Reading Time: 3 minutes Corn is one of those crops that has somewhat befuddled agriculture in this province for many years. It always seems to be just on the threshold of breaking out of its minor crop status to something more mainstream in crop production. It would seem that we have some ideal conditions for major grain-corn production, particularly […] Read more
Is Corn Production The Sleeping Giant In Alberta?
Canada Wins The WTO Case
Reading Time: 2 minutes The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently upheld a Canadian complaint that the U.S. country-of-origin (COOL) legislation is a trade barrier. This win is only the first round in resolving the process as there are a number of alternative actions available for both parties to consider. John Masswohl is the Canadian Cattlemen s Association (CCA) director […] Read more
Political Decisions Are Coming Home To Roost
Reading Time: 3 minutes It has been a couple of unusually busy months in regard to issues that affect producers and landowners in Alberta. I expect that many are somewhat relieved that some of these long-standing concerns are being resolved. But then resolution is in the eyes of those affected and it s not always positive or sincere. The […] Read more
New Minister Has Some Issues To Resolve Or Bury
Reading Time: 3 minutes It seems being minister of agriculture in this province is not a long-term occupation, as a recent cabinet shuffle once again proves. Newly-minted Premier Alison Redford has appointed Evan Berger, MLA for Livingstone-MacLeod to be our latest Ag Minister. He replaces Jack Hayden who has been moved, somewhat sideways, to be the new Minister of […] Read more
Low Wheat Prices Will See History Repeat Itself… Again
Reading Time: 3 minutes If crop reports and market forecasts from the major wheat-growing areas of the world prove to be true, we will soon be in the midst of another wheat surplus. This includes the big production areas of Australia, South America, North America and the Black Sea countries Ukraine and Russia. Even traditional wheat-import areas like India […] Read more
Critics Of Land Sale Need To Look In The Mirror
Reading Time: 3 minutes The urban media and their lobby group allies are once again mounting a PR assault against the sale of government land for agricultural development purposes. It s an old story filled once again with hypocrisy by those who are the least involved. The government can t win the PR battle no matter how transparent and […] Read more
Grits Give Agriculture The Silent Treatment
Reading Time: 3 minutes Most citizens would seem to be vaguely aware that there is a PC Party leadership contest going on which will crown a new premier of Alberta. But I expect a lot fewer know an Alberta Liberal party leadership contest is also going on at the same time. Citizens can be forgiven for their blissful unawareness […] Read more
Livestock Industry Legend Passes Away
Reading Time: < 1 minute After a 10-year battle with cancer, famed livestock photographer Walt Browarny passed away at the age of 75 in Calgary. His career spanned more than 40 years and he photographed livestock in most of the major cattle-producing countries in the world. He was there at the beginning of the exotic cattle boom and got an […] Read more
Is Agriculture Image Being Blindsided By Social Media?
Reading Time: 3 minutes A speaker at a recent national cattle industry event showed a video which both bemused and shocked the audience. The speaker and her research company, on behalf of an industry group, was investigating public response to the image of beef. Part of the research involved a focus group to ascertain their opinions on the topic. […] Read more
Agriculture Policy Missing In March To Premier’s Chair
Reading Time: 3 minutes There is something of an inevitability to politics in Alberta. Anyone who wins the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party will be the next premier. If recent polls are any indication, that person will in all likelihood also win the next election. That makes the policy positions of the six candidates running for the premier’s […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
