Agriview May 2016

Canaryseed approved for human consumption | PAGE 4

Using pea/cereal mixtures for greenfeed | PAGE 10

Predation Insurance program | PAGE 15

Safety considerations on the farmPAGE 11

MAY 2016 | VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 1

49788 GSK_Agriview_May2016_a3.indd 1 2016-04-22 9:32 AM

Welcome to the May issue of Agriview.

Spring is always an eventful time of year, from newborn calves to determining the ideal time to seed, every effort is made to lay the groundwork for a productive year.

Much like the farmers and ranchers of Saskatchewan, our government is tasked with making decisions to keep Saskatchewan strong. I am honoured to serve you once again and to work with you to ensure Saskatchewan’s continued growth.

Agriculture is a prominent economic driver and the strength of the industry was again demonstrated in 2015. Saskatchewan led the nation in agri-food exports last year, with total sales of $15.3 billion. Industry exceeded expectations by surpassing the ambitious target laid out in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, five years ahead of schedule. This is an impressive feat and I would like to congratulate all of you for building a strong and prosperous industry.

Our government wants to ensure this momentum continues and we will work with you to strengthen the sector by building export capacity. There is a demand for the high quality ingredients Saskatchewan produces and market access will remain a priority for our government. We will continue to call on the federal government to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Last year TPP countries accounted for almost 40 per cent of Saskatchewan exports to the world, representing close to $6 billion. To remain competitive, expand primary production and enhance our value-added sector, we must be part of this ambitious agreement.

Our continued collaborative efforts will ensure the agriculture industry can prosper. We remain committed to jointly funding research and investing in programs and services that will benefit you as producers.

This year we announced the highest crop insurance coverage in the history of the Crop Insurance Program. The enhanced coverage ensures producers have the tools necessary to manage risk and advance their business. The coverage expanded options for growing fababeans, Korasan Wheat and forage. The diversity of programs offered through Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation reflects our dedication to the industry and our efforts to provide relevant and effective solutions to producers.

I look forward to working with you once again and I wish you another successful growing season.

Minister’s Message

Lyle Stewart

I would like to congratulate all of you for building a strong and prosperous industry.


Canaryseed approved for human consumption | PAGE 4

Using pea/cereal mixtures for greenfeed | PAGE 10

Predation Insurance program | PAGE 15

Safety considerations on the farmPAGE 11

MAY 2016 | VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 1

AGRIVIEW is published by the Communications Branch of Saskatchewan Agriculture for Saskatchewan farmers, ranchers and farm and food organizations. For more information, call 306-787-5160 or email [email protected]. To view this publication online, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/agriview.

Cover: Katelyn Duncan of Duncan Enterprises (and our new Provincial Agriculture Awareness Specialist) demonstrating proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use when working in potentially hazardous situations. For more stories about safety on the farm, turn to page 11.

Table of Contents

CROPSPulse pledge gains traction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Canaryseed—not just for the birds anymore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Seeding rate for cereals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Proper staging is key to early weed control in corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Proper seeding depth and rate ensures a good flax crop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Do we need to worry about verticillium stripe in canola? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Be on the lookout for the cabbage seedpod weevil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Effects of heat on field pea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Unwanted residues in your sprayer can cause injury to your crop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Considering a PGR? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

LIVESTOCKCow nutrition considerations for rebreeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Re-evaluating your internal parasite control program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Using pea/cereal mixtures for greenfeed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Oat yields and triticale comparable for greenfeed and swath grazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

PROGRAMS & SERVICESKeeping children safe on the farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Be safe on your ATV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

RESEARCHUsing forage legumes in short rotation to reduce nitrogen fertilizer costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PROGRAMS & SERVICESVolatile markets could make calf price insurance a good fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Grain entrapment is on the rise – keep yourself and others safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Land owners can prevent illegal dumpsites and environmental concerns in Saskatchewan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2016 Census of Agriculture benefits farmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Don’t take risks with your livestock – insure them against wildlife predation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

EVENTS CALENDARCalendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

PROGRAMS & SERVICESHow farm safety earns social licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Saskatchewan.ca


The potential market for canaryseed, normally grown as bird seed, has just gotten significantly larger now that some varieties have been approved for human consumption.

Most canaryseed grown in Saskatchewan was the hairy type—horribly itchy and not suitable for the food market—but Dr. Pierre Hucl, a crop breeder at the Crop Development Centre, had a vision of canaryseed as something more than feed for birds. He developed hairless (glabrous) varieties of canaryseed, eliminating the irritating silica hairs on the hulls.

To move hairless canaryseed into the human food market, the Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan (CDCS) supported research to show that glabrous canaryseed was just as safe to consume as other cereal crops. With the support of the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund, Dr. Carol Ann Patterson of Pathfinders Research and Management Ltd. led the research and prepared the submissions for Health Canada and the United States Food and Drug Administration. In 2015, both regulatory agencies supported the submissions.

In Canada, dehulled, glabrous canaryseed has been approved as a novel human food, the first cereal crop to achieve this status. In the United States, dehulled, glabrous canaryseed has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status.

Pulse pledge gains traction

Canaryseed—not just for the birds anymore

In conjunction with the kick-off of the International Year of Pulses (IYP) at the beginning of January, a Pulse Pledge campaign was launched to get North Americans to eat more homegrown pulses. The Pulse Pledge is a 10-week commitment to eat pulses each week, and more than 19,000 people have already signed up. Canadians can take the Pulse Pledge at pulsepledge.com and share their ideas on how they eat pulses through social media (#pulsepledge and #lovepulses).

Canadian pulses—dry beans, dry peas, lentils and chickpeas—are stepping into the spotlight in 2016 as the world celebrates the IYP. Celebrity chef and Canada’s IYP Ambassador, Michael Smith, was the first Canadian to pledge to eat more pulses in 2016.

“Even if they don’t know the term ‘pulses’, many Canadians are familiar with lentils, peas, chickpeas and beans, which are edible seeds of plants in the legume family,” says Chef Smith. “Canada can be proud of the pulses we grow here. They are nutritional superstars, affordable and easy to prepare, and they are sustainably grown, meaning they are good for the planet, too.”

Pulses are a low-fat source of protein, fibre and many vitamins and minerals. They support a healthy diet and can even help in the management of diet-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Canadians can help the environment and contribute to the future of sustainable food production simply by eating pulses – they’re a low-

carbon, water-efficient source of protein that enriches the soil in which they are grown.

Pulses are a remarkable Canadian success story. Canada’s pulse industry, which only began to see significant growth beginning in the 1970s, is now contributing over $3 billion annually to

Canada’s economy. Canada is the world’s largest producer and exporter of dry peas and lentils and a major supplier of pulses to

over 150 countries around the world.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses to celebrate pulses’ contribution to health, nutrition and environmental sustainability and to demonstrate the contribution pulses can make toward global food security.

CROPS

However, there is still work to be done. While there are numerous crop protection products approved for canaryseed as birdseed, none are approved for canaryseed intended for human food. As birdseed, there was no requirement to assess pesticide residue levels on the crop. This must be reevaluated for production intended for human consumption. The background work done on canaryseed shows that it is quite similar to wheat and barley, so data on those crops may be of use in determining residue data for canaryseed.

