The community of Radville has suffered the loss of a major historic structure, the Long Creek Saloon on Main Street in a fire on Sunday night.
Fire crews were called to the scene around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, and worked through the night but were not able to save the bar or the restaurant next door.
The lone occupant of the building, who lived and worked at the saloon, was able to escape unharmed, but he lost everything in the fire.
The Radville Fire Department was assisted by the Ceylon fire depart -
ment, along with a number of water trucks that were brought to to the scene.
In 2022 fire destroyed the town hall – they only recently rebuilt that structure and officially opened it – now an iconic bar and restaurant in the community are gone.
A gofundme page has been set up for Aryan Sharma, as well as a trust fund at Radville’s Radius Credit Union, to help him out. Donations can also be sent to christasaffery@gmail.com.
It served as one of the longest running establishments in the area.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Blaze levels Radville saloon
Radville fire fighters worked overnight Sunday into Monday morning, as a fire destroyed the Long Creek Saloon on Main Street. The lone occupant was able to escape without injury, and the cause of the fire is not yet known.
Photo – courtesy Paul Saffery
By David Willberg
In recent years, Midale has become synonymous with activities for the Saskatchewan Day long weekend.
The community will once again have a host of events lined up from Aug. 2-4, starting with the Midale Rodeo Association’s 16th annual Bull Bash on Friday, Aug. 2. Then the Souris Valley Antique Association (SVAA) will have its 58th annual Pioneer Echoes weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3 and 4.
For the bull bash on Aug. 2, gates open at the Midale rodeo grounds at 5 p.m., and there will be beer gardens and four food booths.
The bull bash will begin at 7 p.m. Mutton busting and wild pony rides are also scheduled. At 9:30 p.m., there will be an adults-only cabaret featuring Crossroads.
Committee member
Adam Carlson said the event typically attracts a large crowd, with over 1,000 people attending last year. Spectators are treated to a highly-competitive event put on by Crossfire Bull Riding productions. The athletes are part of Bull Riders Canada and it is dually-approved by the Canadian Cowboys’ Association.
“We have lots of riders coming from all over, mostly Saskatchewan and Manitoba guys,” said Carlson.
Aaron Roy, a wellknown bull rider from Yellow Grass, is expected to compete. Some riders from Brazil are also expected to be in Midale. The top six riders who enter the short go will be auctioned off in a Calcutta for later in the evening.
“Everyone enjoys coming to our facility. Our facility has grown every year
and we’re doing more additions to it to make it better each year,” said Carlson. “Hopefully it brings the competitors and the fans, and they enjoy it with the upgrades that we’re doing to make it enjoyable for everyone, and a safe environment as well.”
Carlson said they’re very happy with the support of the sponsors and the volunteers, as the association wouldn’t be able to host these events without them.
The Pioneer Echoes will kick off at 7 a.m. on Aug. 3 and 4 with a pancake breakfast at Midale’s downtown museum on Main Street.
There will be a ranch rodeo and food booths at the rodeo grounds at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3. Carlson said events will include ranch sorting and loading, calf branding, doctoring, wild cow milking and a bonus event. A chicken
scramble will take place for kids. Teams are still being accepted.
More information can be found on the Midale Rodeo Association’s Facebook page.
The heritage village will open at 11 a.m. both days, with a flea market, a blacksmithing demonstration and other activities happening well into the afternoon. A thresherman’s concession booth also opens at 11 a.m. each day. Beer gardens start at 1 p.m. on Aug. 3 and 11 a.m. on Aug. 4.
The antique tractor parade will be at 2 p.m. each day, and a live threshing demonstration will follow.
The Truco Trick Riders perform at 5 p.m. on Aug. 3, and Crossrooads will play at a cabaret at 8 p.m. that night.
Aug. 4 will also feature a barrel racing jackpot at 8 a.m. and team roping at
noon, both of which are organized by the rodeo association, and a church service in the heritage village at 11 a.m.
The Midale Classy Car Show and Shine will be at noon on Main Street on Aug. 4.
New for this year is a people mover that will be used to take people from the heritage village to the activities downtown.
“If you’re coming to town and you’re worried about different events happening throughout the town and how to get there, we have the means of transportation that will be running throughout the weekend,” said Ryan Swenson with the SVAA.
The idea was brought to the committee’s attention, and Swenson said it fit well with what they were trying to do.
“We’ve had a lot of people bring up the fact
that it’s hard to see everything, when, especially with our side of things, we’re spread out between Main Street Midale and the sport grounds.”
Swenson believes having the events on the August long weekend has worked out well in recent years. With harvest approaching, it’s good timing with the threshing demonstration.
“It actually started out in a field just outside of town. They had a group of guys that just threshed a little piece of land, and it’s grown into what it has today. It’s always been a harvest type of thing,” said Swenson.
The events happening during the August long weekend also have a good economic spinoff for Midale, with many people coming into the community.
“It benefits the entire town,” said Swenson.
COMMUNITY
Painting figurines in art class
A class of youth painted their figurines at the Collaborative Studios on Thursday evening. The class was coordinated through the Weyburn Comp’s mental health capacity building program, with free classes to be held through the summer months.
