OLDS, Alta. – A message straight from the hearts of 30 Canadian college students has been delivered to the United States Department of Agriculture pleading the case for resumed livestock trade since BSE closed borders nearly a year ago. The impacts of BSE are embedded in the lives of many students at Olds College who […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Calves need companionship
RED DEER – Raising dairy calves in small groups rather than individual pens could improve their overall health and growth, says an Agriculture Canada researcher. Young calves can be reared successfully in small groups with computerized feeders that dispense milk and grain. But few North American producers use these systems, said Anne Marie De Passille, […] Read more
Producers bet farm on border
After nearly 11 months of disastrous beef markets because of limited trade with the United States, thousands of Canadian producers are literally betting the farm on the border opening later this year. Some American producers want a lengthy closure to guard against further BSE cases appearing in their country since Canadian cattle were banned last […] Read more
Largest U.S. cattle group says border must open
Representatives of the largest American beef industry group said last week that American ranchers trying to pressure their government to keep the U.S. border closed to Canadian cattle have it wrong. “There are producers out there wishing for the Canadian border to be closed for the next millennium. If you look at that in a […] Read more
Early spring ideal time to nip gophers in bud
Controlling gophers as early as possible in the spring is not only efficient; it’s also the humane thing to do. University of Lethbridge biologist Gail Michener says the rodents, formally known as Richardson’s ground squirrels, begin their life cycles in early spring when mating takes place. “The first animals you see in the spring are […] Read more
Keep dairy herd on happy footing
RED DEER – Lameness in dairy cows is an increasingly serious problem on farms, says an Agriculture Canada animal welfare specialist. “Lameness is one of the main welfare problems in dairy cows at the moment and it is an enormous economic problem,” said researcher Jeff Rushen. He is based at Lennoxville, Que., and spoke at […] Read more
U.S. ranchers criticize Canadian aid package
An American beef producers group is criticizing a Canadian farm aid program meant to help cash-strapped livestock producers losing money due to the impacts of BSE. Bill Bullard, chief executive officer of R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America in Billings, Mont., said the group representing about 9,000 producers in 46 states is monitoring the impact that […] Read more
Livestock industry works for North American standards
North America needs harmonized animal health standards to eliminate trade barriers and ensure livestock remain healthy, says a Canadian Food Inspection Agency official. Francine Lord said that while BSE regulations are at the forefront, other health issues require equal attention from Canada, the United States and Mexico. “Each country makes its own decisions and arrives […] Read more
Consensus on GM wheat remains elusive
Three industry leaders speaking at the recent Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association convention in Calgary agreed the marketplace should decide if herbicide resistant wheat is a desirable product, but offered divergent views on when and how that should happen. Lorne Hepworth, president of Crop Life Canada, said Canadian farmers need the latest biotechnology to remain […] Read more
Steps to rebuild pasture
AIRDRIE, Alta. – Prolonged drought and too many animals on pastures this spring could damage an already stressed forage system. Forage specialists suggest a number of strategies to rebuild pastures and ensure that the feed supply lasts until the fall. An extra 10 percent more cattle could be turned out this year because of BSE-depressed […] Read more
