Reading Time: < 1 minute Farmers are embracing recycling of ag plastic and packaging like never before, says Cleanfarms, the non-profit that operates 1,500 recycling collection sites across the country. “For example, the numbers of small plastic pesticide and fertilizer jugs climbed by about 700,000 containers to 6.2 million containers collected for recycling, up a full 12.5 per cent over […] Read more
Producers filling the ag ‘blue box’
FCC offers boost for sustainable beef
Reading Time: < 1 minute Livestock producers who have loans from Farm Credit Canada can get a rebate of up to $2,000 if they are certified under Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef protocols. The initiative (called the FCC Sustainability Incentive Program) was hailed by roundtable chair Anne Wasko, who said more beef buyers are looking for beef produced under the […] Read more
Ag funding survey closes June 5
Reading Time: < 1 minute The deadline is looming for farmers to “share thoughts” on what should be the priorities for the next five-year ag funding deal between Ottawa and the provinces. The Next Policy Framework will replace the $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which expires next March. The federal, provincial, and territorial ag ministers set out their priorities in November […] Read more
Thistle control program on hold
Reading Time: < 1 minute The West-Central Forage Association won’t be bringing in Canada thistle stem-gall flies this year. The flies lay their eggs on the tips of thistle shoots in the early summer, with the larvae burrowing into the shoots and triggering gall formation, which stresses the plant by stealing nutrients. The association said it is discontinuing the program […] Read more
Drought aid tops $350-million
Reading Time: < 1 minute Government aid for drought-hit Alberta producers has put more than one-third of a billion dollars in their hands. The first round of the Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance Initiative paid out more than $180 million on 14,000 applications for more than 2.1 million animals. It paid a flat rate of $94 per breeding cow, the federal […] Read more
Ag plastic recycling program gets extended
Reading Time: < 1 minute The provincial government has anted up another $115,000 to keep a recycling pilot program for grain bags and baler twine going until next year. The Alberta Ag Plastic. Recycle It! pilot, scheduled to end last month, will run until the end of August 2023. “The long-term goal of the group is to expand the pilot […] Read more
Ag society grants available
Reading Time: < 1 minute Applications are now being accepted for the Rocky Mountain Equipment’s Right by You Ag Society program, which offers grants to agricultural societies in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Last year, two of the successful applications were from Alberta: The Marwayne Ag Society and Drumheller Stampede and Agricultural Society received $10,000 grants. The funds are for projects […] Read more
Skimping on livestock care can be costly
Reading Time: < 1 minute Livestock producers are being urged to “think twice” before cutting back on health measures. While “there is pressure this spring to reduce input costs wherever possible,” short-term savings can backfire in the longer term, says a new blog from the Beef Cattle Research Council. “Skimping on your vaccination or vitamin and mineral programs may save […] Read more
Sky-high commodity prices to continue
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farm Credit Canada is forecasting that crop prices will continue to remain strong for the rest of the marketing year. “Some prices will ease off their recent highs, while canola, corn and soybean prices should increase,” the lender said in a market update earlier this month. The FCC forecast for canola is $990 a tonne […] Read more
Safety awareness program for farm kids returns
Reading Time: < 1 minute A safety initiative for farm children is being brought back after a successful launch last year. The BASF Safety Scouts program gives out kits that include an adjustable child-sized safety vest, safety-themed activity and colouring sheets, and badges. Last year, more than 2,000 kits were sent out to farm families across the country, said BASF […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
