LEDUC, Alta. — Events like the Calgary Stampede are often criticized for the treatment of rodeo animals, so to help quell the complaints Stampede officials have invited University of Calgary researchers to see what goes on behind the chutes. The focus is on the 10-day rodeo but the use of animals for display, performance and […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Alberta economics minister predicts oil patch turnaround
EDMONTON — A downturn in the oil sector has permeated Alberta, but the minister of economic development and trade is optimistic a turnaround is coming. “A lot of economists tell us Alberta is set to grow GDP (gross domestic product) more than any other province in the country,” said Deron Bilous. “Oilsands production is expected […] Read more
Landowners want input on wildlife protection
Current number of listed terrestrial species in Alberta
EDMONTON — Canada’s Species at Risk Act might have noble goals to protect vulnerable plants and animals, but it can have a big impact on agriculture, forestry or oil and gas using the same land. There are no consequences be-cause there is no compensation to landowners if this happens, said delegates to the Alberta Association […] Read moreRanch signs conservation agreement
One of Canada’s oldest ranches has signed an agreement with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to protect 2,266 acres of native range. Located west of Stavely, Alta., the Oxley Ranch is owned and operated by Jennifer Barr and her family. It covered 200,000 acres in the Alberta foothills when it was established in 1882, making […] Read more
Bow River watershed infected with fish parasitic disease
Testing has found whirling disease throughout the Bow River and its tributaries as well as commercial aquaculture sites
LACOMBE, Alta. — Alberta’s Bow River watershed has been declared infected with whirling disease, a parasitic infection affecting trout, salmon and whitefish. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Alberta Environment are working on long-term surveillance of wild fish and aquaculture facilities. Commercial facilities will have to test fish for the disease and implement approved biosecurity […] Read moreOlds College gets $16 million
Olds College has received a record $16 million donation to create the Werklund Agriculture Institute to specialize in smart and sustainable agriculture and business solutions. Calgary oilman and philanthropist David Werklund and his partner, Susan Norman, have provided a tiered donation with a total cumulative impact of $32 million when all leverage opportunities are realized. […] Read more
Alberta cow nabs Miss World
An Alberta ranch has entered the realm of world class cattle breeding. Harvie Ranching at Olds recently won the Hereford Miss World Competition in Fort Worth, Texas, with a female named RVP 51X Ablaze 7A and its heifer calf, Harvie RSK Autumn. Breeders from around the world submitted pictures of their prize cattle, and after […] Read more
Keep an eye on body condition score
Body condition scoring is the practice of assessing the amount of fat cover on a cow’s body. Condition scoring assesses the layer of fat over short ribs, spine, either side of the tail head, as well as hooks and pins. Assessing them by appearance can be deceiving, especially if the animals have a heavy hair […] Read more
Moderation is good in all things, cows included
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The modern cow is a moderate-sized critter capable of outperforming its grandmothers in all the ways that count. “There is no doubt we have cattle with tremendous capacity for post-weaning growth and carcass weight,” said beef cattle specialist David Lalman of Oklahoma State University. The question is whether those cows are costing […] Read more
Herd efficiency begins with pregnancies
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Failing to get pregnant during the breeding season is the top reason cows are removed from a herd. Longevity in the herd starts with heifers that were developed into reproductive animals over the long haul, said Cliff Lamb of the University of Florida. “Heifers that become pregnant early in first breeding season […] Read more
