NISKU, Alta. — A live test for chronic wasting disease will help elk producers manage the disease so that they will no longer need to kill an entire herd in the search for additional cases, said the chair of the Elk Research Foundation. “This is an important development in our industry,” said Harvey Petracek, a […] Read more
Stories by Freelance writer
Unique hobby keeps retiree sharp
Former U of A range management specialist turns native wood and steel from farm machinery into custom bush knives
On an acreage southeast of Edmonton, Barry Irving builds custom bush knives with unique handles and all are made from native wood he has collected from around North America. During his career as a range management specialist at the University of Alberta, Irving, now retired, was the former manager of the University of Alberta’s Rob […] Read more
Yak breeders plan new association
Producers raise the animals for their meat and fibre; they hope a Canadian organization will help build the industry
CASTOR, Alta. — The demand for yak meat, fibre and breeding stock keeps increasing and Jennifer Rath hopes a new yak association will connect producers and help continue the growth. “It will be some work to set up, but it will help create new breeders and help guarantee a meat market,” said Rath, owner of […] Read more
Hops grower builds demand
Beyond yeast, it is hops that give beer its unique flavour. That’s where Northernhawk Hops Garden comes in. Rab Jordan, co-owner of Northernhawk Hops, near Beaumont, Alta., worked hops gardens in the United Kingdom in his youth. When he came to Canada, he teamed up with Franc Parker to establish their hops growing operation. “(We) […] Read more
Search for healing led to mushrooms
Research into natural healing remedies following an accident turned up lion’s mane, eventually growing into a business
Mushrooms are delicate. The conditions for growing any species of mushroom have to be just right to get a decent harvest. Recreating this environment in an indoor setting can have benefits and challenges but Jack Martin has achieved this and has made a thriving business out of growing several varieties of mushrooms in his indoor […] Read more
Market garden business built on urban backyards
Big-city market gardeners put together a network of homeowners willing to let them grow vegetables on their property
The idea of urban farming is not new, but Pleasantdale, Sask., resident Wally Satzewich has not only made a business out of it, but has been training others to do the same, with his SPIN Farming market garden business model. SPIN, which stands for Small Plot INtensive farming, is a model Satzewich formulated during the […] Read more
Drones used to assess wildlife crop damage
A pilot project to assess wildlife damage with drones by Agriculture Financial Services Corp. in Alberta’s Peace River district may help document crop damages and assist with timely crop loss assessments. David Tschetter, a farmer, drone operator and photographer with Shady Lane Hutterite Colony at Wanham, Alta., used drone footage on their farm and four […] Read more
What seed growers do when they need to grow
Businesses identify essentials and find creative solutions to rebuilding or renewing their yards and facilities
An aging seed cleaning plant forced the Watson family to choose between getting out of the seed business or looking at building a facility. The family have been seed growers since the 1960s but investing in a new seed plant was a big decision, said Mark Watson of Watson Seeds. “It was getting to the […] Read more
Canadian bison meat blocked from U.S. markets
Live animals still allowed but meat has been banned since U.S. started enforcing Amenable Species Act during the COVID-19 pandemic
CAMROSE, Alta. — A long forgotten American wildlife act that was dusted off during the COVID pandemic has blocked Canadian bison meat from entering the United States, costing Canadian producers millions of dollars. “Without access to the U.S. market, especially with bison trimmings, the Alberta industry will continue to have struggles and continue to have […] Read more
Research finds drone benefits for bison farms
New study determines that the ability to check on these big and volatile animals from afar increases efficiency and safety
CAMROSE, Alta. — There is plenty the two self-confessed cowboys don’t know about bison, but they do know technology used in other industries could be valuable bison management tools. “There are a lot of things the cattle industry has that could be beneficial to the bison industry. How can we gather that valuable data for […] Read more
