A centre of excellence is opening in Calgary to showcase Canadian beef. The federal government has announced that more than $3.8 million from the Western Economic Diversification fund will assist the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence. Located at the Canada Beef Inc. office in northeast Calgary, the 2,200-square-foot facility should be operating in January or […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Survey shows average calving season lasts about 80 days
Season length varies Producer survey finds calving season for Canadian ranchers varies from 60 to as many as 300 days
A calf management survey from last year found common threads among beef producers but also considerable variation among herds. Claire Windeyer of the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine asked producers to fill out a two page survey about calving, colostrum use, castration, deworming, preconditioning challenges and suggestions for future research. The survey also […] Read moreExperts study roundworm risks, seek new controls
Ivermectin once considered ‘wonder drug’ | Researchers study parasite species to find new treatments
Roundworm control has been changing for the last five years be-cause of increased resistance to common treatments such as ivermectin, said a parasitologist from the University of Calgary. New ways of identifying the different types of worms are needed so more precise treatment can be used, said John Gilleard of the university’s faculty of veterinary […] Read moreEating plan focuses on prairie food
EDMONTON — A Mediterranean diet with a dash of savoury prairie flavour is the theme of a new cookbook. Originally created as a dietary guideline for diabetics that used locally available ingredients, the Pure Prairie Eating Plan was created by nutritionists at the University of Alberta. “The Mediterranean diet is a diet-ary pattern, the way […] Read more
Farm returns, food spending: is farmers’ share declining?
The debate over how much a farmer receives from retail food sales stretches back decades. A recent study by a University of Guelph graduate student found that farmers receive 17 cents for every dollar spent. With help from Statistics Canada, Agriculture Canada and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jessica Kelly’s master’s thesis looked at the […] Read more
Beta agonists add on the pounds
Optaflexx, Zilmax tested | Heavier carcass weights achieved, including those of Holstein steers
Beta agonists in livestock feed have come under fire, but the products have proven results in increased weights, carcass leanness and improved dressing percentage. They were first developed for asthma patients to alleviate breathing problems, but later research discovered a positive growth response, first in mice and later livestock, said Lee-Anne Walter, a PhD candidate […] Read moreHarmony Beef to open small and scale up
EDMONTON — Harmony Beef could be processing cattle by mid-November, but the new owner says the pace of operations will be slow and steady. The plant is capable of handling 800 cattle per day, but it will process only 125 head once it opens later this year, said Rich Vesta, principle owner of the plant […] Read more
‘Stolen’ heifers were never gone
A case of lost and found has left one Alberta rancher red faced. Last month, 59 heifers were reported missing from the Allan Hobbs ranch near Czar. A thorough check of records and cross referencing of electronic ear tags discovered the cattle numbers were entered incorrectly, said cpl. Dave Heaslip of the RCMP’s livestock investigations […] Read more
Vaccine may offer producers alternative to castrating calves
Canada’s beef code of practice will require pain relief for castrated older bull calves by 2016. However, an alternative to traditional methods could be a vaccine that reduces testosterone in bulls approaching puberty. Researcher Sonia Marti Rodriguez compared the effects of the vaccine with banding young bulls at Agriculture Canada’s Lethbridge research centre. The vaccine […] Read more
Sizzling beef prices may spur expansion
Twelve percent over last year | A smaller beef herd and strong consumer demand are expected to keep prices high
This year’s barbecue season could be one of the most expensive on record as the price of meat continues to soar. Ground beef prices are at record highs and cow prices are at unprecedented levels in Canada and the United States. Cows traded at $110 per hundredweight June 20 compared to $55 per cwt. in […] Read more
