Approved cattle growth implants do not have a large impact on fat metabolism but they do increase muscle mass by making more protein, said an Elanco Animal Health veterinarian. “We have to find a way to manage it so we don’t mess it up,” Sandra Gruber said at the Canadian Beef Quality symposium held in […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Family sells natural world
QUESNEL, B.C. – Surrounded by forest and sprawling ranches, Moose Meadows Farm sells agriculture as entertainment. Owners Ted Traer and his wife, Heloise Dixon-Warren, operate the 65 acre farm west of Quesnel. “We’re trying to put people back in touch with farms and where things come from,” said Traer. It is the first certified agri-tourism […] Read more
Alberta gives weeds new designations
Alberta has changed its Weed Control Act with an expanded list of 75 undesirable plants. Three weed categories, restricted, noxious and nuisance, have been replaced with two categories of prohibited noxious weeds and noxious weeds. There are 46 prohibited noxious weeds and 29 noxious weeds. Prohibited noxious weeds are either not currently found in Alberta […] Read more
U.S. markets at risk without ID: expert
Ted Schroeder was part of a team of agricultural economists who conducted a study on the costs and benefits of a national livestock identification system for the United States. The 440 page study sits in the U.S. Department of Agriculture archives because the system was shelved and responsibility for identification and traceability transferred to the […] Read more
Horse deaths ‘painful’ for all
The deaths of six horses at this year’s Calgary Stampede are regrettable but will not force an end to the rodeo, said the organization’s president David Chalack. “It is absolutely regrettable. One animal lost is too many so we work with the Calgary Humane Society and the SPCA to come to an understanding of how […] Read more
Extreme cowboys create thrills with everyday chores
The extreme cowboy challenge is a hang-onto-your-hat event where skilled horsemen race against the clock to show off their ranch skills. “You have to do everything just like you would on the range,” said Craig Cameron, creator of the Extreme Cowboy Race that made its Canadian debut with the Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Challenge July […] Read more
Sheep producer’s shearing needs transformed into part-time job
Tracy Jarratt never intended to be a sheep shearer. About seven years ago, she was given four sheep and decided to shear them herself when she could not find anyone to do the job. The Irricana, Alta., resident now shears small flocks of sheep, llamas and alpacas part-time. She is also a hand weaver and […] Read more
Alta. coalition urges allocation alternatives in water debate
A coalition group has formed to oppose a market system for water rights in Alberta. The coalition, an umbrella organization made up of 45 organizations called Our Water is Not for Sale, has asked the provincial government to place ecosystem health and human need above the ability to pay while it reviews water allocation policies. […] Read more
Canola: slow down and improve the bottom line
LACOMBE, Alta. – Canola growers could improve yields in the fall if they learned to take it easy in the spring. As farms grow larger with more acres to plant, farmers race against the clock to get seed into the ground in a timely fashion. However, prairie canola researchers say seed placement would be more […] Read more
Judge grades steers with hands-on approach
Beef was the theme at the Calgary Stampede Steer Classic held July 17. Before selecting his champions, judge Cam Sparrow explained how he expected these cattle to fit into the beef grading system. Most would grade well, he said, but he had concerns about the muscling in some. “The majority of our cattle slaughtered nowadays […] Read more
