Noel Busse

Technological advancements and the changing definition of a farmer may be the reasons for the population decline in Canada’s agricultural community. According to the 2006 census findings released by Statistics Canada, farmers are the oldest workforce in Canada. Farmers and farm managers older than 55 make up 42 percent of all Canadian farmers. The median […] Read more

If Norman Englot’s rodent lure is as effective as he says, the entrepreneur may soon earn himself a reputation as the MacGyver of mouse bait. The Montmarte, Sask., farmer came up with the idea two years ago after trying to slip a jar of peanut butter past his wife to keep in his mouse-infested garage. […] Read more

After another record financial year, Federated Co-operatives Ltd. is thinking green in ways that go beyond the colour of money. FCL held its 79th annual meeting in Saskatoon in early March attended by nearly 400 FCL delegates. Optimism about the future and improving business practices were at the forefront of the meeting, but there was […] Read more

A newly developed willow harvester may have farmers returning to the wood-burning ways of their forefathers. The machine, designed by Philippe Savoie of Agriculture Canada, is being tested at the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration Shelterbelt Centre in Indian Head, Sask. Researchers are hoping it proves useful for harvesting willow for a variety of purposes. Farmers […] Read more

If knowledge is power, organic farmers may soon find themselves winning the battle against weeds. Steve Shirtliffe, an assistant professor with the department of plant sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, and Eric Johnson, a weed biologist at the Agriculture Canada research farm in Scott, Sask., are both working on organic weed control methods. “One […] Read more

Australian environmental researchers have discovered that kangaroos may be useful for more than just tourist photos and ill-advised man vs. marsupial boxing matches. They are hoping the bouncy creatures may also help reduce the amount of methane produced by the country’s cattle and sheep. The research is part of an initiative by the Queensland state […] Read more

While the Australian state of Queensland wants cows to belch like kangaroos, Peter Ampt is hoping the animals will find as much common ground on the grill as they do in the pasture. Ampt is the manager of Future of Australia’s Threatened Ecosystems (FATE), which aims to make better use of Australia’s native wildlife. That […] Read more

Opinions on the Canadian beaver are as two-sided as the nickel that bears its likeness. Beavers are often considered pests, but producers could benefit by tolerating them on their property. Glynnis Hood, an assistant professor in the environmental sciences department at the University of Alberta, has researched possible benefits since 2001. She said the research […] Read more

One of the most difficult decisions a livestock handler can face is knowing what to do with downer cattle. Producers have to choose to treat or euthanize the animal. Dr. John Ayres, a veterinarian with the Norsask Veterinary Group, regularly works with downer cattle. “Cows laying on the ground look great from the road, but […] Read more