Growing Forward
Transcription
Growing Forward
08 DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 VOLUME 6 Growing Forward Simple, more effective, tailored to your needs - a special feature pages 9-16 storing and drying flax page 4 Saskatchewan beef industry conference protecting stored forages PAGE 23 PAGE 17 Minister’s Message T his past summer of storms has had a tremendous impact on our agriculture industry. The excess moisture this year not only affected crop land, but also the quality and quantity of feed and pasture in some areas. To help livestock and forage producers in this difficult situation, I announced the Saskatchewan Feed and Forage Program (SFFP) at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Midterm Convention on Nov. 9. This program is intended to support livestock and forage producers who are facing challenges due to excess moisture. The SFFP will provide financial support to producers who have to transport additional feed to their livestock or have to transport livestock to alternative locations for feeding or grazing due to excess moisture. Payments will be based on the amount of feed or number of animals transported, and the distance hauled. In addition, the SFFP will provide $30 per eligible acre to producers who will have to reseed hay/forage and/or pasture land that has been damaged by excess moisture. Producers who own beef and dairy cattle, bison, elk, horses, sheep, goats, deer, reindeer, caribou, llamas and alpacas are all eligible to apply. The SFFP is retroactive to June 1, 2010, and will run to Aug. 1, 2011. See page 22 for details. While this will not solve all the problems with excess moisture, I hope this support will help our livestock producers deal with the unprecedented rain we received this summer. For more information or to complete an application form, contact a local Ministry of Agriculture or Crop Insurance office, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca, or call the SFFP toll-free line at 1-877-874-5365. Applications are also available at local RM offices. Sincerely, Bob Bjornerud Say Yes 2 Agriculture: 2011 SYA Conference by Daphne Cruise, PAg Regional Crops Specialist, Moose Jaw Agriculture Knowledge Centre T he Saskatchewan Young Ag-Entrepreneurs (SYA) promote the exchange of ideas and foster collaboration between young and future farmers and ag-entrepreneurs of Canada. The organization includes producers, agriculture professionals and entrepreneurs, and provides education and development opportunities that will help young people in agriculture shape the future of the industry in Saskatchewan. Formed in 2006, the SYA continues to grow in membership and corporate structure each year. The SYA hosts an annual conference in conjunction with their annual general meeting featuring a combination of workshops and speakers. Yes to Agriculture will be held on January 27 and 28, 2011 in Saskatoon. The conference includes topics such as marketing and futures, farm diversification, corporate and traditional farms, farming in today’s changing climate and a presentation from the 2010 Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers, plus much more. For more information • Call Gwenda at the SYA office: 1-306-874-2025. STORY SNAPSHOTS 22 6 5 18 2011 Crop Production Show Bull Selection Workshops B R E E DI NG FOR PRO Regional Pulse Workshops Bull Selection Workshops Agriculture Student Scholarship YORKTON – February 4, 2011 Heartland Livestock TABLE OF CONTENTS 12:00 – 12:30 12:30 – 12:35 AGENDA Registration, trade show booths croPS 12:35 – 1:00 1:00 – 2:00 Research 2:00 – 3:00 3:00 – 3:15 SPIRITWOO Spiritwood Welcome There’s Jingle in Genes – Understanding what 4 Igenity c Lee Sinclair, Merial EPDs and Other Genetic Mysteries Sean McGrath, PAg, Creo Episteme Ltd. 8 Serving Your Sire - Bull Nutrition Dr. John McKinnon, Professor and Beef Industry Resea Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan. Special feature - Growing Break, Trade Forward Show Booths 9 Concurrent Sessions (participants divided into 3 groups of 20) 08 DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 3:15 – 4:00 Livestock What’s Hiding Under the Hide - Live Animal Ultrasound Teresa Binetruy, Beef Unit Manager, University 17 of Saska Dr. John McKinnon, Professor and Beef Industry Resea Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan. VOLUME 6 4:00– 4:45 4:45 – 5:30 5:30 – 5:35 Growing Forward Simple, more effective, tailored to your needs - a special feature pages 9-16 STORING AND DRYING FLAX PAGE 4 SASKATCHEWAN BEEF INDUSTRY CONFERENCE PROTECTING STORED FORAGES PAGE 17 PAGE 23 Cover: Mark Hoimyr at his operation near Gladmar, SK is a participant of the FBDI Program. For more information about the Growing Forward suite of programs, see page 9 of this issue. 5:35 – 7:30 The ABCs of What’s Between His Knees - Breeding So Dr. Chad Paetsch – Animal Health Clinic, Humboldt 20 Dr. Larry Potter – Spiritwood Vet Clinic programs and services Ribs, Nuts and Butts - Physical Characteristics of a Goo Garner Deobald, Hodgeville SK, 2009 Canadian Weste events calendar Thank you and Sponsor Recognition 24 Steak Supper and Trade Show Call the Agriculture Knowl to Pre-Registe 1-866-457-2377, Registra AGRICU LIVESTOCK AGRIVIEW is published by the Communications Branch of Saskatchewan Agriculture for Saskatchewan farmers and farm and food organizations. For more information, call 306-787-5160 or e-mail [email protected]. To view this publication online, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/programs-services. DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 3 CROPS Storage and drying tips for flax Since flax is an oilseed crop, use care to prevent dryer fires. by Venkata Vakulabharanam, MSc., PAg Provincial Specialist, Oilseed Crops Crops Branch Due to high oil content, even dry flax is prone to heating. For successful long-term storage, targeting eight to nine per cent seed moisture will reduce chances of heating and spoilage. D ue to the long and wet 2010 crop season, some flax producers had to harvest flax at high seed moisture. Stored flax should be routinely monitored to ensure there are no hot spots developing. A hot spot in stored flax can spread quickly - possibly throughout the entire bin. Flax is generally considered “dry” at 10 per cent grain moisture content, “tough” at 10.1 to 13.5 per cent moisture and “damp” if over 13.5 per cent moisture. Aeration can reduce the moisture content in flax under the right conditions. In late fall, a grain dryer may be more effective in bringing the moisture content down to a storable level. In addition to storage considerations, the following precautions will help minimize Triffid contamination in your flax. •Properly clean the swather and combine after use. The following considerations will help avoid problems during flax drying and storage. •Store flax crop in a clean bin. Vacuum the bin prior to loading and after unloading to remove every flax seed. The airflow is much slower for flax, so the drying time will be greater compared with other crops. If using aeration and natural air to condition flax, sampling of resulting product is critical. Monitor the changes in moisture and temperature in the bin by sampling the bottom, middle and top of bin separately. •Clean transportation vehicles used to move flax from the field to the farm, and the farm to the elevator. If possible, cover vehicles with a tarp. Bethune Flax - A popular choice in Saskatchewan. Maximum allowable air temperature for flax seed drying is 45 C for planting seed, 80 C for commercial seed and 80 to 100 C for feed. •After harvest, have 2010 flax crop tested at one of the approved laboratories. For more information • Visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca and click on Production | Crops – Storage. Flax seed closer to the bin bottom (aeration) will probably be dryer than grain at the top of the bin. To facilitate drying flax evenly in the bin, move flax from the bin bottom to the top. RETHINKING THE AGRONOMICS OF MALT BARLEY PRODUCTION by Kim Stonehouse, M.Sc. AAg Regional Crop Specialist, Tisdale Regional Services Branch M alting barley was the focus of several Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) field experiments between 2005 and 2008. Dr. John O’Donovan of the Lacombe Research Centre led the research that was conducted at eight sites in Western Canada. These trials examined the effects of agronomic practices on malting barley yield, seed uniformity and malt quality factors. The experiments looked at two varieties (AC Metcalfe and CDC Copeland), seeding rates, nitrogen fertility and seeding date. Results of these experiments varied somewhat from site-to-site and from year-toyear. Despite this variability, there were some interesting conclusions. Of the varieties, CDC Copeland was found to yield on average 6.5 per cent higher and had 4.8 per cent lower protein content than AC Metcalfe. AC Metcalfe also had lower kernel weights, but had a slightly greater plumpness and higher levels of malt extract. When researchers increased seeding rates, they generally found that days to maturity, protein content and kernel weight variability were reduced. However, increasing seeding rates also decreased kernel weight and plumpness. In most cases, they found that yield was optimized at 300 seeds/m2 and yield reductions sometimes occurred at seeding rates beyond this. 4 For both varieties it was not surprising to find that increasing nitrogen fertility increased yield, kernel weight, protein content, days to maturity and lodging. At the same time increasing fertility tended to decrease plant density, plumpness and malt extract levels. These results demonstrate that balancing nitrogen fertility to optimize each of these factors is still as important as ever. A note of interest here was that these researchers found that the increase in protein content, with increasing nitrogen, was greater in AC Metcalfe than CDC Copeland. Seeding dates varied with site and year but, in most cases, the researchers found that seeding in late April to mid-May increased yields and kernel weight while lowering protein as compared to seeding in late May to early June. Because of this research, several AgriARM sites and one Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification (ADD) board applied and received funding from the Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program to demonstrate the agronomic principles for optimizing malt barley production. These demonstrations were featured at various field days throughout Saskatchewan. The ADOPT program is administered by Saskatchewan Agriculture. For more information • Contact Kim Stonehouse at (306) 878-8807, or e-mail [email protected]. DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 CROPS Don’t miss the 2011 Western Canadian Crop Production Show by John Ippolito, PAg Regional Crop Specialist, Kindersley Regional Services Branch T he Western Canadian Crop Production show is one of the more important events for cereal, pulse and oilseed producers in Western Canada. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture uses the Crop Production Show as a venue to interact with large numbers of producers and launch new publications and guides for the upcoming cropping season. While at the Western Canadian Crop Production Show, be sure to stop at the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture booth to get the latest information on crop production practices, and talk with our regional and provincial specialists. For more information • Visit the Western Canadian Crop Production Show and the Crop Production Week’s joint website at www.cropweek.com. This year’s show will be held from January 10 to 13 at Saskatoon Prairieland Park. The show provides crop producers the opportunity to meet with exhibitors who focus on crop production, farm business management and crop marketing. The exhibitors include a wide variety with technology, services or products for crop producers. Last year’s show had attendance of over 16,000 with more than 95 per cent of these visitors being directly involved in grain production. Crop Production Week is held in collaboration with the Western Canadian Crop Production Show, and includes a number of industry association meetings and events to keep producers informed about their crops and events in those industries. Available in January – the 2011 Guide to Crop Protection by Clark Brenzil, PAg Provincial Specialist, Weed Control Crops Branch T By rotating herbicides, the risk of developing widespread resistance over a field drops. The illustration below gives a relative ranking of risk of resistance developing from repeated use. The top of the triangle indicates groups that may develop resistance quickly. Those at the bottom of the triangle have demonstrated a low risk of resistance developing over long-term use. Be aware that low risk does not mean no risk, since weeds have developed resistance to herbicides in these groups as well. he Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture will introduce The 2011 Guide to Crop Protection at the Crop Production Show in Saskatoon from January 10 to 13, 2011. Herbicide Resistance Development Risk Based on Number of Applications 2011 G U I DE TO CROP PROTECTION weeds, plant diseases, insects AGRICULTURE Visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture booth to pick up your copy. 2010 GUIDE TO CROP PROTECTION Accent, Adrenalin*, Altitude FX*, Assert, Broadband*, Everest, Express Pro, Frontline*, Imazethapyr, Metsulfuron, Muster, Odyssey, Option, Pinnacle, Prism, PrePass*, Simplicity, Solo, Spectrum*, Stellar*, Thifensulfuron / tribenuron, Tribenuron, Triton C and K, Unity*, Velocity M3* Remember, The 2011 Guide to Crop Protection now has a “key page” that gives a description of the information provided in each product GROUP 9 (Grass & Broadleaf control) CleanStart*, pageEclipse*, andGlyphosate, how that information can be used. GROUP 3 (Grass & Broadleaf control) PrePass*, Rustler* Edge, Fortress*, Trifluralin GROUP 8 (Grass & Broadleaf control) Avadex, Avenge, Eptam, Fortress* GROUP 4 (Broadleaf Control) 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, Adrenalin*, Altitude FX*, Attain, bromoxynil / 2.4-D ester*, bromoxynil / MCPA ester*, Curtail M, dicamba, dicamba / mecoprop / MCPA, dichlorprop / 2,4D, Dyvel, Dyvel DSp, Eclipse*, Express Pack*, Frontline*, Lontrel, MCPA, MCPB / MCPA, mecoprop, Prestige, Pulsar, Rustler*, Shotgun*, Spectrum*, Stellar*, Triton C and K, Trophy, and mixes containing these active ingredients Foliar Fungicides Seed Treatments Axial, Broadband*, Clethodim, Clodinafop, Equinox, Fenoxaprop, Fusion, Poast Ultra, Quizalofop, Signal D*, Tralkoxydim, Venture An electronic version of The 2011 Guide to Crop Protection will also GROUP be available in6 January onGROUP the5 Ministry’s website at (Broadleaf Control) (Grass & Broadleaf control) Basagran, bromoxynil, Atrazine, Laddok*,to Primextra www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca | Guide Crop Protection. bromoxynil / 2.4-D ester*, Magnum*, Sencor, Shotgun*, GROUP 7 (Grass & Broadleaf control) Linuron bromoxynil / MCPA ester*, Infinity*, Laddok*, Unity*, Velocity M3 (27)* Simazine, Velpar Look for the spring update at the same location in May. * Some products contain more than one active ingredient and therefore may appear in more than one group. SASKATCHEWAN MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE For more information 3085 Albert Street Regina, Saskatchewan CANADA S4S 0B1 • Contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 Printed January 2010 40M ISBN www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca 088656-59953 0164 regarding the contents of The 2011 Guide to Crop Protection. DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 This publication is only a guide. Always refer to the product label for application details and precautions. Insect Control Liberty (10), Amitrole (11), Authority (14), Blazer (14), Chateau (14)*, Reflex (14), Dual II Magnum (15), Frontier (15), Kerb (15), Primextra Magnum* (15), Casoron (20), Gramoxone (22), Reglone (22), Infinity (27), Velocity M3 (27)* Weed Control CROPS The 2011 Guide to Crop Protection will also be available at local farm chemical retail outlets or the Ministry of Agriculture’s regional offices following the show and throughout the growing season. Along with the usual updated uses for existing chemicals, there are several new herbicides and fungicides listed in the guide. The expansion of new generic products continues from last year, so several more product pages will now be listed under their active Rotation of Herbicides ingredient (i.e. tribenuron,GROUP flucarbazone, imazamethabenz). OTHER GROUPS 1 (Grass Control) GROUP 2 (Grass & Broadleaf control) Introduction HERBICIDE ROTATION - 2010 Resistance to a pesticide group will reduce the effectiveness of pesticides in that group over time. Rotation of herbicides and other pesticides is an important measure to delay the onset of resistance to any one pesticide group or mode-of-action. 5 CROPS Plant disease surveys confirm disease issues in 2010 by Faye Dokken-Bouchard, MSc., PAg Provincial Specialist, Plant Disease Crops Branch W eather challenges in 2010 resulted in an increase of crop disease that will influence seed quality and crop rotation options in 2011. In 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture again teamed up with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, the Crop Development Centre and volunteer agronomists throughout Saskatchewan to conduct provincial plant disease surveys. These surveys capture the prevalence (per cent of crops surveyed with disease symptoms) of diseases in cereals, Table 1. Prevalence of plant diseases in peas and canola in 2010 (per cent of crops surveyed pulses, and canola. Preliminary that showed at least trace levels of corresponding disease symptoms) results of the cereal disease Pea Diseases: Ascochyta Lentil Diseases:anthracnose(AN), surveys indicate an increase in Region pisi(AP), mycosphaerella ascochyta blight(AB), stemphylium (number of crops blight(MB), Septoria Canola Diseases incidence of fusarium head blight(SB), botrytis grey mould(GM), surveyed) pisi(SP), sclerotinia white sclerotinia white mould(WM) blight and leaf spotting diseases P = pea mould(WM) L = lentil Ascochyta in 2010. Table 1 outlines some of C = canola Complex SP WM AN AB SB GM WM Blackleg Sclerotinia the pulse and canola disease AP MB Northwest 0 100 0 50 61 92 survey results. More detailed (13 P, 38 C) Northeast information of the disease 0 100 0 67 48 90 (3 P, 52 C) surveys will be available later this West-central 9 100 0 27 56 31 88 56 69 57 94 (11 P, 16 L, 35 C) winter. Plant pathogens responsible for these diseases are now over-wintering in crop residue, seed and surviving East-central 0 100 0 82 host plants. When predicting (11 P, 104 C) Southwest your crop disease risk for the 44 98 85 10 46 (41 P, 13 L, 10 C) 2011 season, keep the disease Southeast 17 100 33 0 (6 P, 21 C) triangle in mind (host + Total Surveyed 0 99 47 27 52 pathogen + environment = (85 P, 29 L, 260 C) disease). Crop rotation will determine potential hosts; past disease incidence will largely determine the pathogens present; and, as always, environment will have the biggest effect on disease in 2011. 50 91 While survey data reveals regional and provincial plant 62 95 disease trends, remember that 24 83 41 59 54 92 each field is unique. Test seed for disease, plan crop rotations with current trends and past disease incidence in mind, implement integrated pest management measures and scout crops regularly to recognize the significance of plant diseases on your farm. 15 77 23 46 70 80 For more information • Contact Faye Dokken-Bouchard at (306) 787-4671. Regional Pulse Workshops by Dale Risula, PAg Provincial Specialist, Specialty Crops Crops Branch for pulse crops. There will be industry representatives at each meeting to present and answer questions from producers. S askatchewan Agriculture and the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers are planning the annual series of regional pulse workshops across Saskatchewan. The workshops will be held in five locations across the province, introducing the latest information on varieties, markets and agronomy Monday, Jan. 31, 2011 Outlook Civic Centre 520 Semple Street Outlook For more information • Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377. Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011 Kindersley Inn 601-11th Ave East Kindersley Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011 Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Centre 235 - 3rd Ave NE Moose Jaw 6 Register early in order to save yourself a spot at one of the five locations. Each session may vary slightly in order to reflect the common interests of the area. The meetings are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. each day and wrap up in the afternoon. You can pre-register by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011 Living Sky Casino 1401 N. Service Road E. Swift Current Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 McKenna Auditorium 317-3rd Street North East Weyburn DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 CROPS Choosing the best Christmas tree by Glen Sweetman, PAg Provincial Specialist, Nursery and Greenhouse Crops Crops Branch trees are sensitive to freezing and will likely experience excessive needle drop. One solution to this problem is to ask where the trees were grown and select Saskatchewan-grown trees. Another solution is to visit a Christmas tree farm and pick your own. T he experience of having a real Christmas tree is hard to beat. Saskatchewan Christmas tree growers work hard to help you experience it. Premature dropping of green needles, known as needle drop, is the main cause for consumer unhappiness with live trees. A little information can greatly reduce this problem. To check the freshness of the tree, lift it upright and drop it on its trunk. Some needle drop is expected, although if there are a lot of green needles it might be best to pick another tree. Even though the trees have been cut, they are still living and need water to remain fresh. The needle drop from dry trees is typically caused by long unprotected transportation, desiccating the tree, or lack of