Reading Time: 3 minutes Some Alberta farmers are in denial about weed resistance — and they’re in for a rude awakening, says a federal weed scientist. “We spend over $12 an acre on average, and about $500 million a year on wild oat control alone (on the Canadian Prairies),” said Neil Harker. “That’s the weed we put the most […] Read more
Herbicide resistance becoming the new reality in Alberta, says weed expert
Researchers in Lacombe are investigating mechanical ways to deal with resistant weeds, but there’s no ‘silver bullet’
Controlled traffic farming can have a positive impact on soils
The practice of always running equipment on the same ‘tramlines’ is rare in Alberta, but study says it pays major dividends
Reading Time: 2 minutes Controlled traffic farming does improve soil, says a University of Alberta soil researcher who did his master’s thesis on the practice. “In our area of the North American Great Plains, we have areas that are experiencing soil degradation and it is being propagated further as production systems are intensifying,” said Kris Guenette at the recent […] Read more
Curry-flavoured granola bar wins Mission ImPULSEible
What do a curry granola bar, chickpea pudding, and pulse cereal have in common?
Reading Time: 3 minutes A curry-flavoured granola bar was the grand prize winner in this year’s Mission ImPULSEible post-secondary student food development competition. “This was actually our backup plan,” said Andrea Dacko, a member of the winning team. “Our first plan didn’t work out. I guess it’s a good thing. We wanted to go back to the basics, while […] Read more
Jump in: Ag needs more women leaders
Attendees at Advancing Women Conference told their voices are needed — and they need to encourage each other to speak up
Reading Time: 4 minutes Women are still a minority in farming but they can — and should — play a leading role. That was a recurring theme at this year’s Advancing Women Conference, where attendees were told their leadership and communication skills are badly needed. “Women’s voices are needed, that’s my underlying message — your hard work, your commitment, […] Read more
The four factors that are changing agriculture
Don’t look back, the world is changing far too fast, says an American author and farmer
Reading Time: 3 minutes If you’re not ready to adapt and communicate with the public, you could lose your place in agriculture. “In agriculture, we tend to hang on to the best of the past,” said Jolene Brown, farmer, author and well-known speaker. “You’ve all heard the phrase, ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you will get […] Read more
Canada has changed — and the beef industry must, too, says marketer
Newcomers don’t celebrate over roast beef dinners, millennials want cheap and convenient, and boomers are big on healthy eating
Reading Time: 2 minutes If you want to sell beef, you’re going to have to learn about the new Canada, says a digital marketing expert. “They’re not the same people as before — these are not your grandpa’s target markets, by any stretch,” Doug Lacombe, president of Calgary-based Communicatto, said at the recent Alberta Beef Industry Conference. “Most of […] Read more
Concerned about the upcoming phase-out of Imidacloprid?
Health Canada plans to ban the neonicotinoid in three to five years, but is first consulting farm groups and growers
Reading Time: 2 minutes Neonicotinoids could be harmful to aquatic insects — and that has sealed the fate for one version of the pesticide. Following a review, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has proposed phasing out Imidacloprid over the next three to five years. “Our re-evaluation found no risk for human health,” said Scott Kirby, director general […] Read more
Accentuate the positive — consumers want a happy beef story
Canada Beef research finds consumers already in love with the product, the lifestyle, and the brand
Reading Time: 2 minutes Talk about Canadian beef in a positive way, and consumers will buy and eat more beef. That was a key finding of in-depth research by Canada Beef — and something that surprised marketing officials who figured today’s consumers are fixated on topics such as antibiotics and animal welfare. “Consumers wanted to hear about producers; they […] Read more
Market to the people who already love your beef, says expert
Beef hedonists, ranching romantics, and true patriots are the biggest fans of Canadian beef
Reading Time: 2 minutes Why would you try pursuing someone who doesn’t like you? That’s the key to romance — and to marketing beef. “As an industry, we have been starting with the logic perspective for a very long time,” James Bradbury, Canada Beef’s brand officer, said at the Alberta Beef Industry Conference. “We need to start coming across […] Read more
The Big Wreck: One million unharvested acres
The financial hit will be huge and getting rid of those damaged crops could delay seeding and put this year’s crop at risk
Reading Time: 4 minutes [Updated: March 20, 2017] Ed Tollefson is worried he won’t be able to get 700 acres of snow-buried crop off his field before seeding this year. And the Valleyview-area farmer is not alone. Alberta producers have reported 967,569 unharvested acres to Agricultural Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) — a massive area that would have cost those […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
