Quota available for new dairy producers

Alberta Milk says it will implement its New Entrant Assistance Program this winter to encourage more individuals to consider becoming dairy farmers. New entrants will be loaned quota to alleviate some of the normal startup costs normally incurred. Alberta Milk will start accepting applications beginning January 2011.

Up to five new entrants will be selected each year. Once accepted, a new entrant would need to purchase quota. The quota purchased will then be matched with a loan of quota from Alberta Milk up to a maximum of 15 kg/day at no cost to the new entrant. The quota loan would gradually expire starting the end of year six. At the end of year eight, the quota loan would reduce to zero. While using the program, new entrants can expand up to 60 kg/day of quota holdings.

For more information visit albertamilk.com or call

1-877-361-1231.

Alberta dailies highlight local food

TheEdmonton JournalandCalgary Heraldhave launched a news series calledTaste Albertato highlight growing consumer interest in local food.

The series is a partnership between the newspapers and the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency. It appears weekly in Wednesday’s Food section of theJournaland Sunday’s Mix section of theHerald.It is also posted online at www.edmontonjournal.com/taste and www.calgaryherald.com/taste.

Kerry Powell,Taste Albertaeditor with theJournal,says she encourages farmers, ranchers, producers and processors to join the conversation on the website and on Twitter at @TasteAlberta and @TasteAlbertaS.

To contact her with story ideas for the series and offer resources such as video clips that may be of interest to readers email [email protected] or phone 780-429-5461.