Michael Raine

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – While much has been made of how water can carry farm chemicals away from their intended targets, recent studies point to another culprit. A Lethbridge study shows up to six percent of herbicides can be whisked away by wind. Frank Larney, a soil scientist at Agriculture Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre, said his […] Read more

GLEICHEN, Alta. – Ed and Bev Hoff are living proof that a good idea is not necessarily a new idea. They improved on a ground screw design that has long been used by electrical utilities, construction contractors and light plane owners, and they thought of an agricultural use. They’d seen many steel grain bins tumbled […] Read more

Although limited sulfur supplies earlier this spring forced many canola growers to change fertilizer plans, research suggests there’s still time. Adrian Johnston, an agronomist with the Agriculture Canada Research Centre in Melfort, Sask., has been telling farmers it’s not too late to get the proper sulfur applied. “I have been telling guys that are already […] Read more

Charlie Berberat knew there must be a better way to handle water suction hose, but he couldn’t find it. So he built it. Berberat farms in the rolling country of the northern grain belt that straddles the Saskatchewan border near Roblin, Man. The grain producer also does custom metal work for other farmers and local […] Read more

A man has died after last week’s explosion and fire at a small Saskatchewan farm product manufacturing plant. Michael Lacoursiere, 35, died in Saskatoon’s University Hospital burn unit May 11. Lacoursiere’s younger brother and business partner, Gordon, remains in serious condition in the same hospital. The injury and death were a result of a May […] Read more

Across the west an early seeding season has resulted in near record percentages of seeded land at the end of May’s second week. Rain fell in many areas across the prairies last week. Token amounts of less than 15 millimetres were reported in most regions with some isolated areas receiving as much as 50 mm. […] Read more

U.S. Patent No. 5,697,987 may be one of the most important developments in fuel technology since the invention of the 45-gallon drum. A new fuel designed to replace gasoline is moving from the testing stage to full production this year. Developed at Princeton University, the fuel patent has been licensed to New York-based Pure Energy […] Read more

CALGARY – When seeding in dry conditions financial risk can be reduced at the fertilizer bin. Young plants can be burned by excess fertilizer. Reducing the amount applied now can give crops the chance to use moisture if it arrives later, said Ed Tanner, provincial agrologist at Indian Head, Sask. Late season application of fertilizers […] Read more

In Saskatchewan much is said about the pothole. Jokes abound about missing grain trucks and about cattle herds acting as road filler. Yet they’re no joke. Saskatchewan’s road system is the nation’s largest – 185,000 kilometres, half the distance to the moon. Public investment in the road and highway system is estimated at $7.3 billion. […] Read more

Despite the best efforts of conservationists, government and farmers, burrowing owls no longer live in Manitoba. A population of 50 breeding pairs all but disappeared last year, say Environment Canada researchers, and this season none are known to have returned. Late last year, the long-suspected but unconfirmed winter nesting ground of the Canadian birds was […] Read more