Conservation Learning Centre Update

By Pat Flaten,

CLC Manager

Update - Canola varieties

Which canola variety are you planning to seed next year? One of the most asked about projects at the CLC this summer was the Canola Variety Demonstration Strip Trial sponsored by AgrEvo. As with every farmer, everyone wants to know what yields everyone else got - either to confirm that they got the best yield in the neighbourhood or to find out how to get the best yield next year!

There were many field tests of canola across the province this year. Our's was not a replicated test, but we had side by side, 25 foot wide, 750 foot long strips with 7 different Argentine varieties compared. All received a pre-harvest Roundup in wheat the year before. None received a pre-seeding burnoff. All were seeded on June 26th, with our Edwards Zero Till Drill with Atom Jet Openers and liquid fertilizer kit (seeded at 7 #/acre, seed placed 30#/acre phosphorus fertilizer, side injected 80#N+10#S/acre). Spraying was done on June 16th; by the way, we were all impressed by the lack of drift from the truck mounted sprayer with shields that AgrEvo staff used.......fantastic for side by side strips!

As was described in the summer issue of the Prairie Steward, we experienced more spring pothole flooding than usual after snowmelt this year. We also received another 5.5 inches of rain in mid-June, causing further flooding, but virtually no rain after that. Yields were depressed by that lack of summer moisture, but likely could have been worse if we were not zero-tilling. The following lists the bulk yields we measured:

Liberty Link Invigor Hybrid 2153 29.6 bpa sprayed with Liberty

Smart 45A71 28.0 bpa sprayed with Pursuit

Roundup Ready Quest 26.2 bpa sprayed with Roundup, once

Liberty Link Independence 25.7 bpa sprayed with Liberty

AC Excel 25.0 bpa sprayed with Poast+Lontrel+Muster

Liberty Link HCN 31 24.3 bpa sprayed with Liberty

Liberty Link HCN 35 23.4 bpa sprayed with Liberty

The yield spread is quite tight in our comparison. It will be very interesting to see the yields resulting from a variety of weather in the prairie and parkland regions, especially where there was more rainfall in July. Some extraordinary yields are being spread by the rumour mill at this time of the year.

A couple of the most exciting observations of our strips would be:

- excellent spring and perennial weed control by the pre-harvest Roundup applied in 1996, so much so that we avoided spring burn off in many fields this year.

- unbelievable spring vigour of the Invigor Hybrid, enough that we expected that variety to dominate in yield if the moisture conditions had held.

- Pursuit did a good job, sprayed on June 16th. In our larger field of Smart canola spraying was not possible until June 26th, so we were glad to have Odyssey in the arsenal for the wide window of weed stages. The weeds and crop looked 'scrappy' at that time, much more so than the Invigor, but by mid-summer, it almost caught up to the Invigor in appearance.

The battle of the canolas continues on - good luck in making your choices for next year!

Update - field tours

If you had attended any two of the field tours at the Conservation Learning Centre this summer, you would have noticed that no two were identical, which makes them fun and interesting. Each has a different focus. About 500 adults, mostly producers, but also scientists, industry and agency reps., and seniors took part in the guided tours this year. We don't know how many stopped by the high traffic plots on their own time, but all are welcome and many do.

Four particular tours were assisted by partnering agencies. AgrEvo sponsored a public field day for producers to look at canola varieties and other canola issues, such as, fertilizer use, diseases, root maggots and other insects. The Royal Bank, as one of our major sponsors, brought many of their clients and bankers in from the North Central Region to see a variety of projects - what a keen bunch! Ducks Unlimited and Sask. Ag. and Food organized a travelling tour of the forage plots at the CLC as well as grazing projects nearby. Monsanto's team of agrologists put together a great Pre-Harvest Field Day demonstrating straight combines, high clearance sprayers and lots of good information about staging and the in's and out's of pre-harvest Roundup in annual and perennial crops.

Thanks for coming on tour, and thanks to our partners for putting on the tours and projects to see and read about.

Update - school program

Engines and staff aren't the only ones screaming at the CLC in the spring and fall - we have lots of school groups which provide high energy in May and June, September and October. In fact, this year, we had about 50 groups come through for half-day experiences, turning away another 10-15.

Jo Detillieux has now been our school program coordinator for four seasons and has developed a successful program for most grades, linking specific school curriculum subjects to conservation issues which the CLC is addressing. The SSCA- developed Project Soils materials have sparked many an activity, while field projects like planting trees, digging holes and walking the nature trail keep others attentive and learning.

We are lucky to have the Royal Bank helping with the costs of getting the classes out to the site. 'These days', like many institutions, the schools really appreciate the assistance. The students benefit from the experience of being outside and understanding how producers sustain the soil, water and wildlife, while making a living at farming.

Update - memberships

As you may know, the CLC has now been in operation for four and a half years. It's gone by quickly, but much has been accomplished. First, many have learned from the information passed on at field days, workshops and project results at the site. The board calls our audience, 'students of all ages', which of course includes producers, but also school children, industry staff, and scientists.

Another accomplishment is in the physical look of the place - people who visit say it's looking great! Informative and well-maintained projects, signage, constant trimming and some new paint this summer is helping to provide that established and cared for, but humble look.

The other major accomplishment is our incorporated status as the Saskatchewan Conservation Learning Centre Inc., another sign of maturity. The SSCA has now become a major sponsor of the Centre, instead of the project holder, which had been its role since the CLC's beginnings. This brings exciting opportunities, including that of developing our own membership. Founding memberships are now being offered to those who wish to: support the concept of the Centre, receive newsletters and notices of events, receive a copy of the Annual Field Results book, exercise voting privileges, and receive a Conservation Learning Centre lapel pin. If you wish to join, please send the following membership form soon!