Ottawa | Reuters — Finding the perfect real Christmas tree will be harder and more expensive this year. Canada, the world’s top exporter of natural Christmas trees, is grappling with a shortage that will likely be exacerbated by historic flooding in British Columbia, where some tree farms are underwater. A phenomenon known as an atmospheric […] Read more
B.C. floods may tighten market for real Christmas trees
'We're basically shut down until the water recedes'
B.C. calls emergency, expects more deaths from 500-year flood
Some livestock die, more are expected to be euthanized
Abbotsford | Reuters — The death toll in Canada from massive floods and landslides that devastated parts of British Columbia is set to rise, with the province declaring a state of emergency on Wednesday. Authorities have so far confirmed one death after torrential rains and mudslides destroyed roads and left several mountain towns isolated. At […] Read more
B.C. rains shut CN, CP mainlines and Highways 1, 7
Repairs already underway, CN says
The effects of rainstorms pelting southern British Columbia’s Interior have reached into the Prairies by effectively cutting off grain traffic to Vancouver. Canadian National Railway said Tuesday that heavy rainfalls in the region have led to mudslides and washouts on its network. Crews are inspecting affected areas and “carrying out repairs which are critical to […] Read more
Boom delays pilot to convert abandoned well sites to solar
Solar equipment makers ‘tapped right out’ but interest in conversions still strong
Reading Time: 2 minutes A sizzling buildout of solar in Alberta has delayed a pilot project that will convert abandoned oil and gas well sites to sun-powered power generation. “We’ve been caught in the major solar boom that’s been happening throughout Alberta, so getting equipment has tightened up quite a bit from where it was a year ago,” said […] Read more
Solar energy in Alberta facing a few storm clouds
The inconsistent supply of power, finding land and hooking up to the grid are all challenges
Reading Time: 2 minutes The forecast for solar energy generation in Alberta is mostly sunny, but there are a few storm clouds on the horizon. Solar generation potential Solar energy comes with a downside — it doesn’t produce at night, and it produces more in the summer than in the winter. But in Alberta, solar energy actually gives a […] Read more
Severe B.C. rainstorms spur landslides, shut roads
Ottawa | Reuters — Canadian helicopters carried out multiple missions on Monday to rescue hundreds of people trapped in their vehicles on a highway after huge rainstorms sparked landslides in British Columbia. The rainstorms that started on Sunday triggered landslides, shut roads, prompted the evacuation of an entire community, forced an oil pipeline to close […] Read more
Jobs and rural economy likely focus of new agriculture minister
Nate Horner gets cabinet post after predecessor resigns after allegations of heavy drinking
Reading Time: 4 minutes Making rural Alberta even more of an economic engine is a top priority for the province’s new ag minister. Drumheller-Stettler MLA Nate Horner was suddenly promoted on Nov. 5 after his predecessor, Devin Dreeshen, resigned amidst allegations of heavy drinking. The changing of the guard was so sudden that Horner didn’t even have the usual […] Read more
Schoepp: Novice farmers offer a host of lessons on what is possible
Across the country, young people are following in the footsteps of the pioneers, building farms one acre at a time
Reading Time: 3 minutes The invitation came by text to attend a party at the neighbouring farm. It was simply to showcase food production and to launch the farm to the community. COVID rules were followed, but that did not dampen the spirit. Folks loved the animals and the vegetable gardens, and enjoyed the vendors who sold natural products. […] Read more
U.S. border reopens to Canadian land travelers
Travel business sees 'tremendous pent-up demand'
Toronto | Reuters — A steady stream of Canadian visitors, particularly retirees headed to U.S. sun spots, crossed the U.S. border by car on Monday for the first time in 20 months as Washington lifted travel restrictions. Traffic was heavy at times at some U.S. border posts such as Bluewater Bridge, Michigan near Sarnia, Ont., […] Read more
So just where do old jugs, bale wrap and twine end up?
Some become drainage tile and fence posts but the markets for recycled plastic vary widely
Reading Time: 3 minutes Recyclers really like your old pesticide and fertilizer jugs. But your grain bags, not so much. And demand for twine, silage bags, and bale wrap isn’t hot at all. That’s the upshot of a new report from Cleanfarms, the national non-profit created to find ways to deal with ag plastic waste and keep it out […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
