Biotechnology and its many benefits to consumers · 10 Getting tougher on ... manual picking and mowing or grazing before the seed sets. Several chemicals can be used to control downy

Late-season disease scouting | PAGE 5

Turning agricultural waste into energy | PAGE 12

Educating students through food farms | PAGE 16

SEPTEMBER 2016 | VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 4

Biotechnology and its many benefits to consumersPAGE 8

51642 GSK_Agriview_September2016_a4.indd 1 2016-08-12 12:18 PM

We know Canada is a leader on many fronts when it comes to agriculture. Practices and technologies

used across the country and around the globe have been pioneered in Canada. Our industry takes on

challenges and regularly questions the status quo. We celebrate our accomplishments and we share

our success with the world; this is Canadian agriculture.

I’m incredibly honoured that once again, a Canadian concept is being recognized internationally with

the first Global Biotech Week. This inaugural week, running September 26 to October 2, provides an

opportunity to showcase the contributions and achievements of the

industry to increase food production for the growing population.

Canadian industry created the first national Biotech Week in 2003 as

a way to raise awareness and highlight the success of the sector. I want

to thank our provincial industry partners, including Ag-West Bio, for

their leadership in developing Saskatchewan’s bioeconomy and raising

the profile and acceptance of biotechnology here at home.

Saskatchewan is home to some of the most productive and innovative

farmers in the world and we have a great story to tell. Across our province

we see producers motivated and eager to adopt new technology. Our well-established bioscience and

research cluster is helping grow the agriculture sector by providing the tools to continuously improve

productivity. The results of these efforts are demonstrated in various areas, including surpassing one

of our Growth Plan targets, with $15.3 billion in agri-food exports last year.

Investing in research, innovation and Saskatchewan-led solutions continues to be a government

priority. A strong agriculture industry means a strong Saskatchewan, and that is why this year’s

budget included $26.8 million for research and innovation. I look forward to watching our province

continue to play a significant role in advancing agriculture around the world.

I wish everyone a successful harvest and I encourage you to get involved in this year’s Global

Biotech Week.

Minister’s Message

Lyle Stewart

Investing in research, innovation and Saskatchewan-led solutions continues to be a government priority.


Late-season disease scouting | PAGE 5

Turning agricultural waste into energy | PAGE 12

Educating students through food farms | PAGE 16

SEPTEMBER 2016 | VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 4

Biotechnology and its many benefits to consumersPAGE 8

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

Cover: Dr. Patricia Polowick, Research Scientist with the National Research Council at the University of Saskatchewan inserting a lab sample into a centrifuge. For more information on biotechnology and its benefits for consumers, turn to page 8.

Table of Contents

CROPSInternational Year of Pulses is making an impact on Canadian and global food security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Early detection is the key to controlling downy brome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Be on the lookout for herbicide-resistant weeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

End-of-season disease scouting an important part of disease management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Benefits of seeding winter cereals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Store grain properly to avoid pests, mould and heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Craft beer is good for barley producers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Distilling boom adding value to Saskatchewan agricultural products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

BIOTECH WEEKBenefitting from biotechnology, every day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Building public trust in biotechnology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

New biotech products bring benefits the consumer can see . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

LIVESTOCKErysipelas: forgotten but not gone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Getting tougher on wild boar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Salvaging damaged crops as alternative feed sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Emergency preparedness for livestock producers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

RESEARCHSolid-state anaerobic digestion: turning agricultural waste into energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PROGRAMS & SERVICESSCIC programs work for you from seeding through to harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Best practices for managing agricultural wastes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Permits needed prior to starting a water development project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ADOPT projects now underway across the province . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Hunting access on private land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Food Farms educate students about agriculture in Saskatchewan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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

158 10

Saskatchewan.ca


Downy brome is an invasive grassy weed species that germinates at low temperatures (3.5 to 15 C). The plant’s ability to begin growth early gives it a competitive advantage over other plants, especially in dry years. Early germination, a short life-cycle and a dense, fibrous root system allow downy brome to make more efficient use of early season water than perennial grasses. Even in dry years, plants can thrive, head out and produce prolific amounts of seed. Once a seed bank has developed, seeds germinate continuously under moist conditions or go dormant during a drought, only to flourish again when moisture returns. This makes downy brome very difficult to eradicate. If not controlled, this grass can rapidly spread into native grass stands, choking out native species.

Downy brome is easiest to recognize when it has headed out because of its characteristic drooping tuft-like seed head with awns and “downy” leaves. The seed heads are five to 20 cm long, rather dense, slender, drooping and pale green with a purple tinge and up to eight nodding spikelets that are two to four cm long, with two to eight seeds in each.

There is no biological control for downy brome, so a combination of cultural and chemical control is required. Cultural control includes manual picking and mowing or grazing before the seed sets. Several chemicals can be used to control downy brome but, in most cases, they

International Year of Pulses is making an impact on Canadian and global food security

Early detection is the key to controlling downy brome

Pulses are an efficient and sustainable source of protein grown around the world. Because of their wide availability, affordability and excellent nutrient content, pulses play a key role in global food security.

By exporting pulses to more than 150 countries around the world, Canada is playing a significant role in the fight against global hunger. While focussing on the impact pulses can make on achieving global food security, another major focus of International Year of Pulses in Canada is on achieving food security right here at home.

The IYP Canada Committee has partnered with Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC) to help integrate pulses into community kitchens, food banks and after-school cooking programs across the country. CFCC is a national organization that works in low-income communities to increase access to healthy foods (including pulses), build food skills and provide education and engagement opportunities.

With the help of CFCC, the IYP Canada Committee produced a series of simple and nutritious recipes containing pulses that are tailored toward Canadians who face barriers in accessing healthy food. The recipes require minimal ingredients, and are adaptable to each participant’s skill level and access to ingredients. Many CFCC organizations will be featuring these recipes in their 12-week food and lifestyle education program, FoodFit.

During the month of June, community kitchens and cooking programs across Canada participated in CFCC’s pulse recipe challenge. Participants were asked to cook pulse dishes and share photos of their creations through social media. Entries poured in from all over Canada. Prizes were awarded to the

most creative dish (a coconut and lentil pudding), the most colourful dish (a lentil-walnut taco), and the most mouth-watering dish (a split pea soup with tamarind sauce).

The Canadian pulse industry and trade heard from CFCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Nick Saul, at the Pulse & Special

Crops Convention in Toronto on July 7. He spoke about the importance of pulses in his work and noted that pulses are a great fit for his organization because of their affordability, sustainability and nutritional benefits.

To amplify the industry’s support of CFCC and its programs, a pulse jewellery fundraiser was also held at the convention.

More than $1,200 was raised for CFCC through the sale of custom-designed lentil necklaces and bean lapel pins.

CROPS

must be used early in the spring when non-target species are dormant. Refer to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Guide to Crop Protection for the list of products and procedures.

