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Crop rotation and risk management | PAGE 4 Forage species selection | PAGE 9 Cow-calf nutrition | PAGE 11 Food safety and biosecurity on your farm PAGE 13 MARCH 2015 | VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 10

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Page 1: Agriview march2015 issus

Crop rotation and risk management | PAGE 4

Forage species selection | PAGE 9

Cow-calf nutrition | PAGE 11

Food safety and biosecurity on your farmPAGE 13

MARCH 2015 | VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 10

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Spring is just around the corner. Livestock producers are busy with calving and crop producers

are making their plans for the 2015 growing season. Inside this issue of Agriview, livestock

producers will find a number of helpful tips on calving, nutrition and forage production that will

help them raise healthy, profitable animals.

Before finalizing their cropping plans, I would encourage all producers to review their Crop

Insurance coverage for the upcoming year. The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC)

has been continually upgrading and enhancing the Crop Insurance Program so it meets the needs

of Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers. Through consultation with industry and producers, SCIC

has built a Crop Insurance Program that provides extensive options across a wide range of crops,

giving producers the ability to custom-fit their coverage to meet the needs of their operations.

Saskatchewan producers are at the forefront of agriculture, using new

technologies and production practices to remain competitive and successful.

SCIC recognizes these advancements and has responded by ensuring crop

insurance coverage reflects the production capacity of today’s farms, through

yield-trending on a number of crops.

There are a wide range of choices and options through the Crop Insurance Program, from

different coverage levels, to pricing options, to commodity- and production-specific programs.

I would encourage producers to contact their local SCIC office before the March 31 deadline to

review their coverage and the choices available. SCIC has a great team across the province that

can review the program options and help producers determine the crop insurance coverage that

fits their businesses.

Minister’s Message

Lyle Stewart

I would encourage all producers to review their Crop Insurance coverage for the upcoming year.

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Crop rotation and risk management | PAGE 4

Forage species selection | PAGE 9

Cow-calf nutrition | PAGE 11

Food safety and biosecurity on your farmPAGE 13

MARCH 2015 | VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 10

AGRIVIEW is published by the Communications Branch of Saskatchewan Agriculture for Saskatchewan farmers, ranchers and farm and food organizations. For more information, call 306-787-5160 or email [email protected]. To view this publication online, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/programs-services.

Cover: Murray Andrews of Triple A Herefords using a checklist to monitor his herd south of Moose Jaw, SK.

Table of Contents

CROPSA brief history of soil testing in Saskatchewan – International Year of Soils Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Using crop rotation as a risk management tool on your farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

New online tool for managing invasive species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Spring is the time for soil testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

New canola disease concerns in Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Prairie Plant Systems Limited: turning plants into medicines and other products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Patience is the key to marketing fusarium-infected grain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

LIVESTOCKScrapie surveillance in Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Q fever: A potential threat to human and animal health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Canadian beef industry enjoying record-high prices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Selecting the right forage species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Keep cattle off of the thin ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Calving difficulty in heifers can have lasting effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Proper nutrition is crucial to health of cow and calf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

RESEARCHUsing plant protein to make pill capsules for probiotics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PROGRAMS & SERVICESDecommissioning wells for safety and the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Verified Beef Production Program – Food Safety and Biosecurity on your farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Crop Insurance: more options, more choices, better insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Upcoming Workshops: Soils and Crops 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Saskatchewan sends its first delegates to international youth food security conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

EVENTS CALENDARCalendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

PROGRAMS & SERVICESNew agricultural storybook launched as part of Agriculture Literacy Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Saskatchewan.ca

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Proper crop rotation allows a producer to optimize resources, minimize risks and maximize profits. The wide array of crops grown in Saskatchewan offers excellent opportunities to employ risk management strategies. Producers can change to crops which offer better prices and lower agronomic risk.

Different crop types exploit different soil profiles for water and nutrients. This allows the producer to efficiently exploit the soil resources and apply the right level of nutrients that are determined to be deficient based on soil testing. As well, the producer has the option of growing deep-rooted crops that would not suffer much under reduced precipitation, thus minimizing the effect of drier conditions.

Pulse crops, which can fix nitrogen (N) from the atmosphere, not only add N to the soil but also make nitrogen fertilization unnecessary for the production of these crops.

Diverse crop rotations help limit the build-up of weed numbers by varying the habitat and seeding dates from year to year. This prevents weeds from

A brief history of soil testing in Saskatchewan – International Year of Soils Series

Using crop rotation as a risk management tool on your farm

The Saskatchewan Soil Survey Unit was established in 1921 at the University of Saskatchewan with the purpose of identifying, describing, classifying and mapping of Saskatchewan soils, but it wasn’t long before the next step of providing practical benefits was launched. First, the soil survey information was used for teaching at the university, then soil fertility studies began as professors and their students started soil research. The wealth of information and data generated led to the next obvious step of providing information to farmers who sent in soil samples to the Soil Survey Unit.

Farmers wanted information about nutrient levels so that fertilizers could be added in the appropriate amounts. They also needed more information about problem soils, a perfect fit for the application of the soil classification data. Only a few soil samples were submitted in the early years, and the nutrient analysis was conducted by the soil survey staff when time permitted. During the 1950s, several hundred farm samples were being submitted annually for nutrient analysis. By the early 1960s, that number grew to more than 1,000 per year, putting a strain on Department of Soil Science survey staff and lab resources. With such large numbers of samples being analyzed, it took two to three months to get a nutrient recommendation back into the hands of the farmer.

In 1961, the Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture created a special committee that recommended the establishment of a feed- and soil-testing lab at the University of Saskatchewan. In September 1966, the Saskatchewan Soil Testing Lab opened its doors for business. The lab served farmers for 28 years from various locations on campus until it became part of the private sector in 1994.

The early 1990s also brought about a new innovation in soil testing as a result of funding from the Agriculture Development Fund. The new root simulator technology was the core of the second soil testing lab in Saskatchewan providing soil nutrient services to farmers. Each of the labs continued adding features and innovations to become the

gold standard in nutrient recommendations that result in improved productivity and crop quality to feed the world, while minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment—a perfect fit under the Crops Strategy and Plan for Growth and for global food security.

germinating within their optimum period, allows crops to compete favourably with the weeds, and enables the farmer to rotate herbicide groups as well.

A wide array of crops give the producer a large selection of herbicide groups to choose from for an effective herbicide rotation strategy. This reduces the risk of developing herbicide resistance on the farm, while providing effective weed control.

Proper crop rotation allows the producer to widen the crop cycle and increase the number of years between susceptible crops on the same field. This helps reduce disease pathogen populations in the field and minimizes the impact of disease when it develops.

All these advantages allow the producer to reduce the cost of protecting the crop from weeds, insects and diseases. They enhance water and nutrient use efficiency and improve the bottom line. Hence, a proper crop rotation can help you reduce both agronomic and economic risks in your farm operation.

