New technology Canadian dairy sector is already profiting from genomics as country’s top rated dairy cow sold for $410,000 last year
EDMONTON — It has been only five years since the DNA of a Hereford cow named L1 Dominette D1449 was sequenced. Unlocking that information is expected to improve human health and plant and animal production. Its practical use was discussed at the annual Livestock Gentec conference held in Edmonton Oct. 22-23. Gentec is based at […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Canadian cattle get high praise
Western Dairy Showcase | Large dairy producer West Coast Holsteins brings grand champion
RED DEER — After judging dairy cattle all over the world, Donald Dubois has decided the homegrown product is best. “We have the best cattle in the world,” he said after the Westerner Dairy Showcase held in Red Deer Oct. 24-26. “We have so many breeders and exhibitors in Canada who have so much patience. […] Read moreWorm genome info may help tackle parasite resistance
Roundworms feed on animals’ blood and can be fatal
The mysteries of the worm genome have been unravelled. John Gilleard and James Wasmuth from the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine are part of an international team that se-quenced the genome of the haemonchus contortus, commonly known as the barber’s pole worm because of the pink spiral gut inside its body. It is […] Read moreAlberta’s barley, wheat commissions decide to share an office
The idea that a team of horses is stronger pulling together than a singleton is behind two of Alberta’s largest commissions decision to collaborate. The 20-year-old Alberta Barley Commission and the newly formed Alberta Wheat Commission have come together in a posh new office in northeastern Calgary where they can share staff and join on […] Read more
Red Angus sale has helped breed grow
Red Roundup | Red Angus bull sale averages $5,027; top seller, a female, draws $20,000 for half interest
RED DEER — The founders of Red Roundup simply wanted a gathering place for like-minded breeders when they came up with the idea of a special event dedicated to the Red Angus breed. That was 41 years ago, and the annual event has since become a premier weekend for breeders and has drawn international attention, […] Read moreReopened beef plant a blessing for markets
Alberta beef producers are hoping the new owners of the former Rancher’s Beef processing plant in Balzac, Alta., will help strengthen and expand markets. “This couldn’t come at a better time,” said Bryan Walton, chief executive officer of the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association. Tyson Foods recently said it would no longer accept fed cattle from […] Read more
Alta. announces poultry institute
AIRDRIE, Alta. — A new poultry institute has been established in Alberta to manufacture vaccines and provide diagnostic services for Western Canada. Western Economic Diversification Canada announced a $2.6 million grant last week to buy equipment for the institute, which is based in Airdrie at an Alberta Agriculture facility. Support has also come from the […] Read more
Alberta ranch donates ‘nutrition’ to Canadian national luge team
One southern Alberta ranching family will be paying special attention to the 2014 Olympics winter games in Sochi, Russia, when they cheer for the Canada’s luge team. The Barnert family of Okotoks decided to support the athletes with a large donation of beef. “We felt it was one of those things we could give back. […] Read more
Alberta forage trial puts kale potential to the test
AIRDRIE, Alta. — Planting kale seemed like an interesting experiment for one southern Alberta grazer. If it works well, Graeme Finn may try it again. Kale is part of the brassica family, which includes turnip, radish, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and canola. It produces plenty of leafy material and long taproots and has a high nutrient […] Read more
Laying hen producers phase out traditional cages
Alberta egg producers | Producers vote to ban conventional or enrichable cage systems after 2014 deadline
Alberta egg producers are changing the way laying hens are raised by switching to more open housing systems. In a vote earlier this year, Egg Farmers of Alberta decided that producers who are raising hens in conventional cages will be able to continue but no new conventional or enrichable cage systems may be installed in […] Read more
