Greg Price, The Western Producer

InteliRain is like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but for irrigation farmers — getting their fields “just right” for water distribution.

The Calgary-based company uses an automated variable rate irrigation system that allows growers to maximize yields, minimize workloads and conserve water.

The Municipal District of Taber administers public land that had been previously turned over to it by the Alberta government.

Alberta municipal leaders are eyeing the Municipal District of Taber as it grapples with striking the right balance between stewardship and the responsibility of raising an appropriate amount of revenue for its agricultural lands on behalf of ratepayers.

Initiatives in Saskatchewan and Alberta recognize some of the country’s most extensive and unique remaining prairie ecosystems.

There’s a new focus on protecting biodiversity in native prairie grasslands in southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta.

It’s coming in the form of new “key biodiversity area” designations, denoting they’re home to species at risk in this rapidly vanishing landscape.

Lack of progress means time is growing short to get a successfull crop into the ground in Southern Alberta.

Contract negotiations are dragging on for Alberta sugar beet producers.

It’s already early May, and Alberta Sugar Beet Growers and Rogers Sugar, the sole sugar-beet processing plant left in Canada, still haven’t hammered out a deal.

Jennifer Crowson, executive director with the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers, cautioned the Western Producer in an email that she was limited in what she can share, other than that they are still in active negotiations.

Southern Alberta farmer has long-standing issues with supply-management system for smaller egg producers like himself.

A southern Alberta egg producer who had been jailed for missing a court date for violating the provincial laws governing egg production has passed a premises inspection by Egg Farmers of Alberta.

Henk Van Essen said an inspector only spent a few minutes inside his operation before coming back out and telling him he was in full compliance.

“They were so sure they were going to find thousands of chickens in this barn,” Van Essen said.

Following a comprehensive investigation by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s inspection and investigation section, the FALG program was suspended in February for Alberta’s largest cattle financing co-operative, alleging a number of financial mismanagement and regulatory issues.
 
As negotiations continue to reinstate the Feeders Association Loan Guarantee program to the Picture Butte Feeder Co-operative, the provincial cattle feeders association is making its feelings known.