Livestock Management
Vertical feed mixers are becoming the tool of choice for producers to combat the rising cost of feed while safeguarding feed quality in dry years.
Livestock Management
Polio symptoms linked to high sulphate levels
Sulphate toxicity is one of the leading causes of polio encephalomalacia, which can be prevented by testing water quality
Symptoms of polio encephalomalacia (PEM) include progressive blindness, difficulty walking, depression and seizures in cattle.
Keep close eye on blue-green algae this summer
Heavy blooms appear as a solid shimmering blue-green sheen across the dugout water’s surface with a “pea soup” quality
Often called blue-green algae, cyanobacteria produce toxins that can cause liver damage, gastroenteritis and even death if ingested by livestock.
Anti-feedlot bias found in Alta. school materials
Janice Tranberg, Alberta Cattle Feeders' president, called the material being shared with students, "deeply disturbing."
Cattle markets on fire
SASKATOON — The first quarter of 2023 has been déjà vu for cattle producers, said Canfax executive director Brenna Grant. It’s 2015 all over again — so far. Grant said cattle prices this year have marched in lockstep with the first quarter of 2015, which set record highs. The question is what will happen in […] Read more
Ranchers ask for growers’ help
SASKATOON — The future of Saskatchewan’s livestock industry depends on the entire agricultural sector working together, said producers during an April 5 livestock summit. “Fight for me to stay in the business,” urged Levi Hull, a producer from Willowbrook who is also a Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association director. Speaking during the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan […] Read more
Yak breeders plan new association
Producers raise the animals for their meat and fibre; they hope a Canadian organization will help build the industry
CASTOR, Alta. — The demand for yak meat, fibre and breeding stock keeps increasing and Jennifer Rath hopes a new yak association will connect producers and help continue the growth. “It will be some work to set up, but it will help create new breeders and help guarantee a meat market,” said Rath, owner of […] Read more
Branding called vital in recovering stolen cattle
Officials say the recent recovery of stolen cattle could not have happened if they had not been branded and documented
The recent recovery of cattle stolen in Alberta couldn’t have happened if the animals had not been branded and documented, says a law enforcement official. “It was a four-way joint effort, beginning with Livestock Identification Services and the RCMP in Alberta and then moving over to Livestock Services of Saskatchewan and the RCMP in Saskatchewan,” […] Read more
Fertility suffers when bull’s penis does not protrude fully
Bulls with non-protruding penises must be checked immediately. It is commonly noted at semen evaluation time when a bull is unresponsive to the probe. Occasionally, producers observe a bull trying to mount a cow and breed, yet the bull is unable to do so. When examining a bull with a protrusion problem, look for everything […] Read more
Biosecurity still works as PRRS threat evolves
The porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome of today isn’t the PRRS of the mid-2000s, but some defences can still fend off unnecessary outbreaks. Iowa State University veterinary disease expert Daniel Linhares said there are still “some opportunities to break the chain” of PRRS transmission through biosecurity measures many people ignore. For instance, many operators aren’t careful […] Read more
