CONSERVATION
AWARD
The Greaves Family: Karen, Brian, Alison and Mark
The Greaves Yard Site 2004
The Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District is honoured to announce our Conservation Award for 2009. This year we present The Greaves Family owners of Silver Bend Ranch.
Brian Greaves, along with his wife Karen and their children Alison and Mark, farm Silver Bend Ranch, a cow/calf and sheep operation, established in 1993 on 2 1/4 sections just north of Miniota.
Previously, the land had been cropped and summer fallowed and was badly eroded.
Improving the land and the environment to ensure long term sustainability is central to decision making on Silver Bend Ranch.
One of their first projects was to plant farm yard and field shelter belts with assistance from PFRA. Over the last 16 years they have continued to expand their field shelter belts with assistance from Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District (UARCD) and fence off and re-establish existing shelter belts.
They also sowed much of their land down to permanent pasture using zero tillage.
The whole farm had been boundary fenced. Subdividing the pastures with electric fencing was a priority to allow for rotational grazing and multi-species grazing. This has been an ongoing practice over the last 16 years.
Brian was a director of the Miniota Soil Conservation District from 1995 until it was absorbed by the newly formed Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District.
Over the last 16 years, the Greaves have completed many projects in partnership with the UARCD. They have fenced off dugouts and installed solar pumps and troughs. A dike was built to restore a previously drained wetland area. Two cattle crossings were built to protect this area. A summer water system was installed and expanded over the years. Their latest project is a remote solar winter water supply.
The Greaves have also partnered with other organizations in their conservation endeavours. They took part in Green Cover Canada to increase their land sown down to permanent pasture. They also partnered with the RM of Miniota when they donated the use of their land for the establishment of the Silver Bend Hiking Trail.
Fencing off riparian areas is an ongoing project. Winter bale feeding is now part of their feeding strategy. Composting of dead stock is being used. Brian has also completed an Environmental Farm Plan.
Together, these conservation and environmental initiatives have greatly increased the productivity and sustainability of Silver Bend Ranch and further conservation and environmental initiatives will continue to be a central part of the future management on the Greaves' Ranch.
PAST WINNERS: 2008-Mickey
& Gloria Hersak (Conservation Farms) 2007-Wayne &
Isobel Basso 2006-Grip Fast
Farms Doug Turnbull & Carol Lanz-Turnbull & Family 2005-Ryan &
Kendra Sitko & Family 2004-Huybrecht
Family 2003-Waller Family
Farm 2002 - Bob
& Barb Kostesky & Family 2001 - Ja-Lyn Farms- The Lowes
Family. 2000 - Mark & Cindy Morton & family 1999 - Les & Marlene Bryant & family.1998 - Cyril & Teri Laferriere &
family 1997
- Kevin & Kay Lelond & family
