Agribition panel discusses the importance of mental health and what programs are ready to help farmers cope
Since Kim Keller posted a tweet last summer urging farmers to talk about mental health, that’s exactly what she’s been doing. The Gronlid, Sask., farmer and co-founder of Saskatchewan Women in Agriculture has kept the conversation alive at events and on social media. At Canadian Western Agribition, participants at the Grain Expo heard that studies […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Sask. toughens parts supply legislation
The Saskatchewan government has moved to increase penalties on parts distributors who fail to keep an adequate supply on hand for farmers. The amendments to the Agricultural Implements Act would also increase compensation to farmers who lose time and money as a result of poor service. Both the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada and the Western […] Read more
Sask. leaseholders given incentive to buy crown land
Saskatchewan has announced another incentive program as it tries to sell agricultural crown land. This program is being described as “targeted” because it is aimed at current leaseholders of cultivated or formerly cultivated land and offers them a 10 percent incentive until March 31, 2018. Lessees aren’t obligated to buy, but if they don’t they […] Read more
Transportation bill in peril as it stalls in Senate
Western grain shippers are getting nervous as Bill C-49 sits in the Senate with diminishing chances it will receive royal assent before Christmas. The Transportation Modernization Act received third reading in the House of Commons and moved to the Senate Nov. 2. Since then, it has been stalled at the second reading stage. Both houses […] Read more
Producers urged to deal withtwo faces of bison production
Is bison a fully industrialized production system or a heritage animal raised in the most natural way possible?
Canadian bison producers were challenged to think differently about the animals they raise during a presentation at their annual convention last week. “This is your navel-gazing talk,” said Dr. Terry Whiting, animal welfare manager with Manitoba Agriculture. “I want you to think about the idea of a bison more than a bison itself.” Bison have […] Read more
Women in agriculture award winner loves the way of life
Few who have attended a cattle event in the last 30 years wouldn’t have crossed paths with Belinda Wagner. She has spent her career in agriculture, and last month was honoured for her dedication and commitment. Canadian Western Agribition and BMO presented its inaugural Celebrating Women in Agriculture Award to the Saskatchewan resident. Wagner said […] Read more
Hands-on display brings calving to life
Giving birth 10 to 12 times a day can’t be easy on a cow, but Canadian Western Agnes did just that for a whole week during Agribition. Agnes is the calving simulator owned by Canadian Western Agribition and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a life-size, anatomically correct two-year-old Hereford heifer with her […] Read more
Highlights of Agribition horse sale, sheep show
Fourteen select horses sold for an average $8,075 during the Canadian Western Agribition sale Nov. 24. Twenty-two horses were on the sale bill but several passed after not meeting reserve bids, including one that reached $15,000. A bay mare from perennial high seller Frehlick Quarter Horses at Estevan, Sask., topped the sale at $13,000. FQH […] Read more
Risk management program review moving at snail’s pace
Little progress appears to have been made nearly five months after a one-year review of business risk management programs was announced. “I see it moving forward very, very, very slowly,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said Nov. 28 when asked about the review. “I expected by now that we’d actually be into the meat of […] Read more
Sask. farmers applaud lack of tax in new carbon plan
Agricultural leaders say Sask-atchewan’s climate change strategy recognizes the sector’s efforts and allows it to be part of the larger solution going forward. Environment Minister Dustin Duncan released the strategy Dec. 4, noting Saskatchewan will focus on readiness and resiliency rather than imposing a tax. “A responsible climate change strategy can’t focus on a tax […] Read more
