On the Farm: Five generations of Morningstars have lived on this central Sask. farm, which was homesteaded in 1905
LOCKWOOD, Sask. — On the first day of summer vacation, Ryan and Lisa Morningstar’s daughters likely aren’t thinking much about the farm’s future. Kelsey has just graduated high school after this strange pandemic year. Jayden and Cally will go back to school in the fall. It’s time to sleep late and enjoy long summer days. […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Hot U.S. beef market set to cool off
Analysts expect prices to decline but eventually level off at values higher than what were seen before the pandemic
The American beef market is declining and likely to work lower after a spring of phenomenal demand, says an analyst. Rob Murphy, executive vice-president at J.S. Ferraro, said the market is backing off toward normal. “I don’t think that it’s going to go completely kaput and we’re going to be back to say 2018 or […] Read more
Finding feed main focus for cattle producers
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association makes more suggestions to government on how to help deal with feed shortage
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association says governments have to take more action to help cattle producers through the extreme drought. The member-based organization submitted its drought survival plan to both the provincial and federal governments, saying previously announced measures are appreciated but the situation is getting worse. “As we talked to producers and our membership […] Read moreFarmers want role as UN plans food summit next month
Against the backdrop of climate change, the pandemic and worsening world hunger statistics, delegates to the United Nations Food Systems pre-summit in Rome last week discussed how to meet 2030 sustainability and nutrition goals. More than 500 people attended the event along with 20,000 on-line; 190 countries were represented. Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, in […] Read more
Producers call drought aid small first steps
Livestock tax deferral and AgriRecovery commitment appreciated, but farmers say Prairies must move on AgriStability
Farm organizations largely welcomed last week’s federal drought assistance announcement but say more is required to keep producers and the food supply chain working. The early designation of livestock tax deferral regions and late participation in AgriStability are only small first steps, they said. They are now pinning their hopes on the AgriRecovery assessments currently […] Read moreB.C. farmer questions fire response
Tricia Thorpe and her husband were off helping others when they found out their small farm at Lytton, B.C., was at risk from a fire sweeping the community. Four kilometres away, they had no indication the flames would make it to their property. “We never imagined we were in any danger,” she said July 15, […] Read more
Ottawa funds conservation, wildlife habitat
Three conservation organizations will share more than $25 million in federal funding for projects to sequester carbon and preserve biodiversity on the Prairies. Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the money during a stop at Oak Hammock Marsh in Manitoba July 23. The projects are three-year initiatives under the Nature Smart Climate Solutions fund announced […] Read more
Drought may significantly slash western herd
Some farm leaders are talking about the possibility of a 50 percent reduction across whole regions of Western Canada
The Canadian cattle herd is likely to shrink significantly as a lack of feed and water forces producers to sell off breeding stock. During a town hall meeting organized by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and provincial associations July 19, leaders said cows are already moving to market as producers evaluate how many they can maintain […] Read more
Ottawa to trigger AgriRecovery to provide drought help
All three prairie provinces have asked for the program to be initiated and are now hoping details will come soon
Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau will initiate AgriRecovery now that formal requests have come in from provinces affected by heat and drought. All three prairie provinces have asked for assessments, and British Columbia and Ontario are expected to do the same. Officials are working on what the disaster assistance program will cover and the accompanying […] Read more
Ottawa funds conservation, wildlife habitat
Three conservation organizations will share more than $25 million in federal funding for projects to sequester carbon and preserve biodiversity on the Prairies. Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the money during a stop at Oak Hammock Marsh in Manitoba July 23. The projects are three-year initiatives under the Nature Smart Climate Solutions fund announced […] Read more
