Agriview September 2015

Straight-cutting canola | PAGE 5

Plan ahead to match feed supplies | PAGE 9

Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees | PAGE 15

Enhancing agriculture through biotechnologyPAGE 8

SEPTEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 5

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Welcome to the September issue of Agriview.

It has been a challenging summer as both farmers and ranchers have struggled with moisture that didn’t come when it was needed. However, this isn’t the first time that we have faced challenges, nor will it be the last. Saskatchewan producers are capable of dealing with whatever nature hands us.

And while there have been challenges this past summer, our livestock industry is coming off one of its most successful years to date. In 2014, both the cattle and hog sectors experienced strong prices and livestock receipts exceeded $2.7 billion. We expect continued growth in the livestock sector as prices remain strong in 2015 and into the future.

Our government continues to make investments to support the livestock industry. Earlier this summer, our government announced two new facilities that will enhance the livestock sector and Saskatchewan’s position as a leader in beef production, genetics and trade.

In July, $22 million in funding was announced for a new International Trade Centre at Evraz Place in Regina. This 150,000-square-foot multipurpose facility will enhance agricultural events such as Canadian Western Agribition and Canada’s Farm Progress Show. These events showcase Saskatchewan and our strength as an agriculture producer to people from around the world, resulting in increased demand for our agricultural products.

Also in July, we announced $10 million towards the establishment of a new Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. The new Centre will serve as a unique research, teaching, outreach and industry training hub that unites agriculture and veterinary researchers, producers, industry, governments and academia.

The Centre of Excellence will incorporate and build on the collaborative work of University of Saskatchewan and government researchers in areas such as herd health, animal welfare, disease prevention, nutrition, management, public health, environmental stewardship, food safety and security, forage utilization, breeding and development.

I am confident that investments such as these will support the long-term growth and success of our industry.

I hope everyone has a safe harvest.

Minister’s Message

Lyle Stewart

Saskatchewan producers are capable of dealing with whatever nature hands us.

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Straight-cutting canola | PAGE 5

Plan ahead to match feed supplies | PAGE 9

Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees | PAGE 15

Enhancing agriculture through biotechnologyPAGE 8

SEPTEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 5

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: Innovations in technology are making big strides in enhancing agriculture in Saskatchewan. For more information, turn to page 8 and 15. Photo: Research activities at the University of Saskatchewan Campus.

Table of Contents

CROPSResidue management a key component of Zero Tillage – the International Year of Soils series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Plant Breeders’ Rights: points to consider for the seed-cleaning industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Watch for wheat and canola diseases from the combine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Thinking of straight-cutting canola? Consider this before making your decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Gene editing: a new technology for crop development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Make the most of a fall herbicide application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

The uses of vertical tillage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Flax straw requires careful management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The synchrotron and crop improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Take the Saskatchewan Hay Harvest Challenge! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

LIVESTOCKThree-dimensional fencing: protecting your feed and your bottom line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Planning ahead to stretch forage supplies this winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Producing vaccines for Saskatchewan’s livestock industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Using DNA technology for parentage testing in livestock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Saskatchewan Pork Development Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Is this animal “Fit for the Trip?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

RESEARCHBenchmarking and standardization of swine production systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PROGRAMS & SERVICESAgriculture, HR and government working together to solve labour issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Development funding available for non-district irrigators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

SCIC programs support producers affected by the dry conditions in 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Biotechnology in the classroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Five new members of the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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

PROGRAMS & SERVICESSurvey says: Saskatchewan supports its farmers and ranchers! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Saskatchewan.ca

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Residue management a key component of Zero Tillage – the International Year of Soils series

Zero tillage has been practiced in Saskatchewan for more than 25 years, starting with 10 per cent of the cropland in zero till in 1990 and growing to well over 70 per cent today. This rapid adoption of zero tillage came about partly because of the innovations in crop residue management.

Keeping the stubble standing, and chopping and spreading the straw and chaff uniformly became a hallmark practice for soil and moisture conservation, because of its benefits to crop germination and establishment.

The standing stubble and residue on the surface provide a cover to protect the soil from wind and water erosion while improving moisture infiltration, reducing evaporation from the surface and trapping snow to provide extra moisture for storage in the subsoil. This extra moisture advantage was much appreciated this spring when field crops had to rely on subsoil moisture reserves while waiting for the next rainfall. Standing stubble and snow trap also provides an insulation blanket, which has helped expand the winter cereal acreage in Saskatchewan.

Rotating crop types and their crop residues adds diversity and provides further benefit for improving soil health, quality and productivity. Crop

residues contain nutrients, and their return to the soil helps to recycle nutrients and maintain soil fertility. The increased residue and organic matter in the soil after two decades of zero till enables producers to harvest chaff for livestock feed while leaving the stubble standing to protect the soil.

A next step towards further improving levels of soil organic matter is working forages into the rotation with annual crops, especially legume forages. Short-term forages in rotation will increase forage supply for the development of the livestock industry, while adding soil organic matter deeper into the soil profile and recycling nutrients from deep in the soil due to the deep–rooted nature of forage crops. The manure produced by livestock also provides beneficial nutrients and organic matter when returned to the land, similar to crop residues.

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

A zero till field of lentils direct-seeded into wheat stubble.

2015 is the International Year of Soils. Each month in Agriview an article focuses on the essential role of soils.

All varieties granted PBR protection before February 27, 2015, are grandfathered under the old Plant Breeders’ Rights Act. Under that legislation, the breeder’s right does not extend to cleaning seed, which means cleaning those varieties does not present the same liability risk. Seed cleaners need to be very aware of which varieties they are cleaning. A list of the varieties subject to PBR is available on the Government of Canada website, and unofficial lists are available in the Varieties of Grain Crops and SaskSeed Guide.

Seed cleaners are encouraged to include a declaration in their service agreement or work order requiring producers to attest that:

• The seed was produced on their own farm;

• It is being cleaned for their own use (unless they are authorized by the breeder to sell the seed); and

• It was originally acquired legally (as certified seed).

Recent changes to Canada’s Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) Act that bring it up to UPOV’91 standards will have implications for the country’s seed cleaning industry.

UPOV’91 is the most recent international treaty of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Saskatchewan Agriculture supports the changes to PBR in Canada because it provides many benefits to farmers and breeders.

The new Act reinforces and extends the right of the breeder to the cleaning of seed for sale or trade. Under the new law, farmers may clean seed of a protected variety that was grown on their own farms for replanting on their own farms (i.e. farm-saved seed). However, breeder authorization is required when cleaning seed for other purposes, such as selling, exchanging or trading.

