Organic Certification in the 21st Century - sia.sk.ca · The Quarterly Newsletter of the...

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists

AUGUST 2010 • Volume 43 • Issue 2

Organic Certification in the 21st Century

Introducing Branch Presidents

Agrologists: What Do They Do?

Photo by: Rachel Panasiuk

FEATURES

HIGHLIGHTS

IN EVERY ISSUE1 President’s Message2 Executive Director’s Report

WHAT’S INSIDEAugust 2010

Featured Agrologists 9 Shay Anderson, AAg10 Kelli Gillard, PAg

11 Organic Certification in the 21st Century

15 Scott Research Farm to Celebrate its Centennial

20 Status Changes

Now if it will stop raining so we can get some haying done it would be much appreciated.Being as it is summer, there has not been too much happening with the issues we are facing. The New West Partnership is one such issue. We could be affected when it comes to labour mobility and credentials of PAgs and non PAgs. We will hopefully have some answers for how it will affect SAMA this month. We do not believe we should lower our standards but everyone should bring theirs up to meet ours. It will be interesting to see how this plays out but rest assured we will not sit idly by but fight for the standards our PAgs uphold.

One another note, as a self employed person, I have been working with an insurance company to get an E&O insurance program

designed for PAgs. We have specific needs and not all of us work for a large company that pays for it, therefore price and level of coverage needs to be tailored to fit our individual needs. Prices can range from $1500-$3000. Pricey for a self employed person, but we are trying to work out premiums under a thousand and dependant on the type of work you do. There was an article in the last newsletter about it but if anyone else is interested on getting more information or a quote please get a hold of me at [email protected]. Summer is already half over so lets hope the weather improves so we can get haying done and that fall turns into an Indian Summer so we can harvest what crop did actually make it into the ground. Good Luck everyone!

The Saskatchewan AGROLOGIST 1

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Well the summer has found a lot of us under water. Most of the province never got all the crop in. Up here in the North, we are faring much better than the flood ravaged South.

Tara Kennedy PAg, SIA President

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

2 The Saskatchewan AGROLOGIST

Sheri and Rachel have also pulled together this first electronic version of the Saskatchewan Agrologist. The Insightrix survey of members indicated 77 % of the membership supported receiving an electronic format of the newsletter. Now that you have actually seen the product what do you think? Please let us know your thoughts – all comments are welcome. Dave Cubbon, chair of the Public Awareness and Communications committee would also gladly receive your comments. Dave can be contacted at 306-236-7926 or by email at [email protected] am sorry to see Rachel leave us but who can argue with travelling to a drier part of the world – Australia. I wish her all the best in her travels and extend to her a very big thank you, from all of us at the SIA, for a job well done. I am happy to report that our bylaws, as currently published on the website, are once again legal documents. It was brought to our attention that our last legally published Regulatory bylaws were those as published in the Gazette in 1994 when the new Saskatchewan Agrologists Act was proclaimed. Any changes made to Regulatory bylaws after 1994, even though approved by the AGM and submitted in the proper format, had not been published in the Gazette and thus were not legally in force. The revisions have now been published in the Gazette and the documents found on our website are those legally in force at this time. This has been a very interesting situation

but we are once again back to business as usual.We are still searching for a Professional Standards and Compliance Coordinator to work with both the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Institutes of Agrologists. The individual will be visiting employers, reviewing the requirements of our legislation and working on various aspects of compliance in each provincial jurisdiction. We are collaborating with Meyers Norris and Penny (MNP) in locating potential candidates for this contract position.I still have a strong interest in Ducks Unlimited Canada with whom I was employed for 10 years prior to joining the SIA. In their online auction they had a very appropriate mascot (see insert) for the very wet weather we have been experiencing these past two months. The mascot of three ducks – mom, dad and junior – all decked out in yellow rain coats, webbed feet and ‘rain proof head gear’ – is truly symbolic of this spring’s weather patterns.

If you drop by the office you can view this family of wetland wonders as they are not a common species of duck found in Saskatchewan.I wish you the all the best this summer, enjoy your holidays.

Les McLean PAg, SIA Executive Director

I would like to welcome Sheri Willick to the office. She has been working with Rachel this past month becoming familiar with our new database and website and a multitude of other details that she will be facing as our new office coordinator (see Sheri’s profile on page 3).


Greetings from Sheri...

My name is Sheri Willick and I am the new Office Coordinator for the SIA office in Saskatoon. I was born and raised in Saskatoon and along with my husband and our two daughters we are proud to call it home. I received my Business Administration Certificate from the University of Saskatchewan in 2006 and have spent the last fourteen years working in the newspaper industry. I enjoy volunteering and am currently on the parent council at my children’s school. As well I worked selling 50/50 tickets at the World Juniors while they were in Saskatoon this past winter and what an absolute blast that was! The majority of my spare time is spent running my children to their extracurricular activities and walking our two large dogs, such is the life of a parent. We enjoy travelling but spend a large part of our summers at the family cabin at Christopher Lake. I am excited to be part of the SIA team and looking forward to the experiences and challenges that this position will bring.

Farewell from Rachel....

Well, everyone...my time here is done. Onto another chapter. I’m leaving to Australia at the end of August, so this means I must say goodbye to the SIA and all of its wonderful members.I guess I’ll take this time to thank everyone for everything that you have done for me over the past two years. I’ve gained a lot of experience from all of you...and I greatly appreciated your patience during this time of learning! A big thank you to Council, and all the branch executives I was able to work more closely with. You are all wonderful and you made my time here more enjoyable...and less stressful most of the time! And one more thank you...to Les. He has helped me grow professionally these past two years and learn some life lessons along the way. It was a pleasure to work with someone as understanding and as patient as him.Alas, Australia is calling me...take care!

