The Calgary Zoo released 66 greater sage grouse at two locations last fall: one in Saskatchewan and the other in Alberta
Biologists plan to keep a close watch this spring on 66 wild newcomers to grasslands in southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta. In fall 2018, the Calgary Zoo released 66 greater sage grouse at two locations: Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan and a 150-acre property southwest of Cypress Hills Provincial Park that is owned by the […] Read moreAuthor Archives
Feds take African swine fever action
Extra sniffer dogs will look for illegal meat products and the CFIA makes zoning plans in case disease found here
There will be more dogs sniffing luggage and passengers at Canadian airports in coming years as Agriculture Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency seek to block African swine fever. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced plans March 14 to add 24 sniffer dogs to the 15-dog complement already on the job. The increase will […] Read more
Alberta continues search for source of PED virus
The affected farms have a few things in common, but no firm links regarding potential spread are evident
A few answers and more questions have emerged as investigations continue into Alberta’s four cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. The fourth case was confirmed March 15, two days after a provincial briefing on the first three cases. Investigators in the provincial chief veterinary office and Alberta Agriculture have ruled out several ways the virus […] Read moreGrowers want piling process to be faster
Long lineups of trucks loaded with sugar beets can be a common sight in southern Alberta at piling stations during fall harvest season. Sugar beets are delivered by truck to several stations where they are weighed and piled. Drivers can face long waits to unload during peak times and the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers board […] Read more
Hog farmers want quality assurance premium
Producers meet with processors to discuss how they can be better rewarded for participating in traceability program
Canadian hog producers are on board with quality assurance programs to ensure the safety and value of pork, but before taking steps into a more detailed pig care and traceability program, they want per pig payments to reflect the extra effort that will be involved. A meeting between Canadian pig producer organizations and pig processors […] Read more
Opposition leads Alta. gov’t as election looms
The polling results become narrower when voters are asked for their impressions of the NDP and UCP leaders
The Alberta election has not yet been called but political watchers agree the campaign is already well under way. The vote must take place sometime between March 1 and May 31. Zack Ziolkowski, Alberta counsel with the legal and lobby firm that represents Alberta agricultural groups to government, predicted an April 15 election when he […] Read more
VIDEO: Alta. project builds new home for hawk couple
The nest pole was erected earlier this month to lure two ferruginous hawks away from a busy road in southern Alberta
CRANFORD, Alta. — When a pair of ferruginous hawks returns to southern Alberta this month, they will see a new home on the landscape. A nest pole was erected March 4 in a pasture north of Cranford near Taber, Alta., that wildlife biologists hope will meet with approval from a hawk twosome that last year […] Read more
FCL plans new fertilizer terminal for Alberta
The new 34,000-tonne capacity plant in Grassy Lake will have a loop track to accommodate 110-car unit trains
TABER, Alta. — Grassy Lake, Alta., will soon be home to a $41.8 million fertilizer terminal for Federated Co-operatives Ltd. The facility will be the third fertilizer terminal for FCL, which opened other facilities in Hanley, Sask., and Brandon in 2017. Grassy Lake, east of Taber, Alta., is a hamlet within the Municipal District of […] Read more
VIDEO: Sitting your way toward a bad back
Long hours spent in farm equipment, interspersed with shorter bouts of heavy labour, can be a recipe for disaster
Farmers can be extreme examples of weekend warriors, those folks with relatively sedentary jobs who then undertake extreme sports and activities on weekends. For farmers, long hours spent in tractors and other farm equipment, interspersed with shorter bouts of heavy labour, can wreak havoc with health. Scott Lawrence, a Lethbridge-based osteopath, frequently treats people who […] Read more
Johne’s initiative pays off for dairy producers
One expert suggests expansion of the work by making disease management a separate module in proAction program
About 80 percent of western Canadian dairy herds are affected by Johne’s disease, an illness characterized by diarrhea, edema and gradual weight loss that often results in early culling. Dr. Herman Barkema, professor of epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Calgary, said the Alberta Johne’s Disease Initiative has helped address the problem, but […] Read more
