Extension On Demand
By Natasha Wilkie, BSc, PAg, Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist, Weyburn
Whether you need quick answers and advice regarding nutrition or would like to catch up on some learning, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture has resources that fit your needs, when you need them.
Everyone accesses information in different formats—it all depends on what issues need to be addressed, what time of day it is or how much time they have available. Ministry regional offices are staffed with extension specialists Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer your livestock or forage-related questions on the phone or during an office visit. We also have numerous resources available including written articles, fact sheets and calculators that cover different topics like rations, feeding breakeven cost considerations, production and even information on building business plans for your livestock operation, including bison and sheep.
For those times there are only a few minutes to spend on learning, extension specialists have prepared short video clips that can be found on YouTube. These videos highlight information on cattle, bison, sheep and goats. You can learn about calculating mineral intake for livestock, the ins and outs of using CowBytes for ration formulation as well as body condition scoring sheep.
Ministry specialists are often involved in demonstration projects that examine new technologies and their applicability to Saskatchewan livestock operations. The results for some of these studies can also be found in short YouTube clips. This way, you can listen to the portion that is pertinent to your livestock operation. There are also segments that outline how livestock and feed extension specialists can assist your operation, including feed and water testing.
If social media is your preference, the ministry has a presence on Facebook and X. Make sure to follow us to get a sneak peek into what is happening across the province or for those friendly reminders throughout the year that focus on production tips, such as increasing energy content of livestock diets during cold snaps.
Always remember, for those times you want to speak with someone directly, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 to connect with your regional livestock and feed extension specialist. They will provide assistance with any of your livestock or forage-related inquiries.
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
