Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s just a trickle now, but there are fears of a flood of cattle going to market if the drought continues. “It’s a little too early to be splitting up pairs, but we are seeing some pairs sell,” said Anne Wasko, market analyst with Gateway Livestock Services. Sale figures are being closely watched these days […] Read more
More cattle heading to market as drought worsens
Emphasis was on growing the herd, but that’s been nearly abandoned due to dry conditions
Funding available for agricultural business skills training
Business Management Skills Program will cover 75 per cent of tuition fees or the cost of hiring an instructor for a group
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Business Management Skills Program is now accepting applications. “This program helps agricultural producers, new producers and processors, agri-processing industry staff, and producer groups improve their business management skills through timely training and targeted skills development,” said Stephanie Kosinski, business opportunity grant specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. The Growing Forward 2 funded program aims […] Read more
Cow-Calfenomics risk management video series
Reading Time: < 1 minute A video of the beef cow investment session from Cow-Calfenomics risk management series is now available at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s website. In the 35-minute video, business development and risk specialist Bruce Viney looks at four areas to consider when evaluating the investment potential of beef cattle. They are: profitability (cost of production and break-evens) […] Read more
Organic Beef Mentorship program taking applications
Reading Time: < 1 minute The 2015 Organic Beef Mentorship program is open for applications. “Organic Alberta offered the program last year with four pairs of mentors and mentees,” said Melisa Zapisocky, livestock manager with Organic Alberta. “The program was a big success and we’ve decided to offer it again this year.” Under the program, selected transitioning producers, including those […] Read more
Getting the good bugs on your side
Tweaking your pesticide applications and field management can boost the populations of beneficial bugs
Reading Time: 2 minutes Encouraging and protecting natural enemies can be an excellent way to control pest populations. “Everybody is familiar with ladybugs and lacewings as voracious, pest-consuming beneficial insects,” said Dustin Morton, commercial horticulture specialist with the Alberta Ag-Info Centre. “But fewer are familiar with how natural enemies such as hover flies, ground beetles, and even yellow-jacket wasps […] Read more
The damage to crops is done — but how much worse will it get?
It’s not a writeoff yet, but recovery potential is limited and a late harvest seems inevitable, says crop expert
Reading Time: 3 minutes After one of the “driest Mays on record,” producers across the Prairies are wondering how their crops are going to fare this growing season. It’s not looking good. “The crops are going to be substantially smaller than they have been over the past few years,” Bruce Burnett, CWB crop and weather specialist, said in an […] Read more
E-learning tutorial offers basics on farm financial statements
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has a new online e-learning tutorial called Understanding Farm Financial Statements and their Measurement. The tutorial offers the basics on farm financial statements, their interaction, and measurements, said farm financial specialist Rick Dehod. This e-learning series is set up so that it may be viewed in part or in its entirety. […] Read more
Short on forages for cattle? Creep feeding could be the answer
Grazing expert says creep feeding could deliver 25 to 100 pounds of additional gain
Reading Time: 2 minutes Cool, dry conditions across most of Alberta last month slowed forage growth in pastures and hay fields, says a beef and forage specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “If it stays dry the amount of growth will be limited and it is possible that pastures will run out much earlier than normal,” Barry Yaremcio said […] Read more
Help on offer for starting or expanding an on-farm business
Along with business development info and tools, new-venture specialists offer coaching and connections
Reading Time: < 1 minute Thinking of starting a new business or adding something new to your existing product line? “Before you start, you need to do your homework and research what is already available and what is needed,” said Kathy Bosse, new-venture specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “This may seem like a daunting task, but there is assistance […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
