Reading Time: 6 minutes It could take months for grain movement to fully recover from the catastrophic flooding in B.C. that buried rail lines in mud and debris or washed away the ground under the tracks. And the unprecedented damage has highlighted the risk that Prairie farmers face in getting their grain to port. “The rail system there has […] Read more
B.C. floods put the spotlight on ‘vulnerable’ rail corridor
Transport sector needs to ‘learn our lessons’ after unprecedented number of washouts and slides
Feeding cattle this winter is all about striking the right balance
Determine your priorities, feed test and then take a look at alternate feed sources
Reading Time: 4 minutes Whether feeding in a normal year or through a drought, cattle producers need to look at nutrition from a “40,000-foot vantage point” to make the most of their feed. “No matter what we’re doing, we’re always striving to get that perfect mix and perfect balance so that everything is used to its optimum,” Barry Yaremcio […] Read more
Farmers’ markets saw a slower summer, but support is still strong
People had more options for outings this summer, but demand for farm-fresh food keeps growing
Reading Time: 3 minutes Farmers’ markets across Alberta were mostly back to “business as usual” — albeit with smaller crowds — after last year’s COVID restrictions were lifted this summer. “For Irvings Farm Fresh, 2021 felt more like business as usual,” said Nicola Irving, owner of Irvings Farm Fresh near Round Hill. “In 2020, we had seen reductions in […] Read more
In-person events are back this winter
Done with Zoom? It won’t be exactly like the old days but there’s a full slate of meetings this winter
Reading Time: 3 minutes It may not quite be business as usual, but after nearly two years of mostly virtual meetings, it’s a welcome change. “One of the things people are most looking forward to is getting to gather and see people face to face as opposed to over a Zoom call,” said Megan Evans, marketing and events manager […] Read more
THE NEW ENERGY BOOM: The sun is shining on Alberta’s solar industry
Every sector of Alberta’s solar energy industry is seeing strong demand — including from agriculture
Reading Time: 6 minutes Alberta may be oil and gas country, but right now, another natural resource is booming in the province — solar energy. “Alberta is by far the fastest-growing solar market in Canada right now,” said Nicholas Gall, director of distributed energy resources for the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. “Large corporate buyers — companies like Amazon, Budweiser, […] Read more
Boom delays pilot to convert abandoned well sites to solar
Solar equipment makers ‘tapped right out’ but interest in conversions still strong
Reading Time: 2 minutes A sizzling buildout of solar in Alberta has delayed a pilot project that will convert abandoned oil and gas well sites to sun-powered power generation. “We’ve been caught in the major solar boom that’s been happening throughout Alberta, so getting equipment has tightened up quite a bit from where it was a year ago,” said […] Read more
Solar energy in Alberta facing a few storm clouds
The inconsistent supply of power, finding land and hooking up to the grid are all challenges
Reading Time: 2 minutes The forecast for solar energy generation in Alberta is mostly sunny, but there are a few storm clouds on the horizon. Solar generation potential Solar energy comes with a downside — it doesn’t produce at night, and it produces more in the summer than in the winter. But in Alberta, solar energy actually gives a […] Read more
Jobs and rural economy likely focus of new agriculture minister
Nate Horner gets cabinet post after predecessor resigns after allegations of heavy drinking
Reading Time: 4 minutes Making rural Alberta even more of an economic engine is a top priority for the province’s new ag minister. Drumheller-Stettler MLA Nate Horner was suddenly promoted on Nov. 5 after his predecessor, Devin Dreeshen, resigned amidst allegations of heavy drinking. The changing of the guard was so sudden that Horner didn’t even have the usual […] Read more
Livestock insurance just ‘doesn’t work’
Fewer than half of producers sign up for insurance because of pricey premium costs and lack of responsiveness
Reading Time: 5 minutes Battered by volatile markets and disastrous weather over the past year, cattle producers in Alberta say they need much better livestock insurance programs. “To tell you the truth, we opted out of them a few years ago because they didn’t work for us,” said Alberta Beef Producers chair Melanie Wowk, who farms near Beauvallon. “The […] Read more
AFAC and counties can identify livestock feed problems
The Alert Line is a confidential way to report animal welfare concerns in Alberta
Reading Time: 3 minutes This summer’s drought conditions haven’t affected the number of calls to Alberta Farm Animal Care’s Alert Line, but that could change as the weather worsens this winter. “I haven’t seen a huge jump in calls yet, but I think we’re going to be seeing some issues with feed and body condition after this drought,” said […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
