Reading Time: 3 minutes Ag Expo in Lethbridge could be even bigger — if only there was room. As the Lethbridge and District Exhibition marks its 118th year, its board finds itself on the threshold of an exciting, but challenging, growth opportunity. “The last construction at Exhibition Park took place in 1999 with the construction of the Main Pavilion, […] Read more
Exhibition Park looks to the future with expansion plans
A $90-million redevelopment would see construction of a 250,000-square-foot convention centre and 75,000-square-foot Agriplex
The arrival of Ag Expo signals the growing season isn’t far away
Although there’s 200,000 square feet of space, about 50 of the 350 exhibitors have to line up their machinery outdoors
Reading Time: 2 minutes A sure sign spring is on the horizon in southern Alberta is when Exhibition Park at Lethbridge fills up for Ag Expo. The three-day annual event showcases all things agriculture — from equipment to technology — for both crops and livestock. It’s also home to the North American Seed Fair. “It’s really an economic barometer […] Read more
Small farm ‘toys’ pack a mighty punch
Drones are getting off the ground in Alberta, in no small part thanks to their practical applications on livestock and grain farms
Reading Time: 3 minutes Drones may seem like a fun toy — but on the farm, these fancy fliers mean business. “At the end of the day, you want better information to make better decisions, and that’s what they give you,” said Steve Myshak, owner of Ventus Geospatial in Lethbridge. “That’s the bottom line on why you want to […] Read more
Rimbey Agricultural Society’s new multi-purpose facility set to open
The 60,000-square-foot facility will host horse events, sales, 4-H shows and various other activities
Reading Time: 2 minutes Rimbey’s new $5.9-million multi-purpose facility, the Agrim Centre, is nearly complete. “We’ve taken our first event bookings, and are looking for more,” said Tim Edge, president of the Rimbey Agricultural Society. “We’ve had a lot of interest in using the building already, so we wanted to get the word out that we are accepting bookings […] Read more
Cash flow really is king when growing your farm
Tighter margins have upped the danger level for farms that have expanded or just getting started
Reading Time: 2 minutes Cash is the lifeblood of a business, but with so much emphasis on profitability, this can be easily overlooked, says Rick Dehod, farm financial specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “Of course, the bottom line is important, but poor cash flow management can drive a growing and/or profitable company out of business,” said Dehod. […] Read more
Photo: Hungry elk herd
Reading Time: < 1 minute No, this is not an elk farm. This herd was just passing through the pasture fields, on a ranch between Okotoks and Turner Valley. Wildlife damage usually increases in late winter as hunger makes wildlife more bold, said Charity Wallace of Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. Limiting access to food sources, like bales and […] Read more
Farm group calls for more research dollars
The Alberta Federation of Agriculture wants the province to reinstate the cancelled Agriculture and Food Innovation Endowment fund
Reading Time: 2 minutes Plummeting oil revenues are blowing a big hole in the provincial budget, but the Alberta Federation of Agriculture says that’s all the more reason to increase funding for ag research. Attendees at the group’s annual general meeting last month passed a resolution calling on the province to increase, rather than cut, ag research funding, and […] Read more
Alberta Federation of Agriculture aims to offer ‘unified voice’ for farmers
Focus is on issues that can impact the day to day of a farmer’s operation
Reading Time: 2 minutes Nose to the grindstone’ is a good way to describe how the folks at the Alberta Federation of Agriculture have been working since the group’s rebrand in the summer of 2013. “We’re involved in agriculture in all of its different aspects,” said board chair Lynn Jacobson, who farms near Enchant. “We’re trying to give another […] Read more
How the plunge in oil prices and the loonie affects you
From inputs and labour to the complex ramifications for the beef industry, the drop in oil prices and the dollar is changing the farm landscape
Reading Time: 2 minutes A plunging loonie and free-falling oil prices will create winners and losers — and farmers will clearly be in the winners’ circle, according to one of Alberta’s top economists. “Agriculture, forestry and tourism will all do well,” said Todd Hirsch, senior economist with ATB Financial. “It’s really a big benefit to agriculture that we are […] Read more
Nominations sought for AFAC’s Awards of Distinction
Awards recognize individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions to livestock welfare
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) is seeking nominations for its Awards of Distinction. The award program was initiated in 2001 to recognize individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions in the field of livestock welfare. Those who: Promote responsible, humane animal care within the livestock industry; Engage in discussion with the public about today’s […] Read more
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