Although most surface seeds germinate soon after they are shed, buried seeds can remain viable for up to five years, so be prepared to monitor the site and deal with new outbreaks after controls have been initiated. With sustained effort, the seed bank can be exhausted and infestations can be eradicated, but early detection and action greatly increase chances of success.

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

Visit the Community Food Centres Canada website at cfccanada.ca; orVisit the International Year of Pulses Canadian website at www.iypcanada.ca.

FOR MORE INFO

Madeleine GoodwinIYP Coordinator, Pulse Canada

Downy brome has a characteristic drooping tuft-like seed head with awns and downy leaves.

Terry Kowalchuk, MSc, PAgProvincial Specialist, Forage CropsCrops and Irrigation Branch

The International Year of Pulses 2016 is bringing international attention to the contribution that pulse crops can make to solving global issues like nutrition, food security and the sustainability of food production systems.

4 AGRIVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2016


Herbicide resistance is an issue that will not be going away anytime soon. Producers should be watching for suspected herbicide-resistant weeds while doing fall field operations such as spraying, swathing and combining. Typically, herbicide-resistant weeds will occur in patches or may follow a general pattern, such as a weed tumbling across a field. Herbicide-resistant patches will not have sharp, well-defined borders and will look natural. As well, any suspected patch of resistant weeds will feature only one species as it is nearly impossible for multiple weed species to develop herbicide resistance at the same time.

Producers need to take immediate action when they have a suspected patch of resistant weeds and not let the patch go to seed, as this will add more seeds to the seedbank. Site-specific weed management, such as mowing, spraying or tilling, is recommended to prevent the patches spreading throughout the field.

Producers need to practice integrated weed management to stop the spread and slow the development of herbicide-resistant weeds.

Be on the lookout for herbicide-resistant weeds

Integrated weed management can include:

• Increasing seeding rates and fertility to produce a vigorous, dense crop;

• Growing a competitive crop and crop variety;

• Employing a diverse crop rotation, including winter annual crops and short term perennial forages; and

• Applying tank-mixed herbicides.

Herbicide layering is a new strategy to manage herbicide resistance. It is the use of multiple active ingredients and herbicide groups to control the same weed in the same field in the same year. The first layer substantially brings down the weeds numbers and the second layer takes care of any survivors. The technique works because herbicide resistance occurs more frequently in fields with high weed populations than in fields with low weed populations. A herbicide that is soil-active and has residual activity, which controls emerging weeds for part of the growing season, can make a great first layer.

Producers who suspect herbicide resistance can get samples tested by sending them to the Crop Protection Lab at 346 McDonald Street, Regina, SK, Canada, S4N 6P6.

CROPS

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

Barbara Ziesman, AAgProvincial Specialist, Plant DiseaseCrops and Irrigation Branch

Cory Jacob, AAgRegional Crops Specialist, WatrousRegional Services Branch

The best way to manage field crop diseases is through an integrated approach combining cultural control strategies (such as crop rotation), host plant resistance and, when required, fungicide application. To develop an optimal integrated disease management plan, producers need knowledge of the disease risk and field history. Disease risk during the growing season can be evaluated by monitoring the environmental conditions and by scouting for initial symptoms of the disease or signs of the pathogen. Knowledge of the field’s history will be acquired through end-of-season disease scouting and accurate record-keeping. Many plant diseases are strongly influenced by crop rotation: short rotations between susceptible crops will increase pathogen levels within the field and increase the potential for yield and quality loss due to disease. When disease history of the field is documented, crop rotation can be used to manage pathogen levels within the field and to reduce the occurrence of disease epidemics and substantial yield and quality loss.

When scouting, it is important to look at more than one location within a field. A good rule of thumb is to scout in a “W” pattern and look at multiple plants from a minimum of five sites, if the field is less than 100 acres, and a minimum of 10 sites in fields larger than 100 acres. From each site, pull multiple plants and examine the entire plant, including the roots, for symptoms of the disease. Record which diseases were present, what percentage of plants examined had each disease, how severe the infection was and which plant parts were affected.

A good scouting kit should include a magnifying glass, a record-keeping sheet, a digital camera, a small trowel, paper or plastic bags to collect samples (in case you encounter a disease or other plant injury symptom that you cannot identify), plant disease fact sheets or other publications, disposable plastic boot covers and sanitizing solution.

End-of-season disease scouting an important part of disease management

Visit Saskatchewan.ca/agriculture and search for “Plant Disease Scouting”.

FOR MORE INFO

Scouting prior to harvest can help guide future crop rotations.

5AGRIVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2016


The Crop Protection Lab has confirmed wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) in a limited number of plant samples this year. The virus can only be managed culturally. To avoid WSMV, winter wheat should be seeded at least 10 days after crops in neighbouring fields and volunteer cereals have turned yellow from maturity or weed control. This disrupts the life cycle of the wheat curl mite that transmits the virus. Preventing WSMV is a good reason to delay planting.

Winter wheat will do best with good quality, large seed, combined with higher seeding rates (25-30 plants per square foot) and a seed treatment. Seeding rates should increase if planting is delayed. Winter wheat should be seeded at a depth of 1.5 to 2.5 cm (0.5 to 1 inch).

Winter cereals have a high yield potential, especially when conditions are ideal. New hybrid rye varieties, in particular, have a very high yield potential. These new hybrids will need lots of nutrients if they are to perform as anticipated. Open-pollinated fall rye will also respond to a fertilizer treatment.

In order to maintain quality when storing grain, efficient management and monitoring procedures are important to avoid issues related to grain heating, mould and insect infestations.

To minimize pest damage, vegetation or spilled grain that is attractive to insects and rodents should be removed from around storage facilities. There are two main types of insect pests: primary pests such as the rusty grain and red flour beetles, and fungus-feeders that do not feed on the grain itself but on fungal growth on the seed. The presence of any insects in the grain can affect its marketability. Storage bins and grain handling equipment should be cleaned before harvest starts. Bins should be swept or vacuumed to remove any grain residue before the new commodity is unloaded. Truck beds, grain wagons, combines and augers should also be cleaned prior to use during harvest.

Before storing grain, producers should treat the interior surfaces of the bin, including cracks and crevices, with an insecticide such as malathion or cyfluthrin (Tempo®) or dust it with diatomaceous earth.

Benefits of seeding winter cereals

Store grain properly to avoid pests, mould and heating

An early start to seeding and lots of heat early in the 2016 growing season may result in good fall conditions for planting winter cereals. Winter cereals offer increased economic returns and have a competitive advantage over weeds and other crop pests. They make efficient use of spring soil moisture and provide conservation benefits. They also allow producers to spread their seeding and harvest workloads out over different seasons. Seeding in the fall may seem odd, so here are some tips and tricks for seeding winter cereals.

Standing canola stubble is ideal for winter cereals. Standing stubble traps snow to provide a layer of insulation that protects the winter wheat crown from the cold.

Early September is the ideal time for seeding winter wheat, fall rye and winter triticale. The seeding deadline for winterkill insurance coverage is September 15, but the optimum seeding date varies by region (see table). Producers should try to seed within 10 days of the optimum date in their region. Winter cereals are most successful when they reach the three- to four-leaf stage prior to freeze-up.

