Better Farming Prairies

By Farms.com Canola farmers in Alberta can capitalize on the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit, with a competitive rate of 12.49% applicable for the 2023 tax year. This tax credit allows growers to claim a portion of their service charge payment, specifically used to fund qualifying research initiatives. Alan Hampton, Chair of Alberta Canola's research committee, emphasizes the significant value for growers participating in the canola service charge. He states, "Farmers can recover a portion of their dollars invested by the Commission in research through the SR&ED tax credit." Hampton highlights Alberta Canola's strategic partnerships and efficient allocation of research funds to tackle challenges such as blackleg and clubroot disease management, along with monitoring insect pests for susceptibility and resistance to insecticides. For instance, an individual grower who paid a $1000 service charge to Alberta Canola in 2023 is eligible to claim a $124.90 tax credit. The SR&ED tax credit can serve various purposes: Offset federal taxes in the current year. Receive a tax refund.

An Alberta ag organization has introduced an award for deserving canola farmers. During the Alberta Canola Conference, which ran Jan. 24 and 25, the Alberta Canola Producers Commission unveiled the Walter Paszkowski Farm Leadership Award. The award “pays tribute to (Paszkowski’s) legacy and dedication to canola, while emphasizing Alberta Canola’s unwavering commitment to fostering leadership and excellence within the canola industry and within Alberta’s rural communities,” Christine McKee, chair of Alberta Canola’s Grower Engagement and Extension Committee, said in a statement. The recipient of the award will receive a $5,000 bursary to support their participation in Farm Management Canada’s National Farm Leadership Program. This program includes virtual learning, an in-person residency, and leadership effectiveness support. Paszkowski is an important leader in Alberta ag. “He is the reason why there is a canola commission in Alberta,” Christi Friesen, an Alberta farmer, posted on X on Jan. 24. “Thank you, Walter, for everything you’ve contributed to the agriculture industry.” Walter Paszkowski being honoured tonight in the Peace Country- he is the reason why there is a c

rall, Director of Outreach, Education & Research, Pig Brig Trap Systems Wild pigs, also known as feral hogs, have become one of the most prominent invasive species across many parts of the US and Canada, disrupting the natural balance of ecosystems. Their rapid reproduction, generalist diet, and lack of natural predators allow them to outcompete native wildlife, reducing biodiversity and significantly damaging habitats. For farmers, ranchers, and landowners, the intrusion of wild pigs is a pressing concern, causing substantial economic losses through damaged crops, livestock threats, and property destruction. Environmentalists are equally troubled by the erosion, water contamination, and disruption to natural plant succession these animals cause, further stressing ecosystems already threatened by climate change and habitat loss. The ethical management of wild pig populations presents a complex challenge that requires balancing the management of their numbers and ensuring humane treatment. By adopting responsible and effective management strategies, we can mitigate the adverse effects of wild pigs on our ecosystems and agriculture, paving the way for a more sustainable coexistence with our natural world. Understanding the Challenge Wild pigs are recognized globally for their invasive prowess, which is characterized by their remarkable adaptability, high reproductive rates, and omnivorous diets that allow them to thrive in diverse environments. This adaptability, however, comes at a high cost to ecosystems, agriculture, and local economies. Farmers and ranchers face significant challenges as these animals root through crops and pastures, leading to substantial financial losses. Moreover, wild pigs compete directly with native wildlife for food and habitat, often emerging victorious due to their aggressive nature and generalist feeding habits. Wild pigs can also disrupt soil composition, water quality, and plant diversity, leading to the long-term degradation of habitats that reduces their biodiversity and resilience to other stresses. The cumulative effect of these disruptions poses a severe challenge to conservation efforts, agricultural productivity, and the maintenance of biodiversity, underscoring the urgency of finding effective management solutions. Ethical Wild Pig Management Strategies Ethical wild pig management involves strategies that minimize suffering, reduce environmental impact, and consider the welfare of both wild pigs and native wildlife. Among various management methods, trapping stands out for its adaptability, efficiency, and potential for humane treatment. Trapping allows for the selective removal of wild pigs from sensitive ecosystems without the use of poisons or firearms, which can harm non-target species and pose safety risks. The key to ethical trapping lies in designing and implementing traps that minimize animal stress and injury, including corral traps that can capture entire sounders at once, reducing the social stress associated with separation. It's also crucial to check traps regularly to ensure that captured animals are dealt with swiftly and humanely. Beyond trap design, ethical management strategies emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach. This involves: Assessing the Ecological Impact and Necessity of Management Measures Implement non-lethal methods, such as

