The Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (ACS) has announced $1.1 million in funding for three projects. The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities will receive $420,000 for its research into more economical and environmentally friendly methods of gopher control, while two projects designed to help First Nations youth become involved in agriculture through programs such as 4-H […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Sask. short lines get upgrade cash
Six Saskatchewan short-line railways will upgrade their lines using the province’s new infrastructure program. The $500,000 cost-shared program was announced earlier this summer. Last week highways and transportation minister Wayne Elhard announced the grant distribution, noting investment will total at least $1 million. The projects include improving ballasts, repairing bridges and upgrading switches. Carlton Trail […] Read more
Horse slaughter plant defends practices
A spokesperson for the Saskatchewan plant recently profiled on CBC TV for its alleged inhumane horse slaughter says it operates at the highest standard. David Fiddler, a shareholder, horse breeder and spokesperson who has been involved with Natural Valley Farms since its inception, said the Neudorf plant and Canadian Food Inspection Agency are working together […] Read more
Alta. plan leaves Sask. in cold
SASKATOON – Saskatchewan’s cattle producers say they have no choice but to ask their government for assistance after Alberta recently surprised its producers with $356 million. But they’re not happy about it. Members attending the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association annual meeting passed a resolution calling for monetary parity. They passed another calling on the board […] Read more
Denver show nixes branding rule
SASKATOON – Canadian cattle showing at the National Western Stock Show in Denver next January will not have to be branded. A compromise on the controversial issue was reached in June, consul and agricultural trade commissioner Kim O’Neil told the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. O’Neil, who is based at the Canadian consulate in Denver, said […] Read more
Cattle leader ponders disparity
SASKATOON – The new president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association says the organization’s main priority is to deal with the disparity caused by Alberta’s industry assistance. Ed Bothner of Beechy said Saskatchewan producers must have something to keep them competitive. The Alberta government is providing $356 million to that province’s industry, most of which […] Read more
Lack of gov’t support annoys cattle sector
SASKATOON – Brad Wildeman is puzzled. He doesn’t understand why federal and provincial governments won’t consider changing business risk management programs to better suit cattle producers. “I don’t remember cattle people ever being at a meeting asking for changes and the first time we come here they tell us they’re tired of making changes,” the […] Read more
Goat lovers, meet the Kiko
Bill Paulishyn was thrilled as can be. His purebred Kiko buck, Franc-Nord Baskatong, won the grand champion commercial buck title at the national Boer goat show held during the Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina last month. It marked the first time Paulishyn had shown his goats in Western Canada and the first time […] Read more
Organic sector growing; meat tops consumer list
Demand for organic food continues to grow, and the fastest growing segment is meat. Laura Telford, executive director of the Canadian Organic Growers, told a seminar at the Western Canada Farm Progress Show that retail sales of raw organic meat grew 81 percent from 2005 to 2006, compared to the next highest category, vegetables, at […] Read more
Grass protection payment sought
A new report says BSE, the high Canadian dollar and impending country-of-origin labelling are putting pressure on cattle producers that must be alleviated. However, Scott Eklund, 24, probably the youngest beef producer in a small crowd that gathered to watch the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan release a study it had commissioned to address the […] Read more
