Manitoba Corn Growers Association, Inc
NEWSLETTER
March 2015
From the Office
So another CropConnect Conference has
come and gone and it was a wonderful
event. With approximately 500 farmers
attending each day I think it was very
well received.
There was an excellent line up of speakers and more exhibitors than ever. We
would like to thank all the attendees, the
sponsors and our exhibitors for supporting the event and making it a better
event every year.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM was held as part of the CropConnect Conference and was reasonably well
attended. We would love to see more folks
in the room, but in an attempt to keep the
membership fully informed we will use the
rest of this Newsletter to share the package
that was put together for the Annual General Meeting.
As well our audited financials will be available on the website shortly.
The Committee is already getting to work
on next year’s event but one thing is likely very certain. You will need to preregister next year. The Committee has a
great struggle with getting good numbers
for this event because even after two
years of requesting folks to pre-register
we still had those who walked up the day
of the event. This makes things very difficult for the Victoria Inn as we are constantly changing the number of meals
required. This is not likely to continue so
heads up to everyone—PRE-REGISTER
next year to guarantee your spot.
Manitoba Corn Growers
Association
Box 188,
Carman, Manitoba
R0G 0J0
Phone: 204-745-6661
Advance Payments Program: Though we
are getting closer to having Bill C-18 approved as it has now passed through the
Senate Standing Committee of Agriculture. It still needs to be approved by the
full Senate and then needs Royal Assent.
We are still continuing to plan for the
new program but there is concern that it
may be delayed a little bit past April 1.
Toll Free Ph: 1-877-598-5685
Fax: 204-745-6122
Toll Free Fax: 1-877-598-5686
Web Site: www.manitobacorn.ca
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2015 Annual Meeting Package
INFORMATION AND REPORTS FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING
President’s Remarks
The 2014 season was no different than any other year, in that it brought challenges, but
also successes. Once again, planting in general began later than most would have preferred and
what seemed to be a cool summer slowed the rate of crop growth. September began with a cool,
wet start, which was followed by a major dip in the price of corn. These were not the ingredients
we were looking for to turn our crop into a successful one. Fortunately though, the corn crop
moved along and a warm October allowed some significant drydown to occur on much of the corn
acres. A majority of Manitoba’s corn harvest was completed by the time freeze up occurred,
although some acres remain in the field to be harvested. Overall, Manitoba corn growers
produced a corn crop with an average yield of 113 bu/ac on nearly 250,000 acres harvested.
Prices have trended back upwards since October and many have been selling at profitable levels.
We deem this to be another successful corn growing season.
2014 was a very busy year for our research program, and we are thrilled with the progress
that has been made. Through the work of our research team we have been able to access
considerable funds to aid in our research efforts from a variety of sources including MAFRD &
ARDI as part of Growing Forward 2 Funding, Western Grains Research Foundation, Western
Economic Diversification, and others. By accessing funds through these industry partners, we
have been able to commit to some very progressive research projects which will undoubtedly add
value to corn producers in Manitoba.
We are very pleased with the cash advance program, as we continue to build on our
excellent reputation of administering the program in an accurate and timely fashion. The APP
program is a very important tool for many producers, and our staff are doing a fantastic job with
it.
On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Theresa, Morgan, Karin, Jackie
and Tammy for their excellent efforts and dedication this past year. They are a very hardworking
group and their commitment to the Association does not go unnoticed by the board. I would like
to express my own personal appreciation to my fellow directors for their continued commitment,
vision and passion that they show as we continue to work to improve the corn industry in
Manitoba.
Myron Krahn
2014 Board of Directors
Reginald Johnson, Arborg
Myron Krahn, Carman
Dennis Thiessen, Steinbach
Leonard Wiebe, Carman
Jonathan Kaminsky, Brunkild Dustin Krahn, Winkler
Lorne Loeppky, Niverville
Emile Morin, Otterburne
Roland Unger, Arden
Garett Veldman, Carman
Trevor Wytinck, Cypress River
MAFRD Contact: Pam de Rocquigny, Provincial Cereal Crops Specialist
Staff:
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Theresa Bergsma, General Manager
Morgan Cott, Field Agronomist
Karin Rose, Research Project Coordinator
APP Contacts: Jackie Martin, Tammy Cote
2015 Annual Meeting Package
Manitoba Corn Growers Association Inc.
ANNUAL MEETING
Wednesday, February 18, 2014
Victoria Inn, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Chairman’s Remarks: President Myron Krahn called the meeting to order and welcomed twenty eight people to
the Annual Meeting. He reviewed a few of the highlights of the year and thanked the staff for their work during the
past year. He then asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the last Annual Meeting as circulated.
