WINNIPEG(CNS Canada) – While trade deals have had Canadian dairy farmers concerned about losing market share domestically, a recent proposal to change food package labeling could potentially be more damaging to the industry. Health Canada launched a consultation period in February for its proposed new front-of-packaging labelling. The proposal is part of Health Canada’s Healthy […] Read more
Livestock — page 2

More traceability rules coming
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expected to release new rules governing animal movement this fall. These regulations are part of the Canadian livestock traceability strategy that covers animal and premise identification, as well as movement. “No one has seen the content of these proposed regulations but we don’t know for sure what is coming,” […] Read more

Lameness in dairy cattle requires proper care
Lameness shows up with a change in gait and involves a complex list of symptoms:
RED DEER — Lame dairy cows need immediate attention to prevent chronic problems. “Lameness is not a disease. Lameness is a sign of pain and discomfort in the cow and it results in production losses,” said Karin Orsel, an epidemiologist and specialist in infectious diseases of cattle at the University of Calgary faculty of veterinary […] Read more

Quarantine: traditional disease control still one of the best
Four giant pandas recently journeyed from Toronto to Calgary to join the Calgary Zoo collection. But these bamboo-eating bears will be restricted from public visits until May. During this period, the pandas will get acquainted with their new surroundings and caretakers. It also functions as a type of quarantine to allow caretakers and veterinary staff […] Read more
Beef technology faces opposition from buyers
Trading partners are increasingly leery of growth promoting agents that help producers produce more pork and beef
HOUSTON, Texas — With a world population likely to hit 12.3 billion by 2100, technology will be needed to deliver nutrient-rich food to the masses, said meat scientist Keith Belk of Colorado State University. “The world population is going to continue to grow and livestock and meat production will continue to provide a significant proportion […] Read more
Canadian beef exports maintain steady pace
OTTAWA — Canadian beef exports for 2017 are up 5.7 percent in volume but six percent in value at $2.4 billion. Seventeen percent of Canada’s exports went to Mexico, Japan, South Korea, China and Hong Kong. The United States remains the top destination for Canadian beef, said Francis Andres, president of Canada Beef. In 2017, […] Read more
Canada prepares way to boost beef exports to Europe
OTTAWA — Canada needs to do three things to get beef into the European Union. Demand must be built up, trade barriers over food safety must be overcome and 500,000 cattle must be raised in a manner capable of meeting that market’s ban on growth-promoting hormones. Canada received a 50,000 tonne duty-free quota with the […] Read more
Marbling scores higher than yield
OTTAWA — More of Canada’s cattle are achieving the top marbling grades of Prime and AAA but that accomplishment has come at the expense of red meat yield. Last year, 99 percent of cattle killed in federally inspected plants were graded, said Marty Carpenter, president of the Canadian Beef Grading Agency. Last year, 1.9 percent […] Read more
Reducing antibiotic use: the Dutch plan, 10 years later
RED DEER — Ten years ago, the Dutch were among the lowest consumers of antibiotics in human medicine, but they were the number one user of antibiotics in veterinary medicine. Social and political pressure to reduce the use in livestock has changed the way the industry deals with disease, said Tine van Werven of the […] Read more

VIDEO: Bovine TB investigation in Alta. officially over
The tuberculosis scare in that province saw 11,500 cattle destroyed and cost governments up to $54 million
JENNER, Alta. — The investigation into Alberta cases of bovine tuberculosis has successfully concluded, but like many successes, it came at a high cost. Some 11,500 animals were destroyed in the Jenner region of southeastern Alberta, with only six found to be infected. Federal and provincial compensation provided to ranchers who lost their herds cost […] Read more