KELVINGTON, Sask. Ñ Casey Peterson wheels past images of chuckwagons, horses and cowboys and past numerous exercise machines in his two-storey farm home in east-central Saskatchewan. An elevator, installed in the house after an accident left him a quadriplegic in 2002, takes him to bedrooms above and weights in the basement below. Outside, the 36 […] Read more
Stories by Karen Morrison
Organic growers must prove authenticity
BRUNO, Sask. Ñ Organic crops will remain in the bin unless they have a certification acceptable to the buyer purchasing them, a processor told growers Feb. 22. Grant Whitmore, crop production specialist with Bioriginal Source, said growers need to determine if their certifying body is giving them accreditation for one of three systems Ñ United […] Read more
Farmers rely on organic inspectors for help
BRUNO, Sask. Ñ Diane and Wayne Sully of Mossbank, Sask., are getting used to the organic inspector’s annual visits. Their switch from conventional farming to 1,920 seeded acres of organic flax, wheat, peas and lentils has resulted in a steep learning curve. For instance, while attending an organic meeting in Bruno, Sask., on Feb. 22, […] Read more
Dry areas exist, but more winter to come
While southern Saskatchewan and Alberta have received less precipitation than usual this winter, it’s too soon to store the snow blade. “On the Prairies, there is always a high degree of variability,” said Ted O’Brien, climate specialist with Agriculture Canada. He said precipitation maps show dry areas south of the Trans-Canada Highway and west of […] Read more
Sask. SPCA seizes cattle
The Saskatchewan SPCA is investigating a farm near Porcupine Plain, Sask., after 60 cows were found dead there earlier this month. SPCA executive director Frances Wach said 280 cattle were removed Feb. 10 to livestock yards in Yorkton, Sask., while others “in distress” were euthanized on site. “An officer did an inspection and found animals […] Read more
Drug abuse strategy reviewed
Crystal methamphetamine addicts can spend hours tweaking things, dismantling televisions or staring at an object. “Addicts will spend hours taking stuff apart when they’re up, they will pick at themselves and their skin, they will doodle on walls, paper and do journaling,” const. JoAnne Smallbones of the Saskatoon Police recently told a support group for […] Read more
Teens share farm vision
Teenagers who recently shared their visions for the future of family farming presented models similar to what’s found on their home farms. That didn’t surprise the session’s host, Sheila Friesen, program manager with Agriculture in the Classroom, which hosted the Youth Vision for Agriculture Challenge in Saskatoon Feb. 15 in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Soil […] Read more
Farmer forges African link
MANITOU BEACH, Sask. Ñ Salt and pepper shakers made from cow bone and shaped like mud huts hint at the other life of Saskatchewan farmer Margorie Cline. Within weeks, Cline will trade the snowy Saskatchewan plains for a lush African setting on an annual trek. At home, she splits her time among the grain farm […] Read more
Neighbours hold benefit event for injured farmer
Alberta farmer Don Gilham is overwhelmed by the community’s response to a charity benefit held in his honour, but not surprised. “What a testament to country living and the area we’re living in; it was just beyond belief,” he said from his room in Calgary’s Foothills Hospital. Gilham has resided there since a September collision […] Read more
Dutch gov’t probes animal feed threats
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands (Reuters) Ñ Dutch authorities are investigating several suspected cases of animal feed being mixed with banned chemicals, the justice ministry said Feb. 2. Minister Piet Hein Donner sent a letter to parliament that demanded an explanation after a Dutch animal rights group published a confidential government report, showing the use of dangerous […] Read more
