On April 6, a letter printed in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix by Joe Monahan suggested that farm technology is advancing an ecological disaster. He started by saying many farmers are conscientious stewards of the land, but with the increase in farm size, there is a trend to drain sloughs and push bluffs to make long […] Read more
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Canada needs to accommodate spray drones
Adam Bercu, founder and CEO of a company called Guardian Agriculture, has altered my opinion on the future of spray drones. I recently met Bercu at a venture capital summit in the Silicon Valley, not far from San Francisco. He was a sponsor of the event and had one of his drones on display for […] Read more
Look back at the April 20, 1989, 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. The April 20, 1989, issue reminded me of a drive I took last fall with my father through the countryside surrounding Estevan, Sask., including along the reservoir, west […] Read more
Regina farm show to feature product launch
Long-time exhibitor Degelman Industries will launch a new line while other exhibitors are expected to showcase ag tech
REGINA — Degelman Industries will officially launch its heavy duty staggered rippers for compacted soil at Canada’s Farm Show in June. Marketing manager Derek Molnar said the Regina-based company wanted to make a product durable enough to do a job that producers across North America increasingly need. Heavier tractors and other equipment are contributing to […] Read more
Bovine flu a reminder of risk management in markets
While recent price drops have limited options, cow-calf producers can still lock in a profit, says market analyst
Glacier FarmMedia – The fundamentals still look strong for cattle prices, despite recent hiccups in the futures market, says a market analyst, but for those buying stockers, a little risk management can go a long way. The bovine influenza A virus has infected one person so far but the risk to people and cattle seems […] Read more
Plasma shows promise in grain decontamination
Glacier FarmMedia – Alberta researchers are harnessing a high-tech concept to decontaminate grain. They’re using cold plasma, which is created by electrical discharge in a low-pressure gas. One of the most common uses is in florescent lighting, which creates light with little heat. Cold plasma is the fourth state of matter, alongside solid, liquid and […] Read more
U.S to incentivize climate friendly farming
Farmers offered money to adopt practices that store carbon in the soil, but experts doubt the approach will be effective
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — President Joe Biden’s administration is offering farmers money to adopt practices that store carbon in the soil to fight climate change, but soil science experts and a review of U.S. Department of Agriculture research indicate doubt that the approach will be effective. Planting cover crops and reducing tillage are key to the […] Read more
Three documentaries capture farm life on the grasslands
It’s not often a movie director arrives in a community and the ideas for the upcoming film come from the community and not the director. After director Scott Parker met community members in town halls and farms across southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan, it was the residents who came up with the themes for the […] Read more
There are many options for a nutritious Pacific salmon meal
When traveling in the Yukon and Alaska last summer, Pacific salmon was one of the foods I enjoyed most, especially salmon tacos and salmon chowder. Sheet Pan Salmon Add potatoes and fresh asparagus to make a quick and easy salmon dinner. Add extra fillets for a planned second-day meal of tacos. Serves four. 2 lb. […] Read more
Rural churches tour offers reflection and whimsy
Visits to old churches can provide an intriguing day trip for anyone interested in local history, and spring is a good time to plan a route. In some cases, you can go inside; some of these rural gems are open to the public during certain hours. Even if closed, many of these structures provide enough […] Read more
