Serving the producers of the Northwest
FARMER North Battleford, Saskatchewan
RancheR
Thursday, March 28, 2019
PREPARE FOR SPRING WITH EARLY FUEL DELIVERY
Take advantage of a great opportunity to get a head start in your spring farming operations. Customers who purchase dyed CO-OP® Premium Diesel for early delivery will be placed on delayed billing.
Agriculture spending up with provincial budget for 2019
DISCOVERY
AGRO CENTRE & CARDLOCK
906 Battleford Road • North Battleford 306-446-7272
Let Sleeping Sundogs Lie
No one overjoyed, but some are ‘happy’ Staff Some agricultural organizations with ties to the region are satisfied with the recent provincial budget. Agriculture makes up six per cent of the budget’s expenses at $841 million. According to the budget, this is a $70.6 million increase compared with last year. Health spending is the province’s largest expense at $5.89 billion, followed by education at $3.28 billion. The budget says the increase in agriculture spending is due to reasons that include higher budgeted crop insurance indemnities and an increase in AgriStability payments. According to a press release, “the 2019-20 Budget contains $271.9 million to fully fund business risk management programs offered under the federalprovincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), including Crop Insurance, AgriStability, AgriInvest and Western Livestock Price Insurance.” In 2019, the government anticipates approximately 30 million acres to be insured
under crop insurance. The Crop Insurance program, according to the government, will see higher coverage on tame and native grazing land “to better reflect the losses producers experience during a shortfall in forage production.” The government is also spending money on agricultural research, and will continue supporting agricultural organizations such as 4-H and Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan. The Western Canadian Wheat Growers were “pleased” with the provincial budget. In a release, Director Daryl Fransoo said the organization doesn’t believe “we need more and more funding from government.” “We need a government that will fight for us and has the proper rules and regulations in place that allows us to remain competitive on the international level.” Fransoo also praised the provincial government for opposing the carbon tax and adding no new tax increases. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, meanwhile,
was “generally satisfied.” APAS President Todd Lewis was pleased to see the budget preserved programs such as crop insurance and agricultural research, and that the government re-instated funding for rat control. Lewis cautioned that current trade, price and production risks and carbon tax could affect producers negatively. Lewis also said he was concerned about canola and pulse crops. “While we appreciate the level of support for crop and livestock insurance, there is a risk that producers may not be adequately covered due to the low level of enrolment in AgriStability,” Lewis said. Recent changes to Agri-Stability weren’t well understood, Lewis said, and “recommended that producers may not be adequately covered due to the low level of enrolment in AgriStalibity. To protect from unexpected economic or production problems, Lewis said APAS members feel the need for a thorough review of Business Risk Management programs.
Photographer Louise Lundberg of the Livelong area caught this sundog not long ago. Did it signal the change from bitter to balmy weather? Photo by Louise Lundberg
Sunrooms
Built in The Battlefords . . . for over 45 years. • In Home Consultations • Professional Installation • Maintenance Free • Energy Efficient • High Performance Low E Argon
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2492 - 98 Street North Battleford - Across from Bridges Chevrolet 306-445-8867 TOLL FREE: 1-888-445-8867 www.fortresswindows.ca