EDITORIAL: QFA EDITORIAL

Do not pick that scab!

Gib Drury

QFA President

So said my mother to her often scraped and cut son. She would always add, “If you do, it will become infected. And then we’ll have to amputate your arm, leg, or head as the case may be.”

Sage advice, and very applicable to the current bunch of politicians who keep picking at the scab of sovereignty and nationalism in Quebec. Surely our federal representatives can find other more relevant issues to debate. Take agriculture as a case in point. The latest thinking from the feds in their “renewed” Agricultural Policy Framework II is that agriculture is no longer a driving force in rural development. It really makes you wonder: are they blind, or do they just have their blinkers on? Do they not know what “rural” means, or is it “development” that they are having problems with? The only thing that has gone down in agriculture in the last 20 years is the number of farmers and the prices they receive for their produce. Their productivity, the area cultivated, the gross output, the total value, the exports, and most of all their cost of production, have all skyrocketed. The cost of production is most significant, since that’s what farmers pay to produce their crops. That is money spent in the rural economy for all their inputs, such as machinery, fuel, seeds and services. In other words, money spent on rural development. We are talking about billions of dollars here—dollars that make the rural economy rock and roll. Seems to me that if you were elected to lead this country, this would be the kind of development you would want to encourage.

Instead we now have recycled “consultations with stakeholders” for yet another kick at that cat otherwise known as federal agriculture policy. Please, spare me this ordeal. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture has already stated that we need a Canadian Farm Bill equivalent to our American neighbours. If we are going to have more free trade, let’s at least have a level playing field in our two countries. The grain and oilseed sector says that we need a business risk management program based on the cost of production, like we have in Quebec. So why not listen to them? If you guarantee that at least the cost of production will be covered, then all those input and service providers in agriculture will be paid and the rural economy will flourish.

Now that’s a way for a political party to get re-elected to power: leave the scab-picking debates on nationalism alone and concentrate on rural development with an emphasis on a flourishing agricultural base. Or, as Mom would say: “Keep picking at that scab and we will have to amputate.”

U.S. looking to lift ban on older cattle imports

Andrew McClelland

Advocate Staff Reporter

It didn’t come in time for Christmas, and it was a bit too late for New Year’s, but the U.S. may have given Canadian beef producers the best gift of the season by announcing that it intends on lifting the last remaining bans on Canadian cattle being shipped across the border.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated on January 4 that it hopes to soon lift the ban on live cattle born after March 1, 1999 from Canada being imported into the U.S. That’s good news for Canadian farmers in the beef sector, who have been haemorrhaging money since the U.S. closed the border in May 2003 after a single Alberta cow was diagnosed with BSE, commonly known as “mad cow disease.”

The U.S. government is resuming plans to permit imports of meat from animals of any age. The U.S. and Canada were on-track to implement the plan back in 2005, when a further case of Canadian BSE stalled all talks on the move. Now, talks could result in a variety of different meat products crossing the border, including small intestines, bovine blood products and casings, all of which were previously prohibited.

All of these changes are currently under review in the United States. The USDA has invited citizens and public organizations to comment and voice their opinions on the move. The government will consider all feedback and present its final decision on March 12.

Dennis Laycraft of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the news, a sigh that was echoed by all of those who depend on Canada’s beef industry for their livelihood.

“Addressing these final issues will impact between $400 and $450 million annually in the Canadian beef industry,” said the CCA’s executive vice-president.

However, Laycraft was quick to mention that the beef market will not start rolling at full speed immediately. “Our scenario is likely next summer before everything comes into effect,” he noted, citing that the country’s beef producers may not see a substantial pay-off for a significant time period.

Risk assessment completed

According to the USDA, the reason for its government’s unanticipated change of heart towards Canadian beef is the result of extensive scientific testing. In a press release, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns stated that his country has completed a study assessing the threat Canadian products pose to the U.S.

“We previously recognized Canada's comprehensive set of safeguards,” Johanns stated, “and we have now completed a risk assessment confirming that additional animals and products can be safely traded.”

