WESTLOCK, Alta. — Tremendous progress has been made in accelerated milk production and cow performance using selective breeding and genomics, but more work is needed. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization predicts a 100 percent increase in demand for food by 2050. Probably 70 percent of that extra food production will come from technology, […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Alberta dairy farm makes switch to Jerseys
Unique Valleystream Genetics is Canada’s largest purebred Jersey operation but doesn’t shy away from trying other breeds
ROCHESTER, Alta. — Unique Valleystream Genetics is Canada’s largest purebred Jersey operation with a focus on family. Owned by Dave and Tracy Morey and their adult children, Casey and Lee, the farm, an hour north of Edmonton, is a diverse operation of cropland and large dairy where about 300 registered Jersey cows are milked. Dave […] Read more
Jersey registration in Canada is highest since 1963
WESTLOCK, Alta. — This may be the year of the Jersey cow. Last year more than 11,800 head were registered with Jersey Canada and growth for the breed is poised to continue. This is the highest number of Jerseys registered since 1963. Membership in the Jersey association has been growing each year. In 2000, there […] Read more
Forage operations eye cover crops
Integrating cover crops into forage operations is becoming a popular strategy to improve soil and offer a diverse diet to livestock. Growing multiple crops together is also known as polycropping, polycultures and cocktail mixtures. Jillian Bainard, a research scientist with Agriculture Canada at Swift Current, Sask., said producers believe benefits include enhanced weed control, better […] Read more
Ranch focuses on protecting native grassland
Everything is done to preserve the operation’s grasslands, but the approach must be practical and economically feasible
VERMILION, Alta. — Sean McGrath considers himself a guardian of the most endangered ecosystem in the world. “For prairie parkland, there is almost none left, probably about one percent. It is more endangered than the rainforest,” he said. The majority of his land base is owned and leased native grassland, so he manages it like […] Read more
Hog barns urged to beef up defences against PED virus
Barn workers must be diligent, report any unusual behaviour among the pigs and pay attention to diarrhea
STRATHMORE, Alta. — Hog farmers need to accelerate their biosecurity plans to keep the deadly porcine epidemic diarrhea virus off their premises. Four cases between Jan. 7 and March 18 have been found on farrow-to-finish operations in Alberta, said Javier Bahamon, quality assurance manager with Alberta Pork. Barn workers must report any unusual behaviour among […] Read more
Truck is key piece in transport puzzle
NEW ORLEANS, La. — The public is casting its eyes on how livestock are moved and one of the key aspects is maintaining trucks and trailers to prevent potential accidents. It is stressful for livestock when the trailer breaks down at the side of the road and too often first responders do not know what […] Read more
Keeping cattle calm can improve beef quality
Watching flight zone and balance points helps hold animals in right frame of mind and moving in the right direction
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Learning how to move cattle with little fuss can be an enjoyable experience that doesn’t cost money. Beef quality and stockmanship go together because calm animals can be more profitable, said Curt Pate, who runs livestock-handling clinics across North America. “It will require an investment in time and thought and reflection,” […] Read more
Cattle industry focuses on keeping tags in ears
A long-term study finds that ear tags fall out largely because the stud on the backing falls apart quicker than it should
When Canadian cattle producers complain about traceability, their biggest gripe is lost ear tags. The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency has a long-term study on ear tag retention that looks at a variety of environments. Manufacturers and the agency have heard the complaints and both are exploring the problem and ways to keep the tags in, […] Read more
Parts of Prairies see more frost-free days
Scientists are noticing the region is less cold and that there are about five more frost-free days in the growing season
BANFF, Alta. — When Agriculture Canada scientist Yantai Gan came to Swift Current 20 years ago, he seeded his research plots in mid May. Now the seeding date has moved earlier to the last week of April and first week of May. Weather data from the last 50 years for that part of southwestern Saskatchewan […] Read more
