Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Recent developments in Manitoba have highlighted the opportunities in the pork industry here in Saskatchewan.
The Manitoba government has imposed a moratorium on new or expanded swine operations in the province – effectively putting the brakes on industry growth in that province.
The Manitoba hog barn moratorium will remain in place while a committee reviews the impact of the industry on the environment. There is no deadline or anticipated timeline for the committee to complete its work.
Harvey Wagner, the Manager of Producer Services for Sask Pork, said the moratorium may indirectly benefit the industry in Saskatchewan.
Wagner said, in the short term, there may not be much impact – but in the long term, the moratorium could affect investor decisions about where to build new hog barns or expand existing facilities.
“People have to put a lot of money into a facility, so they want to be sure that it is in a place that is going to be welcoming them. Investors have a long memory,” said Wagner.
In Saskatchewan, the government supports continued growth of the industry here. Wagner says Premier Lorne Calvert made that clear in a recent speech to the pork industry.
“The Premier spoke to the pork industry on November 14 and indicated that the province saw value in the pork industry and would like to see it continue to grow,” said Wagner.
Even without an expansion moratorium to the east, Wagner says Saskatchewan has some market advantages. Meanwhile, other market factors are putting the brakes on swine industry expansion to the west.
“One thing that has really been causing a lot of grief in Alberta is labour. They are having trouble staffing facilities, given the heat of that economy right now. They also have fairly high demand for their feed grains, given the feedlots in southern Alberta, so that can be a bit of a challenge,” said Wagner.
Wagner pointed out that Saskatchewan has more feed grain available than anywhere else and has a better labour situation. Saskatchewan also has demand for a by-product from swine production: manure.
“Certainly, compared to Manitoba, we have an awful lot of land that would really benefit from manure application. We don’t have the same run-off issue because our land doesn’t have the same watershed as Manitoba. We can utilize that manure as a high quality fertilizer,” explained Wagner.
For more information, contact:
Harvey Wagner, Manager – Producer Services
Sask Pork
Phone: (306) 244-7452
E-mail: hwagner@saskpork.com
Friday, December 22, 2006
Industry heavyweights make "case" for biodiesel
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
A number of recent small announcements could add up to a significant boost for the biodiesel industry in the long term.
Just last month, a couple of heavyweights in the global farm equipment market endorsed using biodiesel in their products.
Case IH was the latest to announce its support. Every piece of equipment will now leave Case IH factories with a biodiesel blend in the tank, and it has approved the use of B20 (20 per cent biodiesel and 80 per cent petroleum-based diesel) in all Case IH engines.
"One hundred per cent factory fill of a biodiesel blend is a logical next step in the process of embracing biodiesel," said Randy Baker, president of Case IH North America.
Field testing is being conducted to determine performance levels of blends of up to 100 per cent biodiesel as part of a program to ensure maximum productivity and engine durability.
Case is just the latest to give biodiesel a boost. Last month, Kubota Tractor Corporation announced it has approved the use of “B5” biodiesel fuels in specified Kubota diesel-powered products.
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Crop Development Specialist Skip Munshaw said there are a number of benefits for both equipment manufacturers and producers to using biodiesel.
“Case and Kubota are adding to the growing list of equipment manufacturers that endorse biodiesel. Companies that appear to support ‘green’ technologies are becoming increasingly attractive to consumers and investors. Farmers will likely support this as well, as these endorsements help develop new markets for their crops, which could lead to higher (canola) oil prices,” said Munshaw.
Munshaw said there are some technical benefits, as well.
“By doing factory fills with biodiesel, these companies could reduce the initial break-in wear for engines, so it indirectly helps to extend engine life,” said Munshaw.
“Biodiesel has better lubricity (lubrication qualities) than diesel, which can reduce fuel and maintenance costs. This has been demonstrated both in diesel passenger vehicles and in the recently completed Saskatoon BioBus project.”
“Biodiesel quality is important. Poor quality fuel can cause problems such as deposit formation, filter plugging and poor cold flow properties. Equipment manufacturers only endorse biodiesel that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D6751) standards.”
Burning biodiesel also can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50 per cent.
Biodiesel has numerous benefits for both producers and the environment. Biodiesel is renewable, non-toxic, clean-burning fuel that can be produced from locally grown feedstocks as widely varied as herring oil in the Maritimes to canola in Saskatchewan. Biodiesel can also be produced from waste products, like waste cooking oil and greases, or co-products or wastes from other industries.
Biodiesel is also behind a recent announcement from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) of its intention to expand its canola crushing capacity at several of its facilities, including the crushing plant in Lloydminster.
ADM said the new crush capacity is to support expansions at its biodiesel facilities in North Dakota and Missouri.
For more information, contact:
Skip Munshaw, Crop Specialist - Biofuels
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306)-933-6020
E-mail: smunshaw@agr.gov.sk.ca
Website: www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/programs_services/biodiesel.asp
or: www.saskcanola.com
A number of recent small announcements could add up to a significant boost for the biodiesel industry in the long term.
Just last month, a couple of heavyweights in the global farm equipment market endorsed using biodiesel in their products.
Case IH was the latest to announce its support. Every piece of equipment will now leave Case IH factories with a biodiesel blend in the tank, and it has approved the use of B20 (20 per cent biodiesel and 80 per cent petroleum-based diesel) in all Case IH engines.
"One hundred per cent factory fill of a biodiesel blend is a logical next step in the process of embracing biodiesel," said Randy Baker, president of Case IH North America.
Field testing is being conducted to determine performance levels of blends of up to 100 per cent biodiesel as part of a program to ensure maximum productivity and engine durability.
Case is just the latest to give biodiesel a boost. Last month, Kubota Tractor Corporation announced it has approved the use of “B5” biodiesel fuels in specified Kubota diesel-powered products.
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Crop Development Specialist Skip Munshaw said there are a number of benefits for both equipment manufacturers and producers to using biodiesel.
“Case and Kubota are adding to the growing list of equipment manufacturers that endorse biodiesel. Companies that appear to support ‘green’ technologies are becoming increasingly attractive to consumers and investors. Farmers will likely support this as well, as these endorsements help develop new markets for their crops, which could lead to higher (canola) oil prices,” said Munshaw.
Munshaw said there are some technical benefits, as well.
“By doing factory fills with biodiesel, these companies could reduce the initial break-in wear for engines, so it indirectly helps to extend engine life,” said Munshaw.
“Biodiesel has better lubricity (lubrication qualities) than diesel, which can reduce fuel and maintenance costs. This has been demonstrated both in diesel passenger vehicles and in the recently completed Saskatoon BioBus project.”
“Biodiesel quality is important. Poor quality fuel can cause problems such as deposit formation, filter plugging and poor cold flow properties. Equipment manufacturers only endorse biodiesel that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D6751) standards.”
Burning biodiesel also can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50 per cent.
Biodiesel has numerous benefits for both producers and the environment. Biodiesel is renewable, non-toxic, clean-burning fuel that can be produced from locally grown feedstocks as widely varied as herring oil in the Maritimes to canola in Saskatchewan. Biodiesel can also be produced from waste products, like waste cooking oil and greases, or co-products or wastes from other industries.
Biodiesel is also behind a recent announcement from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) of its intention to expand its canola crushing capacity at several of its facilities, including the crushing plant in Lloydminster.
ADM said the new crush capacity is to support expansions at its biodiesel facilities in North Dakota and Missouri.
For more information, contact:
Skip Munshaw, Crop Specialist - Biofuels
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306)-933-6020
E-mail: smunshaw@agr.gov.sk.ca
Website: www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/programs_services/biodiesel.asp
or: www.saskcanola.com
Looking at seeding forages on marginal land
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
As a landowner looking to seed marginal cropland to forage, it is worthwhile checking to see if your land qualifies for the federal government’s Land Conversion program.
“Producers must realize that this is really an environmental program, and only very marginal soils will qualify,” said Trevor Lennox, Forage Development Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food in Swift Current.
In Saskatchewan, the Crop Insurance rating system is used to qualify land for this program, with land rated “L” or lower qualifying.
In order to take advantage of the program, producers must apply prior to Jan. 31, 2007. This will definitely be the last year for this program, and the land must be seeded in the spring of 2007 – no fall seedings will be covered in 2007.
Marginal soils are usually lacking in organic matter and have severe limitations for annual cropping. It is for these reasons that some people are choosing to seed native mixtures for forage. Native grasses have adapted to the harsh environmental conditions experienced on the Canadian Prairies and require very few inputs, as they have evolved under conditions of low fertility. Lennox said they are also becoming more affordable.
“In recent years, the seed cost for native species has come down significantly, with a simple mixture of four or five species being put together for approximately $50 per acre. When one considers that the native grasses will be there for several decades, it really is a viable option for producers to consider. When looking to plant native species, it is important to secure seed sources early, as supply of some species are limited,” said Lennox.
When putting together native mixtures, it is important to choose species that complement each other. Native species will behave similarly to tame species in that you will have some initial years of high productivity, followed by lower productivity as the stand comes into balance with nature.
Sending in an application does not guarantee acceptance. Producers must wait to hear back from Greencover Canada as to whether an application has been approved or not. The program pays producers $45 per acre to seed tame species and $100 per acre to seed native species. Upon completion of seeding, landowners will submit their seed bills and payment should follow shortly, with $20 per acre paid for tame grass and $75 per acre for native grass. Upon successful establishment of the forage stand, producers will receive the remaining $25 per acre.
If you feel this program would benefit your operation, further details and program applications are available on the website www.agr.gc.ca/greencover-verdir/applic_e.phtml, or phone 1-866-844-5620.
For more information, contact:
Trevor Lennox, Forage Development Specialist,
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Swift Current
Phone: (306) 778-8294
As a landowner looking to seed marginal cropland to forage, it is worthwhile checking to see if your land qualifies for the federal government’s Land Conversion program.
“Producers must realize that this is really an environmental program, and only very marginal soils will qualify,” said Trevor Lennox, Forage Development Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food in Swift Current.
In Saskatchewan, the Crop Insurance rating system is used to qualify land for this program, with land rated “L” or lower qualifying.
In order to take advantage of the program, producers must apply prior to Jan. 31, 2007. This will definitely be the last year for this program, and the land must be seeded in the spring of 2007 – no fall seedings will be covered in 2007.
Marginal soils are usually lacking in organic matter and have severe limitations for annual cropping. It is for these reasons that some people are choosing to seed native mixtures for forage. Native grasses have adapted to the harsh environmental conditions experienced on the Canadian Prairies and require very few inputs, as they have evolved under conditions of low fertility. Lennox said they are also becoming more affordable.
“In recent years, the seed cost for native species has come down significantly, with a simple mixture of four or five species being put together for approximately $50 per acre. When one considers that the native grasses will be there for several decades, it really is a viable option for producers to consider. When looking to plant native species, it is important to secure seed sources early, as supply of some species are limited,” said Lennox.
When putting together native mixtures, it is important to choose species that complement each other. Native species will behave similarly to tame species in that you will have some initial years of high productivity, followed by lower productivity as the stand comes into balance with nature.
Sending in an application does not guarantee acceptance. Producers must wait to hear back from Greencover Canada as to whether an application has been approved or not. The program pays producers $45 per acre to seed tame species and $100 per acre to seed native species. Upon completion of seeding, landowners will submit their seed bills and payment should follow shortly, with $20 per acre paid for tame grass and $75 per acre for native grass. Upon successful establishment of the forage stand, producers will receive the remaining $25 per acre.
If you feel this program would benefit your operation, further details and program applications are available on the website www.agr.gc.ca/greencover-verdir/applic_e.phtml, or phone 1-866-844-5620.
