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Photo: Somerlee Bennett
Under the AESA program, the MD of Wainwright is working one-on-one with local producers to develop nutrient management plans, pasture and riparian management and integrated crop management. Other projects include demonstrations and plot trials. “Many of the demonstrations are field size, so we can take the producers out of the classroom and out to the field to learn,” explains Somerlee Bennett, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman/Conservation Technologist. “We often work individually with producers to help them adapt and implement management practices that work best for their operation.”
One of the successes is using a producer mentor process. “We work with a producer who has implemented a good management practice successfully, and showcase him in the area,” says Bennett. “People are more likely to talk directly producer to producer, and feel more comfortable knowing he is within their area. They know local producers have a better understanding of financial limitations or other issues behind the new practice, and people can be more straight forward about that.”
One of the priority areas is manure management and in particular looking at the integration of liquid manure into forages and cropland and the benefits producers are realizing. “A lot of producers are finding benefits in terms of cost and return analysis, determining long term benefits and improvements to the environment,” says Bennett. “For example, in the past, one producer had been feeling pressure about his operation, but once others realized he had an established manure management plan, and that we were working closely with him, people were more supportive.”
Another priority is water management, with the efforts focused mostly on working individually with producers along the Battle River. “We’ve taken a vested interest with Alberta Environment to focus on this river, and although we’ve tried to stimulate a watershed group, so far the producers have been doing a lot on their own,” says Bennett. “We’ve just been guiding them and providing information as requested.”
In terms of measuring success, some of the results come from surveys and others from personal discussion with producers. “We’ve initiated a big effort this year to conduct surveys to evaluate and measure the success in our program,” explains Bennett. “Generally we’ve seen a decrease in summer fallow, an increase in direct seeding and a lot more integration into permanent cover pastures, which for our soil zone is really promising.” There has also been a big uptake of the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan program.
There are also a lot of changes happening with local grazing associations, including a bigger priority on pasture and riparian management and water quality. For example, the Strawberry Plains Grazing Association was nominated for an Emerald Award in 2004 in the Community Group Category. “Being a finalist was a big step for the Association, and as a result they are increasing their partnership with another grazing association to do more projects this year,” says Bennett. “Some of their projects will be showcased along with others for the Western Area Training Base at this summer’s AESA Regional Tour.”
Bennett plans to continue with the success of working one-on-one with local producers and in smaller groups. “Many of our summer meetings will be short one or two hour tail gate meetings with a few producers,” says Bennett. “We will also continue to showcase producers locally, and at larger events.” The priority remains working one-on-one with producers to help them implement management practices that work best for their operation.
For more information, contact:
Somerlee Bennett at (780) 842-4454 or email: asb@mdwainwright.ca |
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