& Reuters News Agency news Win or lose, the Alberta Barley Commission’s court battles with the Canadian Wheat Board are far from over. The Federal Court of Appeals has reserved judgment as to whether the board’s monopoly violates farmers’ constitutional rights. The appeal was heard in Calgary May 1 and 2. The commission’s lawyers began […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
ABC carries forward with CWB challenge
An appeal against a 1997 charter of rights ruling that upheld the monopoly status of the Canadian Wheat Board began in a Calgary federal court May 1. The appeal challenges the decision by Federal Court of Canada justice Francis Muldoon, who ruled the compulsory nature of selling to the board does not violate a western […] Read more
Few GMO spuds in Alberta
Alberta potato producers don’t grow enough genetically modified spuds to be affected by a biotech french fry ban. Ed Van Dellen of Potato Growers of Alberta said of the 40,000 acres planted to potatoes in the province last year, only 100 acres were genetically altered. Fast-food chains, including McDonald’s, are telling their french fry suppliers […] Read more
Beef industry welcomes competitors
Beef exporting nations that are attempting to secure more trade opportunities say they are willing to share the winnings with newcomers. Canada, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States make up the five nations beef conference and work together through their cattle producers’ associations to improve beef demand and topple trade barriers. Uruguay and […] Read more
Innovative projects get fund’s last grants
Nineteen economic development projects have received $7.3 million in the final instalment of the Canada-Alberta western economic partnership agreement. Several agricultural projects received money because they promote technology, innovation and community development. A research project for the four western provinces studying the effect of oil and gas industry flares on animal health got $400,000. The […] Read more
Rural thieves have many targets
It’s always the season for thievin.’ For the RCMP, almost anytime of the year is open season for thieves hitting rural areas. Stealthy thieves are taking everything from livestock, farm chemicals and big-ticket items like balers and tractors. Const. Eric Mattinson, in charge of auto theft for southern Alberta, keeps a lookout for cars, trucks […] Read more
Corn may not always pay as grazing feed
Farmers who switch to feed corn for next fall’s grazing season should proceed with caution. The western forage beef group based at Lacombe, Alta., did a year-long trial comparing corn with traditional feeds like barley. “These trials are showing that small grain cereals do as well or better than the corn,” said specialist Myron Bjorge […] Read more
Alta. farmers kick around ideas, answers at summit
OLDS, Alta. – John Morgan has been in the business of farming for nearly a century and he is worried. “I was born in 1911 so I’ve been around,” said the Sundre, Alta., resident who has also worked in the oil patch and lumber business. He fears the high cost of energy is going to […] Read more
Alberta rallies trash Bill 11
More than 2,500 people rallying against Alberta’s Bill 11 turned out at the Calgary Saddledome April 15. Sponsored by Friends of Medicare, the two-hour event and a similar one held the next day in Edmonton, allowed opponents of the legislation to speak out against the bill that provides for overnight stays after medical procedures are […] Read more
Cleanliness watchdogs guard against foot-and-mouth
In a few weeks time a group of South Korean businesspeople will be visiting Canada to observe meat processing and cattle production. Because of foot-and-mouth outbreaks in South Korea and Japan, they will be provided with clean clothes and shoes at the Vancouver airport. Upon arrival at their hotel, all their laundry will be washed […] Read more
