Landowners concerned about project $8 billion facility would be the third hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River
An environmental review of the proposed Site C hydroelectric dam is as murky as the Peace River on which it would be built. The Joint Review Panel found that the benefit of British Columbia Hydro’s proposed 1,100 megawatt hydroelectric generating station is clear. It would provide large and long-term energy for future generations with the […] Read moreStories by Mary MacArthur
Alberta guide addresses landowner questions
EDMONTON — Confused about property rights in Alberta? So are a lot of people. A Guide to Property Rights in Alberta, was released during the Alberta Land Institute conference May 7. “There is a great deal of confusion among Albertans as to which expectations, with respect to land, are going to be protected,” co-author Eran […] Read more
B.C. tweaks ALR reform details but provincial zones to remain
Hundreds of letters and petitions have forced the British Columbia government to change how it will reform the Agricultural Land Reserve. “The comments were as diverse as the province itself,” said agriculture minister Norm Letnick. Despite the letters of protest, the province will stick with its controversial decision to divide the province into two zones. […] Read more
Report finds pros and cons to Peace River dam
An environmental review of the proposed Site C hydroelectric dam on the Peace River is as murky as the river. The Joint Review Panel said the benefits of BC Hydro’s proposed 1,100-megawatt hydroelectric generating station are clear. The project would provide large and long-term energy for future generations with the least greenhouse gas emissions of […] Read more
Wolf management plan ‘realistic’
Differing views | Some see wolves as a heritage species but producers say they threaten livelihoods
A new wolf management plan in British Columbia hopes to strike the right balance between conservation and control. The plan, which was released in April, tries to create a “realistic and pragmatic” program that balances the need for conservation in some areas and a recognition that wolves can cause serious problems for livestock producers and […] Read more
Trainer uses gentle touch to earn horse’s respect
Body language key | Trainer uses round pen to build relationship between horse and rider
RED DEER — The most important message from Russ Krachun’s horse training clinics isn’t about hand position or leg aids — it’s love. “Everything comes from your heart,” said Krachun, one of three trainers who competed in the trainers’ challenge at the Mane Event horse expo and show in Red Deer. “If you want to […] Read more
Horses used to help disabled soldiers
Improve communication | Helps deal with post traumatic stress disorder
RED DEER — Communication between couples can be tough, but it often breaks down along with the marriage when one of the partners returns home from war with post traumatic stress disorder. A new program based in Rocky Mountain House, Alta., uses horses to restart communication between soldiers and spouses and begin the healing process, […] Read moreClubroot in resistant canola?
Erosion of resistance? | Researchers don’t know if it is a new virulent phenotype of clubroot
The discovery of a possible new strain of clubroot in two fields in the Edmonton area is raising concerns that resistance is already breaking down in new clubroot resistant canola varieties. Stephen Strelkov, a plant pathologist with the University of Alberta, said clubroot galls collected from fields in the Edmonton area and regrown and tested […] Read moreExperts study bacteria to create vaccine
The old saying, “you need to learn to walk before you run,” is apt in vaccine research. Researchers hope to discover how a bacteria interacts with the cells of pigs’ intestines before trying to develop a vaccine to halt the disease it causes, which is still unnamed. “We start with an understanding of what is […] Read more
Wireworm samples wanted
Prairie farmers are asked to send samples of wireworms to researchers looking for an effective way to control this growing pest problem. Alberta Agriculture crop specialist Neil Whatley said wireworm numbers have steadily increased in prairie soil since the federal government banned lindane in 2004. There are more than 30 species of wireworm in Canada, […] Read more
