April 12, 2025 If you're farming in Saskatchewan, you’ve probably heard about Variable Rate Technology (VRT). But what is it, how does it work, and what are the benefits? Let’s break it down and see if this technology is something you could consider for your land. If you’re not farming yourself, landowners can encourage tenants to explore VRT and even consider including it as part of a lease agreement. What’s Variable Rate Technology (VRT)? VRT is a precision farming tool that helps you apply inputs, like nitrogen and phosphorus exactly where they’re needed in your field. Instead of treating the whole field the same, VRT customizes applications for different spots, so nothing goes to waste.

April 8, 2025 Marginal cropland refers to portions of agricultural land that consistently yield poor results due to factors such as low soil fertility, inadequate drainage, or high salinity. These areas often cost more to cultivate than they return in harvest. In Saskatchewan, it is estimated that about 10% of cropland is considered marginal, saline, or located near wetlands - conditions that make these lands unsuitable for growing cash crops. Identifying marginal cropland involves several methods, each offering key insights into underperforming areas. Yield maps can reveal consistently low-yield zones, while historical data highlights fields that have repeatedly posed challenges over time. Soil testing is essential for detecting issues such as low organic matter, extreme textures - like overly sandy soil - and abnormal nutrient balances. Visual clues also play an important role, including poor crop emergence, stunted growth, visible salts on the soil surface, aggressive weeds like kochia and foxtail barley, water pooling, compacted soil, and areas prone to erosion.

April 7, 2025 The evolution of agriculture across the Canadian Plains is a testament to the region’s rich history - rooted in Indigenous stewardship, shaped by settler cultivation, and propelled by modern innovation. As we journey through time, each section of this blog dives into a distinct era, exploring how evolving farming practices not only transformed the land but shaped livelihoods as well. Though this reflection offers just a glimpse into the dynamic history of the region, it serves as an important reminder of how the land has changed. Understanding these shifts is essential to drawing lessons from the past to build a more sustainable future. Indigenous Agriculture (Pre-1850s):

November 26, 2025 Agrochemicals Changes in agriculture and pesticide reliance have evolved over time. In the 1960s one farmer was feeding about 25 people and pesticide use was starting to rise quite rapidly in North America. The use of synthetic chemicals was brought to light by people like Rachel Carson who suddenly woke the world up that these inventions of new chemicals were not all good. By the mid-1980s and 1990s, we were using more pesticides than ever before in terms of mass. Some of the leading chemicals were organophosphates that were highly toxic to birds and insects but farmers now could feed more people. Today and in the last couple of decades pesticide use has kind of levelled out and we are still using very high quantities of agrochemicals over a wider area. Now the the leading chemicals that are being used tend to be herbicides that are applied on GMO crops (i.e., roundup-ready crops, and insecticides like neonicotinoids). In the prairie region, the trend is towards more chemical use (58% increase in herbicide use over the last 20 to 30 years, a 400% increase in fungicide use since the 1990s, and a 50% increase in insecticide use since the 1990s). Herbicides like glyphosate (roundup) which are used on roundup-ready crops are a big problem because they are so widely used now. Glyphosate can be found in virtually all water and soil samples. There are more toxic compounds than glyphosate out there usually insecticides and fungicides. Most people believe that DDT, the first modern synthetic insecticide was one of the worst toxic chemicals ever made, however, humans are making more and more toxic chemicals all the time even though less can be used, in many cases they are more toxic to species. It takes about 1,334 milligrams per kilogram of DDT to kill 50 of a test population of songbirds, in comparison Imidacloprid, one of the neonicotinoid insecticides only takes 35 milligrams.

