Bull rider

Dakota Peterson hung on for dear life during the bull riding event at the Estevan Comprehensive School's rodeo May 19. Hundreds of top young rodeo performers from Saskatchewan and Manitoba were in Estevan for the annual event.

Relay for Life special inside
Estevan Lifestyles Publications' special keepsake edition for the Relay for Life is included with this week's paper.
The 20-page special section includes stories on the Relay for Life, a hope and dedication page, pictures of the Relay for Life teams, local students' writings, interviews with cancer survivors, pictures of fundraisers from around the community and write-ups from committee chairs.
The Estevan Relay for Life is an overnight fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, to be held on Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16, at the Estevan Comprehensive School's track.
Teams will walk around the track for 12 hours. Cancer survivors will participate in the first lap. There will also be a luminary service for the victims of cancer, and entertainment throughout the evening.

Police report
*A young cyclist received minor injuries in an accident with a motor vehicle in the 400 block of 13th Avenue.
*Fences and a tree on Fourth Street were damaged by two intoxicated males.
*Police are investigating a dispute at a local convenience store between parties in two separate vehicles.
*A theft from an automobile and willful damage to a trailer at the same downtown residence are under investigation.
*A 34-year-old male was arrested for trespassing after he tried to enter a residence and a vehicle in Hillside.
*Damage to an automated teller at a local bank is under investigation.
*A company truck belonging to Wanner Well Serving was stolen May 19 or 20. The truck was found on the 20th. Numerous valuable items were removed. Forensics inspected the truck and the investigation is underway.
*A 16-year-old male who consumed an extreme amount of alcohol was taken into custody and transported to St. Joseph's Hospital.
*A break-and-enter in the industrial area is under investigation.
*While on patrol, officers came across an accident on Fourth Avenue South. The driver of the vehicle overshot the corner and landed in a ditch.
*A missing youth was located and returned home.
*A motorist was charged for driving without due care and attention. He was searching for something while driving, swerved and hit a tree.
*A youth was apprehended by citizens for stealing from a campsite. Police arrived at the campsite and took the youth into custody.
*A female was arrested for impaired driving after police followed up a complaint of an impaired driver.
*Solar garden lights were stolen from the central part of the city.
*Police were called to a mischief complaint to a parked vehicle near Souris Avenue north. Two intoxicated males on Roller Blades were located. Both males took off, but were apprehended by police. After a short investigation, one of the males was charged.
*Members kept the peace at the 1300 block of Seventh Street while tenants were being evacuated.
*Officers located a stolen trailer, and informed the owner of the trailer's location.

Renal dialysis manager hired
Cheryl Harrison has been hired to manage the new renal dialysis unit that is under construction at St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan.
Harrison has a background in long-term care and a degree in nursing from the University of Brandon. She has worked on the ICU units and as a nursing supervisor.
"She was chosen because she's an excellent leader and she has good clinical skills," said the hospital's director of patient/resident care’\s Mary Anne Veroba. "She's keen and has expressed an interest in renal nursing for a long time."
The dialysis unit is expected to be operational this fall, according to Sun Country Regional Health Authority CEO Cal Tant. Construction of the $1.7 million unit, located on the hospital's second floor, is on schedule and should be completed by the end of June.
Staff training has delayed the opening slightly. Due to the availability of instructors and hospital nursing staff, a 12-week dialysis training course for the new staff will start during the last week of August.
Veroba said they should have the necessary staff in place. Some positions have been filled, and others are interested.
"It's always tough to recruit staff," said Veroba. "And we're trying to make sure we don't hurt other services as we're recruiting staff for this service."
Tant said some residents of the health region are travelling two to four hours each way to Regina, for a four or five-hour dialysis treatment, three times a week.
"That's up to 13 hours a day for some of the people in the region, depending on where they live," said Tant.
"These are people who are already sick, and sometimes elderly, travelling on the roads three or four times a week for treatment. The personal cost of the current system for them is very high."
A dialysis unit purifies the blood of a patient when their kidneys are not functioning properly. Estevan's unit will be operated as a satellite unit of the Regina General Hospital and supported by their staff.
Some high-risk patients will continue to be treated in Regina.
A joint fund-raising committee, with representatives from the board of both the hospital and the SCRHA, has been established to raised about $500,000.
"The fundraising committee is confident our fundraising goal will be met," said Tant.

