Simple, more effective, tailored to your needs - a special ... · Maximum allowable air temperature for flax seed drying is 45 C for planting seed, 80 C for commercial seed and 80

storing and drying flax page 4

saskatchewan beef industry conference page 17

protecting stored forages page 23

deceMber 2010-January 2011 VoluMe 6

08

Growing Forward Simple, more effective, tailored to

your needs - a special feature pages 9-16

Minister’s Message

This past summer of storms has had a tremendous impact on our agriculture industry. The excess moisture this year not only affected crop land, but also the quality and quantity of feed and pasture in some areas.

To help livestock and forage producers in this difficult situation, I announced the Saskatchewan Feed and Forage Program (SFFP) at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Midterm Convention on Nov. 9. This program is intended to support livestock and forage producers who are facing challenges due to excess moisture.

The SFFP will provide financial support to producers who have to transport additional feed to their livestock or have to transport livestock to alternative locations for feeding or grazing due to excess moisture. Payments will be based on the amount of feed or number of animals transported, and the distance hauled.

In addition, the SFFP will provide $30 per eligible acre to producers who will have to reseed hay/forage and/or pasture land that has been damaged by excess moisture.

Producers who own beef and dairy cattle, bison, elk, horses, sheep, goats, deer, reindeer, caribou, llamas and alpacas are all eligible to apply. The SFFP is retroactive to June 1, 2010, and will run to Aug. 1, 2011. See page 22 for details.

While this will not solve all the problems with excess moisture, I hope this support will help our livestock producers deal with the unprecedented rain we received this summer.

For more information or to complete an application form, contact a local Ministry of Agriculture or Crop Insurance office, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca, or call the SFFP toll-free line at 1-877-874-5365. Applications are also available at local RM offices.

Sincerely,

Bob Bjornerud

The Saskatchewan Young Ag-Entrepreneurs (SYA) promote the exchange of ideas and foster collaboration between young and

future farmers and ag-entrepreneurs of Canada. The organization includes producers, agriculture professionals and entrepreneurs, and provides education and development opportunities that will help young people in agriculture shape the future of the industry in Saskatchewan. Formed in 2006, the SYA continues to grow in membership and corporate structure each year.

The SYA hosts an annual conference in conjunction with their annual general meeting featuring a combination of workshops and speakers. Yes to Agriculture will be held on January 27 and 28, 2011 in Saskatoon.

The conference includes topics such as marketing and futures, farm diversification, corporate and traditional farms, farming in today’s changing climate and a presentation from the 2010 Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers, plus much more.

for More inforMation • Call Gwenda at the SYA office: 1-306-874-2025.

by Daphne Cruise, PAgRegional Crops Specialist, Moose JawAgriculture Knowledge Centre

Say Yes 2 Agriculture: 2011 SYA Conference

DECEMBER 2010- JANUARY 2011 3

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.

2011 Crop Production Show

Regional Pulse Workshops

table of contents

6

BREEDING FOR PROFITBull Selection Workshops

Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre to Pre-Register

1-866-457-2377, Registration is $40

AGRICULTUREL I V E S T O C K

YORKTON – February 4, 2011 Heartland Livestock

AGENDA

12:00 – 12:30 Registration, trade show booths

12:30 – 12:35 Welcome

12:35 – 1:00 There’s Jingle in Genes – Understanding what Igenity can do for youLee Sinclair, Merial

1:00 – 2:00 EPDs and Other Genetic MysteriesSean McGrath, PAg, Creo Episteme Ltd.

2:00 – 3:00 Serving Your Sire - Bull NutritionDr. John McKinnon, Professor and Beef Industry Research Chair, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan.

3:00 – 3:15 Break, Trade Show Booths

Concurrent Sessions (participants divided into 3 groups of 20)

3:15 – 4:00

What’s Hiding Under the Hide - Live Animal Ultrasound DemoTeresa Binetruy, Beef Unit Manager, University of Saskatchewan and Dr. John McKinnon, Professor and Beef Industry Research Chair, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan.

4:00– 4:45The ABCs of What’s Between His Knees - Breeding Soundness EvaluationDr. Chad Paetsch – Animal Health Clinic, HumboldtDr. Larry Potter – Spiritwood Vet Clinic

4:45 – 5:30 Ribs, Nuts and Butts - Physical Characteristics of a Good BullGarner Deobald, Hodgeville SK, 2009 Canadian Western Agribition Bull Pen Alley Judge

5:30 – 5:35 Thank you and Sponsor Recognition

5:35 – 7:30 Steak Supper and Trade Show

SPIRITWOOD – February 11, 2011Spiritwood Stockyards

18

22

Bull Selection Workshops

STORING AND DRYING FLAX PAGE 4

SASKATCHEWAN BEEF INDUSTRY CONFERENCE PAGE 17

PROTECTING STORED FORAGES PAGE 23

DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 VOLUME 6

08

Growing Forward Simple, more effective, tailored to

your needs - a special feature pages 9-16

Agriculture Student Scholarship

Livestock17

Cover: Mark Hoimyr at his operation near

Gladmar, SK is a participant of the FBDI Program.

For more information about the Growing Forward

suite of programs, see page 9 of this issue.

croPs4

8research

sPeciaL feature - GrowinG forward9

ProGrams and services 20

events caLendar24

4 DECEMBER 2010- JANUARY 2011

crops

Storage and drying tips for flax

rethinking the agronoMics of Malt barley production

Bethune Flax - A popular choice in Saskatchewan.

by Venkata Vakulabharanam, MSc., PAgProvincial Specialist, Oilseed Crops Crops Branch

Due to the long and wet 2010 crop season, some flax producers had to harvest flax at

high seed moisture.

Flax is generally considered “dry” at 10 per cent grain moisture content, “tough” at 10.1 to 13.5 per cent moisture and “damp” if over 13.5 per cent moisture. Aeration can reduce the moisture content in flax under the right conditions. In late fall, a grain dryer may be more effective in bringing the moisture content down to a storable level.

The following considerations will help avoid problems during flax drying and storage.

The airflow is much slower for flax, so the drying time will be greater compared with other crops.

If using aeration and natural air to condition flax, sampling of resulting product is critical. Monitor the changes in moisture and temperature in the bin by sampling the bottom, middle and top of bin separately.

Maximum allowable air temperature for flax seed drying is 45 C for planting seed, 80 C for commercial seed and 80 to 100 C for feed.

Flax seed closer to the bin bottom (aeration) will probably be dryer than grain at the top of the bin. To facilitate drying flax evenly in the bin, move flax from the bin bottom to the top.

Since flax is an oilseed crop, use care to prevent dryer fires.

Due to high oil content, even dry flax is prone to heating. For successful long-term storage, targeting eight to nine per cent seed moisture will reduce chances of heating and spoilage.

Stored flax should be routinely monitored to ensure there are no hot spots developing. A hot spot in stored flax can spread quickly - possibly throughout the entire bin.

In addition to storage considerations, the following precautions will help minimize Triffid contamination in your flax.

• Properly clean the swather and combine after use.

• Store flax crop in a clean bin. Vacuum the bin prior to loading and after unloading to remove every flax seed.

• Clean transportation vehicles used to move flax from the field to the farm, and the farm to the elevator. If possible, cover vehicles with a tarp.

• After harvest, have 2010 flax crop tested at one of the approved laboratories.

for More inforMation• Visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s website at

www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca and click on Production | Crops – Storage.

Malting barley was the focus of several Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) field experiments between 2005 and 2008. Dr.

John O’Donovan of the Lacombe Research Centre led the research that was conducted at eight sites in Western Canada. These trials examined the effects of agronomic practices on malting barley yield, seed uniformity and malt quality factors.

The experiments looked at two varieties (AC Metcalfe and CDC Copeland), seeding rates, nitrogen fertility and seeding date. Results of these experiments varied somewhat from site-to-site and from year-to-year. Despite this variability, there were some interesting conclusions.

Of the varieties, CDC Copeland was found to yield on average 6.5 per cent higher and had 4.8 per cent lower protein content than AC Metcalfe. AC Metcalfe also had lower kernel weights, but had a slightly greater plumpness and higher levels of malt extract.

When researchers increased seeding rates, they generally found that days to maturity, protein content and kernel weight variability were reduced. However, increasing seeding rates also decreased kernel weight and plumpness. In most cases, they found that yield was optimized at 300 seeds/m2 and yield reductions sometimes occurred at seeding rates beyond this.

For both varieties it was not surprising to find that increasing nitrogen fertility increased yield, kernel weight, protein content, days to maturity and lodging. At the same time increasing fertility tended to decrease plant density, plumpness and malt extract levels. These results demonstrate that balancing nitrogen fertility to optimize each of these factors is still as important as ever. A note of interest here was that these researchers found that the increase in protein content, with increasing nitrogen, was greater in AC Metcalfe than CDC Copeland.

Seeding dates varied with site and year but, in most cases, the researchers found that seeding in late April to mid-May increased yields and kernel weight while lowering protein as compared to seeding in late May to early June.

