New financing from American investors brings a Vancouver company closer to commercializing its hemp fibre technology, a process it hopes will create a fibre industry for the Prairies. “We just received $1.3 million US. It is going toward our pilot project plants to perfect our Crailar system,” said Jason Finnis, founder and president of Hemptown […] Read more
Stories by Lindsay Jean
New disease threatens dogs
Farmers will not be able to protect their dogs against a canine influenza spreading across the United States, says a Saskatoon scientist. “The current vaccines for infectious disease in dogs will not address this disease or prevent this disease,” said Hugh Townsend, who works at the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization. The […] Read more
Fair touts benefits of natural fibre
LLOYDMINSTER – Nancy Labold recently watched an eager student weave long strands of green and beige wool onto a loom. “I am a fibre snob; I like natural fibres,” Labold said, taking a break from her weaving workshop at the Canadian Natural Fibre Fair in Lloydminster Oct 14. Labold runs Misty Glen Farm Creations near […] Read more
More study needed before trees proliferate in pasture
FOAM LAKE, Sask. – Researchers and farmers have much to learn before perfecting the harmonized production of trees, cattle and forages in silvo-pasture. “We’re just scratching the surface here,” said Larry White from the Forest Development Centre in Prince Albert, Sask., during a recent field day. The first silvopasture in Western Canada has been established […] Read more
Small business gets boost
The federal government has allotted more than $160 million in funding to a network aimed at helping small businesses in Western Canada. The four partner organizations in the Western Canada Business Service Network, or WCBSN, were given $165.6 million, including $21.6 million in new funding. The money is provided on a five-year agreement. This is […] Read more
Produce buyer touts flavour of organics
As Tyron Demich recently stacked boxes of fresh fruit in his van, he remembered the first time he bit into an organic apple and savoured the taste. Friends had brought it back from an organic farm in British Columbia in the fall of 2002 and Demich said it was the best apple he had ever […] Read more
Prices could spur calf sales
Promising cattle prices may deter producers from retaining ownership of their calves this fall, said a Saskatchewan livestock development specialist. “With prices the way they are, that would encourage the movement of those cattle rather than retaining them at all,” said Bill Kowalenko from Saskatchewan Agriculture. The average selling price for 500-600 pound calves hovers […] Read more
Gov’t funds run dry for Sask. agroforestry plan
A government program aimed at helping Saskatchewan producers prop up flagging farm incomes with tree crops will not extend beyond a demonstration stage because no financial incentives are being offered to new growers. “Well, right at the present time, there’s no financial incentive for the farmer to do it,” said Larry White, an agroforestry specialist […] Read more
Alta. shelters hurricane survivor
An Alberta woman brought back more than memories of her search and rescue efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. A sickly dog accompanied her home. “He’s just got an unbeatable spirit and I just couldn’t bear to leave him there,” said Jackie Lozinski, a special constable with the Alberta Society for the Prevention of […] Read more
PFRA trees still free, but mulch will cost you
Shelterbelt planters will be buying plastic mulch next year, now that a four-year program offering the weed control product for free is coming to an end. “This is the final year,” said Trina Laverdiere, co-ordinator of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration’s shelterbelt enhancement program. The PFRA Shelterbelt Centre, based in Indian Head, Sask., has been […] Read more
