Grazing Mentors Are In Demand

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Producers interested in improving their grazing management are urged to sign up for this year's "Grazing Mentorship Program." The program is operated by the Saskatchewan Forage Council with funding from the Canadian Cattlemen's Association and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

"The program is designed to hook grazing mentors up with individuals who are looking to take their grazing management to the next level, or even just the first level," said provincial co-ordinator Ross MacDonald. "It's a means of co-ordinating peer-to-peer grazing information and mentorship."

The idea is to allow individual producers to work one-on-one with experienced grazing managers in order to learn how to improve their profits, efficiency, forage productivity, and use of water and land resources.

"We have a number of grazing mentors across the province, so there's likely a mentor nearby," MacDonald said. "The majority of our mentors are quite experienced. A lot of them have dealt with intensive grazing, grazing large numbers of animals, grazing late into the winter season with both stockpiled forages and bale grazing, as well as alternative supply methods."

The program is partially subsidized, so producers pay only a fraction of the actual cost. Producers are asked to pay a $100 application fee, and the program kicks in an additional $600 to pay the mentor for his or her time.

"It is equivalent to about 16 hours, or two days, of mentoring. Depending on the individual's needs, those 16 hours can be split up however the two participants feel will work best," MacDonald said.

"Usually there is an initial visit, some discussion about where each is at, some things to think about, some correspondence in between, and possibly another meeting in the field season."

The discussion can range right across the grazing management spectrum, including fencing, watering systems, plant growth, forage species selection, dormant season grazing - just about anything a producer might have questions about. There is no limitation on the size of operation that can become involved.

"We've had a range of mentorships, from individuals who are just getting started with small numbers and smaller land bases, to those who are going from a small operation to a larger operation," MacDonald said. "Mentors say they sometimes learn as much as they teach when dealing with more experienced operators."

There are currently 12 mentors available in the province, with space for approximately 55 producers to receive their assistance, so it is advisable to sign up as soon as possible. Interested producers should contact the Saskatchewan Forage Council by visiting their website at http://www.saskforage.ca/, or by calling MacDonald directly at (306) 447-4600.

MacDonald is an animal and range agrologist who is also an active rancher, running a herd of some 400 custom-grazed yearlings and a small cow-calf herd. He says the mentorship program is just a case of well-organized networking with peers.

"The intent is not necessarily to prescribe any sort of management, but to provide a producer sounding-board for ideas or innovations, and hopefully to save people some mistakes and some time," he said.

"If nothing else, it's a great opportunity to get some outside ideas or just confirmation that you're on the right track."

For more information, contact:
Ross MacDonald, Co-ordinator
Grazing Mentorship Program
Phone: (306) 447-4600
E-mail: rossmacdonald@xplornet.com

Forage Selection Made Easy With New CD

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) has developed a new forage management tool that is available free of charge to producers, agrologists, conservationists and any other interested parties.

The "Dryland Forage Species Adaptation" CD provides valuable technical information to assist in planning the use of forages.

According to SFC Executive Director Janice Bruynooghe, the CD was developed to assist users in selecting the forage species best suited to their land. "It's an interactive tool that enables them to access comprehensive data on different forage species in order to choose the best one for their particular needs."

Information on 45 forage species, both tame and native, legume and grass, has been compiled in the CD. Photos and a detailed description of each species are provided, including yields, recommended stocking rates and other management information.

The data is organized to allow producers to input specific factors related to the type of soil in which the forage will be seeded and the purpose for which it is intended. This may include soil zone, soil texture, soil pH, salinity, moisture conditions, desired use, expected timing of use, stand longevity and many other variables.

"They can basically enter their criteria, and this tool will sort through the huge database of information that's built in on the back-end and identify the species that would best suit their specific conditions," Bruynooghe said.

The tool can also be used in reverse. Users looking for information on any particular forage species can simply click on its name, and the CD will display all the details, including an overview of nutritional feed quality, if available.