; Photo courtesy of 4-H Canada 4-H Canada is proud to announce the recipients of three prestigious national awards: ; (s); and . 4-H provides youth with the guidance, resources, and opportunities to become contributing members of their community, their country, and the world by preparing them for the various paths of life and encouraging them to find their sense of self, purpose, and responsibility. Each year, the recognize the extraordinary contributions of supporters, volunteers, and alumni who embody the mission of 4-H and make an impact on youth and the communities they serve. Distinguished Alumni Award The is presented to honour the outstanding leadership and contributions of 4-H alumni to their communities, country, and world. This year’s winner is Jon Montgomery of Calgary, Alberta. That’s him in the photo above. You probably recognize him from at least one of three Canadian things. He is the TV host of The Amazing Race Canada, and he is an Olympic gold medal winner in the most dangerous winter sport—the skeleton, where you go headfirst down a curving downhill course atop a sled. He is one of this writer’s favourite athletes. He won his gold medal at the held in Vancouver, British Columbia. And if one thinks he can’t top all that, Montgomery is a proud second-generation 4-H’er! His involvement in the 4-H movement began in his hometown of Russell, Manitoba, where he was a youth member of the Russell 4-H Beef Club for four years. A proud alum, Montgomery has continued to live and breathe 4-H values throughout his career as an elite athlete, philanthropist, and national TV host. He embodies leadership skills, pride in his rural roots, drive to achieve world-class goals, and a ‘can-do’ attitude that parallels 4-H Canada’s ‘Learn To Do By Doing’ motto. Along with being an Olympic gold medallist, these 4-H values have taken him far, including taking on the mantle of host of in 2013 and remaining in that position today. A household name in Canada and around the world, Montgomery frequently uses his platforms as a motivational speaker on topics close to his heart, including leadership, teamwork, and healthy living. A strong advocate for agriculture, Jon has been a fixture at important ag-related events around the country, including and the . In 2023, 4-H Canada was proud to have Montgomery host the virtual , where he led the celebration of 4-H youth, leaders, and supporters around the country. In a subsequent interview with The Pledge, 4-H Canada’s a

A researcher from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is looking for Saskatchewan farmers with sore shoulders to participate in a study about how producers move. “The initial focus is looking at the postural exposures (movement requirements) farmers experience at work,” Dr. Angelica Lang, an associate professor at the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health at the USask’s College of Medicine, told Farms.com. Dr. Lang also wants to connect with farmers who don’t have shoulder pain. This will allow her team to define the movements, compare those to farmers with pain and make other comparisons along the way. “We’ll look at sex, to see if women do things differently than men,” she said. “And for people who already have pain, we want to know if they’re moving differently than the people without pain. This can help us understand why injuries might be happening.” This research emerged from a previous study Dr. Lang ran. In 2022, she and Dr. Kenzie Friesen, a postdoctoral scholar in the Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre at the University of Calgary,

