More than 10,000 Canadian Charolais will be shipped to Russia by 2012. The deal should see a group of breeding females leave early next year, said Garner Deobald, owner of Hawkeye Land and Livestock Ltd. at Hodgeville, Sask. A Russian company, Sevagro Beef Project, is building infrastructure as part of a government supported effort to […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
System keeps cattle on pasture
LEEDALE, Alta. – Iain Aitken walks through his pastures on a cold, snowy October day and lifts bundles of grass that lay like thick swaths. Under those bundles is enough green biomass to sustain his cows for 10 months. In less than 10 years, the Scottish immigrant has turned around 600 acres of overgrazed, neglected […] Read more
Inadequate heifer nutrition delays puberty, breeding
AIRDRIE, Alta. – The development of replacement heifers is a long-term project that does not yield a return until the first calves are sold. Young animals require special care and feeding because they are still growing but are also expected to start reproducing. Proper nutrition influences growth and reproduction, says Airdrie veterinarian Nathan Erickson. “The […] Read more
More atypical scrapie seen
Advanced testing methods are finding more cases of atypical scrapie, a fatal disease found in sheep and goats. So far this year five cases have been found in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan. With the exception of Quebec, all were diagnosed as the atypical form in older animals, said Sandra Shearer, a veterinarian with the […] Read more
Feed test can prevent sulfur, nitrate poisoning
AIRDRIE, Alta. – Plenty of salvage feed is available this year, but producers need to watch for high levels of nitrates and sulfur. Canola hay has more protein and energy than other forages, but it may also contain more sulfur. As well, nitrates could be high if the canola was cut because it was damaged. […] Read more
Small cow less costly, better milk producer
AIRDRIE, Alta. – Size matters when it comes to efficient cows. A smaller cow is often more productive because it eats less than its larger herd mates and is likely to wean a good- sized calf, said Cargill beef consultant Bryan McMurry. “Fat cows may be pretty, but they don’t put any of that energy […] Read more
Bison suit lifestyle, offer health benefits
SUNDRE, Alta. – Peter Wenkoff was first attracted to bison because he wanted lean meat to control his cholesterol levels. As a pilot, he needs the all clear on his annual physical to maintain his licence, and bison meat became part of a healthy eating program. “Once I started producing my own (meat), it was […] Read more
Extra feed key to winter grazing
AIRDRIE, Alta. – Cows need to fit their environment, which is why females grazing in Arizona are different from those seen in Alberta. Costs go up if cows do not fit the environment, a Cargill beef consultant and grazing specialist told a recent winter feeding seminar sponsored by the Foothills Forage Association. Bryan McMurry said […] Read more
Timely cow culling eases winter feeding costs
Removing mature cows from the herd sooner could earn producers extra cash. Alberta Agriculture research shows managing cows over winter accounts for about 65 percent of the production costs so downsizing the herd can reduce expenses. “There could be people either trying to decide what to do with their cows this fall or trying to […] Read more
Electronic tags mandatory soon
All Canadian cattle leaving the farm will require electronic identification tags after Jan. 1, 2010, a requirement designed to help move the beef industry toward full traceability. Plastic dangle tags with a barcode and unique number have not been for sale for several years, said Canadian Cattle Identification Agency chair Steve Primrose. They were replaced […] Read more
