EDMONTON — There may have been a few stumbles, but Alberta’s NDP government and the province’s rural municipalities got through their first dance together. It was the first time in 44 years that rural councillors have danced with anyone other than Progressive Conservative partners, and everyone was a bit tentative, said the head of the […] Read more
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Alta. rural municipalities have good first meeting with NDP gov’t
VIDEO: Federal agriculture minister MacAulay attends Agribition
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart burned the brand to officially kick off the 45th Canadian Western Agribition in Regina Nov. 23. Standing beside him was federal minister Lawrence MacAulay, recently appointed to the post and on his first official duty. The two met for the first time earlier in the day to discuss some issues […] Read more
Alberta boy killed in farm accident
A 10-year-old boy died following a farming accident near Killam, Alta., said an RCMP news release. The accident occurred Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. when the young boy was driving a fork lift and the machine became unstable and tipped over. “The boy suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene,” said RCMP. […] Read more
Quebec to crack down on neonics
Quebec plans to go much further than Ontario when it comes to neonicotinoids. Environment minister David Heurtel announced last week that the province intends to modernize its pesticide regulations. The new pesticide strategy will restrict agricultural use of insecticide seed treatments and other “highest risk” products. “Pesticide use must be controlled, rigorous and responsible,” Heurtel […] Read more
Alberta property rights advocate shown door
Alberta’s first property rights advocate is out of a job. Lee Cutforth, a Lethbridge lawyer, learned last week that his contract would not be renewed. It expires Dec. 10. Provincial justice minister Kathleen Ganley said in an email that her department is in the process of finding an interim advocate. “We are taking this opportunity […] Read more
Sottish cheese recalled
Cheese imported from Scotland is being recalled due to possible listeria contamination. Inverloch Cheddar Cheese was imported by Glen Echo Fine Foods and distributed in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. Recalled products include Laird’s Mustard Mature Cheddar & Whole Grain Mustard and Applesmoke Mature Cheddar, both with the brand name Isle of […] Read more
Alta. goat farmers named Outstanding Young Farmers
An Alberta couple was named co-winners in the Outstanding Young Farmers competition. Patrick and Cherylynn Bos of Ponoka, Alta., were chosen western winners at the national competition in Edmonton Nov. 21. The Bos family raises 1,400 dairy goats in a milk and cheese processing business, Rock Ridge Dairy. The couple processes their own milk from […] Read more
Ceres reaches fertilizer deal with Koch at Northgate facility
Ceres Global Ag Corp, which owns the Northgate Commodities Logistics Centre at Northgate, Sask., has reached a fertilizer handling and storage agreement with Koch Fertilizer Canada. Ceres announced Nov. 17 that it has negotiated a deal that will give Koch exclusive use of yet-to-be-constructed fertilizer storage facilities at Northgate. The proposed fertilizer facilities are scheduled […] Read more
CRISPR: cutting edge tech for plant breeders
account_id=”2206156280001″ player_id=”HJ11Iy7v”][/audio] If the player above doesn’t work, try this one: Every story has a beginning, a middle and an end. The story of genetically modified crops began two decades ago, but the tale of that technology may be entering its final chapter. Many plant scientists believe genome editing, a new method to alter plant […] Read more
RMs want more say on environmental issues
Members of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities complain government has too much oversight
Saskatchewan’s rural municipalities want more control over environmental decisions inside their boundaries. Wayne Black, reeve in the RM of Barrier Valley in the 1990s, returned to the position a couple of years ago. “The biggest difference I’ve noticed since I’ve come back is the loss of control we as municipalities have, mostly in the area […] Read more
