Forecasts From Space: The Crop Condition Assessment Program

source: Farm and Food Report

In a dry year, it could help ranchers identify where they are more likely to find adequate pastures or supply of hay; it could help fertilizer companies determine where demand is likely to be stronger because of high growth conditions.

The Crop Condition Assessment Program (CCAP) is a groundbreaking on-line resource developed and maintained by Statistics Canada in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada that has recently been made available free of charge to the public-at-large.

Ted O’Brien is an Agroclimate Specialist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Regina.

“The CCAP is a web-based application, providing weekly cropland and pasture monitoring for the regions of western Canada and the United States northern great plains throughout the growing season. It uses a combination of satellite imagery and geographical information system (GIS) resources to create relatively detailed maps which give an idea of the vegetative vigour in units of one-square kilometer—each translated on the computer screen as a pixel.”

Users can zoom in or out on-line to cover the desired range, thanks to an Internet map server (IMS), and find out what the sensors have evaluated over a one-kilometer grid for any determined region.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) series of satellites carrying Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometers (AVHRR) records images of the entire earth's surface twice daily to generate the maps.

“Although designed for atmospheric observations and weather forecasting, there are two AVHRR spectral bands (red and infrared) that have proven to be extremely useful to the CCAP for vegetation monitoring,” explains O’Brien.

“Through this, we can compare the vegetative vigour in a specific location over time. The images are converted into an average for that week. The system notes the highest reading during that period.”

This index emphasizes differences between stressed and unstressed vegetation, providing an indication of plant health—something that can be affected by frost, lack of fertilizer, or late seeding. The higher the index value, the healthier the vegetation is. The normal value vas actually created using the period from 1993 to 2004.

Demands by private industry, grain marketing agencies, agri-business, and governments to produce accurate, timely production forecasts well in advance of statistical survey estimates, have encouraged CCAP to develop this yield forecast tool and make it available to the public.

According to O’Brien, “this resource allows industry players to become more strategic in the way they do business or carry out their activities.

“When we look the system right now, we can tell in real time that Alberta and Saskatchewan are generally having a great crop year, except perhaps for a portion of the Saskatchewan southwest. We can see how the vegetative vigour values are dramatically lower in Manitoba south of Winnipeg because of Red River flooding. This is a tool that people can use in conjunction with other information to achieve certain goals and objectives.”

For instance, highway traffic planners might be able to predict higher road maintenance costs in areas where higher vegetative values might generate more intensive grain transportation activities.

Just a word of caution however, lack of access to high bandwidth Internet service may make it more difficult for individuals relying on dial-up Internet to make use of the service, but the resource is there for anyone to use.

Getting the big picture from space has never this easy.

You can start the application by following this link:

http://www25.statcan.ca:8081/ccap/overview.jsp

Saltcoats Annual Fair Almost Legendary

source: Farm and Food Report

How often do we encounter events that have their roots in the 1880s in Saskatchewan?

There are a few around, and usually, they will have a distinctive quality in the activities that take place there or in the originality of the site itself.

The Saltcoats Annual Fair, which takes place on August 13th, evokes a unique sense of place due to the fact that the Town of Saltcoats is wedged between Yellowhead Highway and Anderson Lake.

Phyllis McCallum is one of the organizers.

“The Saltcoats Fair has been taking place since 1888. The Saltcoats Agriculture Society looks after it. People tell us all the time how beautiful a town we have and the fair just seems to bring the best out of all of us.”

During the late-19^th Century, Canada was expanding westward, and in 1881 the Dominion surveyed a township of 36 sections which became the Stirling Township.

The first recorded settlers arrived in 1882 and homesteaded on the south end of a crescent-shaped lake—a fine choice.

The town’s name was changed from Stirling to Saltcoats. The name was chosen because of the Allen Steam-ship Line which brought immigrants from the British Isles. Its homeport was Saltcoats, Scotland.

Among the key historical milestones Saltcoats can boast about is a dairy industry first. In 1895 the first cooperative butter creamery in the province opened in Saltcoats.

Today, this town of 600 holds every year a wonderful gathering of family and friends who reminisce, meet and exchange through the day at the Fair, explains McCallum.

“We start out with the usual pancake breakfast; then the exhibits open in the school with baking, children’s activities and needlecraft; there is grandstand entertainment throughout the day; floral art demonstrations; and miniature horses for kid to ride.”

The organizers expect between 300 and 500 visitors that day and everybody in town contributes to making this a success.

