An ecologist says a carbon tax may be the best way to slow down human activities that harm the environment. “We know what is happening to the earth but we don’t care,” said Don Guyton of Kelowna, B.C., who specializes in dry land ecosystem restoration. Gayton, who spoke at a national stewardship conference held July […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Angus Forum boasts cream of the crop
Roger Hardy had one word to sum up his cattle’s showing at the World Angus Forum at Calgary: fantastic. The owner of Soo Line Cattle Co. at Midale, Sask., has had a stellar year that culminated at the world show, where nearly all of his 11 entries of Red and Black cattle earned prizes, including […] Read more
Youth component new feature at Angus forum
When Canada was awarded the World Angus Forum six years ago, planning began almost immediately. Working with an army of volunteers, the Canadians decided to put on a memorable show at Calgary. The result was more than 1,000 head of Red and Black Angus cattle, nearly 800 registered delegates from 20 countries and hundreds more […] Read more
Sask. River basin in good shape
There is enough water in the Saskatchewan River basin to support the three million people living within the region but the resource must be properly managed, a study says. A three year project commissioned by the Partners for the Saskatchewan River Basin looked at the quality and quantity of the rivers that pass through the […] Read more
Field, insect history helps diagnose crop damage
LETHBRIDGE – Twisted pea plants and purple-tinged canola can be signs of herbicide damage. Sandi Scott, a research technician at the Alberta Research Council, works like a detective when diagnosing the injured plants that arrive at her laboratory every year. Like any good investigator, she needs to know the history and the whereabouts of those […] Read more
Soil tests flawed but critical
LETHBRIDGE – Commercial soil testing has been around for more than 40 years in Western Canada, but many fertilizer recommendations are based on research from the United States. Western Canada does not have a good soil test calibration system for soil response to fertilizer, particularly for micronutrients, says Tom Jensen, head of the International Plant […] Read more
ALMA to begin doling out money for projects
With an 11 member board and a broad mandate, the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency has set up five programs to rebuild the industry. Its official mandate from Alberta agriculture minister George Groeneveld is to provide direction and advice to revitalize the livestock industry through long-term competitiveness and sustainability. About $30 million has been earmarked […] Read more
National livestock strategy urged
The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, which was formed more than a year ago to reboot the red meat industry, would have been better as a national plan, say some industry leaders. “We would favour national programs more than we would a mismatch of provincial programs and regulations,” said Ed Boethner, past president of the […] Read more
Steer wins big at Calgary Classic
When it comes to steer shows, 2009 is the year Colby McLeod will remember. The 17-year-old Cochrane, Alta., high school student showed his crossbred steer in the grand championship spotlight, beating seasoned show people from across western Canada at the Calgary Stampede Steer Classic July 11. The steer competed at six shows this year and […] Read more
Auctioneer familiar face in winner’s circle
Auctioneer Brennin Jack is barely old enough to raise a toast and celebrate his award as international rookie of the year at the Calgary Stampede. The 19-year-old Saskatchewan native completed auction school two years ago and has been collecting accolades ever since. “This year was a triple crown for me,” he said after the Stampede’s […] Read more
