Agriview November 2015

The five per cent rule | PAGE 6

Maintaining social licence | PAGE 9

Farmland Ownership rules | PAGE 15

Saskatchewan’s 2015 Outstanding Young Farmers Jeff and Ebony ProskoPAGE 8

NOVEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 7

46356 GSK_Agriview_November_2015_a7.indd 1 2015-10-22 8:05 AM

Welcome to the November issue of Agriview.

Earlier this fall, I announced the results of the farmland consultations that took place from May until August. We asked the public who they thought should be able to own farmland in Saskatchewan to help determine our actions moving forward. More than 3,200 people shared their views on this important topic and as a result, we are making changes that will keep farmland accessible to Saskatchewan’s farmers and ranchers.

These amendments to The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act will enshrine the regulations introduced in April as law. This means that pension plans, administrators of pension fund assets and trusts are not eligible to buy farmland.

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. Full consultation results are available at www.saskatchewan.ca/farmland.

For producers—and anyone interested in agriculture and the rural way of life—nothing beats the Canadian Western Agribition, held Nov. 23-27. Agribition is Western Canada’s largest livestock show and sale, but its reach extends far beyond the Prairie Provinces. Agricultural buyers and sellers from around the world arrive in Regina every year to view the events, exhibits and world-class livestock genetics that are on display. Businesses see Agribition as an ideal venue to highlight their accomplishments and connect with professionals and organizations from around the globe. It’s also an event that helps our industry maintain social licence by exposing urban attendees to modern farming operations and practices. If you are interested in making contacts in the international marketplace, or just want to observe some of the best livestock in the country, Regina is the place to be at the end of the month.

November marks the end of the United Nation’s International Year of Soils, but 2016 is the United Nation’s International Year of Pulses, and Agriview is launching a year-long series of articles highlighting how pulses help feed both the soil and people around the globe.

Minister’s Message

Lyle Stewart

2016 is the United Nation’s International Year of Pulses.


The five per cent rule | PAGE 6

Maintaining social licence | PAGE 9

Farmland Ownership rules | PAGE 15

Saskatchewan’s 2015 Outstanding Young Farmers Jeff and Ebony ProskoPAGE 8

NOVEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 7

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.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/programs-services.

Cover: Jeff and Ebony Prosko, Saskatchewan’s Outstanding Young Farmer winners for 2015. For more information about the Outstanding Young Farmer program, turn to page eight.

Table of Contents

CROPSSoil information crucial to agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Soil compaction and subsoil tillage: where do we stand in Saskatchewan? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2016 is the International Year of Pulses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Are faba beans a consideration for your crop rotation? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Get your oilseed crops off to a good start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Small changes lead to big gains – The Five Per Cent Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2015 SIPA/ICDC Annual Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Maximum Residue Limits – Important to the consumer; even more important to the producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

PROGRAMS & SERVICESThe Outstanding Young Farmers program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Saskatchewan’s Outstanding Young Farmers – Jeff and Ebony Prosko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

LIVESTOCKLivestock producers, are you maintaining your social licence? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Sheep disease surveillance in Saskatchewan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Funding available for sheep biosecurity plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Employee safety is vital to Thunder Creek Pork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Fall is the time to ensure the health of the beef herd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Essential elements for the wellbeing of horses during the winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

RESEARCHUsing nanotechnology to control disease in livestock operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PROGRAMS & SERVICESFall 2015 ADOPT projects are underway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Farmland: what can you afford – to rent, buy or neither? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Important Fall deadlines for Crop Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connecting with consumers at Canadian Western Agribition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Farmland ownership rules meeting the needs of Saskatchewan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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

PROGRAMS & SERVICESAgricultural Excellence Conference: Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Farmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

154 10

Saskatchewan.ca


Soil information crucial to agriculture

Farmers have always studied the soil. They recognize its value and the need to conserve it. They need to know what is suitable for crop production and what is better left for grazing, what crops will grow best on their soil and when that soil needs replenishment. Soil information is crucial to agriculture.

Soil information specific to a producer’s location can be obtained by collecting a representative soil sample and having it analyzed by a soil testing service. The soil analysis will typically provide information on general soil characteristics and the level of plant-available nutrients. The amount of nutrients needed to grow the next crop is then based on crop type, target yield and nutrient requirement, soil properties like available moisture, and the predicted nutrient availability based on the soil analysis. This is the productivity component of the soil.

Information collected by the Saskatchewan soil surveys over the decades provides considerable detail about the physical and chemical features of

Saskatchewan soils. This detailed information becomes the foundation for the decisions on land use and cropping, and is captured in soil databases.

An overview of the general nature of Canadian soils can be found at the Soils of Canada website. Information on how the soils were formed, what they look like, and how they are classified is provided. The Soils of Saskatchewan website offers a specific focus on the province’s soils. Using this background soil information along with site-specific analysis provides good insight into the capability and productivity of the soil.

As agriculture moves into a new era of precision farming, the need for even more detailed information on soils is apparent. The Canadian Soil Information Service website contains some of the most detailed soil information available. The high resolution data contained in the maps give producers a better understanding of the soil, which helps them maximize productivity while ensuring the sustainability of the soil resource well into the future.

CROPS

Ken Panchuk, PAgProvincial Specialist, SoilsCrops and Irrigation Branch

Dr. Jeff Schoenau, PAgProfessor, University of Saskatchewan Soil Science and Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Chair

2015 is the International Year of Soils. This is the last in a series of Agriview articles focusing on the essential role of soils.

crop yield. Soil compaction increases soil bulk density, breaks down soil aggregates and encourages the formation of soil crusts, all of which can lead to poor water infiltration and crop emergence.

Soil compaction can be caused naturally or as the result of human activities. Even raindrops can cause soil compaction as evidenced by the formation of soil crusts. Humans can cause compaction by tilling at the same depth (causing tillage pans), using tight and undiversified crop rotations, and working or driving on wet fields.

Following producer reports of poor water infiltration and drainage after the recent years of above-normal precipitation, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan launched a study to determine if soil compaction is a problem and, if so, whether subsoiling is the solution. While the study showed that subsoiling improved bulk density and other soil properties like infiltration, these effects were limited to one or two years, especially under wet conditions. Most importantly, these effects did not lead to consistently significant improvements in yield, rendering the practice uneconomical.

Producers should investigate fully before they attribute a significant yield reduction to soil compaction. To prevent soil compaction, producers are encouraged to employ best management practices such as maintaining a diversified crop rotation that includes forages, reducing tillage, minimizing field traffic on wet ground, reducing the load on wheeled vehicles, maintaining crop residue on the soil surface and improving soil organic matter.

Soil compaction has not been a big problem in Saskatchewan due to the fact that most crop production takes place on Chernozemic soils which have inherently good soil structure. Research in the 1980s and 1990s showed little need for subsoil tillage (subsoiling) to counteract the effects of soil compaction, but the last several years of above-normal rainfall have some producers concerned about compaction and rekindled their interest in subsoiling.

Soil compaction occurs when soil particles are pressed together, reducing the space between particles that hold water and air. Excessive soil compaction reduces water infiltration, drainage, crop emergence, root growth, soil aeration, nutrient and water uptake by plants and, ultimately,

Soil compaction and subsoil tillage: where do we stand in Saskatchewan?

