The Ashern Auction Mart doesn’t normally hold sales in the summer. That’s because cows and calves are on pasture and producers don’t have a need to market their cattle. But in early July, the auction market, about 180 kilometres north of Winnipeg, held a sale “due to the drought,” its website says. On July 7, […] Read more
Livestock — page 2
Study finds significant beef payoff
New report says it is difficult to measure the economic significance of the sector by just looking at farm cash receipts
A recent study shows beef production in Canada contributes more to the overall economy than is shown by traditional measures such as farm cash receipts. The recent Economic Impacts of Livestock Production in Canada – A Regional Multiplier Analysis, funded by the Beef Cattle Research Council, confirmed the beef sector continues to be a significant […] Read more
Sask. research monitors sulfate levels in dugouts
University of Regina researcher Kerri Finlay has received $279,125 in grant money from Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund for research into sulfate in dugouts. Finlay received the grant in January, and has started preliminary research with her team by sampling 30 different dugouts across Saskatchewan and monitoring their sulfate levels. “We found that there are a […] Read more
Steps taken to mitigate disease emergencies
Diseases and pandemics can and do happen swiftly and with limited warning. Recent history has confirmed this, along with hard lessons on appropriate response, communication and organization. “The human pandemic we’re going through has taught all of us about the severity, emergence and spread of disease. It can have a profound effect and be tough […] Read more
Butting heads – photo essay
Photo Essay | Bulls square off at the Earl-Mason ranch southwest of High River, Alta. One of them eventually had to make a run for it. | Mike Sturk photos
Bulls square off at the Earl-Mason ranch southwest of High River, Alta. One of them eventually had to make a run for it. | Mike Sturk photos
Forensic science helps investigate animal abuse cases
Over the past few decades, there has been growing interest and expertise in applying the science of forensics to animal abuse investigations. Forensics are defined as the use of scientific methods and techniques in crime investigations. This interest has been driven by increased societal awareness of animal welfare issues. There is also growing recognition that […] Read more
Heat wave raises blue-green algae risk
Temperatures soared across the Prairies during the last week of June, bringing with it the risk of blue-green algae in ponds and dugouts. Blue-green algae is toxic for livestock. Sean Osmar, manager of communications at the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, said the temperatures haven’t changed the bloom of blue-green algae in the province. However, that […] Read more
Cracking the sustainability puzzle
The beef industry is faced with an interesting, yet frustratingly complex riddle: how to help feed a growing world population but still protect the environment and the animals, satisfy the consumer and create a reasonable living while addressing these matters. The answer often put forward is sustainability, but this leads to many more questions. Can […] Read more
Russia bans feed imports
The federal government is investigating claims from Russia that animal feed and pet food containing GMOs were shipped to that country. The Russian Federation has suspended all shipments from Canada effective June 17, saying that undeclared or unregistered GMOs were found in recent shipments. Product shipped before June 17 will be tested. The Canadian Food […] Read more
Saskatchewan producers recognized for stewardship
Ed and Charlotte Bothner from Beechy have been named Saskatchewan’s TESA (The Environmental Stewardship Award) winners for 2021. The couple operates a cow-calf business on land north of the former Matador Community Pasture and 6,000 acres of native grass next to the South Saskatchewan River. In the 1990s they seeded crop land back to grass, […] Read more
