Cochrane

The Bank of Canada held its benchmark interest rate steady at 2.75 per cent Wednesday as policymakers keep waiting for more clarity on how tariffs will impact the economy.

“Uncertainty remains high,” Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said in prepared remarks after the release of the rate decision.

“At this decision, there was a clear consensus to hold policy unchanged as we gain more information.”

Economists and financial markets widely expected the second consecutive hold.

A Cochrane mother and son duo are once again leading the charge to raise awareness and funds for Type 1 diabetes (T1D) with the annual JDRF Breakthrough T1D Walk, set to take place Sunday, June 8 at Mitford Park.

Now in its third year, the walk began after Brodie Rosene, now a Grade 8 student, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age.

Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung says it’s increasingly clear that municipalities are largely on their own when it comes to solving local challenges.

Genung attended the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Ottawa from May 29 to June 1, joining more than 2,000 local leaders and officials from across the country.

He says Cochrane should continue to utilize what funds they obtain from federal programs, but isn't optimistic about further help with infrastructure challenges.

After a two-year absence, the CobraCats girls’ 15s rugby squad is heading back to provincials.

The Tier 1 team won the ASAA South Central Zone Championship on June 2 at the Calgary Rugby Union with a hard-fought 33–24 win over the Foothills Composite Falcons.

Assistant coach Brian Morgotch said the CobraCats surged ahead late after clinging to a narrow 24–22 lead with about eight minutes to go.

Fertilizing your forage stand is a significant investment; protect that investment by ensuring you are utilizing the appropriate source, rate, timing and placement of fertilizer. This is known as the 4R’s of forage fertility.

The following considerations should be incorporated into your fertility plan:

Ideally, soil sample in the spring, at the beginning of the growing season, to assess initial soil fertility. Then use the results to create a fertilizer blend that also takes into consideration the targeted yield.

Proposed federal legislation would give authorities new powers to search mail, make it easier for officials to pause or cancel immigration applications and expand the Canadian Coast Guard’s role to include security activities.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree introduced the Strong Borders Act in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

The government says the wide-ranging, 127-page bill aims to keep borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and crack down on money laundering.

Canada's tourism industry might be in for a boost as Canadians boycott the United States and spend their travel dollars closer to home this year.

In a report released May 29, the Conference Board of Canada estimates the net economic benefit for the domestic tourism sector could be as high as $8.8 billion.

The think tank said its April travel intentions survey suggests roughly 27 per cent of Canadian respondents are considering a trip to the U.S. in the next few years - down from more than 50 per cent in the same survey last November.

Farmers are winding down their seeding operations in Manitoba

Cereal Specialist Anne Kirk put together this week's crop report and says provincially 95 per cent of the crop is now in the ground.

Ag in Motion showcases the latest advancements in agricultural technology and equipment, and brings together farmers, industry leaders and ag experts from across Canada. 

The show takes place every July near Langham, Saskatchewan, and is Western Canada’s largest outdoor farm expo. Find out more information about this three-day farm show here or visit the Ag in Motion news feed on The Western Producer's website.

Testing ground and surface water sources can help determine if there are contaminants present that can affect animal health and production. In Saskatchewan, common contaminants include sulfate, sodium, nitrate, and iron. Stagnant surface water sources that experience nutrient-loading may be susceptible to blue-green algae, which can produce toxins that are unsafe for livestock.