RED DEER – In 1965, the money earned on the sale of six steers could buy a new pickup. In 1999, six steers can still buy that 35-year-old truck but they can’t buy a new model because inflation has eaten away the price of cattle. “Prices for cattle are not that much different today than […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Producers concerned over GM cereals
The prospect of genetically modified cereal crops is giving some prairie farmers nightmares. “GMO durum would be suicide for us,” said Leo Meyer, vice-president of the Western Barley Growers Association, at a recent barley growers meeting. He said it could drive away sensitive customers who will look elsewhere for their durum, wheat or malting barley. […] Read more
Packer consolidation benefits beef sector
RED DEER – Packer and feedlot concentration is a good thing for the beef industry, say analysts. Often packer consolidation is blamed for lowering beef prices, but numerous government and privately funded studies have found little evidence of price fixing or market manipulation. “If there is an effect on price, it is pretty darned small,” […] Read more
Rural recruits hard to find
The most gut-wrenching night of Allan Garbutt’s medical career happened when he was training in British Columbia. Nine people were severely injured in a highway smash two minutes away from the Fernie hospital where he worked. Adrenaline pumping and hearts pounding, he and five other hospital staff worked through the night while a single ambulance […] Read more
Rural areas lack nurses, doctors
The doctor and nursing shortage is a critical problem in rural areas, say health-care professionals. The Canadian Medical Association and Society of Rural Physicians recently said rural Canada needs another 1,650 rural doctors. Medical school enrolment would have to increase by 25 percent to train enough doctors for the future needs of rural practices, said […] Read more
Alta. beef industry has huge appetite
RED DEER – The Canadian beef industry has reached a new level by importing record numbers of feeder cattle and exporting record amounts of beef. “We are net importers of feeder cattle for the first time,” said Canfax market analyst Ann Dunford at the recent Alberta Cattle Feeders Association convention in Red Deer. The inception […] Read more
Bull sale history saved for posterity
As a published fiction writer, Joanne Jones-Hole had no plans to branch off into history. But when friend and neighbor Ron Hanson approached her about writing the history of the 100-year-old Calgary Bull Sale, she said, “Sure, why not.” She then shelved the project for two years. She and her husband Jim Hole left the […] Read more
Bankrupt buyer worries Alberta alfalfa farmers
Fifty southern Alberta farmers could lose up to $3 million worth of alfalfa seed sales after an American forage seed company declared bankruptcy last week. Nevada-based AgriBioTech Ltd. voluntarily filed for bankruptcy last week. The company holds contracts with farmers in Alberta and the United States. More than 4,000 acres are involved. “There’s about $3 […] Read more
Privatized brand inspection working
Alberta’s brand inspection services have made a smooth transition after a year as a private entity. Livestock Inspection Services employed 93 inspectors to check a record 5.8 million head of cattle in 1999 and ensure the payment for 15,000 cattle did not end up in the wrong hands. The cattle were worth about $15 million. […] Read more
Alta. credit unions expand
Bank of Montreal customers in central and northern Alberta have been taken over by another financial system. Credit Union Central Alberta has announced it is buying 17 of the bank’s rural branches, which have assets totalling $426 million. “The credit unions have been looking for a chance to expand,” said a spokesperson for the institution. […] Read more