There is another issue that is confounding canaryseed’s entry into the human food market. Canaryseed is gluten-free, but it contains a protein similar to an allergenic protein in wheat. A label will be required explaining that canaryseed may not be suitable for individuals with a wheat allergy, unless wheat is already an ingredient. Celiac sufferers will be able to consume canaryseed, while those with wheat allergies should avoid it until more is learned about this potential allergy.

The bottom line for growers is that there is a new food crop available for production and marketing. Recently released hairless varieties have bridged the yield gap between hairless and hairy canaryseed, and a more aesthetically pleasing yellow canaryseed may be available in the next few years.

Visit saskatchewan.ca/crops then select Specialty Crops; orVisit the CSDS website at canaryseed.ca.

FOR MORE INFO

Visit the Canadian International Year of Pulses website at www.iypcanada.ca.

FOR MORE INFO

Madeleine GoodwinIYP Coordinator, Pulse Canada

HOW TO TAKE THE PULSE PLEDGEVisit www.pulsepledge.com and sign up for the pledge. Watch for helpful weekly emails full of tips and recipes ideas. Eat ½ cup of pulses a week for 10 weeks. Share your experience on social media using #pulsepledge and/or #lovepulses.

Mitchell Japp, MSc, PAgProvincial Specialist, Cereal Crops Crops and Irrigation Branch

4 AGRIVIEW | MAY 2016


The key to calculating seeding rate is to aim for the desired plant population that will provide maximum yield. The calculation also takes into consideration thousand kernel weight (TKW) in grams (g), a mortality rate (or a percentage survival rate) and a conversion factor in order to end up with a seeding rate that is in pounds per acre (lb/ac). The seeding rate calculation used by the Ministry is as follows:

SEEDING RATE (LB/AC)

plants per sq. ft. X TKW (g) X 10 (conversion factor*)

% survival rate

(*the conversion factor is used to convert to appropriate units)

Survival percentage is a combination of germination rate in per cent and percentage of seeds planted that emerge into vigorous seedlings. For cereals in general, a survival rate to use as a guideline is between 80 and 95 per cent. The fact that seedling mortality can vary from year to year and field to field should be taken into consideration. Many agronomic factors can influence seedling survival, including disease, insects, excessive moisture, drought and frost as well as too much seed-placed fertilizer and incorrect seeding depth.

It is important to know the TKW for your seed lot as well. In order to make a proper calculation for cereal seeding rates, germination tests and TKW should be done on your seed lot by counting out 1,000 seeds and weighing them in grams.

Seeding rate for cereals

SAMPLE CALCULATION:

Target 25 (plants per sq. ft.) x 43 (g) x 10 = 126 lb. per acre (seeding rate)

85 (per cent survival)

TABLE 1. Target plant populations and TKW (g) for some cereals

Crop Target Plant Population (per sq. ft.)

TKW (g)

Wheat – HRS 24 31-38Wheat – CPS 24 39-50Durum 23 41-45Wheat – SWS 20 34-36Winter Wheat 26 25-55Barley – 2 row 22 40-50Barley – 6 row 22 30-45Oat 24 30-45Fall Rye 24 30-35Triticale – Spring 30 42-48Triticale – Winter 24 43-46Corn – sweet 0.5 380

Higher target plant populations can be used when moisture conditions are expected to be good. Some studies are underway testing the ability of higher seeding rates and plant populations to control weeds by providing improved competition.

CROPS

Contact a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; orCall the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

FOR MORE INFO

Joanne Kowalski, M.Sc, PAgRegional Crops Specialist, Prince Albert Regional Services Branch

Sherri Roberts, AAgRegional Crops Specialist, WeyburnRegional Services Branch

More and more Saskatchewan producers are discovering the benefits of adding corn to their crop rotations. Corn is a recent crop to Saskatchewan, so most producers are still relatively unaware of the agronomics of growing corn.

Early weed control is critical to maximizing corn yields, but in order to properly control weeds, it is essential to know how to correctly stage corn.

There are two corn-staging methods that may be used: leaf-collar counts and the “droopy” or leaf-over method. In the leaf-collar count, leaf stage is determined by counting the number of leaves with a visible collar, beginning with the lowermost, short, rounded-tip true leaf and ending with the uppermost leaf with a visible leaf collar. Leaves within the whorl, those not yet fully expanded and those with no visible leaf collar are not included unless the count is happening early in the day and there are leaves with barely visible leaf collars that may become completely visible by the end of the day.

In the “droopy” leaf method, the count once again starts with the thumb leaf but ends with the uppermost leaf that is at least 40 to 50 per cent exposed from the whorl. The tip of the indicator leaf typically “droops” down, hence the name.

No matter which method of staging is used, not all of the plants in a field will be at the same leaf stage at the same time due to normal variability in emergence or exposure to stress. A field’s specific leaf stage is defined by the value that represents the majority of the plants in the field.

As the accompanying photos show, the bottom-most leaves on a corn plant die off as the plant develops. When calculating crop staging, the producer must count these dead leaves even if they are no longer visible. If in doubt, pull up a plant without breaking the stalk. Using a sharp knife, split the stalk down the middle all the way through the root ball to expose the internal stalk nodes and use them to count the leaves.

Proper staging is key to early weed control in corn

Contact a Regional Crops Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office.

FOR MORE INFO

Collar-counting method.

Lower most “thumb” leaf: note

the rounded end

6th leaf collar

Droopy leaf method.

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2

3

4

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5AGRIVIEW | MAY 2016


acre). Seeding rates at the higher end of the range should be used when seeding conditions are poor and seedling emergence may be reduced or when flax is grown under irrigation. Poor seeding conditions may include cold, dry soil or when seeding depths are increased. The seeding rate of flax should be adjusted based on seed size (thousand seed weight), germination percentage and seed vigour.

Seeding early generally produces the best yields. Flax is seldom damaged by spring frosts as the plants can withstand temperatures down to approximately -3 C. Generally, flax sown in early to mid-May results in good yields, but it can be sown as late as June 1 without significant yield loss. Seeding after June 1 lowers yield potential.

Canola growers may have another plant disease to worry about, but it will not be called verticillium wilt (see Agriview, March 2015, New canola disease concerns in Canada). Verticillium wilt is a name used to describe unique diseases caused by different species of the Verticillium fungus in crops such as sunflower, potato, alfalfa and strawberry. Because wilting is not a symptom associated with the disease when it affects canola and other crucifers, experts have decided to change the common name to verticillium stripe in Canada.

Verticillium longisporum, which causes verticillium stripe, has now been confirmed in six provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec). It was first detected in Canada in 2014 in Manitoba. In 2015, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), along with industry and provincial partners, conducted extensive surveys to determine the extent of its distribution in Canada.

The CFIA tested more than 1,000 canola fields across Canada, including 301 fields in Saskatchewan. DNA testing was conducted on stubble samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The Ministry participated in the national survey by collecting samples from

Proper seeding depth and rate ensures a good flax crop

Do we need to worry about verticillium stripe in canola?

