BROOKS, Alta. — Researchers are making progress in developing a bioherbicide suitable for use against Canada thistle, wild mustard and dandelion in cereals, forage grasses, flax and alfalfa. Karen Bailey and Russell Hynes of Agriculture Canada in Saskatoon are working with phoma macrostoma, a fungus derived from Canada thistle. Phoma has been licenced from Agriculture […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
New CCA study explores ways to reduce bacteria exposure for tenderized meats
A steak cooked to an internal temperature of 71 C may provide a less enjoyable eating experience than one cooked to a lower temperature. However, 71 C is what Health Canada advises when cooking steak or roasts that have been mechanically tenderized. A study now underway by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is attempting to determine […] Read more
Three cattle wounded in unusual rural shooting
RCMP investigation | Nighttime incident alarms Alberta neighbours
Three of Dana Fancy’s cows are sporting gunshot wounds following an apparent shooting spree in the early morning hours of March 24 southwest of Stavely, Alta. A pick-up truck, several gates and the lights at the airport near Clare-sholm, Alta., were also damaged. RCMP are investigating. “It was all kind of along this one range […] Read moreFarmers plan GM alfalfa protest day
Roundup Ready alfalfa contested | Federal agriculture minister’s Sask. office one of the sites targeted for protests April 19
A day of action against the release of genetically modified alfalfa is scheduled April 9 with lunch hour protests outside MPs’ constituency offices. The Ontario branch of the National Farmers Union has initiated the protest, which is supported by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. As of April 1, protests had been confirmed in 27 locations, […] Read moreSaline, alkaline soils continue to pose problems for farmers
Irrigation over-use | Salinity in southern Alberta a ‘significant agricultural concern’
PICTURE BUTTE, Alta. — Farmers often use the terms alkaline and saline interchangeably when de-scribing a fertility problem, says certified crop adviser Jack Feenstra. “Quite frankly, both are ugly.” Both soil conditions reduce cropping productivity, and although there is a difference between the two, combating salinity is usually farmers’ focus. “Alkaline refers to pH, which […] Read moreB.C. wine joins local food campaign
What wine would best accompany food grown, raised or caught in British Columbia? The B.C. Wine Institute will use $100,000 from the provincial government to offer advice on that question and to promote the Buy Local program. An April 3 news release about the grant indicated B.C. wines will be part of a consumer campaign […] Read more
April Fools Day brings out the jokesters in Alberta
April 1 has so far brought a few news release spoofs across Alberta news desks. The Alberta Liberals announced a “wild boar bonanza” designed to ease the threat of wild pigs that stalk visitors to this fair province. Leader Raj Sherman also saw it as a chance to connect with rural issues. “You know, when […] Read more
Farmers dispute antibiotics study
Data incorrect? Ontario Medical Association calls for a ban on preventive use of antibiotics in animal agriculture while CCA says there is little evidence that animal antibiotics are a problem
Farm groups are fighting back in the wake of an Ontario Medical Association call to ban the preventive medicine use of farm antibiotics and stricter controls on the drugs overall. The OMA plans to publish a study March 30 that argues human resistance to antibiotics is a growing health crisis and overuse of antibiotics in […] Read moreRCMP on lookout for cow shooters
Three pregnant cows were shot on a ranch near Stavely, Alta., on March 24 in what appeared to be a random crime spree that also saw damage to gates and lights at the Claresholm, Alta., airport. The three cows, which survived with serious injuries, belong to Dana Fancy. One of them has calved since the […] Read more
Group hopes to save elevator
Ogilvie No. 156 | Initiative launched to move and restore elevator
Wooden grain elevators, once the primary landmarks across much of the Prairies, are gradually disappearing. Two southern Alberta men want to keep one of them from falling to the wrecking ball. Jason Sailer and Cody Kapcsos have formed the Southern Alberta Grain Elevator Society (SAGE) and want to move the Ogilvie No. 156 elevator to […] Read more
