More ranchers in five provinces may now be able to defer some of their taxable income from their livestock sales in 2016 due to drought. The federal government on Aug. 4 announced its final list of drought-designated regions where the livestock tax deferral provision will be allowed for the 2016 tax year, and has included […] Read more
Drought-related livestock tax deferral zones widen again
Crop conditions decline in Alberta, recent rains offer little benefit
Alberta crop conditions as of August 8
Reading Time: 2 minutes Recent scattered rain across the province has been too light and variable to significantly improve soil moisture and crop conditions, especially in the Southern and Central Regions. Crop condition ratings declined for the Southern and Central Regions, improved for the North West and Peace Regions and remained unchanged in the North East Region from last […] Read more
Dry weather worsens declining crop conditions
Alberta crop conditions as of August 1
Reading Time: < 1 minute Provincial Crop Condition ratings declined a further 3 percentage points on the week to 57 per cent rated good or excellent as hot, dry weather continued throughout the South region and has broadened its hold in the Central region. Crop conditions declined 6 points in the South and recorded a significant 14 point drop in […] Read more
Saskatchewan harvest starts amid heat, dryness concerns
CNS Canada – Some producers in the south have started harvest, according to the latest Saskatchewan Agriculture crop report for the week ended July 31. Less than one per cent of fields have been combined across the province so far, but 47 per cent of fall rye, six per cent of winter wheat, two per […] Read more
Crop conditions decline, hot, dry weather continues
Alberta crop conditions as of July 25
Reading Time: < 1 minute Crop condition ratings declined a further 4 points this week to 60 per cent good/excellent, compared to the 5 year average of 74 per cent. Hot, dry weather continues to cover the South region and is now affecting significant portions of the east half of the Central region and parts of the NE region. Heavy […] Read more
Satellite insurance forage survey
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers and the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association are conducting a risk management and insurance survey for forage producers to provide information that may be used to design more effective insurance and risk management tools for forage producers. This includes hay, grass, alfalfa, native pasture, and improved pasture. The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/foragesatellite […] Read more
Devil’s trumpet is a potentially deadly invader
Noxious Weeds: Jimsonweed
Reading Time: < 1 minute Although its exact origin is unknown, devil’s trumpet — otherwise known as jimsonweed — is found in many countries around the world in both agricultural and ornamental settings. Introduced to this province as a contaminant of agricultural seed, this smelly weed is under review by the provincial Agriculture Ministry and it has been recommended to […] Read more
Klassen: Feeder market firm despite outside influences
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were unchanged from week-ago levels despite the strengthening Canadian dollar, stronger feed grain values and weaker fed cattle prices. Feedlot operators are wondering if this is a mockery, a delusion or a snare. Shorter term replacements are hard to come by and haven’t softened a half hair length. Small groups […] Read more
Another invader from the buttercup family
Cultivation is not successful and no chemicals are registered for control
Reading Time: < 1 minute Yellow clematis, a perennial vine related to the buttercup family, can become quite invasive if proper precautions are not taken. In Alberta, it has been designated as noxious for this reason. Often purchased, however, from gardening stores as a bedding plant, this weed can spread by wind which can take the seeds far beyond the […] Read more
Sheep industry struggles to match supply with demand
Reading Time: 3 minutes The law of supply and demand may usually prevail, but it’s having a bit of trouble working in the Canadian sheep industry. “The No. 1 challenge we face is a shortage of supply,” said Miles Kliner, general manager of Sungold Specialty Meats in Innisfail. “That has been going on for 15 to 16 years. We […] Read more