Riparian areas need care | Minimize grazing during sensitive periods
Hardworking ranchers are advised to keep rest in mind. Lorne Klein told a recent pasture school program in Saskatoon that a generation ago, the word “rest” might not have been in a prairie producer’s vocabulary or in his plans for pasture. “Up until 20 years ago, up until 30 years ago, the level of pasture […] Read moreStories by Dan Yates
Update to B.C. animal health act fails to pass muster
Proposed bill | B.C.’s privacy commissioner criticized one section of the bill that could prevent disease information disclosures
Last month’s controversy over a proposed update to British Columbia’s Animal Health Act was overblown, say livestock officials. B.C.’s Liberal government had tried in May to pass a bill that would have established a new process for disease outbreak detection and containment. However, a section of the act concerning privacy drew criticism from B.C.’s information […] Read moreResearchers study link between ticks, horses
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are trying to get a better understanding of ticks and how they could affect horses. They are asking Saskatchewan horse owners to participate in an ongoing survey by submitting samples of ticks they find on their animals. The research stems from a case in 2010 in which a horse […] Read more
Yara to double capacity at Sask. fertilizer plant
A proposed expansion will see fertilizer manufacturer Yara double production at its facility near Belle Plaine, Sask., and bring a new product to the Canadian market, says a company official. Yara announced June 11 that its board has approved a project that will produce an additional 1.3 millions tonnes of urea annually. It will double […] Read more
BASF to collect production data to assess farm practices
While Pulse Canada is developing a carbon footprint calculator, BASF Canada is testing its own tool on Canadian canola. A study conducted by the company will compare production data information from 1995 with the 2010 growing season, with its more intensive production, high-yielding varieties and new soil conservation practices. “We’ve gone from growing a conventional […] Read more
University of Saskatchewan gets green light for emissions study
Federal gov’t gives $3.4 million for research Five-year initiative will look into ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ag practices
A $3.4 million parcel from the federal government will fund research at the University of Saskatchewan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices. The funds will be invested into the U of S through the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program, a five-year, $27 million initiative that’s providing research dollars to projects across the country. From […] Read moreWeed resistance growing concern across country
Number up from 2009 survey | A recent survey showed 31 percent of fields had resistant weeds
According to growers, herbicide-resistant weeds are affecting the bottom lines of producers across the country. In a recently released poll, commissioned by BASF Canada, 75 percent of Canadian producers said that herbicide-resistant weeds are having either a small to large impact on their earnings. The results didn’t surprise BASF’s Michael Schaad, the company’s business manager, […] Read moreMore moose dining in farmers’ fields
Hunting opportunities | 1,300 hunting tags were available this year compared to 250 in 2005
If it seems like moose are being spotted walking through fields and towns around Saskatchewan with increasing frequency, there’s good reason. When I go pheasant hunting, as an example, 10 years ago if we saw a moose we’d all stop and take a picture of it,” said Darrell Crabbe, executive director of the Saskatchewan WIldlife […] Read more
Prepare for the unexpected, says meteorologist
Wind, hail, tornadoes | Expert says when various climatic conditions come together a storm can escalate quickly
Armchair weathermen trying to stay ahead of the summer storm season are advised to listen for warnings and keep an eye on the sky. Like any seasonal forecast, springtime predictions about summer storms on the Prairies are best taken with a grain of salt, says John Cragg, Environment Canada’s new weather preparedness meteorologist in Saskatchewan. […] Read more‘Lost Canadian’ Scott takes fight for citizenship to court
Legal loophole Jackie Scott is part of a small group of children, born out of wedlock, who can’t become Canadian citizens
The daughter of a Canadian war bride is seeking her citizenship, more than 60 years after she arrived in this country. Jackie Scott was born in England to a Canadian soldier and his future war bride and moved to Canada in 1948 when she was two. She grew up in Ontario, raised a daughter and […] Read more
