Every morning around 8 a.m., large V formations of Canada geese wing their way from the river water of Calgary and head off to farmers’ fields surrounding the city in search of a meal. Creatures of habit, Canada geese have settled in cities during mild winters and are wreaking havoc for farmers such as Craig […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Development threatens Alta. ecosystems
FORT MACLEOD, Alta. – A grizzly bear sighting is a sure sign of a healthy ecosystem. But a consultant studying the effects of human development in southwestern Alberta says the big bruin is in jeopardy in the region as more roads, more energy exploration and more residential development destroy not only the bear’s habitat but […] Read more
Water, manure practices studied in Alberta
FORT MACLEOD, Alta. – A five-year study to assess the effectiveness of recommended practices for handling manure and other water supply threats starts this spring at two Alberta locations. Andrea Kalischuk of Alberta Agriculture said past studies show agricultural practices can have a detrimental effect on water quality. The test sites in Lacombe County and […] Read more
Aussie horse flu shows disease’s speed
RED DEER – An equine influenza outbreak in Australia last August is a good example of how fast a disease can spread within a population without immunity and how governments can respond. The nonfatal disease affected thousands of horses in New South Wales and throughout Australia. The government hopes to eradicate it by the end […] Read more
Horse diet guidelines issued
RED DEER – Just released nutrition guidelines from the National Research Council will improve horse diets, says one equine specialist. Bob Coleman, equine specialist from the University of Kentucky, praised the new document, which is an update since 1989 when the last guide was released. A major change is in the nutrient requirement area where […] Read more
Tapeworm test measures protein
RED DEER – New research may make it easier to diagnose tapeworms in horses. Doug Colwell of Agriculture Canada told the annual Alberta horse breeders conference in Red Deer Jan. 12 that researchers from the University of Lethbridge and Agriculture Canada are checking for remnants of a specific tapeworm protein left behind in horse manure. […] Read more
Declining flows worry Alberta
FORT MACLEOD, Alta. – As rain and snow patterns change, the result is lower prairie river flows. Rainfall and snow pack levels vary each year but research into the timing and amount of precipitation in the mountains shows it has declined since 1900 when records were first gathered. In the last century the South Saskatchewan […] Read more
Distillers grain good for beef, studies show
Western Producer Calgary reporter Barbara Duckworth travelled to Denver, Colorado, for the International Livestock Congress and the National Western Stock Show to look at how issues there will affect Canadian producers. DENVER, Colo. – Cattle feeding trials are starting to return results on the use of dried and wet distillers grain and most are reaching […] Read more
Prominent Angus show judged by committee
Western Producer Calgary reporter Barbara Duckworth travelled to Denver, Colorado, for the International Livestock Congress and the National Western Stock Show to look at how issues there will affect Canadian producers. DENVER, Colo. – Judging by committee is never easy but for Cheramie Viator, it may be the fairest way to evaluate a group of […] Read more
Beef market big enough for everyone, says producer
Western Producer Calgary reporter Barbara Duckworth travelled to Denver, Colorado, for the International Livestock Congress and the National Western Stock Show to look at how issues there will affect Canadian producers. DENVER, Colo. – An Argentine beef producer says beef producing countries should be less competitive and work together to promote their product around the […] Read more
