Tracking pigs in Canada will become mandatory in July, as will the establishment of a national swine traceability system. Changes to Canadian animal health regulations to amend the laws were published in the Canada Gazette at the end of February. In a news release, the Canadian Pork Council said it has worked closely with producers […] Read more
Stories by Mary MacArthur
Railways need to pay for bad grain service: Alberta
Railroads should be forced to feel the financial pain, just like farmers and grain companies, when they don’t meet grain shipment obligations, said Alberta’s agriculture minister. Verlyn Olson said rail companies need to be made accountable for their poor grain service this winter. “The consequences for inadequate service need to be immediate and shared by […] Read more
Producers urged to document hog movement in PED fight
Alberta Pork is recommending producers document and trace all the movements of their hogs in an effort to protect their farms from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. “In the face of a potential PEDv outbreak in Alberta, it is strongly recommended by Alberta Pork that all swine movements be manifested and reported to the Alberta Pork […] Read more
Variable rates show no benefit
CALGARY — Eleven years of crop data from Montana shows that variable rate fertilizer application didn’t pay compared to conventional farming methods, says a U.S. Department of Agriculture researcher. Dan Long compared conventional nitrogen application and variable rate application in field scale trials at the University of Montana from 1993 to 2004. However, the information […] Read more
Knowledge is key to unlocking higher yields, says agronomist
CALGARY — Farmers are forgoing billions of dollars in lost yield by not embracing technology and the latest farming techniques, says a South Dakota State University agronomist. Gregg Carlson said technology is the key for farmers to remain competitive and enhance productivity. He blames lost yields on a lack of investment in agricultural education that […] Read more
Not all farmers embrace precision ag
‘Wait and see’ | Growers are interested but want to see evidence of long-term benefits
Calgary — Edgar Hammermeister doesn’t know how many farmers have fully embraced precision agricultural technology. “That’s a hard statistic to find. I would love to see one,” said Hammermeister, a producer from Alameda, Sask. He knows there is a high degree of adoption with autosteer, but he doesn’t know how many farmers are using variable […] Read more
Livestock, grain producers buy for different reasons
Equipment purchases | Survey gathers differences in equipment expectations of crop and livestock producers
Grain and cattle producers are like chalk and cheese when it comes to farm equipment. Livestock producers look for equipment that is easy to maintain and will last a long time, while grain producers rank reliability high on their list, said a Case IH survey of 800 American and Canadian farmers. “We’re a different breed,” […] Read moreHog barn proves handy solution for sheep flock
Producer hopes raising sheep indoors will reduce disease and increase productivity
TEES, Alta.— It still looks like a hog finisher barn on the outside, but inside there are now sheep instead of pigs. Nathanael Polson says he has eliminated predator and weather problems by moving his sheep into the barn north of Tees. “This barn was just perfect. Lambs seem to find ways to die outside. […] Read moreUrban, rural municipalities differ on changes to governance act
Rural Albertans need to speak out in support of their rural governments in upcoming Municipal Government Act sessions, said the head of the rural municipalities group. Bob Barss said rural municipalities are looking for different things in a new Municipal Government Act than urban municipalities. Urban governments would like to make it easier to absorb […] Read more
Rural Albertans urged to speak up during consultation sessions
Rural Albertans must make sure their support for their rural government is known during upcoming Municipal Government Act sessions, said the head of the rural municipalities group. Bob Barss said rural municipalities are looking for different things in a new Municipal Government Act than urban municipalities. Urban governments would like it easier to absorb land […] Read more