Spring legislature sitting ends
Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles believes that Glenn Hagel's resignation from the NDP's cabinet was a fitting end to the latest sitting of the Saskatchewan Legislature.
Hagel stepped down as the minister for Culture, Youth and Recreation on May 16, after the RCMP launched an investigation into a 15-year-old fraud case at the NDP caucus.
"I think the premier (Lorne Calvert) should have accepted his resignation when it was first offered three weeks or a month ago," said Eagles. "But it seems like Mr. Calvert doesn't seem eager to accept anybody's resignation when it comes to things like that."
The sitting started, she said, with the government paying out $275,000 to Murdoch Carriere, who was fired for harassment and convicted of assault. Eagles predicted another out-of-court settlement for the NDP's chief of staff, who resigned over the same case that forced Hagel to step down.
From a local perspective, the elimination of basic education at the Southeast Regional College's Estevan campus and the state of highways in southeast Saskatchewan were two issues that Eagles said she pressed the government on.
"I didn't get a satisfactory answer, or any kind of an answer," said Eagles.
The Saskatchewan Party also asked the NDP to address nursing shortages, hospital closures and school closures, as well as agriculture issues such as flooding and drought.
"The government seemed very reluctant to do that," said Eagles. "Of course, they were completely consumed by their internal problems, and unfortunately Saskatchewan people suffered because of it."
Eagles believes that members of the Legislature will reconvene this fall, and there won't be a provincial election until spring of 2008. Eagles doubts that Calvert would call an election as long as the RCMP is investigating Hagel.
"Who knows what's all involved in this, and I cannot see Calvert wanting to go to the polls while his party's under investigation," said Eagles.
She vowed that she would be ready for an election whenever it is called.
Eagles said she will spend the summer attending events in her riding and spending time with her constituents.

Police board stays with municipal officers
The Estevan Police Service's future is secure for the time being.
Estevan's Board of Police Commissioners has dropped their probe to replace the 101-year-old police service with the RCMP. A letter from Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day confirmed that Estevan taxpayers would be responsible for 100 per cent of policing costs if a switch to RCMP did occur, and not 70 per cent of costs like the police board anticipated.
Constable Jay Pierson, the president of the Estevan Police Association (EPA), said it's a relief to have the matter concluded. He doesn't expect a change to RCMP will be addressed again until after the next round of collective bargaining is finished.
"Certainly the City has not assured us that this process would not be revisited down the road," said Pierson.
Mayor Gary St. Onge said the RCMP was an option to cut policing costs. But if Estevan switched to RCMP, the costs would be about the same, and the police board would have to buy out the police service.
"We were under the impression that the old contracts were still in place whereby we would pay 70 per cent of the cost," said St. Onge.
St. Onge said the police board will seek additional government funding for the Estevan Police Service, and try to reduce the costs of policing.
The policy that requires communities to pay 100 per cent of policing costs if they switch to RCMP was adopted in 1982 and reaffirmed in 1991. St. Onge believes that Day was unaware the policy existed, since nobody had changed to RCMP since the Conservatives took power last year.
"It does say in his letter that they're planning to address it again this fall, and they're going to start looking at it again," said St. Onge.
Pierson said the EPA knew a month before the letter arrived that the federal government had the funding formula in place. Pierson said that information was handed to the police board.
The police service's murky future had caused a lot of stress for members, Pierson said.
"A member has left our employment to go to another department that he felt was more stable as far as his long-term future," said Pierson. "We've seen members of our families who have been affected by this."
The community has been very supportive of the police throughout the process, he said.
St. Onge said a public open house will take place later this year. The police board will provide the public with their information, and answer questions, but it will not be a debate on whether the city should retain municipal police.
Pierson said the EPA's focus will turn to collective bargaining talks with the police board. The current collective bargaining agreement expires June 30, and Pierson said the police board has received notice to begin negotiations.