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

FOR MORE INFO

Visit the Soils of Canada website at www.soilsofcanada.ca/;Visit the Soils of Saskatchewan website at www.soilsofsask.ca/;Visit the Canada Soil Information Service website at sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/; orVisit the University of Saskatchewan International Year of Soils website at www.agbio.usask.ca/departments/soil-science/international-year-of-soils.php.

FOR MORE INFO

Patrick Mooleki, PhD, PAgSoil/Nutrient Management SpecialistAgriculture Knowledge Centre

Para-plough used in the recent subsoiling study.

Photo credit: Dr. Jeff Schoenau, University of Saskatchewan.

4 AGRIVIEW | NOVEMBER 2015


The United Nations has declared 2016 to be the International Year of Pulses (IYP). Canada is a global leader in pulse production and the Canadian pulse industry has developed a program targeting consumers, growers, media, the food industry, governmental and non-governmental

organizations and health professionals to celebrate the important contribution pulses make to nutrition and the world’s food supply.

Pulses are the edible seeds of plants in the legume family, which includes beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas. They are high in protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals—including iron, folate and potassium. These nutrients give pulses the ability to reduce the risk of some chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, and to improve health of consumers. Pulses are also an environmentally sustainable crop so consumers can feel good about eating them. They use water efficiently, leave a small carbon footprint and add essential nitrogen to the soil in which they are grown.

There are four themes to the IYP activities that are being initiated around the world:

• FOOD SECURITY, NUTRITION AND INNOVATION Pulses can be used in many ways and they are very nutritious.

More and more Saskatchewan farmers are taking an interest in faba beans – and rightfully so. Farmers in the wetter areas of the province realize the importance of including a pulse crop in their current rotations but, in recent years, field pea yields have disappointed, largely due to environmental conditions and root rot. Farmers are looking for an alternative pulse crop that tolerates wetter condition but still provides the benefit of a pulse in rotation.

Enter the faba bean.

Of all the different pulse crops in Western Canada, faba beans are considered “the king” in terms of nitrogen fixation, but in order for nitrogen fixation to occur, the beans must be inoculated before seeding. They have the ability to fix up to 90 per cent of their needed nitrogen, while improving the yield of subsequent crops for up to two years.

Compared to peas, they take slightly longer to mature, ranging from 104 to 109 days. Faba beans have a thicker stock than other pulses and will grow upright to between one and 1.5 metres, giving them better “harvestability” than other pulse crops.

2016 is the International Year of Pulses

Are faba beans a consideration for your crop rotation?

Agronomically, faba beans should be grown very similarly to field peas, but with more emphasis on early seeding. They should be seeded to target 45 plants per square metre and seeded at a depth of between 50 to 75 mm (two to three inches). Faba beans compete poorly with weeds early in

the season and grow better in soil with low residual nitrogen, which makes field selection important. When considering fertilizer, it is always best to soil test and this is no different with faba beans. Generally speaking, they require no nitrogen but may require some phosphorus, potassium and sulfur.

Farmers considering growing faba beans are strongly recommended to have a production contract, which will ensure they have a buyer for the harvested beans. Faba bean markets are historically fairly small and overproduction can flood them. It is also important to consider faba beans’ suitability to local climatic conditions. Under wet growing conditions, faba beans will generally out-yield field peas; however, they tend to be out-performed by peas under drier conditions. Faba beans are insurable under Saskatchewan Crop Insurance. Information on insurance options can be obtained from any Crop Insurance field office. A faba bean insurable area map can be found at www.saskcropinsurance.com/resources/maps/faba-beans-maps/.

CROPS

• PRODUCTIVITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY The environmental benefits of growing pulses contribute to the long-term sustainability of agriculture.

• MARKET ACCESS AND STABILITY International trade in pulses meets consumers’ needs year round and ensures that local jurisdictions are not left short. In order for pulses to reach their full potential, producers need to be able to grow and sell them locally and internationally in a safe way and with minimal constraints.

• CREATING AWARENESS The ultimate goal of the IYP is to make them a part of everyone’s daily diet.

Canada has planned international activities and events to fit under all these categories.

The IYP is an excellent opportunity for the pulse industry to increase consumer awareness, demand and consumption of pulses.


FOR MORE INFO

Faba beans are fast becoming a popular pulse option in crop rotations.

Visit the Global Pulse Confederation website at www.iyp2016.org/; orVisit the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s website at www.fao.org/pulses-2016/en/.

FOR MORE INFO

Dale Risula, PAg Provincial Specialist, Special CropsCrops and Irrigation Branch

Lyndon Hicks, PAgRegional Crops Specialist, YorktonRegional Services Branch

2016 is the International Year of Pulses. Each issue of Agriview will feature an article on the benefits of pulses.

5AGRIVIEW | NOVEMBER 2015


Oilseeds should be seeded early and shallowly, but into moisture, to ensure rapid germination and vigorous plant growth. Seeding rate will also play a role in crop establishment. An optimal seeding rate will produce an optimal plant population, even maturity and rapid crop canopy closure. Lower-than-recommended seeding rates can increase the days to maturity and reduce the crop’s ability to withstand and recover from weather and pest stresses.

Ensuring optimum fertility, following a diverse crop rotation with adequate weed control and targeting a competitive crop stand will ensure that the crop gets off to a good start and has the ability to withstand stresses throughout the growing season. Each oilseed crop will differ slightly in terms of fertility requirements, recommended seeding rates and optimal plant density targets. Fact sheets and production manuals should be consulted for the specific agronomic practices for each oilseed crop seeded.

Grain producers are always looking for ways to increase their net income. The “Five Per Cent Rule” gives producers a way of evaluating the impact new and existing practices may have on their net income.

The “Five Per Cent Rule” came about as a result of research done by Danny Klinefelter at Texas A & M University. Over a number of years in the 1980s, he studied the factors that were contributing to changes in the net worth of the top 25 per cent and bottom 25 per cent of producers in a major agricultural lender’s portfolio. He found that the top producers were about five per cent better than the average producer in the areas of volume produced, prices received and cost of production.

The chart below illustrates the effect of a five-per-cent increase in yield and price and a five-per-cent decrease in production costs on the net income derived from one acre of wheat. Initial assumptions are those used in the 2015 Crop Planning Guide.

Get your oilseed crops off to a good start

Small changes lead to big gains – The Five Per Cent Rule

Practicing good overall agronomy will ensure that your crop gets off to a strong start and is competitive throughout the growing season. For oilseed crops, the principles of good agronomy are similar to those of other crops.

All crops require nutrients to grow and set seed. Providing optimum fertility will ensure that the crop will have all the resources it needs to reach its yield potential and to withstand any weather and pest stresses. Fall soil tests should be used as a guide to indicate how much of each nutrient should be applied the following spring.

Weeds can reduce yield by competing with the crop for nutrients, and the presence of weeds in harvested grain will lower the grade at the elevator. Oilseed crops are most susceptible to weed competition in the period between the four-leaf stage and crop canopy closure. As a result, early season weed control is critical. Tank-mixing herbicides when registered, rotating herbicide groups and using a diverse crop rotation can all help to reduce the selection pressure for herbicide-tolerant weed populations. A diverse crop rotation will reduce the ability of weeds to adapt to management practices and can also be used to break disease and insect cycles.

CROPS

As the data show, net income could increase significantly on a farm with a relatively large acreage of wheat if the five-per-cent change is achieved in all areas.

