A long-time water researcher says Saskatchewan’s Agricultural Water Stewardship Policy ignores water quality and won’t accurately measure the effects of wetland drainage.
Tag Archives drainage
Researcher pans Saskatchewan water stewardship policy
A University of Regina scientist says the science does not support the province’s newly unveiled agricultural water stewardship policy
Sask.’s new drainage policy gets mixed reviews
Conservationists and drainage proponents both have problems with the province’s Agricultural Water Stewardship Policy
Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency announced its Agricultural Water Stewardship Policy last week, nine years after regulations first set out the province’s intention to manage drainage. It appears stakeholders involved in the consultations on both sides of the debate aren’t happy with the final policy. Those who view drainage as a management tool say they could […] Read moreLetters to the editor – December 19, 2024
Drainage policies increase farm risk The Saskatchewan government has released its midterm financial update, and it isn’t good news, with a deficit of $743 million, twice that of what was projected. The main reason? Higher crop insurance payouts because a hot July dried out fields and reduced crop yields. The minister of finance is quoted […] Read more
PTx Trimble introduces new technology
WM-FieldForm allows for mapping and implement control with new displays that have faster auto-design features
PTx Trimble, now a part of Agco, introduced a new digital system in mid-November for creating topographical field maps, drainage plans and the necessary software and hardware to control implements to carry out those plans. WM-FieldForm is capable of controlling a single scraper to shape field surfaces. It is the first water management system from […] Read more
Network promotes better farm drainage communication
Farmer-led initiative says producers, public need better information about how to handle too much or too little water
REGINA — A new collaboration in Saskatchewan is meant to improve communication about agricultural water. The Saskatchewan Drainage Extension Network (SK DEN) is a partnership led by farmers and farm organizations who want water better managed. Related story: Landowners struggle with unapproved drainage “When it comes to drainage management and irrigation, I think we have […] Read more
Landowners struggle with unapproved drainage
Water quality is the latest concern for one Saskatchewan downstream landowner who receives water from a large area
WAWOTA, Sask. — Lane Mountney doesn’t want his neighbours’ water. However, one quarter section of his land in southeastern Saskatchewan was designated the adequate outlet for a 28-quarter drainage project and, even though the Water Security Agency hasn’t approved the project, the water has already started to arrive. Related story: Network promotes better farm drainage […] Read more
Network aims to share drainage research and innovation
REGINA — A variety of agricultural stakeholders have formed a new provincial drainage research and extension network. The Saskatchewan Farm Stewardship Association, which promotes drainage, announced the network Sept. 10, describing it as a private sector leadership initiative and a collaboration of industry leaders and strategic advisers. The Saskatchewan Drainage Extension Network will be known […] Read more
Sask. auditor urges WSA to finalize water, wetland policies
REGINA — Saskatchewan’s provincial auditor said the Water Security Agency is making progress toward implementing recommendations made in 2018 about how it regulates agricultural drainage. However, it still hasn’t finalized its water quality and wetland retention requirements, which Tara Clemett said should be in place before drainage is approved. The auditor said there are risks […] Read more
Prairie wetland loss estimates raise questions
Wetland retention is likely much lower than the figure advertised by the Water Security Agency, say scientists
REGINA — Scientists say the Water Security Agency’s claim that 86 per cent of Saskatchewan’s wetlands remain is based on recent rather than historical data. “My understanding is that they were using baseline years around 2006,” said Colin Whitfield, associate professor at the School of Environment and Sustainability and Global Institute for Water Security at […] Read more
Sask. wetland retention number questioned
The opposition NDP claims the government is overstating the percentage of wetlands that remain intact in the province
REGINA — The opposition NDP questioned the Saskatchewan government’s wetland retention last week, saying the Water Security Agency is advertising false numbers. Erika Ritchie, MLA for Saskatoon Nutana, said the agency is using public money to publish ads claiming that 86 per cent of the province’s wetlands are undrained. “If only that were true,” she […] Read more
