Overcooking french fries and potato chips produces a chemical called acrylamide that can be toxic and harmful to humans if eaten in large amounts. John Lu, an Agriculture Canada researcher who works at the Leth-bridge Research Centre, is investigating acrylamide and how it can be reduced in tubers and potato products. The chemical isn’t found […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Alta. ag research group on pins and needles over funding future
The current agreement for Alberta government funding of the Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund expires March 31, 2018, and the non-profit, industry-owned organization is not sure if a new agreement will be implemented. Doug Walkey, executive director of ACIDF, said board members have met with provincial government officials about a new agreement, hoping to obtain […] Read more
Low-cost producers must vaccinate animals
The vaccination program at the Western Beef Development Centre costs about $25 per cow annually. Whether producers consider that a lot or a little, the costs of illnesses, lost productivity and potential spread of disease could be much more than $25. Kathy Larson, research scientist at the WBDC near Lanigan, Sask., said bovine viral diarrhea […] Read more
Pain management important but not straightforward
Pain mitigation when dehorning and castrating cattle is a requirement under the Canadian code of practice. It acknowledges that those procedures are painful but the study of pain in cattle is an ongoing and complicated process. Dr. Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein of Agriculture Canada is in the midst of a five-year study on the topic, using $1.2 […] Read more
Precison ag survey seeks more input
A survey on western Canadian farmers’ use of precision agricultural technology is winding its way to completion. Before it does, Dale Steele wants to encourage farmers of all kinds to respond, whether or not they use many or any precision tools or none at all. Steele, an agronomist well versed in agricultural technology, was contracted […] Read more
Health problems not sugar’s fault: industry official
TABER, Alta. — Sugar is not addictive, argues Sandra Marsden, president of the Canadian Sugar Institute. She said it’s a myth that particularly irks her. “Sugar does not have any of the properties of addictive substances,” she said. “Because sweet tastes are pleasurable doesn’t mean they are addictive.” It’s one of Marsden’s jobs to de-fend […] Read more
WWF stresses efficiency
BANFF, Alta. — Cozying up with strange bedfellows might be required if the pork industry is to become more sustainable, says a representative from the World Wildlife Fund. Sandra Vijn, director of the WWF’s sustainable food team, was lead-off speaker at the annual Banff Pork Seminar in January, which was not lost on her or […] Read more
Do the right thing, livestock handlers told
BANFF, Alta. — There’s probably a protest aimed at improving animal rights or animal welfare, somewhere in Canada, every day. Livestock producers and transporters are sometimes challenged to deal with them. The best way, and in Geraldine Auston’s view the only way, is to always do the right thing. She said that means handling animals […] Read more
Vaccinations not a cure-all, but important in prevention
In calves, to control:
Cattle producers may think vaccination prevents disease and that’s accurate only to a point. Dr. Nathan Erickson, a veterinarian and instructor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, prefers to think of it as control of an illness rather than complete prevention. “Prevention creates in our mind the idea that we’re going to […] Read moreFuture farmers will need hands-on touch
The next generation of farmers will be using more technology and smaller equipment, but there still won’t be a replacement for boots on the ground. Those points were made by three speakers at the University of Leth-bridge Agility Innovation Summit Feb. 9-10. Colin Rush of Clean Seed Capital Group, Remi Schmaltz of Decisive Farming and […] Read more
