Reading Time: < 1 minute There is still time to register clubs for the 4-H Alberta Leaders’ Conference. “We are expecting about 350 clubs, and that will be around 6,000 members and about 2,000 volunteers,” said Cameron Horner, 4-H communications specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. There will be numerous sessions during the 75th edition of the conference on Jan. 25-27. […] Read more
4-H Alberta Leaders’ Conference coming up
Registration closes Dec. 15
New rollover rule for farms could flatten some succession plans
A do-nothing strategy could be costly — consider transferring some land today, says succession expert
Reading Time: 4 minutes A new interpretation of the farm rollover rules has been giving Merle Good heartburn since the Canada Revenue Agency came out with it in June. “That’s the one that scares the hell out of me,” the farm succession expert said at a recent Alberta Canola Powering Your Profits event. “The rollover allows us to transfer […] Read more
Dealing with gases in your water well
Dissolved gases occur naturally in water wells but can lead to both quality and safety issues
Reading Time: 2 minutes Gases in water wells can cause some quality issues or even be a danger, says an agricultural water engineer with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. Gases can occur naturally in water wells after being dissolved in the water and released when pumped out of the well. “Sometimes people complain about the smell, but the gases you […] Read more
Rabies case in farm cat prompts vaccination warning
Two people were recently bit by a farm cat that likely contracted rabies from a bat
Reading Time: 2 minutes A rabid farm cat that bit its owner and another person has prompted the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association to warn pet owners to vaccinate against rabies. The association said the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian received notification of the positive rabies test on Nov. 13. “This nine-year-old, indoor-outdoor cat was born and lived on a […] Read more
When it comes to food waste, the system is broken
An astonishing amount of food spoils or is thrown out — it’s time to take action
Reading Time: 3 minutes Between my home and the Victoria airport is a big sign urging “Let’s reduce food waste.” If you are reading this column from your farm table, you may already be an expert at the preservation of food and the use of leftovers. Typically, we eat all we grow on the farm. In the store however, […] Read more
Crop missions a whole new ball game under Trump
New opportunities in China and Japan a result of U.S. president’s actions
Reading Time: 4 minutes ‘Thank you, Donald Trump.’ Members of the recent New Crop Mission to Asia didn’t say those exact words. But the fallout from the belligerent U.S. president’s trade war with China is definitely one of the pluses that members of the mission encountered. “The big difference this year is the trade environment,” Cereals Canada president Cam […] Read more
Eighteen Alberta community groups get $2,500 grant
Reading Time: < 1 minute A program that allows farmers to nominate their favourite community charity or not-for-profit group for a $2,500 grant attracted a record number of applications this year. The 2018 edition of Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities received 758 farmer applications (a 68 per cent increase from 2017) and 337 charity suggestions (a 200 per cent increase from […] Read more
Get an up-close look at cutting-edge ag tech
AgSmart runs next summer at Olds College, Aug. 13-14
Reading Time: 2 minutes Farmers will have an opportunity to get an up-close look at cutting-edge ag technology and latest innovations at a new event next summer. AgSmart, which will take place Aug. 13-14 at Olds College, is a partnership between the college and Agri-Trade. “AgSmart isn’t just a trade show, it’s a hands-on demonstration and education exposition focused […] Read more
Rebates on fuel taxes and the carbon levy
Reading Time: < 1 minute Most producers know about the fuel tax exemption on farm gasoline and diesel, but may be confused when it comes to propane, says provincial crop specialist Neil Blue. Only motive propane (used for vehicles) should have the 9.4-cent-per-litre Alberta fuel tax on it. If producers have been charged that tax for an on-farm use (such […] Read more
Succession planning is tricky, even for the experts
Succession expert Merle Good is passing the torch — and it’s a lot harder than he thought it would be
Reading Time: 5 minutes Merle Good makes his living by telling other people how to put together succession plans. But he got a taste of his own medicine when daughter Annessa came back to the farm. “Doing it is a hell of a lot harder than talking about it,” said Good, owner of GRS Consulting. “It’s a lot of […] Read more
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