The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission has released a new manual for durum wheat growers.

“The purpose of the durum production manual is to promote sustainable production of durum wheat on the Canadian Prairies and enable Canada to provide a consistent and increased supply of durum wheat with high quality to international and domestic markets,” the commission says on its website.

Along with an overview of global durum production and consumption, the 84-page manual has sections on planning, pest management, and “harvesting to marketing.”

The planning section covers variety selection, optimum crop rotation, planting dates and seeding rates, seed treatment, fertilizer management, and using precision ag tools.

The pest management section has articles on integrated weed management, controlling diseases, and reducing crop losses from pests.

The harvest and marketing section covers storage and a long-term look at sustainability and profitability.

Among the authors are Ross McKenzie, who worked as a provincial agronomist for 38 years for Alberta Agriculture; retired Ag Canada wheat breeder Ron DePauw; and a number of well-known Alberta crop researchers.

The free manual can be downloaded at saskwheat.ca.