Not surprisingly, Minister of Agriculture Chuck Strahl issued a response press release applauding the USAD’s decision.

“We commend the U.S. for its leadership by proceeding with another important action toward normalizing trade between our two countries,” stated the federal agriculture minister.

“Internationally, this rule reinforces the message that safe trade can continue when appropriate BSE safeguards are in place, as is the case in Canada and the U.S.”

R-CALF not happy

Curiously, the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (R-CALF) issued a press packet entitled “Why Over 30-Month Canadian Cattle and Beef Should Not Be Allowed into the U.S.” on January 3—a day before the U.S. announced its intention. The Montana-based group stated that it has “empirical evidence that flatly contradicts [the USDA's] assumption that any remaining BSE-infected cattle in Canada would be few.” R-CALF plans to move its case to block the USDA’s decision to a new court as soon as possible.

QFA discusses English-language services with La Financière Agricole

Gib Drury

QFA President

Several QFA directors and staff got up early to make a 7:00 a.m. breakfast meeting in Quebec City on December 6. In attendance were: Gib Drury (president), Chris Judd (vice-president) and Ivan Hale (executive director). They were joined by Ken Brooks, UPA president for Saint-Jean-Valleyfield English sector, Eddy Whitcher, president of the Estrie UPA English, Wally Metcalfe, an English producer from Abitibi-Témiskamingue.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how La Financière Agricole would comply with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF).

La Financière has always tried to accommodate the needs of English farmers. Many of their staff are bilingual. In most parts of the province correspondence has been available in English, and forms and contracts could be completed in English, if that was the farmer's wish.

The “language police” as they are often referred to, has concluded that all farms in Quebec are to be considered as business ventures, whether they are sole proprietorships or not, incorporated or otherwise. By adopting this position, they then informed La Financière Agricole that in order to comply with the provincial language law La Financière must communicate with farmers in French, although may send a “courtesy copy” in English to those people who cannot understand the French. By their same logic, he OQLF has said that all forms and contracts between farmers and La Financière, whether completed on paper or electronically, must be filled out in French, even if the farmer is unilingual English.

In 2001 La Financière began steps to meet the language police's narrow interpretation of the Charter of the French Language. Last year the OQLF informed La Financière that the necessary changes must be completed by 2007. Its staff has been working hard to prepare a francization program that will not impose undue administrative burden or cost, and that will not disrupt their good relations with the English farmers who are their clientele.

Daniel Berthiaume and Claude Robitaille of La Financiere Agricole sit on the francization team. They attended the meeting and outlined plans to the QFA representatives for reaction.

La Financière's staff will continue to speak with English farmers in English. But, henceforth, all official communications from La Financière will be sent out in French, usually accompanied by an unofficial English version as a “courtesy”. Forms are supposed to be completed in French. To assist in this regard, English versions of the forms will be available, but they will be marked as “specimen”.

La Financière is redesigning its website. (It has almost nothing in English at this time.) Since it must comply with the OQLF, only information of a “general nature intended for all public audiences” will be available in English. It is still unclear whether documents specifically addressed to farmers will be available in English. We have suggested that if farmers must complete the French forms then the website could be designed to have pop up menus and help features to provide explanations and terms in English.

According to the Francization Program document distributed at the meeting, La Financière must ensure that contracts with farmers “are drafted only in the official language”, i.e. French. An English version, marked “specimen” will be made available to help producers to complete the French version of the contract. The QFA representatives explained that English-speaking farmers are not happy with being required to sign legally binding documents in a language they may not understand. Farmers will still be able to sign contracts in English with their financial institutions and notaries, but we wonder whether this will change as the language police continue their crack down.

La Financiere Agricole prides itself in having “live” persons answering the office telephones, rather than using automated systems. In regions where there are concentrations of English-speaking producers it should still be possible to have assistance in English.

