Dylan Fiessel

Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a pause on the consumer carbon levy for April 1st. With gas stations switching over to summer fuel, a pause on the consumer levy, an expected federal election end of April, U.S. tariffs set to implement April 2nd, and a possible ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine; there has never been a more tumultuous month ahead for gas prices.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, says he’s never seen so many factors at play. 

U.S. president Donald Trump announced he has postponed the 25% implementation of widespread tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico until March 4th. These tariffs would have economic impacts on a variety of industries, including canola. The canola industry in massive in terms of supporting Canadian agriculture, with the economic activity accounting for over $43.5 billion a year. Chris Davison, President and CEO of the Canola Council of Canada, reiterates just how impactful this industry truly is and how important trade relations between Canada & the United States are. 

The 2024 calendar year was an interesting one within agriculture for farmers in the southeast, and in Saskatchewan as a whole. Multiple drought years previously had brought uncertainty heading into the 2024 winter regarding moisture levels for spring as snow was not abundant. Thankfully, some choice snow and rain events in late Winter and into Spring helped shape optimism for the growing year.

Campaigning for the provincial election is in full swing here in Saskatchewan, with many topics on the minds of voters as they cast their ballots later on this month. One of the biggest issues facing voters is housing availability and affordability.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada released their Canadian Drought Monitor Map earlier this month, painting an expected picture of drought conditions throughout Canada, including here in southeast Saskatchewan. 

Amy Woodard just south of Colgate, Saskatchewan was today's winner of our Great Plains Ford Grain Rush. We were able to take some delicious KFC out to their field and enjoy the sunny weather.  

They are halfway completed harvest and are currently working on combining the last few crops including wheat, durum, and chickpeas.  

Braden Birnie is a former Weyburn Red Wings captain and is now in his third year of Division 1 NCAA college hockey with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. The Weyburn native spent his minor hockey days playing for the U15 and U18 AA Weyburn Wings, then one year with the Regina Pat Canadians U18 AAA team before joining the Red Wings for 2 and a half years. Now playing in his third year in Alaska, transitions are never easy in hockey. 

The Saskatchewan Big Game Draw and regular hunting licenses became available for purchase yesterday. Licenses can be purchased either in person, over the phone, or through the Government of Saskatchewan’s online Hunting, Angling, and Trapping online system.