Reading Time: 2 minutes Declaring ‘soil is bigger than oil,’ two Alberta farmer-led research organizations are teaming up to increase the focus on soil health. “Soil health is the foundation of successful farming — if we can maintain and improve the health of our soils, we will be successful farmers,” said Ian Murray, an Acme rancher and chair of […] Read more
Farmer-led research groups shine spotlight on soil health
Improving soil is the key to successful farming, say groups behind the Soil Health Applied Research Alliance
Soil carbon challenge coming to Alberta
The Soil Carbon Coalition Challenge is a North American-wide initiative founded on the premise that carbon is key to soil health
Reading Time: 3 minutes Measuring your soil carbon is the ticket to improving soil health and can usher in dramatic productivity gains. That’s the message that Peter Donovan is bringing to Alberta this month — part of the American expert’s efforts to promote the Soil Carbon Coalition Challenge, a North American-wide initiative to show how you can improve your […] Read more
Farming Smarter cancels spring crop walks
Producer-run research organization urges farmers to lobby new government for more dollars
Reading Time: 2 minutes A funding shortfall has prompted Farming Smarter to cancel its spring crop walks for 2015. The shortfall resulted from cutbacks by the outgoing Progressive Conservative government, said Ken Coles, general manager of the farmer-run research organization based in Lethbridge. “Even if the new provincial government decides to keep or improve the AOF (Agriculture Opportunities Fund) […] Read more
Silage varieties for Alberta cattle producers
Reading Time: < 1 minute This year’s version of Silage Varieties for Alberta is now available. Under the umbrella of the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta, eight applied research groups performed forage testing of various varieties at 12 locations throughout the province. This was the sixth year of tests. “Varieties of barley, oats, triticale and peas commonly used […] Read more
Budget cuts have applied research associations reeling
Election 2015: Producer-run research groups raised salaries and upped spending when funding doubled, but now that extra money has been taken away
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta’s applied research organizations are facing a financial crisis following the government’s “clawback” of two funds earmarked for research and innovation. “We realize that with the drop in oil prices and the model that the government is funded under, everything had to take a hit,” said Ian Murray, chair of the Agricultural Research and Extension […] Read more
Farmer-driven research in Alberta
Reading Time: < 1 minute When it comes to activities, the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA) runs the gamut. “We do everything from annual crop research, to variety, fertility and silage trials,” said Janette McDonald, executive director of ARECA. “We then go into perennial crops and special crops. At least 50 to 60 per cent of our […] Read more
Budget squeeze leads to cancellation of new ag research fund
The $200-million Agriculture and Food Innovation Endowment would have generated $9 million annually for made-in-Alberta research
Reading Time: 3 minutes The provincial government has scrapped a $200-million endowment that was to fund innovative agriculture research. When the Agriculture and Food Innovation Endowment account was announced in March, it was praised by Agriculture Minister Verlyn Olson. “Innovation and diversification in all of our sectors are key to Alberta’s long-term success,” said Olson. “The Agriculture and Food […] Read more
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