Alberta rural health-care review | Recent study found more physicians and better access needed
Alberta has launched a review of rural health care, a move many critics claim is unnecessary. A four-person panel has 90 days to examine the problems associated with recruiting health-care workers, providing timely care, long distances for care and co-ordination of service between communities. “Rural communities face many daunting challenges particularly when it comes to […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Conservation easement project at Waldron Ranch raises required 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
Undercover video prompts action at Alta. hog facility
The Western Hog Exchange has promised to audit staff and its facilities after an undercover video showed alleged abuse of pigs this summer at an assembly yard in Red Deer. The video produced by the animal rights group Mercy for Animals was turned over to the national news program W-5, which in turn showed it […] Read more
Flood prevention plans announced in Alberta
The Alberta government has announced two major flood prevention plans. A dry dam west of Springbank and a river diversion south of High River will be constructed within three years to prevent the magnitude of damage experienced in 2013, when southern Alberta rivers spilled their banks and caused $5 billion in damage. “It is imperative […] Read more
Costco asks producers: where’s the beef?
Retailer forced to import | Meat buyer says producers need to develop the right kind of cattle to produce AAA quality
TORONTO — The shrinking of the Canadian cattle herd is being felt among major retailers. Costco Canada was the first company to exclusively sell AAA beef. The high quality product flew off shelves, but fewer cattle and a shrinking herd have made it increasingly difficult. Consequently, products from the United States and Australia are displacing […] Read moreConcerns discussed over imports from areas with cattle disease
Brazil, Argentina | Argentina vaccinates against foot and mouth disease
TORONTO — U.S. beef producers are nervous about approving imports of live cattle and fresh beef from certain regions of Argentina because of the threat of foot-and-mouth disease entering North America. Canada knows this is a hot button topic but prefers to trust the scientific evidence. “We want trade based on science, so if the […] Read moreGenetic resistance is researchers’ holy grail
Bovine tuberculosis a target Complex epidemiology of disease presents challenges for genomics researchers
VANCOUVER — Finding genetic resistance to disease is similar to the quest for the holy grail. “Resistance can be quite wide ranging and a hard to find trait,” says Steve Bishop of the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute. “Resistance is likely to be a continuous trait rather than an all in one trait, and it […] Read moreAlberta to review rural health care
The Alberta government is launching a review of rural health care. “Rural communities face many daunting challenges, particularly when it comes to health care,” said premier Jim Prentice in a Sept. 23 announcement at Olds, Alta. A common thread for most rural communities is the struggle to recruit health-care workers. Residents must also travel long […] Read more
Agreement reached on national chicken quota allocations
An agreement in principle on national chicken quota allocations has been reached, but there are no signed deals on how the distribution might work. All member provinces of Chicken Farmers of Canada will get a slight increase, but Alberta and Ontario may receive a bit more based on their population growth. “We have been at […] Read more
New chair takes over at Canada Beef
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
