Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
With the world's population on the rise, countries that export agricultural goods will become essential to meeting the increasing global demand for food. That reality applies to Canada, and it also applies to another country with which Canada has many connections: Ukraine.
"Ukraine is one of a few places on earth where real potential for significant increase of agricultural output exists," said Paul Ivanicky, a Ukrainian entrepreneur visiting the province. "There is almost everything to achieve it - wonderful soils, well-trained specialists, a large labour force and growing world demand for food."
Ivanicky and his counterpart Maxim Zakharov represent Kiev Atlantic Ukraine, a joint stock company with foreign investments. The pair recently came to Saskatchewan hoping to create long-term business contacts to expand their farming operation and agribusiness located just outside the Ukrainian capital.
Their efforts have taken them to universities, livestock operations, slaughter plants and abattoirs. So far, they have been overwhelmed by the positive results of their outreach to develop partnerships with industry and adopt Western agricultural production practices, innovations and technology.
"We cannot believe the hospitality of the people here and the willingness of others to help us," Zakharov said. "We have had countless offers from organizations and professionals to come over and assist us with our livestock operation, as well as our newest venture into the beef slaughter and processing sector. It's unbelievable!"
Part of the warm reception the entrepreneurs have enjoyed may be attributable to the strong ties that exist between Saskatchewan and their home country. Many of the province's citizens have some Ukrainian ancestry in their backgrounds.
However, according to Wendell Ebbert, a Livestock Development Specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, when it comes to agriculture, Ukraine is also a nation with considerable opportunity and positive potential.
"With over 42 million hectares of arable land, a European-type climate with 24 inches of annual rainfall, and 180 frost-free growing days, Ukraine will be a major land of agricultural opportunity," Ebbert said. "Twenty-five per cent of the world's richest black soil and 27 per cent of Europe's tilled soil are found in Ukraine."
The agricultural sector represents about 10 per cent of the country's gross domestic product, and is viewed by many as one of the brightest prospects for Western trade and investment.
In addition, the country is situated within 2,000 miles of a billion people, three-quarters of whom do not produce sufficient food to feed themselves.
"The world will look to Ukraine to solve a variety of its feed, food and fuel problems, and agricultural production will play a monumental role," Ebbert said.
Livestock inventories in the country have increased on a small scale since 1991 on a few private farms, although a rapid recovery in beef production as a whole remains uncertain. The Ukrainian cattle herd is comprised mainly of dairy breeds, with a small share of dual-purpose animals and meat breeds.
The poultry sector of the livestock industry is the most likely to grow first - since it offers producers the quickest return on their investment - followed by hogs, and then cattle.
In order for the company to achieve its full potential, Kiev Atlantic Ukraine will need to improve the consistency and quality of the beef it produces. They are investigating the possible use of the antibiotics and growth hormones common in American and Canadian beef production but which are not generally accepted in Europe. The company is also considering castrating bull calves - another North American practice that is uncommon in Europe - to reduce animal handling stress and eliminate dark cutters in the carcass.
The Ukrainian agricultural community is researching alternative methods to increase productivity, efficiency and overall quality of the country's beef. Given the province's existing connection with Ukraine, this may present some real opportunities for Saskatchewan agricultural entrepreneurs.
For more information, contact:
Wendell Ebbert, Livestock Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Phone: (306) 878-8847
E-mail: wendell.ebbert@gov.sk.ca
Showing posts with label soil management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soil management. Show all posts
2008 Grasshopper Forecast Shows Few Pockets of Concern
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
It appears that most of Saskatchewan should be relatively safe from major grasshopper infestations for 2008, although there are some pockets of concern around the province.
That's the prognosis contained in the "2008 Grasshopper Forecast" compiled by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance.
The forecast, along with a corresponding colour-coded map showing the projected infestation risk across the province, has now been posted on the ministry's website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/.
"Overall, it looks like the majority of the province falls into the ‘none to very light' category, where the grasshopper population should not be a problem," said Dale Risula, the Integrated Crop Management Systems Specialist with the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Moose Jaw.
"There are a few isolated regions that have the potential for large populations of grasshoppers in 2008, but those are very small, particular areas," he added. "It appears that there may be three or four specific zones that could encounter some difficulties."
The forecast is based on the adult grasshopper counts observed during August and early September 2007 by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance field staff. The survey includes more than 1,100 sites throughout the province. The forecast is based on adult grasshoppers capable of reproduction. This provides an estimate of the number of eggs that may hatch the following spring and present a risk to crops in 2008.
"The forecast is not an absolute certainty," Risula noted. "It is just to say what the probability or the foundation is for grasshopper numbers in the upcoming growing season."
The primary factor determining actual grasshopper numbers will be the weather next spring.
"The hatch in the springtime is going to depend on growing degree days, which is a measure of accumulated heat units. If it's a dry, warm spring and the soil heats up fairly significantly, you could see an increase in the hatch numbers that take place. If it's a cold, wet spring, you will probably see populations kept at bay."
Populations can be affected by several other factors, including the presence of predatory insects, as well as the incidence of disease.
According to Risula, just about every crop grown in Saskatchewan is at some degree of risk from grasshopper damage. With cereals, grasshoppers generally consume the leaf material, which reduces the photosynthetic ability of the plant. With crops like lentil or flax, they usually attack the pods or bolls, which directly impacts yield.
In other crops such as canola, mustard or pea, grasshoppers may present an additional problem. "If they are present when the crop is being combined, their body parts can get picked up in the harvest and contaminate the sample, lowering the seed quality and requiring further processing," Risula said.
"Even in those areas where projections are low, producers would be well-served keeping a close eye on the situation, since infestations can vary widely on a field-by-field basis."
More information and advice on grasshopper projections and control methods can be found on the Saskatchewan Agriculture website or by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
For more information, contact:
Dale Risula, Integrated Cropping Management Systems Specialist
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Phone: (306) 694-3714
E-mail: drisula@agr.gov.sk.ca
It appears that most of Saskatchewan should be relatively safe from major grasshopper infestations for 2008, although there are some pockets of concern around the province.
That's the prognosis contained in the "2008 Grasshopper Forecast" compiled by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance.
The forecast, along with a corresponding colour-coded map showing the projected infestation risk across the province, has now been posted on the ministry's website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/.
"Overall, it looks like the majority of the province falls into the ‘none to very light' category, where the grasshopper population should not be a problem," said Dale Risula, the Integrated Crop Management Systems Specialist with the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Moose Jaw.
"There are a few isolated regions that have the potential for large populations of grasshoppers in 2008, but those are very small, particular areas," he added. "It appears that there may be three or four specific zones that could encounter some difficulties."
The forecast is based on the adult grasshopper counts observed during August and early September 2007 by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance field staff. The survey includes more than 1,100 sites throughout the province. The forecast is based on adult grasshoppers capable of reproduction. This provides an estimate of the number of eggs that may hatch the following spring and present a risk to crops in 2008.
"The forecast is not an absolute certainty," Risula noted. "It is just to say what the probability or the foundation is for grasshopper numbers in the upcoming growing season."
The primary factor determining actual grasshopper numbers will be the weather next spring.
"The hatch in the springtime is going to depend on growing degree days, which is a measure of accumulated heat units. If it's a dry, warm spring and the soil heats up fairly significantly, you could see an increase in the hatch numbers that take place. If it's a cold, wet spring, you will probably see populations kept at bay."
Populations can be affected by several other factors, including the presence of predatory insects, as well as the incidence of disease.
According to Risula, just about every crop grown in Saskatchewan is at some degree of risk from grasshopper damage. With cereals, grasshoppers generally consume the leaf material, which reduces the photosynthetic ability of the plant. With crops like lentil or flax, they usually attack the pods or bolls, which directly impacts yield.
In other crops such as canola, mustard or pea, grasshoppers may present an additional problem. "If they are present when the crop is being combined, their body parts can get picked up in the harvest and contaminate the sample, lowering the seed quality and requiring further processing," Risula said.
"Even in those areas where projections are low, producers would be well-served keeping a close eye on the situation, since infestations can vary widely on a field-by-field basis."
More information and advice on grasshopper projections and control methods can be found on the Saskatchewan Agriculture website or by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
For more information, contact:
Dale Risula, Integrated Cropping Management Systems Specialist
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Phone: (306) 694-3714
E-mail: drisula@agr.gov.sk.ca
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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/
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/
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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/
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/
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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
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
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Christmas Tree Farms Bring Smiles To Many Families
Santa seems to get all the credit at Christmas time, even though he has many helpers who pitch in to make the season bright. Among them are Saskatchewan's two dozen or so commercial Christmas tree growers, who can spend a decade or more nurturing tiny seedlings into the perfectly shaped conifers that eventually find their way into family rooms around the province.
One such operation is the Come See-Come Saw U-Choose Christmas Tree Farm, located just a few kilometres off the Trans-Canada Highway east of Moose Jaw. Like all commercial growers, the farm's owners, Henri and Aline O'Reilly, work hard all year long preparing for the magical month leading up to the most joyous of family holidays.
