Science-based defence of farm practices isn’t necessarily enough to appease skeptical consumers, says Alberta farmer
By Jeffrey Carter RIDGETOWN, Ont. — Farmers have little choice but to address the demands of consumers, says an Alberta farmer. John Kolk, who farms near Picture Butte, said that may mean building a convincing argument in defence of legitimate agricultural practices or acknowledging the values consumers hold and bending to their demands. Kolk said […] Read moreNews
Earning trust of millennials hard, says farmer
Markets expected to support greater malting barley production
CWB official believes acres will grow nine percent this year as a response to a shortage in high quality malting grain
Malting barley production in Western Canada is expected to rise in 2015, thanks to tight North American supplies and attractive contract prices. However, it remains to be seen whether the increased area will be sustained over the longer term. Canada’s barley production has fallen steadily in the past few years, in step with increased production […] Read moreRefiners urge EU to rethink biodiesel policy after oil collapse
ANTWERP, Belgium (Reuters) — European oil refiners have urged the European Union to review laws calling for increased biodiesel content in road fuel because the cost of such renewables will counter the recent plunge in crude prices and weigh on the refining sector. “Governments should not inflict extra burden on the public by increasing the […] Read more
RRSPs can make retirement easier
Planning for retirement can be the last thing on a farmer’s mind. The value of the farm and investments that have accumulated over the years quite often leaves little concern about the ability to fund one’s retirement. However, discussions about succession planning or not selling off farm assets can complicate the issue. Using a Registered […] Read more
Invaded by furry pests? Call the rat phone
A growing problem
Fans of the caped crusader are familiar with the bat phone. But what about the rat phone? In Alberta, the number to call is 310-RATS (7287), a new listing designed to encourage the reporting of rat sightings, dead or alive, and keep the province rat-free. Bruce Hamblin, an inspector with Alberta Agriculture, said the new […] Read moreHigh-capacity screw press helps dairy farm deal with waste
Scott Dick and Cliff Loewen of Agra-Gold Consulting travelled to Europe in 2013 to investigate manure treatment technologies for the Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative. In Holland, they visited a dairy farm with a 75 cow herd that is one of the few livestock operations in that country with enough land to accommodate all the […] Read more
Is hog industry expansion limited by legislation?
Manitoba’s hog industry is living in the dimming twilight of an era of expansion that made it one of North America’s engines of productivity and efficiency. Regulations that have prevented new barns from being built for more than five years have caused the industry to contract. “We’re still in the limbo situation we’ve been in […] Read more
Filter belt makes manure separation a simple task
One of the simplest systems for treating hog and dairy manure is a filter belt, consisting mainly of a perforated conveyor belt. It is simple and effective. It separates manure into 20 percent solid material, 30 percent mineral content and 50 percent clean water. Raw manure is mixed in the collection tank to create a […] Read more
Manure stains? Use a little elbow grease
Manure doesn’t always land in a nice pile on the ground. Sometimes it ends up on jeans, jackets, shirts and hats. The author of several books on stain removal says most manure stains can be removed from clothing with the correct cleaner and a little elbow grease. Reena Nerbas of Blumenort, Man., who has written […] Read more
Company develops filtration system to turn manure into water
The reverse osmosis system used for processing liquid manure is considerably bigger than the drinking water filter many people install under their kitchen sinks. The two common products exiting all manure separation systems are solids and liquids. In most cases, both can be used as fertilizer without further processing. However, both can also be refined […] Read more
