Prairie farmers might feel flushed with victory now that Colombia is open to their crops and meat, but there’s no time to lie back on their laurels, say commodity group leaders.The gains from the small victory in getting free trade with Colombia could be reversed by massive losses if other countries get free trade with […] Read more
News
Farm exporters refocus attention on South Korea
High density buffer keeps weeds out
Forestry experts from Indian Head, Sask., are encouraging prairie producers to take a look at a new type of shelterbelt that requires less maintenance and less time for establishment.Laura Poppy, agroforestry specialist from Agriculture Canada’s Agroforestry Development Centre, said the ecobuffer uses a diverse variety of tree and shrub species in a high-density, multi-row planting […] Read more
Canola exporters confident of adequate supply
With so much land planned for canola going unseeded, there is concern whether there will be enough canola to sell to all the hard-won canola buyers.“We may actually be OK,” said Dave Hickling of the Canola Council of Canada.“We certainly don’t want to see regular customers that have been buying canola for years not being […] Read more
Unseeded acres allow weed control opportunity
LETHBRIDGE – One of the many weather related records being set this year is the amount of summerfallow that producers have during the 2010 growing season.For many producers, chemical fallowing over a whole growing season is reserved for years when a crop is lost to frost, hail or water.“Luckily, most farmers have limited experience with […] Read more
Flash flood turns Alta. ranch into soggy prison
Wendee Cristante has devoted her life to rescuing horses but after floods ravaged southeastern Alberta June 18, she needed rescuing.Cristante is the leader of the Canadian Clyde Ride Team, a draft horse show team. This spring, she moved to a ranch owned by George Ehret in the Cypress Hills area to prepare three of her horses […] Read more
Well-designed equipment dealership serves farmers well
Wild buckwheat, polygonum convolvulus, is another of the weeds showing resistance to Group 2 chemicals on the Prairies. Resistance has been identified in Alberta, but there is a threat across the West due to the widespread presence of the weed and the extensive use of Group 2 herbicides. Wild buckwheat is an annual, typically producing […] Read more
Western Producer Crop Report – for Jul. 1, 2010
Alberta South Standing waterAbout seven percent of the land will be left unseeded this year. Moisture is excessive, with water standing in many low-lying fields. Farmers near Cardston, Cypress County and Pincher Creek are hardest hit. Spraying progressed last week but is well behind normal. Pastures and tame hay are improving. Central Crops lateCrops look […] Read more
Grizzly deemed threatened species
Grizzly bears have been designated a threatened species in Alberta.“Grizzly bears in Alberta are at a certain amount of risk for a number of reasons,” said Mel Knight, minister of sustainable resource development, in a June conference call.In 2002, a recovery plan was initiated for the bears that included population and habitat information. The bears […] Read more
Ag Notes – for Jul. 1, 2010
Barley funding The Alberta Barley Commission has attracted more than $5 million in additional research funding since August.It has worked with government and industry partners in an attempt to reverse the trend of declining government funding. Over the last 10 months, the commission has achieved a ratio of 12:1, or $12 from investors for every […] Read more
Wet conditions boost winter wheat
For farmers unable to seed this spring after being flooded out, there’s no need to wait until next year.They can still make use of that soggy land this season by seeding winter wheat into chem fallow.“Wet springs that make seeding difficult are ideal for winter wheat,” said Paul Thoroughgood, regional agrologist with Ducks Unlimited.“Due to […] Read more