RED DEER — Approval is being sought for a new pain medication for horses. Meloxicam, which was tested for the last two years on horses destined for the meat market, has proven to be an effective pain treatment for lameness and following castration. “It will be the first painkiller in North America that will be […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Cattle prices may have peaked but expected to remain strong
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Cattle prices made 2014 a year to remember for producers across North America, but the tide is expected to ebb, say market analysts from Cattlefax. It is likely to be another stellar year for those in the cow-calf sector, but feedlots holding high priced inventory may start to feel downward pressure, […] Read more
U.S. meat group says COOL is doomed
BANFF, Alta. — The head of the National Pork Producers Council is convinced the United States will lose its final attempt to defend mandatory country-of-origin labelling at the World Trade Organization. Howard Hill, an Iowa producer and veterinarian, also believes some form of labelling on retail meat is unavoidable. “We do realize today that there […] Read more
College prepares risk management program
A business risk management program is being developed at Lethbridge College in a new partnership with the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association. Classroom and online modules will be offered this fall as part of the Southern Alberta Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Program. “We need to attract the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs to our industry,” said […] Read more
Proposed reservoir may threaten farmland
Fifteen families in Springbank, Alta., are opposing government’s flood plan and construction project outside Calgary
COCHRANE, Alta. — Alberta landowners are up in arms over a project on the Elbow River to protect Calgary and other downstream communities from future floods. Premier Jim Prentice announced a dry reservoir last fall that is capable of holding 67.6 million cubic metres of water, as well as diversion canals for the Springbank region […] Read moreCanadian pork processing plants operating below capacity
BANFF, Alta. — Canadian pork packing plants have lost 150,000 head per week, which has resulted in plant closures and consolidation. Prairie packers were running at 95 percent capacity in 2010, but that fell to barely 80 percent last year. As well, five owners control 40 percent of sows, and 40 percent of slaughter on […] Read more
Pork sector growth will come from exports
BANFF, Alta. — North Americans are not likely to put more pork on their forks, which means industry growth must rely on exports. “Our consumption in the United States is static, as it is in Canada. We really look to export markets to really grow our business,” National Pork Producers Council president Howard Hill told […] Read more
Horse industry in need of a boost, say officials
Industry needs to focus on welcoming those without prior experience, say leaders
RED DEER — How to attract new people to horse culture is a growing conundrum as baby boomers leave the industry with no one to fill their saddles. The future of the business was a major discussion at the Alberta Horse Breeders Conference held in Red Deer Jan. 9-11. “The bottom line is the horse […] Read moreOfficials watch for drug, welfare issues
Hogs, sheep, goats and cattle are subject to random tests at competition
DENVER, Colo. — Cheaters beware. Staff at the National Western Stock Show are serious about keeping things honest at livestock events, especially the youth events. Among the prohibited practices are giving animals drugs not approved for that species or deliberately enhancing their animals with steroids, other medication or treatments such as tubing with ginger ale […] Read moreLivestock owners reminded of rules for premise ID
RED DEER — All premises with livestock require an identification number, whether there are a few chickens or a large herd of horses on a farm or acreage. The number links livestock and poultry properties to a land description or premise so that owners may be informed immediately in case of disease outbreaks and emergencies, […] Read more
