OLDS, Alta. – Several times a year, owners of donkeys and mules gather to dress up, hitch up and giddy up. These animals are growing in popularity across North America as owners have found donkeys and mules can do anything a horse can do. The Alberta mule and donkey club met in Olds recently for […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Beef producers get answers to BSE questions
CLYDE, Alta. – More than 500 beef producers attended a June 19 meeting at Nilsson Bros. Livestock auction market in Clyde, Alta., to learn more about the effects of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The following are questions addressed to George Luterbach of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, John Knapp and Ron Clarke of Alberta Agriculture and […] Read more
BSE’s many faces
Since the announcement that a cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy had been discovered in northern Alberta, Canada’s international beef trade has halted and the multibillion dollar industry is teetering near collapse. Market-ready cattle are being held back at feedlots and on the farm as processors slow production lines to meet domestic needs, truckers wait […] Read more
Slaughter plant workers get federal EI help
BROOKS, Alta. – A $9.8 million agreement between Lakeside Packers in Brooks and the federal government should save 900 jobs jeopardized by the beef crisis in Canada. Jane Stewart, federal minister of human resources development, made the announcement June 13. It is the country’s largest work-sharing agreement and takes effect June 15. Funds are available […] Read more
Asian restrictions threaten U.S. border opening
Regaining international market confidence, especially in Asia, is Canada’s next challenge once trade resumes for live cattle and beef. A lone case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy has cost the Canadian beef industry nearly $1.2 billion in lost sales, lost jobs and devalued inventory, said Ted Haney, executive vice-president of the Canada Beef Export Federation. Exports […] Read more
Scientist suggests BSE-copper link
More fatal brain wasting diseases in livestock are almost certain to occur in Canada and the United States, says a British biochemist. “I’d be surprised if you don’t find more and my feeling is you will find more. Once there is one, there is going to be more,” professor David Brown said in an interview […] Read more
Rendering alternatives already exist
A consistent set of regulations for the disposal of dead animals exists across most of Canada. Agriculture and environment regulations demand that dead animals be removed within 48 hours to prevent environmental contamination. Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia are the only provinces that lack specific rules for animals. Rendering the bodies into tallow and […] Read more
B.C. ranch wins environmental award
Merv and Shirley Furlong of the Double Diamond Furlong Inc. ranch at 150 Mile House are this year’s winners of the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association environmental stewardship award. The Furlongs own and operate a 1,600 acre ranch where rotational grazing is practised to maintain healthy pastures and prevent noxious weed infestations. Weed sites are recorded […] Read more
Burgers flipped in support of beef industry
Nearly 5,000 people chowed down on Alberta beef burgers at a special barbecue held in Calgary to support the cattle industry. Hard hit since a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy shut down international trade, the beef industry has been looking for a good news story. The staff at the Municipal District of Rocky View […] Read more
Alberta reviews ILO regulations, seeks feedback
Alberta’s 18-month-old intensive livestock legislation is under review. Public comment is sought by July 31 about how building permits should be handled when submitted to the Natural Resources Conservation Board. “Issues were identified by Alberta Agriculture, NRCB and the industry where the regulations needed a little tweaking,” said Louise Starling of the department. Agriculture minister […] Read more
