MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Junior cattle events are about more than winning. For the young producers who last month competed in Bonanza, the Canadian Junior Hereford Association’s annual national event, it was also a chance to talk about cattle and catch up with friends who come from across Canada for the 29-year-old event. Held Aug. […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Hay may be pricey for some ranchers
Reduced forage supplies across Western Canada might force those who are short of hay to get rid of their cows rather than pay dearly to feed them. “The scuttlebutt is to a large extent, the farmers are saying they are not looking to buy replacement hay. They will reduce cow herds,” said Lonny Steward of […] Read more
Calgary’s vet students eager to hit barns
The 34 new veterinary students at the University of Calgary will barely have time to meet each other before being thrown head first into the life of professional veterinarians working in clinics, zoos and with researchers. Classes for Canada’s fifth veterinary school started Sept. 8, but this group will be sent into the field to […] Read more
Salt-tolerant grass may ease salinity
MILK RIVER, Alta. – Those insidious white spots spreading in western Canadian fields and pastures could be cured with a newly released grass called AC Saltlander. Developed by plant breeder Harold Steppuhn at Agriculture Canada’s Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre in Swift Current, Sask., this new wheat grass could help reduce salt patches while providing […] Read more
Cattle judge sets friendships aside in ring
OLDS, Alta. – In his 25 years as a beef show judge, Dave Sibbald often faces friends and business partners, but he sets those relationships aside when he scans a class. “You judge the cattle,” he said between shows at the Olds Fair, where he assessed Charolais, Shorthorn, Angus and Simmental cattle, as well as […] Read more
Young couple sees positive farm future
INNISFAIL, Alta. – The future stretches out as an inviting new life adventure for many newlywed couples. For Derek and Stacey Mathon, that adventure could mean leaving their Innisfail home behind and making a new start, a decision they might make this winter after the harvest is done. Their desire to keep farming and finding […] Read more
Beef plan strives for higher prices
LETHBRIDGE – A beef promotion project has been designed to give producers an economic boost after five years of trade embargoes, lacklustre markets and shrinking incomes. Canada Gold Beef is promoting a verified beef program in which all participants share in potential profits from the farm to the time the beef is sold. “Anybody who […] Read more
Fair develops skills, provides incentives
OLDS, Alta. – At seven years old, Kolby Thompson is already comfortable in the show ring. After three years showing sheep at the Olds Fair, the local girl won grand champion yearling ewe earlier this month and barely cracked a smile when she took the red ribbon. For her parents, Buck and Renai Thompson, the […] Read more
Junior shows teach valuable work ethic
OLDS, Alta. – It’s 5 a.m. and cattle need to be fed and preparations made as families get ready to show cattle at the Olds Fair. For Ron Daley and Tammi Van Tighem of Carstairs, Alta., summer vacation is taken up with fairs and junior events for their three children: Sawyer, 14, Shallaine, 12 and […] Read more
Poster boys promote beef
A new advertising campaign by Alberta Beef Producers will focus on love of the land and family. Called Raised Right, the $400,000 campaign is designed to promote beef and remind the rest of Alberta that the land and animals are being taken care of by 30,000 dedicated farm families with deep roots in the prairie […] Read more
