TORONTO — To throw or not throw away is often the question when someone checks a package of food that may be past its sell-by date. A team of researchers at McMaster University is perfecting a patch printed with harmless DNA molecules capable of detecting bacteria like E. coli or salmonella. The transparent patch would […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Farmfair gets underway in Edmonton
Farmfair International is being held Nov. 6-10 in Edmonton, Alberta. The first day started off with a futurity female and bull show open to all breeds followed by purebred cattle shows. An added feature at this year’s show is the announcement of world champion bulls and females selected from cattle around the world. Canadians were […] Read more
Total ban on antibiotics called unrealistic goal
AMES, Iowa — Veterinarians are obligated to treat sick animals, and that may require antibiotics. “There is a growing sense that these uses are an unacceptable risk, and this is a strong motivator for the raised-without-antibiotics in consumer choices,” said veterinarian Paul Morley of West Texas A & M University. The public may have strong […] Read more
Branding pain lingers, research finds
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —The welfare of animals has improved in the last 50 years. “Since the 1960s and ’70s there has been real progress. We have seen real growth in our responsibility and in our capacity to look at these issues directly and put some insight into blind spots,” said animal welfare specialist Cassandara Tucker […] Read more
Canada works on African swine fever emergency plan
RED DEER — Canada is preparing an extensive response and recovery plan in case African swine fever invades this country. The viral disease is killing pigs throughout China and southeastern Asia with no signs of slowing down, said Alberta swine veterinarian Egan Brockhoff. “African swine fever has overrun the Chinese pork sector and the virus […] Read more
Restaurants focus on animal welfare
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More food corporations are raising the ante when it comes to improved animal welfare practices. Last April, Darden Restaurants, which serves more than a million meals a day, released an animal welfare policy that it believes is based on sustainability and ethical business management. “The way people treat animals today is […] Read more
U.S. considers further restrictions on antibiotics
The next round of prescription requirements is expected to affect medications that are administered by injections and boluses
AMES, Iowa — Further limits on antimicrobials sold to livestock producers could be coming in the United States. Veterinary prescriptions for certain injectable products and boluses available over the counter could be required. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration required veterinary prescriptions for medically important antibiotics also used to treat human disease. In September […] Read more
Camping goes medieval
Travelling back in time to the Middles Ages is possible. Good Knights Entertainment started as a retirement project for Daniel and Linda Smith. After years of attending medieval festivals they decided to develop their own site on the Prairies with specially designed tents, big feasts and entertainment from the days when knights were gallant and […] Read more
Farm safety requires planning ahead
Every farm is different, but there are key goals that are required to keep family and others safe and prevent accidents
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. — Everything can be a risk on the farm but too often taking a shortcut results in life-changing injuries. For the last few years in Alberta, 18 people have died in farm accidents, said Maria Champagne of AgSafe. A first responder who also lives on a farm, Champagne offers advice to […] Read moreBattle over microbial resistance must take many fronts
TORONTO — The ability to treat infections among people and animals is reduced as the threat of antimicrobial resistance grows. Antimicrobial resistance is a microbial hazard, said Anne Deckart of the Public Health Agency of Canada. She works with the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance, looking for the presence of a long list […] Read more
