“If you build something up to be a house of cards, it can be easily knocked down. We can’t live in a house of cards.” – RENE VAN ACKER GM no silver bullet STAFF When 400 of the world’s experts got together at a symposium six years ago to brainstorm a way to increase biological
“Betty Crocker” Farming On The Way Out
Industrial Ag Model Is Broken, Says Ag Economist
It’s just a matter of time before small towns humming with diversified, locally based economic activity surrounded by a thriving countryside filled with hardworking farm families start making a major comeback on the rural landscape. Why? There’s simply no other choice going forward, according to John Ikerd, a retired U. S. agricultural economist and author
Everybody Has A Breaking Point
Every culture has its myths. In North America, the land of cowboys and hardy pioneers, there’s two widely held beliefs: boys don’t cry and real men don’t falter in the face of adversity. Psychologist Greg Gibson of the Brandon Regional Health Authority, says the truth is that sooner or later, when locked into an overwhelmingly
Conflict Solution Right Under Your Nose
“It may seem a little hokey, but we know that it does work.” Janet Smith How can you tell if someone is at the breaking point? Watch their breathing. Short, shallow and rapid breathing is a sure sign that someone’s fight-or-flight mechanism is fully engaged. Once in that state, a person is incapable of rational
Staying Home Just Fine For Young Folks
SOURIS In the old days, growing up in a small town meant two things. First you got yourself a car, then when you reached legal age, you jumped in it and headed for the nearest big city at top speed. These days, following the lemmings over the cliff doesn’t seem like such a swell idea.
Rich Horse Owners Want Only The Best
They may have enviable riding weather in the Deep South, but it’s no place to try and put up hay. In Kentucky, home of the famed derby, they get 46 inches of rain in an average year. And in Florida, where horse racing and stud farms are a big industry, it rains a little nearly
They Need Hay — And They Can Pay
“Up until now, they weren’t really tracking their irrigation use, but now they are really cracking down, given what their water supply situation is going to be like over the coming decades.” – glenn friesen New markets for hay in the oil-rich Middle East could present a golden opportunity for Manitoba forage growers – if
Measuring Your Cattle Operation’s Productivity With ADAs
“If you’re working against nature, I’ll tell you what, you’re going to lose. That’s all there is to it. And the number one thing you’re going to lose is money.” – Terry Gompert Cow Longevity Is Everything Forget everything else, says Terry Gompert, because cow longevity is the most important factor in ranching. “You’ll start
Rossburn Farmer Faces Three Counts
An April 16 trial date has been set for Rossburn-area farmer Rodney Checkowski, who has been charged with three violations of the Health of Animals Act, all of which are related to testing for bovine tuberculosis. Court documents allege that on June 6, 2008, Checkowski refused to present his animals for TB testing, obstructed or
Horse Meat Industry In Decline
Pat Houde, a longtime horse buyer from Elm Creek, said he believes the liability for equine carcasses that are condemned for meat use should rest with the original seller whose name is on the declaration. “I’m not liable. The person I buy it off is liable,” he said. “If I buy it off of you
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
