Livestock Management
Some traffic is flowing through to the border at Coutts, Alta., but it’s far from free-flowing and has been totally blocked intermittently by both protesters and police with no notice to travellers or commercial operators throughout the past week. Two well-provisioned protest encampments have been set up as the blockade’s organizers remain encamped at Coutts […] Read more
Livestock Management
Cattle groups want end to border blockade; beef backlog feared
The beef industry’s largest producer organizations say they have “serious concerns” about the border blockade near Coutts, Alta., as it wraps up its sixth day. The Canadian Cattlemen Association, Alberta Beef Producers and the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association are all calling on a “timely resolution” to the situation, according to the joint release issued this […] Read more
Feedlots face feed uncertainty
Western Canadian feedlots are struggling to acquire American corn, compounding ongoing supply chain problems. Last year’s drought has caused a feed shortage from traditional Canadian suppliers, and while corn is plentiful in the United States, transportation north continues to be pinched by logistics issues caused by the pandemic. “It’s devastating,” said Ryan Kasko, chief executive […] Read more
Philippines lifts BSE restrictions
WINNIPEG (Reuters) — The Philippines has lifted its suspension of Canadian beef imports, which it imposed due to detection of a cattle disease last month, federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said Jan. 29. Canada detected a case of BSE in December on an Alberta farm, the country’s first known BSE case in six years. The […] Read more
Prairie ranches take bull sales online
Pandemic forces producers to learn how to build websites, create Instagram accounts and make videos of their bulls
CAMROSE, Alta.— The annual tradition of buyers gathering at a sale barn, eating beef on a bun, possibly having a drink or two and bidding on a bull has been put on hold for some farms. COVID-19 has changed many things, including the way farms sell animals. Arika Kathol has spent hours building a website […] Read more
Rapid test for BRD could alleviate antibiotic resistance
Researcher says quickly determining if an animal has bovine respiratory disease may prevent unnecessary antibiotic use
Research coming out of Purdue University has taken an important step in developing a rapid test for bovine respiratory disease. It could prove critical in reducing the nearly $1 billion in estimated losses the disease causes in the North American beef industry. Mohit Verma, Canadian-born lead researcher and assistant professor at Purdue’s agricultural and engineering […] Read more
Invention gives animals a push instead of a pull
A light, aluminum device is inserted into the stall behind the pig and is used to push it forward to where it needs to be
A herd veterinarian and her team at Maple Leaf Agri-Farms in Landmark, Man., have received the F.X. Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production. Jewel White, farm maintenance technician Jim Kehler, and veterinary assistant Ronald Nayre were honoured for their work on a device to improve both animal and worker safety in hog barns during blood […] Read more
Mustard growers set sights on dairy market
University of Saskatchewan researcher studies the possibility of controlling mastitis by adding powdered mustard to cattle bedding
Mustard’s strong and bitter flavour makes it distinct from other condiments. It’s nothing like mayonnaise and completely different from ketchup. The compounds that give mustard its unique flavour are also useful in another way. The chemicals are anti-microbials, which kill some of the harmful bacteria and pathogens that make humans and animals sick. It’s well […] Read more
Skin tumour removal in horses can be tricky business
A lump or bump on your horse’s skin is most likely a sarcoid. These are the most common type of skin tumours found in horses and other equids like donkeys and mules. Some studies have estimated that up to 12 percent of horses will develop sarcoids in their lifetime. Their appearance can range from rough, […] Read more
Animal health group opts for name change
The National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council has formally changed its name to Animal Health Canada. The new name is the first step in realizing a new vision and mission, as well as a new governance structure for the not-for-profit organization. An overall focus on increased collaboration between industry and government groups is central […] Read more
