Karen Briere

Viterra has launched a carbon credit program for producers in Alberta. The program fits under new legislation in the province that allows carbon trading and offsets. The Regina-based grain company will offer cash payments or, for a limited time, pay extra for carbon credit values that are put toward purchases on Viterra accounts. Alberta legislation […] Read more

Staff turnover and dissention among members continue to plague the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan. Sources, who refused to be named, said the agenda for a special general meeting scheduled to be held after deadlines for this issue included a session on the organization’s structure, as well as a discussion of accountability, responsibility and the […] Read more

Saskatchewan agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud said a long-term fix is better than ad hoc payments, and that’s why he’s willing to take criticism over the lack of immediate livestock assistance in this year’s provincial budget. The March 19 budget increased overall agricultural spending but had nothing to help cattle and hog producers over their current […] Read more

The Saskatchewan Party government focused on keeping promises and planning for growth as it announced its first budget March 19. The government plans spending $8.57 billion on revenue of $9.37 billion. It put $250 million on the provincial debt and will keep $1.3 billion in its growth and financial security fund – a rainy day […] Read more

The Saskatchewan government has ambitious plans to improve aging infrastructure and build new facilities, but those hinge on whether there are enough people and equipment to do the work. Last week’s provincial budget pledged $1 billion to the Ready for Growth infrastructure plan, calling it the largest capital investment in Saskatchewan history. Finance minister Rod […] Read more

Farmers claimed $47.7 million in hail losses through the Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance Association last year. SMHI president Wayne Black said that figure represents a loss-to-premium ratio of less than 80 percent, or slightly above break even. He told delegates at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities annual convention that the number of acres insured […] Read more

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. – Prairie producer car shippers have re-established their voice in the grain handling and transportation industry in time to battle proposed changes to the Canadian Grain Commission. The Producer Car Shippers of Canada Inc. has been in the works since last June, when a group decided to revive what had been the […] Read more

The Saskatchewan government last week announced a two-pronged attack on the gopher infestation in the province’s southwest. It has doubled the number of rural municipalities eligible to obtain two percent liquid strychnine poison, and it contributed $380,000 for research into long-term gopher control. “When we’re done, only Gainer’s going to be safe,” premier Brad Wall […] Read more

All hands went up when Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities president David Marit asked convention delegates if they had allowed their children to drive before they were of legal age. Just to be sure, he asked who hadn’t. No one raised a hand. Right or wrong, that’s the reality in rural Saskatchewan, highlighted last week […] Read more