Because of this research, several AgriARM sites and one Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification (ADD) board applied and received funding from the Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program to demonstrate the agronomic principles for optimizing malt barley production. These demonstrations were featured at various field days throughout Saskatchewan. The ADOPT program is administered by Saskatchewan Agriculture.

for More inforMation• Contact Kim Stonehouse at (306) 878-8807, or e-mail

[email protected].

by Kim Stonehouse, M.Sc. AAgRegional Crop Specialist, TisdaleRegional Services Branch


crops

Don’t miss the 2011 Western Canadian Crop Production Show

aVailable in January – the 2011 guide to crop protection

by John Ippolito, PAgRegional Crop Specialist, KindersleyRegional Services Branch

The Western Canadian Crop Production show is one of the more important events for cereal, pulse and oilseed producers in Western

Canada.

This year’s show will be held from January 10 to 13 at Saskatoon Prairieland Park.

The show provides crop producers the opportunity to meet with exhibitors who focus on crop production, farm business management and crop marketing. The exhibitors include a wide variety with technology, services or products for crop producers.

Last year’s show had attendance of over 16,000 with more than 95 per cent of these visitors being directly involved in grain production.

Crop Production Week is held in collaboration with the Western Canadian Crop Production Show, and includes a number of industry association meetings and events to keep producers informed about their crops and events in those industries.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture uses the Crop Production Show as a venue to interact with large numbers of producers and launch new publications and guides for the upcoming cropping season. While at the Western Canadian Crop Production Show, be sure to stop at the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture booth to get the latest information on crop production practices, and talk with our regional and provincial specialists.

for More inforMation• Visit the Western Canadian Crop Production Show and the Crop

Production Week’s joint website at www.cropweek.com.

by Clark Brenzil, PAgProvincial Specialist, Weed ControlCrops Branch

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture will introduce The 2011 Guide to Crop Protection at the Crop Production Show in Saskatoon

from January 10 to 13, 2011.

Visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture booth to pick up your copy.

The 2011 Guide to Crop Protection will also be available at local farm chemical retail outlets or the Ministry of Agriculture’s regional offices following the show and throughout the growing season.

Along with the usual updated uses for existing chemicals, there are several new herbicides and fungicides listed in the guide. The expansion of new generic products continues from last year, so several more product pages will now be listed under their active ingredient (i.e. tribenuron, flucarbazone, imazamethabenz).

Remember, The 2011 Guide to Crop Protection now has a “key page” that gives a description of the information provided in each product page and how that information can be used.

An electronic version of The 2011 Guide to Crop Protection will also be available in January on the Ministry’s website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca | Guide to Crop Protection.

Look for the spring update at the same location in May.

for More inforMation• Contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377

regarding the contents of The 2011 Guide to Crop Protection.

2011 GUIDE TO CROP PROTECTION

2010 GU

IDE TO

CR

OP PR

OTEC

TION

This publication is only a guide. Always refer to the product label for application details and precautions.

weeds, plant diseases, insects

Folia

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SASKATCHEWAN MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE 3085 Albert Street Regina, Saskatchewan CANADA S4S 0B1

www.agriculture.gov.sk.caPrinted January 2010 40M ISBN

088656-59953 0164

HERBICIDE ROTATION - 2010Resistance to a pesticide group will reduce the effectiveness of pesticides in that group over time. Rotation of herbicides and other pesticides is an important measure to delay the onset of resistance to any one pesticide group or mode-of-action.

By rotating herbicides, the risk of developing widespread resistance over a fi eld drops. The illustration below gives a relative ranking of risk of resistance developing from repeated use. The top of the triangle indicates groups that may develop resist-ance quickly. Those at the bottom of the triangle have demonstrated a low risk of resistance developing over long-term use. Be aware that low risk does not mean no risk, since weeds have developed resistance to herbicides in these groups as well.

Herbicide Resistance Development Risk Based on Number of Applications

* Some products contain more than one active ingredient and therefore may appear in more than one group.

Rotation of HerbicidesOTHER GROUPS Liberty (10), Amitrole (11), Authority (14), Blazer (14), Chateau (14)*, Refl ex (14), Dual II Magnum (15), Frontier (15), Kerb (15), Primextra Magnum* (15), Casoron (20), Gramoxone (22), Reglone (22), Infi nity (27), Velocity M3 (27)*

GROUP 1 (Grass Control)Axial, Broadband*, Clethodim, Clodinafop, Equinox, Fenoxaprop, Fusion, Poast Ultra, Quizalofop, Signal D*, Tralkoxydim, Venture

GROUP 2 (Grass & Broadleaf control)Accent, Adrenalin*, Altitude FX*, Assert, Broadband*, Everest, Express Pro, Frontline*, Imazethapyr, Metsulfuron, Muster, Odyssey, Option, Pinnacle, Prism, PrePass*, Simplicity, Solo, Spectrum*, Stellar*, Thifensulfuron /tribenuron, Tribenuron, Triton C and K, Unity*, Velocity M3*GROUP 9

(Grass & Broadleaf control)CleanStart*, Eclipse*, Glyphosate, PrePass*, Rustler*

GROUP 8 (Grass & Broadleaf control)Avadex, Avenge, Eptam, Fortress*

GROUP 7 (Grass & Broadleaf control)Linuron

GROUP 6 (Broadleaf Control)Basagran, bromoxynil, bromoxynil / 2.4-D ester*, bromoxynil / MCPA ester*, Infi nity*, Laddok*, Unity*, Velocity M3 (27)*

GROUP 5 (Grass & Broadleaf control)Atrazine, Laddok*, Primextra Magnum*, Sencor, Shotgun*, Simazine, Velpar

GROUP 3 (Grass & Broadleaf control)Edge, Fortress*, Trifl uralin

GROUP 4 (Broadleaf Control)2,4-D, 2,4-DB, Adrenalin*, Altitude FX*, Attain, bromoxynil / 2.4-D ester*, bromoxynil / MCPA ester*, Curtail M, dicamba, dicamba / mecoprop / MCPA, dichlorprop / 2,4D, Dyvel, Dyvel DSp, Eclipse*, Express Pack*, Frontline*, Lontrel, MCPA, MCPB / MCPA, mecoprop, Prestige, Pulsar, Rustler*, Shotgun*, Spectrum*, Stellar*, Triton C and K, Trophy, and mixes containing these active ingredients

AGRICULTURECROPS


crops

Plant disease surveys confirm disease issues in 2010

regional pulse workshops

Weather challenges in 2010 resulted in an

increase of crop disease that will influence seed quality and crop rotation options in 2011.

Plant pathogens responsible for these diseases are now over-wintering in crop residue, seed and surviving host plants. When predicting your crop disease risk for the 2011 season, keep the disease triangle in mind (host + pathogen + environment = disease). Crop rotation will determine potential hosts; past disease incidence will largely determine the pathogens present; and, as always, environment will have the biggest effect on disease in 2011.

In 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture again teamed up with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, the Crop Development Centre and volunteer agronomists throughout Saskatchewan to conduct provincial plant disease surveys. These surveys capture the prevalence (per cent of crops surveyed with disease

symptoms) of diseases in cereals, pulses, and canola. Preliminary results of the cereal disease surveys indicate an increase in incidence of fusarium head blight and leaf spotting diseases in 2010. Table 1 outlines some of the pulse and canola disease survey results. More detailed information of the disease surveys will be available later this winter.

While survey data reveals regional and provincial plant disease trends, remember that each field is unique. Test seed for disease, plan crop rotations with

current trends and past disease incidence in mind, implement integrated pest management measures and scout crops regularly to recognize the significance of plant diseases on your farm.

for More inforMation

by Faye Dokken-Bouchard, MSc., PAgProvincial Specialist, Plant Disease Crops Branch

Table 1. Prevalence of plant diseases in peas and canola in 2010 (per cent of crops surveyed that showed at least trace levels of corresponding disease symptoms)

Region (number of crops

surveyed)P = pea

L = lentil C = canola

Pea Diseases: Ascochyta pisi(AP), mycosphaerella

blight(MB), Septoria pisi(SP), sclerotinia white

mould(WM)

Lentil Diseases:anthracnose(AN), ascochyta blight(AB), stemphylium

blight(SB), botrytis grey mould(GM), sclerotinia white mould(WM)

Canola Diseases

Ascochyta Complex SP WM AN AB SB GM WM Blackleg Sclerotinia

AP MBNorthwest

(13 P, 38 C) 0 100 0 50 61 92Northeast (3 P, 52 C) 0 100 0 67 48 90

West-central (11 P, 16 L, 35 C) 9 100 0 27 56 31 88 56 69 57 94

East-central (11 P, 104 C) 0 100 0 82 50 91Southwest

(41 P, 13 L, 10 C) 44 98 85 10 46 15 77 23 46 70 80Southeast (6 P, 21 C) 17 100 33 0 62 95

Total Surveyed (85 P, 29 L, 260 C) 0 99 47 27 52 24 83 41 59 54 92

by Dale Risula, PAgProvincial Specialist, Specialty CropsCrops Branch

Saskatchewan Agriculture and the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers are planning the annual series of regional pulse workshops across

Saskatchewan.

The workshops will be held in five locations across the province, introducing the latest information on varieties, markets and agronomy

for pulse crops. There will be industry representatives at each meeting to present and answer questions from producers. Register early in order to save yourself a spot at one of the five locations. Each session may vary slightly in order to reflect the common interests of the area. The meetings are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. each day and wrap up in the afternoon. You can pre-register by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

for More inforMation• Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

Monday, Jan. 31, 2011Outlook Civic Centre

520 Semple Street Outlook

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011Kindersley Inn

601-11th Ave EastKindersley

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011Living Sky Casino

1401 N. Service Road E.Swift Current

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Centre

235 - 3rd Ave NEMoose Jaw

Friday, Feb. 4, 2011McKenna Auditorium

317-3rd Street North EastWeyburn

• Contact Faye Dokken-Bouchard at (306) 787-4671.

crops

Choosing the best Christmas tree


recent successes in the fruit processing industry

Always check your tree for freshness.

The experience of having a real Christmas tree is hard to beat. Saskatchewan

Christmas tree growers work hard to help you experience it.

Premature dropping of green needles, known as needle drop, is the main cause for consumer unhappiness with live trees. A little information can greatly reduce this problem.

To check the freshness of the tree, lift it upright and drop it on its trunk. Some needle drop is expected, although if there are a lot of green needles it might be best to pick another tree.

Needles only live two to six years, then turn brown and fall off. Therefore, it is natural for trees to have some brown needles. To remove these dead needles, shake the tree before it enters the home.

Christmas trees grown in warmer, moister climates and then shipped to the Prairies often have not fully shut down. Consequently, these

trees are sensitive to freezing and will likely experience excessive needle drop.

One solution to this problem is to ask where the trees were grown and select Saskatchewan-grown trees. Another solution is to visit a

Christmas tree farm and pick your own.

Even though the trees have been cut, they are still living and need water to remain fresh. The needle drop from dry trees is typically caused by long unprotected transportation, desiccating the tree, or lack of home-owner care.

When preparing the tree for your home, cut two to three centimetres off the base of the trunk, place it in a tree stand with a water reservoir and water as needed.

The tree will use more water during the first three days, so avoid letting the water in the reservoir fall below the bottom of the trunk. Maintain the reservoir from the time the tree enters the home until you dispose of it.

The estimated 2009 harvest in Saskatchewan was approximately 12,000 trees. Approximately 65,000 new trees were planted this spring.

for More inforMation • Visit the Saskatchewan Christmas Tree Growers Association

website at www.prairiechristmastrees.com.

by Glen Sweetman, PAgProvincial Specialist, Nursery and Greenhouse CropsCrops Branch

Saskatchewan processed food products are diverse and delectable. Consumers who embrace locally grown foods are aware of this,

and the demand for high-quality local foods has helped entrepreneurs to develop innovative and competitive products. Strong local demand provides a launch pad for processors to experiment, improve capacity, and expand their reach into larger markets.

Marketing to non-local consumers who have little to no familiarity with unique food products, such as Saskatchewan-grown fruit, can be a daunting task. This was recently highlighted by Saskatchewan-based fruit processor Sandra Purdy, owner of Prairie Berries, when she faced the Dragons on the CBC television program the Dragons’ Den.

Purdy was successful in obtaining a partnership agreement with Dragon Arlene Dickinson, but it wasn’t an easy sell. Purdy had recruited Allison Ozog, a graduate student in the Food Sciences Department of the University of Saskatchewan, to highlight the “superfruit” health promoting aspects of saskatoon berries, and also provided the Dragons with juice samples.

During the program, Dickinson drew parallels between the successes seen in the cranberry and pomegranate industries, and offered the power of her marketing team to enhance the market potential of saskatoons. Some observers suggested that the exposure obtained through the Dragons’ Den was equivalent to a high-profile marketing campaign, given the program’s average weekly audience of 1.5 million Canadians.

Purdy’s Prairie Berries also received funding to hire a recent university graduate through the Agri-Value Marketing Internship Program which was delivered by Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership with funding from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.

Consumer demand is always partially dependent upon a value proposition, and Saskatchewan fruit products supply that value through superior flavour, high levels of health-promoting compounds, and adherence to high levels of food safety standards.

Other Saskatchewan food processors have also been recognized recently for their superiority. These include Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery at Maple Creek, and Living Sky Winery at Perdue. These companies brought home a total of five medals from eight entries at the 2010 Canadian Wine Awards. As well, Prairie Sun Orchard Inc of Vanscoy was among finalists for the New Saskatchewan Product Award in the 2010 Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) competition.

for More inforMation• View the Dragons’ Den segment about Prairie Berries at

www.cbc.ca/video then select Dragons’ Den; or

• Visit the Prairie Berries website at www.prairieberries.com; the Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery website at www.cypresshillswinery.com, and the Living Sky Winery website at www.livingskywinery.com; or

• For an online directory of Saskatchewan processed food products, visit the Saskatchewan Food processors Association website at www.sfpa.sk.ca/directory.

by Forrest Scharf, BA, BSA, AAgProvincial Specialist, Fruit CropsCrops Branch


Producing higher value flax straw

A study by Biolin Research and funded by the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) has found that a double bar

sickle mower was the most effective method to put long intact flax straw on the ground in a thin layer. This resulted in better retting of the straw, producing a higher value final fibre product at a relatively low cost.

The key to producing flax straw for high-end industrial and textile applications is to spread long, intact pieces of straw in a thin, even layer across the field to ensure quick, consistent partial rotting to release the fibre (retting).

In trials near Redvers, Laird and Hepburn, the researchers looked at land rollers, wheeled vehicles, weighted sleds and rotary and sickle mowers to determine which did the best job of spreading the straw thinly and evenly. The sickle mower and land rollers were the most effective.

The sickle mower produced the best quality straw at a cost of $3.90 per acre while a single pass of a land roller cost $3.37 per acre. However, the study showed that it took two to three passes by a land roller to achieve acceptable results. On this basis, it is estimated that a sickle mower could save a producer as much as $6.21 per acre over the total cost of using a land roller.

Saskatchewan is a world leader in production of oilseed flax. Better utilization of flax straw for fibre could greatly improve the economics of flax production. By increasing quality and consistency of flax fibre, Saskatchewan producers could move from the low-end ($200 to $600 per tonne) market to the medium- and high-end ($800 to $5,000 per tonne) markets for their flax fibre.

In 2010, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture provided $5.7 million for 44 ADF research projects.

Sickle mowers were once common for harvesting forage on the

Canadian Prairies, but with changes in forage harvesting techniques they

are seldom used for this purpose anymore. The one used in this flax

study was a double bar sickle mower manufactured by Rowse Hydraulic

Rakes Co. Inc. of Nebraska.

A double-bar sickle mower produces high-quality flax straw at the cost of $3.90 per acre.

research

Contact your Regional Farm Business Management Specialist for more information:

North Battleford (306) 446-7964

Prince Albert (306) 953-2363

Tisdale (306) 878-8842

Kindersley (306) 463-5513

Outlook (306) 867-5575

Watrous (306) 946-3220

Yorkton (306) 786-1531

Swift Current (306) 778-8218

Weyburn (306) 848-2857

Moose Jaw 1-866-457-2377

Farm Business Development Initiative

The Farm Business Development Initiative can help your farm. Funding is available for training and professional services that work toward increasing profits for your operation.

Contact your Regional Farm Business Management Specialist

for more information.

LOCATION PHONE NUMBER North Battleford (306) 446-7964 Prince Albert (306) 953-2363 Tisdale (306) 878-8842 Kindersley (306) 463-5513 Outlook (306) 867-5575 Watrous (306) 946-3220 Yorkton (306) 786-1531 Swift Current (306) 778-8218Weyburn (306) 848-2857 Moose Jaw 1-866-457-2377

FBDIadqtrpage.indd 1 2/17/2010 2:26:14 PM

The Saskatchewan Agri-Value Initiative (SAVI) can provide funding up to $50,000 for business development and business assessment tools.

Are you Business SAVI?

Did you know?In 2010:

•TheMinistryofAgricultureprovided$5.7millionfor44ADFresearchprojects.

Growing Forward

Growing Forward – A Special Feature

Simple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs

What’s Inside?

farm and ranch water infrastructure

ProGram (frwiP) 10

farm Business deveLoPment initiative (fBdi) 11

traceaBiLitY 12

BiosecuritY 13

environmentaL farm PLanninG 13

food safetY 14

saskatchewan aGri-vaLue initiative (savi) 15

aGricuLturaL demonstration of Practices

and technoLoGies (adoPt) 16

productionprograMs and serVices


Agriview is pleased to bring readers a special eight-page feature on non-Business

Risk Management programs and services available in Saskatchewan under the Growing Forward framework.