October 30, 2025 Modern agriculture faces a paradox: the push to feed more people while risking the health of ecosystems and livelihoods. Conventional agriculture has boosted productivity, but it relies heavily on chemicals and uniform landscapes. This way of farming leaves little to no room for wildlife habitat, and increases input costs for producers while adding pressure to wetlands and soils. The Chemical Catch-22 One key issue is the climb in pesticide use. Herbicides like glyphosate are popping up just about everywhere and are losing their effectiveness. Invasive weeds are adapting and becoming harder to control even with stronger, more frequent chemical applications. Weeds like wild oat and kochia are increasingly building resistance to multiple herbicide groups making them harder to control . When these chemicals stop doing their job, producers are left with limited tools and rising production costs. These chemicals seem to fuel a problem to a never ending cycle: More chemicals = more resistance = more cost = weaker results. The Wetland Trade-Off Over the decades, countless wetlands have been filled in, tiled, or farmed over to make more room for cropland. This may seem like a quick fix to gain usable acres and make the field easier for equipment to navigate, but it comes with real trade-offs. Wetlands filter runoff, support wildlife, hold water during wet years, preserve moisture during dry years, and help regulate climate. Once drained, these natural functions are hard to get back. The Real Costs of Tree Loss The removal of tree cover is also transforming the agricultural landscape. Shelterbelts and tree patches are being cleared to make room for larger, uninterrupted fields that are easier for equipment to manage. This may seem like an easy way to boost efficiency, but removing these areas also removes natural windbreaks for wind protection, wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and moisture regulation. Farming With Nature The good news? A new path forward is already taking shape. Farmers across the Prairies and around the world are proving that farming with nature doesn’t mean sacrificing profits or productivity. Producers in Saskatchewan are experimenting with practices like cover cropping, intercropping, slow-release fertilizers and variable rate applications. As a result, these producers are already seeing lower input costs, improved yields, healthier soils, and more wildlife activity. Studies in the UK are showing that converting a small area of marginal cropland to alternatives like perennial forages and prairie strips can actually boost yields while also bringing back pollinators, protecting water resources, and creating wildlife habitat without hurting profitability. An Alberta study showed that in fields where wetlands remain intact, farmers are seeing average returns of about $203 per acre. However, in areas that have been drained, profits drop noticeably - ranging from just $145 down to $76 per acre. Farmers in Saskatchewan have found success converting 10–20% of low-yielding cropland like areas around wetlands or areas with poor soil into perennial forage. They’re finding that these conversions didn’t hurt profits, and in many cases resulted in better soil and water quality. In Iowa, mixing strips of prairie forage into corn and soybean fields boosted pollinators, bird life, and soil health without hurting yields. They found that just 10% of the field made a big difference. A New Path Forward Modern farming has helped us grow more food, but it’s also created challenges for the land, water, and wildlife around us. The good news is we’re not stuck with the way things are and change is already happening. Across the Prairies, farmers are demonstrating that agriculture can be more balanced by preserving wetlands, reducing pesticide use through smarter farming practices, and finding creative ways to utilize marginal cropland. This approach isn’t about reducing, it’s about being more thoughtful with how we manage the land so it stays productive into the future. Written by: Maddie Gould Communications Manager Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab

Crop conditions and weather Harvest has wrapped up for some and is wrapping up soon for others. The weather has been favourable for a speedy harvest season, with warm temperatures and relatively dry conditions. The forecast continues to hold as we move into October, welcomed by the many farmers who still have work to do in the field.

September 30, 2025 Kochia is no stranger to Saskatchewan fields. From field edges to saline patches, this drought-tolerant and herbicide-resistant weed continues to challenge producers across the province. As a result, many growers are reevaluating how to approach managing kochia beyond traditional solutions. One strategy that seems to be gaining popularity is converting marginal cropland to perennial forage, turning problem acres into productive areas for grazing or hay. For farms that are consistently underperforming and attracting kochia, this approach can reduce input costs, limit the spread of kochia, improve soil health, and provide new income streams through hay or custom grazing. Why Does Kochia Thrive in Marginal Cropland? Kochia thrives in marginal cropland due to its ability to adapt to harsh growing conditions. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including saline, sandy, and low-organic matter types which are commonly found in marginal croplands. It is drought tolerant due to its deep taproots and it also is one of the earliest weeds to germinate in the spring, giving it a head start over other crops. Once established, its rapid growth and prolific seed production makes it difficult to manage. Kochia is often resistant to several herbicide groups including Groups 2, 4, and 9, limiting chemical control options. How Does Marginal Cropland Conversion to Perennial Forage Suppress Kochia? Converting marginal cropland to perennial forage crowds out kochia. Once perennial forage species are established, they shade the soil surface and restrict sunlight kochia needs to grow. These systems also stabilize soil moisture levels, reducing the dry conditions kochia prefers. Reduced reliance on herbicide applications minimizes soil disturbance, which in turn limits kochia establishment. Adding livestock provides another level of control as they consume young kochia plants before they mature. Other Benefits to Forage Conversion Beyond weed suppression, perennial forage systems offer more benefits. Once established, forage stands help stabilize the soil structure, improving moisture retention and reducing runoff. Input costs can be minimized because of the reduced reliance on herbicides. There’s also the benefit of versatility. Depending on the species chosen and management goals, they can be used for hay, rotational grazing, or as buffer zones. Forging a Forage Path Converting marginal cropland to perennial forage involves planning and understanding of the site conditions. Working with an agrologist or agronomist can help identify forage species that are well suited to the land and long-term goals. Having a good species mix increases the likelihood of strong establishment and long-term success. Managing Kochia in Saskatchewan isn’t just about spraying- it’s about adapting land use where it makes sense. For marginal acres that consistently underperform, perennial forage offers a practical, low-input alternative that supports agronomic and ecological function while also contributing to long-term economic value.

