CALGARY – Alberta forage producers want coverage for forages and straw under the Net Income Stabilization Account even though the provincial government plans to end contributions to the program at the end of the 1996 tax year. Lorene Cunningham of the forage council said federal and provincial officials will attend the council’s annual meeting Dec. […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Centre to explore property rights
CALGARY – The Western Stock Growers Association is proposing a property rights research centre that would involve private landowners, as well as leaseholders throughout North America. The group is planning a conference for the fall of 1997. Academics, producers and government officials would gather to discuss land tenure, the rights of owners and environmental protection […] Read more
Stock growers rail against proposed act
CALGARY – The Western Stock Growers Association wants major revisions to the proposed federal endangered species act. The Alberta-based cattlemen’s association is mainly concerned over possible interference with private property rights if a farmer or rancher happens to own land where endangered plants or animals are found. Norm Ward, vice-president of the stock growers, said […] Read more
AWP report card boasts top marks in revenue, profit
CALGARY – A financial turnaround for Alberta Wheat Pool has increased revenues, improved producer equity and straightened out its profit picture. Alberta Pool has released its annual report for the year ending July 31, 1996, giving more detail on what was its best result in more than 10 years. It had a net income of […] Read more
Farmers in court on grain export charges
Prairie farmers who crossed the border earlier this year without legal export permits are now appearing in court on charges. Thirty-one Saskatchewan farmers are scheduled to appear in Estevan Provincial Court this week, facing a total of 110 charges laid in connection with export of grain to the United States. The charges include failing to […] Read more
Alberta to open door on hog marketing
An open market for hog sales is coming to Alberta Dec. 2. The system will give producers several options: Sell hogs to the Alberta Pork Producers Development Corporation via its newly formed marketing division; sell directly to a packer; or sign a private contract. There will be a two-year trial followed by a producer vote […] Read more
Barley a tough sell
RED DEER, Alta. – Moving this year’s barley crop might be a tough sell for the Canadian Wheat Board. Forces outside the board’s influence, like European export subsidies, could turn this year’s sales program into a headache, said a barley marketing representative from Alberta Wheat Pool. Part of that pain was caused by a Nov. […] Read more
Wheat board official gives look inside sales agency
CALGARY – In the competitive world of the grain trade, the Canadian Wheat Board extracts top prices from buyers who know they must pay more for quality wheat. “You have to be hard-nosed about it. The buyer has to understand what his alternatives for that quality of grain are,” said Ward Weisensel, head of corporate […] Read more
Cows and Fish project
The Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Project, or Cows and Fish project is supported by provincial and federal agencies to manage waterways and their shorelines better. Support comes from the Alberta Cattle Commission, Trout Unlimited Canada, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Alberta Agriculture, Alberta Environment and the federal department of fisheries and oceans. Funding from the Canada-Alberta Environmentally […] Read more
Healthy streams, U-shaped channels
Biologist Lorne Fitch of Alberta Environment has some practical advice about how to salvage a damaged waterway. The goal is to create deep, U- shaped channels that look like cupped hands, he says. From a shallow trickle, they could achieve a depth of as much as 2.5 metres. As creeks and rivers are restored, the […] Read more
