Jerome Konecsni has made an offer to help flax growers build their industry. The head of Genome Prairie told growers attending Sask Flax’s Flax Day at Crop Production Week in Saskatoon last week that his agency would help them raise money for grower and market education, to organize meetings, to create new plant breeding opportunities, […] Read more
Stories by Michael Raine
Prepare to adapt or quit, farmers told
A man who advises North America’s biggest companies on their futures has told prairie farmers they must adapt or get out. “The best thing you can do for yourself is prepare to adapt,” Richard Worzel said during Crop Production Week’s Canola Days held last week in Saskatoon. “There is no one crop or livestock, only […] Read more
Crop Production leads with flax
Flax meetings kicked off the 24th annual Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon Jan. 8 with improving grain prices drawing a crowd of growers from across the West, say organizers. Saskatchewan Pulse Growers attracted nearly 800 to its two day meeting, the largest in the week of industry meetings. One hall was filled and […] Read more
Industry debates E. coli vaccine bill
A vaccine for E. coli 0157:H7 has been licensed for distribution to veterinarians across Canada, but who will pay to inject this groundbreaking vaccine remains an unanswered question. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a conditional licence to Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. in late December. The vaccine, which is funded by western Canadian beef producers, […] Read more
New idea lands major seed deal
SUNDRE, Alta. – Bob Mastin has carved an impressive notch on his seed grower belt. He is said to be the first small seed grower in Western Canada to acquire exclusive distribution rights for a new public grain variety. Sundre barley was developed at Alberta Agriculture’s Field Crop Development Centre in Lacombe. Mastin, who operates […] Read more
Saskatoon disease lab gets green light
Funding is now fully in place for a world class, highly secure biology laboratory in Saskatoon. Last week the federal government committed $25 million to the International Vaccine Centre, which is the final piece in the centre’s $110 million development budget. Also known as Intervac, the centre will be attached to the University of Saskatchewan’s […] Read more
Livestock industry has issues to solve
Big challenges for livestock producers for 2007 were outlined by three of Saskatchewan’s best-known growers at the Farm Animal Council’s annual meeting last month. Tim Wiens of O and T Farms said his poultry and feed business, like others, will be dealing with the growth of biofuel and its byproducts. “It’s one thing to create […] Read more
Proper hog vaccination vital
An animal health expert says going through the motions when vaccinating hogs fails both the animals and the farm’s bottom line. “If you are going to go to the expense and labour time of vaccination against disease, doing it wrong costs you twice,” Ed Doornenbal of Wyeth Animal Health told producers at a recent Saskatchewan […] Read more
Researchers reap benefits of vitamin fine
Vitamin manufacturers convicted of price fixing are paying $20 million to nine universities. The money is part of a $132 million settlement approved by the courts of Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec after several companies were found guilty of working together to bloat vitamin prices between 1986 and 1999. Because so many individuals were owed […] Read more
Experts wary of horse slaughter bill
Horse slaughter nearly became illegal in the United States last month and could become so in 2007. About 30,000 American slaughter horses are shipped to Canada for processing annually and a bill before the House of Representatives would prevent that trade. The House found it had bigger issues to deal with as the fall session […] Read more
