A4 Friday, April 14, 2017 - The Times
Agricultural Outlook shows strength in the sector, economy
Spring runoff is underway across the province
Photo by Greg Nikkel
A flock of geese and ducks fly off a dugout where they were looking for nesting opportunities. With spring runoff underway, the Water Security Agency is advising the public of the potential for ice jams and flooding. Above normal snowfall during the month of March have increased runoff potential within east central areas of the province.
Agriculture and AgriFoods Canada announced its 2017 Canadian Agricultural Outlook. It forecasts farm income in the agricultural sector for 2016 and 2017, and looks ahead to longer term trends that could impact the agriculture sector. The report highlights key indicators in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada that show the strength of the agriculture sector and its contribution to Canada’s economy. This forecast includes input from federal and provincial sources on the outlook for farm cash receipts, expenses and net farm incomes. The report is prepared in consultation with provincial governments and Statistics Canada and can be used as a benchmark for governments and industry for future planning. Net cash income is estimated to fall by two per cent to $14.8 billion in 2016 and drop seven per cent to $13.8 billion in 2017. However, 2016 and 2017 are still expected to be the second and fourth
best years on record, respectively. Livestock receipts in Canada are expected to decrease by seven per cent in 2016 to $23.9 billion as a result of downward pressure on North American red meat prices from growing meat supplies in the U.S. with a further decline of four per cent for 2017. Crop receipts are expected to grow two per cent to $32.6 billion in 2016, and increase by a further one per cent to $32.9 billion in 2017. With lower market receipts anticipated in both forecast years, program payments are expected to make up some of the shortfall, increasing by 24 per cent in 2016 to $2.6 billion, and by a further 22 per cent in 2017 to reach $3.2 billion. Farm operating expenses are forecast to fall by about one per cent in 2016 to $44.2 billion and increase by two per cent in 2017 to $45.1 billion. The net worth of the average farm is expected to reach $2.8 million in 2017.
Cereals Canada speaks up for importance of agriculture Submitted by Cam Dahl president of Cereals Canada There are some organizations that don’t like modern agriculture. I really don’t understand why. My personal hero is Dr. Norman Borlaug who led the “green revolution”, which lifted millions of people out of poverty and provided food for millions more who would have otherwise starved. The “green revolution” and the many innovations that have followed are the product of science. Because of this, most of us involved in agriculture tend to rely on scientific arguments to counter those who want to shut down modern practices and tools. However, the language of science does not lend itself to telling our story, and agriculture has a fantastic story to tell. We need to adjust our approach. We can’t dismiss those who want to turn back the clock just because we might not understand them. Campaigns aimed at eliminating crop protection products like glyphosate, or inputs like fertilizer, are tapping into an emotional appeal that is real and is driving consumers. Pulling out science to say “you’re wrong” does give some personal satisfaction. However, the approach does
provide little to counter the activists. Instead, we too need to reach beyond just science and talk to consumers in their day-to-day life. To do this we need to stand up and talk about what agriculture has delivered. A Monty Python bit asked “what have the Romans ever done for us?” To paraphrase, what has modern farming done for us? Well there is all this food of course. The developed world spends less time and energy putting food on the table than any other group of people in the history of the planet. Food has never been safer or cheaper. Activists say we could feed the world without modern agricultural practices. But reverting to the time before Dr. Borlaug would mean less, but more expensive food, and greater hunger for many that have abundance today. Agriculture should stand up and be proud of the food that we deliver. But what about the environment? Isn’t all this food coming at an environmental price that future generations will have to pay? Well no, actually. Here too agriculture needs to stand up and be proud of our sustainability record. What does sustainability mean to you? To me, it means
2017 ASSESSMENT ROLL
R.M. of Excel #71
RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF WILLOW BUNCH NO. 42
Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll of the Rural Municipality of Willow Bunch No. 42 for the year 2017 has been prepared and is open for inspection at the office of the assessor of the municipality from 8:00a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, from April 13th, 2017 to June 12th, 2017. A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.
Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll of the Rural Municipality of Excel No. 71 for the year 2017 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the Assessor, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, April 13, 2017 to June 16, 2017. A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.
Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal, accompanied by a $100 appeal fee which will be returned if the appeal is successful, with: The Assessor, R.M. of Willow Bunch No. 42, Box 220, Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, SOH 4KO by the 12th day of June 2017.
Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal along with the appeal fee of $30.00 per parcel to: The Assessor, R.M. of Excel, Box 100, Viceroy, Sk. S0H 4H0, by the 16th day of June, 2017.
Dated at Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan this 14th day of April 2017.
Dated at Viceroy, Saskatchewan, April 13, 2017.
Sharleine Eger Assessor
Sheri-lyn Simpson Assessor
growing food in a way that gives a good living to farmers and leaves the land and water in better shape for those who will be farming after us. Canadian farmers are doing just that. Did you know that in the last twenty years the amount of fuel used to produce a tonne of wheat has gone down by 39 per cent? At the same time, farmers are producing more grain from every acre of land. This is an incredible story, especially in a time when governments around the world are searching for policies and programs to reduce energy use. Every year Canadian farmers are increasing soil organic matter. Why does this matter? Because every bit of that increase in soil organic matter is sequestered carbon. Farmers are locking away carbon while improving soil health. They do this without any government regulations forcing them to action. How many sectors of the economy can say this? Modern agriculture is also reducing soil erosion. Google “1930s dust storms” to get a picture of the environmental impact of farming the old way. Saskatchewan does not blow into Ontario anymore and we have modern agriculture to thank. This is a good news story that we should be shouting from the rooftops. Who should be telling this story? Our best spokespeople are the farmers themselves. Producers are trusted by consumers. The public wants to know why farmers do what they do. And the interest is genuine. Why do you treat your seeds to protect your crop against insect infestations? What would it mean to the sustainability of your farm if these pesticides weren’t used? How has glyphosate facilitated conservation tillage? What does this mean to the health of your soils and the water around you? Why do you test the fertility of your land and how does this contribute to more efficient nutrient use? Reaching out to our customers and consumers and telling your good news story should now be part of every farm’s business plan. If you (and we) are not telling our great story, there are others who will speak for agriculture. And they may not like what you do. Some want to take away modern farming tools. By proudly standing up and speaking up, we will not only preserve the gains of the past but help drive forward to a more sustainable and profitable future. Social media gives farmers an outlet to tell their story, an outlet that did not exist just a few years ago. This should become a tool as familiar on the farm as a tractor.
The Times - Friday, April 14, 2017 A9
Easter Egg Hunt held in Centennial Park Dozens of children streamed across the fresh spring grass in search of Easter eggs at Centennial Park in Assiniboia on Saturday, April 8. The Community Easter Egg Hunt took place with over 70 families and children in attendance. It was a free event sponsored by the Kinette Club of Assiniboia. They previously held fundraisers like the Children’s Ball in March, which supported the Easter Egg Hunt. Four different groups of children hunted for eggs which they exchanged for prizes. Christians in Assiniboia and surrounding communities will be celebrating Easter on Sunday, April 16. This year, it is a rare occasion when Eastern and Western Christians worldwide mark the biggest feast day at the same time on their calendar. The two branches of the Christian Church calculate the date of Easter differently because they follow different calendar systems. In Assiniboia, a Good Friday community service takes place on Friday, April 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Assiniboia Alliance Church, followed by the Public Stations of the Cross which takes place at 12 noon along the streets of Fifth and Sixth Avenue. Participants will gather at the assembly area at St. George’s Church. According to church tradition, this event re-enacts the suffering of Jesus Christ before His crucifixion. The event is sponsored by St. George’s parish, St. Ignace parish council, St. Louis parish council, the Catholic Women’s League and the Knights of Columbus. Following the procession, the “Veneration of the Cross” service will be held at St. George’s Church at 3 p.m.
