Little remained untouched by hail in Allan, Sask., after a violent thunderstorm July 7 broke windows, damaged buildings and pummeled field crops. Scott Watson, with Parrish and Heimbecker Elevators at Allan, said he found window glass scattered two metres into his offices. The other two elevators also sported broken windows as did most homes and […] Read more
Stories by Karen Morrison
Farmers urged to try sunflowers
Sunflowers are like money in the bank for Jim Thorson of Penzance, Sask., who calls it a crop that survives when all else fails. “It’s my insurance crop. When the weather really goes against us, we’re in the middle of a drought and the grasshoppers are really bad, sunflowers pull through better,” he said. Thorson, […] Read more
Watch for algae in water source
That green slime on the dugout could be a killer, says Bob Klemmer of Saskatchewan Agriculture. The beef forage specialist said Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, is often mistaken for regular run of the mill algae. “In the right concentrations, it can be very toxic,” he said, citing the deaths that occur to livestock […] Read more
New U of S grad program focuses on health issues
A new school of public health will offer classes for graduate students this fall, but will have to wait a little longer to secure its own site and staff on the University of Saskatchewan campus. The school, one of three new programs launched by the university July 1, will focus on rural, agricultural and aboriginal […] Read more
University honours vet researcher
Gregg Adams is alerted to a visitor in his office by the muffled bark of the large chocolate Labrador sprawled beneath his desk. Sage is a regular visitor and volunteer patient at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, where his owner teaches students and studies animal reproduction. Adams received the distinguished researcher award […] Read more
Grower likes crop outlook so far
DELISLE, Sask. – A creek winds it way through Ron Kielo’s pastures, where cattle fan out in all directions. “They must be getting enough to eat, a bunch are laying down,” he said during a drive past the fields in west-central Saskatchewan June 21. Kielo is pleased with what he sees in his cow-calf operation […] Read more
Screening hastened
A new vegetable screening system is designed to help processors identify pathogens within hours instead of days. William Hanson, chief executive officer of Hanson Technologies in Pennsylvania, said the system offers a more reliable and timely measurement of what is going through a fresh cut produce processing plant. Screening time would be cut to two […] Read more
Good fences keep cattle moving, grass growing
MEACHAM, Sask. – Top quality electric fencing is among the most important tools in a grazing plan, producers heard at the Saskatchewan Pasture School earlier this month. “Buy quality and the biggest one you can get,” said Dennis Brown, a cow-calf operator with Crocus Creek Livestock at Tugaske, Sask. He was one of three livestock […] Read more
Novel trait rules said hindering grain trade
Social concerns not grounded in science are impeding international trade, a discussion group heard during Plant Canada meetings in Saskatoon. Gordon Rowland, a plant breeder with Saskatoon’s Crop Development Centre, called Canada’s novel trait designation a barrier to commercializing new varieties. “There’s no risk I’ve ever identified. No other country has this type of regulation […] Read more
Fast talkers must know cattle industry, buyers
The steady prattle of auctioneers on a closed circuit television is the only sound heard in the waiting room where Stetson-topped men await their turn in the Canadian Livestock Auctioneers championships. Two rounds of auctioneering and hundreds of cattle later, Brad Stenberg of Kronau, Sask., emerged from the 23 male participants as champion. He earned […] Read more
