Three trainers from across the Prairies square off as they work in front of a crowd to train a horse in only four days
Dustin Sippola from Nanton, Alta., won the Trainer Challenge during the 10th annual Equine Expo held in Saskatoon Oct. 27-30. “He was kind of the front-runner all the way through,” said Ron Hoffman, one of three judges. “He was more experienced at these kind of competitions, knew what he had to do and executed very […] Read more
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
Snow brings relief to southern Prairies
Farmers and ranchers across the southern Prairies woke Oct. 23 to a heavy blanket of snow covering their land, the first white stuff of the year. It was laden with much-needed moisture that was greedily absorbed by parched soil. “It was very welcome. We are still really in the grips of a historically dry situation, […] Read more
Vet students feel left out following new funding
Non-subsidized veterinary students say it’s frustrating that they weren’t included in a recent funding announcement
CORRECTION: November 10, 2022 – A quote in the story below by WCVM dean Dr. Gillian Muir should not have implied that Muir expects provincial government partners to subsidize expansion seats at the college. Forgotten: that is how some veterinary students feel about a recent funding announcement by the Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments that will […] Read more
Dazed and confused? There’s a course for that
A university professor teaches scientists-in-the-making how to explain complex ideas and concepts in a simple way
Say what? Morgan Fleming used to see dazed looks on the faces of listeners when she described her scientific research. Now she sees their eyes light up with understanding. Fleming and her listeners are beneficiaries of a course in scientific communication at the University of Saskatchewan. The food sciences graduate student said she is now […] Read more
Veterinary students use expo as a way to reach children
U of S’s Vetavision is seen as an opportunity to teach school-age children about veterinary medicine and agriculture
Nina Zakaluzny “most definitely” wants to be a veterinarian. “I love animals and I love learning new things every day,” said the nine-year-old after she poked and squeezed a pig’s gallbladder and liver in the anatomy laboratory during the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Vetavision event Sept. 23-24. “I just have a connection with animals […] Read more
Project aims to conserve grassland in southwestern Sask.
Nature Conservancy of Canada works with rancher to ensure that 1,300 acre property will be protected
Southwestern Saskatchewan has had another large piece of grassland protected by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Rangeview conservation project is in the Milk River drainage area south of Robsart, about 70 kilometres south of Maple Creek and six km west of the boundary with the Old Man On His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation […] Read more
Bees help researcher land ‘dream job’ in Sask.
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine hires veterinarian to serve as its first pollinator health research chair
From beef to bees, that’s the path Sarah Wood took to find her dream job as the first research chair in pollinator health at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. “I’m here to stay… I have my dream job. I don’t need another job for the rest of my life,” […] Read more
Study finds lime can combat clubroot
University of Alberta plant pathologists say it could be another tool to improve sustainability and help with resistance
Can lime reduce clubroot in canola if environmental conditions and timing are right? Yes, say researchers. “Now we know, when all things are right, lime can significantly reduce the disease severity and have quite impressive results,” said Stephen Strelkov, a University of Alberta plant pathologist who co-authored the study. U of A researchers tested two […] Read more
Sask. may update prohibited weed list
Three nasty weeds are knocking on Saskatchewan’s door. Ventenata (North Africa grass), waterhemp and palmer amaranth are making their presence felt south of the border in North Dakota and Montana, said weed specialist Clark Brenzil of Saskatchewan Agriculture. “They’re on the doorstep so it’s one of those things that we want to raise awareness with […] Read more
Couple uses mystique and romance
HANLEY, Sask. — Sell a bison burger and you’re selling a story. That’s how Les and Kathy Kroeger approach their business and their customers. “I’ve got my passion for talking about bison and the land. And I sell my story, whether it’s in a package of steak or a package of ground,” said Les. Kathy […] Read more
