Is The Recovery A V Or W?

The remarkable rise in the Canadian and American stock markets since they hit lows on March 9 raise the question: Where do they go from here? Let’s consider the numbers. Major stock indices are reporting strong recoveries. For example, the S&P/ TSX Total Return Index, which includes dividends, was up 23.7 per cent for the […] Read more

Buy A Quarter Before Age 30

There is often the mistaken assumption that the incoming generation will automatically possess the skills required to run a farming business and yet they are rarely tested in this area until the outgoing generation has departed. In addition, farming is now a much more demanding, complex business that requires as many skills in the office […] Read more


Do You Dare Go On The Terror Trail?

There’s nothing like a pitch-black poplar bush to make you feel uneasy. Out in the middle of a Prairie pasture, miles from the closest town, it suddenly dawns on you that no matter how loud you scream… no one will hear. Maybe it’s the vastness of the surrounding fields, or the denseness of the trees, […] Read more

From Broken To Beautiful

Although the population of Swan Hills, Alberta is only around 2,000, artist Jan Black says the community support she receives is phenomenal. Working out of her garage, Jan calls her home-based enterprise Broken Stone Mosaics. Using pieces of broken tile, usually floor tiles, she creates pictures that are used in a variety of ways. So […] Read more


COZY CAPS For Calves

About 10 years ago my son came in from the calving barn during a fiercely cold, windy winter day. He was dejected at what Old Man Winter was throwing at us during our calving, losing yet another set of ears on a tender newborn, who, even though born in the barn, still bore the crispness […] Read more

WI Plants Trees In Manitoba

We chose a sunny day in July and with the help of husbands and community members got the job done. Since its inception in 1910 the Manitoba Women’s Institute members have always been involved in the betterment of their communities. It seems only fitting then, that celebrating their 100-year anniversary would involve planting trees to […] Read more


Tips To Make Moving Easier

When it came time to decide what articles to take with us we classified: keep, give away or sell, dispose of. Moving! That was a scary thought. After living 52 years in the same house on the same farm, I was like an old apple tree, deeply rooted in the earth, enjoying my surroundings. As […] Read more

Trimming Hooves For 40 Years

Although he’s recently turned 67, retirement is a foreign concept to Ray Kneeland. The Martensville-area man has been a cattle hoof trimmer for 40 years and has no plans of quitting anytime soon. “Many years ago I learned that if you’re doing what you like, you won’t work another day in your life. I’ve always […] Read more


Cabbage Calms The Upset Tummy

Best sauerkraut ever Here’s the old German sauerkraut recipe the Singing Gardener first printed in his January 12, 2009 Grainews column: For every five pounds of shredded cabbage placed in a large container, add 3-1/2 tablespoons of pickling salt. Toss well with clean hands to distribute salt throughout. Do not waver from the ratio of […] Read more

Bright Ideas For Windows

There are many ways to dress a window so don’t get stuck in a rut. Windows are often the focal point of the room. Because of this, they need to be dressed accordingly. Window treatments and window detailing can be very effective tools to help create a great space and special touches don’t have to […] Read more