Steady rain doused Lloydminster as agriculture ministers announced drought assistance for livestock producers.“Mother Nature is trying to do her part out there,” said federal minister Gerry Ritz.But this week’s rain won’t fix the effects of two years of severe drought, he said. Pasture development will be delayed four to six weeks this year.He and his […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Sask. bill passes, protected land to go up for sale
Controversial amendments to Saskatchewan’s Wildlife Habitat Protection Act passed on the second last day of the legislative sitting last week, paving the way for lessees to buy protected crown land.The amendments did not sit well with members of conservation and environmental groups who said there hadn’t been enough consultation. They are wary of the computer […] Read more
Farmers’ markets may see rule change
New guidelines for Saskatchewan farmers’ markets are a long way from being implemented, says health minister Don McMorris, but market managers are worried the proposed changes could turn customers away.The health and agriculture ministries, regional health authorities and the organization representing about 20 farmers’ markets drafted the guidelines that would apply at farmers’ markets, flea […] Read more
Control program claims 71,000 coyotes
Saskatchewan’s coyote control program has killed 71,000 animals and paid landowners and hunters $1.5 million, according to final numbers.That surpassed agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud’s expectations and exceeded estimates provided during the program’s November 2009 to March 2010 run.Normally, hunting and trapping kills about 35,000 coyotes in Saskatchewan. In late March Bjornerud estimated about 30,000 had […] Read more
Closed pork plant finds new owners
The shuttered Moose Jaw Pork Packers plant will reopen by the end of this year if all goes as planned for the new owners.Donald’s Fine Foods/Britco Pork of Richmond, B.C., bought the plant in Moose Jaw, Sask., for $100,000 after the city took it over for unpaid taxes.City manager Garry McKay said council would ratify […] Read more
Sask. gov’t finds cause of CAIS overpayment
Agriculture Canada says human error caused the overpayment of $13.5 million to Saskatchewan CAIS recipients in 2003.The department confirmed last week it would not seek repayment for the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program miscalculations. The province has also agreed not to seek its 40 percent share of the payments.Information from a federal department official shows […] Read more
Clock ticking on reseeding winter wheat
Growers who haven’t yet assessed their winter wheat crop should get out in the field in the next few days.Mark Akins, winter wheat specialist with Ducks Unlimited Canada in southern Saskatchewan, said the final decision on reseeding must be made by the end of the month so that the spring replacement crop has a chance […] Read more
Horn levy reviewed
Saskatchewan Agriculture is polling cattle industry organizations to find out if the market deduction for horned cattle is still necessary.However, agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud said that does not mean the government will eliminate the Horned Cattle Purchases Act and the fund that it creates.“It’s not a foregone conclusion,” he said.The decades-old legislation requires that livestock […] Read more
Feedlot expands east to follow grain
Expanding his family’s feedlot business to Saskatchewan makes sense to Stuart Thiessen.When he looks out the window at Namaka Farms’ Strathmore, Alta., operation and sees a truck unloading Saskatchewan cattle and four others unloading Saskatchewan feed grain, he is confident in the decision.“The long-term trend is going to shift to Saskatchewan,” he said. “Alberta in […] Read more
Fast-tracked land change irks wildlife groups
Conservation groups in Saskatchewan last week called on the government to remove from its agenda legislation allowing the sale of protected wildlife lands, but environment minister Nancy Heppner said it will pass this week.The organizations a week earlier appeared satisfied after meeting with Heppner and agriculture officials that their voices would be heard and some […] Read more
