Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Fifty years ago, on a moonless night in the Fraser Canyon of British Columbia, I was trudging back to camp. As I crossed a railroad bridge, I heard the wail of a train whistle ricocheting through the canyons behind me. I couldn’t judge the distance between train and bridge, nor how far […] Read more
Opinion: Why ‘wait and see’ is not a realistic approach to climate change
It is more practical to act now based on what is already known, and adapt as we learn more
Prairie forecast: Spring trying to regain control
Forecast issued March 27, covering March 27 to April 3, 2024
The main weather maker will be a trough of low pressure forecasted to develop over the northwestern U.S. today, which will then track eastwards over the next several days.
Supply chains shake off pandemic rust
The post-pandemic recovery is happening, but Canada is still feeling the impact from COVID-19
Reading Time: 2 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Goods in Canada are flowing more fluidly than during the pandemic, but the supply chain is still underperforming, according to a panel discussion at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting in late February. Arun Thangaraj, federal deputy minister of transport, said the value chain is still feeling pressure. “The pinch points still exist. It is imperative that we […] Read more
Opinion: For women in agriculture, opportunities abound
Mentorship program the latest enhancement for a sector that’s opened its doors to women
Reading Time: 3 minutes I can’t remember when I first heard the song “I am woman” by Helen Reddy, but it was in the basement of my parents’ house, where I would play my mom’s old 45s on a portable record player she’d had since her teens. I remember liking the singer’s voice but didn’t really understand the song. […] Read more
Agriculture workers not mentioned in TFW rule changes
Food processing sees foreign worker limit reduced by ten per cent; construction, healthcare exempted
The federal government announced Thursday that, effective May 1, some sectors would be allowed no more than 20 per cent of their workforces to be made up of temporary foreign workers (TWFs) brought in via the low wage stream—down from 30 per cent since 2022.
Funding cut shouldn’t affect local 4-H clubs
AAFC has cut its funding to 4-H Canada by 30 per cent, but group says it has other irons in the fire
A recent federal funding cut shouldn’t affect local 4-H clubs, at least for now, says 4-H Canada. The national organization said its most recent round of funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada totals $1.7 million over three years. In the past, it has received about $1 million per year, said interim CEO Hugh Maynard by email.
Prairies expected to be cooler, wetter this year
A La Niña weather pattern is on its way and may even bring timely spring rains
There’s a good chance western Canadian farmers and ranchers will see rain in April and May to get crops started and grass growing, says a U.S. based weather scientist.
Teasing out the social angle of sustainable ag research
Recently funded network to bring together social scientists, agriculture and community groups
The federal government pledged the cash March 19 to launch the Common Ground Canada Network. The initiative will be led by Dalhousie University’s Karen Foster, Canada research chair in sustainable rural futures for Atlantic Canada.
How volcanoes can both cool, and warm our climate
Sometimes an eruption can cool the Earth, sometimes it warms it
Reading Time: 3 minutes Volcanoes usually have a cooling effect on our planet. The ash and SO2 (sulfur dioxide) propelled into the atmosphere from an eruption tend to block incoming solar radiation, resulting in an overall cooling effect. Location is also important. High latitude eruptions tend to have less impact as the ash of SO2 cannot reach as high […] Read more
Prairie forecast: Very warm west, mild but a little unsettled east
Issued March 13, covering March 13 to 20
The cold weather has also been replaced by above average temperatures. The question I have been hearing the most is--has spring arrived or is there still a bit of winter left to be felt?
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