According to Bruynooghe, among the most useful features incorporated in the CD are seeding rate and cost calculators for producers. Users are able to select specific forage species or mixtures and input information such as germination or purity percentages. A program then automatically calculates the number of pounds per acre they would need to seed in order to produce an optimal stand. When costs are subsequently entered, the tool will also calculate the cost-per-acre of seeding a specific mixture.

"It's a common question that producers often have. Working through those calculations [on paper] is a bit cumbersome at times, and this is just a really slick, quick way to go in and determine seeding rates and cost-per-acre," Bruynooghe said.

"Everything comes down to economics, and a key to this information is that it can help producers through that decision-making process on the financial side."

Above all, Bruynooghe says the greatest advantage offered by the CD is convenience. "Much of this information is currently available, but it is very scattered. Producers often have to talk to extension agrologists or cross-reference many fact sheets to get what they need," she stated.

"What this tool provides is a nice, neat compilation of information. It's very user-friendly and easy to navigate."

Funding to undertake the project was provided by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Greencover Canada Program. Project partners include AAFC, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.

Anyone interested in obtaining a free copy of the "Dryland Forage Species Adaptation" CD can contact the SFC by phone at (306) 966-2148 or by e-mail at jbruynooghe@saskforage.ca. The material is also available on the SFC website at http://www.saskforage.ca/ in both high-speed and dial-up versions.

For more information, contact:
Janice Bruynooghe, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Forage Council
Phone : (306) 966-2148
E-mail : jbruynooghe@saskforage.ca
Website: http://www.saskforage.ca/

Fact Sheet on Revegetating Saline Soils Now Available

A new fact sheet put out by the Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) will help producers return land with saline soil to greater productive capacity by using grasses.

Saline soils are those which contain sufficient soluble salts to impair productivity. In Saskatchewan, saline soils are generally rich in sulphate salts, existing as compounds of sodium, magnesium and calcium.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) estimates that about 5.52 million acres of agricultural land in the province are at moderate to high risk of salinization. Depending on the level and type of salt present in the soil, the impact on crops can range from minor yield reductions to establishment failure.

Given those factors, SFC Executive Director Janice Bruynooghe said the fact sheet, entitled "Revegetation of Saline Soils Using Salt-Tolerant Grasses," serves an important purpose.

"We've got some pretty vast acres in parts of Saskatchewan which have saline soils with sufficient soluble salts to impair productivity. Sometimes it's not an entire quarter-section that is affected, but smaller chunks and pieces here and there," said Bruynooghe. "Producers struggle with these areas, getting them seeded down and being productive."

However, the good news for producers is that moderately to severely saline soils can be reclaimed using salt-tolerant perennial grasses. In fact, new grasses have recently been developed that have improved salt tolerance, yield and quality compared to grass species traditionally used for saline soil reclamation.

"If we can get those areas established, forages can work to mitigate some of the salinity within the soil," Bruynooghe said. "The land can be reclaimed, while at the same time providing a forage crop that can yield a financial return for the producer from land that might otherwise be unproductive."

The fact sheet gives an overview of soil salinity and the problems it poses for plant growth. It provides a comprehensive rating of grasses that are commonly grown in Saskatchewan, highlighting their relative salinity tolerance, growth and production characteristics, and resulting forage quality. It also contains management considerations for producers to bear in mind when using grasses for saline soil reclamation.

"It's an excellent summary of some of the challenges and the resources available that producers might look at using," Bruynooghe said.

Funding for the publication was provided through AAFC's Greencover Canada Program. Project partners included AAFC, Saskatchewan Agriculture and the SFC.

Copies of "Revegetation of Saline Soils Using Salt Tolerant Grasses" are available online at http://www.saskforage.ca/, or by calling the SFC office at (306) 966-2148.

The SFC was formed as a co-operative in 1987 to enhance the province's forage industry in terms of production, harvesting, utilization and marketing. It plays a role in communicating information to producers and others in the industry, dealing with government on production issues and marketing policies, and assisting in the identification and prioritization of important research.

