Livestock producers sometimes balk at the expense, but a veterinarian says it can be good to know what’s behind a death
If an animal dies from an unknown cause, discovery of that cause can help avoid further deaths. Samples and photos sent to a veterinarian are a first step. The vet might determine whether the animal died from hardware, pneumonia, plant poisoning, liver flukes or some other problem that might be preventable. Findings of disease, parasites […] Read moreStories by Freelance writer
North American ranches adopt new approach to marketing
Producers promote their animals by expanding personal connection networks through conferences and trade shows
Marketing and promoting a ranch isn’t like it used to be. Hand-painted plywood signs at the end of a driveway won’t likely entice potential livestock customers. Soderglen Ranches Ltd., one of the largest seedstock cattle operations in Canada, has improved its sign to help market its three southern Alberta facilities. Elan Lees, business manager and […] Read more
Miss rink burgers? Maybe this recipe will help
The flavour of these burgers is the same as what they served at the hockey arena, although without the rink ambience
You go through the big double doors and see the usual friendly faces. They greet you and you greet them. From habit, your eyes swing to the canteen. There’s something about the flavour of a hamburger in the arena — the rink burger. Was it the loud conversation and bad breath in your face? Standing […] Read more
Retiring farm couple make plans to hit the open road
Allen and Lillian Patkau decided to take advantage of no longer having to feed cows by driving to Arizona for the winter
Driving on an interstate highway in Idaho heading to Arizona, Allen and Lillian Patkau have no second thoughts about selling their ranch and retiring. They plan on spending four days driving from Saskatchewan to Arizona at a leisurely pace. “That is all about scenery and seeing how the real people live and not how the […] Read more
Manage cold stress to prevent illness
Producers are urged to monitor cattle feed quality, but providing protection from the wind is also an important factor
Cattle grow longer, thicker hair and put on a layer of fat to provide insulation and reduce heat loss as cold weather arrives. Increased metabolism and higher feed requirements help increase heat production so cattle withstand winter temperatures. However, cold stress can still be a factor, and management to minimize it will reduce risk of […] Read more
Bale net wrap, twine present health hazard for cows
Producers may never realize they have a problem unless a necropsy reveals net wrap or baling twine inside the animal
Use of net wrap on hay and straw bales carries risks to cattle. Dr. John Campbell, professor of large animal clinical sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says some producers in recent years have lost cows that ingested net wrap left on bales or chopped in a processor. “This is probably not a […] Read more
Tipping the scales with technology
Scales, and the practice of weighing, have been around since the first humans placed stones on the plates of the earliest recorded overhead beam balancers. While the act of weighing objects persists, the validity of the physical variations of the scale must at some point be improved upon, said Sergio Monge, global sales manager for […] Read more
Retired ranchers embrace lake life
Saskatchewan producers spent time finding a young couple to take over their operation when they were ready to retire
Brian Weedon did not want to sell his ranch and retire, but he now has more time to fish and rekindle old friendships. “My heart didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to leave the ranch and get out of the business, but my head said you better think about this economically,” said Weedon, who […] Read more
Retirement from farming leads to oil patch career
Lloyd Thompson kept busy for a few years building a new house, but then boredom set in, prompting him to find another job
Lloyd Thompson sold the ranch in 2011, but didn’t retire. Instead, the southern Saskatchewan rancher spent a couple years building a house along the Souris River and then decided he needed something more. “I woke up one day and decided I needed to do something. When you have been busy and active all your life […] Read more
Couple tried cottage life at the lake — and stayed put
The Walls at first found enjoyment renovating their lake-side ‘cabin’ and have since found a variety of ways to keep themselves busy and happy
Fred and Linda Wall found their piece of paradise in southern Saskatchewan. What they thought would be a relaxing cabin by water has turned into their home where they canoe, skate, fish, swim, hike, garden hunt and putter without leaving sight of their renovated home. On this morning, Fred went for a hike on the […] Read more
