A genetic link to cattle ticks’ resistance to pesticide has been discovered at the University of Glasgow. For the last 10 years, scientists have been looking for a genetic link ex-pressing resistance to commonly used treatments against a form of tick that causes anemia, reduced growth and potential deaths. The cost of tick-borne diseases is […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Simmental initiative gathers genetics to improve breed
REGINA — Sorting cattle that can convert five pounds of feed into a pound of beef from those that need twice the amount of feed is among the goals of a genetics research project. The Canadian Simmental Association has almost completed a $3.5 million initiative to genetically detect the most fertile, most feed efficient and […] Read more
COOL ineffective, costly on both sides of border, says NCBA
Hopes that the U.S. farm bill will quash country-of-origin labelling could be dashed as a fractious Congress and White House wage war over unrelated issues. The most recent version of COOL went into effect Nov. 23. It is stricter than the version that Canada and Mexico challenged at the World Trade Organization last year, making […] Read more
Beef industry partnership emerging
The first tentative steps in a shy courtship among those who produce, sell and eat beef has emerged in a year-long process known as the Strawman Initiative. Led by Kim McConnell of AdFarm in Calgary and southern Albertan beef producers John Kolk and David Andrews, the concept is an industry-wide invitation to share information among […] Read more
Rancher confident genomic testing will reap rewards down the road
REGINA — Sean McGrath had what he thought was a pretty good bull a few years ago. He was going to collect and market semen until a DNA test revealed the bull was not what the pedigree said it was. “If you sold me a bull, that son of a bitch will not be down […] Read more
Angus association opens new headquarters
The Canadian Angus Association has opened a new office on the outskirts of Calgary. Angus Central is an 11,441 sq. foot building that houses the association’s administration as well as the breed’s 108 year Canadian history. That history also tells part of the Canadian beef story as well, said association chief executive officer Rob Smith. […] Read more
Record cattle prices fail to spark herd rebuilding
Canadian cows still slaughtered | U.S. starting to retain females for breeding, reducing trim supply for hamburger
Cattle are selling for record prices and feed supplies are plentiful, but an aging group of North American producers are still hesitant about expanding their herds. Cow-calf returns improved in Canada this year by about $150 per head. Speculation was Canadian producers might move to expand ahead of their American counterparts, but that is not […] Read moreFeedlots partner to promote Angus
Supply local food markets | Alberta feedlots share information with producers, feeders and packers
A partnership between five Alberta feedlots and the Certified Angus Beef program is the first of its kind in Canada. The feedlots will be looking for more Black Angus cattle to fit the program criteria and fill the growing demand for the branded program in Canada. “We are working with the certified Angus beef people […] Read morePig tracing program requires producers to report movement
Mandatory reporting of pig movement starts in July. “Any movement of pigs that is on a road must be reported to a centralized database, both at shipping and receiving,” said Jeff Clark, national manager of the Canadian Pork Council’s Pig Trace program. It is part of a national traceability scheme to keep track of livestock […] Read more
Survey to target research priorities
The University of Calgary’s veterinary school is conducting a cow-calf survey to learn more about common diseases and management practices on the farm. “The whole spectrum of the industry is what we are looking for,” said lead researcher Claire Windeyer. Surveys have already been distributed, but Windeyer wants to get as many as possible by […] Read more
