The Land Sciences Centre on the Olds College campus.

College research should be better supported by federal funding, says CEO of Olds College

Better funding for college research will increase innovation, drive economic and improve job creation, says CEO of Olds College

Reading Time: < 1 minute College research activities should be better supported by the federal government, said Dr. Ben Cecil, President and Chief Executive Officer of Olds College of Agriculture and Technology. On April 16, Cecil spoke before the Federal Government’s Standing Committee on Scientific Research, asking for a re-evaluation of the distribution of federal government funding to better support […] Read more

Ehsan Feizohalli is one of the researchers who helped test the use of cold plasma to decontaminate grains.

Plasma shows promise in grain decontamination

The fourth state of matter (in its cold form) could be coming to a malt house or feedlot near you

Reading Time: 3 minutes [UPDATED: June 4, 2024] Alberta researchers are harnessing a high-tech concept to decontaminate grain. The researchers are using cold plasma, which in this case was created by electrical discharge at atmospheric pressure. One of the most common uses is in florescent lighting, which creates light with little heat. Cold plasma is the fourth state of matter, […] Read more



Tyler Eresman, a wildlife and outreach technician with the Milk River Watershed Council Canada, installs a bat monitor station.

Group launches wildlife monitoring project in Milk River watershed

Acoustic monitoring project aims to determine population levels and valuable habitat for bats and amphibians

Reading Time: 4 minutes Some people find bats and frogs creepy, but the Milk River Watershed Council Canada wants to examine them through its “Wild Nights” monitoring project. The aim is to understand how many bats and amphibians live in the watershed, in southeastern Alberta, and how they’re distributed. The group is particularly interested in the little brown myotis […] Read more


“In terms of where they are being built and what we need, there is not pressure on agricultural land from renewables.” – Jorden Dye.

Study finds renewable energy footprint light on agricultural lands

Alberta Utilities Commission says wind and solar would have less impact than petroleum sector

Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta’s booming renewable energy sector poses little threat to agriculture or the environment, stated the Alberta Utilities Commission in a report released in mid-March. “After doing a comprehensive review on the agricultural impact, the AUC found there were no significant concerns for agriculture or the environment from renewables. In fact, they found that existing protections […] Read more



Mountain View County landowners say industrial overuse of water hurts area

Mountain View County landowners say industrial overuse of water hurts area

Gravel pit mining among key concerns as area residence report water quality issues

Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s a tale of landowners versus industrial development. Landowners and concerned citizens from the South McDougal Flats area spoke recently at a hearing about the area structure plan for their region. Neil Konner, who owns land in the area, said many people in Mountain View County are concerned about the use of water, specifically in […] Read more

Province’s renewable energy industry will cause little threat to agriculture or the environment

Province’s renewable energy industry will cause little threat to agriculture or the environment

Renewable energy development will result in less than one per cent of agricultural land loss by 2041, said the Alberta Utilities Commission report

Reading Time: 2 minutes The province’s booming renewables industry will not be a threat to Alberta’s agricultural or environmental industries, said a report released by the Alberta Utilities Commission.  If all renewable development locates on (some of Alberta’s best) land, the percentage of agricultural land loss is estimated to be less than one per cent by 2041, said the […] Read more


A bit of preparation can make calving season go a lot more smoothly for animal and producer alike.

Preparation is key to smoother calving season

Making checklists, preparing equipment can help producers navigate stressful season

Reading Time: 4 minutes Calving can be stressful for both people and animals. Preparation far in advance is one way producers can better ensure success for a safe and productive calving season. “Some of that preparedness starts well before calving season, if you think about herd health programs or nutrition, or making sure cows are in good shape coming […] Read more

Ferruginous hawks are endangered, but the government and conservation groups have a recovery plan.

Plan aims to protect ferruginous hawk

Ferruginous hawks control the ground squirrel population and are a huge benefit to landholders

Reading Time: 3 minutes The Alberta government and several conservation partners have released a recovery plan for the ferruginous hawk. The largest North American hawk, with a wingspan up to 55 inches, it is classified as both at risk and endangered in Alberta. “It’s been a while to come out, but it’s great to finally see it out in […] Read more