Livestock Management
Watching flight zone and balance points helps hold animals in right frame of mind and moving in the right direction
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Learning how to move cattle with little fuss can be an enjoyable experience that doesn’t cost money. Beef quality and stockmanship go together because calm animals can be more profitable, said Curt Pate, who runs livestock-handling clinics across North America. “It will require an investment in time and thought and reflection,” […] Read more
Livestock Management
Cattle industry focuses on keeping tags in ears
A long-term study finds that ear tags fall out largely because the stud on the backing falls apart quicker than it should
When Canadian cattle producers complain about traceability, their biggest gripe is lost ear tags. The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency has a long-term study on ear tag retention that looks at a variety of environments. Manufacturers and the agency have heard the complaints and both are exploring the problem and ways to keep the tags in, […] Read more
Alta. emergency trailers helpful during disasters
Alberta producers seeking help in livestock emergencies are able to access specialized trailers equipped with first responders and tools to resolve situations. The emergency livestock handling equipment trailers, administered by the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association (AFAC), can help producers in incidents such as cattle liner rollovers, barn collapses, fires, floods and with stuck animals. […] Read more
Western Canadian feed market stabilizing
Winnipeg – Western Canadian feed grain prices have come under pressure over the last month, but appear to be stabilizing as attention turns to spring seeding across the Prairies. “We’ve been steadily dropping for the past few weeks, and it’s leveled out now,” said Tracey Green, grain broker with Market Master Ltd. in Edmonton, Alta. […] Read more
Goat code of practice to be updated by ’21
An update to the 2003 code of practice for the care and handling of goats in Canada was announced April 11 by the National Farm Animal Care Council. The update was initiated by the Canadian National Goat Federation and will use the NFACC’s process for developing and updating livestock codes of practice. A survey to […] Read more
Agribition remains in the black
Canadian Western Agribition ended its most recent fiscal year with an operating profit of $190,671. That’s down slightly from the previous year’s $270,000. However, outgoing president Bruce Holmquist said he’s fine with that, considering Agribition is a not-for-profit organization. “We exceeded budget and we probably exceeded expectations when you look at the harvest we had […] Read more
Walmart creates Angus beef supply chain, cutting out meat processors
(Reuters) – Walmart Inc is taking control of the supply chain for Angus beef sold in some of its stores, cutting out meat processors as the company looks to offer higher quality products in an intensely competitive grocery industry. The world’s largest retailer said on Wednesday that the move would allow it to ensure supplies […] Read more
Lawsuit says Tyson, Cargill, JBS conspired to suppress beef prices paid to U.S. ranchers
April 23 (Reuters) – Four of the largest U.S. beef-packing companies were accused in a lawsuit on Tuesday of violating federal antitrust law by conspiring to drive down prices they paid ranchers for cattle, even as retail beef prices hovered near record levels. Tyson Foods Inc, Cargill Inc, the JBS USA unit of Brazil’s JBS […] Read more
Thai company buys Manitoba’s HyLife
One of the largest pork companies in Canada is no longer owned by Manitobans. Today, HyLife announced it has sold 50.1 percent of its shares to Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) — a company based in Thailand. Itochu, a Japanese firm, will continue to own 49.9 percent of HyLife. “This is a win-win […] Read more
Cow longevity study needs dairy farms
Alberta dairy farms are being sought to take part in a study on dairy cow longevity conducted by the University of Calgary, faculty of veterinary medicine. In a news release issued April 22, Alberta Milk said the study is designed to investigate which cow factors, such as production, reproduction and health, are key to determining […] Read more
