Canadian Mail Publications Sales Agreement #42518524 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to 90 Woodlawn Rd W, Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 AUGUST 2024 | V.45 | N.03 | $4.50+GST NOT ALL ABOARD CN & CPKC railway workers ready to strike IN THE NOW 16 innovative technologies to keep up with Page 5 Page 11
LEVEL UP YOUR AG RETAIL STRATEGY Best-in-class technology and agronomic services Comprehensive Agronomic Dashboard Advanced Field Scouting Extensive Weather Network Premium Satellite Imagery Custom Reports with Your Logo Soil Testing at Dedicated Lab Modern Online Storefront Farmers Edge Laboratories 1357 Dugald Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R2J 0H3 204 233 4099 fe.labs@farmersedge.ca Customer Sample ID: Lab Lot Number: Received Date: Date Reported: Garden Test 230315_001 2023/03/15 2023/03/24 Report To: Dmitri Ermak 1357 Dugald Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R2J 0 Home Vegetable Garden Report Nitrogen: Low Optimum High Phosphorus: Potassium: Soil Nutrient Levels 8 4 180 ppm ppm ppm No Concern Saline Toxic Soil Quality - Salinity Organic Matter: pH: Salinity: 4.6 7 0.5 % dS/m Acidic Optimum Alkaline Soil Quality - pH Guideline Marginal Caution Nutient Amounts Needed 2.6 1.7 0.7 Nitrogen (lb/1000 sq.ft.) Phosphorus (lb/1000 sq.ft.) 0.4 2.4 Potassium (lb/1000 sq.ft.) 0.4 0.4 2.4 2.4 Vegetables with high nitrogen needs *** Mixed Garden / Moderate nitrogen needs ** Vegetables with low nitrogen needs * 20-20-20 24-8-16 10-15-10 11-52-0 10-10-10 6-12-12 12-4-8 7-3-3 Rate lb/1000 sqft Fertilizer Blend Nutrient needs met N P 6.5 3.5 3 7 7 11.5 6 10 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 160% 190% 280% 335% 450% 585% 830% 1765% K - 29% 19% 29% 29% 58% 19% 12% Nutrient needs met N P 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 250% 310% 545% 665% 950% 1280% 1870% 4150% K - 71% 47% 71% 71% 142% 47% 30% 15.5 8.5 7 17 17 28.5 14 24.5 Nutrient needs met N P 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 325% 425% 775% 965% 1400% 1905% 2810% 6290% K - 108% 72% 108% 108% 217% 72% 46% 23.5 13 11 26 26 43.5 21.5 37 Low Nitrogen Needs Mixed/moderate Nitrogen Needs High Nitrogen Needs 46-0-0 1.5 100% - - 100% - - 3.5 100% - - 5.5 Rate lb/1000 sqft Rate lb/1000 sqft Fertilizer rates are calculated for each nitrogen scenario (low, moderate or high nitrogen needs) based on which nutrient is in highest need in that scenario. Some fertilizer blends and rates may more closely match this soil's nutrient content. Select either the fertilizer blend that most closely matches what you have on hand or select the blend that closely matches 100% of 'Nutrient needs met' for all nutrients to guide your fertilizer purchase. Rates are given per 1000 square feet of garden space. Adjust fertilizer rates to the size of your garden. * Vegetables with low nitrogen needs include: Beans, Head Lettuce, Herbs, Peas, Radish and Turnip ** Vegetables with moderate nitrogen needs include: Asparagus, Carrots, Cucumbers, Leaf Lettuce, Pepper, Pumpkin and Summer Squash *** Vegetables with high nitrogen needs include: Beet, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale, Onions, Spinach, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes and Potatoes Page 1 of 2 Designed and curated for agricultural professionals. Streamline workflow, centralize data and leverage agronomic insights to grow sales. LEARN MORE
AUGUST 2024 3 TRY IT; YOU’LL LIKE IT Keeping abreast of the latest technologies keeps everyone moving forward. See the latest 16 technologies that will keep agriculture humming. Prapat Aowsakorn/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo 11 4 CAAR Leadership News 5 Voting for a rail strike 10 Maximize Career Growth at Professional Events 11 New ag technologies to be aware of 18 On the straight and narrow 22 CAAR Connect Convention - empowering an industry 24 Grain bin safety: Essential tips for Canadian farmers 26 Travelling the roads safely 27 Expanding the role of nematodes as a pesticide 30 CAAR News 31 Farm Credit Canada www.fcc.ca 2 Farmers Edge Inc www.farmersedge.ca 21 Hi Tech Installations Ltd. www.hitechinstallations.info 25 Marcus Construction www.marcusconstruction.com 32 Meridian Manufacturing Inc. www.meridianmfg.com 19 SeCan www.secan.com RAILING AGAINST THE RAILWAYS Nearly 10,000 unionized Canadian railroad workers have twice voted to strike at their leisure unless their demands for a safer work environment are realized. PLANTING THE SEED FOR LEGALITY A chat with Todd Hyra of SeCan on why it’s important to educate farmers about the legalities of certified seeds. den-belitsky/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo Lightguard/E+photo CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 5 18
4 THE CAAR COMMUNICATOR MOVING FORWARD: Connecting with our Members Myrna Grahn, Executive Director In my first few months as Executive Director, my focus has been on strengthening CAAR’s relationships within the industry, whether with our members or with like-minded associations in ag. In my conversations with past and present CAAR members, it is clear that creating meaningful and lasting change begins with open communication and transparency. As your Executive Director, I am committed to maintaining an open line of communication with you to unite, educate, and advocate. CAAR’s purpose has always been to be the united voice of the ag retailer. As the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers, we understand the crucial position that retailers hold in the supply chain. Ag retailers are the pillars of this industry, using their expertise to influence how the land of this great country is used and cared for and building authentic relationships with both farmers and suppliers. This industry is exciting and ever-changing, filled with innovation and new ideas, bringing years of research to life. You and your customers, the farmers, experience the crops coming to life and thriving using the latest seed technologies, fertilizer, and crop protection to achieve the anticipated crop yields, despite the changing weather we experience. Just like you can expect weather changes, you can also expect changes in regulations and legislation that will directly affect your business. To accurately represent and advocate for our ag retailers, we want to hear your perspective on