Cattle producers should band together as a single political force to get their message out more effectively and change agricultural policy, said agricultural economist Barry Flinchbaugh. The Kansas State professor told a meeting of Saskatchewan cattle feeders in Saskatoon Jan. 30 that one voice would give the industry more potency in dealing with politicians. “Politicians […] Read more
News
One voice urged for cattle producers
Man. beef producers to convert hog facility
STE. ROSE DU LAC, Man. – Members of Rancher’s Choice Beef Co-op Ltd. have decided to move ahead with their $11-$12 million plans to buy a hog processing plant in Winnipeg and convert it into a slaughter facility for cull cattle. During a meeting in Ste. Rose du Lac on Feb. 5, co-op members were […] Read more
CP denies blame for rail woes
Canadian Pacific Railway has taken the unprecedented step of declaring force majeure on its grain shipping contracts. As a result, any demurrage or other penalties arising from the late delivery of rail cars carrying grain or grain products are suspended indefinitely, the railway said in a Feb. 4 notice to grain shippers. The railway says […] Read more
Ag blamed for Sask. additional spending
Agriculture is taking blame for higher than expected Saskatchewan government spending. But most of the extra $130.6 million on the department’s books this fiscal year is there because the province signed the agricultural policy framework, a new five-year deal between Ottawa and the provinces covering risk management, environment and other key aspects of agriculture. Under […] Read more
Alta. firm to build fertilizer facilities
An independent Alberta farm supply company is building three $750,000 fertilizer-blending facilities. “There’s a lot of competition out there and we have to show our commitment to farmers,” said Brent McIndoe, of Camrose Crop Management Services in Camrose, part of the Andrukow Farm Group that is building the three fertilizer blending facilities in Camrose, Ryley […] Read more
Grasshopper problem likely
It seems odd to be fretting about grasshoppers at a time of frozen nose drippings and frosted eyelashes, but insect specialists can’t keep their minds off the little critters lurking beneath the snow. The three prairie provinces have released their 2004 grasshopper forecasts and despite the bitter cold there are numerous “hot spots” on each […] Read more
Farmers push to get more investors in GWR rail line
A group of farmers in southwestern Saskatchewan is making one more push to convince neighbours and friends to invest in the lone railway serving their corner of the province. The farmers want to buy Great Western Railway, which for the past four years has owned 550 kilometres of track in the area, hauling grain to […] Read more
Feed plant gets nod
There were blips, but Mervyn Simpson is surprised by how well the development of a $1.1 million feed processing plant came together at Shoal Lake, Man. Simpson is a shareholder in the plant, which will create livestock feed ingredients using off-grade canola, as well as beans and peas. If all goes well, the plant could […] Read more
Farm losses bring calls for more money
Ottawa will have to pour more money into the agricultural economy in a pre-election budget expected in March despite the official government insistence that there is no money in the till, says agriculture minister Bob Speller. He was reacting Feb. 9 to an estimate from his department that realized net farm income in 2003 will […] Read more
Organic grower steamed at weeds
A long-time organic grower plans to get steaming mad at his weeds this spring, but an expert in the field says the farmer might be the one who ends up getting burned. Dayton Funk, who farms 45 kilo-metres northeast of North Battleford, Sask., bought a machine last fall that blasts noxious weeds into submission with […] Read more
