The birth of twins in beef cattle herds is seldom cause for celebration. Though it does mean an extra calf to sell in the future, the extra labour involved in birthing and likely fostering the extra calf onto another cow can overshadow potential benefit. Karin Lindquist, forage and beef specialist with Alberta Agriculture, said she’s […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Hog farmers can expect lots of innovation
BANFF, Alta. — There’s plenty of innovation going on in the hog industry, says Lee Whittington, whether its in development or already available. There are geofences, sensors that constantly monitor transport trailer conditions, methods of making crude petroleum from pig manure and air scrubbers so efficient that hog barns could be located right in towns […] Read more
When the headline is you: how to handle the media
Consultant tells producers that talking to reporters can be hard, but ignoring a story can be dangerous
Consultant tells producers that talking to reporters can be hard, but ignoring a story can be dangerous
BANFF, Alta. — The sympathy for Sunterra Farms operations vice-president Ben Woolley was almost palpable in the room filled with more than 700 people with an interest in hog production. He volunteered for a mock interview Jan. 10 as former journalist and public relations specialist Jeff Ansell spoke about media and how to handle interviews. […] Read more
Parks receive failing grade in education
The former superintendent of Banff National Park says national, provincial and municipal parks protect nature to some extent but generally fail in the more important goal of educating and connecting people with the natural world around them. A park boundary is not a halo, said Kevin Van Tighem. “We’re doing parks wrong in many cases. […] Read more
Quarter horse enthusiasts win legacy award
TABER, Alta. — Ed Sparks’ voice warms as he holds photos of some special quarter horses. He and his wife, Pat, have been breeding, raising and training horses since 1965, and as Ed cradles the photographs, it’s obvious that horses are a lifetime love. Others in the quarter horse realm know it. Ed and Pat […] Read more
Lethbridge may get large pot greenhouse
A Calgary company plans to build an 180,0000 sq. foot greenhouse in Lethbridge to produce marijuana for recreational use. Fifty First Parallel plans to eventually produce 12,600 kilograms of cannabis annually once its three-phase development plan is complete by 2020. The firm has bought five acres of land in Lethbridge’s new industrial park. It expects […] Read more
Vitamin shortage may affect Canadian herd health
A worldwide shortage of vitamins A and E has boosted the cost of livestock feed supplements, forcing manufacturers to reduce the levels of those vitamins in feed formulations. An Oct. 31 fire at BASF’s Citral plant in Germany halted production of the vitamins and it is not expected to resume full operation until late March […] Read more
Ghost gate wins hog award
BANFF, Alta. — Devising a simple solution to a hog barn problem led to an award for Lyle and Maaike Campbell, hog producers at Birnam Pork in Arkona, Ont. Their invention was one of two that won the F.X. Aherne Prize presented Jan. 11 at the Banff Pork Seminar. In 2016, the Campbells renovated their […] Read more
Ontario hog industry confident PED can be beat
BANFF, Alta. — Ontario hog producers have suffered the most among all others in Canada from outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. The province has had 106 confirmed cases since 2014, the most recent one confirmed Jan. 2 in an Oxford County farrow-feeder operation. Most of those affected operations have eliminated the virus, and Dr. […] Read more
Beet growers eye road de-icing market
Beet juice can beat snow and ice in winter road conditions, but the stuff being used in Calgary and elsewhere in Western Canada does not come from Alberta-grown sugar beets. Alberta Sugar Beet Growers would like to change that because another use for their product could mean more acres and higher economic returns. “We believe […] Read more
