EDMONTON – The lucrative timothy hay export market is a well-kept secret in the agricultural world. While other producers struggle to cover their costs of production, timothy growers cover their costs and more. “We make very good money on our hay,” said Kate Whenham of Outlook, Sask., who grows timothy on 640 acres of irrigated […] Read more
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Timothy hay exports bring in the bacon
Man. group pushing for cull kill plant
With the results of a feasibility study now in his hands, David Reykdal is optimistic about efforts to establish a slaughter plant in Manitoba for cull cows and bulls. Reykdal is one of the people leading the effort to convert a Winnipeg hog processing plant into a cattle slaughter plant under the name Rancher’s Choice […] Read more
What makes timothy tops?
EDMONTON – Canadian hay exporters know Japanese producers like Canadian timothy, but they don’t know why. “We’re trying to figure out why they buy what they buy,” said Albert Van Genderen of NAFTAC Commodities, a timothy export company from Lethbridge. “We know what the reasons could be, but we don’t know why.” Knowing why Japanese […] Read more
Grain purity rules viewed as too restrictive
Canadian grain and oilseed exporters face trade barriers and challenges around the world because governments, including Canada’s, have not moved quickly to dilute regulations against the presence of small amounts of unauthorized impurities in food. The problem, said Bill Leask of the Canadian Seed Trade Association, is that consumers take at face value claims that […] Read more
Litter good in pasture
Litter, the leftover vegetation often known as “carryover,” is one of the most important tools when managing native grassland on the southern Prairies. The phrase “take half, leave half” is a traditional guideline for ranchers whose goal is sustainable native rangeland. “Litter is important because, from a productivity standpoint, moisture is the most limiting factor,” […] Read more
SARM rejects resolution for more APAS funding
REGINA – There is a growing rift between Saskatchewan’s main farm lobby group and the association that spawned it. A resolution at the 2003 Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention called on the SARM board to convince “freeloader” rural municipalities to fund the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan. It met with strong opposition. APAS derives […] Read more
Solid foundation bodes well for cattle industry
When talking about the future of Canada’s cattle industry, Keith Robertson holds to the adage that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The industry suffered heavily this year due to BSE and the closure of the United States border. However, Robertson, executive director of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association, believes the experience has shown […] Read more
Little guy feels ignored – WP Special Report (story 4)
Despite the lip service governments pay to value-added agriculture, there is little support for small, on-farm grain processors, say farmers and academics. “We haven’t tapped into any government programs either financial or anything else,” said Tony Marshall, a producer-turned entrepreneur from Aldersyde, Alta. While programs, incentives and expertise are available for bigger value-added projects like […] Read more
Animal welfare bill dies in Senate
The latest attempt by the federal government to update 111-year-old cruelty-to-animal legislation ended last week when the Senate refused to bring the legislation to a vote. The bill is dead. With strong support from dissident Liberal senators and against the wishes of the government leader in a Senate dominated by Liberals, the majority voted to […] Read more
Speckle Park cattle seek breed status
LLOYDMINSTER – Speckle Park cattle could become a recognized breed in Canada within the year, says Battlefords, Sask., rancher Ed Smith. Smith, a member of the Canadian Speckle Park Association with his wife Kathy, has been involved with this evolving breed for 25 years. The association has 1,500 head registered and its members participate successfully […] Read more
