The Research Farm

Canola Research Gets Funding: Yesss!!

2008-11-28T13:12:00.002-06:00

http://http://www.topcropmanager.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4186

The link is a posted report on the status of funding for canola research.

Our farm has always done a lot of work with canola. Canola brings in good income for farms which makes it dear to the hearts of our producers.

In the last 10 yrs a lot of new varieties have hit the market and promoting those varieties has oppened the door for South East Research Farm to do a lot of commercial demonstratiions

We've also done projects for Saskatchewan Canola Development Council (SCDC)

Research Technician Jobs for the Summer

2008-11-25T10:31:00.002-06:00

The Farm is starting the search for our Summer Techs. We usually hire two Ag students to help with planting and data collection. Its a pretty good job. You are outside and we don't work you to hard. It's something new every day and I give them a lot of freedom to handle the work flow.

South East Research Farm Job Positions
2 Summer Research Technicians

The South East Research Farm Inc. (SERF) is a non-profit organization that specializes in agricultural research. SERF is part of the provincial AgriARM network of Saskatchewan and is located in Redvers, SK in the south east corner of the province. The research farm consists of 260 acres, where 140 acres are for grain and forage research and a 120 acres is developed into a rotational grazing project.

Job Description:
As the research technician, you will be required to have a diverse set of skills and knowledge. The skills and knowledge required for this position will be gained through a degree/diploma in Agriculture or a related discipline. This position will require you to take part in all aspects of the research farm which include: seeding, spraying, harvest, sample analysis, data collection, soil sampling, report writing, working with industry and attending agriculture events and workshops. Closing Date Dec 20, 2008

Wage Range - $14 to $16 per hr. (depending on qualifications)

Specific Skills:
· Able to perform mathematical and statistical analysis
· Able to operate farm equipment
· Comfortable with public/speaking at presentations
· Diligent and Meticulous
· Ability to work independent/team

Knowledge:
· Must know Microsoft Products
· Knowledge of Agriculture Plot Research
· Knowledge of pesticide/herbicide application
· Knowledge of research methodologies

To apply for this position send your resume:

Garth Johnston, Farm Manager
Box 129
Redvers, SK
S0C 2H0
Ph. 306-452-3161
Cel. 306-452-7253
Or email:
serf@sasktel.net
Fax: 306-452-3645

Getting Back At It

2008-11-24T10:40:00.002-06:00

After neglecting our blog I decided to put it back to work. The research farm has gone through some changes with it's business model. The changes made it hard to keep up with the blog, but I think now with things settled down I can put some time into it. I will post information on our trials and demo's along with interesting information from the web.

Stay tuned and wish me luck

ESN Fertilizer: Delayed Release Nitrogen System

2008-01-02T10:49:00.000-06:00

The Farm did some work in 2005 on this system of delayed release N. Agrium gave us a tonne of it to work with for the spring.

I can't say I'm an expert on this product.

One thing that concerns me with this is the way some dealers are marketing it. I do see an excellent fit for the farm, but some sales people are going overboard with the claims.

As always "buyer beware"

Just to "fyi'. The basic concept is a coating to delay nutrient release or loss. The market should be fall and winter seeded crops, where there is an excellent fit. ( 34-0-0 use to fill the niche here, till people started making bombs with it). Other uses I see could be some fall applications situations or a blend in the spring to increase protein with late release. These should work and make sense to me.

But I am hearing sales pitches about reducing leaching and delaying release to flowering to increase yield. I would check with an unbiased agronomist about those claims. You will not see a lot of nitrogen leaching out of the root zone on the Canadian prairies. It can happen but we spent more time praying for rain here than getting to much (well weather has been pretty crazy maybe pray carefully). Delayed N release should improve protein in wheat but most yield is promoted with nitrogen available in the early stages of crop development.

Good got that off my chest. I can't be the "fertilizer police" and ESN fertilizer will be a useful product, but it's always disappointing when a marketer oversells or does not understand his product

Wind Turbines.

