OLDS, Alta. – It’s a long way from the oil patch to the seed plots at Olds College, but for Nova Scotian Harold Murphy, the career switch was the right move. Murphy is one of 13 graduates in the Olds College seed and grain technology program. Ken Parker, who teaches the majority of courses for […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Agriculture fair draws 5,000 entries
STETTLER, Alta. – For those seeking the truth about the three little pigs or about what really happens to an egg or how fast plants grow, a visit to this year’s Agriculture Ambassador Fair might hold the answer. In its fifth year, the fair encourages schools to entice children to explore agriculture research projects beyond […] Read more
Dehydrated hay industry wants adjustment share
CALGARY – The dehydrated hay industry wants assurances it will receive a fair share of a $300 million adjustment fund offered by government as agriculture makes the transition to a subsidy-free environment. The Canadian Dehydrators Association wants the equivalent of four years worth of the Western Grain Transportation Act benefit. CDA executive director Garry Benoit […] Read more
Alberta horticulturists extol high value crops
CALGARY – Alberta’s horticulture industry may be one of the province’s best kept secrets. It generates more than $162.6 million in sales annually, yet only takes 0.23 percent of the crop production land available in the province. Such findings were good news for Henry Heuver who sees plenty of potential in the industries he represents. […] Read more
Hog disease has potential to be ‘industry stopper’
CALGARY – A potentially fatal hog disease striking herds in Alberta and Manitoba has been called an “industry stopper” by one swine specialist. For Alberta, the outbreak of transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) is the worst veterinarians have seen in 18 years, said Frank Marshall who practices at Camrose. So far, about 30 Alberta herds, including bio-secure […] Read more
Manure piles up as livestock business booms
LACOMBE, Alta. – As Alberta’s livestock industry continues to grow, so too do the piles of manure that accompany it. During a day-long workshop held here recently, agriculture engineers like Rich Smith, of Alberta Agriculture, told farmers to look beyond manure as a waste problem. Used properly, it’s a valuable resource which could have commercial […] Read more
Alberta challenges Ontario for top agricultural province
CALGARY – If Alberta farmers continue to enjoy strong sales at the farmgate and in exports, provincial agriculture minister Walter Pasz-kowski’s predictions of Alberta being the top agricultural province in Canada may come true. Agricultural exports of primary and value-added products reached record levels in 1994. Farm cash receipts of $5.4 billion made it the […] Read more
Conservation clubs expand focus into safety, preservation, water use
CALGARY – The last time Gerald Lemmon drove from Calgary to Lethbridge, he noticed fields covered with trash. The fields wearing last year’s stubble, often called trash, was proof for the Conservation 2000 co-ordinator that farmers have learned clean is bad and trash is good when it comes to preventing soil erosion. Alberta Wheat Pool’s […] Read more
Some caregivers abuse persons with disabilities
CALGARY – Physical abuse, rape and harassment are most often done to disabled women by the caregivers who tend to their most intimate needs. Not only are the women trapped in their homes, but also by their bodies, preventing them from fleeing from abuse. Disabled women are often portrayed negatively as asexual, second-class people, said […] Read more
Pork producers attempt to block investor from joining packing plant
BROOKS, Alta. – A group of pork producers is challenging an investment firm’s bid to become a partner in Fletcher’s Fine Foods. The Extra Levy Group, joined by Pig Improvement Canada of Acme, went to an appeal tribunal March 30 and 31 to prevent Vencap Equities Alberta Ltd. from entering the deal. The appeal tribunal […] Read more
