Bob Jackson doesn’t worry much about inbreeding within his herd of bison in southern Iowa because he firmly believes that animals have good instincts. “You don’t ever have to worry about inbreeding because it’s exactly the same as you and I, where the girl always looks more exciting in the school that is your neighbouring […] Read more
Robert Arnason
Stories by Robert Arnason
Human diseases jump to chickens
Disease moving from chickens to humans is nothing new, but scientists in Scotland now have the first evidence that humans can also pass diseases to chickens. In a study published earlier this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the University of Edinburgh have proven that a bacteria, staphylococcus aureus, […] Read more
Controversial minister OK with hog producers
Despite a history of “butting heads,” the chair of the Manitoba Pork Council said the hog industry can work with Stan Struthers, the province’s new minister of agriculture. Karl Kynoch said Manitoba’s hog producers didn’t always see eye to eye with Struthers when he was conservation minister. But he respected Struthers’ open door policy and […] Read more
Wowchuk moves from ag to finance
Former Manitoba agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk admits that the decade she spent in that portfolio has made her a few enemies. But as with most people in public office, she has learned to accept that as part of the job. “It comes with the territory. If you take on the responsibility of a minister you […] Read more
Farmers seek local solution to wolf problem
Cattle producer Art Jonasson has unsuccessfully lobbied the Manitoba government for two years to put a bounty on wolves and coyotes, but he now thinks he has a better solution. Jonasson wants the government to pay $300 per wolf and $50 per coyote to reduce problem predators that attack livestock. The proposal, which is supported […] Read more
Man’s best friend guards against TB
ROSSBURN, Man. – As he walks into his pasture, Ray Armbruster points to what looks like a large, white rock lying between a small herd of cattle. After a few more steps, the white object moves and Alpo the dog slowly rolls over, stretches and saunters toward his owner. After a quick sniff of a […] Read more
Pig genome sequencing will advance breeding
Researchers will soon be able to peer inside the black box that is the pig’s genetic code, says Andy Robinson, chair of the University of Guelph’s animal science department. Scientists from around the world gathered in England Nov. 2 to announce that the genome of a red-haired Duroc pig at the University of Illinois has […] Read more
Anaplasmosis options reviewed
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture Canada have formed working groups to consider alternative ways to deal with anaplasmosis in Canada. “It (the process) is looking at other options for managing the disease, one of which could be delisting,” said Dorothy Geale, senior staff veterinarian with the CFIA. That would mean anaplasmosis would no […] Read more
Rain, snow put harvest on hold
On Oct. 9, just before the Thanksgiving weekend, Dwayne Anderson of Fosston, Sask., had 1,600 acres of swathed canola and oats waiting to be combined. Three weeks later, they’re still waiting. “It doesn’t quit raining. We can’t put it through the combine,” Anderson said just before Halloween. “It really hasn’t been fit to combine… you […] Read more
Financial snapshot helps with tax planning
Best Cooking Pulses expanded its marketing reach last week by signing a deal with SunOpta, one of North America’s largest processors and distributors of natural foods. The Portage la Prairie, Man., company will supply organic and conventional pea fibre to the SunOpta Ingredient Group, which will sell the product under the trademark SunOpta Pea Fiber. […] Read more
