Reading Time: 2 minutes Calling all Alberta irrigators — Lethbridge College’s new irrigation science chair wants to know about your experiences and challenges with agricultural water management. In March, Willemijn Appels took up her new posting, which was created with a $3.1-million gift from the estate of Lloyd and Dorothy Mueller two years ago. “My job over the last […] Read more
Working with producers top priority for irrigation research chair
Willemijn Appels wants to focus on research projects ‘that will really benefit local producers'
Irrigation not forgotten in Bow River flood mitigation agreement
Keeping water levels lower behind the Ghost Dam provides capacity for capturing flood waters, but can mean less water is available later on
Reading Time: 2 minutes While irrigation districts are thankful that drought was considered in a recent flood mitigation agreement between the province and TransAlta, there is concern that more might be needed in order to ensure adequate water is available during dry spells. The five-year agreement will see TransAlta paid $5.5 million annually for keeping water levels at the […] Read more
Biofuels are one of our greatest environmental blunders
Proponents of biofuels are simply refusing to count their true environmental cost
Reading Time: 3 minutes Are biofuels really greener than the fossil fuels they displace? In a recent column I pointed out that electric cars are only as green as the fuel used to generate the electricity they consume. For internal-combustion-powered vehicles, much of the focus has been on trying to reduce carbon emissions by adding ethanol to gasoline and […] Read more
Program that rewards stewards of the land is taking off in Alberta
More than 100 Alberta farmers have signed up for ALUS, and that number is expected to grow rapidly
Reading Time: 3 minutes The movement to pay farmers for being good stewards of the land is gathering steam, with 10 counties in Alberta now having a local ALUS program. ALUS — short for Alternative Land Use Services and pronounced ‘Alice’ — is expanding across Canada and recently became a national, registered not-for-profit. “This kind of growth and recognition […] Read more
Hail, flooding damage some crops, but most ‘good to excellent’
Alberta crop conditions as of August 2
Reading Time: < 1 minute Over the past week, rainfall activity has been convective in nature, with heavy downpours leading to localized flooding, and in some cases damaging hail across the province. This has maintained soil moisture levels, but slowed haying progress and reduced hay quality. In cases where crops are not performing well, it is largely due to excessive […] Read more
There can be a deadly danger in your dugout
Toxins from blue-green algae can be fatal if ingested by livestock, but you can reduce the risk
Reading Time: 2 minutes It’s the time of year to keep watch for blue-green algae. “Blue-green algae is actually cyanobacteria, and can produce toxins that can be very dangerous,” said Shawn Elgert, a provincial agricultural water engineer. “It can cause organ damage or even death if ingested by livestock or pets. If you are trying to determine the cause […] Read more
On-farm solar funding program reopens
Up to $50,000 is available for producers who want to generate solar power on their operations
Reading Time: 2 minutes Growing Forward 2’s On-Farm Solar Photovoltaics program has reopened and is accepting applications. There are a few revisions to the terms and conditions, said project engineer Kelly Lund. “We really encourage potential applicants to read through them to be sure they understand the changes to the program,” said Lund, noting full program information and forms […] Read more
Did your spraying do the trick?
If weeds survived, you need to figure out what went wrong so you can avoid a repeat
Reading Time: < 1 minute Field scouting after herbicide application can lead to more successful crop production. “In the majority of cases, producers will find that the chemicals have done their job” said provincial crop specialist Mark Cutt. “However, in certain situations, field scouting may show the weeds weren’t properly controlled.” If so, figure out what went wrong. “A difference […] Read more
Western Canada unites in fight against invasive species
Joint agreement will boost fight to keep zebra and quagga mussels out of Alberta
Reading Time: < 1 minute A joint agreement among Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Yukon tightens the grip on invasive species. The Inter-Provincial Territorial Agreement for Co-ordinated Regional Defence Against Invasive Species is a step towards better co-ordination among jurisdictions on both prevention and co-ordinated response if invasive species are detected in Western Canada. The initial scope of this […] Read more
It’s that time of year when severe summer weather and tornadoes can form
Tornadoes have occurred in nearly all regions of Canada — here is what to look for when a severe storm is approaching
Reading Time: 3 minutes As we enter the peak season for severe weather across the Canadian Prairies, I figured now would be a good time to continue our look at severe weather and tornadoes. While Alberta doesn’t see the same number of tornadoes relative to areas to the east and south, the province is still subject to these events. Before […] Read more