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Survey Responses

Paul (British Columbia):
What issues do you want to see federal politicians address?
AgriStability/support for agriculture; Farm labour issues

In your opinion, what is the most-pressing issue facing Canadian farmers?
I feel that all farmers and farmers of the future need to be educated to the real problem other than just climate change. If you have not looked at it, I feel every one not just farmers need to look at and study the Planetary Boundaries yearly reports on the health of the world. I think that all farmers know that they need the amazing gifts that we have on this earth so that we can farm. What we have not been told or spent the time to learn is how every thing is inter-related. From how the minerals got on this planet to how the Mycilium and Bacteria are so important to our success as farmers. Climate is only one part of the 9 sections that are in trouble on the Earth (See the information on the Planetary Boundaries). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d-UqYrCcgo

If farms do not have any climate problem from Fires, Droughts, High temperatures, Atmospheric Rivers that erodes the soil, or the deterioration of the soil health. There is also the threat of no water for the crops from melting ice, and depleted ground water. Temperatures that are too high not just for crops but also for livestock besides humans that work the farms. The over usage of Herbicides and Pesticides that are part of the destruction of so many insects that are needed for so many crops and again livestock. The over usage of Nitrogen and Phosphorus as well as other chemical fertilizers, in particular the Nitrogen and Phosphorus that are already past the safe zone on Earth and are causing the dead zones in the lakes, rivers, and oceans. From the algae blooms that is treating the live in the water from lake of oxygen. Even though Climate change is one of the most time sensitive problem it is not the only problem that threatens the possibility of collapse of the ecosystem that farmers depend on.

And the general population seems to think that the farmers need to fix all these problems on their own without charging more for their product. The farming industry and food security is at risk. That needs financial support. Farmers need to electrify their farms and that includes their machinery.

There are groups that are electrifying with Green Energy for transportation, heating for buildings and more. But where do the farms get the money from to set up Solar/Wind/Battery, so they can charge their electric machinery. I hear that skating Rinks are purchasing electric ice cleaners (Zamboni’s) So people can skate and play hockey but how is paying for the farmers to switch to electric machinery?

Not that the tariffs are not bad enough of a problem but food security still needs to be dealt with as farmers around the world are selling out well they can, going bankrupt, increased suicide rates of farmers or just getting too old to continue to farm? All that is happening at a faster rate than new experienced farmers take over? Please talk about all the problem to the food industry not just climate change.

If you could ask any of the political leaders a question, what would that question be and who would you ask?
When are humans going to address the real problem of food security and a sustainable future through Regenerative farming all over the world not just for a few farms. (we can not live with out food)

Bev (Alberta):
What issues do you want to see federal politicians address?
Trade and tariffs; AgriStability/support for agriculture; Capital gains tax rules; Carbon tax; Supply management

In your opinion, what is the most-pressing issue facing Canadian farmers?
Trade tariffs and cost / limits of inputs.

If you could ask any of the political leaders a question, what would that question be and who would you ask?
For all parties: What consultation with farmers do you intend to do before setting limits on fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide and water application? How do you plan to assist farmers financially given the increased geopolitical turmoil that affects farmers access to markets for our products… and the inevitable increase in cost of production (equipment, parts … in particular)?

Nelson (Alberta):
What issues do you want to see federal politicians address?
Trade and tariffs; AgriStability/support for agriculture; Capital gains tax rules; Government spending/debt; Carbon tax; Supply management; Broadband connectivity/infrastructure; Farm labour issues

In your opinion, what is the most-pressing issue facing Canadian farmers?
Lack of other markets for our beef, our politicians and business leaders have been sleep walking Canadians into the mess we are now in. I can’t sell my provincially inspected beef to other provinces, why has this been allowed to go on for so long???? Trade with the US would and should not be our main issue, let’s diversify and work together from coast to coast to coast. We can still trade with the US, but at our discretion not theirs.

If you could ask any of the political leaders a question, what would that question be and who would you ask?
No question for our candidates, it’s a question to the voters….are you enjoying what the US is doing to us? It’s the people that vote them in, we need a coalition government again, then we would see action from all politicians not wasting our votes.

John (Alberta):
What issues do you want to see federal politicians address?
Capital gains tax rules; Government spending/debt; Carbon tax

In your opinion, what is the most-pressing issue facing Canadian farmers?
Taxes on everything !! Cut back. Let us do our job ! Cut stupid regulations in the name of climate !

If you could ask any of the political leaders a question, what would that question be and who would you ask?
See above! It appears pointless trying to educate the present government – they truly don’t care.

