december 2008 - january 2009 volume 4 poster contest ......poster contest winner emma head, age 13...

10

VOLUME 4

ERGOT ON CEREALS pAGE 4

bENEfiTS Of iRRiGATiON iN SASkATChEwAN pAGE 8

DECEMbER 2008 - JANUARy 2009

LiVESTOCk RESEARCh pAGE 13

Poster contest winner Emma Head, age 13page 10

Minister’s Message

Premier Brad Wall recently announced a four-point plan to secure future growth in our province and ensure everyone benefits from our economic strength. This plan was highlighted in the recent Throne Speech, which set out the direction of the government for the upcoming

year.

The plan includes the biggest income tax reduction in Saskatchewan’s history. This tax reduction will result in an additional 80,000 people not having to pay any provincial income tax. It is retroactive to January 1, 2008, and will benefit everyone in Saskatchewan.

The plan also includes reducing the provincial debt by $2.6 billion (nearly 40 per cent) by March 31, 2009. The Saskatchewan Party government is currently paying down debt at a rate of approximately $5,000 per minute. This debt reduction initiative will save Saskatchewan taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in interest payments in the coming years.

In the 2008-09 budget, the government implemented a $1 billion “Ready for Growth” infrastructure initiative. This funding has been helping to restore our roads, schools and health care facilities. To help ensure Saskatchewan’s continued growth, we have committed to increasing this amount by an additional 50 per cent, to $1.5 billion in the 2009-10 budget. This is the largest budgeted infrastructure initiative in the history of the province.

This government is also committing nearly $2 billion to the Growth and Financial Security Fund. This fiscal insurance policy will help to ensure we have security amidst the current unstable economic climate.

In addition to these important initiatives, agriculture will continue to be integral to the growth and security of our province. The Throne Speech outlined several agricultural priorities for the provincial government.

A key priority for the Saskatchewan Party government is the reduction of the education portion of property taxes paid by producers. In the March 2008 budget, we increased the rebate from 38 to 47 per cent on agricultural land. The Throne Speech committed to a long-term solution to this issue. Jim Reiter, MLA for Rosetown-Elrose, has been undertaking an in depth review of the education tax system. Farm and ranch families should look forward to his final report in early 2009.

This provincial government has once again committed to fully funding Saskatchewan’s share of federal-provincial agriculture programs. For many years, the previous government would not commit to fully funding its provincial share of the CAIS program. This created uncertainty for farmers and ranchers. Producers deserve the security of knowing we will fully fund our share of these programs.

On November 6, 2008, we fulfilled another commitment laid out in the Throne Speech. We announced we are moving the administration of AgriStability to Saskatchewan for Saskatchewan producers. In 2010, the 2009 program year will be administered by the Crop Insurance head office in Melville. Staff will also be available at rural Crop Insurance offices to meet with producers one-on-one to answer any program questions they may have. This move will result in a more reliable and responsive program.

The Throne Speech also committed to long-term growth for the agriculture industry. To help facilitate this growth, we have implemented the Agricultural Crown Land Sale Program. This program provides incentives to producers to purchase their leased agricultural Crown land. Farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of the land. More than 600,000 acres of cultivated land and one million acres of pasture land are eligible for this sale program. I encourage producers to contact their local Ministry of Agriculture Lands Branch office if they are interested in purchasing their leased agricultural Crown land.

The Throne Speech also reaffirmed our commitment to improve the Crop Insurance Program. We have fulfilled our election campaign promise to review the entire Crop Insurance Program and are currently analyzing the recommendations. Improvements will be introduced for the 2009 program.

Long-term infrastructure continues to be a priority for this government. In some areas of southwestern Saskatchewan, both producers and RMs have been dealing with drought for a number of years. We have recently increased funding levels for the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program and included dugouts, power and generators as eligible costs. These program improvements will help producers and RMs develop water supplies that are critical to their growth and security. We hope to expand the region of the province eligible for this program next year.

We have further assisted producers in Saskatchewan with the Gopher Control Rebate Program. Through this program, the provincial government will provide a 50 per cent rebate on the costs of gopher control products, such as strychnine, to producers. We are working to develop a long-term solution for controlling gophers. However, in the meantime this program should help ease some of the financial burden for farmers and ranchers dealing with gophers.

We have also committed to expanding extension services in rural Saskatchewan. In 2004, the previous government closed 22 extension offices throughout rural Saskatchewan. While we live in an increasingly technological age, the information producers need cannot always be found on a website or over the telephone. We recognize the value of having staff available to meet with producers one-on-one and for on-farm visits.

The initiatives set out in this Throne Speech will help build a stronger Saskatchewan and a better life for farm and ranch families.

Sincerely,

Bob Bjornerud

Minister of Agriculture

STORy SNApShOTS

4

AGRIVIEW is published by the Communications Branch of Saskatchewan Agriculture for Saskatchewan farmers and farm and food organizations. for more information, call 306-787-5160 or e-mail [email protected]. To view this publication online, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/programs-services.

KVD removal

Soils and crops workshops

TAbLE Of CONTENTS

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7

10

Specialized equipment for fruit industry

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VOLUME 4

ERGOT ON CEREALS PAGE 4

BENIFITS OF IRRIGATION IN SASKATCHEWAN PAGE 8

DECEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009

LIVESTOCK RESEARCH PAGE 13

Poster contest winner Emma Head, age 13page 10

Poster contest

Kids’ poster contest10

LivestocK deveLopMent9

agriBUsiness deveLopMent14

Cover: Poster contest winner Emma Head’s

crop deveLopMent4

irrigation8

colourful entry.

December 2008 - January 2009 3

prograMs and services12

events caLendar16

13research

4 December 2008 - January 2009

CROp DEVELOpMENT

Why the Increase of Ergot on Cereals in 2008?

by Faye Dokken, M.Sc., AAgProvincial Specialist, Plant DiseaseCrop Development Branch

kNOw whAT yOU GROw – ThE iMpACT Of ThE REMOVAL Of kVDby Dan SchmeiserResearch Analyst, Strategic Planning UnitPolicy Branch

Ergot has been around for hundreds of years. It’s caused by a fungus that affects most cereals and grasses in Canada. Ergot is particularly

damaging in rye and was also observed on wheat, durum and triticale this harvest. Although ergot is out there, it’s not always an issue. So why was ergot so noticeable in 2008?

Conditions were favourable for ergot development in many areas of Saskatchewan this season. Cool soils last spring caused uneven growth stages and lengthened the flowering period when crops are susceptible to ergot. Cool,

moist weather in late spring and early summer promoted ergot

germination and the initial infections that continued to spread from plant to plant through rain splash and insects.

