Water-borne diseases strike thousands of people every year. “There are about 1,000 cases per year in Calgary,” said microbiologist Merle Olson. While most people don’t suffer tragedies similar to the Walkerton, Ont., case of E. coli-contaminated water that killed nine people, the threat is always there. Symptoms like diarrhea and stomach cramps can be the […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Program picks only the best
OLDS, Alta. – When it comes to breeding superior market lambs, nothing should be left to chance. By selecting rams with better than average genetic potential, the profit potential improves. Producers may not take home more money immediately but a flock’s reputation improves among lamb buyers. “Don’t think if you take them some bad lambs, […] Read more
The science of manure management
AIRDRIE, Alta. – The days of spraying manure in a random sweep across the field are long gone. Today, spreading manure has become a science. “The basic challenge is to use the manure as a nutrient resource,” said Shabtai Bittman of Agriculture Canada. “All the methods of application should be geared towards using that manure […] Read more
Big banks muscle out small lenders
RED DEER – Farmers may not want to believe it, but small financial lenders on the Prairies say their business is being threatened by bigger competitors with deeper pockets. John Erdman, one of three agricultural managers with Alberta Treasury Branches, said that while the treasury branches are the largest agriculture lenders in the province, shifts […] Read more
Feedlot infrastructure changes over time
AIRDRIE, Alta. – Don and Todd McKinnon have learned there is a wrong way and a right way to build a feedlot. Located just west of Airdrie, the father-son operation has experienced a few career changes since it started in 1929. Once a horse ranch owned by Don’s father, Three Cross Cattle Company evolved into […] Read more
Ancient Irish species finds new home on Alberta range
With a name like Zink, the owner of Canada’s largest herd of Irish Kerry cattle occasionally wonders why he is trying to preserve the peasant cow of Ireland. The primary focus of Colpitts Ranches is dairy and beef production. Yet just beyond the Holstein pastures, owner Joe Zink keeps about 30 black Kerry cows. Registered […] Read more
Feeling at home with organics
ALDERSYDE, Alta. – Going organic just felt right for Tony and Penny Marshall. The fifth generation farmers switched to organic production field by field until the transformation was complete eight years ago. “Fundamentally, we really believed in the whole organic movement and leaving the soil better than we found it,” said Tony. Choosing organic agriculture […] Read more
Cattle data used in climb to perfection
ONEFOUR, Alta.- Agriculture Canada’s research substation in Onefour is a living laboratory. Located in the extreme southeastern corner of Alberta, researchers have gathered more than 70 years worth of field information on fragile grasslands, cattle productivity and the consequences of long-term breeding programs. The station originally focused on long-term range management. Today, the thrust is […] Read more
Rangeland fragile in hot spot
ONEFOUR, Alta. – During the summer in Alberta, Onefour makes the supper hour news nearly every night. The lonely Agriculture Canada research outpost in the southeastern corner of the province is frequently the provincial hot spot during the weather report. Windswept and isolated, this semi-arid region is home to endangered species like the piping plover. […] Read more
Alberta cattle feeders group beginning to feel the pinch
The Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association says it needs more money to address environmental concerns and defend trade issues. “We’re often the first to feel the impact of these issues,” said Jeff Warrack, president of the cattle feeders association, which represents 250 members. “We’ve done a lot of good things for the industry, but it all […] Read more
