MONCTON, N.B. — Grassland guardians may finally get their wish to be paid for the environmental services they provide. Land trust agencies, a carbon project developer, ranchers, the eco goods and service development company Viresco Solutions Inc. and Shell Canada are developing a pilot program to measure how much carbon is sequestered and then calculate […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Researchers make case for grassland benefits
Carbon sequestration, soil health, water quality and pollinator habitat could be used to justify paying producers
MONCTION, N.B. — A stronger case for maintaining Canada’s shrinking grasslands is being made by researchers. “Our long-term goal is to recognize and quantify the magnitude the ecosystem goods and services these grasslands supply,” said Ed Bork of the University of Alberta and Mattheis Chair in Rangeland. An army of scientists is working on the […] Read more
Global ASF crisis deepens
The spread of African swine fever continues to grow with some analysts suspecting China is downplaying the crisis and about half the sow herd there has been lost. “We still to this day do not know how bad it really is,” said Brett Stuart of Global AgriTrends, who provides market advice to the Canadian and […] Read more
Colostrum, early care critical with modern hogs
Larger litter sizes create animal welfare challenges because there are more and smaller pigs for farmers to manage
RED DEER — The modern sow is more prolific than ever but increased litter size carries consequences. Selective breeding has resulted in four more pigs per sow per year in the past 13 years, said veterinarian Egan Brockhoff of Prairie Swine Health Services. “There is no question larger litter sizes are associated with sow and […] Read more
Healthy feet give bulls a solid base
Foot problems are the biggest issue for bulls next to reproduction culls and need to be part of a breeding assessment
Feet and legs need to be checked when bulls are evaluated for breeding soundness. Producers select for strong feet and legs because structural soundness of the feet and legs is vital so bulls can travel and mount females in heat. “If problems are starting in a young one, it is different from a five- or […] Read more
Project hopes EPDs can catch lameness early
Members of the Canadian Angus Association are asked to score cows when they come in this fall for pregnancy checks
Lameness in cattle is a painful condition that affects their welfare and overall performance. Good feet and legs are primary considerations when selecting animals that can travel easily across the range. The Canadian Angus Association received nearly $240,000 in federal funding for a two-year project to generate genomically enhanced expected progeny differences for feet and […] Read more
Alta. Angus ranch receives honour
Certified Angus Beef has turned into a North American program that recognizes the contributions of producers everywhere. This year Belvin Angus, owned by Gavin and Mabel Hamilton, was recognized for its 40-year contribution to the breed and promotion of quality beef. The couple bought their original farm in central Alberta in 1978 and registered their […] Read more
Co-op takes aim at Ontario forage production
MONCTON, N.B. — Ontario farmers need to get back into hay production. “We want farmers to consider hay production as a complement to row crop and cash crop production to renew soil,” said Fritz Trauttmansdorff, a farmer and founding member of the Ontario Hay and Forage Co-operative. Productivity is going down and there are serious […] Read more
Study breaks feed efficiency-meat quality link
No connection found between residual feed intake and meat tenderness, but producers advised to remain conservative
Selecting animals that eat less but gain well is a growing trend. Some breed associations and purebred producers offer genetic information on whether an animal is feed efficient, an economically valuable trait. However, there are often concerns that selecting for a single trait could adversely affect others, such as meat quality. Recent research from the […] Read more
Backyard flock operators spread their wings
On the Farm: A B.C. couple started out small, but they now have close to 5,000 layers and grow vegetables on two acres
COBBLE HILL, B.C. — James and Cammy Lockwood have their own way of doing things. Their business-like approach to environmental sustainability and animal welfare captured the notice of the Outstanding Young Farmer program, and they were named British Columbia’s 2019 representatives. Neither planned on farming, but life throws curve balls, bunts and home runs. For […] Read more
