LANIGAN, Sask. — The Western Beef Development Centre is trying to find out if there is an ideal cattle herd size for producers in Western Canada. Kathy Larson, an economist with the centre, said it has been conducting an annual cost-of-production study since 2001. Finding the optimal herd size was a motivating factor of this […] Read more
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
U.S. aims at higher beef exports
Bullish prospects | Expert sees United States herd expansion push into north and west
After years of decline, the U.S. calf crop is poised to grow, according to a Kansas State University assistant professor who spoke at a research ranch in central Saskatchewan. Glynn Tonsor said he thinks expansion will resemble what existed in the 1990s rather than the historic highs of the 1970s and 1980s. With consumer education […] Read moreIf foxtail moves into a field, look for other issues
If producers are dealing with foxtail barley, there’s more going on than just a new weed. “Foxtail barley growing in a field usually means that there’s something happening in that field that’s restricting the growth of whatever crop is supposed to be there,” said Elaine Moats, regional crop specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture. The perennial weed […] Read more
Sled Dogs place sixth overall
The University of Saskatchewan Sled Dogs finished sixth at the 15th annual International Quarter Scale Tractor Student Design Competition. The event was held in Peoria, Illinois, May 31-June 3. Last year, the Sled Dogs placed fourth among 26 teams from universities across North America. Teams must design and construct a fully functional tractor. During the […] Read more
Sandblasting winds cut down canola crops
Andre Charlot’s canola field of dreams became a nightmare last month. “Before, the land was just like a garden. It was nice land and that (field) was the one that blew the most,” he said. Charlot is referring to several days of strong northwest winds that blew across his land, obliterating a good chunk of […] Read more
Children earn their keep on Hicks family farm
Hard work rewarded | Life lessons learned ‘in the muck’ when everyone contributes
GLASLYN, Sask. — Fostering entrepreneurship in their children is important for Michael and Charmaine Hicks. “Money talks,” said Michael. “I don’t want the kids to be slaves on the farm, so I’m making sure in some way they’re compensated for their work.” The Hicks have a system that seems to be working for them and […] Read moreSolid start for Sled Dogs
Popping wheelies with their tractor in the hotel parking lot is just one of the perks of being on the Sled Dogs team. The University of Saskatchewan quarter scale tractor team is in Peoria, Illinois, competing in the 15th annual International ¼ Scale Tractor Student Design Competition, which ended yesterday. Last year’s team placed fourth […] Read more
Saskatchewan crop report
A year ago, only 54 percent of the crop had been seeded at this time because of heavy rain. The eastern and southern regions were particularly affected. This year, about 74 percent of the province’s crops are in the ground, four points above the five-year average. South About three quarters of the crop is seeded, […] Read more
Molecular sponge absorbs toxins, produces biofuel
University of Saskatchewan | Cost effective way to produce biofuel using polysaccharides
Lee Wilson thinks he has found a cost effective way to help produce biofuel using wheat straw. In a lab at the University of Saskatchewan, the chemist and his team of graduate students have developed various types of what Wilson terms “molecular sponges.” Some sponges are designed to take specific impurities out of water, such […] Read moreHerbicide resistance testing pays off
Farmers climbing into sprayers to deal with pre-seeding burn off could gain valuable knowledge about weed resistance issues by having the proper tests done. That could pay off in time savings and money by making sure proper herbicides are applied. Saskatchewan’s Crop Protection Laboratory can test weed seeds for resistance to herbicides, which could take […] Read more
