Reformed cattle surveillance and animal health rules must be resolved on a North American basis if Canada hopes to regain its beef export markets. A single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada has left the beef business reeling since international trade halted on May 20. “It is having an economic effect on everybody and […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Problems don’t deter U.S. in country-of-origin plans
America’s country-of-origin labelling law is forging ahead despite mounting opposition from the U.S meat industry and trading partners. The United States House of Representatives agriculture appropriations committee was scheduled to vote this week on funding to implement the voluntary aspect of the bill. Voting results should be available by August or September on whether money […] Read more
Coming to the rescue of rare breeds
RIMBEY, Alta. – Determination and devotion among small groups of Canadian farmers have preserved rare breeds of livestock and poultry. At Judy Fitzsimons’s farm in central Alberta, small groups of unusual sheep and cattle graze the hilly pastures she owns with her husband, Len, and son, Dan. “We’re always looking for farms from Grandma’s time […] 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
Calf crop will feel impact this fall, says marketer
Even after international trade resumes for Canada’s battered beef industry, further compensation may be needed to help producers adjust to new market realities. Cow-calf producers are likely the next group to feel the impact of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy case that banned Canada from international beef markets. Even if the border reopens by fall, calf […] Read more
Money to be made in identity preserved barley, says expert
RED DEER – Barley could be a more competitive and profitable crop if it was sorted for specific needs. Vern Racz, executive director of the Prairie Feed Resources Centre at the University of Saskatchewan, told a barley symposium in Red Deer on June 19 that identity preservation of feed barley designed for hogs or cattle […] Read more
Barley called health food candidate
RED DEER – It is time for barley to become a health food rather than a lower-value animal feed, researchers told a recent barley symposium in Red Deer. Barley is high in beta glucan, a substance proven to lower blood serum cholesterol and improve diabetic diets because it aids fat and sugar digestion. But putting […] Read more
Tougher rules coming
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – Intensive livestock operations can expect tougher and more costly environmental controls in the future, says an engineer from a Texas university. However, new technology to reduce odour and dust must be practical for intensive livestock producers or else researchers will not recommend it. “Great ideas are great but until we can prove […] Read more
Worker health sheds light on ILO complaints
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – Understanding health problems faced by livestock workers may also help intensive livestock operations better understand their neighbours’ complaints over barn emissions. “We urgently need more data on (ILO’s) effects on neighbours,” said a University of Nebraska physician who studies how ILOs affect worker health. Susanna Von Essen told a manure management conference […] Read more
Stampede combines breed shows to keep competition keen
Winning Calgary Stampede grand champion female and bull in a strong class against a variety of other breeds was a confidence builder for Shawn Wilson. The Maine Anjou breeder from Strathmore, Alta., also had the champion at the steer classic competition on the first day of the Stampede. Shrinking entries among some of the smaller […] Read more
