Reading Time: < 1 minute A day spent grazing works out to just half the cost of feeding cattle and adds $1 per head in profit, says forage and livestock business specialist Grant Lastiwka. Allowing for greater rest periods during the growing season will increase its carrying capacity, and allow producers to put cattle out earlier in the spring and […] Read more
Greater rest periods for pasture means more profits
Thinking of forward wheat pricing?
Farmers need to make sure the margin will cover their cost of production
Reading Time: < 1 minute Wheat prices have weakened since winter, world supply levels are bearish, and the loonie is up. “Many farmers are wondering, ‘What do I do now?’” said Neil Blue, market specialist at Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Farmers thinking about signing a forward pricing contract should first consider if the price will provide an acceptable margin […] Read more
Potato and tomato growers warned to keep watch for late blight
Monitor for symptoms in tomato transplants and in early-emerging potato plants
Reading Time: < 1 minute There has been a great deal of concern in Alberta in the last few years about late blight, a serious disease that mainly affects potatoes and tomatoes. Favourable conditions for disease development have resulted in multiple outbreaks of late blight in commercial market gardens, as well as urban potato and tomato crops throughout parts of […] Read more
Tree planting dos and don’ts
Agroforestry specialist Toso Bozic outlines the basics from buying to planting
Reading Time: 2 minutes A tree needs a healthy head start and that begins with selecting the right seedlings. “Ask where the stock came from, as many trees are not adapted to Alberta’s harsher climate,” said provincial agroforestry specialist Toso Bozic. “If you don’t get a tree that suits your needs, wait for next season and order in advance.” […] Read more
Going ‘off label’ is a bad idea all around when it comes to pesticides
You can not only be fined, but also put your customers, the environment and your business at risk
Reading Time: 2 minutes The practice of ‘off-label’ spraying is not only illegal and can result in severe fines, but can also be very dangerous for your clients, your livelihood, and the environment, says a provincial commercial horticulture specialist. “Horticultural chemicals and pesticides often have the dubious distinction of being more expensive than their field crop cousins. In order […] Read more
Summer Farm Employment Program deadline looming
Applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis until May 31
Reading Time: < 1 minute Time is running out to get funding from the Summer Farm Employment Program. The provincial program offers wage support for farmers who employ youth during July and August. Employers must own or rent a farming operation in Alberta and have a gross production of $25,000 per year. Work must be directly related to the farming […] Read more
Fatigue during spring seeding is dangerous, work safe
Know the warning signs and set sensible limits
Reading Time: < 1 minute Seeding and the spring work frenzy puts you at greater risk of serious injury due to fatigue. “Too many farmers push themselves, especially during the really busy times,” said Kenda Lubeck, farm safety co-ordinator with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “Too often, it is a case of wanting to finish a field even though fatigue […] Read more
Operators upping their game as farmers’ markets proliferate
Some are finding ways to stand out in the crowd while others are getting to know their customers better
Reading Time: 2 minutes Thrive!” was the theme for the 2015 B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets annual conference which attracted more than 100 vendors, farmers, managers and board members to talk about growth, innovation, and building ongoing success in the markets. The conference focused on two areas — strengthening the operation of the market and increasing vendor know-how in […] Read more
Cow-calf sector needs a different approach when it comes to investing
Pay attention to working capital, and invest in productive assets, herd health and yourself, says expert
Reading Time: 2 minutes Now that the cow-calf business is providing positive margins, an Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development specialist has some suggestions where cow-calf operators can invest to help improve their bottom line. In the Managing Prosperity in the Beef Industry presentation now available from Cow-Calfenomics risk management series, farm financial specialist Rick Dehod suggests that improving working […] Read more
Scorecard lets you put your pastures to the test
The scorecard is a simple way to see if a pasture needs to be rejuvenated
Reading Time: 2 minutes Highly productive pastures are the biggest key to high profitability of most beef, and other grazing ruminant operations. The Alberta Tame Pasture Scorecard is a quick and easy way of doing a pasture assessment. “Determining if pastures are functioning at the desired potential can be determined quite easily,” said Grant Lastiwka, a provincial forage and […] Read more
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