Nominations open for King Charles Coronation medal
Nominations have now opened for the new King Charles III Coronation Medal, for residents of Souris-Moose Mountain.
MP Robert Kitchen is taking nominations of individuals for this medal, with applications to close on Sept. 10, 2024.
To be eligible for this honour, a person must have made significant contributions to the country, province, territory, region or community, or made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
Nominations may be
emailed to Robert.Kitchen@parl.gc.ca, and must include the name, email, home address with postal code, and a summary of the person’s contributions and achievements. The summary should be a maximum of 100 words in length.
Seniors Centre holds games, activities
A number of games and activities were held at the Wheatland Seniors Centre from July 22-26, with the following results.
In Spades on July 22, first place went to Ray Boucher; Marge Schultz was second, and Erskine Sandiford came in third.
The winners of Kaiser on July 23 were Marie Marcotte and Eva Morley in first; Marge Schultz and Fay Johnston in second; and Mildred Sandiford and Coral Schindel in third.
The winners of Hi-low whist on July 24 were Ray and Connie Boucher in first; Janet Van WinKoop and Emily Zyla in second; Marge Schultz and Fay Johnston in third; and Dave Frayn and Ruth Boren in fourth.
In Thursday crib on July 25, first went to Garth White and Marlene Szczecinski; second was Ray and Connie Boucher; and third went to Cheryl Vogel and Emily Zyla.
The winners of Friday cribbage on July 26 were Marge Schultz in first; Theresa Istace in second; and Ray Boucher in third.
A Fun Cribbage Frolics event was held on July 6, attended by 22 participants. First went to Garth White; second was Marlene Szczecinski; third was Ray Boucher, and fourth was Brenda Paul. The next Fun Crib Frolic will be held on Aug. 10.
Astounded at the magic
Children’s entertainer Danny Kazam was shocked as volunteer Liam showed the coin he found in the can held by Kazam. This magic show was put on at the Weyburn Public Library on July 24 as part of the summer reading program.
Pancakes, car show at Nickle Lake Day
A variety of fun activities are in store over the long weekend at Nickle Lake Regional Park, as they host Nickle Lake Day on Saturday, Aug. 3.
The day kicks off with a free pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m.
Throughout the day there will be a show-and-shine, and a large number of vendors for the Nickle Lake Market, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a slowpitch tournament all day, and a beer
gardens open from noon to 11 p.m., with live music to be provided by Lone Rambler starting at 7 p.m. To enter the slowpitch tournament, contact Dan at 306-861-9036.
For children, there will be crafts at the Beaver Den from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a magic show at 1 p.m., and balloon sculpting from 2 to 4 p.m., along with face-painting. The Grub Shack and General Store is open at the park throughout the day.
Photo – Greg Nikkel, SaskToday.ca
Photo – Greg Nikkel, SaskToday.ca
EDITORIAL
DISCOVER YOUR SUMMER ESCAPE
Sabrina Kraft skraft@glaciermedia.ca
Summer is the perfect time to go camping. There are many regional and provincial parks nearby that offer many amenities, so you can still feel connected to your community even if you are at your campsite.
Campsite reservations usually open in the spring, and there is a new campsite reservation system for the Saskatchewan Provincial Parks, for one to check for available camping opportunities. The website also makes it easy to decide if you are pitching a tent, or parking a RV.
One can also find an accredited regional park by visiting the www. saskregionalparks.ca website. There are over 90 regional parks across the province, all developed by volunteers from the locations that surround these parks.
Isolated campsites are great if you want some peace and quiet. If you have a tent, a grassy campsite is the best option, as it is less likely to damage the material, and is also the most comfortable. Also be careful to where you place your tent, to make sure that there is no standing water, so you can decrease the chances of being pestered
by mosquitoes while camping.
It is also important to make sure you have proper wind cover, especially in Saskatchewan where it can get very windy. Choose a camping space that has some tree cover, which will also provide some shade for those hot days.
You can also visit the website for the regional and provincial park of your choice, to check out what services are offered, including water, electricity and even Wifi options. A good selection of campgrounds around the province is available at the letscamp. ca/saskatchewan website, where you can explore different options and experiences.
It is always recommended to be aware of fire restrictions when you are out camping. There are rules and regulations to using a campfire for a reason, and anything we can do to prevent any further wildfires is a good thing.
The rules of summer stay the same when you explore the great outdoors: make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, apply sunscreen as required to safeguard your skin, and of course always travel with bug spray to prevent the nuisance of bug bites. No matter where you go, or which
campsite best suites your family, they all provide a place where a person can reconnect with family, friends and nature while making memories.
For my family, these memories were created at Atton’s Lake, a regional park near Cut Knife that features a spring-fed, clear water lake with sandy beaches. My brother and his wife own a cabin, that has been in the family for four generations now. It was first built by my great-grandfather Mac Rutley, then was passed on to my grandparents, then to my mother, and now to my brother and his family.
Atton’s Lake offers plenty of fun activities, including a nine hole grass greens golf course, ball diamonds and a concession, and even a playground. There were also many areas to explore, including walking paths through the trees, and it was always a peaceful haven where we could always enjoy family time.
