RED DEER – As more people move away from the farm a cultural confusion has developed over the role of animals as pets or meat. The divide may continue to widen as urbanites look at animal welfare as an ethical question while agriculture continues to credit science with the advances made in livestock care. “We […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Canadian cattle shipment prepared for Russia
A major shipment of Canadian beef and dairy heifers is expected to leave for Russia by mid-May, the first to be exported to that country since BSE closed borders to trade in 2003. A cattle selection team crisscrossed the country to gather 1,000 registered Black Angus and 1,000 dairy heifers, said Gary Smith of Alta […] Read more
Give a hog a hug
RED DEER – When it comes to handling unruly hogs, the human touch may soothe the savage beast. When two Ontario farms had trouble handling their market hogs, animal welfare specialists at the University of Guelph suggested the pigs needed more human contact. Market hogs can be difficult to handle because they do not have […] Read more
Open housing needs close monitoring
RED DEER – The pressure to stop using stalls for gestating sows has prompted researchers to assess the merits of open housing. “As we move into alternative systems, animal based measures are going to be critical for monitoring the welfare of the sows,” said Tina Widowski, head of animal welfare studies at the University of […] Read more
Alberta dairy producers move south
RED DEER – When Gordon and Cathy Speirs decided to expand their dairy farm, they headed south rather than stay in Alberta. The Speirs moved to Brillion, Wisconsin, the heart of the U.S. dairy industry. “We wanted to be somewhere where we could be the big kids on the street, not the biggest kids, but […] Read more
Alberta program recognizes farmers’ stewardship
AIRDRIE, Alta. – Farmers and ranchers will be compensated for environmental stewardship if Ted Morton has his way. The Alberta minister of sustainable resources is planning a study to find out how private landowners can be compensated for taking care of wildlife habitat, wetlands, forests, fisheries and watersheds. “Right now landowners provide all sorts of […] Read more
Economics forced move to organic dairying
RED DEER – The decision to go organic was an easy one for many New England dairy farms on the brink of bankruptcy. “They saw a higher profit potential and that is why they did it,” said Richard Kersbergen, a dairy specialist with the University of Maine. For many American dairy farmers, it was the […] Read more
Animals require pain relief: expert
RED DEER – Farm animals should receive pain relief for procedures like dehorning and castration. After studying pain management for livestock while working in New Zealand, Joe Stookey is an advocate of relief for animals of any age subjected to painful procedures needed for their health and welfare. “It is not age dependent on whether […] Read more
Cattle producer wins top award
When Mabel Hamilton became a delegate to the Alberta Cattle Commission, the Innisfail rancher was breaking new ground as one of two women to join the circle of men in 1988. “It hasn’t always been easy,” she said. A jibe from another delegate that she should be at home looking after her two children made […] Read more
Specialty eggs, gourmet price
The people at Sparks Eggs are always looking for new ideas to improve eggs, a food Meb Gilani already considers perfect. “All eggs are good. All we are doing is enhancing the eggs’ value,” said the farm owner. “We are providing what the consumer wants.” Located northeast of Calgary, the family operated farm produces a […] Read more
