An outbreak of neurotropic equine herpes virus-1 has spread from the United States to Canada. Horses became infected at a cutting horse event in Utah held from late April to early May. Cases have arisen across the northwestern United States and in British Columbia and Alberta. B.C. has seen three cases and Alberta has one […] Read more
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Cases of equine virus in Alta., B.C. spark cancellation of events
Probiotics can play vital role in horse rations
RED DEER – Horse owners are urged to seriously consider probiotics when looking for products to improve their animals’ health. David Craig, who sells equine supplements, told the recent Mane Event horse fair in Red Deer that owners must be discerning when buying probiotics and make sure they are buying live material. Proper storage and […] Read more
New trade minister has supply management background
The first time members of the free trade-promoting Canadian Agri- Food Trade Alliance met British Columbia Conservative MP Ed Fast, he reminded them that he represents Abbotsford, B.C. The message was clear: it is a Fraser Valley riding that is home to a significant number of dairy, poultry and egg farmers who depend on supply […] Read more
Alberta farm dogs recognized for life-saving heroics
Two Alberta farm dogs were recently inducted into the Purina Animal Hall of Fame for saving their owner from an attacking cow. Missy, a border collie, and Scooter, a blue heeler, received the award at a special ceremony in Toronto, along with their owners, Glenda and Gary Moser, and their family. “I am extremely proud […] Read more
Homework important when feeding horses
RED DEER – Many consumers make sure they read the labels before buying food. Lynne Hoff thinks they should do the same when buying horse feed and supplements. Hoff, a pharmacist who raises performance horses on her Sunglade Ranch Ltd. near Sundre, Alta., said a feeding program must make sense, be good for the horse […] Read more
Ending CWB monopoly a slow process
Leading opponents of the Canadian Wheat Board’s single desk are warning the federal government that the path to workable reform is a treacherous one that should be navigated carefully. Grain Growers of Canada and two of its members – Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association and the Western Barley Growers Association – have urged the new […] Read more
Food company co-founder dies at 81
Wallace McCain, chair of Maple Leaf Foods Inc. and co-founder of the McCain frozen food company, died at the age of 81 due to pancreatic cancer. McCain and his brother, Harrison, started the frozen food company that bears their name in their hometown of Florenceville, N.B., in 1956. Today the company is one of Canada’s […] Read more
Man. ponders livestock insurance program
Manitoba cattle producers may soon have a price insurance program, but it won’t be a carbon copy of the Alberta model, says provincial agriculture minister Stan Struthers. He said the Manitoba government consulted with the Alberta Financial Services Corp. about its price insurance program, but the province’s cow-calf operators require a made-in- Manitoba program. “We’ve […] Read more
Ritz urges patience on changes
Gerry Ritz has a clear message to farmers demanding fast action at the Canadian Wheat Board: be patient, change will come Aug. 1, 2012. “We wanted to send a signal as soon as we can to make sure they understand that’s the way it’s going to happen,” Ritz said shortly after he was sworn in […] Read more
Varieties receive extension
Prairie wheat growers have until July 31 to deliver two deregistered varieties of wheat into the Canada Prairie Spring Wheat class. The varieties, Snowhite 475 and Snowhite 476, will remain eligible for grades 1 and 2 until the end of the crop year, the Canadian Grain Commission has announced. The grades were formally deregistered in […] Read more
