CEC Grassland Beneficial Management Practices Project Complete

Saskatchewan Project

The Saskatchewan Forage Council was selected by the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA, as one of the provincial partners on the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Grassland Beneficial Managment Practices (BMP) pilot project.  By working with our provincial partners and contacts the SFC successfully identified Coy Schellenberg-Perrin Ranching, Beechy, SK to work with on this project.

The Schellenberg Family has always taken pride in their native landscape and, like the generations before them, manages grazing so as to preserve this resource by maintaining biopersity and a healthy ecosystem. Healthy productive grass and riparian areas, clean water, and abundant wildlife are signs of this careful stewardship.

This project consisted of cross-fencing one of the ranch’s largest native pastures. The pasture was five sections (3200 acres – 1295 hectares), and a plan to cross-fence it has been long in the works to allow for improved control of grazing frequency, intensity, and duration.  This project was completed during early spring of 2015. Results will be monitored by conducting range health assessments over the next number of years to ensure that range health is being maintained or improved.

To read the final report (pdf), click here. 

Posted April 4, 2016

Will You Be Needing Forage Insurance In 2016?

2015 was a challenging year for many forage producers as production was reduced in many areas of the province due to spring frosts and dry conditions early in the growing season.  Most producers who participated in the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation’s (SCIC) forage insurance program last year received compensation for their lower production. Enhancements have been made for 2016 and producers may want to consider forage insurance before the March 31 sign up deadline. 

This year producers have access to a higher level of forage coverage.  Insured prices are up more than 30 per cent when compared to 2015 and forage establishment coverage has increased from $55 per acre to $70 per acre.

Over the years SCIC has worked diligently with producers and industry organizations to build an effective forage insurance program for hay, pastureland and greenfeed.  This consultation was instrumental in changes to the pricing options that producers have for their forage insurance.  Producers expressed concern over restrictions on how forage insurance prices can reach a maximum, even though the market may still be rising dramatically due to uncontrollable factors.  For 2016 producers who choose the Variable Price Option or In-Season Price Option, when they select their forage insurance coverage, will no longer have a cap on the maximum value for the forage insurance price.  If the market price for hay rises over the course of the year, as it did in 2015, producers selecting these two pricing options will see the full price increase reflected in their forage claim.
SCIC continues to provide additional choices and options for forage insurance.  Producers who do not want to use the In-Season or Variable Price Options can continue with the traditional multi-peril forage insurance where producers can select 50, 60, 70 or 80 per cent coverage on the forecasted forage insurance price.  The 2016 forage insurance prices can be found at: saskcropinsurance.com/ci/forage.

SCIC continues to work with producer groups such as the Saskatchewan Forage Council to further improve programming so it remains on target with producer needs. If you would like more information about forage insurance, visit a Saskatchewan Crop Insurance office or saskcropinsurance.com.

To read the full article describing a number of forage insurance options click here. 

Posted March 25, 2016

January 2016 Forage Market Report Now Available

Saskatchewan Forage Council Forage Market Price Discovery in Saskatchewan

In the previous fall of 2015, forage prices in Saskatchewan rose dramatically due to cool and dry conditions which significantly hampered yields. Early concerns were somewhat alleviated, however, when late summer and fall rains fell and the Prairies experienced mild temperatures. Several annual crops were perted into greendfeed which also reduced pressure on perennial forage supplies. As well, the extended fall season caused many producers to take a second cut of forage. In some cases, producers did risk the chance of winterkill in their stands. The mild fall and winter weather also allowed livestock producers to graze long into the winter in many parts of the province, thus reducing their reliance on stored forage.

Prices generally softened as the fall and winter continued, compared with the values previously reported in September. One exception was straw, which increased in value from the reported fall price. January 2016 prices were higher for every forage category compared to prices reported the previous year in 2015. 

To read a synopsis of the report (pdf) click here.

To view the full report (pdf) click here. 

Posted March 23, 2016

Building Long-Term Capacity for Resilient Cow-Calf Production Systems

Manitoba Beef Producers Project

This project, funding by the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), is evaluating stockpiled perennial and annual forages to fill knowledge gaps in forage and beef cow performance in extended grazing systems. Project sites are located in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba and the Fall/Winter Grazing Study will take place in 2016 and 2017 with an economic analysis of stockpiled grazing the following year.

To learn more, click here.

Posted February 7, 2016