The Milk River runs the risk of running dry later this summer, which would eliminate irrigation for 40 southern Alberta water licence holders, change cattle pasture rotation for ranchers, force municipal water restrictions and damage the river’s aquatic ecosystem. No water will be transferred from the St. Mary Basin into the Milk River Basin this […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Worries continue for Milk River water levels
Collapse of a canal drop structure in Montana has cast doubt on irrigation supplies in a pocket of southern Alberta
Water levels in the Milk River as it passes through southern Alberta continue to drop due to issues with irrigation infrastructure on the American side of the border. A canal drop structure northwest of Cutbank, Montana, collapsed May 17 and its failure eliminates the method to divert water from the St. Mary River into the […] Read more
Loss of farm legacy called major suicide factor
Ontario hog producer tells his story of mental anguish and how one phone call helped pull him back from the brink
Just before Stewart Skinner planned to kill himself, he made a phone call. It saved his life. The Ontario hog farmer was in severe mental anguish as he faced the spectre of losing a farm that had been in his family for six generations. He saw only one way to stop the pain. “I am […] Read more
Surplus potatoes head to feedlots this spring
Spuds can be fed whole to range cattle, but feedlots must grind them up so that they can be added to other ingredients in the ration
Mashed, baked or fried: none of these potato options are suitable for cattle, but raw potatoes can provide a win-win scenario for potato and cattle producers. Drastic changes to food service because of COVID-19 reduced demand for french fries and other spud preparations served in restaurants. Processors didn’t require raw potatoes with which to make […] Read more
Two new PED cases confirmed in Manitoba
Manitoba has confirmed two new cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea, its first this year. The Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network reported the discovery June 9 in one hog operation in the northeastern buffer area and one in the high-risk area where PED cases appeared last year, primarily in an area southeast of Winnipeg. Both […] Read more
B.C. offers more funds for ag and food e-commerce
The vital part of the Buy B.C. campaign in British Columbia is the ability of sellers to reach consumers and e-commerce is one way to do that. The provincial government on June 5 put more money into a program to help farmers and food companies establish e-commerce and facilitate sales of B.C. products. Demand upon […] Read more
Worries continue for Milk River water levels
Water levels in the Milk River as it passes through southern Alberta continue to drop due to issues with irrigation infrastructure on the American side of the border. A canal drop structure northwest of Cutbank, Montana, collapsed May 17 and its failure eliminates the method to divert water from the St. Mary River into the […] Read more
Only in Canada – report details endemic species
The Bert’s predaceous diving beetle, large-headed woolly yarrow, false northwestern moonwort and Queen Charlotte hairy woodpecker have one thing in common. They are only found in Canada. This country has 308 endemic plant and animal species, those that are found nowhere else in the world. Of those, the Prairies are home to 121 of them […] Read more
Ranch family shares sense of responsibility
On the Farm: Wade and Jolene Watson shared a desire to own their own ranch and bought all their land themselves
SEVEN PERSONS, Alta. — It’s a family in which each member has followed their dreams and found success. Wade has always wanted to be involved in agriculture and be his own boss. Jolene fell in love with law enforcement and has always loved cattle. Sage, 25, is passionate about track and field, runs professionally for […] Read more
Keep cattle at casual pace when transporting
Animals that have spent months in a feedlot can be overcome by fatigue when it comes time to ship them to slaughter
Picture this: you’ve spent six months at a resort, lounging around and eating at least three times a day at the buffet. Drink is plentiful. You are fat and happy. Then you are asked to run a six-minute mile in 32 C heat. Stressful? Possibly life-threatening? It can be. And that is what heavy cattle […] Read more
