SSCA Discussion Forums

By Blair McClinton, P. Ag.

SSCA Executive Manager

Do you have questions on direct seeding, views on the direction of the SSCA or equipment for sale? The SSCA has set up the SSCA Discussion Forums at our web site (http://ssca.usask.ca/cgi-bin/ubb/Ultimate.cgi) as an interactive place where SSCA members and others interested in soil conservation can discuss issues like soil carbon or have technical questions answered.

The discussion forum is an Internet bulletin board where users can post messages or reply to other posted messages. Forums are typically used as places to ask questions or discuss related issues. Other users can reply to the questions or discussion to voice their opinions. It is quite common to have many replies to a post allowing an active discussion amongst several users. Posted discussions are public and can be viewed by anyone.

In an effort to stimulate discussions, the SSCA discussion area has been subdivided into several different topic forums. Two forums are setup as bulletin boards where users can post event notices or equipment for sale notices. The other forums are intended to as locations where users can start discussions by posting questions or opinions. Currently, the general discussion headings are:

Bulletin Board

• Events: Agriculture meetings, trade shows and field days (Registered Users Only)
• Soil Conservation Equipment for Sale: seeding equipment, straw/chaff spreaders, harrows, wide blade cultivators etc. (Registered Users Only)

Discussions

• Soil Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change: Discussions on climate change and soil carbon sequestration, and how they may affect agriculture.
• General Soil Conservation: Discussions on general soil and water conservation issues.
• Residue Management: Discussions on residue management problems and solutions.
• Weed Management: Discussions on weed management in conservation tillage systems.
• Crop Rotations: Discussions on rotation planning, crop selection and crop management.
• Direct Seeding Equipment: Discussions on seeding equipment, openers and equipment modifications.
• Fertility Management: Discussions on fertility management issues like fertilizer placement, variable rates, micronutrients, etc.

Feedback

• About SSCA: Discussions about the SSCA, its activities and mandate.
• SSCA Web Site: Beefs, bouquets and suggestions for the SSCA web site.

While anyone can post a message or reply in the discussion forums without registering, the software that we are using has several useful features available only to "Registered Users." Registered users can edit messages they have previously posted and setup e-mail notification to let them know when someone replies to their message. Anyone can become a registered user for no charge by completing the on-line form. Any personal information will be kept confidential. A more complete description of the site's features is in the Forum's "faq" page (frequently asked questions).

While SSCA is in the process of adding technical information to our web site, these forums give, you, the user the opportunity to give us feedback and to discuss issues specific to your operation. Please take the time to participate in these forums.