My core childhood memories of spending time at the cabin include learning many different card games, reading books during a stormy day, or jumping off the dock into the water to beat the heat. It was at Atton’s Lake where I learned how to waterski, and even took some summer swimming
How
to be
lessons when I was younger.
I remember the campfires, gathering with family and friends, and enjoying wiener roasts, or making bush pies, or smores. We always had freezies available, and of course all the chips and snack foods to munch on.
There was something special about gathering in the small cabin kitchen and making supper together as a family. I even remember learning how to fish at the side of my grandmother, the expert on filleting.
There was always something new to learn at the lake. We pitched in to help with renovations when they were needed, and to help beautify and improve the sleeping accommodations. Of course, I always called top bunk, when I was asked to sleep in the room with the bunk beds.
I have not spent a lot of time up at the cabin in the past few years, even though my brother tells me I always have a bed there if I want it. I have taken my son out for day trips, so he can build his own childhood memories with his cousins. For those that like to explore the province, be sure to check out the many camping options that are available. Saskatchewan is a great place to create these campsite memories.
an effective leader
By Stan Popovich
Sometimes, fear and anxiety can overwhelm us when we have to be a leader.
Being a manager requires the ability to lead people and this can cause some fear and anxiety.
As a result, here are some tips on how to not let stress and anxiety be a factor when it comes to being a leader.
1. Know your priorities: The first thing a person must understand is that you need to know what the task is that needs to be accomplished. Knowing what you must do is important and can save you a lot of time and stress. It would be a waste of time if you performed a task for a few weeks and realized that you didn’t need to channel all that energy in the wrong direction.
2. Develop a strategy: Learn to develop a plan on how to accomplish the task. Write down the steps that your team needs to complete in order to reach your goals. This will save you a lot of time in the long run and reduce your stress and anxiety.
3. Take action: Once you know what you want to accomplish, the next step is to perform the actions that are required to get the job done. If you can, try to do the more important things first. This will help get rid of the stress and anxiety of rushing at the last minute in order to meet
a deadline.
4. Communicate on a regular basis: It is important that everyone on your team is on the same wavelength. For instance, your company needs to develop a new advertising campaign, and your team is to present the board on how to go about it. The last thing you want is to have your team members assume that they know what is needed and have them do their own thing. Talk with your team members daily to be sure everything is being done according to plan.
5. Prepare for unexpected surprises: Sometimes, business problems can occur such as dealing with a difficult boss. Be flexible and when unexpected things happen learn to deal with them immediately. Another example is when some members of the team become sick and are unable to do their jobs. Instead of getting stressed out, reassign some of the tasks to the other team members. Being prepared for surprises is important when being a leader.
6. Say on top of things: Do what you can today. Do not put things off when you can do them right away. You never know when something may come up that might need your immediate attention. Being efficient on a daily basis can prevent future business problems down the road and you will be more successful.
Agroforestry: growing trend in sustainable farming
practice of combining trees and shrubs crops and livestock, has emerged as an sustainable farming strategy. Here’s how this approach boosts agricultural productivity environmental conservation.
BIODIVERSITY
vegetation in agroforestry systems provides plants, animals and microorganisms, ecosystem. This biodiversity helps diseases naturally, reducing reliance pesticides and promoting healthier soils.
HEALTH
improve soil health and fertility by matter through their leaves, branchsystems. This organic matter improves soil retention and nutrient cycling, increasreducing erosion.
REGULATE WATER
The presence of trees helps regulate water cycles by reducing runoff and enhancing water infiltration. This mitigates the risk of floods and droughts and improves water quality. Trees also play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion, maintaining the landscape’s integrity and protecting nearby bodies of water.
HOLD CARBON
Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping offset the impact of agricultural activities. As global concerns about climate change intensify, the role of agroforestry in sequestering carbon becomes increasingly significant.
As you can see, farmers can reap multiple benefits by integrating trees and shrubs into traditional agricultural practices.
Sunflowers: a versatile native crop
Sunflowers have long been admired for their radiant beauty.
beyond their esthetic appeal, these native plants play a crucial role in agriculture and biodiversity. Originating in North America, sunflowers have become a global crop, valued for their versatility and numerous applications.
THEY FEED THE WORLD
In agriculture, sunflowers are prized for their oil-rich seeds, a nutritious snack and a source of high-quality cooking oil. The oil extracted from sunflower seeds is low in saturated fats and rich in polyunsaturated fats, making it a heart-healthy option. Additionally, sunflower meal, a byproduct of oil extraction, is a valuable protein-rich livestock feed.
THEY CLEAN THE SOIL
Sunflowers contribute to sustainable farming practices
THEY PROMOTE
HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS
as they can extract toxins and heavy metals from the soil, a process known as phytoremediation. This makes them effective in soil cleanup and restoration. Sun flowers cleaned the soil after the Chornobyl disaster in Ukraine and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Sunflowers also support biodiversity. Their large, vibrant blooms attract pollinators such as bees and butter flies, promoting healthy ecosystems. Additionally, their abundant seeds serve as a food source for birds and small mammals.
