Bug experts say producers should be looking for cutworms and wireworms as the growing season gets underway. They say now is the best time to locate them, given that the worms become increasingly difficult to catch as times goes on. “This is the time of year to catch these pests red-handed,” said Haley Catton, a […] Read more
Jeremy Simes
Stories by Jeremy Simes
Elevator mural would make grand gesture
Picture an image of a farmer cupping soil between his hands while kneeling over the land. His parents and family are next to him, with crops beginning to emerge. Emile deMilliano would like this picture painted on a blank silo or grain elevator on the Prairies. It would be a grand gesture, he said, telling […] Read more
Alberta report shines spotlight on rural homelessness
The organization tasked with uncovering rural homelessness in Alberta suggested that up to one percent of the population is experiencing unstable housing in small communities. The findings, outlined in the Alberta Rural Development Network’s 40-page report released in late April, show there is an increasing need for more affordable housing in towns, villages and hamlets, […] Read more
Excitement builds for new elevator in northern Alberta
Excitement is growing in Alberta’s northernmost farming region over a new elevator that will add significant storage space. Richardson Pioneer’s new high throughput grain elevator in High Level, Alta., is expected to nearly quintuple storage capacity in the region, providing 32,000 tonnes of space. It will replace the company’s aging elevator in the community, which […] Read more
Alta. cuts regulations for low-risk food production
Alberta is changing regulations that will allow some food producers to sell low-risk products without being subject to inspections or permits. The government said today the changes will improve access to local food. Some small producers and processors have been advocating for regulatory changes, saying current rules bar them from being competitive in the market. […] Read more
Alta. local food council calls for better branding, food hubs
Alberta’s former local food council has put forward a number of recommendations it says will help bolster the sector. The recommendations were part of the council’s interim report, which was submitted in March 2019. The unreleased document was recently obtained by The Western Producer. Within the report, the council provided seven recommendations. It was mandated […] Read more
New Alta. ag research group takes root
A non-profit, farmer-led company responsible for doling out cash for agriculture research in Alberta has entered the start-up phase. Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) announced today that by the fall, it will begin directing $37 million annually to fund research. The dollars will come directly from government. “RDAR’s farmer-led approach to research investment is groundbreaking,” […] Read more
Seeding progress mostly ahead in Alberta
Alberta farmers have largely made significant seeding progress so far this year given favourable weather conditions over the past week. The latest crop report, published today, shows 61.8 percent of all crops have been seeded as of May 19. This is above the five-year average of 59.2 percent. It’s also well above 2017, which was […] Read more
CN reports flat revenues; company withdraws outlook
Canadian National Railway has reported that revenue during the first part of this year has remained flat after recovering from numerous issues in February. In its first-quarter fiscal update on April 27, CN said it generated roughly $3.55 billion in total revenue, while showing improvements in other financial metrics. JJ Ruest, president and chief executive […] Read more
BASF develops online tool to help families with farm safety
The company’s work with ag safety group is based on the expectation that there will be more children on the farm this year
The Canadian Agriculture Safety Association and BASF are digitally expanding farm safety resources for children. The new resource comes as the COVID-19 pandemic affects family life. With kids at home because of school closures, it’s expected more of them will be involved in activities on the farm, said Wayne Barton, the manager of research and […] Read more
