Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan continues to investigate more than the usual number of calls about livestock in distress. Executive director Don Ferguson said last week, in response to a query about a seizure near Avonlea, that reports are up throughout the province. In the Avonlea case, nine animals considered in distress were seized and […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Feds offer extra insurance to canola exporters
The federal government has announced that Export Development Canada will provide extra insurance to canola exporters as they diversify to new markets. EDC will cover an additional $150 million in export volume to “mitigate the risk of selling into new markets and make it more likely they can access working capital from their partners,” said […] Read more
AgriRecovery talk premature: provinces
It’s too soon to think about triggering AgriRecovery to help farmers caught up in the canola trade dispute with China, say the governments of two canola-growing provinces. Both Saskatchewan and Manitoba say they aren’t yet considering AgriRecovery and haven’t asked that the program be triggered. Alberta did not respond to a request for comment before […] Read more
Sask. lifts farmers’ semi-truck exemption
Farmers who seek a Class 1 licence will have to take mandatory training to drive semis in Saskatchewan after all. The province announced May 29 that beginning March 1, 2020, those wishing to get an F endorsement on their drivers’ licences will have to take 40 hours of commercial driver training. These drivers will be […] Read more
Hog industry remains on guard against ASF
Sector officials say scientists are adamant that African swine fever ‘will certainly arrive on our shores’ at some point
An African swine fever outbreak in North America would cause “economic Armageddon” from trade embargoes, says a pork processing official. Iain Stewart, senior vice-president and general manager of Maple Leaf Food’s pork complex, said the entire industry is working together on prevention, but no one knows if that will be enough to keep the deadly […] Read moreSharpen mental health focus: MPs
Canadian farmers need better mental health supports, says a report from the federal standing committee on agriculture. The report tabled in the House of Commons May 28 contains 10 recommendations made after the committee undertook its study of rural mental health, hearing from farmers and experts in a series of meetings. The all-party committee members […] Read more
Sask. appeals carbon tax court ruling
As expected, Saskatchewan has appealed the court ruling that found Ottawa had the constitutional authority to impose a carbon tax. Justice Minister Don Morgan announced May 31 that the official notice had been filed to the Supreme Court of Canada. The government has asked the court to answer two questions: Is the Greenhouse Gas Pollution […] Read more
Credit unions to close
Conexus Credit Union plans to close nine Saskatchewan branches by this fall. The financial institution announced that seven of those branches are in rural locations: Chamberlain, Cupar, Drake, Middle Lake, Mossbank, Spy Hill and Young. The two other closures are planned for Regina. In a news release, the financial institution said after a review of […] Read more
Sask. appeals carbon tax ruling
As expected, Saskatchewan has appealed the court ruling that found Ottawa had the constitutional authority to impose a carbon tax. Justice Minister Don Morgan announced May 31 that the official notice had been filed to the Supreme Court of Canada. Related story: Court: carbon tax constitutional – Moe confirms appeal The government has asked the […] Read more
Sask. expands mandatory training for ag semi drivers
Farmers will have to take mandatory training to drive semis in Saskatchewan after all. The province announced today that beginning March 1, 2020, those wishing to get an F endorsement on their drivers’ licences will have to take 40 hours of commercial driver training. These drivers will be restricted to driving semis within a 100-kilometre […] Read more
