I’m often asked if there is one vaccine preferred or better than other vaccines. My usual response is that it is difficult to compare vaccines because we rarely have enough good research to prove whether there are significant differences between vaccines. Such studies are difficult and expensive to perform and often we are pleased if […] Read more
Beef cattle
Disease prevention requires diligence
Western Canada is dealing with emerging livestock diseases, which emphasizes the need to monitor and to continually focus on biosecurity. Glen Duizer, animal health surveillance veterinarian with Manitoba Agriculture, says emerging diseases require different resources and systems than a regulatory disease response. He listed several diseases that have appeared in the past decade: Salmonella Dublin, […] 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 steady Alberta fed cattle had light trade last week with dressed sales reported at $390 […] Read more
Drought conditions worsen
SASKATOON — Drought maps show the Canadian prairie region is in far worse shape than it was a year ago heading into spring. There was extreme to exceptional drought in much of west-central Saskatchewan and east-central Alberta as of the end of February. Related stories: “That area has been under drought the longest and has […] Read more
Product of USA rule alarms producers
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada’s livestock sector will monitor the effects of a new U.S. voluntary country-of-origin labelling ruling announced March 11. “It is crucial to address any issues that threaten or diminish the cattle and beef trade between Canada and the U.S.,” said Nathan Phinney, president of the Canadian Cattle Association, in a media release. […] Read more
Prairie farmland values continue to increase
Farmland is still getting more expensive, but not quite as quickly as in recent years, according to the latest farmland value report from Canada’s biggest agricultural lender. Farm Credit Canada put average national farmland value growth in 2023 at 11.5 percent, down from 12.8 percent in 2022. “We’re seeing a little bit of a pullback,” […] Read more
Product of USA labelling may need marketing focus
The labelling rule announced by the United States March 11 to define how the “Product of USA” label can be used is being viewed with suspicion and even alarm north of the border. Exports are critical to Canada’s livestock industry. Farm Credit Canada figures show that at nearly $5 billion per year, this country is […] Read more
Prairies expected to be cooler, wetter this year
There’s a good chance western Canadian farmers and ranchers will see rain in April and May to get crops started and grass growing, says a U.S. based weather scientist. It is only a forecast, says Matt Makens with Makens Weather based in Colorado, but the El Nino weather pattern is fizzling out and the La […] Read more
Beef-solar relationship to be studied
Orienting solar panels vertically, like fences, is one option that will be explored at a new agrivoltaics research park
CALGARY — An agrivoltaics research park to be built this summer in Alberta is designed to explore how beef producers can maximize profits and improve pastures by using their land for both ranching and solar power generation. Traditional solar projects in the province allow livestock such as sheep to graze under solar panels to control […] Read more
Apron fencing keeps wolves, coyotes out of pens
A woven-wire fence with an apron that lies on the ground is intended to prevent predators from digging underneath it
WINNIPEG — Ray Bittner spends a great deal of his time thinking of ways to keep wolves away from cattle. For the last few years, Bittner has led a project for the Manitoba Beef Producers that evaluates strategies to prevent livestock predation. During that time, he learned that wolves are difficult to defeat. “We have […] Read more
