EDMONTON — When Brian Robertson left his home in southern Ontario, he knew he wanted to bring Galloway cattle to Alberta. It was a good decision because his black Galloways won grand champion bull and reserve champion female at the Farmfair International All Other Breeds show held Nov. 6 in Edmonton. This show allows breeds […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Investigators still stymied by Alberta PED case
RED DEER — No one is sure how the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus moved 3,000 kilometres from the nearest known case to arrive in Alberta last January. “Something transported it in the dead of winter either from Manitoba, Iowa or North Dakota, Washington or Montana,” said swine veterinarian Julia Keenliside of Alberta Agriculture. “I don’t […] Read more
Structural changes coming to ABP
INNISFAIL, Alta. — Alberta Beef Producers plans to make major adjustments during the next two years. The action is driven by a producer vote held a year ago that called for the producer checkoff to remain refundable, rather than make the fee non-refundable. “It lit a fire under us,” said ABP chair Charlie Christie during […] Read more
War against wild boar being waged in Alta.
RED DEER — There is an undeclared war against feral hogs in Alberta. “When they are contained on a farm and they abide by the fencing standards, they are considered livestock. Once they are at large they are legislated as pests. They have the same designation as a rat,” said Perry Abramenko of Alberta Agriculture. […] Read more
Hard work, dedication pays off for Lloydminster family at Farmfair
EDMONTON, Alta. The Saturday Supreme is a day of bonhomie and trepidation for the grand champion winners of the beef shows at Farmfair International. Held Nov. 9, 15 bulls and 18 females from the three major Alberta shows compete against one another for the title of supreme champion and the chance to win a brand […] Read more
Farmfair International – Friday results
EDMONTON, Alta. –The third day of Farmfair International featured four beef breed shows. The unofficial results are as follows: Angus Grand champion bull: Brooking Gold Coin 8069 entered by Justin Morrison, Brooking Angus, Radville, Sask. and ZWT Ranch, Tennessee Reserve: Remitall F Renown 312F entered by Remitall Farms, Olds, Alta. and Fairland Cattle Co. Grand […] Read more
Farmfair International – Thursday results
EDMONTON, Alta. –The second day of Farmfair International featured four beef breed shows including national events for the Shorthorn and Gelbvieh. The unofficial results are as follows: Gelbvieh (National Show) Grand champion bull: SLC Strut 146E entered by Severtson Land and Cattle Co., Innisfail, Alta. Reserve: DVE Davidson Mr February 50G entered by Davidson Gelbvieh, […] Read more
North America braces for African swine fever shock
The deadly hog virus may already be on this continent but has not made its way into the pig herd, which would be catastrophic
African swine fever may have already arrived in North America but hasn’t found its way to farms. “The chances of keeping the virus out of a country is very low,” said veterinarian Scott Dee. High volumes of products come from China where the disease is rampant. Since the virus has a long life, it could […] Read more
Improved trailers good for livestock
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Livestock transportation is a heavily regulated industry and new technology should make life easier for the haulers and the animals being moved in North America. A well-designed trailer provides maximum clearance, adequate ventilation, reasonable loading angles, rounded corners and non-slip floors. Innovative designs are coming, especially for trailers designed to haul […] Read more
Britain’s classical swine fever outbreak offers lessons for ASF
A wave of classical swine fever had wide-ranging repercussions for farmers in the United Kingdom. African swine fever landing in the U.K. would be even worse than the 2000 epidemic. The disease cost the government £4.4 million (C$7.5 million) and animals on 16 farms were culled. “We know farmers lost a lot more,” Zoe Davies, […] Read more