OPTIMUM SEEDING DATES FOR WINTER WHEAT

Optimum seeding date Area

August 27 Meadow Lake / Prince Albert / Nipawin

August 30 North Battleford / Saskatoon / Wynyard / Yorkton

September 3 Kindersley / Swift Current

September 6 Maple Creek / Estevan

CROPS

It is important to note that oilseeds should not be stored in a facility for at least six months after treatment with malathion or cyfluthrin. Oilseeds will absorb enough of the residual insecticide to exceed the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of some importing countries. It is important to follow label directions and restrictions pertaining to the product being used.

Preferably, grain should be dry before putting it into storage, but that may not always be possible. If the grain is damp before going into the bin, it should be dried/cooled to below 15 C as soon as possible and kept cool and dry for long-term storage. Drying and cooling the grain will prevent heating and fungal growth. Cooler temperatures also prevent insect development and reproduction.

Fumigation in the bin is an option under certain conditions. Fumigants should only be used when temperatures are above 5 C. A buffer zone of 30 metres is required around fumigated sites and a fumigation plan must be in place prior to application of the product. Producers must be trained and certified before they can purchase or apply fumigants.

Contact a Regional Crops Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office; Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377;Visit the winter wheat website at www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/winter_cereals; orVisit the Saskatchewan Winter Cereal Development Commission website at www.swcdc.info.

FOR MORE INFO

Refer to pg. 532 of the 2016 Guide to Crop Protection (visit www.saskatchewan.ca and search for “Guide to Crop Protection”); orrefer to the Canadian Grain Commission’s guidelines for managing stored grain at www.grainscanada.gc.ca.

FOR MORE INFO

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

Scott Hartley, PAgProvincial Specialist, Insect PestsCrops and Irrigation Branch



In 1516, the Duchy of Bavaria in Germany imposed the Reinheitsgebot or Beer Purity Law. The law decreed that all beer produced in Bavaria could include only water, barley, hops and yeast.

By restricting brewers to barley, the Beer Purity Law prevented them from competing with bakers for wheat and rye and helped stabilize the price of basic foodstuffs. It also resulted in the distinctive, high-quality beer for which Germany is still known.

However, many modern breweries now derive some of their alcohol content from other starches, such as rice or corn, rather than pure barley. Called adjuncts, these other starches are not actually required for brewing beer. Barley is still important to the process, because it imparts body and flavour to the beer, but the use of adjuncts means that brewers can decrease the amount of barley malt required in brewing beer.

On the other hand, the craft beer industry makes all-malt beer. Craft beer, on average, contains four times as much barley as other beers. While Saskatchewan craft brewers do not have to follow a code as strict as the Reinheitsgebot, extra ingredients are added to contribute to the flavour,

Craft beer is good for barley producers

not to lower production costs. The industry is still relatively small—approximately six per cent of Canada’s beer production—but it is the primary source of growth in the beer industry. In 2015, a Canadian restaurant survey found a six per cent overall decline in beer consumption, but a seven per cent increase in craft beer servings.

Saskatchewan has a growing craft brewing industry. A recent, unofficial survey indicated that there are now 15 craft breweries operating in Saskatchewan, several in Saskatoon and Regina, as well as others in locations like Swift Current and Nokomis. These breweries represent a potentially significant new market for the province’s barley producers who grow more malt barley than anywhere. Because they do not use adjuncts, craft breweries consume approximately 29 per cent more malt, according to an estimate by the Canadian Malt Barley Technical Centre.

The craft brewing industry is healthy in Saskatchewan and in Canada as a whole. As demand increases for craft beer, demand will also increase for good quality malting barley, which is excellent news for Saskatchewan’s producers.

CROPS

Visit www.skcraftbrewers.ca.FOR MORE INFO

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

Saskatchewan is currently experiencing a boom in the rather small but exciting industry of distilling. The first distillery opened in 2010, and since then, four other distilleries have started operation. Because their products are distilled in very small batches, these micro-distillers have the opportunity to experiment with new methods and ingredients, resulting in spirits that are premium quality and distinctly Saskatchewan.

These distilleries give producers access to a whole new industry as a potential market for their crops. They all emphasize their use of local ingredients obtained from either their own farms or from other Saskatchewan producers. Michael Goldney, one of the owners of LB Distilleries explained that his company uses local inputs almost exclusively. “Local producers are great to work with,” he said. “One of the biggest pluses is being able to procure the amounts we require for our modest batch sizes and not having to incur the warehousing costs.”

There is growing demand for locally distilled boutique products. Colin Schmidt, owner of Last Mountain Distillery, said his company is barely scratching the surface of potential sales. “We know numerous markets are untapped and we could expand our own sales and see additional distilleries come on line. Saskatchewan people want to support local.”

Growth in the distillery industry in Saskatchewan will have many positive implications in terms of adding value to primary agricultural production. For example, a bushel of triticale worth approximately $5 can produce 10 26-ounce bottles of triticale whiskey worth approximately $250 in a Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SGLA) store. As well, the province’s horticultural and fruit producers will have new marketing opportunities, which may lead to more production of these

higher value crops, and the small-scale specialty grain producers will now have a local market for their crops. Job creation is another potential benefit as high value crops require irrigation and intensive labour.

With consumers continuing to gravitate toward local products, the Saskatchewan micro-distillery industry is expected to flourish.

Distilling boom adding value to Saskatchewan agricultural products

Contact Mike Leslie, Provincial Agribusiness Specialist, at 306-787-8191 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Joel Peru, PAgIrrigation Agrologist, OutlookCrops and Irrigation Branch

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



Jackie RobinCommunications DirectorAg-West Bio

Katelyn Duncan, BSA, PAgAgriculture Awareness SpecialistRegional Services Branch

about vaccination), Biotech & Beer and Café Sci have helped to spread the message about the value of biotechnology. The Saskatchewan Science Centre in Regina will host an Adult Science Night and DNA Family Fun weekends in honour of Global Biotech Week. This year, Ag-West Bio is hosting an annual meeting and networking event during Global Biotech Week called “Brew-ha-ha: There’s science in my beer!”.

Farmers protect the environment through conservation tillage which reduces soil erosion. They contribute to food security by using scientifically proven technology. According to CropLife Canada, without pesticides and biotech crops, consumers would pay approximately 55 per cent more for food—roughly $4,400 more per family each year. Farmers use of biotechnology improves food quality and nutrition. For example, genetic engineering can increase a vegetable or fruit’s shelf life by reducing browning (like the Arctic Apple – see page nine) by reducing browning. Farmers need to communicate that biotechnology has the ability to enhance food quality and nutrition.

It is important that farmers let consumers know they are doing the right thing on their operations. Doing the right thing means using pesticides responsibly, maintaining soil health and caring for the environment. The good news is that farmers are already doing the right thing. They just need to talk about it more. Engagement is central to building public trust. Producing quality, affordable food, leaving a smaller environmental footprint and meeting an ethical obligation to feed the growing world are values that consumers and farmers both share. Many farmers realize the benefits that biotechnology has had on their operations, and the story of their positive experiences must be told on the basis of shared values.

