Livestock Management
Deciding which cover crops to use will depend on the goal, but producers must make sure not to use too many species
Summer annuals and cover crops can provide grazing for cattle and improve soil health, says Graeme Finn of Southern Cross Livestock near Crossfield, Alta. “There are many options to try, but a person has to narrow it down. Do you want a summer grazing program or a winter program? Do you want to take a […] Read more
Livestock Management
Septicemia linked to cluster of deaths in newborn calves
Our disease investigation unit at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon is typically busy this time of year with outbreaks of neonatal calf diseases and some abortion storms as well. I’ve worked with several local veterinarians who described calves that were dying in the first few days of life. The typical clinical scenario […] Read more
Producers urged to be ready for catastrophic incidents
Contacting local emergency managers ahead of time and writing an on-farm plan are called the best ways to be prepared
For Jenner, Alta., rancher Brad Osadczuk, news of one of his cattle testing positive for bovine tuberculosis in the fall of 2016 was a gut-wrenching experience that eventually led to a total depopulation of his herd. That initial diagnosis was followed by five more cases being found in his herd and resulted in thousands of […] Read more
Scientists slam report on red meat consumption
A 2019 study that said high consumption of unprocessed red meat caused 896,000 deaths comes under new pressure
A group of scientists is challenging the findings of a 2019 report that said eating red meat causes nearly 900,000 deaths each year. In a joint letter published in The Lancet in late February, nutrition and disease experts from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands and Belgium criticized the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, […] Read more
Losses reported in Chinese hog sector
China’s hog producers are losing record amounts of money and are cutting back on soybean meal and corn, according to a news report. Farmers are losing an average of US$75 on every hog they slaughter, which is the worst loss on record, says a Reuters story. That compares to an average profit of $157 per […] Read more
Udder shape plays role in mastitis
Big bottle-shaped teats and those that are deformed or damaged at the tips are at risk because they may let in bacteria
Mastitis is more common and better studied in dairy cattle than beef cows but the latter group aren’t free from the challenges mastitis presents. “Beef cows with mastitis often have a painful quarter, produce less milk, nurse their calves less, and in some instances infection can lead to septicemia and death of the cow,” says […] Read more
Cover crop use expands on Prairies: researcher
Cover crops can help reduce erosion, hold soil moisture and improve soil health. Now a growing number of producers are using cover crops to also provide more forage for livestock. University of Manitoba researchers are conducting surveys to see how and why producers are using cover crops. Emma McGeough, associate professor in the U of […] Read more
Understanding the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of colostrum for calves
We have known that colostrum is important to calf health for a long time. Calves are born with an immature immune system and they depend on the intake of antibodies in colostrum called immunoglobulin G, or IgG, to protect them during early life. This process is called the transfer of passive immunity. However, our understanding […] Read more
Longtime cattle breeder dies
Longtime Saskatchewan cattle breeder Alfred Sattler died March 8. Sattler, 81, was born and raised in the Regina area and lived there his entire life. He raised hogs to finance his agriculture education at the University of Saskatchewan from 1959-61. He established his first purebred Hereford herd in 1962 and quickly became known for producing […] Read more
Clean calving area fights septicemia
Many calves that develop the disease didn’t get enough colostrum, but dirty environments can overwhelm their immunity
Calves can develop infection when bacteria or toxins enter the bloodstream, and some of those toxic bacteria gain entrance through the navel stump or the gastro-intestinal tract. Any blood-borne infection can become life-threatening if the bacteria or toxins damage vital organs. The infection may localize, create internal abscesses or settle in the joints, causing joint […] Read more