What’s Growing Forward?

Growing Forward is a commitment to Canada’s agriculture sector that’s focused on achieving results.

The new Growing Forward agreement was signed in July 2008. The agreement reflects input from across the agriculture sector and delivers programs that are simple, more effective and tailored to local needs. All Growing Forward programs are cost-shared by the federal and Saskatchewan governments on a 60/40 basis.

Since 2008 the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture has worked with the federal government to build eight carefully crafted non-Business Risk Management programs for our producers.

These programs aim to: • Help farmers and others involved

in the agriculture industry to make changes that increase their innovation, competitiveness and profitability;

• Meet consumer demands for food safety and environmental performance; and

• Manage risk proactively.

Saskatchewan is helping producers and communities

to better manage their water resources.

Through the development of secure water sources, Saskatchewan Agriculture’s provincewide Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) is designed to expand the livestock industry, encourage economic growth in rural locales and soften the effects of future droughts.

Since the program’s inception last year, 3,301 applications for funding have been received from across Saskatchewan. To date, more than 1,500 wells, 1,600 dugouts and 40 community wells have been created.

“The application was straightforward and simple,” said Jim Angus, administrator with the Rural Municipality of Harris. The RM submitted its application to build a community well early this summer, and the well is now in operation.

“Location-wise, we had a big area that wasn’t served,” said Angus. The RM of Harris has two other municipal wells that were in operation before the new well was developed.

Angus estimated the total cost at $105,000. Under FRWIP, the provincial government contributed two-thirds of the cost.

Cattle producers Sandi and Michael Gray have also taken advantage of government funding for water infrastructure. The well on their ranch near Perdue was created years ago, and in the summer of 2009 they applied for funding to replace it.

“It was very simple,” said Sandi of the whole funding process. “The company that drilled the well was able to fax our paid receipts for the work directly to the provincial government.”

The well cost $34,000, and the Grays received $15,000 from the Province.

Growing ForwardSimple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs

Growing with water

Before the new well was installed, the Grays hauled water from municipal wells. Having on-site access to water has improved operations on the Grays’ farm. The well provides water for spraying and for their cattle.

Eligible on-farm water systems can receive a maximum of $60,000 in funding, and eligible candidates include farmers, ranchers and Indian Bands. Community well projects, open to Rural Municipalities and Indian Bands, may receive a maximum of $150,000.

The program will supply up to two-thirds of the cost for community wells and a maximum of one-half of the eligible costs to develop on-farm water supplies.

For more information on FRWIP call the toll-free line at 1-877-874-5365.

productionwater infrastructure

10

A well being dug near Old Wives Lake.

“The application was straightforward and simple.” - Jim Angus, RM administrator.

Did you know?FRWIP to date:Hasreceivedover3,300applicationswithtotalprojectcostsexceeding$42million.

Growing Forward

Investing in learning and planning


There can be many tasks to juggle on a mixed-farm operation, but Mark and Laura Hoimyr are improving their business skills by implementing lessons from Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. This is just one of the lessons they learned after attending the Ranching for Profit School.

The Hoimyrs, grain and cattle producers near Gladmar, took the course as part of the Farm Business Development Initiative (FBDI), a federal/provincial cost-shared program under Growing Forward. The program helps farmers develop business plans and improve their business skills in nine different areas including: business

strategies; marketing strategies; production economics; human resources; financial management; environmental strategies; succession planning; business

structure; and risk assessment.

“It was really, really good,” said Mark of his experience with FBDI. The Hoimyrs entered the program to increase their business

education and improve the overall operation of their farm. “It’s always good to get a little help managing one’s time,” said Mark.

“We’ve just been going into the process of incorporation,” he added. Farm incorporation is a part of succession planning and an area the Hoimyrs were working on through FBDI.

“It’s a tool to transfer equity from my father to myself as tax-effectively as possible,” said Mark as to the financial benefit of incorporation. In the future should the Hoimyrs sell their farm, or pass it on to their children, incorporation will allow the farm to change hands more easily.

Taking Stock

Before training or consulting can take place, participating farmers must go through a process called Taking Stock. This free-of-charge service is delivered by Saskatchewan Agriculture and is intended to measure how effective current practices are, and identify areas in need of improvement.

“To get started, it’s a pretty healthy multiple-choice quiz,” Mark said of the Taking Stock process. Meetings with a Regional Farm Business Management Specialist from Saskatchewan Agriculture served to further explore and identify areas where FBDI would

most benefit the Hoimyrs. This led them to attend the Ranching for Profit school and use consulting services to help develop their business plan.

The FBDI program offers up to $4,000 to qualified applicants to access educational resources or hire private sector consultants. A minimum of 25 per cent of total costs must be paid by the producer.

For more information, please contact the Regional Farm Business Management Specialist at a local Ministry Regional Office or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre toll-free at 1-866-457-2377.

taking stock seMinars winter 2010-2011 by Mike Pylypchuk, BSA, PAgProvincial Business Management SpecialistRegional Services Branch

The Ministry will hold Taking Stock workshops throughout the province this winter. The half-day workshops will help producers to self-identify the progressive farm business management practices presently being used in their businesses and to assess those practices that are not presently part of their business management approach.

The seminar is free of charge. It is part of the Farm Business Development Initiative under the Growing Forward program which is sponsored by the federal and provincial governments. Producers may qualify to receive cost-shared funding of up to $4,000 to help pay the costs of training and consulting services.

Producers who would like to attend or organize a Taking Stock workshop, or who would like to sign up for the Stay Connected newsletter, are asked to contact Regional Farm Business Management Specialists at the Ministry’s nearest local regional office.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONPhone Mike Pylypchuk at (306) 787-5963.

productionfarM business deVelopMent

11

THE NINE PROGRESSIVE FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES:

Business strategy (Strategic Planning)

Marketing

Production economics

Human resources

Financial management

Succession planning

Business structure

Environmental strategy

Risk Assessment

Growing ForwardGrowing Forward

On Oct. 27, 2009, a $6.8-million Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate program was announced by

Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud.

Funding under the program can be streamed in four different directions. It can help auction marts, producers, backgrounders, veterinary clinics, processors, assembly yards, auction marts, private community pastures, fairs and exhibitors introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to track their animals. It has also been used to pay for industry initiative projects; help fund the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) in Saskatchewan; and fund pilot projects to test and demonstrate this tracing technology.

The Rolling Hills feedlot near Rockglen was one of the first to demonstrate the benefits that come with improved traceability. The field day demonstrated how the technology works in a real feedlot setting.

“It has made us way more efficient,” General Manager Rick Maddess said. “I’m quite happy with it.”

Maddess added that roughly $10,000 was spent on the project. The money went to purchase tracing software and hardware, including one handheld RFID reader. Maddess said he might consider investing in a panel reader for Rolling Hills because they are generally less labour-intensive than the handheld option.

He explained the RFID system has reduced the amount of data entry required when putting cattle through the feedlot, and it has reduced their margin of error when tracing animals.

Rebate funding is available for RFID readers, software, training, ultra-rugged computers and facility modifications needed to undertake traceability activities. Under the rebate program,

government covers 70 per cent of costs to a maximum rebate of $50,000. Auction marts are eligible for a maximum $100,000 rebate.

Individuals and organizations must ensure the reader they purchase is compatible with the ear tags issued by the CCIA.

For more information on the Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Program, call 1-877-874-5365.


Keeping track of the herd

productiontraceabilty

12

Did you know?Under the rebate program:•Governmentcovers70percentofcoststoa

maximumrebateof$50,000.

•Auctionmartsareeligibleforamaximum

$100,000rebate.

“It has made us way more

efficient, I’m quite happy with it.”

- General Manager Rick Maddess.

Growing Forward

Effective biosecurity protocols will benefit Saskatchewan by reducing the threat of disease in Saskatchewan livestock and

poultry.

The Ministry of Agriculture is currently working with provincial livestock stakeholders to develop biosecurity programs that meet the needs of the industry and the public. Diseases can impact human health, agricultural production, environmental health and market access.

Through the introduction of barriers separating disease-causing agents like bacteria and viruses from susceptible species, biosecurity measures protect agriculture in Saskatchewan. With new biosecurity programs, producers will learn best management practices, and gain the skills to assess and control risks of disease to their flocks and herds.

Biosecurity resources will be provided for producers to accurately assess the risk of disease introduction on their farms. The Ministry will work actively with producers and their veterinarians to support initiatives that will lessen the risk of catastrophic disease introduction.

These resources will focus on increasing awareness of the factors contributing to the spread of disease and the measures that can be taken to reduce the risk.

Last winter, the Ministry held several biosecurity educational sessions in North Battleford, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Swift Current and Weyburn. The Ministry will continue to work with veterinarians and other infectious disease experts to implement practical programming for Saskatchewan ranchers and farmers.

For more information, contact Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Animal Health Program Officer Kathryn Ross at (306) 787-5142.