“Our annual Fair is a big deal for Saltcoats. Between you and I, this is the most beautiful town you can ever imagine. We have flowers everywhere. We are located right by this lovely lake. We have people in town who have traveled all over the world who tell us they wouldn’t live anywhere else.”

Long may you live Saltcoats!

Phyllis McCallum
Saltcoats Agriculture Society
(306) 266-4209

Hay Preservatives for the Rainy Days

source: Farm and Food Report

Given the unpredictable nature of the 2005 spring and summer so far, producers may find solace in knowing their hay need not stand in the swath at the mercy of precipitation while it dries, thanks to the clever action hay preservatives.

Christy Winquist is a Beef Forage Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.

“Hay preservatives are products that allow hay to be baled at higher moisture levels, thereby reducing drying times. There are three types of preservative: organic acids, bacterial inoculants and anhydrous ammonia.”

Organic acids produce an acidic environment (low pH) that is not conducive to mould or bacterial growth. Generally, low pH does not affect hay intake, according to Winquist.

“The two main types of acids that are used as preservatives are propionic and acetic acids. Propionic acid is more effective at controlling mould and bacterial growth and is more commonly used than acetic acid. Combining the two acids has proven to be quite effective.”

However these acids can be corrosive to the haying equipment, if used in their pure form.

Buffered acids are less corrosive and still perform the same function, but buffered acids tend to be less effective than the concentrated acids.

“Another type of preservative is anhydrous ammonia, which is more commonly used to improve the feeding value of straw and chaff. It can also be applied to high quality forages to prevent heating and spoilage, when baled at high moisture content.”

Anhydrous ammonia binds to moisture, reducing vulnerability to mould and bacteria. It also reduces the number of mould forming bacteria through sterilization.

However, anhydrous ammonia can create a toxic compound, if applied to high quality forage such as alfalfa.

“Bales that have been treated with anhydrous ammonia should not be stored for long periods,” warns Winquist. “It is recommended that the hay be used within one to two months.”

Bacterial inoculants are similar to silage inoculants in that most of them contain lactic acid forming bacteria that compete with mould forming organisms and help maintain forage quality.

“It should be noted that some inoculants contain combinations of both bacteria and enzymes. The role of the enzyme is to break down plant cells, making more cellulose and starch available to the lactic acid forming bacteria.”

Keep in mind that forage preservatives are there to reduce losses due to moulds and heating. As a rule, preservatives will not increase forage quality.

“Once forage has begun to deteriorate, adding a preservative will not enhance the quality.

Non-protein nitrogen, such as anhydrous ammonia, can slightly increase the crude protein levels in the hay. Some of the ammonia will bind with plant material and increase the overall protein content of the feed.”

When using preservatives, there should be less leaf shatter and potentially better quality forage, when baling at higher moisture content. However, it is still imperative that proper hay making procedures be followed, when harvesting and baling, Winquist points out.

“Preservatives are most effective, when the moisture content of the hay is between 20 and 30 percent. Preservatives are not effective, if the hay moisture content is greater than 30 percent. The amount of preservative needed will depend on the moisture content of the forage, when it is in the swath.”

Producers must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using preservatives because they are expensive and they require specialized equipment. Yet they can be invaluable allies because rained on hay loses its quality rapidly.

Christy Winquist
Beef Forage Specialist
Agriculture Knowledge Centre
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
1-866-457-2377

Wood Mountain Horticulture Show Brings Vibrancy to Town

source: Farm and Food Report

An immeasurable sense of community is likely what has allowed Wood Mountain to boast it will hold its 27^th Annual Horticulture Show this year.

The members of Wood Mountain Horticulture Society, of which Lillian Yorga is the Secretary-treasurer, put on the event.

“We have 15 dedicated members and many volunteers who make this regional event possible. We get visitors from surrounding areas like Rockglen, Glentworth, Lafleche and Assiniboia. We have the only horticultural society south of Moose Jaw. One has to go west as far as Swift Current to find a group like ours.”

Yorga is obviously proud of the efforts her and fellow community members like her devote to making their town the place to visit on August 10^th.

“Of course, we show our fruits, vegetables, flowers and house plants. We have a section for canning, another one for baked goods; handicrafts are featured, as well as sewing and knitting. There is also a section for photography and children’s work.

“All these sections are judged. For horticulture, we bring in a judge who is an horticulture professional from the University of Saskatchewan. All judging starts at Noon, and at 3:00 PM the public is allowed to look at the entries.”

When asked about the significance of an event like this one for the community, Lillian Yorga has this to say:

“To me, it is a way of keeping the community alive, of keeping things going, which is something we need to do desperately. And it seems to work. There is a bit of an art to it. We keep the guests entertained with a band while the judging takes place—and we get 350 and 400 entries for the show itself, which translates into about 100 participants.”

People visit and compete in their abilities to grow, for example, a particular type of vegetable in a dry year.

“The jam and jellies competition always seems to attract some serious entries—likely because we have good sponsorships there. Our Horticulture Society may not be the largest in the province, but there is a lot of heart among our members.”

Yorga likes to point out that every year her group plants the flowerbeds at Wood Mountain Regional Park, site of the Wood Mountain Stampede—the oldest continuously running rodeo in Canada.

Wood Mountain is a community where traditions run deep.

Lillian Yorga
Secretary-Treasurer
Wood Mountain Horticulture Society
(306) 266-4209

Grasslands Sheep Show Features a Growing Industry

source: Farm and Food Report

Things are looking up for purebred and commercial sheep breeders after a few rough years because of the BSE crisis, according to Saskatchewan Sheep Breeders' Association (SSBA) Vice President Dallas Turner.

"The industry started to rebound in October of 2004. Our prices are up 40 percent. Our entries are up by 30 percent. We expect this to continue at the Grasslands Sheep Show and Sale which will take place on August 6 and 7 in Drake."

The Association is 96 year-old this year. It represents about 35 commercial and purebred breeders, many of which are long-term members. It holds two events each year: the Grasslands Exhibition, which is in Drake this year; and another show in November at Regina's Agribition.

"Our event in Drake will feature more than 150 animals with 25 to 30 exhibitors from all three prairie provinces. The breeds featured will include Suffolk, HampshireNorth Country Cheviot; Dorsett; Columbia, Dorper and Southdown; including purebreds and combinations of these breeds and others originally from England, Scotland and New Zealand."

Turner believes there is a distinctive culture among those who raise sheep. For the average member of the Association, sheep are another profit centre. He himself has been raising sheep for eight years near Kronau. However, he likes to point out that:

"There are about 1,000 farm operators around the province that have sheep on their land. There are as many as 65,000 breeding ewes on these farms. And annually, Saskatchewan markets 100,000 + lambs outside the province-most of which go to Alberta and Ontario.

There is no doubt that Turner would like to see more sheep in Saskatchewan.

"Sheep are easy keepers. In terms of resources consumption, a producer could have seven sheep for every cow and have enough feed for his or her animals. Keep also in mind that one cow produces one calf that you have to keep for eight months before you can sell it for maybe 800 dollars. Meanwhile, you could keep seven sheep that would produce 12 lambs that would together sell for 1,200 dollars in 4 months. There is definitely an advantage in raising sheep," he says.

Turner admits the traditional animosity between promoters of the two ruminants may still be somewhat alive, although it makes less and less sense:

"Many of the 1,000 farms that raise sheep, also raise cattle. There are probably a lot of divided loyalties out there and, really, whether you raise sheep or cattle, we were all affected by BSE. Let us hope we can put this episode behind us soon."

The Grasslands Sheep Show and Sale is a good place to start looking to the future.

- 30 -

Dallas Turner
Vice President
Saskatchewan Sheep Breeders' Association
(306) 789-9106

Forage Crops Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

source: Farm and Food Report

When it comes to greenhouse gases, not all forages are created equal.

In their quest for solutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as methane, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food and its partners are encouraging producers to plant alternative forage crops, according to Rangeland and Forage Agrologist Lorne Klein.

"Sainfoin and cicer milkvetch, like alfalfa, are legumes, but they have become more attractive forages because cattle produce less methane when they graze them than when they graze alfalfa. These plants have compounds in them called tannins which have a direct impact on methane production during digestion."

At the moment, there are ten demonstration sites around the province where producers are seeding both of the legumes. Each seeded field is approximately of 40 acres. Different mixtures including sainfoin and cicer milkvetch seed are mixed with alfalfa and grasses.

"The side benefit for producers is that these two alternative legumes are non-bloating, which is a major problem with grazing alfalfa," explains Klein. "Bloating can be deadly in some cases. Therefore the motivation in mixing alfalfa with non-bloating legumes is also one of herd health."

It is useful to know that these two non-boating forages don't produce as much tonnage per acre as alfalfa, which is known for its desirable production characteristics. Alfalfa is the best nitrogen fixing forage legume around. However, managing bloat in beef cattle is a constant challenge.

"We want to demonstrate these legumes to producers and encourage them to use cicer milkvetch," says Klein. "This is a long-lived crop that remains green throughout the growing season. Stems are hollow and relatively tender even when mature, making it palatable for grazing animals."

Sainfoin is early growing and more suited to early spring grazing. Whereas cicer is later growing and more suited to summer and late fall grazing.

"To use these plants, producers need to see what they look like, how they survive and persist through time. Milkvetch and Sainfoin are currently underutilized. We would like to see them used more frequently because it makes sense for producers and it makes sense for the environment," concludes Klein.

- 30 -

Lorne Klein
Rangeland and Forage Agrologist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 848-2382

Biodiesel Use Research Yields Encouraging Results

source: Farm and Food Report

Picture five Saskatoon Transit buses with eye-catching signs at the back displaying the following message: "A Breath of Fresh Air! You are Following a Leader!" Intrigued?

Then picture Barry Hertz, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, a soft-spoken and engaging fellow who has the attention of a whole range of Canola industry stakeholders.

You see, Hertz has been involved in a special project that looks at how the use of biodiesel in engines affects fuel consumption and engine wear. Hence the Saskatoon Transit BioBus initiative: real-life testing of biodiesel blends with a mission.

The answers Hertz is coming up are like music to the ears of those who hope biodiesel really takes off, especially in light of current low prices for canola.

"The results from tests carried out during the course of our BioBus Project in Saskatoon, are extremely encouraging. Those and tests performed at our research facilities at the College of Engineering, allow us to measure the effects of the use of biodiesel in diesel engines."

Biodiesel use brings definite fuel economy benefits when incorporated in the form of a two to five percent biodiesel blend with conventional diesel fuel.

"Not only that, but we are also extending the life of the engine when we do this, as we have noticed as much as a 40 percent reduction in engine wear debris as a result of using biodiesel," explains Hertz.

"By blending a small amount of biodiesel with the regular fuel, we are increasing the lubricity of the fuel, which results in smaller wear scars because of a lower coefficient of friction."

Another aspect worthy of consideration pertains to the 19 percent Oxygen content of biodiesel additives, which enables engines to burn the fuel cleanlier.

"In effect, adding a small amount of biodiesel improves the quality of the diesel fuel, although we don't look at biodiesel as a substitute for diesel itself. One should bear in mind that if one was to use 100 percent pure biodiesel as fuel, one would quickly notice a decrease in fuel economy because biodiesel does not generate as much energy as regular diesel. It seems the one to five percent blend is the most profitable option."

One other very attractive consideration is that all these results point to a noticeable reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Keep up the good work Professor Hertz!

- 30 -

Barry Hertz, PEng
University of Saskatcehwan
(306) 966-5450

Cherry Festival Still a Bit of a Revelation for Consumers

source: Farm and Food Report

If Saskatchewan agriculture is more diversified than ever, the humble cherry remains a small player in the province's economy. Yet what the cherry lacks in magnitude, it makes up for in flavour, variety of uses and plain good old charm.

The organizers of The Cherry Festival, which is being held in Bruno, on August 13th and 14th , are doing everything right to give the cherry stature, and entice Saskatchewan consumers to come and enjoy the third edition of a festival that is well on its way to becoming a tradition.

Marilyn Jonas is Chair of the Carlton Trail Agricultural Society and one of the organizers.

"This is an opportunity for us to highlight the production, processing and use of Prairie grown cherries as well as, draw attention to the full potential of the fruit sector in both Saskatchewan."

The sour cherry is queen at the Prairie Ursuline Centre in Bruno which is the site of the festival and home to a fruit demonstration orchard set up by the University of Saskatchewan. The orchard features a number of variety's of sour cherry as well as other unique fruit such as the blue honeysuckle, which is also developed by the Prairie climate.

"Our orchard tours during the festival will give a chance for visitors to witness the progress of the small trees in their third year of production as well as the operation of some commercial orchard equipment. Along with the tours there will be two days of seminars and demonstrations featuring topics related to cherry and/or fruit production, processing and consumption. Our seminars and presentations will give participants a chance to familiarize themselves with fields like beekeeping and fruit processing as well."

On Saturday, there will be a presentation on prairie cherries, their origin and future outlook. There will be another presentation on how to sell fruit with fun right at the farm. There will be a useful session on critter management: how to fend off birds, deer, skunks, mice, porcupines and ground squirrels. Another session will provide information on bee keeping as it relates to fruit production.

"We will then look at value-added cherries and share research into new cherry recipes. There is so much diversity. When we think of Saskatchewan, we think of more traditional agriculture; wheat, pigs, beef and crops in general. We are just now recognizing the value of a variety of other crops and products, including fruit. Despite common perceptions, our climate does predispose us to growing excellent quality fruits."

One of the Sunday sessions will present the "Top Ten Challenges For New Growers"; another session will deal with trends and opportunities, while another presenter will offer guidance on buying a farm for fruit production.

According to Jonas, the Cherry Festival will appeal to both commercial and backyard growers, as well as to the general public.

"In addition to the seminars, workshops and tours, there will be a mini trade show, lots to eat, games for kids, a beverage garden, a BBQ followed by a campfire with a sing song with ghost stories for children. Of course, there will be an "all ages" cherry pit-spitting contest also, otherwise we wouldn't live up to the full range of expectations our guests might have."

- 30 -

For further information:

Marilyn Jonas
Chair
Carlton Trail Agricultural Society
(306) 966-7248

Don Larson
The Cherry Festival Coordinator
306-369-2824
jonasandlarson@sasktel.net

Manage For Droughts When It Rains

source: Farm and Food Report

The abundance of rainfall most of the province has received this year, combined with its impact in terms of moisture for forage growth, may provide ideal conditions to prepare for drought, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Rangeland and Forage Agrologist Dale Weisbrot.

“Because Saskatchewan is a semi-arid climate, we will experience the dry growing seasons again. It is not a question of if, it is a question of when we will encounter another extended dry period or drought. This year’s wet spring is providing land managers an opportunity to give some of the harder hit pastures more rest. From the forage perspective these fields are under rested, and the plants have not had adequate time to replenish themselves before they are grazed again.”

This year, longer rest can be planned and even a full year of rest for certain fields may be attainable. The rest will pay-off in increased litter accumulation, improved plant vigour and hastened post-drought range recovery. To facilitate this, sound range planning can allow control of livestock behaviour to achieve management goals, says Weisbrot.

“Range management can be defined as the art and science of manipulating, using and conserving grazing land resources, while maintaining ecosystem integrity. “There are some basic principles of range or pasture management that lead to increased livestock production and improved watershed and ecosystem stability, along with long-term sustainability.”

These principles are: graze the range or pasture at the right time of the year and to the right degree; leave adequate leaf area for re-growth to ensure the restoration of individual plant vigour; allow adequate rest for the forage in your pastures by keeping livestock off the range for a period during the active growing season, to allow adequate re-growth for the next year; and control livestock distribution and access to minimize selective grazing and prevent re-grazing of plants.

“These principles are applicable to both tame and native pastures. Grazing can have long-term negative effects if these principles are not followed. Poor management will lead initially to reduced plant vigour. Continued poor management will cause a loss of valuable forage plants, drought resistance, ground cover and range productivity.”

Ultimately, the condition or health of the range will deteriorate to such an extent that animal weight gains and productivity will be negatively affected.

“Understanding that plants obtain their energy from sunlight by producing carbohydrates through photosynthesis is crucial. In order for perennial pasture grasses to remain productive, the photosynthetic process must first feed the plant before it can provide feed for animals.”

Photosynthesis takes place in green plant cells—generally in the leaf—and produces carbohydrates for the plant. Carbohydrates are used for plant growth, maintenance, storage and reproduction.

“In plants, growth is the first priority for the carbohydrates available. If the green leafy areas of actively growing plants are repeatedly removed or consumed—either grazed, clipped or mowed— the plant will use energy that it stored from previous production to continually attempt to replace the leafy areas.”

If the plant’s leafy area produces more than enough carbohydrates to meet the growth and maintenance demands, then the excess becomes available for storage.

“Since growth has priority over storage for available carbohydrates, repeated defoliation—heavy uncontrolled grazing—during the growing season will seriously deplete a plant’s stored carbohydrates. This repeated interruption of a plant’s capacity to store energy is the basis for using grazing or mowing as a tool for weed control or vegetation management.”

It is important to note that carbohydrate storage increases when the growth rate slows and the leaf area is large. Conversely, carbohydrate storage decreases when leaf area is small and growth rate is fast.

“Perennial plants must have sufficient stored energy to survive the winter, to begin growth the following spring and recover after complete defoliation. Defoliation occurs as a result of grazing but also as a result of clipping, mowing and other events such as disease, insects, frost and hail,” explains Weisbrot.

Adequate levels of carbohydrates that help ensure a long-lived and vigorous perennial forage stand can best be maintained by delaying defoliation, or keeping early defoliation periods short; by allowing adequate leaf area to remain after defoliation; by allowing adequate time between defoliations to permit leaf area and carbohydrate reserves to build; and by allowing adequate residual leaf area and time late in the season to permit carbohydrate build-up and bud development.

Weisbrot believes these suggestions will help rest some pastures, allowing the plants to build up their own reserves and improve their vigour.

“Because feed is relatively inexpensive now, compared to during periods of feed shortages, purchase is also an option – this feed can be used to help rest some pastures. However, take care to test the feed for nitrate content due to last year’s frost damaged green feed.”

Lastly, “crop residues are likely to be significant this year and an opportunity for increased stubble grazing may be available,” advises Weisbrot.

For more information, call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

For more information, contact:

Dale Weisbrot PAg, CPRM
Forage Development Specialist, Rangland Ecology
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-9476

Copies of Land Grants Given to Century Farm Award Recipients

source: Farm and Food Report

Nothing beats the gift of historical documents to honour a century of farming by the same family, especially if the document is a copy of the original land grant associated with the family farm.

This year, Information Services Corporation (ISC) is giving out framed copies of these documents to 350 recipients of 2005 Century Farm Awards across the province.

Jeff Welke is Director of Public Affairs at ISC.

“These are beautifully reproduced colour photocopies. The grants are written in the parlance of the day. They have a wax seal in the upper left hand corner and they are signed by the Deputy Minister of the Interior of the day, which really makes them stand out as official documents.”

The framed land grant documents are being handed out at a series of barbeques hosted around the province this summer.

“It is an opportunity to showcase what services ISC offers. We are now looking at making these certificates available to the public for a fee. We are the stewards of many resources that convey heritage value in our organization.”

Case in point, Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada that still makes the original homestead records available for public research.

“We do feel compelled to share this heritage, just as we also support the Sukanen Ship and Pioneer Village Museum’s efforts in caring for the Diefenbaker Homestead and the initiatives of the Western Development Museum,” Welke says. “The copies of the land grants given at local office barbeques are just another way to get up close to the people we serve.”

Barbeques will be held at ISC offices in Prince Albert on June 28th; in Regina on August 3rd; in Moose Jaw on August 11th , and in Swift Current on August 31st.. There will be events the following month in Humboldt on September 1st; and, in Saskatoon on September 20th.

For more information, contact:

Jeff Welke
Director of Public Affairs
Information Services Corporation of Saskatchewan
(306) 787-3447
http://www.isc.ca

Marketing Your Hay: Useful Tips

source: Farm and Food Report

Like the price of any agricultural product, the price of hay varies from year to year and depends on the supply and quality available, as well as demand from local and distant markets.

To help you find your way around the essentials of marketing your hay, Glenn Barclay, a Forage Development Specialist at Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), has a few tips to share.

“When hay is plentiful, the price tends to be depressed, while the price rises as supplies drop. The prices obtained the previous year are not a great indicator of what can be derived from the market this year,” says Barclay.

“If you look at prices obtained over a 10 to 15 year period for a certain forage type, this will be a good starting point in pricing your hay. Use this price and ask more, or less, for your product based on the current hay crop quality and quantity.”

When listing your hay, Barclay advises quoting a price based on weight. This can be per ton, per tonne or per pound. It will avoid any confusion between the buyer and the seller.

“The weight of a given bale will vary according to the size of the bale, the type of material, the moisture content, the type of baler and the density of the bale.”

Keep in mind that feeder cattle operators will be interested in high quality grass or grass-alfalfa mixes.

“Overwintering beef cow owners will probably want lower quality hay,” explains Barclay.

“There is a demand for high quality alfalfa hay from dairies. Horse owners are also another source of potential demand.”

In order to tap into these markets, the quality must first be determined.

“By determining your hay’s quality, you can ask for a premium for superior quality or discount the price for lower quality hay. Hay quality can be determined at accredited feed testing laboratories on the prairies.”

Mode of payment requires special attention, according to Barclay.

“Check your buyer’s credit reputation and reliability of providing payment. Written contracts detailing such items as type of product, terms of payment, quality of product, weight of bales and delivery details should be used.

“If you are able to find a purchaser who is good to deal with, building a long term business relationship is desirable,” Barclay advises. “Your ability to retain good buyers will be enhanced by producing and protecting a quality product.

“Honesty is the best policy when accurately describing what you will deliver. A satisfied customer base can save time and hassles in future years.”

Be advised that hay prices can and do change rapidly.

“Prolonged, wet weather that spoils hay can increase the price. In order to keep abreast of such changes, refer to local and prairie wide newspapers.”

You can also check out the Feed Grain and Forage Listing Service on SAF’s website at:

http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/feedforage/,
or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

This site also has listings for many custom operations in addition to feed grains and forages. There are also links to Manitoba, Alberta and U.S. hay market sites that you can use to keep track of potential buyers.

For more information, contact:

Glenn Barclay
Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 446-7650

André Bonneau
Forage Conversion Specialist
Agriculture Knowledge Centre
1 (866) 457-2377

Western Feedlot Management School Should Sell Out Again

source: Farm and Food Report

You know you are providing a useful service when your product sells out year after year.

It seems the 9th edition of the Western Canadian Feedlot Management School, which will be held from August 9 to 11 in Saskatoon, will be no different, according to University of Saskatchewan Beef Chair John McKinnon.

“So far, all our schools have sold out. As in the past, the school takes place at the U of S in partnership with the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food. This is a three-day program that provides exposure to expertise and hands-on experience in feedlot management. We cover all aspects of the business, nutrition, health and facilities issues.”

The school is intended for people who are looking at getting into the cattle feeding business—all the way from backgrounding to finishing—as well as for people already involved in the feedlot industry.

“If you are considering expansion or just getting started, this school will help you stay on track,” says McKinnon. “The cattle feeding industry requires knowledgeable feedlot operators who can adapt to changes in production and marketing practices,” he adds.

The Business and Marketing session presentations will focus on the basics of developing a sound marketing plan in operations, including factors influencing costs of gain, steps to minimize risks in owning and feeding cattle, the custom option, and how to use this information to market and profit from your program.

“Participants will have the opportunity to utilize marketing tools to determine costs of production and projected profits, as part of the session.”

Topics will include: practical cattle marketing; record keeping for feedlot information management; evaluating feeding alternatives to maximize profits; economic and performance indicators that point to a successful feeding operation; and producing wholesome beef with good production practices.

The next day’s theme is: Processing, Receiving and Identification of Sick Cattle. Participants will become familiar with health protocols for newly arrived calves and yearlings; working with a veterinarian to design treatment protocols for sick cattle; getting the most out of implant programs; and feedlot health.

“Wednesday afternoon will be spent touring feedlots at McQueen Feedyards in Tessier, southwest of Saskatoon, where emphasis will be on office management, health, feeding programs and facility layout. Participants will then be taken to Downie Farms at Perdue to gain insight on working with custom clients and getting tips to ensure costs are covered, getting paid for services and learning how to incorporate by-products into your feeding programs.”

On Thursday, the last day, the school will focus on feedlot nutrition with topics like: Cattle Nutrition 101; Designing Low-Cost Rations That Meet Performance and Quality Expectations; Practical Tips for Feed Delivery; and Bunk Management.

“The day will end with a feedlot nutrition workshop that will address grain processing, including rumen digestion and acidosis. Feed delivery and bunk management will be covered; and so will silage and forage quality.”

The number of registrations for the Western Canada Feedlot Management School is limited to 40. Participants are advised to register as early as possible.

For more information, contact:

John McKinnon
Beef Chair University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4137

Jamie Blacklock
General Manager
Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association
(306) 382-2333

Biological Control of Scentless Chamomile in the Works

source: Farm and Food Report

It may look pretty with its daisy-like appearance, but scentless chamomile has become a persistent problem across Saskatchewan and a major headache for agricultural producers, since it has become tolerant to most of the post-emergent herbicides we use.

Now scientists at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Saskatoon Research Centre—with help from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food’s Agriculture Development Fund—have come up with a unique way to eradicate this noxious weed from our fields. It involves letting nature do the work through biological control management.

Dr. Gary Peng is the lead researcher on the project.

