Producers in parts of the four western provinces and Quebec will be eligible for 2019 tax relief as a result of extreme weather conditions. Agriculture Canada announced the designated regions in a July 22 news release in which it notes “livestock producers in Western Canada and Quebec are experiencing significant forage shortages due to drought […] Read more
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New pitch made for dam in southern Alberta
A summary of previous studies compares merits of various storage options for the province’s Milk River
Southern Alberta’s Milk River meanders across the Canada-United States border, carrying life-giving water and future uncertainty. Fed almost entirely by runoff from annual mountain snow pack, its flow is regulated in part by partial diversion of the St. Mary’s River via infrastructure in Montana. In dry years, most recently in 2017, water flow is so […] Read moreAlta. First Nation compensated for cattle herd mismanagement
A claim of government mismanagement of the Blood Tribe cattle herd from 1894 to 1923 has been addressed with a $150 million settlement from the federal government’s crown-Indigenous relations department. Federal minister Carolyn Bennett inked the settlement July 4, as did Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox. Band members had already agreed to the deal in […] Read more
Europe, Canada agree to ASF-free zones
Canada and the European Union have made zoning arrangements designed to facilitate trade in the event of an African swine fever outbreak. Establishing zones will allow parts of the country free of ASF to continue exporting hogs even if hogs in other parts of the country are afflicted with the swine disease. Canada already has […] Read more
VIDEO: Goats offer another city weed control option
Using goats to control weeds is called a great option for urban parks, but those involved say there are definitely challenges
Seeing a goat chewing vigorously on a leafy spurge blossom in its mouth brings a smile to Jackie Cardinal’s face. The invasive weed is a problem in riverside parks within the City of Lethbridge, and Cardinal, the city’s parks natural resource co-ordinator, is pleased to see that goats are now among the control measures. “For […] Read more
Grazing during drought conditions must be managed
Farming in “next year country” is the usual canard about farmers’ penchant for seeking the illusive best-case scenario in terms of productivity and price. But grazing is actually last year’s country, according to Diane Westerlund, manager of the Chinook Applied Research Association. CARA is based in Oyen, within Alberta’s special areas, and this year experienced […] Read more
Alta. feedlot buys 90-year-old seed business
Kolk Farms, a feedlot and farm operation from Picture Butte, enters the seed business by purchasing Haney Farms
A southern Alberta seed business with a history spanning more than 90 years will change hands Aug. 1. Haney Farms, located east of Picture Butte, Alta., has been purchased by Kolk Farms Ltd., a neighbouring feedlot and farming operation. Financial details were not disclosed. Haney Farms vice-president Shaun Haney, who also operates Real Agriculture, an […] Read moreDryness, coolness hurt alfalfa seed
Alberta’s alfalfa seed crops are two to four weeks behind normal development for this time of year. Dry conditions in spring, before irrigation was available, have combined with cooler than normal temperatures this season to delay progress, said Alfalfa Seed Commission research and extension manager Brad Alexander. But that’s not the only pressure on the […] Read more
Scrapie found in Alberta sheep
A case of scrapie, a fatal disease affecting sheep and goats, has been confirmed in an Alberta sheep. Alberta Lamb Producers said today that the disease was confirmed in late June in a sheep that had lived on multiple premises. Two Alberta flocks have now been quarantined. Their location was not disclosed. Scrapie is a […] Read more
Dryness, cool weather set back alfalfa seed crops
Alberta’s alfalfa seed crops are two to four weeks behind normal development for this time of year. Dry conditions in spring, before irrigation was available, have combined with cooler than normal temperatures this season to delay progress, said Alfalfa Seed Commission research and extension manager Brad Alexander. But that’s not the only pressure on the […] Read more