The meeting was most productive. Messrs. Berthiaume and Robitaille listened carefully to our concerns and welcomed our suggestions. They assured us that La Financière Agricole will do everything in its power to ensure that the Francization Program is implemented smoothly and effectively for its English-speaking clients. QFA believes that the good working relationship that was established will be continued.

Editor's Note: QFA received a beautiful Christmas card from Yvon Vallières, Quebec's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. In part, it said, “I am taking advantage of this opportunity to encourage you to make a special place on your table for Québec's excellent products as you celebrate with family and friends.” The card was in English only.

Time to be heard!

Commission on the future of agriculture public hearings

Andrew McClelland

Advocate Staff Reporter

The provincial government announced dates last month for public hearings for its Commission on the future of Quebec agriculture and agri-food. All hearings will take place between February and June of this year in various regions across the province.

Quebec agricultural producers have the chance to stand up and be heard, a point emphasized by Quebec Farmers’ Association President Gib Drury.

“It is essential that as many producers as possible take the time to participate in these hearings as we are the ones who will be affected by the Commission’s recommendations,” said Drury. “The future of our income stabilization is at stake and unless we extol the benefits of the current system we risk having it taken away from us. If the province turns its back on its commitment to maintaining family farms and our collective marketing system we would be forced to adopt the American style of industrial agriculture.”

The QFA has been speaking to producers in preparation of its report to the Commission. Following the public hearings, the Commission will make its report to the provincial government in January 2008.

Organizations and individuals who have already submitted a report to the Commission will be able to make presentations and voice their concerns with commission officials. However, anyone who has not submitted a report is welcome to comment or ask questions at the public hearings. Registration is required in advance. In respecting their commitment to full transparency, the Commission is placing copies of correspondence and briefs it receives from producers and interested citizens on its website for all to see.

Following the regional hearings, the Commission will hear from producers’ groups with province-wide status. Drury, QFA Executive Director Ivan Hale, and association board members will present the QFA's brief to the Commission at that time. The QFA is currently conducting a survey on the topic to get a better sense of how producers feel about the future of agriculture. To participate, fill out the questionnaire at www.QuebecFarmers.org or contact the QFA for a paper copy.

For more information on the Commission on the future of Quebec agriculture and agri-food, visit their website at www.caaaq.gouv.qc.ca . While the Commission’s discussion form will be posted on the site in both official languages, the site itself is available in French only.

Times they are a-changing

Ivan Hale

QFA Executive Director

Hard to believe, but QFA has been around for 50 years. It was on April 4, 1957 that the Association was formed "for the study, defense and promotion of the economic, social and moral interests of its members. QFA was incorporated under the Professional Syndicate Act. Notice was published in the Official Gazette No. 17 for 1957.

This venerable organization has stood the test of time very well. It has evolved to meet changing needs. As a testament to the founders, the structure has remained essentially unchanged throughout the decades; QFA's by-laws have not been changed since November 2000.

Starting this spring, QFA will begin a thorough review of its structure. It is highly likely that recommendations for by-law amendments will be brought to a vote of the members attending the annual general meeting in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue in early November.

The QFA by-laws committee is inviting members and interested individuals to submit proposals for change. You can read the current by-laws by visiting the QFA website at: www.QuebecFarmers.org. If you do not have access to the Internet then simply contact the office and we will be happy to send you a copy by fax or regular mail. To allow sufficient time for the committee to undertake a thorough review of all the suggestions you are asked to submit your suggestions by May 30 at the latest.

Africa is capable of feeding its people

On a UPA International Development trip to Niger, QFA’s executive director finds West African farmers struggling to become agriculturally independent…

Ivan Hale

QFA Executive Director

“Africa is capable of feeding its people.” This was the title of the first West African regional forum on food self-sufficiency, held in Niamey, Niger from November 7-10. The event was organized by Le Réseau des organization paysanne & et de producteurs de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ROPPA) (West African network of agricultural producers).

I was invited to participate by the UPA’s International Development (UPA-DI) program. UPA-DI was one of approximately 20 sponsors of the forum. Readers will recall that thanks to support from the Canadian International Development Agency UPA-DI has been involved with projects in French West Africa over the past 15 years.

