McDonald’s Canada plans to offer certified sustainable beef burgers on its menus. Using animal care and environmental standards set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, the company said more than 20 million Angus beef burgers will be sourced starting this year. McDonald’s will use the roundtable logo that represents production and processing standards based […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Look beyond foot rot for lameness causes
Foot rot is a common diagnosis when an animal is limping but it may not be the correct one. “Every lame calf, the producer always says it has foot rot. In all reality, a lot of them are not foot rot, it is something else,” says veterinarian Roy Lewis. Producers should lift the foot and […] Read more
Olds College builds new smart farm
OLDS, Alta. — The farm of the future has arrived at Olds College. The first phase of the college smart farm in central Alberta is on 110 acres of cropland transformed with stationary soil monitors, digital weather stations, a wireless mesh network to provide wi-fi to the entire farm, use of unmanned vehicles and implementation […] Read more
Law would ban food advertising aimed at kids
A new law to restrict food advertising to children is making its way through Parliament. Bill S-228 proposes to ban the marketing of food and beverage to children younger than 13. “Kids are affected by what they are seeing and advertising affects what they are demanding of their parents to bring into the house,” said […] Read more
Livestock producers concerned by antibiotic rule changes
EDMONTON — Livestock producers are expressing concerns about availability and prices of common antibiotics once new regulations take effect on Dec. 1. Farm supply stores sell some of the products, but unless a pharmacist is available to fill prescriptions, producers will have to buy medically important antibiotics from veterinarians. “There has been a lot of […] Read more
Dietary risks among leading causes of death
Food is a source of health, wellness and enjoyment but overindulgence is affecting Canadians’ health. “There is a shift in understanding that the food we eat is one of the leading risks to our health, our longevity and our well-being,” said Calgary physician Norm Campbell. Dietary risks are among the leading causes of death among […] Read more
Dairy farmer looks to weight-lifting for strength
A young Irish dairy farmer made her first trip to Calgary, not to shop for cattle but to participate in an international weight-lifting competition. Abigail McLean, 19, finished fifth in the world for her age and weight class, competing against women from around the world. When she is not in training or competing, she is […] Read more
Wagyu deliver specialty market for Alta. ranch
The Brant Lake Cattle Co. has been involved with the Japanese breed since it imported semen in the early 1990s
HIGH RIVER, Alta. — Since Michelle Ball launched the Brant Lake Wagyu brand in 2012, sales have increased each year. The specialty beef is found in grocery stores, 60 restaurants and direct sales, including some exports. “I’ve barely touched the Ontario and Quebec marketplace so there is definitely room for growth,” she said. Social media […] Read moreAnimal welfare survey launched
Alberta Farm Animal Care has launched a new livestock welfare research project. The organization will collect input from the livestock sector via an online survey and focus groups with a final report to be shared with the Alberta government. Producers, industry groups, auctions, processors and students are invited to participate. The survey is open until […] Read more
Vegetables, sheep drive Vancouver Island farm
On the Farm British Columbia woman finds a way to farm on her own while her husband works as a carpenter
Editor’s note: This story has been updated from the original with corrections. SAANICHTON, B.C. — Silverwood Farm is a serene place hidden in a grove of trees beside the busy urban community of Saanichton. Owned by the Radawetz family, the farm is home to Icelandic sheep, chickens and a vegetable operation. Farming in the urban […] Read more
