OLDS, Alta. (Staff) – Centuries ago aboriginal people knew the healing power of wild plants but as elders in the native community die, much of their knowledge dies with them, says a Manitoba researcher. Robin Marles of Brandon University led a research project in the northern areas of the western provinces to document the medicinal […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Agriculture Notes
New soft wheat executive The executive of the Alberta Soft Wheat Producers’ Commission includes: President Art Eckert of Duchess; vice-president John Nikkel of Coaldale; secretary Peter Pepneck of Vauxhall; treasurer Everett Tanis of Picture Butte; and directors John Van Trype and Gerard Oosterhuis, both of Bow Island, Harry Brummelhuis of Vauxhall, Barry Grain of Taber, […] Read more
Ostrich industry wrestles with lack of supply, processing
RED DEER, Alta. – If there was ever a group that believes in its product, it’s the ostrich industry. Promoting ostrich as an alternative red meat, this new breed of rancher hopes one day to take over one percent of the North American meat market. There’s just one catch. They need about a million birds […] Read more
Good hides hard to find
RED DEER, Alta. (Staff) – In a business where a pair of custom-made ostrich boots costs as much as $1,500, finding flawless leather can be like panning for gold. During the recent Alberta Ostrich Breeders Association annual meeting, Brent Hepting of Maverick Tanneries at Unity, Sask. said he doesn’t see many top grade ostrich hides. […] Read more
Producers pleased with results from bull station
GRANUM, Alta. – A chinook that raised temperatures to 16 C and ate mounds of snow overnight was a welcome site for Duncan and Cecilie Fleming as they hosted their tenth annual bull test station field day. For more than 350 people who stopped by the Granum station, about 70 kilometres northwest of Lethbridge, the […] Read more
Enthusiasm underlines prize-winning Hereford ranch
HIGH RIVER, Alta. – Grant Hirsche admits he never planned to farm. As he tramps through deep straw to inspect this spring’s crop of white-faced calves, he explains how his good intentions went astray. He took a summer job on a farm to earn some extra money for university and an upcoming marriage to Annette, […] Read more
Farmers frustrated at grain shipment backlog
CALGARY – This winter’s blast of icy air has managed to heat up farmers’ tempers in southern Alberta. Granaries are full, local elevators are plugged to the rafters and hopper cars aren’t arriving to relieve some of the tension. Just as the arctic blasts slowed the railways’ work in January, the chinook winds have arrived […] Read more
Agriculture to hit the airwaves
CALGARY – Talk radio is going country. Starting March 16, Calgary’s all talk station QR 77 will open the phone lines every Saturday night at 7 p.m. for an hour of agriculture programming hosted by Jim Fisher. “Every time there were agriculture topics (on the talk programs), the lines lit up,” said Fisher, who is […] Read more
Buyers get selective with dollars at Calgary Bull Sale
CALGARY – Tough times in the cattle industry were evident at this year’s Calgary Bull Sale although prices were still respectable for the first of the spring bull sales. Total sale volume was $1,462,225 on 486 head for an overall average of $3,008. In total, 216 bulls were not sold compared to 24 being passed […] Read more
Infertile couples often turn to science for help
CALGARY – Some women claim it only takes a wink and a smile for them to get pregnant. Infertile couples wish it was that easy. Calvin Greene, director of the regional fertility program at Foothills Hospital in Calgary, says the clinic evaluates 1,400 couples a year referred to them by family doctors and specialists. Infertility […] Read more
