Reading Time: 4 minutes How in the world do a couple of Mennonite farm boys from the far reaches of northern Alberta find themselves in Nashville en route to country music stardom? It’s a question Brad and Curtis Rempel often ask themselves. With talent, determination and divine intervention, you could say. The brothers, who perform as High Valley, are […] Read more
You’ll never take La Crete out of these country music stars
What is equine infectious anemia?
Reading Time: < 1 minute Non-contagious but infectious disease of horses, donkeys and mules; Viral disease which affects the animal’s immune system, something like HIV in humans; Symptoms include fever, anorexia, muscle weakness and wasting, swelling of the underside of belly and legs; Horses infected with the EIA virus carry it for life; Transmitted by larger bloodsucking insects, mainly horseflies […] Read more
Spate of new EIA cases may up pressure to combat ‘swamp fever’ in horses
Many consider Western Canada to be lax in its efforts to eradicate equine infectious anemia, but that may soon change
Reading Time: 4 minutes A smattering of new cases of equine infectious anemia in Alberta and Saskatchewan may intensify the pressure to implement new, and costly, measures to control the potentially devastating disease. Four cases of the disease (typically called EIA or ‘swamp fever’) have been found in Alberta and two in Saskatchewan this year. The first three Alberta […] Read more
Flood simulation model promises a big payback
Insurers won’t issue flood insurance until they have a better way to calculate risks — and the flood simulation model does that
Reading Time: 3 minutes Agriculture is leading the charge into research which could ultimately mean flood insurance being available for all Albertans. As the massive flooding of 2013 highlighted, there is no insurance for such disasters. In fact, Canada is the only one of the G-8 nations without such coverage. ‘Why not?’ is the question that always arises when […] Read more
What’s new at this year’s Mane Event
Red Deer event takes place from April 24 – 26, 2015
Reading Time: 2 minutes One of the additions to this year’s Mane Event in Red Deer is a youth essay contest with a big prize — a young filly from the renowned Rocking Heart Ranch. “Mark Garner approached me and said the ranch would be interested in doing something like this,” said Gail Barker. “They raise foundation quarter-horses, and […] Read more
It’s ‘all about the horse’ at The Mane Event in Red Deer
Annual expo focuses on learning and giving people from different horse disciplines a chance to meet and learn from each other
Reading Time: 4 minutes When Tammy Botsford began working with her young horse Jake, she was looking for opportunities where they could both learn. She’d read about U.S. events where top-level clinicians came together in one place, and longed for something like that closer to her home in Chestermere. Then she noticed something new coming to Alberta called The […] Read more
Big Valley rodeo family inspires each other to greatness
Young rodeo champ rides 'Lunatic from Hell' in Houston and comes out on top
Reading Time: 3 minutes There was surprise and delight on the Canadian rodeo scene, when young bronc rider Zeke Thurston rode all the way to the championship and the $50,000 bonus at RodeoHouston last month. Likely one of the least surprised about the whole deal, though, was Zeke’s mother Lynda. “I had a good feeling in my gut the […] Read more
People make the difference in Outstanding Young Farmer program
Participants say the chance to connect with innovative farmers is at the heart of the program that showcases producers under the age of 40
Reading Time: 3 minutes There’s been a changing of the guard, but last year’s winners are still pumped about their experience as the province’s Outstanding Young Farmers and their trip to the finals in Quebec City in November. “Phenomenal is the best word I can find,” said Nicole Brousseau, who operates Moo-Lait Family Farms with husband Richard near St. […] Read more
Exhibition Park looks to the future with expansion plans
A $90-million redevelopment would see construction of a 250,000-square-foot convention centre and 75,000-square-foot Agriplex
Reading Time: 3 minutes Ag Expo in Lethbridge could be even bigger — if only there was room. As the Lethbridge and District Exhibition marks its 118th year, its board finds itself on the threshold of an exciting, but challenging, growth opportunity. “The last construction at Exhibition Park took place in 1999 with the construction of the Main Pavilion, […] Read more
The arrival of Ag Expo signals the growing season isn’t far away
Although there’s 200,000 square feet of space, about 50 of the 350 exhibitors have to line up their machinery outdoors
Reading Time: 2 minutes A sure sign spring is on the horizon in southern Alberta is when Exhibition Park at Lethbridge fills up for Ag Expo. The three-day annual event showcases all things agriculture — from equipment to technology — for both crops and livestock. It’s also home to the North American Seed Fair. “It’s really an economic barometer […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
