Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – The best greeting for farmers attending the recent Irrigation Production Conference was the dump of snow outside the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre in Lethbridge. Inside, the need for that type of precipitation was laid bare in order to avoid a water shortage this year. The numbers tell the tale as to […] Read more
Prairie water users watch mountain snowpack
Alberta officials say the region’s moisture shortage remains dire but stress the situation could easily turn itself around
Canadian potato output rises in 2023
Alberta vaults to first place in provincial potato production
At 32.063 million hundredweight of potatoes this year, Alberta vaulted from third to first place as it improved on the previous year’s crop of 26.813 million. Manitoba moved into second spot from third with its harvest of 29.760 million cwt. following last year’s 26.139 million. Prince Edward Island saw its output reduced in 2023 to 25.813 million cwt. from 27.789 million. In 2023, the trio combined for 68 per cent of Canada’s total potato harvest of 128,801 million cwt.
Sugar beet growers seek to expand sector with domestic policy
It wouldn’t stop strikes, but it would recharge Canada’s sugar industry
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – A domestic sugar policy would help kickstart the Canadian and particularly the Albertan sugar industry, says a major player in the sector. The Alberta Sugar Beet Growers want a national domestic sugar policy, which the organization says could lay the foundation for resurgence in the sector. Such a policy would regulate the […] Read more
Irrigated crop production update
Conference to be held Jan. 18, 2024
Reading Time: < 1 minute Lethbridge College is collaborating with the agriculture industry, farmers, government agencies and academic partners to present the Irrigated Crop Production Update at the Lethbridge Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre on Jan. 18, 2024. The conference will feature presentations on: The college has also applied for Certified Crop Advisor and Pesticide Applicator credits for the event, […] Read more
Brazil muscles into wheat market
The agricultural superpower will be a fierce competitor, but is mainly striving for self-sufficiency
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Canadian wheat exporters are facing a new competitor in their second biggest market. “The rapid emergence of Brazil as an exporter in Indonesia and other foreign markets has been remarkable,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its recent Grain: World Markets and Trade report. Indonesia bought 2.14 million tonnes of bulk […] Read more
‘Getting in front of farmers’ key to outstanding young farmers’ success
Greg Stamp and family have grown a southern Alberta retail seed business into a going concern
Reading Time: 4 minutes Greg Stamp has become so well-known in Alberta’s seed industry that he barely needs an introduction. That didn’t happen by accident. Stamp has always been keen to talk with farmers about their needs and expectations, whether through the media, blog posts or good old-fashioned face time. Stamp and his wife, Sarah, were among the winners […] Read more
Report says more research needed into solar’s impact on wetlands
Stakeholder report says there’s little understanding of the relationship between green energy and wetland ecosystems
Reading Time: 3 minutes Solar energy capture and healthy wetlands are key tools for many conservationists, including some farmers, but do they necessarily live together in harmony? A new report asks that question and makes one overarching recommendation: more research is needed to measure the impacts of solar developments on wetland health. The Impact of Solar Development on Wetlands: […] Read more
Assistance for irrigation improvements on deck
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta farmers may be looking towards improving their on-farm irrigation systems for the upcoming season. Marie Oxley, provincial irrigation management specialist, says Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation helps fund equipment upgrades through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Water Program. It provides grants for existing irrigated agriculture operations in Alberta to increase on-farm water and energy savings. […] Read more
Alberta potato sector thrives
Alberta spud growers produced more than those in Prince Edward Island in 2022 and more records are expected this year
Reading Time: 4 minutes Look out, Prince Edward Island. There’s a new leader in Canadian potato production. In 2022, Alberta was number one in the country in production tonnage. Farmers grew almost 27 million hundredweight, or 21.8 per cent of Canadian potatoes, beating the island by 0.2 per cent, according to StatCan. Producers may have had even more truckloads […] Read more
AgriRecovery feed, freight, breeding herd aid set for Alberta, Saskatchewan, B.C.
Feds, provinces announce combined $365 million in aid programs
The federal and Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia governments are jointly putting up $365 million to support ranchers and farmers up against this summer’s drought and wildfire damage. The feds on Friday announced their 60 per cent, or $219 million, share of AgriRecovery program funding for the three westernmost provinces. “I’ve had the opportunity to […] Read more
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