Reading Time: 2 minutes The market for agricultural products is increasingly influenced by activities aimed at measuring and communicating information related to sustainability, according to a study commissioned by the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). The study on sustainable sourcing in Canada was conducted by Global Ecologic Environmental Consulting and Management Services earlier this year. “We want to prepare […] Read more
Get ready for sustainable sourcing, says new study
Sustainable sourcing for crops isn’t a major force yet, but major buyers are moving in that direction
Back to Ag Program helps injured farmers
Reading Time: 3 minutes Three injured farmers from Saskatchewan and one from Ontario have received funding to help them get back to what they love — farming. The Back to Ag Program gives injured producers up to $10,000 to help with the purchase of adaptive technology such as a cattle-handling system, grain-handling system, or wheelchair lift. The program is […] Read more
The global weather scene is heating up like never before
April was the 12th month in a row where the all-time monthly temperature record was broken
Reading Time: 3 minutes Psychologically, May might have felt cool — especially compared to the extremely warm start Alberta has seen this year. But overall, May was still warmer than average. This makes it the eighth month in a row with above-average temperatures in all three of our main regions (Peace River, Edmonton, and Calgary). For those of you who […] Read more
Supreme Court rules most animal sex acts not against bestiality law
Toronto | Reuters — Canada’s bestiality law only bans sexual acts that involve penetration, the country’s Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, a blow to advocacy groups who argued animals should be afforded the same protection from exploitation that humans are given. Supreme Court judges ruled 6-1 in favour of a man from British Columbia convicted […] Read more
Provincial farmers’ markets off to a busy start
Farmers' markets throughout the province are already seeing high customer traffic
Reading Time: 2 minutes Farmers’ markets are off to a promising start. “Early reports I’ve had from different markets out there say that there is a lot of customer traffic early in the season, which is good considering the economy,” said Eileen Kotowich, farmers’ market specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “Early in the year, you’re never sure how […] Read more
Farm safety consultations get mixed reviews
AgCoalition is hopeful, safety expert is pleased, but at least one farm group says the entire process is another ‘slap in the face’
Reading Time: 4 minutes Take your pick: The Alberta government’s approach to consultations on workplace safety regulations are a “sham,” possibly OK, or just what’s needed. The provincial government has set up six working groups — each with 12 members plus an independent chair — to develop workplace safety rules on farms and ranches. Of the 78 members, 23 […] Read more
How to use the Prairie Climate Atlas
Reading Time: < 1 minute To use the atlas, go to climateatlas.ca and once the intro is done, click on the thermometer icon on the left-hand side of the page to bring up a map of the Prairies. Then click on Communities at the top of the page; select Municipal Zones from the drop-down menu; and use your cursor and […] Read more
We think we have water in abundance, but that’s just not so
We need to start appreciating how precious each litre of fresh water is, and how much of it we are using
Reading Time: 4 minutes The dry spring brought to many parts of Alberta the stark reality of the importance of rainwater. But all water usage is getting stretched beyond that which falls from the sky. And although this province is technically a semi-arid climate, Albertans have often thought of themselves as “water abundant.” Are we? Alberta has 2.2 per […] Read more
Three resources to read before buying land
The high cost of farmland doesn’t leave room for emotion — or miscalculation
Reading Time: 2 minutes Farm auction sale season has begun, and a provincial farm financial specialist says a lot of retiring farmers are choosing to sell their land by public auction. “With interest rates remaining low and the majority of Alberta farms continuing to have a strong balance sheet, the demand for farmland purchase in Alberta remains robust,” said […] Read more
World food markets set for stable year: FAO
Rome | Reuters — Global food commodity markets are likely to remain stable in the coming year, the United Nations’ food agency said on Thursday, even as prices rose for the fourth straight month. Solid output prospects and abundant stocks should keep prices and supplies stable, while lower prices than those seen last year are […] Read more
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