Image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay It’s over. Two of France’s main farmers’ unions asked their members to end the protest that was blocking access in and out of the capital city of Paris after the government agreed to their demands. The French farmers took no pleasure in harassing their fellow countrymen. But it appears as though their hold on the arteries going in and out of the capital worked, as the French government agreed to many of their demands. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, just three weeks into the job, had failed with his initial attempt to quell the blockade that was starving Parisians of access to fresh fruits and vegetables. His second attempt went much better. The French protest was initiated after farmers said their concerns were being ignored by the government. French farmers were angry over rising input costs, increased taxes, falling income, and European agriculture policies. With regards to its European neighbours, French farmers were upset about its government purchasing too much agricultural product from Ukraine. Understanding that Ukraine is at war with Russia and can use financial aid, French farmers railed against its government for being too generous in flooding the market with Ukrainian goods, not to mention that they believe much of the Ukrainian products to be substandard to expected French food quality. Worse still, for the French farmers, the Ukrainian products were being sold at a cheaper price than their own. For French farmers, purchasing too many substandard and inexpensive Ukrainian agricultural products had affected their livelihood while lowering the accepted food standards for consumers. The French farmers said they had been raising their concerns to the government for years, but to finally get their point across, a tractor blockade at every roadway leading in and out of Paris caught not only the government’s attention but the attention of other European countries facing similar shortcomings. By way of apology and righting the situation, Attal said the government wants French ag to come first—French food products, produced in France, by its farmers. As well, the French government said it would create a $162 million financial aid package for its farmers. A financial aid package worth over CDN $215 million was promised for French livestock farmers. As well, the Prime Minister said there would be a ban on the import of fruit and vegetables treated with , an insecticide that may be harmful to honeybees. has been banned in the EU since 2019, but both Canada and the US allow its use, though only for limited purposes in Canada. Most importantly, the France plan—which follows the UK and EU’s plans—to reduce pesticide usage has been put on hold. While pesticide reduction is still being considered, the French government said it wants to implement an easier way for farmers to reduce pesticide usage while maintaining its yield quantity and quality. It just doesn’t know how to do that yet. The farmers’ action wasn’t a complete blockage. Aft

Image via Grigorenko/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo Moo-ve over gassy feed, there’s a new additive in town. Just approved for use in Canada, , , is a livestock ingredient that will reduce cattle methane emissions via burps and… you know. With approval from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Bovaer product is said to neutralize methane in the rumen. When microbes in the rumen break down the feed, hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases are released, which combine when there’s an enzyme present. But Bovaer suppresses the enzyme, thereby reducing the amount of methane created. With less methane created, it also means fewer possible methane gases released by the cattle. Dsm-Firmenich said that the product (produced by the same-named Bovaer) could be available for sale in Canada in a few weeks. Dsm-Firmenich has the right to sell the product in Canada. Additional Canadian research into ingredient usage shows that cattle achieve a small increase in feed efficiency without any change in their growth rate. Mark van Nieuwland, the Vice-President of Bovaer, stated: “This will benefit Canadian farmers, the efforts of the sector, and support Canada in delivering on its international emissions reduction commitments, such as the Global Methane Pledge.” According to van Nieuwland, Canadian cattle feeders can reduce cow methane emissions by an average of 45 percent by using the ingredient. For dairy cows, the company said that the product additive can “reduce methane emissions by 30 percent on average, potentially lowering the overall greenhouse gas footprint per litre of milk by 10 to 15 percent.”

The federal government and provincial governments in Western Canada are providing more support for livestock producers affected by the drought in 2023. In Saskatchewan, the Canada-Saskatchewan Feed Program’s application deadline has been extended to March 15, 2024. And farmers in 10 more rural municipalities are eligible for support payments of up to $150 per head. The new communities are the R.M.’s of: Britannia No. 502 Rosthern No. 403 Bayne No. 371 Lumsden No. 189 Sherwood No. 159 Bratt’s Lake No. 129 Lajord No. 128

Farmers in Manitoba have one less grain elevator to do business at. Parrish & Heimbecker (P&H) sent emails to producers indicating that as of Jan. 31, 2024, its grain elevator in Strathclair (Glossop), Man., would permanently close. Producers will still be able to access the crop inputs business operating out of the same location. Andrew Dalgarno, a farmer from Newdale, Man., posted a photo of P&H’s letter on X on Jan. 11. The email identifies other grain elevators farmers can use. “To continue serving your grain requirements, we have strategically identified alternative locations in Gladstone, Dutton (Gilbert Plaints), and Virden,” the letter says. “These locations will now handle all grain contracts and deliveries, providing you with uninterrupted service and support.” Each of those locations is within two hours of the Glossop elevator. The large steel elevator in Strathclair was built as a Pioneer elevator in 1994. At the time, the elevator was the company’s first high-throughput elevator. It now has a capacity of 22,000 tonnes and can handle 11,000 bushels per hour. It can also store 1,600 tonnes of fertilizer, Gr

