Thanksgiving Day Fun at Southbrook Farms

Unmarked potential: Consulting on fuel tax rules

Alberta’s government is consulting marked fuel sellers and purchasers on a proposal to phase out marked fuel and move the tax exemption to clear fuel. The engagement will run from Aug. 1 to 31, and stakeholders can provide their views through an online survey. Recommendations based on stakeholder input will be provided to the government this fall for consideration. Marked fuel is provided to eligible purchasers at a partially exempt tax rate of four cents per litre when vehicles are used for farming purposes or in unlicensed off-road equipment. This includes industries such as agriculture, oil and gas, and forestry. While the fuel tax exemption rate will not be changed, some retailers have suggested that providing the tax exemption on clear fuel instead of marked fuel could provide savings for both fuel sellers and eligible consumers. “We’re committed to supporting Alberta’s agricultural and resource sectors with practical, cost-saving solutions. This proposal could reduce red tape

Sustaining Alberta’s rangelands

Alberta’s rangelands need to be managed with care, and there are many creative ideas to help continue their health into the long term. The Rangeland Sustainability Program supports academics, non-profits and other agricultural partners in turning their innovative ideas into reality. This year’s Rangeland Sustainability Program grant recipients include academic institutions, Indigenous organizations, non-profits and grazing associations. Funded projects support education and community outreach, adaptive grazing practices, conservation strategies, grassland bird conservation and bee biodiversity surveys. “Our rangelands are an important natural asset, providing food for livestock, supporting rural communities and helping conserve Alberta’s biodiversity. Managing them responsibly benefits all Albertans and expands recreational access, which is why we’re investing in the Rangeland Sustainability Program and supporting multiple uses on these incredible landscapes.” Todd Loewen, Minister

Cutting red tape, cultivating growth

To support this, 28.5 per cent of regulations for agricultural marketing boards and commissions are being eliminated, including 20 redundant rules that overlap with existing requirements. This will streamline rules and provide marketing boards and commissions more time to concentrate on growing, stimulating and improving production and marketing the products their members produce. “Alberta is the best place to do business, and we are the best province in Canada at reducing red tape to promote economic growth. We want to continue to be a leader in this space, and that’s why we’re getting out of the way of our producers so they can continue to put food on tables in Alberta and around the world.” RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation “Alberta’s agriculture producers deserve to focus on what they do best, feeding our province and the world. By cutting unnecessary red tape, we’re giving them more time to grow their businesses and less time buried in paperwork.” Dale Nall

Early maturing crops and cracking concerns dominate Irish fields as Europe sees drought relief

The Irish potato market has shown little change this week, with consumption and retail sales remaining stable across the country, according to the latest update issued by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

A Summer Among the Fields and Forests: Harpreet’s Co-op Experience with OFT

Spending the summer with the Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) has been an incredibly rewarding and eye-opening experience both professionally and personally. As someone with a passion for ornithology and conservation, this co-op has allowed me to deepen my species identification skills, explore rich and diverse ecosystems across Ontario, and contribute meaningfully to the protection of farmland.