The federal government has invested over $5 million to spur growth and resilience in the barley sector.  Photo: InnaTarasenko/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Funding boost announced for barley research in Western Canada

The federal government has invested over $5 million into the barley sector, aimed at creating more resilient varieties that can handle climate change. Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay on June 12 announced $5,257,073 earmarked for the Canadian Barley Research Coalition. The funding echoes similar announcements for research clusters dedicated to commodities like canola […] Read more






Photo: Allan Dawson/File

Seeding very close to wrapping up in Alberta

Spring planting in Alberta has almost wrapped up for this year, with the agriculture ministry pegging it at 97 per cent complete province-wide as of June 4. Seeding advanced 20 points on the week with the pace at the five-year average. The greatest overall progress was made in northeastern, northwestern and central Alberta. The northeast […] Read more






Fusarium head blight mapping tool to limit fungal risk

Fusarium head blight mapping tool to limit fungal risk

Homegrown risk model offers platform for further disease research

Reading Time: 2 minutes The digital mapping tool is designed to give area-specific insights into the fungal disease. Cereal producers can get a localized head blight index and risk level for fusarium-damaged kernels and deoxynivalenol based on weather conditions.


From left to right: Reese Bert, Noah Van Langen, Nate Ference and Drew Leeds hold up some of the material grown with Altario school's hydroponics system.

Student-led farm tests hydroponic cow chow

Altario school farm looks to student leadership, and the latest project is indoor-grown cattle fodder

Reading Time: 3 minutes Students at one small-town school near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border are testing how hydroponic vertical farming technology could be used to feed cattle.