Municipal board meets in Estevan
The Saskatchewan Municipal Board held a meeting in Estevan May 17 to discuss Estevan City Council's proposal to replace eight blocks of watermains on Fourth Street.
No ratepayers voiced opposition to the project. Henry Waloshin, who owns two properties in the affected area, wanted to know if the asphalt overlay and the watermain trench would be strong enough to withstand the trucks that rumble down Fourth Street.
Mayor Gary St. Onge said it would.
This year's estimated project cost is $2.2 million. The City will cover 62 per cent of the cost, or about $1.34 million, and ratepayers will pay the remaining $856,000. The City is paying for the entire asphalt overlay because Fourth Street is part of Highway 39.
Estevan Mayor Gary St. Onge said he wasn't surprised by a lack of attendance.
"People are getting used to that when it's their turn, it's their turn," said St. Onge. "The Municipal Board has been passing it, so maybe they feel it's futile to come. We would hope not."
The Fourth Street watermains are currently in the same trench as the sewer mains. Those watermains will be shut down, but will not be removed. The new watermains will be in a different trench.
The watermains must be replaced on Fourth Street this year, St. Onge said, so that the asphalt overlay can be completed next year.
"We only have a certain timeframe that we have to do this with federal and provincial money," said St. Onge. "It has to be completed next year."

United Way sets goal, projects

Mark Pettitt

The United Way of Estevan has set a goal of $231,000 for their fundraising Marathon, $21,000 more than last year.
President Mark Pettitt said they went with $231,000 because this year's Marathon, to be held October 12 and 13 will be the 31st edition of the event. President Mark Pettitt believes that this year's figure is attainable.
"We always have that confidence because Estevan is such a great community and has supported us through so many years, and we're also hopeful for the member agencies," Pettitt told Lifestyles.
Funds raised during the Marathon will be split among their member agencies. The Arthritis Society of Canada is back as a member agency this year.
The United Way of Estevan has surpassed the $231,000 mark just once during the past 30 Marathons - last year when their off-air total was about $262,000. More than $300,000 was donated to the local United Way last year.
They haven't finalized a theme for this year.
The United Way will also hold their inaugural Day of Caring in Estevan on June 10. Two yard beautification and clean-up projects have been approved: one at the Pure Energy Early Learning Centre and Estevan Daycare Cooperative, and the other at Creighton Lodge through the Estevan Homecare.
The Daycare and Homecare are two of their member agencies. Pettitt said any volunteers from the community would be welcome to join United Way board members at the two projects, but volunteers should notify Pettitt in advance.
"We're asking the community, as part of the Day of Caring, to lend a hand to anyone that they know would need help," said Pettitt.

Trojan earthwork begins

The initial work has started on the latest phase of the Trojan subdivision in northeast Estevan.
The earthworks contractor started in early May, and, weather permitting, that process should be finished by the end of the month, said Land Development Services manager Rob Denys.
Underground services such as sewer and water will be installed next, but Denys isn't sure when that will begin. If they can start installing utilities such as electricity and phone service in July, then Denys said the lots could be ready for development in August.
Surface works, such as pavement, won't begin until 2008.
The new subdivision will have 57 single-family residential lots, one multi-family residential lot and one commercial site. It will also boast greenspace.
Denys said the subdivision has generated "quite a bit" of interest, thanks to a shortage in the number of lots currently available for development in Estevan.

ECI monument construction resumes

Most of the Estevan Collegiate Institute (ECI) monument should be finished in time for the dedication June 30, said spokesperson Ken McDonald.
The monument is located off First Street, not far from where the school used to be located. Stairs lead people from the entrance to the main part of the monument. Dedication will take place during celebrations for Estevan's 50th anniversary as a city.
Concrete walls and floors have been poured. Stairs, landscaping and wall painting should be complete for the dedication. A four-foot by four-foot marble plaque will be unveiled, too. McDonald said fundraising will take place for seven more plaques.
Inscribed on the plaques will be the names of the estimated 4,100 students and staff from ECI, as well as the school's hymn, song and coat of arms.
ECI eventually became the Estevan Junior High (EJH). EJH closed in 2003 and the building was torn down in 2005. Bricks from the old school will be used for the monument's walls, said McDonald.
Four benches that are still on the old school's grounds have been incorporated into monument design, too. Two benches will be at the entrance, and two will be in the main part of the monument.

Thomson attains advanced training
Scott Thomson of Estevan, an emergency medical service (EMS) employee with the Sun Country Health Region, recently graduated with advanced training, with the financial assistance of the Region.
Thomson completed the 18-month advanced care paramedic (ACP) course, one of the most advanced levels of EMS education in Canada.
Thomson also assists with the emergency department at St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan.
Sun Country regional director of EMS services Charles Eddy said Thomson's graduation is a great enhancement to the emergency care system in the Region.
"They bring a broader skill, knowledge, and practicing level of care to their work in the field," said Eddy. "They can give more actual treatment in an ambulance and other trauma situations such as heart attacks."
About 170 emergency medical responders, in 16 different services, with the support of over 120 first responders, provide emergency medical services for residents of the health region.

Dancing Fiddles coming to Estevan
St. Paul's United Church in Estevan is bringing Dancing Fiddles - The Scott Woods Show - to the church on Thursday, May 31, starting at 7 p.m.
The fast-paced, two-hour concert combines old-time fiddling with country gospel songs, perennial favourites, and humour. Woods, a Canadian fiddler, has performed to enthusiastic crowds throughout Canada, the U.S. and Holland.
Woods has captured all the major Canadian fiddling titles, including Canadian Open Fiddle Champion, Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Champion, and Canadian Fiddle Entertainer of the Year.
For seven years, he was the musical director and played the part of Don Messer in "Memories of Don Messer's Jubilee," a tribute show that toured the country. In addition, he has several recordings to his credit, which will be available at the concert.
Woods is backed up by his own four-piece show band.

MAY IS NATIONAL BURGER MONTH
Smokehouse Burgers

Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 32 min
Makes: 4 servings, one cheeseburger each

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce
1 medium red onion, cut into 4 slices
1/4 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing, divided
4 KRAFT Singles
4 lettuce leaves
4 slices tomato (about 1 medium)
4 hamburger buns, split, grilled

PREHEAT grill to medium-high heat. Mix meat and barbecue sauce; shape into four patties. Brush onion slices with 2 Tbsp. of the dressing.
GRILL patties and onions 5 min. on each side or until patties are cooked through (160°F) and onions are tender, brushing onions occasionally with remaining 2 Tbsp. dressing. Top each patty with Singles; grill an additional 1 to 2 min. or until Singles begin to melt.
PLACE 1 lettuce leaf, 1 tomato slice and burger on bottom half of each bun. Cover with onions and tops of buns.

Eighth annual Lampman Library luncheon
The Lampman Library Board hosted its eighth annual fundraising luncheon at the Royal Canadian Legion on April 21. Patrons were seated at tables that were decorated in 12 colourful and tasteful themes.
Maya Branyik-Thornton provided entertainment by singing "I Know Six Languages" from the musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." Author Deana Driver made presentations on her two books.
Darlene Olsen of Arcola was the guest speaker. A senior sales director with Mary Kay Cosmetics, Olsen was the winner of the 2006 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Business and Trade. Darlene spoke about her involvement with the "Look Good, Feel Better" program.
Cosmetologists and hairdressers work with women who are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy, and teach them to apply make-up and select flattering wigs.
She also promoted the Breast of Friends cookbook, which was compiled by a group of women to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
The Lampman Library receives no government funding, so the luncheon is crucial to keeping the library active in the community.