Strong stand establishment and vigorous seedlings are critical for producing a high-yielding flax crop and can be influenced by the seeding rate and seeding depth. Small-seeded crops, such as flax, have low levels of food reserves and can be negatively affected by deep seeding and soil crusting. Flax should be sown into moist soil, 2.5 to 4.0 cm (1.0 to 1.5 in.) deep with good seed-to-soil contact. As seeding depth increases, emergence will be reduced and delayed, resulting in weak seedlings that are susceptible to weed competition, herbicide injury and disease. Soil crusting—which may occur with rainfall soon after seeding or on soils with a high clay content—may also reduce emergence, stand establishment and yield potential.

A minimum plant population for optimum yield is 300 plants per square metre (30 plants per square foot). Plant stands below 300 plants per square metre may have reduced yield, but plant stands above 400 plants per square metre (40 plants per square foot) may not actually increase yield. To obtain optimum plant populations, flax should be seeded at a rate of between 40 and 45 kilograms per hectare (35 to 40 pounds per

CROPS

approximately 120 fields through the annual provincial canola disease survey. Growers who volunteered to have their fields surveyed for clubroot and verticillium stripe have been contacted with results.

At this time, the implications of this disease on Saskatchewan canola growers are unknown. Verticillium longisporum has led to decreased yield and early plant death in canola in other countries; however, significant effects have not been observed in Canadian canola thus far and more

work will be needed to understand best management practices. It is not currently a regulated pest, but information from the survey will be used along with consultation with the provinces, growers, and industry before any regulatory decisions are made.

This season, watch for yellowing of branches or leaves (often one-sided), stunting and early death (premature ripening) of canola. Sanitary measures such as cleaning equipment, preventing soil movement and maintaining a minimum of three years’ rotation between canola crops can be used to prevent and minimize the spread of plant pests on farms. Currently, there are no fungicides or resistant varieties available.

Visit the Flax Council of Canada website at www.flaxcouncil.ca/; orVisit the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission website at www.saskflax.com.

FOR MORE INFO

Visit the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca;Call Faye Bouchard, Manager, Crop Protection Laboratory, at 306-798-0100 or [email protected]; orVisit a Regional Crops Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office.

FOR MORE INFO

Examples of verticillium.

Faye Dokken-Bouchard, PAgManager, Crop Protection LaboratoryCrops and Irrigation Branch

Barbara Ziesman, PAgProvincial Specialist, Oilseed CropsCrops and Irrigation Branch

Cory Jacob, AAgRegional Crops Specialist, WatrousRegional Services Branch



Kaeley Kindrachuk, B.App.Sc., ATRegional Crops Specialist, OutlookRegional Services Branch

Be on the lookout for the cabbage seedpod weevil

CROPS

The cabbage seedpod weevil is not a new pest to Saskatchewan; in fact, producers in the southwest have been dealing with it since 2000. In 2013, the cabbage seedpod weevil started to move north of the South Saskatchewan River and east into the traditional canola-growing regions. Producers bordering this region should be on the lookout for this little pest early in the season.

The cabbage seedpod weevil is small (3-4 mm), purple-ish grey in colour and has the typical weevil snout. Adults overwinter beneath leaf litter in shelterbelts and in ditches. Peak emergence will occur once soil temperatures reach 15 C. Cabbage seedpod weevils start feeding on early emerging Brassicaceous weeds. Adults invade canola and oriental and brown mustard crops in June when canola is budding until it reaches the early flowering stage. Yellow mustard is considered resistant. The weevils feed on buds, pollen and nectar. They lay eggs soon after the canola/mustard starts flowering, when the seedpods are small. Each female will lay up to 250 eggs, usually only one egg per pod. Larvae feed on the seeds inside the pod and emerge once they are mature through small bullet-like holes in the pod, dropping to the ground to pupate. There is only one generation per year. These damaged pods are prone to premature shattering.

Start scouting for the cabbage seedpod weevil as soon as the host crops begin to bud and continue through flowering. This weevil is tough to spot just by looking at plants, as it drops to the ground and plays dead when it is disturbed, so using a sweep net is important. When sweeping for the weevils, sweep from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the wind is calm and temperatures are above 20 C. Take 10 180-degree sweep net samples in 10 spots throughout the field. The economic threshold is three to four adults per sweep or, depending on commodity prices, 20 weevils per 10 sweeps. If an insecticide treatment is warranted, spray when the crop is in 10 to 20 per cent flower to reduce egg laying in new pods. Spray later in the day when pollinators and other beneficial insects are less active.

Visit www.saskatchewan.ca/agriculture; orContact a Regional Crops Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office.

FOR MORE INFO

to four days with temperatures exceeding 30 C are enough to cause the plants to lose flowers. Pea plants seem to be able to resist heat stress more effectively if the flowers or buds are growing on the edge of the nodes with no other reproductive growth directly below them. This could be a survival instinct for the plant that allows it to prioritize reproductive growth on lower parts of the plant where it is more sheltered from environmental stress such as heat, hail or heavy wind.

A possible way to limit the risk of heat stress is by making sure you seed your peas early. Allowing your peas to flower earlier reduces the chance of heat stress at this critical stage. If you have irrigation on your field, water can be applied to cool down field peas during a hot day. This is a more risky strategy however, as in a year with high rainfall this could promote disease or water logging. Genetics could provide an advantage in the future, as varieties that flower earlier or for longer periods of time could be better-suited to extreme heat.

Field pea is an important crop in Saskatchewan in terms of both economic returns and proper agronomic practices. Stats Canada reports that Canada is the largest producer of field pea in the world, seeding more than 13 million hectares, 79 per cent of which is in Saskatchewan. Many producers have incorporated this crop into their rotations due to its nitrogen-fixing properties and the relatively low input costs needed to grow them. This crop has become a staple in many producers’ rotations, although field pea is not without weaknesses.

Field peas are very sensitive to stress during the growing season. Excessive heat during flowering and pod growth can be detrimental to the crops potential yield, causing them to go into survival mode and drop flowers in order to provide sufficient water for a smaller number of pods to develop. Heat stress during flowering can also cause the plants to terminate pod filling and pods to drop off. Studies have shown that two

Effects of heat on field pea

Contact Joel Peru, Irrigation Agrologist, at 306-867-5528 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Joel Peru, AAgIrrigation Agrologist, OutlookCrops and Irrigation Branch

Cabbage seedpod weevil.



Lyndon Hicks, PAgRegional Crops Specialist, YorktonRegional Services Branch

Joanne Kowalski, M.Sc, PAgRegional Crops Specialist, Prince Albert Regional Services Branch

• Clean all parts of the sprayer, including the main tank, sump, plumbing, nozzle bodies and booms and filters (main and nozzles) where residues can accumulate.

• Group 2 modes of action (except “IMI” class products including Pursuit, Odyssey, etc.) dissolve better at high pH so a weak base such as ammonia is recommended.

• When cleaning an oily formulation (e.g. emulsifiable concentrate), a wetting agent (e.g. Ag Surf) or commercial detergent will help remove the oily residue that may coat and trap Group 2 residues. An anti-foaming agent may also be required.