MOTION: L. Loeppky – J. Pedersen: That the minutes of the 2013 Annual Meeting be approved as circulated.
CARRIED
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Myron reviewed the nominating committee information, explaining that his own term and that of Leonard Wiebe
and John Bergen had come to an end. He and Leonard will let their names stand for re-election but John would like
to step down. John contacted Dustin Krahn from the Morden/Winkler area and he is willing to let his name stand
as well. Myron extended the first call for nominations from the floor.
The Committee reports were reviewed briefly, and Myron indicated that we had made a good start on agronomic
projects under Morgan Cott’s leadership, and that we are working on additional ones for 2014. We are also
working on a number of projects under an ARDI application and also under a larger provincial corn initiative. In
order to accommodate all the extra work that these projects will involve Karin Rose has been hired to oversee
these projects.
A second call for nominations from the floor was extended.
MOTION: L. Wiebe – E. Morin: That the Committee Reports be accepted as presented.
CARRIED
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: There was a final call for nomination from the floor with no further nominations coming
forward.
MOTION: D. Thiessen – R. Johnson: That the slate of nominees as presented be considered elected.
CARRIED
Therefore the elected directors, Myron Krahn (Carman), Leonard Wiebe (Carman) and Dustin Krahn (Winkler) along
with Lorne Loeppky (Niverville), Roland Unger (Arden) and Emile Morin (Otterburne), Trevor Wytinck (Cypress
River), Garett Veldman (Carman), Jonathan Kaminsky (Brunkild), Reg Johnson (Arborg) and Dennis Thiessen
(Steinbach) will form the Board for 2014.
MOTION: J. Bergen – J. Kaminsky: That D.F. George be appointed as Auditors.
CARRIED
MOTION: J. Perdersen – L. Wiebe: That the Actions of the Board in 2013 be approved.
CARRIED
MOTION: L. Wiebe – G. Veldman: That the MCGA be re-organized for 2014.
CARRIED
Since we share the auditors with the other organizations they did not make it in time so Theresa reviewed the
audited statements.
MOTION: D. Thiessen – R. Unger: That the Audited Financial Statements be accepted as presented.
CARRIED
Question Period: Question period was not used
L. Wiebe moved that the meeting be adjourned.
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2015 Annual Meeting Package
2014 Activity Report
Advance Payments Program: The 2013 Advance Payments Program (APP) began with $49,055,878 being
advanced to 475 producers and due to the transportation issues this program year was granted a stay of
default to March 31, 2015 with the cheque due in our office by March 16th.. As of December 31st we were
a almost 80% repaid.
For 2014 the APP was also very well used with a total of $48,485,529 being advanced to 493
producers to the end of December.
We are prepared for the 2015 program to go forward as it always has but at the same time trying
to be prepared for major changes if the Senate does pass the new bill quickly. We hope to offer the new
program which would include allowing us to provide advances on many more crops to all producers.
Memberships: As you will see in the audited statement our membership for 2014 is $611,013.00 of which
$52,919.00 was returned to producers who requested check-off dollars be refunded. The refund amount
is higher than in past years. In review of the names of those who request refunds it is clear that there are
only one or two new requests for refunds but the fact that we have a few large growers who request
refunds means that the refund amount goes up disproportionate to the general membership. This also
varies from time to time depending on which part of the year producers sell their crop and the price.
Our active membership totals just over 1200, which is again a slight increase over the 1,151 that
we had at the close of 2013, so though the dollar value of refunds is about 9% of total, our percentage of
producers who request a refund is less than 4%.
We also like to acknowledge the continued support of our Associate members with 34 renewing
their memberships for 2014.
Finances: In 2014 we continued to receive good support financially, with our income being $1,264,067
and expenses being $902,818. You will find the details of our expenditures in the Audited Financial
Statements which are included with this package. Of note is the fact that we have now built up a large
enough reserve to enter into some sizeable, longer-term research projects which began in 2014, and you
will see details of elsewhere in this package.
Nominations: The terms of Jonathan Kaminsky, Dennis Thiessen and Garett Veldman have come to an
end. Dennis and Garett have agreed to let their names stand for another three year term but Jon has
decided to step down from the Board. At time of writing the Board has not been able to find anyone else
willing to let their name stand for election.
