Crops can recover | Rain and excessive nitrogen and seeding rates can contribute to problem
Flattened grain fields are not mysterious crop circles but symptoms of lodging when too much rain knocks over vulnerable barley and wheat. Crop specialist Neil Whatley of Alberta Agriculture said lodging has been more widespread in cereal crops for the last four years in parts of central and northern Alberta, where lush growth causes weak-stemmed […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Easement ensures land will continue producing food
Ranchers eager to preserve countryside for future generations
COCHRANE, Alta. —The craggy face of Harvey Buckley may be that of the true environmentalist. He and his wife, Margaret, have placed 800 acres of their historic southern Alberta ranch under a conservation easement to protect land that has more value to them than just its economic appraisal. The undulating land north of their home […] Read more
Expert sneaks up on wigglers with biocontrol
LANGDON, Alta. — Danielle Grant has learned some tricks in the war against mosquitoes as she attempts to get ahead of the pests before they reach adulthood. Grant is a private pest management consultant who works with municipalities to control mosquitoes by monitoring stagnant water bodies, collecting samples and applying a biocontrol product to kill […] Read more
Plant expands to add more lamb
Sungold Specialty Meats | Operator sees potential for an expansion of the Canadian flock
INNISFAIL, Alta. — An ambitious plan to expand the Canadian lamb market is being hatched at Sungold Specialty Meats. The federally inspected lamb processing facility at Innisfail is undergoing a $3 million expansion and has invested $5 million in a 50,000 head feedlot at Picture Butte, Alta. “It is way bigger than what we need. […] Read moreWaterways threatened by zebra mussels
CHESTERMERE, Alta — It takes only two cups of water to spread zebra mussels, an invasive creature that plugs up infrastructure and eats other aquatic animals out of house and home. Programs across Canada and the United States are urging boaters and fishers to clean, drain and dry their equipment before moving from one lake […] Read more
COOL opponents lose injunction bid
The fight against the U.S. country-of-origin labelling law has been set back after an appeal was lost seeking a preliminary injunction against the rule. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected the case in a 9-2 decision on the basis it “was unlikely to succeed.” The 70 page decision was […] Read more
COOL opponents lose injunction bid
The fight against the U.S. country-of-origin labelling law has been set back after an appeal was lost seeking a preliminary injunction against the rule. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected the case in a 9-2 decision on the basis it “was unlikely to succeed.” The 70 page decision was […] Read more
Lodging continues to be a problem in Alberta
Flattened grain fields are not mysterious crop circles but symptoms of lodging when too much rain knocks over vulnerable barley and wheat. Crop specialist Neil Whatley of Alberta Agriculture said lodging has been more widespread in cereal crops for the last four years in parts of central and northern Alberta, where lush growth causes weak-stemmed […] Read more
Jerseys show staying power
Summer Synergy | Jersey breed performing well at shows alongside Holsteins
OLDS, Alta. — Jerseys ruled for the second year in a row at the Alberta 4-H dairy show in Olds. Lee Morey of Rochester, Alta., won supreme dairy animal with his entry of a two-year-old bred heifer that has never lost in the show ring. His sister, Casey, won the same award last year. “I […] Read more
Teen competitor continues winning ways with Steer Classic title at Calgary Stampede
Megan McLeod could be a role model for other young women interested in the livestock business after years of achievements as a young cattle person. It has been a good run for the 18-year-old, who just finished high school in Cochrane, Alta. She recently won the $10,000 UFA Steer Classic show at the Calgary Stampede, […] Read more
