farms, plus more traditional agricultural enterprises like livestock, crop and vegetable farms.

Open Farm Days also includes farm-to-table “Culinary Experiences” taking place on August 20 and 21. These events feature local chefs and producers that team up to provide unique field dinners, brewery tasting tours, cowboy gatherings and barbecues. Most of these events require ticket purchases in advance. Information can be found at http://www.albertafarmdays.com/.

“We understand how important it is to connect with the consumers of our product,” Banack says. “Open Farm Days gives us the opportunity to allow visitors to see exactly what we do, where we fit into their food system and how we are part of what they put on their tables everyday.”

This AFA video taken during Alberta’s 2015 Open Farm Days event on the Banack Homestead shows what visitors can expect from a farm visit.

We encourage you to make this fun event part of your summer plans!

AFA members take their business on the road

We love to give a shout out to our AFA members! Here’s a great story on what can happen when you are willing to look at things in a different light. Congratulations to the Morris family on the new addition to their business!

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Arnie and Shirley Morris have been successful quail egg producers for the last three decades. From their Ardrossan, Alberta farm, they supply western Canadian retailers with about 10,000 of these delicate eggs each day.

When the opportunity to sell quail meat arose, they knew ramping up their production would be no problem. Finding a processing facility for the tiny birds was another matter.

Quails raised by the Morris family

“Processing plants don’t really have the equipment to handle small birds,” says Shirley Morris. “We made so many calls, and just couldn’t find a plant to do it. We knew we weren’t the only producers looking for this, and that there was demand for it.”

Where others saw closed doors, the Morris family saw potential. They decided to buy a custom mobile processing plant and became quail processors themselves. Inside the 28-ft. trailer, they can process quails, game birds and chickens plus create packaged meat for consumers.

Inside the Morris family mobile processing plant trailer

“For other farmers that raise chickens or pheasants, we’ll bring the processor to them,” Shirley says.  “It can also be a way to bring this great-tasting, high-quality meat to chefs and restaurants.”

As Shirley explains, the mobile plant gives them a unique way to take advantage of new markets, like the farm-to-table movement. They can process up to 600 birds a day, plus vacuum-seal the meat and sell it either fresh or frozen.

Fresh Bry-Conn Quail (10 pack)

Growing this side of their farm business has not been all smooth sailing, but Shirley notes they have some terrific support both on and off the farm. Their children are now involved in the processing business.

The Morris family also works closely with provincial meat inspectors to ensure the product meets the highest quality standards plus regulations for food safety, packaging and labelling. Shirley also credits Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) and Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA) staff as being instrumental in helping get this venture off the ground.

“This was a new area for us, so we had a lot of questions,” says Shirley. “AFA staff spent so much time helping us find the information we needed. We are so grateful for everyone’s help. It’s great to see what you can do with just 30 acres.”

The Morris family farm was also recently featured in The Western Producer. Click here to see the story and a video tour of the trailer!

Giving thanks this weekend

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. We honor all who work to make this weekend an abundant one, filled with good food, family and friends. Thanks to all those in Alberta’s agriculture industry that make this weekend special!

AFA sees common ground with new government

The election of a majority NDP government on May 5, 2015, was a historic moment for Albertans. While the change in government may introduce some uncertainty in the short term, AFA President Lynn Jacobson sees a solid basis for partnership with the incoming administration.

“We look forward to working with the new government,” says Jacobson. “Many of the NDP platform items, such as a diversified economy and an improvement in grain transportation, also match our goals. These are issues we have been working on for quite a while.”

As we have since 1959, AFA will advocate on issues of importance to Alberta farmers, ranchers and food producers. Jacobson has already reached out to Premier-Designate Rachel Notley’s office to request a meeting with the new NDP rural caucus once it is announced.

On a diversified economy

AFA couldn’t agree more that the prosperity of our province not only depends on our oil and gas industry, but on having a diverse economy that emphasizes our agriculture industry. AFA is ready to share our knowledge and to work with the new government to perpetuate Alberta’s long-standing international reputation as leaders and innovators in agriculture.

On the issue of grain transportation

Although there has been some improvement in this area, grain shipments are still not moving at a level AFA would like to see. Jacobson chairs the Canadian Federation of Agriculture Transportation Committee, which in turn is a member of the Agriculture Industry Canadian Transportation Act Review Coalition. The coalition represents a majority of Canada’s largest agricultural product shippers and processors as well as a broad cross-section of grower-funded organizations. The coalition is working to ensure Canada has a competitive rail system that meets the needs of producers and exporters. AFA has also been active with the Government of Alberta Transportation Task Team.

