DIDSBURY, Alta. – Proposals to regulate Alberta’s growing livestock industry have raised doubts about the ability of small operators to comply if the rules become too strict. A series of open houses presented three options proposed by the provincial government to manage the industry. The options have some producers wondering which regulations will be enacted […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Barn fire kills 3,500 hogs
More than 3,500 hogs died in a barn fire May 20 at Bacon Acres Ltd., owned by Dave and Judy Allan of Bentley, Alta. The cause of the fire is still under investigation but was likely ignited by sparks from a welder doing some work in the barn, said Allan. The fire started at about […] Read more
Small cattle attracting larger-than-life interest
A 10-day-old calf peering curiously through the rails at Bill Busslinger’s farm draws more than its share of smiles. Cute as a teddy bear, this little black calf is a Lowline and stands less than two feet tall. Owned by the Canadian Lowline Cattle Co., he is one of 25 on the ground in this […] Read more
Hog industry to unite to deal with problems
RED DEER, Alta. – Whether hog producers live in Quebec or Alberta they are equally frustrated as they deal with a myriad of bylaws, provincial legislation and neighbors who don’t like them. There isn’t enough research on how the industry affects the environment and there is a mish-mash of regulations across the country. “It seems […] Read more
Airdrie farm keeps customers feasting on fungus
AIRDRIE, Alta. – Having a feast of fungus sounds revolting. But when that fungus comes in the form of mushrooms that are sauteed, broiled, stuffed or eaten raw, some people can’t get enough. It’s that culinary delight that keeps Heritage Mushrooms producing four million pounds of white button mushrooms every year. Located north of Airdrie, […] Read more
Resistant wild oats still manageable
Confirmed findings of wild oats resistant to certain herbicides is a good news, bad news story for southern Alberta farmers. The discovery of these hardy weeds confirms what many farmers in the County of Wheatland suspected, even though they thought they were getting good coverage from their herbicides, say Alberta Agriculture agrologists. “The good news […] Read more
People started most of Alta.’s fires
When Smoky the Bear wagged his furry finger at people and said, “only you can prevent forest fires,” he wasn’t joking. Of the 287 wild fires burning in Alberta between April 1 and May 13, people caused 97 percent of them. The cost of putting out those fires cost Albertans $21 million as of May […] Read more
Cattle judges are winners themselves
BASHAW, Alta. – When the grass turns green and the days grow longer, Dawn Miller-Wilson and her husband Lee Wilson start selecting from their Angus herd for an annual tour in the purebred show circuit. Not only does this couple win at prestigious shows all over Canada, they are sought after as judges for every […] Read more
Livestock producers blame media, inconsistent rules for bad image
RED DEER, Alta. – If the Alberta government wants its livestock industry to expand, it must establish consistent provincial regulations rather than the patchwork set of rules passed by the municipal governments. Besides inconsistent regulations across the province, the intensive livestock industry is caught in an emotional campaign driven by the media whose stories are […] Read more
Alberta sulfur plant ready after fire delay
IRRICANA, Alta. – A fertilizer plant capable of processing more than 300 tonnes of sulfur fertilizer a day will start production in June. Fernz Sulfer Works Inc., owned by Fernz Corporation Limited from New Zealand, is located north of the central Alberta village of Irricana. Originally scheduled to start fertilizer production in March, the plant […] Read more
