Reading Time: < 1 minute The Natural Resources Conservation Board, which regulates confined feeding operations in Alberta, is asking feeders to call if they’re considering changes because of the pandemic and increasing livestock numbers. “If you find yourself facing short-term pressures related to COVID-19 and its effects, please contact the NRCB directly to discuss the situation before making any changes […] Read more
Livestock feeders urged to call before making changes
Crop pest survey tools up and running
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network has “live feed maps” up and running for the province. The maps show results from traps around the province set up and overseen by co-operator farmers. As co-operators post results from the traps, they are posted immediately to the map. The five insects covered by these maps are bertha […] Read more
Grants available for worker safety training
Reading Time: < 1 minute A new program is offering to help farm and agribusiness employers as well as food processors with the cost of pandemic-related training and equipment. The Agriculture Training Support Program “is intended to offset costs for COVID-19 safety and training, including the costs for personal protective equipment and to remove any barriers to get Albertans safely […] Read more
Soil moisture a mixed bag in 2020
Reading Time: < 1 minute Soil moisture reserves remain extremely variable across the province, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry said in its latest update. These range “from one in 12- to 25-year lows through small areas in the central and northeast regions, to one in 50-year highs through the Fox Creek/Edson area and also around Hawk Hills in the northern Peace […] Read more
High-profile ag committee to advise province
Reading Time: < 1 minute The UCP government has set up a number of advisory groups with high-profile members, including the Economic Recovery Council that includes former prime minister Stephen Harper among its members. The newest advisory panel is called the Champions of Agriculture. The group will provide “strategic advice and recommendations on emerging issues and priorities related to consumer […] Read more
Chicken farmers cut production, but no aid sought
Reading Time: < 1 minute Canada’s chicken farmers have reduced production but won’t be asking for financial help from government, says the Chicken Farmers of Canada. “We’ll take care of this ourselves,” said Benoît Fontaine, the organization’s chair. However, chicken farmers may have to “depopulate flocks” if there’s an escalation in slaughter plant closures and should that happen, they want […] Read more
Alberta hog farmers say financial aid not nearly enough
Reading Time: < 1 minute The provincial government has made a number of moves to support farmers in the province. In addition to providing $17 million for the cattle set-aside program, the province is increasing the interim payment under AgriStability from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for the hog sector. “This will put up to $25 million in […] Read more
Olds College acquires self-driving DOT platform
Reading Time: < 1 minute Olds College has acquired a DOT Power Platform for its Smart Farm. The self-driving platform can be equipped with a variety of implements. In addition to the platform, the college has acquired a DOT Seeder-SeedMaster Ultra DSR, DOT Sprayer-Pattison Connect, and the DOT-ready New Leader NL5000 nutrient applicator. “Our goal is to demonstrate how this […] Read more
Where will all the cattle go?
Reading Time: < 1 minute The cattle sector is facing an unprecedented crisis as COVID-19 forces packing plants to temporarily close or slow down production. Alberta’s two big cattle facilities, which process nearly three-quarters of Canada’s beef, have both been hit hard by the pandemic and that’s already created a backlog. Producers who direct market beef — such as Grazed […] Read more
Crop insurance claims being made a priority
Reading Time: < 1 minute Ensuring outstanding crop insurance claims on unharvested acres are processed prior to seeding is one of three top priorities that Alberta Wheat and Alberta Barley are focusing on in discussions with government officials, the two farm groups say. In an April 27 update, the cereal commissions said Agriculture Financial Services Corporation “has been implementing its […] Read more
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