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The history of rat control in Alberta

Description

Norway rats are one of the most destructive creatures known to man. They destroy and contaminate untold quantities of food, and through their tunneling activities, undermine the foundations of... More ≫

Description

Norway rats are one of the most destructive creatures known to man. They destroy and contaminate untold quantities of food, and through their tunneling activities, undermine the foundations of buildings, sewer and water lines, and city streets. Rats also weaken and deface buildings by gnawing holes through floors, walls, insulation and supporting structures. Norway rats carried the flea that spread plague throughout Europe and Asia. Even today, they spread organisms responsible for food poisoning, hepatitis, tularemea and other diseases. Thus, the people of Alberta are extremely fortunate not to have rats. This is not by chance but by design. For the past four decades, Alberta has had a program to keep rats out of the province. This publication describes the evolution, history and current status of the rat control program in Alberta, and discusses factors which contributed to its success.

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Chronic wasting disease (CWD) of elk and deer

Description

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal, degenerative disease of the brain of free ranging or farmed ungulates (elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer). CWD belongs to a group of... More ≫

Description

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal, degenerative disease of the brain of free ranging or farmed ungulates (elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer). CWD belongs to a group of related diseases called Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), which include Scrapie in sheep and goats, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans.

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Risks of using overwintered crops as livestock feed

Description

This fact sheet looks at some of the concerns associated with feeding overwintered crops to livestock, for both the livestock and human health.

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Using the animal unit month (AUM) effectively

Description

The concept of the animal unit month (AUM) is useful to help range and pasture managers calculate suitable stocking rates for pastures under a wide variety of conditions. This fact sheet defines... More ≫

Description

The concept of the animal unit month (AUM) is useful to help range and pasture managers calculate suitable stocking rates for pastures under a wide variety of conditions. This fact sheet defines the animal unit month and describes how to determine this number.

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Organic lamb

Description

Provides information to assist farmers who might be interested in pursuing the farming of organic lamb in the province.

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Spotted alfalfa aphid

Description

Presents a description of the spotted alfalfa aphid, describes the type of damage it can cause to alfalfa crops, and looks at biological and chemical methods of controlling the insect. This... More ≫

Description

Presents a description of the spotted alfalfa aphid, describes the type of damage it can cause to alfalfa crops, and looks at biological and chemical methods of controlling the insect. This species of aphid can be more serious on alfalfa than the pea aphid because it not only sucks out the juice of the plant, but it also injects a toxin into it.

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Biology and control of skunks

Description

People generally relate skunks to the foul-smelling, defensive spray they discharge when scared or threatened. Generally, people avoid skunks and have little tolerance for their presence. In many... More ≫

Description

People generally relate skunks to the foul-smelling, defensive spray they discharge when scared or threatened. Generally, people avoid skunks and have little tolerance for their presence. In many parts of North America, skunks are also a major carrier of rabies. Rabies has been present in the skunk population of southern Alberta, at fluctuating levels, since the late 1970s. This information sheet includes a brief look at the biology, behaviour and reproduction of skunks, and then focuses on non-lethal and lethal methods of skunk control.

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Coriander

Description

Corianderis an annual herb with a distinctive sweet citrus/mint/musty aroma that has been valued over the centuries. Green coriander has been called the most commonly used flavouring in the world... More ≫

Description

Corianderis an annual herb with a distinctive sweet citrus/mint/musty aroma that has been valued over the centuries. Green coriander has been called the most commonly used flavouring in the world due to its usage across the Middle East into all of southern Asia as well as in most parts of Latin America. This fact sheet provides an overview of the properties and uses of coriander. Other topics covered include: growing coriander, including tips on seeding, fertilization, harvest and storage; pest management; marketing; and world production and consumption.

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Raspberries in Alberta

Description

Raspberries are one of the easiest and most rewarding fruits to grow in the home garden. They will produce a generous crop within the third year of planting with relatively minimal work. An 8 m... More ≫

Description

Raspberries are one of the easiest and most rewarding fruits to grow in the home garden. They will produce a generous crop within the third year of planting with relatively minimal work. An 8 m row will supply plenty of fruit for eating fresh and preserving for a family of four. Many acres of raspberries are being produced commercially in Alberta, but this fact sheet will focus on home garden raspberry production.

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Fireblight

Description

Fireblight, a highly destructive disease of several members of the rose family, is caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. This bacterial organism is native to North America and is present... More ≫

Description

Fireblight, a highly destructive disease of several members of the rose family, is caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. This bacterial organism is native to North America and is present throughout the continent where susceptible rose family hosts are grown. In Alberta, this disease can affect many highly desirable hardy ornamentals and fruit-producing species in the rose family including apple, crabapple, cotoneaster, hawthorn, pear, mountain ash, raspberry, saskatoon berry, plum and cherry. It is particularly destructive to species that are not native to Canada such as crabapple, apple and pear.

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