the issues impacting your business as they happen. Listening to your concerns and perspectives allows us to bring your voice to the appropriate audience to enact the change that you want to see in the industry. We will then report back to you with the progress on those issues. In meeting with CAAR members, I have learned that two-way communication is key. This is why we are launching the CAAR Insider, a members-only communication empowering you with knowledge and understanding of the latest news in ag retail and how it is relevant to your business. To ensure that your perspective is heard on the issues that truly matter to you, please consider joining one of CAAR’s committees. This year’s CAAR Convention – CAAR Connect: Empowering an Industry, will be a great one. Join us in Regina from November 19–21 for our Science of the Six Pack mixer, expert panels, meaningful and insightful keynote speakers, and numerous opportunities to make your voice heard. At CAAR Connect, you will have the chance to do just that: connect. The CAAR community is strongest when we work together, share ideas, and support one another. If you have not yet renewed your CAAR membership for the 2024– 2025 year, please contact Tracey Shelton at tracey@caar.org or call 204-995-2102 to learn about the opportunities available for the 2024 convention and help you find the right fit for your business. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE PUBLISHER 205 - 1 Wesley Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 4C6 TF: 800-463-9323 | T: 204-989-9300 E: info@caar.org | W: caar.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Myrna Grahn MEMBER RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Maikka Manacsa Distribution: Farms.com PUBLISHING PARTNER 90 Woodlawn Road W Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 T: 888-248-4893 E: CAAR@Farms.com W: www.Farms.com CONTRIBUTORS Kathryn Doan, AgCareers.com Denise Faguy, Associate Editor Andrew Joseph, Editor COVER JuYochi/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo DESIGN & LAYOUT Tanya Myers ADVERTISING SALES Andrew Bawden Director of Business Development and Digital Media 877-438-5729 X 5030 E: Andrew.Bawden@Farms.com W: www.Farms.com NEXT AD BOOKING DEADLINE September 12, 2024 ANNUAL PUBLICATION SCHEDULE February, April, August, October, December © 2024 The Canadian Association of AgriRetailers. CAAR makes no expressed or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise, concerning the use of any product or fertilizer and assumes no liability for any injury or damage, direct or consequential, which may be incurred from the use of such products or services therein. Federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations supersede the information contained herein. Canadian Mail Publications Sales Agreement #42518524 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to 90 Woodlawn Rd W, Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 Printed in Canada. Please recycle where facilities exist. FOLLOW US ON CONNECT WITH US! linkedin.com/company/cdnagretail @CdnAgRetail @CdnAgRetail
AUGUST 2024 5 Once upon a time, the only type of strikes people liked to hear about were those that involving gold or some other precious metal being found, bowling pins tumbling to the polished wood floor in an alley, and the pounding of a certain spike as a fastener to affix the railway track against the railway bed. Unfortunately, with an initial vote held on May 1, 2024, teamsters at both the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CPKC) have voted to authorize strikes at their particular railroads should the necessity arise. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) announced that nearly 10,000 workers at the two railroad businesses could have incurred a work stoppage as early as May 22, 2024, unless an agreement was reached between each other. As of July 26, 204—no legal strike action has yet been undertaken. At this initial strike vote held in May, CN’s conductors, locomotive engineers, and yard workers voted 97.6 percent to authorize a strike, with a 93.3 percent turnout of eligible dues-paying teamsters. At CPKC, conductors, locomotive engineers, and yard workers voted 99 percent to authorize a strike, with a 91.7 percent turnout. Rail traffic controllers at the railroad voted 95.3 percent to authorize a strike, with a 96.6 percent turnout. “After six months of negotiations with both companies, we are no closer to reaching a settlement than when we first began. Both companies are trying to strip our collective agreements of safety-critical rest provisions. We are at an impasse, with the companies failing to understand that the Teamsters will never compromise on safety or bargain with Canadian lives,” commented Paul Boucher, President of the TCRC, within a press release released after the initial strikle vote. “A simultaneous work stoppage at both CN and CPKC would disrupt supply chains on a scale Canada has likely never experienced. I would like to make it very clear that provoking a crisis on that scale has not been and never will be our goal. The reality is that we would very much like to avoid a work stoppage. With these results, we intend to go back to the bargaining table, work with federal mediators, and do everything in our power to reach a fair deal for our members—a deal that does not compromise on safety or put profits over people,” added Boucher. With over 125,000 members, Teamsters Canada is the country’s largest transportation and supply chain union. It’s also the largest union in the federally regulated private sector. They are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents over 1.2 million workers in North America. But what does it all mean? Is it really possible that we could be part of a complete disruption of the global supply chain? Again. If it’s not the railroads, it’s been dock workers. Again, we understand and respect the right to negotiate fair wages and a safe work environment, et al. CPKC has said that they certainly don’t want a work stoppage and are focused on reaching a balanced and responsible agreement through the collective bargaining process. The worrying issue for consumers— and the ag industry—however, is that should the sides remain apart, just when will a strike be called? As of July 26, 2024, nothing has been resolved between the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and the CN and CPKC railroads except that they agree to disagree. A TCRC proposal was rejected by both the CN and CPKC railroads. VOTING FOR A RAIL STRIKE Up to 10,000 CN and CPKC railway workers vote to strike. Andrew Joseph, Editor RAIL TRANSPORTATION Regardless of the weather conditions, rail workers are out doing their job to keep the railroad lines running safely. Stock Photos & Video/stock.adobe.com
