Innovation & Technology

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) is announcing a new, metal wrap-around beef tag with RFID technology. The tag is produced by Shearwell Data. The microchip is overmolded in a plastic insert, allowing easy readability and uncompromised read range. In addition, Destron Fearing’s eTag (DMR RFID) has been upgraded. It now includes a fully molded outer…

2500 years ago, a Pharaoh in Egypt had a dream he couldn’t interpret. It involved 7 fat cows grazing by a river, sleek and fat in the sunshine. Then 7 lean cows came out of the river behind them and ate up the 7 fat cows and didn’t look any fatter for having done so….

Cleanfarms and the Alberta Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) are publishing a series of information articles for Alberta farmers to develop a shared understanding of the importance of used agricultural plastics resource management. Every farmer in Alberta who uses tools such as plastic grain bags, agricultural baler twine and bale wrap faces the same obstacles…

The Government of Canada is looking for support in delivering the On-Farm Climate Action Fund. The Fund will provide $200 million (2021-2024) towards the adoption of beneficial management practices to store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions directly on farms. Support will go specifically to nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing practices, though other…

If you have 10 minutes and an interest in offering your thoughts on agriculture research in Alberta, stick around. In October and November, the Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) is developing its strategic framework, which will help guide future investments, activities and efforts. “Our vision is to see Alberta’s agriculture and food sectors reach their…

Since 1992, Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) has recognized and awarded cattle operations that demonstrate exemplary environmental stewardship in the province. In April at a Producer Town Hall, the organization presented the Environmental Stewardship Award (ESA) to Scott and Elan Lees of Soderglen South. With every passing year, the dedication of Alberta ranchers to environmental stewardship raises the bar. This year…

A team of researchers out of the University of Saskatchewan is looking to culture and identify fungi from native rangelands in a step towards developing inoculums to improve forage productivity and salinity tolerance. What they’ll do The team will take soil samples from saline and non-saline native rangeland in Alberta and Saskatchewan, quantify soil characteristics,…

Cleanfarms and the Alberta Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) are publishing a series of information articles for Alberta farmers to develop a shared understanding of the importance of used agricultural plastics resource management. Modern farming utilizes technologies and innovative products that can help farmers operate efficiently with a goal of higher productivity yields in both…

Designed to bridge the gap between landowners and hunting and recreational users, the Canadian Land Access Systems (CLAS) virtual platform gives producers and other landowners the ability to specify rules and limit liability for land access, all through an online interface. “The story of CLAS begins with two guys talking over coffee at the end of a long…

By Ron Lyseng, The Western Producer Monitoring heat cycles in beef and dairy cows improves breeding success. Better heat detection means higher percentages. Transmitted real-time digital data from within the rumen gives farmers ultimate information. The folks at Moonsyst Smart Rumen Monitoring figured that if researchers can install lights and video cameras inside a cow’s…