Seed cleaners must ensure that they are not enabling the illegal sale of seed. If seed cleaners clean seed for an illegal sale, they may share a portion of the liability for the infringement of the breeder’s right. Liability is likely to extend beyond the loss of royalties and include costs for enforcement and monitoring.

Plant Breeders’ Rights: points to consider for the seed-cleaning industry

Contact Mitchell Japp, Provincial Specialist, Cereal Crops, at 306-787-4664 or [email protected];Contact Anthony Parker, Commissioner of Plant Breeders’ Rights, at 613-773-7188 or [email protected];Visit the Government of Canada’s website at www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-breeders-rights/varieties;Visit the PBR Facts website: pbrfacts.ca/

FOR MORE INFO

Visit the University of Saskatchewan website at agbio.usask.ca/departments/soil-science/international-year-of-soils.php

FOR MORE INFO

Mitchell Japp, PAgProvincial Specialist, Cereal CropsCrops and Irrigation Branch

4 AGRIVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2015

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Although harvest time is too late to control plant diseases, a bird’s-eye view from the combine or swather can be a practical way to spot diseases late in the season and make a record. While most of the season was dry and not conducive to disease, patches of rain around the province in late summer may be enough to facilitate infection in some crops. In cases where fungicide was applied earlier in the season, scouting at harvest can help determine the effectiveness of disease control.

Watch for patches that appear different from the rest of the field. If a disease has affected a plant substantially, it will likely be a different size or colour than the rest of the crop due to limited water and nutrient uptake. Also look for the formation of lesions (yellow or brown spots on the plant) or fungal structures (black bodies found with ergot or sclerotinia). Areas that are yielding less for no apparent reason are also worth investigating.

Infection of diseases like fusarium head blight (FHB) and ergot takes place during flowering but does not become visible until harvest. FHB

The popularity of straight-cutting canola is growing as producers want to maximize efficiency at harvest. Not only does straight-cutting relieve some swathing pressure, it may also increase yield, seed size and oil content because the crop is left standing longer to mature. There is still a long way to go before swathers can be eliminated, but for producers who want to try straight-cutting, there are some things to consider when selecting a suitable field.

• If possible, use a variety that has reduced pod-shattering and is more suitable for straight-cutting. Earlier-maturing crops may be better candidates for straight-cutting, especially if frost is a concern. Canola above 20 per cent moisture is at risk of losses in the event of a frost, so keep harvest decisions flexible.

• Select a field that has a dense plant stand and is well-knitted and slightly lodged so the plants move together, rather than a field where the plants move individually. This will prevent losses from shattering in the wind as the crop matures.

• A field with uniform maturity is preferred. If the field is at different stages, swathing is a better option.

• Be cautious with fields that have damage from disease, insects or hail as this may cause them to ripen prematurely and shatter.

• Weed pressure should also be a factor when considering straight-cuting canola as weeds may still be green. Choose a field with low weed pressure or use a pre-harvest product on the crop. Be sure to use recommended rates and water volumes to ensure the product can reach the weeds under the canopy. There are products registered for pre-harvest applications in canola, but check with your grain buyer to ensure they will accept the grain.

Watch for wheat and canola diseases from the combine

Thinking of straight-cutting canola? Consider this before making your decision

For fields suitable for swathing, the optimal swath timing is at 60 per cent seed colour change on the main stem. Swathing can begin at 30 to 40 per cent seed colour change on the main stem without significant reduction to yield or quality. Check the main stem from the bottom upwards; if seeds in the middle pods are tan or brown, they are considered turned.

CROPS

bleaches wheat glumes and damages wheat kernels, which may cause downgrading at the elevator. Ergot may be noticed when unloading the grain truck, as black fungal structures slightly larger than the kernels.

Discoloured plants or patches of canola should be investigated to determine whether the cause is sclerotinia white mould, blackleg, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt or clubroot. Sclerotinia infection can cause lesions and stems may become bleached and shred easily when twisted, exposing black sclerotia bodies inside infected stems. The best way to identify blackleg is to cut the stem base with pruning clippers to look for black discolouration. Fusarium wilt and verticillium wilt may both produce yellowing on one side of the plant; however, only fusarium wilt actually causes wilting and only verticillium wilt produces black microsclerotia on plant tissues. Clubroot may appear like other diseases above-ground with wilting, stunting, yellowing and premature ripening; but pull plants and check roots for galls.

Regardless of when crops are scouted, accurate disease records can be used to plan disease management strategies for next season.

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

The option of straight-cutting canola allows producers to let the crop mature longer, past the optimal 60 per cent seed colour change for swathing (photo), possibly increasing seed size and yield.

Photo credit: realagriculture.com

Contact Faye Dokken-Bouchard, Provincial Specialist, Plant Disease, at 306-787-4671 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Faye Dokken-Bouchard, PAgProvincial Specialist, Plant DiseaseCrops and Irrigation Branch

Kaeley Kindrachuk, ATRegional Crops Specialist, OutlookRegional Services Branch

5AGRIVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2015

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This may change with the development of new technology, the most promising of which uses cisgenics, also called gene editing, and does not involve insertion of genetic material from another organism. A plant’s genome can be “edited” to remove an undesirable gene—for example one involved in crop lodging—or it can be used to change conditions under which a gene becomes active, perhaps increasing activity of a gene involved in environmental stress to reduce losses from late frosts.

Gene editing technology is very promising as it uses the plant’s own biological mechanisms to change only specific genes in the plant’s genome—no genetic material from other organisms is required. Scientists have now used this technology in the laboratory to develop plants resistant to powdery mildew. Gene editing could mean: 1) more rapid turnover of new plant varieties; 2) development of varieties solving specific production issues such as drought or pathogen stress; and 3) less costly regulatory approval. Ultimately, solving these production challenges will increase yields even more and help producers in Saskatchewan and around the world produce enough healthy food to feed a growing population.

Applying herbicide in the fall is a good way to manage perennial and winter annual weeds, but cold weather can interfere with the activity of many systemic herbicides, including glyphosate.

Herbicides rely on an actively growing plant to be effective. If the plant is not actively growing when a herbicide is applied, the herbicide may be inactivated within the plant before it has a chance to move to the target sites where it will have the best effect. If a plant has stopped growing due to cold weather, it should be allowed to recover for up to 48 hours, under good growing conditions, before herbicides are applied.

Even though they are very cold-tolerant, winter annual weeds are still not actively growing when temperatures are low. As a result, producers applying herbicides to winter annual weeds need to follow the same delay guidelines as other weeds.

Frost may affect the integrity of weed tissues as well. Perennial weeds can be damaged by a two- to three-degree frost if conditions just prior have been warm and lush. If a perennial weed has experienced a gradual

Gene editing: a new technology for crop development

Make the most of a fall herbicide application

Most people have heard the term “GMO” or genetically modified organism, but many don’t understand the biotechnology used to introduce genetic material from one organism into another.

Most GM canola that has herbicide resistance was developed using a technique called transgenics, meaning that the DNA used to introduce resistance came from a different species than the recipient organism. This technology, which is now in common use, is safe and transfers one to three genes that impart traits of interest into an economically valuable plant.

For example, glyphosate-resistant canola contains two bacterial genes that enable plants to tolerate and degrade glyphosate. GMO crops paired with hybrid technology have increased crop yields, reduced yield losses due to weed pressure and reduced the environmental impact of agricultural production. However developing GMO plants using transgenic biotechnology is costly—it can cost up to $136 million to develop and bring a new transgenic crop to the market.

CROPS

decline in daily temperatures, it may tolerate progressively harder frosts as temperatures drop. In some cases, perennial weeds can tolerate -10 to -15 C if conditioned properly.

Producers can determine a perennial weed’s susceptibility to herbicide by looking at the leaf tissue. If the leaf tissues are green and pliable, they will be receptive to glyphosate. If they are deep green and brittle, they have experienced too much cold temperature damage and will not allow the penetration and translocation of the herbicide.

If, after a hard frost, weed leaves are dark green with a water-soaked appearance, the affected leaf tissue will eventually die, making it a poor target for glyphosate uptake. Producers should wait a few days after a frost to see what leaf tissue remains viable before applying glyphosate. Monsanto recommends that greater than 60 per cent of the original leaf tissue should remain after a frost to achieve adequate control of perennial weeds with a fall glyphosate treatment. If leaf damage is greater than 40 per cent of what was present, herbicide efficacy will suffer and producers should wait for new growth before making an application.

Shawn Gibson, PhD, PAgProgram Manager, Processing and Agri-ValueAgriculture Research Branch

Clark Brenzil, PAgProvincial Specialist, Weed ControlCrops and Irrigation Branch

Contact Shawn Gibson, Program Manager, at 306-787-2522 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 866-457-2377 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

6 AGRIVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2015

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When combining, it is important that the flax straw is chopped finely and distributed uniformly across the crop cutting width. Knives must be sharp. Flax should be combined on hot, dry days when the straw is drier; dry straw will chop better than wet, tough straw. A pre-harvest application of glyphosate will minimize harvest problems due to weed infestations and can also result in brittle stems. Hot, dry conditions from stem elongation to maturity have been found to reduce the amount of fibre in the flax straw.

It is optimal to manage the chopped straw and leave the residue in the field; however, if the straw is wet and tough and chopping is not an

option, the straw can be removed. If there is a use for the straw, it can be baled and removed from the field. As a last resort, the straw can be bunched and burned. Refer to the Saskatchewan Environment webpage at www.environment.gov.sk.ca/firesmart for information on how to burn safely.

There has been limited research done on the use of vertical tillage in Saskatchewan, but the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) is funding two research projects this year looking at the effect of vertical tillage machines on soil compaction.

There are various vertical tillage machines on the market. Producers should always make sure the vertical tillage machine leaves a firm seed bed and does not incorporate plant residue into the soil. Incorporated plant residue allows diseases to flourish and defeats one of the key goals of a zero till system.

It is important to remember that vertical tillage is not considered zero till and can still damage soil structure, disturb the soil’s biological cycles and make the land more susceptible to erosion. In a dry year, it would be better to leave the crop residue intact and undisturbed in order to help retain moisture and prevent wind erosion. Another factor that should be considered before investing in a vertical tillage machine is the increase in fuel, maintenance and time in the field.

Joel Peru, AAgIrrigation Agrologist, OutlookCrops and Irrigation Branch

It is important to chop flax straw finely to avoid germination and seed problems next year.

The uses of vertical tillage

Flax straw requires careful management

CROPS

Flax producers can take steps to manage the straw during harvest that will make it easier to seed that land in the spring. Flax stems have long, tough fibres that decay slowly and can cause germination and seeding problems the following spring, particularly if the residue is not spread evenly. With uneven residue, the soil will not be of uniform temperature or moisture level, which can result in patchy germination and uneven maturity in the subsequent crop. Seeding into flax stubble requires care as the flax straw can plug vertical-shank and hoe openers and cause hair pinning with the use of disk openers. The straw must be chopped finely and either spread uniformly or removed from the field to prevent issues with seeding or the growth of subsequent crops.

Producers can reduce the amount of flax straw to be chopped and spread by cutting the crop higher. This will reduce the amount of straw that needs to pass through the combine, and the taller stubble will trap more snow, leading to more spring moisture. The height of the stubble left standing in the field depends on the type of seeding equipment that will be used in the subsequent season.

Agriculture—especially irrigated agriculture—generates a lot of crop residue every year and producers are constantly looking for new ways to deal with it. In Saskatchewan, residue management has been a challenge in recent years due to bumper crops which generate large quantities of plant material in the field. There is a growing interest in vertical tillage as a tool to manage trash, increase straw mineralization and accelerate the warming of the soil in the spring. It is important to understand how this type of implement works and how it affects the soil when considering vertical tillage.

Vertical tillage implements have a shallow working depth, which minimizes soil disturbance when they are used. Vertical tillage penetrates the soil and allows air to flow through it. Vertical tillage differs from convention tillage in that it always works the ground vertically instead of shearing the ground into horizontal layers. It helps circulate warm air and raise soil temperature at a faster rate. In areas with a short seeding period, this can potentially be a valuable time management tool. The machine’s coulters are also useful for breaking up crop residue, which can help make seeding with an air drill much more manageable in a continuous cropping system.

Contact Barb Ziesman, Provincial Specialist, Oilseed Crops, at 306-787-4668 or [email protected], or Cory Jacobs, Regional Crops Specialist, at 306-946-3221 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

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

FOR MORE INFO

Barbara Ziesman, PAgProvincial Specialist, Oilseed CropsCrops and Irrigation Branch

Cory Jacob, AAgRegional Crops Specialist, WatrousRegional Services Branch

7AGRIVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2015

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The researchers studied a variety of wheat and chickpea cultivars to see if they could determine what made them susceptible or resistant to fusariam head blight (FHB), water stress and, for chickpeas, ascochyta blight.

In the FHB study, the researchers detected significant differences in the spikes of resistant, tolerant and susceptible wheat cultivars, raising the possibility of developing a biochemical marker to identify/screen improved FHB-resistant wheat varieties. In the chickpeas, the researchers found that ascochyta-resistant cultivars had higher levels of iron in their leaves.