For more information, contact:
Trevor Lennox, Forage Development Specialist,
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Swift Current
Phone: (306) 778-8294
Fruit growers convene in Saskatoon
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Saskatchewan fruit growers gathering at their upcoming annual conference will be pleased to know that the latest statistics show Canadians are adding more fresh fruit to their diets.
Statistics Canada reports that the average Canadian consumes almost 40 kilograms of fresh fruit a year. That’s over four kilograms a year more than a decade ago.
Charon Blakley, the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association, is not surprised.
“I think there is going to be even more research showing the health benefits of fruit,” said Blakley.
Fruit consumption continues to increase, and so does the number of fruit producers in Saskatchewan. Blakley is expecting attendance at the two-day conference to be over 200.
The conference, January 12 and 13 at the Heritage Inn in Saskatoon, features well over a dozen speakers on a wide variety of topics.
“The agenda is very balanced, whether you are an established grower or just beginning, there is something for you, right from the latest research on fruit production to adding value to the fruit grown” said Blakley.
One of the highlights of the conference will be a preview of a new manual for growing saskatoons. The manual has been in the works for some time, and will not be released until later in the spring, but the authors will share some of the material at the conference.
Another session, entitled “Can An Apple A Day (Alone) Really Keep the Doctor Away?,” will examine a growing body of evidence that suggests that consumption of some types of fruit renders specific health benefits which are key, not only to health, wellness and beauty, but also to disease intervention and prevention.
Canadians must think there is some benefit to an apple a day. Statistics Canada says apples accounted for one-fifth of fresh fruit consumption, with each Canadian consuming 7.6 kilograms of apples each year on average.
Blakley predicts Saskatchewan’s apple crop will continue to expand as well as other crops, such as cherries, haskaps (blue honeysuckle), saskatoons and raspberries.
“More and more acres are being planted to fruit. We have a lot of good varieties that grow in Saskatchewan,” said Blakley.
For more details on the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association and the annual conference, go to www.saskfruit.com.
For more information, contact:
Charon Blakley, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association
Phone: (306) 743-5333
E-mail: cas.lyn@sasktel.net
Saskatchewan fruit growers gathering at their upcoming annual conference will be pleased to know that the latest statistics show Canadians are adding more fresh fruit to their diets.
Statistics Canada reports that the average Canadian consumes almost 40 kilograms of fresh fruit a year. That’s over four kilograms a year more than a decade ago.
Charon Blakley, the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association, is not surprised.
“I think there is going to be even more research showing the health benefits of fruit,” said Blakley.
Fruit consumption continues to increase, and so does the number of fruit producers in Saskatchewan. Blakley is expecting attendance at the two-day conference to be over 200.
The conference, January 12 and 13 at the Heritage Inn in Saskatoon, features well over a dozen speakers on a wide variety of topics.
“The agenda is very balanced, whether you are an established grower or just beginning, there is something for you, right from the latest research on fruit production to adding value to the fruit grown” said Blakley.
One of the highlights of the conference will be a preview of a new manual for growing saskatoons. The manual has been in the works for some time, and will not be released until later in the spring, but the authors will share some of the material at the conference.
Another session, entitled “Can An Apple A Day (Alone) Really Keep the Doctor Away?,” will examine a growing body of evidence that suggests that consumption of some types of fruit renders specific health benefits which are key, not only to health, wellness and beauty, but also to disease intervention and prevention.
Canadians must think there is some benefit to an apple a day. Statistics Canada says apples accounted for one-fifth of fresh fruit consumption, with each Canadian consuming 7.6 kilograms of apples each year on average.
Blakley predicts Saskatchewan’s apple crop will continue to expand as well as other crops, such as cherries, haskaps (blue honeysuckle), saskatoons and raspberries.
“More and more acres are being planted to fruit. We have a lot of good varieties that grow in Saskatchewan,” said Blakley.
For more details on the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association and the annual conference, go to www.saskfruit.com.
For more information, contact:
Charon Blakley, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association
Phone: (306) 743-5333
E-mail: cas.lyn@sasktel.net
Saskatchewan pork producer gives away full bellies
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Thanks to the generosity of a Saskatchewan pork producer and a processor, food banks across the province have a lot more to fill up their Christmas hampers.
For the ninth year in a row, Big Sky Farms, Inc., a Humboldt-based hog production company, teamed with Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods to deliver a 10-tonne donation of fresh pork to Saskatchewan food banks.
Big Sky Farms contributes the pork, which Mitchell’s then processes and wraps for distribution. The Regina and Saskatoon food banks each received 5,000 kilograms (five tonnes) of pork, while food banks in Canora, Wadena and Humboldt each received 500-kilogram donations.
Big Sky Farms CEO Florian Possberg says the Christmas donation tradition is one of his favourite ways to give back to communities that support the pork industry in Saskatchewan.
“Even though this has been a bit of a rocky year for our industry, we are still very fortunate,” said Possberg. “We are happy to know that we’re helping put Christmas dinner on the table for families who need it the most.”
After nearly a decade of receiving this donation, the food banks know they can trust that the truck will pull up right on time every December.
“This donation is something we’ve come to count on over the years,” said Saskatoon Food Bank Executive Director Bob Pringle. “It’s nice to be able to share with all of the food bank’s clients, who don’t always have meat to include in their meals because it is such an expensive item.”
The size of the donation is also a gift to food bank clients, who are sometimes prioritized based on need.
“Usually when we have meat, it goes to families with children first,” said Regina Food Bank CEO Wayne Helquist. “A donation of this size means single adults and couples will also be able to enjoy a nice holiday meal.” Helquist said clients are always sure to let them know the donation is appreciated.
Big Sky has its corporate headquarters in Humboldt, and owns and operates swine production units in the Humboldt, Goodeve, Kelvington, Lintlaw, Preeceville, Sturgis, Ogema, Rama and Porcupine Plain areas.
Big Sky is one of the largest pork producers in Western Canada. Mitchell’s is located in Saskatoon and owned by Maple Leaf Foods of Canada.
For more information, contact:
Florian Possberg, CEO
Big Sky Farms, Inc.
Ph: (306) 682-5041
Bob Pringle, Executive Director
Saskatoon Food Bank
Ph: (306) 664-6565
Thanks to the generosity of a Saskatchewan pork producer and a processor, food banks across the province have a lot more to fill up their Christmas hampers.
For the ninth year in a row, Big Sky Farms, Inc., a Humboldt-based hog production company, teamed with Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods to deliver a 10-tonne donation of fresh pork to Saskatchewan food banks.
Big Sky Farms contributes the pork, which Mitchell’s then processes and wraps for distribution. The Regina and Saskatoon food banks each received 5,000 kilograms (five tonnes) of pork, while food banks in Canora, Wadena and Humboldt each received 500-kilogram donations.
Big Sky Farms CEO Florian Possberg says the Christmas donation tradition is one of his favourite ways to give back to communities that support the pork industry in Saskatchewan.
“Even though this has been a bit of a rocky year for our industry, we are still very fortunate,” said Possberg. “We are happy to know that we’re helping put Christmas dinner on the table for families who need it the most.”
After nearly a decade of receiving this donation, the food banks know they can trust that the truck will pull up right on time every December.
“This donation is something we’ve come to count on over the years,” said Saskatoon Food Bank Executive Director Bob Pringle. “It’s nice to be able to share with all of the food bank’s clients, who don’t always have meat to include in their meals because it is such an expensive item.”
The size of the donation is also a gift to food bank clients, who are sometimes prioritized based on need.
“Usually when we have meat, it goes to families with children first,” said Regina Food Bank CEO Wayne Helquist. “A donation of this size means single adults and couples will also be able to enjoy a nice holiday meal.” Helquist said clients are always sure to let them know the donation is appreciated.
Big Sky has its corporate headquarters in Humboldt, and owns and operates swine production units in the Humboldt, Goodeve, Kelvington, Lintlaw, Preeceville, Sturgis, Ogema, Rama and Porcupine Plain areas.
Big Sky is one of the largest pork producers in Western Canada. Mitchell’s is located in Saskatoon and owned by Maple Leaf Foods of Canada.
For more information, contact:
Florian Possberg, CEO
Big Sky Farms, Inc.
Ph: (306) 682-5041
Bob Pringle, Executive Director
Saskatoon Food Bank
Ph: (306) 664-6565
Friday, December 15, 2006
Fall and winter cattle raising watering issues
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Cattle producers are being urged to keep an eye on their water resources this winter.
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Livestock Development Specialist Bob Klemmer said weather conditions over the course of the spring and summer have impacted the quality of surface water sources.
The cause can be broken down into two main factors: too much water, and not enough. Klemmer said, while both situations can result in poor water quality and reduced cattle productivity, the prognosis for improvement is much better for the former.
“Flooding and run-off has led to increased nutrient loading in dugouts, dams, sloughs and lakes in some parts of Saskatchewan last summer. Combined with our hot summer weather, this situation resulted in rapid and recurrent algae blooms,” said Klemmer.
Treatment during the summer takes care of this growth, but leaves behind the dead organic material, which ends up decaying on the bottom over the winter months as the water becomes anaerobic.
This nutrient loading also encourages the growth of water weeds, which adds to the build-up of organic matter on the bottom. Left unchecked, this scenario leads to brackish/odorous water in mid-winter due to the anaerobic break-down of the accumulated organic matter. If bad enough, cattle may not drink as much, which will result in a reduction of feed intake and lower productivity (lower gains, weight loss, lower milk production). Fortunately, this situation can be remedied by the installation of a properly sized aeration system.
On the other hand, Klemmer said a lack of surface water can impact water quality as well.
“There are parts of Saskatchewan that experienced very little snow and zero run-off, and therefore no recharge to surface watering sites. Adding insult to injury, the hot, dry and windy weather last summer increased the amount of water cattle required, and caused a much higher evaporation rate, which has led to very low surface water reserves in some areas,” said Klemmer.
The resulting issues range from uncertainty of water supply/quality, to bringing old wells with questionable water quality back on-stream. In some cases, this has forced producers to haul water to the cattle. Hauling water is expensive, time consuming and unsustainable; however, because the quality of the water may actually be higher, the cattle may be better off than drinking water from a depleted slough, dugout or dam.
As water evaporates off the surface of these water bodies, minerals dissolved in the water remain, and, over time, may accumulate to levels of significance to cattle productivity and health. Even in a year of normal rainfall, one study demonstrated that mineral concentration in a dugout can double. This should be a “red flag” to those in this situation to make sure they test for water quality, especially when water levels fluctuate.
Klemmer said knowing your water quality is the first step in ensuring your herd remains productive and healthy.
“The main minerals of concern are iron (Fe), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S) in the form of sulphates. While iron levels are a nuisance for household use, and can cause problems inside your water distribution system, it is only when iron becomes excessive that it can affect the amount of water cattle will drink and, thereby, reduce productivity,” explained Klemmer.
Sodium and magnesium are most often of concern when they are associated with high levels of sulphates. High levels of magnesium sulphate have been shown to reduce water intake by cattle. If the water your cattle are fed contains high levels of sulphates, many problems can show up over time.
Cattle on high sulphate water tend to have loose stools, due to its laxative effect. While this, in itself, is not a production problem, it may be an early sign that something is up—so check that water. Concerns with sulphates and productivity and health relate to interference in the absorption of trace minerals from the diet (primarily copper, zinc, and manganese) and, in extreme cases, cattle death due to polioencephalomalacia (thiamine deficiency).
Solutions to these water quality problems range from installing costly water treatment systems, to initiating a special mineral supplementation program, to re-development of your water source over time.
The levels of minerals in surface water can fluctuate widely over time, depending on precipitation, recharge, cattle use and evaporation, and the concerns/solutions can also be long-term, depending on these same environmental factors. Consequently, Klemmer said, a good first step to ensuring your cattle remain healthy and productive is testing the quality of water from all of your water sources.
