There is an understanding that domestic violence, animal abuse, child abuse and elder abuse are interrelated
It is a troubling story that Leanne Sillars, animal safekeeping co-ordinator with the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, vividly recalls. A woman subject to domestic abuse sought a way to leave the farm along with her children, their pets, their horses and the cow herd. She had seen how cruelly the […] Read more
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
Family strives for healthier food
DENZIL, Sask. — The Witzaneys love to grow food for local customers. That’s the niche market they have moved into after starting New Life Organic Foods to market their homegrown produce, which includes beef, sheep, pork, poultry, eggs and milled grains. “We really found that connection to growing food for families when we actually started […] Read more
Charcoal: ages-old practice meets the new age
Saskatchewan company makes charcoal boluses to treat livestock ailments such as scours, coccidiosis and diarrhea
CRAIK, Sask. — What’s old is new again. Charcoal, one of earth’s oldest substances, is being used to improve animal health, enhance soil quality, reduce methane emissions and control odour. It also has a role in personal care and bio-plastics. Since 2008, Titan Clean Energy Projects, a Craik, Sask.,-based company, has been at the forefront […] Read more
VIDEO: Federated Co-op helps grow Sask. food centre
Pecks of prairie-grown pickles will soon roll off the production line at the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre in Saskatoon. It’s part of a $500,000 push by Federated Co-op to support the growing food manufacturing industry in the province. The initiative was announced Oct. 2, at the start of Agriculture Month in Saskatchewan. “We really […] Read more
TMR machine built for the Prairies
VONDA, Sask. — Visitors to this summer’s Ag in Motion farm show near Saskatoon were the first to kick the rugged tires on Highline’s Accumix 1000s, a self-propelled and self-loading feed mixer. The mixer, which is the only one being manufactured in North America, has been built to meet the challenges that farmers face when […] Read more
Farmer prepares for 70th harvest
RAYMORE, Sask. — For 85-year-old Herman Kirstein, nothing beats a fried egg sandwich washed down with ice tea while combining late into the night. He’s working his 70th harvest right now — his favourite time of year. “It’s just so enjoyable,” he said Aug. 22 from his favourite chair on the front porch of the […] Read more
Mechanical exoskeletons may one day reduce effort, injury risks for farmers
GLENSIDE, Sask. — Farming is a real pain in the back. But a bolt-on solution is on the way. Years of prolonged bending, lifting and shoveling contributes to back pain and is typical of many tasks in agriculture. “We know that farmers get very high rates of back injury. Even higher than in some other […] Read more
Survey asks organic farmers about glyphosate effects
A survey of organic producers is underway to better understand the economic impact glyphosate contamination has on Saskatchewan’s organic sector. “It’s never been done before. In the fall we’ll have a report on the findings in aggregate so that we have some indication of what that dollar figure is,” said Marla Carlson, executive director of […] Read more
Son of farm activists finds his way home
On the Farm: Organic farming comes naturally to this producer, who works with parents Nettie Wiebe and Jim Robbins
LAURA, Sask. — Will Robbins’ head told him he would never farm. His heart knew better. Like the slow drip of a coffee machine, the idea of pursuing an agricultural livelihood percolated for years. “I didn’t think of it as a career or a project that was mine really at the time when I was […] Read more
A show comes together
Ag in Motion, which is running this week near Saskatoon, requires a lot of preparation. We captured these photos July 9 as set-up for the farm show went into high gear. Photos by William DeKay. Check out all our Ag in Motion 2019 coverage here.
