DONNELLY, Alta. — Frank Cote will miss his cattle once he sells the herd, but he finds solace in the change too. It maintains a long-held philosophy of moving in a direction that’s right for the family. For Cote, the sale means he can take it easier as he grows older. His feedlot isn’t large […] Read more
Farm Living — page 284
Setting new goals might help save marriage
Q: I am lost. I do not know what to do. I know that we need to work on our relationship, but unless he is willing to co-operate with me on this thing, not much is going to happen. I thought that counselling might help us, but that obviously is out of the question. So, […] Read more
Loving leftover Christmas turkey: here’s how to do it
It happens every year. The big day is over and we are left with a lot of leftovers in the fridge. It can be frustrating coming up with creative ideas to use them. First, be sure leftovers are properly stored. Turkey, stuffing and gravy must be refrigerated. Be sure the internal temperature of the food […] Read more
More farms embrace social media focus
CHICAGO, Ill. — If you want to generate traffic on your social media platform, post a picture of a Jersey cow wagging its tongue, or better yet a tractor, any tractor. “People love equipment like gangbusters,” said Kassi Tom-Rowland, a partner with Tom Farms, a row crop farm in Leesburg, Indiana. Tom-Rowland was part of […] Read more
Couple grows farm, family on Gelbvieh operation
PARRY, Sask. — Trevor and Amber Burks aren’t ones to let the grass grow under their feet. They want to produce the best Gelbvieh cattle and they want to do it sooner rather than later. Trevor established Twisted T Gelbvieh in 2011 and by 2013, the year he and Amber married, they were showing champions. […] Read more
General store makes a name in meat
Owner’s love of cutting meat proves successful in small-town Alberta, attracting customers from throughout the region
Hines Creek, Alta. — In the village of Hines Creek, butcher Dale Stark jokes that his love of cutting meat has become so strong it’s now in his blood. “We’re a dying breed,” he said. “Nobody wants to do the work anymore because it is hard, hard work. Your hands are cold but, once you […] Read moreGetting things done can be tough
Q: Our son has chosen to stay out of university this year. He says the pressure is more than he can bear. We know our son to be an extraordinarily intelligent young man so we are disappointed. However, he is helping with the farm and Dad always loves getting an extra hand. As I watch […] Read more
Connecting the DOTs
DOT is what happens when farming processes are examined carefully. Does seeding require bigger machines? Does spraying mean going faster and wider? Does anyone need to pilot a field roller? Or any other field machine, except maybe a combine, for now? The new machine design, the DOT, retires the tractor and giant airseeder and drill […] Read more
Hands-free field test
Researchers showcase ‘the future of farming’ using autonomous vehicles to plant, treat and harvest one hectare of barley
The mission: to plant, treat and harvest one hectare of barley using only autonomous farm equipment. Mission accomplished. The feat occurred this year in a field at Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom, and university researcher Jonathan Gill, one of the self-professed geeks behind the project, considers it a rubicon in the future of […] Read more
Researcher understands farmer doubts about hands-free farming
Farming by robot? Remote control? Laser-sensing technology? Drones? Canadian farmers don’t believe they will make major use of autonomous farming methods for at least another five years, according to a survey undertaken by Glacier FarmMedia. However futuristic it may sound, hands-free farming methods exist and have successfully been used in the Hands Free Hectare project […] Read more
