The Western Producer takes a weekly look at some of the stories that made headlines in issues of the paper from 75, 50, 25 and 10 years ago.
75 years ago: May 8, 1941
An early seeding intention estimate by Saskatchewan Pool Elevators Ltd. was indicating that wheat acreage in the province would fall by 21 percent, or 3.25 million acres, from 15.57 million aces in 1940.
A more than 30 percent reduction was being suggested for east-central Saskatchewan, based on reports from 770 points in the province.
The price for Canadian hogs was increased to ensure fulfillment of the country’s bacon agreement obligations to Great Britain. Action was also taken to discourage exports to the United States and reduce domestic consumption.
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50 years ago: May 5, 1966
The operator of a British shipping line was expecting a big year for the Port of Churchill. Peter Dalgleish said orders for goods to be shipped through the port were six times the 1965 volume, and the traditional liquor shipments had not been confirmed yet.
The federal government fleshed out its plan to consolidate uneconomical small farms. Forestry ministry Maurice Sauvé, who was responsible for the Agricultural and Rural Development Act, said farms would be bought, consolidated and sold as larger units.
Displaced farm families would be moved to an area with employment opportunities, and wage earners would be trained and established in jobs. In some cases, a down payment would be provided for a new home.
25 years ago: May 9, 1991
Manitoba agreed to join the Net Income Stabilization Account program, which was expected to increase provincial farm incomes by $35 million. The federal government would pay the province’s share of the premiums in the first year.
Canada was reported to be days away from accepting wheat and flour imports from the United States as part of the new free trade agreement with that country. Critics said the move would erode Canadian Wheat Board powers, undermine control of grain standards and lower grain prices. Defenders of the move said the opposition was an over-reaction because higher Canadian quality would keep Canadian grain competitive.
10 years ago: May 4, 2006
Larry Gusta, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, said a gene that allows bromegrass to thrive in tough prairie conditions would help create faster maturing, high yielding transgenic crops. Gusta was expecting to sign a deal with a corporate partner to use the Rob-5 gene in new varieties.
The gene was named after Albert Robertson, the Saskatoon farmer who had worked with Gusta on the project.
Slumping crop prices were forcing farmers to take a more minimalist approach to farming, including an increase in summerfallowed acres.
Statistics Canada reported that growers intended to idle 11.6 million acres of land, which was 15 percent more than the previous year and slightly more than what they planned to seed to canola.