There are many ways producers can improve their operations to achieve a five-per-cent change. First, look for activities that have little or no additional costs but could increase yields. These may be things such as timeliness of operations, attention to detail when seeding, soil testing and fertilizing for optimum yields. Paying particular attention to pest management and using appropriate and timely practices may increase yield and, at the same time, lower the cost of production per bushel. On the market-return side, it may mean spending more time on a marketing plan, forward pricing and avoiding grain sales during periods when grain prices are traditionally soft.

The “Five Per Cent Rule” demonstrates that large changes are not needed to significantly improve farm net income. Taking care of the little details may be all that is required.

John Ippolito, PAgRegional Crop Specialist, KindersleyRegional Services Branch

Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.FOR MORE INFO

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

FOR MORE INFO

Joanne Kowalski, MSc, PAgRegional Crops Specialist, Prince AlbertRegional Services Branch

Barb Ziesman, AAgProvincial Specialist, Oilseed CropsCrops and Irrigation Branch

Changes in net income as result of achieving five-per-cent changes

Yield | (bu/ac) Price | $/bu Production Cost | $/ac Net Income | $/acre

42.0 6.11 255.95 0.67

44.1 6.11 255.95 13.50

44.1 6.41 255.95 26.73

44.1 6.41 243.43 39.25



Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) ensure that the food produced in Canada does not contain harmful levels of agricultural pesticides. MRLs for Canadian consumers are set by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) of Health Canada. The PMRA regulates all pesticides imported, sold or used in Canada through the Pest Control Products Act and Regulations. It also re-evaluates registered products on a regular basis and establishes the MRLs under the authority of the Food and Drugs Act. If MRLs are not established for a pesticide, a very low default level is established.

In order to sell a pesticide in Canada, the manufacturer must first submit detailed information about the product to the PMRA. PMRA evaluates any potential health risk of pesticide residues that may appear in food due to proper use of the pesticide. MRLs are then set for each pesticide/crop combination at levels that include a 10- to 100-times safety factor from the no-effect level (NOEL). If the review finds unacceptable residues will result, the pesticide will not be registered in Canada.

Every country also has its own regulatory system that conducts similar reviews. In most cases the MRL values align with Canadian MRLs but sometimes they do not, creating barriers to exports. In some cases other countries do not use default MRLs for unregistered pesticides. Therefore the detection of any amount of the pesticide in a grain shipment will trigger a flag on the shipment. In some cases the entire load may be asked

to be shipped back or accepted at a substantial price discount. Grain handlers do not want to have this happen and many have refused to accept crops treated with pesticides that do not have registrations in countries buying Canadian grain. This is why it is important that producers check with their grain buyers before applying a newly registered product onto a crop that may be exported.

Two recent cases that have resulted in grain buyers rejecting a crop is the use of Manipulator (growth regulator containing chlormequat chloride) on spring wheat for lodging control and the use of Clever (herbicide containing quinclorac) on canola to control cleavers. In the case of Manipulator, the only uses registered in the United States are on ornamental crops and, as a result, the US does not have a residue limit established on cereals. In the case of Clever, Japan has not yet approved the use of this product on canola and, as a result, no acceptable residue level has been established there. Univar, the maker of Clever, has released a new product

called Masterline Quinclorac and the same cautions apply to its use on canola that apply to Clever.

• Zebra Mussels in Saskatchewan Water Ways—Potential Disaster ° Lloyd Saul, Watershed Coordinator,

South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards.

Day two of the conference will consist of SIPA and ICDC’s respective annual general meetings and an update from the Ministry of Agriculture. The Water Security Agency will provide an overview of the Province’s new drainage regulations as well as the Lake Diefenbaker operational plan.

ICDC is an industry-led organization that is funded through irrigator levies and available programs. Projects and demonstrations are conducted by ICDC in collaboration with Saskatchewan producers in order to field-test ideas that come from irrigators, industry and other researchers. ICDC’s mandate is to ensure farmer-directed irrigation research, demonstration and extension programs are delivered to support Saskatchewan’s irrigators.

SIPA is a non-profit corporation representing the interests of the irrigation industry in Saskatchewan. SIPA is funded through producer levies and industry sponsorships. It is dedicated to the growth of the irrigation industry in Saskatchewan and is committed to promoting the benefits of irrigation in the province.

Joel Peru, AAgIrrigation Agrologist, OutlookCrops and Irrigation Branch

The 2015 Guide to Crop Protection is one place registered rates are listed. Check each label for more information.

2015 SIPA/ICDC Annual Conference

Maximum Residue Limits – Important to the consumer; even more important to the producer

CROPS

On December 8 and 9, the Irrigation Crop Diversification Corporation (ICDC) and the Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association (SIPA) will be holding their 20th annual conference and general meetings at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort in Moose Jaw.

This year, the conference will begin with a summary of ICDC’s 2015 research and demonstration program, which included crop varietal comparisons, plant growth regulators, fertility, specialty crops, horticulture crops, salt tolerance of forages and many other agronomic projects. The SIPA portion of the conference will then feature a number of topics and guest speakers including:

• What Drought Means to California Farmers: A Saskatchewan Value‑Added Opportunity

° Rae Westersund, Loveland Products Canada ° Penny McCall, Saskatchewan Agriculture

• Assessment of Water Supply and Quality in Lake Diefenbaker Study ° Dr. Howard Wheater, the Global Institute for Water Security

• Economic Value of Irrigation in Alberta ° Dr. Suren Kulshreshtha, University of Saskatchewan


FOR MORE INFO

Visit www.irrigationsaskatchewan.com; orContact Joel Peru, Irrigation Agrologist, at 306-867-5528 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Kaeley Kindrachuk, AT Regional Crops Specialist, OutlookRegional Services Branch

Clark Brenzil, PAgProvincial Specialist, Weed ControlCrops and Irrigation Branch



The Outstanding Young Farmers program

Saskatchewan’s Outstanding Young Farmers – Jeff and Ebony Prosko

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

• Progress made during their farming career;• Maximum use of soil, water and energy conservation practices;• Crop and livestock production history;• Financial and management practices; and• Contributions to the well-being of the community, province and nation.

Two of the seven honourees are chosen by the judges as Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers. This year’s national event takes place November 17 to 22 in Edmonton. Anyone can nominate someone for the OYF award by going to www.saskoyf.ca. Nominations must be submitted by March 1 each year.

“We throw parties to celebrate the end of seeding or harvest,” says Ebony. “If we’re working late into the night, I always bring grilled cheese sandwiches and coffee out to the field at midnight. The people around here joke that you should always work for the Proskos because they feed you really well!”

Always on the lookout for a new opportunity to serve their community, in 2013, the families decided to expand beyond farming into agri-business. They set up ProSoils Inc. to sell canola seed, fertilizer, chemicals and anhydrous ammonia to the surrounding area. They are custom applicators as well as retailors.

“We feel there is a great opportunity in the Rose Valley area as there are many profitable farms and good operations here that need these products and services,” she says. “We feel by offering them what they need along with good local knowledge and advice, we can build a strong customer base.”

While Jeff and Ebony are committed to their local community, they are also leaders at the provincial and industry level. Since 2009, they have been active members of the Saskatchewan Young Ag-Entrepreneurs (SYA), which provides networking and educational opportunities to help

young farmers succeed. It was the SYA that introduced the couple to many ideas and practices that helped them advance both personally and professionally. Jeff became an SYA director shortly after joining and has moved up to vice-chair and, since 2014, chair. Jeff has been instrumental in fund raising and recruitment and helped the group move to a new level with the hiring of a general manager.

