North American Helium has raised $39 million to build a helium purification plant in southwestern Saskatchewan. The plant will be located in the Calgary-based company’s Battle Creek field near Consul. The Battle Creek is a Milk River tributary that flows from Alberta into Saskatchewan through Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park and near Fort Walsh. Cypress Hills […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Sheep anchor Sask. family’s diversity efforts
On the Farm: Brian and Jennifer Pearl believe in permaculture, a natural ecosystem of low inputs and no chemicals
ADMIRAL, Sask. — The fifth generation Pearl farm might look a lot like the first — chickens wandering the farm yard, pigs hunkered down in cool ground, sheep in the adjacent pasture and some still in the lambing barn. There are a couple of turkeys, 10 cows, newly planted fruit trees, and a large vegetable […] Read moreParasitic wasps urged as way to control flies
Horticulturist works with chicken and hog barns and cattle farms as well as feed mills to control flies in spilled grain
As soon as the weather warms up, the flies arrive, making yards and barns miserable spots for people and livestock. Saskatoon horticulturist Patricia Hanbidge has been using parasitic wasps to help control fly populations on farms and acreages for about 30 years. When her children were young she was looking for control methods other than […] Read more
Rite Way looks to purchase Morris Industries
Rite Way is poised to buy the assets of Morris Industries, according to court documents filed May 26. The sixth report of the monitor, Alvarez and Marsal, said that no acceptable offers had been received as of its previous report, dated May 6. However, the monitor explored options, including further discussion with bidders who had […] Read more
Rural ERs to re-open next month in Sask.
Rural hospital emergency rooms closed as part of Saskatchewan’s pandemic plan will begin re-opening mid-June. Twelve ERs were temporarily closed to provide capacity, if needed, allow staff to train for COVID-19 treatment, and to move some vulnerable patients for their own protection. The closures were announced April 8, but communities expressed surprise when they actually […] Read more
Shelterbelts’ carbon capture potential touted
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan develop an app to show landowners the economic value of their trees
A new app developed at the University of Saskatchewan is designed to show the economic value of shelterbelts while helping landowners determine the best trees to grow. Bryan Mood, postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Saskatchewan, said trees store a predictable amount of carbon every year that could be worth something. Saskatchewan has said […] Read more
Sask. aids cattle producers as backlog builds
Sector welcomes province’s decision to contribute to AgriRecovery funding and offset livestock insurance premium costs
Saskatchewan cattle producers say provincial funding announced May 14 will help them through uncertain COVID-19 markets, but the real fix would be a return to full slaughter capacity. Agriculture minister David Marit said the Saskatchewan government will contribute $5 million, or its 40-percent share, to the AgriRecovery program that Ottawa announced May 5. He also […] Read more
Farmers limit ag aid praise
Farm leaders were careful last week to thank Ottawa for the $252-million aid package it announced May 5, but disappointment throughout the sector is clear. “It’s just too little,” said Canadian Cattlemen’s Association president Bob Lowe. “I won’t say too late. It’s just too little.” Canadian Pork Council chair Rick Bergmann called it an important […] Read more
Animal welfare plans called good idea during COVID-19
Groups say producers should know what will happen in case they become sick and are unable to care for their livestock
Animal welfare groups are urging livestock producers to have a plan for animal care during COVID-19. Don Ferguson, who heads Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan, said the pandemic could affect operations on individual farms and ranches if producers fall ill. “Producers should be planning to have feed in supply for 21 days and have a […] Read moreAgriInvest called barrier
The amount of money farmers have in AgriInvest accounts is a barrier to more assistance from Ottawa, say some farm leaders. As of a year ago, farmers across the country had saved more than $2.3 billion in those accounts. Updated figures were not available. Last week, while announcing aid in response to COVID-19, federal agriculture […] Read more
