Livestock Management
Every year at calving season I see injured and bruised farmers because they’ve had a run-in with an overzealous cow. Most farmers have come up with ways to handle cow-calf pairs in safe and low-stress ways. With bigger herds, I have seen cross-adoption become a problem so want to share my thoughts on the benefits […] Read more
Livestock Management
Avian flu outbreak spreads to Alberta
The avian influenza outbreak has hit the Prairies after being found in three flocks in Alberta on Wednesday. The discovery comes on the heels of two weeks of spreading across southern Ontario with the East Coast reporting cases earlier this year. The three Alberta flocks — two in Mountain View County and one in Ponoka […] Read more
Drought still top of mind for new CCA president
Water infrastructure and livestock price insurance will be major priorities as the West comes off a challenging time last year
Reg Schellenberg took a bittersweet flight home from Ottawa after he was named president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. The pride he felt to be representing the CCA at the highest level was tempered by the death of his father-in-law and well-known Saskatchewan cattle producer, Ted Perrin, who died March 25 in Swift Current. “It […] Read more
Livestock border deal reached
Canada and the United States plan to initiate a cross-border policy to allow emergency transportation of livestock across the international boundary during disasters. In a joint statement by Canada’s chief veterinary officer, Dr. Mary Jane Ireland, and her U.S. counterpart, Dr. Rosemary Sifford, the two vets heralded the move. “We are pleased to announce that […] Read more
Teff hay seen as new forage option
Originally grown as a cereal crop, it has received good marks in research trials and impressed livestock producers
The shock and excitement is still noticeable when Micheline Maes of Blackwell Hay Farms just northwest of Cochrane, Alta., talks about the first time she saw the analysis for the farm’s teff hay. “I was like, this is the Holy Grail,” she said. “You’re always looking for that combination of low sugar and high protein.” […] Read more
Mapping project seen as solution to grassland loss
The industry says a complete catalogue would help track change and understand where grasslands are being lost and why
Canada contains some of the largest unbroken parcels of grasslands on the continent but a complete catalogue of those lands needs to be developed, producers heard at the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association annual general meeting. “We don’t have one at this point,” said Cedric MacLeod, executive director of CFGA, said during the March AGM. […] Read more
Research shows young dairy calves like to have company
A recent study challenges the practice of housing calves individually to limit the spread of disease and improve health
Housing pre-weaned calves individually has been a tradition among many dairy farmers in Canada, the United States and Europe but the practice has come under scrutiny recently. A recent study by researchers at the University of British Columbia looked at how motivated very young calves are to seek social contact. “In North America, individual housing […] Read more
Coyotes seen as possible source of mange for farm dogs
Coyotes are ubiquitous on the Canadian prairie landscape. In rural and urban areas, coyote populations are thriving. A disease frequently associated with coyotes is mange, one of the most visible and severe diseases to affect wild animals. A survey of coyotes in British Columbia found that about one in four had skin disease consistent with […] Read more
Avian flu spreads in Ontario
Poultry producers in southern Ontario are facing a spread of avian influenza that has been found on six farms in a little more than a week and has now been detected in wild fowl in Quebec. The latest infections come on top of six farms reporting bird flu cases in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and […] Read more
Producer loses animal protection appeal
A Court of Queen’s Bench judge has dismissed an application for a judicial review of a decision by Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan not to return seized cattle to their owner. However, Justice B.L. Klatt said APSS could have been fairer in working with the cattle producer. Andrew Mandziak from Hubbard, Sask., also tried to […] Read more
