This workshop is about two topics organic farmers deal with every year: Rotation planning, and managing perennial weeds. It will feature presentations by researchers and producers.

• Crop Rotation Sequencing and its Effects on Yields

Sherri Roberts, PAg
Crops Extension Specialist, Government of Saskatchewan

Using SCIC data, the presentation will highlight various scenarios for crop rotations and the yield increases producers see when they organize rotations using data driven information.

• Harnessing a host-restricted plant pathogen for the development of a bioherbicide for Canada Thistle

John Stavrinides, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Regina

Canada thistle remains a major issue for organic producers.  Populations of this hardy weed have been increasing steadily over the last 10 years in the prairie provinces, rising from 23% to 50% in wheat fields, and from 42% to 54% in canola fields.  Canada thistle competes for light, water, and nutrients, with 14 shoots per square meter reducing wheat yields by 38%, and 20 shoots per square meter reducing canola yields by 24%, translating into millions of dollars in losses annually. For organic producers who do not use synthetic herbicides, Canada thistle becomes a serious issue that can reduce yield and profits substantially. The objective of this research is to develop an effective organic bioherbicide using a natural bacterial pathogen of Canada thistle, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis (Ptg). 

• Testing and Demonstration of Canada Thistle Control Under Organic Management Systems

Dunling Wang, PhD
Provincial Specialist, Alternative Cropping Systems, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

This presentation will briefly review Canada thistle phenology and discuss some major control methods, and will introduce a recently approved thistle control project that was initiated at the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. This 3-year project will test and demonstrate three different methods, including mechanical (tillage), agronomical (cover crop)  and biological (Phoma macrostoma) in controlling Canada thistle at 3 organic farms in Southern Saskatchewan.

• Producer Experiences

And of course, producers love hearing what other producers are doing on their operations. This workshop will include producer presentations on these two topics.

Jeremiah Evans, Somerset MB: Jeremiah and Andrea switched to organic in 2004, with many challenges along the way. Over the years they have adopted many different practices such as intercropping, cover cropping, in-crop harrowing, comb-cutting, and inter-row cultivation.

Keith Buckingham, Bangor SK: Keith and Emily Buckingham and their 2 daughters moved from Admiral SK to south of Yorkton in 2016 and started the transition process the same year. They utilize livestock and cover crops to build soil health along with intercropping to help control weeds on crop land. Some of the cash crops they grow are oats, peas, barley, lentils, and flax.  The Buckingham’s are of the belief that all land should have grazing livestock to be part of a healthy ecosystem.

Brent Blackburn, Estevan SK: Brent has farmed organically for over twenty years, near Estevan, Saskatchewan.  Brent has experimented with different crops in an effort to find a rotation that works for him.  By experiencing both failures and successes, he has developed strategies using crop rotations that manage weeds and provides soil fertility to make his farm viable.

To Register

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/primary-perennial-strategies-for-optimizing-rotations-managing-weeds-tickets-61965334985

Or call: 306-535-3456

**This workshop takes place during Canada’s Farm Progress show. Workshop ticket price does not include gate admission to the show.

Important Information about road construction around venue:

As of right now Lewvan Drive will remain RESTRICTED between 4^th Ave and Dewdney Avenue and will remain in place during Canada’s Farm Progress Show. There is a the new pilot project in place which allows 2 lanes southbound in the hours between 5:30 am to 1 pm and 2 lanes northbound from 1 pm to 5:30 am.

Thank you to our sponsors of this workshop!