Crop Advisors' Workshop Answers Frequently Asked Questions

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The Crop Advisor’s Workshop is designed for the needs of those who provide professional advice to farmers on financial, agronomic or livestock issues. The workshop, organized annually by the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association (SSCA), provides technical answers to those questions most frequently asked by agricultural producers, according to SSCA Assistant Manager Juanita Polegi.

“This year’s workshop will be held on December 1 and 2 at the Ramada Hotel in Saskatoon. We expect about 100 advisors to attend,” says Polegi. “Our goal is to answer the questions that arise throughout the year at a technical level. The advisors can then take this information and relay it back to their clients in the most useful manner for them.

“For instance, this year we have asked Professor Ken Rosaasen of the University of Saskatchewan to elaborate on the effect of fuel prices on the agricultural sector. This is obviously a major challenge in many Saskatchewan operations.”

The topics this year include: “Mid Row vs. Sidebanding” with Gord Hultgreen of the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) in Humboldt; “What’s New With Pulse Varieties” with Dr. Tom Warkentin of the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan; and “Dealing With Wild Oats Resistance” with Dr. Hugh Beckie of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Saskatoon.

“In light of the increasing importance of water quality issues, we have asked Dr. Jane Elliott of the National Hydrology Research Centre in Saskatoon to address some of the latest findings about the situation in Saskatchewan,” adds Polegi.

“In addition, we have asked SSCA Vice President Edgar Hammermeister to provide a progress report on the soil carbon front. This is an area where Edgar has been involved quite actively, so he’ll be able to share the view from inside.”

Tom Harrison of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will deliver the latest on riparian area management and watershed planning; Stu Brandt of AAFC will talk about the issues and benefits around brown bagging canola; Bill May (AAFC) will provide an update on canaryseed issues; Mark Akins of Ducks Unlimited will discuss winter wheat management in the spring; Dr. Bart Lardner of the Western Beef Development Centre will talk about nutrient capture through extensive winter feeding of beef animals; and Dr. Harold Steppuhn (AAFC) will address the issues of salinity and alkalinity reclamation.

“Lyle Cowell of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool will give some insight into how you can help your clients develop their environmental farm plans; Dr. Tom Wolf (AAFC) will talk about pesticide rates, water volumes and nozzles; while Dr. Diane Knight of the U of S will address soil microbial activity and the enhancement of fertilizer rates with green manure,” concludes Polegi.

To register for the workshop, contact the SSCA Head Office at (306) 695-4233 or 1-800-213-4287.

For more information, contact:

Juanita Polegi
Assistant Manager
Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association
(306) 786-1526

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