Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta farmers who practise no-till cropping have been eligible to apply for carbon credits since 2002. We know that grasslands capture and store carbon, so why aren’t landowners with pasture getting paid for their contribution? That’s the focus of a University of Alberta study on the environmental benefits of things such as wildlife habitat and […] Read more
Carbon storage could equal cash for your grass
Alberta researchers hot on the trail of deadly bacteria
In response to the E. coli contamination at XL Foods, scientists have devised a test that slashes detection time in half
Reading Time: 3 minutes The time it takes to detect E. coli in a meat-processing plant has been cut in half, thanks to technology developed by researchers from the University of Alberta. “We have been able to shorten the time and we can go from cold meat to detection of Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli within five to six hours,” said Lynn […] Read more
Making a plan helps alleviate the stress of euthanasia
A detailed, written plan and standard operating practices are better for both the animals and staff
Reading Time: 3 minutes No one likes having to euthanize an animal, but it’s easier with a clear plan and proper protocols in place. Part of that is using “end points” as recommended by Canadian Council of Animal Care, said Craig Wilkinson, a professor and director of animal care for the faculty of agriculture, life and environmental sciences at […] Read more
U of A research could detect Johne’s disease
Currently no reliable test to detect the frequent problem in dairy herds
Reading Time: < 1 minute Johne’s disease is a challenge for the dairy industry. One of the main issues associated with identifying Johne’s is that the calf gets infected at a young age, but symptoms may not show in the animal for years. Johne’s disease is difficult to diagnose and when present, can cause animal mortality, decreased milk production and […] Read more
Canola growers get grim warning on clubroot threat
No varieties have strong resistance to new pathotypes, longer rotations are ‘the best management option left’
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Alberta Canola Producers Commission is urging producers to step up their efforts to contain clubroot in the province. “Since new data indicates some forms of clubroot resistance are no longer functioning well against new clubroot pathotypes in some of the heavily infested fields, we encourage you to consider a comprehensive management plan that includes all […] Read more
Earthworm Invasion! Help stop the spread of these alien invaders
Earthworms may be considered beneficial bugs in agricultural operations, but in Alberta’s forests, these invasive insects can spell trouble
Reading Time: 2 minutes A silent horde of alien invaders are worming their way through the Alberta countryside. These creepy-crawlies came from a world away, and there’s no stopping them now. The best we can hope to do is slow the spread of these invasive earthworms, says the head of the Alberta Worm Invasion Project. “In North American forests, […] Read more
Lemon tart takes the cake at Mission Impulseible student competition
Pulse-based ‘Peamon’ tart takes the cake at Mission Impulseible
Reading Time: 2 minutes Calling something a “lemon” suggests it’s not up to par, but a lemon-based tart was the winner in this year’s Mission Impulseible. The “Peamon” tart was created by a trio of University of Alberta food science students who used canned red kidney beans, chickpeas, romano beans and great northern white beans as well as other […] Read more
Chicken feed doesn’t describe this system
Some broiler breeders gobble more than their fair share of feed, but a new Alberta-designed system has a fix for that
Reading Time: 3 minutes University of Alberta researchers are only halfway through a precision feeding trial for broiler breeders — but the early results are promising. “The system has done a great job at growing birds to the right weight,” said Martin Zuidhof, an associate professor at the University of Alberta. Along with a team of electrical and mechanical […] Read more
U of A students take the stress out of stepping on the scale — for bison, that is
University of Alberta students hoping to reduce handling stress in bison through a remote weighing system using automatic platform scales
Reading Time: 3 minutes Stepping on a scale doesn’t have to be stressful — for your bison, at least. “Just like in people, when bison step on a scale, sometimes they have quite a harsh stress response,” said Josh Perryman, a University of Alberta student who spoke at the Wildrose Bison Convention earlier this month. Bison are notoriously flighty […] Read more
It’s no secret — high-energy, low-protein diet builds a better carcass
Expert says the science for creating a better carcass is well known, and producers who employ it will prosper
Reading Time: 2 minutes Feeding to build a better beef carcass is simply better for your bottom line, says a carcass and meat science researcher from the University of Alberta. “You’re going to increase the return on every carcass if you can minimize your inputs and maximize or match the outputs that are required,” Heather Bruce said at the […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
