Finding a level field that is both well drained and easily accessible is not always easy for those wishing to conduct research. The East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) has found such a site just west of Canora. The deep black soil and a consistent topography make the 180 acres a suitable site for the research and demonstrations the Foundation will conduct over the next several years.
Founded in October, 1996, the ECRF is comprised of 2 representatives from each of the 4 ADD Boards in the area: Districts 12, 13, 18 & 19. The Foundation has accepted a couple of mandates. The first is to research and demonstrate special crops. The second is to provide a local site for agri-industry companies and agencies to demonstrate products and ideas. Organizing projects and lining up equipment and supplies has kept the Foundation's members and agronomist busy throughout the winter and spring.
Wendy Schatz, ECRF agronomist, explained that the ECRF's site is one of many "spokes" in the Ag Innovation Fund's Special Crops Strategic Area's "Hub & Spoke" project. She said, "The "hub" is the actual variety breeding and research that will be conducted by the University of Saskatchewan Crop Science Department ,the Crop Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Plant Biotechnology Institute. The "spokes" are the research and demonstration sites." Schatz indicated the seven other sites include Redvers, Melfort, Scott, Saskatoon, Outlook, Swift Current and Indian Head.
Each of the spoke sites has funding for the next five years. Schatz said that in that time frame, the ECRF will enable researchers to study a number of factors affecting special crops. "We will assist the researchers in setting out variety trials for lentils, peas, dry beans and sunflowers. These trials will enable the researchers to determine which varieties are most suitable for this area. Studies will also be conducted on fungicides and inoculants for peas." Identifying herbicides suitable for some of the special crops is also a project to be undertaken at the ECRF. "We'll be using a number of herbicides and a variety of rates to determine which herbicides and at which rate they can be tolerated by crops such as sunflower, fenugreek, dill, coriander, caraway and beans (pinto, black and Great Northern)," said Schatz.
Dr. Guy Lafond will also be doing some research on flax nutrition. Schatz said, "Using the NorLin variety, Lafond will side band N, P, K & S and determine the flax's response to various levels of the major nutrients".
Demonstrations will also be featured at the ECRF site. Schatz said, "We're pleased that many of the herbicide and seed companies will be establishing demonstration plots at the site. And with the increasing interest in direct seeding, the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association will be demonstrating their "Do's and Don'ts of Direct Seeding." Sask. Ag & Food will also set up some demonstrations." Another demonstration that is sure to garner a great deal of interest is the organic farming demonstration. Schatz said, "In this trial, we will be looking for crop competitiveness against weeds. In one treatment, we'll seed the crop at increasing seeding rates. In the other treatment, we'll seed the crop at the regular seeding rate and then seed it again at a right angle to the first pass". Both wheat and barley will be seeded.
The ECRF has set its tour date for Tuesday, July 15. For more information on the tour or the ECRF, contact Wendy Schatz (306-563-5551) or stop by her office at the Canora Rural Service Centre.