The twitch of an ear may be enough to show that an animal is getting sick. A research project through the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine is testing a special sensor attached to an animal’s electronic ear tag. The sensor reads how much and how often the steer eats whenever it goes to […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Tayloring Canadian beef cuts to niche markets nets premium
Meeting cultural tastes | Different countries looking for specific cuts are willing to pay more than Canadians might pay
Canadians are loyal to home-grown beef, but export markets are needed to get full value from every carcass. Canada exports 45 percent of its beef, and one of the best customers is turning out to be the Hispanic market in southern California. It consists of 14 million potential consumers who are looking for specific beef […] Read more4-H helped Dutch newcomers thrive after arriving in Canada
OLDS, Alta. — Jess Verstappen was introduced to 4-H five years ago, and if she has her way, she will never leave the movement. The 18-year-old from High Prairie, Alta., received the Premier’s Award this spring for all that she has achieved in such a short time. The award was presented following a selection weekend […] Read more
Global economy recovering
Some trouble spots remain | Economist says recovery bodes well for Canadian exports
Happy days are here again as the world economy moves into growth mode, says the chief economist for the Conference Board of Canada. There are some exceptions to the turnaround, but for a trading nation like Canada, recovery among many of its business contacts is real, particularly in Asia where average annual economic growth is […] Read moreSouth Sask. Regional Plan released in Alberta
The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan has been released with promises to protect Alberta watersheds and create more conservation areas while still allowing growth in the region for the next 50 years. The plan was created under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act and was five years in the making. It goes into effect Sept. 1 and […] Read more
Researchers gather welfare data at rodeo
Infrared technology | Researchers assess stress levels of animals during rodeo events using thermal eye photos
Christy Goldhawk stands behind the rodeo chutes pointing a small tool that looks like a police radar gun. She is using an infrared thermography unit to evaluate the eyes of bucking horses and bulls lined up to perform at the Calgary Stampede. It is part of a University of Calgary faculty of veterinary medicine research […] Read more
Cattle fitter excels under show ring spotlight
Steer classic grand champion | Youth winner Brady Scott makes plans for a career in the cattle business
Brady Scott always considered himself to be a behind-the-scenes kind of guy, best suited to preparing other people’s cattle for the show ring. This year he decided to enter his 4-H steer in the junior show at the Calgary Stampede Steer Classic and won grand champion. The result earned him $2,000 plus a portion of […] Read more
Roundtable to assess beef sector sustainability
EDMONTON — An Alberta rancher has been named chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. The group is part of a global initiative, but the ambitious plan could set Canadian beef in a class by itself, said Cherie Copithorne-Barnes. Canada is among the 65 members of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef that formed […] Read more
Grower co-op provides niche at Stampede
Lia Schipper harvests some of her farm grown micro greens with a pair of scissors for an urban crowd that never knew vegetables were grown so close to Calgary. Schipper and her family live at Bow Island, Alta., and are among the 52 growers in the Red Hat Co-operative who offered a variety of locally […] Read more
New facility will help officials study, promote beef
Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence CEO says new centre will do for beef what the Canadian International Grains Institute does for grain
A centre of excellence is opening to showcase Canadian beef. The federal government announced last week that more than $3.8 million from the Western Economic Diversification fund will assist the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence, a new facility in Calgary that will work as a teaching and demonstration centre. Canada Beef Inc. is contributing close […] Read more
