Farmers Demand Payment From Gov't-Backed Producer

RAMA, Sask. (CANADIAN PRESS) — About 50 farmers blocked the entrance to a feed mill near Yorkton, Sask., to press their demand to be paid by Saskatchewan's largest hog producer. Big Sky Farms filed for bankruptcy protection last week and owes creditors more than $80 million. Farmers at Tuesday's demonstration say they stand to lose thousands of dollars because Big Sky has not paid them for hog feed they have supplied.

RAMA, Sask. (CANADIAN PRESS) — About 50 farmers blocked the entrance to a feed mill near Yorkton, Sask., to press their demand to be paid by Saskatchewan's largest hog producer.

Big Sky Farms filed for bankruptcy protection last week and owes creditors more than $80 million.

Farmers at Tuesday's demonstration say they stand to lose thousands of dollars because Big Sky has not paid them for hog feed they have supplied.

The Humboldt, Sask., company, which is 70 per cent owned by the Saskatchewan government, blames its woes on the protracted downturn in the North American pork market.

Big Sky President Casey Smit has said he is confident the company, which also operates in Manitoba and employs more than 400 people, can bounce back.

Farmers have said the Saskatchewan Party government shares some of the blame for Big Sky's financial predicament because a member of the legislature sits on its board of directors.

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