MOOSE JAW, Sask. – How much is an extra bushel per acre worth to you? Agricultural economist Richard Gray said farmers should consider investing in research as an investment in potential profit. The annual average rate of return on public crop research is 81 percent, he said. In most industries, anything more than 15 percent […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Bison herd grows by leaps and bounds
Two Plains bison herds reintroduced to the Saskatchewan prairie in the past several years are flourishing. Babies abound this year at both Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage conservation area and Grasslands National Park. Bob Santo of Nature Conservancy Canada said 33 calves were expected at Old Man on His Back this year. […] Read more
Large European farm show takes recruiting trip
The world’s largest agricultural machinery show was in Regina last month to encourage North American manufacturers and farmers to make a trip to Germany. The German Agricultural Society (DLG) has held Agritechnica every two years since 1985. Representatives attended the Western Canada Farm Progress Show in mid-June to pitch their show. Malene Conlong of DLG […] Read more
Relationships built during recession continue
Agricultural businesses will survive the recession, says a marketing professor from Queen’s School of Business. Ken Wong told the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan annual meeting in Regina June 19 that during tough times, companies can increase market share, reduce costs without sacrificing quality and enhance value at little or no cost. Proctor and Gamble, for […] Read more
Proper bit allows horse-rider communication
Choosing the right bit for a horse depends on the development of the animal and the rider, says one of Canada’s top horsemen. Jonathan Field of Abbotsford, B.C., told a workshop at the Western Canada Farm Progress Show that there is a universal misconception about bits. “The idea is that bits are for brakes.” Field […] Read more
Animals graze together, stay together
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Producers can protect lambs and calves from predators and ease grazing pressure by encouraging sheep and cattle to bond, says an American researcher. Dean Anderson, an animal scientist at the Jornada Experimental Range in the Chihuahua Desert near Las Cruces, New Mexico, said cattle and sheep typically don’t mix well together […] Read more
Send grain samples: grain commission
The 2009 crop is far from ready to harvest, but the Canadian Grain Commission is already looking for participants in its annual harvest sample program. Commissioner Cam Dahl told producers and industry officials at the Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina that the samples help determine the quality of the crop as it goes […] Read more
Centre lets kids be farmers
More than a few adults were wishing they could be kids again as they toured the new agricultural exhibit at the Saskatchewan Science Centre in Regina. Children from Shaunavon, Sask., and a Regina day care were all over the kid-sized combine, inland terminal play structure and a boat that takes lentils to India. Gazing up […] Read more
Drought help pondered
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud was contemplating more measures to help producers after a tour of drought-affected regions last week. He spent two days in west-central and northwest areas, meeting with producers and examining fields that should be lush and green by now. “The worst is right around Rosetown and Kindersley west,” he said in […] Read more
Money will expand Saskatchewan irrigated acres
Significant investment in three Saskatchewan irrigation districts is expected to expand the acreage and improve the infrastructure. The federal and provincial governments last week announced an investment of $5.3 million to increase capacity in the South Saskatchewan River, Riverhurst and Luck Lake irrigation districts. The bulk of the money, $4.77 million, is coming from the […] Read more
