Strathmore

A spring survey to gauge consumer opinions about food pricing, buying habits and values found affordability the top concern

Whether people throw steaks or hot dogs on the barbecue this summer could reflect how they feel about their food spending.

A new report from the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University found increasing anxiety about food affordability compared to last fall.

Staff at 104.5 More Country headed out yet again for another Meals on the Farm delivery.

The crew from Wild Iron Farms is our third winner and had some delicious lunch from Baldwin BBQ.

The farm is currently seeding wheat, barley, peas, mustard, and flax.

John Wheatley, a farmer with Wild Iron Farms, explains that he has been doing this for a long time.

"It's a family farm. Getting out of it isn't an option. You just keep going year after year and hope it gets better."

Deferred grazing, a practice that involves delaying livestock grazing until after key growing seasons, is a valuable strategy for preserving and enhancing native prairie ecosystems. Unlike continuous or early-season grazing, deferred grazing allows native grasses and forbs the opportunity to complete their life cycles, set seed, and recover from previous disturbances. This approach brings a range of environmental, ecological, and even economic benefits that support both sustainable ranching and grassland conservation. 

Canada needs flexible, farmer-driven standards to guide regenerative agriculture, experts say

With producer and policy interest in regenerative agriculture growing across Canada, policymakers and industry leaders are debating how to standardize the concept without undermining its core principles or grassroots appeal.

Questions around standardization and regulation were front and centre during an April 30 webinar hosted by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.

Alberta's latest crop report shows seeding of major crops is significantly ahead of historical averages. Manglai, product coordinator with Alberta Financial Services Corporation, who helps compile the report, says seeding is now at 47 per cent, well above the five-year average of 26 per cent and the ten-year average of 29 per cent.

Breaking down the regional analysis, the South region leads with 76 per cent of seeding completed, followed by the Central region at 51 per cent  the Northeast at 37 per cent, the Northwest at 29 per cent, and the Peace region at 27 per cent.

The Manitoba government has announced a $1 million partnership to enhance veterinary care services in northern and remote communities, which will include mobile spay and neuter services. Agriculture Minister Ron Kostitsyn emphasized that this funding is a step in the right direction to ensure every animal receives timely and compassionate care.

This week marks the end of the regular season for the Strathmore High School Spartans senior boys' rugby team.

The Spartans' final game is against Bert Church at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, at the field next to Strathmore High School.

The Gordon Taylor Bridge in Drumheller is down to one lane due to an ongoing rehabilitation project.

Starting on Tuesday, May 20, Alberta Transportation and Everest Construction are implementing a major traffic shift on the bridge, with northbound and southbound lanes moved to the east side of the bridge. 

"The Town of Drumheller has also approved a noise relaxation permit to allow extended working hours," wrote the town on social media.

The Strathmore High School Spartans esports team had some standout performances at the Alberta Esports Championship earlier this month.

The tournament took place at Bow Valley College from May 10 to 11 and featured junior high and high school students from across the province playing Rocket League, Valorant, and Super Smash Bros.

According to Strathmore High, JuanJose Gonzales placed thirteenth, and Jordan MacDonald finished seventeenth out of more than 120 competitors in Super Smash Bros. 

Ryan Straschnitzki's life has been an open book since he was seriously injured in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, and his story is soon to be shown on TV.

The 26-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., was paralyzed from the chest down in 2018, when a semi-trailer ran a stop sign and barrelled into the path of the junior hockey team's bus in rural Saskatchewan. 

Sixteen people died and 13 were hurt.