Farmers aged 45 to 50 experienced the highest number of grain farm injuries last year, according to the latest data from the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), with those 50 and over close behind. Speaking at the CrossRoads Crop Conference at Edmonton, Alta., Jody Wacowich with AgSafe Alberta says she reviews the annual WCB report each... Read More
Category: Crossroads
The Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA) has outlined two key resolutions it will bring forward to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) annual general meeting later this month, aimed at strengthening Canada’s approach to ag technology and innovation. Aaron Stein, executive director of the AFA, says the organization is calling for a national ag tech... Read More
D'Arcy Hilgartner is stepping into the role of board chair at RDAR (Results Driven Agriculture Research) as the organization continues to sharpen its focus on delivering practical research to Alberta producers. A long-time board member, Hilgartner says the priority remains clear: ensuring research investments translate into measurable value on the farm. Hilgartner, who has served... Read More
The Alberta government has expressed concern following a federal announcement that could see several Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research stations shut down, including the Lacombe facility. Speaking at the Crossroads Crop Conference in Edmonton, Alta., Alberta’s assistant deputy minister of primary agriculture, John Conrad, says the province is still absorbing the news but is... Read More
Raising a family in a rural area comes with a lot of benefits, including a caring community and an often slower pace of life than what the cities offer. There are drawbacks though, and longer — sometimes much longer — emergency response times is one of the major ones. This drawback is one that Kim... Read More
Regardless of the topic — be it food security, water access, or animal welfare — communicating using language that resonates with consumers is key to getting a message through. Food insecurity is on the rise in Canada, as grocery prices have been rising for the last five years. According to Food Banks Canada, as of... Read More
In urban centres, people are removed from the agricultural way of life, and while they may appreciate and enjoy the fruit of the land from a local grocery store, what most people know about farming systems and food itself too often comes from sources that are far removed from farming. In this interview recorded at... Read More
Farm safety is often overlooked in the hectic pace of daily chores, making training and emergency plans critically important. That's why winter can be a great time to focus on safety, says Jody Wacowich, executive director of AgSafe Alberta. Courses such as FARMERS CARE, respiratory protective equipment (RPE), and confined space awareness are all available... Read More
The advancement of technology has been a game changer when it comes to the ability to communicate, shop, pay for goods and services, and even farm. From internet access to GPS-equipped tractors and combines, online connectivity has made many tasks easier. There can be risks associated with being online, however simple steps can help enhance... Read More
The backlash and subsequent scaling back of environmental policies affecting European agriculture offers a lesson for governments and political parties around the world, says a policy analyst with a European consumer advocacy group. The European Union's Farm to Fork strategy was introduced about five years ago, and included steep restrictions on pesticide and fertilizer use,... Read More