Reading Time: 3 minutes The first thing you notice about Chris Koch is that he had no arms or legs. But what you remember after meeting him is his joyous grin, and the three words that sum up his approach to life: If I Can. Thanks to Oprah Winfrey, Koch is a YouTube sensation and he’d just come back […] Read more
Inspirational Nanton farmer urges others to be all that they can be
Futurist to beef producers: Global trends are your friends
Bob Treadway says global demand should stay strong and sustainable beef is a winner, but COOL won’t be solved for a while
Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s a good time to be a beef producer, but keep an eye on long-term trends. That’s the message futurist Bob Treadway brought to the Alberta Beef Industry Conference last month. “I think there’s a bright future ahead. In the animal protein sector, I think you’re where the crop producers were six years ago,” he […] Read more
The little railway that could
The railway moved 2,100 rail cars last year but getting them is an ongoing challenge
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Battle River Railway is a little engine that could — and it just keeps chugging along despite challenges thrown its way. “The grain business looks good. We moved 2,100 cars last year and we have every expectation of moving that much or more this year,” said Ken Eshpeter, the railway’s chairman and CEO and […] Read more
Egg farmers say there’s ‘zero tolerance’ on abuse
Farms caught abusing birds can have their egg-production licence pulled immediately
Reading Time: 4 minutes Egg producers in Alberta are now required to sign a “zero tolerance” pledge for animal abuse. “Any form of abuse, neglect, cruelty, or mistreatment of the birds under our care will not be tolerated and may be grounds for immediate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal,” the pledge states. Any farm that has severe […] Read more
No hill of beans — soybeans get a boost with expanded insurance plan
The New Crops Insurance Initiative, which also covers forages and other special crops, will give coverage for soybeans in specified areas
Reading Time: 2 minutes Soybeans are here to stay in Alberta and the announcement they now qualify for Agricultural Financial Services Crop insurance coverage is expected to boost acreage. “There were a number of people who were waiting for that program to be in place before growing soybeans, so I see it as a positive step for expanding the […] Read more
Beavers cause problems, but also provide benefits
Understanding beaver biology and ecology can help you coexist with beavers on your property
Reading Time: 2 minutes They’re one of Canada’s national symbols but for some farmers, beavers are nothing more than pests who destroy trees and flood land. But it’s time to think of the industrious rodents in a new way, says Lorne Fitch, provincial riparian specialist with Cows and Fish. “Beavers are a keystone species,” said Fitch. “They are one […] Read more
In their words: Beef leaders talk about new national strategy
More co-operation, research, and efficiency — and less red tape — hailed as keys to a more prosperous future
Reading Time: 4 minutes The new national beef strategy is being led by a group of “Canadian beef advisers.” Five of those industry leaders spoke about the five-year plan at the recent Alberta Beef Industry Conference. Here is a condensed version of some of their comments. Jeff Warrack, National Cattle Feeders Association past chair, on working together: “We’ve been […] Read more
Decisions, decisions — what will you plant this spring?
It’s only a small sample, but rotation looms large for these four farmers — although there’s an opening for something that’s the right fit
Reading Time: 4 minutes Ag Canada is forecasting a jump in canola, barley and wheat acres this year — but rotations and sticking with the tried and true seem to be top of mind for many Alberta producers. But specialty crops are getting a look as grain and oilseed producers look for options that could beef up the bottom […] Read more
Officials stress need for testing
The latest BSE case only increases the need for Canada to test 30,000 animals yearly
Reading Time: 4 minutes Keep calm and carry on testing. That’s the message going out to producers following the latest case of BSE in an Alberta cow. “At times like this, it’s as important, if not more so, to continue with surveillance and be vigilant,” Canadian Food Inspection Agency official Craig Price told attendees at the recent Alberta Beef […] Read more
McDonald’s sustainable beef pilot moves into high gear
Fast-food giant has a long list of ‘indicators’ and is seeking producers ready to prove they’re good stewards
Reading Time: 5 minutes Updated Mar. 16, 2015 for clarification: This story states below (paragraph six) that the indicators for the verified sustainable initiative are scored from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). In fact, McDonald’s Canada is still developing the terms that go with the scoring system. In its presentation at the Alberta Beef Industry Conference, an example was given […] Read more
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