Livestock Management
The Eigners’ mature cow won grand champion female in the All Other Breeds show held at Farmfair International
EDMONTON — Years ago the Salers breed was fully represented at Farmfair International, but in recent years that has dwindled to a single family. Russ Eigner of Care Farms at Thorhild, Alta., won the grand champion female with a mature cow in the All Other Breeds show. Working with his daughters, Sarah Eigner and Lani […] Read more
Livestock Management
Speckle Park breeders set their sights high for the future
EDMONTON — The Speckle Park Association has a new manager with a mandate to push these unique Canadian cattle to new heights. Whitney De Decker of Roslin, Ont., has been running the association from her home province since September, taking over from long-time manager Rod Remin. She added Speckle Parks to her Simmental farm in […] Read more
African swine fever could be tough to control
A European veterinarian says biosecurity includes strong perimeter fences around hog farms, which are rare in Canada
RED DEER — African swine fever is not likely to strike Canadian hog farms but if the deadly disease should appear, it could be uncontrollable. “Canada is no more at risk than it ever has been,” said Dr. John Carr, a European veterinary swine specialist. The greatest threat could be at the borders where security […] Read more
Breeding bulls may be source of bovine leukosis virus
Bovine leukosis virus is a widespread viral infection in cattle in North America. Dairy cattle tend to have a higher level of infection with estimates of 14 percent of all dairy cows being infected with the virus. Older cows are often more likely to be infected. The virus is usually spread from animal to animal […] Read more
Check-off plebiscite requested
LEDUC, Alta. —Alberta Lamb Producers is asking for a vote that will ultimately decide whether its checkoff will become non-refundable. On Nov. 3, members of the commission voted overwhelmingly in favour of a plebiscite that would ask if they want a non-refundable checkoff. It’s now up to the Agricultural Products Marketing Council, which oversees crop […] Read more
Weaned numbers and weight called key to hog barn profits
RED DEER — Pork producers need to aim for more kilograms of weaned pigs rather than relying on barn statistics. “One of the things that concerns me about the current industry is we are pushing numbers,” said John Carr, an international swine specialist who spoke at the Red Deer swine technology workshop on Oct. 24. […] Read more
Lamb producers plan to target predator control
LEDUC, Alta. — Controlling predators and getting more lamb into grocery stores are among the key issues that Alberta Lamb Producers plans to tackle next year. The commission recently developed a new mandate following its annual general meeting in Leduc Nov. 3. The mandate will help dictate the organization’s direction. Predator control was one of […] Read more
Farmfair results, images
The following are the final set of results from Farmfair International, which was held in Edmonton Nov. 7-11. Images shot by WP reporters attending Farmfair can be found below. Supreme bull: Miller Wilson Angus, Bashaw, Alta. and Glen Gabel, Saskatchewan Supreme female: Greenwood Livestock, Lloydminster, Sask. Black Angus Grand champion bull: Miller Wilson Angus, Bashaw […] Read more
Despite relatively strong numbers, exhibitors say Farmfair feels quieter
The barns at Farmfair International seemed quieter than normal this year as exhibitors began showing and marketing their cattle. This is the first year Farmfair was without the Canadian Finals Rodeo, a major event that drew in large crowds to the Edmonton Expo Centre. The rodeo was held in Red Deer this year after the […] Read more
Farmfair – Day 2
These are some of the results from yesterday’s cattle shows held on the second day of Farmfair International in Edmonton. Lowline Grand champion bull: Big Island Lowlines, Darrell Gotaas, Edmonton Reserve bull: Big Island Lowlines Grand champion female: Idaho Livestock, Hayden, Idaho Reserve female: Big Island Lowlines Premier exhibitor: Fre Da Ro Farm, Enderby, B.C. […] Read more
