The goal is to create a Canadian version of the National Animal Health Monitoring System run through the USDA
Researchers are recruiting commercial beef herd operators to take part in a Canada-wide project looking at key production indicators, such as disease, calving records and performance. “We want to get base line information on a whole bunch of different things,” said John Campbell of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. The goal is […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Animal use-human resistance link still unclear
About 700,000 people die each year when they are infected with diseases that cannot be cured with antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance is recognized globally as an impeding crisis, and often the use of these products to treat livestock is blamed for increasing the antibiotic resistant bacteria population. It is not known whether restricting the use of […] Read more
McDonald’s Canada to offer certified sustainable beef on menu
McDonald’s Canada plans to be the first food company to offer certified sustainable beef on its menus this fall. Using animal care and environmental standards set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, the company said more than 20 million Angus beef burgers will be sourced from certified Canadian producers. The goal is to source […] Read more
Feedlots snap up U.S. cattle
Thousands of feeder calves from the United States are flowing into Canada. Strong basis levels and feed costs are the main drivers determining which direction cattle flow, said Brian Perillat, senior market analyst at Canfax. “Traditionally, cattle moved to where the cheaper feed was, and right now the U.S. has cheaper feed, but we have […] Read more
Feedlots to benefit from new animal care audit
The program is a companion to the country’s national beef code of practice but addresses specific issues in feedlots
A standardized animal welfare program for Canadian feedlot operators should result in healthier, more profitable cattle. Better animal care has a spin-off benefit because it improves performance, health and reduces the chronically ill or railers, that is, animals that must go to slaughter before they reach market weight. “They are a loss. They might be […] Read more
Genetic research speeds pace of dairy breeding
The genetic interval has been tightened, which means reliable breeding information is available sooner to producers
VANCOUVER — Genomic selection has revolutionized animal and plant breeding at an unexpected rate. “Genomic selection has revolutionized animal and plant breeding around the world but I think the best is yet to come and that is through what animal scientists and veterinarians can do in terms of developing new phenotypes,” said research scientist Jennie […] Read moreTechnology can catch health issues early in dairy cows
VANCOUVER — As dairy herds grow larger and the work force shrinks, farmers may have to rely on more technology to keep their cows in good shape. New sensor systems in barns can alert producers about potential problems before they become obvious. “That is where our real focus needs to be. How do we prevent […] Read more
Dairy producers look for lameness solutions
The problem, which farmers often underestimate, is persistent around the world and in many cases is not getting better
VANCOUVER — Lameness is the number one problem among dairy cattle affecting a cow’s quality of life and health. “It is such a painful disease and most of the costs are related to the production loss,” said Laura Solano, a Calgary animal care specialist who works with dairy farmers through her company, Farm Animal Care […] Read more
Couple shows ranching’s younger side
The Groots had limited experience but a willingness to learn when they took over the family ranch in northern B.C.
TOPLEY, B.C. — Roger and Lana Groot became full-time ranchers in 2011 with limited experience but plenty of willingness to take over the family operation at Topley. Located on Highway 16 about 275 kilometres northwest of Prince George, Hatch Creek Ranch is a showplace with a newly renovated house, tidy landscaping and neat corrals. The […] Read moreSupply management divide hard to bridge
Martha Hall Findlay says consumers should not have to pay inflated dairy prices to support wealthy farmers
The chasm may never close between those who believe in supply management and those who don’t. Albert Kamps, vice-chair of Alberta Milk, does not want the uncertainty his counterparts face in other countries when the world price of milk fluctuates. “Price volatility is back and we want the stability of our system. We are content […] Read more