While Saskatchewan farmers are excellent stewards of the land, a little ingenuity can go a long way to make farming more

environmentally friendly.

The federal and provincial governments provide funding to producers to reduce the environmental impact of farming through the Environmental Farm Planning (EFP), Group Planning and Farm Stewardship Program (FSP), and the adoption of Beneficial Management Practices (BMP).

Funding is available for initiatives like the relocation of livestock facilities away from stream banks and lake shores and the improvement of water systems, and watering site management to protect high-risk, marginal soils.

The first step in the funding process is to complete an EFP, which identifies the most-pressing environmental risks on a farm, and to create a plan to control these risks.

From there, the Provincial Council of Agriculture and Diversification Boards for Saskatchewan (PCAB) must approve the plan. PCAB is an independent third-party group that has been contracted to administer the funding program. Once approval is received, the producer may access funds to implement a BMP.

This program had a significant impact on the way Shawn and Heather Sten raise their cattle, north of Canwood. “I did a bunch of fencing and cross-fencing for bale grazing,” said Shawn. Windbreaks, a dugout and paddocks were also constructed.

The paddocks have allowed for improved grazing of the land, and a natural method to spread manure. The Stens also introduced a system of watering holes separate from the dugout to water their cattle, which keeps the dugout water contaminant-free. The funding covered half of the Stens’ total costs for the upgrades. A maximum of

$50,000 in funding is available for producers with eligible projects.

To date, approximately 11,000 producers in Saskatchewan have completed an EFP. Nearly 6,000 projects have been approved to implement a BMP that will ease the environmental impact on their operations and communities.

Funding for Group Planning projects is also available. Under such an arrangement, a group of area producers can receive funding for an environmental project to benefit, not only their farm operation, but also the entire area.

For more information visit the PCAB website at www.saskpcab.com.


Reducing disease with biosecurity

Funding for the environment

productionbiosecurity/farM planning

13

Did you know?To date:•Approximately11,000producersinSaskatchewan

havecompletedanEFP.Nearly6,000projectshave

beenapprovedtoimplementaBMP.

Growing ForwardGrowing ForwardSimple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs

When consumers grab their knives and forks for dinner, they can take comfort in knowing that crop and livestock

producers are helping to keep their food safe. On-Farm Food Safety (OFFS) Programs set out the standards of safety and cleanliness for producers to follow on their farm.

Starting in 2010, the federal and provincial governments teamed together to provide funding to help provincial commodity groups with promoting and implementing OFFS systems in Saskatchewan. Sectors that have developed, or are in the process of developing, a nationally recognized OFFS system are eligible to receive funding.

Each commodity group is responsible for delivery of their OFFS program, including any educational and promotional activities, and/or producer directed funding. Commodity groups participating in the 2010-2011 program include the Verified Beef Production Working Group, Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, Dairy Farmers of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Vegetable Growers Association, Saskatchewan Greenhouse Growers Association, Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association and the Saskatchewan Herb and Spice Association.

The majority of funding in Saskatchewan is currently being used on education programs and funding for producers to implement specific on-farm food safety steps. Producers are not required to be members of the associated commodity group to access OFFS programming. Producers should contact the commodity group to learn more about OFFS programs for their sector.

Shelly Popowich, poultry analyst with the Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan, said her group received funding in 2009-2010 that assisted in implementation efforts at the farm level that meet the standards set by their Safe, Safer, Safest OFFS system for chickens.

Beef producers have also been beneficiaries of the program. Since April 2010, 276 producers have received funding for specific on-farm food safety equipment. Funding is also available for first certification audits. Verified Beef Production program staff have provided training at 40 workshops to over 900 producers and have undertaken other promotional efforts.

After products have left the farm, a separate program has been developed to implement food safety standards in food processing. The Saskatchewan Post-Farm Food Safety Program provides funding to facilitate the adoption of Vendor Recognition (VR), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) or the International Organization for Standardization 22000 (ISO 22000). This program can be accessed by non-federally registered food processors in Saskatchewan for implementation efforts.

The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc. (Food Centre) has been at the forefront to develop a VR program as a small-scale alternative to HACCP.

VR allows smaller-scale processors to communicate with the Food Centre and have industry-specific food safety benchmarks in place at their operations without going to the expense of HACCP or ISO 22000. Processors that implement these benchmarks receive certification from the Food Centre that their operation is safe – a crucial factor in dealing with retailers and the food service industry.

The program is meant to target small to medium-size processors who are not nationally certified and cannot export their products to the United States. Eligible applicants to the program may receive up to 50 per cent of the total costs to a maximum of $30,400.

For more information, contact Gary Coghill at (306) 787-8537, or Sandra Stanger at (306) 787-6425 with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.

Swabbing is one step in a HACCP food safety system.

productionfood safety

14

Maintaining a safe food supply

Did you know?

VerifiedBeefProductionprogramstaffhaveprovided trainingat40workshopsto over900producers.


The Ministry of Agriculture can provide assistance to develop a new value-added product, get a product to the customer, improve operations, and improve employees’ business skills. The Saskatchewan Agri-Value Initiative, known better as SAVI,

provides business development assistance as well as up to $50,000 towards agriculture value-added projects.

SAVI provides funding for four component areas. Each component requires the applicant to provide 50 per cent of the total cost of the project.

Assistance is available in the following areas:

Are you business SAVI?

Product/Prototype Development

The Product and Prototype component of SAVI supports activities necessary to move a product idea from the concept stage all the way through to having a product ready to test on the market. Successful applicants under this component have accessed funding to develop new products, assess shelf-life stability and unique nutritional properties of products, as well as determine new processes required to modify existing products to meet customer expectations. Several of the applicants under the Product and Prototype Development have used the unique services the Food Centre and POS Pilot Plant have to offer.

Marketing Opportunities

Marketing Opportunities are designed to support incremental marketing of new products or existing products entering a new market. For example, a product in the idea stage can use funding to research the potential customer base and market size of the product. The program also supports activities used to determine product pricing, distribution, and placement, as well as options for packaging and labelling. Successful applicants in the Marketing Opportunities component have leveraged the funding program to develop promotional materials, attend trade shows to showcase their products to new customers, and develop a branding strategy.

Systems Improvements

This component provides funding for businesses to hire a professional to assess the adoption of innovation, new or improved technologies and systems that can increase profitability and growth. As an example, if “going green” is a priority and a business has considered a number of efficiency options, this component supports further research and assessment into what the best option and implementation process is for the business.

Training

SAVI provides up to $5,000 funding to help companies improve their employees’ business skills. This includes both management and technical training that is beneficial to the business. SAVI will cover the cost of tuition and books for training courses. To date, the most popular training among agri-businesses has been for courses to learn new processing techniques and develop improved food safety practices.

For information on SAVI, contact a Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Farm Business Management Specialist. They will be able to provide more information regarding the SAVI program as well as provide application support and path finding services. SAVI applications are accepted year-round.

productionagri-Value

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Growing Forward

New Technology: Up for ADOPTion

The Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program gives producers an opportunity to see

practical demonstrations of new technology at the local level.

ADOPT gives funding to Saskatchewan-based producer groups to help evaluate and demonstrate new agricultural practices and technologies at the local level. Then the results of successful trials can be embraced by farming operations in the region.

With eight projects approved for funding, the Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) is one of the most prolific users of the ADOPT program. Janice Bruynooghe, SFC executive director, said their projects include demonstrations on the establishment of alfalfa in existing grass stands, the effect of bale-grazing on pasture and hay yields, and the use of stockpile perennial forages.

When putting a project in motion, Bruynooghe said ideas are developed with regional forage specialists from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and local producers. Innovative producers serve as hosts for demonstrations and field days. “The key is finding these great producers to work with,” she said.

The SFC attempts to locate their projects throughout the province so the greatest number of producers can be served. Communications materials are also distributed by the SFC to provide further information for those who cannot attend a field day.

“They’re all supposed to be demonstration projects,” said Jeff Braidek, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture program manager. The program is not intended to research and develop technology, but instead to demonstrate proven practices and technologies to producers.

Since ADOPT started in July 2009, $761,312 in funding has been approved for 108 different projects. There are two deadlines each year, with the first on June 15 and the second on Dec. 15.

Funding is provided on a competitive basis, and is allocated based on a project’s local relevance, producer involvement, potential impact and probability of adoption, the project promotion plan, and the ability of the applicant to complete the project.

Each producer group may receive a maximum of $10,000 per project, to a grand total of $50,000 per year.

For more information or to apply, contact Saskatchewan Agriculture by e-mail at [email protected].

Producers discuss options for stockpiling perennial forage during an ADOPT project field day held near Ituna for the Saskatchewan Forage Council. For more information on Growing Forward Programs, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.

productionpractices and technology

16

There are two ADOPT application deadlines each year, with the first on June 15 and the second on Dec. 15.

On October 1, 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture completed its review of Saskatchewan’s dairy industry legislation and regulations

with the repeal of The Milk Control Act, 1992, and the establishment of the Saskatchewan Milk Marketing Board (SMMB) as Saskatchewan’s supply management milk marketing agency.

