The federal government is negotiating an interim lease with HELP International of Weyburn, Sask., to operate part of the former federal shelter belt centre at Indian Head, Sask. The lease is expected to be for a portion of the site for six months and at market value, but a government spokesperson said the exact terms […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Prairie farmers urged to prepare for climate change
Climate change report | Researcher says farmers around the world will have to adapt to floods and droughts
Prairie farmers are the most adaptable people on Earth, says a Sask-atchewan climate researcher. The latest report on global climate change suggests they should prepare for anything. Dave Sauchyn of the University of Regina spent the past year reviewing the 2,500 page Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, which was released last week. He said […] Read more
Sask. eases road restrictions
Heavier loads | Weight limits raised for agricultural trucking
Saskatchewan has eased seasonal weight restrictions on some of its provincial highways and expects rural municipalities will follow suit. The decision was made in light of the current grain backlog. Highways minister Don McMorris said farmers and shippers can apply immediately to the ministry’s district offices for permission to haul heavier weights but only for […] Read moreSask. asks ag committee for rail law amendments
Saskatchewan is requesting changes to Bill C-30, the proposed federal legislation designed to improve grain movement. Agriculture minister Lyle Stewart had criticized the bill for not going far enough. Today, he submitted the province’s requests to the federal standing committee on agriculture. Saskatchewan has asked for service level agreements between shippers and railways that include […] Read more
Used tire collection program enters Phase 3
Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corp. | Black Gold Rush program aims to rid the province of its stockpile of old tires
Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corp. will launch the third phase of its effort to clean up stockpiles of old tires this summer. The Black Gold Rush program focuses on tires that have accumulated on farms, First Nations, rural residences and urban centres, said special projects director Jackie Kuntz. The program will target 44 southern rural municipalities […] Read moreProvinces take responsibility for rabies
The provinces are taking over responsibility for rabies programming from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The changes were announced in the 2012 federal budget and implemented April 1. Rabies remains a federally reportable disease, meaning animal owners, veterinarians and laboratories still have to report suspected cases to CFIA. However, the provinces are looking after the […] Read more
Researcher Guy Lafond inducted into Conservation Hall of Fame
The Soil Conservation Council of Canada has posthumously honoured agricultural researcher and soil conservationist Guy Lafond for his work in no-till development. Lafond, who worked at the agricultural research farm at Indian Head, Sask., for nearly 30 years, died in April 2013. Last week, he was inducted into the Canadian Conservation Hall of Fame in […] Read more
Four Sask. liquor stores to become rural franchises
Four Saskatchewan liquor stores will soon be rural franchises. Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority is converting its stores in Langenburg, Ituna, Ponteix and Kerrobert. The changes affect four full-time and eight part-time employees, who have options under their collective agreement that could include bumping to another SLGA store. Minister responsible for SLGA, Donna Harpauer, said […] Read more
RMs welcome highway improvement, new school funding
Billed as balanced and steady, last week’s Saskatchewan budget was also characterized by some as boring. There was no hike in the education portion of property tax, despite a trial balloon launched by premier Brad Wall earlier this year. In fact, there were no tax increases at all. Spending for 2014-15 is projected at $14 […] Read more
Sask. producer group pleased with ag funding
Business Risk Management funding dips | Money allotted for new Western Livestock Price Insurance Program
Agricultural leaders say Saskatchewan’s March 19 budget held no surprises, which was just fine. The fiscal plan for 2014-15 allocated $371.6 million to agricultural spending, including $242.2 million for business risk management (BRM) programs. Nearly $407 million had been budgeted for the current year, and actual spending is forecast to be $401 million. Spending on […] Read more
