THERE’S NO REASON TO BE SPOOKED
IT’S GO, GO, GO FOR ALBERTA COUPLE
Expert says bats don’t deserve their bad rap, and are actually helping us out » PG 2
Canada’s newest Outstanding Young Farmers have no time to rest on their laurels » PG 38
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Wolves filling up on cattle in southwestern Alberta Cattle are the No. 1 prey of wolves where ranches and the predator’s territory overlap By Alexis Kienlen AF STAFF
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f you ranch in southwestern Alberta, it might seem that the big, bad wolf is out to get you. Unfortunately, you’re right. A University of Alberta study that tracked wolves — and what they eat — found cattle made up 45 per cent of the predator’s diet during the grazing season. The study tracked wolf predation patterns in southwestern Alberta — from the Pincher Creek area north of Waterton Lakes National Park to the edge of Kananaskis Country — where ranches and the territory of the carnivores overlap. “Wolves are the real culprits and have been the biggest problem as it relates to beef producers,” said Mark Boyce, a wildlife ecologist and professor of biological sciences. “When we began our project, ranchers said they believed they were losing some stock to wolves, but through cluster methods, we were able to identify where the livestock went missing and what was taking it.” Boyce and his research team tracked wolves and their diets
see WOLVES } page 8
Big Blow-Up:
Workplace legislation has farmers up in arms
Skimpy consultation and lack of answers upsets Alberta farmers, even those who say the status quo wasn’t acceptable By JENNIFER BLAIR AF staff / Red Deer
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he NDP government said it just wanted to make farms more safe, but instead ignited a firestorm. But faced with massive outrage and demonstrations from farmers and ranchers to Bill 6, the government backtracked and apologized for what it called “miscommunication.” “Myself, MLAs, ministers, and our premier have all heard from farmers and ranchers who are concerned this bill could hurt their way of life,” Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier told producers in Red Deer last week. “I take these concerns seriously because that was never the intent of this bill… We’re sorry. We should have provided the details on how we plan to protect farm and ranch families when we first introduced this bill.” Carlier then promised that Occupational Health and Safety regulations would only apply to paid employees on farms — not families or friends and neighbours who help out. Rules affecting hours of work and other employment standards won’t take effect until spring 2017 and only after extensive consultations. “We need to get the regulations right and work with you to do that,” said Carlier. “The farm life that everyone in this room holds dear will go on without government intervention.” The specific amendments were not released as Alberta Farmer was going to press, but Carlier said the rules would be “common sense” and practical. He also said
LEGISLATION } page 6
About 200 people gathered at the legislature on Nov. 27 to voice their displeasure with Bill 6. A second demonstration three days later drew 1,000 people and prompted the NDP government to amend the bill to make it clear that workplace safety regulations would only apply to paid employees, not family or neighbours. PHOTO: ALEXIS KIENLEN
GROWING DEMAND
AND SHEEP PRODUCERS CAN’T KEEP UP } PAGE 14