Water restrictions have been placed on residents of Milk River and Coutts, Alta., as flow of the Milk River continues to drop. Effective July 22, the town of Milk River prohibited any non-essential water use, so watering lawns and washing cars is not allowed and bulk water sales are also prohibited. “These restrictions are intended […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Alta. program connects chefs with producers
Alberta-grown produce, protein and grains will be served up on plates at restaurants in the province during a promotion running Aug. 7-16. It is the second year for Alberta on the Plate, an event designed to connect Alberta chefs with local farmers to provide a dining experience for others. “It’s really about trying to share […] Read more
Alta. research group to set priorities
Alberta’s agriculture and forestry minister said he wants the new Results Driven Agriculture Research group to decide on priorities rather than have government drive the agenda. Devin Dreeshen said June 30 that the group, appointed in May, is making progress on its mandate to prioritize research projects that directly benefit farmers and ranchers. “It would […] Read more
It’s not always the neighbours with resistant weeds
It was an unscientific poll of farmers on a webinar, but it was telling nevertheless. About 53 percent of respondents said they have herbicide-resistant weeds on their farm. And 82 percent said their neighbours do. Charles Geddes, Agriculture Canada research scientist in weed ecology, was not surprised by those contradictory results. They do show, however, […] Read more
Alta. vows to keep Milk River users informed
The collapse of water diversion infrastructure in the United States puts the river at risk of drying up this summer
Alberta’s environment and parks department says it is working to address impacts on water users in the Milk River watershed now that water diversion from the St. Mary River system has been halted. A concrete drop structure on the St. Mary canal in Montana failed on May 17 and repairs will eliminate any ability to […] Read more
Alberta ag venue receives infrastructure funds
Funding for Lethbridge’s Exhibition Park is part of an effort to help provincial economy recover from COVID shutdown
The financial floodgates have opened in Alberta as the government rolls out a recovery plan that will see $10 billion spent on various infrastructure projects. Lethbridge’s Exhibition Park was among the first recipients June 30 when Premier Jason Kenney announced the venue will receive $27.8 million from the province toward a $70.5 million expansion plan. […] Read moreWeed survival not always resistance issue
Herbicide resistance isn’t the first thing to blame if weeds persist after herbicide application. There are a few options to consider before making that leap, said Agriculture Canada weed ecologist Charles Geddes. Scouting is essential to accurate determination of why herbicides fail. Successful application is determined by favourable soil moisture, good fertility, moderate temperatures, high […] Read more
Alta. Open Farm Days ready to launch
Many events have been cancelled this summer because of COVID-19. Not Alberta’s Open Farm Days. Barring a second wave of the illness and restrictions it could cause, the event showcasing Alberta’s farms and agricultural industry will proceed on Aug. 15 and 16. At least 100 farming operations plan to open their gates to visitors. Alberta […] Read more
Goat snuggling offers respite
If the restrictions and pressures of COVID-19 have finally gotten your goat, a Lethbridge-area farm has the solution: goat snuggles. Theo and Esther Slingerland, operators of the Lethbridge Cornmaze and Petting Zoo, have 49 baby goats that will be available for several days each week in July for visits, petting and snuggles. “Once you get […] Read more
U.S. cattle states eye potential drought
A Rabobank analyst says the fall calf market is potentially the most vulnerable as a result of the pandemic
Worsening dry conditions in parts of the United States’ key cattle producing areas are being watched carefully by producers and economists. Don Close, senior animal protein analyst with Rabobank Agrifinance, said June 17 that conditions weren’t yet severe enough to prompt cow herd liquidation but that could occur if weather patterns persist. The U.S. beef […] Read more
