Livestock Management
Sow mortality can cause significant animal welfare and economic costs on Canadian farms. As well, the loss of a productive sow brings significant opportunity costs. If we consider the loss of a pregnant sow, when you include the replacement cost of a gilt, investment in annual vaccinations, lost opportunity in the piglet litter that will […] Read more
Livestock Management
Hog producers urged to get their flu shot
Hog farmers seldom think about it, but the flu is a disease risk for which protection is easy and cheap. “Getting your flu shot is a three-way win,” Jenelle Hamblin, manager of swine health with the Manitoba Pork Council, said at the organization’s Niverville regional meeting Nov. 1. “You’re protecting yourself. You’re protecting the general […] Read more
Residents raise stink over feedlot’s proposed biodigester
Alta. project expected to turn manure and food waste into fertilizer and energy; neighbours worry about smell and traffic
A proposed multimillion-dollar biodigester facility in Alberta that will turn feedlot manure and grocery store food waste into fertilizer and renewable natural gas is being opposed by some residents of Foothills County. The project at the Rimrock Feeders feedlot near High River has sparked fears it will harm property values by producing foul odours and […] Read more
Trainers put fillies through their paces
Three trainers from across the Prairies square off as they work in front of a crowd to train a horse in only four days
Dustin Sippola from Nanton, Alta., won the Trainer Challenge during the 10th annual Equine Expo held in Saskatoon Oct. 27-30. “He was kind of the front-runner all the way through,” said Ron Hoffman, one of three judges. “He was more experienced at these kind of competitions, knew what he had to do and executed very […] Read more
Old-school solution found to new tree trouble
Sheep put to work keeping grass under control in recently harvested timber stands as an alternative to herbicides
Tyler Niles never thought he’d see sheep helping to manage tree regrowth after timber harvesting. The silviculture forester with Weyerhaeuser in Grande Prairie, Alta., said the sheep are proving useful in helping new trees gain a better foothold in cutblocks. Cutblocks are areas with clear boundaries that have been approved for harvest. Companies like Weyerhaeuser […] Read more
Vets investigate rare wild cervid infection
A recent study out of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine investigated the presence of a rare parasite in elk, deer and moose from Saskatchewan. The research, which was published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal, focused on Babesia odocoilei. This is a microscopic parasite that most commonly infects the blood of white-tailed deer, but can […] Read more
Sask. clarifies new crown lease wording
The Saskatchewan government has clarified a recent notice that went out to cattle producers who lease Crown land. Producers were confused about changes outlined in the letter, which changed billing dates and addressed the use of personal information. The notice said the annual rent would be due Oct. 1 from now on and that interest […] Read more
China’s hog herd remains static despite price jump
China’s hog and pork prices have risen exponentially but that has not caused an increase in herd size, according to Chinese government statistics. The Ministry of Agriculture is reporting that wholesale pork prices in October are nearly double what they were the same time last year, while hog prices are up nearly 140 percent, according […] Read more
Grass-fed vs. grain-fed: what’s best?
Trade-offs dominate as researchers in California compare outcomes in various types of grass-fed beef production
Grass-fed beef production has seen a groundswell of support as public concerns over climate change have increased. This consumer ideology helped drive retail sales of fresh grass-fed beef in the United States from $17 million in 2012 to $272 million in 2016 and experts predict niche market and grass-fed beef sales will increase globally by […] Read more
Vet students feel left out following new funding
Non-subsidized veterinary students say it’s frustrating that they weren’t included in a recent funding announcement
CORRECTION: November 10, 2022 – A quote in the story below by WCVM dean Dr. Gillian Muir should not have implied that Muir expects provincial government partners to subsidize expansion seats at the college. Forgotten: that is how some veterinary students feel about a recent funding announcement by the Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments that will […] Read more
