The price of farmland in the Region ranges from very low to moderate in price, depending on the land type and geographic location. The most profitable land per acre, as reported by Sask Trends Monitor is around the Carrot River, Nipawin, Arborfield, Tisdale and Melfort areas. The Porcupine Plain region was slightly under the provincial average of $12/acre, while Hudson Bay and Preeceville fell below the provincial average. However, this is based on statistical information and does not reflect the amount of farmable land in an area, as well as the presence of livestock, which in essence would bring down the profitability per acre

The North East Enterprise Region consists of a mix of forestry and farmland. The North East Region consists of type one soils around Melfort and Tisdale, these are highly productive soils that allow for a variety of crop growth, and type two soils around Hudson Bay and Carrot River.   Podzol-organic and black-grey soils are common in the North East Region.  These black and dark grey soils are some of the most fertile and productive in the province, producing a wide range of forage crops, feed grains, cereal and oilseeds.

Saskatchewan accounts for an average of 23% of all the Honey produced in Canada with a value of $27 million annually.

The North East Region is especially active in honey production, the areas around Tisdale and Nipawin have been historically known for honey production. The ideal climate, season and soil allow for large fields of canola, alfalfa, sweet clover and borage which contribute to the region’s large amount of honey production.
Fact sheet

The North East Region is also highly active in Cattle, Hogs, bison, elk, wild boar, sheep, Emus, Ostrich, Chicken ...

There is an emerging trend for consumers to buy more locally grown food. It is important to support local farmers markets because of their economic impact on both the economy and agriculture industry in the region. Here are some things you may have never known about farmers’ markets:

Quick Facts

ECONOMIC IMPACT UP TO $3.09B
The impact of farmer’s markets on the Canadian economy was reported to be up to $3.09 Billion. The most important finding was that 92% of shoppers say buying directly form a farmer is important.

#2 SOURCE OF GROCERIES
Farmers’ markets are the #2 source for groceries for 62% of shoppers.

CONSUMERS TARGETING LOCALLY PRODUCED PRODUCTS
Fresh, in-season products and locally produced products top the list of what shoppers want. 97% of market visitors are there to buy.

Average Canadian farmers’ market purchases are $32.06 per visit

— Economic Impact Study 2009
— Farmers Market Information

CN has delisted 24 producer car loading sites in Saskatchewan.
To keep up-to-date on Producer Car Loading Stations visit www.cn.ca

Link to Government Ag Services

Link to Grain Prices

Saskatchewan accounts for an average of 23% of all the Honey produced in Canada with a value of $27 million annually

1. Canola    2. Wheat    3. Oats Cereals: Wheat – many varieties Durum wheat Oats Barley Rye Oil Seeds Canola Flaxseed Mustard Sunflower Safflower Specialty Crops Irrigation grown vegetables Native berries Wild rice Honey Canary seed Triticale Herbs and spices Flowers Fruits and vegetables Bedding plants Xmas Trees Hemp Feed & Forage Feed grains Alfalfa Pasture Long fibre hay bale Seed Timothy Creeping Red Fescue Alfalfa Clover Leaf cutting bees Pulseed Crops Peas Lentil Chickpeas

There is a large number of Inland Grain Terminals in North East Saskatchewan. Tisdale is often considered to be the Agricultural Hub of the North East, having five Inland Grain Terminals surrounding it.

Torch River Rail Line
Torch River Rail is a 45 km short line railroad located between Nipawin and Choiceland. The short line rail was purchased from the Canadian Pacific Railway by a group of individual and municipal shareholders and went into operation in 2008. The rail line allows farmers to load producer cars of grain, saving time and money. The rail line has been exceptionally successful, more than doubling its expected operation load. The purchase and operation of this short line rail is a huge economic development opportunity in the Nipawin area. The Town of Nipawin, Town of Choiceland, Village of White Fox and the R.M. of Torch River No. 488 won a 2009 Saskatchewan Municipal Award for Economic Development Leadership for the Torch River Rail Project.

Arborfield Thunder Rail
The Thunder Rail line runs between Crooked River and Arborfield Saskatchewan. It was one of the recipients of Provincial Government grants in 2008 in order to improve its condition. Thunder Rail Ltd. was formed in 2005 in order to ensure the short line railway would remain available for producer car loading, Arborfield Grain Producers and CanPro Ingredients Ltd. Thunder Rail also purchased a locomotive and continues to maintain the track.

Hudson Bay Route Association
The Hudson Bay Route Association is committed to supporting and promoting the use of the Churchill Transportation Corridor. The Port of Churchill is increasing in importance as a gateway for exports from Western Canada. Please check their website for more information regarding the HBRA Revitalization Campaign and how to become a member.

Producer Cars
There has been an overwhelming increase in the use of producer cars in Saskatchewan. Producer car loading sites consist of a rail siding in which grain can be loaded by the producer into rail cars. The future need for farmers must be considered, with the centralization of grain handling, some farmers in the North East Region must drive close to 100km’s to the nearest Inland Grain Terminal. This results in high costs for the farmers. Producer cars offer framers a reduced cost for grain shipment, it is stated that farmers could save upwards of $1,000 per load.

Producer Car Loader Stations in the Region:
Aylsham, Brooksby, Clemenceau, Hudson Bay, Melfort, Mistatim, Ridgedale and Valpraiso.