Pollutants trapped | Design of the yard, type of trees and wind direction play role in effectiveness
INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDEN, Manitoba-North Dakota border — Locating intensive livestock operations away from populated areas is one way to keep odour from being an issue. Trees are another. Shelter belts known as vegetative environmental buffers (VEB) can trap air pollutants and dust escaping from large-scale hog and poultry barns, said John Tyndall, a professor of […] Read moreNews
Tree buffers suck up odour, dust
CWD experts lament loss of targeted hunt
Chronic wasting disease in wild deer has spread faster since Alberta government staff stopped their targeted hunts four years ago, says a provincial disease specialist. “I believe we have the evidence that the control program was effective in the years when we delivered it,” said Margo Pybus of Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife disease unit. “The […] Read more
Familiar faces head ag organizations
Gerry Ritz appointments | Three members of the CWB board were also reappointed
Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz, faced with the need to make significant appointments to organizations under his political control, has chosen to stick with the familiar. In appointments this week to Farm Credit Canada, the Canadian Grain Commission and the CWB, Ritz stayed loyal to those he knows. Greg Stewart was re-appointed president of FCC […] Read moreNew levies proposed for wheat, barley
Saskatchewan’s cereal grain producers could soon see fundamental change to how wheat and barley levies are collected. The changes could also mean a significant increase in the amount of money that is collected annually through producer checkoffs. Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart announced Oct. 12 that two interim committees have been formed to oversee the […] Read more
Markets chaotic over XL closure
Plant still closed | Producers holding animals, shipping to the U.S. while prices weaken
Uncertainty will rule the cattle markets as long as the XL Foods cattle slaughter plant in Brooks, Alta., remains closed. “The uncertainty around this thing is driving everybody nuts,” said Martin Unrau, president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and a producer from Manitoba. Cargill Meat Solutions at High River, Alta., has increased production, but many […] Read moreCattle producers question viability of slaughter plant
Cart in front of horse | Cattle groups and producers say the industry must rebuild numbers before a plant is feasible
Less than two weeks after the XL Foods beef recall, the Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council announced it may soon break ground on $40 million slaughter plant in Winnipeg. Assuming MCEC finalizes a couple of financial deals this fall, construction will begin shortly on a 250 to 500 head per day plant specializing in halal and […] Read moreProducers tire of cattle plant promises
As far as Jim Murray is concerned, the likelihood of a cattle slaughter plant being built in Winnipeg is about the same as Manitoba replacing Mexico as the most popular winter holiday destination in North America. “My opinion is that they’ll never kill an animal. They’ll never build a plant where they will kill an […] Read more
New codes cover animal housing, health, transport
Retailers, consumers want standards | The dilemma is to address concerns without putting producers out of business
TORONTO — Updated codes of practice for better farm animal welfare are on the drawing board, but few producers will use them if these manuals are not practical. Codes for humane animal handling and care have existed since the 1980s. Some provinces incorporated them into animal care legislation and some associations made them part of […] Read moreAlberta feed ration expert selected for award
Order of Excellence | Lethbridge Research Centre scientist helped develop the feedlot industry in southern Alberta
Robert Hironaka still recalls a phone call from a 300-head feedlot operator who was having problems with bloating animals. He was treating 20 head per day for the problem, and needed advice. Hironaka, a scientist at the Lethbridge Research Centre, had done extensive work on feed rations and feedlot economics, and he quickly identified the […] Read moreSask. website wins Tech Venture Challenge, business start-up cash
Renterra Farmland’s website will allow interested renters to bid on available Saskatchewan farmland
A concept for a website that links farmland owners with renters has been named winner of the University of Saskatchewan Tech Venture Challenge. Lyndon Lisitza, an alumnus of the university, created Renterra Farmland Sales and Rental Auction Inc., which, when operational, will allow land owners to register and post legal land descriptions. Farmers who want […] Read more
