SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. – Twenty years after water quality problems were first linked to cattle performance, livestock experts say it is still underappreciated. “We take water for granted,” said Bob Klemmer, a Saskatchewan livestock development specialist. Yet it is the most important nutrient for cattle, added Andrew Olkowski, a researcher in the University of Saskatchewan’s […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Save money with feed management
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. – Beef producers should more efficiently manage feed and its costs during the winter, says research scientist Bart Lardner. Lardner of the Western Beef Development Centre at Lanigan, Sask., told producers attending a conference here that feed costs represent 60 to 75 percent of a cow’s annual cost. With hay prices sitting […] Read more
Lighting up for less
How many people does it take to change a light bulb? Proponents of Project Porchlight hope the answer is millions. With its partners, and thousands of volunteers, the program intends to deliver more than 1.5 million compact fluorescent light bulbs in four provinces and two American states. Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario participated in […] Read more
Emergency strychnine recipe still available in gopher fight
The use of two percent liquid strychnine in Saskatchewan’s war on gophers will continue for another year. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency has approved the province’s application to extend the emergency registration of the rodenticide until July 31, 2009. “It’s a tool we need to have available for us when we need it,” said Doug […] Read more
Pros, cons of different calving times
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. – Calving dates always generate debate. Is it better to calve in the January cold, the iffy weather of April or the warmth of June? Three producers offered their perspective at the recent Foraging into the Future conference. Winter Karla and Jason Hicks of Bluestone Stock Farms near Mortlach, Sask., start calving […] Read more
Agribition sheep prices dip
Prices at the two sheep sales held in conjunction with Canadian Western Agribition were down slightly this year. Sixty-four sheep sold in the Saskatchewan Sheep Breeders Association sale, for an average $339.92, compared to 98 lots selling last year for an average $370. The grand champion market lamb was the high seller. Consigned by Mackid’s […] Read more
Performer loves horsing around
Tommie Turvey appears to live life on the edge. He’s a skydiver, licensed hang glider pilot, scuba diver and movie stuntman. If necessary, he could defend himself with his black belt in Tae Kwon Do. The phrase ‘Ride Fast … Take Chances’ appears on his promotional literature and website. And he calls himself an equine […] Read more
Young mare tops ranch horse sale
Heads turned and jaws dropped as the bidding for Smartlilpeptosdesire topped $25,000 at the Canadian Select Ranch Horse Sale during Canadian Western Agribition. And Walter Dutchak of North Battleford, Sask., considered calling an ambulance – an ironic thought considering he owns an ambulance service. “I was perspiring like crazy,” he said after watching the bidding […] Read more
CCA rodeo brings out youth, experience
Rachelle Boyes has tasted rodeo success. She won the Canadian Cowboys’ Association barrel racing championships in 2002 and 2004. In 2006, she went pro and tied for fifth at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. “That was my dream and I lived my dream,” she said. But real life has a habit of getting in the way. […] Read more
Young Finn hones up on Herefords
Johanna Jahkola is preparing to take over her parents’ Hereford operation in Finland. She wants to learn as much as she can before she does, and her education recently included a week at Canadian Western Agribition where she learned how to show cattle with Harvie Ranching from Olds, Alta. “My eyes and ears are wide […] Read more
