Kochia is a common, non-native weed that can be baled for feed during times of feed shortages, but producers must be aware that it is a good news-bad news option. “If kochia is baled at later stages of maturity, it may comprise up to 40 percent of the diet for cattle. If baled at an […] Read more
News — page 4631
Use caution when feeding kochia to cattle
Northern Alberta farmers look on positive side
IRON RIVER, Alta. – For Gordon Graves the farmer, the past two years of dry weather have meant poor pastures, dry dugouts and crops that struggle to make it worth combining. But the dry weather creates different problems for Gordon Graves the fire chief. The volunteer firefighter from Iron River has spent three of the […] Read more
Test field pea straw before using as feed
Cattle producers who are tempted to use pea straw as an alternative feed source need to have it tested, says an Alberta Agriculture pulse specialist. A feed shortage and an increase in field pea acres in Western Canada have made field pea straw a more common cattle feed, said Mark Olson of Lacombe. “It’s just […] Read more
The other story behind canada’s FARM CRISIS – Special Report (main story)
PEEBLES, Sask. – Cecilia Olver displays a shred of optimism as she drives around the fields of the 3,200-acre farm she works with husband Brian. “We’re OK this year,” she says, reflecting on the good yields and decent prices for peas and lentils this fall. “I feel pretty optimistic this year. We were blessed with […] Read more
U.S. firm to buy Philom Bios
A home-grown high tech agricultural company is about to fall into American hands. Philom Bios, a Saskatoon inoculant manufacturer that has been in business since 1980, has signed a letter of intent to amalgamate with its main competitor MicroBio RhizoGen Corp., or MBR. Also based in Saskatoon, MBR is owned by MicroBio Corp. of the […] Read more
Farmer struggles after shunning subsidies – Special Report (story 2)
RAPID CITY, Man. – Manitoba grain farmer Peter Mellings is in an odd position when he calls on governments to beef up farm support programs. On his 1,550-acre farm in the province’s west-central region, he is struggling to survive. “I’m 43 years old and I should be putting away for my retirement but at this […] Read more
Buyer sought for Manitoba canola crushing plant
A canola crushing plant that was mothballed after its owner had financial troubles three years ago may be sold through a tax sale later this month. Taxes charged on the plant at Ste. Agathe, Man., are $250,000 a year. The taxes are a year in arrears and the receiver has chosen not to pay them, […] Read more
Feds to visit West to see, hear woes
The post-harvest November period will bring a crop of federal politicians to the Prairies. On Oct. 4, members of the House of Commons agriculture committee met in private session to plan a week or two of hearings in the West next month. After the meeting, Ontario Liberal MP and committee vice-chair Murray Calder said in […] Read more
Budding business is barrel of fun
Swift Current, Sask. – Irene Friesen wants to see stout blue bins and rusting metal drums replaced with vase-shaped rain barrels in designer colours. The 37-year-old Swift Current entrepreneur hatched the soon-to-be patented plastic prototype for her Oasis Rain Collection System in 1999, and is now selling a variety of models in major gardening and […] Read more
CWD called ’emergency’ to get money
A state of emergency over chronic wasting disease has been declared in the United States to make more disease control money available, not because there is a new outbreak, says an American agricultural official. “This is not like a dire emergency where we’re all at risk from chronic wasting disease and we’re in some sort […] Read more
