American researchers explore how climate change affects soil properties and what farmers can do to manage the risks
Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, are looking at the long-term impacts of climate and soil properties on yields of corn, soybean, cotton and wheat across the United States. “At the same time that farmers are facing more extreme weather events caused by climate change, they are dealing with the growing problem of soil […] Read moreStories by Freelance writer
Researchers find roots’ secret to penetrating hard soil
Narrow roots more easily penetrate hard soil, which means breeding crops to foster this type of root could help boost crop productivity
Most scientists say climate change is altering heat cycles and rainfall patterns leading to harder, drier soils that challenge crop growth and yield. Hard soil caused by machinery compaction is compounding the problem. It can lead to yield reduction of some 25 percent and, when combined with drought, up to 75 percent. The problem is […] Read more
Man. mead company invites public to taste their product
Bee Boyzz Honey and Meadery owners offer tasting events at their shop, where participants learn about mead and bees
Julie and Kon Paseschnikoff, owners and operators of Bee Boyzz Honey and Meadery, took their bottled honey wines and canned craft meads to the Icelandic Festival in Gimli, Man., in early August and found a match made in heaven. Iceland, like many countries, has a history with mead, an alcoholic beverage made with fermented honey. […] Read more
Close-knit community gathers again
Manitoba Fibre Festival will mark its 10th anniversary when it returns after a two-year break prompted by COVID-19
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the Manitoba Fibre Festival is being held on Sept. 9-10 at Winnipeg’s Red River Exhibition Place. Festival co-ordinator Margaret Brook said she can hardly wait to see the many vendors, artisans, farmers and guests. “We are so glad to be celebrating our 10th year by getting […] Read more
Sask. food receives priority as market goes local
Small-town retailer aims to create a central hub for all that is local with a store, commercial kitchen and catering service
EMERALD PARK, Sask. — When Audra Hill completed her master’s degree with a project on the local food movement in 2020, she knew a fire had been lit. Equipped with a master’s in business and 15 years of experience in the corporate world, the then 34-year-old Saskatchewan native decided it was time to start an […] Read more
Girl misses out on her moment of glory
By the ripe old age of four I had concluded that I was the ugly duckling in the family, so woefully lacking in good looks nobody had dared to risk their camera to take a baby picture of me. Either that, or they wanted to spare me the pain of comparing my baby picture to […] Read more
Scientists place soil microbes under surveillance
A technique to track microbes helps scientists better understand the strategies different microbes use to process carbon
Studying soil microbes is extremely difficult considering how tiny they are and how many there are. Not enough is known about their needs to grow them in a lab. Yet these microscopic organisms contribute to the global carbon cycle and are essential to the health of the biosphere. Recently, researchers at Cornell University in New […] Read more
Public considers calf age in views on slaughter
Survey finds practice is generally acceptable, but the age of the calf when it is slaughtered influences opinions
What happens to surplus or unwanted calves in the dairy industry and what is the public’s attitude to that? Those are questions on a recent survey conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia, who wanted to assess public attitudes toward how surplus dairy calves are managed and how calf management practices influence these […] Read more
Farmer actions in disease outbreaks called vital
Research identifies what producers can do during an outbreak to slow spread of infection and reduce disease impacts
The control of livestock infectious diseases often depends on appropriate policy guidelines and control measures. But recent research at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom underscores the importance of the farmer’s role in controlling disease outbreaks and protecting the national herd through local control. An example of protection at the individual level is […] Read more
Food display brings ‘I didn’t know that’ moments
The new Ag for Life trailer is designed to educate the public about the advances that have been made in Alta. agriculture
EDMONTON — As Wren Harder-Tessier and his mom Ann-Marie Harder walk through an agriculture education trailer, a few things surprise the pair. “I didn’t know ostriches and emus were farmed commercially,” said Harder-Tessier, who had seen the large birds at fairs. His mom also was surprised that some of the sugar on her kitchen table […] Read more
