Reading Time: < 1 minute Applications for 2017 Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarships are due April 30. Scholarships are awarded to individuals with a passion for agriculture and a desire to expand their knowledge, pursue new ideas and share their findings with others, for the betterment of Canadian agriculture. Applicants should be in mid-career, between the ages of 25 and 45 […] Read more
Nuffield Scholarship application deadline
Four scholarships of $15,000 each are available for those between 25 and 45
Alberta land prices continue to soar
Farm cash receipts were a ‘pleasant surprise’ last year and that kept upward pressure on land prices
Reading Time: 4 minutes It was another big year for Alberta and Canadian farmland prices, according to Farm Credit Canada’s annual survey. On average, provincial farmland prices jumped by 11.6 per cent, the ag lender said in its 2015 Farmland Values Report while nationally they rose 10.1 per cent. But there are a lot of variations across the province, […] Read more
Sheltered from the storm — Canadian farm sector doing well
Low dollar and a robust demand for pulses, canola, and specialty crops has spared Prairie producers from troubled times
Reading Time: 3 minutes As the U.S. enters a dark period for its farm economy, there’s cautious optimism in the Canadian agricultural outlook. “The net income and the overall situation in the United States is not looking good,” said Craig Klemmer, senior agricultural economist with Farm Credit Canada. “When we look at the net income expectations for 2016, there’s […] Read more
Warning issued as anthrax shows up early
Having a case this early in the year is unusual and the dry spring may be to blame
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has confirmed a case of anthrax in a cow in Mackenzie County. A few cases of anthrax are reported in Western Canada nearly every year, typically between July and mid-September and usually following hot weather. This case is unusual in that it was detected in March. Anthrax spores survive in soil, […] Read more
Alberta acres need one good soaking rain
Reading Time: < 1 minute Although over-winter precipitation accumulations were well below normal across most of Alberta, total over-winter precipitation deficits do not exceed 70 millimetres, even in the driest areas. “From a cropping perspective, these shortfalls can effectively be eased by one good soaking rain, or a few large spring snowstorms,” says Ralph Wright of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. […] Read more
Grain transport problems solved? Not quite
Mandated minimums for grain movement are set to expire this summer — but Alberta crop industry leaders say they’re still needed
Reading Time: 5 minutes Canada’s railways moved a record amount of grain for the 2014-15 crop year — but any improvements were mostly thanks to luck, not fixes to the system, say users. “A lot of the same issues that were evident in 2013 and 2014 are still there, but we’ve had a good run based on excellent weather, […] Read more
ALMA a casualty of provincial government cuts
Agency has proved its worth, industry leaders say
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency is being dissolved — and its demise is being mourned by many in the industry. “We were surprised and disappointed,” said Dave Chalack, a rancher and veterinarian who is chair of ALMA’s board. “I know we had a great organization and one that has evolved in a significant and […] Read more
Dry conditions leave trees stressed and vulnerable
Monitor trees regularly for boring insects and bark beetles, says provincial woodlot specialist
Reading Time: 2 minutes Recent dry conditions will take a toll on trees, says the province’s woodlot extension specialist. “It’s an invitation for insect infestations, not just for this year, but for upcoming years as well,” said Toso Bozic. This is because stressed trees are less able to resist invasion, and some boring insects and bark beetles increase during […] Read more
Agristability application window closing
Deadline for applications is April 30
Reading Time: < 1 minute The deadline for enrolling in AgriStability is just days away. “AgriStability provides ‘whole-farm’ coverage for all commodities and perils that are not necessarily covered through other forms of insurance. Coverage is specific to your farm operation,” said Norm Gueutal, AFSC team co-ordinator, adding the program is a low-cost way to manage risk. “Fees are based on […] Read more
Hanna ranchers win award for animal care
Reading Time: 2 minutes Dylan and Colleen Biggs of TK Ranch were two of the recipients of awards of distinction at the recent Livestock Care Conference hosted by Alberta Farm Animal Care. The Hanna-area ranchers were recognized for their long-term commitment to animal welfare and sustainably produced food, which has served as a model approach inspiring the progress of […] Read more