Clubroot continues to devastate Alberta canola fields, says a university professor co-ordinating surveys for the disease. Stephen Strelkov of the University of Alberta said the canola disease has been detected in at least 10 counties from central Alberta to the south. It has been confirmed in at least 170 fields, mostly in the four counties […] Read more
Stories by Mary MacArthur
Producers urged to take steps to protect feed from wildlife
Two warm winters earlier this decade have created a mini baby boom for deer, elk and moose in Alberta and a big headache for farmers trying to keep them away from feed, says a spokesperson for the provincial sustainable resource development department. “It’s a big problem, especially with the increased moose, deer and elk population […] Read more
Critics slam Alta. farm fuel plan
The Alberta government knew about problems with the $100 million a year farm fuel benefit program for more than a decade but sat on internal reports of the problem, the Liberal agriculture critic has charged. A 1999 Alberta Agriculture report identified serious flaws in the system, including which farmers were eligible for the program and […] Read more
Alta. dumps wind power hurdle
A breath of fresh air blew the cap off the amount of energy that can be generated in Alberta from wind. Before last week’s change, the province’s wind turbines were collectively not allowed to produce more than 900 megawatts of power until the operator of the province’s electrical grid could get an understanding of how […] Read more
Alberta expands succession expertise
About $1.5 million in provincial funding is designed to provide rural Albertans with better access to information about succession planning. The money is part of a $100 million Rural Alberta Development Fund established a year ago to spark innovation and growth in rural areas. The latest project will provide people outside Calgary and Edmonton with […] Read more
Olymel abandons hog pricing plan
Alberta hog producers are breathing a sigh of relief after pork processor Olymel reversed a decision to reduce the price it pays producers by $12 a hog when their contracts came up for renewal. Instead, the Quebec company will offer pork producers three cents below the Iowa-Minnesota price, which works out to four cents less […] Read more
Nothing goes to waste in elk farming
PEACE RIVER, Alta. – In 2000, Dave and Rhonda Kehler traded their beef cattle for elk. Tired of the cattle industry’s feast or famine cycles, the couple wanted something more secure. They weren’t counting on the dramatic drop in elk velvet prices that pushed hundreds of producers out of the business, but they believed there […] Read more
Plan, plant and prune to keep trees healthy
GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. – Wide spacing between shelterbelt trees is an easy way to keep pests away, said a woodlot specialist during a shelterbelt workshop. Shelterbelt trees should be at least 3.6 metres apart to allow trees to grow tall and healthy, said Doug Macaulay with Alberta Agriculture. “When they’re 10 years old and growing […] Read more
On-line courses open doors, offer flexibility for students
Shauna Wagner earned an agriculture financial certificate from Olds College in Olds, Alta., without leaving her farm in southern Saskatchewan. Wagner is one of a growing number of students who are forgoing desks, chalkboard and campus life for the virtual classroom. Almost 5,200 students are registered for classes this year through eCampus Alberta, a partnership […] Read more
Almanac predicts more than weather
Nearly all of southern Canada will have above normal temperatures this winter and below normal temperatures in most of the north, predicts the Canadian edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Come summer 2008, western portions of the country can expect scorching heat, while much of the eastern half of the country will have cooler-than-normal temperatures. […] Read more
