Saskatchewan Party leadership candidates tackled agricultural issues January 4 at a forum organized by agricultural organizations. Farmers in the crowd said it was important to hear the leadership candidates, especially because the winner will eventually become premier once Brad Wall steps down. The candidates, Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Ken Cheveldayoff, Alanna Koch, Scott Moe and Gordon Wyant, […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Couple grows farm, family on Gelbvieh operation
PARRY, Sask. — Trevor and Amber Burks aren’t ones to let the grass grow under their feet. They want to produce the best Gelbvieh cattle and they want to do it sooner rather than later. Trevor established Twisted T Gelbvieh in 2011 and by 2013, the year he and Amber married, they were showing champions. […] Read more
Reducing nitrous oxide emissions benefits farmers
Farmers who use best management practices for agronomic reasons also gain environmental benefits, says a University of Saskatchewan researcher. However, soil scientist Dr. Richard Farrell told the recent provincial irrigation conference there is room for improvement around nitrogen use. Agricultural soils produce about half of total greenhouse gas emissions for the sector but 90 percent […] Read more
Tight deadline set for farm program review
These are the people appointed to review Canada’s business risk management program:
Eleven people appointed to the external expert panel for Canada’s business risk management program review have a tall order ahead, said the Saskatchewan farmer representative. Lane Stockbrugger, who farms at Englefeld, Sask., is vice-chair of SaskCanola and a director of Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan, said much work has yet to be done to meet […] Read moreInternational trade topped ag minister’s agenda in 2017
Trade uncertainty characterized 2017 for federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay. In a year that saw him travel extensively to promote Canadian products, three irritants continued to dog the industry: the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, Trans-Pacific Partnership 11 and India’s decision to slap import duties on pulses. He wouldn’t speculate on when or if […] Read more
Irrigation investment pays off: economic analyst
Sask. study finds that $26.5 million in irrigation spending resulted in an $86.6 million GDP benefit over 20 years
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — An economic analysis of irrigation infill development in Saskatchewan found that public investment in the sector is well worth the money. Jillian Brown of the University of Saskatchewan told the recent Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association conference that 8,472 acres were developed from 2011-16. That development cost $26.54 million — $21.13 million […] Read moreCoalition pushes feds to form food council
More than 50 organizations have called on Ottawa to create a National Food Policy Council after a recommendation for an advisory body from the House of Commons agriculture committee. The alliance of food industry, agricultural and other organizations said in a Dec. 15 letter to Agriculture Minister Lawrence Macaulay that a council would include representation […] Read more
Sask. auditor urges better monitoring of animal disease
Saskatchewan’s provincial auditor says the provincial agriculture ministry should keep better records of livestock diseases. In her report released Dec. 12, Judy Ferguson said Saskatchewan Agriculture has good systems in place but doesn’t always follow its own protocols. The province maintains 14 diseases on the provincial notifiable disease list. It has full response plans for […] Read more
Quicker, cheaper biofuel production in the works
Researchers at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan, have developed a biofuel production method they say is quicker, cheaper and safer than other methods. It involves pre-treating agricultural crop waste with carbon dioxide at high temperature and pressure in water before it is fermented. Cigdem Eskicioglu, an associate professor of engineering, said this process known […] Read more
New agrology definition allows more to practice in area of expertise
Legislation governing professional agrologists in Saskatchewan has been updated to better reflect what they do, according to the president of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists. Blair McClinton said amendments introduced and passed in the recent legislative session bring Saskatchewan in line with other provinces. The SIA has been advocating for the changes. “The industry has […] Read more
