western region ( Prairie/ Boreal ) Yukon • Northwest Territories • Nunavut • Alberta • Saskatchewan • Manitoba
volume 29, number 2, 2008
Manitoba producer says grasses are good for the land and his bottom line
L
Lower costs and less risk – desirable outcomes for any farmer these days. Rapid City area farmer Gerald Bos has managed to achieve both of them, thanks to an innovative program from Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) that has provided incentives to convert some of his cropland to perennial grasses. Bos decided to convert all of 2,500 acres of cropland on his farm to perennial grasses, largely because of economics and the type of land he was farming. “At the time I made the decision grain prices were horrible,” says Bos. “And I think our land is better suited to forages. It’s borderline grain land.” Bos has seeded a mix of grasses including tall fescue, smooth brome, timothy and two types of alfalfa, for maximum flexibility in his grazing options. “We want to be able to hit any piece at any time of the year,” says Bos. “That’s why we went for a mix of everything.” Bos has around 770 cattle that are all being fed through an intensive rotational grazing program, which means that he’s able to concentrate valuable nutrients where he needs them and keep the animals at pasture year-round. And he’s already noticed benefits in terms of reduced input costs and risk.
“One of the biggest things is lower input costs, like a lower annual cost of feeding and harvesting,” says Bos, who now only harvests hay, and is no longer worried about his crops being wiped out by adverse weather. Bos accessed the Forage Program offered by DUC, which is one of a number of programs and resources that offer incentives and information to help producers increase forages on their lands, reduce their input costs and provide valuable habitat for nesting waterfowl in the spring. DUC has been working with landowners for 70 years, and has a variety of programs that benefit the land and a producer’s bottom line. More information is available at yourland.ducks.ca. Although grain prices are at an all-time high, and cattle prices remain low, Bos is confident that he has made the right decision for his operation. “If you are grazing the forages it’s a lot less stressful,” he says, adding that once cattle prices improve, he knows the effect of his low input costs will be amplified. S
Tradition restored at Waterhen Marsh
I
In the spring of 1938, a group of landowners helped a fledgling organization called Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) begin work on what would become the organization’s first wetland project in Saskatchewan. Nearly 20 years before, Waterhen Marsh had been drained in order to increase farmland and agricultural production in the area. However, the marsh’s peat bottom with what the locals called “sour soils” didn’t produce as was hoped and following some of the worst drought the area had ever seen, local farmers were beleaguered by poor crops, peat fires, smoke and blowing dust. This was the scene in 1938 when DUC approached the community with a proposal to build a dike and restore Waterhen Marsh. By October of that year, and through the hard work and horsepower of many local farmers, a 4,400-foot long dike was built, restoring the 4,000-acre lake and marsh at a project cost of $5,610. The Porter family was just one of the local families that worked on the dike that spring. Father Fred Sr., along with sons Fred Jr., Maurice and Dick, all laboured on the original structures. Waterhen Marsh was just the beginning of the Porters’ involvement with DUC. In 1938, following the construction of Waterhen, DUC organized a volunteer force of field men called Kee-Men who assisted with waterfowl census surveys. Maurice and Fred Porter both served in this 3,200-member corps for over 40 years, acting as local ambassadors for conservation and DUC. It wasn’t always an easy task. During those early years, locals were divided about the benefits of reflooding the marsh and while the Porters supported DUC’s restoration, others felt that the wetland should remain drained. Fred and Maurice were avid outdoorsmen and became dedicated goodwill ambassadors for DUC. The brothers monitored the project and, when necessary, managed water levels in the marsh using the outlet control structure on the dam. For the Porter family, Waterhen Marsh plays a central role in their family’s legacy. During Saskatchewan’s centennial in 2005, the Porter brothers were honoured for their landmark contribution to conservation when His Royal Highness, Duke of Edinburgh presented The Duke of Edinburgh Habitat Conservation Award to the family. Fast-forward another 30 years to 2008. After several upgrades and two rebuilds, the original wooden control structures have been replaced with concrete and dozens of nesting islands and loafing bars have been added to the wetland. Despite the changes, one thing remains the same: Waterhen continues to be a vital wetland restoration project for DUC, providing wetland and upland habitat for waterfowl and wildlife. After 70 years of conservation in the province, DUC continues to rely on the volunteers and landowners who have shaped the organization from the very beginning. Even with more than 2,200 active conservation projects across Saskatchewan, Waterhen Marsh continues to remind us of our roots and what can be accomplished when we’re active by nature. S
