Cochrane

Sixty-six per cent of Canadian exporters rely solely on United States, but economists say that can be hard on the bottom line
 

For someone running an agricultural or agri-food business in Saskatoon, Kelowna or Halifax, it’s easier to sell products to customers in Canada than to someone in Vietnam.

It may be easier, but exporting will make the business more productive and profitable.

You’ll have to wait until further notice before you can hear the crackle of wood and toast marshmallows over an outdoor firepit in Rocky View County.

Following similar measures by other authorities, Rocky View County has issued a full fire ban, effective immediately, as hot and dry weather continues to elevate the wildfire risk across the region.

Rocky View County Fire Services announced the fire ban late Friday afternoon, upgrading the previous fire risk status due to the ongoing high-risk conditions. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

 Australia hopes its crop will recover from last year’s drought and frost, while Canada’s production is expected to be down

The 2025-26 red lentil market hinges on what happens with Australia and Canada, say analysts.

If those two countries have average yields, supply and demand will be well balanced, Chuck Penner, an analyst with LeftField Commodity Research, recently told delegates attending the Global Pulse Confederation’s Pulses 25 conference in Singapore.

Canada and the United States are both looking at sizeable crops, while conditions are also favourable in Russia and Kazakhstan

There is potential for a big increase in green lentil production in 2025-26 after several years of tight supplies, says an analyst.

Canada will lead the way with an estimated 842,000 tonnes of production, Chuck Penner, analyst with LeftField Commodity Research, told delegates attending the Global Pulse Confederation’s Pulses 2025 conference in Singapore.

The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) and J4 Agri-Science have announced a new partnership aimed at developing new and enhanced  Faba Bean varieties. This initiative is expected to bring significant improvements to the crop's potential and provide farmers with more options for their rotations.

Canada’s dwindling farmland base and rising rental costs threaten the country’s agricultural sustainability, researchers warn

Canada’s agricultural sector faces mounting pressure as the country continues to lose farmland to urban development, while some existing acres sit vacant.

That’s according to new research released by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.

Competition for sales is expected to heat up as Russia expects a bigger crop following last year’s disappointing harvest
 

Canada will likely be facing more competition in pea export markets this year.

Russia’s production is expected to rebound after a disappointing 2024-25 harvest, said Gaurav Jain, analyst with AgPulse Analytica.

He is forecasting 5.01 million tonnes of production in 2025-26, up from 3.92 million tonnes last year.

A half-day field trip exploring the natural and industrial history north of Cochrane is drawing keen interest ahead of its launch on Saturday.

Organized by the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA), participants of the “Ice, Glaciers, Gravel & Oil” road trip will meet at 9 a.m. on June 7 at the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site.

Leading the trip is senior geologist Tako Koning, who will guide participants through a series of stops highlighting the region’s striking glacial geology and examining the environmental impacts of local industrial activity.

The fire ban previously in place for central and northern Alberta has now been extended to include the Calgary Forest Area due to heightened wildfire risk.

Under the ban, all outdoor wood fires are prohibited and existing fire permits have been suspended.

The ban applies to both public and private lands, including:

• Campfires in designated campgrounds

• Backcountry and random camping areas

• Day-use areas

• Residential properties

• The use of barbecue charcoal briquettes

Abandoned wells are a significant environmental and safety risk. These wells can act as a conduit and allow contaminated surface water to enter the well and severely impact water quality, posing risk to drinking water supplies, as well as plant, animal and aquatic life.

Abandoned wells, especially large diameter wells, are also physical hazards that can result in injury or death to humans or animals who may accidentally fall in. Proper decommissioning of these wells is crucial to protect our water sources and improve public safety.