Irrigation research an d demonstration showcase upcoming

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The annual Irrigation Field Day Tour and Trade Show is set for July 12 at the Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre (CSIDC) near Outlook.

As CSIDC’s main “technology transfer” event, the tour and trade show is put on each year to showcase the centre’s applied research and various demonstrations.

“The event is a way to inform people of the new and exciting research we are doing here at the centre,” said Gail Dyck, an irrigation agrologist and chair of the organizing committee.

The theme for this year’s session is “Food and Fuel.” A keynote presentation will be conducted by representatives from both the federal and provincial governments.

The event will also feature three identical tours held throughout the day at 8:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The highlights include specialty crops such as strawberry crowns and potatoes, crop varieties for ethanol production, irrigation systems and water management, organic vegetable production and a fruit orchard. Different irrigation systems and their water management aspects will be identified along the way.

The trade show will include a wide variety of agri-businesses, many of which are connected to irrigation. Participants will be able to browse the displays throughout the day.

Dyck encourages any individuals wishing to hear more about irrigation to attend the event, as well as producers interested in CSIDC’s latest research.

“Individuals will be able to gather the scope of what the CSIDC does, and to learn about some of the exciting new opportunities related to irrigation agriculture” Dyck noted.

The CSIDC promotes crop diversification and sustainable irrigation to Saskatchewan producers and industry. Through market-driven research and demonstration projects, CSIDC responds to farmer and industry needs to improve the sustainability and profitability of farms.

CSIDC investigates and demonstrates new crops, technologies and management techniques that assist Prairie producers in adopting practices that sustain land and water resources. Research also focuses on mitigating the effects of irrigation on the environment.

Current projects at CSIDC include precision farming, lower elevation spray application (LESA) technology, drainage studies and irrigation scheduling.

CSIDC is a joint venture of the Government of Canada and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, the Irrigation Crop Diversification Corporation (ICDC) and the Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association (SIPA).

Admission to the Irrigation Field Day Tour and Trade Show is free.

For more information, contact the CSIDC office at (306) 867-5400, by visiting www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/csidc/csidc.htm, or by visiting the ICDC/SIPA website at www.irrigationsaskatchewan.com.

For more information, contact:
Gail Dyck, Irrigation Agrologist
Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre
Phone: (306) 867-5402