A Saskatchewan maltster heads to the barley field to talk protein levels with the province’s craft brewers
Balancing yield and protein content in malting barley can be a tricky exercise. It can also be a potentially costly exercise, especially if growers place too much emphasis on maximizing yield and apply too much nitrogen. That was one of the topics discussed at an Aug. 20 field event hosted by Maker’s Malt, a Saskatchewan-based […] Read moreNews
Best to start small when adopting cover crops
Herbicides aren’t effective because of the variety of crops, but farmers are finding that heavy seeding rates can help control weeds
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. — Growing a balanced mixture of plants in a cover crop is a new concept and farmers are still learning how it builds soil. Like any new idea, it is a good idea to start small, said Greg Paranich, agriculture fieldman with the Grey Wooded Forage Association. “You can calibrate what […] Read more
Ontario community reclaims threshing record
The 243 threshing mills in St. Albert beat the Guinness World Record of 139 machines set in Austin, Man., in 2016
ST. ALBERT, Ont. — It may be considered a dead occupation, but there was no lack of people willing to take on the challenge of threshing barley with pitchforks, antique threshing machines and antique tractors Aug. 11 in St. Albert in eastern Ontario. A total of 250 threshing mills were brought to the site and […] Read more
More women flock to the track in Alberta
Sixteen of the 79 drivers in the Alberta Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Association this year are women
BASHAW, Alta., — In 1992 Tracey Stott was the youngest woman to drive a chuck wagon in Alberta’s racing circuit. From her seat in the wagon 27 years later she sees more women taking the reins and racing around the track. This year, 16 of the 79 Alberta Professional Chuckwagon and Chariot Association’s drivers are […] Read more
Eco-buffers breathe new life into shelter belts
The concept is designed to match a natural forest with a variety of trees and bushes to create protection and habitats
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. — New tricks are being used to maintain the old idea of shelter belts. Thousands of trees were planted across the Prairies during the 1930s to control erosion, collect snow and provide wind protection. Commonly, three rows of spruce, poplars and caraganas were planted but the trees were not always compatible. […] Read more
Bayer faces obstacles settling Roundup lawsuits
(Reuters) — Bayer is in mediation to potentially settle thousands of American lawsuits claiming that the company’s Roundup weed killer causes cancer, but some legal experts said the cases raise questions that may prevent an easy settlement. More than 18,400 plaintiffs claim Roundup causes a type of cancer called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bayer to date has […] Read more
U.S., Japan may sign trade deal
BIARRITZ, France (Reuters) — The United States and Japan have agreed in principle to core elements of a trade deal that U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said they hoped to sign in New York later this month. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the deal covered agriculture, industrial tariffs and […] Read more
Farmer unrest in U.S. shows up during industry crop tour
HENRY COUNTY, Ill./CHICAGO (Reuters) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture pulled all staff from an annual crop tour in late August after an employee was threatened, and three sources said the threat came over the phone from an angry farmer. Farmers have complained that a government crop report did not reflect damage from historic flooding […] Read more
Ottawa funds fruit research
The Ontario Tender Fruit Growers and Fresh Grape Growers will receive $476,908 in federal funding to improve fruit quality and availability of tender fruit and fresh grape varieties for consumers. The research project will focus on improving tender fruit such as apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and pears by extending their growing season and storability. Black […] Read more
Alberta short line improvements should aid local economy
Officials with a short-line railway company in southern Alberta say Ottawa’s decision to invest more than $4 million in regional railway infrastructure will provide a huge boost to the local economy and to rural communities. Last week, the federal government announced a $4.2 million funding package that will be used to upgrade track, build new […] Read more
