SMITHERS, Alta. – The mountain pine beetle has caused millions of dollars in damage to the British Columbia forest industry, but it’s also permanently changed cattle grazing in the pine forest. The dying pine trees blow onto fence lines and across roads like a mad game of pick-up sticks, creating thousands of dollars of damage […] Read more
Stories by Mary MacArthur
B.C. may change PST farm exemption
SMITHERS, B.C. – British Columbia farmers may soon be able to claim the provincial sales tax from all farm inputs rather than try to figure out if the purchases are on an exemption list. Since 1948, PST exemptions were available on certain pre-approved farm items in the province. As agriculture changes, farmers and industry are […] Read more
Producers told they must accept traceability
SMITHERS, B.C. – Cattle producers may not like the extra paperwork associated with tracing animals, but traceability has a real value to consumers, says the head of business development for a growing American beef company. “People are willing to pay an amazing amount of money for something that has value to them,” Rick Stott of […] Read more
WI urged to sell itself
When people hear about the Women’s Institute they are often more likely to think about an institution such as a correctional facility than an educational group that has helped the lives of thousands of people around the world. That has to change, said the outgoing president of the Alberta Women’s Institutes. The once strong women’s […] Read more
Officials anticipate U.S. border opening
SMITHERS, B.C. – Cattle officials hope there will be a signal within the next two weeks that the American border will reopen to all Canadian cattle by September. If there is no response from the Americans, the reopening will likely be delayed to January, John Masswohl told the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting May […] Read more
Alta. dairy serves as novel food test
KANANASKIS, Alta. – A Lacombe, Alta., dairy will be the face for a CLA application for novel food status with Health Canada. Hennie Bos and Tinie Eilers of Bles-Wold Dairy believe so strongly in the health benefits found in their yogurt, which is rich in conjugated linoleic acid, that they are willing to put their […] Read more
CLA may enhance beef, dairy benefits
KANANASKIS, Alta. – Beef and dairy producers may soon be able to brag about the health and diet benefits of their products. Initial research shows conjugated linoleic acid, a fat found in the meat and milk of ruminant animals, may be one of the most promising health foods of the future. Beef producer Elgar Grinde […] Read more
Alta. farm fuel users exceed eligible farmers
About 20,000 more people are getting cheaper fuel in Alberta through farm fuel benefits than there are farmers. According to Statistics Canada’s recent census, Alberta has 49,431 farmers, but 60,000 people are registered to receive fuel discounts with the Farm Fuel Benefit program. As well, Statistics Canada found that 9,971 Alberta farmers have income less […] Read more
B.C. rodeo eliminates roping events
The banning of four key events at British Columbia’s largest professional rodeo will likely not spread to other rodeos, says the president of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. Dale Leschiutta said he believes other communities will not follow the Cloverdale Rodeo’s lead. It eliminated tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling and cowboy cow milking after […] Read more
New CCIA chair praises cattle ID
Canadian cattle producers should be proud of the cattle identification system they’ve created, says the new chair of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency. Steve Primrose said the system implemented in 2001 to ensure accurate animal identification and animal disease and food safety traceback has been an important tool for cattle producers, especially after BSE was […] Read more
