CARMAN, Man. – Thomas and Ulrich Menold grew up producing grapes and wine in their native Germany and are now trying to continue the family tradition on their farm near Carman. The brothers are experimenting with grape varieties, trying to find ones that can weather the Prairies’ harsh climate and short-growing season and still taste […] Read more
Stories by Karen Morrison
Retiring vet professor was no pushover
When it came to diagnosing a sick cow, Otto Radostits left no hoof unturned. A retiring professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon who recently received the Canadian Animal Health Institute’s industry leadership award, Radostits pushed his students to take a second look and review the textbooks before making a diagnosis. “You […] Read more
Environmental farm focus urged
Saskatchewan and Manitoba could be penalized for lagging behind other provinces in implementing farm environmental plans, said Cecilia Olver, vice-president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan. “We’re years behind on this, so that could hurt us,” she told delegates at APAS’s mid-term convention in Saskatoon June 14. “It may impede our ability to get […] Read more
Sheep grower has eye on organics
WOODMORE, Man. – The ironies in her life are not lost on Priscilla Reimer. “I’m out in farming country but I have to drive 11/2 hours to Winnipeg to get organics (in stores),” said the organic inspector who lives on a quarter-section farm near Woodmore, Man. Her work as an inspector and local school bus […] Read more
University offers drought advice to prairie farmers
The rains may have come to many regions of the Prairies – too much in some areas – yet for many farmers it came too late or their farms were skipped over completely. But those hit by drought this year have an ally. Ernie Barber, dean of the college of agriculture at the University of […] Read more
Drought not over: APAS
Crop insurance changes might be one short-term solution for drought-hit regions, farmers told the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan at its mid-term convention in Saskatoon June 14. Producers suggested new rules to allow poor annual crops to be written off by crop insurance before July 1, then grazed or cut for greenfeed for livestock. Terry […] Read more
Sask. deer kill aids CWD check
Hunters will have more opportunities to kill deer this fall, as Saskatchewan Environment steps up its campaign to eradicate chronic wasting disease. Kevin Omoth, the department’s CWD manager, said 40,000 white-tailed deer are normally taken each year in Saskatchewan. Seven hundred permits are also issued for mule deer, but this year, another several hundred collection […] Read more
Egg board review goes to minister
A review of the Saskatchewan Egg Producers will be given to the provincial agriculture minister Clay Serby on June 7. Serby had asked agrologist Eugene Bendig in mid-May to look into how quotas are allocated and transferred, and whether the egg producers board is complying with the act that regulates it. The review came after […] Read more
Barley takes on Mexi-foods
WINNIPEG – Frustrations with tortillas that tear and ooze their stuffings at family meals led a Manitoba cereal chemist to create a better wrap. Nancy Ames looked to the elasticity and starch of barley, which is more commonly grown on the Prairies than the corn used in many tortillas. While studying barley noodles’ stretchy, sticky […] Read more
Gate closed at some community pastures
Many community pastures are in critical condition this spring, with some unable to take cattle, says Hugh Cook of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration’s pasture planning and allocations division. He said PFRA has told its clients it will be a short grazing season. “If we damage that grass in these few years of drought, then […] Read more
