One tablespoon of Bovaer per lactating dairy cow a day can reduce methane emissions by about 30 percent, or about 1.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions annually, the company said. | File photo

U.S. clears methane additive

REUTERS — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared Elanco Animal Health’s methane-reducing feed ingredient for lactating dairy cows. One tablespoon of Bovaer per lactating dairy cow a day can reduce methane emissions by about 30 percent, or about 1.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions annually, the company said. Bovaer works by suppressing […] Read more

The comment period recently closed for the standards proposed by the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB), and Tammy Nemeth, an environmental, social and governance analyst based in the United Kingdom, said producers should be worried. | File photo

Proposed sustainability rules worry producers

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Saskatchewan cattle producers continue to be concerned about how imposed sustainability disclosure standards could affect their business. These are climate-related disclosures that investors, lenders and others use to assess sustainability performance and are part of an international effort. Currently, companies can voluntarily disclose such information, but there is a movement to […] Read more

A new documentary produced by an international agricultural company tackles the criticism that animal agriculture faces.  |  File photo

VIDEO: Alltech documentary takes on anti-cow memes

Attacks on dairy industry in a Super bowl ad prompt agricultural company to take steps to help set the record straight

This is part one of a series of stories that reporter Ed White will file this summer about the different approaches that can be taken when advocating for agriculture. DES MOINES, Iowa — Three years ago, Mark Lyons was watching the Super Bowl when he saw a TV advertisement that trashed dairy milk. He was […] Read more


Lab tests helped veterinarians identify the bacteria Yersinia pseudotuberculosis as the cause of unusual cases of diarrhea and death in cattle, including in cows and calves on pasture.  |  File photo

Lab testing discovers cause of unusual cattle diarrhea

I’ve talked to two different veterinarians this year who had each dealt with unusual cases of diarrhea and death in cattle. In one case, the affected cows and calves were on pasture in the fall and the other case involved Holstein-cross calves shortly after arrival in the feedlot. In both situations, affected animals initially presented […] Read more

The Beef Cattle Research Council has a water system calculator to help producers decide which water systems would be most beneficial to their operation  |  File photo

Beef producers have a variety of water options

Glacier FarmMedia – Water can often be in short supply on the Canadian Prairies, but there are tools to help producers effectively manage the water they have. Stockboss Waterers David Flundra says the idea for Stockboss Waterers started with wanting to design something better than what was on the market by using less, or no, […] Read more


This alfalfa is at the 80 to 90 per cent flowering stage. Full bloom is the safest stage of alfalfa to graze cattle. | Debra Murphy photo

Graze alfalfa without the fear of bloating

Glacier FarmMedia – There are many good reasons to include alfalfa in a grazing stand and one big reason not to: bloat. That’s a shame, experts say, because appropriate management practices can help farmers reap the legume’s benefits while minimizing problems. Alfalfa is rich in nutrition and good for the land, but bloat can kill […] Read more

The average guy or gal now has to work for a full hour to pay for a six-pack and burger, but only had to work for 51 minutes in 2019, according to Rabobank, which released its annual BBQ Index today.  |  File photo

BBQ pain for we beer and burger boys

Here's where inflation gets real

Here’s where inflation gets real: When millions of Americans get together for backyard barbecues on July 4, the average host is going to be shelling out US$99 for ingredients, including beer and burgers. In 2018 the same stuff only cost $73, according to Rabobank, the global agricultural lender. The average guy or gal now has […] Read more

The Saskatchewan Cattle Association’s checkoff has been the subject of debate this year as members wrestle with how much to increase the checkoff and how easy it should be to request a refund.  |  File photo

Sask. cattle group reduces requested check-off increase

Delegates approved a $1.50 increase in January, but organization is now asking provincial government for a 75 cent hike

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association board has decided to limit the increase to the provincial cattle checkoff that was passed at the annual general meeting earlier this year. The board has asked the Saskatchewan Agri-Food Council to approve a 75-cent increase rather than $1.50, starting in April 2025. It also asked for […] Read more


An analyst says it might be time to get past the focus on herd size because demand is being met by increasingly heavier finished weights.  |  File photo

N. American cow herd unlikely to grow this year

U.S. and Canadian producers still not retaining heifers, which is a key signal for determining where herd size is headed

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — The Canadian and American cow herds continue to shrink while demand is met by heavier finished weights, said market analyst Anne Wasko. She said producers will watch for signals to retain heifers, but those aren’t in place yet, even with better moisture conditions. The U.S. cow herd as of Jan. 1 […] 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 price peaks Fed cattle prices may have peaked. Fed cattle prices have moved lower for two […] Read more