june 2010 volume 6
TRANSCRIPT
uPDATE ON wEED cONTROL AcT PAgE 5
FEED uTILIZATION TIPS PAgE 10
SEEDED AcREAgE REPORTS PAgE 13
JuNE 2010 VOLuME 6
03
Regional Crops Specialists: In the field with you
page 12
Minister’s Message
Last Fall, there was a need to take action to control the coyote population. Coyote attacks were taking place all over the province, largely on sheep and cattle, but on other livestock as well.
According to the Ministry of Environment, an average of 21,000 coyotes are hunted or trapped for their fur each year, with up to 35,000 in some years. However, due in part to lower prices for coyote pelts, these numbers decreased to 17,700 pelts in 2008-09.
The reduction in hunting and trapping in Saskatchewan over the past number of years has resulted in an increased coyote population. In addition, coyotes have been packing up, becoming bolder and coming
into farmyards in daylight while farm families work outside. This made it necessary to implement a program to help protect the livelihood of our livestock producers and keep their families safe.
The Coyote Control Program was announced in November 2009, and came to an end on March 31, 2010, as originally scheduled. The pilot program paid hunters, trappers and producers $20 per coyote harvested.
Final applications have now been processed. In total, over 71,000 coyotes were removed under the program.
I am pleased with the uptake of the Coyote Control Program. I hope it has helped to reduce both the predation issues facing livestock producers and the potential danger posed to farm and ranch families.
RMs played a valuable role in administering the Coyote Control Program. In total, 257 RMs participated in the program, representing over 85 per cent of RMs in the province. I sincerely appreciate their assistance in delivering this program, as well as with other provincial government programs. Their local expertise and experience is a valuable asset and we will continue to work with RMs, as well as farmers and ranchers, to monitor the coyote situation as we move forward.
There are several other initiatives administered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) to help farmers and ranchers continue to deal with predation. In March 2010, along with Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, I announced $2.5 million in annual funding to compensate Saskatchewan producers for livestock killed and injured by predators. Under the program, producers will now be compensated for 100 per cent of the market value of their livestock killed by predators and up to 80 per cent of the market value for injured livestock.
While the Coyote Control Program has helped to reduce the coyote population, it has by no means eliminated all predator attacks on livestock. As of May 3, there have been more than 560 claims to SCIC for livestock killed or injured by predators since April 1.
In addition, the provincial government is providing $350,000 in the 2010-11 budget to assist producers with the removal of problem predators. If a producer is having issues with predator attacks on their livestock, SCIC will send a predation officer out to their farm to assist with removing problem predators.
Cost-shared funding is also available through the Environmental Farm Program for sheep and goat producers to construct fencing to prevent predator attacks.
For more information on predation programming, producers can contact their local SCIC customer service office, www.saskcropinsurance.com or call 1-888-935-0000.
Sincerely,
Bob Bjornerud
STORY SNAPSHOTS
5
AGRIVIEW is published by the Communications Branch of Saskatchewan Agriculture for Saskatchewan farmers and farm and food organizations. For more information, call 306-787-5160 or e-mail [email protected]. To view this publication online, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/programs-services.
Alfalfa Weevil becoming a problem
Clubroot research in Saskatchewan
TABLE OF cONTENTS
7
11
13
Farmers markets growing
UPDATE ON WEED CONTROL ACT PAGE 5
FEED UTILIZATION TIPS PAGE 10
SEEDED ACREAGE REPORTS PAGE 13
JUNE 2010 VOLUME 6
03
Regional Crops Specialists: In the field with you
page 12
Program changes to AgriStability for livestock producers
Livestock10
Cover: Regional Services Crops Specialist John
Ippolito (right) talks with producer Doug
MacDonald on Doug’s farm near Elrose, SK.
croPs4
12reGioNAL services
irriGAtioN9
JUNE 2010 3
ProGrAms ANd services13
eveNts cALeNdAr16
15reseArch
mArkets ANd trAde11
4 JUNE 2010
cROPS
2010 Insect Monitoring Programs
cROP ScOuTINg: A cRucIAL PART OF cROP MANAgEMENT
Timely crop scouting is a crucial part of crop management. Whether you scout fields yourself or hire someone to do it,
frequent crop scouting throughout the growing season can help you manage crop establishment issues and control weeds, diseases and insects.
The crop scouting process starts prior to seeding, especially if you direct-seed. Correctly identify weeds in the field and their growth stages will help you decide which burn-off herbicides to use, as well as the appropriate rate.
After seeding, assess crop stand establishment. Poor plant stands can be a result of an individual factor or a combination of factors. Scraping back the soil when the crop is emerging can reveal underground symptoms of deep seeding, surface crusting or seedling blights. Seedlings can be killed by early season insects such as cutworms, wireworms or flea beetles. Spraying early season insect pests can rescue the crop if caught soon enough. Damaged seedlings can dry up and disappear quickly, so timely and frequent field scouting is critical to determining the cause and possible solutions to establishment issues. If crop establishment is poor, consider all the factors and decide whether to reseed.
Repeated in-crop scouting for weeds, diseases and insect issues are necessary to protect the crop once it’s established. Before applying pesticides, consider the economic thresholds and the best time for
maximum control. After spraying a pesticide, do a post-spray audit to assess how the pesticide performed. For example, after herbicide applications, producers should scout the field for both weed control performance and crop injury issues. Typically, scouting should occur one or two weeks after application. If the weeds are not completely dead, look for symptoms of herbicide activity such as yellowing, purpling, twisting, cupping or bleaching. Timely post-spray audits may give you enough time to perform a rescue treatment if necessary. Be aware of field re-entry restrictions on certain insecticides.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; or
• Contact a Regional Crop Specialist in your area.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture works with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance
Corporation, the Canola Council of Canada, individual farmers and industry agrologists to monitor major insect pests in this province.
The collected information is then used to generate forecast maps that advise producers of potential insect problems; determine if an economically harmful insect is present in a region; track expanding distribution and range of insects into new areas; assist the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in determining the presence of specific insect species; assist in research projects; and provide crop protection input suppliers with a forewarning of potential insecticide needs.
The Grasshopper Survey is based on observations of adult grasshopper populations from the previous fall. The survey reflects the number of adult grasshoppers capable of reproduction and egg-laying, thereby
providing an estimate of grasshopper eggs that could hatch the following spring and present a risk to crops during the growing season.
The Bertha Armyworm Monitoring Program is conducted by numerous co-operators reporting data from pheromone traps that attract adult male moths. The reports are used to monitor population levels and produce weekly risk maps based on cumulative moth counts from June to early August.
Diamondback Moth Monitoring utilizes pheromone traps to detect the arrival of these migrating pests. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada also monitors wind trajectory models.
The Cabbage Seedpod Weevil and Pea Leaf Weevil Survey are monitoring more recent crop pests in Saskatchewan. Although these insects are expanding their ranges, economically damaging populations are currently present only in southwestern Saskatchewan. Field surveys are conducted in late spring and summer and infestation maps are produced.
The Wheat Midge Forecast is generated based on the number of viable cocoons
found in the soil the previous fall.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca and click on the Maps Section.
by Sean Miller, PAg Integrated Pest Management AgrologistCrops Branch
by Brent Flaten, PAg, CCAIntegrated Pest Management SpecialistAgriculture Knowledge Centre
Scouting throughout the season is essential to help make proper crop management decisions.
Field pea plant with pea leaf weevil damage (note notching on leaf margins).
cROPS
Saskatchewan gets new Weed Control Act
ALFALFA wEEVIL ON THE RISE IN SASkATcHEwAN
The Saskatchewan Legislature recently passed a significant piece of new legislation that will help producers and Rural Municipalities
alike: The Weed Control Act, 2010 now replaces The Noxious Weeds Act, 1984.
Changes made in the new legislation are intended to refocus enforcement efforts from everyday weeds to new and emerging problems. This is because little impact can be made on most widely established weeds in Saskatchewan, but it is possible to prevent the introduction and spread of new weeds into and through the province.
The largest change in the new Act is the placement of weeds into three categories: Prohibited, Noxious and Nuisance. This categorization allows the enforcement effort to vary with the weed’s relative importance.
