Saskatchewan Agriculture

Farmers who are forced to burn crop residue this spring should wait until environmental conditions are favourable. “We urge them to choose a time when conditions will give good smoke dispersion,” says Zane Lewchuk, a soils and crops agrologist with Saskatchewan Agriculture. “For example, burning should never take place at night. Knowing the current ventilation […] Read more

Innovative thinking and the ability to adapt allowed most farmers and ranchers to survive last year’s dry conditions. Some, in fact, have gone on to establish businesses prompted by the needs of those difficult times. Ranchers with dried-out pastures and a shortage of feed, for example, maintained their herds with alternative feeds such as canola […] Read more

The longer grain is in the bin, the greater the potential for problems with stored grain insects. Those most likely to cause the biggest problems this spring are commonly called fungus feeders. Scott Hartley, insect control specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture, said insects such as the rusty grain and red flour beetle feed directly on the […] Read more

A comparison of cool- and warm-season annual forages has identified two varieties that livestock producers in the dark brown and black soil zones may want to consider. First-year results of the study found that two of the later maturing warm-season annuals – Golden German millet and White Wonder foxtail millet – have the greatest potential […] Read more

Timeliness is the most important aspect of chemical gopher control. “You must manage Richardson’s ground squirrels early, as soon as they are out of the ground, because as soon as the grass turns green, they lose interest in the treated bait,” says Cameron Wilk, Saskatchewan Agriculture’s provincial pesticide specialist. However, he said this is the […] Read more

Herbicide residue may limit cropping options this year in areas that suffered drought last year. Certain herbicides applied in 2002 may not have received rain soon enough to complete their breakdown before seeding begins this spring. “The herbicide breakdown process has three major requirements: moisture, warm soil temperatures and enough time under optimal temperatures and […] Read more

Beef council officials The Canadian Beef Breeds Council recently named Norris Sheppard of Ohaton, Alta., as its president. Sheppard operates a mixed farm and is a past-president of the Canadian Shorthorn Association. He has previously served as the council’s first and second vice-president. Bob Airth of DeWinton, Alta., was elected first vice-president. Airth was raised […] Read more

Dry beans are a significant crop in Manitoba, but they can also be grown farther west and without irrigation. Ray McVicar, a special crops specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture, says his department has released new information on narrow-row production systems for non-irrigated dry bean production in the province. “It makes clear two of the most important […] Read more

Wheat board trader The Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board has hired Robert Gigiel as commodity manager and senior grain trader. Gigiel has worked as agricultural commodity futures and options consultant, floor trader and market analyst with Scotia McLeod and risk management specialist-market analyst with Midland Walwyn Inc. He graduated from the University of Manitoba, has […] Read more

Her head drooped. Her lower lip hung. She only nickered softly when her nosy neighbours came over. “It was so rewarding,” said Leanna Rousell, describing the signs of relaxation she observed during her third massage session with Shasta, a lame, nine-year-old mare whose eventual enjoyment of the treatment allowed Rousell to restore her gait. Rousell […] Read more