CROPS

Patrick Mooleki, PhD, PAgSoil/Nutrient Management SpecialistAgriculture Knowledge Centre

Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Soils_Fertility_Nutrients and www.prairiesoilsandcrops.ca/volume3.php;Contact a Regional Crops Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; orCall the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

FOR MORE INFO

Call the Agricultural Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; orVisit a Regional Crops Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office.

FOR MORE INFO

Ken Panchuk, PAg Provincial Specialist, SoilsCrops and Irrigation Branch

Dr. Jeff Schoenau, Professor of Soil ScienceUniversity of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Chair

The soil survey lab at the University of Saskatchewan conducted nutrient analysis for farmers before the Saskatchewan Soil Testing Lab opened its doors in September 1966.

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iMapInvasives is an online invasive species mapping and data management tool that can be used by land managers and concerned persons to help protect Saskatchewan’s natural areas from invasive species. The online tool can track invasive plant, animal or insect information. Invasive species, whether they are zebra mussels, leafy spurge or others, cost society millions of dollars annually. These costs are either from lost agricultural productivity, diminished outdoor recreation values and other public costs, or from the control and eradication of the infestations. It is important to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species before they become established as large, heavily infested areas.

The iMapInvasives program can be used to record surveys, report weed observations and manage details of control measures. The program helps managers detect invasive species early and control them before they become established.

As an example, assume you spot a small patch of leafy spurge on a roadside beside your farm land. Working through your local rural

New online tool for managing invasive species

CROPS

municipality this observation can be entered onto the iMapInvasives system. The municipality, through its weed inspector, would control this small patch. This control information can also be entered into the system. The municipality would monitor this control treatment and ensure this patch is eradicated, and possibly preventing an invasive species outbreak.

However, invasive species do not know municipal boundaries. The same method of spread which deposited the leafy spurge seed in your municipality may also have spread seed into a neighbouring municipality. This neighbouring municipality can go into the iMapInvasives system and see the reported patch of leafy spurge. This neighbouring municipality now knows that it should watch for patches of leafy spurge developing within its own boundaries and prevent further spread of this leafy spurge.

iMapInvasives is free to use; however you must request a secure login name at www.imapinvasives.org/skimi/login to enter or search for any data.

Turnaround times for spring soil testing are very short, which provides producers with the level of service they need during the spring rush.

Soil testing is the best way to achieve balanced plant nutrition to optimize crop yield and quality. Conducting soil tests on a regular basis determines crop nutrient needs for the next growing season while monitoring trends in soil nutrient levels and soil characteristics over time. Soil testing also guides nutrient management program development to meet long-term crop needs while protecting the environment.

Soil testing is the simplest, most accurate and effective tool for determining your nutrient requirements. Achieving a realistic yield goal is dependent upon knowing the amount of stored soil moisture, plus an estimate of the growing season rainfall, coupled with a knowledge of the soil characteristics.

Soil test laboratories measure the amount of plant-available nutrients or, if they have root simulator technology, determine a nutrient supply rate. The labs take the information from the soil analysis and make a nutrient recommendation based on a selected crop, yield target, soil characteristics, estimated plant-available water, geographic location and cropping history.

Spring is the time for soil testing

Understanding the soil test labs’ different analysis techniques and recommendation philosophies is important when choosing a lab. Additional factors include the level and speed of service and convenience.

Accurate recommendations require accurate soil sampling. Getting a truly representative sample for each field should be the main focus in soil sampling. Commonly, samples are taken in random locations across the field (random sampling), or from a smaller area of the field considered typical (benchmark sampling). Geo-referencing the sampling locations is commonly used today and is especially important in precision ag systems. All sampling methods are effective if soil samples are taken from areas that best represent the field.

Determining which nutrients are deficient and the level required to correct the deficiency in balance with the other nutrients is an important step in the industry-led 4R nutrient stewardship program: “The Right source of nutrient, applied at the Right rate determined by soil testing, at the Right time and in the Right placement.”

Contact a Regional Crops Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; orCall the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

FOR MORE INFO

Contact the Invasive Species Coordinator at the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre at [email protected]; Contact a Regional Forage Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; orCall the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

FOR MORE INFO

John Hauer, PAgRegional Forage Specialist, KindersleyRegional Services Branch

Ken Panchuk, PAgProvincial Specialist, SoilsCrops and Irrigation Branch

Agricultural Crown Land for SaleThe Ministry of Agriculture has Crown land for sale through a public tender process. Tender forms, complete with a five-per-cent deposit,

must be received in a Ministry of Agriculture Regional Office by 2 p.m., April 1, 2015. A public tender opening will occur at 3 p.m., April 1, 2015, at the location listed on the tender posting.

You can find a listing of the land for sale, tender conditions and tender forms as an insert in this issue of Agriview or at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Crown_Lands.

5AGRIVIEW | MARCH 2015

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fungicides or resistant varieties available for this disease. Verticillium wilt in sunflower, potato, alfalfa and strawberry are not caused by the same Verticillium species as canola.

Plasmodiophora brassicae, the pathogen that causes clubroot, has been detected in a limited number of locations in Saskatchewan in the past, and we continue to be on alert for this potentially devastating disease. Fortunately, our levels remain low, and clubroot was not detected in the 2014 provincial canola disease survey or in soil samples collected for clubroot DNA testing. Clubroot-resistant varieties are a valuable management tool for dealing with the prevalent clubroot pathotypes; however, a recent shift in the pathogen population in Alberta also means the current varieties are no longer effective in every field.

In light of the lack of resistance to Verticillium wilt and the importance of stewardship for clubroot resistance, crop rotation continues to be the most effective management tool for canola diseases. This helps to prevent pathogen levels from increasing as well allows time for existing pathogens to break down.

The Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan (CDCS) represents the interests of Saskatchewan’s canaryseed producers and value chain members. CDCS’ primary focus has been getting canaryseed approved for human consumption. As this project nears completion, more resources will be deployed to improve the agronomic performance of the crop.

The CDCS was established on February 23, 2006, under the authority of the Agri-Food Act, 2004 and operates according to The Canaryseed Development Plan Regulations under the supervision of the Agri-Food Council.

Under its governance, producers that have sold canaryseed in the last three years and have not requested a refund are eligible to elect and run for positions on the CDCS board of directors. The board consists of up to seven elected directors.

To fund the operations of the CDCS, canaryseed producers pay a levy of $1.75 per tonne. This levy is mandatory, but refundable. Buyers are required to deduct the levy when producers sell their crop and submit it to Levy Central which directs it to the commission.

These monies fund the extensive testing that has been required to meet the Health Canada and United States Food and Drug Administration requirements to ensure the safety of the crop for human food consumption. This work is on-going and includes nutritional composition, toxicology and allergenic properties research.

There has also been extensive breeding of glabrous (hairless) varieties. These are not itchy and are therefore easier to work with for all members

New canola disease concerns in Canada

Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan

Just over 10 years after clubroot was discovered on canola in Alberta, the canola industry is facing another “new” plant disease issue. Verticillium wilt, caused by the fungus Verticillium longisporum, was identified for the first time on canola in Canada in Manitoba in 2014.

