The lack of courtesy and compromise in modern politics said to be creating impasses and an inability to move forward
BANFF, Alta. — Human-induced chaos is one way to describe modern-style politics. The lack of courtesy and compromise in modern politics is creating impasses and the inability to move forward, says Ian Urquhart, professor emeritus in political science at the University of Alberta. “We have to rethink how we do politics. We have to rethink […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Farmers’ election issues include farm safety, carbon tax, research
Alberta farm leaders’ wish list for the next provincial government is lengthy, yet they all speak of more money for research, better market access, concerns over current farm safety legislation and the impacts of the carbon tax on their ability to compete. Dave Bishop Alberta Barley Commission chair Barley growers want to grow their business, […] Read more
Pork council eyes pricing options
Building a made-in-Canada hog price has gone to the national table. The Canadian Pork Council is working with consultants to come up with pricing options with a report expected later this year. The Canadian industry uses the U.S. base price as the basis for what producers receive, but the number of hogs used to calculate […] Read more
Confidence called key to attaining leadership
Three women who became leaders in agriculture say willingness to try something new helped elevate them in their fields
The essence of leadership for women often means having the nerve to step forward and say, “I can do that.” Three agriculture leaders talked about the challenge of rising to the top and all agreed a dose of confidence and willingness to try something new elevated them in their fields. “For some reason we were […] Read moreProducers want development funding
RED DEER — Alberta beef groups agree they need an industry development fund but details must be clarified. The Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, Alberta Beef Producers and the Western Stock Growers Association have met to keep the idea alive to support projects of common interest but realize there is no extra money available. “ABP would […] Read more
Farmers urged to embrace elections
RED DEER — This election year is the time for farmers to get involved in politics because no one else will speak for them, says an Ontario producer. “If we think somebody else is going to lobby on our behalf, we have another thing coming,” Andrew Campbell told a recent Alberta poultry conference in Red […] Read more
Growing demand, trade deals a boon for beef
The world will need 16 million more tonnes of beef, or 35 billion pounds, by 2030, and Canada is expected to benefit
RED DEER — Canada is on an upward trend for agriculture exports and imports due to trade agreements signed in recent years. In 2017, 63.5 percent of Canadian exports went to countries where a free trade agreement is in place or where one is being negotiated, said Marie Noelle Desrochers, director of trade negotiations with […] Read more
Life after death: learning to carry on
Two farm women whose husbands died in farm accidents share their experience of how they rebuilt their lives
A farm family is tied together by love and work. When that bond is torn apart by the sudden death of a family member, the survivors are grief-stricken and the business can be thrown into upheaval. Maggie Van Camp and Angie Fox lost their husbands in farm accidents. Maggie was 46 with three teenagers when […] Read more
February’s cold weather traced to solar flares
RED DEER — The shivering cold month of February could not be predicted but long-range forecaster Art Douglas can explain why it happened. “The culprit was in the Pacific Ocean,” said the climatologist at the Alberta Beef Industry Conference held in Red Deer March 12-14. A professor emeritus at Creighton University in Nebraska, Douglas is […] Read more
‘Destined to fail’
OTTAWA — Disappointment and frustration over Canada’s new livestock transportation regulations came out loud and clear at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting. “It has created a regulation that industry can’t even begin to meet. I think it is destined to fail,” said Reg Schellenberg, co-chair of the CCA animal health committee. The association met […] Read more
