The provincial government says a provision in Bill 31 allowing vets to advertise fees isn’t aimed at the livestock sector but rather to “support pet owners in finding quality care.”

Veterinary association lambastes province over ‘intrusion’ on fees

The organization is upset with consumer protection bill that would allow vets to advertise their fees

Reading Time: 2 minutes For the second time in two months, the association representing Alberta’s veterinarians is crying foul and accusing the NDP government of taking short-sighted actions with no consultation. Proposed changes “constitute alarming overreach and intrusion into the veterinary profession’s ability to self-regulate and were made without consultation,” the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association said in a press […] Read more


Grass fires are becoming more common and farmers need to recognize the threat, says a wildfire expert at the University of Alberta.

Climate change equals more grass fires, says expert

Farmers should be aware of this danger and take steps to reduce the risk

Reading Time: 3 minutes This year’s spate of wildfires across the western Prairies were not an anomaly, but rather a “glimpse into the future” for Alberta farmers. “In Canada, our area burned has doubled since the 1970s, and I — and a number of others — attribute this to climate change,” said Mike Flannigan, a professor with the department […] Read more

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa looks on as he chairs ZANU PF’s Politburo meeting in Harare on Dec. 13. Photo: Reuters/Philimon Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe orders illegal settlers to vacate farms

Harare | Reuters — Zimbabwe’s new agriculture minister on Wednesday ordered illegal occupiers of farms to vacate the land immediately, a move that could ultimately see some white farmers who say they were unfairly evicted return to farming. Perrance Shiri, a military hardliner who was head of the air force before being picked for the […] Read more


Moulds and mycotoxins can be hidden hazards in feed, says ruminant nutritionist Amanda Van de Kerckhove.

Mycotoxins — the invisible danger for livestock

Ruminant nutritionist offers tips to ensure feed doesn’t pose a health hazard to your cattle

Reading Time: 3 minutes Mould and mycotoxins can be tricky, but there are a few tips that can help prevent them from hurting your cattle. That was the message that Amanda Van De Kerckhove, ruminant nutritionist with Co-op Feeds, brought to Northlands’ first BeefTech event. “It can be a little overwhelming when you look at all the factors that […] Read more

Get the lowdown on online marketing

Webinar on offer Dec. 6

Reading Time: < 1 minute Deb Foisy of Debs Greenhouse near Morinville will offer her tips on how to use social media to boost sales in a Dec. 6 webinar. Although her greenhouse operation is “a destination garden centre,” Foisy has expanded her online efforts in the past two years and “will share the successes and challenges she’s encountered,” said […] Read more


Starving Hunger Symbol. Black African boy holding rice as a malnutrition symbol. It is important to get food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people and countries. Stop hunger in the world!

Food insecurity is not just a Third World problem

The situation in a country like Sudan is much more dire, but there are parallels to our own country

Reading Time: 3 minutes The United Nations has developed 17 sustainable development goals. The second one is “zero hunger.” This includes a mandate to end not only hunger but poverty everywhere and to achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. I would like to focus on food security in this column. Food security was defined at the […] Read more



Using your smartphone is now an option for reporting poaching or suspicious incidents.

You can now report poachers online

The 1-800 Report A Poacher hotline is the best option when immediate action is needed

Reading Time: 2 minutes You can now report suspicious hunting or fishing activity online. Until now, the only way to report poaching activity, dangerous wildlife or public land abuse was to phone the Report A Poacher hotline. There is now a Report A Poacher website to fill out a form and submit it online. The report goes to fish […] Read more

Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay speaks Nov. 24 at Agribition in Regina. (Agr.gc.ca)

Federal programs set for Growing Forward sequel

Market development, product development and overall sector development are among the priorities in the federal government’s five-year funding plan for the ag sector. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay, speaking Friday at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, announced a $1 billion suite of six federally funded programs to roll out through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The Canadian […] Read more