Consultations began in March 2009, and included face-to-face meetings, mail-outs, an Agriview article and public comment via the Ministry website. In early September 2009, the Dairy Farmers of Saskatchewan received a mandate to develop a proposal for the establishment of a producer marketing board under The Agri-Food Act, 2004.

During the week of October. 26, 2009, dairy producers voted overwhelmingly in favour of establishing a marketing plan under The Agri-Food Act. In order to facilitate the transition, the implementation of the new agency’s regulations was staged.

In the first stage, preliminary regulations were adopted on April 21, 2010, providing the new agency with the authority to undertake administrative and logistical actions (hiring staff, renting office space,

entering into agreements with federal agencies, etc.). The full regulations establishing the new agency with all the powers it required to take over from the Milk Control Board were enacted on October 1, 2010.

At that time, The Milk Control Act, 1992 and four sets of regulations under The Animal Products Act (The Dairy Producers Regulations, 1995; The Dairy Manufacturing Plant Regulations; The Milk Transporter Regulations; and The Dairy Product Grading Regulations) were repealed.

The Ministry will also bring forward one further set of dairy regulations which will set compositional standards for consumer milk and milk products within the province. For example, the regulations will require that two per cent milk actually contains two per cent butterfat.

These changes are another example of this government’s efforts to have producers control their own industries. It is expected that the SMMB will work cooperatively with the processor and the Agri-Food Council to further promote and develop Saskatchewan’s dairy industry.

for More inforMation• Contact Corey Ruud, general manager, Agri-Food Council, at

(306) 787-5978; or

• Visit the Ministry’s website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca under About Agriculture | Programs and Services | Agri-Food Council | Marketing Boards | Saskatchewan Milk Marketing Board.

More consumers are becoming concerned about the physical and psychological well-being of domestic livestock. Consequently,

animal welfare complaints from the public continue to increase, along with the expectation that all cases will be responded to in a timely manner and resolved to eliminate animal neglect and abuse.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture believes the welfare of animals is a priority. This is why the Ministry is proposing to amend The Animal Protection Act by increasing fines and penalties to ensure that the welfare of animals is taken seriously. The Ministry is also working closely with the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) investigative services to ensure that complaints of animal neglect and/or abuse are investigated and resolved.

The SSPCA strives to respond to all complaints from the public in a timely and professional manner. It is dedicated to ensuring the humane treatment of animals and taking action to resolve animal welfare cases. The SSPCA enforces The Animal Protection Act, decides on the appropriate action in each case and determines if charges will be laid. The Ministry’s proposed increase in The Animal Protection Act penalties and fines will raise the profile of animal welfare and the seriousness of not providing adequate care to animals.

The SSPCA is working hard to continually improve animal welfare in Saskatchewan. With ongoing assistance from the Ministry, the livestock industry, veterinarians, RCMP, Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan and the public, the SSPCA is continuing to look out for the well-being of animals in our province.

for More inforMation• Contact the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty

to Animals at (306) 382-7722; or

• Visit www.sspca.ca.

by James Kettel Manager, Trade and IndustryPolicy Branch

by Dr. LeeAnn Forsythe Disease Surveillance VeterinarianLivestock Branch

New regulations let dairy producers control their own industry

iMproVing aniMal welfare in saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference is an event that brings together Saskatchewan beef cattle producers, industry

representatives, researchers, agriculture specialists and members of livestock associations and organizations in a collective forum.

The event leads off with the Saskatchewan Beef and Forage Symposium providing updates on new research and technology in beef and forage production.

The balance of the conference includes annual general meetings, directors’ meetings and workshops for various Saskatchewan livestock associations and agencies.

Contact the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference organizers at (306) 384-6044 or www.saskbeefconference.com for additional information, registration details, tradeshow and sponsorship opportunities.

saskatchewan beef industry conference - opportunities 2011January 19 to 22, 2011, Saskatoon Inn and Convention Centre, Saskatoon, SK.

liVestock

17

liVestock







AGENDA


12:30 – 12:35 Welcome






3:15 – 4:00












AGENDA


12:30 – 12:35 Welcome






3:15 – 4:00







Today’s beef industry is focused on producing a carcass that meets both domestic and international quality standards for safety,

wholesomeness and eating quality.

Two of the most important carcass traits influencing the Canadian and American beef grading systems are lean meat yield and marbling score. Lean meat yield refers to the amount of edible meat in the carcass. This is measured in three categories: Canada 1, which is 59 per cent lean or greater; Canada 2, which is 54 to 58 per cent lean; or Canada 3 which is less than 54 per cent lean meat. Marbling score, rated as A, AA, AAA or Prime, is the amount of fat within the muscle and is related to eating quality, particularly juiciness and flavour.

In the past selecting cattle for carcass quality was difficult, but it has become routine for purebred breeders to use ultrasound to measure live animal carcass traits. These live measurements are taken at the same location on the animal’s body (between 12th and 13th ribs), as where the grader measures the carcass. Measurements include ultrasound backfat thickness, ribeye area, lean meat yield and marbling score.

Ultrasound backfat is a measure of the amount of fat covering the carcass and is inversely related to lean meat yield. A yearling bull with excessive backfat, relative to pen-mates, while likely an easy keeper, might not be desirable for a program aimed at selecting for lean yield.

Ultrasound ribeye area is a measure of carcass muscling. The larger the ribeye area, the greater the lean meat yield.

The use of ultrasound allows producers to measure lean meat yield and estimate marbling score in live animals. These are the same carcass traits measured by the grader at slaughter. These measurements, when taken by an experienced technician, are repeatable, accurate and most importantly, moderately heritable. When used within a balanced breeding program, ultrasound can be used to target genetic improvement in your herd for carcass traits of economic importance.

for More inforMation • Contact your local Regional Livestock Specialist.

Selecting beef cattle for carcass quality with ultrasoundby John McKinnon, Ph.D.Saskatchewan Beef Industry ChairUniversity of Saskatchewan

Ultrasound has made carcass quality testing quick and easy.

To pre-register for the Breeding for Profit bull selection workshops, call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377. Registration is $40.

liVestock


Are you a commercial cattleman using multiple sires for breeding your cow herd? Do you know which one of those bulls performs

the best? Is there a simple way to determine the number of calves sired by each bull? Huge improvements in genetic selection tools have been made over the past decade, with more and more companies offering a variety of testing options and tools. One of these genetic tools is multi-sire parentage testing.

Multi-sire parentage testing is for cow-calf producers using multiple bulls in one breeding group. The mother’s DNA is not required for testing. DNA samples from the calves and bulls can be submitted in a variety of forms, depending on the company doing the testing. These include ear-punch, tail-hair and blood samples.

Testing is done to determine the percentage of calves sired by each bull. This helps to distinguish the service capacity of each bull, including those “free-loader bulls” – bulls that are not siring many

calves, but still have costs associated with them. Are they worth keeping if they’re not performing adequately?

Producers can also determine which sires are producing calves with desirable traits, allowing them to choose which bulls to cull and which to continue using. Generating on-farm or within-herd Expected Progeny Difference values for bulls in a multi-sire breeding situation is a promising tool for the future to add value to your bottom line.

for More inforMation • Contact your local Regional Livestock Specialist.

genetic tools for cattle producers: Multi-sire parentage testing

The best way to improve a herd’s genetics is through sire

selection. Reproductive efficiency, calving ease, weaning weight and feed efficiency are a few of the economically important traits producers want from their bull. Sire selection has a long-term impact on calving ease, maternal ability, growth and carcass merit. There are a number of tools we can use in sire selection, one of which is the Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) value.

Expected Progeny Difference is a measure of the expected performance of an animal’s progeny. This value is calculated by the breeder using a standard formula and is available for a variety of traits, including both growth and carcass traits. EPDs are an effective tool for evaluating breeding

stock and can be very useful in comparing two animals within the same breed. The more calves a bull has sired, the more data that is available on that bull and the more accurate his EPDs become. A producer can use EPDs to select a sire that will increase, decrease or maintain a certain genetic trait in their herd. These types of decisions should always be based on specific herd improvement goals, not simply on an EPD value alone.

Expected Progeny Differences can be an incredibly useful tool for herd improvement but it does have limitations. EPDs cannot be used to compare animals from different breeds nor can they predict specific

outcomes. Just because a sire has a weaning weight EPD of + 45, it does not mean that an additional 45 pounds will be added to the weaning weight of all calves from this sire. What this EPD actually means is that the calves from this bull, compared to a bull within the same breed that has a weaning weight EPD of + 40, are expected to be an average of five pounds heavier 205 days after birth.

Bull selection criteria should be based on defined herd improvement goals. These goals will determine the EPDs that are of greatest genetic importance to your herd. EPDs should be used in addition to other

selection criteria, such as reproductive and structural soundness.

for More inforMation• Contact your local Regional Livestock Specialist.