Weeds that are rare and are a demonstrated problem outside Saskatchewan are of higher importance than weeds that are widespread. Few people will have even heard of many of the weeds in the Prohibited category, such as saltcedar and yellow star-thistle. While many of the weeds in the Noxious category, such as leafy spurge and scentless chamomile, or the Nuisance category, like dandelion and povertyweed, will be familiar to most as problem weeds.
The Weed Control Act, 2010 will continue to be enforced by municipally appointed weed inspectors. What has changed are the maximum
amounts that may be recovered from a landowner by the municipality for weed control costs incurred if control measures are not completed by the land operator in a timely fashion, as well as the maximum amounts of fines that may be levied for offences under the Act. The maximum cost allowance under the previous legislation did not allow municipalities to be compensated for work that was done as a result of enforcement. It was also felt that the previous maximum amount for fines was no longer a deterrent.
Another change is an appeal process introduced in The Weed Control Act, 2010 as a way to balance the powers granted to municipalities. Landowners that feel they have not been treated fairly by the weed inspector may appeal first to the municipality and then to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board, if necessary.
The Weed Control Act, 2010, will also protect natural areas such as native rangeland, forests and aquatic habitats from the introduction of invasive plants.
The Weed Control Act will become law this spring and come into force in the fall of 2010. Prior to that time, weeds will be designated for each category by Minister’s Order and The Weed Control Regulations will be drafted that will contain the specifics of various administrative items.
These changes were made because the existing legislation was no longer meeting Saskatchewan’s needs for legislation that protects agricultural and natural lands from the introduction and spread of new and damaging weeds.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact Clark Brenzil at (306) 787-4673.
by Clark Brenzil, PAgProvincial Specialist, Weed ControlCrops Branch
Alfalfa weevils are becoming a serious issue. If you’ve grown alfalfa in the southeastern part of Saskatchewan, chances are you’ve seen
alfalfa weevil damage. The extent of weevils, however, has stretched north and west into the Saskatoon area.
Alfalfa weevil adults over-winter in debris or alfalfa stubble. Once alfalfa growth begins, the weevils begin feeding and lay eggs into the stems of alfalfa plants. The eggs hatch in one to three weeks and the larvae begin to feed on new growth. High larval populations will give the alfalfa field a silvery sheen as the leaves become skeletonised. Peak feeding occurs from mid-June to mid-July. After several development stages, the larvae fall to the ground and pupate. A new generation of adults emerge seven to 14 days later.
The most cost-effective way to control weevil is to harvest a hay crop before extensive feeding damage occurs. Fortunately, the timing of cutting hay and alfalfa weevil control coincides with the early bloom stage of alfalfa. If cutting is not possible, as in alfalfa seed production, research suggests one larva/stem on a 30 cm alfalfa plant, two larvae/stem on a 40 cm plant or three larvae/stem on any plant may warrant an insecticide application. Please refer to the Saskatchewan Ministry of
Agriculture’s publication Guide to Crop Protection for details on monitoring, economic thresholds and insecticide application.
In recent years there have been situations where larval populations have remained high after the first cut and chemical control has also been required. Two or more active larvae per crown or four to eight larvae per ft.2 may warrant insecticide application.
Regional forage specialists in the province will be conducting an alfalfa weevil survey between late June and early July. If you have had weevils in the past or suspect you may have had weevils, please contact your Regional Forage Specialist.
FOR MORE INFORMATION • Contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; or
• Your local Ministry of Agriculture Regional Office.
by Andre Bonneau, BSA, PAg Forage Management SpecialistAgriculture Knowledge Centre
Changes to Saskatchewan’s weed control measures will help keep threatening weeds, like the yellow starthistle (above), out of the province. Photo: Steve Dewey, Utah State University, www.bugwood.org.
Alfalfa weevil larvae, photo courtesy AAFC.
JUNE 2010 5
6 JUNE 2010
cROPS
Agri-ARM Field Days 2010
SASkATcHEwAN SuNFLOwER cOMMITTEE FIELD DAY
The Saskatchewan Agri-ARM (Agriculture-Applied Research Management) Program connects eight regional applied research
and demonstration sites into a province-wide network. The program sets out to increase the adoption of new agricultural production technologies and practices; provide farmers with more tools for environmental and economic decision-making; develop and maintain an adequate level of infrastructure and expertise for regional applied research and demonstration; and increase public awareness of agriculture’s role in environmental stewardship and the overall economy.
The Agri-ARM program has benefited from the collaboration of a number of partners including, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, the Provincial Council of ADD Boards and industry groups.
The research priorities of each Agri-ARM site are determined by a producer-led council, resulting in a diversity of demonstration projects across the province. Although many projects are designed for a specific Agri-ARM location, there are also many examples of collaborations among sites. Some of the many projects that Agri-ARM sites are involved in include regional variety testing, new crop agronomy, weed control technology, fertility evaluations and equipment technology. This year, the Agri-ARM program will also feature ADOPT (Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies) projects at many of the sites. Some of these ADOPT projects are: Seeding and Nitrogen Rates for Malt Barley Production, Chemical Control of Leafy Spurge, Efficacy and Economic Benefits of Variable Rate Fertilizer and Mustard Agronomy Demonstration. See page 15 for a full listing of projects.
Annual Agri-ARM field days provide producers with an opportunity to observe research and demonstration projects and to discuss results with researchers. The following schedule lists the planned dates for 2010; however, always confirm the date closer to the event.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact your Regional Crops or Forage Specialist; or
• Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
by Shannon Urbaniak, PAgRegional Crops Specialist, WatrousRegional Services Branch
Date Field Day Location ContactJune 4 Seager Wheeler Rosthern Shannon Urbaniak
946-3216
July 13 Conservation Learning Centre Prince Albert Tom Boyle
953-2362
July 15 Wheatland Conservation Area Swift Current Shannon Chant
778-8291
July 16 Scott Field Day and 100th anniversary Scott Sherrilyn Phelps
446-7475
July 22 East-Central Research Foundation Field Tour Canora
Zane Lewchuk786-1508Todd Jorgenson786-5859
July 20Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation Field Day
Indian Head Daphne Cruise694-3587
July 21 Melfort Field Day Melfort
Kim Stonehouse878-8807Al Foster 878-8890
TBA South-East Research Foundation Field Day Redvers
Elaine Moats848-2856Lorne Klein848-2382
The Saskatchewan Sunflower Committee (SSC) Field Day will be held July 27 at the Indian Head Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(AAFC) Research Farm.
The Indian Head site was chosen this year because of the selection of sunflower plots that will be available for viewing. Plans for the Sunflower Field Day include an SSC meeting beginning at 11 a.m., followed by lunch and a tour of the plots.
Bill May, research scientist at Indian Head, has initiated a project that includes a number of early generation sunflower hybrids from Brent Hulke’s North Dakota breeding program. These are breeding lines that have not had enough breeding work to be ready for release for production.
“The purpose of this trial is to screen potential hybrids for early maturity which may be suitable for Saskatchewan growing conditions,” May said. “The trial also includes some early maturing breeding material developed through the old breeding program from AAFC Morden, Manitoba.”
In addition to the screening trial, there will be two projects funded by the Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Program. The first project demonstrates the suitability of new mid-oleic and high-oleic hybrids for Saskatchewan conditions. There are over 10 hybrids in this trial. The second ADOPT project demonstrates the
response of sunflowers to five different rates of nitrogen fertilizer application.
The two ADOPT trials are also planted at five other locations to obtain a good set of information from across the province. The additional locations are Canora, Melfort, Outlook, Swift Current and Tribune.
Anyone interested in attending the Sunflower Field Day or receiving project results can contact either Elaine Moats or Bill May.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact Elaine Moats, Regional Crops Specialist, Saskatchewan
Agriculture, Weyburn at (306) 848-2856 or [email protected]; or
• Contact Bill May, Research Scientist, Indian Head AAFC at (306) 695-5225 or [email protected].
by Elaine Moats, PAgRegional Crops Specialist, WeyburnRegional Services Branch
cROPS
Is Clubroot Really Important?
Plasmodiophora brassicae, a pathogen causing clubroot, was identified more than 130 years ago. But chances are you didn’t
hear much about clubroot until it was discovered on Alberta canola in 2003.