Rec Site roads discussed at meeting
Estevan Wildlife Federation (EWF) president Donald Holinaty believes better roads are needed for the Boundary Dam Recreation Site.
The gravel road from Highway 47 to the recreation site's boat launch was discussed during a meeting May 23 at the EWF clubhouse. The Department of Highways has turned the recreation site road to gravel, and the RM of Estevan did the same in early May with the four-kilometre access road that runs from the recreation site to Highway 47.
The Department of Highways has pledged to patch the recreation site road and layer thin asphalt if somebody agrees to maintain the road after repairs are finished.
"If you're looking at a long-term plan, it's not acceptable," said Holinaty. "It wouldn't hold up."
Holinaty said the access road was turned to gravel because the RM couldn't afford to maintain pavement. The RM doesn't have any taxpayers on the access road, Holinaty said. The cost was $344,000, as of last fall, to repair the asphalt.
"They don't necessarily want to walk away from it like Highways does," said Holinaty. "They would prefer to be a shared partner, and if anybody's interested, they are definitely open to suggestions and support."
Holinaty has received complaints on the state of the roads.
Holinaty said he is "definitely" concerned about the future of the recreation site, and he wants the different groups to come together so that the site doesn't become a memory. He sees a lot of untapped potential, with a larger picnic area and unserviced campsites as potential additions.
"This is more than just a lake for fishing, it's a recreational site, it's an outing for families that just want to go for a picnic on weekends or evenings, or someone that wants to go water-skiing," said Holinaty.
"This is a unique site in that it is open 365 days a year ... and it's something that has held many, many memories for people in the Estevan area for years, and it's the only beach around."

Mining Week is May 27 to June 2

Prairie Mines and Royalty Ltd. is currently
mining land north of Highway 39.


Prairie Mines and Royalty Ltd. is currently
mining land north of Highway 39.

Prairie Mines and Royalty's Boundary Dam Mine is going to host a tour in honour of Saskatchewan Mining Week from May 27 to June 2.
Instead of the two tours that they usually offer, they will be holding just one tour on Thursday, May 31, starting at 9 a.m. People who want to take the tour should be at the Estevan Shoppers Mall at 8:45 a.m.
Participants will stop at the Boundary Dam mine and the Shand Power Station. A barbecue lunch will follow.
Allison Kuntz is back as the tour guide this year.
The Boundary Dam and Bienfait Mines will send a team to the provincial mine safety rescue competition in Saskatoon on June 2, but in a non-competitive role. Boundary Dam Mine general manager Pete Popowich said some prior commitments for some team members will prevent the team from competing.
"We are there to help out," said Popowich. "And for our team members to watch some of the other team members as they go through the scenarios, to see what we can pick up out of that."
Prairie Mines and Royalty will also have a display at the Saskatchewan Science Centre in honour of Mining Week.

Prairie Mines will be able to meet clean coal demands

Boundary Dam Mine general manager Pete Popowich

Prairie Mines and Royalty will be able to meet potential increases in the demand for coal and employees if Estevan is successful in obtaining the clean coal plant.
There's enough coal in the area for 75 to 100 years, according to Boundary Dam Mine Manager Pete Popowich.
"We have lots of coal left," said Popowich.
Popowich said they wouldn't need a mass hiring of new staff, but they would need to pick up a few extra people if the plant comes to Estevan.
"We think we can do what we need to do with a few more people," said Popowich.
They have developed plans, Popowich said, but they don't know exactly how many staff will be needed.
If the clean coal plant goes ahead, it will be located on the site of the Shand Power Station. SaskPower officials will present their final recommendation in July whether to proceed with clean coal, or go with an alternative. The provincial government will give their final approval afterwards.
Popowich would welcome the clean coal plant's arrival if Estevan is successful in their bid.
"I think it would be great for the community," said Popowich. "It's a challenge that we're looking forward to here. There are lots of new and exciting things happening that aren't part of the day-to-day routine. We have been looking at some things, looking at different things of what might we have to do."

