Farmers may be tempted to sell their energy leases to investment companies, but there could be tax implications and other issues
An investment company interested in buying energy company leases from landowners got the attention of Verna Phippen of Pigeon Lake, Alta. She has several leases on her land and would like to be relieved of the dealings she said have become a headache. Trouble is, she isn’t sure about the long-term implications or even the […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Earls backtracking welcomed by industry
A backlash against the Earls Kitchen and Bar chain through social media and reduced patronage got the attention of Earls president Mo Jessa. Today the Canadian dining chain apologized for its plan to source all its beef from Kansas and said it will work with the Canadian and Alberta industry to produce beef that meets […] Read more
Pork producers object to truck wash regulations
About 70,000 pigs are trucked into the United States every week. Western Canadian pork producers want to be sure no porcine epidemic diarrhea virus travels back to this country via trucks on the backhaul. They object to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s decision to enforce previous swine transport truck washing regulations as of today as […] Read more
Lethbridge County passes special tax on livestock
A special tax that will primarily affect livestock producers in Lethbridge County was passed April 21 by the county’s council. Producers will pay $3 per animal unit in 2016, while farmland owners will also be subject to an additional tax, all of which is expected to raise $2.6 million this year for road and bridge […] Read more
Time running out for poisoning gophers
Adults are out now, which are ideal targets for baiting; poisoning young animals just takes food away from raptors
PINCHER CREEK, Alta. — Action within the next two weeks will be needed for farmers who want to limit damage this year from Richardson’s ground squirrels, commonly known as gophers. Phil Merrill, Alberta Agriculture’s pest specialist, told those at an April 8 agricultural services meeting that the narrow treatment window relates to the rodents’ life […] Read moreSafety program will be tailored to unique feedlot situations
Feedlots are all about cattle, and cattle can be unpredictable. That is one aspect of a project underway to devise a farm safety plan for Alberta feedlots. Initiated by the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, the project is being developed by Nick Schefter, the lead health and safety officer for Critical Hazard HSE Ltd., and Reg […] Read more
Deal may see China allow Canadian horses
Canada and China might be doing more horse trading in the future. Equine Canada, an association of horse industry groups, signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Horse Industry Association March 31 that could see more Canadian horses exported to China. Haidee Landry, an Equine Canada board member and vice-president of the Canadian Quarter […] Read more
Prescribed burns aim to save rough fescue
Dragon eggs are not the stuff of fiction, as it turns out. Marble-sized balls of explosive material have obtained that name because of their “fire breathing” ability to start controlled burns. Controlled burning in Waterton Lakes National Park, in Alberta’s southwest, is one method Parks Canada officials are using to re-store areas of foothills rough […] Read more
Livestock tax proposal draws fire
COALHURST, Alta. — A proposed tax on livestock in Lethbridge County has raised the collective ire of feedlot operators, the Alberta Beef Producers and the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association. They say the plan imposes an unfair burden on feedlots in particular and could cripple their operations or drive them out of business. It could also […] Read more
King ranch addition makes 34,740 acre easement
The Waldron Grazing Co-op bought the ranch, making it the largest block of deeded land on the eastern slope of the Rockies
There are many in southwestern Alberta who remember the King brothers, Maurice and Harold, who built a ranch north of Lundbreck from nothing but hard work and persistence. Once met, the two men were rarely forgotten. Despite acquiring wealth and some renown, they lived frugally for most of their lives in a cabin without electricity […] Read more