For more information, contact:
Janice Bruynooghe, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Forage Council
Phone: (306) 966-2148
E-mail: jbruynooghe@saskforage.ca
Website: http://www.saskforage.ca/

Be It Cattle Or Crops, It All Begins With The Soil

Crop production and cattle production are often viewed as two separate streams in the overall agricultural industry. Although there are many differences between them, these two sectors have one major factor in common: soil quality is the basic foundation for a successful operation.

Adrienne Hanson, a Livestock Development Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture, says soil is the starting point of almost every farm. "The soil determines productivity, fertility, plant growth, shelter availability, water availability and much more. The material beneath our feet is alive with fungi, micro-organisms and macro-organisms that determine how fertile and, therefore, how productive the soil may be."

Soil type varies throughout the province, but Hanson says there are many things producers can do to ensure the best quality soil possible for their area.

"Improving the soil is something everyone can do with just a few adjustments to everyday practices," she stated. "As the producer cares for the soil, many other production issues will also be resolved. Beyond stopping erosion, we can significantly boost the productivity and quality of soil by improving its health."

Good soil health depends on cycling organic material and nutrients. The traditional method of raising cattle in Saskatchewan consists of packaging up feed grown in the summer, transporting it in from the field, feeding it in a smaller penned area, and then hauling the manure out the following fall.

Considering our cold winters and traditional calving period, this process was necessary to protect the animals and ensure feed is available. But Hanson says it also removes nutrients and organic matter from the soil and deposits them in the yard.

"Not only does this practice generate large manure hauling bills, it puts farm families at risk of contaminating their water supply from infiltration and runoff by nutrient-loading at the yard," she noted.

Hanson points out that modern agricultural research has been strong in this area, bringing forward alternative feeding strategies for the field or hay land that eliminate the need to haul hay and straw, while improving organic matter and nutrient cycling. These technologies, including bale grazing, swath grazing, stockpiling forage and more, offer excellent opportunities for producers to promote soil health by more evenly distributing organic matter and manure than would be the case in a dry lot.

Soil health is also improved by promoting soil structure, and thereby water infiltration. According to Hanson, this means increasing the pore space in the soil, which provides a good place for water to accumulate. Surface condition is very important in retaining precipitation. Heavy, continuous stocking rates often result in crusting and the loss of soil porosityl, which means faster runoff, less infiltration and more erosion.

Expanding crop rotations to include perennial forages like alfalfa can likewise help to restore soil and root health, and provide nitrogen. But Hanson notes that the crop must be properly managed to ensure plant longevity.

"Proper supplement, water and shelter management, as well as controlled grazing, prevents animals from congregating in one location, thereby preventing the overgrazing of select plants, soil compaction and nutrient-loading," she said.

Given the strong link between soil quality and production quality, Hanson says it makes good sense for producers of all types to incorporate strategies for soil improvement into their farming practices.

"Basically, good soil grows better plants that produce the best beef," she noted.

For more information, contact:
Adrienne Hanson, Livestock Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture
Phone : (306) 848-2380
E-mail : ahanson@agr.gov.sk.ca

Mechanical Weed Control For Organic Producers

"Many organic growers say that mechanical weed control is more like an art than a science. Well, we are trying to find out what the science is behind the art." That is how Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) researcher Dr. Steve Shirtliffe sums up some new research into herbicide alternatives.

In 2004, Shirtliffe and co-researcher Eric Johnson with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada set out to explore the tolerance of oat, wheat and barley to mechanical weed control methods. Three years later, the research, funded in part by ADF, provided some interesting results.

Shirtliffe, an Associate Professor with the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Saskatchewan, said the research will benefit the growing organic sector.

"Weed control in organic crops is difficult. Mechanical techniques offer some options for farmers. When you use mechanical methods, they tend to be not nearly as selective as an herbicide would be. A lot of these mechanical methods cause crop damage as well as weed damage, so you have to balance it out to make sure that you are not making the matter worse," said Shirtliffe.

The research looked at several mechanical techniques, including in-crop harrowing, mowing and rolling. Shirtliffe said the biggest surprise had to do with oats.