"My wife and I both worked in Moose Jaw, and we bought this piece of land in the 1970s hoping to move here after retirement," said Henri O'Reilly. "A number of years ago, we felt we should do something with the land. We used to go down east a lot, because we had some children going to university there. They have a lot of Christmas tree farms there. It sprung into an idea for us, and we thought, ‘Yeah, let's try it!'"
The O'Reillys planted their first trees around 20 years ago, and began selling about 10 years ago. Today, Henri estimates they have between 10,000 and 12,000 trees at various stages of growth on 20 acres of land, planted to allow roughly a 10-year rotation.
"When we first started, we planted Scots pine. They probably take about nine or 10 years to grow from a young tree into one that's ready for market," he said. "They make beautiful trees, but the trouble with Scots pine is that they tend to grow a little bit crooked, especially if it's windy - and we all know what Saskatchewan weather is like."
As a result, the O'Reillys are in the process of switching their farm over exclusively to balsam firs, which come from northern Saskatchewan. "Some members of the Saskatchewan Christmas Tree Association are from the north, and they go out and collect balsam fir seedlings, which we purchase from them," he stated. "In about four years, it's all we'll have."
The Come See-Come Saw farm uses a drip irrigation system to make sure the trees get the moisture they need to grow strong and healthy. As a result, dry weather is not a problem. Instead, it's an abundance of precipitation, particularly in the springtime, which can pose a challenge.
"Wet springs cause the soil to become very soggy, so the roots don't hold well. When the wind blows, it can tilt the trees over, so we have to straighten them out again," said O'Reilly.
"The other big challenge is the deer. We ended up erecting an eight-foot high page wire fence around the property to keep them out," he added.
"The only other problem we sometimes run into is bad, blustery winter weather at selling time that prevents people from coming out to get their trees."
O'Reilly estimates that the most amount of work required on the farm is the tree shearing. Shearing is the process of cutting off the tips of the branches at a certain time of year so that more buds grow along the branch, resulting in a fuller, more shapely tree. For Scots pine, he says growers have about a one-month window from late June to late July to trim. For balsam fir, there is more leeway, and growers can shear right into the fall.
O'Reilly says the best part of the job for him and all other members of the Saskatchewan Christmas Tree Growers Association is the thousands of smiling faces they get to see each and every year.
"It's really more than the tree, it's the whole experience," he stated. "We've had some people who have been coming back now for 10 years. They make an annual family tradition out of it."
Patrons of Come See-Come Saw are given a saw and a hauling sled, and sent out into the plantation to look around at their own pace and find the tree they want. When they return with their tree, Henri uses a shaker to hoist it up and shake any dead needles out to avoid a mess at home, then employs a wrapper to wrap it in netting so it is easier to transport and haul into the house.
"We also have some real live reindeer here, which the kids absolutely love. We have a store where we give the people a complementary cookie and hot chocolate, and they are welcome to purchase any other assorted treats and crafts and jams they might want," O'Reilly said.
The Come See-Come Saw U-Choose Christmas Tree Farm is open seven days a week from November 24 to December 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day. For more information on the operation, visit their website at http://www.comesaw.com/ or call their info line at (306) 693-9845.For more information, contact:
Henri O'Reilly, owner and operator
Come See-Come Saw U-Choose Christmas Tree Farm
Phone: (306) 693-2062
E-mail: comesee@comesaw.com
Website: http://www.comesaw.com/
One such operation is the Come See-Come Saw U-Choose Christmas Tree Farm, located just a few kilometres off the Trans-Canada Highway east of Moose Jaw. Like all commercial growers, the farm's owners, Henri and Aline O'Reilly, work hard all year long preparing for the magical month leading up to the most joyous of family holidays.
"My wife and I both worked in Moose Jaw, and we bought this piece of land in the 1970s hoping to move here after retirement," said Henri O'Reilly. "A number of years ago, we felt we should do something with the land. We used to go down east a lot, because we had some children going to university there. They have a lot of Christmas tree farms there. It sprung into an idea for us, and we thought, ‘Yeah, let's try it!'"
The O'Reillys planted their first trees around 20 years ago, and began selling about 10 years ago. Today, Henri estimates they have between 10,000 and 12,000 trees at various stages of growth on 20 acres of land, planted to allow roughly a 10-year rotation.
"When we first started, we planted Scots pine. They probably take about nine or 10 years to grow from a young tree into one that's ready for market," he said. "They make beautiful trees, but the trouble with Scots pine is that they tend to grow a little bit crooked, especially if it's windy - and we all know what Saskatchewan weather is like."
As a result, the O'Reillys are in the process of switching their farm over exclusively to balsam firs, which come from northern Saskatchewan. "Some members of the Saskatchewan Christmas Tree Association are from the north, and they go out and collect balsam fir seedlings, which we purchase from them," he stated. "In about four years, it's all we'll have."
The Come See-Come Saw farm uses a drip irrigation system to make sure the trees get the moisture they need to grow strong and healthy. As a result, dry weather is not a problem. Instead, it's an abundance of precipitation, particularly in the springtime, which can pose a challenge.
"Wet springs cause the soil to become very soggy, so the roots don't hold well. When the wind blows, it can tilt the trees over, so we have to straighten them out again," said O'Reilly.
"The other big challenge is the deer. We ended up erecting an eight-foot high page wire fence around the property to keep them out," he added.
"The only other problem we sometimes run into is bad, blustery winter weather at selling time that prevents people from coming out to get their trees."
O'Reilly estimates that the most amount of work required on the farm is the tree shearing. Shearing is the process of cutting off the tips of the branches at a certain time of year so that more buds grow along the branch, resulting in a fuller, more shapely tree. For Scots pine, he says growers have about a one-month window from late June to late July to trim. For balsam fir, there is more leeway, and growers can shear right into the fall.
O'Reilly says the best part of the job for him and all other members of the Saskatchewan Christmas Tree Growers Association is the thousands of smiling faces they get to see each and every year.
"It's really more than the tree, it's the whole experience," he stated. "We've had some people who have been coming back now for 10 years. They make an annual family tradition out of it."
Patrons of Come See-Come Saw are given a saw and a hauling sled, and sent out into the plantation to look around at their own pace and find the tree they want. When they return with their tree, Henri uses a shaker to hoist it up and shake any dead needles out to avoid a mess at home, then employs a wrapper to wrap it in netting so it is easier to transport and haul into the house.
"We also have some real live reindeer here, which the kids absolutely love. We have a store where we give the people a complementary cookie and hot chocolate, and they are welcome to purchase any other assorted treats and crafts and jams they might want," O'Reilly said.
The Come See-Come Saw U-Choose Christmas Tree Farm is open seven days a week from November 24 to December 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day. For more information on the operation, visit their website at http://www.comesaw.com/ or call their info line at (306) 693-9845.For more information, contact:
Henri O'Reilly, owner and operator
Come See-Come Saw U-Choose Christmas Tree Farm
Phone: (306) 693-2062
E-mail: comesee@comesaw.com
Website: http://www.comesaw.com/
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Soil Disturbance Can Increase Anthrax Risk
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Cattle producers considering improvements that will result in excavation in certain pasture areas are being advised to strongly consider vaccinating their herd for anthrax before going ahead.
"Anthrax spores come from the soil, and disturbance means higher risk for livestock in the immediate area," said Bob Drysdale, Resource Management Specialist with the Lands Branch of Saskatchewan Agriculture.
Saskatchewan Agriculture closely monitors disease and environmental conditions across the province to maintain optimal health and range conditions for its Saskatchewan Pastures Program (SPP). The program comprises some 54 community pastures representing 846,000 acres of grassland. The program serves approximately 2,500 patrons, who graze 125,000 cattle and calves.
"After the anthrax outbreak in 2006, SPP regional managers required cattle in anthrax risk areas to be vaccinated before entering the pastures this spring," Drysdale said. "By working proactively with the Pasture Patron Advisory Committees, SPP came through the 2007 pasture season without any anthrax-related cases, even with the repeated wet conditions in northeastern Saskatchewan this summer."
In late August, the pasture program was advised by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of an anthrax case in Cherry Grove, Alberta, near Cold Lake. Pasture managers were immediately notified of the risk, with an extra caution for the Beacon Hill and Bluebell Pastures just across the border from Cherry Grove.
"The basis of the Cherry Grove incident was traced to excavation," said Drysdale. "Since there was a case near Lloydminster in May and one near Bonneville the previous summer, this indicated a risk for anthrax in the northeastern area of Alberta. This case has real implications for SPP and livestock producers in risk areas of Saskatchewan."
With the risk ever-present, and the potentially devastating consequences for producers of any large-scale anthrax outbreak, Saskatchewan Agriculture is urging caution and the incorporation of prevention into plans for pasture improvements.
"If producers are planning excavation work such as buildings, dugouts and water pipelines, they should consider vaccinating if there have been anthrax cases in their areas," said Drysdale.
"Talk to your local veterinarian about anthrax. Their knowledge of conditions in your region will help decide whether vaccinating for anthrax is appropriate for your situation. With the herd out of the pasture for winter, now is the time to consider vaccination, before excavations begin in the spring."
For more information, contact:
Bob Drysdale, Resource Management Specialist, Lands Branch
Saskatchewan Agriculture
Phone : (306) 787-5173
E-mail : bdrysdale@agr.gov.sk.ca
Cattle producers considering improvements that will result in excavation in certain pasture areas are being advised to strongly consider vaccinating their herd for anthrax before going ahead.