2007-12-30T10:30:00.000-06:00

Midwest farmers are tilting at wind turbines - Los Angeles Times

I drove through the St. Leon wind turbine farm this weekend. (My son was playing hockey in Morden. His team finished with a bronze) Very impressive, I have not been there in three or so years.

We are considering putting something up at the farm, but we lack the capital (so far).

According to a spread sheet I downloaded our farm's best option would be to wind generate about 1/2 our power need.

I will post the address but I had to adjust my browser to let them track some of my address data to access the site. It's an interesting tool

http://www.smallwindenergy.ca/calculator/wind.php?turbine=4&page=update&costkwh=0.0863&outofrange=0&wind=6&wind_mini=5&wind_small=5.5&wind_medium=5.5&wind_large=5.5&type=1kW

Gross domestic product at basic prices, primary industries

2007-12-22T17:07:00.000-06:00

Gross domestic product at basic prices, primary industries

Total farm area, land tenure and land in crops, by province (1986 to 2006 Censuses of Agriculture)

2007-12-22T17:04:00.000-06:00

Total farm area, land tenure and land in crops, by province (1986 to 2006 Censuses of Agriculture)

Transgenic Cows Resist Mastitis-Causing Bacteria / April 4, 2005 / News from the USDA Agricultural Research Service

2007-12-22T16:52:00.000-06:00

Transgenic Cows Resist Mastitis-Causing Bacteria / April 4, 2005 / News from the USDA Agricultural Research Service

Delta Farmland- Home Page

2007-12-22T16:41:00.000-06:00

Delta Farmland- Home Page

globeandmail.com: Noah's flood may have spread farmers

2007-12-22T16:28:00.000-06:00

globeandmail.com: Noah's flood may have spread farmers

FCC blog

2007-12-22T16:00:00.000-06:00

Farm Credit Canada - December 21, 2007

The FCC Blog "AgriSuccess" is pretty good

What's driving fertilizer price? It does not look to be high natural gas

2007-12-18T12:43:00.000-06:00

Ok follow along!

Urea Chart is price. Looks like historic highs there.
Natural Gas Chart is price. Does not look close to highs . Neutral trading sideways
Urea Ending Inventory. If you are a farmer, bad news. Down and trending down. That means higher price. Just like it meanshigh price for your grain. Low ending inventory/high prices

My understanding of the world fert market is that North American use has flattened out (stopped growing) but the rest of the world's demand continues to grow. Not at breakneck spead, but steady. (I'll have to find a chart)

Demand drive price increases have legs to them. Its a market that goes up quick and stays there for awhile. They stay high even after demand drops off. Speculators start to move in and suppliers tend to drop prices slowly. This type of demand driven price increases also tend to push price to high, but people are willing to pay the price, BECAUSE THEY NEED IT. So maybe that's not to high a price?

I just threw in the KCL chart (potash price)to show the nasty increases there. That looks like double up to me. And DAP is phosphate again healthy increases in price

PotashCorp - Markets Map - Cool World Ag Map

2007-12-18T12:07:00.000-06:00

PotashCorp - Investors - Markets Information - World Markets Map

The post is PotashCorp's webpage. Of course very investor oriented. PotashCorp has no problems with high fertilizer prices. I guess why should they? The site is well put together and I like the posted map. Download it and check out various countries ag output. I posted this at least once on my old blog. I still get a kick out of it

Enjoy

Pharming: Pharmaceutical Farming

2007-12-15T15:54:00.000-06:00

David Adam on pharmaceutical farming Special reports Guardian Unlimited

This has been kicking around for a while on the edges of GMO tech. There is a lot of concern about this stuff "getting out" of the labs and greenhouses. The developers want to "get out" and start producing the beneficial products from there research. And on the other side "getting out" means contamination of the food chain.

I love a good controversy!!

The post is a good balanced article. I really liked the authors unbiased presentation of the story. As usual you have to do a bit of research to see where things really are. I wonder how wide spread this type of production really is in the world. The post states that things have stalled as major pharma firms have no interest and anti GM groups stepped up the protests. Then he states areas where this is going on. The barley in Finland for example(?) I'd bet those into this will not do a lot of advertising.

