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
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Low tillage system may encourage some diseases
LACOMBE, Alta. – Conservation tillage is gaining popularity across the Prairies but a downside could be more fungal diseases in crops like barley. Kelly Turkington, plant pathologist with Alberta Agriculture at the barley development centre at Lacombe, screens for problems like smut, net blotch and scald. The centre also examines how these diseases affect production. […] Read more
Brahmans make unusual addition to Alberta scenery
IRRICANA, Alta. – Grazing cattle are a common sight along Alberta highways, but when travellers see David and Clair Andrews’ place, many stop and take pictures. Sometimes passersby drive right into the yard near Irricana to ask about the floppy-eared, hump-backed cattle in the pasture. As one of a handful of purebred Brahman breeders in […] Read more
Traps, careful attention cited as best way to kill tunnelers
RED DEER, Alta. – Pocket gophers continue to plague farmers who try everything from spearmint gum to strychnine to purge the little pests from their fields. The trouble with these remedies is they don’t work, says researcher Gil Proulx of Alpha Wildlife Research at Sherwood Park. And they can be expensive. Proulx, who devotes his […] Read more
Canada primed to add new category of beef grade
CALGARY – A new beef grade to be released next year should add that extra sizzle to Canadian steaks. Canada Prime will be similar in quality to USDA Prime, the top beef grade in the United States. This newest grade, which is being adapted into grading regulations, should be available in February. To make the […] Read more
German-designed hog barn credited for happy hogs
CALGARY – Three million German pigs in Nurtinger housing are living the good life, says a German university hog researcher. Gerhard Schwarting of the University of Nuertingen in southwestern Germany said disease problems, low growth rates and inefficiencies forced the German hog industry into an overhaul 10 years ago. With help from researchers like Schwarting, […] Read more
Cost cutting sends students back to class early
CALGARY – The most exciting thing about going back to school for six-year-old Stephani Papp was getting a new lunch box. Never mind that this Grade 1 student’s first day was July 22 at Canada’s first year-round, multi-track school called Riverbend Elementary. For her mother Jaye, the hardest thing about sending her daughter off to […] Read more
Gelbviehs in the world spotlight
CALGARY – When 200 cattle breeders get together at a livestock show, it’s more than an opportunity to swap tall tales. It is a chance to make some deals and convince other breeders that one particular breed is best. At this year’s Calgary Stampede, the Gelbvieh show was the best attended of the 16 cattle […] Read more
Sheep shearers appear for first time at Stampede
CALGARY – There was no such thing as “a ba-a-a-d hair day” for the 200 sheep who submitted to 10 professional sheep shearers at the Calgary Stampede. This year’s professional sheep shearing contest was the first time such an event was staged at the Stampede. It drew its share of onlookers who watched as the […] Read more
Charolais breeder has big hopes for small cattle
CALGARY – Investing in miniature cattle is a departure for Charolais breeder Henry Begrand who is used to looking under a big cow’s belly instead of over its shoulder. But it’s a view the Saskatchewan cattle producer and his partners are willing to take in with a recent shipment of seven Lowline females from Australia. […] Read more