Whether gracing landscapes with their golden hues or contributing to agricultural and environmental sustainability, sunflowers are a crucial native crop.
AGRICULTURE - living in tune with nature
Local groups receive E. Bourassa Community Development Fund
For 100 years and four generations, E. Bourassa and Sons have had the honour of serving the Saskatchewan agriculture community. This feat is a testament to the hardworking Saskatchewan families, farmers and communities that have worked with them and supported their family’s journey since 1924.
E. Bourassa & Sons is celebrating 100 years in business. As a token of their appreciation for local support over the past century, they announced the E. Bourassa and Sons Community Development Fund. This fund will donate $100,000 in 2024 to local organizations that seek to drive change in their community.
The purpose of the Community Development Fund was to assist community groups within E.Bourassa and Sons’ trade area, with new or existing projects where addition funding was needed. It would provide financial support to start something new assist with ongoing development in the community or make large purchases currently not possible.
There were 91 video applications received, which included many deserving groups. The focus was on groups that aligned closely with E.Bourassa & Sons values: Youth in Agriculture and agriculture in general.
E.Bourassa and Sons selected 18 recipients from
15 different communities within their trade area.
The recipients of the E. Bourassa and Sons Community Development Fund were presented with a cheque at E.Bourassa and Sons 100th anniversary Celebrations in June, 2024.
The recipients were:
Golden South Child Care - $2,500
Glentworth Early Learning & Child Care - $7,500
Coronach Swimnming Pool- $7,500
Mossbank Centennial Areana- $10,000
Lake Alma Rec Board$2,500
Bengough Agricultural Society - $5,000
Bengough Swimming Pool - $7,500
Radville-Laurier Regional Park Fund$20,000
Weyburn 4-H Beef Club - $2,500
Midale Daycare Inc. -$5,000
Yellow Grass Wheatland Communiplex$5,000
12. Creelman Community Complex - $5,000
13. W eyburn Agricultural Society - $10,000
14. Redvers and District Recreation Centre$2,500
15. Arcola-Kisbey 4-H Beef Club- $2,500
16. Arcola Recreation - $5,000
17. Little Leapers (Lampman)- $5,000
18. Carlyle Community Complex Foundation -$5,000
Oil above the ground and below Pumpjacks worked on a field of canola, which was in flower all around it, south of
The canola will produce oil and meal, while the pumpjacks produce crude petroleum for processing.
Cargill passes halfway mark on Regina canola crush plant
Cargill says it has passed the halfway mark on construction of its new canola processing facility located in the Global Transportation Hub west of Regina.
The facility, which is designed to process one million tonnes of canola per year, is now expected to open in 2025.
“The current construction environment is full of unique challenges and this project has faced many headwinds since we broke ground [in 2022], but we are committed to becoming a best-in-class option
for canola growers in the region, along with helping decarbonize the global food and fuel supply chain,” said Cargill Canada president Jeff Vassart, in an update.
The company says it has recently completed the purchase of just over 400 acres near the Global Transportation Hub for better connection to existing rail lines to ship canola oil and meal pellets. This land will also provide future options for canola seed deliveries, says Cargill.
When the project was announced in 2021, Cargill
originally planned to have it ready for processing the 2024 crop. The cost of the project at the time was estimated to be $350 million.
Cargill, Louis Dreyfus, and Richardson are all moving ahead or have recently completed projects to expand their canola crush capacity in Saskatchewan, boosting total processing capacity in Canada by about 30 per cent. Bunge has also made facility upgrades to increase its Western Canadian crush capacity over the past two years.
Two other major crush plant projects in Regina
have been announced by Federated Co-op/AGT and Viterra, but have yet to begin. The Federated Co-op/ AGT plant would be part of Federated Co-op’s proposed $2.5 billion renewable diesel complex.
The Viterra project, which would crush 2.5 million metric tonnes annually and be the world’s largest integrated canola crush facility, is still under review as part of Bunge’s proposed acquisition of Viterra. It would be the largest single site investment in Viterra’s history.
Ride-and-Drive at Ag in Motion
A visitor to Ag in Motion tried out a skid steer, at the ride-and-drive station on the farm, located at Langham, Sask. The show this year had close to 31,000 visitors, with 607 exhibitors on hand with the latest in products and ag technology.
Photo
Weyburn.
Photo – Greg Nikkel, SaskToday.ca
AGRICULTURE - living in tune with nature
Look out for threatened species Sprague’s Pipit
You may have heard it before, without even realizing what it was: a soft, tinkling call from an unseen bird, soaring high above the prairies. It’s the ethereal call of the male Sprague’s Pipit, who have one of the longest-known flight displays of any bird species in the world - able to call for three hours at a time, up to 100 metres above the ground. Nature Saskatchewan is asking for the public’s help in monitoring and protecting this unique grassland bird.
