
Author Archives
RCMP investigate reported hayjacking
Someone is evidently in possession of a few loads of “hot” hay — and if it isn’t located soon, the goods are likely to be laundered by munching cows. RCMP at Brandon, Man. are investigating the reported theft of 60 round hay bales that have gone missing from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Brandon Research Centre. […] Read more
Getting youth involved key to winning, says speaker
What can agricultural societies do to rejuvenate their membership and help rebuild a sense of community in rural areas? Think of yourselves in a new light and reach out to youth on their terms, says Peter Male. Male took that message to the recent annual general meeting of the Manitoba Association of Agricultural Societies and […] Read more
Indian Head reeve accuses Ritz of sabotaging agroforestry centre’s chances
Millions of tree seedlings at the AAFC Indian Head Agroforestry Centre are likely to remain in the ground this fall after all proposals to ensure continuity of operations at the shelterbelt nursery were rejected by the federal government. Norm Hall, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, who also serves as the spokesman for […] Read more
There’s gold in them thar grain bags, says NGO
Old, used grain bags are big, bulky and present a disposal headache for farmers. But for Rodney Sidloski, the CEO of Weyburn, Saskatchewan-based HELP International, they are a potential gold mine. “We can potentially see a retail value of up to $4,000 out of a bag that brand new only cost the farmer about $1,000,” […] Read more
Alberta livestock transport certification goes national
The Canadian Livestock Transport (CLT) Certification Program is now up and running coast to coast. Formerly known as the Certified Livestock Transport training program, it was originally developed in May 2007 through Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) in association with its sister animal care associations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, said Geraldine Auston, project co-ordinator […] Read more
School teaches art of sheep shearing ‘blow by blow’
Imagine trying to provide a full-body buzz cut to a woolly, four-legged Greco-Roman wrestling opponent. That’s sheep shearing in a nutshell. Nine students had a chance to hone their technique at a recent two-day sheep-shearing school sponsored by the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers and hosted by Miniota, Man. shepherd Brian Greaves. Shearing is a lot […] Read more
U.S. beef industry to offer ‘tender’ cuts
Back in the days when oxen past their prime usually ended up on dinner plates, there was a saying that eaters of such fare would “sit down hungry and stand up tired.” A century or so later, with the realization that tenderness is one of the most significant factors in consumer acceptance of beef, the […] Read more
BIXS reboot expected to ease access to carcass data
Ranchers who don’t double as computer geeks may be pleased to hear that the Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS) is due for an update aimed at smoothing out its rough edges. Larry Thomas, the national co-ordinator for the program supported by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), said that after almost two years in operation, the online […] Read more
Goat producer finds ‘pasture swaps’ are a hard sell
Sharing brush-encroached and spurge-infested cattle pastures with goats could be a win-win, but nobody’s taking the bait
The studies show running goats with cattle could create a “serious win-win,” but Saskatchewan goatherd Brian Payne is having trouble getting buy-in. Payne, who runs 225 Savanna goats near Humboldt, has been running ads and making pitches at livestock meetings looking for cattle producers willing to enter into “pasture swaps.” “I haven’t found anybody yet,” […] Read more
Shepherds urged to add their say in draft sheep industry code
Sheep producers, consumers and anyone with an interest in the welfare of sheep are being asked to review and comment on a new sheep code of practice that is available online. The code is one of eight livestock codes that have been undergoing revision, with a focus on a number of welfare issues, including painful […] Read more
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