Elk and deer producers remain in limbo after the United States announced it would start accepting boneless meat cuts from Canada. Lamb, goat meat, deer, elk and bison meat exports were included in the Aug. 8 announcement, but Glenda Elkow, chair of the Alberta Elk Commission, says too many questions remain before exports resume. “We […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Alta. water program continues
Alberta’s farm water development program has been extended for another year with additional money from the federal government. The program is supported with $11 million through the agricultural policy framework. The provincial share is $5 million, said an Alberta Agriculture News release news. It replaces the farm water program offered for the last two years. […] Read more
Cattle prices stay volatile
Canada’s cattle industry is going to need help to weather increasingly volatile prices, says a senior market analyst. Anne Dunford of Canfax, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association market analysis division, told cow-calf producers at a ranching for profit school in Calgary July 17 that without a live aid program to encourage feedlots to buy calves this […] Read more
BSE rules called outdated
International reform is needed to handle future cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. “Learn the lesson we have learned here,” Ron Axelson, manager of the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, told an international meeting in Calgary July 15. “Communicate with the consumer that food safety and BSE are not related and when the next one occurs, and […] Read more
BSE stalls U.S. feeder import plan
The feeder import program has been put on hold until Canada is able to reopen its borders to cattle and beef trade, says Alberta’s chief veterinarian. “It is really disappointing,” Gerald Ollis told the agriculture division of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region summit in Calgary. “All the efforts and work that has been going on […] Read more
COOL opposition increasing in U.S.
The United States’ country-of-origin labelling law needs a rewrite, says an international group that met in Calgary last week. The Pacific Northwest Economic Region is sending a letter to the United States Congress outlining the economic impacts the bill could have on the area. The group prefers voluntary labelling because of intense trade within the […] Read more
Alberta grazing law pleases leaseholders
Controversy over Alberta grazing leases has eased somewhat with the passage of a new agricultural dispositions act. Known as Bill 16, Alberta’s 6,200 agricultural leaseholders have gained control over access to public lands, a key point in a debate that has been argued for decades. Compensation for damages when energy companies enter leased property will […] Read more
Teenager keeps his cattle operation
Colton Hamilton dreams of becoming an investment banker but plans never to abandon the ranch. “I’m always going to keep the cows. I really enjoy working with them,” he said. The 18-year-old University of Calgary economics student won this year’s grand champion Angus female at the Calgary Stampede. Named Belvin Duchess 87’99, the cow has […] Read more
Japanese politics skew beef recovery
Internal politics in Japan may keep Canadian beef out of the international market for some time yet. Science, politics, business and consumer confidence are in conflict as pressure to reopen borders to Canadian beef and cattle continues, said Phil Seng, chief executive officer of the United States meat export federation based in Washington, D.C. “There […] Read more
Pinzgauers stand out in a crowd
Bertie Van Zyl’s cattle have enabled him to travel around the world and see a variety of Pinzgauer styles, but one thing never changes. The distinctive white tail and rear end always dominate whether he visits Pinzgauer ranches in Brazil or Zimbabwe. President of the International Pinzgauer Congress since 1993, Van Zyl lives in South […] Read more
