Grain market watchers believe the recent reopening of the U.S. border to live cattle will have little effect on feed barley prices. “I don’t think it’s going to affect it as much as everybody thinks it’s going to,” said Larry Weber of Weber Commodities in Saskatoon. He said barley has dropped 15 cents per bushel […] Read more
Stories by Mark Oddan
Hold your horses: Impulse horse buying can lead to disappointmrnt
Buying and selling horses can be a risky business. Some horse breeders, traders and officials say people should educate themselves on how to accurately describe their horses, as well as be more diligent in their transactions. Buying a horse should be like buying a car, said Lee Walerius, who breeds and trains Quarter horses and […] Read more
My other life as a chicken – Editorial Notebook
It’s a double life you usually see in the movies: some mild mannered reporter by day becomes a superhero by night. He leads two different lives. While my night job doesn’t render me a superhero, I am now employed in two professions that allow me to switch lives just as dramatically. For nearly all of […] Read more
Prized Seager Wheeler trophy returned
A stolen trophy belonging to one of the most well-known farmers in the history of the Canadian Prairies has found its way back home via the internet. The award, which belonged to Seager Wheeler, was returned to the wheat breeder’s youngest daughter, Elizabeth, July 25 after a 15-year absence. Wheeler and the RCMP believe the […] Read more
New tool helps producers reduce risk, maximize profit
Agricultural producers, processors and agri-business owners have a new risk management tool. RiskChoices, developed by Alberta Agriculture, was created to be able to monitor and adjust to agricultural uncertainties, such as tight profit margins, variable weather and international trade issues. The program consists of an instruction folder and a series of worksheets and charts that […] Read more
Experts strive for wheat variety able to win battle with weeds
It’s the annual spring challenge: farmers trying to spray for weeds during the recommended time period before wind and rain delay operations and reduce herbicide effectiveness. Agriculture Canada researchers hope their work on the genetics of wheat competitiveness will ease that challenge. Byron Irvine, an integrated agricultural management researcher at Agriculture Canada’s research centre in […] Read more
Purebred livestock owners encouraged to file papers
Producers and industry officials say broken paper trails are a headache for the purebred livestock industry. According to Calgary horse breeder Brenda Baker, the problem in her business is caused mainly by owners who sell purebred horses but don’t transfer their registration papers to the new owners. “It happens so much, it’s not even funny.” […] Read more
Sask. hall of fame approves six entries
Harvest may be a few weeks away, but the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame is set to present a bumper crop of inductees on July 31 in Saskatoon. The hall of fame recognizes individuals who have made a considerable contribution to agriculture and rural living. But as one inductee noted, it’s about more than a […] Read more
Prairie Pasta still optimistic
A producer pasta co-operative that was reeling one year ago over lost opportunities is now well positioned to realize new ones, says the new chair of Prairie Pasta Producers. Wally Meili replaces Perry MacKenzie, who had led the co-op through tumultuous times since 2000 and will continue to sit on the board. Prairie Pasta was […] Read more
Animal care group employs robot
She is adorable. She doesn’t need to be fed. She never misbehaves. She is more articulate than the average six year old. “Faith” is talking to people about responsible animal care and livestock production as the newest staff member of the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan Inc. However, if you’re picturing a polite young human […] Read more
