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
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
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
New cattle group forms in U.S.
A new cattle producers’ group has formed in the United States following a schism within the leadership of the Montana-based Ranchers Cattlemen’s Action Legal Foundation. Formation of the United States Cattlemen’s Association was announced March 15. Founders include key former board members of R-CALF, who resigned after internal fighting resulted in the ousting of R-CALF […] Read more
New science class makes Alberta water study fun
An Alberta project may have the answer for those who remember school science classes being dull as dishwater. As part of a change to the Grade 8 science curriculum in 2004, students are now treated to videos, posters and an interactive website to play up the wonder of water. The changes included a unit on […] Read more
Ottawa bolsters research spending
The federal government is providing $22.1 million for 233 projects at its agricultural research centres. Projects were evaluated under the categories of food, plant and animal science and ecology and environment, Agriculture Canada said in a News release news. Project funding covers the 2007-08 fiscal year. Lethbridge Research Centre will receive $2.4 million for 29 […] Read more
Proper feed crucial to dairy cow health
RED DEER – Finding proper feed for milk cows remains the No. 1 challenge for managers, says a University of Illinois dairy specialist. Mike Hutjens told the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar in Red Deer on March 7 that dairy barn managers need to focus on five key areas, with the most important being feed consistency […] Read more
Creating proper shoe is balancing act
RED DEER – Finding a good farrier is a common frustration among horse owners who need a person with a broad knowledge of horsemanship, anatomy and shoe making. The horse has a specialized foot design not seen in other species, so there is a lower tolerance for errors, said Mitch Taylor, director of the Kentucky […] Read more
Bull sale meets buyers’ needs
After 107 years, the Calgary Bull Sale continues to adjust and give customers what they want, says the president of the Alberta Cattle Breeders Association, which stages the event held March 7-8. The sale has been shrinking, so the association board is exploring ways to refresh the event and keep the crowds coming. Some of […] Read more
Charolais winner has long history at bull sale
The Parsonage family has been coming to the Calgary bull sale for 58 consecutive years and has won seven grand championships since 1992. Owned by Duane and Corrine Parsonage, P & H Ranching runs about 350 cows with 150 being purebred Charolais. Once a strong Hereford breeding family, the program switched to Charolais and Angus […] Read more
Top Hereford breeder no stranger to winner’s circle
Winning the grand champion banner never gets old, says Norm Parrent. The Clyde, Alta., Hereford breeder has won the grand prize at the Calgary Bull Sale four times since 1995, an affirmation of the 35-year-old breeding program he runs with his wife Joanne and sons Marc and Michael. This year’s winner and high seller at […] Read more