"At the onset of our research, the thought was - and it was reflected in some production manuals - that post-emergent oat should not be in-crop harrowed. The information at the time suggested that wheat and barley were tolerant to this, but what we found out is that oat is indeed tolerant to it," explained Shirtliffe.

It's unclear why in-crop harrowing was previously not recommended for oat.

"We couldn't find any solid evidence, but speculate that because the position of the growing point of oat is closer to the surface, perhaps it was believed there would be damage. Our research showed oat, in fact, was often more tolerant than even wheat, which most people hold up as being a crop that is quite tolerant of in-crop harrowing," said Shirtliffe.

The findings provide organic oat producers with another option for weed control which previously was not recommended.

Another surprise came from the research into rolling flax as a weed control method.

Shirtliffe said the results there were pretty clear.

"We found out that it is probably not a good idea," but, he said, there was some anecdotal evidence that it might be effective.

"The idea was that you roll your flax with a roller that you would use for pulse crop production, and the thinking is that some weeds, like wild mustard, would be broken down by it and not come back, whereas flax with fibre in its stem would come back up and wouldn't be affected. Well, that never happened. It is something that we are not recommending at all. We looked at it for three years in a row at one location and it did not have any potential," said Shirtliffe.

Mowing to control weeds was an equal disappointment.

"We used wheat, oat and barley in the test, mowing them at different stages. The thinking was that the crop would come back quicker than the weeds - giving it a competitive advantage. In the end, we just didn't see any positive yield response or weed control benefit that would indicate that it is a practice that we would ever recommend," said Shirtliffe.

However, rotary hoeing did yield some positive results.

"My partner Eric Johnson looked at rotary hoeing. It looks like it might have some promise for organic growers - using a minimum-till rotary hoe. It is an implement we are not very familiar with in Western Canada, but it is used in the corn and soy bean belt. Multiple passes with a rotary hoe when the weeds are small is effective at killing some weeds, and there is quite good crop tolerance as well," said Shirtliffe.

While this research will benefit organic producers the most, Shirtliffe points out mechanical weed control techniques can also help non-organic producers reduce herbicide use.

A copy of the ADF report, Mechanical Weed Control for Organic Producers, project number 20030400, can be obtained by phoning Saskatchewan Agriculture at (306) 787-5929, or downloaded from the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Steve Shirtliffe, Associate Professor
Plant Sciences Department, University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-4959
Nominations Now Open For Rosemary Davis Award

A few things to consider when fall grazing

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

With fall on the way, producers are looking for options to stretch their grazing season as late as possible. In most situations, it is cheaper to keep the cows grazing out on the land rather than keeping them locked in the corrals and hauling feed to them. As a producer, it is important to "let the cows work for you," and it will also save you some cash.

Trevor Lennox, a Forage Development Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), says two options available to many producers are to either graze crop aftermath, such as stubble or chaff, or to use stockpiled perennial forages.

"It's important to understand the quality of the forage the animals are using in order to provide any required supplements," he stated. "Once forages lose their green colour in the fall, protein is usually lacking in the diet. When this occurs, providing the cattle with a protein supplement will improve their ability to utilize low-quality forages."

Lennox adds there can be additional benefits to supplements, such as using it to lure cattle into areas they might normally avoid. Distance or rough terrain in large or rugged pastures may discourage cattle from grazing certain areas as desired. A Montana study found that strategic placement of low-moisture blocks (two to four per cent moisture) caused cattle to be more willing to travel long distances or climb slopes to consume the supplement.

"Low moisture blocks can attract cows to graze difficult terrain that typically would not be used," Lennox said. "An ATV and trailer can be used to allow accurate placement of blocks in rugged terrain."

For producers who are currently grazing perennial forages, it is important to leave some residue on the surface rather than graze the crop to the ground. "Plant residue plays an important role in nutrient cycling and moisture retention, so maintaining some cover is very beneficial for production in the following year," Lennox noted.

"Many of the tame forages function best when 20 to 30 per cent of the year's growth is left as litter on the soil surface, while native forages function best when 40 to 50 per cent of the crop is left behind in any given year."

