By Brent Bosker

What’s new on the farm, CLC holds open house

Jul 13, 2011 | 6:38 AM

The public got a chance to see what's growing at the Conservation Learning Centre (CLC) this year.

The research and demonstration farm, located south of Prince Albert hosted about 50 people at their annual Field Day on Tuesday.

Those in attendance were treated to a tractor tour of the grounds and heard from guest speakers about some the new research projects under the farm’s watch.

Trials of midge tolerant wheat, the effects of nitrogen on Malt Barley and alley cropping are just a few of the new ones, said Curtis Braaten, manager.

Since 1993 our focus has been on the conservation of soil, water and wildlife.

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“Through that focus we demonstrate to local producers different techniques and different new agronomic practices which they can duplicate on their home and hopefully benefit their own farming operation.”

Anything that’s new to the producer, we try to demonstrate here first, Braaten said.

“Our main focus is agriculture, but we’re also into the fruits, nuts and herbs. There is something here for the whole family,” he said.

One of the first stops on the field tour was the Haskap plantation, where the University of Saskatchewan is conducting fall versus spring planting trials to determine when the most ideal time is to plant the crop.

The group was able to pick and sample some of the berries, which according to Braaten are becoming more popular on the prairies.

“There is a very large interest regionally (in) Western Canada, and actually international countries are very, very interested.”

The unique thing about Haskap is the organic opportunities for producers, Braaten said.

“This is our first fruit of the season, so typically it should be early enough before any of the pest and diseases are going to effect the production of this plant.”

The fall versus spring trials is one of four provincially funded demonstration projects under the Agricultural Development of Practices and Technologies program (ADOPT)

The CLC encompasses 480 acres in the rural municipality of Prince Albert.

We have about 27 projects in total and we’re always looking for volunteers, Braaten said. For more information visit the CLC website.

bbosker@panow.com