P.S. Take it easy on Sheri!

BRANCH PRESIDENTS

I was born and raised in small town Saskatchewan. My family has a small mixed grain and cattle farm near Langbank, SK. My mother, Vivian (a retired schoolteacher) and my father, Larry MacDougall (Diploma in Agriculture – 1972) continue to farm near Langbank. My older sister, Nicole & I spent many hours farming with our Dad. In the fall of 1995, I followed my sister, Nicole (College of Agriculture – 1997) & my Dad’s footsteps to the University of Saskatchewan. I finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in December 1999 with a major in Agronomy. In January 2000 I started with Pioneer Grain Company Ltd. in Watson, SK as an agronomist. I moved to North Battleford as their agronomist in November 2000 and then in July 2002 I moved to Saskatoon and took a promotion to become Pioneer Grain’s Regional Credit Manager. In April 2003, I married Darcy Booy (College of Agriculture – 1998). While I worked in Saskatoon, Darcy farmed in Glaslyn, SK. I found it difficult to commute to Glaslyn every weekend to see Darcy and help on the farm so I decided to try

agrology again and accepted a job with the Turtleford & District Co-op in April 2004. In February 2007 Darcy and I had our first little girl, Breanna. I returned to the Turtleford & District Co-op after my maternity leave but found that the drive was not favorable for Breanna or myself. In March 2008 I accepted a job with Agriteam Services Inc. right in Glaslyn where I am presently their agrologist. In April 2009, we had our second little girl, Shelby. I have been involved with the SIA for 10 years. I believe that the SIA and its members are under-valued and unrecognized as to their knowledge & expertise in the agricultural society. I have been involved in the North West Branch Executive twice in the past 8 years as the Vice President and now I have accepted the President’s position for 2010. I hope to engage our members in activities and networking opportunities to better ourselves as P.Ag.’s and enhance our agricultural communities. Please feel free to pass on your ideas as to how we can make the SIA organization stronger.


Chris Baan, PAgPresident of the Southwest BranchChris Baan grew up on a mixed farm near Punnichy, SK. He attended the University of Saskatchewan, convocating in 2000 with a BSA in Crop Science. He then went on an agricultural exchange to the Netherlands where he worked in a dairy on a large family farm. He also traveled to Australia where he had a variety of agricultural jobs including working at fruit, vegetable and sugarcane farms as well as on a large sheep ranch. Upon returning to Canada Chris took a position as an organic farm inspector for the next several years. Chris then decided to return to the University of Saskatchewan to pursue a MSc in Soil Science, convocating in 2007. Chris had a short contract at Lakeland College in Vermillion, AB teaching soil conservation, fertility,

and general agronomy. After completing his contract Chris moved to Swift Current and took an agrologist position with Paterson Grain. Chris enjoys golfing in the summer, and officiating minor hockey in the winter. He also enjoys traveling, and was fortunate to travel to Mongolia in 2008 to experience the culture and traditions of this country in the company of his friends. Chris lives in Swift Current with his wife Suzanne and son Jasper who arrived in June of 2010.

Angela E.M. Booy, PAg - President of the North West Branch


I grew up on a mixed farm near Debden Saskatchewan. Debden is a small, mainly French community northwest of Prince Albert. When I left, agriculture in Debden was very mixed but recently has become mainly a livestock-producing area. I graduated in 1985 from high school and went to Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta. A few years later I graduated with a diploma in Fish and Wildlife Technology. I also met my future wife in Vermilion.After graduation, I ended up at a fish hatchery in High River, Alberta. This operation hatched Rainbow Trout eggs for a larger operation in Okotoks which grew them for the fingerling market. Things went well in High River but I grew homesick.I moved back to Saskatchewan in 1990 and married my wife, Inga. My father-in-law introduced me to the dairy industry so from there I worked on dairy farms in Dalmeny and Prince Albert. Dairy farming is probably the best place to learn how intensive the livestock industry can be.Although I loved working in the dairy industry, by 1995, I realized my career wasn’t going anywhere as a herdsman and I needed more education. I bought a house in Allan, Saskatchewan and enrolled in the College of Agriculture at the U of S. By then Inga and I had two sons under the age of four. After graduating from the College of

Agriculture, I headed back to Alberta and became the Forage and Livestock Agronomist with Battle River Research Group in Camrose. Here, I did forage research and extension in the east-central Alberta. The experience was very valuable in learning more about forages and livestock production.An opportunity came up in 2004 at United Farmers of Alberta in Stettler, Alberta so I took it. Here I sold everything from nuts and bolts to grain bins and trailers. Every day was a new experience dealing with clients.I sold about a million dollars worth of nuts, bolts and grain bins when a colleague mentioned Saskatchewan Agriculture was advertising for a forage specialist in Moose Jaw. I took a chance and was successful. I became the Forage Conversion Specialist with the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in 2005 and later became the Forage Management Specialist.My primary responsibility at the Agriculture Knowledge Centre is to answer producer calls on forage and pasture throughout the province. I’m also responsible for passing on relevant information on forage trends to the regional forage specialists and head office. Recently, I’ve been asked to take responsibility for forage extension in the Moose Jaw Region and the Agriculture Health and Safety file for the Ministry of Agriculture.

Andre Bonneau, PAg - President of the Regina Branch

Kris was born in Norquay, Sk and grew up on the family farm ten minutes south of town. He attended school in Norquay, graduating in 2005. After completing high school he attended the University of Saskatchewan at the College of Agriculture. Kris completed his university degree in 2009 with a major in agronomy and minor in agribusiness. Currently, Kris is an area marketing representative with Richardson in Canora, Sk while continuing helping out on the family grain farm. He joined the SIA’s Yorkton branch in 2009 and became


Kris Cherewyk, AAgPresident of the Yorkton Branch

president in March 2010. Kris is an active member of the community and an active participant in the Norquay Kin Club, serving as bulletin editor and currently vice president Kris’s interests include hockey, Saskatchewan Roughriders, country music, snowmobiling and downhill skiing.