• If Group 2 and oily adjuvants or formulations are tank-mixed, a combination of commercial tank cleaning products can help.

The residue in the spray tank may not always be from the previous application but from the last time the contaminant was sprayed, even if it was last season. A complete field and sprayer tank history is important when looking at crop injury that could be caused by an herbicide.

Plant growth regulators or PGRs are one of the more encouraging new products on the market for growers looking to maximize wheat yields. PGRs are used to shorten plant height and improve straw strength, which has shown to significantly reduce lodging and thus improve harvestability. When considering using a PGR, there are several things that growers need to know and consider.

First, growers must be aware of the potential marketing issues for grain that has been treated with certain PGRs. Products such as Manipulator are registered for wheat in Canada but not in all Canadian grain export markets. Maximum residue levels (MRLs) have not yet been set in all countries to which Canada exports wheat, most notably the United States. To assure no marketing issues arise, it is strongly encouraged that growers talk to their local grain merchants before applying PGRs.

It is important to understand that PGRs are better suited for some farms. Growers who are fertilizing for high-yielding wheat in areas generally not limited by moisture and/or those who have had lodging issues in previous years might consider trying a PGR. Farms located in drier areas of the province or growers using relatively low levels of fertilizer will likely see no benefit from a PGR. Evaluating new products on the farm is always best done on a limited number of acres with check strips left to evaluate the treatment.

Unwanted residues in your sprayer can cause injury to your crop

Considering a PGR?

It is important to thoroughly clean spraying equipment after every use. Errors and crop injury from sprayer contamination may not be seen for a few days or weeks after application.

The most common source of sprayer related crop injury is through the buildup of a previously applied herbicide on the internal parts of the sprayer that is then removed during a later spray application. This buildup can be released from the sprayer by a product with strong cleansing properties such as a herbicide (i.e. Liberty) or an adjuvant (i.e. Merge). Crop injury increases the longer the cleansing herbicide remains in contact with the contaminant herbicide. Most often the contaminant is a Group 2 herbicide that has built up in the internal parts of the sprayer and is then applied to a susceptible crop such as pulses or canola.

Tips to reduce crop injury from sprayer tank contamination:

• Do not let herbicide solutions sit in an idle sprayer even if the sprayer will be applying the same product the next time it is used.

• Remove products from mixing and spraying equipment immediately after spraying, particularly after a burn-off operation as many contaminants can be traced back to these applications.

• Always clean sprayers when changing products. The second product, particularly if it is an oily formulation, may coat over the contaminant residue, making it difficult to remove.

CROPS

There are a few different PGRs registered for use in Saskatchewan. Be aware that different products have different application staging requirements. It is extremely important to apply these products at the specified time. As always, be sure to follow label instructions.

The use of plant growth regulators in agriculture is not a new practice. These treatments have been tested in Canada since the 1980s; however, in recent years, the interest in plant growth regulators has increased, which has led to a significant amount of new local trials. Results have largely been encouraging, with PGRs showing to be an effective tool to prevent lodging in high-input wheat production. Studies in Alberta, however, have shown variable results associated with different varieties. It is important to keep accurate records, leave check strips and evaluate new treatments whenever growers try new products.

Contact a Regional Crops Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office;Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; orVisit www.Saskatchewan.ca and search “sprayer residues.

FOR MORE INFO

Contact a Regional Crops Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; orVisit the Cereals Canada website at www.cerealscanada.ca/keep-it-clean/.

FOR MORE INFO

Erin Campbell, PAg. MSc.Regional Crops Specialist, North BattlefordRegional Services Branch

Shannon Chant, PAg. MSc.Regional Crops Specialist, Swift CurrentRegional Services Branch



Cow nutrition considerations for rebreeding

increased disease susceptibility and decreased feed consumption. There are also mineral deficiency disorders that can present themselves and lead to decreased performance and reproductive issues. All of these issues will have an effect on the profitability of a livestock operation.

To meet nutritional requirements, it is helpful to know the quality of the feed being provided. Feed testing will provide this information, which can then be used to formulate rations to ensure requirements are met and allow for a healthy and productive cow and calf.

As a cow goes through the different stages of production, her nutrient requirements change. Adequate nutrition during all production stages is important for the health of the cow and that of her calf, before and after it is born.

Providing adequate nutrition during late gestation and postpartum is especially important if the cow is going to be bred again. The nutritional needs of the cow from about 30 days before calving to about 70 days after calving are roughly equal to her needs for the rest of the year. Meeting nutrient requirements is important during late gestation in order for the cow to be in good body condition when she calves, which increases the chances of having a healthy calf. This also helps her to start cycling sooner and breed back more quickly. Once the calf is born, the cow’s nutritional requirements increase due to lactation and the need to repair the reproductive tract. With proper nutrition, the cow can re-breed within 80-90 days of calving, which is essential to ensuring the cow produces a calf every year.

As the cow moves through pregnancy, calving and lactation, her nutrient requirements increase.

Energy deficiencies can cause decreased milk production, smaller calves, lower conception rates, increased calving intervals, open cows and weight loss. Protein deficiencies can cause weak calves, poor quality colostrum,

LIVESTOCK

Contact a Regional Livestock Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office.

FOR MORE INFO

Re-evaluating your internal parasite control program

the parasites before they shed eggs by deworming six weeks into the grazing season. In younger animals, the timeframe is shortened: young calves and yearling cattle should be dewormed four weeks after grazing starts and then again four weeks later.

Another factor to evaluate in your internal parasite control program is continued use of the same pour-on treatment every year. This method is easy and less stressful on the cattle; however, if the product is not working properly, production losses can occur and parasite eggs can continue being shed on pasture. Also, those parasites not killed by treatment can develop resistance.

Now what? One suggestion put forth by Dr. Bliss is to use an oral parasite control with a combination of a pour-on (for lice control) medication in late fall or early winter, then applying an oral parasite control again in the spring after grazing has started and before new worms start shedding eggs. A handful of formulations allow producers to match which one best suits their management style. Since it doesn’t have any effects on dung beetles, it is also good for the environment.

Livestock producers looking to maximize economic returns from their calf crop should consider controlling internal parasites.

Dr. Don Bliss, veterinary parasitologist with MidAmerica Ag Research, told a Saskatchewan Agriculture-organized seminar in Yorkton this fall: “Parasitism is a production disease. If you don’t want to deworm your cattle, that’s fine but you might be losing 35 to 50 pounds of gain on your calves.” Strategically deworming your animals has an extensive list of benefits, including increased milk production, feed efficiency, dry matter intake and reproductive efficiency as well as a stronger immune system.

Strategic deworming entails timing the application around when it will prevent economic loss and reduce the risk of parasite eggs being shed on pastures, especially during the early part of the grazing season. Luckily, the cold winters in Saskatchewan mean that deworming animals in late fall will keep them relatively parasite-free until spring, providing the dewormer medication has a high degree of efficacy. Then when cattle consume infected larvae while spring grazing, the second step is to kill

Natasha Wilkie, PAgRegional Livestock SpecialistRegional Services Branch

Jessica Smith, PAgRegional Livestock Specialist, Swift CurrentRegional Services Branch

Contact a Regional Livestock Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office.

