stripe rust on wheat

Stripe rust alert in Alberta

Disease found in Oregon three weeks earlier than ever recorded

Alberta Agriculture plant pathologist Mike Harding has issued a bulletin noting that stripe rust alerts have been issued for Oregon and Montana. A Jan. 19 Capital Press story says stripe rust has been discovered in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Oregon State University plant pathologist Chris Mundt and three extension researchers issued an alert Jan. 19 informing […] Read more



(Photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Some farmers already seeding in southern Alberta

CNS Canada — Some farmers in southern Alberta are seeding earlier than normal this spring, thanks to some recent warmer weather. “Some guys are just starting to turn a wheel in southern Alberta,” Harry Brook, crop specialist with Alberta’s provincial Ag-Info Centre in Stettler, said Thursday. Soil temperatures are still not very warm, so more […] Read more


Colleen Biggs of TK Ranch near Hanna says listening to their customers has guided them toward animal welfare certification.

Animal Welfare label confirms TK Ranch commitment

Alberta ranch finds the opportunity to reinforce their values of proper livestock production practices

One of the advantages of direct marketing is receiving feedback through direct contact with the people who will be eating your product. Colleen and Dylan Biggs have been marketing ranch-finished beef and other meat products from their east-central Alberta ranch since 1995, and listening to their customers. About five years ago, they recognized there was […] Read more

(CanolaCouncil.org)

Grasshopper risk light in most of Western Canada

CNS Canada — Most of Western Canada is expected to see low populations of grasshoppers in 2015, although there are a few areas of concern, according to forecasts from the three provinces. Most of Manitoba has a low risk of seeing high grasshopper populations this year, according to a forecast from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and […] Read more


farm family

Stamps honoured with Motherwell Award

Richard and Marian Stamp are recognized for their commitment to the agriculture industry

A southern Alberta couple has been recognized with an award for their overall commitment to bettering the agriculture industry, and their ongoing support for an organization that recognizes the achievements of some of the most progressive young farmers in the country. Richard and Marian Stamp, who along with family members operate Stamp Seeds farm at […] Read more

cows eating hay in the snow

Snow can be an excellent water source for cattle

Eating snow is a learned behaviour which may take a few days for livestock to adjust

For eons, wild animals in Canada especially the large herbivores have relied on snow as their primary water source through the winter. It has been shown that some wild species like reindeer actually prefer snow if given a choice. Canadian ruminants, especially pregnant beef and bison cows and heifers, can do well eating snow. On […] Read more


Alta. Wildrose ag critic joins Tories

The agriculture and rural development critic for Alberta’s official Wildrose opposition has crossed the floor to the governing Tories. Little Bow MLA Ian Donovan announced his defection from the Wildrose on Monday to the Progressive Conservatives alongside Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Kerry Towle, Wildrose’s critic for human services and seniors. “In order to maintain my integrity, […] Read more

corn field

Corn could be your 2015 cash crop

If you thought you lived on the fringe of the corn-growing area, 
it may be time to take a look at today’s varieties

Farmers in Alberta are planting more and more corn. From 5,000 acres in 1990 the area under cultivation has expanded to over 40,000 in 2014. Alberta agriculture professionals expect this trend to continue, driven by increased demand from domestic livestock producers. Though corn requires high inputs, it can produce very high per acre yields, and […] Read more