Reading Time: 4 minutes Is the risk really worth it? That was the underlying theme offered by a quartet of young cattle producers during a recent online presentation put on by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “Farming and ranching are already highly risky,” said Kendra Donnelly, who farms near Acme and operates, with her husband and parents, a trio of […] Read more
Young producers wonder if there’s a future in the cattle sector
Pandemic exposes fault lines in a business with a high cost of entry and little protection when a crisis hits
A mix of pests and diseases on the roster for #crop2020
Wheat midge, wheat stem sawfly, net blotch and other things to look out for
Reading Time: 4 minutes There are several diseases and pests farmers might want to keep an eye out for this growing season. “It’s kind of a hodgepodge this year,” said Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension specialist with Alberta Barley and Alberta Wheat. The southern part of the province has had consistent issues with grasshoppers because it has been so […] Read more
There’s never been a better time to spruce up your town
Reading Time: 3 minutes Could there be a better time to brighten up your town or hamlet with floral displays, some landscaping, and a bit of tidying up? Organizers of Communities in Bloom say now is the perfect time — and not just because everyone could use a lift during these gloomy times. “The program is ripe for this […] Read more
China says it’s winning the battle against African swine fever
When processing returns to normal, Chinese demand — if it continues — could lift battered markets here
Reading Time: 3 minutes Chinese hog industry officials say the country is poised to put African swine fever behind it as early as next year. But a leading Canadian authority says that may be premature. The fatal pig disease devastated China’s hog herd — the world’s largest — reducing it by around half last year and prompting the government to […] Read more
Pandemic creating waves and surprises in food sector
Lockdown has roiled the food industry and normal is a long ways off, says food trends guru
Reading Time: 2 minutes There’s been a lot happening on the food front during the pandemic — some of it surprising. While the closure of restaurants has been blamed for a drop in milk sales, it’s actually one segment — coffee shops — that had the greatest impact, said food trend expert David Hughes. “About half the milk we […] Read more
From faux meat to fake milk, the plant-based trend still going strong
It’s not making news during the pandemic, but consumer interest in meat and dairy alternatives hasn’t waned
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s not making news during the pandemic, but the popularity of plant-based foods is still growing, says an expert on global food trends. “Because of COVID-19, it looks like plant-based food has gone off the boil because you just hear less about plant-based food,” David Hughes said during a webinar hosted by the Plant Protein […] Read more
What was learned from BSE and what we’re learning now
Veteran producers and younger ones offer their thoughts and insights during this stressful time
Reading Time: 6 minutes Like the BSE crisis of 17 years ago, COVID-19 came without warning and pulled the ground out from underneath cattle producers almost overnight. Those who lived through those days say lessons learned from that time apply today, but there are also some important distinctions between that crisis and the pandemic. Arno Doerksen was chair of […] Read more
The need is greater than ever — and the volunteer spirit even stronger
Reading Time: 3 minutes COVID-19 has stopped many things, but not the volunteers of Canadian Foodgrains Bank growing projects. In Kneehill County, the Linden-Acme Foodgrains Growing Project will be planting its 17th crop — this year, it will be barley for silage, said Earl Jeninga, manager at Kneehill Soil Services. Anywhere from 30 to 40 people volunteer each year […] Read more
Is there a better way? How COVID-19 might transform packing plants
The pandemic has demonstrated the need for change, but that won’t be an easy or cheap process, say experts
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s become a nightmare scenario. Thousands of workers at meat-packing facilities across North America, including Alberta’s three beef plants, have contracted COVID-19 — and the resulting closures and production slowdowns have created a crisis for livestock producers. But is there any way out? “This will renew calls for more packing capacity in Canada,” said Mike […] Read more
Life and its blessings continue during these troubled times
Little joys have new meaning and family time has taken on new significance on farms across the province
Reading Time: 8 minutes Getting ready for the new baby and celebrating the one newly born. Having coffee with your spouse. Checking out some four-legged farm visitors. Getting a bit goofy on social media. Pausing to appreciate the arrival of spring. On farms across Alberta, special moments abound during these stressful and unprecedented times. And they are worth celebrating. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
