Nearly 1,000 workers at Cargill’s beef processing plant in Guelph were on strike at the end of May, and there’s a possibility that workers at the Cargill Case Ready plant in Calgary could also hit the picket lines.
Strike possibility looms at Calgary Cargill plant
June vote will determine if Calgary Cargill workers will echo Cargill Guelph work stoppage
New website against weeds launched
Glacier FarmMedia – Producers have a new website to bookmark if they’re looking for weed information on the Prairies. The Western Grains Research Foundation has announced the official launch of a weed monitoring hub, prairieweeds.com. The website will be the new digital host for resources, data, weed maps and research under the Prairie Weed Monitoring […] Read more
Plasma shows promise against fusarium-formed toxins
The fourth state of matter could someday be put to work at a malt house or feedlot near you
Researchers at the University of Alberta are harnessing a high-tech concept to decontaminate grain. They’re using cold plasma, which is created by electrical discharge in a low-pressure gas. One of the most common uses is in fluorescent lighting, which creates light with little heat. Cold plasma is the fourth state of matter, alongside solid, liquid […] Read more
Beef stakeholders invited to weigh in on code of practice
Canada’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle to be updated
The Canadian Cattle Association has initiated an update to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle.
Research looks into drought’s lingering effects on grasslands
A global project will provide valuable insights as droughts increase, an Alberta scientist says
Glacier FarmMedia — A global study is examining the surprising ways short-term droughts can affect grasslands. “It’s not surprising that less water is going to lead to less plant growth. We’re all very familiar with that,” said Cameron Carlyle, associate professor of rangeland ecology in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences at the […] Read more
Alberta looks for feed, Ottawa promises cash for B.C.
Alberta to help with veterinary testing after B.C.'s lab flooded, Alberta ag minister says
Even though supplies are low because of drought, Alberta is looking for feed to send to B.C. livestock producers, while Ottawa will provide emergency financial assistance to farmers dealing with flooding and closed roads in the hard-hit province. “We’ve been working with the B.C. department of agriculture,” Alberta Agriculture Minister Nate Horner said during a […] Read more
Alberta ag minister resigns among allegations of heavy drinking
Admitting he has a problem with alcohol, Devin Dreeshen resigned as Alberta’s minister of agriculture and forestry this morning. He has been replaced by Drumheller-Stettler MLA Nate Horner. “This morning, I offered Premier Jason Kenney my resignation as minister of agriculture and forestry and he has accepted,” Dreeshen said on Twitter on Nov. 5. “I […] Read more
What can you grow if root rot kicks out peas and lentils?
You may need an eight-year break between those crops, but there are some other pulses to consider
Glacier FarmMedia – With aphanomyces threatening peas and lentils, what can producers do to keep pulses in the rotation? Pulse growers are being urged to go up to eight years between plantings of either peas or lentils, which dominate pulse acres in the province. “Our susceptible crops are pea and lentil and, to a lesser extent, dry […] Read more
Supply chain working but canola groups have concerns
Federal field trials need to continue and growers need protective equipment, they say
There have been no issues so far with supplies of inputs and parts, transportation or oilseed processing during the pandemic, canola industry officials report. “We’ve been really focused on making sure farmers have access to inputs and resources to get the 2020 crop in the ground,” Canola Council of Canada president Jim Everson said during […] Read more
Third major Alberta beef plant confirms COVID-19 cases
JBS in Brooks is the latest with infected workers, but will continue operations
UPDATED, April 17 — Cases of COVID-19 have now been confirmed at three of Alberta’s major beef packing plants. Three cases of COVID-19 were confirmed Wednesday at the JBS beef packing plant in Brooks, said Tom Hesse, Local 401 president with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Canada. JBS Canada spokesman Cameron Bruett confirmed some […] Read more
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