The "yuk" factor gets to me when someone mentions putting human genes in anything. I don't know it's kind of creepy. The picture is barley with a human gene added. YUK

Canola Meal as a Bio-Herbicide; And You Thought Was All Like CSI

2007-12-14T19:08:00.000-06:00

http://ejournal.sinica.edu.tw/bbas/content/1997/2/bot382-10.pdf

Last night I was putting the finishing touches on a proposal for the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission. (SCDC) and I had a brilliant idea. Hey! Why not do another trial!

We are going to propose a trial using canola meal as a bio-herbicide. You know how problems can occur in heavy trash or on the swath rows the year after canola. Cereals will have inhibited germination in these areas. There are a variety of chemicals in canola. Glucosinolates in the canola residue could be inhibiting the cereal germination.

It's not a real leap to think this may work as a weed control agent. In fact work has been done on this before. And I'm going to take a shot at it to

The post is some work done in 1997 using Aqueous extract from various crops to see if they work as weed control agent.

I'm going to read this and cite it as background for my study. And yes I bet you thought it was like CSI all the time at the research farm. Hot guys and girls in clean labs driving around in Hummers wearing tight pants. I'm parkin' the Hummer. opening a MGD and readin' a ten year old report about petri dishes. Baby life is good!!

Globalization Spin: Ag-Profs view on the benefits of Globilization for North American Agriculture

2007-12-12T11:49:00.000-06:00

Streaming Digital Media dot Com

I posted this for the audio/video on globalization and North American agriculture, but the whole program sounds pretty good.

The Ag-professor has an interesting view on how the developing markets for our production should be approached. He thinks we will have to have more "give" meaning lowering our trade tariff and reducing our subsidies to fully utilize these growing markets. He's in the camp that has concerns about "using food for fuel"

I liked the interview. Both the interview(er) and the the Prof did their jobs well. She asked good probing questions and he seemed to give straight forward answers and gave a clear view of his theories.

I don't really have a opinion on globalization and agriculture, whether it's good or bad. I'm guessing in the end some middle ground will be found.

Texas Moisture Conditions: I love a good map

2007-12-10T19:56:00.000-06:00

I just like this map. Really well done and easy to follow. It does look like growing conditions in Texas are good (maybe a little wet(?)

Wheat Streek Mosaic; A resistant variety of wheat on the horizon,

2007-12-10T19:42:00.000-06:00

Scientists Set to Release New Disease-Resistant Wheat / December 4, 2007 / News from the USDA Agricultural Research Service

I've seen wheat streak mosaic really damage crops. Usually a rotation has been tight with sometimes winter wheat in the mix. The tight rotations leave green material for the "bug" (at the right) to carry the disease pathogen to the host wheat crop. This disease really "buggers" the field and it hangs around for an extended period. If the fellows in the posted article are on to something it will be an important weapon to use against a nasty disease

NASA Picture of the Sahara

2007-12-09T19:07:00.000-06:00

Wow!! That's a big desert and it's growing. Take a look at the remaining green (arable land) at the mouth of the Nile.

NASA Picture of Irrigation Pivots in Kansas

2007-12-09T19:04:00.000-06:00

I just thought this was cool and it would brighten up the blog and it's about agriculture(?)

Good Beef Industry News Over A Rum And Coke

2007-12-09T10:56:00.000-06:00

I was at a university friend's 50th birthday party last night. I had a very positive conversation with a cattleman over a rum and coke.

This man and his son are custom feeding cattle. They have 800 animals (the numbers may be a little fussy) they are backgrounding. They do whatever needs to be done to add weight over the winter. These two feed in the most cost effective way they can for the beef owner. I'm not a livestock man, he mentioned some systems he used, but it didn't register with me. Then in the spring they grass finish them on pasture that the family owns. The cattle are marketed wherever the best returns are to be had. There are no preset buyers for the beef. According to him if the dollar gets back to 90 cents a profit will be turned by the cattle owner. This is the second year the operation has been in place and the gentleman I talked to sound like he will have no problem keeping it running.

