Reading Time: 5 minutes Alberta river and reservoir levels remain lower than normal and water availability continues to worry irrigators. Will there be enough water to go around? What happens if there isn’t? Answers can be found in the province’s current Water Act, passed in 1999, which contains the same “first in time, first in right” (FITFIR) system that […] Read more
Don’t fear FITFIR, says Alberta water expert
Rights holders likely to negotiate in times of water shortage
Celebration day for Dairy Innovation West
Handful of stakeholders get glimpse of 'unique' Alberta milk plant
Reading Time: 3 minutes Western Milk Pool chair Henry Holtmann said a recent “hard hat” tour of the under-construction Dairy Innovation West facility made for a “day of celebration.” Those behind the unique milk processing plant in central Alberta’s Lacombe County have much to celebrate. Over the past five years, the five provincial organizations under the Western Milk Pool […] Read more
Alberta irrigation gets $5.5M boost
Replacing open canals is top priority in irrigation plans for funding
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta’s irrigation districts are getting a $5.5 million boost to an annual cost-share program for modernizing and rehabilitating infrastructure. The boost brings the districts’ total 2024 share to $19 million through the irrigation rehabilitation program (IRP), an agreement between the Alberta government, which contributes 75 per cent, and irrigation districts who fund the other 25 […] Read more
U of M study looks into sources of water nutrient loads
Soil and vegetation may play a larger role in excess nutrient runoff
Reading Time: 3 minutes A new study is giving more insight into where nutrients running off into Prairie waterways are coming from — and pasture manure may not be the biggest culprit. The study, led by soil scientist David Lobb and Marcos Cordeiro of the University of Manitoba’s department of animal science, sought to model nitrogen and phosphorus levels in […] Read more
Fusarium head blight mapping tool to limit fungal risk
Homegrown risk model offers platform for further disease research
Reading Time: 2 minutes The digital mapping tool is designed to give area-specific insights into the fungal disease. Cereal producers can get a localized head blight index and risk level for fusarium-damaged kernels and deoxynivalenol based on weather conditions.
Bird flu found in Illinois, Florida wastewater
A U.S.-based wastewater detection dashboard has identified high levels of influenza A (a subtype of H5N1 bird flu) in Illinois and Florida—two states that have not yet reported positive cases of the disease in dairy herds.
Canadian milk samples test negative for bird flu
It’s so far, so good when it comes to Canada’s milk testing efforts against bird flu as all samples have tested negative thus far.
U.S. dairy flu strain shows signs of being a different beast
Strain infecting dairy cattle in U.S. behaves erratically, says bird flu specialist
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Veterinarians and food safety officials have been scrambling since late March to understand the origin and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in U.S. dairy herds across several states. Many potential vectors have been considered, from migratory birds, direct cow-to-cow transmission and milking equipment. A University of Guelph veterinary professor has one […] Read more
Canada expands bird flu surveillance in dairy cattle
Government issues requirements for testing bird flu in dairy cattle and milk
The Government of Canada and stakeholders are taking new precautions to help prevent the emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canadian dairy cattle.
Don’t let furry friends fall to bird flu
Cats reported sick, dying from H5N1 infection; CFIA offers tips to help keep pets safe
According to the CFIA, animals that hunt, scavenge or otherwise consume infected birds are at risk. For example, cats that go outdoors may hunt and consume an infected bird. Dogs may scavenge dead birds. “If your pet has found a sick or dead bird or other wildlife, report it to your regional avian influenza hotline or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative,” advises the CFIA.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
