A small plastic button no bigger than a loonie will soon deliver all the information anyone ever wanted to know about a single cow. Starting Jan. 1, Canadian cattle will be identified with radio frequency button tags as part of an overall beef industry plan to improve individual identification and traceback of food animals. The […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Inspection changes almost ready
OKOTOKS, Alta. – Some long-sought-after changes to Alberta’s brand inspection services should be in place next spring. The provincial government is conducting a legislative review of Livestock Inspection Services, or LIS, which would have been completed sooner if not for delays caused by the provincial election. The updated Livestock Commerce Act combines three livestock inspection […] Read more
Rural youth want respect from gov’t
RED DEER – Chad Anderson is a 22-year-old web page designer living in Dawson Creek, B.C., who represents a new generation of rural youth. Originally from a central Alberta farm, he has chosen to live in a small community and speaks passionately of the possibilities available to those with imagination. “There are huge opportunities in […] Read more
U.S. may be overzealous on Japanese deal
PONOKA, Alta. – The United States may have overblown its announcements of renewed beef trade with Japan and Taiwan, says the president of the Canada Beef Export Federation. “The U.S. announcement of their deal with Japan was designed to help an election. It was overblown,” he told 200 producers in Ponoka, on Oct. 28. There […] Read more
Live trade slower to resume
While a deal is being inked with Japan to normalize North American beef exports, the live trade waiting game continues for Canadian cattle producers. A rule to allow live animals back into the U.S. appears to have stalled until the American presidential election on Nov. 2. However, Canadians plan to be in Washington days afterward […] Read more
Needle-free ideal for piglets
RED DEER – Needle-free injectors may be a better way to deliver vaccines to livestock compared to conventional needles. A recent trial through Alberta Agriculture found the injectors worked well for small pigs but not for large animals like sows, said provincial swine veterinarian Julia Keenliside. Some producers say the sound of the injector scares […] Read more
Fababeans can be used in hog feed
RED DEER – A new variety of fababeans might be a good replacement feed for imported soybean meal in pig rations. Fababeans have not received much attention as pig feed because of high tannin levels that leave a bitter taste. A new variety of zero-tannin fababean was assessed in a feed trial conducted by Alberta […] Read more
Miniature donkeys fancied overseas
In a year of gloom for the livestock industry, a Blackie, Alta., ranching family is enjoying a renaissance with the humble donkey. For Grant and Sharon Cooke, raising miniature donkeys has been a pleasure emotionally and financially since they started the herd in 1988. As major breeders, with 120 animals, they have shipped considerable numbers […] Read more
Swath grazing convenient in winter
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. – Kim Nielsen has been swath grazing for five years and learns something new every winter. Deep snow cover can be a challenge in west-central Alberta, but he has noticed the cows are tenacious when it comes to digging down for a meal. “This is the fifth year we have been […] Read more
Bales turned into silage make for better feed
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. – Bale silage is a winter feed alternative offering high quality fibre through the season. The practice has been around for about 20 years and has some differences from loose silage, said Allan Macaulay, provincial silage specialist with Alberta Agriculture. The crop is swathed but not chopped. It goes through a […] Read more