"Anthrax spores come from the soil, and disturbance means higher risk for livestock in the immediate area," said Bob Drysdale, Resource Management Specialist with the Lands Branch of Saskatchewan Agriculture.
Saskatchewan Agriculture closely monitors disease and environmental conditions across the province to maintain optimal health and range conditions for its Saskatchewan Pastures Program (SPP). The program comprises some 54 community pastures representing 846,000 acres of grassland. The program serves approximately 2,500 patrons, who graze 125,000 cattle and calves.
"After the anthrax outbreak in 2006, SPP regional managers required cattle in anthrax risk areas to be vaccinated before entering the pastures this spring," Drysdale said. "By working proactively with the Pasture Patron Advisory Committees, SPP came through the 2007 pasture season without any anthrax-related cases, even with the repeated wet conditions in northeastern Saskatchewan this summer."
In late August, the pasture program was advised by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of an anthrax case in Cherry Grove, Alberta, near Cold Lake. Pasture managers were immediately notified of the risk, with an extra caution for the Beacon Hill and Bluebell Pastures just across the border from Cherry Grove.
"The basis of the Cherry Grove incident was traced to excavation," said Drysdale. "Since there was a case near Lloydminster in May and one near Bonneville the previous summer, this indicated a risk for anthrax in the northeastern area of Alberta. This case has real implications for SPP and livestock producers in risk areas of Saskatchewan."
With the risk ever-present, and the potentially devastating consequences for producers of any large-scale anthrax outbreak, Saskatchewan Agriculture is urging caution and the incorporation of prevention into plans for pasture improvements.
"If producers are planning excavation work such as buildings, dugouts and water pipelines, they should consider vaccinating if there have been anthrax cases in their areas," said Drysdale.
"Talk to your local veterinarian about anthrax. Their knowledge of conditions in your region will help decide whether vaccinating for anthrax is appropriate for your situation. With the herd out of the pasture for winter, now is the time to consider vaccination, before excavations begin in the spring."
For more information, contact:
Bob Drysdale, Resource Management Specialist, Lands Branch
Saskatchewan Agriculture
Phone : (306) 787-5173
E-mail : bdrysdale@agr.gov.sk.ca
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Factors to Consider When Marketing Cattle
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Ancient “Wonder Berry” Taking Root in Saskatchewan
An ancient and exotic cure-all plant is being rediscovered across North America, and the Saskatchewan company Northern Vigor Berries is at the heart of its resurgence.
Seabuckthorn bushes, which some Saskatchewan producers have been using as shelterbelt plants for years, also yield bark, leaves and fruit that are packed full of things that are good for us: omega fatty acids 3, 6, and 9 are found in the seeds, and the fruit is rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, B1, B2 and Niacinamide.
Betty Forbes, President and CEO of Northern Vigor Berries, grows and markets seabuckthorn bushes and their products. She says the plant has some legendary admirers.
"Ghengis Khan is said to have fed seabuckthorn to troops and horses prior to battle to keep them healthy, in battle and afterwards," said Forbes. "It's been traditionally used in many forms throughout China for centuries."
Forbes, herself, is still getting acquainted with the myriad of uses for seabuckthorn bushes and berries.
"Medicinally, it has uses as a soothing oil for cuts or burns," she said. "It's one of the fruits that has a perfect one-to-one ratio between omega-3 and omega-6. Of all the fruits, it has the highest content of Vitamin E. It is very high in Vitamin C. In fact, there's a company out of Finland that's marketing capsules just on the Vitamin C alone."
Forbes noted that the berries, leaves and even the tree bark have been studied for a wide range of potential health benefits. She says it's impossible to narrow its benefits down to just one or two specific uses.
"It's really hard to say ‘this is what it's good for,' because the list is pages and pages long."
Forbes' father and brother have a 15-acre seabuckthorn orchard, which she estimates is probably the largest in Canada at present. She stepped into the business full-time when no one else expressed a desire to market the relatively unknown plant.
"One of the problems they (her family) experienced was when promised markets for the berries fell through, so I stepped up and said we need to do something for ourselves rather than to wait for
somebody else to do it for us," she stated. "Although we get a lot of consultative help, we needed to take the reins, move forward, and develop some products in addition to just the berry line."
On top of the health benefits, seabuckthorn actually makes a pretty tasty pie, juice, or even a liqueur.
"Its taste is between an orange and a lemon," Forbes said. "It's not everybody's flavour choice, but mixed in with various other things, it's awesome. The Chinese used it as their sports drink during the Seoul Olympics."
As far as markets go, Forbes says Canada is now in the process of learning where seabuckthorn is needed, at home and around the world. Currently, foreign markets like Japan, Russia and China are the strongest, but she believes interest is growing in Canada and the United States.
According to Forbes, Saskatchewan has a distinct advantage when it comes to growing seabuckthorn bushes. The plant is very winter- and drought-tolerant, and it grows well in high pH soil. It even tolerates saline soil.
"Our climate is perfect for seabuckthorn. We've got a very good growing climate and soil. It doesn't do as well in clay soil, but in most of the countryside, it does wonderfully."
For those interested in learning more about seabuckthorn bushes and products, Forbes recommends typing "seabuckthorn" into your Internet search engine and enjoy the reading.
For more information, contact:
Betty Forbes, President and CEO
Northern Vigor Berries Inc.
Phone: (306) 955-2319
E-mail: northernvigorberries@shaw.ca
Website: http://www.northernvigorberries.com/
Ancient “Wonder Berry” Taking Root in Saskatchewan
An ancient and exotic cure-all plant is being rediscovered across North America, and the Saskatchewan company Northern Vigor Berries is at the heart of its resurgence.
Seabuckthorn bushes, which some Saskatchewan producers have been using as shelterbelt plants for years, also yield bark, leaves and fruit that are packed full of things that are good for us: omega fatty acids 3, 6, and 9 are found in the seeds, and the fruit is rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, B1, B2 and Niacinamide.
Betty Forbes, President and CEO of Northern Vigor Berries, grows and markets seabuckthorn bushes and their products. She says the plant has some legendary admirers.
"Ghengis Khan is said to have fed seabuckthorn to troops and horses prior to battle to keep them healthy, in battle and afterwards," said Forbes. "It's been traditionally used in many forms throughout China for centuries."
Forbes, herself, is still getting acquainted with the myriad of uses for seabuckthorn bushes and berries.
"Medicinally, it has uses as a soothing oil for cuts or burns," she said. "It's one of the fruits that has a perfect one-to-one ratio between omega-3 and omega-6. Of all the fruits, it has the highest content of Vitamin E. It is very high in Vitamin C. In fact, there's a company out of Finland that's marketing capsules just on the Vitamin C alone."
Forbes noted that the berries, leaves and even the tree bark have been studied for a wide range of potential health benefits. She says it's impossible to narrow its benefits down to just one or two specific uses.
"It's really hard to say ‘this is what it's good for,' because the list is pages and pages long."
Forbes' father and brother have a 15-acre seabuckthorn orchard, which she estimates is probably the largest in Canada at present. She stepped into the business full-time when no one else expressed a desire to market the relatively unknown plant.
"One of the problems they (her family) experienced was when promised markets for the berries fell through, so I stepped up and said we need to do something for ourselves rather than to wait for
somebody else to do it for us," she stated. "Although we get a lot of consultative help, we needed to take the reins, move forward, and develop some products in addition to just the berry line."
On top of the health benefits, seabuckthorn actually makes a pretty tasty pie, juice, or even a liqueur.
"Its taste is between an orange and a lemon," Forbes said. "It's not everybody's flavour choice, but mixed in with various other things, it's awesome. The Chinese used it as their sports drink during the Seoul Olympics."
As far as markets go, Forbes says Canada is now in the process of learning where seabuckthorn is needed, at home and around the world. Currently, foreign markets like Japan, Russia and China are the strongest, but she believes interest is growing in Canada and the United States.
According to Forbes, Saskatchewan has a distinct advantage when it comes to growing seabuckthorn bushes. The plant is very winter- and drought-tolerant, and it grows well in high pH soil. It even tolerates saline soil.
"Our climate is perfect for seabuckthorn. We've got a very good growing climate and soil. It doesn't do as well in clay soil, but in most of the countryside, it does wonderfully."
For those interested in learning more about seabuckthorn bushes and products, Forbes recommends typing "seabuckthorn" into your Internet search engine and enjoy the reading.
For more information, contact:
Betty Forbes, President and CEO
Northern Vigor Berries Inc.
Phone: (306) 955-2319
E-mail: northernvigorberries@shaw.ca
Website: http://www.northernvigorberries.com/
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Fall planning for spring forage seeding
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Producers know that farming is a matter of not only focusing on what needs to be done today, but also of planning ahead for the future.
In light of this, Todd Jorgenson with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) says there are a number of factors producers looking at seeding perennial forage stands next spring can consider this fall, prior to purchasing seed or making final decisions.
"They should identify what forage species are best adapted to their soil type, moisture conditions and overall climate. They should factor in how the forage stand will be utilized, be it for grazing or hay, and the type of animals that will feed on it. And they need to consider how the stand will fit into their overall range or forage management plan," Jorgenson said.