Over 350 delegates took part from 16 French and English speaking countries—among the poorest in the world. As well, there were participants from six countries in Europe, plus one American and two of us from Quebec. Participants were largely from farm groups. Added to this were government bureaucrats and elected officials, as well as economists and specialists in rural and agricultural development. The congress was opened by the Prime Minister of Niger.

Contrary to what you might expect, the event used all modern technologies. PowerPoint presentations were de rigeur. I was one of few people without a cell phone. Wireless internet connections were available in the hotels and conference hall. Conference news sheets were published daily. Media, including the BBC and TV5, were in evidence throughout. Presentations were made in French and English with translation services. For many of the delegates these were their third or fourth languages. An exhibit area allowed people to greet delegates and share information. Food self-sufficiency essentially means the right for each country to determine what to produce and what to consume and eat.

The r ight to f ood s ecurity

The Rome Declaration defined food security as the condition in which “all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (FAO World Food Summit, 1996). Food security refers to the responsibility of the state to ensure the subsistence of all its citizens, defending them from the negative impacts of trade and market forces. The subject is central to many of the negotiations that take place at the World Trade Organization meetings. It is of high concern to agricultural producers in developed and developing countries around the world.

Lessons to be learned from the European experience

In reflecting on the usefulness of West Africa pursuing a food self-sufficiency strategy of its own, Nick Koning of Wageningen University in the Netherlands explained that the European Union has always pursued such an approach, although it was described in other terms. The underlying belief was the same: foods should be produced locally if possible. The commitment was to protect farmers. European countries adopted the strategy to varying degrees, with different results. For example, the most protectionist was Germany and its productivity rose dramatically in the last 50 years. Britain, on the other hand, did not interfere in a protectionist manner and consequently its production stagnated.

Professor Koning noted the importance of protecting farmers against cheap imports, saying there are three tools that are key to promoting agricultural development:

-import tariffs

-stockpiling

-export subsidies.

He asserted that following a food self-sufficiency strategy in West Africa does not prevent export, but prices must be raised, which requires supply management. He reminded everyone of the successes of the oil suppliers. He said a food self-sufficiency strategy would work well for cocoa, cotton and coffee, among other crops. He cautioned however, that it would be hard to compete with developed countries that are able to grow the same crops, e.g. cotton. (Note: the United States produces 1/5 of the world’s cotton.) He identified cocoa as a crop which cannot be grown in developed countries and recommended the approach be tried for cocoa.

He identified conditions necessary for successful supply management:

-Strong involvement of farmers

-The system should be self-financing and independent of external support

-The design should try to avoid “free riders,” e.g. countries receiving advantages for which they do not pay

-Implementation of production controls

-Ensuring sustainability in the future.

Prospects for s uccess

National governments in the region have identified food self-sufficiency as a priority for West Africa and have set a goal of allocating ten per cent of national budgets to agriculture. However, due to extreme poverty in the region this will difficult to achieve. Present levels are around three per cent.

Many of the challenges relate to the lack of infrastructure, e.g. transportation networks. Realizing this, governments are looking to establish a new currency in the region, and to reduce or eliminate trade barriers within the region. Supply management is also being piloted in several countries. They know the importance of coherent and consistent policies and actions.

One African speaker summed it up this way. “We are dealing with a poverty culture. The salaries we pay producers are adequate for just six days a month. For the remaining day’s needs we must look to God.”

“We produce what we do not consume, and we consume what we do not produce,” said one of the African speakers. “Some of our raw products are exported, only to be re-imported as finished products.”

There are many challenges in the region including:

-Underperforming plant and animal species

-Drought

-Degraded soils

-Plant and animal diseases

-Lack of processing facilities for foods and textiles in the region.

Conclusions

The event was a milestone. It signified the determination of the people in West Africa to work together to make the necessary changes to feed their populations now and into the future. The hard issues were identified and tackled head on. They included the need:

-for a common currency in the region

-to reduce barriers for shipping

-to build a transportation infrastructure

-for national governments to deliver on their commitment to allocate 10 per cent of their budgets to agriculture

-for supply management and collective marketing of locally produced products

-for increasing the level and type of food processing within the region.

