I have previously written two articles on the federal government’s folly around new rules on bare trusts. In this third instalment, I bring the readers up to date on the federal government’s latest position on the bare trust tax filings. Related stories: By way of reminder, a bare trust is a trust relationship characterized by […] Read more
Opinion
Sales pitches on new varieties can be misleading
Harvest is barely complete and marketing campaigns are already underway to sell new and improved seed varieties for next year. Sales pitches naturally tend to emphasize positive varietal traits, while sometimes missing practicality and marketability. Saskatchewan Pulse Growers is promoting new varieties of lentils, field peas, chickpeas and fababeans. In many cases, producers have clung […] Read more
Crane sightings make for a perfect hike
I must confess that I have mixed feelings about the time of year in which we currently find ourselves. Fall is probably the prettiest of the seasons, although the beauty is tempered somewhat by what’s lurking right around the corner. However, I do try to push my foreboding over winter to the back of the […] Read more
Are we losing control over our food?
Less than five percent of people really understand how our food goes from farm to table. A quick look at social media shows that misinformation spreads faster than scientific facts, and many people struggle to find reliable information. Whether it’s genetically modified organisms, organic food, buying local, climate change or corporate greed in agri-food, most […] Read more
Big Mac bites Big Meat over alleged ‘artificially higher prices’
If you buy nearly two billion pounds of beef a year — an on-the-hoof equivalent of seven million cattle — you’d think you’d get the best deal ever from your suppliers. You are, after all, the world’s largest red meat buyer. Think again, says McDonald’s. On Oct. 4, it sued the big four meat packers […] Read more
Ag, rural issues are scarce in Sask. election campaign
Agriculture has hardly been mentioned in the Saskatchewan general election campaign, even during the Oct. 18 debate between Premier Scott Moe of the Saskatchewan Party and Carla Beck of the NDP. This is disappointing when considering the critical role the industry plays in the province. Of the 61 constituencies in Saskatchewan, 30 are considered urban, […] Read more
Letters to the editor – October 24, 2024
Sask. needs a wetland policy The loss of wetlands in this province has become a widespread topic among Saskatchewan residents. As a result, many volunteer organizations have come forward asking our government to build its Ag Water Stewardship Policy around a wetland policy, one that conserves wetlands and regulates drainage in a fair and responsible […] Read more
Transition planning needs non-farming family members
The non-farming members of a farming family can be a great resource and important contributors to the transition planning process. However, communication and involvement are highly correlated with positive planning experiences for all stakeholders. Early adoption of formal communication can mitigate potential conflict and leverage the contributions from the non-farming members. Non-farming family members have […] Read more
Did banks and FCC slow productivity growth?
Chartered banks and Farm Credit Canada have had a destructive impact on Canada. FCC’s capitalization of large land-consolidating farms has resulted in a catastrophic decline in the number and per cent of citizens who own and manage a farm business. Half a century ago, a high proportion, perhaps over half, of the kids in rural […] Read more
Producers urged to be vigilant when selling grain
A grain broker operating in Western Canada has hit a financial squeeze, and as a result, a number of producers are unpaid for grain deliveries made many months ago. The number of unpaid producers and the amounts owing are not public, but the situation raises a number of questions. When I heard about the issue, […] Read more
