The federal Liberal government’s online consultation on its proposed 30-percent reduction of nitrous oxide emissions closed last week but the discussion will continue with technical discussions beginning this month. The issue became politicized through the summer as Conservative MPs referred to it as an impending fertilizer ban and some farmers said they would be forced […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Tax deferrals available for some but not all
Excess moisture in some areas and drought in other areas led to tax deferrals for several different reasons and regions
The federal agriculture minister has announced the initial list of designated regions in which livestock producers who have to downsize may qualify for tax deferrals. Much of Manitoba, west-central Saskatchewan and southeast Alberta are included. The provision applies to producers who have had to sell at least 15 percent of their breeding herds because of […] Read more
Hail adjusters tackle 1,300 claims to stay ahead of harvest
Crop staging results in higher payouts as the season passes; farmers reminded to leave inspection strips
Hail adjusters are working hard to stay ahead of harvest, said the Canadian Crop Hail Association. Storms are becoming less frequent but can still be destructive. Between Aug. 15 and Aug. 21 member companies of the association said they investigated more than 1,300 claims. Even small storms can cause heavy damage because crops are so […] Read more
Cattle seeks FMD vaccine bank
The Canadian cattle sector still doesn’t have a vaccine bank for foot-and-mouth disease although it has raised the need for one with the federal government for years. Canadian Cattle Association president Reg Schellenberg said establishing a Canadian vaccine bank would cost about $4 million per year but the cost of not having one is much […] Read more
Emissions reductions possible
Research has shown that reducing emissions from fertilizer by 30 percent is attainable. Work now is focusing on how to apply newer technologies across Canada’s many soil and climatic conditions to make sure yields don’t suffer and farmers remain profitable. Dr. Mario Tenuta, a researcher at the University of Manitoba, said he is puzzled by […] Read more
Tempest in a dugout
Environment and Climate Change Canada still won’t say what it was looking for in Saskatchewan dugouts after a public spat between the provincial and federal governments. Federal Minister Steven Guilbeault responded to trespass allegations from his provincial counterpart Jeremy Cockrill by saying Ottawa has been testing water across the country for more than 50 years […] Read more
Drought still a problem for southwest Sask.
It’s little comfort that less than 10 percent of the Prairies is in drought this year when you’re in that zone. For some Saskatchewan farmers conditions are even drier than last year when 94 percent of Western Canada was in drought in July. August data isn’t yet available. A look at this year’s July drought […] Read more
Operation put under quarantine after anthrax found in Sask.
A livestock operation in the Saskatchewan Rural Municipality of Piapot is in quarantine after laboratory testing confirmed nine animals have died from anthrax. Saskatchewan disease surveillance veterinarian Dr. Wendy Wilkins said there were about 100 animals in the pasture where the deaths occurred. The remaining animals are on antibiotics and will be vaccinated. The government […] Read more
Tax deferrals available for some but not all
The federal agriculture minister has announced the initial list of designated regions in which livestock producers who have to downsize may qualify for tax deferrals. Much of Manitoba, west-central Saskatchewan and southeast Alberta are included. The provision applies to producers who have had to sell at least 15 percent of their breeding herds because of […] Read more
Sask. wants explanation for federal dugout testing
The Saskatchewan government said it wants to know exactly what the federal government is looking for if it is testing water samples from farmers’ dugouts. Water Security Agency minister Jeremy Cockrill said the government received multiple reports from farmers last week that federal vehicles were on their land. A tweet from Pense farmer and former […] Read more