Verticillium wilt was diagnosed by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development on a plant collected from a patch of wilted canola. This disease is common throughout northern Europe and can reduce yield by up to 50 per cent with limited disease management options. It has not been reported in Saskatchewan; however, isolation of the disease in Manitoba suggests there is a potential risk. Ministry staff and private agrologists will be watching for symptoms of the disease in provincial canola disease surveys.

Verticillium longisporum, the pathogen that causes Verticillium wilt in canola, is a soil-borne pathogen that can survive in the soil for 10 to 15 years. Sanitation practices similar to those recommended for clubroot can help prevent the spread of this disease. There are currently no

CROPS

of the value chain. Yellow-seeded varieties have also been developed, but await commercialization.

It is hoped that the yellow coat will assist in food market development as the products will look more appetizing. An additional discovery is that canaryseed is gluten free—important because that too will assist in market development.

The current market for canaryseed is limited to birdfeed. This market is very finite and thus when Saskatchewan produces too much canaryseed relative to demand, prices are driven downwards.

For the canaryseed industry to expand, canaryseed must be approved for human consumption. Once this goal is achieved, the CDCS will continue to work for Saskatchewan’s canaryseed producers by improving the agronomic performance of the crop.

Faye Bouchard, PAgProvincial Specialist, Plant DiseaseCrops and Irrigation Branch

Daniel ShervenJunior Communications ConsultantCommunications Branch

Contact Faye Bouchard, Provincial Specialist, Plant Disease, at 306-787-4671 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Visit www.canaryseed.ca.FOR MORE INFO

Clubroot-resistant varieties are a valuable management tool.

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Insurance Corporation, this will help remove some of the FDK from your grain and could push it up in grade.

A third option is a private sale to an intensive livestock operation or local producer looking for feed. In order to do this, you will need to know exactly what you have in the bin, as different animals have different tolerances to the mycotoxins.

The last marketing option is to simply store the grain until the following crop year and hope that the upcoming crop is of sufficient quality to blend with the old, FDK-contaminated crop.

Regardless of how the grain is graded, producers always have the option of appealing to the Canadian Grain Commission if they disagree with the grading. In this instance, the commission acts as the final arbiter of grain quality and grading for Western Canadian producers.

Marketing FDK grain is a challenge but, at the end of the day, it is one that producers can overcome with a little patience and hard work.

This past October, Zettl was recognized for his entrepreneurial efforts with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The award was given for Prairie Plant Systems’ excellence in the area of Business-to-Consumer Products and Services. It’s safe to say they are truly making splashes in Saskatchewan’s business community.

“It’s good to receive that acknowledgment for the collective effort of the company. We have 150 employees in Canada and 50 in the United States and they really made the company a worthy recipient,” Zettl said.

Prairie Plant Systems continues to create cutting-edge, innovative solutions for problems facing both the agriculture industry and the medical field.

“Working on the frontier sciences of medicine to create more effective and economically viable medicines is extremely rewarding,” Zettl said. “Anytime you get to work with great people for a great cause you’re going to be happy.”

Prairie Plant Systems remains a driving force within the growing biopharmaceutical industry. The industry provides patients with the plant-based medicinal treatments they need to lead fuller and healthier lives.

Patience is the key to marketing fusarium-infected grain

Prairie Plant Systems Limited: turning plants into medicines and other products

CROPS

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is not a new challenge in Western Canada, having been first found in Manitoba in the early 1920s. Unfortunately, the 2014 growing season was a perfect storm for widespread FHB in Saskatchewan, and producers are facing new challenges in marketing their FHB-damaged grain.

When confronted with a marketing situation in which they need to move grain that has fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK), the best resource producers have at their disposal is patience. Marketing off the combine is extremely difficult as grain buyers are extremely cautious when confronted with damaged grain.

Once the fall rush is over, grain companies are better equipped to grade grain in comparison to the overall quality of the year’s harvest. The first option for producers to increase the marketability of their grain is blending, usually using the producer’s own grain to create a more uniform overall grain sample.

A second option is to privately contract a grain cleaner with access to a gravity table and/or colour sorter. According to Saskatchewan Crop

Prairie Plant Systems incorporates innovative expertise and new plant biotechnologies into deliverable plant-based systems. These systems have biopharmaceutical uses such as new medicines and environmental market applications including agricultural products that benefit Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.

“It’s very rewarding producing new medicine that adds benefits to other human beings’ lives,” Prairie Plant Systems CEO Brent Zettl said. “All the problems we tackle are in the collective pursuit of relief for those who are suffering.”

Established in 1988 as a plant biotechnology company in Saskatchewan, by 1990 Prairie Plant Systems had developed 29 different varieties of plants with a strong focus on research and development.

“Not only do we get to work on new medicines, but we also bring new products to the agriculture industry,” Zettl said. “Some of these have been used to develop orchards.”

These products include saskatoons, apples, plums, raspberries, cherries, cutleaf birches, miniature roses and several medicinal plant species.

Prairie Plant Systems’ dedication to improving the lives of Saskatchewan’s residents has also landed them critical acclaim in the business world.

Robert Moss, BA, MScPolicy AnalystPolicy Branch

Contact a Regional Crops Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office.

FOR MORE INFO

Daniel ShervenJunior Communications ConsultantCommunications Branch

Visit www.prairieplant.com.FOR MORE INFO

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Scrapie surveillance in Canada

Q fever: A potential threat to human and animal health

LIVESTOCK

CFIA imposes strict regulations on the import of animals and animal products from countries where scrapie is known to occur. Additionally, a national surveillance program is in place to help detect and stamp out the disease. The surveillance program is voluntary, and the CFIA would like to test any mature animals (aged 12 months and older) that die on-farm or exhibit the following symptoms: unexplained weight loss; problems standing or walking; or changes in behaviour.

It is in the industry’s best interest to eradicate scrapie in order to remain competitive and maintain international market access for sheep, goats and related products. Eradicating scrapie not only helps preserve the health of the national sheep flock and goat herd, it also reduces the economic and animal welfare impacts of this disease.

Producer participation is critical to the success of the scrapie surveillance program and for the eventual eradication of the disease from Canada. More information on participating in the national scrapie surveillance program is available from your local CFIA office.

Diagnosis of Q fever abortion requires testing of the fetuses and placentas from aborted animals. To be safe, any animals that abort should be separated from the remainder of the herd. The producer should then dispose of bedding and disinfect areas that are contaminated with tissues and fluids from the abortion, and contact a veterinarian regarding diagnostic testing.

Q fever is a zoonotic disease and therefore can also affect humans. The symptoms are vague and non-specific, but can include fever, headache, pain, chills, vomiting and diarrhea. Most people will experience a mild illness and recover after treatment with antibiotics; however, pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems and heart valve abnormalities are at increased risk of more serious illness. Most people diagnosed with Q fever have had contact with livestock, so it is important to take precautionary measures with handling aborted fetuses. Contaminated dust can also harbour the bacteria, which can survive for long periods in the environment. Most people become infected through the inhalation of airborne Q fever bacteria, so consider wearing a face mask when working in enclosed conditions.

