Red-headed woodpeckers are a sharp-looking bird. With ruby-red feathers on their head, a white chest and black on their wings and back, they stand out from other birds in the forest. But they are struggling. Estimates suggest there are only 6,000 red-headed woodpeckers left in North America. That’s why a conservation group, Manitoba Important Bird […] Read more
Beef cattle
Odour reduction ‘too little’
People fighting a proposed biodigester facility in Alberta were angered by an estimate that it will reduce the odour from an associated feedlot by 42 percent. “You can’t sit outside in the summer in High River,” said resident and retired farmer Ann Suitor about the smell from the nearby Rimrock Feeders feedlot, which affected the […] Read more
Feeder cattle at all-time high for Jan.
Packer margins are tightening as fewer cattle available for processing; overall North American herd shrinking
Canada’s cattle market is looking bullish in 2023 as feeders are at their highest price ever for January and as margins start tightening up for packers while inventories continue to fall across North America. “We’re starting off new year 2023, in terms of western Canadian feeder cattle and lighter feeder cattle prices very strong,” said […] Read more
Red meat trade deficit with Europe: $343 million
EU imports $2.7 billion in beef, only $20 million from Canada, Germany exported $77 million in pork to Canada
The population of Bahrain, a tiny emirate next to Qatar, is about 1.5 million. The population of Germany, a large country that is part of the Canada-Europe free trade deal, is around 83.2 million. Logically, Germany should be larger market for Canadian beef but that wasn’t the case in 2022. Statistics Canada data shows: From […] Read more
Livestock haulers need road rules flexibility
In one hand is a set of rules designed to ensure that professional drivers of heavy trucks are rested and able to fulfil their duties safely. In the other hand is a set of rules designed to ensure that livestock are humanely handled and delivered in good, marketable condition. Both hands also hold the needs, […] Read more
Sask. freezes crown-leased pasture rates for 2023, looks at stock rates
Grazing rates are based on a formula that uses fall cattle prices and long-term stocking rates of each pasture
SASKATOON — Crown grazing lease costs in Saskatchewan have been frozen for this year at last year’s rates. Saskatchewan agriculture minister David Marit announced the decision at the recent Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference. “As well for 2023, lessees who must reduce their stocking rates on Crown land due to ongoing dry conditions will be eligible […] Read more
Retained dollars focus of new funding deal
CCA will receive “a little bit less” because it is based on retained dollars, but still assessed on gross marketings
Alberta Beef Producers has reached an agreement in principle about its financial contribution to the Canadian Cattle Association. If the proposed three-year deal is ratified by the CCA at its annual general meeting March 22 to 24 in Ottawa, it will give the provincial organization more certainty over its funding by basing it on retained […] Read more
Livestock, forage research funding announced
SASKATOON — Thirty-four livestock and grazing research projects, most of them at the University of Saskatchewan, received more than $6 million in funding last week. Saskatchewan agriculture minister David Marit announced the annual spend on behalf of the provincial and federal governments. He noted that seven industry partners are co-funding nearly $300,000 worth of projects, […] Read more
Potential lameness solutions start with trimming
If you calve in early spring, it brings cows closer to the farmyard and that’s when individual cow problems become more obvious. Lameness is a common problem and now is a good time to attend to it. If a hoof trimmer is brought in, lameness can be more easily identified and treatments can be started. […] Read more
Scours vaccine shortage complicates calf care
Producers who have trouble finding vaccines should shift their focus to improved biosecurity and cattle management
A potential shortage of scours vaccines may have producers and veterinarians seeking solutions during calving this winter. Pharmaceutical companies that produce bovine-specific medications have been fraught with shortages due to transportation and manufacturing issues. “We’ve seen a contraction of product lines and the shortages are really just a function of that,” said Cody Creelman, veterinarian […] Read more
