Mary MacArthur

When Case Slingerland combined his irrigated canola crop Sept. 2, the yield monitor in his combine sometimes jumped to more than 100 bushels per acre. “I’d be a little bit disappointed if it doesn’t go 90 bu. (on average),” said Slingerland of Picture Butte, Alta. A few days earlier the southern Alberta farmer combined another […] Read more

Changes to the rules allowing the import of live elk and deer into Alberta for the first time in 16 years is like an olive branch to other provinces and states, says the president of the Alberta Elk Commission. “It’s really a message about two-way trade,” said Glenda Elkow, an elk producer from Lloydminister, Alta. […] Read more

GLENDON, Alta. – What started as a bid to bring in a little extra spending money has mushroomed into a full-time job and a major income source for a northern Alberta farm woman. Each week Sharon Johnson travels to three farmer’s markets in her area selling fresh cream, cottage cheese, eggs, chicken, lamb and beef […] Read more

BASHAW, Alta. – One year ago it would be difficult to find anyone in Bashaw who had heard of the game of bunnock. Today, officials with the local agricultural society are hoping bunnock will help lead their town’s economic diversification. Bashaw used to be home to one of the few cheese plants on the Prairies, […] Read more

KILLAM, Alta. – Last fall Jim Dechaine of St. Lina, Alta., gambled that the American border would reopen. He delayed selling his calves in hopes of higher prices. This fall Dechaine is selling those calves. “I took a gamble on the fact the border would open and I got caught when it didn’t,” said Dechaine, […] Read more

COLD LAKE, Alta. – Despite three years of drought, grasshoppers and BSE, a northern Alberta couple believes there is still a future in farming. They plan on showing that support by buying more land and doubling their cattle operation. “I’m convinced it’s a good idea,” said Ron Brawn, sitting at the kitchen table after a […] Read more

The Alberta government plans to launch the province’s first school of veterinary medicine with a focus on diseases that can spread from animals to humans. With about 30 graduates a year, the three-year course, beginning in 2006, is expected to help reduce the shortage of large animal veterinarians in rural areas, said Daniel Joffe, president-elect […] Read more

GLENDON, Alta. – There’s little Canadians can do to open the American border to live cattle, but a good meal and a good visit can go a long way to helping people feel better. That idea sparked a group of northeastern Albertans to organize a day-long seminar to help cattle producers better deal with BSE. […] Read more

A program to promote Alberta produce in local restaurants was so successful, it’s running a second year. More than 70 Alberta restaurants have signed on to celebrate local produce through the Dine Alberta program. Under the program, Alberta Agriculture staff match high-end restaurants with farmers and ranchers who raise the produce, and then help promote […] Read more

While beef producers are getting together to plan and build more slaughter capacity, there is nothing proposed for the sheep industry, says the head of Saskatchewan’s Sheep Development Board. “If they did they could hardly justify one by themselves,” said Colleen Sawyer, who added the only option would be to build a plant with other […] Read more