Homework this fall for a group of University of Saskatchewan students will begin with a meal of meat on a stick and a trip to the local Stop and Go store. As part of an agribusiness student business plan class, these third and fourth year agriculture students will spend the next two months creating a […] Read more
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Students sharpen sales skills
Biofuel date draws near
Saskatchewan groups considering a biofuel project have until Oct. 13 to apply for federal funding to develop a business plan or a feasibility study. Deadlines for the $10 million Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative in Alberta and Manitoba have already passed. Individual project funding is capped at $300,000 and at least 25 percent of the […] Read more
Man. biofuel group hits brick wall
A loud noise is coming from Arborg, Man., these days. It’s the sound of a group of local farmers and investors banging their heads against a wall of difficulties standing in the way of a biodiesel plant. “It’s a real frustrating experience,” said Dennis Kaprawy, president of Bifrost Biodiesel, when visited recently by a group […] Read more
Memos reveal CAIS unease
Chuck Strahl was a newly minted agriculture minister barely settled into a new office last winter when the grim advice began to come in. Departmental officials voiced serious concerns with the country’s primary agriculture support system, the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program. Advice from bureaucrats projected CAIS spending of $6.5 billion over five years, $1 […] Read more
Grain firms gain gov’t ear on CWB
Western Canada’s four major grain companies have been talking to federal government officials, including Canadian Wheat Board minister Chuck Strahl, about how to move from the CWB’s single desk system to an open market. Agricore United, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, JRI International and Cargill say the discussions have been solely about technical and operational issues associated […] Read more
Ethanol planners pin hope on marketing agreement
A group of Lake Diefenbaker area farmers think a signed marketing agreement with a major petroleum company sets their proposed ethanol plant apart from other projects. Gardiner Dam Terminal Ltd., a producer-owned company that owns 50 percent of Gardiner Dam Terminal Joint Venture, wants to build an ethanol plant at its elevator at Strongfield in […] Read more
Farmers take blow from old foe
Despite spring warnings of rising wheat midge populations, growers seem to have been caught off guard by the resurgence of a forgotten foe. “Midge is definitely one of the main degrading factors that we’re seeing this year,” said Norm Woodbeck, manager of quality assurance standards and reinspection at the Canadian Grain Commission. After processing about […] Read more
Rising costs dent packer’s budget
Construction is going ahead on a new Alberta packing plant despite a 25 percent increase in building costs. Since announcing the $40 million project one year ago, construction costs for the 800-head-a-day Ranchers Meats packing plant outside Edmonton have increased dramatically. “Construction in Alberta is an experience you never want to have,” said president Stan […] Read more
Quick movement promised on grain commission changes
Recommendations on how to reform the Canadian Grain Commission should be flowing from Parliament Hill before the end of the year, says the chair of the parliamentary committee that will be studying the issue. A federally commissioned consultant’s report released in mid-September recommended a dramatic overhaul of the rules governing the century-old grain industry regulator. […] Read more
Sask. pushes biofuel focus
Saskatchewan’s deputy premier used the launch of a Regina biofuel test centre last week as an opportunity to push for a national centre of excellence in that city. Clay Serby said the Saskatchewan Research Council, which houses the $1 million testing lab, along with farmers and other proponents of biodiesel and ethanol plants are leading […] Read more
