Reading Time: 4 minutes It certainly wasn’t the first time Dorothy Edge had stepped into the saddle of a sure-footed horse to ride the range in the autumn-tinged foothills of southern Alberta. But it was the first time she’d done that with several dozen other ladies from various walks of life, including Laureen Harper. Dorothy and neighbour Jo Hutchinson […] Read more
Linked by a love of the land
'Gathering' event brings together women of influence to promote conservation
A big bet on Alberta’s lamb sector
The Alberta processor has spent $8.5 million on a new feedlot and plant expansion
Reading Time: 4 minutes Is Alberta’s sheep industry ready for expansion? That’s the debate circulating in livestock circles this fall. On the one hand, there is the bold development of Sungold Meats. On the other is a somewhat cautious group of producers. The Alberta processor is betting two major projects along with pricing incentives will boost production in the […] Read more
Stress tool could have a big impact
Infrared thermography provides a quick and non-invasive way to measure stress, and that has big implications for livestock producers
Reading Time: 5 minutes A new ‘eye’ on how animals respond to stressful situations is providing researchers with a valuable tool that could one day have a big impact on how livestock are treated. Infrared thermography — or IRT — can tell a lot of stories by measuring body heat in a specific area. Using a device that looks […] Read more
Giving back in a big way
Reading Time: 3 minutes His charity efforts are soaring as high as his country music career. The record $503,000 raised at Gord Bamford’s seventh annual golf tourney at the Lacombe Golf Club and a sold-out gala in Red Deer last month had the country star shaking his head in wonder. “I was thinking about our first year when the […] Read more
Study on dark cutters aimed at boosting the bottom line
The goal is to figure out which animals are most prone to this costly condition and how to better manage them
Reading Time: 3 minutes In the quest for ever-improving beef quality, scientists are taking a new look at an age-old challenge: dark cutters. Those are the animals that get the B4 grade and discount, and exhibit the unsightly darker-red colour and associated toughness in the meat, along with reduced shelf life. Dark cutting shows up more often during the […] Read more
No kidding – there’s a great future for Alberta’s goat industry
Whether it’s milk, meat, or for multi-species grazing, the demand for goats far outstrips the available supply
Reading Time: 4 minutes Demand is not a problem facing Alberta’s goat industry these days — but supply certainly is. With a growing number of Albertans hailing from countries where goat is a staple, producers simply can’t keep up with demand, said Laurie Fries, president of Alberta Goat Breeders. “Our numbers are the lowest they’ve ever been,” the Edgerton […] Read more
New stampede facility destined to be a hit
Agrium Western Event Centre features state-of-the-art design and is a 'perfect space for both cattle and horse events'
Reading Time: 3 minutes Visitors to this year’s Calgary Stampede will be able to enjoy a new facility to learn about many aspects of agriculture. And users of the building are thrilled to have a long-awaited permanent spot to showcase their events in what is considered a one-of-a-kind facility in Canada. The doors of Agrium Western Event Centre officially […] Read more
It’s no longer a man’s world in agriculture
Conference highlights the new reality — women not only play a key role in agriculture but are critical to its success
Reading Time: 3 minutes ‘Mommas, don’t let your daughters miss out on careers in agriculture!’ That’s how the Willie and Waylon classic could have been modified by anyone attending the inaugural Advancing Women Conference in Calgary. The event, created by well-known conference organizer Iris Meck, was designed to provide life and leadership skills for women involved in agriculture. While […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