Crop conditions and weather The past few weeks of August have finally felt like summer, but the intense heat has quickly brought the look of autumn across the landscape - the trees are yellowing, the grass browning and crunchy underfoot. The steady heat has accelerated crop development and the cereal crops and canola are at or nearing maturity. The rain that came later in the summer has been a case of ‘too little too late’, and while the later moisture can help fill the kernels and seeds, it unfortunately arrived too late to increase grain yield. The current dry conditions help to preserve the quality of the grain and make for a speedier and less stressful harvest for the farmers. At this point, hitting the pause button on the rainfall until after harvest would be ideal for the grain farmers, and then a good soaker in the fall to recharge the soil would be very welcome. Although, for the forage and pastures, the rain could come at any time.

August 23, 2025 Across from the Muskeg Lake Food Forest, a new demonstration site is taking shape as a space for community-based learning. Its main goal is to showcase regenerative agricultural practices in a way that’s accessible to everyone, including large-scale producers, ranchers, land managers, small-scale community gardeners, students, and community members. The site encourages exploration of both conventional and regenerative farming practices. By creating a shared language around agriculture, it encourages connection, experimentation, and hands-on learning. The site has been conventionally farmed for decades. In 2024, it was planted with canola and in 2025, most of the field was seeded to oats with the exception of the portion reserved for educational demonstration. This demonstration spans roughly 275 metres east to west and 45 metres north to south and is dedicated to exploring and observing regenerative farming practices. Located between two large wetlands, the site provides opportunities to learn about land stewardship and restoration approaches grounded in both local landscape conditions, and community values. In 2023, 12 species were selected and a total of 700 trees were planted along the roadside of the demonstration site. These form an eco-buffer that functions as a windbreak and demonstrates the ecological and cultural value of eco-buffers/shelterbelts. North of the eco-buffer, over 1,000 potatoes were planted using two different methods: traditional in-ground and no-dig techniques. With no irrigation system, this offers a great opportunity to compare practices under water-limited conditions. Demonstration Plots In 2025, part of the site was seeded into seven demonstration strips. These plots offer visitors the opportunity to observe and learn about a range of regenerative practices and the benefits they provide. This variety of crops allows visitors to observe how diverse plantings can improve soil health and build resilience. Demonstration Plots include: Corn and soybean planted in alternating rows to show row-intercropping Mixed-intercropping plots include combinations like pea and oat, pea and flax, and oat with italian ryegrass Three plots featuring annual cover crop blends, including the Covers & Co Blend and the SERF Pollinator Blend. In addition, approximately 1,000 trees and shrubs were planted in 2025 along the outskirts of the main demonstration site, bordering the two adjacent wetlands. Species included a variety of willows, white spruce, poplar, and red-osier dogwood. These plantings support wildlife habitat, promote biodiversity, and serve as a buffer to capture runoff before it reaches the water, helping improve water quality. Looking Ahead Planned future additions include: Single-species crops for identification and comparison Perennial pollinator strips Expanded ecological buffer zones Informational signage to support self-guided learning A site tour is planned for September and will offer an opportunity to gather feedback. A Place to Share and Grow This demonstration site is designed to support learning for everyone, from experienced farmers to young students. It combines Indigenous and western agricultural knowledge to support knowledge exchange, cultural connection, and practical learning about beneficial land management practices. Stephanie Le Courtois, a master’s student from the University of Saskatchewan and a member of the Bridge to Land Water Sky team, is studying how spaces like this contribute to learning, community well-being and cultural connection. Stephanie’s research focuses on the educational role these kinds of projects play and how they can strengthen relationships between people, land, water, and sky.

