SASKATOON — The first quarter of 2023 has been déjà vu for cattle producers, said Canfax executive director Brenna Grant. It’s 2015 all over again — so far. Grant said cattle prices this year have marched in lockstep with the first quarter of 2015, which set record highs. The question is what will happen in […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Viterra upgrades Sask. grain elevator
Viterra plans to spend $18 million to upgrade its century-old Moose Jaw facility. Construction is scheduled to begin mid-April on a 12,500-foot double-loop track to offer continuous loading on the 160,000-tonne terminal on the city’s west side. City council unanimously approved Viterra’s discretionary use application at a March 27 meeting. Kevin Hallborg, director of special […] Read more
Ranchers ask for growers’ help
SASKATOON — The future of Saskatchewan’s livestock industry depends on the entire agricultural sector working together, said producers during an April 5 livestock summit. “Fight for me to stay in the business,” urged Levi Hull, a producer from Willowbrook who is also a Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association director. Speaking during the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan […] Read more
Cultivated crown land rates increase in Sask.
Rental rates for Saskatchewan crown cultivated lands are going up this year, but not as much as they could be. Agriculture minister David Marit said the rates are formula-based and were supposed to go up about 45 percent. “Through the ministry we can reduce those rates, so we did,” he told reporters. They will go […] Read more
Increased ice jam risk with warm weather
The rapid melt has raised the potential for ice jams on several Saskatchewan waterways. The province’s Water Security Agency has issued an advisory for the increased risk on Swift Current Creek, Moose Jaw River, Qu’Appelle River and Wood River. The agency said ice jams are not uncommon, but higher than previously predicted water flows have […] Read more
Feds come through on vaccine bank
Canadian livestock producers say funding to prepare for foot-and-mouth disease is a relief. Ottawa announced in last week’s federal budget it will allocate $57.5 million over five years to establish a vaccine bank and develop response plans. It also expects provinces to participate. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said she was pleased the long-standing request from […] Read more
Advance payment’s interest-free portion to rise
Federal budget also added farm equipment to right to repair consultations and temporarily extended interswitching limit
An increase in the interest-free portion of the Advance Payment Program in last week’s federal budget will help farmers deal with upfront costs, said federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. The proposed increase to $350,000 from $250,000 follows a hike last summer from $100,000. “This is a program that is very well used and relevant when […] Read more
MP calls for more meetings on supply management bill
Ag committee was supposed to begin analyzing proposed legislation banning further concessions in future trade talks
Debate on the private member’s bill that would prevent supply management from being used as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations may continue longer than expected. The standing committee on international trade was supposed to go through clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-282, which would amend the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, March 30. But […] Read more
Grain drying exemption bill one step closer to law
Bill C-234 is off to the Senate. The private member’s bill sponsored by Ontario Conservative MP Ben Lobb passed third reading in the House of Commons March 29 by a vote of 176-145. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau voted against the measure, while other Liberals, the Conservatives, Bloc Quebecois and New Democrats all supported it. The […] Read more
Inflation blamed for increasing food insecurity
Use at Saskatchewan’s 36 food banks climbed in 2022, largely because of the rising costs of food, fuel and housing
Inflation is forcing more full-time workers to food banks. Neil Hetherington, chief executive officer of the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto, said the organization in Canada’s largest city used to see 65,000 people each month. During the pandemic, that boomed to 120,000. “Today, we are now seeing 270,000 client visits per month,” he said […] Read more
