Productivity, profitability and competitiveness top the list of priorities for future agricultural research in Alberta. Last week, the Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) entity released its list of four focus areas for research that were determined through consultation with producers, industry, academia and applied research organizations. The other three are: sustainable and responsible agriculture; market […] Read more
News
EU’s biostimulant regulations applauded by industry
The European Union has become the first governing body in the world to recognize plant biostimulants as a distinct category of agricultural inputs. On July 15, 2019, the EU approved new fertilizer regulations that included a clear definition for biostimulants. “This might not sound like very much but it’s a significant step for the industry,” […] Read more
U.S. remains major ethanol supplier
Canada could overtake Brazil as the top market for American ethanol this year, a situation that western Canadian farmers find frustrating. Through the first seven months of 2020 the United States shipped 176 million gallons of ethanol to Brazil and 165 million gallons to Canada. Sales to Brazil have plummeted 23 percent while exports to […] Read more
Rural votes carry weight in Sask. election
History offers answers to why rural voters have become significant supporters of conservative politics in Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Party led by Scott Moe appears poised to win a fourth consecutive mandate Oct. 26 and rural voters will largely be responsible. Polls and vote projections mid-way through the campaign indicate no change in rural constituencies, which are all held by the Sask. Party. With 31 seats required for a majority, the 29 […] Read more
Cattle shootings stun Alberta ranch family
A heifer and bull were killed in separate incidents near Onoway, while a pregnant cow was also shot but survived
An Alberta ranching family is offering a $5,000 reward to find out who shot three of their cattle in three separate incidents, damaging their livelihood and raising fears for their personal safety. “I feel like I’ve gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson and he’s ripped off both my ears,” says Sherry Thoveson as she and […] Read more
Wheat growers fund ag research
Wheat growers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba plan to spend $22.6 million over five years to support wheat breeding and variety development efforts at Agriculture Canada. The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC), which invests producer check-off dollars on behalf of producer-directed wheat commissions, announced Oct. 19 that it has reached a new five-year funding agreement […] Read more
Taking them home – photo essay
Photo essay | The fall roundup was underway earlier this month at the Langford Pasture, one of 19 pastures in the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures. Langford is about 15 minutes north of Carberry and dates back to 1948. It has 23 patrons and cares for 1,170 adults from mid-May till the end of October. The photos on this page were taken the morning of Oct. 5. | Sandy Black photos
The fall roundup was underway earlier this month at the Langford Pasture, one of 19 pastures in the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures. Langford is about 15 minutes north of Carberry and dates back to 1948. It has 23 patrons and cares for 1,170 adults from mid-May till the end of October. The photos on […] Read more
Retirement planning must start now
Retired couple say they started working on a plan three years before retirement, and that probably wasn’t enough time
Retirement planning can be difficult for many farmers. Getting started on building up savings and talking about retirement goals often doesn’t start soon enough. For Reginald and Theresa Nelson knew they could not continue their Rockglen, Sask., seed cleaning and 2,000-acre grain and certified seed operation because of Reginald’s health. But selling their operation and […] Read more
Income can continue after retirement
Different income streams can improve financial stability, whether it means an investment portfolio or continuing to work
When Reginald and Theresa Nelson started looking into their retirement plans, being financially stable was their biggest concern. No one wants to retire wondering where their money is going to come from, but retirement doesn’t have to mean that they stop working. While Reginald was not healthy enough to continue their Rockglen, Sask., seed cleaning […] Read more
Get a handle on expense and income streams
It can take a great deal of work to figure out ahead of time what ‘living within your means’ will involve after retirement
Russell and Terri Bruce are excited about their farm auction this fall. After decades of farming near Tuxford, Sask., and their last harvest in 2019, the couple looks forward to closing their operation and spending more time with their grandkids. To do that, planning their retirement, including their budget for the coming years, had to […] Read more
