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OUR CONTACT INFO HAS CHANGED - CONTACT US AT 306-969-2666.
BARLEY SILAGE VARIETIES - ADOPT PROJECT FINAL REPORT
 The Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) and partners have released the final report for a recently completed ADOPT project (Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies) entitled “Silage Variety Comparison for Dairy Production in Saskatchewan”.
The objective of this project was to provide a side-by side demonstration of silage crops and varieties including those more commonly used and those considered novel. Additionally, this project intended to demonstrate differences in yield, agronomics, and forage quality of barley silage varieties, as well as to estimate differences in economic efficiency of varieties grown in three sites throughout the province. Three producer cooperators collaborated with the SFC and SaskMilk to provide these side-by-side silage variety comparisons. The demonstration sites each used four (4) barley treatments of approximately ten (10) acres each including: AC Ranger, Falcon, Legacy and Sundre.
Legacy was the highest-yielding barley crop at both sites, followed by Falcon and Ranger, with Sundre producing the lowest yields. Based on yield alone, in this demonstration in 2012, Legacy appears to show a clear advantage over other varieties in terms of tons returned per acre seeded. Both Legacy and Falcon were reported to have a higher degree of lodging than Sundre and Ranger, and Ranger was reported to have lodged the least at one site.
To read the complete Project Summary, click here.
To view the Silage Variety Comparison ADOPT project Final Report, click here.
Posted May 20, 2013
SASKATCHEWAN FORAGE MARKET REPORT - JANUARY 2013
 The Saskatchewan Forage Market Report
from January 2013 is now
available! This report provides an overview of the past 2012 forage industry season in Saskatchewan including production, environmental, and
market conditions. It gives buyers and sellers price averages for
forages bought and sold in Saskatchewan and beyond during the 2012 year, as well as the
current market situation heading into the spring of 2013.
To view the Saskatchewan Forage Market Report - January 2013, click here.
(Photo Credit: Laura-Lie Schellenberg)
Posted April 17, 2013
HAY PRESERVATIVES FOR BALES - ADOPT PROJECT FINAL REPORT
The Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) and partners have released the final report for a recently completed ADOPT project (Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies). The project is titled “Hay Preservatives for High Moisture Bales”.
Hay made under high moisture conditions (>18%) is prone to mold, mycotoxins and decreased forage quality. Mold and mycotoxins are anti-nutritional factors that generally reduce the quality of feed for animals. They can cause serious health problems in livestock, including impaired growth and muscle formation, reduced fertility, decreased milk production and in some cases death. However, harvesting hay at low moisture levels increases leaf loss, thereby reducing protein levels and overall quality of the baled forage. Hay preservatives are products that allow hay to be baled at higher moisture due to their ability to limit the growth of molds in high-moisture forages. There are three main types of preservative: organic acids, bacterial inoculants and anhydrous ammonia. The objective of the project was to demonstrate to producers the use and relative effectiveness of various types of hay preservatives.
Upon visual inspection of the bales, there did appear to be slightly less dust in the hay treated with preservatives at both sites as compared to the untreated high moisture hay. Odor of the preservative treated hay was also more appealing at both sites. The feed test results from this demonstration indicate there may be an advantage to using hay preservative products in terms of maintaining feed quality in some cases.
To view the Hay Preservatives for Bales ADOPT project Final Report, click here.
To view the complete Project Summary, click here.
Posted March 25, 2013
CONTROL OF SCENTLESS CHAMOMILE - ADOPT PROJECT FINAL REPORT
The Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) and partners have released the final report for a recently completed ADOPT project (Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies). The project is titled “A Comparison of Chemical and Biological Control of Scentless Chamomile in Mixed Alfalfa/Grass Hay and Pasture Stands”.
 The objective of this project was to demonstrate the relative effectiveness of various chemical and biological control strategies for scentless chamomile in perennial forage stands. Scentless chamomile is an invasive weed which is a problem in both cultivated land and perennial forage stands. There are some chemical control options available for annual crops, however most or all of these chemical options also kill alfalfa plants limiting their usefulness in forage crops. There are also two main biological control agents that control scentless chamomile, including stem gall midge (Rhopalamyia tripleurospermi) and seed head feeding weevils (Omphalapion hookeri). However, biological control options are not widely known amongst producers and the availability may be limited. This project gave producers the opportunity to learn both about control agents for scentless chamomile and about the impact of invasive weeds on perennial forage stands.
Two of the three chemical control methods used in the project were found to successfully control scentless chamomile at all three demonstration sites, however these chemicals also tended to kill the alfalfa plants in the perennial stand. The third chemical control option was less effective at control of scentless chamomile, but also tended to cause injury to alfalfa. In this demonstration, biological controls did not demonstrate any measureable control of scentless chamomile; however longer-term evaluation is necessary to fully evaluate the effectiveness of biological controls. As biological methods do not injure alfalfa, these methods may be desirable as part of integrated approach to control of scentless chamomile in mixed grass/alfalfa stands. Plot monitoring will continue at the demonstration sites going forward in order to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of these control methods.
