Reading Time: 2 minutes “Every year the debate continues, as farmers wonder whether they should incorporate the family farm or not,” says Merle Good, business development – tax strategies, with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “The answer is not that simple, but I have found over the years it depends on a farmer’s answers to 10 questions.” Income 1. […] Read more
Incorporation: Tax Strategy Or A Farmer’s Curse?
Insect Survey Maps — Online And In Real Time
Reading Time: 3 minutes Scott Meers, integrated crop management specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, talked about the insect surveying that is done annually in Alberta, during his presentation at Agronomy Update 2011. In Alberta, seven insects are surveyed on an annual basis: Bertha armyworm, diamondback moth, wheat midge, wheat stem sawfly, grasshoppers, pea leaf weevil and the […] Read more
Six Cow-Calfenomics 2011 Meetings Across The Province
Reading Time: 2 minutes Cow-Calfenomics 2011 – Strategies Moving Forward is a one-day workshop that looks at beef trends, explains some available tools for risk management, and helps cow-calf managers calculate their bottom line. The workshop is being held at six locations across Alberta in early March. This workshop is a partnership effort between Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, […] Read more
HACCP Food Safety Video Available
Reading Time: < 1 minute “HACCP (pronounced Hass-ip) is short for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, and is a food safety system for food processors that can help generate an assurance of food safety,” says Monika Frank-Ruediger, food safety specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. To understand how HACCP can help improve food safety in a facility, a DVD, […] Read more
Sharps: What’s On The Them Is Cause For Concern
Reading Time: 2 minutes With lambing, foaling and calving season right around the corner, it’s time to think about safe handling of sharps. “Sharps” is the universal term used for items such as needles, scalpel blades or broken glass from medicine bottles. In 2009, hypodermic needles with syringes accounted for 32 per cent of the farm tool injuries reported […] Read more
Rancher’s Return Software Updated
Reading Time: 2 minutes A new decision-support tool to assist cattle producers in calculating their cost of production and break-even prices, has been posted to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s website. The new tool is an updated version of the highly successful Rancher’s Return excel spreadsheet calculator. “The 2011 version extends the initial cow-calf analysis farther through the supply […] Read more
Additional Help Available For Producers In Peace Region
Reading Time: < 1 minute Due to dry conditions in the Peace Region, the Government of Alberta is waiving the rental fees, retroactive to January 1, for Peace Region producers who used the province’s Emergency Water Pumping Program. More than 200 Peace Region producers used that program, which allowed them to rent aluminum pipe and pumps from the department of […] Read more
Marketing Tools For Hay Producers
Reading Time: 2 minutes This year, forage supplies are up and demand is down, a total reversal of last year. The availability or supply, in many cases, has resulted in hay prices reduced by half from the highs experienced in 2009. Given this scenario, hay buyers can afford to be selective in their purchases. In order for hay producers […] Read more
Feed Testing Is Essential This Year
Reading Time: 3 minutes Forage quality is much lower this year, compared to the 10-year average. Results indicate that energy and protein content is reduced due to hay being cut too late resulting in overmature hay, or from being rained on and raked or turned numerous times. On average, forage energy and protein content is down 10 to 15 […] Read more
New Factsheet On Soil Compaction
Reading Time: 2 minutes Soil compaction is not considered a widespread serious problem in Alberta. However, soil compaction can be a serious and unnecessary form of soil degradation that can result in increased soil erosion and decreased crop production. “Soil compression by agricultural equipment can cause soil particles to become compacted,” says Ross McKenzie, research scientist – agronomy, with […] Read more