Bryan Reid is known for building custom log homes on his HGTV reality show Timber Kings, and he’s also in the business of pulp — cedar pulp used to make medical garments,an effort critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mary Ellen Dalgleish, a poultry expert at Purity Feeds in Kamloops, B.C., believes the increased interest in backyard chickens follows concerns about food security when consumers saw grocery store shelves cleared out early in the COVID-19 pandemic in B.C.

Farmers markets throughout B.C.’s Interior and South Coast are ramping up for their spring seasons, but COVID-19 has forced them to make some changes to how they operate. 

RCMP in Clearwater, B.C., are investigating an incident that took place at the Tiny House Warriors village in Blue River over the weekend. 

Municipalities across the province are re-evaluating their financial situations as COVID-19 continues to keep municipal facilities closed and has put other revenue streams on hold. 

A B.C. couple who shaved their eyebrows off in the spirit of forcing themselves to stay at home has tackled another isolation challenge — home haircuts. 

The Coldwater band is calling for federal intervention after Trans Mountain announced it was changing the way it would study the aquifer the First Nation relies on for its drinking water.

Most of the animals at the B.C. Wildlife Park in Kamloops are unfazed by the absence of paying visitors since it closed in March over COVID-19 concerns. But Blue the turkey appears "bummed," staff say.

Carving out a section of low-hanging basement ceiling was a small price to pay to give Travis Bondy the space he needed to play in the Isolation Dart League.

This monthly release is part of the Current Agricultural Industrial Report (CAIR) program, and covers the crush of oilseeds and production of crude oil for selected states and the U.S. as well as U.S. production and consumption of selected fats and oils for edible and inedible uses. The end-of-month stock values by oilseed are also published. The report is compiled from data from facilities regarding oilseed crushing, crude oil production, once refined oil production, rendering production, and end of month stocks for the previous calendar month.

The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report is prepared monthly and includes forecasts for U.S. and world wheat, rice, and coarse grains (corn, barley, sorghum, and oats), oilseeds (soybeans, rapeseed, palm), and cotton. U.S. coverage is extended to sugar, meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board analysts chair the Interagency Commodity Estimates Committees (ICECs) comprising representatives from several key USDA agencies. The nine ICECs- one for each commodity- compile and interpret information from USDA and other domestic and foreign official sources to produce the report.

The ICECs rely on Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) attaché reports and analysis of foreign commodity developments, Economic Research Service (ERS) domestic and foreign regional assessments, and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) U.S. crop and livestock estimates. For domestic policy and market information, the Board relies on the Farm Services Agency and the Agricultural Marketing Service. WAOB and FAS use weather analysis and satellite imagery to monitor crop conditions. Additional private and public information sources are considered.

This broad information base is reviewed and analyzed by ICEC members who bring diverse expertise and perspectives to the report. To arrive at consensus forecasts, alternative assessments of domestic and foreign supply and use are vetted at the ICEC meetings. Throughout the growing season and afterwards, estimates are compared with new information on production and utilization, and historical revisions are made as necessary.

The WASDE reports a full balance sheet for each commodity. Separate estimates are made for components of supply (beginning stocks, imports, and production) and demand (domestic use, exports, and ending stocks). Domestic use is subdivided into major categories, for example corn for feed and corn for ethanol. Domestic use may be based on data from other Federal agencies: for example, U.S. wheat ground for flour, soybeans crushed for oil, and cotton mill use come from the Bureau of the Census. The demand side of the balance sheet may include a category for residual or unaccounted disappearance to balance known uses against total supplies.

The WASDE also reports forecast season-average farm prices for most items. Prices tie together both sides of the balance sheet. Market prices aid in rationing available supplies among competing uses. Prices also indicate potential supply responses, for example potential planting decisions for the upcoming year. The process of forecasting price and balance sheet items is complex and involves the interaction of expert judgment, commodity models, and in-depth research by USDA analysts on key domestic and international issues.

With the effects of the pandemic playing out differently across the province, it's unlikely that all areas will reopen on the same timeline.

Nearly a quarter-million more Albertans lost work in April as the economic shutdown due to COVID-19 continued, with young workers — particularly young women — being disproportionately affected.

A 23-year-old man has been granted bail, after being charged in the death of a Saskatchewan farmer with a wife and two kids whose body was found dumped north of Calgary.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there are so many numbers flying around, it's hard to keep track. Here, we'll do our best to keep track for you, with new charts updated daily and the context surrounding the data.

An inmate at the Calgary Remand Centre has tested positive for COVID-19, marking the first time a case has been reported at an Alberta correctional facility.

Sarah Miller waited until the last minute to go buy toilet paper. When she couldn’t find any, she made a decision that she says changed her life.

Current and comprehensive news stories from around Calgary and Southern Alberta

Alberta recorded one more death to COVID-19 and 81 new cases, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Friday.

Politicians, pundits and other thoughtful westerners chat about the priorities, preoccupations and politics of Albertans and others who are West of Centre in this podcast series hosted by CBC Calgary's executive producer of news, Kathleen Petty.

Some residents of Canmore, Alta., are mourning the death of an unusual elk that went by the name of Marvin. He was known to frequent backyards and hang out with pets.

Employees in Alberta continuing care homes and seniors’ residences are the most likely recipients of a federal wage top-up intended for essential workers.

An inmate at the Calgary Remand Centre has tested positive for COVID-19, marking the first time a case has been reported at an Alberta correctional facility.

Three people living in the mountains of Western Canada tell us about the beauty, the lifestyle and the danger of calling them home.

During special Easter outreaches to women in red light areas, outreach workers go in the knowledge that Jesus is with them and His resurrection power gives hope, strength and life.

An Albanian man's heart is forever changed after suffering a heart attack and meeting Jesus in his recuperation.

For years, Gustavo, an architect from Central America, felt drawn to working in the Arabian Peninsula. Then, on a short-term trip, he saw what it could be like to use his profession overseas.

From age 17, Ana Maria prayed to serve God in Switzerland. While she waited, she became a dance instructor with no idea dance would become her ministry.

Doron's experience on Logos Hope shows him God's faithfulness and uncovers leadership abilities he is using today in a new role.

God uses Janet to reach people through one-on-one encounters at a bookshop in a closed country.

For Roberto Ramirez, serving God in missions has been one step of faith after another.

Terry Roggensack, The Hightower Report

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com

Terry Roggensack, The Hightower Report

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com

Terry Roggensack, The Hightower Report

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com

Terry Roggensack, The Hightower Report

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com

Terry Roggensack, The Hightower Report

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com

Terry Roggensack, The Hightower Report

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com

Terry Roggensack, The Hightower Report

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com

Terry Roggensack, The Hightower Report

Virginia McGathey, www.VirginiaMcGathey.com