Pea leaf weevil is munching its way through pea crops to the point where at least one farmer near Fort Macleod, Alta., is considering plowing up the stand. Hector Carcamo, an entomologist and senior researcher at Agriculture Canada in Lethbridge, advises against that. “Never plow your field (of peas) even if it looks this bad,” […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Alberta gov’t waives fees for green certificate ag programs to boost employment in ag sector
Participants in Alberta Green Certificate agricultural programs will have course fees covered by the provincial government as of this fall. The green certificate program was established in 1975 through the agriculture department to address labour market needs for the sector. Students can enroll in 10 programs: beekeeper production technician cow-calf beef production technician dairy production […] Read more
PED spreads in Manitoba
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has infected 10 southeastern Manitoba hog operations since April 29 and producers of the estimated 45 other operations within five kilometres of those barns are on high alert. Dr. Glen Duizer of the Manitoba chief veterinary office said June 2 that six infected farms, two of them farrow operations and four […] Read more
Getting the dirt on quality soil
Tour participants had their heads in the sand and that was the point. It was the Alberta Soils Tour of the Athabasca oilsands region, planned for last year, postponed because of fire and reorganized May 29-31. Farmers are interested in soil and many have spent time in the Fort McMurray region earning money to support […] Read more
Green certificate ag programs made free in Alta.
Participants in Alberta Green Certificate agricultural programs will have course fees covered by the provincial government as of this fall. The green certificate program was established in 1975 through the agriculture department to address labour market needs for the sector. Students can enroll in 10 programs: • beekeeper production technician • cow-calf beef production technician […] Read more
PEDv strikes Manitoba hog barns
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has infected 10 southeastern Manitoba hog operations since April 29 and producers of the estimated 45 other operations within five kilometres of those barns are on high alert. Dr. Glen Duizer of the Manitoba chief veterinary office, said June 2 that six infected farms, two of them farrow operations and four […] Read more
New guide helps identify cutworms
This is the time to scout fields for cutworms, and this year farmers have a new resource to help them identify type. Twenty-one species are itemized in Cutworm Pests of Crops on the Canadian Prairies, an identification and management field guide prepared by Agriculture Canada entomologist and researcher Kevin Floate. About seven of those species […] Read more
Alberta plans loans to speed well reclamation
A loan to Alberta’s Orphan Well Association is being proposed by the Alberta government to assist in reclaiming about 152,000 abandoned or inactive oil and gas sites. The government proposes to borrow $235 million for the loan and provide it to the OWA at a more favourable interest rate than it could access on its […] Read more
Alberta farm workers gain the right to unionize: what happens now?
Provincial government’s Fair and Family friendly Workplaces Act will affect non-family paid workers on farms and ranches
Farm workers in Alberta will have the option to unionize once new provincial government labour legislation is passed. Labour minister Christina Gray announced amendments May 24 to the labour relations code and the employment standards code, dubbed the Fair and Family-friendly Workplaces Act. The amendments reach into all employment sectors in the province and some […] Read more
Native forages a valuable pasture resource
Simple mix (7 species):
The resilience, longevity and adaptability of native forages make them an important grazing resource for prairie cattle producers. Even so, the value of native versus tame forages can generate controversy, says Agriculture Canada grazing management specialist Alan Iwaasa. It’s a controversy he avoids, but he has focused his research on letting Mother Nature do much […] Read more
