farming Archives | Alberta Farmer Express

Sure, drones draw a crowd, but like other farm tools today, they need to earn their keep by generating usable data that actually increases profits.

The farm data overload needs a fix

Ag tech event shows future of farming is data driven — but 'we're not there yet'

By Jennifer Blair September 4, 2019

Jay Bruggencate has a bit of a bone to pick with the ag-tech industry. “We’ve invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into smart equipment that knows what it’s doing but can’t talk to each other,” said the Lacombe-area farmer at the recent AgSmart event at Olds College. “There’s so much data now available to us […] Read more

At Hebert Grain Ventures, data from field operations -- as well as from employees, financial statements and a host of other sources -- is analyzed and used to find new ways to improve efficiency.

News

How one farm put data analytics to work

Saskatchewan grain farm makes money by assessing data on everything from employees to soil moisture

By Jennifer Blair September 2, 2019

Most people say, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” But at Hebert Grain Ventures, their motto is, “If it’s not broke, you haven’t looked hard enough.” “We don’t believe that, just because we had a good year or a good yield, that’s enough,” said Evan Shout, the Saskatchewan farm’s chief financial officer. “If we […] Read more

General, Machinery & Shop

Mandatory Saskatchewan farm trucker training planned

By GFM Staff May 29, 2019

The training exemption offered in Saskatchewan for semi truck drivers in agriculture operations is now set to be phased out within two years, the province said Wednesday. The provincial government in late 2018 announced it will require a minimum of 121.5 hours of training before a driver can obtain a Class 1 commercial driver’s licence, […] Read more

General, Reuters, Weather

Brazil ag minister eyes indigenous land for commercial farming

By Anthony Boadle, Jake Spring January 18, 2019

Brasilia | Reuters — Brazil should open indigenous land to commercial farming, Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias said on Friday, while also seeking to soften many of President Jair Bolsonaro’s controversial stances on native people and the environment. Farmers form a key base of support for right-wing firebrand Bolsonaro who since taking office Jan. 1 […] Read more

General, Markets, Reuters

Swiss voters reject more aid for farmers

By Reuters September 23, 2018

Zurich | Reuters — Swiss voters decisively rejected more help for farmers in two referendums on Sunday, heeding the government’s warnings that the measures would send food prices rocketing and hurt the economy, projections for broadcaster SRF showed. Opinion polls had shown early widespread support for more farm aid was fading as the vote neared […] Read more

Cereals, Crops, Reuters

Algeria to open farming concessions to foreigners

By Hamid Ould Ahmed May 7, 2018

Algiers | Reuters — Algeria plans to offer foreign investors concessions for farm land for the first time, according to an official document, as the oil producer seeks to boost food output and reduce reliance on imports. Under the plan, which is expected to be discussed by the cabinet this week before being submitted to […] Read more

Opinion

‘Three times a day, you need a farmer’ — a phrase that says a lot

It’s not just the food we produce — farming is  much deeper and more meaningful than that 

By Brenda Schoepp July 19, 2016

My grandfather used to say, “Once in your life you need a doctor, lawyer, policeman, or preacher but every day — three times a day — you need a farmer.” To some this may be a catchy phrase but to others it has a deeper meaning. We were working on a school project, Grandpa and […] Read more

Opinion

Every item of the feast has a great story behind it

When the table is set, give thanks to those who grew and processed  the food — and all those who played a role in its history 

By Brenda Schoepp December 21, 2015

My son gifts me a subscription to a Quebec-based cuisine magazine entitled Ricardo. The last issue had a little sidebar that read, “If you calculate the time elapsed from the moment seeds are sown, the festive meal takes an average of 295 days to land on our tables.” When you think about great meals in […] Read more

Young men and women must be empowered to become the farmer they were born to be.

From the Hip, Opinion

Making room for youth — and youthful thinking — in farming

Young farmers love technology and are excited by change, but they’re often penned in by the walls of tradition

By Brenda Schoepp August 31, 2015

Farmers often lament the lack of youth in agriculture. I would argue that this is not true — there are a lot more baby strollers than walkers at major agricultural conferences, especially ones where technology is highlighted. There may be fewer young farmers, but the young men and women farming today have a broader reach […] Read more

News

New version of ag business analyzer now available

The online tool can be used to measure a farm’s financial health and identify problem areas

By Alberta Agriculture And Forestry Release July 31, 2015

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s Agricultural Business Analyzer has recently been upgraded, and user support has been enhanced with a user video tutorial, frequently asked questions, and Microsoft Excel program user tips. The online tool is free and powerful, said farm financial specialist Rick Dehod. “The program can help analyze the financial strength of a farm […] Read more

U.S. grains: Corn, soy decline as China trade uncertainty lingers

U.S. livestock: Lean hogs limit up on optimism for Chinese pork demand

Most oilseed estimates down in USDA’s October outlook

GFM Network News