Joe Dales's Blog (72)

Producers advised not to move cattle to pasture to early

The quest for a magic formula that transforms a commodity with very little value into a commodity with a much greater value has been underway since currency trade replaced the barter of goods and services. The Brother’s Grimm published a fable in the early 1800’s of a little man that spun straw into gold. One of the goals of many alchemists’ was to turn iron ore into gold. While the cow is not traditionally considered a mythical creature, she is capable of converting low value commodities such as straw, into a commodity of greater value, beef. Granted, the cow is not capable of converting straw by itself, nor does she convert it in a directly proportional manner, but she can survive and reproduce quite nicely on a combination of straw, some grain and a limited amount of alfalfa hay. Beef producers in west central Saskatchewan have known about this formula for generations and have built systems to winter their beef herds in this manner. When the green grass reappears, the cows very qui

Seeding Started Early In The Province For 2024

The opening statement says warmer than normal temperatures over much of the province provided an opportunity for an early start to the 2024 crop year. 18 percent of crops provincially have now been seeded, which is ahead of both the 5 and 10 year averages. As in most year, seeding is most advanced in southern regions of the province. As far soil moisture is concerned, 18 percent was rated as poor, 28 percent fair, 55 percent good 8 percent excellent and 0 percent excessive. Now the numbers for that report were compiled early last week, just as a big chunk of the province was getting hit with rain and wet snow, so it's likely moisture has improved in many of those regions. The seeders were out in full force across the province this weekend, so it's likely well over 18 percent of seeding is now complete.

Secretary Naig to Present the Struthers Family with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Chuck and Kay Struthers Family of Story County during an event on Friday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. The presentation of the award will take place at the family’s farm, located at 29885 730th Ave, Collins. “Cattle, crop production and conservation have made Chuck and Kay Struthers well respected farmers, but it is their care for and commitment to their neighbors which has made them a foundation of the Collins community,” said Secretary Naig. “Iowa is a great place to call home because we have farm families like the Struthers who go above and beyond to serve and support those around them. I am pleased to present the Struthers Family with the Good Farm Neighbor Award.” Chuck and Kay Struthers were married in 1968 and immediately started farming the land that Chuck’s dad had been farming since 1939. Today, now more than five decades later, CKS Gelbvieh is a multi-generational family farm that also

New funding from Alberta’s government will support cutting-edge genomics research in health, agriculture and environmental technology.

Genomics, the study of the genetic information in humans, plants, animals and microbes, helps scientists learn patterns and functions that can be used to improve environmental stewardship and health care treatment or create more robust crops for agriculture. Genomics has the potential to be a key technology driver of Alberta’s life sciences sector. This is why Alberta’s government is investing $15 million over three years into Genome Alberta, a not-for-profit research funding organization working toward a better future through genomic innovation. “Genome Alberta’s research has the potential to change the world. This investment will continue to build momentum in Alberta’s tech sector as we work to become the most innovative jurisdiction in Canada.” Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation “Genomics innovation in Alberta helps increase the resilience and sustainability of our food systems, improves productivity and enhances animal health. Alberta is well known for our safe,

New ag research network in the works

Dr. Karen Foster will develop the network designed to help reduce emissions in ag