A smoke column rises from a wildfire on May 4, 2023 near Lodgepole, Alta., about 30 km southwest of Drayton Valley. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire handout via Reuters)

Alberta wildfire fighters prepare for hot, dry days ahead

Temperatures to approach 30 C next week

Reuters — An extended period of hot, dry weather that risks worsening wildfires in Alberta began on Friday, with special weather alerts in place across Western Canada and officials urging people to be vigilant. More than 100 wildfires have ignited across Alberta since last week, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate homes, farms […] Read more


Smoke rises from a wildfire in Alberta’s Strathcona County, east of Edmonton, on May 5, 2023. (Photo: Video screengrab from @hellohildy on Twitter via Reuters)

Alberta fairs, auctions offer space for evacuated livestock

Central areas catch break with moisture, cooler weather; CN service resumes

Alberta’s ag societies and livestock auction marts are offering up pen space for producers forced to evacuate animals away from dozens of wildfires in the province’s northern and west-central regions. As of early Thursday evening, the province was tracking 76 active wildfires, of which 22 were listed as “out of control” and 17 as “being […] Read more

File photo of a John Deere X9 combine. (Deere.ca)

American Farm Bureau, Deere sign ‘right to repair’ memo

MOU to seek private-sector solutions

Chicago | Reuters — The American Farm Bureau Federation and machinery manufacturer Deere and Co. signed a memorandum of understanding on Sunday that ensures farmers have the right to repair their own farm equipment or go to an independent technician. As the agriculture sector accelerates its adoption of technology, the reliance on high-tech machinery such […] Read more



Haying in Miami, Manitoba.

Timely maintenance can prevent round baler fires

Getting a visual assessment of your baler and tractor is a good place to start

Even though most of North Dakota has received adequate rainfall this summer, reports of round baler fires are occurring. “It seems odd to think about the risk of baler fires right now, as the grass is still green in many areas where hay is still being harvested,” says Tom Clays, North Dakota Forest Service director. […] Read more


Riley Bloom watches adults work with cattle from a safe distance. 
According to Canadian Agriculture Safety Organization (CASA), having designated “safe spaces” helps keep kids safe on the ranch.

AUDIO: Tips for keeping kids safe through branding, haying and beyond

In many areas, brandings are a community affair, with neighbours and families getting together to share food and drinks while they work. But for families attending these events, children’s safety can be a concern. Taylor Bloom, who farms south of Dismore, Sask., with her husband and two children, says that although her children are only […] Read more

File photo of a flock of snow geese on Buffalo Pound Lake in south-central Saskatchewan. (Bobloblaw/iStock/Getty Images)

Ontario bans birds at events as avian flu spreads

Infected snow goose found in western Saskatchewan; two backyard flocks in Montana also confirmed infected

Up against several outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian flu in commercial poultry flocks, Ontario is temporarily banning birds from appearing at shows and other such events. Provincial Agriculture Minister Lisa Thompson on Friday announced a ministerial order taking effect just after midnight Saturday (April 9), in which “the movement to and participation of birds in […] Read more