A Queen’s Bench judge has reserved decision in a case argued March 3 in Regina about whether the provincial Agricultural Operations Review Board should hear a complaint. RJ Farms, of Fairlight, Sask., wants the board to deal with a situation it deems hazardous to its bison operation. Teresa and Jo Walker have an adjacent sheep […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Sask. growers to see benefit hike for unseeded acres
Saskatchewan crop insurance has improved its unseeded acreage benefit for 2011 after last year’s record-setting year. More than 12,300 claims for land that couldn’t be seeded because of excess moisture were registered with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. and officials are expecting wet fields to be a concern again this spring. The 2011 program will see […] Read more
Feds’ livestock feed program too late: producers
Federal money for Saskatchewan livestock producers in 91 flooded rural municipalities is appreciated, producers say, but comes too late for many. Orland Walker, who raises cattle near Hudson Bay in the designated area, said many producers have left the industry over the past few months and continue to do so. “A lot got out because […] Read more
Sask. gives flood prevention help
Maple Creek and other communities have been approved for assistance under Saskatchewan’s emergency flood damage reduction program. Maple Creek suffered extensive flooding last June following a severe rainstorm. A consultant’s report released in February recommended building dikes along the town’s west side to prevent future problems. Mayor Barry Rudd said the project is still being […] Read more
Grasshoppers pose minimal threat in Sask.
Last year’s cool, wet weather was good for at least one thing: controlling grasshopper populations. The 2011 forecast shows just a few hot spots, mainly in southwestern Saskatchewan, said provincial insect specialist Scott Hartley. Areas showing the possibility of severe risk to cereals include the rural municipalities of Val Marie, Lone Tree, Pinto Creek, Auvergne, […] Read more
Young farmer eager to give views at SCA
MEDSTEAD, Sask. – Ryan Sommerfeld knows he has a lot to learn about cattle politics and policy. But the 29-year-old, who with his wife, Michelle, and his parents, Ray and Pauline, raises 220 cow-calf pairs north of Medstead, Sask., said he is up to the challenge. Sommerfeld was appointed by the board of the Saskatchewan […] Read more
Sask. roads to get $23.5 million
Saskatchewan’s rural municipalities already know they are getting $23.5 million to improve roads and bridges, a month before the provincial budget is to be read in the legislature. That amount is the same as the 2010-11 fiscal year, said highways minister Jim Reiter. Last year’s money paid for improvements on 280 kilometres of roads and […] Read more
Feedlots suffer from 2010 mud
Saskatchewan feedlot infrastructure took a beating last year, and operators say it will take years to recover. The wet conditions forced them to reduce stocking densities, resulting in lower revenue and a delay in recovery, said Brad Welter, cattle manager at the 28,500-head Pound- Maker feedlot near Lanigan, Sask. He said capacity dropped by 35 […] Read more
Sask. increases share of health facility costs
Raising money to build new regional health facilities got a little easier for municipalities last week when the Saskatchewan government announced it would pay a larger share. For years, the province paid 65 percent of the cost of long-term care facilities and communities paid 35 percent. Raising that amount has been a struggle for many […] Read more
Rural infrastructure renewal program needed: Lingenfelter
Saskatchewan needs an infrastructure renewal program for rural areas, says the province’s opposition leader Dwain Lingenfelter. Heading into the last legislative sitting before the Nov. 7 election, the Saskatchewan New Democrat leader said last week he will raise that and other rural issues during the three-month session. Many smaller centres can’t afford to undertake the […] Read more
