CALGARY – An Ontario farmer who got into llamas as a hobby, bid $60,000 to own the top selling male at the June Legacy Llama Classic VIII. The sale, considered the premiere llama event, drew more than 1,000 people from across Canada to view and buy llamas. Total sales on 64 animal lots were $1.178 […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
American activists protest Alberta gopher museum
TORRINGTON, Alta. – This is a typical prairie village – a wide main street with angle parking and more than its share of boarded-up buildings that were once thriving businesses. The residents of this central Alberta town wanted something unique that would entice travellers rushing past on Highway 27 to stop and visit. “So many […] Read more
Pork partnership clears final hurdle
CALGARY – Vencap Equities Alberta has become a partner with Fletcher’s Fine Foods in a multi-million dollar deal. The deal involves some members of Fletcher’s management and the investment company Vencap. The transaction, sealed June 30, went ahead despite protests from some hog producers who object to Vencap’s participation. Vencap is a publicly traded Alberta […] Read more
Alberta and Montana consider more relaxed border for cattle trade
RED DEER, Alta. – Approval is being sought to allow Montana cattle into some Alberta feedlots without testing them for brucellosis or tuberculosis. Work to streamline health regulations and testing requirements is ongoing between Canada and Montana, said Ben Thorlakson. He is chair of the Alberta Cattle Commission, as well as head of the Canadian […] Read more
Alberta Agriculture learns from trial crop failures
CALGARY – While some of Alberta Agriculture’s field trials were less than stellar this spring, some good was gained. A cool, wet spring in southern Alberta showed how bad weather can affect a variety of plants. Diseases like root rot showed up among sun-loving lentils scattered in plots on co-operating farmers’ fields across the south. […] Read more
Former hair stylists snip and clip vines for quality wines
WINFIELD,B.C.- Call it a hair-brained scheme. When hair stylists George and Trudy Heiss gave up their Edmonton salons to become Okanagan grape growers, they might have stopped themselves if they had known what they know now. Tramping through fields of soft, brown dirt, supervising the hand planting of several thousand new grape plants, Trudy stopped […] Read more
Peat soil crop research to begin with hemp
CALGARY – A crop that raises eyebrows has received growth approval on one hectare of land in northern Alberta. Hemp, a crop grown for thousands of years for fibre and its protein-rich seeds, will be grown for research purposes north of Barrhead. Growers involved are quick to point out that while hemp is a member […] Read more
Cattle groups divvy up beef fund
RED DEER, Alta. – Development money from a special beef fund has been split five ways to promote new markets and research. The industry development fund is a $21.62 million cache left over from the national tripartite stabilization account after the subsidy program was voluntarily stopped last year. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association administers the fund. […] Read more
Alta. water rule stands: first come, first served
RED DEER, Alta. – Farmers forced to apply for water licences under new legislation will have their right to use water back-dated, Alberta environment minister Ty Lund told reporters following the Alberta Cattle Commission meeting in Red Deer. He said farmers concerned about who has the first right to use water in times of shortage […] Read more
Rural children playing in parent’s workplace can cause accidents
LACOMBE, Alta. – One of every six deaths on Manitoba farms is a child, according to statistics released by the province. Nationwide, statistics on farm-related accidents and children are equally as grim. The National Coalition for Rural Child Care is calling for action before more children are hurt or killed. Farm children frequently accompany their […] Read more
