Gov’t funding ends for HayEast

Government assistance to help get donated hay from Western Canada to drought-affected farmers in Ontario has run out. But organizers of HayEast 2012 say they will continue to co-ordinate the donation and delivery of hay with money from private donations. The federal and Ontario governments announced in November they would cost-share a $500,000 cash contribution […] Read more

Sask health advice line shifts to 811

Saskatchewan’s 24/7 health advice line is now available by calling 811. The province announced today the old 10-digit telephone number will remain in effect to ensure service is uninterrupted but the three-digit number is easier to remember. Several other provinces, including British Columbia, also use 811 for non-urgent health information. Saskatchewan’s HealthLine is operated by […] Read more

Cattle producers set up pasture group in Sask.

Saskatchewan cattle producers have formed a working group to stay informed about the disposition of the federal community pastures. Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association directors who have used the pastures will be members of the group, as will representatives from the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. The group will gather information about the divestitures, evaluate options and keep […] Read more


Rural women’s month celebrated

March is Rural Women’s Month in Saskatchewan. “The contributions of Saskatchewan’s rural women have played a vital role in placing our province as a global leader in agriculture,” agriculture minister Lyle Stewart said in a news release. “Women will be key contributors to our industry’s continued success as we prepare to meet the growing global […] Read more

Chinese land buy fears calmed

Benefits to rural communities | Real estate agent assures agents that investors are Canadian

Justin Yin has a simple message to rural Saskatchewan: don’t worry. Yin is a Saskatoon real estate agent who came to Canada from China nine years ago. He specializes in selling farmland to Canadian-Chinese investors who want to farm it themselves. “There is no need to panic,” he told a meeting of the Canadian Association […] Read more


Three candidates vie for Sask. NDP top job

Leadership convention March 9 | 11,000 party members will decide who becomes official opposition leader

The race for the Saskatchewan NDP leadership is down to three candidates after Regina economist Erin Weir withdrew last week. Weir publicly threw his support to Ryan Meili, a Saskatoon doctor who placed second behind Dwain Lingenfelter in the NDP’s 2009 leadership contest. Weir said he and Meili have similar views on key issues. Meili […] Read more

The Saskatchewan government has approved a new plan for recycling in that province after seven years of consultation and process.  |  WP file photo

Sask. shakes up recycling plan

Responsibility shifts to industry | Recycling program ready to launch in 2014 across province

Saskatchewan should have a provincewide multi-material recycling program by early next year. The government recently approved regulations regarding household packaging and paper stewardship. The regulations allow an industry group known as Multi-Material Stewardship Western Inc. to now develop the recycling program for printed paper, newspaper, cardboard, plastic, metal and glass packaging. Marlon Killaby, manager of […] Read more

The Beaver Creek flowed over its banks and into the Austman farmyard when an ice-jam blocked a large highway culvert near Kenaston, Sask. The family says vehicles and farm buildings were damaged and the family's water and sewer systems merged when the flood water overtook their farm. Once the ice was cleared the water receeding quickly, however the family blames Saskatchewan Highways for delays in removal of the ice and additional height added to the highway in the 1980s as causes for their flood. March 7, 2006(WP photo by Michael Raine)

Sask. runoff forecast ‘significant’

How is snowfall measured?


It’s too soon to say flooding will be a problem for Saskatchewan farmers this year, but the first provincial spring forecast does predict above normal runoff. The Water Security Agency last week confirmed what most people see when they look outside: this winter’s snowfall has been significant. Most of Saskatchewan has seen more snow than […] Read more


Sask. NDP leadership candidate bows out

The field of candidates running to lead the Saskatchewan NDP has narrowed to three. Erin Weir, a Regina economist, announced today he is withdrawing from the race and throwing his support behind Saskatoon doctor Ryan Meili. The other two candidates are MLAs Cam Broten of Saskatoon and Trent Wotherspoon of Regina. Weir said during the […] Read more

Sask. growers urged to get crop insurance

Premiums up 12 percent, insured prices up 14 percent

The Saskatchewan agriculture ministry is once again urging producers to sign up for crop insurance, saying there will be no ad hoc payment if a weather-related disaster occurs this year. This is the second time that the province’s agriculture minister has said farmers should not expect payments through AgriRecovery. Participation in crop insurance rose to […] Read more