Interested in improving your herd?

by Jenifer Heyden M.Sc. Regional Livestock Specialist, North BattlefordRegional Services Branch

by Colby Elford, BSc, AAg Intern Agrologist, Moose JawRegional Services Branch

and

Hair in Igenity® cards.

EPDs can be a useful tool for herd improvement.

by Chelsey Carruthers, M.Sc., AAg Regional Livestock Specialist, Watrous Regional Services Branch

and

by Jenifer Heyden M.Sc. Regional Livestock Specialist, North BattlefordRegional Services Branch



REQUIREMENTS

An applicant must meet the requirements of the Agricultural Crown Land Lease Policy which include, but are not limited to:- be at least 18 years of age;- actively manage and operate a farm or ranch unit;- be a Canadian Citizen or landed immigrant;- have a resource base that is not greater than 200 per cent of the municipal average;- have legal access to the land or written agreements for crossing adjoining lands;- have existing accounts with the Ministry of Agriculture in an acceptable status.

Land is allocated only to qualified applicants.

Provincial Land Available for Lease The Ministry of Agriculture invites applications to lease the agricultural Crown lands listed herein.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Completed application forms must be received by the appropriate Land Agrologist at the addresses provided in the following pages by 5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010.2. Application forms are available from the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Agriculture. 3. Late application forms will be rejected; incomplete applications may be rejected.4. Improvements such as summerfallow, fencing, and dugouts, must be purchased by the successful applicant.5. Lands offered for lease may have development restrictions.6. Additional information can be obtained from the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Municipality offices or online at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.7. The Ministry of Agriculture is not responsible for errors or omissions in the advertisement and reserves the right to withdraw lands from the lease allocation process at any time.

RM Land Desc Acres Codes AUM Est Rent

For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact:NADIA MORI

BOX 1480, 1105 99TH STTISDALE SK S0E 1T0

(306) 878-8812

190 [NE-11-19-24-2 422 G, A 131 $515 SE-11-19-24-2 SW-11-19-24-2]

221 NW-28-24-25-2 108 G 38 $150

276 NW-29-31-10-2 56 C, A N/A $600 280 NE-27-28-22-2 40 G, A 9 $40

Contact information for the Land Agrologists

CONTACT PHONE E-MAIL ADDRESS Nadia Mori (306) 878-8812 [email protected] Brent McInnis (306) 778-8295 [email protected] Patty Robertshaw (306) 778-8293 [email protected] Karen Smith (306) 878-8881 [email protected] Hicks (306) 878-8820 [email protected] Tim Feist (306) 862-1789 [email protected] Shortt (306) 446-7463 [email protected] Charabin (306) 446-7685 [email protected]

For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact:LYNDON HICKS


(306) 878-8820


331 NE-13-34-33-1 38 H 18 $100 333 NE-35-36-02-2 160 G 10 $300


For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact:KAREN SMITH


(306) 878-8881

274 NW-21-30-06-2 160 C,H 19 $900335 SW-10-35-08-2 161 G, A 79 $300 335 [NE-20-37-07-2 480 G 204 $800 SE-29-37-07-2 SW-29-37-07-2]

For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact:PATTY ROBERTSHAW

BOX 5000, 350 CHEADLE ST WSWIFT CURRENT SK S9H 4G3

(306) 778-8293

RM Land Desc Acres Codes AUM Est Rent168 [NE-19-21-18-3 43 H,I,PL 61 $230 NW-19-21-18-3] Miry Creek Irrigation Project - Plot 7 Plot limit may be waived if no acceptable applicants


For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact:BRENT MCINNIS

BOX 5000, 350 CHEADLE ST WSWIFT CURRENT SK S9H 4G3

(306) 778-8295

163 NE-35-18-01-3 60 F,G,W N/A $150 LSDs 15 & 16 224 NE-16-23-04-3 40 H, I N/A $200 Grainland Irrigation Project - Plot 9. Plot limit may be waived if no acceptable applicants.

224 NE-16-23-04-3 40 H,I N/A $200 Grainland Irrigation Project - Plot 11. Plot limit may be waived if no acceptable applicants. Improvements $500.

224 SW-17-23-04-3 40 H,I N/A $200 Grainland Irrigation Project - Plot 29. Plot limit may be waived if no acceptable applicants.

224 NW-16-23-04-3 40 H I N/A $200 Grainland Irrigation Project - Plot 7. Plot limit may be waived if no acceptable applicants.



CODES: A - Access Limitations, B - Buildings,

C - Cultivation, CE - Conservation Easement, FW - Farm Woodlot,

F - Fencing, G - Grazing, GS - Grain Storage, H - Hay, I - Irrigation, LA - Living Accomodation,

LF - Livestock Facilities, O - Other, OP - Outfitting Prohibited, PL - Project Limitations,

P - Power, W - Water, Y - Yardsite.

* [ Denotes land is to be leased as a unit.]

AUM - Animal Unit Month. Describes the desired carrying capacity of the grazing land.

PL - Project Limitations“An applicant must have less than the pre-determined

maximum area or number of plots allowed per individual in special project areas. Where an applicant surrenders a plot, or

area, shall be allocated to the next highest scorer, until all of the plots are allocated.”

For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact:DAVID SHORTT

1192 - 102ND STREETNORTH BATTLEFORD SK S9A 1E9

(306) 446-7463


434 NW-18-43-07-3 101 G,F,W,H 16 $300 42 acres old hay stand. N½ LSD 11; LSD 13 & 14.

435 [NE-24-43-08-3 120 G,F,W 76 $800 SE-24-43-08-3] N½ LSD 8; E½ LSD 10; LSD 9 & 16.


For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact:TRACEY CHARABIN

1192 - 102ND STREETNORTH BATTLEFORD SK S9A 1E9

(306) 446-7685

346 SE-27-35-11-3 120 C,H N/A $700 LSDs 1 & 8; E ½ LSD 2 & 7.

346 SW-27-35-11-3 100 C,H 2 $800 W ½ LSDs 3&6; E ½ LSD 4 & LSD 5.


For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact:TIM FEIST


(306) 862-1789

400 NE-14-42-23-2 131 C 50 $1,100 430 NE-21-43-22-2 80 G 76 $300 430 SW-19-45A-22-2 30 H 45 $200 430 SW-8-44-23-2 160 G 90 $400 430 SE-11-44-24-2 111 C 11 $700 430 SW-11-44-24-2 80 C N/A $900

456 SE-20-46-11-2 160 C, A 16 $1,100 456 NW-28-46-11-2 160 C, A 16 $600 459 SE-8-49-21-2 40 C, PL N/A $600 459 SE-9-49-21-2 80 H, PL 100 $400 459 SW-9-49-21-2 80 H, PL 45 $250 459 NE-17-49-21-2 40 H, PL 60 $240

459 NE-18-49-21-2 80 H, PL 115 $500 459 SE-18-49-21-2 80 H, PL 100 $500 486 SW-4-51-09-2 72 G 25 $100

486 SW-11-51-09-2 118 C 10 $1,300 486 NW-19-52-11-2 160 H 60 $250 486 NW-19-53-11-2 160 C 15 $900 486 NW-21-51-12-2 55 H, A 6 $60 486 [NE-23-52-10-2 129 G 49 $250 SW-23-52-10-2] 486 SW-26-53-10-2 160 C N/A $2,600 486 [NE-28-53-11-2 271 C 21 $3,000 NW-28-53-11-2 SW-28-53-11-2] 491 NE-29-51-25-2 40 H, PL 60 $300 491 NE-31-51-25-2 40 H, PL 50 $200 Cheal Lake Project - Plot 21 491 NE-31-51-25-2 39 H, PL 93 $700 Cheal Lake Project - Plot 22 491 NE-31-51-25-2 40 H, PL 70 $250 Cheal Lake Project - Plot 19 491 NE-31-51-25-2 40 H, PL 71 $300.00 Cheal Lake Project - Plot 20

To avoid interest being added to your rental, payment needs to be received by the date provided on your statement. All lease rentals up to 2010 should be paid prior to December 31, 2010.

Please contact Mary Jane Marcia at (306) 787-8678 or Kathy Jones at (306) 787-5195 of Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Lands Branch with any questions or concerns regarding your lease rental.

lease rental reMinder

Livestock and forage producers will now have financial help dealing with excess moisture due to a new program announced

by Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities mid-term convention in Saskatoon.

The Saskatchewan Feed and Forage Program will help producers who are short of feed for their livestock or need to reseed hay/forage or pasture land due to excess moisture.

The purpose of the program is to provide transportation funding assistance to Saskatchewan producers who are short of pasture and/or feed due to excess moisture; and financial assistance to Saskatchewan producers who reseed hay, forage and pasture land that has been damaged due to excess moisture.

To be eligible for the transportation component, producers must have owned, leased, custom fed or custom grazed the eligible animals during the period June 1, 2010 to Aug. 1, 2011 and must be the individual or entity responsible for the expenses related to the transportation of the eligible feed or animals.