Benefitting from biotechnology, every day

Building public trust in biotechnology

When you wash your clothes, drive your car, apply skin creams or take your vitamins, you probably don’t think about science, but biotechnology has affected the production of many everyday products. It is used to make our medicines, clean up the environment and produce the food we eat—while reducing CO2 emissions, hazardous wastes and cost. It has had a huge impact on our modern lives, yet most people take these technologies for granted, never contemplating the science that makes them possible.

With this in mind, BIOTECanada, Canada’s biotechnology industry association, introduced the first National Biotechnology Week in 2003, encouraging provincial industry associations to create industry and outreach events. The goal was simple: to increase awareness of biotechnology and to celebrate science. Over the years, the initiative grew into a national success story. Now it is going global!

Seeing the success of National Biotech Week across Canada, the European Association for Bioindustries, (EuropaBio) decided to establish its own annual week of events beginning in 2013. By 2015, 60 per cent of the European Union was involved. Now, for the first time, EuropaBio, AusBiotech, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) and BIOTECanada have coordinated a Global Biotech Week, to run from September 26 to October 2, 2016.

In Saskatchewan, Ag-West Bio has taken the lead on industry and outreach activities since the beginning. All bioscience organizations are encouraged to jump on board to host activities. The provincial government and the cities of Saskatoon and Regina have supported the initiative by officially proclaiming the week each year. Thanks to the hard work and creativity of an organizing committee drawn from the local bioscience community, momentum has been building over the years. Events like the Amazing Biotech Race, Walking Dead Dances (teaching

Consumers get a large amount of information about agriculture, science and technology from the news media, movies and the Internet. Chefs, actors, actresses and bloggers have become voices of food production. Farmers are generally left out of the conversation, despite the fact that research shows consumers trust farmers.This needs to change if farmers are to retain the public’s support for their efforts.

Biotechnology is important to farmers. As buyers and sellers of genetically engineered seed, farmers need to communicate why they have chosen these varieties. Reduced disease pressure, increased weed control options and improvements in “harvest-ability” all improve a genetically engineered crop’s likelihood of reaching maximum yield, relative to the equivalent non-engineered crop.

As a trusted source of credible information, farmers should be working to engage consumers in conversations about biotechnology. However, what is important to a farmer is not necessarily important to a consumer. Consumers are concerned about their health, the cost of food and the environment. Farmers care about those things too, and need to connect with the consumer and share these concerns before talking about production benefits and increased yields.

BIOTECH WEEK

Contact Jackie Robin at Ag-West Bio at 306-668-2656 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Contact the Agriculture Awareness Unit of the Regional Services Branch at 306-787-9773; orVisit the Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan website at farmfoodcaresk.org.

FOR MORE INFO

Team ‘Noble Gasses’ prepares for the 5th annual Amazing Biotech Race at Innovation Place in 2015.



Innate potato, required different genetic engineering techniques to achieve. Apple browning is cause by the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and there are four genes that code for PPO in apples. Scientists used a technology called gene silencing to reduce the amount of PPO enzyme that Arctic Apples produce. Reduced PPO in turn reduces oxidation of the apples when bitten, sliced or bruised. In all other respects, Arctic Apples are equivalent to non-engineered apples. Introduction of this non-browning trait should decrease the amount of apples that are thrown away due to discolouration. Two varieties of the apple have been approved for growth and sale in Canada: the Arctic Golden Delicious and the Arctic Granny Smith.

Golden Rice is a variety of rice that has been engineered to produce beta-carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A. Rice is already capable of producing beta-carotene in its leaves but does not produce it in the grain. Scientists engineered Golden Rice to produce beta-carotene in the grain by inserting two genes, one from the corn plant and one from the bacteria Pantoea ananatis, into the rice genome. These two gene insertions activate beta-carotene production and accumulation in the grain. Unlike the Innate potato and the Arctic Apple, which increase product quality and reduce consumer waste, Golden Rice was engineered to solve vitamin A deficiencies in primarily rice-consuming populations in the developing world. In 2012, the World Health Organization reported that approximately 250 million preschool children are affected by vitamin A deficiency and that a third of all under-five deaths could be prevented by providing these children with a source of vitamin A. Golden Rice could help to provide a solution for these populations and field trials are currently underway.

This new generation of biotechnology products is more consumer-focused and will demonstrate to the general public the benefits of this technology, showing them that biotechnology can not only decrease losses due to insects and weeds, but that it can also develop nutritious and attractive products that retain quality for longer periods of time. In the coming years, it is highly likely that even more innovative and consumer-focused biotechnological products will be developed.

Shawn Gibson, PhD, PAgManager, ResearchAgriculture Research Branch

New biotech products bring benefits the consumer can see

BIOTECH WEEK

The first generation of biotechnological research led to predominantly production-oriented products. Two notable examples are the wide range of Bt-producing crops that produce a protein from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis that kills pest insects such as the European corn borer, and crops resistant to gluphosinate and glyphosate herbicides. While further developments have been made on the production side, the technology has matured to the point where companies and some non-government organizations have used genetic engineering to develop consumer-ready products. Three products in particular are close to, or are already released that will benefit consumers in some way: the Innate potato, the Arctic Apple, and Golden Rice.

The Innate potato was approved by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in March, while the second generation of Innate potato received Food and Drug Administration safety clearance in the United States in January. Both generations of Innate potato were engineered to resist blackspot bruising and browning and to produce less asparagine by incorporating genetic material from wild and cultivated potatoes. Asparagine, under high temperatures and in the presence of certain sugars, forms acrylamide, which may be a potential carcinogen. The second generation of Innate contains two additional traits: enhanced cold storage and late blight resistance. Both traits are important for production and post-production of potatoes; however, it is particularly noteworthy that these potatoes are resistant to late blight—a fungus that has caused a number of devastating potato famines, including the Irish Famine of 1845-1852. Potato bruising leads to unattractive potatoes that are generally discarded before sale, while browning occurs after peeling. The two generations of Innate potato resist both, meaning fewer potatoes will be discarded by producers and peeled potatoes will retain their white colour after peeling, leading to consumers discarding fewer peeled potatoes because they have turned brown.

The Arctic Apple was approved by Health Canada and the CFIA in 2015. Arctic Apples have been genetically engineered to be non-browning, which, while conceptually similar to the browning-resistant trait of the

Contact Shawn Gibson, Research Manager, at 306-787-9768; orVisit www.simplotplantsciences.com (Innate potato), www.arcticapples.com or www.goldenrice.org.

