Livestock Management
Testing methods have improved for this sexually transmitted disease, making it easier for producers to keep it at bay
Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease, can sneak into a herd without obvious signs until cows don’t conceive and the calf crop is reduced. It is caused by protozoa in the reproductive tract of cows and the sheath of bulls and occurs most often when ranchers use untested bulls, buy open cows or when cattle herds […] Read more
Livestock Management
Risk of fog fever in cattle potentially higher this autumn
In many parts of Western Canada, we have suffered through a significant drought this grazing season. As well, in some areas we have seen some precipitation late in the summer and early fall, which has resulted in regrowth of forages on pasture. These are ideal conditions for a potentially fatal condition known as fog fever, […] Read more
Russia reports swine fever outbreak at one of Miratorg’s sites
MOSCOW, Sept 27 (Reuters) – Russia has reported an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) at a site of the country’s largest pork producer Miratorg in the Belgorod region in the central Russia, the agriculture safety watchdog said in a statement on Monday. Spread partly by wild boars, ASF is harmless to human beings but […] Read more
Alberta cattle seized in Sask.
Two people have been charged with fraud over $5,000 after an RCMP investigation into cattle in several locations in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Shane and Shanon Hoff of Two Hills, Alta., are to appear in Vegreville Provincial Court on Oct. 18 after cattle were allegedly purchased with a fraudulent cheque and transported out of the province […] Read more
Pregnancy checks require accuracy
Producers often want more information than whether a cow is pregnant, but it’s important for the diagnosis to be correct
Open cows are expensive to keep, and never more than during a year of feed shortages. It adds importance to pregnancy checking, along with the fact that an abundance of open cows can indicate disease in the herd that should be addressed. Pregnancy testing methods include palpation, ultrasound and blood tests. Rectal palpation is the […] Read more
Emotion identification can improve welfare
An automated facial recognition coding system uses images and videos to determine specific emotions in livestock
Advances in precision agriculture have made it possible to track beef or dairy cow movements, feed and water consumption, body weight and basic behaviour patterns, which can help limit disease and increase production. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and readers, electronic scales and implanted chips send data to smartphones and computers when locations or routine behaviours […] Read more
Horse owners struggle with shortage of good-quality hay
A boarding facility near Saskatoon says finding adequate feed supplies has been its number one concern this year
SASKATOON — With 10 horses of their own and another 28 boarding on their property near Clavet, Sask., Gayle Smith and Alf Epp of Sunny Plain Ranch run one of the largest equine boarding facilities in the Saskatoon area. Sunny Plain is busy with English and Western discipline lessons and visiting clinicians. Smith and Epp […] Read more
New product provides producers with viable option for lice control
Lice have been on the increase the last few years and it appears resistance to the ivermectin products may be part of the problem. As well, treatment timing, proper application, weather conditions and dosage could be factors. The type of lice can make a difference because biting lice feed on the skin surface, move around […] Read more
China lowers 2021-2025 sow herd target, seeks to stabilize pork prices
Sept 23 (Reuters) – China’s agriculture ministry lowered its sow herd inventory target for the Five-Year Plan just started, as the world’s top pork producer aims to ensure supply and stabilize prices. In an interim plan for hog breeding capacity, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said the target for the sow herd was […] Read more
Coal policy review wraps up in Alta.
A public engagement process that gathered input about a new coal policy for the province didn’t go far enough, says an environmental advocate. The review by the Coal Policy Committee will affect the future of the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, said Ian Urquhart, executive director of the Alberta Wilderness Association. The region contains […] Read more