Sam (Alberta):
What issues do you want to see federal politicians address?
Trade and tariffs; AgriStability/support for agriculture; Capital gains tax rules; Government spending/debt; Carbon tax; Supply management

In your opinion, what is the most-pressing issue facing Canadian farmers?
All the uncertainty with trade on what to grow for this up coming grow season with china and US tariffs our trade partners r all turning there back with the terrible governments we’ve had last 9 years we need a true person in power to rebuild our trading system. input cost rising and commodity prices dropping its hard on smaller family farm I think the government needs to step up and provide some financial help not just handing more money to the big bank so farmers can make more debt we don’t need more debt as a farmer we need income to pay down debt more debt means more risk.

The post What do you want to know before voting in Canada’s federal election? appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The post Choosing forage varieties appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

Using available videos, graphics and explanations to clarify the key blackleg resistance concepts can help farmers with proactive decision-making for maximum disease management.

Browsing a few research findings can also upgrade your knowledge of the host-pathogen dynamic.

To learn more, have a look at this Canola Council of Canada video on mitigating blackleg in canola.

The post Learn more about blackleg management in canola appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

Seeding rates may need to be increased when seeding at a later seeding date, when high average temperatures or low precipitation are observed before seeding, or expected after seeding.

The Canola Council of Canada recommends targeting a canola plant population of five to eight plants per square foot to balance yield potential and economics.

The post Check your canola seeding rates appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The provincial government is boosting its portion of the annual irrigation rehabilitation program this year by providing $19 million — an increase of $5.5 million over 2023. It’s meant to help irrigation districts (IDs) update water infrastructure and allow them to do more within their current water allocations.

• RELATED: Large southern Alberta water users agree to reduce water use in severe drought

Established in 1969, the program is a cost-share agreement between the Alberta government (which offers 75 per cent) and irrigation districts (25 per cent). 

In a news release, Alberta’s irrigation network was described as “essential to farmers, ranchers, food processors and communities. Irrigation infrastructure provides water to processors and intensive livestock operations, helping farmers increase yields, grow more diverse crops, improve productivity and crop quality and put food on tables in Alberta and around the world.”

Said Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson, “Investing in our irrigation infrastructure now will help counter dry conditions – including drought – and increase the resiliency and competitiveness of our agricultural industry.” 

Added Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz, “This funding will help modernize and maximize our water supply and make every drop count. By making critical improvements to Alberta’s irrigation infrastructure, we can help ensure more water is available for farmers in southern Alberta while also reducing the impacts of drought.”

One example of these improvements includes converting canals to pipelines, which reduces water lost through seepage and evaporation. In 2022, about 9.2 kilometres of open canals were converted to pipeline under the program.

Irrigation supports about 1.5 million acres of crop production, including producers who manage more than 290,000 acres of specialty crops. About 21 per cent of areas in the irrigation districts are used for crops such as sugar beets, alfalfa, hemp, dry beans, dry peas and potatoes.

Within Alberta’s 11 irrigation districts, irrigated acres produce 28 per cent of the provincial agricultural gross domestic product.

The post Alberta boosts irrigation spending for 2024 appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

These benefits improve seed survival and crop uniformity, which improve the return on investment for seed. A canola crop with five to eight plants per square foot emerging uniformly is more competitive against weeds and insects. Check all openers for excessive wear.

The post Keep your openers sharp before seeding appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

Anne Hubbs, senior wildlife biologist with the Alberta government, says domestic sheep and goats can commonly carry a bacterium that can cause pneumonia and large-scale population die-offs of Bighorn sheep following close contact with an infected animal.

“There are no vaccines or treatments for wild sheep, so maintaining physical separation from domestic sheep and goats is very important,” Hubbs says.

The post Don’t let domestic sheep mix with Bighorns appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The Livestock Population Verification Program is a response to evidence provided by complainants indicating that some operators in Lethbridge County may be exceeding the livestock numbers in their permits.

Since reviewing that evidence, the NRCB has received more feedlot complaints about potential overpopulation involving other counties.

The post Feedlot verification program ongoing appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

Ian Ryan, senior livestock economist with the Alberta government, says this report has a multi-year summary of the economic, productive and financial performance of Alberta cow-calf producers.

Participants received a customized business analysis of their operations for comparison to a benchmark report. Benchmarking allows comparisons based on production practices and marketing strategies and can help drive efficiency and financial performance.

The information is designed to provide information on what, when and how much of a commodity to sell.

The post Benchmarking cow-calf producers appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

Azam Nikzad, market analyst/coordinating researcher with the Alberta government, says the advantage of using certified seed often justifies the higher upfront cost.

“Producers aim to optimize their choices by maximizing productivity and reducing production risk. The expectation is that these seeds will yield better and ultimately lead to increased revenue,” said Nikzad.

Over the past decade in Alberta, certified No. 1 wheat seed showed a general upward price trend until 2022, with an average annual increase of two per cent.

The post Certified seed cost trends appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.