Infected heads have one to several dark purplish ergot bodies protruding in place of kernels. When an infected crop is harvested, ergot bodies mix with the healthy grain and may result in downgrading. If possible, contaminated grain should be binned and taken to the elevator separately. Ergot bodies can usually be removed through commercial cleaning, then buried or destroyed by burning. Even non-viable ergot bodies contain poisonous alkaloids and should not be consumed by humans or fed to animals.

Ergot bodies present on crop residue infected in 2008 will be a potential source of infection, placing nearby grasses and cereal crops at greater risk of ergot for the next few years. Once ergot is present, little can be done to control the disease in the field, so prevention is key.

Planting seed infested with ergot bodies can spread the disease to previously clean fields. As there are no registered seed treatments, only clean, healthy seed should be used. During the growing season, grasses growing near the infected area can be mowed to reduce potential hosts. Scout fields prior to harvest and combine areas with ergot infections, such as headlands, separately.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONContact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377, or•

Visit • www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca under Production then Crops | Disease | Ergot of Cereals and GrassesErgot on durum wheat, harvest 2008

Effective August 1, 2008, the Government of Canada removed Kernel Visual Distinguishability (KVD) requirements for all classes of

western Canadian wheat. As a result, grain producers in Saskatchewan (as well as the other western provinces) are now required to sign a Declaration of Eligibility for Class form to confirm that the type of wheat being delivered is eligible for a specific western Canadian wheat class.

To be eligible for the top grades in a particular class, the grain delivered must be one of the varieties listed on the variety designation list for that class of wheat. If the variety is not a registered variety for that class, it can only be sold as Canada Western Feed, or in the case of durum, as No. 5 Canada Western Amber Durum.

The best way to know the variety of your wheat at delivery is to know your seed at the time of planting. This may be accomplished either through purchasing certified seed, by carefully storing and tracking your common seed grown from certified seed, or having your common seed tested at a private seed lab if you are unsure of the variety or its origin.

The variety declaration system has resulted in increased attention being placed on the use of registered varieties. In a few cases, some producers have discovered they were using common seed from varieties that have been de-registered. However, even before the declaration system, de-registered varieties have always been ineligible for the top grades of a particular wheat class, other than feed.

While KVD had been the standard for ensuring the quality of western Canadian wheat for many years, one of its limitations was the ability to consistently detect ineligible varieties. Furthermore, by removing KVD requirements for variety registration, one of the main obstacles faced by plant breeders attempting to develop new lines of wheat has been removed. By removing this obstacle it is expected that research and

development of new wheat varieties with improved agronomic characteristics such as yield, disease/pest resistance and quality traits will be stimulated and expedited.

Research into cost-effective technology that will accurately verify grain varieties at the time of delivery is underway, but it will be several years before this technology is commercially available. As a result, the declaration system is expected to continue. Therefore, it is imperative that producers ensure they are able to verify what varieties they produce and that these varieties are eligible for that intended wheat class.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONContact Dan Schmeiser, Research Analyst, Policy Branch at •306-787-8095 or via e-mail at [email protected].

CROp DEVELOpMENT

hERE COMES ThE 2009 GUiDE TO CROp pROTECTiON!

The 2009 edition of Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Guide to Crop Protection will be available at

the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon from January 12 to 15, 2009.

The Guide to Crop Protection is a comprehensive source of information on registered uses of crop protection products (herbicides, seed treatments, foliar fungicides and insecticides) for use in field crops and forages.

There are several new products identified this year for weed, disease and insect control as well as new uses for older products. A few additional companies are listed in this edition, as the number of product manufacturers operating in Canada is increasing.

For your copy of The Guide to Crop Protection, visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture booth at the Western Canadian

Crop Production Show. It will also be available at your local crop protection product retail outlet following the show.

In January, the electronic version of The Guide to Crop Protection will be posted on Saskatchewan Agriculture’s website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Guide_to_Crop_Protection. Look for the spring update at the same website address in May.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiON

by Clark Brenzil, Provincial Specialist, Weed ControlCrop Development Branch

2008 GU

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OP PR

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This publication is only a guide. Always refer to the product label for application details and precautions.

S A S K A T C H E W A N

CropProtection

2008 GUIDE TO

weeds, plant diseases, insects

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SASKATCHEWAN AGRICULTURE 3085 Albert Street Regina, Saskatchewan CANADA S4S 0B1www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca Printed January 2008 40M ISBN 088656-59953 0164

HERBICIDE ROTATION - 2008

Resistance to a pesticide group will reduce the effectiveness of pesticides in that group over time. Rotation of herbicides and

other pesticides is an important measure to delay the onset of resistance to any one pesticide group or mode-of-action.

By rotating herbicides, the risk of developing widespread resistance over a field drops. The illustration below gives a relative

ranking of risk of resistance developing from repeated use. The top of the triangle indicates groups that may develop resist-

ance quickly. Those at the bottom of the triangle have demonstrated a low risk of resistance developing over long-term use. Be

aware that low risk does not mean no risk, since weeds have developed resistance to herbicides in these groups as well.

Herbicide Resistance Development Risk Based on Number of Applications

* Some products contain more than one active ingredient and therefore may appear in more than one group.

Rotation of Herbicides

OTHER GROUPS Liberty (10), Amitrole (11), CleanStart (14)*, Reflex

(14), Dual II Magnum (15), Frontier (15), Kerb (15),

Primextra Magnum* (15), Casoron (20), Gramoxone (22), Reglone (22), Infinity (27)

GROUP 1 (Grass Control)Achieve, Assure II, Equinox, Axial, Bounty*, Brigade*, Clethodim, Fusion, Horizon, Poast Ultra, Puma Super, Venture

GROUP 2 (Grass & Broadleaf control)Accent, Brigade*, Adrenalin*, Ally, Altitude FX*, Assert, Everest, Express, Express Pack*, Frontline*, Muster, Odyssey, Odyssey DLX*, Option, Pinnacle, Prism, PrePass*, Pursuit, Refine SG, Solo, Spectrum*, Triton C and K, Unity*

GROUP 9 (Grass & Broadleaf control)CleanStart*, Eclipse*, Glyphosate, PrePass*, Rustler*

GROUP 8 (Grass & Broadleaf control)Avadex, Avenge, Eptam, Eradicane, Fortress*

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GROUP 7 (Grass & Broadleaf control)LinuronGROUP 6 (Broadleaf Control)Basagran, bromoxynil, bromoxynil +2.4-D ester*, bromoxynil+MCPA ester*, Infinity*, Laddok*, Unity*

