Penny Yeager

If more farmers would take as much time signing their surface rights leases as they do shopping for machinery, fewer conflicts would arise, according to a Farmers’ Advocate official. “I know of farmers who spend days before they buy a $500 welder but sign a surface lease for a well site at the kitchen sink […] Read more

Alberta oil and gas companies drilling new wells should have to give counties a $50,000 bond for each well, according to some county councillors. “That would stop the fly by nighters,” said Francis Spruyt, County of Camrose, Alta., councillor. It would be the best way to ensure companies don’t cease activity on unprofitable wells and […] Read more

Elk Island National Park has more money in its coffers after selling 30 wood bison. The sale, held March 4 at Moore’s Auctioneering in Alder Flats, Alta., generated $198,300, said park warden Wes Olson. “There was a lot of enthusiasm. People were pretty proud to get a wood bison.” About 50 bidders braved icy area […] Read more

Turkey producers and processors across the country will spend $2 million over the next two years to tempt consumers to buy more of the poultry. “We’re not satisfied with the per capita consumption for turkey. It hasn’t matched that of the other poultry meats, namely chicken,” said Dale Enarson, chair of the Alberta Turkey Producers […] Read more

It’s 10:30 a.m. You’re away from home. Do you know where your grain is? That’s the question Brent Tarasoff, United Farmers of Alberta field representative, asked a group of farmers attending the company’s February Grain Safety Congress. About one-third of farmers said they had recently checked their stash. “I think that theft is more common […] Read more

Insects can take huge chunks from profits on stored grain, and more producers should check for them, says the Canadian Grain Commission’s entymologist. “Insects are a nuisance but pay attention to it because the bottom line is that there is going to be another cost to you. You should find out what those costs are […] Read more

EDMONTON – Members of a ranching organization think public access cards are the ideal way to manage recreation on land leased from the Alberta crown. But when the Western Stock Growers’ Association members presented that idea to an Alberta agriculture committee meeting on Feb. 22, environment minister Ty Lund strongly objected. “I can tell you […] Read more

U-pick operations can be more profitable than ever this year but berry producers have to pay attention to consumer demand. “It’s been a real shock to go from a production-driven mentality to a market-driven one,” said Betty Vladicka, horticulture development officer with Alberta Agriculture. The good news for berry producers is that consumers are eating […] Read more

An ex-employee at a major hog farm near Rivers, Man., allegedly bilked the company of $275,000. Patricia Cavelle Bittle, 39, was charged this month with theft over $5,000 following a six-month investigation by Brandon RCMP. It is alleged the Rivers woman made a number of cheques out to herself while she was controller at Hangar […] Read more

Wiebo Ludwig says he’s undaunted by new charges against him and his family for allegedly damaging two gas wells in Alberta. “This is getting to be kind of a spiteful thing on the part of industry and the police. That’s my opinion,” said Ludwig, who noted the maximum sentence for the new charges is life […] Read more