The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association has taken action to help ranchers affected by fire. A relief fund has been established to help those in the Biggar area where fire raged for days last week. “Losing 22,000 acres of grass is a devastating setback,” said SSGA president Bill Huber in a news release. “Cattle will have […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Canola growers want more than cash advance
Farm groups thank the federal government for program expansion, but producers demand an open market and better prices
Canadian farmers are less than thrilled with higher cash advances to help them through the canola dispute with China. Reaction was lukewarm to last week’s federal announcement that for 2019 the maximum loan advance would rise from $400,000 to $1 million. Many farmers said another loan, even at low interest, does not solve the real […] Read more
Antique equipment on thin ice at farm show
This could be the last year that visitors to Canada’s Farm Progress Show get to see some of the equipment that started it all. Exhibitors of the antique tractors and other vehicles at the annual Regina show received a letter earlier this spring saying they would no longer be part of the event. However, after […] Read more
Feds say no to WTO option on canola
Canada isn’t planning to take China to the World Trade Organization over canola, at least not yet. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, during sometimes testy exchanges at the standing agriculture committee May 2, said it isn’t the right time. “We have decided not to start a process with the WTO because we don’t think it’s the […] Read more
Producers may rethink their AgriStability participation
Market uncertainty may have some producers rethinking their participation in AgriStability. The deadline to enrol in the program designed to cover large margin shortfalls has been extended to July 2 from April 30 to offer producers all possible protection options as the canola dispute with China drags on. In Saskatchewan, assistant deputy agriculture minister for […] Read more
Court: carbon tax constitutional – Moe confirms appeal
UPDATED – May 3, 2019 1350 CST – Saskatchewan will appeal the court decision that found Ottawa has the authority to impose a carbon tax. Premier Scott Moe said the 3-2 split among the opinions of the five justices makes for a strong argument. “We will be closely reviewing today’s ruling and it will be […] Read more
WTO complaint against China urged
The Conservative opposition earlier this week called on the federal government to launch a World Trade Organization complaint against China over its refusal to take Canadian canola shipments. Even as agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau hinted some type of assistance announcement was coming soon, agriculture critic Luc Berthold said concerns from pea, soybean and pork producers […] Read more
Feds hike cash advances, extend AgriStability deadline
Ottawa has increased to $1 million the cash available to farmers under the Advance Payment Program and extended the deadline to participate in AgriStability as a result of the ongoing trade dispute with China. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and International Trade Minister Jim Carr announced the measures this morning. While all farmers are eligible for […] Read more
Stock growers set up relief fund for Biggar fire
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association has taken action to help ranchers affected by fire. A relief fund has been established to help those in the Biggar area where fire raged for days last week. “Losing 22,000 acres of grass is a devastating setback,” said SSGA president Bill Huber in a news release. “Cattle will have […] Read more
Caution urged with soil analysis
Soil scientist Ross McKenzie says he is concerned about potentially flawed soil test analysis from laboratories and what that means for nutrient and fertilizer recommendations. There are no provincial soil test labs on the Prairies anymore, leaving farmers no choice but to send samples farther away. As a result he sees an increasing problem with […] Read more
