Reading Time: 2 minutes The United Nations International Year of Pulses is underway, and that’s good news for the province’s pulse producers, says the chair of Alberta Pulse Growers. “As IYP draws attention to big global issues like nutrition, food security, and environmental sustainability, this crop — which is a Canadian success story — is only going to get […] Read more
UN international year to showcase pulses
Chair of Alberta Pulse Growers says event will boost competition and prompt more research and breeding
Opportunities abound in horticulture, says provincial specialist
The financial startup costs are typically lower and a host of information resources is available
Reading Time: 2 minutes More people are interested in a career in agriculture these days and horticulture offers many opportunities, says a commercial horticulture specialist. “Increased interest in local production as well as the desire to know where and how food is grown means more people are looking to get into agriculture and primary production,” said Dustin Morton. Horticulture […] Read more
USDA report says no risk from pesticide residues
Reuters — More than half of food tested by the U.S. government for pesticide residues last year showed detectable levels of pesticides, though most were within levels the government considers to be safe, according to a report issued Dec. 19 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA looked at fresh and processed fruits and […] Read more
Producers urged to participate in hort survey
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development are conducting an online horticulture survey. “This survey will update key information about the horticulture industry to enable sharing of current information on the industry and support industry strategic planning,” said Sharon Faye, a market analyst with Alberta Agriculture. “The horticulture industry is […] Read more
Ukraine appeals to WTO over Russian ban on fruit, vegetable imports
Kiev | Reuters –– Ukraine has complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) about a decision by Russia to ban imports of fruit and vegetables from the country, the agriculture ministry said Thursday. The ban, which came into force Wednesday, was the latest trade barrier erected by Russia in a trade and sanctions war linked […] Read more
Greenhouse media can be reused several times under certain conditions
In Europe, greenhouse operators are reusing growing media five or six times without raising disease levels
Reading Time: 2 minutes While reusing greenhouse media makes economic sense, disease and changes to physical properties are just two of the issues that need to be considered. “Greenhouse vegetable culture in Alberta has changed substantially over the last 30 years,” said Dustin Morton, a commercial horticulture specialist with the Alberta Ag-Info Centre in Stettler. “Currently, it is not […] Read more
Asparagus operation a labour of love for Innisfail growers
The tender vegetable isn’t supposed to grow in central Alberta — but that didn’t stop the Edgar family
Reading Time: 4 minutes If you asked her today, Elna Edgar would admit that the folks at Alberta Agriculture were “absolutely right” 30 years ago when they said asparagus couldn’t be grown in their little corner of central Alberta. “It’s the most quirky, odd, drive-you-crazy vegetable that you can imagine,” said Edgar, who owns and operates Edgar Farms near […] Read more
Late blight a concern again this year
There were multiple outbreaks of aggressive and destructive pathogen in fields and market gardens last year
Reading Time: 2 minutes Over the last few years, there has been a great deal of concern in Alberta surrounding late blight, a serious disease that affects mainly potatoes and tomatoes. This year appears to be no different. “This disease is caused by a fungal pathogen called Phytophthora infestans,” said Robert Spencer, commercial horticulture specialist at the Alberta Ag-Info […] Read more
It’s not your regular farming, but community-supported agriculture catching on
Most community-supported agriculture operations grow vegetables — lots and lots of them
Reading Time: 2 minutes One size does not fit all when it comes to community-supported agriculture in Alberta, according to a recent Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development study. “We talked to 25 different people, and we got 25 different answers on how you do a (community-supported agriculture program),” said project consultant Brenda Frick of Resilient Solutions Consulting. Community-supported agriculture, or […] Read more
How vegetable growers can extend their harvest season
Reading Time: 2 minutes Vegetable producers can extend their harvest season to reduce crop risk and increase yields and profit, says Rob Spencer, Commercial Horticulture Specialist with Alberta Agriculture. Spencer outlined some strategies to producers during a session at the Berry and Vegetable school here. One method of extending the season is to have multiple, staggered plantings of different […] Read more
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