Reading Time: < 1 minute Neonics have become one of those issues that creates deep divides. Are neonicotinoid pesticides silently poisoning our world, with bees serving as the canaries in a toxic coal mine? Or is the whole thing just the latest cause célèbre promoted by radical environmentalists who have a hate on for “industrial” farming? The already rancorous debate […] Read more
More heat than light in neonicotinoid controversy
A memorable year in the books, and another one on the horizon
The past year reminded us — once again — to take nothing for granted, and that change is a constant
Reading Time: 2 minutes The year ended with the provincial political scene being turned on its head and a debate on how low the price a barrel of oil could fall. Who’d have thunk it — much less predicted it? The January 5 edition of Alberta Farmer takes a look back at some memorable stories from 2014 and some […] Read more
Shortest growing season ever for wheat crop?
YouTube video captures entire growing season of Stettler wheat crop
Reading Time: 2 minutes A person’s life can flash before their eyes in a moment. But for wheat, it takes three minutes and 57 seconds. Or at least it did for Jay Schultz’s field of Stettler hard red spring wheat this year. The Wheatland County producer borrowed a friend’s trail camera and plunked it down after seeding on May […] Read more
Alberta Chicken Producers welcomes update to poultry care code
Group’s chair says province’s broiler producers are already adhering to expected changes and process ‘will validate what we’re doing’
Reading Time: 2 minutes An initiative to update the animal care code of practice for poultry is being welcomed by the chair of Alberta Chicken Producers. “We already have an animal care program in the province that is mandatory for our producers,” said Erna Ference. “All of our farmers are certified and on that program. From what I understand, […] Read more
Photogenic Alberta trio irresistible
Miniature dairy goats take top prize in photo contest
Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s not hard to see why this cute trio captured the hearts of the judges for a national photo contest put on by the Farm & Food Care Foundation. The picture of three of Chris Grab’s Nigerian Dwarf goats won first place, and a $600 prize, in the All About Animals category of the contest. […] Read more
Door always open at Neubauer Farms
Farmer Nichole knows all the cool stuff, like what’s in your cereal and farm eggs are just like the ones in the store
Reading Time: 3 minutes This is the first year Nichole Neubauer has participated in Open Farm Days — but few producers are more experienced in explaining ag to urbanites. ‘Farmer Nichole’ has hosted more busloads of children than she can count since starting the Growing Minds Program on her and husband Mark’s mixed operation just southwest of Medicine Hat. […] Read more
Rodeo star an ambassador for ranching and the western way of life
Scott Schiffner has thrilled countless thousands with his bull riding, but he’s also riding hard to preserve cowboy traditions
Reading Time: 3 minutes If the Calgary Stampede gave out a buckle for the best one-liner, Scott Schiffner would have won it hands down. “I love inflation,” proclaimed the bull rider and rancher from Strathmore as he held up his $100,000 winner’s cheque. That sum was exactly double what Schiffner won in 2001, the last time he captured top […] Read more
Neonic controversy shouldn’t affect canola producers
Ontario eyes restricting use of popular pesticide after bee deaths
Reading Time: 3 minutes The latest salvo in the ongoing controversy over neonicotinoids won’t affect Alberta canola growers, but it reinforces the need to “get the message out,” says the chairman of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. Ontario’s new agriculture minister, Jeff Leal surprised and angered that province’s grain and oilseeds producers last month by saying he’s considering restrictions […] Read more
Elk Island National Park to host bison festival
Reading Time: < 1 minute They’re calling it a “celebration of conservation, culture and cuisine,” and that’s an apt description of the province’s first bison festival, said the chair of the Bison Producers of Alberta Association. Parks Canada approached his organization and the Canadian Bison Association to have a bison event at Elk Island National Park, and the scope of […] Read more
There’s room for all at Vauxhall’s Foodgrains Bank fundraiser
Reading Time: 2 minutes It was another packed, um, loading bay at the recent Vauxhall & District Growing Project annual pig roast. The event — now in its ninth year — draws about 400 local residents and so just about every inch of the 7,200-square-foot loading area of Jan and Ida Bennen’s potato storage warehouse is needed. “We have […] Read more
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