Close call in Alberta | Western Canadian hog industry funding health group to monitor disease issues
RED DEER —A positive porcine epidemic diarrhea sample in Alberta was a close call and has made the industry more vigilant. “Alberta herds are still PED free. We have had environmental positives, which remind us on a weekly basis that this bug is standing outside banging on the door,” Alberta Pork chair Frank Novak said […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Record book tracks calving
Sask. 21 Day Calving Challenge | The goal is to improve calving rates
The last few tough winters and poor quality forage have taken their toll on cows. “We see a lot of skinny cows in the spring, and they are not breeding back,” said Travis Peardon of Saskatchewan Agriculture. This year, Saskatchewan producers are being offered record books to help them monitor their calving season. The books […] Read moreYear-round plant growth urged for healthy soil
Plant diversity called a must | North Dakota farmer says monoculture agriculture is a detriment to soil health
VULCAN, Alta. — While on a road trip through Alberta from Grande Prairie to Vulcan at the end of October, Gabe Brown was distressed to see nothing growing in many of the fields he passed. Cover up that land year round, was his advice at a soils workshop held in Vulcan Oct. 30. The North […] Read moreCow-calf survey launched across Western Canada
Verifying assumptions | Information from livestock producers will be used to develop research programs and extension courses
CROSSFIELD, Alta. — A wide-ranging survey of cow-calf operations has been launched in Western Canada. No study of this kind has been conducted since 1999, and that one was available only in Alberta. Government, researchers and producers groups agreed it was time to find out what is happening on beef operations across the four western […] Read moreMore Canadian sheep, goat meat allowed into Mexico
Chilled and frozen sheep and goat meat from animals of any age may now be exported to Mexico after years of being banned. Since 2003, only lamb from animals younger than 12 months was allowed. Canada does not export much lamb or mutton because of low domestic supplies, but processors requested export certificates as they […] Read more
Alberta announces new rural strategy
Rebuilding communities | Strategy includes developing industry and addressing labour issues
Alberta feeder associations can expect more access to financing as part of a larger rural economic development plan announced Oct. 28 by premier Jim Prentice. “This will allow them to take advantage of the strong prices we have in the feeder cattle markets,” he said. The feeder association loan guarantee program doubles the maximum individual […] Read moreNew record book helps producers monitor calving season
The last few tough winters and poor quality forage have taken their toll on cows. “We see a lot of skinny cows in the spring, and they are not breeding back,” said Travis Peardon of Saskatchewan Agriculture. This year, Saskatchewan producers are being offered record books to help them monitor their calving season. The books […] Read more
$5 million donated to U of C
MADDEN, Alta. — A $5 million donation to support animal welfare research has been donated to the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine. The donation from Jack Anderson and his daughter Wynne Chisholm from W.A. Ranches at Madden, west of Calgary, promotes research and innovation in Alberta’s cattle industry as well as across Canada […] Read more
Mexico eases restrictions on Canadian sheep, goat meat
Chilled and frozen sheep and goat meat from animals of any age may now be exported to Mexico after years of being banned. Since 2003, only lamb from animals younger than 12 months was allowed. Canada does not export much lamb or mutton because of low domestic supplies, but processors requested export certificates as they […] Read more
Cows protected with Holstein code of ethics
Dairy shows | Producers can be banned for disobeying Holstein Canada’s regulations
RED DEER — Some dairy shows are coming under scrutiny to ensure cattle are treated ethically and that no one cheats to win. Holstein Canada has a show code of ethics that explains what is and is not allowed at a show. Monitoring of shows started in Quebec more than 10 years ago. This year, […] Read more
