Livestock Management
Alberta Beef Producers delegates have defeated a resolution that called for government to pay for a comprehensive tracking program using the national electronic identification system. However, most of those attending the group’s December annual meeting supported an improved tracking system. The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency has submitted a plan to the federal government for a […] Read more
Livestock Management
Alta. rejects gov’t funded tracking
New label to tout Canadian beef
The beef industry plans to launch a unique brand this year touting the advantages of buying Canadian at home and abroad. Canada fills about three to six percent of the U.S. beef requirements, and the product will have to stand on its own merit when mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) requirements become law in the United […] Read more
Feed research falling behind
STRATHMORE, Alta. – More forage and feed grain research is imperative if Canadian livestock producers hope to stay competitive with their counterparts in the United States. U.S. feed corn yields have soared whereas the principal western Canadian feed grain, barley, lags far behind in yield and feed value. “We are in a quagmire where if […] Read more
Beef industry explores healthy food benefits
Salmon, flax and eggs are all sources of the cancer-reducing omega 3 fatty acid. Now the beef industry wants to join the group. The federal government has kicked in more than $300,000 to help boost health benefits of beef. House of Commons agriculture committee chair and Manitoba MP James Bezan said the pilot project for […] Read more
Federal gov’t increases compensation for CWD losses
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has increased the compensation it pays producers for white-tailed deer that are destroyed as part of a chronic wasting disease investigation. Following the discovery of three confirmed cases of infection in Saskatchewan in October, the CFIA has announced that the maximum allowed compensation has been increased to $4,000 for white-tailed […] Read more
Henry Wise Wood – Promoter of farmer-owned co-operatives
Henry Wise Wood had many titles: the Missouri man; the Carstairs Bolshevik; the best premier Alberta never had. Whatever he was called, he always stood for successful farming. Wise Wood had known success as a grain farmer in his home state of Missouri, but he also dreamed of cattle ranching. To that end he sold […] Read more
Harry Hays – Ag minister with an attitude
Harry Hays was federal agriculture minister for only two years, but the colourful Alberta Liberal left his mark long after he was defeated. During his time as minister from 1963 to 1965, Hays established the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, expanded crop insurance, originated a national farm accounting system, helped farmers import exotic […] Read more
Bill Small – Canadian Western Agribition founding member
The Small family farms 1,800 acres near Craven, Sask., which has been home to William James (Bill) Small since his birth in 1927. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1948 with a diploma in agriculture and after returning to the farm, took education and the modernization of agriculture seriously, implementing new technology and […] Read more
Consumers affect farm animals’ care
Consumers are showing no signs of eating less meat and cheese but are increasingly concerned with how animals are treated before they become dinner. There is a need for a consistent set of ethical guidelines common to all livestock, said Ray Stricklin, associate professor at the University of Maryland, speaking to the Farm Animal Council […] Read more
Cattle producer touts benefits of grazing sheep
A Manitoba rancher recently told his colleagues that they should think twice before turning up their noses at the thought of allowing sheep on their property. Scoff if you like, Brian Greaves told the Manitoba Grazing School in early December, but keep in mind that a weaned calf would have to be worth $900 to […] Read more