“Scentless chamomile is an important invasive species across all prairie provinces. On the list of most troublesome noxious weeds, it is probably at the top. We figured that if we could find naturally occurring pathogens that we could grow through mass-fermentation in our lab and apply these pathogens in environmentally sensitive areas and in crop systems where herbicides are not effective, we might get some good results.”

In theory, this should work. For pulse crops, for instance, there is currently no effective post-emergent herbicide available to control scentless chamomile.

Similarly, on roadsides and right of ways where high-accumulated concentrations of herbicides could create environmental concerns, a biological control method for scentless chamomile would be welcome.

Key to success, of course, would be finding the right pathogen strains.

“We evaluated about 700 pathogen strains from different locations. Many were of the same variety, but gathered from different sites because of the influence environmental conditions can exert on strain profiles,” explains Peng.

Case in point, 20 per cent of the strains tested were collected in Europe, where scentless chamomile is originally from, before it was introduced to our part of the world, likely by an early settler who thought it would make a lovely ornamental plant.

“It probably started out in someone’s back yard and spread very well over the last 100 years, although it has really become more noticeable during the last 20 years or so, possibly because our monitoring system was beefed-up substantially since the 1970s and early 1980s. This has allowed us to keep a more accurate record of the weed’s progression.”

The adaptive success of scentless chamomile can also be attributed to the weather during the 1990s, which favoured the weed’s competitiveness. It had perhaps something to do with higher moisture levels.

“One should also consider the fact that one single scentless chamomile plant can produce one million seeds a year. Basically, once it is introduced, it is very difficult to get rid of. The good news is that our research has allowed us to identify a group of pathogens with a very specific host range — meaning it will only affect chamomile.”

This fungal pathogen called colletotrichum has moderate effectiveness on scentless chamomile but no effect on Saskatchewan crops and native species. In other words, it is exactly what Dr. Peng and his colleagues have been looking for.

“Because of its moderate effectiveness, the colletotrichum pathogen will be combined with an herbicide that also has some effectiveness, and we hope that when the two are combined into a tank mix of pathogen and herbicide, they will provide us with a new weapon to control the weed. This is a really exciting find.”

Dr. Peng is now ready for the next step, which is to mass-produce the pathogen through liquid fermentation, enabling the production of a great number of spores, with the technical assistance of Saskatchewan Research Council facilities. Perhaps we will see a great many less scentless chamomile flowers in Saskatchewan fields as a result of Dr. Peng’s work.

Download Complete PDF Final Report (#199903454) PDF Here.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Gary Peng
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(306) 956-7617

California Strawberries Star of South East Research Farm Field Day

source: Farm and Food Report

When it holds its Annual Field Day on July 20 near Redvers, the South East Research Farm’s star attraction is likely to be a California strawberry crown demonstration, according to Farm Manager Scott Chalmers.

“We have been growing strawberries from California—propagating the crowns and applying different treatments with herbicides, fertilizers and row cover. The objective of this trial is to observe the northern vigour associated with crowns grown in Saskatchewan.”

“In the fall, the crowns will be harvested and sent back down to California, where they will be replanted to grow strawberries. We want to find out just how much more vigorous the climate here makes them.”

Saskatchewan strawberry growers will tell you that we produce exceptional fruit in our province. In theory, this has to do with our climate—our cool nights and warm days in the summer. The fruit ends up maturing as many as two weeks earlier as a result.

Think of it as taking California strawberries to summer camp in Saskatchewan.

“It is almost like that,” says Chalmers. “We are not sure exactly what triggers this response in strawberries. It might be genetic, or perhaps it has something to do with the amount of light we get here. Something is happening that we don’t quite understand. Research is currently being conducted into market possibilities.”

This year’s Field Day will also include demonstrations of identity preserved production of crops like canola, wheat, barley and flax grown under contract for specialty uses.

“We’ll also be touring fall-seeded canola, some cow cockle weed crop grown in Saskatchewan that the National Research Council is developing into a special crop with high concentrations of anti-cancer agents. It also happens to have a fine starch. Elsewhere on the farm, we will be showing two different inoculant trials—one for wheat and one for peas.”

The South East Research Farm is comprised of 300 cultivated acres, where contract research work is conducted for organizations like the National Research Council, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Crop Development Centre, the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association, and private industry.

The Field Day will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and will take place rain or shine. Between 100 and 120 guests are expected to attend.

The South East Field Day is the closing event in the 2005 Agri-ARM (Applied Research Management) series.

For more information, contact:

Scott Chalmers
Farm Manager
South East Research Farm
(306) 452-3161