Research into forage varieties suitable for Saskatchewan will continue thanks to funding provided by the provincial government.
Agriculture minister Eric Upshall announced last week the Saskatchewan Forage Council will receive $300,000 over four years through the Agriculture Development Fund.
The money will be used for the forage variety program, which includes field testing at seven locations in the different soil zones.
“Adapted forage varieties are the backbone of any forage industry and are essential for the development and sustainability of Saskatchewan agriculture,” said forage council president Ed Anaka. “The information collected from this study enables producers to make informed decisions on forage production and utilization.”
Michel Tremblay, provincial forage specialist, said adaptation of species is a perennial topic of discussion among producers. Plant breeders are always making improvements or developing new species that may have to be adapted to Saskatchewan, he said. That is why the variety testing program is so important.
Forage is the third-largest cash crop in Saskatchewan behind wheat and canola, with a farmgate value of $430 million in 1996-97. There are about 30,000 growers in the province.