The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is officially on the road to choosing a new leader. Party members voted for Wayne Ewasko, the MLA for Lac du Bonnet since 2011, and a former minister of education and early childhood learning to serve as the party’s interim leader and leader of the Official Opposition. “I’m extremely honoured to have been chosen by our PC caucus to lead them going into the leadership race,” he told media at the Manitoba Legislature on Jan. 29. He will be in these positions until party members elect a new leader in a leadership contest planned for later in 2024. Ewasko takes over for Heather Stefanson. She announced her resignation as leader on Jan. 15, calling her time as leader and premier “the honour of a lifetime,” and says she’s looking forward to watching the PCs hold the NDP government accountable. She publicized her intent to step down following the

Image via Getty Images, MicroStockHub Everybody step back and take a deep breath. After both sides groused about the lack of access to agricultural markets, the UK suspended discussion with Canada about comporting a free trade deal between the countries. Despite the pause, the talks are admittedly still a work in progress, having first begun in March 2022. The UK had initiated the talks—one of many economic deals it is working on around the globe—after announcing it was leaving the European Union (EU). While having many benefits for the UK, leaving the EU also caused it to miss out on existing EU free trade deals. According to a statement from Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng, Canada was not happy with the pause in negotiations. “Their [UK] decision to continue to maintain market access barriers for our agriculture industry and unwillingness to reach a mutual agreement hasonly stalled negotiations,' noted the statement. For Canadian farmers, there’s the complaint that they have been shut out of the UK beef market because of regulations banning the use of hormones. For Canada (and the US), there are complaints that the UK remains under the thumb of the EU and its push for greater progress towards turning its agriculture into a more organic farming industry—and that its trade partners should follow suit. In the face of Canada’s disappointment in the trade talks stalling, a UK government spokesperson wrote on X that 'we reserve the right to pause negotiations with any country if progress is not being made.' Before Britain left the EU trading sphere at the end of 2020, Canada rolled over existing trade arrangements to ensure free trade could continue. However, as of 20243, some of those agreement dates have come and gone. Cheese access is one contentious issue, as Canada has complained that the UK wasn’t interested in working quickly to renegotiate the continuance of the deal. As the late great comedic actor Terry-Thomas said, “Hard cheese, old boy.”

A new herbicide for spring, durum and winter wheat growers across Western Canada is available for the 2024 growing season. UPL’s Batalium product received registration just before Christmas. The herbicide is registered for use in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and in the Peace River and Interior of B.C. UPL testing ensured the product is made for Canadian conditions, said Jon Gough, Canada portfolio marketing lead with UPL. “It can handle variations in environment and temperatures,” he told Farms.com. “We did a lot of work to optimize the formulation and believe this is a high-power formulation that’s going to do what we say it’s going to do.” It combines multiple modes of action – flucarbazone, fluroxypyr, MCPA and bromoxynil, the product’s label says. It can control grass weeds like green foxtail and Japanese brome, and broadleaf weeds like cow cockle, Canada thistle and cleavers. This formulation comes in a drum that can treat 200 acres, or a jug that can cover 40 acres. &lt

A seed company and a junior hockey league are collaborating to tell stories from the farm and how they translate to success on the ice. CANTERRA SEEDS and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) have launched the Golden Sheaf Program, which will highlight the upbringing of farm kids currently playing in the league. “We will be interviewing and writing stories about SJHL athletes with agricultural backgrounds, and how growing up on the farm helped get them to where they are today,” Jacob Faith, director of marketing and partnerships with the SJHL, told Farms.com. The first player to be featured in an interview will be Connor Miller. The right winger for the Humboldt Broncos has 22 points (7G, 15A) in 22 games this season, and in February 2023 committed to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he’ll play NCAA Div. I hockey when his tenure with the Broncos is over. He also grew up on his family’s Lipton, Sask., grain farm. And being raised on a farm is what sets Miller and players like him apart from others who grew up in different settings, said Brent Derkatch, president and CEO of CANTERRA SEEDS.

