Brandon | Reuters — Canadian canola plantings may rise slightly in spring as farmers seek to cash in before an expected drop in vegetable oil prices as palm crops recover from drought that hit major Southeast Asian producers, German oilseed analysis firm Oil World said Tuesday. Plantings will rise by less than 10 per cent […] Read more
Canola acres seen rising on high prices
Greig: A year of farm policy decisions ahead for Ontario
Ontario’s agriculture minister stands by his decision to halt a process that was expected to open up how processing tomatoes are priced in the province. Jeff Leal’s decision, announced in August, resulted in a Dec. 21 threat from Ontario’s largest tomato processors to significantly cut back their tomato purchases from Ontario farmers in 2017. Processing […] Read more
In times of hardship, take time to consider all of your riches
The love of your children, support of family and friends, and faith are priceless treasures to be cherished
Reading Time: 3 minutes I am admiring the picture on the cover of Alexander McCall Smith’s book The Full Cupboard of Life. His fictitious stories from Botswana are an easy and humorous read. The cupboard referred to is typical; containing four plates and four cups, two bowls, a couple of pots, a little cooking oil, and a teapot. That’s […] Read more
Province needs to soften the carbon tax blow
‘Team Alberta’ is pitching enhanced carbon credits
Reading Time: 4 minutes The carbon tax has kicked in, but producers are still trying to figure out its impact — and what can be done to ease the hit on the bottom line. “Everything we buy — whether it is in inputs, fertilizers, freights, parts, machinery — all of those service providers to us are all impacted. Their […] Read more
More than Good enough
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farm finance expert Merle Good has been recognized for his work in advancing agricultural business management practices by being named this year’s winner of the Wilson Loree Award. The former provincial tax specialist has “a passion for farm management,” said Rick Taillieu, who nominated Good on behalf of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. Good, who […] Read more
Well pits jeopardize water quality and your safety
Even though they were banned more than two decades ago, hundreds of these hazardous pits can be found across Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes When her father attempted to rescue her, he also passed out. The teenaged son who attempted to retrieve both his sister and father was also overcome. Of the three family members who entered the cellar, only the father survived. At first, investigators suspected that the vegetables had rotted and emitted a toxic gas, but the […] Read more
As Trump meets biotech CEOs, farm advisers fret over empty USDA spot
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has left the agriculture secretary as the last department head to be named to his cabinet, while a meeting with the chief executives of two agribusiness giants gave a hint at a roster of farm issues the incoming president will face. Trump met on Wednesday with the […] Read more
Helen Andrews and Corine Verbeek join 4-H Hall of Fame
Reading Time: < 1 minute Helen Andrews and Corine Verbeek are the 2016 inductees into Alberta’s 4-H Hall of Fame. Andrews of Round Hill has been a 4-H leader and volunteer for 40 years in many roles, including district treasurer, secretary, and regional secretary. She was a founding member of the Focus on 4-H regional project showcase and has also […] Read more
Believe it or not — urban men are in better health than farmers
Stress and constantly working take their toll, but there’s a free and proven program that helps farmers enjoy healthier, better lives
Reading Time: 5 minutes You take good care of your land, your equipment, and your animals. But do you take the same care with your own health? Farmers tend not to think of themselves as a ‘tool’ that needs regular maintenance, says the program manager of Sustainable Farm Families Alberta. Combines, for instance, go into the shop before every […] Read more
Talking to kids about where food comes from
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Classroom Agriculture Program is seeking volunteers willing to go to schools and talk to Grade 4 students about agriculture. Since 1985, producers and others in the ag sector have made presentations to more than 600,000 students. The provincially funded program provides participants with training for their one-hour presentation (in March, April, or May) as […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