Morgan Leigh, PAgPresident of the Northeast Branch

The cattle farm my wife and in-laws operate is located south of Melfort near Pleasantdale. We have 300 cows and back ground the calves. I also work part-time with the Provincial Council of ADD Boards as a Farm Stewardship/Environmental Farm Plan Rep. My family has a small grain farm near Fort Qu’Appelle that I help on when I can. Previously I have done extension work involving winter wheat, forages, and riparian area management with Ducks Unlimited Canada and Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. I learned about the SIA while going to the UofS but became involved in branch activities after working with several

PAgs at Ducks Unlimited and being asked to join the Regina executive. Being involved with branch activities has been rewarding because of the different PAgs that you work with. It offers a chance to work and socialize with a diverse group of individuals; an opportunity you might not have in your own field of interest.


Ken Sapsford, PAgPresident of the Saskatoon Branch

Ken Sapsford was raised on a mixed farm near Perdue, Saskatchewan. He received his BSA in Agronomy in 1979 from the University of Saskatchewan and has been actively involved in the farm since graduating. He co-manages a 3000 acre grain farm with his brother, Don, between Perdue and Biggar that has been in no-till since 1990.

From 1980 to 1986 Ken managed a farm supply dealership (fertilizer and crop protection products) that was established on the farm. This was a full service dealership including sales, soil testing and supplying agronomic advice. In 1987 Ken started as the Save Our Soils coordinator with the District #23 Ag board, in charge of the soil conservation program known as “Save Our Soils”. This was one of 10 pilot projects in the province that developed into a province wide program in 1990. Ken continued to work for the District #23 ADD board as Soil Conservation technician until 1994.

From 1994 till 2000 he was the Regional Soil Conservationist for the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association (SSCA). This was a time of adaptation and change to direct seeding in Saskatchewan. In his role with the SSCA, Ken set up meetings with as few as 6 to 20 farmers in a “kitchen table” style meeting format. He also assisted with all the SSCA staff to plan and coordinate the SSCA annual Conference and Trade Show each February and the SSCA’s Direct Seeding Field Days in June. These conferences attracted 800 to 1400 participants and field days 500 to 800.

In March of 2000 Ken joined the weed control team in the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan. As a research assistant, Ken coordinates and manages the weed control research program. Averaging between 50 to 80 research trials per year and assisting with the set up and delivery of the Crop Diagnostic School.

Ken has been involved in a number of professional organizations and has served as President of the Saskatoon Branch of the Saskatchewan Institutes of Agrologists and of the Saskatchewan Ag Grads Association.

Ken Sapsford, PAg., has provided distinguished service to agriculture in Saskatchewan and beyond through his effective promotion of conservation tillage practices and his research and extension activities in weed management. Ken was the recipient of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologist “Distinguished Agrologist” award in 2008.

Ken has been married to his wife, Joy, for over 30 years and they enjoy traveling to visit their three daughters who at present are residing in 3 different countries around the world.

Jeremy German balances his career as a Professional Agrologist with family and a passion for the agriculture business. He currently resides in Kindersley, SK and is employed at G-Mac’s Ag Team. Jeremy provides technical production expertise for clients across West Central Saskatchewan.

Jeremy began his professional training at the University of Saskatchewan. He graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. After spending summers with a various research programs his initial employment after university was with a Swedish plant breeding company Svalof Weibull. After 3 years he persued a few different roles working as an Agronomist and then as a Territory Manager for Bayer Crop Science. The most challenging role he has taken on was with NutriAG from 2006-2008 as the Western Account Manager establishing the liquid and foliar fertilizer business in western Canada.

He currently sits on the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists board as a Councillor.

Outside of his career focus, Jeremy enjoys spending time with his wife Rachelle and their two children Anika (5) and Deegan (3). He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys taking time to hunt and fish as much as possible. In the summer he coaches soccer, and this winter will take on some hockey coaching as well.

NEW COUNCILLOR Jeremy German, PAgSaskatoon Branch


NEW COUNCILLOR Kale Wilson, AAgYorkton Branch

I am currently living in Kennedy Saskatchewan where I commute to Broadview where I am employed with the Coop Ag Team as an agronomist. I was born and raised on a mixed farm near McCord Saskatchewan. While growing up I experienced grain farming on the flatter more favorable farm land and ranching on the rolling plains down near the Montana border. With this rural upbringing I have developed a caring and understanding with the land and the desire to remain connected to the rural portion of Saskatchewan. In 2002 I enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan where I completed my Agriculture degree and graduated in 2006. With the knowledge I had obtained at the U of S I returned to my parent’s farm and worked with them for a few years. Later in the spring of 2009 I began working in Broadview as an agronomist with the Coop retail system. I am currently working at the Broadview Coop and am furthering my education in the ever expanding area of Crop Science. I enjoy the broad variety of duties that I have as it is all but assured that you will not be doing the same task day in day out. The transference of information from chemical companies to the farmers that use the knowledge is one of the most important areas of my agronomist duties. Working in the retail system has shone a new light on how the business world works and how hard one must maintain vigilance to their ethics as you are constantly challenged. I am looking forward to the new challenges that next year will in the crop supplies industry as this year has been an abnormal year with the weather patterns and large number of acres of unseeded crop land. I am currently living in Kennedy Saskatchewan having just moved there from Broadview and am commuting to work. I am looking forward to the new challenges in my personal life as I recently became married and a home owner. I am an outdoor enthusiast and like to spend my leisure time reading, hunting, fishing and camping among a few of the activities that I partake in.

