Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s always stressful when a predator injures or kills livestock, and the process for getting compensation can be stressful, too. But attendees at a recent webinar by a provincial wildlife officer got a look at the process from the investigator’s point of view. One of the key points made by Alex Bolland is that the […] Read more
When a predator attacks, wildlife officers need to solve the whodunit
Compensation is available for livestock producers but first some detective work needs to be done
Initiative aims to turn beef genetic data into cash at the ranch level
The keys are getting data into a useful form and then creating easy-to-use tools for ranchers, say advocates
Reading Time: 3 minutes How can the cattle industry make better use of genetic data? It’s a question that the Canadian Beef Improvement Network is trying to solve. “It’s really about translating the genetic information within the industry so we can replicate the positive and start to remove the inefficiencies that we have,” said Sandy Russell, CEO of the […] Read more
Put away the snacks and pay attention when it’s soil sampling time
High fertilizer prices mean soil sampling is especially critical this year — and that means doing it right
Reading Time: 3 minutes With fertilizer prices through the roof, everyone and their dog is advising farmers to soil test like never before. But assessing your soil isn’t a simple business. “Soil potential is going to be determined by organic matter, cation exchange process, pH and the soil nutrients that are available, electrical conductivity and base saturation,” said Rachelle […] Read more
When it’s this pricey, handle fertilizer with care
Do a soil test, and realize what has happened to your nutrients after the drought, says expert
Reading Time: 3 minutes Between drought and the soaring price of fertilizer, you might want to manage your grain farm a little differently this year. “In a dry year, there will be reduced crop growth and reduced nutrient uptake,” soil scientist Rigas Karamanos said at Agronomy Update earlier this month. “We had plenty of heat, but not moisture. Consequently, […] Read more
Premium discount for crop insurance being axed following record payout
After paying out $1.5 billion for crop losses last year, insurer says 20 per cent reduction won’t continue
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta’s crop insurer will pay out a record amount in claims — and that means the 20 per cent premium discount is being scrapped. Eleven months ago, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation announced it was not only cutting premiums by one-fifth, but would keep the discount for five years barring a “significant wreck.” But that’s exactly […] Read more
Grass-fed beef: The premiums are there but so is the work
It takes longer to get paid, and marketing and delivery will be critical to your success
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s not for everyone, but raising grass-fed beef can bring returns that conventional cow-calf producers can only dream about. “Someone can make a living off 70 head of grass-fed beef easily — or even 50,” said Ben Campbell, who raises both grass-fed and conventional cattle near Black Diamond. “Where if you produce 50 calves a […] Read more
In very difficult times, individuals and governments stepped up
Hay West lifted people’s spirits and the fast rollout of emergency aid prevented a much bigger cull
Reading Time: 4 minutes There’s no sugar-coating it — 2021 was a tough year. “The one thing you know when you’re an agricultural producer is the weather is the No. 1 thing,” said Bob Lowe, owner of Bear Trap Feeders in Nanton and president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “We’re probably all familiar with droughts, it’s just the size […] Read more
Rover and Mittens like it, but people aren’t so keen on insect protein
Company targets pet food market for its Alberta-raised protein made from black soldier fly larvae
Reading Time: 3 minutes Pet food is a $30-billion-a-year market in North America, and B.C. company Enterra wants to conquer it with some Alberta-raised protein — only in this case, it’s the ground larvae of black soldier flies. The protein powder that the company makes at its facility at Balzac is palatable to pets, has good digestibility, and helps […] Read more
Dry times don’t dent a bumper crop of community goodwill
Reading Time: 3 minutes Even though it was a stressful year, that didn’t stop producers from across the province from stepping up once again for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. And some produced some surprising results. “We were very dry, but I guess we got the right rain at the right time, because the crop grew well and with record […] Read more
Putting the spotlight (and movies) on Nanton’s historic elevators
Reading Time: 4 minutes Over the past couple of years, a volunteer group in Nanton has been showcasing their heritage elevators in new and exciting ways. “Our goal has been to really revitalize the elevators,” said Leo Wieser, president of the board of the Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre Society. “We’re trying a new tactic — turning them into […] Read more
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