Livestock Management
The U.S. is the world’s top beef exporter with sales of $6.19 billion in the first half of 2022, ahead of Brazil’s $6.14 billion
America’s red meat exports are booming, says an industry official. The United States shipped a record US$18.7 billion worth of pork and beef products around the world in 2021 and is on pace to exceed that total this year. Beef exports have topped $1 billion in six of the seven months that data is available […] Read more
Livestock Management
Bison producers remain cautiously optimistic
With restaurants closed and exports to Europe basically non-existent, most of 2020 and nearly all of 2021 was a rough period for Canada’s bison industry. But demand for bison meat bounced back in 2022 and prices have increased over the last year. As a result, bison ranchers are feeling more hopeful. “Cautious optimism? I’m starting […] Read more
Bud Williams left low-stress stockmanship legacy
Producers taught to learn to ‘read’ what an animal is saying and change position so it wants to go in the desired direction
Now and then, someone comes along with ideas that change the way people do things and sometimes even change an industry. Bud Williams was that kind of person. His unique methods of handling cattle are becoming known and adapted by dairy and beef producers because they are easier on the animals and the people who […] Read more
Williams’ life dedicated to handling
Bud Williams was born in 1932 on a farm in southern Oregon, where his family had horses, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry and raised grain and hay. “I met him at a country square dance. We’d been married for 60 years when he died in 2012,” says his wife, Eunice. “After we […] Read more
U.S. to protect farmers from packer retaliation
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing regulations to prevent meat companies from retaliating against livestock and poultry farmers who speak out on practices such as price-fixing. The USDA also said it would work with state attorneys general to investigate anti-competitive practices in the agricultural sector that contribute to inflation. The […] Read more
Coccidiosis a threat in Alta. hog barns
Recent rare case should be seen as a reminder for producers to pay special attention to diarrhea with no known cause
A parasitic disease considered uncommon in Alberta hogs is being reported in the province, according to the Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network. Coccidiosis, an intestinal tract disease that causes diarrhea in hogs, is often found in humid conditions and can be misdiagnosed, according to Alberta Pork’s Javier Bahamon. Bahamon, Alberta Pork’s quality assurance and […] Read more
Calves must be protected from clostridial diseases
Seven-way or eight-way clostridial vaccines considered producers’ best options when controlling this family of diseases
Blackleg, redwater, malignant edema and several types of clostridium perfringens can affect calves, which is why most ranchers vaccinate with a seven-way or eight-way clostridial vaccine. “This is probably the most widely used vaccine. If people don’t vaccinate against these diseases, eventually they will lose cattle,” says Dr. John Campbell of the Western College of […] Read more
Many improvements have been made on modern ranches
This article will focus on ideas I have seen demonstrated on progressive producers’ farms and ranches. The first is the biggest when it comes to handling. There are excellent hydraulic chutes on the market by many manufacturers, including ones in Alberta and Manitoba for cattle and Saskatchewan and Alberta for bison. I wish I could […] Read more
Manitoba to fund vet school spaces
Manitoba is taking action to deal with the province’s vet shortage. The provincial government said this morning that it will boost funding for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon and create more spots for veterinary students from Manitoba. “By increasing our annual intake to 20 students from 15, we will support more students […] Read more
Processing interests stock growers
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association is looking at next steps after releasing a study on potential beef processing in the province. One of the authors, Willie Van Solkema, presented the findings at the organization’s annual general meeting in June, saying that the province could support a federally inspected plant with capacity of between 500 and […] Read more
