Simulation of overseas shipment revealed the deadly hog virus can survive in soybean meal for several weeks
BANFF, Alta. — The virus that causes deadly porcine epidemic diarrhea virus is proving to be a pesky survivor that can cross the ocean and remain viable in feed. PED has killed millions of piglets in the United States since 2013 and has also infected more than 100 barns in Canada, primarily in Ontario and […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Pea leaf weevil major bug to watch for in Alberta this year
Alberta insect management specialist Scott Meers started his Jan. 18 presentation with the good news about insect problems in 2016. Wheat stem sawflies, grasshoppers and bertha armyworms mostly kept their noses — and other insect parts — out of farmers’ business last year. The same will not likely be said in 2017 about pea leaf […] Read more
Undercarriage wash gets innovation award
BANFF, Alta. — A system that thoroughly washes the underside of livestock trailers was recognized for innovation at the Banff Pork Seminar Jan. 12. Bill Rempel of Blue Water Wash, based in Blumenort, Man., received the F.X. Aherne prize for innovative pork production at the event. The invention is an undercarriage wash for heavy equipment […] Read more
Alberta 4-H celebrates 100th year
Event kicks off celebrations across the province, with a leaders conference planned in March in Edmonton
Cattle, cupcakes and camp games converged Jan. 7 at the 4-H 100th anniversary celebrations in southern Alberta. About 30 4-H clubs from across the province south of Calgary had trade show booths to show the diversity of 4-H. “There’s an image that 4-H is just agriculture, or more specifically cows and cooking maybe, but as […] Read moreNew rules will ban own use veterinary drug imports
Health Canada changes will make certain livestock feed additives and injectable drugs available by prescription only
OTTAWA — Own use imports of specific veterinary drugs will not be allowed under new rules being proposed by Health Canada. Mary Jane Ireland, director general of the department’s Veterinary Drugs Directorate, said that change and others to food and drug regulations are designed to protect the effectiveness of existing antimicrobial drugs for humans and […] Read moreAir quality expert refutes livestock sector’s bad rap
Improvements in livestock production have reduced greenhouse gas emissions but the media continues to report outdated or erroneous numbers
BANFF, Alta. — Driving a Prius and eating one hamburger a week has the same carbon footprint as driving a Hummer? Frank Mitloehner scoffs at an advertisement that makes this claim, which is likely based on a comment once made by author Michael Pollen that he has since retracted. But Mitloehner, an air quality specialist […] Read more
Carbon tax, Bill 6 priorities for Alberta ag minister
Ensuring support for ranchers affected by the bovine tuberculosis quarantine is also a concern for Oneil Carlier
Rural angst over provincial farm safety legislation and the carbon levy and worries about a bovine tuberculosis outbreak were the highlights, or perhaps the lowlights, of Alberta Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier’s portfolio last year. In a year-end interview, Carlier said his government expects to prepare a final draft this spring of recommendations from the six […] Read moreGreenhouse sector gets carbon rebate
B.C. operators receive an 80 percent rebate, which may have influenced the Alberta government’s decision
Alberta’s greenhouse industry will get relief from the newly implemented provincial carbon levy. It’s good news for growers who were facing a $1 per gigajoule increase on natural gas this year and another 50 cents per gigajoule increase in 2018. The government announced Dec. 31 that greenhouse growers will be able to recoup up to […] Read moreLittle impact from antimicrobial reduction
Producers in the Netherlands increase biosecurity and avoid group treatment of animals to slash antibiotic use by 58 percent since 2009
OTTAWA — Producers in the Netherlands and around the world feared that animal health and livestock economics would suffer when the Dutch government drastically reduced the use of anti-microbials in livestock. Their fears proved groundless. Livestock antimicrobial use in the country has dropped 58 percent from 2009, but there has been no increase in disease […] Read more
Antique hunters uncover bits of prairie history
Television show hosted by Alberta antique enthusiasts travelled the country looking for old and unusual artifacts
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — There they lurk: old granaries and sheds on farms across the Prairies, loaded with junk and with treasures. However, Western Canada doesn’t have the lock on such hoards. Sheldon Smithens of Canadian Pickers fame says there are similar collections across all of Canada. “They’re everywhere, and I’m reluctant to say hoarders,” […] Read more