Construction on Waterhen Marsh began in 1938 with the help of Dick Porter (inset)
western region (prairie/boreal)
Wetland Inventory tallies change
I
It is a massive undertaking. But the data being collected for a regional inventory of wetlands across Western Canada is already teaching conservationists and policy-makers important information “about how these wetlands have changed over time and what can be done to restore the way they are supposed to function on the landscape,” says Rick Shewchuk, head, wetland protection and restoration operations for the western boreal forest, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). Conducted by DUC as part of its ongoing commitment to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), the Wetland Inventory was formally launched in 2004. It uses digital photography to map changes over time and it follows several years of preliminary study and a pilot test of the methodology conducted on the Vermilion River Watershed in Alberta. From this pilot study, Alberta Environment (AENV) accepted the methods developed and endorsed this protocol for its provincial wetland inventory initiative to support the outcomes of the Water for Life strategy. Led by AENV, DUC provides ongoing support through the NAWMP partnership in Alberta. “This inventory is a pragmatic response to tough questions
about the state of our wetlands,” says Lyle Boychuk, DUC manager, GIS and inventory programs for the Prairie Region. “Because these maps give us specific data on specific areas, the assumptions we make when modelling waterfowl productivity or wetland degradation will be based on science. That will really help us focus our priorities.” Better still, the various maps will be accessible via the Internet to anyone interested in the state of wetlands across Western Canada, adds Shewchuk. He expects watershed groups, policymakers and habitat conservationists to use the information to guide their best practice models. “That’s already happening in places where the inventory is complete.” Besides the obvious benefits to local planning initiatives, the inventory will help Canada meet international agreements regarding the protection of healthy wetlands, which play ecological roles ranging from natural filtration and flood control to mediating the impacts of climate change, says Boychuk. The sheer volume of work involved means wetlands across 60 per cent of Alberta should be inventoried by 2016. “It’s a big project, but there’s a lot at stake,” says Boychuk. S
As depicted by these GIS images, the Vermilion River Watershed in Alberta has seen noticeable change over time.
Conservation is putting the Green into farmers fields and pockets
G
Good farm business and good land stewardship go hand in hand. Ducks Unlimited Canada understands. We’ve worked with Canadian farmers, ranchers and landowners since 1938. And now there’s one more way for more people to learn how working with Ducks can be good for your land and good for your business – through the recently launched Landowner Microsite yourland.ducks.ca. This new microsite, geared specifically to farmers, ranchers and rural landowners in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, offers insight and information about the various Ducks programs available to them and how these programs could work
on their land. From managing grasslands to growing winter cereals, from restoring wetlands to protecting your natural lands, this microsite offers a wealth of information on the topics that matter to landowners looking to do more to protect and manage their land for the future. While the site already has a lot of great information for landowners, it will continue to grow and evolve, ensuring it remains a valuable tool for landowners for a long time to come. Learn more about the programs and opportunities for landowners to work together with Ducks to conserve and protect wetlands. Visit yourland.ducks.ca today. S
Another step closer to government-led wetland protection in Manitoba
O
