CALGARY – Tighter animal health requirements proposed by the United States Department of Agriculture are seen as a backward step by the Canadian livestock industry. The proposals were released in April and are part of a plan by the Americans to establish trading regions for live animals throughout the world. Among other things, this regionalization […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Industry anxiously awaits Maple Leaf’s next move
CALGARY – An air of uncertainty has settled about the hog industry in the wake of Maple Leaf’s takeover of Burns Foods. While hog industry leaders say predictions are premature, many believe processing plants will be consolidated, plants will be closed or jobs will be lost as eastern-based Maple Leaf Foods lays out its plans […] Read more
Maple Leaf buys major stake in Burns
CALGARY – The eastern food conglomerate Maple Leaf Foods has purchased the fresh pork and processed meat operations of Burns Foods for an undisclosed sum. Michael McCain, president of Maple Leaf, said the deal should be finalized by October and wouldn’t say what the company’s future plans are for consolidating operations or expansion. Burns Meats, […] Read more
Lamb plant instigates change before change forced upon it
The food industry has been embracing the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points system of food inspection as the wave of the future. It is a costly investment that requires equipment, employee training and a more precise measure of food safety as it moves through the processing line. Recently, Calgary-based Western Producer correspondent Barbara Duckworth visited […] Read more
On this ranch, meat quality starts at home
CALGARY – For Miles and Joyce Crandall at Triple 7 Ranches, beef quality assurance starts when a newborn calf hits the ground. It is a question of management philosophy and consumer confidence. Along the way, it also can earn ranchers more money. “Quality assurance isn’t one particular standard or practice,” said Joyce. “It has to […] Read more
Bark beetle takes elm disease west
CALGARY – It’s just a matter of time before Dutch elm disease arrives in Alberta. The disease that defoliated stands of elm trees throughout eastern North America could be creeping into Alberta and parts of British Columbia on the backs of a little insect called the European elm bark beetle. Since the beetle doesn’t move […] Read more
Living next to an elephant: Irrigation district fights to adapt
CALGARY – Life in the Western Irrigation District on the outskirts of Calgary can be like living next to an elephant that dumps more than its share of waste on its neighbor. Through this region, Calgary’s storm drainage, carrying animal feces, phosphorus, salts and dirt from the city sweeps along 29 pipes eventually landing in […] Read more
Tanners in Western Canada play hide and seek for quality leather
DAUPHIN, Man. – Perfect hides make perfect leather but in Western Canada tanners have to travel further afield seeking perfection. “Western Canadian hides have a bad rep when it comes to its branding practices,” said a Winnipeg tanner. “There is only so much that can be done to make a bad hide salvageable,” said Roman […] Read more
It may be good time to buy, expert tells cattle producers
DAUPHIN, Man. – During this period of wide scale beef herd reduction in North America, one economist says it may be the best time to buy more cows. “The astute cowman is building now so when prices are back up, he’ll be ready,” said Harlan Hughes of North Dakota State University. As people reduce their […] Read more
Breeder touts hulless barley as high energy, efficient feed
LACOMBE, Alta. – Hulless barley, a relative newcomer on the Prairies, is a perfect fit for the west’s expanding livestock industry, says one plant breeder. As Jim Helm walked through the experimental plots during an Alberta Centre for Barley Research field day at Lacombe, Alta., he explained breeding programs and scientific goals for the crop. […] Read more
