Livestock Management
The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre in Saskatoon embraces new technology
Reverse vaccinology is a promising method for creating vaccines that in the near future will protect livestock from prevalent and chronic diseases. Differentiating an infected animal from a vaccinated animal has long been a problem and global trade hinges on the safety and biosecurity of a country’s livestock. The new technology allows researchers to quickly […] Read more
Livestock Management
Hog barn biosecurity emphasized in Alberta
Producers are urged to disinfect feed ingredient packaging and also find a way to disinfect the pallets or at least get them off the ground
When Dr. Egan Brockhoff drove to the Lethbridge Exhibition where he would speak to hog producers about biosecurity, he noticed a one-ton pickup loaded with a full mini-bulk bag sitting on a pallet. That bag became an object lesson during his talk on “wartime” biosecurity as Alberta producers acknowledge that porcine epidemic diarrhea is active […] Read more
New research quantifying lameness in feedlot cattle
Lameness in cattle is an obvious animal welfare issue. Lame cattle appear to experience extreme pain, have difficulty moving to feed and water, and in some severe cases, may need to be humanely euthanized in a timely fashion. It has long been recognized as a significant economic issue as well. For example, in the dairy […] Read more
Pork council eyes pricing options
Building a made-in-Canada hog price has gone to the national table. The Canadian Pork Council is working with consultants to come up with pricing options with a report expected later this year. The Canadian industry uses the U.S. base price as the basis for what producers receive, but the number of hogs used to calculate […] Read more
Producers want development funding
RED DEER — Alberta beef groups agree they need an industry development fund but details must be clarified. The Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, Alberta Beef Producers and the Western Stock Growers Association have met to keep the idea alive to support projects of common interest but realize there is no extra money available. “ABP would […] Read more
New fly product a first for Canada
CAYLEY, Alta. — A fly control product incorporated in bovine mineral, in use in the United States for about 17 years, is now available in Canada. Altosid insect growth regulator is marketed by Cargill and designed to treat horn flies in manure. “It was registered in May of 2018 so we were already into fly […] Read more
‘Destined to fail’
OTTAWA — Disappointment and frustration over Canada’s new livestock transportation regulations came out loud and clear at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting. “It has created a regulation that industry can’t even begin to meet. I think it is destined to fail,” said Reg Schellenberg, co-chair of the CCA animal health committee. The association met […] Read more
Alberta bison event moves into bigger space
The Wildrose Bison Convention live streams its sale, saying the initiative is intended to improve animal welfare
CAMROSE, Alta. — Alberta’s staple bison event continues to evolve, modernizing the sales ring for a growing number of animal entries. The Wildrose Bison Convention, for the first time, live-streamed its sale March 16 for producers attending in person or online, taking animal welfare into account. The animals were video-taped ahead of time rather than […] Read more
Bison heifer calf raises $5,000 for charity at recent auction sale
CAMROSE, Alta. — One of Neil McAllister’s bison heifer calves fetched $5,000 for charity during a recent auction, raising funds to tackle cancer. It was the first time a bison had been auctioned with the Calves for Cancer campaign, a fundraiser by Alberta country radio station 840 CFCW AM, with proceeds going to the Cross […] Read more
Bear awareness programs pay off in Alberta
The province has funded research to determine grizzly population, but surveys, relying heavily on DNA, are not complete
CLARESHOLM, Alta. — Bear-proof bin doors, electric fencing and regional containers to store dead livestock have reduced landowners’ problems in southern Alberta related to unwelcome visits and damage from grizzly bears, wolves and other large carnivores. The Communities and Carnivores program, organized through the Waterton Biosphere Reserve, has statistics on reported problems in four municipalities: […] Read more
