Lamb and calf losses from coyotes in Alberta have prompted two producer groups to investigate changes to coyotes’ designation under provincial regulations. Alberta Lamb Producers and Alberta Beef Producers think designating coyotes as predators rather than pests could enable them to be compensated for lamb and calf losses. It might also allow Alberta Fish and […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Lloydminster bull sale draws large crowd
A sale average of $3,720 on 99 animals drew one of the largest crowds in recent memory to the Pride of the Prairies bull sale in Lloydminster March 4. Simmentals dominated the sale in numbers, with 41 on offer that fetched an average $4,433. The high seller was a Simmental consigned by SAJ Simmentals of […] Read more
Fertilizer plant targeted for Rocky Mountain House
A partnership between a Calgary company and a gas plant operator is expected to result in a new sulphur fertilizer plant near Rocky Mountain House, Alta. In a news release, Sulvaris Inc. announced today an agreement with Keyera Partnership, with operates the Strachan Gas Plant in central Alberta. The proposed new plant will be a […] Read more
Canadians see horse sales lag in wake of European scandal
The price for slaughter horses in Alberta has been cut in half by recent discoveries in Europe that beef has been combined with horsemeat in some European plants and products. Bruce Flewelling, an auctioneer who buys and sells horses for slaughter, said prices are now at 25 to 30 cents per pound, down from 40 […] Read more
Anaplasmosis to soon change disease class
CFIA alters designation | Disease will become notifiable rather than reportable
Anaplasmosis will be removed from the list of reportable diseases next year. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced the pending change Feb. 25, noting it will take effect April 1, 2014. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association greeted the news with enthusiasm. “It’s something we’ve been asking for for probably close […] Read moreKids around water can be deadly
In farm safety, the old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, rings true. It all starts with a plan followed by action. Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, March 10-16, is an opportunity for farmers and ranchers across the country to revisit their farm safety plans and practices.
Tragedy took the lives of two children on a Manitoba Hutterite colony several years ago when the youngsters drowned in a creek. The colony responded by buying a swimming pool and hiring an instructor who taught every colony member how to swim. That was one of the most proactive approaches to farm safety that Glen […] Read moreTillage a greater factor in erosion than wind
CALGARY — The effect of tillage erosion has been vastly underestimated, says a University of Manitoba soil scientist. David Lobb said it is likely a bigger factor than wind or water erosion in terms of productivity loss on farmland. Conservation tillage practices can make it worse, he added. Lobb acknowledged that his views, which are […] Read more
Scientists lament lack of excitement over soil
Deserves better reputation | All the food we eat is grown in soil but urban sprawl is covering over that land, says scientist
They’re a soiled bunch, these scientists and researchers who have been meeting annually for 50 years. And they were at it again recently as they met at the Alberta Soil Science Workshop to discuss a subject the general public often takes for granted. Jim Robertson, University of Alberta professor emeritus in soil science, knows soil […] Read moreFertilizer initiative promotes responsible, efficient use
Sustainability protocols | Food supply chains want assurance of management practices
The three Rs are paramount in elementary school, but the Canadian Fertilizer Institute has taken it one R further. The 4R Nutrient Stewardship project is underway in four Canadian locations and three more in the United States. It refers to the right fertilizer applied at the right rate, right time and right place. Clive Graham, […] Read more
Earth moving boosts productivity
What goes down should go up | Sloped fields can experience tillage erosion unless soil is shifted from the bottom to the top
CALGARY — Soil movement from higher spots to lower spots in a field lowers production potential and increases variability. What can be done about it? University of Manitoba soil scientist David Lobb has numerous suggestions, the most drastic of which is to move soil from the bottom of slopes back to the top. Lobb told […] Read more
