Wind gusts sweep away swaths | Damages to canola crop extensive, say analysts
Harvest was in full swing on the Bellamy farm near Rosebud, Alta., when what some have dubbed a billion dollar wind suddenly whipped up and shattered their prospects for a good crop. “My husband thought his combine was going to blow over. Seriously. You cannot imagine the strength of this wind,” said Elaine Bellamy. Gusts […] Read moreNews
Grass fire leaves blackened reminder of its rage
The wind was gusting to 110 km/h Sept. 10 in southern Alberta when Kevin Serfas got a phone call from one of his custom combining crews. The crew chief had shut down operations at 12:30 that day over fears the machines might start a fire that couldn’t be stopped. Serfas, who farms 40,000 acres on […] Read more
Policy change process under fire
Sask. minister unaware of “cooked up” deal
WHITEHORSE — They agree that the new five-year farm policy framework will benefit their farmers, but two provincial ministers argue that next time, the process should be different. Saskatchewan’s Lyle Stewart signed the Growing Forward 2 agreement with reservations. Ontario’s Ted McMeekin signed it with more enthusiasm. But both said the next process to negotiate […] Read moreFormer CWB directors apply to be heard at Supreme Court
Eight prairie grain growers who formerly served as farmer-elected directors for the CWB are attempting to have their case in support of single desk grain marketing heard by the Supreme Court of Canada. The former directors, including past CWB chair Allen Oberg, say the federal government acted illegally when it passed legislation aimed at ending […] Read more
BASF plans to buy Becker Underwood
The world’s largest chemical manufacturer is attempting to buy a global leader in seed-applied biological products. BASF plans to purchase Becker Underwood for $1.02 billion US from Norwest Equity Partners. Becker Underwood manufactures a variety of biological plant health products including inoculants and seed treatments. The deal has a Canadian connection. Becker Underwood acquired MicroBio […] Read more
Butala wins literary excellence award
Sharon Butala may live in Calgary now, but her heart continues to belong to the rolling grasslands of southwestern Saskatchewan and the lifetime of relationships she forged in the province. “When you start to get old you want to go back to your roots,” the writer said Sept. 18 after receiving the Cheryl and Henry […] Read more
Potash deal signed with Indonesia
Canpotex has signed four five-year potash agreements with Indonesian buyers. The signings took place during a trade mission to Asia led by Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall. Indonesian imports of Saskatchewan potash have grown by 85 percent in the last five years. Farmers there use it to grow crude palm oil, rice, corn and cash crops. […] Read more
Ground beef from Edmonton plant recalled
A national recall on ground beef has been issued because of possible E. coli contamination. Produced by an XL Foods plant in Edmonton, various ground beef products were distributed to Safeway, Walmart and Costco. On Sept. 17 the recall was expanded to include products sold by Superstore, Extra Foods, No Frills, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, […] Read more
Lethbridge College expands rural reach
Just in time for the start of a new semester, Lethbridge College has opened its fifth rural campus. Vulcan, about 75 kilometres north of Lethbridge, will be offering college courses using video conferencing as well as direct instruction. The town joins the ranks of rural college campuses in Fort Macleod, Claresholm, Pincher Creek and Crowsnest […] Read more
Crop report
Alberta South Good harvest weather continued last week, and half to three-quarters of the crop is now in the bin. Cereal yields are about 15 percent below average in the Enchant area, but numerous above average winter wheat yields have been reported. Results from initial canola harvest are disappointing and in general about 15 percent […] Read more
