Future of agriculture in Alberta faces many challenges

May 12, 2022

The future of agriculture is as cloudy as producers wish the skies were.
Statistics Canada released its five-year agriculture census on Wednesday, and while it shows some positive growth indicators for the sector in Alberta, there are also some major challenges.

Agriculture has a long-term future problem amid a growing global demand for food.

The average age of a producer in Alberta has gone up 1.4 per cent to 56.5 years old. There are almost twice as many producers over the age of 55 (35,515) than under (21,680) — in fact, there are only 5,115 producers across all sectors under 35, a gap that has increased in the past five years.

“Farming is not an easy job, you have to be wearing a lot of hats,” said Tara Sawyer, chair of the Alberta Barley Commission. “To me, it takes a special sort of person and mindset that makes a really good farmer that cares about farm stewardship and understands the business side. It’s a high risk for entry, the high land value, the high cost of equipment, the high cost of inputs.”

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Video: Five Confirmed New World Screwworm Cases Raise Alarm for Livestock and Pet Owners

Pat Hoffman, Swine Technical Consultant and Elanco Animal Health tells us about the inpact or New World Screwworm. The emergence of New World screwworm in the U.S. creates a threat for veterinarians, livestock producers and pet owners that has not been seen north of the Florida Keys since the fly was eradicated from the United States more than 50 years ago. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae feed on living tissue and can affect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including livestock, companion animals, wildlife, and even humans.
“New World screwworm could have a devastating impact on animal health, welfare, and producer livelihoods,” said Jeff Simmons, President and CEO, Elanco Animal Health. “We want to thank the FDA, EPA and USDA, for all their work to prepare for this threat. We’re committed to supporting our customers during this challenging time by delivering innovation, scientific expertise, and available resources to help treat New World screwworm and support the health and well-being of animals.”
Elanco is working alongside the U.S. animal health industry to help them fight against this parasite, offering a portfolio of options for pets and livestock that can help treat New World screwworm larvae infestations.