The permanent closure of the XL Foods beef plant in Moose Jaw, Sask., puts Manitoba and Saskatchewan producers in a less competitive position, say industry leaders. Transport costs will affect producers who will have to continue to ship cattle to Alberta or the United States for processing at a federally inspected facility. Jay Fox, president […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Saskatchewan herd under quarantine after cattle die in second case of anthrax
Federal officials confirmed last week a second case of anthrax in southeast Saskatchewan. A cattle operation in the Rural Municipality of Fillmore lost 12 of its 135 head to the disease, said Lynn Bates, veterinary program officer with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The farm is in the same general area as the first case, […] Read more
Eco-Centre prepares to battle Mother Nature
Officials from the town and the Rural Municipality of Craik, Sask., are expected to meet with an engineer this week to find the best way to keep the Craik Eco-Centre from sliding down a hill.The Eco-Centre, which was built using environmentally friendly materials and methods houses the Solar Garden restaurant. It opened six years ago […] Read more
Anthrax cases on the rise in Sask.
The number of anthrax cases in Saskatchewan continues to rise.Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials confirmed a third positive case Aug. 22 in the Rural Municipality of Garden River northeast of Prince Albert.The farm under quarantine has a cattle operation.The other two cases were in southeast Saskatchewan and include bison, cattle and horses.No other cases have […] Read more
Second anthrax outbreak in southeast Sask.
A second case of anthrax has been reported in southeastern Saskatchewan.A farm in the Rural Municipality of Fillmore lost 12 of its 135 head to the disease, said Lynn Bates, veterinary program officer with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.Bates said the cattle farm was quarantined as soon as anthrax was suspected.”We’ve moved the cattle to […] Read more
Newcastle disease found in wild Sask. birds
People with backyard poultry flocks must pay added attention to biosecurity with the recent discovery of exotic Newcastle disease in wild birds in Saskatchewan.Kathryn Ross, animal health program officer with the provincial agriculture ministry, said the disease has not been found in domestic birds but producers should be aware of the possibility.About 1,000 wild cormorants […] Read more
Sask government tallies cost of flooding
Flooding will cost Saskatchewan taxpayers at least $161.7 million this year, mostly in agricultural payments for unseeded acreage. Finance minister Ken Krawetz last week released the government’s first quarter financial report, saying unexpected weather-related costs will be offset by increases in non-renewable resource revenue. “We have been able to meet some significant challenges and still […] Read more
Growers look for short season sunflower hybrids
CANORA, Sask. – Visitors to the East Central Research Foundation’s hybrid sunflower plots at Canora, Sask., have a tough time this year finding evidence that nitrogen rates make a difference in sunflowers. The plots were planted June 29 and are about a month behind where they should be. Wet weather has limited research into areas […] Read more
BHP Billiton sets sights on Potash Corp.
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan has rejected a $38.6-billion US hostile takeover bid by Australian mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd.BHP is the largest mining company in the world and is already developing a potash mine near Jansen, Sask. It also purchased several smaller companies recently, including Athabasca Potash, with plans for Saskatchewan potash mines.PCS is the […] Read more
Winter wheat requires stubble for protection
CANORA, Sask. – Winter wheat growers face a conundrum this year. While much of the unseeded acreage in Saskatchewan could potentially be seeded later this season to winter wheat, those fields lack adequate stubble to protect young seedlings. Ducks Unlimited Canada, which offers incentives to new and expanding growers with Bayer CropScience, recommends the crop […] Read more
