Securing Asian sales | Japan, other countries also interested in canola
The CWB has sewn up half the spring wheat market in Japan for the next six months. Derek Sliworsky, who manages the board’s Tokyo office, said Japanese buyers are worried about the new marketing environment coming this August and particularly how that will affect quality. He said much of their concern comes from their experience […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Storm wreaks havoc
It was raining and blowing so hard that Harold Wenning couldn’t see the barn from his house. He knew the storm pounding east-central Saskatchewan June 26 was intense, but when it cleared, he saw just how much it had changed things. The barn was gone; the ram inside was still there, however, sheltered behind a […] Read more
Mobile crisis takes over Sask. farm stress line
Calls to Saskatchewan’s farm stress line are now being answered by Mobile Crisis Services 24 hours a day seven days a week. As of July 4, the service was transferred from the agriculture ministry to the non-profit community based organization. Rick Bjorge, assistant director of regional services at the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, said the change […] Read more
Sask. gets new veterinary chief
Dr. Betty Althouse is Saskatchewan’s new chief veterinary officer. She joined the ministry from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, where she had worked since 1999 in various roles. She replaces Dr. Greg Douglas, who became Ontario’s chief veterinarian earlier this year. Althouse began her veterinary career in a mixed practice in Humboldt, Sask., where she […] Read more
Habitat dwindles for barn swallow
The familiar swooping flight and forked tail of the barn swallow are not as common as they used to be. A year ago, the Committee on the State of Endangered Wildlife in Canada added the species to its list of threatened birds. Some have questioned COSEWIC’s decision, including the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. Producers at […] Read more
Farm Progress considered among top shows in North America
Attendance, industry support strong Glencore has agreed to take over sponsorship of the show from Viterra through 2014
Organizers of Canada’s Farm Progress Show said that last week’s 35th edition saw a stronger international presence and record number of exhibitors. Final numbers weren’t yet available, but show manager Rob O’Connor said more than 640 international visitors from more than 50 countries attended, surpassing the goal of 600. As well, at least 52 foreign […] Read moreUnusual weather may be the norm
Extremes more common | While some areas are hot and dry, the Prairies are in a wet phase
Prairie residents shouldn’t expect an end to extreme weather anytime soon. Dave Sauchyn, a climate researcher at the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative, said volatility will continue to be more common as the climate changes. “It’s pretty well understood now that as you heat up the world, you can expect more severe weather. There’s just more […] Read more
Program to help ag firms market abroad
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart used the backdrop of Canada’s Farm Progress Show to announce a new $1 million international market development program. The program is designed to help businesses and organizations establish or expand their international market presence, host or attend more trade missions and expand market access for producers. Stewart said Saskatchewan is […] Read more
Strong winds knocking out power in Sask.
SaskPower is asking Saskatchewan residents to minimize electrical use as it works to restore power to areas affected by storms over the last two days. About 50,000 people were without service midday today and even as crews managed to restore service, other areas were hit due to continued high winds. Customers in the Prince Albert […] Read more
Water rising on Saskatchewan rivers
Flows on the South Saskatchewan River are rising again after precipitation in the Rockies last weekend. Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is advising that upstream of Lake Diefenbaker the river levels and speed will increase. The lake itself will rise about one metre over the next week as more water comes in for storage than will be […] Read more