This isn't a new business model by any means. The things I found interesting are it's just getting started at a time when the cattle industry looks pretty bleak, they grass finish and the son has decided (he's mid 20's) this is what he wants to do for a living. I like the sounds of a profit being at a 90 cent dollar. That could be a "doable" and sustainable number.

That's my feel good story on the beef industry

Ending stocks still pretty low.

2007-12-08T17:27:00.001-06:00

http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/agoutlook/aotables/2007/10Oct/aotab23.xls

This is old news. BUT just looking at the low ending stock for a lot of these grain makes you see there should be legs to the good prices for a little while yet.

An Ag Scientist Blog Article from Australia

2007-12-08T17:02:00.000-06:00

AboveCapricorn: DROUGHT

Hey! An ag-blog!

I bookmarked this site a year ago for my old blog.

I read the posted article and I'm going to monitor the site for a while

A note on the drought in Australia. It's nasty as you have all heard. Nothing could show that more than the production numbers coming from there grain sector.

Really Good BioFuel Post: Amber Waves

2007-12-07T19:07:00.000-06:00

The Future of Biofuels: A Global Perspective - Amber Waves-November 2007

This post gave me the best perspective on the Bio-fuel industry I have seen so far. All in "plain speak" and covering history of the Brazil industry really helps understand the whole or global picture.

My other "takeaway" points are;
I liked the chart on levels of production country by country ( wish I could have posted that on my blog)

The perceived stagnation of Brazil's production

Government policy in Brazil laying the groundwork for successful production

More in site into the pipeline problems in the States moving this stuff and some solutions suggested

How quickly the USA became the world leader here! Brazil started in the 70's and they were passed in no time. And they have large advantages with sugar as a source!

I thought Canada could be a player in bio diesel. From the production numbers quoted in the post we are already way behind the States (?)

How quickly fossil fuel resources are being developed. I believed that we were developing these at only small increases not the double digit %% quoted here(?)

Other points like problems with biomass fuels and increased food prices I had a good handle on, but this post puts it together quite well and at a level I can understand.

I recommend looking at the post

Global Production Shortfalls Bring Record Wheat Prices - Amber Waves November 2007

2007-12-07T18:17:00.000-06:00

Global Production Shortfalls Bring Record Wheat Prices - Amber Waves November 2007

Ok so everybody who sells grain knows this story, but it the price chart is interesting to see

Tight Supply and Strong Demand May Raise U.S. Nitrogen Fertilizer Prices- Amber Waves November 2007

2007-12-07T18:15:00.000-06:00

Tight Supply and Strong Demand May Raise U.S. Nitrogen Fertilizer Prices- Amber Waves November 2007

After posting the charts on fertilizer price etc. the other day, this Amber Waves story drew my interest

My "takeaways" from the chart are the tiny inventory and what looks to be a actual reduction in supply overall. The dropping US production and the resulting dependence on imports is glaringly illustrated on the chart.

The posted articles statement that world consumption growing by 14% in the past 5 or 6 yrs is going to push prices further. And that will put further pressure on the US import situation

Fertilizer Numbers

2007-12-06T00:14:00.000-06:00

I found the posted spreadsheets from the USDA interesting. I knew that Fertilizer consumpstion in North America had leveled off and that prices had increased in the last few years, but it is interesting to see it charted.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FertilizerUse/Tables/Table8.xls Fertilizer Price index numbers camparing fert input and crop income

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FertilizerUse/Tables/Table7.xls Price per ton.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FertilizerUse/Tables/Table27.xls % Wheat acres fertilized. It's dropped 5% in the last few years(?) Organic?

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FertilizerUse/Tables/Table1.xls Tons used. This has leveled off. Fertilizer wholesale businesses have been telling fertilizer retailers this for the last 4 years

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FertilizerUse/Tables/FertilizerUse.xls All the spreadsheet in one chart book

Cheez it's after 12. I missed Deadwood and I have to get up and go to work tommorrow. Good night

American Field Crop Budget sheets

2007-12-05T23:55:00.000-06:00

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/CostsAndReturns/data/Forecast/cop_forecast.xls

Posted link is cost of production spreadsheets for American field crops. Just reading the foot note the cost numbers are based on old numbers but it is interesting. I wonder if there projections took into account the massive cost increases in fuel and fertilizer. I think I will take a hunt for western Canada budgets, they are usually available at regional Ag offices

ERS/USDA Data - Major Land Uses: Map:I love a good map

2007-12-05T23:43:00.000-06:00

ERS/USDA Data - Major Land Uses: Map The Map and the link are USDA information on land use.

