Chicago | Reuters — Global commodities trader Cargill reported a higher quarterly profit on Wednesday as strong earnings from its food ingredients and protein units more than offset lagging results from South American grain trading and processing. The privately held company has been streamlining its operations to focus on higher-margin businesses such as food ingredients […] Read more
Cargill’s Q3 profit up on ingredient, protein demand
A terrible toll: Farming still claims too many lives
The latest statistics show an encouraging but modest decline in the number of farm fatalities
Reading Time: 4 minutes The number of people killed in farm accidents continues to decline, but a new report also says “there is no more dangerous occupation” than farming. The average number of fatalities fell from 116 annually from 1990 to 2001 to 84 in the latest 10-year reporting period (2003 to 2012), according to Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting […] Read more
Fatality report highlights the many dangers of farming
The grim statistics are a reminder that some everyday activities can also be very hazardous
Reading Time: < 1 minute The language is plain, the numbers clear, and the take-home message is simple — danger is ever present on farms. Although run-overs, rollovers, and being pinned or struck by machinery account for 369 of the 843 fatalities in the latest Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting report (covering the period from 2003 to 2012), tragedy strikes in […] Read more
Top U.S. chicken-producing state sees first case of bird flu
Chicago | Reuters — Georgia has confirmed its first-ever case of bird flu in commercial poultry, its agriculture department said on Monday, widening an outbreak of the disease into the United States’ biggest chicken meat-producing state. A flock of 18,000 chickens used for breeding was culled after testing positive for H7 bird flu, according to […] Read more
We take them for granted, but how would we manage without them?
Travelling in poor countries makes you appreciate a pair of good boots, and the generous spirit of those who can only dream of such luxuries
Reading Time: 3 minutes When I was a child mother would call out to us, ‘Leave your boots at the door!’ — and we would topple upon each other, kicking off the seemingly unimportant footwear, unaware of the value or the privilege of those boots. Even in the leanest of years, some kind of footwear was always provided, despite […] Read more
Jump in: Ag needs more women leaders
Attendees at Advancing Women Conference told their voices are needed — and they need to encourage each other to speak up
Reading Time: 4 minutes Women are still a minority in farming but they can — and should — play a leading role. That was a recurring theme at this year’s Advancing Women Conference, where attendees were told their leadership and communication skills are badly needed. “Women’s voices are needed, that’s my underlying message — your hard work, your commitment, […] Read more
The four factors that are changing agriculture
Don’t look back, the world is changing far too fast, says an American author and farmer
Reading Time: 3 minutes If you’re not ready to adapt and communicate with the public, you could lose your place in agriculture. “In agriculture, we tend to hang on to the best of the past,” said Jolene Brown, farmer, author and well-known speaker. “You’ve all heard the phrase, ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you will get […] Read more
Warm weather wins out in this crazy up-and-down winter
The recipe was simple but unusual: Send in warm weather, then a big blast of cold, and repeat all winter long
Reading Time: 3 minutes From a climatological point of view, winter is now over. The 12-month year is broken into four equally long seasons, with winter covering December, January, and February. From a southern and central Alberta view, there is still one month to go. For most of the Canadian Prairies, winter starts in November and usually ends in March. In some […] Read more
Share your family’s 4-H stories
Deadline for submissions is March 31
Reading Time: < 1 minute There’s still time to share your family’s 4-H story. The 4-H Heritage Families initiative is an opportunity for families with a strong 4-H history to talk about their involvement with 4-H, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in the province this year. 4-H Alberta is collecting stories and photos of multi-generational families that will be […] Read more
Call (the conservation board) before you build
You may not need a permit, but water setback and manure management rules still apply
Reading Time: 2 minutes If you’re considering relocating livestock facilities, make sure you call the Natural Resources Conservation Board early on. “(We can) see if what (the producer) is planning needs a permit and if there are any other requirements they need to meet before they start doing anything and spending a whole lot of money,” said Andy Cumming, […] Read more
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