Jeff’s activism came to the notice of the provincial government and the then Minister of Agriculture, Bob Bjornerud, who asked him to join the Saskatchewan Youth Agricultural Advisory Committee in 2009. The committee advocates on behalf of young farmers and ranchers, and has been behind improvements to crop insurance, training programs for equipment operators and the Agricultural Awareness initiative.

“It has been an honour to serve on this important committee representing the unique needs of youth in agriculture,” says Jeff.

Jeff also became a member of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers several years ago, and was elected to the board in 2012. This position allows him to influence many important national and international agricultural files, such as grain transportation, grading and registration, environmental policy and trade agreements.

As industry leaders, agricultural advocates, farmers, entrepreneurs, employers, early adopters and parents, Jeff and Ebony are certainly “Outstanding Young Farmers”.

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) program celebrates and recognizes progress and excellence in Canadian agriculture. Each year since 1980, the program has recognized producers who exemplify excellence in their profession. The program is open to farm operators between the ages of 18 and 39 who earn a minimum of two-thirds of their income from farming. Every year, a farming couple is selected from a group of nominees from each of the program’s seven Regional Recognition Events. Those couples represent their respective regions at the National Recognition Event.

At the national event, the honourees are recognized for their achievements and judged by a panel of judges using the following criteria:

As an account manager with the Yorkton Bank of Montreal, Ron Boychuk gets to know a lot of farmers in the area. Over the five years he’s worked with them, one young couple, Jeff and Ebony Prosko of Rose Valley, impressed him so much that he nominated them for the 2015 Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers award. He’s not surprised that they won.

“In Jeff and Ebony, I see people who are on the cutting edge of the industry,” he says. “They are using new technology, adopting new practices, doing everything they can to build their farm and be better producers.”

The Proskos see themselves more as cautiously optimistic early adopters of new technology.

“We’re not on the leading edge of technology,” says Jeff, “but we’re never far behind.”

“Being an early adopter can be good and bad at the same time,” says Ebony. “Often, trying something new can be costly, but it can also pay off big time when the right technology lands on your doorstep.”

To make sure they are getting it right, they will often put the new technology through field trials on a small parcel of land to make sure it works before adopting it for the entire farm.

Jeff has never wanted to do anything other than farm. He started farming for himself at the age of 15 when he sub-leased some land from his father. He went to the University of Saskatchewan right out of high school, earning his Diploma in Agriculture while still actively farming. Aside from one winter spent working in the Alberta oilfields, Jeff has been true to his passion in life.

Ebony, born and raised in nearby Archerwill, built a massage therapy business in the area after graduating from college. She and Jeff have known each other since they were children, but it wasn’t until 2005, when they both returned home to pursue their careers, that they became a couple. She ran her business for eight years until 2013, shutting it down once she and Jeff were married and expecting their first child, Harper. A second child, Londyn, followed a year later.

Family and farming are both important to Jeff and Ebony, and they have truly combined the two. They wholly own and operate a 4,500-acre farm, but work hand-in-hand with Jeff’s parents, Rick and Donna, and his brother and sister and their partners. Each brings assets into this arrangement and they work each other’s land through a series of equipment- and asset-sharing agreements. Together, the four partners farm more than 15,000 acres, growing mainly oats and canola. They employ six or eight people full time but can have up to 25 people working for them during the busy season. They always try to treat their employees well, providing good wages as well as non-monetary benefits, and take great pride in the number of long-term employees they have.



Livestock producers, are you maintaining your social licence?

pigs. Intensive livestock operations (ILOs) of more than 300 animal units, small ILOs of more than 20 animal units that operate near surface water or an uncontrolled well, and ILOs that store manure in earthen lagoons also require approved plans for waste management and waste storage.

There is no grandfathering of operations and all operations meeting the above criteria are required to have approval.

It is important for all livestock operations to maintain the public’s trust by following all applicable legislation including The Agricultural Operations Act. If your operation meets the criteria for requiring approval but you do not have the necessary waste storage and management plans, contact a Saskatchewan Agriculture regional engineer for help.

Social licence, a new name for an old concept, has never been more important to agriculture. When an activity has the ongoing approval of the general public, it is said to have social licence. Maintaining social licence makes it much easier for agriculture to adopt new techniques and technologies because the public trusts farmers to do the right thing. Once it is lost, social licence is difficult to recover, so it is important that all producers do their part.

For livestock producers, this means, among other things, following provincial legislation on waste management. In Saskatchewan, intensive livestock waste management is regulated under The Agricultural Operations Act and Regulations to ensure the protection of groundwater and surface water. A livestock operation is considered to be intensive if it allots less than 370 square metres (4,000 sq. ft.) of space per animal unit. An animal unit is defined as one cow, 200 broiler chickens or six feeder

LIVESTOCK

Contact a Regional Engineer in either the Saskatoon, Moose Jaw or Yorkton Saskatchewan Agriculture offices; orVisit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at www.saskatchewan.ca/agriculture.

FOR MORE INFO

Sheep disease surveillance in Saskatchewan

replacement stock from reputable sources, preferably those that have tested negative for the diseases. Sheep with Maedi-Visna and Johne’s Disease take a long time to show symptoms and infected animals are lifelong carriers that pose an ongoing infection risk to other animals in the flock. The best way of dealing with these diseases is to ensure they never infect the flock.

Disease control is an important part of any successful livestock operation, but relatively little is known about diseases currently in the Saskatchewan sheep population. Without this information, sheep producers cannot make fully informed decisions regarding the health of their flocks.

Since 2013, Saskatchewan Agriculture and the sheep industry have been conducting two distinct projects to determine the extent of disease in the provincial flock. The Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board (SSDB) has been investigating the prevalence of three hard-to-detect diseases, Maedi-Visna, Johne’s Disease and Border Disease.

Sixty-eight flocks (2,010 blood samples) were tested under the SSBD study between May 1, 2013 and May 31, 2014. The test results showed that Maedi-Visna was present in 21 per cent of Saskatchewan flocks and Johne’s Disease in at least 13 per cent. A few flocks had individual animals that had been exposed to Border Disease, but there was no evidence that any flock had large-scale exposure.

For the last two years, Saskatchewan Agriculture ran a sheep abortion surveillance program under which a producer experiencing two or more stillbirths or aborted lambs in a flock could submit the remains for full necropsy and laboratory testing.

There were 44 submissions from 19 different producers in 2014 and 29 submissions from 15 different producers in 2015. Enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE), the most common cause of abortions, was found on more than 50 per cent of participating farms. EAE typically occurs in the last few weeks of pregnancy, resulting in aborted fetuses, inflamed placentas, stillborn lambs and weak lambs that do not survive longer than 48 hours. There is a vaccine available which can help control the disease, but will not eradicate it.

