‘GM free zones’ | Initiative launched to ban GM plants and animals
A resolution by British Columbia municipalities to prohibit the production of genetically modified plants and animals in the province would be difficult if not impossible to implement. The Union of B.C. Municipalities passed the resolution at its convention Sept. 19, directing its board to ask the provincial government to prohibit importing, exporting and growing plants […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Alberta farmers urged to be cautious about flood-damaged farm equipment
LONGVIEW, Alta. — June floods inundated farm equipment in various parts of southern Alberta, and now some of that equipment could be coming to auction. It’s a case of buyer beware. Janet Patriquin, assistant farmer’s advocate, said no issues have yet been reported, but those in the market for used equipment should be aware of […] Read more
CFIA investigates E. coli in Gort’s raw milk cheese
A recall on cheese from Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm near Salmon Arm, B.C., was expanded Sept. 19 to include 15 products. The Public Health Agency of Canada said the cheese is contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and caused the death of one British Columbia resident. It is also connected to illnesses in another 14 people, […] Read more
Firm aims to double hay exports
Hay dehydration system | Company hopes expansion will entice more alfalfa and timothy hay growers
Canada’s largest exporter of compressed hay is about to get larger. Green Prairie International Inc. of Lethbridge is adding a hay dehydration system to its operation, which has sold compressed forage to international markets for 25 years. GPI president John Van Hierden said the expansion will allow hay harvest to start up to three weeks […] Read more
Producers lament loss of Zilmax growth promotant
Some question Tyson Foods’ health concerns
Peter Anderson deplores the loss of Zilmax in the North American feedlot industry. The Colorado-based researcher and consultant for one of the top livestock supplement suppliers in the United States said he can’t predict whether Merck will return the growth-promoting beta agonist to the market. If it does, good. If it doesn’t, less beef will […] Read more
$38M easement will protect Alberta ranch land
The wind through the pines, the rustle of rough fescue grass and the burble of creeks are the most common sounds on Waldron Ranch, a 30,535 acre stretch of native grassland between the Rockies and the Porcupine Hills. And that’s the way this home on the range north of Lundbreck, Alta., along the fabled Cowboy […] Read more
Crop adjusters processing claims
Alberta hail claims are above average in 2013 but still far below those of 2012, which was a record year for hail damage. “Last year was by far the worst. Just rough guessing, we’re probably 1,000 claims behind last year,” said Brian Tainsh of Alberta Financial Services Corp. “It’s been very, very busy, needless to […] Read more
Commission reaching outto producers
Brian Kennedy says he is eagerly awaiting harvest completion so he can go out and meet more wheat farmers. Kennedy, the new grower relations co-ordinator for the Alberta Wheat Commission, knows many farmers can’t spare time for policy talk at this time of year. “I don’t want to be a pestilence upon growers at the […] Read more
COOL ruling disappoints Canadian livestock industry
Injunction blocked | Industry coalition plans to appeal judge’s decision to deny injunction for COOL implementation delay
Hopes for delayed implementation of revised U.S. country-of-origin labelling legislation were dashed Sept. 11 when a U.S. district court judge did not grant a preliminary injunction to block it. The request for an injunction was made by a coalition of American meat and livestock groups, as well as the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the Canadian […] Read moreAlta. farmers should be cautious about flood-damaged farm equipment
LONGVIEW, Alta. — June floods inundated farm equipment in various parts of southern Alberta, and now some of that equipment could be coming to auction. It’s a case of buyer beware. Janet Patriquin, assistant farmer’s advocate, said no issues have yet been reported, but those in the market for used equipment should be aware of […] Read more
