Valley Farm Conservation Plan

By

Martin Van Osch

Agassiz Field Office, Ducks Unlimited Canada,

Manitoba Canada

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Introduction

Manitoba’s farming landscape has been continually changing since the early

1900’s. Recently farmers have lost most of their crop and transportation subsides; as a

result the family farm is ever evolving. Today’s farms are much larger and more diverse

economic units. This diversification has allowed farmers to take advantage of local

markets and commodity prices within a given geographic region. The Manitoba farm

economy has shift from a primarily grain oriented market to greater amounts of livestock.

Farmer’s have diversified into hogs, cattle, poultry and grain.

Site Description

These market forces have been no different for Valley Farms of Selkirk,

Manitoba. This is a 1,200 hectare family farm located 2.4 km’s south/east of East Selkirk

(Fig. 1). Common crops include cereal grains, oil seeds and peas. Cereal crops are rotate

annually with oil seed crops and peas. This rotation decreases the occurrence of disease

and the need for fertilisers. Along with cropping production, there is an 800-sow hog

operation, with piglets remaining on the farm from feral to wean. Part of the crop

production is used on the farm as feed for their hog operation. Market prices will

determine the amount of feed local grown or purchased from local feed mills.

Soils in the region are predominantly Marquette, Osborne and Red River clay

(Fig. 2,3,4,5 & Table 1). These soil types are poorly drained and have resulted in the use

of a two-pass, fall cultivation system. This is used to reduce soil moisture in early spring.

Fields in the area are naturally flat with few contours. Stones are also common on some

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parcels of property. Stones are picked and placed on headlands in rock piles. Lowland

areas are high in organic material; productivity on these parcels is dependent upon

weather. Drainage is offered through a network of drains, ditches, channelized and

natural streams.

Habitat in the area is a matrix of cropland, forest, riparian and grassland (Fig.

6,7,8,9 & Table 2). Cropland makes up the majority of available habitat. Agriculture has

been part of this landscape for over 100 years and as a result the wildlife in the area have

adapted to this land use. In recent years urbanisation has increased in the rural settings.

As a result, local urban development is changing the landscape at a greater rate then that

of agricultural development. Large tracks of land have been developed into smaller

parcels of manicured property. This type of landscape change offers little in the way of

wildlife benefits; the one exception is that some landowners have placed wood duck (Aix

sponsa) nest boxes along the creek to provide nesting habitat for these birds.

Wildlife in the area is abundant and diverse. Different wildlife species include

local herds of whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginiannus). Herd populations depend upon

yearly weather patterns. Two herds of 10 and 15 deer inhabit areas around Cooks Creek

and Devils Creek near Fields 4 and 10 (Fig. 8&9). Beavers (Castor canadensis) are

common along the creeks which transverse the properties. Dams are present along the

creeks; these offer ideal ponds for other wildlife. Waterfowl (Anatidae spp.) also use the

creeks during summer as nesting habitat and staging areas. Sharp-tailed grouse

(Pedioecetes phasianellus) and gray partridge (Perdix perdix) have been seen along the

headlands. These populations are sparse, but healthy; increased habitat and feeding areas

would assist in population growth. Songbirds, owls (Tytonidae spp.) and hawks

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(Accipitridae spp.) can be found along wooded margins and forested areas. Grassland

birds use cropped areas and field borders as habitat. Finally, rock piles and field margins

offer habitat for a variety small mammals.

Hog operations on the property offer unique habitat and nutrient opportunities.

Hog manure is applied once a year during the fall. The use of injector units insures that

the available nutrients stay on site for crop use. Currently there is a total of 7.5 million

litres of hog manure to be applied in fall to cropland. This manure is applied at a rate of

65,000 litres per hectare. Shelterbelts have been planted around the hog barns and

lagoons for odour control. These shelterbelts provide habitat for some wildlife. Waste

areas are left in grass along the storage lagoon and barns, these too can be used by

wildlife.

A 36-hectare portion of their property is rented out as pastureland. This land

typically holds 25 cow/calf units. These animals are left on the pastureland from the

beginning of summer until the forage has been used up. In wet years this can be well into

late summer, but on dry years it is much earlier. Part of the pastureland is adjacent to

Cooks Creek. To ensure good water quality and a healthy riparian, cattle are currently

fenced off from the creek.

