Grim news | An Alberta dairy farm became the centre of attention after a cow tested positive for BSE
On Boxing Day 2003, the telephone rang in the home of Wayne and Shirley Forsberg on a farm near Calmar, Alta. Wayne took the call. The news was grim. A BSE-infected dairy cow in Washington state had been traced to their farm. That’s when their lives changed. “It really changed the cattle industry in Canada, […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Producers sacrificed herds to help save industry
No live test Several herds were slaughtered for trace out but no additional infected animals were found
Stan and Dorothy Walterhouse got out of the cow-calf business after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency eliminated about 200 of their cattle during the BSE crisis in 2003. The couple from Tulliby Lake, Alta., had bought cattle from the McCrea farm in Saskatchewan, where the first BSE-infected animal was eventually traced. Now semi-retired and 75 […] Read moreHigh stream flow advisories issued in Alberta
Rain in southwestern Alberta over the past two days has prompted the provincial environment department to issue high stream flow advisories for five river systems. The Highwood, Sheep, Elbow, Bow rivers upstream of the Ghost Reservoir and the Oldman River upstream of Lethbridge were all subject to advisories, which indicate water levels could rise rapidly. […] Read more
Forage, grazing sectors feel targeted by Ag Canada cuts
Forage and pasture research seems to have taken a disproportionate hit in recently announced research program cuts by Agriculture Canada, say some involved in forage and grazing. The department announced plans to close the Grassland Applied Technology Centre in Kamloops, B.C., close the research facilities at One Four and Stavely, Alta., transfer beef grazing systems […] Read more
Prairie conservation festival planned for Alberta
The wide open spaces and grasslands of southeastern Alberta are the focus of a prairie conservation festival planned on the Geoff and Melanie Watson ranch June 8 near Elkwater, Alta. Rob Gardner of Nature Conservancy Canada is a key organizer of the day-long event, which he said will be more than a “feel good” session […] Read more
Family embraces new methods to farm efficiently
Solar power, GPS, biodiversity projects | Wheatcrest Farms uses management practices that are sustainable and environmentally friendly
LOMOND, Alta. — An array of construction and farm equipment toys are lined up outside the office of Wheatcrest Farms, where the next generation of farmers, still pint-sized, often plays. Glenn and Marie Logan welcome the interest their grandchildren take in farm operations. They and their two children, Tamara and Doug, operate the large enterprise […] Read moreSouthern Alta. irrigation system ready for season
Irrigation systems in southern Alberta are charged and ready for use, but seeding is taking priority over water concerns, says an irrigation specialist. Ron McMullin, executive director of the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association, said a few farmers have begun irrigating, but it wasn’t widespread as of May 13. “There are some farmers who are having […] Read more
Damage from cutworms reported in Alberta
Army cutworm damage will force the reseeding of several crops in southern Alberta this spring. Farmers are advised to scout their fields for the pest. Alberta Agriculture insect management specialist Scott Meers said May 9 that the problem is centred around Coaldale, with problems also reported in the Taber and Lethbridge regions. “There’s been some […] Read more
New dinosaur found on Alberta ranch
Fossils in Milk River | Alberta rancher has new species of dinosaur named after him
It’s not every day that a person has a dinosaur named after him. Rancher Roy Audet of Milk River, Alta., is pleased that day came for him. His namesake is Acrotholus audeti, a dog-sized, plant-eating dinosaur that lived 85 million years ago and roamed the area that is now Audet’s cattle ranch near Writing On […] Read moreSeed inoculants a hot item this spring as farmers take to fields
Seed inoculant is selling fast as seeding gets underway across the Prairies. Some brands and formulations are already unavailable to producers. However, Novozymes and Becker Underwood say inoculum supplies are adequate, even if farmers’ preferred types and formulations are not. Novozymes’ Tag Team, its multi-action line, is sold out at the manufacturer’s level, said Lethbridge […] Read more
