The Canadian Bull Congress was held in Camrose, Alta., Jan. 21-22 and featured a small 4-H show to help new members experience their first show in a low-stress atmosphere while letting more experienced members meet with friends from previous shows. “This show is good,” said Jess Malott, leader of the Armena 4-H Beef club. “It […] Read more
Stories by Freelance writer
Layover made journey more difficult
I was about five years old when, in the middle of winter one year, Mom and I undertook the challenge of making an urgent trip to visit my Aunt Nellie in Brandon. Although it was only about 120 kilometres away, rural roads were blocked, so alternative travel arrangements had to be made. Mom was given […] Read more
Antique tractors maintain their pulling shape
Competitors spend long hours working on their machines in the shop and then get to see the results on competition day
CALMAR, Alta. — The pull of vintage tractors is irresistible to Robert McKell. Add in vintage tractor pulls and McKell can’t think of a better way to spend a day, or an entire summer. “I love old tractors. I love hearing them and I love playing with them,” said McKell, who collected more than 40 […] Read more
Winter calving brings frostbite risk
Warm water helps thaw feet, ears and tail if indoors but not if calf is still outdoors because moisture will further cool it
Winter calving brings risk of frostbite and frozen ears or tails and it is also a risk for older calves if there isn’t adequate shelter. Sick calves are even more vulnerable due to dehydration or poor circulation. Dr. Ted Clark, a retired veterinarian and pathologist, has seen many cases of severe frostbite in his career. […] Read more
Hormones drive maternal bonding
Rising oxytocin levels trigger maternal behavior but a deficiency, particularly in first-time heifers, can cause problems
Most cows immediately care for and protect their newborn calves but some will be slow to mother, not by choice, but due to an imbalance or deficiency of hormones that trigger maternal behaviour. The bonding process of cow and calf is a complex blend of hormonal-induced and learned behaviour, the latter being the reason mature […] Read more
Pre-calving scours vaccine can save the lives of calves
Vaccinating cows for scours ahead of calving can build antibody levels in colostrum and increase calf health
Colostrum is key to calf health, particularly in the first weeks of life. However, preventing calfhood disease is a combination of many factors, including a clean environment and well-nourished, healthy cows with strong immunities. Vaccinating cows ahead of calving can help build antibody levels in cows’ colostrum, says Dr. Steve Hendrick of the Coaldale Veterinary […] Read more
Case made for better internet
Flagstaff County officials hope internet speed testing by residents will be the proof required to demonstrate how poor their internet service is in their central Alberta region and help secure funding to upgrade the service. “We need a quantifiable, measurable, unbiased, objective report to show how significantly we are being underserved,” said Kristy Jackson, economic […] Read more
One night under the stars on skates
A teenaged farm boy from Manitoba uses an icy adventure in the mid-1970s as a way to test himself against the elements
It had to happen. Combine a mile-long lake, glazed wind-buffed ice, a cold prairie wind and a moonlit surface and for one evening in December 1976, Manitoba had its own Hans Brinker. The fictional young Brinker skated the canals of Holland in a bid to win the “Silver Skates” prize. I skated the lake’s length […] Read more
Potato farm named grower of the year
A commitment to food safety and meeting top grading standards are paying off for the Schmidt family. Peter Schmidt and son Juston were recently recognized by Peak of the Market and received the Grower of the Year award. Peak of the Market chief executive officer Pamela Kolochuk said the award is given annually to a […] Read more
JCB puts extra lift on its ag handler line
After a few years of building telehandlers focused on the farm market, the company has boosted its mid-sized line-up
JCB has added a new 538-70 agri telehandler to its Loadall range. The 538-70 model is a seven-metre machine that slots into the Loadall Series III line-up with 3,800-kilogram maximum lift capacity and slightly more than seven metres of lift height, placing it between the current 532-70 and 542-70 models. At 3,000 to 3,800 kg, […] Read more
