insights

By Cassandra Docherty MSc., Apiculture Technologist, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

I fell in love with honey bees after having the opportunity to do a couple hive inspections with a professor while I was studying abroad. When I returned to Canada to finish the second half of my masters degree on an invasive fish species in Alberta, I decided to take a beginner beekeeping course. Needless to say, my fascination with these creatures only grew stronger. A year after I graduated, I was lucky to land a job working as an apiculture research technician at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. As of right now, I am hoping to expand my knowledge of honey bees and colony management, as well as develop specific technical skills to help the industry diagnose and manage pests and diseases. 

The beekeeping industry in Alberta is the largest in Canada, and is home to over 315,000 honey bee colonies. Both honey production and the provision of pollination services to crops in Alberta and British Columbia are key aspects of the industry. Our goal at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry is to support Alberta’s beekeepers to ensure the industry is strong and resilient, and honey bees are healthy for the future. One of our primary objectives is to assist beekeepers in developing and applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems in their operations to reduce the risks and costs associated with colony loss from disease outbreak.

By Roy Lewis DVM

The livestock industry is making great strides in decreasing antimicrobial usage which indirectly helps with antimicrobial resistance. From veterinarians setting the example, to cow-calf and feedlot operations implementing effective coping strategies, huge progress is being made. There are management changes which can be made to minimize disease incidence. The policymakers can also look at ways to increase research in antimicrobials or alternative treatment methods. Monitoring and surveillance of drug resistance such as an antimicrobial task force headed by the veterinary colleges, look at the evolution of antibiotic resistance. What can you do today as a cattle producer in whichever segment of the cattle industry you are involved? This article will address changes you can make that may decrease disease incidence and therefore the need for antimicrobial use in your calves.

By Devyn-Skye Brook, The Do More Agriculture Foundation

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” ― Socrates

There is nothing quite like the pain, of witnessing someone that you love suffer. The feeling of powerlessness in not being able to make the mental anguish of another disappear. But here’s a little secret. No one always has it together. Every life is laced with adversity, sadness and grief. The belief that we need to manage on our own is changing, bringing us back together. There is great courage in sharing our stories.

By Roy Lewis DVM

Animal welfare issues have been discussed and reviewed in the past. Lately, transportation of livestock has come under scrutiny. This article will offer a veterinarian’s perspective and provide ways to improve transport decision-making for your operation.

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On behalf of the UCVM’s lameness team: Michelle van Huyssteen, Makaela Douglas and Karin Orsel

Lameness is the third most common health problem and reason for involuntary culling in the Canadian dairy industry, after reproductive performance and mastitis. This disorder is a sign of pain resulting in an abnormal locomotion, gait or posture. Beside this welfare impact, it has a major economic impact, including treatment costs and reduced milk production, reproductive performance, and cow longevity. Current scientific knowledge has not been effective in adoption of prevention strategies as the average lameness prevalence in Alberta is still 20%. The Canadian Dairy Code of Practice aims to have 10% lameness as a maximum. Two students will present the focus of their projects to mitigate lameness. (more…)