Several of Saskatchewan’s new amalgamated school divisions are facing cuts in provincial funding, raising the possibility of property tax hikes to cover the shortfall. School divisions got their first look at the numbers April 7, the day after finance minister Andrew Thomson announced his budget. Some of them learned they will get less money from […] Read more
Stories by Karen Briere
Sask. farm voice splinters
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Mark Wartman planned to lead a delegation of farm organizations to Ottawa earlier this week to ask for emergency aid. But cracks appeared in the unified front before the plane even left the ground when the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan decided not to go. Wartman told reporters before an April 11 […] Read more
Urban consumers get education with every loaf
Jim Haberman was shocked to learn how little farmers receive for the wheat that goes into a loaf of bread. “They’re not getting a fair share,” the Regina resident said. “I’m surprised at what it costs to produce grain, too.” Haberman was among about 100 people who turned out in front of the Saskatchewan Legislature […] Read more
Sask. budget disappointing, say farmers
Saskatchewan farmers looking for additional spending in this year’s agriculture budget were disappointed. The province allocated no new money to help farmers through the income crisis, and budgeted only its base $99 million for the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program. Farm organizations noted that most of the $265 million in agricultural spending had already been […] Read more
Sask. insurance deadline firm
Despite calls to extend the payment deadline for outstanding crop insurance balances beyond March 31, the Saskatchewan government stood firm last week. Agriculture minister Mark Wartman said the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. was willing to accept a 25 percent payment now and allow payments until June 30 to clear up balances. But he said program […] Read more
Seeding help unlikely: Wartman
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Mark Wartman said the province has provided all the emergency funding it can and he is looking to Ottawa to help farmers get this year’s crop in the ground. But he said it’s unlikely the federal government will come up with $75 per acre, an amount that has been suggested by the […] Read more
Shearers learn to make kind cuts
GULL LAKE, Sask. – Proper shearing technique makes it easier on both the sheep and the worker. About 14 shearers from British Columbia to Ontario spent one recent week in a barn outside this small Saskatchewan community practising their craft at a shearing school sponsored by the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers Ltd. and the Manitoba […] Read more
Federal support worth $1 billion: CWB director
ASSINIBOIA, Sask. – Compensation for the loss of the federal government’s guarantee of Canadian Wheat Board initial payments and loans should be worth at least $1 billion, a director told farmers at a meeting here. Rod Flaman, who represents District 8, said Canadian negotiators didn’t have “the foggiest notion” how much that guarantee was worth […] Read more
Better way sought for durum deliveries
ASSINIBOIA, Sask. – The Canadian Wheat Board is examining ways to make durum deliveries fairer in time for the 2006 crop. Larry Hill, director for District 3, told about 60 farmers at a meeting here March 13 that the board is aware of the problems producers have had delivering durum. Focus group meetings are under […] Read more
Sask. gas company plans rate cut
Customers of SaskEnergy could see their natural gas bills decline if the corporation’s application for a rate decrease is approved. On March 9, SaskEnergy applied to the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel for a new commodity rate of $6.80 per gigajoule. The current rate is $7.95 per gj, including a provincial credit that capped the rate […] Read more