These cryptic, secretive birds are roughly sparrowsized, measuring about six inches tall with legs that are quite long in comparison to their bodies and pink in colour. They have buffy brown, streaked plumage on their backs and heads, with a ‘necklace’ of short, brownish streaks above a pale, unmarked belly and flanks. Their white tail feathers are especially noticeable when fanned out during flight, forming a stark contrast to the inner brown feathering. They mostly remain out-ofsight, and are most easily detectable by their tinkling call. Sprague’s Pipits require
large, unbroken tracts of native prairie, typically more than 160 acres in size, with minimal woody shrub and tall grass cover. They also stay away from areas that are grazed too short or have too much bare ground.
“Pipits are often referred to as the ‘Goldilocks’ bird because of their tendency to need things just right,” explained Emily Putz, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator. “They prefer native grass ranging from 10-30 cm in height, which can often be found in areas that have been moderately grazed.”
Between mid-May and mid-July, these birds lay three-to-six eggs on the ground in grass-lined, cupshaped nests surrounded by vegetation. Females incubate the eggs for 11-15 days, and after hatching both parents will feed the chicks and clean the nest site, with young pipits leave the nest about 10-13 days after hatching. “Pipits are generalist insectivores, and will forage on the ground scooping up and swallowing any arthropod they can find, though grasshoppers and spiders are known
favourites”, explained Putz. “Especially with hungry chicks, a Sprague’s Pipit family will eat a huge number of grasshoppers in a summer.”
Unfortunately, Sprague’s Pipits are listed as Threatened in Canada as their populations have been shrinking in recent decades. Landholders and land managers can help the pipit by conserving native prairie Landholders can also en-
sure that livestock grazing is kept to healthy levels on quarters covered by native prairie or perennial forage. It is also recommended that any haying – which does help to maintain suitable habitat for pipits in tame pastures – is not done until after July 15, once pipits have left the nests and are not in danger of being crushed.
Nature Saskatchewan’s Stewards of Saskatchewan
Banner program aims to engage participants in contributing to Sprague’s Pipit population monitoring and habitat conservation. Nature Saskatchewan also has funding available for the construction of wildlifefriendly fencing and for native seeding projects, both of which can contribute to the conservation of Sprague’s Pipits and the improvement of their habitat by keeping grazing on
the landscape. If you happen to hear or spot a Sprague’s Pipit this summer, please report your sighting to Nature Saskatchewan’s toll-free HOOTline, 1-800-667-HOOT (4668) or email Emily Putz at outreach@naturesask.ca. Every sighting helps with tracking the population and range of this iconic prairie bird. All caller and program participant information is kept confidential.
A threatened species in Saskatchewan
A Sprague’s Pipit sat on a person’s hand near the field where it lives. This is a threatened species in the province, and Nature Saskatchewan hopes rural residents will report any sightings of this bird to them.
Photo – courtesy K. Brewster
AGRICULTURE - living in tune with nature
Cows congregate in pasture
A large herd of cattle congregated in the corner of a pasture located south of Weyburn, where they are fed and watered to get ready for market.
No Avian influenza found in Canadian dairy products
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says as of July 16, 2024, no traces of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus have been detected in Canadian dairy retail products.
The CFIA has tested 911 samples total from across Canada, split into four regions: Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, and Western Canada.
All tests have been
negative for HPAI fragments. The U.S. experience with the disease shows that fragments of the virus can be detected in milk and milk products if the milk is from an infected cow. These virus fragments are not infectious, however. CFIA laboratories carried out a study in May and June 2024 on the effectiveness of pasteurization to inactivate HPAI virus
in milk. Consistent with similar studies published internationally, the results showed that pasteurization is effective, says CFIA in its latest update on HPAI in dairy cattle.
HPAI remains a reportable disease. Farmers who suspect a cow may be infected should contact their veterinarian. As of the latest report, no cattle in Canada have tested posi-
tive for HPAI, CFIA says. As for HPAI in chickens or turkeys, the CFIA has not reported any new cases on commercial farms since February 2024 in Alberta. There is only one active control zone in the country, surrounding a non-commercial case that was discovered in Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake in Saskatchewan last November.
Feds announce $6 million beef marketing boost
By Jeff Melchior
The Canadian beef industry is getting an over $6-million national boost from the federal government promote Canadian beef abroad.
“Canadian beef has earned a top spot on the world stage because of the commitment to quality and sustainability that our producers hold themselves to,” said agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay in a news release.
Canada Beef and the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) are receiving up to $5,865,110 and $453,364 respectively for marketing activities such as advertising, trade missions, technical training and educational seminars.
“By continuing to promote Canadian beef in key foreign markets, we can make the sector more competitive, put more money in the pockets of producers and drive demand for our world-class Canadian beef,” MacAulay said.
Expanding and open -
ing new markets requires proactive relationshipbuilding, said Canadian Cattle Association president Nathan Phinney in the release.
“These local, national and international relationships open doors to trade and collaboration and the AgriMarketing program support will help to ensure Canadian beef producers are represented at these global tables.”
“This funding will support initiatives that increase awareness of the value proposition of Canadian beef and veal exports in international markets vital to the success of Canada’s beef industry,” said Eric Bienvenue, president of Canada Beef.
The funding comes via the AgriMarketing Program, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP). The initiative is intended to increase and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic market opportunities.
Harvest is around the corner! Please watch for equipment on highways and grid roads.