Safety Nets: The Board again met with the MASC Board and also attended several consultations on how
the Safety Net portion of the Growing Forward 2 has rolled out thus far. We continue to express our
concerns regarding the inequities between crops with MASC, as well as urging the federal government to
make the AgriStability program work better for grain farmers. The work with the federal government will
become more galvanized as they start to do formal reviews of the GF2 programs and begin to plan for GF3.
We will continue to work with KAP and Grain Growers of Canada to further the interest of our
members in the safety net areas on both the provincial and federal levels.
Other Items: MCGA continues to provide input into the Bee Health issue with regard to the use of
Neonicotinoids in seed treatments. We provided a paper to the National Bee Health Roundtable through
the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) and also met with the provincial conservation department to work
with them to develop their policy on this issue.
We also continue to work with KAP and GGC on many other issues as they arise. One example
would be the work already beginning on reviewing the changes that the Canadian Grain Commission is
proposing to include feed mills under their producer insurance programs.
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2015 Annual Meeting Package
MCGA’s In-House Research
Population Trials
This year, two participants were asked to plant ranges in increments of 2,000 ppa, from 28,000 to
38,000 plants per acre. There were some variances, and not all sites were planted this way. There was an
economic analysis done on each site to determine both which population yielded better, but also which
population brought the best return on investment.
Nutrient Uptake/Removal
In 2014, we had three sites (two near Carman and one in Arborg area), where a weekly visit was
paid during the crucial stages of the growing season. Soil samples were taken pre-seed and post- harvest,
with one more to be taken again pre-seed this year, weekly tissue samples were taken, and a stalk nitrate
test was performed pre-harvest. Each sample was taken in two spots in the field – one “high” spot, one
“low” spot. The purpose of these trials was to measure what nutrients are being used at each stage of
growth in the growing season, and also measure losses over the winter.
Goss’s Wilt Product
The MCGA was asked to try a product that slows the spread of Goss’s Wilt lesions. Product was
applied to two fields with significant Goss’s infections. After application, field visits were made daily to note
the progress of the Goss’s Wilt lesions, comparing to an untreated check.
Disease & Insect Survey
The goal of this project was to follow a consistent route every two to three weeks and visit each
field on the route, scouting for insect and disease issues. I began this tour in spring, before planting and
continued throughout the growing season, while I was checking for cutworm, wireworm, seedcorn maggot
and various diseases, which didn’t end up being an issue in 2014. When something of concern was found in
a field, it would be reported to the grower. In some cases, mostly those in the “non-traditional” corn
growing areas, the grower wanted to know when I was coming so he could walk the field with me.
In 2014, this survey was improved to include reports sent to growers who subscribe after each visit.
A bi-weekly agronomy update was also the product of the survey this year, which was sent out to
subscribers in a newsletter format. This update covered anything noteworthy that I was seeing across the
province that corn growers would need to watch out for, or contact me if they had any concerns.
My focus, as the agronomist, is to work directly with growers to implement field scale trials that
have a direct interest to their farming practices, and also to broaden my contact with our members. The
MCGA would like our members to consider using our services when they have questions regarding their
grain or silage corn, if they are looking for a new perspective. We do not discourage the use of your local
agronomists, but we are an additional source of information and our focus is solely on corn in Manitoba.
Please contact the MCGA with suggestions for projects, or if you are willing to host a project on your
farm. We can discuss what you are interested in and make it work for your operation without being too
invasive in your own corn fields. The greatest struggle is getting participants who are able/willing to
accommodate a trial and also finding someone with the time to implement it.
Respectively Submitted by:
Morgan Cott
Chair – Manitoba Corn Committee
Field Agronomist, MCGA
204.750.2489
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2015 Annual Meeting Package
Update on External Research Projects
GF2 Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative- Corn Agronomy Project
Leverage: $1.54 for every $1 invested.
The MCGA has partnered with Western Grains Research Foundation and Growing Forward 2 to provide
funding to the University of Manitoba over the next four years for the Corn Agronomy Project. Dr. Yvonne
Lawley will be taking the lead on this project, which will address some of the most pressing agronomic
issues in corn production for Western Canada, including crop rotation, residue management, row spacing,
and the CHU system. The MCGA will be contributing $254,750 to the overall cost of this project, which is
$648,300.
GF2 Capacity and Knowledge Development Grain Innovation Hub- Corn Development Project
Leverage: $3.60 for every $1 invested.
The MCGA has received $1,335,000 from Growing Forward 2 in addition to a financial commitment of
$371,310 from the MCGA, to fund the Corn Development Project over the next four years. This project will
support innovative research at the University of Manitoba on the subject of flooding tolerance in corn,
characterization of the Goss’s Wilt Pathogen, and market development. Furthermore, it will allow the MCGA
to develop and oversee an early maturity corn nursery in Carberry, MB.
