OKOTOKS, Alta. – When Alberta rancher Wendy Adams sells a cull cow for 35 cents a pound, somebody is making a profit and she knows it is not her. In pre-BSE days she could sell a good D1,2 cow for at least 55 cents a pound. But as long as there is a surplus of […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Prion origin still missing piece of puzzle
Stanley Prusiner knows the middle and the end of the prion disease story, but the beginning continues to elude him. The scientist, who is credited with identifying aberrant proteins he named prions, admits he has no idea what triggers these pathogens or how they multiply to cause degenerative diseases in mammals such as BSE, Creutzfeldt-Jakob […] Read more
Company builds better pork
A swine feed ration rich in flax, grains and other nutrients has led to the creation of enhanced pork products grown in Manitoba. Prairie Orchard Farms of Winnipeg, through its parent company, Max-Pro Feeds, began experimenting with special diets seven years ago to produce pork with enhanced levels of omega 3. It went on to […] Read more
Producers debate mandatory BSE testing
OKOTOKS, Alta. – The case for testing export cattle for BSE is going before the Alberta Beef Producers at its annual meeting in December. A resolution at an Okotoks zone meeting directed the organization to lobby the federal government for testing to broaden beef export opportunities to countries that want beef from cattle younger than […] Read more
Collaboration vital in handling energy exploration
RED DEER – Calgary was caught off guard a few years ago when an energy company proposed drilling six sour gas wells on the city’s southeastern outskirts. Rick McIver, the alderman who represents that part of Calgary, said the city eventually sought the help of the Sundre Petroleum Operators Group for advice as it struggled […] Read more
Rookie declared Jersey champ
RED DEER – When a trio of dairy producers entered their newly purchased Jersey in Western Canada’s largest dairy show, they were sure they had a winner. Named Marshfield Counciller Angelic, the four-year-old cow had never been shown before, so her owners were pleased to win the grand champion Jersey banner at the Westerner championship […] Read more
Friendly farming
Environmental farm plans can present opportunities for farmers and ranchers as they search for better ways to tend to their surroundings. A tour in the Calgary area promoting beneficial management practices demonstrated how three families have improved the environment. Scott Farms, Crossfield Earl Scott had to be coaxed to attend an environmental farm plan workshop […] Read more
Alberta looks for outstanding young farmers
Nominations are open for Alberta’s 2007 outstanding young farmers. Nominees must be between 18 and 39 and be farm operators deriving two-thirds of their income from farm sources. They must demonstrate progress made during their careers, environmental and safety practices, crop and livestock history, financial practices and contributions to the community. Selections will be made […] Read more
Beef quality program simplified
The verified beef program has been updated and simplified to encourage more interest from producers. The on-farm food safety program started in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta two years ago and has spread across the country as more trainers and auditors are contracted, said national program manager Terry Grajczyk. The workshops have trained more than 3,600 […] Read more
Approval of BSE class action lawsuit awaits ruling
A lawsuit is before Quebec’s Superior Court claiming an international livestock feed company and the federal government knew how to prevent BSE but did not act soon enough, costing the cattle industry billions of dollars. Quebec farmer Donald Berneche claims he lost $100,000 in revenue during the BSE crisis. His claim says border closures cost […] Read more
