Genome Alberta is inviting Canadian scientists to submit research proposals related to livestock genetics. The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency has provided $4.8 million to support research with direct benefits to the beef, dairy and pork sectors, said Genome Alberta chief executive officer David Bailey. “This is new money for new projects. It is not […] Read more
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Alta. livestock industry requests genetic research projects
Farmers plan to lower debt: FCC
With Canadian farm debt at record levels, half the farmers surveyed by Farm Credit Canada late last year said they plan to reduce their personal debt levels this year. High debt levels and interest rate fears likely count among the factors behind the decision. FCC managers say a number of considerations could be at play. […] Read more
Rancher awaits appeal decision on feed issues
An Alberta rancher is waiting for a decision from the Alberta Court of Appeals in his nine-year dispute with a feed company. Tom Seaborn of Rocky Mountain House sued Masterfeeds Inc. in 2003 after he bought a load of cattle feed in 2001 that allegedly caused health problems in his herd of purebred Shorthorns. The […] Read more
Expert prescribes national rural health plan
Shortcomings in rural health services can only be solved with a rural health strategy that all levels of government embrace, say rural health experts. Dr. Roger Strasser, dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Thunder Bay and former director of the largest rural medicine school in Australia, said it will require federal leadership, […] Read more
CFIA investigates abuse in horse slaughter video
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed that an agency employee was detected in hidden camera videotape taken at a horse slaughter plant near Montreal. “I understand that there’s a CFIA inspector visible in part of the footage, allegedly shot at the Quebec plant,” said Martin Appelt, the CFIA’s manager of meat programs. In late […] Read more
Alta. turkey farmer fined over inspection violations
A provincial court judge has fined a southern Alberta organic turkey operation for meat inspection violations. Cameron Leth and Wheatland Select Organic Turkey pleaded guilty to the charges in a joint submission to the provincial court in Lethbridge. Judge D.G. Redman fined Leth $50,000 and Wheatland Select Organic Turkey of Taber $75,000. A Canadian Food […] Read more
Letters to the editor – for Apr. 15, 2010
Creative addition In the recent (federal) throne speech, the Harper government said it will “insure the freedom of choice for which western barley farmers overwhelmingly voted” (WP, March 11). This is an absolutely false claim stemming from the results of the Harper government’s 2007 barley plebiscite. This plebiscite was typically Conservative: misleading and full of […] Read more
Drier than normal spring across country predicted
Recent rain and snow in parts of the Prairies notwithstanding, Environment Canada says the next three months are likely to be warmer and drier than usual. But senior climatologist Dave Phillips wouldn’t bet the farm on that forecast. “I wouldn’t ever tell a farmer to look at the seasonal forecast alone,” he said April 12. […] Read more
Plant buffers can limit antibiotic spread in manure runoff
LINDELL BEACH, B.C. – Researchers have found another use for grass buffer strips – trapping and breaking down veterinary antibiotics contained in manure that has been spread as fertilizer. “Vegetative buffers already are a recommended practice for reducing sediment, nutrients and herbicides in surface runoff,” said Keith Goyne, an assistant professor of environmental soil chemistry […] Read more
Alberta hay heads to Saudi Arabia
A Lethbridge forage company is negotiating to sell its product to Saudi Arabia. Containers of double compressed hay – 1,000 tonnes of alfalfa and 200 tonnes of timothy hay – are making the 45 day journey to the Middle East, said marketing vice-president Peter Ball of Green Prairie International. This first shipment is a pilot […] Read more
