LETHBRIDGE – The average Canadian pork consumer is often middle-aged with an income of more than $50,000 who wants to buy domestically produced meat. Serving that group and finding new fans is one of the many challenges the pork industry faces as it seeks to build a wider customer base among those who can afford […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Alta. producers leery of strategy
Beef producers remain anxious over Alberta’s Livestock and Meat Strategy. The government strategy, which was first announced in June, resulted in considerable debate at the Alberta Beef Producers annual meeting Dec. 8-10, where delegates were assured it is a catalyst to put the once powerful industry back on its feet. Alberta agriculture minister George Groeneveld […] Read more
Gelbvieh breeders want commercial recognition
OLDS, Alta. – A purebred show that caters to commercial beef producers is the aim of a Gelbvieh weekend. Held in Olds Dec. 6, the event was part of the Alberta British Columbia Gelbvieh Association annual meeting. It featured a commercial Gelbvieh heifer pen show of replacement females that were uniform in size and consistent […] Read more
Meat consumption up, but beef losing out
A 20 year decline in beef demand has been blamed on U.S. and Canadian producers who did not give customers what they wanted. “The dollars that come into this industry are going to come from consumers and that is the only source of new growth and prosperity and opportunity,” Kansas State University agriculture economist Ted […] Read more
Native grasses have long-lasting benefits
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Successfully growing native grasses requires patience for the slow growing plants, but the long-term benefits on grazing land are tangible. A research project starting in 2001 at Swift Current, Sask., involved planting different mixtures of native grass species. The study is assessing the benefits of soil carbon storage, extending the grazing […] Read more
Champion Limousin captures $24,000 bid
REGINA – High averaging purebred sales are a regular occurrence for Canadian Western Agribition where five figure bids are common for bulls, females and packages of semen and embryos. Limousin breeders Rocky and Debbie Payne entered 15 head in the show and were rewarded when a half interest and full possession in their bull calf […] Read more
Couple builds future with black Simmentals
REGINA – They like to give their cattle provocative names like Sheeza Hussy and Flirtin with You, but Garth and Ang Rancier have a serious program in mind for their purebred Simmentals. It has been a good run for the young couple who started their own black Simmental herd in 2001 at Killam, Alta. The […] Read more
Farmers travel long way to judge Galloway class
REGINA – Farmers in Scotland and Canada share many common experiences, say Scottish Galloway breeders John and Anne Finlay. The couple was invited to judge the Canadian Western Agribition Galloway show in Regina, where they found the cattle similar in type to those in Scotland. As they met Canadian farmers, they realized they share similar […] Read more
Shorthorn loyalty pays at cattle show
REGINA – Loyalty to a single breed paid in spades for the Bender family at Canadian Western Agribition. Glenn Bender was among the early founders of the western livestock show, where he has shown Shorthorn cattle every year since its inception. He participated whether the outside temperatures hit – 40 C or the snow melt […] Read more
Higher barley checkoff urged
THREE HILLS, Alta. – The Alberta Barley Commission wants to raise its levy on every tonne of grain sold to make up for the loss of government research grants. The checkoff is 50 cents for every tonne of barley sold and the commission board is proposing to double it to $1. That could bring in […] Read more