With low soil moisture in certain parts of the prairies, Lennox says some of the tame pastures did not regenerate well after being grazed earlier in the season. This has resulted in some producers running short of pasture due to poor re-growth in their forage crops.

"Rather than leaving the cattle in a pasture too long and allowing over-grazing to occur, a producer is usually better off to pull the animals off a little earlier instead of ‘grazing a pasture into the ground' and sacrificing next year's production," he stated.

Producers should also be aware that perennial forages initiate a lot of their buds for next year's growth in the fall, and heavy grazing after this time can injure some of these buds. "When these growing buds are injured, yield may be compromised," Lennox said.

More information and tips for fall grazing of cattle can be found on the SAF website at http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/, or by calling the SAF Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

For more information, contact:
Trevor Lennox, Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 778-8294
E-mail: tlennox@agr.gov.sk.ca

A snapshot in time: assessing your pasture mid-season

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The health of your pasture is determined by its ability to perform important ecologic functions. The production of forage for livestock, the protection of the site from soil and water erosion, the cycling of nutrients and energy, and the capture and release of water are examples of the benefits a healthy pasture provides for society.

Maintaining a healthy pasture means sustainable grazing opportunities for producers. But it’s not something producers can simply take for granted. They will want to monitor their pastures from time to time and conduct health assessments to ensure they are properly managing the land to achieve its full potential.

According to Jodie Horvath, a livestock development specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), conducting a health assessment is like taking a snapshot of your pasture. It can help identify problem areas, such as patches of invasive weeds, uneven distribution of cattle throughout a paddock and damage to sensitive water sites.

“The first step in improving management is being aware of the issues,” Horvath said. “This allows a producer to make changes while it is still manageable. A quick survey of your pasture tells how your management has impacted a particular site.”

Take a closer look at your pasture. Are the types of grass you seeded present? In a tame pasture, you want the species you have introduced to be dominant. However, you can expect composition to change over time and with variable weather conditions. The SAF publication, Field Guide: Identification of Common Seeded Forage Plants of Saskatchewan, can help you identify the forage species that are in your pasture.

Take note of the weeds. What are they and how are they distributed around the pasture? Do you remember seeing them last year? Are they in solid patches or scattered throughout the field? Thriving weeds may be a sign that your seeded forage lacks the vigour to compete effectively against the weeds. Weeds are invasive by nature, so any bare ground provides opportunities for them to establish. Two SAF publications, FAQ: Identifying Weeds (Broad-leafed) and FAQ: Control of Selected Weeds on Pastures and Hay Land in Saskatchewan, can be found on the SAF website at www.agr.gov.sk.ca.

What do you see when you look down at the ground? The dead and decaying plant material from last year is litter. Litter performs an important function in your pasture by enhancing forage production through water, mineral and nutrient cycling. It protects the soil against wind and water erosion, and buffers against dry conditions by aiding moisture retention and reducing soil moisture loss.

It is important to monitor your pasture throughout the season, as well as from year to year. Identifying trends and patterns lets you know if the management decisions you made are working, or if you need to make some changes. For more information regarding the condition of your pasture, contact SAF’s Livestock Development Branch at 306-787-9112 or your nearest SAF Regional Office, or visit the SAF website. You can also contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

For more information, contact:
Jodie Horvath, Livestock Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 786-1509
E-mail: jhorvath@agr.gov.sk.ca

Irrigated pastures offer many benefits to producers

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

With the expansion of the livestock industry in Saskatchewan, many producers are searching for new ways to meet their forage and pasture needs. Depending upon the region of Saskatchewan in which they reside, irrigated pastures may be a good option for them.

Charlotte Ward, a Forage Development Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, states that a good irrigated pasture in Western Canada can produce more than 25 times the forage per acre that native grassland yields, and seven to 10 times more forage than cultivated dryland pasture.

“Irrigated pastures may still experience yearly and seasonal variations in forage yield and quality, but not to the same extent as dryland pastures,” Ward said. “The greatest potential for increased forage production is on good, well-drained soils where water supply is not restricted throughout the growing season.”