FOR MORE INFO

DID YOU KNOW…?Rabies is carried by skunks across most of Saskatchewan. While any warm-blooded animal can get rabies, dogs and cats on farms and acreages are most at risk simply because they are the most likely to encounter and interact with rabid skunks.

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY – contact your veterinarian and book your pet vaccination appointments today.

A general rule for energy requirements:

A general rule for protein requirements:

55 PER CENT total digestible nutrients (TDN) at mid-pregnancy

60 PER CENT at late pregnancy and

65 PER CENT post-calving and during lactation.

7 PER CENT crude protein at mid-pregnancy

9 PER CENT at late pregnancy and

11 PER CENT post-calving and during lactation.



Trevor Lennox, MAg, PAgRegional Forage Specialist, Swift CurrentRegional Services Branch

Using pea/cereal mixtures for greenfeed

Oat yields and triticale comparable for greenfeed and swath grazing

LIVESTOCK

Another aspect of the project looked at how a semi-leafless forage pea (CDC Horizon) compared to a normal-leaf pea (40-10) in terms of growth habit and forage yield. The semi-leafless variety had more of an upright growth habit and an earlier maturity date, resulting in the peas and cereals maturing in sync with each other (i.e. more uniform crop

maturity). In comparison, the normal-leaf forage pea had a more prostrate growth habit and remained greener for a longer period of time.

The project also investigated whether a pea/cereal combination produced a more nutritionally balanced feed than just oats or barley alone. Producers who feed alfalfa/grass hay bales know the value of having mixed forage versus a monoculture feed. This project suggests that annual forage mixtures may be able to replicate this same type of mixed forage that has proven nutritional benefits over feeding only one feed type.

Final results will be posted on the SFC website under the ‘projects’ heading once they are available. The ADOPT program is funded under Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Every year, producers are looking for guidance on seeding rates for annual forage mixtures and the proper staging of a forage mixture for greenfeed harvest.

This past summer, the Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) coordinated an Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technology (ADOPT) project that looked at growing forage peas in a mixture with cereals for greenfeed production.

The demonstration project compared monocultures of forage oats (CDC Haymaker and CDC Baler), forage barleys (CDC Maverick and CDC Cowboy) and forage peas (40-10 and CDC Horizon), as well as pea/cereal combinations at two different seeding rates: 100 per cent pea + 30 per cent cereal, and 50 per cent pea + 50 per cent cereal. The study found that the 100/30 pea/cereal seeding rate produced the highest overall yields. One of the challenges when using pea/cereal mixtures is that the cereals tend to be more competitive than the peas, which is possibly why the mixture with the lower cereal seeding rate performed the best.

Research done by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) from 2005-2012 in Lacombe AB found that triticale yielded 14 per cent more forage than oats and 41 per cent more forage than barley. Research conducted in Saskatchewan, however, has been unable to produce similar results.

Triticale is a later-maturing crop than either oats or barley. The AAFC project found that triticale, when harvested at the soft dough stage, yielded more forage than either oats at late milk or barley at early dough stages. During 2012-2014, the Saskatchewan Agri-ARM program ran similar projects at sites in Indian Head, Yorkton, Melfort, Swift Current and Outlook. The projects compared the forage yields of CDC Cowboy and CDC Maverick barley, Baler and Haymaker oats and golden German millet to Tyndal and Bunker spring triticale. The results from the Saskatchewan sites show a lesser forage yield advantage for growing triticale. Averaging 14 site-years of data from the three years, triticale was equal to oats, seven percent higher than barley and 20 percent higher than golden German millet.

Forage yields of cool and warm season annuals are highly dependent upon spring and summer precipitation and temperatures. Therefore, there can be considerable variation between years. During 2012-2014, the forage yield of golden German millet has generally been lower than the cool season crops due to relatively moist and cool summers.

These projects were funded by the Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) fund. The ADOPT program provides funding to help Saskatchewan producer groups demonstrate and evaluate new agricultural practices and technologies at the local level.

Lorne Klein, PAgRegional Forage Specialist, WeyburnRegional Services Branch

Contact a Regional Forage Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; orCall the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

FOR MORE INFO

Contact a Regional Forage Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; orCall the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

FOR MORE INFO

Trial plot with 30 per cent oats and 100 per cent Horizon peas.

CDC Haymaker oats on left. Golden German millet on right.

CDC Maverick barley on left. Tyndal triticale on right.



From checking fences to Sunday fun rides, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are often a part of farm life. However, it is also important to think about ATV safety.

To drive an ATV in Saskatchewan, you are required to wear a helmet and must be 16 years old with a valid driver’s

license. A person under 16 must be under the direct supervision of someone with a valid driver’s license. You may only carry passengers if the ATV is designed to carry passengers. These rules are there to help you or someone in your family stay safe. The complete suite of rules can be found in The All Terrain Vehicles Act.

What are some other things to think about in terms of ATV safety?

As with all farm equipment, keep maintenance up to date and do regular checks. Catching a low fuel tank or an under-inflated tire before you leave the yard is always best. Inspect your loading ramps and ask yourself if they are safe. Are they in good shape? Are they slip-free? Before you head out to check pastures or bins, make sure you let someone know where you are going and when you might return. This is important! In the event that something goes wrong, it is good to know that someone will be out looking for you.

Farmers and ranchers work long hours. When riding in the dusk or dark, keep in mind that just because you can see does not mean others can see you. Turn on the ATV’s lights. This is a good practice any time of day. When you are loading and unloading, take a moment to make sure you are lined up properly. There is no need to rush.

What about training? You are never too old to learn new things, so take an ATV safety course. This is especially important for young and inexperienced riders. An ATV safety course will take you through everything you need to know about ATV safety. When having to make split-second decisions, you will know what to do because you are prepared.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

understands why the task is important and why it is critical that it is done correctly. The consequences of an error should be understood.

SUPERVISION. Children must be supervised until they are competent at the task. A younger child will need constant supervision; however, the level of supervision will depend on the physical and mental maturity of the child and complexity of the task. Ask yourself if the new worker completely understands the task and supervise accordingly.

ADULT RESPONSIBILITIES. The adult or supervisor is responsible for matching the complexity of the task, the risk to the child’s well-being, the working conditions to which the child is exposed and the physical and mental ability of the child. Are the working conditions acceptable? Will the child be safe?

Engaging children on farm activities is an important part of farming; however, it is critical that proper precautions are used.

Keeping children safe on the farm

Be safe on your ATV

Many of us who grew up on the farm remember doing chores around the yard. Initially, they were simple tasks like picking eggs and feeding chickens; tasks that were easy to learn and carried little risk. As we grew older, chores gradually became more physically demanding and complicated until we were able to do most farm work without supervision.

Some of us now have children or grandchildren who can start helping out or are already helping out in the yard or in the field. Here are a few guidelines to help ensure the kids can do the job properly and safely.

ABILITY. Children develop mentally and physically at different rates. Some children are ready to start working with their parents much earlier than others, so it is very important to ensure that children are only doing tasks they are ready for. At times, some children have a false sense of ability and honestly believe they are capable, when in reality they are not strong or patient enough.

