The Brant Lake Cattle Co. has been involved with the Japanese breed since it imported semen in the early 1990s
HIGH RIVER, Alta. — Since Michelle Ball launched the Brant Lake Wagyu brand in 2012, sales have increased each year. The specialty beef is found in grocery stores, 60 restaurants and direct sales, including some exports. “I’ve barely touched the Ontario and Quebec marketplace so there is definitely room for growth,” she said. Social media […] Read moreLivestock — page 2
Pay attention to disease when moving cattle to pasture
It is amazing how variable the prevalence of a specific disease can be between geographic areas. We always think of the huge difference between warm climates and colder climates, but sometimes differences can be as close as a one-hour drive away. Knowledge of disease differences for specific areas becomes critical when cattle are shipped over […] Read more
Sow reproductive issues may be traced to other causes
DES MOINES, Iowa — Vitamin inadequacies are being ignored in swine management because of misunderstandings in sow-culling reports, some nutritional experts think. “Producers check (off) what they see last,” said Iowa State University nutritional researcher Ken Stalder. “The primary reason often doesn’t get recorded in their reporting systems.” Many North American sow herds have “unacceptable” […] Read more
Researcher wants new hog productivity measurements
DES MOINES, Iowa — Nutritional researchers at the World Pork Expo challenged farmers to rethink commonly accepted pig productivity assumptions. “The levels (of vitamins) necessary to merely prevent gross deficiencies are not enough to optimize productivity,” said DSM researcher Jonathan Bergstrom. The difference between providing sufficient nutrients to avoid problems and providing enough for maximum production […] Read more
New test identifies bovine tuberculosis in six hours
A new technology to detect tuberculosis in livestock and wild animals could soon be on the market in Western Canada. The test can detect live bacteria in the blood or milk of livestock as well as in elk and more exotic species in six hours, which will allow affected cattle to be quickly identified. PBD […] Read more
No TB testing for Manitoba cattle
It’s been 10 years since a cow has tested positive for bovine tuberculosis in Manitoba. Since then, thousands of cows have been tested in and around Riding Mountain National Park, to see if TB is present in the region. Finally, after years of mustering herds and testing animals for TB, the U.S. Department of Agriculture […] Read more
Animal welfare survey launched
Alberta Farm Animal Care has launched a new livestock welfare research project. The organization will collect input from the livestock sector via an online survey and focus groups with a final report to be shared with the Alberta government. Producers, industry groups, auctions, processors and students are invited to participate. The survey is open until […] Read more
Strong demand continues driving cattle market
Fat cattle prices have been higher than the U.S. market for the entire year, with the basis averaging $5 over
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Record basis levels, strong demand and large fed slaughter characterize the current beef market, said market analyst Anne Wasko. Speaking to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association annual meeting June 12, Wasko said fat cattle prices have been above the U.S. market for the entire year, with the basis averaging $5 over. […] Read more
Penka the cow spared after illegal entry into European Union
An in-calf cow that wandered over a European country border illegally has escaped a slaughter sentence following a campaign to save her. Penka the cow was supposed to stay on her farm in Kopilovtsi, Bulgaria, but faced the chop when she wandered across the border into Serbia, which is not in the European Union. Without […] Read more
Alta. survey finds unease with growth hormones
College students conducted the survey in Lethbridge, where residents are very familiar with the cattle industry
In a city that lies at the heart of Canada’s intensive livestock operations, it may not be surprising that most Lethbridge respondents to a survey think farmers and ranchers take care of the environment, use water responsibly and treat livestock humanely. But there is one thing they don’t like: the use of growth hormones in […] Read more
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