In ovo treatment | Beginning in May, the Chicken Farmers of Canada will restrict the use of Category 1 antibiotics for preventive uses
Chicken Farmers of Canada has adopted a new policy that will restrict farmers’ use of some antibiotics. Beginning May 15, the organization will no longer allow Category 1 antibiotics to be used for preventive purposes. The change is included in the organization’s national on-farm food safety program. Category 1 antibiotics are those deemed to be […] Read moreStories by Dan Yates
Prairie dog communication attracting new interpretations
Prairie dogs are famous performers, known for a rapid and animated display described by one biologist as the wave. The exhibition has long been documented by researchers and observed by others, although its precise purpose has remained unclear. After studying black-tailed prairie dogs, a species with a small population in southern Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park, […] Read more
Producers urged to limit glyphosate
Chem-fallow fields an issue | Growers advised to stop using glyphosate as standalone herbicide
An Agriculture Canada weed scientist is praising farmers two years after a new herbicide resistant weed was discovered in Western Canada. However, while Hugh Beckie said many growers are taking the necessary steps to delay the spread of herbicide resistant weeds, some may want to rethink how they employ chem-fallow fields in their cropping systems. […] Read moreAntibiotic user fee proposed to curb use, prevent resistance
A University of Calgary economist is calling for user fees for antibiotic use in livestock. Aidan Hollis, who studies pharmaceutical markets, believes an additional fee on all antibiotic use in livestock would deter low-level uses of antibiotics, reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance and generate funds to encourage the development of new drugs. Specifically, the […] Read more
Flax council targets doctors, touts health claim
Health claim allowed | Food producers can officially say flax lowers cholesterol and risk of heart disease
The Flax Council of Canada hopes to win new customers by appealing to both their hearts and their doctors. The organization announced last week that its submission to Health Canada for a health claim that links daily consumption of flaxseed to lower cholesterol has been approved. Industry and food producers can now use flaxseed to […] Read moreSask. flax commission to provide refund cheques annually to reduce costs
The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission will be handing out fewer cheques in the upcoming crop year. Beginning in 2014-15, producers applying for a refund of their flax levy will see the funds returned annually rather than twice a year, similar to the canola levy. Members approved the motion Jan. 15 at the organization’s annual general […] Read more
Mustard sector looks to hike yields
Mustard researchers are gearing up for a foot race of sorts with their canola counterparts. Pete Desai, president of Mustard 21 Canada, which manages research funding from government and industry partners, said the long-term goal is to attain 85 percent of the yields achieved by canola, whose funding dwarfs what mustard receives. It’s a 50 […] Read more
Sask. flax commission changes refund cheque policy
The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission will be handing out fewer cheques in the upcoming crop year. Beginning in 2014-15, producers applying for a refund of their flax levy will see the funds returned annually rather than twice a year, similar to the canola levy. Members approved the motion Jan. 15 at the organization’s annual general […] Read more
Maturing times still an issue for soybeans in Saskatchewan
Growing soybeans in Saskatchewan is still a race against the clock. To succeed, producers must carefully consider the variety’s corn heat units and days to maturity as well as their individual frost-free growing period. “Look for as much info as you can if you’re interested in this crop.… Especially in these kind of frontier areas […] Read more
New green pea varieties could soon be available
New varieties could supplant a favourite of green pea producers in Saskatchewan. CDC Striker, which was released more than a decade ago, dominates acres dedicated to the specialty crop. “It does underline that Striker is a good performer, has good seed quality, that is appreciated by the industry,” Tom Warkentin, a pulse breeder at the […] Read more
