Disease incidence higher in 2012 | Hot summer, dry conditions add to poor yields
Canola growers in Manitoba have been extremely disappointed by yields this harvest season, as record temperatures and arid conditions hindered pod development in July. Yet, the extreme heat may not be the only factor behind poor canola returns, which ranged from 20 to 25 bushels per acre on many farms, because blackleg also robbed canola […] Read moreNews
Blackleg reduces Man. canola yield
Sask. looks to control moose numbers
More hunting The Sask. moose population has exploded, especially in the south, where moose were once a rare sight
An extra 350 moose hunting licences were made available in southern Saskatchewan last week as the government moved to curb the moose population. Environment minister Ken Cheveldayoff said a second draw for tags was held to try to keep moose numbers down in areas where more people live. “It’s a public safety concern first of […] Read moreCommon crops’ wild relatives preserved
LINDELL BEACH, B.C. — Today’s familiar crops such as wheat, oats, barley, rye, pulse crops, berries or tree fruits all originated from wild plants. But some wild relatives are disappearing because of urban sprawl, agriculture, and pollution. “We are seeing a widespread interest in preserving the wild relatives of commercial crops,” said Stephanie Greene, plant […] Read more
Variety test technology hits stumbling block
Project results unclear Driveway device would identify wheat varieties in less than five minutes
Work to develop a “driveway” style device that can rapidly distinguish between different varieties of spring wheat appears to have hit a pothole. A few years ago, the development of a so-called “black box technology” to identify wheat varieties at the point of delivery was viewed by some as a critical industry initiative. Supporters of […] Read moreOfficials say nothing decided on farm programs
Cuts still undecided Officials say many options exist and they invite farmers to give input on the proposed new supports
Despite widespread indications that significant farm support budget cuts will come out of next week’s federal-provincial ministers’ meeting in Whitehorse, a senior federal official is cautioning against presumptions. During a background briefing for reporters on existing business risk management programs Aug. 30, department officials said the collection of existing programs paid out $10 billion during […] Read moreCorn, livestock producers differ on ethanol mandate
Ethanol Expansion Program
A longstanding spat between corn growers and livestock producers that was recently reignited in the United States is spreading north. The Canadian Pork Council is calling on governments to temporarily relax ethanol mandates in response to a U.S. drought that has driven up feed costs to unsustainable levels. That prompted a response from Canadian corn […] Read moreNew vaccine promisesto change FMD treatment
LINDELL BEACH, B.C. — After years of research, scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture have produced a molecular vaccine for one strain of foot and mouth disease that does not use the live virus and can be used to differentiate between an infected and an inoculated animal. Marvin Grubman, supervisory research chemist at […] Read more
Growers, elevators urged to submit grain samples
The Canadian Grain Commission is encouraging farmers to submit grain samples from this year’s harvest to its Harvest Sample Program. Producers can request a sample package by contacting the commission or visiting the CGC’s website at www.grainscanada.gc.ca. Growers who submit samples before Nov. 1 receive a free unofficial grade as well as a free quality […] Read more
Candidates enter Sask. NDP leadership race
Two men have already stepped forward as candidates for the Saskatchewan NDP leadership. The party has announced the parameters for the leadership campaign, which culminates in a March 9 leadership convention. Cam Broten, a health policy manager and MLA for Saskatoon Massey Place since 2007, said Sept. 5 that he would run, and Erin Weir, […] Read more
Former senator Herb Sparrow dies
Former Saskatchewan Liberal senator Herb Sparrow, who died Sept. 6 from complications of a stroke at age 82, was a Senate icon — a symbol of the patronage system and also of Senate independence. His work was also was an example of how the usually background Senate can produce reports that literally change the face […] Read more
