A ‘serious threat’ | But diagnosis of porcine epidemic diarrhea won’t trigger quarantine
The hog disease that has been devastating U.S. pigs has become a reportable disease in Alberta. The province officially declared porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus and transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) reportable diseases in Alberta, said Alberta Agriculture veterinarian Dr. Julia Keenliside. Only PED is a serious threat, but it is impossible to tell the difference between […] Read moreStories by Mary MacArthur
Ontario officials tracing source of first PED case in Canada
The deadly pig virus porcine epidemic diarrhea has been discovered in an Ontario pig barn, the first positive case in Canada. The source of the virus is unknown, but Ontario’s chief provincial veterinarian said investigators are retracing the activity of trucks, people and animals on the southwest Ontario farm. “In terms of an absolute source […] Read more
LIT sale to Viterra OKed
Viterra will take ownership of Lethbridge Inland Terminal Feb. 28 after shareholders voted overwhelmingly to sell the terminal to Viterra. Norman Fodness, LIT chief executive officer, said 99.8 percent of the 89.9 percent of the shareholders represented in person or proxy voted in favour of selling Jan. 17. “Our board of directors unanimously recommended the […] Read more
Low cost lettuce in January goal of passive solar research
VIKING, Alta. — A passive solar greenhouse project began when Brian Rozmahel wondered: “Wouldn’t it be great to grow food all year round and not spend an arm and a leg?” Growing food year round and living in central Alberta may no longer be impossible if Rozmahel’s prototype passive solar greenhouse is a success. “If […] Read more
Viterra gets Lethbridge terminal Feb. 28
Viterra will take ownership of Lethbridge Inland Terminal Feb. 28 after shareholders voted overwhelmingly to sell the terminal to Viterra. Norman Fodness, LIT chief executive office, said 99.8 percent of the 89.9 percent of the shareholders represented in person or proxy voted in favour of selling Jan. 17. “Our board of directors unanimously recommended the […] Read more
Super breed, super bucks
Just like a beauty pageant, calf shows are only for the most beautiful animals. Known as club calves, they may not have the best feed conversion efficiency or make the best herd sires but they do win show competitions. “The whole purpose of breeding these is for shows,” said Raymond Gonnet of Iowa. “They’re cardboard […] Read more
German flavours draw diners to Lougheed
Guinness World Record holders | Entrepreneurs offer 347 kinds of fresh pork schnitzel to Alberta foodies
LOUGHEED, Alta. — From the outside, the Lougheed Hotel looks like thousands of other hotels dotted across the Prairies — a place that may be better to drive past rather than risk the weak coffee and cardboard hamburgers. But inside, Michael and Silke Hentschel have transformed the hotel from a dark, smelly bar and café […] Read moreAlta. sees roofs collapse under heavy snow
Dairy barns, cabins, stores | Buildings are not likely covered under a disaster assistance program
Ken Munro doesn’t believe central Alberta has more snow than normal this year. He thinks it’s a combination of early, frozen and wet snow that is collapsing barns like dominoes in that part of the province. The roofs of dairy barns, machinery sheds, grocery stores, cabins, airplane hangars, feed mills, horse shelters and wildlife sanctuaries […] Read moreOrganic wheat commands premium prices over conventional
Organic wheat is selling for 500 percent higher than conventional wheat and there is no indication it will drop soon. Jay Crandall, a grain commodity merchant with Wetaskiwin Co-op, said the little organic wheat that is available is selling into the milling market for $20 a bushel, or $735 per tonne. This year, organic feed […] Read more
Alta. talks trade with Indian state
Deal with Meghalaya | Memorandum of understanding to develop opportunities for ag
Alberta premier Alison Redford signed an agricultural memorandum of understanding during her trade mission to India. The MOU with the northeastern state of Meghalaya, which borders Bangladesh, will help develop opportunities for Alberta agriculture. Alberta agriculture minister Verlyn Olson said provincial government staff and industry have worked in the area for several years, and this […] Read more
