Reading Time: 3 minutes The pandemic is taking a toll in many ways, and that includes a rise in domestic violence in both rural and urban centres in Alberta, say social service agencies. “In the beginning of COVID-19, with the government telling everyone to stay home, and the fear of living with other families, we saw a drop in […] Read more
Rural shelters and crisis centres receiving more calls for help
Domestic abuse, addictions and mental health issues rising as pandemic drags on, say social service agencies
The cattle backlog is easing, but feedlots are still hurting
Feedlot owners losing $200 to $300 a head even though glut of market-ready cattle is smaller
Reading Time: 4 minutes While the backlog of cattle from packing plant closures and slowdowns last spring has dwindled, feedlot owners are still being hit hard. In the spring, there was a backlog of 130,000 cattle that needed to be processed. That number is now down to 30,000, thanks to no more further shutdowns at packing plants, which have […] Read more
ASF virus is deadly but the fallout from an outbreak even worse
Health officials can deal with an African swine fever outbreak, but not its huge market disruption, says top expert
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s a nightmare scenario — but if African swine fever arrived in Canada, the economic consequences would be much harder to deal with than the virus itself. “African swine fever is a big problem with very big challenges,” Dr. Egan Brockhoff said during a recent virtual presentation. “Big is an understatement. This is a global […] Read more
Give a thought to serving on a farm group, says outgoing barley chair
You’ll not only help your fellow farmers but learn a lot and meet ‘great people,’ says Dave Bishop
Reading Time: 2 minutes Getting producers to serve on farm groups can sometimes be a challenge — but those who do typically say it’s been a great experience. And that includes outgoing Alberta Barley chair Dave Bishop. “We all have term limits and my term is up,” said Bishop, who farms near Barons. “It’s been a bit of a […] Read more
Malt growers have many reasons to raise a glass this year
Quality is good, demand strong so far, and the harvest was night and day from a year ago
Quality is good, demand strong so far, and the harvest was night and day from a year ago
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s a cliché — but most malt growers really do have a reason to raise a glass and toast what has turned out to be a good year. Last year’s wet harvest made for “a dismal year” but this season has been good for most growers in south and central Alberta, as well as Saskatchewan […] Read more
It’s been a long, hard slog, but there are ways to lessen your load
Everyone is exhausted by the pandemic and needs to recharge emotional batteries, Olds psychologist says
Everyone is exhausted by the pandemic and needs to recharge their emotional batteries, says Olds psychologist
Reading Time: 4 minutes Has burnout become your everyday reality during the pandemic? You’re not alone. More than 2,000 people recently took in a webinar on burnout and “compassion fatigue” by Jody Carrington, a child psychologist from Olds. “I don’t know if any of you are emotionally exhausted in the middle of a global pandemic, but I don’t know […] Read more
Moving from cows to conservation a natural fit
Stewardship is at the heart of both, says the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s top official in Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes Conservation has always been a passion for Tom Lynch-Staunton, and he’s found a new way to pursue that goal — moving from the beef sector to an environmental protection group. “I’m passionate about conservation and stewardship, that’s why I am in this role,” said Lynch-Staunton, who became the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s new Alberta vice-president […] Read more
New documentary shines a light on the untold story of an Alberta legend
Reading Time: 3 minutes For some, John Ware is an almost mythical figure, but many have never heard of the black cowboy, a pioneer who made his mark in the province after arriving in southern Alberta in the 1880s. That’s one of the things that Calgary filmmaker, writer and playwright Cheryl Foggo wants to change with her new documentary […] Read more
Savour it: The stars have aligned for crop producers
Demand, prices and shipping are all strong, and that’s not something that happens very often
Reading Time: 3 minutes There’s a huge good news story coming out of 2020 for crop producers. Or rather, three of them — demand is up, prices are good, and shipping is going like gangbusters. “Total volumes are up about 23 per cent year over year,” said Brennan Turner, CEO of online grain-marketing company FarmLead. “We moved about 8.34 […] Read more
Food banks expect surge as pandemic’s impact takes a toll
Government support has greatly helped, but making ends meet is getting tougher for many families
Reading Time: 3 minutes As the pandemic grinds on, food banks in Alberta are expecting a sharp rise in people needing help. They’re already seeing it in Lamont. The food bank in the town of 1,800 normally assists six to eight people, and their families, a week, said Colette McBride, a volunteer and chair of the County of Lamont […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