GROUP 5 (Grass & Broadleaf control)Atrazine, Laddok*, Primextra Magnum*, Sencor, Shotgun*, Simazine, Velpar

GROUP 3 (Grass & Broadleaf control)Edge, Fortress*, Trifluralin

GROUP 4 (Broadleaf Control)2,4-D, 2,4-DB, Adrenalin*, Altitude FX*, Attain, Bounty*, bromoxynil + 2.4-D ester*, bromoxynil+MCPA ester*, Curtail M, dicamba,

dicamba+mecoprop+MCPA, dichlorprop+2,4D,

Dyvel, Dyvel DSp, Eclipse*, Express Pack*, FlaxMax*, Frontline*, Lontrel, MCPA, MCPB+MCPA, mecoprop, Prestige, Rustler*, Shotgun*, Spectrum*, Triton C and K, Trophy, and

mixes containing these active ingredients

2008 GUIDE TO CROP PROTECTION

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Contact the Agriculture Knowledge •Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of

Agriculture’s 2009 Crop Planning Guides will be available at the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon from January 12 to 15, 2009.

There are guides for each of the three soil zones plus a guide specifically for specialty crops. They are intended to help producers in their annual evaluation of crop costs and returns. Two worksheets – one for the soil zone guides and one for specialty crops – are also available. Producers can use these worksheets to include their specific costs to estimate their own individual return over expenses. There are also Organic Crop Planning Guides for each of the three soil zones and an organic crops worksheet.

Budgets, which reflect recommended production practices rather than averages, are offered for crops sown on fallow, conventional stubble and direct-seeded into stubble in each of the soil zones. The specialty crops guide provides budgets for special grains, pulses, oilseeds and spice crops. These estimates do not represent provincial average cost of

production figures, but are to be used as a guide. Costs and yields differ between farms, so farm managers must determine their own costs, yields and expected commodity prices to get the most accurate scenario for their farm. Producers should also consider the soil moisture

conditions and fertility program on their own farm when projecting potential yields.

The guides will also be available on Saskatchewan Agriculture’s website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca and follow the links to Management | Financial Planning | Crop Planning Guides.

Contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre for the latest information on crops, livestock, nutrient management and the economic implications of management decisions. Use the toll-free line to contact resource agents and specialists, who draw

on expertise from around the province and beyond.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONCall the Agriculture Knowledge Centre toll-free at 1-866-457-2377.•

2009 Crop Planning Guides soon to be Released

by Ray McVicarManager, Production TechnologyCrop Development Branch

The new guides will be available at the 2009 Crop Production Show in Saskatoon.



CROp DEVELOpMENT

November 1, 2008 Stubble Soil Moisture Map

The upcoming annual Soils and Crops workshop will be held in conjunction with

a new Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) training event (Pesticide Resistance workshop) on February 25 and 26, 2009. The workshops will be held at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine Building, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.

The Pesticide Resistance workshop will be held on Wednesday February 25. It is mainly intended for Certified Crop Advisers and professional agrologists to enhance their understanding of pesticide resistance. This workshop will provide in-depth training on modes of action of pesticides, development of pesticide resistance, mechanisms of pesticide resistance, the current situation in Western Canada, proper sampling methods for resistance and how resistance tests are conducted.

The Soils and Crops 2009 workshop begins in the evening of February 25, with a poster session from 5 to 7 p.m. The oral presentations will be held on Thursday, February 26. This workshop will provide an update on current research in the areas of soils, crops and economics

in Western Canada.

These events are a great opportunity for professional development, networking and extension of current soils and crops research to CCAs, professional agrologists, researchers, students and other members of the agriculture industry. Participants may choose to take part in one or both events.


UpCOMiNG wORkShOpS: pESTiCiDE RESiSTANCE AND SOiLS AND CROpS

by Patrick Mooleki, PhD, PAgSoil/Nutrient Management Specialist Agriculture Knowledge Centre

and

Faye Dokken, M.Sc., AAgProvincial Specialist, Plant DiseaseAgriculture Knowledge Centre

Call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at •1-866-457-2377;

Visit our website at •www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca; or

Visit the University of Saskatchewan •website at www.usask.ca/soilsncrops.

All workshops will be held at the University of Saskatchewan.

After harvest, producers look for moisture to recharge the rooting zone. The November 1, 2008 Stubble Subsoil Moisture Map

provides a snapshot in time of the fall moisture recharge. A little more than one-third of the province has good to very good subsoil reserves going into winter; mostly east of a line from Saskatoon to Estevan. There are areas of good moisture recharge in the southwest, the northeast and northwest. However, the west central to northwest regions, and pockets across the northern grain belt, did not receive as much soil moisture recharge. Their ratings range from fair to very poor.

The November Map is used by producers through the winter to determine realistic target yields for crop input planning. Crop plans, of course, are adjusted in early spring after further recharge is received from snowmelt and spring rains. For more accurate crop planning, producers are encouraged to soil test and measure moisture recharge in their own fields. The map is also used by other agencies, such as the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation and the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, to help them plan for next year.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONVisit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture website at •www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.

by Ken Panchuk Provincial Specialist, SoilsCrop Development Branch

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Prepared by: Geomatics Services Date: Nov 5, 2008

Moisture data - Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Other data - © Information Services Corporation of Sask.

© 2008 Government of Saskatchewan

Stubble Subsoil Moisture MapNov 1, 2008

Projection: UTM Zone 13 Datum: NAD83 Spheroid: GRS1980 ²0 50 100 150 20025

Kilometers

NOTE: Since techniques used to smooth the transitionbetween zones can affect the values in localized areas,this map should be used for regional analysis only.

Millimeters/Inches of Available Soil Water> 100 mm75 - 99 mm50 - 74 mm25 - 49 mm< 25 mm

> 4.0"3.0" - 3.9"2.0" - 2.9"1.0" - 1.9"< 1.0"

Very GoodGoodFairPoorVery Poor

CROp DEVELOpMENT

Specialized equipment for the fruit and vegetable industry

In horticulture, farm land is intensively managed, and typical farm size is small. Commodities are high value, and there is need for labour.

Since labour is expensive, specialized equipment is used to alleviate costs. Although smaller than grain machinery, horticultural equipment serves many of the same agronomic needs.

Managing weeds is always an issue. Many fruit growers use tractor mounted in-row tillers called weed badgers. The manufacturer (www.weedbadger.com) has designed them to mount onto 25 to 90 horsepower tractors via a three-point hitch and a side bracket. They have a power take-off (PTO) pump that forces hydraulic fluid through lines to control a retractable arm and power a rotor. The tines attached to the rotor spin and churn the soil, killing weeds in the process.

