The Saskatchewan SPCA will no longer enforce provincial animal protection legislation, effective March 31. The organization said today it will focus on education and prevention of animal cruelty rather than investigating complaints of cruelty or neglect. Constance Roussel, chair of the SSPCA board, said animal welfare is a priority for the organization. “However, after much […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Cow-calf sector slow to innovate: rancher
It’s time to break away from the status quo and give new ideas a try to maximize profits and production
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — As good as things are in the cattle business, Kit Pharo knows that will change. The rancher from Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, says most people in the industry won’t be ready. “What are you going to do when calf prices go back to where they were three years ago?” he said at […] Read moreNew tax deferral program announced for breeding cattle sales
Western Canadian livestock producers in designated regions will be able to defer tax on breeding cattle sales for 2014. The federal government announced Dec. 30 that producers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba who faced feed shortfalls due to weather would be eligible for the deferral. Last year dealt drought in B.C. and Alberta […] Read more
Rules, regulations & restrictions: How to navigate manure management policies
Alberta:
ALBERTA There are two key things Vince Murray wants Alberta livestock producers to remember about manure management: do soil tests and keep records. Murray, an Agricultural Operation Practices Act engineer with Alberta Agriculture, said Alberta’s legislation governs intensive livestock operations and those who handle 500 tonnes of manure a year. He said the operation and […] Read more
Heifer sale raises $48,000 for brothers’ legacy
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — It’s the season for giving, and Saskatchewan people did that in a big way last week as they built a bursary fund established to honour three brothers killed in farm accidents. Three bred heifers from Bircham Ranch at Piapot, Sask., one each for Blake, Sean and Lyndon Arnal, sold for a […] Read more
Producers warned conditions ideal for anthrax
Anthrax has killed three cattle in the Saskatchewan Rural Municipality of Hazel Dell, but provincial officials say there doesn’t appear to be a widespread outbreak. However, Dr. Wendy Wilkins, disease surveillance veterinarian in Saskatchewan Agriculture’s animal health unit, warns that vaccinations done last spring are likely wearing off and producers should be vigilant, particularly in […] Read more
CleanFarms program to expand reach
A major agricultural recycling organization has joined Recycle Sask-atchewan. CleanFarms, best known for collecting empty pesticide and fertilizer containers, becomes the sixth program to join the umbrella organization. However, it is the first voluntary program to join; the province regulates the other five. Kim Timmer, manager of stakeholder relations for CleanFarms, said the organization has […] Read more
Anthrax confirmed in east central Sask.
Anthrax has killed one cow in the Saskatchewan rural municipality of Hazel Dell and is suspected as the cause of death in two other cattle in the herd. The province said Dec. 12 that slough hay contaminated by soil is the likely source of the anthrax. Producers are reminded that anthrax spores can remain in […] Read more
Limit barley in bison feed
Balancing act | Animals need healthy ratio of forage and barley
Bison finishers should make sure they don’t go overboard feeding barley, says a researcher from Thompson Rivers University. John Church told the Canadian Bison Association annual convention that health conscious consumers are looking for the nutritional attributes in bison meat. However, those qualities fade if bison aren’t fed the right diet. “One of the strengths […] Read moreRelationships beat facts in food debate
Farmers can present all the facts they want on a particular issue but still won’t necessarily change consumers’ minds, says the director of the Missouri-based Centre for Food Integrity. “Facts don’t rule the day for consumers,” Roxi Beck told the Canadian Bison Association annual convention. She said consumers are drawn to ideas of people they […] Read more
