Infected pigs often die without any previous signs of trouble; sows appear fine in the evening and are dead by morning
BANFF, Alta. — African swine fever can lurk undetected in hog herds for weeks before producers identify it. That’s one of the reasons it has taken such lethal hold on hogs in China, Asia and parts of Europe. Klaus Depner, head of the German National Reference Laboratory at the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute in Riems, said infected […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Alberta website reveals how climate changes
The site shows how the province’s climate has changed since the 1950s and how it is projected to change in the future
What’s the weather going to be like in Alberta in 2041? Or 2070? What is the average rainfall for Fairview or Red Deer or Aden in the decades from 1951 to 2017? Will there be more frost-free days in the future? More rain or snow? Answers are now available through an interactive website recently updated […] Read moreAgribusiness spreads positive ag message
BANFF, Alta. — An advertising campaign by Kentucky-based Alltech, an international feed, meat, brewing and distilling company, is resonating with the public. “’We’re not doomed,” it says in a Facebook post. Given that consumers get a steady diet of stories about the problems facing agriculture, a positive message appears to be welcome, said Alltech president […] Read more
African swine fever research efforts expand
The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre is now able to test the vaccines it develops
BANFF, Alta. — The vaccine centre based in Saskatoon is now able to test potential vaccines to combat African swine fever. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced Jan. 8 that the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre, based at the University of Saskatchewan, can now more fully participate in the search for a response […] Read moreAward recognizes work to improve care of piglets
This year’s F.X. Aherene prizes were presented to the inventors of an easier way to handle piglets and a better heating system
BANFF, Alta. — The inventors of a device to allow easier handling of piglets and the developers of a system that provides more even heat to young piglets received awards for their efforts Jan. 9 at the Banff Pork Seminar. Tess Faulkner and Gillian Grieves of South West Ontario Veterinary Services invented the Hammock, a […] Read moreNegotiating with farm trespassers not advised
Producers are told to phone police if activists trespass on their property and then let them take care of the situation
BANFF, Alta. — A photo of the activists who occupied a southern Alberta turkey farm last fall appeared Jan. 8 in Geraldine Auston’s presentation about managing protesters and trespass at livestock operations. The president of Ag & Food Exchange Inc. advised producers at the Banff Pork Seminar on what to do in such situations, which […] Read more
Century ranch focuses on Herefords and Angus
On the Farm: Veronica and and Brad Doenz operate LCI Doenz Ranches and raise two sons in southern Alberta
WARNER, Alta. — Veronica Doenz wears a T-shirt that gives an immediate clue about her busy life. Chasing Cows and Kids, it reads. She and her husband, Brad, have two young sons and 300 cows so they both do a lot of each activity. Jordy, 7, is in Grade 2 at the Warner school and […] Read more
Smith warns of pressure by environmentalists
“First they came for foresters. Then they came for the oil sands. Then they came for the cattle producers. Now they’re coming for you.” Danielle Smith gave this ominous message to farmers who attended the Dec. 11-12 Farming Smarter conference in Lethbridge. The talk radio host and former leader of Alberta’s Wildrose political party said […] Read more
Late harvest caused higher mycotoxin threat in feeds
Mycotoxin levels were low in early samples of feed harvested in Western Canada. Then things changed. Toxin levels are largely driven by weather, said All-Tech feed expert Dr. Max Hawkins. Rain in the later harvest season across much of the West opened the door and mycotoxins inched their way in. He advised producers to test […] Read more
Agriculture contemplates life without glyphosate
Glyphosate, the herbicide that has revolutionized weed control since its introduction in 1974, faces steadily increasing restrictions and in some cases outright bans in various countries around the world. That situation is putting pressure on farmers to find alternative measures of weed control. Though there is increased emphasis now on developing new modes of action […] Read more
