Transparency concerns raised after Sask. quietly changes which info it includes on its Comparative Land Sales Database
REGINA — A recent change to Saskatchewan’s online land sales database has raised concerns about transparency. Shaun Wildman, who owns a few thousand acres, said he went to the Comparative Land Sales Database the government maintains online and found he could no longer see who was buying land. “I was potentially buying and selling some […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Sask. wetland retention number questioned
The opposition NDP claims the government is overstating the percentage of wetlands that remain intact in the province
REGINA — The opposition NDP questioned the Saskatchewan government’s wetland retention last week, saying the Water Security Agency is advertising false numbers. Erika Ritchie, MLA for Saskatoon Nutana, said the agency is using public money to publish ads claiming that 86 per cent of the province’s wetlands are undrained. “If only that were true,” she […] Read more
Recent rain seeds optimism
REGINA — The optimism meter rose among Prairie farmers and ranchers last week after widespread and substantial rainfall. Only the Peace region of Alberta appeared to be left out of the event that dumped more than 100 millimetres in some places. Most importantly, the rain fell in the drought-affected regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Alberta […] Read more
Poly crop grazing has benefits but also pitfalls
Planting a variety of forage crops in the same field can be successful, but it’s important to watch for potential dangers
REGINA — Poly crops have become a popular way to feed cattle, but more research is needed into the nutritional properties of the plants in each blend. Jennifer Hayden, a livestock and feed extension specialist from North Battleford, Sask., said poly crops can provide relief to pastures, especially during drought. They can be grazed, baled […] Read more
New report offers ways to stem grassland loss
The study’s authors conclude that survival of the endangered grassland ecosystem will require protection through policy
REGINA — Preventing farmers who break native grass from obtaining crop insurance for five years is one of nine pathways for policy discussion in a recent report. The report, Stemming the Loss of Grasslands in Canada, A Scan of Policy Solutions, said grasslands represent Canada’s largest natural climate change mitigation opportunity, yet each year about […] Read more
Poisonous plants can lurk in pastures
Livestock producers are advised to protect their animals by identifying plants that can cause acute or chronic poisoning
REGINA — Turning cattle onto fresh spring pasture can come with risks from the plants growing there. Some plants are acutely toxic and others cause chronic poisoning. These include weeds that have appeared during the last few years of drought as water body boundaries receded. Jennifer Hayden and Chelsea Siemens, livestock and feed extension specialists […] Read more
Bunge-Viterra deal concerns Sask. politicians
The government says it is monitoring the situation as the proposed merger goes through a public assessment process
REGINA — Premier Scott Moe said the Saskatchewan government is closely watching the proposed Bunge-Viterra merger. He told reporters May 2 he and agriculture minister David Marit are waiting to see how the two companies respond to recent reports that say the deal would cost producers hundreds of millions of dollars and reduce competition. The […] Read more
Ag Canada’s climate programs found lacking
A report from the auditor general’s office says initiatives designed to help farmers reduce emissions have shortcomings
REGINA — Agriculture Canada says it will do better after a report from the auditor general’s office criticized its attempts to deal with climate change. The report from the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development said the department has known since 2015 that it had to address greenhouse gas emissions. However, programs to help […] Read more
FCC dismisses head office relocation claim
REGINA — Farm Credit Canada says rumours that its head office is leaving Regina are just that. Saskatchewan United Party leader Nadine Wilson raised the issue during question period in the Legislature May 2, asking the government what it was doing about the pending move to Montreal. Deputy premier Donna Harpauer said she had not […] Read more
Railway strike vote dismays farmers
Grain Growers of Canada calls on railways, workers to resolve their differences
REGINA — Grain Growers of Canada is sounding the alarm over a potential strike by workers at both of the country’s major railways. More than 95 per cent of workers at Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City railways have voted in favour of a strike that could happen as early as May 22. Related […] Read more
