Crowds always rose to give Shirley McClellan a round of applause when she entered the room, whether she was delivering a government speech or opening a bull sale. The accolades were often a surprise to the former Alberta agriculture minister, who served during the height of the BSE crisis in 2003. “Something like that might […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Flood plan may force residents to move
The Alberta government plans to spend $600 million to build dikes, dams, reservoirs and diversions to protect communities against future flooding. Some of these projects, if they go ahead as proposed, may force residents who live along the Little Bow River in southern Alberta to move. One of them is Shirley Pickering, a retired farmer […] Read more
Hog industry needs wise investments
Plan, prepare, review | Experts advise hog producers to plan to rebuild or retrofit barns
RED DEER — Hog producers may have experienced welcome profitability in recent months after a six year slump, but economists advise caution going forward. Profits are more than $100 per head, so producers who are still in the industry need to decide where to invest that money. “In the foreseeable future, there is money to […] Read moreWomen crack business barrier
Winning career paths | Speakers at leadership conference share stories on how to seize opportunities when they arise
The appreciation of mentors and the ability to seize opportunities were common themes for a group of women who gathered for a leadership conference in Calgary April 28-29. Each of the speakers at the Advancing Women conference has followed a different career path: making a few mistakes along the way but ultimately proving themselves in […] Read more
Trichomoniasis precautions can save herd
OMAHA, Neb. — Brent Tanner learned the lesson of buyer beware the hard way when trichomoniasis was found on his Utah ranch 35 years ago. He had never heard of the venereal disease until a new bull he bought from a reputable purebred breeder was turned loose with 20 heifers. He got the bad news […] Read more
Trichomoniasis prevalence low but exposure can be disastrous
OMAHA, Neb. — The prevalence of trichomoniasis is probably low, but the results are disastrous if this venereal disease appears in a cow herd. “I can assure you if you or your neighbours have it, prevalence doesn’t matter. It is a big deal,” said Jeff Ondrak, a bovine veterinarian at the University of Nebraska’s Great […] Read more
Pneumonia now a key concern in calf health
Cause isn’t known | Pneumonia is a leading cause of sickness and death in the North American cattle industry
OMAHA, Neb. — Pneumonia is one of the key health problems facing young calves in Canada and the United States. “Respiratory disease is now a big deal and we have to do something about calves that have BRD,” said epidemiologist David Smith from Mississippi State University’s veterinary college. It is hard to know if bovine […] Read more
Pain mitigation difficult without drugs
No approved products | Although analgesics have proven beneficial, the USDA still questions their safety
OMAHA, Neb. — New livestock codes of practice recommend pain relief for castration and tail docking, but few approved products are available. More pain relief medications are likely to be approved in the future, but in the meantime veterinarians may have to rely on non steroidal anti inflammatories (NSAIDS) or extra label use. “If you […] Read moreVirus survival time unknown factor in risk assessment
OMAHA, Neb. — U.S. officials admit they were not prepared for the devastation of porcine endemic diarrhea, which has killed millions of baby pigs since last May. Several viruses are circulating, and how they got to North America is a puzzle. “We don’t know how they got into the country, but we do know these […] Read more
High dairy cow death losses cause for concern
Culling cattle | Dairy experts say an emphasis on genetics has resulted in poor management and high death rates
RED DEER — Too many dairy cows are dying on farms, veterinarians said at the Western Dairy Seminar held in Red Deer earlier this spring. Disease has not been controlled as well as it should be because more emphasis has been placed on milk production. Genetic tests are emerging to breed a stronger cow, but […] Read more
