OLDS, Alta. – Pat Lyster found winning the red ribbon at the recent Olds Fair especially satisfying. That’s because his horned Dorset ram, a heritage breed, beat out all other sheep breeds at the fair to win the supreme championship. The horned Dorset is just one of a number of rare livestock and poultry breeds […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Energy savings in the bank
CAROLINE, Alta. – A $5,000 investment could cut heating costs for the home or farm shop by more than half. Brian Crothers of Sundog Solar in Caroline says capturing heat from the sun using a bank of dark coloured tubes is an option for those looking to cut energy costs. “A 32 tube bank attached […] Read more
More to dugout than digging hole
CAROLINE, Alta. – Fay Pengelly remembers swimming in the farm dugout as a youngster but would not dream of doing it now. Dugouts on her family’s property near Caroline were built decades ago and some have eroded sides, algae growth, weeds and muddy water that is probably full of harmful bacteria. It is time to […] Read more
Alta. group questions gov’t plan for power production
AIRDRIE, Alta. – A group of Alberta landowners continue to question whether the province needs to proceed with an ambitious project to boost electrical power production within the next decade. Edwin Erickson, a member of the Lavesta Area Group, representing about 800 landowners, has opposed the plan since it was proposed in 2006. “They still […] Read more
Calgary opens hands-on facility for vet students
AIRDRIE, Alta. – A group of Alberta landowners continue to question whether the province needs to proceed with an ambitious project to boost electrical power production within the next decade. Edwin Erickson, a member of the Lavesta Area Group, representing about 800 landowners, has opposed the plan since it was proposed in 2006. “They still […] Read more
Dairy show marks 25th
After his first year at the University of Calgary’s veterinary school, Layne Manson can make incisions, stitch them up and properly roll over a sheep in need of treatment. The native of Bonnyville, Alta., helped deliver twin calves earlier this year and learned how to tie proper knots when restraining animals. He is one of […] Read more
United effort saves creek
Co-operation and an inventive spirit were the inspiration for southern Alberta ranchers as they restored a meandering creek that flows through their property west of Claresholm. The Lyndon Creek Conservation Partnership consists of Jack and Merry Vandervalk, Gerald and Patricia Vandervalk, Wayne and Judy Lucas and David and Lisa Baptie, who have a long-term goal […] Read more
Soil fungus benefits peas
LACOMBE, Alta. – A common fungus found in soil has potential to control fusarium in peas. Peas infected with fusarium oxysporum seemed to manage better when a fungus called trichoderma was present in the soil. “We noticed one year in some of the plots that had the trichoderma in it, the plants were actually healthier […] Read more
Biocontrols take on weed
CLARESHOLM, Alta. – When persistent patches of leafy spurge threatened to take over his pastures west of Claresholm, Wayne Lucas decided he needed help. He agreed to try a targeted herbicide program and biological controls using an imported weevil on the noxious, invasive weed. He also took some preventive steps. “We have gone into strictly […] Read more
Alta. polishes up flu season plans
Alberta health officials say they are ready for this year’s flu season, including any widespread outbreaks of H1N1. “We are readier than we have ever been. There is still some polishing up to do for some specific details of our preparations for the fall and things that need to be adjusted because we are still […] Read more
