Estevan

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency updated the province's residents yesterday on the currently ongoing wildfire season, as crews are working to get a number of those contained. Currently, Saskatchewan has seen 205 wildfires year to date, with 21 of those currently active across the province.

The year-to-date number is much higher than last year, which was 165, with the five-year average much lower at 124.

Steve Roberts, Vice President of Operations for the SPSA, says the numbers mean there's a lot of work to be done by their crews.

Wheat prices would get a boost if the country’s exports remain as low as much of the trade is beginning to forecast

A big debate is once again brewing about how much wheat the world’s leading exporter will ship out in the upcoming crop year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting Russia will produce 83 million tonnes of the crop and export 45 million tonnes.

SovEcon is forecasting 81 million tonnes of production and 39.7 million tonnes of exports.

Seed N Feed is helping keep farmers fueled this season, even as wet conditions have caused some delays.

Walter Neuman of Neuman Acres Ltd. said seeding started off well, though they were waiting for things to dry up in early May. Several days of rain also led to issues with potholes.

Neuman has been farming since 1986, with help from Brad Lopey and his father. His brother also pitches in during harvest and drives the grain truck, along with occasional seasonal helpers.

Future Four Farms was another lucky winner of Seed N Feed.

As crops begin to emerge across the Prairies, farmers are being reminded to regularly scout their fields for insect activity. Dr. Meghan Vankosky, a field crop entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, emphasizes the importance of vigilance, particularly concerning grasshoppers.

The Southeast Homeschool community took advantage of sunny weather this week to host its second annual track and field meet, drawing students from across the region.

The event, now in its second year, saw significant growth in participation, with attendance rising from about 85 students last year to approximately 115 this year. Students from Estevan, Weyburn, Radville and surrounding areas took part.

The Estevan Police Service responded to a range of incidents over a two-day period, including assaults, a theft, public intoxication, and traffic complaints.

Officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the central part of the city on May 26. The investigation determined that a male suspect, who had left the scene before police arrived, was to be arrested for assault. The nightshift later located and arrested the man. He was released with conditions and will appear in Estevan Provincial Court at a later date.

The Macoun Evangelical Missionary Church (MEMC) is hitting the green for a good cause, hosting the first annual Curtis Fehr Memorial Golf Tournament in support of two nearby Bible camps.  

The event has been held annually for several years; however, this is the first year the name will honour Curtis Fehr, a significant member of the congregation who passed away tragically last year. 

Event organizer and MEMC Pastor Charlie Bowen explains the change was suggested by his wife, Darlene Bowen, because of Fehr and his wife Jessie’s annual dedication to the event.  

The seeding season is coming to a close as southeast farms have made it through in decent time over the past couple of months. With over 90 per cent of the crop in the ground, producers are expected to be finished up soon, possibly even before June rolls around.

Alameda-area agrologist Edgar Hammermeister talks about how the southeast has fared while farmers were getting seeding done.

An energy company operating in Saskatchewan and Manitoba is selling off a number of its assets as they've entered into an agreement for the sale.

Vermilion Energy Inc. is selling off its Saskatchewan and Manitoba assets for cash proceeds of $415 million to an unnamed buyer. With the help of the sale, Vermillion is hoping to lower their current net debt to $1.5 billion by the end of the year.

Focusing on the Future is the theme for the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Annual General Meeting and Convention next month in Moose Jaw.

This year’s theme celebrates the resilience, innovation, and leadership of Saskatchewan’s livestock producers while tackling key industry challenges and opportunities.

President Jeff Yorga says after some challenging times, producers are finally seeing some optimism in the cattle industry.