FOR MORE INFO

VEHICLES RESTRICTED ON FISH AND WILDLIFE DEVELOPMENT FUND LANDSby Saskatchewan Environment

Habitat damage and wildlife disturbance caused by ATVs, passenger vehicles and snowmobiles is a significant issue on many

wildlife land parcels. The government enacted a regulation in 2016 that generally prohibits the use of vehicles on Fish and Wildlife

Development Fund (FWDF) lands, strengthening the protection of habitat on wildlife lands from damage caused by vehicles.

This change applies to all mechanized vehicles including ATVs and snow machines. There is provision in the regulation for the

Ministry of Environment to issue a permit to allow vehicle access for specific purposes that meet the intents of the FWDF program.

Hunters may still retrieve legally shot animals, provided they use the shortest or least damaging route to access their kills.

This restriction demonstrates government’s commitment to protecting Saskatchewan’s wildlife resources and their habitat.

FOR MORE INFO: Refer to the Hunters’ and Trappers’ Guide at saskatchewan.ca/hunting.



Erysipelas: forgotten but not gone

Getting tougher on wild boar

LIVESTOCK

derived protection wanes, they are then susceptible to the bacteria, which are present everywhere in the environment. Outdoor pigs or those raised on straw may be more at risk. Up to 50 per cent of pigs may carry the bacteria

in their tonsils and then shed the organism in their feces, saliva and nasal secretions.

Vaccination may be so successful that producers think the disease is not present and they stop vaccinating. This can result in outbreaks.

If clinical cases or slaughter condemnations occur even when sows are vaccinated, the vaccination program should be adjusted to include weaner pigs as well. A veterinarian can best advise on a program to suit a particular management situation, or on treatment of affected pigs.

It is important to remember that erysipelas is a zoonotic disease, and that people can be infected by handling infected pigs or pork products. This is known as erysipeloid in people. Erysipeloid often occurs on the hands at the site of an injury, and

symptoms include swelling, itching and pain. If this occurs, consult a physician and mention contact with swine.

office. Producers can get help controlling wild boar through the Feral Wild Boar Control Program, which is administered by SCIC and funded through Growing Forward 2. There are established teams made up of experienced hunters and trappers, who have a response protocol in place to act on the complaint. A hunt is conducted when it has been determined control measures are needed.

Erysipelas is an old and well-known bacterial disease of swine. An effective and inexpensive vaccine is widely available, yet cases continue to occur. In fact, the incidence of condemnations at slaughter, while still very low, has been increasing in Saskatchewan.

Erysipelas, caused by the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, produces symptoms such as high fever, painful joints and red, raised square- or diamond-shaped lesions on the skin, resulting in it being given the common name of “diamond skin disease”. Pigs can die of acute disease, or go on to develop chronic signs such as arthritis in multiple joints or infections of the heart valves. Signs at slaughter can include arthritis, kidney damage and diamond skin lesions. Animals can leave the farm looking healthy and, due to stress of transport, develop the skin lesions en route to the slaughter plant.

Erysipelas vaccination should be part of all sow herd vaccination programs. This protects the sow herself, and she will pass on protective antibodies to her piglets. However, if the piglets are not vaccinated after their colostrum-

Wild boar are an ongoing problem in Saskatchewan. They pose a threat to wildlife and their habitat, livestock, crops and forages. Wild boar eat a variety of plants, roots, birds and animals, and root up the ground. While they prefer creek beds and marshlands, boar have been known to destroy acres of crop overnight. Also, they have the potential to carry diseases and parasites that can harm the health of domestic livestock or humans.

Recently, the province made regulatory amendments to The Stray Animals Regulations, 1999 and The Wildlife Regulations, 1981 to enhance control efforts. These amendments include stricter lawful fence requirements for farmed wild boar and their hybrids; and the designation of wild boar and their hybrids running at large as unprotected wildlife rather than stray livestock. The latter change allows wild boar to be hunted without a licence while still maintaining reasonable safety expectations such as asking permission to hunt on private property and not hunting along roadways or road allowances. Hunting rules and regulations are available at any Saskatchewan Environment field office.

As with all livestock, producers are responsible for containment. The stricter fence requirements are meant to reduce escapes into the wild. The wild boar requirements for lawful fences now include a combination of woven wire and electric wire. The electric wire is to be inside the woven wire at nose height to prevent the animals from rooting around and under the woven wire. The woven wire must also be buried into the ground or anchored to the ground to prevent animals escaping by going under the fence.

In Saskatchewan, approximately one-third of all rural municipalities have reported wild boar sightings. Wild boar running at large should be reported to the local Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC)

Sherri Dobbs, PAgProvincial Livestock Development SpecialistLivestock Branch

Betty Althouse, DVMChief Veterinary OfficerLivestock Branch

Refer to the Merck Vet Manual at www.merckvetmanual.com.FOR MORE INFO

About:– Wild boar fencing requirements, contact Sherri Dobbs at

306-787-4657 or [email protected].– Feral Wild Boar Control Program, contact your nearest

Crop Insurance office or call 1-888-935-0000; and– Hunting rules and regulations, contact your nearest

Environment field office.

FOR MORE INFO

Rhomboid, diamond-shaped skin lesions of erysipelas as seen in pigs. (Courtesy of Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.)

Wild boar have shown that they can survive harsh prairie conditions.

Wild boar can do significant damage to pasture and cropland. Photo by Chris Jaworowski.



Are you prepared if a natural disaster affects your farm or surrounding community?Natural disasters, such as wildfires and floods, can strike at any time, so developing a plan is critical to safeguarding the people and animals on your property. In any emergency situation, the safety of people comes first, followed by animals and then the protection of property.

The first step in developing a farm emergency plan is to understand the risks specific to your region. Animals housed indoors have a different set of risks than those housed outside. All animals need to be marked with some form of permanent identification in the case of loss or displacement. As well, a list of all animals present on the farm should be created and kept up to date to ensure you have some form of proof of ownership. Registering in the Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) program is important to ensure rapid notification in the event of an emergency. As well, the information in the system is crucial to locating animals during rescue efforts. Register your premises at http://premisesid.saskatchewan.ca.

Your written emergency plan should include a list of emergency telephone numbers, including employees, neighbours, your veterinarian, the poison control centre, the local humane society, Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan, transportation resources and local volunteer organizations. Include a contact on the list who is unlikely to be affected by the same emergency and ensure that person has a copy of the plan. Your emergency plan should include procedures to shelter animals on the farm as well as a plan for evacuation.

Having a well-stocked farm emergency kit is essential to emergency preparedness. Some items to include are: food, water and emergency supplies for your family, a list of all animals on your farm, supplies to temporarily identify animals (eg. plastic neckbands and permanent markers), a basic first aid kit, livestock handling equipment, water, feed, buckets, tools, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, and emergency equipment (eg. cell phone, flashlight, portable radio and batteries).

The Government of Canada has a website to assist you with creating an emergency plan. It also provides information on risks and tips to develop an emergency kit.

Kathryn Tonita, MSc, PAgAnimal Health and Welfare SpecialistLivestock Branch

Stacey Spenst, BSA, PAgRegional Forage Specialist, KindersleyRegional Services Branch

LIVESTOCK

can develop abdominal pain that can potentially lead to death. Symptoms include belly kicking, dehydration, diarrhea, staggering and bloat.