Next, the researchers studied the response of plants to environmental factors such as heat and drought. Again, the synchrotron found significant differences between drought-tolerant and drought-susceptible wheat and pea cultivars.

The results of this project show that the synchrotron can be used in combination with the latest genomics and plant breeding approaches to develop improved crops for Western Canada in the near future.

Saskatchewan Agriculture specialists want to raise awareness of the importance of feed testing. The nutrient content of forage is highly variable—particularly in a year as unsettled as this one when producers will be sourcing feed from unfamiliar sellers—which makes feed testing even more important.

The Saskatchewan Hay Harvest Challenge provides producers with a pocket-sized field book. In taking the challenge, producers are encouraged to submit forage samples for feed testing. They can then submit a copy of the results with an entry form, found in the official field record book. Entries are submitted to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre and must be received by January 15, 2016. Prizes include four $250 vouchers for feed analysis sponsored by Central Testing Laboratories and a $1,000 voucher for in-store purchase from a Saskatchewan Peavey Mart location.

The synchrotron and crop improvement

Take the Saskatchewan Hay Harvest Challenge!

The Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron in Saskatoon is one of the technological masterpieces of Saskatchewan’s growing research community. The synchrotron is a source of brilliant light—millions of times brighter than even the sun—which enables scientists to study the microstructural and chemical properties of materials. Scientists have used the synchrotron light to collect detailed chemical and structural information at the molecular and atomic levels, with applications ranging from mine tailing remediation to cancer research and cutting-edge materials development.

Now, the synchrotron is being used to investigate structural and biochemical changes associated with crop growth and development, thanks to the efforts of CLS staff and researchers from the National Research Council-Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, as well as funding from the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund.

CROPS

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation recognizes these field record books as a method of updating forage yield history when establishing individual coverage under its forage insurance programs.

For more information or to obtain an official field record book, contact your local Regional Forage Specialist, call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 or visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Hay-Harvest-Challenge.

Sushmita Nandy, PhD, PAgProgram Manager, CropsAgriculture Research Branch

Visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture research reports page at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/ADF/Search and enter the report number #20130054 into the search function.

FOR MORE INFO

The synchrotron reveals the structural and biomolecular differences in fusariam-resistant, -tolerant and –susceptible wheat spikelets.

NOTE: Booklet has updated information on page 41. If yours does not have the new insert, contact your local Regional Forage Specialist.

8 AGRIVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2015

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Three-dimensional fencing: protecting your feed and your bottom line

around the clock by two motion-sensitive game cameras. Although the 2014/2015 winter was not conducive to high elk pressure, the game cameras revealed evidence of elk near the site but there were no signs of them actually crossing the fence, proving it successful.

With feed being an important aspect of any livestock operation, it is imperative it be protected from damage. 3D fencing may be an option to reduce feed losses for producers with wildlife problems.

Every year, elk, deer, and other wild animals destroy approximately $400,000-worth of stacked forage, according to Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC). That can be devastating, especially in a year of tight forage supplies. Strong fences can keep wildlife at bay, and a new fencing technique—three-dimensional (3D) fencing—can make feed supplies even more secure.

Deer and elk have poor depth perception due to their wide-set eyes. 3D fencing works with this disadvantage using off-set wires to create the appearance of a visual barrier. The basic design features two fences, three feet apart. The interior fence consists of four or five strands of electrified wire and the exterior fence is one strand of electrified wire, at least 34 inches off the ground. Simple wire gates can also be used for easy access during the winter feeding period. By having the fence electrified, there is a reinforcing message to leave the area alone. Through various projects and demonstrations, different configurations of 3D fence have been tested and analyzed for cost, accessibility and effectiveness.

This past winter, the Carrot River Valley Watershed Association, in partnership with Saskatchewan Agriculture and SCIC, and with funding from Agriculture Demonstration of Technologies and Practices (ADOPT), demonstrated the effectiveness of 3D fencing in northeastern Saskatchewan. Traditionally, 3D fences use wood posts; however, this configuration featured mainly rebar posts due to an existing supply on the farm. The rebar posts also allowed wire height to be easily adjusted and provided flexibility for use on other projects. The site was monitored

LIVESTOCK

Alicia Sopatyk, BSA, AAgRegional Livestock Specialist, TisdaleRegional Services Branch

Contact your local Regional Livestock Specialist;Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; Visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca; orWatch our YouTube video at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/ WebVideo-3-Dimensional-Fencing.

FOR MORE INFO

Game cameras showed deer and elk coming up to the fence but not crossing it.

Photo credit: Carrot River Valley Watershed Authority

3D fencing works by capitalizing on the poor depth perception of deer and elk.

Planning ahead to stretch forage supplies this winter

Optimal cow body condition improves weaning weights, conception rates and overall calf health. Thin cows are only half as productive as those in optimum condition. So if you are going to spend the time, effort and valuable forage resources to bring a cow through the winter, a good body condition score is going to be very valuable to you.

Out of the five body condition scores, the goal is to maintain a score of 2.5 to three. Scoring animals must be hands-on and cannot be based on visual assessments. You should be able to feel the short ribs with some pressure, but should not be able to count them individually. Fat cover should be evident on either side of the tail head and over the pin bones.

Cows at an ideal body condition score are more economical to feed. For example, a thin cow of average frame size and a body condition score of 1.5 will need to gain around 200 pounds to reach the healthier score of 2.5. Feed cost will be 40 to 60 per cent higher for cows that need to gain weight versus those that simply need to maintain their body condition.

In many parts of Saskatchewan, forage yields are going to be less than normal this year. Securing enough feed for winter may mean making use of alternative crops for forage such as greenfeed or straw and supplementing with grain or pellets.

When budgeting forage for a winter feeding program, there are many variables, the most important and unpredictable of which are length of the feeding period and cold weather. In order to best position yourself to weather this uncertainty with limited forage supplies, it is wise to ensure that your core cow herd is in the best possible body condition going into the fall.

The list of traits and factors that would cause a cow to be culled from the herd changes somewhat when forage supplies are limited. Along with poor feet, a bad udder, poor mothering or late calving, the body condition score of a cow should rise to the top of the priority list when it comes to culling decisions.

Naomi Paley, PAgRegional Livestock Specialist, YorktonRegional Services Branch

Contact a Regional Livestock Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; orVisit www.bodyconditionscoring.ca. A free USB stick containing all the website tools can be obtained by emailing [email protected] or calling 403-275-8558 Ext. 302.

