Reading Time: 3 minutes Are Alberta’s wild horses native to the province or just domestic horses gone feral? A new DNA testing initiative aims to settle that question, and potentially end the battle over the wild horse cull. “We’re trying to determine if there are any special genetics among the wildies of the eastern slopes so we can decide […] Read more
A big test for Alberta’s wild horses
Advocates who want to save the animals hope DNA testing will prove they qualify as native to the province
Dry means extra dangers for grazing livestock
Water hemlock and blue-green algae are two killers that pose an increased risk in dry, hot years
Reading Time: 2 minutes Dried-up sloughs and waterways mean cattle can graze things they normally wouldn’t. And that can be deadly. Water hemlock — something cattle wouldn’t normally eat — is one of the dangers. Its leaves and stems are toxic, but the root is especially dangerous, with a marble-sized piece enough to kill a cow. “Water hemlock is […] Read more
Anthrax strikes two cattle operations near Fort Vermilion
If an animal dies suddenly on your property, do not move it and call a veterinarian for a diagnosis
Reading Time: 2 minutes Anthrax has surfaced in Alberta, killing about 10 cattle on two separate operations in the Fort Vermilion area. This follows the death of two bison that died in North Battleford, Sask. and producers are being warned to be on the lookout for anthrax, due to the hot, dry conditions. The disease is not new to […] Read more
Soil scientist offers recipe for better soil health
More earthworm slime and protozoa excretions? You betcha!
Reading Time: 3 minutes You can’t control Mother Nature, but you can have some control over the health of your soil. At a recent workshop, soil scientist Jill Clapperton outlined some visible indicators of soil health, and described a few things producers could do to improve their soil. “If you have healthy plants, you have an excellent indicator that […] Read more
Anthrax warning issued after two bison die near North Battleford
There is a greater risk of anthrax in dry conditions and a sudden unexplained death is the key warning sign
Reading Time: 2 minutes Authorities are warning that the anthrax danger is higher after two bison northwest of North Battleford, Sask. recently died after contracting the highly contagious disease. “Whenever we have drier summers, anthrax is always a higher risk,” said Dr. Kent Weir, associate veterinarian with Weir Veterinary services in Lloydminster. Anthrax spores can survive for decades in […] Read more
Pill allows celiac sufferers to ingest gluten
A decade of work at the University of Alberta has created a pill made from antibodies in chicken yolks that binds gluten
Reading Time: 2 minutes Celiac sufferers may soon be able to have their cake and eat it too. University of Alberta researchers have created a pill that uses natural antibodies in chicken yolk to prevent celiac sufferers from reacting to gluten. The natural supplement prevents the absorption of giladin, a component of gluten that people with celiac disease are […] Read more
No word on farm aid until after harvest
Livestock producers have a tax deferral option, but government waiting to see if crop insurance is adequate
Reading Time: 3 minutes Crop producers will have to wait until after harvest to find out if there is any government drought assistance, says the president of the Grain Growers of Canada. The question of additional farm aid was put to Oneil Carlier, the new NDP agriculture minister, when he attended an Alberta Wheat Commission directors’ meeting in Red […] Read more
Disaster declarations raise awareness
Declaring an agricultural disaster can help speed crop insurance claims and might trigger additional government aid
Reading Time: < 1 minute Recent dry conditions and grasshopper infestations have led several counties to declare a state of agricultural disaster. Sturgeon, Parkland, Brazeau, Thorhild, Leduc, and Mackenzie counties have issued disaster declarations. They don’t trigger aid but raising awareness of the situation can be very helpful, said one county official. “Based on past experiences, making the provincial and […] Read more
Study aims to show beef is sustainable
Analysis will create a baseline for things like water use and carbon sequestration
Reading Time: 2 minutes Consumers have been asking for it, and now the Canadian beef industry is one step closer to proving its sustainability. “We’re trying to find the impacts — both positive and negative — that come from beef production, from when an animal is born on the ground to when it becomes a kilogram of beef on […] Read more
Stress could be taking its toll on you — know the signs
Withdrawing, not wanting to eat, and constant worry are all signs of stress that could lead to more serious issues
Reading Time: 3 minutes In tough times — like this year’s drought — stress can creep up on you. So take a moment to think how your friends and family are holding up. “I really encourage people to notice what other people are doing when it’s stressful like this. You may need to look after each other a bit […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