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in Manitoba was pleased to participate in an important meeting with the Hon. Christine Melnick, Minister for Manitoba Water Stewardship, to highlight the need for more commitment to wetland protection and restoration. For DUC, connecting meaningfully with Manitoba Water Stewardship is an important step towards policy-driven wetland protection in the province because it is the department responsible for wetland drainage and water management. “We openly discussed the leadership that is needed to protect wetlands in Manitoba, and the ways that DUC and the government can increasingly work together towards this to benefit all Manitobans,” says Bob Grant, DUC’s manager of provincial operations. Grant was joined at the meeting by DUC board member James Richardson and Manitoba DUC head of industry and government relations Greg Bruce. During the meeting, the minister and her support staff received a detailed report, Wetlands and Wetland Loss in Manitoba, which outlined the values of wetlands, trends in loss and what needs to be done to abate these losses. In particular, DUC was able to underscore the concerns of ongoing wetland loss supported by sharing recent change detection graphics, which clearly illustrate that, between 1968 and 2005 alone, 70 per cent of the wetlands in a representative area of the province were lost or degraded. DUC will continue working closely with government and others towards establishing a no-net loss policy for wetlands in the province. If you are interested in asking your local politicians to help protect wetlands, please feel free to contact Greg Bruce at g_bruce@ducks.ca or 204-467-3301 for ideas and information. S
western region (prairie/boreal)
Working together for better agri-environmental policies in Alberta
A
A new partnership to strategically address agri-environmental issues in Alberta has invited Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) to the table. Called the Agri-Environmental Partnership of Alberta (AEPA), its purpose is “to bring together agriculture, government and other closely tied stakeholders in the same room to discuss and develop policies that are consistent across government and that we can all live by,” explains Rients Palsma, one of the AEPA’s co-chairs and a director on the Alberta Milk Producers board. The other co-chair is John Donner, an assistant deputy minister at Alberta Agriculture and Food with responsibility for environmental issues. Palsma adds, “If you have people sitting around a table discussing environmental issues, you’ll find that there are a lot of different angles. However, after a while you’ll start to appreciate other people’s views. And most of the time you come out with stronger policies that enhance all the ideas that everyone has.” The AEPA was born near the end of 2007, after almost two years in development. It now has representatives from livestock and crop organizations, three levels of government, and two non-government environmental organizations – DUC and the Alberta Environmental Network. Palsma is encouraged by what has been accomplished so far: “The whole agriculture sector is talking to each other. And we are talking directly with senior-level people who have an impact on government policies. Having Ducks Unlimited at the table brings another perspective, providing expertise on wildlife and natural areas, and contributing to deepened policies that will have a greater acceptance among more stakeholders and the public.” DUC’s representative on the AEPA is Kim Schmitt, conservation program specialist in Red Deer. He says, “We were asked this past fall to join the AEPA, and we’re very happy to do so. I believe that this kind of forum for dialogue is the best way to make collective progress.” DUC shares many areas of interest with the other AEPA partners, such as water, wetland policy, biodiversity, environmental goods and services, and stewardship of natural lands in the agricultural landscape. As a new organization, the AEPA is taking various initial steps, including development of its agri-environmental strategic plan. Schmitt says, “I see the strategic plan – and I think we all do – as being a very important first outcome. I’m looking forward to it as a tool to guide us.” Palsma sees great potential for the AEPA. “As long as we have creative thinkers willing to partner with each other, I think the outcome can be way beyond anybody’s beliefs.” S
DUC biologist hits the books for wetland conservation
W
“When you work for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) as a biologist, you hope that what you do will make a difference in conservation,” says Julienne Morissette. Her work at DUC and her closely linked PhD studies are giving Morissette an excellent opportunity to make a difference for wetlands and the birds that use them. Morissette is DUC’s riparian projects co-ordinator for the Western Boreal Program. Her job has three components. One component is co-ordinating a DUC research project about how birds use wetlands and wetland-associated areas in the boreal forest. She explains, “We have a good idea of what types of birds appear at wetlands, but we don’t know really know why, so we’re trying to better understand those habitat relationships. We’re also looking at the effects of disturbances [due to land use practices] on riparian and wetland-associated birds.” The other two components of her job are to evaluate wetlandrelated policies, and to work with industry to improve management practices to benefit wetlands. Her project’s findings will be important for both industry practices and government policies on such issues as the width of the strips of unharvested trees