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Irrigation efficiency pays in Alta.
Irrigation specialists say new pipes and pivots through efficiency programs are helping southern Alberta producers lower costs and conserve more water. One of the newer initiatives, called the Irrigation Efficiency Program, has already been showing results, said Brad Calder, a soil and water technologist with Alberta Agriculture’s irrigation section. For the full news article click here: https://www.producer.com/2019/03/irrigation-efficiency-pays-in-alta/ |
Research lauded for beef improvements
Comparing 1981 to 2011, more has been done with less. The industry required 29 percent less breeding stock, 27 percent fewer cattle for slaughter and produced 15 percent less greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, 24 percent less land was required to produce the same amount of beef. For every kilogram of beef produced, 17 percent less water was required. See the full article at https://www.producer.com/2019/03/research-lauded-for-beef-improvements/ |
Southern Alberta Land Trust AGM March 19
SALTS would be delighted if you could join them for their 21st AGM on Tuesday, March 19 at 2:00 pm at the Highwood Golf & Country Club, 400 7th Street NW in High River. In addition to the usual formalities of an AGM, we would appreciate the opportunity to update you on some of our recent successes as well as some of the exciting projects we are working on in 2019. We would also appreciate hearing ideas that you may have on SALTS’ role/efforts in private land conservation that could help us going forward. RSVP by March 14th to Berry via email: berry@salts.land or phone 403-652-9998. |
Water Management in the SEAWA Course April 5
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Land Naming Ceremony in Honour of Jerry Brunen
You're invited by The Board & Staff of Western Sky Land Trust for a land naming ceremony In honour of Jerry Brunen Thursday June 27, 2019 3:00 pm Location: Highway 552 and Range Road 275 The Honourable Lois E. Mitchell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and Honorary Patron of Western Sky, will be in attendance to conduct the unveiling. This event is open to any and all who may wish to attend. A detailed invitation with driving instructions will be available in May. |
29th Annual General Meeting & Land Use Forum
Friday, March 8th at the Cochrane RancheHouse Registration & Trade Show Displays open at noon AGM & Featured Speakers Begin at 1:00 p.m. EVERYONE IS WELCOME Mark Bennett – Executive Director, Bow River Basin Council “The BRBC - Collaboration with & Relevance to Agriculture & Land Conservation Groups Over the Years” Don Strankman – Laurie, Kenna & Associates Financial Services “Challenges & Solutions for Farm Families in Succession Planning” Kim Good – President, Legacy Land Trust Society: “The Opportunities and Challenges of Placing Conservation Easements on Agricultural Lands.” for more information or to register email info@actionforagriculture.com or phone Alan Breakey (403-617-3502) |
Biobeds tackle pesticide waste, boost consumer trust
An inexpensive and effective Swedish invention, known as a biobed, is likely an unfamiliar term for Canadian farmers. It is a below ground or above ground site where a sprayer is filled, tested and cleaned. The waste water from these processes is filtered into a biomix, which contains millions of microbial bodies that drive bioremediation, or the breaking down of pesticide waste. The biomix consists of three ingredients: straw, soil, and peat-free compost. “The key ingredient is straw, which forms a white mould that facilitates the microbial breakdown of pesticide waste,” Wolf said. He said the end result of the bioremediation process is pure soil and clean water, which could actually be used for subsequent spraying or washing. https://www.producer.com/2019/01/biobeds-tackle-pesticide-waste-boost-consumer-trust/ |
Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program
here are a few grants that are currently accepting applications. EcoAction Community Funding Program Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is accepting applications for funding until January 9, 2019 (deadline extended) for projects beginning in summer 2019. The application guide is attached. Preference will be given to proposals that engage Indigenous Peoples, youth or small businesses, and all proposals must fully meet the program requirements. Funding is available for new projects that engage Canadians and clearly demonstrate measurable, positive results related to fresh water. For more information, please visit the EcoAction Community Funding Program website or contact your Regional Office. Please note that you will need to register with EcoAction’s electronic platform, the Grants & Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS), before submitting an application. The GCEMS is ECCC’s one-window platform for accessing their environmental funding programs. Pathway to Canada Target 1 Challenge The Pathway to Canada Target 1 Challenge is part of Canada’s Nature Fund. Expressions of Interest (EOI), must be submitted by January 31, 2019 to ec.FDLNDefi-NFChallenge.ec@canada.ca. However, EOI’s are recommended by January 14, 2019, to confirm that your project fits with program priorities and to receive input from ECCC staff. After January 14, the complete Proposal Guide for applicants will be available through the GCEMS web portal. The deadline for detailed Formal Proposals is March 15, 2019. Please review the application instructions online for more information. Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change – Producer Administered under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program, the Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change – Producer program supports producers in reducing negative impacts on the environment while enhancing sustainable production, managing climate change and increasing profitability in the agriculture sector. (Please note that a valid Alberta Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is a prerequisite to this program.) The current application intake is open until January 23, 2019. You may also wish to explore the many other funding programs that CAP program offers. Alberta NAWMP Partnership – Science Each year the Alberta North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) Partnership allocates funds, to a maximum of $30,000, in support of science projects that relate to the Alberta NAWMP Committee’s annual priorities. This year’s priorities will be announced shortly – please refer to the Alberta NAWMP webpage for details. Successful proposals will be awarded in April 2019. |
Community Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) tax credit program
The Community Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) tax credit program will offer a 30 per cent tax credit to Albertans who invest in registered CEDCs. In turn, the corporations will provide capital to Alberta small businesses and co-operatives that focus on social improvement or rural economic development.
Examples of the types of activities the tax credit will support include:
Similar credits have been available in Manitoba and the Maritime provinces for several years. The program budget is $9 million over three years. Application intake for the program is now open. Additional program details, including eligibility criteria and information on when, where and how to apply, are available at alberta.ca/community-economic-development-corporation-tax-credit.aspx. |
Prime ranchland near Calgary to be protected
Two thousand acres of prime real estate west of Turner Valley will be protected from development in a deal announced by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) on Thursday. The voluntary agreement with the owner of the White Moose Ranch will protect the 811-hectare portion of the property while allowing cattle operations to continue. "From the day our White Moose Ranch first acquired this breathtaking property in 1992, I knew that we needed to find a way to preserve it in its natural state," said owner Stan Carscallen in a news release. "We share a three-mile boundary on our south side with the OH Ranch. Over the years, I frequently spoke with our friend, Doc Seaman, about realizing a mutual dream of working together to create a single, contiguous block of conserved land extending from the Highwood River to the Sheep River that could never be developed or subdivided. This donation completes that dream, and my family and I are proud to be part of that accomplishment." Important habitat The NCC said the protected portion of the ranch, which lies along the Sheep River, features a mix of fescue grasslands, montane forests and riparian areas. "It provides year-round habitat for elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, cougar, gray wolf, coyote and bald and golden eagles," said the organization in its news release. "Grizzly bears, which are listed under the Species at Risk Act as Special Concern, are often seen on White Moose Ranch." Development pressure The NCC said mountain sheep, lynx, badgers, wolverines, red-tailed hawks and great horned owls have also been spotted on the property. The area is under increasing development pressure, according to the NCC, due to its scenery and proximity to Calgary. The fescue grassland habitat is also one of the most threatened ecosystems in the country, according to the organization, with less than five per cent estimated to be intact. |
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