Five unplanned pregnancies in seven years would be enough to drive most women into a convent. But when it happened to Colleen Biggs, she embarked on a search foranswers that culminated in an ovulation prediction kit sold in 2,000 Canadian pharmacies. Colleen Biggs’ fertility adventures began in the spring of 1990 when she became pregnant […] Read more
News
Finding fertility – One woman’s journey of self-discovery leads to unexpected opportunity
GM benefits unknown to many
Western Producer reporter Adrian Ewins recently covered the U.S. wheat industry conference in Altanta, Georgia, and filed these reports. ATLANTA, Ga. – The best way to overcome customer resistance to genetically modified crops is to develop GM traits that provide direct benefits to the users of those crops, says a spokesperson for the biotech industry. […] Read more
Wheat growers collect funds for U.S. election
ATLANTA, Ga. – While residents of New Hampshire were casting ballots Jan. 27 in their highly publicized presidential primary election, another facet of the American democratic process quietly played out hundreds of kilometres to the south. U.S. wheat growers attending their annual conference were bidding to buy everything from farm inputs and shotguns to bottles […] Read more
Hay linked to anthrax
Bales taken from low-lying slough land were the likely source of an anthrax outbreak that killed 10 cattle near Neilburg, Sask., last week. Jim McLane, district veterinarian for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in North Battleford, Sask., said the remainder of the 250-head commercial herd has switched feed and is now under quarantine. CFIA will […] Read more
Americans aim to eliminate wheat board
Western Producer reporter Adrian Ewins recently covered the U.S. wheat industry conference in Altanta, Georgia, and filed these reports. ATLANTA, Ga. – While the final outcome of the current wheat trade war between the United States and Canada may be in doubt, one thing is certain. The U.S. wheat industry won’t give up until the […] Read more
Vet arranges life around practice, farm
MEACHAM, Sask. – Jerry and Janice Sopatyk have their reasons for calving in the icy depths of January. Producing calves that reach market weight in August when the prices are right is one reason. So is the advantage of producing yearling purebred Simmental bulls that are ready for customers’ spring breeding programs. But the main […] Read more
Feedlot company has plan; now looking for investors
They have a site, enough water and the interest. Now all they need is the money. Pine Creek Cattle Co. wants to build a 25,000-head feedlot in three stages in southwestern Saskatchewan near Shaunavon. The first stage, a lot feeding 8,500 head, would cost $3.5 million. But the current market downturn due to BSE has […] Read more
Paper trail on the way
Conventional farmers should prepare for a world of paper trails and audits similar to what organic producers have to go through, says an inspection company. Consumers increasingly want reassurance that the food they’re putting in their mouths is safe to eat. That message has been passed down to retailers and processors and will soon end […] Read more
Female vets treat large animals too
It’s a common perception that while more women are becoming veterinarians, most of them are treating cats and dogs rather than cows and horses. Charles Rhodes, dean of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says it’s also a myth. “Personally, as the dean of the vet college, I’ve been upset by some of the press […] Read more
Sask. ethanol group forges ahead
A group in southwestern Saskatchewan isn’t waiting for the federal government to get its act together on ethanol expansion. Cypress Agri Energy Inc. was one of the groups that put together a proposal for funding under the federal initiative last fall. The deadline was Nov. 19 and Ottawa has yet to make a decision on […] Read more
