The Canadian cattle industry remains in the hot seat following a decision by a grassroots group of producers in the United States to refile an anti-dumping petition with the American Department of Commerce. The petition was withdrawn last week because the department needed more time to review the paperwork and information. By refiling the petition […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Alberta ranchers nervous about lease changes
A final report on grazing leases in Alberta does not include a rent increase but stresses the need for a new relationship between renters and the provincial government. For leaseholder Tim Andrews, a new relationship is not what he had in mind. Andrews is a Youngstown, Alta., rancher and member of the Alberta grazing lease […] Read more
Government manure check shows feedlot on right track
STRATHMORE, Alta. – The Warrack family prefers to go quietly about business at its 16,000-head feedlot. Yet when they were approached by government manure management specialists who wanted to poke in their cattle manure piles, they agreed. The work is part of a provincial government campaign to make sure manure is handled properly in a […] Read more
Know your manure: U.S. specialist
CHEADLE, Alta. – Jessica Davis likes people to get down and dirty in their manure piles. The manure management specialist from Colorado State University has been traveling Alberta advising the livestock industry about its growing piles of manure. “You need to know your manure, up close and personal,” she said. Sampling manure is a logical […] Read more
Researchers look for bug-drug link
Health Canada is looking at the connection between antibiotic use in humans and animal production and the potential development of resistance. However, until health officials can determine where superbugs come from, no action will be taken to remove veterinary drugs from the shelf. “We’re not in a position to say we are pulling this or […] Read more
New blood agency slips smoothly into operation
STRATHMORE, Alta. – Most people who gave blood in the past won’t see any difference in giving to a new collection agency. That’s how Canadian Blood Services wants it. In rural areas turnout is always good when mobile clinics visit once every eight weeks. “The clinics so far have exceeded our targets,” said Anna Gordon, […] Read more
NCBA supports duty on cattle
Canadian cattle producers are in Washington, D.C., defending their industry before the International Trade Commission. The defence was made more difficult last week when the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association voted to support a countervailing duty case against Canadian live cattle imports, which argues Canadian imports are disrupting the U.S. market. The NCBA also voted to […] Read more
Cultures collide in district three
BOW ISLAND, Alta. – Deep in southern Alberta, sugar beets are piled high along the roadsides, beans wait for export to Latin America and the last of the fresh Taber corn has been chowed down. And Canadian Wheat Board candidates hoping to win one of 10 seats on the new board of directors are quickly […] Read more
Industry wants research into resistant bacteria link
The cattle industry wants to know if it is contributing to the spread of so-called superbugs, antibiotic resistant bacteria that doctors consider a major threat to human health. Ben Thorlakson, president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, said his group wants a research project assessing the relationship between giving antibiotics to livestock and resistant bacteria found […] Read more
Goodbye Alberta Wheat Pool, hello Agricore
After 75 years in business Alberta Wheat Pool is no more. Delegates and shareholders voted unanimously at a Calgary meeting to merge with Manitoba Pool Elevators to create Agricore, one of Canada’s largest grain handling and marketing co-operatives. “It’s probably one of the most historic meetings Alberta Wheat Pool delegates have ever participated in,” said […] Read more
