What the Saskatchewan government learns from its farmland ownership review will depend largely on who participates in the online survey. The question of whether to tighten or relax the rules will likely come down to the age and financial position of the respondents. At one end are the farmers who want to retire or sell […] Read more
Stories by Karen Briere
Western premieres meet, trade and economy dominate discussion
Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall, on behalf of his western Canadian counterparts, will send a letter to U.S. legislators urging repeal of country-of-origin legislation. Premiers of the western provinces and territories met for their annual meeting by teleconference June 1. Trade and the economy dominated discussion. Alberta premier Rachel Notley did not attend because swearing-in ceremonies […] Read more
Sask. takes steps to fix Buffalo Pound water problems
Water quality issues at the Buffalo Pound water treatment plant, which supplies Moose Jaw, Regina and rural communities with drinking water, have prompted Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency to initiative a controlled release from Lake Diefenbaker. The release will replace water in Buffalo Pound, which is affected by an early and several onset of algae blooms. […] Read more
Sask. cattle moved as fires rage
About 200 cattle were moved from pastures in Saskatchewan’s Rural Municipality of Torch River this week under threat from a wildfire. The fire began in the Torch River Provincial Forest about eight kilometres north of White Fox in the afternoon of May 22. By May 29 it was considered contained but had burned through more […] Read more

Farmers fear dry will turn to drought
Prairie farmers have gone from flood to fire. After several wet rainy springs, it is now extremely dry in most places, even as some still struggle with wet seeding conditions. “It’s absolutely dry,” said Trevor Hadwen, agroclimate specialist at Agriculture Canada. “It has benefitted the farmers in terms of rapidly seeding, but now that most […] Read more
Saskatchewan gov’t seeks input on land ownership
Online consultation regarding Sask-atchewan farmland ownership laws has begun, but some are questioning the method of obtaining input. Both the opposition New Democrats and the Progressive Conservatives, who don’t have a seat in the legislature, say public meetings should be held on such an important topic. Agriculture minister Lyle Stewart said online surveys and mailed […] Read more
Sask. gathers input for farmland ownership review
Online consultation regarding Saskatchewan farmland ownership laws has begun, but some are questioning the method of obtaining input. Both the opposition New Democrats and the Progressive Conservatives, who don’t have a seat in the legislature, say public meetings should be held on such an important topic. Agriculture minister Lyle Stewart said online surveys and mailed […] Read more

New environment minister will look at drainage rules
Saskatchewan’s new environment minister says he needs time to talk to officials before commenting on new drainage regulations. The new regulations, which would curb unauthorized ditching and drainage of agricultural land, have been in the works for months. They were expected this summer but officials said a firm date has not yet been established. Herb […] Read more
Sask. cabinet shuffle
Saskatchewan’s new environment minister says he needs time to talk to officials before commenting on new drainage regulations. The new regulations, which would curb unauthorized ditching and drainage of agricultural land, have been in the works for months. They were expected this summer but officials said a firm date hasn’t been established. Herb Cox, the […] Read more

Payne family history in cattle continues
LLOYDMINSTER, Sask. — Jaxon Payne is 15 and already knows where his future lies. “I’m staying here,” he says, meaning the family farm, Greenwood Limousin. His parents, Jackie and Scott, aren’t surprised. Their older son Jayden, 18, who was at cattle shows in Australia at the time of a recent visit to the farm, is […] Read more