To view the Control of Scentless Chamomile ADOPT project Final Report, click here.
To view the complete Project Summary, click here.
Posted March 25, 2013
ADOPT HAY PRESERVATIVE VIDEOS
 The Saskatchewan Forage Council has recently posted two
YouTube videos taken during field days for the ADOPT Hay Preservative
demonstration. View these videos to see how everyday producers are using hay
preservatives on their farms. Videos include comparison of hay baled at high
moisture with no preservative along with bales made at high moisture using two
different types of hay preservatives. In addition, baler modification and
application equipment is shown in each video. To view , click the links below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1tFKgU932M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQeMQsBWBtc
Posted January 31, 2013
SK FORAGE COUNCIL WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Leanne Thompson as their new Executive Director.
Leanne Thompson comes to the SFC with a wealth of experience working with Provincial producer associations and several agricultural organizations. Thompson has also worked with the SFC on a variety of projects over the past 4 years so was in an excellent position to take on this role.
Thompson is excited about this new position and remarks “I like that the SFC combines the perspectives of producers, researchers, conservation groups and government on issues surrounding forages in this province and I look forward to working with the Board on their priorities.”
SFC President, Aaron Ivey says, “The Board feels fortunate to be able to hand the reins of the organization over to Leanne. Her qualifications and past experience, both in the industry and with the SFC, should make for a seamless transition. At this time we would also like to thank Janice Bruynooghe for her past 12 years with the SFC. Many of our successes and advancements in the industry are in large part due to her efforts.”
To read the complete SFC News Release, click here.
Leanne will be operating the SFC from her home office located near Ceylon, SK. Please note that contact information for the SFC including mailing address, phone and fax numbers are changed effective immediately.
Leanne Thompson and the office of the Saskatchewan Forage Council may now be reached at:
PO Box 87
Ceylon, SK S0C 0T0
Phone (306) 969-2666
Fax (306) 969-2226
Posted October 15, 2012
INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES: FACTSHEETS & ID GUIDE AVAILABLE!
 The Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) and industry partners were involved in the creation of a series of five factsheets as part of the Invasive Plant Species Management Strategies project. This series of factsheets presents beneficial management practices (BMPs) for prevention and control of invasive plant species within various sectors of the forage industry including FORAGE SEED, GRAZING, RIPARIAN, HAY, and TRANSPORTATION.
 Also as part of this project was the creation of the SASKATCHEWAN INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFICATION GUIDE. The ID Guide focuses on the many invasive plant species that are pertinent to SK and provides plant characteristics and information about each species.
To view or download online versions of the Factsheets, click here.
To view or download an online version of the ID Guide, click here.
Print copies of all the Factsheets and the ID Guides are available by contacting the SFC at 306.969.2666 or
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Posted April 6, 2013
LIVESTOCK & FORAGE GAZETTE - NOW ELECTRONIC
The Livestock and Forage Gazette has enjoyed a dedicated readership in Saskatchewan and beyond during the last decade. To see a previous newsletter please click here. It is now moving to electronic distribution, so if you would like to receive the January 2012 enewsletter please join the mailing list. The Gazette will continue to provide you with the same informative content that livestock producers have come to know and expect!
To sign up for the electronic Livestock and Forage Gazette, click on the Forage Gazette Sign Up tab in the side menu on the left (in the Main Menu under Contact Us)
Posted December 20, 2011
SASKATCHEWAN'S FORAGE INDUSTRY REPORT RELEASED
The Saskatchewan Forage Council is pleased to announce the release of the much-anticipated report entitled “The Value of Saskatchewan’s Forage Industry – A Multi-Level Analysis”. The first of its kind in the province, the report characterizes this diverse industry and looks at  the value of forages to Saskatchewan’s economy, environment and society as a whole.
Saskatchewan Forage Council President, Leam Craig remarks, “Forages have traditionally suffered a bit of an identity crisis and as a result, information regarding the economic impact of forages in Saskatchewan has been lacking. The work completed through this project brings to light the significant contribution that forages have on both the economy and environment and the Saskatchewan Forage Council anticipates that it will be used as a stepping stone towards the continued growth of our industry in the future.” Read more...
Download the complete report: Print Version(4.4MB) or Screen Version(2.2MB)
For more information or to request a print copy of the report, contact the Saskatchewan Forage Council at 306.969.2666 or
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Posted April 15, 2010
The Saskatchewan Forage Council Gratefully Acknowledges funding for our 'Facilitating Forage Initiatives in Saskatchewan' project through the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association
Cattle Marketing Deductions Fund:
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