Last week’s historic parliamentary vote to approve in principle Bill C-18 to end the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly was a deeply personal moment for some of the MPs involved. Ted Menzies, southern Alberta MP and minister of state for finance, southern Saskatchewan MP David Anderson and veteran Prince Edward Island MP Wayne Easter have been […] Read more
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Take action if tree shows leaf disease
Plenty of leaves are falling from trees these days, but those that stay on poplars and aspens might be signs of disease. Bronze leaf disease was found in about 2005 in Manitoba and is slowly making its way westward. It affects aspen and poplar hybrids and can kill trees within three to five years if […] Read more
Wheat board monopoly critic dead at 78
A Saskatchewan farmer who fought passionately for the right to market his own grain has died just as the legislation to end the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly appears to be near the end of its journey through Parliament. Art Mainil, who farmed near Benson, was 78 and had cancer. He died Nov. 5. He was […] Read more
Fertilizer prices may rise by spring
An Alberta government researcher believes fertilizer prices could creep higher by next spring if commodity prices remain strong. “If (fertilizer) prices are going to go up, they probably are going to be up there for a little while … as long as the market will bear it,” said Ross McKenzie, an agronomy research scientist with […] Read more
Meat sector praises fed’s trade efforts
Red meat industry leaders got together Oct. 24 to praise the Conservative government for efforts to open markets for Canadian agricultural exports. Canadian Cattlemen’s Association president Travis Toews said agriculture minister Gerry Ritz and trade minister Ed Fast “really understand that our producers need market access and we thank them for working hard to create […] Read more
Cattle producers discuss national insurance scheme
CARLYLE, Sask. — Questions replaced resolutions at a recent meeting of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association’s District 1. About 50 people attended the meeting to vote for a new director and get an update on industry issues. They didn’t draft resolutions to send to the SCA annual general meeting in January, but they did have questions […] Read more
Wall wins, NDP cut in half
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party steamrolled over the opposition Nov. 7 on their way to a second, larger, majority and captured a record 64 percent of the popular vote. Not since 1912, when the Liberals earned 57 percent, has a party earned that much approval from Saskatchewan voters. Unofficial results […] Read more
CWB unveils payments
The Canadian Wheat Board has announced interim payments for the 2010-11 crop year. The payments for wheat range from $2.80 to $55.20 per tonne depending on grade, class and protein. Payments on durum range from $19.50 to $34.50. The payment for designated barley is $6 for two-row and six-row. The payment for pool B feed […] Read more
Precision farming conference
A conference about precision farming in Western Canada will be held Feb. 22-23 in Calgary. The conference, Precision Agriculture – the Next Generation, will focus on the use of GPS and GIS technology. Producers and agronomists are expected to attend. For more information, visit www.precision-ag.ca
Adjust lambing to feed supply
LEDUC, Alta. — Taking a closer look at lambing dates may be one way to reduce high feed costs, says a livestock nutrition specialist. “The lambing date sets everything,” Woody Lane told sheep producers at an Alberta Sheep Breeders Association symposium. Ewes’ nutritional requirements are highest in late gestation and early lactation. As a result, […] Read more
