Consumption rose | Consumers chose Canadian versus imported beef during crisis
In the first dark weeks after BSE was discovered in Alberta, a miracle occurred. Rather than rejecting beef, Canadians rallied in support of the cattle industry, turning out in force for barbecues and community rallies and visiting the grocery meat counter to stock up. Ironically, consumers found imported meat in the stores even as cattle […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Buyers head to classic for large and unique
OLDS, Alta. — People who love mighty giants have been coming to Olds for the last 18 years to attend the Wild Rose Draft Horse Classic. Organizer Bruce Roy of Cremona, Alta., said the idea began with a show but soon became a weekend sale event for people looking for well broke horses, tack and […] Read more
Researchers toil to make safe, tastier meat
Meet the team at Lacombe, Alta. | Agriculture Canada’s research centre has a century-long history of innovation
LACOMBE, Alta. — The contributions of a small team of meat scientists toiling in the laboratories at Agriculture Canada’s Lacombe Research Centre have often gone unsung. Over the years, the internationally trained scientists have been responsible for developing a beef grading program and inventing food safety systems employed throughout North America. They have also made […] Read moreAlta. study looks at ground water sustainability
As more homes are built, ground water use rises
CAROLINE, Alta. — Hydrologist Masaki Hayashi wants people to think of ground water like a bank account. Recharging ground water is like putting money in the bank and using it is like a withdrawal. Deposits need to be greater than the withdrawals to maintain a healthy balance. Rural communities rely on ground water: thousands of […] Read moreAngus breeders learn, promote, reap rewards
BARRHEAD, Alta. — Barrhead may not be the centre of the Canadian cattle industry, but Brad Yoder and Nicolle Hoskins have worked hard to promote the Red Angus herd they built from scratch in northwestern Alberta. Cinder Angus consists of 65 cows that have turned heads at the World Angus Forum in Calgary, Northlands Farmfair […] Read more
Producers discuss disease protocols, communication
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dairy farmer Chuck Ahlem wants to know as soon as possible what he should do if there is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Ahlem has 4,000 milking Jerseys in California, and his family also owns Hilmar Cheese, one of the largest producers of natural cheese in the United States. He works with […] Read more
Foot-and-mouth has devastating effects
Disease spreads fast Once discovered, officials must move quickly to contain highly contagious disease
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is not the end of the world, but it can ruin a rural community. Lessons learned from other countries show that the disease is well on its way to infecting any animal with a cloven hoof once it is actually diagnosed. Countries dealing with it for the first […] Read moreEuropean Union falls short of hog welfare objectives
Sow stalls | Producers lack incentives to adopt changes, says official
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — British pig farmers abandoned their sow stalls in 1999 but struggle to remain competitive with the rest of Europe, where adoption of new welfare rules has been hit and miss. Eighteen members of the European Union had said they would be compliant with new pig welfare directives by January 2013, but only […] Read more
Foot-and-mouth disease is a threat
Planning for the worst | With outbreaks around the world, North America is lucky to be free of FMD, says USDA official
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The World Organization of Animal Health received 119 reports of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks last year. “FMD is out there and it is really rather amazing that we have not had it for so long in our country or on the North American continent,” said Jon Zack, director of veterinary services with the […] Read more
Couple thrives as modern, big acre farmers
Improved efficiency | New technology has helped Alberta couple make their 8,000 acre farm more productive
GIBBONS, Alta. — Mike Kalisvaart represents a new generation of prairie farmer who spends as much time planning and marketing as he does getting his hands dirty. “I almost rarely get out and drive a truck. Seeding and harvest it is all hands on deck, but this time of the year, I spend 95 percent […] Read more