“Testing and then monitoring quality over time is very important. Solutions to water quality problems, such as aeration, can be simple and inexpensive or costly and complex, such as treatment systems. Resources for determining your needs are available through your local PFRA office. When treatment is not practical and specialized nutritional supplementation is necessary, resources for determining your needs are available through Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food,” said Klemmer.
For more information, contact:
Bob Klemmer, MAgr, PAg
Livestock Development Branch, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 848-2380
Cattle producers are being urged to keep an eye on their water resources this winter.
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Livestock Development Specialist Bob Klemmer said weather conditions over the course of the spring and summer have impacted the quality of surface water sources.
The cause can be broken down into two main factors: too much water, and not enough. Klemmer said, while both situations can result in poor water quality and reduced cattle productivity, the prognosis for improvement is much better for the former.
“Flooding and run-off has led to increased nutrient loading in dugouts, dams, sloughs and lakes in some parts of Saskatchewan last summer. Combined with our hot summer weather, this situation resulted in rapid and recurrent algae blooms,” said Klemmer.
Treatment during the summer takes care of this growth, but leaves behind the dead organic material, which ends up decaying on the bottom over the winter months as the water becomes anaerobic.
This nutrient loading also encourages the growth of water weeds, which adds to the build-up of organic matter on the bottom. Left unchecked, this scenario leads to brackish/odorous water in mid-winter due to the anaerobic break-down of the accumulated organic matter. If bad enough, cattle may not drink as much, which will result in a reduction of feed intake and lower productivity (lower gains, weight loss, lower milk production). Fortunately, this situation can be remedied by the installation of a properly sized aeration system.
On the other hand, Klemmer said a lack of surface water can impact water quality as well.
“There are parts of Saskatchewan that experienced very little snow and zero run-off, and therefore no recharge to surface watering sites. Adding insult to injury, the hot, dry and windy weather last summer increased the amount of water cattle required, and caused a much higher evaporation rate, which has led to very low surface water reserves in some areas,” said Klemmer.
The resulting issues range from uncertainty of water supply/quality, to bringing old wells with questionable water quality back on-stream. In some cases, this has forced producers to haul water to the cattle. Hauling water is expensive, time consuming and unsustainable; however, because the quality of the water may actually be higher, the cattle may be better off than drinking water from a depleted slough, dugout or dam.
As water evaporates off the surface of these water bodies, minerals dissolved in the water remain, and, over time, may accumulate to levels of significance to cattle productivity and health. Even in a year of normal rainfall, one study demonstrated that mineral concentration in a dugout can double. This should be a “red flag” to those in this situation to make sure they test for water quality, especially when water levels fluctuate.
Klemmer said knowing your water quality is the first step in ensuring your herd remains productive and healthy.
“The main minerals of concern are iron (Fe), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S) in the form of sulphates. While iron levels are a nuisance for household use, and can cause problems inside your water distribution system, it is only when iron becomes excessive that it can affect the amount of water cattle will drink and, thereby, reduce productivity,” explained Klemmer.
Sodium and magnesium are most often of concern when they are associated with high levels of sulphates. High levels of magnesium sulphate have been shown to reduce water intake by cattle. If the water your cattle are fed contains high levels of sulphates, many problems can show up over time.
Cattle on high sulphate water tend to have loose stools, due to its laxative effect. While this, in itself, is not a production problem, it may be an early sign that something is up—so check that water. Concerns with sulphates and productivity and health relate to interference in the absorption of trace minerals from the diet (primarily copper, zinc, and manganese) and, in extreme cases, cattle death due to polioencephalomalacia (thiamine deficiency).
Solutions to these water quality problems range from installing costly water treatment systems, to initiating a special mineral supplementation program, to re-development of your water source over time.
The levels of minerals in surface water can fluctuate widely over time, depending on precipitation, recharge, cattle use and evaporation, and the concerns/solutions can also be long-term, depending on these same environmental factors. Consequently, Klemmer said, a good first step to ensuring your cattle remain healthy and productive is testing the quality of water from all of your water sources.
“Testing and then monitoring quality over time is very important. Solutions to water quality problems, such as aeration, can be simple and inexpensive or costly and complex, such as treatment systems. Resources for determining your needs are available through your local PFRA office. When treatment is not practical and specialized nutritional supplementation is necessary, resources for determining your needs are available through Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food,” said Klemmer.
For more information, contact:
Bob Klemmer, MAgr, PAg
Livestock Development Branch, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 848-2380
Sometimes uncomfortable topic coming to light
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Change can be an uncomfortable aspect of life and business to address, especially when talking about one’s family livelihood. That’s why Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) regional offices, along with several community and industry partners, created the new “Power of Change” courses and workshops being piloted across Saskatchewan in 2007.
Don Perrault, an SAF Agri-Business Development Specialist in Prince Albert, has been watching the trend toward change in agriculture and its related industries rise to a fever pitch.
“Rapid change, the likes of which we've seldom seen, is occurring in agriculture right now,” said Perrault. “And that puts producers under a lot of economic distress, from weather-related and global pressures on pricing, to the high cost of fertilizer and fuels. It’s all impacting farmers and adding to financial pressures.”
Perrault helped to develop the new “Power of Change” courses, along with colleague Brenda Stefanson in the North Battleford Regional Office. The hope is that producers will take the course and be able to see the positives in possibly changing their course.
“What we sense is farmers struggling with change,” said Stefanson. “We recognize that change is not easy to deal with, and some people may have negative feelings about it.”
The courses are designed to help participants learn about their own attitudes and beliefs, as well as offering techniques to cope with, take on, and feel good about the process of change. Four pilot sessions are being offered in early 2007 in the North Battleford, Prince Albert, Yorkton and Outlook regions.
The course is divided into three sections: a Power of Change course, developed by the Pacific Institute of Training; a session on Exploring the Opportunities; and One-on-One Consultation with Specialists – your chance to discuss programs, agencies and ideas to help carry the farm into the future.
Perrault said Saskatchewan producers who feel they need to change but aren’t sure how to go about it should take part, particularly those who may be at a crossroads in their farm finances or succession planning.
“We’re asking farmers to express their interest, and we’ll set dates and times from there,” said Stefanson. “The locations are flexible, and we’ll be asking the groups we get where the best place is for them to meet.”
If you would like to participate in one of the pilot “Power of Change” courses, call your SAF regional office at North Battleford (306) 446-7964, Outlook (306) 867-5575, Prince Albert (306) 953-2363 or Yorkton (306) 786-1531 directly to register. Each course location will be limited to a small number of registrants in order to provide one-to-one counselling and business planning services. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up for the course as early as possible. The registration deadline is December 31, 2006. Stefanson advises telephoning to register your interest. The cost to attend the course is $430 per person, and it is a Canadian Agricultural Skills Service (CASS) approved course.
For more information, contact:
Brenda Stefanson, Business Planning Specialist
North Battleford Regional Office
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 446-7479
E-mail: bstefanson@agr.gov.sk.ca
Don Perrault, P.Ag., Agri-Business Development Specialist
Prince Albert Regional Office
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 953-2361
E-mail: dperrault@agr.gov.sk.ca
Change can be an uncomfortable aspect of life and business to address, especially when talking about one’s family livelihood. That’s why Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) regional offices, along with several community and industry partners, created the new “Power of Change” courses and workshops being piloted across Saskatchewan in 2007.
Don Perrault, an SAF Agri-Business Development Specialist in Prince Albert, has been watching the trend toward change in agriculture and its related industries rise to a fever pitch.
“Rapid change, the likes of which we've seldom seen, is occurring in agriculture right now,” said Perrault. “And that puts producers under a lot of economic distress, from weather-related and global pressures on pricing, to the high cost of fertilizer and fuels. It’s all impacting farmers and adding to financial pressures.”
Perrault helped to develop the new “Power of Change” courses, along with colleague Brenda Stefanson in the North Battleford Regional Office. The hope is that producers will take the course and be able to see the positives in possibly changing their course.
“What we sense is farmers struggling with change,” said Stefanson. “We recognize that change is not easy to deal with, and some people may have negative feelings about it.”
The courses are designed to help participants learn about their own attitudes and beliefs, as well as offering techniques to cope with, take on, and feel good about the process of change. Four pilot sessions are being offered in early 2007 in the North Battleford, Prince Albert, Yorkton and Outlook regions.
The course is divided into three sections: a Power of Change course, developed by the Pacific Institute of Training; a session on Exploring the Opportunities; and One-on-One Consultation with Specialists – your chance to discuss programs, agencies and ideas to help carry the farm into the future.
Perrault said Saskatchewan producers who feel they need to change but aren’t sure how to go about it should take part, particularly those who may be at a crossroads in their farm finances or succession planning.
“We’re asking farmers to express their interest, and we’ll set dates and times from there,” said Stefanson. “The locations are flexible, and we’ll be asking the groups we get where the best place is for them to meet.”
If you would like to participate in one of the pilot “Power of Change” courses, call your SAF regional office at North Battleford (306) 446-7964, Outlook (306) 867-5575, Prince Albert (306) 953-2363 or Yorkton (306) 786-1531 directly to register. Each course location will be limited to a small number of registrants in order to provide one-to-one counselling and business planning services. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up for the course as early as possible. The registration deadline is December 31, 2006. Stefanson advises telephoning to register your interest. The cost to attend the course is $430 per person, and it is a Canadian Agricultural Skills Service (CASS) approved course.
For more information, contact:
Brenda Stefanson, Business Planning Specialist
North Battleford Regional Office
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 446-7479
E-mail: bstefanson@agr.gov.sk.ca
Don Perrault, P.Ag., Agri-Business Development Specialist
Prince Albert Regional Office
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 953-2361
E-mail: dperrault@agr.gov.sk.ca
New oat variety could open new markets
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
A new oat variety holds the promise of opening up new markets and opportunities for Saskatchewan producers.
The oat variety, called CDC SO – I (Crop Development Centre Super Oat #1), has a nutritional profile similar to barley.
Brian Rossnagel, an oat and barley breeder at the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre, led the effort by the CDC Oat Research and Development team, and said its properties open up a wide range of new opportunities.
“The uniqueness of this particular oat variety is that it combines a more digestible hull with a higher fat content than regular varieties. What that gives us is a whole oat grain that has a feeding value for ruminants (like cattle) that is essentially equal to barley,” said Rossnagel.
That provides a number of advantages to both grain producers and the feeding industry, as oats are relatively less expensive to produce in Western Canada than barley.
However, Rossnagel said this variety also has potential to open up feed markets far from home.
“The other market that we are very hopeful for is the overseas market. Parts of Southeast Asia, particularly Japan, Korea and Taiwan, would place a high value on the digestible fibre in the oat hulls. Most of the fibre that is available to them locally is of very poor quality. Ruminant animals need a good source of digestible fibre in addition to high energy for the production of milk and meat. We hope that this material provides both fibre and energy in one package that can be fed without a lot of processing,” explained Rossnagel.
CDC SO- I has now been registered as a variety with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Pedigree seed growers began seed production in 2006, and commercial production should begin in 2009. When commercial production does begin, it will have been almost 10 years since the project began in 1999. However, that is still a much shorter process than normal: the research cycle was fast-tracked.
Rather than developing field-ready varieties for animal testing, CDC plant breeders produced prototype breeding lines that had the desired nutritional traits. That allowed the University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Animal and Poultry Science to do early testing with livestock to see if the researchers were on the right track.
The project also involved a unique partnership. Super Oats Canada, a producer-researcher consortium, provided $210,000 in funding for the project, and the Saskatchewan government provided $207,000 through the Agriculture Development Fund.
“Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food and the Crop Development Centre have a long history of working together. The success of this project highlights the benefits of drawing on additional resources and direction from industry and other university departments,” said Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman.
