A retired farmer who lost her fight to save some of what she calls British Columbia’s best farmland says an important lesson Canadians need to learn is reflected in the title of a 40-year-old documentary. “It came from a quote I had said,” said Ruth Veiner. Related stories: ‘They can’t stop us’: farmers dig in […] Read more
Doug Ferguson
Stories by Doug Ferguson
Beef-solar relationship to be studied
Orienting solar panels vertically, like fences, is one option that will be explored at a new agrivoltaics research park
CALGARY — An agrivoltaics research park to be built this summer in Alberta is designed to explore how beef producers can maximize profits and improve pastures by using their land for both ranching and solar power generation. Traditional solar projects in the province allow livestock such as sheep to graze under solar panels to control […] Read more
Study searches for respiratory disease answers
A research project will look at how to improve the use of existing vaccines to immunize calves before they enter feedlots
CALGARY — Scientists want to improve the ability of calves to resist bovine respiratory disease during a “perfect storm” in their lives when they are particularly vulnerable to such infections. Calves transferred to feedlots from cow-calf operations aren’t old enough to have a fully developed immune system, said John Ellis, professor of veterinary microbiology at […] Read more
Alta. beef producers target checkoff
CALGARY — Alberta Beef Producers is going to take another run at making its checkoff non-refundable. Members passed a resolution at its recent annual meeting directing the organization to take steps to move away from a refundable checkoff. Related stories: Alta. beef producers reduce CCA contribution ABP ponders cut to CCA funding ABP check-off refunds […] Read more
Alta. program prepares for more drought
CALGARY – A five-year program will provide $125 million in drought and flood protection for Alberta municipalities and Indigenous communities as the province faces what could be its worst drought since 2001. “Today, due to a strong El Nino not seen in over seven years, we’re seeing warmer temperatures coupled with even less precipitation,” said […] Read more
Alta. Farm Animal Care closes doors
AFAC has been hit hard in recent months, including by a lack of government funding
CALGARY — An organization that has promoted responsible care of livestock in Alberta since 1993 has been forced to shut down due to lack of funding. “This is by no means the conclusion we wished to see happen, but the board feels this is the responsible action to follow,” said a statement March 1 by […] Read more
![Alberta will no longer allow such [wind and solar] projects on Class 1 and 2 land unless they can demonstrate crops and/or livestock can co-exist with them, said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. | Getty Images](https://static.producer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/29164059/solar-panels-GettyImages-1032683612-660x420.jpg)
Alta. solar policy puts farming first
CALGARY – The Alberta government will take an agriculture-first approach when farmland is proposed for solar and wind projects in the province, along with strengthening input by rural municipalities. “Our unique deregulated electricity market and competitive tax system mean that we are Canada’s hub for investment, and we want our province to remain the jurisdiction […] Read more
Alta. municipalities fight drought aid exclusion
MDs of Greenview and Lesser Slave River and Brazeau County left out of federal-provincial drought assistance program
CALGARY — Three rural municipalities in northern Alberta are fighting to get a financial lifeline for their livestock producers after being excluded from a federal-provincial drought assistance program. People are dropping out of the cattle industry because of ongoing dry conditions that are raising fears about the sector’s prospects this year, said beef producer Bill […] Read more
Alta. Fibre Week’s demise mourned
The fibre community says Olds College’s Fibre Week and master spinner and weaver programs helped bring it together
CALGARY — Olds College’s decision to phase out its master spinner and master weaver certificate programs as well as cancel Fibre Week is a major setback to Canada’s wool and fibre sector, says an advocate. “I think it’s a huge loss to the fleece community,” said Cathyrn Holowaychuk, who graduated from the master spinner program […] Read more
Unpaid energy property tax issue festers in Alta.
CALGARY — Oil and gas companies are continuing to profit from Alberta’s resource riches without paying hundreds of millions of dollars in rural property taxes, says a new survey of the province’s rural municipalities. A small segment of the energy industry is ignoring its community obligations while funneling profits to executives and shareholders, Paul McLauchlin, […] Read more
