Saskatchewan Bulletin
Learn to Lead
On November 22, SaskCanola hosted a performance strategies workshop for 13 Learn to Lead alumni. Later that evening, the alumni and the in-coming 2019 delegation became acquainted with each other during a networking reception.
Then on November 23 and 24, SaskCanola hosted its third annual leadership workshop that saw 21 Saskatchewan farmers partake in a two-day event that included sessions on governance, media training and decision making. Under SaskCanola’s strategic plan, ‘Producer Engagement’ is one of four key pillars. Fostering leadership capacity in Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector has been identified as a top priority within said pillar. If you are interested in future leadership events and opportunities with SaskCanola, please contact the SaskCanola office at 306-975-0262.
SaskCanola… representing Saskatchewan canola growers since 1991
SaskCanola invests in research, advocacy and market development (provincially and nationally) to grow producer prosperity on your behalf, all guided by our grower-elected board of directors.
For a summary of SaskCanola’s accomplishments in 2017-18, check out our annual report – available on our website at saskcanola.com/about/report.
Save the date
Don’t miss these upcoming events!
Hosted or sponsored by SaskCanola.
SaskCanola Annual General Meeting
Saskatoon – January 14, 2019
SaskCanola’s AGM will be held prior to the start of CropSphere at TCU Place. Canola producers may attend the AGM without registering for CropSphere.
CropSphere
Saskatoon – January 15 & 16, 2019
Ideas, Innovation and Knowledge. The CropSphere conference features sessions on market outlook, research and agronomy, along with sessions specific to each crop.
Crop Production Show
Saskatoon – January 14 to 17, 2019
Canola Council of Canada and SaskCanola will be exhibiting together in Hall B at Prairieland Park.
Top Notch Farming 2019
Lloydminster – February 6, 2019
North Battleford – February 6, 2019
Swift Current – February 8, 2019
Melfort – February 12, 2019
Humboldt – February 13, 2019
Davidson – February 14, 2019
A day of agronomy, marketing and management information.
Combine College
Saskatoon – March 2019
A hands-on, interactive workshop with multiple combine manufacturers and harvest management discussions.
CANOLAPALOOZA
Saskatoon – July 9, 2019
The canola agronomy event of the summer.
Visit saskcanola.com for event registration information. Follow @SaskCanola on Facebook and Twitter to receive important news and event updates!
Access soil data through your cellphone
SaskCanola Invests in Enhanced Saskatchewan Soil Data for Sustainable Land Management.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and collaborators initiated a project in 2016 to design and develop a new enhanced data framework to store and access Saskatchewan soil information. The Saskatchewan Soil Information System (SKSIS) was officially launched in 2018.
“SaskCanola is proud to invest in the SKSIS project bringing important soils information into the hands and cellphones of growers,” says Bernie McClean, SaskCanola board member and chair of the research committee. “Until now, this information was only available in hard copy format. SKSIS makes information readily available in a digital format, improving access to growers and agronomists, and will be a baseline for making future land management decisions.”
SKSIS provides the foundation for land management and decision support tools in making field-specific recommendations. It is available for both desktop and mobile users wanting to identify soil properties at a specific location, with the mobile access platform using smartphone GPS technology to establish user location. “SKSIS helps users get a better understanding of the existing soil survey data and the capability and sources of limitations of the land,” explains Angela Bedard-Haughn, professor of soil science and associate dean at the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources. “The site can also be used to better understand variability in the field and inform nutrient planning, when used in concert with variable rate equipment or other precision ag technologies.”
Android and Apple apps are currently in development to allow users in poor data connections areas to directly download maps. Bedard-Haughn adds they are developing a framework to allow users to upload and share their data, which can then be incorporated into the maps. “We are also working on a refined mapping approach using new digital soil mapping technologies to develop finer scale maps down to a quarter-section. We will continue to enhance SKSIS usability and accessibility for a wider audience.”
Visit sksis.usask.ca to view the Saskatchewan Soil Information System.
Research Tax Credit
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) is a federal government program designed to encourage research and development through tax-based incentives. SaskCanola invests a significant amount of the producer levy contributions in research to manage new challenges farmers face in their fields. As a result of the research investment, SaskCanola is able to participate in this program and the benefits are passed along to the producers. These tax credits can be claimed by filing form T2038(IND) for individuals or T2SCH31 for corporations.
In addition, farm corporations may claim a portion of their levy contributions as a qualifying expenditure towards the Saskatchewan Research and Development Tax Credit by filing form T2SCH403.
More information is available at saskcanola.com/research/taxcredit.
Be in the know! For the latest canola news and information, subscribe to SaskCanola producer updates at saskcanola.com.