Life quickly changed for the Willner family after a tornado touched down and destroyed much of their heritage-designated farm near Davidson, Sask., July 19. “We were literally standing on the front steps after a family barbecue. You could see a funnel cloud starting to form and it literally dropped down in the centre of our […] Read more
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
Building safety into workplaces
The six steps to safety have come to agriculture. “This hierarchy of control is not new (in industry), but it’s new to agriculture,” said Dr. James Dobson, chief executive officer of Agrivita Canada, a non-profit corporation promoting health and safety research and its effective application to the agriculture sector. “What I like about the six […] Read more
Sask. pulse association doubles research funding
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers has more than doubled its research funding to the University of Sask-atchewan’s Crop Development Centre. It recently announced nearly $23 million to support pulse crop breeding for the next five years. That’s up from $9.2 million from the last five-year term and $6.2 million for the original five year term. “Much of […] Read more
National trust puts wooden elevators on endangered list
An historical endangered places list put together by the National Trust for Canada has placed wooden grain elevators at the top. Ray Ambrosi, a sustainability research scientist in Regina said the 6,000 wooden grain elevators that once dotted the prairie landscape now number less than 1,000. “They should have been protected more properly a decade […] Read more
Beer ring invention good for farmers, marine life
A new invention may give beer drinkers something to toast. The plastic ring that holds a six-pack of beer together can now be manufactured from wheat and barley using the residue from the brewing process. Saltwater Brewery, a Florida craft beer brand, and We Believers, a small agency in New York, created the invention. They […] Read more
Wooden elevators an endangered species
An historical endangered places list put together by the National Trust for Canada, places has placed wooden grain elevators at the top. Ray Ambrosi, a sustainability research scientist in Regina said the 6,000 wooden grain elevators that once dotted the prairie landscape now number less than 1,000. “They should have been protected more properly a […] Read more
Indonesian crop dusters train with Sask. firm
Pilot training has become another revenue stream for prairie aerial applicators as the industry undergoes change
Four Indonesian pilots have passed the first phase of training in Saskatchewan as they prepare to become licensed aerial applicators. The young pilots started their training in April with Miccar Aerial of Yorkton, Sask. Indonesia’s PT Elang Nusantara Air chose Miccar to train the pilots for its aerial fertilization program. All four Indonesians arrived with […] Read more
Canola breeder receives Sask. Order of Merit
Keith Downey has received a long list of recognitions and distinguished awards, but he says the Saskatchewan Order of Merit is the one he values most. “The icing on the cake,” said Downy, who has earned a worldwide reputation as one of the fathers of canola for his oilseed breeding program and research for converting […] Read more
Father of canola receives Sask. Order of Merit
Keith Downey has received a long list of recognitions and distinguished awards, but he says the Saskatchewan Order of Merit is the one he values most. “The icing on the cake,” said Downy, who has earned a worldwide reputation as one of the fathers of canola for his oilseed breeding program and research for converting […] Read more
Scientists discover alfalfa gene linked to drought resistance
An unexpected accident has led to a discovery that could lead to drought-resistant alfalfa. Abdelali Hannoufa, an Agriculture Canada research scientist in London, Ont., has recently found a gene in the alfalfa plant that regulates its capacity to maintain water content. The gene in question is called microRNA156 and is a master gene regulator. “It […] Read more
