Agriculture

A challenging growing season, followed by a gruelling harvest. For many prairie farmers, 2016 has been a case study in the risks of crop production and a reminder of just how much is beyond the farmer’s control.

On the eve of both provincial and federal budgets there is of course lots of requests being thrown around from groups of all stripes. There is never a shortage of ‘wants’ in terms of government spending.

Canada’s 150th anniversary is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the historical role of farmers in growing our nation.

Farming continues to be a crucial part of Saskatchewan living, but the number of people who can assist in that part of life are drastically decreasing.

Saskatchewan residents generously gave over the winter season to support food banks across the province thanks to a fundraiser organized by PotashCorp.

Both new coin collectors and experts will be excited by new keepsakes for Canada’s anniversary.

Saskatchewan producers will now be required to take part in a program to prevent the spread of animal diseases. The Government of Saskatchewan announced changes to Saskatchewan’s Premises Identification (PID) program on January 12.

Increasing acres is not the only way to increase farm profitability. At least that was the contention of speaker Kevin Hursh who spoke Monday at a seminar in Yorkton hosted by Farm Credit Canada.

Commodity markets look to have bottomed out, but don’t expect a massive price rebound anytime soon. That was the cautious message agricultural producers heard from John DePutter, founder and President of DePutter Publishing Ltd.

The Canadian Association of Farm Advisors are looking to re-establish a chapter in the parkland area, holding a meeting toward that goal last week in Yorkton.