Redberry Lake Watershed Agri-Environmental Group Plan (AEGP) hosted its fifth annual winter workshop Jan. 10 in Hafford. Producer representation included Borden, Radisson, Hafford, Mayfair, Marcelin, Blaine Lake and Medstead.
Audrey Jones, green certificate instructor from Medstead Central School, once again escorted 10 students from the green certificate program. Some students were enrolled in the crop production program and some were in the cow/calf program.
The first presenter was Dr. H.A. (Bart) Lardner who is a research scientist with the Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC). "The WBDC communicates directly with the research community and the cattle industry. Practical and applicable research is used to provide technologies that enable producers to become increasingly competitive in today's marketplace," states the website www.wbdc.sk.ca. The website offers a lot of information as well as detailed results of current and past research projects from crop comparison and low stress weaning for calves to forage and livestock management.
Dr. Lardner identified the 19 different ongoing projects at Lanigan with the 2,000-acre perennial pasture and the 300-cow herd.
Dr. Lardner recently returned from a Finland trip where he represented the Western Beef Development Centre.
"What has been researched at Lanigan is very applicable to Nordic and European countries," commented Dr. Lardner explaining that the latitude is very similar therefore farming practices in winter climates are very comparable.
Dr. Lardner identified the changes that have occurred over the past 10 years in winter grazing beef cows in Western Canada. Today ranchers utilize portable wind breaks or natural shelterbelts to assist with winter swath and bale grazing projects, there has become an increased use of electric fencing, winter watering systems have improved and more ranchers, depending on location, utilize snow grazing rather than watering systems. With each of these projects there are financial assistance programs in Saskatchewan offered through local AEGPs.
Dr. Lardner addressed a series of topics including winter feed costs, body condition management of cows and extended grazing options and then shared the results of some winter grazing systems both from an economical and ecological perspective. For detailed results visit the WBDC website.
Some extended grazing options include stockpiling perennials, swathed annuals, bale grazing and grazing crop residue. He emphasized that each producer should implement the system to work to the benefit of the individual farm and also recommended that producers have a secondary plan for winter feeding because of the unpredictability of Saskatchewan winters and weather patterns.
He encouraged producers/ranchers to visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca and use the bale grazing calculator and crop residue calculators available.
Dave O'Bertos of Ducks Unlimited in North Battleford provided a review about wetland drainage. Ducks Unlimited is a non-profit organization (not a government organization) committed to the conservation of wetlands and upland habitats for the preservation of waterfowl.
A video presentation entitled Wetlands-The Drain Game was viewed. The video reviewed the importance of wetlands and the best management practices to manage excessive water issues.
Karen Benjaminson presented the Watershed Evaluation of Beneficial Management Practices (WEBs). The WEBs program, launched in 2004, is assessing the environmental and economic performance of agricultural beneficial management practices (BMPs) at nine small watersheds across Canada.
Benjaminson explained and discussed the project studies, the BMPs and the results on each. The WEBs biophysical findings can be briefly summarized in terms of positive environmental trends, mixed findings trade-offs, water chemistry versus other indicators, edge-of-field and watershed results and landscape interactions. More information can be obtained by visiting www.agr.gc.ca/webs
Rachel Turnquist, Redberry Lake Watershed AEGP advisor, commented on the numerous BMPs available in the area. She selected four and spoke in detail about each one. Planting vegetation to protect riparian areas includes the planting of forages, shrubs and trees for buffer establishment and stream banks/lakeshore protection and stabilization. The cost share is 50 per cent up to $20,000. Modifying or re-vegetating waterways includes constructed works including gully and/or bank stabilization, retention ponds and mechanical windscreens, to name a few. Cost share is 75 per cent up to $20,000. Decommissioning of abandoned wells reduces water contamination. Cost share is 75 per cent up to $6,000. And a new BMP is integrated pest management of invasive species. The three main noxious weeds of concern include the leafy spurge, scentless chamomile and yellow toadflax. Cost share is 50 per cent up to $5,000.
The Redberry Lake Watershed AEGP has spent $3.6 million since its inception in 2006 with approximately $1.8 million returned to the producers. Turnquist also announced that the AEGP has included the Rural Municipality of Leask into its boundary.
Sherrilyn Phelps is a regional crop specialist who presented statistical data regarding clubroot infestation in Alberta and reasons for concern in Saskatchewan.
"In 2003, Alberta confirmed its first field infested with clubroot in a field northwest of Edmonton," commented Phelps indicating that since then, spread of the disease has increased with currently 831 confirmed fields infested.
Alberta legislated a provincial Act to assist with the control of clubroot infestation. The Act is going into its fifth year of being enforced.
In Saskatchewan, a disease survey was started in 2008 to raise awareness of the disease and introduce a proactive approach to preventing spread. Random fields were selected for testing.
There were 30 fields tested in 2008 and 100 fields each in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Results indicated one positive case in 2008 and since then the field has been seeded to grass. In 2011, two locations in north-central Saskatchewan were confirmed. One of these locations was in the RM of St. Louis and the other in RM Aberdeen. These confirmed cases are considered to be at very low levels and if protocol is followed, it will prevent the further spread of the disease.
Clubroot is a soil borne disease that is readily spread by spores through transport of soil. A resting spore is very viable, living in the soil for 20 years. If a susceptible crop, such as canola or mustard or its related species, is seeded in the infected field, it can be quickly infected. The spores are very hardy and are very mobile in the soil.
Some preferred conditions for clubroot spores include warm temperatures and wet soils.
"It prefers lower pH soils, but it does not mean it won't grow in neutral or high pH levels," explained Phelps, "it just means that neutral or high pH is not the preferred type."
A Saskatchewan clubroot management plan was established and more details can be obtained by visiting the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture website.
Phelps continued by explaining the best management practices (BMPs) for clubroot. Crop rotation is recommended as a one in four year rotation to minimize development of clubroot as well as regular field and plant checks, sanitation of equipment, weed control, keeping traffic into the field at a minimum and sowing resistant varieties or seeding to grass.
In 2009, clubroot was declared a pest under The Pest Control Act permitting rural municipalities the ability to devise control measures and bylaws.
Phelps concluded by encouraging farmers to be diligent in efforts to reduce spread of clubroot. Her Powerpoint presentation included visual evidence of infected plants versus healthy plants. More information about clubroot can be obtained at www.clubroot.ca.
The final presenter of the day was Jeremy Brown. Brown is the range and riparian extension technician for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and presented the four principles of grazing management. He has a wealth of information that is pertinent to cattle and crop producers regarding cost comparisons of numerous projects and research results. He concluded by encouraging producers to utilize the BMP available to them.
"The tools are only as good if they are used," commented Brown emphasizing the wealth of knowledge that can be obtained by attending workshops and field days and tours.
