Minimizing fecal contamination is one of the best ways to optimize calf health, veterinarians say. In other words, limit the poop in the group. “We’re really trying to reduce that exposure of the baby calf to adult feces as much as possible. We can’t eliminate that, but we can reduce the kind of load that […] Read more
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
Younger members elude WI
A $10,000 donation to Saskatoon’s new Children’s Hospital could be the final major fundraising activity for a long-standing prairie organization. “I’m looking at that as the last hurrah,” said Karen Gerwing, vice-president of the Saskatchewan Women’s Institute. The money was raised through ticket sales from the group’s annual quilt raffle and is expected to be […] Read more
Women’s Institutes turn 100
Change is in the wind as the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada turns a century old. “Feb. 19, 100 years ago in Winnipeg, all the provinces got together and elected a board and decided on a mandate to carry on even though the provincial WI groups had been organized before us,” said Joan Holthe, president […] Read more
Six to be inducted into Sask. Ag Hall of Fame
New members represent irrigation, animal health, value-added processing, research and building public trust
Six agricultural leaders are expected to be inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame April 27. This year’s group of inductees represents primary agriculture, irrigation, animal health, value-added processing, agricultural research and building public trust. “They’re a really strong group and a very diverse group, which speaks to agriculture in Saskatchewan,” said Reed Andrew, […] Read more
Dairy couple work well as a team
On the Farm: Jessica and Michael Lovich ‘play off each other’s strengths and weaknesses’ as they build their dairy farm
BALGONIE, Sask. — Jessica and Michael Lovich laugh when they remember the day their three young daughters defined their farm roles when they grow up. “They decided when they get bigger, the oldest one (Reata) will be the farm veterinarian because she’s into pets and animals,” Jessica said with a smile. “The middle one (Renelle) […] Read more
‘Reason is slave to the passions’
An American journalist argues that science and facts are no way to win an argument, and agriculture is no exception
How can two well-educated, intelligent people consider the science and come to diametrically opposed conclusions? Tamar Haspel, a Washington Post correspondent and columnist, asked that question — and answered it. “It’s because we make our decisions with our guts,” she said during the Dec. 6 Farms at the Table conference in Saskatoon, organized by Farm […] Read more
‘It’s the girl with the pink wagon’
A driver from Saskatchewan will be the first female to compete in Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association races
History will be made in June when the 2019 Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association season kick offs in North Battleford, Sask. Amber L’Heureux will be the first woman in the organization’s six-decade history to be in the driver’s seat at the sound of the horn. “It’s pretty big deal. It’s the first time we’ve ever had […] Read more
Grasping at straws
It’s all in the eye of the beholder. Where some see waste moving out the back end of combines, Catherine Hui Niu sees great opportunity. “Can we explore new use of those materials? Can we make better use, discover new technology to reuse those materials, recycle them, or add value to them?” asked Niu, associate […] Read more
Small satellite networks: more than a pretty picture
Faster, smarter, sharper with more options describes the latest satellite technology information and services being delivered to growers. Hundreds of the toaster-sized units orbit the Earth taking thousands of snapshots of all corners of the globe every day. The rapid evolution in satellite technology has made high-resolution aerial field photos readily available to all farmers. […] Read more
Young farmer winners focus on diversification
Outstanding Young Farmer winners are Craig and Jinel Ference from Alberta and Jordan and Alex McKay from Ontario
For the first time in the 38-year history of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer program, two brothers from Ontario are sharing top honours alongside a husband and wife team from Alberta. Jordan McKay and his brother, Alex, from Port Perry, Ont., along with Craig and Jinel Ference from Kirriemuir, Alta., were chosen as the national winners […] Read more
