A Canadian Holstein was named grand champion of the breed at the 2014 World Dairy Expo held in Madison, Wisconsin, Sept. 30-Oct. 4. RF Goldwyn Hailey, owned and shown by Gen-Com Holsteins of Notre Dame-Du-Bon-Conseil, Que., was also named reserve supreme champion. The same female was also supreme champion at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Couple’s 23-year-old pig confirmed as world’s oldest
Potbellied pig | Record pig was born before Calgary bylaw
The world’s oldest potbellied pig is living in a Calgary suburb. The Guinness Book of World Records recently informed Ernestine’s owners, Dan and Jude King, that their pet is indeed the oldest known pig. The Kings, who celebrated Ernestine’s 23rd birthday July 17, adopted her in 1991 from a farm near Cochrane, Alta., when she […] Read moreCattle group eager to meet EU import requirements
TORONTO — The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has a long list of priorities when it comes to beef trade policy, but issues such as country-of-origin labelling remain a major preoccupation. It has been a costly thorn in the side of Canadian livestock producers, but resolution could happen next year, said John Masswohl of the CCA. “We […] Read more
New quota deal could favour growing provinces
Agreement in principle | While all provinces will see an increase, Alberta and Ontario, with higher population growth, could see more
An agreement in principle on national chicken quota allocations has been reached, but the details need to be finalized. All member provinces of Chicken Farmers of Canada will receive a slight increase, but Alberta and Ontario may receive slightly more based on their population growth. “We have been at this seriously for five years,” said […] Read moreAlberta flood plan sacrifices few for greater good
Dry dam construction | Alberta government says affected landowners will be compensated
Alberta’s plans to protect communities against future floods may be a case of sacrificing a few for the good of the many. A dry dam in the community of Springbank, 14 kilometres west of Calgary, and a river diversion south of High River will go ahead to prevent the magnitude of damage experienced last year […] Read moreNew chair at Beef Canada
Jack Hextall of Grenfell, Sask., is the new chair of Canada Beef Inc. He took over from Chuck McLean of Alberta, who guided the beef promotion agency for two years. Trevor Atchison of Manitoba is vice-chair. The change was made at the agency’s annual meeting in Toronto Sept. 19. Canada Beef is responsible for promotion […] Read more
Beef processors in Canada find lucrative international markets for offal
TORONTO, Ont. — Some beef items may not appeal to the average Canadian’s palate, but tripe, tongue and tendons are highly valued elsewhere. It was one of the messages from Cargill Meat Solutions, whose offices around the world sell a variety of beef and pork from Africa to Asia. Jeff Cline, Cargill’s program manager for […] Read more
Alta. hog exchange makes changes after video reveals issues of abuse
The Western Hog Exchange has vowed to review its animal handling practices and employee procedures after an undercover video depicted alleged abuse at its assembly yards in Red Deer. Mercy for Animals turned over an edited version of the video to the CTV news program W-5. Western Hog Exchange manager Brent Moen agreed to an […] Read more
Conservation easement plan at Alta. ranch raises funds
More than $37 million has been raised to complete one of the largest conservation easements in Canada. The Nature Conservancy of Canada put together the money to protect the more than 30,500 acre Waldron Ranch in southwestern Alberta. The deal was announced last year but the funds were not in place, said Larry Simpson, associate […] Read more
New pact boosts live breeding stock sales, but details need work
India and China trade China’s live cattle imports could rise, but market and technicalities may slow sales
New agreements have been made to sell live breeding cattle to India and China, but it may take some time before shipments begin. Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said China has committed to buying $4 million worth of dairy bulls per year and India has agreed to about $10 million worth of cattle over the […] Read more
