The president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities says 2020 was a challenging year.

Ray Orb says covid-19 and dry weather created difficulties on the farm.

He adds the livestock industry faced a backlog from temporary packing plant closures due to the coronavirus.

Orb says Ottawa’s plan to raise the carbon tax from 30 to 170 dollars a ton by 2030 is a big mistake.

He opposes a carbon tax and says farmers should be rewarded for practices which reduce greenhouse gases.

Orb says the development of a covid-19 vaccine is welcome news and he hopes 2021 is a better year for farmers.