Climate change could result in warmer and wetter conditions in northern Alberta and warmer and drier in the south
A warming climate could be good news for Alberta’s barley industry. University of Alberta researchers have embarked on a ongoing project to study adaptive measures and opportunities for water use for agriculture, petroleum and other sectors in the province. Watershed scientist Monireh Faramarzi and others have combined hydrology and climate models to assess water supplies […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Champion beef titles up for grabs at Farmfair
The champions of the beef world are gathering in Edmonton this fall. Fourteen breeds will be represented at Farmfair International in November where winners of the world championships can visit Edmonton for the Champion of the World competition. Developed by P.J. Budler, the event is intended to showcase outstanding cattle. In the past, the event […] Read more
Chicken producers seek alternatives
RED DEER — Canadian chicken producers are cutting back on antibiotic use but effective treatment against disease is still needed. The industry stopped using category I antibiotics and are moving toward reducing category II products by the end of this year, said Derek Janzen, vice-chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada. “The burden has been placed […] Read more
E-coli threats difficult to solve
RED DEER — Certain E. coli bacteria living in the gut of chickens can cause serious diseases under the right circumstances. Researchers are learning more about different forms of E. coli that sicken or kill birds when they get into the blood and move through the body. Some may also affect humans, said Mike Kogut, […] Read more
Chicken industry faces good news-bad news scenario
RED DEER — Chicken producers can look back over the last 12 months and see good news and bad news. Chicken production and consumption were up, but the supply-managed industry is keeping a wary watch for what might come out of new trade agreements. For Alberta, the year saw the province return to the national […] Read more
Voluntary programs attempt to control Johne’s disease
RED DEER — Johne’s disease is a chronic and infectious disease of ruminants that can be a difficult condition to detect. It affects the small intestine, and cattle become increasingly emaciated over time. The bacteria causing the disease hide inside immune cells, making it difficult to detect even with testing of milk, blood or feces. […] Read more
Fusarium still minor problem in Alberta
Alberta’s fusarium graminearum levels are much lower compared to Manitoba and Saskatchewan, but the disease is starting to spread throughout the province. It was not an issue in 2007 for Alberta, but since then it has increased and the heavy moisture conditions of 2016 resulted in the worst year ever for disease. About 20 percent […] Read more
Trade disruptions threaten U.S. meat exports
The American beef sector says it will lose ground by not being part of the new Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement
HOUSTON, Texas — U.S. beef and pork exports were worth a record $14 billion last year, but trade disputes and regulations could diminish inroads made into foreign markets. Outside of Canada and Mexico, Asia offers huge opportunities because those markets accept products that are not commonly consumed in North America. The top markets for American […] Read more
Speckle Park cattle pay visit to Texas ranch
The breed, which was developed in Saskatchewan and recognized in 2006, was a big hit at a recent show in Houston
HOUSTON, Texas — When Brandy Barnes saw Speckle Park cattle on display at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, she decided they would be welcome on her Texas ranch. So now, four heifers from Notta Ranch in Saskatchewan are living at Wortham, Texas, three hours north of Houston. “They are pretty cool and […] Read moreAnimal activists still focused on meat consumption
HOUSTON, Texas — Animal activists may wear business suits, but their goal remains the same. “Activism looks a lot different than it did in the Seventies and Eighties. It used to be very extreme,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, which monitors activists’ activities and supports the livestock and meat sector. Groups like […] Read more
