CALGARY – An invention by scientists at the Lacombe Research Station that predicts meat quality prior to slaughter has been issued an American patent. A machine is under development to rapidly measure temperature differences in cattle or pigs before they are shipped to slaughter, said a release from the Agriculture Canada station. Using infrared thermography, […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Livestock producers feel the pinch of soaring grain prices
CALGARY – Soaring grain prices are good news for wheat farmers, but they may drive some livestock and poultry producers out of business. “If anybody says it’s not bothering them, they’re lying,” said Surrey, B.C. feedlot operator Vern Baird. He expects to see some B.C. feedlots go bankrupt. He buys barley from northern Alberta and […] Read more
Charges fail to deter farmers from trucking to the U.S.
COUTTS, Alta. – Twelve people were charged here April 23 with violating the customs act for selling wheat in the United States without an export permit. It was the first Alberta protest against the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly on export sales of western-grown wheat and barley. A convoy of about 50 farmers in seven semi-trailer […] Read more
Teens prefer to stay with tried and true when filling plate
CALGARY – Many adults think teens are risk takers, but when it comes to food, youths like to eat things they recognize and they prefer food their mothers cook at home. Those were some of the findings of an Alberta Cattle Commission funded study done of teenagers in Calgary and Edmonton last November. The study […] Read more
Ostrich byproduct really cream of the crop
CALGARY – When it comes to diversification ventures, ostrich breeder Elaine Massier may have found the cream of the crop. A master herbologist for 15 years, Massier has developed a line of skin-care products made from ostrich oil. The skin cream inspiration came after Massier attended an ostrich seminar where she saw Australian cosmetics for […] Read more
Strict measures prevent sheep disease outbreak
CALGARY – A tough control program has reduced the dangers of Canadian sheep getting the brain-destroying disease scrapie. Rendered sheep offal from animals infected with the disease and fed as protein supplements to cattle has been blamed for causing mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Canada is free of BSE, but scrapie […] Read more
U.S. transportation changes may affect Canadian shipping
BANFF, Alta. – As United States grain exports increase, the strain on its transportation system grows. Paul Sorensen, an American consultant who analyzes commodity markets and transportation issues, told the Canada Grains Council massive adjustments are coming for the rail and river barge systems that will ultimately offer more choice to grain shippers in the […] Read more
Alberta wants quick change to marketing
BANFF, Alta. – It’s time to stop tinkering with Canada’s grain marketing system and go for massive change all at once, says Walter Paszkowski. Alberta’s agriculture minister said his department was completely overhauled within a year. The same swift action is possible on a national scale. “We should grab this whole thing and make all […] Read more
Agriculture Notes
Beef grading head Cindy Delaloye has been named general manager of the Canadian Beef Grading Agency. She has a degree in animal science from the University of Manitoba and has worked in several agricultural private and public positions. The one-year-old agency was formed by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the Canadian Meat Council, La Federation des […] Read more
Pork producers to get final transition cheques
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – Alberta pork producers should soon receive cheques for the final transition payments following the end of the red meat tripartite stabilization program. Under terms of the program closure in 1994, producers are eligible for $3.07 per hog. Albertans should get their money this spring, said Jack Kali-svaart, vice-chair of the Alberta Pork […] Read more
