When resource companies enter natural areas, their good intentions to camp without a trace only succeed if others follow the same practices. Alpac Forest Products Inc. is piloting an integrated landscape management program with energy companies and Ducks Unlimited. Company ecologist Mark Spafford admits they are only scratching the surface in their understanding of how […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Coping with crisis – Special Report (main story)
Time stands still for those caught in the eye of a storm. Eric Thornhill knows that sense of helplessness well, having lived through numerous farm disasters in his native England and on the farm he runs at Ile des Chenes, Man. Over a period of 35 years, Thornhill and his family were threatened by a […] Read more
Quick response needed – Special Report (story 2)
Calgary public relations man Jim Wood says every crisis can be analyzed in three easy steps: mess up, ‘fess up and fix up. Every crisis follows a distinct pattern in terms of management and communications. That template does not change, whether it is handling an environmental disaster like the Exxon Valdez oil spill or the […] Read more
The fight againsy fusarium – Special Report (story 3)
In 1993 Manitoba farmer Earl Geddes thought his Canadian prairie spring wheat crop was as good as anything he had ever produced. Then he revved up his combine and discovered nearly every ripened head was empty. “There was just no grain going in my combine,” he said. Fusarium head blight, an infectious fungus, had destroyed […] Read more
Planning for the worst case scenario – Special Report (story 4)
The International Association of Business Communicators reports that few companies or businesspeople have spent adequate time investigating their vulnerabilities or gauging their ability to handle an unexpected crisis. Little effort is made to prevent crises before they happen, and in most cases, preparations such as disaster response plans are nonexistent. As a result, those in […] Read more
Pretty visitors are ugly problem
Western Producer Calgary reporter Barbara Duckworth attended an invasive plants conference in Calgary and filed these reports. Since the Europeans colonized North America, about 50,000 plants and animals of various species and hybrids have been introduced here. Many were beneficial or harmless, but a small percentage escaped and became threats to crop production and ecosystems. […] Read more
Invaders make advance as debate continues
Western Producer Calgary reporter Barbara Duckworth attended an invasive plants conference in Calgary and filed these reports. While people debate weed control, the plants are growing out of control. “Weeds won’t wait,” said an American invasive plants specialist. “They won’t wait for us to get organized,” said Randy Westbrooks of the United States Geological Survey. […] Read more
Attack plan: find agent to take on enemy
Western Producer Calgary reporter Barbara Duckworth attended an invasive plants conference in Calgary and filed these reports. Misinformation about herbicide use may have contributed to the uncontrolled spread of some noxious weeds in North America. An American invasive plants specialist said well-meaning people blocked the use of effective herbicides in some areas of the United […] Read more
Trees muscle out others, leave soil sterile
Western Producer Calgary reporter Barbara Duckworth attended an invasive plants conference in Calgary and filed these reports. Two problem trees are threatening the cottonwoods lining the streams and rivers of the western plains. Already under threat because of livestock and wildlife overgrazing, these native trees are being pushed out by Russian olives and saltwater cedars, […] Read more
Montana ranch debt prompts sell-off
BILLINGS, Mont. – A legendary Montana cattle company stressed with drought, poor cash flow and debt has closed a chapter in its history with a three-day sale that drew buyers from across North America. Leachman Cattle Co. at Billings put up for sale its elite Red and Black Angus herds, embryos and Quarter horses to […] Read more
