I encourage all producers to share their knowledge with cattle associations, researchers and related professional organizations because positive results are eventually returned. Accurate data going in leads to accurate data coming out. We may be inundated with surveys and questionnaires from industry groups but their ultimate goal is to gather information that will inform producers […] Read more
Beef cattle
Preparation key to smoother calving
Checklists and making sure equipment is ready to use can make it easier for producers to navigate a stressful season
Glacier FarmMedia – Calving can be stressful for both people and animals. Preparation far in advance is one way producers can better ensure success for a safe and productive calving season. “Some of that preparedness starts well before calving season, if you think about herd health programs or nutrition, or making sure cows are in […] Read more
Study searches for respiratory disease answers
A research project will look at how to improve the use of existing vaccines to immunize calves before they enter feedlots
CALGARY — Scientists want to improve the ability of calves to resist bovine respiratory disease during a “perfect storm” in their lives when they are particularly vulnerable to such infections. Calves transferred to feedlots from cow-calf operations aren’t old enough to have a fully developed immune system, said John Ellis, professor of veterinary microbiology at […] Read more
Calving season may suffer drought hangover
Covering the basics of calf care will be especially important for cattle producers if dry conditions continue into spring
MEDICINE HAT — There’s a small measure of relief from dryness heading into spring calving season, but an abnormally warm winter may leave cows in less-than-ideal condition. Dr. Krista Dayman of Badlands Veterinarian Service said cow body condition is a concern in areas where feed and water may have been tough to access. “Colostrum intake […] Read moreCanfax 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. U.S. packer interest Dressed sales last week were reported from $380-$390 per hundredweight delivered. In some cases, […] Read more
Vet association calls on feds to address workforce shortage
National testing centre is needed to onboard internationally-trained vets, CVMA says
Glacier FarmMedia – An organization representing Canadian veterinarians is calling for the federal government to intervene as it faces what it calls a severe workforce shortage. “Canada needs a veterinary workforce enhancement program that supports expansion and innovation of clinical teaching, training, and research,” said Canadian Veterinary Medical Association president Trevor Lawson in a news […] Read more
Hope remains for national livestock insurance
Sask. ag minister optimistic the Livestock Price Insurance program will eventually go national as more provinces join
UPDATED – March 20, 2024 – 1530 CST – new Livestock Price Insurance graphic added. Saskatchewan agriculture minister David Marit has said he remains hopeful that the Livestock Price Insurance program will someday be truly national. LPI is currently available in the prairie provinces and British Columbia. In the LPI program, a producer pays a […] Read more
Producers have insurance options to consider
Several insurance options are worthy of consideration for the upcoming year. Some are new and others are made more relevant by current market conditions. Let’s start with the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP) and its applicability for cow-calf producers. The program has been around for a number of years with awareness and participation gradually […] Read more
Livestock sector history features consolidation
The past century has seen bigger farms and an industry divided into segments that often produce at just one growth stage
REGINA — Livestock producers of 100 years ago wouldn’t recognize their industry today. From the small homesteads with a milk cow and a handful of other animals and poultry to the large intensive operations of today, animal production for food consumption has become an industry rather than a family food source. But this isn’t the […] Read more
Corporate Canada moves ahead on sustainability
Companies such as McCain and McDonald’s aren’t waiting for consumers to catch up as they develop a new food system
OTTAWA — The public might not be there yet, but some major buyers of farmers’ products are beginning to develop a “sustainable” food system. “Consumers, they don’t get it. They don’t. They will, eventually, but we’re not going to wait,” Matt Kohler, McCain Foods Canada’s managing director, said at the Future of Food conference. “Our assumption […] Read more
