Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture is encouraging producers to make use of a three-part fact sheet on obtaining financing. Successful loan applications have many elements, said new-venture specialist Kathy Bosse. “Asking for funding is not unlike a job interview,” she said. “Be prepared to address holes or weaknesses in your plan to show you also recognize obstacles but […] Read more
Up your odds of getting a loan
Learn agri-tourism from the best
Workshop at the Lethbridge Agriculture Centre on Feb. 28
Reading Time: < 1 minute Two of Canada’s best-known agri-tourism operators will give a workshop on Feb. 28 at the Lethbridge Agriculture Centre. Mark Saunders and Angela Grant Saunders started a U-pick strawberry patch at their farm near Ottawa in the mid-1970s and now have activities ranging from mazes and attractions for kids to weddings and dinners. “Saunders Farm has […] Read more
New online tool for using green manure
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Prairie Organic Grain Initiative has launched a free, online Green Manure Tool Kit. A reliable and effective green manure program is essential for the success of an organic farm, and the tool kit is a guide to help producers to select the best green manure for their farm conditions. It has modules on selecting […] Read more
Newfoundland shifts Lands Branch to new department
The government branch overseeing Crown land in Newfoundland and Labrador will join the provincial ministry handling the agrifoods file, as the province moves to cut public sector costs. Premier Dwight Ball on Wednesday announced what he billed as the “Flatter, Leaner Management Structure” for the provincial government, a reorganization which will see 287 management positions […] Read more
China reports more severe form of bird flu, threat to poultry
Geneva/Beijing | Reuters — China is working to assess the prevalence of a new strain of H7N9 bird flu, state radio reported Wednesday, after global health authorities said the strain had evolved into a more severe form in birds. So far the variant strain has only been detected in Guangdong province, but given the wide […] Read more
Wild boars roam Czech forests, some of them radioactive
Prague | Reuters –– The Czech Republic has an unusual problem this winter with its wild boar meat, a local delicacy. The boars are radioactive. Actually, it’s not the boars themselves, but what they’re eating. A cold and snowy winter is forcing them to feed on false truffles, an underground mushroom common in the Sumava […] Read more
Canada stresses NAFTA talks to involve all members
Toronto | Reuters –– Any talks to renew the North American Free Trade Agreement would involve all three member nations, a top Canadian official said on Tuesday, dampening speculation the U.S. might seek to sit down with Canada first and then Mexico. “We very much recognize that NAFTA is a three-nation agreement and were there […] Read more
Tim Hortons owner confirms US$1.8B deal for Popeyes
Reuters — Restaurant Brands International, owner of the Burger King and Tim Hortons fast-food chains, said on Tuesday it would acquire Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for US$1.8 billion in cash. The deal is a bet by Oakville, Ont.-based Restaurant Brands that it can use its international reach to introduce Popeyes’ Louisiana-style fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits […] Read more
Business is booming for agrologists in Alberta
Reading Time: 3 minutes Given the economic woes of Alberta in the past couple of years, David Lloyd has a pretty convincing pitch for anyone considering a career in agronomy. “Since the downturn in the economy, from Jan. 1, 2015, we’ve added 150 to 200 new members a year,” said the CEO and registrar of the Alberta Institute of […] Read more
Young Albertans put their 4-H pride out there
Reading Time: < 1 minute Two Alberta entries were among the 10 national winners in the Proud to Bee a 4-H’er video contest. In his video, Colton Skori lists four reasons why he loves belonging to the Irma 4-H Beef Club, including his beef project, all the friends he makes, and serving the community. “And last but not least, I […] Read more
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