Scrapie, a fatal disease of sheep and goats, is one of several transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which include bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or “mad cow disease”), chronic wasting disease of deer and elk and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. It is a federally reportable disease in Canada, meaning that all suspected cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Like other TSEs, scrapie develops slowly. Clinical signs typically take two to five years to develop. Once an animal becomes ill with scrapie, it will die within one or two months. The symptoms of the disease vary, but, in general, are consistent with neurological disease. Changes in general behaviour, such as abnormal aggression or fear, may be seen. Tremors, lack of coordination or abnormal gait are other signs. Occasionally, non-specific symptoms such as poor wool coat or weight loss may be seen and confused with other disease or health issues. Sometimes, sudden death is the only sign.

Scrapie is present in low levels in the Canadian sheep and goat populations. Ultimately, the goal is to eradicate this disease from Canada entirely. The

Q fever or query fever, as it was called before a cause was found in the 1930s, is an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by a bacterium called Coxiella burnettii. It has been identified occasionally in Saskatchewan in both livestock and humans. Over the past five years, five human cases have been identified in Saskatchewan, and Alberta has reported 39 human cases over 13 years.

Sheep appear to be infected most frequently, followed by goats and, least frequently, cattle. Animals that carry and shed this organism into the environment usually do not show any signs of disease.

Occasionally, however, infection does result in visible signs of disease, usually in sheep and goats. Infected ewes and does may abort or give birth to weak offspring. In the event of an outbreak of abortion in sheep and goats, Q fever should be considered as a possible cause. Aborted fetuses, placenta and uterine fluids contain high numbers of the bacteria, so care should be taken when handling them.

Dr. Wendy Wilkins, DVM, PhDDisease Surveillance VeterinarianLivestock Branch

Dr. LeeAnn Forsythe, DVM, MVetScDisease Surveillance VeterinarianLivestock Branch

Visit www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/scrapie/eng/1329723409732/1329723572482.

FOR MORE INFO

Contact Dr. LeeAnn Forsythe, Disease Surveillance Veterinarian, at 306-787-6069 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

GRAZING AVAILABLESaskatchewan Pastures Program (SPP), of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, has grazing opportunities available for cattle

at the following SPP Pastures (NE Region) for the upcoming 2015 grazing season:

Bertwell; Donlands; Smeaton and Whitebeech

For additional information, livestock delivery requirements and grazing fees, contact Ross Wesnoski, Pasture Technician, Tisdale, Saskatchewan, phone 306-878-8819, cell 306-873-7125, e-mail: [email protected].

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Canadian beef industry enjoying record-high prices

Selecting the right forage species

higher cattle prices and profits. Producers should be prepared to manage positive margins if a good opportunity is available in 2015. The Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP) is a tool that provides price coverage, including the basis and exchange rate. The WLPIP offers producers a floor price while leaving the upside open in the cash market. With exchange rates and basis levels covered in the insurance program, it is an easy and manageable tool producers can use. Cattle producers are encouraged to contact their local Saskatchewan Crop Insurance office for program details.

Species selection should also be based on the type of livestock consuming the forage. For example, cattle, sheep, horses and bison all follow different grazing patterns. Alsike clover can be toxic to horses. Dairies and feedlots are looking for high-energy and high-yielding forages, while cow/calf operations may be looking for species with quick regrowth characteristics.

Some forage species, such as alfalfa and smooth brome, can grow in a wide variety of soil and climatic conditions. Other species, such as creeping foxtail and birdsfoot trefoil, need a more specific environment to thrive. Species selection is very important in reclamation projects where soil conditions may be unique and unforgiving.

Finally, the talents and expectations of the manager should be factored into the decision. Can the qualities and characteristics of the forages selected meet those expectations? Is the manager able to make full use of a complex forage mixture of grasses and legumes or would a simple mixture of one to three species be a better fit? For example, a cicer milkvetch and meadow brome stand may not meet the requirements for a high-output hay stand. Crested wheatgrass may not provide the ground cover necessary for gravel pit reclamation.

There are many factors to consider when choosing forage species and varieties, all dealing with the use, environment and expectations of the manager. The Saskatchewan Forage Council website (www.saskforage.ca) has an excellent forage selection tool to help make forage decisions.

The North American beef industry has seen an incredible increase in cattle prices over the last two years due to low North American cattle supplies and improved global beef demand. Beef cutout values and cattle prices established new all-time high record prices many times in 2014. Cattle prices have finally improved after a decade of depressed prices that started with the identification of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada in 2003.

Beef production in the United States declined by more than five per cent in 2014 and is expected to decline an additional two per cent in 2015, resulting in continued tight cattle supplies. Beef exports from the U.S. have increased by volume and value over the last two years, and have reached new record exports by dollar amount. While U.S. exports have been strong, the stronger U.S. dollar may start to limit further U.S. beef exports.

While the factors that have produced record cattle prices in 2014 should still be intact for 2015, market risk has increased and higher market volatility can also be expected. As illustrated in the graph, feeder cattle future markets experienced some market price turbulence late in 2014. There were also several signs of potential global economic troubles, particularly in Europe. Global oil prices tumbled in late 2014 on increased supplies. Slower global economic growth could potentially alter beef demand and beef prices in 2015.

Looking forward in 2015, beef producers need to look at the risk/reward situation and what risk management options they have for protecting

There is a process for selecting forage species. Selection should be based on the purpose of the forage, the environmental conditions and the talents and expectations of the manager.

Whether the forage is used for hay or pasture is part of the variety selection process. Some forage species, such as meadow brome or cicer milkvetch, are better suited for pasture. Other species, such as smooth brome or timothy, are well suited for hay production.

Some grass species, such as native wheatgrasses and legumes, work very well in conservation and reclamation projects. These projects include erosion control and industrial reclamation.

LIVESTOCK

Brad Marceniuk, PAgLivestock EconomistLivestock Branch

Andre Bonneau, BSA, PAgRegional Forage Specialist, Prince AlbertRegional Services Branch

Contact Brad Marceniuk, Livestock Economist, at 306-933-5098 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Contact a Regional Forage Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; orCall the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

FOR MORE INFO

Source: Chicago Mercantile Exchange

Friday Settlement – Feeder Cattle Futures Contract

U.S

. $/c

st

Oct

. 3

Oct

. 10

Oct

. 17

Oct

. 24

Oct

. 31

Nov

. 7

Nov

. 14

Nov

. 21

Nov

. 28

Dec

. 5

Dec

. 12

Dec

. 19

Dec

. 26

Jan.

2

$240

$235

$230

$225

$220

$215

$210

$205

Settlement DateJanuary 2015 Futures Contract

March 2015 Futures Contract

Forage species selected for hay production.

