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
Stories by Karen Briere
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 moreThree 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
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
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 moreSask. 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