Since then, it seems like everyone is concerned about clubroot: reports and warnings of the disease have made countless headlines in the media, and the pathogen was declared a pest by both Saskatchewan and Alberta. And yet we still haven’t seen symptoms of the disease in this province. You may be starting to wonder, “Is clubroot really worth the fuss?”
The short answer is “yes!” Clubroot is of particular concern where it already occurs because the disease can cause devastating yield losses in cruciferous crops, which include canola, mustard and camelina. Resting spores of the pathogen can survive in the soil for many years and there are limited options to control it. In areas where it does not occur (yet), clubroot is still a concern as the disease can spread through the movement of soil contaminated with resting spores. Clubroot research will help us learn more about the disease and investigate possible management strategies. Risk levels will vary with agronomy and weather, but it is important to understand that there is a risk for clubroot in Saskatchewan, and prevention is our best choice.
ClubrootTestingResults
A total of 90 soil samples (30 in 2008 and 60 in 2009) have been collected from across the province for clubroot testing, with only one positive test for clubroot from west-central Saskatchewan in 2008, and no samples testing positive in 2009. The positive sample tells us that it is possible that the pathogen is already present in Saskatchewan, despite the absence of symptoms in the field. This season, 75 more samples will be collected and tested for clubroot, and more than 100 fields will be surveyed for canola diseases and clubroot symptoms.
Whatarewedoingtobeproactive?
Clubroot research has been supported federally ($4.6 million through Growing Forward), and provincially through the Agriculture Development Fund ($201,000) and SaskCanola ($450,000). The Canola Council of Canada is co-ordinating all research and communication efforts. Get your clubroot facts.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Visit www.clubroot.ca; or
• Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca and search the word “clubroot”.
by Faye Dokken-Bouchard, AAg, MScProvincial Specialist, Plant Disease Crops Branch
and
by Venkata Vakulabharanam, PAg, MScProvincial Specialist, Oilseed Crops Crops Branch
Clubroot gall on canola in Alberta.
JUNE 2010 7
JUNE 2010
cROPS
8
Time to remove gopher control bait stations
gET THE MOST OuT OF YOuR SILAgE cROPS
by Shannon Chant, PAg, MScRegional Crops Specialist, Swift CurrentRegional Services Branch
Richardson ground squirrels (RGS), commonly known as gophers on the prairies, cause significant damage to crop and pasture
lands, especially in the southwest regions of the province. While bait stations are one method of controlling ground squirrel populations, the effectiveness of bait stations is limited to early spring, when there is little or no green plant growth available above ground.
Consequently, all bait stations need to be removed by the end of June, as gopher control through individual baiting of holes and use of bait stations becomes less productive over the course of the growing season. To be effective, baits and fumigants should control at least 70 per cent of the gopher population. However, as alternative food supplies become available, the effectiveness of rodenticides may drop below 30 per cent. In addition, after June, gophers are less active above ground as they enter a hibernation phase in their life cycle. Therefore, placing bait in burrows will also have a reduced effect on their populations past this date.
Another reason to remove bait stations is based on the fact that extending the amount of time the station is in the field can also cause unacceptable risk of accidental poisoning of non-target animals, including deer, antelope, birds, livestock and pets. It is also important to keep in mind that the misuse of toxic baits could jeopardize the availability of rodenticides in the future.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s website at
www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca and click on Production | Livestock-Predator/Pests; or
• Contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; or
• Contact your local Regional Crops Specialist.
by Murray Feist, PAg, MScRuminant Nutrition SpecialistAgriculture Knowledge Centre
Bait station entrance should not exceed 3.5 inches (8.5 cm) in diameter.
Many variables can affect silage quality.
Forage quality often depends on the forage species used, harvested growth stage and environmental conditions during
harvest. Species of forages include alfalfa, clovers, seeded cereals and pulses.
When producing silage, the key reminders will be timing the harvest to optimize quality when cut. For cereal silages, harvest will usually be in the late milk stage (for oats) and in the mid-dough stage for barley, triticale and wheat. While quality silage can be realized if harvesting at later stages of maturity, dry matter content will be higher, water soluble carbohydrates will be lower and energy content will be less than if harvested at the optimal stages. If using alfalfa for silage, producers are reminded that earlier cut alfalfa will pack more easily and have more water soluble carbohydrates that are essential for proper fermentation.
When cutting cereals for greenfeed the same stage of seed development applies as for silage production. Producers should target the late milk to mid-dough stage for timing either the spraying with glyphosate (yellow feed) or cutting. Proper dry-down time is needed to ensure that baling moisture isn’t too high and spoilage occurs. In areas where forage production is expected to be lower than usual, seeding cereals for forage is usually a good concept to consider. The quality of cereals harvested at this time is excellent, and producers can expect 11 to 14 per cent protein and 54 to 63 per cent total digestible nutrients dry matter basis.
Alfalfa or alfalfa grass forage stands can also produce high-quality hay suitable for both the gestating and lactating beef cow. With alfalfa, however, proper curing and haying conditions are necessary to retain quality, as every time it rains on the swath there will be up to a 24 per cent reduction in nutrient content and quality due to leaf loss and nutrient leaching.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377;
or
• Contact your local Ministry of Agriculture Regional Office.
IRRIgATION
Combat Fusarium head blight
cONTROL wHITE MOuLD IN DRY BEANSby Rory Cranston, AAg Irrigation AgrologistIrrigation Branch
Fusarium head blight versus healthy kernels.
White mold infection on the main stem of a bean plant.
by Rory Cranston, AAgIrrigation Agrologist Irrigation Branch
Fusarium head blight is a fungal disease that infects
a wide range of crops in Canada.
The crops most affected by Fusarium are barley, wheat and corn. Durum, soft wheat and corn are especially susceptible.
Fusarium head blight can cause a reduction in yield due to shrunken or light-weight kernels that are lost during combining or cleaning. Fusarium can also reduce the grade and end-use quality of the crop.
Fusarium presents more of a risk in irrigated agriculture than dryland because fungal diseases thrive in a high moisture and temperature environment.
Fusarium typically threatens a crop at the flowering stage, often a very dry time of year in Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, irrigating a crop at
the flowering stage provides a desirable environment for Fusarium infection.
A producer can combat Fusarium head blight in several different ways:
1. Croprotation: do not plant susceptible crops in back-to-back years.
2. Irrigationscheduling: if possible, schedule irrigation so that the field profile is full of moisture prior to flowering. This will allow the plant to draw on soil moisture reserves without requiring irrigation during the flowering stage. Without irrigation, the above-ground environment will be dry and unfavorable to a Fusarium head blight infection. Most wheat crops start to flower three to four days after heading out. The flowering period of a uniform wheat crop is approximately 10 days.
3. Fungicideapplication: The Irrigation Crop Diversification Corporation (ICDC) has had several recent demonstrations showcasing various fungicides and their efficacy for controlling Fusarium head blight. These demonstrations have shown that an application of fungicide can be an effective control.
Fusarium head blight has the potential to be a major threat to irrigated cereal production. By taking the appropriate steps, this threat can be managed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact Rory Cranston, Provincial Irrigation Agrologist at
(306) 867-5512; or
• Email [email protected].
Dry beans are a major cash crop for irrigation producers occupying 10 to 15 per cent of the irrigated acres around Lake Diefenbaker.
Controlling white mould disease is a major bean production issue. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, better known as white mould, has over 300 hosts, the most notable in Saskatchewan being canola.
White mould generally occurs after the flowers appear and is favoured by the wet conditions and dense canopy often found in irrigated fields. It can be recognized by wet, soft spots or brown lesions on infected leaves, branches, stems and pods. These lesions enlarge into a watery, rotten mass of tissue covered by white mouldy growth. Infection of the stems, branches and leaves will cause the plant parts to wilt and die which could cause a substantial yield loss. Infection of the flowers or developing pods can cause a bleaching effect on the bean, reducing crop quality.
Control of white mould can be achieved by taking a few critical steps:
Crop Rotation
• Do not plant susceptible crops in back-to-back years. Aim to have four years between planting susceptible crops.
Agronomic Factors
• Row spacing: dry beans in a wide-row production system will have less white mould infection than in a narrow-row system. The space between rows allows the sun and wind to dry the bean plants, creating an unfavourable environment for this disease.
