Getting more out of fewer acres while lowering risk prompted Ryan Boyd, pictured with daughter Piper, 
to try regenerative agriculture.

Regenerative agriculture: A better way to farm?

Modern version of mixed farming model is attracting producers focused on ‘the long game’

Reading Time: 4 minutes Twelve years ago, Ryan Boyd faced a wreck that changed the way he farms today. “I had big plans,” said Boyd, who farms with his wife and parents north of Brandon, Man. “We had a nice crop coming, and then the weather went against us and the markets dropped. “The long and short of it […] Read more

Little harvest progress made, pasture, soil moisture ratings see improvement

Alberta crop conditions as of October 16, 2018

Reading Time: 2 minutes Overall, minimal harvest progress was achieved this reporting period. Last week the average of Major Crops harvested was 46.7 per cent as compared to this week we are up 3.2 points to 49.9 per cent. Over 95 per cent of peas are in the bin with the exception of Peace Region which has only 66.9 […] Read more


Harvest progress behind five-year average across Alberta

Alberta crop conditions as of October 9, 2018

Reading Time: 1 minute Generally, harvest progress has been slow due to wet conditions across the province and lower than normal temperatures since the end of August. Provincially, about 47 per cent of major crops have now been harvested, up nine per cent from a week ago. Comparing harvest progress over recent years, 2018 has been the most delayed […] Read more



Pulses continue to have a bright future but in the short term, lentil and pea acreages look like they will continue to decline.

Producers may not give peas a chance next year

Lentil acreage may also decline as India’s tariffs and tough growing conditions take a toll

Reading Time: 4 minutes Some Alberta producers could become former pulse growers next year if the markets don’t turn around soon. “It’s the third year in a row that they’ve been at the bottom of the net income,” said Josh Fankhauser, who farms near Claresholm. “The math just doesn’t work.” Yellow peas have been part of Fankhauser’s rotation for […] Read more

Cold weather, snowfall, slow harvest progress further

Alberta crop conditions as of October 2, 2018

Reading Time: 2 minutes The month of September has been exceptionally cold across the province and, for many areas, unusually wet. Although cool damp weather conditions have halted harvest operations in many areas, this has led to normal precipitation accumulations for most areas of the province. Adding to this was the large snowfall event in the southern and western […] Read more


It was the second, heavier September snowstorm that flattened big chunks of his wheat fields, said Jason Lenz.

It was more Standstill than September for many

Many weren’t able to ‘turn a wheel’ during what should be the golden days of autumn

Reading Time: 4 minutes It was a September that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. “Harvest is at a standstill and it’s been that way for about three weeks now,” Alberta Wheat chair Kevin Bender said as the month came to a close. “For the most part, guys haven’t been able to turn a wheel yet.” Bender, […] Read more



Rain, hail, sleet, snow chill harvest progress

Alberta crop conditions as of September 25, 2018

Reading Time: < 1 minute The wet cold front experienced over the last couple of weeks seems to have stationed itself in the province bringing rain, hail, sleet, and snow with it. Much snow has melted on initial contact, while a few grassy areas saw small amounts of accumulation. Optimistically, the early September snowfall experienced in parts of the province […] Read more