Gravelbourg & District Tribune

Celebrate Agriculture Week Oct 4 - 10, 2026.

 

Agriculture in Saskatchewan significantly contributes to the economy, accounting for 40% of the province's total exports in 2023, valued at $49.2 billion. The sector also supports tens of thousands of jobs and has seen agricultural exports grow by 74% since 2013, highlighting its vital role in economic development.

 

It doesn’t get any bigger than that in the province. But that’s the problem. We export almost everything we grow and that means we have little to no control on when we sell and how much we get paid for our products.

 

The Trump/Israel War against Iran has been a nightmare for agriculture here in Saskatchewan but across the globe. Diesel in Sask is now selling at $2.60 per litre. According to Chris Procyk, Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan vice president, Saskatchewan producers are some of the hardest hit by the steep rise in prices. “There are so many layers to it in terms of the fuel we need for our machines, combines, tractors, semis, to get the crop off. Fuel prices also impact the cost of getting parts,” he said. Source CTV.

 

Imagine if we had a network of rail lines running across the province where grain producers would be able to ship their grain only a few kilometres from home?

 

Oh yeah. That was tried already and we just turned our back on it. Pity.

 

Can we bring that back?