FOR MORE INFO

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Producing vaccines for Saskatchewan’s livestock industries

Using DNA technology for parentage testing in livestock

LIVESTOCK

on a daily basis. With support from the Government of Saskatchewan and the livestock industries, our research continues to develop solutions for infectious diseases affecting agricultural animals. VIDO-InterVac recently added one of the world’s largest high-containment facilities to its existing infrastructure, allowing us to safely work with diseases, including those mentioned above, that require higher levels of containment.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea is a prominent example of the negative impact an infectious disease can have on the industry. This disease was first reported in North America in 2013, and within 12 months killed more than seven million pigs. Outbreaks in Canada have been contained so far; however, the disease continues to represent a major threat to the Canadian swine industry. During the past 18 months, VIDO-InterVac developed a novel vaccine for the disease that has proven highly efficacious in animal studies. Thousands of doses have been produced to test the vaccine in commercial settings in Saskatchewan in the very near future.

registration and accurate genetic evaluation. Further, producers with multi-sire herds are able to identify which males sired which progeny. Breeding males that don’t sire progeny reduce the producer’s profitability. A parentage test can help producers identify unproductive breeding males for culling, potentially increasing profits through feed cost savings and higher reproductive rates.

Vaccines have saved more lives than any other medical intervention in history. Along with effective biosecurity, vaccination remains the most successful strategy for controlling infectious diseases in poultry and livestock. Every year, about three new infectious diseases emerge globally, some of them with potentially catastrophic consequences to food animal production. For example, recent diseases such as bluetongue, Schmallenberg, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea and highly pathogenic influenza have caused billions of dollars in losses. Moreover, bacteria and viruses continue to evolve, resulting in potentially more virulent strains and increased resistance to antibiotics. Thus, vaccines remain the best option to ensure animal health, food safety and consumer trust.

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) in Saskatoon has developed livestock vaccines for 40 years, and many of those products are used by producers in this province

DNA is the genetic material that every animal inherits from its parents. Some known positions or segments of the DNA are used as milestones and are called genetic markers. Different genetic markers are used to confirm an animal’s genetic status (e.g. coat colour) or abnormality (e.g. freemartin calf). DNA technology is also the current standard for parentage testing in livestock.

Parentage testing works on the premise that related animals have a proportion of their DNA in common. The majority of livestock parentage tests seek to verify sires, as the dams are easily identified nursing their offspring. Recent technological and computing developments have made it possible for livestock producers with many animals on huge pastures to access affordable DNA parentage testing given that single sire-mating system is not always practical for such producers.

The source of DNA used for the parentage tests could be blood, semen, hair, skin, meat, saliva or nasal mucous. Some tissue samples are easier to collect than others. Hair seems the most practical source of DNA for livestock producers but producers need to ensure that the hair follicles are attached. Hair samples of candidate animals can be stored in envelopes before shipment to laboratories for analysis.

Parentage test results show the proportion of genetic markers from a potential sire that matches to that of a potential progeny. Producers can use these proportions to determine which bull is the correct sire of a particular calf. A sire-progeny call is made when the genetic markers from a calf virtually has a 100 per cent match to those from a bull. Cattle producers using the same bulls from year to year do not need to send repeat samples as the bulls’ DNA information is already stored by the laboratory and can be cross-referenced to new progeny.

Using DNA technology to confirm parentage of livestock helps producers acquire the full pedigree information that is required for animal

Dr. Volker Gerdts, DVM, PhDAssociate Director (Research), VIDO-InterVac

Obioha Durunna, PhD, PAgRegional Livestock Specialist, Prince AlbertRegional Services Branch

Visit the VIDO-InterVac website at www.vido.org.FOR MORE INFO

Contact Obioha Durunna, Regional Livestock Specialist, Prince Albert, at 306-953-2772 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Ways to obtain DNA for parentage testing: Blood sample collection; mucous swab; hair samples with follicles attached.

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Saskatchewan Pork Development Board

In terms of biosecurity, the Saskatchewan Swine On-Farm Biosecurity Program is a remarkable step forward. It is a collaborative measure between the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Sask Pork that provides funding to producers for biosecurity enhancements, biosecurity action plans, training, veterinary site assessments and animal transportation logistics.

This funding enables producers to work with their local veterinarian and marketing agencies to contain Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PED), locate alternate markets for PED positive pigs and ultimately minimize the spread of the disease in Saskatchewan.

Sask Pork is established under the authority of The Agri-Food Act, 2004 and operates according to the Pork Industry Development Plan Regulations, 2013 under the supervision of the Agri-Food Council.

Every producer who has paid a levy is eligible to vote or run for Sask Pork’s six-person board of directors. This structure ensures that producer representation and producer leadership remain at the heart of the organization.

The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board—also known as Sask Pork—exists to position Saskatchewan’s pork industry as a reliable supplier of world-class, competitively priced pork. It provides leadership for producers, invests in the future of the industry and collaborates with industry stakeholders.

Pork producers in Saskatchewan currently pay a levy of $0.85 on all market hogs and breeding stock. They also pay a levy of $0.23 on all live weanling and feeder pigs exported from Canada.

These levies fund programs such as animal welfare and biosecurity initiatives like the Canadian Quality Assurance (CQA®) program, a Canadian Pork Council program delivered locally through Sask Pork. More than 99 per cent of all market pigs sold in Saskatchewan are raised under it.

“If you intend to be producing pork on a long term-basis, you should be on CQA® because that is the standard you have to achieve to be in this business,” Sask Pork Chairman Florian Possberg said.

This program serves as a sign to consumers that from farm to fork, every stage of a producer’s operation has been verified as providing the world-class level of food safety and animal welfare that Canadian pork producers are known for.

LIVESTOCK

Visit Sask Pork’s website at www.saskpork.com.FOR MORE INFO

Is this animal “Fit for the Trip?”

An animal is considered unfit for transport if it:

• is emaciated, weak, lame or feverish;

• cannot stand without assistance or move without being dragged or carried;

• has a fracture that considerably hampers mobility or is likely to cause severe pain when being loaded or transported;

• is dehydrated, exhausted or in shock;

• is on the verge of death or giving birth;

• has a suspected or confirmed nervous system disorder;

• has a prolapsed uterus or a hernia the impedes movement, is painful when palpitated or touches the ground when the animal is standing normally; or

• has an open skin wound, ulceration or obvious infection.

The entire “Fit for the Trip” checklist can be found on the CFIA website at www.cfia-acia.agr.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/humane-transport/compromised-animals-policy.

If in doubt that an animal can be loaded humanely, producers or transporters can contact a veterinarian or the CFIA for guidance.

