Summertime peace in the Peace River farming region is about to be disrupted as early pea harvest progresses and widespread canola swathing is about to begin. In general, crops look to be in good shape throughout the region and few disease, insect and fungal problems have been reported. Average to above-average crops are anticipated, a […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
One bee doesn’t fit all jobs
The distance a honeybee will fly to gather nectar or pollen is an important factor in crop economics. It dictates the number of hives needed to ensure successful pollination of seed canola crops and also has implications for optimum hive location. Sam Robinson, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, is studying that distance […] Read more
La créme de la corn
TABER, Alta. — Sunrise is still a few hours away when the people who provide the famous Taber corn start picking ears for that day’s sales. Among them are members of the Jensen family, who market Jensen’s Taber Corn throughout Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Ditto members of the Johnson family, who […] Read more
Barn aims to make the energy it uses
Alberta Hutterite Colony uses solar panels, insulation and LED lighting to reduce environmental footprint
BRANT, Alta. — The 12,800 laying hens running free in the Brant Hutterite Colony’s new barn are oblivious to their role in an energy experiment. They are calmly laying eggs, perching and dust bathing while highly technical equipment monitors energy output and input with the goal of matching energy ex-pended with energy produced. It’s called […] Read moreFort McMurray horse owners surveyed in wake of fire
Horse owners who were affected by the wildfires in and around Fort McMurray, Alta., earlier this year have been asked to provide information about their experience so they can help other horse owners in the future. The Alberta Equestrian Federation conducted an online survey this summer designed to learn about owners’ reactions to the fire […] Read more
Richardson expanding canola plant in Lethbridge
Plans announced today for improvements to both seed receiving and refining capacity at the Richardson canola plant in Lethbridge came as welcome news for southern Alberta farmers. The company announced $120 million worth of upgrades to the plant, located in the city’s industrial park, which are designed to improve seed receiving and also increase crush […] Read more
Hail claims see big jump in Alberta
Hail claims have the approximately 150 on-farm inspectors with Alberta’s Agriculture Financial Services Corp. busier than a set of jumper cables at a farm auction sale. The AFSC had received 6,400 hail claims from Alberta farmers as of Aug. 1, putting the number to date slightly ahead of numbers in 2012, the year the province […] Read more
‘Big 5’ threaten canola
There are 10 to 15 diseases that can affect canola, says crop pathologist Ron Howard. There are also non-disease threats and environmental factors that can cause symptoms in canola that mimic disease. “Don’t jump to conclusions,” Howard told a July 28 Lethbridge plot tour organized by the Farming Smarter research group. “There’s a whole other […] Read more
Fort McMurray fire donations reach $60 million
More than $60 million has been accumulated in support of people affected earlier this year by wildfires in the Fort McMurray, Alta., region. The Alberta government announced Aug. 3 that it would contribute $30.3 million to match funds already donated by Albertans via the Canadian Red Cross to assist Fort McMurray residents and those in […] Read more
Comments sought on laying hen draft code of practice
The animal care council hopes to have an updated code outlining changes on hen housing and industry transition this year
About 500 comments have been filed in response to the draft code of practice for care and handling of pullets and laying hens. The public comment period closes Aug. 29, so many more responses are anticipated and welcomed, said National Farm Animal Care Council general manager Jackie Wepruk. “The bulk of submissions generally tend to […] Read more
