Reading Time: 2 minutes Anthrax has surfaced in Alberta, killing about 10 cattle on two separate operations in the Fort Vermilion area. This follows the death of two bison that died in North Battleford, Sask. and producers are being warned to be on the lookout for anthrax, due to the hot, dry conditions. The disease is not new to […] Read more
Anthrax strikes two cattle operations near Fort Vermilion
If an animal dies suddenly on your property, do not move it and call a veterinarian for a diagnosis
No word on farm aid until after harvest
Livestock producers have a tax deferral option, but government waiting to see if crop insurance is adequate
Reading Time: 3 minutes Crop producers will have to wait until after harvest to find out if there is any government drought assistance, says the president of the Grain Growers of Canada. The question of additional farm aid was put to Oneil Carlier, the new NDP agriculture minister, when he attended an Alberta Wheat Commission directors’ meeting in Red […] Read more
Disaster declarations raise awareness
Declaring an agricultural disaster can help speed crop insurance claims and might trigger additional government aid
Reading Time: < 1 minute Recent dry conditions and grasshopper infestations have led several counties to declare a state of agricultural disaster. Sturgeon, Parkland, Brazeau, Thorhild, Leduc, and Mackenzie counties have issued disaster declarations. They don’t trigger aid but raising awareness of the situation can be very helpful, said one county official. “Based on past experiences, making the provincial and […] Read more
ALERT Line: Help for farmers is only a phone call away
Reading Time: < 1 minute Producers who are struggling with livestock issues because of drought are being urged to call the ALERT Line: 1-800-506-2273. “The ALERT Line is a ‘producers helping producers’ resource that producers can call if they have any questions or concerns about livestock welfare,” said Kristen Hall, marketing and communications manager with Alberta Farm Animal Care. “With this drought, we want to […] Read more
Keep watch for drought stress in trees, says specialist
Toso Bozic said several pests are adding to the stress on trees this year, and recommends weekly monitoring
Reading Time: < 1 minute Recent dry conditions are putting a lot of pressure on trees, says a provincial woodlot extension specialist. “It’s an invitation for insect and disease problems, not just for this year, but for upcoming years as well,” said Toso Bozic. There are several insects to keep an eye out for. “Yellow-headed spruce sawfly has been a […] Read more
Survival mode: Three allies to help you deal with drought
Young producer says knowing exactly how many days of grazing are left is a ‘game changer’ in a drought year
Reading Time: 4 minutes Cattle producer Blake Hall isn’t about to sugar-coat things. “People are so petrified of the word drought, but we’ve been using it for the last three weeks,” the Red Deer cattle producer said in a July 7 interview. “We stopped seeing any significant regrowth in our pastures about five weeks ago. Now we’re in drought-management […] Read more
Thin cows will cost you money
Reading Time: 2 minutes Dry conditions have dramatically reduced forage growth — and that increases the value of a feeding management program. “Getting the cow through summer in good body condition and maintaining calf growth rates is the first step,” said provincial beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “Nutritional requirements of a lactating cow are 25 per cent higher […] Read more
Look to crop insurance first: Ritz
While many crops across Western Canada are withering under intensifying drought, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says ad hoc programs are not the answer should producers require assistance. However, tax deferral will be available for affected ranchers. “We don’t need ad hoc (assistance), we’ve got a very comprehensive system of business risk management,” said Gerry Ritz, speaking […] Read more
Save your spray: Crop disease risk drops in drought conditions
But diseases like stripe rust, tan spot, or sclerotinia could be an issue if there’s been decent moisture
Reading Time: 3 minutes This summer’s dry growing conditions have at least one silver lining — lower levels of disease in fields. “In those areas that have had very little rainfall this summer, you’re probably looking at limited development of diseases,” federal research scientist Kelly Turkington said in a July 6 interview. “Of more concern would simply be poor […] Read more
Drought management strategies for cattle
Reading Time: < 1 minute Whether in the form of pasture, stored forage, or supplements, feed is the largest variable input cost in cow-calf operations. A big challenge is to feed the cow in a way that meets her current and future nutritional requirements for maintenance, lactation, maintaining a successful pregnancy, giving birth and getting rebred within 80-85 days of […] Read more