Grasses are quite often used as the basis of irrigated pastures because they are predictable and easy to manage. Legumes such as alfalfa have also been included, since they provide added nutritional value and decrease the need for nitrogen fertilizer. Using a legume such as cicer milkvetch eliminates the risk of bloat, which may be a concern if livestock are grazing young, vegetative alfalfa.

“Pastures need about 60 centimetres of water during the growth season,” Ward noted. “Very few areas in Saskatchewan can meet that requirement without the use of irrigation.”

On established pastures, the amount of water applied at once will depend upon the system’s capabilities. Ward says most producers have their systems set to administer between three-quarters and an inch of water in one application, usually applying 12 to 14 inches of irrigated water throughout the growing season.

“Because soil’s water-holding capacity varies with soil type, irrigation strategies will have to account for the fact that grasses get most of their water from the top 30 centimetres of the soil,” she said. “As a result, in sandy loam, the soil may only be able to hold a four-to-six-day supply of water to that depth at the peak demand of the season.”

It is also recommended that irrigation be timed to occur after grazing, haying or fertilizer treatment in order to ensure that moisture stress does not limit pasture regrowth. Watering can occur while cattle are grazing other paddocks to ensure that the soil-water capacity is being met.

On grass pastures, multiple nitrogen fertilizer applications will be required to maintain high yields. If legumes are included in the pasture, nitrogen fertilization will favour grass growth and decrease the quantity of legumes in the pasture. Pastures which contain at least 50 per cent legumes should not need nitrogen fertilization, but may require phosphorous and other nutrients if soil tests reveal deficiencies.

“Producers will want to carefully weigh the cost of fertilizer and application in relation to additional forage and animal production,” Ward noted.

Intensively grazed systems where livestock are moved frequently provide an opportunity for greater overall animal production per acre compared to extensively grazed, irrigated pastures. According to Ward, the timing of rotations is important to maximizing productivity.

“If cattle are allowed to graze forages too close to the ground, recovery after grazing will be delayed. If cattle are allowed to graze too lightly, forages will mature too quickly before the next grazing cycle,” she stated.

“A number of producers have had success limiting cattle to only two to four days worth of pasture at one time, which allows for longer plant recovery periods compared to pastures that are allowed to be grazed for durations of greater than a week.”

Some producers divide their pasture into multiple paddocks to allow for management of surplus forage in the spring. Another strategy to maintain the same herd size throughout the grazing season is to set aside one-third to one-half of the pasture area to be harvested once as silage or hay. This will allow usage of the forage before it is fully mature and allow timely regrowth for grazing later in the season.

Another suggestion is to avoid grazing while the ground is still wet from irrigation. “Grazing wet ground will result in greater trampling and soil compaction, and may lead to a loss of desirable species,” Ward said.

“Also, as with all grazing, herd health must be monitored continuously, as concentrating livestock on a small area may lead to an increase in the incidence of diseases such as pink eye or foot rot.”

For more information, contact:
Charlotte Ward, Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 867-5559

Grazing tour coming to Stockholm

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The Pheasant Hills Grazing Tour will be taking place in Stockholm on July 4 and 5, offering tours, workshops, panel discussions, a trade show, and terrific entertainment to those wishing to attend.

Consistent with the tour’s theme, “Bringing Youth into Ranching,” the two-day event is being offered free of charge to anyone 18 years of age and under. The registration fee for adults is $30 for a single day or $40 for both days, which includes the full program and meals.

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) Livestock Development Specialist Naomi Paley says organizers wanted to particularly focus on getting the younger generations involved in the event, in addition to those already established in the cattle industry.

“The average age of our farmers is now over 50 years old, and wanting to make sure that agriculture is a viable and desirable career option for their children is something that we often hear from the current generation of producers and ranchers. So we wanted to make that a special focus of this year’s grazing tour,” Paley said.

“We’ve even built some sessions into the program that focus specifically on strategies for assisting young producers to get established in ranching, or setting them up to take over an existing operation from their parents.”

