Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials hope to wrap up a bovine tuberculosis investigation soon and release the remaining farms in Alberta and British Columbia from quarantine. “We’re well on the way to wrapping the major part of the investigation,” said CFIA veterinarian Dr. George Luterbach. “By far the majority of quarantines have been released. There […] Read more
Stories by Mary MacArthur
Internet ideal for touting tourism
Rural communities and farm-based businesses should embrace the internet to help spread their message, a Travel Alberta consultant told a rural tourism conference. Nancy Smith said the internet is not just for kids and it offers plenty of marketing opportunities. “On-line is critical to your success,” Smith told more than 200 people at the Growing […] Read more
Anticipate what travellers want
Baby boomers changed the rules of retirement and rural tourist operators may need to change how they operate to grab the boomers’ travel dollars, said a futurist. Baby boomers have done the cruise ships, have travelled to Italy and spent winters in Florida. Now they’re looking for something different, said Richard Worzel of Future Search, […] Read more
Grass seed acres to drop
It doesn’t take a clairvoyant to predict farmers will switch from forage seed to more lucrative grain and oilseed crops this year, says the project manager with Peace River Seed Co-op. “The grains and oilseeds are terribly attractive at this minute, and we don’t see too many acres of forage seeds going into the ground,” […] Read more
Fire destroys Alta. mushroom growing facility
One of Alberta’s largest mushroom farms has been destroyed by fire. Fire destroyed the main growing building at Prairie Mushrooms outside Edmonton. It took 60 firefighters more than six hours to get the blaze under control. The building contained several specially designed mushroom-growing rooms. Each contained mushroom beds filled with composted manure, which added a […] Read more
Trick riders help fulfil dream
EDMONTON – Trick riding sisters Krista and Amber Graham prove miracles do come true. Before a car accident in December paralyzed four-year-old Hanna Chilson from the waist down, the tiny horse lover dreamed of being a trick rider. Chilson practised her riding stunts hanging off the shopping cart in the grocery store or from anything […] Read more
Alta. premier set to take on the U.S.
EDMONTON – During a meeting with rural politicians, premier Ed Stelmach vowed to take a tough stand on U.S. policies hurting Alberta farmers. American country of origin labelling is little more than a trade barrier disguised as a food safety issue, the premier told the Alberta Association of Alberta Districts and Counties March 19. “Labelling […] Read more
Bison makes a comeback
INNISFAIL, Alta. – Linda Saunter doesn’t want to say it too loud in case she jinxes it, but things are looking good for the bison industry. Prices for the animals are rising and so is the demand. “The whole industry definitely has a brighter horizon than we’ve had in quite some time,” said Saunter, office […] Read more
Fraternity keeps country tone
EDMONTON – Inside a brown brick building, beside one of the country’s largest universities, is an agriculture oasis. Farm House, an agriculture fraternity, is a haven for farm kids at the University of Alberta. While Farm House doesn’t look much different than the rows of student housing beside the university, there are signs it’s a […] Read more
Parents must teach safety by example
DAYSLAND, Alta. – Farmers may say they work safely around farm machinery, but their children tell a different story. Debbie Kirk was shocked to hear some of the stories children shared with presenters during a farm safety day at Daysland School. “We’ve heard quite a few horror stories,” Kirk said part way through the morning’s […] Read more