Cool: A Credit Card to Show Your Support of Agriculture

2007-12-04T23:10:00.000-06:00

Supporting Your Local Farmer

2007-12-04T22:57:00.000-06:00

CFA - Canadian Federation of Agriculture - A "Grown in Canada" food label

There is amazing support for local produce among consumers. One of the most popular projects our research farm undertook was a farmers market. For a producer, especially a young one, I think these opportunities could put good money in your pocket. We have another project on the backburner to try an raise some garlic for local consumption

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/product_of_canada_eh/

This is another post from CBC's marketplace giving the consumer some tips on how to be a local buyer and taking a good rip at the supermarket chains. I can't get to upset with the 'big" chains because they are under a lot of pressure from Walmart going into the grocery business. In the US Walmart has become the biggest grocery seller in the country and in the process has turned the business into a low margin nightmare for there competition. Supermarkets use to be a great business with good margins and steady business in good times and bad, but not any more. It's dog eat dog in this business in the States. Canada has avoided this so far and from what I know Canadian chains are still doing ok. Wow sorry I really got off track there

The Swede Midge — Coming to a Canola Crop Near You

2007-12-04T22:20:00.000-06:00

The Swede Midge — A New Pest In Crucifer Crops In Ontario

I've heard a few reports about this new pest damaging canola crop in western Canada. I plan on keeping an eye our for it this year and browsing a bit for more information on the net

Brazil Ag Success Story: And it's not about burning the rain forest

2007-12-03T20:19:00.000-06:00

Bringing Spice To A Hot Land Newsweek Giving Globally Newsweek.com

I'm always on the lookout for stories about Brazilian or Australian Ag-production. Mostly because its huge farms and a pioneer feel to the whole thing in both countries. This story is different kind of a third world spin and low tech meets high tech meets gourmet meets peasant farmer. Yes! I know what the heck is this gibberish! I'm going to have to publish some good farmer salt of the earth stuff to make up for all the green and organic urban warrior success stories

List of vegetable oils - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2007-12-02T18:53:00.000-06:00

List of vegetable oils - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A primer for the world of vegetable oil. I'm pretty sure the Canadian Prairies will produce bio diesel out of canola. When you look at this list it seems pretty certain the rest of the world will use what ever is most available in there "backyard"

Cattle Producers Meet with New Ag Minister

2007-12-02T16:22:00.000-06:00

Saskatoon Homepage.ca - Its All About Your Community. - New Sask Ag Minister Meets with Livestock Groups on Friday

I've been watching the cattle industry news, because things are so tough there. I hope this article comes to something. The post is about the New Sask. Ag Minister meeting with cattlemen. I'm a little cynical and I'm wishing this isn't a bit of political posturing. It's pretty scary for cattlemen right now. I've talked to several over the last couple of months and I've not heard many good news stories. After the BSE hit there still were a few bright spots. Somebody sold before it hit or even increased there stock because they felt good times were ahead, but nothing good yet out of this downturn. A high dollar, high feed prices and a increasing US herd all spell trouble. I know the industry will survive, but in what form at the other end of this I don't know yet

More on Ethanol From Corn Stover

2007-12-01T19:47:00.000-06:00

DTNAg.com: Agriculture Markets, News and Weather

Just finished watching my son play hockey, poured myself a Kahlua and milk and checked DTN. I noticed another article on corn stover (I posted one earlier today) This one is pretty plain speak. I'm thinking there has to be a trial for us somewhere in here.

3rd World Success Story: Fertilizer (?)

