Features
Canadian Agricultural Safety Week 2017
Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW) takes place from March 12-18, 2017.
“CASW is a yearly farm safety awareness campaign that runs every spring in March,” says Kenda Lubeck, farm safety awareness coordinator, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “It’s a time to reflect on the importance of farm safety to the health and well-being of all Alberta farmers, their workers, and families. The majority of farm-related injuries are preventable, so it’s important for farmers to put a plan in place to eliminate or minimize risks.”
Blue Book Hot Off the Presses
One of the most widely requested publications from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, the Crop Protection book, also known as the “Blue Book” in industry circles, is now available for 2017.
Homestyle Meatloaf with Roasted Veggies
Busy week night schedules can often mean meals need to be quick, but you don’t want to sacrifice nutrition. This recipe incorporates lots of veggies, which you can customize to use your family’s favourites, and the meat provides nutrients like iron and protein. This week’s recipes comes to us courtesy of Alberta Milk.
Markets
Crops
Lit Up: Controlled Environment Agriculture in Alberta
The Lit Up: Controlled Environment Agriculture in Alberta workshop takes place on March 22, 2017, at the Agriculture Business Centre, 6547 Sparrow Drive in Leduc.
Crop Production Workshop
The Battle River Research Group is holding its annual Crop Production workshop March 15 in Forestburg. Extension coordinator Eric Neilson says a wide variety of topics will be covered, including how to handle crop still standing in the field.
HortSnacks-to-Go Webinar Series Concludes
What’s New in Ag Information
Livestock Inventory Estimates
On March 3rd, Statistics Canada released its January 1, 2017, livestock inventory estimates for cattle, hogs and sheep for Canada and the provinces. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry livestock statistician John Paul Emunu discusses the Alberta highlights.
Livestock
Livestock Care Conference
Alberta Farm Animal Care, AFAC, is hosting the Livestock Care Conference March 21 and 22 in Leduc. Executive Director Angela Greter explains the focus of the conference.
Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Development Program
The Cattlemen’s Young Leaders development program, a national youth initiative by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, provides mentorship opportunities to young beef cattle enthusiasts. The program is geared toward those aged 18-35 interested in developing their industry leadership skills or career potential within the Canadian beef cattle industry.
Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month
March is Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM).
“CALM is an initiative that encourages children to learn about and celebrate agriculture in various ways, including reading books about agriculture, meeting with farmers, exploring the full production cycle of food from farm to fork, and exploring careers in agriculture,” says Karen Carle, ag education consultant, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “The focus of the month is on building an awareness for students on the connection they have with local farmers and to the agriculture industry.”
Getting Into Local Foods Workshops
Are you new to selling food producers direct to consumers? Explore Local is hosting Getting Info Local Foods workshops this spring. Karen Goad, with Explore Local, says as with most of their workshops, there will be producer presenters.
Labelling for Local Markets Workshops
Most foods in Canada must be labelled by law. To find out more about food labelling, Explore Local is hosting two Food Labelling for Local Markets workshops this spring. Delores Serafin with Explore Local has the details.
Business and Marketing
FAO Warns Landowners about Companies’ Promises to “Top Off” Compensation
The Farmers’ Advocate Office (FAO) is hearing concerns from landowners about a negotiation practice that sometimes occurs on utility projects, transmission lines, and pipelines.
“One of the frustrations we’ve been hearing from landowners is that some have been given the impression that the company will come back and ‘top off’ compensation if another landowner along the same route negotiates at a higher rate,” says Jeana Schuurman, rural engagement and communications specialist, FAO. “In fact, this may just simply be a tactic used by the company to avoid delays in securing the agreements.”
The 48-Hour Rule
Do you know about the 48-hour rule when it comes to a proposed surface lease agreement? Jeana Schuurman, rural engagement and communications specialist at the Farmers’ Advocate Office has the details.
Getting Into On-Farm Sales Workshop
Is the on-farm sales route the right one for your operation? To help answer that question, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry is hosting a Getting Into On-Farm Sales workshop in April. Eileen Kotowich, farmers’ market specialist, explains the focus of the workshop.
