Mary MacArthur

SASKATOON – Wheat midge caused $60 million worth of damage to Saskatchewan crops this year, said the provincial entomologist. Wheat midge caused $10 to $12 an acre in damage on four million to five million acres, said Lloyd Harris. Only about one-third of those acres were sprayed. Wheat midge was found in areas of the […] Read more

SASKATOON – Floods and pests may be the savior of winter wheat. “There was quite a significant acreage increase this past year,” said Brian Fowler, a winter wheat researcher at the University of Saskatchewan. Some producers in Saskatchewan had more than 72 bushels per acre, with many crops producing more than 50 bu/ac. “The winter […] Read more

BROOKS, Alta. – A family that horses around together, stays together. By instilling a love of horses in their children, Bob and Joyce Kaufman hope they are ensuring a way for their family to spend time together doing something they all love. “Our whole goal is to be self-sustained with the horse industry,” said Joyce. […] Read more

SASKATOON, Sask. – Unless Canada Malting Co. can find another bidder, Canada’s largest malting company may soon be owned by the American processing giant ConAgra. ConAgra has offered $395 million, or $20 a share, for the Toronto-based malting company, provided it can acquire at least 70 percent of Canada Malting’s shares, said Ken Eden, chief […] Read more

SASKATOON – Speculators have hijacked the barley futures market making it almost impossible to predict feedlot costs, says a Saskatchewan feedlot operator. “Speculators are in there trying to steal money from each other,” said Milton Braaten, of Abbey. “Something is truly amiss here, the end result of which is not a benefit to the industry,” […] Read more

SASKATOON – The Canadian Wheat Board is worried eastern prairie farmers aren’t aware they can get part of a $45 million government compensation package for grain pooling changes. The catch is they can only get the money if they sell their wheat and barley through the board, said Harvey Brooks, head of corporate policy. “If […] Read more

SASKATOON – It will be at least the middle of October before grain industry officials arrive at a final recommendation for the future of grain transportation, said a member of the committee. “There will be at least three more days of meetings before we expect to arrive at a consensus,” said Don Loewen, chief executive […] Read more

SASKATOON, Sask. – About 100 people will lose their jobs and almost 100 United Grain Growers elevators will close over the next three years in an effort to improve the company’s financial situation, said its chief executive officer. “We are under pressure to do better on the bottom line,” said Brian Hayward of Winnipeg. “I […] Read more

WAKAW, Sask. – If the Canadian government will pay $1 million for a painting with only three lines, Ben Boychuk wonders what they’ll pay for his painted rock. “Maybe they’ll give me $100,000 for the rock and put it on Parliament, or maybe the Legislature will buy it,” said the Wakaw farmer. Boychuk thinks the […] Read more

SASKATOON, Sask. – Canadians hoping to sell their latest lentil snacks or gourmet beef into Europe need to know what Europeans are eating before launching their food, said a European market consultant. Neil Gordon told a group of people interested in displaying their wares at ANUGA, the world’s largest agriculture and food show, that they […] Read more