Crop conditions and weather It’s been a mixed bag of weather this year - very little rain, wind, hot/cold/hot/cold, tornado warnings, hail, smoke. But the biggest impact on the crops has been the lack of rainfall, which is not out of the ordinary as precipitation plays a significant role in a plant’s life. After a winter of less snowfall compared to other areas, we didn’t receive any April showers to bring the May flowers. In some parts of the area, it was nearly 2 months before some rain fell. While the pastures would appreciate this drink of life, it’s a bit ‘too little too late’ for the annual crops that set their yield potential based on moisture conditions earlier on in their life cycle. Seeding happened early this year, starting about 7-10 days sooner than usual. This earlier planting, coupled with dry conditions, will make for a much earlier harvest as well. The wheat is headed out and canola is in bloom, but the crops are thinner and shorter than they usually are.

June 30, 2025 The SAGE Project The Soil and Agroecosystem (SAGE) Health Project , also known by its ceremonial name ē kanātahk askiy (“it is a clean earth” in ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐍᐏᐣ nēhiyawēwin), is a community-led initiative rooted in Indigenous leadership. It works with Indigenous peoples across the prairies to support community goals for agriculture, food sovereignty, and land stewardship through the sharing knowledge from both Indigenous and western scientific perspectives. SAGE's mission is to support Indigenous communities with knowledge of soil and agroecosystem focusing on soil health, agricultural beneficial management practices, food sovereignty, traditional plant medicines and foods, buffalo rematriation, and more! Guided by Indigenous values, SAGE envisions thriving agroecosystems that foster soil health, biodiversity and resilience to climate change. SAGE partners directly with Indigenous communities across the prairies, offering education, capacity-building, and support tailored to local values, interests, and goals. Their work is deeply collaborative, community-first, and rooted in relationship-building. The work of SAGE focuses on four interconnected pillars: 1. Production Agriculture & Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) Host workshops, field tours, and webinars for Indigenous land managers and farmers. Promote BMPs adapted to prairie conditions, especially within the Black Soil Zone Support community-led land decisions 2. Buffalo Rematriation Lead land-based learning circles on buffalo ecology and rematriation as restoration and food sovereignty Host annual retreats where participants observe community-managed buffalo Engage communities at every stage of rematriation—many united by the Buffalo Treaty 3. Indigenous Food Sovereignty Revitalize traditional foodways through mentorship, seed saving, and pop-up workshops Support culturally significant food growing practices that benefit soil health 4. Soil Health Assessment and Monitoring Train communities in soil sampling, testing, and mapping techniques Inform land use decisions across all scales of agroecosystem management Knowledge Sharing SAGE works with communities through practical learning including: Field and Demonstration Tours Workshops Learning Circles Online sessions Learning on the land One-on-one mentorship Why it Matters The ē kanātahk askiy SAGE Project supports community-led work in soil health, food sovereignty, and land stewardship. Through workshops, mentorship, and land-based learning, SAGE helps Indigenous communities across the prairies share knowledge and strengthen agroecosystems. The work is shaped by each community's values and priorities, contributing to long-term goals in sustainable land management. Connect with SAGE Want to follow what SAGE is working on across the prairies? Sign up for the SAGE Project Newsletter to receive updates about community-led learning, soil health, food sovereignty, buffalo rematriation, and more. You can also find SAGE on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn to learn about current initiatives and stay connected.

