This spring has been a hectic one at the Conservation Learning Centre (CLC). Striving toward our precision farming objectives, we purchased a 27' Flexicoil air drill and a 60' Flexicoil sprayer this spring. The drill was fitted with Raven technology to vary seed and granular and liquid fertilizer rates. Although the equipment was ready, we did not apply the variable rate options this spring as other components were not in place. With trying to figure out new machinery and dodging the rain, seeding took over a month. Then came the chuck-and-jive with the rain clouds and wind to get the spraying done -- welcome to the world of farming!! Despite all, the crops are up and looking quite good and we are starting to get a handle on the weeds.
Demonstration ProjectsWe are once again involved in a large of number of projects. We have seeded 70 acres CDC Fleet feed barley, 65 acres Alfetta yellow peas, 35 acres Croma yellow peas, 38 acres Espace green peas, 25 acres AC Elsa wheat, 30 acres NorLin flax and 30 acres 46A73 SMART canola. Some demonstration projects include direct seeding peas into sod, timing of herbicide application after emergence of canola and peas, new pea and wheat varieties, new seed treatments in barley and wheat, new herbicide tolerant canola varieties, pea inoculant and fungicide demonstrations and new herbicides. We have also (with the help of the Saskatchewan Forage Council) re-established our grass and legume forage gardens by direct seeding into wheat stubble. SSCA has Do's and Don'ts plots in barley, peas and barley. This is only a partial list of the 40+ projects that we have underway at the CLC this year.Research ProjectsThe University of Saskatchewan and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada continue to have research plots at the CLC. Drs. Dan Pennock and Adrian Johnston continue their precision farming trial, investigating variable seed and fertilizer rates and the influence of landscape. Dr. Randy Kutcher and his crew have three plots (two canola and one wheat) on which they are studying the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and slope on the incidence of disease. This group has also established a pea fungicide trial. Dr. Jeff Schoenau begins the third of his three-year study into various sources of sulphur fertilizer. In a new trial, Dr. Diane Knight is examining different alfalfa inoculants. In addition, we have two companies with private (proprietary) research plots.Tours and Field DaysWe have been busy with tours already this summer. We were pleased to host the SSCA Board of Directors on June 21. On June 28, we had a tour for the CLC Board as well as an appreciation tour and barbeque for our sponsors. This event was well received by the sponsors who were assured that we do sincerely appreciate their support - 20 of our sponsors attended!One of our biggest events this summer was being included on the Agriculture Tour of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers Conference on July 5. We had 30 visitors to the CLC from across Canada. We were very fortunate to have six Agriculture Ministers visit our facilities: The Honourable Eric Hammill (Prince Edward Island), The Honourable Ed Lorraine (Nova Scotia), The Honourable Stuart Jamieson (New Brunswick), The Honourable Ernie Hardeman (Ontario), The Honourable Harry Enns (Manitoba) and The Honourable Corky Evans (British Columbia). In addition, ministerial staff from these provinces, as well as Saskatchewan's two Assistant Deputy Ministers, Susie Miller and Hal Cushon, attended the tour. The participants were briefed on the past, present and future of the CLC. John Bennett, SSCA Director, presented a brief synopsis of the carbon sequestration issue. This was followed by a short tour of the CLC. Although the visit was short, much interest was generated and many provinces have indicated that they will be contacting us for further details about our programs.
School Program
The school program began 1999 with a bang -- 750 students visited the Centre this spring alone. This is compared to 1000 students for the entire 1998 season! With an increased radius of schools being contacted about our program, we are looking forward to an equal increase in the fall session. A special thanks to Westco for supplying us with some rain ponchos for the school program -- this saved us from cancelling six class visits to the CLC. Their contribution is greatly appreciated.
The CLC was approached by the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SCDC) to integrate some canola material into our current school program. As informing youth about agriculture is a common goal, an agreement was quickly reached and we now have a section in our school room designated as the "Canola Corner." SCDC has provided poster boards outlining the history, uses and future of canola. In addition they are supplying their "What's all that yellow stuff?" activity books. We welcome SCDC's participation in our school program.
We welcome you to visit the CLC this summer. With the wide variety of projects that we have on the go, we have something of interest for almost everyone. Once again, we thank all our sponsors for their continued support of the CLC. See you this summer.