Cattle producers say conservationists must find a balance between protecting species at risk and enabling producers to earn a living from the land.  |  File photo

Protect wildlife with ‘rational’ plan

MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Cattle producers from southwestern Sask-atchewan say a plan for species-at-risk recovery in the area must not override their need to earn a living. The South of the Divide multi-species initiative is a federal-provincial project in the Milk River watershed. Taking a multi-species or ecosystem approach will help more species than focusing […] Read more

Dennis, left, and Wilco Dewinter of Lucky Lake, Sask., found a $165,000 play structure, not including the $450,000 tractor, while attending Regina’s Canada’s Farm Progress Show June 21. The pair discovered the Soucy track system for the new 9R John Deere four wheel drive tractor made an excellent form of entertainment while their father talked machinery with other farmers.  |  Michael Raine photo

Rainy day boosts farm show attendance

Rainy, windy days make organizers and exhibitors at Canada’s Farm Progress Show happy. Attendance during a stormy June 20 set an all-time record for that weekday of more than 21,000 people. Final attendance figures were pegged at about 45,000 and show manager Rob O’Connor described the event as fantastic. That was even as the show […] Read more

Farmland near North, South Saskatchewan river systems soaking in flood waters

Saskatchewan agricultural land along the South and North Saskatchewan river systems are feeling the effects from flooding as water from Alberta moves eastward. Saskatchewan emergency management officials said June 28 that there were few impacts on communities other than Cumberland House, where more than 2,000 people were evacuated. The only road into the community had […] Read more


Public reminded to take West Nile precautions

The mosquitoes are out in full force and it’s time for the annual reminder to take precautions against West Nile Virus. Saskatchewan’s West Nile Virus co-ordinator said the number of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes that can carry the virus will increase as the summer goes on. “Culex tarsalis are a hot weather mosquito,” said Phil Curry. […] Read more

OYF winners credit helpful neighbours

Chad and Darlene Krikau of Waldheim, Sask., are the province’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2013. Judges selected the couple from among five nominees at Canada’s Farm Progress Show June 21 in Regina. They will represent the province during the national competition at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina in mid-November. The couple said they were shocked […] Read more


Chinese show equipment, gather info at farm show

Agricultural machinery makers seek opportunities Chinese visitors were looking to gather information on canola production and seed

Canadians have long been aware of China’s importance as an agricultural customer, but last week five manufacturers from that country brought their wares to Canada’s Farm Progress Show in Regina for the first time. The equipment included an orchard sprayer and is small by Canadian standards, said Wang Feng from Jiangsu province’s bureau of agricultural […] Read more

Consultation to begin on surface rights changes

Cattle producers want their rights protected

MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Saskatchewan cattle producers want to be at the table when the province’s surface rights legislation is updated. Many of them graze cattle on land where oil and gas companies also do business. Provincial energy minister Tim McMillan last week confirmed the ministry is going to update the act, which was last […] Read more

Cost big factor in revamping agricultural plastic recycling rules

MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Saskatchewan cattle producers are concerned about how clean agricultural plastic must be before recyclers will accept it. The Saskatchewan government intends to implement new regulations for the collection and recycling of agricultural plastics, including twine, net and bale wrap, silage plastic and grain bags. Pilot projects have been running since 2010, […] Read more


Checkoffs set for new commissions

Saskatchewan’s wheat and barley development commissions will be collecting checkoffs by Aug. 1. Agriculture minister Lyle Stewart and the interim commission board chairs announced June 20 that consultations are complete and the commissions officially established. Stewart said the checkoffs have been set at 52 cents per tonne for wheat and 50 cents per tonne for […] Read more

Sask. increases ag machinery technician training spots

An additional 14 students will be taken into SIAST’s agricultural machinery technician certificate program, the Saskatchewan government and the Canada West Equipment Dealers Association announced today. That doubles the program’s enrolment. CWEDA is contributing $57,000 to cover half the cost of the program expansion. Student tuition and government funding will cover the other half. The […] Read more