Livestock Management
Sheep prices have been reaching record highs ever since the pandemic started. At Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, which had a large sheep sale, these high prices were on display Nov. 27. The room was packed with buyers vying to buy lambs, ewes and rams. Lamb prices were often higher than their market price. Some […] Read more
Livestock Management
Culling decisions in the cow herd difficult but important
Weaning and pregnancy checking have been the major events at many commercial cow-calf herds over the last few months. As part of that process, many producers have to make decisions about which cows should be offered the early retirement option. This year many herd managers are also struggling with limited feed resources because of drought […] Read more
Bison designed to fight climate change, with fewer emissions
The ancient animal has been living in hot and challenging environments for millennia and will even reduce fire risk
Bison are likely well suited to a warming climate, says Dr. John Church, research chair in cattle industry sustainability at Thompson Rivers University. “The heat’s coming. I think we’re all starting to appreciate that,” he told the Canadian Bison Association annual conference. “Of the species that we raise for livestock I’m probably the least worried […] Read more
Maine-Anjou sale gives back to grieving family
Colleen Hansen looked in shock at the world Maine-Anjou sale Nov. 25 at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina. A heifer she hoped would sell for $4,500 was getting closer to $16,000, something she and her husband, Myles, didn’t expect. That day, she soon realized, would be filled with many surprises. “They didn’t announce the buyer […] Read more
Complex cattle year turning out better than expected
Prices have been better than expected and demand remains strong; feed is in short supply and costs are high
As tough as 2021 has been for cattle ranchers across the Prairies, it might not be as bad as some feared. With the fall run all but wrapped up for the year, Tyler Cronkhite, manager of Cowtown Livestock Exchange in Maple Creek, Sask., said there is a more upbeat feel with ranchers than during the […] Read moreMaine-Anjou show and sale results
The Maine-Anjou show took place at Canadian Western Agribition Nov. 24. The grand champion bull banner was taken home by Rusylvia Cattle Co. from Derwent, Alta. That company also won reserve grand champion. Pick Six Cattle from Gull Lake, Sask., won grand champion female. Rusylvia Cattle won the reserve. Rusylvia Cattle Co. was also awarded […] Read more
Cargill labour disruption averted
Canada’s beef industry has avoided a significant labour disruption, as workers at Cargill’s High River, Alta., packing facility have voted to accept a new contract. Although the threat of a strike or lockout affecting much of Canada’s beef sector has been averted, the union representing workers at Cargill’s plant in High River, Alta., says its […] Read more
B.C. flood effects being tallied as recovery begins
Provincial and federal officials are looking at how to best get financial help to British Columbia producers hit by flooding that has damaged their property and killed hundreds of thousands of farm animals. “Our hearts continue to be with the folks that are struggling with the very difficult situations that are happening right now,” B.C. […] Read more
Producers fume on beef boom sidelines
Soaring beef prices endured by consumers don’t reflect what farmers and ranchers actually earn for their cattle, leading an industry leader to fear for the future. Although costs ranging from feed to fuel “are going through the roof,” producers aren’t seeing any increases in cattle prices, said Melanie Wowk, chair of Alberta Beef Producers. “There’s […] Read more
Porcine diarrhea outbreak confined
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has broken out again in Manitoba, but hog producers aren’t panicking. The outbreak appears to be limited right now. “We’re still doing pretty good on numbers,” said Cam Dahl, the general manager of Manitoba Pork Council. There were 14 confirmed cases in barns by Oct. 27, which are the first cases […] Read more
