A large male wild boar — which can top 600 pounds — in a rare daytime photo. The animals tend to be nocturnal.

A boaring threat to our meat production

The growing population of wild boar on the prairies threatens livestock production


People who say they have never seen wild boar should watch the ditches at dusk from Florida to Dawson Creek. I have seen them at both locations and many places in between, and more than once avoided a disastrous collision with a wild boar. Wild boar, wild swine, Sas scrofa, Eurasian wild pig or just […] Read more

A customer eats an ‘insect tsukemen’ ramen noodle topped with fried worms and crickets at Ramen Nagi restaurant in Tokyo on April 9, 2017. (Photo: Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon)

Farming insects may solve one problem, create others

Rome | Thomson Reuters Foundation — Insects have great potential as an alternative source of protein, but further research is urgently needed before mass production begins in order to avoid environmental disaster, Swedish researchers warned Monday. There is currently an “overwhelming lack of knowledge” on basic questions such as suitable species, their housing and feed […] Read more


This is a narrow-leaved hawk’s beard. While the leaves are slightly lobed, they are narrow.

Narrow-leaved hawk’s beard travelling

This noxious weed is spreading outside of northwest Sask. 
and the Alta. border

Up until recently, narrow-leaved hawk’s beard was mostly found in northwest Saskatchewan and along the Alberta border. A 2014-15 weed survey has revealed that the weed has spread to areas outside of these traditional hotspots. Identification and control can both be difficult. For this reason, it is advised that growers — especially those who live in non-traditional hotspots — take […] Read more

Devil’s trumpet of known as Jimsonweed Flower

Look out for the Devil’s trumpet

Jimsonweed, also known as Devil’s trumpet is a highly toxic weed

According to provincial weed specialists in Alberta, jimsonweed, a highly toxic and problematic weed species, was found in three Alberta canola fields (Barrhead, Leduc and Westlock) last month. Growers are currently working with their provincial departments and the CFIA on an eradication strategy, although they are not considering it a major problem at this moment. […] Read more