Reading Time: 2 minutes Characterized by the mantra “better living through chemistry,” the time immediately following the Second World War was steeped in a euphoric state of consumption of mass-manufactured materials. Now a new paper argues that this time should be formally recognized as the beginning of a new epoch by calling it the Anthropocene — or human period. […] Read more
Scientists say it’s a new era: the Anthropocene
Researchers say the term — which means the human period — recognizes the extent of human-caused change to the planet over the last 60 years
Barley chair and vice-chair re-elected to Alberta Barley
Reading Time: < 1 minute Mike Ammeter has been re-elected as chairman of Alberta Barley and Jason Lenz as vice-chair. “I had a great first year as chairman with Alberta Barley and I am honoured to have been re-elected,” said Ammeter. “This next year will be one filled with opportunities and challenges, and I am looking forward to continuing my […] Read more
VIDEO: Driverless tractors and open-source software
Reimer Robotics takes first prize in Manitoba Ag Days Inventors' Showcase
Reading Time: < 1 minute Matthew Reimer was as surprised as anyone when he was awarded first prize for his driverless tractor system at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon on Jan. 20, but his invention is worthy of the title. The Inventors’ Showcase winner, and president of Reimer Robotics, has built a system to move tractors – driverless no less, with […] Read more
Top farm direct-marketing conference comes to B.C.
Reading Time: < 1 minute The continent’s top farm direct-marketing event is coming to Canada for just the fourth time in its 31-year history. The North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association convention runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5 in Vancouver and Abbotsford. It attracts about 1,000 attendees and more than 40 per cent of event participants said their farm […] Read more
Full lineup at AFA conference
Event runs from Jan. 21-22 in Red Deer
Reading Time: < 1 minute This year’s Alberta Federation of Agriculture’s AGM features presentations on emerging technologies; climate change; and farm labour and safety legislation. The event runs from Jan. 21-22 in Red Deer. Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier will speak Jan. 22 and lawyer Tom Ross will give a legal perspective on Alberta’s farm labour legislation. Other speakers include researcher […] Read more
Want to sell food in Japan?
Application deadline is January 22
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta value-added food companies interested in the Japan market can send product samples and marketing materials with provincial government officials to FOODEX Japan. The March 8-11 event is the largest food and beverage trade show in the Asia-Pacific, attracting 3,000 companies and 77,000 visitors. As well, companies can apply to join a walking program that […] Read more
New gene-based fungicide could combat fusarium
Their method? Target the gene that allows the pathogen to reproduce and ‘knock it down’
Reading Time: 3 minutes A team of University of Lethbridge students has developed a potentially game-changing product that could wipe out a widespread problem for cereal growers — fusarium graminearum. “It’s a really pertinent local issue, but it’s also a global issue, so it expands the potential impact (of our project,)” said Graeme Glaister, a fourth-year neuroscience student at […] Read more
Canadians urged to help displaced Syrians
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is encouraging Canadians to take advantage of a federal government program that doubles their contribution to the Syria Emergency Relief Fund. Ottawa will match every dollar donated by individuals to registered Canadian charities in response to the conflict in Syria up to a total of $100 million. “We welcome the extension of […] Read more
Packed agenda for agronomy update
Reading Time: < 1 minute More than two dozen speakers will be offering their insights at Agronomy Update in Red Deer on Jan. 19-20. Topics include aphanomyces, clubroot, fungicide timing, P and K decline, straight combining canola, insect control, and managing herbicide resistance. The conference kicks off with presentations on field crops pathology followed by soil management, grain marketing, and crops […] Read more
Cattle ID workshops coming in 2016
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Cattle Identification Program is putting on traceability workshops in seven Alberta communities for cow-calf producers, backgrounders, and feedlot operators. There will be presentations on the impact of age verification and how that impacts Canadian beef in international markets, discounts suffered by feedlots, determining age at packing plants, and the importance of premises ID. […] Read more