Livestock Management
Live cattle prices continue to rise but a call by the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association for an investigation into how much ranchers are paid for their product is exposing tensions in the industry. In a SSGA release calling for provincial and federal governments to launch an investigation into current beef prices, the association highlighted that […] Read more
Livestock Management
Soy crush boom to hit feedgrain prices
Feedgrain prices are set to fall in the coming years as soybean crush capacity soars in the United States, says an analyst. Annual crush capacity is expected to grow by 800 million bushels as grain companies capitalize on new policies like California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard that are promoting the use of soybean-based renewable diesel. […] Read more
Producers can take steps to protect their wool quality
“Blue paint is the worst,” says Lisa Surber from the front of a makeshift classroom. She’s pointing at a slide where a smudge of white fleece is smeared with the remains of blue marking paint, now greenish after a prolonged wash. “The packaging may say it’s scourable but the second you cut that paint or […] Read more
Probiotics help dairy calves
A scientist has found that feeding a special probiotic supplement to newborn dairy calves gives them a head start by protecting their health during their vulnerable first weeks of life. “I guess my biggest thing is calves are the future of the farm,” said Maddison Degenshein, who conducted the research for her Master of Science […] Read more
Researchers study beavers’ CWD infection risk
Chronic wasting disease can mutate in unaffected species and infect other mammals such as beavers with a new variant
New research into chronic wasting disease has found it may be so endemic in the environment that it could pose a threat to other species. University of Alberta professor Debbie McKenzie conducted research into whether there is a possibility of CWD infecting beavers whose habitat often overlaps with that of deer. CWD is a prion […] Read more
National cattle organization decides to change its name
The move will see group adopt new name and logo but keep the same acronoym as it attempts to reflect more inclusion
The acronym is still the same but the name representing Canada’s 60,000 beef industry members has changed. The Canadian Cattle Association launched July 7 with a new brand and logo designed to highlight the former Canadian Cattlemen’s Association move to support diversity and inclusion. CCA president Reg Schellenberg said CCA has been the voice of […] Read more
Black flies can cause major production problems in cattle
We seldom talk about black flies but I have recently run across problematic black fly strikes in northern Alberta. Black flies are very small and can elicit painful bites that can cause swelling in people, dogs, horses and cattle. Deaths can result from black fly strikes in animals that have not experienced them before and […] Read more
Intensive grazing damage minimal
Study finds adaptive multi-paddock grazing can reduce plant diversity, but not much worse than conventional practices
A new study has found that adaptive multi-paddock grazing by cattle has a minimal if slightly negative environmental impact on plant diversity, says a scientist. Previous research had been inconclusive, fueling concerns “you can end up shooting yourself in the foot by using such intensive management,” said Jessica Grenke, a doctoral candidate in the University […] Read more
Winnipeg lab designated for African swine fever
World Organization for Animal Health designates CFIA facility as a reference laboratory to deal with the disease if it appears
Canada now has a laboratory officially recognized as a world leader in African swine fever. The World Organization for Animal Health said last month that the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg will be a reference laboratory to deal with ASF. “(Reference laboratories) are internationally recognized centres of expertise on specific animal diseases,” […] Read more
Ground meat exempt from food labelling rules
Beef and pork producers are relieved after Health Canada backed down from a plan to label ground meat with a fat content warning. Federal minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced new front-of-package nutrition labels June 30 for products that are high in saturated fat, sugar or sodium content. Companies have until Jan. 1, 2026 to have the […] Read more
