Reading Time: 3 minutes Stripe rust overwintering on three winter wheat fields in the Edmonton area is “concerning,” says a provincial winter wheat agronomist. “Last year, stripe rust overwintered in the central Alberta region, near Lacombe, Red Deer, and Olds, which was alarming because it really hasn’t overwintered in years,” said Janine Paly of Ducks Unlimited Canada. “Last year, […] Read more
Spread of stripe rust to Edmonton-area cause for concern, says winter wheat researcher
Producers across the province need to start scouting their winter wheat fields for signs of stripe rust
Winter wheat weathered Alberta’s wacky winter
Itching to check your winter wheat crop? Wait until spring seeding to give it time to recover, says Janine Paly
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta’s weird winter weather conditions didn’t seem to wreck winter wheat crops across the province, says a local winter wheat agronomist. “From our spring assessment, the majority of the fields has very little damage, even with the unusual winter conditions we experienced across the Prairies,” said Janine Paly of Ducks Unlimited Canada. The Ducks Unlimited […] Read more
Cover crops come with a long list of benefits
Restoring tired soils isn’t a quick process, but cover crop proponents say it’s well worth the effort
Reading Time: 4 minutes Are you looking to improve soil nitrogen? Prevent soil erosion? Reduce soil compaction, improve water infiltration, and even suppress weeds? Cover crops have got you covered. And as understanding of their benefits spreads, interest is growing. “I think producers are realizing the cost of inputs is getting very, very high and the soil has become […] Read more
Canola growers want province to push biodiesel
Effort would create more demand and help with reductions in greenhouse gases
Reading Time: 2 minutes The new provincial government needs to walk the walk — not just talk the talk — on climate change, starting with better support for renewable energy sources, says the general manager of Alberta Canola Producers Commission. “In their election platforms, almost all political parties talk about climate change and greenhouse gas reduction,” said Ward Toma. […] Read more
Don’t just grow crops, grow food processing
A stronger ag-sector would be the result, says AWC general manager
Reading Time: < 1 minute Think big picture, says the general manager of the Alberta Wheat Commission. “We’ve seen the ministry roll out a rural development strategy, and we support that,” said Tom Steve. “But if you look at who the wealth creators are in rural communities, it tends to be the farmer… we need to find a way to […] Read more
Ag matters: What should be on the agenda for the next government
Election 2015: As Albertans gear up for a provincial election, provincial farm groups share the big issues that matter to them
Reading Time: 4 minutes Investing in agriculture’s future, the nightmare of finding workers, and fair rules for sharing land and water. Those are three big issues for Alberta farm organizations, but not the only ones. None of the farm leaders and officials who spoke to Alberta Farmer had any ‘if you want our vote’ demands for the parties contesting […] Read more
Budget cuts have applied research associations reeling
Election 2015: Producer-run research groups raised salaries and upped spending when funding doubled, but now that extra money has been taken away
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta’s applied research organizations are facing a financial crisis following the government’s “clawback” of two funds earmarked for research and innovation. “We realize that with the drop in oil prices and the model that the government is funded under, everything had to take a hit,” said Ian Murray, chair of the Agricultural Research and Extension […] Read more
Farmers seeing “incremental” changes to risk management funding
Election 2015: Pulse Growers chair cites tightened eligibility qualifications
Reading Time: 2 minutes Maintaining Alberta’s risk management funding is “critical” for farmers who are facing “extreme uncertainty,” said the chair of Alberta Pulse Growers. “Money has been steadily reduced in a lot of the risk management programs at AFSC,” said Allison Ammeter. “Farmers need that if we’re going to be able to stay in the industry and keep […] Read more
Feedlot association has a beef with crumbling infrastructure
Election 2015: More money needed to properly maintain rural roads and bridges
Reading Time: < 1 minute The next Alberta government needs to invest in rural roads and bridges — not just infrastructure in urban centres, says Alberta Cattle Feeders CEO Bryan Walton. “There was a commitment in the budget of $20.5 billion over the next five years, starting with $6.7 billion on a capital program (for roads and bridges),” said Walton. […] Read more
Egg Farmers chair would like to see safety legislation, training and tracking
Election 2015: Comprehensive safety training programs needed for producers
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farm safety in Alberta needs some work — and Susan Schafers has a few ideas. “We in the industry want to make sure that all producers and all employees have a better concept of farm safety and how to improve safety levels on their farms,” said the chair of Egg Farmers of Alberta. While there […] Read more
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