My name is Shay Anderson and I am an Articling Agrologist. I was raised on a commercial and purebred Black Angus cow/calf operation located 10 miles southwest of Maple Creek, SK. Throughout my youth I was very involved in agriculture from working both on my parent’s ranch as well as my uncle’s grain operation. Following high school I attended the University of Saskatchewan. As a farm boy it was only natural to enroll in the College of Agriculture. In the spring of 2006, I convocated with a diploma in Agriculture majoring in Animal Science. I returned to the U of S that fall and enrolled in the Bachelors Degree program. This time I was an Environmental Science major and a Soil Science minor.

Following convocation in 2009 I began my fulltime career with W3M Land Management Inc. I had been employed with W3M

as a summer student for the previous two years. W3M is an environmental compliance consultation company based out to Dinsmore, SK. It is a company which services clients in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry throughout Saskatchewan and eastern Alberta. With over 50 years of combined experience and office locations in Kindersley and Dinsmore, W3M provides efficient initial response and access to many environmental opportunities. Service that W3M provides include res to rat ion/ rec lamat ion planning, environmental monitoring, phase I, II and III site assessments, pre-acquisition site assessment, government and landowner consultation. W3M specializes at initial spill response and soil remediation. This was my primary role as a field consultant.

On May 31, 2010, I accepted an opportunity to work for Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd as an environmental scientist. KCB is a leading engineering and environmental consulting firm with head quarters in Vancouver and offices in Peru, Australia, and throughout Canada. Within Saskatchewan KCB have offices in Lloydminster and Saskatoon. KCB is known for quality service and technical expertise in the power, mining, environment, water, transportation, oil sands, oil

FEATURE AGROLOGISTand gas and municipal sectors. Founded in 1951, KCB has a long history in Western Canada, and a strong national and international reputation. KCB engineer, permit, and oversee construction of some of the largest and most challenging projects, in Canada and the world over.

At KCB my role as an environmental scientist will include soil and groundwater r e m e d i a t i o n , reclamation as well as phase I, II, and III site assessments. I work on behalf of a client to ensure due diligence to landowners and the regulators is accurately achieved. My role also includes minimizing environmental effects and optimizing opportunities to mitigate the environmental footprint on upstream oil and gas projects. Working at KCB allows me to experience a wide range of projects in a potentially large geographical area. I look forward to my future with KCB and continuing to serve both the environment and its caretakers, the landowner.


FEATURE AGROLOGIST


Hello, I am Kelli Gillard, PAg, and I am an SIA member from the north; the Far North, that is. This past year I accepted a position as a Technical Advisor (one of four) for the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) based out of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. I have been joined by my Mom and four year old Son who will be attending school in English and Inuktitut shortly. As I write this, at the start of June, there is still snow on the ground, the sun never sets and the birds are just starting to return. But before I go on further, I would like to tell you a bit about myself. I obtained an Environmental Earth Sciences Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1998. It took awhile to find my first job, but in 2001 I was hired by a consulting firm in Calgary, Alberta and I haven’t looked back. It was there that I obtained my P.Ag in AB and while working for them

I have traveled the Alaska Highway (YU), the Mackenzie valley (NWT), and worked extensively in AB, SK and MB as a soil scientist while working on a variety of project proposals and environmental impact assessments. I moved to Saskatoon in 2006 to work for another consulting firm and obtained my dual membership with the SIA and AIA. My current employer, the NIRB, was established on July 9, 1996 as an institution of public government responsible for the environmental impact assessment of proposed development projects in Nunavut, as described under Article 12 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. The NIRB’s mission is to protect and promote the well being of the Environment and Nunavummiut through the Impact Assessment process. The NIRB considers both scientific and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit traditional knowledge or “IQ”) when assessing the potential impacts of activities throughout the territory. The NIRB currently employs 14 people and we are kept very busy.As a Technical Advisor, I work as part of a team to make recommendations to a Board of appointed members

regarding the potential impacts of proposed projects of various sizes ranging from small research programs to large scale mining developments. The Board reports directly to government ministers responsible for making the final decision on projects, with recommendations on whether or not projects should proceed and if so, under what terms and conditions.This position has been an exciting challenge and I never know what is going to hit my desk next. I have been exposed to all levels of government and all types of projects. I have had the opportunity to travel with co-workers to visit various communities to consult on a project and am attending a workshop with board members and staff to learn more about the application of IQ.I may be in an unusual location for a P.Ag., but I can honestly say that when I tell people that I am a P.Ag., there is a level of comfort created immediately. Being a Professional Agrologist has put me on the map here in Nunavut.


J. Wallace Hamm, M.Sc., PAg.President & Founder, Pro-Cert Organic Systems

The previous issue of this newsletter featured several articles on organic agriculture. The feature article defined Organic agriculture as “a production system that provides consumer confidence through third party verification and system traceability”. What does that mean?

Background

A critical and differentiating component of the organic food industry is the certification requirement. All facets of the organic food chain – i.e. producers, processors, handlers and often even traders and retailers – are subject to an annual certification process. Organic certification bodies provide the “third party verification” in the above definition.

The organic movement, which can best be described as a coalition between like minded food consumers and producers, early in its history latched on to the notion that the “organic” food brand should be verifiable. This notion begat a plethora of organic food production and processing standards and conformity verification (certification) systems.

As time passed and the organic food movement evolved into a global organic food industry the organic principles were enshrined in a Codex Alimentarius under the auspices of the Joint Food Standards Programme established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Likewise, the organic certification industry

adopted ISO Guide 65 as its governing protocol. These internationally recognized guidelines are the backbone of organic regulatory systems now in place in Canada, the USA, the EU and other jurisdictions.