For more information, contact:
Brian Rossnagel, Professor (CDC), Department of Plant Sciences
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 791-4976
E-mail: brian.rossnagel@usask.ca
A new oat variety holds the promise of opening up new markets and opportunities for Saskatchewan producers.
The oat variety, called CDC SO – I (Crop Development Centre Super Oat #1), has a nutritional profile similar to barley.
Brian Rossnagel, an oat and barley breeder at the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre, led the effort by the CDC Oat Research and Development team, and said its properties open up a wide range of new opportunities.
“The uniqueness of this particular oat variety is that it combines a more digestible hull with a higher fat content than regular varieties. What that gives us is a whole oat grain that has a feeding value for ruminants (like cattle) that is essentially equal to barley,” said Rossnagel.
That provides a number of advantages to both grain producers and the feeding industry, as oats are relatively less expensive to produce in Western Canada than barley.
However, Rossnagel said this variety also has potential to open up feed markets far from home.
“The other market that we are very hopeful for is the overseas market. Parts of Southeast Asia, particularly Japan, Korea and Taiwan, would place a high value on the digestible fibre in the oat hulls. Most of the fibre that is available to them locally is of very poor quality. Ruminant animals need a good source of digestible fibre in addition to high energy for the production of milk and meat. We hope that this material provides both fibre and energy in one package that can be fed without a lot of processing,” explained Rossnagel.
CDC SO- I has now been registered as a variety with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Pedigree seed growers began seed production in 2006, and commercial production should begin in 2009. When commercial production does begin, it will have been almost 10 years since the project began in 1999. However, that is still a much shorter process than normal: the research cycle was fast-tracked.
Rather than developing field-ready varieties for animal testing, CDC plant breeders produced prototype breeding lines that had the desired nutritional traits. That allowed the University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Animal and Poultry Science to do early testing with livestock to see if the researchers were on the right track.
The project also involved a unique partnership. Super Oats Canada, a producer-researcher consortium, provided $210,000 in funding for the project, and the Saskatchewan government provided $207,000 through the Agriculture Development Fund.
“Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food and the Crop Development Centre have a long history of working together. The success of this project highlights the benefits of drawing on additional resources and direction from industry and other university departments,” said Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman.
For more information, contact:
Brian Rossnagel, Professor (CDC), Department of Plant Sciences
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 791-4976
E-mail: brian.rossnagel@usask.ca
Beekeepers urge consumers to "Bee Canadian"
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
The Saskatchewan Beekeepers’ Development Commission is stepping up its efforts to urge honey consumers to buy Canadian by urging them to read the fine print.
Commission President Tim Wendell says, often, it is not as simple as a quick glance at the label.
“We’re concerned that consumers are opting to buy imported honey without realizing it,” said Wendell. “We’re urging consumers to stop and read the entire label before they make their purchase. Just because it says 'Canada Grade No. 1' on the front of the label, doesn’t mean you’re buying Canadian honey.”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the federal regulatory agency that sets the standards.
“If a honey producer in another country meets that standard, the producer is allowed to say it is Canada Grade No. 1,” explained Wendell. “However, if you look at the fine print on the back or the side, it indicates the country of origin, such as Australia or Argentina.”
Pierre the Bear, a mascot developed by the Canadian Honey Council for a promotional campaign, recently made an appearance at Canadian Western Agribition on the beekeepers' behalf to promote the "Buy Canadian" campaign.
There are 130 commercial beekeepers in Saskatchewan with more than 100 colonies each. Saskatchewan is a leading producer of honey, accounting for almost 24 per cent of Canadian production in 2005. Figures are not yet available for this harvest, but anecdotal evidence suggests it was a good year.
“Our honey is produced from canola, alfalfa, sweet clovers and borage. Our honey is produced in a clean, pristine environment, free of heavy industry. Our climate and agricultural conditions, combined with beekeepers' management skills, result in Saskatchewan having the largest per capita honey production in Canada, and perhaps one of the highest in the world,” explains Wendell.
Wendell is also appealing to all other commodity organizations to support the beekeepers.
“We ask Saskatchewan farmers who grow grain or specialty crops or who raise livestock to support our efforts because we’re part of the same agriculture industry,” he said. “Remember: Bee Canadian, Eat Our Honey!
For more information, contact:
Tim Wendell, President
Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission
Phone: (306) 742-4363
E-mail: tim@wendell.ca
The Saskatchewan Beekeepers’ Development Commission is stepping up its efforts to urge honey consumers to buy Canadian by urging them to read the fine print.
Commission President Tim Wendell says, often, it is not as simple as a quick glance at the label.
“We’re concerned that consumers are opting to buy imported honey without realizing it,” said Wendell. “We’re urging consumers to stop and read the entire label before they make their purchase. Just because it says 'Canada Grade No. 1' on the front of the label, doesn’t mean you’re buying Canadian honey.”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the federal regulatory agency that sets the standards.
“If a honey producer in another country meets that standard, the producer is allowed to say it is Canada Grade No. 1,” explained Wendell. “However, if you look at the fine print on the back or the side, it indicates the country of origin, such as Australia or Argentina.”
Pierre the Bear, a mascot developed by the Canadian Honey Council for a promotional campaign, recently made an appearance at Canadian Western Agribition on the beekeepers' behalf to promote the "Buy Canadian" campaign.
There are 130 commercial beekeepers in Saskatchewan with more than 100 colonies each. Saskatchewan is a leading producer of honey, accounting for almost 24 per cent of Canadian production in 2005. Figures are not yet available for this harvest, but anecdotal evidence suggests it was a good year.
“Our honey is produced from canola, alfalfa, sweet clovers and borage. Our honey is produced in a clean, pristine environment, free of heavy industry. Our climate and agricultural conditions, combined with beekeepers' management skills, result in Saskatchewan having the largest per capita honey production in Canada, and perhaps one of the highest in the world,” explains Wendell.
Wendell is also appealing to all other commodity organizations to support the beekeepers.
“We ask Saskatchewan farmers who grow grain or specialty crops or who raise livestock to support our efforts because we’re part of the same agriculture industry,” he said. “Remember: Bee Canadian, Eat Our Honey!
For more information, contact:
Tim Wendell, President
Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission
Phone: (306) 742-4363
E-mail: tim@wendell.ca
Thursday, December 14, 2006
4-H Keeps changing with the times
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Even though it has been operating in Saskatchewan for almost 90 years, 4-H has never been an organization that rests on its laurels.
Valerie Pearson, the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan 4-H Council, says the agency is always looking at ways to ensure it remains relevant to youth, while, at the same time, maintaining its core values and objectives.
“We’ve always said our claim to fame is our leadership. We’re developing responsible citizens for the future, to take leadership roles,” Pearson explained. “But that’s not always a good selling pitch to an eight-year-old or a 10-year-old, so we really strive to promote the fun aspect of belonging to a 4-H club in everything we do. While having fun, there are all sorts of activities through which these young people learn leadership skills, which is certainly something that parents appreciate.”
Pearson said a new national initiative has been undertaken which will soon thrust 4-H more prominently into the spotlight. The initiative was largely spearheaded by 4-H members from across Canada, who were given the opportunity to apply to be part of a “youth advertising team” for the organization, she noted.
The team spent two weekends working with advertising agencies to develop ads for a public awareness and promotional campaign that will roll out across the nation in the coming months, targeting young people.
“The initiative just launched on October 31, so we’ll be starting to see radio and TV ads down the road as things get into full swing,” Pearson noted. “The horse isn’t out of the barn yet, but it’s approaching the gate.”
Pearson said the main reason for the campaign was to ensure people know and understand what the 4-H program is all about, and to attract new members to the organization. “In some areas, our membership has been declining over the years, and we want to address that,” she stated. “This is one way we felt we could get youth interested in 4-H, to learn about the program and to join the program, eventually.”
The 4-H program in Saskatchewan is in good shape overall, Pearson said, but the Provincial Council is fully behind the initiative to increase membership.
“In the last couple of years, we’ve developed many new programs. We’ve got these programs in place, as well as new and energetic staff who are going out and meeting with clubs and districts as much as they can,” she stated. “Now we’re going to shift our focus to increasing our membership numbers, as well, for the long-term stability of 4-H in Saskatchewan.”
One of the more recent initiatives of 4-H in Saskatchewan has been to work more closely with First Nations in attracting youth and introducing new learning components. “We’re working hand-in-hand with the First Nations Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan,” Pearson said. “The goals of both organizations are essentially the same. We both want to work with youth; we both want to pass on information to the youth through knowledgeable, respected people. The First Nations call them elders; we call them leaders. Since we’re trying to do the same thing, and 4-H has an effective model already in place, we felt it would be very beneficial for us to work together.”
First Nations' participation in 4-H is beginning to increase, as a result, both within existing clubs and in the establishment of new clubs on reserves where sufficient interest exists. For example, almost 40 youth from Turner Lake, in the northern part of the province, recently attended a 4-H night.
The partnership has also enabled 4-H to augment its current programming with an aboriginal learning component. “A couple of years ago we received some federal funding through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,” Pearson said. “We were able to have some aboriginal project material written for us by aboriginal people, themselves, covering topics such as culture and traditions, foods, quilting and so forth. This material is available for all clubs to use, so that non-aboriginal 4-H members can also learn about another culture.”
Pearson says that young people who participate in 4-H clubs get hands-on experience doing a lot of neat things, while at the same time learning new skills, building leadership qualities and, most importantly, having fun. “We always stick to our motto: ‘Learn to do by doing.’ This is an organization that lets everyone try, lets everyone excel,” she said. “And you can bet they’re going to have fun doing it.”
For further information, contact:
Valerie Pearson, Executive Director
4-H Council of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 933-7729
Website: www.4-h.sk.ca
Even though it has been operating in Saskatchewan for almost 90 years, 4-H has never been an organization that rests on its laurels.
Valerie Pearson, the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan 4-H Council, says the agency is always looking at ways to ensure it remains relevant to youth, while, at the same time, maintaining its core values and objectives.
“We’ve always said our claim to fame is our leadership. We’re developing responsible citizens for the future, to take leadership roles,” Pearson explained. “But that’s not always a good selling pitch to an eight-year-old or a 10-year-old, so we really strive to promote the fun aspect of belonging to a 4-H club in everything we do. While having fun, there are all sorts of activities through which these young people learn leadership skills, which is certainly something that parents appreciate.”
Pearson said a new national initiative has been undertaken which will soon thrust 4-H more prominently into the spotlight. The initiative was largely spearheaded by 4-H members from across Canada, who were given the opportunity to apply to be part of a “youth advertising team” for the organization, she noted.
The team spent two weekends working with advertising agencies to develop ads for a public awareness and promotional campaign that will roll out across the nation in the coming months, targeting young people.
“The initiative just launched on October 31, so we’ll be starting to see radio and TV ads down the road as things get into full swing,” Pearson noted. “The horse isn’t out of the barn yet, but it’s approaching the gate.”
Pearson said the main reason for the campaign was to ensure people know and understand what the 4-H program is all about, and to attract new members to the organization. “In some areas, our membership has been declining over the years, and we want to address that,” she stated. “This is one way we felt we could get youth interested in 4-H, to learn about the program and to join the program, eventually.”
The 4-H program in Saskatchewan is in good shape overall, Pearson said, but the Provincial Council is fully behind the initiative to increase membership.
“In the last couple of years, we’ve developed many new programs. We’ve got these programs in place, as well as new and energetic staff who are going out and meeting with clubs and districts as much as they can,” she stated. “Now we’re going to shift our focus to increasing our membership numbers, as well, for the long-term stability of 4-H in Saskatchewan.”
