SASKATOON — Producers delivered a blunt message to Canada’s agriculture ministers last week, saying their sustainability lies largely in policymakers’ hands and the ministers have to get it right. A panel told the annual federal-provincial-territorial meeting that governments must look at what farmers and ranchers are already doing with regard to environmental practices and then […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Ministers agree to new ag policy framework
SASKATOON — Farm organizations welcome increased funding in the next five-year agricultural policy agreement signed last week in Saskatoon but say they are concerned about environmental ties. Federal, provincial and territorial ministers agreed in principle to the new framework that goes into effect April 1, 2023. The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership includes a $500-million boost […] Read more
Provinces unhappy with fertilizer emissions reduction target
SASKATOON — Three provinces issued news releases expressing their displeasure with Ottawa’s fertilizer emissions reduction target, even as agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced their agreement on a new policy framework last week. Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario said they are disappointed the federal government is imposing targets when the world is struggling with food security and […] Read more
Slow rolls support Dutch ag protests
Trucks and farm equipment were back in convoy mode last weekend, participating in “slow rolls” the drivers said were organized to show solidarity with Dutch farmers. Farmers in the Netherlands have been protesting off and on since 2019 against government directives to cut emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia. Protests increased again this summer after […] Read more
Ag ministers reach new five-year deal
SASKATOON — Canadian agriculture ministers have reached a deal on the next policy framework that includes more spending on strategic initiatives and AgriStability. The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership will replace the current agreement on April 1, 2023. The federal government agreed to provincial requests to boost the cost-shared strategic initiatives portion of the five-year agreement […] Read more
Sask. launches canola disease testing program
A province-wide disease testing program for blackleg and clubroot is available for Saskatchewan canola growers. SaskCanola and the provincial ministry of agriculture are offering the free testing program now through the fall. Kaeley Kindrachuk, SaskCanola’s agronomy extension specialist, said they want producers to monitor and test for both diseases to better manage them. “For clubroot, […] Read more
Sask. short-line railways receive federal funding
The $18.3 million that Transport Canada has announced for the province’s short-line system is expected to improve efficiencies
Investments in Saskatchewan’s short-line railway system announced last week are expected to improve efficiency and create a more fluid supply chain. Federal transport minister Omar Alghabra announced $18.3 million in spending on four projects through the National Trade Corridors Fund. The private sector recipients are also contributing. The federal investments include $13.5 million for grade […] Read more
Lightning strike kills 28 cattle on Sask. ranch
Family hadn’t insured the 14 bred cows and 13 calves, but they had taken out insurance on a recently purchased bull
Cattle producers may find an animal dead from a lightning strike once in a while, but the sight on a pasture near Mankota, Sask., last week was far beyond that. A relative discovered 14 bred cows, 13 calves and a bull dead along a fence line where Glen and Darla Briere had pastured some of […] Read more
FCC boss rode ag rollercoaster
Michael Hoffort could look out from his corner office in the downtown Regina Farm Credit Canada tower and see farmland. The recently retired chief executive officer of the federal crown corporation said that view was the perfect reminder of FCC’s customers and the focus it, and he, should have. “It grounded us in a positive […] Read more
Transport challenges continue to haunt ag sector
Labour shortages in the rail and trucking industries remain a major hurdle for the successful movement of products
Shifting trade patterns and labour shortages are challenging the agricultural transportation sector, said a panel at Canada’s Farm Show. Two years of pandemic restrictions, followed by the Russian attack on Ukraine, are far different hurdles than the typical weather challenges. “This isn’t just a grain story. This is potash. This is energy,” said David Przednowek, […] Read more
