Alberta growers want a provincial wheat commission

A group of Alberta farmers is pushing for the establishment of a provincial wheat commission, saying it could help unite wheat producers and drive more money into cereal research. “We see this as an opportunity to enhance grower profitability through research and market development,” said Greg Porozni, a grain producer from Willingdon who is a

Don’t Stand For Foot Problems In Your Herd

It’s a cliché but prevention really is the best cure for hoof problems, according to an Ontario veterinarian who specializes in bovine foot care. And at the top of Gerard Cramer’s prevention list is preventing foot rot and digital dermatitis by ensuring feet are comfortable, clean, regularly trimmed and evaluated. In particular, producers need to


Biobed Offers A Place For Your Diluted Chemicals To Rest

You’ve cleaned out the sprayer, now what do you do with the rinse water? “The common dilemma is what to do with the dilute rinsing,” research scientist Tom Wolf told attendees at the recent Canadian Association of Agriculture Retailers conference. “This is a difficult problem.” But the Agriculture Canada scientist thinks he’s found an answer.

Farmers Urged To Rethink View Of Wetlands

Preserving wetlands is good for farmers, not just ducks, says a regional agrologist for Ducks Unlimited Canada. “When we think about typical farm assets, we don’t think about wetlands,” Paul Thoroughgood told the recent conference of the Canadian Association of Agricultural Retailers. “We think about land, we think about labour and we think about capital.


Data Can Equal Dollars When Selling Cattle

Getting data back on your cattle can help producers make better decisions and earn premiums, says a leading cattle buyer. Feedlots are moving towards a more sophisticated method of valuating cattle and that’s creating opportunities for producers, Travis Hickey told attendees at the recent Ranching Opportunities seminar in Olds. The value for feeder cattle can

Keep Your Information And Create Value For Your Cattle

The cattle industry is moving into the information age and some producers are going to be rewarded for their ability to collect, understand, and respond to data on their animals, says the senior cattle buyer at Cargill Foods. “Information is what you need to focus on,” Aaron Fehlauer told attendees at the recent Ranching Opportunities


Changing Your Paradigm To Change Your Life

The road to higher profits starts with changing the way you see your operation, according to Don Campbell, a Saskatchewan rancher and longtime advocate of holistic management. “Holistic management has made a big difference in my life and that’s why I teach and consult, because I want people to have a better life,” the Meadow

Audits Are Key To Credible Animal-Welfare Program

If you want to prove you’re treating animals humanely, then set clear and measurable standards, avoid fuzzy language in audits, and let independent observers from the outside world see what you’re doing. That was the advice that renowned animal behavioural scientist Temple Grandin delivered to the recent Animal Welfare Forum held at the University of


Famed Scientist Urges Producers To Share The Message

Just days before taking a star turn on the internationally televised Golden Globes awards show, renowned animal behaviourist Temple Grandin urged Alberta farmers, ranchers, and others in agriculture to put themselves in the spotlight. “I can’t emphasize it enough that ag has to do a much better job of communicating with the public,” Grandin told

Animal Welfare Is Of Global Importance

Animal welfare is increasingly on consumers’ radar screens, and is now starting to be seen as a standard of good business, says a University of Calgary animal-welfare specialist. Animal-care standards are being used to differentiate between products and are creating favourable trading opportunities for countries with the best ones, Dr. Ed Pajor told the recent