A few agriculture groups have come together to create an organization dedicated to improving drainage in Saskatchewan.
Called the Saskatchewan Drainage Extension Network (SK DEN), the privately-led initiative is comprised of one farming operation, Stone Farms, the University of Saskatchewan, farm groups such as the Saskatchewan Farm Stewardship Association (SaskFSA), Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), Saskatchewan Conservation and Development Association (SCDA), and companies such as Hebert Grain Ventures, Crop Intelligence, Croptimistic Technology and Precision Drainage Solutions. There are also advisors from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Water Security Agency.
Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Farm Stewardship Association Candace Mitschke says drainage can sometimes bring a negative connotation to it, but they believe drainage is not a bad word, since it’s been essential to humanity for hundreds of years. She says from a farm perspective, drainage is important managing and improving soil health, which in turn helps with the safe and reliable production of food. Among other benefits, SaskFSA notes proper drainage management reduces crop loss and insurance payouts, reduces the carbon footprint by cutting down equipment operation time, fuel, and emissions, reduces the impacts of extreme weather events, and decreases overland flooding and nutrient washouts.
She says the formation of the Network is the culmination of five years of development. “There’s different associations across this province that fully believe in responsible drainage management and also really want to share the benefits of that with really the general public,” stated Mitschke. “Drainage is misunderstood, so this has been an important project evolving over the last five years and it’s just come to fruition over the last year.”
Mitschke says the Network is designed to be a platform for farmers, landowners, organizations, industry, and government to connect and share knowledge of innovative and responsible water management practices. “Our landscape in Saskatchewan is quite diverse…so what practice may work in one area of the province may not work in another area of the province,” said Mitschke. “This is an attempt to start getting that sort of network formed in Saskatchewan.
“Forming this extension network comes at a critical time for the agricultural industry as farmers and ranchers cope with more variable weather in Saskatchewan,” Water Security Agency President and CEO Shawn Jaques said in a news release. “We are pleased to begin working with this impressive group of agricultural, industry and research leaders in the coming months. “They will be an important resource to help us identify water management solutions and share information with the farming community about sustainable and resilient water management practices that will strengthen their operations and, ultimately, our provincial economy.”
There are four key objectives of the Drainage Extension Network:
-Expand partnerships and collaboration among key stakeholders interested in agriculture water research, technology and water management beneficial management practices (BMPs).
-Identify and support SK drainage research projects focused on improving drainage innovation, soil health, field-scale science and field efficiency.
-Develop an agriculture water information hub and extension program.
-Identify opportunities to make agriculture water management practices and policy more relatable to agriculture producers, the next generation of SK landowners and the general public
Mitschke says a dedicated website for the Network remains under development, so for now it’s located on the Sask Farm Stewardship Association website.
You can hear the full interview with Candace Mitschke in the unfiltered section of SaskAgToday.com.
