An out-of-control blaze is said to have destroyed a farmyard and has forced producers to evacuate livestock
The massive wildfire in northern Alberta is reported to have destroyed one farmyard site and forced some producers to move their livestock. Grant Smith, the agriculture fieldman for Mackenzie County, said the fire destroyed about four or five structures in a farmyard in an area known as Tompkins Landing, but added that conditions have since […] Read moreAuthor Archives
Climate fund receives mixed farmer reviews
The program, funded by federal carbon tax, aims to help farms cut energy consumption; one farm group calls it a bribe
Producer groups are expressing both interest and criticism for a new federal program that aims to reduce energy consumption on farms, given the initiative is funded by the contentious carbon tax. The recently announced Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) program would allow farms in jurisdictions without a provincial carbon tax to undertake energy efficiency projects, […] Read more
Traceability changes could be costly
LEDUC, Alta. — The head of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency says changes to traceability regulations could cost $1.5 million, causing the organization to look for ways to recoup those dollars. Speaking June 1 at the Livestock Markets Association of Canada (LMAC) convention in Leduc, CCIA general manager Anne Brunet-Burgess said the high figure is […] Read more
Alberta ag minister focuses on market access
Devin Dreeshen says energy efficiency programming, farm labour and research funding will also be on his agenda
Alberta’s new agriculture minister plans to put market access on the front burner for the next four years, pushing for more openness despite lingering trade concerns. Devin Dreeshen said in an interview last week that even though the current trade environment is troubling, Alberta can still play a role in easing tensions. “The best thing […] Read more
Alberta trade mission planned for Japan, South Korea
Alberta’s trade minister will soon be off to Japan and South Korea to promote the province’s agriculture and forestry industry, aiming to expand market access and diversification. Tanya Fir will travel to Tokyo and Seoul from June 5-11. She is travelling on behalf of Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen. The province said in a news release […] Read more
Northern Alta. wildfire forces livestock to be moved
The massive wildfire burning in northern Alberta has forced some producers to move their livestock, causing them to take precautions in case the blaze approaches. Fewer than 100 animals, mostly cattle, were moved Wednesday night from an area known as Tompkins Landing, according to Grant Smith, the agriculture fieldman for Mackenzie County. He said the […] Read more
Documentary focuses on ag and climate change
From Seed to Seed follows a group of organic and regenerative Manitoba farmers throughout the growing season
Documentarian Katharina Stieffenhofer hopes her new film will get consumers to question the origins of their food, encouraging them to source products from regenerative and local farms. Her documentary, titled From Seed to Seed, follows the lives of Manitoba farmers who grow organically and undertake regenerative practices as their way to make their farms sustainable […] Read more
Farm safety and tax reforms part of Alta. throne speech
The speech says the new UCP government will bring forward the Farm Freedom and Safety Act this fall
Alberta farmers can expect the new United Conservative Party government to move on reducing tax burdens and reforming safety legislation as part of its mandate this year. The measures, outlined May 22 in the provincial throne speech, are expected to be introduced this fall and tabled as the Farm Freedom and Safety Act. The act […] Read moreAlberta’s carbon tax to wrap up May 30
The new United Conservative Party government in Alberta introduced legislation last week to kill the contentious carbon tax. The government says the tax will officially be scrapped on May 30 at 12:01 a.m. Premier Jason Kenney said the repeal will free up a tax burden of nearly $1.4 billion, as well as create 6,000 jobs, […] Read more
Feds must act on red tape
A new report urges the federal government to de-tangle its regulations on the country’s agri-food industry, hoping streamlined measures will increase the sector’s competitiveness. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce report, titled Cultivating Competitiveness, discusses the history of regulations on the industry and sets out clear actions the government must take to improve it. In summary, […] Read more
