Saskatchewan cattle organizations welcomed the provincial government’s decision last week to begin turning over its pastures to patrons after this grazing season. Similar to the former federal pasture transition, patrons will get first crack at 15-year leases on 13 pastures after this year, 19 after the 2018 grazing season and the final 18 in 2020. […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Wind causes problems at Farm Progress
The weather is often the story at Canada’s Farm Progress Show, and this year it’s the wind. Gusting to 75 km-h on opening day Wednesday, it caused some concern for outdoor exhibitors. Show chair Rene Carpentier said he wasn’t aware of any damage but exhibitors had to tie down lighter items. Some resorted to using […] Read more
Innovations recognized as Farm Progress Show begins
The 40th edition of Canada’s Farm Progress Show has kicked off in Regina. Eight innovations entered in the show’s annual competition received special awards at the opening ceremony. TankFull, a division of Duck Mountain Environmental, received a gold award for its septic tank level monitoring system. It uses ultrasonic technology to automatically send a signal […] Read more
Farm show celebrates 40th anniversary
They say 40 is the new 30, and if that’s true, Canada’s Farm Progress Show is still far from entering middle age. However, the annual Regina event, which started as the Western Canada Farm Progress Show, is indeed celebrating its 40th year next week. “It’s exciting and scary turning 40, isn’t it,” said show manager […] Read more
Unease growing in EU over CETA cheese clause
Canada’s dairy farmers say they have no comment on reports of a spat brewing over cheese allocations under the incoming trade agreement with the European Union. Most measures under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement are expected to take effect July 1. The agreement will allow an additional 16,000 tonnes of high-quality cheese and 1,700 […] Read more
Come to see what’s new, stay to see the glimpses into farms of old
They come to see the shiny new technology, but Canada’s Farm Progress Show visitors are also drawn to the sometimes-shiny old equipment that came before. Stan Bowes of Regina says he never gets to tour the show grounds to see the new machinery because he’s so busy in the antiques area answering questions. Young and […] Read more
More funds for livestock centre
Construction on the new Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence near Clavet, Sask., is about 30 percent done and on track for completion by next spring. The federal government through Western Economic Diversification recently added $4.47 million to the project budget. The University of Saskatchewan has contributed $10 million, as did the federal and provincial […] Read more
Transport act changes omit costing review
The proposed Transportation Modernization Act, although widely supported, comes without a full railway costing review. However, that was a Liberal pledge during the 2015 election campaign and something farm and commodity organizations have long called for. Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan president Todd Lewis said the issue is still top-of-mind for producers. “We are still […] Read more
Experts question why organic growth is stagnant
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Michael Gertler wants to know why there aren’t more organic producers in Saskatchewan. The University of Saskatchewan sociologist, along with colleagues JoAnn Jaffe from the University of Regina and Mary Beckie at the University of Alberta, has questions about restructuring in the farm sector, particularly what could be inhibiting growth in […] Read more
Ottawa seeks opinions on national food policy
Ottawa has launched consultations on the development of a national food policy. The policy was a Liberal government election promise and included in Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay’s mandate letter. MacAulay announced the consultations at the Canadian Association for Food Studies Conference in Toronto May 29. He said Canadians can have their say through an online […] Read more
