Livestock Management
Alberta producers with crown leases say it is important for them to provide input as policy is developed that affects them
The Alberta Grazing Leaseholders Association celebrated its 25th anniversary in the same city where it held its inaugural annual general meeting — Medicine Hat. While many of the issues aren’t new to ranchers, this year’s AGM heard of new ways the AGLA is addressing chronic problems. AGLA chair Kyle Forbes highlighted the development of the […] Read more
Livestock Management
Birth of twin calves can bring management challenges
When talking to producers on the Prairies about calf twins, most agree it can be a blessing if they get two live twins. However, it is a curse if the two calves are born dead. There are also many management challenges that must be considered when dealing with twins, such as the health of the […] Read more
Alta. man faces animal welfare, meat sale charges
A 59-year-old man from Alberta’s Wheatland County is facing charges related to animal welfare and selling uninspected meat after RCMP discovered an unlicensed cattle processing facility. Police received a tip in November about a man slaughtering sick and injured cattle, selling uninspected meat and unlawfully disposing of dead animals. Following an investigation, police obtained evidence […] Read more
Cattle numbers slide in Canada
Beef cattle numbers in Canada declined by 230,000 head last year, a drop of about 2.4 percent from January 2022 to January 2023. That figure comes from Statistics Canada, which released the national livestock inventory Feb. 28. The numbers for Jan. 1, 2023, show that a large chunk of the decline came in the cow-calf […] Read more
Alberta producers wait for beef competitiveness study
A long-awaited beef competitiveness study will soon be made public, said the general manager of Alberta Beef Producers. Industry leaders are working with the provincial government to finalize the study’s recommendations, said Brad Dubeau during an interview Feb. 27. They will be released sometime after March 3 or 4. Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Nate Horner […] Read more
CME cattle set contract high after Brazil halts beef exports to China
CHICAGO, (Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures reached a contract high on Thursday amid hopes that Chinese importers will buy more U.S. beef after rival supplier Brazil suspended shipments to China, analysts said. Brazil said it would halt beef exports to China, the main destination for its overseas shipments, after confirming a case […] Read more
Respiratory disease detection turns technical
Researchers hope to more quickly detect BRD in feedlot animals using blood tests and perhaps even breath analysis
SASKATOON — New technology could help the cattle industry better manage bovine respiratory disease, a veterinarian told the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference. Dr. Emily Snyder, assistant professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine with a research focus on BRD, said current treatment methods have led to concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Widespread treatment of all […] 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
Getting to the bottom of pelvic organ prolapses in sows
In a previous article, I discussed sow mortality as a significant welfare concern and economic cost to many modern swine operations. Each sow mortality can have upwards of $1,500 in real or opportunity costs associated with it. A 2019 survey of more than 400 sow farms in the United States found that 0.3 to 10.3 […] Read more
Ranchers up in arms over wolf attacks
For the last three years, Ray Bittner and a group of Manitoba livestock producers have been testing methods to reduce predation of cattle and sheep in the province. They have tried things like flashing lights, temporary electric fencing, fladry wire (wire fence with long narrow fabric streamers) and predator-resistant pens. Bittner is the leader of […] Read more
