Ric Swihart

Reading Time: < 1 minute Monsanto Canada will spend $14 million to expand, modernize and automate its DeKalb hybrid Roundup Ready canola seed operation in Lethbridge. Monsanto spokesperson Trish Jordan said the new high-tech seed-processing equipment should be operational in August of 2011. The project is going to tender now, and construction is expected to start in September. The expanded […] Read more

Reading Time: 2 minutes af contributor |raymond Total kilometres: 144,149. That’s how far seven UFA Safety Smarts instructors drove in taking their message to 52,420 students in 2,620 rural classrooms in 2009-2010. Laura Nelson of Raymond, executive director of the Alberta Farm Safety Centre which launched the Safety Smarts classroom program in southern Alberta 12 years ago, said the […] Read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute Monsanto Canada will spend $14 million to expand, modernize and automate its DeKalb hybrid Roundup Ready canola seed operation in Lethbridge. Monsanto spokesperson Trish Jordan said the new high-tech seed-processing equipment should be operational in August of 2011. The project is going to tender now, and construction is expected to start in September. The expanded […] Read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes “Lamb prices are higher right now, so the return is there for anyone getting into the industry or enlarging their flock.” NORINE MOORE ALBERTA LAMB PRODUCERS Lamb is the good news story for agriculture in Alberta,” says Norine Moore. “Suddenly, everybody is interested.” Moore, who runs a 300-head flock near Stavely, is a director of […] Read more

Reading Time: 2 minutes “We want to make sure the chickens are healthy and to make sure we are healthy.” ANTONIA ORMSTON URBAN CHICKEN FARMER Lethbridge is still chicken-free, but a growing clutch of residents hopes to change that situation. Dave Henley, Lethbridge’s senior bylaw officer, ponders what might be a mini rush into urban farming. “I had more […] Read more

Reading Time: 2 minutes A new seven-person board for Alberta Pork is pushing producer communication to raise awareness of new programs and market improvement to bring fresh assurances for the future of a struggling industry. Jim Haggins of Calgary, who runs a hog operation near Linden, said a province-wide producer survey on wants and needs that can help restore […] Read more

Reading Time: 2 minutes A price insurance program is being promoted by Alberta Pork to give producers more income protection. Ron Gietz a business development specialist with Alberta Agriculture, told a meeting here this month that industry has been working on the Alberta Financial Service Corporation (AFSC) to push ahead as quickly as possible. “Perhaps a program can be […] Read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes More than 100 cattle ranchers southeast of Cardston are reeling from massive calf death losses following two major snowstorms. Tim Romanow, rural extension specialist for Cardston County, said a second wave of deaths hit producers now as pneumonia and scours took a toll on calves that survived the actual storm. He said three major ranches […] Read more