Following years in a downward spiral, industrial hemp production seems to be on the rebound. “In 1998, commercial production of industrial hemp became legal in Canada under licences and authorization issued by Health Canada,” said Nabi Chaudhary, an economic analyst with Alberta Agriculture. “It soon looked as though the industrial hemp was well on its […] Read more
Stories by Alberta Agriculture
Clubroot presents long-term canola threat
Clubroot is a serious disease of cruciferous crops that occurs worldwide. It is a major problem in commercial cole crops in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia, and has been confirmed in a number of canola and cole crop fields in the Edmonton area. The infestation near Edmonton has spread since the first infested canola field […] Read more
Keep malathion away from canola
Producers are urged to keep malathion far away from canola seed. Growers should not use the insecticide to treat canola in storage bins, nor should canola be stored in bins that have been treated with malathion in the past six months. Using malathion to treat canola for storage or in empty bins where canola will […] Read more
Seed swath grazing crops early
With grain and oilseed planting close to finished, producers with livestock may be looking at seeding some fields for swath grazing. So when is the best time to seed grazing crops? “Several studies across Alberta and Saskatchewan tend to tell the same story,” said Mark Johns, forage specialist with Alberta Agriculture at Stettler. “The later […] Read more
Grazing better bet than feeding
Well-managed pastures keep operational costs down and increase beef production and profits. To be profitable, cow-calf and background operations should be structured around productive grazing systems instead of winter feeding systems. Grant Lastiwka, a pasture specialist with Alberta Agriculture, said the University of Manitoba surveyed producers across Western Canada who changed from traditional pasture use […] Read more
Fertilizing grass makes better hay, pasture
An important part of efficient livestock production is ensuring there is sufficient grass for hay and pasture. Forage production, however, is often limited by low soil nutrient levels. With good soil fertility and fertilizer management, the productivity of many hay and pasture fields can be greatly improved. When determining soil fertility, consider a number of […] Read more
Perennial forage info available on website
Alberta Agriculture has published a new factsheet on perennial forage establishment in Alberta. It provides helpful tips on selecting forage species, field preparation, weed control and fertility management and includes information on the steps to take to evaluate the success of forage seeding. It recommends seeding densities for grass and legume species based on pure […] Read more
Managing manure makes money
Using nutrient management as a strategy for crop enrichment can help farmers gain more dollars. “Farmers can get more bang for their buck when applying manure to their fields if they think strategically about which fields or crops can benefit the most from manure application,” said Trevor Wallace, nutrient management specialist with Alberta Agriculture. “It’s […] Read more
Rations could cause winter tetany
Many producers will be feeding straw and grain or greenfeed-based rations to their cattle this winter. When feeding these types of feedstuffs, winter tetany may occur. High levels of potassium and phosphorus, coupled with low levels of magnesium and calcium, can result in a magnesium deficiency. This deficiency causes winter tetany. Feeding either magnesium oxide […] Read more
Land rental agreements should be reviewed annually
With harvest done and fall work wrapped up, many farmers and landowners are considering their land rental arrangements for next year. Landlords are concerned with receiving a fair return on their land and ensuring that the tenant is a good steward. Tenants are worried that they could lose the rental property if the neighbours offer […] Read more
