In a statement of claim filed in Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench, four Saskatchewan rural municipalities wants PFRA land returned to them from the Saskatchewan government. The rural municipalities of Dundurn, Heart’s Hill, Mount Hope and Reno have asked for the return of the lands. The request has been refused by the government. During the […] Read more
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
Fence keeps cattle in, allows wildlife access
Some wildlife fencing solutions are friendlier than others, says a biologist with the Alberta Conservation Association. However, more study is needed to evaluate the use of modified fencing for pronghorns, said Paul Jones told the Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference, held in Saskatoon Feb. 16-18. Research is studying how different fencing designs and techniques […] Read more
Crop insurance coverage hits record $216 per acre
The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. is beefing up its forage protection program for this year with higher coverage. Provincial agriculture minister Lyle Stewart said forage insurance is sometimes overlooked. “2016 insured prices are up more than 30 percent and forage establishment coverage has increased from $55 an acre to $70 per acre,” he said. SCIC […] Read more
Beaver’s bad reputation not deserved
Many farmers think of the beaver as their enemy, a destructive pest to be controlled. However, the advantages of having beavers on ranchland far outweigh any disadvantages, said environmental consultant Rob Gardner, who has been observing beavers and other prairie wildlife for 35 years. Gardner told the Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference in Saskatoon […] Read more
Eggs, ‘perfect protein,’ deliver hope
Egg Farmers of Canada is part of an international development project in Swaziland that built two modern egg barns
An egg a day is helping feed and educate thousands of people in Swaziland. “It’s incredibly exciting,” said Egg Farmers of Canada chief executive officer Tim Lambert, who recently visited the small African nation. Lambert said eggs are beginning to change the future of a country that has been decimated by the HIV/AIDS virus. “Forty-two […] Read more
Counsellor lends animal workers her ear
Social worker provides support for veterinarians and livestock owners suffering stress, trauma and burnout
When Erin Wasson visited a Saskatchewan farm recently, she jumped into the thick of things and helped push sheep through the chute for treatment. “Work needed to get done,” said Wasson, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s first social worker. She said a willingness to get her hands dirty is vital when building a rapport […] Read moreFunds boost co-op movement
Co-operative development in Western Canada took a leap forward Jan. 27 with the launch of Co-operatives First. A five-year, $5 million commitment from the Co-operative Retailing System will give start-up funding to the non-profit organization. Co-operatives First is the result of two years of research and $1 million from Federated Co-operatives Ltd. “This project aimed […] Read more
Monitoring program, data needed to evaluate seed treatment efficacy
Confusion exists about the type of seed treatment that should be used to control flea beetles, says a provincial insect specialist. Scott Hartley of Saskatchewan Agriculture said it depends on what flea beetle species are present and their relative abundance. Hartley, who presented a study on the evaluation of seed treatments used to control crucifer […] Read more
Survey finds more CWD in Western Canada
An examination of animal heads submitted by hunters determines that the disease is spreading to new areas
A recent hunter surveillance program suggests the population of chronic wasting disease continues to rise and spread in Western Canada. Trent Bollinger of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative said that of the 200 animal heads submitted for testing, 18 or about 10 percent tested positive for CWD. While final numbers are still being calculated, Bollinger […] Read more
Coloured netting is picky with light
Photo selective netting gives fruit and vegetable growers something to smile about, says a provincial specialist in fruit crops. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s a win, win, win,” Forrest Scharf of Saskatchewan Agriculture told the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association’s annual conference in Saskatoon Jan. 15-16. The special netting helps control leaf size, stem length, […] Read more
