The federal government has launched two strategies designed to create economic development in rural Canada. Minister Bernadette Jordan released Rural Opportunities, National Prosperity concurrently with High-Speed Access for All: Canada’s Connectivity Strategy. She said consultation over the past several months pointed to high-speed broadband as the most immediate need in rural areas. Twenty percent of […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
No easy fix to fill canola vacuum: Viterra
The head of Regina-based Viterra says finding new canola buyers to fill the void left by China’s decision to stop buying Canadian canola won’t be easy. Since China blocked Canadian imports in March citing pest contamination, many people have suggested new markets are the answer. The federal government has been on trade missions to drum […] Read more
Farm Progress Show disappoints some
Canada’s Farm Progress Show is promising changes for next year but some wonder if the show has run its course after 42 years. There were noticeably fewer exhibits at last week’s show. Some estimated the number had dropped by at least 300. Social media took note of the smaller show with many speculating on its […] Read more
Outstanding Young Farmers named in Sask.
Jason and Jenna Ranger of Shellbrook have slowed their expansion and now focus on improving the business
The opportunity to rent land from former Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers winners a dozen years ago led Jason and Jenna Ranger to the same title last week. The judges selected the couple from Shellbrook during the competition at Canada’s Farm Progress Show. Jason grew up on a farm near Leask and, after a year studying […] Read moreFarm Progress Show announces changes for next year
Canada’s Farm Progress Show plans big changes for next year. Evraz Place chief executive officer Tim Reid said the show will shift to a mid-week format, running Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday rather than the current Wednesday through Friday. It will also start later on the first day, and there will be an increased focus on entertainment during the […] Read more
Environmental award winners ‘walk the talk’
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Randy Stokke didn’t want to say it too loudly, but the ranch he runs with wife, Terry, and their family had good moisture this spring even though it’s located in one of the driest parts of Saskatchewan. The Stokkes run their cattle on about 14,000 acres of mostly crown lease native […] Read more
Jason and Jenna Ranger named Sask. Outstanding Young Farmers
The opportunity to rent land from former Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers winners a dozen years ago led Jason and Jenna Ranger to the same title yesterday. The judges selected the couple from Shellbrook during the competition at Canada’s Farm Progress Show. Jason grew up on a farm near Leask and, after a year studying agriculture […] Read more
Sask. farm family has history of innovation
On the Farm: Vestiges of innovation and experimentation can still be seen on the farm, which was founded in 1924
FOX VALLEY, Sask. — There are two constants at the Lodoen farm: change and innovation. Since Ben Lodoen homesteaded the land with his brother, establishing their farm in 1924 even before the nearby town of Fox Valley sprang up, there have been all types of enterprises on this land. Grain, horses, cows, pigs and chickens […] Read more
New poll finds public is behind agriculture
The survey found Canadians trust food produced in Canada but positives around the industry aren’t well known
A national poll of 1,000 Canadians found strong support for agriculture, but issues such as the canola dispute with China aren’t likely to stick with them for long. The poll, conducted between April 29 and May 2 by Grassroots Public Affairs, was designed to measure the attitudes of everyday people, said president Peter Seeman. He […] Read more
Feds hike insurance funding for risky canola exports
Canada’s canola industry appears unsure what to make of last week’s federal announcement of additional export insurance. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, International Trade Minister Jim Carr and Export Development Canada executive vice-president Carl Burlock said $150 million in additional insurance would be offered to help canola sellers move into new markets. The insurance would “mitigate […] Read more
