WestCentral

The Municipal District of Taber administers public land that had been previously turned over to it by the Alberta government.

Alberta municipal leaders are eyeing the Municipal District of Taber as it grapples with striking the right balance between stewardship and the responsibility of raising an appropriate amount of revenue for its agricultural lands on behalf of ratepayers.

BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada recently announced the 12 organizations that will each receive a portion of the $160,000 Growing Home with BASF prize fund. 

Following a competitive public voting period, the first, second, and third-place winners have been determined for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.

Organizations that finish in first place will receive a $25,000 donation and have the opportunity to celebrate their win with the local community; second place will receive $10,000, and third place will receive $5,000. 

Land grant universities mainly handle extension work in the United States; in Canada, it’s described as more of a ‘mish-mash’

WINNIPEG — Canada’s system of getting the latest and most useful information to farmers is very different from what happens in the United States.

South of the border, there are more than 200 land grant universities across the U.S.

All universities teach students and do research, but land grant universities have a third mission — extension.

BATTLEFORDS, Sask. — RCMP are investigating two incidents that occurred around the same time Thursday morning on Highway 4, including a serious rollover and a reported firearm discharge.

Battlefords RCMP responded to a call around 9 a.m. on May 15 about a single-vehicle rollover near the Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation and Red Pheasant Cree Nation.

Four people were taken to hospital. Police say two sustained serious injuries, while the other two were treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening.

WARMAN, Sask. — Saskatchewan RCMP are renewing a public appeal for information in a sexual offence investigation after releasing an updated suspect sketch.

RCMP say the investigation stems from a disturbing incident reported on May 9 at a business just off Highway 762, south of Saskatoon. Police allege an unknown adult male lured a child under the age of six to a secluded area of the property and exposed himself. The offence was interrupted by the child’s family, and the suspect fled on foot into a nearby wooded area.

The child was not physically harmed, police said.

SASKATOON — Canada’s two national railways are about to enter a stretch of prolonged labour peace with the major unions representing their workers.

“It’s a period of calm,” said Mark Hemmes, president of Quorum Corp., which is Canada’s grain monitor.

“It’s satisfying to know that at least we’re going to have a couple of years of grace where we don’t have to worry about (work stoppages).”

With the Victoria Day long weekend marking the unofficial start of construction season, the Government of Saskatchewan is reminding drivers to use caution and reduce their speed in work zones.

"Road and utility workers, first responders, tow truck operators and many other are all working for you on and near our highways, streets and roads," said Highways Minister David Marit. "We ask all motorists to slow down, follow the signs and respect flag persons no matter where their summer travels take them. We want everyone to get home safely."

Municipalities across Saskatchewan will now have year-round access to a key funding program that supports regional collaboration and community development.

The Saskatchewan government has announced that applications for the Targeted Sector Support (TSS) Initiative are now being accepted on a continual basis, with reviews conducted monthly. The change eliminates deadlines and is expected to encourage more municipalities to apply for funding in partnership with neighbouring communities.

The program supports four agricultural societies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba by awarding $10,000 grants each to projects that support rural communities.
 
Garrett Ganden, President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Equipment, says they take pride in being embedded in rural communities in Western Canada.

Last year’s grant recipients were:

The Forestburg Ag Society in Northern Alberta, which received a credit towards a Case IH Farmall tractor to groom its indoor riding arena used for barrel racing and rodeo practice

Another case of avian influenza has been detected, this time in Alberta in a non-commercial, non-poultry flock in Leduc County. 

The premise is under CFIA quarantine and subject to restrictions, bringing the total number of AI cases in Alberta now to two.

Two cases have been found in Manitoba, three in Saskatchewan, and three in British Columbia, including an ostrich farm.

There are now 19 premises across Canada infected with AI.

Numerous countries are dealing with avian influenza.