A picture may be worth a thousand words, but statistics tell a story too. Studies by Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting have found several discernible patterns: • Roll-over injuries, especially those involving tractors, are the leading cause of death on Canadian farms and ranches. Agricultural equipment run-overs are second. • Cattle and horses are the leading […] Read more
Stories by Shirley ers
Cape Breton may save bees
KELVINGTON, Sask. – As pests and pestilence ravage bee colonies around the world, members of the Cape Breton Organic Beekeepers Co-operative are wondering if their island could become a safe place, a disease-free repository in which healthy bees could be multiplied. A survey funded by a federal grant of $22,000 will look at whether island […] Read more
Sask. cattle producers in limbo
Northeastern Saskatchewan cattle producers have presented their case for assistance to federal and provincial government representatives and they’re waiting for an answer. More than 130 cattle producers recently joined MLA June Draude and MP Garry Breitkreuz at the Derek Denham farm near Weekes. “We couldn’t seem to get any response so we decided to call […] Read more
Research seeks new uses for old grain varieties
Ancient grains, spices and plants that might be used to make jet fuel are some of the new research projects at the Melfort Research Farm. The research is designed to show what these plants look like and how they grow in the central Saskatchewan region, crop specialist Kim Stonehouse said. Stonehouse advised growers to get […] Read more
Project nudges flax acreage north
The Northern Flax Adaptive Program hopes to expand the growing region of flax on the Prairies into the northern areas, growers were told at the Melfort Research Farm field day in July. And that’s a good plan for several reasons, said Linda Braun, executive director of the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission, a partner in the […] Read more
Research farm celebrates 75th
MELFORT, Sask. – Saskatchewan had 137,000 farms with an average farm size of 397 acres in 1935 when the Melfort Research Farm was established. The Prairies were in the grip of the Dirty Thirties, and soil from many of those farms was mostly in the air or piled in drifts along sagging fence lines. Four […] Read more
Bioherbicide selection part of international effort
KELVINGTON, Sask. – A biological herbicide that has demonstrated up to 90 percent efficiency in the suppression of broadleaf weeds recently moved one step closer to commercial availability. Phoma macrostoma, which was discovered by Karen Bailey at the University of Saskatchewan, was one of five biopesticides selected for regulatory support by Agriculture Canada’s Pesticide Risk […] Read more
Calculator determines need for insecticide
A new tool is expected to be available soon to help Ontario soybean producers control soybean aphids while reducing insecticides, lowering production costs and minimizing negative environmental effects.The dynamic action threshold calculator developed by Rebecca Hallett, Yingen Xue and student Christie Bahlai at the University of Guelph in Ontario audits aphid numbers and their natural […] Read more
Organic database successful component of campaign
KELVINGTON, Sask. – A campaign to promote locally grown organic food is being considered a success in Saskatchewan. The Food Miles Campaign was launched in the fall of 2008 with five key objectives: Create an on-line database of organic producers Sell more local organic food to public institutions Develop sustainable agriculture projects at the Back […] Read more
Managing farm, auction market, and credit union
KELVINGTON, Sask. – For Clint Peterson, who’s lived most of his life in the country, and his wife, Wendy, who grew up in Saskatoon, their life on the farm is exactly what they want. Three children, seven quarters of land, 100 cows, two off-farm jobs and a whole lot of hockey keeps them busy, but […] Read more
