Reading Time: < 1 minute The University of Alberta Heritage Chicken program is again offering small flock enthusiasts the chance to order heritage chicks until supply sells out. “Heritage chicks are vaccinated and hatched at the U of A’s Poultry Research Centre,” says Dawn Hage, program co-ordinator. “This year, we’re offering Brown Leghorn, Light Sussex, Plymouth Barred Rock, Random Bred […] Read more
Order your heritage chickens
New cropping systems research chair to focus on the big picture
U of A scientist will focus on interactions between plants, soils, management, and environment
Reading Time: < 1 minute Western Grains Research Foundation is putting up $3 million for a research chair in cropping systems at the University of Alberta to study interactions between plants, soils, crop management, and the environment. The position will allow a dedicated scientist to work on farm-level management systems such as interdisciplinary considerations of crop, water and input use […] Read more
A new age of ag education is underway, says Olds College research director
Joy Agnew says ‘digital ag’ is revolutionizing how students are being trained in agriculture
Reading Time: 3 minutes Joy Agnew says her first few days at her new job were totally overwhelming — in a good way. After a nearly 10-year stint at the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute, Agnew began her new job as director of applied research at Olds College in early January and hit the ground running. “The shift to digital […] Read more
Outstanding Young Farmer got an early start
Giving young people a chance to learn and grow has become a tradition on Double F Farms
Reading Time: 5 minutes Passing the torch to the next generation is often the greatest challenge faced by farm families. But the way the Ference family met that challenge is a big reason why Craig and Jinel Ference were recently named co-winners of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer award. “It was such an interesting group because we’re all in different […] Read more
A century on, ‘home ec’ remains as vital as ever
Reading Time: 4 minutes While much has changed in the last century, the study of home and family life remains relevant. This year, the University of Alberta marked the centennial of the founding of the Department of Household Economics. “There aren’t a lot of programs at the U of A that have been around for 100 years, so it […] Read more
Stick with 4-H — and dream big, says scholarship winner
Reading Time: 3 minutes Emma Kaliel never dreamed that someday she’d be an engineer. And she’s not — not yet — but one day she will be, thanks in part to 4-H Canada. “I have a lot to thank 4-H for,” said Kaliel, a member of the Double Diamond 4-H Multi Club in Westlock County. “When you stick with […] Read more
Lightweight barley works well in cattle feeding program
One study found only a four per cent difference in feed efficiency, but it should be properly processed
Reading Time: 2 minutes Initial reports from this year’s harvest indicate that bushel weight of threshed grains is variable, with barley ranging from 35 to 50 pounds per bushel. “Feedlots and elevators are more than willing to take the heavyweight barley without any hesitation or discounts,” said beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “When barley bushel weights are below […] Read more
‘Wood’ you know what kind of bison that is? It’s plain difficult
Woods and plains bison are impossible to tell apart, but a new genomics test will settle that question
Reading Time: 3 minutes Can you tell the difference between a wood bison and a plains bison? Most people can’t — which is partly why Delta Genomics and a team of collaborators are developing a genomics test that will be able to distinguish the two. “The biggest difference is that wood bison — their natural habitat is restricted to […] Read more
Nominations sought for dairy award
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Western Canadian Dairy Seminar is seeking nominations for the John J Kennelly Award of Merit. The award is inspired by the past contributions of University of Alberta professor, John Kennelly, a founder of the seminar in 1982 and its program director for 22 years. The award is presented to an individual who has made […] Read more
Municipalities on the front lines in clubroot war
Persuasion preferred, but no-grow orders are also being used
Reading Time: 4 minutes Municipal officials across the province are increasingly on guard in the ongoing war to slow the relentless spread of clubroot. It’s been 15 years since the pernicious soil-borne disease was first found in a canola field near Edmonton. The confirmed tally last year was 2,744 fields — but the true number is almost certainly higher. […] Read more
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