Photo by Marusia Kaweski
Southeast College and SaskPower team up for training The Southeast College has teamed up with SaskPower to offer power engineering training to meet labour market demand. The program graduates its first cohort of students in May. The two have partnered to provide an unique full time 4th Class Power Engineering course with instruction based at the Poplar River Power Station located near Coronach. “Students of this program are receiving an enriched learning experience that is beyond our original expectations,” says Ron Powell who is the instructor for the 4th Class Power Engineering course. Sheena Onrait, Southeast College’s marketing and communications manager, stated that this was the first year that the course is taking place on site at Poplar River Power Plant. The course is certified by the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan. She added that the first class of twelve students began their studies in Fall 2016 and are due to graduate in May 2017. The college is now accepting applications for the next course beginning in Fall 2017. The college offers scholarships to students and the Town of Coronach has worked with students to provide affordable hous-
Power Engineering course held near Coronach
Photo submitted by the Southeast College
The first group of students in the 4th Class Power Engineering course with their instructor gather at the Poplar River Power Station located near Coronach. The program is a partnership between Southeast College and SaskPower. The class graduates in May. ing, she added. “It’s an enhanced learned experience,” Onrait described the program. The college and SaskPower sat down back in May 2015 to discuss offering a full time 4th Class Power Engineering course out of the Poplar River Power Station. This unique partnership is aimed at meeting the needs of both learn-
TOWN OF MOSSBANK ASSESSMENT ROLL 2017
ers and employers in Saskatchewan. SaskPower renovated a classroom in the plant that provides the students with in-class instruction as well as access to the main power plant as a “learning lab”. “The main goal was to reinforce the book and electronic learning with inspection and demonstra-
tion of the real processes,” says Ron Powell, 4th Class Power Engineering Instructor. “What has actually transpired is extensive hands-on training within the power plant and exposure to a multitude of theory applications.” Onrait explains that Southeast College has worked to provide in-
2017 ASSESSMENT ROLL RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF WAVERLEY NO. 44
novative and flexible programming that will allow students to learn where they live. “Opportunities for innovative programming like this are made possible by forming strategic partnerships such as this one with SaskPower,” said Dion McGrath, President and
CEO of Southeast College. “Our learners are being provided a very unique opportunity that few others in the province have the ability to experience.” “Poplar River and SaskPower are very excited about our partnership with Southeast College. It not only provides the students an opportunity to start a career in an exciting field but it also gives them immediate and real life exposure to the equipment and facilities they could possibly be working in,” said Trevor Barrett, director of the Poplar River Power Station. SaskPower also benefits from the program by helping to train potential employees. “It is also an excellent recruitment opportunity for Poplar River and SaskPower to get to know these students and perhaps recruit them for future positions with the company once they have completed their studies,” Barrett added. Onrait says that the College has partnered with the community in other fields to create a true community college. They’ve partnered with SaskTel on a communications program in Estevan, and on a crop science praying project in Moosomin.
RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF LAKE OF THE RIVERS NO. 72
2017 ASSESSMENT ROLL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Assessment Roll for the R.M. of Lake of The Rivers No. 72 for the year 2017 has been prepared and is open to Inspection in the Office of the Assessor from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. on the following days: Tuesday to Friday, April 13 to June 16, 2017.
Notice is hereby given that the Assessment Roll for the Town of Mossbank for the year 2017 has been prepared and is now open to inspection in the Office of the Assessor from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the following days: Monday to Friday, April 12th to June 12th, 2017 (excluding public holidays).
Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll of the Rural Municipality of Waverley No. 44 for the year 2017 has been prepared and is open for inspection at the office of the Administrator of the municipality from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, from April 14th, 2017 to June 16th, 2017.
A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.
A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.
Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal with: The Assessor, Town of Mossbank, P.O. Box 370, Mossbank, SK S0H 3G0, by the 12th day of June, 2017.
Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal with: The Assessor, R.M. of Waverley No. 44, Box 70, Glentworth, Saskatchewan, SOH 1V0 by the 16th day of June, 2017.
Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal, accompanied by a $100.00 appeal fee for each assessment being appealed to: The Assessor, R.M. of Lake of The Rivers, Box 610, Assiniboia, SK. S0H 0B0, by the 16th day of June, 2017.
Dated at Mossbank, Saskatchewan this 12th day of April, 2017.
Dated at Glentworth, Saskatchewan, April 14th, 2017.
Dated at Assiniboia this 13th day of April, 2017.
Chris Costley Assessor
Deidre Nelson Assessor
Ellen Klein Assessor
A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.
The Times - Friday, April 14, 2017 A19
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