One of the more recent initiatives of 4-H in Saskatchewan has been to work more closely with First Nations in attracting youth and introducing new learning components. “We’re working hand-in-hand with the First Nations Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan,” Pearson said. “The goals of both organizations are essentially the same. We both want to work with youth; we both want to pass on information to the youth through knowledgeable, respected people. The First Nations call them elders; we call them leaders. Since we’re trying to do the same thing, and 4-H has an effective model already in place, we felt it would be very beneficial for us to work together.”
First Nations' participation in 4-H is beginning to increase, as a result, both within existing clubs and in the establishment of new clubs on reserves where sufficient interest exists. For example, almost 40 youth from Turner Lake, in the northern part of the province, recently attended a 4-H night.
The partnership has also enabled 4-H to augment its current programming with an aboriginal learning component. “A couple of years ago we received some federal funding through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,” Pearson said. “We were able to have some aboriginal project material written for us by aboriginal people, themselves, covering topics such as culture and traditions, foods, quilting and so forth. This material is available for all clubs to use, so that non-aboriginal 4-H members can also learn about another culture.”
Pearson says that young people who participate in 4-H clubs get hands-on experience doing a lot of neat things, while at the same time learning new skills, building leadership qualities and, most importantly, having fun. “We always stick to our motto: ‘Learn to do by doing.’ This is an organization that lets everyone try, lets everyone excel,” she said. “And you can bet they’re going to have fun doing it.”
For further information, contact:
Valerie Pearson, Executive Director
4-H Council of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 933-7729
Website: www.4-h.sk.ca
Articifial insemination (AI) expert to teach producer workshop
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
When a man’s got more than three decades of experience under his belt, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more knowledgeable authority. Given the credentials of Albert Harrison, producers attending the upcoming Artificial Insemination (AI) School in Shaunavon will have a chance to learn from a real expert.
“I’ve been in the business for over 35 years,” said Harrison. “I run an artificial insemination business out of Swift Current, arming anywhere from two to three thousand head of cattle a year for customers.”
Harrison will be the instructor for a comprehensive five-day workshop on AI, scheduled to take place December 12-16 at the Shaunavon Auction Mart. Producers taking the course will receive extensive training in all aspects of AI.
“What they’re going to do is go through anatomy and physiology, they’re going to learn about the process of artificially inseminating cattle, about semen handling and placement, about proper storage and the liquid nitrogen tanks where you keep the semen, and a whole lot more” said Harrison. “I have a number of speakers come in, like nutritionists, veterinarians, and owners from a couple of different studs.”
But the training won’t be limited to the classroom. Harrison notes that a considerable portion of the workshop will be spent in the barn, learning through doing. “We spend about an hour-and-a-half in the classroom in the morning and an hour-and-a-half in the afternoon, and the rest of the time is spent working on live cows,” he said.
The AI School would be of interest to anyone in the cattle business or dairy industry, according to Harrison, since the practice offers a number of significant benefits over conventional livestock breeding. The primary benefit is genetics, particularly the ability to select from a broader range of bulls with specific characteristics that a producer might want to match with his or her cows.
Artificial insemination is cost-effective from the standpoint of not having to purchase, feed and keep as many bulls on the farm. Additionally, AI offers the opportunity for farmers to better co-ordinate their calving period. “If you synchronize a group of 100 head through AI, you’re going to have the ones that conceive on that breeding drop their calves [within a period of] probably 10 days; whereas, if you have them bull-bred, it’s spread out over at least 30 days, if they all conceive on that breeding,” said Harrison.
“So if you’re a producer, that puts more pounds on the calves, more pounds when you sell them, more money in your pocket.”
Harrison notes that even people who don’t intend to practice AI on their farms have taken his course in the past, simply because it is so comprehensive. “Some people go just for the education part of it, whether they arm any cows afterward or not, because what they learn at the school really opens their eyes to their own operations.”
The cost of attending the AI School is $800 per person for the full five-day workshop. However, it is recognized as an approved course under the federal Canadian Agricultural Skills Service (CASS) program, meaning that farmers who have qualified for CASS can obtain funding to help defray their costs. Producers interested in finding out more about CASS, including whether or not they might be eligible, can call toll-free 1-888-887-7977.
To register for the AI School on December 12-16 in Shaunavon, producers can call Albert Harrison at (306) 297-3139.
For more information, contact:
Albert Harrison
Phone: (306) 297-3139
Canadian Agricultural Skills Service (CASS)
Phone: 1-888-887-7977
When a man’s got more than three decades of experience under his belt, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more knowledgeable authority. Given the credentials of Albert Harrison, producers attending the upcoming Artificial Insemination (AI) School in Shaunavon will have a chance to learn from a real expert.
“I’ve been in the business for over 35 years,” said Harrison. “I run an artificial insemination business out of Swift Current, arming anywhere from two to three thousand head of cattle a year for customers.”
Harrison will be the instructor for a comprehensive five-day workshop on AI, scheduled to take place December 12-16 at the Shaunavon Auction Mart. Producers taking the course will receive extensive training in all aspects of AI.
“What they’re going to do is go through anatomy and physiology, they’re going to learn about the process of artificially inseminating cattle, about semen handling and placement, about proper storage and the liquid nitrogen tanks where you keep the semen, and a whole lot more” said Harrison. “I have a number of speakers come in, like nutritionists, veterinarians, and owners from a couple of different studs.”
But the training won’t be limited to the classroom. Harrison notes that a considerable portion of the workshop will be spent in the barn, learning through doing. “We spend about an hour-and-a-half in the classroom in the morning and an hour-and-a-half in the afternoon, and the rest of the time is spent working on live cows,” he said.
The AI School would be of interest to anyone in the cattle business or dairy industry, according to Harrison, since the practice offers a number of significant benefits over conventional livestock breeding. The primary benefit is genetics, particularly the ability to select from a broader range of bulls with specific characteristics that a producer might want to match with his or her cows.
Artificial insemination is cost-effective from the standpoint of not having to purchase, feed and keep as many bulls on the farm. Additionally, AI offers the opportunity for farmers to better co-ordinate their calving period. “If you synchronize a group of 100 head through AI, you’re going to have the ones that conceive on that breeding drop their calves [within a period of] probably 10 days; whereas, if you have them bull-bred, it’s spread out over at least 30 days, if they all conceive on that breeding,” said Harrison.
“So if you’re a producer, that puts more pounds on the calves, more pounds when you sell them, more money in your pocket.”
Harrison notes that even people who don’t intend to practice AI on their farms have taken his course in the past, simply because it is so comprehensive. “Some people go just for the education part of it, whether they arm any cows afterward or not, because what they learn at the school really opens their eyes to their own operations.”
The cost of attending the AI School is $800 per person for the full five-day workshop. However, it is recognized as an approved course under the federal Canadian Agricultural Skills Service (CASS) program, meaning that farmers who have qualified for CASS can obtain funding to help defray their costs. Producers interested in finding out more about CASS, including whether or not they might be eligible, can call toll-free 1-888-887-7977.
To register for the AI School on December 12-16 in Shaunavon, producers can call Albert Harrison at (306) 297-3139.
For more information, contact:
Albert Harrison
Phone: (306) 297-3139
Canadian Agricultural Skills Service (CASS)
Phone: 1-888-887-7977
Agriculture health and safety gets big boost with donations
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
The Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA) at the University of Saskatchewan is having a celebratory month, with a 20th anniversary as well as new donations to its “Founding Chairs” program.
The CCHSA held an appreciation event in November to celebrate contributions to its “Founding Chairs” program from some familiar agricultural partners: Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool (SWP) and a special investment from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S).
The three companies each donated $250,000 towards the program, which provides research funds for special projects, student training and knowledge translation in the area of agricultural health and safety. The University of Saskatchewan committed $125,000 to the program from the Dr. Peter D. Stewart Trust.
“These organizations, Farm Credit Canada, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and Federated Co-op, are intricately linked to the very people that the CCHSA reaches out to – farm families and workers,” said Dr. James Dosman, Director of the CCHSA.
A portion of the funds will be used to help equip the centre when it makes the move to new headquarters in the Academic Health Sciences Building on the U of S campus. The remainder of the funds will go toward new research projects or ongoing development of existing projects.
Acknowledging two decades of projects and research is also on the agenda for CCHSA in early December. The centre is celebrating the evolution it has undergone since its beginnings as the Centre for Agricultural Medicine. The CCHSA is now co-located with the Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health (IAREH) at the U of S. It officially turns 20 this month, and its anniversary celebrations are taking place at various locations throughout Saskatoon.
“The anniversary celebrates how the Centre for Agricultural Medicine has kept evolving and growing over the last 20 years to become a national centre of excellence,” said Maura Gillis-Cipywnyk with IAREH.
The CCHSA is now home to a national lab, as well as being linked to a network of 66 scientists working at 14 different universities across the country. The scientists and their research focus on four themes of agricultural health: what we breathe, what we eat and drink, how we work and how we live. “This centre is the first of its kind in Canada,” said Gillis-Cipywnyk.
Anniversary celebrations include several conferences looking at various research issues, including a research conference on farm injuries that examines the issues and competencies that underlie injury prevention strategies.
For more information, contact:
Maura Gillis-Cipywnyk
Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health
Phone: (306) 966-8302
Leann Labrash
Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health
Phone: (306) 966-6647
The Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA) at the University of Saskatchewan is having a celebratory month, with a 20th anniversary as well as new donations to its “Founding Chairs” program.
The CCHSA held an appreciation event in November to celebrate contributions to its “Founding Chairs” program from some familiar agricultural partners: Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool (SWP) and a special investment from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S).
The three companies each donated $250,000 towards the program, which provides research funds for special projects, student training and knowledge translation in the area of agricultural health and safety. The University of Saskatchewan committed $125,000 to the program from the Dr. Peter D. Stewart Trust.
“These organizations, Farm Credit Canada, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and Federated Co-op, are intricately linked to the very people that the CCHSA reaches out to – farm families and workers,” said Dr. James Dosman, Director of the CCHSA.
A portion of the funds will be used to help equip the centre when it makes the move to new headquarters in the Academic Health Sciences Building on the U of S campus. The remainder of the funds will go toward new research projects or ongoing development of existing projects.
Acknowledging two decades of projects and research is also on the agenda for CCHSA in early December. The centre is celebrating the evolution it has undergone since its beginnings as the Centre for Agricultural Medicine. The CCHSA is now co-located with the Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health (IAREH) at the U of S. It officially turns 20 this month, and its anniversary celebrations are taking place at various locations throughout Saskatoon.
“The anniversary celebrates how the Centre for Agricultural Medicine has kept evolving and growing over the last 20 years to become a national centre of excellence,” said Maura Gillis-Cipywnyk with IAREH.
The CCHSA is now home to a national lab, as well as being linked to a network of 66 scientists working at 14 different universities across the country. The scientists and their research focus on four themes of agricultural health: what we breathe, what we eat and drink, how we work and how we live. “This centre is the first of its kind in Canada,” said Gillis-Cipywnyk.
Anniversary celebrations include several conferences looking at various research issues, including a research conference on farm injuries that examines the issues and competencies that underlie injury prevention strategies.
For more information, contact:
Maura Gillis-Cipywnyk
Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health
Phone: (306) 966-8302
Leann Labrash
Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health
Phone: (306) 966-6647
Feeds innovation institute emphasizes value-added production
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
He's only been on the job for a few months, but the executive director of the new Feeds Innovation Institute (FII) is excited by what’s happening.
Dr. Scott Wright heads the institute, based at the University of Saskatchewan. The FII evolved from the former Prairie Feed Research Centre, which had been operating at the university under the leadership of Vern Racz.
“While Vern has retired as executive director, he continues to work with us as a consulting research scientist,” said Wright. “We are fortunate to have his experience and the continuity he provides.”
According to Wright, “There has been scientific co-operation. The gap has been in connecting that to the industry priorities and to value-creation. We have a clearly expanding and growing market for enhanced livestock production in the province, as well as a demand for specialized feed products.” He sees the FII as “moving from a pure science response to a broader business and enterprise development response in the emerging markets for new feed crop technologies and processes.”
