SATURNA ISLAND, B.C. – Olive trees growing on the sunny slopes of British Columbia’s Gulf Islands could turn into a unique cottage industry.A three-way partnership started importing olive trees from California last year. The goal is to establish the trees in suitable growing zones for olive oil production.“The oil business in California has just taken […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Meat industry sees chickens rule the roost
VICTORIA – Chicken is expected to lead the way as meat demand nearly doubles by 2050.Bill Cordingley, head of Rabobank International’s agribusiness and research advisory division for America, says poultry will be the easiest and cheapest to produce as incomes improve and consumers want more protein.Cordingley told the Canadian Meat Council’s annual meeting in Victoria […] Read more
Improved food safety comes with costs, benefits
VICTORIA – The added costs of improved food safety standards have been offset by longer-term benefits, says the manager of a major processing plant.Peter Stein of Piller Sausages and Delicatessens told the Canadian Meat Council’s annual meeting that recent food recalls and outbreaks of listeria, E. coli and salmonella forced his plant to look at […] Read more
Alberta cowboy rides path less travelled
OLDS, Alta. – Randy Kaiser never wanted to be just another cowboy. He did not want to raise conventional cattle and deliver them to the auction every fall and accept whatever bid was offered that day. Instead he found a new way to sell his naturally raised beef. Along the way, he became politically involved […] Read more
Stores offer unique fare
Wally Foremsky’s career in the meat business took a turn when he became involved with ranchers Randy Kaiser and Paul Froehler.They wanted to market a unique, ethically produced beef.Froehler started Canadian Celtic Cattle Co. at the height of the BSE crisis, selling beef derived from Galloway, Welsh Black and Highland cattle raised without growth hormones […] Read more
Ranch wins appeal in legal wrangle over pipeline leak
MILLARVILLE, Alta. – An Alberta ranch family has won an appeal court decision upholding $70,000 in damages from an Imperial Oil sour gas pipeline leak in 2002. The dispute between Agnes Ball and Imperial Oil Resources stems from an incident in which some of her cattle out on pasture were exposed to hydrocarbon contamination from […] Read more
Intensive grazing managed with fixed and flexible systems
NANTON, Alta. – Intensive summer grazing is one way to save winter feed costs. Well managed summer pastures allow producers to stockpile forage for winter rather than making hay, which is labour intensive and expensive, says grazing consultant Jim Gerrish. Grazing managers attempt to control pasture and grazing efficiency as well as forage quality and […] Read more
Twin colts exciting start to season
OKOTOKS, Alta. – The safe delivery of twin foals at an Okotoks ranch arrived like a hidden treat from the Easter bunny. Calamity Cash Bar, a 10-year-old registered Quarter horse mare, successfully delivered a healthy set of twins on Easter Sunday at Widney Ranch Paints. The birth surprised veterinarian Troy Borque and Roy and Ranae […] Read more
Alberta failing on water issue handling: AG
An Alberta auditor general’s report says the province needs to tighten its water management. The April 14 report said Alberta Environment needs to clear a backlog of applications for water licences and ensure holders comply with the terms of the provincial water act. Many of the applications are nearly five years old, admitted Alberta Environment […] Read more
Pasture inventories vital to effective grazing
NANTON, Alta. – A pasture inventory should top every grazer’s spring to-do list. “It is very important to know what you have on hand and what you expect to have in the future and manage that inventory,” grazing consultant Jim Gerrish told a recent grazing seminar in Nanton. “You have pasture to sell to your […] Read more
