Raw milk: is there room for science in food wars?
Academics and ag industry are jumping into the raw milk debate later this month by holding a one-day symposium at the University of Guelph. The symposium, titled Science to Policy, is slated for April...
View ArticleThe role of biotechnology in boosting livestock production
Genome Alberta is taking a look at the social, environmental and economic challenges around biotechnology in the livestock sector by hosting a one-day conference in Calgary April 23. The day includes...
View ArticleBiotechnology news and events
Ranchers and others in the industry looking to beef up their knowledge of feed efficiency will want to tune in to a webinar on May 1st hosted by the Beef Cattle Research Council. The webinar will look...
View ArticleAgriculture and Genomics Hit the Road
There are a wide range of social issues and perspectives arising from the use of genomics technology and one area sure to get quick reaction is its use in agriculture - just look at the concern around...
View ArticleCanada facing ag science brain drain
For ages now the world has looked to Canada for leadership in ag science. But now that leadership title may be at risk, said several agriculture groups to MPs yesterday. At issue is federal funding to...
View ArticleResearchers using genomics to build feed efficient beef herds
Researchers are looking at ways to use genomic technologies to select breeding animals in beef herds. “Specifically we’re breeding for feed-efficient herds using estimated breeding values and...
View ArticleALGP2 Program Details
Genome Alberta and the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency have launched the second Alberta Livestock Genomics Program. Areas of specific research interest include: • Improving the ability of livestock...
View ArticleMaternal nutrition and feed efficiency in beef cattle
Last week we covered a research project out of the University of Alberta that’s examining whether residual feed intake (RFI) in beef cattle affects other important traits. Researchers also aim to show...
View ArticleFunding Opportunities from Genome Alberta
Genome Alberta is pleased to announce two new programs open for research applications in areas related to agricultural genomics. One program is known as ALGP2 as it is the second Applied Livestock...
View ArticleResearchers talk feed efficiency and beef genomics
On May 1, beef producers and industry from across Canada and around the world tuned in to a webinar on feed efficiency organized by the Beef Cattle Research Council. The webinar gave an overview of...
View ArticleGrowth implants, genomics, and creep feed walk into a farm…
Park your keister on any fence rail and the talk among farmers will quickly turn to another hashing of the old debate: growth implants, creep feed, or genomics? The goal of course is to increase...
View ArticleControlling disease in a post-antibiotic era
As the public pushes the livestock industry to cut antibiotic use, researchers are looking for a genetic means to control diseases such as salmonella. Dr. Graham Plastow, CEO of Livestock Gentec, says...
View ArticleBiotech Road Show Ready to Roll into Grande Prairie
It is going to be a long hike from my place in the Foothills to Grande Prairie and it has been many, many years since I've made the drive but I'm looking forward the the trip next week. The 5th stop...
View ArticleInternational collaboration sequences the Atlantic salmon genome
Media Release, Vancouver, June 10, 2014 - The International Cooperation to Sequence the Atlantic Salmon Genome (ICSASG) has announced completion of a fully mapped and openly accessible salmon genome....
View ArticlePublic needs to be engaged in biotech, animal welfare issues
Whatever a person’s views on biotechnology and agriculture, the folks at Genome Alberta deserve a pat on the back for discussing those very issues with the public over the last few weeks. Since late...
View ArticleRoad Show Wraps Up in Fort McMurray
The crowds have been sparse but the discussion has been lively and challenging as we have traveled around Alberta talking to people about the challenges, issues, and ethics surrounding the increased...
View ArticleObjectivity, advocacy, and ethics in journalism
Should farm journalists be objective in their reporting? Or should we take sides? These were a few of the questions I discussed with the ag community through the Farmers of Canada (@FarmersOfCanada)...
View ArticleGeneticists breed ‘no pluck’ bald chickens to beat climate change
Farmers have bred chickens to grow bigger and faster in order to feed the growing number of hungry humans. But along with that extra weight comes a tendency for the chickens to overheat. If a chicken...
View ArticleWhen it comes to animal welfare, pork producers stuck between rock and hard...
Many livestock producers find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place these days. Take pork production. These days pork producers are trying to balance the need to produce pork efficiently...
View ArticleResearchers sequence sheep genome
The sheep industry is no stranger to genomics. Scientists recently weaved together the sheep genome, an accomplishment that should speed the discovery of important production traits. DNA includes four...
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