Different forage species are adapted to different growing conditions. Jorgenson says these adaptations are well documented, and should be reviewed prior to purchasing seed.
"Some species, such as timothy, are poorly adapted to dry conditions and prefer poorly drained, highly fertile soils," he noted. "Others, such as crested wheatgrass, are poorly adapted to flooding and will do well under lower fertility. Meadow bromegrass, on the other hand, is a species more broadly adapted to moderate flooding and drought, and with a moderate to high fertility requirement."
It is not uncommon for forage seed mixtures to contain all three of the species (timothy, crested wheatgrass and meadow bromegrass) or more, as well as one or more legumes. However, if these forage mixtures are for grazing, livestock given the opportunity will select their preferred species and under-graze the others.
"If your field is variable, containing larger areas of different soil types, it is better to divide up these areas and seed to a best adapted single- or two-species mix," Jorgenson said. "Fields that are highly variable with many small acreages of different soils may not be practical to divide, and seeding a diverse forage mix would be a good choice in these conditions."
According to Jorgenson, care should still be taken in selecting a mix that will be adapted to a producer's local conditions. "Planning done over the fall and winter months, prior to seeding, can prevent purchasing poorly adapted forage species or mixtures, and result in a more productive, long-lived stand," he stated.
This includes having a clear idea of how the producer intends to graze the new forage stand. Complex pasture mixtures may not only contain poorly adapted, short-lived species, but they are also difficult to manage.
Different species have different growth patterns and rates of regrowth. Jorgenson says the best way to manage for these growth and regrowth characteristics is to seed them alone or with an adapted legume. "This will eliminate livestock selective grazing, and also enable producers to monitor grass growth in paddocks much more easily to take advantage of the growth cycle of the forage," he stated.
"Planning now for spring seeding is time well spent."
More information and advice on planning for spring forage seeding can be found on the SAF website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/, or by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377. SAF forage development specialists are also available through the SAF regional offices to help develop or review seed mixtures and grazing management plans, as well as to help with Environmental Farm Planning (EFP).
For more information, contact:
Todd Jorgenson, Forage Development Specialist, Ecological Services
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 786-5859
E-mail: tjorgenson@agr.gov.sk.ca
Producers know that farming is a matter of not only focusing on what needs to be done today, but also of planning ahead for the future.
In light of this, Todd Jorgenson with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) says there are a number of factors producers looking at seeding perennial forage stands next spring can consider this fall, prior to purchasing seed or making final decisions.
"They should identify what forage species are best adapted to their soil type, moisture conditions and overall climate. They should factor in how the forage stand will be utilized, be it for grazing or hay, and the type of animals that will feed on it. And they need to consider how the stand will fit into their overall range or forage management plan," Jorgenson said.
Different forage species are adapted to different growing conditions. Jorgenson says these adaptations are well documented, and should be reviewed prior to purchasing seed.
"Some species, such as timothy, are poorly adapted to dry conditions and prefer poorly drained, highly fertile soils," he noted. "Others, such as crested wheatgrass, are poorly adapted to flooding and will do well under lower fertility. Meadow bromegrass, on the other hand, is a species more broadly adapted to moderate flooding and drought, and with a moderate to high fertility requirement."
It is not uncommon for forage seed mixtures to contain all three of the species (timothy, crested wheatgrass and meadow bromegrass) or more, as well as one or more legumes. However, if these forage mixtures are for grazing, livestock given the opportunity will select their preferred species and under-graze the others.
"If your field is variable, containing larger areas of different soil types, it is better to divide up these areas and seed to a best adapted single- or two-species mix," Jorgenson said. "Fields that are highly variable with many small acreages of different soils may not be practical to divide, and seeding a diverse forage mix would be a good choice in these conditions."
According to Jorgenson, care should still be taken in selecting a mix that will be adapted to a producer's local conditions. "Planning done over the fall and winter months, prior to seeding, can prevent purchasing poorly adapted forage species or mixtures, and result in a more productive, long-lived stand," he stated.
This includes having a clear idea of how the producer intends to graze the new forage stand. Complex pasture mixtures may not only contain poorly adapted, short-lived species, but they are also difficult to manage.
Different species have different growth patterns and rates of regrowth. Jorgenson says the best way to manage for these growth and regrowth characteristics is to seed them alone or with an adapted legume. "This will eliminate livestock selective grazing, and also enable producers to monitor grass growth in paddocks much more easily to take advantage of the growth cycle of the forage," he stated.
"Planning now for spring seeding is time well spent."
More information and advice on planning for spring forage seeding can be found on the SAF website at http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/, or by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377. SAF forage development specialists are also available through the SAF regional offices to help develop or review seed mixtures and grazing management plans, as well as to help with Environmental Farm Planning (EFP).
For more information, contact:
Todd Jorgenson, Forage Development Specialist, Ecological Services
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 786-5859
E-mail: tjorgenson@agr.gov.sk.ca
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Protecting cattle against nitrate poisoning
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
There are all sorts of potential dangers from which cattle producers need to protect their herds. The hardest to defend against are those threats which can't be seen, like nitrate poisoning.
All plants contain some nitrate, but excessively high amounts are likely to occur in forage grown under stress conditions such as drought, frost, hail, low temperatures, herbicide applications or diseases.
Saskatchewan can experience all of these circumstances over the course of a regular growing season. Therefore, it's important for producers to be aware of the symptoms, preventative measures and treatments for nitrate poisoning in cattle.
The Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan (FACS) has devoted one of its many "Cattle FACS" fact sheets to the subject to give producers more knowledge in this area.
"The information we provide through these fact sheets has been developed by committees of cattle care experts with specific knowledge in each of the topic areas covered," said FACS Executive Director Adele Buettner. "Our organization offered to co-ordinate the effort, produce the material and make it as widely available to producers as possible."
The fact sheet explains that, when growing conditions are favourable, plants take up nitrogen largely in the form of nitrate. The nitrate is rapidly converted to ammonia, which is incorporated into plant protein. Unfavourable growing conditions can interfere with nitrate use and cause it to accumulate in the plant. If the stress is removed and the plants recover, excess nitrate stored in the plant is usually metabolized over several days.
Under normal conditions, cattle convert the nitrate in the forage they eat to nitrite, which is then converted to ammonia and used by rumen microbes to make protein. Feed experts suggest that problems arise when nitrate converts to nitrite faster than nitrite converts to ammonia. When this occurs, nitrite accumulates and is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it binds with haemoglobin, thus reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
"In worst-case scenarios, animals can die by suffocation," Buettner said.
The amount of nitrate in plant tissue can be affected by other factors, such as the stage of growth. Nitrate concentrations in forage are usually higher in young plants and decrease as the plant matures. However, plants grown in soil with excessive nitrates, or those grown under stress might still have a higher content at maturity.
The parts of the plant closest to the ground also have the highest nitrate levels. Leaves contain fewer nitrates than stalks, and the seed (grain) and flower usually contain little or no nitrate.
Similarly, since nitrates in the soil are the source of nitrate in plants, a positive relationship exists between the two. However, the effect of nitrogen fertilization appears to be less significant in causing high nitrate content in forages than most other factors.
"Animal nutritionists say that some common cattle feed like alfalfa, vetch, trefoil, peas and clover generally do not accumulate nitrates," Buettner said. "However, they recommend that producers feed test their legumes to be sure they are not storing excess nitrates in the plant material."
According to the fact sheet, producers can still safely use feed that has higher-than-normal nitrate levels, provided they carefully manage their rations. Forage with high nitrate content can be diluted with grain or other forage low in nitrates. Feeding grain in combination with high-nitrate forage can help reduce the effect of the nitrate content because the energy from the grain helps complete the conversion of nitrate into bacterial protein in the rumen.
Frequent consumption of small amounts of high-nitrate feed can likewise increase the total amount of nitrate that can be tolerated by livestock, since it helps cattle to adjust to high-nitrate feeds. "Experts advise to feed long-stemmed forages, such as oats or barley hay, that contain high amounts of nitrate in limited amounts several times daily rather than feeding large amounts once or twice daily," Buettner said.
Under the right conditions, pastures can also accumulate nitrates. Risk can be reduced by providing supplemental feed that contains little or no nitrate, and grazing suspected pastures for limited periods each day for the first week to help cattle adapt. If possible, producers should not graze a suspected pasture until one week after a killing frost.
Should a producer's efforts to prevent nitrate poisoning fail, the fact sheet also offers some treatment instructions. "When the condition is first suspected, call a veterinarian immediately to confirm the tentative diagnosis and administer treatment," Buettner stated. "Handle the affected cattle as little and as quietly as possible to minimize their oxygen needs. Finally, remove the contaminated feed and replace it with a high-energy alternative, such as barley."
The Cattle FACS fact sheet on nitrate poisoning can be obtained from the organization's website at http://www.facs.sk.ca/ or by calling (306) 249-3227.
For more information, contact:
Adele Buettner, Executive Director
Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan Inc.
Phone: (306) 249-3227
E-mail: facs@sasktel.net
There are all sorts of potential dangers from which cattle producers need to protect their herds. The hardest to defend against are those threats which can't be seen, like nitrate poisoning.
