The Saskatchewan government didn’t include new significant agricultural programs in its Oct. 21 throne speech.
The agriculture portion of the speech, read by lieutenant governor Gordon Barnhart to open the third session of the 26th legislature, included only a summary of what the two-year-old government has already done or announced.
It listed taking over the AgriStability administration from Ottawa and moving it to Melville, improvements made to crop insurance, gopher control, the farm and ranch water infrastructure program and crown land sales, along with $70 million in direct support to cattle and hog producers.
It also referred to the reduction of education tax on farmland.
Premier Brad Wall said the government didn’t forget to include rural Saskatchewan in its plans.
“Rural Saskatchewan doesn’t need a separate section for us,” he said.
“We live it every day.”
He said the continuing infrastructure program will improve utilities, roads and bridges in rural areas and help drive the province’s growth.
However, NDP leader Dwain Lingenfelter said the speech missed the mark for rural people.
“I don’t think any farmer is going to be very impressed with moving bureaucrats to Melville.”
He said the government should have included something for livestock producers.