2007-12-01T15:38:00.000-06:00

Ending Famine, Simply by Ignoring the Experts - New York Times

Cellusosic Ethanol Production vs. Soil Organic Matter: Balance

2007-12-01T15:19:00.000-06:00

Green Car Congress: Study Raises Concerns Over Amount of Corn Stover Biomass Available for Cellulosic Ethanol

Touted as the "best" solution for Ethanol production, Cellulosic Ethanol methods are getting a lot of research focused on them. I like this investigation calling for more "looks" at how much biomass has to be maintained for organic matter and carbon, while still providing a economic harvest of usable "distilling" material.

George Morris Centre Newsletter: Ethanol Bad, Pork and Beef Industry Hurting

2007-11-28T11:37:00.000-06:00

http://www.georgemorris.org/aspx/Public/Utils/DbFileViewerPopup.aspx?FileID=292

I don't know what you think of the George Morris Centre ( a think tank on Canadian Farm Policy and Ag Industry in general) but there stated intention of raising discussion on issues is important to the industry.

The post raises two points that I find interesting:

The ethanol industry is bad for Canada. The argument that the US as a net importer of energy has a lot more to gain from ethanol than an exporter like Canada is right on the money. The benefits to our grain industry may be minor compared to other negative effects across our economy
Things are really bad in the cattle industry. These guys are really getting beat up. We do cry "wolf" a lot in agriculture, but boy cattle farmers are hurting. I really fear western Canada will lose a lot of cow/calf operations. The 100 or so cow operations are no longer profitable. The really bad thing is I can't see any one helping them. As the post states the industry will survive, but I don't think some of the "little guys" will make it.

For a research farm ethanol will provide a lot of places to do work. Any time this big a change occurs in the industry we get lots to work on. The change can be good or bad we still benefit

Switchgrass: The president's favorite grass

2007-11-25T20:02:00.000-06:00

A Prairie Land’s Companion The post is an article from the USDA on switchgrass. By the sound of this there are very few genetic differences between some of the "new" cultivars of switchgrass and the original or native strains. According to the post this is likely due to the short time that switchgrass has been commercially bred.

Organic Farming Can Feed The World, Study Suggests

2007-11-23T20:36:00.000-06:00

Organic Farming Can Feed The World, Study Suggests

I posted 4 articles from ScienceDaily in this series of posts. I don't know what to make of this reporting. I don't see any data to back these claims up. I actually am a fan of many of the things "organic" agriculture does, but I'm a bit confused by the claims made here. No one outright comes out and says more is produced year over year or if it is produced in a profitable way(?) The writers and researchers state "yield" is more and "other" benifits increase and your footprint on the earth is less. Is more produced overall and in a cost effective way (?) I don't know and I don't see it stated.

Now because it's my forum (blog) I'll give my take on organic

Lots of organic farmers are making a good dollar and reducing there environmental food print all over North America. There is a great (and growing) market for organic product and these pioneers are doing an excellent job filling that need. I say more power to them and a scourge on their critics. Much of noise and criticism of these producers may come from corporate spin, I'm cynical enough to believe that. Other opposition is motivated by ignorance of what organic farmers do or "backlash" against the organic movement's criticisms of conventional farming.
Organic systems have strengths that could be used across agricultural production. Organic rotations for improved weed control and fertility should be looked at for cost savings for all producers.
If producers can make changes that decease food productions use of non renewable resources everyone wins. You have to make a buck, but non renewable imputs may cost themselves out of the picture. That scenario makes some organic ideas attractive
Dependence on pesticides has created rapidly evolving "resistant" pests. In the last 10 year there appearance has continued steadily. So far producers have adjusted. Maybe a good adjustment would be looking at more "organic" solutions
My last point is a rip on organic production. What in the heck is the definition anyway. I see a lot of the "organic" production sold to consumers fits the definition of "organic" the retailer comes up with. I guess that's not the producers fault, but the consumer rips conventional producers and then buys his product anyway, thinking it's "organic". That kind of bugs me (pisses me off really)

Enjoy the posts! Take them with a grain of salt!

Organic Farms Produce Same Yields As Conventional Farms

2007-11-23T20:33:00.000-06:00

Organic Farms Produce Same Yields As Conventional Farms See post on Organic Production Can Feed the World

Organic Farming Beats No-Till?

