Western Equipment Dealers Association says 1,000 mechanics are needed in Western Canada
Equipment dealers in Western Canada face a labour shortage that won’t likely be eased anytime soon. The shortage of trained mechanics is the main issue for members of the Western Equipment Dealers Association, who met in Regina last week for their annual convention. “Our recent surveys show that we need 1,000 in Western Canada right […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Sask. rancher sings praises of intensive grazing
By seeding all of their land to grass, the McElroy family was able to sell their farm equipment and make the cattle do the work
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Art McElroy is a fan of intensive grazing. It took him and his family some time to get to that point, but he now says the benefits of putting more cattle in smaller areas for shorter periods are obvious. “We now have double the farm we started with without buying one […] Read moreFormer Avena Foods CEO dies
The former chief executive officer of Avena Foods and well-known civil servant Maryellen Carlson has died. Carlson taught school before joining the federal civil service, working for Consumer and Corporate Affairs and then Agriculture Canada. In 1997, she moved to Saskatchewan Agriculture to head the industry development branch and eventually became assistant deputy minister. She […] Read more
Irrigation deal saves centre
Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre also seeks international investors
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Saskatchewan irrigators say a new five-year agreement has saved the province’s irrigation research centre. However, money from other countries will be needed to keep the facility on the leading edge. The Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre (CSIDC) at Outlook was “in peril” when the last agreement expired in 2013, said Saskatchewan Irrigation […] Read morePasture transition proves bumpy
Lone Tree Grazing officials say uncertainty over partners was the biggest challenge in taking over former community pasture
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — With one year of operating a former federal pasture under their belts, the shareholders of Lone Tree Grazing Ltd. are sharing their experience. Lone Tree in southwestern Saskatchewan was among the first 10 pastures to be turned over to the province and then to patrons after the 2013 grazing season. Ten […] Read moreSPCA to stop investigating animal welfare cases in Sask.
The Saskatchewan government is looking for a new agency to investigate animal welfare cases after the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced Jan. 5 it will not renew its contract. The SPCA and its animal protection officers have provided the service under contract since 1972. The contract expires March 31. President […] Read more
Two projects still in limbo
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Irrigation might be a priority for the Saskatchewan government, but no decision has yet been made on whether two major projects will go ahead. The Westside and Qu’Appelle South projects, which would cost $2 billion each, have both been discussed for years. Bill Greuel, executive director of Saskatchewan Agriculture’s crops and […] Read more
Irrigators want resolution on water works transfer
MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Irrigators in southwestern Saskatchewan hope the new year brings resolution to an ongoing dispute over the transfer of federal irrigation works. Agriculture Canada officials were supposed to reply to the 250 irrigators’ most recent proposal by Dec. 31. Details of the proposal were unavailable as negotiations continued. Due to holiday season […] Read more
Study examines best crop mixes for prairie soil
Experts look at the performance of various cover crops to determine the best mix for weed suppression and plant biomass production
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — The growing interest in cover crops has prompted researchers at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre to look for the best mixes for southwestern Saskatchewan’s drier environment. Jillian Bainard said cocktail forage mixtures, as cover crops are also known, are believed to improve soil and forage quality. A three-year study that […] Read moreEquipment dealers want transport rules eased
Equipment dealers in Saskatchewan want SaskPower to ease its restrictions on how soon they can move tall equipment for repair. John Schmeiser, CEO of the Western Equipment Dealers Association, said dealers in the province end up breaking the law because of the corporation’s rules. The problem centres on equipment that is over the height limit […] Read more