Mulch layers (see www.gbeequipment.com) are also used to cover seed beds with a thin film of plastic. The plastic mulch serves several purposes including soil temperature regulation, soil moisture conservation and weed control. The opaque plastics prevent weeds from growing by blocking out their access to sunlight.

In regard to seeding, vegetable growers often use Stanhay type precision seeders (see www.rwequipment.ca/stanhay.htm) which can be belt type, or vacuum disc. Alternatively, plants are germinated and grown in greenhouses and later placed in fields with transplanters (see www.suttonag.com/ChecchiMagli.html). Fruit growers often use similar transplanters to place orchard seedlings in their rows, or to plant strawberries.

Fruit harvest equipment is designed to vibrate fruit with enough force that ripe fruit will fall from the tree. Usually more than one pass is required per season because the fruit does not ripen uniformly.

There are self-propelled models (see www.littauharvester.com, http://rakennustempo.fi/eng/?ID=1410 , www.oxbocorp.com/berries.html) as well as pull-types.

Vegetable harvesters are more like grain combines, but the headers are different. In the case of potatoes and other root crops, the harvesters move through the soil and pull up the crop, then vibrate the usually sandy or loam soil off the root material.

There are many innovative self-designed pieces of horticultural equipment that fruit and vegetable producers have created in Saskatchewan.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiON Contact Forrest Scharf, Provincial Specialist, Fruit Crops at •306-787-4666.

by Forrest ScharfProvincial Specialist, Fruit CropsCrop Development Branch

Weedbadger attached to Kubota tractor.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers are holding a series of workshops this winter. These workshops

have been held for a number of years and have always been well-attended.

This year, the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers is celebrating its 25th anniversary, so these events will also celebrate this special milestone. Come celebrate the success of the pulse industry in Saskatchewan and learn about the newest research and agronomy available to pulse growers.

The workshops will be held in four locations across the province, and will focus on markets, new varieties and agronomy. There will be industry representatives at each meeting to answer questions about the business of pulse crop production.

The meetings are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. each day and wrap up in the afternoon. Lunch is included in the admission price, along with refreshment breaks during the day. The cost of registration is $15, and you can pre-register by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 (Payment: cash or cheque payable to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers).

Dates and locations for these meetings are:

The pulse crop industry continues to be a bright spot in this province, and events like this will only help maintain the benefits Saskatchewan producers enjoy in pulse production and marketing. In order to maintain that competitive edge, these programs are essential for producers. They also provide an opportunity to network with other pulse producers and industry representatives and share insights about growing pulse crops.

Don’t forget to register early in order to save yourself a spot at one of the four locations. Producers are urged to watch for future advertisements showing the times and speakers for each session. Each session may vary slightly in order to reflect the common interests of the area.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONContact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.•

REGiONAL pULSE DEVELOpMENT wORkShOpSBy Dale Risula Provincial Specialist, Special CropsCrop Development Branch

Weyburn Thursday, February 5, 2009

at the McKenna Hall

Moose Jaw Wednesday, February 4, 2009

at the Heritage Inn

Swift Current Tuesday, February 3, 2009

at the Centennial Civic Centre

Yorkton Monday, February 2, 2009 at the Ukrainian Catholic

Cultural Centre


December 2008 - January 2009

iRRiGATiON

8

The Benefits of Irrigation Development in Saskatchewan

by John Linsley, PAgManager, Agronomic ServicesIrrigation Development Branch

rrigation: feeding the world

Irrigated agriculture supplies 40 per cent of our world’s food from the 17 per cent of our world’s cultivated land that is irrigated. As world population increases to nine billion by 2050, irrigation will become even more important to world food supplies.

Irrigation: moving and shaking in North America

Irrigation allowed settlers to move to the arid western U.S., but agriculture now accounts for over 80 per cent of the water consumed. Dairies and feedlots are moving from California and Florida to the empty prairie states.

Irrigation: a Saskatchewan opportunity

Saskatchewan has the largest irrigation expansion opportunity in Canada with the potential to irrigate an additional 500,000 acres. Irrigation currently uses less than five per cent of the inflows into Lake Diefenbaker.

What are the benefits of irrigation development in Saskatchewan?

- Combatting climate change: An increasing number and length of droughts may negatively impact prairie agriculture. Livestock producers need a reliable supply of feed and processors need a reliable supply of raw product. That’s why feedlots and potato processors are located in Alberta’s irrigation districts.

Saskatchewan: an anomaly

In a “tapped out” world, Saskatchewan is one of the few jurisdictions with “untapped water” resources. The world needs more irrigation and Saskatchewan has the largest expansion potential in Canada. We, fortunately, have a choice that others do not.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONPhone the Irrigation Development Branch in Outlook, SK., •306-867-5500.

SIPA / ICDC 13th Annual Irrigation Conference

iT’S TiME TO iRRiGATE!

I

by Gerry Gross, PAgSenior Irrigation AgrologistIrrigation Development Branch

Irrigation in Saskatchewan is a sleeping giant. Opportunities exist to expand irrigated acreage in all regions of the province. The economic

evaluation of adding nearly 500,000 new acres to provincial irrigated acres shows there can be large benefits for both farmers and the economy at large.

To hear details about this exciting opportunity, plan to attend Saskatchewan’s 13th Annual Irrigation Conference, which includes the annual meetings of the Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association (SIPA) and the Irrigation Crop Development Corporation (ICDC). The irrigation conference will be held at the Days Inn, Swift Current, from 3:30 p.m. on Mon., Dec. 8, to 3:30 p.m. on Tues., Dec. 9.

Dr. Graham Parsons of the University of Saskatchewan will release his study entitled “A Time to Irrigate” prior to the conference banquet Dec. 8. Guest speakers at the banquet will include Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud and Lionel Labelle, President and Chief

Executive Officer of the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP). Agriculture broadcaster Kevin Hursh will be the master of ceremonies.

Conference topics include crop insurance recommendations, variety recommendations for irrigation; reports on projects such as cereal fungicide, forage and dry bean; and durum wheat development. Speakers include Korvin Olfert, Lana Shaw and Sara Sommerfeld, irrigation agrologists with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture; Dr. Danny Singh of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre at Swift Current; and Terry Hogg of the Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre in Outlook.

Registration is $50. Please pre-register by calling Sandra Bathgate at 306-796-4420. Make cheques payable to the Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association Inc. and mail to Box 391, Central Butte, SK, S0H 0T0.