Goals

Future goals for the Valleys are to attain more parcels of land around the

farmstead to increase the amount of land available for manure application and crop

production. In two lowland areas they would like to plant a forage crop that could handle

the soil moisture and provide an income in drier years through forage sales. Mr. Valley

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hopes to have one of these areas converted to grasses and forbs within the next five years.

Currently there are no local programs that would assist in converting and conserving

these temporary wetlands.

Crop selection for next year’s fields is dependent upon local markets and

environmental conditions. The Valleys do not see any major change in the crops grown

in the next five years. They are pleased with current hog production on the farm and feel

that growth in this area is also dependent upon markets. The expanding hog market in

Manitoba is difficult to predict beyond a year and activities in this area are coming under

increasing scrutiny.

One concern on the farm is the control of disease around the hog barns. For this

reason habitat enhancement around the barns was not a viable option. Birds, rodents and

pets can carry disease into the hog barn and cause major economic and livestock losses.

Although the Valleys enjoy feeding the birds and seeing wildlife around the farm, caution

had to be exercised as to the location of any activities that might attract wildlife to this

area.

Conservation & Enhancements

The Valleys are pleased with the abundance and diversity of wildlife on their

property. They feel that wildlife adds to rural living and enjoy watching the many

interactions that occur in their fields. Although farm production is of major importance,

they still take time out to visit the natural features on their property. The absence of local

wildlife in the area would not only be a loss for local wildlife populations, but also affect

rural aesthetics.

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One interest that the family has is making bluebird (Sialia spp.) nest boxes. These

would be placed on hydro poles, trees and fence poles surrounding their fields. The nest

boxes could be used by a number of local wildlife populations in the area. These include

tree swallows (Iridoprocne bicolor) and house wrens (Troglodytes aedon). There is the

possibility of eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) using the nest boxes also. Bluebird

populations are rare, but they can be found throughout south-eastern Manitoba. Bluebird

boxes would be put up in the spring of 2001 and this will co-inside with spring migration.

This would make the nest boxes available for this year nesting activities.

Local deer populations in the area are a welcome sight. There is some concern

over high population numbers similar to those in western Manitoba. This concern is not

unfounded, high deer populations have caused crop damage and loss of farm income.

Local populations currently do not damage crops and improve the atheistic appeal of the

area. Natural elements and hunting should keep these populations in check with little

concern over crop depredation. Agricultural expansion is limited in the Selkirk area and

the major threat for habitat destruction would be urban growth.

The abundant cover along creeks found on their properties provides habitat for

wildlife. Beavers are common and pose little threat to agricultural activities on the

surrounding fields. Waterfowl in the area also use the creeks and pose little threat. Crop

harvest is generally completed well before fall migration and the Valley often stop to

watch migrating waterfowl feeding on harvested fields.

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Timeline

Of major importance to Valley Farms is to maintain current wildlife populations

and diversity. This can be achieved by maintaining current habitat and cropping

practices. The Valleys don’t see any major changes in their farming practices over the

next five years. Buffers and marginal land are to be left in their current state. This will

maintain available land to wildlife in the area. Possibly the greatest threat to local

wildlife in selected areas is urban expansion. Little can change these activities except

municipal bylaws and agricultural land protection acts.

Blue bird nest boxes will be fabricated by the Valleys and placed out in fields as a

family activity. This will be done in the spring of 2001 and the nest boxes will be

available for migrating birds. A total of six nest boxes will be built, with more boxes

being constructed in future years. Exact location will be determined upon the suitability

of a given field. Because of disease concerns in livestock production, areas around the

barn will be avoided.

One low-lying area is to be planted and left idle within the next five years.

Specific timelines are difficult to predict due to environmental conditions and the need of

these areas for manure application. This area is to be established into a forb/grass

component that is usable for hay production during dry years; during wet seasons the land

will be left idle. The planting of forbs and grasses will increase the allowable manure

application rate and allow for greater amounts of manure to be applied to a smaller area.

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Costs

Since the bluebird boxes will be constructed as a family activity, there will be no

labour costs associate with construction. Western red cedar will be chosen as

construction material, this wood has several properties that are beneficial to birds and it is

resistant to rot. The current cost of western red cedar is $1.09 Canadian per linear foot.

