Oregon State University researchers determine sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone can shorten lives and cause stress
Western honeybees, major pollinators of fruit, nut, vegetable and seed crops, face many stresses today. That can sometimes can make them incapable of smoothly performing their tasks. Environmental stressors can include varroa mites, viruses and poor nutrition. Pesticide exposure adds to those threats. Research from Oregon State University has shown that two pesticides in particular […] Read moreNews
Producer goes old school with cattle roundup
After years of moving his cattle by trailer in the fall, this year a Sask. rancher decides to do things the old-fashioned way
CANDIAC, Sask. — They could have hauled the cattle home by trailer. Or they could have used ATVs. But not these cowboys. These cowboys know that the best way to do it is the way it’s been done for centuries — on horseback. “Horses are more suited to chasing cattle than quads,” said Brian Ross, […] Read more
Family pitches in to help bring home the cows
What began as a necessary chore in the fall has turned into a working social gathering for this Saskatchewan family
CANDIAC, Sask. — “Grammy said she’s proud of us grandkids riding out here in the cold,” says Halle Balon as she eats her grandma’s puffed wheat cake in a pasture during the family’s annual cattle drive. Mixed farmers Stan and Jackie Englot have been married for 40 years and they’ve been bringing their cows home […] Read more
Neonic ban decision expected in six months
Health Canada says it will be ready by spring to announce if it plans to go ahead with decision to restrict the insecticide
Health Canada will make a decision on neonicotinoid insecticides in about six months. Federal scientists have been studying neonics and their potential impact on aquatic insects for several years. The final judgment was scheduled for this fall but it won’t happen until the spring. “Due to the vast amount of new information received, and the […] Read more
JBS makes donation to Alta. town
JBS Foods Canada, which operates the beef processing facility in Brooks, Alta., is providing $2 million to that community, the company announced Oct. 22. The funds are part of the company’s Hometown Strong initiative that has earmarked $50 million for use in communities within Canada and the United States where it has facilities. The money […] Read more
Small farmers called key to fight against climate change
Bayer president says the world’s ‘smallholder’ producers can make a difference by sequestering carbon in their soil
The smallest farmers might be the key to successfully using agriculture to fight climate change, Bayer Crop Science president Liam Condon said in a recent presentation. So many millions of “smallholder” farmers have so much improvement with their farming that the gains could be huge. “We believe agriculture can actually be part of the solution […] Read more
Railways prepare for winter
Canada’s major railways have filed their winter contingency plans as required by law. Since a new law was passed in 2018, Canada’s major rail companies are required to publish winter plans and can be forced to pay up if they fail to deliver on certain promises of rail cars. That law came into effect after […] Read more
Human case of rare flu linked to hogs found in Alberta
A central Alberta resident diagnosed with a type of influenza typically found in pigs has recovered from the illness and is considered to be an isolated case. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, said Nov. 4 that it is the first reported case in Canada of a person getting this particular flu, […] Read more
Feds plan pork promotion agency
Canada’s pork industry has a new organization. This morning, federal ag minister Marie Claude Bibeau unveiled the Canadian Pork Promotion and Research Agency. Hog producers already pay for promotion and other services through their provincial organizations. Producers will help fund this new, national agency, but a levy on imports of pork and live pigs will […] Read more
College expands ag training
Assiniboine Community College in Brandon is developing the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, which will expand agricultural training at ACC and pump out more graduates for technical and specialized jobs in Canada’s ag industry. The Prairie Innovation Centre got a major boost in October when Sunrise Credit Union donated $1 million to ACC. “The […] Read more
