A refundable cattle checkoff in Alberta could be a multimillion-dollar blow to groups responsible for national beef research and marketing programs. “By January, we’ll have a sense of how much refund is being requested and that will be an indication of how much Alberta is able to contribute to marketing and research,” said Rob McNabb […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Time has come for heritage breed
BLACK DIAMOND, Alta. – A coal black herd of cows graze the spring pastures on Sam Johnson’s ranch. These are Irish Kerry cattle, whose family tree is rooted in Neolithic Persia. Today, a handful of breeders in North America and Ireland are doing their best to rebuild the endangered breed by promoting a marbled, grass-fed […] Read more
Alta. livestock industry requests genetic research projects
Genome Alberta is inviting Canadian scientists to submit research proposals related to livestock genetics. The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency has provided $4.8 million to support research with direct benefits to the beef, dairy and pork sectors, said Genome Alberta chief executive officer David Bailey. “This is new money for new projects. It is not […] Read more
Rancher awaits appeal decision on feed issues
An Alberta rancher is waiting for a decision from the Alberta Court of Appeals in his nine-year dispute with a feed company. Tom Seaborn of Rocky Mountain House sued Masterfeeds Inc. in 2003 after he bought a load of cattle feed in 2001 that allegedly caused health problems in his herd of purebred Shorthorns. The […] Read more
Infrared camera early warning disease detector
RED DEER – Scanning an animal’s eye with infrared technology shows promise in early disease detection. The system detects heat spots and has been in development for more than 10 years, said Al Schaefer of Agriculture Canada. “We see the animal in its suffering state and try to retrospectively work out when did that start […] Read more
Experts examine optimum DDG levels in feed ration
It is time to offer western Canadian livestock a bigger buffet of feed ingredients, says a hog researcher. “Here in Western Canada, people think pigs only eat barley and soybean meal, but in other parts of the world, pigs eat a wide range of coproducts,” said Ruurd Zijlstra, the feed industry research chair at the […] Read more
Barley growers prepare for DDG competition
Brian Otto watches American trucks arrive in Alberta every week with loads of dried distillers grain from U.S. Midwest ethanol plants. He may flinch when he sees it, but the Alberta barley producer understands why more DDGs are showing up in the province from the United States. “Obviously the feedlot industry is finding in their […] Read more
Poor reproduction often linked to foot problems
RED DEER – Lameness is one of the mains reasons dairy producers get rid of cows. Sore feet and hoof infections can cost up to $400 per cow because of poor reproduction and treatment costs, said Emily McDonald of Alberta Milk’s research and extension committee. Sixty-five farmers, seven hoof trimmers and Alberta Milk are working […] Read more
Lawyer can withdraw for ethical reasons
PONOKA, Alta. – It’s spring so Dee Butterfield is packing her tack and horses to travel across the West teaching horsemanship and barrel racing. “Every month of the year, I’m doing something,” she said at the Ponoka, Alta., ranch where she and her husband Craig Butterfield have maintained the family rodeo tradition. As a professional […] Read more
Alberta hay heads to Saudi Arabia
A Lethbridge forage company is negotiating to sell its product to Saudi Arabia. Containers of double compressed hay – 1,000 tonnes of alfalfa and 200 tonnes of timothy hay – are making the 45 day journey to the Middle East, said marketing vice-president Peter Ball of Green Prairie International. This first shipment is a pilot […] Read more