Tetany and Milk Fever are two metabolic diseases that are caused by low levels of magnesium and calcium in the blood. Annual cereal crops can accumulate excessive levels of potassium and contain low levels of calcium and magnesium. A diet high in potassium and low in calcium can limit an animal’s ability to absorb magnesium, which can result in loss of appetite, staggering and paralysis.

Awned barley varieties can also cause issues when fed to livestock. The awns can become lodged in an animal’s gums and cheeks and between its teeth, causing painful abscesses. Animals may also be reluctant to accept a new, unknown type of feed, so they should be monitored closely during the adjustment period.

These are only a few complications that may be encountered when using alternative sources of feed. To avoid problems, producers should always get a feed analysis done if they are thinking about adding salvaged crops to livestock rations. A feed test will detect any toxins present so that a balanced ration can be formulated to help prevent the above issues.

Salvaging damaged crops as alternative feed sources

Emergency preparedness for livestock producers

Severe weather can damage crops, making them unsuitable for human consumption and uneconomical to combine. Depending on how badly they are damaged, drought-stunted, hail- or frost-damaged and sprouted crops can be used as livestock feed; however, certain potential risks must be minimized first.

Nitrate poisoning can occur when feeding any stressed or damaged crops to ruminant livestock. Nitrates can accumulate in plants when they are stressed, especially in heavily fertilized crops. When livestock eat feed containing high levels of nitrates, it reduces the ability of their blood to carry oxygen, resulting in death from asphyxiation with some animals.

Atypical Interstitial Pneumonia may happen when cattle are moved from poor quality pasture to a lush, salvaged crop. Within 10 days of being moved, affected animals will become lethargic and make grunting noises when they breath. Animals can die if not removed from the feed source.

Grain overloading is another issue when either grazing salvaged mature cereal crops or feeding greenfeed bales that contain ripened grain. Animals must be gradually introduced to feed containing large amounts of easily digestible carbohydrates, such as grain or corn; otherwise, they

Contact a Regional Forage Specialist at a nearby Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office;Call the Agricultural Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377; orVisit Saskatchewan.ca/agriculture.

FOR MORE INFO

Visit www.getprepared.gc.ca.FOR MORE INFO



• Both hog and cattle solid manure produce similar quantities of biogas.

• The process can be accelerated by inoculating the feedstock with leftover material from previous digestion. The solid portion of the digested material (digestate) is more effective at kick-starting digestion than the liquid portion (leachate).

• Weekly recirculation of leachate into the manure feedstock may improve biogas production, but this depends on the source of the manure.

• The digestion process (with inoculation) takes between 26 and 30 days.

• Biogas production from culled potatoes and cow carcasses was disappointing, but anaerobic digestion was very effective at reducing carcasses to compost.

Despite the fact that anaerobic digestion produces energy while breaking down agricultural waste, the cost of building a digester is high so the total cost needs to be weighed against the potential benefits. PAMI’s researchers looked at the environmental advantages and disadvantages and the monetary costs associated with anaerobic digestion and compared them with traditional manure management practices—stockpiling and composting—and a combination of composting and digestion. They also considered the potential social licence impact of the various methods of manure management.

The researchers concluded that, based on their analysis, solid-state anaerobic digestion may offer agricultural producers the highest net value and greatest environmental benefit of all options considered. The benefits included greenhouse gas offsets, crop nutrients and energy from biogas production, as well as lower management costs (including capital and operating costs of anaerobic digestion amortized over a 25-year equipment lifetime). Beef producers could see environmental and possibly economic benefits from including digestion and composting as part of their manure management system. The high capital cost of anaerobic digesters means that adopting the technology is risky in the short-term, but, over the lifetime of the equipment, digestion should generate a net positive return. Furthermore, the value of biogas and the net value of digestion are likely to increase over the lifetime of the equipment as fossil fuel prices increase and incentives for green energy production are adopted.

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

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

Solid-state anaerobic digestion: turning agricultural waste into energy

RESEARCH

Anaerobic digestion is gaining popularity in Canada as a way to deal with agricultural waste. During anaerobic digestion, organic waste is broken down by naturally occurring micro-organisms in an oxygen-free environment. A side benefit of anaerobic digestion is that the micro-organisms produce methane and carbon dioxide (biogas), both of which can be used as an energy source. At the end of the digestion process, the original waste has been turned into a humus-like soil supplement that is less malodorous and more consistently textured than manure.

Most of the anaerobic digesters operating in Canada are designed for liquid organic waste. Liquid digesters usually consist of a mixing tank and a reactor tank that is either intermittently or continuously stirred. Liquid waste material is slowly injected into the mixing tank, and the biogas produced by digestion is collected in the headspace of the reactor tank. The residual waste is collected in a third holding tank, where the liquid portion is separated from the solids. The liquid portion is treated as wastewater and the solids are composted. While this process is appropriate for the liquid wastes produced by the hog and dairy sectors, most agricultural organic waste is solid and would require vast quantities of water to be suitable for a liquid digestion system.

Solid-state anaerobic digestion has more potential for application in the agricultural sector. It requires little to no water—producing a smaller environmental footprint—and generates minimal wastewater requiring disposal. It requires no metering, pumping or stirring equipment, which means that there are fewer moving parts and lower operational and maintenance costs. In addition, the sheer volume of solid organic feedstock available for dry digestion means that there is opportunity for agriculture to generate massive quantities of biogas. However, because solid organic waste cannot be pumped or metered mechanically, a solid-state digester requires specialized systems and controls to provide the environment required for healthy anaerobic digestion.

With financial help from Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) built a pilot-scale facility and set out to collect data on the operating parameters, energy potential, costs and environmental benefits of solid-state anaerobic digesters.

Five pilot-scale trials were conducted at the PAMI site in Humboldt to perfect the design and engineering of the digester facility. Ten bench-scale trials were also conducted at the University of Saskatchewan to measure the biogas production potential of various types of agricultural waste. Solid feedlot waste, cow carcasses, culled potatoes, algae, food/yard waste and even cattails were evaluated as feedstock for the digester.

The pilot-scale trials quickly found flaws in the original digester design and modifications were made to improve energy efficiency and operator safety. Several of the designs featured a tilt-truck unloader, demonstrating the potential of the system to handle large volumes of material.

The trials produced a large amount of practical and useful information.

• Solid-state anaerobic digestion of feedlot manure produced approximately 25 cubic metres of methane per tonne of wet feedstock.

Visit Saskatchewan.ca and search for ADF; then enter report numbers 20100085 or 20120204 into the search function.

FOR MORE INFO

Potatoes and manure at the beginning of the September 2013 trial. Potatoes and manure at the end of the September 2013 trial.



PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Keep in mind that any 2015 program forms received after September 30, 2016, will be subject to a penalty. AgriStability benefits will be reduced by $500 per month; however, no penalty will be applied if a benefit is not triggered. December 31, 2016, is the final deadline for submitting program forms with penalty.

