A former American slave who became an Alberta icon because of his skills as a cowboy and rancher helped inspire a black filmmaker to understand her own place in the real history of Western Canada. “It was very confusing for me as a child to be aware that black roots in the country were long […] Read more
Doug Ferguson
Stories by Doug Ferguson
More strategic planning urged for trade infrastructure
Canada moved from being in the world’s top 10 in 2009 in terms of transportation infrastructure to 32nd place in 2019
CALGARY — Canada needs to get off its “whack-a-mole treadmill” and take national co-ordinated action to reverse a years-long decline in its transportation infrastructure system that producers rely on to reach global markets, says an expert. “Canada is unique among major exporting countries in not having this … national capacity to understand our system and […] Read more
‘Simple solution’ helps to connect trailers
CALGARY — It’s a pretty good bet an invention has a good chance of being successful when a video about it is posted to Facebook and unexpectedly gets millions of views from around the world. That’s what happened to Real Garant of Donnelly, Alta., after he created a device aimed at solving a problem faced […] Read more
Canadian quantum-sensing startup receives Deere nod
John Deere’s Startup Collaborator program helps new companies develop and explore innovative technology
CALGARY — A Canadian firm that uses quantum sensing to improve navigation for autonomous vehicles is among six start-up companies from around the world that will be collaborating with John Deere. “This is a perfect opportunity to find a technology that’s really interesting that may have a large application to solving customer problems that are […] Read more
Research would look for low-emitters
Scientists apply for federal funding to look for molecular breeding values for genetic traits that reduce methane
CALGARY — A proposed multimillion-dollar national research program will seek to help beef producers breed cattle that emit less methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas linked to climate change. “This is a substantial investment,” said John Basarab, head of beef operations at Livestock Gentec. Related stories: Genetic tool recognized for reducing emissions Beef research […] Read more
More ag investment urged
CALGARY — Canada must strengthen its public and private funding for research and development of innovation in the agri-food industry if the sector is to remain competitive with rival exporting nations, warned an expert. Public funding for such innovation in Canada has fallen to seventh in the world at 0.046 percent of gross domestic product, […] Read more
Appeal process put in place for Alta. biodigester
Mediation is planned for spring; if unsuccessful, it will be followed by an Environmental Appeals Board public hearing
CALGARY — One of the people fighting the Alberta government’s approval of a proposed $70 million biodigester doesn’t expect much will come of provincial mediation slated for May 30 as part of the appeal process. “I think for the whole group, there’s just too many concerns involved,” said Benita Estes. Related stories: Alta. residents to […] Read more
Farms may store as much carbon as oilsands emit: expert
The ability to measure carbon sequestration from the air will give producers a better idea of what’s stored in their soil
CALGARY — Scientists suspect prairie producers are sequestering as much carbon in their fields as is being emitted by Alberta’s oilsands. Researchers may soon be able to measure and verify carbon sequestration more accurately and easily from above, said Lenore Newman, director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley […] Read more
Signs point to better weather
CALGARY — The weather cycle that brought drought to the Prairies during the past few years will slowly change for the better, a meteorologist predicts. However, Drew Lerner, president and senior agricultural meteorologist at World Weather, Inc., says there could be challenges ahead for producers. This year could be better for some farmers and ranchers […] Read more
![“It’s unbelievable the amount of [fraud] cases that have come through our organization in the last year and a half,” said Jonathan Neutens, head of agriculture at ATB Financial. “I don’t know what the percentage would be, but it’s large.” | Getty Images](https://static.producer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/07152827/01-cyber-fraud-Getty-Images-660x420.jpg)
Stop using cheques, farmers urged
CALGARY — An expert urges farmers and agri-businesses to protect themselves from rising levels of financial fraud that have cost some producers tens of thousands of dollars. “It’s unbelievable the amount of cases that have come through our organization in the last year and a half,” said Jonathan Neutens, head of agriculture at ATB Financial. […] Read more
