A year after opening, a Regina flax seed processor is a long way from operating at full capacity. But CanMar Grain Products Ltd. president Cecil Werner says more people are catching on to the health benefits of eating flax and his company will be there to supply it. CanMar processes and markets roasted yellow flaxseed […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Anthrax complaints bombard CFIA
MELFORT, Sask. – Cattle producers hit hard by an anthrax outbreak in northeastern Saskatchewan say the Canadian Food Inspection Agency needs better policy when it comes to dealing with the disease. The charge comes after they say they received confusing messages about how to dispose of their dead livestock. “Way up on top, nobody knows […] Read more
Circulation improves dugout
Circulating water in dugouts is more efficient than aerating it and promotes natural cleanup, farmers were told during a seminar at the recent Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina. Kathleen Cameron, manager of Sunset Solar SystemsÕ environmental management division, said a circulator can turn over the water in a one-million-gallon dugout seven times an […] Read more
Anthrax stress takes toll
MELFORT, Sask. – Lloyd Haugerud sits at his kitchen table, a look of weary resignation on his face. “I lost two more yesterday,” he said July 13, looking out the window across the road and into the grey clouds. “That’s 11.” Haugerud only had 53 cattle when anthrax hit this area north of Melfort in […] Read more
Anthrax outbreak hit with vaccine shortage
Perfect environmental conditions have led to what is likely the worst outbreak of anthrax in Saskatchewan’s history. At least 28 farms in the province’s northeast were under quarantine July 10 and 113 animals, including cattle and horses, had been confirmed dead of the bacterial disease or were suspected to have died from it since late […] Read more
U.S. farm bill will feel more political heat
MOOSE JAW – The political climate in the United States means it will be an enormous challenge to develop a farm bill that’s actually good for farmers, says North Dakota’s agriculture commissioner. The current bill expires in September 2007. Roger Johnson, a Democrat up for re-election this year, said the Republican administration doesn’t like the […] Read more
American farmers envy Canadians’ ability to import chemicals
MOOSE JAW – American farmers look at Canada’s own-use pesticide import policy with envy. “Keep doing what you’re doing,” urged North Dakota agriculture commissioner Roger Johnson. He thinks that will send the right message on both sides of the border that there should be regulatory harmonization and price parity. In 2000, North Dakota began tracking […] Read more
Biodiesel good for Sask: report
A provincial task force has recommended the Saskatchewan government call for a national biodiesel mandate of two percent by 2010 and five percent by 2015. The Biodiesel Development Task Force, appointed a year ago by agriculture minister Mark Wartman, also wants all biodiesel to meet approved Canadian standards and be certified. And, it wants a […] Read more
Ranchers told to watch import levels
ESTEVAN, Sask. – Canadian beef producers need to oppose supplemental imports of beef from non-North American Free Trade Agreement countries, unless these countries pay duty, says longtime industry watcher Charlie Gracey. He said supplements were suspended after BSE, but the minute borders are fully open, they are likely to be an issue again. “It isn’t […] Read more
Natural beef plant to open soon
NEUDORF, Sask. – If all goes well, Natural Valley Farms’ slaughter facility in the Qu’Appelle Valley just south of here will be open for business July 17. Construction is still under way, but at least one potential offshore customer was looking for profit during recent tours and the official opening ceremony. Brett Juong, a beef […] Read more
