New Pioneer head
Curtis Vossen has been appointed president of the grain division of James Richardson & Sons, and of Pioneer Grain Company, one of its largest affiliates. Vossen succeeds Douglas Larson, who retired July 1.
Vossen, 42, has many years of experience in the grain and agri-services industry. Larson was with the grain division for more than 38 years.
Richardson & Sons is a privately owned Canadian corporation, established in 1857, with headquarters in Winnipeg. Among its company holdings are Richardson Greenshields, Pioneer Grain and Pioneer Grain Terminals, Richardson Terminals, Sorel Elevators and Green Valley Fertilizer.
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Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
Native grass booklet
A new publication has been released about native range plants. Seeded Native Range Plants was written by Zoheir Abouguendia, rangeland specialist with the grazing and pasture technology program in Swift Current, Sask.
Abouguendia said two recent seminars on native range plants generated more interest than he expected, prompting him to publish more information. The booklet talks about native plants, seed sources, the seed collection process and the ease or difficulty of establishing native species.
“A lot more work has been done on native range plants recently, but our knowledge is far from perfect,” said Abouguendia. “Still, we do know that native range plants can be produced and managed by producers successfully.”
Seeded Native Range Plants is available at the rural service centre in Swift Current and at the publications distribution centre of Saskatchewan Agriculture in Regina.
Ontario ag minister
Noble Villeneuve, Ontario legislature member for East Grenville, has been appointed as minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs and francophone affairs in the Ontario cabinet of premier Mike Harris. Villeneuve served as Progressive Conservative agriculture critic during the previous provincial government.
Loosestrife a threat
An Alberta Agriculture specialist warns farmers to watch for purple loosestrife.
Designated a noxious weed in 1992, purple loosestrife is an aggressive plant that invades wetlands, chokes native vegetation and reduces available food and shelter for wildlife. It is highly competitive with other plants, says Shaffeek Ali, chair of the provincial purple loosestrife action committee.
The weed is recognized by its long, bright pinkish purple flowers. Each flower has five to six petals growing on vertical spikes and it blooms from mid-July through September. Its leaves are tongue-shaped with smooth edges and attach directly to a four-sided stem. It can be confused with ornamental lythrum, an ornamental plant found in some flower gardens.
For information or to report purple loosestrife infestation, contact your municipal weed inspector.
