Do the math and educate yourself on how all sectors are performing because they impact other sectors, says analyst
BROCK, Sask. — It used to be easy for producers to figure out the value of their cattle, but not any more, said market analyst Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock of Taber, Alta. “When I first started, you could simply look at supply and demand and you could come up with a pretty good estimate […] Read more
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
Answers sought at hearings on tax changes
Hitting the pause button is the best action to take on proposed changes to the small business tax, say agriculture representatives and farm accountants. “The July 18 proposals are flawed in many ways and we do not think that they can be fixed with just a few tweaks,” Tanya Knight of the accounting firm MNP […] Read more
Fill’er up … with vegetable oil
Farmer converted his Massey combine to run on used vegetable oil but warns farmers not to try it with expensive machinery
ROSETOWN, Sask. — The fragrance of fresh french fries floats over the field of flax. Ray Labrecque was on the final few rounds to finish harvest on his 1,000-acre farm and had only burned about 200 gallons of diesel in his combine this year. That’s because he converted his 1997 8570 Massey to run on […] Read more
Dumped canola kills cattle
HARRIS, Sask. — Bill Laing has never seen anything like it in his 40 years of farming. “It’s just something that doesn’t happen,” he said. A pile of treated canola seed that he discovered lying on the ground in a pasture Oct. 24 killed his Black Angus bull and two pregnant Charolais cows. “When I […] Read more
Livestock meds: not too hot and not too cold
Veterinarian recommends a thermometer in the fridge that will set off an alarm if temperatures exceed drug recommendations
Livestock medications are expensive so it’s worthwhile for producers to look after them properly once purchased. “From a logistics standpoint it’s become necessary to have a separate fridge unit,” said Cody Creelman of Veterinary Agri-Health Services in Airdrie, Alta. Most producers have separated personal from production, he said. Gone are the days of storing vaccines […] Read moreTallying the damage from wildfire storm
Ashes and soil continue to blow from many areas burned in wildfires across southern Alberta Oct. 17. Environment Canada has issued several wind warnings since then, but a widespread windstorm on that day had sustained winds of about 120 km/h and reported gusts of up to 141 km/h, depending on the region. The wind downed […] Read more
Sask. to review emergency response
Officials in Saskatchewan’s emergency management office say they will review its procedures and response in the wake of last week’s destructive grass fires in the southwest. Commissioner Duane McKay said there were at least 50 fire departments involved during the Oct. 17 emergencies and more than 1,100 calls to 9-1-1 at the peak. The first […] Read more
Public gets insight on touchy feely bovine research
“It feels quite nice,” Nathan Grayston of Saskatoon said as he felt around inside Cinnamon’s rumen through a hole in the cow’s side. Standing on a foot stool, the nine-year-old held a warm and soggy clump of freshly chewed forage inside the second compartment of Cinnamon’s four-chambered stomach. Grayston was one of about 75 people […] Read more
When hurry leads to harm
As a farmer, Marsha Salzwedel knows there are times when there’s not enough hours in the day and sometimes corners are cut. That is when farm accidents involving electricity tend to occur, she said from the National Children’s Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety. “I would bet you the majority of the injury […] Read more
A little restraint goes a long way
Falls are a major hazard and a common cause of many injuries, said a youth agricultural safety specialist. “There are a number of major grain hazards that are associated with grain. The fall hazards are prevalent throughout the entire farm and ranch worksite,” said Marsha Salzwedel from the National Children’s Centre for Rural and Agricultural […] Read more
