Cam Miller can barely walk through the lush field of barley at his Vegreville, Alta., farm. Meanwhile, at Damon Postman’s Nobleford, Alta., farm, the durum is so thin, each plant stands alone. That situation holds true for much of the Alberta crop this year; some farmers may have received more than enough rain to produce […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Premises identification can be a tough sell
Disease outbreaks in New Zealand showed authorities how few farmers had complied with a national ID and tracing law
Premises identification is one of the three pillars of livestock traceability but producers are not always supportive. Knowing the premise identification number of a farm or any other place where animals live is useful to track disease but the information can be used to alert owners about emergencies, such as floods, fires or an environmental […] Read more
Canada seeks new risk status for BSE
Canada could have negligible risk status for BSE by next March. Under world animal health rules, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Ireland have controlled status because of recent cases of BSE, while the United States, Australia and New Zealand have negligible risk status. “We are now in a situation where we are reaching that […] Read more
Ear tag ID research offers new possibilities
Every time someone clicks a button on a key fob to open the car door, radio frequencies are used. “We all use RFID but maybe you don’t think of it,” said researcher Glen Kathler of SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary. Kathler, who recently retired as applied research chair at SAIT, continues to work on special projects. […] Read more
Couple’s environmental stewardship honoured
On the Farm: Cattle managed to work with environment; purebreds calve early but commercials calve on grass
BOWDEN, Alta. — When Randy and Sandra Radau drive down the back roads inspecting this year’s crops, they heave a sigh of relief. There will be a hay crop and their grains and oilseeds are slowly emerging after a dry spring at their central Alberta farm. The pastures in the coulees have enough grass and […] Read moreBeef projects receive federal funding
The federal government is spending $8.3 million to support six Canadian beef industry projects. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Canada Beef, the Canadian Beef Breeds Council and the Canadian Angus Association will receive funds through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s federally delivered programs. Announced by federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau at the Calgary Stampede July 10, the […] Read more
Meat safe from plant trend: analyst
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — Increasing amounts of alternative protein sources are being sold in grocery stores amid great fanfare and intensive marketing. That might have meat producers pondering their futures. Plant-based competitors to meat, such as Beyond Meat and the Impossible Burger, are in the market for the long-term and most people are likely to […] Read more
Consumer wishes can be a struggle to meet
DRUMHELLER, Alta. — Canadian consumers tend to base grocery buying decisions on price, but a small, growing number are seeking other attributes, such as local production and environmental sustainability. Consumer surveys also show more are worried about climate change but feel they may be able to help curb it in some small way. That may […] Read more
Appaloosas big hit with Stampede crowds
It does Doug Sauter’s heart good when he sees a preschooler or a senior citizen extend a hand to one of his horses. “They put smiles on people’s faces and I end the day feeling pretty special,” he said during a break at the Calgary Stampede held July 5-14. Sauter, who works for Express Ranches […] Read more
Young farmers from Alberta talk up agriculture
Two young agriculture advocates from Alberta talked their way onto the national stage. Ryley Mappin of Byemoor, Alta., 14 and Jordan Vos of Burdett, Alta., 21, won the Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture competition held during the Calgary Stampede. The recognition comes with a trip to the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair in Toronto Nov.2 to […] Read more
