On the surface, it doesn't seem like doctors and farmers have all that much in common. When you dig a little deeper, however, there is at least one major similarity: up until about five to 10 years ago doctors worked almost exclusively with paper records. Farmers largely still do. But Telus, with its recent purchase... Read More
Category: Western Canada
Shovels will hit the ground in early 2020, pending final regulatory approvals, to build two new grain elevators for G3. The first, located at Vermilion, Alta., will have a capacity of 34,000 tonnes and will be located on the CN Rail line. The second elevator, located at Swift Current, Sask., will have capacity of 42,000... Read More
There are several downgrading factors in the pulse crop that farmers have no control over — snow or rain at harvest that causes sprouting and bleaching being perhaps the most common. Other factors, however, such as dirt tag, staining, and cracks can be managed to some degree through harvest management and gentle handling. For this... Read More
Less than three weeks before Christmas, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry have laid off staff. A total of 22 managers from a variety of programs were given the option to opt out and receive severance. Another 20 managers have received working notice. "Alberta has a spending problem, and tough decisions need to be made to chart... Read More
The western Canadian canola market is an attractive one with about 20 million acres of seed put in the ground each year. But while the acres are plentiful, it's still a very competitive market. Nuseed, a division of Nufarm, wagers that its approach is the right one in bringing a new commercial commodity canola business... Read More
It's been over two months since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) suspended the license of a beef slaughter and processing plant in Ontario, and the shutdown is taking a toll on the eastern Canadian beef industry. Toronto-based Ryding-Regency Meat Packers Ltd. saw the suspension of its Safe Food for Canadians license effective September 17,... Read More
When you send soil samples for testing, what do you ask for? If you're following Ross McKenzie's advice, there's likely some real value in testing more than just nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur (N, P, K, and S). The former Alberta Agriculture soil scientist says it's not too late to test soil this year, as... Read More
Poor harvest conditions in Alberta have caused an unthinkable about of economic loss let alone stress for the farmer this year. Mix in the uncertainty of trade, ongoing disputes across the global political stage, and business risk management (BRM) programs not being equipped to handle the issues is a recipe for disaster, according to Team... Read More
Before companies can sell Canadian wheat and durum to global customers, they first need to get a handle on crop grade and overall quality. The Harvest Sample program is a big part of getting this early data. From that program, CIGI and the Canadian Grain Commission run a test on not just grade and grade... Read More
As weather continues to delay the 2019 harvest, Rogers Sugar has made a decision that's none too sweet. Citing "severe adverse weather in Alberta" for the sugar beet crop, the company has made a decision to terminate its beet harvest. According to a news release, the company says roughly 60,000 to 70,000 metric tonnes of... Read More