The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expected to release new rules governing animal movement this fall. These regulations are part of the Canadian livestock traceability strategy that covers animal and premise identification, as well as movement. “No one has seen the content of these proposed regulations but we don’t know for sure what is coming,” […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Apathy stalks corn committee
The Alberta Corn Committee has lost the ears of producers. Formed in 1970, the committee served notice March 27 that it was suspending operations and its corn hybrid performance trials due to lack of farmer interest in trial results and in keeping the committee running. Committee manager Elizabeth Tokariuk said apathy stalked the committee, leading […] Read more
Bovine TB investigation in Alta. officially over
The tuberculosis scare in that province saw 11,500 cattle destroyed and cost governments up to $54 million
JENNER, Alta. — The investigation into Alberta cases of bovine tuberculosis has successfully concluded, but like many successes, it came at a high cost. Some 11,500 animals were destroyed in the Jenner region of southeastern Alberta, with only six found to be infected. Federal and provincial compensation provided to ranchers who lost their herds cost […] Read more
Vitamin shortage set to ease shortly
The full effects of the global vitamin A and E shortage on this year’s calf crop remain to be seen; cow health is vital
Calves born this spring might not get their usual shot of supplemental vitamins as the worldwide shortage of vitamins A and E continues to make itself felt. Adequate amounts of vitamins are important in the post-calving period so as the season progresses, the full effects of the shortage remain to be seen. “So far I […] Read morePatience key to loose housing conversion
Barn conversion costs vary widely; researcher says he has heard of costs ranging from $75 to $500 per pig
About 15 percent of Canadian hog producers have converted their barns to loose housing. The national pig code of practice dictates that all barns with gestation stalls must convert by 2024 and any new builds or major reconstruction must incorporate group sow housing. Ken Engel of the Prairie Swine Centre said producers are working toward […] Read more
Orphan wells: Alberta’s $47 billion problem
As energy sector companies fail, landowners wonder who’s on the hook for reclamation costs of wells and pipelines
TABER, Alta. — As farmers drove to the March 8 Action Surface Rights meeting, the news had just broken that Calgary-based Sequoia Resources Corp. had ceased operations. Its demise, if it occurs, would add at least another 2,300 oil and gas wells and possibly as many as 4,000 to the list of energy infrastructure sites […] Read more
‘Paid hunting’ fee proposed to access land
Alta. ranchers look for solutions as tension builds between those who lease public land and those who want to use it
BROOKS, Alta. — An email sent to Fort Macleod, Alta., area rancher Bill Newton last fall was initially polite. A prospective hunter requested access to grazing land that Newton leases, specifying when and where he wanted to hunt. Newton sent a polite reply, refusing access due to excessively dry conditions and the heightened risk of […] Read more
Swamp fever rearing its head in 2018
Horses infected with equine infectious anemia may show some, all or none of the following:
One case of equine infectious anemia, also known as swamp fever, has been found in Alberta within the past month. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed March 1 that a case had been found in a horse in Strathcona County near Edmonton. It is just the most recent incident of a complex disease that confounds […] Read moreGrazing proposal stalls
BROOKS, Alta. — A proposal to modernize the fee structure for Alberta grazing leases remains in provincial government hands as leaseholders await developments. Alberta Grazing Leaseholders Association chair Pat Rutledge told those at the group’s annual meeting March 7 that the proposal approved by this group and four others with an interest in lease rates […] Read more
Caution urged with renewable energy contracts
Landowners told protections provided when dealing with oil and gas companies don’t apply to wind and solar sectors
TABER, Alta. — Southern Alberta’s abundance of sun and wind continues to attract proposals for wind and solar farms, but landowners should be wary about the contents of any contracts they sign, says a landowner advocate. Daryl Bennett, vice-president of industry and government regulatory affairs for the My Landman Group, said those who negotiate contracts […] Read more
