Farmers want longer hunting season
Phil Lewis has had a run of bad luck.
In the past three years, the Moose Jaw area farmer has hit four deer while driving Saskatchewan roads, causing thousands of dollars of damage and higher insurance premiums for him, not to mention the animals’ deaths.
“I don’t think it’s a humane way to kill deer,” he said during the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan annual meeting held March 23-24.
The deer population is “ridiculous,” another delegate told agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud.
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The minister said deer fall under the jurisdiction of the environment ministry but he sympathized with the farmers’ plight. Higher deer populations are causing more damage to crops and feed stacks, as well as vehicles.
APAS passed a resolution asking that the deer-hunting season be extended to reduce the population.
Sask. farmers want ag recycler
APAS passed a motion requesting the provincial government and APAS develop a collection infrastructure for agricultural plastics.
Public research money sought
The money for public research in Canada should be restored to 1994 levels, APAS delegates agreed.
Since that time, funding has dramatically declined despite evidence of a high return on investment and direct economic benefits to producers, they said.
APAS will work with CFA and other organizations to lobby the federal government.
APAS also wants CFA to lobby Ottawa for changes to AgriInvest that would increase the contribution rate on eligible net sales to three percent from 1.5 percent, and raise the aggregate contribution limit to $200,000.
APAS asks to be part of bird talks
APAS wants to be part of consultations on proposed amendments to regulations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. The proposed changes would change the way “incidental take” is handled. The unintentional disturbance or destruction of nests and eggs by activities such as farming is illegal.
Funding for weather stations?
APAS delegates also decided to look into government funding to help all member rural municipalities install WeatherBug weather stations.
