The United States has reopened its comment period on proposed rules to resume imports of cattle and beef from countries deemed a minimum BSE risk. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it is evaluating the best approach to readmitting ruminants. In addition to live cattle, […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Macau agreement creates optimism in beef industry
Cattle industry officials see Macau’s agreement to accept Canadian beef as a wedge in the door to the large Asian market. Macau, an administrative district of China located between China and Hong Kong, agreed to accept all beef products from Canada as of Feb. 26. It is the first market in the China region to […] Read more
Grazing rights still need defence
Two years ago, Jack Horner was ready to give up his fight for grazing leaseholders’ rights. But Bill 16 has renewed the Pollockville, Alta., rancher’s resolve in getting a fair shake for people renting government-owned grazing land. A more controversial version of the law, Bill 31, was pulled when the Alberta government decided it lacked […] Read more
Groups unite to preserve grasslands
A network of 16 conservation groups in Canada and the United States has proposed an ambitious plan to preserve large expanses of natural grasslands on the northern plains. A two-year study selected 10 areas for possible preservation in southwestern Saskatchewan, southeastern Alberta, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming and North and South Dakota. Two areas specifically identified for […] Read more
Natural areas harmed by piecemeal planning
Poor planning has fragmented the prairie landscape and failed to preserve valued natural areas, says an environmental design professor from the University of Calgary. “Could municipalities independently or regionally address the cumulative effects of environmental degradation?” Richard Barrs asked during a discussion about the impact of inconsistent planning and jurisdiction conflicts in Alberta and British […] Read more
Good bulls passed over at big sale
Walter Blume watches the red and white Hereford bull enter the sales ring with the practised eye of a born stockman. “Oh, don’t let that good calf go, boys,” he moans as he listens to auctioneer Bob Balog coax a few more dollars out of cash-strapped farmers and ranchers. The Calgary Bull Sale is another […] Read more
Calgary bull sale cuts numbers, costs
Selling bulls in a bear market was the challenge for this year’s Calgary Bull Sale held March 3-5. New twists to North America’s longest running consignment sale included some cost cutting. This year bulls had to enter the ring in a natural state with no clipped coats, coiffures, manicures or special polish. It was a […] Read more
Cattle feeders want limit on packer ownership
RED DEER – A motion that would limit the number of cattle that packers could own to 10 percent of their monthly kills was passed at the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association annual meeting. Feedlot owner John Vander Heyden of Picture Butte proposed the resolution, which was approved by a 58-19 vote. “We could become world […] Read more
Few embrace beef records
An on farm food safety program for beef producers should be all in a day’s work but few have bought into the record keeping program as they face an uncertain future of deflated markets. In the last year, about 1,000 Alberta beef producers have attended 47 different workshops to learn about food safety certification for […] Read more
Ag Notes
New AU executive Agricore United board members have elected a new executive. Wayne Drul of Oakburn, Man., is the new executive committee chair. Drul, was first elected to the United Grain Growers board of directors in 1994. He later served as Manitoba vice president of UGG in 1998 and 1999 and as first vice president […] Read more
