Reading Time: < 1 minute Lakeland College has developed a new livestock research team, which will manage Lakeland’s livestock research projects, as well as a new herd of 50 cattle for research projects and demonstrations. “Since we already demonstrate a purebred beef herd and an intensively managed beef herd, we thought it was a good opportunity to run a group […] Read more
New cattle herd for Lakeland College
Two $1,000 OYF scholarships available
Reading Time: < 1 minute Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program has two $1,000 scholarships to help students pursue a post-secondary education. One OYF Memorial Scholarship is for a new high school graduate and the other for someone who has already completed at least one year of post-secondary study. Students must be in an agriculture diploma or degree program. Each applicant […] Read more
The great divide: Earls controversy has larger implications for beef industry
A move to woo customers with ‘certified humane’ beef ignited a firestorm — and highlighted the gap between producers and consumers
Reading Time: 5 minutes The decision by Earls Restaurants to stop using Canadian beef and move to American “certified humane” proved short-lived, but the issue is much bigger than one restaurant’s choice of suppliers. Earls quickly reversed the decision that sent waves of displeasure through the beef industry. But the controversy has highlighted both consumers’ lack of knowledge about […] Read more
Stress a bison and someone will pay
Some call them athletic, others say ‘suicidal,’ but all agree that wild is the default mode for bison
Reading Time: 4 minutes Bison producer Ivan Smith doesn’t go anywhere without a butcher knife and a rifle in his truck. “Anything can go wrong when you’re dealing with an animal that’s this athletic,” said Smith, who operates Big Bend Bison Ranch near Innisfail. “It’s just the nature of the bison. They’re not meant to be captive, so when […] Read more
It’s a good year for applying for a Century Farm & Ranch Award
Reading Time: < 1 minute One of the challenges for the popular Alberta Century Farm & Ranch Award program is authenticating historical ownership of land. The award recognizes farm families that have continuously owned and actively farmed or ranched an original parcel of land for 100 years or more, said program co-ordinator Lillian Chan. Chan has become very familiar with […] Read more
Federal funding available to help cut farm greenhouse gases
Reading Time: < 1 minute A federal program backing research into farm-level technologies and practices that limit farms’ greenhouse gas emissions has been extended for another five-year run. Ottawa will put $27 million into the next phase of the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program, which gave out $21 million in funding to 18 projects in the first five-year phase. Among those […] Read more
Farmers’ market app now available
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Agriculture has created a free app for Apple and Android that provides up-to-date information about locations, times, and dates of farmers’ markets in the province. Farmers’ markets are the No. 1 agri-tourism attraction in Alberta, providing a great shopping experience where consumers can “savour time” rather than “save time.” The app, which cost about […] Read more
Country music star makes the case for Canadian beef
Reading Time: < 1 minute Country superstar Paul Brandt is the host of a new video promoting Canadian beef, but the stars are Canadian producers and the landscape they work in. “If I asked you to imagine the world’s perfect place for raising beef, what would that look like?” Brandt asks at the opening of Canada Beef’s new promotional video. […] Read more
Research on antimicrobial use and resistance to be funded
A total of $1.5 million available for projects that reduce antimicrobial use or combat resistance
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers and the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency are seeking research proposals focused on antimicrobial use and resistance. The two organizations will be awarding $1.5 million in grants for research in the following areas: Identify and/or develop practical and economically viable modifications to current beef production practices that reduce the need for non-ionophore […] Read more
New website focuses on antimicrobial resistance
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association has launched a campaign called Raised with Care to inform livestock producers about upcoming changes to antimicrobial regulations and livestock production practices. “Controlling the spread of (antibiotic) resistance is essential if we hope to retain our access to these tools that save countless human and animal lives,” the association said […] Read more