By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Monday March 29, 2021

Mar 29, 2021 | 10:03 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) board of directors re-elected Bob Lowe from Alberta as president at its recent annual general meeting.

Saskatchewan rancher Reg Schellenberg will serve as vice president.

CCA also set its priorities for the coming year. Maintaining full business continuity through COVID-19, making changes to business risk management programs, ensuring beef is seen as a nutritious and sustainable protein choice, changing the conversation about cattle from an environmental perspective and enhancing international trade market access will be the focus for the organization.

On the international front, CCA is continuing discussions with U.S. policy makers to head off efforts to bring back Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL).

–

Court proceedings

Not guilty verdict in Byron Bear murder case

5h ago

Armed robbery

Suspected robber caught after returning to the scene

10h ago

THIS IS A PLEA FOR HELP!

Mayor in Loon Lake requests support in wake of criminal activity, church fire

Oct 01, 2024

As spring approaches growers will be finalizing their seeding plans.

For any producer planning to use their own seed this year, seed testing should be done.

Crops extension specialist Kim Stonehouse said knowing the quality of the seed as far as germination and vigour can go a long way in giving peace of mind at planting time.

“Seed quality in all crops can be affected by sprouting, frost damage and disease. Sprouting seed that has germinated once will not germinate again. Frost damage is a little less clear but, research shows that germination and vigour will be affected relative to the degree of frost damage,” Stonehouse said. “For both sprouting and frost damage a simple germ and vigour test may be sufficient to indicate seed quality.”

Stonehouse said some seed-borne diseases will affect germination and seedling vigour, others will affect tillering and seed set. Some can affect all aspects of growth and have the potential for yield reduction.

He said the level of infection and the type of disease will determine if the seed can be treated, sprayed with a fungicide later in the growth stage or if it can be used for seed at all.

–

Research at the University of Saskatchewan will help swine producers protect their pigs from the toxic effects of ergot contaminated feeds.

In feeding trials with piglets, extreme processing of ergot contaminated feed using steam explosion reduced the amount of the ergot alkaloid and caused a shift in the alkaloid profile reducing its toxic effects.

Dr. Denise Beaulieu said very low levels of ergot in the feed can impact productivity.

“Unlike other mycotoxins which primarily affect non-ruminants or pigs and chickens, ergot affects all classes of livestock, including ruminants like cows,” Beaulieu said. “Canadian Food Inspection Agency has listed a concern about ergot in our feed as low, one part per million, so at really small levels.”

Beaulieu said while stream explosion was effective in reducing the toxicity of the ergot, less extreme methods had no effect.

She said researchers are now looking for other processing methods that will be effective and practical.

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW