Using this Tool

In order to facilitate the use of the GIS mapping information contained on the CD the following describes an application to illustrate how to use the .jpg maps and information.

In order to compare or combine map information, the user must print overlays on overhead transparencies and by combining different map themes together one can identify associations between attributes. Also, the user could print the different maps individually and compare the relative information and associations between maps.

 Note that the information in the maps are at a macro scale or view of the province and is intended to assist in identifying comparative advantages between regions within the province in the context of opportunities for added value agriculture development.  

At this stage, the maps are not intended to evaluate one new “site specific development location”.

 For example the maps regarding water, power and gas lines do not show the actual physical exact locations for surveying or construction purposes.  (Please contact Sask Energy, Sask Water, Sask Power for exact location information).

Nor do the maps identify the markets that goods may be sold in or the cost to access and produce goods or services.

 Site-specific locational analysis is required in any project to determine the exact location of new development opportunities. The maps and use of the information is to assist decision makers in determining the number of possible geographic areas for new agriculture development opportunities. Lastly, financial, economic, legal, and regulatory information must be considered in any new development opportunity to determine the economic feasibility of any new initiative.

 1.  Example Application for Site Location Assessment Ethanol Plants

To compare geographic regions of the province for their relative ability to support ethanol plants one could use the following maps.

Assumptions:

            Smaller Ethanol plant 12-20 million litres

Feedstock is Wheat, Oats, and Barley

            Ethanol Market is Domestic Province 

            Output mash sold to feedlots

            Require access to Primary highways, Gas, Power and Water

The user could compare alternative locations of towns by comparing the following maps printed as overlays or by comparing the maps together as printouts from the various maps sections.           

                        Gas Lines  (from Infrastructure Section)

                        Power Lines  (from Infrastructure Section)

                        Water Lines (from Infrastructure Section)

                        Highway Road Network (from Infrastructure Section)

                        Feedlots (from Livestock Section)

                        Towns (from Urban Section)

                        Retail Gas Stations (from Value Section)

By combining or comparing maps they illustrate which towns offer the required services to potentially locate possible sites.  However, if the ethanol markets are out of province or to the United States rail transportation is required.  The rail network map may be used to show the type of rail accesses and service conditions of towns.

 Furthermore, one would also compare the regions or districts where crop feedstock is best suited around each town using maps in the Agriculture Production Section.  In the assessment of any new potential development opportunities, maps from the following sections could be used from the main categories and combined.

Water

Soil

Climate

Infrastructure - Utilities

Location of Processors

Urban Structure

Ag Production

 The maps do not show the markets for Agricultural Food Processing and the costs to service their respective markets, as they were not intended in the context of this study.

The maps and the method provide a tool for community planners to assess the strengths and some of the barriers in developing value added agriculture strategies. The study also provides a macro view of the province and can be used as starting point for external investors who are looking for a Saskatchewan location relative to other North American jurisdictions.

The intention of the maps is to provide a starting point to compare the relative attributes required in a site locational assessment of identifying the range of opportunities for new agricultural developments.

The following section outlines each map layer developed by activity, the source of information or developer of the base maps, the date and assumptions for data, the relevancy and application of the map in the context of the cluster assessment of towns and the contact name for further information of the map if required.