Lameness in cattle is a painful and costly condition. Research from the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine found that 16 percent of all health issues in a feedlot and 70 percent of lost revenue are associated with lameness. It is the second most commonly diagnosed illness in feedlots, graduate student Jessica Davis-Unger said […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
How does a plant breeding program work?
LACOMBE, Alta. — Selecting a new grain variety is like holding a casting call for actors in which hundreds try out but only one gets the part. The wheat, triticale and barley breeding programs at the Alberta Crop Development Centre near Lacombe look at thousands of lines of potential candidates to register the next new […] Read more
Trials compare rotation length, weed numbers
Research studied one and two-year rotations, with and without fungicide treatments, and assessed weed populations
LACOMBE, Alta. — Current prairie crop rotations are too short to beat back weeds and disease. “If you look at our cropping systems here in Western Canada, we are largely a cereal-oilseed-cereal-oilseed rotation in many areas. In many areas, pulses are an important part of the rotation,” Kelly Turkington, a plant pathologist with Agriculture Canada […] Read moreAntibiotic alternatives costly on all fronts: expert
Beef chair says pressure to eliminate antibiotics would reduce producer profits, increase food prices and cause food insecurity
Alternatives to conventional antibiotics for livestock are being researched on many fronts, but none deliver the same bang for the buck. “There isn’t any yet that is as good as conventional antibiotics,” Agriculture Canada researcher Trevor Alexander said at the recent University of Calgary beef health conference. There are also consequences for cutting back on […] Read moreCFIA reviews outdated livestock feed rules
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is reviewing feed regulations for beef and dairy cattle. “The regulations we have now date back to 1983 and we really haven’t done much in the way of updating those regulations. They are 30 plus years old,” said Sergio Tolusso, national manager of the agency’s animal feed division. “The world […] Read more
Pain is as plain as the look on its face
Many pet owners believe they know how their dog or cat is feeling. They may be right. Research into facial expressions of emotion and pain could help producers and veterinarians better understand when an animal is feeling discomfort. People who spend a lot of time around animals may already have an ability to read emotions […] Read more
Farm groups raise concerns over revised food guide
A revised food guide hopes to sway Canadians toward healthier eating, but it is also making some farm sectors nervous. “We don’t know what the food guide will look like because what they have released is general guiding principles,” said dietitian Isabelle Neiderer of Dairy Farmers of Canada. There is a focus on protein-rich foods, […] Read more
U.K. dairy sector nervous over Brexit impact on ag policy
EDMONTON — As the United Kingdom negotiates to leave the European Union, uncertainty is a new reality for farmers. “We are not quite sure how policy is going to work,” said Judith Bryans, executive director of Dairy U.K. “The (European Union) position is not willing to discuss anything on trade until certain aspects of the […] Read more
Dairy sector feels safe
EDMONTON — Dairy Farmers of Canada remains confident it has continuing support for supply management. “The strategy is to continue to be agile and build trust and good relationships with government. We do have that,” said government relations director Isabelle Bouchard. “The prime minister has been very supportive of our industry,” she said at the […] Read more
Canada’s BSE controlled risk status under review
The requirements for BSE risk status are under consideration. Under current rules at the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE),a country must be BSE free for 11 years since the birthdate of the last infected case. Countries like Canada with controlled risk status argue that period needs to shorten, providing they meet other requirements like […] Read more