Direct depositProducers can authorize SCIC to directly deposit a claim into a savings or chequing account. Customers will be notified when the deposit is made. Deferred claims will be deposited on the selected deferral date based on the turnaround time at the selected financial institution. The direct deposit authorization form is available online or from one of SCIC’s adjusters or any SCIC Customer Service Office.

Forage cropsSeptember 30 is also the deadline for forage producers to register a claim for yield-loss on forage acres and for those customers who insured tame hay, dehydrated alfalfa, sweet clover, greenfeed or timothy hay to submit the Forage Declaration. 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 cropsFor producers who have previously selected winterkill insurance for fall rye and winter wheat crops, the deadline to seed is September 15. If producers decide in the fall to seed and insure a fall crop for harvest in 2017, they need to complete a Fall Seeded-Acreage Report (SAR). The deadline to submit a Fall SAR is November 15.

Staying connectedSCIC can instantaneously deliver program information to producers’ mobile devices through e-subscriptions. This service allows producers to customize the information they receive regarding the Crop Insurance, AgriStability, Wildlife Damage and Western Livestock Price Insurance programs. Customers not wishing to receive emails have the option of requesting text messages only. Producers can sign up by visiting SCIC’s website at www.saskcropinsurance.com/e-subscription. They can unsubscribe at any time.

SCIC programs work for you from seeding through to harvest

Storms swept across the province over the past summer months. The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Program offers coverage on crops that have been damaged by heavy rain, strong winds or hail. SCIC reminds producers to contact their local customer service office following their harvest season.

Once harvest is complete, producers will need to measure their crop production and, if it is below their insured production, a claim can be made to cover the losses. Post-harvest claims must be filed no later than November 15. The total harvested production information must be submitted before a yield loss claim can be filed. Under the Crop Insurance Program, producers are insured for losses in both quality and yield.

The deadline is just around the corner – submit nowAgriStability participants should be aware that September 30 is the initial deadline for submitting their 2015 program forms. Program forms must be submitted annually to determine if the producer qualifies for a benefit payment. It also builds the farm’s program history. By filing on time, producers can be certain their financial profiles are up to date and their individual reference margins are established.

For producers who experienced an event that affected their 2016 margins, the interim benefit provides them with access to AgriStability funds before the end of the program year. The interim benefit is based on the estimated margin decline or loss for the year. For producers to access the benefit, their program year margins must have declined by more than 30 per cent of their reference margins. Interim benefits are generally issued at 50 per cent of the estimated final benefit to protect against overpayments. In order to access 2016 interim benefits, producers must be enrolled in the AgriStability Program for the 2016 program year and have completed six months of farming activity in the 2016 program year. To calculate the reference margin, SCIC will ask producers for 2015 program year information, if not submitted previously, in order to calculate the reference margin. Producers receiving a 2016 interim benefit will be required to submit a final application for the 2016 AgriStability Program by December 31. AgriStability interim applications are available online or can be picked up at any of the 21 Customer Service Offices across the province.

A great way to manage a farm’s AgriStability information is AgConnect, a secure online application giving producers the ability to review previous AgriStability information and submit new information. AgConnect is easy to use and accessible online at any time. Information submitted through AgConnect immediately enters SCIC’s system, allowing for quicker file processing. Staff are available to help producers activate their AgConnect accounts. Contact the AgriStability call centre at 1-866-270-8450.

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

FOR MORE INFO



Waste management is a major part of environmental sustainability. As responsible stewards of the land, Saskatchewan farmers have a number of waste management and recycling options to minimize the impact of agriculture on the province’s soil, water, air and plant and animal life.

Used oil and fluidsThe Saskatchewan Association for Resource Recovery Corporation (SARRC) operates recycling depots for antifreeze, motor oil and other industrial oils and fluids. Funding is available to producers through the Farm Stewardship Program Used Oil Storage Beneficial Management Practice (BMP) to defer the cost of storing oil until it can be recycled.

Visit the SARRC website at usedoilrecyclingsk.com for details.

Grain Bag RecyclingGrain bags, twine and net wrap can be recycled for free through a government-funded program operated by Simply Agriculture Solutions. There are currently 14 collection sites and eight grain bag rollers in operation. There are also some private recycling sites with rollers that charge a small fee.

Managing water, either in abundance or shortage, can be a challenge for producers. When producers undertake a water management or development project, they need to be aware of the permits and approvals that may be required. Two permits that are sometimes overlooked are the Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit (AHPP) and the Approval to Construct and Operate Drainage Works.

The Aquatic Habitat Protection Program ensures that aquatic habitat is preserved and maintained at the productive level that existed before development activities took place. This means preventing habitat alteration, increased erosion and sedimentation, and the discharge of oil, gasoline and other contaminants into the water. The AHPP ensures that individuals and corporations carry out development activities in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.

Projects that may require an AHPP include channel clearing, construction of water conveyance facilities such as drainage ditches, development of water infrastructure that uses surface water (e.g. dugouts, built-in water runs/creeks) and modifications or improvements to riparian areas. Depending on the project, a producer may also require drainage approval.

Producers considering a water management project should ask themselves the following questions:

• Is the work taking place in a named creek or waterbody?

• Does the project disturb the riparian area between the water and the boundary (minimum five metres from the top of the bank)?

• Does the project involve redirecting water flow?

Best practices for managing agricultural wastes

Permits needed prior to starting a water development project


Producers who would like to purchase their own grain bag rollers may be eligible for cost-shared funding through the Farm Stewardship Program.

Visit Simply Agriculture Solutions’ website at www.simplyag.ca for details.

PlasticsCleanFARMS has a recycling program for empty commercial pesticide and fertilizer containers. Producers can drop off clean containers at retail collection points throughout the province.

Visit the CleanFARMS website at cleanfarms.ca for details or talk to a local agricultural retailer.

Household wastesBurning farm and household waste is illegal in Saskatchewan, and burning material such as rubber, plastic, treated wood and construction waste requires a permit. Household waste that cannot be recycled or composted should be taken to an authorized landfill. If that is not feasible, producers are permitted to bury their own household waste on their own property.

Contact the local municipal office for information on household waste recycling programs.

If the answer to any one of those questions is “yes”, then the project will likely need an AHPP.

In regards to drainage, if a producer is draining water off a quarter section, drainage approval must be obtained from the Water Security Agency. If a producer is storing a large amount of water, surface water approval may be needed from the agency.

Permits are free, but require planning ahead. An AHPP must be issued prior to the start of the project; the permit cannot be issued retroactively. Both the Farm Stewardship Program and Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program may require this permit as a condition of funding.

Visit Saskatchewan.ca/agriculture and search for Farm Stewardship Program.

FOR MORE INFO

Visit the Water Security Agency website at wsask.ca; orContact a Water Security Agency Regional Office.

