Reading Time: 3 minutes New feed and forage genetics are coming down the pipe for cattle feeders. At the end of February, the Prairie Grain Development Committee approved three new feed and forage barley varieties from the Field Crop Development Centre, as well as two triticale varieties that would be suitable for feed and forage. “Over the past couple […] Read more
New feed and forage barley lines bring high yields, strong standability
‘Fast breeding’ means producers can expect to see varieties hit the marketplace in almost half the time
Dairy producers thrilled to join ‘amazing’ Outstanding Young Farmers family
Reading Time: 3 minutes This year’s Outstanding Young Farmers were a little apprehensive when their bank manager first introduced them to the program two years ago. “At first, we were hesitant because we didn’t know what it was,” said Mary van Benthem, who operates a dairy farm near Spruceview with husband Roelof. “But after coming in and learning about […] Read more
Pricey farm machinery and soft commodity prices don’t add up
Sales plunge as farm equipment prices and grain prices head in opposite directions
Reading Time: 4 minutes Farm equipment sales in Canada dropped off significantly last year as farmers faced bad weather and even worse commodity prices. “In short, (equipment sales) are not good. There’s no way to sugarcoat it,” said Curt Blades, senior vice-president of agricultural services for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. “Net farm income in Canada is down pretty […] Read more
New research will produce tools you can use, says cattle health expert
The new five-year $2.35-million research program will first tackle bovine respiratory disease and Johne’s disease, as well as antimicrobial resistance
Reading Time: 3 minutes A major new research program will help cattle producers manage two key diseases in their herds — and they can expect to have new tools in their hands in just a few years. “We’re looking at new approaches for managing important issues like bovine respiratory disease and other production-limiting diseases such as Johne’s disease,” said […] Read more
Be prepared when negotiating with oil and gas companies
Understand the process and gather all the evidence you can to support your claim, says expert
Reading Time: 3 minutes In the game of getting compensation for surface rights, oil and gas companies hold most of the cards. “I would liken it to a good poker game where you only get the low cards,” said Graham Gilchrist, owner of Gilchrist Consulting in Leduc. “Sure, you could get a straight with a whole bunch of aces […] Read more
Cashing in on carbon: It’s coming, says expert
Big multinationals are vowing to reduce their carbon footprint and this will create an opportunity for farmers
Reading Time: 5 minutes Alberta farmers lead the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions — they just don’t get paid for it, says an expert in the carbon-credit market. But that’s starting to change, said Jon Alcock, sustainability specialist at Viresco Solutions, a company that develops carbon credits and “carbon intensity scores.” “On a global scene, Alberta has been […] Read more
Bank signs on as launch sponsor for ALUS Canada’s New Acre program
“We know that restoring nature on the landscape has many benefits for both farmers and their communities..."
Reading Time: 3 minutes Three hundred acres of farmland across Canada will be transformed into conservation projects thanks to a sizable sponsorship from TD Bank Group to ALUS Canada’s New Acre program. “The TD sponsorship is an indication that the private sector recognizes the value of this kind of work and is willing to put money behind it,” said […] Read more
Cash advances take a ‘very dramatic’ jump, say administrators
Farmers can now borrow more against crops in their bins, and that’s what they’re doing
Reading Time: 4 minutes There’s been a “very dramatic” spike in applications for cash advances since Ottawa upped the amount farmers can borrow against crops in their bins. “We’ve had probably an extra 500 applications this year, and it’s not just new producers to the program — it’s also increased usage of the program by our existing customers,” said […] Read more
Glyphosate-resistant wild oats are in Australia, and that’s bad news here
Aussies usually see resistance first, with Canada close behind – and that means a ‘scary’ scenario for Prairie farmers
Reading Time: 5 minutes Glyphosate-resistant wild oats have been found in Australia and that should be a wake-up call to any farmer who thinks it couldn’t happen in Canada. “This is the first confirmed case of glyphosate-resistant wild oats in the world,” said federal research scientist Breanne Tidemann. “It’s something we’ve been concerned about but no one has ever […] Read more
Will you be on the hook for abandoned gas and oil wells?
Rural property owners will be ‘significantly’ impacted by $173 million in unpaid taxes, say municipalities
Reading Time: 3 minutes Rural Albertans could be on the hook for a growing number of orphaned and abandoned wells and tens of millions in back taxes owed by struggling oil and gas companies. “This is not the first year we’ve had companies choosing not to pay their taxes, and it is escalating,” said Al Kemmere, president of the […] Read more
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