Biosecurity and good management practices are the best means of keeping any of these diseases out of a flock. Producers should get their

Wendy Wilkins, DVM, PhDDisease Surveillance VeterinarianLivestock Branch

Chris Pinno, PEngRegional Engineer, Moose JawLivestock Branch

Contact Dr. Wendy Wilkins, Disease Surveillance Veterinarian, at 306-798-0253 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO



Kathryn Tonita, MSc, PAgAnimal Health and Welfare SpecialistLivestock Branch

Funding available for sheep biosecurity plans

Employee safety is vital to Thunder Creek Pork

LIVESTOCK

Having a working relationship with a veterinarian is critical to the success of a biosecurity plan. A veterinarian who is regularly involved with a sheep operation can:

• provide quicker and more effective advice when problems arise;

• identify gaps in flock health plans, and suggest solutions;

• provide cost-effective recommendations, such as use of appropriate vaccines, tests and treatments;

• develop strategies to introduce new stock or reintroduce returning stock; and

• recognize an unusual animal heath situation and contact authorities, if appropriate.

The Saskatchewan Sheep Biosecurity Program was developed to help producers establish and/or maintain a working relationship with a veterinarian. The program, which is being administered by the SSDB, covers 50 per cent of the cost (up to $1,000 per producer) of on-farm veterinary biosecurity assessments and the development of an on-farm biosecurity plan.

The National Sheep On‑Farm Biosecurity Standard and National Sheep Producer Biosecurity Planning Guide can be accessed at inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/biosecurity/standards-and-principles.

repetitive nature of specific jobs, site visits from a physician and subsidized gym memberships. Additional safety initiatives continue to be proposed.

TCP has made capital investments at the facility in an effort to support a safe working environment, including ventilation improvements on the processing floor, installation of an in-floor scale and wheeled carts in the loading area.

TCP provides ongoing worker health and safety training, and continuous reinforcement is critical.

Keeping a flock safe from infectious diseases is crucial to the physical health of the sheep and the economic health of the producer. Infectious diseases can be introduced to a flock by new sheep, other animals, wildlife, insects, pests, farm equipment, feed, water and even humans. A biosecurity plan is essential to reducing those risks.

The Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board (SSDB) has made biosecurity on Saskatchewan sheep farms a priority for the next five years and funding is now available to sheep producers to help them develop their own plans.

The National Sheep On‑Farm Biosecurity Standard and the National Sheep Producer Biosecurity Planning Guide were developed by the Canadian Sheep Federation and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and released in 2013. They were developed for sheep producers of all types and sizes and from all regions of Canada. The biosecurity guidelines focus on:

• exclusion—reducing the introduction of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions, fungi or other microorganisms that can cause disease) on sheep farms;

• management—reducing the spread of pathogens within a sheep farm; and

• containment—reducing the spread of pathogens among sheep farms or to other wild or domesticated animal populations.

The meat processing sector has historically experienced a high level of injuries, so Thunder Creek Pork (TCP) in Moose Jaw is taking a unique approach to occupational health and safety in order to protect its employees’ wellbeing.

In addition to providing rewards and incentives for consecutive days without time loss injuries, TCP is taking a preventative approach to reducing workplace injuries.

In January 2015, TCP recruited a consultant, Alliance Wellness and Rehabilitation, to perform ergonomic evaluations of jobs that were experiencing a high degree of repetitive strain injuries. An ergonomic specialist observed workers performing their regular duties under normal working conditions to assess the risk of injuries. That analysis is being used to find new ways of doing the same function to reduce repetitive strain injuries.

In addition to performing the job task analysis, Alliance provides onsite physiotherapy to help injured workers return to work more quickly. Within two days of an injury being reported, the injured worker has the opportunity to see the physiotherapist for an injury assessment. TCP has a number of positions in the plant that are considered safe-modified and/or light duty, and all injured workers are offered these duties while they recover from injuries. This allows the employees to continue contributing to the organization, helping boost workers’ morale and interdependence.

To support the culture of safety, other initiatives have been introduced, including employee wellness surveys, stretching programs to offset the

Godwin Pon, MBA, PAgProvincial Specialist, AgribusinessRegional Services Branch

Contact the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board at 306-933-5200 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Contact Dan Riley, Health and Safety Co-ordinator, Thunder Creek Pork/Donald’s Fine Foods, at 306-693-7675 ext. 3121.

FOR MORE INFO

TCP brought in an ergonomic specialist to find ways to reduce repetitive strain injuries and then made capital investments in the facility to enhance employees’ safety and wellbeing.



Fall is the time to ensure the health of the beef herd

weight in early winter. This reduces overall feed use. As well, cows that calve at an optimal BCS produce more milk and rebreed more quickly.

Pregnancy checking will identify open cows or late-calvers. Early culling, especially if feed supplies are limited, will save money.

Disease is minimized when an animal has reduced stress, a comfortable environment and improved immunity through vaccination. However, calves still get sick. Then, early detection and appropriate treatment is necessary. In light of antimicrobial resistance, producers should reassess their antibiotic use to ensure they are using the right product, at the right dose, at the right time and for the right “bug”. If uncertain, producers should consult a veterinarian.

The GF2 Beef Biosecurity Program, administered by Verified Beef Production, offers trained producers support for development of a herd health plan by a veterinarian. This is an opportunity to get vaccination programs, treatment protocols and other disease prevention and management procedures updated.

Fall is an important time for a number of cattle herd health activities such as weaning and pregnancy checking. It is also a good time to assess cattle body condition and nutritional needs, and to develop or update an overall herd health plan.

Weaning programs that allow continued contact between calves and cows, whether through two-stage weaning or continued fence line contact, show benefits in both welfare and performance. Two-stage weaning involves placing a nose-flap on the calf and allowing it to remain with the cow during the transition to solid feed. Later, the flap is removed and the calf is separated from the cow. If calves are vaccinated against respiratory diseases when the nose-flap is put in place, they will have better disease immunity at weaning.

The Beef Code of Practice recommends that producers develop weaning strategies that minimize stress, and should be prepared to wean early if pastures are limited and cow body condition scores fall below target.

Body condition scoring (BCS) requires hands-on assessment. Good resources on BCS are available online or from any Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Livestock Specialist. By identifying thinner cows, producers can feed them separately and adjust rations so that they can gain

LIVESTOCK

Betty Althouse, DVMChief Veterinary OfficerLivestock Branch

Visit the National Farm Animal Care Council website at www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/beef-cattle;Visit the Beef Research Centre website at www.beefresearch.ca/research/body-condition-scoring.cfm; orVisit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/WebVideo-BodyConditionScoring or www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-LivestockBiosecurity.

FOR MORE INFO

Essential elements for the wellbeing of horses during the winter

horse may need an additional five to seven kg (11 to 14 lb.) of hay. The horse can only digest this amount of extra hay if the hay is highly digestible and palatable (i.e. not mouldy) and water is available.

• WATER: A 500-kg idle adult horse drinks 25L (5.5 gal.) of water daily. Horses cannot eat enough snow to hydrate themselves. Horses would need to eat about 10 units of snow to equal one unit of water.

• SHELTER: Shelter is beneficial, especially for young, thin and old horses. Any type of shelter decreases wind-chill. Barns are ideal, but three-sided sheds, stacked round straw bales and well-treed areas in hollows can also reduce wind-chill.

• VETERINARY CARE: Seek veterinary advice for all horse health care concerns. It is recommended that older horses have their teeth examined prior to winter. Older, thin and young horses require greater attention to their dietary and shelter needs than mature horses in good condition. Horse owners and veterinarians can use body condition scoring to ensure horses are consuming enough feed to maintain their weight during the winter.