Currently, though Saskatchewan produces around 50 per cent of Canada’s grain crop, only about 10 per cent of that production is being used for domestic feed.
Wright noted, “We’re only just beginning to get a solid handle on value chain development, and how to create workable value chains that share risk-for-profit in a highly globalized market.”
He points to the tonnes of grain screenings now being used to feed livestock and the development of the new super-oat strain as just some of the evidence that feed research and development is paying off in the field.
The FII will emphasize partnerships and draw on the strength of the bio-products innovation cluster centred at the University of Saskatchewan. This cluster includes the Departments of Animal and Poultry Science, Agriculture Economics, Bioresource Engineering and the Crop Development Centre. It will also maintain close links with associated groups like the Prairie Swine Centre, Ag-West Bio Inc. and PAMI, to name a few.
In the short term, Wright says the institute’s work will “focus on creating additional value from feed in areas of the bio-economy like bio-fuels, and in satisfying demand for specialized feed products.” He also looks forward to future work on what he calls the “golden triangle:” the relationship between crops used for animal feed, crops used for food and crops used for industrial purposes.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Scott Wright, Executive Director
Feeds Innovation Institute
Phone: (306) 966-4120
He's only been on the job for a few months, but the executive director of the new Feeds Innovation Institute (FII) is excited by what’s happening.
Dr. Scott Wright heads the institute, based at the University of Saskatchewan. The FII evolved from the former Prairie Feed Research Centre, which had been operating at the university under the leadership of Vern Racz.
“While Vern has retired as executive director, he continues to work with us as a consulting research scientist,” said Wright. “We are fortunate to have his experience and the continuity he provides.”
According to Wright, “There has been scientific co-operation. The gap has been in connecting that to the industry priorities and to value-creation. We have a clearly expanding and growing market for enhanced livestock production in the province, as well as a demand for specialized feed products.” He sees the FII as “moving from a pure science response to a broader business and enterprise development response in the emerging markets for new feed crop technologies and processes.”
Currently, though Saskatchewan produces around 50 per cent of Canada’s grain crop, only about 10 per cent of that production is being used for domestic feed.
Wright noted, “We’re only just beginning to get a solid handle on value chain development, and how to create workable value chains that share risk-for-profit in a highly globalized market.”
He points to the tonnes of grain screenings now being used to feed livestock and the development of the new super-oat strain as just some of the evidence that feed research and development is paying off in the field.
The FII will emphasize partnerships and draw on the strength of the bio-products innovation cluster centred at the University of Saskatchewan. This cluster includes the Departments of Animal and Poultry Science, Agriculture Economics, Bioresource Engineering and the Crop Development Centre. It will also maintain close links with associated groups like the Prairie Swine Centre, Ag-West Bio Inc. and PAMI, to name a few.
In the short term, Wright says the institute’s work will “focus on creating additional value from feed in areas of the bio-economy like bio-fuels, and in satisfying demand for specialized feed products.” He also looks forward to future work on what he calls the “golden triangle:” the relationship between crops used for animal feed, crops used for food and crops used for industrial purposes.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Scott Wright, Executive Director
Feeds Innovation Institute
Phone: (306) 966-4120
Major grazing and forage conference set for swift current
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
A major livestock and grazing event is set to occur in Swift Current on December 12-13. This will be the fourth “Foraging into the Future” workshop to take place in the city, with the theme of this year’s session being “Understanding Selective Grazing Behaviour on the Range.”
Previous “Foraging into the Future” workshops have attracted anywhere from 125-225 participants. Trevor Lennox, a Forage Development Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), says organizers are expecting the 2006 version to be just as well-received, if not more popular.
“The workshop will put producers in contact with some of North America’s leading forage and grazing researchers,” Lennox noted.
One such expert is Dr. Derek Bailey of New Mexico State University, who will speak about improving ranch profitability by selecting animals that are better adapted to the topography of one’s rangeland. In this session, Bailey will address topics such as grazing distribution and why it matters to producers, differences in the ability of individual animals to graze rugged farmland, and better developing animals to their rangeland conditions.
Bailey will further discuss his research on using grazing management tools, such as supplemental feeding and herding, to improve animal distribution into areas where forage resources are underutilized. He will also speak on the use of livestock as a tool to improve wildlife habitat on rangeland.
Dr. Jeff Mosley from Montana State University will help producers gain a better understanding of grazing behaviour of rangeland cattle, and what techniques can be used for limiting the affects of grazing on riparian areas. By understanding their habits, farmers can better manage where cattle will graze on their rangeland.
“Retaining youth in agriculture is an issue near and dear to the hearts of everyone involved in the industry,” said Lennox. “That topic will be discussed at this year’s conference by Christoph Weder, recently named the 2006 Alberta Outstanding Young Farmer, who will be sharing his experiences with participants.”
Weder recently left his job as a beef specialist in Alberta to pursue his dream of ranching on a full-time basis. He will also talk about methods he has found to improve the cow/calf producer's profitability in the beef industry.
A popular feature that will continue from previous workshops is the producer panel, which, this year, will discuss various methods of improving distribution on rangeland. “The producer panel provides an excellent forum in which participants can hear what their colleagues are doing, and perhaps pick up some useful tips in the process,” Lennox said.
A new item added for the 2006 workshop is “Tips and Tricks for Training Cattle Dogs,” a topic that will be presented by a very popular trainer from southwest Saskatchewan. “Cattle dogs are an important asset when it comes to working with animals, and this session will give producers an inside perspective from the eyes of a professional dog handler,” Lennox stated.
The program will finish with several updates from groups doing forage research on the Canadian Prairies, including the Western Beef Development Centre in Lanigan, the Chinook Applied Research Association in Oyen, Alberta, and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facilities in Swift Current, Scott and Brandon.
The planning committee has worked hard to attract funding for this event, and is very proud to be able to offer a two-day event of this quality for only $50 per person or $80 per family couple. Producers interested in attending the workshop must pre-register by calling the SAF regional office in Swift Current at (306) 778-8285.
For further information, contact:
Trevor Lennox, Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 778-8294
A major livestock and grazing event is set to occur in Swift Current on December 12-13. This will be the fourth “Foraging into the Future” workshop to take place in the city, with the theme of this year’s session being “Understanding Selective Grazing Behaviour on the Range.”
Previous “Foraging into the Future” workshops have attracted anywhere from 125-225 participants. Trevor Lennox, a Forage Development Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF), says organizers are expecting the 2006 version to be just as well-received, if not more popular.
“The workshop will put producers in contact with some of North America’s leading forage and grazing researchers,” Lennox noted.
One such expert is Dr. Derek Bailey of New Mexico State University, who will speak about improving ranch profitability by selecting animals that are better adapted to the topography of one’s rangeland. In this session, Bailey will address topics such as grazing distribution and why it matters to producers, differences in the ability of individual animals to graze rugged farmland, and better developing animals to their rangeland conditions.
Bailey will further discuss his research on using grazing management tools, such as supplemental feeding and herding, to improve animal distribution into areas where forage resources are underutilized. He will also speak on the use of livestock as a tool to improve wildlife habitat on rangeland.
Dr. Jeff Mosley from Montana State University will help producers gain a better understanding of grazing behaviour of rangeland cattle, and what techniques can be used for limiting the affects of grazing on riparian areas. By understanding their habits, farmers can better manage where cattle will graze on their rangeland.
“Retaining youth in agriculture is an issue near and dear to the hearts of everyone involved in the industry,” said Lennox. “That topic will be discussed at this year’s conference by Christoph Weder, recently named the 2006 Alberta Outstanding Young Farmer, who will be sharing his experiences with participants.”
Weder recently left his job as a beef specialist in Alberta to pursue his dream of ranching on a full-time basis. He will also talk about methods he has found to improve the cow/calf producer's profitability in the beef industry.
A popular feature that will continue from previous workshops is the producer panel, which, this year, will discuss various methods of improving distribution on rangeland. “The producer panel provides an excellent forum in which participants can hear what their colleagues are doing, and perhaps pick up some useful tips in the process,” Lennox said.
A new item added for the 2006 workshop is “Tips and Tricks for Training Cattle Dogs,” a topic that will be presented by a very popular trainer from southwest Saskatchewan. “Cattle dogs are an important asset when it comes to working with animals, and this session will give producers an inside perspective from the eyes of a professional dog handler,” Lennox stated.
The program will finish with several updates from groups doing forage research on the Canadian Prairies, including the Western Beef Development Centre in Lanigan, the Chinook Applied Research Association in Oyen, Alberta, and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facilities in Swift Current, Scott and Brandon.
The planning committee has worked hard to attract funding for this event, and is very proud to be able to offer a two-day event of this quality for only $50 per person or $80 per family couple. Producers interested in attending the workshop must pre-register by calling the SAF regional office in Swift Current at (306) 778-8285.
For further information, contact:
Trevor Lennox, Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 778-8294
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Saskatchewan innovator honoured with agri-food award of excellence
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
The Canadian Agri-Food Awards of Excellence have been handed out each year since 2001 to recognize outstanding achievement in five areas that are considered vital to the continued success of the agricultural sector.
Unbelievably, no one from Saskatchewan, the province with the most diverse and innovative agricultural sector in the land, had ever been honoured with such an award - until now.
Lee Whittington is the Manager of Information Services with the Prairie Swine Centre, a non-profit research and technology organization affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan. At the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair last month in Toronto, he took home the province's first ever Agri-Food Award of Excellence, in the category of Agricultural Awareness and Education.
Whittington received the honour for his "dedication, enthusiasm and vision in establishing the Pork Interpretive Gallery," or PIG, at the Prairie Swine Centre's Elstow Research Farm.
"The Pork Interpretive Gallery is basically a science centre that is located in the attic of a commercial-style pork barn," Whittington said. The concept stemmed from a set of meetings that took place in 1998, when the Prairie Swine Centre was looking at establishing a new research farm. Officials from the centre traveled Western Canada, meeting with researchers, farmers, veterinarians and other people associated with the pig industry to see what questions they felt would need to be answered by research in the coming years.
"One of the things that kept coming up at these meetings, which was completely unexpected, was the request by the industry to allow people into the hog barns," Whittington said.
However, there are considerable bio-security precautions incorporated into the pork industry, and access to the barns is very restricted. "Basically, nobody gets in unless they've got a really good reason for being there," he stated. "Doors are locked tight, there are shower facilities for people to use before they enter, and all clothing worn inside is supplied by the farm." Because of these precautions, the notion of taking tour groups or school students through such facilities was simply unworkable.
But when Whittington and his counterparts looked into the design of the barn as they were building it, they realized there was a lot of space up in the attic, and saw a great opportunity to build a bio-secure walkway. Visitors could be brought inside the shell of the barn, then view the pigs through windows in the ceiling, thereby maintaining a separate air space between the animals and the observers.
"We've got a dozen great big, 12-foot-wide windows that look into every aspect of the barn," Whittington stated. "You can see pigs at all stages of growth, and different types of housing configurations that are available in the barn. Then, between the windows are displays talking about what the pork industry is all about." There are exhibits discussing issues such as odour management and the use of by-products generated by pork processing, such as hog hair, and the pigs' ears that end up as dog treats.
The project became a collaborative effort, with producers and pork associations from Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario all participating and contributing more than $500,000 towards the initiative.
To date, more than 4,000 people have visited the "living classroom" that helps dispel myths and misconceptions about the pork industry. But Whittington humbly defers the credit he receives for the PIG interpretive centre.
"PIG is an educational exhibit that tries to address and provide facts about the pork industry. The pork industry has a wonderful story to tell, but that story tends not to get told, or certainly doesn't get as much press as the negatives that surround livestock agriculture," he said.
