Operators returned to a milking parlour system after experiencing an increase in mastitis with robotic milking
TEMPEST, Alta. — The Van den Pol dairy farm is bucking the trend when it comes to robotic milking. Though many dairy farms are moving to autonomous technology, Gys Van den Pol removed his robotic milkers and went back to an eight-stall milking parlour at the family dairy operation near Coaldale, Alta. Some may say […] Read more
Barb Glen
Stories by Barb Glen
Alberta outlines priorities in marijuana draft plan
The government is seeking input on whether cannabis distribution should be through private business or government outlets
Albertans will be able to grow up to four cannabis plants in their homes but not outside in their gardens, according to the provincial government’s proposed framework for legalized marijuana that was released Oct. 4. As for production on a larger scale for wholesale business, the province now has four federally licensed cannabis facilities that […] Read moreHog virus cases slow, says Manitoba official
No new cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea have been found in Manitoba since early September, and some affected premises have eradicated the virus. Dr. Glen Duizer, Manitoba’s chief veterinary officer, said Oct. 5 that 78 operations had the deadly pig virus this year and 32 of those have moved to “transitional status,” meaning their pigs […] Read more
Snow snuffs out destructive Kenow fire
A fire that destroyed several ranches and burned a large portion of Waterton Lakes National Park in southwestern Alberta last month has now been deemed under control and continues to be monitored. More than 20 centimetres of snow fell on the park and other parts of southern Alberta Oct. 2, marking the first time many […] Read more
Thinking outside the blocks
Stephen Dann lives in fear of having his luggage break open at airport security. If it did, about 30 kilograms of Lego would spill out. Dann, a senior fellow with the Australian National University College of Business and Economics, teaches Lego Serious Play, a method of fostering creative thinking and problem solving through the use […] Read more
No cuts in gov’t funding for Alta. ag societies
Alberta’s agricultural societies will receive the money earmarked in the provincial budget without any reduction in the amount, the provincial government announced Sept. 27. The news was welcomed by agricultural societies across the province and by Tim Carson, chief executive officer of the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies. “Quite relieved, and so are our members,” […] Read more
Scrapie has huge impact for sector despite low numbers
Three goat operations in Manitoba and one sheep operation in Saskatchewan have been confirmed with scrapie in their flocks this year as efforts continue toward eradicating the disease in Canada. Scrapie is a federally reportable disease in sheep and goats that is in the same general family as other prion-related diseases such as bovine spongiform […] Read more
Minimum wage rises in Alberta
Alberta’s minimum wage rose to $13.60 from $12.20 per hour Oct. 1, the latest incremental increase as the provincial government moves toward a $15 per hour minimum wage by Oct. 1, 2018. Alberta now has the highest minimum wage in Canada. “All hard-working people deserve to earn enough money to support themselves and their families,” […] Read more
Rebuilding from the ashes
WATERTON, Alta. — The new posts and shiny barbed wire stand in stark contrast to the scorched earth beneath them. This is fence that will allow ranchers in southwestern Alberta to begin recovering from a devastating wildfire that burned five properties and has eaten an estimated 90,000 acres of ranchland, forest and national park. However, […] Read more
Haven’t heard about the code for horse care and handling? You’re not alone
More than half of Canada’s horse owners know about the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines but 43 percent aren’t aware of it at all, according to preliminary results from a survey of horse owners undertaken by the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada. The alliance began a survey in March that […] Read more