March 30, 2025 Marginal Cropland Potential: The Prairie Precision Sustainability Network The Prairie Precision Sustainability Network (PPSN) is rethinking how we manage marginal croplands in the Canadian Prairies. It began in 2022 with researchers from USask and UCalgary collaborating to identify underperforming areas of cropland using precision yield data and satellite imagery. By 2023, the team secured funding to expand their work to Manitoba, and in 2024, PPSN received a major $3.9M grant, bringing in researchers from UManitoba, UWaterloo, and USask. This paved the way for their next big step: converting problematic croplands into productive and sustainable areas. Why Focus on Marginal Lands? The Prairies have millions of acres of cropland facing challenges—such as saline soils that drastically cut yields or areas prone to erosion. PPSN aims to restore these lands, not only to boost productivity but to benefit the environment. Restoration directly contributes to healthier soils, cleaner water, greater biodiversity, and a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. PPSN’s Approach: From Data to Solutions In Phase 1, PPSN used precision yield data from Saskatchewan and Alberta to create a satellite-based model for predicting crop yields and pinpointing unprofitable areas within fields. This set the foundation for targeted interventions and expanded research into Manitoba. Phase 2 focuses on converting marginal lands into perennial forage. By collaborating with producers, PPSN identifies struggling areas—often saline or waterlogged—and restores them using diverse perennial mixes. These converted areas provide both ecological benefits and additional revenue opportunities through forage production. The Case for Restoration Marginal lands in the Prairie region pose challenges but also offer opportunities. Studies have highlighted over 11 million acres of saline lands that hinder production. PPSN’s restoration efforts address these challenges directly. Restoring marginal lands offers benefits including: Environmental: Boost biodiversity, improve water quality, enrich soils, and enhance ecosystem services. Climate: Capture carbon in roots and soils while cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Economic: Stabilize yields, reduce input costs, and create new revenue streams. Farmers at the Heart of Change PPSN’s success relies on its close collaboration with producers. Through field-scale studies in the Prairie Pothole Region, farmers work with the team to map out low-yielding areas for forage conversion. Typically, 10–25% of a field’s crop area—spots prone to salinity or water issues—is seeded with perennial mixes. In return, farmers receive incentives like payments for converted acres, reimbursed seed costs, and access to programs like MAP, MARS, and S-CAP/RALP. The restored areas not only improve soil and ecosystem health but also provide a new source of income through haying forage. Moving Toward Sustainable Agriculture PPSN is challenging the old idea that environmental health and farming profitability must compete. By restoring marginal lands, farmers can stabilize yields, reduce input costs, and enhance resilience—all while contributing to a healthier environment. If you're curious about where your own profit-loss areas might be, PPSN has created a Field Profitability and Marginality Tool to help producers make informed decisions about their land. PPSN isn’t just about research—it’s about creating practical solutions. By collaborating with producers and fostering innovative practices, the Prairie Precision Sustainability Network is building a resilient, sustainable future for agriculture in Canada.

Map showing locations for ARU placements for bird and bat sites inside and outside First Nations Reserves in Saskatchewan. Blue dots represent First Nations sites and red dots represents non-First Nations sites.

Hear from one of our own team members, Anthony Johnston who participated in this insightful discussion.

Crop conditions and weather Harvest is now upon us. What started out as a growing season with ample rainfall and promise has turned into uncertainty after a hot and dry July and August. The early season precipitation produced tall and lush crop stands, but harvest reports in the province are pointing to a less than expected grain yield. The high temperatures during flowering and lack of rainfall during the reproductive stages of crop development likely had a detrimental impact on flower and seed formation and grain fill. At this point, it’s too late for rainfall to turn the crop yield around so dry and sunny weather will help farmers with this year’s harvest. But farmers will be looking forward to rainfall after the crop is off in order to recharge the soil moisture for next spring.

Crop conditions and weather The big weather event from this past week was all of the heat, heat, heat! Crops continue to look promising as they move into their reproductive stages, when flowers develop and begin the process of seed formation. Canola is flowering and now is the best time to visibly see how big of a canola-producer (and exporter) Saskatchewan really is. Flowering is still in the early stages, at approximately 30% bloom. Wheat is heading out and very soon will begin to develop and fill seeds in the heads. Soil moisture and rainfall is very important for the grain-filling process in the weeks to come.

