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Using straw as a farm heating fuel

Description

Burning straw for recovery of heat energy is a viable alternative use using excess straw produced on Prairie farms. This project included a review of existing straw burning technology, a survey of... More ≫

Description

Burning straw for recovery of heat energy is a viable alternative use using excess straw produced on Prairie farms. This project included a review of existing straw burning technology, a survey of those currently heating with straw, monitoring of two on-farm straw burning installations, and a quick look at the economic feasibility of changing to a straw burning heating system.

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Using electric fences to protect stored hay from elk and deer

Description

Alberta landholders in the natural range of elk have occasionally suffered substantial losses of stored hay during winter. Depredation of hay and greenfeed bales by elk is worst when snowfall... More ≫

Description

Alberta landholders in the natural range of elk have occasionally suffered substantial losses of stored hay during winter. Depredation of hay and greenfeed bales by elk is worst when snowfall occurs early and the snow is deep. Fencing hay yards with 2.1 m high mesh wire has been an effective, but expensive, way to keep elk away from stored hay. A more economical way to prevent elk and deer damage employing electrified fencing is being used by farmers in British Columbia. To test the effectiveness of this kind of fencing in Alberta, an electric fence was built around a one acre hay yard near Niton Junction. Elk had been responsible for serious hay depredation at the farm in the previous winter. Elk were unable to penetrate the electric fence. Not only was the fence effective, but the electric fence cost much less to build than a comparable fence using barrier mesh. The material cost for building an electric fence is about half the cost of a mesh fence.

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Black fly control

Description

Black flies, which number about 100 species in Canada, occur in varying abundance in all parts of the country. Adult females feed on blood, causing irritation and discomfort to humans, domestic... More ≫

Description

Black flies, which number about 100 species in Canada, occur in varying abundance in all parts of the country. Adult females feed on blood, causing irritation and discomfort to humans, domestic and wild mammals and birds. Apart from the annoyance and discomfort, black flies cause economic losses through reduced beef and milk production, reduced efficiency of agricultural and industrial workers, and spread of diseases. In Canada, black flies transmit blood-borne parasites to turkeys, geese, and ducks. Naive cattle (not previously exposed) have died following a heavy attack by black flies in Alberta.

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Micronutrient requirements of crops

Description

The need for micronutrients in crop production have long been recognized in Alberta. Zinc deficiencies in irrigated beans in southern Alberta were detected in the early 1980s. Research by Alberta... More ≫

Description

The need for micronutrients in crop production have long been recognized in Alberta. Zinc deficiencies in irrigated beans in southern Alberta were detected in the early 1980s. Research by Alberta Agriculture and Agriculture Canada has clearly shown the need for copper fertilizer particularly for wheat grown on organic soils and on some Black and Grey-Black soils in central Alberta. One million acres may be copper deficient in central Alberta. Some suspected manganese deficiencies are presently being investigated. Continued research and testing is required to identify when various crops will give economic yield increases to additions of micronutrient fertilizers.

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Warble control in Alberta

Description

The warble is a major economic pest of cattle in Alberta. Warble grubs, which are the larval stage of the "heelfly," spend over nine months in cattle as internal parasites. During this period they... More ≫

Description

The warble is a major economic pest of cattle in Alberta. Warble grubs, which are the larval stage of the "heelfly," spend over nine months in cattle as internal parasites. During this period they damage the meat and hide of infested animals and are responsible for reduced milk production in lactating cattle and lower weight gains in calves. Both cattlemen and packers incur severe economic losses in the absence of a warble management program. In Alberta, there is a province-wide organized warble control program helping Alberta cattlemen and the packing industry. According to the Agricultural Pest Act, all Alberta producers must take active measures to control warbles in their cattle. To manage warbles at the farm level, it is necessary to understand the biology of the insect and the method of action of the various pest control products.

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