The Saskatchewan government wants input on how it delivers agricultural extension services. Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said today he wants to hear from farmers, ranchers and agribusiness on how they would prefer to get their information. “Agriculture is the foundation of our province and we want to make sure we are providing the right services, […] Read more
Farm Living
Sask. reviews ag extension
Canola’s economic influence explodes in last 10 years
Canada’s canola industry produces tens of billions of dollars of economic value, creates hundreds of thousands of jobs and is a major export earner. It’s a stunning result for a crop that didn’t truly exist 50 years ago and that had only one-third the impact just a decade ago. “We see an incredible amount of […] Read more
Former boxer gives farming challenges a one-two
EDAM, Sask. — Boxers and farmers have a lot in common, said Joey LaClare. “If you go half ass in boxing, you’ll take a beating in the ring. You’ll have to pay for it,” said the 2002 Canadian middleweight champion. “The farming world can throw punches too. You’ll end up having some costly mistakes if […] Read more
Take a seat at our table
Event brings urban millennials and young farmers together to learn about agriculture, food marketing and catering to demands of this growing sector
OLDS, Alta. — Marketing specialist Michaela Brownlee wants to know that the people who grow her food use the same high standards as she does when she buys and prepares it. She got a chance to meet the people who grew and raised the food on her plate and the beverage in her glass during […] Read more
Craft breweries cheer new rules
OLDS, Alta. — Few pleasures match that of sipping a fresh and lively ale made with malt from your own barley, says an Alberta grain grower. Wade McAllister, fifth-generation producer on a farm established east of Olds, Alta., in 1915, says the dramatic growth in craft breweries over the last two years has stimulated new […] Read more
Score big with these hearty favourites
One of my first social outings was going to the rink for my dad’s hockey games. I grew up a rink rat and loved every aspect of the community gathering place. In those days, girls figure skated and did not play hockey, but we excelled at crack the whip and could hang on better than […] Read more
Exercise key to good health
MYSTIC, Conn. — Getting enough rest is just as important as regular physical activity, said a fitness trainer. Speaking at the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association in Mystic, Connecticut, Feb. 7, Deanna Black said rest, physical activity and good nutrition can all help keep stress at bay in farm businesses. Black said most people […] Read more
Farmers’ Direct Marketing conference Notes
Sunflowers promote ice cream GRISWOLD, Conn. — Growing sunflowers for fundraising has spinoffs by bringing crowds to the Buttonwood Farm’s ice cream business. “It creates a lot of traffic,” said Duane Button, who plants 14 acres of sunflowers each year at his cattle farm at Griswold, Conn. The mature flowers are cut by hand and […] Read more
Couple remains enthusiastic despite hurdles
WISHART, Sask. — Erin and Eric Yewsiuk knew that starting a cattle operation from scratch would take guts, grit and resilience. They began with eight cows in Eric’s name. “It was something I always wanted to do but I always thought it wouldn’t be a reality,” said Eric, a 23-year-old journeyman machinery technician who currently […] Read more
Succession plan starts with profitability
MYSTIC, Conn. — The long-term success of a family farm depends on ongoing succession planning, said a farm business consultant. Erin Pirro of Farm Credit East in Enfield, Connecticut, advised delegates at the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association here Feb. 7 to start early. “It’s not going to happen overnight and you don’t want […] Read more
