The government announces record spending for health and education as well as increased operating costs for the RCMP
REGINA — Health care and education tend to dominate provincial budgets, and Saskatchewan projected record spending in both those areas for the next fiscal year. The budget theme, Classrooms, Care and Communities, outlined the spending priorities Saskatchewan people deem important, the government said. The health budget is a record $7.6 billion, up nearly $584 million, […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Beef calves require correct colostrum
Get colostrum to those that need it within first few hours of birth, preferably from the mother or cow from the same herd
REGINA — Get them breathing, get them up and get them fed are Dr. Claire Windeyer’s three tips for cattle producers who have just witnessed a calf being born. The latter, and the use of colostrum, drew several questions during a recent Beef Cattle Research Council webinar on calf care. Related stories: Windeyer said assisted […] Read more
Broken rail leads to derailment
REGINA — A broken rail that derailed a potash train near Silton, Sask., in 2021 had not been detected shortly before the accident. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said testing on the Canadian Pacific Railway line had actually exceeded regulatory requirements but didn’t pick up the problem. The train was hauling 200 freight cars […] Read more
Producers welcome change to cash advance program
After much lobbying, federal government decides to increase interest-free portion of program to $250,000 for this year
REGINA — The interest-free portion of the federal Advance Payments Program will be $250,000 this year, much to farmers’ relief. The amount had been set to drop back to $100,000 at the end of this month after sitting at $350,000 for 2023. Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay announced the change March 25. “In the face […] Read more
Alta. highlights water conservation efforts
REGINA — The Alberta government has highlighted investments in water research and technology as the province faces its worst drought since 2001. At a March 25 news conference at the University of Alberta, technology and innovation minister Nate Glubish said the upcoming year is going to be dry and the worst drought the province has […] Read more
Sask. RMs take tough stance on carbon dioxide
SARM delegates overwhelmingly approve resolution rejecting ‘any policies that unduly target naturally occurring CO2’
REGINA — It’s unclear exactly what rural municipal delegates meant when they overwhelmingly passed a resolution about carbon dioxide last week at their annual convention. The resolution, submitted by the Rural Municipality of Tullymet on behalf of 30 RMs, called on the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities to “ensure that any policies that unduly target […] Read more
Sask. goes it alone on irrigation development
Premier Scott Moe says construction costs are rising and the provincial government will allocate funding as the project proceeds in phases
REGINA — Saskatchewan will begin constructing the first phase of its Lake Diefenbaker irrigation project on its own after it was unable to secure Ottawa as a financial partner. Premier Scott Moe announced last week that the $1.15 billion Westside Irrigation Project would be cost-shared with producers at a ratio that hasn’t yet been determined. […] Read more
Ag spending up in Saskatchewan
REGINA — Agriculture spending in Saskatchewan is pegged at $1.5 billion for the upcoming fiscal year, up $81.7 million. That includes ministry estimates of about $571 million, plus spending that occurs across government for agricultural programs. The 2024-25 budget announced March 20 projects AgriStability costs will rise by $110 million, based on federal forecasts, and […] Read more
Livestock sector history features consolidation
The past century has seen bigger farms and an industry divided into segments that often produce at just one growth stage
REGINA — Livestock producers of 100 years ago wouldn’t recognize their industry today. From the small homesteads with a milk cow and a handful of other animals and poultry to the large intensive operations of today, animal production for food consumption has become an industry rather than a family food source. But this isn’t the […] Read more
Supply chains continue post-pandemic recovery
National supply chain office has been established to help stakeholders take steps to alleviate ‘pinch points’ in the system
OTTAWA — Canada’s supply chain is more fluid than it was during the pandemic but still not performing as well as it could, said panelists during a discussion at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting. Federal deputy minister of transport Arun Thangaraj said pressures still exist. “The pinch points still exist. It is imperative […] Read more
