Saskatchewan short-line railways say the chance to buy provincially owned rail cars doesn’t offset the loss of a $900,000 annual sustain-ability grant they would no longer receive . Perry Pellerin, president of the Western Canadian Short Line Railway Association, said the 13 short lines could use the cars but he doesn’t know if they could […] Read more
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Short-line rail operators say cut to sustainability grant a hit to economy
Rural Sask. hit with funding, bus transportation cuts
Rural residents will notice the loss of the Saskatchewan Transportation Company, says the head of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. Ray Orb said the government’s decision to close the provincial bus company to freight as of May 19 and passengers as of May 31 is a concern. “It’s still a fairly valuable service, especially […] Read more
U.S. duty, infrastructure plans keyto keeping diesel prices down
WINNIPEG — Sinking prices for crude oil and a softer Canadian dollar have kept diesel prices relatively low for Canadian farmers this year, and they could be heading lower, as long as U.S. President Donald Trump’s infrastructure plan doesn’t get in the way. “I would probably say in Canada you’re going to see numbers trickle […] Read more
Ont. seed corn growers back regulated marketing
The seed corn marketing board has worked for producers and processors since 1940, says industry official
DRESDEN, Ont. — Jeff Wilson, past-chair of Seed Corn Growers of Ontario, sees no sign that the marketing board will meet the same fate as Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers. Both marketing boards are regulated under the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Act, which provides them with the authority to collectively negotiate contracts with their respected processors. […] Read moreAlta. RMs want tax exemption
EDMONTON — Alberta rural municipalities want an exemption from the provincial carbon levy. “We don’t believe that municipalities should have to pay the carbon levy,” said Al Kemmere, president of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. “It is a provincial levy we have to pay and pass on the extra costs to ratepayers.” […] Read more
CFIA results on glyphosate testing apt to be controversial
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is about to release a report that could change the public perception of glyphosate. Since 2015, CFIA scientists have been testing food for residues of glyphosate, a product best known by the Roundup brand name, although other brands and generic exist. It is the most popular herbicide in the world. […] Read more
Sask. to nix community pasture program
Consultation began this week on the Saskatchewan government’s decision to wind down its community pasture program. The measure was announced in last week’s provincial budget, al-though the government said there is no financial impact in 2017-18 and the program operates on a break-even basis through the Pastures Revolving Fund. This grazing season will be the […] Read more
CFIA wants traceability gaps filled with better info on livestock movement
OTTAWA — Amendments to Canada’s livestock traceability regulations are expected later this year. In the event of an animal disease outbreak, investigators need more information about animal movement, as well as the exact location of livestock beyond the owner’s name and address, said Elizabeth Corrigan of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Current gaps in the […] Read more
Sask. to use AgriRecoveryto fund TB quarantine costs
Saskatchewan has signed an agreement with Ottawa to try to recover funds it spent to help producers affected by bovine tuberculosis quarantines. The AgriRecovery initiative was signed earlier this month after the province helped producers with the costs of keeping animals that should have gone to market. Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart had said in January […] Read more
Canola council backs off on clubroot biosecurity
DAUPHIN, Man. — For years, plant pathologists and agronomists have told prairie farmers to thoroughly wash and sanitize tractors, cultivators and seeders between fields to stop the spread of clubroot. That isn’t happening so the Canola Council of Canada is taking a different approach. Washing and sanitation is still a recommendation, but it’s no longer […] Read more