Jacobson says he looks forward to reviewing in detail the new government’s priorities for agriculture and sitting down with its caucus in a mutually constructive spirit. He believes that there is great opportunity to advance the industry together.

“As Alberta’s largest producer-funded general farm organization, AFA is non-partisan,” Jacobson says. “Since we are not bound by any political party or sector or group, we are available to listen to producers across all agricultural sectors and be an advocate for the changes they are looking for.”

Farm Credit Canada shares outlook for 2015

As Clem Samson looks forward, he sees a lot of reasons to be optimistic.

Samson, Vice President of Western Operations at Farm Credit Canada (FCC), attended AFA’s Annual General Meeting in January 2015 and shared what his organization sees as key global and domestic economic trends poised to impact agriculture in the next five to 10 years.

“One of the big things we see is an increasing prosperity in the middle class, especially for people in under-developed countries,” Samson says. “Studies show that when people begin to make more money, the extra income goes into buying more high-quality food and proteins. That’s good news for agricultural producers.”

Samson says FCC is keeping an eye on several global and domestic trends that will impact Canadian agriculture. Here’s an overview of what he sees.

Global Economic Trends

• it is expected that about 60% more food will be required to feed the world by 2050
• it’s estimated that between 2013 and 2020, the global middle class will double from 2 billion to 4 billion people
• increasing prosperity in the middle class in Asia will see diets starting to mirror diets in the West
• a November 2014 Conference Board of Canada World Ranking Food Safety Performance report indicated that Canada is #1 in global food safety performance
• the U.S. continues to be our largest trading partner, and represents 52% of our agriculture and agri-food exports, about $28 billion of agricultural goods ($9.2 billion primary, $18.9 billion food manufacturing)
• China has become Canada’s second-largest agricultural market
• pork is a significant need for China, and it’s expected that China will import over 400 million metric tons over the next 10 years
• once the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) is implemented, 95% of European Union and Canadian agricultural tariffs will be eliminated
• by 2028, according to the United Nations, India is projected to overtake China in terms of population, surpassing 1.45 billion people. India is already a strong importer of Canadian pea, lentil and chickpea crops

Domestic Economic Trends

• appreciation of farmland values will continue, but could slow a little
• farm wages have increased an average of more than 3% per year over the last 10 years
• by 2020, it’s estimated that Canada will have more than 2 million new immigrants, representing about $27 billion in additional food purchased in Canada over the next five years
• the millennial generation (born 1980 – 2000) is having a growing impact on food and how it is produced
• value-added food products will present new opportunities for Canadian producers

To Samson, all these opportunities and signs of continued growth mean a bright future for agriculture. He encouraged the participants at AFA’s AGM – and all western producers – to do a good job of sharing what they do.

“We have so much to be proud of,” he says. “But, we need to get out there and tell our story. Let’s share what a great industry agriculture is.”

Farm Credit Canada provides financing and other services to more than 100,000 primary producers, value-added operators, suppliers and processors along the agriculture value chain. For more information on Farm Credit Canada, visit the FCC website: https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en.html.

New water project welcome news for farmers

It’s no secret that water-related events can have a devastating impact on agriculture. Whether it’s a catastrophic flood, wet fields at seeding time or extended drought, farmers are often faced with either too much water or not nearly enough.

What’s more, science lacks a solid understanding of why these events occur. For Camrose-area farmer Humphrey Banack, it’s hard to pick an issue of more direct importance to farmers.

“With recent disastrous water events in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, we all know how devastating flooding can be,” says Banack. “Although the attention sometimes centers on the impacts to urban properties, water-related events can be a major risk for primary agriculture, too.”

As a farmer managing 5,000 acres, Banack has had his share of battles with insufficient or excess moisture. He recalls the wet spring of April 2011 in the Camrose area as one of the worst.

Now, as 2nd Vice President with the Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA), Banack is involved in a new, large-scale effort to remove some of the mystery surrounding water events in rural Alberta.

On March 17, 2015, Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin Blaine Calkins, on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced $1.3 million in federal support for AFA to develop a unique computer model that will better identify the risk and impacts of overland flooding and drought in agricultural areas. Federal funding is being provided through the AgriRisk Initiatives program.

The project’s focus will be to construct and showcase a suite of complex hydrologic models to assess interactive water movement throughout the South Saskatchewan River Basin. Under each water‐related risk assessment, the model will build maps that define risk zones within the study area. The model will then quantify the frequency, geographical extent and severity of water-related events.

