Reading Time: < 1 minute An Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development inspector says that, by following a few basic steps when buying used farm equipment, purchasers can help shield themselves from future problems. “Purchasing good used farm equipment can be a way of reducing equipment costs on your farm,” says Robert Martin, farm implement inspector, Edmonton. “There are several things […] Read more
Purchasing Used Farm Equipment From A Dealer
Farmer Panel Returns To AgChoices
Reading Time: < 1 minute The 2010 AgChoices conference will feature a panel of farmers who have successfully adapted products for the marketplace. It includes: Eric Chen, St. Albert. Eric owns and operates Peas On Earth Organic Garden with his wife Ruby. Colin Felsted, Dapp. Colin and three family partners operate a 5,300-acre grain farm and 800-head feedlot. Tamara Taylor, […] Read more
Establishing A Cow-Lease Arrangement
Reading Time: 3 minutes Many cow owners are looking for ways to weather the financial storm facing the cow business, and one option is setting up cow lease arrangements. “During periods of positive margins, cow leasing is an ideal way for retiring cow-calf operators to transfer the herd to the next generation and, at the same time, minimize the […] Read more
Premier’s Award Celebrates Healthy Food For Albertans
Reading Time: < 1 minute A new Premier’s award program will recognize food processors, producers and researchers for their work in creating healthy foods for Albertans. The Alberta Food for Health Awards – a Premier’s Award aims to stimulate and encourage the creation and development of healthy food production and research. “We want to recognize the outstanding work being done […] Read more
Canola: If You’re Going To Speculate, Do It On Paper
Reading Time: 2 minutes “To do a business speculation with canola, simply sell the canola into the cash market and replace the volume on paper with an ICE canola futures position.” This year’s canola crop came in late and was grown in conditions that varied considerably throughout the province. Now that the crop is in the bin, producers have […] Read more
Pencilling Out The Cost Of Custom-Feeding Cows
Reading Time: 2 minutes To protect both parties, it is advisable to agree upon a body condition of the cows going into the custom operation. Cow-calf operators are looking farther afield this year for their forage supplies, says Ted Nibourg, business management specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “With the high cost of forage and the cost of […] Read more
Helping To Keep Alberta Rat-Free
Reading Time: 2 minutes Rats have been making headlines in Saskatchewan, resulting in many Albertans asking what they should be doing and what they should be watching for to ensure that Alberta remains rat-free. “What Albertans need to keep in mind is that rats need ready access to three things – food, water and habitat,” says Rob Pulyk, inspector […] Read more
Mitigating The Feed-Quality Effects Of This Year’s Crop
Reading Time: 3 minutes Broiler, egg and hog producers should consider developing a 2009-10 feed strategy to mitigate the effects of this year’s dry and cool growing conditions on grain nutrient composition, says Eduardo Beltranena, feed research scientist/livestock production with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “While some areas of the Prairies received enough rain and heat in 2009, others […] Read more
New Agri-Food Leadership Program
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Agriculture and Food Council of Alberta and the University of Alberta’s School of Business Executive Education have collaborated to launch a new program to encourage and develop leadership skills in the next generation of agri-food leaders. The program will guide participants across the value chain on a four-module experience that focuses on understanding one’s […] Read more
Bar Code Dangle Tags Soon Obsolete
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) is reminding producers that as of January 1, 2010, all cattle must be tagged with approved CCIA radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. RFID tags have been the only approved tags since September 1, 2006. However, producers were allowed (until December 31, 2009) to phase out bar code tags for […] Read more