Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s time for a new mode of action for kochia control, but not one found in a jug of chemical. “We’ve had several years in a row of favourable conditions for kochia growth. That also can contribute to selection pressure for resistance, when herbicides are some of the primary measures that we’re using to manage […] Read more
Controlling herbicide-resistant kochia requires some different strategies
While tillage in general can harm soil health, a strategic targeted approach can help bury the seed
They’re big but not bad: Bison herd fits with rotational grazing
Reading Time: 3 minutes Dan Sych and his family are doing something a little different — practising rotational grazing with bison. But it’s no big deal, even though his livestock are formidable beasts, says the Hay Lakes producer. “So much of it has to do with what everyone’s interpretation of what rotational grazing means to them,” he said. “We […] Read more
It’s been 25 years of livestock traceability
On the right track: Tracking livestock is now pretty conventional, but it wasn’t always — and still isn’t in some countries
Reading Time: 3 minutes It was groundbreaking in its day, but 25 years later — and well over 100 million ear tags —it’s hard to imagine the days when there was no livestock traceability. “It’s an everyday thing now — resistance is minimal,” said Anne Brunet-Burgess, general manager of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency. The organization held its first […] Read more
Thinking outside the box prompts ag society to open daycare
Reading Time: 3 minutes They put on fairs and rodeos, host family fun days and large-scale ag shows, build community through a host of events, and share their facilities with organizations of every shape and size. But among the nearly 300 ag societies in the province, the Grovedale Community & Agricultural Society is unique — it’s in the daycare […] Read more
Farmers change focus with holistic management
It’s not just about agronomics but also the finances and family dynamics, say advocates
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
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