File photo of a trumpeter swan in springtime on Marsh Lake, southeast of Whitehorse. (Scalia Media/iStock/Getty Images)

Northern egg harvesters cautioned over avian flu

High-path H5N1 found in wild birds in Yukon

Residents of Canada’s northern territories who harvest migratory wild birds and their eggs this spring are urged to take precautions as highly pathogenic avian influenza makes its way northward. The Yukon government’s animal health unit on May 27 reported confirmed cases of high-path H5N1 avian flu in two wild waterfowl carcasses. “Spring migration is ongoing […] Read more

(Stephen Ausmus photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Avian flu hits more Alberta, Ontario poultry flocks

Alberta cases spread north, east

Three additional poultry flocks in central Alberta and one in eastern Ontario were confirmed over the weekend to be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Monday it had confirmed high-path H5N1 avian flu on Friday in a commercial poultry flock in Kneehill County, between Calgary and Red Deer, and […] Read more


File photo of chicks on a genetic map of a chicken. (Peggy Greb photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Ontario backyard flock hit with avian flu

No commercial flocks in area, feather industry says

A fourth flock of domestic birds in southwestern Ontario has come down with highly pathogenic avian influenza, this time a backyard flock with no commercial farms nearby. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Thursday it confirmed high-path H5N1 avian flu that day in the township of Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation on the […] Read more

About 30 miles into the forest trails of Nopiming Provincial Park, I spotted it — an adult lynx. I knew there had been sightings in the area, but my hope of seeing one was faint.

Toban Dyck: Toss the list, break the mould

Be prepared to capture those magic moments on and off the farm

In September of 2020, I mounted a GoPro camera to the guts of our combine, putting harvest on pause for a few minutes. My dad started up the rotor and harvested a few feet of canola. The footage is interesting. I uploaded the clip to YouTube and, as of today, it has 44,236 views. There […] Read more


The shelf is anchored by a steel frame I welded. The angles were correct and the welds were solid and reasonably attractive — depending on who you ask.

Toban Dyck: A mile wide and an inch thick

It’s not a negative trait but it’s not the same as expertise

I made a bedside shelf for Jamie. This event took place last year. I’m telling you about it — likely for the second time — because I was proud of it. It was a project that represented an attention to detail unprecedented for me. And it required patience. Also unprecedented. The conception of this project, […] Read more

(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

High-path H5N1 avian flu hits Nova Scotia turkey farm

Trade curbs in place; U.S. also has an outbreak in Indiana

Updated, Feb. 10 — Highly pathogenic avian flu has again landed in domestic birds in Atlantic Canada — but this time on a commercial turkey farm, leading other countries to halt imports from Canada’s feather sectors for now. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency last week filed a report with the World Organization for Animal Health […] Read more


A couple of steel rims off old wooden wagon wheels can be welded with spacers to create an attractive, useful and history filled firewood holder.

Handy firewood holder with a history

New use for steel rims off long-retired wooden wheels

Here on our ranch, we’ve always stacked a little extra firewood on our porch for easy grabbing. This makes it a lot closer than trudging across the driveway and carrying some in from the woodpile, especially if the weather is cold and snowy. However, this year we made it even better. We created a really […] Read more

Jonita Johnston harvests Bluebell grapes for fresh eating and juicing. The speed and enthusiasm with which she picks loads of grapes, apples and other fruit and veggies is amazing. Bluebell is hardy in Zone 3 Prairie winters.

Meet a Manitoba grape grower

Singing Gardener: Plus, the health benefits of carrots as well as their tops

This is the month for seasonal Christmas carols, lots of home baking, giving and receiving of gifts. Need I say more? This is also my final Grainews column for 2021 and more Singing Gardener wandering words to come in 2022. If you’re looking to buy a Christmas gift for someone you’ve not seen for a considerable […] Read more



The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2. (Media.chevrolet.com)

GM’s pickup money machine gets a technology tuneup

Silverado ZR2 to appeal to extreme off-roading segment

Detroit | Reuters — General Motors will give its best-selling Chevrolet Silverado large pickup truck models a makeover next spring to fix competitive shortcomings that have left Chevy in third place in one of the most lucrative vehicle market segments in the world. Catching up with rival trucks from Stellantis NV and Ford Motor Co., […] Read more