To execute the project, AFA will team up with private consultants experienced in agriculture risk and with world-renowned hydrologic and climate change scientists to generate the computer simulation model. The three-year project will begin April 1, 2015 and continue through March 31, 2018.

Banack notes that this project fits perfectly with AFA’s mandate. As Alberta’s largest producer-funded general farm organization, AFA supports a sustainable agriculture industry with viable farm incomes. The data collected under this project could contribute to better flood risk analysis and eventually lead to the development of overland flooding insurance products. Spearheading effective farm risk management tools for farmers is a key priority area for AFA.

“Many people don’t know that Canada is the only G8 country where overland flooding is not an insurable risk,” Banack says. “The federal funding provided to AFA will allow us to begin immediately in addressing the important area of water and risk assessment in agriculture, potentially paving the way for practical insurance solutions for producers.”

Food Freedom Day: hug a farmer and give thanks

Each year, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) raises awareness of the agriculture and food industry by celebrating Food Freedom Day: the date when the average Canadian has earned enough income to pay for their annual grocery bill.

In 2015, it’s estimated that Canadians will spend just 10.6% of their disposable income on food. This year, that places Food Freedom Day on Friday, February 6.

“Farmers are very proud that we are productive enough to make an abundant supply of safe, nutritious food available for a small portion of the average Alberta family’s income. It wasn’t too long ago that Canadians were spending closer to 18% of their disposable income on food,” says Grace MacGregor, AFA Board member who farms near Hughenden, Alberta.

The 2015 theme for Food Freedom Day explores the importance of soil in the production of our food. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has also named 2015 the International Year of the Soils.

MacGregor notes that in addition to providing the foundation for wholesome food production, soil filters our water, it can lessen the impact of flood and drought, and healthy, productive soil is ultimately needed for a sustainable future for us all.

Alberta producers – and farmers across Canada – have been leaders in sustainable soil practices. The move towards conservation tillage practices that improve soil erosion and the quality of the soil has greatly improved cultivated land. Other technologies – like using GPS systems in cropping – are also helping to successfully manage soil conditions on the farm.

MacGregor notes that as Alberta farmers look ahead to the 2015 planting season, they are as focussed as ever on producing safe, high-quality food for Albertans and export customers around the world.

For more information on Food Freedom Day, visit the CFA website: http://www.cfa-fca.ca/programs-projects/food-freedom-day-2015, or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #ffd2015.

AFA’s AGM highlights water management in agriculture

Farming depends on many different resources, but without a sustainable supply of water, growing crops and livestock would be impossible.

Over two days, January 20 and 21, 2015, attendees at the Annual General Meeting of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA), heard about water management and its impact on agriculture. A series of outstanding speakers explored many angles of water and agriculture from: legal issues, public policy, water well management and emerging technologies.

“If we don’t get water management right, farming in Alberta can’t be as successful in the future as we have been in the past,” says AFA president Lynn Jacobson, who farms near Enchant. “We’ll continue to advocate for sound policy for water management and agriculture.”

Since 1959, Alberta Federation of Agriculture has been Alberta’s producer-funded general farm organization. Whenever decisions are being made that affect the province’s agricultural industry, AFA provides an effective voice for Alberta’s farmers.

Each year, AFA members attend the January AGM to propose, debate, vote on and form resolutions on issues that affect Alberta farm producers. Resolutions direct key priorities for the organization for the year ahead.

For 2015, AFA will continue its work on improving grain transportation, encouraging governments to invest in research and innovation, farm safety, and conservation, among other priorities.

Camrose’s Humphrey Banack, who serves as AFA’s 2nd vice president, says that it’s never been more important for producers to drive policy decisions.

“During the AGM, we gather with producers to debate and discuss top issues in agriculture, then use those policy directions to draw the future of agriculture forward,” says Banack.

Banack points to one instance where producers changed how their industry operates. At the January 2014 AFA AGM, farmers raised the problem of poor grain movement. Along with AFA, the farm organizations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan brought the issue to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, which in turn raised it with the Federal Ministers of Agriculture and Transportation. By March 2014, these actions resulted in a mandated minimum level of service by the railways.

“Policy is as important as production,” says Banack. “Members of AFA have a direct channel to let their voice be heard. We ask any agricultural producer – whether in crop production, livestock management or value-added food production – to join us as we work for a stronger industry for all.”