Not just a hamburger problem | Health Canada to review safe cooking practices for tenderized meat after E. coli scare
Of all the things Agriculture Canada bacteria researcher Tim McAllister has heard about the E. coli scare in Alberta, one thing scares him: meat tenderization. The scientist, who makes his living studying E. coli and other bacteria involving cattle, is worried about bacteria in the medium rare steaks he enjoys eating. Cooking to a temperature […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
R-CALF fears JBS purchase will hurt markets
Reduced competition | JBS says the acquisition of XL Foods and two plants in the U.S. will be good for beef producers
The option for JBS USA to buy several XL Foods assets in Canada and the United States has raised the hackles of R-CALF, a Montana-based cattle group. In an Oct. 24 letter to U.S. attorney general Eric Holder and U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack, R-CALF requested an investigation to see if the JBS acquisition of […] Read moreB.C. ag gets $1.5 million for research
$1.5 million | Grain, weed, reclamation projects receive funds
Grain research plots, weed control and forage land reclamation projects are major recipients of funding announced last week by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia. The foundation earmarked $1.5 million in funding for research projects, and the B.C. Grain Producers Association will receive the largest single amount, $520,014. According to a foundation news release, […] Read morePortable scanner detects bacteria
University of Alberta researchers are studying technology that can detect bacteria on food processing surfaces. The Bactiscan is a portable light source that looks like a large flashlight. It emits four beams of radiation that, when aimed at surfaces, cause bacteria to fluoresce. Actions can then be taken to remove the bacteria. The technology, marketed […] Read more
Farmers keep the spirit of flight alive
Hawks rescued | Farmers delivered babies to Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, which helped them recover
When Pam Bergen heard that personnel from the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre had released Swainsons hawks into the wild last month, she cried. They were tears of joy that came months after she had shed tears of sadness over widespread destruction she saw July 26. A storm bearing golf ball-sized hail struck Pam and […] Read moreProducer defends milk price
Milk is often criticized as being too expensive in Canada compared to the United States, but the chair of Alberta Milk says it’s good value. Hennie Bos, a dairy farmer near Lacombe, Alta., said milk prices are not high considering what consumers get. “I would say, if you look at your total grocery basket, dairy […] Read more
Pizza kits targeted by dairy producers
Alberta dairy producers like pizza because of its generous use of cheese. But they aren’t fans of pizza made from “pizza kits” that contain imported cheese and are used by Canadian companies to make pies for retail sale. In September, Dairy Farmers of Canada launched a challenge through the Canadian International Trade Tribunal seeking a […] Read more
Elk hunt approved for Alberta army base
Elk damage to private property around Canadian Forces Base Suffield has prompted the Alberta government to establish special elk hunting licences for the base. As of Nov. 1, hunters can buy a $9 quota licence to hunt antlerless elk on CFB Suffield land north of Medicine Hat. Only 200 licences will be issued, and only […] Read more
Vegetable plant whirs with activity
A juggling act | Managing goods and people
REDCLIFF, Alta. — The new warehouse buzzes with activity. Forklifts toot their horns. Equipment chugs and whirrs. Bright lights illuminate new concrete. Conveyors transport brightly coloured vegetables to boxes and pallets. And eyes follow Lyle Aleman. Red Hat Co-operative Ltd. packages and ships fresh vegetables from its 40 active greenhouse operator members. It’s Aleman’s job, […] Read more
Haunted house a spirited place to visit
Ogden House home to real ghosts? | Alberta couple embrace a theme and create a thriving tourist attraction
STIRLING, Alta. — As Halloween approaches, the screams increase inside the haunted mansion in Stirling. Groans, rattling chains, cobwebs and spine-tingling music combine with witches, monsters and mad scientists to scare thrill-seekers who visit the big, old brick house and pay the price of admission for frissons of fear. But those seeking a good scare […] Read more
