Sharanagouda Patil feels Canada and India share many of the same interests when it comes to agricultural crop research and the two countries should grow something in their labs besides plants. They should grow a relationship, said Patil, who spoke in Saskatoon Sept. 28 during National Biotechnology Week. He heads one of the world’s most […] Read more
Stories by Michael Raine
Biofuel questions remain
Canada has a lot to learn before the country’s biofuel mandate becomes law in less than three years, says a senior Environment Canada official. “We have excellent uptake on the part of farmers,” Terry McIntyre told a biotechnology conference in Saskatoon Sept. 28. “They are interested. We have five or six provincial governments with varying […] Read more
Wheat DDG good for beef cattle
Wheat-based dried distillers grain can be used effectively in backgrounding and finishing of beef cattle, according to a recent study of prairie cattle. Dried distillers grain is a growing feed source in the United States due to the sprouting of ethanol plants across the American Midwest. But most feeding research is related to corn DDG […] Read more
Sask. mustard processor offers unique products
With average-price contracts and a carefully considered board of directors, Mustard Capital Inc. is setting itself apart from many specialty crop startups headquartered in small prairie towns. MCI is a dry mustard mill that began commercial operations in Gravelbourg, Sask., last week to produce flour, oil and bran products. “The community did a lot of […] Read more
Stock growers back in saddle
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association had a rough ride last year but its executive believes the roughest spots are behind it, even if some board members are still saddle sore. “In any well-functioning, democratic organization you are going to have times when your differences of opinion divide the group … and stressful times and change […] Read more
Fall attractive for fertilizer
Producers looking to satisfy next spring’s nutrient needs might want to consider buying their supplies this fall. Fertilizer prices have dropped as much as $125 per tonne from last spring’s peaks, according to Kevin Blair of Blair’s Fertilizer in Lanigan, Sask., who monitors fertilizer pricing in western Canada. Urea is widely available on the Prairies […] Read more
Feed maker appeals again
The Ontario version of a lawsuit that calls into question whether the federal government and feed manufacturer Ridley Inc. should be liable for the spread and introduction of BSE to Canada is once again waiting for an appeal. This time the Supreme Court of Canada is being asked to hear an appeal and throw out […] Read more
Ranchers greying; herds growing
Canadian beef cattle producers are getting older and they probably run larger herds than they did in 2001. The larger average herd size is credited to increased cow retention rates following the discovery BSE in Canada and the resulting border restrictions of older animals. Other trends in the industry point to an aging demographic, rising […] Read more
Russia: where the buffalo roam?
Rapid City, S.D. – Standing under one of the world’s most recognized American symbols, Rikard Högberg sees the irony of a Russian businessperson seeking money and bison in South Dakota. “It wasn’t so very long ago that this would seem too improbable,” he said as the familiar faces of Mount Rushmore loomed overhead. “Telling about […] Read more
Virus linked to bee deaths
U.S. researchers have found a virus common to hives that suffer colony collapse disorder. Mysterious bee deaths have been increasing over the past five years and last year were blamed for 7.5 percent of American overwintering losses. Some Canadian bee operators and honey producers have also experienced unexplained bee disappearances in the past two years. […] Read more
