Wayne Black's Page

Colouring a Safer Future for Farm Kids

CASA is engaging young Canadians in farm safety education through a national Kids FarmSafe Colouring Contest launching ahead of FarmSafe Week 2026.

Alberta Grains invests in new research projects through Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute funding call

After participating in the 2026 funding call from the Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute (BMBRI) and completing a comprehensive review of submitted proposals, Alberta Grains has committed to co-fund three new research projects totalling $27,317 at institutions across Canada that will deliver tangible benefits for barley growers. “Investing in practical, farmer-focused research is central to Alberta Grains’ mandate,” said Tasha Alexander, chair of the Alberta Grains Research Committee and a farmer near Brownvale, Alberta. “These projects reflect the kind of innovation that can help improve agronomic performance, strengthen disease resistance and support the long-term competitiveness of Canadian barley.” BMBRI’s research priorities focus on advancing malting barley breeding and production practices to meet the evolving needs of both growers and end users. This includes developing higher-yielding varieties with improved resistance to disease and environmental stress, enhancin

AgriStability enrolment deadline April 30

Weather extremes, rising input costs, market volatility, and supply chain disruptions can all have a serious impact on a farm’s bottom line. AgriStability is designed to help producers manage these challenges by providing whole farm income protection when it’s needed most. The deadline to enrol in AgriStability is April 30. Enrolling by this date ensures coverage for the current program year and protects operations against unexpected income declines. Protecting against a range of risks Significant drops in profitability. AgriStability offers support when a farm experiences a significant drop in overall profitability. If a producer’s margin falls by more than 30 per cent compared to their historical average, the program provides financial assistance to help offset the loss. Entire farm operation coverage. Because it is based on the entire farm operation — not a single crop or commodity — AgriStability is especially valuable for Alberta’s diversified crop and livestock producers. Outs

Spring land application - Make the most of it

“Applying manure and other nutrient sources including compost, digestate and other organic materials to land in early spring can be challenging, but when planned right, it helps keep nutrients in the field and makes every dollar work harder,” says Deanne Madsen, nutrient management specialist with the Alberta government. While applying nutrient sources at rates closer to crop uptake can improve nutrient use efficiency, spring is often a constrained and busy time of year. For many livestock producers, manure application timing is driven by the need to empty manure storages and clean out pens. Field conditions and available labour also play an important role. From a nutrient timing perspective, spring application can work well for all agricultural producers, but it also comes with a risk of nutrient loss. Early spring snowmelt and rainfall can move nutrients off fields before crops or forages are able to use them. These losses reduce the agronomic value of those nutrients. They can als

Spring Economic Update Sets the Stage for a Challenging Year on the Farm

While the federal 2026 Spring Economic Update does not introduce new farm programs, it outlines economic priorities that will shape the operating environment for Canadian agriculture.