REGINA — Ray Orb sat on the stage in front of rural municipal delegates last week wearing an unfamiliar jacket. For 20 years he was recognizable in one of the beige suitcoats worn by Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities directors. Now he’s wearing navy, after stepping down as president in August. He spent nine years […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
MacAulay talks trade at Canadian Western Agribition after trip to China
REGINA — Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay said Chinese officials gave him no indication of where it’s investigation of Canadian canola imports is heading. He returned from a trip to Beijing earlier this month where he met with industry leaders, importers and Canadian stakeholders. Speaking to reporters at Canadian Western Agribition, MacAulay said China is […] Read more
Sask. sets new tone for legislative business
Speech from the Throne highlights affordability, health, education
REGINA — The Saskatchewan government is promising a kinder, gentler tone as the Legislative Assembly gathers for its first sitting since the October election. The Nov. 25 speech from the throne highlighted the Saskatchewan Party’s affordability promises but it also aims to address health care and education concerns. “A new beginning starts with a clear-eyed […] Read more
Management can reduce dark-cutter issues
Cattle, particularly heifers, that are more physically stressed and exposed to aggression are more likely to cut dark
REGINA — Beef carcasses deemed as dark cutters represent a small percentage of slaughtered cattle but a significant discount to producers. A Canada B4 grade reduced carcass value by about $300 at the time of a recent study. According to the Canadian Beef Grading Agency, over the last 10 years the annual prevalence of dark […] Read more
Beck chooses ag critic duties for herself
REGINA — Saskatchewan NDP opposition leader Carla Beck is drawing on her farm background to build the party in rural areas. She announced her shadow cabinet last week and is taking on agriculture and rural affairs herself. That means she will pose questions to new agriculture minister Daryl Harrison after the first sitting of the […] Read more
AGT sells rail, handling assets
The deal with GCM Grosvenor is expected to close later this year or early next year
REGINA — Regina-based AGT Foods today announced the sale of its shortline rail and bulk handling facilities to GCM Grosvenor. Financial details were not disclosed, but the sale includes MobilGrain, Last Mountain Rail, Big Sky Rail, MobilEx Terminal Ltd. in Thunder Bay and Intermobil, the intermodal terminal in Regina, as well as the loading facilities […] Read more
Industries want Senate to reject amendments
Dairy, egg and poultry producers say their sectors are at risk if Bill C-282 isn’t passed in its original form
REGINA — Supply managed sectors say they’re disappointed with amendments to Bill C-282. The Senate foreign affairs committee earlier this month agreed in a 10-3 vote to changes that they say made the bill meaningless. The private member’s bill calls for dairy, egg and poultry production to be protected in future trade negotiations but the […] Read more
Harvest Grain buys Sask. assets
REGINA — Saskatchewan’s pulse and special crops processing landscape is changing again, as Harvest Grain Ltd. announced last week it had acquired two existing facilities. The newly incorporated company already owned Bornhorst Seeds Ltd. at St. Gregor. On Nov. 12 a court approved Harvest Grain’s purchase of the former Global Food and Ingredients facility at […] Read more
Demands continue to reform interswitching
Prairie grain shippers insist extended interswitching should be made permanent so all Prairie regions are accommodated
REGINA — Grain companies last week added their voice to the call for extended interswitching. Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association, said the practice is an example of low-hanging fruit that would provide rail rate and service competition for shippers. He said it’s one of the only tools shippers have to […] Read more
New ag minister for Sask. as premier changes every portfolio
The number of ministers dropped to 16 from 18 and doubles the load on some ministers REGINA — Saskatchewan has a new agriculture minister for the first time in six years.Daryl Harrison, the MLA for Cannington in the province’s southeast, takes over from David Marit, who moved to highways when premier Scott Moe announced his […] Read more
