HighRiver

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).  

Focusing on the Future is the theme for the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Annual General Meeting and Convention next month in Moose Jaw.

This year’s theme celebrates the resilience, innovation, and leadership of Saskatchewan’s livestock producers while tackling key industry challenges and opportunities.

President Jeff Yorga says after some challenging times, producers are finally seeing some optimism in the cattle industry.

And they're off!

The Grande Prairie Stompede official kicks off the WPCA chuckwagon season tonight.

High River's Jason Glass made it all the way to the final four dash for cash last year but ended up in third.

Glass would later go on to win the Calgary Stampede and have an outstanding year, finishing second overall in the world standings.

Watch for Chase Vigen too, who hails from Grande Prairie but now calls Calgary home, as he took home the championship buckle and the winnings that go with it in 2023.

High River's Chantel Bruins, formerly Wiebe, is competing next weekend in the Mrs. Calgary pageant.

Bruins has been competing in pageants since she was 16, but since she just recently got married, she's competing for the Mrs. Calgary crown and sash.

One of the driving forces for Bruins is her desire to help empower other women, and the Calgary pageant does that.

"The Calgary Pageants organization is so focused on building a sisterhood among the contestants and among other current and reigning queens, that is something I really, really want to be a part of."