Plenty of mining activity in southeast Saskatchewan
Mining continues to be a big part of southeast Saskatchewan, says Boundary Dam Mine general manager Pete Popowich.
Mining brings a lot of trade dollars through suppliers and employees, he said, which benefits local business. About 400 people are employed at the Boundary Dam and Bienfait Mines.
"Our employees make their money here and I'm sure most of them spend back in this area," said Popowich. "I think it's very good for the Estevan area, it makes us pretty fortunate to have such industry around."
Minor baseball and hockey teams are sponsored by the company. Prairie Mines and Royalty also sponsors and donates to community events and projects.
Current mining efforts are along Highways 47 and 39. One dragline is located on the west side of Highway 47. Two draglines are south of Highway 39, east of the Highway 18 junction, and another dragline is north of 39.
"By the end of 2008 … we're saying we'll be completed in that area (Highway 39 east of the junction with Highway 18), and we're just working on mine plans for what area we're going to move that dragline to next," said Popowich.
Reclamation projects are visible on Highways 47 and 39.
"As people are going south on Highway 47, down towards the border crossing, you will notice, when you look at the reclamation on both sides, we've done a fair amount this year already," said Popowich. "Some new areas have been placed with topsoil."
Popowich is optimistic that by mid-June, any land on the east side of the highway will be levelled and finished, other than some top soil, which he expects will be put in place in the fall or the winter.
Reclamation is also just about finished for the area that was previously mined between Estevan and Bienfait. An RM road that passes beneath an overpass on Highway 39 is nearing completion. That road connects the Shand Access Road with a road north of Highway 39.
"There's a little bit of reclamation to do. We will be seeing in the next few weeks out there some of the topsoil that we laid down last winter, as well as last year. As people are noticing, we leased out a couple of areas that we seeded four years ago, and we're starting to turn that back to pasture land."

Mining Week: Did You Know?
*Mining is Saskatchewan's third largest industry in terms of value of sales, after oil & gas and agriculture.
*Saskatchewan coal, burned in thermal plants at Estevan and Coronach, accounts for over 60% the province's electrical power generation.
*Saskatchewan has excellent potential for future resource development and mineral resource development will continue to be one of the primary engines for economic growth in the province.
*The total value of mineral sales in 2003 was in excess of $2.4 billion, down slightly from last year's total of $2.6 billion, primarily due to strength of the Canadian dollar.
*Saskatchewan's mining industry spends more than $2 billion annually on wages, goods and services.
*Saskatchewan's mining industry pays in excess of $300 million in royalties and many other taxes which all go to support government programs such as education and health care.
*Saskatchewan's mining industry creates direct and indirect employment for approximately 20,000 people.
*The average mining employee earns more than $55,000 annually (including benefits).
*Saskatchewan ranks fourth in Canada - after Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia - in terms of the total value of mineral production, and third if you exclude the carbon based fuel minerals. Yet many people still do not think of the province as being a significant mining jurisdiction.
*Saskatchewan is a significant player in the global mining scene being the world's largest producer and exporter of both potash and uranium accounting for approximately 1/3 of total world production for both commodities.
*Canada, despite its global recognition in mining expertise, is only the world's leading producer of two mineral commodities - potash and uranium. Saskatchewan has the largest reserves in the world for both these commodities.
*In addition to potash, uranium and coal, Saskatchewan has a wealth of untapped mineral resources including diamonds, gold, platinum & palladium, rare earth elements, copper, zinc, nickel, sodium and potassium sulphates and mineralized brines.
*Exploration is the key to sustainability in the mining industry, ensuring that we identify new resources to replace those that have been mined out.
*Saskatchewan's mining industry has a strong commitment to safety and consequently is one of the safest industries in the province. For the past 15 years the industry has averaged about one lost time accident (LTA) for every 200,000 hours worked this would be equivalent to an individual working for 100 years before he has an LTA.
*The mining industry has a strong social and environmental conscience and mining was one of the first industries in Canada to adopt an Environmental Protection Policy.
*Saskatchewan's mining sector is an industry leader and has a strong record of aboriginal employment in northern Saskatchewan. It has developed innovative training modules that can be taught on-site.
*Saskatchewan's mining industry invests large sums of money annually to protect and work in harmony with the environment. Expenditures are in the areas of treatment, monitoring, research and reclamation.
*Saskatchewan's mining industry utilizes only 0.1 per cent of available land in the province (less than the size of the city of Saskatoon).
*Despite the small size of this footprint, the industry wants it to be a disappearing footprint and is committed to restoring all sites to a condition as good as or better than what existed before mining commenced.

