UPSHALL URGES FARMERS TO CONSIDER GROWING GREENFEED

Released on June 29, 1998

Agriculture and Food Minister Eric Upshall today urged farmers facing

livestock feed shortages to consider growing greenfeed crops.



"The recent rains across much of the province will make greenfeed

crops grown for hay or grazing a viable option for many producers,"

Upshall said.



Greenfeed crops can be very valuable in terms of providing supplement

grazing throughout the summer months or to increase producers'

winterfeed stocks.



Most greenfeed crops can be planted safely up until the middle of

July. "Farmers wanting technical information on the suitability of

spring seeded crops for pasture and hay should contact their local

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Extension Agrologists," Upshall

said.



Producers who have selected crop insurance on crops suitable for

greenfeed production can seed and insure greenfeed crops up until July

15. As well, those crop insurance customers who have worked down a

crop may want to consider growing greenfeed. Crop insurance customers

are encouraged to call their Customer Service Office about the

alternatives available to help them manage crop losses and feed

shortages.



"While recent rains have improved the growing conditions for much

of the province, there continues to be pockets around the

province which are desperately in need of moisture," Upshall

said. "Producers who don't need feed supplies for their own farm

may want to grow greenfeed crops for producers in other areas."



Minister Upshall again asked any producers with excess hay or

pasture to list it on the provincial government's Feed Grain and

Forage Listing Service. "They should list any available

supplies, be it excess pasture, hay or edible straw," he said.

"Saskatchewan farmers have always demonstrated they are willing

to help one another. Ensuring that surplus forage is made

available is a good way to help."



The listing service can be reached toll-free at 1-800-667-7564

from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. This service is free of

charge.



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For more information, contact:



Sandra Stanger

Extension Services

Regina

Phone: (306)787-5216



Bev Cleveland

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance

Corporation

Melville

Phone: (306)728-7211



Feed Grain and Forage Listing

Service

Statistics Branch

Regina

Phone: (306)787-5951