It is also expected to help livestock breeders with health, production, efficiency, reliability and resiliency improvements
Canada’s first fully integrated Omics and Precision Agriculture Laboratory is ready to offer its services. Steven Webb, chief executive officer at the Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan where the new lab is located, said OPAL provides analytical and computational services to study genomics, phenomics (organism traits) and bioinformatics (analyses of […] Read more
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
Bird watching soars during pandemic
Participation has increased significantly in a project that converts backyard enthusiasts into conservation researchers
Bird watching and backyard feeding are flying high. The pandemic has opened up a bright new world into backyard birds as many people, socially distancing at home, are staring out their windows. “One of the really great spots about the pandemic is watching birds from home. It’s a great source of entertainment and solace. They […] Read more
Aspirin may ease calving stress in dairy cows
Cows can experience inflammation and stress during calving, which can increase the risk of diseases such as mastitis
Aspirin could become another inflammatory medication to provide pain relief for dairy cows. A year-long American research study found cows that received a short course of acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin or ASA) after calving had lower metabolic stress and produced more milk than untreated cows. “It’s sort of a cutting-edge strategy to decrease inflammation after calving,” […] Read more
State-of-the-art ag lab opens in Sask.
The Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan has opened a new facility that combines the digital data analysis of microbial, plant and animal genes and traits, with the latest precision agriculture technologies. The Omics and Precision Agriculture Laboratory (OPAL), is the first of its kind in Canada. OPAL is designed to […] Read more
Young farmer finds unique education
Abbey Taylor spent much of last year working her way across the country as she exchanged the classroom for experience
Abbey Taylor has chosen to make Canada her classroom. Instead of the usual course of action, the 22-year-old opened up her agricultural education by following her interests to gain experience working on farms across the country. Last year after spring planting was completed at her family’s grain farm near Belmont, Ont., and after her summer […] Read more
Holistic strategy can minimize mycotoxin risk
Risk can increase during feed storage, so a validated testing program will be critical to identify and monitor mycotoxins
Farmers can reduce risks to their livestock caused by mycotoxins by following a complete management strategy, said a representative from Alltech, the livestock feed and production company. “(Look) from your field to your storage and feeding out to that animal testing so you know what’s there. Monitor those animals so you can help understand the […] Read more
New guide helps farmers preserve grasslands
The Grassland Conservation Incentives Guide makes it easier for producers to find funding programs available to them
Producers and landowners now have a one-stop online shop to find financial incentives to help preserve, enhance or restore grasslands and other prairie habitats. The 69-page Grassland Conservation Incentives Guide from Birds Canada is now available at birdscanada.org. Ian Cook, grassland conservation manager at Birds Canada, said many producers understand the importance of keeping prairie […] Read more
New winery sells Prairies in a bottle
Two couples grow fruit that can tolerate Saskatchewan’s harsh environment as they work to make their dreams come true
A long love affair with wine has led to Saskatchewan’s latest craft winery. “When my wife and I first met in the earlier part of the 1980s, one thing we always enjoyed doing was making homemade wine,” said Peter MacInnis, chief executive officer of Bee and Thistle Winery northeast of Debden, Sask. “As time went […] Read more
Federated Co-op posts tough financial year
Reduced fuel demand because of COVID-19 creates one of the most difficult financial years in the co-op’s recent history
This past year was an economically challenging one for Federated Co-operatives Ltd., but some bright areas emerged. “From a specific Federated Co-op business level, put energy aside, which was a terrible year in the whole energy sector and all components of it, our food business did very well, our home and building supply business did […] Read more
The future of food
With a little nudge by a pandemic, the curtain has been opened between the consumer and food system, according to Toronto-based Nourish Food Marketing president Jo-Ann MacArthur. “For the first time (consumers are) starting to read about it. They’re starting to ask questions and they’re starting to understand that distribution systems are different for retailers […] Read more
