Rome | Reuters — Ethiopia faces its worst drought in decades, leading the United Nations’ food agency to call on Friday for an emergency cash injection of US$50 million to help the country overcome the crisis. Crop production has fallen up to 90 per cent in some regions and failed completely in the country’s east, […] Read more
FAO seeks help for drought-ravaged Ethiopia
Alberta 4-H clubs get FCC funding
Reading Time: < 1 minute Fifty-two 4-H clubs in Alberta are beneficiaries of Farm Credit Canada’s 4-H Club Fund. The farm lender donated $122,000 to 251 4-H clubs across Canada to support various local events and activities, with $26,000 going to Alberta clubs. The fund is part of FCC’s $1-million contribution committed over four years to 4-H Canada. This contribution, […] Read more
On-farm stewardship funding available
Reading Time: < 1 minute Growing Forward 2’s On-Farm Stewardship program might have some cash for you. “As we get into the depths of winter, it’s time to start planning for next year,” said Mike Hittinger, a provincial extension specialist with Alberta Agriculture. “The On-Farm Stewardship program has financial support for some of the things you may be planning.” The […] Read more
Coyote compensation considered
Reading Time: < 1 minute Delegates at Alberta Beef Producers AGM last month defeated a resolution to put coyotes on Alberta’s wildlife predator list so producers could claim compensation when they killed cattle. It was defeated because of concerns about the sustainability of this type of coverage from the government’s coffers, and because coyote control was something that could be […] Read more
Extended grazing saves time and money — if done right
Winter grazing is a simple concept, but the trick is in things like good body condition scores in fall and the right grazing sequence
Reading Time: 3 minutes Winter feeding cattle is a matter of using the right tool at the right time, says a federal forage specialist. “Placing grazing methods in sequence is probably going to be the efficient method time after time to reduce risks and costs,” said Vern Baron, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. “In this day […] Read more
A statistical portrait of Alberta ag
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s Agriculture Statistics Yearbook 2014 is now available. The tables and charts provide both a current and historical perspective, with individual sections on sectors such as crops, livestock, and food and beverages, as well as industry measures and indicators such as farm income, agri-food exports, economic indicators, and the Census of Agriculture. Alberta […] Read more
Prepare for a successful future with Selections 2016
Send 4-H Diaries and registration submissions by Feb. 15
Reading Time: < 1 minute Attention senior members, registration is open now for Selections 2016! How would you like to partake in a journey of self-discovery? Through small-group discussions, team-building exercises, and large-group presentations, you will investigate your future; how school, career, and personal choices and change can affect your life’s path. Join other 4-H senior members from across Alberta […] Read more
Packers approved to move beef, pork to Ukraine
Inspectors have approved 15 Canadian beef and pork processing plants to export to Ukraine, more than doubling the number of Canadian meat plants able to ship to the country. Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday announced Ukraine has, essentially, approved beef and pork exports from any Canadian federally-registered establishment […] Read more
That work you hate pays very well
If you’re still running the farm on a cash basis, you’re tying one hand behind your back
Reading Time: 2 minutes Nearly three decades ago, a study of farmers’ work priorities found — to no one’s surprise — that record-keeping ranked well behind field work; buying and selling machinery and crops; and equipment repair. Only 16 per cent hired outside help for record-keeping, 50 per cent did it themselves and 20 per cent named their spouse […] Read more
Farmers getting an edge with advisory boards
Want to learn how you can benefit? Join the free webinar on Jan. 13
Reading Time: < 1 minute Leading farmers often cite advisory boards as one of their best practices. If you want to learn how to set one up, there’s a webinar on Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. Shauna Feth, executive director of Alberta Business Family Institute, will deliver a 45-minute presentation followed by questions and answers. Among the topics that will […] Read more