The Saskatchewan government has changed its disaster assistance program to address concerns raised by people affected by summer floods. Public safety minister Yogi Huyghebaert said residents identified several problems with the way the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) worked. He said sometimes it takes a disaster to show how a program does or doesn’t work. […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Injunction sought on wind farm
A Saskatoon judge could rule as early as this week on whether a wind farm project in southeastern Saskatchewan can proceed or must wait until site setbacks have been changed. Moosomin area resident David McKinnon filed the complaint this summer. He said he wants turbines from the Red Lily Wind Farm to be located at […] Read more
Lush hay, pasture but quality lacking
The lush green growth in pastures and hay fields has not necessarily translated into more or better quality feed. Saturated ground prevented producers from using some pastures and cutting hay crops at the optimum time. The warmer weather during the past two weeks has helped but feed quality is a concern. Ituna, Sask., producer Bob […] Read more
Farm worker electrocution results in fine
A Saskatchewan man has pleaded guilty and been fined after a worker was electrocuted while working on a farm nearly three years ago. Jeffrey Wilcocks of the Southey area pleaded guilty to one charge under provincial occupational health and safety regulations and was fined $8,400 after Shawn Parker was electrocuted in December 2007. Parker was […] Read more
Wanted: a cheap tree that can save the world
WEYBURN, Sask. – Victor Mariga is shivering in the Saskatchewan rain, a hood pulled over his head and his hands thrust deep into the front of his jacket. Mariga of Kenya and other interns from France, Spain and Canada were at the site hoping to find ways to make trees grow faster and at less […] Read more
Researchers lend helping hand to tree seedlings
WEYBURN, Sask. – Amelie Boisrobert wants to know how to help more trees survive. The student from northwest France has finished three years of a five-year agricultural engineering degree. She applied for an internship at Health, Education and Livelihood Project (HELP) International in Weyburn, Sask., and spent the summer working on forestry research. HELP International, […] Read more
Cattle producers pay close attention to soil
WAPELLA, Sask. – Glen and Dawn Ekert know that the sight of healthy cattle grazing on healthy grass starts with what they can’t see – healthy soil. The Saskatchewan winners of this year’s Environmental Stewardship Award, or TESA, have worked hard to improve the soil on their cattle operation along the Pipestone Valley south of […] Read more
Killing frost adds to weather misery
Time ran out for many farmers last week when the first killing frost hit crops across the Prairies. As a result, says the Canadian Wheat Board, the quality of this year’s wheat crop, already projected to be just 45 percent in the two top grades, will dip even more. “It’s safe to say at this […] Read more
Sask. opposition wants flood aid
An opposition call for more assistance for flooded farmers is premature, says Saskatchewan agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud. “I’m not trying to downplay the issue or the importance of what’s happening out here,” he said Sept. 17. “But I think it’s early for us to be saying anything right now and I don’t want to raise […] Read more
Check cash advance for stay eligibility
Livestock producers who think they have more time to repay cash advances might want to make sure they are eligible for the stay of default announced last month. Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz announced the stay in Saskatoon Aug. 6. It was the second stay applicable to advances taken under the Advance Payment Program and […] Read more
