Ecosystems

Biodiversity and Monitoring in Alberta with Dave Evans

In this episode we chat with Dave Evans about the work he does with Inno-tech Alberta and the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. We discuss what biodiversity means, how the data can be accessed, and what makes the ABMI unique.
 
To send in your questions for our episode with Kevin Elmy, email podcast@pcbfa.ca comment on the pinned post on Facebook, or tweet at us @PCBFA on Twitter!
 
For more info on the ABMI check out their website: https://www.abmi.ca/home.html
and blog: http://blog.abmi.ca/
 
ABMI's Mapping Portal can be found here with their species data mapped out across the province- https://maps.abmi.ca/#/
 
ABMI's Biodiversity Browser - Look up more about your favorite species in the province! https://www.abmi.ca/home/data-analytics/biobrowser-home
 
Naturelynx - Unsure about a species of plant, bird, insect, moss or lichen? Take a photo of it and let our panel of experts on Naturelynx identfiy it for you! https://naturelynx.ca/
 
ABMI's online platform for managing, storing, processing, sharing and discovering Trail Camera and Environmental Sensor Data. https://www.wildtrax.ca/home
 
If you're interested in learning more about plant ID check out:
Lone Pine: Plants of the Western Forest
Common Plants of the Western Rangelands Volume 1: Grasses and Grass Like Species - Tannas
Common Plants of the Western Rangelands Volume 2: Trees and Shrubs - Tannas
Common Plants of the Western Rangelands Volume 3: Forbs - Tannas
And if you're interested in hearing more from Dave, check out his podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1117478
 
Peace Country Beef & Forage Association can be found at https://www.peacecountrybeef.ca
 
the music for our intro and outro is Redwood Highway by Jason Shaw. find more at https://audionautix.com
 

Grazing Riparian Areas with Norine Ambrose

In this episode, we discuss management practices to help you get more out of grazing riparian areas and how to ensure pasture recovery after tough years with Norine Ambrose, the executive director of Cows and Fish.
 
You can find more information about Cows and Fish on their website here: https://cowsandfish.org/
The ALUS program operates in some counties across Alberta and provides support for producers looking into land-use changes such as streambank restoration and riparian area management, more information about ALUS can be found here: https://alus.ca/
Best Management Practices for Alberta's Rangeland is a resource put out by the Alberta Government and can be found here: https://www.alberta.ca/grazing-and-range-management-overview.aspx
 
To contact PCBFA or for help finding more resources, visit our website at: https://www.peacecountrybeef.ca
 
Our intro and outro music is Redwood Highway by Jason Shaw, find more at https://www.audionautix.com/

Karin Lindquist on Perennial Pasture Recovery Part 2

In this episode, Karin and I discuss using winter feeding, fertility, and management practices to encourage regrowth and help improve our stressed perennial pastures for next year's grazing.
Check out Battle River Research Group at their website here: battleriverresearch.com
Check out the factsheets, research, and decision making resources from the Beef Cattle Research Council here: https://www.beefresearch.ca/
And as always, you can find contact information, past newsletters, and research reports at peacecountrybeef.ca/
 
Our intro and outro music is Redwood Highway by Jason Shaw, you can find out more at audionautix.com
 
 

Karin Lindquist on Pasture Health Part 1

In this episode, we chat with Karin Lindquist about pasture health indicators and how to graze pastures for better regrowth and maintenance.
Check out the resources below for more information!
The Alberta Forage Manual can be found and downloaded here  https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/077326082x Or a physical copy can be purchased here: https://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/
Battle River Research Group's website can be found here: https://www.battleriverresearch.com/
And as always, to contact PCBFA, check out our archive of factsheets and newsletters, or check out what we do, visit https://www.peacecountrybeef.ca/
 
Our music is Redwood Highway by Jason Shaw, check out more at https://www.audionautix.com
 
 

Soil and Plant Sap testing with Melissa Werkema

In this episode we talk soil and plant nutrition with Melissa Werkema the lab tech and manager of Future Analytics lab in Red Deer Alberta.
For more information about Future Analytics, visit their website at https://www.futureanalyticsinc.com/
 
To check out PCBFA's research, send us a message, or check out our newsletters and fact sheets go to https://www.peacecountrybeef.ca/
 
