The board of governors of Westlock Terminals recognized that to thrive as a relatively small player in the grain handling business requires diversification. The independent elevator was established in 2002 when its mostly local shareholders purchased the former Agricore United elevator. This was done with the intent to maintain community control, provide local jobs and strengthen the regional economy. Westlock Terminals has since carefully expanded its product and service offering.

When Anna and Vladimir Posikera received three awards for their multicoloured perogy products at the 2024 Made in Alberta Awards ceremony, Anna found it hard to speak as she took the stage to accept. Just two years earlier in February 2022, the couple, their two young children and Anna’s mother fled Kostiantynivka, a city near the frontline of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Though thrilled to be honoured as grand winner, their difficult escape and the ongoing war occupied their thoughts. “It was very emotional for us,” said Anna.

Science has enriched the world in countless ways: the light bulb, penicillin, crazy glue. Speaking on the latter, research is the glue that holds the grain sector together. Alberta Grains annually approves funding for multiple studies that may benefit farmers.

In Alberta, mature oil and gas fields and wells continue to be abandoned at record speed. Often called mature assets, they continually look more and more like liabilities for many farmers. When an operator abandons a site, municipal taxes and surface leases go unpaid, which can be financially damaging for rural communities and landowners.

Alberta farmers typically see their products shipped far away to be processed while the province loses the value-added margin. This is changing as rural communities work to keep more food processing at home. Such development gives farmers expanded market options and shorter hauls.

Led by Lakeland College in partnership with Farming Smarter and SARDA Ag Research, a three-year study examined ways to minimize lodging and maximize yield in barley. The project was carried out with the support of the Agriculture Funding Consortium. The initiative, which wrapped up this year, examined the combined effects of cultivar selection, plant growth regulator (PGR) strategies and tank mixes under Prairie conditions.

As illegal seed practices continue across Canada, a tip line has been established by the country’s biggest industry group.

The feed industry continues to be optimistic after recently announced changes to Canada’s policies and regulations.

Farmer opinion is often hijacked and presented inaccurately, said Shaun Haney, owner and editor of RealAgriculture.com, a farm journalism website. All too often, he has heard industry players draw self-serving conclusions as they cite casual conversations with one or two farmers as the collective viewpoint of farmers across the country.

To stay in the black while greening the planet is a constant challenge for agriculture. The production of ammonia-based fertilizer is a carbon intensive process. In response, FuelPositive Corporation has developed a cutting-edge fertilizer production system to be operational on a Manitoba farm upon approval by Manitoba Hydro. This green ammonia equipment is pitched as friendly for the environment and the farm bottom line.