RED DEER — Ten years ago, the Dutch were among the lowest consumers of antibiotics in human medicine, but they were the number one user of antibiotics in veterinary medicine. Social and political pressure to reduce the use in livestock has changed the way the industry deals with disease, said Tine van Werven of the […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Bison finds way into European dining rooms
The new trade deal with the European Union has made it easier for Canada to sell bison into that market
PONOKA, Alta. — Canadian bison has already tickled the palates of the Swiss and now the Irish are serving up burgers. The process of getting bison into the European Union has been eased with the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. There is a 3,000 tonne duty-free quota for bison and there is definite […] Read more
Ranch strives for environmental balance
Alberta’s Shoestring Ranch was founded on the philosophy of year-round grazing where the cows do the work
ACME, Alta. — Continuous improvement is the philosophy at Shoestring Land and Cattle Company Ltd. Owned by Ian and Carman Murray and their children Ty, 12, and Amber, six, the family was named Alberta’s environmental stewardship award winners as early adopters of techniques that protect the land and the water. Over time, the ranch near […] Read more
BVD control critical to production gains
Clinical signs that would lead a producer to suspect BVD include:
Bovine viral disease, or pestivirus, presents a collection of symptoms that range from diarrhea to respiratory disease. “The biggest loss leader for the industry is probably a reproductive disease,” said Julia Ridpath, who has recently retired from her role as a leading BVD researcher at the National Animal Disease Centre at Ames, Iowa. A number […] Read more
Vaccines can stop runaway clostridial disease
Vaccination of the dam allows for transmission of clostridium perfringens antibodies in the colostrum
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Clostridial disease has been known for a long time but effective vaccines can reduce the risk of a runaway infection. “It is the most common vaccine used. If producers are going to vaccinate for anything, they will at least vaccinate for clostridial disease,” said John Campbell of the Western College of Veterinary […] Read moreScientist takes aim at red meat-health risk link
USDA official was a dissenter when the International Agency for Research on Cancer linked red meat to cancer
HOUSTON, Texas — When American journalist Nina Teicholz published her book The Big Fat Surprise, she upset commonly held theories about diet and health. “The low-fat diet cannot be shown to be effective at fighting obesity, diabetes, heart disease or any kind of cancer,” she said at the recent International Livestock Congress held in Houston. […] Read moreEU veal disrupts Que. markets
OTTAWA — More European veal is finding its way to Quebec and disrupting the local market, says the provincial cattlemen’s association. “CETA (Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement) came into force on Sept. 21 but we knew that the Europeans started to test the market around June or July,” said Andre Roy, manager of Quebec Cattle […] Read more
Farmfair International to stay in Edmonton
The show must go on for Farmfair International. The Edmonton based event will be held Nov. 7-11, said Lisa Holmes of Farmfair. “Farmfair will be at the Edmonton Expo centre for the next five years for sure and we plan to negotiate for the next five years,” she said. The organization has become a tenant […] Read more
Alberta signs Canadian Agricultural Partnership
Alberta has signed on to the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which provides $406 million over the next five years. The $3 billion federal CAP program has set priorities to support markets, trade, innovation, sustainability and clean growth. “The investment we are announcing will help Alberta farmers and processors meet the growing needs for the quality food […] Read more
CCA names new executive
British Columbia rancher David Haywood-Farmer is the new president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Haywood-Farmer takes over from Dan Darling of Ontario, who is now past-president. Bob Lowe of Alberta becomes vice-president. Haywood-Farmer and his wife, Bonnie, run a cow-calf operation on a century farm at Savona, B.C. He is a past-president of the B.C. […] Read more