TRAINING. The best way to train a child to do a task or chore is to demonstrate it on site. Training also involves making sure the child

Refer to the North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks at www.nagcat.org; Visit the Agriculture Health and Safety Network at www.aghealth.usask.ca; orVisit www.saskatchewan.ca/business and search for “farm safety” or “safety in the workplace”.

FOR MORE INFO

Visit the Saskatchewan All Terrain Vehicle Association website at www.satva.ca;Visit the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute website at www.skprevention.ca; orVisit the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association website at www.casa-acsa.ca.

FOR MORE INFO

Andre Bonneau, PAgRegional Forage Specialist, Prince AlbertRegional Services Branch

Rachel Turnquist, BSA, PAgRegional Forage Specialist, Moose JawRegional Services Branch



Saskatchewan’s agricultural region was developed from native prairie grasslands, parkland mixed grassland and forest. It was ploughed and cultivated during European settlement and within 50 years of the start of cultivation, perennial forage crops were no longer recommended for rotation with annual crops in the native prairie grassland (brown soil) region. They were, however, still recommended for rotation in the parkland (black soil) region.

Considering this history, researchers began to wonder what the optimum method of crop rotation in Saskatchewan was. Previous studies were consulted, and it appeared that legume forages could increase nitrogen fertility for subsequent crops in the rotation. The level of fertility has been shown to vary from 8 kg N per sq. ha to 62 kg N per sq. ha, which suggests that that both the soil zone and the surrounding environmental influences can have a great impact on the nitrogen fertility benefit of legumes forages.

With the financial assistance of the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), researchers set out to determine if the residual nitrogen left after two years of legume hay production that can be captured by subsequent annual grain crops. The research was split into four smaller research projects: (1) determining nitrogen uptake of cereal crops in the two years following the legumes, (2) calculating the nitrogen fertilizer replacement value by application of nitrogen rate subplots on the annual crop rotation over two years, (3) calculating energy requirements for each rotation system, and (4) calculating the economic returns from each rotation system.

Four test sites were selected that were representative of the soil zone and the surrounding environmental influences. The site at Swift Current was seeded with a Fabro plot drill equipped with AtomJet openers using a 20-cm row spacing. These individual plots were 6m x 8m. The site at Saskatoon’s Agriculture and AgriFood Canada Research Centre had a plot size of 6.25m x 6m. The Melfort site was 7m x 7.3m and seeded using an 18-cm row spacing. At the Lanigan site, 6m x 6m plots were seeded using the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) plot drill equipped with Flexicoil Stealth openers set on a 20-cm spacing.

The researchers found that nitrogen uptake by wheat and canola crops differed among the rotations at each of the four testing locations. However, across the board, the alfalfa-alfalfa-wheat-canola rotation contributed 23kg N per sq. ha more for canola uptake than the barley-flax-wheat-canola rotation. The alfalfa-alfalfa-wheat-canola rotation was also shown to contribute 44 kg N per sq. ha more than the barley-pea-wheat-canola rotation.

The researchers also discovered that the energy balance of many crop rotations can be improved by replacing the nitrogen fertilizer application with soil residual nitrogen fertility from legume crops in the rotation sequence.

The discovery that including forage legumes in annual cropping rotations can help replenish soil nitrogen has tremendous benefits. The forage legumes themselves did not have the lowest production costs at all sites,

Using forage legumes in short rotation to reduce nitrogen fertilizer costs

RESEARCH

but the fact that producers could take multiple cuts of hay in year two of the tests, without concern for carryover, provided revenues that made up for the additional production costs. The only exception was the site in Melfort, and this was attributed to the exceptional flax yields.

Moreover, after two years, the average cumulative return on the alfalfa-alfalfa-wheat-canola rotation ($346 per sq. ha) exceeded the returns on the barley-flax-wheat-canola rotation. The returns on a red clover-red clover-wheat-canola rotation ($236 per sq. ha) were also competitive with the control rotation’s returns ($298 per sq. ha). It should be noted that the values for the alfalfa-alfalfa-wheat-canola rotation varied from $43 per sq. ha at the Swift Current test site to $460 per sq. ha at the Melfort test site. This shows the clear impact that the surrounding environmental conditions and the soil zone have on the amount of nitrogen that is fixed by the legumes.

The project clearly demonstrated that the energy balance of many crop rotations can be improved by replacing applied nitrogen fertilizer with residual soil nitrogen from legume crops in a given rotational sequence. It further showed that this energy benefit is greatest when the energy output of perennial forage legumes is harvested and the hay included in the calculations. However, when the net energy balance of the two subsequent annual crops is considered separately, there does not seem to be any gain in terms of observable energy balance from putting perennial forage legumes into rotation.

Already, some Saskatchewan producers have adopted forage legumes in rotation with annual crops to capture nitrogen fertilizer benefits and high-quality forages for beef cattle. One producer uses this rotation for silage production and grazing. Another has reported that his alfalfa seed fields now receive little (if any) applied nitrogen fertilizer when rotated into the next annual crop.

The Agriculture Development Fund provides funding to institutions, companies and industry organizations to help them carry out research, development and value-added activities in the agriculture and agri-food sector. The results produce new knowledge, information and choices in technologies, techniques and varieties for farmers, ranchers, processors and input suppliers, to improve the competitiveness of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.

In 2016, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada committed $14.8 million in new funding for 66 ADF research projects through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture research reports page at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/ADF and enter the report number 20090283 into the search function.

FOR MORE INFO

Alfalfa (l) and red clover (r), third cut, just prior to harvest.

Pea crop slowly drying at Lanigan in 2011. Canola in rotation one in 2013 at Lanigan.




when the market is quiet and prices are relatively stable. If cattle prices are highly volatile, traditionally there is a greater interest in purchasing price protection.

The premium is also influenced by the length of time the policy covers and the coverage level selected. The longer the life of the policy and the higher the insured price, the more the chance there will be a payment. As a result, producers will pay higher premiums for higher coverage over a longer period of time.

It is important to note that WLPIP premiums are developed using a formula which factors in volatility of the market, forward prices (coverage options) and policy length. This formula provides consistency in how the premiums are calculated for the price insurance options provided to producers.

Calf Price Insurance DeadlineProducers wanting to purchase calf price insurance for 2016 calves have until May 31, 2016, to purchase a policy. Price insurance is purchased online. Interested producers who do not have online accounts should contact their local Crop Insurance office to start the application process. SCIC can also provide more information on how livestock price insurance works, the sign-up process and how to purchase policies. Producers who do not have access to a computer can still participate in WLPIP by contacting their local Crop Insurance office. The staff will help them sign up and purchase a price insurance policy.

How it WorksEvery Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, until May 31, between 2 and 5:30 p.m. (MST), the coverage and associated premiums will be published at wlpip.ca. Producers can review the information and purchase a policy. Once the policy is purchased the producer has an insured market price (floor price) for his/her calves over a defined period of time. Claims are made during the final four weeks of the insurance policy. Producers compare their insured price to the settlement price offered by the program. If the settlement price is lower, producers are in a benefit position.

