New soybean varieties tackle maturity, weed issues

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Soybean growers in central Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan have a new early-maturing variety to choose from this year. S0009M2 is Syngenta’s first offering in the 000 maturity group. Small quantities will be available this year. “(It) is much earlier than what’s typically on the market,” Ross Weikel, head of soybeans in North […] Read more

SARM delegate critical of leader ‘bowing down’ to province

Saskatchewan’s rural municipalities think their association is getting too cozy with the provincial government. Delegates passed a resolution at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities annual meeting instructing the organization’s board of directors to be non-partisan when advocating on behalf of its membership. Paul Heglund, councillor for the RM of Reno, said there have been […] Read more

Harper touts infrastructure record, leaves critic unimpressed

Federal funds to help twin Sask. highway are part of government’s focus on infrastructure, prime minister tells SARM delegates

Prime minister Stephen Harper appeared to be in election mode when he addressed delegates attending the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities’ annual meeting. It appears infrastructure spending might be one of the battlefronts of what is anticipated to be a fall election. “We have undertaken the longest, largest national infrastructure investment in this country by […] Read more


Grain bags headache for RMs

Rural municipalities don’t want to deal with the environmental headache of used grain bags. “Some producers are very responsible and clean up their bags and recycle, and we appreciate that,” said Lorne Scott, reeve of the RM of Indian Head. “But others choose to leave their bags, burn them, bury them in sloughs, coulees, bush […] Read more

No programs in works to help young farmers

Gov’t loans, tried in the past, didn’t work: ag minister

Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister doesn’t have comforting words for young people wanting to start farming. “I don’t like to give false hope to people who don’t have a farm family backing them or a lot of capital coming into the game,” Lyle Stewart told delegates attending the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities’ annual convention. “It’s just […] Read more


Gov’t in hot seat over highway, road conditions

Gary Gilbert’s grandchildren wonder why he never drives his 1935 Ford or 1939 Oldsmobile when he comes to visit them in Regina. “Because they won’t survive the first 20 miles,” he tells them. The highways in the Rural Municipality of McKillop where Gilbert lives are in such rough shape that he doesn’t want to risk […] Read more

Hike in education tax hinted

Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall is contemplating rebalancing the way education is funded in the province. Education property tax is one of the many programs under review as the province comes to grips with a $700 million reduction in oil revenues. “Everything has to be on the table as we work towards a balanced budget for […] Read more

Sask. RMs nervous about coming budget cuts

Everything is on the table, including the revenue sharing formula, premier Brad Wall warns SARM delegates

Saskatchewan’s rural municipalities were told “everything is on the table” as the province contemplates deep budget cuts because of declining oil revenues. That includes the Municipal Revenue Sharing program, which distributes a portion of provincial sales tax revenue among urban and rural municipalities and northern communities. Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall told delegates attending the Sask-atchewan […] Read more


SARM coming around on pasture issues

Delegates confident SARM directors will push province on returning federal pastures to rural municipalities

Saskatchewan’s rural municipalities are going to try the diplomacy route with the province rather than the courts to resolve a simmering dispute over pastureland. The RM of Reno withdrew its resolution calling on the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities to launch a class action lawsuit against the province for failing to return federal pastures to […] Read more

Pulse firm looks to sell assets

A major player in Western Canada’s pulse sector says it is open to selling some or all of its assets. Legumex Walker said its share value does not properly reflect the company’s inherent value, and it is time to explore alternatives, including strategic financing, mergers and sale of all or a portion of the company’s […] Read more