Brazil slaughters more than 40 million cattle per year, but carcass weights are below North America’s
STRATHMORE, Alta. — Brazil could expand its behemoth beef industry if its cow herd was more productive. “We are big but we are not efficient,” said Flavio Santos, an animal nutritionist at Sao Paulo University in Brazil who recently met with Canadian beef producers in Strathmore and described the new grazing concepts that are being […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
BSE cow born after feed restrictions put into place
UPDATED: Wednesday February 18, 2015 – 2210 CST – Canada’s latest case of BSE was discovered in an Alberta cow born March 2009, two years after a stronger feed ban to reduce disease risk became law. The cow died on a farm near Spruce Grove, north of Edmonton, Alta. and the birth farm was located […] Read more
South Korea halts Canadian beef imports
South Korea has temporarily halted imports of Canadian beef as of Feb. 15 following the announcement of a BSE infected cow in northern Alberta. South Korea has the right to temporarily suspend quarantine inspections until further information is received from Canada about the case. said John Masswohl of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association on Feb. 16. […] Read more
Beef growth comes from new markets
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The U.S. beef industry has made a remarkable 10 year turnaround in global markets. Last year it exported $7.13 billion worth of beef to 100 countries, which was a 16 percent increase over the 2013 record. “The fact that the demand for beef internationally is a double digit figure is significant,” […] Read more
Ground beef no longer a second-class product
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The beef industry talked for years about the need to offer more convenience to consumers without realizing that the perfect product was there along. Ground beef is no longer a second-class product, but instead is increasing in value, says market researcher John Lundeen of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “We have […] Read more
Veterinarians develop website to help producers manage disease
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A group of American and Canadian veterinarians has developed a web based program called Trich Consult to help producers learn more about this devastating disease in breeding cattle. The overall infection rate of trichomoniasis is probably seven to eight percent, but the prevalence is variable across regions, said veterinarian Bob Larson […] Read more
What’s in store for cattle prices?
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Unprecedented cattle and beef prices have put the jingle back in producers’ spurs. Prices have slumped a bit in the new year, but they are still considerably higher than at the end of 2013. “It’s an awful good market, and it is an awful good time to be in the business,” […] Read more
WTO expected to side with Canada on COOL
U.S. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association official believes World Trade Organization will condemn U.S. policy
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The World Trade Organization will examine the U.S. appeal of the latest challenge to its country-of-origin labelling law Feb.16-17. The appeal body is expected to rule in Canada and Mexico’s favour for a fourth time, declaring the law in violation of international trade agreements by discriminating against livestock exporters. “We do […] Read moreU.S. cattle market expanding
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The U.S. cattle herd may have started to turn a corner after years of pessimism brought on by bad weather and disappointing returns. Long awaited expansion is taking its first tentative steps in regions of the country that experienced the most serious losses over the last 10 years, say market analysts. […] Read more
Biofilm and bacteria a concern for meat sector
OLDS, Alta. — Karen Liljebjelke’s veterinary students quickly grasp what she’s talking about when she describes how bacteria develop genetic resistance to antibiotics or disinfectants. “There’s an app for that,” she said. Unlike people and animals, bacteria do not need to mate to disseminate their DNA, which could include resistance genes. “These genes are basically […] Read more