Animal welfare is important to livestock producers and to the general public. One component of Canada’s Health of Animals regulations is the humane transport of livestock. Both livestock producers and transporters understand the importance of ensuring that animals are “Fit for the Trip.”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has authority and responsibility under Canada’s Health of Animals Regulations for the humane transport of animals. All people responsible for transporting animals must follow these requirements.

The regulations prohibit:

• overcrowding animals;

• transporting animals that are unfit for transport; and

• loading, transporting or unloading animals in a way that could cause injury or suffering.

The CFIA monitors compliance with the regulations by doing routine inspections at strategic locations such as at points of entry to Canada, registered establishments, auction markets and assembly yards, and by conducting roadside blitzes. Inspectors also follow up on reports of non-compliance.

If the Animal is Unfit: Do NOT TransportAn unfit animal is at a high risk of undue suffering during transportation. If an animal is not “Fit for the Trip,” the producer must delay transport. If delaying transport could result in undue suffering and if the animal is unlikely to get better, the animal must either be treated or euthanized on site. Knowing when to humanely euthanize an animal on farm safeguards the animal’s welfare.

Dr. LeeAnn Forsythe, DVM, MVetScDisease Surveillance VeterinarianLivestock Branch

Contact Dr. LeeAnn Forsythe, Disease Surveillance Veterinarian, at 306-787-6069 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

If an animal is unfit for transport, it must either be treated or humanely euthanized.

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There are many different types of swine production facilities in Saskatchewan. This results in different efficiencies, costs, and ultimately productivity levels. To combat the lower end of this productivity phenomenon, researchers—with the financial assistance of the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund—evaluated the performance of many different swine production facilities to determine whether or not there was an industry-wide model that could lead to better results for producers.

The first step was to conduct a survey of 12 stakeholder groups across Canada. These were experts in the building of and up-keep of hog farms. The survey found that many of these farms were developed based on “rules of thumb;” that is to say, without any rigid guidelines. It was found that this lack of standardization was the cause of the productivity fluctuations. No standardization can even cause accidents or structural failure in extreme cases, such as roofs collapsing from heavy snow.

Many hog farms in Saskatchewan were built decades ago. Additionally, there are many that are in need of repair, whether small-scale or large-scale. These problems are compounded by the fact that many barns have been repurposed to only specialize in particular stages of hog growth. Moreover, pigs are larger than in previous decades and more hogs tend to live in facilities now. Evidently, the requirements of the modern pig have changed. Furthermore, questions and concerns from the public about the hog growth process can also have an effect on producers’ bottom lines.

As a result, a team of Canadian experts specializing in everything from engineering to animal welfare to economic analysis was put together. Their knowledge was combined with a second aspect of the survey—the five major systems that exist within hog farms (the physical building, animal handling, mechanicals, electricals and wastes). These five categories were examined in reference to animal productivity, animal welfare, meat quality, environmental impact, effect on the producer and safety.

This identified 14 areas wherein pork producers are said to have the most problems in swine production. These areas are dry sow stalls, farrowing crates, ceiling heights, alleyway widths, space requirements, load outs, flooring composition, slatted floors, manure handling inside the barn,

Benchmarking and standardization of swine production systems

RESEARCH

manure handling outside the barn, manure handling taken altogether, pig feeders and drinkers, starting and calibrating equipment, and finally, emergency water and power systems.

Using these findings as a launching pad, a second survey was conducted to analyze pork producer’s concerns about their farms. The top four issues were pig feeders and drinkers (40.9 per cent), space requirements and crowding (39.4 per cent), load out facilities (34.8 per cent) and farrowing crates (31.8 per cent).

Next, these researchers headed out into the field to compare the findings of their studies with actual hog production farms in Saskatchewan. The advisory body of experts focused on the four most important issues as previously mentioned and made appropriate recommendations to fix any related problems. Their recommendations were made using a financial analysis tool called the Swine Enterprise Model. It simulates production costs and returns for hog farms. Subsequently, the researchers entered their recommendations into the system and observed the simulated costs and returns.

There were relatively small changes such as the need to adjust the height of nipple drinkers depending on the size of pigs; larger changes such as the need to expand space requirements for pigs and re-evaluate the stocking density of pigs; and rather drastic changes that would incur great costs, such as the need to re-evaluate load out facilities to promote pig movement and the re-design of group housing systems for sows.

The surveys and farm visits conducted in this project indicated that standard regulations—not merely “rules of thumb”—are needed to improve productivity, animal welfare and ultimately lower costs in swine production. The implementation of these standards will better match the current environment in which modern swine production takes place, thereby benefitting producers, consumers and livestock.

Visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture research reports page at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/ADF.Search and enter the report number #20100186 into the search function.

FOR MORE INFO

Relatively small changes, like adjusting the height of the nipple drinkers according to the size of the pigs, will have an impact on barn productivity.

A typical hog production barn room.

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PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Producers explained that getting information on programs can be somewhat difficult, often resulting in either delayed or inaccurate information. Agricultural producers suggested that the Ministry of Agriculture could assist in the timely flow of information by initiating a single window of access on labour/workforce issues. In-person contact and webinars were also identified as good ways to get information on programs.

An important outcome of the day was that producers and the government actively sought out solutions to labour and workforce challenges. Many producers lack experience managing people and their expectations, and this was identified as one of the biggest problems facing agriculture today. Farmers and ranchers often find it difficult to compete with the wages and benefits that other sectors can provide employees. A panel of producers gave a presentation on methods to retain workers such as room and board allowances and flexible work schedules. Integrating farming activities was also identified as a method to keep the job full time in an effort to retain labour.

During the roundtable, industry clearly identified human resource problems as an issue that could curtail growth in the agricultural sector. Saskatchewan Agriculture is working with industry stakeholders and other governmental agencies to address these concerns.

own or control 320 acres of farmland and earn a minimum farm income of $35,000 per year can apply for three different Irrigation Management Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) rebates.

The Irrigation Management Planning BMP is a rebate to help cover the expense of irrigation certification or any other consulting services aimed at improving water use efficiency. This provides support for 50 per cent of eligible expenses to a maximum of $2,000.

The Irrigation Equipment Modification BMP is intended to help improve water application and pumping efficiency. Some of the eligible expenses include converting from high-pressure to low-pressure systems; converting from combustion engine to electric pumps; fertigation-related equipment; and remote communications technologies. This BMP provides support for 30 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $50,000. Applicants must get pre-approval for these projects.

The Variable Rate Irrigation Technology BMP is intended to help cover expenses related to variable rate irrigation systems. This BMP provides support for 30 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $15,000. Applicants must get pre-approval for these projects.

