The Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union will increase beef market opportunities for Canadian producers. Though Canada has had access for its beef before, it was subject to tariffs and quotas that were cost prohibitive for most marketers. Under CETA, some of those previously existing conditions will improve, and new quota […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
If you think rocket science is tough, try farming
Agriculture’s complexity means that agronomic advice with solid science behind it is invaluable to producers
Farming isn’t rocket science. It’s much more difficult than that. Understanding the complex workings of soil and plant requires time, effort and an understanding that conditions are constantly changing. Senior adviser Tim Eyrich of Agri-Trend put it this way at a March 2 regional meeting in Lethbridge. “What we do is harder than rocket science. […] Read more
At first triplets, but wait, there’s more
Quadruplet calves are doing well on the Lamport family farm near Alida, Sask. When Calvin Lamport, son Layne and daughter Kayla delivered three calves from a five-year-old Charolais-cross cow on March 4, they were happy with the result. The cow had twins in each of the previous two years, so triplets were considered a bonus. […] Read more
Strong snow pack bodes well for Alta. irrigation
Nobody has ever lost a crop in March, as farming optimists are fond of saying. But in southern Alberta, where snow is absent, fire bans are on and some road bans are already off, there are mixed feelings about the crop prognosis. Terrence Lazarus, general manager of the St. Mary River Irrigation District, acknowledges dry […] Read more
Hog producers urged to check their feed
Alberta hog producers are asked to protect pork export markets by ensuring they do not use ractopamine in feed. Pork from pigs fed ractopamine, a beta agonist used to increase lean meat, is not accepted in some of Canada’s major export markets, although it has been deemed safe by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and […] Read more
Western Canada praised for keeping PED virus at bay
While new cases have been confirmed in Ontario, expert says excellent biosecurity throughout the industry has kept the West PED-free
Three new cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea were confirmed in Ontario in late February and early March. The virus was confirmed March 1 in a Perth County finisher barn, Feb. 29 in an Essex County farrow-to-finish barn and Feb. 24 in a Chatham-Kent County finisher barn. Two previous cases were confirmed Feb. 9 in Perth […] Read more
Water regulations can be tricky
Alberta farmers do not own the water that sits on their land, whether it is in a puddle, a pothole or a wetland. That fact surprises many, said wetland specialist and biologist Jay White. As the principal researcher at Aquality Environmental Consulting, part of his job is to assess the permanence of water and help […] Read more
Dairy workers, owner charged for animal abuse
Animal advocacy group says it is a relief to see justice after video captured mistreatment of animals on B.C. farm
Twenty counts of animal cruelty have been laid under British Columbia law in connection with an undercover video released in June 2014 that showed dairy workers punching, kicking and beating dairy cows. The video, taken at Chilliwack Cattle Sales Ltd., the largest dairy operation in Canada with 3,500 cows, shocked the public and caused ripples […] Read more
Early spring prompts disease management warning
Mild southern Alberta weather prompted scientists at Agriculture Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre to erect a spore trap last week, much earlier than usual. The trap, one of about a dozen erected each year to monitor pathogen activity, has already captured airborne sporangia. It’s an early reminder for potato growers to watch for problematic fungal pathogens […] Read more
Mashed, fried or baked, there’s a potato for that
The humble potato is anything but humble in the world of fresh market growers. Producers can choose from hundreds of varieties, making choices on skin colour, flesh colour, size and myriad agronomic factors to meet the requirements of customers and consumers. Michele Konschuh, a potato research scientist with Alberta Agriculture, worked on trials for no […] Read more
