There is a movement afoot in the Canadian beef industry to get all sectors from producers through to retailers singing from the same hymnbook. It may be an oversimplification of what the Straw Man Beef Industry Initiative is about, but the effort is geared at creating a more organized and targeted Canadian beef production system, […] Read more
Co-operation key to improving Canadian beef industry
Book captures the art of ranch life
If you are looking for a great coffee-table book that does a beautiful job of capturing the images of ranch life in Western Canada, Wyoming photographer JoAnne Meeker has just released a new book that speaks volumes in a few words. You may think it is pushing it to consider a photo of a horse […] Read more
Did someone mention copper deficiency?
Nothing brightens my day faster than a phone call from Ieuan Evans explaining the virtues of copper in wheat production. I don’t know if the micronutrient will actually seed the crop for you or run the combine for eight hours, but other than that it can do just about everything else in helping to produce […] Read more
An evening of awards at OYF event
After a stressful week of being at their best everyone could finally relax late last Friday as two farm couples from Alberta and Atlantic Canada were named winners of the national Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers award in Regina, Sask. Grain and oilseed producers Michael Kalisvaart and his wife Karen Jansen from Gibbons, Alberta and dairy […] Read more
Musings on the senate and baptism
I have to admit I am re-thinking my lifelong dream to be appointed to the Canadian Senate. I may have to settle for just being a governor general or perhaps being knighted. I don’t know what is going on inside the red chamber but me thinks it is a very fishy situation. I might be […] Read more
New life at former Rancher’s Beef
An American investor, who’s also had a 47-year career in the beef packing industry has bought the long-closed Rancher’s Beef packing plant at Balzac, just north of Calgary with every intention of making it a profitable beef processing facility. Rich Vesta of Fort Collins Colorado, who worked his way through the business from a meat […] Read more
Consider adding kale to the grazing menu
Graeme Finn says he believes kale, also known as forage rape, is a viable feed option for grazing cattle, and something he can snack on as he is walking across the pasture. Finn, who ranches in south-central Alberta just north of Calgary, seeded about seven acres of forage rape this year. It was part of […] Read more
Ag industry needs to show great plans for the future
Agriculture needs to show the world it has some great ideas for improving any perceived problems facing the industry, rather than trying to find creative ways to silence its critics, says a leading world consultant and communications specialists. Rather than trying to persuade skeptics that foods produced with genetically modified (GMO) crops are safe, the […] Read more
OYF nationals back in Regina
Once again successful young farmers from across the country will be celebrated at a national awards ceremony
THE NOMINEES, 2013 British Columbia: Troy and Sara Harker Alberta: Michael Kalisvaart and Karen Jansen Saskatchewan: Chad and Darlene Krikau Manitoba: Tyler and Dorelle Fulton Ontario: Dana and Adam Thatcher Quebec: Luc Gervais and Kim Brunelle Atlantic Canada: James and Amanda Kinsman, Nova Scotia About 150 alumni as well as Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) nominees […] Read moreB.C. growers add value
What’s good for other Okanagan growers is good for Harker’s Organics is how Troy and Sara Harker view the role of their diversified organic farming operation in south Central B.C. If they can help other growers find a market and add value to their products that also helps strengthen the Harkers’ own farm retail, wholesale […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