6 THE CAAR COMMUNICATOR RAIL TRANSPORTATION The TCRC proposed to stagger negotiations by two weeks, which would have minimized rail disruptions and reduced the economic impact felt by a simultaneous work stoppage at both railroad companies. However, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has said it would deliver an answer by August 9 to determine if some shipments must continue even during work stoppages. This question was first brought up on May 9, 2024, by Seamus O’Regan Jr., then Canadian Minister of Labour. His prescient question was actually raised two weeks before the initial worker vote, authorizing a strike for some future time. It should be noted that even though the TCRC has voted in favour of a strike, it has not voted about when they should strike. Federal law states, however, that should a vote to strike on a specific date happen, a 72-hour notice must be filed to initiate a strike by the workers or a lockout by the employees. That 72-hour window could be further extended if so ordered by the CIRB. In late May, CPKC asked the CIRB to extend the cooling-off period to 30 days after it issued its decision. For the CPKC, this extended time would allow its stakeholders to better plan for a work stoppage. As of the time of this writing (the last week of July 2024), the CN and CPKC railroad companies have demanded huge concessions with regard to crew scheduling, hours of work, and fatigue management. Needless to say, these demands by the railroads remain a thorny issue in furthering negotiations between the parties. It was why, on June 29, that the TCRC membership once again voted, but this time to reauthorize the potential of a labour strike at CN and CPKC. This time, voting saw 89.5 percent of the union membership take part, with 98.6 percent voting to reauthorize the strike, according to the TCRC. CN conductors, engineers, and yard workers voted 98.4 percent in favour of reauthorizing the strike, with a 90.1 percent turnout. CN had a lower turnout this time, but a higher percentage voted to strike. At CPKC, conductors, engineers, and yard workers voted 99.2 percent to reauthorize the strike, with a turnout of 88.6 percent. The railroad’s traffic controllers voted 95.7 percent to reauthorize, with a turnout of 88.5 percent. CPKC had a lower turnout and a lower vote to strike this time. Why strike? When it comes to why people anywhere are willing to strike, generally speaking, it often comes down to health and wealth, and not necessarily in that order. While there are always other factors involved, wealth—as in wages—and health—as in being overworked—are the two big concerns of the teamster railway workers. According to the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), a rash of worker a rash of worker shortages are at the backbone of what ails the Canadian railroad industry, just as a shortage of workers affects agriculture and the trucking transportation segment for both drivers and mechanics. The RAC has submitted a brief to the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities regarding anticipated labour shortages in the Canadian transportation sector. The RAC said that should the Government of Canada wish to support the railways of Canada, it could do so via 1) greater openness to new technologies, 2) changes to the Express Entry system, and 3) efforts to promote jobs in rail to new audiences. We should also point out that points one and three above are key to every sector in North America facing job insecurity issues. Point two—Express Entry—deals more with immigration, as it is Canada’s application management system for three immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program Railroad engineer injured in an accident at work on the railway tracks. C
AUGUST 2024 7 RAIL TRANSPORTATION (FSWP); the Canadian Experience Class (CEC); and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). To gain entry to Canada via the Express Entry program, all of the eligible candidates—after completing an entry form—receive a score based on specific criteria such as their age, education, work experience, and language skills. Then, for those with the highest score, the Canadian government will (routinely) hold a draw, and those selected are offered the opportunity to apply for permanent residence. One of the key reasons rail workers at both CN and CPKC voted twice in favour of job action is to push the railway companies to include provisions to combat crew fatigue in their collective agreements. As noted, there is a shortage of workers for the railroads. It means that those already working for CN and CPKC work harder and longer hours because there are not enough people to spell them. Both the CN and CPKC have stated in their opening written 2024 statements (and 2023 statements) that they are hiring more people to provide work stress relief. They are being hired, said the railroads, and are being trained effectively, which will provide labour relief. Does anyone wonder where all of these would-be workers are coming from? The North American trades as a whole have been complaining about a lack of qualified personnel in their respective fields—such as plumbing, carpentry, and welding—not to mention such jobs as truck drivers and truck technicians. We assume that the Express Entry system could help alleviate the labour shortcomings. You can say you are hiring and are offering high wages—but does that get you the best people? And is the amount of training received enough? Of course, different railroad worker jobs mean different amounts of training, and it differs by company. As part of an improved offer to the TCRC union in response to the vote to strike, CN proposed several revised work schedules for their employees to mull over: • five days a week at eight hours a day—two consecutive days off with no calls for duty; • four days a week at 10 hours per day—three consecutive days off with no calls