If farmers continue spreading manure on the land at recommended rates, they risk overloading the soil with phosphorus, says a soil scientist with Alberta Agriculture. Alberta scientists have been charged with measuring runoff and phosphorus-nitrogen quotients on the land since 1999 after a water quality study indicated agriculture contributes to water quality problems, said soil […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Weather may repeat itself this year
RED DEER Ñ If climatologist Art Douglas is correct, prairie farmers can expect a repeat of last year’s weather with its cool, dry spring and average summer conditions. As well, the drought that plagued the North American plains from 1998-2004 has shrunk in area, providing a respite to dried out pastures and croplands. Douglas, who […] Read more
Nutrition influences breeding success
STRATHMORE, Alta. Ñ North America’s top beef producers wean 80 percent of the calves that are born in their herds because they are willing to spend extra time and money to keep their cows in good condition. “You’re going to have to spend some money and get her fat,” said Dick Diven, an Arizona beef […] Read more
Border rules still puzzling
RED DEER Ñ Canadian producers are scrambling to decipher rules governing cattle exports to the United States as the March 7 border reopening date approaches. There are questions about paperwork and veterinary requirements and a possible court injunction on March 2 may stop trade. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Animal Plant Inspection Service and […] Read more
Cow delivers triplets
BALZAC, Alta. Ñ On a crispy cold February morning Don Francis went out to check his cows to see how many calves had arrived overnight. One of his favourites, a seven-year-old Black Angus named Annie, had grown so heavy with calf that she couldn’t pass through the chutes and could barely get through the gates. […] Read more
Canadian cattle numbers continue to increase
RED DEER Ñ The Canadian cattle herd continues to grow for all the wrong reasons. As of Jan. 1, the inventory increased by three percent, resulting in a herd of 15.1 million compared to 14.6 million in 2004. The cow herd is now at 5.3 million head. “It was no big surprise given the circumstances,” […] Read more
ID program gains momentum
RED DEER Ñ An enhanced livestock identification system for Canada is only a year away. The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency has expanded its computer record system to register birth dates, record animal movement and provide unique numbers for premise identification and beef quality data. A resolution from the recent meeting of the Alberta Cattle Feeders […] Read more
Canada leads U.S. in livestock ID efforts
RED DEER Ñ Canada remains far ahead of the United States when it comes to livestock identification. “You have no fear of us catching up with you in the short term at least,” said Michael Coe of Global Animal Management, an American company offering a sophisticated form of livestock ID to U.S. producers. The six-year-old […] Read more
Japan thinks on age plan
Reports that Japan may accept the American beef grading system for age verification in beef cattle is being viewed as just another step in a lengthy negotiating strategy to renew trade. A Japanese scientific panel recommended acceptance of the United States Department of Agriculture proof of age proposal using a combination of meat quality and […] Read more
Beef’s comeback holding steady
SAN ANTONIO, Texas Ñ Beef lovers continue to chew through vast supplies of ground meat, steaks and roasts with little regard for food safety scares linked to BSE, E. coli and heart health, says meat scientist Gary Smith of Colorado State University. Smith told a special session of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention in […] Read more
