If Garth Cutler wasn’t leading one of his prize winning bulls through the sales ring at the Calgary Bull Sale, he was out back in the barns on a cellular phone making deals on cattle. Cutler is a new breed of purebred cattle producer. He’s a business person who knows how to sell bulls that […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Sale prices show rebound in cattle cycle
The Calgary Bull Sale, in its 97th year, is the pace setter for other western spring sales, where cattle producers gather to examine Alberta-grown Herefords, Charolais, Simmental and Angus cattle considered among the best beef breeding animals in the world. Overall average prices overtook last year’s slower sale, up by almost $700. The average on […] Read more
CWB changes not likely to solve problems at border
A senior federal government official says changes being proposed to the operations of the Canadian Wheat Board likely would not end the border running that has landed some dissident prairie grain farmers in court. “There is no guarantee that a minority will not continue to not follow the law,” Howard Migie, head of the Agriculture […] Read more
Milk producers seek options as skim-off accumulates
Consumers’ desires to reduce dietary fat have created a dilemma for Alberta milk producers. Growing consumer popularity of one percent or skim milk means leftover fat at the processing level. It’s called skim-off, and it’s extra fat the dairy industry has to pour somewhere else. Alberta dairy producers are concerned, said dairy control board manager […] Read more
Estrogen often ignored despite health benefits
KANSAS CITY, Mo.- For many post-menopausal women, estrogen supplements could be a life saver that staves off heart disease. The leading cause of death for women in North America is heart disease. Breast cancer is tied with lung cancer as the number two killer of women. The Heart and Stroke Foundation says almost twice as […] Read more
Heritage centre adds farm to its program
An innovative boost will help Alberta schoolchildren learn about agriculture. The Multicultural Heritage Centre at Stony Plain has expanded its school program to include agricultural components for children from kindergarten to Grade 4. Up to 8,000 children have visited the heritage centre for the multicultural programs in the last 20 years, said Jeanette Smith. Agriculture […] Read more
Trash in the field carries disease risk
RED DEER, Alta. – Leaving some trash on the land every fall may keep the soil from blowing eastward, but that straw and chaff may contribute to crop diseases in the spring. Minimum or zero-till systems leave plant residue on the land that is a perfect host for fungi and bacteria, said Kelly Turkington of […] Read more
Agriculture Notes
Registered Aberdeens The Canadian Aberdeen Association reports a seventh straight year of increased registrations. In a year-end report, Doug Fee, general manager of the association, said Aberdeen Angus were up three percent to an all-time high of 33,338 animals. As well, the association reported pedigree and performance information on an additional 9,253 animals. Transfers of […] Read more
Wheat board cases still in court
BANFF, Alta. – Testing the boundaries of individual civil rights is a new experience for Canadians. And a case like the recent challenge to the Canadian Wheat Board by 21 farmers and the Alberta Barley Commission could set a precedent in trade and commerce. According to Calgary lawyer Keith Groves, Canadians are somewhat naive about […] Read more
No praise from ag critic
Sitting on the opposition bench, Alberta MLA Ken Nicol sees changes by the Conservative government as less than perfect. The Liberal agriculture critic said he sees government’s role as educator, compromiser and negotiator, not antagonizer that marches apart from other provinces. Campaigning for re-election in Lethbridge East, Nicol brings 30 years of farm experience to […] Read more