9AGRIVIEW | MARCH 2015

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Keep cattle off of the thin ice

Calving difficulty in heifers can have lasting effects

LIVESTOCK

bogged down in mud. Checking the herd frequently increases the chances of rescuing an animal that gets into trouble.

Unfortunately, cattle will die, even under the best management. When deaths do occur, timely and proper disposal of the carcass is important to

prevent scavenging and to keep water resources clean. For most producers, that means composting or burial. Composting requires attention to detail, both in selecting the composting materials and in forming the compost pile or windrow. Burial pits require maintenance and are difficult to dig in frozen soil. Burial pits should only be used once the sub-soils have been investigated to ensure groundwater will not be polluted. If several animals are involved, Saskatoon Processing may provide a pickup service for a fee. Temporary storage until disposal may be an option if adequate protection from scavenging can be provided. Timely disposal in the spring will minimize odour and nuisance.

Agricultural Operations staff are available to help producers select the most suitable option of disposal of livestock mortalities.

Prolonged delivery of a calf (i.e. longer than 90 minutes to two hours) often results in weakened calves and reduced rebreeding performance in young cows.

When making the decision to assist with a calving, it is very important to check and be certain that cervical dilation has been completed before starting to pull the calf. If you are uncertain about whether cervical dilation has taken place, or whether the calf is in a deliverable position, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Spring can be a dangerous season for livestock and, at today’s cattle prices, the death of even one animal represents a significant financial loss.

Breaking through thin ice is one of the most common causes of multiple death on a cattle operation. It is very difficult to judge the thickness of ice. Cattle that are accustomed to walking out on a dugout or other body of water to drink will eventually be at risk of breaking through. One animal breaking through the ice can take others with it. Once in the water, most cattle will drown.

As spring nears, producers should restrict their animals’ access to ice-covered water bodies as much as possible. If the water body is the only water source for the herd, the producer should keep the drinking area as close to the shore as possible so that the animals do not have to venture out onto the ice to drink.

Even with this precaution, the cattle should be checked regularly to ensure that they have not become stranded, trapped in broken ice or

Keeping a watchful eye on the herd during calving season could mean improved profitability next year.

Calving difficulty not only is the prime cause of calf mortality, it can also greatly reduce a cow’s reproductive performance during the next breeding season.

A Journal of Animal Science study found that the pregnancy rates of cattle that suffered from difficult calving decreased by 14 per cent, and those that did become pregnant calved 13 days later than projected.

Producers who are willing and able to lend a hand early in the calving process can often make all the difference when it comes to reducing the trauma from a difficult calving. A 1984 Montana study showed that heifers receiving assistance early in the birthing process returned to heat earlier and had higher pregnancy rates than heifers receiving calving assistance later in the process. In this study, heifers were either assisted about one hour after the fetal membranes appeared or were assisted only if calving was not completed within two hours of the appearance of the water bag. Heifers that were allowed to endure a prolonged labour had a 17-per-cent- lower rate of cycling at the start of the next breeding season. In addition, the rebreeding percentage was 20 per cent lower than their counterparts that were given assistance in the first hour of labour.

First-calf heifers should deliver a calf in approximately one hour. The starting time is the first appearance of the water bag and ends with complete delivery of the calf. Mature cows that have calved previously should proceed much faster and deliver the calf in about half an hour.

Andy Jansen, P.Eng.Manager, Agricultural Operations UnitLivestock Branch

Naomi Paley, PAgRegional Livestock Specialist, YorktonRegional Services Branch

Call the Agricultural Operations Unit at 306-787-4680; orVisit the Saskatchewan Agriculture webpage www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/mortalities.

FOR MORE INFO

Contact a Regional Livestock Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; orCall the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

FOR MORE INFO

Formation of a carcass compost pile.

Heifers that receive assistance early in calving are more likely to be bred early in the next season.

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Proper nutrition is crucial to health of cow and calf

and alfalfa hay tends to be high in calcium, while grass hay tends to have lower levels of both phosphorus and calcium. Typically, minerals are identified by the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio that is supplied. Remember that if you have a specific mineral imbalance in your ration, such as high selenium, custom mineral formulation is always an option.

Proper nutrition of cow herds is an essential part of managing herd reproduction and fertility. Feed and water testing are an essential part of balancing the nutrients within a ration to meet herd requirements.

For beef producers, cow reproduction is the most important factor affecting their profitability. And for many producers at this time of year, the next production phases are crucial from a nutritional and reproductive perspective. With 70 per cent of fetal development occurring in the third trimester, nutritional demands are increasing. Those demands are increased further when the cow gives birth, to compensate for milk production. That milk production facilitates approximately 2.5 lb. of gain per day of growth in a suckling calf.

To get a calf every year, cows need to get pregnant within 83 days of giving birth, with 40 of those days being reserved for uterine involution (healing of the uterus). That leaves two heat cycles in which to get them pregnant. The bottom line is that cows need to be receiving the right nutrition in order for all these events to happen smoothly. A nutritional rule of thumb is that cows need 11 per cent crude protein and 65 per cent total digestible nutrients (TDN) during lactation. These demands are elevated for first and second calvers as they need more nutrients to facilitate their own growth as well. Forage testing is crucial to making rations that properly meet the needs of the herd as well as helping to avoid problems with fusarium and ergot.

Mineral status of the cow herd is also an extremely important fertility factor that is often overlooked. When deciding which mineral best complements your ration, there are a few things to consider. Water is a source of minerals, and it should be tested to help determine which mineral is needed. Cows need calcium to phosphorus in at least a 1.5:1 ratio, and not higher than 7:1. Grains tend to be high in phosphorus,

LIVESTOCK

Leah Clark, PAgRegional Livestock Specialist, WatrousRegional Services Branch

Contact a Regional Livestock Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office;Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; orVisit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at www.saskatchewan.ca.

FOR MORE INFO

SASKATCHEWAN SHEEP ABORTION SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMSaskatchewan sheep producers are reminded that the Saskatchewan Sheep Abortion Surveillance Program runs until June 30, 2015.

Abortion has been a problem in the lamb industry for many years and some producers have come to accept abortions as normal. This program will help the Saskatchewan sheep industry determine the prevalence and type of abortion occurring on farms and assess the severity of the problem.

Eligibility:

Under this program, producers with 10 or more breeding ewes that have experienced at least two abortions during the current lambing season can submit aborted or stillborn fetuses for testing.

Costs Covered:The costs of laboratory testing and shipping and handling of samples will be covered by the program.

To submit a fetus for testing, please contact your local veterinarian or contact the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board at 306-933-5582 for more information.

All fetuses will undergo testing for enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE) and routine bacteriology. Other tests may be done based on necropsy/bacteriology results.

This program is funded by Growing Forward 2 and supported by in-kind contributions from the Large Animal Clinic at the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board.

SASKATCHEWAN BOVINE VIRAL DIARRHEA VIRUS (BVDV) SCREENING AND CONTROL PROGRAM.

