Strathmore

Research finds agriculture waste could be transformed into biogas and fertilizer using bacteria-based techonology

Canadian farms could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while generating renewable energy by converting agricultural waste into biogas, a McGill University doctoral student says.

Anjaly Paul said anaerobic digestion could transform livestock manure and crop residues that would otherwise decompose in landfills into valuable resources.

A Saskatoon-based company has begun field trials of a replacement for granular peat inoculant.

Peat has been used for decades to inoculate crops such as peas and lentils and is a biological that provides consistent benefits, said Dave Greenshields, who founded Insight Plant Health in 2020.

However, customers are looking for a replacement, he told people attending a recent Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre field day.

Real Canadian Wrestling (RCW) held its Stampede Smackdown over the weekend.

The event took place on Sunday (Aug. 3) night at the Strathmore Family Centre and included several wrestling matches featuring both new and returning talent.

The event concluded with a "Strathmore street fight" tag team match featuring Old School Violence, which includes Strathmore-based wrestler Steve Wilde. In the match, Wilde reclaimed the tag team championship belt after losing it earlier this year.

There were a ton of musical performances during the Strathmore Stampede long weekend.

There was the Emerging Artist Showcase, which featured the music of indie artists from around the area.

On Friday (Aug. 1) night, there was the Friday Night Round-up Concert, featuring country star Tyler Joe Miller. 

The annual Strathmore Stampede Parade took place over the weekend.

The parade featured over 100 floats, one of the largest turnouts in Stampede history.

Tyler Hille, CEO of Rocket Grid Marketing, expressed happiness with the way the parade went.

"It was a fantastic weekend. We're really happy with the way everything turned out, the way the community came together, as it always does at Stampede, which was cool to see."

It was the first time in four years that the RCMP Musical Ride came to Strathmore.

The RCMP Musical Ride was performed throughout the Strathmore Stampede August long weekend, with the performance taking place on the rodeo grounds.

The show is made up of 32 RCMP on horseback who perform intricate formations and drills set to music.

Environment Canada (EC) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Strathmore and the surrounding area.

The watch was issued on Wednesday (Aug. 6) as conditions may lead to the development of dangerous thunderstorms. The group added that these storms may produce large hail, torrential rain, and funnel clouds.

"Conditions will improve this evening," wrote EC. 

This is the second Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued this week, with the first being issued on Monday.

Alberta's government is creating fines and rules meant to curb predatory tow truck drivers.

Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says concerns have been raised about tow truck drivers showing up at car accidents and pressuring those involved to unnecessarily accept their services.

Dreeshen says in some cases tow truck drivers charge excessive fees and don't provide necessary information to those whose vehicles are towed.

The U11 AA Strathmore Reds baseball team kept the gold at home after a provincial tournament over the weekend.

The tournament took place at the Hillview Diamond in Strathmore between Friday (Aug. 1) and Sunday, bringing in several other teams from across Alberta.

The Reds began the tournament with a victory over the Grande Prairie Reds on Friday before achieving another win against the Parkland Twin Whites the following day. 

The federal government is setting up a safety net of loans, product-development grants and market diversification plans for Canada’s softwood lumber industry in an effort to shield it from the worst of American duties and fees.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the plan Tuesday, promising $700 million in loan guarantees to address what he called "immediate pressures" and $500 million for long-term supports to help companies diversify export markets and develop their products. 

Carney also promised that future projects will "prioritize" Canadian lumber.