An ancient practice involving the use of cover crops is being brought up with farmers across Canada. Callum Morrison is a second year PhD student at the University of Manitoba's Department of Plant Science says its a practice that has been used for thousands of years as a way to naturally keep the soil healthy.

Part of Morrison's research is looking for farmers' input and he says its just as  important to hear why farmers aren't growing cover crops, what challenges are limiting their use

Research being conducted at the University of Saskatchewan will benefit livestock producers whose crops have been contaminated by ergot. It infects primarily wheat and rye and grasses and If livestock consume very small amounts of ergot, there is reduction of feed intake, decreased growth and can cause gangrene and in very high amounts. Animals can lose tails and lose their ears and hooves often you'll see in lactating sows, milk output to be decreased.

Dr. Denise Beaulieu is part of a group evaluating the effect of various forms of feed processing using heat and moisture, such as pelleting, extrusion and steam explosion in reducing the toxic effects of ergot contamination.

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