Cochrane

County of Newell takes over Crop Diversification Centre South and hopes to attract dozens of tenants for the $100 million facility

Like the mighty Phoenix, the County of Newell is hoping the Crop Diversification Centre South in Brooks, Alta., will rise from the ashes and regain the prominence it once had in agricultural research.

June brought its share of thunderstorm activity to the Prairies.

The Canadian Crop Hail Association says mid-June thunderstorms damaged crops across Western Canada, dropping pea- to toonie-sized hail.
 
CCHA member companies are investigating more than 900 claims of crop damage from hailstorms that occurred June 13-20. The majority of the claims were filed in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Farmers have been out evaluating crop damage to determine the impact, as some crops can recover depending on the damage and the stage of the crop.

Alberta Parks has issued a bear warning for the Grassi Lakes Trail System and surrounding area in Kananaskis Country due to increased black bear activity. The advisory took effect on July 1.

While the warning specifically applies to the Grassi Lakes area, Alberta Parks is reminding visitors that bear encounters can happen anywhere in Kananaskis at any time.

To reduce the risk of an encounter, visitors are urged to secure all attractants, such as food, garbage, recycling, pet food, and scented items, and never leave them unattended.

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is back, and this year it’s pulling out all the stops.

Whether you're a rodeo fanatic, a live music lover, or just here for the outrageous food, the 2025 Calgary Stampede is serving up fresh thrills. Here’s your roundup of what’s new, wild, and delicious at this year’s Stampede!

🐴 RCMP Musical Ride

As the Calgary Stampede gets underway, one of its most iconic attractions, the WestJet Skyride, is marking a major milestone, with a strong Cochrane connection behind the scenes.

The WestJet Skyride, which has carried millions of riders above the Stampede midway since 1976, is now in its 50th year of operation. For the last eight years, Cochrane’s Darryn Monaghan and his family business, Quadra Industrial, have been behind the scenes keeping the ride safe and running smoothly.

Alberta Health Services has lifted a water quality advisory for the swim pond at Tim Horton Children’s Ranch in Kananaskis, effective immediately.

The advisory was originally issued on June 26 after routine testing showed elevated levels of fecal bacteria.

AHS now confirms that water quality has returned to acceptable standards, and the health risk is considered low for recreational use.

With the grazing season underway there are some things producers can look at to help gauge the health of their rangelands. One indicator is the species composition; this includes which species and types of plants you are seeing as well as amount of each species. 3 terms that we often hear when talking about range health are decreaser, increaser, and invader which can be used to describe how plants respond to grazing pressure.

The Old West will be on full display as thousands clad in tassels, boots and buckles march through city streets today to kick off the Calgary Stampede.

Country superstar Shania Twain will saddle up and lead the parade on horseback before performing Saturday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Stampede runs until July 13.

The “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” singer, who was raised in Timmins, Ont., last took the stage at the Stampede in 2014.

Two coal companies suing Alberta's government over its mining policy flip-flop say they've reached a settlement agreement with the province.

Notices published online by Evolve Power and Atrum Coal dated last month say details are confidential, and no dollar figures are disclosed.

Atrum, in its notice, said its agreement is definitive, though Evolve's notice says the terms of its own settlement are being finalized.

Get ready to dust off your boots and embrace the wild spirit of the West without breaking the bank!

Whether you're heading to Calgary Stampede for the rodeo, the food, the midway, or the music, there are tons of ways to enjoy The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth on a budget. Here's your ultimate guide to saving big and celebrating even bigger at Stampede 2025.

Value Days: Free admission and big-time perks