Amendments to Alberta’s meat inspection regulations pave the way for more mobile slaughter operations and more options for straight-off-the-farm meat sales, said the chair of Alberta Beef Producers. Alberta agriculture minister Devin Dreeshen announced the changes July 29 in a field dotted with cattle near Lavoy, Alta. They provide options for personal-use uninspected slaughter so […] Read more
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Milk River problems force water restrictions in Alberta
The communities of Milk River and Coutts have prohibited non-essential water use after diversion structures failed
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
Corn: low N response; poor after canola or mustard
Results from a three-year study on dryland grain corn agronomics in southern Alberta show little difference in crop response from extra nitrogen application and reduced yields if grown following canola or mustard. Findings were presented July 23 by Gurbir Dhillon and Ken Coles of the Farming Smarter applied research group and by Adrian Moens of […] Read more
Four ranches nominated for national environmental award
The cattle operations are Charlton Angus Cattle Co., Hagen Valley Ranch, Deer Creek Ranch and Woodjam Ranch
The nominees for the 2020 environmental stewardship award given annually by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association are all beef producers who pay attention to soil and water as well as cattle. Four farming operations were awarded by provincial groups and will vie for the Canadian title to be announced at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference later […] Read more
Stripe rust shows up in Alberta cereal crops
Fungicide applications after flowering will not protect against yield loss, and ‘the window is slamming shut at this point’
Stripe rust has blown into southern Alberta on winds from the U.S. Pacific Northwest, but it’s unlikely that fungicide applications will be effective at this stage of crop growth. Michael Harding, crop pathologist with Alberta Agriculture, said stripe rust appeared about one month ago in Lethbridge-area winter wheat crops and more recently in the Brooks […] Read more
Bio-waste plant to produce natural gas
The Lethbridge facility had been generating electricity from manure, dead stock and food processing waste
The green biodigesting domes on the east side of Lethbridge have been producing electricity from biological waste materials since 2013. Now they are poised to produce renewable natural gas instead. Lethbridge Biogas is planning a $7 million expansion that will allow it to produce natural gas that will enter ATCO’s natural gas grid and be […] Read more
Alberta greenhouse lands leafy contract
The Whole Leaf lettuce operation east of Coaldale, Alta., has become the sole supplier of lettuce to Wendy’s restaurants across Canada. Whole Leaf is a hydroponic greenhouse operation that makes major use of robotics to plant and grow lettuce. “Wendy’s will be the first national brand in the Canadian QSR (quick service restaurant) industry to […] Read more
DNA testing advancements target fertility
There are steady advances in DNA testing of beef animals, and it has potential to improve the bottom line for cattle producers. Steven James, director of research and development for Quantum Genetix, said genotype and phenotype information on bulls and replacement heifers can indicate whether a bull has the ability to impregnate heifers and pass […] Read more
Elanco, Bayer deal clears Competition Bureau
The federal regulator has approved Elanco’s purchase of Bayer’s animal health business with certain conditions
Elanco Animal Health plans to buy Bayer’s animal health business now that the Canadian Competition Bureau has announced it will not challenge the proposed deal. Elanco announced a consent agreement with the bureau on July 14. It announced plans to buy Bayer Animal Health in August 2019 in a deal worth an estimated $10.3 billion. […] Read more
Onion recall expanded
A recall on onions imported from the United States has been updated and expanded by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. As of Aug. 2, there were 120 confirmed Canadian cases of salmonella-related illness associated with the produce, 43 of them in British Columbia, 56 in Alberta, four in Saskatchewan and 13 in Manitoba. No deaths […] Read more
