Sanitation on the farm is critical to controlling Johne’s disease, researchers said during a national seminar on the wasting disease found in cattle, sheep and goats. A major source of infection is manure if it contaminates feed, water and pens. “Anything to keep manure out of the calf’s mouth is going to be a plus,” […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Small town Alberta fair celebrates centennial
MILLARVILLE, Alta. – The Priddis-Millarville, Alta., fair is a 100-year-old institution that has stood the test of time through two world wars, the depression and the trials of modern agriculture. As one of Western Canada’s longest running fairs, the Priddis-Millarville event strives to maintain its old-fashioned charm with pens of livestock and a hay show, […] Read more
The good, the bad and the deadly
WATERTON, Alta. – When it comes to plant identification, the best some people can do is pick out the dandelions from a rainbow of grasses and wildflowers found on the open range. A basic knowledge of common plants can help determine whether the stand is healthy or overrun with troublesome weeds. It can be a […] Read more
Pasture health requires examination of plants
WATERTON, Alta. – A pasture may look green and lush from the road but a walk across the land presents a different picture. For the pasture manager, a close examination may reveal a landscape of bare patches, noxious weeds and weak grass growth. A pasture school in southwestern Alberta adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park […] Read more
Feedlot software company named ag sector innovator
OKOTOKS, Alta. – Yvonne Tollens’s name may be the one on the awards received by her computer company, but she says the recognition belongs to her staff of 10 who are encouraged to eavesdrop on each other, chatter and share ideas for innovative solutions for clients. “We’ve got a whole group of people who knows […] Read more
Rancher makes home energy efficient
PINCHER CREEK, Alta. – Bricoloeur is a French word meaning someone who invents his own strategies for using existing materials in a creative or useful way. That describes Pincher Creek rancher Stewart McRae, who has spent five years finding new ways to make his home more energy efficient. His conversation is peppered with, “I have […] Read more
Brother, sister team win with Charolais
OLDS, Alta. – When it comes to showing cattle or facing off at the hockey rink, Brooklyn and Brayden Paget are always competitive. Working with their parents, Darren and Loretta, the family runs New Country Livestock at Donalda, Alta., producing purebred Charolais, a few Simmentals and commercial cattle. Showing cattle to promote their breeding program […] Read more
Canada rejects U.K. meat products
Canada has closed its borders to animals and meat products from Great Britain after foot-and-mouth disease was discovered on two farms Aug. 3. About 570 animals have been killed as a quarantine precaution. No other disease incidents have occurred since and British officials are optimistic the problem has been contained. Canadian producers need to be […] Read more
Cool weather slows anthrax in park bison
Cool, wet weather has slowed the spread of anthrax among bison at Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta. As of Aug. 4, 61 bison carcasses were found and none since, said Mike Keizer, park communications manager. Park officials were running daily helicopter surveys using heat scanning equipment to detect decomposing carcasses in the heavily […] Read more
Alberta hog producers get cash advance
For the last two years, Jurgen Preugchas has experienced a different kind of drought on his Mayerthorpe hog farm. “Personally I have not seen two months of profit since September 2005,” said the chair of Alberta Pork. He and other Alberta hog producers are caught up in a perfect storm caused by high feed grain […] Read more