Horses require sufficient feed, water, shelter and veterinary care to ensure good health and welfare throughout the year. Cold weather, typical of Saskatchewan’s winters, will result in horses eating more feed to generate body heat to stay warm. Plenty of good-quality, palatable hay is the best heat-generating feed for horses, which also need clean water to help them digest the hay. Snow is not a suitable substitute for water. Without water, horses cannot eat enough to stay warm. They will lose weight and become susceptible to impaction and colic.

The following are recommended guidelines for feeding horses in the winter:

• FEED: Provide good quality palatable hay free-choice. It is not recommended to leave horses winter-grazing on forage left on pasture and hayfields. A 500-kg (1,100 lb.) idle horse at room temperature will eat two to 2.5 per cent of its body weight or 11 to 14 kg (22 to 28 lb.) of hay per day, which is about half a 60-lb. bale of hay. Cold weather can increase horses’ hay needs by 25 to 50 per cent. At -40 C, the 500-kg

LeeAnn Forsythe, DVM, MVet ScDisease Surveillance VeterinarianLivestock Branch

Contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.FOR MORE INFO

SASKATCHEWAN 21-DAY CALVING CHALLENGE CONTEST WINNERSThe Saskatchewan 21-Day Calving Challenge was an initiative of Saskatchewan Agriculture to bring attention and awareness to the importance of cowherd reproduction and keeping track of reproductive success.

Contest sponsors, New-Life Mills, Saltec and Cargill, each provided a $1,000 voucher for mineral.

Congratulations to the 2014-2015 winners!

Paul Sentes, Southey Bernadette Legaarden, Paynton

Dennis Maga, Esterhazy

Details on the 2016 Calving Challenge will be coming soon. Stay tuned!



Diseases in hog farms are generally controlled on two fronts: biosecurity measures are put in place to prevent the entry of infectious agents into pig herds and sanitation measures are put in place to prevent exposure of pigs to high levels of disease-causing microbes.

Biosecurity programs implement strict protocols for the entry of all materials into the barn. Conventional sanitation procedures involve high-pressure washing of pens and room surfaces, followed by the application of a disinfectant to kill any remaining microbes.

However, the complete removal of all potentially infectious agents from the pigs’ environment is not an economically or environmentally sustainable practice. That is why nanotechnology has been applied to the problem.

Nanoparticles are particles between one and 100 nanometers in size. There have been numerous studies that prove some nanoparticles have antimicrobial properties. Therefore, some nanoparticles can reduce the growth and transmission of disease-causing microorganisms.

With the financial assistance of Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), Dr. Bernardo Predicala’s research team at the Prairie Swine Centre aimed to test the levels of bioaerosols in a swine production facility simulation that contained the airborne nanoparticle zinc oxide (ZnO). The goal of this project was to control the growth and transmission of disease-causing microbes that are found in swine barns. Specifically, the study aimed to assess the effectiveness of nanoparticles as an alternative method of sanitation. Subsequently, in the first phase of the project, swine barn air filtration systems were filled with nanoparticles that reduce bioaerosol levels.

Bioaerosols are clumps of microbes including fungi, bacteria and viruses. These microbes clump together to enhance the odds of their survival and the odds of them infecting a host. Bioaerosol levels need to be reduced in order to combat the spread of disease-causing microbes.

The team studied the microbial levels in the air and on the facility’s surfaces. They also recorded greenhouses gas emissions, manure characteristics and pig performance in 15-day trials that were replicated four times.

The studies on the pigs were conducted in a 14.3 x 11m room with 10 equally sized pens. Each pen held 18 grower-finisher pigs for 14 weeks.

Using nanotechnology to control disease in livestock operations

RESEARCH

At the end of 14 weeks, the room was emptied, pressure-washed and sanitized.

During sanitation, one-third of the room was given conventional chemical disinfectant; acting as the control variable. Another third was given 5 ml of nanoparticles and the remaining third was given 10 ml of nanoparticles.

Conclusively, these studies showed that deploying the nanoparticles in the ventilation system reduced the bioaerosol levels. Furthermore, the application of nanoparticles on pig barn surfaces was shown to minimize the growth of microbes.

The nanoparticles had no significant effect on greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide and methane). Manure characteristics showed that the nanoparticles had reduced the

prevalence of the microbes, too. Also, the nanoparticles did not significantly affect the pigs’ performance.

But, what is the economic feasibility of this nanotechnology for Saskatchewan’s producers? The researchers conducted an economic analysis to evaluate the costs associated with nanoparticles, the equipment required for their use and the associated labour.

They determined that, in a 100-head grow-finish room (during the pig-rearing period), the cost to use nanoparticles in an air filtration system would be approximately 3.3 per cent of the average total production cost for the grow-finish stage. Additionally, using nanoparticles to clean surfaces costs only 12 cents more than the conventional disinfectant (per 10 ml).

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.

Visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture research reports page at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/ADF and enter the report number #20110244 into the search function.

FOR MORE INFO

The cell membrane of this salmonella bacteria has ruptured after being treated with zinc oxide nanoparticles (black dots).

Air filter loaded with ZnO nanoparticles. Installation of air filter loaded with ZnO nanoparticles in the ventilation duct for the pig room.




but genetic improvements to the latest winter wheat varieties warrant a new assessment of their potential under irrigation.

The IHARF has begun the second year of a project to evaluate the relative impacts of and interactions among seed treatment, higher seeding rates and foliar fungicide applications on winter wheat establishment, yield and grain quality.

The Saskatchewan Leafcutters Association (SLA) has begun a two-year multi-site project to demonstrate how including alfalfa in a cropping rotation can increase soil nitrogen. While the theoretical benefits of including legumes is well understood, these practical field-based demonstrations will help encourage producers to add alfalfa where conditions are suitable.

The SLA has also initiated a project on sod-seeding alfalfa and sainfoin-alfalfa mixes. Sites are being planned for the Middle Lake, Lanigan and Weyburn areas.

The next deadline for ADOPT applications is December 7, 2015. Successful applications must clearly state what is to be demonstrated and what will be measured, assessed or evaluated to determine the success of the demonstration.

Questions and requests for application forms should be directed to either the [email protected] or Dr. Jeff Braidek, ADOPT Program Manager, at 306-933-6016 or [email protected].

more employees may be needed. This all needs to be considered in addition to the cost of purchasing or renting the land. If the land needs improvement, the extra time and money also needs to be considered.

A farm manager wears many hats on the farm. If numbers and finances are not a strong point, consider working with an advisor who can help make sense of things. A neutral third party can provide unbiased and well-informed advice that may make the decision easier.

Saskatchewan Agriculture is hosting two workshops in the province to help answer some of these difficult questions about land values. These workshops will be on December 2 in Rosetown and on December 3 in Humboldt. Trends in farmland values, the land assessment process and how to decide whether to rent or buy farmland are some of the topics that will be discussed. Speakers will also make presentations on the recent farmland ownership consultations, what lending institutes look at when considering a loan application and retirement options.

Fall 2015 ADOPT projects are underway

Farmland: what can you afford – to rent, buy or neither?

Eleven new demonstration projects worth more than $152,000 got underway this fall with funding support from the Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program.

The Northeast Agriculture Research Foundation (NARF) and the Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation (IHARF) continue to demonstrate and evaluate the response of modern fall rye hybrid varieties to nitrogen fertilizer applications for a second year. Grain yield and protein concentration will be used to assess the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate and nitrogen use efficiency of each rye variety.

