MONTREAL – Leading edge science could be the salvation of the developing world. Medical developments at the molecular level could improve infant mortality numbers, offer better diagnoses for diseases like HIV-AIDS and malaria and deliver effective vaccines derived from plants such as potatoes or alfalfa. “In every region of the world there are two to […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Cash crunch slows packer plan
Being rich in ideas but poor in cash has dogged ranchers hoping to build their own packing plants and move more beef since BSE closed borders 18 months ago. For the new generation co-operative Ranchers’ Own Meat Processors, the cash shortage among producers has been a major drawback for a concept that already has business […] Read more
Animal safety course aimed at young people
As a 4-H leader, Jennifer Woods has seen her share of close calls among youthful members as they handle their livestock at home and at shows. As an instructor of animal welfare, behaviour and safety, she hopes to send a message of awareness and caution to young people aged nine to 19 who work with […] Read more
BSE, harvest affect show numbers
LETHBRIDGE – If Robert Jackson had not finished harvest Oct. 13, he would have given the Chinook livestock show a pass. The longtime Hereford breeder from Drumheller, Alta., travels the province showing cattle throughout the fall, but a delayed harvest had him and other breeders thinking twice about the Lethbridge event held Oct. 14-16. Kathy […] Read more
Beef losses reflected in town, home life
Losses to the Canadian cattle industry could be more than $5 billion as the BSE crisis edges up to its 18 month anniversary. Export losses in live animal trade from May 20, 2003, to Aug. 31, 2004, reached $2.48 billion while losses in meat sales totalled $970 million, said Calgary economist Ralph Ashmead with the […] Read more
Alta. beef group looks for manager
The Alberta Beef Producers organization has fired its general manager, Gary Sargent. Sargent joined the organization 14 years ago and left Oct. 1. “The decision was made in the best interests of both parties,” said association chair Arno Doerksen. A new manager will be sought and in the meantime the organization’s executive is overseeing operations […] Read more
Cowboy couple dedicated to protecting home on range
LONGVIEW, Alta. – Tony and Debbie Webster feel privileged to live on a ranch in the southern Alberta foothills. With a panoramic view of the rolling prairie, meandering creeks and native grasses carpeting the hills, the couple believes the landscape is worth protecting. “I love it out here. It doesn’t get any better than this,” […] Read more
Forage rye faces test
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. – Perennial cereal rye has already proven itself in southern Alberta, but its performance in cooler, wetter climates is unknown. Developed by Agriculture Canada, PC rye looks like a cereal but grows like a grass, said Albert Kuipers, manager of the Grey Wooded Forage Association, which represents producers across central Alberta. […] Read more
Animal feed ban may broaden
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is publishing additional rules that propose to broaden the livestock feed ban by removing ruminant specified risk materials from all animal feed rations. First proposed last July, full details will be published later this fall. The new rules could become law early next year. An international committee evaluating the Canadian […] Read more
Sunterra wants lamb prices based on carcass quality
INNISFAIL, Alta. – Sunterra Meats is offering a new grid pricing system to motivate lamb producers to improve the quality of their product. The program, to be launched this week, offers producers a premium for meeting higher meat quality specifications when they sell lamb on the rail, rather than on a live weight basis. “We […] Read more