Our theme music is Redwood Highway by Jason Shaw, find out more at https://www.audionautix.com/
 

Weed management with Sonja Raven

In this episode, we talk weed classifications and management with Sonya Raven Grande Prairie's agricultural fieldman.
For more information about invasive plants and weeds, check out the links below, or reach out to your local ag fieldman at your county office!
Common Plants of the Western Rangelands https://bookstore.ualberta.ca/p-22174-common-plants-of-the-western-rangelands-volume-1-grasses-and-grass-like-species.aspx
Alberta Invasive Plant Council's invasive plant page; https://abinvasives.ca/invasive-plants/
AB invasive plant id guide https://open.alberta.ca/publications/6740590
Also, Check out the County of Grande Prairie's Pest and Disease page https://www.countygp.ab.ca/en/living-in-our-community/pest-and-disease.aspx
 
If you have a topic or speaker suggestion for our podcast, send us a message! You can find our contact information at peacecountrybeef.ca!
 
Our theme song is Redwood Highway by Jason Shaw; find more of his music at Audionautix.com

The Waldron Grazing Co-Op Part Two: Water and Fencing

In part two of our chat with Mike Roberts of the Waldron Grazing Co-op we talk about the importance of a good watering system, fencing, and responsible stewardship.
For more information about the Foothills Forage and Grazing Association: check out their website at https://www.foothillsforage.com/
For more information about the Waldron; check out http://waldronranch.com/
As always, feel free to drop by PCBFA's website at https://peacecountrybeef.ca/
to check out our research and upcoming events.
 
Our theme music is Redwood Highway by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com

The Waldron Grazing Co-Op Part One; Grazing Practices

In part one of our interview with Mike Roberts of the Waldron Grazing Co-op we talk about rotational grazing, the format of the co op and pasture set up. For more information about the Foothills Forage and Grazing Association: check out their website at https://www.foothillsforage.com/
For more information about the Waldron; check out http://waldronranch.com/
As always, feel free to drop by PCBFA's website at https://peacecountrybeef.ca/
to check out our research and upcoming events.
 
Our theme music is Redwood Highway by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com

Forage pests and control of insects with Jennifer Otani

In this episode, we talk to Entomologist Jennifer Otani from the Beaverlodge Research station about her work in crop protection. We discuss Economic thresholds, control measures and the value of beneficial insects.
You can find the unofficial research station blog is here http://insectpestmanagement.blogspot.com/ and follow Jennifer at @bugs5132 on Twitter!
And have a look at the following resources for more information!
Alberta Forage Manual at https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/077326082x
Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada: Identification and Management Field Guide at http://prairiepestmonitoring.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_1.html
Cutworm Pests of Crops on the Canadian Prairie: Identification and Management Field Guide at http://prairiepestmonitoring.blogspot.com/p/cutworm-corner.html
Field Heroes https://fieldheroes.ca/   and @FieldHeroes
Alberta Pest Monitoring Network at https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-insect-pest-monitoring-network.aspx
Alberta Crop Insects webpages at https://www.alberta.ca/crop-insects.aspx
Canadian Grain Commission’s Stored Insect Pest Keys at https://grainscanada.gc.ca/en/grain-quality/manage/identify-an-insect/
RFSA’s Insect and Disease Trials at http://www.peaceforageseed.ca/research.html
Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Website at https://prairiepest.ca/
Insect Pest Management Program Blog at http://insectpestmanagement.blogspot.com/
 
As always, you can find PCBFA's research, events, and resources at https://www.peacecountrybeef.ca/
 
Music for the intro and outro by Jason Shaw at www.audionautix.com
 

Monitoring Water quality with Lesser Slave Watershed Council

Meghan Payne of the Lesser Slave Watershed Council discusses their water quality monitoring program, the importance of monitoring and the role of watershed councils in Alberta.
 
To contact the LSWC, check out their website: https://www.lswc.ca/
To view the water quality data the council has collected, check out the Mackenzie Datastream: https://mackenziedatastream.ca/
If you'd like to contact your local Watershed council, check out this resource on the Government of Alberta website: https://www.alberta.ca/watershed-planning-and-advisory-councils.aspx
 
The music for our intro and outro is Redwood Highway by Jason Shaw, check out more at Audionautix.com