Articles Written by Alberta Agriculture

Four options to help deal with a feed shortage

By Alberta Agriculture September 12, 2018

What is your best option if you’re short on feed? “Each farm is different and therefore doing your numbers as they pertain to your situation is paramount,” said provincial economics extension specialist Herman Simons. “In addition, each option has different pros and cons, which should be listed and taken into account when determining the best[...]
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Crops mowed down by the great white combine can have high concentrations of nitrates and need to be tested before being used as feed.

Crops, Hay

Nitrate accumulation a danger in hailed-out crops

The crop, its development stage, and the amount of nitrogen in the soil all need to be considered

By Alberta Agriculture July 31, 2018

Reading Time: 2 minutes Think about nitrate accumulation when salvaging cereal, oilseed, or hay crops damaged by hail, says a provincial beef and forage specialist. “Nitrate accumulation occurs in a plant when it is injured and is not able to convert nitrate to protein efficiently after a hailstorm,” said Barry Yaremcio. “In non-legume crops, water and nutrients are pushed[...]
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General

Answer these tough questions before asking for a loan

By Alberta Agriculture May 2, 2017

Looking for a loan or an increase in your line of credit? Here are five key questions you should be able to answer before talking to your lender.

Crops

Most Alberta crops in good to excellent condition

By Alberta Agriculture July 22, 2016

Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has issued its latest crop report with conditions to July 19. This is an abbreviated version; click here for the full report and tables by region. With significant rains across the province, particularly in the South and Central Regions over the past two weeks, most of the agricultural lands in Alberta[...]
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Crops, Weather

Salvaging hail-damaged crops

By Alberta Agriculture July 21, 2016

Reading Time: 2 minutes Storm damage to crops can result in problems with nitrate accumulations, especially if the crops were heavily fertilized or manured in the spring to optimize yield. “With volatile weather comes storm damage and, for some producers, this means salvaging crops for feed,” says Andrea Hanson, beef extension specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Airdrie. Hanson cautions[...]
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Crops, Livestock

Three traits of profitable farms

By Alberta Agriculture March 30, 2016

“Recently, farm management expert Professor Eric A. DuVuyst of Oklahoma State University shared three traits common to all successful producers, drawing on observations and experience gained from working within five U.S. land grant universities,” said provincial farm management specialist Rick Dehod. “We definitely see these same three common traits in our successful Alberta producers.”

Crops

Stripe rust survey update for southern Alberta

By Alberta Agriculture August 2, 2013

Reading Time: < 1 minute This week, Dr. Denis Gaudet and his crew at AAFC-Lethbridge surveyed 23 spring wheat fields from Cardston to Vulcan for stripe rust. Stripe rust was seen in 50 per cent of the fields with the average incidence ranging from trace to 5 per cent. In three fields, incidences ranged from 15-90 per cent but severities[...]
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Crops, General, Weather

“Exceptional” crop ratings in Alberta

By Alberta Agriculture July 31, 2012

Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development has released its biweekly crop report for July 24. The provincial summary follows. The full report is available alongside. Alberta has seen the return to more seasonal temperatures over the past several weeks following the hot weather experienced two weeks ago. Sporadic light and heavy showers were reported in all[...]
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Crops, Livestock

Beware of baling hay too early in hot weather

By Alberta Agriculture July 24, 2012

Reading Time: 2 minutes An Alberta Agriculture beef specialist warns that hay needs to be completely cured before being baled. Recent high temperatures, resulting in quick drying conditions, have some producers heading out to bale within two to four days after cutting. If hay isn’t completely cured, there could be damage to the hay after being baled. “Moisture probes[...]
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Crops, General, Weather

First frost hits northern Alberta

By Alberta Agriculture September 13, 2011

Reading Time: < 1 minute Ralph Wright, soil moisture specialist with Alberta Agriculture, has released a map showing that overnight temperatures dipped below zero across two large areas on the night of Sept. 11-12 These areas are roughly centred around Edmonton and Grande Prairie. Several stations recorded overnight temperatures that dipped below 0 C, across two large areas; one centred[...]
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Klassen: Deferred live cattle futures pull feeder market higher

Railways to blame for terminal shortages, WGEA says

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs firm as U.S. stimulus plan fuels optimism

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