Grain Growers of Canada has withdrawn its complaint against what it considers to be flaws in the Canadian Grain Commission’s consultation process about user fee increases. The commission has recommended significant increases in fee-for-service charges this year. It is under pressure from the federal government to raise more money and end the annual government subsidy […] Read more
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Farm lobby group withdraws complaint
Producers assess health of pastures during tour
To the untrained eye, a pasture is a pasture is a pasture. But to ranchers, custom grazers and forage producers, the difference between a healthy pasture and an unhealthy one may be all that separates a profitable year from an unprofitable year. Fifty producers recently spent an afternoon assessing rangeland health and identifying the tell-tale […] Read more
Free well testing for flood victims
Saskatchewan Health is extending a program that offers free water testing to rural residents whose wells have been affected by flooding. Tim Macaulay, director of environmental health with the provincial health department, said flooding in many areas of the province has the potential to contaminate well water with bacteria, nitrates and other materials. The department […] Read more
Trip west pays off for retired farmers
Rural municipal councillor Reg Madsen left the high flood waters behind in Manitoba to make the 15 hour trip to Alberta to show off his Clydesdales. The trip to the Calgary Stampede was worth it when Reg and Carol Madsen of Hamiota won best in show with a six-year-old mare named WV Greendykes Charismatic Finale. […] Read more
Parasite transmitted by mating
Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease of cattle that is commonly seen in open range beef operations or in dairy herds that use bulls rather than artificial insemination. It was first described in France in 1888, although it was not recognized as a common problem in western Canadian herds until 1993 when it was diagnosed in […] Read more
Bug troubles plentiful in Sask.
SCOTT, Sask. — Saskatchewan has had its share of problems with insect pests this year. Midge is one of the bugs causing difficulties, says Scott Hartley, an insect and vertebrate pest specialist with the provincial agriculture ministry. “Right now we’re in the middle of midge emergence,” he told a field day at Agriculture Canada’s Scott […] Read more
Bison genome map could be both boon and bane
BIG SKY, Mont. — A project to map the bison genome is a double-edged sword for producers. It may reveal the level of cattle genetics present in the bison herd and give ammunition to American groups that want “pure bison” designated as a threatened species. On the other edge, it may offer better information for […] Read more
Group seeks public review of dam operations
A group of farmers is demanding a public review of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority’s operation of the Gardiner Dam. Wally Hamm, vice-chair of the Valley People Association, said the water level at the dam is kept high late into the year, which enables SaskPower to generate more hydroelectricity. “The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, basically they’re a […] Read more
Feds pull funding for cattle plant
A proposed cattle slaughter plant in Winnipeg is likely dead because Ottawa has backed away from its $10 million commitment to the project, says Manitoba agriculture minister Stan Struthers. “My fear is that the project is dead,” said Struthers, who learned July 13 that the federal government was no longer supporting the project. “All this […] Read more
Youths earn Stampede money, scholarships
The junior section of the Calgary Stampede’s steer show recognized two young girls last week who couldn’t see over their animals’ shoulders. Shelby Kent of Carstairs, Alta., took first place and won $2,000 in cash and a $3,000 scholarship. At the end of the show, her steer sold for $15,500 to Grey Wolf Production Syndicate, […] Read more
