SAN ANTONIO, Texas – About 10 percent of the U.S. corn crop wasn’t harvested last fall, but the country is still expecting its second largest harvest in history at 13.1 billion bushels. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to survey corn growers in March, and prices could jump if it finds that the harvested […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
U.S. cattle numbers down; tight supply will slow cull
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The United States cattle herd continues to shrink. Liquidation has occurred in 12 of the last 14 years and the result is the smallest cattle herd since 1959. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s semi-annual cattle inventory report released Jan. 29 lists the cattle herd at 93.7 million head Jan. 1, one […] Read more
Info sharing urged between human, animal experts
BANFF, Alta. – Public attention may be focused on the H1NI virus, but scientists say they are finding other serious diseases capable of infecting both people and animals. Soren Alexandersen of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg said scientists are identifying one to three new diseases a year, […] Read more
Lessons learned from H1N1
BANFF, Alta. – When pigs on a farm near Rocky Mountain House, Alta., were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus last April, it sparked investigations, quarantines and attention from media outlets around the world. It was the world’s first case of H1N1 infection in a hog herd and provided valuable lessons for public officials in how […] Read more
Changes in virus still baffle experts
BANFF, Alta. – The ongoing H1N1 pandemic was an important development in giving researchers new insight into the virus. Influenza viruses affect many species with varying degrees of severity. With H1N1, thousands of people have died since it was detected in the spring of 2009, yet infected hogs suffered minimal effects. Veterinarian Marie Gramer from […] Read more
Ways to make a better herd
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Cow size may not be as important as efficiency within the herd. That is one of the conclusions of a study from Texas A & M University presented at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association annual meeting Jan. 27. “Some of this is nothing new but there is a ton of stuff […] Read more
New course for hauling horses
RED DEER – Jennifer Woods likes to tell the story of the horse owners who wanted to familiarize their animal with travelling. They made a short trip to town with the horse in the trailer, and after running errands, took the vehicle and trailer, with the horse still inside, through a car wash. The horse […] Read more
Container recycling program aids spring cleaning
A new company starts collecting empty pesticide containers Feb. 1. CropLife Canada, which started the recycling program in 1989, set up Clean Farms Inc. to handle collection and recycling of jugs, pails and other containers less than 23 litres in size. It will also collect obsolete farm chemicals across Canada. “For those participating, it is […] Read more
Horses need substantial forage in diets
RED DEER – Horse owners need to find the best possible quality hay to keep their animals healthy and happy, says a University of Kentucky equine specialist. The diet should include at least 50 percent forage. Alfalfa hay is the number one choice under ideal conditions. “We have been debating about the best hay for […] Read more
Genetic disorders serious problem in horses
RED DEER – Fearsome sounding genetic diseases haunt the Quarter horse industry, disorders such as hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, glycogen branding enzyme deficiency and hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia. The breed appears particularly disease ridden because there are millions of Quarter horses in North America and the breed association funds more genetic research. However, equine veterinarian […] Read more