2007-11-23T20:32:00.000-06:00

Organic Farming Beats No-Till? See comment on Organic Production Can Feed the World

Organic Farming Produces Smaller Crops, Healthier Soils, Swiss Researchers Report In Science

2007-11-23T20:31:00.000-06:00

Organic Farming Produces Smaller Crops, Healthier Soils, Swiss Researchers Report In Science See post on Organic Production Can Feed the World

Snow day fundraising

2007-11-23T10:34:00.000-06:00

Just got the first real snow cover of the year yesterday and today at the farm we are white. I'll do some office work and put away some more equipment

I spent some time yesterday at home fundraising for the farm. I don't know how this will work out. I'm actually a bit optimistic about getting funds, but I am worried about getting longer term commitments. If we can get some sponsors like the large fertilizer company I'm contacting to commit to a extended period (three years or more) that would give us security and freedom.

The problem with an extended commitment is as new people we have no track record. I think once we prove ourselves we can get some longer term sponsors, till then we work year by year.

I love when I hear about "buying" acres

2007-11-21T21:31:00.000-06:00

A Big Fight For Acres Coming In 2008

Trading Chart is one of my favorite sites. The post is a "bull" report on oilseed and all ag commodities for next year. GREAT. This article sounds just like the position a local producer shared with me on a recent e-mail. This post adds weight to his comments

If these elevated prices can last through next year, grain producers should be looking pretty good. The "fly in the ointment" is rising inputs. Hopefully rising costs won't chew to far into the profits

Farming is tough on the wallet

2007-11-21T20:50:00.000-06:00

The money to run this type of research farm is very tight. Looking at the books make me wonder how committed various government agencies are to this. Our biggest financial support does come from a government agency, but if we had a crop failure or a major equipment breakdown I wonder how we could finish out next year. That's not the best way to try and set up projects for the farm or to entice employees to stay or even start at the farm.

SouthEast Research Farm earns it's money mainly from field trials we run for industry, producer groups and university research. Every year (Dec. to March) we go looking for the funds (trial/demos) to pay the bills. This past year was tough, we had about $85000 worth of projects down from $100,000 average over the last 2 or 3 yrs. As an added stress on the books we replaced the motor in our combine. The rebuilt Volkswagen diesel was a $10,000 touch that really hurt.

I'm just getting going on trial proposal writing. This is a very creative part of the job, along with being the "life's blood" for the farm. So far we have 2 new projects for industry lined up. I think we will have to have about 20 different project to make the $100,000 we need for income. I don't want to make it sound that horrid, about 10 projects are pretty much guaranteed. Things like multi-year trials, or variety trials that run every year are trials we are pretty sure we will get. But this coming year we need to do some marketing to ensure we bring up the income to a more sustainable level. I think we have got good start and I do feel we will reach our objectives.

There that makes me feel better! I have my problems off my chest and given you a little bit of in site into the farm.

Ethanol Backlash: Bloomberg weighs in on the troubles in the Ethanol Industry

2007-11-20T22:36:00.000-06:00

Bloomberg.com: Latin America

I've been seeing a few articles ( more than a few) on problems with ethanol production in the states. Add this one to the pile

Energy America on MSNBC: Wind potential map of USA, among other things

2007-11-20T20:40:00.000-06:00

MSNBC Interactive

We (I, really) looked at putting a wind generator on the farm and setting up on the grid. I don't know if the money is right yet. The interactive map linked shows the potential on the prairie or the lack of same for wind power.

Brooke is working on a solar energy project to compare solar energy hardware. I think that has a good chance of getting done.

First Post: REVISITED

2007-11-20T19:04:00.003-06:00

Welcome to TheResearchFarm the blog from SouthEast Reserch Farm. I plan on using our blog to get our message out and share ideas about agriculture on the Canadian Prairies

The idea behind our facility is "Producer Driven Research" The farm is a non-profit corporation. We are overseen by a board of local producers and funded by our projects. SouthEast Research Farm Inc. has one full time employees. Myself (Garth Johnston) as Manager

Initially I will post articles of interest to ag-production and information about the farm and our projects

Wish me luck. Please wish me luck!

Garth