Operation Pollinator
Operation Pollinator is a program focused on research and partnerships to promote the health and well-being of bees and other pollinators given their essential role in agriculture and nature. The program’s mandate is to support activities that enhance biodiversity, habitat and other practical initiatives that contribute to healthy pollinator populations. ARECA and its member associations have joined the Soil Conservation Council of Canada and Syngenta Canada to act as a provincial delivery agent for this initiative.
Become Involved with Operation Pollinator
Are you interested in co-operating on this project? Here's what you would need to do:
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Contact your local research association to fill out an enrollment form. Once this is submitted to ARECA, your application will be sent to the Soil Conservation Council of Canada for approval.
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Upon approval, you will receive 25 kg of seed (alsike, red clover, birdsfoot trefoil, yellow clover, sweet clover, phacelia) at no charge (valued at $260)
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Seed 1-2 acres of low productivity agricultural land (low disturbance is recommended)
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Manage and maintain the site as you would any other newly established site
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Restrict grazing on the site for 3 years
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Be willing to allow access to the site for monitoring and tours
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Receive $100/acre seeded (maximum 2 acres) for 3 years (2017/2018/2019)
Additional Information
For project updates and more information please visit the Soil Conservation Council of Canada
Additional Resources:
Operation Pollinator: Project Overview
Regional Variety Trials (RVTs)
Every year, regional variety trials (RVTs) are conducted across Alberta to provide regional performance information on emerging crop varieties, as compared to common and well-established varieties. This information allows farmers to confidently decide which varieties will perform best in their area.
Pest Surveillance
On an annual basis, ARECA coordinates many pest data collection programs. Consistent, complete surveillance information is very beneficial to the industry in terms of addressing suppression and resistance in cultivars. In 2016 ARECA conducted a province-wide Blackleg Survey. Click Here for the 2016 Survey
High Legume Pasture Project (sainfoin)
All nine ARECA associations are partnering with West Central Forage Association, Peace River Forage Association of BC, & Alberta Ag and Forestry on a high legume pasture project. The goal of this project is to provide farmers with the knowledge to establish a high legume (60%+) pasture and graze that pasture in the second year. High legume pastures have a greater capacity to withstand drought conditions and are extremely productive. Seeding sainfoin, which contains tannins, into a pasture mix reduces the incidence of bloat. This project serves FA and ARA members and farmers across the province.
Environmental Farm Plans
The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is a voluntary, whole farm, self-assessment tool that helps producers identify their environmental risks and develop plans to mitigate identified risks. We are working together with farmers committed to environmental stewardship.
Controlled Traffic Farming
Controlled traffic farming is a system that tries to separate the area on which machinery travels from the area where the crop grows. Permanent traffic lanes where all machinery travels each year are established. A farmer needs to build a machinery system where, as much as possible, all machinery uses a similar wheel gauge (distance between wheels across the machine). One of the most common systems used is a 30 foot seeder, 30 foot combine/header and 90 foot sprayer, all running on a similar wheel gauge, for example 10 feet.
For more information visit CTF Alberta's website
