REGINA — Saskatchewan producers could experience another drought year in 2024, according to the Water Security Agency’s preliminary runoff report. Spring runoff is expected to be well below normal in most of the province. Snowpack accumulation has been minimal and as of Feb. 1 the entire province is rated well below normal for anticipated runoff […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Bill C-234 amendments would cut carbon tax relief: PBO
Parliamentary Budget Office says the bill would have saved farmers about $978 million if it had been fully implemented
REGINA — The fate of Bill C-234 remained in limbo last week as debate in the House of Commons carried on and a Parliamentary Budget Office report revealed what farmers would lose if the Senate-amended version of the bill passed. C-234 would have saved farmers about $978 million if it had been implemented fully, as […] Read more
Canada floats changes after dairy dispute ruling
The federal government suggests changes to tariff rate quota allocation process to comply with the ruling from last fall
REGINA — Canada is consulting on proposed changes to the dairy tariff rate quotas under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. The proposals come after a dispute panel last September found “non-conformities” on two of the claims New Zealand made against Canada. The panel ruled in Canada’s favour on two other claims. The […] Read more
Feds reduce interest-free portion of cash advance
Increases implemented over the last few years have been discontinued, leaving farmers to pay higher interest cost
REGINA — Farmers applying for spring cash advances should be aware the interest-free portion has dropped back to 2021 levels. For the last few years the government temporarily increased the interest-free amounts to reflect challenging conditions including high interest rates. In 2023, farmers were eligible to receive up to $350,000 interest-free; the maximum total advance […] Read more
Sask. watches water levels closely
REGINA — The head of Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency says the province is watching Alberta’s preparation for potential water shortages with concern but also with the security of Lake Diefenbaker behind it. Chief executive officer Shawn Jaques said the situations are different because of the “gem” reservoir created in the 1960s. He said aside from […] Read more
Brand inspection moves toward digital records in Sask.
Provincial agency develops a web tool and app that those involved in moving cattle can use to simplify record-keeping
REGINA — Livestock Services of Saskatchewan will soon roll out a new digital records tool and app to help the industry move away from paper while meeting federal legislation. The MyLivestock portal will be available for non-inspected movement likely in March. However, chief executive officer Jason Pollock said its primary purpose is to serve as […] Read more
Research finds canola growers use fertilizer responsibly
A recent study at the University of Saskatchewan found that most of the province’s growers use optimal rates or less
BALGONIE, Sask. — A study at the University of Saskatchewan found a tax or cap on fertilizer use in canola would harm producer profitability when most are already using optimal amounts. Michelle Ross studied the topic for her master’s thesis after the federal government floated its target to reduce emissions from fertilizer by 30 percent […] Read more
Online mapping tool offers land use information
The application developed for CAPI creates maps and datasets that can show change over time and help inform policy
REGINA — A new online tool allows users to examine agricultural land use across the country. Developed by ALCES for the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, the Agriculture Web Mapping Application Tool offers maps and datasets about land use, management practices and agri-environmental indicators. Census, crop production and land use data can be viewed individually or […] Read more
Remove carbon tax throughout the food chain: professor
University researcher tells House agriculture committee that Canada’s food security could be at risk if it isn’t competitive
REGINA — The head of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University says the carbon tax should be removed from all players in the food chain. Sylvain Charlebois told the standing agriculture committee he had recommended this earlier, during testimony at the finance committee. He said the tax should be paused “for all companies related […] Read more
Beef improvements continue: survey
The long-running cow-calf surveillance network provides data that cattle producers can use to see where they fit
REGINA — Updated indicators from a long-term project show that cow-calf producers are improving their production and management practices. The Canadian cow-calf surveillance network, now known as the Canadian Cow-Calf Health and Productivity Enhancement Network (C3HPEN), has been monitoring animal health and disease, welfare practices and more since 2013. The project received renewed government funding […] Read more
