WESTLOCK, Alta. — Getting a good grade on wheat seems to be like buying a new car, lots of negotiating required. Val Katerenchuk said when she took samples of her wheat to three grain companies she got three different grades. “I’m always fighting for the grade. It should be already decided,” said a frustrated Katerenchuk, […] Read more
Stories by Mary MacArthur
Cross border dairy trade heads list of concerns for Alberta Milk chair
EDMONTON, Alta. — Alberta Milk chair Tom Kootstra has issues that keep him awake at night. Canada’s border with the United States that allows milk products and frozen deserts that look like ice cream, to leak northward into the Canadian food supply and pass themselves off as dairy products. “I want to know my grandchildren […] Read more
Controversial Stampede steer donated to food bank
The steer disqualified from the Calgary Stampede steer show in July after it tested positive for trace amounts of drugs, has been donated to the food bank in Airdrie, Alta. “It will be ready for Christmas,” said steer owner, Royden Anderson. “I don’t need the meat and it seemed like the right thing to do,” […] Read more
B.C. producer ‘shell shocked’ at Farmfair win
Supreme champion | B.C. Angus producer wins for top bull, Alberta family wins for top female
EDMONTON — One of Tanya Belsham’s dreams was to win a Dodge truck from showing cattle. Her dream came true Nov. 9 when Belsham’s Black Angus bull won supreme champion at Farmfair International. “It’s overwhelming,” said Belsham of Poplar Meadows Angus near Houston, B.C. “I’m still shell shocked. It’s a lot of hard work and […] Read moreMunicipal governance bill tabled
EDMONTON — Alberta’s minister of municipal affairs didn’t have to beg for applause from rural councillors, but he did have to ask twice after announcing that proposed changes in the municipal governance bill will be voluntary. “I’m going to say it one more time. We’re going to explicitly say in the bill that it’s voluntary […] Read more
Genomics testing not major priority for Farmfair buyers
Information didn’t influence decisions Buyers more interested in how heifers looked and calving dates
EDMONTON — Three lots of bred heifers at Farmfair International’s commercial bred heifer sale came with a long list of benefits, just like the sticker in the window of a new pick-up truck. The cattle were genomics tested and came with their own sticker listing average daily gain, back fat measurements, dry matter intake and […] Read more
Farmfair veterans see event grow, improve with age
Marking 40th | New cattle breeds, better equipment and technology keep cattle showing tradition strong
“I was here when Angus weren’t cool,” said Gabert of Crooked Creek Angus near Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. Gabert and her husband, Rick, weren’t in the nice show barns when they started showing cattle. Instead, they were in the old dark and drafty Edmonton Gardens. The cattle were tied around the outside wall and the cattle […] Read more
Never too late to start career in showing cattle
Showing cattle | First time competitor gets help from mom preparing heifers
EDMONTON — Some people buy a fancy sports car or take a cruise to satisfy their midlife crisis. Shelley Grundberg quit her job and started to show cattle. “I just wanted to have fun. I wanted to enjoy what I’m doing in life,” Grundberg said while washing and scrubbing the two Red Angus heifers she […] Read moreAmerican newbies win big with Lowline breed
EDMONTON — Americans Katherine Wise and Diana Lillefloren jokingly say they’re not sure they will be invited back to Canada after winning grand champion Lowline bull and female at Farmfair International. The Americans left their husbands at home and drove to Canada for their first Canadian Lowline show and won the top prize. “We kept […] Read more
Honeybee population hit by a bad winter
Winterkill rates reported at 24 percent | Long winter, late spring and a bee fungus contributed to the problem
EDMONTON — A long winter, late spring and a persistent honeybee disease combined to increase bee deaths last winter, says Alberta’s provincial apiculturist. About 24 percent of Alberta’s honey bee population died during winter last year, compared to 15 percent the previous year, said Medhat Nasr, which he attributed to four factors. “A long winter, […] Read more