Agriculture, HR and government working together to solve labour issues

Development funding available for non-district irrigators

Labour and workforce issues continue to be a high priority for agricultural producers in Saskatchewan. Earlier this summer, Saskatchewan Agriculture, with the assistance of the Ministry of Economy, held an industry labour roundtable with 25 producers from 15 different commodity organizations to discuss the labour issues facing them or their organizations. The goals of the meeting were to engage producers, gather and document key labour market challenges and share current responses and best practices.

The Canadian Agriculture Human Resources Council (CAHRC), the human resources consultancy Knibbs/associates, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economy gave presentations on employee attraction strategies, the need for industry involvement in the National Workforce Action Plan and government programming and initiatives.

Producers attending the roundtable were very engaged and asked a number of challenging questions that helped inform participants of the issues.

Producers also challenged each other to be more involved with their associations or organizations, such as CAHRC, on the labour and workforce issues affecting the agricultural sector.

Irrigation producers who are not part of a formal irrigation district can now access funding through the Agricultural Business Development component of the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) to help develop a minimum of 10 new irrigated acres.

Recent changes to the program increased the maximum rebate from $150,000 to $300,000. The funding is structured to be the lesser of 50 per cent of eligible costs or $1,000 per irrigated acre developed.

Eligible expenses covered by the program include water conveyance infrastructure, such as pumps, screens, pipelines and the installation of power to the edge of the irrigated parcel of land. On-farm expenses related to irrigation equipment (i.e. irrigation pivots) are not eligible.

Projects must be completed within 18 months of receiving the written FRWIP project approval or by February 15, 2018, whichever is earlier. For more information on the irrigation development process, contact the Crops and Irrigation Branch at 306-867-5000.

Irrigation-related programming is available through the Farm Stewardship Program. Producers who have completed an Environmental Farm Plan,

Contact Bob Wiens, Senior Livestock Analyst, at 306-787-5970 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Contact FRWIP and the Farm Stewardship Program at 1-877-874-5365; orCall the Crops and Irrigation Branch at 306-867-5500.

FOR MORE INFO

Support for irrigation planning and enhancements can be accessed through the Farm Stewardship Program.

Bob WiensSenior Livestock Policy AnalystLivestock Branch

Kelly Farden, MSc, PAgManager, Agronomy ServicesCrops and Irrigation Branch

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SCIC programs support producers affected by the dry conditions in 2015

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

program, and the information provided determines whether the producer qualifies for a benefit payment. Submitting the forms and providing the information also builds the farm’s program history. By keeping the financial profile of the farm up to date, producers have their individual reference margins established and available to provide coverage should something unforeseen happen causing the farm to draw on the resources of the AgriStability Program.

Please keep in mind that any 2014 program forms received after September 30, 2015, are subject to a penalty. AgriStability benefits will be reduced by $500 per month; however, if no benefit is calculated, there is no penalty applied. December 31, 2015, is the final deadline for submitting program forms with penalty.

A great way to manage a farm’s AgriStability information is through AgConnect, a secure website that gives producers and their contact persons (e.g. accountants) the ability to review previous AgriStability information and submit new information. By using AgConnect, there is the potential to have files processed more quickly because the information automatically enters SCIC’s system and is ready for processing.

To use AgConnect, producers and their contacts need to activate their accounts. Those who have not activated their accounts, but would like to use AgConnect, should contact the AgriStability call centre at 1-866-270-8450 to get started.

While AgConnect has been popular, SCIC continues to accept program forms by mail, fax or through any of the 21 local Crop Insurance offices across the province.

Forage cropsSeptember 30 is also the deadline to submit the Forage Declaration for Crop Insurance customers who insured tame hay, dehydrated alfalfa, sweetclover, greenfeed or timothy hay. This is also the deadline to register a claim for yield-loss on forage acres. Producers unable to harvest all acres of forage by September 30 can request an extension of insurance. Extensions are not granted past November 15.

Fall CropsProducers deciding to seed and insure a fall crop for harvest in 2016 will need to complete a Fall Seeded Acreage Report (SAR). The deadline to select winterkill insurance for fall rye and winter wheat crops, which are to be seeded by September 15, was August 25. The deadline for submitting the fall SAR is November 15.

Crop Insurance ClaimsAs the 2015 harvest takes hold, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) wants to remind producers about the process for Crop Insurance claims.

Producers who had crop damaged by the dry conditions may have taken measures to put that crop to an alternate use, such as grazing or baling it for livestock feed. In those cases, the producer would have submitted a pre-harvest claim, an adjuster would have appraised the crop and a yield would have been determined. For Crop Insurance customers who left their crops for harvest, they continue to have full yield-loss coverage on that crop and can make a claim if their actual harvested production is below their insured production.

Producers have until November 15, 2015, to file their post-harvest claims; however, SCIC encourages producers to file their claim as soon as they have harvested the crop. This is to determine if their production is below coverage. Producers can complete their post-harvest claim from their computer, tablet or smartphone using CropConnect. To sign up for CropConnect, contact a local Crop Insurance office.

Whether filing a pre-harvest claim, post-harvest claim or combination of both, Crop Insurance provides coverage on insured crops for natural perils like drought, hail and insect damage. If producers have questions about making a claim, they should contact their local Crop Insurance office.

AgriStability Interim BenefitThe AgriStability Program can provide assistance for producers affected by the dry conditions. An interim benefit gives participating producers the opportunity to access AgriStability funds prior to the completion of the program year.

The interim benefit is based on the estimated margin decline or loss for the year. To access the benefit, a producer’s program year margin must decline by more than 30 per cent of their reference margin. Interim benefits are generally issued at 50 per cent of the estimated final benefit to protect against overpayments. (Please note: for producers to access a 2015 interim benefit, they must be enrolled in the AgriStability Program for the 2015 program year and have completed six months of farming activity in the 2015 program year.) To calculate the reference margin, producers will be asked for 2014 program year information, if it has not previously been submitted. Producers who apply for a 2015 interim benefit are required to submit final applications for 2015 AgriStability Program by the final deadline of December 31, 2016.

AgriStability interim applications are available online or can be picked up at any of the 21 Crop Insurance offices across the province.

SCIC deadlines approaching quickly AgriStability deadlineSeptember 30, 2015, is the initial deadline for producers enrolled in the AgriStability Program to submit their 2014 program forms. Submitting program forms is part of the annual process for participating in the

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

FOR MORE INFO

Drought in canola. Drought in lentil.

