Mary MacArthur

CLEARDALE, Alta. – This spring Stan and Cindy Braim made a tough decision. After 23 years of farming, they quit. Farm life was good, but for the past four years the couple has been unable to make money. They’ve seen their earnings disappear like thistledown in a wind. The Braims like to farm, but they’re […] Read more

FAIRVIEW, Alta. – A group of producers is exploring the idea of building a new generation co-op slaughter plant in Alberta’s Peace River area. “The support has been pretty much overwhelming,” said Neil Peacock, who is leading the drive to raise membership in the co-op that would build the multi-species plant. Depending on producer support, […] Read more

RED DEER – Saving money happens at two places in the hog business, says an American hog adviser. It can occur when producers buy inputs or pay for construction, Gary Dial told a group of producers at a hog conference on finding money in the hog business. Savings can also occur in the barn when […] Read more

RED DEER – Like any good financial planner, John Patience believes in the importance of budgets. The Prairie Swine Centre researcher knows a good budget can point out where money is leaking. It can show whether some pigs are being overfed and money is being wasted. “Feed budgets have the potential to be extremely useful […] Read more

NamaO, Alta. – Farmers don’t get to spend much time at the lake, but Alberta farmer Larry Bokenfohr made good use of his break one weekend. That was when the seed was planted that he could create a better board game than the one he was playing. When Bokenfohr said he could do better, his […] Read more

Poultry producers across the Prairies have boosted their biosecurity measures to stop the spread of avian flu that is devastating flocks in southern British Columbia. Even though the Rocky Mountains and thousands of kilometres divide B.C. and prairie producers, the possibility of avian flu finding its way into prairie barns is a serious concern, said […] Read more

It took a former cattle producer to question why there wasn’t a feeder association for pigs. Grant Mann, head of the Peace Country Pork Management Group, said the idea of creating a feeder association for pigs came out of the frustration of trying to raise money to build hog barns and buy the hogs to […] Read more

NEW NORWAY, Alta. – A central Alberta farmer thinks he has designed the perfect farm motor home. For almost 10 years Robert Snider has been modifying his combination grain truck and motor home during his winter vacations. In the winter, he winches a modified camper trailer onto the back of his grain truck to head […] Read more

RED DEER – Grandma’s advice to look after the pennies and the dollars will look after themselves can be applied to the pork business. Money isn’t easy to make in the pig business, but several small changes can add up to big savings, said Lee Whittington of the Prairie Swine Centre in Saskatoon. “We’re not […] Read more

EDMONTON – If the planets align and gas prices stay high, Alberta is set to be debt free in 2005, just in time for Alberta’s 100th birthday and the next provincial election. Alberta finance minister Pat Nelson released the province’s 11th straight balanced budget March 24, which some critics suggest deliberately underestimates the revenue forecasts […] Read more