Glacier FarmMedia – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first severe human case of H5N1 bird flu on Dec. 18, after a patient from Louisiana was hospitalized with severe respiratory illness. The CDC said partial viral genome data from the patient discovered the virus was part of the D1.1 genotype, the […] Read more
News
Producer receives regenerative agriculture certification
The program hopes to capture value for producers and remove questions about what counts as ‘regenerative’ farming
UPDATED – January 10, 2025 – 1720 CST – A Manitoba farmer has become the first in the province to get certified under a new regenerative agriculture assessment program. Andreas Boersch, president of Abtshof Farms Ltd., received his “Regenified” verification status on Oct. 2. Boersch’s farm near the central Manitoba community of Elie, west of […] Read more
Peer groups may be farmers’ pathway to soil health
A variety of organizations have developed programs that allow producers to learn more about taking care of their soil
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Jay Watson understands that farmers listen to other farmers. So, if food companies and agri-food corporations want producers to try new practices and shift toward regenerative agriculture, it will require peer to peer education. “Without that, we’re going to have a hard time reaching scale,” said Watson, while on stage at the […] Read more
Researchers measure emissions from the sky
A CBC transmission tower in Saskatchewan is tapped to monitor agricultural nitrous oxide levels 100 metres in the air
A group of researchers, policy makers and producer organizations is repurposing part of a CBC transmission tower to get data on agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions. The tower at Yorkton, Sask., will be fitted with sensors to measure agricultural nitrous oxide emissions 100 metres above the ground. The group, dubbed CanN20net, held its inaugural meeting in […] Read more
Myths, misinformation abound around regenerative ag
WINNIPEG — Regenerative agriculture, like many other topics, gets caught up in the exaggerations, myths and untruths that dominate social media and the worldwide web. It’s easy find examples of questionable claims on the internet, like this one: “Regenerative agriculture can improve the profitability of farms by more than 50 per cent.” (Source: sustainablebiz.ca) If […] Read more
Vague definitions may weaken brand
BRANDON – On his farm in North Dakota, Paul Overby plants cover crops, minimizes tillage and has eight different crops in his rotation. He is fully committed to improving his soil health and the long-term sustainability of his business. Other producers follow their own path, but Overby worries that thousands are casually using the word […] Read more
Producers take many paths to regenerative ag
Motivations for following regenerative agriculture practices vary from producing quality food to ecological stewardship
Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum across the Prairies, but it’s far from a one-size-fits-all approach. Still, the diverse practices share a common thread — a commitment to leaving the land, and the world, healthier for future generations. Regenerative agriculture has become somewhat of a buzzword but can be broken down to mean farming practices that […] Read more
Federal gov’t spending on climate change soars
Agriculture Canada spent 27 per cent of its science budget on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions last year
UPDATED: January 8, 2025 – 1500 CST – added Ag Canada data/chart – WINNIPEG — Agriculture Canada spent $223 million more on science and innovation in the 2023-24 fiscal year than it did in 2020-21. However, the money wasn’t used to hire new scientists, expand research centres or study innovative technologies such as gene edited […] Read more
Our commitment to you, our readers
Hi everyone — 2024 was a significant year for me personally. I became the editor of the Western Producer, which is a responsibility that I take seriously. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most has been connecting with farmers. The experience so far has left me even more committed to meeting your information needs with […] Read more
Making the words work for farmers
The average global temperature was the hottest on record in 2024 for the second year in a row. It’s up in the air if this concerning trend will continue for a third year. Also uncertain is what the winds of change will bring as a new Donald Trump administration moves into the White House. Talk […] Read more
