An Alberta college noted for its cutting-edge smart farm plans to launch the first certificate program of its kind in Canada for indoor agriculture. There is a rising demand for skilled workers who can go beyond traditional horticulture to use advanced technologies, such as automation and robotics, said Jay Steeves, dean of the Werklund School […] Read more
Doug Ferguson
Stories by Doug Ferguson
New film about regenerative ag raises questions
A producer and an agrologist worry the documentary is misleading and will create unnecessary fear among consumers
A documentary promoting regenerative agriculture as the solution to what it sees as a global threat caused by the impact of farm chemicals on soil health is at times misleading and simplistic, said an agrologist. It isn’t a good idea to regard a single type of agriculture as a silver bullet for something as complicated […] Read more
High-tech grain grader wins people’s choice award
The AI and machine learning technology was a hit at Agri-Trade Equipment Expo’s recent Ag Innovations competition
RED DEER — A Saskatchewan company plans to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to give farmers and grain buyers an edge by boosting the accuracy and speed of how grain is graded. Ground Truth Ag is developing systems that could be used in places ranging from elevators to farms, including grain bins and combines […] Read more
Sawfly map shows insect hot spots in Sask.
Moderate to high levels of cutting from the pest were detected throughout the brown and dark brown soil zones
A free online map that alerts Saskatchewan farmers about the potential threat posed by wheat stem sawflies has been launched in the province. “A hot spot will show up as red, and then it goes into yellow and greens,” said Blair Goldade, executive director of the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat). “And the hotter […] Read more
Police seek help in bison investigation
CALGARY – The RCMP are asking for public assistance after receiving a complaint of a bison bull that had been shot, killed and mutilated in northern Saskatchewan. The animal was found in a pasture in the Rural Municipality of Medstead, which is northeast of North Battleford, said a statement by the RCMP. The complaint was […] Read more
Ranches reach conservation agreements in Alberta
New Nature Conservancy of Canada deals will preserve more than 6,178 acres of grassland in the Porcupine Hills
Three cattle ranches in operation for generations have joined a network of conserved lands in Alberta that protects grasslands essential to everything from watersheds to wildlife. “I think ranchers are what make these projects possible,” said Sean Feagan, media and communications co-ordinator for the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Alberta Region. “They’ve stewarded the land. They’ve […] Read more
Research looks for ways to assess heifer fertility
Project uses bolus technology to help identify the factors that producers could look for when acquiring replacements
A researcher wants to save cow-calf producers time and money by finding better ways for them to choose the best replacement heifers for their operations. “We want to know if we can assess something — some traits, some indicator — earlier in the season instead of having to wait until you turn them out with […] Read more
Alta. solar has small footprint
Researchers estimate a maximum of less than one tenth of one percent of all agricultural land in Alberta will be required for solar projects under a net zero future for the province’s electrical grid. The calculation assumes an extreme situation where the projects will be built solely on farmland, said associate professor Sara Hastings-Simon of […] Read more
Three films capture the magic of prairie grain elevators
Wooden grain elevators have been gone for such a long time from most of the Prairies that people may not remember something that now seems pretty obvious about the massive, iconic structures. They didn’t travel much. Related stories on this issue: Wheat Country film highlights the prairie gamble Wooden elevators an endangered species Town’s last […] Read more
Hub to study climate change’s effect on water
A UN University Hub focusing on water will be located at the University of Calgary to help communities adapt to changes
Bridging the gap between scientists and decision makers to better deal with the impact of climate change on water is one goal of a pioneering global initiative involving the University of Calgary. It has been named the home of the first United Nations University Hub in the world to focus on water, said Martyn Clark, […] Read more
