Grainswest - Spring 2022

grainswest.com Is Fusarium STARING YOU IN THE FACE? You will never know unless you get your seed tested by an accredited seed lab! Surveillance is vital for disease management. Contact your local seed cleaning plant to submit your seed samples to an accredited lab. www.seedprocessors.ca/seed-smart Success stories Hailing from Alberta and Saskatchewan, six farmers who employ cover crops shared their goals, successes and challenges with GrainsWest . They also shared their contact details and offered to connect with fellow farmers who have questions about adoption of cover crops in their region. NORA PAULOVICH Location: Manning Farm description: Mixed farm with cow-calf operation and cereal crops, oilseeds, pulses and forage seed crops Farm size: 800 acres Growing cover crops since: 2013 Contact: jclcfarms@gmail.com Paulovich wanted to improve soil health and complement perennial pastures in her farm’s grazing program. To reduce soil compaction, improve water infiltration and extend the grazing season were also targets. The challenge was to find species suited to a short growing season. She and her family use a 10-species mix that includes cool- and warm-season annual grasses, broadleaf species and sweet clover, a biennial legume. PAUL KERNALEGUEN Location: Birch Hills Farm description: Dairy, some beef cattle, crops for feed Farm size: 640 acres (550 seeded) In cover crops since: 2013 Contact: @kattlesquared (Facebook and Twitter) Kernaleguen admitted he got into cover crops out of necessity. In 2011, his land received 30 inches of rainfall. It was like “farming islands.” Since adding cover crops to his system, he has gone from farming 125 acres of soggy land to farming the full 550 acres. Soil organic matter has improved considerably as well. For best success, it’s important to find guidance, he said. He works close with Kevin Elmy, who has helped him choose a mix of species that best addresses his unique challenges.