Michael Dales's Videos (14)

Silage Production: Beneficial Practices for Preserving Forage Quality

Ensiling can be one of the most effective ways to preserve high-quality forage with minimal nutrient loss. When ensiled properly, the nutritive value (e.g., protein, fiber) of silage is only slightly less than fresh forage, and field losses are generally lower compared to haying. Ensiling also permits the use of a wider range of crops including grasses, legumes, grains, corn and salvage crops that have suffered weather damage or weed infestation.  The key to silage preservation is excluding oxygen and promoting fermentation. Lactic acid-producing bacteria convert (ferment) plant sugars into lactic acid, which lowers pH and stabilizes the feed. To achieve proper fermentation, you must start with a high-quality forage crop, harvest the forage at the correct moisture, exclude air from the chopped forage as quickly as possible and tightly seal the silo, pit or bunker.  Six Key Recommendations for Silage Harvest and Management  Moisture: Aim for 60-65% moisture at harvest to increase pac

Alberta modernizes ag legislation to support growth and innovation

The Government of Alberta has enacted legislative changes through Bill 44, amending the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) and 2 of its associated regulations. These updates, which came into effect on June 23, 2025, aim to reduce regulatory barriers, encourage innovation, and promote environmentally responsible practices in agriculture — particularly the management of manure, agricultural processing by-products and compost, and biogas production. Key changes under Bill 44 One of the most significant updates is the formal inclusion of digestate management under AOPA. Digestate, a by-product of anaerobic digestion, primarily from manure and other approved feedstocks, was previously managed under a memorandum of understanding. Digestate can now be stored in manure storage facilities or applied directly to agricultural land following the same requirements for manure application, provided it meets the requirements outlined in the new On-Farm Storage and Land Application Code (Fir

Standing Up For Alberta Pork Producers

Top Five Priorities Over the past few months, Alberta Pork has written to 34 Alberta Members of Parliament and 91 Members of the Legislative Assembly to inform them of the hard work our producers do in feeding our province and the world. In doing so, the Alberta’s pork industry supports over 13,000 jobs and contributes more than $1.6 billion to the provincial economy each year. Our pork industry is a major globally exporter and is a vital part of Canada’s agri-food trade and Alberta’s economic success story. We have also shared the following five key areas that are top-of-mind for our industry—and where their support can make a meaningful difference. Our board will be meeting with their local MPs and MLAs over the summer to discuss these issues on behalf of Alberta pork producers. 1. Trade and Market Access Alberta’s pork sector relies on strong global market access. With the upcoming Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) review and ongoing tariff uncertainties, we urge pro

Bioenterprise Canada Announces Round 2 Recipients of the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative Commercialization Stream

Bioenterprise Canada is pleased to announce the successful applicants of the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream!

Bioenterprise Canada Celebrates 5 Years of The Engine, the Nation’s Leading Food & Agri-Tech Alliance

Bioenterprise Canada is marking the fifth anniversary of Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine (The Engine), a coast-to-coast alliance that unites like-minded innovators, partners, and investors to fast-track breakthrough agri-food solutions.