Alfalfa seed growers want more weapons in their arsenal against alfalfa weevil and research now shows promising possibilities. The weevils can drastically reduce seed production, and populations in the Rosemary, Alta., region have become resistant to available pesticides. Paul Tiege, a research scientist with Olds College, has undertaken studies on other chemical options on behalf […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Irrigation makes the difference
Crops in southern Alberta are a study in contrasts this year. Those farming some of the region’s 1.4 million irrigated acres are looking at average yields. Those farming dry land acres are harvesting fields with much lower yields due to low rainfall since May. “I’m expecting 90 percent to 105 percent of average,” crop adviser […] Read more
More PED found in Manitoba
After a two-week lull in new cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in Manitoba, another barn tested positive Aug. 9 and brought the total number of infected premises to 61. Dr. Glen Duizer, Manitoba’s chief veterinarian, said the new case wasn’t unexpected, and efforts continue to contain further spread of the virus and eliminate it […] Read more
Getting into bison farming made easier thanks to mentors
Mentorship can be the difference between success and failure for young people who want to enter the ag industry
BIG SKY, Mont. — The topic comes up at most farm meetings: how can more young people be encouraged to enter the industry? For two younger producers at the International Bison Conference, mentorship was key. Southern Alberta bison producer Cody Spencer found his way into the business four years ago through Rick Mackenzie, a rancher […] Read more
Rail storage firm eyes agriculture
A new storage and mustering site will accommodate 300 rail cars by the end of this month when Alberta Midland Railway Terminal Ltd. opens its first phase in Lamont County northeast of Edmonton. And by this fall, likely sometime in October, the new terminal will have an 850-rail car capacity to serve private fleet owners […] Read more
Diamondback moths pressure canola growers
Diamondback moths are the big story in canola of late, says Canola Council of Canada agronomy specialist Keith Gabert. He said Aug. 4 that farmer queries about the pesky insects have dominated his voice mail in recent days, and problems have been reported from Calgary to Winnipeg. “We’re reminding (farmers) that there’s no better way […] Read more
Federal funding to help Canadian dairy producers prepare for CETA
Klaas Vanderveen is glad that details released Aug. 1 for the $250 million federal Dairy Farm Investment Program include funds for projects retroactive to November 2016. He began two months ago to install automated milkers at his dairy near Picture Butte, Alta. If his project qualifies for funding, the government could cover costs up to […] Read more
Albertans urged to report illegal garbage dumping
Is the August long weekend an ideal time to dump trash in Alberta’s camping regions? The provincial government says no. Definitely not. It reminded Albertans Aug. 3 to call the Report a Poacher hotline if they see any abuse of public land while they are out and about this weekend or at any time. In […] Read more
Display offers inside scoop on the workings of a bison
BOZEMAN, Mont. — A rare chance to see both the outside and the inside of a bison was offered to those who attended the International Bison Conference July 4-7. Dr. Don Woerner, a veterinarian from Billings, Montana, owns Ernie, a bison mounted so that it has its own hide and usual appearance on one side […] Read more
Fire risk keeps off-highway vehicles out of Alta. forests
Off-highway vehicles are temporarily banned from southern Alberta’s forest areas because of high fire risk. The Alberta government announced the ban today. It is the latest fire prevention measure imposed by the government, which has also prohibited open fires and campfires in campgrounds and suspended all fire permits in an area south of the Red […] Read more