home-owner care. When preparing the tree for your home, cut two to three centimetres off the base of the trunk, place it in a tree stand with a water reservoir and water as needed. The tree will use more water during the first three days, so avoid letting the water in the reservoir fall below the bottom of the trunk. Maintain the reservoir from the time the tree enters the home until you dispose of it. Needles only live two to six years, then turn Always check your tree for freshness. brown and fall off. Therefore, it is natural for The estimated 2009 harvest in Saskatchewan was trees to have some brown needles. To remove these dead needles, approximately 12,000 trees. Approximately 65,000 new trees were shake the tree before it enters the home. planted this spring. Christmas trees grown in warmer, moister climates and then shipped to the Prairies often have not fully shut down. Consequently, these For more information • Visit the Saskatchewan Christmas Tree Growers Association website at www.prairiechristmastrees.com. Recent successes in the fruit processing industry by Forrest Scharf, BA, BSA, AAg Provincial Specialist, Fruit Crops Crops Branch S askatchewan processed food products are diverse and delectable. Consumers who embrace locally grown foods are aware of this, and the demand for high-quality local foods has helped entrepreneurs to develop innovative and competitive products. Strong local demand provides a launch pad for processors to experiment, improve capacity, and expand their reach into larger markets. Marketing to non-local consumers who have little to no familiarity with unique food products, such as Saskatchewan-grown fruit, can be a daunting task. This was recently highlighted by Saskatchewanbased fruit processor Sandra Purdy, owner of Prairie Berries, when she faced the Dragons on the CBC television program the Dragons’ Den. Purdy’s Prairie Berries also received funding to hire a recent university graduate through the Agri-Value Marketing Internship Program which was delivered by Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership with funding from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. Consumer demand is always partially dependent upon a value proposition, and Saskatchewan fruit products supply that value through superior flavour, high levels of health-promoting compounds, and adherence to high levels of food safety standards. Other Saskatchewan food processors have also been recognized recently for their superiority. These include Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery at Maple Creek, and Living Sky Winery at Perdue. These companies brought home a total of five medals from eight entries at the 2010 Canadian Wine Awards. As well, Prairie Sun Orchard Inc of Vanscoy was among finalists for the New Saskatchewan Product Award in the 2010 Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) competition. FOR MORE INFORMATION Purdy was successful in obtaining a partnership agreement with Dragon Arlene Dickinson, but it wasn’t an easy sell. Purdy had recruited Allison Ozog, a graduate student in the Food Sciences Department of the University of Saskatchewan, to highlight the “superfruit” health promoting aspects of saskatoon berries, and also provided the Dragons with juice samples. During the program, Dickinson drew parallels between the successes seen in the cranberry and pomegranate industries, and offered the power of her marketing team to enhance the market potential of saskatoons. Some observers suggested that the exposure obtained through the Dragons’ Den was equivalent to a high-profile marketing campaign, given the program’s average weekly audience of 1.5 million Canadians. DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 • View the Dragons’ Den segment about Prairie Berries at www.cbc.ca/video then select Dragons’ Den; or • Visit the Prairie Berries website at www.prairieberries.com; the Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery website at www.cypresshillswinery.com, and the Living Sky Winery website at www.livingskywinery.com; or • For an online directory of Saskatchewan processed food products, visit the Saskatchewan Food processors Association website at www.sfpa.sk.ca/directory. 7 RESEARCH Producing higher value flax straw A study by Biolin Research and funded by the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) has found that a double bar sickle mower was the most effective method to put long intact flax straw on the ground in a thin layer. This resulted in better retting of the straw, producing a higher value final fibre product at a relatively low cost. The key to producing flax straw for high-end industrial and textile applications is to spread long, intact pieces of straw in a thin, even layer across the field to ensure quick, consistent partial rotting to release the fibre (retting). In trials near Redvers, Laird and Hepburn, the researchers looked at land rollers, wheeled vehicles, weighted sleds and rotary and sickle mowers to determine which did the best job of spreading the straw thinly and evenly. Did you know? The sickle In 2010: mower •The Ministry of Agriculture provided $5.7 million and land rollers for 44 ADF research projects. were the most effective. The sickle mower produced the best quality straw at a cost of $3.90 per acre while a single pass of a land roller cost $3.37 per acre. However, the study showed that it took two to three passes by a land roller to achieve acceptable results. On this basis, it is estimated that a sickle mower could save a producer as much as $6.21 per acre over the total cost of using a land roller. A double-bar sickle mower produces high-quality flax straw at the cost of $3.90 per acre. Saskatchewan is a world leader in production of oilseed flax. Better utilization of flax straw for fibre could greatly improve the economics of flax production. By increasing quality and consistency of flax fibre, Saskatchewan producers could move from the low-end ($200 to $600 per tonne) market to the medium- and high-end ($800 to $5,000 per tonne) markets for their flax fibre. Are you Business SAVI? In 2010, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture provided $5.7 million for 44 ADF research projects. Farm Business Development Initiative The Farm Business Development Initiative can help your The Saskatchewan Agri-Value Initiative (SAVI) farm. Funding is available for training and professional services that work toward profitsfor for business your can provide funding up increasing to $50,000 operation. development and business assessment tools. Sickle mowers were once common for harvesting forage on the Canadian Prairies, but with changes in forage harvesting techniques they are seldom used for this purpose anymore. The one used in this flax study was a double bar sickle mower manufactured by Rowse Hydraulic Rakes Co. Inc. of Nebraska. Contact your Regional Farm Business Management Specialist for more information. Contact your Regional FarmPHONE Business Management LOCATION NUMBER Specialist for more(306) information: North Battleford 446-7964 Prince Albert North Battleford Tisdale (306) 446-7964 Prince Albert Tisdale Kindersley Outlook FBDIadqtrpage.indd 1 8 Kindersley (306) 953-2363 Outlook Watrous (306) 878-8842 Yorkton (306) 463-5513 Swift Current Weyburn (306) 867-5575 Moose Jaw (306) 953-2363 Watrous (306) 878-8842 (306) 946-3220 (306) 463-5513 Yorkton (306) 786-1531 (306) 867-5575 (306) 946-3220 Swift Current (306) 778-8218 (306) 786-1531 Weyburn (306) 778-8218 (306) 848-2857 (306) 848-2857 Moose Jaw 1-866-457-2377 1-866-457-2377 2/17/2010 2:26:14 PM DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PRODUCTION Growing Forward Simple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs Growing Forward – A Special Feature A griview is pleased to bring readers a special eight-page feature on non-Business Risk Management programs and services available in Saskatchewan under the Growing Forward framework. What’s Growing Forward? Growing Forward is a commitment to Canada’s agriculture sector that’s focused on achieving results. The new Growing Forward agreement was signed in July 2008. The agreement reflects input from across the agriculture sector and delivers programs that are simple, more effective and tailored to local needs. All Growing Forward programs are cost-shared by the federal and Saskatchewan governments on a 60/40 basis. Since 2008 the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture has worked with the federal government to build eight carefully crafted non-Business Risk Management programs for our producers. These programs aim to: • Help farmers and others involved in the agriculture industry to make changes that increase their innovation, competitiveness and profitability; DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 What’s Inside? Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) 10 FARM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (FBDI) 11 TRACEABILITY 12 BIOSECURITY 13 ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLANNING 13 FOOD SAFETY 14 SASKATCHEWAN AGRI-VALUE INITIATIVE (SAVI) 15 Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) 16 • Meet consumer demands for food safety and environmental performance; and • Manage risk proactively. 9 WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTION Growing Forward Simple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs Growing with water S askatchewan is helping producers and communities to better manage their water resources. Through the development of secure water sources, Saskatchewan Agriculture’s provincewide Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) is designed to expand the livestock industry, encourage economic growth in rural locales and soften the effects of future droughts. Since the program’s inception last year, 3,301 applications for funding have been received from across Saskatchewan. To date, more than 1,500 wells, 1,600 dugouts and 40 community wells have been created. “The application was straightforward and simple,” said Jim Angus, administrator with the Rural Municipality of Harris. The RM submitted its application to build a community well early this summer, and the well is now in operation. “Location-wise, we had a big area that wasn’t served,” said Angus. The RM of Harris has two other municipal wells that were in operation before the new well was developed. “The application was straightforward and simple.” - Jim Angus, RM administrator. Angus estimated the total cost at $105,000. Under FRWIP, the provincial government contributed two-thirds of the cost. Cattle producers Sandi and Michael Gray have also taken advantage of government funding for water infrastructure. The well on their ranch near Perdue was created years ago, and in the summer of 2009 they applied for funding to replace it. “It was very simple,” said Sandi of the whole funding process. “The company that drilled the well was able to fax our paid receipts for the work directly to the provincial government.” The well cost $34,000, and the Grays received $15,000 from the Province. 