Agri-News – RTW this Week (Sept 23, 2013)

News article

Features

Frost So Far This Fall

Albertans know that winter is coming and that autumn brings cooler temperatures and the threat of over-night frost; but, before September 15, early widespread frosts were all but absent from most of the agricultural areas of the province. However, since that time, overnight cool northern air, clear skies and light winds combined to bring heavy frosts to most of the agricultural areas north of Red Deer.

This Country Called Agriculture

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has produced a series of videos for farmers, called This Country Called Agriculture. The series is hosted by Rob Eirich, and focuses on agribusiness topics in Canada.

Click to read more in Agri-News. >

Saskatoon & Rhubarb Jam

Autumn is in the air and it’s the time to turn your thoughts to canning and preserving – and, of course, making jam with all of the delicious fruits that you can find at the local farmers’ market. Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association maintains a great website that features information on local markets, as well as a wealth of recipes to enjoy.

Click here for this recipe. >

Ergot in Screening Pellets

The Ag Info Centre has been receiving calls about high levels of ergot in screening pellets. This can be a very serious situation, as Russell Horvey, a rancher east of Red Deer, found out last year. Horvey says he lost three heifer calves as a result of ergot in feed.

Hear the Call of the Land interview >

Markets

Crops

Livestock

Weekly livestock market review

Cattle Market Reports

Herb Lock with Farm$ense Marketing in Edmonton has details on two cattle reports with implications for the markets.

Click to listen to the Call of the Land interview. >

Pest Corner

Management Strategies for Late Blight

Rob Spencer, commercial horticulture specialist with Alberta Agriculture, says proper disposal is key, regardless of whether you think you have late blight or not; but he adds there are other management strategies to keep in mind as well.

For more detailed information on late blight, download the Light Blight of Potatoes and Tomatoes—Frequently Asked Questionsfactsheet from Alberta Agriculture’s website.

Export Markets

Agriculture and Trade Focus of Trip to U.S. Conference

Addressing trade issues and opening new markets for agriculture were top priorities when Alberta’s Agriculture Minister attended a U.S. legislators’ conference. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Verlyn Olson and Edmonton-McClung MLA David Xiao participated in the Council of State Governments (CSG) National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 19 to 22, 2013.

Click for more information in Agri-News. >

Livestock

Alberta Goat Breeders Association Convention and Production Sale

Laurie Fries, president of the Alberta Goat Breeders Association, talks about the annual convention and production sale and how the association is encouraging more youth involvement in the industry :

The Alberta Goat Breeders Association annual convention and production sale is September 27 to 29 at the Camrose Regional Exhibition. For more information, visit the AGBA website.

Factsheets for Neighbours of Confined Feeding Operations

A series of factsheets have been put together for neighbours of confined feeding operations. One of those factsheets, Statements of Concern for Directly Affected Parties is hot off the presses. Chris Ullman, a CFO extension specialist with Alberta Agriculture, talks about the factsheet. For more information visit the AOPA website.

Click here to listen to the Call of the Land interview. >

Confined Feeding Operations Stewardship Program

The Confined Feeding Operations Stewardship Program under Growing Forward 2 was one of a number of programs launched earlier this year. Program Coordinator Jennifer Neden gives an update on the program.

Click here to hear the interview >

Business

Connecting With the Ag-Resources You Need!

Producers who have questions about agricultural production, business planning, markets, etc., can look to the many resources provided by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development for information. Tapping into these resources is easy.

Click to read more in Agri-News. >

Alberta Community and Co-operative Association Newsletter

The September 17 ACCA newsletter contains several interesting articles on the work the ACCA is doing in the province and the programs they support. To read more about ACCA and catch-up on their most recent news, click here.

Financial Advice Panel for Young Farmers

The Peace Country Beef and Forage Association is hosting a Financial Advice Panel event specifically for young farmers. Extension coordinator Monika Ross has a preview of the event.

Click here for the Call of the Land interview >

Food & Ag Processing

Food News – September 2013

The latest issue of Food News is available online. This issue contains information on flood recovery, upcoming workshops, mentorship, workforce development and Health Canada’s regulatory review.

Click this link to the September issue of Food News. >

Long-time Director Named Youngest AFC Chair

The Agriculture and Food Council of Alberta (AFC) announced that Fairview-area producer Amber Moskalyk was recently elected as Chair of the Agriculture and Food Council (AFC). Moskalyk is also the Youth Director on the AFC Board. She brings enthusiasm and innovative ideas to the role of Chair.

Click here for more information. >

Environment

Alberta’s Regional Land Use Plans – An Integrated Approach to Managing Water & Land

This is the first of a series of seminar sessions for municipal decision makers and community leaders to understand and navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by Alberta’s new direction for water and land use as defined in the draft regional plan for Southern Alberta. This seminar is being held in Calgary on November 27, 2013. For more information, contact Lisa Fox with Sustainability Resources Inc

Rural Development

New Co-op Teaching Skills to Enhance Community and Sustainability

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own cheese, soap, candles or mead? If these ideas sound interesting, you might want to learn more about SquareKnot, a Calgary co-operative that provides a myriad of do-it-yourself workshops, in an effort to create sustainability and stronger community connections.

Click for more information. >

Alberta Rural Development Network

ARDN executive director Dee Ann Benard provides an update on the Alberta Rural Development Network and talks ARDN One, an event being held in Leduc on October 7. For more information, visit theARDN website.

Jobs In Agriculture

Organic Value Chain and Marketing Program Coordinator

Organic Alberta is looking for a value chain and marketing program coordinator. This is a two-year full-time position based out of the Edmonton office. Applications must be submitted by October 4 and the job start date is October 14, 2013.

Click here for further information. >

ALMA Seeks Free-Lance Writer

The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA), a Government of Alberta agency, is seeking a professional to write and edit a booklet relating to sustainability of the livestock and meat industry. This is a contract position. Please submit a Letter of Interest, including the information requested to Nicole Paradis.

Click here for details. >

Research & Technology

Research Papers Added to Foragebeef.ca

Foragebeef.ca has added the following research papers to the website resource. The relationship between feed efficiency traits and fertility in young beef bulls, has been placed into the Nutrition and Reproductive Efficiency folder, and Suitability of cool- and warm-season annual cereal species for winter grazing in Saskatchewan, has been placed into the Extended Grazing Using Annuals folder.

Using Composting Piles to Dispose of SRMs

Tim Reuter, a research scientist with Alberta Agriculture, discusses research into using compost piles to get rid of carcasses infected with such things as avian influenza. He comments on:

Dairy Research

The Dairy Research and Technology Centre in Edmonton is home to many research projects. Marcos Colazo, a dairy scientist with Alberta Agriculture, talks about some of that research, specifically embryo transfer.

Click to listen to the Call of the Land interview. >

Monday, September 23, 2013