Census of agriculture numbers released
The number of Canadian farms and farm operators continued to decline between 2001 and 2006, while the average size of farms continued to rise, according to Statistics Canada's Census of Agriculture.
The census counted 229,373 farms as of May 16, 2006, down 7.1% or 17,550 from 2001. It also counted 327,060 farm operators, a 5.5% decline, or 19,140 people. Just over one-quarter (27.8%) of farm operators were women in 2006, up slightly from 26.3% five years earlier.
The decrease during the past five years was slower than the 10.7% drop between 1996 and 2001.
The size of the average farm rose from 676 acres to 728 acres.
In 2005, gross farm receipts amounted to an estimated $42.2 billion, up 8.8% from 2000. This includes government program payments of $4.8 billion in 2005. Total operating expenses rose 0.7% to an estimated $36.4 billion.
Canada had 5,902 farms with gross receipts of $1 million or more in 2006. This compares to 4,453 farms five years earlier. In 2001, they accounted for only 1.8% of all farms, and 34.6% of total receipts. By 2006, they accounted for 2.6% of all farms and 39.7% of total receipts.
Only 14.4% of all farms had gross receipts between $250,000 and $1 million. The majority (65.6%) of Canada's 229,373 farm operations reported gross farm receipts under $100,000, while the remaining 17.4% were in the $100,000 to $249,999 receipts category.
Nearly half (48.4%) of all farm operators reported an off-farm job or business in the 2006 Census, compared with 44.5% in 2001. Both men and women work off the farm in significant numbers.

Seeding pace above average
Saskatchewan farmers have planted 64 per cent of the 2007 crop, ahead of the five-year average of 56 per cent, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.
The southwestern part of the province is furthest advanced with 81 per cent seeded, followed by the west central region with 75 per cent seeded. The northeast is least advanced at 35 per cent seeded. Crops are emerging across the province.
Reporters rate 80 per cent of crop land as having adequate topsoil moisture. Northern areas continue to report the wettest topsoil at this time. Crop reporters indicated that 79 per cent of hay and pasture land have adequate topsoil moisture, which is also similar to last week's report.
Producers in the southern areas of the province welcomed rainfall that has continued. Producers in the wetter, northern parts of the province received additional precipitation at the end of the week, with some precipitation in the form of snow.
This worsens the situation for these producers who were already dealing with excess moisture from 2006, and the 2007 spring run-off. Several frosts throughout the week did varying damage - more so in northern areas.
Gophers, wire worms and flea beetles were the most common pests damaging emerging crops in the province last week.

Lots of rain in Estevan
Estevan received nearly half of its monthly average for precipitation during three days of steady rain from May 21 to 23.
According to numbers provided by Environment Canada, a total of 11.6 millimetres fell on May 21, 6.4 millimetres fell on May 22 and 9.2 millimetres fell on May 23, for a total of 27.2 millimetres. Estevan also received 1.6 millimetres on the 20th and a trace of rain on the 19th.
The monthly average for May is 56.2 millimetres.
Terry Bedard from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food said that even before the rain, 91 per cent of crop land in Estevan's district had adequate soil moisture. Three per cent was a surplus and six per cent was short.
Hay and pasture land, which tends to be dryer, had adequate moisture on 78 per cent of the land. Nineteen per cent was short and three per cent was surplus.
Bedard said the rain should take care of any areas that had moisture deficiencies.
"Most of the southern part of the province was looking for rain," said Bedard. "They were recognizing that the winds were starting to dry the topsoil out, and most of them were looking for some rain to re-moisturize the top soil."