COCHRANE, Alta. – In a valley south of here, the Western Heritage Centre is finally starting to take shape where Canada’s first ranch once stood. Little more than a basement for the last two years, the centre suffered a number of false starts, but construction resumed Aug. 28 with a projected opening of July 1996. […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
B.C. women’s institute begins campaign to drum up new members
CALGARY – The British Columbia Women’s Institute is looking for new blood. With membership hovering slightly below 2,000, the organization is looking at creative ways to bring in new members. The 115 branches are being encouraged to actively promote themselves in their communities, said longtime institute member Jean Johnson of Grand Forks. The promotions will […] Read more
Polish agriculture gets upgrade with Canadian genetics, advice
CALGARY – By next fall Canadian cattle will be grazing on Polish pastures. A deal signed between Canada and Poland will start this December with the shipment of live bred females and frozen embryos. As well as beef animals, Canada will send technology needed to improve the overall genetics of Polish herds. The deal involves […] Read more
Gardeners worm their way into organic soil business
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Cyril and Maureen Bender never planned on becoming worm farmers. Now the care and nurturing of two million squirmy worms is an integral part of their gardening soil business. Worm manure, called castings, is blended into four different potting soils manufactured here at Benders’ company, Altwin Distributors. Completely organic and odorless, […] Read more
Alberta and Ottawa talk safety
CALGARY – Alberta continues to develop its own version of a national farm safety net program and could offer it as a provincial program if no agreement on national income protection is attained. “If indeed, federal negotiations break down it is our intention to keep moving along with GATT 70,” said the province’s agriculture minister […] Read more
Bluetongue tests shelved for cattle shipped from low-risk regions
CALGARY – Bluetongue testing requirements on American breeding cattle imported from 30 low-risk states have been eliminated. Agriculture Canada recently announced bluetongue testing on cattle from those states during the shipping season of Oct. 15 to March 31 will no longer be required. Other states outside the designated area will require a single negative bluetongue […] Read more
Alberta sets up health watchdog
CALGARY – A special citizen’s council has been appointed to act as a watchdog over Alberta’s evolving health-care system. The 16-member council consisting of urban and rural representatives was appointed by health minister Shirley McClellan and will start work Oct. 30. It will be led by Edmontonian Ellen Hambrook. Included on the council are Gail […] Read more
Alberta plebiscite not likely to settle war over single-agency marketing
CALGARY – This could be the winter of discontent no matter what the outcome of a controversial Alberta plebiscite on grain marketing. Whether the voters register Yes or No, the war isn’t over. “The faces may change but the agitation won’t,” said Rick Thiessen of Strathmore. A partner in Thiessen Farms, an extensive cropping and […] Read more
Grain brokers gaining more clout
CALGARY – With massive changes marching through the country grain-buying system, farmers are looking beyond local elevators for markets. Going through a grain broker, who lines up a buyer and seller, may be one route for people seeking different markets for their feed grains. “Changes in freight and other factors are really making the producer […] Read more
Big and fast key in grain industry
CAMROSE, Alta. – The prairie horizon continues to change as old wooden elevators are replaced with imposing cement towers that can hold enough grain to fill six ships. Alberta Wheat Pool’s Legacy Junction, on the outskirts of Camrose, is part of the co-operative’s overall country plan. Old wooden structures are being knocked down to make […] Read more
