CANORA, Sask. – Preliminary data from research at Saskatchewan sites shows no significant yield effect from using fungicides on oats. Agronomist Bill May said other factors are more important than fungicide treatments. His research is looking at when fungicide application provides an economic benefit to control crown rust. There is also a general belief among […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Persistent rain throws wrench into haying plans
High humidity and frequent rain showers are keeping hay crops from drying enough to bale and adding to farmers’ frustration this year. Saskatchewan provincial forage specialist Michel Tremblay said the issue has become quality versus quantity. “Producers are well aware that the timing of harvest has a large impact on quality,” Tremblay said last week. […] Read more
Litter needed to keep pasture healthy
Above average rainfall across most of the Prairies has led to excellent rangeland grazing conditions. However, ranchers in northwestern Alberta, where drought is still occurring, would say otherwise. Litter is an insurance policy in this situation, said Chris Nykoluk, range management specialist with Agriculture Canada’s agri-environment services branch. The leftover vegetation that lies on top […] Read more
Floods contaminate rural wells
The water that devastated the Maple Creek, Sask., area more than a month ago continues to cause problems for people who rely on wells for drinking water. About half of private wells tested by the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority since the June 18 flood have failed to meet drinking water standards for nitrates, E. coli, or […] Read more
Development agency gets CEO
Chris Dekker is the new chief executive officer of Enterprise Saskatchewan. Dekker most recently served as senior vice-president of marketing and communications for the organization. He previously was the manager of public and intergovernmental affairs and special projects at the City of Saskatoon. Enterprise Saskatchewan was established two years ago as an economic development agency […] Read more
Farms, oil firms have tense relationship
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. – Ranchers have shared their land with the energy industry for more than 50 years, but the relationship can be uneasy. Rick Leslie, an Agriculture Canada land resource technician based in Saskatchewan, said the two sectors often view the land differently. What an oil company employee once told him was a wasteland […] Read more
Restoration project clones historic Sask. barn
INDIAN HEAD, Sask. – The reconstructed Bell Barn hasn’t opened yet but already people have stopped in to see it and sign the guest book. Jerry Willerth, vice-chair of the Bell Barn Society, said the round stone barn and its history captivate locals and tourists, something he expects will continue after the July 24 grand […] Read more
Spotlight shines on goats
YORKTON, Sask. – Lorraine Keeping pulled double duty at the triple dairy goat show held here during the summer fair. The Christopher Lake, Sask., resident was both showing and judging goats during the event. “It definitely fills up the day,” she said at the conclusion of the dairy buck and junior doe shows that opened […] Read more
Soggy spring tests farm support plans
Governments are responding to agricultural, municipal and homeowner damages caused by heavy rainfall and storms across the Prairies this spring and summer. In this special report, Western Producer reporter Karen Briere surveys the response and digs into the details beyond the announcements. YORKTON, Sask. – Prime minister Stephen Harper received a bird’s-eye view last week […] Read more
Farmers look to aid programs
Marie Bohnet lost two acres of grapes when the skies opened and drenched southwestern Saskatchewan last month. She and her husband, Marty, own Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery and spent nearly two weeks without customers after the flood washed out their road. They were back in business July 1 but Bohnet said the final losses, […] Read more
