Saskatchewan has signed an agreement with Ottawa to try to recover funds it spent to help producers affected by bovine tuberculosis quarantines. The AgriRecovery initiative was signed earlier this month after the province helped producers with the costs of keeping animals that should have gone to market. Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart had said in January […] Read more
Farm Living
Trade, market access top priorities in Sask. APF survey
Saskatchewan producers say trade and market access are top priorities for the next agriculture policy framework. The provincial government said this morning that 887 people, three quarters of them producers, responded to a recently completed online survey on the non-business risk management components of the framework. Other respondents were consumers, organizations, processors, researchers and business. […] Read more
CFIA report to weigh in on glyphosate debate
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is about to release a report that could change the public perception of glyphosate. Since 2015, CFIA scientists have been testing food for residues of glyphosate, a product best known by the Roundup brand name, although other brands and generic exist. It is the most popular herbicide in the world. […] Read more
Clubroot control could be helped by adding field exits
DAUPHIN, Man. — In February, Dan Orchard had a eureka moment. Orchard, a Canola Council of Canada agronomist in central Alberta, spends a lot of time thinking and talking about clubroot because the disease affects hundreds of farms in his area. Earlier this winter, after speaking to a grower on the phone, an idea popped […] Read more
Families operate as collective in farm business
Each couple owns their own home and land, but working together provides financial and lifestyle benefits
WYNYARD, Sask. — Four operations are better than one. That’s the thinking at Windy Poplars where a father, his two sons and their best friend farm collectively. While they operate separately under the Windy Poplars umbrella, the farm families have chosen to operate as a unit to optimize both purchasing power and labour. “Each farm […] Read more
Be advocates, educate on food safety
Karen Morrison attended the Advancing Women In Agriculture Conference in Calgary and filed this report. CALGARY — Scientific evidence alone is not sufficient to sway the minds of increasingly skeptical consumers about food safety. Jennifer Henderson, director of food safety with Cargill, reminded those attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture conference March 7 in Calgary […] Read more
Being prepared for an emergency can save lives, heartache
When an emergency happens such as an accident, health emergency, fire or a death, personal information must be readily available. Calling for emergency personnel Knowing where you are is essential to getting help quickly. In a rural setting, the land location needs to be given first, then provide specific directions including identifiable features that may […] Read more
Coach acts as guide down path to goals
CALGARY — A coach can help families navigate difficult relationships and challenging work on the farm. Jacquie Stephens and Kay Kuenker of Breakthrough Consulting, who led a workshop at the Advancing Women in Agriculture conference March 6 in Calgary, said they offer an outsider’s perspective. “It can be really valuable to have a different set […] Read more
Women ‘backbone of agriculture’
assuming all genetic relationships equal good working relationships believing the business can financially support all family members who want to join assuming others must change but not me presuming a conversation is a contract believing mind reading is an acceptable form of communication failing to build communication skills and meeting tools when times are good […] Read more
Business model puts family first, says expert
CALGARY — Operating the farm as a business-first family operation rather than a family-first business shifts the tone of the conversation, said Alberta farmer Connie Stasiuk. The participant at the Advancing Women in Agriculture conference in Calgary said doing so takes the emotion out of the equation. “When talking about business, it’s strictly the dynamics, […] Read more
