Livestock Management
Industry says recent case in an area dense with commercial operations shows the importance of increased vigilance
Two cases have been reported in Western Canada at the end of the first week of May, only one of which has impacted a commercial poultry operation in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.
Livestock Management
Agriculture committee begins hearings on biosecurity
Members of Parliament are told that the avian influenza outbreak underscores the urgent need for plans and protocols
Government officials say Canada is prepared for potential animal disease outbreaks, even though there were delays in dealing with some cases of avian influenza. Speaking to MPs during the standing agriculture committee’s first meeting on animal biosecurity, chief veterinary officer Dr. Mary Jane Ireland said stringent safeguards are in place, including science-based import controls at […] Read more
Livestock at risk as Alta. wildfires rage
Brad Dubeau, Alberta Beef Producers general manager, said he has never seen such a fire situation break out in so many locations at once threatening livestock operations during his time in the industry.
Alta. introduces rangeland initiative
Rangeland Grazing Framework encourages leaseholders to invest in long-term infrastructure that supports stewardship
The framework is a significant step toward recognizing the importance of ranchers who manage crown rangeland, agriculture and irrigation minister Nate Horner said in a statement.
Anti-microbial resistance increases BRD challenge
Researcher hopes to better understand the spread of anti-microbial resistance to help improve management decisions
Dr. Emily Snyder, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine, is hoping her research will help address the issue.
U.S. ag department pays farmers to preserve grasslands
North of the border, the federal government subsidizes producers to plant cover crops and practise rotational grazing
Agriculture Canada has said the fund is designed to support farmers in adopting beneficial management practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases.
Study finds no bovine leukemia virus link to beef fertility
A recent study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research examined the relationship between BLV infection in beef cows and reproductive fertility.
Hog researchers use gene editing to pass on desired traits
Technique known as ‘surrogate sires,’ where male animals produce sperm carrying only genetic traits of donor animals
Researchers at Washington State University have created a gene-edited pig. The scientists used CRISPR, a gene-editing tool, to sterilize a group of five male pigs. Then, the pigs received stem cells from another male pig. That allowed them to “create sperm with that (other) male’s desired traits, to be passed on to the next generation,” […] Read more
Body position key to cattle handling
An understanding of body position relative to the animals called key to reducing pressure and keeping the situation calm
Lee Sinclair of Merck Animal Health said an understanding of body position relative to the animals is key to reducing pressure and keeping the situation calm.
Horses can play an important role in feedlots
Feedlot horses’ attitude, energy and disposition send important messages to cattle and make handling them much easier
Cattle will sense the confidence, or lack of it, within the horse and will alter their movements accordingly, says Dr. Tom Noffsinger, a veterinarian with Production Animal Consultation.
