Alberta Agriculture

The Alberta government has committed $4 million to help municipalities direct their mosquito control efforts against species most likely to carry West Nile virus. Funding is being made available to municipalities to augment or in-itiate mosquito control programs aimed at reducing the numbers of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. Of the 43 mosquito species in Alberta, this […] Read more

With spring not far away, gophers will soon be emerging from winter hibernation. And if this year is anything like the previous few, it could be a challenge managing the pesky rodents, also known as Richardson ground squirrels. “Probably the most effective and the longest lasting approach is preventing ground squirrel damage from occurring in […] Read more

Reduced tillage can be an effective way to save time and money when growing creeping red fescue. Also known as creeper, it is a popular special crop in Alberta’s Peace region, said Nick Underwood, an agronomist with Reduced Tillage Linkages in Grande Prairie, Alta. “Creeper is one of those grasses that is hard to remove […] Read more

Air movement within an orchard can significantly affect commercial fruit production. An excess or lack of air movement can result in physical or physiological damage to sensitive plant parts and reduce yield and quality. Wind is the most common source of excess air movement in an orchard. “High winds can break tree limbs, disperse straw […] Read more

There are many opportunities to reach new customers and get in touch with people who may not realize that a farm-direct operation is only a short drive away, says Kerry Engel with Alberta Agriculture’s farm direct marketing initiative in Westlock. “Listening to some of Alberta’s successful farm-direct marketers and just paying a little extra attention […] Read more

Powdery mildew on field peas was a big problem in many areas in 2003. Some producers believe powdery mildew resistant varieties bought last spring did not work in the field. “Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects not only field peas but also other legumes such as alfalfa, vetch, lentil and lupine,” said Ken […] Read more

Alberta Agriculture’s triticale team is making progress in its goal of increasing market opportunities for triticale. The team consists of staff from the department’s livestock, crop diversification and business and innovation divisions. “Producers suggest that triticale could be an important contributor to existing feeding systems, improving the financial bottom line as well as aiding sustainability,” […] Read more

Grain and roughages have varying shelf lives, depending on how they were harvested, processed and stored. “Becoming familiar with how certain processes affect livestock feeds will enable producers to retain quality and palatability from these feeds,” says Susan Markus, an Alberta Agriculture beef specialist. Grain and oilseeds vary in fat content, which affects storage life. […] Read more

The Irrigated Alfalfa Seed Producers Association has developed an Alfalfa Seed and Leafcutter Bee Production and Marketing Manual. “The 10 main chapters cover most everything needed to seed, grow, harvest and market alfalfa seed and leafcutter bees,” said Gordon Frank, agrologist with Alberta Agriculture. Topics include lygus damage units, desiccation timing, alfalfa weevil thresholds based […] Read more

Alberta Agriculture and Olds College are offering the fourth annual Competitive Advantage Program for Agriculture this fall and winter. It is a comprehensive, advanced management program emphasizing outcomes and practical application. “The basis of the whole CAPA program is to provide some of the whole farm strategic planning skills,” said Dann Mattson, financial management specialist […] Read more