Reading Time: < 1 minute Young Albertans have a chance to win $1,000 and a trip to the Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture competition in Toronto. Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture will hold its second annual public speaking competition on July 12 during the Calgary Stampede. The event offers young people an opportunity to share their views in a speech […] Read more
Win $1,000 in young speakers competition
Deadline for applications is June 30
Alberta Open Farm Days coming up
Over 90 farms expected to open their doors for August event
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Open Farm Days gives farmers and ranchers a chance to invite their urban cousins and rural neighbours to stop in for a visit to share stories, see demonstrations, and learn more about the people who grow their food. The event takes place Aug. 19-20 and it’s expected more than 90 farms, ranches and ag-tourism operators […] Read more
BHP stays course on potash mine few expected built
New York | Reuters — BHP Billiton’s Canadian potash mine will use advanced, cost-saving technology, giving it a competitive edge in a currently oversupplied fertilizer market, the executive in charge of the business said on Thursday. Australia-based BHP aims to start potash production at Jansen, Sask., about 70 km southeast of Humboldt, in 2023, eventually […] Read more
EU to propose 10-year licence renewal for glyphosate
Brussels | Reuters — The European Commission will propose extending by 10 years its approval for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday. A transatlantic row over possible risks to human health has prompted investigations by congressional committees in the U.S., and in Europe has forced a delay to […] Read more
Undaunted by glut, new potash players bank on fertilizer rebound
New York | Reuters — The owners of several new potash mines that are adding fertilizer to an already oversupplied market are banking on better times, bucking industry thinking that the projects may snuff a modest price recovery. The drive to build new mines began when potash prices were higher, but last year prices slid […] Read more
Eggplant value chain project replaces most imports
Canadian-grown eggplant and okra have replaced about 800,000 kg of imports over the past several years, creating a research-to-grower-to-market success story. The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has played a central role helping with research and bringing together the parts of the industry needed to create a food chain success. The eggplant and okra case […] Read more
Most Prairie farmers taking a wait-and-see attitude to precision ag
A new online survey found just about everyone uses GPS but less than half use advanced imaging and variable rate
Reading Time: 2 minutes Prairie farmers are casting glances at precision ag, but not embracing it yet, a new survey suggests. The online 42-question survey commissioned by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada didn’t get a big response — 261 producers participated — but it offers a glimpse into how farmers view the highly touted technology. The poll found adoption of […] Read more
Saskatchewan to tap farm leaders for drainage board
Representatives from four Saskatchewan farmer organizations will sit on a new provincial advisory board on farm drainage policy. The provincial government on Tuesday announced the creation of two advisory boards: a policy development board and technical review board. Specific members haven’t yet been named to either board, but the province said the policy advisory board […] Read more
Start succession planning with a conversation — and then keep talking
Trent Clark has heard many succession ‘horror stories’ and is making sure that everyone in his family is on the same page
Reading Time: 5 minutes Planning for Profits Working on your farm management skills is like exercising — it pays big benefits, but it’s easy to push it off for another day. Only one-third of producers use business advisers or risk management tools, and fewer still do HR, succession, or strategic planning. To help make your farm more profitable (and […] Read more
April didn’t bring much joy — and Alberta had the worst of it
Statistically, it wasn’t absolutely miserable but a dry stretch and a return to average temperatures would be most welcome this spring
Reading Time: 3 minutes Another month has come and gone, and depending on where you live it was either a near-average April or you were cold and wet. Listening to the general talk about April’s weather, you would probably come to the conclusion that most areas across the Prairies had a miserable month. But in reality, most places experienced […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
