Ottawa — Members of Parliament sitting on the committee dealing with agricultural issues continue to hear concerns over the federal government’s response to COVID-19. During the Commons standing committee on agriculture and agri-food’s online meeting Wednesday, representatives of the Canadian Mushrooms Growers’ Association raised “grave concerns” over the support CMGA members have received. CEO Ryan […] Read more
Federal ag supports ‘too little, too late’ for mushroom growers
Timing of programs for TFWs, surplus food purchases leaves aid out of reach: CMGA
More ‘murder hornets’ found in B.C., Washington
Findings suggest some were able to overwinter
Reuters/Staff — Officials in British Columbia and Washington state have confirmed new sightings of the Asian giant hornet, dubbed the “murder hornet,” indicating the invasive, predatory insect survived the winter in the Vancouver area and U.S. Pacific Northwest. The stinging hornet, whose queens can grow as large as 2-1/2 inches in length, could potentially pose […] Read more
The need is greater than ever — and the volunteer spirit even stronger
Reading Time: 3 minutes COVID-19 has stopped many things, but not the volunteers of Canadian Foodgrains Bank growing projects. In Kneehill County, the Linden-Acme Foodgrains Growing Project will be planting its 17th crop — this year, it will be barley for silage, said Earl Jeninga, manager at Kneehill Soil Services. Anywhere from 30 to 40 people volunteer each year […] Read more
Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and it’s just getting started
The invisible tracking of our buying habits should challenge us so we are not defined by a database
Reading Time: 3 minutes I have been thinking about artificial intelligence (AI) and the impact it has on consumerism. AI is used to track your buying habits and predetermine your buying needs. It is also the robotics that clean fields or make cars, do complex surgery or make a digital diagnosis. It is the smart fridge that knows what […] Read more
Will we seize the day when it comes to smart ag technology?
Investing in next-generation agriculture would pay big dividends, but investment dollars will be in short supply
Reading Time: 4 minutes The pandemic has revealed critical weaknesses in the country’s agriculture and food systems — and the need to invest in their future, say experts. “It’s continuing to show the importance of technology, and adopting technology, on the farm,” said Remi Schmaltz, CEO and co-founder of Decisive Farming, an Alberta digital ag and farm management company. […] Read more
Opinion: During stressful times, the risk of a farm accident goes up
The pandemic has increased our stress levels and that’s all the more reason to be safety aware
Reading Time: 3 minutes As farmers, we are always at risk of on-farm accidents. But one factor puts us even more at risk — stress. Even though farmers are generally safety aware when it comes to our own farming operations, right now, in the midst of so much uncertainty, we are especially vulnerable. In a survey released by the […] Read more
Lethbridge College gets federal funds for Technology Access Centre
Reading Time: 2 minutes Lethbridge College is ready to help the agriculture industry after receiving one of the most significant applied research grants in the college’s history. The college was awarded one of just six new Technology Access Centres (TAC) across Canada by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) on May 19. The $1.75 million five-year renewable […] Read more
Ready for prime time? Spot-spraying tech advancing quickly
Spot spraying in crop has a ways to go, but pre-seed burn-off may soon be commonplace
Reading Time: 5 minutes Producers have been hearing about weed-targeting spot-spraying sensors for some time, but it’s always seemed to be the stuff of science fiction. In some cases, however, the future is now while in others it’s coming quickly — it all depends on the type of sensor tech you’re interested in. Well-known spraying expert Tom Wolf separates […] Read more
Bayer reporting progress in Roundup settlement talks
Frankfurt | Reuters — Bayer said on Monday it had made progress seeking a settlement over claims its glyphosate-based Roundup herbicide causes cancer, after Bloomberg reported the company reached a verbal agreement on about 50,000 to 85,000 cases. The drugs and pesticides group is keen to draw a line under the legal dispute, which it […] Read more
4-H online auctions to help charities and food banks
Reading Time: < 1 minute Albertans are invited to support local charities, and uplift 4-H members as they complete their livestock projects in new online ways. From now through June 30, there will be 77 sales where 4-H members will be showcasing and offering steers, lambs, hogs and/or goats for purchase. There are 24 charity projects — 22 steers and two […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