A total of 5 feet will be needed for each nest box; therefore each box will cost $5.45 plus

local taxes (14%). The use of cedar means that there is no need for paint or preservatives

to protect the lumber from weathering. Incidental costs will result in an extra $1.00 per

box. Total cost for construction of six bluebird nest boxes will be $44.19 Canadian

(Table 3).

The cost are higher for conversion of lowlands to idle/hay land. The optimum

seed for this location is a low land blend produced by Brett & Young Seeds in Winnipeg,

Manitoba. The cost of this seed is $2.21 per pound and is packaged in 55 lbs. quantities.

A total of 10 hectares (25 acres) is to be planted into this low land mix. The seeding rate

is 10 pounds per acre of land; therefore the cost for seed is $552.50 for this portion of

land. An initial pass of glyphosate will be required to kill any weeds found on site. The

cost of glyphosate is $9.95 per acre and custom application is $5.00 per acre. The total

cost for one application of glyphosate on the 10-hectare parcel is $373.75. This will

ensure a clean field for planting (Table 3).

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Valley Farms for their time and allowing me to develop a

farm plan for their property. I would also like to thank Ducks Unlimited Canada for use

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of their facility, resources and equipment in the development of the conservation farm

plan. A final thanks to Tracey Dorvault for the help she had in the final development of

the farm plan.

1. Michalyna, W., Gardiner, Wm. & Podolsky, G. Soils of The Winnipeg Region Study

Area. Department of Agriculture, Department of Mines and Natural Resources,

Department of Soil Science University of Manitoba 1-239, (1975).

2. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Selkirk. Department of Energy, Mines

and Resources Canada 62I, (1994).

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Figure 1 Field location and surrounding landscape features1.

Field Borders

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Figure 2 Soil map for Sec. 5-8, 17-18 of Twp 13, Rge 6e and Sec 1-4, 9-14 of Twp 13, Rge 5e2.

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Figure 3 Soil map for Sec.5-8 of Twp 13, Rge 5e2.

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Figure 4 Soil map for Sec. 19-21, 28-33 of Twp 12, Rge 6e and Sec 22-27, 34-36 of Twp 12, Rge 5e2.

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Figure 5 Soil map for Sec 24-25, 36 of Twp 13, Rge 5e2.

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Figure 6 Site map of habitat types on field number 1.

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Figure 7 Site map of habitat types on field number 2.

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Figure 8 Site map of habitat types on field numbers 3 to 7.

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Figure 9 Site map of habitat types on field numbers 8 to 12.

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Table 1 Distribution of habitat types for each field farmed by Valley Farms.

Field Cover Type (ha) Field Linear Number Riparian Wetland Bush Other Size (ha) Edge (km)

1 7 1.5 125 6.9 2 9 21 188 6.4 3 10 2 3.6 64 4.4 4 35 238 10.3 5 2.9 61 3.4 6 2.1 61 5.1 7 10.6 10.9 91 8.5 8 9.4 129 6.7 9 7.8 97 6.1

10 13.1 97 4.9 11 4.5 64 3.7 12 0.8 25 2

Totals 59.1 12.9 66.3 12.9 1240 68.4

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Table 2 Symbols and soil types found on Valley Farms cropping fields2.

Map Symbol Soil Name Surface Texture Phase Drainage Aa2 Aneda Loam Mod. Stony Well to Mod. Dc Dencross Clay Well to Mod. In2 Inwood Loam Mod. Stony Imperfect Ko Kline Clay Mixed Till Variant Poor Lj Libau Clay Mixed Till Variant Well to Mod. Lyc Leary Loamy Sand Undulating Well to Mod. Mp Marquette Clay Mixed Till Variant Imperfect Oc Osborne Clay Poor Pf Peguis Clay Mixed Till Variant Imperfect Pn Pelan Loamy Fine Sand Imperfect Pr Pine Ridge Fine Sand Well to Mod. Rr Red River Clay Imperfect Sc Scanterbury Clay Imperfect

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Table 3 Cost estimate of planned activities for a five-year period.

Enhancement Cost (Can. $) Total Cost (Can. $) Timeline Lowland Seed Blend 2.21 / LB 552.50 2006 Glyphosate 9.95 / acre 248.75 2005 Glyphosate Application 5.00 / acre 125.00 2005 Cedar 1.09 / foot 32.70 2001