Reading Time: 2 minutes Recent record yields and transportation backlogs have increased interest in on-farm storage options. “There are many different storage options available, either temporary or permanent,” said Todd Bergen-Henengouwen, project assistant with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “The two most popular options are steel grain bins (either corrugated or smooth walled with or without hoppers) and grain […] Read more
Do the math on bins versus baggers
Bin prices have jumped sharply in the past decade, but producers need to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of grain bags
Formal lease agreements on the rise for pastures
Reading Time: 2 minutes The calls are starting to come in to the Alberta Ag-Info Centre asking about pasture rents,” says Ted Nibourg, farm business management specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “What is different this year is the increase in requests for formal lease agreements. This is likely reflective of the positive financial state of the cow-calf […] Read more
Mexico trip generates sales
Reading Time: < 1 minute A market development mission to Mexico, focusing on food ingredients for human and animal consumption, is expected to generate $4 million in sales. Alberta Barley, the Alberta Food Processing Development Centre, and Cigi were among the participants in the recent five-day mission. It included informational and technical seminars on food ingredients and animal feed, and […] Read more
Alberta ag minister books off after surgery
Alberta Premier Jim Prentice has named an associate agriculture and rural development minister to handle the portfolio while provincial Agriculture Minister Verlyn Olson takes sick leave. Grande Prairie-Smoky MLA Everett McDonald, a farmer and former reeve for the County of Grande Prairie, was appointed Tuesday to the associate minister’s post. Olson, the ag minister since […] Read more
Faba bean acreage is soaring — and so is knowledge about growing them
Herbicide sensitivity and heat susceptibility were two issues, and lygus bugs seem to find them tasty
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta is coming off of a pretty good year for faba beans and that brought with it some valuable lessons learned, says an Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development researcher. “This year we saw acreage go from 30,000 to close to 80,000,” said Robyne Bowness, pulse research scientist in Lacombe. “We had more farmers growing faba […] Read more
Don’t be alarmed by hike in Calf Price Insurance premiums
While the cost is up, so is risk and coverage levels actually offer better value this year, says risk management specialist
Reading Time: 2 minutes Calf Price Insurance is now being offered for 2015 and producers shouldn’t be alarmed by the premium cost. “Cattle Price Insurance for the 2015 calf crop may initially appear to be more expensive than last year, but it is actually a better value,” said Bruce Viney, risk management specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. […] Read more
Have your financial ducks in a row before spring hits
Farm business specialist says there are four financial documents you need to prepare and share with your advisers before things get too busy
Reading Time: 1 minute Now is the time to review operating plans, investment plans and cash requirements for the upcoming year, says an Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development specialist. “The need to develop a strong business plan has been never greater,” said Rick Dehod. “With grain prices flattening, margins have been squeezed. Being proactive allows your business to strategically […] Read more
Farm-direct-marketing workshop on boosting profitability
Registration deadline of March 4!
Reading Time: < 1 minute An upcoming Explore Local workshop looks at marketing and pricing for profit. “This workshop looks at how you can use low cost, simple pricing, marketing and display tools to maximize sales and ramp up your business potential,” said Eileen Kotowich, farmers’ market specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. The workshop will feature Jenny Berkenbosch, […] Read more
Officials stress need for testing
The latest BSE case only increases the need for Canada to test 30,000 animals yearly
Reading Time: 4 minutes Keep calm and carry on testing. That’s the message going out to producers following the latest case of BSE in an Alberta cow. “At times like this, it’s as important, if not more so, to continue with surveillance and be vigilant,” Canadian Food Inspection Agency official Craig Price told attendees at the recent Alberta Beef […] Read more
Getting the lowdown on your farm’s financial health
Simple Farm Ratio Analyzer is a quick way to determine whether your farm is on the right financial track, says farm finance specialist
Reading Time: 2 minutes An Excel program available from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development can help producers assess the financial state of their farm business. The Agricultural Business Analyzer (ABA) Simple Farm Ratio Analyzer gives users a quick idea of the financial health of their farm or ranch as well as a comparison of their business’s ratios to industry […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