A block of rooms has been set aside at the Days Inn for the Irrigation Conference. Phone 306-773-4643 to reserve rooms.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONContact Gerry Gross at 306-867-5523.•

- Feeding more people on the planet: A kilogram of grain contains 1,000 kilograms of “virtual” water; a kilogram of beef contains 16,000. That’s why countries short of both land and water import irrigated products from Canada.

- Sharing the shores of Lake Diefenbaker: The Qu’Appelle river conveys Lake Diefenbaker water to Buffalo Pound Lake, which supplies the cities of Regina and Moose Jaw. The Saskatoon South East Water Supply System carries lake water to Blackstrap and Lanigan and a regional pipeline carries it to Humboldt. New regional water systems could supply many more users including an additional 500,000 acres of irrigation.

- Meeting multiple needs: The Qu’Appelle South Irrigation Project proposes an upland canal and reservoir system for community water supplies, wildlife habitat and 110,000 acres of irrigation en route to Buffalo Pound Lake.

LiVESTOCk DEVELOpMENT

Increasing productivity as a result of good management practices is key to the success of a cow-calf operation in today’s marketplace.

West Central Beef and Forage Day is an upcoming seminar that will feature speakers who can help you achieve your goals of increased profitability.

Agenda Includes:

-Tailoring Your Vaccination Program, Dr. Steve Hendrick, WCVM

-Matching Animal Requirements and Forage Quality, Dr. Bart Lardner, Western Beef Development Centre

-Pounding Nails With a Monkey Wrench – Painless Crossbreeding Strategies, Sean Mcgrath, Ranching Systems Consulting

-Maximizing Returns from the Sales Ring, Mike Fleury, Saskatoon Livestock Sales

-Feeding on Snow, What Does it Cost You? Barry Yaremcio, Alberta Agriculture

Date, Time and Location

January 15th, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Memorial Hall, Elrose, SK

Registration

Early Bird: $20

At the Door: $25

Registration includes lunch and proceedings.

Early Bird Registration:

Register by January 8th 2009

To Register Call:

Outlook Regional Office at 306-867-5575 or

Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONContact Travis Peardon at 306-867-5504; or Charlotte Ward at •306-867-5559.

by Travis Peardon, AAgLivestock Development SpecialistLivestock Development Branch

and

Charlotte Ward, AAgForage Development SpecialistLivestock Development Branch

2009 West Central Beef and Forage Day

fORAGiNG iNTO ThE fUTURE Vi

ThiNkiNG OUTSiDE ThE CORRALS

Winter feeding costs are a major expense for livestock producers in Saskatchewan. Thinking Outside The

Corrals is a series of upcoming workshops that will showcase different ways to reduce your wintering costs and keep your animals grazing rather than feeding them in pens.

Dates and Locations

Feb 3rd - Prairieland Community Centre, Kerrobert, Sk.

Feb 4th - Turtleford and district recreation association hall (the lobby of the skating rink), Turtleford, Sk.

Feb10th - Travelodge Hotel, Melfort, Sk.

Feb12th - Estevan Exhibition hall (between the civic auditorium and leisure centre), Estevan, Sk.

registration:

Early bird: $20

At the Door: $25

Registration includes lunch and proceedings.

early Bird registration:

Register by January 29th 2009 for the Kerrobert and Turtleford meetings.

Register by February 5th 2009 for the Estevan and Melfort workshops.

To Register Call: 1-866-457-2377.

agenda topics include:

Seasonal Energy Requirements of the Cow•

Winter Grazing and Feeding Intro•

Animal Health Considerations•

Utilizing Crop Residues•

Bale Grazing•

Swath Grazing Alternative Crops (C4’s)•

Each meeting will showcase local producers that are successfully using these practices for winter feeding as well as specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture.

For a detailed agenda and list of speakers please contact your local regional office or the Agriculture Knowledge Centre.

Agriculture Knowledge Centre 1-866-457-2377.

Weyburn Regional Office (306) 848-2847.

Tisdale Regional Office (306) 878-8842.

North Battleford Regional Office (306) 446-7964.

Outlook Regional Office (306) 867-5575.

Mark your calendars for December 10th and 11th and plan to attend the Foraging into

the Future VI Conference in Swift Current. This two-day conference is filled with information on grazing management, water quality and other management topics including opportunities in the beef industry, calving date comparisons, vaccination protocols.

This premier livestock event and trade show to be held at the Credit Union I-Plex in Swift Current provides practical solutions for livestock producers. The cost is $60 per person. A one-day registration is $45. A banquet only registration on December 10 is $25.

Contact Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Regional Office at (306) 778-8285 to register before Wednesday, December 3, 2008.

Funding for this event is provided by Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS), and Southwest Forage Association.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONContact Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Regional •Office at (306) 778-8285.


kiDS’ pOSTER CONTEST


Grades 6-8 Rodney Walter, Grade 6 Big Rose Colony School, Biggar, SK.

Grades 4-5 Kelly Montgomery, Grade 5 Morse School, SK.

We were overwhelmed with the response we received to the

Agriview kids’ poster contest, which asked kids to create a poster answering the question “What does agriculture mean to you?” Judges reviewed over 400 entries from across the province and had a very difficult time choosing the winners. We were impressed at the amount of thought and creativity that went into each and every submission. A special thank you goes out to all of the schools who submitted an entire classroom of posters. We hope you had a chance to learn about agriculture, and how much fun it is.

Thank you!

Overall WinnerEmma Head, age 13, Grade 8 Edam, SK.

Grades 1-3 Matthew Nickel, Grade 3 Pike Lake School, SK.

kiDS’ pOSTER CONTEST


hOT Off ThE pRESS

Saskatchewan Agriculture is constantly updating the wealth of information it makes available to Saskatchewan residents. You can download the most current version of any document posted on our website. You can also call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 to request a hard copy of many items. Below is a list of the latest documents posted, as well as the most frequently visited pages, on Saskatchewan Agriculture’s website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.

Maps Section - Provides links to the various maps available on Saskatchewan Agriculture’s website. Visit: Shortcuts | Maps.

Agricultural Crown Land Sale Program - This program offers Crown land lessees an incentive to purchase their leased agricultural Crown land. Visit: Programs and Services

Gopher Control Rebate Program - The gopher control rebate provides assistance to producers, Rural Municipalities and Indian Bands who incurred significant costs to control gophers in 2008. Visit: Programs and Services.

Straw Rations - Wintering Cows - Many beef producers have successfully utilized straw in their winter feeding program. Visit: Production | Livestock-Feeds/Nutrition.