Saskatchewan Agriculture’s BVDv Screening and Control Program is available free of charge to all Saskatchewan cattle producers and their veterinarians. Any calves that are sick, dead, deformed or aborted are eligible for BVDv testing, although feedlot and purchased calves/yearlings are NOT eligible.

Any veterinarian or veterinary clinic can submit samples for testing.

The program covers the cost of shipping and laboratory testing of ear notches. If BVDv is found in the cattle herd, the program also provides up to $500 to offset the veterinary consultation fees to set up a BVDv control program.

All Saskatchewan cattle producers are eligible for the program. There is no application to fill out, although producers will have to work with their veterinarians to submit the samples.

For more information, contact Dr. Wendy Wilkins, Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Disease Surveillance Veterinarian, at 306-798-0253 or [email protected].

The Saskatchewan Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Screening and Control Program is funded under Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Reproductive success and healthy calves rely on proper nutrition.

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One of the best ways to add health benefits to a food product is through the inclusion of probiotics. Probiotics are believed to improve the immune system, prevent cancer, reduce serum cholesterol and prevent intestinal tract infections.

However, to be effective, probiotics must first survive the harsh environment of the stomach’s acidic barrier and then reach the lower gastrointestinal system. It is there that they proliferate and exert their beneficial effects.

This project sought to find a way around the stomach problem. The objective was to create a capsule for the entrapment of the probiotic, Bifidobacterium adolescentis. The capsule needed to both protect the probiotic in the stomach and release it in the lower gastrointestinal tract.

In doing so, researchers wanted to use the most health-beneficial and cost-effective wall material possible for the capsule. They also sought to demonstrate that the addition of prebiotics would improve the survival of B. adolescentis in the digestive system.

Traditionally, capsule material is made of alginate, a gelatine made from seaweed or other algae; however, past alginate-probiotic capsules have proven ineffective. They do not adequately protect probiotic bacteria in simulated gastric juice, even at high concentrations (four per cent). That is why the capsule that was tested in this project used pea protein instead. Pea protein also boasts a low cost and a high nutritional value.

The study’s findings concluded that pea protein capsules dramatically increase probiotic survival. The number of surviving encapsulated B. adolescentis in synthetic gastric juice after two hours was more than 5.5 times that of free-floating B. adolescentis.

Additionally, the study proved that plant proteins can be used to encapsulate probiotics. It also demonstrated that prebiotics assist the survival of B. adolescentis in the digestive system. The success of pea protein as a capsule wall material is very exciting news for Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector. It may provide new market opportunities for plant protein.

This study also tested a second capsule composition. This second capsule type used legume protein instead of pea protein and used smaller capsules with diameters of ~ 20 microns. This smaller size ensures that consumers will not experience a bad taste.

Findings from the legume capsule tests were similar to those from the pea protein capsule tests. They further solidified the hypothesis that plant products serve as an excellent wall material for probiotic-carrying capsules. This discovery foreshadows the promise of using more consumer and market-friendly, plant-based alternatives to produce controlled delivery systems for probiotics.

Using plant protein to make pill capsules for probiotics

RESEARCH

This discovery is important because the encapsulation of probiotics using plant-based materials could play a vital role in food applications and as a livestock feed or pet food supplement. In fact, using plant proteins within the capsule matrix may provide an opportunity to open the probiotic ingredient market to non-dairy applications.

That is why researchers conducted the following test on commercial fruit juices: They placed the legume protein capsules in commercial fruit juices for a six-week period. The probiotics survived in pineapple juice and white grape juice at both 4 C and 22 C, respectively. The researchers recommended that market expansion into functional beverages that offer enhanced health benefits be explored even further.

The researchers also conducted a final test that involved rats. DNA was extracted from feces left by rats that had ingested the pea and legume protein capsules. The feces contained evidence that the probiotics made it through the entire digestive process as intended. A full document outlining the findings of this animal study will be published soon.

In summary, this project was successful in creating plant-based capsules for the probiotic B. adolescentis. Pea protein and legume protein capsules were found to be particularly effective. There were also chickpea, faba and lentil protein capsules produced. The effectiveness of these capsules in delivering probiotics opens the door to new market development opportunities while providing health benefits to both animal and human consumers.

The Agriculture Development Fund provides funding to institutions, companies and industry organizations to help them carry out research, development and value-added activities in the agriculture and agri-food sector. The results

produce new knowledge, information and choices in technologies and varieties for farmers, ranchers, processors and input supplies, to improve the competitiveness of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.

In 2015, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada committed $10.6 million in new funding for 72 ADF research projects through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture research reports page at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/ADF/Search and enter the report number #20080198 into the search function.

FOR MORE INFO

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PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

2. Bored wells (large diameter, typically 18 to 48 inches) are usually located in areas with a high water table or limited aquifers. Bored wells may be decommissioned by a contractor or by the landowner. Prior to starting a decommissioning project, you should research the well’s initial construction. A driller’s report will give an idea of the well depth and provide other pertinent information.

Before taking steps to decommission a well, be sure to consult the Water Security Agency (WSA) website at www.wsask.ca. The website has several resources to assist with well decommissioning projects, including factsheets to help determine the appropriate decommissioning method and a list of registered well drillers who may be able to provide services.

If you are unsure how to proceed with a well decommissioning project, or have some technical questions or safety concerns, contact the WSA at 306-694-3900.

FRWIP is funded under Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Decommissioning wells for safety and the environment

Open, abandoned wells pose an obvious threat to the safety of people and animals, and they also provide direct pathways through which surface contaminants can enter the ground water. Due to these risks, landowners should attempt to locate and properly decommission all wells on their property that are not in use. To assist with the costs associated with well decommissioning, the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) rebates up to 90 per cent of the cost of eligible well decommissioning projects to a maximum of $10,000. A well decommissioning plan needs to be developed as part of the FRWIP project application process.

There are two types of water wells you may find on your property:

1. Drilled wells (small diameter, typically three to 18 inches) are usually located in areas where the water is more than 70 feet below the surface. Drilled wells must be decommissioned by a professional well driller using specialized equipment to pump an appropriate sealing material (commonly high solids bentonite grout) to fill the well from the bottom up. Pouring dry bentonite inside the casing or filling the casing with sand, soil, clay or fill is not an acceptable practice.

Visit www.agr.gov.sk.ca/GF2-FRWIP or call 1-877-874-5365.FOR MORE INFO

Verified Beef Production Program – Food Safety and Biosecurity on your farm

help prevent the introduction and spread of disease. VBP provides funding for on-farm biosecurity assessments by qualified veterinarians. Biosecurity training is provided in conjunction with the OFFS workshops across the province. OFFS training is also available online.

With a global trend toward verifiable food safety standards, and growing consumer interest in the issue, OFFS systems are a trusted, recognized way to implement and verify food safety practices, and have the added benefit of being both simple and practical. An OFFS system assures everyone—consumers, employees and the industry—that you, as a producer, are committed to safe food production. The overall result is greater global competitiveness for Canada’s food industry.

