Conservation groups concerned with the loss of prairie grasslands habitat say Canada’s new federal government should suspend the transfer of former PFRA pastures to local grazing groups. Officials from Nature Saskatchewan, Nature Canada and the Alberta Wildernesss Association say a Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau should stop the transfer process until a long-term plan […] Read more
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Feds urged to revisit PFRA land transfer
Moose hunt temporarily banned in five Manitoba regions
A lifetime of hunting in southwestern Manitoba’s Turtle Mountains has given Brad Mills a first-hand look at the area’s declining moose population. “We archery hunt elk now in the Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, and in the last eight years I’ve only seen one or two moose in all my time spent in the bush in […] Read more
Realistic fusarium tolerance sought
A prominent member of the Alberta seed industry says it’s time for the province to review legislation that places an unmanageable regulatory burden on pedigreed seed growers. Don Sendziak, past-president of the Alberta Seed Growers Association, said the Agricultural Pests Act places unrealistic expectations on seed growers and imposes unnecessary financial costs on the industry. […] Read more
Renn Mill Center buys rights to Jiffy agricultural equipment
Renn Mill Center Inc. has bought the manufacturing and distribution rights to the Jiffy brand of agriculture equipment, including the Jiffy bale shredder, hay rake and harrow drawbar. Renn bought Jiffy from ProAll International Manufacturing Inc., an equipment maker in Olds, Alta., where Jiffy products have been manufactured since 1959. Renn also bought the Pro-Care […] Read more
Animal welfare issues often spark rural-urban friction
Consumers are pushing for improved animal welfare, demanding antibiotic free food, but few are willing to pay more
TORONTO — There’s a public outcry for something to be done whenever another undercover video surfaces depicting abuse of farm animals. Farm groups scramble to de-nounce the behaviour, and sometimes charges are laid or practices are changed. Codes of practice for the humane handling of livestock may be ensconced into provincial legislation or a commodity […] Read moreAlberta reveals spending plan
EDMONTON — Faced with plunging oil prices and decreasing revenue, the Alberta government is spending money on infrastructure projects it says will act as a “shock absorber” for the economy. Alberta finance minister Joe Ceci said instead of scaling back spending, the province’s $49.9 billion 2015-2016 budget will have even more debt and the largest […] Read more
Clubroot pathogens show resistant canola who’s boss
It’s been more than a decade since clubroot was discovered in a central Alberta canola field. It didn’t take long for researchers to develop canola varieties resistant to the soil borne disease, but it took even less time for the path-otypes to overcome that resistance. Crop Production Services hopes its new Proven Seed canola variety, […] Read more
U of S official to link new ideas, technologies with capital
It’s Johannes Dyring’s job to help turn ideas into profitable ventures. And he sees opportunities for agriculture. “I would say data management, even in agriculture production, is probably an area which is going to be very interesting to look at to increase productivity, to lower costs,” he said. Dyring, who has taken over as managing […] Read more
Opportunities for economic boost lie in agriculture, says minister
EDMONTON — Diversifying Alberta’s agriculture economy will continue to be a focus for the province despite tough economic times, Alberta’s agriculture minister said after the new NDP government’s first budget. “I think we are doing fairly well. It has been tough economic times,” Oneil Carlier said. “Going forward we have the funds necessary to continue […] Read more
Prairie soil moisture reserves in good shape
The rain that has fallen since July has helped replenish soil that had become extremely dry during spring
Most farmers in Western Canada will be heading into winter with good soil moisture reserves. Climate specialists with Agriculture Canada say above average precipitation across much of the Prairies this fall has allowed most drought stressed regions to fully recover. “There are some exceptions where below-normal soil moisture is a bit of a concern heading […] Read more
