Alexis Stockford Archives | Alberta Farmer Express

A year ago, ALUS Canada invited officials from Alberta’s Agriculture and Environment ministries, and stewardship groups to Parkland County to see four flood and drought mitigation projects covering 650 acres — work funded by a $720,000 provincial grant. Last month, Manitoba raised the bar on funding this sort of work by setting up a $52-million endowment fund.

Manitoba puts $52 million in stewardship program — should Alberta be next?

More government funds for farms providing eco-services would be welcomed here — and put to good use

By Alexis Stockford, Jennifer Blair July 9, 2019

Is the idea of paying farmers for ‘ecological services’ finally ready for prime time? The Manitoba government is winning praise for setting up a $52-million endowment fund to create a province-wide version of a program that pays farmers for stewardship efforts such as protecting riparian areas and habitat restoration. The program will be based on […] Read more

CFIA says a proposed new program would adopt a risk-based approach by targeting horses when/if they commingle.

Livestock

Proposed EIA testing policy yields mixed views

Some fear mandatory testing for equine infectious anemia will be too costly for smaller equine events

By Alexis Stockford July 17, 2018

New federal rules on horse movement and testing for equine infectious anemia could be challenging for some horse shows. “At that point, we can no longer feasibly budget a show at any kind of venue that would hold a larger group of horses,” said Cain Quam, owner and trainer at Quam Performance Horses in Kendal, Sask. […] Read more

News

Tick season now underway

Alberta isn’t yet a hot spot for ticks carrying Lyme disease, but they are here — and farmers should be on guard

By Alexis Stockford May 24, 2018

Ticks may be unavoidable in farming, but getting bitten isn’t. The blacklegged tick, or deer tick, has become infamous for transmitting Lyme disease (which counts muscle aches, joint, heart and neurological problems and fatigue among its many symptoms), babesiosis (also causing flu-like symptoms and ramping up to anorexia, joint pain and a possible hospital visit), […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock

Refund scam flagged by Canadian beef breeders

By Alexis Stockford March 2, 2018

Canadian cattle breeders should be on their guard after reports of an online scam. The Canadian Beef Breeds Council issued a warning after numerous producers reported fake emails looking to set up a sale, then requesting a refund before cheques clear. “It’s generally pretty high dollar values, so it gets the people excited that they’ve […] Read more

Dennis Halstead provides comic relief between rodeo events, part of his role as a rodeo clown.

Heartland, News

The guardian angels of the rodeo grounds

Retired Calgary firefighter says he's "living the dream"

By Alexis Stockford January 26, 2018

Rodeo always has an element of unpredictability and danger and there’s nowhere that’s more evident that in bull riding. Typically the event kicks off with a sense of nervous anticipation, accompanied by pulse-quickening hard rock like AC/DC, and an excited announcer asking spectators, ‘Are you ready for some bull riding?’ The chute opens and everyone […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock

When the herd is a province away, you need reliable water

Beiseker rancher has solar waterer for 100 cow-calf pairs he grazes across the Saskatchewan border

By Alexis Stockford November 15, 2017

The phrase ‘remote watering’ takes on a new meaning on Duane Kent’s farm. Kent lives in Beiseker (northeast of Calgary) but also has a four-quarter pasture more than 500 kilometres away in Biggar, Sask. The site has no natural surface water and it would cost $30,000 to bring in electrical power. So he relies on […] Read more

Livestock

CAA building bridges for Angus breeders

By Alexis Stockford July 14, 2017

What kind of advice can an Angus breeder in the Maritimes give to a breeder in Alberta? If their management practices are similar enough, they might be about to find out. Participating long-term breeders will be paired off with industry newcomers this summer in a mentorship program announced at the Canadian Angus Association’s annual meeting […] Read more

Hogs, Livestock

Manitoba confirms fourth PED case of year

By Alexis Stockford May 17, 2017

Another finisher barn in southeastern Manitoba has tested positive for porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) in the province’s fourth on-farm case of the disease this year. Manitoba Pork Council general manager Andrew Dickson said barn staff noticed symptoms Sunday. Tests were taken the following day with results confirmed Tuesday. “That doesn’t mean every pig in the […] Read more

U.S. grains: Wheat slides on global supplies, drags corn lower

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle climb on wholesale beef demand

Viterra to buy ILTA Grain pulse processing plant

GFM Network News