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Breeding soundness evaluation of bulls

Description

Breeding success depends on the reproductive health of both the cow and the bull. Because a bull is expected to service a number of cows, determining the potential fertility of the bull is much... More ≫

Description

Breeding success depends on the reproductive health of both the cow and the bull. Because a bull is expected to service a number of cows, determining the potential fertility of the bull is much more important than determining the fertility of any individual cow. It is essential to evaluate bulls every year before breeding starts because the fertility of an individual animal can vary from year to year. Surprisingly, only about 28 per cent of bulls in Alberta are evaluated for reproductive fitness.

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Micronutrient requirements of crops

Description

The need for micronutrients in crop production have long been recognized in Alberta. Zinc deficiencies in irrigated beans in southern Alberta were detected in the early 1980s. Research by Alberta... More ≫

Description

The need for micronutrients in crop production have long been recognized in Alberta. Zinc deficiencies in irrigated beans in southern Alberta were detected in the early 1980s. Research by Alberta Agriculture and Agriculture Canada has clearly shown the need for copper fertilizer particularly for wheat grown on organic soils and on some Black and Grey-Black soils in central Alberta. One million acres may be copper deficient in central Alberta. Some suspected manganese deficiencies are presently being investigated. Continued research and testing is required to identify when various crops will give economic yield increases to additions of micronutrient fertilizers.

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Nitrate poisoning and feeding nitrate feeds to livestock

Description

While nitrates (N03) are not very toxic to animals, nitrites (N02) are toxic. In ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats, nitrate is converted to nitrite by bacteria in the rumen. When... More ≫

Description

While nitrates (N03) are not very toxic to animals, nitrites (N02) are toxic. In ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats, nitrate is converted to nitrite by bacteria in the rumen. When ruminants consume a high nitrate feed, both nitrate and nitrite can accumulate in the rumen, and nitrate poisoning occurs when the nitrite level in the rumen exceeds the capacity of the microbes to convert it to ammonia. This fact sheet addresses some common questions about nitrate poisoning and discusses how to reduce the risk of nitrate toxicity.

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Warble control in Alberta

Description

The warble is a major economic pest of cattle in Alberta. Warble grubs, which are the larval stage of the "heelfly," spend over nine months in cattle as internal parasites. During this period they... More ≫

Description

The warble is a major economic pest of cattle in Alberta. Warble grubs, which are the larval stage of the "heelfly," spend over nine months in cattle as internal parasites. During this period they damage the meat and hide of infested animals and are responsible for reduced milk production in lactating cattle and lower weight gains in calves. Both cattlemen and packers incur severe economic losses in the absence of a warble management program. In Alberta, there is a province-wide organized warble control program helping Alberta cattlemen and the packing industry. According to the Agricultural Pest Act, all Alberta producers must take active measures to control warbles in their cattle. To manage warbles at the farm level, it is necessary to understand the biology of the insect and the method of action of the various pest control products.

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Red clover seed production

Description

This publication is a guide for red clover seed production. Keep in mind local conditions and your experience as a producer when using this information. Red clover is a short-lived perennial. The... More ≫

Description

This publication is a guide for red clover seed production. Keep in mind local conditions and your experience as a producer when using this information. Red clover is a short-lived perennial. The two types of red clover grown in Canada are late flowering single-cut cultivars and early flowering double-cut cultivars. In the single cut cultivars, seed is produced only in the second and subsequent years. Single-cut cultivars are hardy and are usually grown in the parkland area of the prairies and in the northern areas of British Columbia and Alberta. Double-cut varieties are not as winter hardy.

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Effective leadership

Description

Effective leaders have many common qualities. Making the effort to practise and learn the skills it takes to be an effective leader will enable you to use the style of leadership necessary in any... More ≫

Description

Effective leaders have many common qualities. Making the effort to practise and learn the skills it takes to be an effective leader will enable you to use the style of leadership necessary in any situation you come across.

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Growing forage legumes for seed

Description

Legumes have a wide area of adaptation when grown for forage, soil improvement and conservation, but their potential for producing seed profitably is restricted to regions with specific soil and... More ≫

Description

Legumes have a wide area of adaptation when grown for forage, soil improvement and conservation, but their potential for producing seed profitably is restricted to regions with specific soil and climatic conditions. Before growing legumes for seed production in a given area, check, local recommendations on the seed-producing capability of legume species and cultivars. A number of prerequisites have to be met for the optimum production of legume seed stands. Some of these conditions are outlined below.

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Swallow control

Description

Six species of swallows occur in Alberta. Most have similar life histories and requirements for food and water. Only cliff and barn swallows regularly build mud nests on buildings and other... More ≫

Description

Six species of swallows occur in Alberta. Most have similar life histories and requirements for food and water. Only cliff and barn swallows regularly build mud nests on buildings and other structures. This habit occasionally causes problems. Cliff swallows can be a nuisance because they nest in large colonies of up to several hundred birds. Other swallows tend to nest in smaller colonies or in single pairs and consequently do not usually cause a major problem.

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Solar grain drying

Description

Direct solar energy has been applied to grain drying for years. The sun and wind dry crops in the field, stack or windrow. Artificial drying has supplemented this process to increase the harvest... More ≫

Description

Direct solar energy has been applied to grain drying for years. The sun and wind dry crops in the field, stack or windrow. Artificial drying has supplemented this process to increase the harvest rate during inclement weather or to minimize field losses. This article investigates solar grain drying as one alternative.

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Management of cereal grain in storage

Description

The main objective of proper grain storage is to maintain the quality and characteristics that the grain possessed immediately after harvesting and drying. The quality of grain cannot be improved... More ≫

Description

The main objective of proper grain storage is to maintain the quality and characteristics that the grain possessed immediately after harvesting and drying. The quality of grain cannot be improved during storage. Grain improperly harvested and dried will remain of low quality no matter how well it is stored. In cereal grains loss in quality and quantity during storage is caused by fungi, insects, rodents and mites. Respiration may, in certain cases, contribute to a loss of dry matter during grain storage. However, the losses due to respiration are minor compared to those caused by living organisms.

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