All plants contain some nitrate, but excessively high amounts are likely to occur in forage grown under stress conditions such as drought, frost, hail, low temperatures, herbicide applications or diseases.
Saskatchewan can experience all of these circumstances over the course of a regular growing season. Therefore, it's important for producers to be aware of the symptoms, preventative measures and treatments for nitrate poisoning in cattle.
The Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan (FACS) has devoted one of its many "Cattle FACS" fact sheets to the subject to give producers more knowledge in this area.
"The information we provide through these fact sheets has been developed by committees of cattle care experts with specific knowledge in each of the topic areas covered," said FACS Executive Director Adele Buettner. "Our organization offered to co-ordinate the effort, produce the material and make it as widely available to producers as possible."
The fact sheet explains that, when growing conditions are favourable, plants take up nitrogen largely in the form of nitrate. The nitrate is rapidly converted to ammonia, which is incorporated into plant protein. Unfavourable growing conditions can interfere with nitrate use and cause it to accumulate in the plant. If the stress is removed and the plants recover, excess nitrate stored in the plant is usually metabolized over several days.
Under normal conditions, cattle convert the nitrate in the forage they eat to nitrite, which is then converted to ammonia and used by rumen microbes to make protein. Feed experts suggest that problems arise when nitrate converts to nitrite faster than nitrite converts to ammonia. When this occurs, nitrite accumulates and is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it binds with haemoglobin, thus reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
"In worst-case scenarios, animals can die by suffocation," Buettner said.
The amount of nitrate in plant tissue can be affected by other factors, such as the stage of growth. Nitrate concentrations in forage are usually higher in young plants and decrease as the plant matures. However, plants grown in soil with excessive nitrates, or those grown under stress might still have a higher content at maturity.
The parts of the plant closest to the ground also have the highest nitrate levels. Leaves contain fewer nitrates than stalks, and the seed (grain) and flower usually contain little or no nitrate.
Similarly, since nitrates in the soil are the source of nitrate in plants, a positive relationship exists between the two. However, the effect of nitrogen fertilization appears to be less significant in causing high nitrate content in forages than most other factors.
"Animal nutritionists say that some common cattle feed like alfalfa, vetch, trefoil, peas and clover generally do not accumulate nitrates," Buettner said. "However, they recommend that producers feed test their legumes to be sure they are not storing excess nitrates in the plant material."
According to the fact sheet, producers can still safely use feed that has higher-than-normal nitrate levels, provided they carefully manage their rations. Forage with high nitrate content can be diluted with grain or other forage low in nitrates. Feeding grain in combination with high-nitrate forage can help reduce the effect of the nitrate content because the energy from the grain helps complete the conversion of nitrate into bacterial protein in the rumen.
Frequent consumption of small amounts of high-nitrate feed can likewise increase the total amount of nitrate that can be tolerated by livestock, since it helps cattle to adjust to high-nitrate feeds. "Experts advise to feed long-stemmed forages, such as oats or barley hay, that contain high amounts of nitrate in limited amounts several times daily rather than feeding large amounts once or twice daily," Buettner said.
Under the right conditions, pastures can also accumulate nitrates. Risk can be reduced by providing supplemental feed that contains little or no nitrate, and grazing suspected pastures for limited periods each day for the first week to help cattle adapt. If possible, producers should not graze a suspected pasture until one week after a killing frost.
Should a producer's efforts to prevent nitrate poisoning fail, the fact sheet also offers some treatment instructions. "When the condition is first suspected, call a veterinarian immediately to confirm the tentative diagnosis and administer treatment," Buettner stated. "Handle the affected cattle as little and as quietly as possible to minimize their oxygen needs. Finally, remove the contaminated feed and replace it with a high-energy alternative, such as barley."
The Cattle FACS fact sheet on nitrate poisoning can be obtained from the organization's website at http://www.facs.sk.ca/ or by calling (306) 249-3227.
For more information, contact:
Adele Buettner, Executive Director
Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan Inc.
Phone: (306) 249-3227
E-mail: facs@sasktel.net
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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
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
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Increasing demand for flax fibre
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
It’s pretty amazing stuff. You can wear it. You can build with it. You can insulate your house with it. However, here in Saskatchewan, where we grow oilseed flax, little of the straw is used for processing.
Alvin Ulrich, the president of Biolin Research, is trying to change that through his work as the director of Crop Fibres Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission.
Crop Fibres Canada is a pilot plant, testing and resource facility for straw processing and fibre and shive (the non-fibre portion of the flax stem) production. Ulrich says they are currently working on ways to capitalize on the growing demand for flax fibre.
“People are going back to natural fibres and they are looking for a stronger fibre for industrial applications,” said Ulrich.
The flax fibre pilot project is partially funded by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food’s Agriculture Development Fund through its contribution to Flax Canada 2015, a federal initiative aimed at developing the added value potential of flax. This year, there is a cluster of flax producers in the Hepburn and Redvers areas involved in the project.
Ulrich says there are some new procedures to follow in order to maximize the value of the fibre in the straw rather than just picking up what comes from the back of the combine.
“Last year, with most of the farmers, we were able to use a stripper/header. It just strips the seed off the plant so that the straw is standing as tall as possible. Then we got some rollers and rolled it several times. That breaks off the straw in long pieces and gets it flat on the ground,” he noted.
“When we get rain, all of the pieces get a chance to get wet, and all of the pieces are touching the ground. As a result, the microbes in the soil have an easy chance to colonize the pieces of straw, so they start growing on the straw and start decomposing it.”
These extra steps may be part of the reason why the flax fibre industry has yet to take off, despite the fact that Saskatchewan produces 70 per cent of the Canadian crop.
“[Flax is] often the last crop planted in the spring. It’s often the last crop harvested because it can over-winter, so it tends to get pushed off to the end, and often, at the end of season, producers just want to get done and they may not want to fuss around with any extra steps,” Ulrich said.
Ulrich hopes that the net result of the work at the Crop Fibres Canada facility will be targeted end-uses for the fibre, with enough margin to be able to pay farmers to do more in the field to maximize the value of the straw, or even to be able to pay a processor to do it for them.
“We may be able to come up with a system where it is the processing plant that will do those extra operations. The farmer might receive less money, but won’t have to do the extra work. That would make the farmer happy, make the processor happy, and make everybody happy,” he stated.
“That’s the challenge – how do we get that first model plant up and working?” Ulrich says that’s the key to getting out of the catch-22 that currently holds the industry back. Producers won’t grow more flax for fibre without a processing plant, but investors aren’t going to put up the $5 million to $10 million necessary to build a processing plant unless producers are growing more flax for fibre.
However, Ulrich is positive about the future of flax fibre.
“We have more and more overseas customers who are interested in what we are doing and interested in investing. They wouldn’t be here if there weren’t some promising results,” he noted.
“There is no doubt we are seeing a growing interest. I am very positive it will happen. I’m just not certain when it will happen.”
For more information, contact:
Alvin Ulrich, Director
Crop Fibres Canada
Phone: (306) 955-4506
E-mail: aulrich@biolin.sk.ca
It’s pretty amazing stuff. You can wear it. You can build with it. You can insulate your house with it. However, here in Saskatchewan, where we grow oilseed flax, little of the straw is used for processing.
Alvin Ulrich, the president of Biolin Research, is trying to change that through his work as the director of Crop Fibres Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission.
Crop Fibres Canada is a pilot plant, testing and resource facility for straw processing and fibre and shive (the non-fibre portion of the flax stem) production. Ulrich says they are currently working on ways to capitalize on the growing demand for flax fibre.
“People are going back to natural fibres and they are looking for a stronger fibre for industrial applications,” said Ulrich.
The flax fibre pilot project is partially funded by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food’s Agriculture Development Fund through its contribution to Flax Canada 2015, a federal initiative aimed at developing the added value potential of flax. This year, there is a cluster of flax producers in the Hepburn and Redvers areas involved in the project.
Ulrich says there are some new procedures to follow in order to maximize the value of the fibre in the straw rather than just picking up what comes from the back of the combine.
“Last year, with most of the farmers, we were able to use a stripper/header. It just strips the seed off the plant so that the straw is standing as tall as possible. Then we got some rollers and rolled it several times. That breaks off the straw in long pieces and gets it flat on the ground,” he noted.
“When we get rain, all of the pieces get a chance to get wet, and all of the pieces are touching the ground. As a result, the microbes in the soil have an easy chance to colonize the pieces of straw, so they start growing on the straw and start decomposing it.”
These extra steps may be part of the reason why the flax fibre industry has yet to take off, despite the fact that Saskatchewan produces 70 per cent of the Canadian crop.
“[Flax is] often the last crop planted in the spring. It’s often the last crop harvested because it can over-winter, so it tends to get pushed off to the end, and often, at the end of season, producers just want to get done and they may not want to fuss around with any extra steps,” Ulrich said.
Ulrich hopes that the net result of the work at the Crop Fibres Canada facility will be targeted end-uses for the fibre, with enough margin to be able to pay farmers to do more in the field to maximize the value of the straw, or even to be able to pay a processor to do it for them.
“We may be able to come up with a system where it is the processing plant that will do those extra operations. The farmer might receive less money, but won’t have to do the extra work. That would make the farmer happy, make the processor happy, and make everybody happy,” he stated.
“That’s the challenge – how do we get that first model plant up and working?” Ulrich says that’s the key to getting out of the catch-22 that currently holds the industry back. Producers won’t grow more flax for fibre without a processing plant, but investors aren’t going to put up the $5 million to $10 million necessary to build a processing plant unless producers are growing more flax for fibre.
However, Ulrich is positive about the future of flax fibre.
“We have more and more overseas customers who are interested in what we are doing and interested in investing. They wouldn’t be here if there weren’t some promising results,” he noted.
“There is no doubt we are seeing a growing interest. I am very positive it will happen. I’m just not certain when it will happen.”
For more information, contact:
Alvin Ulrich, Director
Crop Fibres Canada
Phone: (306) 955-4506
E-mail: aulrich@biolin.sk.ca
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Patience crucial for maximizing canola crop
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
It’s a gamble every year, timing out when the canola crop has turned to maximize your yield.
The task might be more difficult than usual this year, but a little patience can pay off with more canola in the bin.
Saskatchewan agronomy specialist David Vanthuyne from the Canola Council of Canada says this growing season will present even more of a challenge than usual. Vanthuyne says growing conditions will see many canola fields mature at different stages, and advises growers to stay off the swather until sufficient seed colour change has occurred in the crop.
The challenge is that crops don’t come with a best before date, or a “time to harvest” indicator, he noted. As a result, averaging out seed colour change on a number of plants in several locations within a given field will be the most profitable approach this year.
“We’ve extended the swathing recommendation window to up to 60 per cent seed colour change from our old recommendation of 30 to 40 per cent,” Vanthuyne said. “Unfortunately, variations in maturity in many areas this year will make determining when to swath more difficult.”
As a result, he adds that proper staging of the crop will be critical.
“Some plants may be at 60 to 70 per cent seed colour change, while others may only be at 20 to 30 per cent seed colour change,” Vanthuyne said. “The trick is to capture as much yield as possible by delaying swathing long enough, avoiding shattering losses, but allowing as much seed colour change as possible on less mature plants.”
When seeds in the bottom half of the plant have changed colour, seeds in the top, or last-formed pods, will be firm and roll between the fingertips. At this stage of maturity, Vanthuyne says the risk of locking in green seed can be minimized.
To be considered sufficiently “colour changed,” green seeds must have at least small patches of colour or spotting. Seeds slowly turn from green to light yellow or reddish-brown to black, depending on the weather and variety. Seed colour change within pods on the main stem will advance about 10 per cent every two to three days under normal environmental conditions.
Under normal growing conditions, sampling the field every two to three days and averaging the percentage of seed colour change will give growers an accurate assessment of the overall maturity of the crop. Plant densities, soil type, topography, variety choice, and weather will affect the rate of seed maturation.
Vanthuyne says it’s a good idea to walk out and sample at least five plants in different areas of the field. Some varieties will show pod colour change long before the seeds do, while the opposite can also hold true. That’s why it is important for producers to check for seed colour change, not pod colour change.
To catch most of the crop at or near the optimum stage, Vanthuyne notes that growers with large acreages may need to start swathing their earliest maturing fields prior to 40 per cent in order to maintain an average seed colour change of 40 to 60 per cent for the bulk of the crop.
Hot, dry and windy weather can also cause rapid seed moisture loss and seed colour change. “We’ve seen seeds on the main stem change from 10 per cent to 50 per cent in just a few days under these conditions,” Vanthuyne cautioned.
“Patience and averaging seed colour change will be the key this year.”
For more information, contact:
David Vanthuyne, Eastern Saskatchewan Agronomy Specialist
Canola Council of Canada
Phone: (306) 946-3588
It’s a gamble every year, timing out when the canola crop has turned to maximize your yield.
The task might be more difficult than usual this year, but a little patience can pay off with more canola in the bin.
Saskatchewan agronomy specialist David Vanthuyne from the Canola Council of Canada says this growing season will present even more of a challenge than usual. Vanthuyne says growing conditions will see many canola fields mature at different stages, and advises growers to stay off the swather until sufficient seed colour change has occurred in the crop.
The challenge is that crops don’t come with a best before date, or a “time to harvest” indicator, he noted. As a result, averaging out seed colour change on a number of plants in several locations within a given field will be the most profitable approach this year.
“We’ve extended the swathing recommendation window to up to 60 per cent seed colour change from our old recommendation of 30 to 40 per cent,” Vanthuyne said. “Unfortunately, variations in maturity in many areas this year will make determining when to swath more difficult.”
As a result, he adds that proper staging of the crop will be critical.
“Some plants may be at 60 to 70 per cent seed colour change, while others may only be at 20 to 30 per cent seed colour change,” Vanthuyne said. “The trick is to capture as much yield as possible by delaying swathing long enough, avoiding shattering losses, but allowing as much seed colour change as possible on less mature plants.”
When seeds in the bottom half of the plant have changed colour, seeds in the top, or last-formed pods, will be firm and roll between the fingertips. At this stage of maturity, Vanthuyne says the risk of locking in green seed can be minimized.
To be considered sufficiently “colour changed,” green seeds must have at least small patches of colour or spotting. Seeds slowly turn from green to light yellow or reddish-brown to black, depending on the weather and variety. Seed colour change within pods on the main stem will advance about 10 per cent every two to three days under normal environmental conditions.
Under normal growing conditions, sampling the field every two to three days and averaging the percentage of seed colour change will give growers an accurate assessment of the overall maturity of the crop. Plant densities, soil type, topography, variety choice, and weather will affect the rate of seed maturation.
Vanthuyne says it’s a good idea to walk out and sample at least five plants in different areas of the field. Some varieties will show pod colour change long before the seeds do, while the opposite can also hold true. That’s why it is important for producers to check for seed colour change, not pod colour change.
To catch most of the crop at or near the optimum stage, Vanthuyne notes that growers with large acreages may need to start swathing their earliest maturing fields prior to 40 per cent in order to maintain an average seed colour change of 40 to 60 per cent for the bulk of the crop.
Hot, dry and windy weather can also cause rapid seed moisture loss and seed colour change. “We’ve seen seeds on the main stem change from 10 per cent to 50 per cent in just a few days under these conditions,” Vanthuyne cautioned.
“Patience and averaging seed colour change will be the key this year.”
For more information, contact:
David Vanthuyne, Eastern Saskatchewan Agronomy Specialist
Canola Council of Canada
Phone: (306) 946-3588
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Are you ready to make a deposit in the carbon bank?
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
The talk of global warming and greenhouse gases may seem a complex and distant scientific equation. But there is one simple truth: pasture land can be an important method to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is captured by plants and stored as carbon in plant tissue, particularly the roots and, ultimately, in the soil. If there is a net carbon gain on a piece of land, it has become a carbon sink.
“All the tame and native pasture land in Saskatchewan could be classed as a large terrestrial carbon sink,” said Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Forage Development Specialist Todd Jorgenson. “In fact, the soil we farm today is a result of the buildup of organic matter under native rangelands over the past thousands of years. Before agricultural settlement in Saskatchewan, there was a net carbon sink in these rangelands.”
It all works like a bank account. The plants in the pasture lands take in carbon dioxide and sequester it, making carbon deposits. However, carbon is also released during the plants’ dormant periods, and from soil respiration. In the past, management practices have caused a long-term net loss of carbon from the account, due to both cultivation of native grasslands and overgrazing.
“It is well documented that overgrazed rangeland can be a major carbon emitter,” Jorgenson said. Growing conditions also affect the carbon balance of rangelands. Periods of drought and other poor growing conditions can cause net carbon loss.
“Well managed, healthy rangelands are a net carbon sink,” Jorgenson added. “Management practices aimed at increasing ground cover and biomass production substantially increase the amount of carbon sequestered by pasture land.”
Increasing net carbon sequestration across Saskatchewan’s vast grazing land has the potential to make a significant contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases in Saskatchewan. There may be potential in the future for producers to benefit from this land, in the form of carbon credits now being purchased and traded on a global market through the Chicago Climate Exchange.
Jorgenson says Saskatchewan pasture land managers can benefit either way.
“The same practices that improve plant growth and overall rangeland health are the practices that hold the potential to increase long-term soil carbon sequestration,” he stated. “The amount of carbon input into the soil depends on many management factors, such as litter and residue management, planting well-adapted species, and reducing overgrazing.”
Jorgenson credits producers with understanding these concepts and progressing towards making Saskatchewan part of the solution for greenhouse gas reduction.
“Producers managing rangelands in the province are well aware of the benefits of good range management from a forage perspective,” he said. “They should also be aware of the fact that they are removing greenhouse gases for the benefit of society.”
For more information, contact:
Todd Jorgenson, Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 786-5859
E-mail: tjorgenson@agr.gov.sk.ca
The talk of global warming and greenhouse gases may seem a complex and distant scientific equation. But there is one simple truth: pasture land can be an important method to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is captured by plants and stored as carbon in plant tissue, particularly the roots and, ultimately, in the soil. If there is a net carbon gain on a piece of land, it has become a carbon sink.
