Lees insight

Sometimes I think bureaucrats, politicians, the makers of electronic devices (cell phones/software programs) and a hundred other things just mess with stuff because they have nothing better to do. I was just reading recently where the federal government was asking for input into changing the cash deferral plan producers use when they sell a commodity […] Read more

BY LEE HART Three supposedly “good news” stories to report on today: 1. Health Canada has approved ground beef for irradiation; 2. Research shows eating saturated fats such as butter and well marbled meat may not be bad for your heart, and; 3. NASA has found seven earth-sized planets that may support life. ABOUT IRRADIATION […] Read more

I was sorry to learn this past weekend that a long-time and former Grainews editor and columnist Andy Sirski had passed away Friday in a Winnipeg hospital. I haven’t read any details yet, but I believe he was in his early 70s. I’ve known Sirski for many years, but to be honest I didn’t know […] Read more

I really didn’t get any warm fuzzy feeling with news in recent days that Parks Canada has reintroduced bison to Banff National Park. There was some newsworthy fanfare that after 140 years absence (of free roaming bison) and after it sounds like considerable planning, park officials released 16 head of bison in a remote area […] Read more

  Ranchers in parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan dealing with TB quarantines on cattle — some strain from Mexico, where did that come from? How did that get into some 100-year-old herds? Further north, farmers in central and northern Alberta and Saskatchewan are looking at anywhere from 10 to 30 per cent of crops out […] Read more

Well that was a shocking, surprising and disappointing U.S. election result. I figured it might be close, but I really didn’t think Trump would pull it off. Did anyone? As yappy and annoying as he is, he might prove to be the best president the U.S. ever had, however he will have to work hard […] Read more

I don’t think I am surprised, but I continue to be impressed with how south eastern Alberta ranchers are handling this TB investigation currently being carried out by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Producers immediately affected have been open and forthright in discussing the fact that one animal produced in this extensive ranching area […] Read more

When I woke up on a recent morning to the surprising news that Western Feedlots at Strathmore, east of Calgary had announced it was closing down, I started wondering what could have gone wrong. Here is what I always considered was a professional, well run operation ——was this announcement a result of the ongoing downturn […] Read more

It was a good Monday afternoon on the Leslie farm at Sedgewick —central Alberta, about an hour southeast of Camrose. It didn’t rain, the sun came out, pea harvest continued. It has been a slow start to the harvest says Joel Leslie who was swathing peas Monday on the family farm. Joel farms with his […] Read more

If you happen to be in harvest mode somewhere in central Alberta and are feeling a bit hungry, give Mic’s a call… that’s short of Michele Wright. (Yes she’s a singer, but not THAT singer.) Her number to call or text is 1 780 210 0935 (don’t lose it.) The long-time cook, and occasional karaoke […] Read more