Rural Living
Preparing for Emergencies
“In the event of an emergency situation, assistance from outside agencies and industries can be helpful and, in many cases, is essential,” says Blair Takahashi, farm safety specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “No one wants to put our emergency crews in a dangerous situation, and the more details they have about your farm will not only help protect them, but gain them valuable time to protect your farm.”
A Farm Safety Plan Starts with a Hazard Assessment
The process of developing a farm safety plan should start with a hazard assessment, says an Alberta Agriculture and Forestry specialist.
“When it comes to safety planning, all the buzz around assessments, policies and reports can make the process sound complex,” says Nicole Hornett, farm safety specialist, AF. “Which is the best assessment checklist to use? What good will a policy do? Will anyone ever read these incident reports again?”
Keeping Children Safe on the Farm
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AF) has a number of resources and programs available to help keep children safe on the farm.
“For many young Albertans, farming is a key element in their lifestyle,” says Janice Donkers, farm safety youth coordinator, AF. “Children growing up on a family farm have many opportunities to gain rewarding life experiences, whether it’s increasing responsibilities of age-appropriate tasks, learning the importance of hard work, or understanding the value of a dollar.”
Jobs In Agriculture
Financial Policy and Compliance Analyst
Edmonton – Using your well-developed competencies in strategic thinking, a results focus, and a collaborative work style, you will develop and administer process improvement initiatives, perform detailed assessments of internal controls utilizing best practices and risk management concepts and provide management reporting on the results of assessment activities performed by the team. This competition (Job ID #1040884) will close on March 17, 2017.
Surveillance Veterinarian (Epidemiologist)
Edmonton – Your expertise in herd health, epidemiology, public health and cattle will contribute to a team of veterinary epidemiologists and surveillance vets You will contribute or lead as this team designs, leads, maintains, monitors, identifies issues and reports on food animal surveillance. You will ensure that our programs are scientifically sound, effective and can integrate with national programs. This competition (Job ID #1040381) wll close on March 15, 2017.
Administrative Assistant
Edmonton – In this position, you will be responsible for providing a senior level of administrative support to: contribute to the overall effective operations of the branch; maintain consistent, efficient and effective information flow through the Action Request Tracking System (ARTS); lead financial and human resource administration; arrange appointments and coordinate meetings; manage records and distribute resources; and, edit/format/create various correspondence. You will also assist with the development of high quality online and printed material used to communicate with stakeholders and to deliver ministry initiatives.. This competition (Job ID #1040956) wlll close on March 14, 2017.
Area Forester
Edson – You will be responsible to ensure the sustainability of the forest resource in the Edson forest area. This position will play a key role in the monitoring of forestry planning, silvicultural activities and forest operations to ensure consistency between and adherence to FMA, quota forest management plans, CTP dispositions, provincial legislation, policy and departmental directives..This competition (Job ID #1040851) will close on March 15, 2017.
Upcoming Solar Workshop
The Foothills Forage and Grazing Association is hosting a solar energy workshop on March 23 in Okotoks. Rachel McLean, environmental and communications coordinator with the association, fills us in.
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Coming Events
Spring Harvest Info Session
Farm Energy Management Workshop
Wildrose Bison Covention/Show & Sale
HortSnacks-to-Go Webinar Series
Shelterbelts, Eco-buffers & Beneficial Insects Workshop
2017 Livestock Care Conference
Beef Producer Learning Day
Lit Up: Controlled Environment Agriculture in Alberta
Cropland Lease Arrangements Webinar
Negotiating Renewable Energy Leases
2017 Alberta Elk Convention
E.coli Prevention Workshop
Managing Internal Parasites
Getting Into On-farm Sales
Murray Hartman’s Science-o-rama
Troubleshooting Shelf Life Workshop
Marketing Essentials: Intro to Marketing
Food Labelling for Local Markets
Marketing Essentials: Telling Your Story
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Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
310-FARM (3276)
J.G. O’Donoghue Building, 100A, 7000-113St.
Edmonton T6H 5T6 Alberta, Canada
Editor: Ken Blackley
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