Serving the producers of the Northwest
FARMER North Battleford, Saskatchewan
RancheR
Thursday, March 12, 2020
How farmers are using drones Technology is changing the way we farm The farmers of yesteryear might not be too familiar with their surroundings if they were to visit a modern farm. While the men and women who made their livings as farmers decades ago would no doubt still recognize certain farm features that have withstood the test of time, they might not understand the inner workings of the modern farm, particularly in regard to the role technol-
ogy now plays within the agricultural sector. Technology has changed agriculture in myriad ways. The methods farmers employ to produce food and improve the efficiency of their operations has changed as technology has evolved. One of the more noticeable changes that’s hard to miss on modern farms is the use of agricultural drones. Drones have been
around for decades. Sometimes referred to as “unmanned aerial vehicles,” or “UAVs,” drones can be utilized in ways that can save farmers money and protect the planet. • Monitor crops: According to senseFly, the commercial drone subsidiary of Parrot Group, drones can help farmers effectively monitor their crops. With a drone flying overhead, farmers can spot
and quickly identify issues affecting their crops before those issues escalate into something larger. • Soil analysis: Another potential benefit of agricultural drones highlights their role in analyzing soil. Agricultural drones utilize complex mapping functions to gather data about the soil, including areas where it might be stressed. That enables farmers to develop accurate soil samples
that can be used to guide decisions in regard to irrigation and fertilization. • Reduce waste: The data gathered by drones can help farmers determine the vigor of their crops at various stages of growth. Such information can prevent overfertilization and overwatering, thereby reducing waste and runoff, benefitting the planet as a result. • Planning: Drones can be used to collect data on
crop growth and health at various times throughout the growing season. That can help farmers develop accurate predictions regarding harvest quality and crop yield, making it easier for them to plan ahead. Agricultural drones are one of the many examples that illustrate how technology has changed and will continue to change the ways modern farmers conduct business.
‘Tis the season: Check for spring weight restrictions As the weather warms and the daylight-hours increase, truckers and shippers are being reminded to begin reducing truck loads on some provincial highways. During this time of year, secondary highways revert back to regulation weights, which will prevent damage to these roads. Due to mild temperatures in the forecast, winter weights are being removed. Effective Monday, March 9 at 12:01 a.m., existing winter weights were removed
across southern Saskatchewan and reverted back to normal regulation weight. Typically, winter weights are removed province-wide on March 15 weather permitting. Spring road restrictions are used by the province and rural municipalities to mitigate damage to infrastructure. Typically, these road restrictions start in March in southwest Saskatchewan and remain over a two to three-week period. “Preserving Saskatch-
ewan’s road network is vital for transporting goods to market,” Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities President Ray Orb said. “By reducing weights during the spring, we can reduce maintenance costs and ensure our roadways remain intact.” The road bans reduce allowable weights on RM roads and secondary weight provincial highways by 10 to 15 per cent and typically last about six weeks.
Originally, the ninemonth primary highways are designed and constructed to carry only lower secondary weight loads. Weights are reverted back to the design loads (secondary weight) during spring to reduce damage from the spring-thaw. As a large province with considerable difference in climate in the north and the south, there are different dates for when the primary weights are in effect. In the north of the province,
the annual weight increase on the nine-month primary highways are from July 1 to March 31 of the following year. In the south of the province, the annual weight increase on the nine-month primary highways will occur earlier, from June 15 to March 15 of the following year. This change will help to sustain road conditions in the south, where spring thaw occurs earlier. To check which highways are impacted by weight restrictions, please
visit truck weight classifications and restrictions at www.saskatchewan.ca/ trucking. Spring road bans will be posted as necessary under the “New Spring Order” link. To view the interactive map showing winter weight restrictions and spring road bans, visit www.saskatchewa n.ca / highwayhotline and scroll down to restrictions. Information is also available by contacting the Highway Hotline at 511.
Spring runoff potential below average for most The Water Security Agency has released the March spring runoff outlook. Most of the province is facing a below normal spring runoff for 2020 as low winter snowfall levels are impacting conditions across Saskatchewan. A band in southwestern Saskatchewan stretching
from Moose Jaw through to Lucky Lake and Leader is facing the driest conditions with a well below normal runoff projected. Some agricultural water supply issues could develop within drier areas during 2020 if lack of moisture persists through spring. March and April can be the some of the wettest
months, so the outlook may improve. Only the far northwest and extreme southeast and southwest corners of the province are projected to have near or above normal runoffs, with small portions of the province expected to have a higher than normal runoff. However, in these
areas where above normal runoff is expected, flood flows are unlikely based on current conditions and normal conditions going forward. Snowmelt runoff is influenced by fall soil moisture, storage conditions, winter precipitation accumulations and weather during the spring
melt. While much of the southern half of province entered the winter with good to excess moisture conditions, below average snowfall has decreased the runoff potential. Water supplies from the province’s major reservoirs are expected to be adequate in 2020. Desirable summer operating levels
are also expected at most recreational lakes within the province in 2020. The Qu’Appelle Valley is the exception with Last Mountain, Pasqua, Echo, and Crooked lakes likely to be lower than desirable. The WSA will issue another forecast in early April if runoff is not yet underway.