“All the tame and native pasture land in Saskatchewan could be classed as a large terrestrial carbon sink,” said Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Forage Development Specialist Todd Jorgenson. “In fact, the soil we farm today is a result of the buildup of organic matter under native rangelands over the past thousands of years. Before agricultural settlement in Saskatchewan, there was a net carbon sink in these rangelands.”
It all works like a bank account. The plants in the pasture lands take in carbon dioxide and sequester it, making carbon deposits. However, carbon is also released during the plants’ dormant periods, and from soil respiration. In the past, management practices have caused a long-term net loss of carbon from the account, due to both cultivation of native grasslands and overgrazing.
“It is well documented that overgrazed rangeland can be a major carbon emitter,” Jorgenson said. Growing conditions also affect the carbon balance of rangelands. Periods of drought and other poor growing conditions can cause net carbon loss.
“Well managed, healthy rangelands are a net carbon sink,” Jorgenson added. “Management practices aimed at increasing ground cover and biomass production substantially increase the amount of carbon sequestered by pasture land.”
Increasing net carbon sequestration across Saskatchewan’s vast grazing land has the potential to make a significant contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases in Saskatchewan. There may be potential in the future for producers to benefit from this land, in the form of carbon credits now being purchased and traded on a global market through the Chicago Climate Exchange.
Jorgenson says Saskatchewan pasture land managers can benefit either way.
“The same practices that improve plant growth and overall rangeland health are the practices that hold the potential to increase long-term soil carbon sequestration,” he stated. “The amount of carbon input into the soil depends on many management factors, such as litter and residue management, planting well-adapted species, and reducing overgrazing.”
Jorgenson credits producers with understanding these concepts and progressing towards making Saskatchewan part of the solution for greenhouse gas reduction.
“Producers managing rangelands in the province are well aware of the benefits of good range management from a forage perspective,” he said. “They should also be aware of the fact that they are removing greenhouse gases for the benefit of society.”
For more information, contact:
Todd Jorgenson, Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 786-5859
E-mail: tjorgenson@agr.gov.sk.ca
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Will prairie trees survive our changing climate
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Trees across Western Canada are struggling to adapt to rising temperatures and volatile weather. With extreme weather projected to become more common, the result could leave many prairie trees with a grim future.
Now, 60 years after it began researching tree improvements and more than a century after first distributing trees on the prairies, Saskatchewan’s Shelterbelt Centre is taking on the challenge of global warming.
The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)-Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) Shelterbelt Centre was established in 1901 with the purpose of providing settlers with trees and shrubs to protect their homesteads from the harsh prairie winters.
Trees were needed to break up the strong winds and to retain crucial soil moisture, but the harsh prairie climate was demolishing the European-bred seedlings that settlers tried to plant.
“Original settlers came with trees from their own countries. These trees turned out to be unsuitable for the harsh weather and rapid climate changes of the prairies,” explained Dr. Salim Silim, a biologist hired by the centre to help locate genes that might improve drought- and cold-resistance, a process that requires screening thousands of tree species.
The solution was shelterbelts, which are rows of trees and shrubs strong enough to protect the herds, land and homes.
As time went on, the centre made it their mission to not only provide trees but to research and develop species of trees that could withstand harsh prairie winters and sweltering summers.
“The Shelterbelt Centre took on the great responsibility of developing trees that are suitable here,” Silim noted.
“Trees that we have developed and are researching at this time adapt well to our current climate. As the temperature rises, other factors come into play, such as drought, changing winter, as well as fall and spring conditions in which the temperature is very cold then very warm,” he said.
“A huge challenge that we are meeting right now is the fast rate of change in the environment, which will result in poor performance, poor growth and eventually the death of many trees.”
The work the Shelterbelt Centre is doing to adapt trees to the effects of climate change includes characterizing the traits that help trees and shrubs survive the unpredictable fall and spring conditions. There are several traits that must be present in trees and shrubs in order for them to survive these climate changes.
“The ability for trees and shrubs to be dormant early, to respond to temperature very quickly, and to stop growth when it warms up very quickly are important determinates of the trees’ survival,” Silim stated.
The Shelterbelt Centre essentially identifies the traits that lead to adaptability, and then uses the traits to screen different populations of trees from different areas. The next step is to use these traits to select the species of trees that will be suitable for future prairie weather conditions.
“Different populations result from trees that have grown in different micro-environments and have adapted to environments differently. Some are much more adaptable than others, depending on where they have been growing for hundreds of years,” Silim said.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Salim Silim, Special Project Biologist
AAFC-PFRA Shelterbelt Centre
Phone: (306) 695-5139
Trees across Western Canada are struggling to adapt to rising temperatures and volatile weather. With extreme weather projected to become more common, the result could leave many prairie trees with a grim future.
Now, 60 years after it began researching tree improvements and more than a century after first distributing trees on the prairies, Saskatchewan’s Shelterbelt Centre is taking on the challenge of global warming.
The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)-Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) Shelterbelt Centre was established in 1901 with the purpose of providing settlers with trees and shrubs to protect their homesteads from the harsh prairie winters.
Trees were needed to break up the strong winds and to retain crucial soil moisture, but the harsh prairie climate was demolishing the European-bred seedlings that settlers tried to plant.
“Original settlers came with trees from their own countries. These trees turned out to be unsuitable for the harsh weather and rapid climate changes of the prairies,” explained Dr. Salim Silim, a biologist hired by the centre to help locate genes that might improve drought- and cold-resistance, a process that requires screening thousands of tree species.
The solution was shelterbelts, which are rows of trees and shrubs strong enough to protect the herds, land and homes.
As time went on, the centre made it their mission to not only provide trees but to research and develop species of trees that could withstand harsh prairie winters and sweltering summers.
“The Shelterbelt Centre took on the great responsibility of developing trees that are suitable here,” Silim noted.
“Trees that we have developed and are researching at this time adapt well to our current climate. As the temperature rises, other factors come into play, such as drought, changing winter, as well as fall and spring conditions in which the temperature is very cold then very warm,” he said.
“A huge challenge that we are meeting right now is the fast rate of change in the environment, which will result in poor performance, poor growth and eventually the death of many trees.”
The work the Shelterbelt Centre is doing to adapt trees to the effects of climate change includes characterizing the traits that help trees and shrubs survive the unpredictable fall and spring conditions. There are several traits that must be present in trees and shrubs in order for them to survive these climate changes.
“The ability for trees and shrubs to be dormant early, to respond to temperature very quickly, and to stop growth when it warms up very quickly are important determinates of the trees’ survival,” Silim stated.
The Shelterbelt Centre essentially identifies the traits that lead to adaptability, and then uses the traits to screen different populations of trees from different areas. The next step is to use these traits to select the species of trees that will be suitable for future prairie weather conditions.
“Different populations result from trees that have grown in different micro-environments and have adapted to environments differently. Some are much more adaptable than others, depending on where they have been growing for hundreds of years,” Silim said.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Salim Silim, Special Project Biologist
AAFC-PFRA Shelterbelt Centre
Phone: (306) 695-5139
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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
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
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On the lookout for Bertha
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
In war, battles can be won or lost based on the quality of the intelligence about the enemy. Knowing your enemy’s position and strength can be a huge advantage.
Saskatchewan canola producers will have that advantage this year when it comes to a costly pest – the Bertha Armyworm.
Dale Risula, Integrated Cropping Management Systems Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, says there are a lot more people participating in the provincial monitoring program this year. This program monitors adult moths emerging from their pupae. The monitors use pheromone traps to catch the moths as they emerge from the soil.
“The number of people who are monitoring for us is up by 50 per cent, so that’s a pretty good indicator that there was some concern about this problem because of last year’s fairly wide-spread impact on canola growers,” Risula said.
Last year was a particularly bad year for the Bertha Armyworm, with significant crop damage in the northeast and east-central parts of the province.
Risula says the more monitors they have, the better the intelligence that is gathered.
“You get a better indication of where the outbreaks are taking place and a better representative sample of the moth counts that are out there,” he stated. “That will give us a better idea of what might take place this year, because it seems as though the moth count corresponds with the outbreak of worms. All of those things will add to the accuracy and understanding the intensity of any particular outbreak that might take place.”
A map of armyworm hotspots is prepared by SAF from the data collected by the monitors. This gives an early warning to producers in areas of potentially high risk. Knowing that information can help in many ways. For example, chemical companies will be able to have insecticide readily available in particular areas where an outbreak is likely.
“It’s important that people are aware of these pests when they show up, and then properly assess the numbers on a field-by-field basis to determine whether or not action needs to take place. Spraying for the sake of spraying may be more costly than beneficial.”
Of course, Mother Nature herself may help win the battle before the war begins. Risula points out that there are a number of environmental and biological factors that could dramatically cut armyworm numbers either before or after they emerge.
“The worms are subject to different types of predators, parasites and disease that are out there. In particular, there is a type of fungus that affects the larva. If that fungus happened to be fairly severe last year, in the worm population nearing the end of the season, then it could be that the outbreak is reduced,” he noted.
“The other factor is the survival rate of the pupae over winter. A cold winter and a lack of snow cover could reduce the number of moths that emerge.”
Risula says that the intelligence being gathered through the monitoring program should soon reveal what producers will be up against.
