Features
Spring Threshed Crops
An Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AF) specialist warns that spring-threshed cereal crops may contain ergot, fusarium, moulds, dirt and fecal contamination.
“Any problem that was present in the crop last fall will still be there in the spring,” says Barry Yaremcio, beef and forage specialist, AF. “Freezing temperatures during the winter only stopped further microbial development.”
Spinach and Roasted Red Pepper Crustless Quiche
Generally speaking, quiche is really just a fancy name for a cheese and egg pie. Quiche Lorraine adds ham or bacon for flavour, but really you can add anything. This spinach and roasted red pepper crustless quiche skips the crust and blends the flavours of oregano, feta cheese, spinach and red peppers with the egg and milk mixture. Definitely an easy, tasty, healthy recipe.
Markets
Crops
Baling Overwintered Forage
“Overwintered forage must be dry before baling,” says Barry Yaremcio, beef and forage specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “Bales with a moisture content more than 16 to 18 per cent have the potential to heat and lose quality. During the heating process, some of the sugars (or energy) will be used by the microbes thereby reducing the energy content in the feed. If temperatures within the bale get above 40o C, the bales will smell sweet or like tobacco.”
Seeding Peas and Fababeans
Producers who are planning on planting peas or fababeans this spring may have the added challenge of getting current crops off the field first. Robyne Bowness, pulse research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, discusses what this means for seeding.
What’s New in Ag Information
New Economics and Competitiveness Publications
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has just released the following information products:
Alberta Companies Attend International Production Processing Exposition
Eight Alberta companies recently attended International Production Processing Exposition that took place in Atlanta, Georgia.
Livestock
Feeding Overwintered Crops
An Alberta Agriculture and Forestry specialist says using overwintered cereal crops for swath grazing in the spring or baling for use as greenfeed in the fall and winter are two options to utilize the 2016 crop for ruminants. Barry Yaremcio, beef and forage specialist at the Ag-Info Centre says it is also possible to thresh the crop and feed the grain to monogastrics and ruminants; but he says there are a number of concerns associated with feeding overwintered crops to both types of livestock.
Pork Industry Embraces New Technology for Humane Euthanasia
Over the past year, with support from Growing Forward 2, a pilot project introduced Alberta producers and vets to a better way to cull sick or injured animals.
Nuffield Scholarship Deadline April 30
Applications for 2018 Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarships are due April 30, 2017.
Input Sought on Next Agricultural Policy Framework
Alberta is currently working with the federal government, other provinces and territories to develop a new five-year framework to replace the current Growing Forward 2 agreement, which expires at the end of March in 2018. Wendy McCormick, director of Growing Forward with Alberta Agriculture, encourages Albertans, both those in the agriculture industry and those not in the industry, to participate in an online survey.
Rural Living
Cows, Crops, Culverts and Fish
Cows, Crops, Culverts and Fish is a Heart River watershed restoration plan update and takes place on May 4, 2017, at the Nampa and District Museum.
Agri-Processing Conference
The Alberta Food Processors Association is hosting The New Face of Agri-Processing: Growth and Innovation in the New Green Economy conference in Calgary in May. Ted Flitton is director of sustainability and communications with the association, and has the details.
AHEA 2017 Conference
The Alberta Human Ecology and Home Economics Association (AHEA) is holding its 2017 conference on April 28-29, 2017, at the Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club, 4100 Stewart Creek Drive, Canmore.
Visions 2017 Conference
A reminder of the Visions 2017 conference, the annual conference of the Alberta Agricultural Economics Association. Jason Wood is a board member of the association.
Jobs In Agriculture
Meat Inspector Trainee
Vermilion – As a meat inspector trainee, you will learn the duties of a meat inspector and eventually assume responsibility for maintaining continued excellence in food safety and ensuring Alberta’s licensed abattoirs and their meat products are in compliance with relevant legislation and policies. This competition (Job ID #1041736) will close on May 3, 2017.
Wildfire Ranger
Whitecourt – As a wildfire ranger, you will use your knowledge of fire behaviour and prevention, fuel types, firefighting techniques, and forest ecology to facilitate and participate in wildfire prevention, operations, detection, and forest management programs. This will include assisting with wildfire detection, enforcement, education, engineering, pre-suppression, and suppression activities as well as the supervision and coordination of seasonal wildland firefighting crews to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of wildfire suppression activities.This competition (Job ID #1041615) will close on April 26, 2017.
Equipment Operator
Fairview – Reporting to the Supervisor of the water pumping program, you will provide effective and efficient services to Alberta farmers and ranchers by providing water pumping equipment for domestic and livestock use. You will be responsible for maintenance of equipment, delivery and pick up of equipment and providing instructions on equipment usage. This is a casual on-call wage position for six months with a possibility of extension. This competition (Job ID #1041890) will close on April 27, 2017.
Soil Moisture Conditions
Over the Easter long weekend a major storm event brought between 20 to 60 mm of precipitation to a large area of the province lying generally north of Wetaskiwin, extending well up into to the central Peace Region. Ralph Wright is head of agrometeorology with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
Soil School Featuring Nicole Masters
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Coming Events
NAFMA: NE Alberta Opportunities Seminar
Cows, Crops, Culverts & Fish
Freehold Owners Association AGM and Seminar
4-H Horse Grooming and Showmanship Clinic
Soil School featuring Nicole Masters
Generating Electricity from the Sun
Jim Gerrish 3-Day Grazing School
Farming Smarter Field School
Farming Smarter Wheat Stalk
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