A University of Montreal study of poultry farms showed biosecurity mistakes can lead to contamination throughout a barn
TORONTO — Many food safety issues could be resolved at the farm if people changed their behaviour, a veterinarian told those attending a recent meat conference in Toronto. “Some food safety risks could be better controlled early in the food production chain,” said Manon Racicot. The spread of campylobacter, for example, could be curbed at […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Minister speaks out on rural crime lawsuit
OKOTOKS, Alta. — The Alberta government is talking about taking harder line in its fight against rural crime. Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer is touring the province talking to rural residents who say they are angry and want meaningful action to protect themselves against thefts and violence. He also took the unusual step of speaking out […] Read more
Purebred show season is underway
OLDS, Alta. — The first purebred show of the season opened with the Olds Fall Classic Oct. 4-6. The show is part of the Alberta Supreme championship and many of the cattle on show here will go on to Edmonton’s Farmfair International and Canadian Western Agribition in Regina. The class winners are: Grand champion female: […] Read more
Feed assessment requires proper procedures
Lower quality feed can lead to a range of problems in cow herds, including more sickness and lower conception rates. Instead of three- to five-percent open cows, eight percent may fail to get pregnant, said beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio of Alberta Agriculture. “With the shortage of vitamins and poor quality forage that has […] Read more
B.C. deer head submissions mandatory
Hunters in British Columbia’s Kootenay region are required to submit deer heads for testing of chronic wasting disease following the discovery of nine cases along the Montana border. From Sept. 1-Nov. 30 heads of mule and white-tailed deer caught in the wildlife management units of 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 4-6, 4-7 along the southern […] Read more
National beef strategy carries on with revamped plan
1. Beef demand
The Canadian beef industry is slowly moving forward with a set of goals first set in 2015. The national beef strategy is an ongoing plan for improved profitability, growth and continued production of high quality beef. The plan outlines four pillars: improved beef demand, competitiveness, productivity and connectivity. The strategy developed for 2020-24 follows the […] Read more
B.C. family raises alpacas for fibre and meat
On the Farm: The Huacaya alpacas share space on the farm with registered polled Herefords and a feed business
ALDERGROVE, B.C. — The quest for quality drives every operation at Kensington Prairie Farm. Owned by Catherine Simpson and her husband, Jim Dales, the picturesque property at Aldergrove, B.C., is home to 60 Huacaya alpacas, 35 registered polled Herefords and an agriculture services division that produces high quality hay and silage, as well as custom […] Read more
Eastern cattle producers struggle
Ontario cattle prices have been trading at a significant discount below Alberta for nearly two years, and Quebec is worse
Beef producers in Eastern Canada face a compounding economic crisis with no end in sight. “We are a mess right now,” said Joe Hill, president of the Beef Farmers of Ontario. He operates a feedlot north of Guelph. Ontario cattle prices have been trading at a significant discount below Alberta for nearly two years. At […] Read more
Semen bank ensures future of livestock species
Agriculture Canada maintains more than 300,000 doses of frozen semen and embryos from a variety of livestock species
SASKATOON — If a disaster should ever harm any part of Canada’s livestock sector, there is hope for recovery. Agriculture Canada’s Canadian Animal Genetic Resources (CAGR) housed in Saskatoon holds a large collection of frozen semen and some embryos from cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, poultry, deer and elk. Many livestock breeds are recognized in […] Read moreIdentify replacement heifers to control costs
CARSTAIRS, Alta. — Next to feed costs, the greatest expense on a ranch is cow depreciation so improving momentum and longevity in the herd is important. Increasing longevity starts with heifers, said Elizabeth Homerosky of Veterinary Agri Health Services at Airdrie, Alta. When it comes to replacement heifer management, it is better to look for […] Read more