10 A well being dug near Old Wives Lake. Before the new well was installed, the Grays hauled water from municipal wells. Having on-site access to water has improved operations on the Grays’ farm. The well provides water for spraying and for their cattle. The program will supply up to two-thirds of the cost for community wells and a maximum of one-half of the eligible costs to develop on-farm water supplies. For more information on FRWIP call the toll-free line at 1-877-874-5365. Eligible on-farm water systems can receive a maximum of $60,000 in funding, and eligible candidates include farmers, ranchers and FRWIP to date: Indian Bands. Community Has received over 3,300 applications with well projects, open to total project costs exceeding $42 million. Rural Municipalities and Indian Bands, may receive a maximum of $150,000. Did you know? FARM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PRODUCTION Growing Forward Simple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs Investing in learning and planning T here can be many tasks to juggle on a mixed-farm operation, but Mark and Laura Hoimyr are improving their business skills by implementing lessons from Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. This is just one of the lessons they learned after attending the Ranching for Profit School. The Hoimyrs, grain and cattle producers near Gladmar, took the course as part of the Farm Business Development Initiative (FBDI), a federal/provincial cost-shared program under Growing Forward. The program helps farmers develop business plans and improve their business skills in nine different areas including: business strategies; marketing strategies; production economics; human resources; financial management; environmental strategies; succession planning; business structure; and risk assessment. “It was really, really good,” said Mark of his experience with FBDI. The Hoimyrs entered the program to increase their business education and improve the overall operation of their farm. “It’s always good to get a little help managing one’s time,” said Mark. “We’ve just been going into the process of incorporation,” he added. Farm incorporation is a part of succession planning and an area the Hoimyrs were working on through FBDI. “It’s a tool to transfer equity from my father to myself as tax-effectively as possible,” said Mark as to the financial benefit of incorporation. In the future should the Hoimyrs sell their farm, or pass it on to their children, incorporation will allow the farm to change hands more easily. Taking Stock Before training or consulting can take place, participating farmers must go through a process called Taking Stock. This free-of-charge service is delivered by Saskatchewan Agriculture and is intended to measure how effective current practices are, and identify areas in need of improvement. “To get started, it’s a pretty healthy multiple-choice quiz,” Mark said of the Taking Stock process. Meetings with a Regional Farm Business Management Specialist from Saskatchewan Agriculture served to further explore and identify areas where FBDI would most benefit the Hoimyrs. This led them to attend the Ranching for Profit school and use consulting services to help develop their business plan. The FBDI program offers up to $4,000 to qualified applicants to access educational resources or hire private sector consultants. A minimum of 25 per cent of total costs must be paid by the producer. For more information, please contact the Regional Farm Business Management Specialist at a local Ministry Regional Office or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre toll-free at 1-866-457-2377. Taking Stock seminars Winter 2010-2011 by Mike Pylypchuk, BSA, PAg Provincial Business Management Specialist Regional Services Branch THE NINE PROGRESSIVE FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: Business strategy (Strategic Planning) The Ministry will hold Taking Stock workshops throughout the province this winter. The half-day workshops will help producers to self-identify the progressive farm business management practices presently being used in their businesses and to assess those practices that are not presently part of their business management approach. Marketing The seminar is free of charge. It is part of the Farm Business Development Initiative under the Growing Forward program which is sponsored by the federal and provincial governments. Producers may qualify to receive cost-shared funding of up to $4,000 to help pay the costs of training and consulting services. Financial management Production economics Human resources Succession planning Business structure Producers who would like to attend or organize a Taking Stock workshop, or who would like to sign up for the Stay Connected newsletter, are asked to contact Regional Farm Business Management Specialists at the Ministry’s nearest local regional office. Environmental strategy Risk Assessment FOR MORE INFORMATION Phone Mike Pylypchuk at (306) 787-5963. 11 TRACEABILTY PRODUCTION Growing Growing Forward Forward Simple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs Keeping track of the herd O n Oct. 27, 2009, a $6.8-million Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate program was announced by Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud. Funding under the program can be streamed in four different directions. It can help auction marts, producers, backgrounders, veterinary clinics, processors, assembly yards, auction marts, private community pastures, fairs and exhibitors introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to track their animals. It has also been used to pay for industry initiative projects; help fund the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) in Saskatchewan; and fund pilot projects to test and demonstrate this tracing technology. He explained the RFID system has reduced the amount of data entry required when putting cattle through the feedlot, and it has reduced their margin of error when tracing animals. “It has made us way more efficient, I’m quite happy with it.” - General Manager Rick Maddess. The Rolling Hills feedlot near Rockglen was one of the first to demonstrate the benefits that come with improved traceability. The field day demonstrated how the technology works in a real feedlot setting. “It has made us way more efficient,” General Manager Rick Maddess said. “I’m quite happy with it.” Rebate funding is available for RFID readers, software, training, ultra-rugged computers and facility modifications needed to undertake traceability activities. Under the rebate program, government covers 70 per cent of costs to a maximum rebate of $50,000. Auction marts are Under the rebate program: eligible for a maximum • Government covers 70 per cent of costs to a $100,000 rebate. Did you know? maximum rebate of $50,000. Maddess added that roughly Individuals and organizations • Auction marts are eligible for a maximum $10,000 was spent on the project. must ensure the reader they The money went to purchase purchase is compatible with the $100,000 rebate. tracing software and hardware, ear tags issued by the CCIA. including one handheld RFID reader. Maddess said he might consider investing in a panel reader For more information on the Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock for Rolling Hills because they are generally less labour-intensive Traceability Program, call 1-877-874-5365. than the handheld option. 12 BIOSECURITY/FARM PLANNING PRODUCTION Growing Forward Simple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs Reducing disease with biosecurity E ffective biosecurity protocols will benefit Saskatchewan by reducing the threat of disease in Saskatchewan livestock and poultry. These resources will focus on increasing awareness of the factors contributing to the spread of disease and the measures that can be taken to reduce the risk. The Ministry of Agriculture is currently working with provincial livestock stakeholders to develop biosecurity programs that meet the needs of the industry and the public. Diseases can impact human health, agricultural production, environmental health and market access. Last winter, the Ministry held several biosecurity educational sessions in North Battleford, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Swift Current and Weyburn. The Ministry will continue to work with veterinarians and other infectious disease experts to implement practical programming for Saskatchewan ranchers and farmers. Through the introduction of barriers separating disease-causing agents like bacteria and viruses from susceptible species, biosecurity measures protect agriculture in Saskatchewan. With new biosecurity programs, producers will learn best management practices, and gain the skills to assess and control risks of disease to their flocks and herds. For more information, contact Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Animal Health Program Officer Kathryn Ross at (306) 787-5142. Biosecurity resources will be provided for producers to accurately assess the risk of disease introduction on their farms. The Ministry will work actively with producers and their veterinarians to support initiatives that will lessen the risk of catastrophic disease introduction. Funding for the environment W hile Saskatchewan farmers are excellent stewards of the land, a little ingenuity can go a long way to make farming more environmentally friendly. This program had a significant impact on the way Shawn and Heather Sten raise their cattle, north of Canwood. “I did a bunch of fencing and cross-fencing for bale grazing,” said Shawn. Windbreaks, a dugout and paddocks were also constructed. The federal and provincial governments provide funding to producers to reduce the The paddocks have allowed for environmental impact of farming improved grazing of the land, and a through the Environmental Farm natural method to spread manure. Did you know? Planning (EFP), Group Planning and The Stens also introduced a system To date: Farm Stewardship Program (FSP), and of watering holes separate from the • Approximately 11,000 producers in Saskatchewan the adoption of Beneficial dugout to water their cattle, which have completed an EFP. Nearly 6,000 projects have Management Practices (BMP). keeps the dugout water been approved to implement a BMP. contaminant-free. The funding Funding is available for initiatives like covered half of the Stens’ total costs the relocation of livestock facilities for the upgrades. A maximum of away from stream banks and lake shores and the improvement of $50,000 in funding is available for producers with eligible projects. water systems, and watering site management to protect high-risk, marginal soils. To date, approximately 11,000 producers in Saskatchewan have completed an EFP. Nearly 6,000 projects have been approved to The first step in the funding process is to complete an EFP, which implement a BMP that will ease the environmental impact on their identifies the most-pressing environmental risks on a farm, and to operations and communities. create a plan to control these risks. Funding for Group Planning projects is also available. Under such From there, the Provincial Council of Agriculture and an arrangement, a group of area producers can receive