AAFC Goss’s Wilt Project
Leverage: $4.67 for every $1 invested.
The MCGA has agreed to support AAFC Research Scientist Dr. James Tambong in collaborative research on
the Goss’s Wilt Pathogen. James will be collaborating directly with Dr. Fouad Daayf, the U of M Scientist that
is working on the Corn Development Project, so that no research is unnecessarily repeated. They are taking
complementary approaches, so it should be a good partnership.
Expanding Research Capacity for Innovative Row Crop Research and Development in Western Canada
Leverage: no commitment of funds required from the MCGA
The MCGA has partnered with the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association for a second round of funding from
Western Economic Diversification to improve row crop research capacity in the province. Funds received
from Western Economic Diversification will be announced at a later date, and will be used to purchase row
crop research equipment such as planters, combines, tillage implements and fertilizer applicators for various
public research institutions across the province.
Supporting Western and Northern Expansion of Corn in Canada: Photosynthetic cold stress tolerance for
sustainable corn production in Canada.
Leverage: tbd.
The MCGA is supporting a research proposal that will be submitted under the Agri-Innovation Program (AIP)
by Dr. Leonid Savitch, AAFC Research Scientist at ECORC in Ottawa, for a two year research project on cold
tolerance in corn. Leonid intends to identify and characterize the mechanisms responsible for cold stress
tolerance in certain lines of corn and design an efficient screening test for cold tolerant corn germplasm. We
are requesting 50% of total project funds from AIP
Respectfully Submitted by:
Karin Rose, MCGA Research Project Coordinator
204.750.2010
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2015Annual Meeting Package
Corn Yields Respectable in 2014 Despite Challenging Year
Pam de Rocquigny of MAFRD reports on the 2014 growing year for grain corn in Manitoba.
The start of the 2014 growing season proved to be challenging for all producers, not just corn growers,
across most of Manitoba. Typically, majority of grain corn is planted the first two weeks of May. Although
some planting did occur the first week of May in 2014, generally poor planting conditions resulted in the
majority of grain corn acres planted the second and third week of May. During that planting period, cooler
soil temperatures impacted stand establishment in some fields due to delayed germination and emergence.
Continuing wet conditions through May and June resulted in almost 1 million acres remaining unseeded,
with the majority of those acres in the Southwest and Northwest Regions of the province.
According to submitted seeded acreage reports (SAR) to Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation
(MASC), total acreage of grain corn planted in Manitoba was 250,400 acres, down from the record planting
in 2013 of 334,620 acres. The reduction in acres was due to factors including lower market prices and the
less than ideal planting conditions resulting in some producers switching their intended corn acres to other
crop types. The top five hybrids grown in Manitoba based on market share were: P7443R (16.7%), 39D97
(12.9%), 39D95 (11.6%), 39V05 (9.9%) and P7632HR (8.2%).
Growing Season Conditions
From May 1 to June 15, precipitation ranged from 64% of normal in the Central Region upwards of 172% of
normal in areas of the Northwest, Southwest and Eastern Regions. Corn Heat Unit (CHU) accumulation
ranged from 76% to 97% of normal. The excessive moisture combined with cool temperatures impacted
stand establishment in some fields and slowed crop development across the province early in the season.
However, generally more favourable growing conditions throughout July and August helped advance Manitoba’s corn crop. In the Central Region where corn development was the most advanced, corn entered the
tasseling stage of development mid-July. Variability of development was noted in many fields, largely due
to excess moisture stress earlier in the season. By the start of August, crop development was estimated to
be approximately one to two weeks behind and an open fall would be necessary for many acres to reach
physiological maturity.
By the beginning of September, CHU accumulation ranged from 90% to 107% of normal, with accumulated
precipitation ranging from nearly 100% of normal in the Central Region to 177% of normal in the Southwest
and Northwest Regions. Light frost events the second week of September resulted in leaf damage; however, as plants were not killed grain corn crops continued grain fill.
Grain corn harvest did start for some producers in early October, but the majority of harvest operations got
underway towards mid to late October. Many producers waited for kernel moisture contents to decrease
to manageable levels to decrease drying costs.
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2015 Annual Meeting Package
Overall for 2014, CHU accumulation ranged from 94% of normal to 112% of normal, while accumulated
precipitation ranged from 75% to 180% of normal, reflecting the wide-ranging weather conditions that
made 2014 a challenging season for Manitoba producers.