for duty; • six days a week at eight hours a day—three consecutive days off with no calls for duty; If we take a look at the above- proposed work schedule for established rail workers, it could suggest that a new CN rail worker might receive between 40 and 48 hours of onthe-job training. The Downside of a Strike Let’s suppose the workers of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference are unable to reach an agreement with CN and CPKC. What then? As noted, they voted in favour of a strike as of May 22, and again on June 29, 2024. All it means, is that the workers are in agreement to strike, but reserve the right to later determine when. If no deal is reached between the workers and the railroads, a work stoppage would disrupt supply chains from Halifax to Vancouver and down through the US Midwest and into the Gulf of Mexico, as both CN and CPKC have railroad lines and partnerships in place across Canada, through the US, and Mexico. The work stoppage would then not only affect the striking workers but also the railroads and their stakeholders. But it would also affect the North American public. A plethora of goods from ore, steel, electronics, automobiles, and food could be impacted. On the plus side, a strike would highlight the importance of the rail industry to the consumer, showing how critical the role of the railway industry is to the health of the Canadian economy and infrastructure. It would also show how important the railroad industry is to the Canadian consumer. And, while the Canadian federal government has already urged parties to continue bargaining in good faith, there is also the possibility of the government later becoming more of an active player in the negotiations. As far as the agricultural industry is concerned, the strike could have multiple negative impacts: • Some 94 percent of Canada’s grain is transported by rail, with a significant portion destined for export markets. Any disruption in rail service—such as the rail work- ers’ strike or last year’s dock work- ers strike that impacted shipments into the ports—could leave grain elevators unable to accept crops from farmers due to limited stor- age capacity; • And if grain elevators are unable to accept crops, it means a delay in payments to farmers. If a farm- Coworker calling for help. Cineberg/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo
8 THE CAAR COMMUNICATOR er doesn’t get their money, it could mean burdensome financial difficulties for them to feed their family, pay workers, and purchase the materials needed for the next growing season. • And, whenever anyone goes on strike—regardless of why it is be- ing done—there is a negative im- pact on the country—in this case, Canada’s global reputation. Being unable to get grain or other crops to customers by a pre-specified date harms Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier. Because oth- er countries and customers are no longer sure when the Canadian strike might end, they, to protect themselves, look elsewhere for food items. Canada’s reputa- tion—while generally excellent— was stretched after the 2023 dock workers strike. Another stoppage? Maybe Canada isn’t a safe market to deal with. That’s not our opin- ion, but rather how a grain pur- chasing agent might think. • Economic losses are a real out come of a strike. When the dock workers went on strike in 2023, it was estimated that the potential economic loss for Canada was over $35 million for each day that the strike persisted. • Along with Canada being consid- ered a weakened trade partner that is unable to reliably guaran- tee delivery of its grains, for ex- ample, because farmers will have shipped their harvested grain to grain elevators, it could spoil while awaiting transport. • Worse yet, there could be pen- alties involved for agents promis- ing delivery of grain to port—and it arriving late—or possible port penalties to ships—demurrage— for having to wait for the product to arrive in port. When boats are not loaded according to contract timelines, shippers are charged daily demurrage costs, which are ultimately passed on to farmers. A Brief History of RR Strikes Pick an industry, and there’s been a strike. As such, of course, there is a history of rail strikes in Canada. There have been many notable strikes in Canada across the decades—even before Confederation in 1867, including a few that resemble just what the current Teamsters Canada Rail Conference is after—livable work hours. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, a strike action was mentioned in 1836 by Toronto printers who were seeking a 10-hour workday. It also mentioned a strike action in 1855 by Montréal rail workers and the same in the 1860s by shoemakers in various Canadian cities. While this writer was unable to find exact details for the rail worker’s strike of 1855, we can surmise that low wages, poor working conditions, and not being paid were all concerns—as it was for most industries before labour laws were put in place. The same holds for the gathering wave of shoemaker strikes in the 1860s across Canada. While specifics are minimal, we can look to the 1860 strike by shoemakers in New England, US, that preceded the Canadian actions. The New England shoemaker strike was the largest labour strike in the US before the Civil War (1861–65), involving some 20,000 workers over six weeks. They were protesting poor working conditions and low wages. Lower wages, actually. For all of the US, in 1857 there was a financial panic, causing many businesses to reduce their labour pool. But when the economy grew again and people were hired back, it was at a reduced rate. This is for everyone, not just shoemakers. When hired back, along with reduced pay, they also had longer work hours. While that would be great if everyRAIL TRANSPORTATION Police breaking up a Railway strike, Motherwell, Scotland, Victorian, 1891 duncan1890/DigitalVision Vectors photo