This settlement price is based on the actual sales data from Western Canadian auction marts. Depending on the region the policy was purchased for (either Saskatchewan/Manitoba or Alberta), the settlement price reflects the market sales in those regions. WLPIP accesses sales data from 42 auction marts across the western provinces, including the internet auctions of TEAM and DLMS. The data provide a true reflection of the current prices producers are receiving for their livestock. This is the most comprehensive collection of cattle market data in Western Canada.

Volatile markets could make calf price insurance a good fit

Since the fall of 2015, all signs have pointed to a turning of the tide in the cattle market. According to many cattle market analysts, the high point of the current cattle cycle has passed and, with the expansion of beef cow herds in the United States, the expectation is for an overall lower-trending market. To put some context into just how rapid the U.S herd has increased its growth over the past year, it is equal to the current headcount in Western Canada.

If the start of 2016 is any indication, cattle prices are expected to remain volatile. Producers in search of stability should start to look at what risk management means to them, and how it can be implemented in their operations.

By definition, risk management means to protect equity and secure profits by “hedging” against market changes. Practically, and for those in the cattle industry, it means using available tools (contracts, futures, options, price insurance) to protect against or offset a potential price decrease.

Marketing and risk management, while often considered complementary to each other, are not the same thing. Marketing cattle can be a way to mitigate risks that arise at a certain time (i.e. forward contracting), but it is more appropriate to describe it as the actions taken to secure a premium for cattle on the day they are sold. Risk management, on the other hand, is used to protect against a price slide in the overall market. Calf price insurance available through the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program can be an effective way to manage that risk.

Things to ConsiderWhen evaluating whether to purchase calf price insurance, it is important to keep a few things in mind:

• Know your break-even point – This will help as you review coverages and determine if the program provides the protection you need.

• Know your cost – Each coverage level has an associated premium. The premiums reflect the length of the coverage and the volatility of the market.

• Estimate the value of your calves – Calf price insurance policies can be purchased up to 36 weeks.

• What is your risk tolerance – A major factor in selecting your coverage level and associated premium.

The PremiumProducers considering price insurance may be somewhat surprised by what appears to be high premiums for the top coverage levels. However, these new higher premiums for the top coverage levels are a reflection of the increased price risk faced by producers in this uncertain marketplace.

One of the most important factors influencing premiums is volatility of the market. If cattle prices are highly volatile, like they have been since the start of 2016, then WLPIP premiums will be more expensive than

Contact a local SCIC office;Call 1-888-935-0000; orVisit saskcropinsurance.com/wlpip.

FOR MORE INFO

ANTHRAX IN SASKATCHEWANCases of anthrax continue to occur in Saskatchewan livestock, particularly in cattle and bison. There are usually a handful of cases each year, killing multiple animals on affected farms. Anthrax spores survive in the soil for decades. Outbreaks in livestock can occur anywhere in the province. All cattle and bison producers are strongly encouraged to discuss anthrax risk when updating their annual vaccination program with their veterinarian.

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT – vaccinate for anthrax this spring.



In comparison to historical data, recent data show an increasing trend in grain asphyxiation. In 2015, six entrapment fatalities and at least two rescues were reported in Canada. Research has found that grain entrapment is the leading cause of death in connection with grain storage and that more than half of grain entrapments are fatal. Grain safety is paramount to prevent future grain entrapment incidents.

Types of Grain EntrapmentThere are four different types of grain entrapment: loading grain, unloading grain, collapse of grain bridge and avalanche of grain wall.

UNLOADING GRAIN moves in a downward and inward funnel motion that causes a suction-like action. The pull of the grain can cause individuals to become covered to their knees within three to four seconds and completely engulfed within 20 seconds.

LOADING GRAIN can also pose a serious risk. For instance, a combine can empty its tank (210 bushels) in less than two minutes. This flow rate could cover a person in seconds.

A grain bridge is a hardened layer of spoiled grain with a hollow pocket or cavity beneath. An individual may enter the grain storage area to break

Grain entrapment is on the rise – keep yourself and others safe


up the crust, adding weight that causes the crust to cave in. The collapse of the grain bridge may result in the victim falling into the hollow area below and being buried by grain.

Spoiled grain can also stick to the sides of a bin, creating a wall of grain, which is exposed by unloading. An individual may enter the bin to break up the wall to remove the rest of the grain, leading to an avalanche of the grain wall that buries the individual.

Grain Handling SafetyThe safest approach is to not enter grain storage or grain transport vehicles when loading or unloading grain. If it is absolutely necessary to enter a grain bin or grain truck, make sure to take safety precautions:

• Do not work alone;

• Develop plan in case of emergency;

• Always make sure that the grain handling equipment is shut down and locked out before entering;

• Use a shovel or pull to break up grain crust from outside grain transport vehicle or bin; and;

• Wear personal protective equipment.

leach into the soil and ground water. Burning prohibited materials, including plastics and rubber, without a permit is illegal, regardless of where the material originated.

While a contractor may be able to avoid tipping fees through private dumps, land owners may find themselves on the hook for expensive site assessments and cleanup. The Municipal Refuse Management Regulations and The Environmental Management and Protection Act provide the regulatory framework for land owners to avoid citations, fines and other remediation costs.

“Education is the focus,” says Rathwell, “so we can break the tendency of people who want to find illegal

ways to get rid of waste material.”

In addition to protecting land owners from the responsibilities of illegal dump sites on their property, proper disposal of waste in will also help protect the beautiful Saskatchewan landscape.

If you encounter a potentially unauthorized dump, call the local Saskatchewan TIP line at 1-800-667-7561 or go online at saskatchewan.ca/tip.

Land owners can prevent illegal dumpsites and environmental concerns in Saskatchewan

Some rural Saskatchewan farmyards are full of rusty and discarded machinery or vehicles, dilapidated buildings, old tires and other assorted odds and ends. While often unsightly on the landscape, there is nothing illegal about this, provided there are no environmental or safety risks and no local bylaws that say otherwise.

One illegal practice is on the rise, however, and the Ministry of Environment is focusing on education as a way to encourage land owners to stop the use of farms and acreages as private disposal areas for third-party garbage and waste.

Mike Rathwell, environmental protection officer with the Ministry of Environment, says the government is trying to counter illegal dumping through education, and a reminder that unauthorized private dumps can come with hefty fines and cleanup costs.

“We’re really starting to see this problem grow around the province with some folks, including contractors, who are demolishing buildings and trying to avoid the tipping fees that a landfill would charge,” says Rathwell. He says the builder will then make an arrangement with a private land owner to get rid of old concrete, wood, mortar, bricks, shingles, insulation and other demolition and building materials.

Burning waste material can lead to further environmental concerns, including toxic material in the air and dangerous byproducts that

Contact Sarah Keith, Manager, Landfills, Saskatchewan Environment, at 306-953-3477 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Visit the Agricultural Health and Safety Network website at aghealth.usask.ca.

FOR MORE INFO

Miranda DziaduckCanadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture

Demolition waste from a nearby community hauled to a landowner’s field where he intended to fill in a slough.