"So, the award is a tremendous acknowledgement of the importance of keeping agriculture in the forefront of all the population. To me, it really points to the fact that there is a keen interest by many groups out there to see agriculture's story updated and told in modern terms as to what exactly happens in a modern pork production facility."
Whittington says the centre has done a terrific job of advancing public awareness and education about the pork industry. "When you take a group of kids through, and they see what a barn is really all about, some of the comments you get back are, 'Gee, I hope I can work in a place like this some day.' I'm sure that's not the discussion they had with their parents the night before when they said they were going out to a pig barn."
Guided tours of the PIG facility are available to interested individuals, groups or school classes. They can be arranged by contacting Jessica Podhordeski, the Agricultural Education Co-ordinator for the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board in Saskatoon, at (306) 343-3508.
For more information, contact:
Lee Whittington, Manager of Information Services
Prairie Swine Centre
Phone: (306) 373-9922
Website: www.prairieswine.com
The Canadian Agri-Food Awards of Excellence have been handed out each year since 2001 to recognize outstanding achievement in five areas that are considered vital to the continued success of the agricultural sector.
Unbelievably, no one from Saskatchewan, the province with the most diverse and innovative agricultural sector in the land, had ever been honoured with such an award - until now.
Lee Whittington is the Manager of Information Services with the Prairie Swine Centre, a non-profit research and technology organization affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan. At the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair last month in Toronto, he took home the province's first ever Agri-Food Award of Excellence, in the category of Agricultural Awareness and Education.
Whittington received the honour for his "dedication, enthusiasm and vision in establishing the Pork Interpretive Gallery," or PIG, at the Prairie Swine Centre's Elstow Research Farm.
"The Pork Interpretive Gallery is basically a science centre that is located in the attic of a commercial-style pork barn," Whittington said. The concept stemmed from a set of meetings that took place in 1998, when the Prairie Swine Centre was looking at establishing a new research farm. Officials from the centre traveled Western Canada, meeting with researchers, farmers, veterinarians and other people associated with the pig industry to see what questions they felt would need to be answered by research in the coming years.
"One of the things that kept coming up at these meetings, which was completely unexpected, was the request by the industry to allow people into the hog barns," Whittington said.
However, there are considerable bio-security precautions incorporated into the pork industry, and access to the barns is very restricted. "Basically, nobody gets in unless they've got a really good reason for being there," he stated. "Doors are locked tight, there are shower facilities for people to use before they enter, and all clothing worn inside is supplied by the farm." Because of these precautions, the notion of taking tour groups or school students through such facilities was simply unworkable.
But when Whittington and his counterparts looked into the design of the barn as they were building it, they realized there was a lot of space up in the attic, and saw a great opportunity to build a bio-secure walkway. Visitors could be brought inside the shell of the barn, then view the pigs through windows in the ceiling, thereby maintaining a separate air space between the animals and the observers.
"We've got a dozen great big, 12-foot-wide windows that look into every aspect of the barn," Whittington stated. "You can see pigs at all stages of growth, and different types of housing configurations that are available in the barn. Then, between the windows are displays talking about what the pork industry is all about." There are exhibits discussing issues such as odour management and the use of by-products generated by pork processing, such as hog hair, and the pigs' ears that end up as dog treats.
The project became a collaborative effort, with producers and pork associations from Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario all participating and contributing more than $500,000 towards the initiative.
To date, more than 4,000 people have visited the "living classroom" that helps dispel myths and misconceptions about the pork industry. But Whittington humbly defers the credit he receives for the PIG interpretive centre.
"PIG is an educational exhibit that tries to address and provide facts about the pork industry. The pork industry has a wonderful story to tell, but that story tends not to get told, or certainly doesn't get as much press as the negatives that surround livestock agriculture," he said.
"So, the award is a tremendous acknowledgement of the importance of keeping agriculture in the forefront of all the population. To me, it really points to the fact that there is a keen interest by many groups out there to see agriculture's story updated and told in modern terms as to what exactly happens in a modern pork production facility."
Whittington says the centre has done a terrific job of advancing public awareness and education about the pork industry. "When you take a group of kids through, and they see what a barn is really all about, some of the comments you get back are, 'Gee, I hope I can work in a place like this some day.' I'm sure that's not the discussion they had with their parents the night before when they said they were going out to a pig barn."
Guided tours of the PIG facility are available to interested individuals, groups or school classes. They can be arranged by contacting Jessica Podhordeski, the Agricultural Education Co-ordinator for the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board in Saskatoon, at (306) 343-3508.
For more information, contact:
Lee Whittington, Manager of Information Services
Prairie Swine Centre
Phone: (306) 373-9922
Website: www.prairieswine.com
Saskatchewan grain drives activity at port of Churchill
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Once again, in 2006, Saskatchewan grain made up the vast majority of the shipping through the Port of Churchill, Manitoba.
According to the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), there were 384,000 tonnes of wheat and durum shipped through Churchill this year. The total was an increase over the 353,000 tonnes in 2005, as well as the 361,000 tonnes shipped in 2004.
OmnxiTRAX Inc. owns and manages the port facility and the single rail line that connects to Churchill from The Pas, Manitoba. Michael Ogborn, managing director of OmniTRAX, said, "We have repeatedly shown that this port operation is more than capable of efficiently handling grain and other cargos. It has a very bright future, provided our core wheat traffic remains strong."
This year, grain was loaded on a total of 12 vessels, which were destined to deliver to customers in Mexico, Europe and Africa. The final departure of the season left on November 2, carrying 44,000 tonnes destined for Sudan. Past delivery destinations have included Belgium, Cameroon, Ecuador, Ghana, Greece, Morocco, Norway and Turkey. Over the past four years, the biggest customer for Churchill shipments has been Italy, which has received some 283,000 tonnes.
CWB shipments represent approximately 80 per cent of the grain passing through Churchill. Board spokesperson Maureen Fitzhenry said the CWB remains committed to Churchill "because it makes economic sense to farmers." She added that the agency is supportive of non-Board shipments, as well, in order to "maintain the viability of the port." The CWB is targeted to deliver about 400,000 tonnes per year to Churchill, with the port's continued operation based on an objective of 500,000 tonnes per year, total.
The primary catchment area for Churchill deliveries is northeast Saskatchewan, comprising the regions around Prince Albert, Humboldt, Canora and points north. For producers in these areas, the Churchill route is simply less expensive than shipping through Thunder Bay or Vancouver. Approximately 35 to 40 per cent of producers receive a Churchill Freight Adjustment Rebate to guarantee that cost difference.
The port is normally ice-free for five months per year, with the shipping season beginning in July and running to November. In 2006, the port operators, local workers in Churchill and the railways worked together to maximize shipments, despite facing some stormy weather in October. Workers remained on the job around the clock during the last few weeks of the season to meet shipping schedules set by the Canadian Coast Guard.
According to Fitzhenry, "the railways made a considerable effort" to provide and turn around grain cars in a timely fashion.
Since 1996, Saskatchewan wheat and durum have comprised the bulk of shipments through the Port of Churchill, which have totalled some 4.2 million tones.
For more information, contact:
Maureen Fitzhenry, Media Relations Manager
Canadian Wheat Board
Phone: (204) 983-3101
Once again, in 2006, Saskatchewan grain made up the vast majority of the shipping through the Port of Churchill, Manitoba.
According to the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), there were 384,000 tonnes of wheat and durum shipped through Churchill this year. The total was an increase over the 353,000 tonnes in 2005, as well as the 361,000 tonnes shipped in 2004.
OmnxiTRAX Inc. owns and manages the port facility and the single rail line that connects to Churchill from The Pas, Manitoba. Michael Ogborn, managing director of OmniTRAX, said, "We have repeatedly shown that this port operation is more than capable of efficiently handling grain and other cargos. It has a very bright future, provided our core wheat traffic remains strong."
This year, grain was loaded on a total of 12 vessels, which were destined to deliver to customers in Mexico, Europe and Africa. The final departure of the season left on November 2, carrying 44,000 tonnes destined for Sudan. Past delivery destinations have included Belgium, Cameroon, Ecuador, Ghana, Greece, Morocco, Norway and Turkey. Over the past four years, the biggest customer for Churchill shipments has been Italy, which has received some 283,000 tonnes.
CWB shipments represent approximately 80 per cent of the grain passing through Churchill. Board spokesperson Maureen Fitzhenry said the CWB remains committed to Churchill "because it makes economic sense to farmers." She added that the agency is supportive of non-Board shipments, as well, in order to "maintain the viability of the port." The CWB is targeted to deliver about 400,000 tonnes per year to Churchill, with the port's continued operation based on an objective of 500,000 tonnes per year, total.
The primary catchment area for Churchill deliveries is northeast Saskatchewan, comprising the regions around Prince Albert, Humboldt, Canora and points north. For producers in these areas, the Churchill route is simply less expensive than shipping through Thunder Bay or Vancouver. Approximately 35 to 40 per cent of producers receive a Churchill Freight Adjustment Rebate to guarantee that cost difference.
The port is normally ice-free for five months per year, with the shipping season beginning in July and running to November. In 2006, the port operators, local workers in Churchill and the railways worked together to maximize shipments, despite facing some stormy weather in October. Workers remained on the job around the clock during the last few weeks of the season to meet shipping schedules set by the Canadian Coast Guard.
According to Fitzhenry, "the railways made a considerable effort" to provide and turn around grain cars in a timely fashion.
Since 1996, Saskatchewan wheat and durum have comprised the bulk of shipments through the Port of Churchill, which have totalled some 4.2 million tones.
For more information, contact:
Maureen Fitzhenry, Media Relations Manager
Canadian Wheat Board
Phone: (204) 983-3101
Keeping cool this winter
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
It is never that hard to keep yourself cool in Saskatchewan in winter, but the Canola Council of Canada is urging producers to make sure their crop stays cool as well.
Canola Council of Canada agronomist David Vanthuyne says crop temperature is critical to maintaining quality and maximizing canola profit. He says monitoring is even more important this year. "Much of the canola crop went into the bin hot this year," he noted.
Vanthuyne says grain temperature monitoring systems or bin probes provide the most accurate assessment of the health of stored canola. Alternatively, Vanthuyne suggests that growers take proactive measures by removing a load of canola from different bins when they're filling canola contracts.
At the very least, he recommends that growers turn the canola regularly by taking one or a number of loads out of each canola bin to break up any pockets of unstable canola within the mass of the grain.
Vanthuyne, the council's agronomist in eastern Saskatchewan, says growers can look at various conditioning systems, but "the object is to cool the seed and/or lower its moisture content to below 15 degrees Celsius and eight per cent moisture. Ideally, the lower the temperature, the better," he said.
Canola seed tends to sweat or respire for up to six weeks before becoming dormant, leading to heat damage and mould growth. To avoid spoilage, Vanthuyne advises producers to consider going beyond aeration to condition their canola to safe temperature and moisture levels.
Aeration can be an effective way to avoid spoilage and maintain quality, but Vanthuyne suggests that, if late-harvested canola contains moisture levels above 10 to 12 per cent, growers should consider heated air drying.
For more information on safe canola storage, producers should visit the Canola Council of Canada website, at http://www.canola-council.org/store.aspx.
For more information, contact:
David Vanthuyne, Agronomist
Canada Canola Council of Canada
Phone: (306) 782-7799
It is never that hard to keep yourself cool in Saskatchewan in winter, but the Canola Council of Canada is urging producers to make sure their crop stays cool as well.
Canola Council of Canada agronomist David Vanthuyne says crop temperature is critical to maintaining quality and maximizing canola profit. He says monitoring is even more important this year. "Much of the canola crop went into the bin hot this year," he noted.
