Systems to determine soil moisture Programming the soil probes or metering systems and interpreting data requires expertise
LETHBRIDGE — LeRon Torrie wanted to know what his water was costing him. The only way to find out was to install meters on his irrigation system near Grassy Lake, Alta. He also wanted to know how much the electricity cost to run his pumps because even though he analyzed his bill every year, there […] Read moreNews
Rail companies optimistic
Record revenues at CP, CN | Cold winter weather hampered car movement and efficiency in 2013
Canada’s major rail companies generated record-breaking revenues in 2013 in spite of a downturn in business caused by cold weather in December. Last week, Canadian Pacific Railway reported year-end 2013 revenues of $6.1 billion, up eight percent from 2012 and a company record. Adjusted net income was $1.1 billion, up 48 percent over 2012. Canadian […] Read more
Was wheat a more profitable crop 90 years ago?
NOW: Those were the good old days. When The Western Producer, then known as The Progressive, published its first edition in August 1923, times were simpler. Neighbours helped neighbours, fresh bread was a dime a loaf and you could buy a brand new Ford Model T for less than $600. But that’s not to imply […] Read more
Equine Canada receives market development funding
The federal government announced today $483,650 in funding for Equine Canada to help develop export markets with potential for long-term sales of Canadian bred horses and genetics. Equine Canada plans to lead missions and host visitors from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China and South Africa and also plans to hold a PanAmerican Showcase during the PanAm […] Read more
Manitoba farmer promises to highlight ag issues in Ottawa
Twenty years after he first tried and failed to win a Manitoba House of Commons seat, former farmer and farm leader Larry Maguire finally made it to Ottawa last week. He was sworn in as the new MP for Brandon-Souris, quickly asked a government-friendly question in his first question period and was assigned a seat […] Read more
Manitoba farm group grows
Amidst the continual slumping of the farmer population and the proliferation of new agricultural commodity groups, Keystone Agricultural Producers has experienced a startling rejuvenation. The organization is also trying to revamp itself from the inside so it can better fit the new farming reality. “It’s certainly nice to see at this 30-year milestone for the […] Read more
Few water quality problems in irrigated regions
Most score top marks Pesticide residue and fecal coliforms were found in five irrigation districts
LETHBRIDGE — Water in Alberta’s irrigation canals is getting top grades. The province has been testing water in the province’s 13 irrigation districts since 2011, and with a few exceptions the results have been good, said Jollin Charest of Alberta Agriculture’s irrigation branch. The most recent results produced an average score of 91.3 out of […] Read moreU.S. cattle industry fears retaliation over COOL
Amendments not made | Congress passed the farm bill retaining COOL which opens the door for Canada to impose tariffs
U.S. livestock groups and manufacturers fear punishing tariffs if the country-of-origin labelling law continues in its present form. Hopes faded that the law could be changed in the 2014 U.S. farm bill when the House of Representatives passed the Agricultural Act of 2014 with a vote of 251 to 166. The Senate is also expected […] Read moreRailways now required to supply car movement info weekly
WINNIPEG — The federal government is now requiring the railways to release week-by-week statistics on rail car deliveries and movement. The measure was immediately greeted with pleasure by farmers and shippers, including the Inland Terminals Association of Canada. “Work is being done to make things better,” ITAC chair Eric Ponath said after a meeting with […] Read more
Producers urged to watch for pigeon fever, West Nile Virus
RED DEER — Horse owners must watch for flare-ups of pigeon fever and West Nile Virus this summer. Dr. Kelsey Brandon, a veterinarian from Claresholm, Alta., who first diagnosed pigeon fever when it arrived in southern Alberta last August, said the first case was thought to be an accident in which a horse had been […] Read more
