MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Construction is finally underway on a feedlot proposed more than 10 years ago near Outlook, Sask. Stuart Thiessen of Namaka Farms said earthwork is in progress at the site in the Rural Municipality of Rudy. The permit is for 36,000 head, but he said the plan is to start at about […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Greenhouse strives to be responsible planetary tenant
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at Big Marble Farms. The largest indoor vegetable production greenhouse in Alberta practices sustainability at every stage, operating year-round to supply cucumbers and tomatoes. Beginning as a four-acre farm 10 years ago, subsequent small expansions followed by a 20-acre addition in 2016 and another 10 acres […] Read more
Regeneration Canada reaches out to farmers
A small non-profit organization based in Montreal hopes to make big gains on the Prairies as it works to connect people who want to improve soil health. Regeneration Canada formed in the fall of 2017 after a successful Living Soils Symposium earlier that year. The symposium focused on bringing together farmers, scientists and other stakeholders […] Read more
Weighing greener energy options on the farm
The trend toward renewable energy is not limited to solar panels on urban rooftops or large-scale wind farms. More and more, farmers and rural residents are choosing sustainable options for power. They’re looking to avoid the high capital cost of utility installation as well as the carbon tax. Jason Praski, an engineer who worked for […] Read more
AGT head expects Indian pulse tariffs to stay in place
Murad Al-Katib argues the duties allow India to spend billions on ag support, and no government would eliminate them
Tariffs on pulses going into India will drop when the country’s domestic crop is poor but will most certainly remain in place, says Murad Al-Katib, chief executive officer of AGT Food and Ingredients. He said the tariffs allow the Indian government to pour billions into domestic agricultural support and no government would eliminate them. “Anyone […] Read more
Sheep producers from Alberta take Agribition by storm
Isabelle and Gavin Nicol’s Sandy Hill Charollais won supreme ram, supreme flock, rookie of the year and premier breeder
Isabelle and Gavin Nicol’s first trip to Canadian Western Agribition with their sheep was, to put it mildly, a success. Their Sandy Hill Charollais stock took the show by storm, winning the supreme ram, supreme flock, rookie of the year and premier breeder. The supreme ram also brought the supreme price. Sandy Hill 102F sold […] Read more
Bison sector launches mentorship program
It’s hoped that connecting experienced producers with newcomers to the industry will help avoid expensive lessons
The Canadian Bison Association has established a mentorship program to help young producers develop leadership skills and industry knowledge. “There’s a lot of mentorship that happens organically in our industry just on account of how small and close knit it is and it’s a way to link those new producers coming in who maybe don’t […] Read more
Port upbeat about Churchill
The Arctic Gateway Group hopes to double shipments through its port of Churchill in 2020 after a successful first shipping season. Chief executive officer Murad Al-Katib told the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan annual meeting the port could handle 500,000 tonnes per year as the shipping season stretches from mid-May to the end of November. […] Read more
Ministers will discuss AgriStability changes
Canadian agriculture ministers will gather in Ottawa Dec. 17 intending to change AgriStability. However, any changes would be minor rather than major program restructuring. The ministers had discussed ways to adjust the program at their annual meeting in Quebec City last July. It has fallen out of favour with farmers because it doesn’t provide enough […] Read more
Carbon tax increasing on Sask. electricity
SaskPower has issued a reminder to customers that the federal carbon tax applied on its bills increases from $20 to $30 per tonne on Jan. 1. According to a news release, the crown utility expects farmers will have to pay an extra $60 in 2020. The year-over-year increase for residential customers will be about 1.5 […] Read more
