(File photo/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Crop Talk 2021

Annual Crop Talk event goes virtual

Mar 11, 2021 | 2:42 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — A popular farmer information meeting will deal with a number of issues including cover crops and flax production.

Crop Talk 2021 is normally held in Prince Albert each spring but Allie Noble, crops extension specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture, said, like many other events, this one will be held online.

She said the ministry has found a good way to deliver valuable information for farmers.

“I work on a lot of the webinars that are put on by Saskatchewan Agriculture’s crops team. I think we’ve probably had almost 30 webinars this year,” Noble told farmnewsNOW. “We have had fantastic turnouts.”

Noble said everyone misses the one-on-one time and networking, but the online format allows people to watch the presentations when it works in their schedule and doesn’t require a huge time commitment.

MLAs clash over foreign ownership of Saskatchewan farmland

Nov 10, 2025

Outstanding community members

'We all loved him': respected Prince Albert broadcaster passes away

Oct 09, 2025

Nearing the end of harvest

Meals in the field and hats in combines: a look into end of harvest traditions

Oct 09, 2025

“It’s not taking three hours to drive to a meeting. They can just attend at their own computer and have their morning cup of joe. I think it’s been invaluable in that way that the reach we have goes a lot further,” she said.

The agenda for this year’s Crop Talk will cover a wide range of topics. The Conservation Learning Center (CLC) will provide an update on the research projects going on. CLC temporary manager Brooke Howat will talk about everything from vegetables, to canola, and soil.

Noble said there will be a discussion on pollinators in crop production.

“Graham Parsons is the pollinator biosecurity specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture in Prince Albert. He’s going to talk to us about why we need to keep pollinators in mind, the effect that they have on the crop, and how can we can promote pollinators in our crops,” Noble said.

Weyburn crops extension specialist Sherry Roberts has been doing extensive work on cover crops at the South East Research Farm. Noble said it will be a way to learn more about this fairly new concept.

“She’s going to answer some of those initial questions for people who are interested in it but aren’t really sure if it’s a fit for their operation or not,” she said.

The final presenter will be Sask Flax agronomist Michelle Beaith, who will share in depth information on everything from seeding to harvest.

Noble said the agenda and registration information on Crop Talk 2021 can be found on the ministry’s agriculture calendar of events or on the CLC website. You can also reach Noble at 306-960-2051 or by email, allie.noble@gov.sk.ca.

Another advantage of the online format is even if you think you may not be able to attend, you will be able to watch it later.

“You’ll still get link emailed out to you. For any webinars that we are putting on, Sask Ag puts them on to our webinar recording page. If you are interested in any of our previous ones you’ll be able to find everything that’s been put on with our team,” Nobel said.

If you are a Certified Crop Advisor there will be two and a half credits available for attending the meeting.

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW