Alberta Agriculture

Beef producers who find themselves with a forage surplus this summer may want to take advantage of the situation by decreasing feed production next summer and planting a cash crop instead. “As the ongoing border closure issue challenges the industry, producers are struggling for solutions and management choices,” says Trevor Yurchak of Alberta Agriculture’s beef […] Read more

Incorporating pea straw into the soil might be more economical than baling and removing it. Once broken down by soil microflora, field pea straw provides valuable nutrients for the following crop. The money made by selling the straw may be less than the value of incorporating it. “The total cost of nutrients removed varies considerably […] Read more

Marketing this year’s calf crop may be the most challenging decision cow-calf producers have faced. The simplified summary of advice is to look at the costs, read the markets, understand and use the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program and evaluate priorities. “The first step in a normal year is to look at the cost of […] Read more

The often-criticized methane gas produced by livestock operations is being harnessed in a new process that could light homes in towns and cities. A pilot plant in north-central Alberta is expected to draw considerable attention this summer as it begins processing solid feedlot manure into electricity. The Integrated Manure Utilization System, or IMUS, will process […] Read more

A healthy lawn contributes to your property value and adds to a farm’s overall appearance. It also provides a natural, safe surface where your family can play and relax. By following a few simple tips, you can keep your lawn healthy and green. Mowing Mow high, preferably between six and 7.5 centimetres. Mowing short weakens […] Read more

When farmers are scouting fields for weed and insect pests, they should also check the seeding job to correct problems for next year. Murray Green of Alberta Agriculture said farmers should look for certain signs when analyzing their seeding job: Rows that don’t emerge at the same time may indicate incorrect seeder adjustments. Delayed front […] Read more

When calibrating an air seeder for field peas, producers should aim for a target stand of seven to eight established pea plants per sq. foot. According to farmers and agronomists in Alberta, the highest yielding pea crops in that province have had at least seven plants per sq. foot, although many have had eight plants […] Read more

Many vegetables grown on the Prairies require a long growing season to produce a mature crop. The frost-free period varies with location and is often barely adequate for vegetable production. Some producers attempt to stretch out the season by seeding early but in some cases, spring soil temperatures are well below the required levels. The […] Read more

Several factors must be considered when determining how much fertilizer can be safely placed with seed: fertilizer source; seeding equipment; soil properties and conditions; crop type; seed quality and risk factors. Fertilizer can damage seed and seedlings through ammonia toxicity, salt effects or both. Urea (46-0-0) and liquid UAN (urea ammonium nitrate, usually 28-0-0) are […] Read more

Ensuring a newborn calf gets enough colostrum within its first few hours of life is critical to its survival. Colostrum is the “first milk” produced from the cow’s mammary glands before calving. It contains antibodies, called immunoglobulins, from the maternal bloodstream. Since a calf is born without a fully developed immune system, these immunoglobulins provide […] Read more