funding for Diversification Boards for Saskatchewan (PCAB) must approve the an environmental project to benefit, not only their farm operation, plan. PCAB is an independent third-party group that has been but also the entire area. contracted to administer the funding program. Once approval is received, the producer may access funds to implement a BMP. For more information visit the PCAB website at www.saskpcab.com. 13 FOOD SAFETY PRODUCTION Growing Forward Simple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs Maintaining a safe food supply W hen consumers grab their knives and forks for dinner, they can take comfort in knowing that crop and livestock producers are helping to keep their food safe. On-Farm Food Safety (OFFS) Programs set out the standards of safety and cleanliness for producers to follow on their farm. Starting in 2010, the federal and provincial governments teamed together to provide funding to help provincial commodity groups with promoting and implementing OFFS systems in Saskatchewan. Sectors that have developed, or are in the process of developing, a nationally recognized OFFS system are eligible to receive funding. Each commodity group is responsible for delivery of their OFFS program, including any educational and promotional activities, and/or producer directed funding. Commodity groups participating in the 2010-2011 program include the Verified Beef Production Working Group, Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, Dairy Farmers of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Vegetable Growers Association, Saskatchewan Greenhouse Growers Association, Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association and the Saskatchewan Herb and Spice Association. The program is meant to target small to medium-size processors who are not nationally certified and cannot export their products to the United States. Eligible applicants to the program may receive up to 50 per cent of the total costs to a maximum of $30,400. Did you know? Verified Beef Production program staff have provided training at 40 workshops to over 900 producers. For more information, contact Gary Coghill at (306) 787-8537, or Sandra Stanger at (306) 787-6425 with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. The majority of funding in Saskatchewan is currently being used on education programs and funding for producers to implement specific on-farm food safety steps. Producers are not required to be members of the associated commodity group to access OFFS programming. Producers should contact the commodity group to learn more about OFFS programs for their sector. Shelly Popowich, poultry analyst with the Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan, said her group received funding in 2009-2010 that assisted in implementation efforts at the farm level that meet the standards set by their Safe, Safer, Safest OFFS system for chickens. Beef producers have also been beneficiaries of the program. Since April 2010, 276 producers have received funding for specific on-farm food safety equipment. Funding is also available for first certification audits. Verified Beef Production program staff have provided training at 40 workshops to over 900 producers and have undertaken other promotional efforts. After products have left the farm, a separate program has been developed to implement food safety standards in food processing. The Saskatchewan Post-Farm Food Safety Program provides funding to facilitate the adoption of Vendor Recognition (VR), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) or the International Organization for Standardization 22000 (ISO 22000). This program can be accessed by non-federally registered food processors in Saskatchewan for implementation efforts. The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc. (Food Centre) has been at the forefront to develop a VR program as a small-scale alternative to HACCP. VR allows smaller-scale processors to communicate with the Food Centre and have industry-specific food safety benchmarks in place at their operations without going to the expense of HACCP or ISO 22000. Processors that implement these benchmarks receive certification from the Food Centre that their operation is safe – a crucial factor in dealing with retailers and the food service industry. 14 Swabbing is one step in a HACCP food safety system. AGRI-VALUE PRODUCTION Growing Forward Simple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs Are you business SAVI? T he Ministry of Agriculture can provide assistance to develop a new value-added product, get a product to the customer, improve operations, and improve employees’ business skills. The Saskatchewan Agri-Value Initiative, known better as SAVI, provides business development assistance as well as up to $50,000 towards agriculture value-added projects. SAVI provides funding for four component areas. Each component requires the applicant to provide 50 per cent of the total cost of the project. Assistance is available in the following areas: Product/Prototype Development The Product and Prototype component of SAVI supports activities necessary to move a product idea from the concept stage all the way through to having a product ready to test on the market. Successful applicants under this component have accessed funding to develop new products, assess shelf-life stability and unique nutritional properties of products, as well as determine new processes required to modify existing products to meet customer expectations. Several of the applicants under the Product and Prototype Development have used the unique services the Food Centre and POS Pilot Plant have to offer. Marketing Opportunities Marketing Opportunities are designed to support incremental marketing of new products or existing products entering a new market. For example, a product in the idea stage can use funding to research the potential customer base and market size of the product. The program also supports activities used to determine product pricing, distribution, and placement, as well as options for packaging and labelling. Successful applicants in the Marketing Opportunities component have leveraged the funding program to develop promotional materials, attend trade shows to showcase their products to new customers, and develop a branding strategy. Systems Improvements This component provides funding for businesses to hire a professional to assess the adoption of innovation, new or improved technologies and systems that can increase profitability and growth. As an example, if “going green” is a priority and a business has considered a number of efficiency options, this component supports further research and assessment into what the best option and implementation process is for the business. Training SAVI provides up to $5,000 funding to help companies improve their employees’ business skills. This includes both management and technical training that is beneficial to the business. SAVI will cover the cost of tuition and books for training courses. To date, the most popular training among agri-businesses has been for courses to learn new processing techniques and develop improved food safety practices. For information on SAVI, contact a Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Farm Business Management Specialist. They will be able to provide more information regarding the SAVI program as well as provide application support and path finding services. SAVI applications are accepted year-round. 15 PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTION Growing Forward Simple, More Effective, Tailored to Your Needs New Technology: Up for ADOPTion T he Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program gives producers an opportunity to see practical demonstrations of new technology at the local level. ADOPT gives funding to Saskatchewan-based producer groups to help evaluate and demonstrate new agricultural practices and technologies at the local level. Then the results of successful trials can be embraced by farming operations in the region. With eight projects approved for funding, the Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) is one of the most prolific users of the ADOPT program. Janice Bruynooghe, SFC executive director, said their projects include demonstrations on the establishment of alfalfa in existing grass stands, the effect of bale-grazing on pasture and hay yields, and the use of stockpile perennial forages. When putting a project in motion, Bruynooghe said ideas are developed with regional forage specialists from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and local producers. Innovative producers serve as hosts for demonstrations and field days. “The key is finding these great producers to work with,” she said. The SFC attempts to locate their projects throughout the province so the greatest number of producers can be served. Communications materials are also distributed by the SFC to provide further information for those who cannot attend a field day. “They’re all supposed to be demonstration projects,” said Jeff Braidek, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture program manager. The program is not intended to research and develop technology, but instead to demonstrate proven practices and technologies to producers. Since ADOPT started in July 2009, $761,312 in funding has been approved for 108 different projects. There are two deadlines each year, with the first on June 15 and the second on Dec. 15. Funding is provided on a competitive basis, and is allocated based on a project’s local relevance, producer involvement, potential impact and probability of adoption, the project promotion plan, and the ability of the applicant to complete the project. Each producer group may receive a maximum of $10,000 per project, to a grand total of $50,000 per year. For more information or to apply, contact Saskatchewan Agriculture by e-mail at [email protected]. There are two ADOPT application deadlines each year, with the first on June 15 and the second on Dec. 15. Producers discuss options for stockpiling perennial forage during an ADOPT project field day held near Ituna for the Saskatchewan Forage Council. For more information on Growing Forward Programs, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca. 16 LIVESTOCK New regulations let dairy producers control their own industry by James Kettel Manager, Trade and Industry Policy Branch O n October 1, 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture completed its review of Saskatchewan’s dairy industry legislation and regulations with the repeal of The Milk Control Act, 1992, and the establishment of the Saskatchewan Milk Marketing Board (SMMB) as Saskatchewan’s supply management milk marketing agency. Consultations began in March 2009, and included face-to-face meetings, mail-outs, an Agriview article and public comment via the Ministry website. In early September 2009, the Dairy Farmers of Saskatchewan received a mandate to develop a proposal for the establishment of a producer marketing board under The Agri-Food Act, 2004. During the week of October. 26, 2009, dairy producers voted overwhelmingly in favour of establishing a marketing plan under The Agri-Food Act. In order to facilitate the transition, the implementation of the new agency’s regulations was staged. In the first stage, preliminary regulations were adopted on April 21, 2010, providing the new agency with the authority to undertake administrative and logistical actions (hiring staff, renting office space, entering into agreements with federal agencies, etc.). The full regulations establishing the new agency with all the powers it required to take over from the Milk Control Board were enacted on October 1, 2010. At that time, The Milk Control Act, 1992 and four sets of regulations under The Animal Products Act (The Dairy Producers Regulations, 1995; The Dairy Manufacturing Plant Regulations; The Milk Transporter Regulations; and The Dairy Product Grading Regulations) were repealed. The Ministry will also bring forward one further set of dairy regulations which will set compositional standards for consumer milk and milk products within the province. For example, the regulations will require that two per cent milk actually contains two per cent butterfat. These changes are another example of this government’s efforts to have producers control their own industries. It is expected that the SMMB will work cooperatively with the processor and the Agri-Food Council to further promote and develop Saskatchewan’s dairy industry. For more information • Contact Corey Ruud, general manager, Agri-Food Council, at (306) 787-5978; or • Visit the Ministry’s website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca under About Agriculture | Programs and Services | Agri-Food Council | Marketing Boards | Saskatchewan Milk Marketing Board. Improving Animal Welfare in Saskatchewan by Dr. LeeAnn Forsythe Disease Surveillance Veterinarian Livestock Branch M ore consumers are becoming concerned about the physical and psychological well-being of domestic livestock. Consequently, animal welfare complaints from the public continue to increase, along with the expectation that all cases will be responded to in a timely manner and resolved to eliminate animal neglect and abuse. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture believes the welfare of animals is a priority. This is why the Ministry is proposing to amend The Animal Protection Act by increasing fines and penalties to ensure that the welfare of animals is taken seriously. The Ministry is also working closely with the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) investigative services to ensure that complaints of animal neglect and/or abuse are investigated and resolved. The SSPCA strives to respond to all complaints from the public in a timely and professional manner. It is dedicated to ensuring the humane treatment of animals and taking action to resolve animal welfare cases. The SSPCA enforces The Animal Protection Act, decides on the appropriate action in each case and determines if charges will be laid. The Ministry’s proposed increase in The Animal Protection Act penalties and fines will raise the profile of animal welfare and the seriousness of not providing adequate care to animals. The SSPCA is working hard to continually improve animal welfare in Saskatchewan. With ongoing assistance from the Ministry, the livestock industry, veterinarians, RCMP, Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan and the public, the SSPCA is continuing to look out for the well-being of animals in our province. For more information • Contact the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at (306) 382-7722; or • Visit www.sspca.ca. Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference Opportunities 2011 January 19 to 22, 2011, Saskatoon Inn and Convention Centre, Saskatoon, SK. T he Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference is an event that brings together Saskatchewan beef cattle producers, industry representatives, researchers, agriculture specialists and members of livestock associations and organizations in a collective forum. The event leads off with the Saskatchewan Beef and Forage Symposium providing updates on new research and technology in beef and forage production. The balance of the conference includes annual general meetings, directors’ meetings and workshops for various Saskatchewan livestock associations and agencies. Contact the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference organizers at (306) 384-6044 or www.saskbeefconference.com for additional information, registration details, tradeshow and sponsorship opportunities. 17 LIVESTOCK Selecting beef cattle for carcass quality with ultrasound by John McKinnon, Ph.D. Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair University of Saskatchewan Ultrasound ribeye area is a measure of carcass muscling. The larger the ribeye area, the greater the lean meat yield. The use of ultrasound allows producers to measure lean meat yield and estimate marbling score in live animals. These are the same carcass traits measured by the grader at slaughter. These measurements, when taken by an experienced technician, are repeatable, accurate and most importantly, moderately heritable. When used within a balanced breeding program, ultrasound can be used to target genetic improvement in your herd for carcass traits of economic importance. T oday’s beef industry is focused on producing a carcass that meets both domestic and international quality standards for safety, wholesomeness and eating quality. Two of the most important carcass traits influencing the Canadian and American beef grading systems are lean meat yield and marbling score. Lean meat yield refers to the amount of edible meat in the carcass. This is measured in three categories: Canada 1, which is 59 per cent lean or greater; Canada 2, which is 54 to 58 per cent lean; or Canada 3 which is less than 54 per cent lean meat. Marbling score, rated as A, AA, AAA or Prime, is the amount of fat within the muscle and is related to eating quality, particularly juiciness and flavour. For more information • Contact your local Regional Livestock Specialist. In the past selecting cattle for carcass quality was difficult, but it has become routine for purebred breeders to use ultrasound to measure live animal carcass traits. These live measurements are taken at the same location on the animal’s body (between 12th and 13th ribs), as where the grader measures the carcass. Measurements include ultrasound backfat thickness, ribeye area, lean meat yield and marbling score. Ultrasound backfat is a measure of the amount of fat covering the carcass and is inversely related to lean meat yield. A yearling bull with excessive backfat, relative to pen-mates, while likely an easy keeper, might not be desirable for a program aimed at selecting for lean yield. Ultrasound has made carcass quality testing quick and easy. To pre-register for the Breeding for Profit bull selection workshops, the Agriculture Knowledge B R E E DI NG FOR call PROFIT Centre at 1-866-457-2377. Workshops B R E E DIBull NGSelection FOR PROFIT Registration is $40. Bull Selection Workshops YORKTON – February 4, 2011 SPIRITWOOD – February 11, 2011 SPIRITWOOD – February 11, 2011 Heartland Spiritwood Livestock Spiritwood Stockyards Stockyards YORKTON – February 4, 2011 Heartland Livestock AGENDA AGENDA 12:00 – 12:30 Registration, trade show booths 12:30 – 12:35 Welcome 12:35 – 1:00 There’s Jingle in Genes – Understanding what Igenity can do for you Lee Sinclair, Merial 1:00 – 2:00 12:00 – 12:30 Registration, trade show booths 12:30 – 12:35 Welcome 12:35 – 1:00 There’s Jingle in Genes – Understanding what Igenity can do for you Lee Sinclair, Merial EPDs and Other Genetic Mysteries Sean McGrath, PAg, Creo Episteme Ltd. 2:00 – 3:00 Serving Your Sire - Bull Nutrition Dr. John McKinnon, Professor and Beef Industry Research Chair, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan. 3:00 – 3:15 Break, Trade Show Booths 1:00 – 2:00 EPDs and Other Genetic Mysteries Sean McGrath, PAg, Creo Episteme Ltd. Concurrent Sessions (participants divided into 3 groups of 20) Serving Your Sire - Bull Nutrition Dr. John McKinnon, Professor and Beef Industry Research Chair, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan. 3:15 – 4:00 What’s Hiding Under the Hide - Live Animal Ultrasound Demo Teresa Binetruy, Beef Unit Manager, University of Saskatchewan and Dr. John McKinnon, Professor and Beef Industry Research Chair, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan. 4:00– 4:45 The ABCs of What’s Between His Knees - Breeding Soundness Evaluation Dr. Chad Paetsch – Animal Health Clinic, Humboldt Dr. Larry Potter – Spiritwood Vet Clinic 4:45 – 5:30 Ribs, Nuts and Butts - Physical Characteristics of a Good Bull Garner Deobald, Hodgeville SK, 2009 Canadian Western Agribition Bull Pen Alley Judge 5:30 – 5:35 Thank you and Sponsor Recognition 5:35 – 7:30 Steak Supper and Trade Show 2:00 – 3:00 3:00 – 3:15 Break, Trade Show Booths Concurrent Sessions (participants divided into 3 groups of 20) 3:15 – 4:00 What’s Hiding Under the Hide - Live Animal Ultrasound Demo Teresa Binetruy, Beef Unit Manager, University of Saskatchewan and Dr. John McKinnon, Professor and Beef Industry Research Chair, College of Agriculture and Knowledge Centre Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan. Call the Agriculture to Pre-Register The ABCs of What’s Between His Knees - Breeding Soundness Evaluation 4:00– 4:45 Dr. Chad Paetsch – Animal Health Clinic, Humboldt 1-866-457-2377, Registration is $40 Dr. Larry Potter – Spiritwood Vet Clinic AGRICULTURE L I V4:45 E S –T O5:30 CK 18 Ribs, Nuts and Butts - Physical Characteristics of a Good Bull Garner Deobald, Hodgeville SK, 2009 Canadian Western Agribition Bull Pen Alley Judge 5:30 – 5:35 Thank you and Sponsor Recognition 5:35 – 7:30 Steak Supper and Trade Show Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre to Pre-Register DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 LIVESTOCK Interested in improving your herd? by Colby Elford, BSc, AAg Intern Agrologist, Moose Jaw Regional Services Branch and by Jenifer Heyden M.Sc. Regional Livestock Specialist, North Battleford Regional Services Branch T he best way to improve a herd’s genetics is through sire selection. Reproductive efficiency, calving ease, weaning weight and feed efficiency are a few of the economically important traits producers want from their bull. Sire selection has a long-term impact on calving ease, maternal ability, growth and carcass merit. There are a number of tools we can use in sire selection, one of which is the Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) value. stock and can be very useful in comparing two animals within the same breed. The more calves a bull has sired, the more data that is available on that bull and the more accurate his EPDs become. A producer can use EPDs to select a sire that will increase, decrease or maintain a certain genetic trait in their herd. These types of decisions should always be based on specific herd improvement goals, not simply on an EPD value alone. Expected Progeny Differences can be an incredibly useful tool for herd improvement but it does have limitations. EPDs cannot be used to compare animals from different