Michael Raine

The deadline for applications to the Agricultural Income Disaster Assistance program has been extended for some farms. Farmers who expanded their operations by 15 percent or more between 1995 and 1997, the reference period for this year’s AIDA program, now have until Nov. 1 to apply for their 1998 AIDA. Farms that were expanding had […] Read more

Farm input prices keep increasing while farmers’ ability to afford them is decreasing. In one of Canada’s largest agricultural producing provinces, the premier thinks it is time to find out why. “At the premier’s conference we discussed how important it is that Canadian farming families be able to expect to pay reasonable prices for their […] Read more

Saskatchewan’s first lamb co-operative is expected to boost the sheep population in the province. Set up by the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board and the province, the Saskatchewan First Lamb Co-operative Ltd. will allow farmers to buy ewes, lambs and feeder lambs with government-guaranteed loans. Farmers can arrange the four-year, one percent above prime interest rate […] Read more

Shipping fever comes with a high price, but a research breakthrough in Saskatchewan may soon provide some solutions to the problem. The United States Department of Agriculture says the pneumonia-like disease that attacks young cattle as they move from farm to feedlot costs North American farmers $1.35 billion a year. The answer may be DNA […] Read more

If investor confidence is any indication of corporate health, a small Saskatchewan meat processor seems to have sailed through a year-long storm of stock price and reorganization turmoil. Thompson Meats Ltd., of Melfort, Sask., known as TML on the Alberta Stock Exchange, has reached a 12-month high in its share price. “Share prices don’t directly […] Read more

All of the money is on the table. Federal agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief reiterated last week that despite past and currently planned farmer rallies, the federal government will not alter its financial commitment to farmers. Money has been promised and the trick will be getting it into the right hands. “There will not likely be […] Read more

Provincial leaders discussed ways to spend the federal budget surplus last week at the annual premiers meeting in Quebec City. Funding for struggling agriculture economies figured high on the list of secondary economic priorities, while provincial premiers agreed that “substantial tax cuts” would be their first order for Ottawa. The federal government will record a […] Read more

Farming is dangerous. Injuries can occur quickly, by accident, or slowly from a work-related illness. The Centre for Agricultural Medicine has two new projects to address those issues. Breathe Easy is a video the centre created to advise agricultural producers about the risks of occupational lung disease. The 22 minute production explains the risks that […] Read more

HARTNEY, Man. – Gerry and Margaret Whetter saw their two oldest sons through University without the burden of student loans. Their two youngest may not be as fortunate. The Whetters, who farm near this southwestern Manitoba community, have seen their farm income fall due to poor commodity prices. Now insult has been added to injury […] Read more

The Canadian Wheat Board’s Pool Return Outlook for July shows only minor movements in grain markets. The wheat forecast fell between $4 and $8 a tonne. The durum and feed barley price outlook is up marginally, as is six-row designated barley. Wet conditions in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Dakotas cut into durum production and quality, […] Read more