A 48-year-old man faces criminal charges after Saskatchewan and Alberta RCMP recovered 10 head of cattle that were stolen in Thorhild, Alta., and taken to a pasture near Martensville, Sask. The recovered cattle are worth more than $25,000. In February, the Alberta RCMP Livestock Investigations Unit launched an investigation after 30 cattle were reported missing […] Read more
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
Calves are susceptible to hypothermia
Windbreaks, well-bedded areas and calving barns can prevent hypothermia, but there are steps to take if it does occur
Preparation can prevent or at least minimize the risk of hypothermia in young calves. Dr. Chris Jermey, a veterinarian at Veterinary Agri Health Services in Airdrie, Alta., says hypothermia can easily occur. “When a calf is born, it’s going from a warm, wet environment that’s sitting at somewhere in that 38 C range, and all […] Read more
Some moms just need to be persuaded
A cow or heifer that refuses its own calf often doesn’t have the hormone it needs to be motherly or hasn’t released its milk
Many ranchers have a trick or two up their sleeves to convince a cow or heifer to accept a calf that’s not its own. “It’s always about putting a calf onto a cow that doesn’t really want it. Sometimes that can be her own calf, but typically it’s trying to place an orphan or twin […] Read more
Calves at highest risk on the day they are born
With calving underway or close by for many producers, veterinarians and the Beef Cattle Research Council offer pointers to minimize challenges and increase calf survival rate. The day a calf is born is the highest risk day of its life, so producers need tools to keep calves alive. Successful management during the calving season can […] Read more
Understanding the ABCs of dementia
Leanne Lawrence began to notice subtle changes in her mother. Marjory Topping had lived alone for about four years after the death of her husband. She remained active and continued to drive the grain truck during harvest. In 2004, she bought a house in Kipling, Sask., to be closer to family and friends. However, she […] Read more
Podcast aims to cultivate better agriculture education
A podcast produced by Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan is expected to become a gathering place for consumers seeking answers. The podcast, Ask a Farmer, is a forum for consumers to pose questions about food, ranging from how it’s produced, transport from field to grocery store, nutrition and healthy eating habits and food inflation. Three […] Read more
Research collects mental health data
Data gathered as part of the Farmer and Rancher Mental Health initiative helped launch the SaskAgMatters Network
Producers are stepping up to help each other with mental health matters. This stems from the Farmer and Rancher Mental Health (FARMh) initiative research project that identified programs, resources and interventions that Saskatchewan agricultural producers wanted as appropriate mental health supports. Since its launch in 2021, researchers have collected data from more than 100 farmers […] Read more
Breeding ability unaffected by ergot
A new U of S research study finds that the consumption of ergot alkaloids has little effect on a bull’s breeding soundness
A recently published study shows bulls can eat feed contaminated with ergot alkaloids without affecting their breeding soundness. Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found minimal impact on breeding condition and dispelled questions about the impact of ergot alkaloids. “Our research group has been hearing about concerns from producers that bulls exposed to ergot was […] Read more
Strychnine soon off limits for controlling gophers
As of March 4, prairie farmers will no longer be able to use the poison to manage Richardson’s ground squirrels
A deadline looms to halt the use of two percent liquid strychnine for control of Richardson’s ground squirrels, more commonly known as gophers. Farmers on the Prairies are allowed to use the product until March 4, in the final phase of a three-year phase-out period. Municipalities and counties have not been allowed to sell two […] Read more
Understand the five Ws of feed tests
Producers encouraged to better understand the what, where, when, why and how when planning a feed testing program
Successful feed testing starts with understanding why, followed by what, when, how and where. Answering these questions will provide information that can improve efficiencies and benefits for beef cattle operations. “Feed testing is an important tool that producers can use to make informed decisions about their operation,” said Breeanna Kelln, who leads the University of […] Read more