14 AGRIVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2015

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PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

AITC-SK continues to engage students in experiential programming outside the classroom, too. Each May, it works with industry and the College of Agriculture and Bioresources to bring together around 300 students from Grades 7 to 9 to participate in the Biotech Blast, which showcases the many bioscience careers available inside and outside the lab. Interest in the event continues to grow due to overwhelmingly positive teacher feedback. With the Biotech Blast, AITC-SK is using the same approach that worked well when it joined with Genome Prairie to produce GEE! In Genome—a one-hour classroom workshop targeted at high school students and focused on DNA extraction.

AITC-SK is always ready and available to help teachers navigate the issues surrounding agriculture. All of their programs and resources are available free of charge and their staff are available to support teachers.

Okanagan Valley into a world-recognized centre of wine production. His Mission Hill Family Estate winery has

become a world-class destination winery and has raised international awareness of agri-tourism in B.C.

• Ovila Lebel (1925-2011) was nominated by Fédération des productuers d’oeufs Québec for his work establishing what is now the Egg Farmers of Canada. He founded Canada’s first provincial egg marketing

board in Quebec and worked tirelessly to create a united voice for egg farmers across Canada.

The induction ceremony will take place at the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza. This is the first time the event has been held in Western Canada. Portraits of the

new inductees will be hung in the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame gallery at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

in Toronto.

The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame was organized in 1960 and is administered by a board of 12 volunteer directors from across Canada.

Biotechnology in the classroom

Five new members of the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame

As the challenges of sustainably feeding a growing world, biotechnology continues to be at the front of the most important tools in the agricultural industry’s toolbox. Scientists are working hard to find innovative solutions to enhance food quality, improve crop yields and decrease producers’ reliance on inputs. With biotechnology playing such an important role, it is important that society understands biotechnology.

Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK) is leading these efforts by helping schoolchildren learn about biotechnology, both in and out of the classroom. This year AITC-SK piloted three new biotech kits—science experiments for Grades 9 through 12 incorporating some of the techniques used by the biotech industry. AITC-SK is also developing a resource to support the new Environmental Science 20 curriculum. The resource will help students develop a better understanding of the benefits of modern farming, while also investigating the connection between agricultural technologies and sustainability and stewardship.

On November 22, the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame will add five new members to its roster at a ceremony in Regina during Canadian Western Agribition. The inductees come from across Canada and represent the full spectrum of the Canadian agricultural industry. This year, two of the five inductees are from Saskatchewan.

• The Hon. Grant Devine was nominated by Input Capital Corp. for the transformative changes he made to Canadian agriculture in his role as economist, professor, politician and premier of Saskatchewan. He is a dedicated champion of Saskatchewan agriculture and has left a lasting legacy on Canadian agriculture.

• Dr. Ron DePauw was nominated by SeCan for his many achievements during 41 years as a cereal research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatchewan. One of his most significant and lasting contributions to the industry was the development of AC Barrie wheat.

• E. Ward Jones (1889-1937) was nominated by the Canadian 4-H Council for his role in the development of 4-H in Canada. He was co-founder of the precursor to 4-H clubs in Manitoba.

• Anthony von Mandl, a pioneering Canadian winemaker, was nominated by the Hon. Wally Opel, Q.C., for his work making British Columbia’s

Contact Sara Shymko, Executive Director, Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan at 306-933-5224 or [email protected]; orVisit the Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan website at www.aitc.sk.ca.

FOR MORE INFO

Visit the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame website at www.cahfa.com.

FOR MORE INFO

Brendan HillAgriculture Awareness summer studentRegional Services Branch

2015 GREEN TRADES CONFERENCEThis year’s annual Saskatchewan Green Trades Conference and Tradeshow will be held at the Saskatoon Inn on November 4 and 5, with the preconference workshops taking place on November 3.

Dr. Doug Waterer of the University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Plant Sciences will be back to give his annual year-in-review report on the greenhouse and vegetable industries.

Dr. Chris Yost, Canada Research Chair in Microbes, the Environment and Food Safety, will be speaking to the conference about his work on microbial contamination of vegetables.

As well, Dale Schattenkirk of LTS Consulting will discuss the benefits of establishing a LEAN program on a greenhouse or field vegetable operation.

And there will many opportunities to mingle and network with fellow producers in the industry.

More information about the conference can be found at www.saskgreenhouses.com.

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The Saskatchewan public continues to have a high opinion of Saskatchewan producers and the agricultural industry in general, according to the results of a survey conducted in April.

This is the third year that Saskatchewan Agriculture surveyed the public on agriculture awareness. By comparing survey results to the previous two years’ results, the Ministry was able to assess the impact of its agriculture awareness efforts. Questions gauged the perceptions of Saskatchewan citizens on agricultural topics such as its role in the economy and the global food supply system, the diversity of career options, the use of modern technology, environmental stewardship and corporate structure. A new question for 2015 asked respondents if they preferred to support restaurants that serve Canadian beef.

The survey indicated that, overall, the public has a positive perception of agriculture. Similarly to previous years’ results, respondents expressed high levels of agreement (more than 85 per cent) that:

• Saskatchewan agriculture drives Saskatchewan’s economy;

Events calendar

Survey says: Saskatchewan supports its farmers and ranchers

• Saskatchewan agriculture is modern;

• Saskatchewan agriculture is a global supplier of safe and nutritious food;

• It is important that Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers have the freedom to operate using accepted farming practices.

Respondents also indicated strongly (89 per cent) that they preferred to support restaurants that use Canadian beef.

The public remains evenly divided on whether modern technology—including genetically modified crops—is necessary to feed the growing world population. Fifty-five per cent of respondents to the 2015 survey agreed that is was, compared to 50 per cent in 2014 and 59 per cent in 2013.

There have been significant enhancements in provincial agricultural education and awareness programming since the Ministry’s strategy was launched in 2013. Overall, support for agriculture remains strong in the province. While it is clear that work is needed to improve the public’s understanding of food production, the momentum is moving in agriculture’s direction.

EVENTS | PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Date Event Location Phone Internet

September 11-13, 2015

Autumn Gold All Breed Horse Show Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK

306-931-7149 www.saskatoonex.com

September 15, 2015

Deadline to seed fall rye and winter wheat and be eligible for winterkill insurance

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

September 25-27, 2015

Ranchman's Ridin' & Recitin' and Young Ranchman's All Breed Show

Kinetic Exhibition Park, Swift Current, SK

www.swiftcurrentex.com

September 30, 2015

Deadline to file Forage Declarations. Deadline to register forage yield-loss claims or request an extension of insurance on un-harvested forage acres

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

Contact Krystal Aulie, Provincial Agriculture Awareness Specialist, at 306-798-0947 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Krystal AulieProvincial Agriculture Awareness SpecialistRegional Services Branch

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16 AGRIVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2015

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