AUGUST 2024 9 one were paid hourly, the workers were paid a weekly sum. For example, for a 16-hour workday—yes, 16 hours—a man could earn $3/week, and a woman even less. After the advent of the shoe sewing machine in 1858, shoemakers were no longer in great demand and were given pay cuts as automation made them less necessary. And, not surprisingly, their strike action did not win them any concessions. We would assume that Canadian shoemakers also faced the introduction of automation into their profession, went on strike, and failed, too. In 1872, the Toronto Printers Strike became the most famous Canadian strike of the 19th century and was part of a campaign to install a ninehour workday. From March 25 to the middle of May 1872, over 100 members of the International Typographical Union were on strike. Back then, unions were illegal. And, despite publisher George Brown (the one the Ontario college is named after) attempting to squash the printers’ rebellion, Prime Minister (and later, Sir) John A. Macdonald (sometimes on the $10 bill) introduced the Trade Union Act on April 18, 1872, legalizing and protecting unions. Macdonald was Canada’s first prime minister, serving from 1867 to 1873 and again from 1878 until he died in 1891. He resigned as PM in 1873 following the Pacific Scandal, involving money being paid to the Conservative Party to cover election expenses in the 1872 federal election. Why is this important? As part of British Columbia’s agreement to join the Canadian federation in 1871, the government of Canada had agreed to build a transcontinental railway that would link the seaboard of British Columbia to the eastern provinces. After the scandal, the railway plan collapsed. However, a different line was eventually built by CPKC’s predecessor, the Canadian Pacific Railway, to the Pacific Ocean, with the last spike driven home on November 7, 1885, at Craigellachie in Eagle Pass, BC. This was Canada’s first transcontinental railway, and it finally fulfilled the federal government’s promise to BC to join. Despite all that, Macdonald’s action to resolve the Toronto Printers Strike became celebrated first by Toronto printers and then expanded to all labourers seeking protection. It’s why we celebrate Labour Day. At least that’s what we are supposed to do. In 1912, over 7,000 immigrant workers—mostly impoverished people from China—on the Canadian Northern Railway and the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway went on strike in British Columbia. Led by the Industrial Workers of the World, they demanded better living conditions in their work camps, including sanitation and a minimum wage. And despite the Trade Union Act, we should point out that until the 1940s, many entities intent on breaking strikes or unions would employ less than savoury characters to commit violent acts against the workers to “encourage” them that they were wrong to defy their employers. In 1991, the Federal Workers Strike was the first public-service strike in Canadian history, organized by the members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. This strike affected Canadian national services, including customs and shipping, agriculture, and air travel, delaying grain shipments, public flights, and cross-border travel. In 2020, there were vigorous pipeline and railway protests involving the Wet’suwet’en people in British Columbia, opposing the Coastal GasLink Pipeline project. The pipeline is an approximate 670-kilometre pipeline from the Dawson Creek area to the west coast of BC and is a TC Energy project to provide gas to Asian country customers. These strikes have played a significant role in shaping Canadian labour laws and working conditions. They also highlight the critical role of the railway industry in the country’s economy and infrastructure. What do workers want now? The more things change, the more they remain the same. And so it is for Teamsters Canada Rail Conference membership. We already noted that there was a huge concern by union members about work hours and work conditions, but like most strikes, there’s a financial element. Of course, the union wants better wages for its members. Although CN has indicated it would offer significant wage increases, the unions said they would not approve any pay increase based on an hourly rate. Benefits and pensions are also a major point of contention, and both CN and CPKC have indicated they are willing to agree to some union demands on benefits and work rules. While both of the railroads have indicated there would be no layoffs and would reduce the hours spent away from home, the union wants more guarantees. With regards to work schedules, the union wants predictable hours—a worker would know further in advance what days they are working and, more importantly, what days they have off. There’s also the issue of public safety, which is what the union is saying the public needs to be aware of. The union said that the railways are attempting to strip collective agreements of “safety-critical rest provisions.” Earlier in this article, we highlighted how CN is offering standardized work-rest periods for workers. For the public, a rested and alert worker means safer transport. For now, this strike action is driven by labour disputes over contract wording and safety provisions against the potential consequences for supply chains and transportation networks across Canada. RAIL TRANSPORTATION
10 THE CAAR COMMUNICATOR Conventions and conferences play a pivotal role in professional growth. This is particularly true for those in the early stages of their careers or those undergoing career transitions. Experts in career development emphasize the importance of leveraging these gatherings to better propel your career forward. Conferences and conventions provide a platform to share knowledge, learn from industry leaders, and expand professional networks. Especially during career transitions, these events serve as essential networking hubs, presenting opportunities to connect with peers and explore new job prospects. Attending a conference or convention provides you with the opportunity to understand the core discussions within your field and to build connections within the industry. With so many working remotely or hybrid now, connecting with peers in your industry could be more important than ever. Planning your route is crucial for making the most of these events. Before attending, review the conference program to identify sessions and speakers of interest. This helps in creating a personalized schedule that aligns with your career goals. However, be flexible enough to allow for spontaneous interactions, which are often as valuable as the planned sessions. Sharing your knowledge through different formats, such as participating in workshops, can also be highly rewarding. These contributions enhance your visibility and establish your expertise among peers. Also, getting involved in the convention’s organization, either as part of the organizing committee or moderating panels or helping with logistics, can deepen your connections and make networking more authentic and less daunting. After the conference, following up with new contacts and continuing the dialogue through social media platforms or virtual meetups to solidify relationships and open doors to future opportunities. By using conventions as part of your professional development, you can enhance your career prospects, gain insights into your field, and build a robust professional network. HUMAN RESOURCES annebel146 - stock.adobe.com MAXIMIZE CAREER GROWTH AT PROFESSIONAL EVENTS Strategies to Leverage Conferences and Conventions to Advance your Career. Kathryn Doan, AgCareers.com
