Karen Briere

Karen Briere

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Karen Briere grew up in Canora, Sask. where her family had a grain and cattle operation. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Regina and has spent more than 30 years covering agriculture from the Western Producer’s Regina bureau.

Stories by Karen Briere

The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
News, Tariffs

Loss of markets overshadows federal election campaign

Farm organizations say rules-based, predictable trade environments are at the top of their wish lists for the next government

Ending tariffs, or preventing any new tariffs, overshadows all other issues so far in this federal election campaign. Trade is the number one concern affecting all sectors.
A low angle shot of cows standing in a milking barn being milked.
News, Tariffs

Liberals release ag platform

The Liberal Party today released its agriculture platform, promising to protect the sector in the face of American tariffs and keep supply management off the table in trade talks with the U.S.
A ripe wheat crop.
News, Tariffs

Tariff support not that quick or easy: critics

AgriStability changes announced March 22 require negotiations, and funds won’t be available until after federal election

Changes announced to AgriStability on the eve of the federal election call have met with mixed reaction.
A farmer uses a touchscreen in the cab of a farm vehicle.
Farm Living, News

SaskTel launches data hub for farmers

Companies that are part of Smart Ag will help farmers use data to improve their operations and sustainability

SaskTel has launched what it calls an ag ecosystem to help companies do business with farmers.
A scenic farm yard in Alberta sits at the base of some hills that are dotted with wind turbines in the distance.
News

Policy institute calls for open review of ag spending

It’s been 13 years since agricultural spending was reviewed, and some programs may no longer meet producer needs

A full-scale review of Canadian agricultural spending should be a top priority in this time of global uncertainty, said a new report from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.
Sunterra Farms
News

Alberta-based Sunterra companies in financial, legal trouble

UPDATE (June 9, 2025): Sunterra’s U.S. hog subsidiaries have been sold to Tyson Foods following allegations of financial fraud. Read the full story: Sunterra’s American assets sold to Tyson REGINA — Alberta-based Sunterra Farms has filed notice for protection under federal bankruptcy and insolvency laws to restructure itself financially while three of its U.S. subsidiaries […] Read more
Steam billows from the stacks of a large industrial facility, with high-voltage electrical transmission towers and their power lines in the foreground.
News

Saskatchewan claims carbon tax-free status

The Saskatchewan government said it would no longer collect the ‘silent’ carbon tax applied to large emitters

Saskatchewan’s decision to pause collecting the industrial carbon tax has met with approval but also questions about where the province will find the $431.5 million the Output Based Performance Standards (OBPS) fund was to contribute to this year’s budget.
Two combine augers fill a grain truck with wheat simultaneously, one from each side of the vehicle.
News

SARM president asks governments not to ignore rural voices

Bill Huber says the federal election presents farmers and rural people with an opportunity to be heard on the national stage

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities president Bill Huber says the impending federal election is an opportunity to help shape Canada’s future.
A herd of elk bunches up as the animals jump an old barbed wire fence line.
News

Spring elk hunt in Saskatchewan raises concerns

Elk herds are a problem for producers, but some oppose the plan because it allows heavily pregnant cows to be killed

Large elk herds have become a big problem for farmers, but a plan to tackle the issue has raised ethical concerns.

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