AG Minister Lyle Stewart Comments on Budget

Jun 06, 2016

The Province has handed down its provincial budget which is forecasting a 434-million-dollar deficit for this year.

Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart says his department’s budget is up 7.5% mainly due to the higher crop price projections for the business risk management programs like Crop Insurance and Agri-Stability, while other areas remain about the same.

"Ag Innovation and Research, pest control, disease surveillance, trade and market development, AG awareness are all funded about the same as previous years. Industry grants such as the 24H, Ag in the Classroom, Agribition, things of that nature are $4.2 million again."

He notes the spending is pretty much unchanged from the previous budgets Ag Research is being funded at 26.8 million dollars with 2 million earmarked for the Global Institute for Food Security.

Source : Discoverestevan

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.