The microscopic forage mite acts as an intermediary and allows horses to be infected with tapeworm 
while grazing.

New test gives definitive diagnosis of tapeworm infestation in horses

Horse Health: But it’s not clear if there’s much, if any, impact on horse health from tapeworm infestations

Reading Time: 3 minutes The existence of tapeworms in horses has rarely been a topic of much concern as the significance of infestation to the health of the horse has for the most part been uncertain. Not only is it difficult to reproduce the complicated life cycle of the tapeworm under study conditions it is also unreliable to gather […] Read more

(Xplornet screengrab via YouTube)

Xplornet to buy NetSet

A rural broadband provider serving over 500 Manitoba municipalities and communities is set to be absorbed into one of Canada’s biggest rural operators. Xplornet Communications announced Monday it has signed a deal to buy the internet access business of Brandon-based NetSet Communications. Financial terms of the deal for the privately-held Manitoba company weren’t disclosed, except […] Read more


Fencing falls under several pieces of legislation in Alberta, including one that makes cattle owners liable for any damage caused by strays.

Fences can cause issues — but there’s an act for that

There are at least four provincial acts which deal with fencing matters such as strays, maintenance, and location

Reading Time: 2 minutes The Stray Animals Act, Line Fence Act, Public Lands Act, and Surveys Act all affect how farmland fencing issues are handled in Alberta. “Under the Stray Animals Act, a landowner is responsible for keeping his livestock properly fenced and contained,” said Jeana Schuurman of the Farmers’ Advocate Office. “If damage is caused by cattle trespassing […] Read more



Donna and Alex von Hauff have learned from experience that not all wood shavings are made equal when it comes to animal bedding, 
and they’ve leveraged that knowledge into a successful, international business.

Alberta duo spots opportunity lying beneath their (horses’) feet

Wood shavings isn’t the most exciting product but horses love it and Alberta produces it in abundance

Reading Time: 2 minutes A Sherwood Park-area mother and son knew horses love wood shavings for bedding, and when they discovered that Alberta sawmills generate an abundant supply, they saw an opportunity to play matchmaker. Donna and Alex von Hauff, who operate Strathcona Ventures, have since expanded into a variety of health, dust control, and non-wood-related products for both […] Read more

Keira Forsyth performs physiotherapy on a client with a rotator cuff injury.

Unique physiotherapy clinic treats both horse and rider

Reading Time: 2 minutes What do horses and physiotherapy have in common? Plenty, say Sandra Oxtoby and Keira Forsyth, the owners of Equus Physio. “Keira and myself are registered human physiotherapists,” said Oxtoby. “We both grew up riding horses and we had our own injuries.” The two say many chiropractors, physiotherapists, or massage therapists, many of the health-care professionals […] Read more


Tax return storage at the Canada Revenue Agency. (Canada.ca)

Ottawa scraps plans for new limits on capital gains

The federal finance ministry has backed away from proposed plans for new limits on capital gains exemptions, over concerns of “unintended consequences” for businesses such as farms. Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Thursday announced the federal government “will not be moving forward with measures that would limit access to the LCGE (lifetime capital gains exemption),” […] Read more




(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Insurer SGI Canada sets up farm unit

The property and casualty arm of Saskatchewan’s Crown insurance agency has set up a new unit zoned strictly agricultural. SGI Canada — the Regina-based property and casualty insurance provider which operates in tandem with the Saskatchewan Auto Fund, the Crown auto insurer — on Wednesday launched a new Farm Business Unit with “a specialized team […] Read more