Southern Alberta canal was accused at the time of ‘lacking in friendlyness,’ but a friendlier mood eventually prevailed
MILK RIVER, Alta. — The southern Alberta prairie is gradually reclaiming a humble-looking trench built more than 100 years ago to ensure farmers in the Milk River region were able to draw water and irrigate their land. At the time, its construction created an international incident but it ultimately led to a long-standing historical agreement […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
China links ASF to infected meat
An international forum on African swine fever held in Ottawa also discussed zoning and compartmentalization tactics
Chinese officials believe that African swine fever entered the country with people who brought in meat infected with the virus. Since then, the highly infectious animal disease has killed millions of pigs in China and caused the eradication of many more as the country attempts to control and eradicate it. The presumed source of China’s […] Read more
Ag plastic container recovery aims higher
Cleanfarms collects 65 percent of the chemical jugs used on farms, compared to a 94 percent collection rate in Brazil
A 65 percent recovery rate on empty plastic farm chemical containers destined for recycling has spurred Cleanfarms to aim even higher. It wants to collect and recycle 100 percent of the plastic jugs used on Canadian farms, which would be a fitting celebration to recognize 30 years of voluntary agricultural jug collection. “A lot of […] Read more
Never too young for the show ring
The Chinook Junior Livestock Show in Claresholm, Alta., provides young people a unique opportunity to hone their skills
CLARESHOLM, Alta. — Put 175 kids and 196 head of cattle into one big building and what do you get? Controlled chaos and a wide array of learning experiences for today’s young people. That is the scenario at the Chinook Junior Livestock Show, which held its 24th annual event April 24 at the Claresholm Agriplex. […] Read more
Conservation trust funds pasture project
Pasture health improvements are in store for the Kirkella Community Pasture near Virden, Man., using recently announced conservation trust funding. The $100,000 allocated through the new provincial conservation trust will be used to enhance grassland habitat in various ways. “The first step, I guess, is we’re going to have a pasture assessment done and we’re […] Read more
Quality water important for cattle on pasture
Risks to cattle increase as sulfate concentrations in water rises.
A quality water supply is a key component of pasture health where cows and calves are expected to thrive during the grazing season. Water intake affects feed intake, nutrient absorption, weight gain, milk production, fertility and temperature regulation in cattle, and cows need nine to 21 gallons of good water per day, depending on lactation […] Read more
Alberta rancher defies history to run for NDP
Fourth generation producer Cam Gardner says choice of party based largely on admiration for Premier Rachel Notley
Cam Gardner is a self-described unicorn. As a fourth-generation southern Alberta rancher in a region that has elected right-of-centre candidates for 50 years, he is running as the NDP candidate for Livingstone Macleod in the provincial election. It makes him a rarity. The constituency stretches from north of High River, west to the British Columbia […] Read more
VIDEO: Ag Canada researchers focus on biobeds
Rinse water from sprayers can be applied to a biobed, where the residual chemicals are digested by bacteria and fungi
The biobed recipe for handling pesticide rinsate is surprisingly simple: take soil from your fields, mix it with straw, woodchips or peat moss, put it in a large open bin or bed, add sprayer rinse water collected in a holding tank, and wait. That’s the process at its most basic, although a dual bin or […] Read more
Artificial cow pies used in worm research
‘Rain’ will be applied to test subjects in a greenhouse to see how it affects worm movement away from fecal deposits
The life of a scientist can lack glamour. Case in point, the need to create artificial cow pies for use in research on parasitic roundworms. Such was the task of Agriculture Canada research scientist Doug Colwell and colleagues at the Lethbridge Research Centre. They are responsible for one part of a larger study headed by […] Read more
Alta. greenhouse embraces organic
On the Farm: Denise and Andrew Mans run their operation so that it emphasizes health, tradition and family
COALDALE, Alta. — Nature and nurture are both fully employed at the Mans Organics greenhouse and farm north of this southern Alberta town. In the 45,000 sq. foot greenhouse and on the 100-acre irrigated farm, soil health, plant health and the interaction of insects, fungi and water are closely watched. “We’re just a tiny farm […] Read more