• Plant architecture: select a dry bean variety with a more upright architecture.
Irrigation Scheduling
Since white mould likes a wet environment, avoid excessive and late season watering. Schedule less frequent irrigation system passes but with higher water applications per pass. Frequent, lighter irrigation will keep the soil surface and plant canopy wet, increasing the possibility of disease development.
Fungicide Applications
The most effective measure for controlling white mould is an application of fungicide. Protect the blossoms from infection with a fungicide application during flowering. A dry bean crop may require a second fungicide application 10 to 14 days after the first. Close monitoring will assist in determining the need for the second application.
White mould is a constant and significant threat to dry bean production in Saskatchewan. Producers need to control white mould and minimize its threat
by using the best management practices to prevent white mould from reducing crop yield and profit.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact Rory Cranston, Provincial Irrigation Agrologist, at
(306) 867-5512; or
• Contact a Regional Office near you; or
• Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.
JUNE 2010 9
LIVESTOck
10 JUNE 2010
Manage BVD with Bio-securityby Kathryn RossAnimal Health Program Officer Livestock Branch
Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) is a serious, production-limiting disease of cattle. Cattle infected with the BVD virus can have decreased
growth performance and milk production, as well as reproductive problems and poor health, sometimes to the point of death. Some cattle can carry the virus but show minimal signs of illness. These animals are referred to as persistently infected or PIs, and are generally the “poor performers” in a herd. PIs are the main source of infection in cattle herds because they carry and excrete large quantities of the virus, and provide a constant source of infection.
Implementing bio-security protocols is crucial to preventing the spread of the virus throughout a herd. BVD is commonly introduced onto a farm when replacement animals are added. Therefore, all replacement animals should be tested for the virus and isolated prior to mixing with the home herd. Pregnant animals may test negative for the virus but their calves could still be PIs. It is imperative to test all calves from replacement animals for the
virus. As well, show cattle can transport BVD back to their home herds, so it is important to isolate show animals for three to four weeks before reintroducing them into the herd.
Neighbouring herds can be another source of BVD, so it is important to prevent any over-the-fence contact between herds. Manure management is also essential to avoiding infections in a herd. When treating or handling the herd, any animals that are isolated due to
potential BVD infection should be dealt with last to help prevent cross-contamination of manure/fluids.
Visitors, equipment and vehicles are also another source of BVD. Restricting entry to your farm will help limit the spread of BVD, as well as other diseases.
Because of the many potential sources, managing a disease such as BVD can be extremely complicated, but it is important to understand that most infections in a herd arise from the introduction of PIs. Isolating and testing all replacement animals will go a long way to preventing BVD infections in your herd.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact Kathryn Ross, Animal Health Program Officer, Livestock
Branch, at (306) 787-5142 or [email protected].
Based on 2009 production numbers, the total value of the crops, forages and co-products is over $3 billion. This is a significant
contribution to Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry.
The value of crops used in Saskatchewan’s feed industry is estimated to be $2.2 billion or 38.5 per cent of the total value of crops grown. Table one shows the approximate volumes of whole grain and co-products of crop used as livestock feed. The material is fed as whole and processed grain or is blended into pelleted feed products for all classes of livestock.
Hay, silage and greenfeed accounts for 6.7 million acres of production. Using a provincial average forage yield of 2,000 pounds per acre, that equates to the equivalent of 9.57 million round bales of hay (1,400 pounds per bale). Using the long-term hay price of $60 per tonne ($42 per bale), the annual provincial value of forage is $402 million.
By the end of this year, there will be in excess of 3.84 million tonnes of canola crushing capacity in Saskatchewan. That will produce approximately 2.3 million tonnes of canola meal with a market value of $370 million ($160 per tonne).
Saskatchewan ethanol plants have the capacity to produce 362,000 tonnes of distillers grains with solubles (DGS) annually. Using a price of $150 per tonne, the value of DGS is $54.3 million.
Grain screenings add at least $20 million of value to the feed industry ($40 per tonne).
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact a Regional Office near you; or
• Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; or
• Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.
Crop Production 2009 Total Percentage Used as Feed Crop Production2
Used as Feed1 (Tonnes) (Tonnes)
Canola3 60% 3,435,960 5,726,600 Peas 15 – 20% 391,905 + 2,612,700 Lentils 10 – 15% 148,010 + 1,480,100Oats 60% 879,060 1,465,100Flax 60% 425,220 708,700Rye 60% 63,420 105,700Barley 80% 3,264,160 4,080,200Wheat 20 – 25% 2,561,140 + 12,805,700Total 11,168,875 + 28,984,800
Screenings 100% 534,478(At three per cent dockage of total production less the amount fed directly to livestock)
1 V. Racz, Prairie Feed Resource Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Oct. 19992 Canada Grains Council – 2009 Production of Crops – Saskatchewan3 Canola Meal
by Bryan Doig, PAgProvincial Feeds SpecialistLivestock Branch
BVD is a serious, production-limiting disease, but it can be managed with bio-security.
Table 1: Total crop production used as feed (2009)
LIVESTOck FEED IN SASkATcHEwAN
MARkETS AND TRADE
JUNE 2010 11
A Taste of Saskatchewan…in Mexico?
SASkATcHEwAN’S FARMERS’ MARkETS ARE gROwINg
Next winter, have a taste of home while enjoying the sunshine in Mexico.
First, try a burger fried in healthy Saskatchewan canola oil and made with a bun using Saskatchewan wheat. Next, wash it all down with a Corona brewed with barley from right here in Saskatchewan. Mexico is Saskatchewan’s fifth-largest agri-food export market, with abundant opportunities for exporters of food ingredients. Here’s why:
Under NAFTA, most Canadian agri-food products enjoy duty-free access to Mexico. This represents a competitive advantage over other countries that have to pay import duties to get into the market. Also, Canadian agri-food products enjoy a positive reputation in Mexico.
In 2009, agri-food exports to Mexico exceeded $375 million. This represented 30 per cent of total Canadian agri-food exports to Mexico in 2009 ($1.21 billion was the Canadian total).
Mexico was also Saskatchewan’s largest market for canaryseed exports in 2009 and second-largest market for canola meal exports, after the United States. Canola seed has been Saskatchewan’s largest
export in terms of value to Mexico since 2003. Mexico is the province’s third-largest market for canola seed behind China and Japan.
Saskatchewan is the leading supplier of canaryseed to Mexico. Exports rose from $10.3 million in 2004 to $30.5 million in 2008, a
growth of 196 per cent. In 2009, the value of exports was down slightly due to lower commodity prices and a reduction in the volume of exports. Mexico is Saskatchewan’s largest market for canaryseed representing 30 per cent of total exports ($79.7 million) in 2009.
Canada is the dominant player in the Mexican canola seed market, with Saskatchewan and Alberta as the main suppliers to Mexico. The Province’s main foreign competition comes from the United States; however, their market share has been dropping since 2004.
The United States and Canada are the main suppliers of non-durum wheat to Mexico. The United States has controlled the majority share of the market over the last five years. Saskatchewan is the main Canadian supplier of non-durum wheat.
As you can see, Saskatchewan’s agri-food exports find themselves in high demand in this part of the world. Maybe that’s why Saskatchewanians feel so at home when they visit Mexico.
FOR MORE INFORMATION • Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Statistics-Trade.
by Darryl McCallum, BA AdvancedInternational Business and Investment AnalystPolicy Branch
With warm weather just around the corner, farmers’ markets around the province are gearing up for a busy season. Behind
the baking, crafting and growing, the Saskatchewan Farmers’ Market Cooperative has been busy ensuring the growth and prosperity of markets for years to come.
Composed of 20 member markets and led by a six-member board and president, the group met earlier this year to begin discussing their future and how to attract new members to the association. Joni James, Vice-President/Director, believes “the more member markets, the stronger the cooperative.” The Saskatchewan Farmers’ Market Cooperative is developing a strategy to better deal with issues such as standardization of health rules and regulations, grant attraction and appealing to new and younger vendors, to name just a few.