Provincial Grain Corn Yields
The provincial grain corn yield in Manitoba for 2014 was 113 bushels per acre, based on 240,870 harvested acres (MASC). The 10-year average yield for grain corn is 99 bushels per acre (2004-2013), with the
highest average yield of 132 bushels per acre reported in 2013 (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Manitoba Average Grain Corn Yields by Year, with 10-Year Average Yield (2004 to 2013) of 109
bushels per acre. Source: MASC.
Insect & Disease Pressure in 2014
Higher populations of European corn borer were noted in some fields of corn in the Central Region with
insecticide applications occurring in some fields. Approximately 43% of grain corn acres were planted to a
hybrid with Bt genetics, up from 2013 based on total acres.
Cutworm damage to corn was reported from the Eastern and Central regions in June. Damage from wireworms was also reported in some corn fields in the Eastern Region and in corn fields near Shilo.
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2015 Annual Meeting Package
In 2014, 74 corn fields were surveyed across the major grain corn growing areas of the province for
Goss’s Wilt by Holly Derksen, Field Crops Pathologist MAFRD and Morgan Cott, Field Agronomist
MCGA. Goss’s Wilt is caused by the bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis, and has
been present in Manitoba since it was originally identified near Roland in 2009. The disease was detected in 14% of the fields randomly surveyed in 2014. Goss’s Wilt was detected in the rural municipalities of Roland, Thompson, Dufferin, Montcalm, Morris and Portage la Prairie. In addition, the disease was observed in the RM’s of Stanley and Rhineland, although not in the fields that were part of
the survey (see Figure 2). In past years, Goss’s Wilt has also been detected in the RM of Hanover.
Figure 2: Goss’s Wilt provincial survey results where red crosses indicate fields where disease was
found and green dots indicate fields where disease was not detected.
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2015 Annual Meeting Package
MANITOBA CORN COMMITTEE REPORT
For the 2014 season, the MCC had planned for nine grain hybrid evaluation trial locations: Arborg,
Beausejour, Warren, Melita, Morden, Carman, St. Pierre, MacGregor and Forrest, but due to environmental conditions, Beausejour and Melita did not get planted. There were also three silage evaluation
trials: Arborg, Elm Creek and St. Pierre. Unfortunately, due to planting errors and weather conditions
in the growing season, the Arborg grain and silage sites, St. Pierre grain and silage sites and Forrest
grain site had to be omitted. This left the grain evaluation sites to Warren, Morden, Carman and MacGregor, and the silage evaluation sites to Elm Creek only. The MCC would like to thank our contractors
– AgQuest Inc., DuPont Pioneer, WADO and PESAI – for all of their hard work in 2014. Also, a big thank
you to all producers who provided land for the 2014 trials!
Spring 2014 brought a later start to planting, with the earliest corn going in the ground the first week
of May but most by mid-May, and as late as early June. Grain corn acres did take a hit this year, but the
record acres in 2013 made it look like it was worse than it was. Prior to 2013, Manitoba’s grain corn
acres were steady in the low 200,000 range, and then they jumped to 334,000 acres in 2013, returning
to about 250,000 in 2014. It would be safe to say the dip in acres could be blamed on poor grain prices,
but also the expanding acres in the “unconventional corn areas” in Manitoba, which struggled to have
good corn crops in 2013. Silage corn acres dropped from 68,000 acres in 2013 down to 60,000 acres in
2014. This could be a reflection of good supply from the 2013 crop, hay supply, or other feed needs.
While the growing season wasn’t a long one, and cool July weather put a halt to peak season growth, a
warm month of August enabled the grain corn crop to catch up before the province had a wide-spread
frost event on September 12. Majority of Manitoba producers began their corn harvest in midOctober, running well into November and later.
In Manitoba, the past two harvesting seasons have been a push with drying and getting started on
time. Fortunately in 2014, there were some very reasonable yields in Manitoba which brought the provincial average up from what was expected, to 113 bushels per acre. This was reflected in some of our
MCC trials, where there were very generous yields.
The MCC published the yearly results, along with long term averages, in its “2014 Manitoba Corn Hybrid Performance Trials” brochure as well as Seed Manitoba 2015. The MCC results are available from
the MCGA office, their website at www.manitobacorn.ca and MAFRD GO Offices. Seed Manitoba 2015
is also available online at www.seedmb.ca
The 2015 MCC trials are in the works already, and we plan to continue with nine grain and three silage
trials again this year. If there are any questions about the MCC, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Respectively Submitted by:
Morgan Cott
Chair – Manitoba Corn Committee
Field Agronomist, MCGA
204.750.2489
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