To better enable those with younger farm families to attend, children’s activities (non-supervised) have also been arranged for kids five years old and up.

A number of practical aspects of cattle production and grazing will be discussed over the two days through presentations and tours, including alfalfa and forage rotations, grass establishment, bale grazing, switching fields from grain to grass, winter feeding options, and watering cattle through deep and shallow buried pipelines.

In addition, speakers will conduct information sessions on important business topics, such as succession planning and financial transition options for outgoing and incoming generations of ranchers, as well as what investors look for when partnering with young entrepreneurs.

Concurrent workshops will also be held in areas such as fencing, working with stock dogs, intensive grazing management, forages and soil health, cattle marketing, and investors working with youth.

Paley says that participants will have a chance to hear from a range of experts in various fields, coming from the local area, other Prairie provinces, and even neighbouring states.

“The speakers that have been lined up are producers and ranchers themselves, or have a lot of practical experience in the agricultural industry,” she stated. “So those attending will have a great opportunity to hear from people just like them who have actual hands-on experience in grazing, cattle production and agri-business.”

Part of the social aspect of the event will be an evening entertainment and jam session with local musicians that will be featured after supper on July 4.

The events occurring as part of the grazing tour will be based out of the Stockholm Skating Rink. Those interested in learning more about the program can contact Naomi Paley at (306) 786-1686, Stuart Cairns with Ducks Unlimited Canada at (306) 782-2108, or the Yellowhead Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA) at (306) 743-5176.

Registrations are also being handled through the REDA. Participants are encouraged to register early, as space is limited.

For more information, contact:
Naomi Paley, Livestock Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 786-1686
E-mail: npaley@agr.gov.sk.ca

Forage and grazing field day set for Swift Current

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Cattle producers and forage experts will be interested in a forage and grazing tour taking place at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Research Station in Swift Current on June 26.

The tour is a joint effort of Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), AAFC, the Southwest Forage Association and other industry partners.

SAF forage development specialist Trevor Lennox says that previous forage and grazing tours at the research station have been very successful, and organizers are expecting another great event for 2007.

“This is an excellent opportunity for participants to see first-hand the forage and grazing work going on at Swift Current and to interact with the researchers,” Lennox stated.

Among the research activities that tour-goers may see are an intensive legume grazing study, a crested wheat preference study, rotational grazing of seeded native mixtures, establishing native grasses in combination with various legumes (alfalfa and purple prairie clover), AC Saltlander, intermediate wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, and a comparison of warm and cool season perennials for forage.

One of the tour organizers is Dr. Alan Iwaasa, a research scientist at the Swift Current station. He says the field day has been offered since 2000, although, in recent years, they’ve moved to holding them every two years.

“This gives producers a better opportunity to observe how the forages they saw on a previous tour have progressed and matured over that time,” he said. “So it makes everything more relevant and more interesting, because they’re always seeing something that’s changed a little bit.”

Iwaasa says forage practices have evolved in recent years, with native species becoming commercially available. “A large part of our program now deals with native species,” he noted, “how they can be re-established on land, some of the advantages they have in terms of quality and growth characteristics, and how they can be an important complement to the existing pasture and forage system that we have.”

Native and tame forage species have often been looked at as separate choices for forage stands. However, Iwaasa indicated that research is now starting to study different possible combinations and their benefits.

“If we can combine them to see how cattle will graze these potential species, we can help producers reduce their feed costs and keep the animals on the pasture longer into the year,” he said.

Another focus of research is to study the actual animal interaction with the forages being tested. Iwaasa says forages have sometimes been selected and bred without observing their response under a grazing scenario.

“You not only want forages that are productive and palatable,” he said. “You also want to see if these stands can stay viable under animal impact and grazing pressure. It’s not going to do you any good if you have to reseed every couple of years.”

Part of the animal interaction that tour participants will be introduced to is a study looking at the production and economic impact of moving cattle to a summer calving date. The research station has shifted half of its cows in this direction, and will be discussing some of the observations witnessed.

