Reading Time: 2 minutes Thrive!” was the theme for the 2015 B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets annual conference which attracted more than 100 vendors, farmers, managers and board members to talk about growth, innovation, and building ongoing success in the markets. The conference focused on two areas — strengthening the operation of the market and increasing vendor know-how in […] Read more
Operators upping their game as farmers’ markets proliferate
Some are finding ways to stand out in the crowd while others are getting to know their customers better
Three online crop tools to stretch your fertilizer dollar
Soil testing is key but there are also two free online tools to better gauge your fertilizer requirements
Reading Time: 2 minutes An Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development specialist is recommending three tools he says can be a big help with controlling fertilizer costs. “Soil testing is one of three tools you can use to make your fertilizer dollar stretch further,” said Harry Brook, a crop specialist with ARD in Stettler. “The other two tools in the […] Read more
Start scouting: stripe rust in winter wheat is spreading north
Producers across the province need to start scouting their winter wheat fields for signs of stripe rust
Reading Time: 3 minutes Stripe rust overwintering on three winter wheat fields in the Edmonton area is “concerning,” says a provincial winter wheat agronomist. “Last year, stripe rust overwintered in the central Alberta region, near Lacombe, Red Deer, and Olds, which was alarming because it really hasn’t overwintered in years,” said Janine Paly of Ducks Unlimited Canada. “Last year, […] Read more
Crop pest and disease watch for 2015
Some of the usual suspects could be back this year, especially if you are pushing your rotations
Reading Time: 6 minutes The new growing season is underway, with a combination of old and new challenges and opportunities. Alberta Farmer reporter Alexis Kienlen asked some experts about things that producers should look out for this growing season. Here’s what they had to say: Plant diseases It’s difficult for plant pathologists to predict the possibility of diseases, said Kelly […] Read more
Variable-rate irrigation on the rise in Alberta
Not everyone is convinced the technology is where it needs to be, but advocates say ‘interest is growing exponentially’
Reading Time: 3 minutes Southern Alberta’s irrigation system is on the cusp of going very high tech. Now that crop yield monitoring is commonplace and variable-rate crop-input technology making inroads, ag equipment companies and early adopters of advanced technology are setting their sights on micromanaging irrigation. “Variable-rate irrigation (VRI) is certainly here to stay,” said Jeff Bronsch, president of […] Read more
The big two irrigated crops seeing some competition
Forages and cereals still dominate irrigated acreage, but oilseeds and specialty crops are growing in popularity
Reading Time: 3 minutes Each year, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development publishes a compilation of all 13 of the province’s irrigation districts’ data for the previous year. The latest figures show cereals and forages (pasture, hay and silage crops) still account for two-thirds of the 1,390,000 acres in the districts, but the trend is clear — forage production isn’t […] Read more
Alberta Agriculture’s 2015 information catalogue now available
Topics cover crop and livestock production, new ventures, agri-tourism and more
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s 2015 Information Catalogue is now available. The catalogue lists over 600 free and priced books, DVDs and CD-ROMs distributed through the department’s publications office. These materials provide up-to-date information on a wide range of agricultural subjects. “We’ve got products on just about every subject you can think of,” said information […] Read more
New food distribution fact sheets available from AARD
Sheets contains practical tips for agricultural food producers and processors
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development has four new fact sheets on distribution. “These fact sheets present innovative thinking and practical tips to help agricultural food producers and processors transport their goods to market,” said new venture specialist Kathy Bosse. The fact sheets are Distribution Partners: Working with Regional Carriers; Distribution Logistics: Getting Your Products to […] Read more
Three key questions every entrepreneur should ask about their customers
While there are market tools out there, there's one sure-fire method to get market information
Reading Time: 2 minutes Who are your customers? This simple question is often one of the most challenging for most entrepreneurs, says a new venture specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “Not everyone is a potential customer,” said Christine Anderson. “The more specific you can be in clearly identifying who your ideal or target customer is, and the […] Read more
Livestock research now online at AARD
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s livestock research branch has launched its own website. “Ever wondered if you can feed faba beans to pigs?” asks website co-developer Miranda Smit. “Or camelina meal to poultry? Interested in using synchronization protocols to improve your dairy herd’s reproductive performance?” Those questions are answered on the website. Each research group […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
