Survey on Alberta’s agriculture priorities

Survey open until March 18

Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has developed a short online survey for input on the program concepts for the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the successor to Growing Forward 2), which is set to begin in April. Input provided will equip provincial staff to provide programming that meets the needs and priorities of Alberta’s industry. The five priority […] Read more

One-stop shop for eco-services programs

Reading Time: < 1 minute Looking for an ecosystem services program that fits your operation? Alberta Beef Producers has created a seven-page fact sheet of several dozen programs. These include programs focused on conservation; wetland protection and management; and offsets. The fact sheet also breaks out several programs from Ducks Unlimited Canada, projects funded under Growing Forward 2, and Alternative […] Read more


The 200-kilowatt array on Nelson Family Ranches is big enough to supply electricity to both its feedlot operation and irrigation pivots.

Government cash makes it a sunny day for solar power

Growing Forward 2 has put extra dollars on the table, but they’re expected 
to be snapped up in a hurry

Reading Time: 4 minutes If you want to get into solar, there’s now more government cash on the table — but you’ll have to hurry. The On-Farm Solar Photovoltaics Program now offers 75 cents per watt for projects of 100 kilowatts or less, and 56 cents per watt for installations that are between 100 and 150 watts. Both have […] Read more

On-farm solar funding program reopens

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


dutch sow pig

Funding available for swine biocontainment plans

Alberta Pork’s biocontainment plan will help the swine industry control disease in an outbreak situation

Reading Time: 3 minutes To minimize the impact of serious disease on the swine industry, Alberta Pork has a new biocontainment plan that is available for all swine producers. The biocontainment program was launched in conjunction with Growing Forward 2 last month and provides Alberta swine producers with $600 to develop a biocontainment plan with the help of their […] Read more

cattle in a feedlot

Funding available for beef sector in Alberta

The Livestock Welfare Delivery Agent Program promotes the use of best practices and technologies


Reading Time: < 1 minute Members of Alberta’s livestock sector can now apply for funding to promote the use of best practices and technologies that enhance productive capacity and maintain social licence for agri-food industries in the province. The Growing Forward 2 Livestock Welfare Delivery Agent Program is aimed at enhancing competitiveness in domestic and international markets by encouraging adaptability […] Read more


Fall is a good time to empty a catch basin

But take care not to overapply liquids 
on fields and cause run-off

Reading Time: < 1 minute Fall is an excellent time to empty a catch basin. “Maintaining an empty catch basin will help to reduce the risk of overflow next spring,” said Cody Metheral, a provincial extension specialist in confined feeding operations. “During pump-out, it is important to remember that overapplication of catch basin contents could result in run-off from the […] Read more

 A new study says the economic impact of irrigation ripples across the province.

Study says irrigation delivers big dollars to Alberta economy

Study also finds irrigated crop and livestock production have created 
38,000 direct jobs and another 17,000 ones in food processing

Reading Time: 2 minutes Every cubic metre of water delivered for irrigation creates $3 to the province’s GDP and $2 in labour income. This is one of the key conclusions in a study funded by the Canada-Alberta Growing Forward 2 program and commissioned by the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association (AIPA). The study also shows that for every dollar of […] Read more


Greenhouses are just one sector where efforts to reduce energy consumption are underway.

Alberta producers tap into energy management program

There have been more than 400 applications in Alberta for the Growing Forward 2 
On-Farm Energy Management Program

Reading Time: 2 minutes Across Alberta, agricultural producers are using new ideas and emerging technology to reduce their energy consumption. For greenhouse operators in Alberta’s challenging climate, managing energy costs is an issue of the highest importance. At Broxburn Vegetables, which operates a three-acre greenhouse growing peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers near Lethbridge, owner Paul de Jonge has tried a […] Read more

Feds fund AFAC welfare surveillance

Feds fund AFAC welfare surveillance

Alberta Farm Animal Care designed to ensure good health, proper standards

Reading Time: < 1 minute The federal government has announced funding of $268,000 to Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) to help ensure that cattle arriving at auctions and abattoirs are in good health and meet the standards required for processing. The announcement was made in Okotoks by Macleod MP John Barlow on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This project […] Read more