SCIC can help producers select the best preventative measure(s) to reduce or eliminate their specific problem. There are a number of options which can be used, including but not limited to fencing that is specific to livestock/fowl operations, fence patrols, lights and other deterrents, the use of llamas, donkeys and/or trained dogs as guardian animals. Producers can receive $100 to offset the cost of purchasing a guard dog.

Predation specialists may be recommended by an SCIC adjuster to assess the situation and take steps to eliminate the predator problem. Predation specialists understand predator habits and can provide advice and strategies to protect livestock from future attacks.

What is expected from farmers and ranchers?• Contact a Crop Insurance office as soon as a predator attack is discovered.

• Preserve any evidence of an attack for an adjuster to inspect.

• Take photos to record evidence of an attack.

• Follow recommended preventative measures to reduce problem wildlife.

2016 Census of Agriculture benefits farmers

Don’t take risks with your livestock – insure them against wildlife predation

During this time of year, when many producers are busy with calving and lambing, wildlife predation can become a problem. The Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, delivered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC), is available to all Saskatchewan producers and can compensate for losses resulting from predator attacks as well as assist in preventative measures to help avoid future losses.

When producers experience predator attacks on their livestock, they should contact their local Crop Insurance office immediately. SCIC will send an adjuster to conduct an inspection to assess the evidence of a predator attack. Compensation is paid when there is evidence a predator was the reason for the livestock loss. Evidence includes carcass, attack or kill site and signs of the presence of a predator.

SCIC adjusters are trained to distinguish between a predator attack or some other cause of livestock loss. If there is no carcass or no evidence to prove a predator attack, no payment will be issued. If little to no remains are left of the animal, adjusters will review the available evidence. If evidence is inconclusive, but the probable cause is deemed a predator attack, producers may receive 50 per cent compensation.

SCIC also provides compensation if animals are injured in an attack. Producers can receive up to 80 per cent of the animal’s value to cover veterinary costs.

The Census of Agriculture is now on the horizon. In early May, Saskatchewan producers will receive a letter with easy-to-follow instructions on how to complete the questionnaire.

Census of Agriculture data are the definitive source of community-level data. By drawing on these data, decision-makers will be assured that they are acting in the interest of farmers, farm communities and agricultural operations.

Farm organizations are heavy users of census data and draw on this information to formulate policy recommendations, produce communications and outreach work, and conduct market development.

Regional, provincial and federal government policy advisors use Census of Agriculture data to help develop programs related to farm support and to evaluate the impact of natural disasters (such as floods, droughts and storms) on agriculture. This allows for a quick reaction when a natural disaster does occur.

The Census of Agriculture has other benefits:

• It identifies trends and provides factual information on emerging issues, opportunities and challenges within the agricultural community; and

• Its questions cover a wide range of topics, such as land use, crops, livestock, agricultural labour, machinery and equipment, land management practices, and farm finances.

Support your community and complete your Census of Agriculture questionnaire in May 2016! It can be completed by anyone who is responsible for, or knowledgeable about, the day-to-day management decisions of your farming operation. As required by the Statistics Act, the information you provide will be kept confidential and used only for statistical purposes.

Contact a local Saskatchewan Crop Insurance office;Call 1-888-935-0000; orVisit www.saskcropinsurance.com/wildlife.

FOR MORE INFO

IMPORTANT CHANGES MADE TO THE ONLINE

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR 2016:

• Streamlined and easy to complete;

• Shorter and 30 per cent faster to complete than in 2011;

• Respondents are no longer required to provide detailed farm expenses;

• Automatically adds totals and skips questions that don’t apply to your operation.

• Completing your questionnaire online is quick and easy:

• Go to Statistics Canada’s website at www.statcan.gc.ca and select the online questionnaire;

• Use the secure access code you will receive in the mail in May and conveniently complete your questionnaire.

As a farm operator, you are legally required to participate under the Statistics Act.



The nature of work on Saskatchewan farms and ranches can make us vulnerable to injury. On average, 13 people are killed on Saskatchewan farms each year. Most incidents occur in the farmyard and of all serious injuries that happen, 14 per cent involve youth. The potential risks are all around us—the work we do is physical, and it involves operating machinery, working with animals, and maintaining and using massive storage and sophisticated handling facilities.

We must commit to following standard operating procedures and ensure we administer crop protection and animal health products according to manufacturer labels. Our obligation is to not only safeguard ourselves and our employees, but also the animals and environment that are entrusted to our care.

Social licence in agriculture is earned when we have the public’s trust and confidence in what we do and the way we do. As business owners and employers, we are responsible for the safety of hired employees and our families who work with us. Farmers and ranchers are not exempt from

Events calendar

How farm safety earns social licence

Saskatchewan’s health and safety laws. Every time an incident occurs, public trust and confidence can erode; and, with that erosion come demands on legislators to step in and more stringently regulate how we operate.

When members of the public learn of workplace incidents causing serious personal injury, or worse, death, they wonder whether the safety protocols and regulated practices of these sectors—including the agricultural sector—sufficiently protect workers.

Proactively adopting a culture of safety will go a long way in gaining the public’s support of how we operate on Saskatchewan farms and ranches. It’s not just what we are legally required to do, but what the public thinks we should do. That approach will also help in our efforts to recruit and retain employees. If we can legitimately position our industry as one that is safe to work in, that puts high value on training, that takes care to provide good working conditions, and considers its workforce an investment and not a cost, agriculture will become a sector of choice for Saskatchewan workers.

EVENTS | PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Visit www.saskatchewan.ca/business and search for “farm safety” or “safety in the workplace”.

FOR MORE INFO

Date Event Location Phone Internet

May 15, 2016 Under the Bee Mortality Insurance Pilot Program this is the deadline to notify SCIC of loss in the spring. Coverage terminates as of this date.

Saskatchewan 1-888-935-0000 www.saskcropinsurance.com

May 20, 2016 Global Youth Institute application deadline. Saskatchewan saskatchewan.ca/thinkag

May 21, 2016 Deadline to seed camelina in the brown soil zone. Deadline to seed all classes of chickpeas.


May 31, 2016 Last day to purchase calf coverage with the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program.


May 31, 2016 Deadline to provide production contract information to Crop Insurance, under the Contract Price Option.


June 1, 2016 Deadline for the Saskatchewan 21-Day Calving Challenge. Saskatchewan 1-866-457-2377 www.saskatchewan.ca

Shelley JonesManager, Agriculture Awareness Regional Services Branch

GLOBAL YOUTH INSTITUTEThe Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is sending two Saskatchewan students and their teachers, all expenses paid, to represent the province at the Global Youth Institute from October 13 to 15, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa. The students will interact with Nobel and World Food prize laureates, and discuss pressing food security and agricultural issues with international experts. Each year, around 400 exceptional high school students from across the world are selected to participate in the three-day event hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation. Saskatchewan students currently in grade 8 to 11, with a keen interest in agriculture and food security, are eligible to apply. Application deadline is May 20, 2016. For full contest details and information on how to apply, students can visit: saskatchewan.ca/thinkag.



Agriview May 2016

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