On the calendar, spring is officially here. The Canada geese and wild birds are announcing their arrival with playful honks and chirps. Fresh clipped pussy willow bouquets adorn our homes and the sound of trickling water is nature’s music to our ears. Puddle jumpers will be finding their rubber boots to welcome spring with a […] Read more
Farm Living
Young bison producer has deep roots
MELVILLE, Sask. — There was no question what Payton Molnar would do once she finished high school. Growing up in a family of bison ranchers, her career path was likely set before she was born. She bought her first 12 females in 2015 and now, at 21, she is one of the youngest bison producers […] Read more
One down, 211,999 to go: sheep shearing
The latest estimates on sheep numbers from Statistics Canada show there are 802,000 sheep in Canada, 212,000 of them in Alberta and Saskatchewan. That indicates a need for sheep shearers in the two provinces where Shaun Fajnor is among those who do the job. “It’s a pretty small community,” Fajnor said about shearers. “There’s good […] Read more
School remains open with ag at its centre
ROUND HILL, Alta. — A central Alberta school will now revolve around agriculture after school trustees voted to keep the school open. Battle River School Division trustees voted five to three to keep the Round Hill School open and allow the Round Hill Renaissance Agriculture Program group to develop an agriculture-based program at the school. […] Read more
Alberta Ag turns over part of web service
One element of the former Ropin’ the Web internet site will soon be revived by the Alberta Forage Industry Network under a new name. Farming the Web is expected to serve as a replacement to the general store portion of Ropin’ the Web, which was shut down by Alberta Agriculture last summer. That move prompted […] Read more
Son isn’t the businessman that dad used to be
Q: I have for years been the parts guy at our local dealership. This has always been a great job for me. I have looked forward to heading out to work in the morning and I have made some really nice contacts with our regular customers. But things are changing. It is not as great […] Read more
Farmers warned about attempts to lower well compensation payments
Three Alberta energy companies are seeking lease payment reductions from landowners or have unilaterally reduced paid amounts and the Alberta Farmers’ Advocate Office has issued warnings to farmers and ranchers about these attempts. Ember Resources Inc., AlphaBow Energy Ltd. And Lynx Energy ULC are reviewing their annual compensation payments to landowners and seeking reductions in […] Read more
WP “NoCOZone” stories
There’s a great deal of news coverage of the current #COVID-19 pandemic. You won’t find any of that here. For your enjoyment we’ve pulled together some of our favourite stories from past months and years that feature you, our readers. Stories of your life “on the farm.” It’s our hope these stories will distract you, […] Read more
Sask. issues COVID warning for club supper
There are nine new COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba as of March 26. Saskatchewan now lists three people as recovered but an additional person is in hospital. Of the 95 positive tests in the province, 44 are in Saskatoon and 28 are in Regina. Thirteen are in the central region, seven in […] Read more
Feds urged to declare food supply chain essential service
Urgency is growing for the federal government to declare the food supply chain as an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic, given some have warned the crisis could cause price increases and potential shortages. Alberta Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen urged for the declaration today, saying it would help maintain a stable and safe food supply […] Read more