AUGUST 2024 11 Whether one is interested in keeping up with the Jones’ or old McDonald, technology continues to advance in the world of agriculture. Yes, ag companies annually (mostly) come out with updates to their products—a seed that delivers better yields or resistances; vehicles with new automated functions. But rather than look at what Company XYZ has to offer for 2024, let’s instead look at some of the newer agricultural technologies that Canadian ag retailers and their farmer customers should be aware of. Just as an agricultural retailer needs to continually keep up-to-date about the latest products and ideas, so do your customers, as they want to know the best methodologies to enhance productivity, sustainability, and profitability. In this article, we will look at 16 cutting-edge innovations that have begun to reshape the landscape of Canadian agriculture. 1. Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) in AgTech 2. Digital Twins for Field Trials 3. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Systems 4. Cellular Agriculture and Lab- Grown Meat 5. Precision Livestock Farming 6. Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture 7. Blockchain for Supply Chain Trans- parency 8. Anaerobic Digesters 9. Regenerative Agriculture 10. Agricultural Drones 11. Precision Agriculture and Big Data Analytics 12. Controlled Environment Agricul- ture (CEA) 13. Agricultural Biotechnology 14. Connectivity Technology 15. Synthetic Data and AI in R&D 16. Soil and Crop Health Monitoring Platforms Gen AI We did present a look at Gen AI in our previous issue of the CAAR Communicator, but its dominance in our ag sector for decades to come bears some repeating. First, note that Gen AI is not a computer-generated persona designed to talk to you. It is—for the ag community—a computer program that examines all of the data you can input into it to allow it to provide a specific course of action that the farmer should undertake next—next being the important word—to maximize their field’s potential or the welfare or potential of their animal farming business. It does not do anything other than map out the best strategy for you and your ag business moving forward. Gen AI has the potential—if the user lets it—to optimize farm business processes, reduce costs, and fuel innovations. If used by an agronomist, it allows them to distill vast amounts of agronomic data into actionable recommendations for farmers. Digital Twins for Field Trials Digital Twins are virtual representations of physical products or processes that are being used to reduce the need for expensive and time-consuming field trials. Researchers can experiment with synthetic data, accelerating product development. There is still the issue of being able to ensure an accurate representation of real-world conditions and being able to validate the synthetic data against actual field results. NEW AG TECHNOLOGIES TO BE AWARE OF An overview of 16 new technologies—some newer than others—and the role each plays or can play in the Canadian agricultural sector. Andrew Joseph, Editor TECHNOLOGIES TO WATCH This photo is generated by AI and is a representation of digital farming, digital networks, the Internet of Things, and AI in agriculture and farming. It’s a taste of one of the new agricultural technologies that will impact the industry moving forward. killykoon - stock.adobe.com
12 THE CAAR COMMUNICATOR TECHNOLOGIES TO WATCH There are some companies in Canada offering digital twin solutions for field trials in agriculture, including BASF Digital Farming, which has collaborated with Richardson International to deploy the Xarvio Field Manager in western Canada. Using Xarvio, agronomists from Richardson can provide more precise, field-specific crop management advice to growers during the season, such as early risk alert notifications for diseases like sclerotinia in canola, which they did in field trials during 2022–2023. The program allows agronomists to tailor variable application maps for specific customers based on field-specific data such as yield maps, soil maps, and historic biomass imagery from satellite data. Kepstrum Inc. is another Canadian company offering Digital Twin software that allows advanced engineering teams to generate physics-based stress-life models for new product developments. These models are verified through testing and validated by field data. By allowing farmers to create virtual replicas of their fields, Digital Twins tecnology plays an important role in precision agriculture. It will allow farmers to look at multiple factors and then make the best-informed decision(s). Digital Twin technology will enhance crop management, optimize resource utilization, and improve overall farm productivity. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Systems This writer often wonders just why there is such a reluctance to invest in a big machine that acts as a vacuum cleaner to suck all the bad stuff out of our atmosphere. CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage) is a technology that has been around for a while—especially in Nordic Europe—but has yet to find many private entities willing to stick their neck out in Canada. Simply put, CCUS technologies help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture and pretty much every type of industry emitting into the atmosphere. CCUS companies capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it. Some are in the business of converting the carbon dioxide gas into something useful that could aid in sustainability. In Iceland, Climeworks is well underway on completing its second commercial direct air capture and storage facility in the country, this one known as Mammoth. Its first, but smaller, plant is known as Orca. Along with storage partner Carbfix, Climeworks is set to increase its current carbon removal capacity from thousands of tons to tens of thousands of tons per year, eventually hitting one megaton capacity by 2030 and one gigaton capacity by 2050. And, in case you are wondering, a single gigaton is equal to one billion metric tons. The Mammoth facility should be online by May 2024, boasting a singular annual capacity of up to 36,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Okay, along with a lack of very deep Canadian pockets willing to invest in the technology, there are also regulatory compliance hoops to jump through and possibly public acceptance as there’s usually a “not-in-mybackyard” bleating. Still, note that the Canadian government has proposed an investment tax credit for capital that is invested in CCUS projects. Regardless of the method, the stated federal goal is to reduce emissions by at least 15 megatonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Cellular Agriculture and the Reality of Lab-Grown Meat “Hello, and welcome to The Professor’s Lab. Would you care for a Petrie dish of shank lamb or a beaker of Wagyu beef?” Sure, when it’s put that way, labgrown meat sounds unappetizing or appetizing, depending on how hungry you are now. But is it appetizing? Should we be so uptight about it? Until the 1980s, the average suburbanite only knew that beef came from a grocery store and that there was no such thing as lean or extra lean. It was juicy, fat-filled meat available. And the option of well-done—like during a trip to Ponderosa or The Red Barn—was very much acceptable. But consumer tastes changed. Meat needs to be pink or red when cooked. But can consumer tastes change again? Lab-grown meat is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a form of cellular agriculture where meat is produced by culturing animal cells in vitro (outside the body and in a Petrie dish or some other type of lab glassware). It’s produced using tissue engineering techniques that were pioneered in regenerative medicine. As for the term cellular agriculture, lest one think it’s about growing fruits or veggies in a lab, it’s not. It’s still about meat. It’s just a scientific method of producing proteins, fats, An example of See Less - stock.adobe.com
AUGUST 2024 13 TECHNOLOGIES TO WATCH and tissues that would otherwise come from traditional agriculture. This is an important science to be aware of, as it can be used as a meat (animal) substitute, especially in places where it is not cost-effective to raise an animal on feed to eventually slaughter it for food. Lab-grown meat does offer the bonus of requiring fewer beef cattle, which means a reduction in released GHGs from the cattle—so less of an environmental impact. And, for countries where raising healthy animals is troublesome, to put it mildly, the technology of lab-grown meat seems like an acceptable method of raising consumable meat proteins. Right now, lab-grown meat is past being science-fiction. It’s science- fact. But it’s still in its infancy. Holding it back are the finances to scale up production, consumer acceptance, and the regulatory frameworks to consider. Even so, there are several companies in Canada involved in cellular agriculture and the development of labgrown meat. Vancouver-based Appleton Meats is one such company, as is Edmonton’s Future Fields. Despite the early days of this technology, the efforts of these and other companies may one day be a contributor to providing more sustainable meat proteins. Precision Livestock Farming We know everyone is aware of precision agriculture (PAg) technologies, which utilize data analytics, sensors, and GPS technology to optimize crop management. Some of the better-known aspects of PAg are: Variable Rate Technology (VRT), which adjusts input applications (such as fertilizers and pesticides) based on real-time field conditions; Drones and Satellites, which allow the monitoring of crop health, detection of pests, and assessment of soil moisture levels, for example; and Automated Machinery, which provides self-driving tractors and equipment, enhancing precision planting and harvesting. We’ll be taking a look at some of these technologies in this article. Put it all together, and all these technologies help farmers be more efficient with their inputs and help farm businesses save money. But not all farm businesses... PAg seems to be specific to crop farming, and yes, fruits and vines. But what about the animals? That’s where Precision Livestock Farming comes in. In this instance, the technology involves sensors, animal wearables, and data analytics to improve livestock management. It allows for the real-time monitoring of animal health, behaviour, and nutrition and can enhance productivity. While Precision Livestock Farming is gaining prominence as farmers seek innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and sustainability, there’s still the issue of data integration, data privacy, and ensuring practical implementation on diverse farms. If anyone is worried about that, then they should never use a cell phone again. Precision Crop Tech of Abbotsford, British Columbia, is recognized as one of the top precision farming companies in Canada. They offer cutting-edge solutions to enhance agricultural practices, including precision livestock farming. Based in Saint-Bernard, Québec, Agriculture de Précision Xlkey focuses on precision agriculture methods. While not exclusively livestock-focused, their expertise contributes to overall farm efficiency and sustainability. Vertical Farming Vertical farming is the process whereby crops sit in racks of soil, one on top of the other, rather than the traditional horizontal rows. It’s an indoor farming method that requires artificial temperature, light, water, and humidity control. By growing crops vertically, less space is required (just height), which provides a higher crop yield per square foot of land used. This type of ag allows for farming and technology to be applied in cities, an agricultural biogas plant on a farm in the Czech Republic.