The tour will also offer a glimpse at new forage species that have been developed by AAFC. “This gives producers a good chance to see some of these new varieties that are just coming out. They can come out and view how they’re being grown and what kind of production we’re getting out of them,” Iwaasa said.

“It’s an invaluable opportunity for producers to see how the species have performed for a couple of years before they might make that investment themselves.”

Registration for the forage and grazing tour will take place in the Thomson Room at the Swift Current AAFC Research Station, starting at 9:30 a.m. The tour runs until 5:00 p.m. The cost is $5 per person, which includes a hot beef lunch.

Those wishing to participate in the tour are asked to pre-register by June 22 at the Swift Current SAF office at (306) 778-8285.

For more information, contact:
Trevor Lennox, Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 778-8294
e-mail: tlennox@agr.gov.sk.ca

Cypress Hills workshop highlights native prairie appreciation week

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

June 17 to 23 marks Saskatchewan’s ninth annual Native Prairie Appreciation Week – and also means that another interactive field trip will be organized to showcase the pristine beauty of one of the province’s natural hot spots.

The Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) is one of the organizations involved in planning events around this special week. Manager Karyn Scalise says that PCAP and its partners co-ordinate a workshop and field tour every year as part of their efforts.

“It’s held in a different place each year,” Scalise said. “Part of our goal is to familiarize participants with different wonderful places in Saskatchewan, and to give a snapshot of what that area is like.”

Past field trips have been held in the Big Muddy Badlands, the Great Sand Hills, the Moose Mountain area, Grasslands National Park and the Manitou Sand Hills.

This year, organizers decided to centre their workshop and tour at the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. “It’s the place where we held our very first Native Prairie Appreciation Week back in 1999,” Scalise noted. “For the past three years, it’s also been the site that our participants said in their evaluations that they most wanted to return to.”

The field trip will take place June 20 and 21. It will include a combination of in-class discussions and tours to local ranches and to sites within the park.

“We spend a little bit of time in a chair hearing presentations and a lot of time out in the field experiencing it for yourself – plus good food and lots of it,” Scalise said.

The event kicks off with a workshop covering a variety of topics, such as area plants and birds, heritage ranching and ranching for biodiversity.

Participants will get to put some of their newfound skills into practice, with a native plant identification team challenge and an optional bird hike planned as part of the two-day event.

Discussion will also focus on how to do health assessments on forest and riparian areas (areas near water). “This is a methodology being developed by many different groups in Saskatchewan,” Scalise said. “It’s a series of small tests that you can perform in an area to get an indication of whether your rangeland is healthy, healthy with a few problems that need to be identified, or unhealthy.”

The ranch tours will definitely be among the highlights of this year’s field trip, Scalise says, because they plan on visiting the ranches of two environmental stewardship award winners. Here, participants will see a stock dog demonstration and an example of how to use sheep to control certain weeds.

To provide a unique Saskatchewan experience, a barbeque banquet will be held during the first evening at the Cypress Hills Vineyards. “Whoever thought we’d be wine-tasting in Saskatchewan?” Scalise said with a chuckle.

The event holds a little bit of something for anyone who enjoys the prairies, learning about nature, or experiencing the great outdoors. “That’s the really great thing about this event. It attracts a diverse crowd. It’s everyone from ranchers to birders and other naturalists, to plant and wildlife specialists who work for government or non-government organizations, to average people who simply enjoy learning about nature and the environment around them,” she stated.

“It provides a terrific forum for all of these people with different interests to come together and celebrate the special diversity that native prairie grasslands hold.”

More details and registration information on the Cypress Hills field trip can be obtained on the PCAP website at www.pcap-sk.ca or by calling (306) 352-0472.

Participation will be limited to 150 people, so anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register early. The pre-registration deadline is June 8. Fees are $75 for producers and students, and $105 for non-producers.

Those attending are expected to make their own arrangements for lodging and transportation to the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. From there, bus coaches will be arranged for all tours.

For more information, contact:
Karyn Scalise, Manager
Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan
Phone: (306) 352-0472