Reading Time: 2 minutes Short-term manure storage allows producers to manage their manure and field activities, but can raise issues, says a specialist in confined feeding operations with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “It’s also an activity that often generates questions,” said Chris Ullmann. “Short-term storage can be concerning to neighbours if the rules are not followed or if […] Read more
The lowdown on short-term manure storage
Provincial specialist Chris Ullmann says producers need to review the rules before using short-term manure storage
Producers wanted for second pilot of Alberta FarmSafe Plan
Free, two-day workshops will be held in Edmonton, Red Deer, and Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, and Olds
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is looking for interested farm owners and managers to participate in a second pilot of the Alberta FarmSafe Plan, a safety management resource for farmers. The first pilot program to test the plan took place in 2013-14 with nine participants The program has been revised based on the feedback received. […] Read more
Province offering ‘how to be a farmer’ seminar
Want to be a farmer?
Reading Time: < 1 minute AARD release – “If you’re thinking of getting into farming but aren’t sure where to start, this session is ideal for you,” said Abby Verstraete, a farm business analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Getting into Farming – Information Session for the Aspiring Farmer will be held in Airdrie on Oct. 30. It will provide […] Read more
Grier featured Cow-Calfenomics speaker
Reading Time: < 1 minute Kevin Grier, senior market analyst with the George Morris Center will be the keynote speaker for this year’s edition of Cow-Calfenomics. “Kevin writes the Canadian Cattle Buyer and Canadian Boxed Beef Reports and will provide a wealth of information that can be used in formulating future planning prices,” said Bruce Viney, a business development and […] Read more
Boost the bottom line with grain grading
The Canada Grain Commission’s Harvest Sample Program gives you an edge when marketing your harvest
Reading Time: 3 minutes When it comes to marketing, it’s important to know the product. And this is never more important than when selling crops. “Some crops are more complex than others to grade,” said Neil Blue, market specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development in Vermilion. “For example, canola is typically graded based on appearance, smell, moisture content, […] Read more
The bottom line on grain storage
Reading Time: 2 minutes AARD Release / Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development has a pair of new fact sheets on the pros and cons of various grain storage options. “With record crop yields and transport delays of 2013, came greater interest of on-farm storage options,” said Jennifer Stoby, provincial market analyst for agriculture inputs. “Choosing the right grain storage […] Read more
When should you fertilize winter wheat?
Research has shown that fertilizing at seeding can be very effective — and a big time saver come spring
Reading Time: 2 minutes AARD Release / Once the decision to grow winter wheat has been made, one question that frequently comes up is when to fertilize. “Traditionally, winter wheat has been seeded with very little fertilizer and then fertilized in the spring,” said Doon Pauly, agronomy research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development in Lethbridge. “Sometimes, however, […] Read more
Don’t spread the seeds of this nasty weed
Pulling by hand is the simplest, most reliable management technique
Reading Time: < 1 minute Producers have reported ‘strange regrowth’ of Himalayan balsam following control measures to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “There are some important points to keep in mind when attempting to eradicate this invasive weed,” said provincial weed specialist Nicole Kimmel. Himalayan balsam is shallow rooted and easily pulled up by hand. That makes it labour intensive […] Read more
No hill of beans: fababean acreage soars, soybeans may be next
Faba bean acreage has increased tenfold in two years and could double again next year, with soybeans following suit
Reading Time: 3 minutes Every farmer knows a four-year crop rotation is best for good crops, healthy fields and managing pests. However, the four-year ideal often clashes with production reality: canola has been the big money-maker, and while legumes are good for nitrogen fixing, they usually pay less and can present big challenges with disease, standability and harvestability compared […] Read more
Don’t be fooled by imitations, Mountainview sainfoin not for sale yet
Forage producers are eager to get their hands on AC Mountainview, but it won’t be for sale until 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes A new variety of sainfoin holds great promise in Alberta forage systems, says a provincial beef and forage specialist. “The development and release of the new AC Mountainview sainfoin has caused a bit of a stir in the forage world,” said Linda Hunt, who works in the Stettler branch of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. […] Read more
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