The Olymel pork processing plant in Red Deer was closed June 21 after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency detected an animal health issue.Test samples were sent to the national laboratory in Winnipeg, with results not expected until June 22, after deadlines for this issue, said Darcy Fitzgerald of Alberta Pork.The CFIA would not identify the […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
U.S. lifts B.C. brucellosis export restrictions
British Columbia cattle producers are once again able to ship to the United States without having to test their animals for brucellosis.The restrictions had been put in place after three beef cows originating from two B.C. farms were suspected of having brucellosis, based on U.S. Department of Agriculture tests at slaughter.Subsequent tests by the Canadian […] Read more
Alta. sour gas wells go ahead
Landowners in southwestern Alberta have lost a long battle to keep sour gas wells out of untouched territory.The province’s Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has approved a Suncor Energy-PetroCanada application to drill 11 sour gas wells and build a battery and two pipelines in the eastern slopes region southwest of Longview.“It’s really pristine, virgin country. […] Read more
Farm labour shortage global problem
Finding enough people to work on farms is an international problem that is likely to get worse, says the executive director of the Poultry Industry Council of Ontario.”You are not alone,” Tim Nelson told the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council’s annual meeting in Calgary June 16.Australia, England and the United States also struggle to find […] Read more
Growing heritage tomatoes a labour of love
AIRDRIE, Alta. – Jeff Casey learned how to grow tomatoes after travelling halfway around the world.He started gardening when he was teaching English in Japan in 1993. He took over a small vegetable garden of Japanese greens and tomatoes that another apartment tenant left behind. When he returned to Canada, he continued growing tomatoes with […] Read more
Raising livestock on island has its challenges
SATURNA ISLAND, B.C. – Getting to Campbell Farm on Saturna Island involves an hour-long ferry ride from Vancouver Island followed by a slow drive on a single lane road.Once there, however, the view from the 500 acre farm nestled between mountains and the Pacific Ocean make the trek worthwhile.This is where Jacques (pronounced Jackie) Campbell […] Read more
Cattle producers may get longer grazing leases
WILLIAMS LAKE B.C. – British Columbia grazing lease tenures may be extended for ranchers who depend on public land for livestock forage and water.Longer rental agreements and easier renewals should provide more security to ranchers, said Pat Bell, B.C.’s minister of forests and range.Following recommendations from a recently released ranching task force, 20-year tenures could […] Read more
Beef export recovery still has long way to go: exporter
Canadian beef exports to Central and South America markets are making a comeback.Panama has announced it is accepting Canadian breeding cattle and expanding market access to bovine genetics, said a news release from agriculture minister Gerry Ritz and international trade minister Peter Van Loan.In 2009, the value of Canadian agriculture and food exports to Panama […] Read more
Disease halts imports of Arizona horses
Canada has banned horses from Arizona following diagnosis of the viral disease vesicular stomatitis.Horses from all other states will require certification that they have not been in Arizona, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said in a statement.Before they can enter Canada, horses from the U.S. require an American health certificate and a written statement that […] Read more
Horse breeders oppose ID plan
A national requirement for health records and identification is like a burr under the saddle for some horse owners.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will require horse owners to have an equine identification document by July 31 to record health records when animals go for meat processing.Alberta horse breeder Arnold McKee said the system is poorly […] Read more