I have no doubt that the necessary leadership will be provided by people in the region, but outside enabling assistance will be both necessary and welcomed.

The ROPPA network has been strengthened as a result of hosting the event. As well, expectations on the network have increased significantly. Will it have the necessary capacity to meet them?

West Africa is poised to make dramatic changes in food policy and practices in the coming decade. ROPPA will be a lead agent of change. Governments in the region cannot and are not expected to do it alone, but they must contribute essential funds, infrastructure and legislative frameworks.

For more information on West Africa’s quest for food self-sufficiency, visit www.roppa.info

Outaouais region participates in Meritas PATBQ 2006

Linda Larocque, agronome

PATBQ and superior genetics advisor

Test station and young farmer advisor

MAPAQ- Outaouais sector

Once again this fall, the ten provincial winners of Meritas PATBQ 2006 were announced at Expo-Bœuf on October 6 in Victoriaville. To see the list of the cow-calf enterprises that were honoured, you can consult the following website: www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca and click on the “ Grands événements”  tab

To participate in this important province-wide event, each region had to analyse the performance of its active PATBQ ( Programme d’analyse des troupeaux de boucherie du Québec) subscribers for the production cycle from November 1, 2004 to October 31, 2005. The Outaouais region was no exception. After analysing the fifty or so herds enrolled in the program, the region sent its list of nominations to Quebec, which included eight farms in the category “purebred production” and eight in the category “commercial production.”

The choice of participants for the Meritas is made using the following three criteria: a minimum of 25 calvings, a minimum of 15 calving intervals and a minimum weaning rate of 65 per cent for purebred and 75 per cent for commercial operations.

Once the provincial list of cow-calf participants was compiled, a panel of judges, composed of five regional PATBQ advisors, examined the technical performance of each participating herd. The evaluation criteria for the purebred category include the Technical Efficiency Index (TEI) for 50 per cent of the points and the Superior Genetics record for the other 50 per cent. For the commercial category, only the TEI is used to compare the farms.

The Technical Efficiency Index takes into account the adjusted average weight at 200 days, the weaning rate and the average calving interval in days. The mathematical formula is as follows:

Adjusted average weight _{200 days} x Weaning rate x 365

TEI =

Average calving interval in days

Based on the TEI, the 10 best cow-calf operations participating in PATBQ for the Outaouais region are:

For the purebred category

1- Fern Charolais senc. (Éric Trépanier) in Fassett

2- Ferme Gagnon (Yves Gagnon) located in Chénéville

3- Cedarview Farm (Carolyn Kelly) located in Farrellton

4- Ferme Sage Enr (Stanley Christensen) in Lac Sainte-Marie

5- RMR Red Angus (Rodger Pfeil) located in Mulgrave

For the commercial category

1- Roger Prévost in Luskville

2- Ferme Roger Robertson located in Duclos

3- Patrick Kavanagh in Campbell’s Bay

4- Willow Hollow Farms located in Shawville

5- Andrew Simms in Shawville

Both the Fern Charolais senc. and the Roger Prévost herds succeeded in ranking among the top 20 best-performing herds registered with PATBQ in the province. This is no small accomplishment, since there were 599 farms enrolled in PATBQ in 2005.

The following table shows a comparison of certain criteria between the five best Outaouais herds and those of the province for the two production categories.

		OUTAOUAIS		PROVINCE
Purebred
Average number of cows		76		82
Real average weight at weaning (lb)		626		738
Average weight adjusted to 200 days (lb)		609		656
Weaning rate (%)		90		100
Average calving interval (days)		382		378
Commercial
Average number of cows		103		49
Real average weight at weaning (lb)		585		698
Average weight adjusted to 200 days (lb)		569		634
Weaning rate (%)		93		101
Average calving interval (days)		369		370

How about your cow-calf herd? How does it compare with these results? If you are not able to answer that simple question, it is perhaps time to consider enrolling in the Programme d’analyse des troupeaux de boucherie du Québec (PATBQ). To do so, simply contact the MAPAQ office nearest you and a PATBQ advisor will be pleased to see you.

