Estevan

Administrators say federal government needs to build more trust into the Advance Payment Program

Administrators of the Advance Payments Program say Ottawa should stop treating farmers as if they are going to default on repayments.

They said the application process should be streamlined and the program made simpler and more consistent.

Dave Gallant, vice-president of finance and APP operations at the Canadian Canola Growers Association, said the CCGA administers about $2.5 billion in advances each year on behalf of the federal government.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service says it's dealing with a growing number of immigration security screening requests — and immigration lawyers say their clients are coping with long delays as a result.

The intelligence agency says in its latest annual report it received over 538,000 screening requests from immigration and border officials in 2024. The agency began to see a significant increase in requests in 2023, when it received over 493,200 requests. Before that, CSIS received roughly 300,000 security screening requests annually over the previous five years.

With harvest approaching, farmers will want to start thinking about pre-harvest intervals (PHI) before applying any pesticides and or fungicides to the crop.

The PHI refers to the minimum number of days between a pesticide application and swathing or straight combining of a crop and reflects the time required for pesticides to break down after being applied.

Saskatchewan Open Farm Days runs August 9th and 10th, and is organized by Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan.

Event Coordinator Ashley Stone says agriculture is one of the biggest industries in the province, and the overall goal is to bring people together to get a better idea about life on the farm and where our food comes from. 

She notes this year they have 34 hosts participating from across the province.

Research finds agriculture waste could be transformed into biogas and fertilizer using bacteria-based techonology

Canadian farms could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while generating renewable energy by converting agricultural waste into biogas, a McGill University doctoral student says.

Anjaly Paul said anaerobic digestion could transform livestock manure and crop residues that would otherwise decompose in landfills into valuable resources.

A Saskatoon-based company has begun field trials of a replacement for granular peat inoculant.

Peat has been used for decades to inoculate crops such as peas and lentils and is a biological that provides consistent benefits, said Dave Greenshields, who founded Insight Plant Health in 2020.

However, customers are looking for a replacement, he told people attending a recent Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre field day.

Another Taste of Summer Charity BBQ event has wrapped up, with money being raised to go to a local cause, as Estevan residents come out to have lunch. This week, we were at Prairie Dawg Sales and Rentals, supporting the Estevan Early Years Family Resource Center with $1245.55 raised.

Rochelle Krahn, the program coordinator at the center, says she's thrilled to see so much support from the Estevan community.

It is with grateful yet broken hearts that our family announces the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, sister and aunt Beverley Moore on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the age of 75 years.
In keeping with Beverley’s wishes, there will be no formal service at this time.
In memory of Beverley, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Hall Funeral Services in Redvers is caring for Beverley’s family – Yvonne Clark, Funeral Director.

Challen Keenan Ashley Littlechief
Blue Otter
Arcola, Saskatchewan - August 30 1996
Calgary, Alberta - July 29 2025
Challen Littlechief, late of Calgary, Alberta passed away suddenly from a workplace accident on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at the age of 28 years.
The Wake will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the White Bear First Nations Community Hall and the Traditional Feast & Funeral Service will commence on Friday, August 8, 2025 at 11:30a.m.

The 13U AAA Estevan Brewers grasped a podium finish at provincials over the weekend as they played in Saskatoon.

The team placed 3rd out of 16 teams from across the province at Tier 1 Provincials, settling at a 3-1 record.