My previous column discussed drought and the history of droughts on the Prairies and the northern U.S. Plains over the last 100 years. This column will discuss nutrient management in drought scenarios. We will look at this topic through the lens of 4-R nutrient stewardship; right rate, right place, right time, right source. The first […] Read more
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Cows will eat lots of unique blends this winter
Alternative forages will be available this winter as traditional feed remains in short supply, but many come with red flags
The 2001 drought is similar to 1988. Rain right now will not mitigate the impact. Cattle producers are searching high and low for whatever feed their cows can tolerate this winter. It’s not a year to be thinking profit. It’s a year to be thinking survival. Finding and delivering an alternative feed is the first […] Read more
Antimicrobial market expands with new generic drugs
A widely used macrolide antibiotic used to prevent respiratory disease in cattle has come off patent. When the Draxxin antimicrobial first reached the market, there was huge uptake in the Canadian feedlot industry. Zuprevo, Micotil and Zactran, all used primarily for treatment of bacterial respiratory disease, are in the same macrolide family. Now that the […] Read more
Stewardship award to be presented this week
Paying attention to the land’s early warning signs helped a rancher, who is nominated for a national environmental award, prepare for the drought currently affecting beef producers. “Where we live in Saskatchewan, we’re in the ground zero (for) drought and we’ve seen it coming for a number of years,” said Ed Bothner about his ranch […] Read more
Larger fall calf run could have long-term implications
Feedlot sector says it will take time to rebuild as tight feed supplies force some producers to reduce the size of their herds
Manitoba’s Hamiota Feedlot bills itself as having a capacity to background and finish more than 12,000 head on its custom operation. If the current feed shortages continue, it’ll likely need to use all that space this year. “These guys are just moving their cows to just give them enough room to hold on to some […] Read more
Drought threatens honey supply
Production is expected to take a big hit as heat slows bee activity and drought decimates the crops on which they feed
Many Alberta beekeepers slammed by drought, heat and wildfire smoke this summer are expecting significant declines in production, affecting the largest segment of Canada’s honey industry. Due to what are now three consecutive seasons of lower-than-average production in Alberta and much of Western Canada, there is no honey in reserve and supplies are tight, said […] Read more
App puts beekeepers in touch with experts
Pilot project will allow Alberta beekeepers to access production advice that might otherwise be difficult to obtain
A pilot project aims to help Alberta beekeepers find answers to help deal with the unprecedented drought and high temperatures currently affecting honey production. The initiative involves the AGvisorPRO online platform, which will allow producers to more easily connect with experts, such as agronomists and researchers, via an app on electronic devices. “It’s a great […] Read more
Drought’s long-term fallout still difficult to determine
As I toured southwestern Manitoba last week I saw lots of ground truth on the fields that, like so much of Western Canada, have suffered drought throughout the season. Different crops and different pastures showed much different results in plant growth. Only the farmers who seeded or grazed them could tell you what combination of […] Read more
This year’s feed shortage hastens launch of new website
Farming the Web was developed as a digital marketplace where producers are able to conduct business with each other
The Alberta Forage Industry Network has launched an online classified site called Farming the Web. A need for this service is great because the ongoing drought has depleted feed. Farming the Web was originally created as an alternative to Ropin’ the Web, a classified website originally run by the Alberta government until it was discontinued. […] Read more
Edmonton region moves to preserve farmland
The regional board wants the province to approve its measure to protect farmland and promote agri-businesses
A plan that is the first of its kind in the prairie provinces seeks to help farmers in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region by protecting prime agricultural land. The most important thing for producers and landowners about the Regional Agriculture Master Plan (RAMP) is that it provides certainty, said Rod Shaigec, mayor of Parkland County. “And […] Read more
