Generally speaking, most people assume that assets brought into a spousal relationship (marriage or cohabitation in a spousal-like relationship for at least two years) are exempt from division should the spousal relationship break down. While there is some merit to that statement, it is not absolute and many traps can arise that will result in […] Read more
Opinion
Newspaper business fades but not gone
Another small-town weekly newspaper closed its doors earlier this month, victim to the challenging environment that print journalism has found itself in since the arrival of the internet. Most people outside of southeastern Saskatchewan probably don’t know that the Estevan Mercury stopped publishing in early January after 122 years in business. It’s just one of […] Read more
The great arson myth must be shelved
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and other politicians that like making things up to support their worldview have frequently stated that the wildfires ravaging our cities, towns and wilderness areas are being set by arsonists. The truth is that in any given year, arson is responsible for between five and 10 percent of wildfires, but these […] Read more
U.S. tariff squeeze promises to be a messy affair
Imagine squeezing a ripe tomato in the palm of your hand. Some juice squirts out. More juice runs down your arm with the tomato looking very different from when you started. This is being written just ahead of President Donald Trump’s inauguration and threatened tariffs, but if he follows through on his threats, business will […] Read more
Rural America has enough problems; why create new ones?
On Jan. 7, the day after Congress certified Donald J. Trump’s election as the next president of the United States, the U.S. “Border Patrol conducted unannounced raids throughout Bakersfield, (California) … descending on businesses where day labourers and field workers gather.” The impact of the raids was immediate. “We’re in the middle of our citrus […] Read more
Concept of Canada hard to define but worth defending
The world’s longest undefended border is attracting a great deal of attention these days, ever since certain folks south of that border began talking about taking an eraser to it. A foreign policy analyst recently dismissed as “trash talk” multiple musings by U.S. president Donald Trump about the merits of his country annexing its northern […] Read more
Concept of inventory adjustments is worth understanding
What does “inventory adjustments” or “change in inventory” mean? This term reflects how your farm’s books are converted to the accrual accounting method. For many farm businesses, accrual accounting can seem complicated, but it’s crucial for getting an accurate picture of financial health. Let’s break it down. Accrual accounting recognizes revenue when it is earned […] Read more
The good, bad and ugly of 2025 cropping options
Only a select few cropping options are showing a profit over and above total costs in Saskatchewan Agriculture’s 2025 Crop Planning Guide. The guide is available online. Printed versions were to be available at the Crop Production Show this week in Saskatoon and can also be picked up at regional Saskatchewan Agriculture offices. It uses […] Read more
So what’s the deal about Tuesday?
I recently heard something interesting on the radio about Tuesday. That may seem like a bit of a stretch, but bear with me. Tom Allen, the host of About Time on the CBC FM network, was talking about how many people overlook this particular day of the week. Monday, he said, is known for its […] Read more
Ag faced challenges, progress in 2024
The agriculture industry constantly faces challenges and adversities that try the patience and fortitude of those in the sector. Rather than focus on a discussion of these issues now that the new year has arrived, this article highlights important aspects from the past year. Gene editing gains regulatory approval in Canada Perhaps the leading issue […] Read more
