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

Geneticist and plant breeder Curtis Pozniak talks with Western Producer journalist Karen Briere about the fast-path forward in plant breeding in Canada. | SV Fisk photo
Crop Management

Traits and techniques:

How the search for genetic improvements is accelerating, thanks to new research tools

In conversation with geneticist and plant breeder Curtis Pozniak Western Producer journalist Karen Briere explores the fast-path forward in plant breeding in Canada. Join her on our digital platform for these interviews: What’s changed in plant breeding over the last 20 years? How does DNA testing of plants save scientists and farmers time and money? […] Read more
The government intends to add 60 new policing positions and says rural crime is a particular concern. | File photo
Farm Living, News

Sask. throne speech focuses on crime

Between 200 and 300 protesters gathered on the steps of the Saskatchewan legislative building this afternoon as the government announced its legislative agenda for the fall session. The protesters included those mainly against the government’s COVID-19 vaccination and masking policies. A planned outdoor ceremony including premier Scott Moe and lieutenant governor Russ Mirasty was cancelled […] Read more
Canadian Western Agribition organizers say they have confidence in the vaccine rollout plans and believe time is on their side. The show is scheduled to be held live Nov. 22-27. | File photo
News

In-person fall farm shows begin

The fall round of prairie agricultural shows has returned under provincial COVID-19 orders and restrictions. Manitoba Ag Ex is planned for this week, with a requirement that all exhibitors and visitors be fully vaccinated. The Lloydminster Stockade Roundup, which is slated for Nov. 2-6, and Red Deer’s Agri-Trade, Farm Fair in Edmonton and Canadian Western […] Read more
AgH2Onward is free and requires two hours on each of two days to complete. | Screencap via agh2onward.ca
News

Drainage workshop offered in Sask.

Saskatchewan farmers who want to better manage water on their land are encouraged to take a new online workshop on the process of gaining approval and building their projects. AgH2Onward is free and requires two hours on each of two days to complete. Julie MacKenzie, part of the development team, said farmers will increasingly be […] Read more
Task force chair Bill Prybylski, who farms near Willowbrook, Sask., said the funding hasn’t even kept up with the rate of inflation. Programs within the agreement have been cut and need restoration, and the risk associated with farming is considerably more than it was 10 years ago. | File photo
News

APAS calls for more funding of farm safety net programs

It’s time governments increase funding for the agricultural policy framework, says Saskatchewan’s general farm organization. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan last week announced a task force to develop recommendations ahead of negotiations on the successor to the current Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The five-year agreement worth $3 billion expires March 31, 2023. “Probably one of […] Read more
A food expert argues that very few products in Canada actually require codes such as best-before and expiry dates. | File photo
News

Confusion over best-before dates called food waste culprit

Many consumers think there is something wrong with a food product as soon as the sell-by, best-before or expiry date hits

Consumer food waste and the cost of that waste is caused largely by a lack of knowledge on the subject, says the author of a recent report. Kerri Holland of KL Consulting in Edmonton said food is wasted throughout the chain but the economic value of food is highest at the consumer level so that […] Read more
Speaking during a webinar organized by the Agri-Food Innovation Council, former federal agriculture minister Andy Mitchell said farm organization representatives should be prepared for the meeting, understand what’s possible and listen as well as talk. | Getty Images
News

Lobbying for the future of agriculture? Come prepared

Former federal agriculture minister Andy Mitchell offered advice for those who intend to lobby current and future ministers: quality trumps volume, expertise trumps politics and relationships trump rhetoric. Speaking during a webinar organized by the Agri-Food Innovation Council, Mitchell said farm organization representatives should be prepared for the meeting, understand what’s possible and listen as […] Read more
Fieldstone Farm is operated by Rachel Basaldua LePoudre on her parents' farm near Davidson, Sask. More than 200 varieties of dahlias, other flowers and an apple orchard fill two acres of the yard. | Karen Briere photo
Farm Living

Stopping to smell and purchase the flowers

DAVIDSON, Sask. — Tucked in a corner of her parents’ farmyard between the house, a row of grain bins and a vegetable garden lies Rachel Basaldua LePoudre’s passion. Dahlias. More than 200 varieties in a wide range of colours and sizes are gloriously blooming on a September day. All of them are neatly labeled and […] Read more
A U.S. Department of Agriculture report suggests a five percent increase in cow slaughter in Canada, which would result in a one percent decline in beef cow inventories for 2022. | Les Dunford photo
Markets

More sows, fewer cows predicted for next year

The USDA expects more Canadian cows will go to slaughter while an increase in sows should help hog numbers recover

A report issued in September by the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts the Canadian cattle and hog herds to contract as 2022 begins. The report from the Foreign Agricultural Service says the 2021 drought means a smaller calf crop next year as more heifers and cows go to slaughter. However, it also notes that improved […] Read more
Election results leave little change for agriculture and Prairies. Voters in Saskatchewan sent all 14 Conservative candidates in that province to Ottawa, with 59 percent of voters, like those who used the polling station in Donavon, Sask., choosing blue. | Paul Yanko photo
News

Election: continuation of Liberal ag plan

Conservatives sweep all Sask. seats, Alberta moves to centre with four non-Conservatives while Manitoba holds steady

Canadian farmers should expect agriculture policy similar to the last six years after the Liberals were re-elected to a minority government Sept. 20. Results are still not official, but the Liberals won 159 seats, the Conservatives 119, New Democrats 25, Green Party 2, and the Bloc Quebecois, 33, for a Parliament that closely resembles the […] Read more

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