Something new in the b ull t est s tations of the Outaouais and Quebec

Linda Larocque, agronome

PATBQ and superior genetics advisor

Test station and young farmer advisor

MAPAQ – Outaouais sector

Again this year, the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ) has given a subsidy and technical support for the beef bull test stations in Quebec. Will it be the last year? Only the time will tell…

As of November 13, 2006, eight test stations across Quebec have admitted 629 bulls to be tested on various criteria. In the Outaouais region, two entry dates were scheduled in mid-October.

In fact, in spite of the new regulation requiring that the bulls’ adjusted pre-weaned average daily gain be equal or superior to the breed average, the Quyon station, operated by Mr. Garfield Hobbs accepted 67 bulls on October 17. These bulls belong to four breeds, notably: 16 Angus, 17 Charolais, 15 Limousin and finally 19 Simmental.

The following day, the Vinoy station, operated by Ferme Gagnon, accepted 60 bulls representing three breeds, notably: 13 Angus, 18 Charolais and 29 Simmental. The Angus bulls tested at this station were all black in colour.

Following an adaptation period of 28 days, the 128 bulls will be weighed on two consecutive days in order to establish their official weight for the start of the test. Subsequently, they will be weighed every 28 days for the duration of the test, which is 112 days. After each weighing, MAPAQ will publish a weight report, which can be consulted on the website www.agrireseau.qc.ca .

At the end of test, a visual evaluation of muscling, feet and front and hind legs is done by a group of three producers. The scrotal circumference will be measured by a veterinarian, using a Reliabull tape, during the last weighing.

The measurements of the back-fat thickness, marbling and ribeye area, which had previously been done by a technician from Beef Improvement Ontario (BIO), will be done this year by a technician from the Centre du dévéloppement du porc du Québec, using an Aloka 500 instrument, subsequent to an agreement between this center and MAPAQ. The cost of this service will be $18 per bull this year.

Since the ribeye area will now be measured in all of the Quebec bull test stations, this new data will be used to calculate not only the ribeye index, but will also be used in the global evaluation of the bulls, which takes into consideration several criteria at the end of the test.

Specifically, the global value is composed of: 40 per cent of the gain index, 15 per cent of the weight per day of age index, 10 per cent of the ribeye index, 10 per cent on muscling, 10 per cent on feet and forelegs and the final 15 per cent on feet and hind legs. This global value, along with the individual elements used in its calculation, is listed on the bull’s performance sheet, which is then used to compile the sale catalogue.

Breed requirements for adjusted pre-weaned average daily gain (ADG) and for corrected scrotal circumference at one year old, for the breeds present in the Outaouais test stations .

Breed	Adjusted ADG (lb/day)	Scrotal circumference Limit at 1 yr. (cm)
Angus	2.03	32
Charolais	2.43	32
Limousin	2.03	30
Simmental	2.43	33

The sale for the bulls tested in the Outaouais will be held at the Ferme Gagnon on Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. If you are looking for a bull, start your shopping by visiting one of the Outaouais test stations. Following that, do not hesitate to call me to obtain the Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) for the tested bulls. The more information you have, the better your choice will be.

In conclusion, I would like to inform you that following a request from the Outaouais Bull Test Station Association, MAPAQ’s Direction de l’innovation scientifique et technologique has accepted to subsidize a summer bull test in the Outaouais. There will be a capacity for 30 head and it will be done in Shawville at the Rolling Acres Farm. If you have a bull born between May 27 and September 14, 2006 and would like to put it on test, please contact me. We could then begin pre-registration and try to form several groups.

Linda Larocque, agronome

MAPAQ – Outaouais sector

Tel: 819-647-5779, or 1 888 206-7575, ext. 230

 E-mail: linda.larocque@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca