Farmers
Master Grower program
CWB's Master Grower Program rules
Master Grower recipients for 2007
Master Grower program
Introduction
The high-quality wheat and barley harvested in Western Canada is sought after by customers around the globe. The key to this industry's success rests on the dedication and skill demonstrated by Prairie grain farmers, who rise to challenges and make the most of opportunities; farmers who provide the CWB with an exceptional product to market and meet customer needs.
The CWB recognizes the achievements of farmers through the Master Grower program, which rewards top producers and allows their knowledge to be shared with the western Canadian grain industry.
How it works
Farmers growing Master Grower-eligible crops are asked to submit a grain sample from this year's harvest to the CWB. Samples will be inspected by both CWB and quality experts and will be judged on:
- visual quality;
- end-use market suitability; and
- crop management practices.
Master Growers will be named based on entries achieving the highest overall scores.
For 2006-07, four classes are eligible for awards:
- Malting barley;
- Canada Western Red Winter Select wheat;
- Canada Western Hard White Spring wheat; and
- Canada Western Amber Durum wheat.
What farmers get
Master Growers are part of a club recognizing the best efforts of the most successful farmers. Master Grower designates will be selected by the CWB and other industry experts over the winter. CWB Master Growers will be announced at GrainWorld in February 2007.
Those named CWB Master Growers will receive:
- CWB leather and melton wool jacket, designating you as a Master Grower;
- Recognition plaque; and
- Invitation to attend a special Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) course
Master Growers will also experience the pride of being able to share crop management techniques with CWB staff and fellow farmers. Master Growers' opinions will be sought after and respected and will enhance the strength of Western Canada's grain industry.
How to enter
Farmers wishing to take part in the program will submit grain samples each fall, which will be judged for quality by the CWB and quality experts in early winter.
Sample envelopes are available from your local Farm Business Representative, from elevator companies and from the CWB main office starting on August 8, 2006. Download, fill-out and submit your entry form from the CWB Web site and enclose it with your sample, or call the CWB Business Centre to have one mailed.
Samples must be from the 2006 harvest and entries must be received by Friday, September 29, 2006 to be eligible.
Have more questions
Contact CWB agronomist Mike Grenier at 204-983-2996 or by e-mail mike_grenier@cwb.ca
CWB's Master Grower Program rules
The CWB's Master Grower awards are open to all growers participating in the 2005-06 CWHW and CWRW Select Identity Preserved Contract Programs (IPCP) and to growers who achieve a selected malting barley contract . Entrants must complete the 2005-06 Master Grower program entry form and survey provided by the CWB, and send in a representative sample per field entry. Samples must be from the 2005 harvest and must be received by the CWB on or before Friday, October 28, 2005.
A panel of judges will use a preliminary visual inspection to identify the 20 best samples. The selected samples will be sent to Winnipeg for inspection and further quality analysis to determine end-use market suitability. The samples will then be ranked by industry experts. Sample cropping information provided on the entry form will be evaluated for best management practices. The selection of Master Growers by the CWB will be final.
Samples will not be returned to entrants, nor will the analysis of any sample be provided to the producer or to the public unless the CWB, in its sole discretion, decides otherwise.
Master Growers will be announced in early January 2006. Master Growers will have the opportunity to participate in a Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) program in Winnipeg, selection of the date for the trip is at the discretion of the CWB. Arrangements for the CIGI program will be made by the CWB.
The CWB reserves the right to cancel the contest if an insufficient number of entries are received and it reserves the right to substitute any prize with a prize of equal or lesser value.
Have more questions
Contact CWB agronomist Mike Grenier at 204-983-2996 or by e-mail mike_grenier@cwb.ca
Master Grower recipients for 2007
Four Prairie farmers who produced exceptional grain in the 2006-07 crop year have been inducted into the CWB’s Master Grower club. The following Master Growers were introduced at the 2007 GrainWorld outlook conference in Winnipeg.
Blaine and Linda Haubrich of Glen Bain, SK
for Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD)
- Farm background
Blaine and Linda have been farming since 1973. They currently farm over 3,000 acres of durum, pulse and oilseed crops.
The Haubrichs have three children. They’ve also provided a home to 47 foster children over the past 19-plus years. Blaine has served on the farm debt review board and the Glen Bain Co-op board. He also plays on his local hockey team.
- Notes on production
Over the years, durum production has been a significant part of the Haubrichs’ farm operation, comprising about one-third of their acres. They have been growing the variety Kyle but in 2006 grew 500 acres of Strongfield. This year, they intend to go with 100-per-cent Strongfield as they find that it offers improved lodging and higher yield potential.
The Haubrichs have captured premiums for their high-protein, high-quality durum. According to Blaine, paying particular attention to soil fertility levels has been key to this success. He soil tests and applies nitrogen, phosphorous and sulphur according to recommendations. Monitoring sulphur levels is especially important.
Blaine likes to seed his durum early--towards the end of April or early May, by mid-May at the latest. He has gone to a direct-seeding system for moisture conservation and yield improvement. He also uses hired help to ensure timeliness of operation and maximum yield potential.
Blaine takes advantage of producer cars to ship his grain.
Doug and Brenda Martin of Lumsden, SK
for two-row malting barley
- Farm background
Doug and Brenda are proud that their farm is a century farm originating with Doug’s grandfather. Doug has been farming for more than 35 years. The Martins have two children: a son and a daughter. Their son’s involvement in the operation brings to four the number of generations that have worked the farm. The Martins have been involved with 4-H, curling and the local community club at Disley.
They seed wheat, barley, canola and flax and have a cow-calf herd of about 150 head.
- Notes on production
The Martins have been growing CDC Kendall since it was first registered and have stayed with this variety due to their success with it in achieving malting barley selection. They seed their malting barley on their flax and canola stubble. They seed as early as possible in May using a direct seeding system and include a blend of nitrogen and phosphorous as well as sulphur on the flax stubble. Because managing protein levels is so important, they pay special attention to crop rotation and fertilizer plans. They have been straight-cutting at harvest for a number of years and find that this pays off in terms of kernel plumpness and colour.
Dale and Tracey Richter of Broadview, SK
for two-row malting barley
- Farm background
Dale took over the family farm from his father in 1992. Dale and Tracey married in 1994 and now have four children under the age of 12. Dale is past-president of his local snowmobile club. He is a director of local credit union board, president of the curling club and a hockey coach.
The Richters run a straight grain farm operation with over 5,000 acres. Their crops include spring wheat, barley, oats, durum, winter wheat, canola, flax and peas.
- Notes on production
The Richters choose to grow CDC Kendall because of its resistance to disease. Dale grows it on his oilseed stubble and finds that rotation on flax works very well.
Getting the crop off to an early good start is critical in order to beat the heat of early July. Dale targets to seed by May 8, uses certified seed and follows soil test recommendations. Disease management is also a serious concern. Dale seeds at a high seed rate of 100 lbs/acre. He believes that paying particular attention to phosphorous and potassium levels for malting barley is critical for early season vigour and improved disease resistance. He optimizes his rate of nitrogen application to achieve high yield while keeping protein levels within selection range.
Dale pays particular attention to field selection for his malting barley in order to improve crop stand uniformity. This pays off in terms of both disease and harvest management. If necessary, he uses fungicides for disease management. He straight cuts at harvest when conditions allow.
Paul Cherkas of Kamsack, SK
for six-row malting barley
- Farm background
Paul has been farming for more than 35 years near Kamsack, SK. Over the years, he has built up his farm to the point where he now owns or rents more than 16,000 acres. It’s strictly a grain operation. Paul grows wheat, barley, canola and sometimes oats.
- Notes on production
The key crop management concern in Paul’s area is disease management. Paul uses fungicide in-crop to reduce disease levels as necessary. He recommends a high seeding rate to improve uniformity which helps with the timing of fungicide application. The uniformity also encourages even crop maturity and improves harvest management. Paul rotates his malting barley on canola stubble and bases his fertilizer program (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur) on soil test recommendations. Paul takes advantage of producer cars to ship his grain.