President Kirk Urick outlined the benefits for markets joining the Cooperative as increased exposure through their website, inclusion in a Saskatchewan Tourism brochure and a better insurance rate. He explains that the Cooperative is striving for better communication with its membership to ensure that they are aware of obstacles or opportunities in the marketplace, and enabling them to handle effectively.
One of the reasons that both James and Urick enjoy selling at Farmers’ Markets is the interaction with customers and vendors.
Membership in the Saskatchewan Farmers’ Market Cooperative also provides an opportunity to network with markets from across the province and share ideas and knowledge.
According to a study released by Farmers’ Markets Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the economic impact of farmers’ markets in Canada in 2008 was up to $3.09 billion. Seventy-five per cent of people surveyed said that they were regular shoppers, and all of that shopping added up, with a total of 28 million shopper visits in 2008.
If you are interested in joining the Saskatchewan Farmers’ Market Cooperative, contact Marnie Honeyman, Secretary/Coordinator at (306) 278-3265 or [email protected]. For a list of member markets and dates of operation, visit www.saskfarmersmarket.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact a Regional Office near you; or
• Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; or
• Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.
by Michelle McConwellCo-ordinator, Marketing and Youth Programs Regional Services Branch
BY THE NuMBERS:
In 2009, we exported at least one million dollars worth of 11 different agri-food products to Mexico. Saskatchewan agri-food products are in high demand; Mexican consumers associate them with quality, value and health. Products of note include:
• canola seed 420,995 tonnes worth $183.8 million;
• non-durum wheat 317,975 tonnes worth $91.6 million;
• canola meal 145,742 tonnes worth $25.2 million;
• canaryseed 38,672 tonnes worth $23.7 million; and
• lentils 28,114 tonnes worth $20.7 million.
Regional Crops Specialists: In the field with you this growing season
REgIONAL SERVIcES
12 JUNE 2010
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture has 10 regional offices, staffed with four regional specialists per office. Each regional office has one specialist who focuses on crop production issues and provides producers and industry
agrologists with expert advice on a variety of topics including crop pest monitoring and control, agronomy and evaluation of new crop production opportunities and any other crops related topics.
Each Regional Crops Specialist is also available to do on-farm visits to producers. The goal for each regional specialist is to provide producers access to production and business information and services.
In addition to helping producers, Regional Crops Specialists work with local applied research and demonstration farms to increase the adoption of new agricultural technologies and practices while maintaining strong ties to the University of Saskatchewan and the research community.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact a Regional Crops Specialist near you; or
• Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.
by Joe Novak, PAgManager, Eastern RegionRegional Services Branch
Tom Boyle (306) 953-2362 Prince Albert
Shannon Chant (306) 778-8291 Swift Current
Daphne Cruise (306) 694-3587Moose Jaw
Gerry Gross(306) 867-5523Outlook
John Ippolito(306) 463-5442 Kindersley
Zane Lewchuk(306) 786-1508Yorkton
Elaine Moats(306) 848-2856 Weyburn
Sherrilyn Phelps (306) 446-7475 North Battleford
Kim Stonehouse (306) 878-8807 Tisdale
Shannon Urbaniak(306) 946-3216 Watrous
by Daphne Cruise, PAg Regional Crops SpecialistAgriculture Knowledge Centre, Moose JawRegional Services Branch
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is fortunate to have a group of dedicated and valued individuals who, during the
busy farming months, provide a weekly report on the activities and progress of the agricultural community. The weekly Crop Report is an important source of information for individuals and organizations interested in, or associated with the agricultural industry.
Twelve crop reporter volunteers and their spouses were recently recognized at the Provincial Legislature for their 25 and 30-year contribution to the provincial Crop Report. The day included a tour of the legislative building, lunch with Alanna Koch, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and a presentation of appreciation. Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud introduced the crop reporters during Question Period and expressed appreciation for their dedicated service.
SASkATcHEwAN cROP REPORTERS REcOgNIZED
The 25-year recipients include, from left to right: Back row: Irene and Derald Ahner. Middle row: Allan and Sherry Aitken, Darcy and Laurie Kentel, Cheryl and Bernard Cey, Marg and Bernard Slugoski, David and Carol Thompson. Front row: Lambert and Lillian Wourms, Mick and Marg Gould, Alanna Koch, Deputy Minister of Saskatchewan Agriculture, Elaine and Bill Walter, Gwen and Vincent Wiesner. Harvey and Marion Kelly were unable to attend.
30-year recipients Larry and Rita Kuntz.
Saskatchewan Agriculture is looking for individuals to join the Crop Reporting Service. The Crop report can now be submitted by e-mail, which will make the process easier for producers who have busy schedules during the farming season.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
PRODucTIONPROgRAMS AND SERVIcES
JUNE 2010 13
Important to report seeded acres
Tom Boyle (306) 953-2362 Prince Albert
Shannon Chant (306) 778-8291 Swift Current
Daphne Cruise (306) 694-3587Moose Jaw
Every spring, once seeding is completed, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) asks its customers to report their
crops and acres seeded, whether they are insured or not, seeding date, summerfallow acres and acres too wet to seed.
Information collected on a Seeded Acreage Report (SAR) is necessary to calculate a customer’s level of insurance and process claims. For example, when acres too wet to seed are reported, SCIC is able to register an Unseeded Acreage claim for these acres.
Reporting all insured and uninsured acres leads to more accurate claims and develops an individual history for producers. This information also helps SCIC and producers ensure no information has been missed. Reporting uninsured acres, and the yields of these acres, can help establish individual coverage in future years should you wish to insure the crop.
To aid in form completion, crop codes have been pre-printed for all endorsements active on your contract. Producers may make land additions or deletions should the status have changed after the March 31 deadline, as long as crops to be grown on those acres were endorsed by that March 31 deadline.
If you have any questions or require assistance in the completion of this form, please contact a customer service representative who will be able to help and provide further details.
The Seeded Acreage Report informs SCIC what is being grown and insured. Without the information on this form, SCIC cannot offer coverage to producers and claims occurring before the information is submitted may be denied.
Producers received a package containing the Seeded Acreage Report in May. This package also included a Stored Grain Declaration form. This form helps SCIC determine production from different years, which also leads to more accurate claims.
Without this information, stored grain may be considered new production, which could affect a claim at harvest time, or be averaged if mixed with that of another producer.
ThedeadlinetosubmityourSARandStoredGrainDeclarationisJune25. You may submit your forms by mail, phone, fax, online via CropConnect or by visiting your local customer service office. Failure to submit these forms may result in a $60 penalty and further charges should it be necessary an adjuster visit to gather the information.
The deadline to report greenfeed acres is July 5. Please contact your customer service office as soon as these acres have been seeded to update your Seeded Acreage Report.
Details on how to complete these forms can be found in the Reporting Information section of Your Complete Guide to Understanding Crop Insurance, which is also available on SCIC’s website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Contact your local customer service office;
• Call 1-888-935-0000; or
• Visit www.saskcropinsurance.com.
Saskatchewan livestock producers who are filling out their 2009 AgriStability forms will have to manage a change in the way cull
animals are reported.
The codes for all cull livestock have been removed starting with the 2009 program year. Culls will now be considered breeding animals until they are sold off the farm. This change, which is being applied across the country, has been done to better reflect the value of a producer’s livestock.
Cull animals are typically older, unproductive breeding stock and are normally marketed sometime throughout the year. This practice changes a producer’s livestock inventory. By removing the cull codes and listing the livestock as breeding animals, the valuation of the livestock inventory is more accurate.
This change will impact producers who reported cull livestock on their ending inventory for the 2008 program year. In those cases, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) will still use the cull codes to value a producer’s cull livestock at the start of the program year. The year-end price for the cull livestock still in a producer’s operation will be given a breeding stock value.
If a producer has already filed their application and used the cull livestock codes, SCIC will make the appropriate changes to ensure the ending inventory is listed as breeding stock. If you haven’t filed your application yet, the ending inventory of all livestock should be listed using the appropriate breeding stock code. Those e-filing applications may notice an error message that the cull codes are no longer valid. For the e-file to be accepted the form will need to be changed using the right breeding stock codes.
Dairy cattle producers should be aware of one more issue. In the 2009 AgriStability and AgriInvest Harmonized guide for individuals, the
codes for dairy cull bulls and dairy cull cows were left in the inventory list. Dairy cattle producers are not to use the cull livestock codes; instead use the correct breeding stock code when filing the 2009 application.
