More than 250 stakeholders met in Ottawa last month to begin work on a national food policy. The two-day summit was described as an important step in the process. Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay said the policy is intended to set a long-term vision that includes health, social well-being, the environment and the economy. It […] Read more
News
Summit sets course for food policy
New tools help producers fight fusarium
Alberta wheat growers who are concerned about fusarium head blight now have access to a new tool that allows them to monitor the disease, assess risk and make informed disease management decisions. The Alberta fusarium head blight risk tool was developed by the Alberta Wheat Commission and the Alberta Climate Information Service (ACIS) with help […] Read more
4-H leader named to Order of Canada
Professional agrologist and 4-H Canada Foundation member Kim McConnell was appointed a Member to the Order of Canada June 30. He is among 100 Canadians who were named by the governor general. McConnell’s involvement with 4-H began with Manitoba’s 4-H McConnell Beef Club, the oldest beef club in Canada. The founder of AdFarm sits on […] Read more
Wheat streak mosaic found in Alberta
Wheat streak mosaic virus has shown up in southern Alberta. The counties of Lethbridge, Vulcan and Willow Creek have each confirmed the virus in crops and scouting is recommended in all regions south of Red Deer. As the name implies, wheat streak mosaic virus shows up as yellow streaks on the leaves of cereal crops. […] Read more
Meeting EU emission standards can be a hurdle
Farmers might find it easier to reduce carbon and phosphate emissions if they live in a country in which the farm sector is stagnant and oriented toward domestic production. But it’s another thing for farmers operating in places like Canada, where agriculture is growth and export oriented. That’s what two European Union countries similar to […] Read more
Organic feed imports may decline
The organic livestock trade in North America has been importing feedgrains for the last few years from countries such as China, India and Bulgaria to supplement a shortage in the United States and Canada. That buying practice may soon decelerate because it could be harming the industry’s reputation and some buyers aren’t happy with the […] Read more
AG Notes
New college chair Leona Staples has been appointed chair of the Olds College board of governors by of Alberta’s advanced education ministry. Staples was previously a member of the College Board of Governors for two terms. Her background includes areas of business, innovation and agriculture. She is an owner and operator of the Jungle Farm, […] Read more
Don’t just spray
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. — Farmers can find the money to buy sprayers but often don’t find the time to check their nozzles. It’s a problem that can result in waste of expensive chemicals, poor results with crops and drift problems for neighbours. However, it’s a problem many farmers don’t even realize they have. “In […] Read more
Compulsory farm safety training advised
An Alberta provincial court judge recommends that farm safety training be made compulsory in all post-secondary agriculture programs and that the government develop a compulsory regime of safety certification on farm equipment. The recommendations stem from a public fatality inquiry following the death of Stephen Murray Gibson on Jan. 31, 2014. He was killed in […] Read more
World hunger growing again; help needed
In May of 2015 the United Nations commended the news that the number of hungry people in the world had dropped to 795 million, 216 million fewer than in 1990-1992. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was hoping the downward trend would continue, but it appears that more people are now hungry in 2017. […] Read more
