Reading Time: < 1 minute Applications for 2018 Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarships are due April 30. “The Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarship provides innovative Canadians with the funding to travel internationally to expand their personal horizons while exploring agricultural issues and opportunities in a global context,” said Kelvin Meadows, chair and 2011 scholar. “We are focused on developing leadership capacity for […] Read more
Travel the world as a Nuffield scholar
Scholarship application deadline is April 30
The solar power math is starting to add up
A steep drop in solar prices is giving a new meaning to ‘green’ power — and giving Alberta farmers a way to cut energy costs
Reading Time: 6 minutes Cory Nelson isn’t what you might call a ‘tree hugger.’ But the Grassy Lake-area farmer is a businessman, and to him, solar energy just makes good financial sense. “We view it as an investment,” said Nelson, who grows a variety of crops under irrigation on his southern Alberta farm. “Our best math said it was […] Read more
CFIA approves camelina oil for use in Atlantic salmon feed
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has approved mechanically-extracted camelina oil as a feed ingredient for farmed salmon and trout, Genome Atlantic says in a release. That paves the way for the oilseed to serve as a new rotation option for Maritime potato farmers. Camelina sativa, or false flax, is a hardy oilseed plant that […] Read more
Animal care advocates honoured
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dr. Merle Olson was presented with the Award of Distinction for Innovation at the recent Livestock Care Conference. The veterinarian and longtime farm animal care advocate was honoured for “his tireless efforts in the research, development, and commercialization of much-needed pharmaceutical options that are effective, economical, safe and practical, for pain management and parasite control […] Read more
Have your say on the next Growing Forward
Online survey runs until May 8
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta producers have a chance to offer their ideas on what should be in the successor to the current Growing Forward 2 agreement, which expires on March 31, 2018. The online survey includes discussion about key priorities, including markets and trade; science, research and innovation; risk management; environmental sustainability and climate change; value-added agriculture and […] Read more
Two $1,000 student scholarships available
Applications must be received by June 30
Reading Time: < 1 minute Applications are now open for Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ Memorial Scholarships. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to Canadian agriculture students. One scholarship will go to an individual entering post-secondary education from high school, and one to an individual who has already completed at least one year of post-secondary study. Applicants must be pursuing a […] Read more
Do it right and your small town could be ‘cool’
Reading Time: 3 minutes Imagine your rural town with bustling streets, thriving businesses, and growing numbers in the local school. Sound a little far fetched? Especially as you look around and see no signs of any such vision? But peer closely into the future — there’s a good chance your rural town could one day have a whole lot […] Read more
Rural revitalization 101: Some tips to get you started
Reading Time: < 1 minute How do you make sure your small town is leading the band and not missing the parade altogether? If you love your small town, it’s time to gather a crowd and start ensuring its future is golden, says small-town advocate Becky McCray. The Oklahoma resident has a number of tips for revitalizing small towns: Attract […] Read more
There’s a fine line between average and excellent
A multi-year benchmarking study of the most profitable bison producers offers insights to any livestock operation
Reading Time: 3 minutes What sets a top-performing bison producer apart from a low performer? About fifty cents. That was one of the key preliminary findings of a multi-year benchmarking study that compares performance indicators in Alberta and Saskatchewan bison herds. “Our main objective was to develop a performance indicator that allows us to evaluate farms relative to one […] Read more
Don’t let that pretty quarter section turn your head
Spring is a busy time for farmland sales, but make sure you don’t wind up with buyer’s regret
Reading Time: < 1 minute Spring is a prime time for buying land, but don’t rush into a purchase, says a provincial farm financial specialist. “With farmland prices continuing to appreciate, a well-researched financial and ownership plan will guard against ill-prepared land purchases,” said Rick Dehod. “So do your homework before making a final decision.” Read more: FCC sees increase […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