Vanthuyne says grain temperature monitoring systems or bin probes provide the most accurate assessment of the health of stored canola. Alternatively, Vanthuyne suggests that growers take proactive measures by removing a load of canola from different bins when they're filling canola contracts.
At the very least, he recommends that growers turn the canola regularly by taking one or a number of loads out of each canola bin to break up any pockets of unstable canola within the mass of the grain.
Vanthuyne, the council's agronomist in eastern Saskatchewan, says growers can look at various conditioning systems, but "the object is to cool the seed and/or lower its moisture content to below 15 degrees Celsius and eight per cent moisture. Ideally, the lower the temperature, the better," he said.
Canola seed tends to sweat or respire for up to six weeks before becoming dormant, leading to heat damage and mould growth. To avoid spoilage, Vanthuyne advises producers to consider going beyond aeration to condition their canola to safe temperature and moisture levels.
Aeration can be an effective way to avoid spoilage and maintain quality, but Vanthuyne suggests that, if late-harvested canola contains moisture levels above 10 to 12 per cent, growers should consider heated air drying.
For more information on safe canola storage, producers should visit the Canola Council of Canada website, at http://www.canola-council.org/store.aspx.
For more information, contact:
David Vanthuyne, Agronomist
Canada Canola Council of Canada
Phone: (306) 782-7799
4-H earns support through good work with youth
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
It's not always easy balancing the books when you're a non-profit organization. But because of the important work it does in youth development, often with an agricultural focus, the Saskatchewan 4-H Council gets by with a little help from its friends.
As in past years, the council received a $300,000 grant this year from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF).
"Saskatchewan 4-H is a trusted, respected organization in the province," said Lyle Stavness, Manager of Renewal Programming with SAF. "Its goals are in line with things SAF would like to promote and see continued in the province, such as working with youth and encouraging their interest in agricultural activities."
Stavness said there are a number of areas that the funding goes towards, including supporting 4-H local and regional club activities; specific projects undertaken by 4-H members at the club level; "4-H Leaders" programs, so that youth are able to receive leadership training and mentorship in a particular project area; and "4-H Extras" initiatives, such as public speaking competitions and livestock judging.
"The 4-H leadership is providing those activities to 4-H members, and SAF is providing support to see that those programs can get delivered," said Stavness.
In addition to the direct financial assistance, SAF provides considerable in-kind support to the organization. For example, the Saskatchewan 4-H Council head office is located in the SAF regional office in Saskatoon.
Stavness noted, "We understand what their strategic plan is and what they are trying to do in terms of working with youth and the agricultural side, and we support generally all of the initiatives that are there. So, SAF is supporting the development of youth through supporting 4-H in its programs."
Saskatchewan 4-H Council Executive Director Valerie Pearson says these contributions are essential to the council's continued operation. "As with most non-profits, managing the books is a challenge we face every year. We receive funding from three sources. We receive a grant from the department (SAF), we have membership fees that we receive from our members, and we receive funding from sponsors," Pearson said.
"We're very thankful for the government support. We receive that as cash, and then we also receive the in-kind support, which includes our office space. Without that, we wouldn't be here," she added.
Pearson said the SAF assistance actually enables 4-H to operate as an independent non-profit entity, rather than as an agency of government as is the case in many jurisdictions across Canada.
"We're one of the few provinces where the staff members are not government staff. In many provinces, 4-H is actually administered as an office of government. We're structured as a non-profit organization," she said.
"So we're very appreciative of the support we get from government. Without it, we wouldn't be around, certainly not as we are today."
For further information, contact:
Lyle Stavness, Manager of Renewal Programming
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-4323
Valerie Pearson, Executive Director
Saskatchewan 4-H Council
Phone: (306) 933-7729
Website: www.4-h.sk.ca
It's not always easy balancing the books when you're a non-profit organization. But because of the important work it does in youth development, often with an agricultural focus, the Saskatchewan 4-H Council gets by with a little help from its friends.
As in past years, the council received a $300,000 grant this year from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF).
"Saskatchewan 4-H is a trusted, respected organization in the province," said Lyle Stavness, Manager of Renewal Programming with SAF. "Its goals are in line with things SAF would like to promote and see continued in the province, such as working with youth and encouraging their interest in agricultural activities."
Stavness said there are a number of areas that the funding goes towards, including supporting 4-H local and regional club activities; specific projects undertaken by 4-H members at the club level; "4-H Leaders" programs, so that youth are able to receive leadership training and mentorship in a particular project area; and "4-H Extras" initiatives, such as public speaking competitions and livestock judging.
"The 4-H leadership is providing those activities to 4-H members, and SAF is providing support to see that those programs can get delivered," said Stavness.
In addition to the direct financial assistance, SAF provides considerable in-kind support to the organization. For example, the Saskatchewan 4-H Council head office is located in the SAF regional office in Saskatoon.
Stavness noted, "We understand what their strategic plan is and what they are trying to do in terms of working with youth and the agricultural side, and we support generally all of the initiatives that are there. So, SAF is supporting the development of youth through supporting 4-H in its programs."
Saskatchewan 4-H Council Executive Director Valerie Pearson says these contributions are essential to the council's continued operation. "As with most non-profits, managing the books is a challenge we face every year. We receive funding from three sources. We receive a grant from the department (SAF), we have membership fees that we receive from our members, and we receive funding from sponsors," Pearson said.
"We're very thankful for the government support. We receive that as cash, and then we also receive the in-kind support, which includes our office space. Without that, we wouldn't be here," she added.
Pearson said the SAF assistance actually enables 4-H to operate as an independent non-profit entity, rather than as an agency of government as is the case in many jurisdictions across Canada.
"We're one of the few provinces where the staff members are not government staff. In many provinces, 4-H is actually administered as an office of government. We're structured as a non-profit organization," she said.
"So we're very appreciative of the support we get from government. Without it, we wouldn't be around, certainly not as we are today."
For further information, contact:
Lyle Stavness, Manager of Renewal Programming
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-4323
Valerie Pearson, Executive Director
Saskatchewan 4-H Council
Phone: (306) 933-7729
Website: www.4-h.sk.ca
Oat growers to feature research and market tips
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
The informal theme of the ninth annual Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) conference is "oats and canola go together like a horse and carriage," a nod to the recent buzz over two new canola crushing plants planned for Yorkton.
"The continuing theme is really agronomics," said Jack Dawes with POGA. "It's already known that oats and canola make good rotation crops, and with the buzz about the new canola crush plants in Yorkton, we're expecting a lot of interest."
Yorkton has previously hosted two very successful POGA conferences, and Dawes said this year is looking very promising as well. "The Yorkton conference is always good, in part because we are right in the heart of the oat-growing region," said Dawes. "We expect about 150 in attendance, most of whom will be producers."
The conference is also a great networking opportunity for producers to speak directly to representatives of the buyers for their product. Industry representatives from Agricore United, Can-Oat Milling, Grain Millers, Quaker-PepsiCo and General Mills will all be in attendance. "It's a chance for producers to talk one-on-one with some of the movers and shakers," said Dawes.
The conference organizers aim to include, as much as possible, all of the issues that they think will be of interest to oat producers. Dawes says there is a focus on both research and marketing at this year's conference. "We're looking at 'what are some of the issues in oat breeding and research?'" said Dawes. "That's where the title, 'Thinking Outside the (Research) Box,' comes in."
That presentation will feature Dr. Brian Rossnagel with the Crop Development Centre in Saskatoon, Dr. Jennifer Mitchell-Fetch with the Cereal Research Centre of Winnipeg and Dr. John McKinnon of the University of Saskatchewan. The session is a general update on the latest oat varieties and oat research, as well as information about newly developed feed oat varieties from Dr. McKinnon.
Another conference highlight will be some spirited debate to close the day: a session called "Face-off Time" with David Drozd of Ag-Chieve Corporation and Randy Strychar with Ag Resources Publishing. "These two bring different, unique insights into the industry," said Dawes. "It should be interesting, because they both managed to be quite close in their predictions this year about the upswing in oats along with other commodities."
Lunch for the day is included with conference registration prices, and there is a special market development being served up: oat pasta and oat soup, courtesy of the efforts of the Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission. The commission looks at all areas of market and research development, but the food market is a natural fit for oats, so conference attendees will be given the chance to sample potential new products.
The conference also features a trade show with exhibits from conference sponsors, including buyers, crop input suppliers and the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre.
The ninth annual Prairie Oat Growers Association conference takes place at St. Mary's Parish Centre in Yorkton on Thursday, December 7, 2006. The cost to register is $20 per person, which includes lunch. Participants can also register to attend the wrap-up banquet, held at the Yorkton Best Western Hotel, for a cost of $25 per person. A block of rooms for conference participants is reserved at the Yorkton Best Western Hotel. Call 1-800-667-1585 and mention your attendance at the conference to receive a special rate.
For more information, contact:
Jack Dawes
Prairie Oat Growers Association
Phone: (306) 744-2775
E-mail: poga@imagewireless.ca
The informal theme of the ninth annual Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) conference is "oats and canola go together like a horse and carriage," a nod to the recent buzz over two new canola crushing plants planned for Yorkton.
"The continuing theme is really agronomics," said Jack Dawes with POGA. "It's already known that oats and canola make good rotation crops, and with the buzz about the new canola crush plants in Yorkton, we're expecting a lot of interest."
Yorkton has previously hosted two very successful POGA conferences, and Dawes said this year is looking very promising as well. "The Yorkton conference is always good, in part because we are right in the heart of the oat-growing region," said Dawes. "We expect about 150 in attendance, most of whom will be producers."
The conference is also a great networking opportunity for producers to speak directly to representatives of the buyers for their product. Industry representatives from Agricore United, Can-Oat Milling, Grain Millers, Quaker-PepsiCo and General Mills will all be in attendance. "It's a chance for producers to talk one-on-one with some of the movers and shakers," said Dawes.
The conference organizers aim to include, as much as possible, all of the issues that they think will be of interest to oat producers. Dawes says there is a focus on both research and marketing at this year's conference. "We're looking at 'what are some of the issues in oat breeding and research?'" said Dawes. "That's where the title, 'Thinking Outside the (Research) Box,' comes in."
That presentation will feature Dr. Brian Rossnagel with the Crop Development Centre in Saskatoon, Dr. Jennifer Mitchell-Fetch with the Cereal Research Centre of Winnipeg and Dr. John McKinnon of the University of Saskatchewan. The session is a general update on the latest oat varieties and oat research, as well as information about newly developed feed oat varieties from Dr. McKinnon.
Another conference highlight will be some spirited debate to close the day: a session called "Face-off Time" with David Drozd of Ag-Chieve Corporation and Randy Strychar with Ag Resources Publishing. "These two bring different, unique insights into the industry," said Dawes. "It should be interesting, because they both managed to be quite close in their predictions this year about the upswing in oats along with other commodities."
Lunch for the day is included with conference registration prices, and there is a special market development being served up: oat pasta and oat soup, courtesy of the efforts of the Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission. The commission looks at all areas of market and research development, but the food market is a natural fit for oats, so conference attendees will be given the chance to sample potential new products.
The conference also features a trade show with exhibits from conference sponsors, including buyers, crop input suppliers and the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre.
The ninth annual Prairie Oat Growers Association conference takes place at St. Mary's Parish Centre in Yorkton on Thursday, December 7, 2006. The cost to register is $20 per person, which includes lunch. Participants can also register to attend the wrap-up banquet, held at the Yorkton Best Western Hotel, for a cost of $25 per person. A block of rooms for conference participants is reserved at the Yorkton Best Western Hotel. Call 1-800-667-1585 and mention your attendance at the conference to receive a special rate.
For more information, contact:
Jack Dawes
Prairie Oat Growers Association
Phone: (306) 744-2775
E-mail: poga@imagewireless.ca
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