RED DEER Ñ Awards for outstanding animal care have been awarded to an Alberta packer, a Hutterite colony and longtime agricultural education volunteer. Each year, the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association recognizes industry leaders, innovators and communicators for contributions to improving farm animal welfare. This year’s leadership award went to Matt Schoonderwoerd, director of veterinary […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Animal transport meeting planned from April 14, 2005
RED DEER Ñ An international animal transportation conference focusing on traceability and security will be held in Calgary May 1-4. Speakers will present information on animal traceability, satellite tracking programs, security issues, recent changes required of airlines and port authorities and anti-terrorism training programs that are available to companies.Ê Information will also be provided on […] Read more
Class action lawsuit launched over BSE
A $7 billion class action lawsuit against the federal government and a multinational feed manufacturer has been filed in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. A team of lawyers from the four provinces is handling the case. The lawyers say the government did not ban ruminant meat and bone meal from cattle feed soon enough. Both […] Read more
Former USDA vet accuses U.S. of hiding BSE
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has covered up cases of BSE for years and does not aggressively test in high risk cattle populations for fear of finding it, says a former USDA veterinarian. Lester Friedlander was a U.S. government vet for 10 years before being fired in 1995, which he said was because he criticized […] Read more
Population distribution worsens water problem
BANFF, Alta. Ñ Alberta’s water problems are compounded by the fact most of the province’s residents want to live in the dry south while most of the water is in the sparsely populated north, says a new report commissioned by the Alberta Institute of Agrologists. In the report, author John Thompson of Watercon Consulting said […] Read more
Plan next year’s swath grazing crop now
April is not too early to plan next winter’s swath grazing program. Seed grower Graham Ogilvie of Lacombe, Alta., says planting annuals can add more acres of grazing and reduce the pressure on over-burdened hay fields and pastures. Swath grazing is part of a larger grazing plan to lower winter feeding costs and now is […] Read more
Japan softens demand for universal BSE testing rules
Japan is changing its demand for universal BSE testing of beef animals younger than 21 months. The crux of the issue is proving an animal’s age before resuming beef trade with Canada and the United States. “They are quite resolved in their intention to get this done,” said Ted Haney, president of the Canada Beef […] Read more
Vaccinate horses early against West Nile virus
Horse vaccinations against West Nile virus should be administered now before the first infective mosquitoes appear this spring. While West Nile cases peak in late summer and fall, veterinarian Normand Plourde of Merial Canada said the mosquito that carries the disease can be active by mid-May or early June. “You want the horse to have […] Read more
Parasites big horse threat
A horse’s painful bellyache may be caused by internal parasites. Olds, Alta., veterinarian Corinne Eliason said a variety of worms and fly larvae can infest horses and lead to serious health problems. “If you aren’t deworming your horses, they likely have them,” she said at the Calgary Acreage Lifestyle show March 19. Horses commonly pick […] Read more
Sheep, goat producers feel ignored by Ottawa
OKOTOKS, Alta. Ñ While government money continues to flow to the cattle industry for BSE recovery, other ruminant groups feel forgotten. The recent $50 million contribution for beef market development has been frustrating for the other livestock groups that have received little government attention. “It’s just a very frustrating process for us, and not just […] Read more