Grazing Unharvested Swaths - When allowing cattle to graze mature swaths, it is important to understand that grain and straw alone do not make a sound ration. Visit: Livestock | Feeds/Nutrition.

Grain Storage Considerations - FAQs - How does weather affect my stored grain? Visit: Production | Crops-Storage.

Hay Preservatives - FAQs - Hay preservatives are products that allow hay to be baled at higher moisture levels, thereby reducing drying times. Visit: Production | Crops-Storage.

Silage Storage Techniques - Describes silage storage techniques. Visit: Production | Crops-Storage.

Jarrett Metheral, Age 11, Grade 6 Yellow Grass School, SK.

...and our honourable mentions...

Trisstan Euteneier Grade 5 Schell School, Holdfast, SK.

Torri Hill, age 7 Grade 2 Yellow Grass School, SK.

North West Region Beef and Forage Seminar

pRODUCTiONpROGRAMS AND SERViCES


Livestock producers in the north west region of

Saskatchewan are invited to attend the North West Beef and Forage Seminar on Tues., Dec. 2, at the Gold Ridge Centre, 12002 Railway Ave. E., in North Battleford.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude about 3:45 p.m.

A variety of topics will be addressed.

Dr. Cheryl Waldner of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan will discuss two subjects: Infectious Disease and Reproductive Performance in the Cow Herd and An Update on Trace Minerals and Vitamins for Herd Performance.

A producer panel will look at Energy Use On My Farm. Participants include Leam Craig of Herschel, Ryan Sommerfeld of Medstead, and Dean Tavanetz of Biggar.

Craig Klemmer of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture will provide a Cattle Market Update, while other Saskatchewan Agriculture staff along with specialists from the Saskatchewan Forage Council and the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will examine Planning Tools for the Producers. These will include aerial photos, a variety of computer programs and calculators, useful Internet sites and a forage adaptation

and selection compact disk (CD).

The registration fee is $20, which includes lunch, and this fee is payable at the event. Cheques are to be made payable to the Saskatchewan Forage Council.

Producers are asked to pre-register by Nov. 28 by calling 306-446-7964.


by Glenn Barclay, PAgLivestock Development SpecialistLIvestock Development Branch

On-farm food safety has been identified by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) as a key factor in differentiating Canadian beef and

cattle in the marketplace. The ongoing role of on-farm food safety efforts, including the VBP program, was highlighted in the Canadian Beef Advantage developed by the Canadian Cattlemen Market Development Council (CCMDC) and sanctioned by the CCA. The initiative is a set of standards and practices adopted by the industry as a means to building on beef’s position in the marketplace. VBP has been designed to build on the reputation Canada’s beef producers have developed for acting responsibly. It’s based on the principles of an international quality control program, used widely in many industries, called Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). “Producers who attend VBP workshops have the opportunity to realize both long term and immediate benefits; the potential for improved animal health and readiness for shifts in consumer demand and public policy,” says Jodie Horvath, VBP coordinator in Sask.

VBP Schedule of Workshops Fall 2008

Melfort –Mon, Dec 1st 2:00pm Travelodge

Cudworth –Mon, Dec 1st 7:00pm Senior Center

Oxbow -Tues, Dec 2nd 2:00pm Library

Unity-Tues, Dec 2nd 2:00pm Legion Hall

Mossbank-Tues, Dec 2nd 7:00pm Library

Shellbrook-Wed, Dec 3rd 2:00pm Legion Hall

Swift Current-Wed, Dec 3rd 3:00pm Days Inn

Windthorst-Thurs, Dec 4th 2:00pm Rec Center

Kindersley-Thurs, Dec 4th 2:00pm Great Plains College

Porcupine Plain-Th, Dec 4th 2:00pm Club Room- Public Service Blding

Wadena-Thurs, Dec 4th 7:00pm Legion Hall

Vibank-Mon, Dec 8th 7:00pm Senior Center

Davidson-Mon, Dec 8th 7:00pm Communa-Plex

Radisson-Tues, Dec 9th 2:00pm Communa-Plex

Birch Hills-Tues, Dec 9th 2:00pm Civic Center

Gull Lake-Tues, Dec 9th 7:00pm Community Hall

Midale-Wed, Dec 10th 2:00pm Lions Hall

Elrose-Wed, Dec 10th 2:00pm Scout Hut

Lemberg-Thurs, Dec 11th 2:00pm Community Hall Basement

Watrous-Thurs, Dec 11th 2:00pm Heritage Room-404 Main (N. entrance)

Yorkton-Thurs, Dec 11th 2:00pm St. Mary’s Cultural Center

Rockglen-Thurs, Dec 11th 7:00pm Drop-In Center

For more information regarding the Verified Beef Production program, contact Provincial Coordinator Jodie Horvath at 675-6177 or [email protected].

Phone the seminar organizer, the •North Battleford Regional Office, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, at 306-446-7964.

Vbp hELpS ANChOR CANADA bEEf ADVANTAGE iNiTiATiVE

RESEARCh


Livestock Research in Saskatchewan

Research and innovation are important components in the development and

sustainability of the Saskatchewan livestock sectors. Health, nutrition, genetic, economic and agronomic information generated by the various world-class research institutions in Saskatchewan affect the livestock industries in many ways.

Historically, the livestock sectors in Saskatchewan have benefited from research funded and carried out in the province. For example, research conducted on the viability of crop dockage and screenings led to the development of feed products now considered a staple in ruminant diets. Research on rapeseed meal led to the development and establishment of canola containing low glucosinolate levels and a safer feed product for livestock. The livestock industry has benefited from the various animal health research programs, advancements in vaccine development and understanding, management and control of diseases.

Recently, scientists have been studying methods to lower the cost of feeding cattle in the winter, as well as cattle utilization of alternative forage systems, water quality, different calving dates and comparisons between cool and warm annuals. For example, much of the corn, millet and hulless barley information that has been generated is a result

of research conducted in the province. Other interesting new crops on the horizon include specially bred barley crops (lower lignin hulls with lower rates of digestibility – assisting with bloat control) and specially bred oats with higher fat content and improved hull digestibility.

Recent changes in the energy sector have affected all aspects in the crop and livestock sectors. The drive to produce ethanol from cereal grains and biodiesel from canola also creates co-products: distiller grain products and canola meal. Research projects have been funded to evaluate and analyze these co-products,

resulting in new information on how to use them.

Many research projects in Saskatchewan are funded by the Government of Saskatchewan through the Agriculture Development Fund. More than 2,500 projects have been supported over the past 20 years, and funding continues to be provided for new projects. All project reports are stored on the Ministry’s website.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONVisit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at •www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Projects.

by Murray Feist Ruminant Nutrition SpecialistAgriculture Knowledge Centre

and

Christy Winquist Beef/Forage SpecialistAgriculture Knowledge Centre

The livestock industry continues to benefit from research in Saskatchewan.

High winter feeding costs present a challenge to beef producers in Western Canada. Producers try to reduce these costs by using chaff

or chaff-plus-straw to supplement their short hay supplies. When supplemented with an energy source, cereal crop chaff is an economical source of feed for beef cows in the fall and early winter. It can be made even more economical by feeding it in the field rather than hauling it home. Not only does it cut this year’s fuel bill, it also reduces next year’s fertilizer bill.

A recent study conducted by Dr. Bart Lardner of the Western Beef Development Centre and funded by the Agriculture Development Fund found that more nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) was returned to the soil by grazing chaff piles in the field compared to feeding hay in the pen from October to January. The straw/chaff pile grazing was supplemented with six lb. per head per day of a range pellet (14 per cent protein and 78 per cent total digestible nutrition) to give both test groups diets of equal quality. Straw/chaff grazing cost $0.40 per day per cow less than pen feeding. Additionally, N and P nutrients were returned to the crop land by the cows. Generally, cows recycle 90 per cent of the N in their diets, but, in drylot manure, most is lost through volatilization before it can be spread on the land. With high fuel prices, this can make a difference.

The study also demonstrated that, on an old grass pasture with low soil N, up to 140 lb. N per acre was gained by feeding in the field. On barley stubble where soil N was high, straw/chaff grazing in the field resulted in better soil P distribution, with up to 120 lb. per acre P in slow slope positions.

Bale grazing is another option, although it costs more than chaff grazing. It also returns nutrients to the soil more efficiently than spreading pen manure.

In summary, in-field feeding of straw plus chaff is not only cheaper than feeding hay in the yard, but it improves soil N and P uptake from manure and provides more of those nutrients to subsequent crops.

It is a win-win situation for both beef production and crop production, according to Dr. Lardner.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONContact Dr. Bart Lardner, Sr. Research Scientist, Western Beef •Development Centre, at 306-662-3139 EXT 249; or

Visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at •www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Projects.

fEEDiNG bEEf COwS iN ThE fiELD SAVES MONEy, iMpROVES ThE SOiLby Henry Soita Program Manager, LivestockAgriculture Research Branch

Vbp hELpS ANChOR CANADA bEEf ADVANTAGE iNiTiATiVE


RESEARCh

Abortions in Beef Cattleby Mary VanderKopSurveillance VeterinarianInspection and Regulatory Management Branch

Inspection and Regulatory Management Branch has had the opportunity to analyze and summarize the diagnostic laboratory data

that has been collected on post mortem examinations done by Prairie Diagnostic Services (PDS) for the past several years.

This has confirmed that fetuses (abortion and stillbirths) were the most frequent beef cattle submissions and that the cause of many of these remains undiagnosed. Fetuses are often severely decomposed before they are found and may have been scavenged, so critical tissues are missing. Frequently, fetuses are not submitted until there is a substantial herd outbreak of abortion because it can be hard to justify the cost of extensive laboratory testing to confirm the cause if it is the first abortion from a herd. Without a doubt though, even a low percentage of fetal loss has an economic impact to cattle producers.

There have been suggestions that some viral diseases, like bovine viral diarrhea, that suppress the immune system, in addition to being a direct cause of abortion, may contribute to other fetal deaths. There is

also a suspicion that infectious diseases like Neospora, Campylobacter and Leptospira may be present more often in Saskatchewan than reported. Investigating these could help veterinarians to advise clients on prevention programs such as vaccination.

Nutritional deficiencies may also contribute to fetal loss, but there are challenges in interpreting levels of vitamins and minerals that can be detected in fetal tissues. While some deficiencies are associated with specific microscopic changes, marginal levels may underlie other abortions. Mineral and vitamin levels are not routinely evaluated on fetal submissions, but it would be useful to clarify their role to help livestock producers and their veterinarians make decisions on supplementation.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and PDS are developing plans to investigate fetal losses in beef cattle further. Stay tuned for additional information.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiONContact Mary VanderKop, Surveillance Veterinarian, Inspection and •Regulatory Management Branch, at 306-787-8661 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Farm management workshops, led by Business Planning Specialists from the Agri-Business Development Branch of the Saskatchewan Ministry

of Agriculture, will be held throughout the province from December 2008 to March 2009.

The workshops will assist farm families to achieve their goals and increase business capacity through improved farm business management practices.

The Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with a variety of organizations, such as financial institutions, marketing clubs, and agricultural societies, to host these workshops. If your organization is interested in participating as a partner to deliver one of these workshops in your community, please phone the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, please phone the numbers provided.

The following workshops have already been arranged, but new workshops are being added regularly. Please check the Calendar of Events on Saskatchewan Agriculture’s website to see new additions to the list.

Succession Planning Workshops

This workshop is designed to assist farm families with the step-by-step process in developing a farm succession plan.

*SAASE = Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions

*AKC = Agriculture Knowledge Centre

Power of Change

This workshop will help farmers and spouses learn how to think about change in order to capture opportunities, determine a future pathway and successfully set and reach goals.

*RC = Regional College

Targets for Success Workshops

This workshop will assist producers to complete an enterprise analysis and calculate their cost of production for all commodities on their farms. As of press time, dates had not yet been scheduled for these workshops. Please check the Calendar of Events on Saskatchewan Agriculture’s website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca for new dates, or phone the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

REGiSTRATiON UNDERwAy fOR fARM MANAGEMENT wORkShOpS

AGRibUSiNESS DEVELOpMENT

Date Community Partner Contact Phone

Dec. 1 Kindersley Great Plains College Danita Olafson 306-463-1350

Dec. 1 Saltcoats SAASE AKC 1-866-457-2377

Dec. 2 Outlook Great Plains College Brenda Joyes 306-867-8857

Dec. 2 Mortlach SAASE AKC 1-866-457-2377

Dec. 3 Bengough SAASE AKC 1-866-457-2377

Dec. 10 Maple Creek Great Plains College Karen Newby 306-662-3829

Date Community Partner Phone

Dec. 1 Southey Carlton Trail RC 306-726-5885

Jan. 20 Tisdale Cumberland RC 306-873-2525

March 2 Southey Carlton Trail RC 306-726-5885


AGRibUSiNESS DEVELOpMENT

“What is cluster development?”*Agri-business development series

The Value of Strategic Planning continues the series of articles by the Agri-Business Development Branch which explore information and resources

available to ag-entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan.

