STONELEIGH PARK, U.K. — When voters in the United Kingdom went to the polls in June to decide whether they wanted to stay in the European Union, many thought people would opt for the comfort of the status quo. “The expectation from everybody was that it would be close but that it would be remain,” […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Private companies reward beef producers for sustainability efforts
INNISFAIL, Alta. — Beef producers who want financial compensation when they adopt sustainable practices could be rewarded by a new private sector initiative. The Canadian beef sustainability acceleration pilot announced earlier this year includes companies like Cargill Meats, Cara Foods, McDonalds and Loblaws, which are depositing money into a special fund to reward all players […] Read more
Latest cow-calf survey set to begin
The second western Canadian cow-calf survey is slated to start this fall. The survey collects information on herd sizes, pregnancies, weaning weights and other production statistics from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. A complementary report allows participants to compare their operation with benchmarks in a given region. For example, results could show individual operators […] Read more
B.C. fires controlled but will continue to burn for a while
Cleanup continues after the worst fire season in British Columbia’s history. More than 1,300 fires burned 2.96 million acres, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. “We are going to have fires burning in some of those areas because of peat. It will flare up over time,” said Kevin Boon, manager of the B.C. cattlemen’s association. […] Read more
Surprise guest makes debut at Red Roundup
RED DEER, Alta. — Jeff Fraser broke the colour barrier by bringing a black bull to a Red Angus show and sale last weekend. Red Roundup, held Oct. 21, is one of Canada’s premier Red Angus events and has run for 45 years at Red Deer. Fraser said he was talked into taking the risk […] Read more
Producers should have backup plan to ensure quality water year round
STANDARD, Alta.— Water supply and distribution are important parts of a farm so producers must be ready for the next drought or flood. “Most producers really are just set up for here and now, today. The average years are pretty good but really you need to be thinking about the next drought,” said Joe Harrington, […] Read more
Solar pump system aids water management
STANDARD, Alta. — Producers should not skimp when taking on water development projects because the return on investment will be greater in the long run if they carry it out properly, experts say. A water management plan for wet years and dry years is needed when installing a system and no one should wait until […] Read more
Navigating BREXIT
Calgary-based Western Producer reporter Barbara Duckworth was in Britain recently and spoke with farmers and policy makers about BREXIT and what it could mean for the country’s agricultural industry. In that understated English way, Brian Lear describes BREXIT as a “bit of a mess.” The English beef producer wonders where agriculture sits on the agenda […] Read more
Using DNA to build better bovine a win-win
Increasing feed efficiency improves sustainability, producers’ bottom line and reduces greenhouse gas emissions
DUBLIN, Ireland — Building a better bovine that eats less and still thrives in a variety of production systems is an international goal. Research is showing feed efficient animals are cheaper to keep and they may be more environmentally friendly. As well, feed efficiency is highly heritable. “We want to introduce animals that are more […] Read moreData used to help producers select for efficiency
EDINBURGH, Scotland — Measuring the level of methane production from livestock is an ongoing project around the world as governments attempt to inventory greenhouse gas emissions. At Scotland’s Rural College, researchers are looking at emissions and the correlation with feed efficiency in cattle and sheep. Since most Scottish livestock is raised on remote hillsides during […] Read more
