Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, picnic in the park, tailgating in the field or a rainy day inside, simplicity and fresh-from-the-garden ingredients reign in the summer. Plan foods that can be made ahead and held in the refrigerator or countertop and then served at room temperature. Add dressings to salads at the last minute. While […] Read more
Farm families coped with dramatic changes last decade
Farm families in 2010 were adapting to changes as farms and farm implements were becoming larger and more technical, marketing methods were changing and there was a growing disconnect between consumers and producers. Computer technology and internet access were becoming essential to monitor the information generated on new farm equipment and for farmers to market […] Read more
VIDEO: Prairie soybean sector celebrates milestones
The industry has made tremendous strides, going from 20,000 acres of the crop in 2000 to 1.5 million acres today
DAUPHIN, Man. — With a Ukrainian welcome of bread, salt and a sheaf of wheat, Soy Canada and the Manitoba Soybean and Pulse Growers Association began their anniversary celebrations by going back deep in into Canada’s farming past. Canada’s pulse and soybean industries are new in Canadian farming history but have arisen from the pioneering […] Read more
Study scrutinizes neonics’ flea beetle mastery
Striped species has always had a natural ability to tolerate neonics, but the insecticide remains effective against crucifers
WINNIPEG — Many generations of flea beetles have been exposed to neonicotinoids in Western Canada over the last two decades. Farmers across the Prairies plant 20 million acres of canola and most of the seeds, year after year, have been coated with neonicotinoid insecticides, commonly known as neonics. From 2017 to 2022, there were many […] Read more
Sask. cattle group reduces requested check-off increase
Delegates approved a $1.50 increase in January, but organization is now asking provincial government for a 75 cent hike
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association board has decided to limit the increase to the provincial cattle checkoff that was passed at the annual general meeting earlier this year. The board has asked the Saskatchewan Agri-Food Council to approve a 75-cent increase rather than $1.50, starting in April 2025. It also asked for […] Read more
Ranchers named Sask. OYF winners for 2024
Cyle and Erika Stewart will represent the province at the national Outstanding Young Farmers event Nov. 27 to Dec. 1
REGINA — Beef producers Cyle and Erika Stewart are Saskatchewan’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2024. The couple from Morse, Sask., will represent the province at the national competition slated for Lethbridge in late November. “We thought you had it in the bag,” Cyle said to the other nominees, Jeff and Riley Ewen of Riverhurst, after […] Read more
Field shelterbelts were never the right solution
Sometime in the mid to late 1980s when drought, soil erosion and terrible grain farm economics were plaguing the sector, I recall a Save our Soils meeting in my hometown. A portable sign helped advertise the meeting, but someone rearranged the letters to spell “Save our Souls.” That actually captured the sentiment at the time […] Read more
Look back at the June 25, 2009, issue
For the next year, this column will mark The Western Producer’s 100th anniversary by taking a deep dive every week into a past issue of the paper. Another drought loomed as the 2009 growing season moved from spring to summer. Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said existing government programs would help producers if the situation […] Read more
Immigration fuels loss of farmland
For decades, a vocal minority of ideologues conflated any criticism of Canada’s immigration policy with hostility towards immigrants. This stifled the free and lively democratic debate that, while at times noisy and acrimonious, ensures government policies are subject to scrutiny from the public. As the Trudeau government oversaw record-breaking population growth of 1.2 million in […] Read more
Cyber attack frustrates equipment dealers
Dealers forced to use manual processes after software provider hacked
Glacier FarmMedia – A cyber attack on a major software provider has made providing parts and service difficult for some agriculture equipment dealers. “This is certainly completely disruptive to our equipment dealers that are using the CDK platform,” said John Schmeiser, president of the North American Equipment Dealers Association, Canada. Tech firm CDK’s software was […] Read more
