Reading Time: < 1 minute The province is “currently assessing policy options” for its fleet of hopper cars, says an analyst with Alberta Agriculture. In the early ’80s, Alberta and Saskatchewan each purchased 1,000 hopper cars to supplement the fleet of 13,300 owned by the federal government, noted Chuanliang Su. Read more: Railways say they’re ready for large shipping season […] Read more
Province ‘assessing’ its hopper car fleet
The cost of feed was a plus for dairy producers one year ago
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dairy farmers not only saw more demand for their production in 2017 but enjoyed lower feed costs, says the latest provincial report on the economics of milk production. The cost of producing milk in Alberta decreased by five per cent in 2017 compared to 2016, said research analyst Pauline Van Biert. “The total cost for […] Read more
Weather app has different features
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture’s new mobile-friendly weather app differs from many others because it has recent past data, says Ralph Wright, head of agro-meteorology. The app lets producers look at all of the hourly data for winds for the past few days. “If we’re in a stable weather pattern… you can start getting some pretty good ideas […] Read more
Farm income grew strongly in 2017
Reading Time: < 1 minute Several farm income records were set in Alberta last year, says an Alberta Agriculture statistician. Farm cash receipts were $14.1 billion, the first time they have exceeded $14 billion, said Roy Larsen. Crop market receipts were also a new record, up 3.9 per cent to $6.9 billion. “The growth in receipts was largely driven by […] Read more
Keep watch for insects that attack trees
There are a number of pests that harm trees, including yellow-headed spruce sawfly, spider mites, and white pine weevils
Reading Time: 2 minutes There are several insects that affect trees that you should keep an eye out for this year. “The yellow-headed spruce sawfly has been a problem for spruce the last few years, as well as spider mites,” said provincial agro-forestry specialist Toso Bozic. “White pine weevils have also been a problem for young spruce trees, as […] Read more
Safeguard wheat midge tolerance or lose it, growers warned
A single gene that protects wheat from this costly pest could quickly be lost if there’s no refuge in fields
Reading Time: 2 minutes Planting saved soft white spring wheat that’s tolerant to wheat midge comes with a multimillion-dollar risk. If tolerance is lost, it could cost growers $60 million annually and up to $36 per acre, said Mike Espeseth, co-chair of the communications committee of the Midge Tolerant Wheat Stewardship Team. A single gene, called Sm1, provides midge […] Read more
Genomics research funding on offer
Reading Time: < 1 minute Genome Alberta is partnering with Alberta Agriculture on the Alberta Applied Agricultural Genomics Program. The program will provide funding for genomics-based research projects up to $250,000 over a period of two years. Research proposals participating in larger national or international efforts are strongly encouraged. For example, understanding stress response of crops at the genomic level […] Read more
Crop fact sheets available
Reading Time: < 1 minute Three crop varietal fact sheets are now available. The Varieties of Cereal and Oilseed Crops for Alberta 2017 that provides agronomic characteristics and disease-resistance information are provided for varieties of wheat, barley, oat, rye, triticale, flax and canola. Varieties of Pulse Crops for Alberta provides information on pulse variety performance for varieties of field pea, […] Read more
Free workshops on small-flock biosecurity
Workshops to be held in Red Deer on Jan. 14 and Whitecourt on Jan. 28
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture is holding free biosecurity workshops with practical strategies for small flocks. Hands-on activities, producer/owner participation, and guest speakers will discuss common small-flock challenges to help keep multi-generational poultry flocks healthy. Workshops will be held in Red Deer (Peavey Mart Head Office) on Jan. 14 and Whitecourt (Holiday Inn Express) on Jan. 28. To […] Read more
How to get a handle on farmland prices
Farm Credit Canada tracks percentage changes across the country, while Alberta Agriculture looks at dollar values in municipalities
Reading Time: 2 minutes Farm Credit Canada’s recently released Farm Land Value Report and a database created by Alberta Agriculture can go a long way to helping producers establish a land value, says a provincial farm business specialist. “According to the new FCC report, Alberta’s change in farmland values was 11.6 per cent which was 1.5 per cent higher […] Read moreCyber-Savvy Farmer
