BROOKS, Alta. – Seed grower Karl Slomp can see both sides of the debate over genetically modified alfalfa. “We need some biotech,” said the Brooks area farmer, who sees it as a way to make alfalfa competitive with corn. “It would be the first perennial crop resistant to Roundup.” However, he also recognizes that traces […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Canada rebounds faster than U.S.
RED DEER – Economic growth and consumer confidence in Canada are outpacing the United States, where millions are still unemployed and struggling to pay off debt. Economist Charlie McVean says Americans are working fewer hours per week compared to three years ago and they are reluctant to spend. “This is the crisis that confronts the […] Read more
Conservation group told to befriend opposition
COCHRANE, Alta. – Rural landowner groups may have to form unlikely partnerships if they are serious about conservation. “If you are in agriculture or a rural base and you haven’t already done so, consider joining an environmental interest group that has a strong urban component and build your common ground and bridges there,” says Preston […] Read more
Land-use priorities worry rural Alberta
COCHRANE, Alta. – Albertans must pay more attention to conservation. That’s the rationale behind the provincial government’s land stewardship act and a regional land-use planning exercise that aims to better protect the land, air and water. But foothills rancher John Cross is skeptical. He said he worries government and planners are emphasizing economic well being […] Read more
Red in fashion as dairy barns embrace colour
Red and white Holsteins were once as welcome as the illegitimate son showing up at the family reunion. Now they are trendy. “They were once considered a blight on your herd,” said Doug Blair, a partner in Rocky Mountain Holsteins, where red cattle have been selected as part of the farm’s elite cow program. “They […] Read more
Manure recycling system benefits land, farmer
BENTLEY, Alta. – With 18 million gallons of manure to handle each year, Will Kingma was looking for innovative technology. Enter Calgary’s Livestock Water Recycling, an award winning system that breaks down manure to its lowest common denominator. “As soon as I saw it, I was pretty impressed with it,” Kingma said. The system received […] Read more
Bovine sequencing brings out the best
RED DEER – It made sense to follow up the human genome study with a bovine project because of the close genetic connection between humans and cattle, says Holstein Canada’s breed improvement manager. “The human and bovine go back to a common ancestor so the (genetic) architecture has been conserved,” Jay Shannon told the Western […] Read more
Bovine sequencing brings out the best
RED DEER – An editorial in the Holstein Journal in 1939 dismissed artificial insemination as an interesting concept but something that would be used only in exceptional cases. “I have heard exactly the same sentence about genomics,” said Doug Blair, who has been involved in AI and embryo transfers for most of his career in […] Read more
Prairie Jack donkey settles in New Zealand
Canada’s first export of a rare Mammoth Jack donkey to New Zealand is one way Sybil and Carl Sewell hope to build interest in a rare breed. It took the Leslieville, Alta., couple nearly a year of phone calls and e-mails to close the deal that sent the two-year-old female, Windy Ridge Black Mariah, to […] Read more
Viterra buys American durum mill, pasta plant
Viterra Inc. is buying a North Dakota durum mill and pasta manufacturer. Dakota Growers Pasta. Co. of Carrington, N.D., is one of North America’s largest durum mills and the third largest producer and marketer of dry pasta products. The acquisition was announced at Viterra’s annual shareholders meeting in Calgary March 10. The boards of Dakota […] Read more
