Okotoks

Green grass means that pasture turnout is right around the corner. The to do list gets longer than the days do. Checking fence to remove any fallen trees, repairing stretched or broken wires; make sure the water system is operational, and the water itself is safe for the livestock to drink. It all happens before animals can be moved to their summer home. 

This week's crop report shows provincially 85 per cent of the crop is in the ground; that is up from last week's report of 57 per cent and ahead of the 5-year average of 69 per cent. 

Oilseed Specialist Sonia Wilson puts together the weekly crop report and says most of the spring wheat, oats, barley, as well as grain and silage corn have gone in, while progress is also being made on the other crops.

Analysts say Agriculture Canada may have to cut its ending canola stocks estimate in half in response to booming exports

It is highly unusual to see a red number in the sea of black on Agriculture Canada’s monthly Grains and Oilseeds Supply and Disposition report.

But it happened in the May report when the department penciled in minus 609,000 tonnes for its canola feed, waste and dockage (FWD) number for the current crop year.

The best defence against flea beetles in canola is a fast-growing, uniformly emerging crop with five to eight plants per square foot that quickly reaches the four-leaf stage. However, unpredictable weather often forces growers to rely on plan B: foliar sprays.

To reduce the need for multiple sprays, consider these strategies.

Spray when flea beetles are active

An international water skiing championship is returning to Foothills County this summer.

The Predator Bay Water Ski Club will host the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) Under-21 World Waterski Championships from July 28 to Aug. 3.

The club has hosted several major events over the years, including last year’s IWWF Under-17 World Waterski Championships.

Among the competitors is Megan Pelkey of Foothills County, who is set to compete in the women’s trick, jump and overall categories.

Wheat prices would get a boost if the country’s exports remain as low as much of the trade is beginning to forecast

A big debate is once again brewing about how much wheat the world’s leading exporter will ship out in the upcoming crop year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting Russia will produce 83 million tonnes of the crop and export 45 million tonnes.

SovEcon is forecasting 81 million tonnes of production and 39.7 million tonnes of exports.

As crops begin to emerge across the Prairies, farmers are being reminded to regularly scout their fields for insect activity. Dr. Meghan Vankosky, a field crop entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, emphasizes the importance of vigilance, particularly concerning grasshoppers.

The Town of Okotoks is hosting an Indigenous Artisan Market, Tipi Camp, and Powwow this weekend at the Okotoks Rec Centre.

This is the third annual Artisan Market, which will have over 50 Indigenous artisans selling handmade crafts and authentic First Nations, Inuit, Metis items, and all proceeds will go back to the artisan.

The Tipi Camp is going to be in the splash park field by the Rec Centre, and there are 17 Tipi's registered for the event.

Foothills County's Fire Advisory has been upgraded to a Fire Restriction, effective May 28, 2025.

The County cited this week's conditions and upcoming forecasts, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s along with wind gusts.

"Although green-up is happening and we’ve had spots of rain, there are many areas of flammable, dead, and dry vegetation exposed," the County's Fire Restriction notice states.

A piece of Alberta’s agricultural history is making its way to the Nanton Grain Elevators this week.  

After four years of working to reinvigorate and reimagine the Nanton Grain Elevators, a historic grain car is scheduled to be delivered to the site’s display track on Friday (May 30).