Producers raise the animals for their meat and fibre; they hope a Canadian organization will help build the industry
CASTOR, Alta. — The demand for yak meat, fibre and breeding stock keeps increasing and Jennifer Rath hopes a new yak association will connect producers and help continue the growth. “It will be some work to set up, but it will help create new breeders and help guarantee a meat market,” said Rath, owner of […] Read moreStories by Mary MacArthur
Drones used to assess wildlife crop damage
A pilot project to assess wildlife damage with drones by Agriculture Financial Services Corp. in Alberta’s Peace River district may help document crop damages and assist with timely crop loss assessments. David Tschetter, a farmer, drone operator and photographer with Shady Lane Hutterite Colony at Wanham, Alta., used drone footage on their farm and four […] Read more
What seed growers do when they need to grow
Businesses identify essentials and find creative solutions to rebuilding or renewing their yards and facilities
An aging seed cleaning plant forced the Watson family to choose between getting out of the seed business or looking at building a facility. The family have been seed growers since the 1960s but investing in a new seed plant was a big decision, said Mark Watson of Watson Seeds. “It was getting to the […] Read more
Canadian bison meat blocked from U.S. markets
Live animals still allowed but meat has been banned since U.S. started enforcing Amenable Species Act during the COVID-19 pandemic
CAMROSE, Alta. — A long forgotten American wildlife act that was dusted off during the COVID pandemic has blocked Canadian bison meat from entering the United States, costing Canadian producers millions of dollars. “Without access to the U.S. market, especially with bison trimmings, the Alberta industry will continue to have struggles and continue to have […] Read more
Research finds drone benefits for bison farms
New study determines that the ability to check on these big and volatile animals from afar increases efficiency and safety
CAMROSE, Alta. — There is plenty the two self-confessed cowboys don’t know about bison, but they do know technology used in other industries could be valuable bison management tools. “There are a lot of things the cattle industry has that could be beneficial to the bison industry. How can we gather that valuable data for […] Read more
Association membership reflects state of bison sector
High grain prices, drought and a closed U.S. border push prices lower and prompt many producers to sell their herds
CAMROSE, Alta. — A look at bison memberships across Canada may give a hint of the state of the bison industry. Across Canada, memberships in bison associations are down almost 16 percent, to 436 in 2023 from 518 in 2022. Doreen Neilley said the issue figures large at the Canadian Bison Association board meetings she […] Read more
Bison make their return to Alberta First Nation
Twenty Plains bison join the First Nation’s existing 24-head herd, recognizing the species’ importance to Indigenous people and culture
BITTERN LAKE, Alta. — After a pipe ceremony and to the beat of drums, 20 Plains bison were unloaded from a trailer to their new home on Samson Cree Nation. “Thank you for bringing our buffalo home. Let’s get them out of there. They’re home,” said chief Vern Saddleback Jr., just before 20 bison from […] Read more
Mead venture starts as calming hobby
A beekeeping hobby develops into a commercial operation supported by a greenhouse and the surrounding community
NEW SAREPTA, Alta. — What began as a calming hobby for Will Munsey has led to community connections, a new business and delicious mead. Munsey began with two beehives and slowly expanded to 12. To deal with the sweet success of his hobby, he needed a use for the excess honey and made his first […] Read more
Donating blood a family affair
CAMROSE, Alta. — Some Alberta families go fishing or tobogganing on Family Day, but the three Trautman siblings got together to donate blood. The trio booked their blood donation time together to celebrate sister Virginia Liebl’s 100th donation. It was brother Les Trautman’s 133rd blood donation and sister Margaret Shinness’s 119th. The family is following […] Read more
One stop for ag mental health
As part of her research, Linda Hunt wanted to know what mental health services were available to Alberta farmers and how they could be found. For the next few days, Hunt bounced between government and private agencies, associations and departments trying to piece together a picture of the available services for farmers. Farmers had told […] Read more
