The time may be right for the Saskatchewan government to sell its share in a provincial fertilizer plant. Enterprise and innovation minister Lyle Stewart acknowledged recently that the government’s investment in Saskferco would likely fetch a good price, although he wasn’t aware of offers from potential buyers. “The fertilizer industry is probably at or near […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Drought plan OKs cattle movement
Cattle from southwestern Saskatchewan could move north for the summer if their owners are willing to pay the transportation costs and grazing fees. The agriculture ministry has announced that space is available in several provincial pastures in the northeast. Pastures in the southwest are in poor condition because of drought. Allan Syhlonyk, director of the […] Read more
Sask. roads opening up
Spring road bans in Saskatchewan are ending. The Saskatchewan highways ministry lifted the bans in the Swift Current and Moose Jaw areas April 20. Other bans will be lifted on a weekly basis as conditions warrant. Typically, the bans to restrict weight are in effect for six weeks to minimize damage to secondary highways and […] Read more
Sask. beef producers closer to united group
It hasn’t officially formed yet but the proposed Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) has already established a website and hired a consultant. Janice Bruynooghe of Spring Creek Land & Cattle Consulting at Outlook, Sask., will look after establishing a commission under the provincial Agri-Food Act. If approved, the commission would take control of the $1 per […] Read more
Viterra raises cash for future acquisitions
Viterra has secured an agreement to raise $400 million through a share offering to finance future acquisitions. The Regina-based company announced the bought deal with a syndicate of underwriters April 21. It will sell 28.6 million common shares at $14 each to the syndicate led by TD Securities and Genuity Capital Markets. Viterra chief financial […] Read more
Fund helps employees buy workplace
Darryl Derksen and his three partners already owned one-third of the business where they worked. Looking for money to buy the other two-thirds, they found the Saskatchewan Entrepreneurial Fund. Derksen, Bryce Floer, Don Park and Garth Hettrick recently completed their buy-out of Glenmor Grain Systems Ltd. in Prince Albert, Sask., with help from the fund. […] Read more
Crop insurers turn to GPS
Drought, hail, flood and gophers all present unfortunate risks for this year’s crop. For farmers unlucky enough to be hit by one of these circumstances, the task of calculating the damage falls to the crop insurance agencies in the prairie provinces. For about the last 10 years, all three provincial governments on the Prairies have […] Read more
Sask. to review crop insurance suggestions
Saskatchewan farmers who have ideas about how to improve crop insurance will be able to present them this spring. The program review, which the Saskatchewan Party government promised during last fall’s election campaign, was officially launched last week. It will include producer surveys, 10 public meetings in May and June and a website and toll-free […] Read more
Farm program deadlines loom
Application deadlines are approaching for federal provincial farm programs. The AgriInvest and AgriStability portions of Growing Forward are both starting this year. The federal government is providing $600 million to launch the AgriInvest accounts, which will help producers cover small margin declines. Producers who have been involved in similar programs in the past won’t have […] Read more
Partnership feeds animals, enhances quality of soil
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Duane Thompson and Martin Catto have struck a partnership that lends credence to the adage that good fences make good neighbours. Thompson and his family raise cattle and grow grain, while Catto and his family grow grain and raise sheep. The two operations are about 10 kilometres apart in the Kelliher […] Read more
