Reading Time: 3 minutes After years of successfully keeping the deadly PED virus at bay, porcine epidemic diarrhea has been found in Alberta. “The disease was found on Thursday (Jan. 3),” said Javier Bahamon, quality assurance and production manager for Alberta Pork. “It was reported by a private veterinarian to chief provincial offices at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. Since […] Read more
PED reaches Alberta — first case of deadly virus confirmed in province
Hog producers warned by pork officials it’s ‘especially critical’ to step up their biosecurity efforts
Sustainable beef pilot continuing
Reading Time: < 1 minute A year-long pilot project aimed at helping establish a steady supply of certified sustainable beef for interested buyers is being extended. “The positive momentum is encouraging,” said the organizers of the Canadian Beef Sustainability Acceleration pilot project. “Due to its success and increasing customer demand for beef from certified sustainable sources, the pilot team is […] Read more
Latest bovine TB investigation includes Alberta
Reading Time: < 1 minute An investigation that came after a B.C. cow tested positive for bovine TB in November has reached Alberta. The CFIA has been tracing animals that have entered (trace-ins) or left (trace-outs) the B.C. herd over the past five years. As of mid-December, six other operations in B.C. and Alberta had been placed under movement controls […] Read more
Another new elevator for Alberta
Reading Time: < 1 minute The investment in Western Canada’s grain sector continues to grow. G3 Canada recently announced another new elevator, this time in Morinville. The news came just two months after the company announced plans to build an elevator near Carmangay. Construction on that elevator is underway as well as at a third G3 facility at Wetaskiwin. The […] Read more
European beef exports growing, but still small
Reading Time: < 1 minute The number of Canadian producers raising EU-eligible beef has tripled in the past year — but the number remains small, says the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. In a recent newsletter, the CCA says its “best estimate” is that more than 100 producers have enrolled in a certification program that ensures they’re not using growth-enhancing products. But […] Read more
New program focused on well-being of rural youth
Reading Time: 2 minutes 4-H Canada is launching a new two-year initiative “that supports the emotional and physical well-being of rural youth across Canada.” The first year of the 4-H Canada Healthy Living Initiative, which will launch in spring, will address mental health issues faced by rural youth. “Young people living in rural and remote communities are at greater risk […] Read more
Alberta potato producers back non-refundable checkoff
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta potato farmers have overwhelmingly voted to make their checkoff non-refundable. In a recent plebiscite, 56 producers (82.3 per cent) voted in favour of making the service charge non-refundable. There were 11 opposing votes and one spoiled ballot. There are about 140 licensed potato growers in the province, cropping about 53,000 acres (mostly processing potatoes) […] Read more
Pesticide makers create resistance website
Reading Time: < 1 minute The organization representing pesticide makers has a new online tool to help minimize herbicide resistance on farms. Three out of five Canadian growers are now dealing with herbicide-resistant weeds, Paul Hoekstra, a senior official at Syngenta and chair of CropLife Canada’s resistance management committee, said in a news release. Manage Resistance Now promotes using a […] Read more
Rabies case in farm cat prompts vaccination warning
Two people were recently bit by a farm cat that likely contracted rabies from a bat
Reading Time: 2 minutes A rabid farm cat that bit its owner and another person has prompted the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association to warn pet owners to vaccinate against rabies. The association said the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian received notification of the positive rabies test on Nov. 13. “This nine-year-old, indoor-outdoor cat was born and lived on a […] Read more
Review your biosecurity measures, says CCA
Reading Time: < 1 minute In the wake of a recent case of bovine tuberculosis, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is encouraging producers to review their biosecurity protocols on preventing and limiting the spread of the disease. In October, the case was detected at an Alberta slaughter plant and the carcass was confirmed to be from a cow from B.C. The […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