Buzz words come and go frequently in business. A common one today is the word “cluster”. Communities, economic development groups and businesses may have heard about a cluster as a way to improve business environments. But what exactly is a cluster and how can the idea of clustering benefit your business or community?

There are many definitions of a cluster. In 1998, the United Kingdom recognized the strategic importance of clusters in the British economy, defining them as a “geographic concentration of competing, collaborating and interdependent companies and institutions which are connected by a system of market and non-market links”. Another definition is simply a concentration of firms able to produce synergy because of their geographical proximity and interdependence. Clusters are believed to increase the productivity of companies, allowing them to be more competitive nationally and globally.

Generally, a cluster occurs when related firms, institutions or people gather together in an area (i.e. a cluster), giving them a decisive, sustainable, competitive advantage over other places or even a world supremacy in that field.

By gathering together geographically, companies can access a larger pool of suppliers (including a skilled workforce) and thus reduce their search costs, which improves their productivity. However, co-location in itself does not imply clustering if the associated benefits (i.e. innovation, productivity, growth or other competitive advantage) do not occur.

Dr. M.E. Porter of Harvard University, a leading figure in early cluster theory development, states that clusters can create a competitive advantage in three ways:

By increasing the productivity of companies based in the cluster;•

By driving the direction and pace of innovation, which underpins •future productivity growth; and

By stimulating the formation of new businesses, which expand and •strengthen the cluster, forming a virtuous circle or positive feedback.

Clusters encompass linked industries and other entities important to competition. Besides specialized suppliers of components and machinery, the cluster extends downstream to channels and customers and laterally to manufacturers of complementary products and other industries related via similar skills, technologies and inputs. There is immense value in the personal contact networks that are developed.

Today, with the Internet, companies can source goods, capital and technology globally with a click of the mouse. Technology challenges conventional wisdom about how companies compete. With open global markets, easy access to information and faster transportation, it could be argued that the role of location in competition has diminished. But if location does not matter, why is today’s economic map of the world still being dominated by growing clusters of economic activities?

The California wine industry studied by Dr. Porter is a good example of a cluster. It includes hundreds of commercial wineries as well as several thousand independent wine grape growers. Numerous industries supporting both wine making and grape growing exist, including suppliers of grape stock, irrigation and harvesting equipment, barrels and labels; specialized

public relations and advertising firms; and many wine publications aimed at consumer and trade audiences. Local institutions associated with wine are involved, including the world-renowned viticulture and enology program at the University of California at Davis, the Wine Institute, and special committees of the California senate and assembly. The cluster also enjoys weaker linkages to other California clusters in agriculture, food and restaurants and wine-country tourism.

Can you imagine such an intensive cluster developing in Saskatchewan for our fruit industry? Perhaps in time we will, but we must remember that a simple group of associated growers and or businesses does not make a cluster on its own.

Can a prairie fruit cluster develop which provides a decisive sustainable competitive advantage over other places or even world supremacy in that field? More business - definitely. A world-class cluster - perhaps. Food for thought, anyway!

fOR MORE iNfORMATiON Contact Ron Monette, B. Comm., C.G.A., Agri-Business Development •Specialist, Saskatoon, (306) 933-6128, orVisit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at •www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca for the name of the Agri-Business Specialist nearest you.

* This article is based on the article “Cluster Theory and the Small Business” by A. Kuah published in 2002 in the Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship 4(3): 206-228.

by Ron MonetteAgri-Business Development SpecialistAgri-Business Development Branch

Will Saskatchewan one day have a prairie fruit industry cluster that could rival California’s wine country cluster?

EVENTS CALENDAR

DATE EVENT LOCATION PHONE INTERNET

Dec. 1 Power of Change Workshop Southey, SK 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Dec. 1 Succession Planning Workshop Kindersley, SK 306-463-1350 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Dec. 2 Succession Planning Workshop Outlook, SK 306-867-8857 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Dec. 2 Regional Beef and Forage Seminar North Battleford, SK 306-446-9764 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Dec. 2Western Beef Development Centre Winter Grazing Field Day

Lanigan, SK 306-682-3139 www.wbdc.sk.ca

Dec. 5Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board Annual Meeting and Symposium

Saskatoon, SK 306-933-5200 www.sksheep.com

Dec. 8-9 SIPA/ICDC 13th Annual Irrigation Conference Swift Current, SK 306-796-4420

Dec. 10 - 11Foraging into the Future VI: Practical Solutions for Livestock Producers

Swift Current, SK 306-778-8294 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Dec. 11Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan Annual General Meeting and Conference

Saskatoon, SK 306-249-3227 www.facs.sk.ca

Jan. 6Winter Watershed Workshop: Changing the Status-Quo

Redvers, SK 1-866-254-3825 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar


Kenaston, SK 1-866-254-3825 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar


Hafford, SK 1-866-254-3825 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Jan. 12 - 15 Western Canadian Crop Production Show Saskatoon, SK 1-888-931-9333 www.cropproductiononline.com

Jan. 15 West Central Beef and Forage Day Elrose, SK 306-867-5504 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Jan. 20 Power of Change Workshop Tisdale, SK 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Feb. 2 Regional Pulse Development Workshop Yorkton, SK 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Feb. 3Thinking Outside of the Corrals Winter Feeding Workshop

Kerrobert, SK 306-694-3468 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Feb. 3 Regional Pulse Development Workshop Swift Current, SK 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar


Turtleford, SK 306-694-3468 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Feb. 4 Regional Pulse Development Workshop Moose Jaw, SK 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Feb. 5 Regional Pulse Development Workshop Weyburn, SK 1-866-457-2377 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar


Melfort, SK 306-694-3468 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Feb. 10 Moose Mountain Ag Day Seminar Arcola, SK 306-455-2615 www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Calendar

Gopher Control Rebate

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is offering a 50 per cent rebate to Saskatchewan producers who used eligible products to control the gopher population in 2008.

Rebates apply to products purchased between August 1, 2007, and October 1, 2008. Deadline for applications is January 30, 2009.

A complete list of products covered under the program can be found at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/gopher-rebate.

Application forms are available at your local RM offi ce, any Saskatchewan Agriculture regional offi ce, or by visiting the website.

For more information call toll-free 1-866-947-9113 or e-mail [email protected].

SaskatchewanMinistry ofAgriculture

swna3 col x 58 ag


december 2008 - january 2009 volume 4 poster contest ......poster contest winner emma head, age 13...

Documents