The Components

Any mandatory organic regulatory and certification system now in place including that in Canada – The Canadian Organic Regime or COR – has several common components:

1. an organic standard – in Canada this currently is maintained via the consensus seeking system implicit in the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). The resulting dynamic documents are entitled “Organic Production Systems General Principles and Management Standard” and “Organic Production Systems Permitted Substances List”. They can be viewed and downloaded from http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/cgsb/on_the_net/organic/index-e.html.

2. an organic regulation and scope – in Canada this is the Organic Products Regulation (OPR) 2009 administered under the Canadian Agricultural Products (CAP)

ORGAnIc cERTIFIcATIOn In ThE 21ST cEnTURy

Act available from http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/orgbio/orgbioe.shtml. The scope of the OPR currently includes food and drink for human consumption, and feed for livestock, including agricultural crops used for these purposes. The OPR does not include natural health products, pest foods, body care/cosmetics, soil amendments and aquaculture products from certification at this time.

3. an organic regulator and enforcer – in Canada this is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) via the Canadian Organic Office (COO). The COO maintains an operating manual describing the CFIA’s role in the regulation of the term “organic” as it applies to products within the scope of the OPR. The CFIA has the authority to enforce the OPR in cases of organic food fraud. In the USA the regulator/enforcer is the USDA.

4. an accreditor of certification bodies – in a somewhat unusual and still to be proven step, Canada has designated the CFIA as the accreditor, but has outsourced verification work to conformity verification bodes who supervise the organic certification bodies (CB’s). Foremost among these are the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS). These agencies oversee the performance of all CB’s operating in Canada. They use ISO Guide 17011 for this assessment process.

5. a network of accredited certification bodies (CB’s) – there are some 21 such CB’s providing “third party” verification services in Canada. Each accredited CB must maintain a certification system which is based on ISO Guide 65 principles.

6. a jurisdiction – the Canadian OPR covers organic products traded inter provincially and internationally but does not include intra provincial trade. Thus, organic products traded within a province such as Saskatchewan do not need to be certified or

verified as having organic integrity. Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba have created provincial or parallel regulatory systems to deal with internal trade. Saskatchewan has yet to address the issue.

7. a logo – a symbol which communicates to the consumer that an organic product has been verified to comply with an organic standard by an accredit third party. In Canada this symbol is:

In provinces such as Saskatchewan, which do not have parallel regulations, organic consumers must often look for the term “Certified Organic” and rely on their knowledge of CB logos and reputation for verification of organic integrity.

8. record keeping systems – all organic operators must keep detailed and current records of all their activities with particular reference to “organic product identity” and identity preservation. This component provides the “system traceability” essential to consumer confidence.

The Certification Process

A typical organic certification cycle involves eight steps:

1. Initial and annual information and updates respectfully on organic standards and


regulations, procedures, fees and record keeping are provided to the operator.

2. Initial and annual updating of an organic system plan (OSP) which outlines all aspects of the organic production plan including farm and field maps, crops and inputs, inventories, soil building program(s), etc. The OSP and updates are collected via an application and contract (A/C) which also sets out fees and responsibilities.

3. Preliminary evaluation of each annual A/C is undertaken by the CB to ensure general conformity.

4. Farm/facility inspection – at least one annual inspection of all aspects of the operation to verify compliance with the stated OSP and the standards/regulations applied for. This detailed process is recorded and summarized via checklist and/or narrative report.

Given that forensic agrology and food science are implicit in this step, professional agrologists and food scientists are best suited to do this work and are required by some, but not all, CB’s operating in Canada. Soil, plant and product samples are often collected at this stage for potential analysis for residues of unpermitted substances.

5. File completion – the collection of missing information, residual analysis, etc. required for final evaluation by the CB.

6. Final evaluation – a team of senior certification specialists other than the inspector review the entire file and determine whether the applicant is compliant with the organic standards and regulations appropriate to the applicant’s market area. A certification recommendation is made.

7. Certification Decision and Registry - Certification decisions are often accompanied with requirements to correct minor non-compliances discovered during the certification status. These minor non-

compliance issues are those that would not significantly affect the overall compliance of the certified product. Adverse certification decisions, which may lead to temporary or permanent suspension and/or revocation (a mandatory 5 year prohibition under certain regulations), would occur where major non-compliance issues are discovered. These issues typically are fundamental issues affecting overall conformity of the product and in many cases are non-correctible.

8. Follow-up and surveillance – CB’s must follow-up and verify correction of minor non-compliances and may conduct unannounced inspections. They also monitor product labels and advertising materials as they appear in retail outlets.

The annual cycle takes time and introduces an additional cost to both the operators and the consumers but evidently is acceptable and deemed necessary by both parties.

The Benefits

The continuing sustainability and growth of the organic food brand amidst an ever increasing host of eco/green/natural labels is to a large extent based on its continuing reliance on the annual certification process to reinforce consumer confidence. For example, foods labeled and touted as “natural” in North America and which now capture an equal share with “organic” products have no standards or certification system. The proponents of the “pseudo organic” foods rely on massive and expensive marketing campaigns to compensate for the absence of product integrity and a verification system.

The unwary and/or uninformed consumer unfortunately often ends up paying as much or almost as much for a “pseduo organic” product as for verified organic product.

The Reality

The foregoing paints a relatively simplistic


portrait of the organic certification process as it applies to a Canadian/Saskatchewan farmer, processor or handler. In reality, because most of Canada’s organic production is exported, Canadian organic operators and CB’s must contend with an ever increasing list of foreign regulatory systems. A Canadian organic operator often needs to be certified to several (or all) of the following organic systems to maximize export potential:

1. The Canada Organic Regime (COR),2. The USDA National Organic Program (NOP),3. The European Organic Regulations (EEC),4. The Switzerland Organic Regulations (Bio-Suisse),5. The Japan Agricultural Standards (JAS),6. The South Korean Standard (New),7. The Quebec Organic Reference Standards (for sales to Quebec).

Operators may also need to be certified to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) standard to enhance market access.

At present, operators and CB’s must keep track of the variances between the Canadian system (COR) and all of the above. Not an easy task!

Much hope/faith is being placed in “equivalency agreements” between organic trading partners to alleviate this complexity. The current experience with the new “Canada/USA Organic Equivalency Agreement” indicates that such agreements only work for unprocessed produce. Multi-ingredient products still need to be vetted on an ingredient-by-ingredient basis to ensure multiple regulation conformity.

SASKATCHEWAN AGROLOGISTis a publication of:The Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (SIA)29 - 1501 8th Street EastSaskatoon, SK S7H 5J6CANADAP: 306.242.2606 • F: 306.955.5561 • [email protected] • www.sia.sk.ca

SIA 2010-2011 COUNCIL:Tara Kennedy, PAg, President, 953.0078Bob Tyler, PAg, Past-President, 966.6940Craig Smith, PAg, President-Elect, 786.5685Murray Purcell, Public Representative, 241.7342Berny Wiens, PAg, Producer Representative, 377. 4224Tom Halpenny, AT, AT Representative, 955.5747Dave Cubbon, PAg, Northwest Branch, 236.2476Wade Annand, PAg, Northeast Branch, 276.6654Sandra Shiels, PAg, Regina Branch, 584.9500Jeremy German, PAg, Saskatoon Branch, 463.6110Michael Schellenberg, PAg, Southwest Branch, 778.7247Kale Wilson, AAg, Yorkton Branch, 696.2747Alanna Koch, Ministry of Agriculture, 787.5170Mary Buhr, Dean College of Agriculture and BioresourcesLes McLean, PAg, Executive Director, 242.2606

SIA 2010 - 2011 REPRESENTATIVESSandy Lauder, PAg, U of R Senate Representative, 789.6997Rod Delahey, PAg, U of S Senate Representative, 683.4250Gary Kruger, PAg, CCA Representative, 229.0573Bob Middleton, PAg, Agriculture Hall of Fame, 931.9251Richard Marleau, PAg, Agriculture in the Classroom, 933.8024

SIA 2010 - 2011 BRANCH PRESIDENTSNortheast, Morgan Leigh, PAg, 921.6631Northwest, Angela Booy, PAg, 342.4522Regina, Andre Bonneau, PAg, 694.3721Saskatoon, Ken Sapsford, PAg, 966.4999Southwest, Christopher Baan, PAg, 773.6065Yorkton, Kris Cherewyk, AAg, 563.5177

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PAST

• The Scott Research Farm was established in 1910 under the Dominion Experimental Farms Service to serve farmers in western Saskatchewan, from the South Saskatchewan River to the forest of the north, as well as a portion of northeastern Alberta.• Today, as an important part of the Saskatoon Research Centre, the Scott Research Farm focuses on four program areas: cultivar evaluation, soil and crop management, weed management and pesticide minor use. The Research Farm is also a site for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Agri-ARM (Agriculture-Applied Research Management) program.• Over the last century, activities at the

ScOTT RESEARch FARM TO cELEBRATE ITS cEnTEnnIAL

Scott Research Farm have been intimately involved with the growth and development of the agricultural industry in western Canada. The work there will continue to evolve so that researchers can overcome production challenges in agriculture and identify new opportunities in the marketplace. • The beneficiaries of this investment in research and development are not only Canadian producers, but also consumers at home and abroad who gain from having an innovative, competitive, profitable and environmentally responsible agricultural sector.• Successes at the Scott Research Farm are a tribute to the collective efforts of a dedicated and diligent staff. There have been many achievements in the areas of weed


The barns at the Dominion Experimental Station in Scott, Saskatchewan, in 1939.

On July 16, 2010, AAFc’s Scott Research Farm marks an important milestone – 100 years of service to the canadian farmer.

biology and control, soil management and fertility, crop cultivars, crop management, minor use pesticides and conservation tillage.

BAckGROUnD: RESEARch MILESTOnES

1910 – 1935

• The first 25 years of the Scott Research Farm are highlighted by the planting of orchards, testing of cereal and horticulture crops, and the introduction of a cattle herd, a poultry flock, and sheep and swine. A purebred breeding program of dual-purpose Shorthorn cattle was initiated in 1921. Considerable success was achieved with two cows producing milk records.• Illustration stations came into effect at this time and Scott was responsible for stations at Guernsey, Kindersley, Lloydminster, Loverna, Marcelin, Meadow Lake, Meota and Spruce Lake. These stations were important in demonstrating practices to reduce the severe soil erosion that occurred during the dustbowls of the 1930’s.• The “Rescue” crabapple, one of the most common crabapple cultivars on the Prairies, was selected at the Scott Research Farm.

1935-1960

• Cultural weed control practices were refined and research work on herbicides, such as 2,4-D, was initiated.• Evaluation of perennial forages resulted in a viable bromegrass seed production industry in the area.• In 1955, Scott was chosen as the “Potato Isolation Station” of the Prairies. Two potato cultivars “Batoche” and “Carlton” were licensed from selections made at the Research Farm.• The apple cultivar “Norland” was selected at the Scott Research Farm.

1960-1985

• Research on nitrogen fertilizer

application and placement resulted in improved crop yields and more efficient use of nitrogen application.• Weed control research during this time resulted in recommendations to growers so they could achieve cost-effective weed control while minimizing environmental impact.

1986-2010

• The Research Farm played a prominent role in the development of Conservation Tillage Technology through research on crop rotations, fertility management and weed control.• A large interdisciplinary study called the “Alternative Cropping Study” was initiated in 1994. It involves 15 to 20 scientists from across the region and is used as a resource to study how cropping affects a broad range of agronomic, soil, pest, economic, energy, environmental and biodiversity factors. The study has received national and international recognition.• The Scott Research Farm became the Prairie test site for the Minor Use Pesticide Program.

PRESEnT AnD FUTURE

• The Scott Research Farm plays an important role within the network of AAFC research facilities.• It is one of the few farms located in the Dark Brown soil zone of the Prairies and the soil represents a relatively large area in both Saskatchewan and Alberta.• It conducts a number of collaborative projects with federal government funding under programs like “Growing Forward” and “SAGES” (Sustainable Agriculture Environmental Systems) and externally-funded projects from provincial governments and commodity groups. Many are multi-site studies that are led by scientists at other facilities.• The Scott Research Farm currently has


800 acres of cropland and 13 full-time staff. The staff more than doubles in the growing season with the employment of seasonal workers and summer students. • Today, as an important part of the Saskatoon Research Centre, the Scott Research Farm focuses on four program areas: cultivar evaluation, soil and crop management, weed management and pesticide minor use. The Research Farm is also a site for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Agri-ARM (Agriculture-Applied Research Management) program.

BAckGROUnD: PRESEnT RESEARch PROJEcTS

Crop Management

• ALTERNATIVE CROPPING STUDY – is a large interdisciplinary study initiated in 1994. It involves 15 to 20 scientists from across the region and is used as a resource to study how cropping affects a broad range of agronomic, soil, pest, economic, energy, environmental and biodiversity factors. The study has received national and international recognition.• PURENET – is an acronym for the Pulse Research Network. At Scott, researchers are investigating the effect of growing pulse crops frequently in a crop rotation on greenhouse gas emission and nitrogen cycling. This study is repeated at other locations in Saskatchewan.• PRAIRIE CANOLA AGRONOMIC RESEARCH PROGRAM – is a prairie-wide

An aerial view of the Scott Research Farm in 2008.


initiative with financial support from the three Prairie Canola research check-off commissions. The focus of this research is to meet production goals that will supply future demand for edible oil and biofuel. Studies are being conducted on canola establishment, intensifying canola rotations, nitrogen dynamics and effect of various crop inputs on canola production.• The Scott Research Farm is also involved in collaborative studies on the effect of agronomic practices on malt barley quality and nutrient management for successful winter wheat production.

Weed Management

• Studies at the Scott Research Farm focus on the chemical, cultural and mechanical control of weeds in field crops.• CHEMICAL CONTROL – most of the studies at Scott focus on controlling weeds in pulse crops and oilseed crops, such as flax and mustard. Screening of herbicides with alternative modes of action is a priority. The screening complements the Minor Use of Pesticides program by identifying potential candidates for minor use registration. One of the success stories in this area has been the introduction and registration of carfentrazone (CleanStart) and sulfentrazone (Authority), which are Group 14 herbicides. Group 14 herbicides are not common on the Prairies.• CULTURAL AND MECHANICAL CONTROL – a four-year study is investigating the interaction of competitive cultivars, seeding rate, row spacing and post-emergence harrowing on weed management in an organic cropping system. This study is led by the University of Saskatchewan. Studies on mechanical control have found the min-till rotary hoe to be relatively effective in controlling small-seeded annual weeds in cereal and pulse crops.• Other collaborative projects include managing Group 2 resistant kochia in field crops and a three-year study on the effect of glyphosate application on growth, disease and nutrient uptake in wheat and field pea.

New Crop Development

• The Scott Research Farm is leading agronomic studies on the production of two new oilseed crops: camelina (Camelina sativa) and Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata). Camelina oil shows potential for use in biofuels, such as jet fuel, and for other industrial oil applications. Ethiopian mustard is being developed for the industrial oil and biopesticide markets.

Pesticide Minor Use

• Initiated in 2002, the National Pesticide Minor Use Program collaborates with growers, industry, provinces and regulatory agencies to provide pest control solutions that foster grower competitiveness and a sustainable safe food supply. It supports registration of low-risk chemicals to control pests in small acreage crops or isolated pests in major crops. • The Scott Research Farm is one of nine federal minor use research sites across Canada and is responsible for producer-initiated minor use requests originating from the three Prairie Provinces.• Field trials generate crop safety and pest efficacy data, as well as samples for residue analyses. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) evaluates results for crop safety, pest control and safe levels of residues. A positive outcome results in a label expansion of a product already registered in Canada or the registration of a product already registered in another OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) member country.• Since 2002, about 250 trials on over 50 different crop types have been conducted involving 67 different herbicides, fungicides or insecticides. The crops include perennial legumes and grasses grown for seed and forage production, annual legumes, herbs and spices, oilseeds, small fruits and vegetable crops.

Cultivar Evaluation


• Evaluation of advanced breeding lines, co-op tests and regional variety trials are conducted at both Scott and the Glaslyn Project Farm. The Glaslyn site enables breeders to evaluate their cultivars in an area that has a short frost-free growing season. Cultivars of most classes of wheat, barley, oats, canaryseed, canola, mustard, flax, peas and lentils are evaluated.

Future Research Projects

• Over the next few years, projects will focus on Growing Forward initiatives. This includes collaborative projects on condiment and Ethiopian mustard, which are led by plant breeders at the Saskatoon Research Centre. The Scott Research Farm’s involvement will primarily be to identify herbicide options. Scott is participating in both the Canola and Pulse Cluster. The Canola Cluster projects at Scott focus on canola establishment and integrated wild oat management. In the Pulse Cluster, the focus is on managing herbicide-resistant weeds using strategies involving multiple herbicide modes of action. The Scott Research Farm will also take part in a collaborative project on nitrogen dynamics in cropping systems and will continue work on malt barley agronomics. Future agronomic studies in winter wheat will focus on crop establishment, crop health and management of weeds, such as downy brome. Development of camelina as an industrial oilseed crop and field evaluation of biopesticides will continue with a multidisciplinary team of scientists at the Saskatoon Research Centre.

CONTACT

Media Relations Sharon RamsayAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada AAFC Science Communications OfficerOttawa, Ontario Brandon, Manitoba 613-773-7972 204-578-35931-866-345-7972

SpokespersonMr. Eric Johnson, PAgOfficer in Charge; Weed BiologistAAFC Scott Research FarmScott, Saskatchewan306-247-2011 (extension 23)


Jordan Bue, AAg February 17, 1983 - May 4, 2010

It is with deep sadness, we announce the sudden passing of Jordan Michael Bue on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. Jordan is survived by his parents Gordon and Michelle Bue of Tisdale, SK. In 2006 Jordan graduated from University of Saskatchewan in Applied Microbiology and Food Science. He started his articling program with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists in 2008. Jordan will be deeply missed by family, friends and fellow professional

IN MEMORIAM

AAg to PAg Eric AsareBoyd BergstromAaron BouchardJanel DelageFaye DokkenJonas FennStacey GulkaDarcy HendersonPatricia HuberJustin KriegerKristina KuerversBrett MattickAshley McDonnellAaron MillerBrendan OstafieDaniel PihowichTerry-Lynn QuadriAndrea SchmidtRae Lynn SpencerBrady SproatLyndon StollDavid Van Dam

New AAgAaron BeattieDean BieberBilalTawnya CampbellNail ColakBrandon EdgarThomas FinleyPatrick FrithTajinder GrewalAmanda JohnsonAshley LundgrenChristopher Mansiere

STATUS CHANGES

Allison MochorukJoel MowchenkoKevin OlsonPeluola OlayinkaJeremy PittmanHeather PomerleauColleen RedlickMichael Ritz Evan RorquistTyler ScottTawna SearleMuhammad ZawarNew AATTravis CosetteShayla CrossleyPatrick EbertsDaniel Jacobson

Transfer In – PAgAshfaq AamerJohn BandorJenna-Lyn FedoraPeggy Weatherbee

Dual Membership – PAgStacey Ingram – AIAAdrian Kerry - AIA

Reinstatement – PAgHarold AmundsonHeather BoenschAngela BooyDianne KemppainenJamie ScholzChristy WinquistMichael Wurzer


The British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA)

Expressions of Interest for Executive Director/Registrar Position

The BCIA is the provincial organization authorized under theAgrologists Act, A British Columbia statute to govern the professional conduct of its members, in support of the public interest.

The BCIA is the regulatory body for over 1200 professionals working within agrology in British Columbia. The BCIA is seeking an experienced, dynamic individual to ful�ll the position of Executive Director/Registrar (ED/R).

Reporting to the BCIA President and Executive Committee and responsible to BCIA Council, the ED/R will be responsible for the e�ective and e�cient management of the organization while carrying out duties in accordance with the policies and budget established by the Council. The ED/R is also responsible for providing leadership to the sta� and to Council committees as required. The position will also ful�l the duties of Registrar as per the Agrologists Act including registry of members and all matters associated with maintaining and managing a professional body.

The Executive Director/Registrar is expected to begin duties in January, 2011.

The ideal candidate will possess the following quali�cations:

Experience in the leadership and administration of a self-regulated professional association;

A sound understanding of administrative and procedural law;

Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to represent the organization at senior levels and maintain contact with Branch executives and members;

Patience, tack and diplomacy and sensitivity to Council concerns, and a commitment to con�dentiality;

Sta� management skills and progressive experience working with, or managing, a professional, or similar, organization and experience working at senior levels in organizations; and

Experience in �nancial and budgeting issues and concerns.

Membership in a self-regulated professional body (e.g. agrology,biology, forestry, planning) is also a desirable asset for this position.

Interested individuals are invited to submit a resume and cover letter detailing experience, proposed approach and compensation expectations to [email protected] no later than 4:00pm (Paci�c) on Friday, October 8, 2010.

We thank all applicants who apply and will respond within 30 days of the closure of the competition.

AWARD RECIPIENTS


Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists Gold MedalJennifer Bentz, Environmental Science major, Soil Science minorJennifer says, “It is nice to see that hard work pays off in the end and I am honoured for even being considered for the award. I am from Saskatoon, and I chose the University of Saskatchewan because I heard the College of Agriculture and Bioresources had such a great Environmental Science program. I was looking for something that was challenging, but still hands-on, that was connected to the environment. Like most first years, I didn’t know a lot about soil, but after a few soil science classes I realized my passion. Currently, I have started a Masters program in soil science working on revegetating disturbed sites. I hope to remain in the field of land reclamation and restoration as I believe we need to balance the economy and environment for a sustainable future.”

SIA/Fulton Family PrizeAimee Eggerman, Diploma in Agronomy Aimee says, “I grew up on a small family farm north west of Watson, SK. It was there that I developed a passion for agriculture. The diversity of jobs in the agriculture industry and the many challenges that it has been presented with in recent years was the reason I chose to study agriculture. I know that there will always be many jobs available in the industry and always new things to learn. I chose to enter the diploma program because I felt it had many courses that would give me the knowledge base needed to enter the agriculture work force. In the future I plan to continue learning about agriculture and want to work with farmers to help them make educated decisions on the agronomics of their farm. I like to work with farmers because they all have different ideas about ways to improve the agronomics of their farm and while they may learn things from me, I know I will learn many things from them. I look forward to seeing the changes that occur in the agriculture industry throughout my career and I hope that many of them will be for the benefit of the farmers.

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