PICTURE BUTTE, Alta. – Field manure application has received a bad rap in recent years because of odour and pollution complaints, but it remains a valuable building block for soil when properly used. “We really want to look at manure as an extremely valuable resource,” said Ross McKenzie, an Alberta Agriculture agronomy researcher. However, agronomic […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Ag minister pitches Canadian products in Latin America
Gerry Ritz’s talks with Central American agriculture officials did not swing the trade doors wide open but the discussions did remind those countries that Canada wants to trade. Canada’s minister of agriculture, joined by representatives from the Canada Beef Export Federation, Canada Pork International, Canadian Beef Breeds Council, Canola Council of Canada and Canadian Livestock […] Read more
New Alta. agriculture minister knows about farm challenges
Alberta’s new agriculture minister, Jack Hayden, is taking over one of the province’s largest portfolios and knows the challenges he faces in the coming months. Hayden replaced George Groeneveld, who was dropped from cabinet in a Jan. 13 shuffle by Alberta premier Ed Stelmach. Hayden was first elected in 2007 and appointed minister of infrastructure […] Read more
Researcher devotes life to minimum till
COALDALE, Alta. – The relentless prairie wind was never Henry Bergen’s enemy. It was his greatest inspiration. After a lifetime promoting conservation and developing zero and minimum cultivation tools, the Coaldale inventor was presented last year with the province’s highest honour, the Alberta Order of Excellence. Bergen expressed surprise that he was recognized along with […] Read more
U.S. faces horse overpopulation dilemma
RED DEER – When the United States stock market crashed in 2008, horse prices fell right behind it. There are still mares and stallions selling for six figures at public auction but the recession created an uneven horse market where a few sell for impressive amounts and average animals may not sell at all. In […] Read more
New rules on horse meat
RED DEER – Rules for exporting horse meat to Europe are demanding more traceability and additional food safety measures. By July, Canada must provide horse identification and health documents that include treatment records for the last six months of animals’ lives, said Les Burwash of the Alberta Agriculture horse industry branch. “If we are going […] Read more
Exports of dairy genetics follow low milk prices
A global recession and collapse in international milk prices have reduced exports of Canadian dairy genetics. Strong customers like the United States and Mexico do not need replacements as domestic and international milk prices falter. The U.S. has been slaughtering dairy cattle to reduce its national herd in response to poor prices. “The result is […] Read more
Taiwan bans some U.S. beef cuts
A Taiwanese government decision to ban some United States beef cuts does not affect Canadian exports at this time. However, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has asked Ottawa to express its concern over the decision, said Travis Toews, foreign trade chair and vice-president of the association. “It was more of a political move and not based […] Read more
Heat destroys prions, produces fertilizer
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has approved an alternative for destroying infectious prions responsible for transmitting BSE. Specified risk materials such as cattle brains and spinal cords are now rendered and sent to a designated landfill in central Alberta. They are banned from commercial use such as animal feed and fertilizer. “The beef industry is […] Read more
Alberta names new agriculture minister
Jack Hayden is Alberta’s new agriculture minister.Hayden replaces George Groeneveld, who was dropped from cabinet in a Jan. 13 shuffle by Alberta premier Ed Stelmach.Hayden was first elected to the legislative assembly in 2007 and was appointed minister of infrastructure in March 2008.Hayden farms near Endiang in central Alberta and served as reeve for Stettler […] Read more
