Forage production

Not all the land in East Central Saskatchewan is created equal. Within a 60 mile radius there is a tremendous variation in land quality and topography which ultimately has an impact on yields or carrying capacity.

In East Central Saskatchewan, the forage industry consists of native pasture (typically on aspen parkland/bush quarters); tame pasture (primarily legume and grass blends); hay production for domestic use; hay production for export markets (timothy and alfalfa); and seed production.

Information about forage production is available from several sources:

• 2007 Forage Production Guide, published by the Ministry of Agriculture
• Saskatchewan Forage Council;
• Ducks Unlimited;
• PFRA

The Ministry of Agriculture has records of historic grain yields from 1938 to the present. That information can be searched by crop, location (rural municipality) and year(s) at the Ministry of Agriculture web site.

Some examples of more common forages which are grown in East Central Saskatchewan are:

• Alfalfa
• Brome (meadow, smooth)
• Wheatgrass (intermediate, crested)
• Fescue (tall, creeping red)
• Timothy (available from a plant in Russell, MB)
• Tall wheatgrass and Russian Wildrye for saline areas

Field establishment and management

Successful forage establishment has become a normal practice for many producers in the region. With the adoption of zero tillage seeding, forages can be sown into standing stubble at an accurate shallow seeding depth (approximately one-half to three-quarter inch).

Rather than broadcasting seed on the surface and incorporating seed into the soil, zero tillage seeders are able to seed forages directly into the moist soil, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact.

Some of the common perennial weeds in forage crops are thistles (sow, Canada), quackgrass, and dandelions. Proper management can minimize these weeds. However, seeding into land which has had some management to minimize perennial weeds is the easiest method of control.

East Central Saskatchewan is primarily a single cut hay area with the majority of haying activities commencing in early to mid-July. Tame pastures normally see cattle being introduced in late May and under properly managed/stocked systems achieving 100 to 120 days of grazing.

Fertility management can also be addressed with either liquid or dry fertilizers. Both types are readily available throughout East Central Saskatchewan.

Assistance to producers

Ducks Unlimited Canada promotes the restoration and improvement of perennial cover in areas of high wetland densities and high waterfowl breeding populations. The Yorkton office has assisted many producers convert more than 17,000 acres in East Central Saskatchewan. DUC assistance has included financial support, or providing agronomic information and equipment.

DUC has become the leading Canadian agency in the "reclamation" of land through the use of native plant material.

In East Central Saskatchewan, DUC employs three agrologists with seeding experience over 25,000 acres. In addition, DUC has an extensive library of aerial photography which is available to producers or prospective producers looking to relocate in the region. DUC Yorkton has equipment available such as a pasture plow (underground piping for remote watering), portable loading chute, remote watering equipment, and various types of forage seeding equipment.

For information or possible assistance, please call the Ducks Unlimited Canada office in Yorkton at 306-783-2108.