Canada’s chicken and turkey sectors are getting $3.5 million in federal funding in the first year of a 10-year program to step up marketing and increase consumption. Francis Drouin, parliamentary secretary to agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced the new market development program late last month. Chicken Farmers of Canada will get $1 million, and Turkey […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Federal budget light on ag
The federal budget announced today does not appear to include more money for business risk management programs and other federal-provincial cost-shared programs. The budget acknowledged that the next Canadian Agricultural Partnership is to be signed this year and highlights current spending. However, some farm organizations have said the envelope needs to be increased to better […] Read more
Drought still top of mind for new CCA president
Water infrastructure and livestock price insurance will be major priorities as the West comes off a challenging time last year
Reg Schellenberg took a bittersweet flight home from Ottawa after he was named president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. The pride he felt to be representing the CCA at the highest level was tempered by the death of his father-in-law and well-known Saskatchewan cattle producer, Ted Perrin, who died March 25 in Swift Current. “It […] Read more
Ottawa offers more help to reduce ag emissions
Federal government sets a target to reduce the agricultural sector’s greenhouse gas emissions by one percent by 2030
Canada’s latest greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan calls for huge cuts in emissions overall but just a one percent reduction in the agricultural sector. Still, it offers significant financial assistance to farmers to adopt new practices and buy new technology, a plan with which University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist Tristan Skolrud doesn’t agree. Overall, the […] Read more
National body develops strategy to control wild pigs
Animal Health Canada is consulting on a draft strategy to control invasive wild pigs given the numerous threats the animals pose. “Wild pigs are a clear example of a One Health issue, affecting animal, human and environmental health,” said the organization in a news release. “Wild pigs cause significant damage to natural ecosystems and agricultural […] Read more
Sask. budget allocates $25 million for irrigation projects
It’s been almost two years since Saskatchewan announced its plans for a $4-billion project at Lake Diefenbaker to double irrigation capacity but it is still in the pre-design phase. SaskBuilds minister Jim Reiter said $25 million allocated for irrigation in the recent provincial budget includes $23 million specifically for that project. The other money is […] Read more
Poultry marketing receives federal funding
Canada’s chicken and turkey sectors are getting $3.5 million in federal funding in the first year of a 10-year program to step up marketing and drive domestic consumption. Francis Drouin, parliamentary secretary to agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced the new market development program late last month. Chicken Farmers of Canada will get $1 million, and […] Read more
Sask. renews effort to gain control of carbon tax
Parliamentary Budget Office says households in Alta., Sask., Man. and Ont. will pay more than they get back by 2030-31
Saskatchewan wants to take over administration and revenue from Ottawa’s carbon tax plan. Premier Scott Moe said the government would make the best decisions on how to return the money within the province. Ottawa rejected the province’s previous proposal, but the premier said he is asking the federal government to reconsider that position. “If we […] Read more
Exploding wildlife population worries rural municipalities
Rural municipal councillors in Saskatchewan say the increasing populations of mule deer, moose and elk are causing concern and they want the government to do more to help. Several resolutions passed at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities annual convention called for more hunting. Motions from the east-central and northwestern parts of the province called […] Read more
Crop insurance costs increase Sask. ag spending
Recent provincial budget includes $462.4 million for the agriculture department, which is up from $387 million last year
Agricultural stakeholders said they were happy with the Saskatchewan budget released March 23. But what they really want is rain after the widespread and devastating drought last year. Projected spending within the ministry is up considerably due mainly to a $70-million increase in crop insurance premium costs. Total spending is estimated at $462.4 million, up […] Read more
