Reading Time: 4 minutes Using holistic management principles can change lives, and farms. This was the message from five farmers who presented at the recent Western Canadian Holistic Management conference here. “We try to align our decisions with Mother Nature — it’s easier to work with her than to try to work against her,” said John Chuiko, who ranches […] Read more
Farmers change focus with holistic management
It’s not just about agronomics but also the finances and family dynamics, say advocates
Imagine moving your cattle with just a swipe on a smartphone
Nofence is already in use in Europe and now researchers are putting it to the test here
Reading Time: 4 minutes The idea is appealing: Imagine moving your cattle from the comfort of your armchair or while you’re away from the ranch. And it could become reality, says a University of Alberta professor who is testing Nofence collars, a product that its Norwegian maker bills as “the world’s first virtual fence for livestock.” “We see a […] Read more
Pulse crops struggle to keep up in the crop popularity sweepstakes
Peas, lentils and beans cut the fertilizer bill (and emissions) but run a distant fourth in acres
Reading Time: 5 minutes When Alberta Pulse Growers recently announced its new board, it sent a press release to say it would work hard “to achieve the vision of pulses on every farm.” But while many producers grow pulses (at least some of the time), the nitrogen-fixing legumes run far behind canola, wheat and barley in the crop popularity […] Read more
A bison herd has joined the Lakeland College crowd
Lakeland students won’t just be learning about production but also marketing and tech application
Reading Time: 4 minutes A herd of Alberta bison has headed off to college — and they’re a big hit with their two-footed schoolmates. “Bison are definitely cool,” said Walker Balan, who is in the agriculture technology degree program at Lakeland College. But Balan and other students who will be working with the herd — which arrived at a […] Read more
Business leaders back tax credit to spur more agri-processing
Province to offer 12 per cent tax credit for large-scale value-added projects
Reading Time: 3 minutes A new provincial tax break aimed at boosting the province’s agri-processing sector is getting a thumbs up from business leaders. “We are truly involved in a global economy that includes a rise in demand for food exports,” said Rich Vesta, owner of Harmony Beef, who hosted a government press conference announcing the tax credit. “With […] Read more
Quebec company aims to boost Alberta’s lamb sector
Meat processing giant says it wants to grow the sector and ensure everyone benefits
Reading Time: 4 minutes The new Quebec owners of the province’s major lamb processing plant are vowing to revitalize the sheep sector in Alberta. “The pie is going to get bigger — and we want everyone to benefit from it,” said Stéphane Beausoleil, an executive of Préval Ag who is now running the former SunGold lamb processing plant in […] Read more
Splitting up the nursery can have a big health payoff for calves
The Sandhills calving system is a simple way to lower the risk of scours
Reading Time: 4 minutes The Sandhills calving system can help producers reduce scours during calving season. Eight client ranches are trying the method, which is used south of the border but isn’t too common in Canada, said Dr. Tommy Ware of Veterinary Agri-Health Services. So far, it’s been a success. “Sandhills is our way of managing scours risk. Instead […] Read more
The net-zero movement is unstoppable, but farmers will adapt
Reducing emissions is do-able; the key is persuading Ottawa to chart a sensible course, says farm leader
Reading Time: 4 minutes Keep calm, stay flexible and farm on. These were the main messages from a panel on greenhouse gas emissions at the recent CrossRoads conference. Canada, and every member of the G7 and 120 other nations, has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the manager of government and policy relations for the Grain Growers […] Read more
Telemedicine is a way to get your veterinarian’s eyes on your farm
Trend of sending videos and pics instead of driving to a far-off clinic picked up during the pandemic
Reading Time: 3 minutes The use of telemedicine is growing, and if you’ve texted a video or a photo to your veterinarian, you’ve participated in it. “Telemedicine is defined as providing medical advice and treatment based on remote collection of information,” said Natasha Kutryk, the incoming president of the Alberta Veterinary Medicine Association. “There probably aren’t many farmers who […] Read more
Canada’s wheat farmers get a warm welcome abroad
‘Keep growing wheat’ message repeatedly delivered
Reading Time: 5 minutes “Glad to see you again — even more glad that you’ve got a full crop to sell this year.” That was the theme of nearly every conversation that farmers and grain sector representatives on the New Crop Missions heard as they travelled for the first time since the pandemic began. “I think the supply chain […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
