Reading Time: 2 minutes Short-term manure storage allows producers to manage their manure and field activities, but can raise issues, says a specialist in confined feeding operations with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “It’s also an activity that often generates questions,” said Chris Ullmann. “Short-term storage can be concerning to neighbours if the rules are not followed or if […] Read more
The lowdown on short-term manure storage
Provincial specialist Chris Ullmann says producers need to review the rules before using short-term manure storage
Crop prices down, but fertilizer prices not following suit
Supply and logistics issues are keeping fertilizer prices up even though demand in the U.S. has stalled
Reading Time: 2 minutes Despite low commodity prices, fertilizer prices have not been following the same trend, says an Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s market analyst for agriculture inputs. “Two of the reasons fertilizer prices have not trended down- ward as quickly as grain prices are world supply and U.S. transportation issues,” said Jennifer Stoby. “The world markets are […] Read more
Factors to consider before constructing a dugout
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to dugouts, says provincial water engineer
Reading Time: 2 minutes This is the time of year producers may be thinking about digging new dugouts. And, as with any new building project, there are factors to ponder before the first shovel hits the dirt. “Fall is a great time of year to construct new dugouts,” said Melissa Orr-Langner, agricultural water engineer with Alberta Agriculture and Rural […] Read more
Producers wanted for second pilot of Alberta FarmSafe Plan
Free, two-day workshops will be held in Edmonton, Red Deer, and Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, and Olds
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is looking for interested farm owners and managers to participate in a second pilot of the Alberta FarmSafe Plan, a safety management resource for farmers. The first pilot program to test the plan took place in 2013-14 with nine participants The program has been revised based on the feedback received. […] Read more
Workshop offered on Community-Supported Agriculture
Registration deadline is Nov. 12
Reading Time: < 1 minute The local food movement has seen farms across the country offer CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) programs, in which customers pay up front and receive weekly shares of vegetables and other farm products during the growing season. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s Explore Local initiative is hosting a one-day CSA workshop on Nov. 18 at the provincial […] Read more
Producers urged to participate in hort survey
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development are conducting an online horticulture survey. “This survey will update key information about the horticulture industry to enable sharing of current information on the industry and support industry strategic planning,” said Sharon Faye, a market analyst with Alberta Agriculture. “The horticulture industry is […] Read more
People are eating a healthier breakfast, but it has to be quick
Fewer people are skipping breakfast, but they’re often grabbing a take-out breakfast meal
Reading Time: 2 minutes Breakfast habits are changing, says provincial consumer market analyst Jeewani Fernando. “Market research shows that while skipping breakfast has declined in Canada, consumers are heading out of their homes in search of breakfast more often than previously,” says Fernando. “Cafés and fast-food restaurants are top of mind for away-from-home breakfast options. That said, many consumers […] Read more
Tips for making hay during fall’s cool, damp weather
Fall is less than an ideal time for putting up forage, so the goal should be to salvage what can be salvaged and feed it quickly
Reading Time: 2 minutes Time is of the essence when putting up forage under less-than-ideal moisture conditions. “Cool and wet fall weather is great for pasture recovery and for easing forages into dormancy, but not so good for drying hay,” says Linda Hunt, forage specialist with the Alberta Ag-Info Centre in Stettler. “It’s not uncommon for fall conditions in […] Read more
Watch for mineral deficiencies in cattle diets when grazing stubble
Cow-calf pairs turned into stubble fields have different mineral supplementation requirements compared to when they were on pasture
Reading Time: 3 minutes Letting cows graze on stubble is a good way to utilize forage resources, but producers need to pay attention to potential mineral deficiencies, says provincial beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “They will pick and choose what they eat from the straw, chaff, weed seeds in the stubble, slough hay from the low areas and […] Read more
The lowdown on drones
If you don’t carefully consider the costs and benefits, a drone can easily become just an ‘expensive toy’
Reading Time: 2 minutes AARD – Drones have been used by the military and by hobbyists for years, but now unmanned aerial vehicles designed to do a range of everyday jobs are finding a place in agriculture. “Drones can be used for such applications as crop scouting, livestock surveillance in remote areas, detection of algae blooms — you name […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
