Calgary Co-op grocery stores have a plan to exclusively sell Alberta beef at their meat counters. Labeled Only Alberta Beef, the program was launched May 29 and offers AA, AAA and dry aged cuts. Working with beef packer JBS at Brooks, the campaign is part of the Co-op’s practice to offer locally produced foods, said […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Rumen acidosis is an animal welfare problem
It is a painful condition caused by eating too much highly digestible starch or sugar and can also decrease performance
EDMONTON — Ruminal acidosis can be a painful condition for cattle and could lead to other problems like ruminitis, laminitis or liver abscesses. Acute acidosis can occur when cattle consume too much highly digestible starch or sugar. It is often seen among feedlot cattle but it can also affect the cow-calf sector. It is an […] Read more
World health agency requests public input on fat
The World Health Organization makes recommendations on ways to reduce consumption of saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids
The World Health Organization is seeking public comment until June 1 on its recommendations to reduce consumption of saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids. The recommendations are meant to help children and adults reduce fat levels in their diets to curb heart disease. Cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of non-communicable disease deaths, out of […] Read more
Action urged to improve rural internet service
Lack of investment by private companies in rural and remote areas continues to be an obstacle to development
Municipal, provincial and federal governments must come together to ensure rural communities are served with reliable broadband service. “It is about the absolute survival of these communities. They will get left behind if they don’t have connectivity,” said Jordan Young, chief executive officer for CCI Wireless, a Calgary based co-operative that reaches 110,000 rural Alberta […] Read more
Immunity issues big deal in transition cows
Dairy cows are vulnerable to illness three weeks before and after calving because metabolic needs increase dramatically
EDMONTON — If an animal’s immune system is structured like a well-tuned military operation, then the dairy cow’s ability to fight infection is often poorly deployed. Dairy cows are vulnerable to illness three weeks before and after calving. Metabolic needs increase dramatically and how well the cow copes with the high energy transition period affects […] Read more
Horse welfare issues difficult to address
Unlike other livestock, horses may be raised for meat, sport, therapy or pleasure riding, making it hard to assess welfare concerns
Horses are used for many different purposes so it is difficult to assess their welfare, even though a code of practice for humane care was released in 2013. Cordelie DuBois, a PhD candidate at the University of Guelph in Ontario, is working on a project to gain insights on the perception of welfare in the […] Read moreAlta. makes check-off votes official
An Alberta government order in council has given commodity groups the ability to launch producer plebiscites to determine if they want refundable or mandatory checkoffs. The Marketing of Agricultural Products Act covers Alberta commodity groups and each must have a regulatory plan in place. Changes to the plans must go before Alberta’s Marketing Council, which […] Read more
Alta. order allows votes on mandatory or voluntary checkoff
An Alberta government order in council has given commodity groups the ability to launch producer plebiscites to determine if they want refundable or mandatory checkoffs. The Marketing of Agricultural Products Act covers Alberta commodity groups and each must have a regulatory plan in place. Changes to the plans must go before Alberta’s Marketing Council, which […] Read more
Cannabis program fills up in a day
Eager students have filled up Olds College’s first class on the art of growing cannabis. The online course starts July 3 and 20 students will learn horticulture production, facilities and irrigation, as well as specific cannabis production and regulations. Field study takes place at Sundial and Terra Life Sciences, which produce medical marijuana. The companies […] Read more
Whirling disease spreads in fish
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has declared the following watersheds infected with whirling disease:
LACOMBE, Alta. — Since whirling disease was detected in fish in Banff National Park two years ago, further surveillance has found it in several of Alberta’s watersheds. The disease, which affects trout, whitefish and salmon, may have been present for several years. It is a federally reportable disease in Canada and was first detected in […] Read more