Image by Michelle from Pixabay. The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced they will contribute up to $8-million in funding through the () to create or increase processing efficiencies and enhance food safety in the province's dairy processing sector. Eligible dairy businesses are invited to apply for funding through the to acquire modern technologies that increase production efficiency and ensure food safety in their facilities. Cost-share support through this initiative can be used to help cover the purchase and installation of new or refurbished equipment and its associated costs, such as training. 'Ontario's dairy processors work tirelessly to ensure their products meet the highest standards for quality and safety,” stated the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Through this $8-million shared investment under Sustainable CAP, processors will be able to access the technology they need to continue to grow and improve their efficiency.' This investment supports the objectives of the government's to strengthen the agriculture and food supply chains and build resilience in the face of any future disruption. The is open to cow, goat, sheep, and water buffalo milk processors. There are 171 licensed cow and goat dairy processors, plus additional sheep and buffalo dairy processors, in the province. Each eligible applicant can receive up to $200,000 in cost-share support. Applications open on April 2, 2024, and will remain open until the initiative is fully subscribed. Eligible project costs can be incurred as of April 2, 2024. The is a five-year (2023-2028) $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency in the agriculture, agri‐food, and agri‐based products sectors. This includes $1-billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 percent federally and 40 percent provincially and territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by the provinces and territories. “Our government is committed to working with Ontario's dairy processors, so they will be able to continue to supply the array of delicious, nutritious, and safe products that consumers enjoy and trust. Efficiencies realized through new technologies will play a key role in helping the sector continue to thrive,' stated the Honourable Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It is expected that the will help enable the goals outlined in Ontario's , which include increasing the production of food by 30 percent by 2032 and growing agri-food exports by eight percent annually.

The Alberta government is encouraging workers at Olymel’s pork processing facility affected by upcoming layoffs to access support programs. “Alberta’s government recognizes it is challenging every time hard-working Albertans lose their jobs,” the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade told Farms.com in an email. “Affected workers are encouraged to access programs and services that will help them get back to work. These programs and services include income support, emotional support, coping with job loss and help finding new employment.” Farms.com contacted the provincial government following news that Olymel is laying off up to 100 people from its Red Deer plant, and calls from the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401 for the government to be there for workers. “Workers are facing unprecedented challenges due to the global affordability crisis. No one wants to contemplate unemployment for any amount of time on top of that,” UFCW Local 401 President Thomas Hesse said in a statement. “While we understand that Olymel expects these adjustments will be temporary and remains confident about the future viability of the Plant, our union believes it is time for the provincial government to step up and provide tangible relief for food workers and their families.” Olymel most recently cut Alberta staff in May 2023. The company laid off 80 people between Alberta and Saskatchewan when it reduced hog production and its sow herd from 57,000 to 40,000. At the time, Olymel estimated the affects from these decisions wouldn’t be felt until at least 2024. The company has about 13,000 employees working in 30 offices, plants and distribution centres worldwide, its website says.

Viterra employees represented by the Grain and General Services Union (GSU) Locals 1 and 2 ratified the company’s latest contract offer on Jan. 19. About 436 employees across Saskatchewan voted in favour of the four-year contract, which Viterra offered on Jan. 4. Local 1, which represents country operations and maintenance, voted 63 per cent in support of the contract. Local 2, which represents workers in the Regina office, voted 68 per cent to accept the deal. Those results do “not show overwhelming support for the final offer,” the GSU said. The contract increases pay by 13.25 per cent over the length of the contract, including a 4.5 per cent raise in the first year. But the agreement doesn’t address all employee concerns. “Members of Local 1 and 2 have been living under the company’s so-called pay-for-performance system for 15 years now,” Steve Torgerson, bargaining spokesperson and GSU general secretary, said in a statement. “While the changes in the final offer achieve part of what members were looking to gain, it doesn’t go far enough. Members will continue to press the company during the term of the new agreement to address their concerns.”

