Canada’s largest grain company has contributed $75,000 to rescue and relief efforts after the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. Viterra has given its donation to the New Zealand Red Cross. The company employs 115 people in New Zealand at a feed mill and three bulk commodity stores. Minor damage occurred to the mill and one […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Sask. increases crop insurance premiums
Saskatchewan crop insurance customers will pay higher premiums for better coverage this year. Agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud unveiled the 2011 program today. The average coverage level is rising from $131 per acre to $173 per acre because commodity prices have risen 20 percent from last year. Average producer premiums are going up from $6.98 per […] Read more
New weed tops worst list
An invasive weed considered much worse than leafy spurge has arrived in Saskatchewan. Saltcedar, or tamarix, has been moving north from the southern United States for 50 years. Weed experts have been expecting it and two cases were confirmed last summer south of Swift Current and northwest of Regina, near Findlater. Officials say it’s likely […] Read more
Test feed for sulfur to prevent toxicity
SASKATOON – Cattle producers should test their livestock’s feed and water for sulfur to prevent polio, says a Western College of Veterinary Medicine researcher. Dr. Steve Hendrick of the University of Saskatchewan’s Sustainable Beef Systems Research Group said polio, or more formally polioencephalomalacia, is rare but usually occurs in outbreaks. A change in feed, such […] Read more
$22 million emergency flood damage reduction program announced
Farmers who want to prevent spring flooding of their yard sites are eligible for funding through the $22 million Saskatchewan emergency flood damage reduction program. Details of the program were announced Feb. 22. It will pay 100 percent of the cost of technical assistance required to prevent flooding, and 85 percent of the cost of […] Read more
Cost-sharing lowered for Sask. long-term care facilities
Saskatchewan communities raising money to build long-term care facilities received a break from the provincial government Feb. 22 when health minister Don McMorris announced a new funding formula. Communities now have to raise 20 percent of the cost, down from 35 percent. The issue was raised at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association convention earlier this […] Read more
Livestock programs announced for Sask., Alta.
Ottawa has announced financial help for livestock producers facing feed shortages because of flooding in Saskatchewan and drought in Alberta. In Saskatchewan, where the province had already announced a feed and forage program in November, AgriRecovery will assist producers who have to buy feed or transport feed or livestock because of excess moisture. Producers are […] Read more
Dikes only option for flooding at Maple Creek
A consultant has recommended building dikes on the west side of Maple Creek, Sask., to avoid flood damage similar to what occurred last summer. Ray Pentland, president of Water Resource Consultants Ltd., said the 2010 flood was a one in 3,700 year event. “The actual rainstorm that was the immediate cause of the flood was […] Read more
Bison owners’ request for hearings rejected
A Saskatchewan bison farm is asking the court to force the provincial agricultural operations review board to hear its complaint about a nearby sheep operation. RJ Game Farm, which has about 1,400 bison near Fairlight, Sask., says Teresa and Joanna Walker’s 300 sheep pose a threat of malignant catarrhal fever. Sheep are carriers of the […] Read more
Couple returns home to seed a successful farm
MEADOW LAKE, Sask. – Ryan Wilfing’s grandfather could still get a homestead in 1926, provided he went to northern Saskatchewan. So he did, clearing his quarter and helping other immigrants do the same. Agriculture and forestry have co-existed in the region ever since. Tucked along the forest fringe northeast of Meadow Lake, Wilfing Farms is […] Read more
