By Alice McFarlane

Province funds water management research

Jul 20, 2020 | 2:50 PM

SASKATCHEWAN – The province will undertake a comprehensive study of water management.

Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency (WSA) Greg Ottenbreit announced $1 million in funding for 11 demonstration projects.

He said this will allow agricultural and environmental communities to test various practices to help farmers and ranchers manage water on their land and lessen the impacts downstream.

“Agricultural water management is extremely important to our economy and the environment, but every region of our province is different,” Ottenbreit said. “We need to listen and learn from, and work with farmers and ranchers.”

Lyle Stewart is the legislative secretary to the minister for the Water Security Agency and a former Saskatchewan agriculture minister. He said this work will provide local, science-based solutions to the province’s drainage issues.

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“It’s going to take from one to five years to get the answers we need. In the meantime, there’s potential for other projects to begin,” Stewart said. “It’s a learning process that will continue. A lot has been assumed in the past and we need science-based solutions.”

Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm will host a multi-year study that will involve design, regulatory approval, and construction of a drainage system on approximately 40 acres of land. Applied Research Lead Blake Weiseth said after construction, a field study will evaluate several management practices meant to reduce nutrient runoff.

“We’ll be looking at the impact of variable rate fertility, residue management as well as alternative or novel cropping practices,” Weiseth said. “All of these, collectively, are an example of the different approaches you can take as targeted management practices in drained soils.”

Weiseth said the goal is to design a drainage plan that will help producers reclaim marginally productive low-lying areas. An extension event will be planned during construction so interested farmers and ranchers can get a firsthand look at the process.

Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm is an agricultural event and demonstration site, home to Ag in Motion and Field of Excellence, near Langham, Sask.

The other organizations receiving research funding include the Saskatchewan Conservation and Development Association, Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds, Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, Saskatchewan Research Council, Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute and Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF