The Canadian government has announced a new livestock tax deferral program which covers some, but not all, major cattle areas within the country. Although both the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) and the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA) agree it’s a good start, neither believe it will cover everyone who needs the program. “Livestock producers… Read more »
Tag: APAS
Saskatchewan agriculture associations collaborate to urge re-evaluation of strychnine
The 90-day consultation period regarding access to strychnine for rodent control in Canadian fields is drawing to a close. Back in July, Health Canada proposed the de-registration of the chemical, often used to curb rodent population in farmers fields as the department found the chemical was also causing harm to species-at-risk, such as the swift fox and the burrowing… Read more »
APAS calls for tax deferral program ASAP
The time is now for the federal government to take action and help livestock producers affected by dry conditions with a tax deferral program, according to Todd Lewis, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS). Lewis notes feed shortages are top of mind for most producers and there’s plenty of uncertainty right now if… Read more »
Transport minister accepts Senate’s grain-related amendments to Bill C-49
The scoop: Transport Minister Marc Garneau has decided to accept the Senate’s main grain-related amendments to Bill C-49 — the government’s long-awaited transportation legislation. Farm groups are applauding the minister’s decision, while urging MPs and Senators to agree on the amendments and to pass the bill before the summer break. The story: Farm groups are… Read more »
Sask. producers applaud province for taking federal carbon tax to court
The issue: The Saskatchewan government filed a reference question in the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal on Wednesday asking the court whether the federal carbon pricing legislation violates the Constitution. Farm groups, who have supported the Saskatchewan government’s opposition to the carbon tax, are welcoming the court challenge. Why does it matter? Saskatchewan is currently the… Read more »
Railways should pay demurrage fees, says APAS president
The president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan says railways should have to cover the cost of having ships wait in port for delayed grain shipments. Todd Lewis has written a letter to Transport Minister Marc Garneau and Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay calling for CN and CP to pay demurrage charges caused by rail… Read more »
Putting yourself out there — ag policy and the under 40 crowd
Time away from the farm is important for so many reasons, even if it can be a challenge to make it work. Whether it’s continuing your education, getting some much needed downtime, or speaking up for changes to your sector, there’s a whole other world away from the farm that can offer real value back,… Read more »
Saskatchewan farm groups applaud province’s climate change strategy
Farm groups were quick to show their support as Saskatchewan Environment Minister Dustin Duncan unveiled his government’s “Made-in-Saskatchewan Climate Change Strategy” on Monday. The province says the plan is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change, without implementing a carbon tax. (Download the strategy text by clicking here.) “This plan is broader… Read more »
APAS young farmers looking to break mental health stigma
Mental health has been in the agriculture spotlight lately, with a push to break the stigma that often surrounds mental health. And the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan’s Young Agricultural Producers (or YAP) committee is hoping to keep the conversation going. Danny Ottenbreit, southeast Saskatchewan farmer and co-chair of the YAP committee, was in the… Read more »
Farmers, researchers discussing how carbon policy can recognize ag’s contributions
Farmers, researchers and government policy people are in Saskatoon today for the Prairie Agriculture Carbon Summit, hosted by the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan. As APAS president Todd Lewis explains in the interview below, the intent of the conference is to drive a conversation about the role farm practices have in reducing greenhouse gas emissions… Read more »
When the Prime Minister Visits Your Farm…
Todd Lewis found himself at the end of the driveway on his family’s farm near Gray, Sask., this week watching a motorcade pull up. Among the people climbing out of the vehicles parked along the gravel road was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — a rare visit to a farm by a sitting prime minister. Accompanying him were Agriculture… Read more »
PST Changes to Raise Sask. Farmers’ Insurance Costs
Saskatchewan’s new provincial budget will cost farmers an average of $2 per acre, according to calculations by the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS). While there’s been a fair bit of discussion about the province reducing exemptions on farm fuel and the impact that will have, there hasn’t been as much talk about how the… Read more »
Lewis Elected APAS President
A farmer from Gray, Saskatchewan, has been elected president of the province’s general farm group. Todd Lewis was chosen to lead the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan at the organization’s annual general meeting in Regina this week. He replaces Norm Hall of Wynyard, who stepped down after five years as president. Hall and Ian Boxall… Read more »
Transportation Act Recommendations Seen as a Mix of Positives, Red Flags and Vague Wording
Back in the winter of 2013-14 when Western Canada’s grain industry was bogged down in a massive rail backlog, the upcoming review of the Canada Transportation Act was viewed as an opportunity to improve the way the rail system moves grain. The review process began in May of 2014 and the final report written by… Read more »
Proactive Measures Could Mitigate Impact of Dryness on Cattle Numbers, Suggests APAS
As dry conditions take a toll on pastures and hay land in much of western Canada, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan is calling on the provincial government to take steps to mitigate a possible feed shortage. “With the weather pattern we are facing right now, livestock production will clearly decline given the feed and water… Read more »