Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has reached an agreement to transfer key research programs to the University of Alberta (U of A), expanding its agriculture research capacity. The $3.7 million grant will assist in the transition of critical agriculture research programs and researchers. Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, says that the U of A… Read More
Tag: Devin Dreeshen
The government of Alberta is investing in research capacity at the Lethbridge College through the Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) program. Details are currently being finalized for a $2-million agreement that will see the Alberta Irrigation Technology Centre (AITC) and the Brooks Greenhouse transitioned to Lethbridge College. The agreement will have the post-secondary institution manage… Read More
The federal government and provincial government of Alberta have committed over $3 million in critical animal health diagnostics funding for the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. An agreement for $3.44 million was finalized this past March to help the faculty launch a pilot project to expand its diagnostic service unit, for animal disease… Read More
Leveraging a loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the province of Alberta and eight southern irrigation districts will pony up over $400 million for new irrigation projects. A 50 per cent commitment from the federally-backed bank will cover off the remaining $407 million, for a total funding of $815 million for new reservoirs, enhancements to… Read More
Olds College is receiving a $200,000 investment from the Alberta government to support a new partnership with SVG Ventures’ THRIVE accelerator and startup platform, which focuses on bringing technology-driven solutions to the agriculture and food sectors. The investment, funded through the Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP), builds on the Alberta government’s September 21 commitment of $1… Read More
Terry Duguid, parliamentary secretary to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, minister of economic development and official languages, and minister responsible for western economic diversification Canada (WD), announced more than $2.6 million in federal funding for the Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc, Alta. This investment will support the installation of equipment specifically focused on supporting companies… Read More
As part of the Alberta government’s $10 million Irrigation Rehabilitation Program, the St. Mary’s River Irrigation District (SMRID) will receive an allotted $2.6 million in funds to address water infrastructure. The irrigation district provides water for irrigation and agricultural operations, municipal use, recreation and wildlife and habitat enhancement. “Crumbling infrastructure on the St. Mary River… Read More
Amendments to Alberta’s Meat Inspection Regulations could mean greater access for consumers to locally produced meat while still maintaining food safety standards, the province says. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry minister Devin Dreeshen has announced regulation changes to give operators more flexibility to meet legislated requirements. “Alberta produces the world’s best beef, pork, and poultry products,… Read More
Alberta’s agriculture minister is sharing new information regarding the cattle set-aside program that’s being rolled out to address the backlog of cattle as processing capacity has been limited by COVID-19. A couple of weeks ago, the Alberta government announced they would be providing provincial funding in addition to the federal AgriRecovery funds for the set-aside… Read More
Each province is feeling the incredible economic hit from COVID-19, but Alberta — with its oil and gas-based economy — may be harder hit than some, as the price of oil has plummeted. There are many Albertans out of work, and many Alberta farm and agriculture businesses looking to fill a gap that seasonal workers… Read More
The packing industry is crucial to the entire food value chain in agriculture and, with that, comes the importance of government inspectors. The question is, what happens if these inspectors contract COVID-19 or if they aren’t able to work due to the risk of contracting the virus? The issue was highlighted with the partial closure… Read More
Snowflakes are flying across the Prairies, and some parts of Alberta are seeing -20 degrees C. How about that for April 1st? Usually, the dust is flying around this time of the year. It may be time to cozy up with a good blanket, and listen to our latest RealAg Radio episode! On today’s show,… Read More
Eligible farmers in Alberta can access funding for grain dryer upgrades from a $2 million fund through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP). The Efficient Grain Dryer Program will be retroactive to April 1, 2018, to accommodate almost 100 applicants who have been waiting since that time, along with those who may not have known about… Read More
It’s Day 2 of our coverage from FarmTech, in Edmonton, Alta., and today’s episode features: The top ag news, from the trade show floor; Purdue University’s Jayson Lusk talks food trends, with “social desirability” issues, plant-based protein, and pressure from investors. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen joins to talk about finding efficiencies in… Read More
The Alberta government is moving ahead with plans to reduce its funding and involvement in agricultural research, although according to the provincial agriculture minister, what that will look like is still to be determined. The United Conservative Party’s budget, tabled last fall, included a plan to reduce spending on ag research by $34.1 million over… Read More