When something goes wrong in the food chain, the ability to trace the tainted product back to its source is critical to limiting the damage. Canada has set a goal of having all food traceable within 48 hours. The livestock industries pioneered the development of traceability systems, but the Western Producer’s Barbara Duckworth reports that […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
From field to plate – livestock traceability makes great strides – Special Report (main story)
A single, wobbly legged cow with BSE in 2003 set off a wake-up call that reverberated through the Canadian livestock industry and forced many producers to rethink their complacent attitudes toward national traceability. The economic devastation that followed led to intense discussion on individual identification and tracking of animals for food safety and disease control. […] Read more
Tracing food full-time job at CFIA – Special Report (story 2)
Investigating food recalls and tracking animal disease is a daily job for Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspectors and veterinarians. While BSE and avian influenza investigations capture the public’s attention, the agency also conducts ongoing surveillance for tuberculosis and other regular disease surveys for livestock. CFIA disease control specialist Sandra Stephens said individual identification has simplified […] Read more
Show me the money – Special Report (story 3)
Electronic identification on every steer in every pen is part of an intricate management plan to track and monitor animals at Cattleland Feedyards. Company president Greg Appleyard’s only wish is that he received a bigger payback for being an early adopter of the technology. The feedlot in Strathmore, Alta., keeps a database of all identification […] Read more
Energy firms responsible for controlling weeds
BANFF, Alta. – Controlling weeds at oil well sites prevents fire hazards and keeps the neighbours happy. However, Edmonton consultant Atty Bressler says energy companies don’t do a consistent job of controlling weeds. “They all have variable levels of management practices associated with them,” said Bressler, whose company advises the oil and gas industry about […] Read more
Cattle quarantine changes sought
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C. – British Columbia cattle producers want communicable livestock diseases handled differently after living through a lengthy quarantine this year prompted by the discovery of tuberculosis on a Vanderhoof ranch. A resolution from the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association has referred for study a list of recommendations on how the Canadian Food Inspection Agency […] Read more
Groups outline strategy to revitalize beef sector
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C. – Bruised and battered five years after its first BSE case, the Canadian beef industry still struggles to regain its once lofty position as a major exporter. Canada has returned as the third largest beef exporter in the world but key markets like Japan and the United States remain restricted and […] Read more
Beef given new brand
100 MILE HOUSE, B.C. – Starting next year Canadian beef and genetic packages will be branded with a new logo. The Canadian Beef Advantage campaign is being tested in the market as part of a larger strategy to reposition the industry, said John Gillespie, the new chair of the Beef Information Centre. Recovery of the […] Read more
Tradition with a twist focus of ranch
VAVENBY, B.C. – The richness of history is treasured at Aveley Ranch that was homesteaded in 1906 by Theodore Moilliet. His grandchildren, Ian, June and Valeriana, continue the tradition of raising sheep, caring for the land and raising a new generation of producers in east-central British Columbia. The family has raised Corriedale sheep on the […] Read more
Wary landowners want voices heard, issues addressed
RIMBEY, Alta. – People who gathered at a June 16 open house in Rimbey to talk about a new power line were wary of strangers and asked reporters for credentials before they spoke. Their reluctance was based on last year’s discovery that the province’s Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) had hired private investigators to infiltrate […] Read more
