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Water Quality Key For Livestock

With livestock back out on pasture and the temperature starting to warm up, producers are being encouraged to keep a close eye on their water supply.
 
Dry conditions over the past few years can result in mineral imbalances that can result in toxic levels of sulphates and/or nitrates. 
 
Catherine Lang is a Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist with Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture. 
 
She recommends producers have their water tested.
 
"All of our regional offices with the Ministry have a conductivity meter and you can bring water intended for livestock use into the regional offices. We can probe it right there and help you gauge whether your water is good or unusable and send it off to the lab to get a chemical breakdown of what's actually in there and advise you from there."
 
She notes it's important that animals have access to a good, clean water source.
 
"One of the things that directly impacts is feed intake. So if they're not drinking enough water, they're not going to be eating enough. So then they're not going to be gaining the weight that they could be. If they're not drinking enough water when it comes to calving time, they're not going to make the amount of milk that they should be because they're a little dehydrated."
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Why SaskSeed is Rejuvenating its Annual Meeting

Video: Why SaskSeed is Rejuvenating its Annual Meeting

The Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association (SaskSeed) is switching things up for 2024.

In a recent interview, SaskSeed President Kurt Printz, the owner of Printz Family Seeds, shared some of the notable accomplishments and changes within his organization over the past 12 months, including switching venues for the SaskSeed annual meeting coming up in January.

The decision to move their meeting from a familiar venue to a downtown location is a refreshing change aimed at offering members more freedom and a change of scenery outside of meeting hours, he says. The shift is also an attempt to attract a younger crowd, tapping into the vibrant dining and social opportunities downtown.

“The goal is to inject some fresh energy into the proceedings while still paying homage to the heritage of our meetings. It’s about blending excitement with respect for our established traditions, ensuring that the change doesn’t compromise the essence of what makes our AGMs special,” he says.

One of his proudest accomplishments as SaskSeed president is getting new executive director Chris Barker up and running within the organization. Printz expressed excitement about the positive direction Barker is taking SaskSeed and the impact this has on SaskSeed’s overall goals.