If producers have any questions about these changes, contact:
• SCIC AgriStability Call Centre, Toll-free at 1-866-270-8450; or
• Visit www.saskcropinsurance.com; or
• Email [email protected].
AgriSTAbiliTy progrAm chAnge for liveSTock producerS
Growing Forward
PRODucTIONPROgRAMS AND SERVIcES
14 JUNE 2010
Putting Food Safety First
by Sandra Stanger Manager, Programs and Legislative ServicesFinancial Programs Branch
During the 2009-10 fiscal year, nine provincial agricultural producer organizations received more than $366,000 in
funding to assist producers with the implementation of 14 industry-specific, nationally-recognized, on-farm food safety systems.
Implementation activities offered by each group differ as groups are given the flexibility to target programming and funding support based on their own identified priorities, while meeting the terms of the Growing Forward agreement.
Each commodity group is responsible for delivery of their On-Farm Food Safety Program, including any educational and promotional activities, and/or producer-directed funding. Producers are not required to be members of the associated commodity group to access the on-farm food safety programming offered by these groups.
For many of the groups, this marked the first year of undertaking implementation efforts. Along with workshops and seminars, on-farm food safety was promoted at a number of industry events, through the mail, by newsletters and on the web. Some groups also provided funding for technical advice, food safety related equipment and first certification audits. These efforts will continue to grow in 2010-11. To date, seven groups have applied for and received funding for programming in 2010-11.
The Verified Beef Production Program is now in full swing, with producers having access to training and funding for on-farm food safety related equipment and first certification audits.
“Growing Forward allows us to effectively deliver Verified Beef Production, meeting the demands of producers and the industry for a program designed to build beef’s position in the marketplace. As a result, cattle producers have the tools they need to implement and enhance food-safety practices on their farm.” provincial coordinator for the program, Jodie Horvath, said.
For information on specific on-farm food safety programming, contact the associated commodity group listed below:
• Verified Beef Production Program: 1-888-675-6177;
• Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board: (306) 933-5582;
• Dairy Farmers of Saskatchewan: (306) 949-6999;
• Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan: (306) 242-3611;
• Saskatchewan Turkey Producers: (306) 931-1050;
• Saskatchewan Vegetable Growers Association: (306) 862-3798;
• Saskatchewan Greenhouse Growers Association: (306) 259-4809;
• Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association: (306) 782-0256;
• Saskatchewan Herb and Spice Association: (306) 694-4622.
ON THE wEB
Saskatchewan Agriculture is constantly updating the wealth of information it makes available to Saskatchewan residents. You can download the most current version of any document posted on our website. You can also call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 to request a hard copy of many items.
crop reporter online formsThe forms Crop Reporters can use to fill out and submit the data for each week’s Crop Report are now available online. Crop reporters now have the option to go to the website and fill out the forms by directly typing into the fillable PDF file. The file is then saved and e-mailed in to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre for data collection. In past years, reporters only had the option of phoning or faxing in their report.
To view each week’s Crop Report, visit Statistics | Crop | Crop Report. To view or download the forms, click on the image in the upper right corner of the page. To find out more information on becoming a Crop Reporter for your area, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
2010 - 11 farm machinery custom rate and rental rate guideThis publication gives detailed information regarding guidelines for machine ownership, operating costs, custom rates and rental rates for farm machinery.Visit: Management | Financial Planning.
2010-11 Farm MachineryCustom and Rental Rate Guide
SASKATCHEWAN MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE 3085 Albert Street Regina, Saskatchewan CANADA S4S 0B1
Phone 1-866-457-2377
www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca
Printed April 2010 5M ISBN 088656-690-8 0167
AGRICULTUREFARM MANAGEMENT
Bla
ck S
oil Z
one
Ass
umpt
ions
– 2
010
1. S
eed
incl
udin
g cl
eani
ng:
Spr
ing
whe
at 1
.5 b
u./a
c. a
t $7.
81/b
u.•
CP
S w
heat
1.5
bu.
/ac.
at $
6.82
/bu.
•B
arle
y 1.
65 b
u./a
c. a
t $5.
14/b
u.•
Oat
s 3.
0 bu
./ac.
at $
3.85
/bu.
•C
anol
a 5
lb./a
c. a
t $7.
25/lb
. tre
ated
(her
bici
de to
lera
nt
•ca
nola
or H
TC).
Flax
35
lb./a
c. a
t $15
.90/
bu. (
$.28
/lb.)
•P
eas
180
lb./a
c. a
t $6.
50/b
u. ($
.11/
lb.)
•La
rge
Gre
en L
entil
s 90
lb./a
c. a
t $0.
40/lb
.•
Can
ary
seed
35
lb./a
c. a
t $0.
30/lb
.•Seedpricesareanaverageofcertifiedseedpricesand
•co
mm
erci
al s
eed
pric
es s
ince
farm
ers
com
mon
ly c
lean
th
eir o
wn
grai
n fo
r see
d (e
xcep
t for
can
ola)
.
2. F
ertil
izer
:
Nitr
ogen
bas
ed o
n 46
-0-0
at $
419/
tonn
e ($
.41/
lb.)
Nitr
ogen
on
fallo
w c
rops
30
lb. N
/ac.
•
Nitr
ogen
on
stub
ble
crop
s 60
lb. N
/ac.
exc
ept f
or C
anar
y •
whe
re 3
5 lb
./ac.
is re
com
men
ded.
N
itrog
en o
n fa
llow
and
stu
bble
lent
ils a
nd p
eas
6 lb
. N/a
c.
•ba
sed
on 5
0 lb
. of 1
2-51
-0.
P
hosp
horu
s ba
sed
on 1
2-51
-0 a
t $46
9/to
nne
($.3
2/lb
.)Th
e fo
llow
ing
lists
the
reco
mm
ende
d ra
tes
of s
eed
•pl
aced
pho
spha
te: C
erea
ls 3
0 lb
./ac.
, Can
ola
20 lb
./ac.
, Fl
ax 1
5 lb
./ac.
, Len
tils
20 lb
./ac.
, Pea
15
lb./a
c. S
ourc
e:
Sas
katc
hew
an M
inis
try o
f Agr
icul
ture
.
S
ulph
ur b
ased
on
20-0
-0-2
4 at
$34
7/to
nne
($.3
0/lb
.)S
ulph
ur o
n ca
nola
at 2
0 lb
. S/a
c. (a
pplic
atio
n co
st is
•
incl
uded
with
mac
hine
ry c
osts
).
3. P
estic
ides
:
Her
bici
des:
Cer
eals
: 50%
of a
cres
spr
ayed
for w
ild o
ats
(exc
ept o
ats)
•
and
100%
of a
cres
for b
road
leaf
wee
ds.
Flax
, len
tils,
pea
s, c
anol
a: 1
00%
of a
cres
trea
ted
for
•gr
assy
wee
ds a
nd b
road
leaf
.C
anar
y se
ed: w
ild o
ats
50%
of a
cres
, 100
% o
f bro
adle
af
•ac
res.
Dire
ct s
eede
d st
ubbl
e: p
re p
lant
bur
n-of
f 100
% o
f acr
es
•(g
lyph
osat
e).
Cereals,flax,canaryseed:pre/postharvest25%
ofall
•ac
res
with
gly
phos
ate.
In
sect
icid
es a
nd O
ther
s:A
ll cr
ops:
see
d tre
atm
ent o
r ino
cula
tion
100%
of a
cres
•
exce
pt fo
r can
ary
whe
re n
o se
ed tr
eatm
ents
are
use
d.C
anar
y: in
sect
con
trol 2
0% o
f acr
es.
•C
anol
a: in
sect
con
trol 2
5% o
f acr
es/y
ear (
25%
of $
5/ac
. •
appl
icat
ion
cost
incl
uded
in c
usto
m w
ork)
.Sp
ring
whe
at, C
PS w
heat
: mid
ge c
ontro
l 40%
of a
cres
/yea
r •
(40%
of $
5/ac
. app
licat
ion
cost
incl
uded
in c
usto
m w
ork)
.Le
ntils
: ino
cula
tion
100%
of a
cres
, des
icca
tion
75%
of
•ac
res,
fung
icid
e 20
% o
f acr
es, i
nsec
ticid
e 20
% o
f acr
es
for g
rass
hopp
ers.
P
eas:
inoc
ulat
ion
100%
of a
cres
, des
icca
tion
10%
of
•ac
res,
inse
ctic
ide
10%
of a
cres
for p
ea a
phid
s.Ti
llage
fallo
w: 1
00%
of a
cres
spr
ayed
for w
inte
r ann
uals
.•
Che
m fa
llow
: one
app
licat
ion
for w
inte
r ann
uals,
two
•ap
plica
tions
for b
road
spe
ctru
m, o
ne a
pplic
atio
n fo
r bro
adle
af.
4. F
uel c
osts
are
bas
ed o
n es
timat
ed fu
el c
onsu
mpt
ions
for
the
vario
us fa
rmin
g op
erat
ions
with
die
sel f
uel p
riced
at 7
2 ce
nts/
litre
.
5. M
achi
nery
repa
ir ra
tes
are
4% o
f mac
hine
ry in
vest
men
t peryearforpeas,lentilsandflaxand3%forallothercrops.
6. S
aska
tche
wan
Cro
p In
sura
nce
Cor
pora
tion
(SC
IC)
prem
ium
s ar
e ba
sed
on 7
0% o
f the
risk
are
a(s)
cov
erag
e pl
us 2
0%.
7. B
uild
ing
repa
ir ra
tes
are
5% o
f bui
ldin
g in
vest
men
t per
acr
e.
8. O
pera
ting
inte
rest
is c
alcu
late
d on
all
cash
ope
ratin
g co
sts
at 3
.1%
for 6
mon
ths
on a
ll cr
ops,
18
mon
ths
for f
allo
w.
9. M
achi
nery
dep
reci
atio
n is
cal
cula
ted
at 1
0% o
f mac
hine
ry
inve
stm
ent p
er y
ear o
n a
stra
ight
-line
bas
is.
10. B
uild
ing
depr
ecia
tion
is b
ased
on
a bu
ildin
g in
vest
men
t of
$32
per
cul
tivat
ed a
cre
calc
ulat
ed a
t 5%
per
yea
r on
a st
raig
ht li
ne b
asis
.
11. A
vera
ge m
achi
nery
inve
stm
ent i
s $2
06 p
er c
ultiv
ated
ac
re, $
86 p
er ti
llage
fallo
w a
cre
and
$65
per c
hem
fallo
w
acre
. An
addi
tiona
l mac
hine
ry in
vest
men
t of $
45 p
er a
cre
is
assu
med
for l
entil
s an
d pe
as.
12. In
vest
men
t cos
t on
build
ings
and
mac
hine
ry in
vest
men
t is
calc
ulat
ed a
t a ra
te o
f 3.1
% o
n th
e in
vest
men
t per
acr
e.
13. L
and
inve
stm
ent c
ost o
f $21
.20/
ac. i
s ca
lcul
ated
at 4
.5%
re
turn
on
inve
stm
ent o
f $47
1 pe
r cul
tivat
ed a
cre.
14. C
rop
pric
es fo
r 201
0 pr
oduc
tion
are
farm
gat
e pr
ice
estim
ates
for 2
010
crop
pro
duct
ion,
pro
vide
d by
S
aska
tche
wan
Min
istry
of A
gric
ultu
re in
Dec
embe
r 200
9.
15. C
rop
yiel
ds a
re 1
20%
of l
ong
term
ave
rage
s fo
r SC
IC ri
sk
area
s 14
, 17
and
22 s
oil c
lass
G b
ased
on
data
com
pile
d by
SC
IC. C
rop
yiel
ds fo
r the
ave
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AGRICULTUREC R O P S
CROP PLANNING GUIDE 2010BLACK SOIL ZONE
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture For more information, contact your nearest Regional Office or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre
Toll-Free: 1-866-457-2377
www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca Printed January 20102M ISSN 08840-9447 0210
Kindersley (306) 463-5513
Moose Jaw 1-866-457-2377
North Battleford (306) 446-7964
Outlook (306) 867-5575
Prince Albert (306) 953-2363
Swift Current (306) 778-8218
Tisdale (306) 878-8842
Watrous (306) 946-3220
Weyburn (306) 848-2857
Yorkton (306) 786-1531
Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Offices
Please contact your nearest Regional Office Specialist for the latest information on topics including crops and livestock, nutrient management, and the economic implications of management decisions.
Soi
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RESEARcH
JUNE 2010 15
Spring 2010 ADOPT Projects Receive FundingSixty-nine producer-led agricultural demonstration projects have
received $473,000 in funding from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program.
This is the second round of projects approved under the ADOPT program, which provides funding to help producer groups evaluate and demonstrate new agricultural practices and technologies at the local level. ADOPT is part of the federal and provincial governments’ Growing Forward initiative. Producers can attend these demonstrations and assess the value of adapting these new practices and technologies in their own operations.
The next application deadline is June 15, 2010. Interested producer groups are encouraged to contact their Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Regional Office to discuss the potential demonstration of new ideas, concepts and technologies in the region.
Producer groups are eligible for funding of up to $10,000 per project to a maximum of $50,000 per year.
Application forms are available from: [email protected].
TOTAL APPROVED FUNDING................................ $473,000 Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan
Field-Scale Testing of Chloride on Canaryseed to Improve Grain Yield.............................................................. $10,000
Phone: Kevin Hursh, Saskatoon, 933-0138 District No. 32 ADD Board
Demonstration of Annual Forages for Greenfeed or Swath-Grazing ................................................................... $10,000
Phone: Barry Swanson, Prince Albert, 922-7289 District No. 43 ADD Board
Scentless Chamomile Control Options in Fields and Roadsides ................................................................. $9,950
Seeding and Nitrogen Rates for Malt Barley Production ................................................................. $6,352 Phone: Wilfred Snider, Watrous, 363-4806 East Central Research Foundation
New Corn Varieties for Grazing and Silage in East-Central Saskatchewan ............................................................ $6,500
Control of Foxtail Barley .......................................... $3,930
Seeding and Nitrogen Rates for Malt Barley Production ................................................................. $6,123
Phone: Glenn Blakley, Canora, 745-7257 Irrigation Crop Diversification Corporation
Fungicide Demonstration for Control of Fusarium Head Blight in Irrigated Hard Wheat ................................. $3,255
Fungicide Demonstration for Control of White Mould in Dry Beans ................................................................. $2,425
Dry Bean Variety Demonstration ............................. $7,035
Field Demonstration of Selected Dormant-type Alfalfa Lines for Salt Tolerance ............................................ $2,625
Phosphate and Potassium Fertilization of Irrigated Alfalfa on Heavily Textured Soils........................................ $2,650
Diagnostic School Demonstration ............................ $5,250
Irrigation Water Management Practices ................... $3,000
Irrigation Scheduling and Irrigation System Automation............................................................... $3,570 Phone: Gerry Gross, Outlook, 867-5523 North West Saskatchewan Organic Producers
Organic Cross-seeding Demonstration, 2010 ......... $10,000
Evaluation of Organic Soil Amendments, 2010....... $7,350 Phone: Dean Gregory, Saskatoon, 384-1024 Northeast Agricultural Research Foundation
Efficacy and Economic Benefits of Variable Rate Fertilizer .................................................................... $6,000
Yield and Quality of Oat and Barley for Greenfeed Over Time .......................................................................... $4,760
New Crops Demonstration........................................ $2,500 Phone: Brett Casavant, Melfort, 873-5468 OCIA Chapter 5 of Sask. Inc.
Flax Straw Management in an Organic System ....... $2,009
Sweet Clover Plowdown: the Effects of Mowing ..................................................................... $1,000 Phone: Carol Lowndes, Kelvington, 327-4753 Parkland Holistic Management Inc.
