Seed of forage crops has been harvested for a hundred years in Saskatchewan.

Forage seed production has evolved to be a core business for some producers and global seed companies.

 

Growers Must Read!

Featured
19th Annual General Meeting SFSDC

Join us at the Arborfield Community Hall on December 10, 2024, as the Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission (SFSDC) hosts the 19th AGM and Forage Seed Production Forum24. Doors open at 8:00 a.m.

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Several forage seed events planned for summer of 2024

Several events are planned for this summer including field days featuring forage seed production demonstrations and research trials.

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True armyworm monitoring and pest management – Scout now

As of June 24, 2024, true armyworm moth counts are of concern in forage seed fields in NE-SK. Last year, starting about Jully 12th, seed production in meadow fescue, timothy and slender wheatgrass was reduced due to feeding by the larvae.

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Cutworms caused severe damage to forage seed crops in the Peace Region

Some glassy cutworm Apamea devastator (Brace) damage was seen in timothy crops in 2023 and many crops were damaged in the Peace Region.

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SFSDC Annual General Meeting & Forage Seed Production Forum December 11, 2023

Thank you to everyone who supported our Annual General Meeting. and Forage Seed Production Forum 23 held at the Whitefox Community Hall on Monday, December 11, 2023.

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Changes to Canadian Pedigreed Seed Production Standards, Circular 6

Effective for the 2024 crop, changes have been made to the Canadian Seed Growers Association, Circular 6, the requirements that a seed grower and a seed crop must meet for seed crop certification.

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Featured Research

Learn about current research projects in progress and recent completed research.

Featured
Demonstration of night spraying and foliar fertilizer application to increase seed yield in single-cut red clover

We demonstrated three best management practices for red clover growers, first assessing the feasibility of production by assessing the prevalence of root and crown rot disease in early spring, then monitoring and night spraying control of the major insect pest the lesser clover leaf weevil…

Seed Growers: Check your residual N this spring

In July 2022, hybrid bromegrass (HBG) AC Success was seeded at Melfort, SK. Three different fertilizer sources of urea with urease and nitrification inhibitors were demonstrated, each applied at three different times (early fall, late fall and early spring).

Demonstration of intercropping perennial ryegrass (PRG) with oat

Demonstration of intercropping perennial ryegrass (PRG) with oat using different seed placements (side band and deeper than PRG, same row as PRG, monocrop PRG, monocrop oat) and seeding rates (0.25 X, 0.5X, 0.75, 1X).

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Meet SFSDC

 

Seed of forage crops have been harvested for a hundred years in Saskatchewan. Forage seed production has evolved to be a core business for some producers and global seed companies. Some crops are destined entirely for export markets, while others remain in Saskatchewan to be planted by livestock producers and conservation agencies.

The Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission (SFSDC) was created as the producer-led organization to guide research and development needs of all forage, turf and amenity crops, with the exception of alfalfa. Alfalfa seed producers have had a separate Commission and production levy, the SASPDC, since 1997.

The SFSDC was established in June 2005 under The Agri-Food Act, following a feasibility study conducted in 2002-2003 and extensive consultation and communication with forage seed producers and buyers.

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