For information on commodity-specific OFFS programming, contact the appropriate commodity group listed in the table below. Producers do not have to be members of these organizations to access programming.

Additional information can be found at: www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-OnFarmFoodSafety www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-LivestockBiosecurity

Grass-roots-driven and industry-led, the Verified Beef Production (VBP) Program is the nationally recognized on-farm food safety (OFFS) system for beef cattle. It grew from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association educational initiative designed to help the industry move toward the highest beef quality in the world. Canada’s beef producers already have a reputation for acting responsibly, but VBP takes that to a new level.

The program is based on the principles of using Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)—an international quality control program used in many industries and adapted for use at the farm-level by VBP and other OFFS systems. Standard operating procedures identified in each OFFS system are designed to reduce or eliminate food safety hazards found at the farm level. They include ‘must do’ requirements, recommended procedures, and record keeping. For VBP, the system includes procedures for animal health management, cattle shipment, use of medicated feed, pest control and communications.

Through the federal-provincial-territorial Growing Forward 2 agreement, the Saskatchewan OFFS Implementation Program provides funding to the provincial VBP Working Group for producer workshops and awareness activities, as well as for specified OFFS-related equipment and certification audits. In 2014, VBP added biosecurity programming to their efforts, with training and awareness on nationally developed biosecurity practices that

Sandra StangerManager, Programs and Legislative ServicesFinancial Programs Branch

Anita DutkaReviewer, Grant and Rebate ProgramsFinancial Programs Branch

Contact Coy Schellenberg, Provincial CoordinatorSaskatchewan Quality Starts Here/ Verified Beef Production Working Group Inc.Box 201 Beechy, SK S0L 0C0 | Phone: 306-859-9110 Email: [email protected] | Website: www.saskvbp.ca

FOR MORE INFO

Bored wells such as this one are good candidates for decommissioning.

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producers will use a combination of their contracted price and the Crop Insurance base price to develop their coverage. The Contract Price Option is available on specific crops that are commonly contracted, and producers need to indicate they are selecting the Contract Price Option for their crop by March 31 and provide a copy of the contract by May 31.

Individual CoverageOne of the important aspects of the Crop Insurance Program is the individualization of coverage for each operation. Production and claim history factor into the coverage and associated premium. When combined with the various coverage levels and pricing options, all producers have crop insurance coverage unique to their specific farms.

Additional BenefitsCrop insurance customers not only receive coverage for yield-loss on their crops, they also have coverage for a number of other factors. Quality downgrading is a part of the Crop Insurance Program, and compensation can be accessed when the crop quality does not meet the base grade. The Crop Insurance Program, through the Establishment Benefit feature, also provides coverage for seeded crops that do not properly establish. Producers who have land in a seedable condition but are unable to plant a crop due to excess spring moisture, can access benefits through the Unseeded Acreage feature.

Producers who grow different types of crops or use a different method of production also have risk protection through the Crop Insurance Program. Irrigation coverage is available for producers on crops that are irrigated throughout the growing season. The Diversification Option is a feature providing coverage on crops not eligible through the general Crop Insurance Program, giving producers an avenue to receive crop insurance coverage while trying new and different crops on their farms. Pedigreed seed growers, grain corn producers, soybean producers and honey producers can also participate through additional programming. The Crop Insurance Program also has organic options, forage coverage and weather-based programs, providing coverage to meet a wide range of needs.

Do your business onlineSCIC enhanced CropConnect in 2014. This updated online tool allows customers to enter insurance selections, estimate premiums with the insurance calculator, add or delete crops and select options and coverage levels. In addition to selecting their coverage needs, customers can submit Seeded Acreage Reports and Production Declarations or file a post-harvest claim. Customers can also view historical information on previously reported years.

The Crop Insurance Program provides a range of choices and options so producers can custom-fit their coverage to the needs of their operations. Packages with detailed information about the 2015 Crop Insurance Program will be mailed to customers shortly. Producers are encouraged to review the information in the package and contact their local Crop Insurance office to discuss their coverage options or to make any changes for 2015. New producers also need to contact Crop Insurance by March 31 if they wish to receive coverage for the 2015 year.

Crop Insurance: more options, more choices, better insurance

Saskatchewan’s agricultural industry continues to adapt and adjust to remain successful and competitive. Not only are farmers adjusting their operations’ size and production capabilities to be successful, but new technologies and production practices are being used, giving greater opportunity than ever before. As each farm becomes more unique in its structure and operation, the need for individualized risk management programming becomes more important. The Crop Insurance Program has been designed to offer greater flexibility, as it provides a range of options so producers can custom fit their crop insurance coverage to meet the needs of their operations.

Coverage LevelsGenerally, the Crop Insurance Program offers coverage at 50, 60, 70 or 80 per cent of a producer’s long-term average yield. These options are there to give producers choice so they can select the appropriate coverage level for their operations’ risk management needs. When making crop insurance coverage decisions for 2015, producers should ensure they select any crops they may grow and want insurance on. There is no additional cost or penalty for selecting a crop that the producer then decides not to grow; however, if seeding intentions change and the producer needs to switch to another crop, coverage will be available if it was selected before the March 31 deadline.

PremiumThe premium a producer pays will reflect the coverage selected—the higher the coverage, the higher the premium. There are, however, a number of other factors influencing premium cost, such as the farm’s historical production and claim history, and the area of the province in which the farm is located. The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation uses experience discounts and surcharges to recognize the risk differences among customers. Customers without a history of repeated claims will have reduced premiums.

Price OptionsProducers have a range of options for pricing their insured crops. The base price is most commonly selected. This price is set in January using market forecasting provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Producers can also select the Low Price Option for each crop, which is set at 85 per cent of the base price. This price comes at a lower premium and is another way for producers to customize their coverage based on their need.

There are two other price options—the variable and in-season price options—which provide insured prices later in the year. The Variable Price Option uses July price forecasts to set prices that better represent current market conditions with premium values known up-front, giving premium certainty to producers. The In-Season Price Option uses actual crop price averages from the September to February period. The average from that six-month period is used for the producer’s coverage, and the premium is set up front, ensuring producers are not caught with a premium hike, should crop prices rise.

As contracting has become more common for Saskatchewan farmers, SCIC developed a feature to provide producers the opportunity to have coverage more reflective of their contracted price. Using the Contract Price Option,

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL SAFETY WEEK 2015From March 15 to 21, agriculture organizations across Canada will be celebrating Canadian Agricultural Safety Week.

The agricultural industry is one of the most hazardous industries in the country. This year’s theme, Be the Difference, encapsulates the need for all of us to work to make the agricultural industry safer.

This goes beyond ensuring machinery is used properly. It means respecting livestock, keeping children away from hazardous work areas, and making the health of you and your family a high priority.

For more information on what you can do to spread the word about agricultural safety, visit agsafetyweek.ca.

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The annual Soils and Crops Workshop will be held on March 16 and 17, 2015, in Hall A of Prairieland Park in Saskatoon—the same place as the 2014 workshop.