Beef experts share lessons learned from three years of drought
By John Greig
Prairie beef farmers were forced to find new feed sources, learn new processes and make difficult decisions in managing their feed inventories in the past few years.
Beef farmers struggled through three intensive
years of drought — in many cases after experiencing several dry years.
Rains arrived this year.
“Early spring rains created grass that we haven’t seen for three to five years, maybe even up to seven years in some parts of the province. And because of
that the pressure is alleviated,” said Kurtis Reid, who sells Masterfeeds products in Saskatchewan, at Ag In Motion.
Last year was the toughest of the drought as livestock reacted to several years of challenged rations, and there were even fewer options to find quality feed. There were higher rates of beef cows who did not conceive in 2023, which is attributed to the third year of drought.
Measuring feed quality,
making longer term plans for pasture, and focusing on costs and forage supplies before a drought shows up are some of the lessons passed on in interviews during Ag In Motion.
When feed supplies and quality are lower, it’s critical to know what you have, said Natasha Wilkie, livestock and feed extension specialists with Saskatchewan Agriculture. Feed tests, which are available through Saskatchewan Agriculture, are the first
place to start.
Precise feed supplementation matters more in drought years, said Reid. “In the good years it doesn’t matter as much, but when you get into some of these tough years every per cent of wasted feed is just another per cent off the bottom line.”
Forage stands have suffered stress from a lack of moisture, and few of them were successfully reseeded, said Roger Meyers from Union Forage. Regu-
lar reseeding was either unsuccessful due to the lack of soil moisture, or put off due to risk of poor establishment. That means there will be more older stands and the need to reseed will be compressed.
Meyers suggested not leaving large tracts of land for reseeding at once, but rather to reseed smaller parts of grazing land on a more regular basis, as that can reduce risk of being caught with older stands during a drought.
Photo – Greg Nikkel, SaskToday.ca
AGRICULTURE - living in tune with nature
Market elements not typical for herd rebuilding
By John Nalivka
As cattle numbers continue to tighten pushing prices to record levels, there is more than enough conversation about when producers will respond and begin building herds again. If this were a “typical” cattle cycle, the elements – ample forage and soaring (record-high) cattle prices - for expansion are in place.
However, times are not typical regarding this cycle other than the liquidation side where drought forced significant liquidation of herds and took the industry to the lowest U.S. cattle herd numbers in 70 years. Not only will the pace of expansion or the herd-building side of the current cattle cycle be much slower than past
cycles, but the extent of herd building will also be less.
This has been the case for previous expansions of the beef inventory since 1975’s peak of 132 million head as subsequent cycles have all peaked below the previous cyclical peak. For instance, the 1982 peak was 115 million, 1996 at 104 million, 2007 at 97 million and 2019 at 95 million. So, what has changed? Productionwise, efficiency has played a role with respect to “producing significantly more beef with fewer cattle” which in turn presents the challenge of the price impact. It takes less of a herd buildup and increased cattle numbers before the market drops. But in addition, there are other crucial factors depending
upon personal circumstances that can be pointed out that affect the personal decision to have cows as well as the number of cows. The age of farmers and ranchers is critical as decisions are made going forward. Closely tied to age is the financial stress of the market over the previous four years. This is likely to play a greater role for part-time cattlemen in particular. The drought coupled with low prices and accelerating costs of production are key to the decision.
I have heard more than once the comment, “why would I or my spouse continue working in town to support cows that are draining the bank account?”
For many of those part-time cattlemen the cows went to
the sale yard. Will they be replaced? Only time will tell, but for many of those producers the decision was made when they drove from the sale barn. They will not get back into the business. The other consideration if the decision concerns buying brood cows is today’s prices for those cows. Buying cows today is a significant investment. There is significant uncertainty in a market that could potentially become increasingly volatile. That poses significant risk for a large investment with high maintenance costs that two and a half years from the time the decision is made to breed a cow or heifer to produce a marketable product if that decision is to hold heifers from an existing herd.
A gathering of Charolais
A herd of Charolais gathered together at the edge of their pasture, as they sought refuge from the flies and the heat, in a field south of Weyburn recently.