that must be left standing next to water bodies. Morissette really enjoys the challenge of finding the answers to such management questions. Another great job perk is the chance to do fieldwork. In fact, a love of fieldwork drew her toward university studies in ecology. Morissette obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Regina. Currently she’s working towards a PhD in Biology at the University of Alberta. Her thesis research overlaps with and enriches her DUC project. It broadens the scope of the DUC habitat relationship study, and it adds an investigation of the cumulative effects of various land uses on birds. DUC is supporting Morissette’s PhD studies by helping with her fees and giving her some time off work. As well, DUC people are providing technical support. In return, DUC gains the benefit of Morissette’s enhanced research effort. Her results will help DUC, policy-makers and industry to more effectively conserve and protect wetland-related ecosystems. It’s all about making a difference! S Morisette, pictured here walking her dog, is helping DUC make a difference in conservation
Ranchers saddle up for grazing tour
F
Field tours in February are not the typical fare for ranchers in the Allan Hills east of Kenaston, Sask. But a unique opportunity to mix business with pleasure saw several ranchers “saddle up” in an 80-mile snowmobile rally and winter grazing tour. The tour was designed as a traditional snowmobile “poker rally” and included stops at four cattle farms in the Kenaston area to look at different ways to lower winter feeding costs. “We were looking to try something different and interesting to encourage more people to participate,” says Duane Hill, a conservation program specialist with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). “We were hoping people would come out for the fun of the poker rally, and, at the same time, maybe learn something new about livestock management in the winter. “We looked at five different methods producers are using to feed their livestock out in the field, as well as different watering systems they are using to get water to the cows in winter,” Hill says. One stop on the tour was at Wayne and Noreen Obrigewitsch’s field east of Bladworth. Wayne shared how their operation uses wind and Wayne Obrigewitsch shares his experience with watering solar power through the winter and bale feeding 170 head of cattle, three miles from home, to ensure a good water supply during a stop on DUC’s Winter Poker Rally and Grazing Tour. for 170 head of cattle which are pastured about three miles from home. Other stops demonstrated various watering, fencing, manure management and grazing options for livestock producers. DUC is showcasing field grazing techniques because they often hold tremendous economic and environmental benefits for cattle operations. Wintering cows out in the field can lower a producer’s operating costs considerably, requires less labour throughout the year, is friendlier to the environment, allows for natural manure application, and can be less stressful on the animals. According to Hill, this type of thinking can have real, tangible benefits for beef producers being squeezed by rising input costs and lower commodity prices. A similar tour is being planned for the spring or early summer, to be navigated using ATVs. Participants will be able to follow up on the winter tour by observing the positive effect of winter grazing on summer pasture conditions. S
western region ( Prairie/ Boreal )
The Flyway newsletter is published by Ducks Unlimited Canada Oak Hammock Marsh Conservation Centre P.O. Box 1160, Stonewall, Manitoba R0C 2Z0 tel (204)467-3000 fax (204)467-9028 toll-free 1(800)665-DUCK Please direct your inquiries to the following: Eastern Region Atlantic: Kelly MacDonald Quebec: Bernard Filion Ontario: Lynette Mader Western Region Prairie-Western Boreal: Marci Dube Pacific: Wendy Fister Flyway production staff Director of Communications and Marketing: Madeleine Arbez Editor: Duncan Morrison Assistant: June Finnson Art Director: Tye Gregg Graphic Designers: Lindsay Pikta-Marie, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe
© Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2008 Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper including 100% post-consumer fibres
Area Contacts Marketing/Communications Anh Hoang, Western Boreal Sarah Hodges-Kolisnyk, Manitoba Lori Gasper, Saskatchewan Lee Moats, Saskatchewan Kristina Dembinski, Alberta
(780) 489-8110 (204) 467-3252 (306) 665-7356 (306) 569-0424 (780) 489-2002
Manager of Operations, Manitoba Bob Grant, Brandon (204) 729-3500 Manager of Operations, Saskatchewan Brent Kennedy, Regina (306) 569-0424
The Poker derby took place on four cattle farms in the Kenaston area
Manager of Operations, Alberta Dave Kay, Edmonton
(780) 489-2002
Education Jerry Brunen, Calgary Barb Hanbidge, Saskatoon Bob Laidler, Oak Hammock
(403) 201-5577 (306) 665-7356 (204) 467-3000
Western Boreal Program Eric Butterworth
(780) 489-8110
publication agreement #40064849