Canada is advised to test its preparedness for a multi-species, multi-province, serious animal disease outbreak scenario
GATINEAU, Que. — Here’s the hypothetical scenario that, if it or something like it ever came to pass, could damage producers’ livelihoods, Canada’s economy, international trade and animal welfare. It goes like this. Martha and Jon have a small mixed farm in British Columbia’s southern interior. The “back to the land” farmers describe their production […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Dairy calves slip through transport code cracks
GATINEAU, Que. — Many practices for handling male dairy calves do not conform to new transport of animals regulations that will be phased in this February, a new study indicates. Calves are often shipped before they are eight days old, contrary to new Canadian Food Inspection Agency requirements, and time in transit sometimes exceeds the […] Read more
Resilient farm family weathers many storms
The Sweetnams faced three major disease outbreaks while farming in Ireland as well as a dairy barn fire in Canada
GATINEAU, Que. — How much stress can one farming family endure? Dairy farmers Miriam and Harold Sweetnam seem to represent the test. While dairy farming in Ireland, Harold’s herd experienced the brucellosis outbreak in 1971-73, spread through water contamination and wildlife, and lost 150 animals. Then came bovine tuberculosis in 1974-77, again spread by wildlife […] Read more
Egg sector touts animal welfare gains
GATINEAU, Que. — Almost all egg barns in Canada will be rebuilt within the next decade to accommodate the national code of practice mandate to eliminate conventional cages. It’s part of a revolution within the poultry industry, said Dr. Mike Petrik, a veterinarian and poultry welfare expert with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. “That means, […] Read more
Meat plant closure in Ont. could affect West
Ryding-Regency Meat Packers buys feeder cattle and calves from Western Canada, which could affect Sask. and Man.
The Dec. 2. cancellation of federal slaughter, processing and export licences at Toronto-based Ryding-Regency Meat Packers and its affiliates has sent ripples through the Canadian beef industry. The move leaves Ontario cattle producers scrambling to find processing space for fat cattle. Export options to the United States are limited and sending the cattle to federal […] Read moreTurkey barn accused appear in Alberta court
Three people accused of breaking into a southern Alberta turkey farm appeared in Fort Macleod, Alta., provincial court Dec. 4 and had their cases adjourned to Jan. 8. Claire Buchanan, 28, of Calgary, Maxwell Ming Mah, 46, of Edmonton and Kennadi Rae Herbert, 24, of Pincher Creek, Alta., were each charged with breaking and entering […] Read more
Recyclers try to get the measure of ag plastics
A farmer survey found 69 percent of grain bag users and 72 percent of twine users said it is hard to recycle the items
Plastics play a major role in farm supply needs, from grain bags to bale wrap and twine. An Alberta analysis of waste plastic, completed this fall, estimates total agricultural plastic waste in the province in 2019 to be somewhere between 7,044 and 11,384 tonnes. A survey of 428 Alberta crop and livestock producers carried out […] Read more
Group asks public for help naming bison bulls
The five animals were recently introduced to the Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation area
Sturgill? Lefty? Dwight? The names of these outlaw country singers could soon be shared by five bison bulls recently introduced to Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation area in southwestern Saskatchewan. The five bulls, all born in 2017, will join the herd of 84 bison that already roams the 13,000-acre site, which […] Read more
Turkey barn accused appear in court
Three people accused of breaking into a southern Alberta turkey farm appeared in Fort Macleod, Alta., provincial court Dec. 4 and had their cases adjourned to Jan. 8. Claire Buchanan, 28, of Calgary, Maxwell Ming Mah, 46, of Edmonton and Kennadi Rae Herbert, 24, of Pincher Creek, Alta., were each charged with breaking and entering […] Read more
Fertilizing after drought takes care
Figuring out fertilizer following a year of drought is a good news and bad news situation, says crop adviser Jack Payne. The bad news is that crop yield has suffered. The good news is that reduced uptake of fertilizer is likely to reduce needed rates in the next growing season. Soil nitrogen that might ordinarily […] Read more