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Photo – Greg Nikkel, SaskToday.ca
!CLASSIFIEDS this week
Benny Bousfield
Benny Norman Bousfield, late of Weyburn, SK passed away on July 10, 2024 at the age of 92 years. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Jeanette (McPhee) Bousfield; his parents J.H. “Bert” and Evelyn Bousfield; Jeanette’s parents, Wilfred and Bessie McPhee; daughter-in-law Donna Bousfield; brother John “Jack” Bousfield and his wife Helen Bousfield; brother George Bousfield; brother Orville Bousfield; sister Grace Burley and her husband Gordon Burley; brother-in-law Walter Sambrook; brother Herb Bousfield; sister-in-law Elaine McPhee; nephew Ron Bousfield; and great niece Jillian Bousfield. Benny is survived by his three children: daughter Rhonda (Kevin) Melle and their sons Mason and Ethan Melle; son Harland (Emily) Bousfield and his daughters Ashley (Davin) Lester, Haley (Adam) Temple and sons Sawyer and Sullivan Temple; son Ryan (Heidi) Bousfield; sister Ida Sambrook; sister-in-lawVi Bousfield; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Benny was born on March 5, 1932 at the Bousfield home farm, ‘Trail Farm’ as it was known near Ceylon. He attended school in Ceylon. He married Jeanette McPhee from Ceylon in 1958 and they had three children Rhonda, Harland and Ryan. Farming was Benny’s great passion. He took over the family farm after schooling at Ceylon School. He and Jeanette farmed and raised their family there. They also raised cattle, poultry, and had a couple of horses for the kids. True to his character, just two days before he passed he asked how the crops were looking. He was always interested in the old, as well as the latest, farm equipment. He enjoyed going to Crosby, ND to watch the old steam tractors on parade as much as driving through the farm equipment dealerships looking at all the new types of machines which he did until last summer. Benny also served on the local School Board and Ceylon Hardy Credit Union Board. Benny semi retired about 30 years ago and he, Jeanette and Ryan moved to Weyburn. Shortly thereafter he was stricken with severe rheumatoid arthritis. Although this debilitating disease affected Benny greatly for the rest of his life, he endured without complaint. Especially in his later years, Benny often told stories of his youth with his family, friends and neighbors. He spoke of staying in Ceylon while he was going to school in the winters, mischief that he and his friends would get into, the animals they raised on the farm, and fondly recalled times with his Mom, Dad and siblings. It was a treat to take a drive with him to the farm and surrounding area and reminisce about all of the folks that lived and farmed there. He enjoyed and appreciated when Harland and Ryan invited him to ride along with them on work related road trips. Benny remained interested in his children and grandchildren and what was happening in their lives. When reflecting on what he enjoyed, some of the things he liked were nice clothes, shoes, watches, vehicles and green paint (JD), skating, music, dancing, lunches by the River and last but definitely not least ... salt and sweets! Benny took an interest in the Bible in his last few years and after much study decided that what he had learned was important. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 2022. Benny spent his last months at Tatagwa View in Weyburn. He appreciated the care he received there, good food and visits from family and friends. The staff made every effort to keep him comfortable and many tears were shed when he passed. A testament to Benny’s good nature. We are certain he would like to thank each of you very much for everything you did for him. Benny’s quiet and mild demeanor endeared him to all those he met. There are no words to express how much we will miss him. He was much loved. A Private Family Interment was held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, SK with Craig Brouwer officiating. For family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in memory of Benny may be made to Tatagwa View Activity Centre, House #12, c/o Box 2003, Weyburn, SK, S4H 2Z9. Arrangements are entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn, SK (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfuneralchapel.com “Honouring Life and Celebrating Memories”
Donna Dreger 1962-2024
It is with sad hearts and fond memories that the family of Donna Dreger announces her passing on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at the age of 62 years.
Donna leaves to mourn her husband, Glen (Lang); stepdaughters Danielle (Chris), and Ashley (Luke); six step-grandchildren, Shea, Carleigh, Alexa, Olive, Isla, and Eik. Her siblings, Brad (Diane), Sandy (Deryle), and Colleen (Richard); halfbrothers Doug and Andrew; sister-in-law Dianne (Adam).
She also leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-greats, all of whom she loved dearly.
Donna was raised on a farm near Milestone by parents, Gerald and Lil McCallum. Donna trained as a hairstylist, a skill she used to assist friends, family and the Milestone Prairie Players. She began working for SGI 30 years ago, attaining a top clerking position.
Donna was an avid Roughriders fan. Not only did she proudly wear her green jersey, her beloved pets, Winston and Brewster, were also dressed appropriately for the game. Her kindness and humour brought joy to all who knew her.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Voni and the many others who helped during this difficult time. We invite all who knew Donna to attend a Celebration of Life, which will be held in the Lang Community Hall, Saturday, August 10 at 2pm. PROPERTYFORSALE BYTENDER
Kindly join us for Ruth Alexander's Celebration of Life Tea Saturday, August 17th from 2-5 Weyburn Free Methodist Church 133 - 14th Street Weyburn, SK
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Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy,
HEATED CANOLA, FEED BARLEY & FEED GRAIN. #1 buyer on
873-0481, Email: sales@agproseeds.com
SPORTS
Weyburn Silver Seals swimmers qualify for provincials
The Weyburn Silver Seals held their south semi-finals on Saturday at the Weyburn Leisure Centre, with a total of 61 medals awarded in the various age and event categories.
The following are the swimmers who qualified to go on to provincials, to be held this weekend in Swift Current. The top six swimmers in each event are eligible to go on to provincials.
In the girls 7-8 category, Aria Bernard placed second in 50m freestyle; fifth in 25m backstroke; fourth in 50m breaststroke, and third 25m freestyle.
Rayya Ness finished sixth in 50 m backstroke, and fourth in 25m breaststroke.
In boys 7-8 category, Keir
Wilkinson placed fifth in the 50m backstroke.
In the girls 9-10 category, Milly Ho placed fifth in 25m butterfly; placed second in 100m freestyle; 50m backstroke; fourth in 50m butterfly; and third in 50m freestyle.
