MOOSE JAW, Sask. — The cost of vaccination is far outweighed by the cost of losses due to some common cattle ailments, said Western Beef Development Centre economist Kathy Larson. At the WBDC, she calculated a cost of $26.20 per cow to vaccinate for blackleg, anthrax, diarrhea and respiratory diseases, plus parasite control. “Low cost […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Outstanding young farmers focus on improving soil health
Derek and Tannis Axten from Minton are Saskatchewan’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2017. The couple received the honour during Canada’s Farm Progress Show in Regina last week and will compete at the national level in Penticton, B.C., later this year. The grain farmers have for the last several years focused on building soil health through […] Read more
Farm show organizers pleased with exhibits, business generated
International business conducted at Canada’s Farm Progress Show was at least $360 million, show organizers said as the 40th anniversary of the Regina event wrapped up last week. Add in domestic and future sales and the value of the show is significant, they said. Visitors from 65 countries were registered, including trade delegations from Australia, […] Read more
Farm Progress celebrates Heritage Day
It’s the final day of Canada’s Farm Progress Show for 2017 and organizers are celebrating Heritage Day in honour of the 40th anniversary. A team of Clydesdales will lead the antique tractor parade around the grounds today, winding through the latest innovations in farm equipment at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Rain and wind yesterday […] Read more
Bees key to fruit, honey farm success
U-pick fruit and vegetable gardens and award-winning on-farm meadery rely on a healthy bee population
CARON, Sask. — Vickie and Dennis Derksen feel a strong sense of responsibility toward their bees. Without them, their retirement project wouldn’t be the “cool and wonderful thing” that Vickie says it is. “It’s like having any kind of animal and you want to look after them properly,” she said. Adds Dennis: “We fell in […] Read more
PED virus spreading in Man.
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has asked the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to examine its transportation protocols as PED virus spreads rapidly in Manitoba. The province has reported 22 cases of the pig disease since May 2. CFIA discontinued a pilot truck washing protocol a year ago that was implemented after the initial 2014 outbreak. […] Read more
Trade spat erupts over EU cheese import quota
Canada’s dairy farmers and processors would not comment last week on reports of a spat brewing over cheese allocations under the incoming trade agreement with the European Union. Most measures under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement are expected to take effect July 1. The agreement will allow an additional 16,000 tonnes of high-quality cheese […] Read more
Spring fed cattle market tops expectations
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Cattle markets are doing better than Anne Wasko forecast last fall, but the analyst says producers shouldn’t get complacent. “What goes up will also go the other direction,” the president of Cattle Trends Inc. said after a presentation at the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association annual convention June 12. Volatility continues to […] Read more
Sask. ranchers oppose federal pasture partners
Some pastures will be owned by Environment Canada, which ranchers fear will ‘change policies and plans’ on a whim
Ranchers who use former federal pastures in southwestern Sask-atchewan aren’t happy about a proposed land swap between Ottawa and Regina. The plan would see the Nashlyn, Battle Creek and Govenlock pastures all operated by Environment Canada rather than the province. In exchange, the province would obtain title to the non-reversionary, or federally owned land, in […] Read more
Anyone up for a goat yoga class?
Participants benefit from the physical therapy of yoga and the ‘mental therapy’ of being with cuddly dwarf goats
MAPLE CREEK, Sask. — Yoga practitioners are familiar with downward dog, but downward goat? Yoga goat classes are now underway at the Downward Goat in a barn at Grotto Gardens in Maple Creek, Sask. There, people can combine the physical therapy of yoga with the “mental therapy” of being around dwarf goats. Dana Hassett, who […] Read more