More information on Berth Armyworm moth counts and risk map is available on the Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food website at www.agr.gov.sk.ca.
For more information, contact:
Dale Risula, Integrated Cropping Management Systems Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 694-3714
E-mail: drisula@agr.gov.sk.ca
In war, battles can be won or lost based on the quality of the intelligence about the enemy. Knowing your enemy’s position and strength can be a huge advantage.
Saskatchewan canola producers will have that advantage this year when it comes to a costly pest – the Bertha Armyworm.
Dale Risula, Integrated Cropping Management Systems Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, says there are a lot more people participating in the provincial monitoring program this year. This program monitors adult moths emerging from their pupae. The monitors use pheromone traps to catch the moths as they emerge from the soil.
“The number of people who are monitoring for us is up by 50 per cent, so that’s a pretty good indicator that there was some concern about this problem because of last year’s fairly wide-spread impact on canola growers,” Risula said.
Last year was a particularly bad year for the Bertha Armyworm, with significant crop damage in the northeast and east-central parts of the province.
Risula says the more monitors they have, the better the intelligence that is gathered.
“You get a better indication of where the outbreaks are taking place and a better representative sample of the moth counts that are out there,” he stated. “That will give us a better idea of what might take place this year, because it seems as though the moth count corresponds with the outbreak of worms. All of those things will add to the accuracy and understanding the intensity of any particular outbreak that might take place.”
A map of armyworm hotspots is prepared by SAF from the data collected by the monitors. This gives an early warning to producers in areas of potentially high risk. Knowing that information can help in many ways. For example, chemical companies will be able to have insecticide readily available in particular areas where an outbreak is likely.
“It’s important that people are aware of these pests when they show up, and then properly assess the numbers on a field-by-field basis to determine whether or not action needs to take place. Spraying for the sake of spraying may be more costly than beneficial.”
Of course, Mother Nature herself may help win the battle before the war begins. Risula points out that there are a number of environmental and biological factors that could dramatically cut armyworm numbers either before or after they emerge.
“The worms are subject to different types of predators, parasites and disease that are out there. In particular, there is a type of fungus that affects the larva. If that fungus happened to be fairly severe last year, in the worm population nearing the end of the season, then it could be that the outbreak is reduced,” he noted.
“The other factor is the survival rate of the pupae over winter. A cold winter and a lack of snow cover could reduce the number of moths that emerge.”
Risula says that the intelligence being gathered through the monitoring program should soon reveal what producers will be up against.
More information on Berth Armyworm moth counts and risk map is available on the Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food website at www.agr.gov.sk.ca.
For more information, contact:
Dale Risula, Integrated Cropping Management Systems Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 694-3714
E-mail: drisula@agr.gov.sk.ca
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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
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
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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
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
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Blue-green algae blooms may be toxic to cattle
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
The spring runoff from melting snow recharges dugouts and other surface water bodies with much needed water, while at the same time bringing nutrients to the soil. With the warm weather of summer, these soil nutrients can act as the perfect food for algae growth.
The appearance of algae on surface waters such as dugouts, dams, sloughs, and lakes should be treated by livestock producers as an indicator that conditions may be right for the growth of potentially toxic blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria.
“Cyanobacteria are capable of producing toxins, which in high concentrations can actually kill livestock and companion animals,” warned Bob Klemmer, a Beef-Forage Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.
“Commonly called blue-green algae, these organisms are quite often mistaken for true algae. However, they are, in fact, a type of bacteria called Cyanobacteria.”
Several factors increase the risk of toxic blooms to livestock. In addition to spring run-off or heavy summer rains, which wash soil nutrients into surface water bodies, direct watering of livestock introduces nutrients from urine and feces into the drinking area. Extended periods of hot weather increase the temperature of nutrient-rich surface waters during summer. As well, if blue-green algae is present, wind can cause the bloom to concentrate on one side of the water body.
“The combination of readily available nutrients and warm weather provides the optimum conditions for both algae and Cyanobacteria growth,” Klemmer explained.
“When Cyanobacteria are predominant, there is a higher degree of risk for livestock. Many animal deaths that occur each year are due to toxins released from the Cyanobacteria when the bloom dies off.”
But Klemmer says there are several management practices which can reduce the risk of algae and Cyanobacteria growth.
“Installing remote watering systems and restricting livestock from direct access to the body of water is one method of prevention,” he stated. “Properly designed aeration systems can also reduce the levels of nutrients available for algae and Cyanobacteria growth.”
Producers are able to find more information on the appropriate sizing and design of aeration systems through the water quality publication website maintained by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) at www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/water/quality_e.htm.
Planting forage buffer strips along water runs and around dugouts, streams, sloughs, and dams will help to reduce the amount of soil nutrients entering these water bodies and helps to clarify the water.
Producers are encouraged to monitor algae and Cyanobacteria growth, and to be prepared with alternate fresh water sources during times of higher risk.
However, Klemmer says that the best approach to reducing the risk of Cyanobacteria poisoning is to learn how to recognize it. Cyanobacteria, unlike true algae, are single celled organisms, and do not typically stick together. “Using this habit of growth, producers are able to identify Cyanobacteria by running their hand with fingers slightly open through the bloom,” he stated.
“Cyanobacteria will largely flow through their fingers, or individually stick, whereas algae will clump together and not flow through.” Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after doing this.
Klemmer points out that some Cyanobacteria will also form a thick, pea-soup-like appearance, while others look like a shimmering blue-green sheen across the surface of the water.
Algae and Cyanobacteria blooms cause off tastes and smells in water bodies, as well. This side effect may cause a reduction in livestock water intake and poor cattle performance.
There are several treatment products containing copper sulfate that can be used to control algae and Cyanobacteria blooms in dugouts and smaller water bodies. The PFRA fact sheet “Copper Treatments for Dugouts” lists the products available, the amounts of product necessary for given water volumes, and the methods of treatment. This fact sheet can be found at www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/water/copper_e.htm.
For more information, contact:
Bob Klemmer, Beef-Forage Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 848-2380
The spring runoff from melting snow recharges dugouts and other surface water bodies with much needed water, while at the same time bringing nutrients to the soil. With the warm weather of summer, these soil nutrients can act as the perfect food for algae growth.
The appearance of algae on surface waters such as dugouts, dams, sloughs, and lakes should be treated by livestock producers as an indicator that conditions may be right for the growth of potentially toxic blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria.
“Cyanobacteria are capable of producing toxins, which in high concentrations can actually kill livestock and companion animals,” warned Bob Klemmer, a Beef-Forage Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.
“Commonly called blue-green algae, these organisms are quite often mistaken for true algae. However, they are, in fact, a type of bacteria called Cyanobacteria.”
Several factors increase the risk of toxic blooms to livestock. In addition to spring run-off or heavy summer rains, which wash soil nutrients into surface water bodies, direct watering of livestock introduces nutrients from urine and feces into the drinking area. Extended periods of hot weather increase the temperature of nutrient-rich surface waters during summer. As well, if blue-green algae is present, wind can cause the bloom to concentrate on one side of the water body.
“The combination of readily available nutrients and warm weather provides the optimum conditions for both algae and Cyanobacteria growth,” Klemmer explained.
“When Cyanobacteria are predominant, there is a higher degree of risk for livestock. Many animal deaths that occur each year are due to toxins released from the Cyanobacteria when the bloom dies off.”
But Klemmer says there are several management practices which can reduce the risk of algae and Cyanobacteria growth.
“Installing remote watering systems and restricting livestock from direct access to the body of water is one method of prevention,” he stated. “Properly designed aeration systems can also reduce the levels of nutrients available for algae and Cyanobacteria growth.”
Producers are able to find more information on the appropriate sizing and design of aeration systems through the water quality publication website maintained by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) at www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/water/quality_e.htm.
Planting forage buffer strips along water runs and around dugouts, streams, sloughs, and dams will help to reduce the amount of soil nutrients entering these water bodies and helps to clarify the water.
Producers are encouraged to monitor algae and Cyanobacteria growth, and to be prepared with alternate fresh water sources during times of higher risk.
However, Klemmer says that the best approach to reducing the risk of Cyanobacteria poisoning is to learn how to recognize it. Cyanobacteria, unlike true algae, are single celled organisms, and do not typically stick together. “Using this habit of growth, producers are able to identify Cyanobacteria by running their hand with fingers slightly open through the bloom,” he stated.
“Cyanobacteria will largely flow through their fingers, or individually stick, whereas algae will clump together and not flow through.” Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after doing this.
Klemmer points out that some Cyanobacteria will also form a thick, pea-soup-like appearance, while others look like a shimmering blue-green sheen across the surface of the water.
Algae and Cyanobacteria blooms cause off tastes and smells in water bodies, as well. This side effect may cause a reduction in livestock water intake and poor cattle performance.
There are several treatment products containing copper sulfate that can be used to control algae and Cyanobacteria blooms in dugouts and smaller water bodies. The PFRA fact sheet “Copper Treatments for Dugouts” lists the products available, the amounts of product necessary for given water volumes, and the methods of treatment. This fact sheet can be found at www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/water/copper_e.htm.
For more information, contact:
Bob Klemmer, Beef-Forage Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 848-2380
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