NIPAWIN, Sask. – Julie and Kurt Rempel are charting a new path for their northeastern Saskatchewan farm operation.Beginning this spring, Kurt will switch to grass and beef production from grain and oilseed production at Nipawin.That change will require fewer acres of farmland, less machinery and fewer hours spent in the tractor for Kurt, who maintains […] Read more
Farm Living
Couple hopes new focus will bring in profits
Graduation is rite of passage into life of new responsibilities
Q: My younger brother graduated from high school and my parents are making a big deal out of it. They did the same thing when I graduated. I am not sure why this is necessary and why they get carried away at high school graduations.A: Almost all indigenous cultures have special ceremonies and rituals celebrating […] Read more
Bison: nutritious, tasty alternative for barbecue season
If you are looking for a new taste experience, I suggest trying barbecued bison steaks or burgers this summer.The taste and texture of bison are similar to beef, with a slightly sweeter and richer flavour. The meat is leaner than beef with no marbling of fat throughout the muscles. It takes less bison meat to […] Read more
Buyer beware principle still applies today
Q: I was looking for a tractor equipped with a special transmission. I found one in Saskatchewan and asked the owner on the phone if it had this transmission. She didn’t know machinery and said that I should come to see it. I travelled there and the transmission had the factory stickers on it, so […] Read more
Greenhouse business sprouts from hobby
MADDEN, Alta. – Craig and Libby Smith’s farming dream has grown from a small greenhouse to more than 18,000 sq. feet of space producing flowers, herbs and vegetables.They bought a bare quarter section of land northwest of Calgary near the hamlet of Madden in 1998 and by 2000 had started a small greenhouse that has […] Read more
Counselling or helping person commit suicide can net jail time
Q: What is the status of the law in Canada on assisted suicide?A: This issue raises strong opinions and arguments, not only legal but moral as well.The fact that debate rages on in Canada and beyond is illustrated by the events of this past spring. A new federal law, Bill C-384, the Right to Die […] Read more
Cattle ranchers think green
ALEXIS CREEK, B.C. – Al and Bev Madley knew their ranch needed an environmental facelift long before going green was fashionable.Their effort to green up their pastures and better manage their water in one of Canada’s driest regions was recognized last year when they won the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association national environmental stewardship award.Canyon Creek Ranch […] Read more
Exhibit feeds visitors food for thought
STEINBACH, Man. – It’s a well-known proverb: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.However, it’s not that simple in the real world, said Peter Rempel, executive director of the Mennonite Central Committee in Manitoba.”What if the fisherman doesn’t […] Read more
CLA study targets obesity
A natural component of dairy and beef products could help with the battle of the bulge.In a new study at the University of Alberta, researchers are looking at natural conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in fighting obesity and related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Vaccenic acid will also be evaluated.“The knowledge […] Read more
Navigating divorce and maintaining friendships a challenge
Q: I would like to know how I can help my lifelong friend. She and her husband are getting a divorce. My husband and I have grown fond of her husband and I am not fussy about listening to my friend complain about him. We like both of them, but I would like to figure […] Read more
