Herd culling and feeding strategies will be top of mind for cattle producers as drought aftermath drags into winter
With much of Canada’s cattle country in the throes of a generational drought, there are risks to livestock to keep in mind as producers struggle to feed and water animals through winter, according to a recent Beef Cattle Research Council webinar. Jesse Williams, a producer at Whiskey Creek Ranch in Alberta’s Special Area 2, said […] Read more
Alex McCuaig
Stories by Alex McCuaig
Irrigation modernization moves ahead in Alta.
Proponents say the projects that have already been completed made a significant difference to irrigators this past year
It’s full bore ahead for the nearly $1 billion Alberta Irrigation Modernization program launched more than two years ago that will see hundreds of kilometres of open canals converted to underground pipes, improved infrastructure and expanded reservoir capacity. Richard Phillips, chair of Irrigating Alberta, a consortium of 10 irrigation districts set up to manage the […] Read more
Alta. board ruling that reduced farmer’s lease payment overturned
An Alberta judge has overturned in decisive fashion a Surface Rights Board’s decision to limit a farmer’s compensation to half the agreed amount. Vulcan farmer Wayne Bateman sought the judicial review of the board decision, which found the farmer was only entitled to half the $2,700 annual payment between 2015 and 2019 on four acres […] Read more
Farmers urged to use marginal land for forage
Ducks Unlimited Canada, Farm Credit Canada hope to help farmers turn uneconomical farmland into perennial forage
A new program sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Canada and supported by Farm Credit Canada hopes to spur producers to turn uneconomical farmland into perennial forage. The Marginal Areas Program on the Prairies is open to producers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with DUC providing financial support to convert unproductive cropland to forage areas. FCC clients […] Read more
Feed testing becomes important as costs rise
Livestock feed costs are increasing as feed supplies run short. That makes feed testing even more important, said Bree Kelln, assistant professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Feed costs can quickly add up, particularly when winter feeding periods can last for up to 200 days, often in rough weather conditions, said Kelln, during a recent […] Read more
New campaign promotes canola
Canola producer groups of Western Canada have launched their “Hello Canola” campaign to increase understanding of the crop outside the farming sector. “It’s a $29.9 billon industry that adds to our economy every year and 207,000 jobs in and out of farming,” said Lynn Weaver, who co-leads the initiative. “It’s really important for our economy. […] Read more
Producer assists with university pea research
Saskatchewan grower says farmers must take a more active role in developing new varieties to improve production
A southern Saskatchewan farmer is espousing the need to co-operate with researchers and even take the lead in developing new varieties to better improve crops on the Prairies. Ernest Anderson farms in the province’s southwest and is working with University of Calgary researchers on how to increase the protein content of yellow peas. “Pulses don’t […] Read more
Hearing finds support for Alta. renewable energy pause
Few people attend recent consultation session, but those who do favour an inquiry into renewable energy expansion
Renewable energy development is a hot topic in southern Alberta, but an initial engagement session hosted by the Alberta Utilities Commission on the future of the sector attracted only lukewarm attendance during a recent stop in Medicine Hat. AUC has started an inquiry into renewable energy development at the province’s request, after the provincial government […] Read more
Stricter restrictions wanted for mussels
British Columbia’s Okanagan Basin Water Board has renewed calls for a ban on all out-of-province watercraft, following the discovery of invasive quagga mussels in neighbouring Idaho. James Littley, OBWB deputy administrator, said an inspection system is in place but if inspection stations are closed, “anybody can come in from anywhere and launch boats in the […] Read more
Alta. expects good sugar beet crop
It wasn’t a beet season for the faint of heart in southern Alberta, as water deliveries were delayed at one of the major irrigation districts, rainfall was in short supply and an early and prolonged frost hit in mid-October. Despite the challenges, Alberta Sugar Beet Growers are looking at above average yields with the possibility […] Read more
