The Saskatchewan government and Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan are at odds over how the province’s mid-year deficit forecast is being portrayed. Earlier this week, finance minister Donna Harpauer said the drought and historic crop insurance payments pushed the expected deficit from $2.6 billion to $2.7 billion. “The most significant increase over budget at mid-year […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Supreme Beef winners both from Bashaw and repeat
If winning Canadian Western Agribition’s Beef Supreme is the pinnacle of achievement for purebred cattle breeders, winning it more than once is undoubtedly a sign of continued excellence. The winners of the 2021 event have both won before, and both are from Bashaw, Alta. “Never gets old. It’s a fabulous, fabulous thing to win,” said […] Read more
Snow may be on the way, some say
Nutrien’s atmospheric scientist predicts snow is coming this winter to help alleviate some of the drought conditions on the Canadian prairies. Eric Snodgrass told the Grain Expo during Canadian Western Agribition that the models show near normal to above normal snowfall in December, January and February. That snow will come with falling temperatures, courtesy of […] Read more
Pulse sector welcomes new funding
Federal funding announced last week will help Pulse Canada reach its goal to have 25 percent of production in new markets or uses by 2025, the organization says. Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced nearly $4.2 million for Pulse Canada and about $128,000 for the Canadian Special Crops Association. About $2.3 million will be used […] Read more
Agribition is back — and running live
The 50th edition of Canadian Western Agribition is underway a year late. The family of one of the show founders and the first president, Chris Sutter, burned the brand to officially open the event Nov. 22. Last year’s show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Spence Sutter said his dad would be pleased with […] Read more
AgriStability not expected to be replaced
Farmers hoping for a replacement for AgriStability in the next five-year federal-provincial-territorial partnership are likely to be disappointed. Canada’s agriculture ministers agreed to a set of principles to guide the next policy framework during their Nov. 8-10 meeting in Guelph. However, replacing AgriStability with a margin-based program isn’t among them. Instead, any changes will be […] Read more
Unpaid oil, gas taxes mount, leaving Sask. RMs in lurch
Saskatchewan rural municipalities say oil and gas companies are increasingly defaulting on property taxes, leaving RMs short money and unable to provide the required level of service. Several resolutions passed at last week’s mid-term convention of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities addressed the issue of tax arrears by oil and gas companies. Forty-six of […] Read more
Barlow returns to Parliament as federal agriculture critic
Conservative MP argues that government policies have put Canadian producers at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace
A familiar name is returning to the agricultural portfolio in the federal opposition shadow cabinet. Alberta MP John Barlow was named to the post Nov. 9. He had served in the role in previous Parliaments. His portfolio also includes food security. He said Canadian farmers need a level playing field, but recent Liberal policies have […] Read more
Farmers say COP26 targets can be met
Summit delegates are told that governments must make sure producers receive the support they need to help reduce climate change impact
The United Nations says significant progress was made at COP26 as countries agreed to reduce the impact of climate change on agriculture and lower the sector’s contributions. However, the Glasgow climate change conference was also criticized for not emphasizing agriculture enough. For example, agricultural discussions were included in nature and land use rather than on […] Read more
Feds fund pulses, special crops
Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has announced $4.3 million in funding for the pulse and special crops sectors. Pulse Canada will receive slightly less than $4.2 million of the investment with $2.3 million aimed at its 25 by 25 strategy. That plan calls for 25 percent of production to be in new markets by 2025. […] Read more
