Young visitors to the Flittons’ Twin Valley Farms learn about irrigation, machinery, grain, livestock and ag technology
CHAMPION, Alta. — The grades 1 and 2 students from a Calgary school crowded around “Farmer Ryan” as he talked about the equipment used at Twin Valley Farms. “Just think, kids. When you grow up and finish college, you can buy a house. Or you can buy a sprayer!” It was an amusing moment for […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
VIDEO: Alberta auctioneer named Canadian champion
The key to being a good livestock auctioneer is simple, according to Canadian Livestock Auctioneer champion Ryan Konynenbelt. “There is no secret. Just do what you love to do.” He won the Canadian title earlier this month in competition held as part of the Livestock Markets Association of Canada annual convention. The Nobleford, Alta., resident […] Read more
CFIA studies use of insects as livestock feed
Different insects have different properties, and their desirability as a feed source depends on how they are reared
Insects are an important food source for other species in the food chain and they are now being more thoroughly explored as a nutrient source for livestock. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is studying the safety and efficacy of insect-derived feed ingredients and is accepting public comments on the concept until Aug. 17. “Feed ingredients […] Read more
Greenfeed deadline extended in Sask.
Rainfall across much of dry Saskatchewan came only days after the provincial and federal governments announced assistance for farmers affected by drought. It was a happy series of events for many producers worried about struggling crops and dry pasture conditions. Parts of the province have seen more than 100 millimetres of rain and showers persisted […] Read more
Drought forces producers to sell cattle
Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan asks government for a drought-related AgriRecovery assessment
Puddles. The sight of them in fields near Camrose, Alta., pleased Alberta rancher Brad Osadczuk as he drove home from last week’s Alberta Beef Producers meeting in Edmonton. He hasn’t seen a puddle since last year on his ranch near Jenner, Alta., the western side of a widespread drought affecting southeastern Alberta, most of Saskatchewan […] Read more
Net zero: Alta. town grasps electrical holy grail
Solar panels on almost all town-owned buildings allow Raymond to produce enough electricity to run its operations
RAYMOND, Alta. — A small Alberta town is the first in Canada and likely the first in North America to produce as much of its own electricity as required to run town operations. It’s called “net zero” as far as electricity is concerned and it has been achieved in Raymond, population about 4,000, by installing […] Read more
Wind power losing love in southern Alberta
Rural residents are starting to express concerns about the size, location and proliferation of turbines in the province
The persistent westerly winds in Alberta’s southwest are a blessing and a curse, depending on time of year and desired activity. Among those considering it a blessing are renewable energy development companies that have erected hundreds of wind turbines in the region, many of them in the Municipal District of Pincher Creek, where Alberta’s wind […] Read more
Foliar spray control of flea beetles gets a look by federal researchers
Uncertainty over the future availability of neonicotinoids as seed treatments to control flea beetles in canola continues to encourage more research into foliar insecticide applications and other methods to limit insect damage. Agriculture Canada research scientist Hector Carcamo discussed some of that research June 6 during a field day organized by the Farming Smarter applied […] Read more
Livestock producers ask for tax deferral program
Livestock groups are asking the federal government to provide a livestock tax deferral program again this year as drought conditions persist across a large swath of the Prairies. Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan listed that among its calls to government for assistance. The tax deferral provision allows producers in prescribed areas to defer a portion […] Read more
Producers want transport rule delay
New regulations will take effect early next year, but groups want to wait until current research results are available
New Canadian livestock transport regulations scheduled to take effect Feb. 20 continue to raise concern among livestock producers and commodity groups. Last week, delegates at the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association meeting directed their executive to lobby the federal government to delay implementation of the rule changes until the results of current animal transport research are […] Read more
