Farmfair International will be held Nov. 5-13 in Edmonton. The international livestock industry has come together for more than 35 years to see, show and sell top quality livestock. Farmfair showcases more than 1,000 head of cattle, 800 horses, alpacas and sheep dogs. The week-long event features cattle shows and events, equine sales, competitions, clinics […] Read more
News
Farmfair next month
Husband-wife team shares the load
NEW NORWAY, Alta. — The birth of Cathy and Wade Mowat’s second child gave the young couple the pause needed to re-evaluate their farming life. Knowing that rural child care would be an issue, Cathy gave up a 16-year career as a travel agent and joined Wade full time on the farm where she learned […] Read more
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Oct. 27, 2011
HOGS STEADY Strong pork exports are offsetting the negative effect of seasonally increased hog supply. The U.S. dollar is the weakest compared to the Chinese yuan since 1993, making American pork more attractive to China, which is trying to rein in food inflation. Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs delivered to plants were about steady at $69.50 […] Read more
Cattle stay out of ring at dispersal sale
DEL BONITA, Alta. — It was a purebred dispersal sale unique in a number of ways, not the least of which was the absence of live cattle in the ring. It might also be one of the largest purebred dispersals ever held in Alberta. Featured cattle were penned behind the sale barn for viewing, but […] Read more
Trapper teaches producers how to combat coyotes
MORNINGSIDE, Alta. — Coyotes are opportunistic, intelligent and adaptable to urban and rural areas. The more contact they have with people, the less fear they show. As a result, phones at municipal offices are ringing off the hook with complaints about coyote problems throughout Alberta. “My typical calls are in spring calving or in the […] Read more
Open door helps educate on cattle ranching benefits
CRANBROOK, B.C. — The view from the butte from which Pine Butte Ranch takes its name features distant mountains, forest, rolling hills and grasslands. It is the type of scenery so attractive to those wishing to buy their own little piece of heaven. “We’ve had a lot of pressure from a lot of different people […] Read more
Lamb producers want compensation
MORNINGSIDE, Alta. – Bill Gibson figures the coyote problem in his area is the worst he has experienced in his 35 years in the lamb business. The farmer from Tees, Alta., is frustrated as he tries to match wits with wily coyotes that took 30 lambs and a ewe this year. That is three times […] Read more
Determine cause of nosebleeds to avoid horse fatality
A trickle of blood from a horse’s nostril may not seem that concerning, but it can be the first indication of serious medical problems. The most life-threatening condition is a fungal infection of the carotid artery, which is a major vessel that supplies blood to the brain. A brief anatomy lesson is necessary to understand […] Read more
Historic agricultural bill sets off House debate
Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz had the first word as he opened debate Oct. 19 on government legislation that will abolish the 68-year-old Canadian Wheat Board monopoly Aug. 1, 2012. It was low-key. “I welcome this opportunity on behalf of western Canadian farmers to open debate on the bill … that would give them marketing freedom […] Read more
Canada touted as potential leader in hunger solution
University of Guelph president Alastair Summerlee began a speech to a “feeding a hungry world” conference last week on a sombre note. “In the next hour (around the world), 200 people will die of starvation,” he said at a conference on animal agriculture sponsored by many Canadian agricultural heavy hitters including Cargill, Maple Leaf Foods […] Read more
