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Antimicrobial resistance means big changes coming Resistance crisis even has drug companies calling for producers to change their ways By JENNIFER BLAIR AF staff / Calgary
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ulti-drug resistance to disease-causing bacteria is quickly becoming a complete “game changer” that could cripple the cattle industry’s ability to manage common bovine diseases. “We are really slamming into the end of the antibiotic era,” said Dr. Trisha Dowling, a professor of veterinary pharmacology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. “I’ve got 24 different drugs for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease, and it’s still the most economically significant disease problem when it comes to producing a pound of ground beef. “The wimps, like bovine respiratory disease, they ain’t wimpy no more.” In a recent study done at Kansas State, researchers found an increase in multi-drug resistance in one of the bacteria — Mannheimia haemolytica — that causes bovine respiratory disease in feedlot cattle. “Those Mannheimia isolates are showing resistance across the
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FEATURE | DIRECT MARKETING: A steep learning curve and big rewards Staff
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t’s a phenomenon that has swept across the continent — farmers selling direct to consumers. Some are seeking a bigger share of the food dollar or a way to grow without expanding their land base. Others love dealing with people or
are energized by the entrepreneurial challenge. And for every farmer who opts to sell directly, there are likely many others who have toyed with the idea. How do you go about it? How steep is the learning curve? Are you pretty much on your own or is there help along the way? Is it worth it? Those were some of the questions
posed by Alberta Farmer during a recent visit to four direct-marketing operations in southern Alberta. Each of their stories is unique, but the seven producers share the two key traits of all direct marketers — a willingness to take a leap into the unknown and a faith that every challenge can be successfully overcome.
Forging deep bonds — one customer at a time It’s a whole different world, but these Alberta farm entrepreneurs say direct marketing gets in your blood By JENNIFER BLAIR AF staff
Grazed Right Grass Fed Beef / Black Diamond
As one of four children of one of seven brothers who jointly own the family ranch, Ben Campbell knew a farming career was simply out of reach. Even if he had the land base, the cost of starting a commercial-size herd is huge. “Cattle are so expensive — to buy one cow-calf pair is around $3,000,” said Campbell. “My dad (who manages the family farm) has around $700,000 in cow-calf pairs — who’s going to give me a loan for $700,000?” The third-generation farmer got a civil engineering degree and after a stint with Engineers Without Borders Canada, a job in Calgary. But an office job was never what he wanted, so two years ago he raised four cows on grass and sold them on Facebook. “I think that’s why a lot of people get into direct marketing — you don’t need to be big from the start, said Campbell, who along with his wife Stephanie runs Grazed Right Grass Fed Beef (www.grazedright.com).
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Black Diamond rancher Ben Campbell doesn’t know what the future holds for his fledgling beef business — but he’s confident enough to leave his engineering career to pursue it. PHOTO: SHANNON VANRAES