Grazing a Poly-culture Cover Crop to Enhance Soil Health ....................................................................... $5,760
Effects on Soil Health and Subsequent Crop Yield in the Year Following a Poly-culture Cover Crop.............. $4,700
Phone: Gary Richards, Bangor, 728-5864
Parkland Organic Crop Improvement Co-operative OCIA Chaper 6
Perennial Forage Crop Rotation Comparisons in Organic Cropping Systems......................................................$6,100
Phone: Kim Tomilin, Canora, 277-4924 Provincial Council of ADD Boards
Evaluation and Establishment of Innovative Agroforestry System Demonstration Sites in Saskatchewan..........$8,600
Phone: Jodie Oliver, Saskatoon, 955-5477 Saskatchewan Association Of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions
SAASE Provincial Agricultural Demonstration Program - South ........................................................................$10,000
SAASE Provincial Agricultural Demonstration Program - North ........................................................................$10,000
Phone: Glen Duck, Regina, 565-2121 Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Pod Sealants for Reducing Shattering Losses in Several Cultivars of Direct-combined Canola ......................................................................$10,000
Phone: Pat Flaten, Saskatoon, 975-0730 Saskatchewan Conservation Learning Centre Inc.
Demonstration of New Crop Varieties for NE Saskatchewan.............................................................$7,550
Investigating Crop Development Opportunities in North Central Saskatchewan................................................$5,200
Seeding Dates Optimum Camelina ...........................$6,150
Varietal Selections of Dwarfing Winter Hardy Apple Rootstock ...................................................................$4,795
Fertilizer Effects on Malt Barley...............................$5,500 Phone: Curtis Braaten, Prince Albert, 960-1834 Saskatchewan Forage Council
Assessment of Brush Control Herbicides in Parkland Pastures ......................................................................$5,378
Annual Forage Species Demonstration .....................$8,932 Phone: Janice Bruynooghe, Outlook, 966-2148 Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission
Fertilizing Forage Grasses.......................................$10,000 Phone: Nancy Gray, Watrous, 946-3135 Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association
Apple Production Using Hormones – Demonstration Project ......................................................................$10,000
Strawberry and Raspberry High Tunnel Demonstration Project ......................................................................$10,000
Cherry Pruning Demonstration Project ...................$10,000
Saskatoon Pruning Demonstration Project..............$10,000
Haskap Fertilization and Hormone Demonstration Project to Maximize Early Growth......................................$10,000
Phone: Mel Annand, Melfort, 752-2707 Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission
Mustard Agronomy Demonstration ........................$10,000 Phone: Kevin Hursh, Saskatoon, 222-0238 Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association
Effect of Variable Rate Fertilizing on Seed Potato Production .................................................................$7,500
Reduced Risk Pesticide Applications in Seed Potato Crops .............................................................$7,000 Phone: Linda Sinclair, Outlook, 867-2078
Saskatchewan Sunflower Committee
Demonstration of the Nitrogen Response of Hybrid Sunflowers Across Saskatchewan .......................... $10,000
Demonstration of the Suitablity of New Mid-oleic and High-oleic Hybric Sunflowers Across
Saskatchewan .......................................................... $10,000 Phone: Jim Thorson, Penzance, 488-4814 Saskatchewan Vegetable Growers Association
Evaluation of Long-acting Herbicide for Potato Weed Control....................................................................... $6,500
Evaluation of Herbicides for Long-term Weed Control Between Rows of Horticultural Crops ………… .... $9,300
Phone: Shawn Hansen, Craven, 731-3472 Seager Wheeler Farm
Seeding and Nitrogen Rates for Malt Barley Production ................................................................ $2,047 Phone: Ewald Epp, Rosthern, 232-4474 South East Research Farm
Fertilization of Alfalfa Demonstration ..................... $4,895
Crop Tolerance to Herbicide Demonstration.......... $10,000
Management of Group 2 Resistant Weeds in Herbicides in Crop ........................................................................ $10,000
Management of Group 2 Resistant Weeds with Agronomic Practices .................................................................... $2,981
Chemical Control of Leafy Spurge........................... $9,999 Phone: Myles Fuchs, Redvers, 435-4119 South West Saskatchewan OCIA Chapter 8
Canada Thistle Control ............................................. $2,600
Determination of the Timing of Sweet Clover Termination and its Effect on Soil Moisture and Nitrogen Fixation Benefits ..................................................................... $7,944
Comparison of Two Different Legume Green Manures.................................................................... $3,800 Phone: Martin Meinert, Swift Current, 778-1870 Southwest Forage Association
Demonstration of New Sainfoin Varieties Under Grazing...................................................................... $3,150
Demonstration of New Grass and Alfalfa Forages with Greater Salt Tolerance for Southwestern
Saskatchewan ............................................................ $9,608 Phone: Rick Jensen, Swift Current, 674-2312 Western Applied Research Corporation
Nitrogen Rates for Malt Barley Production Grown on Pulse Stubble....................................................................... $9,500
Spray Distribution Patterns for Fungicide Application......................................................................................... $10,000
Intercropping for Better Profit .................................. $4,850 Phone: Sherrilyn Phelps, Scott, 446-7475 Western Beef Development Centre - PAMI
No-till Seeding a New Fall Rye Variety for Pasture Rejuvenation ............................................................. $6,750
Video Production for Electronic Presentation of Beef R & D ............................................................... $5,250 Phone: Paul Jefferson, Humboldt, 682-3139
Pasture Rejuvenation Techniques........................... $10,000 Phone: Bart Lardner, Humboldt, 220-9179 Wheatland Conservation Area Inc.
Investigating Crop Development Opportunities in SW Saskatchewan ............................................................ $6,700
Mustard Agronomy Demonstration.......................... $9,930
Nitrogen Rates of Malt Barley Production Grown on Pulse Stubble....................................................................... $7,750
Phone: Bryan Nybo, Swift Current, 773-4775
EVENTS cALENDAR
DATE EVENT LOCATION PHONE INTERNET
June 4 Seager Wheeler field day Rosthern (306) 946-3216
June 13 - 15Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) 97th Annual General Meeting and Convention
Moose Jaw (306) 757-8523 www.skstockgrowers.com
June 15Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC) 40th Annual Meeting and Convention
Regina (306) 522-2710 www.a-m-c.ca
June 16 - 17 Saskatchewan Pasture School Saskatoon (306) 966-2148 www.saskforage.ca
June 16 - 18 Western Canada Farm Progress Show Regina (306) 781-9303 www.myfarmshow.com
June 22Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC) Field Day
Lanigan 1-800-567-7264 www.wbdc.sk.ca
June 23 - 24 Ranching from the Ground Up Workshop Swift Current (306) 778-8294 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar
SCIC offers producers new tools for wildlife managementOver the last couple of years the Saskatchewan government
has been hearing from producers about wildlife damage. There’s been an increasing number of cases reported where wildlife are harming livestock, feed supplies and annual crops. To help combat the situation, Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud has unveiled a new suite of options within the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program providing greater protection, prevention and compensation for producers.
Before the announcement, wildlife damage programming was administered by a number of different agencies. Now the varying aspects have been brought together and will be administered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) making it easier for producers to access all the resources that are available.
SCIC began delivering the enhanced wildlife programming on April 1, 2010, a time of year when many producers are into the heart of their calving and lambing programs. This is also a time when there are a number of predator attacks on newborn livestock. Producers have responded quickly to the new livestock compensation programming. SCIC adjusters have been busy assessing damages and processing claims, but they have also been involved in looking longer-term and determining how producers may be able to prevent these problems.
Predation management is one of those prevention options. SCIC is maintaining a program that hires predation specialists, experienced hunters and trappers, who assist livestock producers in controlling wildlife predators. Along with taking steps to eliminate the predator these specialists also work with producers to prevent further wildlife problems.
Protecting feed supplies from wildlife damage is also a major challenge faced by many producers. SCIC can help producers develop strategies and acquire funding to protect their valuable feed. Whether it be building a fence to protect stacked hay or using lure crops to protect alternative feeding systems such as swath grazing, SCIC can work one-on-one with producers to find solutions to their wildlife damage problems.
SCIC is now the source for producers’ management of wildlife damage. Having knowledgeable, experienced staff in 21 Customer Service Offices across the province, provides producers with closer access to wildlife protection, prevention and compensation programming.
FOR MORE INFORMATION• Visit www.saskcropinsurance.com; or
• Call 1-888-935-0000.
PROgRAMS AND SERVIcES
16 JUNE 2010