Canola field in southern Alberta, July 2022. (Photo: CGibson/LNN)

By Cathy Gibson/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Agriculture Roundup

Mar 11, 2023 | 7:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Here is a roundup of some of the agricultural news happening in southern Alberta.

Disputes over rising crop insurance

Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Nate Horner says claims made by the Alberta Opposition NDP regarding crop insurance premiums are inaccurate.

Horner says the opposition stated on March 3, 2023 that there will be a 60 per cent rise in crop insurance premiums for producers using coverage through Agricultural Financial Services Corporation (AFSC).

That is much higher than the estimated average of 22 per cent budgeted by the UCP.

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AFSC said crop insurance premiums are not going up by 60 per cent as claimed by the NDP.

In a statement posted to its website, AFSC said the 60 per cent number comes from what was budgeted in 2022 compared to what is budgeted in 2023 — not actual premiums. AFSC said there are caps on premiums, and increases are related to crop prices.

Meanwhile, AFSC said premiums will go up this year because of higher crop prices, more producers joining the program and impacts from the 2021 drought.

Calculations made by the Alberta government show the following increases compared to 2022 :

• Hard Red Spring Wheat – 17 per cent
• Canola – 12 per cent
• Feed Barley – nine per cent
• Yellow Field Peas – two per cent

The province notes that Budget 2023 has included an additional $61.4 million to ensure AFSC insurance programs have appropriate funding to support producers.

The program is 60 per cent subsidized with federal and provincial inputs; with 36 per cent paid at the federal level, and 24 per cent paid by the province. The remaining 40 per cent is paid by producers.

The NDP says more than 70 per cent of Alberta producers are enrolled in AFSC’s crop insurance program.

Read more: Minister Horner denies claims by NDP on increasing crop insurance premiums

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Bioengineering Conference accepting submissions

Submissions are being accepted until March 15, for the national conference and annual general meeting of the Canadian Society for Bioengineering (CSBE).

The theme of this year’s conference is “Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production.”

The conference will take place at Lethbridge College from July 23 to 26. It’s the first time that a Canadian college has hosted the event, and more than 200 agriculture and bioengineering students, faculty, research scientists and industry representatives are expected to attend.

Submissions are being accepted on a variety of topics, such as agronomy, bio-energy, biotechnology, plant pathology, irrigation, renewable energy, climate change impacts and adaptations, as well as sustainable management for agriculture and natural resources.

For more information on abstract submissions, visit the CSBE website. For more information on the event, visit the Lethbridge College website.

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Lethbridge County monitoring soil erosion

Officials at Lethbridge County are asking farmers to monitor their fields for signs of erosion.

The County says recent weather conditions could contribute to soil erosion. In a recent news release, County officials said, “Winter cycles of freezing and thawing, combined with dry conditions and extreme winds, have made the soil in Lethbridge County very susceptible to erosion.”

The Lethbridge County Agriculture Services Board says it works with landowners to prevent soil loss. However, in cases where there is a lack of compliance, Soil Erosion Notices can be issued under the Soil Conservation Act, and any remedial costs can be charged back to landowners.

According to the County, soil erosion can result in substantial damage to agricultural lands and losses in crop production.

Anyone with questions about soil erosion can call the Lethbridge County office at 403-732-5333.

Read more: Lethbridge County warns of potential soil erosion

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Rotary Club Agricultural Scholarship winners announced

Three Southern Alberta agriculture students are the recipients of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge East’s 2023 $10,000 agricultural scholarship.

This year’s recipients are Nyomi Brobbel, who is studying to become a large animal veterinarian at the University of Calgary; Emma Knodel, a third-year agronomy student at Lethbridge College; and Makayla Gross, a University of Lethbridge student who plans to pursue a career in agri-food marketing.

Each of the students received a $10,000 scholarship. This is the fifth year that the Rotary Club of Lethbridge East has awarded the scholarship to students in southern Alberta.

Read more: Rotary Club of Lethbridge East announces winners of 2023 agricultural scholarships

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Canadian Ag Day at Lethbridge College

The Lethbridge College Agriculture Club’s Canadian Ag Day event will take place at the college on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

The annual event has been expanded this year to include a trade show and networking event, as well as student-for-a-day activities.

The agricultural event will host a BBQ featuring beef from Kolk Farms, and products from local manufacturers including fries from McCains and potato chips from Lays.

There will also be a variety of farm animals and agricultural equipment at the Lethbridge College campus.

See last year’s event: Lethbridge College students tout benefits of agriculture