Prepare for 2007 at SAF Crop Production Meetings

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Farmers are now starting to prepare for the 2007 growing season.

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) hopes to help producers achieve their full potential with another round of its annual Crop Production Meetings.

The theme for this year’s sessions is “Pushing Production: Increasing Crop Yields and Intensities.”

David Larsen, Soil and Nutrient Management Specialist with SAF, anticipates heavy interest from producers in pushing their yield potentials in 2007, and needing to determine how best to do that and when.

Speakers at the meetings include a representative from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, who will discuss how to apply a full package of inputs versus the results achieved with an empty package. The Canola Council of Canada will also be on hand to talk about pushing canola rotations.

“We’re also going to get someone to speak about biofuels at each location, and particularly to discuss their impact on crops and producers,” said Larsen.

Other topics to be addressed at the meetings include an overview of SAF services; disease, weeds, insects and soils; and how good soil moisture and high yields will affect these factors. The meetings include technical information largely targeted at agrologists and crop advisors, but they will also be of interest to producers and others in the agricultural industry.

“These are the only Crop Production Meetings for this year,” said Larsen. “We targeted the northern areas because the topics and similar conditions will work well for all of them.”

The sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, February 6 in North Battleford at the Western Development Museum; Wednesday, February 7 in Melfort at the Travelodge Inn; and Thursday, February 8 in Yorkton at the St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Centre. All meetings run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Registration costs $40 per person, and can be arranged by calling the SAF Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377. Pre-registration is preferred.

For more information, contact:
David Larsen, Soil/Nutrient Management Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 694-3587
E-mail: dlarsen@agr.gov.sk.ca
Website: www.agr.gov.sk.ca