We grew up on family farms in the same area; my mom and dad farming east of Three Hills and his parents running a farm and feedlot on the other side of town. We were both in our 30s and farming full time on our respective family farms when a breakdown in family relationships made it untenable for him and his wife Kendra to carry on with business as usual.
Seed growers are at the forefront of advancement in crop production, said Kelly Chambers, executive director of Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers (ABCSG). They specialize in production and multiplication of plant breeder stock that produces certified, blue tag seed for commercial production. Alberta’s 662 certified seed growers farmed 307,711 acres of pedigreed seed in 2024, about 25 per cent of Canadian pedigreed acreage.
Raised on a mixed grain and pig farm in southeast Saskatchewan, a career in agriculture was a foregone conclusion for Wayne Thompson. Although he helped raise the pigs and grow the grain, he has always been preoccupied with the issues farmers face and how they can maintain stable, profitable operations.
After a transitional year, Western Crops Innovations (WCI) is gearing up to begin life on its own, and continue to provide value to farmers. Formerly known as the provincial government’s Field Crop Development Centre, it spent three years under a licensing agreement with Olds College. As of April 2024, WCI was registered as a not-for-profit corporation and new agreements were negotiated with the Province.
Commitment is a stressful word for farmers who are subject to the unpredictability of the weather and grain markets. Forward contracts with buyers allow them to lock in a cash price long before the grain is delivered. In doing so, these agreements reduce downside price risk and uncertainty.
The invisible fungal mycotoxin ochratoxin-A, or OTA, can spoil grain under high moisture and temperature conditions. Though it develops exclusively in stored wheat, oats, barley and other grains, OTA is produced by Penicillium verrucosum, a naturally occurring soil fungus.
BY TREVOR BACQUE • PHOTO COURTESY OF CORTEVA It’s taken many years of research and policy discussions, but it’s almost here. By 2027, American farmers will be able to purchase and grow hybrid wheat. Late in 2024, Corteva Agriscience announced its proprietary hybrid wheat system that pushes yield potential by 10 per cent and up […]
Popularly known as the Blue Book, Alberta’s Crop Protection Guide, is a manual for the use of crop protection products by Alberta farmers and agronomists. This trusted resource helps users navigate the complexities of chemical application.
Protein Industries Canada is now accepting expressions of interest for a new round of technology projects with a focus on the blending of pulses and cereals. The main goal of this $10 million undertaking is to create the next generation of high-protein, plant-based ingredients and food products.
Some have dubbed it “The Parthenon of Booze.” But Bryce Parsons, CEO and founder of True Wild Distilling, said the business’s impressive Calgary headquarters is a showcase for Alberta agriculture. The $14 million destination distillery, restaurant and event space is housed in a decommissioned electrical substation built in 1911. It boasts an imposingly beautiful white edifice, hence the reference to the ancient architectural wonder.
