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Ag Notes

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Published: December 19, 2002

Alberta Pork awards

Three Albertans were recognized for their contributions to the

province’s pork industry at Alberta Pork’s annual meeting in Calgary,

Dec. 4-5.

Jaco Poot of Barrhead received the environmental stewardship award for

environmentally friendly hog production.

He has reduced natural gas use on his farm and largely eliminated

contamination from manure while saving money and producing healthy pigs.

Ron Ball, swine specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Alberta Pork

Producers’ research chair in swine production at the University of

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Alberta, received the friend of the industry award for his work with

producers in marketing, production and nutrition.

In his research with pigs as models for human nutrition, he helped

redefine amino acids and made improvements in infant formulas and

intravenous feeding for human babies. This research led to an increase

in the amounts of protein and amino acids listed on the recommended

dietary intakes.

Bill Stone received a lifetime achievement award. In addition to

serving as swine veterinarian for Alberta Agriculture, he headed the

department’s epidemiology department before moving to Daco Laboratories

in Lethbridge and writing a handbook on herd health.

Alberta Pork represents more than 2,000 Alberta pork producers, who

produce 3.5 million hogs annually.

Arbourist training offered

The University of Manitoba’s school of agriculture will offer an

arbourist training and examination program Jan. 14 to April 8, 2003.

The program leads to accreditation required for obtaining a Manitoba

arbourist licence.

Course content includes tree biology, climbing safety and problem

diagnosis.

Certified arbourist Martha Barwinsky is the instructor.

Gift ideas

Gardening and horse care are among topics offered in a host of books

from Alberta Agriculture bound for Christmas stockings.

Alberta Yards and Gardens looks at what grows best in Alberta, from

ornamental trees to vegetables. It also offers tips on pruning,

wintering roses and attracting birds and butterflies. It sells for $15.

Garden-fresh Produce, a 56-page book selling for $4, gives advice on

picking, preserving and preparing fresh vegetables.

Horse Health presents an overview of parasites, pests, disease,

lameness and other common horse problems. Complete with photographs and

illustrations, it looks at presentation and treatment. It sells for $15.

Other recommended books include Weeds of the Prairies ($20), Beekeeping

in Western Canada ($25), Pulse Crops in Alberta ($25), Growing Native

Plants of Western Canada: Common Grasses and Wildflowers ($30) and How

Herbicides Work: Biology to Application ($35).

A CD-ROM Weed Identification Program ($10) is another useful resource

in identifying weeds and improving weed control.

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