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
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Grizzly deemed threatened species
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
Check-off allocation questioned
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association is questioning the allocation of beef check-off dollars in the province and where it will get money to operate.Members at the recent annual general meeting wondered how the Cattle Marketing Deductions Fund committee awarded the money last year and why the new Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association was […] Read more
Short but sweet
HEISLER, Alta. – A passenger train christened Alberta’s newest short-line railway last month by making stops at small towns on the farmer-owned line.Battle River Railway officially took ownership of the 56 kilometre rail line from Canadian National Railway June 17, the day before the passenger rides from Kelsey to Alliance.”We needed something to say, ‘we’re […] Read more
Bad weather threatens international crops
Crop markets are waking up to weather problems that may hurt crops in Russia and China.But it will be mid-July before farmers know whether these La Nina provoked problems will become big enough to give a solid footing for higher prices.”Right now, I think it’s a speculative thing,” said Drew Lerner, president of World Weather […] Read more
New directors elected to Sask. Stock Growers Association
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Calvin Knoss of Rockglen was re-elected president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association at the organization’s annual meeting in June.Harold Martens of Swift Current is first vice-president and Doug Gillespie of Neville is second vice-president. Ed Bothner of Beechy remains past-president.The board will elect a finance chair at its next meeting.Meanwhile, […] Read more
Wetness puts brakes on flax acreage
WINNIPEG (Reuters) – Relentless spring rains in Western Canada will drive flax acreage to its smallest size in decades, but large stocks will limit the drop in Canadian flax exports to no worse than their lowest level in about five years, a government oilseed analyst said June 28. Canada is the world’s leading grower and […] Read more
Ranchers debate insurance program
MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Saskatchewan cow-calf producers want a national cattle price insurance program so they are not at a disadvantage to their Alberta counterparts.A resolution passed at the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association annual meeting said the organization supports an insurance program that is actuarially sound, effective and affordable and includes fed cattle, feeder cattle […] Read more
Falling Baltic Index indicates weak global economic revival
Look for coverage of the United States Department of Agriculture’s planted acreage report here.The report was scheduled for release on June 30, after the newspaper’s deadline, so we’ll cover it in the daily news section of our website. It was expected to show a larger corn and soybean area than was forecast in the planting […] Read more