In addition, both NARF and IHARF have initiated new projects to evaluate the impact of seeding rate on the yield of the modern fall rye varieties. The objective of these projects is to demonstrate and contrast the optimal seeding rates for a high-yielding hybrid versus a conventional fall rye variety.

Continuing with this theme, the Irrigation Crop Diversification Corporation (ICDC) is conducting a project to evaluate and compare the potential for hybrid and conventional fall rye production under dryland and irrigated conditions.

The ICDC will also compare the yield potential of winter wheat under irrigated and dryland conditions. Winter wheat varieties were last evaluated for their irrigation production potential approximately 25 years ago. No variety at the time was suited to intensive irrigation management,

Farmland is a highly sought-after asset in many parts of the province. When a parcel of land nearby comes up for sale, it can be easy to quickly purchase it before considering the impact the purchase might have. When deciding whether to purchase or rent the land, or even pass on the opportunity entirely, there are many factors that need to be looked at.

Consider what it will actually cost to own the land as opposed to renting it. How will the decision affect the overall return on investment for the farm?

Knowing the farm financial situation is important when considering options about purchasing farmland. Having a handle on not only the current financial position, but also on past and future financial trends, can help identify the best available option. Going through “what if” scenarios and including different situations—such as a rising interest rate or a farm transition—can help ensure the final decision is the best option.

Consider the extra expenses that will be incurred if more land is purchased or rented. More storage will be needed to hold the additional production. More equipment will be needed for seeding and harvest, and

Visit the ADOPT webpage at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-ADOPT.FOR MORE INFO

On the Humboldt workshop, contact the Watrous Regional Office at 306-946-3230 or the Tisdale Regional Office at 306-878-8842;On the Rosetown workshop, contact the Kindersley Regional Office at 306-463-5513; orCall the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

FOR MORE INFO

Dr. Jeff Braidek, PhD, PAgADOPT Program ManagerAgriculture Research Branch

Karen Smith, PAgRegional Farm Business Management Specialist, TisdaleRegional Services Branch



Dry conditions this spring and early summer posed concerns for a number of producers across Saskatchewan. Certain areas of the province suffered from a lack of moisture, which, in some cases, hurt the yield of this year’s crop. It is during difficult seasons like this that producers can rely on Crop Insurance to help backstop their operations and provide support for crops damaged due to the dry conditions.

For all Crop Insurance customers, November 15 is an important date. If a producer’s crop yield does not meet the insured yield, or if the quality is lower than the base grade, the producer may be in a claim position. SCIC considers quality when determining crop loss. When the crop’s grade falls below SCIC’s standard grade, additional compensation may be available. All claims need to be filed by November 15. Regardless of whether or not a producer is in a claim position, the producer is required to submit a production declaration by November 15. Producers with un-harvested crops must request an extension of insurance by November 15. For those who seeded winter cereals, November 15 is the deadline to submit the fall seeded acreage reports.

Producers can use CropConnect to keep track of November 15 deadline conditions. Through CropConnect, producers can review coverage and claims as well as complete the material required for participating in the program. CropConnect can be accessed from a home computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Fall Seeded Acreage ReportsNovember 15 is the deadline to file fall seeded acreage reports (SARs); however, producers are encouraged to report this information as soon as they have finished seeding their winter crop. After submitting the fall SAR, a confirmation of insurance will be sent out. This confirms that acres have been reported correctly and lets winter wheat producers know whether they will be assessed at the high or low premium rate. It also allows SCIC to check if the acres have been reported correctly. Any errors can be addressed in the fall.

Filing a post-harvest claimOne important thing to remember about filing a post-harvest claim is that the production information needs to be reported to SCIC before a claim can be registered. Although the deadline to register a post-harvest claim is November 15, the sooner producers can provide their production information to SCIC, the better. Producers are encouraged to report their production immediately after harvest to ensure the quickest turnaround. Once production is reported, a producer whose harvested crop is near or below the production guarantee can file a post-harvest claim. Production information and quality are the main considerations SCIC uses to determine crop loss. If the quality of the crop is a grade lower than the base grade, additional compensation may be available.

Production information can also be submitted through CropConnect. CropConnect will automatically generate a notice if a producer’s production is below the guarantee. At that point, the producer can either contact a customer service office or register a claim personally through CropConnect. SCIC representatives may also be in touch with the producer to help register a claim once they see a customer is in a claim position.

After a post-harvest claim is submitted, it needs to be adjusted. The only exception is if the customer is eligible for a claim by declaration. If not in

Important Fall deadlines for Crop Insurance


that category, claimants should expect a visit from an adjuster. The adjuster is there to gather information on all harvested production, inspect acres, determine cause of loss, identify bin locations and measure and inspect storage facilities. The adjuster also collects samples of new grain in storage as part of the process to determine net production of the bin, dockage, test weight and grade. It is recommended that the producer accompany the adjuster during the inspection. The adjuster will create a report of all findings and, if it looks good to both parties, the customer will sign the claim form. SCIC also offers the option of deferred payments and direct deposit. Let the adjuster know the preferred method when he or she arrives.

Requesting an extensionAfter November 15, the one option for producers with unharvested crops is an extension request. Producers in this situation must request anextension by contacting their local office. If an extension is granted, coverage will be provided for crop quality losses occurring after November 15. A final adjustment will be conducted between the completion of harvest and June 10, 2016. Producers in an area where harvest is generally complete who file wildlife claims for crop losses over winter may not qualify for compensation.

Wildlife Damage Compensation ProgramIf an extension is granted, producers can receive coverage for damage done to crops by waterfowl, deer, moose, elk, bears or any type of wildlife.

Harvested crops are not eligible for wildlife compensation, which is why it is critical to file a claim for wildlife damage as soon as it occurs. If the producer must harvest before the inspection, the entire damaged crop, plus a representative portion of the undamaged crop, must be left for the adjuster. SCIC will work to get an adjuster out as soon as possible.

The wildlife damage compensation program covers damage to forage crops like swath, bale and corn grazed systems. Compensation can also be received for damage to stacked hay, bales, silage, market gardens, tree nurseries, sod farms and bee structures. If damage is noticed in any of these situations, producers should contact their local office immediately in order to receive a quick assessment and subsequent compensation. SCIC will also work with producers if preventative measures are needed to stop further damage.

Agronomic reportsAn extra service SCIC provides is agronomic information reports. On an ongoing basis, SCIC collects this information in order to provide personalized reports detailing agronomic data. These reports are valuable when reviewing production practices and developing plans for the following crop year. Take advantage of this added service by reporting all fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide and/or insecticide information. All this information is stored and made easily accessible once the production declaration is complete. Packages showing a farm’s production are mailed directly to customers each spring. Additionally, customers can access Sask Management Plus production information anytime online.

Contact a local Crop Insurance Office;Call 1-888-935-0000; orVisit www.saskcropinsurance.com.

FOR MORE INFO

AGRICULTURAL CROWN LAND FOR SALESaskatchewan Agriculture has Crown land for sale through a public tender process. Tender forms, complete with a five-per-cent deposit, must be received in a Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office by 2 p.m., November 19, 2015. A public tender opening will occur at 3 p.m., November 19, 2015, at the location listed on the tender posting. You can find a listing of the land for sale, tender conditions and tender form as an insert in this issue of Agriview or at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Crown_Lands.




down the food value chain to processing and preparation will provide an opportunity for food companies to tell their stories, too.