FOR MORE INFO

Francine BruleManager, Grant and Rebate ProgramsProgram Design and Delivery Branch

Water Security Agency




of the property that the land is posted. The sign must be 600 square centimetres in size (8 in. x 12 in.) and can be a variation of No Hunting, No Trespassing, Hunt with Permission Only, or Hunt on Foot Only.

The Ministry of Environment provides landowners with free signs such as Occupied Buildings – No hunting within 500 metres, or Seeded Field –

Hunt on foot only. Contact a local Saskatchewan Environment field office or conservation officer for more information.

Specific vehicle control regulations also apply to certain areas of the province. Near Saskatoon and in the southeast of the province, big game hunters must have written permission to drive vehicles off roads and trails. In hunting areas surrounding Regina and Saskatoon, big game hunters must drive on roads or trails along road allowances, except to retrieve lawfully taken animals.

Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre in Outlook. This work demonstrates a range of crops and technologies including field-grown bunching onions, field-grown slicing cucumbers, field-grown Spanish onions, fingerling potatoes and sweet potatoes grown in high tunnels.

The District 26 Agriculture Development and Diversification Board (in collaboration with the Northeast Agriculture Research Foundation) is delivering four forage demonstration projects in the Melfort region: yield and quality of cicer-grass mixture; yield and protein content of cicer and alfalfa and bromegrass mixtures for forage; seeding rates for forage legume establishment and yield; and seeding rates for cereal crops as forage or grain.

In the southwest, the Wheatland Conservation Area AgriARM group is undertaking six new projects. Five projects focus on demonstrating the value of agronomic inputs for red lentil and faba bean, while a sixth project demonstrates and explores the potential value in sulphur fertilization of flax.

A complete list of the projects can be obtained by searching for “Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies” on saskatchewan.ca.

ADOPT projects now underway across the province

Hunting access on private land

In addition to harvest, fall marks the start of hunting season, and this means deciding whether or not to post hunting instructions on your land. While the laws governing land access and posting are quite simple, there are a number of misconceptions around what these signs mean. Landowners and lessees have the legal authority to post land access instructions in a manner that best suits their needs.

Historically, there has been a strong relationship between landowners and hunters. In order to maintain that relationship, hunters are encouraged to ask for landowner approval before hunting on unposted land.

If the land is posted, a hunter can find out who the owner is and obtain permission to hunt, despite the posted instructions. Landowners often put their phone numbers on the signs so hunters can easily contact them for permission. A landowner may hunt on his own land even if it has been posted.

Posting instructions on private land provides clarity for hunters and landowners alike on what is permitted and what requires permission. If access is granted, there may be specific requirements such as Access Restricted – Hunt on Foot Only.

Signs need to be placed prominently along the boundaries of the land in question. Signs are required at each corner, access points and sides of any quarter section. This is to advise hunters who may come in from the back

In early spring 2016, 66 demonstration projects worth more than $535,800 were approved under the Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program. These projects are now underway at locations around the province and producers are encouraged to visit on field days.

These 66 projects were distributed among 19 producers groups. The largest single project is the Prairie Oat Growers Association’s demonstration evaluating the test weight stability and yield response of new and established oat cultivars to fertilizer nitrogen. This replicated demonstration is being conducted at four collaborating AgriARM sites (Indian Head, Melfort, Redvers and Yorkton) over the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons.

The Irrigation Crop Diversification Corporation (ICDC) initiated nine diverse projects such as the relationship between quality and yield in perennial forage, a demonstration of corn varieties for silage and grazing, demonstrations of new horticultural crops, and a couple of projects demonstrating the impact of fungicides on soybean and flax. The work on horticultural crops is being further supported by eight projects undertaken by the Saskatchewan Vegetable Producers at the Canada-

Refer to the 2016 Hunters’ and Trappers’ Guide at saskatchewan.ca/hunting.

FOR MORE INFO

Contact Dr. Jeff Braidek, ADOPT Program Manager, 306-933-6016 or [email protected].

FOR MORE INFO

Jeff Braidek, PhD, PAgADOPT Program Co-ordinatorAgriculture Research Branch

Saskatchewan Environment If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, please call Saskatchewan’s toll-free Turn in Poachers line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cellular subscribers, or report it online at saskatchewan.ca/conservation.



Events calendar

EVENTS | PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Date Event Location Phone Internet

Sept. 15, 2016 Deadline to seed fall rye and winter wheat and be eligible for winterkill insurance.

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

Sept. 21, 2016 University of Saskatchewan (U of S) Campus Career Expo

U of S, Saskatoon, SK www.usask.ca

Sept. 23, 2016 Saskatchewan Riding Clubs Association – Provincial Final Show

Prairieland Exhibition Park, Saskatoon, SK

306-567-3046 www.saskridingclubs.com

Sept. 26, 2016 University of Regina (U of R) Career Day U of R, Regina, SK www.uregina.ca

Sept. 26 – Oct. 2, 2016

Global Biotech Week in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan www.biotech.ca

Sept. 30, 2016 Deadline to file Forage Declarations. Deadline to register forage yield-loss claims or request an extension of insurance on un-harvested forage acres.


Sept. 30, 2016 Deadline to submit AgriStability Program forms without penalty


The Food Farm project originated in Yorkton four years ago and has flourished since. This year, Food Farms have expanded to seven locations—Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Melfort, Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Outlook—with more than 1,200 students participating. This equates to nearly 8,000 learning hours focused on agriculture and food production for Grades 3 and 4 students, many of whom have never had the opportunity to visit an agricultural operation. Attending a Food Farm gives them first-hand experience of agriculture that they would otherwise not have had—and it is one their teachers say they will never forget.

“My students had a great time and talked about it all day once we were back at school. They thought it was the best field trip we have been on all year and can’t wait to come back in the fall and learn more,‘ said Grade 3 teacher Kendra Waldenberger from Sacred Heart School in Moose Jaw.

Food Farms are small-plot demonstration farms that shows students where the food many believe ‘comes from the grocery store’ actually comes from. To increase agricultural awareness, the projects involve local businesses as well as provincial partners. Each Food Farm is run individually and has its own spin on the project, however all locations involve the crops, livestock and machinery sectors. Agriculture in the Classroom SK (AITC SK) is a key partner, coordinating school visits and linking learning activities and outcomes with Grade 3 and 4 curriculums.

Food Farms educate students about agriculture in Saskatchewan

In the spring, students visited the Food Farms to help with seeding and to learn about crop and livestock inputs. During this first visit, they learned about farm stewardship, production practices, plant and animal breeding, efficiency of modern equipment and more. The crops have grown and matured over the summer, and students will return in September and October to help harvest the grain and vegetables. They will then build upon what they learned in the spring about primary production by learning more about processes further down the food value chain—and how plants and livestock end up in some of their favorite dishes!

Halsey Shaheen, BSc, AAgIntern Agrologist, Moose JawRegional Services Branch/AKC

Contact Katelyn Duncan, Provincial Agriculture Awareness Specialist, at 306-787-8079 or [email protected]; orVisit Saskatchewan Agriculture’s blog, Sask Ag Now, at Saskatchewan.ca.

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