Reading Time: 5 minutes Editor’s note: A recent blog from the Beef Cattle Research Council offers its rebuttal to “vilifying headlines and simple, partial arguments” that criticize the beef industry for its water use and environmental impact. The following is a condensed version of the blog, which can be found at the Beef Cattle Research Council website. Make no […] Read more
The environmental argument for cattle
Critics who slam the sector over water use and greenhouse gases only give half the story, says Beef Cattle Research Council
Report looks at the benefits of irrigation expansion
Study says irrigating dryland would produce big economic benefits but would need government support
Reading Time: 2 minutes A recent report from the Alberta Land Institute highlights the economic benefits of expanding Alberta’s irrigation system and offers improved forecasting of agricultural and irrigation needs. The report, entitled Systems modelling for sustainable land and water policy in Alberta’s irrigation sector, was prepared by Evan Davies, an associate professor in civil and environmental engineering at the University […] Read more
Six factors to consider if your soil moisture level is low
To date, all indications are pointing to a dry spring, given the below-average precipitation received in many areas of the Prairies this winter. There are exceptions to every rule of course, but a lot of farmers had relatively dry soils going into winter, so we asked some agronomists and provincial crop experts what factors could[...]
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Checking the dugout should be on the winter prep list
Provincial water specialist offers his inspection to-do list and tips for protecting water quality
Reading Time: 2 minutes If you haven’t already, now is a good time to inspect your dugouts, says a provincial water specialist. An inspection should start with a check of the area that feeds into the dugout, said Dan Benson. “Make sure that this area is free of debris that might flow into your dugout,” he said. “A properly[...]
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Solar-powered irrigation proving its worth for Alberta operation
Cory and Lindsay Nelson are the first in the province to use solar for large-scale irrigation — and they’re happy they did
Reading Time: 4 minutes Cory and Lindsay Nelson have always embraced innovation and after attending a talk on solar energy put on by a producer group, their interest was piqued. So the brothers approached Enmax and a Lethbridge solar installation company called Solar Optix to look at their electrical bills. The numbers seemed to pan out, and it looked[...]
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It’s a drag — but one that saves water, cuts costs, and reduces disease
Mobile drip irrigation is pricey but worth the money for high-value crops such as alfalfa seed production or to reduce disease issues
Reading Time: 2 minutes Converting to mobile drip irrigation could be financially beneficial for some growers. Along with more efficient water delivery and lower energy costs, this system can improve crop health by reducing leaf burn and disease issues. Mobile drip uses specially designed drip lines that drag on the ground and deliver water directly to crops to reduce[...]
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Do your homework before installing tile drainage
Finding out what constitutes a wetland and finding a suitable outlet for drained water are two key considerations
Reading Time: 4 minutes Tile drainage is becoming increasingly popular among Alberta producers concerned about losing valuable land and inputs to excess water. Although tile drainage can be beneficial, it is not without its dangers if a system is designed incorrectly — or if producers don’t know the rules. In Alberta, tile drainage systems — like all drainage or[...]
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Heat wave may have left a toxic legacy
Reading Time: 2 minutes The heat wave from earlier this month could pose a lingering and deadly danger to your children, livestock, or pets — blue-green algae. The algae contains several types of toxins, which can cause organ damage; affect the nervous and respiratory systems; cause paralysis; and, in extreme cases, can kill. While people are not likely to[...]
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Tips to help you protect your household water
The water that enters your home has a long journey from start to finish, and along the way, it can pick up a lot of contaminants. Once it reaches your municipal water treatment facility it is treated and distributed to the public. During this process chemical and physical processes are used to filter and disinfect[...]
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Dry winter is just what’s needed
Reading Time: < 1 minute The so-far dry winter in Alberta is raising hopes that farmers will be able to get onto their fields early in order to deal with more than one million acres of unharvested crops. As of Jan. 31, snowpack accumulations were generally below normal in most areas (save for southern Alberta, where little to no snow[...]
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