Year two of an enhanced Career Expo will ensure more high school students from across the province can learn more about the diversity of vocations the sector has to offer. This year, 400 students will experience careers through interactive activities developed and delivered by industry.

Canadian Western Agribition truly is an agriculture awareness event. Young or old, rural or urban, everyone will find something new to experience, to learn and to share. Making a commitment to do just that will improve our collective understanding and appreciation of food production.

• Making pension plans, administrators of pension fund assets and trusts as not eligible to buy farmland;

• Defining “having an interest in farmland” as any type of interest or benefit (i.e. capital appreciation), either directly or indirectly, that is normally associated with ownership of the land; and

• Requiring that loans for the purpose of purchasing farmland be financed through a financial institution registered to do business in Canada, or a Canadian resident.

In addition, the FLSB will receive new and expanded authority to enforce the legislation, including:

• Giving the FLSB the authority to require any person purchasing farmland to complete a statutory declaration;

• Placing the onus to prove compliance with the legislation onto the person purchasing the land;

• Increasing fines for being in contravention of the legislation from $10,000 to $50,000 for individuals and from $100,000 to $500,000 for corporations; and

• Authorizing the FLSB to impose administrative penalties to a maximum of $10,000.

The complete results of the consultations are available at www.Saskatchewan.ca/farmland.

Connecting with consumers at Canadian Western Agribition

Farmland ownership rules meeting the needs of Saskatchewan

Canadian Western Agribition has always been a venue where city comes to meet country. Over the past 45 years, more than 75,000 school children have witnessed live demonstrations and participated in interactive stations to learn more about where their food comes from. Rural and urban cowboys have pulled on their boots to attend the rodeo. Curiosity-seekers and shoppers alike have been drawn to the trade show marketplaces featuring everything from fencing equipment to fancy cookware. It has been a place where agriculture tells its story.

As the industry works to improve the public’s understanding and appreciation of agriculture, entertainment events like Agribition need to create innovative offerings to attract new audiences. With those new audiences come fresh opportunities for the agricultural industry to connect with the public and to answer their questions about what farmers do and why they do it.

This year, Agribition’s new Food Pavilion will not only tantalize show-goers’ taste buds, but will serve as an opportunity for food producers to connect with consumers. The Food Pavilion will feature cooking demonstrations, food and product sampling, a wine garden and many more exhibitors showcasing foods found in Western Canada.

Although the heart of Agribition has always been its beef and livestock shows, it has included a grain component since 2012 to offer a broadened perspective of agricultural production. Farmers and ranchers share their stories with each other and the public. Following primary production

Saskatchewan residents overwhelmingly support the current farmland ownership regulations, according to extensive public consultations. In May of this year, the Government of Saskatchewan asked the public who should or should not be able to own farmland in the province. Between May 20 and August 10, more than 3,200 individuals, organizations and businesses shared their opinions with the government.

The vast majority of respondents—95 per cent—were Saskatchewan residents, and 62 per cent of all respondents were farmers. The remainder were farmland owners and interested Saskatchewan residents. Only five per cent of respondents were from outside of Saskatchewan.

Overwhelmingly, participants supported the current restrictions on sales of farmland to Canadian citizens and 100 per cent Canadian owned corporations that are not publicly traded. Seventy-five per cent of respondents opposed allowing investors such as Canadian pension funds or larger Canadian investment trusts (of 10 or more beneficiaries) to purchase farmland in Saskatchewan. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents did not support foreign ownership of farmland and 68 per cent did not support allowing foreign financing of Saskatchewan farmland. Eighty-five per cent supported giving the Farm Land Security Board (FLSB) a greater role in enforcing farmland ownership rules.

Based on the results of the consultations, the legislation amendments to The Farm Security Act will enshrine the regulations introduced in April as law, including:

Visit the Canadian Western Agribition website at www.agribition.com.FOR MORE INFO

Shelley JonesManager, Agriculture AwarenessRegional Services Branch

Agribition is the largest livestock show in Canada, with opportunities for everyone to learn about agriculture.



November 25-27 Ramada Plaza, Regina, SaskatchewanThe Agricultural Excellence Conference is a one-of-a-kind event in Canadian agriculture that brings together experts and stakeholders from a variety of agricultural sectors to share the latest in farm management practices with producers and agri-businesspeople.

The conference will equip attendees with the necessary knowledge and tools to find and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the changing global marketplace. This year’s agenda includes a moderated debate on agriculture’s social licence, the National Farm Business Innovation Roundtable, the Farm Management Initiatives Showcase and a wrap-up discussion panel on farming in 2050.

Events calendar

Agricultural Excellence Conference: Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Farmer

Featured speakers include Lyndon Carlson, Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer of Farm Credit Canada, futurist Nikolas Badminton and Chris Koch, who operates a farm in Nanton, Alta., despite being born without arms or legs.

Saskatchewan producers can be reimbursed for up to 75 per cent of eligible conference costs under the Farm Business Management Initiative. For more information on this opportunity, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-FBDI or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

EVENTS | PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Date Event Location Phone Internet

Nov. 4, 2015 Rob Saik – Know GMO Neatby Timlin Theatre, Arts Building, University of Saskatchewan

306-798-0947 www.agwest.sk.ca/national_biotech_week_2015_saskatchewan_events.html

Nov. 4-5, 2015 2015 Saskatchewan Green Trades Conference and Tradeshow

Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon, SK

306-794-2051 www.saskgreenhouses.com

Nov. 4-7, 2015 Yorkton Harvest Showdown Yorkton Exhibition Grounds, Yorkton, SK

306-783-4800 www.yorktonexhibition.com

Nov. 15, 2015 Deadline to submit yield-loss claims on harvested cereal, pulse, honey and potato crops, and request any extensions of insurance on unharvested acres (excluding potatoes).

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

Nov. 15, 2015 Deadline to submit fall seeded acreage reports. Saskatchewan 1-888-935-0000 www.saskcropinsurance.com

Nov. 17-19, 2015 6th Annual Canadian Forage and Grassland Association Conference

Sheraton Cavalier Hotel, Saskatoon, Sk

1-800-868-8776 [email protected]

Nov. 22, 2015 Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina, SK

613-720-7528 www.cahfa.com

Nov. 23-28, 2015 Canadian Western Agribition Evraz Place, Regina, SK

306-565-0565 www.agribition.com

Nov. 25-27, 2015 Agricultural Excellence Conference: Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ramada Plaza, Regina, SK

www.fmc-gac.com

Nov. 27, 2015 Transition to Organic Farming workshop Canadian Western Agribition, Evraz Place, Regina, SK

306-535-2710 www.saskorganic.com

Dec. 1-2, 2015 Farmland workshop: Land Values 2.0 Rosetown Civic Centre, Rosetown, SK

306-463-5446

Dec. 2, 2015 Farmland workshop: Land Values 2.0 Humboldt Uniplex, Humboldt, SK

306-878-8841

Dec. 4, 2015 Southeastern Saskatchewan Corn and Soybean Summit Western Star Inn, Estevan, SK

306-848-2857

Dec. 8-9, 2015 20th Annual Irrigation Conference Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, Moose Jaw, SK

306-796-4727 www.irrigationsaskatchewan.com

Dec. 9-10, 2015 Farms at the Table Conference Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon, SK

farmfoodcaresk.org/events/farms-at-the-table-conference/

Visit the Agricultural Excellence Conference website at www.fmc-gac.com.

FOR MORE INFO



Agriview November 2015

Documents