breeds nor can they predict specific outcomes. Just because a sire has a weaning weight EPD of + 45, it does not mean that an additional 45 pounds will be added to the weaning weight of all calves from this sire. What this EPD actually means is that the calves from this bull, compared to a bull within the same breed that has a weaning weight EPD of + 40, are expected to be an average of five pounds heavier 205 days after birth. Bull selection criteria should be based on defined herd improvement goals. These goals will determine the EPDs that are of greatest genetic Expected Progeny Difference is a importance to your herd. EPDs EPDs can be a useful tool for herd improvement. measure of the expected should be used in addition to other performance of an animal’s selection criteria, such as reproductive and structural soundness. progeny. This value is calculated by the breeder using a standard formula and is available for a variety of traits, including both growth For more information and carcass traits. EPDs are an effective tool for evaluating breeding • Contact your local Regional Livestock Specialist. Genetic Tools for Cattle Producers: Multi-Sire Parentage Testing by Chelsey Carruthers, M.Sc., AAg Regional Livestock Specialist, Watrous Regional Services Branch and by Jenifer Heyden M.Sc. Regional Livestock Specialist, North Battleford Regional Services Branch calves, but still have costs associated with them. Are they worth keeping if they’re not performing adequately? Producers can also determine which sires are producing calves with desirable traits, allowing them to choose which bulls to cull and which to continue using. Generating on-farm or within-herd Expected Progeny Difference values for bulls in a multi-sire breeding situation is a promising tool for the future to add value to your bottom line. For more information • Contact your local Regional Livestock Specialist. A re you a commercial cattleman using multiple sires for breeding your cow herd? Do you know which one of those bulls performs the best? Is there a simple way to determine the number of calves sired by each bull? Huge improvements in genetic selection tools have been made over the past decade, with more and more companies offering a variety of testing options and tools. One of these genetic tools is multisire parentage testing. Multi-sire parentage testing is for cow-calf producers using multiple bulls in one breeding group. The mother’s DNA is not required for testing. DNA samples from the calves and bulls can be submitted in a variety of forms, depending on the company doing the testing. These include ear-punch, tail-hair and blood samples. Testing is done to determine the percentage of calves sired by each bull. This helps to distinguish the service capacity of each bull, including those “free-loader bulls” – bulls that are not siring many DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 Hair in Igenity® cards. 19 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PRODUCTION Provincial Land Available for Lease The Ministry of Agriculture invites applications to lease the agricultural Crown lands listed herein. REQUIREMENTS GENERAL INFORMATION An applicant must meet the requirements of the Agricultural Crown Land Lease Policy which include, but are not limited to: - be at least 18 years of age; - actively manage and operate a farm or ranch unit; - be a Canadian Citizen or landed immigrant; - have a resource base that is not greater than 200 per cent of the municipal average; - have legal access to the land or written agreements for crossing adjoining lands; - have existing accounts with the Ministry of Agriculture in an acceptable status. 1. Completed application forms must be received by the appropriate Land Agrologist at the addresses provided in the following pages by 5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010. 2. Application forms are available from the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Agriculture. 3. Late application forms will be rejected; incomplete applications may be rejected. 4. Improvements such as summerfallow, fencing, and dugouts, must be purchased by the successful applicant. 5. Lands offered for lease may have development restrictions. 6. Additional information can be obtained from the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Municipality offices or online at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca. 7. The Ministry of Agriculture is not responsible for errors or omissions in the advertisement and reserves the right to withdraw lands from the lease allocation process at any time. Land is allocated only to qualified applicants. Contact information for the Land Agrologists CONTACT Nadia Mori Brent McInnis Patty Robertshaw Karen Smith Lyndon Hicks Tim Feist David Shortt Tracey Charabin PHONE (306) 878-8812 (306) 778-8295 (306) 778-8293 (306) 878-8881 (306) 878-8820 (306) 862-1789 (306) 446-7463 (306) 446-7685 For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact: NADIA MORI BOX 1480, 1105 99TH ST TISDALE SK S0E 1T0 (306) 878-8812 RM Land Desc 190 Acres Codes AUM Est Rent [NE-11-19-24-2 422 SE-11-19-24-2 SW-11-19-24-2] G, A 131 $515 221 NW-28-24-25-2 108 G 38 $150 276 NW-29-31-10-2 56 C, A N/A $600 280 NE-27-28-22-2 G, A 9 $40 40 For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact: KAREN SMITH BOX 1480, 1105 99TH ST TISDALE SK S0E 1T0 (306) 878-8881 RM 274 335 335 Land Desc Acres NW-21-30-06-2 160 SW-10-35-08-2 161 [NE-20-37-07-2 480 SE-29-37-07-2 SW-29-37-07-2] Codes C,H G, A G AUM 19 79 204 Est Rent $900 $300 $800 For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact: LYNDON HICKS BOX 1480, 1105 99TH ST TISDALE SK S0E 1T0 (306) 878-8820 20 RM Land Desc Acres 331 333 NE-13-34-33-1 38 NE-35-36-02-2 160 Codes H G AUM 18 10 Est Rent E-MAIL ADDRESS [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact: PATTY ROBERTSHAW BOX 5000, 350 CHEADLE ST W SWIFT CURRENT SK S9H 4G3 (306) 778-8293 RM 168 Land Desc Acres Codes AUM Est Rent [NE-19-21-18-3 43 H,I,PL 61 $230 NW-19-21-18-3] Miry Creek Irrigation Project - Plot 7 Plot limit may be waived if no acceptable applicants For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact: BRENT MCINNIS BOX 5000, 350 CHEADLE ST W SWIFT CURRENT SK S9H 4G3 (306) 778-8295 RM Land Desc Acres Codes AUM Est Rent 163 NE-35-18-01-3 60 F,G,W N/A LSDs 15 & 16 $150 224 NE-16-23-04-3 40 H, I N/A $200 Grainland Irrigation Project - Plot 9. Plot limit may be waived if no acceptable applicants. 224 NE-16-23-04-3 40 H,I N/A $200 Grainland Irrigation Project - Plot 11. Plot limit may be waived if no acceptable applicants. Improvements $500. 224 SW-17-23-04-3 40 H,I N/A $200 Grainland Irrigation Project - Plot 29. Plot limit may be waived if no acceptable applicants. 224 NW-16-23-04-3 40 HI N/A $200 Grainland Irrigation Project - Plot 7. Plot limit may be waived if no acceptable applicants. $100 $300 DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PRODUCTION For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact: TIM FEIST BOX 1480, 1105 99TH ST TISDALE SK S0E 1T0 (306) 862-1789 RM Land Desc 400 Acres For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact: TRACEY CHARABIN 1192 - 102ND STREET NORTH BATTLEFORD SK S9A 1E9 (306) 446-7685 Codes AUM NE-14-42-23-2 131 C 50 $1,100 430 NE-21-43-22-2 80 G 76 $300 430 SW-19-45A-22-2 30 H 45 $200 430 SW-8-44-23-2 160 G 90 $400 430 SE-11-44-24-2 111 C 11 $700 430 SW-11-44-24-2 80 C N/A $900 456 SE-20-46-11-2 160 C, A 16 $1,100 456 NW-28-46-11-2 160 C, A 16 $600 459 SE-8-49-21-2 40 C, PL N/A $600 459 SE-9-49-21-2 80 H, PL 100 $400 459 SW-9-49-21-2 80 H, PL 45 $250 459 NE-17-49-21-2 40 H, PL 60 $240 459 NE-18-49-21-2 80 H, PL 115 $500 459 SE-18-49-21-2 80 H, PL 100 $500 486 SW-4-51-09-2 G 25 $100 486 SW-11-51-09-2 118 C 10 $1,300 486 NW-19-52-11-2 160 H 60 $250 486 NW-19-53-11-2 160 C 15 $900 486 NW-21-51-12-2 55 H, A 6 $60 486 [NE-23-52-10-2 129 SW-23-52-10-2] G 49 $250 486 SW-26-53-10-2 160 C N/A $2,600 * [ Denotes land is to be leased as a unit.] 486 [NE-28-53-11-2 271 NW-28-53-11-2 SW-28-53-11-2] C 21 $3,000 AUM - Animal Unit Month. Describes the desired carrying capacity of the grazing land. 491 NE-29-51-25-2 40 H, PL 60 $300 491 NE-31-51-25-2 40 H, PL 50 Cheal Lake Project - Plot 21 $200 491 NE-31-51-25-2 39 H, PL 93 Cheal Lake Project - Plot 22 $700 491 NE-31-51-25-2 40 H, PL 70 Cheal Lake Project - Plot 19 $250 491 NE-31-51-25-2 40 H, PL 71 Cheal Lake Project - Plot 20 $300.00 72 Est Rent RM Land Desc Acres Codes AUM Est Rent 346 SE-27-35-11-3 120 C,H LSDs 1 & 8; E ½ LSD 2 & 7. N/A $700 346 SW-27-35-11-3 100 C,H 2 W ½ LSDs 3&6; E ½ LSD 4 & LSD 5. $800 For Information about the land in the following RMs, contact: DAVID SHORTT 1192 - 102ND STREET NORTH BATTLEFORD SK S9A 1E9 (306) 446-7463 RM Land Desc 434 NW-18-43-07-3 101 G,F,W,H 16 42 acres old hay stand. N½ LSD 11; LSD 13 & 14. $300 435 [NE-24-43-08-3 120 G,F,W 76 SE-24-43-08-3] N½ LSD 8; E½ LSD 10; LSD 9 & 16. $800 Acres Codes AUM Est Rent CODES: A - Access Limitations, B - Buildings, C - Cultivation, CE - Conservation Easement, FW - Farm Woodlot, F - Fencing, G - Grazing, GS - Grain Storage, H - Hay, I - Irrigation, LA - Living Accomodation, LF - Livestock Facilities, O - Other, OP - Outfitting Prohibited, PL - Project Limitations, P - Power, W - Water, Y - Yardsite. PL - Project Limitations “An applicant must have less than the pre-determined maximum area or number of plots allowed per individual in special project areas. Where an applicant surrenders a plot, or area, shall be allocated to the next highest scorer, until all of the plots are allocated.” Lease Rental Reminder T o avoid interest being added to your rental, payment needs to be received by the date provided on your statement. All lease rentals up to 2010 should be paid prior to December 31, 2010. Please contact Mary Jane Marcia at (306) 787-8678 or Kathy Jones at (306) 787-5195 of Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Lands Branch with any questions or concerns regarding your lease rental. DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 21 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PRODUCTION Support for livestock producers affected by flooding L ivestock and forage producers will now have financial help dealing with excess moisture due to a new program announced by Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities mid-term convention in Saskatoon. Applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Financial Programs branch by Sept. 30, 2011. Application forms are available on the Ministry of Agriculture’s website and at Ministry of Agriculture Regional Offices, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Offices and local RM offices. The Saskatchewan Feed and Forage Program will help producers who are short of feed for their livestock or need to reseed hay/forage or pasture land due to excess moisture. For more information • Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca; or • Call toll-free 1-877-874-5365. The purpose of the program is to provide transportation funding assistance to Saskatchewan producers who are short of pasture and/or feed due to excess moisture; and financial assistance to Saskatchewan