Yearling steers graze a forage mixture at Agriculture Canada’s Research and Development Centre in Swift Current, Sask. | Dustin Ostrander photo

Including cattle on cropland didn’t help soil health

Saskatchewan and Manitoba research finds soil benefits from cover crops, but grazing them doesn’t really move the needle

Glacier FarmMedia – Annual cover crops have another research receipt to support their purported soil health benefits. But while those mixes can help cattle producers graze longer or recover some of the establishment cost by feeding livestock, cattle activity might not magnify soil health gains as much as many would hope. The research comes from […] Read more

The widespread perception that cattle and other farm animals cause climate change and antimicrobial resistance problems has led to a hardening of government’s approach to the industry. | File photo

Feed sector worries as regulations increase

WINNIPEG — Livestock feeding is facing more sticks and fewer carrots these days, says the executive director of the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada. The widespread perception that cattle and other farm animals cause climate change and antimicrobial resistance problems has led to a hardening of government’s approach to the industry. “They look at livestock […] Read more

Several resolutions about the Grasslands Conservation Initiative were debated during the SSGA annual meeting June 11 and while some were defeated members did approve one calling on CCA to "park" the plan until it could communicate a "clear and concise" strategy to member organizations. | File photo

Cattle producers wary of grasslands conservation proposal

Sask. Stock Growers say they need more information before they could support the plan

Glacier FarmMedia – SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association members want the Canadian Cattle Association to press pause on its Grasslands Conservation Initiative until it can better communicate its plan. Several resolutions about the initiative were debated during the SSGA annual meeting June 11 and while some were defeated members did approve one […] Read more


Canfax report

This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattle Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca. Healthy fed market Fed cattle prices have averaged more than $260 per hundredweight for the past three […] Read more

Competition at the feed bunk can lead to uneven distribution.   |  File photo

Water-infused feed enhances feedlot results

A new study at the U of S determines that water in the ration might be an effective binder for even feed distribution

Glacier FarmMedia – New research from the University of Saskatchewan could lead to reduced days on feed for cattle in feedlots. The secret may be as simple as adding water to the ration. Catherine Seidle, an animal science masters student, led the study and presented her findings May 15 at the Animal Nutrition Conference of […] Read more


Anxious cows make it potentially hazardous to work with calves on pasture.  |  Alexis Stockford photo

Calves on pasture bring risks

Glacier FarmMedia – Calving is done, but producers should keep certain things in mind if they have to work with calves in the pasture and in the presence of a nervous mother cow. Reg Steward, a range contractor and commercial beef farmer near Williams Lake, B.C., stresses vigilance. “Keep your eyes on that mom. Don’t […] Read more

It’s prudent to prepare for another flu outbreak

It’s prudent to prepare for another flu outbreak

As Canadians warily eye the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in the U.S. dairy herd, one thing should be certain: watching and waiting isn’t enough. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has taken steps to keep the virus out of the country. It has required negative HPAI test results for lactating dairy cattle imported from […] Read more

Meat processors say new temporary foreign worker rules could hurt the rural economy and farmers.  |  Maple Leaf photo

Packers slam changes to foreign worker program

Sector demands Ottawa stop restricting temporary foreign workers to only 20 per cent of a meat processor’s workforce

WINNIPEG — Meat packing plants in Canada have struggled for decades to recruit and retain workers. Until recently, 30 per cent of their workforce could be temporary foreign workers, which helped alleviate the shortage of labour. Related stories: However, the federal government changed the rules of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program this spring, capping the […] Read more


Canfax report

This cattle market information is selected from the weekly report from Canfax, a division of the Canadian Cattle Association. More market information, analysis and statistics are available by becoming a Canfax subscriber by calling 403-275-5110 or at www.canfax.ca. Fed prices rise Alberta fed steers and heifers last week traded almost $2 per hundredweight higher than […] Read more