Agriculture

The Silver Valley 4-H Riders are celebrating 25 years as a group. Here the members pose in front of the 4-H bale at the Calnash Ag Event Centre.

Silver Valley 4-H celebrates 25 years

Our club, the Silver Valley 4-H Riders club is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary this year.

  • May 31, 2017
Foodgrains seeding: Seeding at the Ponoka Canadian Foodgrains Bank south of Ponoka took place last week with volunteers planting wheat for this season’s crop. Helping seed the 170-acres farmland was Cervus Equipment Ponoka for the Ponoka Community Growing Project. This is the 20th year of the program.

Ponoka group donates over $100,000 to Canadian Foodgrains in 2016

Ponoka is making a difference in the lives of hungry people overseas.

  • May 24, 2017
The beef cattle industry

Census: Downward trend in agriculture continues

A 20-year trend of fewer farms across the country was confirmed again last week with the release of the 2016 Census of Agriculture.
Full speed ahead: With the warmer weather upon us

PHOTO: Farmers in full combine mode

Ponoka and area farmers have been busy combining last season's unharvested crops thanks to sunny weather.

  • May 11, 2017
Full speed ahead: With the warmer weather upon us
Colter Bresee poses with his Grand Champion Steer May 2 at the Calnash Ag Event Centre Ponoka County Heritage Stable during the 4-H Beef Club’s achievement day. Here the trophy sponsor for the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce

Months of work culminate with Ponoka’s 4-H achievement day

After months of work caring for steers and heifers, Ponoka's 4-H Beef Club members came together for their big achievement day.

Colter Bresee poses with his Grand Champion Steer May 2 at the Calnash Ag Event Centre Ponoka County Heritage Stable during the 4-H Beef Club’s achievement day. Here the trophy sponsor for the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce
Combine-d twins: A pair of bright yellow combines were among the various equipment out on fields between Bashaw and Ponoka last week hoping to clear crops that were left over the winter. The warm

Canadian Grain Commission needs feedback on lower fees

Grain farmers and other stakeholders are being asked for their opinions on a proposed reduction in fees.

Combine-d twins: A pair of bright yellow combines were among the various equipment out on fields between Bashaw and Ponoka last week hoping to clear crops that were left over the winter. The warm
Taking advantage of the weather: Farmers get into the spirit of seeding using old farm equipment May 8 on the Pohl Farm north of Ponoka. The project is part of the Ponoka Agricultural Society’s old time farming with the eventual sale of grains going to benefit the Canadian Foodgrains projects.

PHOTO: Old time seeding starts

Farmers get into the spirit of seeding using old farm equipment May 8 on the Pohl Farm north of Ponoka.

  • May 10, 2017
Taking advantage of the weather: Farmers get into the spirit of seeding using old farm equipment May 8 on the Pohl Farm north of Ponoka. The project is part of the Ponoka Agricultural Society’s old time farming with the eventual sale of grains going to benefit the Canadian Foodgrains projects.
With spring upon us motorists are advised to keep an eye out for large farm equipment on area roads and farmers to keep an eye on road conditions. The number one cause of farm-related fatalities in Canada is machinery roll overs.

Spring signals return of farm equipment on roads

Thirteen per cent of farm-related fatalities across Canada are due to traffic, and most involved tractors.

  • May 10, 2017
With spring upon us motorists are advised to keep an eye out for large farm equipment on area roads and farmers to keep an eye on road conditions. The number one cause of farm-related fatalities in Canada is machinery roll overs.
Neil Whatley Quote

Moisture little concern for seeding in central Alberta

All of the talk about the snow and rain dumping itself on Alberta recently and its impact on farmers is just that — talk.

Neil Whatley Quote
Brennan Turner - FarmLead

Bearish baloney?

FarmLead looks at "bullish" markets and StatsCan forecasting.

Brennan Turner - FarmLead
Fundraiser kick-off: The Ponoka Agricultural Society kicked-off its biggest annual fundraiser last week with County Coun. Doug Weir

PHOTO: Ponoka Ag Society kicks-off big fundraiser

Ponoka town and county dignitaries kick-off the Ponoka Agricultural Society's annual fundraiser.

Fundraiser kick-off: The Ponoka Agricultural Society kicked-off its biggest annual fundraiser last week with County Coun. Doug Weir
This graph shows the annual average off-farm income for family farms

Off-farm income continues to grow

Income generated by off-farm employment is becoming a greater part of how family farms in Alberta remain in operation.

This graph shows the annual average off-farm income for family farms
Great ‘horse’ sense This black and white paint gelding named Champ

PHOTO: The Top Gun Horse Sale in Ponoka brought big crowds

The horse sale at the Calnash Ag Event Centre was packed with folks looking for a purchase.

Great ‘horse’ sense This black and white paint gelding named Champ
Some levelling out of commodity prices and challenging weather conditions may have taken some of the steam out of farmland values

Alberta farmland values lost steam in 2016, FCC report says

Average farmland values in Canada continued to climb in 2016, but lost steam in most provinces, including Alberta.

  • Apr 12, 2017
Some levelling out of commodity prices and challenging weather conditions may have taken some of the steam out of farmland values
Brennan Turner

Considering the options in this week’s FarmLead

AGRICULTURE COLUMN: Brennan Turner speaks to grain markets in this week's FarmLead.

Brennan Turner
Loading grain may become a more sporadic proposition if a federal government decision to eliminate cash deferral of sales goes through

Grain farmers face hardship with federal decision

A decision in the latest federal budget will hurt grain and oilseed farmers by taking a tool out of their financial arsenal.

Loading grain may become a more sporadic proposition if a federal government decision to eliminate cash deferral of sales goes through
AFSC has options for farmers unable to get their crops off due to early snow last fall.

For farmers hit by bad weather, help is within reach

Alberta farmers faced with a challenge of getting the crops off their land that couldn’t be harvested due early snow last fall have options.

  • Apr 5, 2017
AFSC has options for farmers unable to get their crops off due to early snow last fall.
The deadline approaches for Agri-Spirit Fund applications.

Deadline approaches for Agri-Spirit fund

2017 is a big year for the FCC Agri-Spirit fund with Canada's big 150th this year.

The deadline approaches for Agri-Spirit Fund applications.
4-H member Grace L’Ecluse poses with her shorthorn cross show steer recently during a practice show. The Beef Club is preparing for its big Show and Sale set for May 1 and 2 at the Calnash Ag Event Centre Heritage Stables. The female show is March 1 and the steers for the next day.

West Ponoka 4-H Beef news

Ponoka 4-H members are readying themselves for their big show and sale coming up May 1 and 2.

  • Apr 5, 2017
4-H member Grace L’Ecluse poses with her shorthorn cross show steer recently during a practice show. The Beef Club is preparing for its big Show and Sale set for May 1 and 2 at the Calnash Ag Event Centre Heritage Stables. The female show is March 1 and the steers for the next day.
Well spoken: Alyssa Sinnott from the Ponoka Renegade Riders 4-H Horse Club provides a passionate prepared speech on Blake Mycoskie

PHOTO: 4-H speakers take in Ponoka at regionals

The West Central Regional 4-H speaking competition was held at the Ponoka Legion March 25.

Well spoken: Alyssa Sinnott from the Ponoka Renegade Riders 4-H Horse Club provides a passionate prepared speech on Blake Mycoskie