Reading Time: 4 minutes They’re calling it the most expensive crop that Alberta farmers have ever planted. But the skyrocketing price of fertilizer, fuel, herbicides and other inputs isn’t the only worry. Lately it’s often been about getting your hands on products you’ve paid an arm and a leg for. Clint Jacula thought he had the bases covered. He […] Read more
STICKER SHOCK: Plant 2022 has been unlike any other, say farmers
The sky-high prices are bad enough, but availability issues are also upping the stress levels for many
Squeezed and struggling: Research groups desperate for funding
Farmer-led groups say producers rely on their work but they’re hamstrung by inadequate, short-term funding
Reading Time: 6 minutes Alberta farmers need local, practical research but applied research associations say they’ve been hamstrung by a lack of provincial funding — and some may have to pack it in if that doesn’t change soon. “A lot of the groups are kind of squeezed to the point where, if we don’t get something secured right now, […] Read more
Total ban on killing grizzly bears isn’t working, say cattle producers
ABP wants government to issue permits to kill bears that repeatedly kill cattle and damage property
Reading Time: 5 minutes The province’s main cattle group says producers should be able to get a permit to kill grizzly bears that repeatedly kill livestock and damage property. “Alberta Beef Producers has resolved to lobby the government to provide livestock owners and landowners with permits, allowing them to kill a dangerous grizzly without being charged,” said Brad Dubeau, […] Read more
The ball is just getting started for Canada’s Cinderella crop
Renewable diesel expected to permanently push up demand — and keep prices strong
Reading Time: 3 minutes Canola acres are down substantially this year but that’s not because growers’ fondness for their Cinderella crop has diminished. In fact, most are pretty excited about what lies ahead, said Alberta Canola vice-chair Ian Chitwood. “I think people are quite optimistic by how the market is looking and how things are looking for canola,” said […] Read more
Sustainability means a lot of things on this Alberta farm
Reading Time: 4 minutes Sustainable ag has been a popular term for many years but on Blue Ridge Farms, it goes beyond just farming practices. “We have four kids who will hopefully take it over, or whoever takes it over next, we want to pass it over in really good condition,” said Jillian Byers who farms with husband Brett […] Read more
Weaning calves early isn’t normal but is an option in a time of drought
There's some clear benefits for the herd, but what do you do with the calves?
Reading Time: 3 minutes When feed is tight and times are tough, early calf weaning is an option — albeit an unusual one, says one of the country’s leading cattle experts. “Early weaning is talked about a lot, but not many people do it,” said Dr. John Campbell, a professor of large-animal clinical sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and an […] Read more
Alberta’s checkoff woes now poised to hit national organization
Alberta Beef Producers says it’s cut its budget all it can, and may have to reduce funding for the CCA
Reading Time: 3 minutes With checkoff refunds totalling about $30 million over the last dozen years, Alberta Beef Producers says it may have no choice but to cut support for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association — possibly by as much as $1 million annually. The Alberta cattle group is refunding about $3 million in checkoffs every year — the vast […] Read more
More money helps, but fixing rural vet shortage a daunting task
U of Calgary vet school is doubling enrolment but also working on ways to make rural practices more attractive
Reading Time: 3 minutes The shortage of rural vets is no secret to any livestock producer, but there is fresh hope that may change in the years ahead. Flush with major new provincial funding, officials at the province’s vet school say they have a plan to address the long-standing problem. It will start with a slight increase in veterinary […] Read more
Golden era for canola isn’t over by a long shot, says industry vet
As he heads into retirement, Ward Toma says the crop’s future is as bright as it was when he was starting out
Reading Time: 3 minutes As he looks into the rear-view mirror of history, Alberta Canola general manager Ward Toma points to 2003 as a turning point. But not because of what happened in the canola sector, but rather the earthquake that hit the cattle business when BSE was discovered in an Alberta cow. In each of the two years […] Read more
Going the extra mile pays off for 4-H clubs during pandemic
Reading Time: 4 minutes Throughout the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, 4-H Alberta had one clear goal: to serve their youth. “We knew they were a vulnerable population that needed this community,” said Kurt Kinnear, the organization’s CEO. “We worked as much as we could to serve our youth through all of this, whether it was virtual […] Read more