Ag-Expo in Lethbridge, the long-running and largest agricultural trade show in Alberta, has been rescheduled from its usual time slot. The event, held at Lethbridge Exhibition Park, is now scheduled for March 17-19 instead of the previously planned dates of Feb. 24-26. The change results from Alberta health restrictions on indoor gatherings that were implemented […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Widespread root rot found in Alta. pea fields
The severity found in surveys conducted last year reached levels at which the disease can become an economic threat
The Alberta team tasked with surveying for root rot in pea fields last year were rewarded, if you can call it that. They found root rot in every field visited on an estimated 66 percent of roots examined. “Root rots continue to be a real issue in peas,” said Alberta Agriculture crop pathologist Michael Harding […] Read more
Agribition takes education program online, year round
Students can learn how to pull a calf, how cattle help grasslands, how to become a plant hero and how to make cheesy beef meatballs — all on one website. Canadian Western Agribition launched its virtual education program Feb. 1 featuring material related to agriculture that is designed for students in all grades of elementary […] Read more
Alta. cuts crop insurance premiums
Alberta farmers will see their crop insurance premiums reduced by 20 percent this year, the Alberta government announced Jan. 25. The reduction is expected to save farmers more than $55 million on their premiums in 2021. For a farm with 2,000 insured acres, the provincial agriculture department and Agriculture Financial Services Corp. estimate it will […] Read more
Clubroot spreads to more Alta. municipalities
Clubroot continued its spread within Alberta last year, according to surveys, and has now been confirmed in 67 percent of counties and municipal districts. Clubroot surveys and much of the research into this crop-limiting disease is led by Stephen Strelkov of the University of Alberta. Some of his findings on spread were presented Jan. 20 […] Read more
Students get chance to ‘adopt’ a calf
A Saskatchewan ranch came up with the Classroom Cattle project as a way to teach young people about beef production
More than 1,200 students in three provinces are getting regular updates on the life and times of Calfy Crisp, also known as Oreo and Big Red. The bull calf is a resident at Mortenson Farms near Nokomis, Sask. The Classroom Cattle project is the brainchild of Julie Mortenson, who operates the farm with her husband, […] Read more
Early control would ease ASF damage in U.S.
Officials predict costs of an outbreak could be reduced to $15 billion from $50 billion if it was controlled within two years
African swine fever could become endemic in the United States if it arrives in North America. Paul Sundberg of the Ames, Iowa-based Swine Health Information Centre said the virus is a looming threat that could cost the American pork industry an estimated $50 billion over 10 years. Speaking to a recent online session about ASF […] Read more
Good records can help better track the herd
Most producers keep some kind of records, but surveys find that the more complicated the system gets, the less they tend to be used
The calving booklet in the back pocket, which grows tattered as more calves hit the ground, has given way to smartphone and electronic options. That should allow cattle producers to extract more useful production data and potentially establish some benchmarks, said Kathy Larson, research associate in agriculture and resource economics at the University of Saskatchewan. […] Read more
Proper hygiene plays important role in scours strategy
Hygiene, colostrum and immune support are the keys to managing scours in newborn calves. The illness is the number one killer of calves younger than two months old so prevention strategies and plans to handle occurring cases are needed to limit losses. The hygiene element is somewhat self-explanatory and includes clean calving areas, sufficient space, […] Read more
Preparations for ASF underway in Canada, but industry officials say more work needed
“There’s a thousand actions yet to happen.” That’s how Canadian Pork Council executive director John Ross concluded his update on Canada’s plans to prepare for and fight African swine fever if it infects pigs in North America. But Ross also indicated that thousands of actions have already been taken as industry leaders, veterinarians and governments […] Read more
