Insights and Stories of Jeff Melchior

Jul. 14, 2023 at 10:07 am CDT

A hard-working rancher in central Alberta seeks a sturdy native grass ideally suited for mob grazing and a long-lasting stand. That might seem like something from an online dating profile but it’s more likely to be a query for a newly expanded matchmaking site that aims to connect beef producers with the […]

By Jeff Melchior

Jul. 4, 2023 at 4:45 pm CDT

Alberta’s potato industry is making a big impact — not just on that province but the entire country. A new report — dubbed a “landmark study” by the Potato Growers of Alberta — revealed the sector drove a total contribution of $2.87 billion to Canada’s economy in 2022. It also […]

By Jeff Melchior

Jun. 9, 2023 at 11:54 am CDT

In just a few years, crop spraying could become largely a thing of the past. Nanotechnology may take its place using its ability to target specific crop pests. Farmers hear a lot of such whizzy claims. But a Lethbridge researcher is so confident in nanotech-based crop protection that he’s working to […]

By Jeff Melchior

Jan. 1, 2023 at 3:47 pm CST

With their ability to suppress weeds and break up compacted soil, brassica plants have become widely known as a good cover crop option. Many producers graze their cover crops, but brassicas can also serve as a grazing crop. “The brassicas are super watery and highly digestible,” Jillian Bainard, a forage […]

By Jeff Melchior

Nov. 23, 2022 at 5:46 pm CST

Canola crush profits are high, but that’s no reason for growers to break out the champagne, say Alberta producers. Crush plants are riding a wave of demand and processed about 794,000 tonnes of seed in September, the most in a year. And with crush margins well above $200 per tonne […]

By Jeff Melchior