The March spring runoff forecast for Saskatchewan continues to show well above normal conditions expected near Prince Albert. That’s also where flooding caused significant problems last year. The central part of the province is also likely to have well above normal runoff, but the southwest will have below normal conditions. The runoff has already started […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Alta., Sask., support mandated carload targets
Prairie agriculture ministers say they are pleased the federal government took action to get grain moving. Both Saskatchewan’s Lyle Stewart and Alberta’s Verlyn Olson said the announcement that the railways will be required to deliver 500,000 tonnes each per week and pay fines up to $100,000 per day if they don’t comply is a good […] Read more
Trudeau backs away from Liberal neonics motion
Members vote for ban | Liberal leader says science and production losses must be considered
OTTAWA — Federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau appears prepared to go against party wishes when it comes to banning neonicotinoids. Members at the party’s recent Montreal convention voted in favour of an immediate ban on the seed treatments used by canola, corn and soybean growers. However, Trudeau told the Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting […] Read moreRitz doubts railway’s shipping capabilities
Government considers all options | Railways, grain firms ordered to clean up backlog by end of March or face penalties
OTTAWA — Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said last week that he doubts the railways will be able to move the grain they need to clear the backlog. His statements followed a meeting with the railways that he described as containing more sticks than carrots. “They did it for two weeks in the fall coming […] Read moreSask. wants emergency rail legislation
The Saskatchewan legislature passed a motion March 3 that calls on Ottawa to introduce emergency legislation to resolve the grain transportation crisis. Premier Brad Wall said the province supports legislative intervention, whether it is regulation, order-in-council or legislation. “We’re definitively saying the federal government should look at all of its legislative options,” he told reporters […] Read more
Liberals renew support for national food policy
Trudeau says comprehensive vision needed | Party believes in trade but also stands behind supply management
OTTAWA — Liberal leader Justin Trudeau says a long-term national food policy is still a priority for his party. He told the Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting that agriculture is a business and business requires long-term planning. “The classic joke around Liberals is that there is no problem we don’t think can be solved […] Read moreSask. asks lenders to be flexible with farmers
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart has written to financial institutions asking them to be flexible with their agricultural clients dealing with the grain backlog. Slow grain movement is resulting in a cash flow crunch for many producers, possibly leaving them unable to make payments. “I encourage financial institutions to work with producers regarding cash flow […] Read more
Ag exports up in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan’s agricultural exports set a record for the third straight year in 2013, the government said. Sales totalled $11.7 billion, up five percent from 2012. “A third consecutive year of record exports is another example of how agriculture continues to drive the provincial economy,” said agriculture minister Lyle Stewart. The province’s agriculture exports account for […] Read more
Weed issues worry patrons
Leafy spurge | Federal pastures will require control initiatives
DAVIDSON, Sask. — Producers using a federal community pasture in Saskatchewan say they aren’t keen to take over land covered in noxious weeds. Neil Palmer, chair of the Willner-Elbow pasture patrons’ committee, said 9,000 of the 23,000 acres in the Elbow pasture are covered with leafy spurge. That’s up from 3,000 acres a dozen years […] Read moreTrudeau backs away from Liberal neonic resolution
OTTAWA — Federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau appears prepared to go against party wishes when it comes to banning neonicotinoids. Members at the party’s recent Montreal convention voted in favour of an immediate ban on the seed treatments used by canola, corn and soybean growers. However, Trudeau told the Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting […] Read more