Exciting news for Manitoba's agricultural community as the Canadian and Manitoba governments join forces in a $450,000 investment over three years for the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP). This strategic initiative focuses on providing essential access to professional counseling services uniquely designed to address the distinct challenges faced by farmers, farm families, and workers. The MFWP stands out from other mental health programs by offering support that goes beyond crisis intervention. Their approach focuses on longer-term counseling and preventative measures to help individuals build resilience and cope with the specific stressors of farm life. These stressors can include: Seasonality of operations: The pressure of fluctuating workloads and income based on the agricultural calendar. Extreme climate events: The anxiety and uncertainty caused by unpredictable weather and its impact on crops and livelihoods. Global and market fluctuations: The stress of navigating volatile market conditions and economic uncertainties.

The Agri Insurance program, a cornerstone of risk management for farmers, is introducing changes to aid producers amidst fluctuating global markets. This initiative, announced by federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn, highlights the government’s commitment to the agricultural community. For the 2024 crop year, Agri Insurance is poised to provide close to $5 billion in coverage over an estimated 9.55 million acres. This marks a substantial support system for Manitoba farmers, ensuring they have the necessary backing to handle various natural perils like droughts or floods. A notable change for this year is the reduction in premiums. The average premium for annual crops is set to decrease to $16.21 per acre from the previous $19.21, offering a financial reprieve to producers. The program's coverage extends to over 80 different crop types, reflecting its comprehensive nature. This diversity is particularly relevant given the ongoing volatility in global commodity markets. While some crops like dry beans and potatoes will see increased dollar values due to these market conditions, most crops will witness a reduction compared to 2023. Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture highlights “This is good news for producers at a time when risks and costs related to farming in Manitoba continue to climb. We’re happy to offer affordable risk management for Manitoba farmers through the Agri Insurance program because we know that any reduction in operational costs helps their bottom line.” The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food emphasize “Canadian farmers have experienced a challenging growing year, battling a range of extreme weather events from floods to wildfires and drought. We know the uncertainty this causes for the sector, and why access to flexible and affordable risk management tools is so vitally important. The AgriInsurance program covers over 80 different crop types and will help ensure our hardworking farmers in Manitoba are able to continue to produce the high-quality products they are known for.” In 2024,Agri Insurance is introducing a pilot program specifically designed for small-scale vegetable producers. It allows these producers to bundle eligible crops to meet acreage minimums, thus providing more inclusive insurance options. To find out more, contact your local Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation Centre. https://www.masc.mb.ca/masc.nsf/contact.html

A Manitoba organization dedicated to providing mental health assistance to the province’s ag community received support from the provincial and federal governments. At Ag Days in Brandon on Jan. 16, Premier Wab Kinew announced the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP) would receive $450,000 over three years from Manitoba and Ottawa through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. It’s “important to have specialized mental health resources available specifically for producers and their families, and why we are proud to partner with the federal government on this key initiative,” the premier said, Pembina Valley Online reported. Representatives with the MFWP appreciate the support. This funding will allow the organization to expand its footprint in the community, said Gerry Friesen, the MFWP’s chief administrative officer and one of its founding members. “On Jan. 1 of this year we expanded our programming to providing counselling sessions to farm employees,” he told Farms.com from Ag Days on Jan. 18. “Now we can look at bigger and better things because we know there’s a large ag community out there who require support.” What exactly further programming looks like isn’t known yet because the funding announcement came on short notice.

Two farms in Western Canada are trying to move forward following barn fires. On Jan. 13, a fire destroyed a dairy barn and killed 61 cows and five calves at a farm in Leduc County, Alta. The fire occurred at the Maskoske family farm, a multi-generational dairy operation. Firefighters from Leduc and Millet received calls about the fire around 2:30pm on Jan. 13, CityNews reports. But by the time crews arrived, flames were fully engulfing the barn. And frigid conditions made fighting the fire even more difficult. “The extreme cold temperatures experienced on Saturday led to the freezing of hoses, nozzles and fire apparatus, making it extremely difficult to fight the fire,” a Leduc County official told CityNews. The family is appreciative of those who tried to help, and thankful no one was injured. “We are so very grateful everyone is okay, we want to extend our deepest thank you to our community, family & friends that came that day to try (to) help us do anything we could to save our cows & barn, unfortunately nothing could be done,” Ryan Maskoske posted on his Facebook page.