In the boys 9-10 category, Zane Warren was third in 25m butterfly; second in 100m freestyle; second in 50 m butterfly; fourth in 50 m freestyle, and fourth in 100m IM.
Oleksii Vlasenko placed sixth in the 50m breaststroke.
In the girls 11-12 category, Brenna Torkelson placed third in the 200m freestyle.
Shay Warren placed second in the 100m back-
stroke; fifth in the 50m breaststroke; fourth in the 50m butterfly; third in 50m freestyle, and first in the 200 IM.
Kassandra Madriaga placed second in the 50m breaststroke; sixth in 100m freestyle; second in 100m breaststroke; and sixth in 50m freestyle.
Rehaam Manzoor won third in the 25m butterfly; fifth in 100m freestyle; and sixth in 50m butterfly.
In the boys 11-12 category, in the 100m backstroke race, Nikolas Nikulin won first; Topher Wilkinson was third; Josh Gill was fourth; and Oscar Brolly was sixth.
In the 50m breaststroke, Nikolas Nikulin was second;
Charlie Ashworth was third; Topher Wilkinson was fourth, and Josh Gill was fifth.
In the 100m freestyle race, Nikolas Nikulin was first, Charlie Ashworth was second, and Josh Gill was sixth.
In the 50m backstroke, Nikolas Nikulin was second, and Topher Wilkinson as fourth.
In addition Charlie Ashworth was third in the 50m butterfly, and second in the 100m breaststroke, with Topher Wilkinson third.
In the 50m freestyle race, Nikolas Nikulin was first, Charlie Ashworth came second and Topher Wilkinson was third.
In the girls 13-14 cat -
Doing the butterfly stroke
Silver Seals swimmer Lily Popescu swam in the 50-metre butterfly event in the girls 15-17 category, at the south semi-finals on Saturday. She won first place in this race as well as in the 100m butterfly, and second place in breaststroke, freestyle and IM races.
egory, Avryelle Molnar placed third in the 200m freestyle; fourth in 50m butterfly; third in 100m butterfly; fourth in 50m freestyle, and fifth in 200m IM. Ava Donison placed fifth in the 50m butterfly; third in 100m breaststroke; sixth in 100m freestyle; and fifth in 100m backstroke.
Daisy Popescu won second in the 100m breaststroke; fifth in 100m freestyle, and third in 200m breaststroke.
In the boys 13-14 category, Jacob Gill won gold in four events, including the 200m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, 100m butterfly and 200m breaststroke.
Nash Warren placed fifth in the 200m freestyle, and fourth in the 200m backstroke.
In the girls 15-17 category, Tamberly Kreger placed second in the 200m backstroke; fifth in the 50m butterfly; third in 100m freestyle; third in 100m backstroke; and first in 50m freestyle.
Lily Popescu win gold in 50m butterfly; second in the 100m breaststroke; gold in 100m butterfly; second in 50m freestyle, and second in 200m IM.
Emery Barker placed fifth in the 200m freestyle; sixth in 200m backstroke; and fifth in 200m breaststroke.
Jadah Walbaum placed sixth in the 100m freestyle, and sixth in 50 freestyle.
In the boys 15-17 category, Tyler Gillies placed third in the 200m freestyle; sixth in the 100m breaststroke; and fifth in 100m backstroke.
In the girls 18 and over category Rumina Edgerton won gold in a number of races, including 200m backstroke; 50m butterfly; 100m freestyle; 100m backstroke; and the 50m freestyle.
In the boys 18 and over category, Dalton Molnar won gold in his races, including the 100m breaststroke; the 100m butterfly; the 200m breaststroke; the 50m freestyle, and the 200m IM.
Team Southeast finished with a flourish at the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games in Lloydminster. The second half of the Games wrapped up on Saturday after competition in several sports. The closing ceremonies were held in the evening.
Team Southeast finished with 20 medals – six gold, three silver and 11 bronze. Fifteen of the medals came in the second half of the Games. Sports held in the second half were athletics, baseball, male and female basketball, female soccer, beach volleyball and triathlon. The following are the medal winners.
For the Gold Medals, all of the winners were in athletics.
Anya Krueger won medals in 100m hurdles and high jump; Calder Johnston won medals in shotput, hammer, and discus; and Chase Himmelspach won gold in javelin.
For Silver, Luke Allan Holman won for the 1500m
race; Brodie Steeves won in the 200m race; and Team Southeast boys won for the sprint medley.
For Bronze, Team Southeast boys won the 4x50m Free Relay in swimming, including Jacob Gill of Weyburn, Kruz King and Ryzak King of White City, and Beck Osicki of Rocanville.
Kenzie Bayliss won for Archery Recurve for girls, and Hunter Kirby for the boys; Team Southeast boys won bronze in soccer, and for Special Olympics, Donna Southward won in Bocce Singles.
A number of bronze medals were won in athletics, including Dane Peterson for shotput; Truman Basil Ciepliski in pentathlon; Luke Allan Holman in the 800m race; Brodie Steeves in the 400m race; Anya Krueger in triple jump; and Team Southeast girls won bronze in the 4X100m relay.