To be eligible for the reseeding component, producers must have owned or leased the eligible hay, forage and pasture land during the period June 1, 2010 to Aug. 1, 2011.

Applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Financial Programs branch by Sept. 30, 2011. Application forms are available on the Ministry of Agriculture’s website and at Ministry of Agriculture Regional Offices, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Offices and local RM offices.

for More inforMation• Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca; or

• Call toll-free 1-877-874-5365.

Support for livestock producers affected by flooding



Visions of canola crops dancing in your head?

Saskatchewan Agriculture is proud to provide students an opportunity to

further their studies and careers in the agriculture industry.

The Saskatchewan Agriculture

Student Scholarship will award

10 scholarships worth $1,000

each to Grade 12 students that

are starting agriculture-related

post-secondary studies in 2011.

All you have to do is write a

500-word essay or submit a

three-minute video.

If you love agriculture as much as we do, pick up a pen or grab a video

camera and get into the action.

for full details

Apply for the 2010-11 Saskatchewan Agriculture Student Scholarship

sgi to host farM licence plate reView Meetings

Over the next several weeks, Saskatchewan Government Insurance will be hosting public meetings, asking for input on the farm-class licence plate program. December meetings

will be held in Maidstone, Melfort, Milestone and Swift Current. If you cannot make a meeting, you may fill out an online survey, or you can call toll-free 1-888-751-1816.

For more information or to complete the survey, visit SGI’s website at www.sgi.sk.ca.

• Visit

www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/

2010-11_Scholarship; or

• Send an e-mail to

[email protected];

or

• Visit one of our 10 Regional Offices

around the province.

One deadline - two AgriStability requirements

protecting stored forage oVer winter

When food is scarce over winter months, wildlife will go in search of alternative food sources. Producers’ stacked forage is a

likely target and usually susceptible to the likes of deer and elk.

When initial evidence of wildlife damage is apparent on stacked forage, producers should contact the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC). Producers should be aware that damage may increase with cold weather or heavy snow.

The Wildlife Damage Compensation Program claims for losses to stacked forage are handled differently than a claim for crop losses in the field. Compensation will be paid based on a reference to starting inventory. This means damages occurring prior to the initial inspection may not be paid. For this reason, it is important to contact SCIC as soon as wildlife damage is noticed.

During the initial inspection, an adjuster will visit and determine the beginning forage inventory. The estimated weight, amount and location of the product will be documented along with the amount used for feed purposes. By comparing the amount of product

damaged by wildlife and fed to livestock, an adjuster will be able to provide a more accurate assessment of losses.

An adjuster may make recommendations of preventative measures following the initial inspection. Based on the recommendation, SCIC may offer funding for fencing around feed yards or temporary fencing to protect feed sources. If appropriate, SCIC may also recommend the use of lure crops, intercept feeding or other preventative measures.

On subsequent visits, an adjuster will update the file to include the current inventory, amount fed, amount of damages and the total loss. A final inspection and total loss calculation is only completed when all damages have stopped.

Again, producers should report initial damages immediately after they occur. Please do not wait until late winter or spring to report damage; compensation may not be provided as it may be too late to employ prevention measures and there is no reference to compare inventory.

for More inforMation on prograM details or to file a claiM• Contact your local customer service office; or

• Call 1-888-935-0000; or

• Visit www.saskcropinsurance.com.



As we near year-end, the focus for many of us is to try and wrap up those outstanding items, creating a fresh start in the New

Year. The AgriStability program follows a similar process as Dec. 31 is an important deadline for producers who want to wrap up their requirements for one program year and ensure they are eligible for the next program year.

To be eligible for benefits from the 2009 AgriStability program, participants need to have all program forms submitted by Dec. 31, 2010. For sole proprietorships, that means the AgriStability Harmonized Form for Individuals must be completed and submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in Winnipeg. For corporations and co-operatives the Corporations/Co-operatives/Other Entities form needs to be completed and submitted to the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC). Please keep in mind, the original deadline to submit these forms has passed (Sept. 30) and a penalty of $500 per month will be applied to any benefits received for the late filing of these forms.

While some are focusing on wrapping up the requirements for the 2009 AgriStability program, others will be ensuring they can

participate in the 2010 program. Dec. 31 is the last date to submit your program fees as part of the eligibility requirements for the 2010 program year. The original deadline to submit these fees has passed (April 30 or 30 days from the date on the producer’s Enrolment Fee/Notice), meaning a 20 per cent penalty will be added. Producers can see the amount they need to submit by reviewing their Enrolment Fee/Notice.

Support is available to help producers meet this important deadline. AgriStability Advisors are located throughout the province and can be reached through any of the 21 SCIC customer service offices. If a producer needs to access a form or requires a guide for completing the form, they can be found online at www.saskcropinsurance.com.

for More inforMation• Contact an SCIC customer service office;

• Call the AgriStability call centre at 1-866-270-8450; or

• Visit www.saskcropinsurance.com.

options to retain heifers and build your cow herd

There is another option when it comes to disposal of grain bags and bale twine. The Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards recently received

funding from the EcoAction Community Fund to run a pilot project to collect and recycle grain bags and bale twine. This project builds off the pilot project previously held in March 2010, where 25 Saskatchewan producers delivered approximately 60,000 pounds of agriculture plastic for recycling.

Consolidation depots are currently set up in the RMs of Caledonia and Moose Jaw. Producers are asked to set up an appointment to drop off their grain bags and bale twine. The Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards also has a grain bag roller available to make transport of the plastic easier and more efficient. Grain bags and bale twine will be accepted until March 2012.

The Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards promote environmental beneficial management practices to conserve and protect the water resources of Moose Jaw.

for More inforMation• Call Tammy Myers at the Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards,

(306) 691-3399.

by Tom GlabActing Manager, Livestock Financing ProgramsFinancial Programs Branch

The Livestock Loan Guarantee Program provides Saskatchewan producers with an option to retain heifers to expand their cow herd

while still maintaining cash flow.The LLG Program provides options for producers to finance replacement heifers over a six-year period. This allows producers to get an advance on their 2010 calves while being able to retain their best heifers for long-term herd building.

Details of a feeder advance through a feeder association are:• Access of up to $100,000 for a first-year member.• Competitive interest rate, with an option for a partial interest rebate

through the Advance Payment Program.• Assurance deposit of five per cent.• Feeder advance repayment within 12 months or retain bred heifers

through a breeder advance.

Once producers have selected heifers to retain and breed, the bred heifers can be re-financed through a breeder advance taken out through the association, with the following details:• Access of up to $100,000 for a first year member.• Breeder advance to be repaid in five equal payments of 20 per cent

of the original principal amount advanced plus interest.• Competitive interest rates and an assurance fund deposit of

10 per cent.

Producers are able to finance the expansion of their cow herds while still being able to access funding for operating expenses. Many producers have utilized these options to “build from within” and retain their best breeding females.

for More inforMation• Contact the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Financial Programs

Branch at (306) 787-5275.

agriculture plastics collection: grain bags and bale twineby Daphne Cruise, PAgRegional Crops Specialist, Moose JawRegional Service Branch

A grain bag roller can allow for efficient transport.


eVents calendar

DATE EVENT LOCATION PHONE INTERNET

Dec. 1Farm Financial and Estate Planning Workshop

Ponteix 306-778-8216 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Dec. 2Farm Financial and Estate Planning Workshop

Swift Current 306-778-8216 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Dec. 2Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) Annual Conference

Yorkton 306-774-2775

Dec. 7-8 SIPA/ICDC Annual Conference Saskatoon 306-867-5523 www.irrigationsaskatchewan.com/ICDC/icdc_index..htm

Dec. 8 - 9Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan (FACS) Annual General Meeting

Saskatoon 306-249-3227 www.facs.sk.ca

Dec. 8 - 9Foraging Into the Future 6: "The Business Side of Ranching"

Swift Current 306-778-8294 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Jan. 5 - 7Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association Annual Convention

Vancouver 306-586-5866 www.wheatgrowers.ca

Jan. 8 - 15 Crop Production Week Saskatoon 306-933-0138 www.cropweek.com

Jan. 10 - 13 Western Canadian Crop Production Show Saskatoon 1-888-931-9333 www.cropweek.com

Jan. 20 - 23 Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference Saskatoon 306-384-6044 www.saskbeefconference.com

Jan. 27 - 28Saskatchewan Young Ag Entrepreneurs (SYA) Conference

Saskatoon 306-874-2025 www.saskyoungag.ca

Jan. 31 Regional Pulse Workshop Outlook 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Feb. 1 Regional Pulse Workshop Kindersley 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Feb. 2 Regional Pulse Workshop Swift Current 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Feb. 3 Regional Pulse Workshop Moose Jaw 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Feb. 4 Regional Pulse Workshop Weyburn 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Documents

Simple, more effective, tailored to your needs - a special ... · Maximum allowable air temperature for flax seed drying is 45 C for planting seed, 80 C for commercial seed and 80