A young veteran of the livestock show circuit puts herself through hair stylist school but isn’t giving up on the show ring
REGINA — Nikki Ross feels like a veteran at 22. Active on the show circuit from the time she was old enough to hold a halter, she continues to make time for cattle. Ross is among that group of younger-than-30 beef enthusiasts who realize agriculture may be part of the future but often have to […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Rabbits a hit with visitors after return to Farmfair
The 17 breeds of rabbits in attendance at the Edmonton show represented commercial types for meat and fancies kept as pets
EDMONTON — There was a collective sigh of pleasure among visitors to the rabbit show at Farmfair International. With a cuteness factor to the power of 10, 180 rabbits of every colour and size were on display for the first time in a decade. Farmfair always had a rabbit and bird show, but the event […] Read more
Livestock medication rules take effect Dec. 1
Producers are encouraged to establish a veterinary-client relationship, which will be required to obtain antibiotics
A large number of Alberta livestock producers do not have a regular veterinarian, and that could cause them problems later if they need medications or treatments. Under new federal antibiotic-dispensing rules that take effect Dec. 1, producers will need to have a valid veterinary-client relationship. Common over-the-counter antibiotics will now require a veterinary prescription and […] Read more
Alta., Sask., split supreme winners
REGINA — Every year, cattle producers are able to honour their peers at Canadian Western Agribition. The RBC Beef Supreme is the grand finale of the show that ran from Nov. 19-24 and recognizes the first among equals in the purebred cattle business. After 20 years the competition welcomes entrants from 17 shows in North […] Read more
Charolais breeders claim high-selling heifer
Johnson family of Barrhead, Alta., saw their young female sell for $26,500 at Agribition; it is going to Minnesota
REGINA — Having a high-selling heifer at Canadian Western Agribition is gratifying for one Charolais family that has been involved with the breed for more than 40 years. “I did not expect her to sell that high. I knew the guy was interested but I didn’t know how much she was going to go for,” […] Read more
Junior show winner’s passion on display
REGINA — When Jacey Massey books off school for a week, she is likely to be found garbed up in coveralls and working in a barn grooming and showing cattle. An active show person at Canadian Western Agribition held from Nov. 19-24 in Regina, she won the junior supreme competition and $3,000 in cash with […] Read more
Soundness exam not to be neglected
A bull’s testicles, penis and scrotum need to be checked regularly by a veterinarian to ensure they can still do the job
A bull’s working life is usually four to five breeding seasons, but soundness examinations should be done annually to make sure everything is in working order. When a veterinarian runs semen checks, the testicles and the penis are also scanned for injuries or abnormalities. “No bull is totally perfect,” said veterinarian Roy Lewis. Deviations are […] Read moreBull testing provides critical breeding data
EDMONTON — Stepping out with technology is a dance the owners of Nelson Hirsche Purebreds want to try. Based in southern Alberta, the team has bought Grow Safe feed bunks to test its herds of Hereford, Angus and Charolais for residual feed intake and then enter the data into the Herd Trax cattle management system. […] Read more
Hospital donation kicks off Power and Perfection sale
REGINA — The generosity of rural people who appreciate the value of helping out neighbours was evident during an Angus sale at Canadian Western Agribition. Shaun and Amanda Bryce decided they wanted to do something for their wider community by raising money for the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon. Shaun approached the Bohrson Marketing […] Read more
B.C. explores feasibility of building beef slaughter plant in province
The feasibility of building a beef packing plant in British Columbia continues to be discussed. The plan is to find ways to process more beef in B.C. to supply local demand and offer premiums to beef producers. “Building a packing plant is almost secondary to what we are trying to do. The packing plant is […] Read more