producers who reseed hay, forage and pasture land that has been damaged due to excess moisture. To be eligible for the transportation component, producers must have owned, leased, custom fed or custom grazed the eligible animals during the period June 1, 2010 to Aug. 1, 2011 and must be the individual or entity responsible for the expenses related to the transportation of the eligible feed or animals. To be eligible for the reseeding component, producers must have owned or leased the eligible hay, forage and pasture land during the period June 1, 2010 to Aug. 1, 2011. Visions of canola crops dancing in your head? Apply for the 2010-11 Saskatchewan Agriculture Student Scholarship S askatchewan Agriculture is proud to provide students an opportunity to If you love agriculture as much as we do, pick up a pen or grab a video further their studies and careers in the agriculture industry. camera and get into the action. The Saskatchewan Agriculture Student Scholarship will award 10 scholarships worth $1,000 each to Grade 12 students that are starting agriculture-related post-secondary studies in 2011. All you have to do is write a 500-word essay or submit a three-minute video. For full details • Visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/ 2010-11_Scholarship; or • Send an e-mail to [email protected]; or • Visit one of our 10 Regional Offices around the province. SGI to host Farm Licence plate review MEETINGS O ver the next several weeks, Saskatchewan Government Insurance will be hosting public meetings, asking for input on the farm-class licence plate program. December meetings will be held in Maidstone, Melfort, Milestone and Swift Current. If you cannot make a meeting, you may fill out an online survey, or you can call toll-free 1-888-751-1816. For more information or to complete the survey, visit SGI’s website at www.sgi.sk.ca. 22 DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PRODUCTION One deadline - two AgriStability requirements A s we near year-end, the focus for many of us is to try and wrap up those outstanding items, creating a fresh start in the New Year. The AgriStability program follows a similar process as Dec. 31 is an important deadline for producers who want to wrap up their requirements for one program year and ensure they are eligible for the next program year. To be eligible for benefits from the 2009 AgriStability program, participants need to have all program forms submitted by Dec. 31, 2010. For sole proprietorships, that means the AgriStability Harmonized Form for Individuals must be completed and submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in Winnipeg. For corporations and co-operatives the Corporations/Co-operatives/Other Entities form needs to be completed and submitted to the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC). Please keep in mind, the original deadline to submit these forms has passed (Sept. 30) and a penalty of $500 per month will be applied to any benefits received for the late filing of these forms. While some are focusing on wrapping up the requirements for the 2009 AgriStability program, others will be ensuring they can participate in the 2010 program. Dec. 31 is the last date to submit your program fees as part of the eligibility requirements for the 2010 program year. The original deadline to submit these fees has passed (April 30 or 30 days from the date on the producer’s Enrolment Fee/ Notice), meaning a 20 per cent penalty will be added. Producers can see the amount they need to submit by reviewing their Enrolment Fee/Notice. Support is available to help producers meet this important deadline. AgriStability Advisors are located throughout the province and can be reached through any of the 21 SCIC customer service offices. If a producer needs to access a form or requires a guide for completing the form, they can be found online at www.saskcropinsurance.com. For more information • Contact an SCIC customer service office; • Call the AgriStability call centre at 1-866-270-8450; or • Visit www.saskcropinsurance.com. Protecting stored forage over winter W hen food is scarce over winter months, wildlife will go in search of alternative food sources. Producers’ stacked forage is a likely target and usually susceptible to the likes of deer and elk. When initial evidence of wildlife damage is apparent on stacked forage, producers should contact the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC). Producers should be aware that damage may increase with cold weather or heavy snow. The Wildlife Damage Compensation Program claims for losses to stacked forage are handled differently than a claim for crop losses in the field. Compensation will be paid based on a reference to starting inventory. This means damages occurring prior to the initial inspection may not be paid. For this reason, it is important to contact SCIC as soon as wildlife damage is noticed. During the initial inspection, an adjuster will visit and determine the beginning forage inventory. The estimated weight, amount and location of the product will be documented along with the amount used for feed purposes. By comparing the amount of product damaged by wildlife and fed to livestock, an adjuster will be able to provide a more accurate assessment of losses. DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011 An adjuster may make recommendations of preventative measures following the initial inspection. Based on the recommendation, SCIC may offer funding for fencing around feed yards or temporary fencing to protect feed sources. If appropriate, SCIC may also recommend the use of lure crops, intercept feeding or other preventative measures. On subsequent visits, an adjuster will update the file to include the current inventory, amount fed, amount of damages and the total loss. A final inspection and total loss calculation is only completed when all damages have stopped. Again, producers should report initial damages immediately after they occur. Please do not wait until late winter or spring to report damage; compensation may not be provided as it may be too late to employ prevention measures and there is no reference to compare inventory. For more information on program details or to file a claim • Contact your local customer service office; or • Call 1-888-935-0000; or • Visit www.saskcropinsurance.com. 23 EVENTS CALENDAR DATE EVENT LOCATION PHONE INTERNET Dec. 1 Farm Financial and Estate Planning Workshop Ponteix 306-778-8216 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar Dec. 2 Farm Financial and Estate Planning Workshop Swift Current 306-778-8216 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar Dec. 2 Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) Annual Conference Yorkton 306-774-2775 Dec. 7-8 SIPA/ICDC Annual Conference Saskatoon 306-867-5523 www.irrigationsaskatchewan.com/ICDC/icdc_index..htm Dec. 8 - 9 Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan (FACS) Annual General Meeting Saskatoon 306-249-3227 www.facs.sk.ca Dec. 8 - 9 Foraging Into the Future 6: "The Business Side of Ranching" Swift Current 306-778-8294 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar Jan. 5 - 7 Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association Annual Convention Vancouver 306-586-5866 www.wheatgrowers.ca Jan. 8 - 15 Crop Production Week Saskatoon 306-933-0138 www.cropweek.com Jan. 10 - 13 Western Canadian Crop Production Show Saskatoon 1-888-931-9333 www.cropweek.com Jan. 20 - 23 Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference Saskatoon 306-384-6044 www.saskbeefconference.com Jan. 27 - 28 Saskatchewan Young Ag Entrepreneurs (SYA) Conference Saskatoon 306-874-2025 www.saskyoungag.ca Jan. 31 Regional Pulse Workshop Outlook 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar Feb. 1 Regional Pulse Workshop Kindersley 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar Feb. 2 Regional Pulse Workshop Swift Current 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar Feb. 3 Regional Pulse Workshop Moose Jaw 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar Feb. 4 Regional Pulse Workshop Weyburn 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar Options to Retain Heifers and Build your Cow Herd by Tom Glab Acting Manager, Livestock Financing Programs Financial Programs Branch T he Livestock Loan Guarantee Program provides Saskatchewan producers with an option to retain heifers to expand their cow herd while still maintaining cash flow. The LLG Program provides options for producers to finance replacement heifers over a six-year period. This allows producers to get an advance on their 2010 calves while being able to retain their best heifers for long-term herd building. Details of a feeder advance through a feeder association are: • Access of up to $100,000 for a first-year member. • Competitive interest rate, with an option for a partial interest rebate through the Advance Payment Program. • Assurance deposit of five per cent. • Feeder advance repayment within 12 months or retain bred heifers through a breeder advance. Once producers have selected heifers to retain and breed, the bred heifers can be re-financed through a breeder advance taken out through the association, with the following details: • Access of up to $100,000 for a first year member. • Breeder advance to be repaid in five equal payments of 20 per cent of the original principal amount advanced plus interest. • Competitive interest rates and an assurance fund deposit of 10 per cent. Producers are able to finance the expansion of their cow herds while still being able to access funding for operating expenses. Many producers have utilized these options to “build from within” and retain their best breeding females. For more information • Contact the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Financial Programs Branch at (306) 787-5275. 24 Agriculture Plastics Collection: Grain Bags and Bale Twine by Daphne Cruise, PAg Regional Crops Specialist, Moose Jaw Regional Service Branch T here is another option when it comes to disposal of grain bags and bale twine. The Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards recently received funding from the EcoAction Community Fund to run a pilot project to collect and recycle grain bags and bale twine. This project builds off the pilot project previously held in March 2010, where 25 Saskatchewan producers delivered approximately 60,000 pounds of agriculture plastic for recycling. Consolidation depots are currently set up in the RMs of Caledonia and Moose Jaw. Producers are asked to set up an appointment to drop off their grain bags and bale twine. The Moose Jaw River Watershed A grain bag roller can allow for efficient transport. Stewards also has a grain bag roller available to make transport of the plastic easier and more efficient. Grain bags and bale twine will be accepted until March 2012. The Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards promote environmental beneficial management practices to conserve and protect the water resources of Moose Jaw. For more information • Call Tammy Myers at the Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards, (306) 691-3399. DECEMBER 2010-JANUARY 2011