THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016
VOL. 94 | NO. 18 | $4.25
FAMILY’S TAKING PULSE | ONE LOVE FOR LENTILS
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SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923
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WHAT A CRAPPY TIME TO GET A FLAT TIRE
John Neufeld replaces a flat tire on one of his manure spreaders. His company was loading and spreading solid manure at a dairy farm east of Osler, Sask., April 21. | WILLIAM DEKAY PHOTO
OIL & GAS
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Farmers should refuse to accept lower lease payments from oil companies, says advocacy group BY BARB GLEN LETHBRIDGE BUREAU
There was $1,200 missing from the lease fee cheque Verna Phippen received this year from the energy company that has leases on her land. The Pigeon Lake, Alta., landowner filed a claim with the Alberta Surface Rights Board to obtain the balance of
the fee owed according to her lease agreement, but she isn’t holding her breath for a quick payment. “I know of people that have been waiting a couple years and have yet to get their cheque even though the Surface Rights Board has recommended to the minister (of finance) that they be paid out of general revenues,” said Phippen. Her situation may become com-
monplace, as the beleaguered Alberta oil and gas industry seeks to cut costs amid a pricing slump that is affecting almost all sectors of the economy. More than one energy company ha s a s k e d f a r m e r s t o a c c e p t reduced lease payments, which are designed to compensate them for adverse effect on their land and inconvenience resulting from the
presence of wells and pipelines on their property. They should refuse those requests, said Ronald Huvenaars, a farmer from Hays, Alta., who is chair of Action Surface Rights (ASR), an advocacy group formed to help landowners deal with energy companies. SEE LOSING ON LEASES, PAGE 4
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HOW PLANTS RESPOND TO DROUGHT | PAGE 60 FEWER ACRES FOR SALE. HERE’S WHY | PAGE 68 Detective work
Sowing Seeds
Producers experiencing lamb deaths should know how to get to the bottom of the problem. | Page 64
Our new gardening columnist welcomes the growing season. | Page 24
MAY 5, 2016 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Box 2500, Stn. Main, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4 The Western Producer is published in Saskatoon by Western Producer Publications, which is owned by GVIC Communications Corp. Publisher: Shaun Jessome Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240
Landowners losing on leases