Crop conditions and weather More rain and more wind were seen this past week, fortunately without the hail or tornadoes seen in other areas nearby. Crops are looking good and advancing well. Late-seeded canola is at the 3-4 leaf stage and earlier-seeded canola is beginning to bolt. “Bolting” is used to describe the stem elongation stage of canola when the flower buds that have formed in the centre of the rosette are pushed upwards. After a canola plant has bolted, the buds will open and flowering will begin. Late-seeded wheat is at the 3-4 leaf stage and early-seeded wheat is nearing or at the flag leaf stage. The flag leaf is the final leaf that emerges from the top of the plant before the head (which contains the flowers and, later on, the seeds) emerges. The flag leaf is the most important leaf of the wheat plant because it alone contributes to approximately half of the yield of the entire plant. What's going on in the field Farmers may be applying a second herbicide application in canola at the current stage of the crop. The herbicides applied to our canola crops only kill the weeds that have already emerged from the soil. In rainy years, like the one we’re experiencing this year, one of the challenges with weed control that farmers face is subsequent ‘flushes’ of weeds, where a whole new crop of weeds emerges that did not get controlled by the first herbicide application. If the canola is still small and cannot outcompete these new weeds very well, then a second herbicide application may be needed in order to control the weeds; otherwise, these weeds may steal resources from the crop and can also contribute to weed seeds being present in the harvested canola seed in the fall (called “dockage” - a cost to farmers when they sell their grain at the elevator). Farmers are also evaluating the effectiveness of their herbicide applications that have already taken place this season. Depending on the herbicide used, it can take a few days to a few weeks for herbicide symptoms to appear on the susceptible plants. How did the herbicide perform? Are the weeds dying? If the weeds aren’t dying, did something go wrong with the application, or should herbicide resistance in the specific weed species be suspected? Is there a flush of weeds emerged that are at a high enough population that will need a second herbicide application? Evaluating herbicide performance is an important pro-active component of herbicide and weed management for the farm - future improvements cannot be made if we don’t know what went right or wrong. Farmer's focus: insights for the week ahead Rainy weather contributes to plant disease. Farmers have disease and fungicides on their mind at this stage of the crop. Fungicides work by protecting the plant parts before the disease starts; if diseased spots are already visible, a fungicide will not be able to ‘cure’ those spots, and any yield damage will have already occurred. When deciding to apply a fungicide, farmers must assess the current crop conditions (plant stand density, crop moisture situation), pay attention to the weather forecast, calculate the costs of fungicide application vs the potential crop yield, and rely on their past experiences. The thinking for the farmer is not so much, “How much yield will I gain by applying a fungicide?” but rather, “How much yield will I lose if I don’t apply a fungicide?”. Fungicides are applied with the goal of preventing disease and protecting the crop yield that is currently there. Crop stage is extremely important for fungicide application because different diseases attack the crop at different growth stages, and because fungicides are all about disease prevention (not a cure), the application timing falls within a very short window. Earlier, it was mentioned that the flag leaf of wheat contributes greatly to final yield, so protecting the flag leaf becomes very important if disease conditions exist. If there is disease appearing on the upper leaves, a fungicide application at the flag leaf stage becomes very important to preserve crop yield. If leaf diseases are not too pressing when the flag leaf is emerged, then farmers may hold off this fungicide timing in favour of a slightly later application timing when the head has emerged in order to protect the crop from Fusarium head blight. More farmers are now spraying at the head timing because research has shown that this timing delivers the ‘best bang for their buck’, since the fungicide will protect the head as well as the flag leaf from disease. Author Jennifer Bogdan Agronomist Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab

Crop conditions and weather The spring rains have continued to fall, supporting healthy growth for the crops and pastures. We’ve had a cool, windy, rainy spring so far. Wheat is at the 4-6 leaf stage. Canola is at the 3-4 leaf stage, with some of the earlier seeded canola at the 5 leaf stage and the later seeded canola at the 2 leaf stage. Very few insect problems have been encountered this year. Some flea beetles, an insect pest that feeds on newly-emerged canola seedlings, have caused some problems in a few fields, but there have not been any large outbreaks of insects so far this year. What's going on in the field At this time of year, farmers are thick in the middle of herbicide application. Herbicides are used to kill the weeds in the field that compete with the crops for resources such as water and nutrients (fertilizer). Many years of research has shown that removing weeds early in the season produces the highest crop yield - the bigger the weed gets, the more resources it steals from the crop - so if May is ‘seeding season’, then June is ‘spraying season’. Windy and wet conditions have made spraying a challenge. Farmers cannot spray when the wind is blowing too strongly because the chemical droplets can be blown off of the field onto non-target crops and vegetation, causing plant damage. Farmers can reduce spray drift by changing their sprayer nozzles to ones that produce a larger-sized droplet or by spraying with a higher water volume, but these adaptations can only do so much. With the really high winds like we’ve been experiencing, all they can do is get up early to spray in the calmer morning until the winds pick up, park the sprayer during the day, and wait until the evening when (if) the winds die down. Sometimes, like this year, they may have to wait several days before they are able to resume spraying because it is too windy at all hours of the day. Since each herbicide has its own restrictions on the crop stage that you are allowed to apply the herbicide to the crop, long delays in spraying can cause challenges if the crop has grown out of its allowed herbicide application window. For example, the crop stage window for canola herbicides is generally between the cotyledon stage and 6 leaf/early bolting stage. For wheat, the crop stage is generally between the 3 or 4 leaf stage to just prior to the flag leaf stage (the flag leaf is the very last leaf to emerge from the top of the plant - when you see the flag leaf, you know that the wheat head/spike will be coming out next). Fortunately, the cool conditions have kept the crops from growing overly quickly and the crops are currently still within the growth stage window for herbicide application. With the rain comes robust crop growth. Cereal crops (wheat, barley, oats) will grow taller with more rainfall and some crop varieties are more prone to lodging. Lodging is when the crop lays down before harvest because the seed heads are heavy, and if a strong wind comes along, it will push the crop down. Lodged crops may be able to stand up a bit after, but in a lot of cases, they will remain on the ground, making it difficult to harvest the grain, and the grain can also lose its quality resulting in down-grading. Each cereal crop variety has a different lodging rating assigned to it during its time in the breeding research trials, so choosing a variety with a higher lodging resistance is one strategy that a farmer can do. Another tool that can be used to manage lodging is to apply a plant growth regulator (PGR) that causes the stems to become shorter and thicker, making the plant less prone to lodging. The crop stage timing to use a PGR is a very narrow window during the stem elongation period of the crop (when the crop begins to stretch upwards), which is the stage that the earlier wheat crops are currently approaching. PGRs can be applied by a ground sprayer or by aerial application. Farmer's focus: insights for the week ahead Farmers are looking for a number of different things at this time of the year, such as crop staging for herbicide application, insect issues, and early disease issues. Farmers are also evaluating how well their seeding went this year by taking plant counts and noting any areas of the field where plant emergence seems thinner - did they have seeding equipment issues? Is there an insect problem such as flea beetles or cutworms that are eating the crop? Did they seed too deep, causing the young seedlings to be delayed? Did they have root diseases that have delayed or killed seedlings? By scouting the crops and evaluating their seeding job this year, farmers can learn from their experience (good or bad) and tweak their seeding plans next year. Author Jennifer Bogdan Agronomist Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab

June 7, 2024 Things are about to get a whole lot tougher for Saskatchewan’s wetland birds. Wetlands are a vital component of ecosystems, with habitat in prairie pothole wetlands critical for numerous organisms, from birds to amphibians to invertebrates, including a suite of insects beneficial to crop production as pollinators or for preying on pests. Decades of wetland drainage, both in Saskatchewan and in other prairie provinces, has resulted in extensive loss of prairie wetland habitat. While this varies from place to place, as much as 70% of wetland area has been lost in some areas. Contrary to what the province of Saskatchewan’s recent ad campaign would like you to believe, best available estimates for the Prairie region indicate wetlands are being lost at a rate exceeding 10,000 hectares each year. If you are keeping track, this amounts to 25,000 football fields worth of wetlands — lost every year — many of them in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan is the only prairie province without a wetland conservation policy. Manitoba is working toward maintaining wetland area through their no net-loss approach. In response to worsening drought conditions, Alberta recently announced an initiative to fund wetland restoration projects. Meanwhile in Saskatchewan, the province’s Water Security Agency is charging ahead with a policy that will promote extensive wetland drainage, while affording few protections to these natural features which provide extensive services for society. The science on what we can expect with continued loss of wetlands from rural landscapes and expanding urban footprints is clear. Beyond the destruction of valuable habitat for birds and other organisms, loss of wetlands will limit groundwater recharge, increase flooding, and contribute to enhanced nutrient pollution in our streams and lakes. The presence of wetlands on the landscape also provides carbon storage, and natural cooling, an increasingly important function in light of record high summer temperatures in recent years. If you think it is strange that the provincial agency tasked with protecting water quality, and reducing flood and drought damage, among other water security concerns, is taking action that will impair its ability to meet its own responsibilities, you would not be alone. Ongoing wetland drainage will enhance threats to water security in a province facing a multitude of water security challenges. Globally, as jurisdictions including the European Union, and even our provincial neighbours are looking carefully at maintaining and restoring wetlands as part of the solution to present environmental and economic challenges, it is hard to reconcile that Saskatchewan is doing the opposite. The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency is moving towards a target that will allow drainage of 50% of remaining pothole wetlands in Saskatchewan. This will not occur without costs to residents of the province. The $2 billion Sumas Prairie (British Columbia) flood of 2021 centred on the site of a former lake and wetland complex that had been drained. Continued pothole wetland drainage will increase flows, promote erosion and infrastructure damage, and raise flood risks. We can also anticipate risks of worsening water quality in our streams and lakes, and challenges in maintaining drinking water supplies that could face worsening risks of algae blooms, salinity issues, and carcinogenic disinfection byproducts. Sorry Manitoba, as our downstream neighbours you can expect these challenges to spread to your backyard too. For birds calling pothole wetlands home during part of the year, the writing is on the wall. Estimates suggest losses of upwards of 50% of wetland birds and dabbling ducks with loss of only 30% of wetland area. In some areas this level of wetland loss has already occurred, but these populations will continue to decrease with additional drainage. With wide ranging impacts of wetland drainage inevitable, maybe it isn’t just the wetland birds who should be alarmed. Author Dr. Colin Whitfield Assistant Professor University of Saskatchewan