Day 1 will feature oral presentations on current research in the areas of crop management, soil fertility, pest management and crop production systems. In addition, the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources will be presenting undergraduate thesis papers during Day 1. A poster session featuring research results from Western Canada will also be held during Day 1 and Day 2.

This year is the International Year of Soils, so to honour that, a special session in the afternoon of Day 1 will feature speakers on topics ranging from soil classification, landscape variability, soil biodiversity, soils and global food security, soil preservation and a farmer’s perspective.

This year also marks 50 years of Soils and Crops Workshops, and Prof. Les Henry (Mr. Soils), a co-founder of the workshop, will give a luncheon keynote speech.

Every October, more than 100 exceptional high school students from across the world are selected to participate in the three-day Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa, hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation.

The 2014 event marked the first time that Canadian students were invited. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture was proud to send two young people to the conference.

Amanda Mitchell, from Frontier, and Mackenzie Siedel, from Medstead, were selected based on their essays on the subject of food security, specifically how to sustainably feed a population of nine billion by 2050.

“I see all the food in my pantry and I find it difficult to understand that 80 per cent of the population doesn’t even have access to food at all times.” Amanda said. “I learned that there is not enough land to harvest the food required for our growing population. Instead, we need to innovate and increase production on the land that is available.”

Amanda hosted a hunger banquet for students in grades six through 12 to teach the importance of global food security. Twenty per cent sat at a table enjoying lasagna and dessert; 30 per cent sat only on chairs and received rice and beans; and 50 per cent sat on the floor and received only a small ration of rice.

This exercise brought home to the students the importance of the food security question. It gave students in Saskatchewan a glimpse of what life is like for many students in underdeveloped countries, where food security is a primary issue.

“The Global Youth Institute was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It altered my plans for the future and opened my eyes to the

Upcoming Workshops: Soils and Crops 2015

Saskatchewan sends its first delegates to international youth food security conference

Dan ShervenJunior Communications ConsultantCommunications Branch

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Day 2 of the workshop will provide an in-depth training opportunity on Plant Disease Issues on the Prairies. Attendees will learn more about diseases such as fusarium head blight, ergot, screlotinia, clubroot and blackleg, as well as new technologies in cleaning out fusarium-damaged kernels and ergot bodies from grain, and pesticide stewardship.

After a successful launch in 2014, there will be trade fair booths again this year. This will allow industry and other stakeholders the opportunity to showcase their products and services.

This event is a great opportunity for professional development, networking and extension of current soils and crops research for certified crop advisors, certified crop science consultants, articling and professional agrologists, researchers, students, producers and others in the agricultural industry.

For online registration, go to: www.usask.ca/soilsncrops/registration/index.php.

If you are having trouble completing your registration, call 306-966-5539 or email [email protected].

realities that many people face,” Amanda said. “I still hope to work as an agronomist, but now I want to develop more sustainable agricultural techniques, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. I want to work in some of the world’s most underdeveloped countries and make a big difference.”

More students than ever are taking a keen interest in agriculture. To learn more about the exciting new opportunities available to youth in agriculture, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/thinkag.

Visit www.worldfoodprize.org/en/youth_programs/global_youth_institute/.

FOR MORE INFO

Amanda and MacKenzie (centre, left and right) and their teachers June Evenson (far left) and Audrey Jones (far right) at the Global Youth Institute.

Patrick Mooleki, PhD, PAgSoil/Nutrient Management SpecialistAgriculture Knowledge Centre

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There won’t be balloons, fireworks or big parties when Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week is celebrated from March 1 to 7. However, there will be a brand new storybook about modern, sustainable agriculture, and to many people, that is better than a flashy party.

For years, parents, teachers and librarians have expressed discontent with the scarcity of agriculture-related children’s books. Now, thanks to Agriculture in the Classroom—Saskatchewan, a new book is being added to the shelf, The Adventures of Michael and Mia: Stewards of the Land.

The book follows twins, Michael and Mia, as they plant their very own garden while learning about conservation tillage, precision farming, irrigation, fertilizer and riparian management along the way. Through the light-hearted story, the book demonstrates the importance of stewardship, both in the garden and the field.

“Today, children are more removed from the farm than ever before. This book is a fantastic tool to help educators and parents teach children about food production and farm stewardship in a fun way,” said Sara Shymko, Executive Director of Agriculture in the Classroom—Saskatchewan.

Events calendar

New agricultural storybook launched as part of Agriculture Literacy Week

Producers and industry representatives will read this new book to children across Saskatchewan during Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week—an initiative led by Agriculture in the Classroom as a way to connect students with agriculture. With support from Farm Credit Canada, more than 3,000 students from more than 130 schools

participated in the program last year, and this year, the program is on track to exceed those numbers.

Funding for the book was provided by Viterra and the Agriculture Awareness Initiative Program, which was developed under the Growing Forward 2 bilateral agreement to support industry in its efforts to enhance the public’s perception of agriculture.

This is just one of the many resources available through Agriculture in the Classroom—Saskatchewan to connect kids with agriculture. To get your hands on a copy of the book, or to learn more about program and resources available, visit www.aitc.sk.ca. Although it is too late to volunteer to read in a classroom during this year’s Canadian Agriculture Literacy

Week celebrations, there are plenty of other opportunities for you to get involved. Contact [email protected] to learn about how you can help kids discover agriculture.

EVENTS | PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Date Event Location Phone Internet

March 1, 2015 Agriculture Awareness Initiative application deadline. A Growing Forward 2 program.

Saskatchewan www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/

GF2-AgAwareness

March 1 – 7, 2015 Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week Saskatchewan 306-933-5224 www.aitc.sk.ca

March 3, 2015 How to Benefit from Agricultural Cycles and Economic Trends

Saskatoon Inn Saskatoon, SK 1-888-332-3301 www.fcc-fac.ca

March 7, 2015 An Evening Out for Farmers and Friends Battlefords Exhibition Grounds, North Battleford, SK

306-445-2024 www.agsociety.com

March 8 – 9, 2015 Lloydminster 96 Annual Pride of the Prairies Bull Show and Sale

Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds Lloydminster, SK

306-825-5571 www.lloydexh.com

March 15 – 21, 2015 Canadian Agriculture Safety Week Saskatchewan 1-877-452-2272 www.agsafetyweek.ca

March 16 – 17, 2015 Soils and Crop Workshops Prairieland Park Saskatoon, SK www.usask.ca/soilsncrops/

registration

March 31, 2015 Deadline to apply, reinstate, cancel or make changes to your 2015 Crop Insurance Contract.

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation

1-888-935-0000 www.saskcropinsurance.com

March 31, 2015 Deadline to submit your interim application to AgriStability.

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation

1-888-935-0000 www.saskcropinsurance.com

Visit aitc.sk.ca FOR MORE INFO

Krystal AulieProvincial Agriculture Awareness SpecialistRegional Services Branch

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