The agricultural research community in Lethbridge is facing the tragic loss of a couple who were partners in many things — the laboratory, their enjoyment of the outdoors and in life. Doug Inglis and Jenny Gusse, both 62, were killed Sept. 29 by a grizzly bear while on a back-country camping trip in Banff National […] Read more
Alex McCuaig
Stories by Alex McCuaig
Irrigators warned to plan for shortages
The situation along rivers and in reservoirs across southern Alberta received a reprieve from deteriorating conditions on the last day of September, but challenges remain as the last few irrigation districts shut off their taps for the season. Rainfall in late September was among the largest seen in weeks and was also widespread and felt […] Read more
Alta. producers feel pinch as reservoirs shrink
A booster shot of rain falling across southern Alberta and the last major irrigation district closing its canal will buoy dwindling reservoir and river levels as the first week of October ends. But the short-term forecast will see a return of warm, dry conditions and the seasonal forecast is unclear, though El Nino is expected […] Read more
‘Situation is not ideal’
A generational hydrological drought is occurring in rivers in southern Alberta, resulting in water levels rivaling the lowest seen in 50 years, the activation of a county’s emergency operations and a warning from the province. “While it appears we will be able to complete the 2023 irrigation season without significant detriment, the situation could become […] Read more
Producers urged to watch for trains
The rolling cargo of the nation’s rail system and the clacking of wheels on the tracks might be music to the ears of producers this time of year as crops start their journeys to faraway lands. But that sound should also be a warning to those active around tracks that the rail system is a […] Read more
Avian flu quiet but still present
Poultry producers are cautiously optimistic that the worst of the avian influenza outbreak, which wreaked havoc in Western Canada last year, might be over following a quiet spring. However, while there were few cases on the Prairies, a single instance in Warner County at a commercial operation in southern Alberta, another case in a non-commercial […] Read more
More transparency wanted in how Alta. sells public land
The Alberta Wilderness Association says it is extremely difficult to access information about what public land is being sold
The Alberta Wilderness Association is calling for more transparency in public land sales to improve opportunities for those seeking to preserve native grasslands and forests to have a say before cultivation. AWA conservation specialist Ruiping Luo said the decade-long issue regarding the sale of a quarter section of native grasslands near the Bow Island Provincial […] Read more
Alta. issues water shortage advisories as situation worsens
The irrigation season is over but challenges on southern Alberta’s rivers and reservoirs remain as levels at the Oldman Dam reservoir continue to drop, St. Mary reservoir is empty and water shortage advisories spread. Seven water shortage advisories were issued yesterday afternoon around Medicine Hat following a month of deteriorating conditions along the South Saskatchewan […] Read more
Genome of cereal ancestor sequenced
It’s no coincidence the pre-historic advent of farming took place in a region known as the cradle of civilization in what is now the Middle East, allowing for cultivation of domesticated grains to bake the first loafs of bread. A new research project recently published its findings tracing back those first domesticated cereals through genomic […] Read more
Municipality divided over renewable energy
Landowners in Alberta are not required to allow renewable projects on their property, unlike oil and gas energy development
Cypress County councillors dug in at their early September council meeting and made their opinions clear regarding renewable energy projects in the rural municipality. Premier Danielle Smith announced a moratorium on regulatory approvals of new wind and solar projects in August, citing requests from regulatory agencies, the Alberta Utilities Commission and the Alberta Electricity Systems […] Read more
