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Alberta

Supplying the Agriculture Industry in Alberta and Beyond – Tykro Forage Solutions

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Agriculture represents one of the oldest and largest industries in Alberta, with farming and ranching being historically responsible for drawing immigrants to the province and establishing the early economy. As the second largest agricultural producer in Canada, Alberta has 21 million hectares of agricultural land base, which makes up 31.3% of the total farming area across the nation. (1).Of this extensive space, forage crops cover more land throughout Alberta than any other agricultural crop in the province (2).

According to the 2012 Alberta Forage Industry Network (AFIN) report on the Value of Alberta’s Forage Industry, “the annual total estimated direct and indirect economic value of the forage industry in Alberta ranges from $2.1 to $3.8 billion.” The forage industry includes natural land for pasture, seeded pasture, hayland, annual forage (fodder) crops, grass and legume seed, alfalfa leafcutter bees and sod (3). As such, the forage subsector in Alberta represents a major industry responsible for significant resource supply to other sub sectors as well as a number of economic and environmental contributions to provincial agriculture.  

Established in 2016, Tykro Forage Solutions is a silage production and supply company based in Western Canada. Tykro provides high quality, energy-rich silage products for a range of animal feed needs, supplying everything from family farms to multinational companies. Tykro’s expert team has over 30 years of combined experience in the forage industry, benefiting customers with their in-depth knowledge of the entire business, from soil preparation, planting and harvesting to animal nutrition and logistics.

From humble beginnings in 2016, Tykro has experienced exponential growth since its launch, expanding into the international market in 2018 with service to Asia and the Middle East. “Tykro is innovative, first and foremost,” says Carlie Kroening, CEO Tykro Forage Solutions, “we were the first people to put fresh, probiotic forage into a small, manageable package.” In this way, Tykro has made the superior quality forage traditionally only made available to commercial operators, available to everyone. 

Determined to remain a regional and international industry leader in forage supply, 2020 will mark another exciting year of growth for Tykro, according to Kroening. With plans in motion for product development and rebranding, as well as the launch of an international education campaign, the company is poised for continued expansion. “For 2020, we are focused on achieving great things,” says Kroening, “The sky is the limit for Tykro!” 

For more information on Tykro Forage Solutions and the Alberta forage industry, visit http://tykroforage.com

For more stories, visit Todayville Calgary.

Alberta

CPP another example of Albertans’ outsized contribution to Canada

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From the Fraser Institute

By Tegan Hill

Amid the economic uncertainty fuelled by Trump’s trade war, its perhaps more important than ever to understand Alberta’s crucial role in the federation and its outsized contribution to programs such as the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

From 1981 to 2022, Albertan’s net contribution to the CPP—meaning the amount Albertans paid into the program over and above what retirees in Alberta received in CPP payments—was $53.6 billion. In 2022 (the latest year of available data), Albertans’ net contribution to the CPP was $3.0 billion.

During that same period (1981 to 2022), British Columbia was the only other province where residents paid more into the CPP than retirees received in benefits—and Alberta’s contribution was six times greater than B.C.’s contribution. Put differently, residents in seven out of the nine provinces that participate in the CPP (Quebec has its own plan) receive more back in benefits than they contribute to the program.

Albertans pay an outsized contribution to federal and national programs, including the CPP because of the province’s relatively high rates of employment, higher average incomes and younger population (i.e. more workers pay into the CPP and less retirees take from it).

Put simply, Albertan workers have been helping fund the retirement of Canadians from coast to coast for decades, and without Alberta, the CPP would look much different.

How different?

If Alberta withdrew from the CPP and established its own standalone provincial pension plan, Alberta workers would receive the same retirement benefits but at a lower cost (i.e. lower CPP contribution rate deducted from our paycheques) than other Canadians, while the contribution rate—essentially the CPP tax rate—to fund the program would likely need to increase for the rest of the country to maintain the same benefits.

And given current demographic projections, immigration patterns and Alberta’s long history of leading the provinces in economic growth, Albertan workers will likely continue to pay more into the CPP than Albertan retirees get back from it.

Therefore, considering Alberta’s crucial role in national programs, the next federal government—whoever that may be—should undo and prevent policies that negatively impact the province and Albertans ability to contribute to Canada. Think of Bill C-69 (which imposes complex, uncertain and onerous review requirements on major energy projects), Bill C-48 (which bans large oil tankers off B.C.’s northern coast and limits access to Asian markets), an arbitrary cap on oil and gas emissions, numerous other “net-zero” targets, and so on.

Canada faces serious economic challenges, including a trade war with the United States. In times like this, it’s important to remember Alberta’s crucial role in the federation and the outsized contributions of Alberta workers to the wellbeing of Canadians across the country.

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Alberta

Made in Alberta! Province makes it easier to support local products with Buy Local program

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Show your Alberta side. Buy Local.

When the going gets tough, Albertans stick together. That’s why Alberta’s government is launching a new campaign to benefit hard-working Albertans.

Global uncertainty is threatening the livelihoods of hard-working Alberta farmers, ranchers, processors and their families. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.

The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.

“It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.

Quick facts

  • This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food.
  • In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
  • Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.
  • Made in Alberta product catalogue website

 

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