This is the third in a series of three features on dairies visited during the Western Canadian Dairy pre-conference tour
LACOMBE, Alta. — The Philipsen family tried a cross-breeding program for their dairy near Lacombe, Alta., but then returned to the tried and true registered Holstein breed for their 340-cow operation. Arie and Dineke Philipsen, daughter Dianne and son Harm showed off their dairy March 7 to the pre-conference tour of the Western Canadian Dairy […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Cover all bases in land lease
Farmers rent about 22.7 million acres of land in Alberta. Five million acres of that is crown land used primarily for grazing, but that figure still indicates about 45 percent of the agricultural land in the province is rented. That’s a lot of property on which to calculate lease arrangements, and there are many things […] Read more
Alta. to survey farmers on new farm programs
An online survey has been launched by Alberta Agriculture for use in developing provincial and national farm programs. Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier announced the survey March 30 in preparation for talks with the federal government on the next agriculture policy framework. The current agreement, Growing Forward 2, expires March 31, 2018, and ministers will be […] Read more
Egg layer code details new housing requirements
The latest version of the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens was released last week to the praise of some in the industry and the chagrin of an animal welfare group. Among many other requirements and recommendations, the new code mandates phasing out conventional cages, which typically hold […] Read more
Outdoor bedding packs attractive to dairy cows
People like to see dairy cows in pastures. Whether the cows like to be in pastures is another matter. Anne-Marieke Smid, a University of British Columbia PhD student in animal welfare, is exploring dairy cow preferences for pasture or other outdoor bedding packs such as sand or bark mulch. “People like to see cows on […] Read more
Historical finds can be reported in Alta.
PINCHER CREEK, Alta. — An arrowhead, bison skull or circle of stones that could be a teepee ring: such findings are not uncommon on Alberta farms and ranches. Those who want their findings better identified or examined for potential archeological significance can easily do so, says Wendy Unfreed, regional archeologist with the Archeological Survey of […] Read more
Alta. to survey farmers on next APF
An online survey has been launched by Alberta Agriculture for use in developing provincial and national farm programs. Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier announced the survey today in preparation for talks with the federal government on the next agriculture policy framework. The current agreement, Growing Forward 2, expires March 31, 2018, and ministers will be meeting […] Read more
Get advice on energy deals
READYMADE, Alta. — Negotiating with solar and wind project developers is not the same as negotiating for oil and gas development, says Alberta’s Farmers Advocate Office. Landowners need to know this, now that provincial and federal carbon policies are fostering more renewable energy proposals. Among the differences: Alberta’s Surface Rights Act does not apply to […] Read more
Alberta announces $54,000 solar project for Lethbridge
St. Patrick’s day, with its signature colour of green, is an ideal time to make an announcement about greener energy, quipped Leth-bridge Mayor Chris Spearman. He was on hand March 17 to hear Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips announce plans to erect solar panels at the Farm Stewardship Centre, which is a government building. The […] Read more
How much salt do cows need when on pasture?
Certain questions about salt have got to be licked. If that requires some salty language, so be it. Cows need salt in their diets but when they’re out on the range, providing it along with other necessary minerals requires attention. How much salt do cows need? Alberta Agriculture livestock and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio said […] Read more
