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Thursday, 25 June 2009 03:43

Alberta Bracing for Drought

Farmers throughout most of Central and Southern Alberta are bracing for one of the worst droughts seen in the area for more than 15 years.  The cold dry spring has made such an impact on crops that any rainfall now is likely not going to be of much help.  

Pasture land is also suffering from the severe lack of rain this spring.  Many farmers are still feeding cows hay or straw because there is just not enough feed in the pasture. 

Cattle are beginning to flood the markets due to a lack of feed available, which is causing cattle prices to plummet.  The number of good quality breeding cows in Alberta was already very low, now with many producers sending more animals to slaughter, Alberta's cattle numbers will significantly drop.  It will take many years for Alberta to build up the cattle herds to a normal amount.

Hay prices have more than doubled in just a few weeks.  The hay crops are extremely poor and have very low yields.  The shortage of hay will only drive the price up even further.  Producers will likely have to ship feed in from elsewhere.

Environment Canada in not calling for any significant amount of rain until late July and into August, which will be too late for Alberta farmers.

Alberta Agriculture is trying to help farmers deal with this year's drought by organizing "Understanding Your Options" meetings.  They also have various resources available such as a listing of pasture, hay and straw that is for sale or wanted, as well as various documents on drought management decisions and grazing drought management.  For information on when and where the 'Understanding Your Options' meetings will be held check out our 'Understanding Your Options' article.  You can also visit the Alberta Agriculture website for meeting information or any other resources on drought management.

Another good resource is the Alberta Beef Producers.  They have a section on their website specifically dedicated to drought management.

With cattle prices falling, feed prices escalating (if you can even get feed!), farmers will have a difficult time keeping their operations going.  We are lucky enough to have enough feed stockpiled to get us through most of the winter, however I know many farmers will not be so lucky.

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 June 2009 23:10
 
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Tuesday, 26 May 2009 21:44

Innisfail Farmers Market - Best One Around

 

Many have said that the Innisfail Farmers Market is the best one around.  The whole arena is packed with tables of local merchants and farmers selling a wide variety of items.  There is everything from crafts, fuits & vegetables, meat, preserves, baking, eggs, flowers, antiques and collectibles and cosmetics (Avon).  

The Innisfail Farmers Market provides live entertainment as well as seating area to relax and enjoy the music.

Be sure you check out the Innisfail Farmers Market every Thursday from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.  It's a perfect place to have your lunch!

Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 May 2009 21:52
 
Economic Plan for Agriculture PDF Print E-mail
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Monday, 11 May 2009 15:27

The federal government has added producers and agricultural co-operatives to the list of sectors they're trying to help through the Canada Economic Action plan.

"Even at the best of times, these hard working men and women face challenges. Now during the global recession these challenges are much greater," says Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "The worldwide downturn has caused uncertainty and volatility across our economy and agriculture is no exception."

The federal government's plan to increase access to credit and loans changes the Farm Improvement and Marketing Cooperative Loans Act. Legislation has been introduced to guarantee an estimated $1 billion in loans over the next five years, including expanded guidelines for lending so previously ineligible young farmers can access these government-backed loans.

"If we don't take decisive action to bolster the sector right now the 84,000 farmers expected to retire over the next 15 years will not be with us," Harper says.

Other changes include extension of the maximum government guarantee, growing from $250,000 to $500,000. The program can also be used to help with the intergenerational transfer of farms to younger operators.

Agricultural co-operatives with over 50 per cent producer membership will be eligible for loans of up to $3 million for the processing, marketing or distribution of farm products. These loans are currently limited to co-operatives owned 100 per cent by farm members.

"FIMCLA has been around for 20 years but farmers and cooperatives have told us it no longer met their needs," says Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "New farmers will be eligible for 90 per cent of their loan values cutting their down payment in half."

The legislation to change FIMCLA was introduced in Parliament earlier this week. If approved, the program will be re-named the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act.

Rob Brunel, vice-president and chair of the Keystone Agriculture Producers Association Young Farmers Committee, is pleased with the news.

"The FIMCLA was good but it was missing on helping out the young farmers. So it was a good announcement and we're happy to see the changes that will be implemented."

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) provides its own unique financing solutions dedicated to agricultural producers including young farmers, and is not a lender under FIMCLA.

FIMCLA is a program within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. More information about FIMCLA is available at http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1177344219813&lang=eng

 
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Written by Administrator   
Tuesday, 26 May 2009 21:00

The Growing Forward Initiative

The Canadian Federal Government along with Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture have come together to create a new initiative which they hope will help strengthen the Canadian agriculture industry.

 

The Growing Forward initiative is a suite of programs with a focus on building the agriculture sector.  They main focus of the program is to ensure the Canadian agriculture industry is 'profitable and competitive, able to retain or capture domestic and international market opportunities, prepared and able to respond effectively to emergencies and able to manage risk effectively.'

 

There is over $1.3 billion being invested over a five year period from the Government of Canada as well as the Provincial and Territorial Governments into Growing Forward.  The Growing Forward programs are designed to be flexible enough to meet local or regional needs and be simple and accessible.  Growing Forward is also supporting the modernization and improvement of reglatory processes.

 

The Growing Forward Program areas include: Bio-Security, Business Management Skills and Tools, Energy Efficiency,  Entrepreneur Development, Food Safety, Leadership, Lean Manufacturing and Automation, Livestock Welfare, Product and Market Development, Stewardship Plans, Traceability and Water Management.

 

For more information about the Growing Forward initiative please visit the website at www.growingforward.alberta.ca.

 

 
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Written by Administrator   
Monday, 15 June 2009 12:20

Fabulous Time at Innisfail Rodeo

Once again the Innisfail Professional Rodeo drew large crowds from near and far.  The weather co operated with the rodeo committee by providing nice weather during all of the performances.  All of the storms that went through central Alberta seemed to go around the rodeo grounds.

The Innisfail rodeo grounds not only offers an up close and personal experience to spectators but also an amazing view of the rolling hills in central Alberta.  The Innisfail Rodeo Committe also ensures that some of the worlds best roughstock along with the best cowboys and cowgirls are in the rodeo.

The results:

Dusty LeValley won first place in bareback riding with a 90 point ride aboard Calgary Stampede's 'Grated Coconut'.  The fastest steer wrestling time was 3.5 seconds by Chad Bouchard.  Team ropers Trevor Brazile & Patrick Smith clocked in a 4.6 run to win first place.  In saddle bronc riding, Dustin Flundra takes first place with an 86.5 point ride aboard Calgary Stampede's 'Liquor Whiskey'Doug Pharr took a 7.2 time to win first place in tie-down ropingBarrel racer Brittany Pharr took a time of 16.58 for a first place title.  And finally in bull riding there was a tie for the first place score of 86.5 points between Kyle French on Calgary Stampede's 'River River' and Beau Brooks on Vold Rodeo's 'Big Valley'

 

Check out the pictures in the photo gallery.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 June 2009 02:53
 
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