Crop conditions and weather Seeding is wrapping up in the area. The rains this month have caused some seeding delays but overall the moisture has been welcomed to help recharge the land during this dry cycle. Early seeded crops such as wheat have started to emerge. With the soils warming up and moisture being adequate, it won’t be long until the other crops will emerge as well. What's going on in the field Two Variable Rate (VR) Fertilizer trials has been seeded on Mistawasis and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. These trials will demonstrate the use of VR fertilizer application in which different rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer will be applied to different areas of the field. In order to determine which rate of N should be applied, extensive soil sampling and field mapping was done in the fall to collect data on soil factors (texture, organic matter, salinity), water (dry and wet areas), and topography (low spots, mid-slopes, hilltops). Researchers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) then pulled all of this data together in order to generate a field map that divides the field up into zones, from most productive areas to least productive areas. Each zone will have a different rate of N fertilizer applied to it, with the most productive areas of the field receiving the highest amount of N and the least productive areas receiving the lowest amount of N. This way, the farmer is not over-applying N fertilizer to areas of the field where the crop will never be able to use all of that nitrogen. As a result, there will not be excess N in the soil that can be lost to the environment, and the farmer is not wasting money on expensive nitrogen that the crop cannot use. Variable rate also allows the farmer to apply more N to the most productive areas of the field in order to maximize crop yield. In addition to VR, these fertilizer trials will also measure the impact of an Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer (EEF) product called SuperU. SuperU is a specific type of N fertilizer that comes treated with products that help reduce N losses to the environment when the fertilizer breaks down into plant available N in the soil. These N losses can be in the form of a gas lost to the atmosphere and/or as nitrate leached below the rooting zone of the crop and potentially into the ground water. In order to measure N lost to the atmosphere, AAFC researchers have installed devices into the soil to capture and measure greenhouse gas emissions to determine the differences in N loss from SuperU compared to urea (the most common source of dry N fertilizer used in crop production). The VR trials on these fields will be repeated for two more years, for a total of 3 years (9 site-years) of data. Two weather stations have also been installed (one on each First Nation). Farmer's focus: insights for the week ahead Seeding is arguably the most important part of growing a crop. There’s a saying that goes, “Well-sown, half-grown”. Out of all of the factors that cannot be controlled in growing a crop (precipitation, temperature, frost, hail, etc), seeding is one of the times that a farmer has an important influence on the success of the crop. Farmers are paying careful attention to soil moisture levels, soil type, seeding depth, seeding rate, and fertilizer and seeding equipment settings in order to get their crops planted in a way that gets the seeds germinating and the plants emerging from the soil in a timely manner. After months and months of planning, now is the time to execute those plans and tweak them as needed. Author Jennifer Bogdan Agronomist Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab

Technician, Leah Richard using greenhouse gas sampling equipment

Connor and Lauren organizing equipment at a wetland in a field where a new land management practice will be applied (variable rate application). (Anita Alvarez)