Sask. weather contributes to flooding, fire

The vagaries of spring weather in Saskatchewan are on full display this weekend as drivers face flooded roads in some areas and locals battle grass fires in another. The Water Security Agency, in a Sunday update, said the flows through the Battlefords are rising faster than expected and the peak could be higher than originally […] Read more

Sask. needs models: expert

Predicting how water will behave in Saskatchewan is hampered by poorly defined drainage basins and a lack of modelling capacity, says a water expert. John Pomeroy, director of the University of Saskatchewan’s hydrology centre, said the province is one of the few jurisdictions without hydrological modelling capacity. However, importing it from elsewhere isn’t the best […] Read more

Provincial funds will assist market development

Growing Forward 2 | Industry groups applaud announcement that will support international trade promotion

Saskatchewan agricultural organizations say a new market development program will help them do more business at home and around the world. Agriculture minister Lyle Stewart announced a five-year $9 million program last week as part of its Growing Forward 2 commitments. The province previously had a $1 million per year international market development program. The […] Read more


Crops, livestock top Sask. export list

Saskatchewan posted record ex-port sales in 2012 on the strength of the agricultural and resource sectors. Statistics Canada data shows the province exported more than $32.6 billion worth of products last year, up 10.3 percent from the previous year. Of that, food, including crops and livestock, accounted for $11.2 billion, energy $11 billion and potash […] Read more

Detection equipment helps prevent disease spread

Early disease detection essential | The $200,000 machine means the province will no longer have to send clubroot samples to Edmonton

New testing equipment at the province’s crop protection laboratory in Regina will help Saskatchewan stay on top of clubroot disease. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing equipment uses DNA segments to diagnose plant disease. It will allow staff to detect clubroot DNA in soil samples. Provincial agriculture minister Lyle Stewart and industry officials received a […] Read more


Rail act changes pondered

Legislative amendments to Sask-atchewan’s Railway Act have gone to committee for further scrutiny. The legislation governs provincial rail lines, which include the 13 short-line railways currently operating in the province. One of the proposed changes would give the Highway Traffic Board the authority to order sellers and buyers to negotiate in good faith. George Stamatinos, […] Read more

Agribition named event of the year

Saskatchewan Tourism named Canadian Western Agribition Event of the Year at an excellence awards gala yesterday. This is the first time in its 42-year history the annual agricultural showcase has been honoured with an award of this type. The award was for events with budgets over $20,000. President Reed Andrew said the win recognizes the […] Read more

High water levels expected on Battle River

Water is flowing on the Battle River at North Battleford, Sask., and the Water Security Agency has advised of an increased risk of ice jams, particularly where the Battle meets the North Saskatchewan River. Ice jams in the past have affected Highway 4, and drivers are advised to use caution because water can rise quickly […] Read more


Tire plant won’t be built near Regina

A proposed tire distribution facility that caused zoning friction between the City of Regina and the surrounding Rural Municipality of Sherwood will not be built in Saskatchewan. Kal Tire said today it would expand its Edmonton warehouse instead of building a new facility near the Global Transportation Hub. “Timing and concern over costs impacted our […] Read more

Former crop insurance workers may have pension claim

Former employees of Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. could be eligible for pension benefits even if they haven’t worked for the company since the 1980s. Those eligible include farmers who worked part-time as adjusters between 1981 and 1999. Crop insurance is seeking former workers to resolve claims under a settlement agreement reached several years ago. “It […] Read more