Another weapon has been found in the fight against foot and mouth disease. Researchers at the Plum Island Animal Disease Centre in the United States recently announced a new vaccine to stop the spread of the disease that can have serious economic impacts on livestock. Biosecurity efforts continue to keep North America free of the […] Read more
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
Seed barn, poultry building on auction block at U of S
If walls could talk, these ones would tell stories of students, seeds and scratching chickens. Two University of Saskatchewan heritage structures, the seed barn and the poultry science building, are slated for sale and removal to give way to more modern teaching facilities. Constructed in 1915, the seed barn is a typical early 20th century […] Read more
Survey shows more positive view of gender equality in agriculture
Agriculture continues to make strides as an equal opportunity employer, according to one human resources expert. “We want to make sure people are aware that there are vast opportunities in agriculture and that they’re a fit for anyone that wants to put in the time and effort to be a successful candidate,” said Erika Osmundson […] Read more
Hot demand keeps regional abattoirs hopping
Business has been booming at rural meat plants this spring as fears of meat shortages prompt consumers to stock up
Beef has become the new bathroom tissue. It’s been flying off store shelves. “That’s what we joke about right now is that beef appears to be the new toilet paper,” said Jim Johnson of Alberta Prairie Meats in Duchess, Alta. Ground beef sales, in particular, have been sizzling hot, selling as quickly as processors can […] Read more
First Nations celebrate bison birth at park
The arrival of a new bison calf at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park near Saskatoon has been treated as a special occasion
The first bison born on the First Nation ancestral land at Saskatoon’s Wanuskewin Heritage Park was welcomed on Earth Day, April 22. The calf is active and adjusting well, said a park spokesperson. Her arrival marks the first birth in the area since the species almost went extinct more than 150 years ago. “This is […] Read more
Wildfires pose threat to fields’ crop residue
Keaton Donahue of Biggar, Sask., is still weighing his options on what to do with 320 acres of sooty black, charcoal-crusted soil. A brush fire pushed by big winds quickly tore through fields of wheat stubble on May 16. “I’m still playing my cards. I don’t know what I’m going to do with it yet. […] Read more
Truckers continue dumping grain on B.C. highways
Trail cameras are being considered on Highway 5 in British Columbia’s remote central interior at vehicle pull-outs and rest stops. It’s part of an effort by RCMP and provincial conservation authorities to crack down on truckers purposely dumping grain along the road, which is unlawful but also potentially dangerous for wildlife and for other drivers. […] Read more
Scholar explores how Canadian beef received
The Beef Cattle Research Council’s extension co-ordinator uses a Nuffield scholarship to study international perceptions
Ellen Crane won’t soon forget the sights and smells she experienced inside a massive public market in Hong Kong last year. The extension co-ordinator for the Beef Cattle Research Council was on a 12-country journey for study as a Nuffield scholar. “It was 35 C without humidity factored in and walking into this building and […] Read more
Pandemic forces Sask. farm show to go digital
Ag in Motion replaces physical event with a series of online video demonstrations, panel discussions and presentations
Ag in Motion, an outdoor farm show held near Saskatoon, will be a digital event this summer. The normal three-day show format will be altered due to COVID-19, but organizers say the new format can deliver quality information for farmers over five days from July 21 to 25. Ag in Motion Discovery Plus will be […] Read more
Beekeeping changes focus for Sask. couple
On the Farm: A passion for bees brought them together, but growth has turned the honey operation into big business
GOOD SPIRIT ACRES, Sask. — Bees helped sweeten the deal that brought a young couple together. Sasha Howland and Danny Wasylenchuk both grew up in Yorkton and had summer jobs working with bees. It led to their marriage, family and successful honey business. Apiculture was not part of the original plan for either Howland or […] Read more
