Reading Time: 3 minutes *[UPDATED: Dec. 20, 2018] He’s disappointed to have lost the vote and wishes more cattle producers had cast a ballot, but the chair of Alberta Beef Producers says it’s now time to “move forward.” There were 1,874 votes cast in a plebiscite to make the $2 provincial beef checkoff non-refundable — with 51.3 per cent […] Read more
Non-refundable checkoff defeated, cattle group moving on
ABP leaders say they wish more had cast ballots but the issue is now in the rear-view mirror
Cereal seed royalty gets thumbs down at consultations
Government is asking farmers what they think about seed royalties — and the answer is ‘not much’
Reading Time: 4 minutes The idea of charging royalties on cereal seed didn’t go over well with many Alberta farmers who attended a federal government consultation on proposed royalties. “The overarching thing is that control would be imposed and that would be my concern,” Trochu farmer Kevin Niemi said in an interview. “A royalty is like a seed tax […] Read more
Alberta ranchers hit the big screen and steal the show
A McDonald’s commercial that ran in movie houses across the country is getting rave reviews
Reading Time: 5 minutes You’re in a movie theatre, popcorn in hand, and the lights dim. You’re expecting another car or soft drink commercial but suddenly, there’s a rancher on your screen. You may even know him. It’s Stephen Hughes, and he’s talking about transparency in a McDonald’s commercial about beef sustainability. “I learned how many people go to […] Read more
Alberta mare tops them all at the World Clydesdale Show
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s considered the equivalent of the Stanley Cup for Clydesdales — and one Alberta farm family has won the honour. Willow Way Farms grabbed the title of Supreme Champion when its mare, Puzzle, was awarded the prize at the World Clydesdale Show, in Madison, Wis. “It was something that a guy always thinks about — […] Read more
Crop missions a whole new ball game under Trump
New opportunities in China and Japan a result of U.S. president’s actions
Reading Time: 4 minutes ‘Thank you, Donald Trump.’ Members of the recent New Crop Mission to Asia didn’t say those exact words. But the fallout from the belligerent U.S. president’s trade war with China is definitely one of the pluses that members of the mission encountered. “The big difference this year is the trade environment,” Cereals Canada president Cam […] Read more
Is there an Alberta advantage when it comes to beef?
Lots of research has been done on evaluating juiciness and tenderness, but the flavour factor isn’t well understood
Reading Time: 3 minutes When people talk about a cut of meat, they might praise its juiciness and tenderness. But they don’t often talk about its flavour. This is something Nicole Gaudette — an expert in a branch of science called sensory analysis — wants to change. “By using sensory evaluation to study consumer preferences, we get an idea […] Read more
There’s opportunity in the lamb sector but only for some
CEO of North American Lamb Company says the future belongs to those who offer consistency
Reading Time: 3 minutes Gary Alexander delivered a message at the Alberta Lamb Producers annual meeting that many didn’t want to hear. “I will tell you right now that the sheep business, in my opinion, is a dysfunctional and declining business and I’m not saying that solely about the Canadian business,” said Alexander, president and CEO of the North […] Read more
Beef ‘report card’ pegs carcass losses at $110 million annually
Problems such as liver abscesses, overfat cattle, and tag come with a big price tag
Reading Time: 4 minutes The beef industry has got its “report card” and it’s not living up to its potential when it comes to carcass defects. In fact, its marks have slipped, according to the latest National Beef Quality Audit. “When you look at the various defects and what they cost, they add up to $85 a head on […] Read more
Royalty comes to Edmonton’s Farmfair International
Princess Anne impressed by the scale of farming during her first visit to Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s not every day that a princess drops by an Alberta farm show, but that was the case at this year’s Farmfair International. And Princess Anne was impressed by what she saw during her first visit to the province. “Alberta does provide an extraordinary backdrop to this international discussion about agriculture, food, and farming,” said […] Read more
In a year of extremes, soil moisture rebound a bright spot
The rain, snow, and cold in early fall had one upside — it recharged soil moisture reserves in much of the province
Reading Time: 4 minutes This year’s harvest was tough, but there is one good thing about it: Soil moisture and subsoil moisture are at almost normal levels in most of the province. “The soil moisture is looking better than it was at the end of August,” said Harry Brook, a crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “It’s closer […] Read more