14 THE CAAR COMMUNICATOR TECHNOLOGIES TO WATCH deserts, and, when we’re ready, outer space facilities. Vertical farming is part of a fuller technology known as Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), but we’ll discuss CEA a bit further down in this article. Vertical farming can reduce GHG emissions via a carbon-neutral energy supply, water recovery, and recycling, and is a green alternative for its ability to be farmed on a pre-existing, underutilized building structure. Because it’s indoors—though we suppose some farms could apply the technique outside—vertical farming allows for year-round crop production. So, what’s holding it back? Sometimes there are zoning restrictions regarding the growth of agriculture in a cityscape. There’s also the high initial investment cost, energy consumption, and scalability. Founded in 2004, AeroFarms is now in its fifth generation of vertical farming technology. It opened its first commercial farm in Ithica, New York, a second in Newark, New Jersey, and a third in Danville, Virginia. This writer could not find a Canadian company running a vertical farming enterprise, but the US has AppHarvest, Bowery Farming, CubicFarm Systems, Dream Harvest, Eden Green Technology, FarmOne, and more. Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency This writer admits to having his eyes glaze and his brain fog over whenever he hears a phrase that didn’t exist when he went to school. And here we are looking at the technology of blockchain for supply chain transparency. Oh. Where was I? Part of the confusion surrounding the technology of blockchain is that it shares a name with cryptocurrency. In that example, a blockchain is a system where a record of transactions made in cryptocurrencies is maintained on computers linked to a peer-to-peer network. The key phraseology of that definition is “record of transactions.” A definition of the term from Amazon Web Services: “Blockchain technology is an advanced database mechanism that allows transparent information sharing within a business network. A blockchain database stores data in blocks that are linked together in a chain.” So, note that blockchains in agriculture are not used to grow crops. It is, however, a methodology used to provide a more secure supply chain route where the consumer can be assured that the food they eat has been handled safely along every step of its journey from farm to distribution centre to grocery store to home. It can’t guarantee farm-to-fork because once it’s in your home, it relies on you taking proper care—outside the blockchain. Blockchains ensure traceability, quality control, and transparency throughout the supply chain. It’s to ease the worried mind of the consumer, who demands information about food origins and production practices. We have seen some fish companies since 2014 provide such information within a QR code on a package that can be scanned to show a video and map of where the fish was caught, by what boat, and when, etc. Anaerobic Digesters Yes, anaerobic digester technology has been around for a while, and yet it remains underutilized. Anaerobic digesters break down organic waste (such as manure) to produce biogas (methane). This renewable energy source can power farms and reduce emissions. The digestion of the waste product takes place within a sealed reactor vessel, which can be designed and constructed into various shapes and sizes depending on the feedstock conditions. Inside the reactor containing the waste product, it creates a complex microbial community to digest where it forms biogas and digestate (that’s the solid and liquid material end-products of the anaerobic digester process), which is discharged from the digester. Located in Burlington, Ontario, Anaergia Inc. provides global anaerobic digestion solutions focusing on converting organic waste into renewable energy through technologies such as organic separation, anaerobic digestion, and biogas upgrading. Regenerative Agriculture In farming, there’s a line drawn between restorative agriculture (endless use, reuse, and repair) versus regenerative agriculture, which is more of a maintenance and upgrade of the ecosystem’s functionality. The goal of regenerative agriculture is to improve farm resilience, crop yield, and crop quality. This can be achieved by improving the farm’s soil health, its water quality, enhancing its biodiversity, and reducing the impact of synthetic inputs. This ensures ecosystems parts are healthy and working best together. One example of regenerative ag practice is the use of cover cropping, planting crops in soil that might otherwise be bare after the harvest of a cash crop. Doing this keeps living roots in the soil, which helps stymie soil erosion, increase water retention, and improve overall soil health. Biotechnology advancements can also affect the way a crop grows. If the entire ecosystem is working in harmony, we could expect a crop to have better disease resistance or a higher yield. Agricultural Drones Lest one forget, drones are not just used in wars. As we know, drones have become a key part of progressive ag technology, helping farmers with crop scouting and providing detailed aerial data, all of which help the farm business make a more well-informed decision about what to do next. Drones allow farmers to monitor crops and even livestock conditions
AUGUST 2024 15 TECHNOLOGIES TO WATCH from above, as they image the property below. It can see, with its software, potential problems and thus help optimize farm management. Lan imaging is a key tool used by drones. It’s still a burgeoning technology, as not everyone has utilized its benefits. We just wanted to remind you that, year after year, drone technology continues to evolve. As such, it’s always worth looking into it to see how it can be used to your benefit. Precision Agriculture and Big Data Analytics Precision agriculture, supported by big data analytics, allows for the application of more precise management of crop and livestock farming by analyzing data on soil conditions, crop health, and more. It’s the same here. We know you know what precision ag is—a catchall term for the latest technologies that allow farmers to have precise control over how they apply their seeds, herbicides, pesticides, and harvesting with their equipment. The field of precision agriculture is constantly evolving, and it behooves the ag retailer to constantly be aware of the latest developments. If you want a recent example of this technology, how about John Deere’s partnership with SpaceX, where the green-coloured Earth-bound equipment will see improved connectivity via satellites, which will allow farmers to work more efficiently and productively with reduced downtime and the ability to coordinate amongst all of their Deere machines for more efficient use of resources? No, Deere is not blasting any tractors or combines into space in 2024, but SpaceX will be uploading software into its already-orbiting Starlink satellites to provide that bonus level of connectivity to the farmers using next-gen Deere equipment—a specific receiver—to give them the connectivity edge. Controlled Environment Agriculture As noted earlier, vertical farming is a part of something bigger—controlled environment agriculture (CEA). Yes, CEA is a technology-based approach toward food production that involves such modern (yet now oldschool) technologies as hydroponics, aquaponics, and vertical farming. While CEA is a great way to perform urban agriculture, it can also be done in a rural environment—but still one that is indoors. It provides crop protection and, despite being indoors, offers optimal growing conditions throughout the development of the crop without the barrage of external weather conditions such as frost, too much wind, rain, or heat. It involves engineering, plant science, and computer-managed facility control techniques all in a single facility to provide an optimal plant growth system, plant quality, and production efficiency. All told, it should optimize the farm’s resources—for labour, energy, space, capital, water, etc. Biotechnology involves using GMOs to modify living animals or plants to make them better—or what we perceive to be better. wildpixel/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo
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